Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Path: tivoli.tivoli.com!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!caen!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!ruacad!sratliff From: sratliff@ruacad.ac.runet.edu (Stephen Ratliff) Subject: Who Q? Where Q? Message Message-ID: Organization: Radford University X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Date: Thu, 19 Jan 1995 18:15:59 GMT Lines: 88 Xref: tivoli.tivoli.com alt.startrek.creative:4803 Note from the Author concerning Who Q? Where Q? Thank you for you letters concerning my story. I enjoyed you comments and look forward to more such letters. Please feel free to email or even regular mail me any time with your comments and complaints. As this story has Finshed it is time for the projected next story for the Kid's crew of the USS Enterprise to be announced ... Away from Home ... A three part story ... The Field Trip See how the Kid's crew orginated in a tragic shuttle crash. The Away Mission Marrissa's first away mission. Rescue the kidnapped children of (planet name to be decided). The Chase Marrissa has been Kidnapped. Now the scattered crew of the Enterprise must chase her kidnappers down Interducing ... The Trakce A new alien race ... hostile to the Federation. The Stargazer (refited) Captain Picards old command beginning refit to become the Federation's first Fighter Carrier in 50 years, not yet ready for service Featuring ... Captain Scott Recently returned to service. Risa Where Marrissa was kidnapped. Staring ... Marrissa Amber Flores Picard Captain USS Enterprise's Kid's crew rank none,ensign,lieutenant j.g. Clara Sutter Cheif Engineer Ent. K.C. First Officer Ent. K.C. (last story) rank none Jean-Luc Picard Captain USS Enterprise Also Staring Commander William T. Riker Lt.Commander Data Counselor Deanna Troi Doctor Beverly Crusher Lieutenant Worf Lt.Commander Geordi LaForge Shayna Sachs Admiral Necheyev Alexander, son of Worf Jay Gordon ----------------------- This story is only in outline form and I will no way garrentee its arrive on the internet much less its completion. However I believe that it will be done and I would like your input on this projected story. Comments on this and any other posting are directed to the following address : sratliff@rucs2.sunlab.cs.runet.edu Thank you for your time. Live long and prosper Stephen Ratliff Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Path: tivoli.tivoli.com!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!news.moneng.mei.com!uwm.edu!caen!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!ruacad!sratliff From: sratliff@ruacad.ac.runet.edu (Stephen Ratliff) Subject: Who Q? Where Q? section 1 Message-ID: Organization: Radford University X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Date: Thu, 19 Jan 1995 18:25:41 GMT Lines: 486 Xref: tivoli.tivoli.com alt.startrek.creative:4804 _____ __...---'-----`---...__ _=============================== ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' (_______________||_) . . ,--' STAR TREK : / /.---' `/ THE NEXT GENERATION -_-_- -_-_- '--------_- - - - - _/ | S |_ ___ _| | `--------' WHO Q? Where Q | E | ^___^ | 1 | _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-| C | /|||\ | |-_- . A Story by Stephen Ratliff | T | ||||| | | ____________________________________________________|_._|_|||||_|___|___ Forward, Prolouge, Chapters 1-3 Foward from the Author ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Welcome to my fourth Star Trek story Who Q? Where Q? For those of you who haven't read my prevoius storys a quick TV Guide summary is provided below. Enterprized : Captain Picard takes the stardrive section to rescue the Enterprise-C. A young Marrissa Flores and her 'Kid's Crews is given the stardrive section and sent to Deep Space Nine. Guests : Spock, Tasha Yarr, Westly Crusher, and Sela A Gul's Revenge : Cardassians attack Deep Space Nine and Bajor. Captain Picard arranges the defense. Guests: Tasha Yarr, Spock, Westly Crusher, and the Cast of Deep Space Nine. Cadet Cruise : Captain Picard, his newly adpoted daughter Marrissa and Doctor Crusher are evauluating Cadets on the Maine while the Enterprise is under repair. Then the Romulans show up. Guests: Saavik, Tasha Yarr, Westly Crusher, and Sela As you can see I focus on the Kid's Crew especailly Marrissa the Commanding officer of the said group. This story has the following charactors of note. Doctor Jackson Johnson, future C.M.O of the ship Marrissa will leave the Enterprise for. Four starship Captains for possable future C.O.s This is the complete version posted in 4 sections. Please mail me at the follow addresses with your comments ______ Stephen Ratliff _-' . .`-_ |/ / .. . ' .\ \| Radford Unversity Student |/ / ..\ \| (Sophmore) \|/ |: . ._|_ .. . | \|/ email: \/ | _|_ .| . .: | \/ sratliff@rucs2.sunlab.cs.runet.edu \ / |. | . . .| \ / (perfered) or \||| . . . _|_ .|||/ sratliff@ruacad.ac.runet.edu \__| \ . :. .|. ./ |__/ __| \_ . .. _/ |__ home address: __| `-______-' |__ 5249 Lakeland Drive -,____ ____,- Roanoke, Va 24018 ---' `--- This story is dedicated to : My Cousin Alan Ratliff who suggested Q. and The Learning Disability Teachers of Cave Spring High Roanoke, VA 1990-1993 Mrs. Ratchford Mrs. Edwards Mrs. McGuire . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/========PROLOGUE============ . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Girl's voice recites: Space ... the final frontier. There are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her mission, to seek out new life, new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before. At least that is what the Enterprise is suppose to be doing. Lately all the new life the Enterprise has seen is Nurse Ogawa's new baby. The civilization we are working with this time is centuries old. As for going were no one has gone before, the Enterprise hasn't done that in over a year. But then again a twelve and a half year old doesn't usually command a diplomatic mission either. That suprizes you doesn't it? Then let me introduce myself. I am Marrissa Amber Picard, adopted daughter of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and commander of the Enterprise's Kid's crew. I hold the rank of Ensign in Starfleet with all rights and privileges that entails. I have commanded two ships at various times (the Maine and the Enterprise saucer section.) for a total of 2 weeks. At this time I have 54 hours of Starfleet Academy credit. In fact I was completing 3 of those hours; Tactics 360, Diplomatic Negotiation; when this began. I was waiting for my father, Captain Picard, by Holodeck Six ... "I wish Dad would hurry up and get here so I can get this over with," Marrissa muttered. "Computer what time is it?" "1530," "He's a half a hour late," She fumed. "Computer locate Captain Picard." "Captain Jean-Luc Picard is not aboard the Enterprise." "Computer who is presently in command of the the Enterprise." "The Senior officer aboard, Ensign Marrissa Amber Picard." . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/=====CHAPTER=ONE============ . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marrissa's Personal Log presently Acting Commanding Officer USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D Where has all the rest of the crew gone? Or at least those who rank above me? I don't know. I quickly found out that, what ever had happened, it left on the kids on board. So I have only 76 people to control this ship, and on 56 of the being worth anything. I quickly sent my Kid's Crew to work. I sent Clara to Enginneering and Jay to organize the rest of my crew. Within ten minutes, the ship was beginning to be staffed and we were looking into our mission. I arrived at the bridge first and took up CONN until the regular Kid's crew officer arrived ... "Computer, records search, determine the pricise time the command crew dissappeared and link all visual records covering that time for tactical's reveiw," Marrissa said as Patterson Supra, the new chief of Security arrived. "Patterson, I want to Know exacty who or what caused these disappearances." "Aye, sir," Patterson replied. Clara Sutter arrived next. The Cheif Engineer and Second Officer was wearing the new yellow and blue secuirty and engineering outfit as she reported, "Engineering is staffed. Shayna and I chould find no engineering reason for the disappearances- yet." Jay Gordon, the first officer, arrived in the red and blue command uniform. "Duty schedule is posted," he said. "Alpha shift is reporting for duty. I have assigned people to take care of the younger children and feed all the pets. Note that security will handle the pet feeding for the rest of the voyage." "Notation made, Number One," Marrissa said as the chief of operations, Alexander and the Conn Officer, Heather Cowhig, arrived. "Jay you have the bridge. I am going to see about our mission." "Computer, open a channel to Admiral Okie at Starfleet Diplomatic San Francisco," Marrissa ordered. Admiral Edward Okie, middle aged man with a handle bar mustache appeared on screen. "Admiral Okie this is Ensign Marrissa Picard, presantly in command of the Enterprise." "Where is Captain Picard?" Okie asked. "All I know is that the computer tells me that I am the only officer left," Marrissa responded. "Engineering problems have been ruled out though." "What happened?" "The adult crew has dissappeared," Marrissa said. "No one over the age of 18 is left on board. We have no medical crew, a slim security staff, but elsewere we have sufficant staff." "Just how much do you know about the Naklab Situation?" Admiral Okie asked, curious. "The Naklab system has four inhabited class M planets, Bresa, Troac, Nevolsia, and Sobnia," Marrissa said. "They were colonized by people from the Balkan area on Earth. The current situation involves everyone but Nevolsia. Bres and Troac both claim Sobnia. Sobnia has declared independence. The Bres have Sobnia's capital under seige. The only thing that is keeping this tinderbox from erupting in flames is the promise from all sides that they will not open or advance hositilites during negoitation." "You keep well informed," Okie said. "Your Captain was to be the thirteenth mediator we sent. All previous medaitors either gave up or left in a box. Only the promise that we would send Captain Picard of the Enterprise kept them from resuming hostilites this time. Now it looks like the children in the tinderbox have found the matches." "Perhaps not," Marrissa tentatively suggested. "Of coarse it's a complete diasaster," Okie said. "Something causes the flagship of the fleet to lose its captain leaving his daugher Marrissa Pic-ard ... Wait a minute here, Perhaps I still can sent Captain Picard, not the one that they were exspecting but I didn't say I was sending Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Marrissa Amber Picard, you are here by promoted to the field commission of Captain. You are ordered to medaite the Naklab dispute until releaved by myself or Captain Jean-Luc Picard or at the completion of this mission Admiral Necheyev. Congratuations Captain. You are permited to draft any officers you need from the Starfleet Base on Nevolsia. Starfleet out." Marrissa's Personal Log, Supplimental What have I got myself into. I haven't even taken the exam in TACT 360, Diplomatic Negotiation and now I am to medaite a dispute that has its roots in the 1300s and looks like the situation in 1990. I wish Starfleet Colonization hadn`t assigned these mortal enemies to the same star system. Marrissa entered the bridge wering captain's pips. "Status CONN?" she asked sitting down in the captain's chair. "Now entering the Naklab system," Heather replied. "Take us out of warp and set a coarse for Nevolsia," Marrissa said. "Captain, the list of possible CMOs is has just arrived from Nevolsia Base," Patterson said. "All bridge crew note the Mission Briefing will be in a hour after we enter orbit," Marrissa said. "Jay join me in the ready room. Clara you have the bridge." . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/======CHAPTER=TWO=========== . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marrissa's Personal Log STARDATE 48125.56 Jay and I looked though the various candidates for Cheif Medical Officer. We found the perfect one. His picature told the story, his eyes were crossed and his tongue stuck out to one side. Leiutenant Jackson Johnson will fit right in. Captain Marrissa Picard stood in the transporter room with Shayna Sachs, a brown haired girl at the controls. "The Doctor is ready to beam on board," Shayna said. "Beam him aboard, Shayna," Marrissa ordered. A thin blond-hared man in Medical Uniform materized. "Permission to come aboard," Dr. Johnson asked. "Granted," Marrissa said. "Shayna will take your stuff to your quarters, while we attend a staff meeting." "Do I report to the Captain there?" Dr. Johnson asked as the exited the transporter room. "You already have reported to the Captain," Marrissa said with a smile. "Come again, Miss," the Doctor said puzzled. "I am the Captain," Marrissa said entering the turbolift with the doctor. "Bridge." Marrissa and Doctor Johnson entered the observation lounge to join the Kid's Crew Command Crew. Marrissa sat down at the head of the table and Doctor Johnson took the seat to her left. "As we've had some changes in our crew since our last mission some seven months ago," Marrissa opened the meeting, "we will introduce ourselves. I'll start and then we will rotate to the right. Please give your name, rank, and position or positions. I'm Marrissa Amber Picard, field Captain, and Commanding Officer." "I'm Jay Gordon, acting Leiutenant Commander, and First Officer," the 10 year old boy beside Marrissa said. Then next to him a 10 year old with long black hair piped up, "I'm Clara Sutter, acting Leiutenant, Second Officer and Cheif Engineer." Beside her a 7 year old boy spoke up, "Patterson Supra, acting Leiutenant, and Cheif of Security." Across from her was a red-headed teenager said, "Heather Cowhig, Conn Officer, Cadet." Beside her a Klingon spoke up, "Alexander, acting Leiutenant, Cheif of Operations." Then the Doctor spoke up, "Doctor Jackson Johnson, Cheif Medical Officer, full Leiutenant." "Now that everyone knows who is what, lets get down to business," Marrissa said. "For the most part this mission will be easy. With the exception of Security, Medical and myself. We are assigned to mediate the dispute over the planet