STARFIGHTER! The Iconoclasts

Chapter 1

 By: Tom Sczepkowski

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

Copyrights: STAR TREK is (c) 2004 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. STAR BLAZERS is (c) 2004 by Voyager International, and, STAR WARS is (c) 2004 by Lucasfilm, Ltd. GARGOYLES is (c) 2004 by Disney Entertainment. All original elements of this tale are (c) 2004 by Tom Sczepkowski. All rights reserved, not to be copied without the author's permission.  

It was a sunny cool day in San Francisco as Starfleet Admiral Creighton Dantes stepped off the Federation shuttlecraft. The weather was considerably different a half hour ago when he left Trenton. He thought about how humid it was when he left…However other pressing thoughts shortly consumed his mind.

 It had been almost a year since his last visit; for it was never in his business to visit there.

 Still, he always loved San Francisco and closed his eyes for a moment to take in the cool Pacific breeze before walking into the Main Complex. It hadn’t changed much over the years and Creighton remembered as if it was yesterday when the place was built.

 That was over 200 years ago. And next week Dantes was celebrating his 400^th birthday.

 The six foot-eight inch half gargoyle/half human made his way by as the cadets snapped to attention at his approach. He felt uneasy; especially with the news he had just received by his granddaughter. Then Upon learning that his Son (Her Father) was on a classified away mission for the Starfleet Marines he was the only one around to try and get answers.

What possible classified mission could Vaught be on for the Marines? Creighton asked himself. He’s a College professor for Christ sakes.

However Creighton knew that his son was Supposedly Semi retired from the Marines after the battle of Wolf 359 he would still go on missions from time to time. His son Possessed the  knowledge of the “living Force” It made him a very major threat for those who would attempt to disrupt Federation interests, Along with his Daughter who also possessed the power was an up-and-coming officer within the ranks of the Marines Following along in her father’s Footsteps.

Creighton himself did not possess the power of the Force, Nor did his wife. He hated the thought of that. He then quickly drove the thought from his mind. Then, as he came upon a receptionists' desk the young ensign snapped to attention the moment he saw Creighton...along with the rest of the room.

 “Relax, please.” Dantes said with his soft spoken Gentlemanly Virginia Southern accent. “Is he free?”

 “He is just finishing up with Admiral Nechayev.” The Ensign said “It shouldn’t be too long, Admiral.”

“Did you say Nechayev?” Creighton asked

“Yes Admiral.”

“Was she by herself?”

“Yes her usual escort was not with her today.” 

Creighton smiled and went to sit in the waiting room reading over the message again that caused so much controversy within his family the Last couple of days……

  He read over every word dismayed by what it said. The more he read it the more confused he became, welcoming the interruption from the Ensign.

“The Ambassador will see you now,” the ensign said. Creighton walked slowly into the fairly large office where it appeared he walked into a meeting in progress. Creighton recognized and nodded in greeting to the woman that he recognized as Admiral Nechayev but addressed himself in a more formal manner to the person sitting behind a large round conference table. Creighton raised his hand in a split finger gesture as the man behind the conference table stood. 

“Live long and prosper, Ambassador Spock,” Creighton said.

 Spock nodded, returning the gesture. “Live long and prosper, Creighton Dantes and welcome.” Spock said, “I believe you already know Admiral Nechayev?”

 “I do; I did some work with the Admiral, Ambassador.” 

 “Yes, the Cosmo DNA Project...If I remember correctly.” Spock said.  “A very remarkable piece of engineering; you are to be commended.” Spock gestured Creighton over to the seat behind him. "Please sit down, Admiral Dantes."

“How do you know about it, Ambassador?”

“A planet was recently in need of it.” Nechayev said  

“I never knew you even used it.” Creighton said as he sat down.  “Conditions would have to pretty bad for you to even use the device, such as  right after a radiological war…. What planet met the conditions for the unit to be used?”

 Spock and Nechayev looked at each other. One of Spock's arched eyebrows went up at the question, and the half Vulcan/half human shook his head slightly. Admiral Nechayev nodded at Spock. She then turned back to Creighton with a tight, icy smile on her lips

 “I’m sorry Admiral... that’s highly classified information that I can't reveal to you,” she said.

 “Of course... after all I only designed the thing.” Creighton said sarcastically.

 Ambassador Spock cleared his throat.

 “I’m hoping that you can further assist us on some matters in spite of the fact that the Federation cannot reveal all its intentions right away, just as a player of the game of poker cannot reveal his hand.” said the Vulcan. 

 “I thought you played chess.” Creighton said

 Spock nodded at the Admiral and put his hands together in a sort of steeple; a typical Vulcan gesture he used a great deal.

“As you know, my work on Romulus was deeply important to me. However new developments have forced my return before the time that I desired to return. I am not here to joke or bandy language, Admiral Dantes.”

