World of Education/World of Education.iso/world_s/stng_nvl.zip/GEIGER.14

Text File | 1991-08-02 | 18KB | 374 lines

    Here is the next Chapter of my epic #B-)


            Chapter 14
    From out of the midst of the explosion, came the
Enterprise's Stardrive hull, shields flaring brightly where
debris from the Borg ship passed through them.  Even more
surprising, the shields were clearly visible, pulsing with
energy.
    On board the Stardrive module, Geordi was hurriedly
explaining his plan to Data, Worf, and Scotty.  "...So I had
the Enterprise transporters lock onto anything in the
cargo bay or the raw material store for the replicator and
beamed the energy directly into the Warp chamber, without
materializing it into matter.  This energy was fed directly
into the shields and used to push the Borg ship apart around
us."
    Scott and Data were listening intently, but Worf was
ready to fight.  "How much power is left for the weapons?" the
Klingon asked.
    As they entered Engineering, Chris looked up and
answered, "Enough for you to indulge yourself, Lieutenant."
    This brought a slow smile to Worf's face, and he
turned to Data, "Permission to attack the Borg, sir."
    Data tilted his head to the side as he thought it
over, gold eyes reflecting the energy surges in the Warp
core.  "Granted, Lieutenant, but only until we reconnect the
sections."
    "Aye, sir."  Worf turned and hurried to the Battle
Bridge.
    "Data, I have a plan," said Gawron.  "And I'd like
to see what you think of it."
    "Proceed, Ensign."
    "Since our shields are still at excess power levels,"
he looked at Geordi, questioningly, who nodded, then continued,
"why don't we execute a series of suicide runs at the Borg
ship?"
    "Ensign, why should we wish to kill ourselves?" asked
the android.
    "No, Data," said Geordi.  "What he means is to fly over
the Borg ship so that the lower part of the shields is actually
inside the Borg ship, ripping it away.  If Worf fires phasers
simultaneously, we could do a lot of damage before they can
adapt."
    "Very well, Geordi, implement this plan.  You also,
Ensign."
    As they left, Scott turned to Data.  "An' what about
me?  I dinna belong here."
    "You mean you remember where you belong, now?"
    "Yes, sir.  I belong on the Enterprise, but not
this one.  At least not yet," he finished hopefully.
    "We will return you to your ship at the earliest
possible convenience," replied Data.
    "Kin I at least have a look around, first?"
    "Of course, Commander," Data nodded.  "Be my guest."
    Scott gleefully ran from station to station, examining
readouts.
    On the Bridge of the Saucer, Picard was thrown off
his feet and everyone else was knocked off their feet by the
force of the explosion.
    In Sickbay, Doctors Pulaski and Selar were just
helping Aures out of her bed, to walk around Sickbay, when
the explosion came.  The diagnostic panel above the bed
ripped free from the wall and crashed down on Aures.  Sparks
danced across the back of the unit, and the smell of burnt
flesh and melted hair came from beneath the medical scanner.
    Because of the free electricity, neither Pulaski nor
Selar could get near enough to check Aures' life signs.  Not
that it would have mattered anyway.  If she had been at the
best hospital in the Federation, with the best surgeons, it
wouldn't have mattered.  Aures' body was little more than a
piece of charcoal.
    As they both knew that Aures was done for, Pulaski
and Selar left her where she was for the moment, and began
making preparations for the wounded they knew would soon
arrive.  Unseen by them, a brief flash of electricity arced
up one of the electrical pathways that was still connected
and disappeared into the wall.
    "Spock, what in the hell do they think they're
doing," screamed Kirk, as the Stardrive roared low over the
Borg, apparently headed directly for the Enterprise.
    As the Stardrive passed over the Borg, a layer twenty
meters thick appeared to dissolve.  Large pits were created
by the withering phaser fire, every one of which found its
mark at such great power, that for now at least, the Borg's
adaptational abilities were useless.
    "It would appear, Captain, that that ship is on our
side, and making an attempt to free us from the Borg tractor
beam," answered the Vulcan calmly.
    "Captain, Warp engines back online and under helm
control," Sulu reported, surprised, as his console returned
to life.
    "Veapons fully functional, as vell, Keptin," reported
Chekov.
    "Whoever took control from the Bridge, must have set
a time delay before he beamed out," mused Kirk, out loud.
Then to Sulu, "Lay in course 90 mark 174, get us above the
action as quickly as possible, Mister Sulu."
    "Aye, sir," the Asian replied.  "Course laid in,
maximum speed."