Sobnia. In addition we are to provide medical assistance to the people of Sobnia. I personally will be medaite the dispute between the parties of Bresa, Troac, and Sobnia." "They must be really despurt," Dr. Johnson said. "The're despurt alright," Marrissa replied. "Jay will you update us on our personal problem." "We will need about 30 more security officers and about a hundred medical personal according to Mr. Data's personal needs Annylist Program," Jay said. "We should be able to pull the personal from Nevolsia base." "I don't think Mr Sonak has that many doctors and nurses available," Docto Johnson said. "He does," Marrissa said. "They are waiting for the newly commissioned Galaxy class starship Independence and the Medical ship Nightengale. Which won't arrive for a week and a month respectively. Now on to the disappearance of the regular adult members of this crew, Patterson." "Visual Logs indicate that the crew disappeared in individual flashes of light," the young boy responded. "The transfer of command was directly from Captain Jea-Luc Picard to Marrissa Picard. This incates lots of power was used." "Explainations?" Marrissa asked. "Engineering?" Clara nodded negatively. "Any possiblities?" "Possible," Clara suddenly spoke up. "Computer run a comparison of the flashes in visual logs on STARDATE 48125 with those produced by Q." "There is a 95.637% correlation," the computer responded. "Any other possiblities," Marrissa asked. When no one spoke up she continued, "Then we will move on to shift command assignments. As I will be busy this mission Alpha shift will be Jay's. Gamma shift will remain Clara's and Beta will be Alexander's. Your subs if you need them will be Patterson for Alpha, Shayna for Beta, and Heather for Gamma. Any Questions? -- Then this meeting is over." The crew filed out onto the bridge, with the exception of Doctor Johnson and Patterson who when to staff their departments. A hour later, Patterson entered the Bridge, "All new staff is on board," he said as he took up tactical. "Heather set a coarse for Bresa," Marrissa ordered. Suddenly a flash appeared in front of the veiwscreen. Q had arrived. "Wecome to the Enterprise Q, I take it you are responsable for the disappearance of the regular crew of this starship." "Yes," Q replied. "Where are they?" Marrissa asked. "Defending a Medevil castle." "When will they be back?" "A week." "Thank you Q," Marrissa grinned. She got up and continued speaking while walking to the turbolift. "Jay you have the bridge. I'll be in my quarters. See to Q's needs and I'll see you in the mourning." "Come back here," Q said. "Why?" Marrissa asked as she enterd the turbolift. "You've told me all I need to know." the doors closed. "She walked out on me, no one ever walked out on me before," Q said dejectedly. "You've never had a girl walk out on you?" Jay said. "I'm ten years old and Clara has already done that to me. For someone who knows everthing you sure are inexperienced." "But you don't expect a Captain to walk out on a all-knowing all-powerful being," Q replied. "What do you exspect?" Jay asked. "Marrissa to tremble at your feet, get in line. Let's see you've got Leiutenant Worf and the Cardassian and Romulan Empires ahead of you." "Popular girl," Q smiled. "I've gout to get to know her better." "Now what do you need Q?" "Nothing really." "Then if you don't mind leaving the bridge, I've got work to do." "I'll leave you to your work then. Why want to grow up so fast is beyond me, though." Q vanished. . -_--_- ___ -_--_- . \ /-^___^-\ / --_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--| O | ||||| | O |--_--_--_--_--_--_--_-- | | O | ||||| | O | | | C H A P T E R | _| ||||| |_ | T H R E E | | | #| ||||| |# | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Anymore items on the agenda, Number one," Captain Jean-Luc Picard asked. "There is the matter of Captain Morris's search for officers and crew for the Independence," Commander Riker said. "Who has been approached?" Picard asked. "I turned down the first officer's position," Doctor Crusher said. "Why it was offered to me is beyond me." "I turned down that position as well," Data said. "However my assistant, Leiutenant Gordon has accepted the second officer's position." "I turned that position down," Worf said. "I decided agaist the first officer's position myself," La Forge said. "I'm still thinking about the offer of first officer," Couselor Troi stated. All eyes turned toward her. "It's not something one can easily pass up." Suddenly a flash filled the room. When it had subsided the room had changed. The walls and floor were stone. Maps covered the walls and the table was a scale model of a two-castle town and the surrounding countryside. The uniforms of the command crew had changed as well. Captain Picard was wearing purple robes and a gold crown with a large ruby at the front. Riker sported black armour with a red loin emblazed on it. Data and Troi were dressed as archers. La Forge was arrayed as a blacksmith. Worf sported chainmail and was holding his Klingon Bat'leth. Dr Crusher ha apparently became Sister Beverly, judging from her habit. "What the hell," Picard exclaimed. "Q, it has to be Q," Riker said. A flash occured by the door and Q entered the room. "You called, Your Royal Highness," he said. Q was dressed like the Pope saying Easter Mass. "What are you up to this time Q?" Captain Picard asked. "Always to the point Jean-Luc," Q said. "The continuim has commissioned me to make a full report on humans, before you destroy yourselves. In this encounter you will be, how do you humans put it, ah, killing two birds with one stone. I've increased the size of my samples and I see how well today's humans can defend themselves." "And how are you going to do that?" Picard asked. "Simplicity itself," Q replied, "you and 915 of you closest friends will be defending this midevil castle town you see before you. You have been given the following jobs; Picard you are the King, Riker Prince and Commander of the Town Garrisson; Data, Master Archer; Troi Master Hunter; Dr Crusher, the nun in charge of the hospital; Worf Master Swordsman; La Forge Master Weaponsmith. In additoin to the entire adult compliment of your ships the crews of the Brattain, Tian Nan Men, Hemingway and Miranda will assist you as the crews of sailing ships." "Tomarrow at dawn the enemy will attack," Q continued. "You will if you are sucessfull, defend this place until the seventh day dawns. The rest of your crew awaits you in the castle courtyard. The Captains of the sailing ships are waiting for you at the harbor keep." "Who is in command of the Enterprise Q?" Picard asked. Q remained silent. "Who Q?" "All right I didn't want to inform you yet but you insisted," Q replied. "Your daughter, Marrissa, is in command. In about an hour Admiral Okie will be appionting her Captain by field promotion. She will mediate the Naklab dispute much better than you." With that Q departed. "Well it looks like we better get down to business," Captain Picard said. "We've got 3 gates to defend, North Bridge, West Bridge and South Gate. We will need experienced swordsmen to command at each gate." "I suggest Lieutenants Worf, Barclay, and Dean," Commander Riker said. "Agreed," Picard ordered. "WOrf you have South Gate. Chose 75 people for each gate. Data, Troi orgainize archery units. Riker form a sortie group, but first breif the rest of the crew. La Forge find the weopons room and get them distrubed, then take a group of engineers on a tour of the wall to see if anything can be improved. I'll be at the Harbor Keep breifing the starship captains Q mentioned." Captain Picard arrived at the Harbour Keep a small castle-like fort in gray marble over looking the gated harbour. The journey thought town had been a pleasenat one. He had gone though small streets to the large harbour complex. On his way in Jean-Luc Picard noticed the ships. They were two masted affairs with white sails. On the top of the first mast flew the seal of the United Federation of Planets on a white background, the second, the Starfleet insigna in red and white on black. The ships were named Brattain, Hemingway, Miranda, and Tian Nan Men. As Picard enterd the main room of the keep, he spoted four people dressed like Q had been we he had first appeared on the Enterprise over seven years ago. The worked well on to two of them, but on the other two it was not so. In fact it was positively sloppy on the half vulcan captain of the Miranda, T'Gwen Washington. "Captain Picard what are you doing here?" Captain Phillip Andrews of the Brittain asked. "Yes-es, I thought you were mediating the Naklab dispute," Captain Yuki Yoshida of the Tian Nan Men stated. "I was to, but Q desided that I needed I more challenging week," Picard replied. "So Q is behid this mess," Captain Victoria Ohlin of the Hemingway said. "I always wanted to meet that entity." "Q, all powerful, all knowing entity, and member of the Q continuemuim at your service," Q said form behind Picard. All the Captains spun around to face him. He was sitting at a table labled meet John de Lance a.k.a Q, 10am to noon, B Dalton Booksellers. Photos were spread out before him. "Always willing to meet a fan. I'll send this to your quarters on the Hemingway." He held up a photo of himself signed 'to my Darling Torrey, Love Q.' After everyone got a good look at it in vanished in a flash of light. "You've wondered why I have chosen to include you in my latest study of the crew of the Enterprise," Q said. "You were chosen because I was ordered to expand the subjects of my study. Your ships in paticular wer chosen due to your crews extensive sailing experiance. For instance Yuki here won the America's cup for his native Japan last year." "So you have taken the crew of my ship and four of my fellow starship captains, to conduct research into human behavior," Captain T'Gwen Washington of the Miranda said. "Are there not more logical oand more effective ways to conduct research?" "Yes, but none as fun." Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Path: tivoli.tivoli.com!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!caen!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!ruacad!sratliff From: sratliff@ruacad.ac.runet.edu (Stephen Ratliff) Subject: Who Q? Where Q? section 2 Message-ID: Organization: Radford University X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Date: Thu, 19 Jan 1995 18:29:05 GMT Lines: 606 Xref: tivoli.tivoli.com alt.startrek.creative:4805 _____ __...---'-----`---...__ _=============================== ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' (_______________||_) . . ,--' STAR TREK : / /.---' `/ THE NEXT GENERATION -_-_- -_-_- '--------_- - - - - _/ | S |_ ___ _| | `--------' WHO Q? Where Q | E | ^___^ | 2 | _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-| C | /|||\ | |-_- . A Story by Stephen Ratliff | T | ||||| | | ____________________________________________________|_._|_|||||_|___|___ Chapters 4-8 . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/======CHAPTER=FOUR========== . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ First Officer's Log Lieutenant Commander Jay Gordon recording I have welcomed the negoitators on board the Enterprise. I found them disgusting. Sel Rahc Selaw of Bresa and his aids tried to sneak weapons on board. Sel Rahc Ekael of Troac brought an archaeological treasure to try to bribe the Captain. And finally Sel Rahc Akros of Sobnia came aboard equiped to seduce the Captain. All of these have or will fail as soon as they see Captain Picard. The weapons were picked out during transport by Chief of Security, Patterson Supra and Assistant Chief Engineer Shayna Sachs. The remaining plots will be foiled by the nature of the Captain Picard they are dealing with. I'd give almost anything to see the looks on those ambassador's faces when they find out that the Captain Picard that will be medaiting their dispute is not Jean-Luc Picard, a man in his fifties, but Marrissa Picard, his 12 1/2 year-old adopted daughter-- but I have to be on the bridge. I am not hopeful as to our sucessfully completing this mission. The deck seems to be stacked against us. I'm not sure that the regular crew could pull this off, let alone a ship load of kids, but then again we have been in more impossible situations then this. The sounds of arguing were already coming from the conferance room when Marrissa entered. The Bres negotator was asserting his position with a quiet drone. Ignoring that, the Troac negotiator was bellowing his position at the top of his lungs. The Sobnian mediator was trying to 'charm' her way into an agreement with soft coo-ing tones. "Good Moring, everyone," Marrissa said. "Sorry I'm late." "WHO ARE YOU?" bellowed the chubby Troac negotiator, Sel Rahc Ekael. "Wheren't you the pianist at last nights concert?" Sel Rahc Selaw said. "Yes I was," Marrissa replied. "I am also Captain of this vessel, Captain Marrissa Amber Picard at your service." The tall negotiator from Bresa got up and walked toward the door. Sel Rahc Ekael blew up and said, "GOD ALMIGHTY, I'M NOT LETTING A LITTLE GIRL MEDIATE THIS DISPUTE AS LONG AS I AM A NEGOTIATOR." Marrissa said softly, "No one walks out of this room without my permission." "You can't stop me," Selaw said turning. "Don't be so sure," Marrisssa said as Selaw turned to rush out the door. He hit the door which refused to open. "I'M NOT GOING TO LET SOME CHILD ORDER ME AROUND," Sel Rahc Ekael said. "I agree, at least the other mediators had the sense to treat us with respect," Sel Rahc Selaw said, approaching Marrissa. "Perhaps to much," Marrissa commented, "but as for respect from me -- you will find that you get as much respect as you show for me and you fellow negotiators. At that you haven't shown much yet." "RESPECT A HUMAN CHILD," Ekael sneared. "WHO HASN'T FOUGHT IN ANY BATTLES OR VANQUISHED ENEMIES. NEVER!" "Don't be so sure," Marrissa said, calmly. "I've commanded starships against Cardassians and Romulans. I was in command of the Maine when she destoryed the Romulan Warbirds at Vulcan and Neptune. I commanded the Enterprise saucer at the Battle of Bajor. Before you make another accusation do a little research. It saves you some embarisment." The wind was taken out of Ekael's sails but not Selaw's. "That Troacain slob may allow you to mediate this dispute but I will not," Sel Rahc Selaw said, throwing a punch. She side stepped it. A second punch impacted her left