Star Trek: Earth Strike
Episode 21: Phoenix
�I can�t believe they�re dead!� Frosty said. The young Breen Ensign was incapable of crying but his translator rendered his voice as cracked to show his emotion.
�If the caldera erupts billions will die.� Picard said. �Surely there must be something we can do.�Spock grimaced, �I am afraid we are out of time,� the Ambassador said, �I estimate
eruption within one minute. It is now out of our hands.�
�It�s all for nothing?� Hawke asked, dismayed.
* * *
�Processing.� the computer voice said in the strengthened subterranean control room of the Yellowstone Caldera Geo-Thermal Power Plant. The room rocked and shook under the all but constant earth tremors.
�Computer: how much longer will the simulation take to complete?� O�Brien yelled.
�The simulation will be completed in four minutes and twenty seven seconds,� the measured voice of the computer answered.
�Computer: end simulation!� O�Brien ordered.
�Miles! What are you doing? Dr Leah Brahms asked, shocked.
�We haven�t got time for the bloody machine to make up it�s mind!� O�Brien explained, �the caldera will blow any time now!�
�We can�t run the programme without a simulation: it isn�t safe!�
�You call this safe?� O�Brien asked as the room seemed to slip a metre to the left.
�But we could cause as much damage to the Earth as an eruption!�
�Sometimes you�ve got to go with your instincts!� O�Brien insisted, �Computer: run programme!�
�Procedure is not recommended,� the computer objected.
�Damn it; I didn�t ask for an opinion! Run programme!�
* * *
�Full power has been restored.� Spock stated.
�My compliments to the engineering department.� Picard said, �Mr Hawke, set course for close Earth orbit - perhaps there is something we can yet do... punch a hole in the caldera bubble with our phasars, attempt to control the eruption, minimise the damage: something!�
�Wouldn�t that be like sticking a pin in a balloon?� Frosty asked the tight lipped Captain as the blue-white image of the Earth swung into view and centred on the screen like a great marble hanging in space.
�What the Hell?� Hawke exclaimed as suddenly the familiar view of the planet was transformed. Wave after wave of multicoloured incandescent energy ribbons raced across the surface from the equator to each pole. Plumes of energy burst from the poles like fountains of light.
�Fascinating.� Spock said. The vulcan quickly crossed the bridge to stand behind Frosty, reaching over his shoulder to use the Op�s console. The Breen was apparently mesmerised by the unexpected sight of the transformed Earth. �It seems that the network of weather control satellites have been configured to channel large amounts of electro-static and electro-magnetic energy into the upper atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere. What we are seeing is in effect the most intense display of aureole borealis ever witnessed.�
�The energy requirements to produce a display like this must be staggering!� Picard observed.
�Immense indeed,� Spock agreed, �the only possible source for such an energy supply on Earth would be the Yellowstone Caldera complex. It would seem that someone is attempting to �vent� the pressure in the caldera by converting it directly to energy in order to stave off an eruption.�
�Is that possible?� Frosty asked.
�This is the 24th Century, Mr J�Fwaal,� Picard answered him, �anything is possible!�
�The weather control system was not, however, designed with such a purpose in mind, nor to channel such copious amounts of energy.� Spock said. As though to underline his words a spark flared close to Earth as one of the many satellites failed and destroyed itself. Another followed, and more in quick succession, etching a gridwork of bright lights against the background of the multicoloured Earth.
�That is the last.� Spock reported as a lone satellite that had held out moments longer than it�s brethren shone in sudden and short lived splendour. The coloured energy waves were slowing and losing intensity as they raced across the Earth�s upper atmosphere and soon the normal appearance of the planet was restored.
�Sensor readings are uncertain due to heavy interference, but it seems that the ploy has been successful.� Spock said, �Although still high, pressure in the caldera has returned to a tolerable level. The weather control system has been completely destroyed and the Earth appears to have lost approximately 2.4% of it�s atmosphere.�
�Incredible.� Picard said, breathing a sigh of relief.
�Indeed.� Spock agreed.
As the regular view of Earth was restored to the screen Frosty snapped out of his reverie and with some embarrassment returned to his sensor scans. �Captain,� he said, puzzled, �a piece of the Rosetta formation debris seems to be under power.�
�Mr Worf: quantum torpedoes!� Picard said instantly.
�Ready sir.� Worf replied. If the klingon was surprised by the captain�s unusually martial attitude he didn�t say so - Picard�s hope planet had, after all, but recently been under direct threat. Picard raised his hand and Worf�s own hovered over the control, awaiting the captain�s order to fire.
�It appears to be a small vessel.. with a Borg...no: a mixed Borg/Federation energy signature.� Frosty reported.
�On screen.� Picard ordered. The image on the viewscreen swam then settled upon a shuttle sized ship with a distinctive Starfleet look about it, but of an unfamiliar configuration.
�Sir: we are being hailed.� Worf said.
�On screen.�
�Audio only.� Picard turned and nodded at the Worf.
�I�m Ensign Paris of the Starship Voyager,� the voice of a young man said over the bridge speakers. �Come in Enterprise... any Federation vessel: respond please.�
�Ensign Paris: this is Picard of the Enterprise; do you require assistance?�
�Phew,� Paris breathed a sigh of relief, �we could do with a berth to dock in: nearly didn�t make it out of that last blast, seem to be losing atmosphere from somewhere.�
�We don�t recognise your vessel or have it�s registration in our data banks: can you enlighten us?�
�This is the Delta Flyer: the only Starfleet vessel to have been built in the Delta Quadrant.� Paris explained.
�Provisional registration 74656,� a woman�s clipped and cultured new England accent added.
�Captain Janeway!� Picard exclaimed, recognising the voice.
�So maybe D-1 might be a better designation,� a man�s velvet smooth tones suggested.
�And Commander Chakote! How marvellous!� Grins and laughter broke out all over the bridge. �Delta Flyer: you are cleared to dock in shuttlebay one!�
* * *
�Acknowledged, Delta Flyer out.� Paris said. �Seems like a nice fellow,� he observed to his passengers.
�He has that reputation,� Janeway agreed. �And, by the way, Ensign, I thought I told you to get Harry to safety.�
�Well, I figured Tuvok could do that well enough alone - and I�m sure they said something about intelligent delegation being part of an officer�s job at the Academy.�
�Wasn�t there also something about obeying direct orders too?��Um... I�m not sure... maybe I missed that class, and besides: I�ve never been very good at playing by the rules. If I was I would never have been able to beam you out at the last moment.�
�Why didn�t you tell us about your idea to piggy back the Flyer onto Voyager?� Chakote asked.
�If I had it would�ve given you a chance to veto the plan. I figured that since the Flyer was built with the aid of Seven�s knowledge of Borg technology her shields might be as effective against the dampening field as Voyager�s adapted ones were. Good job too: even at full impulse we took some battering from that explosion.�
�That sort of playing fast and loose can land you in a court marshal, Tom,� Janeway admonished.
�No kidding.� Paris replied as he expertly piloted the Delta Flyer around to face the Enterprise�s open shuttlebay.
�Bring us in Lieutenant Paris,� Janeway ordered, �or should I say �Captain Proton�?�
�Actually it�s Ensign Paris: you demoted me, remember?�
�Are you arguing with me Lieutenant?� Janeway asked.
�Me?� Paris said, all wide eyed innocence, �No Ma�am!�
