Danny Amor's Online Library/Danny Amor's Online Library - Volume 1.iso/html/startrek/incomplete/secrets.p1-3

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From: [e-mail] (Craig Limber)
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Subject: Secrets, Part I (repost)
Date: 12 Jan 1995 11:36:33 -0600
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Hi all you netters;

I just finished part II and since it was SO long since I posted the first
part, I am putting up part I again.  So, here ya go:

This is my third entry into the world of net fiction ("My Interview With Smaug"
and "Star Drag" being the first two) but its my first that does not involve
silly humor.  If you like it, send me mail.  If you don't like, send me
LOTS of money to convince me not to do it again.

And now for the legal stuff:

Star Trek: the Next Generation is a registered trademark of Paramount
Pictures.  They own it, its theirs and they have lots of lawyers to protect
them.  This story is not intented to take away any of their revenue of any
sort and is merely here to entertain and encourage people to purchase as
much stuff as possible from the TV station's sponsors that support the show.

You can distribute this file to your hearts content as long as the legalize
goes with it.

Craig Limber    [e-mail]
Leatherman -- Tool of the Gods.



                  SECRETS
                  =======

They had been looking for a long time but, this time, they did not like
what they had found.  Fortunately, they did not have to worry about it for
long.

They came out of their dimensional shift a little too close to the galactic
barrier.  Before their computers had a chance to reconfigure the ship's
shielding for a penetration into the glowing field, it was too late.  One
by one the remaining defensive screens were peeled away, exposing the naked
hull to the turbulent flows of energy.  Defensive systems struggled briefly
then faltered as the barrier forces took their toll.

With a flash the ship shot from the barrier and sped into the galaxy,
spinning wildly.  At this point the crew were already dead. The inertial
compensators for the crewed areas of the ship having failed, they were
smeared against the walls of their ship from the forces that assailed their
small craft.   It continued its spin into the dark galactic space.

The ship's computer, made of tougher stuff than the former crew, began to
assess the damage.  The ship's engines were gone, stripped clean away by
the same forces that pasted the crew over every exposed surface in the
interior cabins.  Only two service robots, held within their storage bays
and protected by the one operational inertial damper, were able to function.

With its external sensors gone, the computer had to make use of the way bits
of debris moved about the interior to ascertain how the ship was tumbling.
This would have to be fixed before the robots could be deployed.  It waited
and then at the right moment blew open an emergency hatch.

The atmosphere instantly rushed out.  Like a rocket, the reaction to this
action slowed the tumbling.  Cabin pressure dropped immediately but
that did not matter since there was no one who needed it anymore inside.
The fluids in what remained of the crew instantly boiled into vapor and
joined the exit of the rest of the atmosphere and those components of the
ship that were not firmly attached to the interior.   With mechanical
regret the computer watched several salvageable devices disappear into
the darkness.  A necessary sacrifice.  However, the tumbling had slowed
to a point where the robots could operate effectively.

The service robots moved from their bays and set about trying to make
something of the mess.  The computer sent one of them to the hatch to see
what was around.  Directly in the path of the ship was a planet.  Another
stab of mechanical regret worked its way through the quick mind of the
computer as it set about activating the transmitter.  The computer was
barely able to squeak off a message before it entered the planet's
atmosphere.  The robots had returned to their bays and would be safe from
the impact, again due to the one remaining inertial dampener.  The computer
was not so lucky.  In the few seconds before the ship impacted the surface
a white hot flame of plasma shot into the ship from the open hatch and
burned away the exposed components of its higher functions.  As it felt its
life drain away, the computer fought on for its mission and programmed the
robots to store and protect the information it had.  All went dark.

                                  *********

Far away a lone sentinel sat at its station and watched the borders.  The
passage of the unknown ship was faint and brief but still registerable.
Coming deep within Federation space the energy readings were of little
concern to the Tholian Watcher.  Readings were taken and logged away; more
information about the Tholians largest and most powerful neighbour but
unless it was within Tholians borders or represented an immediate threat,
little would be done about it.  The Sentinel watched on as the object
hurtled towards a populated planet.  The computers indicated that a
considerable amount of life would be destroyed by the impact of an object
moving at that speed but, again, that was of little concern.  What happened
next, though, was a different matter.

Just before impact a message aimed outside the galaxy was beamed from the
object.  It was brief but contained a great deal of information.  The
computer automatically analzyed the transmission for patterns and codes.
Any information might be of assistance to the Tholians.  One after
another patterns were compared and discarded by the computer.  Remote
storage sites were called up and their information was compared as well.
The computer paused to ask the Sentinel permission to access the main
database on the homeworld.  This would take time but permission was
given anyways.  The Sentinel was getting quite curious, a rarely experienced
emotion.

After a time, long after the last of the debris had settled from the
alien object's passage,  the computer came back with its answer.  A match had
been found.  The computer had to search archives that were, quite
literally, ancient.  As the Tholian came across the bottom line of the
report it froze and a numbing fear burst into its mind.  Unable to act
it simply stared at the computer display for what seemed an eternity.
Finally, still weak with fear, the Tholian Sentinel was able to regain
motor functions and activate the communications system and send a report.

It took a long time for the report to permeate the Tholian command.
The report had such an impact on each of the levels of command that
all were frozen when the information was displayed.  Each being that
viewed the report were stunned by what they saw.  However, once the
information had managed to permeate the command structure, the Tholians
were quick to act.

                                  *********

"Captain's log, Stardate four two three eight point one.  The Enterprise is
en route to Delevon V for the upcoming conference on warp emitter
development.  Mr. La Forge is one of the speakers and is looking forward to
the conference.  The rest of the crew is scheduled for shore leave during
the two weeks while we are in proximity to the planet."

