Path: news.inforamp.net!tor.istar!ott.istar!istar.net!imci2!news.internetMCI.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in1.uu.net!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!newslink.runet.edu!not-for-mail From: sratliff@runet.edu (Stephen Ratliff) Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Subject: REPOST TNG Away From Home 2/9 The Field Trip pt 2 Date: 2 Jun 1996 16:59:19 GMT Organization: Radford University Lines: 333 Message-ID: <4osh97$ej3@newslink.runet.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: rucs2-gw.runet.edu X-Newsreader: TIN [UNIX 1.3 950824BETA PL0] Status: N Chapter Four Captain's Log Supplemental Due to the fact that we were deep in the dense asteroid belt of the Alberry system it will take us an hour and a half more to clear the system and go to warp. From that time it will take another 4 hours to get to the system which the shuttle's distress call came from. I fear we may arrive too late. Mean while on the planet, Marrissa and the other children were watching, via the sensors from a half dozen medical tricorders, the enemy soldiers attempts to follow their trail. So far they had hit two dozen trip wires (made of vines). This caused both gray ribboned men to be hung by their legs an average of four times and all of them had received a mushy biolumncant red fruit in their face, chest, or back at least four times. At this time the enemy decided to stop for the night. They pitched some tents and cut down some limbs to start a fire. Back in the cave Marrissa asked Jay, "That's near communicator number three, isn't it?" "Petty close, number two should also be within range," Jay replied. "Clara, would you get your flute?" Marrissa said. "I think a little lullaby would do our friends some good. Open a channel to communicator number three and play some music until you get them to react, every hour, on the hour." Back in the enemy camp, the enemy began to hear strains of such tunes such as 'The Yellow Rose of Texas", "When the Saints Go Marching In", and March of the Tin Soldiers." However when Clara began playing "Joy to the World" they began to look quite scared. As Clara switched to "March Slav" they began to pray to what ever god or gods they believed in. After a half-a-hour Marrissa closed the channel. "Let them worry about that for a while," Marrissa said, putting here hand to her head. "What's wrong Marrissa?" Clara asked, concerned. "I'm getting a splitting headache," Marrissa said. "Too much stress, I guess." "I think you need some rest," Clara said. "Go to bed, Jay, Alex, and Shayna are alternating watches 'till dawn. I'll make sure the enemy can't sleep, but you better. We can't have a tried and sick leader, tomorrow." "OK, Clara, I'll get some rest," Marrissa said. She picked up her bed roll and spread out the foam pad and blank. Crawling between them she continued, "Play your flute once in awhile to our enemy. I want them tried and scared tomorrow morning." Though out the night at the beginning and midpoint of each watch Clara blessed the enemy soldiers with her beautiful rendition of "March Slav." However, the enemy didn't appreciate the piece. They became more and more scared. In addition during Shayna's watch she provided a constant version of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" on her harmonica. By midnight the Enterprise was almost in the system which the children were in. However Data announced, "Class 3 singularity ahead." "Helm go to Impluse," Picard ordered. "Plot a coarse around the singularity, full impluse. When we are on the other side and 2000 kilometers away, return to warp." "This is going to delay our arrival," Commander Riker said. "It can't be helped," Picard said. "I just wished we weren't the only ship in the sector." Just before dawn Marrissa woke up. After consuming a couple of ancient Earth delicacies known as strawberry poptarts, she woke up the others. As they ate their breakfast, Marrissa consulted the hidden sensors from the medical tricorders. The enemy soldiers were beginning to move toward the cave again, so Marrissa began to quietly hand out the phasers. "Their moving?" Jay asked. Marrissa nodded. "How far?" Alexander asked. "Scanner Five," Marrissa replied. "Alex and Jay, leftside of the entrance, us girls will be on the right." "As usual, the girls are always right," Jay commented. "And don't you forget it," Clara returned. Then the four enemies appeared on the edge of the clearing. First to enter was the pale-faced gray ribboned followed by his dark-faced fellow gray ribboned. Next was the pilot who was having trouble holding his weapon. Finally the leader entered. Spying the children, ordered his men to open fire. They narrowly missed. Marrissa and the other children returned fire. They stunned the dark-faced gray ribboned. The pale-faced one collapsed without a shot hitting him. The pilot was having so much trouble holding on to his weapon that he couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. Seeing his men down and his pilot's lack of accuracy, the leader adjusted his weapon's setting and fired at the gray ribbons and vaporized them. Ordering a retreat, he readjusted his weapon and fled into the forest, the pilot following. After the aliens had left the clearing Marrissa spoke up, "Now that we have them on the run, lets keep them that way." "That sounds like a good idea," Alexander said. "Jay, Clara, take the left side of the path," Marrissa ordered. "Alex, Shayna, the right. Get ahead, take a pot shot and run." "Where did you get