724 lines
37 KiB
Plaintext
724 lines
37 KiB
Plaintext
From sratliff@rucs2 Thu Apr 21 15:49:09 1994
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From: sratliff@rucs2.sunlab.cs.runet.edu
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To: jfy@cis.ksu.edu
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Subject: Submission to archive: Cadet Cruise
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Date: Thu, 21 Apr 1994 16:48:36 -0400 (EDT)
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Mr. Young
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This is my thrid startrek story. The others reached you via the
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regular channels. However, it appears that outgoing posts are not being
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sent out of Radford University. As the semester is nearing its end I
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am sending you the story to place int the archives.
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Sincerely
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Stephen B. Ratliff
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Star Trek ________
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The Next Generation ___---'--------`--..____
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,-------------------.============================-
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(__________________<|_) `--.._______..--'
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| | ___,--' - _ /
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,--' `--'Cadet | by Stephen Ratliff
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~~~~~~~`-._ Cruise |
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`-.______,-'
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Prologue
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~~~~~~~~
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Captain Picard and his daughter were packing to return to the
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Enterprise. It had been a nice vacation at the Picard family vineyard
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in Lavar, France. But now it was time to leave.
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"How many T-shirts did you get in town this month?" Captain
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Jean-Luc Picard asked.
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"Four," Marrissa said, displaying them as she packed. The first
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was a white one with the french flag and the Effail Tower on it. The
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second one was colored like the Starfleet Command Branch Uniform with
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the Words Future Starship Captain across the back and front. The thrid
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was a white one with Golden Gate Bridge on it. The last was black with
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Captain Picard's picture cir. StarDate 42000 and the sky line of the
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small village of Lavar and the words I visited Lavar,France,Earth home
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of Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
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"Where did you get that one?" Captain Picard said with distaste.
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"The shop next to the Catholic Church," Marrissa Picard said
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"I'll be having a word with Phillipe before I leave," the
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Captain said. "That shirt needs to be sent to file 13."
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Marie Picard poked her head into the room. "Starfleet Command
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called," Marie said. "they want you to call them as soon as possible."
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Captain Picard entered the shuttle he had brought with him on
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the front lawn. He activated a screen and weaved he way though
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Starfleet bureaucrats intil the person who wanted to contact him,
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Admiral Theresa McGuire, was reached.
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"Captain Picard your orders have been changed," McGuire said.
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"You will be commanding a 2 week Cadet Cruise on the Maine starting
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stardate 45600."
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"Why the sudden change?" Captain Picard asked.
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"Szustakowski of the Roanoke was to do it but he is dead,"
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Admiral McGuire said. "All of the other people who chould do it are
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otherwised engaged in the Cardassian War. And since the Enterprise
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will not be finshed with its upgrade/repairs you are the only Captain
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available."
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"Inform the Maine I and my daugher will be aboard at 1200 hours
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tommarrow. Captain Jean-Luc Picard out."
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The Romulan procouncil was debating with Sela over her planned
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attack.
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"With the Cardassian war going on the Federation Fleet is
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streached out," Sela said. "I could break though to Vulcan with just
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the three ships I own."
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"The Federation fleet has not withdrawn border patrol," The
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Procoucil responed.
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"The Chicago, The Stargazer, The Philladephia, it's not a
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patrol its a laughing stock," Sela replied.
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"Your plan does have merits," the Procoucil said after a
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pause. "You may proceed. But I am assigning The Bloodfire and
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Deathwing to your fleet."
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"Thank you," Sela said and walked out of the office
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Immedaitely after the meeting she went home to the Starburst.
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Everyone at Romulan Space Command assumed this was to check on her
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2 month old triplets. However, this visit had more to do with talking
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to her babies 'Nanny'.
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"The plan is working," Sela began. "but the procoucil assigned
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the Bloodfire and Deathwing to our fleet."
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"Don't worry the plan will suceed," the Nanny replied.
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^L
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Chapter One
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~~~~~~~~~~~
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Shuttle Garrett approaching USS Maine
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An Ambassidor Class Starship
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"May I take her in?" Marrissa asked.
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"You aren't a certified pilot," Captain Jean-Luc Picard said.
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"Check the shuttle's log," Marrissa said. "Data certified me
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on STARDATE 47477."
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"Then take the helm Marrissa," Captain Picard said. "Shuttle
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Garrett to USS Maine."
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Doctor Crushers voice came over the intercom, "Shuttle Garrett
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this is the Maine. Go ahead Garrett."
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"Garrett to Maine," Picard said. "Requesting clearance to land
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with Captain."
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"Land in the aft shuttlebay," The doctor replied. "I'll meet
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you there, Jean-Luc. Maine out."
