STAR TREK: PHASE TWO
The Neptune Gambit
Near the Planet Neptune...
The USS Reliant came to a dead stop as a Romulan Warbird de-cloaked directly in front of their position. The Warbird was nearly the size of the Enterprise.
The Reliant bridge crew was at a heightened sense of alert. Gary Mitchell, in the center seat, took in reports from his senior officers.
At weapons/Navigation was Lt. Nadya Chekov. Even though Nadya and Gary were lovers off the bridge, on the bridge they were complete professionals.
"Sir, weapons are reporting nominal," Chekov reported.
Mitchell nodded. "Just don't activate the targeting systems until I give the order," Mitchell said flatly.
"Of course Captain," Chekov replied. "But just in case we don't have enough time I'll keep my finger near the little red button."
Captain Mitchell smiled, and then pivoted his seat to face Science officer, Lt. Terry Farrell. She, just as Chekov, was a very attractive woman, and just as accomplished as her peers in her field. She had transferred over from the Lexington's crew during the Lexington's refit.
"Now," Captain Mitchell said to Lt. Farrell, "just how did that ship suddenly appear out of nowhere?" And then he added, "And please don't say you have insufficient data."
"No sir," Lt. Ferrell replied, "I won't say that. In fact, the bending of light is theoretically feasible. But to create one at this level, that can also mask system outputs on a vessel that large, is quite beyond where we are, though it can be done."
Gary nodded. Then he turned to his chief engineer who was an African-American male who wore special glasses that enhanced his vision; his name was Geordi LaForge. LaForge, although not completely blind, without his glasses, could still only see a pin-prick of light in either eye. The glasses enhanced those pricks of light with C.G.I. technology and rendered a visual spectrum. Not only did LaForge command engineering, he was also Gary Mitchell's first officer.
"What do you think Commander LaForge?" Gary asked. "This sounds like something up your aisle."
"Based on what Lt. Ferrell has said," Commander LaForge replied, "I would suggest that the Romulans use a lot of energy to even operate this device. Something to think about down the line should we find ourselves doing more than just talking with them."
Gary Mitchell pivoted his chair back to the main screen and stared at the Romulan vessel. The ship was obviously made to resemble some sort of flying eagle, with its swept back nacelles that gave the impression of wings. Although Mitchell wasn't with the Enterprise when that ship had encountered Romulans, he did get a full report from his best friend James T. Kirk.
Lt. Uval Narrin sat at the com station. His native land was Chad, on the African continent, but his family had moved to Iceland when he was a child. His rich African heritage gave him a stoic nature. And the fact he was nearly seven feet tall also made him a very valuable asset on the Reliant's basketball team. They had recently won the United Space Agency Tournament, out- scoring the Enterprise team; 107-93.
As Lt. Narrin scanned the space frequencies he was awarded with his diligence.
"Captain, we are receiving a hail from the Romulans," Lt. Narrin said, without taking his eyes of his monitors.
"It's about time;" Gary said. "On screen."
The image of Neptune, which was just ahead of the Reliant, was replaced by the cold stare of a Romulan commander. Gary had viewed the Enterprise's first encounter, and could tell immediately that this wasn't the same Romulan that Kirk had first encountered.
And then the Romulan spoke.
"This is the Romulan Vessel Vultur. We are on a peaceful mission to the world you have designated Neptune. I am sub-Praefectus'alae Grenyor," the Romulan said.
Captain Gary Mitchell stared back at the Romulan. Gary, with his strange ability, could tell that the Romulan was containing more information than he was revealing.
"I am Captain Gary Mitchell of the Starship USS Reliant," Gary replied. "We have been sent to Neptune to investigate anomalous signals one of our probes detected."
"Our sister ship, the Prey'ftor, is conducting scientific studies in orbit of Neptune. I have been instructed to escort you to her position so as you might assist in this matter," Grenyor replied.
"Very well," Gary said. "We would appreciate this chance to assist you in anyway."
