….The Next Move

 

Chapter 20 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.  


 

Wildstar just glared at the navigator’s station on the bridge of the Argo. Then, he looked at Sandor for a moment; Sandor just shrugged.

 

“Damnit…Venture,” Wildstar muttered as he sat down at the navigator’s console.

 

“I guess he isn’t coming then.” Sandor said

 

“Maybe he’s the smart one?” Wildstar said as he adjusted the controls.

 

“Without Mark Venture, the Argo doesn’t have an experienced Navigator-pilot, who is the most important member of the crew; particularly for what we’re doing.” Sandor said.

 

“Well I can’t exactly call the whole thing off, now, can I?!,” snapped Wildstar. “We’ll just make do ….That’s what we’ve always done in tight spots.”

 

The beeping of Homer’s communication panel interrupted him.

 

“It’s Stone?” Wildstar asked.

 

Homer nodded. “Yessir. He said the thirty minutes are up and wants to know what your answer is….”

 

“Tell him to take a flying…”

 

Wildstar caught himself mid-sentence as the entire bridge crew looked at him. He sighed heavily, letting the anger wash away from him as he glanced at Homer.

 

“All the section chiefs have reported in, Wildstar,” Homer added. “We’re ready.”

 

“Then you know what to tell General Stone, then.” Wildstar said.

 

“Aye, Aye, Captain,” said Homer. He smiled and started typing on the keyboard. The message was instantly received at Headquarters where Stone handed the sheet of paper to Singleton. The Commander did not need to read it. He knew Wildstar well enough to understand that he wouldn’t back down so easily, so he let out a heavy sigh and turned towards General Stone.

 

“All right Miguel, Shut ‘em down.” Singleton said.

 

Close all underwater locks!” Stone shouted. “Emergency alert condition three, All Lockdown!”

 

On the bridge they saw the huge doors to the undersea dock close.

 

“Right on time.” Sandor said as he tapped a keyboard.

 

“Can you override the doors?” Wildstar asked.

 

Sandor shook his head as he typed frantically. “Not necessary, Wildstar; I’m overriding the gantry system and the dock flooding system.” Wildstar then saw a rush of water start to pour into the dock through small access doors.

 

“Gantry system retracted; water in the launching dock, Orion.” Sandor said.

 

“Aye, water in the launching dock. We’re at twenty percent buoyancy; the ship is beginning to float.” Orion said

 

Wildstar Nodded. “Negative buoyancy, all ballast.”

 

“Negative buoyancy, all ballast.” Orion repeated as they began to go, incantation-like, through the launch checklist.

 

Homer turned to Wildstar, “Captain Wildstar; it’s General Singleton on the line.”

 

“Put him through.” Wildstar said as he got up from the navigator’s Console.

 

Wildstar met the Commander’s eyes as the image came through, and Singleton nodded. Rather then threatening and shouting, Singleton always took a different approach to leadership. He didn’t want to push Wildstar as Stone had.

 

“So, this is your decision?” Singleton asked.

 

“We do wish it was with your approval, Commander.” Wildstar said. “But we are leaving.”

 

“Once you leave this dock I’m going to have to hunt you down like a criminal, you know that.” Singleton said “But I am giving you a chance to recant, with no repercussions.”

 

“I am sorry for that.” Wildstar said. “But, our minds are made up.”

 

“Think about what you are doing,” Singleton said “When word of this gets out you will be in disgrace!”

 

“Water over the navigation bridge,” Sandor said. “Flooding complete.”

 

“Don’t you think I know that?!”  Wildstar snapped as he gestured Homer to end the transmission. Then, he sat back down in the navigators’ chair.

 

“Wildstar,” said Sandor quietly.

 

Derek just nodded.

 

“Should you assign a hand to the Cosmo Radar?” asked Orion.

 

Wildstar looked at the empty post where Nova usually sat. A welter of emotions ran through his mind. I wanted you safe, he thought. At least, you, out of all of us, have taken my advice, and you’ve stayed home. Good. At least you won’t be mixed up in this. Then, Wildstar said, “Negative. Eager, patch all scanning functions through your tactical radar board. You’ll have to do double duty, but we’re short of hands.”

 

“Yessir,” said Eager.

 

“Release the gantry locks.” Wildstar said.

