STAR TREK: PHASE ONE
We Push On...
Previously…
"Captain," Uhura said excitedly, "we're receiving visual and audio transmission from one of those ships that look like some sort of bird of prey."
"On screen," Kirk said.
The instant the alien's image came on the screen, Captain Kirk, and the entire bridge crew who saw it as well, knew that their known theories of humanity and history had just been obliterated. Although the alien wore a helmet over part of his head, it was clear that the alien was; human.
Even though the alien began to speak in what appeared to be an unfamiliar language, it was obvious to Kirk and the others on the Enterprise's bridge that some of the words were not as alien as they seemed; they had a ring of Latin to them. The audio translation began seconds after the alien began to speak.
"I am Praefectus'alae Gnaeus, in command of this scouting party," the very strong voice said, "though we have shielded your vessel from attack, it would be wise for you to put as much distance between yourselves and the Gorn. To stay in the general area would be to do so at a great risk to your lives."
"I'm Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise, we are explorers," Kirk said, "and we do not wish to cause offense to either you or the Gorn. We thank you for the assistance. But can I ask you," Kirk added, "From what world do you hail?"
The Romulan's expression remained stone cold the entire time.
"These matters can be discussed if future encounters are to come," the Romulan answered. "For now, I suggest you return to your star system, and to your home world called… Earth."
The Romulan flashed a slight grin, and then the signal was cut.
The implications were right there for all to absorb. The Romulans knew of Earth, and knew that the Enterprise had come from it. Who were these aliens and why were they speaking a cousin language to Latin?
The ships, which Kirk would refer in his logs to as a Bird of Prey, sped away, and headed back toward the ongoing battle between the Gorn and Romulan ships which was now moving away from the Enterprise at great speeds.
"How could that be possible," Sulu said from his post. "Some of those words were Latin."
Spock{{{ Captain; 63% of the words spoken by the Romulan commander had direct translation to Earth historical context. The odds that such a language, in this case Latin, developed on an alien world are...}}}
"Please don't give us the odds," McCoy said, then he looked at Kirk, "So what now Captain; do we go back to Earth?"
The bridge crew all looked to the Captain. As with any ship, the Captain was not only the commander but he was also the heart and soul of the entire crew. It was from him they drew strength and direction.
"No," Kirk finally replied. "We push on. We just don't go back home simply because we're the new kid on the block," Kirk said to them all. "We all knew the risks, and yet we all signed up for the same gig. Plot a course for the fifth planet in this system," Kirk said to Ensign Crusher. "And then engage," he said to Sulu.
The Enterprise banked left, and then headed for the fifth planet of the system.
EARTH
Carol Marcus held a bottle and watched as her young baby sucked on it. The child was a miracle in her heart, a feeling common with all mothers. The baby boy, whom she named after her older brother, David, looked up at her, eyes so innocent. She was very proud of her older brother David, and so named her child after him.
Her brother David was to head up the Terra-forming mission that was slated to go to Mars, after the second attempt to establish a colony, the USS Reliant, was successful with its mission.
Carol's fifth-story apartment was in San Diego California. Wanting to spend time with her new three month old infant, Carol had taken a leave of absence. She had requested that Jim Kirk stay out of her and David's life. It sounded cruel, perhaps, but Carol didn't want her son becoming a universe chasing starship captain like his father, Jim Kirk.
She sat in her small apartment and was gently rocking herself to sleep. Little David had already closed his small eyes and fallen asleep. It was nearly 10pm and Carol was happy at the prospect of getting a good night sleep.
As her eyes closed, Carol was unaware that across the courtyard of her apartment, and thanks to the drapes she left opened, two strangers looked at her from an adjacent apartment, with cameras and binoculars. A third man was supervising them as they took photos; his name was Garak. He smiled upon realizing they had found their target.
USS ENTERPRISE
Alpha-Centauri system
The USS Enterprise headed towards the fifth planet in the Alpha Centauri system. For whatever reason, the fifth planet had been, up to now, undiscovered by Earth's astronomers. With the Gorn and Romulan ships still engaged at a great distance from the Enterprise, Kirk took the opportunity to take the ship closer to the fifth planet to see what the two ships were fighting over. The Enterprise had detected, even before engaging with the Gorn, strange readings coming from an artificial source above the planet. And as the ship got closer, there was indeed something orbiting the planet.
"Magnify image," Commander Chakotay said from his ops station.
The distant image became larger as the highly sensitive observation equipment zoomed in. The crew, who had just digested the first meeting with intelligent alien life; were now confronted with a very strange feeling of pure wonder, at the sight.
