Danny Amor's Online Library/Danny Amor's Online Library - Volume 1.iso/html/startrek/old-incomplete/anomalousuniverse.p2

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From: [e-mail] (M{kel{ Jari)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: A Very Screwed Up Story-part two
Date: 25 Apr 1994 15:01:49 +0300
Organization: Tampere University of Technology, Computing Centre
Lines: 307
Distribution: internet
Message-ID: <2pgbfd$[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: lehtori.cc.tut.fi

And here is the long-awaited sequel to the very screwed up story. :)
It is every bit as confusing as the first part and doesn't answer many if
any of the questions, that the first part left open. Hope someone enjoys it.

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            Anomalous Universe - part two

     "So, how does it look like, chief?"
    The big redheaded engineering specialist looked grimly at LaForge. "It
doesn't look good at all, sir. The nacelles can't be repaired before we get to
the Spacedock and with only our impulse-engines operative, we won't reach any
starbase in a couple of months. We could try warpdrive, but it would probably
just rip the ship apart."
    LaForge straightened up and sighed heavily. This was one hell of a
mess. Ship was practically a wreck and they were quite deep in virtually
unexplored space. If anyone got in their minds to attack the Enterprise, they
would be a sitting duck. He pressed his commpadge.
    "LaForge to Riker."
    "Go ahead, Geordi."
    "We are going to have to take her home on impulse only. I am sorry,
sir."
    There was a little silence and then acting Captain Riker said: "All
right. But don't give up yet. I want you to explore all possible solutions to
this problem."
    "Aye, sir."
    "Riker out."

    The bridge was silent. There was not much that could have been done
from there and it was on minimum crew. Riker sat in the commanding officers
chair, his chin buried in his hand. Data was running multiple tests on the
ships computer and sensor systems.

    Dr.Crusher looked up from the motionless form of Lieutenant Worf.
    "I can't imagine how he can still be alive," she said to the nurse who
was accompanying her in the examination. "With the injuries he had sustained
and all that blood he had lost, he should have been dead long ago. It's just as
if he was clinging to life somehow."
    "I know sir. Maybe he doesn't want to die," the nurse said, pulling
the cover back on the Klingon.
    "Maybe...," Beverly said, letting her voice trail off. It was not easy
to see him like this. She hadn't realized before how much she respected Worf,
and his way of life, very powerful and so tied to honor. And there he was now,
laying on a sickbed, looking as helpless as a child.
    She turned her attention to Deanna, who was laying on a biobed on the
other side of the room. She had withdrawn into a katatonic state, and there
was nothing much that they could do for her, except to be there with her.
Beverly only hoped that Deanna would eventually be able to open up again.
Until she or Worf would become concsious again, there was no way of telling
what had happened to the two of them. Where had they been during the time the
computer had not been able to detect their presence? Who or what had attacked
Worf? All these question would remain to be unanswered until one of them would
be able to talk.
    She didn't even want to think about Jean-Luc and his condition. After
his leg had been healed, he had been released to his own quarters, because the
room on the sickbay was desperately needed for patients, who were near death
or otherwise badly injured. She was glad that she had her hands full of work,
so that she didn't have to think about him.

