March 2427, Stardate: 104195.4
Chapter 2
"First Officer's Personal Log, Stardate: 104195.4. TheEnterprisearrived at Starbase 18 yesterday evening, and Sonak gave his report on Q-45-4. In my opinion it was eloquent and thoughtful. However, he seemed to think otherwise. I attempted to cheer him up, however, I am unsure whether or not I succeeded. Therefore, I have invited him to my quarters aboard the Starbase for breakfast."
"Come in," called Tom Stewart as the chime to his quarters rang. The doors opened and Sonak stepped in. "Ah, Sonak, good morning." "Good morning, Commander," he replied. "Sonak, please, call me Tom." "I apologize." "Alright, now on to breakfast. I cooked us some steak and hash browns." "Delicious," Sonak said. "I hope you don't mind, I used replicated ingredients." "Of course not." "Good." Tom set a plate in front of Sonak. "Enjoy." "Thank you, Commander. I mean, Tom." The two sat down and ate. "Sonak," Tom began. "I'm telling you, Admiral Riker is going to go through with this. Any minute he's going to-" "Riker to Sonak," Admiral Riker's voice came through Sonak's comm badge. Sonak tapped his comm badge and said, "Go ahead, Admiral." "Please report to my office." "Aye sir, Out." He tapped his comm badge again to close the channel. "Sorry I couldn't finish breakfast Tom." "That's alright Sonak." Tom got up. "Where are you going?" asked Sonak. "With you," replied Tom. "Tom, the admiral asked for me-" "I won't go in his office." "Fine, I can't stop you." "Good." The two stepped out of Tom's quarters and headed for the turbolift.
…..
The turbolift doors opened outside Admiral Riker's office and Sonak was stunned at what he saw. The entire living crew of the Enterprise-F (four people besides him and Tom) stood there to congratulate him. "What for?" he asked. "Well, for Admiral Riker's asking to see you. We know he's going to say yes," said Commodore Glenn. "Thank you Commodore," said Sonak. "Sonak," began Rom. "I know you and I haven't been the best of friends, but if I may use a human phrase with you, you've got this in the bag!" "Thank you, Ensign." "Well, what are you waiting for, go in," urged Tom. Sonak stepped to the door, and pressed the chime button. Admiral Riker's voice rang through, "Come." Sonak pressed the button to operate the door, and it slid open.
"Sonak, please take a seat." Admiral Riker gestured to a chair on the other end of his desk. Sonak sat down. Then the admiral began to speak…
…
"Can you hear anything?" asked Tom. "No. The doors are soundproof," said the commodore. "Why don't we just wait?" asked Elizabeth. "How long can it take?" Suddenly the doors opened to reveal Admiral Riker and Sonak, both smiling. "They accepted my report." "Colonization will begin shortly," said Admiral Riker. "The Enterprise can leave whenever you say so." "Actually," began Riker. Everyone fell silent. "The Enterprise will not be a part of the colonization fleet." "But it was Sonak's report, he should be there," protested Tom. "The Enterprise should be there. If you're building a military outpost, you need a military presence-" "The fleet we're sending is currently in the delta quadrant near the border. They are much more fit to colonize this world. This order was not my choice. The Enterprise was ordered, by my superiors to proceed to Ceti Alpha, to assist in relief efforts from the recent Romulan-Klingon attack. These orders are final."
….
"Helm, lay in a course for Ceti Alpha." "Yes, sir," replied Sonak in dismay. "Course set." "Warp 8." "May I remind you, Commodore, that this ship does Warp 9.995, as well as Slipstream 5, with no more difficulty than impulse speeds." "Order stands, Commander. Warp 8. Engage."
….
"Warp 8, Commodore, course Ceti Alpha system." "Lieutenant Rugal, cloak the ship." "Sir?" Rugal asked, surprised. "You heard the order, Lieutenant." "Cloaking ship." The Enterprise then disappeared behind its cloak. "Helm, alter course heading 105.4 mark 347, Slipstream 4." "Alteration entered." "Alter." The Enterprise turned and entered its slipstream corridor. "Commodore, the course you have put us on will take us directly though Romulan-Klingon space." "As far as we know they can't scan in a slipstream, let alone fly in one." "Understood. Course altered." Sonak it a combination of buttons, and a galactic map displayed on his personal screen, showing the territories, the Enterprise and its course. It did, in fact, pass directly through Romulan-Klingon space, practically bisecting the line between Romulus and Qo'noS. After clicking a few more buttons, all the systems on Enterprise's course were displayed. A total of three, two of which were in Romulan-Klingon space. The third caught Sonak's eye. "Commodore," he began slowly. "What is it, Commander?" "The course you set takes us directly to the Q-45 system in the Beta Quadrant." "Does it?" Commander Stewart couldn't restrain himself. He laughed out loud. "What is funny, Commander?" asked Sonak. Then Commodore Glenn laughed too. Even Rugal and Rom seemed amused. Sonak just stared. "Sonak," said the Commodore between laughs, then she got control of herself. "I have just completed a direct violation of our orders. Anyone who wishes to object should do so now. It will be noted." No one spoke up. "Then Sonak, continue course and speed." "Yes, sir," said Sonak. "50 minutes to destination."
…
The Enterprise had arrived in the Q-45 system, and was moving into orbit of Q-45-4. "Mr. Rom, slipstream scanners," ordered the Commodore. "Aye, sir. Five science ships approaching at Slipstream 3.5. Arrival in 10 minutes." "Good. Lieutenant Rugal, decloak the ship." "Yes, sir."