The screen went dark, and returned to the image of the Romulan vessel as it reversed course toward Neptune. The Reliant followed.
Commander LaForge walked down to Captain Mitchell's command chair.
"I'm wondering," Leforge said, "What he would have said if you had ordered them to leave Neptune, given that this is our world right?"
"I had thought about it," Mitchell replied. "But if they are up to something, which I'm sure they are, well then perhaps a little detente is in order."
Mitchell stood up from his command seat and walked over to the science station on the upper ring of the bridge. First Officer LaForge walked with him.
"Lt. Ferrell," Mitchell said to the science officer. "What exactly are these anomalous signals we are talking about?"
"The A-7 Probe, which incidentally was launched by China in 2018, is orbiting Despina, one of the inner moons orbiting the Neptune. Three days ago it detected waves of energy it could not identify." The monitor at her post showed an image of the planet and zeroed in on what would be the 'southern' region of the planet. The image showed what seem to be ambient energy patterns coming from the planet. "We believe," Ferrell added, "that those waves of energy are being pushed out from Neptune by some unnatural means."
"The Romulans?" LaForge asked. "Why would they be doing this, and without letting us know about it? I think you need to be a little more demanding of them sir." LaForge said to Mitchell.
"I know," Gary agreed. "But we're not up here to start an intergalactic war. However," Gary said, "just keep the ship on alert status. You never know what may happen."
"Of course," Commander LaForge replied.
The Reliant continued on her way towards Neptune, and in the wake of the Vultur.
Obaron IV in system Wolf-359
The alien reached out and places his fingers on the side of S.P.O.C.K.'s android head.
And then, without warning, Spock fell to the ground and the alien stood motionless. Kirk bent down to try and help Spock up, but was stopped by the hand of the alien who lifted Kirk back up to a standing position. McCoy drew out his hand held phaser.
"Stop!" McCoy demanded, afraid the alien was about to do to Kirk what it had done to Spock.
"It is not necessary for you to act in such a manner, Doctor McCoy," the alien said as it released Kirk.
Kirk looked up at the alien who was roughly three inches taller than he was.
"What have you done to my crew member?" Kirk asked of the alien.
"Captain," the alien said, "I am Spock."
"You're Spock?" Kirk asked the alien. "Excuse me, but I find that to be in very bad taste."
If an observer had happened upon this strange first contact between beings from different worlds they might have laughed; and why not? With the exotic sounds of forest life around them, the humans, and the lone Vulcan, were indeed meeting for the first time. And it was the classic case of mistaken identity.
"No Captain Kirk," the alien said. "You do not understand. I am a Vulcan. We have the ability to touch the minds of others. Unfortunately my mind was unprepared for the unique nature of Spock's matrix. I knew he was an artificial being. However, I was unaware of his being. Now, it would appear, our minds have fused."
McCoy shook his head. "Just great," McCoy said in his usual sardonic tone, "we come all this way, come down to this nice alien world, and then meet an alien. Then our Android first officer just simply takes over his mind. CNN is going to love this."
"Doctor," the Vulcan said, "I initiated the contact with Spock. It was I who…"
"Wait a second," Kirk said, "you just said you are Spock. By the way, just to set the record straight, my name is Captain James T. Kirk. We are on a peaceful…"
Spock held up his hand right hand, and in a strange gesture, he separated his fingers and made what appeared to be a V shape with his fingers.
"I am now Spock, of Vulcan," the Vulcan said. "However bizarre it may appear, I am a joined being called Spock. I find the situation," and then the Vulcan arched his right eyebrow, "fascinating."
"Oh God," McCoy said, "He even talks like Daystrom."
"Is there someone you wish for us to contact?" Kirk asked. "Doctor McCoy here might be able to help in some manner."
"While I have the greatest respect for the Doctor, I am not quite sure how he can help in this matter, Captain. Perhaps another Vulcan could find the means to separate our minds. Yet, I must say, that the fusion of our minds even goes to the basic nature of who we are: The Katra, our living spirit."
