Star Trek: The Nara-Maru Files
A Deadly Betrayal
In the year 2377...
Betrayed on one of the most personal of levels by the human male she had once known as Tom Byrd, Asami Hirayama had become a prisoner on one of her own vessels which had been specifically built and modified by her own company for the man she once thought of a personal friend, now it had become clear that everything he had said since their friendship had begun over a year ago had been designed specifically to exact a deadly revenge on her for something that was clearly not her fault, the death of one of her few friends onboard the Federation Starship Washington, Lieutenant Sara Hartman. For years, the guilt of what had happened on that day had been buried deep down inside her a guilt which had only been shadowed by the Iolian War with the Federation she had observed in the brief time she spent in an alternate timeline, not so long ago. Reliving the death of the Lieutenant over again, she thought back as if to find any sign that she could have helped her friend and save her life.
According to the tribunal into the death of the Lieutenant, the young Lieutenant Junior Asami Hirayama had done everything in her power to save her life after a devastating shuttle crash on an inhabited world on the Rim of Klingon space. Ripping the debris off of her friend's unconscious body and carrying her on her back for what seemed like miles through a desert towards the only structure within distance, a Klingon Outpost where she demanded medical attention from the Klingons themselves, a Klingon that she had come to admire and befriend later in life. Beaten, bloodied and exhausted, her uniform torn and almost shredded from the harsh desert sands, Asami stood before the large Klingon Commanding Officer who dwarfed her, almost twice her size she demanded medical treatment for her colleague even when the Klingon Medical staff had declared her dead on arrival.
Wiping her eyes with her left hand as her right hand once again searched the back of her head for whatever her former friend had placed inside of her, Asami looked around the room slowly before her vision stopped on a sealed off panel on the furthest wall from the door. A large smile echoed over her tear soaked face as she stood and walked towards the panel as she tried to rip off the panel with her bare hands before taking the metallic bunk apart. Holding a half meter long piece of metal in her hands, she eventually tore open the panel and peered inside with a large smile on her face.
"You stupid bastards…" She mumbled to herself. "… Never imprison an Engineer on a vessel she helped to design"
Peering into the seemingly overloaded power conduit before her, she shook her head slowly as she began to formulate a plan in her silenced mind, although she thought that she could short-circuit the device buried into her own head, the possible shock needed will kill her instantly but her first course of action was her own freedom, although she could not escape the ship with what appeared to be a bomb inside of her head, escaping the room itself was the first priority and with a crew of only four onboard, recovering the vessel itself would have to be her second priority.
184 Years Later…
The story itself had wandered into the Iolian night as the large family had taken the meeting outside beneath the star filled skies. Beyond the crystalline city itself in the distance below the mountain range which had become their family home for almost two centuries, high above in the skies, the galaxy itself streaked across the skies an ocean of stars drowned out only by the twin moons of the planet and the ever present Starbase built by the Federation, under Iolian Command and the young Teela's own Grandfather. During her childhood and when in her family home, it brought her great comfort to know that all she had to do was look up and see the large Spacedock type structure in stationary orbit above her home. On occasion, her parents and grandparents would take her onto the large balcony with a telescope and observe the many ships themselves moving around the vast complex, her fondest memory was standing on the balcony and watching the Flagship of the Federation itself dock at the station before being taken onboard by her grandfather for a tour of inspection before her official re-launch one week later.
"I miss her, I miss them both" Teela said with sadness in her heart and voice.