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"Plot a course to the aft shuttlebay, Marrissa," the Captain
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said.
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"Scenic or Normal?" Marrissa asked.
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"Data gave you a rating of Excellent so lets take the scenic
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route," Picard said.
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The shuttle traveled along the underside of the saucer of the
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Maine. It neared the Warp Engines and cross behind the dorsal connecting
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the saucer section to the stardrive. The shuttle then drove under the
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starboard Warp Engine and circled the pilon until it came in line with
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the aft shuttlebay. While it was doing this Marrissa kept the window
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facing the most of ship she chould. The shuttle easied into the bay
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and landed so smoothly that Captain Picard asked when she planned to
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touch down 30 seconds after she had.
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Doctor Crusher and Westley Crusher were waiting for them when
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they exited the shuttle. "Welcome aboard Captain," Wesley said.
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"Enjoy your vacation Jean-Luc," Doctor Crusher said.
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"Very much so Beverly," Jean-Luc replied.
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"Did you pilot that shuttle in Captain?" Westly asked. "The
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whole bridge crew was on edge when it went under the Warp Engine."
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"No Marrissa piloted it in," Captain Picard stated.
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"You have got to be kidding." Westly replied.
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"Am I kidding Marrissa?" the Captain asked.
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"No" Marrissa replied.
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"I've got some bad news for you Captain," Dr Crusher said.
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"We are the only commissioned Star Fleet Officers aboard."
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"You mean that Starfleet gave me a ship with 750 cadets on board
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," Captain Picard said," and only 2 Starfleet officers and told us to
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review them in 14 days."
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"Apparently son," Doctor crusher said. "One things for certain
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I'm not crawling though jefferies tubes replacing currcuits and evading
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security."
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"Sounds like fun," Marrissa said.
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"Then the job's yours," Captain Picard responded.
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The Neutral Zone
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STARDATE 47603
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USS Chicago
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"5 Romulan Warbird decloaking," the Tactical Officer said.
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"Hail them," Captain Sam Morgan said. "Notify the Border Partol,
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Requesting assistance, raise shieds, and go to RED ALERT."
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"The refuse to answer," the officer responed.
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First two then all five fired on the Chicago. The Chicago
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resisted bravely but was destroyed.
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^L
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Chapter Two
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~~~~~~~~~~~
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Captain Picard arrived on the bridge. "Captain on the bridge,"
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the tactical offficer said as everyone snapped to attention.
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"Status, Helm," Picard asked.
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"Coarse 128 mark 8 warp 3," Cadet Szustakowski said.
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"Engineering," Picard contined
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"All systems functioning normally," Cadet Crushers voice
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filtered up from Engineering.
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"Tactical," Picard inquired.
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"All weapons available with a seconds notice," Cadet Ross
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Lochard replied. "Ship is secure ... no wait power to security systems
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is out on decks 3,4,and 5 as are lights on 3,4,5,6,and 7."
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"Ask security to apprehend the person responsable," Captain
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Picard said. "However, phaser usage is forbidden."
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Marrissa Picard was having the time of her life. Setting traps,
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evading security, hiding in cargobays while security passed by; this
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excerise was a kid's dream. She settled down in a crew longue and
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picked up a copy of Nancy Drew and the Cumbling Wall. When Security
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Cadets Tanner, Gladstone, and Henderson stopped by looking for the
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security breach she was deeply into the book and it took awhile for
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them to get her attention
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"Did you see any one go by in the last 5 minutes?" Cadet
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Gladstone asked.
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"A red-haired woman in a lab coat pasted by hear a minute ago,"
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Marrissa replied. "She went toward Engineering. If you hurry you might
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catch her."
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The three bolted to the door. Marrissa meanwhile visited a
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near-by transporter room to insert some curcuits. Half-way to
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Engineering, Cadet Gladstone decided that he better report in,"
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Gladstone
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to Bridge." Gladstone was enveloped by a transporter beam and
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disappeared.
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Cadet Tanner decided she better report this problem to the
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bridge and she suffer the same fate.
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Meanwhile Cadet Gladstone had appeared in the brig. However
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he was missing some items, namely a uniform and a communacator. Moments
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later Cadet Tanner joined him.
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Of Coarse Cadet Henderson was not as stupid and took a turbolift
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to the bridge. Via Sickbay, Engineeering, the Computer core, and the
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botanical gardens.
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Cadet Henderson arrived on the bridge. Cadet Lochard had been
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left in command earlier. Henderson addressed Cadet Lochard," Sir,
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Cadets Tanner and Gladstone disappeared in a transporter beam when
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they tried to report in."
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"Computer location of Cadets Tanner and Gladstone?" Ross
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inquired.
