Star Trek Bozeman Part II By: Brad Fore Based on Star Trek� created by Gene Roddenberry ...Continued From Part One Somewhere, within the deep vastness of space, was a cloud, an energy cloud, to be specific. And, as the universe unfolded, it was made aware that this cloud would collide with the planet Earth, causing all evidence of that solar system to vanish in its wake. Mankind, the inhabitants of this solar system, however, were very creative. So, as the universe unfolded, it was possible that humans could stop this cloud. But, humans lacked one bit of creativity needed to overcome this energy cloud. As it is said, �it is best to fight fire with fire�, that is generally the psychology of the human race. Every once and a while, however, it becomes necessary to fight fire with water. As this cloud approached Earth, another event was unfolding itself on a planet quite near the path of the cloud, but just out of range so that the cloud�s energy could interfere with day-to-day activities, but impose no real harm. It so happened, as the universe unfolded, that this planet was named Montgomery IV. On this barren, quarantined planet was a marooned runabout, with the name U.S.S. Gallimore. And on the Gallimore, were the captains of two starships, the Enterprise and the Bozeman. Also with them, were a doctor, a lieutenant, and a lieutenant commander. Also on Montgomery IV, was a creature that fed on human blood, and, due to the fact that the lieutenant had several severe injuries, the creature was on the hunt. Also, at the same time all this was occurring, somewhere on the other side of the galaxy, was another Enterprise Captain, this one from another time. His name was James Tiberious Kirk, and he was at peace on the planet Chal. For those of you who have not read his own account of the reason for his reincarnation, he was brought back to life by Romulans using Borg technology. He was at peace, at least until he found out that Starfleet once again wanted him to serve for them. As all of the other events that unfolded in the universe took place, Jim Kirk was in his house, packing up for his journey to Vulcan, the temporary new Starfleet Headquarters. All of this unfolded simultaneously, as it should be in a normal flowing time continuum. Ship�s Log: Stardate 54529.3. First Officer Gabriel Bush reporting. The Bozeman has been in orbit of Montgomery IV for two hours now. Captain Bateson has contacted us and told us that restoring the runabout�s power as we had planned at first is virtually impossible. The runabout is damaged so severely that Engineer Foreman could hardly remove the paneling to even get to the mini-reactor. We would beam them back up, but the energy cloud that is threatening Earth is blocking out sensor and transporter functions. Commander Dennis has informed me that it is some type of radiation, but the ship is in no danger. Engineer Scott is working on several methods of refitting a shuttle to safely withstand the pressures of entering Montgomery IV�s atmosphere. This planet has an unusually thick ozone layer, which prevents anything smaller than a runabout to enter the atmosphere, and the Gallimore was the only runabout the Bozeman had. End of log entry. Brad Foreman was underneath a console, rerouting what power that was left to life support and shielding. Wherever that creature was, he intended to keep it outside the shuttle, and away from Whitney. Her wounds, although still not healed, were looking better all the time. It�s her activity, he thought as he binded two wires together. If she had simply laid down, she wouldn�t be as good off right now as she is. As he continued to work, he heard footsteps, and, looking toward his feet, saw Whitney�s pair of Starfleet booted feet. He slid out, using the only anti-grav mat the Gallimore had, and stood, seeing Whitney�s teary eyes staring back at him. Immediately, he asked, �What�s wrong?� She sniffed, �Dad�s dead.� Brad froze with that information. After all, it hadn�t been but about five years ago when she learned, from him, for that matter, that her mother was dead. And then, so suddenly, to hear of her father�s death, it must be heartbreaking. He reached for her shoulder, and said, �I�m sorry, Whitney. Is there anyway I can help?� She looked up at him, �No, I...I just need some comfort, that�s all.� Brad immediately shut off the anti-grav mat, left his tools and work, and went with Whitney to the living area. When they got there moments later, he sat down on the bed beside Whitney. �Do you want to talk about it?,� he asked softly. She replied, �He was on Alpha Centauri IV, when he was caught in a fire in his office building.