"Asami lived a long and fruitful life Teela. You are more like her, like them both then you know… more so then I am" Kaila said slowly and lovingly. "They will both… always be with you my granddaughter, never forget what they taught you… honour their memories and live your life to the fullest"
"I promise, I will. But for the moment, back to Asami's last request. She told me that Teela had by that time firmly entrenched herself onboard the USS Sentinel, not even A Starfleet Admiral nor the Federation itself could remove her as Commander of the Hybrid vessel, much to Admiral House's dislike and anger. It was at this point that things went a little… strange for Teela and her new crew…"
184 Years Earlier…
Remaining almost motionless close to the wreckage of what was once the large hub of civilian activity in the sector and beyond, the Federation-Iolian hybrid vessel, USS Sentinel had continued to scan the region for anymore survivors. With sickbay full beyond capacity along with only working the holodeck and cargo bays converted into makeshift triage centres, several civilian vessels had entered the region to assist with the clean-up efforts along with a man that Teela had had many dealings with in the past. As he entered the bridge of the vessel, he looked around slowly at the unusual design of the starship before he saw the acting commander stood by a console growling orders at her subordinates. Smiling slightly, he walked towards her as she turned slowly with an almost anger in her face as he spoke.
"Well, you are the last person I expected to see in a Uniform Teela"
"Shut up West. You are addressing the commanding officer of this ship now, show some respect… what do you want?" Teela said with a deep and menacing voice.
"You need help, I was running medical supplies to a nearby world when we got the call, my ship is at your disposal… captain"
"Thank you Mister West. I hope that MY ship is being treated with respect?"
"We are not going over this again Teela. What do you need?" He said with a sigh.
"This is Captain Liz Monroe, she will give you a list of what we need…"
"A pleasure Captain" West said with respect. "Where is… where is Asami? I was looking forwards to seeing her again"
"Asami is…"
"… Busy, elsewhere" Teela said over Monroe. "… I will give her your regards West"
Quickly turning back to the console before her, using her old command codes for the vessel she once owned, command codes which had been buried within the system itself. Much of West's computer files appeared on the main screen as he looked up with shock.
"What the hell are you doing?" He complained.
"Looking for something specific… Ahh, there you are!" She said with a smile.
"That is my personal database and of no concern to Starfleet!" He protested.
Ignoring his protests, Teela activated a file hidden deep inside her former vessel's computer and transferred the file directly to the Sentinel's main computer core before activating the program itself. Shock rippled across the bridge along with the owner of the freighter itself as a hologram appeared on the bridge from the holo-emitters incorporated throughout the ship which would allow the holo-graphic medical program access to all areas of the vessel.
Standing in the centre of the bridge itself, a hologram of an elderly Iolian male stood tall and proud as he looked around slowly in shock at his new surroundings before Teela stepped before the program with a large smile on her face.
"Teela, is that you?" The program said with shock.
"Yes, hello…" She said with pride.
"Who the hell is that, where did he come from?" West replied quickly.
"You have been deactivated for a long time, you where hidden deep inside the Kolaris Database for your protection…" Teela said to the Hologram. "He is… was… the reason for my last run, before I lost the ship to you Paul!"
"How long has it been?" Replied the hologram
"Over ten years… Father. I have tried, many times to get you back, but… the ship I was using at the time did not have a compatible database for your program so I hid you deep inside the Kolaris' computer. A lot has happened and now, we need your help" She said with sadness.
"I know, I have been monitoring the computer files… I know a lot about you West, things that not even you would want to be… let out"
"Father, interface yourself with the Sentinel's database… We need your… specific skill set, now more then ever"
"Excuse me?" Admiral House said quickly. "I will not allow an alien program access to this ship"
"Shove it Admiral! This… program, is all that is left of one of the greatest of my people, my own father. On my world, our world… Artificial life forms have the same rights as organics. My father was the greatest tactician and diplomat my world has produced in thousands of years, this program was created by our greatest scientist, it took fifty years to finalise him…"
"Interface is now complete" He said slowly. "Impressive vessel, Teela… Married? Oh my!" He said with sadness. "I am sorry"
"Whoever has done this father, is still out there… somewhere. Can you find them?"
"It will take some time to analyse the alien's database, I believe so…" Replied the Iolian Hologram.
"Hey! I haven't given my clearance yet" House grunted deeply.
"Admiral… if you have ever trusted Asami in the past, then trust me in the same way?"
