As a special bonus…. (more in next chap)

And still don't own star trek

Episode 1-27 The Alternative Factor

They were studying a planet for Starfleet records and Saya watched as Spock observed it. "Very typical, Captain. Iron-silicon base, oxygen-hydrogen atmosphere, largely arid, no discernible life. No surprises." Spock informed the captain.

"Photographic section, begin scanning. Tie in to visual section 988-TG, computer bank 22. Kirk out. About four more orbits ought to do it, . That'll wrap it up. Lay in a course for Starbase 200." Kirk instructed. Saya was looking forward to stopping at a starbase. She wanted a chance to visit one again and look around.

Spock spotted something and called to the captain right as the ship started to rock back and forth. Saya stayed in her seat this time. Her reflexes were getting quicker and stronger, she was glad for it. Spock said "Incredible, Captain." The ship rocked again and once it stopped Kirk asked what it was Spock replied "What my instruments read is totally unbelievable, Captain. Twice, for a split second each time, everything within range of our instruments seemed on the verge of winking out."

Kirk requested facts not poetry and Saya wondered if Vulcans ever did poetry. "I have given you the facts, Captain. The entire magnetic field in this solar system simply blinked. The planet below, the mass of which we're measuring, attained zero gravity." Spock replied. Kirk said it was impossible and Spock confirmed that what was being described was non-existence.

Uhura notified Kirk of a Standard General Alert signal from Starfleet Command. Kirk ordered all stations to immediate alert status and Spock notified him that the scanners now reported a life object on the planet below them. "You just did a complete life survey five minutes ago. How are you just picking it up now?" Kirk asked.

"Inexplicable, Captain. This reading began at approximately the moment that the pulsation phenomenon began to subside." Spock answered. Kirk asked what the object way and Spock replied "A living being. Body temperature 98.5 Fahrenheit. Mass, electrical impulses, movement. It is apparently human, Captain."

"And its appearance coincided with this cosmic winking-out?" Kirk asked. Spock informed him it was almost to the second. Kirk asked for an explanation and when Spock had none requested speculation of whether it could be a danger to the ship. At Spock's positive answer Kirk started saying orders " , notify Security to have an armed detachment of men ready to beam down with us. Let's go. Any word comes through from Starfleet Command, pipe it down immediately. Communications, priority one."

Saya walked with Spock as he moved to get ready to beam down. Watching him she asked "since everyone is busy and no one will have time to deal with me and the current situation, may i go see if McCoy could use any help?" Spock nodded and once she saw him off at the transporter went to Sickbay.

"Hey, What's up doc?" Saya said with a grin walking in. McCoy smiled at her and she told him she could help him while Spock was planetside.

"So the hobgoblin finally decided to send you my way. Let's see if we can get you some training." McCoy said with a grin. Saya was slightly thrown off until he explained "You obviously have a good bedside manner and are caring. Maybe I can make a good nurse out of you."

Saya grinned "Well, I'm not sure if my stomach is strong enough for it but I'm up for trying as long as I can be helpful. Teach away doc." They soon were going over simple medical emergency tools and what to do to help in situations to help someone live long enough to make it to the doctor. Saya knew some first aid and simple emergency procedures but the ones she knew were very dated. With the base knowledge she had of medical, she was able to pick up quite a bit quickly.

Kirk and Spock beamed back with the security detail and an extra man needing medical help. McCoy went to work and Saya went to follow Spock again. "Send her to me again sometime . She has the markings of a good nurse." McCoy said as they left. Spock raised an eyebrow and they continued to the bridge. Taking their spots Saya overheard Masters inform the captain that the dilithium crystals were almost all drained and Kirk ordered them to start reamplify them.

Kirk asked if there were any further magnetic disturbances and Spock said "Negative, Captain. Scanners indicate situation normal." Kirk asked surprised if there was nothing and Spock answered "Nothing. Illogical. An effect of such proportions, unexplainable by any established physical laws that I'm aware of. I have been able to ascertain one fact. Though the effect, whatever it was, was unquestioningly widespread, it was strongest here on the planet beneath us."

Kirk ordered him to keep checking and Uhura relayed a red 2 message in 1 minute as well as Starfleet Command's code Factor 1. Kirk asked her to repeat it and she did. He immediately said "Invasion status." Before turning on the com and telling the crew "All hands, this is the Captain. Battle stations. I repeat, battle stations. This is no drill."

