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
Part Two:
AU/Multiple Star Trek Shows/Carrie: Having become part of 24th century, Carrie White is enlisted in the clandestine organization Section 31 to help protect the Federation from a looming threat that has the power to change Starfleet's future forever.
Chapter 26
Carrie had reached Quark's and was in the holodeck waiting for her contact. The program was running too. 22nd Century, Starfleet's flagship – USS Enterprise NX-01. It was more simplistic than its today's counterpart. There were a lot of buttons and no touch screens, or at least less than normal.
The environment was also simpler and less welcoming. It had grey metallic walls. The doors did not open on approach – you had to push a button to enter, much like her own century where you had to open the door manually.
The sensors were adequate for its time but laughable compared to the NCC 1701-D's. It was the same for the weapons. The shields were polarized hull plating. The engine was, at least according to the database, the first warp 5 engine designed by Henry Archer, the father of the ship's captain and quite the legend Jonathan Archer. He was considered by many as the father of the Federation.
Despite the ship being much less advanced than the ships today, Carrie felt the exhilaration and the honor to be onboard. She felt like being part of history and something much greater. It was the beginning of the Federation. No, it was the prequel of the Federation. And although this was just a simulation, it was real as it could be.
She had yet to active the interactive protocol. She did want to see how its crew worked and breathed together. And she did but left herself as an observer only.
The ship had reached a planet and were getting in orbit when the ship was shaken by an explosion that compromised several decks. The diligence and professionalism with which the crew worked the issue and located the problem was a treat to Carrie's eyes. Even in the early days, Starfleet did not disappoint.
The problem was an entire field of cloaked Romulan mines and one in particular that had attached itself to the hull of the ship. The ingenious solution of how to disarm it and remove it was impressive, risky, dangerous but impressive. The presence of the Romulan ship also intensified the experience.
Weirdly enough, Carrie felt closer to the people of that century than those in this one. Perhaps it was because they were indeed closer to her mentality than those of this century. Yet they had all the characteristics of the Starfleet today. No wonder they were the template for it.
Carrie started to wonder why would her contact choose this environment. She got the hint with the Romulans. Still, there were plenty of encounters with them. Why this ship? The ship was special of course. It was the ancestor of all the others.
"At its infancy, Starfleet made true exploration with no political agenda." Lt. Deville's voice echoed.
Carrie turned around and saw him occupying the chair of the captain. The other characters have disappeared. It was uncanny for her the speed with which he read a situation and her own very questions. She wondered if he had any telepathic abilities.
"Those were simpler days." He continued. "The Federation at this point did not exist. There was only Starfleet and the alliance with the Vulcans, and the beginning of one with the Andorians. A triumph of science and the fascination of exploration, yes, those were simpler days."
He locked his eyes with hers. Carrie stepped back involuntarily. There was a flame in there she was not certain how to interpret. Or was it more of a longing for days long past? She wondered.
There was so much mystery surrounding the individual before her. She had used the time to learn as much as possible about him without alerting anyone to her research. And she had more questions than she had when she first arrived in this century.
"You wonder why you are here in this very odd specifically chosen simulation."
Although it sounded more like a question, it was only a mere observation. She had been wondering, yes. She thought she had figured some of it but now she was not so certain. She found it difficult to read him.
Still, she felt the need to answer. "Yes,"
He shifted his look from her eyes to the screen where now the Romulan ship had appeared.
"You remember the attack on Academy grounds?"
"Yes, I was in the middle of it."
He smiled. "Yes, indeed," He acknowledged. "The professor's report was most enlightening and Boothby's too."
The gardener? He made a report too? That was odd for her but perhaps he was merely debriefed. Yes, that seemed more logical.
"You also remember the explanation for it?"
"Yes," She nodded. "I never thought people could be so gullible."
He laughed softly. Her answer amused him but he understood her point of view. "People trust in their institutions to tell them the truth. They also trust them to make them feel safe hence the reason they accepted the explanation.
Some were concerned of course but they were all relieved. However, the point of it all was not meant for the people or for Starfleet."
"The Romulans?"
He smiled broadened. "I am glad there is still someone paying attention. Yes, our Romulan friends needed reassurance that all is good."
"This has to do with what Stanton found, doesn't it?"
"Yes, indeed," Deville said and stood up. "At first, people were reluctant to accept you in our ranks, Ms. White. But you have proven yourself over time albeit with the help of that imp you met on planet Christmas."
