SMST 5D: A Thanksgiving Carol! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Author's note: Yes, it's not Thanksgiving Day anymore, but this is the holiday season. Enjoy!
Part 4
Eventually, after dealing with the embarrassment of Usagi trying to "jump" her husband Ranma, a plan of action was made…
"According to my calculations, the Doomsday Machine that would become the catalyst of the war will appear here," Kargh says, as he points to a sector of space within the Klingon Neutral, with the key command staff gathered in the Enterprise's conference room. "According to the Farragut's historical records, my…father would lead the first wave before his untimely passing."
Pike turns to Kirk.
"Do you have any…weapon systems that could counter-act this mechanical menace?" Pike asked.
"The upgrades to your weapons systems is fairly easy to incorporate," Kirk says, as he glances over to Ranma. Ranma was trying to fend off Usagi's straying hands, as she continued to touch Ranma's lap while slowly working her hand up his leg.
Pike turns to Ranma.
"Saotome, how long do you think it will take do the work?" Pike asked.
"Hmm?" Ranma managed to say, as he was slightly distracted. "Oh, not very long…ten minutes?"
Meanwhile, Usagi "accidentally" drops her datapad.
"Oops," Usagi says demurely. "I think I drop something…"
And down Usagi goes.
"So these weapon systems will destroy the machine?" Number One asked.
"It won't destroy the hull, but we can shut it down," Kirk says.
"Hey!" Ranma yells, as he suddenly bolts up, with his zipper partially unzipped.
"I think we should adjourn this meeting," Kirk says.
"Yes, we SHOULD," says Pike, as he shakes his head. "And, if I might add, I DO hope that the Starfleet officers in YOUR time act a bit more professional…"
"Kargh, could you get the Usagi from underneath the table?" Kirk says with a sigh. He understood Usagi's need to be with her husband, but at least she maintain some modicum of decorum…
With the modifications made the Enterprise, she and the Farragut traveled to the primary temporal disturbance.
"And Usagi, in the future, PLEASE act like a proper 'First Officer'," Kirk says. "I know that you are going through some difficulties…"
"I'm sorry sir," Usagi says. "I behave better."
"That's all I ask," Kirk replied, as he turns to his Science Office. "Kargh, status."
"Sir, sensors indicate a series of energy discharges," Kargh says, as he looks into the sensor unit. "Several ships appear to have been destroyed in the melee with the Doomsday Machine."
"Red alert!" Kirk says.
"All hands: battlestations," Uhura says, as she activates the red-alert protocols.
"We should be in visual range," Kargh says.
"On screen," Kirk replied.
Sure enough, the Doomsday Machine was making short work of the Klingon Fleet, with last ship holding the line.
"That…is my father's ship," Kargh says.
"Uhura, contact that Klingon vessel," Kirk says. "Perhaps we will have better luck with three vessels, instead of one."
"Aye, sir," Uhura says. "We patch through."
"Kirk to the Klingon vessel," Kirk says. "May we provide assistance?"
CHIRP!
An older Klingon appears on screen. Klingons in the mid-23rd century had not yet restored their true genetic lines. As a result, a typical Klingon had the appearance of a swarthy Mongolian warrior, from Earth.
"Stay out of our way, Earthers!" yells the Klingon commander. "This prize is OURS-!"
"Father!" Kargh says. "We must side with the Earthers to deal with this menace."
The Klingon commander looked perplexed at first before scowling.
"Who dares call me that?" the Klingon demanded.
"I am…Kargh, son of Korogh and Br'gia. Salutations."
"You…you look like my son, but you wear the uniform of the enemy?"
"Commander, we are from the future," Kirk says. "In the time we come from, Q'onos is no more."
"Father, we've come to correct this," Kargh says. "I and the rest who survived the onslaught joined Starfleet so we could exact vengeance. Please, let the Earthers assist you in YOUR victory."
"And the Earthers will allow me to claim what is rightfully mine?"
"Whatever you say," Kirk says. "Imagine the accolades that you will have, once you have saved all of Q'onos."
"You speak wisely for an Earther. Very well, this 'alliance' will last only as long as I deem fit."
CHIRP!
"Well, at least that's that," Kirk says. He then presses his stationary communications unit on his chair.
"Pike, did you get that?"
On the Enterprise…
"I got," Pike says. He turns towards Spock.
"Spock, status."
