Star Trek

The Feelings Within

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Derek Kestner

 

 

Based on Star TrekTM created by Gene Roddenberry

            Captains Log, Stardate: 51645.2.  The U.S.S. Bozeman is enroute to Ribis IV.  Two years ago they applied for membership into the Federation.  After two years of inspecting the planet, the Federation is ready to begin the negotiations for their entrance into the Federation.  We are now taking Ambassador Saleron to Ribis IV.  He will lead the negotiations that will bring Ribis IV into the Federation.  End of Log Entry.

           

            Captains Personal Log, Stardate: 51645.2.  The Bozeman encountered an entity that was very dangerous and very powerful.  We were unable to destroy it, but we got it to leave the galaxy, for now.  Starfleet has said that all things to do with the entity are top secret at the highest level.  As for now, this is the only crew in Starfleet that knows about the entity.  End of Log Entry.

 

            Captain Morgan Bateson sat in the center chair of the U.S.S. Bozeman.  His starship was flying towards Ribis IV at warp six.  His mission was to take Ambassador Saleron to Ribis IV to finish the planets entrance into the Federation.  Soon Lieutenant Andy Welch reported, “We are nearing Ribis IV, Captain.”

            “Very well.  Slow to impulse and establish orbit,” Bateson ordered.  He watched, as the streaks of stars slowly became small spheres once again as they dropped out of warp.

            With in minutes Welch reported, “Orbit established.”

            Bateson then called out, “Bateson to Ambassador Saleron.  We have entered orbit and are ready to beam you down to the surface.”

            “Thank you, Captain Bateson.  I am on my way to the Transporter Room now,” the cool voice of the Vulcan Ambassador said.

            Bateson nodded.  “Very well, Bateson out.”

            Minutes later the Transporter Room announced that the ambassador had been successfully beamed down to the surface. 

 

            Bateson was restless.  He squirmed in his command seat.  He then stood and walked up to the second level of the bridge to peer over Lieutenant Whitney Foreman’s shoulder.  He then walked back down to the main level of the bridge and into his Ready Room and sat down.  Minutes later he was back on the bridge.

            That was the problem with having so many of the adventures; you forget what everyday missions were like.  Two years ago, all the Bozeman knew was the Romulan Border.  If they went back to the Romulan border now, they might not last; they would all die of boredom. 

            Commander Gabriel Bush, his first officer, smiled in the chair to his right.  He looked at him and said, “Bored, sir?”

            Bateson clenched the armrests of his chair.  “At this point, I would take protecting a freighter through the middle of Federation Space over this,” Bateson exclaimed. 

            Bush smiled at his captain’s comment.  Bateson could sometimes be humorous when he wanted to be.  Bateson once again stood.  When is my shift over? Bateson thought.

 

            It was nearing Kestner’s shift.  He shut down his control board.  He then pushed it out of his way, and then walked toward the turbolift at the back of the bridge.  Within minutes he was standing in front of his door to his quarters.  They slid open before him.  He quickly took a shower and put on a different uniform and quickly placed his communicator on then walked out of his quarters toward the Officer’s Lounge.

            He stepped inside and sat down at his usual table.  He ordered a drink and waited for Lady Q to arrive.  As he was sitting there, Lieutenant Commander Brad Foreman, the engineers mate, sat down at his table.

            Brad said, “Hey, Derek.  Some of us are getting together to play cards here in about fifteen minutes.  Wanna come?”   

            Derek smiled at his friend as he said, “Hey, Brad.  I would love too, but Q and I have plans tonight.  I am sorry.”

            Brad just smiled, “Don’t say another word about it.  I understand.  Well, see ya later.”

            “Good bye,” Derek said as Brad stood and left the lounge.  Derek sat at the table by himself thinking about what he was going to say to Lady Q.  He wanted to express his true feelings to her.  He was getting to know her so well.

            A flash of white light broke his chain of thought.  In the place of the light stood Lady Q in a Starfleet uniform.  She smiled at him and said, “Hello.”