"Message from Starfleet command coming in, Captain" rumbled the Klingon
security officer.  "It is encoded and is priority one."

"In my ready room" Picard answered as he rose and headed to his personal office.
Seating himself within, Picard activated his viewer.

"Computer, recognize Picard, Jean Luc.  Alpha-two-one-eight-seven"  The computer
blipped in return.  "Play message from Starfleet Command."

Instantly the display went from black to the dour face of Admiral Klindon.

"Greetings, captain.  I am afraid it's not good news.  Four hours ago a
rather large Tholian fleet was observed gathering outside the neutral
zone.  They ignored all attempts at contact.  Then, without warning they
invaded our space and attacked all ships that have come close to them.
They have cut deep into our space, Jean-Luc.  All ships within range
have been ordered to intercept.  You will be under direct of command
of Commodore Patrick.  She says she has already met you.

Picard grunted with recognition even though the message was recorded
and the tired-looking admiral couldn't hear him.

"Your orders are to rendesvous with the fleet gathering at the
Kergen system.  The Tholian invasion is to be stopped before they
come into striking range of any of our populated planets.  Appended to
this message is a report of the enemy fleet and their actions so far.
I'm sorry, Jean-Luc.  I share your dislike of senseless violence but
we are going to need your ship to stop the Tholians.  Klindon out."

Picard sat and stared at the display for a few moments as the information
has sunk in.  The Tholians!  Ever since they destroyed the starbase where
Riker's father served on they have stayed within their borders and resisted
all contact with the Federation.  Now they have come forth for apparent war.
Picard hated war.  Such senseless waste and destruction.  "Computer" he
snapped.  Again sounded the familiar chime indicating the computer's voice
interface was ready.  "Release the appended tactical information of the
last message to the current bridge crew.  Picard to Riker."

Immediately the voice of his first officer come forth from the speakers.
"Yes, captain?"

"Set course for the Kergen system, maximum warp.  I want all of the
senior officers to meet in the conference room in 10 minutes.  I'm afraid
its bad, Will."

"Understood, captain."

                                ***********

A short time later, with the senior officers gathered in the conference
room, Picard strode in.  His normally taciturn face now turned to a look
of distaste.  This fact was not lost on the the crewmembers present.
Without greetings, Picard launched into the news.

"A rather large Tholian fleet has invaded Federation space.  We have been
ordered to join our fleet gathering on that border and help them repel
the invaders."

He took a moment as the news sunk in to observe the reactions of the
crewmembers.  Looks of shock and anger spread about the room.  Only
Worf and Data retained their original expressions.

"Starfleet does not understand why the Tholians have attacked our space.
Its apparent that, while they have a tactical advantage at the moment,
the combined Federation fleet could easily crush them.  Our mission is
to hold the Tholians until additional fleet elements arrive.  Computer,
display Tholian tactical situation."

The large wall screen came to life and showed the section of the galaxy
that contained the border shared by the federation and the Tholians.  They
had already penetrated deep into Federation space and several populated
planets were in their path.

Riker, using his keen mind for tactics, could not see any pattern.  "I
don't understand this attack profile.  The Tholians have already
come in far enough to attack several major planets but are, instead,
taking this route."

Picard sent a glance of approval to his first officer.  "Yes, I've seen it
as well, Number One.  I don't understand it either.  However, the fact
remains that the 'Victoria', 'Explorer' and 'Essex' have been destroyed by
the invasion."

Picard's gaze intensified as he looked at Riker.  "Will, I want you to
implement regular battle drills until we reach the rendezvous.  Worf, I
want you and your tactical people to try and analyze the Tholian advance
and see if you can detect any patterns.   Make sure that everyone is sharp
and alert when we reach the fleet.  Dismissed."

             ***********

The Federation had suffered greatly at the hands of the Borg and it showed
from the fleet that was present to deal with the Tholians.  The Enterprise
was the largest ship present with the older heavy cruisers Columbia and
Adamantine the next largest.  The destroyers Xerxes, Genghis and Napolean
were also present.  The Xerxes and Columbia were both damaged from an
earlier clash with the Tholians but had managed to escape their advance.
Commodore Patrick had already transferred her flag to the Enterprise and a
conference of captains was underway.

Commodore Patrick's face was hard as she addressed the assembled fleet
officers.  "My staff and I will set up in the Enterprise; it will be the
flagship for operations in this sector.  Tactical display, please."

The conference viewer came to life.  A view of the local space appeared
within.  The Tholian advance was bordered with a thick yellow line and red
dots within representing enemy vessels.  Nearby were blue dots operating in
pairs, these were the Federation vessels.  They moved slowly about the
display as the information about the battle was coming in "real-time."  As
the commodore paused to let the crew examine the display, one of the blue
dots that was pushing a bulge into the thick yellow line around the
Tholians disappeared.  This was almost immediately followed with a computer
generated report.

"Federation destroyer Wellington has been destroyed.  No information about
the crew is available at this time," it said without passion.

The commodore looked down to the floor for a second and returned her gaze
to the conference attendees once she had her emotions in check.

"As you can see the Tholian advance does not follow any logical pattern.
It does, however, still pose a great threat" she said, shaken.  "Computer,
scroll to coordinates one-eight-three by five-seven-seven."

The display shifted along a line of the Tholian advance.  Several symbols
slid into view.  Symbols that everyone recognized as heavily populated
planets.

"As you can see, the Tholian advance is within days of encountering some of
our most important planets.  There are billions of Federation citizens on
them.  They MUST be protected.  Additional fleet elements have been pulled
from the Klingon and, regrettably, from the Romulan border.  All we need to
do is keep them in check until the rest of the fleet has arrived."  She
turned from the viewer and faced the assembled captains.  "What I propose
is that we try not to stop them but, instead, slow and redirect them since
time is on our side.  The fleet we have deployed now is doing just
that."