"All relevant data has been inputted into the tactical system," Spock says. "Lt. Saotome and Number One can act appropriately."
"Thanks," Pike says, as he then turns to Ranma.
"Saotome, charge the weapons systems and the deflector shields," Pike says.
"Aye, sir," Ranma says, as he prepares himself for battle. Number One turns to Ranma.
"It's hard to believe that Usagi…became both Helm Specialist AND First Officer," Number says, as she prepares her flight vectors.
Ranma turns towards the First Officer.
"Believe or not, Usagi is quite capable of handling herself, when she is focused," Ranma says.
"Like she tried to-" Number One began to say jokingly.
"Hush your mouth."
"Number One, let's take down this metal monstrosity," Pike says.
And thus, the battle was on.
During the course of the battle, the Doomsday Machine suffered significant loss of energy, as each ship did its best to hit the designated target within the maw of the weapon. Unfortunately, along the way, Korogh and his ship was destroyed. However, rather than shutting down, the Doomsday Machine…disappeared.
Kirk turns to Kargh.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Kargh," Kirk says.
"Do not be, sir," Kargh says. "My father died with honor while saving our homeworld."
"Then why haven't we gone back to the future?" DeSalle asked. "Surely, the machine's disappearance would have corrected the flaw in the timeline."
"That is a good point," Kirk says, as he faces DeSalle, before returning his head back towards Kargh. "Kargh?"
"I will consult my findings with Lt. Spock," Kargh says, as he begins places his earpiece on his ear.
Meanwhile, Usagi sighs. She could try to stay here, and be with Ranma, but her presence would be yet another violation of the timeline.
"Usagi, cheer up," DeSalle says, as he leans over.
"Hmm?" Usagi says, as she looks over at her crewmate.
"I'm sure…that you'll be with your husband again," DeSalle says with a hint of dejection.
"DeSalle-"
"No, I know we were only going out, but-"
"SHH!" Usagi says, as she places her index finger on the Navigator's lips. "For what it's worth, I had a good time these past few years, especially after my daughter Aiko died during the 'Shadow Incident'."
DeSalle smiles at the compliment, thinking how "the Shadows" tried to take advantage of the Doomsday War, before Za'Hadum was destroyed by second generation Doomsday Machine.
"Sir," Kargh says, as he turns to Kirk. "Spock and I determined that the use of the deflector dish to destroy the weapon may have sent it forward into the future."
"How is that possible?" Kirk asked.
Kargh explains that the stream of protons, which were necessary to destroy the Doomsday Weapon, created anti-protons within the machine itself. At sufficient levels, the anti-protons charged the temporal field that was surrounding the weapon.
"Which means that the weapon has jumped forward in time," Kirk says. "Still, we should be different by now, since the destruction of the Enterprise was the catalyst."
"Unless we're being shielded by the Guardian from any subsequent changes," Kargh offers. "Our task may not be complete in dealing with this threat."
"But how are we going to go after it?" DeSalle says.
"Sling-shot effect," Usagi says. "Mister Kargh can give me the approximate coordinates for the temporal vectors."
"Excellent," Kirk says, as he turns his attention back to Kargh. "Kargh?"
"Affirmative," Kargh says, as he gets to work.
Kirk turns to his Communications Specialist.
"Uhura? Patch me through to Pike's ship."
"Aye, sir," Uhura says.
CHIRP!
"Kirk, what's up?" Pike says.
"We're going to pursue the Doomsday Machine," Kirk says. "Apprise Starfleet of our situation."
"Understood," Pike says. "And Kirk? Good luck."
"Thanks. Kirk-"
"Wait," Usagi says. "May I say…good-bye to Ranma?"
Ranma looks noticeably embarrassed…
"Ranma?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for…everything."
"Huh?"
"You know, just in case."
"Oh."
"Kirk: out," Kirk says.
CHIRP!
"Sorry, sir," Usagi says, as she looks at the data being streamed into console. "I…just, well-"
"It's okay, Usagi," Kirk says. "We all have our…past to deal with these days."
"Thank you sir."
TING!
"Slingshot effect is ready to be implemented," Usagi says.
"Good. Mister DeSalle, plot a course to this star system's sun."
"Aye, sir," DeSalle says.
"Engage."
With that, the Farragut heads straight for the nearest star, hoping to move forward in time before the point of arrival of a weapon of planetary destruction.
Tbc.