            Derek stood and kissed her.  “Hello.”  He then pulled out a seat and let her sit down.  He then returned to his own seat.  He said, “I have been waiting for you.  Shall we order?”

            They ordered their food and then began to eat.  They sat in silence for a while eating their food.  They had soon finished their meals and were sitting making small talk.  Derek looked at her, how beautiful she was.  He wanted to tell her how much he loved her.  He suddenly had a pain in his chest.  He let out a low moan and clutched his chest as he stood.  Another wave of pain went through his chest and he feel to the floor unconscious.

            Lady Q was quickly at his side putting his head into her lap.  A crewman that saw it tapped his communicator and said, “Med Team to the Officers Lounge Immediately.”

 

            Bateson, Foreman, and Lady Q were gathered outside Sickbay.  Lady Q watched as both Bateson and Foreman paced in front of the door.  They had been there for over an hour, but Dr. Hayter had yet to report.  Bateson and Foreman both jumped when the doors slid open and Hayter stepped out whipping his hands with a rag.

            Foreman was the first to speak.  “What’s wrong with him?  Is he alright?”

            Hayter smiled.  He understood Foreman’s concern for his friend.  He said, “He has Chirosis.  It’s a disease in his family that affects males every fourth generation, usually, and it didn’t miss him.  He will be alright, but I would suggest temporary leave for him for around three months.”  Hayter then turned to Lady Q.  “I told him this, and he wants you to return to Earth with him.”

            Lady Q smiled.  “He wants me to go with him?”

            Hayter nodded.  “Yes, he wants you to go with him.”

            Lady Q nodded.  “I will go with him.”

            “Very well.  I will contact Starfleet Command and make arrangements to get you two to Earth,” Bateson said.  He then turned and made his way to a turbolift.

 

            Captain Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, sat in the center chair of his Sovereign-class starship.  To his right sat his first officer, Commander William T. Riker, and to his left, ship counselor, Commander Deanna Troi.  His ship was enroute to Ribis IV where he was to pick up Lieutenant Commander Derek Kestner and a Lady Q and take them to Earth.  He had heard the Kestner had a disease that, with medicine and rest, would be gone in less than three months. 

            He turned when Lieutenant Cody Monk at the helm said, “Captain, we are nearing Ribis IV.”

            Commander Data, at opps, said, “I have the Bozeman in orbit.”

            “Thank you Mr. Data.  Mr. Monk, slow to full impulse power and establish orbit,” Picard said.

            Monk pressed a few prompts on his consol.  The streak of the stars slowly became their original shape.  Monk then said, “Reading full impulse power, Captain.  I am now establishing orbit, sir.”  Within minutes the ship was orbiting the planet of Ribis IV.  Monk then reported, “Orbit established, Captain.”

            “Very well,” Picard said.  He then turned to Lieutenant Shawn Henderson, at tactical, and said, “Hail the Bozeman, Mr. Henderson.”

            “Aye, sir,” Henderson said.  Minutes later he said, “Captain, I have them on screen.”

            “Very good, on screen,” Picard ordered.  Within seconds Captain Morgan Bateson’s face filled the view screen.  Picard said, “Captain Bateson, it is good to see you again.”

            “Captain Picard, it is good to see you again, too.  My deepest apologizes for pulling you away from you mission, but we cannot leave Ribis IV until Ambassador Saleron finishes the finalization of bringing the planet into the Federation,” Bateson said.

            “It is quite alright, Captain.  We are honored to take Mr. Kestner back to Earth,” Picard said smiling.  “Is he ready for transport?”

            “Yes,” Bateson said, “he is in the Transporter Room as we speak along with his friend.”

            “Very well.  We are ready for transport,” Picard said.

            “Energizing…” Bateson paused.  “…now.”

            Henderson reported, “Transporter Room reports that they have them.”

