Nova’s Choice

 

Chapter 18 of Starfighter! The Iconoclast

 

By: Tom Sczepkowski

 

With editing and clean-up by: Frederick P. Kopetz                                                                   

 

Copyrights: STAR TREK is © 2004 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. STAR BLAZERS is © 2004 by Voyager International, and, STAR WARS is © 2004 by Lucasfilm, Ltd. GARGOYLES is © 2004 by Disney Entertainment. The Technomugar Empire is © 2004 by Frederick P. Kopetz and is mentioned here by the author's permission. All original elements of this tale are © 2004 by Tom Sczepkowski. All rights reserved, not to be copied without the author's permission.  


Nova Forrester happened to be military personnel and in uniform, so she was allowed onto the fighter base without being questioned as to what her business was. The guards probably thought she was coming to work at the airbase clinic. Where she had to go however would arouse suspicion and if she were caught she would be a great deal of trouble, more trouble than what she could handle, as a matter of fact.

She remembered that there was a jogging trail that passed very close to the secure hangars, having jogged there recently with Derek at one point during his leave. However, her current dress, namely a white nurses’ uniform/minidress with knee-high high-heeled boots would be totally inappropriate for a jogging track. So here first destination was the P/X where she bought shorts, sneakers, socks, an EDF sweatshirt, and a hair tie to keep her hair from falling into her face. She quickly changed in the women’s head, discarding her medical uniform in the trash and then she began her run.

She ran across the street past the tarmac where she passed two guards whom she waved to as they too looked at her toned legs. As she ran by them, they smiled, assuming she was out for a jog along the trail.

She ran smoothly and steadily until she came upon the trail. When she knew no one was watching she began to run harder. Then once she was in the thick of the trail, she ran even harder. Her anger and frustration at Derek and Sane were in control of her now. Nova growled and grunted at each breath as her feet slammed on the ground as she jumped over small obstacles.

She slid to a stop when the two abandoned hangars came into view stretching across the ground like haunted houses. Nova panted hard as she looked to her left then to her right. Then, she bolted across the open field, hoping no one would see her. She slipped in a small mud patch as she slid to a stop when she crashed against the side of the hangar.

“Smooth. Real smooth!” she said in disgust. She looked down at herself, now covered in mud, and also realized that she had just re-injured her ankle,

The buildings themselves were in a state of disrepair. They were locked, but Nova found the door leading inside was partially off its hinges and she was just able to slip through.

She was still breathing heavily as she limped her way through the hanger. Inside, she came across a slop sink. She saw that it had water still running to it so she wiped her face clean of mud and re-tied her hair. She walked slowly and carefully to the main part of the hanger. Her eyes adjusted to what little light there was in the hanger from outside lighting as she saw small pieces of metal, most of which and been bagged and had tags on them.

Nova knew the ship itself had been obliterated when it crashed on Mars almost two years ago as she looked at the many pieces of the ship, scattered along the floor.  She knew from what had been explained to her that there was an escape pod of sorts that landed intact. She felt whatever answers she would find would be there.

Nova looked around the hangar and there, leaning against a wall, was the escape pod that she was looking for. She walked to it slowly as she noticed that the main hatch was off its hinges, almost as if it was ripped off from the outside.

She studied it as she approached it than stood and looked at it for a few minutes. It was totally alien in configuration like nothing she had ever seen. She heard from her stories from Sandor that the pod was intact however they could never get the systems to come on or work.

After conjuring up enough nerve, Nova stuck her head into the pod and as soon as she did the lights came on. This was followed by a small whirring sound. This caused Nova to become startled as she let out a small yelp and fell on her bottom on the hangar floor. As she did, the lights had shut off as quickly as they came on and the capsule returned to its dormant state.

Nova slowly got to her feet and cautiously approached the pod again and as before the pod came to life. This time Nova did not jump back; instead, she entered the pod and sat in the one small chair that was in its center.

Directly in front of her was a small monitor along with a keypad built into the console. As soon as Nova touched it, a monitor in the center of the escape pod came on.

“Authority Recognized, Princess Astra Corsair”,  said the computer in a wobbly and malfunctioning voice.

Nova shook her head and laughed to herself, since for two years Earth’s best scientists couldn’t crack the computer’s password protection and just like everyone else, this complex, secure advanced, and malfunctioning device also mistook Nova for Princess Astra.

Nova climbed inside and sat in the chair as the computer beeped and chirped slowly.

“What are you?” Nova said.

A moment later, the computer beeped and replied to her question. “This is the secondary computer core to Runabout Raritan NCC-94287.”

