Disclaimer: Star Trek and all its characters belong to Paramount Pictures. Carrie belongs to author Stephen King but the words are mine. The characters of the Four Orders are entirely my own.
Requested Story by T-Rex-1000
AU/ST/Carrie/FO: Admiral Brigham enacts a desperate plan to save the life of his granddaughter, enlisting the help of Starfleet captain: Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise under false pretense and no matter the cost. But the price comes too high…
Chapter 3
Previously:
"Captain Picard to the bridge," Will Riker called on the com. "Raise shields, yellow alert!"
Jean-Luc appeared from the turbolift with Commander Troi. They both reached their posts and sat down.
"Report!"
"A small vessel just drop out high warp, at grid coordinates 320 by 302." Commander Data replied.
"Identify?"
"According to the sensors," Worf said. "It identifies as the ESS Relentless NX-1091."
"NX 1091?" Will Riker exclaimed stunned.
"Wasn't that a prototype ship?" Jean-Luc asked.
"Affirmative, Crossfield class," Worf replied.
"Crossfield?" Will Riker said.
"The prototype was decommissioned in the late 23rd century. It was meant as a scout ship."
"So what is it doing out here?"
And now:
Jean-Luc contemplated on Number One's question. Crossfield Class vessels have not been in use since the late 23rd century or barely the beginning of the 24th, let alone a prototype ship. Whoever was on it must be on an important mission or covert one, or both. Still he would have received an advanced warning from Starfleet and he had received none.
On the other hand he was on a covert mission and that made him wonder how the other vessel knew where to find them. Starfleet usually did not mix ships on covert missions unless utterly necessary. So it made him wonder – who was on that ship and why the secrecy?
"Captain, we've been hailed." Lt Worf announced.
"On screen," Jean-Luc ordered.
"Um, the request is for your eyes only, Captain."
"Transfer it to my ready room," Jean-Luc said and left the bridge. Entering the ready room, he sat on his desk and pressed a button to accept the incoming call.
"Code required," the computer announced.
"Picard, authorization Alpha, Alpha 3-0-4," Jean-Luc said.
The screen activated.
"Hello, Jean-Luc, old friend!"
"Admiral Brigham!" Jean-Luc exclaimed. He was pleased to see him though a bit surprised. He had not heard of him for the last 5 years. They met long ago – first time in the academy and then after the incident with the Star Gazer.
Jean-Luc looked into his eyes and saw it. The admiral was not the same man he remembered the very last time they met. He was vigorous and full of life. Now all he could see is tiredness and exhaustion. What has become of his good old friend? What has life or Starfleet done to one of its best? He could only wonder.
"It is good to see you again, Jean-Luc." Admiral Brigham said.
"Likewise but what brings you in my neck of space?"
The admiral pondered for a moment if he should shoot his issue straight away but knew that would be a mistake. He needed to be onboard. He needed to persuade him. He knew Jean-Luc still felt his imposing presence and respected it.
"It is something best discussed over dinner and not on an open channel."
"Of course," Jean-Luc replied though he sensed some form of urgency in the admiral's voice that he found slightly disturbing. The channel they used was perfectly secure so why the admiral was hesitant to discuss it openly remained a small mystery. Still he needed to find out. "Yours or mine?"
"Your ship is more luxurious than this small bucket. We don't want to be sipping Earl Grey standing over the crates in the cargo hold."
"Of course not," Jean-Luc replied with a smile. The admiral has not lost his charming remarks. He remembered one meeting where the admiral's clever remarks succeeded to offend the visiting Vulcans that greatly elevated him in the eyes of his colleagues. It is a rare sight to see Vulcans storming out of the door exclaiming vocally their displeasure for lack of manners. "However at the moment, my Chief Engineer doesn't recommend the use of the transporters, so I will send a shuttle to collect you. I don't imagine your ship has many of those?"
"It does but it is fit more for cow hoarders than officers of Starfleet."
"19:00?"
"I will be waiting."
"Excellent, see you then, Admiral. Picard out!"
Admiral Brigham relaxed. That was the first step. It was the first small victory but the hardest part still remained – convincing Jean-Luc. He had long time to prepare and find the right way of doing this. Though, last night, he had an even more brilliant idea on how to pull this.
Jean-Luc was fiercely protective of Starfleet and the ideals of the Federation however he had seen the cracks in his armor. He had followed his career carefully and knew that at times Jean-Luc would choose to go against the Federation if needed and he counted on that.
His plan had begun to form as soon as he left Starfleet's headquarters but refined over this voyage. He now knew what gamble to present – the hidden threat. It was the perfect way to convince him that the Federation may not do what is best for itself and that – they few had to do it for them, a noble sacrifice. If they succeeded they will be thanked and if not no one will know.
Dinner time arrived quickly and the admiral readied himself. It was time for the greatest gamble of all times. He caressed the pod where his granddaughter still fought for her life and with the courage this last touch gave him mastered his feelings and resolve and he left for the cargo bay.
The Enterprise D shuttle landed gracefully. The admiral took a deep breath and walked to it. The hatch opened and it was an ensign that greeted him.
