Star Trek: Earth Strike
Epilogue(22): Last Words
�It just goes to show: the Rules of Acquisition are never wrong!� Quark said expansively.
�What do you mean, Uncle?� Nog asked over the subspace link from the orbiting Defiant.
�War is good for business: rule number seventeen.� Quark explained.
�It wasn�t very good for the
Lady Luck,� Nog observed doubtfully.
�Yes, well, it was a shame about her... and the fact that so many of my business partners were destroyed on her.� Somehow Nog doubted his uncle�s sincerity when he mourned his creditors. �But the salvage contract I managed to negotiate for the Ferengi Alliance to help clear the war debris from Earth system promises to be very lucrative!�
�How much do you stand to make?� Nog asked: he may have been a Starfleet Officer, but he was still Ferengi.
�Well, my cut is only one and one seventeenth percent but I think it�ll add up to enough for me to clear my debts and un-mortgage the bar. You know, I thought the Federation negotiator didn�t like me, but as I left he paid me an Earth compliment that I�ve never heard before.�
�What was that Uncle?�
�I�m thinking of having some cards printed: �Quark; Profiteer�; yes: I like the sound of that!�
* * *
�Thank you for coming in person to deliver the warning: it is most timely,� Picard said from his ready room over another link to the Defiant.
�Well, I thought that with the chaos Earth was in at the moment it might have got lost or ignored until too late.� Kira said, �And alone I don�t think we might have been enough of a deterrent.�
�Quite,� Picard agreed, �please stand by to accompany us.�
�Understood, Kira out.� As her image was replaced on his monitor by the Starfleet insignia Picard rose and strode out onto the bridge.
�Captain,� Commander Riker greeted him. The First Officer seemed none the worse for wear following his recent infection.
�It seems the Romulans have plans to take advantage of our weakened situation,� Picard said, �Colonel Kira reports a large build up of forces in Sector 34 Beta.�
�That�s just their side of the Neutral Zone,� Riker observed, �just a short warp from our colonies at Gollania IV and V. Perhaps a show of force might be in order.�
�Indeed, Number One, let us go and �fly the flag�,� Picard said, �Mr Hawke: set course for the Neutral Zone.�
The Helmsman made the necessary adjustments then looked back over his shoulder at the captain. �Course laid in, Sir,� he reported.
Picard raised his hand, then pointed at the viewscreen.
�Engage!�
* * *
�Ye ken, Spock: back in the old days I thought of my engines as my bairns. I used to nurture them, care for them, was proud of them.� Scotty swirled the drink in his glass. Both the old Enterprise shipmates were in Spock�s quarters at the Vulcan Embassy.
�I am aware of the emotional attachment you had for the technology in your charge,� Spock said, �and though illogical, it seemed to work as an effective motivational factor.�
�Aye it was that,� Scott agreed, �but when the laddies on the new Enterprise rescued me I found all that I knew was out of date, obsolete; it was a hard transition to make - I lost most of my reason for going on.�
�No doubt.�
�But now! Starfleet has begged me - begged me - to head up the research team to develop the Cosmic Leach engine! I guess you�re never to old to have another bairn!�
�Perhaps not.� For a moment Spock seemed about to say something more, but thought better of it. Scott didn�t seem to notice as he swirled his drink again without relish. The drink in his glass matched that in Spock�s: a mint julep. The cocktail was to neither of their taste; Scotty being an old fashioned Scotch man and Spock having developed a taste for Saurian Brandy in his later years, however, since they had come here directly from the memorial service for Doctor McCoy, the beverage had been chosen to honour their departed comrade.
�Strange isn�t it?� Scotty said, his mind on McCoy.
�In what way?� Spock asked
�Well: we�ve all cheated death in one way or another... you through a mix of Human science and Vulcan mysticism, me by a technological �miracle�, the Captain - neither needed to be informed which Captain Scotty meant - called from what sounds suspiciously like Heaven to save another world in a desperate adventure,� Scotty chuckled, �I reckon he would have enjoyed that. But Leonard, the medical man, he just lived until he, well, died. Och: I ken he did live a very long time - for a human - but still...� Scotty swirled his drink again, then became aware that Spock was sitting even more still than normal. his eyes narrowed as he looked across the table at the Vulcan.
�Spock?� he asked, then insisted, �Spock; you�re hiding something, man! What is it?�
Spock licked his lips, choosing his words with care. �You may not be aware that Nurse Harrigan is in the early stages of pregnancy,� he stated, naming one of McCoy�s young research assistants - one who had been particularly distraught at the memorial service.
�How do ye ken... och: those Vulcan senses of yourn,� Scotty said, �so what? Oh! Ye canna mean... nae mon, McCoy was far too frail for...� Spock raised a hand, stilling Scotty�s aghast protests.
�Indeed,� Spock agreed, then continued with what appeared to be a non-sequitor. �And as you know the Terran Genetic Research Edict of 2092, ratified by the full Federation Council in 2235, expressly forbids the reproduction by method of cloning of any individual sentient being�s full genetic profile.�
He stopped, looking calmly across the table as his words seeped in. �Ye mean he... she...� Scott said. Spock raised one eyebrow. Suddenly the engineer laughed.
"Mr Spock, just how many of the laws of man and God and the Devil do ye ken we have broken in our time?� Scotty asked, smiling.
�Why: all of them, I believe, Mister Scott,� the Vulcan replied smoothly, �all of them.�
Together both raised their glasses.
�Down the hatch,� said Montgomery Scott.
�Live long and prosper.� Spock replied.
Both drained their drinks, and to their surprise, it tasted good.
* * *
Although it would be years before the weather control system could be replaced, ground projectors and force screens had been pressed into service to ensure a dry and bright day at San Francisco Starfleet Headquarters.
�Seven and I have been asked to participate in a study group on the data we brought back from the delta Quadrant.� Nelix was telling Harry Kim.
�If I know Seven she�ll be running it within a week,� Kim predicted.
Both were standing with the rest of the Voyager survivors on the lawn in front of the Headquarters building. Before them was a fat cylinder with a flat top, about waist high and two metres across forged from duranium salvaged from the remains of voyager�s hull. Inscribed on this plinth were the names of all the crewmembers who had not completed the ship�s epic journey, including, controversially, Seska and Sutor. Perhaps most poignant of the names was that of Naomi Wildman, who, with her mother, had been in one of the escape capsules destroyed by the Species 8472 ships. When those who had been fashioning the memorial had asked Janeway, who had been directing their work, if �Captain�s Assistant� was an official designation she had replied simply: �It is now.�
Janeway stepped forward to a simple lectern and the quiet hubbub of conversation tapered off.
�First a small item: Starfleet Command has informed me that all outstanding charges against ex members of the Maquis are summarily dropped and that they will look favourably upon any field commissions and promotions this crew has been granted on it�s journey.� There was a noticeable lightening of mood as several of those present found their future suddenly somewhat brighter. Janeway waited to allow this to sink in then continued, her voice taking on a more solemn tone.
�We have crossed 70,000 light-years. We�ve lost many friends, and made many more.� Her eyes picked out Seven and Nelix, each of which gave her an imperceptible nod. �We have come through danger and disaster and found within ourselves and within each other a strength and a treasure beyond value.� She looked down for a moment, seeing the sunlight glint on the new ring on her hand. �We�ve explored strange new worlds and met new civilisations. We have been where no one had been before - and we have come home.� She pressed a button on the lectern and a holographic image of the Voyager sprang into being above the duranium plinth, revolving and tilting in all her pristine glory. �Like an old time prospector searching for mineral wealth we have found the motherload. Gentlemen: we have struck Earth!�
THE END