    The Enterprise limped and struggled to rise.  Slowly
it picked up speed, faltering because of the Borg damage.
Although the Warp engines were online, the engine nacelles
themselves were so damaged and out of alignment, that Warp
speed would have been impossible.
    The Stardrive section turned to make another pass, but
this time, the Borg erected a force field and the Enterprise
shields dropped down to 50% of normal as the ship passed through
it.  Worf's phaser barrage was now shrugged off, as well.
    On the Battle Bridge, Data was opening a channel to
the Saucer Section.  "Data to Picard.  I suggest we reconnect
the Enterprise."
    "Agreed," came Picard's voice over the comm-channel.
"Rendezvous with the Saucer at 176 mark 265 in 60 seconds."
    "Aye, sir.  Data out."
    "Course 118 mark 53, speed .2 impulse," reported
Ensign Gawron, anticipating Data's orders.
    "Lieutenant Worf, cease fire.  Damage report of
Stardrive Section and Borg ship."
    "Aye, Commander.  Minor damage to lower four decks
of Stardrive Section.  Shield power increasing to normal.
Scanning the Borg now...  Energy levels down 15%, subspace
activity 56% of normal," reported the Klingon calmly.  Then,
with some surprise, "Sir, the Borg ship has been reduced in
size by 12%.  Reading no atmosphere...wait, they are rebuilding.
Reading minimal atmosphere."
    "Acknowledged, Lieutenant," said Data.  "Prepare to
reconnect the Enterprise."  Data tapped out all his commands
on the control pad mounted into the Command Chair's armrests.
The Saucer grew larger as it seemed to drift across, then be
centered in the forward viewscreen.
    "Distance 250 meters and closing," Data counted off.
"200 meters...decreasing speed to 10 meters per second...100
meters...50 meters...decreasing speed to 5 meters per sec--"
    The saucer spun crazily on the viewscreen, as the
Borg ship pummeled it under a disastrous barrage.  All
occupants of the Stardrive and Saucer had been so intent on
reconnecting the Enterprise, that they forgot the Borg's
ability to fight while they heal themselves.
    The Bridge exhaust fans began to clear the smoke
from the sparking, smoldering consoles.  On the Enterprise
schematic on the rear wall, large sections of the Stardrive
section flashed read, damaged.
    "Warning!  Hull breached on decks 14 through 19, and
decks 25 through 31!  Severe structural damage on decks 12
through 33!"  The computer's voice could be heard over the
red alert klaxons.
    "Computer, projected time until total structural
failure," requested Data.
    "Five minutes and 14 seconds, if no further damage
is incurred," the computer responded, matter-of-factly.
    "Chief Engineer," said Data, activating his combadge.
    "Yes," answered Geordi and Scott simultaneously from
Engineering.
    "I require the Enterprise shields to be reconfigured
to 'form-fit' the Enterprise.  Use all available power, except
life support and weapons."
    "Aye, sir."  Again, they both answered in unison, as
the link closed.
    "Ensign Gawron, plot a course to the nearest planet
with an atmosphere within 10% of Earth's," ordered Data.
    "Yes, sir.  Wolf 359C is within 5 minutes of our
present position at Warp 2," Gawron answered.
    "Lay in a course and engage.  Also contact the Saucer
and have them follow us."
    "Aye, sir."
    The Stardrive section turned and entered Warp space,
followed, on impulse power, by the Saucer and its burden.
Seeing the Stardrive section as the main threat, the Borg
decided to chase the Engineering hull and to destroy the
Saucer later.  Soon all was quiet, except for the Enterprise's
emergency beacon: "Help.  U.S.S. Enterprise, to any ships in
range.  This is Captain James T. Kirk.  Need assistance.