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"Cadets Tanner and Gladston are on the Bridge," the Computer
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replied as the uniforms and communicators of the said cadet appearred
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in front of Ross Lochard's feet. Shortly after the Uniforms appeared
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Ross got up to examine them. He was rewarded by two liters of a clear
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red liquid dropping on his head.
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Just then Captain Picard walked in. "Captain premission to take
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the transporters off line," Ross asked.
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"Premission Granted," Captain Picard said. Then looking at
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Lochard's soaked uniform and wet hair he said, "you may also have a
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break to clean that strawberry juice from your hair and uniform."
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Tasting the liquid for the first time Ross asked," How did you
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know it was strawberry juice?"
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"Lucky guess," Captain Picard said. To Cadet Henderson who
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releaved Lochard at tactical he ordered," Send someone to release the
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Cadets from the Brig."
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Five minutes later Cadet Lochard was returning from cleaning up.
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On the way back in the turbolift stopped to pick up another passenger.
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A blond haired 12 year old girl entered the turbolift and said,
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"Bridge."
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"Children are not allowed on the bridge," Ross said.
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"I happen to be an exception," the girl replied.
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"Their are NONE."
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"What was your grade in REG 220?"
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"C- but ...
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"Then I don't think you are the one to tell ME what to do,
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Cadet Lochard."
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Lochard was about continue when they arrived on the Bridge. The
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Girl walked out boldly to the Captain. Lockhard had barely exited the
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turbolift when she spoke to the Captain, "Cadet Lochard seems to need
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to know regulations 23-4 and 214-2."
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The Cadet at the helm tried to hold in a giggle. "Cadet
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Szustakowski, would you care to inform Cadet Lochard of those
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regulations," Captain Picard ordered. "Please list those personal
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aboard the Maine who wrote it."
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"Regulation 23 section 4," Cadet Szustakowski said, "Commanding
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Officers of other Starships have the right to be on the bridge of the
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ship they are traveling during normal conditions. Regulation 214
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section
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2, The Captain of a Kids crew will have all the rights and privledges
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of a Commanding Officer visisting a starship."
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"Marrissa is Captain of my Kid's crew," Captain Picard said.
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"Now Marrissa is the Space Cadet Helm simulation set up?"
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"Yes, Captain," Marrissa said. "However Cadet Sowers will be
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unable to particapate."
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"You will take her place," Captain Picard said.
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The Neutral Zone
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StarDate 47603
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USS Phoenix
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"Request for assistance from the USS Chicago," Lieutenant
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Johnson
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said from tactical. "They are under attack by five Romulan Warbirds."
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"Acknowedge the signal, Go to RED ALERT," Captain George Grant
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said. "Lay in a coarse for the Chicago, Maximum Warp."
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"Starfleet Regulation 213 prohibits travel over warp 5," the
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Computer said.
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"Override under section 4 of Regulation 213," Captain Grant
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said. "Athorization Grant Alpha One Zero Three."
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"Does the first Officer concure?"
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"Yes authorization Chase Beta Two Four Gamma."
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"Captain the Pittsburgh is reponding as well," Johnson said.
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"Nearing Battle coordinates," The helmsman said.
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"Take us out of warp," Grant replied.
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The Chicago exploded in a brillant white flash, but the
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Pheonix's crew had no time to mourn. They were to busy triying to
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prevent that from happening to them. Meanwhile the Pittsburgh
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arrived, phasers firing. However, The Romulans were ready and the
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Pittsburgh flashed out of exsistance as 25 torpedoes impacted it.
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"Captain the Philladephia and the Brittain are on their way,"
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an ensign informed the Captain.
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'We are going to need them,' Grant thought.
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^L
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Chapter Three
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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The Neutral Zone
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USS Pheonix
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The Pheonix continued to pound the Romulans. A few minutes
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earlier the Philladelphia and the Brittain had arrived. The Romulans
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consintraited on the weakest of the three, the Britain.
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"Captain the Brittain is lossing life support," Johnson said.
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"Are their shields up?" Grant said.
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"Port side only."
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"Bring us up on the starbroard side and prepare to beam the
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crew off."
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"Captain the Warbirds have taken off," Johnson said as the
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transports began.
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"@#$%&***@" Grant responded.
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Captain's Log STARDATE 47605.3
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StarFleet Cadet Training Vessel USS Maine
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Captain Jean-Luc Picard recording
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We have just commpleted the Space Cadet Helm Training Exercise.
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The thrid place Cadet was Katherine Szustakowski. Westly Crusher was
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second. And much to my and the rest of the Cadets Marrissa was First
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Place. The Cadets are asking for a rematch.
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"Incoming message from Starfleet Command, Department of
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Operations," Cadet Ross Lochard said."