She ordered the display again to show the projected Tholian advance twelve
hours in the future.  "Here is where we will deploy the forces.  I intend
to put most of the fleet to one flank of the Tholians to 'push' them off to
one side.  The rest of the fleet is already aware of the plan and are
implementing it now.  Your ships are the fastest that we have available.
You will be the reserve fleet.  Its your job to rush to weak sectors and
reinforce that area to prevent any Tholian 'leaks.'

She looked directly into the eyes of Captain Giatano.  "Captain, you are
the first.  Take the Xerxes and patch the hole left by the Wellington.  If
there is any further information from this meeting we will send it to you."

"Yes Commodore" said Giatano as he stood and limped to the exit.

"Captain" said the Commodore with a serious face.

The captain turned in silence.

"Good luck."

He waved and left without a word.  The door swished shut behind him.

"Captain Quagar, you and the Napoleon will be attached to the Enterprise as
escort.  In order to make our plan work our command structure must stay
intact and communication lines must stay open.  Its your job to ensure that.
The rest of you, prepare your ships for battle.  That is all."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------


That ends part 1.  Subsequent parts will be posted as I somehow manage to
get some time time to proofread and complete it.  Please let me know what you
think.

Take it easy!

Craig
[e-mail]

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From: [e-mail] (Craig Limber)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: Secrets, Part II (new)
Date: 12 Jan 1995 11:37:06 -0600
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After a moderate amount of demand, here is part II.  Sorry for the delay,
been very busy.

And now for the legal stuff:

Star Trek: the Next Generation is a registered trademark of Paramount
Pictures.  They own it, its theirs and they have lots of lawyers to protect
them.  This story is not intented to take away any of their revenue of any
sort and is merely here to entertain and encourage people to purchase as
much stuff as possible from the TV station's sponsors that support the show.

Craig Limber    [e-mail]
Leatherman -- Tool of the Gods.



                         SECRETS, part II
                  =======

"FIRE!"

The forward tubes flashed and four glowing torpedoes shot forth and sped
towards the Tholian cruiser.  They spent themselves against its shields
which glowed and held.

"Enemy shields are damaged.  There does not appear to be any damage to
their hull." said Data after reading the computer's analysis.

Captain Picard knew from Federation intelligence that this particular
cruiser could only withstand that kind of attack by applying nearly all of
its power to the shields.  "Come to course one-five-zero mark two-seven-nine,
full impulse.  Engage.  Mr Worf, fire phasers.  Prepare another spread of
torpedoes, dispersal pattern; Tango."

"Eye, sir."

The weapons spoke again and cut through the darkness as the Enterprise
fired at long range against the Tholian ship.  Worf knew that the shot had
no chance of penetrating the enemy shields but he understood what the
captain was planning.  The phasers were to keep the Tholians from redirecting
energy to their own heavy weapons while the Enterprise moved closer.   He
knew their timidness was going to cost them.

Data tapped away at his controls; his fingers landing precisely in the
center of each.  "Captain, I am reading an energy loss in their forward
deflector arrays" he said.

"Helm, veer eight degrees to port.  Mr. Worf, as soon as the weapons would
clearly strike their forward shields, fire full phasers."

"Yes, Sir!" the Klingon replied as the battle lust bubbled up from within.

The Tholian ship had slowed and began to turn away as the Enterprise
maneuvered to get a shot at its forward shields but the Federation vessel
was too quick.  In desperation the Tholian fired its remaining weapons at
its attacker but their energy was absorbed by the Federation shields.  The
response was quick in coming.

Worf locked the phasers onto the enemy ship, put his finger on the phaser
control and held it down.  He watched the beams cut across into the Tholian
ship and shower the shields with energy.  They held briefly and then
collapsed.  The beams, now with nothing to stand in their way, burned into
the enemy hull and glowing debris blew out from the impact.  With a sneer,
Worf pushed onto the phaser control harder as if he were pressing his own
finger deep into the flesh of his enemy.  The interior of the enemy vessel
was clearly visible as bulkhead after bulkhead was disintegrated under the
onslaught.

Riker looked on in horror as the enemy vessel appeared to dissolve in
front of his eyes.  "MR. WORF!  ENOUGH!"

"Eye, Sir" said the Klingon as he released the control.  The phaser fire
ceased immediately.  The Tholian vessel, with nearly fifteen percent of its
structure missing, began to drift away from the enterprise.  Melted shards
of metal trailed from the open wound.

Picard knew the battle for this enemy was over.  "Open a channel with the
Tho-"

Data interrupted him.  "Sir, sensors indicate an overload in the enemy
propulsion systems.  An explosion is immanent"

The crew looked back up at the main viewscreen.  The wounded Tholian vessel
tumbled away slowly as powerful discharges played along the surface of the
hull and engines.  There was a flash near the stern and a small object,
probably an escape pod, blasted away from the dying ship.  A bright glow
shone briefly from one of the engines then the enemy ship exploded into
countless glowing shards.  The pod, not yet out of range of the explosion,
was overtaken by the wall of debris.  It did not emerge.

Picard had seen ships die before but that has never numbed him of the
sense of loss at witnessing the extinguishing of so many souls.  He
paused while the anger at this senseless waste drained from him.  "Time
to leave.  Helm, take us back to the reserve fleet.  There's nothing more
we can do here.  Maximum warp.  Engage."

"Yes sir" responded the officer at the helm.

The Enterprise turned, moved past the glowing cloud of debris and
disappeared into warp.