“Runabout Raritan?” Nova asked to herself. By way of reply, the computer beeped again and displayed more information; namely, a graphic.

N

The voice added, “The Raritan is a Danube class Runabout”

Nova leaned forward and studied the picture, “Danube Class, interesting.” Nova said to herself. “Nothing like the Danube Class destroyer my Uncle Hiram commands.”

“Lets see.” Nova said “I wonder…is this ship Iscandarian?’

“Negative; ship’s construction was on Star Date 70403.6 Utopia Planita shipyards Earth Division, Snohomish County, Everett, Washington.”

Nova cleared her throat in surprise not knowing that the computer could hear her muttering and decided to continue, “Uhhh…who is the owner of this spacecraft?”

“This spacecraft is registered to The United Federation of Planets, Starfleet Command, San Francisco, California, and is currently on lease to the Vulcan Embassy division of Diplomatic Transport: personal transport to Ambassador Spock.”

“Are there any logs or flight recordings of previous flight?”

“Negative. All Logs and flight recorders are not present in the on board database,” The computer replied.

“Meaning they were removed or erased?” Nova asked.

“Unknown.”

“I’m getting nowhere fast,” Nova muttered to herself. “It says it’s from Earth. Yet it was on its way to Earth from Iscandar…Yet Astra is from Iscandar…Unless….”

“Hello?” Nova asked.

“Working,” the computer replied.

“Do you have any information on a Device called the Cosmo DNA?”

“Positive. The Cosmo DNA is a device which attracts, filters, and removes radioactive isotopes from contaminated atmosphere by using the affected planet’s magnetic field.”

“Who built the unit?”

“The unit was designed and built by Admiral Doctor Creighton Dantes; director Bureau of Starfleet Engineers, Detroit Michigan.”

“Oh come on!” Nova shouted. “That’s ridiculous! Are you telling me that the Cosmo DNA was built in Detroit?”

“Negative.”  The computer replied.

Nova sighed with relief when the computer beeped more information

“All components to the Cosmo DNA were constructed and packaged in Linden, New Jersey.”

“What? Oh, that’s…just too bizarre! May I see an image of it…..Please?”

The computer beeped then Nova shuddered when she saw the image appear on the monitor. She recognized the device well, having almost died when she had operated it during the Argo’s return to Earth from Iscandar when Desslok had attacked the ship.

“Now what do I do?” Nova said to herself “It’s the same thing…it couldn’t be built here…Obviously. And Iscandar couldn’t get it to Earth….We had to go….there….so? May I see all information on a Vaught Corsair, please?

The computer beeped again, as Nova looked at the monitor with a comical look and sighed heavily

Chance-Vought F4U Corsair 
Vought F4U-1 & F4U-2 Corsair

Primary Role: Carrier borne Fighter 

 

Engine: F4U-One 18cyllinder Pratt&Whitney Double Wasp R-2800-8 radial engine 2,000 HP

Wing Span: Length: Height: Wing Area  F4U-
Wingspan 41 ft 12.50 m 
Length33.3 ft  10.16 m 
Height16 ft  4.90 m 
Wing area 314 sq ft  29.17 sq m

“No…” Nova shouted “Stop! I don’t wanna know about the old naval fighter! I want the person!”

Please State your…comm…. commands.”

“Personnel Files, United Federation of Planets,” Nova said as the computer beeped in reply.

 Vaught Rockwell Corsair.”

There was slow beeping followed by a brief pause. Then, the screen filled with a blizzard of data.

Most Secret

Corsair, Vaught, Rockwell, DR.

 

Species:

 

Gargoyle (3/4) Human (1/4)

 

Place Of Birth :

 

Earth, Bayonne, New Jersey

Current Residence:

Deneva, Horiato River Region

Past Residence:

Telezart (Destroyed)

Betazed (Antares region)

Parents:

Father:

Admiral Creighton Dantes (Gargoyle/Human “Cloned”)

Starfleet Engineers

Mother:

Dr. Melesande Corsair (Gargoyle/Human “Cloned”)

Director United Federation of Planets Philharmonic Orchestra Lead Soprano Metropolitan Opera

Siblings:

Trelaina Corsair (Deceased)

Selar Corsair    (Adopted) (Vulcan) (Starfleet Medical Branch)

 

Grandparents of record

Father’s Side:

Admiral Dominique Destine (Gargoyle)

Starfleet Chief of operations

Blake Thomas Dantes

(Human, July 8, 1970-April 2, 2063)

Mother’s side:

Elisa Mazza (Human)

August 19,1969 - September 11, 2001

Goliath (Gargoyle DOB Unknown- September 11, 2001)

Direct Family:

Spouse:

Astra ? No other information provided

Offspring:

(1 Daughter) Corsair, Starsha, Trelaina (Sergeant, Starfleet Marines Ranger Division)

Military Record: Corsair, Vaught, Rockwell, DR.