“Then I pissed you off?" said Creighton.

 "I have no ego to bruise, Admiral," said Spock. "Your presence here is as important as mine."

 Creighton glanced at Nechayev.

“Okay, then. How does this involve me?”

Nechayev took out a data pad and glanced at it. Then, she put it down on the desk and looked at Dantes.

“What was the project that you were working on before we approached you for the Cosmo-DNA?”

Creighton cracked an evil smile. “I’m sorry Admiral, that’s classified information.”

Nechayev Nodded “Don’t Mess with me we know about Project Inferno  ...damn it...this is serious, Admiral Dantes!”

“So is this!” Creighton said Tossing a datapad on a Table. “That’s what I’ve been working on the past three Days!” “That is a Message from “Queen Starsha of Iscandar.”

Nechayev read through the datapad. At that, her eyes grew wide. For a moment they seemed to well with tears. However she quickly gained her composure.

“How is Your Granddaughter taking this?”

“She’s confused.” Creighton said “As we all are! Does Vaught know about this?”

“No Not yet, You’re son is on a mission.” Nechayev trembled, holding the Datapad with Both her hands.

“Well when he gets back he’s going to want answers.” Creighton said

“Lysis!” Nechayev muttered

Spock merely raised an eyebrow at Nechayev's outburst.

“That’s very interesting.” Creighton said

“What is?” Spock asked

“My wife just received a call from an “Admiral” Lysis regarding the whereabouts of my son.” 

“What did she tell him?” Nechayev asked

“She didn’t know!” Creighton said “And neither do I and I came here to find out, and instead you’re asking me questions about Inferno!”

“I need to know about it.” Nechayev said  

“Admiral,” Creighton said calmly than paused for a second and leaned back into the chair then his eyes widened as he chuckled to himself as he stood up and walked over to the window and looked out across San Francisco Bay. “You kept it. You didn’t destroy the prototype.”

 Nechayev shook her head. “Admiral...that's...”

 “Look, don’t tell me it’s classified!” Creighton shouted. “You’re dealing with a very dangerous toy that could reshape the balance of power in this galaxy if it falls into the wrong hands!”

 “Admiral Dantes," Spock interjected. "Perhaps I can be helpful if I knew precisely what this Inferno project was.”

 Creighton nodded. "Thank you, Ambassador. After the last Borg attack I was approached by Starfleet Command to create a superiority fighter called Inferno to deal with such emergencies. There specifications called for something with sleek lines ...and she had to be fast.”

 Nechayev handed Spock a data pad, which had a picture of Inferno.

“Fascinating; I’ve seen this type of fighter before,” Spock said.

“I’m sure you have.” Creighton said “I based the design of the fuselage on an old 20^th century Fighter design."

“Captain John Christopher.” Spock said quietly as he looked at the picture. "You based the Fuselage on the 20^th Century Lockheed F-104C." 

“Your knowledge of old airframes is impressive, Ambassador Spock.” Creighton commented. “If you look at the design of the F-104C, it solved certain issues. The F-104 was small, sleek, very fast, If you take the basic design and bring it to today’s technology and materials you have an effective craft. This is a very special star-fighter; its maximum speed is Warp 9.98 Possibly Warp 9.999. Further, that's no short-term burst speed...she's able to maintain that speed for extended runs."

"So I see," said Spock.

 "Actually, Ambassador, it was your experience with Captain John Christopher that inspired my design. However, Admiral Nechayev, I was made to understand when Calix IV fell to the Tholians the prototype was destroyed before the base was evacuated.” Creighton said

 “That’s what our intelligence reported.” Nechayev said.  “But I stand here before you today to tell you…. they were wrong. The Tholians somehow got their hands on it and are very close to having discovered how the fighter works. "

Creighton sighed.  “Damn. The President denied the existence of such a spacecraft to the Federation Council and the Romulan Empire. If anyone found out what we were testing ...well then, the Jem Haddar and the Dominion would suddenly become the least of our problems…We have to get that plane back!”

 “What is it that makes the ship such a threat?" Spock asked.

 Creighton snorted, “Just a metaphysical cloaking device that holds a thirty second charge and allows the craft to pass through solid objects and fire at the same time….Thirty seconds can do a lot of damage….that and it’s speed and Armament could rival some of our best Starships."

 “Indeed,” Spock said looking at Nechayev

 "Also, there was a revolutionary new computer system installed on her. With a thought guided and thought controlled weapons system,” Creighton added

 Nechayev grumbled.

"That would give the pilot a two second advantage.” Nechayev said “if they were able to mass produce it…That’s why we've sent someone in to get her back.”

 “You can’t beam the Inferno out,” Creighton said. “Her fuselage is comprised of Flextrin which interferes with a transporter lock….You’d have to fly her out and there are not too many people capable of flying such a high performance craft.”