Hurry."
    "The shield is reinforcing the hull, but I still
don't think it will withstand the strain of entering a planet's
atmosphere," said Geordi concernedly over the intercom from
Engineering.  He had heard what Data had in mind, and even
though it would in all likelyhood destroy the Borg, it could
do the same to the ship.
    "Understood, Geordi.  Your objection is noted.
Proceed with modifications to the navigational deflector
as per my specifications," answered the android from the
Battle Bridge.
    Chris turned from the navigator's station, looking
questioningly at Data.  He had never heard of the android
so cavalierly disregarding such a strong warning as Geordi
had first expressed.  Still, his was not to question, but for
now, to fly the ship.
    Worf was once again manning tactical, even though he
had nothing to do for the moment.  Data sat in the command
chair, concentrating his thoughts on Captain Picard.  'Why
hadn't he said anything about my freeing Worf and stealing
the Stardrive Section?  Did he now remember who Geordi was?'
He knew none of the answers for certain, which to Data was
as good as not knowing the answers at all.
    "Now entering orbit around Wolf 359C," reported
Gawron.  The planet on the viewscreen, third from the red
star, was mostly brown mottled with a sickly grey/green.
Small oceans or lakes of molten rock dotted the surface.
What water there was, evaporated into the atmosphere as
soon as it fell on the still boiling surface.  The planet
may have had an Earth-like atmosphere, but it was the
Earth of three and a half billion years ago.
    "Geordi," Data called down to Engineering.  "How
long until we will be ready to implement?"
    "Give me one more minute to fine tune my adjustments,"
the Engineer replied.  In the background, Scott could be heard
cursing loudly.  Helping Geordi, he had reversed the polarity
on the shield bypass circuit.  Final result, a set of scorched
fingers and jangled nerves.
    "Mister Gawron, plot a course to insert us into the
planet's atmosphere at 75 degrees to the surface."
    "Aye, Commander Data," the young man replied.
    "Mister Worf, status of Borg ship?"
    "Sensors show they will arrive in 35 seconds.
Energy readings are 89% of normal.  No exterior damage
evident," the Klingon said simply.  Of all the foes he
had faced, the Borg scared him the most.  He did not like
to admit it, but he was terrified by their emotionless
natures.
    "Mister Gawron, is course laid in?" asked Data.  The
android was nervous, if such a thing was possible.  He alone,
after much analysis, knew the Borg's full potential for
destruction.
    "Course computed and laid in.  Ready on your command."
    On the arm of Data's chair, a light flashed,
indicating that Geordi, also, was ready.
    In a ripple of space, the Borg ship appeared, dropping
out of Warp space less than 5 kilometers.  As it rotated,
everyone saw the truth of Worf's sensor scans.  They could
see no damage.  In fact, the Borg ship looked more powerful
than before it was damaged.  Slowly, almost warily, it
advanced on the Enterprise.
    The tractor beam lashed out, but the Enterprise was
no longer there.  It had retreated into the planet's atmosphere.
The Borg fired again, seemingly reluctant to follow the
Stardrive Section.  Another clean miss.  This time, however,
the Enterprise's tractor beam fired, locking on dead center
to the face of the Borg cube nearest it.
    The Borg entered the atmosphere, having no choice
other than to enter Warp again and risk losing the Enterprise.
As the two ships moved deeper into the cloud of swirling
gases, the glow of the Enterprise's tractor beam dimmed,
atmospheric particles interfering with its intensity.