 

“Activate gyro stabilizers accelerate slowly to 2.8 speed,” said a familiar voice behind him. Everyone had noticed Mark Venture walking onto the bridge except for Wildstar who was busy at the controls. Derek was about to accelerate when a hand gently tapped his wrist. Then, as Wildstar looked up and saw Venture’s smile, he smiled back.

 

“Why don’t you let me do that?” Venture said

 

“You do this shit to me on purpose, I know you do,” Wildstar said. 

 

“It’s a hobby of mine.” Venture said “Get outta my chair.”

 

Wildstar quickly vacated the navigator’s seat and sat down at his own seat at the weapons console next to Venture, as Mark made some quick adjustments.

 

“Besides,” Venture said, “According to that Doctor Strangelove that Nova keeps hanging out with, that distress call came from a woman…. Maybe I could get a date.”

 

“Auxiliary engines ready,” Orion said.

 

“I think we better be hitting the lock gates with power at six,” Venture said.

 

“Have fun.” Wildstar quipped.

 

“Regulations state engine speed at 1.5.” Eager said.

 

Sandor, Wildstar, and Venture all looked at him with a quizzical look. Eager just smiled and looked back at his station.

 

“Hit it!” Wildstar said as Venture flung the throttles forward…. There was a small whining sound as the engines fired accelerating the Argo towards the closed water locks at 4.0…5.0, 5.1.. Venture steadied the ship as it did not take very long for the Argo’s bow to make contact with the closed water lock door with a loud bang. The ship smashed all the way through the bulkhead ripping the heavy hatch in two pieces. Then, she headed through the hole out to the undersea world, leaving a whirlpool and a wrecked dock behind to mark where she had been….

 


 

Nova, who was now clean and dressed in a standard Starfleet uniform, walked back across the hangar floor to the Inferno. There,  Vaught was already in the cockpit. As Nova hurriedly climbed into the rear seat, Vaught put on his breathing mask and activated it. It made an ominous, deep breathing sound.

 

“What you are hearing now,” he said in what sounded like an ominous, threatening basso profundo, “is the voice modulator from my breathing apparatus. It augments my voice; don’t let it frighten you.”

 

The voice was something to fear, Nova observed, as was the mask and helmet. Vaught’s entire uniform, for that matter, made him something to fear, making him resemble a legendary lord of darkness. Nova simply nodded as Vaught turned back around and closed the canopy. It quickly became opaque, darkening the entire interior save for the small operating lights and switches. Then a display appeared on the canopy. Nova recognized it as a tactical display, and it was showing the position of the Argo.

 

“It is show time,” Vaught said as he started engaging Inferno’s systems.

 

Nova looked forward and saw that the hangar doors were still closed

 

“Damn.” She said “I forgot to open the hangar doors….”

 

While he was still going over his checklists and not missing a beat Vaught merely pointed to the hangar door control panel. Then, as the switch moved by itself , the mammoth hanger doors started to open.

 

“All too easy.” Vaught said. “Intermix set. Impulse power ready.”

 

“Impulse power?” Nova asked as Inferno’s engines roared to life and the canopy closed.

 

Vaught didn’t answer as he pulled back on the control stick and the Inferno lifted off and floated a few feet off the ground.

 

Nova’s eyes grew wide as she looked out the canopy “What about the runway?” she asked.

 

Vaught said nothing. Then, as he flipped a switch, loud rock music filled the small cockpit.

 

Red flash clouds choking out the morning sky
They said it'd never come, we knew it was a lie
All forms of life die now the humans all succumb
Time to kiss your ass goodbye the end has just begun….

 

“Yeah, good choice; that bus is looking real good right about now,” Nova muttered to herself.

 

Behind his mask, Vaught smiled and pushed forward on the throttle. A moment later,  Inferno shot out of the hanger like a Missile and immediately ascended to the heavens like a deranged angel of death. 

 

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” cried Nova, while the loud heavy metal rock music played on….

Distorted figures walk the street, it's 1989
Weeds once underneath your feet have grown into vines
Bodies melted like a candle, a land without a face
No time to change your fate, no time left, it's too late…

 

 

 

 

Singleton and Stone also were watching a tactical view screen as the Argo made her way through the depths of the ocean.

 

“Magnet missiles stand by to fire,” Stone said.

 

Stone turned back towards him “You’re going to de-fuse them first.” Singleton said.