            “Thank you, Mr. Henderson.”  Picard then turned to the view screen and said, “Thank you, Captain Bateson.  We’ll be heading for Earth now.  Enterprise out.”

            Picard then stood and looked over at Riker.  “Shall we greet our guests?”

            Riker smiled and nodded.  “Yes, of course.”  He then joined his captain in the turbolift heading toward the Transporter Room.

 

            Captain Morgan Bateson sat in his command chair.  Sitting at opps was Lieutenant Commander Brad Foreman.  Foreman was a good person.  Although he was good in the Engine Room, but at opps, he’s pretty good.  Opps, however, was Kestner’s position, not Foreman’s.  Then again, Bateson wouldn’t want Kestner anywhere near an Engine Room, so it all balanced out.

            Dayton broke his chain of thought when he said, “Captain, we are getting a distress call from a freighter not far from here.  There is audio only, sir.”

            “Very well.  Let’s hear it,” Bateson said.

            As the speakers crackled to life a voice said, “This is Commander John Tucker of the freighter Grizzwald.  We were attacked by a Volshin starship.  We have no shields and only have ten minutes of life support left.  Please, to anyone within the sound of my voice, help us.”  His voice then trailed off in static.

            “That’s all of it, sir,” Dayton said.

            Bateson thought over it for a moment.  “Where is she?”

            Foreman says, “They are just inside of our sensor range.  If they are still being attacked, the Volshin ship is outside our range.”

            Bateson sat back in his chair.  He then said, “Plot a course to meet them and engage at warp eight.”  He then turned to Dayton.  “Wizz, hail Ambassador Saleron and tell him that we are answering a hailing from a freighter under attack.  We will be back soon.”

            “Aye, Captain,” Dayton said.  He turned to his consol and began his task.  Bateson turned back around to face the view screen.  He watched as the stars flew by at warp speed.  He herd Dayton report, “Captain, I sent the message to Ambassador Saleron.”

            “Thank you, Wizz,” Bateson said without even turning around. 

            Five minutes later Welch reported, “Captain, we are coming up on the freighter.”

            “Very well.  Slow to impulse power.  Brad, take a sensor reading,” Bateson ordered.

            Foreman pressed a few prompts on his consol.  It took a few minutes to get the data back.  Foreman quickly read over it then said, “Captain, they’re shields are out, and their engines are useless.  They only have five minutes of life support left.  Basically, they are dead in space.  My sensors do show that there are twenty survivors on board.”

            Bateson thought this over for a moment then said, “Was it the Volshins?”

            Brad took another look at the sensor readouts then said, “Yes, Captain.  The readings show that the photons left on the hull of the freighter are the same as that of Volshin photon torpedoes.”

            “Where are the Volshins now?” Bateson asked.

            Brad took another sensor reading of the Bozeman’s long-range sensors then reported, “They do not show up.  They must have attacked the freighter then ran.”

            Bateson did not like the sound of that.  Although little was known about the Volshins and their culture, Bateson knew that they wouldn’t just attack a freighter and not destroy it.  There was some kind of catch.  For now, however, Bateson needed to get the freighter crew off their vessel before their life support went offline. 

            Bateson turned to Dayton and said, “Wizz, hailing frequencies.”

            “Aye, sir,” Dayton said.  A few moments later he said, “I have them, Captain, but on audio only.  They say that their view screen was damaged in the attack.”

            “All right, on speakers,” Bateson ordered.  Moments later Bateson herd the speakers crackle to life.  He said, “I am Captain Morgan Bateson of the U.S.S. Bozeman.  We are here in response to your distress call.”

            “Captain Bateson, I am Commander John Tucker of the freighter Grizzwald.  I thank you deeply for coming to help us,” the voice on the other end said.

            “Commander Tucker, is your crew ready for transport?” Bateson asked.

            “Yes, sir.  All personnel ready for transport,” Tucker said.

            “Very well.  Stand by for transport,” Bateson said.  He then waited until the connection was cut before he called out, “Bateson to all Transporter Rooms.  Lock on and transport all crew from the freighter.  Energize.”

