In Transporter Room Three aboard the U.S.S. Valkyrie a call was received from the transporter station in Cromer, telling them to energise the beam. A minute later Captain James Watt arrived back from his leave of absence, having been granted that leave after the death of the man he was named after.
With bag draped over his shoulder Watt left the transporter room and started to make his way to his quarters when he bumped into Doctor Gourlak Singh. The Indian was pleased to see him.
“Jim! It’s good to see you again! How’s your boy?”
“Simon? He gave me some good news. He’s about to take the Academy entrance exam. Hopefully he’ll be there at the next intake.”
“And what about Diane?”
A smile appeared on Watt’s face.
“We talked a lot. We managed to get a few things straightened out, and….”
Once again Watt smiled.
“And?” urged Singh.
“And we agreed to meet on Rycea next time I get shore leave.”
Singh slapped Watt on the back.
“You old devil! I told you before your divorce you should try to patch things up!”
“Maybe now I’ll always follow my doctor’s advice!”
They then entered the turbo-lift.
“Deck eight.” Watt said.
There was then a silence in the turbo-lift, a silence that was broken by the sound of Watt’s communicator.
“Watt here.”
“Commander Sutek here sir. We are receiving a transmission from Admiral McCloud at Starfleet Command, priority one.”
Watt let out a slight sigh.
“Understood Commander. I’ll take it in my quarters.”
A minute or so later Watt arrived in his quarters and switched on his terminal screen. The image of the pony-tailed Admiral soon appeared before him.
“I’m sorry to bother you so soon after your leave Jim, but I’m afraid there’s been a change of plan concerning your next assignment. The orders come from President Servalan herself.”
Watt put his bag down and sat down at his desk.
“You are to transport prisoners to Cygnus Alpha.”
“Cygnus Alpha! Are you kidding? The Valkyrie is not a prison ship! And what about the situation in the Cardassian demilitarised zone?”
“I’m sending the Lohengrin to cover that situation. Servalan has asked that you take care of this prisoner transport.”
Watt leaned back in his chair, the strain of the past few weeks’ events starting to tell on him. McCloud could see this.
“I’m sorry about this Jim.” he said. “But I can’t do anything about it.”
“What about the families?” Watt asked. “If there was an incident they could be at risk!”
“That’s one thing I managed to agree with the President on. The prisoners will be taken to Cygnus Alpha in the star drive section only. The saucer section will rendezvous with you later.”
“Then I suppose I will have to follow orders. How many prisoners are there?”
“Just five. I’ll transmit their files to you in a few moments. You’ll then have twelve hours to make the necessary arrangements. I’m sorry about this Jim, but I tried!”
A few minutes later the prisoner’s files were transmitted. Watt was on the bridge as the transmission was received. Together with Sutek and Amarus he analysed the files.
“Interesting.” said Sutek. “The first file is on Kerr Avon, a computer expert who had previously worked at the Daystrom Institute. Found guilty of attempted computer fraud. Seems he almost made off with over twenty million credits.”
The second file then appeared on the screen.
“Olag Gan.” said Amarus. “Nothing much on his background Captain, except that he was found guilty of murdering a Starfleet Security officer.”
The third file appeared.
“Vila Restel, a master thief.” said Sutek. “As humans would say he has a conviction list as long as your arm.”
“Seems like they finally caught up with him.” said Watt.
The fourth file came on screen.
“A pilot, Jenna Stanis, the only woman in the transfer.” said Amarus. “Found guilty of smuggling. Looks like she’s an expert pilot. From these credentials any starship captain would be proud to have her under their command.
The final file appeared on the screen before them. This file was greeted with some shock on Watt’s behalf.
“Roj Blake.” said Sutek. “Formally a Lieutenant Commander at the Attorney General’s office. Found guilty of corrupting minors.”
“I met him once.” said Watt. “There were many who said he had a very bright future ahead of him. A disappointment, having his career ended in this way. Well gentlemen, make the necessary arrangements form our guests, and then inform Starfleet Command when we are ready to leave.”
