Stars Ablaze:
The Search for Spock
"Don't grieve, Admiral. It's logical: the need of the many outweighs-"
He almost keeled over.
Kirk had tears streaming down his face. "... the good of the few..."
"Or the one."
Spock knelt down but Kirk followed him. "I never took the Kobayashi Maru test…until now. What do you think of my solution?"
"Spock…" Kirk managed to say.
"I have been and always will be your friend..." He propped a hand on the glass to support himself. Kirk's hand reflexively went to match Spock's on the other side of the glass. "Live. Long. And. Prosper."
With those words, Spock finally fell, becoming silent and still.
USS Enterprise
Starboard Torpedo Room
"We are assembled here today to pay final respects to our honored dead." Kirk began.
Carol, Jedda and David were present with David watching Kirk attentively. McCoy stood next to Kirk while Scotty carried his bagpipes. Saavik wore her hair down and Thrawn stood professionally.
"And yet, in the midst of our sorrow it should be noted that this death takes place in the shadow of new life, the sunrise of a new world, a world that our beloved comrade gave his own life to protect and nourish. He did not feel that sacrifice a vain or empty one and we will not debate his profound wisdom, in these proceedings. Of my friend, I can only say this, that of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most.." Kirk faltered for a second. "…human."
"Honors hup!" Sulu ordered.
All Starfleet personnel saluted as Scotty began to pipe, an odd blare which mellows into Amazing Grace. A gleaming black projectile is carried by pallbearers into the launching chamber, which locked behind it. At a hand signal from a torpedoman, the projectile was fired. A noise was heard, signaling Spock's remains were on their way to the new world.
On the new planet, appropriately named Genesis, trees grew, water fell from the skies, and the sun shined down on a forest where a certain pod had softly landed.
A ghostly blue figure appeared next to the pod, staring down at it.
"My friend…Even if the Force is not as prevalent in this universe, it can still reach out." The ghostly image of Qui-Gon said with a small smile. "You truly are full of surprises and here in this new world where life thrives…You shine even greater in the Force…And yet, I sense something else at work…Worry not though, you will not be alone."
As he vanished, Qui-Gon could hear Spock's voice.
"Space, the final frontier... These are the continuing voyages of the Starship Enterprise... Her ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds... to seek out new life and new civilizations... To boldly go where no man has gone before..."
"Anakin, Obi-Wan, we're sending you on a mission to the Milky Way." Windu stated. "Meet with Admiral Kirk and the Federation Council and find out if they have any more of these devices in the works and what they plan to do regarding the apparent creation of this Genesis planet. We must make sure that this Genesis project in no way will become a danger to our galaxy."
"What about the war?" Obi-Wan questioned. "There is no doubt that we will be needed to return to the front lines as soon as possible."
"A pause, the last few battles seem to have created, they have. Possible it is, that Dooku has learned of Genesis." Yoda answered.
"Masters, I should bring up something I learned from Senator Amidala when she returned. In addition to this Genesis device, it was reported that Captain Spock was killed in the battle with the terrorists who stole the device." Anakin finally spoke up.
Obi-Wan bowed his head respectfully. "I am sorry to hear that. Captain Spock was someone my own master seemed to respect greatly."
"Captain Spock was also highly respected by the people of Naboo for helping them against the Trade Federation ten years ago." Anakin continued. "Senator Amidala has requested to stay in the Milky Way galaxy a little longer to give her respects to Ambassador Sarek, his wife and the crew of the Enterprise. It's possible she might be able to help."
The Council members shared a look before Windu nodded. "Very well. See what else she might be able to learn from what has happened."
"May the Force be with you." Yoda stated, ending the council meeting.
Anakin and Obi-Wan bowed before heading to the door.
"It has come to our attention that the Federation, make that the United Federation of Planets has developed an experimental device known as the Genesis device." Dooku then showed them recording of the Genesis device along with Admiral Kirk's report.
Dooku could see everyone was listening intently now, most of them in disbelief over the fact that there was a device that could literally make planets.
