Star Trek

The Madness

 

 

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By: Derek Kestner

Based on STAR TREKTM created by Gene Roddenberry

            Captains Log, Star Date: 5461.3.  The Bozeman is patrolling the Klingon border.  I guess it’s a change form the Romulan or Volshin borders.  It seems that the Volshins have not done anything in months, but as the old saying goes, don’t bother a sleeping dragon.  I believe the same to be true for the Volshins, but there is no doubt in my mind that they will strike again soon.  It will be interesting to see how long until they attack again.  End of log entry.

 

            The U.S.S. Bozeman was flying at a steady speed of full impulse patrolling the Klingon border.  Captain Morgan Bateson sat in the center chair watching his bridge crew working at top efficiency.  To his right sat his first officer, Commander Gabriel Bush.  To his left sat Counselor Lieutenant Ashley Rickman.  Sitting in front of him was the helmsman Lieutenant Andy Welch, and ops Lieutenant Commander Derek Kestner.  Sitting at the comm station is Lieutenant Wizz Dayton, and standing behind tactical was Lieutenant Whitney Forman.  Sitting at science was Lieutenant Michael Dennis.  Down in engineering was the chief engineer Captain Montgomery Scott, and engineers mate Lieutenant Commander Brad Foreman.  And stationed in sickbay was Doctor Lieutenant Karl Hayter.

            Dayton suddenly swiveled his chair around and said, “Captain, we’re getting a message from Qo’noS.”

            “On screen,” Bateson ordered.

            The star field was replaced by Chancellor Martok’s features.  “Greetings Bateson,” Martok growled.

            “Chancellor,” Bateson said bowing his head with respect.  “How may we help you?”

            “It seems that something is contaminating our water supply, but our science equipment is not that great, as you know.  We would ask that you come with some of your science officers to help us with this problem,” Chancellor Martok said.

            “We’ll have to send this to Starfleet Command,” Bateson answered, “but I don’t see any reason why they wouldn’t let us help.”

            “Thank you, Bateson.  Hail us with what your Starfleet says.  Martok out.”  Chancellor Martok said.  The Bozeman’s view screen suddenly changed back to the star field of the Neutral Zone.

            Bateson looked at Derek and the other crewmembers around him.  “So, what do you think?  Should we go help them?”

            Silence for a moment as the others thought to themselves.  Finally Bush said, “Sir, I believe we should contact Starfleet and find out what Commander Starfleet says.”

            Bateson nodded.  “Good idea,” Bateson said.  Bateson stood and turned to face Wizz Dayton and said, “Wizz, hail Starfleet.”

            “Aye, sir,” Dayton said turning in his chair. Seconds later he said, “I have them.”

            “On screen,” Bateson ordered.  The star field quickly changed to the face of Admiral Dayton Owens.  “Nice to talk to you again Admiral.”

            “What did you need Captain Bateson?” Admiral Owens asked. 

            Bateson answered, “Sir, we just got a call from Chancellor Martok.  He says that their water systems is being contaminated and they have asked us to help them with our superior technology.”

            Admiral Owens staired at Bateson for a moment then said, “Captain Bateson, help them as they need it, but be careful.  Although we are allies with the Klingon’s, there are still some that don’t trust the Federation.”

            “Of course Admiral, we’ll keep in touch, Bateson out.”  The viewscreen changed back to the star field of the neutral zone.  “Very well.  Wizz, contact Chancellor Martok and tell him we have authorization to pass into the neutral zone and that we will be there in…” his voice trailed of to signal that he wanted Derek to tell him how long until they would reach Qo’noS.

            Derek said, “ETA 1 hours warp six, Captain.”

            “…one hour,” Bateson finished.  Dayton nodded and turned to his console to do his work.  “I hope that the Chancellor tells all of his border patrols that we have authorization to pass into the Neutral Zone.”

            Bush nodded.  “I agree, Captain.”  Minutes later the crew of the Bozeman crossed over into the Klingon Neutral Zone.  An hour later Captain Bateson, Lieutenant Commander Derek Kestner and a science team were standing on the transporter pads ready for transport.

            “Energize,” Bateson ordered.  The crew disappeared into the glow of the transporter…

 

            A few hours later Bateson tapped his communicator and said, “Bateson to Bozeman, eight to beam up…energize.”  The blue beam surrounded them and they disappeared.  They reappeared on the transporter platform of the U.S.S. Bozeman.  Bateson and Derek immediately went to the bridge.  As soon as Bateson stepped on the bridge he said, “Set course for the border Mr. Kestner.”