McCoy called Kirk over the com and informed him that the patient would be fine, just stiff and sore for a while. Kirk informed him he would talk to the patient later. Uhura put the call to Starfleet on the main screen and Saya saw what appeared to be a very stiff man. For once she thought about the trouble she might get the Captain in being not only on the bridge but also with brightly colored hair. She hoped she would be out of viewer range.

Paying attention she heard the Commodore inform Kirk "You may not be aware of its scope. It occurred in every quadrant of the galaxy and far beyond. Complete disruption of normal magnetic and gravimetric fields, time warp distortion, possible radiation variations. And all of them centring on the general area which you are now patrolling. The question is, are these natural phenomena or are they mechanically created, and if they are, by whom? For what purpose? Your guess, Captain."

Kirk informed him that his best guess was a prelude to invasion. The Commodore said that Starfleet agreed and gave Kirk the job of finding out. Kirk asked for aditional starships as reserve and the Commodore told him "Negative. I'm evacuating all Starfleet units and personnel within a hundred parsecs of your position. It's going to be tough on you and the Enterprise, but that's the job you've drawn. You're on your own."

Kirk did not seem happy and stated that it meant they were the bait. The Commodore simply said a regretful good luck and the call ended. Kirk turned to Spock who approached his chair "From the top, . First, the phenomenon came from the planet below. Secondly, the danger is apparently real and imminent."

"Third, a closer examination of the planet's surface would be in order. My job, sir?" Spock said and Kirk confirmed it then said he would talk to their unexpected guest. Saya followed Spock as he went to get ready. Saya could see his mind was busy at work and just quietly stayed with him so she wouldn't be a bother. In the transporter room he instructed Saya to do her reading, essay and then start looking into the career she wished to pursue.

Saya went to her room and started reading. After a few hours Saya was finished and started the essay. She wondered how things were going but pushed her curiosity aside as she continued to work. After some time she started to study career choices. Linguist was intriguing to her and a Science officer would give her a better chance to stay with Spock. Diplomat would be enjoyable, though dangerous, and would give her a chance to help many. She could try nursing but still wasn't sure she could stomach the job.

The one thing that kept drawing her attention was the idea of being an artist. She loved creating things and being creative but she knew it was an impractical career choice and worse it would take her away from Spock quicker. She didn't really want to admit it but she was happiest with him and wanted to stay with him as long as possible. It didn't help that it would also take her away from Uhura, McCoy, Scotty, and even Kirk. they had become close friends and family to her and she was not yet willing to give that up.

So she wrote her list: Linguist, Science officer, Diplomat, Nurse. That was what she would show Spock. Spock quickly stopped by her quarters to collect her and she followed him silently with her list. Taking her seat she watched as Spock stood by an almost panting Kirk. Kirk ordered phaser banks to activate and once a flashing dot on the planet appeared he ordered them to fire on it.

Kirk seemed off and Saya couldn't quite figure it out but he ordered Lesley to get them out of there. "Everything's all right, , for us." He said. Spock replied that there was no escape for them and Kirk answered "There is, of course, no escape. How would it be? Trapped forever with a raging madman at your throat until time itself came to a stop? For eternity. How would it be?" Spock said that the universe was safe and Kirk asked "For you and me. But what of Lazarus? What of Lazarus?"

Saya had no clue what they were talking about and wondered if she would get to know. Spock returned to his seat and the rest of their shift passed quietly. As they walked to dinner Saya asked about what had happened and Spock gave her a simple overview.

They sat down to dinner and Saya put her list on the table. "You told me to think about a career. These are the ones I am most interested in." She told him as he looked over the list.

"Artist is not on this list. Explain." Spock said.

Saya bit her lip a moment in thought before answering. "I like art but it is not a practical career. Add to that it would take me away faster. I want to stay with You, Uhura, Scotty, McCoy and Kirk. I like it here. You guys are friends and family to me and I don't want to lose that again." She gave a sigh laugh and added "happened too many times already."

Spock observed her for a few minutes as they ate. As they returned to their quarters he informed her that he would arrange her curriculum to best aid her in any of these career paths and she would have more time to narrow down her choice. Saya nodded and they went to their separate rooms, thinking about the future.

*END*