"Your mission, if you choose to accept it is to escort an informant with in-depth knowledge of the Milky Way through Federation space to this Genesis planet and discover whatever you can about this device. There will be a reward of over thirty million if you succeed, each of you should you succeed in finding and bringing back one of the surviving scientists who were involved in the creation of the device. You will be provided with intel on the possible locations of these scientists as best as possible and to ensure you are not discovered, we have provided a unique method of transportation." Dooku adjusted the holoprojector to show a Providence class destroyer. "This is the Corpulentus. One of the few ships in our fleet that has been modified with a cloaking device."
That caused many of the bounty hunters to perk up.
"Using this vessel, you will sneak into Federation space through the wormhole and pass the security on both sides." Dooku continued. "Then you will make your way to the Genesis planet to carry out your mission. Does anyone wish to decline this offer?"
No one answered that question.
"Good." Dooku smiled as his droids handed data pads to all of the hunters. "These pads contain all available knowledge on Federation space but be warned it does not contain information on Starfleet's movements and numbers."
Cad Bane finally spoke up once he grabbed the pad offered to him. "And who is this informant of yours?"
"That, my good sir would be me." A voice spoke from behind Dooku as a grinning man stepped forward, twirling his moustache and tipped his own cowboy hat to Bane. "Harry Mudd, pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Bane just looked the man over, not looking impressed. "This is the one?"
"Mr. Mudd is from the Milky Way Galaxy and is quite knowledgeable of Starfleet. He will allow you to slip through and reach the Genesis planet to carry out your mission." Dooku looked at each bounty hunter. "Now, are you all ready to begin?"
The bounty hunters all murmured in agreement.
"Then let us begin."
"Sir, a tractor beam has locked onto the Resolute." The pilot clone reported.
"All right, this is our shot." Boss nodded. "And…detach!"
The sound of the landing gears detaching themselves from the large ship could be heard, followed by a slight shaking as the Carrion Spike drifted free from the Republic Star Destroyer. The larger ship continued its approach to the Starbase while the cloaked ship slowly drifted in the opposite direction.
"Okay, now we take it nice and slow." Boss said, taking a deep breath. "Activate our sublight thrusters but keep us in the wake of the Resolute until we have to turn away from the wormhole. We know no ships will be coming in the direction, so we use that to our advantage. And keep the thrusters at low power."
"Yes sir." The pilot nodded, activating the sublight engines.
The ship slowly righted itself and began to turn around, facing in the direction of the wormhole.
"Make sure to alter course to take us below the wormhole before we enter it." Boss then ordered. "From what I've read, the wormhole along with the ion trail left by the dozens of ships that have entering and leaving it for the past ten years will help cover us as long we are careful."
The Carrion Spike moved slowly towards the wormhole, coming close to a thousand feet before it began descending downwards. It was still a slow pace but that had been expected from everyone when they had been ordered to carry out this mission. They could only be patient to make sure they were not detected.
Bane perked up as the hangar bay doors underneath the ship began to open, no doubt on Dooku's orders. "This is it, everyone. Power up the sub-light thrusters but keep the main engines cool until I say so."
The pilot droids did as they were ordered while the docking clamps holding the ship released it, allowing the Corpulentus to slowly but surely 'fall' out of the hangar bay.
"All right, this is the tricky part." Bane tilted his hat. "Move us slowly away from the station and keep track of other ships nearby. I don't want anyone accidently bumping into us."
"If I may offer a wee bit of advice," Mudd held up a hand, to which Bane scowled. "But take us in the general direction of the wormhole. They won't have any ships scheduled to leave in the middle of welcoming two delegations."
Bane threw a look at Mudd that made the man sweat but after a moment the bounty hunter relented. "Fine. Angle us towards the wormhole but be prepared to turn us away and out into free space once we're sure we're clear."
"Roger, roger." The pilot droid at the helm station complied.
The Corpulentus, fully cloaked, angled its large form in the direction of the wormhole. Due to how large the ship was, the process was slow, especially since they were only using sub-light thrusters instead of the main engines.
"We're approaching the wormhole, sir." The B1 pilot droid reported.