                               ************

"The Tholians are proving to be an extremely perplexing adversary." growled
the Commodore from her chair at the head of the table.  She wore a large
bandage across her head from falling during one of the most recent battles.
Sickbay was full to capacity with injured crewmembers and her wound was
not serious enough to demand immediate attention.

"Our attempt to turn them aside has failed.  Instead of avoiding the
numerous ambushes we have laid for them they have charged right through and
have taken heavy losses.  I don't understand it."  She look intently at the
gathered officers hoping for some kind of elightenment.

Picard was half listening to the conversation.  He was staring at the
tactical map.  Something at the back of his mind had been annoying him for
some time.  Finally, he saw what it was.

"They want something" he interrupted.

The Commodore looked at Picard with irritation.  "What?" she demanded.

"I don't think the Tholians are simply trying to invade or expand their
space.  There is something in their path that they want.  Something that
they want very, very badly."  The Commodore turned and stared at the
tactical display as Picard tapped his communicator.

"Picard to Data."

"Data here" came the quick reply.

"Tap into the Federation long range sensor logs.  See if there is any form
of anomalous readings in the areas that the Tholians are heading towards.
Check it very carefully Mr. Data."

"Understood, Captain."

During the conversation the Commodore had moved up beside Picard and was
now leaning over him.  "What makes you think the Tholians are after
something in particular and why did you ask for the sensor analysis?"

"Think about it Commodore.  Their headlong drive in this direction would
indicate that there is something that they want.  And since its obvious
that the Tholians were not prepared for an invasion there is something that
happened recently that has triggered this action.  Something that they want
to get to.  Perhaps something that they don't want US to get to.

Understanding dawned on the Commodore.  "Continue with your analysis,
Captain.  That's an interesting idea.  Perhaps something may come from it."
She returned to the purpose of this meeting but all present now had a
singular thought in the back of their minds.  What do the Tholians want?

               ***************

"Captain, I believe we may have found something."

Picard looked up from his ready-room chair.  Across from him sat the
Commodore.  They had been going over fleet officer assignments when they
had been interrupted by the quiet android.  "Yes, Mr. Data."

Data approached the Captain's display panel.  "May I?" he asked as he
gestured at it.

"Certainly, Mr. Data" replied Picard as he saved the information they were
working on.

Data rapidly tapped on the controls.  A section of space appeared centered
on a minor world within Federation space called Ackon Four.  "Three weeks
ago the sensors on the science station Archerous Two picked up what
appeared to be an energy burst from the Fourth planet of that system.
However, since the planet's sun was directly behind it, the sensor's
watchdog programs assumed that it was simply as solar activity of some sort.
However, when I analyzed it further it appears that there was an
energy burst on the planet itself."  He paused politely to allow any
questions from the two humans.

"Go on, Mr. Data" prompted the Commodore.

"The planet in question has intelligent life but is very primitive and is
barely into the use of iron.  Their culture could not have produced the
equipment capable of generating such energies.  I believe it is worth
investigating."

Picard gave the Commodore a questioning glance.  "Sorry, captain, I will
send the Napoleon to investigate.  We need the Enterprise's firepower here
to delay the Tholians."

Picard was disapointed.  He was an explorer, not a warrior but the
Commodore was right.  The Enterprise represented almost twenty percent of
Starfleet's combat capabilities in this area.

However, he was unable to prevent a let little of his true feelings through.
"Understood, Commodore" he sighed after a moment.

                        ***************

"Captain's log, Supplemental.  The front with the Tholians has been quiet.
They have slowed slightly, possibly to affect repairs to ships we have
damaged.  Two more ships have arrived to assist.  The klingon frigate
K'targen has already entered combat and the Commodore has transferred her
flag to the Federation picket ship Farseer.  Its superior sensor systems
plus the fact that it will not enter combat make it a natural choice for
her to oversee the conflict.  The Enterprise was heavily damaged during
the last battle and we are affecting repairs.  Engineering reports
we should be combat capable in another three hours."

Picard stood and faced his ready room's window for the umpteenth time.
he felt the wearinenss finally creep up on him and decided it was time
to get some sleep.  He was just turning to leave when the intercom
bleeped.

"Worf to Captain Picard." came the voice.

"Yes, Mr. Worf?"

"Priority communication requested from the Commodore." voiced the
steady Klingon.

"Thank you, Mr. Worf."

The captain sat again and activated his desk monitor.  The Commodore's face
appeared within.  Her injury had been attended to but she was obviously
lacking in sleep; just like everyone else.

"Captain, I have some bad news.  The Tholians have broken through.  They
have employed some large fleet elements that Star Fleet was not aware of.
This includes some battlecruisers we have never seen before.  They
overwhelmed our fleet and only the K'targen and Farseer are left and
we can't catch them."  Her face darkened and Picard's adrenaline began
to run as he realized what this meant for the Enterprise.

"Jean-Luc, the Enterprise is the only ship left in position and capable of
getting to Ackon before the Tholians."

"What about the Napoleon?" Picard knew the answer but asked anyways.

The commodore paused.  "They didn't make it, either," she said.

Picard's face hardened.  "Understood." was all he said.

"Captain, make some sense of this.  Patrick out."  The viewscreen went
dark.

Picard sat quietly in his ready room for a minute.  He stood and walked
onto the bridge.  Only Worf, Data and Riker will still on shift; the
rest of the primary bridge crew were getting some sleep.

"Helm, set course for Ackon Four.  Maximum warp.  Engage.  Mr. Data,
time for arrival?"

Data already had the estimate calculated.  "Five hours, eleven minutes
at our current maximum capable warp."

"Data, there is a Tholian Fleet that has broken through.  Tap into the
Farseer's tactical and estimate how long we have on the planet before
the Tholian arrival at Ackon"

Data's hands flew across the console.  "I estimate about three hours after
we reach the planet the bulk of the Tholian fleet will arrive.   However, A
cruiser-class ship has broken through earlier, destroyed the Napoleon and
will arrive at the same time we will."