Watt then left his first officer and his security chief to their work. Fifteen hours later and with the saucer section placed under the command of Lieutenant Commander Tompkins the bridge crew, now on the Battle Bridge, set a course for penal colony Cygnus Alpha.
All was normal on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise, under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Having received their orders from Starfleet Command they awaited their rendezvous. Picard sat in his Ready Room when a call came through from the bridge. It was from Commander Riker.
“Captain, a Federation Pursuit-class ship has come into sensor range.”
“Have they hailed us?” Picard asked.
“Yes sir. Commander Travis is asking to be beamed aboard as soon as they come into transporter range.”
“Thank you Number One. When he is aboard bring him to my Ready Room.”
A few minutes later the eye-patched figure of the ruthless Commander Travis was escorted into the Ready Room. Picard got to his feet and offered his hand. Travis grudgingly shook it.
“Can I offer you a drink Commander?”
“I do not have time Captain.”
Travis reached into his pocket and handed Picard a small computer chip.
“Here are your orders, from President Servalan herself. We are to apprehend the criminal and anyone assisting him. We have been authorised to destroy their ship if need be.”
“I still can’t believe that Phineas Magus, or anyone in his crew, are capable of criminal acts. And this thing about an Istarian plot, it’s ludicrous!”
Picard could tell that Travis was not happy with what he had said.
“You have your orders, Captain Picard.” he said. “Until we intercept the criminals I will staying aboard the Enterprise, with your permission of course.”
“Of course. Commander Riker will assign you quarters.”
Travis then walked towards the exit. Picard was slightly offended by this slight show of disrespect.
“You are dismissed, Commander.”
Travis turned around slightly and stared at Picard. Secretly he hoped that he would not have to kill the good captain.
The Brig on deck thirty-eight of the Valkyrie had been converted slightly to house the five prisoners. There were five guards stationed inside and two more posted in the corridor. A force field was also in place around the Brig. For a ship that wasn’t really designed to carry prisoners Tamar Amarus had done a pretty good job in converting the Brig.
Roj Blake, no longer in red and black Starfleet uniform, sat on his bed, taking in his surroundings. He had never been in such company before. In one corner stood a huge man, Gan, drinking a glass of water he had just got from the replicator. Nearby sat a man Blake deduced was Kerr Avon, the loner of the group. If Avon was deep in thought he was not letting those thoughts be known to the others. Nearest to Blake sat the two other prisoners at a table, the thief Vila Restel and the smuggler Jenna Stanis. Jenna seemed enthralled by Vila’s card tricks, even though a certain wizard would have termed them child’s play.
Blake then decided now was the time to socialise as it were. Getting to his feet he walked over to the table where Vila and Jenna sat.
“May I join you?”
“Certainly friend! I must say Starfleet has done themselves proud, getting the Valkyrie to take us to prison. By the way, my name’s Vila Restel!”
Blake shook Vila’s hand.
“And you are?”
“Jenna Stanis. So tell me Blake, what’s your crime? Why are you going to Cygnus Alpha?”
A rye smiled appeared on Blake’s face.
“I was framed. The charge was corrupting minors.”
They then heard a voice behind them.
“Every criminal says they were framed at one point in their life!”
Blake looked around to see Avon standing behind him.
“Do you realise we are in privileged company? This man here was formally Lieutenant Commander Blake of the Attorney General’s office.”
Jenna and Vila looked at Blake with some surprise.
“As I said.” said Blake. “I was framed. I found out something about a high-ranking official, something incriminating, and this is my punishment.”
“As a former Starfleet officer you may be of use to us.” said Avon.
“What do you mean?” asked Jenna.
“You are a pilot. You can fly this ship. I studied at the Daystrom Institute. Daystrom invented the duo-tronics computer system, the system which all starship computers are based, and with your knowledge we may be able to take control of this ship.”
“Take control of a Starship!” said Vila. “You’re stupid! No you’re not! You’re just mad!”
“I know how to get control of the computer.” said Avon. “This ship is minus it’s saucer section. It’s missing a third of it’s crew. With your help I will be able to take control of say…the Engineering section, and then the U.S.S. Valkyrie will be ours!”
“Are you sure you can do it?” asked Blake. “I know what starship security is like!”