"Keep us moving in that direction until I say but I want a course plotted in the safest direction away from it." Bane ordered.
"Roger, roger."
"And you," Bane pointed at Mudd. "You made sure the modifications are working perfectly?"
"Of course, Mr. Bane. I would never attempt a stunt like this flying by the seat of my pants." Mudd stated confidently. "Rest assured, I made sure this will work. Right now, the ship's thrusters are too low powered to pick up anything noticeable yet and knowing our Federation friends, they'll be a little busy welcoming their friends from another galaxy."
"I'll rest easy once we're far enough that we don't get caught." Bane retorted, sitting back in his chair. "How long before we make the jump to hyperspace?"
"We'll have to slip in behind the wormhole at a safe distance." Mudd answered, turning to the view port. "The radiation from the wormhole will cover us."
"If we're too close to the wormhole the hyperdrive won't work." Bane narrowed his eyes. "Hyperdrives don't work close to things like that."
"Don't worry. Once we're past it, we'll slip behind it. It's large enough to provide this ship the cover it needs to slip away enough for us make a jump to hyperspace before Starfleet realizes what is happening." Mudd said reassuringly.
Bane scoffed. "Fine, we'll do it your way, Mudd."
The Corpulentus continued its slow trek in the direction of the wormhole, moving slow while the bridge crew kept a close eye on the Starbase and nearby vessels.
"All right, we have been at this for at least five hours and haven't seen any ships. We're going to risk it." Boss finally said. "Punch in the coordinates for the Genesis planet before we decloak. I am not taking any chances."
"Yes sir." The pilot clone complied and the sound of the main engines activating could be heard throughout the ship. "Course plotted."
"Decloak and take us to hyperspace."
The Carrion Spike finally decloaked and a second later the hyperdrive propelled it into hyperspace.
Task Force Delta was on its way to Genesis.
"My's ship's sensors detect no Federation vessels." Harry Mudd grinned. "We're in the clear, Mr. Bane,"
"Finally." Bane stood up. "Set course for the first set of coordinates and be ready to take us to hyperspace right after de-cloak. I am not taking any chances."
"Roger, roger."
A moment later, the Corpulentus decloaked and then went to hyperspace.
The job had begun.
STARS
ABLAZE
EPISODE IV
THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK
It is a period of uncertainty and distrust between the Milky Way and the Skyriver Galaxies. The Clone Wars and the revelation of the Genesis Project has caused distrust to form between the Galactic Republic and the United Federation of Planets.
Hoping to calm the fear of the Senate, the Supreme Chancellor has sent two Jedi Knights to the Milky Way to ensure that the GENESIS DEVICE does not become a weapon of mass destruction.
While the Supreme Assembly and the Galactic Senate endlessly debates this alarming chain of events, the USS ENTERPRISE is returning from battle, the crew heavily fatigued and weary from they feel to be an empty victory…
Deep Space
Two Hours from Earth
USS Enterprise
Bridge
The USS Enterprise sailed through space slowly and majestically like a great wounded bird limping home, the patched scars of the previous battle still visible.
"USS Enterprise, captain's personal log. With most of our battle damage repaired we are almost home. Yet I feel uneasy, and I wonder why… Perhaps it is the erratic behavior of Ship's surgeon McCoy...Or it's the emptiness of this vessel. Most of our trainee crew have been reassigned; Lieutenants Saavik, Thrawn and my son, David, are exploring the Genesis planet, which he helped create; and Enterprise feels like a house with all the children gone.
No… more empty even than that. The death of Spock is like an open wound. It seems I have left the noblest part of myself back there on that newborn planet."
Kirk's log ended and he turned the Helm/Navigation station. "Status, Mr. Sulu."
"On course, Admiral. Estimating Spacedock in two point one hours." Sulu answered.
"Very well." Kirk paused for a second. "Mr. Chekov, I need pre-approach scan... Take the science station, please."
Chekov hesitated for a moment. "Yes, sir."
He rose and crossed to Spock's empty chair, as Kirk continued. "Uhura, any response from Starfleet on our Project Genesis inquiries?"
