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 (FO*) 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 9

Stardate 43822.2 (28.10.2366)

The sun rose bathing the hills of the tropical jungles of Risa in a soft golden light. The air around was filled with the tender sweet aroma of strange plants and flowers that brought the morning freshness anyone would need to enjoy a beautiful and peaceful day on the best tropical resort in the entire Federation.

Located just 90 light years from Earth, Risa was and still is the most popular tourist destination in the Federation for R&R that Federation citizens and Starfleet personnel enjoyed when the need for rest becomes unbearable. It is not that their lives are not interesting but having duties all the time takes its toll.

And this is where Ella took Carrie so she can escape the dreary life of the Enterprise. Not to mention that her ancestor needed it more than the others as she was not used to living on a ship or spending extended periods of time in space. After all, Carrie's world changed drastically when she joined the 24th century.

Carrie truly enjoyed the change of scenery because even though the holodecks were able to recreate any environment it was not the same thing as the real deal. She ran like a crazy person on the beaches of Suraya Bay that seemed to go on forever. The water felt slightly weird but was much appreciated because of the fresh sensation of proper wetness.

The other guests noticed her but quickly returned to their sunbathing. Every day there was at least one person acting out of character but that something normal here so no one paid that much attention to the crazy human.

Carrie savored the moment running on the golden warm sand. She did even while running throw a strange look here and there as the variety of aliens here was bigger than that on the ship and it took her some time to get accustomed to the sight. But seeing how everyone ignored her and her oddness she managed to relax something she found difficult for the past two months.

Living on a starship was definitely a challenge. She was not sure she wanted to keep doing it. While she was sure that eventually she would find something to do on it, she missed the sun and the ground. Actually she craved for it more than she was willing to admit. Perhaps it was the need for the simplest things – day and night.

Ella waited for her in their shack situated near the Bay but still far enough from prying eyes (not that there were many but still). She had her fill of the wonders of Risa. While Carrie was having fun on the beach, Ella visited the subterranean caves with the luminescent plants. She had been there before with her mother when she was much younger and the sight was still beyond description even now.

Ella had returned from the caves and Carrie had still not come. Ella was not worried though as she was certain Carrie will spend a lot of time on the beach. It was very long and had lots of bars. Of course, Ella would have preferred to go with her just to ensure Carrie doesn't ingest something she would later regret but she had to leave her to live the experience herself.

Ella also wanted the privacy to check on her grandfather. She did not approve of the way he acted even though it saved her life. The principals of the Federation while sometimes rigid existed for a reason and abandoning them even for such a noble cause was not ok. Still she loved her grandfather a lot and wanted him to be part of her life however difficult that would be now.

Admiral Brigham's face had lit up when she called. They talked for what seemed to be hours and strangely enough they allowed him to do so. He loved hearing about her time on the Enterprise and the time she was spending with her ancestor (even though she was the reason he was in jail right now but he had no one but himself to blame for that).

"Where is Carrie now?"

"I left her on the beaches of Suraya Bay. She loves it!"

"I'll bet." The admiral knew what joy those beaches are. His sentiment was not only for the joy Carrie was having but also one for him as he couldn't be there too. "Still, you must not leave her all by herself. While Risa is a wonderful place one must never forget the lessons of the past."

"She can take care of herself."

"That is what I am afraid of." Admiral Brigham shared. He needed to remind his granddaughter that while she was having a cool time with Carrie, Carrie was from another century and customs have somewhat changed over the years. "She's not used to our ways yet. Her time was much more violent and aggressive. And she may read into a situation more than it is actually meant and her reaction may be appropriate more for her time than ours. I would not want to cut your stay their short."

"Oh," Ella exclaimed. "I did not think of that."

"That is ok, Ella. Just do not forget, you were both raised in different times. And while you may get along just fine, you were still very different one from another."

"I will go find her then." Ella truly did not take this into consideration.

"I had a blast talking with you!"

"I will call again."

"See you, Ella!"