“Trust me.” said Avon. “I can do it, even if I do need some help.”
With bag draped over his shoulder Watt left the transporter room and started to make his way to his quarters when he bumped into Doctor Gourlak Singh. The Indian was pleased to see him.
“Jim! It’s good to see you again! How’s your boy?”
“Simon? He gave me some good news. He’s about to take the Academy entrance exam. Hopefully he’ll be there at the next intake.”
“And what about Diane?”
A smile appeared on Watt’s face.
“We talked a lot. We managed to get a few things straightened out, and….”
Once again Watt smiled.
“And?” urged Singh.
“And we agreed to meet on Rycea next time I get shore leave.”
Singh slapped Watt on the back.
“You old devil! I told you before your divorce you should try to patch things up!”
“Maybe now I’ll always follow my doctor’s advice!”
They then entered the turbo-lift.
“Deck eight.” Watt said.
There was then a silence in the turbo-lift, a silence that was broken by the sound of Watt’s communicator.
“Watt here.”
“Commander Sutek here sir. We are receiving a transmission from Admiral McCloud at Starfleet Command, priority one.”
Watt let out a slight sigh.
“Understood Commander. I’ll take it in my quarters.”
A minute or so later Watt arrived in his quarters and switched on his terminal screen. The image of the pony-tailed Admiral soon appeared before him.
“I’m sorry to bother you so soon after your leave Jim, but I’m afraid there’s been a change of plan concerning your next assignment. The orders come from President Servalan herself.”
Watt put his bag down and sat down at his desk.
“You are to transport prisoners to Cygnus Alpha.”
“Cygnus Alpha! Are you kidding? The Valkyrie is not a prison ship! And what about the situation in the Cardassian demilitarised zone?”
“I’m sending the Lohengrin to cover that situation. Servalan has asked that you take care of this prisoner transport.”
Watt leaned back in his chair, the strain of the past few weeks’ events starting to tell on him. McCloud could see this.
“I’m sorry about this Jim.” he said. “But I can’t do anything about it.”
“What about the families?” Watt asked. “If there was an incident they could be at risk!”
“That’s one thing I managed to agree with the President on. The prisoners will be taken to Cygnus Alpha in the star drive section only. The saucer section will rendezvous with you later.”
“Then I suppose I will have to follow orders. How many prisoners are there?”
“Just five. I’ll transmit their files to you in a few moments. You’ll then have twelve hours to make the necessary arrangements. I’m sorry about this Jim, but I tried!”
A few minutes later the prisoner’s files were transmitted. Watt was on the bridge as the transmission was received. Together with Sutek and Amarus he analysed the files.
“Interesting.” said Sutek. “The first file is on Kerr Avon, a computer expert who had previously worked at the Daystrom Institute. Found guilty of attempted computer fraud. Seems he almost made off with over twenty million credits.”
The second file then appeared on the screen.
“Olag Gan.” said Amarus. “Nothing much on his background Captain, except that he was found guilty of murdering a Starfleet Security officer.”
The third file appeared.
“Vila Restel, a master thief.” said Sutek. “As humans would say he has a conviction list as long as your arm.”
“Seems like they finally caught up with him.” said Watt.
The fourth file came on screen.
“A pilot, Jenna Stanis, the only woman in the transfer.” said Amarus. “Found guilty of smuggling. Looks like she’s an expert pilot. From these credentials any starship captain would be proud to have her under their command.
The final file appeared on the screen before them. This file was greeted with some shock on Watt’s behalf.
“Roj Blake.” said Sutek. “Formally a Lieutenant Commander at the Attorney General’s office. Found guilty of corrupting minors.”
“I met him once.” said Watt. “There were many who said he had a very bright future ahead of him. A disappointment, having his career ended in this way. Well gentlemen, make the necessary arrangements form our guests, and then inform Starfleet Command when we are ready to leave.”
Watt then left his first officer and his security chief to their work. Fifteen hours later and with the saucer section placed under the command of Lieutenant Commander Tompkins the bridge crew, now on the Battle Bridge, set a course for penal colony Cygnus Alpha.