"No, sir, no response." Uhura responded.
"Hmm… Very odd." Kirk walked over to the captain's chair and hit the comm button. "Scotty. Progress report?"
Engineering
Tube 9
Scotty and an engineer trainee were working at a junction of circuitry when Kirk called. "I'm almost done, sir. You'll be fully automated by the time we dock."
Bridge
"Your timing is excellent, Mr. Scott. You've fixed the barn door after the horse has come home. How much refit time till we can take her out again?"
"Eight weeks, sir." As Kirk opened his mouth, Scotty continued. "But you don't have eight weeks so I'll do it for ya in two."
"Mr. Scott. Have you always multiplied your repair estimates by a factor of four?" Kirk mused.
Engineering
Scotty smiled. "Certainly, sir. How else can I keep my reputation as a miracle worker?"
"Your reputation is secure, Scotty."
"Mr. Sulu, take the con. I'll be in my quarters." Kirk said, turning to the turbo-lift.
"Aye sir." Sulu answered.
Kirk headed for the elevator, presses the door button. He was about to enter when he is intercepted by a trainee by the name of Ensign Foster, a young black officer too eager for protocol. "Sir... I was wondering..."
Kirk turned to face him.
"Are they planning a ceremony when we get in...? I mean, a reception...?" The trainee asked, causing Uhura to glance in his direction.
"A hero's welcome, son? Is that what you'd like?" Kirk mused, causing the trainee to smile sheepishly. "Well, God knows, there should be. This time we paid for the party with our dearest blood."
He entered the elevator, and the doors closed. Kirk turned away and seemingly stared at the walls of the turbo-lift, his mind on something else…
Beta Quadrant
Mutara Sector
A small but sleek-looking ship emerged from what was known as hyperspace, the sublight engines activating as soon as the ship appeared.
"We have entered Mutara Sector." The pilot stated.
"Good." An office said from behind the pilot. "The navigation charts show the planet known as 'Genesis' will be right up ahead. I want full scan of the entire system and the cloaking device ready in case a Federation ship or anything shows up."
"Yes, sir."
The man left the cockpit and walked to the near end of the ship, entering what would only be described as the crew barracks. "Boys, we're here."
"About time." One stood up from a nearby table. "So, what's the plan?"
"We land, we take some samples, we do a complete survey of the planet as if we are planning to establish a base there and then we leave. Should be about a day's work." The commanding officer answered.
"Sounds pretty simple. They could have done so with a regular squad." Another trooper mused.
"The mission is anything but ordinary and we'll do this like any other mission." The commander stated. "Remember, we're on borrowed time. We have to get in and get out quickly or we'll be stuck in this galaxy for a long time if we're caught. So, get our equipment ready and those sensor blinds too, we'll need them if a Federation ship shows up."
"Are we sure these blinds can block a Federation ship's sensors? I've heard they're better than anything we've got."
"They're the best we've got and we can't use jammers or they'll realize someone might be trying to jam their scans and transmissions. We have to be extra cautious." The commanding officer stated. "So, let's make sure it's all ready."
"Yes sir."
The ship approached the blue and green planet that had only recently come into existence: Genesis.
"We are coming up on the planet, sir." The pilot reported as the commanding officer returned.
"Good. Find us a spot to land but let's keep a place where no one will notice."
"Notice? The planet seems deserted." The pilot noted. "No electronic signals and no life readings."
"Maybe not now, but if the rumors are true this planet was literally created and there's intel the Federation has quarantined this planet and sector. They might be sending ships to check the planet. So, we're going by the book here." The commander replied. "Find a place to land where we won't cause any disturbance and make sure the cloak is ready and functioning in case a ship does show up. Under no circumstances are we to be discovered. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Good." The commander nodded. "Once we land, we're spread out and put in place sensors for detecting incoming ships before we begin our survey of the planet. The Chancellor himself has made this success of this mission a priority."
Somewhere in Organian Space
A vessel drifted slowly through the empty surroundings of space, its bronze-colored hull barely noticeable but if anyone did they would have taken it for a dark looking merchant ship. It gave the impression of a ship drifting in space…waiting.