            Derek went to his station and took over for the young ensign that had taken his place while he was away.  He answered, “Aye, sir.”  Immediately he went to work on plotting the route that would take them back to the neutral zone.  When he was finished he said, “Course plotted, Captain.”

            “Very good Mr. Kestner.  Andy, engage, warp five.” 

 

            An hour later they were back across the neutral zone and were once again on a patrol course.  Derek’s shift ended as usual.  He stood and walked quietly to the turbolift and rode it down to the officer’s lounge.  He ordered a drink from the bar and quietly sat down to drink it.  Derek wasn’t sitting there long when a young woman came behind him and asked, “Is this seat taken?”

            Derek looked up to find it was the transporter chief, Lieutenant Cora Melvin.  “No, it’s not. Please, sit.”  She sat her glass down on the table and proceeded to sit down.  Derek extended his hand to her and said, “Derek Kestner, Miss…?”

            “Cora Melvin, but you can call me Cora,” she said as she shook his hand. 

            “You’re the transporter chief aren’t you?” Derek asked.

            “Yes, sir,” Cora said, noticing that he wore the pins of a Lieutenant Commander.

            With a wave of his hand Derek said, “Please call me…” Derek trailed off as Brad walked into the room arm-in-arm with Whitney.  A wave of jealousy washed over him…then it was gone.  What’s going on with me? he asked himself.

            Cora saw his change of expression in his eyes and asked, “Is something wrong?”

            At first Derek didn’t hear her, her voice in the distance.  He shook his head quickly and said, “No, I’m sorry.  I’m just not feeling all that well.”  Which wasn’t far from the truth. 

            “Should you go see Doctor Hayter?”

            “I’ll be fine, don’t worry about me.  But enough about me, tell me about yourself,” Derek said.

            “Well, like I said, my name is Cora Melvin.  I was born on the Jupiter Space Station.  My parents are both scientists there.  When I was young, I thought I wanted to be a scientist.  When I enrolled Starfleet Academy I soon found out I wasn’t meant to be a scientist, so, I became a transporter chief.”

            Derek nodded.  “Ah, I see.  I’ve never been to the Jupiter Space Station before.  I was born on Earth.  My mother was a scientist for Starfleet Command and my father was an engineer on a starship that was destroyed by a warp core breech,” Derek said.

            “I’m sorry,” Cora said, a sad expression moving over his face.

            Derek put his hand on hers. “Don’t worry about it.  Time heals all wounds.”  After a few moments Derek took his hand away.  “So, what are you doing tonight?” Derek asked.

            “Nothing much,” Cora said.  “I thought maybe a holo-novel or something, but nothing big.”

            “Well, how about dinner and a game of 3-D chess?  Do you know how to play?”  Derek asked.

            “I know a little about it,” she answered.

            “Well, don’t worry, I’ll teach you, but first, let us get something to eat,” Derek said.  They stood and walked over to one of the dinning tables where the got something to eat.

 

            Derek walked into his quarters late that evening.  He sighed, a long, slow sigh.  What and evening he had.  He liked Cora a lot and had made plans with her to see her again tomorrow after their shift.  He took a quick sonic shower and was in the bed in no time.  That night he saw Brad and Whitney walk into the Officers Lounge again, arm in arm.  Jealousy washed over him again.  It awoke him, and the feeling was gone.  The computer noticed his stirring and turned on the lights. 

            The lights blinded him.  “Lights half,” he ordered.  He couldn’t understand it; it was like he was jealous at one moment and fine at the next.  What’s going on with me!

 

            Captain Morgan Bateson stepped onto the bridge.  There were only a few officers on the bridge, one at the helm, one at opps, and one sitting in the command chair.  When the turbolift doors had opened, all three of them turned to see who it was.  The one sitting in the command chair stood and sat in the first officer’s chair.  Bateson sat down and said in almost a mad-like voice, “Turn us around, we’re heading back for Qo’noS.”

            The three of them turned to look at their captain.  “But sir,” the one sitting in the first officer’s chair said, “we don’t have authorization from either Starfleet or from the Klingon government.”

            Bateson face twisted to pure madness as he turned to look at the young officer.  “ARE YOU QUESTIONING MY ORDERS!?! I ORDERED US TO TURN AROUND; WE’RE GOING BACK TO Qo’noS! NOW!”