    "Commander."
    "What is it Mr. Data?" Riker lifted his gaze from the floor and looked
at the form of LtCmdr Data, sitting in the chair in front of the Ops console.
    "I was able to get the long range sensor to work for aproximately
one-point-seven-three seconds and I believe I have some disturbing news."
    Riker stood up and walked up to the androids side. "What kind of news?"
    Data turned his head to look at him. "Sir, there are two Cardassian
war cruisers coming towards our position."
    Riker took a deep breath. Everyone on the bridge stopped. Cardassians.
The peace treaty with them had never been very stable and there had been
numerous minor conflicts over the years. But what was most disturbing, was the
fact that according to the interplanetary spacetravelling laws, the Enterprise
could be determined to be a derelict, and thus property of the finder. They
might have to give the Enterprise to the Cardassians. Or to distroy it. And
Riker didn't like either of the options.
    "How long before they reach us?"
    "If our position stays unchanged, they will rendezvous with us in two
hours and fifteen minutes."
    "Helm, calculate a course away from the war cruisers and engage the
impulse engines at maximum available thrust."
    "Course plotted and laid in, sir. Engaging thrusters."
    "Geordi?"
    "Yes, Commander," came the answer via the intraship communication
network.
    "There are two Cardassian war cruisers closing in on us. We could use
a miracle now."
    "Aye, sir. I'll do my best."
    "Wouldn't expect anything more from anybody. Riker out."
    "All right everybody," he then said in a loud voice, addressing
everybody on the bridge. "Let's not abandon our hope yet. We have never given
up and we sure as hell are not going to do it now." Then he turned back to
Data. "Data, you have the bridge, I'll go look at the Captain."
    Data nodded but did not assume the commanding officers chair. He was
too busy trying to get the vital systems of the ship back on line.
    Riker walked into the turbolift and ordered it to take him to the
officers' deck. Shortly the doors opened again and he stepped out into the
corridor. He stopped for a second behind the door to the Captains quarters.
Not sure if he wanted to see his Captain as he was now. The man he had learnt
to respect, the man who had always been courageous and an endless well of
inspiration, now completely withdrawn to himself.
    Taking a deep breath, he stepped towards the door, and it swooshed
open, revealing a dimly lit room, air filled with thin, beautiful sound of a
flute. He was playing the tune he had learnt long time ago, in another life,
on another planet. Riker stepped in and stopped in the middle of the room,
looking at his Captain.
    Picard was sitting on a sofa, playing the flute with his eyes closed,
living in the memories. Tears were slowly sliding down his chin and for a few
times the playing stopped for a moment, as he wiped some of tears away. He
didn't seem to be aware of Riker's presence.
    Riker took a step a closer and spoke in a quiet, soothing voice.
"Captain?"
    The playing stopped again, this time because Picard opened his eyes
and turned his head to look at the Commander. For a second, Riker thought that
he didn't recognize him. His face was a dull mask that resembled the man he
had known only distantly. Then his face lit up and signs of recognition were
clearly visible in his eyes. "Is it you?"
    "Yes Captain. It's me."
    "Will?"
    "How are you, Jean-Luc?"
    "Is it really you?"
    Riker smiled warmly and sat down beside his Captain. "Yes, Jean-Luc,
it is me."
    The Captain was smiling now too and he lifted his hand to show the
flute to Riker. "I've been playing. I think I'm getting quite good at it."
    "I heard you, Jean-Luc. You were really good." Riker thought about the
two Cardassian war cruisers. Should he tell about them to the Captain? He had
once been brutally tortured by a Cardassian, and knowing that there were more
of them coming for them now, might be too much of a shock to him now. He
decided not to tell, before consulting with the doctor.
    "Would you like to hear some more?"
    "Of course, Jean-Luc. Go ahead."
    Picard lifted the flute back to his lips and started the tune from the
start. Soon he was back in his memories again. Thinking about the wife he had
had in that other life, the children, his beautiful daughter and all the
friends he had had in that life.
    After a while, Riker leaned to him and whispered: "I have to go now.
But I will be back later." Picard just nodded his head and kept on playing.
Riker stood up and left the room, returning to the bridge.

    Slowly Picard came aware of someone else in the room with him. But
hadn't Will just left? Who could it be that was now sitting on sofa with him?
He stopped playing and looked at his side, seeing a middle-aged looking man,
dressed in red uniform of a Starfleet Captain. He didn't recognize the man at
first, but when he did, the recognition struck him hard.
    "What are you doing here?"
    "Mon Capitain, I came here to save you, of course."
    "We are not in any trouble. Go away." Picard closed his eyes and
started to play again, but Q leaned against him and said in a low voice: "Oh,
mon Capitain, au contraire, you are in big trouble. I bet he didn't tell you
about the two Cardassian war cruisers."
    Picard stiffened. He couldn't breath. The memories of the pain he had
suffered in that room with the Cardassian, were very vivid and he winced
weakly. For a long time he struggled for his breath, and when he finally was
able to speak, he got out only one word: "Cardassians."
    "Indeed, my dear Captain. And they are going to take your ship and
everybody on it will be taken to the mining colonies. And you will be taken
back to that room. And he will ask you how many lights you can see. And
eventually, you will tell him that there is only three lights. But then he
will say that you are lying. And he will use that device again."
    Picard twitched as the memories came to him again and the flute fell
from his hand and it appeared to take an eternity before it hit the floor.
    "But you can stop it now."
    Picard turned his head to look at Q. "How?"
    "Just come with me," Q said, standing up and extending his arm towards
Picard. "Come. I will show you the way."
    Picard got up and allowed Q to lead him across the room, to a glowing
light that had appeared into the doorway.

    He found himself walking in the light, all around him everything was
completely white, and he looked to his side and was relieved to see that Q was
there with him. "Where are we going?"
    Q raised his finger to his lips. "You will see soon. Just follow me."
    And Picard did as he was told, followed Q in the white glow, unable to
sense anything alse than the presence of the god-like creature that was
leading him. But then, slowly he started to become aware of something ahead
of them. Something was crying there and as they drew closer, he recognized it
to be a small child. A Cardassian child.
    They stopped in front of the infant, who stopped crying. "It's his
child, Jean-Luc. The child of the man who tortured you."
    Picard glanced at Q and kneeled down to have a closer look at the
child. The Cardassian features were clear, but unlike grown up Cardassians,
this one was still innocent, unaware of the evils of the world. Not yet
thinking about hurting anyone, not thinking about conquering other worlds,
not thinking about war. This infant was thinking about things every infant
thinks. It didn't want anything else than comfortness, warmth, and love.
    "You could kill it."
    Picard stood up again and looked at Q, then turning his gaze back at
the small infant. "Kill it? Why?"
    "It's his child."
    "It is not a crime to be born to be a child of a madman."
    "It is a Cardassian."
    "Not a crime either."
    "I will get your ship to safety, if you kill it."
    "No."
    "Allright," Q said, starting to walk again.
    "Where are you going now?" Picard asked, wanting to follow him, but at
the same time, not wanting to leave the child alone again.
    "Don't worry about the child, Jean-Luc. Just follow me."
    Reluctantly, Picard walked around the infant, leaving it behind
himself. When he turned to look back over his shoulder a few seconds later,
the child had already vanished into the glow. Q looked at him, smiling
slightly, then he gestured forwards. "Look, Jean-Luc. There's someone laying
on the ground there. Anyone you know?"
    Picard looked at the form and walked cautiously closer. It was his
torturer.
    "Why is he here? What has happened to him?" he asked from Q.
    "He was attacked by a bunch of low-lifes. Robbed him, mugged him and
left him to die. They thought they had injured him fatally, but he is a strong
man. He will recover." Q had moved to the other side of the body of the
unconscious Cardassian. He was holding something in his hand and was offering
it to Picard.
    "You can end what they left unfinished." The object in his hand was a
knife. Its thirteen inches long blade was glimmering in the bright light that
was surrounding them. Picard moved his hand to take the weapon, but stopped.
    "Why should I kill him?"
    "He would kill you if your parts were changed."
    "Not enough reason."
    Q looked at him, switching his hold of the weapon and bringing his
hands together, the weapon now pointing towards the Cardassian.
    "You won't kill him," Picard said.
    "Watch me," replied Q and flung the blade down. Picard jumped and
knocked him over, sending the knife flying away and leaving the Cardassian
unharmed.

