STAR TREK

The Cardassian Rage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Derek Kestner

 

 

Based on Star Trek™ created by Gene Roddenberry

            Captains Log, Stardate: 51645.5.  The U.S.S. Bozeman is heading toward Cardassian Space.  It seems that the Cardassians feel that they are threatened by the Volshins.  They want assurances that if the Volshins were to ever attack the Cardassian Union that the Federation would be there to help them.  My orders are to inform Ambassador Gol’nor that the Federation will help them if they on their border patrols at the Federation border.

           

            Captains Person Log, Stardate: 51645.5.  I am very pleased to see Lieutenant Commander Derek Kestner and Lindsey’s engagement.  Starfleet feels that that this marriage will be a good one because they can learn more about the Q.  Personally, I am happy that Derek has finally found someone for himself.

 

Lieutenant Commander Derek Kestner sat at the ops station on the U.S.S. Bozeman.  The Bozeman was enroute to the Cardassian border to assure the Cardassians that they would help them if the Volshins ever attacked, but only if the promised to ease off their border patrols.

            Kestner was feeling good.  In one month he was going to be married to the most beautiful woman he had ever known.  He could not wait and was excited.  For the first few days he had hardly done any of his work.  He was glad that Captain Bateson was so understandable about the entire situation.  After a couple of days he had finally buckled down and things were getting back to normal.

            He looked at the chronometer and noticed that in a few hours he would be off duty.  He remembered that he and Lindsey had promised Lieutenant Commander Brad Foreman, Kestner’s friend, that they would come down and play a couple of games of cards with him.  He sent a message to Lindsey down in the Transporter Room to remind her of it then went back to his work.

            He heard the doors to Bateson’s Ready Room hiss open.  Bateson was talking to Lieutenant Ashley Rickman, the ship’s counselor, about one of the crewmembers in one of the science labs.  He did not pay much attention to the conversation.

            He suddenly felt Bateson’s presence behind him.  Bateson said, “Ah, Derek.  We were just talking about Cadet Robert’s.  Remember him?”

            Kestner thought.  He turned and asked, “Wasn’t he the one that used nitroglycerin to freeze all of the Dean of Starfleet Academy’s office?”

            “Yes,” Bateson said.  “Then he ruined on of the professors lectures by dressing up as a Vulcan and trying to tell the profession the pure logic of how boring his lecture was.”

            “That’s the one,” Bateson said.  “He graduated the Academy this spring, top of his class, a big surprise.  Guess who got him?”

            Kestner thought for a moment then said, “Who?”

            Bateson laughed, “He was sent out to DS9 to be under Mr. Worf.  It should prove interesting to see how his Klingon sense of humor will take Mr. Robert’s.”

            At that Kestner had to laugh.  He mimicked Worf’s voice and said, “Mr. Robert’s, if we were on a Klingon Station, I would have to cut off your limbs so that you could not pull anymore of your ‘practical’ jokes.”

            Bateson and Rickman burst out laughing.  They then sat down in their chairs.  Bateson took on a professional manner and said, “ETA to the Cardassian border?”

            “Fourteen-point-six hours, Captain,” Lieutenant Andy Welch said.

 

           

            Lieutenant Commander Derek Kestner, Lieutenant Commander Brad Foreman, Lieutenant Whitney Foreman, Captain Montgomery Scott, and Ensign Lindsey sat around the card table in Scotty’s quarters.  They were laughing and generally having a good time.  While Brad, Derek, and Scotty were talking about all they knew about the Volshins, Lindsey and Whitney were talking about the wedding.

            After a couple of hands of cards they put the cards aside and began to talk in small groups.  Derek suddenly said, “I feel like a swim.  Anyone want to go to the holodeck and use my beach suite?”

            Scotty said, “I would like to, lad, but I’m not tha best looker in a swimsuit.  You young’uns go on with out me.”

            The others said they would love too.  They quickly stood and said good-bye to Scotty then went to their quarters to change into their swimsuits.  It did not take them long until they were gathered in front of the holodeck.

            Derek then said, “Computer: start program: Kestner, three-zero-one.”

            The computer beeped in reply.  It then said, “Program in progress, you may now enter.”

            “Open doors,” Derek ordered.  The doors to the holodeck slid open.  The four of them stepped inside.  Surrounding them was one of the most beautiful beaches they had ever seen.  A cool breeze made the temperature pleasant for the four of them.