shoulder sending a flash of pain accross her face. Marrissa replied with a quick kick to Selaw's ankles. A muffled crack was heard a Selaw fell to the floor. "Now if you would return to your seat we can get on with the negotiations," Marrissa said rubbing her shoulder. "But my legs hurt," Selaw whined. "I need medical attention." "So does my shoulder," Marrissa replied, "But you should have thought about that before you attacked me." Selaw crawled back to his seat and into it. "Why are you smiling?" he asked Sel Rahc Akros of Sobnia. "Because all of our plans have been neatly squashed by this young girl," Akros replied. "I planned to seduce the Captain, Ekael bribe, and you bully. I won't seduce a young girl and I doubt Ekael's archaeological treasure will get him far. As for bullying, you've already failed once." Selaw grumbled and moaned. "Now perhaps we can get down to business," Marrissa said. "We'll begin with your statements of what you want and don't want from these negotiations. The order will be alphabetical by planet name. Bresa." "My planet simply wants Sobnia as part of a Greater Bresa," Sel Rahc Selaw moaned. "As for want we don't want, that is simplicity itself. We want no one else controling Sobnia." "UNEXCEPTABLE," Ekael yelled standing up. "Sit down, be quiet and have some respect from your neighbors," Marrissa said. "If you are done Selaw we can go one to Sel Rahc Akros statement of Sobnia's position." Selaw indicated he was done with a nodd. "Sobnia wishes complete independence," Sel Rahc Akros said. "We do not want anyone else controling any part of Sobnia." "Troac," Marrissa prompted after a moment's silence. "TROAC WANTS A COMPLETE BRES WITHDRAWAL FROM SOBNIA," Sel Rahc Ekael said. "FURTHERMORE WE WISH TO CONTROL IT AND NO ONE ELSE." "Do to the fact not one of your positions even remotely match and the fact it is nearing lunch time," Marrissa said, "we will break for lunch. This afternoon at 1400 hours we will each propose how we would go about peacefully achiving your objectives. We will continue in that fashion until a solution which all of you can agree on is found. Even if it takes until my hair turns gray." Marrissa exited the conference room, leaving the Sel Rahcs amazed at her determination and Selaw moaning in pain. Marrissa entered Sickbay with a tight expression of pain on her face. "Doctor Johnson," she called. "What can I do for you?" he asked turning and picking up his tricorder. "I think my shoulder is shattered," Marrissa moaned. "Sit up here and I'll have a little look," Doctor Johnson said he ran the tricorder over the shoulder. "It's just a hairline fracture. How did you come by this injury?" A nurse handed him a piece of equipment and proceded to run it back and forth over her shoulder. "I started the Naklab Negotiation today," Marrissa replied. "Sel Rahc Selaw decided that he'd rather I visit Sickbay. He threw a couple punches and I sent him to the floor. He crawled back to his seat and we continued." At that moment Sel Rahc Selaw entered suported by his two aids. "Doctor fix my legs," He moaned. "NOW!" "As soon as I am finished withe the Captain," Doctor Johnson said, "I'll be glad to treat you all. Nurse get him on a bed." "Now, Doctor," Selaw moaned loudly as he was laid up on the bed. "Yelling ain't gonna speed me up one bit," Jackson Johnson said. "Done Captain, be sure to eat a large dinner with lots of fruit tonight." "Thanks Doctor," Marrissa said. "Inform me if the Sel Rahc will not be able to attend the afternoon session so I can cancel it." Captain's Log Supplemental The afternoon session of mediation has been canceled due to Sel Rahc Selaw's medical treatment. In other news, four Miranda class starships have been found adrift and crewless. The Hood has been sent to retrieve them. The cause of the disappearance is unknown. Captain De Soto of the Hood believes that at least the Hemingway's crew are the guests of Q. Starfleet has put all its vessels in the sector on yellow alert until the cause is known. . -_--_- ___ -_--_- . \ /-^___^-\ / --_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--| O | ||||| | O |--_--_--_--_--_--_--_-- | | O | ||||| | O | | | C H A P T E R | _| ||||| |_ | F I V E | | | #| ||||| |# | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The sun dawned on the castle tower. Captain Jean-Luc Picard was standing at a window looking over the town. Directly below him was the newer of the two castles in the town. Toward his right stood Saint Peter's, North Bridge, Saint Paul's, and the older castle. In front of him some distance away stood South Gate and the Harbor and its keep. To his left stood West Bridge. Breakfast smoke rose from inns near South Gate, North Bridge, West Bridge, and in the middle of the town near the Market. Suddenly a flare shot up in the west from a ship down river... The enemy had been sighted. The sails of the two ships in the Harbor rose as the moved to join it. From up on top of one of the Tian Nan Men's masts, the lookout shouted down to Captain Yoshida, "Five three-masters flying the Romulan Warbird on white." "Run up the signal flags for the town, Ensign," Captain Yoshida said. "Five Romulans-s." The enemy ship's closed. "Helm hard to port. Run out the guns and prepare to fire." "Captain Washington is doing the same but towards the starboard," Commander Earnheart reported. "Two points to starboard," Yoshida ordered. "This is not going to be easy." The Romulan ships came closer. "Ready Archers-s." Archers lined the starboard deck. Still closer, cannons boomed, they fell short. "Light arrows." Closer still. "Fire arrows and starboard cannons-s." Fire spat out of the side of the Tian Nan Men. Seconds later the Miranda followed suit. Two of the Romulan ships faltered as cannon balls impacted their sides. Then the other ships faltered as thier crews noticed flames on their sails and sides. "Reload and fire at will," Yoshida ordered. "We can do better." Cannon balls once again left the Tian Nan Men's sides. The lead enemy ship was hit and began leaning to port. The masts on the ship closest to the northern bank of the river's masts were blown off. Three ships continued to close. "Forty degrees to starboard," Captain Yosida ordered. "Hold all fire and reload all cannons." An enemy ship drew allong side the Tian Nan Men. "Fire all portside cannons, archers fire at will." The cannon balls flew out. Three of them took the masts right off. Five holed the ship below the waterline. The ship sank like a rock. However another ship fired at the Tian Nan Men from behind. A ship had gotten by the Tian Nan Men and the Miranda and taken a parting shot. They made a hole just above the waterline. "Captain we are taking on water," an engsign yelled from the hold. "Helm set a coarse for the Harbor," Captain Yoshida ordered. "Start bailing. Lighten the load. Raise sails." He motioned for Commander Earnheart to join him. "Number One, put the six portside cannons which didn't fire on bailing duty and when they get back they can scrap the baricales off the hull." "Message from the Miranda," the lookout shouted from the mast. "One got by. Will persue. All systems Normal. Nice Shot." Lieutenant Commander Data, Master Archer, was up on the wall between Old Castle and Saint Paul's on the north side of town. Below him about 16 meters was the Deep Blue River. It was 11:06:43 according to Data's internal clock. Cook fires were sending plumes of smoke from the inns in town. However that was not the only sorce of smoke. Down river about a mile smoke rose from the remains of 4 sailing ships. Suddenly Data noticed out of the corner of his eye a out of place sail. Data turned to get a better look. It was a three masted affair with singed white sails. Data's android vision allowed him to pick out the Romulan warbird flag flying from the middle mast. Data quickly quickly said to a patroling soldier on the wall, "Ensign Spenser, inform Commander Riker at the Market Inn that his forces will be needed at North Bridge in a half in hour. An enemy flying the Romulan Warbird has passed the Miranda and the Tian Nan Men. The Brittain and the Hemingway are not in a possition to block there progress up the Blue yet. Now go." The soldier ran off. Data turned hid attention to the rivers. The Brattain and the Hemingway were nearing the conflunce of the Green and Blue from the Blue. The Hemingway positioned itself to block the way up the Green. The Brattain attempted to do the same in the Blue but the enemy ship sailed passed before it could do so. The Romulan ship made for the fishersman's wharf on the other side of the river, but first the ship had to pass Data. He drew back his bow and took aim. The Man at the tiller slumped over. A second arrow shot out. The Lookout fell to the deck. A third. The Captain slumped over. A fourth. Down went an archer. He drew back another arrow but the ship was now out of range so he let it back and proceeded to North Bridge Gate. The noon sun beat down hard on Commander Riekr's Black Armour. He wished Q had chosen a lighter color bad enuogh that the armour weighed a ton, but the heat it absorbs makes it unbearable. Commander Riker arrived at North Bridge Gate on his black horse. "What's going on Data?" he asked. "The Romulans have unloaded eighty men from their ship at the old fisherman's wharf," Data said. "Barclay has hidden two dozen men in the woods behind the cottage." "Your idea?" "Yes, Commander," Data said. I estimate a thrid of them will parish in the first assult before a retreat is ordered. Then you can come out and pin the remaining romulans between yourself and Barclay." "Then we better get ready." The Romulans charged over the bridge. toward the gate at its far end. A battering ram lead the way. Data's archers felled a dozen men and tookout all of the battering ram bearers on one side causing it to roll off the bridge. When all the men were on the bridge, Data put down his bow and picked up a rope attached to the tops of the bridge supporting towers. The ropw ran to the farside of pots mounted on pivots over fires. Data pulled on the rope. Hot oil poured down on the romulans below. Mass confusion reined on the bridge. Romulans jumped off the bridge into the deep Blue River to cool off, only to discover that swimming in armour is not advisable. Commander Riker formed up this troops, two dozen mounted knights and fifty foot soldiers. "Open the gates," came Commander Riker's call. The gates opened pushing enemy soldiers into the water. They joined there downing companions, sinking under the weight of their armour. Commander Riker and his troop moved forward accross the bridge. The Romulans beat a retreat towards their ship. Unfortunately, Barclay and his men were waiting. After their numbers decended to two and a half dozen they surrendered. Meanwhile the Miranda had arrived. She stooped alongside the Romulan ship and T'Gwen Washington and thirty sailors boarded. The resistance was light. In fact it didn't exist. Being out numbered six to one left the Romulans little choice but to jion their breathern in the Old Castle dungeons. . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/======CHAPTER=SIX=========== . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Captain's Personal Log STARDATE 48129.24 Marrissa Picard recording The Naklab System Negotiations enter their third day today. All sides are no closer to agreement. Thid Negotiation I am mediating is begining to remind me of Poker Night in Commander Riker's quarters... Each person concealing his cards, raising the stakes. The difference is I don't know all the cards in the deck much less who has them. If I don't find out the important cards soon, this mediation attempt will will go down as the worst failure of diplomacy since the Klingons got there hands on Captain Kirk. Personally I am ready to throw in the cards if I have to sit though many more arguements like yesterday's. "You control Sobnia, ha! Troac can't even administrate a small section of an asteroid belt," Sel Rahc Selaw said. Marrissa was beging to get a headache. The ambassadors argeed on nothing but to agree to disagree. She knew now why the other mediators had failed-- they were driven insane by the illogical and insane statements and proposals of the Naklab Sel Rahcs. "AT LEAST MY PLANET DIDN'T INVADE ANOTHER, WITHOUT A DECLARATION OF WAR," Sel Rahc Ekeal responed angerily. It looks like its's time for lunch, Marrissa thought, but first I better defuse this mess. It's 1258 hours, time for lunch. "May I have your attention," Marrissa asked. The Negotiators ignored her. "We're not cowards like you," Selaw responed. "MER'APH!" Marrissa yelled. The room quieted after the sudden volume of the until now softspoken young captain. "I will here no more insults or name calling in this room. Is that clear? We will ajourn for lunch and let our tempers cool." I'll go to the bridge, Marrissa thought. A couple minutes in the center seat will bring me back to reality. It always does. I'll eat lunch while Jay and Doctor Johnson bring me up to date. The turbolift opened onto the bridge. "Ah! my young captain, how nice of you to join us," Q said from the counselor's seat. "I was just showing your first officer some of the regular command crew's encounters with me while I waited for you." Q jestered at the viewscreen. Captain Picard was fighting Sir Guy. Sir Guy said as thier swords crossed, "I'll have you know I"m the greatest swordsman in all of Nottingham." A fury of sword clashes followed. As there swords crossed again Picard replied, "Very Impressive. There is something you should know ... I'm not from Nottingham." the Captain finished off Sir Guy. The viewscreen returned to its view of Sobnia. "I've put all of my encounters with humans into this computer," Q said. "Take a look some time, you may find them entertaining." "That's nice Q," Captain Marrissa Picard said. "Computer begine recording the bridge for transmission to Starfleet Exploritory, Admiral Necheyev. Q, are you responsible for dissappearance of the crews of the Brattain, Hemingway, Miranda, and Tain Nan Men?" "Yes, Why do you ask?" Q responded. "Just a hunch," Marrissa said. "Where are they?" "They are provideding naval support to Captain Picard's defense of a midevil castle-town," Q replied. "Thank you Q," Marrissa said. "computer end recording and dispacth recording appended to file dispacth, to Admiral Necheyev, Assisatant Chief of Starfleet Exploritory, presently aboard the USS Excalibur