"Goodbye, grandfather,"

Ella left the shack and headed for the beach. She needed to find Carrie before any of her grandfather's grim predications came to life. She asked around and got her trail. Soon she located her on one of the bars enjoying a deliciously looking dish of sea food.

"Oh, hey, Ella, come join me!" Carrie called seeing her.

"I see you found lunch."

"I thought you would spend your time in the shack."

"Yeah, I thought so too but what the heck, we have not come here to stay indoors."

"That's the spirit."

They ate in silence while enjoying the sights around them. Every now and then a Nuvian masseuse would come offering her services but politely refused as there is no joy in eating and getting a massage at the same time. Sometimes the Risians did not know when to stop.

"How did you find me so quickly?" Carrie asked as she had spent much time running on this beach and when she thought of Ella or anyone else eventually looking for her she did not know how they would be able to find her.

Ella told her she simply asked around.

"One would not have considered that for people that ignore you and mind their own business they are actually a very observant bunch."

"Well, you do stand out!" Ella chuckled.

"I suppose I do." Carrie had to admit as she was nearly the only one acting that way. She was like a child that has never seen sand or beaches or oceans. It was like the first time you get a lollipop or a Christmas present.

"Have you given a thought as to what you would want to do?"

"I heard of some cliffs?"

"Yeah, those would be the Galartha cliffs. They make a distinctive sound as you climb them but that's not what I meant."

"What did you mean then?"

"I meant in general." Ella said. "That is one of the reasons we left the Enterprise. You said you needed a clearer head."

"No, I said I needed to clear my head."

"Oh, and did you?"

"Ella, we have been here all in all less than a day. I need more time to decide what I am going to do in the foreseeable future. Can we enjoy our time without any talks about the immediate future other than what we are going to do while here?"

"Sure,"

They remained on Risa for two months. Carrie used the time to really think what she wanted to do with her life. She had many choices but one thing was for sure she did not want to be a scientist that was too complicated. She was also not sure she wanted to be on a starship all the time. That was depressing too not to mention venting her darkness on it was a bad idea.

Still she wanted to leave the ship on her terms. She wanted to be friends with these people. One never knows when such thing would be come in hand. Having friends on the flagship of the Federation was nothing short of beneficial.

So she made her decision to return to the ship. Ella came with her of course. Things however were not as easy as they had thought. The time of their return was marked with the appearance of the nastiest piece of aliens the Federation had ever met – the Borg. Captain Picard had been abducted and used to attack the Federation. Many lives and ships were lost during the battle of Worf-359.

Carrie and Ella were rerouted to Vulcan where they were to spend their time in the Earth embassy. There they had decided to help out with the fallout of this event. It was for both of them educational but mostly for Carrie who quickly discovered that even in the future conflict could not be avoided at one hundred percent.

The people of Earth had outgrown conflict between themselves but that did not apply for the rest of the galaxy. She had to learn many sad truths. This prompted her to change her original plans. There was much injustice in the galaxy. Of course, the leaders of Earth on Vulcan had to teach her an invaluable lesson reminding her that human justice and that of the galaxy and its different species were two different things.

Still Carrie now had a terrible idea in mind. Despite what she had been told she did not believe that those that did break the law should walk away free regardless of their justice system or view of it. Of course she needed to find the perfect disguise and in a time where technology was more than superior that would not be easy. But nothing was impossible.

This required of her to attend Starfleet Academy after all. She needed to understand how technology worked in order to avoid and use it. She also needed a job. But she definitely did not want it to be connected to Starfleet or any scientific project. So she needed something that could allow her access anywhere without being a scientist of some form.

The only thing that came to her mind was being a reporter. As annoying as she had always found these people they were allowed everywhere. She also needed diplomatic credentials so she can move freely on the Federation planets and those of its allies and even enemies.

Stardate 44091.5 (01.02.2367)

Carrie had returned to the ship. She had used the time to learn as much as she needed in order to qualify for the entry test to Starfleet academy. She had formed relationships with Geordie, Data, Riker, Deana and Beverly Crusher.

