World of Education/World of Education.iso/world_s/stng_nvl.zip/GEIGER.11

Text File | 1991-07-21 | 19KB | 381 lines

    Chapter 11
    The cubic ship floated through space, slowly
rotating.  The damage had been repaired and the light
at its center pulsed blue-green.  Having no other purpose,
it had continued on its course even after the inferior
ship had vanished.  Trying to catch it, perhaps.  Even
the cubic ships occupants didn't know for sure.  Connected
together via subspace net as they were, they were presently
trying to figure out how a ship of inferior design crewed
by an inferior species could suddenly exceed all measure
of velocities.  It had certainly gone faster than its
engines were designed for.
    The current thread of contemplation across the
subspace net was why the ship had allowed itself to be
damaged, almost destroyed before escaping.  Was it to
analyze the cubic ships capabilities, or was this species so
superior that they can afford to play games with their lives.
    "Energy reading on course 115.54,320.41," echoed
across the interior of the ship.  After a due nanosecond of
consideration, the ship changed course.
    "Reading similar to last scan of Enterprise Warp
envelope," came the eerie mechanical voice.
    As a red, gridlike forcefield surrounded the cube,
a face appeared on the screen.  "I can take you to the
Federation starship Enterprise," said the face without
preamble.  "I was responsible for bringing them here in
the first place.  Allow me to help you and I'll take you
to a place where there are many lifeforms you can convert
as well as technology you can absorb."
    "Identify yourself," they echoed in unison, after
probing the forcefield for weakness and finding none.  Even
they could not escape.
    "I am from the Q Continuum.  To me, you are
insignificant.  You cannot escape.  Follow me or be
destroyed."
    Never having been faced with their destruction
before, the semi-organic beings on the cube echoed back
"We accept your offer, you of the Q Continuum."
    "Not you, Q.  Oh well, never mind.  Prepare for
time travel."  Q was gone, followed moments later by the
disappearance of the cube.

    The Borg were again hunting the Enterprise.
    "Geordi, are you alright?"
    At the sound of the strange, but familiar voice
Geordi opened his eyes.  Still unable to see, he felt to
both sides of himself for his VISOR.
    "Here," said the voice again and Geordi could feel
someone press the VISOR into his left hand.  He put it on
and immediately wished he hadn't.  His head began to throb
even more painfully than it had been for the past several
seconds since waking.  After a great deal of concentration
to tune out most of the extraneous information he turned to
who he assumed was a doctor.
    "Where am I and who are you?" he questioned shakily.
    "You're in Sickbay on the Enterprise, Lieutenant.
I'm not surprised you're having trouble remembering.  The way
I hear it, you had a nasty fall out of a Jeffries tube.
Something about an explosion in Engineering..." broke off the
gruff voice as someone else, also familiar entered Sickbay.
    "How is he, Bones?  When will I get my Chief Engineer
back?"  asked the newcomer.
    "How the hell should I know?  I'm a Doctor, not a
prophet!  Lietenant LaForge here took a nasty fall and hit
his head.  He's having difficulty remembering."  Then,
looking thoughtful for a moment and examining the readouts
on the diagnostic panel on the wall, "I'd say about 24 hours.
IF he can get some rest.  You know.  No performing minor
miracles for a day, doctor's orders."
    "Good enough, Doctor."  And to Geordi, "I'll check
in on you later, okay Geordi?"
    "Fine.  Maybe I'll remember something by then,"
LaForge said as he lay back on the diagnostic bed and closed
his eyes.
    Both Kirk and McCoy left him to rest and entered McCoy's
office.
    As the door closed behind them, Kirk asked anxiously,
"What's really wrong with him, Bones?  A little fall like that
shouldn't have put him in Sickbay."
    "I don't know, Jim.  This just doesn't feel right.
I mean, ever since the two of us and Spock beamed aboard that
other ship, something has just been out of synch," answered
McCoy, taking a seat behind his desk.  He leaned back tiredly.
    "What do you mean: 'that other ship?'  We haven't
been on another ship for at least two months.  I think you
need a break, Bones.  You've been working too hard," said
Kirk with concern.
    "Touche, Jim?  That sounds awfully like what I tell
you all the time.  But I can't believe you don't remember
the Houdini.  Your physical yesterday showed no mental
abberations, other than a death wish," McCoy responded
sarcastically.  "Are you sure you don't remember the Houdini?"