All was normal on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise, under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Having received their orders from Starfleet Command they awaited their rendezvous. Picard sat in his Ready Room when a call came through from the bridge. It was from Commander Riker.
“Captain, a Federation Pursuit-class ship has come into sensor range.”
“Have they hailed us?” Picard asked.
“Yes sir. Commander Travis is asking to be beamed aboard as soon as they come into transporter range.”
“Thank you Number One. When he is aboard bring him to my Ready Room.”
A few minutes later the eye-patched figure of the ruthless Commander Travis was escorted into the Ready Room. Picard got to his feet and offered his hand. Travis grudgingly shook it.
“Can I offer you a drink Commander?”
“I do not have time Captain.”
Travis reached into his pocket and handed Picard a small computer chip.
“Here are your orders, from President Servalan herself. We are to apprehend the criminal and anyone assisting him. We have been authorised to destroy their ship if need be.”
“I still can’t believe that Phineas Magus, or anyone in his crew, are capable of criminal acts. And this thing about an Istarian plot, it’s ludicrous!”
Picard could tell that Travis was not happy with what he had said.
“You have your orders, Captain Picard.” he said. “Until we intercept the criminals I will staying aboard the Enterprise, with your permission of course.”
“Of course. Commander Riker will assign you quarters.”
Travis then walked towards the exit. Picard was slightly offended by this slight show of disrespect.
“You are dismissed, Commander.”
Travis turned around slightly and stared at Picard. Secretly he hoped that he would not have to kill the good captain.
The Brig on deck thirty-eight of the Valkyrie had been converted slightly to house the five prisoners. There were five guards stationed inside and two more posted in the corridor. A force field was also in place around the Brig. For a ship that wasn’t really designed to carry prisoners Tamar Amarus had done a pretty good job in converting the Brig.
Roj Blake, no longer in red and black Starfleet uniform, sat on his bed, taking in his surroundings. He had never been in such company before. In one corner stood a huge man, Gan, drinking a glass of water he had just got from the replicator. Nearby sat a man Blake deduced was Kerr Avon, the loner of the group. If Avon was deep in thought he was not letting those thoughts be known to the others. Nearest to Blake sat the two other prisoners at a table, the thief Vila Restel and the smuggler Jenna Stanis. Jenna seemed enthralled by Vila’s card tricks, even though a certain wizard would have termed them child’s play.
Blake then decided now was the time to socialise as it were. Getting to his feet he walked over to the table where Vila and Jenna sat.
“May I join you?”
“Certainly friend! I must say Starfleet has done themselves proud, getting the Valkyrie to take us to prison. By the way, my name’s Vila Restel!”
Blake shook Vila’s hand.
“And you are?”
“Jenna Stanis. So tell me Blake, what’s your crime? Why are you going to Cygnus Alpha?”
A rye smiled appeared on Blake’s face.
“I was framed. The charge was corrupting minors.”
They then heard a voice behind them.
“Every criminal says they were framed at one point in their life!”
Blake looked around to see Avon standing behind him.
“Do you realise we are in privileged company? This man here was formally Lieutenant Commander Blake of the Attorney General’s office.”
Jenna and Vila looked at Blake with some surprise.
“As I said.” said Blake. “I was framed. I found out something about a high-ranking official, something incriminating, and this is my punishment.”
“As a former Starfleet officer you may be of use to us.” said Avon.
“What do you mean?” asked Jenna.
“You are a pilot. You can fly this ship. I studied at the Daystrom Institute. Daystrom invented the duo-tronics computer system, the system which all starship computers are based, and with your knowledge we may be able to take control of this ship.”
“Take control of a Starship!” said Vila. “You’re stupid! No you’re not! You’re just mad!”
“I know how to get control of the computer.” said Avon. “This ship is minus it’s saucer section. It’s missing a third of it’s crew. With your help I will be able to take control of say…the Engineering section, and then the U.S.S. Valkyrie will be ours!”
“Are you sure you can do it?” asked Blake. “I know what starship security is like!”
“Trust me.” said Avon. “I can do it, even if I do need some help.”
No comments:
Post a Comment