Branch of Service: Starfleet Marines

Rank: Major

Service Tag Number: 591NYY

Current Assignment:

Starfleet Marines: Advisor to office of Admiral Anastasia Necheav

Assignments:

 

Chief of Staff to office of Admiral J.P. Hanson

Professor of History and ancient and contemporary

military battles Bowdin College.

Cryptography / Linguist Division Starfleet Marines

Profiler/ Tactical profiling (Starfleet Marines)

Test Pilot Starfleet Engineers

Education:     

The Julliard School. Earth, New York NY   

Jersey City State College Earth, New Jersey

Vulcan Academy of Science and Technology

Bowdoin College,  Earth, Brunswick, Maine

Certifications:

Doctorate Of Music. 

Doctorate of History    

Doctorate of Science

Doctorate tactical Engineering:

Doctorate Pre warp military engagements  

Doctorate Spatial engineering                                                                                 

Doctorate Warp Engineering and Design.

Combat Aggressor training

Alien Starship aggressor training

Sniper Training

Klingon Assassination Combat Procedures

Commendations:

Gold Star with Cluster

 

Battle of Wolf 359 citation

 

Federation Medal of Valor

Starfleet Medal of Honor

Vulcan Infinite Diversity Cluster

Klingon order of Kathlas

Key Notes:

Was first officer of USS Melbourne Under command of Admiral JP Hanson at the time of Wolf 359.  Was only survivor from said vessel

Suspected Section 31 Operative Assassination Division Suspected in over 237 political assassinations Of Off-world Political Figures and Military Personnel. Protected under Federation Laws 44.6 and 32.7 of the Secret Service Code. Rumored to have authority to disregard the Prime Directive without permission of the Federation Council.

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!! DO NOT APPROACH WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING Starfleet Command or THE FEDERATION COUNCIL!!!!!!!!

Nova chuckled softly to herself as she continued reading the file. A moment later, she started to read about his daughter Starsha. As Nova looked at the picture, she found her to be a mirror image to that of Starsha of Iscandar, but she was indeed an entirely different person based on her features which were not soft like that of Queen Starsha, but marked with far more sternness, or perhaps it was because of the dress Marine uniform she had on with the hard eyes of Vaught Corsair.

She read the adjoining files about the rest of Vaught’s family and found them all to be exceptional in the arts with the exception of Dominique “Demona” Destine, whom she realized Vaught must be very close to. When she felt she had read enough she shut off the monitor and walked gently out of the capsule where she saw Vaught walking around at the other end of the Hangar by the wreckage. He seemed to be wearing a black exo/flight suit of some sort as he looked up at her and nodded. 

“How did you know I was here?” Nova said.

“I witnessed your catlike grace in gaining access to the building.” “I was impressed in your ability to enact simultaneously the entire cast of the Three Stooges; i.e., Curly, Moe, and Larry.”

“This is an outrage! Iscandar never had the rights to offer the Cosmo DNA to us! The technology was stolen!”

“Misappropriated would be a safer term.” Vaught said.

“So you are from Earth….it’s just not this one.” Nova said “There is another Earth in another galaxy?”

“Another universe,” Vaught said “It is what they call a parallel universe.”

Nova looked at his face and tried to look at his eyes. She quickly and gently removed the dark glasses from his face as he let her. She gasped in fear when he saw his wolf-like eyes.

“Good God,” Nova said. “So, that’s why you relate to Humans in the third party…”

Vaught nodded. “On my Earth long ago, we had two dominant species. Unfortunately as history has many times repeated itself the humans hunted my people to the brink of extinction.”

“So your family is….called Gargoyle,” Nova said.

“That is our heritage we choose to embrace…yes,” Vaught said in a thoughtful voice.  

 “So, the Cosmo DNA and Wave Motion Engine….they’re what?” Nova asked.

“All Starfleet Designs, from that parallel universe. Perhaps in yet another parallel universe, they were actually created by Iscandar. Who knows?” Vaught said

“But here, they are your father’s designs?”  Nova said.

“Yes. My father’s designs,” Vaught repeated.

“Is that why you are here?” Nova asked silently.

“No.” Vaught said “But I know that your benefactor on Iscandar will have some explaining to do.”

“Then Sergeant Starsha Corsair .…..”

“Is Princess Astra’s and my Daughter.”