    "Positive, Bones.  Maybe you should talk to Spock,
see what he has to say."
    "Thanks, Jim, I'll do that,"  said McCoy as Kirk got
up to leave.  He called Spock on the Bridge, but he knew
nothing of any Houdini except for 'a minor conjuror of little
note from Earth's early 20th century.'
    McCoy began to doubt his own sanity when both the
computer and Captain's Logs showed nothing of the Houdini.
In fact, all they listed were routine patrol missions along
the Federation-Klingon border.
    McCoy poured himself a large glass of Saurian
brandy and vowed to find out what was going on.
    "Captain, who was that?"  Data had turned in his chair
to stare inquiringly at Picard.
    "That was Chief Engineer Scott, Commander.  Who did
you think it was," answered the Captain.
    Data considered for a moment, his gaze seeming to turn
inward as he searched his internal memory banks.  "I know of
no one calling themselves Scott who is also a Chief Engineer
currently serving in Starfleet.  I thought that Geordi
LaForge would be in Engineering, as he has always been."
    "Who?" asked Riker, entering the Bridge from the
Turbolift.  "Computer...search records for any mention of a
'Geordi LaForge' serving on this ship at any time."
    The computer beeped in acknowledgement and after a
few seconds, its female voice answered: "No record of any
person by the name of 'Geordi LaForge' known to have served
on the Enterprise at any time."
    "Check for any reference to a 'Geordi LaForge'
anywhere in the Enterprise memory banks," ordered Picard.
    Another pause, longer this time, as the computer
sifted through every piece of information in its possession,
working backwards from the most recent records.  "There is
record of someone named 'Geordi LaForge.'  He served aboard
the original Enterprise, NCC-1701, from stardate 1510.3 to
stardate 8130.3 when it was destroyed.  He is listed as the
ship's Chief Engineer."
    "Thank you, Computer," acknowledged Picard.  "There,
you see Mister Data, I think that the stress of this situation
has been too much for you.  Some of your positronic pathways
may have been fused together so that you're confusing events
from this time with events from our time."
    "Impossible, sir.  My brain is protected from surges
of the magnitude required to cause the damage you suggest,"
responded the android calmly.
    "Still, at least report to Sickbay and have Doctor
Pulaski examine you," said Riker.
    "Aye, sir, but may I first stop in to see Worf in
the Brig?" inquired Data.
    "Of course, Data.  Just be sure you have yourself
checked out," said Picard.
    As Data left the Bridge, everyone left exchanged
worried glances.  To think that someone with such strength,
such knowledge, had for all intents and purposes lost their
mind...The fact that Data was a construct made it no easier
to accept.

    As Data entered the Brig, he noticed that the force
field covering the doorway to Worf's cell was not in place.
Yet Worf still sat in the cell.  He looked up upon Data's
entrance.
    "What happened, sir?" he grumbled.
    "We have captured one of the creatures, mostly
through the good work of Chief Engineer Scott.  The Captain
is preparing to return to our own time with it," replied Data.
    "Who did you say?  What happened to Geordi?" asked
Worf.  Data could see his curiosity straining alongside his
concern for his friend.
    "You mean you never heard of anyone named 'Scott'
serving aboard the Enterprise, either.  The Captain says
that no one named Geordi LaForge has ever served on this
ship."
    "We must DO something.  Geordi may be in danger.
What does the computer say about Geordi?" queried the Klingon.
    "Computer records show a Geordi LaForge serving aboard
the original Enterprise in this time period.  It is my belief
that Q somehow caused Geordi and Scott to change places,
modifying all computer records and people's memories.  I was
not affected for some reason.  You were not either.  Perhaps
it was Q's disdain for your race, or some peculiar physiological
trait of the Klingons."
    "It does not matter 'why.'  What we must do is
recover Geordi and return Scott to his proper place,"
rumbled the warrior.
    "Do you have any plans for doing this, Lieutenant?"
asked the android.
    "If we separated the Stardrive section and followed
the other Enterprise, the saucer would have to follow us.
Perhaps, when everyone is back in their proper place, every
thing will return to normal," said Worf.
    "An interesting theory, but how could we get everyone
except Scott out of the Stardrive section long enough for us
to separate?"
    "Leave that to me," said the Klingon, coming as close
to smiling as he ever had.  "You secure the Battle Bridge.
I will signal you when I am ready to separate the saucer."
    "Agreed."  Worf and Data walked side-by-side to the
Brig doors and then parted company, each going their own way.