"I want a full analysis of the Iolian program before I allow this…" House called out.
"Ship sensors are detecting four vessels on approach at Warp 9.4, Starfleet ships, Identification is confirmed as the USS Longbow, USS Defiant, USS Pioneer and the USS Enterprise. A Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise is hailing"
Instantly and without warning to the crew, the face of the Enterprise Captain appeared on the screen at the centre of the bridge as he spoke.
"This is Captain Picard of the Enterprise to Admiral House, we stand ready to assist Admiral"
"Jean-Luc, it's good to see you again. Supreme High-Commander Teela of the Iolian Expeditionary Forces in command of the Sentinel. Your assistance is greatly accepted, we are overflowing with wounded Captain. Several Klingon and Romulan ships have taken the overflow of patients along with a few Civilian ships who answered our calls…"
"Commander?"
"Yes sir, temporarily in command. My government has granted me a military rank for the duration of this… Mission, please… transport yourself and your first officer onboard immediately along with Mister Data, the situation has changed" Teela said, holding back her own tears.
"Of course, Commander!"
Fifteen minutes later and in the large briefing room onboard the Sentinel, a meeting had begun between the Iolian Commanding officer and each officer of the Rank of Commander and above, along with Colonel Kira of the USS Defiant and Lieutenant Commander Data as the situation had been discussed. Slowly pacing the room, Colonel Kira's face hung low as she spoke.
"Dead? What happened?"
"Our cloak failed in Romulan space as several Romulan ships where looking for us, as per their orders, the Klingons decloaked and challenged them. Asami tried everything she could to stop them from shooting at each other as old rivalries surfaced once again, eventually both fleets ignored us and begun to target each other, we placed ourselves between them to stop them… we failed. She transported myself and Monroe onboard the Sentinel before our warp core exploded… We've found some, evidence that states it was not us. Captains, Commanders… we have to find that ship" Teela said with a deep anger in her voice.
"Sam is dead, why didn't you tell me?" West said from the rear of the room. "I have known her longer then anyone in here, I owed her my life"
"Sorry Paul, I couldn't. Asami has become something of a legend on Iolia, many of my people where on the bridge at the time. My brother's orders"
"Commander Teela, I am… sorry of your loss. Nevertheless, this can not turn into mission of vengeance" Picard said slowly.
"Captain Picard, I would like nothing more then to destroy the vessel which is responsible for my wife's death. However, Iolian Law states that I must bring them to justice. Asami was an Iolian citizen by rights and by marriage…"
"Everyone sat at this table, has lost something at the hands of those responsible for Daughter-in-law's death…" Said the hologram. "Iolians, Klingons, Romulans and Federation alike. Once those responsible have been taken into custody, a trail must be put forwards… a trail which I believe can only take place on one planet, Bajor"
"Agreed" Teela said. "Aside from our… business ventures with Bajor, Your people have not lost at the hands of these… rogues Colonel Kira"
"Agreed" Grunted the Klingon commander as the Romulans nodded slowly.
"Admiral House?" The hologram said slowly.
"It will take some doing, but I agree if Bajor is willing?"
"Admiral, I counted Asami as a friend myself. My people will agree I will make sure of it"
Sweat dripped off of Asami's petite frame as she worked deep inside of the hidden control panel of which she had opened, reprogramming the back-up systems throughout the ship without the knowledge of the crew itself. Ignoring the still throbbing pain deep inside of her skull, she continued with the last piece of the puzzle needed for her plan to work. If successful, a signal would be sent from her captor's ship itself to the Federation starship a message that she knew Teela would instantly recognise, if she was watching. Finishing her work, she resealed the panel on the wall and looked around slowly, her only weapon was the piece of metallic bunk she had torn from the frame. During her reprogramming of the computer, she had activated the main-computer itself to project a force field around herself. Her first target would be the large Orion male, a formidable foe twice her size and strength and one of the few crew onboard the ship she had seen. Her next target would be the bridge crew, two Orion females and a human looking female before she would take on the man who had captured and tortured her with the implant at the base of her skull. Taking a deep breath and holding the metallic weapon in her hands, she spoke in Iolian to the computer 'Klaatu-Barada-Nikto' a phrase which translated into Federation standard as 'Computer Activate Program'. In an instant, the door to her confinement sprang open as a force field raised around her body as she clenched her makeshift weapon firmly in her hands and stepped into the corridor with a dangerous smile on her face.