 

“Like hell I am.” Stone replied. “At that depth, once the missiles attach and explode, they will crush that beat-up old hull like an empty beer can.”

 

“Our aim is not to destroy the Argo but to prevent them from taking off; if we can accomplish that I’ll be satisfied…..I’m sure you will be too,” Singleton said.

 

Stone turned to argue however saw the seriousness on Singleton’s face Stone reluctantly nodded as the four de-fused magnet missiles fired.

 


 

Nova had started getting used to Inferno’s sensor grid system. It was much more advanced then her radar system on the Argo.  The main feature that she was fascinated by was the ability to view objects in real time, just by getting a return signal.

 

Knowing that this was now a planet wide alert, Vaught kept the Inferno cloaked and in the cloud cover of one of the large thunderstorm clouds. He would take no chances as he handed control over to the computer. He removed his breathing apparatus and leaned back and closed his eyes in order to meditate while listening to the sound of the rain pelt against the canopy. However this was short lived when Nova exclaimed, “NO! They just fired four magnetic missiles at the Argo!”

 

“Easy.” Vaught said. “Scan the missiles and see if they’re armed; I highly doubt that they are.”

 

Nova watched as the four missiles spread towards the Argo. The Argo fired torpedoes from her bow, knocking out two of the missiles. However, the other two attached them to the aft bottom of the Argo; they did not explode.

 

“De-fused; how did you know?” Nova said.

 

“Command cannot afford to destroy the Argo, Nova.  At least not yet. They are going to try preventing them from taking off by weighing them down.”

 

“Will it work?” Nova asked.

 

“I don’t think so. Lieutenant Venture can compensate by adding more power to their takeoff rotation,” Vaught said, “What I’m concerned about what happens when they take off; that’s when things are going to get hairy.:

 

“Why?” Nova asked

 

“Right now General Singleton’s in command of the situation.” Vaught said. “He and the late Admiral Avatar were friends for years, they wrote the book on the Star Force. He recognizes their value and won’t want to destroy them.  However If his Chief of Staff General Stone is anywhere in the same hemisphere; the longer this drags out the more pressure Stone will put on Singleton to have their heads on a stake……That’s where we come in.”

 

Nova took in for a few moments what Vaught had said as she gave a sly smile. “The Star Force knows how to defend itself, Colonel. And besides how do you know any of this as fact?”

 

Vaught turned. “The real question is; how can you not see the facts so clear in front of you? Captain Wildstar will not fire on his own people. He may be radical but he’s not a murderer.”

 

“And you are?” Nova asked.

 

Vaught didn’t respond to her remark, as he turned back around, his breathing apparatus re-folded around him. Then, the heavy breathing sound resumed.

 

“The Argo should be surfacing sometime soon,Vaught said. “Until then, let’s hold our position.”

 


 

The Argo was climbing to the surface slowly as the bridge was anxiously about their pre flight checklists..

 

“Checklist; main.” Derek said as he and Venture both took out laminated clipboards.

 

“Sound off! Astro compass?” Wildstar said.

 

Venture looked behind him “Go Flight.”

 

“Boost pumps?” Derek said.

 

“Go Flight” Venture replied.

 

“Circuit Breakers?”

 

“Go Fight.”

 

“IRS?”

 

“Set To Nav.”

 

“Emergency Lights.”

 

“Armed.”

 

“Window Heat.”

 

“On.”

 

“Glide wings?”

 

“Set to Arm.”

 

“Glide wing anti ice?”

 

“On.”

 

“Mechanical, Nav one.” Venture said. “I also need weights and thrust solution.”

 

“Sending Nav one.” Sandor said.

 

“Did you take into account our excess baggage?” Venture said. “That is, the magnetic missiles?”

 

“About 20 percent extra thrust in your rotation roll, Nav 1,” Sandor said.

 

“Thanks.” Venture said.

 

“Engineering Give me a Go/no go for takeoff,” Wildstar said.

 

“Go Flight!” Orion said. 

 

“Comm.1 Give me a go/ No go for Takeoff.” Wildstar said.

 

“Go Flight.” Homer said.

 

“Nav 2, Radar 1, Give me a go No go for Takeoff.”

 

“Go Flight.” Eager said.

 

“Tac2 Give me a go/ No go for Takeoff”

 

“Go flight.” said Dash. 