            “Aye, sir,” the officer at the helm said.  He was so nervous by Bateson shouting that he turned it hard causing the ship to buckle back towards Qo’noS.

 

            Derek was still asleep when Bateson had stepped onto the bridge.  When the officer at the helm threw the ship hard around Derek was flung out of the bed.  Derek pulled on his uniform and was running to the turbolift within seconds of being thrown to the floor.  Once he was inside he ordered, “Bridge.”  When he stepped off of the turbolift he found Captain Bateson holding off two security officers with a phaser.

            “What’s going on?” Derek asked.

            “We got a security alert that said that the Captain had gone mad, and they weren’t kidding,” one of the security officers said.

            “Captain Bateson,” Derek said.  “Captain Bateson drop the phaser.  You don’t want to hurt anyone.”

            When Bateson turned and looked at Derek it wasn’t the wise face that Derek had grown accustomed too.  Instead, he met the face of a madman.  Bateson shouted in a mad voice, “What makes you think I don’t want to hurt someone.  We’re going back to Qo’noS and that’s final!”

            “Captain, drop your phaser or I will fire on you,” a voice said behind him walking from the conference room.  It was Commander Bush.  He stood behind the captain phaser drawn.  Bateson made no movie to drop his phaser, so Bush fired on him.  Bateson groaned and hit the floor.

            Bush tapped his communicator.  “Bush to Doctor Hayter, please report to the bridge.”  Bush waited a few moments, but nothing came. Again he tried, “Bush to Doctor Hayter, please report to the bridge at once.”

            There was a yawn on the other end then he said in a sleepy voice, “Aye, sir.  I’ll be there in a moment.”

            Minutes later Doctor Karl Hayter stepped out of the turbolift and onto the bridge.  He immediately kneeled down at the Captains side.  “Who shot him in the back?” Hayter asked noticing the phaser burn.

            “I did,” Bush said.  “He was acting like a madman, he had a phaser on those two security officers.  Put a tranquilizer into him to keep him calm until you can find out what’s wrong with him.”

            The Doctor did so and took him to sickbay with the help of the security officers.  Once they had left Bush took over as Captain of the Bozeman. He walked down to the command chair.  “Put us back on our original course,” he ordered. 

            Once the Bozeman was back on course he tapped a button on his chair and said, “I would just like to say that everything is ok and not to worry about our little incident, you may go back to your routines.”

 

            Bush walked down the hall way and into sickbay.  “How is he Doctor?” he asked upon his arrival.

            “Still unconscious. I haven’t been able to find out why he acted like a madman.  It could have been from any number of reasons,” Hayter said.  He stood over his patient with a tricorder staring at the readouts.  “It will soon be time to give him another tranquilizer or he’ll wake up.”

            “Very well.  Until we can find a cure, you’ll have to keep that stuff in him and a couple of security officers on duty to watch over him,” Bush ordered.

            “Aye, sir,” Hayter said.

 

            Doctor Hayter was performing yet another scan on his patient when he found something he hadn’t noticed before until then.  He found traces of pollen in his nose from a Klingon flower that if you smell it, it will make you go mad.  “Hmm,” the doctor said to himself. “Gottca.” 

            He walked over to his computer and accessed all information on the flower.  After reading a few paragraphs he found the antidote.  He tapped his communicator.  “Hayter to Commander Bush.”

            “Go ahead Doctor,” Bush said.

            “Sir, I have found a cure for Captain Bateson’s madness, but it means going back to Qo’noS,” Hayter said.

            There was a pause.  “Are you positive there isn’t another cure?”

            “As positive as the computer system can be, Commander,” Doctor Hayter said.

            “Very well.  I’ll be down in a moment to see what the cure is.  In the meantime I’ll ask the Klingon High Command for passage through the Neutral Zone, Bush out.”

           

            Bush stood after his conversation from Doctor Hayter.  He looked at Derek and said, “Mr. Kestner, are we close enough to Qo’noS to contact the High Command?”

            After a few moments of Derek starring at his consol said, “We are within range, Commander.”

            “Very well.  Wizz, contact the High Command and put it on screen,” Bush ordered.

            “Aye, sir,” Dayton said.  A few moments later he said, “I have Chancellor Martok on screen, Commander.”

            Bush turned to face the forward viewer.  The star field quickly changed to Chancellor Martok’s features.  “Who are you?” the Chancellor growled.

            “I am Commander Gabriel Bush of the U.S.S. Bozeman,” Bush said.