� Brad leaned over, hugging her gently. He said, �Is there anything I can do to help?� Whitney replied, �Not anything that I can think of, thanks anyway, Brad.� He continued, �I want you to know, I�ll be here if you need anything. Does the Captain know?� She nodded. Brad hugged her again, and silently went back to his work. James Kirk stood anxiously in his room, awaiting the love of his life, Teilani, to wish him good-bye. She was out in the garden, showing their child how to tend it. As he waited, he thought to himself again, So, just like before, Starfleet can�t live without me. I suppose that I have to go along again. After all, not everyone gets to save the Earth twice. Well, at least this time I can fly in a Federation vessel. Suddenly, Teilani entered the room. She walked over to him, and kissed him on the cheek, saying, �Good luck, James.� He smiled, �Don�t you worry, I�ll be back in time for your birthday.� He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, then turned and walked out of the room to the shuttle waiting. As he climbed into the cockpit, he heard over the comm link, �Be careful, James.� He smiled, and said, �Don�t you know that�s an oxymoron?� Hearing laughter, he continued, �Don�t worry, I�ll be all right.� �Good-bye, James.� �I love you, Teilani.� �And I you, James.� With that, her started the ignition sequence, and took off from the field to the rear of his house. As his altitude increased, James Kirk set course for Vulcan, and he left the cockpit, sleep on his mind. Brad Foreman sat at the navigational controls of the Gallimore, executing the final steps in rerouting all ship�s power to shields. As he worked, Captain Bateson walked in. He said, �How�s she doing?� Brad replied, �Shield power is at forty percent, and-� �No, I mean Lt. Gallimore.� �Oh, she�s taking it pretty hard, sir. I left her an hour ago, she was sleeping then.� �It must be like hell to go through what she is.� �Yes, sir.� �Son?� �Yes, sir?� �What would you do if she broke things off between you?� �Sir, that�s a bit personal.� �Ah, I see. Was wrong of me to ask.� �No, sir, it�s all right, if you really want to know.� �Yes, it is always good behavior of a captain to know the affairs of his crew, helps him to raise morale and productivity.� �Well, sir, if she broke off with me, I wouldn�t know what to do.� �Let me tell you something, Mr. Foreman. Any girl who would be so naive as to break up with you wouldn�t be in their right mind to do so.� �Thank you, sir.� �As always, your welcome.� As Bateson left, Brad got back to work. A short time later, Captain Picard walked in. �Good afternoon, Lieutenant Commander,� he said to Foreman. �Good afternoon, sir.� �Mr. Foreman, I have a bit of good news to report.� �What kind of news, sir?� �It involves your female friend, I believe her name is...� �Whitney, sir.� �Ah, yes, Whitney Gallimore. Anyway, Dr. Robinson told me that her wounds are healing fine.� �Thank you, sir. Uh, permission to speak freely, sir?� �Anytime, Mr. Foreman.� �That isn�t the only reason you came up here, is it?� �No, not really. You see, a while back, I was on a planet in the Briar Patch, and I met this woman. Her name is Anij, and she is the most wonderful woman I�ve ever met. I�ll not ramble on about her, what�s important is you. My point is that you really have to be careful of your actions. Early on, you may loose her before you even get a good hold on her.� �Sir, I don�t get your meaning.� �What I�m saying is that you have to comfort her, otherwise you might loose her.� �Sir, no offence, but if I don�t get these shields going, there isn�t going to be anything left of her to comfort.� �Mr. Foreman, the real reason for my bringing up this subject is that you may have a serious problem on your hands.� �Such as?� �Captain Bateson is in love.� �Sir, how does that-� his voice trailed off. �Sir, are you suggesting that Captain Bateson is in love with my Whitney?� �That�s what he said. I had to tell you, as a warning. Bateson is a good person, but if he wants something, he�ll find a way to get it.� Brad stood, and left, saying, �Thank you, sir.� James Kirk walked to the front of the runabout, seeing the familiar tan globe called Vulcan. As he sat down, the heard a familiar voice over the comm link, �For once, Jim, you�re on time.� Kirk replied, smiling, �Bones! I shoulda known you were the one who brought me back into service again.� As you all know, Dr. McCoy is the longest living human being ever recorded, at a century and a half. Dr. Leonard McCoy answered, �Uh, not exactly, you see-� Another familiar voice cut him off, �Captain Kirk, your landing site is prepared for your arrival at coordinates three-six-one-mark-two-eight-five.