            Derek turned to Brad and said, “The last time I came in here, I got beat up by you if I remember correctly.”

            Brad blushed and said, “Derek, I really am sorry about that.”

            “Don’t worry about it, my friend.  As I have said many times, I understand.  You thought I had killed Whitney.”

            “What are you talking about?” Lindsey asked.

            Derek looked around at her, “It’s kind of a long story.  Remind me to tell it to you sometime.”

            They continued to walk down the beach.  Derek had to admit that the holodeck did a good job of simulating movement.  He could feel himself becoming tired, even thought he probably hadn’t moved more than two steps from where he had started.              He loved this simulation of the beach.

            They spent the next two hours swimming and having fun.  The fun was suddenly over when a voice in the sky said, “Hayter to Kestner.”

            Derek announced, “Kestner here.”

            “Ah, Mr. Kestner, I am so glad I caught you,” Hayter’s voice said.  “Would you please bring Ms. Lindsey to Sickbay for her medical exam?  I need to give her one and this is the only time I can do it.”

            Derek sighed.  “Alright, we’ll be right there,” Derek said.  He then turned to Brad and Whitney.  “I am sorry.  You can stay in here as long as you want.  See you all later.”

            Derek then led Lindsey by the hand up to the beach.  They quickly dried off and put on extra cloths on over their swimming suits.  Derek then called for the arch and let Lindsey step out of the holodeck ahead of him.  It was a quick walk to the turbolift and then to the Sickbay.

            Doctor Karl Hayter was waiting for them in Sickbay.  He patted on of the biobeds and said, “Have a seat up here.”

            Lindsey hoped up on top of the biobed and awaited Hayters next instructions.  He then began a full medical examination of her.  He was doing a scan of her when something interesting caught his attention.  He turned to Derek and said, “Derek, may I take a med scan of you for a moment?”

            “Of course, Doctor, if you think it will help,” Derek said. 

            He then sat down on a biobed next to the one Lindsey was sitting on.  Hayter then passed the medical tricorder around Derek’s head.  He then looked at the readouts.  After this he reset the tricorder and walked back over to Lindsey.  He passed the tricorder over her head.

            Derek looked at him concerned.  “Is there something wrong, Doctor?”

            Hayter shook his head, “Nothing is wrong, but rather, interesting.”  He then called out and said, “Hayter to Bateson.”

            Bateson’s voice said, “Bateson here.  Go ahead, Doctor.”

            “Captain, could you please come down here?” Hayter asked.

            Bateson said, “I’ll be right down, Doctor.  Do you mind if Scotty comes with me?”

            “Of course not, but please, hurry,” Hayter said.

            “I will.  Bateson out,” Bateson said. 

            Five minutes later the door swooshed open and Bateson and Scotty entered.  Hayter turned as they walked in.  Bateson said, “What is it you needed?”

            “Captain, I would like you to look at this,” Hayter said.  He then took Bateson back to his office.  He accessed his computer terminal.  On it read the brain waves of both Derek and Lindsey.  He said, “On the computer you can see the brain patterns of both Mr. Kestner and Ms. Lindsey.”

            Bateson looked at it for a moment.  He then pointed at the one of the lines on Lindsey’s and said, “What is this?”

            “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Hayter responded.  “Even though everyone’s brain patterns are different, there are some key similarities.  On Lindsey’s brain waves some of the key similarities proving her to be a Q are still stronger than if she was a human.”

            Bateson thought for a moment then asked, “Could we make us of these differences?”

            Hayter responded, “It is possible, sir.  In what way?”

            “Hold on a second, I will tell you,” Bateson said.  He then walked back to where Scotty was still standing and whispered something to him that Derek could no hear.  He then took him back to Hayter’s office where Hayter explained everything to him.

            Scotty said, “What would ye ‘ave me do, sair?”

            Bateson replied, “Mr. Scott, would it be possible to make use of Lindsey’s unusual brain pattern?”

            Scotty thought for a moment then said, “Do ye mean amplify it, sair?”

            Bateson replied, “Exactly Mr. Scott.”

            Scotty replied, “Aye, sair.  I’ll get ta work on something right away.”  With that Scotty turned on his heel and left the Sickbay. 

            Hayter then walked out of his office and said, “I have found something interesting.  Preliminary tests are inconclusive.  I will let you know when I find out anything.  You are both free to go now.”

