Free Enterprise - Red Alert! - #118
The next morning Tyr was up bright and early. First it was off to work out, sonic shower, change into a fresh uniform and a quiet and private breakfast at The Pepper Pot while he scanned the intergalactic news nets.
Naturally his Anasazi mug was plastered all over the news nets, accompanied by various reports and reporters.
“Funny, I do not recall him, her, or them being present at the banquet. . . . The only one I saw was Melissa Culpepper. . . . .” He thought as he frowned.
Barbarossa had always warned him that the media tended flocked to public diplomatic events like buzzards did to carrion.
“The best way to cut down on the perfusion of lies, rumors and false reports, is to select and befriend a particular News Hound, and only give your exclusives to that one. This way you've killed two birds with one stone. You are assured of their alliance and you have a subtle control over what they report. Last but not least, draw up a legal agreement which specifies what they are allowed to publicize. That way, if they violate those dictates, sue their butts.” Barbarossa would lecture.
At the time, the teen aged Tyr wasn't the least bit interested in what his father was saying. All he wanted to continue his great love affair with the great outdoors, ahorse accompanied by his by his hunting dogs. Now, those words made perfect sense to him.
He watched the news reports over again and narrowed them all down to one. Though the woman was annoying, Melissa Culpepper's report was clearly the best. She reported the facts concisely with what Tamara laughingly dubbed a “Proper British Accent”.
Tyr raised an eyebrow because he knew the woman spoke plain, unaccented Standard English when off camera. Leading him to believe the accent was “affected” solely for the sake of her media presence.
[i]“I must make arrangements with Ms. Culpepper before she leaves Deep Space Ten.” Tyr thought, as he looked up and saw Khan approaching.
“Prime Morning, to you Pride Brother.” Khan said.
“Prime Morning, to you also, Pride Brother.” Tyr replied, and smiled. The Katay were great lovers of word games and this was Khan's newest. He was on a quest to use other words to call mornings, except good. He was already on the “p's”.
“What's on the agenda today besides Avon Six?” Tyr asked Khan. Obviously there was something up or the Katay would not have come to personally fetch him.
“HaxHis wants to see us before we ship out.” was all Khan said. Tyr rose, paid his bill and followed Khan out of the Pepper Pot.
* * * * * * * *
Five minutes later they were both in HaxHis's office, seated in comfortable chairs in front of her desk.
“The hospital ship, The USS Florence Nightingale has arrived and been added to your convoy, Tyr.” HaxHis stated, getting right to the point after pleasantries had been exchanged.
“The Florence Nightingale? That's a hospital ship. I thought this was going to be a supply run.” Tyr replied.
“Unfortunately not. Blame it on Avon Six's horrid communications network. We were not notified until the last minute, that there is a Presis Flu epidemic on the Southern Continent in Camp Alpha.” HaxHis continued.
“What about Camps Beta, Ceti, and Delta?” Tyr asked.
“They all report that everything is fine. But, we will check them over just in case. “ HaxHis replied.
“It is fortunate that residents did not flee the affected area, spreading the contagion to the unaffected Camps.” Tyr stated. “I hope they at least quarantined their ill.” he continued.
“Quarentine only works if you have well beings to separate the ill from. If all are ill . . . “ Khan started.
“The Presis Flu resembles a standard version of the Hong Kong Flu. However, if left untreated, like all severe upper respiratory infections, it can develop into something much worse. I suspect the other camps are not affected due to their distance from each other.” HaxHis stated.
“Yes, I do recall though the Avonians are capable of developing mechanized travel, they seem reluctant to do so, and stick stubbornly to their agrarian traditions.” Tyr replied.
“They remind me of Earth's Amish.” Khan said.
“Only the Avonians do not eschew technology, they merely prefer to do without it.” Tyr replied.
“Yes, to the point of allowing their communications devises and other equipment to deteriorate from disuse and and lack of proper maintenance. In addition to re-supplying the camps, we must stress to them the importance of being responsible for their equipment. They are too far off the beaten path for Starfleet to come running at their beck and call when they have a problem.” HaxHis stressed.