"Thanks you, Mr. Data.  Worf, Will, get some sleep.  I'll need you when
we reach the planet."  Picard turned forward and was about to give Data
the same order when he saw the Android was looking at him with his
best attempt at an expression of "smugness."   "Right, Mr. Data.  If
you need me, I'll be in my quarters."  He turned and left shaking his
head.

            ****************

"Red alert!  All hands to battle stations!"

Picard rolled over onto his side as he pushed away the soft, warm blanket of
sleep from himself.  He came awake when he realized he was not dreaming.
He reached over to the comm panel beside his bed.  "Picard to bridge.
Report."

The enemy cruiser we were racing to the planet has altered course to
intercept us.  We will make contact in three minutes," responded Riker.

"Acknowledged.  Energize all weapons and defend ourselves as necessary
until I get there.  Picard out."

Picard was just stepping onto the bridge when a salvo of enemy bolts
smashed into the shields.  The ship shuddered and Picard was tossed
heavily into the frame of the turbo-lift door.  Riker was in the
Captain's chair.

"Mr. Worf, FIRE!" Riker shouted.

"Firing."

On the viewer, a spread of torpedoes struck the enemy ship.  Their
powerful warheads exploded against the Tholian shields which absorbed
most of the energy.  The cruiser dipped and dived below the Enterprise
as it recharged its weapons.   Worf sneered in frustration since the
underside weapons were not ready for a followup attack.  The Tholian's
rear facing phasers lashed out and cut across the Federation shields
which easily absorbed the energy.

"Report." said Picard as he took the Captain's chair.

"We are moments away from the planet.  The enemy cruiser has been
damaged slightly from its battle with the Napoleon.  Our shields are holding."

"Very good, continue fi-"

Picard was interrupted by another salvo of enemy bolts.  The lights on
the bridge flickered as backup systems took over.  The enemy ship again
turned away.  Worf had heard enough of the Captain's fire order and
blasted the enemy cruiser with a volley of phasers.  All the pulses
except one were taken up by the enemy shields.  The last spent about
a third of its discharge gouging a long, deep wound along the
cruiser's midsection where Worf was guessing the engineering was
located.  He grunted with satisfaction as his sensors indicated an
energy loss in the enemy vessel.

Picard look around at Worf with approval.  He elation was short lived
as he LaForge call in from engineering.  "LaForge to Bridge!"

"Yes, Mr. LaForge."

"The warp engines are down, again, Captain, and they won't be coming up
again for a while."

Damn.  "Understood.  Mr. Worf, hail the enemy vessel.  This fighting
has got to stop.  Redirect enegy to the shields.  Prepare another
spread of torpedoes just in case.  Dispersal pattern, Alpha."

"Aye sir."

Worf tapped at some controls when the enemy weapons spoke again.  The
bolts struck true and the Enterprise shuddered but the extra energy
put into the shields prevented them collapsing.

"Sir, they are ignoring all hails."

Data spoke up and added "I am reading another energy build-up in the
enemy weapons systems."

Damn.  "Fire the torpedoes."

Once again, the glowing weapons spent themselves against the enemy
ship.  One weapon penetrated cleanly and struck an engine mount
blowing its attached nacelle completely off.  The lights on the
enemy cruiser began to flicker.

"Mr. Worf, hail them again."

Worf began to work the controls once more when Data spoke quickly.
"Sir, the enemy vessel has entered onto a collision course.  Impact
in eleven seconds."

Picard looked up at the viewscreen and saw the enemy vessel, apparently
with full impulse still available, shoot forward towards the Enterprise.

"Evasive!" cried Picard.

"Impulse engines not responding!" shouted the helm officer as she saw
the readouts indicated a loss of maneuvering power.

The crew sat in stunned silence for two seconds as they saw the
cruiser grow larger on the forward viewer.  Riker was the first to
act.

"All weapons rapid fire!"

The phasers and torpedoes blasted into the enemy ship as fast as they
could cycle.  The cruiser shuddered and was pushed to the side by the
attack.  One torpedo flew into a deep hole that had been carved by
a phaser and the Tholian vessel exploded with a bright flash.  Debris
flew past the Enterprise which shook from the impact of the fast
moving plasma and chunks of molten metal.

"Damage report."  Picard ordered once he got some air into his lungs.

Riker read information from his armchair console.  "Warp engines are down.
Impulse is now operational.  Weapons systems are operational.  Shields
are down and will require at least two hours to repair."

"Helm, Set course for the planet, best speed.  Engage.  Bridge to LaForge."

"Yes, Captain?" came the quick response.

"Concentrate repairs on the shields and warp engines.  We will need them."

"Eye, sir."

"Will, contact me when we reach the planet.  I'll be in my ready room."

"Yes, sir."

After a short time, the Enterprise slid smoothly into orbit around the
planet.  Picard was in deep contemplation when Riker called him from the
intercom.  "Captain, I think you should come and have a look at this."

Picard paused for a second and put down the pad he was working on.  He
strode from his ready room and onto the bridge.  The rest of the crew was
staring the main viewer.  He turned to look at it.

"Oh, my."


------------------

               That ends part II, stay tuned for part III.

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From: [e-mail] (Craig Limber)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: Secrets, part III (NEW)
Date: 28 Feb 1995 18:22:34 -0600
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After a moderate amount of demand, here is part III.   Thanks for the
constructive comments that are helping me produce a better story.


