Star Trek: The Nara-Maru Files
A Deadly Betrayal
In the year 2561...
"… From the reports that Asami had read from the Admiral's own office, Starfleet wanted to declare the two of them as public enemy number one. However, what they didn't know at the time was that the attacks by the duplicate vessel had continued, not against Starfleet but the neighbouring Empires. Two Klingon scout vessels had been attacked and destroyed by the Rogue ship along with a Romulan research station. Someone out there was attempting to destabilise everything that Starfleet had worked for since the end of the Dominion war…"
"Who was it?" Called out the young Teela's cousin, six months her junior.
"I can't say that yet Tabor. However, their troubles had only just begun. After sensor images of the duplicate vessels had been recorded, the Romulans sent their own ships after the Nara-Maru with orders for her destruction. Starfleet Admiral John House had eventually launched his new ship and brought their engines online just in time and entered high warp… meanwhile, completely oblivious to what was happening around them, Asami and Teela where on their way back home…"
184 Years Earlier…
The quiet serenity and isolation of the Nara-Maru's bridge had only encouraged their love for each other as they both slept in each other's arms for the first time since their argument. Covered only with a large blanket from their personal quarters, their serenity was rudely broken by the sound of the communications systems activating and the vessel's defensive systems activating.
Leaping up from the deck plating, the two women leapt into their seats as the hail once again echoed over their bridge speakers.
"Attention Nara-Maru, this is the Federation Starship Longbow. By order of Starfleet Command, you will disengage your engines and come about. Prepare to be boarded"
"What?" Teela yelled.
"Opening channel, audio only…" Asami said with shock. "Longbow, this is the Nara-Maru. What the hell is going on?"
"By order of Starfleet Command, you are both to be placed under arrest for attacks on Starfleet Outposts and Ships. Disengage your engines… NOW!" Growled a the female Captain's voice.
"Attacks on… what are you talking about, we haven't attacked anyone. We're in no condition for a fight…" Teela grunted.
"Stand by Longbow…" Closing the channel, Asami looked at her wife in shock as she spoke. "Longbow is an Ambassador Class, she's fast and deadly when angered… Contact Marty, I want to know what the hell is going on. I will not surrender our ship without good reason"
"Already on it. Umm, one thing… don't you think it's a little cold in here?" Teela said with a smile.
"What? Ohh… Shit! I forgot. I'll take care of the Longbow, get dressed then speak with your brother, although I've always loved you dressed like that" Asami said with a smile.
"I'm not… Ohh!"
"I especially love the spots… very erotic. Attention Longbow, negative on surrender. What is your name Captain?"
"I am Captain Elizabeth Monroe… I believe you may know that name Sam?"
"Lizzie? Oh my god!… We where friends at the Academy. My first year, her last… Lizzie, what the hell is going on?"
"Allow me to come onboard your vessel with my Chief of Security, I will explain everything Sam, I promise"
"And what assurances do I have that you will not simply beam over a squad of security officers Lizzie?" Asami said as she pulled on her trousers.
"You need to trust me… We've recently received word that the Romulans and Klingons are on the lookout for you. Sam, I don't believe what they you have done out here… I can protect you both. Let me come onboard so we can talk?"
"What the hell is going on?" Asami said with shock. "I'll contact the Klingons myself, I have some friends in the Empire"
Pulling on her shirt, she instantly activated the viewscreen as she sat down in her own seat as Teela walked towards one of the consoles around the bridge to make the call back to her home world. On the forwards viewscreen, the Captain of the Longbow stood from her seat and walked the helm of her vessel as she looked around the Nara-Maru's bridge with a slight smile on her face.
"Impressive ship Sam, perhaps you should close your shirt though. We really need to talk Sam, this is Commander Gosset, he's my chief of security. I give you my word that we will come on board unarmed"
"I'm sorry Lizzie, I can't do that. This ship is private property… and I'm excursing Teela's rights as heir to the throne of Iolia. The Nara-Maru is a Diplomatic ship returning home after a meeting on Deep Space Nine…"
Inside her mind, she could hear Teela almost laughing as she spoke with her telepathic abilities. 'Let's hope she doesn't know I gave up that right Sam'
"Now, as a diplomatic vessel in Federation space, you will escort us safely to Federation boarders. I trust that your vessel can match our top speeds?"
"Sam, don't do this… I have my orders. I respect you and what you have achieved since you left Starfleet, I do have authorisation to use force if needed. I will cripple your ship and drag you to the nearest Starbase if necessary!" The Starfleet Captain replied slowly with regret.