            Derek and Lindsey hopped off the biobeds and walked out of Sickbay.  It was getting late.  Derek asked Lindsey, “It’s getting late and I need something to eat before going to bed.  Would you like to join me?”

            “Of course,” Lindsey said.  They boarded a turbolift and road it to the Officers Lounge.  They sat down at a table and quickly ordered their dinners.  They sat and chatted about life on a starship.  Derek told her that for the most part this was routine, but that there would be some excitement if she would only be patient.

            When they had finished they sat around for a little while and talked.  Derek looked up at the chronometer on the wall and said, “Well, this has been fun, but we both need to get in bed.  Shall I walk you to your quarters?”

            Derek let Lindsey hook her arm in his then they walked down the corridor toward the turbolift.  It only took moments until Derek and Lindsey was standing in front of the door to Lindsey’s quarters.  Lindsey said, “I had a really great time today, Derek.  Thank you very much.”

            “I had a great time also,” Derek said.  He leaned down and kissed her.  He then turned on his heel and walked toward his quarters.

           

            Captain Montgomery Scott was sitting behind one of the workstations in main engineering.  He was working on a way that would amplify Lindsey’s brain pattern.  He had a way of doing it and was starting to build it, but he was running into a problem.  The amplifier would not put out enough energy to amplify her brain waves.  He finally decided it was time for some help.

            He called out, “Scott to Foreman.”

            The voice on the other end said, “Foreman here.  How may I help?”

            “Brad, could ye come ta engineering for a moment, please?  I have a problem that I need help in solving,” Scotty explained.

            Foreman replied, “I’ll be right down, sir.”

            Five minutes later Foreman walked through the doors into Main Engineering.  He walked over to where Scotty was sitting and said, “You needed me, sir?”

            Scotty nodded.  “I do indeed.”  Scotty then showed Foreman the amplifier and told him what it was to be used for.  He then said, “That’s were I run inta tha problem.  Ye see, the amplifier wont put out enough energy.  When I give it more, it eats it up in other areas.”

            Foreman and Scotty then spent the next four hours trying to figure out what the problem was.  By the end of the four hours they had created the computer model and was preparing to reconfigure it when Scotty said, “Thank ye kindly lad, but I think I c’n take it from ‘ere.  Ye go on, but remember, not’a word to anybody.”

            “Yes, sir,” Foreman said.  Foreman turned and walked out of Engineering.

 

            Bateson walked onto the bridge of the U.S.S. Bozeman.  He quickly walked down to the lower level of the bridge and sat down in his command chair.  He announced, “I have the bridge.  Computer: note the command change.”

The computer said, “Change in commander noted, Captain.”

            Bateson sat back into his chair waiting for the officers to come to the bridge.  One by one they took their positions over the next fifteen minutes.  Surprisingly, the last officer onto the bridge was Lieutenant Commander Derek Kestner.

            Bateson smiled as Derek pulled his consol to him and said, “Late night last night, Derek?”

            Derek yawned and rubbed his eyes.  “Something like that, sir.”

            Bateson smiled.  He liked to joke around with his officers, when the time was right.  It kept them on their feet.  Bateson’s train of thought was suddenly broken when Welch said, “Captain, we are nearing the Cardassian border.”

            “All stop, Andy,” Bateson ordered.

            Welch did as he was ordered.  Within moments the Bozeman had come to a complete stop.  Bateson then ordered, “Derek, take a scan for the Cardassian ship that was supposed to escort us.”

            “Aye, Captain,” Kestner said.  Derek activated the ships sensors and took a quick scan of the area.  He scanned the read outs then said, “Captain, I’m not reading a Cardassian ship near the border.”

            That’s not right, Bateson thought.  They should have gotten here hours before us.  Bateson shook his head. “That can’t be right.  They should have gotten here before us.”

            Kestner said, “I know, Captain, but the sensors do not pick up any sign of Cardassian ship activity near the Cardassian border.”

            Bateson leaned forward in his chair.  “Maybe they got detained.  We’ll stay here for a few hours to see if any ships show up.”

 

The Bozeman spent four hours adrift along the Cardassian border waiting for some sign of a ship.  Bateson was getting aggravated that the Cardassians were being slow in getting there.  Bateson finally turned to Lieutenant Wizz Dayton and said, “Wizz, hail Starfleet and tell them of our situation and ask for advice.”