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"On Screen," Captain Picard said. Admiral Theresa McGuire
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appeared on the viewscreen. Admiral McGuire believed in close ups so
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only her face was seen.
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"Captain Picard," the Chief of Starfleet Operations began, "four
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hours ago five Romulan warbirds crossed the Neutral Zone. They
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destroyed the Chicago and Pittsburgh and disabled the Brittain, before
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disappearing. Since we beleive that they are somewhere in federation
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space, I am ordering you to Vulcan to protect it. You will be in
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command of all the forces their. The Excaliber-G under Shelby will
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arrive in 20 hours. The Ambassidor class starships Oregan, Washington,
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and California will arrive with skeliton crews in 42 hours. Admiral
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McGuire out."
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"If we are going to be in a potental battle zone it would be
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advisable to have a set command chain," Captain Picard said. "So
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Marrissa."
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"Yes Dad," Marrissa replied.
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"As of this Stardate you are first officer of the Maine," Picard
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continued. "Ensign Crusher to the bridge."
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"Captain before you appoint any more people may I ask some
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questions of Cadet Lochard?" Marrissa requested.
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"Certainly, Number One."
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"Cadet, who do you think was the person behind the security
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drill two days ago?" Marrissa Picard asked.
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"You were," Ross replied. Looks of astonishment appeared around
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the room.
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"How did you decide that," Marrissa asked.
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"It had to be someone Captain Picard knew," Ross said. "Because
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Captain Picard would assign someone who he knew about. That makes the
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suspects, in order of probablity, Dr Crusher, Westly Crusher, Marrissa
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Picard, and Kather Szustakowski. Dr Crusher had an albi. You IDed the
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liquid as Strawberry juice. You wouldn't know if Katherine liked
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strawberry juice. Westly likes Cherry juice better. That leaves You."
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"I recommend Ross for security Cheif," Marrissa said.
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"Agreed," Picard said
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Westly Crusher entered the bridge. "Reporting as ordered sir."
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"Ensign Crusher, You are hearby appointed second offficer and
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chief enginer of the Maine," Captain Picard said. "Marrissa update him."
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Sela's Warbird
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"Report," The nanny said.
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"We are on coarse to Vulcan as planned," Sela said. "We have
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recieved an encrypted message from Admiral McGuire for you."
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"Thank you."
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^L
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Chapter Four
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~~~~~~~~~~~~
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USS Maine, Starfleet Cadet Training ship
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1600 hours, Beta shift,
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Marrissa Picard, first officer in command
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"5 subspace anomalies travel Warp 7 toward Vulcan detected,"
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Cadet Henderson said.
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"ETA to Vulcan?" Marrissa asked.
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"5 minutes," was the reply.
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"Helm go to Warp 9.2," First Officer Marrissa Picard said.
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"Go to Red Alert. Captain Picard to the Bridge. Katherine Szustakowski
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to the Bridge."
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"Nearing Vulcan now," Cadet Diral said from the helm.
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"Take us out of Warp, Raise shields and rotate to face the
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incoming warbirds," Marrissa said. "Ready phasers and photon
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torpedoes."
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Captain Jean-Luc Picard arrived on the bridge. "Status, Number
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One," he asked.
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"Five Subspace anomolies traveling Warp 7 on a direct coarse for
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Vulcan have been spotted," Marrissa said. "ETA two minutes, sheilds
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have been raised and all weapons are prepared."
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Five Romulan Warbirds decloaked in front of the Maine. "Open
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hailing frequencies," Captain Picard said.
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Admiral Saavik appeared on screen. "Greetings Captain," she
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said. Looking puzzled she continued, "Captain Picard I thought you
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where on the Enterprise." A baby cried and Admiral Saavik picked it
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up.
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"I thought you were at Starfleet Command," Picard said. "What
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are you doing on a Romulan Warbird in its Nursery."
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"First This vessel and 2 others in this fleet are no longer
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property of the Romulan Goverment," Saavik responded. "Second, my
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reason for my present location is to deliver some Romulans seeking
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freedom from political opression. Unfortately We We unable to rid
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ourselves of two escorts. I request that you shot the three center
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warbirds in the coordinates I sending, so we may appear disabled, and
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then pursue till distruction the flanking Warbirds."
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"Have the coordinates been recieved?" Picard asked. A Cadet
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answered yes and Picard continued," I will inform Star Fleet Command
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of the situation meanwhile I will proceed with your request. Picard
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out. Send a Copy to this transmission to Starfleet Command. Marrissa
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if you please."
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"Helm coarse 0 mark 25 full impulse engage on my mark," Marrissa
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said. "Tactical fire phasers on the coordinates We recieved from
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Saavik. Helm engage."