"Then we have a problem Captain Monroe, I'm sorry. Nara-Maru out!"
"Sam don't do this…" Protested the Captain as the screen shut down.
"Babe, what's going on. Please tell me you have something?"
"Unfortunately, I do. Transferring call to the main screen" Teela said with regret.
"Sam, thank god… it looks like you have been set up by someone. Starfleet has dispatched every ship in the region to your location. Admiral House has taken command of the Sentinel and is on his way right now, the Defiant is also on the lookout for you along with every major power in the quadrant. Someone out there is attacking ships and outposts with a similar ship to yours. We've analysed the power and weapons signatures, it's identical to yours" Marty said quickly over the main screen.
"What is the last known location of the bastards Marty?"
"I'm sending you all we have on a secured channel now Ladies… what are you planning on doing?" Replied the Regent with a worried look on his face.
"With an Ambassador Class starship up our ass… nothing yet, afterwards… It's best that you don't know Marty. If this goes badly for us… we're leaving the company to you, take care of it. All the paperwork is in my desk back home"
"Asami, what are you thinking?" Teela said with a worried look on her face.
"Teela, if you want. I could beam you over to the Starship…"
"Not a chance, we're in this together. How dare you ask me that?" Teela replied angrily.
"Marty, we'll contact you as soon as we can… I hope"
"My the ancestors guide you both. Iolia out"
Leaning backwards in her seat slightly, Asami took a deep breath as she continued to evade the Starship behind them. Programming the auto-pilot with an unusual evasive program. Asami instantly turned to the section of the console on her left as she reprogrammed the console for something completely different as Teela looked over her shoulder.
"What are you doing?"
"Last year, during the war-games, I spent some time with O'Brian in the forward launcher, during which time his mind continued to run back to an encounter with a former commanding officer of his when he served on the Enterprise, his thoughts where strong and I couldn't help but hear them. He was able beam through a very small window in their shields during a cycle. It peaked my interest, if I program this just right… I can… got it! Erect a level four force field around the centre-seat…"
"If you're planning what I think… this will only get us into more trouble with the Federation and Starfleet" Teela said with a large smile on her face.
"We're innocent, remember? All I'm guilty of is… well, trust me?"
"Always. Should I… grab a weapon Sam?"
"No… I have a lock, energising. Stand by on the cloak sweetheart, this is going to get rough"
Springing into life the force field activated around the seat at the centre, used primarily for guests or clients who wanted to observe one of their ships in action. Almost instantly the onboard ships computer detected the opening Asami had programmed it for and a transporter beam sprang into life as the Starship Captain materialised in the seat itself. Looking around with shock, she leapt onto her feet as Asami stood quickly.
"Take it easy Lizzie, We've erected a force field around the seat… you said you wanted to come onboard"
"How the hell did you do that?" Replied the Captain in a slight panic.
"Take it easy, you won't be harmed. Teela, now!"
"The cloak is active, I'm altering course away from the Longbow"
"Do you have any idea how much trouble you are in now? Abducting a Starfleet Captain is…"
"I thought that we could talk, face-to-face Lizzie" Asami said as she stepped forwards with her hands raised. "Now, calm down and I'll deactivate the force field… we haven't done anything wrong Lizzie. We left DS9 for home, the next thing we know, you are on our tail. We've contacted home, we know what's happening. The Regent has sent us everything they have on the situation, I will set our personal database to analyse the data, we have energy readouts of all vessels we have sold in the past…"
"Return me to my ship Mrs Hirayama, NOW! and I will forget about this abduction" Demanded the Starfleet Captain.
"I can't do that just yet… you have the finest analytical mind I have ever seen. Help us and I'll guarantee your safety and safe passage back to your ship…"
"And if I don't?" Said Monroe, almost fearing the reply.
"You'll be safe. We'll drop you off at the nearest Starbase or Federation ship we come across. Computer, deactivate force field around the centre seat. Lizzie, we're trusting you. Now it's your turn to trust us!" Asami said as she held out her hand slowly.
"I guess that I have no choice in the matter. Let me contact my ship and inform them of what's happening?"
"We can't do that Captain" Teela said harshly.
"If you want my help, that is the only condition"
"Teela, open a channel to the Longbow… I trust her" Asami said as she nodded slightly.
Stepping down from the Centre Seat, the captain looked around the bridge and nodded slightly as she walked towards the main screen as the bridge of her ship came into view along with an angered and shocked bridge crew.
