Unscrupulous

Chapter Twelve

There was another MIB agent on the Enterprise that nobody but Pavel knew about and that was Kevin Riley. Since Riley was going to leave the ship soon, ostensibly to get a desk job at Starfleet headquarters, Chekov knew he would have to contact him as soon as possible. Riley's secret reason for leaving the Enterprise was that he was going to work for Seven on a permanent basis in the twentieth century. Chekov had to find out as much as he could about how history could have been altered so drastically since his initial departure so he could give a full report to Mr. Seven. The thought had also occurred to Chekov that Mr. Scott could also be a source of information. He felt that he could not risk asking Kirk without arousing suspicion, for the captain would probably ask him too many questions that he as an undercover MIB agent could not answer. He also knew that Kirk did not take him seriously at times and that if the time line had been changed, the captain would probably assume that he knew what had happened.

As Pavel entered the engineering section, he saw Scotty working on the engines near the warp core, obviously trying to get them to work at peak efficiency. Scott saw the young man out of the corner of his eye.

"Oh, hello, Chekov."

"Greetings, sir. The captain sent me here to ask if the cloaking device is working properly."

"That it is, lad." Scott diverted his attention to it. "Isn't it marvelous? Because of Roykirk* and Christopher, we got to develop the first viable cloaking device. We have defeated every foe who dared to attack us."

"Uh...right. Jackson Roykirk and Captain John Christopher developed it together." Chekov ventured a bit furtively.

"Aye, that's right. With the technological developments and advances of the twenty-first and twenty-second centuries, we were also able to repair that planet killer to the point where we are in complete control of it and of this quadrant. As you know, the doomsday machine is now docked at Utopia Planitia, being readied for use against anyone who dares to attack us."

"I see." Chekov responded, trying to reign in his shock. "The captain did mention General Order Twenty-Four." **

"Aye, lad. Starfleet wants us to wipe the Romulans out. The Intrepid II is going to help us maintain control of the device."

"Sir...isn't that a bit drastic? Do we really have to wipe out an entire race because of the actions of a few?"

"You are talking like a bleeding heart politician, Chekov. That is unlike you."

"It is just that I feel we should not kill needlessly. We are not Klingons. It is a waste of our resources. We have better things to do than to wipe out an entire species."

"This is a kill or be killed universe, Chekov. Because the human race does not have much going for it besides technology, we have to ensure our survival by wiping out those vermin who attacked and killed our citizens without provocation."

"But, sir...if we wiped out every hostile species who dares to attack us, what then are we going to do with the planet killer?"

Scott paused for a moment in thought.

"We could use it as a mining tool by refining its defensive capabilities. Also, in a universe with billions of planets and possible hostile species, that will never happen. There will always be someone out there who thinks they are better than we are, and, like the Klingons, want to test our capabilities in battle. Also, it would be a great deterrent for those who get it into their heads to attack us again."

"Is the new Intrepid still manned by Vulcans?"

"Aye. They also are in agreement with us and are our closest allies."

"Sir...about the cloaking device. What about the Treaty of Algeron?"***

"The what, lad? I never heard of that."

"Never mind." Chekov said, a little embarrassed, knowing that the treaty would not be signed for another eighty years. "I guess I was thinking of another pact we have made. In essence, then, we have told those hostile species that if they don't attack us, we won't attack them."

"Aye, lad. Now you must go and tell the captain that the cloak is working perfectly."

"Aye, sir. Good day to you."

"Good day, lad." Scotty responded with a look of amusement on his face. It was obvious to Chekov that he thought he was a bit green and naive.

As Pavel made his way to the nearest intercom, he wondered no longer why the Romulans who survived the destruction of their home world were going to destroy Vulcan in the future with their own doomsday machine. Suddenly, the red alert klaxon sounded. Chekov flipped the switch, wondering what was up now as he felt the ship shutter from an apparent phaser hit. "Bridge, this is Ensign Chekov. What is going on?"

"This is Kirk, Ensign. Get your butt up here fast. We are under attack by the Klingons."

"Those Cossack assholes! Why are they attacking us? Never mind; I'm on my way, sir. By the way, Scott says that the cloak is working perfectly."

Christopher materialized in the foyer of his ranch-style house. He had been a little frightened at the prospect of time travel, having never fully experienced it before. He had closed his eyes as Seven manipulated the controls to his safe-like transporter. At first, he felt a little dizzy and light headed. The feeling soon passed as he felt his feet settle on the solid surface of his hard wood floor. As he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a silver-colored box near the entry way to his living room. Puzzled, he approached it cautiously. There was another flash of light and he soon realized that the Q was leaning against the wall, facing him.

"Welcome home, John boy." He greeted with a grin, gesturing towards the box. Christopher grimaced at the Waltons reference. He always hated that show. "This is a present for all your troubles. The box contains all the items you will need to get yourself and your descendants on the road to easy street. I know you are smarter than Rasmussen and will be able to make good use out of these devices."

"These are from the Enterprise?" Christopher asked in astonishment.

"Yes, and they are all yours, to do what you want with them."

"Why are you doing this? Isn't this stealing?"

"Because I like you and your lovely descendant, Nurse Chapel. I want you to have an easier life from now on. You deserve it." The Q pulled a piece of paper out of thin air. "Contact this gentleman. He can help you get started after he develops the Nomad probe."

Christopher stared at him in disbelief at the thought of meeting the real Jackson Roykirk and that the pretty young head nurse on the Enterprise was family. However, he rather liked the idea and decided then to play along. "Inventing" these gadgets that were pilfered from the future might indeed be fun and profitable.

*See "The Changeling"

** See "A Taste of Armageddon"

*** See "The Pegasus"