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The Maine shot toward the Romulan wedge of warbirds, firing
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phasers. Disabling the middle three in quick succession with short
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blasts to certain spots on the wardbirds. The Warbirds dimmed but the
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outside warbirds turned and began tailing the Maine.
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"Prority One, message for Captain's Eyes only coming in." Cadet
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Henderson announced.
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"Can it be delayed," the Captain asked.
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"No sir"
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"I'll take it in the Ready Room," Picard said. "Number One you
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have the bridge, try to keep it cleaner that your room."
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"Aye sir," Marrissa said settling in to the big chair. "Marrissa
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to Westly Crusher."
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"Crusher here."
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"Wes can you give me a 10 percent power drop for 30 seconds on
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my mark?" Marrissa asked.
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|
"I can do it on 5 seconds notice," Westly Crusher said from
|
|
Engineering.
|
|
"Be ready," Marrissa said turning to Cadet Szustakowski she said
|
|
"Kathy take the helm and begin that edvasive pattern that all most
|
|
fooled me. Diral take science One and see if you can get me 12
|
|
tropedoes programmed to go though the Romulan sheilds."
|
|
When Katherine had seated he self Marrissa ordered, "Kathy
|
|
change coarse 108 mark 270 engage. Wes power drop NOW."
|
|
As Marrissa got the word 'NOW' Out of her mouth a Romulan
|
|
disrupter made a glancing blow on the Maine's sheilds. But it took 5
|
|
seconds for the Romulans to Resume tailing.
|
|
"Your power drop ends in 3 .. 2 .. 1," Westly Crusher said from
|
|
Engineering.
|
|
The Maine sped up and the Romulans did as well (after a 4 second
|
|
delay. "Diral are those tropedoes ready?" Marrissa asked.
|
|
"Finished .. Now," Diral replied.
|
|
"Set locks ahead and up 5 degrees," Marrissa said. "Viping on
|
|
my mark Kathy." The Warbirds closed and began battering the aft
|
|
shields. "NOW."
|
|
The Maine went to full stop and the Romulans shot over it
|
|
coming to full stop as well, right in the Maines firing locks. "Fire
|
|
all weapons Mr. Henderson." Marrissa ordered, "Kathy close in on them."
|
|
The Warbirds began to run as tropedoes hit them though their
|
|
shields. They ran out of the Vulcan system, It was now time for them
|
|
to be chased. But the Romulans chould have still turned back the tide
|
|
of the battle if they tried. But as they neared the eadge of the system
|
|
that became a vain hope for blocking their path was ...
|
|
|
|
The Excalibur
|
|
|
|
^L
|
|
Chapter Five
|
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
Spying the Excaliber in their path the Warbirds split up. The
|
|
Maine took the one that went right the Excaliber the left.
|
|
The Excaliber chased its warbird intill the warbird cloaked. The
|
|
Maine however was more sucessful. The torpedoes Diral had perpared
|
|
passed though the warbirds shields and slamed into the warp engines
|
|
creating a massive explosion the Maine passed though the remains of the
|
|
warbird and met the Excaliber on the other side.
|
|
|
|
Captain Jean-Luc Picard returned to the bridge after his talk
|
|
with Admiral McGuire via codeded channels. "Status Number One," He
|
|
asked.
|
|
"One Romulan Warbird destroyed by us," Marrissa said. "The
|
|
Other has cloaked in the area. All systems normal. The Excaliber has
|
|
arrived."
|
|
"Hail the Excaliber," Picard ordered turning toward the veiw
|
|
screen.
|
|
Captain Shelby appeared on screen. "Captain Shelby of the
|
|
USS Excaliber NCC-1703-G reporting as ordered," she said.
|
|
"Captain Shelby you ar going to 'love' our latest orders,"
|
|
Picard said.
|
|
"How so?"
|
|
"Those three other warbirds in the system are defectors,"
|
|
Picard said. "We are to depost all but 6 members of their crews on
|
|
Vulcan and transport them to Earth ASAP."
|
|
"I hope you have at least one C.O. to send," Shebly said.
|
|
"I've only got Commander Adin and Lt.Commander Yarr and bunch of
|
|
ensigns on my ship."
|
|
"Personal is a problem," Picard responded. "I'm the only
|
|
one here, the Washington, Oregan, and California are skeliton crews with
|
|
Lt.s in command, no help there."
|
|
"Is that Marrissa Flores behind you?" Captain Shelby asked.
|
|
"It is but she is now my adopted daugther," Picard replied
|
|
"Put her in command of the Maine," Shebly suggested. "She may
|
|
not have rank but she has more exprience than anyone we are going to
|
|
find."