'Does he know everything?' Carrie pondered.
"But I am digressing." He said changing tone and returning his attention back to the view screen. "What does history say about this encounter?"
Carrie recited it as she tried to grasp the idea behind his questions. This sudden shift of topics was very disorienting for her.
"Textbook answer," He said though he did not sound disappointed. "Yes and no. There is another reason. The reason why they attacked the Academy grounds hoping to catch Stanton and as we both know they succeeded. It is also the reason why Carrington is running now."
"But Stanton died. They did not get him. They do not know if he knew something or not, not for sure."
"True, but they are still relieved because he died, and in their opinion, did not have the time to spill the beans or so they believe."
"Well, he hasn't."
"I imagine Carrington did not tell you either?"
"Carrington?"
"Oh, please, agent White, now is not the time to get coy and secretive. Just because, you have not reported the appearance of Carrington on DS9, doesn't mean we are all blind."
"He mentioned something called the Conclave of …"
"I see." Deville interrupted her. "Do not mention that name anywhere to anyone for any reason. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir,"
"Good. Now back to here." Deville said calmly. "As you said, the Romulans had annexed this planet to their empire. But there is another reason and the reason is connected to the name you shall not utter.
The location of their base is one of the best kept secrets of the Empire. Very few outside that group know of it. "
"So, what's so important about this planet?"
Deville's smile grew wider. "I like when people ask the right questions. So, the planet, the planet itself is not important, where it is located however is important. It is one of the reasons the Romulans mined the entire system."
"Why?"
"Ah, it is an anchor point leading to the location of that base." The answer was stunning. "That day, Captain Archer did not meet the Romulans, he met them. And that day, they made a mistake. They should have never revealed themselves."
"Why not?"
"Computer, display location of planet."
A map appeared.
"Tell me what you see, agent White."
Carrie looked at the map that contained the Romulan Star Empire at the time. The annexation of that planet seemed almost pointless. There was some value to it but not much. Expanding the Empire is an understandable move but it did not warrant such defenses.
"The planet has little strategic value."
"Very good, agent White, very good," Deville said approvingly.
"And yet, they mounted a minefield to protect it. It bears the question why."
"Impressive, and very true." Deville said. "The minefield has two purposes. Can you guess them?"
Carrie thought for a bit. "The first would be to keep strays away from it."
Deville nodded. "And?"
"Dissuading anyone from investigating further the logic behind that move."
"Very good," Deville said. He then waved at the screen and the map disappeared. But another planet took its place. Carrie recognized it at once. "That is other reason you are here today, Agent White."
Carrie wondered where he was going with that.
"Your recent visit to it has accelerated a plan long brewing in the most favorable way."
"I don't understand."
Deville paced a bit then faced her. "What do you know of seers?"
'Seers', the question was unusual and stunned her. If he referred to the word seer, then she knew what that is though she did not believe in it.
"Seers have premonitions attributed to events that have yet to occur. Seeing the future, but I do not think that is possible. Seers are always seen as charlatans. They are just adept of guessing what a person would want to hear about his future… It is not real."
"And what if I told you, S13 employs the services of one of these charlatans?"
"Then, I will say that we are crazy."
Deville laughed but his smile vanished. "Under other circumstances, the evolved scientist in me would share your opinion. But the charlatan has proven both of us wrong."
"Sir?"
"At first, we did not put much stock in it either. But experience has shown as otherwise. So far, every single prediction has come true with frightening accuracy."
"What's this got to do with my visit to Trill?"
"Ah, right to the point," Deville said his smile returning. "Have a seat."
Carrie obliged. She sensed the anticipation she felt to where the story goes exhilarating.
"The seer made a terrible prediction. The only problem with it is that we do not know when it is going to happen but we do know it is going to happen and we can't allow that to be."
"What was the prediction?"
"Roughly, it says that after the Great Burn, the Trill population that can be joined have been decimated thus there are more slugs than hosts. This is putting in doubt the survival of their culture. The Trill will have the potential of losing their history, their identity, their everything because of it.
The Trill are one of the most important allies of the Federation. We can't afford to lose them in any way."
"This is horrible but what can we do?" Carrie asked.
"S13 has developed a plan to safeguard the Trill but we are years away from implementing any significant changes."
"Then how does my visit to Trill change that?"
"You made contact with the slugs." Deville replied with a triumphant smile. "In over a thousand years, there has not been a successful joining between a slug and non-Trill."