                         SECRETS, part III
                  =======

The main viewer was centered on a large continent on the magnetic southern
hemisphere of the planet.  Even from orbit it was apparent that something
had impacted it at tremedous speed.  The object had struck obliquely and
gouged a gigantic scar across the surface.  Its final resting spot was
indicated by a huge, still smoldering crater.  Great, dark clouds covered
much of the area but the computer had filled in the details with data
from the other sensors.

Data read the information the instruments were providing him and performed
a quick mental analysis.  "From the impact area and the surrounding
shockwave damage, I would estimate the object's velocity when it entered the
atmosphere to be one hundred and eighty five thousand kilometers an hour.
Its passage and subsequent impact has destroyed three point two percent of
the planets biosphere and there are no major life signs of within twenty-five
kilometers of the object's final resting point."  He paused as he turned to
face the awestruck captain and first officer.

"Sir, the object that did this is still intact and is showing indications
of machine technology."

Riker and Picard looked at each other with amazement.  Riker voiced a
question that was on everybody's mind.  "Why didn't the object break up?
Nothing can withstand that kind of impact."

Data looked up at the first officer with one of his oddly meaningful gazes.
"Unknown, sir.  The planet's atmosphere is class 'M'.  I recomend that we
beam down to the planet and investigate."

The Klingon security officer looked up from his post.  "Sir, the impact of
the object has buried it deep within the surface.  The crater still contains
a great deal of molten rock and is unapproachable.  I suggest we remove the
object from the surface with a tractor beam and place it somewhere where
we can examine it in safety."

Picard turned to the Klingon.  "Good, make it so.  Time before the Tholian
arrival?"

"Six hours, thirty-five minutes, sir"

"Will, that's how long you have to put some sense into this situation."

Riker nodded in acknowledgement and strode purposefully up the ramp to
the turbo-lift entrance.  "Data, you're with me.  Mr. Worf, you too are
invited."

Riker and party walked from the bridge and onto the turbolift.

                         ****************************

The away team appeared amidst a scene of devastation.  There was a strong
odour of burned and melted rock and the air temperature was eighteen degrees
above that inside the Enterprise.  Riker started to sweat almost immediately.
Around him the effect of the impact was all too visible.  The trunks of
giant plants lay shattered about him and huge boulders left great ditches
where they had rolled by.  A few dozen meters away, a carcass of an buffalo-
sized animal lay on its side.  Riker looked about in shock as Data used his
tricorder to seek out any dangers that may not have been indicated by the
ship-board sensors.  After a moments analysis he turned to Riker and gave
him a little nod.

Riker tapped his communicator.  "Riker to Enterprise.  We are ready at this
end."

"Acknowledged.  Stand by."

A powerful blue beam had descended from space onto a spot several kilometers
away.  The beam's terminus was concealed by the dark clouds that swirled
within the crater.  Even though the tractor beam had begun moving the
object before Riker had even left the bridge they still had to wait for ten
minutes before they were able to see the object clearly.

It was a ship.

It was about 80 meters long and about 20 meters across at its widest.
It was pitch black in color.   There was a considerable amount of semi-
molten rock still attached to the surface so little in terms of
outside structure could be seen.  Data was busy taking readings with his
tricorder.  Worf drew his phaser and trained it on the approaching
machine.

"Sir, the objects mass is approximately eleven thousand tonnes.  I read no
life signs within but there are sporadic energy readings.  The temperature
of the rock still attached to the ship is over one thousand degrees but
it is dropping rapidly.  It appears that the object has an active cooling
system.  It should be approachable within seventeen minutes"  Said Data.

"Good.  If it were smaller we could bring it aboard and avoid the Tholians
but it looks like we are going to have to leave it here.  Do you
detect any entrances?" asked Riker.

"The hull material defies analysis but there appears to be either an
opening or a hull breach near the middle where the molten rock has flowed
into."

"Can we use our phasers to gain entrance?"

"Yes sir, I believe that it is possible."

As they watched, the object was lowered gently towards the surface.  Even
after five years of serving aboard the Enterprise, Riker never ceased to be
impressed by the incredible power and precision his ship was capable of.
Data looked on with his usual mask of non-interest and Worf seemed bursting
at the seams to get on with it.  The two security guards Worf had brought
were a short distance away keeping a lookout for any trouble.

With a gentle thud the alien ship came to rest a short distance away.
Even from the distance they were standing the heat that was being radiated
was strong on their faces.  The wider end of the object was glowing brightly.
"That glow near the far end must be some kind of cooling system" observed
Riker.

"Yes sir, that much is apparent" Data replied without taking his eyes from
tricorder.  "The fact that any systems are functioning at all displays a
remarkable command of technology.  Judging from the amount of energy being
released, this cooling system is probably capable of keeping the interior
of the ship cool even while immersed inside molten rock."

As they waited, the glow subsided and they could approach the object.
Not much was left.  The hull was angular and tapered to a point
at one end.  Riker automatically labeled the point the 'front.'  That
wasn't necessarily true but even Riker uncounciously felt that things
that moved, even through space, should be sleek and streamlined.
It was obvious that it had at one time the ship had been endowed with other
surface structures such as engines or sensors but all that remained were
melted stubs.

When they were within range of accurate phaser fire, Worf drew his weapon,
set it to one of the highest settings, took aim and fired.  Large portions
of the rock glowed and disappeared.  Standing beside him Data directed the
fire with his tricorder.  After a moments firing, a circular entrance was
revealed and enough rock had been removed to gain entry.

"Riker to Enterprise." said the first officer after tapping his
communicator.

"Go ahead, number one" came the deep voice of the captain.

"We have gained access to the object.  It is some kind of ship.
It had what appeared to be an emergency hatch that was open when the
ship impacted.  Permission to enter."

"Stand by number one."  Turning to the science console, Picard asked
"Is the uplink from the away team's tricorders functioning?"