Getting to know them had taken a long time. First she used their files to learn all that she could and then some calls to their friends from their time in the academy to get to know them a bit more intimately and then using the newly acquired information she found it easier to form a bond with them.

Everyone welcomed her at first a bit hesitantly but then the warmth of a friendship bond expanded and she became part of their circle. She even joined their weekly game of poker and being a quick learner succeeded in intimidating even Commander Riker. Of course he still won many battles of bluffs. For him apparently, it was an art form.

Carrie of course enjoyed these hours of entertainment where she did not have to learn complex data that most of the time she found completely useless. Why would anyone want to learn an entire encyclopedia of data that he or she would never have to use? She understood the need to be cross skilled but this was pushing it.

Her need was not to become intimately acquainted with the person that invented the info about every aspect of a technology from the tiniest particle of a material he used to its biggest component and how it interacted with various aspects of science in general. She needed only to understand the base principle of things and how to avoid detection from the nowadays technology. And this endeavor took its sweet time too.

Carrie however remained determined to absorb all that she needed for the entry test in Starfleet Academy. Her best allies in this were Commanders LaForge and Data, the former dumbed enough Data's interpretation of the subjects when he used more complicated words that made no sense to Carrie.

She spent day and night learning the complex subjects and learning about things she would have never thought existed. Ella would come every now and then for moral support or to take her away from it so she can relax a bit.

"Carrie?"

This was one of these days! Carrie took her eyes off the pad and turned to the door. "Enter!"

Ella waltzed in. She looked excited for something though Carrie could not tell what. And even she wanted she still wouldn't have found out as Ella had learnt how to block the casual thought intrusion.

"You need to come with me!"

"Why?"

"You've been cooped up here for too long. The last time we went out to do something was…I really can't remember when."

Carrie rolled her eyes. "Ella, we went out yesterday!"

"And it was fun…"

"Yes, so I haven't been here for long. I have a lot of things to memorize and learn. I can't do that with constant interruptions."

"Nonsense. The only way to learn is out there in the world not in your quarters." Ella replied completely dismissing her point of view. "The lower decks are throwing a party and you and I are going."

"What's the occasion this time?"

"The one, and only mysterious guy, is leaving the ship."

"He's transferring?"

"Yes, back to Earth, Starfleet Academy security,"

"Wow!"

"I thought you might want to chat with him as you would be going there soon. Perhaps he can find you a nice cool place to stay. Academy living arrangements aren't perfect. You are always with someone else."

"I think I can manage the arrangements on my own."

"Maybe, but having a friend from the ship is a big help!"

"Alright, I will come. Just give me five minutes to change."

"Sure!"

Carrie shook head. These days anything could excite Ella. It was like she entered puberty every day.

Five minutes later, they headed to the lower decks, taking the turbolift all the way down to deck 42. Carrie had gone down only two times so far but it was study related. She had come to notice that down there everything was different. It was like entering a different world.

Of course deck 42 housed the Anti-matter injections reactors and the fill and dump ports, and it was still unclear to Carrie why they were going there. She was not sure how good of an idea was to throw party at such dangerous area and why on Earth would Captain Picard even allow it, unless of course no one asked him for one (something she doubted).

"You do realize that being down there is not the ideal place to throw a party?" Carrie voiced her concerns.

"What?" Ella snapped out. "Yeah, I know but the invitation said 'go to deck 42 to gather and then...' something else, which I do not quite remember."

"Great," Carrie rolled eyes. In her excitement she had either not read the rest or completely forgot about it. She only hoped they would not get into any sort of trouble for this.

The turbolift opened and the two got out. It was dark and damp. Turning a corner, they noticed others cuddled in a corner.

"Ella, Carrie, hey guys,"

Carrie recognized the voice of Commander Riker and relaxed a bit. If he's here then it was ok for them to be here. It was still a weird place to be.

