The World of Computer Software/World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso/f/fergam1.zip/FERGAM1.TXT

Text File | 1993-02-28 | 10KB | 188 lines

Captain's Log, Stardate 49105.2

     The Enterprise is currently exploring a section of the galaxy
known as the Galadnor Region.  This section has never before been
visited by a Federation vessel, and we are leery of reports that the
Ferengi have a sizable presence here.  We have not as yet
encountered any Ferengi ships, but I am none too comfortable about
this.

     Picard sat uncomfortably in the captain's chair surveying the
apparently peaceful vista of space spread about before him.
Apparently peaceful, but something didn't feel right.  Not in the
slightest.
     "Mr.  Data," Picard stated abruptly "do your scans indicate any
sort of presence in this region other than our own?"
     "No sir, they do not," the android responded coolly.
     "Is it possible that there is something out there our sensors
aren't picking up?" the Captain continued.
     "That is somewhat unlikely.  As we have previously determined,
even cloaking devices do leave a certain footprint behind.  The
scans reveal no such thing.  It is conceivable that ships are
lurking just outside of our sensor range, but this is impossible to
verify."
     "What is it, Captain," Commander Riker inquired.  "You seem
certain that there's something out there."
     "Certain Number One?  No, not certain.  Just...  curious.
We've heard all these rumors that the Ferengi are maintaining an
active presence here.  But we've seen neither hide nor hair of
them."
     "Almost as if they'd been scared off," Riker conjectured.
     "Possibly. Perhaps they expected us. I just don't like
it." The command chair seemed even more uncomfortable to Picard now
than before.  "Number One," he said, rising to walk to his ready
room, "you have the conn."
     Picard strode into the ready room and stared out the window
there.  One thing all his years in space hadn't managed to do was
lessen his wonder of the simple hugeness of the void that lay just
beyond the safe confines of a ship's hull.  The Enterprise was
cruising at sublight now, so the normal streaks of stars flying by
at warp speeds had resolved themselves into more familiar, friendly
points of light off in the distance.  Even if the constellations
visible on one planet bore no resemblance to those visible from
another, the simple presence that the same stars appeared in each
was somehow comforting.  Especially now, when every sense he had
told him that there was something about to happen.
     As it turns out, his senses were correct.  As he gazed out the
window, he heard the intercom on his desk crackle to life as Riker's
voice called out "Captain Picard to the bridge."
     Picard stepped out of his retreat and onto the bridge.
"What is it, Number One?"
     "A ship is approaching at high speed," Riker responded.
     "How high?" the Captain inquired.
     Data answered this question.  "Warp 9.87, though they appear to
be slowing as they approach us."
     "Can you tell me anything about the ship, besides the fact that
it's moving at an amazing speed," Picard asked worriedly.  If the
Ferengi had ships that could reach speeds like 9.87...
     Data continued "from the preliminary sensor readings, this ship
matches no design we have previously encountered.  I doubt it is of
Ferengi origin.  It is approximately as large as the Enterprise, but
appears to be considerably more massive." "How much more massive?"
Riker asked.
     "It's length, width, and height appear to be close to our own,"
Data elaborated, "but the ship's design appears to be more ovoid in
shape, giving it a much greater mass."
     "Armaments?" Picard queried.
     "Uncertain Captain," Data answered.  "The ship is within visual
range now."
     "Excellent." Picard stated, somewhat relieved.  A chance to see
the mystery ship.  "On screen."
     The ship that appeared on screen resembled nothing so much as a
large, flattened egg.  Virtually nothing on the surface broke the
smooth symmetry.  It had a sort of fearsome beauty about it.
     "Sir," Worf's voice boomed from the security console, "the
unidentified ship is hailing us."
     "There's something..." Riker commented.
     Picard walked to the front of the command chair and tugged at
the bottom of his tunic.  "On screen."
     The face that appeared on the viewscreen was that of a quite
human-appearing man.  Middle aged, with a look of bemused authority.
Almost like that of a mother who's just caught her son with his hand
in the cookie jar.  "Unidentified vessel, this is Captain Jabra'ad
Keglebon of the USS _Independence_.  Please identify yourselves."
     "Captain Keglebon," Picard replied, somewhat confused, "I am
Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise.  We represent the
United Federation of Planets.  We come in peace."
     "I am sure you do," the other replied, the same look of
bemusement still on his face.  "As do we.  My ship also represents a
Federation.  The Regional Confederation of Allied Worlds.  Our
purpose is to promote peace and commerce among our worlds."
     "So your ship is a merchant vessel?" Picard questioned.
     "No, not exactly." Keglebon replied.  "The _Independence_ is
both a merchant vessel and the flagship of my corporation.  It is
therefore more heavily armed and defended than the typical merchant
ship."
     "Your corporation, Captain?  Do you not represent the Regional
Confederation?"
     "Yes, I do.  But I suspect our Confederation differs from your
federation in many ways." Keglebon explained.  "I am first and
foremost the Chief Executive Officer of Traders' Haven Incorporated.
We are a large trading fleet.  There are many others like us, but we
are the largest.  What the Confederation does is select the best
armed and most successful traders and commissions them as officers
of the fleet.  The Confederation itself has no ships...  it merely
supports us in our ventures, in return for defending the
Confederation should that be necessary."
     "Captain," Keglebon continued, the his expression becoming one
of concern.  "I suspect we have much to discuss.  Allow me the
pleasure of hosting you aboard my ship."
     "If you would allow me to consult with my officers, I would be
honored to be your guest." Picard turned to Worf and signaled him to
cut the sound from the transmission.  "Counselor, what did you sense
from Captain Keglebon?"
     Troi paused briefly.  "Captain, I sense nothing but honesty
from Captain Keglebon.  He seems to be genuinely eager to discuss
something with you.  Something which he feels to be of the utmost
importance."
     "The Ferengi?" Riker postulated.
     "Could be, Number One," Picard answered.
     "They could be allied with the Ferengi Captain." Worf put in.
"I suggest caution."
     "I sense no deception on their part," Troi said with certainty.
"I think Captain Keglebon simply wants to talk.  Badly."
     "At least allow me to accompany you on board," Worf suggested.
     "I hardly think that would send the right signal to Captain
Keglebon, do you?" Picard smiled wryly.  "Re-open the channel to the
'Independence.'"
     "Captain Keglebon," Picard stated certainly, "I would be
honored to visit you on the Independence."
     "And I shall be pleased to meet you," Keglebon answered.
"_Independence_ out."
     Picard walked towards the turbolift door.  "Number One, you
have the bridge."