"Captain?"
"Relax John I'm fine. I've had a chance to speak with Asami and Teela and they have given me their assurances that I am safe…"
"What do they want?" Replied the angry first officer.
"They want my help in clearing their name. They have access to information that we do not and I think it could help"
"What are your orders Captain? We can not allow Starfleet Officers to be abducted from…"
"Excuse me First Officer, I once worked along side your Captain during my first assignment for Starfleet. During her last year at the Academy, we where friends. I give you my word that she will not be harmed in any way, she is a guest onboard this ship and will treated as such. I will personally send you reports at regular intervals on our progress, just do us a favour and stay out of our way…"
"Asami is correct Johnny. Inform Starfleet Command that we have made contact with the Nara-Maru and that I am assisting them with the investigation, next contact will be made in three hours. Monroe out!"
As the screen went blank, Asami stepped in front of the captain with a slight smile on her face as she spoke.
"You're involved with him, aren't you?"
"You know that is against regulations Sam" Monroe said hesitantly.
"I know, I can see it in your eyes Lizzie I'm also telepathic, remember. How long has this been going on for?"
"Three months. I could never hide anything from you Sam" She replied turning a deep shade of red.
"You do realise that if Starfleet finds out, it would mean the end of your career and his?" Replied Teela.
"I do. We've been on Deep Space assignment for over a year now, we got close over the past year and… it just happened one night while we where both off-duty"
"I'm perhaps the last person in the universe to give you advice on relationships Lizzie. Teela and I where friends for awhile before our relationship evolved into what we both have today. Just, be careful Lizzie… now, to put your mind to work. Computer, access the personal database and display on console three, also… bring up the Starfleet Standard Controls for our guest, level two clearance only"
"You don't trust me Sam?" Monroe replied with a smile.
"No, I don't. the computer has already accessed the helm and has set course. You will be monitored by internal sensors for the duration of your stay. I'll have the guest quarters ready for you"
"Thank you and thanks for your honesty" She nodded as she walked towards the console.
"Ohh, I feel that I should mention, this ship runs on Iolian time… you might want to get some coffee, days are long here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a shower… Teela are you coming?"
Seeing the strange young girl she had once befriended at the Academy comfortable with her new life was enjoyable for the Starfleet Captain, although her choice of lovers was not she had imagined. At the academy Asami was shy and awkward, yet she had always had a spark that had peaked her interest somehow perhaps in someway Asami reminded her of herself during her first year. Befriending her almost instantly, she had taken her under her wing after recognising her brilliant young mind and finally even taking the unusual task of bringing the young woman into her study group along with those in her own classes.
After leaving the academy itself, the two had remained in contact as eventually, Asami had taken the position on the starship that Elizabeth had been assigned as relief Operations officer.
After showering and dressing, Teela left Asami alone in their quarters as they took turns to monitor their guest. Although an Iolian could survive for several days without sleep, Teela had adopted her wife's sleeping pattern as her own and even on occasion spent the whole night lay next to her as she slept.
After opening the spare quarters to their guest Teela made her way towards the small room which had once held several members of the crew, now little more then a Messhall for their daily lives onboard the ship itself. As she entered, their guest was sat at one of the two tables in the room with Iolian tablets scattered around the table itself, each containing different data.
"I am disturbing you?" Teela said politely.
"Not at all… this is your ship after all. Please, take a seat. This coffee is amazing, what is it called?"
"Cana'Ra. It is from my homeworld. Just be careful, humans sometimes have a reaction to it's strength" Teela said as she poured herself a cup from the container at her side.
"Your ship is impressive Mrs Hirayama…"
"Call me Teela, may I call you Lizzie?"
"If you wish. I was surprised when I read the profile on this vessel, a former Federation Starship converted into a freighter? It's unusual"
"Very little of the original design remains now, even the exterior has been rebuilt several times. By this point, she is practically a new vessel. I believe that only the deck plating in the transporter room is from the original design. Everything else has been redesigned or removed" Teela said with pride in what had become her own personal vessel. "You knew Sam at the Academy? She doesn't speak much about those days. What was she like?"
"Unusual but brilliant. Unlike most 'Starfleet Brats' as we call them, her childhood years where spent either her Betazoid family's home, her human Family home on Earth or Starfleet Command. Her mother trained her to become a Starfleet Officer and commander of her own ship one day, but all she ever wanted to be was an engineer like her father. She used to hang around the landing bays at Command, on occasion she would slip onboard the Shuttles, Runabouts and smaller ships… when I first met her, I was amazed at how much she knew about Starship Engineering, especially for a first year Cadet…" Monroe said with fond memories.