NCC-26517." "Petty sure of that hunch, weren't you?" Q said. "A good Captain is always willing to act on a hunch," Marrissa replied. "Jay you have the bridge. Have Doctor Johnson come to my ready room when he has the time. Care to join me for lunch Q?" "I thought you'd never ask." Marrissa went over to the replicator, and said, "Turkey sandwich number four, large french fries and a large glass of strawberry juice. Do you want anything Q?" "No thank you" Marrissa picked up her order and brought it to the desk and sat down behind it. "Now what do you want to say, Q?" she asked as Q sat down across from her. "I'm trying to complete my study of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, your father," Q said. "It occured to me that interviewing you would give me and additional source and insight into Jean-Luc Picard." "Ask away. It will be awhile before the doctor arrives." "Evacuating people under fire is so time consuming isn't it. What is your father like in your quarters?" "he is a good father, as fathers go. I'm generally left alone as long as my grades are goodm my room is clean, and I don't interupt his work. You say the doctor is under fire?" "Yes, the third Overjaras Bres position opened fire. What about on duty?" "OK, as long as I don't mess up. When I do I get it form both Commander Riker and my father. Should I do something abuot the doctor?" "No he just beamed aboard. I better be going I'm about to be needed by your father." "Tell him how things are going here, Q." "I will." Q vanished. . -_--_- ___ -_--_- . \ /-^___^-\ / --_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--| O | ||||| | O |--_--_--_--_--_--_--_-- | | O | ||||| | O | | | C H A P T E R | _| ||||| |_ | S E V E N | | | #| ||||| |# | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A second dawn over the castle town found Captain Jean-Luc Picard at the window of the highest tower in the new castle. A druken townsperson was making his way home from the Eagles' Nest Tavern. This however did not interest the captain. His eyes were ooking further west, past West bridge toward the western hills. A black line was proceeding in from the hills on the road to the West Bridge Gate of the town, throwing up dust. As Picard watched the the line became rows and coloms of men. And over it all flew the white and green banner of the Romulan Warbird. His enemy has once again reared its ugly head. Later that day Picard watched as a couple hundred romulans set up camp just to the north of West Bridge and out of arrows range. Commander Riker had wanted to ride out while they were setting up camp and attack them. Picard, however, had a better idea, but Riker would get his chance. Captain Phillip Andrews and the Brittain sailed up the Blue. He passed under North Bridge as it ran from out croping to the high bluff of the town. Then it came suddenly into the view of the Romulan Camp. Andrews orded the ship aligned to fire it's cannons. And then the Brittain opened fire. Chaos reigned supreme in the enemy camp. The leaders attempted to bring a defense up against the the unreachable Brittain as it fired it's parting shot. The shot left no trace of the leaders tent and the camp became even bore chaos ridden. Into the panic rode Riker's knights, slaying enemies left and right. The Romulan's begain an exstreamly unorganized retreat. The castle dungeons gained another four dozen people when the day was over. Five dozen enemy soldiers laid on the ground dead. Almost half of the soldiers had escaped into the woods. That was not the last of the romulans, however. The next moring found three hundred encamped by South Gate and another hundred accross the Green from Harbor keep by the waterfall. Picard quickly sent reinforcements to Leiutenant Worf at South Gate. They arrived just as the first charge began. A battering ram moved forward with a dozen ladders for scaling the wall. Data quickly began taking out the men carrying the battering ram. Soldier after soldier fell to the mighty baow of the android. The emeny archers, seeing the problems he was causing began targeting him, but a dozen arrows in his chest did not deture Data. The ladders reached the walls and were laid up against them. One of them was by Data. As a man began to climb up it Data grabbed it and lifted it up off the ground. The man lost his grip and fell off as Data brought the ladder over the wall. Upon landing the poor soul cracked his hed open on a rock outsided the castle walls. Further down the wall, Worf was engaging som sucessful wall scalers. One of end of his bat'leth caught the enemy sword and sent it away from him and the other end cut deeply into the enemy's neck. It was the thirteenth Worf had felled. The attack failed, but not without cost to both sides. Scores of enemy soldiers were lying on the battlefield dead. A couple dozen were removed from the wall as well. The Federation forcers were no unharmed, Fifteen were dead and a score more were injured bad enough to require care. Captain Picard was mad when Q joined him in the New Castle tower. "Pleasant day isn't it mon Captain,' Q greeted Jean-Luc Picard. Picard turned from the window to face the demigod. "It most certainly is not," he said in a curt tone. "I just recieved word that 15 of my crew members are dead. Fifteen DEAD Q, as in never to return." "Jena-Luc, such anger," Q replied. "May I suggest a session with Counselor Troi?" "That won't help my crew people who are still dead, Q," Picard said calming down a little. "they would have died on this mission anyway," Q said. "If you had been serving as Naklab system mediator instead of your daughter, those crew members would have died in an attack and a galaxy wide war would have erupted when you died wiping out the human race. Instead the problem will fade and when your daughter dies no one will be alive in the system to renew the conflict." "You mean you are doing us a favor?" Picard asked "Must you be so thick headed, of coarse I'm doing you a favor," Q explained "A war wil never happen and I will have enough time to get my research done on the human race and you done." "I knew there had to be another motive," Picard commented. "And thank you Q." "Your welcome, Captain," Q said. "And by the way Captain, is it all right for me to take your daughter out on a date?" "Most certainly NOT!" "Temper, temper, Mon Captain," Q said. "It was just a thought, I have no intention of doing so. Q vanished in a flash leaving Picard to puzzle over Q's statements. . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/=====CHAPTER=EIGHT========== . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After Q left, the door rang. "Come," Marrissa said. Doctor Jackson Johnson entered in a dirty uniform. "How's the relief effort Doctor?" "It could be better," Doctor Johnson said. "The Bres are shelling Overajas everytime the Enterprise isn't overhead. Nurse Emery was injured in the last round, she'll be out a week at least. I'd say we're getting to about half of the people we're suppose to." "And if the shelling stops you will be able to get your job done," Marrissa completed. "I'll see what I can do." She tapped her commicator. "Bridge, this is the Captain, change orbit to powered station keeping over Overjaras. Alexander, Jay, Patterson, report to my ready room." The Klingon and two human boys entered the ready room. "You called, Risa," Jay said. "Careful Jay, you know how I hate that nickname," Marrissa warned. "The Doctor here tells me that the Bres are having target practice with the population of Overjaras as targets." "So, I've heard," Jay said. "So here is what I'm going to do. Alexander contact ..." Marrissa, Alexander, Doctor Johnson, Ensign Lochard, and two other security officers beamed down to the Bres camp over locking Overjaras. All were dressed in Starfleet Uniforms with the exception of Alexander who was in full Klingon Dress and was holding a large case. The campoverlooked a broad river vally with a meduim sized red roofed city in it. Above the valley rose picturesque snow capped peaks. If it weren't for the spots of broken roofs and smoldering ruins Overjaras would have been a great place for shore leave. The camp itself consisted of a dozen tents arrayed in a semicircle arround a large gun. A gaurd stood outside one of the tents. "Who are you and waht are you doing here?" he challenged. "I thought that would be obvious," Marrissa replied. "We are here to see the Commander of this gun emplacement." "Since when did Starfleet start hiring Klingon shimps," the seven-foot tall guard said. "I wish you hadn't said that," Marrissa sighed. "Why" "You just insulted a Klingon of the House of Mog," Marrissa said. "Would you care to inform this guard of the results of the last time someone did that. Ross?" "I believe the poor soul found it necessary to step off a high cliff," Ensign Lochard replied. The guard then looked over at Alexander who had taken out a large Klingon Knife and was begining to sharpen it. "I'll go get Colonel Elbourt," the guard said retreating into the tent. Colonel Elbuort emerged from the tent. "What do you want?" the solidly built man in brown fantigues asked. "You to stop shelling Overjaras would be a good start," Marrissa said. "And why should I do that?" Elbuort sneered. "Number One, you are voilating the cease-fire agreement," Marrissa enumerated. "Number Two, if you don't your gun will be disassambled and removed from this sight. And Number Three, it would make me very happy. "I don't care about the cease-fire," the Colonel replied. "If you take my gun away you will damage Starfleet's image of treating all sides equally. And why should I care about your feelings." "You do have a point but I am not the one who will possess your weapon," Marrissa said. "Then who will?" "The Klingon Empire of coarse," Alexander said. "We don't like people who break there words. Alexander, son of Worf, Ambassador at large from the Klingon High Council, at your service." "I wouldn't insult him sir," the guard said from within the tent. "The last one to do so was forced off a cliff and died." "What do you intend to do," Colonel Elbuort asked. "Ross, please quote the cease-fire agreement for me," Alexander said. "An outside party may take action to prevent or end hostilities during mediation," Ross replied. "This action may include up to the forcible acquistion of the weapons or detanting the persons responsable." "Is disassembling the weapon for transport premited?" the Klingon Ambassador asked. "Yes." Alexander opened his case and took out a laser scalpel. "You aren't going to dissassemble it with that?" Colonel Elbuort said alarmed. "I'm eleven years old," Alexander said welding the scalpel. "Gun disassembling hasn't exactly been in my education, and you'ld be surprised what this thing cuts though." "If my men disassemble it for you," Colonel Elbuort said, "would that be acceptable? While you watch of coarse." "It would," Alexander said. "And to show my graitude, I'll have some refreshments beamed down. Alexander to Enterprise." "Enterprise here," came Jay's voice. "Chould you beam down some of my family's gagh supply," Alexander said. "A couple bowls full should do." Marrissa tapped her badge and said, "Number One, add some chips, a bottle of strawberry soda and three bottles of the '50 Chateau Picard Stargazer white wine to that order." "Aye sir," Jay's voice replied, "Patterson will be down with your order in a couple minutes. Enterprise out." Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Path: tivoli.tivoli.com!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!news.moneng.mei.com!uwm.edu!caen!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!ruacad!sratliff From: sratliff@ruacad.ac.runet.edu (Stephen Ratliff) Subject: Who Q? Where Q? section 3 Message-ID: Organization: Radford University X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Date: Thu, 19 Jan 1995 18:38:29 GMT Lines: 635 Xref: tivoli.tivoli.com alt.startrek.creative:4808 _____ __...---'-----`---...__ _=============================== ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' (_______________||_) . . ,--' STAR TREK : / /.---' `/ THE NEXT GENERATION -_-_- -_-_- '--------_- - - - - _/ | S |_ ___ _| | `--------' WHO Q? Where Q | E | ^___^ | 3 | _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-| C | /|||\ | |-_- . A Story by Stephen Ratliff | T | ||||| | | ____________________________________________________|_._|_|||||_|___|___ Chapters 9-12 . -_--_- ___ -_--_- . \ /-^___^-\ / --_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--| O | ||||| | O |--_--_--_--_--_--_--_-- | | O | ||||| | O | | | C H A P T E R | _| ||||| |_ | N I N E | | | #| ||||| |# | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A thrid day dawned over South Gate with the cry of a charge of soldiers. By noon Worf, Data and their men had replused the attack. However, another attack was underway before tea-time and was over by dusk. The forth day began with yet another attack occupying the defenders full attention. As did the fifth. Meanwhile in Harbor Keep, Captain Yoshida and Leiutenant Commander Geordi LaForge were discussing the changes done during the repair of the Tian Nan Men. "The fifth deck support looked different," the captain said. "It was changed in order to allow the cannon angle you wanted," Geordi replied. "Anything else?" "I don't think so," Captain Yoshida said. "Then I better get back to-o," Geordi said as his VISOR detected something strange in the floor. "Captain I think we better summon the guard." "What is it Leiutenant?" Captain Yoshida asked. "I'm seeing an underground passage extending from the table to directly oppisite the door," Geordi said. "And the ground is thining below the table, sir." Captain Yoshida stepped to the door and yelled out to the Harbor, "Commander Earnheart, I need swordsmen in here, quickly. Possiable tunnel inside Harbor Keep." "Captain, I believe I can collapes the tunnel from outside the Keep," Commander Laforge said. As Captains Andrews, Ohlin and Washington arrived, Yoshida said, "Go Ahead. We will hold them here. As LaForge left the Keep, the table sunk into the floor, opening a large hole in the middle of the room. Cries of angguish chould be heard from below. Suddenly, a man jumped out of the hole. "He is mine," Captain Andrews said. Their swoards clashed as another man jumped out of the hole. Yoshida's sword met his. Then a thrid and fourth man came out to fight with Ohlin and Washington. "Keep