     "Captain, we have something very important to discuss."
Keglebon stated seriously.  The two Captains were sitting in a
conference room not completely unlike that aboard the Enterprise.
The tour had revealed the _Independence_ to be a remarkable ship,
with amenities one could hardly expect on a private vessel.
     "I am sure we do, Captain Keglebon," Picard agreed.
     "Before we begin, my surname is Jabra'ad.  Please address me as
Captain Jabra'ad."
     "Of course."
     "Anyway, to begin with, we have one simple problem.  The
Ferengi.  They have been harassing our shipping for as long as we
can remember.  But recently, it's gotten much worse."
     "How so?"
     "Before, they would be content to attack the unarmed ships that
made up the bulk of merchant shipping.  So we armed the merchant
ships.  Then the Ferengi just attacked the lightest armed.  So all
the major corporations acquired several capital ships and converted
them to merchant use."
     "Like the _Independence._"
     "Precisely.  Traders' Haven possesses 5 capital ships.  Three
others are similar to the _Independence_: The _Silver Surfer,_
_Space Doctor,_ and _KUD._ The fifth is a smaller, faster ship:
_McArthur._"
     "All these names seem quite..."
     "Human?" interrupted Jabra'ad.  "That's because they are.  We
are all descended from one of those lost colony ships that departed
Earth around the Eugenics Wars and later.  We settled out here, and
haven't heard from Earth since.  Until now."
     "But please continue with your story...  the Ferengi."
     "Yes, of course.  Anyway, after we got a hold of the heavy
ships, and destroyed a bunch of the Ferengi who attacked our trade
routes, they left us alone for a while."
     "For a while."
     "Then they came back...  with a vengeance.  Ships like we never
thought they had...  ships that could go toe to toe with
'Independence.' And since then, we've had no peace.  The Ferengi
haven't just attacked our shipping either...  they've attacked
scientific outposts, and colonies."
     "As if they've declared war." Picard suggested glumly.
     "Exactly.  And we can't win a war with the Ferengi.  We can
fight them, and we can hurt them...  badly.  But an extended war?
No chance."
     "Are you asking us to help you fight a war?" Picard queried.
     "No...  at least not yet." Jabra'ad answered.  "What we need
most is assistance...  not military..."
     Before the Captain of the _Independence_ could explain exactly
what he wanted, he was interrupted by the blare of a red alert being
sounded.  Jabra'ad slapped at an intercom button.  "What's going on
up there."
     "Ferengi sir, three of them." the voice over the intercom
explained.
     "Well Captain Picard," Jabra'ad said turning to face his
counterpart.  "It seems as if you're about to get involved here."