Tyr knew HE was going to be the one to stress that point. He could just picture himself going toe to toe with some governmental titular head over this.
“Intergalactic traffic cop to the rescue.” Tyr thought, as he chuckled mentally.
“Didn't I hear something to the affect of they have found an alternative method of transportation?” Khan asked.
“Ah yes, the dragon issue. . . . . “ HaxHis sniffed. “Until these so-called dragons are proven to actually exist I won't believe a word of it.” she continued.
“It is not that unbelievable. During Drago's lifetime and for three centuries after there were dragons living on Primus.” Tyr stated.
“Were? What happened?” HaxHis asked.
“Unfortunately, the planet had an unstable core and went nova. Fortunately the population was small enough to totally evacuate before the cataclysm ocurred. So were the dragons.” Tyr replied.
“Are there any on Pinnacle?” Khan asked.
“No, but there are on . . . . . .” as Tyr went on to list the Nietzschean planets dragons inhabited. “They can be hand raised, trained, and do fly.” he continued.
“Have you ever flown on one?” Khan asked, as he imagined his Pride Brother astride on of those winged, flame spewing, beasts.
”He would be right at home.” Khan thought.
“No I have not. I've only seen them. But Barbarossa has numerous times and some of my older siblings.” Tyr replied.
“So it is a distinct possiblity the Avonians could be depending on their so called dragons for a method of transportation besides horses and wagons.” Khan stated.
“So it may be a distinct possibility that . . . . . that they are concerned about destroying the animals habitat if they developed more mechanized transport.” HaxHis said.
”It sounds like we will have to investigate that possibility also. . .” Tyr thought.
Tyr was about to ask the very question, when HaxHis received a call on her desk communicator.
“Skonn to Admiral HaxHis.” Skonn's voice said urgently.
“Yes, Skonn.” HaxHis replied.
“Ma'am, we have received a distress call originating from approximately 45 light years from Deep Space Ten. The Atiklar is a a trade ship of Andorian registry and is under heavy fire from an unknown enemy. They have reached eminent core breach and urgently request assistance.” Skonn said.
HaxHis looked up at Tyr.
“Take the fleet.” was all she said, and the Nietzschean Rear Admiral was out of her office in a flash.
* * * * * * * * * *
The term “The Fleet” meant The Insurrection plus seven additional ships. The Louisiana, The Ticonderoga, The Douglas MacAuthor, The Sun Zu, The Aristede, The Bainbridge, The Trenton, plus the newly commissioned Barbarossa, named in honor of Tyr's father.
When Tyr arrived on The Insurrection's bridge Captain McPhearson was receiving numerous progress reports and they were ready to make way. Upon seeing Tyr, Tamara immediately stood and gave him the command seat.
Tyr sat and gave the order to move out.
In response, Helmsman Kesha eased The Insurrection out of her berth, away from the station, and immediately went into warp. In The Insurrection's wake seven other ships flashed out of sight as they followed her lead.
* * * * * * * * *
”Tyr should be missing me riiiiiiiiight about now.” Khan thought, as he watched the entire spectacle from Observation Deck One.
* * * * * * * * *
It was a standard practice to make sure all personnel were on board before a mission. However, in some cases. . . . . . .
“Sir, I regret to inform you that Councilor Khan did not make it on board.” Commander Gilgamesh reported to Tyr, a minute after he arrived.
“Is there anyone else missing?” Tyr asked to cover his shock. It was possible he had been lost in the scramble to make it to The Insurrection along with hundreds of other officers who were scrambling for their ships. No matter how many times crews were drilled in “station critical response”, every once in a while depending on the circumstances it looked like a Chinese Fire Drill.
“So far it is only Khan and his children. His spouse did make it. So did Desdemona, Hoy Li, Li Hoy and your sons. The rest of your crew is accounted for, Sir.” Gilgamesh replied. Tyr was somewhat comforted and felt a chill creeping up his spine.