|
|
"Point taken," Picard said. "Prepare boarding parties I'll send
|
|
75 cadet to each ship, you supply the rest. Myself, Adin, and Yarr will
|
|
command their crews. Maine out. Hail the Romulans."
|
|
"Captain Sela here," Sela said. "Ready to recieve broarding
|
|
parties and beam personal down to deffector processing center on
|
|
Vulcan."
|
|
"Have you been listening in?" Picard asked.
|
|
"No but Admiral Saavik has been most informtive," Sela
|
|
responded. "You will notice I am in the process of replacing the
|
|
Warbird symbol on all my warbirds with and old symbol from a auto
|
|
company known as Pontiac to avoid confusion so beam over when the
|
|
symbol in finished in 5 minutes. I assum as owner I may come with
|
|
my ships to Earth."
|
|
"You and 5 others," Picard said.
|
|
"See you in 5. Sela out."
|
|
|
|
"Now down to business," Captain Picard said. "Computer note in
|
|
Log. Per StarFleet orders Stardate 47608 I am now in command of a fleet
|
|
consisting of the Maine, Excaliber and three Romulan warbirds. As such
|
|
I am reassigning Command of the USS Maine to Marriss Picard athorization
|
|
Picard Omega nine oh one two."
|
|
"Maine now under the command of Marrissa Picard."
|
|
"Captain who are you taking to the Romulan ship from the Command
|
|
crew?" Marrissa asked
|
|
"Cadet Westly Crusher."
|
|
"Computer first officer is now Cadet Ross Lochard," Marrissa
|
|
said. "Second officer Cadet Katherine Szustakowski. authorization
|
|
Marrissa Beatpveen one eight one two."
|
|
"First Officer now Cadet Ross Lochard, Second Officer now Cadet
|
|
Katherine Szustakowski."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter Six
|
|
~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
|
|
Cloaked Romulan Warbird Bloodfire
|
|
Captain Sardak Commanding
|
|
Captain's Log
|
|
The Federation ships Maine and Excaliber have apparently
|
|
destroyed the Deathwing and captured the Adventure, The Starburst and
|
|
the Exploration. However they are so short of Commanding officers that
|
|
the put a 12 year old GIRL in comand of the Maine.
|
|
The Maine, Excaliber ant the three captured Romulan Warbirds
|
|
have toward Earth. Vulcan is guarded by 3 Ambassitor Class starships so
|
|
we are following the Earth bound fleet. I have choosen to follow 20
|
|
meters off the portside of the Maine and slightly above.
|
|
|
|
Outside the Romulan vessel, the Earth bound fleet can be seen
|
|
clearly. The Maine is the nearest vessel. Next comes the three Romulan
|
|
vessels. And finally the Excaliber can be seen on the farside.
|
|
|
|
USS Maine
|
|
|
|
"1200 hours Alpha shift is releaved," Marrissa said. "Mr.
|
|
Lochard, in my ready room." Various staff enter and exit and Marrissa
|
|
Picard and Ross Lochard enter the Ready Room.
|
|
"Mister Lochard what is this I hear about Cadet Tanner's
|
|
transfer to the Adventure," Marrissa said as she sat behind the desk.
|
|
"Cadet Tanner wwas still complaining about the present command
|
|
structure despite several extra shifts," Ross said. "I beleived she was
|
|
deturmental to moral. So I sent her to serve under Commander Adin."
|
|
"Your actions were correct but you should have consulted me,"
|
|
Marrissa said. "I as commanding officer I must approve all transfers
|
|
remember that in the future. Please make sure my record is available to
|
|
all personal in order to end such decussion."
|
|
Ross returned to the bridge. "Their is a sensor anomoly off the
|
|
portside," Kevin Henderson said.
|
|
"On screen," Ross said. On screen stars streamed by arcing
|
|
around as certain spot. "Inform the Starburst, Captain to the Bridge."
|
|
Marrissa entered the bridge. "I think we have found the missing
|
|
Warbird, Captain."
|
|
"Ready one torpedeo set to detonate on impact," Marrissa said.
|
|
"10 percent power."
|
|
"Message from the Starburst," A Cadet said, "If the Anomoly is
|
|
the Romulan warbird. You are to destroy it completely."
|
|
"Fire torpedo."
|
|
A Torpedo arched out of the Maine. It impacted the Anomoly and
|
|
reveled the Warbird. "Red Alert, All hands to battle stations,"
|
|
Marrissa ordered.
|
|
The Bloodfire having decided that hiding would be useless from
|
|
this point forward, fired torpedoes toward the Excaliber. The Maine was
|
|
ingored because Captain Sardak beleived the Maine under 12 year-old
|
|
Marrissa was not a treat. He was wrong.
|
|
"Kathy get on their tail," Marrissa said. "Tactical fire
|
|
phasers and photon torpedoes."