them away from the door," Andrews called. "I note your man is closest to it," T'Gwen said. "Care to switch off, Torrey? I think this man is more your style." "OK," Captain Ohlin said as they when back to back. They made the quick switch off. Ohlin's first stroke against her new opponent was a slash at the neck. It was sucessful making the first kill Victoria Ohlin's. "Any one need help?" "Over here Torrey," Captain Andrews said avoiding a low blow. "This guy is good." Ohlin drew here dagger and threw it into Andrews' opponent's back, bringing her kills to two. "That help Phil?" she asked as the man fell. "Yes, watch your back," Captain Andrew said as a fifth man jumped out of the hole behind Ohiln. Ohlin turned quickly, her sword with the narrowest of margins defecting the on-rushing enemies sword. "Thanks, Phil. take the next one will you," she said as a sixth man emerged from the pitt. Meanwhile Captain Yoshida had dispatched his man. "Any one need help?" he asked. "Over here, Yuki," Captain Washington said. This deverted her opponents attention for a half a second enabling her to finish her opponent off. "I take it your request is canceled, Gwen?" Captain Yoshida asked. "Certainly," She said, drawing her dagger. She threw it behind Yoshida and it impacted a enemy emergeing from the hole. Meanwhile, Leutenant Comamnder Geordi LaForge had rigged some explosives to colapse the tunnel out side the keep. He lit the fuse and he and an assistant retreated to a safe distance. Back inside the keep, two more enemies had emerged to engage Captains Washington and Yoshida. Then LaForges explosives went off. Everyone but Captain Washington paused at the sound of the explosives. The half Vulcan took advange of this pause to render her opponent unable to fight. Next to recover was the seasoned swords woman, Captain Ohlin. She disarmed her opponent and slew him in a quick stroke. Then the others resumed fighting. However it was now 4 to 2 StarFleet and it showed. The two remaining were dispatched in a fury of swords. The fifth night began with a meeting in the new castle Map Room. Captains Andrews, Ohlin, Picard, Washington, and Yoshida joined Riker, Data, LaForge and Leiutenants Worf Barclay and Dean in the map room around the model table. "The Doctor is unable to attend this meeting," Captain Picard said. "However she does wish to inform us that there have been no additional StarFleet fatalities. The First item on the aggenda is the Gate Commander Report. Barclay?" "North-th Bridge has been untested except for an ocassional archer since day two," Barclay said. "My team is suffering from boredom, but is ready for action." "Dean," Picard prompted "West Bridge is in the same state as North Bridge," Dean said. "Worf," Picard said. "South Gate is battle weary," Worf said. "We have been under attack all most constantly for 3 days before the attack on Harbor Keep. My team needs at least a shift off duty. If we get that we will be back to strenght." "Barclay, Your men will take over South Gate for the rest of this watch," Picard said. "Dean, your men have the next. Gate commanders dismissed." Barclay, Dean and Worf filed out of the room. The Picard spoke up again, "Now for the Harbor Keep Report, Captain Ohlin." "As you know Harbor Keep was attacked today, via a tunnel under the wall and a passage behind the waterfall," Captain Ohlin said. "The tunnel was discovered by Leiutenant Commander LaForge. The Captains of the Sailing ships defended the Keep while LaForge colapesed the tunnel. During the attack, nine soldiers entered Harbor Keep, eight were killed, one captured. An additional three soldiers were found under the table that had fallen into the hole and were captured. The excavation of the tunnel found three dozen soldeirs dead." "Enginneering report, LaForge." "After a sufficant gaurd had been assembled, my crew and I ecavated the collaped area," Geordi reported. "We then proceed to open up the passage under the wall and install a door. After Commaned Riker had declared the other side clear, we inspected the side under the waterfall we made some repairs and rigged an alarm." "Captain Washington, your infiltation plan's status?" Captain Picard said. "All Vulcans are in place," T'Gwen replied. "Naval readiness report, Captain Yoshida," Captain Picard said. "All five ships are ready," Yuki said. "We still need a Captain for the three masted affair we have named Enterprise. Two dozen canoes have been built for the attack." "LaForge has the Enterprise." "Thank you Captain,' LaForge replied. "Attack plan Gamma status, Captain Andrews," Picard asked. "All ships are ready," Phillip replied. "The canoes are ready to leave Harbor Keep though the tunnel at a moments notice. The signal for the attack has been set for the bells of Saint Paul's." "Proceed with the attack as schuduled," Picard said. "Meeting Ajourned." . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/========CHAPTER=TEN========= . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Captain's Log STARDATE 48128.14 Captain Marrissa Picard recording I have decided to meet with each side informally. Hopefully, I can get to what they really want this way. I believe I may have found the lever that I need to move this negotaition towead as solution. Nevolsia has decided not to allow StarFleet to renew its lease on Nevolsia Base, ending a 30 year occupancy. Marrissa walked into the crowded newly reopened Ten-Forward. Ross Lochard was working at the bar. Jay Gordon was talking to Clara Sutter over in one corner, but Marrissa's object was at the bar, Sel Rahc Ekael. Marrissa went and sat down beside him. "Strawberry Sunday, Ross," she ordered. "Coming right up, Captain," Ross replied. "Is Ross serving you alright, Sel Rahc Ekael," Marrissa asked turning towards him. "All right if you consider this synthale a drink," he responded. "Do you really think you can solve this mess?" "That depends," Marrissa said. "What are you willing to give up for peace?" "You really want do know don't you?" Sel Rahc Ekael said. He leaned over toward Marrissa and wispered, "An asteroid belt and Sobnia, but don't tell any one. Of coarse Troac will require something in return." "Would a starfleet base in orbit be an exceptable exchange?" Marrissa asked. "Yes," Ekeal said. "But how are you going to get Starfleet to put a base there?" "Lets say I have ways," Marrissa replied recieving her sunday. "I'll see you at the table tomarrow." Marrissa then got up and took her sunday over to the table in the corner with Sel Rahc Selaw. Before she chould as him if she chould join him Sel Rahc Selaw spoke up, "What does it take to get drunk on this ship?" "Generally a privite stash of alchol," Marrissa replied. "Ten-Forward only serves synthahol. It reduces the time its closed for repairs." "Oh, well," Selaw replied. "What interesting things did Ekael have to say?" "Nothing much, just how you have a large fleet of warp capable cargo ships he wishs he had or chould hire," Marrissa said. "The minister of Trade thought that would be a good use for our troop ships after the war," Sel Rahc Selaw said. "But we need so raw goods to start with in order to be traders to be reckoned with. If we had the raw materails we would be able to reduce our armies quite substancally." "Then if the tready gave you these resources you would support it?" Marrissa asked. "Certainly." "Thank you for explaining your governments position," Marrissa said, getting up. "You have cleared up a lot of questions. See you at the table tomarrow." Marrissa pushed in her chair and went to join Clara and Jay at their table in the middle of Ten-Forward. "Are you two here on a date?" Marrissa asked with a smile. Clara blushed and said, "Yes and Vulcans lie habitally." "Just joking Clara, Jay," Marrissa said. "I was trying to get back at Jay for that Risa quip earlier." "He still hasn't learnt not to call you that?" Clara said. "I think he learnt too well that I HATE that nickname," Marrissa said. "How is Alexander enjoying his time in command, Jay?" "He says it is good practice for running the House of Mog," Jay replied. "I take that means he loves it," Marrissa replied. "Of coarse," Jay replied. "How is the Mediation going?" Clara asked. "If I can get a Starfleet base at Troac," Marrissa began, "I believe I can solve the problem. However to do that I need the support of four of the seven members of the Starfleet Base location board." "I think my grandma, Admiral Ocie Epperly, can help," Jay replied. "Jay you mean that your grandmother is the Chief of StarFleet Engineering, not only a member of the board but the chair?" Marrissa said. "Yes," Jay replied innocently. "Then you have an assignment Jay," Marrissa said. "Convince her that a base at Troac would be a good idea. I want approval of this base confirmed by tomarrow morning. I all ready know that Admirals Okie, McGuire, and Necheyev will support it. Okie because he will do almost anything to end this mess. McGuire and Necheyev want a modern base in this sector and this would do that." "You know your admirals," Jay replied. "Not as well as I'd like to," Marrissa said. "Before Clara has to go to the bridge we have a little ships business to attend to. Jay, your parents are transfering to the Independence. Captain Morris has informed me that she wants you to form a Kid's Crew on board as soon as you arrive." "Are you sure someone doesn't have a better Kobayshi Maru time?" Jay said nevrously. "Listen to him, Marrissa," Clara said. "A nineteen minute forty-two second time the forth best time in the federation, and he is worried that someone -- some kid -- beating it." "Not likely at all," Marrissa said. "The only people with better times are myself, Captain Morris, and Admiral Necheyev. But back to business, Clara of coarse will be my new first officer, but who will replace her as second officer and Cheif Engineer?" "Alexander would make a fine number two intill you can arrange a test," Jay replied. "I agree," Clara said. "OK, Alexander for second officer," Marrissa said. "Clara, who do suggest to fill the Chief Engineer's position?" "Shayna Sachs, but she will need some training," Clara replied. "I would like to continue to some of the Engineering drills though." "That's your priviledge as first officer," Marrissa replied. "How much training do you think she will need?" "Give her six months and she will be ready," Clara said. "If she tones down the practical jokes. It would have taken less but I had no idea I'd be leaving the department." "I'll agree with Clara's selection and the remark concerning the practical jokes," Jay said. "Then it's settled," Marrissa said. "Clara you better get to the Bridge. As Lieutenant Commander LaForge says 'It doesn't look good for the C.O. to be late.'" Captain's Log STARDATE 48131.27 Captain Marrissa Picard recording Having recieved word from the StarFleet Base Location Board of the approaval of the new Deep Space Thirteen at Troac, I am about to spring an agreement on the Sel Rahc that no side will be able to object to ... I hope and pray. "Good Morning everyone," Marrissa said entering the room in dress uniform, which she had never done before. (She hates the uniform's collar.) The Sel Rahcs looked up expectantly. "You seem cheerful this morning," Sel Rahc Akros observed. "Yes," Marrissa rerplied. "I beleive I have found a solution to this problem that everyone can agree with." "HUMPH, I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT," Sel Rahc Ekael said, in his usual tone. "I'll outline the plan while you read it, no interuptions please," Marrissa began her umpteenth proposal, some what nervously. "Bresa and Troac wht withdreaw their troops within a week from the signing of this document. Troac will recieve the Starfleet Base which Nevolsia no longer wants. Bresa will take over proctectorateship of the Eceerg Astroid Belt. A commitee consisting of two repressentives from each planet plus one elected from the non planeatry bound inhabitants, will be set up for the medaitation of disputes and other insystem problems. Objections, comments, proposed mocifications? Troac?" "MY PLANET CAN'T WITHDAWAL WITHIN THAT TIME LIMIT," Sel Rahc Ekael blustered. "BRESA HAS DESTORYED TOO MANY OF OUR SHIPS." "If you will direct you attention to article two section two," Marrissa replied, "You will note that the withdrawal will be over seen by various StarFleet Vessels, some of which can, WILL transport a portion of each side. Any other objections?" "No." "Bresa?" "No objections here as long as you transportation assistance extends to the Bres," Sel Rack Selaw said in a monotone. "It does," Marrissa replied. "Then Bresa will be happy to put its signature on this document," Selaw finished. "Sobnia?" "I'm speech less, I never thoght I'd see the day," Sel Rahc Akros said with tears in her eyes. "This is everything that I had hoped for." "Since all of you are eager to sign this tready, we will set up a signing before the press at 1600 hours in Ten Forward I Will See you There," Marrissa replied exiting the room. As she left the room she thought in great relief, 'This medaition sure has been trying. Trying but worth it, defanantly worth it. Perhaps a bubble bath and a strawberry shake would refresh myself before the signing -- but I'll problablly be called to the bridge." . -_--_- ___ -_--_- . \ /-^___^-\ / --_--_--_--_--_--_--_--_--| O | ||||| | O |--_--_--_--_--_--_--_-- | | O | ||||| | O | | | C H A P T E R | _| ||||| |_ | E L E V E N | | | #| ||||| |# | | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The sixth and final dawn appeared in the east over Old Castle. Captain Picard was once again in the New Castle tower. Picard was not up watching the sunrise when the bells of Saint Paul's rang out, calling people to mourning Mass. His attention was taken up by the five ships which sailed up the Green. as the bells tolled the five ships unloaded troops right above the Romulan camp. Accross the Blue, canoes entered the water, delievering a second force from accross the water. A line of soildeirs formed between the rivers. Meanwhile the ships had left the shore and were proceeding down stream. As they passed the Romulan camp they took a couple potshots at it. Before Riker chould charge, several Romulans approached the line under a flag of truce. "Commander, we wish to surrender and ask for terms," The Romulan asked. "Commander out of curiousity why are you surrendeing," Riker asked. "Suddenly it seemed to be useless to continue," the