that idea?" Jay asked. "It sounds familiar." "Earth History, American Revolution, Battle of Lexington and Concord," Marrissa replied. "Now get going. As soon as they take off we will meet back here, get our stuff and return to the shuttle." The enemy commander's week was getting worse and worse. First he couldn't capture an unarmed shuttle. Then he lost a man checking out the empty shuttle. Finally he lost two more men from what appeared to be the young of the speice controlling the shuttle. He didn't know what else could go wrong. He found out when a phaser beam shot past his nose. Off in the bushes someone ran off and the enemy commander's shot missed. So much for capturing a young member of the speices to use to control their next conquered nation, namely the Federation. Chapter Five ~~~~~~~~~~~~ On the planet, the enemy shuttle was having a great deal of trouble taking off. Not only were the pilot's hands becoming useless rapidly, but occasional pot-shots from the forest were damaging the shuttle. The Commander pushed the pilot aside and took over the controls himself. The shuttle then left as quickly as it could, leaving the children to begin reactivating the shuttle for their return to the Enterprise. Meanwhile, the Enterprise was entering the system. "Captain, I am detecting a medium-sized vessel orbiting the fifth planet," Worf said. "Mr Data analyst," Captain Picard ordered. "The vessel matches the configuration of the attacking vessel from the April's distress call,' Data replied. "Captain, a shuttle is leaving the planet," Worf injected, "highly agitated. It is not ours." "Scan for life signs," Picard ordered. "Two life signs of unknown type," Data responded. "Hail the larger ship," Picard said. "Hailing Frequencies Open," Worf replied. "This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise, Please respond." "Message coming in text only," Worf said. "Please stand by, Commanding Officer currently not available." "It appears that we are on hold, Mr Worf," the Captain said amused. "Are we with in scaling range of the fifth planet?" "Yes, Captain," Data informed. "Scan and identify life signs." "Five life signs, four human, one Klingon inside the shuttle," Data said. "Hail the shuttle," Picard ordered. "Shuttle responding," Worf replied. "On Screen." A blond haired girl appeared on the Main veiwscreen. Behind her a long black haired girl and a short brown haired girl were working on the shuttle. "Shuttle April, Marrissa Flores speaking. How may I help you?" "Where is Lieutenant Allen and Ensign Throwaway?" Picard inquired. "Dead, I am the oldest surviving member of the passengers, all of witch survived." Marrissa said, somewhat sadly. "Clara and Shayna believe the shuttle is spaceworthly." "Did you encounter the occupants of the unidentified ship?" Picard asked. "Yes, we scared them out of their wits," Marrissa smiled. "Transmitting data now. I thing that they will not allow themselves to be examined. We stunned one and another collapsed, both of them were vaporized by a third." "Entering standard orbit, Captain," the ensign at the helm said. "Captain, Clara informs me that we can take off at any time now," Marrissa said. "Belay that, Transporter Room beam them directly to the Bridge," the Captain ordered. "Unable to comply, Captain, Transporters are blocked in system," the transporter room replied. "Then Marrissa, hold launch until we can do something about this ship," Picard said. "Aye, sir. April out," Marrissa replied. As the veiwscreen returned to the view of the planet and the other ship, Worf said," The unknown ship is finally responding to our hails." "On screen," Picard ordered. The black-faced alien with his yellow hair drawn back with black, red, and purple ribbons appeared in a plain white featureless room. The Alien spoke up, "I am Ath Russen of the Graphpol. You are invading the Trakcen Empire. Leave at once." "You might what to check your star charts," Captain Picard began. "For 25 parsecs around this planet in all directions there is nothing but Federation planets and starbases. And I for one have not never heard of the Trakcen Empire." "Then you are misinformed," the Ath replied. "Mr. Data please confirm the existence of the planets I indicated," Picard ordered. "Request population and current Head of State to update our records on unsecured channels. And I know you have no calm on this planet, Especially since the only people on it are my shuttle crew." "Captain, the exsistance of all 145 Federation bases and colonies have been confirmed," Data said. "My information has been confirmed, has yours?" Picard asked. The enemy commander closed the channel. Then Worf spoke up, "The Trakcen ship is powering it's weapons and has raised shields." "RED ALERT, raise shields, ready phasers, and photon torpedoes," Riker commanded. "Analyst of Trakcen ship, Data," Picard asked. "The power levels are comparable to early Constitution class vessels," Data replied. "However it could be more manuvorable." "The enemy is firing," Worf said. "Hit on our port shield, no damage, shields still at 100 percent." "CONN Move us between them and planet," Picard directed. "Mr Worf take out their shields, only." Phaser beams shot out from the Enterprise toward the Graphpol. Its shields flared red and then collapsed. The Trakcen ship turned and fled. "CONN, follow them out of the system and then return to the planet," Picard commanded. "Once they go to warp tell the April to take off to join us. After the Trakcen ship had left, the Enterprise returned to the