"Steady, ...steady boys. Keep scanning..." The bridge mall and grubby; populated by three or four crewmen of mixed special breeds, and a renegade captain. "I thought you people were reliable. ...Where the hell is he?"
Behind the captain, lurking in the shadows, her face concealed by a half-veil, what appeared to be an exotically beautiful woman of epic pro- portions and mystery.
"He has been here for some time. I can feel his presence." The woman stated.
"Don't give me your Klingon mumbo- jumbo - there ain't another vessel in this whole damn quadrant." The Captain retorted.
"Put me on the hailing frequency."
"Sure - whatever games you wanna play." The Captain said sourly, shaking his head as he pressed a button and nodded to her.
She removed the veil, showing us a fascinating face of Klingon features. The crew stared at her as she spoke into a communication device. She was oddly un- emotional.
"Commander Kruge, this is Valkris." She continued speaking in a different language. "I have obtained the Federation data. Ready to transmit."
To the surprise of the Captain and crew, a voice answered. "Well done, Valkris, ...well done."
"What the hell is...?"
"Disengage cloaking device!"
Above the merchant ship, there was a strange shimmering distortion followed by electronic whirring sounds on the comm channel. The shimmering became more focused as something large, solid and colorful filled the empty space that it now occupied.
Breathtaking.
Skeletally at first, then filled in a section at a time, a small deadly looking warship forms. It was a Klingon Bird of Prey, a long-necked, scary looking thing with its wings spread out in the formation of a long necked bird.
Bird of Prey
Bridge
"Lights up!"
The light came on as a frightening creature, half timber wolf, half lizard let out growling sounds. His head was being rubbed by the hand of the owner. The commanding officer of the ship, a Klingon War Lord of handsome but frightening presence, and relative youth. The lights revealed the rest of the bridge which suggested the relationship of galley master to slave.
"Transmit data. ...Now!" The Klingon Commander, Kruge ordered as soon as the lights were on.
Merchantman
Bridge
The woman leaned to the console. She inserted a small rectangular object and pressed a button.
Bird of Prey
Bridge
Kruge rose from his regal station, crossing to a monitor where an officer adjusted the incoming material. They cannot see clearly what is coming in, but occasional images suggest material concerning the Genesis Project.
Merchantman
Bridge
"Transmission completed. ...You will find it useful." Valkris stated in Klingonese.
Bird of Prey
Bridge
Kruge lifted his head and replied in the same language. "Then you have seen it?"
Merchantman
Bridge
"I have, my lord." Valkris nodded.
"Unfortunate."
Valkris faltered but composed herself. "…Understood."
Bird of Prey
Bridge
Kruge had a moment of hesitation before returning to his command chair, then turning to his helmsman. "Thrusters!"
The variable wings begin to dip like hawk's talons, and the Bird began an arcing maneuver...
Merchantman
Bridge
"What's the hell's going on?" Feeling uncertainty, the Captain turned to Valkris. "When do I get paid off?"
"Soon, Captain, quite soon." Valkris replied before looking at the screen and spoke one last time in Klingonese. "Success, my lord ...and my love."
Bird-of-Prey
Bridge
"You will be remembered with honor." Kruge turned to his gunner. "...Fire."
The Bird of Prey, its wings in the menacing attack position swooped toward the merchant ship. From the two claw-like tips of the Bird of Prey, disruptor beams erupted and crossed over to the merchant ship, scorching its hull. Explosions ripped the outside of the merchantman as smoke clouded the murky small bridge; the cries of the crew, the Captain's scream of outrage.
And through it all, in the smoke, Valkris' face remained unperturbed.
As a last act, she ritualistically covered her face with her veil, as she is enveloped in smoke and flames. The screams and cried of the merchant crew could be heard on the comm channel.
The Captain's voice rose above all them all. "For God's sake, help us! Please! We'll keep your damn secrets, just don't let us die in space!"