"Commander,"

"Will," Ella said earning a look of stupor from Carrie who never got used to calling him that.

"So where is the host of this shadowy endeavor?" Carrie asked looking around.

"He wants everyone to gather first and then make an entrance." Commander LaForge explained.

Carrie was stunned to see the entire command staff present. She even saw the bald head of the captain in the mix of people.

"He's that popular?"

"Yes," Beverly Crusher answered. "He may appear as nonsocial or mysterious but he's a party animal."

"I still think his immediate superior is by far more mysterious than him." Deanna interjected.

"Deville, are you kidding me?" Beverly exclaimed. "In all his time onboard, he's been only once to Med Bay, and very rarely in Ten Forward."

"And that is what makes him more mysterious."

"Hardly, it makes him normal, abnormally so."

"There is nothing wrong with being normal."

"On this ship, it makes you invisible and completely unnoticeable."

"We are not all dance gods, Bev,"

"Don't you start with that?!"

Carrie wished she knew what the two meant with this exchange but she was not privy to that story or any of them. It had been hard enough to find some common ground with these people and become more than a mere acquaintance. She was glad they had come to accept her as more than that but lately she did not have the time to spend more time with them to learn these, apparently, juicy stories.

Ironically she had come to learn not to spy on people by reading their thoughts. At one time she had opened her inner ears and quickly realized her mistake. The influx of voices became quickly unbearable.

The mysterious one soon made an entrance and everyone watched entranced. Carrie had to admit he had the charisma and the drama school education. He passed by everyone and chatted a bit, and then invited everyone to Ten Forward as it was better suited for the rest of the party.

Carrie unexpectedly had a lot of fun. It managed to relax her. The mysterious one danced with pretty much everyone, something Carrie found weird but apparently he was omnisexual and besides the 24th century did not find this type of behavior weird at all but rather normal.

"Ms. White, may I have this dance?" He came to her offering very gallantly a hand.

She could hardly refuse. She was a bit surprised he knew her name. Ella gave her an encouraging nod and she placed her hand into his.

He led her to the dance floor and guided her gracefully through the dance, which was a slow jazzy piece supported by the intrepid Commander Riker and his mastery of the trumpet.

"I understand you want to join Starfleet Academy."

"How many people know that?"

"Everyone, there are no secrets on a starship."

"Or I have a very mouthy friend."

"Oh, your friend is indeed very chatty but it is not on her."

"I'm sorry I did not get your name?"

"Ensign Carrington, Joseph."

"What is it with people speaking their names backwards?"

Joseph Carrington smiled. "I suppose it is just an old habit."

"And how is it that an ensign is just as popular as the commander or the captain of the ship?"

"Well, they said you are direct." Joseph noted though in a good way.

"I meant no offense."

"Offense?" Joseph chuckled. "I am not offended in any way, Ms. White. I just find it refreshing that you are this direct. As for my popularity, it is highly exaggerated."

"And yet here we are?"

"True, I do get around but I wouldn't consider myself more popular than the captain or the first officer."

"And yet the entire command staff is here?"

"True, but the command staff is often obligated by duty to be everywhere. It doesn't make them friends with everyone."

"And the rest of this packed house?"

"As I said, I do get around."

"Yes, I can see that." Carrie said. "Around in the 24th century must mean everywhere as I can see people from every single deck."

"You are flattering." Joseph said. He was truly enjoying this different perspective. There were people from every deck because his duties made him circle the entire the ship so he was bound to make friends anywhere.

"And yes I am going to Starfleet Academy," Carrie said a moment later remembering how this conversation started.

"Planning a new career no doubt?"

"Yes, maybe, I haven't decided yet."

"Perhaps I can show you around, after you arrive."

"I can understand now why Ella insisted I come to this party." Carrie said as Joseph decided not to comment. "I accept your proposal. By the time I arrive, you will undoubtedly know every corner or secret that place has."

"That is a distinct possibility."

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Lordheaven