    On the Bridge, Data watched with satisfaction as the
Borg were drawn ever deeper toward the planet.  Geordi's
status report had not been encouraging and the computer
kept reminding them that the Enterprise would experience
fatal structural failure if they did not leave the planet's
atmosphere.  Data thought back to his plan.  It seemed
foolish now, but in theory it would work.
    Data had reasoned that if the Borg could adapt to
a purely energy attack, then what was needed was a more
physical approach.  Unfortunately, in space, such a physical
assault would be impossible, short of colliding the Enterprise
with the Borg.  No, instead he had opted for a different
approach.  He theorized that if some kind of connector
between the Borg and the Enterprise could be set up, and
the correct vibrational frequency found, that the Borg
could be destroyed.  The best connector he could think of
that was nearby, was a planetary atmosphere.  And, because
of it's content of water vapor, an Earth-like atmosphere was
sufficiently thick to conduct the sound vibrations he intended
to use.
    When Gawron reported that the Borg were fifteen
kilometers from the surface, Data press the control studs on
the right chair arm without looking, eyes intent on the
viewscreen.  The image on the viewscreen, the Borg ship in
pursuit, swung quickly sideways and had to be reoriented to
face forward once the spinning had stopped.  The Enterprise
was now facing the Borg at a range of one kilometer.
    "Mister Worf, fire," ordered Data.
    A deep, basso rumbling filled the Bridge, deafening
all on it.  Data knew that it must be worse for those in
Engineering, closer to the deflector.  The power continued
to build up, threatening to tear the ship asunder.
    Geordi lost consciousness first, then Scott.  Gawron
was next, followed quickly be Worf.  They just slumped over
where they were sitting or standing, dead to the world.
    Data did not notice however.  He, too, was suffering
under the onslaught from the sound waves.  Although more
resilient than the others, his hearing, so much more
sensitive, went first.  Then his optic and vocal circuits
were interrupted.  Finally darkness closed in and Data's
last thought to himself, trying to speak and failing,
"So, this is death.  Intriguing."  Then Data slumped over
sideways, too soon to hear the computer.
    "Warning, forward progress not abated.  Planetary
collision imminent.  Five minutes to impact."
    These warnings joined the ones about structural
failure, the computer talking to itself in stereo, yet
with the same voice.
    The Enterprise continued its descent, followed by
the Borg cube, until, sufficient power built up, a beam of
solid sound erupted from the navigational deflector dish and
slammed into the Borg ship.
    "Mister Callari, how long until we reach Wolf 359?"
asked Picard.
    "About five minutes, sir," the young officer replied.
    "Preliminary sensor scans?" queried Riker.
    The young blond lieutenant at Ops spoke without
turning, "Sensors show a massive energy discharge deep
within Wolf 359C's atmosphere.  Sensors unable to detect
any ships in the area."
    "None whatsoever?  That does not bode well, Number
One.  Surely, after the saucer, we're next.  All hands to
emergency battlestations.  Red Alert."
    The red tracer lights flashed and the klaxon
sounded as Picard grimly sat down in the command chair,
contemplating what was almost certainly to be a battle to
the death, with his side coming up short.
    "Captain, life support falling below minimum,"
Spock reported calmly, face neutral.  If Spock feared
death, he did not show it.
    "Dammit, Spock, show some emotion for a change!"
shouted McCoy from his customary position behind the
Captain's chair.  He was perhaps a bit more irritable than
usual because, now that Geordi LaForge was no longer on the
Enterprise, McCoy was the only one who remembered him.  He
knew Scotty belonged on the Enterprise, but he had vanished.
    "Calm down, you two," Kirk said wearily from where
he had been pacing up and down in front of the viewscreen.
Spock raised an eyebrow, not realizing he had shown any
emotion, because he indeed had not.
    McCoy continued to bluster.  "But, Jim, if we don't
do something soon --"
    Kirk interrupted, "I understand, Bones.  I've got
Spock working on the Science angle and Kyle and Leslie
working in Engineering to get us up and running."
    Kirk seemed pleased with himself, but McCoy would
not be distracted and finished his proclamation, "We're
dead, Jim.  Or as good as dead."
    "Thank you, Doctor."  Kirk realized, too late, his
unintentional and exagerrated emphasis on the last word.
    McCoy turned on his heel and stormed off the Bridge.
    "The good Doctor's concern is overly emotional, but
it is also logical, Jim," said Spock, for once siding with
McCoy.  Spock felt fortunate that McCoy would never learn
of it, or he would chide Spock about it for the rest of their
days.  As they only had four hours left, however, it would be
barely tolerable.
    "I know, Spock, but I had to get McCoy off the Bridge
so that we could concentrate.  Uhura, have all off-duty personnel
return to their quarters and tell them to take it easy, conserve
as many resources as possible.  Also, have someone distribute
the oxygen tanks from the space suits to all on-duty crewmen."
    "Aye, sir," Uhura answered and went to work at her
console, giving the appropriate orders to the appropriate
people.
    "Mister Sulu, get us as close as possible to an M class
planet.  Mister Chekov, prepare to abandon ship."  Kirk turned
to Spock.  "Spock, I'll need your help, when the time comes,
with the self-destruct command."
    "Unwise, Captain, but I will assist."
    The crew set about their given assignments, trying
to ignore the steadily decreasing readouts on the life support
monitors.


Well, what do you think?

Enjoy...

--
** " (Quantum Leap)    If at first you don't succeed, Leap, Leap again!
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