Kruge turned impassively to his gunner, and nodded. The gunner pressed the firing button and the Bird fired another salvo. The merchantman was obliterated in an instant. Debris was flung from the explosion as the Bird of Prey swept past them. The screams had stopped and Kruge's beats reacted with pleasure. The Klingon Officer Maltz observed this, subtly wiping his forehead, but made sure Kruge didn't see him.
Kruge pet his beast, then straightened, the recording in hand. "I'll be in my quarters. New course. Federation Neutral Zone."
"Yes, my lord!"
As Kruge starts out, his pet beast growled.
Kruge stopped, pointing a finger at a Klingon in the sub-deck below. "Feed him!"
The Klingon nodded vigorously as Kruge exited. "Yes, my lord."
When his commander was gone, the officer cast a nervous glance at the beast as it snarled with a face only a Klingon could love.
Beta Quadrant
Narendra Sector
Galorndon Core System
CNF Corpulentus
The Providence class destroyer softly glided through the system, its droid crew at work while the handful of organics onboard had their own jobs to carry out.
Personal Log, Harold Fenton Mudd recording:
Thanks to my quick thinking and experience as an entrepreneur I managed to help the Confederacy of Independent Systems sneak one of their ships over to the Milky Way right under the Federation's nose. This ship, while big is equipped with a cloaking device that helped avoid detection and now we are outside of Federation territory, making a quick detour before we return to Federation space in the Mutara Sector.
End Log
Harold Fenton Mudd exited his quarters on the Corpulentus, walking down the hall towards the bridge. The ship's interior design was vastly different than what he was used to, given that it was from another galaxy after all, but these differences were noted in not just the ship's design but also because they were designed for the comfort of Neimodians, not Humans. The dependence on droids was something to note but not enough to bother Mudd in the long run as he made his way onto the bridge.
"Gentleman, I just received word that our contact should be here soon." Mudd stated loudly, announcing his presence on the bridge.
"They better be. We're close to falling behind schedule." The man in the captain's chair muttered.
The man was clad primarily in brown, from the trousers, shirt, long tunic with the two tail-ends and even the wide-brimmed, cowboy style hat. His face was blue with eyes that were entirely red, no pupils or iris like that of a human. Two blaster pistols hung from his belt, giving him quite the swashbuckling appearance if Mudd could say so himself but didn't.
He would be likely to earn a blaster bolt to the face.
The man happened to be the leader of this mission, put in charge by Count Dooku himself. Cad Bane was a Duros bounty hunter who was widely renowned for being one of the best bounty hunters in the Skyriver Galaxy. He was brutal, resourceful and not to mention deadly.
"They are likely wanting to make sure we're not going to blast as soon as we see them." Mudd noted. "We have quite the imitating ship after all."
"You mean I have the imitating ship." Bane corrected. "Dooku put me in command after all so you should remember that."
"Of course." Mudd nodded. "I'm just saying-"
"If I wanted your opinion, I'd ask for it. Stick to your own job, Mudd. I want the engines ready to take us to this Genesis planet as soon as possible. So, you just make sure everything we need is in the nav computer while I worry about our friends." Bane coldly cut Harry off.
Did Harry mention that Bane was not a social person?
"Sir, we are detecting three ships just appearing out of nowhere." A battle droid reported.
Bane stood up and watched three green ships suddenly appeared, surrounding the Corpulentus.
"Shall I sound battle stations?" The droid asked.
"Not yet but get the engines ready." Bane responded before pointing at Mudd. "This is where you show off your skills at negotiating, Mudd."
"Of course." Mudd nodded, turning to face the view port, the lead ship hovering in front of them. "Open a channel."
"Channel open."
"Romulan vessels, this is Harry Fenton Mudd, speaking on behalf of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. We have come with many offerings and extend a hand of friendship with an offer." Mudd said in a grandiose tone.
There was a moment of silence before there was an answer. "This is Ambassador Nanclus, representing the Romulan Star Empire. Your arrival is welcome and accepted and we are looking forward to seeing what you can offer us."
Bane remained silent, his experience as a bounty hunter and his ruthless nature keeping him on guard at all times and from what he had heard of these Romulans…