SMST: Deep Space Moon! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story. C&C are welcomed.
Special Note: This story takes place after "The Ranma Trek Renaissance" but before "The Ranma Trek Chronicles". Media-wise, this story depicts the events of Seasons 1-3 of STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE.
Part 36
Station Log, Stardate: 47573.1 (2370 CE, EST). To respond to questions about setting up colonies near the wormhole, a few of my officers and I have set out to survey nearby star systems.
"I still can't believe you chose to give up your commission like that," Dr. Julian Bashir said, as he and Counselor Usagi Tsukino were examining some plant samples from their last planetary stop.
"What's hard to believe?" Usagi said, as she continued to peer into the "nano-scope" on board the runabout, the USS Ganges. Due to her background in botany and horticulture, Usagi could assist Dr. Bashir in determining which plant samples could be used for future medical breakthroughs.
"You were a starship captain," Dr. Bashir said. "And a successful one at that."
"Doctor, I've been many things to many people," Usagi said, as she looked up to continue to write her notes unto her electronic notepad. "And found that being in command of other people is the hardest thing to do."
"Really?"
"Really. Being a starship captain is not about telling people what to do, but also knowing your people well-enough so that you can allow them to do their jobs well."
"Basic Command 101," Commander Sisko commented.
"Indeed, sir," Usagi replied. "When it was time to go back to Starfleet, I didn't feel ready to go through that again. So, I made the decision to start over again, this time in a different field…"
Pause.
"Besides," Usagi said, as she sets down her pad, and leans back in her seat. "If Starfleet really needs me to assume command of a starship again, it's not like they can't find me or anything…"
"And thus, that is why I decided to become a Chief of Engineer, as a 'Non-Com'," Chief Miles O'Brien replied.
"It sounds like you gave up a commission, Chief," Sisko said.
"I was listed as 'Acting Lieutenant' during most of my tenure at my last posting," O'Brien replied. "And I was relieved when I gave their up."
"You two are crazy," Dr. Bashir said jokingly. "Well, for the counselor, it's a natural."
"Hey, I resent that remark," Usagi said with a smile. "Oh, and by the way…how are things going on between you and Dax?"
"With you being in her room all the time, what do you think-?"
"I think we should table this discussion for another day," Sisko said, as he sees that the Ganges was about to enter the star system of their intended destination on his monitors. "We are about to come up to our next planet…"
Sisko then frowns a bit.
"Curious," Sisko said, as he focused his scanners on the planet where the next survey was going to take place. He then leans his head slightly back towards Usagi.
"Counselor, can you confirm this?"
"Working," Usagi said, as she changes her nano-scope into a detailed senor reader. She then began her scans of their destination…
"Counselor?" Dr. Bashir asked. However, he was waved away by Usagi.
"Shhh!" Usagi replied. A moment later…
"Counselor?" Sisko asked.
"Sir, does the Federation Counsel or Starfleet know that there is a human settlement in this star system?" Usagi asked, as she looks up and towards Sisko.
"Hmmm," Sisko mused, as he mulled over Usagi's question…
"I don't know about you all, but I am curious as to what's down there," Chief O'Brien said.
"And we were heading there anyway," Dr. Bashir replied.
"Then, let's see what's down there," Sisko said with resignation. "Standard procedures, people…"
Upon the Ganges' arrival, Sisko and crew learned that there was some sort of interference that prevented communications from being established with the people on the unknown planet below. With no other choice, Sisko made the decision to beam down to the planet below…with Usagi in tow.
"Me?" Usagi asked.
"Well, since you do have more experience with the unknown than either Dr. Bashir or the Chief, I could use a second opinion," Sisko replied. "Besides, we rarely have an opportunity to go on assignments together."
"Um, thanks…?"
"Here is a portable transponder kit, sir," Chief O'Brien said, as he hands Sisko a case with a Starfleet emblem on it. "Once set up, we will have a clear signal between here and your location."
"Have fun!" Dr. Bashir said jokingly, as he waved goodbye.
Usagi growled a bit, just before getting into position on the Transporter Pad, for transport down to the planet surface below with Sisko…
"…I must confess that I am surprised to see you here, Commander," said a woman, as she sifts through a basket of fruit. "Ten years have passed since my people and I crashed-landed here on this planet."
"To be honest, no one expected to be anyone here, Ambassador Dupree," Sisko said, as he scans the community of survivors—and their children—of the SS Santa Maria.
"Please, call me 'Sister Alexis'," replied Sister Alexis. "All of us here have giving up titles, in order to cooperative built on equality…"
Sister Alexis turned towards Usagi, who was scanning the area…
"What do you think, Ambassador?" Sister Alexis asked.
"Um, I like what you have done here, Sister Alexis," Usagi replied. "And please, call me 'Counselor'; that's my job these days."
"Ah, what a pity," Sister Alexis nodded.
"Oh?" Sisko asked.
"Well, I joined the Federation Diplomatic Corps thanks to being inspired by your counselor," Sister Alexis replied. "Her work on how love and justice can influence statecraft influenced much of my own interests. And I believe that had the counselor not been a 'guest' of the Romulan Empire, we might not have been at war with the Cardassian Union."
"As late as this bit of news may be, we are at peace with the Cardassians," Sisko said.
"You're…serious," Sister Alexis replied.
"Yes," Usagi said with a nod and a smile. "We were able to get the Cardassian Union to agree to a peaceful settlement."