� Kirk lit up. �Spock! So you brought me out here?� �Indeed, Captain.� McCoy chimed in, �I�m just along for the ride.� Kirk smiled as the runabout touched down outside the auxiliary Federation Headquarters secondary entrance. As the doors swooshed open, two familiar faces stepped into the runabout. Jim Kirk stood, saying, �If you�re all here, where�s Scotty?� Dr. McCoy replied, �Engineer Scotty is on the Bozeman.� Kirk�s face shifted as he remembered this, �Oh, yes, with Morgan Bateson. He, too, I understand, escaped the test of time.� Kirk�s companions nodded in agreement. Kirk continued, �So, now that I�m here, what�s the plan on saving Earth, Spock?� McCoy and Spock exchanged looks, and Spock replied, �Captain, I regret to inform you that we had initially hoped you had a plan.� Kirk rolled his eyes, and said, �I shoulda known that�s what you had in mind. Spock, you are so predictable.� Spock replied, �Why, thank you, Captain.� McCoy glanced around, trying to hide a smile. Kirk then walked past his two friends, saying, �C�mon, Earth can�t wait all day, you know.� Brad Foreman walked into the living space, to find Whitney sitting on her bunk, listening to a device. He walked over to her, and said, pointing to the device. �What�s that?� She replied, �It�s Daddy�s journal.� Brad�s eyebrows lifted. �Ah,� he said, sitting down. �Would you like to hear something?,� Whitney said to him. �Sure,� Brad replied, shifting into a more comfortable position. She tapped a button on the journal, and a voice, presumably her dad�s began, �Journal entry #163. Stardate: 50081.4...� Journal Entry #163. Stardate: 50081.4 Whitney came home today from the Academy, and we have just eaten dinner. She told me all about her Academy life, the classes, the rec. time, the boys, everything. Too bad her Mom is on duty on Haskak III, or she could�ve been here, too. Sometimes I wonder if Starfleet is worth not being home that much. Then again, most people tend to think of their station as home. I�ve got to go off-world on a business trip, the timing is awful, but she can stay with her Aunt Claire tonight, if she wants. I only wish it could�ve waited until she had to go. I guess you can�t delay progress. Anyway, I think I�ll tell her that her Mom and I have decided to get back together. The Argument, as we called it, was really over nothing, but we blew it out of proportion. I just figured a way to tell her! Her birthday is tomorrow, her Mom�ll be in that afternoon, we�ll tell her then. Brad looked into Whitney�s sad brown eyes, remembering the time he had to tell her that her mom had died, and so close to her birthday, and the news of her parents reunion. He said, �Whitney, I�m sorry.� She looked up at him, saying, �It�s okay, Brad. Everyone has their time, and it was Daddy�s.� Despite her words of encouragement, she burst out again in tears, and fell over onto Brad�s shoulder. He stroked her soft brown hair, saying, �It�ll be all right, Whitney.� He sat there, holding her, for about an hour. Soon, he heard soft breathing, and realized she was asleep. He gently and carefully lifted her up onto her top bunk, and slid the covers over her. Slipping into his own beneath her�s he whispered, �Goodnight, Whitney.� As he lay there, he thought of what she was going through, and of what was to come. Kirk woke with a start. Starfleet had given him two hours of rest while they readied a ship for Kirk to take to Earth in an attempt to stop the Energy Cloud. He turned off the Starfleet Type I Alarm, and thought, seeing it�s name, Starfleet has types for everything these days, even people. He chuckled softly at his own joke, and silently got dressed, and left his guest quarters, in search of Transporter Room One. Rounding a corridor, he almost ran into an Ensign. He asked, �Could you tell me where Transporter Room One is?� �Down there, you can�t miss it,� she said, pointing the direction Kirk had just came from. Kirk replied, �Thank you, Ensign.� �It is an honor to meet you,� she said nervously. Kirk extended his hand to shake, and the young Ensign hesitantly took his hand, and shook it nervously. She said, �Thank you, sir.� Kirk replied, �Anytime, Ensign, good-bye.� With that, he about faced, and walked briskly in the direction he came. As he rounded another corner, he saw the unmistakable double-doors of a Transporter Room. He entered, and said to the Transporter Crewman on duty, �U.S.S. Sovereign, if you please.