Sorry about the long wait. First I had midterms and then I had a writers block. If you have any ideas, feel free to post them.

shaw18

Star Trek the Next Generation

Rabies

Chapter 3

Virus Unidentified

The shuttle craft exited the Romulan ship and began to fly toward the Enterprise. Suddenly the Romulans began to fire on the Enterprise. It struck the side of the Enterprise and Data scanned the Enterprise. There was little damage done. The Enterprise returned fire striking the closest Romulan. A green shield covered the ship showing a minor decrease in shields.

As soon as the ship flew far enough from the Romulan ship, one of the working Romulan ships maneuvered itself and began to fire on the shuttle craft. An explosion rocked the ship as it was struck by malicious torpedoes. Ensign Chris moaned in pain and blood began to trail out of his eyes. His breathing became harsh. "I'm going to die," He said half crying, "I don't want to die."

"You will not," Worf said giving Chris a warrior look.

The shuttle was struck again, this time more fiercely. "Weapons are down," Data said typing fast on the computer, "Communications are off line too."

"Damn," Riker said watching the Enterprise take on the Romulan ships.

The shuttle shook again and Riker almost was thrown out of his chair. "We are losing structural activity," Data said.

Suddenly the shuttle rocked again and Riker only saw a bright flash of light.

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Picard gripped his arm rest as the Enterprise dodged a string of torpedoes from the war birds. The Enterprise shook slightly as one of the torpedoes did hit the ship. "Captain," Ensign Hawke, "A Romulan shuttle craft just exited the Romulan ship the away team went on."

Picard stood up and saw one of the Romulan ships fire on the shuttle craft. "Scan the ship," Picard ordered.

Ensign Hawke shook his head, "Sir I can't get a good scan, but what I can tell you is it is the away team."

"How is that possible?" Picard asked perplexed as the Enterprise shook again.

Picard looked at the shuttle craft as it was once again stuck by a string of torpedoes. "I was able to scan the damage done to the shuttle craft and it wont stand a another hit," Ensign Hawke said, "They are losing structural activity."

"If you can get a clear lock them," Picard ordered, "Transport them directly to sickbay. Once you have them, get us out of here warp six."

"Yes sir," Hawke said.

Troi looked at the bridge and Picard felt the Enterprise turn around. Seconds later it went to warp power. "Counselor you have the bridge."

Picard quickly walked to sickbay. When he entered a shiver ran down his spine. Riker, Worf, and Luke were covered in blood. Data stood by Ensign Chris. Chris was moaning in pain as his grasp on Data's arm tightened.

"Report," Picard as he approached Riker.

"Well," Riker began as he took a step toward his captain, "As soon as we beamed on the Romulan ship, something didn't feel right. As we searched the ship, we saw Romulans sprawled everywhere. They were cut up, as if something tore apart the body."

"Tore apart the body?" Picard asked giving Riker a strange and horrified look.

"Yes," Worf said approaching Picard, "There were also Romulans walking around moaning. They walked around as if they were possessed by something."

"We were also attacked by normal Romulans who must have survived whatever happened on their ship," Data said as Ensign Chris moaned loudly.

Dr. Crusher gave him a sedative and his body then went limp. "How is he?" Picard asked approaching Ensign Chris.

"I have tried everything I know," Dr. Crusher said annoyed leaning against the bed, "Whatever happened to him, I am not familiar with."

"What did happen to him?" Picard asked.

"One of the Romulans bit him," Worf said

"Bit him?" Picard asked as Dr. Crusher gave Worf a horrified look.

"Yes," Riker said sighing in annoyance and horror at the atrocities he saw on the Romulan ship, "One of the deranged Romulans."

"Whatever bit him," Dr. Crusher said, "Transmitted a virus I have never seen in my life," Dr. Crusher walked over to a computer panel on the wall. She typed in a few things. On the screen next to the panel revealed two rows of blood samples. "This is Ensign Chris' blood samples. The reason it is multi-colored is that is the virus."

Picard sighed and then looked at the darkened face of Chris. "I recommend posting a guard here," Worf said to Picard, "We don't know if he will turn into one of those things."

"Agreed," Picard said nodding his head in acknowledgement, "Number the plan is, we will resume our course to Star base 456. I will contact Admiral Ross and see what he thinks," Picard turned to Data, "I want you to help Geordi to see what why we couldn't scan the Romulan ship."

"Yes sir," Data said as he and Worf walked out of sickbay.

Picard and Riker then walked to the bridge. Riker took command as Picard went to contact Admiral Ross. "What do I have the pleasure this time?" Admiral Ross asked smiling at Picard.

"It is about the Romulans," Picard said, "The Enterprise found a Romulan ship drifting dead in the neutral zone. I sent an away team down to the ship and after they returned I found out they were attacked by the Romulans."

"Naturally, "Admiral Ross said, "You boarded their ship."

"One of the Romulans bit and infected one of my crewmen," Picard said.

""Bit him?" Admiral Ross asked with a disgusted look on his face.

"We don't know why yet," Picard said, "Nether do we know anyway to treat the infection."

"Okay this is the plan," Admiral Ross said, "I am going to talk with Benjamin, in fact I am due to visit Deep Space Nine in a few hours. But that is I side issue. Where are you heading right now?"

"To Star base 456," Picard said, "Why?"

"Stay there and once you are there," Admiral Ross said, "I will give you further instructions, Admiral Ross out."

Picard stood p and walked to the replicator. "Computer, "He said, "Earl Grey, hot."

Seconds later his drink appeared. He grabbed it and sniffed its pungent aroma. He wondered what Admiral Ross had in mind. Would this encounter with the Romulans lead to something even more dangerous? Picard didn't have the answers but knew he soon would.

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Guinan had a wet rag in her hand and was wiping of the surface of her bar table. It was really quiet now. There were about six people in ten-forward as opposed to a few hours ago when it was packed.

Guinan placed the rag in a container she had under the bar table. Suddenly she felt herself tremble. Something was on this ship; something that really scared her. Whatever it was, Guinan couldn't stop thinking about it.

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Ensign Martinez looked at Ensign Chris for a second. His skin color was dark and a bad stench filled sickbay. The ship tried to filter out the smell, but for some reason the stench overpowered it. Ensign," Dr. Crusher said from her office, "Can you get another blood sample from Chris. I want to try one more test."

Sure," She said reaching for the right tool.

Martinez began to take some blood from him. Suddenly Chris' eyes flew open and with a guttural growl he jumped up. He bit Martinez in the face taking a chink put of her nose and upper lip. Martinez fell to the floor screaming as blood dripped to the floor.

The guard went to grab his phaser, but Chris bit him in the neck before he could do anything. Ensign Chris stumbled out of sickbay as Dr. Crusher frantically tried to help her new patients.