Romulan Commander said, after amoment. "A Hopeless battel is bad enough, but one for the amusement of a superbeing is just plain crazy." "I've found that to be true as well," Commander Riker said. "You will be interested to know that this time, Q, the local superbeing, is doing this in order to perpare a term paper on humanity and our Captain." Q's voice rang out, "Get it right Commander, my book _Humanity,_Captain_Picard's_Race_, will be published by Nevolsia Press next April." "Romulus is going to enjoy this report," the Romulan Commander said. Later taht day, Captain T'Gwen Washington rushed into the map room of New Castle. Captain Picard and Commander Riker were there spectuclating on how Marrissa was doing in command of the Enterprise. "I think she is having a hard time," Commander Riker said. "After all she has no experance at diplomatic negoitation." "I don't agree, Number One," Captain Picard said. "After all she has a B+ in TACT 360 Diplomatic Negoitation." "Captain Picard," Captain Washington interupted, "I have word from my intelligence agents. My fellow Vulcans report that the Romulans are returning to attack us within the hour." "I expected that," Captain Picard said. "Commander Riker status of the walls?" "All manned and ready, Captain," Riker replied. "How did you know they would return?" T'Gwen asked. "It was too easy," Picarad replied. "Q usally provides more of a challange. So how do you think my daughter is doing in command of the Enterprise's diplomatic mission?" "Is this the same girl who distroyed the Romulan Woarbird at Neptune?" the half-Vulcan asked. In the Battle field before SOuth Gate the Romulans charged with ladders and stockpiled weapons. Data's archers were ready. A full fifth of the Romulans failed to reach the Wall. When they got their they put their ladders up to the wall, ingoring the two foot wide and widing stream that LaForge had dug next to the Wall. Water flowed quickly from the Blue to a waterfall into the Green. Placeing their ladders so that the base was about 3 feet away from the wall they began there assent. As the stream widened the Romulans were knock off their ladders into the swift flowing stream down the waterfall into the Green. Soon the Romulans retreated. The men of South Gate suffered no casaultes. The Romulans lost 50 %. Inside the Map room, LaForge was explain how his plan worked. "The new stream was built in a rock bed extending from the Blue to the Green. It improves the defenses of the south wall," LaForge stated. "What about the Gate?" Riker asked. "A drawbridge should restore the gate," Laforge replied. At that moment Q arrived in Starfleet dress uniform," It's nice to see all of you made it," he stated dryly. "I assume this means you are about to return us to the Enterprise?" Captain Picard asked. "Certainly Jean-Luc," Q replied. "You will be returned as soon as I finish taking to you. Marrissa has requested that I arrange your arrival in a certain manner. I have seen fit to grant her request." "So she impressed you," Commander Riker said. "I said nothing of the sort," Q replied indignatly. "Now on to those arrival arrangements. The crews from the Miranda Class vessels will return to there ships as they left but a week later. However the Enterprise is a differant matter. The Command Crew will appear in front of the main viewscreen. The rest of the crew will appear in their quarters. Any Questions?" "Any thing we should know about the situation on the Enterprise," Captain Picard said. "No, Marrissa will be beriefing you when you arrive with Admiral Okie via subspace," Q replied. "I wanted to bring him to the Enterprise but he politely refused." He sighed. "Any thing else?" As the Enterprise Crew had no more questions they disappeared in a flash. . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/=======CHAPTER=TWELVE======= . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Captain's Log STARDATE 48132.4 Captain Marrissa Picard recording Captain Jean-Luc Picard, my father, and the adult crew are due to return in hour. I will be handing him the command of the Enterprise after he has been briefed. However, Admiral Okie has informed me that I will retain command of the mission to oversee the withdrawal, because and I quote "It's traditional." The Admiral has assigned the Independence, the Hood, and promised me four Miranda class vessels as soon as he can get a hold of the Brattain, the Hemingway, the Miranda, and the Hemingway. These ships will also be under my command. After this mission is complete I will be returning to my position as a lowly ensign at CONN (as far as I know). I'm looking foward to the rest. I want to be Captain of my own ship someday but this is just too quick ... from ensign to commanding 300 then 3000 people in two weeks is a little trying. I'd prefer to ease into the position. The Ready Room doors parted. Marrissa Picard stepped out. The Kid's Crew Command Crew were all assembled on the bridge at their stations. Alexander was at Ops, Heather Cowhig at CONN. To the left of the command chair Jay Gordon had just sat down in the first officer's position at the right hand of the Captain. In the traditional Doctor's seat sat Doctor Jackson Johnson. Above them stood young Patterson Supra at Tactical and behind him at the aft Engineering station sat Clara Sutter. "Report, Number One." Marrissa's voice rang out. "All stations normal," Jay replied. "The Independence reports a ETA of 1300 hours. The Hood 1250 hours. No word on our Miranda class starships." "Thank you Number One," Marrissa said sitting down in the Command Chair. "As soon as the CoMmand Crew arrives They and myself will go into a meeting. Once they arrive you may begin replacing and adding the regular crew to your departments. I know Clara wants to have her father under her command." "I haven't said that," Clara said blushing. "To quote my father's favorite Shakespere line, 'the lady doth protest too much, me thinks,'" Marrissa replied, "Hamlet Act III. I know I'd enjoy the experience." A laugh ran around the bridge at Marrissa's last remark. It was to such a bridge that the Command crew reappeared on in front of the viewscreen. Once they arrived Marrissa was all business. "Welcome back, Captain, Commanders, and Lieuetenant," Marrissa said. "Before I return command and you return to duty, may I suggest a briefing?" "Excellent idea, Marrissa, lead the way," Captain Picard said. Captain Picard and the regular command crew followed Marrissa to the conferance lounge doors. "You have the bridge, Number One," Marrissa called out. Reflexsively both Commander Riker and Jay Gordon replied, "Aye, sir." Marrissa laughed. "You have no idea how long I have waited to do that," Marrissa commented. "To do what," Commander Riker asked. Then suddenly it dawned on him. "Oh!" He remembered the second time Marrissa had visited the bridge and the relpy to Picard's usual 'you have the bridge Number One'. This time it was his mistake that lead to laughs. The Command Crew assembled arround the table. Only Marrissa remained standing by the viewscreen. Captain Picard was at the head of the table and Commander Riker to his right. Next to him was the pale faced android, Data followed by his friend Geordi LaForge. A seat was empty at the other end of the table. Coming back down the other side were Worf, Troi, and Doctor Crusher. "I'll begin with my orders followed by my actions and by that time Admiral Okie will contact us on subspace," Marrissa said. "Or so a litte bird told me." "Ensign, humor is not appropriate in a briefing," Riker said. "First of all, how may pips are on my collor COMMANDER," Marrissa asked. "Four." "How many pips to Ensigns wear?" "One." "What rank wears four?" "Captain." "Why are you calling me ensign?" Marrissa said. "Computer state name rank and stardate since for Commanding Officer USS Enterprise." The Computer replied, "The USS Enterprise has been under the command of Captain Marrissa Amber Picard since STARDATE 48125." "I hope you treat my father better when he is in command," Marrissa said. "And as for humor, Q in the form of a little bird in the aurborituim informed me of this fact. Do you think I can continue without interuption, COMMANDER?" "Yes, sir," Commander Riker replied. "That's nice," Marrissa said. "Now back to the briefing. Computer replay Offical Orders, USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D Stardate 48125." Admiral Okie appeared on screen as the computer intoned, "Official Orders to USS Enterprise, USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D, Marrissa Amber Picard commanding." Then Admiral Okie began, "Marrissa Amber Picard, you are hereby field promoted to Captain, revocable at Starfleet Diplomatic's discretion. The Enterprise under your command is to continue to the Naklab system as previously ordered. "Upon arrival, you are to mediate the dispute over Sobnia between the parties of Bres, Troac, and Sobnia. In addition, you are to provide medical assistance to the people of Sobnia. "In order to carry out this mission you are autourized to take any reasonable number of poeple from Nevolsia Base to fill personnel gaps. You may promote or assign people to acting ranks up to Lieutenant Commander you deam necessary. "You may be relieved of this position by myself, Admiral Necheyev, or Captain Picard when he returns and reports to me, Necheyev or our sucessors." "This concludes Offical Orders STARDATE 48125," the Computer concluded. "Now that you know my orders on to my actions," Marrissa said. "Upon arrival at Nevolsia Base I picked up Dr Jackson Johnson to serve as CMO. I also picked up 312 additional personnel, housing them in guest quarters. "I then proceeded to pick up the negotiators form the planets involved and settled into standard orbit around Sobnia. All the while making sure that they would not know which Captain Picard was in command untill they entered mediation. "Shortly before beginning mediation I sent down Medical relief teams. These teams consisted of one security officer and two medical personnel. "I began the mediation. Little progress was made until the third day when the Bres negotiator let slip that the Troac negotiator chouldn't control his section of the asteroid belt. Together with other facts that slipped out and the failure of Starfleet to renew the lease on Nevolsia Base, I was able to peice together a solution. "Basically the Bres and Troac leave Sobnia. The Bres getts the asteroid belt. Troac gets the new Deep Space Thirteen. And they all live happily ever after ... I hope." "Any Questions?" Marrissa asked coming around to the empty seat and laying her crossed arms on top of the back with her head resting on it. "How did you get Starfleet's approval for the new Deep Space Thirteen, you called it?" Lieutenant Commander LaForge asked. "There are seven members of the base location board," Marrissa said. "Admiral Okie supported it because it got rid of one of his problems. Admiral McGuire and Admiral Necheyev supported it because an newly built base will be able to support thier ships better. Admiral Epperly supported it because her grandson Jay convinced her that it was a good thing. The measure passed 4-3 only because I was pressed for time and stopped after passage was guaranteed." "Bridge to Captain Marrissa Picard," Jay's voice said over the communicator. "Go ahead Jay," Marrissa said. "Admiral Okie is calling on subspace," Jay said. "Patch him in here," Marrissa said sitting down. Once again the vistage of Admiral Edward Okie appeared on the viewscreen. He began, "Welcome back Captain Picard. I hope you don't mind my quick promotion of your adopted daughter." "Not at all," Jean-Luc Picard said. "Esspecailly since she did my job for me. Quicker than I thought possable I might add." "Then you will enjoy my next orders even more," Admiral Okie said. "You can resume command of the Enterprise at you leasure but you and the Captains of the Independance, the Hood, the Miranda, the Brattain, the Hemingway, and the Tien Nan Men are now under the command of Captain Marrissa Picard. Marrissa, you are now in charge of overseeing the withdrawal from Sobnia of the Bres and Troac." "You realize what an ackward position you have just put me in Admiral?" Jean-Luc Picard said. "How does someone get his commanding officer to clean up her room?" "Hey! you haven't had to do that once since you adopted me!" Marrissa responded indignatly. A laugh echoed arround the room. "I'm sure you can stand it for a week," Okie replied. "After all, how dirty can a room get in a week?" "Do you really want to know?" Worf replied. "I'm sure Alexander hasn't cleaned his." "You are probably right, Lieutenant," Marrissa replied. "Being Ambassador at Large from the Klingon High Council is not exactly a job with a lot of free time. Plue he commands Beta shift as well." "Ambassador at Large from the Klingon High Council! that's a lifetime appointment!" Worf exclaimed. "How did he obtain that?" "I asked him to see if his Uncle chould find him a position in which he chould represent the Klingon Government," Marrissa said. "That way I could have him take care of some gunners which were troubling Overjares with out involving the Federation. So Alexander came back form talking with his Uncle Kern with that position and those guns are now located in Cargo Bay 8 also known as the Klingon Embassy by the Klingon Empire. By the way Gowron has seen fit to send Ambassador Alexander a couple Birds of Prey to assist Ambassador Alexander in returning those weapons to thier home planet." "Amazing," Admiral Okie said. "However, I better get back to work. The Dimilitarized Zone mess demands my attention. Thank you for your assistance, Marrissa. I've enjoyed talking to all of you. Admiral Okie out." As the screen changed to the StarFleet insignia, Marrissa spoke up, "LaForge, Doctor Crusher, Worf, your subsututes will be available to inform you on the status of your departments," Marrissa said. "According to regulations you are all on leave untill you login offically. Do you what the Enterprise now or later, Dad?" "When we get to the bridge will be soon enough," Captain Jean-Luc Picard said. "Do you want a breifing on our adventure now or do you want it as a bedtime story?" "Neither, try post dinner," Marrissa replied. "I have a feeling it will take a while and I have about seven starship Captains to give orders to and I haven't made half of them up." "Then we will adjourn to the bridge," Captain Jean-Luc Picard said. _____ __...