            Minutes passed before Dayton turned and said, “All Transporter Rooms report that they have the freighter crew.”

            “Very good,” Bateson said.

            The bridge suddenly turned red as the noise of the red alert sounded.  Foreman turned and said, “Captain, a Volshin starship has just decloaked two thousand kilometers off of course Zero-nine-three.  They are heading straight for us at full impulse power with weapons at full.”

            Bateson suddenly shouted, “Whitney, raise shields and arm all weapons.  Andy, prepare for evasive maneuvers.”

            Everyone quickly went about his or her jobs, doing what was necessary.  Foreman reported, “Captain, they are almost within weapons range.  They are powering up their forward torpedoes.”

            Bateson said, “Whitney, get a firing lock on the Volshin ship and give them fire when they are in weapons range.” 

            Foreman said, “They will be in weapons range in twelve seconds.”

            Bateson thought over the problem.  He hopped that he can take care of the Volshin ship.  He had only been up against one or two so far, one or two too many.  He counted the seconds down in his mind.  When there was five seconds remaining he said, “Prepare to fire.”

            He could feel the entire bridge crew tense as the Volshin ship closed the distance.  Five seconds later Foreman said, “Captain, they are now in weapons range.”

            Bateson shouted, “Fire torpedoes, full spread.”

            From the Bozeman flew four photon torpedoes.  They flew straight for the Volshin starship.  They smacked into the Volshins shields causing the Volshin ship to veer upward.  Bateson quickly reacted to their fetal position by ordering, “Fire phasers, full power!”

            The beams of energy known as phasers sliced the shields of the Volshin ship causing to veer further up.  Bateson looked at Foreman and asked, “How much damage to the shields?”

            Foreman looked at the sensor read outs then said, “Their shields are down to ninety-three percent, Captain.”

            “Very well,” Bateson said.  He turned to Dayton and said, “Hail the Volshins.”

            Dayton quickly did his task then said, “They are refusing the view screen, but I have them on speakers.”

            “Alright, put them on speakers then,” Bateson said.  He heard the speaker’s crackle to life then said, “Volshin Commander, you have entered Federation space unauthorized.  Those first two shots were only warning shots.  If you do not go back to your own space, we will be forced to disable your ship.”

            The Volshin Commander growled and said, “Your threats do not scare me Federation dog.  It shall be us who destroy you.”

            “We gave you your warning, Volshin Commander.  If you do not back down and leave Federation space, we will destroy you,” Bateson said firmly.

            “And I have told you, Federation dog, we will destroy you.  We shall destroy you as we did the poor Klingon’s we stole the cloaking device from,” the Volshin growled.

            Bateson’s face was puzzled.  He said, “You stole a Klingon cloaking device?”

            The Volshin did not reply.  Instead Dayton turned and said, “Captain, the Volshins cut the connection.”

            Bateson looked worried.  To no one in particularly he said, “If the Volshins get back to their space with that cloaking device…” His thought’s trailed off as the Volshins fired and sent the Bozeman to port.  Bateson quickly grabbed the armrests of his chair to steady to blow.  He quickly turned to Mrs. Foreman and asked, “How bad did they hit us?”

            “Our shields are down to ninety-five percent, Captain,” Mrs. Foreman reported.

            “Prepare to return fire,” Bateson said looking back at the Volshin ship on the viewscreen.  He suddenly yelled, “Fire!” 

            Two photon torpedoes and the phasers flew toward the Volshin ship.  The Volshin ship was veered upward.  The Volshin ship quickly righted itself and fired at the Bozeman again.

            Bateson ordered, “Evasive: three-seven-zero-mark-eight-four-two.”

            The Bozeman hull groaned as it was swung trying to get out of the course of the photon torpedoes.  The torpedoes barley missed the ship.  The Volshins quickly fired again.  This time, the torpedoes did not miss and struck the shields violently.  The bridge crew was again veered to port. 