 

“Wave motion engine emergency level at 90 percent,” Orion said.

 

“Flight, Surface in one minute.” Sandor said.

 

“Nav 1,  Wildstar said. Commence wave motion start checklist.”

 

Venture nodded as he took out another laminated card on a plastic clipboard.

 

“Engineering N-1 Rotator Fly Wheel.” Wildstar said.

                                               

Orion flipped two switches on his panel.  Then, he waited a few seconds, then nodded. “Go,” he added out loud.

 

“Wave motion throttle lock?”

 

Venture unfastened two clasps on the wave motion engine throttle.

 

“Removed.” Venture said “Throttle Hot.”

 

“Auxiliary engine to surface speed 460 knots.”  Wildstar said.

 

“4-6-0.” Venture said.

 

“Heading 240.” Wildstar said

 

“2-4-0.” Venture said. “N1 flywheel revolutions out of red zone ready to engage wave motion engine.”

 

“Engage N-2 Flywheel; transfer to internal main trunk-line power circuits; APU to ground and shut-down.” Wildstar said.

 

Just as the first bridge broke through the surface of the ocean and the morning sunlight streamed onto the bridge, Wildstar gave the order. 

 

“Nav 1 engage Wave motion engine.” Wildstar said.

 

Venture flipped a small lever at the base of the wave motion throttle.

 

Wildstar then barked,” Nav 1, Go/No Go on commit!”

 

“Go! Commit!” said Venture. A moment later, he pushed the main throttle forward as they all were slammed back in their seats. “Go on throttle up!”

Wildstar then gave one last order. “Go! Argo, Ascend!”

 

“Ship ascending,” said Venture as he pulled back his yoke and pulled the ship’s bow up from the water in one majestic motion. Then, the Argo majestically took off, sending huge plumes of water up as she lifted up out of the ocean.

 

“Thrust to 80.” Venture said. “Aiming for 5 zero zero zero altitude.”

 

“Roger. Fiver thousand and hold,” repeated Wildstar.

 

 As he pushed forward on the throttle the two Magnet missiles shuddered and broke free from the hull and into the ocean below.

 

“Flight, Just letting you know that we lost our excess baggage.” Eager said, as the Argo shuddered and banged through the air

 

“Understood.” Wildstar said.

 

“Fiver thousand on bow thrust alone. Go for throttle down,” said Venture.

 

“Go to seventy,” said Wildstar.  “Bow angle ascend at thirty degrees; glide wings open.”

 

“Roger Flight.” Venture said as the wings extended from the side of the Argo. As the ship powered down, the increased huge delta-winged glide surfaces caused the Argo to ascend from the ocean surface faster and faster.

 

“Flight!”  Eager shouted “Radar Contact! Two Astro Fighters on an intercept course!”

 

Dash, the weapons officer looked at Wildstar

 

“No provocative action, Dash,” he said to the large Kenyan.

 

“5 by 5 flight.” Dash said sitting uncomfortably in his chair.

 

“Nav support give me bearing and distance.”

 

“Passing 25,000 Go at throttle Up Flight to on hundred and ten?” Venture shouted over the roar of the Wave motion engine

 

Wildstar nodded “Go At throttle up! One hundred and ten!”

 

“Nav support,” barked Wildstar. “Where are you with bearing and distance on those fighters?” Nova could have done this so much better, he thought. But, I couldn’t ask her to come. Did I do the right thing?

 

Wildstar turned around when Eager didn’t answer him.

 

“Flight; you’re not going to believe this…those planes just fell out of the sky!”

 

“What?” Wildstar said looking at Venture.

 

“I had a good track on ‘em…then the next thing I see something that looks like another aircraft weapons’ fire then two big explosions then parachutes then the third plane just disappeared into thin air!”

 

Wildstar looked at Sandor. “Just disappeared?

 

“Corsair?”  Sandor asked. “I think maybe he’s had second thoughts.”

 

“Let’s find out about it later.” Wildstar said. “Navigation go for orbit.”

 

“Roger Flight.” Venture said as he eased forward on Argo’s control yoke.

 

The ship blasted out of the atmosphere, heading for a low orbit of Earth….

 


 

At CNO!ommand Headquarters General Stone pounded his fist on a control panel. “DAMN THEM!” he yelled.