Although she had been highly trained in self defence for her entire life, she heavily relied on her telepathic abilities when in one-on-one combat and with that ability taken from her, she now had to rely on her own training and instincts. Walking through the small corridor towards the bridge, the large Orion male saw her and instantly stood from his console with his fists clenched. In an instant, she leapt forwards and swung the large metallic bar at him as the jagged edge of the bar sliced through his neck instantly before he fell onto the floor with a gurgling sound coming from the open wound. Holding her weapon like a staff, Asami leapt over one of the consoles and swung at one of the Orion women, knocking her clean off of her seat before the second fired a weapon at her which bounced harmlessly off of the force field protecting her. Now stood before the two remaining women on the bridge with her bloodied weapon in her hands, Asami smiled as she spoke harshly.
"Run! Pick her up and take the escape pods"
"Why are you doing this?" Called out the remaining Orion woman.
"He is a slave trader… take an escape pod, take the shuttle… I really don't care. Get off of this ship quickly before nothing is left"
"Come with us?" Called out the human looking woman.
"I can't. GO! Head for the Sentinel, tell them that I am here and alive. Find the one named Teela, she will know what to do. GO, while you still can"
"Thank you" Said the Orion woman.
Picking up the injured Orion woman carefully, the first Orion female nodded slightly as the Human looking woman stood before Asami with a smile on her face as she spoke.
"Your natural abilities will return. I am sorry, I had no choice but to give it to you. Be careful, they will return instantly, the noise can be deafening"
"How do you know?" Asami said slowly.
"Because, our owner… used it on me. Be careful" Said the young woman quickly.
"I will, be safe ladies!"
Accessing the transporter systems from the helm console, the three women disappeared in a transporter beam which seemed to have disturbed the owner of the vessel itself. Stepping into the shadows with the metallic bar held like a sword in her hands as waited as the Slave Master himself entered the bridge with a Cardassian Phaser in his left hand. Instantly he saw the body of his large Orion personal guard lay on the deck plating with his green blood pouring from a large jagged wound on his neck as Asami stepped out of the shadows slowly and spoke.
"Didn't I explain to you that modifying these vessels will nullify your warranty?"
"YOU! How the hell did you get out? Where are my CREW?!" He demanded.
"By now? Half way to the Sentinel I guess. By order of the Iolian Military, Starfleet Command, The Romulans, Klingons and everyone else you have pissed off… I'm placing you under arrest on multiple charges of Murder"
"You face me with nothing more then a metal bar? Never bring a knife to a gun fight Asami"
Quickly he raised the Cardassian weapon and fired directly at her, his face changed instantly as the energy was absorbed by the force field surrounding her as she stepped forwards with a smile on her face.
"I'm an engineer, remember? Computer, deactivate all energy weapons onboard the ship, authorisation Alpha-Tango Seven!"
"All energy weapons are now disabled" The Computer replied as she gave him a smug grin.
"Now, are you going to surrender? Or do I have to beat the crap out of you with this bar?"
Accessing the computer from the closest console, she deactivated the force field around her body before stepping closer to him once more as he backed off one step. Reaching into the black leather vest he wore, he retrieved a small metallic cylinder as a long sharpened blade irrupted from the handle as he stood facing her with a smile.
"I was hoping to use this one day. I guess that it is now fitting that you will be the first to die by your own weapon"
"I will never fear my Grandfather's sword Jason, but you should. You have already lost!" Asami said quickly.