"Though, not without complications, I might add," Sisko replied. "In fact, as a part of the treaty conditions, this entire sector is considered to be Federation territory."
"We can take you back to Earth, if you want to, Alexis," Usagi replied.
"Well, this is…great," Sister Alexis said, though her facial expression indicated otherwise…
"I will have to discuss all this with the others," Sister Alexis replied. "I mean, ten years without contact with the Federation, and now this..."
"There is no rush on our part," Sisko said. "In fact, with your people already here, we have a leg up in establishing a colony on this planet."
"R-right," Alexis said, as she regains her composure. "Of course! In fact, you and…Counselor Tsukino are welcome to stay and check out our set up here. You won't be disappointed."
"Excellent," Sisko replied, as he turned towards Usagi. "And I am sure that we will enjoy our stay here."
A few days later…
"Hello!" said Alexis, as she and her guards tread through the rice patty, while walking towards a shackled Sisko, as he was being forced to tend the field.
Sisko glances at Alexis, before resuming his work.
"I just wanted to check on you, Brother Benjamin," Alexis said with a smile.
Sisko continues to ignore Alexis.
"You will find that accepting our ways is a much better life for you, Brother Benjamin," said Sister Alexis.
"Humph," Sisko replied, as he continued to toil the soil along with the others. He wasn't about to indulge a crazy woman wishes for congeniality.
"Hey!" yelled one of the woman's guards. "Sister Alexis is speaking to you!"
"I find it hard to take the words of a 'cult leader' seriously," Sisko replied, as he continued to toil his plot of soil.
"Ignoring this truth will not help you or your companion," the woman continued.
Sisko mulled over the woman's words, as he went over what he and Usagi had learned upon their arrival to this planet. Apparently, ten years before, a Federation transport ship, the SS Santa Maria, had crashed landed on the planet, after escaping from an attack by a Cardassian patrol ship in the sector. Since then, the crew and passengers of the ship have struggled to make a new life for themselves, not sure if they would ever be welcomed. Furthermore, one of the passengers, a Federation Ambassador named Alexis Dupris, took charge of the survivors, and created a new society for themselves.
Unfortunately, along the way in creating that society, Alexis took her role a bit too seriously…
"What truth?" Sisko said, as he drops his hoe and turns to face Alexis. "That you abandoned the Federation because of your opposition to its war with Cardassia, or you holding hostages in order to keep your little 'paradise' a secret?"
"A little bit of both of those reasons, Brother Benjamin," Alexis said. "The Federation IGNORED my recommendations, when it came to dealing with the Cardassian Union. And what happened because of that? The attack on the Federation colony on Setlik III, followed by a war, that's what!"
"There were mistakes on both sides that led to hostilities," Sisko said. "And the Federation has finally achieved peace with Cardassia."
"That does NOT wash away the blood that was spilled," Alexis said, as she then slightly turns towards a small, metal box while pointing at it. "And it doesn't wash away the blood that HER husband had spilled 'our' side! We should have set the example for the Cardassians."
"There is not a guarantee that any peaceful overtures would have worked, with the 'Cardassian High Command' the shots," Sisko countered.
"Well, maybe," Alexis sneered. "But, at least I can punish HER for her husband's sins-"
Just then, Usagi pops out of her box, wearing nothing but a bikini, and carrying a tray of fresh lemonade…with ice cubes in clear glasses.
"Whew," Usagi said, as she fans herself. "That was…intense…"
"What?" Alexis yelled, as her guards began to circle Usagi. "How-?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Usagi said, as she offered Sisko a drink. "Was I interrupting something?"
"Not really," Sisko said, as he accepts the glass.
"You're supposed to be punished for Colonel Saotome's actions during the war with the Cardassians!" Alexis said. "And where did you get that?"
"Actually, I kind of built a sauna and an apartment below ground," Usagi replied. "With the Chief's help."
"Chief O'Brien is here?" Sisko asked.
As if on cue, Chief O'Brien climbs out of Usagi's box.
"Hey, I am having trouble with the power coupling setup," Chief O'Brien said. "I think there is a proper one from that old transport ship we found out back, behind the village."
"That's where we found the 'duotronic dampener device', sir!" Dr. Bashir said, as he stuck his head outside Usagi's box.
"Just how many more are you in there?" Alexis replied in disbelief.
"Just the counselor, the chief and the doctor," Sisko said, as he finishes his drink, before setting his glass back on Usagi's tray. He then faces Alexis.
"All kidding aside, we really need to have a talk, and don't think using your people to get your way is…constructive."
"Fine," Alexis replied, through gritted teeth. "I just want to know this: at what point did you decided to play me for a fool with your subterfuge?"
"Same day," Sisko replied with a shrug. "But we wanted to find out what was going on before acting."
"I…see," Alexis replied through gritted teeth. "So, now what?"
"The people here will have to decide on whether or not they want to remain here, or return home," Sisko said. "However, you…will have to answer for your actions."
"Just like the Federation," Alexis scoffed. "They always want to sweep things under the rug, when issues become too complicated to be dealt with…"
Alexis then turned towards Usagi.
"Thanks for letting me down, once again, 'Counselor'," Alexis said.
Usagi sighed, as she sits her glass of lemonade down. She always felt the need to inspire others to do the right thing, so failing in that endeavor was always depressing.
Tbc.
Next Time: After utilizing the "Multiform Technique", Usagi helps both Dax and Kira on their respective assignments. Unfortunately, exposure to a unique radiation while in the Gamma Quadrant has some unintended side-effects. See you then!