“What about Cornelius and The Guard?” Tyr asked.
“They are with Khan." Gilgamesh continued. "And one more thing, Sir. Melissa Culpepper and her INN crew were discovered as stowaways. They have been confined to quarters pending further orders from you." he continued. Tyr rolled his eyes and sighed. He would deal with THEM later once the emergency was over.
“As you were, Commander.” Tyr said.
“Sir.” Gilgamesh said, as he slightly inclined his head and stepped away.
“What fresh hell will we face when we arrive, Lieutenant Taine?” Tyr asked of The Insurrection's Trill Communications Officer.
“Sir, contact is very sketchy and distorted. I've cleaned it up the best I could.” he said.
“Put it on screen, Lieutenant.” Tyr ordered.
The crew looked to the viewscreen and saw a distorted view of a smoky, sparking bridge, heard screaming and groans of pain in the back ground. A face covered with blue Andorian blood appeared in the screen. The person looked both confused and terrified. After all, they were a trading vessel, supposedly traveling a safe route, minding their own business.
“ . . . . . . things ( hiss, hiss, hiss. . . . ), we've tried to (hiss, hiss, hiss, hiss, . . . . .). We've only got a few minutes left! Please by all that is holy. . . . . . (ZAP!). The screen popped and went black.
“Sorry, Sir. That's the end of it.” Taine apologized.
“Was this the last contact we had from them?” Tyr asked.
“Unfortunately, Yes it is, Sir.” he replied. “I have made repeated attempts to hail them negative response.” Taine continued.
“Continue hailing them.” Tyr ordered.
“Continue hailing, Aye, Sir.” Taine said and got back to work.
“Failing to answer repeated hails may indicate that they may have already been destroyed.” Tamara stated.
“What were the exact coordinates of the Atiklar?” Tyr asked of ops. Ensign Bong, a female Ferrengi dutifully called out the coordinates. Tyr did the calculations and triangulation in his mind and knew. . . .
“We are less than 30 minutes away. Lieutenant Taine, notify the rest of the fleet to raise their shields and go to red alert. We will do the same.” Tyr ordered.
About 50 seconds of hurried and hushed whispers caused Tyr to completely swivel his command chair round, and stare questioningly at the poor lad. He total had forgotten The Nietzschean Rear Admiral had superlative hearing.
“Admiral! The rest of the fleet is not answering our hails!” Taine reported, a little too loudly.
“Why not?” Tyr asked and frowned. The last thing he needed at this time was a Mister Murphy's version of a total communication system fail. Taine cleared his throat and swallowed.
"Because they are no longer there.” Commander Yee, The Insurrection's Science Officer replied, taking Taine off the hook. Tyr turned in his chair to stare at her.
“What do you mean no longer there? I left Deep Space Ten with seven ships under my command! Now you are telling me we are the only ones out here?” Tyr asked.
“Precisely, Sir.” Yee responded. “I've done numerous extensive sensor sweeps and there is absolutely no trace of the ships we left with.”
“No ion or takion trails, no debris fields, no spacial distortions?” Tyr asked. Commander Yee blinked. This was her first time under Tyr's command. She'd heard that Nietzscheans were on par with and at times surpassed Vulcans intellectually.
[i]'If he knows all of this crap why does he ask me?” Yee thought to herself. It was fortunate she did not see Tamara roll her eyes from Tyr to her and then arch her eyebrow.
Yee took a deep breath and answered.
“No, Sir, there is not.” he said.
“Sir! I have more bad news. We are unable to raise Deep Space Ten!” Taine announced.
“WT . . . . . . . .” Tyr whispered and swore in his native dialect. For that he garnered a disapproving scowl from Tamara, who was the only one on the bridge who understood what he said.
“Ready weapons to fire on my order and maintain course and heading. Captain, a word with you in my Ready Room.” Tyr said as he stood. Tamara had to run to keep up with his long legged stride.