            “Aye, Captain,” Dayton said.  He turned and went toward his work. 

            As Dayton was doing this, Kestner said, “Captain, four Cardassian starships are headed this way.  They all have their shields up and weapons are armed.”

            Bateson sat back in his chair.  He asked, “How far away are they?”

            “One hundred-thousand kilometers, Captain, and closing fast,” Kestner reported. 

            Bateson thought his options over.  Clearly they were ready to fight.  Bateson thought his approach should be diplomacy first, but be ready for a fight.  He turned to Mrs. Foreman and said, “Whitney, raise shields and arm weapons.”  Turning back around he announced, “Red Alert.  Wizz, hail the lead Cardassian ship.”

            “Aye, sir,” Dayton said above the blare of the red alert alarm.  He turned and raised the Cardassian ship then turned back around.  “Captain, I have them onscreen.”

            Bateson turned to look at the viewscreen.  “Very good.  Onscreen.”  The bridge of the lead ship replaced the four Cardassian starships.  Sitting in the command chair sat one of the gray-skinned Cardassians.  Bateson announced, “This is Captain Morgan Bateson of the U.S.S. Bozeman.  We wish to know why you were not here earlier and why you seem to be preparing to attack us.”

            The Cardassian commander looked up at Bateson and rose out of his seat.  He said, “I am Commander Gol’har, the name of my ship is of no importance to you.  The reason we were late is because we had to fight off a small patrol of Volshin ships, but you already knew that didn’t you?”

            Bateson’s face turned to one of puzzlement and said, “What do you mean?  I had no knowledge of this.  We were coming to promise you that the

Federation would help you if the Volshins ever attacked you.”

            Commander Gol’har’s face went to one of anger.  “You knew that the Volshins were going to attack us because you have an alliance with them.  That’s why you did not come any faster.  You wanted them to destroy us.  Well, I am sorry, but we destroyed your Volshin friends.”

            Bateson sat in his chair in disbelief.  “How could you accuse us of making an alliance with the Volshins?  We are fighting them just as much as you are.”

            Commander Gol’har just laughed.  He said, “You expect me to believe that.  Ha.  The Federation have lied to us before, how do I know you are not lying to me now?  I don’t, therefore, when my ships are in weapons range, we will destroy you.”

            With those words, the screen went back to the four Cardassian ships.  Bateson said, “This is the Captain speaking.  We have met four Cardassian ships that are preparing to attack us because they believe we had dealings with the Volshins.  Be ready for the attack.”

            He could almost feel the entire crew as they straightened up, ready for the attack.  He turned to look at the viewscreen and said, “How long until they are in weapons range?”

            “Three-point-five minutes, Captain,” Mrs. Foreman reported. 

Bateson stood and said, “Prepare to fire all weapons on the lead ship.”  No one said a word for the next three-point-five minutes.  You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.  Bateson counted down the seconds in his mind.  When the count was down to ten seconds Bateson ordered, “Whitney…FIRE!!!”

            From the Bozeman shot phasers and photon torpedoes screaming toward the first Cardassian ship.  They smashed into the shields with an explosion.  On the viewscreen Bateson could see the weapons from all four of the Cardassian ships.  Bateson shouted, “Evasive: three-zero-seven-mark-eight-six-two!”

            The Bozeman groaned as it turned left and up to evade the Cardassian weapons.  They evaded the weapons from two ships, but could not evade the other two.  The Cardassian weapons smashed into the Bozeman’s shields sending the ship spinning to port.

            Bateson ordered, “Andy, correct the heading!”

            “Aye, Captain,” Welch said.  He quickly made adjustments to his board that caused the Bozeman to go back onto its original course.

            Bateson then said, “Damage?”

            “Shields are holding at ninety-four percent, Captain.  Weapons and shields are undamaged,” Mrs. Foreman reported.

            “Thank you, Whitney.  Prepare all weapons and fire!” Bateson ordered.

            Again the Bozeman lashed out their weapons at the lead Cardassian ship.  The Cardassian ship spun up off course as the weapons smashed into their shields.  In retaliation, the other three shot their weapons at the Bozeman.

            Bateson shouted, “Evasive: three-five-seven-mark-two-eight-three!”

            Mrs. Foreman said, “It’s too late.”