� As the Lieutenant nodded, Kirk stepped up onto the pad. As the transporter effect took place, Kirk braced himself for the tingling sensation of his atoms being rearranged in a different place. But before he could sense it, he was already on the Sovereign. He thought stepping down off the pad, Transportation has gotten faster since I last used it. He nodded to the Transporter Chief, and set out for the bridge. As he entered the turbolift doors of the Bridge, he saw Spock in the Captain�s Chair. In what should be the counselor�s seat, was Dr. McCoy, but he recognized no one else on the Bridge. As he made his way to the Captain�s seat, Spock moved over to the First Officer�s chair, to his right. As Kirk sat down, he said, �I want to get to know you all. Please, stand up, and tell me your name, rank, and your favorite thing.� A small woman stood up at Opps, and said, �I am Lt. Samantha Barbrow, and my favorite thing is cats.� A heavy built man stood up beside her at the Conn and said, �I am Lt. Commander Matthew Lloyd, and my favorite thing is the game of Baseball.� Kirk nodded at them both, and they sat down. Kirk turned around, and said to the tactical officer, �And what�s your name, Mister?� He replied, �Lt. Eric Duncan, and my favorite thing is......um.......sir......I don�t really have a favorite thing.� Kirk answered, �Very well, then. If that is all of the command staff, then I�ll-� Spock cut him off, saying, �In the interest of completion, I suggest we hear from the Engineer.� Kirk said, �Ah, yes. Bridge to Engineering?� �Engineering here, sir, we�re ready to go.� Kirk replied, �What�s you�re name and rank, may I ask?� The Engineer replied, �Name: Megan Keesee. Rank: Lieutenant Commander, sir.� Kirk answered, �Thank you, Miss Keesee.� With that, he turned to the helmsman, �Mr. Lloyd, plot a course to Earth, maximum warp.� As Kirk sat back in his chair, he noted the nervousness of his mostly young crew. Well, I guess we can�t all be experienced, he thought to himself. Brad Foreman walked briskly toward Engineering. He had just gotten back onboard the Bozeman, and, to his surprise, the crew seemed unusually happy, seeing as how Earth was doomed. He rounded the corner, passed through the double doors, and walked over to Engineer Scott. He said to him, �Hello, lad, how are ye?� Foreman replied, �All right, sir.� Scotty continued, �Did y�hear the good news?� Brad replied, puzzled, �No sir, the only good news I�ve heard is that Lt. Gallimore is safe ans sound.� �Aye, that is good news. But this is different. Y�knew Captain James Kirk helped Captain Picard on Veridian III, right?� �Aye, sir.� �And y�knew he was killed, right?� �Yes, sir.� �But did ya know that he was brought back to life by some Borg technology or something, an� he�s gonna try to save Earth?� �No, sir, I didn�t. I�ve always been an avid fan of James Kirk. Where is he now, does he have a plan?� �I dinna know anythin� �till just now, so I haven�t a clue, lad. All I know is that the Bozeman and the Enterprise are to turn tail an� help him.� Suddenly, a voice over the comm link said, �Engine Room, Scotty?� Scotty tapped the comm link and said, �This is Scott, sir.� �Can we warp?� �Why, sir, what gave ye the idea we couldn�t?� �The cloud is still blocking sensors, I was wondering if it was effecting the warp core.� �Not ta tall, sir, we can hit maximum warp in two-point-one seconds.� �Then, by all means, Scotty, go!� As the connection was cut, Brad heard the vibrating hum of the warp core as the Bozeman sped up into subspace. Captain Kirk walked briskly to the Bridge of the Sovereign. He had just received word in his quarters that the ship was in approach of the cloud. He entered the Bridge off of the turbolift, and, walking toward his chair, asked, �How far is that thing from Earth?� Samantha Barbrow replied, �Twenty-two-point-three hours sir.� Kirk murmured to himself, �So, we got a day to stop this thing.� He walked over behind Ms. Barbrow, and, glancing over her shoulder, he saw the unusual blank scan of Earth. Most of the time, Earth is bustling with life. Now, it�s another barren, doomed planet. No shuttle routes zooming with little specs, the before brilliant lights of the starbases now black, the night side of Earth dark with emptiness. Kirk thought deeper, remembering the time he saw Earth from space for the first time, remembering the awe in his face at such a large world seeming so...small. His thoughts returned to the mission, when he heard the all too familiar Red Alert alarm. He instinctively yelled, �Report!� Tactical Officer Duncan replied, �Sir, the cloud has apparently fired some kind of energy torpedo, and it�s clearly headed for us.� Kirk continued, �Mr. Duncan, target phasers, raise shields!