---'-----`---...__ _=============================== ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' (_______________||_) . . ,--' STAR TREK : / /.---' `/ THE NEXT GENERATION -_-_- -_-_- '--------_- - - - - _/ | S |_ ___ _| | `--------' WHO Q? Where Q | E | ^___^ | 4 | _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-| C | /|||\ | |-_- . A Story by Stephen Ratliff | T | ||||| | | ____________________________________________________|_._|_|||||_|___|___ Chapters 13-14, epilogue, appendix . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/=======CHAPTER=THIRTEEN===== . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Marrissa Picard emerged from her room on her firt full day as Fleet Commander in full uniform by still sleepy eyed and yawning. Her father was already up and eating breakfast. "Good Mourning Marrissa," Captain Jean-Luc Picard said. "Good Mourning Captain," Marrissa yawend. "Where is the Doctor?" "She had a medical emergency to attend to," her father replied. Moving to the replicator she said, "I hope it wasn't too bad. Computer, toast with strawberry jam, and a glass of strawberry juice." "I doubt it was bad as it was on Holodeck One," Captain Picard replied. "So the good doctor had just arrived when the call came in," Marrissa said sitting down oppisite the door. "No." "Then she spent the night and don't lie to you Commanding Officer," Marrissa said. "Yes, sir," Jean-Luc Picard said. Then the door chime rang. "Come." The Doctor entered attired in the usual uniform covered with a blue lab coat. "Good mourning Jean-Luc, Marrissa, may I join you?" she said. "Of coarse, Doctor," Marrissa said. "What was the Medical Emergency?" "Ensign Sutter broke both legs on the holodeck,: Doctor Crusher said. "After being under the command of his daughter for a shift he had a sudden urge to go kayaking. I sent him to Couselor Troi after treatment. Apparently being commanded by ones daughter makes one do things they haven't done in years." "And have you detected this in my father?" Marrissa asked. "Yes but I like the results too much to send him to Troi,' Beverly Crusher replied. "That is direction of duty Doctor," Jean-Luc replied softly. "So-what," Beverley responed reaching for this hand. Marrissa got up and nearing the door said, "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." The lovebirds didn't even notice her leaving. Later that mourning Marrissa entered the bridge from the aft turbolift. Commander Riker was in command and Data and Worf where in their places. "Mourning, Commander," Marrissa said. "Good mourning Captain," Commander Riker said. "Where is your father? he is usaul in his ready room by now." "He is being held by the Chief Medical Officer," Marrissa said. "Ross status of the fleet?" "The Enterprise is on coarse to from Troac to Sobnia," Ensign Ross Lochard said. "The Independance is in orbit of Sobnia. The Hood is on coarse from Sobnia to Bres. The Brittain and Hemingway are escorting the Traoc fleet back from Sobnia. The Tian Nan Men and Miranda are escorting the Bres fleet to Sobnia." "Message coming in from the Miranda proirity one for the fleet commander," Lieutenant Worf annouced. "On screen," Marrissa said, moving to the rail of tacical. The half-Vulcan Captain, T'Gwen Washington, appeared on screen. Behind her the Miranda's bridge was smokey and people were running from station to station. Medical officers were attending to the Tactical and CONN Officers. "Enterprise this is the Miranda," T'Gwen said. "A Bres ship ahd broken off from the fleet we are escorting, attacked us and is heading toward the Troac fleet. We have lost weapons and impluse power." "Ross, closest large ships to the Miranda and the renegade vessel?" Marrissa asked. "To the Miranda, the Hood; to the renegade, the Enterprise," Ross replied. "Captain, the Hood will assist you, Enterprise out," Marrissa ordered. "Ross send the appropriate orders. Commander, I want that renegade stoped before it reaches the Troac Fleet and all my work goes down the drain." As Riker began speaking Marrissa com down the left side of bridge and took up the Counselor's seat. "Helm set an intercept course full impluse," Riker ordered. "Red Alert, Captain to the Bridge, senior staff to the Bridge. Worf ready all weapons and tractor beams, raise shields. Hail the renegade." Riker moved between Ops and CONN. "Bressan vessal this is the Enterprise, please respond." "No response," replied Worf. "If you do not cease your coarse toward the Troac fleet we will be forced to take action," Riker continued. "The Bressan Vessel is coming about," Worf said. "She has fired on the Troac fleet with torpedoes. The Brittain has intercepted them. She has lauched a round at us." Moments later torpedoes hit the Enterprise. "In effective, sheilds at 99%" "Mr WOrf are we in phaser range?" Riker asked. "No phaser range in 30 seconds," WOrf replied. "Thier phaser range in 45 seconds." A second round of torpedoes impacted the Enterprise as Captain Jean-Luc Picard arrived. "Status Number One?" he asked. "We are closing in on a renegade vessel which disabled the Miranda and was heading toward the Troac Fleet untill we got it's attention," Riker replied. "It opened fire when we told it to halt. It refuses all hails." A thrid round of torpedoes impacted the Enterprise. "Captain, the Bres vessel does not have shields up," Data said. "Time to phaser range?" Captain Picard asked. "15 seconds to ours and 13 to thiers," Worf replied. "Target and fire on my mark," Captain Picard ordered. "Open hailing fequencies. Bres Vessel this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. Cut your engines, ease fire and perpare to be boarded. If you do not do so in the next 10 seconds we will open fire. Please respond." "Never," was the Bres response as they lanched more torpedoes. "Open fier, Mr. WOrf, and disable all weapons and engines," Captain Picard said. Four time phasers beams launched out at the Bres vessel, hitting its engines and weapons pods. "Engines disabled and weapons off line ," Worf replied. "They are hailing us." "On screen," Marrissa said. "Bres vessel this is Captain Marrissa Picard in command of all Starfleet vessels assisting in the withdrawl from Sobnia of the Bres and Troac." "This is Captain Evisserga of the Bres Vessel Miloslovac," a dark haired man with a puckered scar running down his face said. "Captain Evisserga since you chose to violate article 2 section 3 subsection 3 of the tready by opening fire on a Starfleet vessel, firing toward the Troac...," Marrissa began. "We didn't hit them," the Commander of the Miloslovac said. "That doesn't matter," Marrissa continued. "According to article 2 section 4 subsection 2 of the tready, as commander of the Starfleet vessel overseeing the withdrawl, I may do as I see fit with wyour vessel for the remaining time left in the withdrawal plus 8 hours." "You can't do that," the commander replied. "Of coarse I can I wrote the tready, I should know what I can and can't do," Marrissa said. "Worf come down here." The Klingon came down to stand by Marrissa. "This is your new commanding officer," Marrissa said. "He will arrive within a half hour." Captain Evisserga fainted. "Enterprise out." . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/=====CHAPTER=FOURTEEN======= . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fleet Commander's Log STARDATE 48135.46 Captain Marrissa Picard recoarding We are entering day three of our evaucuation of Bres and Troac troops from Sobnia. Aprroxamently 60 % of the 3 million soldiers have been transported from the planets surface. Under the terms of the tready all soldiers and property of teh respective goverments must be of Sobnia within the next 4 days. Personnel Note : Lieutenant Helms, Chief of security on the Hood has been relieved of duty, pending court-martial, for failure to obey the orders of a commanding officer. The courtmarial will be held tomarrow afternoon, Luietenant Worf, Lt. Commander La Forge and Luietenant Ogawa will serve on the board. I am beaming over to the Independence to assist my former first officer and his family in moving in. Marrissa was helping Jay organize is new room on the Independence, when her communicator. chirped, "Lieutenant Sutter to Captain Marrissa Picard." "Marrissa here, go ahead Clara." "The Bres Overjaras position you had trouble with is refusing to leave," Clara replied. "The Independence is the ship in orbit for the next 15 minutes until the Enterprise arrives." "I'll lead an away team down," Marrissa said. "Marrissa out. Computer location of Chief of Security?" "Luietenant Stover is in the Armoury, deck 5 section 12." "Captain Marrissa Picard to Bridge, delay departure untill I transport down." Marrissa ordered. "Jay meet me in transporter room 3." Marrissa exited the room followed by the 10 year-old acting Luientenant Commander. She turned left, he right. The door to the armoury was locked but that was not a problem for the 12 and half year old Captain. "Computer reconize Picard, Captain Marrissa Amber, Mission Commander; code Tchychosky one eight one two," Marrissa said, " and open armoury doors." "Indentity of Captain Marrissa Picard confirmed," the Computer intoned. Marrissa entered. The Chief of Security was checking the phasers with the assistance of two ensigns. "Luietenant Stover," Marrissa said. She got nothing more out ans Stover quickly pinned her to the wall knocking her breath out. "You are under arrest for entering a restricked area without authorization," Stover said. "Lieutenant," Marrissa wheezed, getting her breath back, "If you don't want to be court-martialed for assulting your commanding officer you better ease off." Stover roughly turned Marrissa aroung pinning her face up against the wall. "Oh well, don't say I didn't warn you at your court-martial. Computer note in log, as Fleet Commander, Captian Marrissa Amber Picard has relieved Lieutenant Stover of the Independence of duty pending court-martial. Notify the assistant Security chief of his possition as acting security chief and have him report with three other security officers to transporter room three." "Notation is made as follows," the Computer responded. "Lieutenant Stover is relieved of duty pending courtmarial. Lieutenant junior grade Stockton has been informed of his new possition and orders." "Ensigns take the Lieutenant to his quarters and confine him there," Marrissa ordered, still pinned to the wall. At first Stover yielded to the Ensigns allowing them to pull him off Marrissa. However has they neared the door he knocked the ensigns into Marrissa behind them, creating a pile of tangled bodies on the floor. While they were impeded he shot off down the cooridor. When Marrrissa had freed herself Lieutenant Stover was no where to be seen. "Captain Marrissa Picard to Captain Morris," She said. "Morris here." "Lieutenant Stover has assulted me and has been relieved of duty," Marrissa said. "He has escaped arrest. Please handle his confinement to the brig." "Aye, sir. Morris out." Marrissa Picard entered the transporter room to find Jay recording a reprimand on the transporter cheif's record. "objected to the orders of a ranking officer." "Doesn't anyone look at the rank pins on the uniform?" Marrissa asked. "I assume your trip was eventful," Jay said. "The transporter chief refused to set my coordinates. In fact he said, 'Why don't you do it yourself.'" "We will have to talk to Captain Morris concerning this officer's fitness to be on a Galaxy Class starship," Marrissa said. "In any case he will be reporting to Lieutenant Commander Morgan Gordon for disciplinary action." "I hope Dad doesn't think Jefferies tub 53 needs cleaning," Jay replied. "You gave yor disciplinary list to your father!" Marrissa exclaimed. "You will have the whole ship hating your father." "Yes but the Independence will have the cleanest jefferies tubes in the fleet," Jay replied. Four security officers entered the room. "It looks like the rest of our team has arrived." "Gentlemen, I am Captain Marrissa Picard, Mission Commmander," the blond haired girl with the captain's pips said. "In order to avoid confusion please refer to me as Marrissa. We will be beaming down in order to convice a Bres officer to allow himself and his command to leave Sobnia. Colonel Elbourt and I have had a previous encounter, but has yet to figure out my rank. The Enterprise will be providing back up. Set phasers on stun and be perpared to use them." The away team beamed down a short way from the camp. Marrissa took a deep breath of the cool mountain air. She took in the view of the red roofed town of Overjaras and the snowcapped mountains beyond it. Then she lead the team into the camp. Colonel Elbourt emerged from a tent as the away team arrived. "What are you doing here," he asked. "You aren't making me happy again," Marrissa stated. "According to my schedule you should have left an hour ago on th Hood." "Why should I make you happy?" Elbourt said. "You are just a little girl. Why does Starfleet persist in sending junior officers down to me?" "Would you rather Admiral Okie deal with you?" Marrissa asked. "He is my direct superior, but I don't think he can get here so quickly so you just have to put up with me, a measly Captain." Elbourt was suprised. "So that was the reason for number one," he said. "Now will you leave Sobnia now?" Marrissa asked. "NO." "Marrisssa," Jay said from where he had wander over by the cliff's edge. "What is it Jay?" Marrissa asked. "I believe the Colonel will be in trouble wif he doesn't leave by the evaucaution's end," Jay said. "Why is that?" Marrissa returned. "There are about ten thousand Sobnian troops down there," Jay replied. "Oh, yes, anyone left behind may be dealt with as the Sobnian Government pleases," Marrissa quoted the tready. "And they won't even have weapons to use," Jay said. "All Bres Government material wukk be removed." "That includes there clothing doesn't it," Marrissa said. "Marrissa to Enterprise. " "Enterprise here," Captain Picard said. "Dad have the transproter room start removing all Bres Government materail from this camp," Marrissa said. "Start with the weapons and work your way down to the Colonel's underwear." "We can't transport them against thier will," Captain Jean-Luc Picard reminded Marrissa. "We aren't, we are following th Bres Government's request to retrieve their propertity from Sobnia," Marrissa said. "You have your orders." As Marrissa closed the channel the Bres weapons began disapearing. "You will not stop us," Elbourt said. Then the tent disappeared. "We will fight with our fists if necessary," he continued a little less sure. "Will you fight nude in 2 degree C weather?" Jay asked as Elbourt's coat disappeared. As his pants disappeared Elbourt finally caved in, "All right, I give up, take me away from this planet." "Marrissa to Enterprise. Elbourt finally gave in. Beam him up and have his clothes ready," the young Captain ordered. . _____ . __...