Leaping into the air, she struck down with a powerful attack which was blocked by her own sword and sent her opponent off balance and stumbling backwards. Quickly regaining his footing, he sliced through the air with the grace of a Klingon as the tip of the blade sliced across her chin. Although he was taller then her and with a greater reach, she had always been taught to rely on her greatest asset, her petite stature as she dropped to her knees and swung the bar towards his legs in a sweeping motion. Leaping over the bar, he swung down hard with the deadly sharp blade before she rolled clear. Landing next to her, he kicked away the metal pipe before he grabbed her long dark hair and threw her across the bridge, crashing into the helm while he walked towards her and once again grabbed her hair and slammed her head into the console itself as he spoke.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO GO ASAMI? If you step more then 200 feet away from me, your head will literally explode. You have taken away from me that which I held dear… I was going to let you live… but I guess that I will satisfy myself watching you die at the tip of your own sword"
Dazed from the impact against the hard crystalline console control display, he once again threw her across the bridge and watched with satisfaction as she slammed into another console and screamed in pain at the impact as he walked towards her swinging her weapon around at his side.
"You know, you have it all wrong Jason. I tried to save her life… I did everything that I could to save her, even when Commander Kaybok said she was dead, I never gave up hope"
"It should've been you. She was pure of heart and had a life ahead of her" He growled deeply.
"Not as pure as you think… Jason. How do you think I knew her? Didn't think about that one did you?"
"Lies!" He said deeply.
"No!" Asami said as she stood. "That little tattoo on her inner thigh, the little giggle she made when she was excited… She was going ot leave you Jason, for ME!"
Blood poured from the open wound on her chin and trickled from her nose and mouth as she wiped her face with her sleeve as she continued.
"Ohh it wasn't just me Jason, she had a reputation on the ship… The Doctor, the Chief of Security… Rumour has it, she even slept with the Admiral himself at one stage. She couldn't get enough"
"LIES!" He yelled as his anger began to rise quickly.
"Want me to describe that cute little tattoo for you?… Think Jason, Think! You where only married for a month before she left for the ship. You only knew her for two months before you where married. She was a Sex-Addict Jason… No-one would give her a promotion past Lieutenant Junior unless she changed her ways. She used you to get what she wanted"
Stepping before her, he slapped her hard across her face as she laughed slightly as she assessed the situation. Now he was making mistakes, letting down his guard as his own anger over-shadowed his judgement.
"I didn't love her Jason, But she had something that I wanted… we both did… She was a terrible woman Jason, you would have seen that eventually as she would have seen what kind of a man you are…"
Pushing past the intense pain that had rippled through her body, her reflexes where lightening fast as she punched forwards into his chest and tore the sword from his hands before slicing across his left leg as he staggered backwards in shock.
"Impressive" He said past his own pain. "Kill me but you'll never stop the rest of my fleet"
"Call them OFF!" Asami growled.
"No! What are you going to do, drag my body around with you for the rest of your life? With out this… You Die!" He said as he held out his hand with the bracelet as a smug grin echoed over his face.
"Nothing so extreme!"
Grabbing his hand firmly in her own, she sliced through his arm with the sword as he screamed in pain and terror at seeing his own severed hand in her own. Calmly sliding the bracelet off his severed wrist, she placed it in her pocket before carelessly tossing it aside with a smug grin on her face.
"Any more questions?" Asami said darkly. "Now, about that Surrender?"
"Never! You will have to kill me first" He said as blood poured from the open wound where his wrist once was.
"Perhaps I won't have too… Computer, erect a maximum level force field around Jason Hartman. Open a channel to the USS Sentinel, Priority One"
"Force field activated. All communication channels are currently off-line" Replied the computer.
"Whoops! Looks like you'll die with me Asami… by now, my fleet is in the area. If I do not contact them soon with the correct codes, they will destroy every ship in the area… sorry to ruin your day Asami"
"Not today. Computer, Program Alpha One… activation code, Sara Hartman" Asami said with a wink as she sat in the closest seat.