What they saw resembled a shining city in space. It was massive, as large as New York's Manhattan Island. Several structures, best described as skyscrapers in space, were lit up with all kinds of lights. A dome like structure encircled the large city in space.
"It looks like Vegas in space," McCoy said finally.
"A kind of spaceport I bet," Sulu said.
They could see several other ships in what appeared to be parking orbits around the large space port.
"Captain," Uhura said, "I'm receiving an automated message inviting us to come down to the city in space, it is called Thyscin; we are invited to enjoy the hospitality."
Chakotay was still suspicious.
"So, we go from a near life ending space battle," Chakotay said, "to a nice comfy space port; Sounds pretty hard to believe, to me."
Spock {{{Captain Kirk; I would agree with Commander Chakotay. It would be wise to continue with caution.}}}
"Gee," McCoy said with sarcasm in his voice, "it took an 85 billion dollar computer to come up with that kind of advice? I'm in the wrong business."
Spock {{{ I am only stating a logical observation, Doctor McCoy.}}}
"Logical and obvious," McCoy said. "I bet you would tell us that…"
Kirk cut McCoy off.
"I'm going down there," Kirk said finally with a broad smile.
"Excuse me captain," Chakotay said, "I believe going down there is an unacceptable risk, especially with aggressive actions between the Romulans and Gorn taking place not far from here."
Kirk nodded. "Thank you Mr. Chakotay, your concern is dead on; as usual," Kirk said as he stood up out of his chair, "But I'm still going down there. You want to come with me Bones?"
"Stop calling me that," McCoy said.
"Well, are you coming or not?" Kirk asked.
Spock {{{ This course of action may not be wise, Captain.}}}
"Look," Kirk said to them all, and mainly to a visibly upset Chakotay, "We are ambassadors from Earth, the first to get out here. This is part of our job description. Commander Chakotay, you are in command. Bones, you're with me, and so are you Uhura."
Chakotay sighed, and then sat in Kirk's command chair.
"Yes sir," Uhura said as she stood up and joined Kirk and McCoy as they headed for the Turbo-lift.
"Commander; Keep me posted," Kirk said as he and the others entered the Turbo-lift.
"I will Captain; just be careful," Chakotay replied.
"We will," McCoy fired back.
Soon...Uhura piloted the shuttlecraft out of the Enterprise's hanger deck; following the directions of the Thyscin flight operations.
"It's almost like a dream," McCoy said, sitting with Kirk in the passenger compartment behind Uhura.
"You've never been to a spaceport before?" Kirk asked.
"No," McCoy said, "and neither have you. Don't you understand how important this is? Here we are, the first ship to ever leave Earth's system, and we're about to mingle about some giant mall in space. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"It does," Kirk said with a nod of agreement. "I spent many nights as a young man wondering if there was life beyond Earth. I was a dreamer, and I bet most of us on the Enterprise are. But," Kirk added, "Now we are living it. Am I excited? You bet I am."
"Well," McCoy replied, "you wouldn't know it."
Spock's voice came from the interface on Kirk's wrist device.
Spock {{{ Captain, we are being scanned. It appears to be ordinary in nature. }}}
"Would make sense," Uhura said. "We are newcomers."
Moments later, Uhura set the shuttlecraft down inside of a massive landing port. Alien vessels, many different makes and models, could be seen scattered about. And, more interestingly, several different kinds of life forms could be seen walking about, and interacting with each other.
"This is right out of a science fiction book I once read," McCoy said.
"You read books; how boring doctor." Uhura said, "It looks like something out of that old movie Star Wars."
Kirk chuckled.
"You're both right," Kirk said.
Seconds later, Uhura pressed a button and popped open the boarding doors. And not to long after the doors had opened, Kirk, McCoy and Uhura stepped out of the shuttle, and followed the flow of walking traffic, and headed into the City in Space.
Mars: The USS Reliant
Commander Gary Mitchell was growing impatient. Captain Terrell and his landing party, which included Nadya Chekov, had not yet returned.
"What do we do?" Helmsman Lt. Kyle asked.
Gary Mitchell closed his eyes and saw the image, again, of Chekov screaming in agony. It was a vision that Gary had first seen, in his mind, several days earlier. But now, the fog of his memory cleared, and he now not only saw Chekov, but Captain Terrell in great pain as well. How he could see such visions, Gary did not know; but sometimes it frightened him.
"Prep the other shuttle," Gary said to Kyle. "I'm going down there to find them."
Continued…