"Where can we find another Vulcan?" Kirk asked.
"Jim, perhaps we can find a Vulcan at the City in Space in the Proxmia system?" McCoy suggested.
"A very logical assumption, Doctor McCoy," Spock said to McCoy, "Unfortunately there are no Vulcans there at this time. I would suggest a visit to my home-world, if you could work it into your mission protocol," Spock said to Kirk.
"If we can work it into our protocols?" Kirk repeated with a slight smile. "It's the least we can do. Would you like to refer to you with another name? You must have another name other than Spock."
"I'm crossing my fingers," McCoy added.
"I regret to inform you Doctor McCoy that my Vulcan name cannot be pronounced by any Earth language or dialect, thus Spock will have to do for now," Spock said in a matter of fact tone.
Kirk flipped opened his communicator. "Kirk to Enterprise; scan around the nearby foliage for the survey team and beam them up after you beam the doctor, Spock's android construct, which you will find deactivated about three feet from where I stand, myself, and," Kirk paused, "our visitor up first."
"Aye Captain," Scotty's voice said, "but first I must have the designated code for beam up."
"The beam-up code is queen to king's level one," Kirk said.
"A very simple move captain," Spock said. "Perhaps you should consider using a three dimensional chess grid for coding."
"There is no such game called three dimensional chess," Kirk said to Spock.
"On Vulcan there is," Spock replied.
"What was that?" Scotty asked.
"Never mind Mr. Scott," Kirk said. "Just go ahead and beam us up."
"Aye sir," was Scotty's reply.
And then Kirk, McCoy, the Spock Construct, and the Vulcan, shimmered away.
EARTH; MOSCOW
Putin International Airport.
A nice Sunny day.
Police Inspector Andreev Belikov waited inside the large terminal, reading the latest issue of Popular Mechanics, none of it he really understood. He had been waiting at the airport for nearly two hours, after battling the local traffic, and finding a place to park his car. But it was worth the wait.
Inspector Belikov had been investigating the strange death of two men. Their bodies had been found in a cheap motel on the outskirts of Moscow, drenched in blood, their throats slashed. No suspect had been found, as of yet, but Belikov had his suspicions. One of the victims, Ivan Solovyovs, had last been seen alive at the extravagant party thrown that same night at the Chekov estate. His own quiet interviews led him to his belief that both men, after a night of sexual romping with his secret suspect, were then killed by the suspect; she being Nadya Chekov; Russia's greatest heroine. But to suggest such a thing about someone from a powerful family could cost Belikov his career, and even his life.
There was one family member, however, that Inspector Belikov trusted. He was the eldest son of Mikiel Chekov, and the older brother of Nadya Chekov. His name was Pavel Chekov. Belikov had once assisted Pavel Chekov after thieves had broken into his home. Chekov had once told him, after the thieves were captured and the items stolen had been returned, that he owed the Inspector a favor. It was now time to collect on that debt. Belikov could only hope that Pavel Chekov would assist, if he could. Assist in proving that his younger sister, the world famous Nadya Chekov, was a cold blooded killer.
-
Legrange Georgia; United States.
Gretchen Bennett stood upon a hill and looked down on the mansion that had been part of her family since the end of the American Civil War. It had been passed down through several generations.
Gretchen Bennett was a large African-American woman, weighing nearly two-hundred and fifty pounds. But for every one of those pounds; was a happy woman, who was very proud of her adopted Caucasian son; Leonard McCoy. McCoy's parents were killed in a car accident, and Gretchen, who had been friends with McCoy's mother, offered to adopt the young child and raise him; and so she did. She loved to come up the hill, look down at the house, and relive the old times when Leonard was a child, and life was so innocent.
From a distance, at another large old style plantation mansion, a man stared at Gretchen through binoculars. His name was Lloyd Denue. He knew that in the coming years or so, his past, and Gretchen's past, would collide and; he would kill her and anyone who stood in his way.
Continued…