            Bateson ordered, “Andy, correct our course.  Whitney, prepare to fire.”

            The Bozeman slowly corrected its course.  When the course had been corrected, Bateson ordered, “Whitney, Fire!!”

            The weapons lashed out at the Volshin ship.  They struck the shields with a fearsome blow.  Foreman turned to Bateson and said, “Sir, the Volshin ship has been heavily damaged.  Their shields are down to thirty-five percent.”

            “Very good.  Whitney, discontinue firing.  Let’s see what they do,” Bateson ordered.  The steady shooting of the photon torpedoes and phasers stopped. 

            Seconds later Foreman reported, “Captain, they are changing course.  Calculating heading…their new course is a direct line for Volshin space.  They have entered warp.  Just as they made the jump they activated their cloaking device.”

            Bateson hit his fist against his armrest.  “We can’t follow them.  If we were to cross the Volshin border, it would mean immediate war with the Volshin Empire.”

            “You mean we are not going to stop them?” Foreman asked.

            “We can’t.  If we were to follow that ship into Volshin space, we’d have Volshin ships on us like a duck on a june bug,” Bateson said.  He sighed.  He knew of the danger of letting the Volshin ship reenter its own space, but he could not risk a war with the Volshin Empire.  With reluctance, Bateson ordered, “Return to Ribis IV.  Wizz, contact Starfleet and report our current situation.”

            “Aye, sir,” Dayton reported.

            With the battle over, the Bozeman flew off for Ribis IV at warp six.  Bateson would get the crew of the freighter to a starbase later.  At the current time, Ambassador Saleron was still in negotiations with the people of Ribis IV and Bateson was ordered to stay in orbit until the ambassador had finished all of the proceedings.

 

            For three months Derek and Lady Q spent every waking moment together.  When Derek was able to travel, he showed her his world.  Over the three months Derek’s love for Lady Q continued to grow.  He couldn’t imagine a life without her being in it.  He wanted her to be with him at all times. 

 

             Derek and Lady Q were sitting under a tree holding hands.  They were enjoying the shade on the hot day.  A thought suddenly popped into Derek’s head and he asked, “Q, when I was sick back on the Bozeman, why didn’t you just heal me with your power?”

            Lady Q smiled.  “Because, I did not want to interfere with the normal human processes,” she said.

            Derek laughed.  “Ah, I see.  Well, I’m glad you didn’t.  If you had, I wouldn’t have gotten to spend this wonderful three months with you.”  He looked into her eyes and said, “I must say, I really love you.”

            Lady Q smiled.  “I love you too, Derek.  I have found that humans have a hard time expressing their emotions, but I want you to know that you can tell me your emotions.”  With those words she reached over and kissed him.

            Mid-kiss Derek’s communicator and a voice on the other end said, “Commander Lancer to Lieutenant Commander Kestner.”

            Derek sighed.  It was over all too soon.  He tapped his communicator and said, “Kestner here.”

            “Ah, Mr. Kestner.  Well, it’s the end of three months.  Dr. Hayter assured us that you would feel good enough to come back to active duty at the end of three months,” Commander Lancer said.

            “I am feeling much better, Commander, and I am ready to go back to the Bozeman,” Derek answered.

            “Very good.  A shuttle will be at your house at thirteen-hundred-hours to take you to Starbase 3.  There the U.S.S. Topeka will take you to Deep Space Five.  At Deep Space Five it will be a short wait until the Bozeman picks you up,” Commander Lancer said.

            “Thank you, Commander.  Kestner out, “ Derek said.  Derek then stood and helped Lady Q to her feet.  He said, “I am sorry.  It ended too soon.  Will you please return with me to the Bozeman?”

            Lady Q smiled.  “Of course I will.”  She then reached up and kissed him again.

 

            Derek shoved his last piece of clothing into his bag and snapped it shut.  He looked over at Lady Q who was helping him and said, “I’m gonna go tell my Mom good bye, then I’ll help you with these bags.”

