Path: inforamp.net!news.nstn.ca!news.dal.ca!torn!csn!news-1.csn.net!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!news.cac.psu.edu!usenet From: "Todd A. Bobenrieth" Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Subject: REPOST:Dawn of the Next Generation (1/3) Date: 27 Mar 1996 22:04:42 GMT Organization: TAMBOFILMS Lines: 248 Message-ID: <4jce1q$obh@hearst.cac.psu.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: nb8slip94.cac.psu.edu Mime-Version: 1.0 X-Mailer: Mozilla 1.22 (Windows; I; 16bit) Status: N D A W N OF THE NEXT GENERATION Written by Todd A. Bobenrieth "The Nebula was expanding," Picard recalled pondering that very thought a few weeks ago. Riker hadn't exactly been excited to hear about the USS Russo being sent to complete the task of placing warning buoys around the Nebula. The Federation was acting too slow, in Jean-Luc's Opinion. He made a mental note to contact the Russo when this mission was over. God's Speed seemed to have a more significant meaning. StarFleet should have sent more than one vessel. But in this case, WAS there safety in numbers? So many thoughts rushed into his mind as he faded into sleep. A Sleep that would be interrupted by the dreams. Thousands of light years away, the USS Russo streaked across the stars towards the most talked about subject in the universe, the Hiaratu Nebula. "Report, Mr. Streiner," anxiously called the ship's Captain, Gaylen Reiniger. "Nothing to report, sir. Sensors indicate no other vessels in the area surrounding the Nebula." "And inside?" "Sensors cannot penetrate the exterior," replied Streiner. Captain Reiniger sat back in his chair and sighed. He wasn't thrilled with the assignment in the first place. Since the Russo stopped at Deep Space Nine and he had a disturbing conversation with the bar keep, Quark. Reiniger expected Cardassians to drop out of warp at any second. "Sir, you seem upset. Is there something wrong?" "No Mr. Emge. I was just thinking of what that Ferengi told me about rising Cardassian interest in the Nebula." Reiniger was only beginning to get used to Emge being on the bridge. Since O'Dea was transferred to the newly rebuilt Melbourne, this Andorian has been at Ops. "Aye, sir. Not what I'd call good news." "Time to Nebula," said Reiniger. "Twenty minutes til we reach the perimeter," returned Emge. "Very good. I'll be in my ready room Number One, will you accompany me?" The two entered the Ready Room and Reiniger motioned for his First Officer to sit. The Captain took his seat and leaned back to relax. "You aren't just a LITTLE nervous, are you?!" asked Commander Richard Logan. "Rich, frankly, I'm Petrified." The Captain frowned and closed his eyes. "When I first read Picard's report," began Reiniger, "I thought it was a hoax. I thought that StarFleet was pulling an elaborate prank." His distress over the matter was apparent in his almost trembling voice. "Then I saw the holo images of the medical staff emergency . . . Rich, I couldn't believe my eyes, I just wanted to jump into bed and pull the covers over my head." "I know what you mean, Captain," whispered Logan. The two almost jumped out of their chairs when Streiner's voice came over the intercom. "Sir, we've reached the boundary of the Nebula." "What?! I was told it was twenty minutes away, its only been five!" "I know sir. But it seems the Nebula has expanded it's size again." The two exchanged startled glances and rushed to the bridge. "Mr. Alexander, put the Nebula on screen." Alexander quickly responded and the viewer switched to the ominous swirling clouds. "Full stop, Lieutenant," said Logan in awe. "Full stop, aye, sir," returned Emge. "Sir," cried Streiner, "Something is coming out of the Nebula . . It seems to be a Romulan Scout Ship." "Romulans," barked Reiniger, "What the hell are they doing here?!" "Mr. Alexander, hail that ship." Called Logan. "No response, sir." "Open a channel," the Captain said quietly. "Aye, sir, channel open." The Captain paused, then began to speak. "This is Captain Gaylen Reiniger of the USS Russo. Explain your presence in this sector!" The silence was nerve-wrecking. The crew's eyes were planted on the ship as the Romulan Scout simply floated lifelessly out of the Nebula. "Life signs, Mr. Alexander," asked Logan. "One, sir, very faint." "Lock on and beam him over." "Aye, sir," replied Alexander evenly. "Transporter Chief reports one beamed over." "You have the bridge, Mr. Emge. Number One, lets get down there. Medical team to Transporter room three." Reiniger led Logan into the turbolift as they were whisked to the visitor in the Transporter Room. When they arrived, the Medical Team was already there, checking on the Romulan's condition. "Well, Doctor," Reiniger asked impatiently. Doctor David Pilato stood, still looking down at the unconscious Romulan. "Seems as through he's been through a lot. Multiple contusions, loss of blood, possible concussion, but he'll live." "Wake him up," snapped Logan. "I don't think that's a good idea, Commander," replied Pilato. "We have to find out what he's doing here," corrected the Captain, "do it!" The hypo-spray hissed as it was pressed into the Romulan's neck. His eyes fluttered open and he looked around the room. "I am Gaylen Reiniger, Captain of the Federation Starship Russo. Please explain your presence here." The Romulan sneered and grabbed a small device out of his jacket. He rapidly pressed a code in and dropped the device. "What did you just do," yelled the Captain. Before anyone could react, the Romulan threw two small pills into his mouth and swallowed. Within seconds he was dead. "Give me that thing he was holding!" cried