|
|
"Nearing Terran System," Katherine Szustakoski said.
|
|
"The Warbird is dropping out of Warp," Cadet Henderson said from
|
|
tactical.
|
|
"Following suit," Katherine said from the helm.
|
|
The Bloodfire emerged from warp just short of Neptune. The
|
|
Maine emerged in standard orbit of it. The Maine came about charging
|
|
the Bloodfire. The Blood fire ingored it again going after the
|
|
Exacaliber which had just arrived. The Maine once agian fired on the
|
|
Bloodfire knocking out its shields. No longer able to ingore the Maine
|
|
The Bloodfire fired torpedoes at the Maine.
|
|
"Fire phasers at incoming torpedoes," Marrissa ordered. "Target
|
|
torpedoes at the Warp Engines."
|
|
The Maine's phasers detonated the Romulan Torpedoes just short
|
|
of the Maine. Meanwhile the Maine's torpedoes impacted the Romulan Warp
|
|
engines. The Warbird exploded like fireworks on the fourth of July.
|
|
"Captain," Ross said.
|
|
"Yes, Number One," Marrissa replied.
|
|
"Remind me to never underestimate a Picard," Ross continued.
|
|
^L
|
|
Epilogue
|
|
~~~~~~~~
|
|
Captain's Log STARDATE 47613.8
|
|
USS Maine
|
|
Marrissa Picard Recording
|
|
We have entered earth orbit and most of the crew has beamed back
|
|
to the Academy. Tommarrow my Father and I will be returning to the
|
|
Enterprise. However before we leave we are to attend a press confernce
|
|
at Starfleet Headquarters with Admiral McGuire.
|
|
|
|
Marrissa Picard, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Captain Shelby and
|
|
Cadets Lochard, Shebly and Crusher, entered the crowded Press Confernce
|
|
Room. Admiral McGuire, the new Starfleet Publicity Chief, was waiting
|
|
as were several dozen members of the press. Around the room questions
|
|
were being thrown around, like: How does a 12 year old get command of a
|
|
starship? How did a Romulan Warbird get so deep into federation space?
|
|
and How is Starfleet going to reward young Miss Picard?
|
|
"Gentlemen and Ladies of the Press," Admiral McGuire began, "May
|
|
I have your attention please. I will begin with an anouncement and then
|
|
Myself and the other people you see here will answer you questions."
|
|
The Room quieted down as the Admiral began, "As you know 8 days
|
|
ago on Stardate 47605, 5 Romulan warbirds breached the Neutral Zone,
|
|
destroying the Chicago, the Pittsburgh, and disabling the Brittain.
|
|
The ships then proceed to Vulcan. Once there three ships defected. The
|
|
Remaining to two attacked the USS Maine NCC-17715. One of them was
|
|
destroyed. The other one eluded us intil yesterday when the Maine
|
|
decovered and destroyed it near Neptune. Captain Jean-Luc Picard was
|
|
in command of the Maine when the first one was destroyed, Marrissa
|
|
Picard the second. However both kills are credited to Marrissa Picard.
|
|
"The second item on my agenda is the rewards for those on the
|
|
Maine who served with destinction and great bravrey. As you know the
|
|
Maine is one of four Cadet training ships in Starfleet and the largest
|
|
of those. As such it is crewed by Cadets and a small evaulation group.
|
|
As such it is hard to find a reward for those who served so bravely.
|
|
However, it has been decided that apon graduation those who were so
|
|
noted will serve aboard the ferderation flagship USS Enterprise
|
|
NCC-1701-D or her successor. These cadets are Westly Crusher, Ross
|
|
Lochard, Katherine Szustakowski, Kevin Henderson, and Diral Bariel.
|
|
"Starfleet also wishes to reward Marrissa Picard for her actions
|
|
in this battle and at Bajor. It has been decided by the order of the
|
|
President of the United Federation of Planets, with the Consent of the
|
|
Commanding Admiral of Starfleet to grant Marrissa Amber Picard the rank
|
|
of Ensign in Starfleet. Furthermore, Starfleet Academy has decided to
|
|
give her 15 hours of credit in various coarses including Tactics 210
|
|
which she cause us to revise fully.
|
|
"In addition to these announcements, Captain Picard has an
|
|
additional one, Captain"
|
|
Admiral McGuire yeilded the microphone to Captain Picard.
|
|
Admiral McGuire sat down beside Marrissa who had been forced to take a
|
|
seat after the last announcement.