            She nodded as he turned and walked out the door.  His mother was in the kitchen watering a plant sitting in the middle of the table.  He walked up to her and gave her a hug.  “Well, Mom, thank you for taking care of me for the past three months.”

            His mother smiled.  “Oh baby, it was nothing.  As long as I can, I will always take care of you when you are sick.  And I must say, Q is a very nice girl.”

            Derek reached into his pocket and pulled out a box with a ring in it and said, “I know, and I’m gonna give her this.”

            His mother smiled.  “Oh, I am so glad you are going to ask her to marry you.”

            “Yes, I am going to ask her when I return to the Bozeman.”  He quickly put the ring into his pocket.  He heard the shuttle thrusters as it began to land.  He hugged her again and said, “Well, I gotta go now, good bye.”

            She said, “Good bye.”  Derek then turned and walked back to his room where Lady Q was still waiting.  He quickly put on his uniform and put his Lieutenant Commander pips on his collar then said, “We have to go now.”

            The quickly walked out to the shuttlecraft.  A Lieutenant was standing outside the shuttle with hands behind his back.  He said, “Welcome aboard, Lieutenant Commander.”

            “Thank you, Lieutenant,” Kestner said.  He then helped Lady Q up the steeps.

 

            Captain Morgan Bateson sat in the command chair of the Bozeman.  He greatly anticipated the return of Lieutenant Commander Kestner.  Welch turned from his station and said, “We are nearing Deep Space Five, Captain.”

            “Thank you, Andy.  Slow to full impulse and prepare to stop,” Bateson ordered.  He then called out, “Bateson to Foreman.”

            “Yes, Captain?” Foreman asked from the other end.

            “Is everything ready down there?” Bateson asked.

            “Yes, sir.  Operation: Derek Welcome back is ready,” Foreman said.

            “Very good, “ Bateson said.  He saw Deep Space Five come into full view on the view screen.  He then ordered, “Andy, full stop.”

            “Aye, sir,” Welch said.  Seconds later the Bozeman came to a full stand still.

            Bateson then ordered, “Hail the station.”

            Dayton said, “Aye, sir.”

            Minutes later a Commander was standing in the middle of the view screen.  The Commander said, “I am Commander Chris Johnston.  I believe we have one of your officers here.”

            Bateson nodded, “You do.  Are they ready to transport?”

            Commander Johnston said, “Energizing…now.”

            “Thank you, Commander.  Bozeman out,” Bateson said.  He then stood and said, “Let’s go greet them.”

            Some of the officers stood and followed Bateson off the bridge.  Seconds later they were in the Transporter Room greeting Kestner.  For the next few minutes everyone was hugging and shaking hands with Kestner.  Finally Bateson said, “Well, Derek, what say we go to the Lounge for a drink.  I’ll have someone get your bags.”

            Minutes later they were walking into the Officers Lounge.  Everyone yelled surprise.  Derek then shook hands with Brad and everyone else in the room.  Derek knew he was finally home.

 

            For hours the Officers Lounge was full of people welcoming Derek back and enjoying themselves.  Scotty was standing behind the bar giving everyone a drink.  Scotty always said that he was the expert on drinks, and he wanted to oversee that everyone got, as he called it, the “good stuff.”  As the party broke off into groups around the Lounge it was time for Derek to “pop the question.”

 

Derek took Lady Q by the hand and led her to the center of the room.  Everyone saw them walking together.  The room quickly got quiet.  Derek continued, “I have an announcement, or, a question really.”  He then took a small box from his pocket and got down on a knee in front of Lady Q.  He smiled and said, “I have been planning this moment for awhile now, and I don’t want to mess up.  Q, I love you, very much.  I can’t imagine a day without you.  So, I must ask you this question: Q, will you marry me?”

            The room was silent.  All you could hear was Lady Q’s breath.  They waited for her answer…