    In a flash of bright light he suddenly found himself back in his
quarters.
    "Picard to Commander Riker."
    There was a puzzled silence as Riker looked at the others on the
bridge with him.
    "Riker here," he then answered.
    "What is our current status?"
    "Captain - I - "
    "Never mind, number one. I'll be there shortly." He walked out of his
quarters and took a turbolift to the bridge. He stepped in and everybody
turned to look at him. There were four Cardassians on the bridge with
Starfleet officers.
    Riker rose from the commanding officers chair. "What is our status?"
Picard asked.
    "The ship is still in need of massive repairs, but we are having help
from our Cardassian friends. They have promised to provide us with an escort
and tow us to the nearest Federation Starbase. Are you allright, Captain."
    "Yes, number one. I'm fine now. I think you should pay a visit to the
sickbay. There's someone who might need you there."
    "Aye sir." Riker nodded shortly to the Cardassians and left the bridge.

    "Deanna?"
    "Will!" She sprang up from the bed and jumped to embrace him. Then she
started to cry.
    "What is it, Deanna?"
    "Worf."
    "That's allright, Deanna. I understand." They were silent for a long
time. "Can you talk about it?"
    Deanna nodded weakly. "I'll try."
    Riker waited patiently.
    "He brought me to my quarters and was just about to leave, when we
were suddenly somewhere else..." Short sobs interrupted Deanna and Riker held
her tenderly against him, comforting her. "Someone tried to take me, but Worf
wouldn't allow it. I have never sensed such hatred. Worf fought long, but was
overcome by the attackers. Somehow he managed to destroy them all, though. At
the last second, I suddenly felt only fear and terror from them and then I
felt an explosion and when I became conscious again, I was in my quarters...
and Worf was laying on the floor...and I couldn't...I just cried...and I tried
to escape to the other room, but there was no comfort...."
    Riker soothed her and waited until she stopped weeping. Then he took
her to the biobed and put her down on it. "Sleep now," he said and Deanna
closed her eyes, soon falling asleep.
    Riker looked at her for a while and then left to see his other friend
on the sickbay.
    "How is he?" he asked from Beverly.
    "Stable. I can't understand how he has survived those injuries, but he
will make it, Will. He will live."
    "Is he awake?"
    "No, I don't dare to wake him up. We will just have to wait until he
is recovered enough to wake on his own."
    Riker walked over to the motionless body of Lieutenant Worf. He was
covered by a sheet up to his neck and was breathing peacefully, looking very
vulnerable. Riker could only hope that the shock of returning to life wouldn't
be too much for the Klingon, who had already accepted his own death.
    "Will. He doesn't want to die. That's why he is still with us."
    Riker turned away, touched her elbow and sighed heavily. "I just hope
he knows what he wants. It would have been an honorable death."
    "I'm sure he does."
    With that, Riker left the sickbay and returned to the bridge.

    The starbase 163 hung proudly in space. The wrecked form of the USS
Enterprise was besides it.
    "They are going to take her off active duty, Will."
    "I know, sir. I just recieved a promotion."
    "I know Will. I arrenged it."
    "I know that too." Riker stood up, looking down at Picard, who was
sitting behind his desk.
    "Take could care of her. The newest jewel of the Starfleet."
    "I will, Admiral. I will make her name famous."
    "Have a good voyage, Will." They looked at each other, remembering the
adventures they had shared together. It was time to say goodbye.
    "We will see again, Admiral. You are welcome to visit us any time."
    "One day I may make use of that invitation, Will. Until then." He
stood up now too and they shook hands. Then Riker nodded, turned around and
left. The new Captain of the new starship, both boldly going to the stars.
The USS Endeavour was a ship worthy of her Captain.

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    There. All questions, comments, other things should be directed
to the author.
Jari Makela           [e-mail]