“So, we are being presented with two choices. Should we continue on our current course, or backtrack to and investigate the disappearance of our fleet?” Tyr asked as the door closed behind her. He was standing in his customary place, however, the sight of distorted and elongated stars did not comfort him.
“Since there is no physical proof that that the fleet was destroyed. I vote that we proceed with upmost caution to aid The Andorian ship.” Tamara said.
Tyr crossed his arms and gazed at his First Wife.
“This scenario seems oddly similar to the Kobiyashi Maru simulations we had to do in the Academy.” he said.
“Oh my! They still teach that thing? Even after Captain James T. Kirk beat it?” she asked.
“James T. Kirk is not the only one who beat it.” Tyr said.
“Admiral, we will be arriving at our destination in ten minutes.” Kesha announced over the comm.
“Reduce speed and take her in real slow.” Tyr ordered. “I want spy out the land first.” he continued.
“Reduce speed, take her in slow. Aye, Sir.” Kesha responded.
Both Tyr and Tamara exited The Ready Room and took their customary places.
* * * * * * * *
Ten minutes later, The Insurrection had arrived at their destination and there was no sign of anything. No ships ( hostile or non hostile ), no debris, no ion trails, no distortion. No nothing.
Tyr had Kesha backtrack and crisscross the coordinates several times to no avail.
“This was a @#@#@# rouse!” Tyr thought angrily to himself.
”I concur.” Tamara thought back. Thinking the Vulcan version of the swear word he used.
“We were lured out here, then skillfully cut from the herd, by whom and for what purpose?” Tyr wondered as he took a deep breath and stood.
He then stood stock still. Every Nietzschean child was taught to trust his or her super sensitive instincts, and Tyr's were on overdrive. Every small hair stood on his body as he drew his phaser.
“INTRUDER ALERT!” Tyr shouted as he fired.
“TYR! DO NOT!” Tamara mind shouted at Tyr as she physically reached out to him.
Though he had gotten off the first shot, the intruder was a lot faster. The phaser fire dissipated into thin air like a harmless puff of smoke.
With a snap of the intruders fingers everyone on the bridge was frozen in time. They were capable of hearing, and seeing, but no one could move.
The intruder was none other than Q dressed in Elizabethan Judge getup.
“Sooooooo, you are the great Nietzschean Viceroy Tyr Anasazi, out of Victoria by Barbarossa. Who also happens to be a highly decorated Starfleet Rear Admiral.” Q said as he circled Tyr and visually examined him from head to toe. Q looked like he was inspecting a prized race horse.
“Ah. What is the true measure of a man? Is it his genetics, his physical strength and prowess, his intellectual abilities, his riches, his family, friends and associates? How would such a man continue to exist if one or more of these things are suddenly taken away from him for a time?” Q continued as he tapped Tyr's left bones with his scepter.
“I propose a test of this very nature. I will return in three months time to see if you Tyr Anasazi have passed or failed.” Q said, as he snapped his fingers. Tyr unconsciously crashed to the Bridge deck like a sack of bricks.
Q winked out of existence and near pandemonium ensued.
“Captain to Sickbay.” Tamara shouted.
“Kori speaking. What's the situation?” Kori's voice calmly asked.
“The Admiral's down.” Tamara replied.
“Make sure his communicator is activated and step away from him, Captain.” Kori instructed. Tamara did so and Tyr winked out of existence. Courtesy of a special Sickbay site to site transporter, which was developed by Seamus Harper.
“I have him, Captain.” Kori reported a second later.
“Helm, get us the hell out of here and back to the station ASAP!” Tamara ordered.
“Aye, Captain.” Kesha replied, as she engaged the ship's controls and turned The Insurrection towards home.
“Gilgamesh, you have the Comm.” Tamara ordered, as she ran for the lift.
Note To Readers: There are several Q mentioned in the Star Trek Universe ( series and books). The one specifically referred to in this chapter is the Q played by
John Delancey .
Photo Hat Tip To: http://www.andromeda-web.com