    Data had gone to Sickbay, per the Captain's orders,
but Pulaski had been unable to find anything physically
wrong with the android.  She reported her findings, such as
they were to the Captain.  Data had been on his way to the
Battle Bridge on Deck 8 when Picard paged him.

    "You are hereby removed from duty until some solution
to your problem presents itself" was all Picard had said.
Data wondered if whoever or whatever had changed everyone's
memories hadn't also put everyone's personalities ever so
slightly off-kilter as well.
    By now, Data had entered the Battle Bridge and set
about all possible preperations for saucer separation that
wouldn't be readily detected on the Main Bridge.  All he
had to do now was sit back and wait for Worf's signal.  Data
sat in the command chair, with a slightly less than straight
posture, his form of physical relaxation.
    Fortunately for Worf, it was near the middle of the
night shift when he entered Engineering.  He waited until
there was no one in sight, then he stealthily crept over to
the main engineering console.  He punched in his special
security codes in order to gain access to the collection
of disaster simulations that were normally used to train
his security force on the Holodeck.
    "Computer, run program 'Security8Alpha'," he whispered,
just loud enough for the computer's audio pickup to hear.
    "Proper clearance provided.  Running program
'Security8Alpha'," responded the computer, much too loudly
for Worf's liking.
    On the Bridge, Wesley turned anxiously to Picard
as the Red Alert klaxons went off yet again.  "Captain, the
magnetic containment fields around the ship's matter/anti-
matter core have begun to dissipate.  Approximately 45 seconds
until uncontrolled matter/anti-matter collision."
    "Thank you, Ensign.  Picard to Engineering, is there
any chance of you getting the problem under control?"
    "Scott here, Cap'n.  There IS no problem...well,
at least no' a one I kin find, sir.  I recommend entering
Warp and separating the saucer.  That way, if she does blow,
most o' ye'll not be in any danger," reported the Chief
Engineer.
    "Prepare for emergency saucer separation.  All hands
to emergency stations," ordered Picard.  "Ensign, how long?"
    "Twenty seconds, Captain."
    "Warp 8, Ensign.  Any heading.  Engage!" shouted
Picard.
    Wesley hurriedly punched in a course that would take
the Enterprise into deep space, away from any possibly
inhabited planets.
    "Moving to course 90 mark 136.  Speed currently Warp
4 and increasing.  Fifteen seconds to detonation," said the
Ensign, somehow finding enough self-control to remain calm.
    "Seperate saucer...NOW!" ordered Picard.
    On the Bridge viewscreen, the saucer appeared to lift
up and away as the larger, faster Stardrive section shot out
from under them.  Wesley counted down the time to detonation.
    "12 seconds...10...9...8...7...6...5 seconds...4...3
...2...1...detonation!"
    Everyone present covered their eyes in preparation
for the blinding flash they knew would soon follow.  It never
did.
    "Captain, I don't understand," began Troi.
    "The Stardrive section never was in any danger,
fools."
    "Q, what do you have to do with this," asked Picard,
rather more loudly than he would have liked.
    "Tut, tut, Jean-Luc.  I had nothing to do with the
false alarm on the Stardrive section.  You owe that to
Microbrain and the Incredible Toaster Man."  The voice
came out of nowhere, Q not deigning himself to become solid.
    "Worf and Data?  Impossible," said Picard.
"Computer, location of Lieutenant Worf and Commander Data."
    "Lieutenant Worf and Commander Data are not on the
saucer at this time.  Last known positions were in Main
Engineering and the Battle Bridge, respectively," answered
the feminine voice.
    "You see, Jean-Luc.  If I was one to say 'I told you
so'," he trailed off.
    "But you are, Q," muttered Riker, irritated with the
whole situation.
    "Quite right, William.  Quite right.  So I'll say it.
I told you so.  There much, much better," said Q smugly.
    "Get out of here, Q.  Unless you're going to help us."
    "An ultimatum, Picard.  So unbecoming.  I'm not going
to help you.  Not yet, anyway.  There's nothing in it for me.
Bye now."
    Since Q was not visible, there was no indication that
he had left, other than a slight whoosh of air and the sound
like someone snapping there fingers.
    "Ensign," said Picard.  "Trail the saucer at maximum
impulse power.  I want to know what's going on."
    "But we'll never catch them," protested Wesley.
    "Just do it, Ensign!" Picard glowered at the boy.