“Then Queen Starsha is her aunt?” Nova said

Vaught sighed heavily, and then nodded. “Yes. But I suppose I don’t know for how much longer…”

“What does that mean?” Nova said

“Like I said, she has a lot to answer for.”

“Vaught, she’s not what you think she is!”

“Right now, I don’t know what to think of any of you.” Vaught scolded. “Are you aware of the boneheaded stunt that your boyfriend Wildstar is going to attempt?”

“You encouraged him to do it, based on information you gave him!” Nova shouted back

“No. I advised him to wait for Captain Gideon,” Vaught said.

“Oh please!” Nova shouted “He and Gideon have been at each other’s throats since his days at the Academy. Derek was sent to his assignment in the hinterlands of Mars because of a huge blowup between the two.”

“Gideon would have listened to me,” Vaught said.

“Whatever!” Nova said in an exasperated, angry voice. “No one else seems to care what I think anyway. Everyone seems to think I’m some damn incompetent little girl. Well, I’m NOT!” Nova said as she started to walk out the door as Vaught quickly walked over to her.

“Do not blame me for how others perceive you,” Vaught said in a low tone “You know what the consequences are if everyone is wrong and this turns out to be nothing?”

“I won’t believe that, Vaught.” Nova said “You wouldn’t have given Derek that information unless you were sure! And Derek wouldn’t be doing what he was doing if he didn’t have confidence in what you were telling him…How you could leave him to sink or swim on his own at a time like this is beyond me! That is the most reprehensible thing I’ve ever heard of!”

“As well as him not taking you, right?” Vaught said

“That is a personal matter that I’ll take up with him,” Nova said. “That’s when you and I get up there.”

Vaught shook his head “I can’t, Nova!  If my government finds out abut this I could spend the rest of my life on Ceti Alpha V.”

“That doesn’t sound like a nice place,” Nova said.

“It’s where I solve a lot of their problems where I come from.” Vaught said

“Look, I know that if we’re wrong we are doing a foolish thing but if were not and there is danger, well, just I’ll take my chances of being a fool and let them send me to prison…or shoot me.” Nova said. 

“There’s that  term “We” again,” Vaught said. “Didn’t you hear what I said? I’m not going.”

“What?” Nova said with jaded sarcasm. “Yeah, right! You’re going to leave me in the Parking lot like some little child because it’s ‘too scary and dangerous for the dumb blonde?’ ”

Vaught growled to himself as Nova took a step back , since she knew she said too much and went too far with her temper.

 “Okay, Vaught. If we agree to go to the Argo …….”

“Again, my partner?” Vaught asked “If you could get to the Argo you are taking a big step into a larger world ; a world that you can’t come back from. Your career will be toast if you are caught. Your life may be forfeit.”

“I don’t care. My life has been changed since I switched on that machine a year ago,” Nova said “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

“The Cosmo DNA,” Vaught said “And you would trade your life for his so readily?”

“Well, it was for the good of the Star Force,” Nova said.

Vaught chuckled, “Your thoughts betray you Nova; even now your thoughts dwell on Derek Wildstar. And you would do anything to stand by his side, yes, even face death?”

“I love him, Vaught, even though, at the moment, I am royally pissed at him,” Nova said.  “Surely you can understand that, can’t you?”

Vaught made no reply as he turned and started to walk away exiting the hangar.

Outside it was now a deluge as a thunderstorm raged over head Nova followed after him outside as she grabbed his arm and with all her strength turned him to face her.

“You don’t understand do you?” Nova shouted “Do you even know what in God’s Name love is?”

Instantly they were both drenched; save for the portions of Vaught’s body covered by the exosuit. Vaught still made no answer to Nova’s question. He looked at her patiently; Nova could tell that he could see his daughter in her as she nodded.

“Now your thoughts betray you, Vaught,” Nova said. “You’re going to the Argo and I’m going with you!” she said as thunder crackled overhead. “But it is not just for Derek! Understood?” she cried.

Vaught stood silent for a second as he wiped water from his eyes when he realized what she was saying.

“Not for me!” Vaught said “I forbid it.”

“You’re my friend, damn you,” Nova said. “Like it or not. You are my friend. You can’t do this alone.”

Vaught stood silent for a moment then nodded his head.

 “Then…so be it,” Vaught said. As he extended his hand, Nova shook it.

Nova gripped his hand tightly “See, I’m not afraid!” she shouted as another thunderbolt crackled over head. Vaught cracked a sinister smile then gave a hauntingly loud laugh. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. As his words pierced through her harder than the rain, “You will be, Nova….You will be.”


Next Chapter: "Rebellion”

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