---'-----`---...__ . _=============================== . ,----------------._/' `---..._______...---' .(_______________||_) . . ,--' . / /.---' `/ . '--------_- - - - - _/======EPILOGUE============== . `--------' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Captain Picard was in his ready room when Commander Riker entered. "You called, Captain," Riker said. "Yes Will, sit down," Captain Picard said. "I jsut recieved an order from Admiral Okie. He has given me a week to promote Marrissa." "And?" Riker prompted after a moment. "I am thinking of loging an objection," Captain Picard stated. "Why?" "It's too soon," Captain Picard said. "She is too young. She lacks expeince." "All those are subjective, Captain. She has served the minumum time as Ensign." "By God Will, if this goes on she will meet the goal on that rediculous T-shirt she wears off-duty." "'Captain by 25.' It's good to have goals. I think she will make a great one." "Someday, I agree. but not if whe promote her too fast." "Then may I suggest an evaluation by Data, and a 24-hour wait before any further action." "That sounds like a good idea, but Marrissa better not find out about any of this." Later that day, Data entered the Ready Room with his evauation. "Data your results please," Picard said. "Ensign Marrissa Amber Picard," Data began, "Has never been late to duty. She holds more commendations than any other ensign on board. Her peers are of the opinon that she should have more. Counselor Troi is of the opinon that Marrissa doesn't share this view. She holds the record time in both the Kobayshi Maru and Sulu's Space Cadet for helm training. Is their any thing else you wish to know?" "No, Data," Captain Picard said. "You are dismissed. As soon as Data left a limping Klingon entered. "Captain," Worf said collapsing into the chair in front of the Captain. Ingrossed in his work Captain Picard did not look up as he said," Yes Worf." "I request that a certain young Ensign be assigned to security," Worf said. "She just beat me in a bat'leth match." "Doctor Crusher to Captain Picard." "Go ahead, Doctor." "Is Worf up there?" "Yes, he is," Picard replied. "Don't let him leave," Crusher responed. "I'm on my way up." Captain Picard finallu took a good look at grimacing Klingon. "Worf what happened to you?" he asked slowly. "A young ensign challenged me to a bat'leth match after beating several other officers," Worf said. "She made me over extend myself and I twisted my ankle. Continueing, She made me do it agian with my other ankle, forcing me to the ground." The door chimed. "Come," Picard said. Doctor Crusher entered. "So this is Marrissa's fourth victim," she said scaning him with a tricorder. "Broken right ankle, twisted left. both aggravated by use -- just like the others. Next time come directly to Sickbay instead of going by way of your office, your quarters and the Captain's ready room." "Worf why didn't you tell me it was Marrissa?" the Captain asked. "Commander Riker has issued orders to all ranking below him not to say her name to you in less prompted," Worf replied. "The Doctor has senority." Later that night Captain Picard arrived at the Poker Game in Riker's Quarters. Counselor Troi, Geordi LaForge and of coarse Commander Riker were already there. "So Commander, who is the young lady you are hiding in your bedroom," LaForge asked. "Shame on you for insunuating such a thing," Commander Riker said. "You know It's just the Junior Officeer's champ. She asked to use my termail while awaiting your arrival. Come in Ensign." Marrissa Picard entered the room in her red duty uniform. This was unsual for her as she usaully wore a T-shirt and skirt when off-duty. "Hello Couselor, Commanders, Dad," She said. "Marrissa what are you doing here," Captain Picard, her adopted father asked, turning toward her. "You suggested that I should learn poker," Marrissa said. "It's been quite profitable." "How profitable?" Geordi asked, trying to size up Marrissa. "You will have to find out that for youself," Marrissa replied. "If you are ready the game is ..." Riker began. At the end of the evening Marrissa had split the take between herself and her father. The next morning Commander Riker found Captain Picard in the Observation Lounge. "Have you made a decision on Marrissa's promotion?" Riker asked. Motioning toward a pip in front of a chair with a smaller that usaul Class C uniform drapped over it, he said, "I have Number One." "You are promoting her and transfering her to security," Riker guessed. "No the uniform is for Clara Sutter," Captain Picard said. "LaForge wanted her to assist him in engineering on a regular basis after seeing her work. In order to do so she needs access we can't give her without a rank. Besides Commander, the uniform is much to small for Marrissa." "Then lets call them in," Riker said. "Marrissa is bringing Clara here any minute now on the pretense of a birthday present," Captain Picard said. "I'm sure Clara doesn't expect a position in Starfleet for her eleventh birthday." The door chimed. "Come." Marrissa entered in uniform followed by Clara Sutter in a pale peach dress. "Reporting as ordered, Captain, Commander." "Ensign Marrissa Amber Picard, Clarrissa Sutter, your deads on this ship have been brought to my attention by varoius Starfleet Officers and members of the crew," Captain Jean-Luc Picard began. "Therefore the following rewards are dispensed on you." "Clarrissa Sutter, you are hereby given the rank of acting-ensign and assigned as a consultant to Commander LaForge," Picard continuted. "As Starfleet has ordered that all personnell, acting or otherwise have a uniform here is yours, Commander." Commander Riker handed the blushing dark haired girl her uniform. "Thank you, Captain," she said. "Report to LaForge at 1000 hours," Picard replied. "Ensign Marrissa Amber Picard, you are hereby promoted to Lieutenant junior grade." The Captain picked up the pip and pinned it to his daughter's collar. "Congraduations." Marrissa then proceeded to hug her expressionless adopted father. "Thank you Dad," she said. And so the Enterprise warped off to its next distination with young Lieutenant junoir grade Marrissa Picard at the helm. As for what the future holds for her only the stars knew. T H E E N D Look for future Marrissa Stories in Away From Home : The Field Trip APPENDIXES ~~~~~~~~~~ Appendix A Charactor Job List ON the Enterprise Commanding Officer Marrissa Picard Field-Captain First Officer Jay Gordon Acting-Lt.Commander Second Officer and Clara Sutter Acting-Lieutenant Cheif Engineer Cheif of Operations Alexander son of Worf Acting-Lieutenant Cheif of Security Patterson Supra Acting-Lieutenant Asst. Cheif Engineer Shayna Sachs Acting-Lieutenant J.G. Cheif Medical Officer Jackson Johnson, MD Lieutenant Asst. Cheif of Security Ross Lochard Ensign CONN Officer Heather Cowhig Acting-Ensign At Q's Castle Ruler of town Jean-Luc Picard Captain Garrisson Commander William T. Riker Commander Master Archers Data Lt. Commander Deanna Troi Commander Gate Commanders: South Gate Worf son of Mog Lieutenant Nouth Bridge Reg.Barclay Lieutenant West Bridge Dean Lieutenant Ship Commander: Brittain Phillip Andrews Captain Tian Nan Men Yuki Yoshida Captain Hemingway Victoria 'Torrey' Ohlin Captain Miranda T'Gwen Washington Captain The Negoators Sel Rahc Selaw Bresa (Sell Rah Sea Law) Sel Rahc Ekael Troac (Sell Rah E Kale) Sel Rahc Akros Sobnia (Sell Rah Ack Ross) Crews post Chapter 12 Command staff of Naklab Evacuation assitance fleet Commanding Officer Captain Marrissa A Picard Liaison to the Ind. Lieutenant Commander Jay Gordon Liaison to the Hood Lieutenant Clara Sutter Klingon Ambassador (Lt.) Alexander son of Worf Liaison to Mir Class Lieutenant Patterson Supra USS Enterprise Commanding Officer Captain Jean-Luc Picard First Officer Commander Willaim T. Riker Second Officer LCD Data Chief of Security LT. Worf USS Independance Commanding Officer Captain Meliane Morris First Officer (Position Vacant) Second Officer Lieutenant Commander George Gordon Chief of Security Lieutenant Stover USS Hood Commanding Officer Captain Robert DeSoto First Officer Second Officer Chief Of Security Lieutenant Helms Miranda Class Vessels Bratain Captain Phillip Ardrews Hemingway Captain Victoria Ohlin Miranda Captain T'Gwen Washington Tain Nan Men Captain Yuki Yoshida Appendix B Historical Back Ground of The Naklab System The Naklab System's four inhabitable planets were discovered by the USS Constellation NCC-1017 on stardate 2401.2. Starfleet Colonization services had decided that the next four planents were to be decovered were to be used to lessen tentions in the Balkan area by giving the people their own planets-- presumalbely in differant systems. So they anounce the policy and then the next four planets to come up are the four in the Naklab system. The System got its name because from Commodore Matt Decker. He had heard about the annoucement and decided to name it after the place whose problems it was SUPPOSE to solve. However their was already a Balkan system. This did not discourage the Commodore he merely reversed the letters and came up with Naklab. The same procedure was followed with moddifcations when the planets were named by there conolists. Thus the planets in the system are : 1: Yrgnuh (Mercury-like) 2: Nevolsia (Inhabiatable) (Solvenia) 3: Bresa (Inhabiatable) (Serbia) 4: Troac (Inhabiatable) (Croatia) 5: Sobnia (Inhabiatable) (Bosnia) 6: Eceerg Astroids 7: Naklab VI (to be renamed upon agreement) 8: Naklab VII " " Appendix C The Tready of the Enterprise 2371 (excerts) Upon agreement of the parties of Bresa, Sobnia, and Troac we hereby declare peace between all parties in this system of Naklab, a member of the United Federation of Planets on this day the Ninth of September, 2371. --Article I Withdrawal from Sobnia SECTION 1 Bresa and Troac shall withdrawl from Sobnia within a week from the time which this tready is signed. SECTION 2 The withdrawl will be overseen by Starfleet vessels such that Starfleet command may designate. Subsection 2 The vessels Starfleet assigns may assist in the withdrawl --Article II Territorial Transfer SECTION 1 Bresa Bresa shall recieve the Eceerg Asteroid Belt from Troac. SECTION 2 Troac Troac shall transfer its rebellous asteroid belt to Bresa and will recieve the Starfleet Deep Space Thirteen Base in exchange --Article III Preventive Measures SECTION 1 A intersystem concil will be set up to mediate any disputes involving less that two platary members Subsection 2 The council will consist of two members from each planet and a member representing the other populations in the system Part 2 The members shall be elected in a staggered fashion by popular vote. SECTION 2 Any member of the armed forces of Bresa or Troac who refuses to leave Sobnia will be striped of all their government's property and left for the Sobnia offical's judgement for their actions in the war. --Article IV Ratifaction Section 1 This Treaty will take affect emedatly upon the signatures of the parties to which it pertains. Signatures Capt. Marrissa A. Picard Mediator Sel Rahc Selaw Bresa Sel Rahc Ekael Troac Sel Rahc Akros Sobnia Appendix D Transferes and Promotions Leiutenant Commander Gordon from USS Enterprise to USS Independance (Leiutenant) (Data's assistant) (Second Officer) Jay Gordon from USS Enterprise to USS Independance (Kid's Crew 1st Off) (Kid's Crew C.O.) Ross Lochard from Naklab Base to USS Enterprise (sceduled before Marrissa took command) Marrissa Amber Picard From Ensign to Leiutenant Juinor Grade Clara Sutter from Second Officer Kid's Crew to First Officer Shayna Sachs from Kid's Crew Ass C.Eng to Cheif Engineer Appendix E Starfleet Command Organization Department C.O. Over Diplomatic ADM E Okie All Diplomatic Nogiations Exploritory VAD Necheyav All Exploritory Missions Deep Space Bases Operations ADM McGuire Exploritory All Starbases Engineering ADM O Epperley Constuction Design Science AMD Selak All Scientific Missions Appendix F Starfleet Base location Committee Chair AMD O Epperley CMD SF Engineering VAD Necheyev CMD SF Exploritory AMD E Okie CMD SF Diplomatic AMD McGuire CMD SF Operations VAD Greenway, CMD SF Constuction RAD Harrison, CMD SF Design RAD Selak, CMD SF Science Appendix G Records (incomplete) of selected persons Picard, Marrissa Amber Flores rank Stardate ENS 47613.9 CPT 48126.2 (acting) LTJ 48135.2 Commedations: Stardate 47991.2 Bravery at the Helm. (avoided destuction of ship by colistion) Stardate 48074.1 Bravery, under attack. (held bording party at bay) Stardate 48102.3 Service beyond the call of duty. (held murder at bay off duty with a piece of medal) Repremands: None Evaulations: Stardate 47750 Ensign Picard is a detacated office. her devotion to duty is admiralble. I recommend her for bridge duty. -CMD W T Riker Ensign Picard has adjusted well to her sudden position of Ensign. I concure with CMD Rikers recommendation for bridge duty. -Con D Troi Stardate 48000 Ensign Picard has shown her superior reflexs at the helm and continues to show considerable devotion to duty, despite her age of 12 years. -CMD W T Riker Ensign Picard is a very deticated officer, however she has begun to adopt some traits of her adopted father. Please note that she has yet to take any vaction time. If this is still the case after the next evaulation an enforced vaction will be in order. -Con D Troi Non-Starfleet Record born Stardate 38570 Parents Father George Henry Charles Flores born Stardate 31012 died Stardate 47570 London, P. Essex CLASSIFIED (G ALPHA OMEGA) Mother Mary Green Flores born Stardate 33012 died Stardate 47579 SanFransico, Earth CLASSIFIED (G ALPHA OMEGA) Adopted father Jean-Luc Picard born Stardate 24678 Lavar, France, Earth Notations: Commanded: USS Enterprise Saucer (47560-70) USS Maine (47612-4) USS Enterprise (48125-32) Fleet (48132-8) {consisting of} USS Enterprise USS Independence USS Hood USS Miranda USS Tian Nan Men USS Britain USS Hemingway