            The Chancellor eyed the Commander then asked, “Where is Bateson?”

            “He is in sickbay right now.  It seems he came in contact with a flower on your home world and it has made him mad,” Bush said.

            Martok nodded.  “I know of the flower you speak of.  Now you want to ask us to return to Qo’noS for the antidote flower…correct?”

            “Correct, Chancellor.  We were hoping you would let us travel through the Neutral Zone once more for the antidote?” Bush asked.

            Martok thought for a moment, then nodded.  “You helped us, so it is only right for us to help you.  You have my permission to pass the Neutral Zone.” 

            “Thank you, Chancellor.  We’ll be there in a few hours.  Bozeman out.”  Bush then stood and walked toward the turbolift.  He ordered it to take him to the sickbay.  Seconds later he was stepping through the turbolift doors and walking down the corridor to the sickbay. 

            When he had stepped in he said, “Doctor?”

            “I’m in my office, Commander,” Dr. Hayter said.

            Bush walked through sickbay to the Doctors office.  Dr. Hayter was bent over his computer consol.  “Here it is commander, the antidote for the Captains madness. It is a small plant the Klingon’s call Kat’weh.  I can make the antidote here,” the Doctor explained.

            “We’ll be at Qo’noS in a couple of hours, we should be able to find it,” Bateson told Hayter.  “Don’t let the Captain wake up until we get back and you can make the antidote.”

            “Yes, sir,” Hayter said.  “Although I’m not real sure how long I can keep him under.  We have a limited supply of tranquilizer.”

            “Just keep him out as long as you can,” Bush ordered.  He turned and walked out of the room.

 

            Hours later the Bozeman had arrived in orbit around Qo’noS.  Bush sat in the command chair.  He ordered, “Andy, put us in a standard orbit.”

            “Aye, Commander,” Welch said.

            “Mr. Kestner, Mrs. Foreman and Mr. Foreman, join me.  We will be looking for the Klingon flower called Kat’weh.  We must find it if we ever are to hope that Captain Bateson will ever have his mind again,” Bush said.   The four of them stood and made their way toward the turbolift.  It quickly took them to the transporter room; they were then transported to the planet.

 

            It was only the second time that Derek had ever been to Qo’noS.  It was a planet that less than seventy years ago was a hostile planet to the Federation.  Now the Klingon’s were Federation Allies.  His pace quickened as he followed his Klingon guide to a fertile patch of Kat’weh flowers.  It wasn’t long until they had arrived at a clearing in the forest that they found the golden-pedaled flower.

            Bateson tapped his communicator.  “Bush to Dr. Hayter.”

            “Yes, Commander,” Dr. Hayter said over the communications link.

            “How many flowers do you require to make the antidote?” Bush asked.

            There was a pause.  Then the Doctor said, “I will require two flowers, Commander.”

            “Very well, Bush out.”  He then turned to Derek and said, “Commander Kestner, I believe this is your field.”

            Derek nodded.  He bent down and picked two of the flowers.  “These should do fine, sir.”

            “Very well.”  Bush pressed his communicator again then said, “Bush to Bozeman, four to beam up.”  The quickly disappeared into the transporter beam.

 

            Back on the Bozeman, Bush sent Derek to give the flowers to the bridge while he, Brad, and Whitney returned to the bridge.  Once Bush was on the bridge and sitting in the center chair he said, “Wizz, hail Chancellor Martok.”

            “Aye, sir,” Dayton said.  Minutes later he said, “I have him on screen, sir.”

            “On screen.”  Once again, the star field melted away and was replaced by the features of Chancellor Martok.  “Chancellor, I would like to thank you for your help in this matter,” Bush said in his most diplomatic voice.

            “No need of thanks, Mr. Bush.  You did us a big favor with our water systems.  It would not have been honorable to turn you away when your captain was sick,” Martok growled.

            “Well, it was deeply appreciated,” Bush said.

             “You are welcome,” Martok said.

            “Bozeman out.”

 

            Three hours later the turbolift doors opened on the bridge.  Everyone turned to see Captain Morgan Bateson walk through the door.  Bush stood.  “It’s good to see you well, sir.”

            “Well, I have felt better, but at least I’m not mad anymore,” Bateson said.

            “It’s good to have you back on the bridge, Captain,” Dayton said. 

            “It’s good to be back Mr. Dayton, it’s good to be back,” Bateson said.  “Commander Kestner, set course for Starbase 85, warp two.”

 

The

           End