"Good evening, sir."
"It is always evening in space, ensign…"
"Ensign Carrington, sir" The ensign helped the admiral. There was no way for him to know his name. The Enterprise is a big ship. No outsider is expected to know everyone's name. "But in space, there is no night or day, sir."
"Smart lad," Admiral Brigham sighed. Not everyone was born with a sense of humor. 'Not that this one is very bright either. Starfleet must have lowered the quota when selecting him.' Or perhaps, the admiral thought, he was good at something else. "Let's not keep, Captain Picard waiting."
"Yes, sir," Ensign Carrington replied. He was amused at the admiral's remark though. He thought his presentation as not very bright seemed to have relaxed the admiral. He always found that playing dumb makes people relax and sometimes say things they wouldn't under normal circumstances.
Carrington was a bit surprised when he learned he was picking up an admiral from the prototype ship which he had recognized as an altered version of the cross field class ships. Of course, on classified missions one can meet anyone travelling on any kind of barge but still the choice of the ship is very important. It speaks of the person's intentions.
And the choice of this admiral was most peculiar. Cross field class vessels were often tasked on dangerous missions as their personnel could handle a number of different fields hence the name – cross field. Starfleet ships were often like the Enterprise – science vessels and the ability to defend given the somewhat paramilitary training. But cross fields were a different story. They were often very prolific and specialized.
So what was this admiral up to? Why would Starfleet entrust this kind of ship to an old admiral that has not been in the saddle for a long time? That was a question only his commanding officer might be able to answer as this would definitely peak his interest. An old class ship – transporting an old Starfleet admiral – on a possible classified mission… how did he know – well it was not that much of stretch to think that given that the Enterprise was on a covert mission. And finding it is not information that Starfleet would simply share with anyone.
The shuttle docked on the Enterprise. Carrington opened the hatch and helped the admiral out who was then greeted by Captain Picard himself.
"Thank you, Ensign Carrington,"
"Just doing my duty, Captain," Carrington said.
"Dismissed,"
"Yes, sir,"
Jean-Luc turned his attention to the admiral. "Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Admiral Brigham."
"Ever so formal, Jean-Luc," Admiral Brigham said accepting the extended hand of Picard's.
"It is protocol, Admiral." Jean-Luc replied not in the slightest offended by the admiral's familiarity.
"Of course, lead the way, Captain Picard," Admiral Brigham said suppressing a smile.
Jean-Luc straightened his uniform and stepped outside the landing bay into the corridor with the admiral following him.
"It has been five years since our last meeting…"
"Always eager to reminisce too, I see." Admiral Brigham interrupted the walk down memory lane. It was a bit early for it. He realized Jean-Luc was simply trying to have small talk during their walk to dinner. "I would not have expected you to grow old so quickly, my young friend."
Old friend, young friend, the admiral had his way with words. And as always he enjoyed the misdirection Jean-Luc had been used to back in the days. Jean-Luc chose not to answer this potential conversational trap and just walked.
Ensign Carrington left the landing bay and headed straight for the bowels of the ship. He needed to report his observations to his commanding officer. He soon found him doing some diagnostics on the shield array. He signaled him and went to a small storage room one deck below.
He did not have to wait for long. His commanding officer arrived and stood expectantly.
"Colonel, I have some…"
"Major," The other person interrupted him hissing belligerently. "How many times have I told you not to use our ranks in here?"
"The room is secure, sir."
"This is the flagship of the Federation, of Starfleet. Never assume anything."
"Yes, colo…I mean lieutenant,"
"Now what is it so important that I had to find some lame excuse to meet you here?"
Ensign Carrington did not wait and presented his report. The lieutenant stood still for several minutes assimilating this information. The ensign was right about one thing – it was a curious choice for an admiral on a possible covert mission to use this type of vessel. Still covert missions take different forms and shapes but the choice of the ship was peculiar even for Starfleet.
"What was stored in that cargo bay?" The lieutenant asked. "What did you see?"
"It looked like life support components."
"For a ship?"
"No, I don't think so. There were just a few crates."
"And the rest?"
Ensign Carrington focused his thoughts on what he saw. At the time he did not pay much attention to it as the admiral came quickly. "From what I was able to glance - there were crates marked FXC 32B and something that resembled MXV C24, and I am not sure for the rest."
The lieutenant remained pensive. This was most unusual.
"What is it lieutenant?"
"FXC 32B and MXV C24, are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes, sir, I'm positive. Why, what is it?"
"FXC 32B?" The lieutenant repeated slowly as though trying to remember something and then he added. "Authenticator 32 Beta for built of flux energy," He remained pensive again for a moment then continued. "MXV C24 – that probably is TMXV – Timex Vortex Component 24 Alpha"
"I don't understand."
"These are components for a …." The lieutenant paused and then resumed his trail of thought. "…for a theoretical time tracker…."
"What? What is that?"
"What the hell is that admiral up to?" The lieutenant flared up. "There is no way his mission is sanctioned by Starfleet…"
To be continued…
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Lordheaven