"Yes sir" replied the officer at the station.

"Good.  Permission granted, Number One."  His voice took a serious tone.
"Will, look sharp."

"Aye, captain."

With Worf in the lead they entered the derelict ship.  The damage in the
interior was extensive.  Only near the farther end of the vessel was
there anything that appeared to be operating.  There were hatches at
either end of the chamber they were in.  There were scorch marks all along
the inside and dark stains resembling that found on the inside of a
badly burned cooking utensil.  Bits of rock were scattered about and it
was suprisingly cool inside.

"There are portions of the vessel that are still operational." said data as
he examined the interior.  "The stains on the walls appear to be organic
in nature."  He turned and pointed the tricorder at a door leading aft.
"There are sporadic energy readings coming from beyond that hatchway."
This exit was circular and large measuring three meters in diameter.
It had rather standard looking manual controls but whatever hands they were
made for were far larger than those of a human.

Riker nodded at Worf who approached the aft hatch and began to tug at it.
Straining, he pulled at the reluctant hatchway.  Meers, one of the security
people Worf had brought along, moved forward to help.  Suddenly, the hatch
gave way and Worf fell backward with the hatch on top of him.  This saved
his life.

Bursting from the open hatchway came a machine about 1.5 meters tall.
It consisted of a spherical main body that had 4 multi-jointed arms
jutting from it.  It flew past worf and into the arms of a Meers.
Quick as thought, the machine grabbed onto him and tore one of his arms
off with little effort.  Meers screamed and fought but was unable to
stop the machine from discarding his arm and taking hold of other parts
of his body.   Data was the first of the away team to make a move.

Stepping forward he reached out and grabbed on to one of the arms.  He held
it for a second until another one of the arms, releasing its death grip on
the guard, whipped across, down and sheared data's hand off at the wrist.
Data pulled his arm back and stared in apparent shock at the stub.
The machine then turned back to the guard, wrapped a manipulator around
his neck and pulled his head completely off his body with a burst of blood.
Sensing the lack of life in its victim, the machine released the guard and
moved to attack Data.  Recovering quickly, he dodged back as a beam from
Riker's phaser connected with the machine.  It paused for a moment as one
of its manipulator arms was burned off but then continued forward.
Worf, having freed himself of the hatch enough to deploy his weapon,
joined Riker in the barrage to destroy the attacking robot.

Under assault from two phasers set on full the machine began to fall back.
Then, without warning, the combined phaser assault burned through its
armour and into the circuitry within.  A bright flash followed and the
machine fell to the deck, lifeless and with more than half its mass
burned away by the team's weapons.  Jones, the other security guard who
had been on watch outside appeared in the hatchway with his phaser.  His
eyes widened at what he saw.

Riker rapped his communicator.  "Medical emergency!  Beam the away team
directly to sick bay!"  The away team shimmered under the affects of the
transporter and, once again, the ship was empty.


               ***************

Datar, cleaned up now from his ordeal and his arm repaired with some
spares he kept in his quarters, stood by a viewer displaying
a schematic of the alien ship.  The Captain and the rest of the
bridge crew were sitting about the main conference table listening to his
report.

"The technology of whomever built this is considerably ahead of us.  The
hull is made of a material that resembles tritanium but with a
compressed molecular structure.  We have no idea how they were able to
construct such a craft.  The alien vessel used some kind of shield
technology that is way ahead of our own and it was this shielding that
prevented the ship from vaporizing on impact.  Their power systems are very
similar to ours and whatever system they used for propulsion did not
survive the crash but evidence seems to indicate they used an advanced warp
drive with superior subspace control."  Data paused to let the attending
officers field any questions.  There were none.  He pressed some controls
and the view of the ship's remains were replaced with that of the robot
which had attacked them earlier.

"There was only one more of those robots in the ship and it was not
functional.  Commander LaForge has already begun to analyze it.  There was
very little left of the ship's computer but the remaining robot had a large
data store and we are just getting started on its analysis.  We have not
been able to glean much information but we have determined the race that
owned the ship are called the 'Mizkeklak.'  The followup away team is
still on the surface and are trying to take some samples."

Picard was pleased with the analysis.  "Good.  Perhaps the information will
shed some light onto why the Tholians are persisting in their attacks."
Picard's face darkened a little as he turned to face his first officer.
"Did Meers have any family aboard?" he asked.

"No sir, but we have dispatched a message to his nearest relatives."

Picard stared past Riker for a moment when he was interrupted by the
ship's red alert signal.

"Battle stations!  Captain to the bridge!"

Picard tapped the pin on his chest.  "Picard to Bridge.  Report."

"The Tholians have entered the system, they will be within weapons range
in 12 minutes" said the officer in charge during the meeting.

"Recover the away team and leave orbit as soon as they are aboard."

"Understood."

The officers stood and walked in silence from the meeting room.

When the captain had entered the bridge the ship had left orbit and was
moving away from the planet on impulse power.  The current bridge officer
had a tactical display on main viewer.  A large number of Tholian vessels
were moving towards the planet at very high speed.

Picard sat chair and consulted the display on the arm of his chair.  After
a moment he looked up at the viewscreen.  "Picard to LaForge." he signaled
once he had read what needed from the tactical view.

"LaForge here." came the quick reply.  He sounded tired.  Picard suddenly
realized he was as well.  "How much longer until we have warp capability?"
he asked.

"It will take another hour, Captain."

Damn. "Acknowledged.  Helm, set course to three-one-four, mark fourteen.
Best speed.  Engage."

Riker turned to his captain.  "The asteroid field?"

"Correct, Number One.  I intend to use the asteroids to conceal us until
either the rest of the fleet arrives to rescue us or the warp drive
has been fixed.  We still have full impulse maneuverability and can
outmaneuver most of the Tholian vessels.  Those that can maintain
contact with us in the asteroid field will be easy prey for our weapons."