|
|
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press," Captain Picard began, "It
|
|
is my pleasure to annouce today that Starfleet Academy is assigning one
|
|
hundred Cadets to the Enterprise as an additional campus to releave over
|
|
crowding at Starfleet Academy Sanfransico. The Cadets will not change
|
|
the Enterprises Mission. Instead they will serve to further deversify
|
|
the crew of the Enterprise. My Command crew will serve as staff and
|
|
advisiors for the Cadets semester stay. Admiral?"
|
|
"We will now take questions," McGuire said. Hands shot up.
|
|
"We will begin with Sir Anthony Eden of the BBC."
|
|
"Admiral Mc Guire, How did the Romulans get though the border
|
|
patrol?"
|
|
"The Romulan incursion was a result of the delayed arrival of
|
|
the USS Virginia," Admiral Mc Guire said. "Its absence allowed a
|
|
weakness to develop. The Romulans used this weakness and broke though.
|
|
The Virginia as you know was solving the envoriomental crisis on the
|
|
Planet Normandy. Now Brian Rather of World WIde Broadcasting."
|
|
"Admiral Mc Guire or Captain Picard, How does a 12 year old get
|
|
command of a starship?"
|
|
Captain Picard looked to Admiral McGuire who nodded. "As always
|
|
Rather either you or Brokaw gets down to the toughest question," Captain
|
|
Picard said. "Marrissa was orignally put in command of the Enterprise
|
|
saucer section, as you know on Stardate 47570 due to her Kobayshi Maru
|
|
time of 20+ minutes. This decision was based on the fact we needed a
|
|
crew to take the sacuer section away from the area. The saucer ran into
|
|
Gul Ducat's ship on its way to Deep Space Nine and disabled it with out
|
|
recieving injury. As we arrived at DS9 to pick up the saucer the War
|
|
was declared and a dozen warships from Cardassia were spotted. There
|
|
was not enough time to releave her so I assigned her to evacuate Deep
|
|
Space Nine's civilian population. Halfway to Bajor Gul Ducat's newly
|
|
repaired ship caught up to her and attacked. Marrissa defeated him
|
|
agian. When we acquired the three warbirds were needed a Commanding
|
|
Officer. There were just four officers for 5 ships, myself, Captain
|
|
Shelby, Commander Adin, and Luientant Commander Yarr. As such I looked
|
|
for people with some command exprience, Marrissa had the most of the
|
|
people available so she got command of the Maine."
|
|
And so the press confernce continued.
|
|
|
|
Captain Picard and Marrissa weering her new uniform with it's
|
|
shiney new rank pin, boarded the runabout Rio Grande to return to Deep
|
|
Space Nine and the Enterprise. They were greeted by Major Kira.
|
|
"Welcome aboard Captain."
|
|
"If you are here who's in command of Deep Space Nine?" Marrissa
|
|
Out of buffer space
|
|
"I had the same question when the Rio Grande arrived," Commander
|
|
Sisko said, joining them. "Apparrently Mr. Data volunteered."
|
|
"Who is the first Officer he will lector this time?" Captain
|
|
Picard asked.
|
|
"Constuble Odo," Sisko said. "I didn't think Data had emotions,
|
|
let alone a temper."
|
|
"He doesn't," Picard replied, "but he has lectured every first
|
|
officer he has had."
|
|
Over the intercom Miles O'Brien announced, "Everyone better get
|
|
seated, we take off in one minute." In a nervous voice he continued,
|
|
"Keiko's driving."
|
|
|
|
-=-=-=Coming this Fall=-=-=-
|
|
Who Q? Where Q? (tenitive title)
|
|
|
|
"I'm here to give your crew a more challenging week," Q said.
|
|
"I've alraeady got a challenging week ahead," The Captain said
|
|
"The Naklab system will be more than enough to occup my attention."
|
|
"Oh yes the Naklab system," Q remarked. "I'm sure I can give you
|
|
a more interesting time."
|
|
"The Bres, Troac, and Sobians will only negoate with Captain
|
|
Picard of the Enterprise as medaitor," the Captain said.
|
|
"Not quite."
|
|
"Captain Picard Reminder," The Computer interupted, "TAC 360
|
|
final exam in five minute on holodeck one."
|
|
"You won't be there," Q said. "In fact no adult will."
|
|
|
|
Ensign Marrissa Picard was waiting outside Holodeck One. The 13
|
|
year old waited 10 minutes past the appointed time. nervously tapping
|
|
her foot. and then asked the Computer, "Computer locate Captain Jean-Luc
|
|
Picard."
|
|
"Captain Jean-Luc Picard is not aboard the Enterprise."
|
|
"Ensign Picard to Commander Riker."
|
|
"Commander Riker is not on board the Enterprise."
|
|
"Computer who is presently in command of the the Enterprise."
|
|
"The Senior officer aboard, Ensign Marrissa Amber Picard."
|
|
|
|
|