 

“Take it easy, Miguel.” Singleton said “The Star Force didn’t shoot those planes down they were too far away.”

 

“Someone did.” Stone said

 

“It’s not their style.” Singleton said

 

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Stone said in their native Columbian

 

Singleton gestured to the corner of the room that had a large window as they both walked over there. They spoke in their native dialect so that no one would know what they were talking about.

 

“What are you doing, Javier?” Stone said.

 

“I know that they are now criminals but they are also heroes,” Singleton whispered.

 

“You’re a hero too.” Stone said “You wouldn’t do something like this…. or would you?”

 

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Singleton asked.

 

“You’re helping them and you don’t even realize it, damn you!” Stone said.

 

“I want them stopped…not killed.”

 

“They have to be killed.”

 

“NO! If we destroy them than we are the ones in disgrace! We have to show the better and the more rational judgment.”

 

“Yes I agree.” Stone said, “We do have to show better judgment. And fast. And if we don’t act on this, we won’t be able to keep discipline in the rest of the fleet. Now we have given them every chance to stand down and they haven’t, and we didn’t ask to be placed in this predicament but we are and we have to deal with them now! Bring them down! Make an example out of them!”

 

Stone turned and walked away from Singleton who turned and just glared at him

 

“Activate all Battle Satellites closest to the Argo’s position,” Stone said to a tech sitting on a console. As she flipped switches and entered keystrokes, a display appeared on the main monitor from the Battle Satellite’s camera. It also viewed a targeting scope as the Argo headed towards it.

 

Battle satellite weapons charge at 100 percent! Target 8,000 Meters and will be in range in forty seconds.” The tech said. “Open automatic firing sequence?”

 

“Not yet,” said Stone. “But be ready to. Contact the Argo, and tell them they have thirty seconds to return to Earth or we will destroy them.”

 

“Aye, sir,” said the tech. “Sending coded message to the Argo.”

 


 

On the bridge of the Argo they watched as the Battle Satellite came to life.

 

“Comm1…Flight.” Homer said.

 

“Go.” Wildstar said.

 

“Message from Earth Headquarters…Code two-five. It says, Return now or they will open fire.”

 

Wildstar turned to Sandor who did not answer him.

 

“Tac 2.” Wildstar said. “Stand by main guns.”

 

“No go flight,” Dash said.

 

“What?” Wildstar asked.

 

“We don’t charge the weapons durning take off from Earth.” Venture said.

 

“Damnit,” Wildstar hissed as the Battle satellite fired its weaponry.

 

“Incoming!” Eager yelled

 

“Hard over Port!” Wildstar shouted

 

Venture turned the Argo hard to the left as the huge beam of emergency narrowly missed them.

 

“They won’t miss again.” Sandor said.

 

“Nav 2, Flight.” Eager said.

 

“What?” Wildstar said.

 

“There is something coming visible off of our port bow.”

 

Wildstar and Venture looked on in disbelief as the Inferno de-activated her cloaking device. They read her markings and looked at Sandor.

 

“Don’t look at me; I didn’t build it.” Sandor said.

 

“Homer, try and make contact.” Wildstar said.

 

Homer flipped switches and punched key strokes trying to make contact as he did, he let out a small yelp and threw his headphones off

 

“What?” Wildstar asked.

 

Homer flipped the switch to the bridge speakers as loud rock music filled the bridge. They watched helplessly as the Inferno sped past them…In an instant Inferno fired a series of red star-like objects that slammed into the Battle satellite causing it to shatter into a thousand pieces and then explode lighting up the sky.

 

Dig deep the piles of rubble and ruins
Towering overhead both far and wide
There's unknown tools of World War III
Einstein said "We'll use rocks on the other side"
No survivors! set the world afire
!

 


 

General Stone Stood in the center of the operation room just staring the main screen unable to understand what just happened. Singleton walked over quietly to him.

 

“I have never seen a fighter like that. It can’t be one of ours.” Stone said.

 

“Let them go, Miguel,” Singleton said “There is more going on here then we are aware of.”

 

“What do we tell the Defense Counsel?”  Stone said.

 

“I don’t care!” Singleton snapped “Just let them go.”

 

Stone remained silent for a moment as he looked at the tactical screen. Then he looked down at the radar operator.

 

“What is the Andromeda’s position in relation to the Argo?” Stone asked as Singleton shot him a look of anger.