Riker's expression signaled approval. "What about the Tholian web devices?
Won't the asteroid field restrict our movement enough for them to lay it?"

"By the time the Tholians can deploy their web, additional fleet elements
will arrive.  However, if the Tholians have improved their web laying
technology it could be a problem."

Riker looked away from the captain and hoped that Federation intelligence
was correct about the effectiveness of the Tholian web device.

On the tactical display the bullk of the Tholian Armada ignored the
starship and entered orbit around the planet they had just left.  Two of
the Tholian warships moved towards the Enterprise but did not attack.

"Sir, I am reading several energy emissions from the Tholian craft.  It
appears they are transporting something to the surface near the crash
site." said Data.

"It won't be long before they figure out that we have examined that ship"
said Riker in response.

"Agreed" said Picard who continued to stare at the tactical display.  "Time
before entering the asteroid field?" he asked.

"Nine minutes, sir" said the officer manning the helm.

"Good." he replied.  Mr. Worf, send another report of our status to
Starfleet.  What's the state of the defensive sytems?"

"Sir, the phasers are on-line and fully charged.  We have one hundred
photons but the torpedo guidance array is damaged and will reduce
the photon effectiveness.  Our shields are up to eighty-percent."

"It will have to do.  Mr. Data.  What is the status of the Tholian fleet in
terms of damage and weapon capabilities?"

"Its too difficult to tell from this distance, sir.  Our sensors are still
damaged."

"Launch a class-one probe toward the Tholians, I want to get a detailed
report of their ships and their capabilities.  Program it to keep its
energy emissions down until within sensor range of the Tholians.  Once they
detect its presence, it won't last long."

Data tapped away at his console.  "Launching probe.  Captain, I recomend that
we prepare the remaining probes as sentinels once we are inside the asteroid
field.  They can signal us the position of enemy ships that are not in sensor
view of ourselves."

"Good, Mr. Data.  Make it so."

"Acknowledged."  Data tapped away at the controls on his console until
his attention was drawn to some readings coming from the sensors.

"Sir, the Tholians are emitting a powerful sub-space jamming signal.
Communication with starfleet is no longer possible.  I am also
getting indications of weapons fire."

Worf looked up from his sensor display.  "The Tholians are firing on the
derelict."

Data turned to face the captain.  "Sir, the probe is now in range."

"On screen"

A close-up view of the planet came into view.  Several large Tholian ships
were positioned over the crash site.  Weapons fire rained down on the
planet's surface which was glowing with multiple impacts.  They watched for
a few minutes before a beam erupted from a picket vessel which suddenly
appeared in the sensor view.  There was a flash and the main viewscreen
returned to its image of the surrounding space.

"Sir, the probe has been destroyed." said Data unnecessarily.

Worf took his turn to speak. "The Tholians have ceased firing.  They are
starting to leave orbit."  He paused for a moment as information from
the sensors played across the display in front of him.  "They are entering
onto an intercept course but they will not catch us before we enter
the asteroid field."

Picard's face turned dark.  "Data, what kind of damage did the weapons
fire do to the planet?"

"The Tholians were apparently aware of the energy necessary to destroy the
derelict.  I estimate that eighteen percent of the planet's biosphere
has been destroyed.  The probe's sensors indicated that there are no signs
of life within three-hundred kilometers of the crash site.  The energy
discharges have thrown large chunks of rock into sub-orbital paths
which will probably cause large fires and destruction over the
planet once they reenter the atmosphere." Data replied without emotion.

Picard looked at the viewscreen, his face an image of disgust.  "Damn."
was all he said.  After a moment of awkward silence, the officer at the helm
spoke up.  "Sir, We are entering the asteroid field."

"On screen" ordered Riker.

The view was spectacular.  Even with the distance from the nearby
star the computer was able to enhance the image to see everything
clearly.  Asteroids from the the size of dust particles to rocks
that dwarfed the Enterprise all moved around each other in a
gentle ballet.  The Enterprise entered the field just as the lead
elements of the Tholian fleet came upon her.  They paused for a moment
while the rest arrived then split up and entered the field in search
of their prey.

"Sir, I have finished my analysis of the enemy fleet.  They have two
undamaged battlecruisers, three cruisers two of which have heavy damage,
five destroyers all undamaged and seven frigate-sized ships but only
four are combat capable." Data said as he pressed a few symbols and
appended a copy of his report to the log.

Picard's mood drooped a little when he heard the odds.  He looked about the
bridge and assessed the mood of the crew about him.  His gaze ended on
Riker's face which broke into a little grin.  "Not very even, Sir.  Perhaps
we should wait and let them call in some more ships."

Picard grinned in return and looked back up a the viewscreen.  The
Enterprise moved swiftly through the field.  "Helm, tie the computers into
the navigation.  Make sure that we can avoid the asteroids.  If we have to
use weapons fire to protect ourselves, the Tholians will be able to track
us.  Mr. Worf, I want you to fire as targets present themselves.  We will be
continuously maneuvering through the asteroids and enemy vessels may come
into view for only seconds.  If I don't want you to fire, I will let you
know."

Worf stood stiffer with a grim look of satisfaction on his face.  The
lust for battle bubbled up from within but was tempered by his Starfleet
training.  "The Tholians are in pursuit of us" he growled.  "The asteroids
are beginning to cloud our sensors."

"I hope the Tholian sensors are no better than our own" said Riker
after a moment of silence.

"Yes, Number one, let's hope."

The Enterprise moved deeper into the field.


                         ***********************

That's the end of part III.  Part IV coming someday.

Craig
[e-mail]