planet and the waiting shuttle. Hailing the waiting shuttle, Captain Picard said, "This is Captain Picard, can you bring the shuttle into the main shuttle bay or do you require a tractor beam." "Jay says he and Alexander can bring us in," Marrissa said. "Once you are on board, we will beam you directly to the quarantine unit in Sickbay per regulations," Picard said. "After you are cleared I'd like you to prepare a report on your experances on the planet and your opinion on the race which calls themselves the Trakce for tomorrows staff meeting." "I'll be ready, April out." Later that day, the Doctor arrived on the bridge. "How are our young adventures?" Troi asked. "No worse for the wear," Crusher responded. "Other than a couple bruises the only problem was Marrissa. Be ready for an appointment with her. I treated her for P.M.S." "Thanks for the warning, I'll rearrange my schedule." Chapter Six ~~~~~~~~~~~ After being released from Sick bay Marrissa went to see Clara. When she entered Clara's room the younger girl was studying how the Enterprise's warp engines worked. "And you accused me of being a book worm," Marrissa kidded lightheartedly. "I just got a little curious," Clara replied taking a sip of milk. "This is fascinating." "Can you tear yourself away from that to help me with my report to the senior staff tomorrow?" Marrissa asked. "If you will join Jay, Shayna, Alexander, and myself on Holodeck Two tomorrow at 14 hundred hours," Clara responded. "Why?" "We had a discussion on our way home from sick bay. We decided that we who like to try crewing the bridge and other parts of the Enterprise. Since the Captain doesn't allow kids on the bridge this is the next best thing." "I'll be there. Now about my report ..." The next day Marrissa arrived at the observation lounge early. Being the first to arrive she began pacing, back and forth in front of the windows. Counselor Troi was the next person to arrive. Sensing Marrissa's nervousness she set out to calm Marrissa down, and if possible remove her fear. "Nervous," she asked. Marrissa nodded. "I'm sure you will do fine," Troi said. "Worf doesn't bite and I think the Captain likes you." "That's not what I'm worried about," Marrissa said. "What then?" "I'm not good at oral presentations. I clam up. I can never answer questions no matter how well I prepare. I usually get C's." "A C is not bad." "It is when you are a strait A student. May be you should talk to my Dad." "Perhaps I will," Troi said. "Meanwhile you might want to think of the command staff's uniforms as pajamas. It worked for me." "They do look like that," Marrissa laughed and Troi joined in. When the whole staff had arrived, the Captain introduced Marrissa and asked her to present her report. She began nervously but soon gained confidence. First she outlined the circumstances of her encounter. Then she told of her preparations. Thirdly she gave her analyst of the Trakce. Finally she asked for questions. "Is it possible that the Trakce wanted to help you?" the Doctor asked. "They could have been a medical team." "I doubt it doctor," Marrissa replied. "You don't beam down on a mission of mercy after shooting down an unarmed shuttle which was doing nothing to you." "I agree," Worf said. "The chances of the Trakce shuttle doing having no hostile intentions to you were 5 billion to 1," Data responded. "You said that you don't believe they allow themselves to be captured," Riker asked. "What makes you think that?" "I believe that because every time a Trakce fell unconscience the leader vaporized him," Marrissa replied. "Makes sense to me," La Forge responded. Soon afterward, the meeting ended. Before Commander Riker could leave, Marrissa called out," Commander Riker." "Yes, Marrissa," Riker responded. "I was wondering if you would be willing to evaluate some Kobayashi Marus tomorrow?" Marrissa asked. "Testing yourself for command potential," Riker guessed. "Yes, myself and some others," Marrissa replied. "You can't start with a harder test," Riker said. "I would be glad to, but I can only do one a day." "That's fine with me," Marrissa said. Later in Holodeck 2, Marrissa was in command of the Enterprise-D doing the Kobayashi Maru. "CONN hard to starboard, Alex fire phasers and photon torpedoes," Marrissa ordered. "Firing phasers, the warbird's shields are down to 95 %," Alexander said. "Jay find that shield frequency," Marrissa said as a round hit her ship. "Shields at 75 %," Alexander said. "CONN evasive pattern Zeta Four," Marrissa ordered. "Increase speed to full impulse. Head away from them." The Warbird followed the retreating Galaxy Class vessel closely. "Stupid move," Marrissa muttered. "Alex the locks on the forward phasers and photon torpedoes directly ahead. Fire rear phasers and photon torpedoes. CONN on my mark take us down 80 meters and goto full stop." The Enterprise spat out torpedoes blinding the Romulan warbird and draining it's shields. "Now CONN," Marrissa ordered. The Romulan warbird shot over the Enterprise and in front of the ship. "Fire at will Alex." The Romulan's shields collapsed. "Destroy them, Alex. CONN coarse 180 degrees mark 4 relative heading," Marrissa ordered. "Three warbirds decloaking," Alexander announced. -- Stephen Ratliff CS Major, Radford University. sratliff@runet.edu Marrissa Stories Author homepage: http://www.cs.runet.edu/~sratliff/ Maintainer for the FAQs on alt.startrek.creative "Wait until you have four pips on that collar, you'll wish you'd gone into botany" - Captain Benjiman Sisko, DS9 "Rules of Engagement"