    Meekly, Wesley obeyed.
    Worf entered the Battle Bridge, carrying an unconscious
Montgomery Scott over his shoulder.  Data looked up as he
entered.
    "Were you successful, Lieutenant?" asked the android.
    "Yes.  People began evacuating the Stardrive section
as soon as I implemented my simulation.  Only Scott and a few
others were present.  Everyone except us has been rendered
unconscious by my phaser set on stun."
    "Good.  I have laid in a course that will parallel
that of the original Enterprise's back to Earth.  We should
catch up with them within the next forty-eight hours."
    On the saucer section, Pulaski was furious.  It seemed
that whenever she really needed the ship to hold steady so
that she could work on a patient, was the time that the Bridge
Crew decided to run the ship as rough as possible.  The power
drain, momentary though it was, when the ship separated,
almost proved deadly to Aures.  The operation had been at a
critical stage when the ship separated and Pulaski had almost
lost her.  She wasted no time bringing this to the attention
of the Bridge Crew.  Picard said, however, that if Aures was
still alive to stop worrying about it and get back to work.
This only made Pulaski madder.
     She was now in the process of removing the stasis
field from Aures' body.  Most bodily functions had returned
to normal, the only major problem being the heart, which
beat almost tentatively in her chest.  Pulaski's prognosis
was that she'd almost fully recover, if she ever regained
consciousness.
    "Selar," she said, removing the last stasis field.
"Watch her.  I'm going up to the Bridge to find out exactly
what's going on.  I'll be back shortly."
    "Of course, Doctor," the Vulcan said to Pulaski's
back as the physician left Sickbay.  'Humans,' Selar thought
to herself.  'Sometimes I don't understand their desire to
become involved in thing they can't change.'  The Vulcan
continued on about her work, occasionally glancing up at
Aures' readouts.
    "Alright, Captain," said Pulaski, stepping out of
the Turbolift onto the Bridge.  "What's so important that
you feel you must constantly endanger the safety of my
patients?"
    It had taken her only a few seconds to realize that
Picard was not at his customary place in the center of the
Bridge activity, but that didn't stop her from asking the
question.
    "He's in the Ready Room.  He doesn't want to be
disturbed," answered Riker, turning in his seat to face her.
    "Well, that's too damn bad, because I'm going to
disturb him," Pulaski said resolutely as she headed for the
Ready Room door.
    The door chimed, but Picard just ignored it.  It
chimed a few more times, but he didn't look up, concentrating
on the information on his desk computer terminal.
    Finally, exasperated, Pulaski told the computer:
"Emergency medical overide.  Authorization: Pulaski-Alpha."
The door slid open immediately.
    "What the hell--," Picard started, but Pulaski cut
him off.
    "Captain, what is going on up here?  I've got a lot
of injured people in Sickbay, three of them critical.  Why
do you keep knocking the ship around, cutting power to
Sickbay, and otherwise trying to kill us?"
    "Please, Doctor.  This doesn't concern you," he
answered.
    "Yes it does!  I'm the one who has to put everyone
back together again," Pulaski said.
    "Very well.  Data and Worf are missing.  They took
control of the Stardrive section after simulating a Warp
core breech.  They took Scotty with them."
    "Who?" Pulaski asked.
    "Not you, too, Doctor," said Picard resignedly.
    "Data told me that he didn't know this Scotty, either.
At the time, it seemed that he was wrong.  Now, though, I have
no memory at all of this Scotty.  What happened to Geordi?"
    "I don't know what you're talking about, Doctor.
Data was ranting about this Geordi, also.  Give yourself a
psych exam.  Compare your brainwave profile now with the one
on record.  Let's see if we can't get to the bottom of this."
Picard turned back to his terminal screen, signaling that
this meeting was at an end.
    Pulaski left, her mood hardly having improved since
finding out the reason for the problems in Sickbay.
    On the rotating viewscreen, a white ship was just
becoming visible.  It was traveling at Warp 1.  Slowly, its
image increased in size.
    "Analysis of structure and registry indicate that
this is the Enterprise," the mechanical voice echoed.
    "Error!  This ship is extremely primitive compared
to the Enterprise," another voice echoed back.
    "Confirm that this is the Enterprise," echoed yet
another voice.
    "Initiating individual Borg sub-processes," echoed
the first voice.
    Slowly, the Borg stepped from their cubicles, full
powered, with only one thought on their group mind.  The
capture of the Enterprise.