"But I did not join with them?"
"No, you did not but you made contact with them. You see, agent White, that has also never happened before.
There are many telepathic races that inhabit this Quadrant and none of them have ever succeeded in making contact with the slug. They have made contact with the host but never the slug."
Carrie was not sure why this was so important and more to the point how S13 was planning to use it to their advantage.
"We need to learn as much as possible about the Trill and this is where you come in."
"What do you need me to do?"
Deville took out a small vial that contained a grayish solution. "This vial contains over a trillion nanites that you will make sure find themselves inside Lt. Dax."
"Wait, what?" Carrie exclaimed stunned and definitely not understanding.
"Every year, Starfleet personnel is due for a medical check. You will ensure that the nanites are inserted inside Lt. Dax, preferably by the hands of Dr. Bashir."
"Now, wait just a minute! How the hell am I going to do that and more importantly why would I?"
"Alright, calm down," Deville said soothingly. "We know very little about Trill physiology and more importantly very little about the interactions between the symbionts and the hosts. If we are to preserve the Trill, we have to find an alternative way to do so.
The fact that you made contact with the symbionts is sign that there is a way. You bonded with the slugs even if it was only a psychological level. That shows that a joining is possible between humans and the Trill slug.
But in order to ensure that future generations will be able to make the joining we need to know more and to adjust mankind to make that possible. That will take years. But it starts with learning about the slugs and the hosts.
And I know what you are going to say, as I had the same argument with the CNC. And I am sure you have guessed the same thing, the CNC said, we are not telling the Trill that we are doing it. The reason for that should be somewhat obvious."
"We don't know when it is going to happen!"
"And we do not want to create a panic about something that can happen in ten years from now, or a hundred years from now or …."
"A thousand years from now,"
"Exactly,"
"What would the nanites do?"
"For one, they are not going to harm, Lt. Dax. They are designed to scan internally every aspect of her body and that of the slug. When we can build a comprehensive model, then, we can look for a way to make humans and Trill compatible.
If we are lucky, this will not occur for many centuries. This gives us plenty of time to find a solution but yes, the Trill can never know, nor anyone else."
"So, I have to give her this one injection?"
Deville sighed. "Yeah, the injections will be yearly. This is just the first."
"What? But why?"
"I am not sure you have given a thought of how big your body actually is from the inside, especially from a nanite's perspective. This batch will manage to cover about a twentieth of her body, more or less."
"And she can't know?"
"Nor anyone else."
"How do I make Bashir give it to her?"
"That part is your problem to solve. But neither she nor Bashir can know about this. Also, I will know immediately if the nanites are in her or not. So do not get any crazy ideas of inserting them elsewhere."
Carrie did indeed think about it.
"Agent White, I realize this is an unorthodox manner of protecting an ally but as there are many unknowns and this is really a longshot, at best, we need to proceed carefully.
But if you take my advice, you can study the good doctor and everything he does during a yearly medical check. This way you will know when it is safe for the batch to be part of the sprays the doctor uses and inserts inside the body during the check.
Or you can try and do it when Jadzia is in the medical bay when she inevitably gets into trouble and gets injured. But that will be an even bigger longshot than us saving the Trill as you will have to be here all the time and that won't be the case."
"Why not?"
"Now, we come to the last issue. You not only graduated the Academy but you also did it in record time. And yet, you have selected no posting for over a year now. That makes even the most benign and benevolent people in the Federation itchy."
"I keep my options open and I have been doing work for S13."
"Yes, but the issue is that the rest of Starfleet and the Federation can't know anything about S13, for now, at least. That means that you need to choose. However, since you did not make a choice, I am making it for you and it is not open for debate."
"Okay?"
"As you are on DS9, and every now and then, you need to be on it, and it is close the gateway between quadrants, you will focus on stellar mapping."
"Stellar cartography?"
"Yes, of the Gamma quadrant. There is a ship that arrives on DS9 in ten days. Its mission is to explore the other side. You will be assigned as crewman aboard it."
"What is the name of the ship?"
"USS Nautilus NCC 31910, Captain Metolius. He is an old friend and he will gladly take you aboard. It is a Miranda class vessel."
"So, it is suited for various missions."
"Yes, survival being one of them," Deville replied. "You also need to inform Commander Sisko, as soon as possible. He is also getting suspicious of your dawdling."
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