            Bateson then shouted, “Hang on.”  The Cardassian weapons smashed into the shields.  Half the bridge crew went flying including Kestner.  He hit the ground hard out of his seat as the bridge lights flickered off then came back on.  Kestner quickly pulled himself back up and sat back down in his seat in front of the Captain.

            “Damage?” Bateson asked.

            Mrs. Foreman quickly checked her read outs then said, “Captain, shields are down to seventy-five percent and the weapons took a beating.”

            Bateson then called out, “Bridge to Engineering, Mr. Scott?”

            “Scott ‘ere, Captain.  The engines are takin’ a real beatin’ from all of dis.  Warp is down to eighty percent and impulse is even lower than that,” Scotty reported.

            “Mr. Scott, try to keep ‘er together down there,” Bateson said.

            “I’m tryin’, Captain, but she’s gonna do what she wants,” Scotty said.

            Bateson said, “Just keep her together, Mr. Scott.  Bateson out.”  He then looked the bridge over and looked at the viewscreen.  He saw the lead Cardassian ship adjusting their course to take them back to their original heading.  Bateson ordered, “Whitney, fire weapons.”

            Again the Bozeman lashed out at the Cardassian ship.  The weapons smashed into the lead Cardassian ships shields.  The Cardassian ship spun more widely out of control.

            The three other Cardassian ships fired at the Bozeman.  Bateson shouted, “Evasive: three-five-nine-mark-eight-four-seven!”  The ship groaned as it tried to move out of the way of the Cardassian weapons.  The weapons slammed into the Bozeman’s lower shields sending the Bozeman flying up.

            Bateson said, “Report.”

            “Lower shields are down to sixty-seven percent, Captain,” Mrs. Foreman said. 

            Bateson was getting aggravated at this entire situation.  He knew that his ship did not have the shields to hold off all four ships.  He didn’t know what else to do.  He finally said, “Whitney, fire weapons.”

            The Bozeman lashed out it weapons once again.  This time there was no shield resistance form the Cardassian ship and they smacked into the ships hull.  Bateson sighed in relief.  “Maybe they’ll listen to us now,” he said.  He turned to Dayton and said, “Wizz, hail them.”

            Dayton did not say anything but immediately turned to his board.  Seconds later he said, “I have them on the main viewer, Captain.”

            “On screen,” Bateson ordered.  Once again, Commander Gol’har’s face appeared on the viewscreen.  Behind him smoke filled the bridge and the bridge was dark from where the lights went out.  Bateson said, “Commander Gol’har, I hope that now you are ready to talk.”

            “You attacked us first, therefore, we can hold you accountable,” Gol’har growled. 

            “What?!” Bateson stammered.  “You were ready to fire on us.  You don’t expect us to just sit around while you pound our shields?”

            Commander Gol’har growled at this.  He said, “How do you know our intention was to fire upon your ship?”

            “Well, for one reason as you were closing on us, you had your shields raised and weapons armed.  You don’t shake hands with a person with a sword and shield in your hands,” Bateson said.  “And, not to mention, you threatened to fire on us.”

            Commander Gol’har’s expression went to one of shock.  He said, “How dare you accuse me of making a threat?”

            Instead of answering Bateson looked at Derek and said, “Mr. Kestner?”

            Kestner then said, “Computer: relay our last talk with Commander Gol’har where he threatened us.”

            The computer said, “Relaying…”

            On the speakers Gol’har’s voice said, “You expect me to believe that.  Ha.  The Federation have lied to us before, how do I know you are not lying to me now?  I don’t, therefore, when my ships are in weapons range, we will destroy you.”

            “There is your proof, Commander.  If you do not leave now, I will have to report this to your superiors,” Bateson said.

            Commander Gol’har chewed his bottom lip.  Instead of replying he cut the comm. connection.  Moments later Kestner said, “Captain, they are breaking off, going back to their own space.”

            “Very good, Derek,” Bateson said.  He then turned to Dayton and said, “Wizz, relay to Starfleet what happened here.  I would expect that as punishment for this, they’ll not promise any help to the Cardassians for a while.”

            Dayton turned to his work.  He breathed a sigh of relief that it was over.

 

            Derek, Brad, Whitney, and Lindsey ran down the beach toward the ocean.  They had gathered in the holodeck for a swim.  The day’s action was behind them, and all they wanted was to enjoy their lives.  The time of their wedding was coming close, and they wanted to have some fun before hand.