 

The technician typed on the keypad quickly as the impatient Stone tapped his fingers on the console.

 

“About 100 mega meters, sir,” he said.

 

Stone turned towards the communications officer. “Contact the Andromeda, inform them of the tactical situation and order them to overtake and capture the Argo. If she resists, have Gideon destroy her.”

 

“Yessir, General Stone.” The technician said.

 

Singleton looked up at the visual of the fireball where the Battle Satellite once was he closed his eyes and sighed heavily.

 

Star Force… In spite of all that’s happened, you still have my good wishes….

 

 

General Gorse was busy in the Comet Empire’s tactical center as Zordar, Dyre, and Invida  walked up behind him.

 

“You seem distracted, Gorse.” Zordar said, startling him slightly.

 

“I received a disturbing report from General Naska,” Gorse said as Zordar leaned against the console and gestured him to continue.

 

“The Star Force left planet Earth without orders to leave,” Gorse said. “Their Government considers them rebels.”

 

Zordar nodded. “I see.”

 

“I fail to see how that can be disturbing,” Dyre said.  “Either their fleet will hunt them down or Desslok will….I guess Desslok does under stand the Star Force.”

 

“Dyre is correct,” Invida said. “Without any kind of support they will be helpless.”

 

“But they do have support, my Princess,” Gorse said as he enlarged a tactical display revealing a somewhat blurry Inferno in flight. At that, Gorse stopped the picture

 

“It’s a fighter, so what?” Dyre said.

 

“My Prince,” Gorse said, “I wish to contact the Tal Shiar, through the interdimensional transmitter.”

 

Romulus?” Zordar asked “Why?”

 

Gorse looked at the screen then to Zordar. “I would like to have more than just a hypothesis for you, my Prince.”

 

“Granted.” Zordar said. “However, don’t deviate from the plan that we have! Leave the Star Force to Desslok.”

 

“Yes my Prince.” Gorse said.

 

 

 

Of all the Holodeck programs that the Enterprise had in her library, Starsha only chose one.

 

Commander Worf’s calisthenics battle simulation.

 

It was the most dangerous of any combat program, and Starsha was using it at the highest level… and when the computer took more memory in order to create more difficult situations for her, it set off an alarm to which Troi and Riker responded to immediately. As they ran through the halls to the open holodeck doors, there was a large gathering watching Starsha as she cut the holodeck monsters to shreds with her light saber.

 

“Everybody back to where you belong!” Riker shouted as the crew hustled hurriedly away. All except for Alsarida Neri, who leaned against the door watching Starsha, who was herself luminescent in a yellow glow as the sound of the light saber echoed around the room

 

“The kid is good.” Neri said “Very good; I never seen anyone fight like that.”

 

“We have.” Riker said as he started accessing the holodeck’s panel and shut down the program. As Starsha stopped suddenly, the yellow hue went away and she stood there drenched in sweat breathing heavily. She was barefoot, and wore a cut workout top, and thin fleece sweatpants. She was holding her light saber in her right hand. Its hum was now the only thing audible in the room as she looked up at the three standing there as she shut off the light saber and tried to stand at attention however she could not catch her breath as she dropped to one knee which was when they rushed in and helped her up.

 

“I thought we agreed that you were going to use the holodeck to relax.” Troi said. “That is not relaxation.”

 

Starsha now standing on her own stood at a parade rest stance “Yes ma’am.” 

 

“The computer started to draw on other resources to try and beat you.” Riker said. “It could have endangered the ship!”

 

“I didn’t realize that was happening, sir.” Starsha said

 

“The three of us are responsible to your grandmother for your safety.” Troi said. 

 

“Yes ma’am.” Starsha said at attention.

 

“Don’t do that again.” Troi said.

 

Starsha stiffened slightly and continued looking straight ahead. “Yes ma’am,” She said again.

 

“You’re actually wanted in the briefing room ASAP.” Riker said “Grab a shower, then meet us there.”

 

“Yes sir.” Starsha said.

 

Alsarida threw her a towel. As Starsha wiped the heavy sweat off of her face, and started to walk out of the room, Riker and Troi followed on either side of her.

 

Starsha stopped walking turned and looked at them.

 

“Commander?” Starsha said addressing both of them.

 

Troi cleared her throat and nudged Riker gently.