� Duncan replied, �Aye, sir. Shields up, phasers locked on that...thing.� Kirk said without hesitation, �Fire!� The forward phaser banks charged, and fired a powerful blast of energy toward it�s target. Kirk stood in horror as the phaser blast sped right through it. He yelled, �Reverse engines, Mr. Lloyd! Maximum warp, engage!� As Lloyd carried out the order, Kirk shouted, �All hands, brace for impact!� As the crew held on to the nearest bulkhead or what-not, the Sovereign was thrown to starboard as the energy torpedo struck her side. Engineer Megan Keesee came in over the speakers, �Sir? The shield�s energy was literally eaten up by that thing! We don�t have any shielding left to prevent another attack!� Kirk replied, �Thank you, Miss Keesee. Duncan, target that cloud and launch a probe into it�s center.� Lt. Duncan replied, �Aye sir, probe launched.� As the probe sped out toward it�s target, Kirk asked Lt. Barbrow, �Miss Barbrow, why do you think that the cloud hasn�t finished us off?� She answered, puzzled, �Well, sir, perhaps it has to recharge?� Kirk answered, �No, I don�t think so, with all that energy, it could fire all the torpedoes it wanted to. No, I think there is something else...Mr. Lloyd?� Matt Lloyd continued to work at his station, saying, �Well, sir, maybe it�s curious about us?� Kirk�s face lit up. �Yes, Mr. Lloyd! And what is curiosity a sign of?� Spock chimed in, �Under normal circumstances, a sign of intelligence.� �Right you are, Spock. And where there�s intelligence, there�s reasoning. Miss Barbrow, concentrate a wide angle communications beam toward that cloud on all frequencies.� �Aye, sir. Channels open.� "Activate the Universal Translator.� �Aye, sir, the Translator is online.� �This is the United Federation of Planets starship U.S.S. Sovereign. Please state your name and race.� After a short pause, a mechanical voice replied, �We...are...the...Lianities. We...come... to...explore...your...planet.� Kirk paused, searching for his next sentence. �Why have you entered into hostilities with the Sovereign?� After another pause, the voice replied, �We...did...not...�enter...into...hostilities�...with... your...vessel. You...must...be...referring...to...our...probe. Why...have...you...came...within... such...close...proximity...to...our...vessel?� �Because we thought that you were on a collision course with our home planet, Earth. We thought you were going to destroy it.� �You...were...mistaken...then?� �Apparently so.� �All...right...then. May...we...be...on...our...way?� �By all means. If you�d like, we can send you a detailed history of our planet, so you can understand why we, too, are explorers.� �That...would...be...acceptable� �May you have Godspeed.� �Thank...you...Captain.� �Miss Barbrow, cut the connection. Also, open a channel to Vulcan, Federation Headquarters. Tell them to come back home, we have a new visitor.� Smiles broke out among the bridge crew. Kirk thought, I am beginning to get attached to this crew. Better get back to Teilani as soon as I can. Everyone was smiles in the crew lounge of the Enterprise. The bridge crews from three ships were there. The captains were in their corner, Bateson, Picard, and Kirk. At a table, were the doctors, Dr. McCoy, Dr. Crusher, and Dr. Robinson. Standing near the bar were the three engineers: Scotty, LaForge, and Keesee. And, lounging on the sofas were Brad Foreman, Derek Kestner, and Whitney Gallimore. The main purpose of this event was to celebrate Earth�s safety. However, there was another reason for this gathering: Teilani�s birthday. Kirk had asked her to come meet some of his friends, old and new. Foreman, seeing Kirk motioning for him, took Whitney by the hand and let her up to where Kirk and Teilani were standing. Kirk said to Foreman, �Well, nice to see that traditions don�t change.� He tilted his head toward miss Gallimore. She blushed, and Foreman smiled broadly. He said to Kirk, �It is an honor to meet you again, sir.� �Oh, no, please, it�s Jim, Lieutenant.� �Ah, yes...Jim, sir.� Kirk rolled his eyes, saying, �That�s what I hate most about Starfleet is all those �sirs�.� They all laughed at that one. Kirk, after a drink of Romulan Ale, said, �So...now, ack, the synthesized stuff isn�t as good as the real thing. Anyway, Mr. Foreman, I believe you have a question to ask this young lady?� �Uh, yes, si-Jim.� Brad turned to Whitney, �Will you marry me?� All of a sudden, Whitney�s eyes filled with tears. Brad�s heart stood still. Kirk and Teilani eyed her, anxiously. Then, she opened her mouth to speak... To Be Continued... |
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