 "You don't seem to realize I spoke in the past tense. We have already sent someone in to get her back out.” Nechayev said with a deadly, clipped emphasis on her words.

 “Well let’s hope you get her out.” Creighton said. “Because if you don’t, and if the Tholians can figure out Inferno, we’re going to be kissing ass in the Assembly for the remainder of this war.”

 There was silence in the room as Creighton looked out the window again. A moment later, a cold sweat came over him and a knot formed in his stomach.

 “Who did you send in for her?” Creighton said

 I sent my Right hand man in.” Nechayev said.

“Vaught.”

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later, Spock and Creighton walked along the Starfleet Academy parade grounds. Spock felt it would be more productive to talk to Creighton alone without Nechayev constantly trying to bait him.

“What was in that message that seemed to upset Nechayev so much?” Spock said

 Creighton handed Spock his data pad that contained the distressing message on it. “This message was transmitted to my granddaughter at the Marine Base on Deneva. It was, however, addressed to Vaught When it was Decoded the Base commander thought it was a good idea to Contact My granddaughter.”

 Spock read the data pad and raised an eyebrow “Creighton I am sorry at your loss… I wasn’t aware Queen Starsha sent this message.”

 “I see nothing fascinating in the fact that “Queen” Starsha is writing to Vaught telling him of the death of Astra his ex-wife and my granddaughter’s mother.”

 “I Knew Princess Astra; she was Queen Starsha’s younger sister.”  Spock said, “How is your granddaughter Starsha taking it?”

 “I didn’t know anything about A Queen Starsha…which... well... made it more confusing.”

 “Logical,” Spock said. “Princess Astra was quite devoted to her older sister and Humans as well as Iscandarians hold the same high level of emotions.”

 Admiral Dantes stopped walking

 “Iscandarian.... that’s what Astra was…. Iscandarian meaning that she hailed from a planet called Iscandar.”

 “Quite correct, Admiral,” Spock said

 “Except that the place doesn’t bloody exist!” Creighton said, “There is no planet or system called Iscandar! It’s neither in the Federation database nor the Klingons' Kran'Tal database. I was creeping around this planet ever since Kahn Singh was a dictator! I would know if there was a planet called Iscandar…and there damn well isn’t…..I always thought she was human at least that’s what they Told Us.”

 There was a brief silence as the wind picked up slightly. Spock kept his stone logical face.

 “According to the message Astra was killed was killed when her ship was attacked and crashed on Mars I checked, no ship has crashed on Mars in over ten years…What is this message!?”

 “Iscandar doesn’t exist, Creighton.” Spock said, “Yet it does exist.”

 “And Astra’s ship didn’t crash on Mars…yet it did.”

 “Precisely,” Spock said. "It is, and yet, it is not. Just like the ISS Enterprise is, and is not."

 Creighton nodded angrily at Spock. Then, he shook his head and threw the data pad over the cliff and into the bay out of frustration.

 “Y’all are mad.” Creighton snapped as Spock again raised an eyebrow at him. “It's bad enough we have half a galaxy wanting to exterminate us…but we have to stick our noses into other damned Dimensional Planes as well?”

 “I’m afraid the Prime Directive was violated.” Spock said.

 Creighton snapped, “Are you kidding me? The Prime Directive was violated? “Look at the way y’all just been pissin' on it!...How did you get involved in this?”

“I think that there was a lot I wasn’t told and much more that isn’t known.” Spock said “What we do know is that Iscandar was in an alternate reality but it was a reality that did nor resemble anything from our own universe not planets, people, everything was different, There was an Earth but it’s history was so dramatically different than ours. In their Year of 2199 Earth was under severe attack Iscandar’s sister planet Gamilon. They covered the Earth with Radiological Bombs that they were unable to defend themselves with But on Iscandar there was a machine that could remove the radioactive pollution and Queen Starsha offered it to the people of Earth. 

“You know we have a machine Just Like that here.”  Creighton said

“It was the same machine that you built also in order to make the trip of 148,00 light years and back within one earth year you’re Plans for the Wave Motion Generator were sent to them I guess Princess Astra Volunteered as emissary.”

“They Built a Battlestar?” Creighton said

“I believe they call it a Space Battleship.” Spock said “I’ve seen Pictures of the ship…it looks like an old Surface Battleship from the Mid-20^th century.”

“Plans Called for either an Iowa class or a Yamato class design because of the large stern to house the engine and the high clipper bow to use what I called the Wave Motion Gun.”

“I believe they used the Yamato’s  design; the ship is called the Argo.”

 “How did we even come across these people?”  Creighton asked as he sat down on a park bench.

Spock sat down with him and sighed, "On stardate 5693.2, when I was the science officer aboard the Constitution class Starship Enterprise… we were ordered to an uncharted area of space to ascertain the whereabouts and material condition of the Starship Defiant.”

