STAR TREK: PHASE ONE
"Friends"
The USS ENTERPRISE was on its way to intercept the Charles/Dennison asteroid which was on a direct heading for Earth. The collision was still four years off, but waiting any longer to act on it would compound the problem. The mission, on paper, seemed simple. The asteroid was nearly four miles in diameter, and composed of, mainly, iron. The composition of the asteroid would seem to suggest that it had been created about the same time the rest of the solar system had been.
How something this large had not been seen before baffled some of the more prominent scientists on Earth.
The voyage from Mars to Charles/Dennison would take nearly a month. And because of the distance, and planetary orbits, the particle beams which had powered the Enterprise's trip to Mars would not be available this time. Instead, the mission depended on the experimental Ion/Magnetic Drive, and the stored battery power, which had been collected with special solar filters while the ship had been traveling to Mars.
When the United Space Agency decided to build the Enterprise ship, and the rest of the Constitution class starships that had been budgeted, it was decided that the best thing to do would be to throw the kitchen sink at it. The Particle Beam drive, which used beams to accelerate and decelerate the ship, had been used while on the way to Mars. The Ion/Magnetic Drive, built solely in China, would power the trip to the asteroid and back to Earth.
The maximum speed either technology could reach was nearly 10% to 15% of light speed. But, a third technology, not included on the Enterprise, was the highly experimental Anti-Matter Drive which was in final prep, and was the creation of Dr. Leah Brahms. When the Enterprise returned to Earth, it would be easily refitted and the A.M.D. would be part of that refit.
The maximum speed of the A.M.D. was not known, but the calculations were mind boggling. It would allow the ship to go distances only once dreamed of, perhaps as much as 60% the speed of light…or, as they would find out…MORE!
Commander Gary Mitchell and Lt. Sulu sat together at one of the dining tables located in Ten-Forward. It had long been decided that with mainly young men and women manning starships, an adult setting was required for the moral, and stability, of the crew. There were actual real windows that offered amazing views of space. Because Ten-Forward was not only a dining hall, there was a fully stocked Bar.
There were modern games, pool tables, and even two bowling lanes at the far end. It was where the crew could let their guard down, and socialize. Ten-Forward was operated by a woman named Guinan. She was a very beautiful ebony skinned woman who owned two respected bars in the Chicago area, which many movie stars went to hang out.
But she also held a PhD in sociology, and was also a sex-therapist on the side. She stood behind the bar and was there to help the bartenders, but also, to keep a watchful eye on her customers; trying to anticipate their needs.
The dining hall had several customers, as did the Bar. Guinan decided to head over to where Gary and Sulu were sitting. Unknown to the crew, she was provided with very detailed files on every one of them. She 'knew' who they were even before she knew them. She brought two drinks with her on a tray. She also wore very strange head gear, which in this case, was head scarf wrapped tightly around her head, with diamond studs.
"Hello," she said to them both, with a broad smile. "My name is Guinan. As you know, this is the first night Ten-Forward has been open since we left Earth, due to finishing touches on the decor and kitchen area. Welcome, and please enjoy yourselves."
She placed the drinks down.
"Actually," Gary said, "I just wanted a beer, Samuel Adams if you would."
"We're still installing the fountains," Guinan lied, "but I think you might like this for now."
Gary sipped the glass of strange green liquid. He nodded in approval.
"This is pretty good," Gary said as it gave him a 'kick'. "What is it?"
She looked at his drink. "You know what," Guinan said, "it's just green. That's the best I could tell you."
Sulu had tried some. "I like it too," Sulu said. "Good thing I'm not on shift for another twelve hours. This has real alcohol in it; doesn't it?"
"I thought real alcoholic beverages weren't supposed to be stocked on board the Enterprise," Gary added.
"I won't tell if you won't tell," Guinan said with a warm smile, and coy look in her eyes.
"My kind of girl," Gary said, with a twinkle in his eyes as well.
Guinan thought about his personal file and the kind of women Gary had been in trouble with in the past; and there were quite a few.
"I doubt it," she added with a grin.
Guinan headed back to the Bar. She actually had tons of beer, but up to now, no one had liked the green stuff, and she had a whole case to unload. At least she had two dependable customers; suckers.
Gary looked to Sulu.
"So, did your buddy Sal answer your e-mail?" Gary asked. "Did he like the pictures?"
Sulu smiled. "Why yes," Sulu said, "he did. In fact, when we get back, he wants to meet you. I think you're going to get that S.I. cover you've always wanted."
"You know," Gary said, "I owe you for this. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Actually, yes I think there is," Sulu replied. "There is a guy who works in engineering that I've been flirting with but he's too shy. I've seen him looking my way and…"
Gary cut him off. "Wait a moment," Gary said. "You want me to hook you up... with another guy?"
"Yeah; why not?" Sulu came back with. "If I had told you it was some sexy gal instead, I was chasing; would you be asking me that?"
"Ummm," Gary said, "you have me there. I'll see what I can do, but don't be expecting too much."
Sulu smiled. "Actually I'm only kidding. I just wanted to see what you would say."
"What for…" Gary asked.
Sulu thought for a moment, and then continued.
"Commander; some people say they accept alternate lifestyles, you know, mouth tolerance. You're one of the very few who seems to believe in the concept of it," Sulu said. "And I thank you."
Gary and Sulu talked for nearly an hour; about life and social acceptance. They swapped stories of their love lives, conquests of the past and as the last few customers filtered away, they too went their separate ways to get some much needed sleep.
MARS
The first sandstorm hit the colony on Mars. Commander Khan, who had been given a promotion by his Star Fleet superiors back on Earth, ordered all work stopped, and everyone into the fortified bunkers. All seemed calm; but it wasn't.
Life had been, indeed, found beneath the surface of Mars; and plentiful in the underground oceans on the planet. The life forms that had been found were pretty much like the simple one cell organisms on Earth. But not all the life on Mars had been found. It was predicted there was much more would be found.
One such 'undiscovered' creature lived beneath the surface of the land. It thrived in the arid areas of Mars.
And as Ensign Juliet Combs slept, one of the creatures had made its way into her room. As it silently came out of ground, Ensign Combs was totally unaware.
The small life form looked much like a short and stumpy millipede; but of course, it wasn't, and that was too bad for the ensign.
The little creature, the size of a finger nail, made its way up the inside of her blankets. It went past her nakedness, and finally came out of the blankets inches from her right shoulder. It was able to wriggle up and on to her pillow. And as Juliet slept, the creature inched its way into… her ear.
Continued…