"How did you meet? I was under the impression that upper and lower classes don't mix much"
"On occasion, this one was different. She must have finished her classes early. She slipped into one of the last year lectures on Warp Field Mechanics, she used three other uniforms to add cadet year pins on her tunic to enter un-noticed and sat in the middle of the lecture hall. About half way through, she began to debate with the instructor on his theories about a new warp field… no matter how much he tried, he couldn't shut her up… at every turn, she pocked holes in his ideas right down to the calibration of the injectors. I saw potential in her, and I could see where she was going with her arguments and joined in with the debate. When the class was dismissed, this… tiny little Asian girl walked up to the front of the hall itself and challenged him once again. The instructor, a twenty year Starfleet Engineer was furious with her for what he called… her arrogance. But she was right, his calculations where off…"
"Something I noticed awhile back, Sam always had a natural feel for Engineering" Teela said with pride.
"I know, we became friends shortly after and when I left the Academy, we kept in touch… until she took the assignment on the same ship as me. Being short and younger then most graduates, along with her new rank of Junior Lieutenant she became a target for the ship pranksters, the Chief Engineer some of his staff and a few Helm Officers. They tried to haze her, nothing major… somehow she saw through their pranks and ignored them until one day, the engineering team where running a simulation of a warp core breach, her uniform had been treated to dissolve when in contact with a certain… harmless gas which would be vented from a canister on the core itself. Asami knew of the prank and got in there first, she changed her uniform before hand, but… she piped a certain… gas through the engine room near the Chief's station and once the gas was released and with all eyes on her she carried out her duty as normal. When the gas cleared, all of those who had plotted the prank against her… well, their uniforms had dissolved. She spent three days in the brig for that prank… but they never targeted her again"
Laughing slightly, Teela took a sip from her drink before she spoke.
"No one knew of her… telepathic abilities even then?"
"No! she was listed as half Betazoid, but always kept the true extent of her abilities silent. May I ask you a personal question?" Monroe said carefully.
"Of course"
"You and Asami are… Married, correct?"
"Yes. Does that disturb you?" Teela replied with a sigh. "It is my experience that some… humans find our relationship… unusual"
"No. Some of my crew have same sex relationships and Asami is a fascinating young woman. What I wanted to ask was… You are Iolian, I understand that your people have embraced their sexuality, yet your species has continued to thrive and expand despite fully one half of your species in these relationships"
"I see what you mean, it wasn't always that way, five thousand years ago… our species was on the verge of extinction, the birth rate had dropped and something had to be done for our future. Our best and brightest scientist where called in to change this as we could not ask those who had chosen their partners based on falling birth rates. They quickly found that it would be possible to create an infant from two male or two female partners, although the procedure was expensive. On occasion, a three or four parent family had evolved. Not too long ago, in an Iolian lifespan I mean… we turned our attention to cloning, created from two same sex partners"
"Interesting… may I ask, have you considered that option?" Monroe said carefully once again.
"We have and unfortunately, Asami's human half is incompatible with my Iolian DNA. Adoption cold be our only answer"
Spending the evening in the messhall with the Starfleet Captain, they had both exchanged stories about their command friend Asami while they both looked over the many files before them. In the late hours of the night, something had caught Teela's attention in the files as she slowly took another sip of her drink and sighed deeply.
"What is it?"
"Shit! I think I know what's going on. Someone, I don't know who is systematically attacking certain areas that we have visited, Outposts, vessels and… Ohh HELL!"
"What is it Teela?" Called out a voice from behind her as Asami entered.
"Rempak! If I'm right… that should be the next target"
"By whom?"
"I don't know… these energy readouts from the attacking ship is close, but the phase variance is off. It will take some time to unwrap this one" Teela said as slight anger. "Computer, set course for Rempak Station, maximum warp"
"We should contact the Longbow ladies, she can…"
"Sorry Lizzie, Longbow is a Starfleet ship… Rempak is close to Romulan space, I don't want to expose them. I have an idea though, Sam… contact my brother, have him dispatch two cruisers to Rempak… maximum warp"
"Honey, any Iolian cruisers enter Federation space at the moment, could be considered as an act of war against the Federation. That is something I will not allow… I'll contact Chancellor Martok personally, I think it's time we spoke with him about this"