 Creighton nodded. “My old ship. I read about this…the Defiant was visible on the Enterprise's view screen, but your sensors read nada.”

 "Correct."

 “You beam over and find that the crew killed each other due to madness caused by the area of space. Then, your Captain Kirk got stuck in an interphase and you have to hold your position. With the Tholians knocking on your door at the same time. You got your Captain back but Defiant was lost.”

 “Not quite. Somehow after a long disappearance in a different universe she somehow reappeared near Iscandar in the Great Magellenic Cloud in that universe, where it crashed. Where exactly we don’t know,” Spock said.  “But I know that a Marine was sent in to try and locate the ship.” Spock said

And that’s how my son meets the beautiful young princess. He was the  Said young princess dies while trying to get the Cosmo-DNA to earth.” Creighton said.  “You know back in the twentieth century they were making anime films with plots like these. Think I even have one or two of them around on data tapes.”

 Spock shook his head. “I wish this was a mere tale,” he said. "It was not.”   

Creighton looked at him and chuckled “Starfleet gave Iscandar the plans to my damn wave motion generator…damn it… do you know how long I’ve worked on that design!?”

 “Yes, I do, Creighton.” Spock said.  “We don’t know how Iscandar got the plans to The Wave motion Generator or the Cosmo DNA device itself.

 “I was working on that since the first Cardassian war…. My wife and I were held prisoner by the Cardassians…who tortured both of us to try and gain the secrets to that generator…..Have you ever thought it was Astra who Stole the plans in the first place?”  

“Perhaps.” Spock said “That is why we need to send a Ship out there. To find out and determine what happened.”

“You’re not going to be able to push this one under the carpet, Spock.” Vaught said “I have to go to Starfleet Operations…..and that means involving Admiral Destine.”

“Nechayev won’t like her Getting Involved.” Spock said

Then, Creighton let out a big sigh. There was a long pause, and then he spoke. “Sorry I've been so hard on ya. I was truly sorry to hear about Sarek's death.” Creighton said

 “Thank you.” Spock said.

“So what’s happening with Vaught?” “Why can’t anyone Contact him?” Creighton said.

 “He was successful in retrieving Inferno from the Tholians.” Spock said, “On the way back to rendezvous with the Enterprise, Starfleet ordered him to inspect the area of interspace where an artificial White Comet with an Orion warp signature entered.  That was the last time we heard from the Inferno, According to our calculations we believe that she has accidentally entered the gateway to this other dimension.”

“The one that has Iscandar.” 

Correct.” Spock said.

“The doorway works both ways, I assume. Unless you’re a Iscandarian, that is. All their doors seem one way.”

 “Yes, he can get back. However I fail to understand your logic in your arguments regarding Iscandar,” Spock said.

 “I’ve already lost one daughter.” Creighton said looking at the evening sky.  “I don’t want to lose my son, as well.”

 At that, Spock simply nodded, "A logical concern, Admiral."

Creighton Got up and walked away.

A few Seconds later Nechayev walked over and sat down.

“The information on Astra’s Death is over a year old, and you have already eliminated the Starfleet Officers involved in the Conspiracy. why were you unable to restrain you’re emotions?” Spock said

“I didn’t know Queen Starsha would Find out.” Nechayev said “Someone on board the Argo  must have told her….and her heart was broken.”

“Gamalon is in Shambles.” Spock said “And Vaught’s Family already knows when he finds out-“

“He’s going to do something about it.” Nechayev said “There may be an opportunity here….to catch Lysis with his pants down.”

“Specifics Admiral.”

“Right now Creighton thinks that Astra stole those designs.” Nechayev said

“She didn’t.” Spock said “You gave them to Iscandar.”

“But only you and I know that and why.” Nechayev Said “If Starfleet thinks that the Technology was stolen like you said they’ll investigate. And if I can make them believe that I am Bent on Destroying Iscandar under General order 24 Lysis might make a move to the Gamilon population living there. That’s where we can take him!”

“Why not just arrest him here?” Spock said

“He knows the Force for one.” Nechayev said “What Vaught gone that only leaves his daughter, and I have to separate the two.”

“What if you are forced to perform General order 24?” Spock asked

“Creighton or Destine will have fired me by then.” Nechayev said

“What if Starsha Corsair decides to go along with the Expedition to Iscandar that you’re planning?” Spock said

“I’m counting on it!” Nechayev said “She’ll be too protected and she won’t be able to operate on her own. They’ll all be worried that I’m going to replace Vaught for her.”

Spock raised an eyebrow.

“It is not logical that you are willing to be rolled as the Villain.” Spock said

“Isn’t it?” Nechayev asked “You know how much I owe Vaught? And how much he has suffered for me? I owe him and I owe his Family and I’m going to make this come out right!”

End Chapter 1.

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TO BE CONTINUED....

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