Reiniger. The device was given to the Captain, who inspected it carefully. Suddenly he slapped his Comm Badge. "Bridge, raise shields, NOW," he screamed. It was too late, though. The Scout Ship exploded. The blast ripped through the hull of the Russo, sending it spinning out of control. The bridge was in chaos as the viewer displayed the outer boundary of the Nebula coming rapidly closer. "Stabilize," yelled Emge. The crew struggled to halt the ship's course, but to no avail. The Russo plunged into the Nebula, causing the lights to go out suddenly. The emergency lights came on, casting an evil red glare around the bridge. The ship finally came to a stop. "Reiniger to the bridge, report." "Sir," replied Emge, "the Romulan vessel exploded and sent us off course into the Hiaratu Nebula. We are on emergency power." "Damage report!" "The blast occurred while shields were lowered, Sir," Said Emge. "Damage to the ship is major. The entire secondary hull sustained critical damage. Outer hull breached in sections 211 through 253." "Casualties," asked Reiniger, already knowing. "Sir, over four hundred dead . . . " The Enterprise hovered over Gornick VI as the last of the delegates beamed down. Picard sat in his Ready Room, awaiting Ambassador Foree's final comments. The mission had been an easy one, as far as the past several had gone. It was now time to make that call he'd been dreading. Picard sent the message to the Russo. It would take a few minutes for a response. The door chimed, startling the Captain. "Come," called out Picard. The door opened to reveal Worf. The Klingon walked up to the desk and grasped his hands behind his back. "Yes Mr. Worf, what can I do for you?" "I have a question, sir," Worf said in his deep baritone voice. "The answer is yes, Mr. Worf. I've just signalled them," he replied. "Have they responded, sir?" "No Worf, they haven't. I'll signal them again." Picard sent the call out to the Russo. Once again, there was no response. He looked up at his Security Officer and frowned. "Mr. Worf, I'm open to suggestions." "Suggest proceeding to the Hiaratu Nebula, Captain, with some reinforcements." "I thought of that already. I contacted StarFleet Command earlier. They denied my request. They want no one near that area." "Bureaucracy . . . " Worf snarled. "I agree. Therefore, we'll go alone." Worf looked stunned. Captain Picard was disobeying direct orders. "Tell Ensign Calloway to set course for the Hiaratu Nebula, Warp factor Five." "Aye, Sir," grumbled Worf. Picard couldn't tell if Worf was glad for the possible battle or uncomfortable at the thought of the undead creatures they faced before. He felt the ship enter Warp speed and a familiar chill crept over him. The Enterprise arrived at the location where the Russo was supposed to be. Picard shifted nervously in his chair as the crew stared at the image on the viewscreen. Riker walked to the Ops station and tapped Data's shoulder. "Scan area for signs of the Russo," Riker said. "Sensors show no other ships, sir. But . . . " "Yes Data?" "There is an ion trail leading into the Nebula, Sir. It appears as though an explosion has sent the Russo in." "Damn," commented Picard. Picard began to pace back and forth. He stopped and turned to the viewer. "Mr. Calloway," Picard began, "take us in. Impulse power only." "Aye, Sir," came the reply. The Enterprise slowly crept into the maelstrom. Troi could sense the fear of the bridge crew. Although she hadn't been with the last time the ship ventured into the Nebula, she still had nightmares from what she was told. "Sir," Data suddenly said, "I have found the Russo." "On screen," whispered the Captain. The memory of the Hyman G. Rickover sitting dead in space came back like a giant wave. Suddenly, Picard could see Nurse Bannister rising from the dead in Sick Bay. He felt nauseous again. He felt Riker nudging him. "Sir, are you alright," Riker asked. Picard quickly composed himself. He stood and tugged on his shirt. "Yes, thank you Number One. Can you sense any lifeforms on board, Councilor?" "Aye, Sir. I detect three individuals on the bridge." "Three?" said Riker, "The Russo had a crew of 900 . . . " Deanna let the fact sink in. At first she felt sadness from the crew, the horror. That meant almost 900 zombies. "We know from previous experience that communications are impossible without Data's Transponder. Suggestions, anyone," remarked Riker. "We have to rescue those three on board." "But, you know what will be waiting for us also," commented Riker. "We should destroy the vessel. Photon torpedoes wouldn't FEED them like phasers," Worf said. "We can't let them die!" For a brief moment, Picard considered destroying the Russo and heading back to StarFleet Headquarters. But if he did, he would be forfeiting the lives of three Federation officers. And when the gases and compounds that from the Nebula ignite, how far will safe distance be? "Number One, form your away team . . . " His words trailed off as all eyes focused on him. His eyes met Riker's and at that moment, a Betazoid was not necessary. Picard knew he might have decided to let his First Officer, his friend, die on the USS Russo. Riker nodded and slowly stood. "Mr. Worf, Data, you're with me." "Should we take Dr. Crusher with us," asked Data? "No, Data, we'll have no need for first aid this time." Data followed Riker and Worf into the turbolift. Picard glanced back at the three, then down at the floor. Riker, Data and Worf met four security officers in Shuttle bay Four. No one could raise their stares from the floor. The Away team donned their environmental suits and departed the Enterprise.