 

“I will be in the briefing room.” Riker said as he walked away quickly leaving Troi and Starsha in the corridor. Starsha continued walking as Troi followed.

 

“Starsha, this meeting that you are going to is very important,” Troi said.

 

“I am aware of that, Commander.”  Starsha said “May I ask why you and Commander Riker think I’m ready to blow my stack?”

 

“Because a lot is happening to you right now,” Troi said “When we reach Iscandar, there may be a lot of emotions you aren’t ready for…..Families can sometimes be worse than combat.”

 

Starsha shook her head with annoyance “I don’t know what or who Queen Starsha is. Short of the fact that she was Astra’s older sister and the person I am named after,  well, as far as I view my Heritage it is Gargoyle, and NOT Human or Iscandarian!”

 

“That’s your father talking,” Troi said scoffingly as they both walked into Starsha’s quarters.

 

“You’re God Damn right that’s my Father talking!” Starsha shouted. “Which brings up a point!  Commander Riker has known him since his first assignment. You have known him since you were eight; you were good friends what happened? All of a sudden he is the scourge of society!”

 

“He’s changed.” Troi said “After Wolf 359 he became ….darker; more sinister. Almost…evil.”

 

“Wolf 359?” Starsha said “Yeah, it tore him apart, that happens when you lose everything that was Important to you! You know I’ve had a couple of starships blasted out from me a couple of times too you know…It is not a pleasant feeling! And don’t tell me that you have been there because the Enterprise D doesn’t count. Everybody walked out of that one! You want me to open up to you and tell you my deepest darkest feelings….How can I when we have nothing to relate? And how do you expect me to relate to “Queen Starsha?” This damn Queen is NOTHING to me!”

 

Troi looked at her and nodded slowly  They’re waiting for us,” Troi said. “Please hurry.”

 

“Yes ma’am.” Starsha said as she turned to go into the bathroom and Troi turned and left Starsha’s quarters.

 


 

The meeting in the briefing room was already under way when Starsha arrived in her Marine uniform. She quickly looked around the room as she saw Ambassador Spock sitting on one end of the table. Down along the table were Troi ,Riker, Alsarida, and a muscular blue-skinned person wearing a Starfleet Admiral’s Uniform. Starsha didn’t know him or knew who or what he was. However, she assumed he was a Troyan. Next to him, was Admiral Nechaev. On two monitors, were two more Admirals. On one was Admiral Destine, while on the monitor next to that was Creighton.

 

Spock gestured Starsha to sit next to him as she had quickly done so.

 

“Well now that we’re all assembled,” Destine said. “Let me explain to you what has transpired; Upon entering this universe we picked up a lot of chatter out there in hope of finding out what kind of universe that is, a lot of it is still unclear, however, when we did a sensor scan of Earth we saw something unreal.”

 

She showed them a visual of Inferno destroying the battle satellite.

 

“Everything is still sketchy, and we don’t know what is going on, but apparently Major Corsair is alive and well and is in some kind of situation.”

 

“Does this have anything to do with Iscandar?” Riker said. “Maybe they know we’re coming?”

 

“That’s what I thought, first.” Creighton said. “But then why would Inferno destroy a component of planet Earth’s defense structure?” 

 

“An escape?” Alsarida asked “Do we know anything about this people? Or this Earth?”

 

“They have this ship,” said Creighton as he brought up a visual of the Argo.

 

“Fascinating,” said Spock. “A design based upon the sunken Terran Second World War battleship Yamato. The original Yamato was sunk in combat in April 1945, old Terran measurements. By Star date that was…”

 

“Spare us the history lesson, Ambassador,” said Nechaev.

 

“What I find fascinating is that this Earth has apparently based a spacecraft upon its design. But it is not the Yamato. Based on the transmissions, they call her the…”

 

“The ship is called the Argo.” The Troyan admiral replied in a condescending tone “They are known as the…. Star Force.” he said with a sneer. “They’re some kind of Earth Special Missions Group. A mere band of adventurers; some might even say privateers.”

 

“That would be out of context for my father,” Starsha said.  “Why would he be working with privateers….Admiral…….I’m sorry, sir, I don’t know your name.”

 

Lysis,” he said as Starsha suddenly felt a disturbance in the Force.

 


Next Chapter: “A Lovers’ Quarrel Writ Large…”

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