Star Trek: The Frontier Crisis

[Lt. Evans 0]

Star Trek: The Frontier Crisis

 

-The background story-

 

After the Dominion war ended it was believed by the Federation and Star fleet that the majority of the Maquis had been slaughtered during the war and they were no longer had major presence or an issue in Federation space. Likewise the Maquis sworn enemy: The Obsidian Order had simply been absorbed in to the Cardassian and Dominion military, and had ceased to exist. The Federation concluded that, as a side effect, the Dominion war had put the two terrorist groups out of commission. However, only half of that belief was true. It is true that large amounts of the Maquis faction were slaughtered, so many so that the body count can never be truly accurate. However, many Maquis soldiers, crews, spies, sympathizers and there families simply went into hiding. The largest of the groups hiding underground did literally that, they hid underground.

 

On the edges of known space, in the alpha quadrant is the frontier. And on the frontier there a little known planet called: Hetlek II. The planet is a barren wasteland and much like Earth’s moon. The Federation has a small outpost on the planet, fittingly called ‘Hetlek Station’. During the heydays of Captain James T. Kirk the station was a deep space outpost, but almost a hundred years later when the time Dominion war broke the Federation no longer considered Hetlek II a part of deep space, having thoroughly explored the area and also having several colonies nearby.

 

Unknown to Star Fleet three of the senior staff, on Hetlek II, were full fledged members of Marquis, who using the station to spy on Federation and Cardassian fleet activity. When the war broke out these three members brought there families to the station one at a time, so as not to arouse suspicion. But then these three Maquis members began getting requests from friends and comrades to receive sanctuary, even if it was only temporary accommodation and a hot meal. Then, the highest ranking of these Maquis members received a distress signal from a ‘borrowed’ Bajoran transport ship, housing about four hundred members of Maquis and there families.

 

Knowing that they could not turn all these people away the three began arguing about how they could help there Maquis comrades, they found out the current Hetlek Station was built directly above the old station which had been built when Captain Kirk would have been an Ensign. And there was nobody is this abandoned and old part of the station. So, one by one they smuggled and snuck the four Maquis members down in to the abandoned part the station. Some of the Maquis members posed as passing merchants, others as temporarily re-assigned star fleet crewmen and others friends or relations of the three Maquis members posted on Hetlek Station. But things got really out of hand.

 

Another three refugee ships flew in under the escort of several Raider class Maquis Fighters and they hid in a nearby nova to mask there signals. There leader sent an encrypted, and distorted message to the highest ranking of the three Maquis on the planet. This Maquis was a half-human half-Vulcan named T’pock, bearing the rank of lieutenant commander, chief of security and second-in-command of the Hetlek Station. The message from the Refugee ship begged T’pock to let them people on board the refugee ships to also hide in the abandoned lower half of the station. T’pock was reluctant, but he logically concluded that if he didn’t at least try and help them they would be hunted down and killed. So he allowed them to sneak into the abandoned section of Hetlek station, with the provider that nobody else was allowed to hear where they were hiding – and if anyone else came along T’pock would immediately pull the plug.

 

Shockingly, the plan worked. Everyone on the three refugee ships, in there own way, made it down to the planet in the space of nine months. About half-way through this the Raider fighter ships disappeared off and were never heard from again. Once empty the refugee ships were set to self-destruct.

 

For the duration of the Dominion war Hetlek II and Hetlek Station were left untouched; and unknown to anyone in the station except T’pock and Maquis comrades, twelve thousand people were living in hiding on Hetlek. This was mainly achievable due to the fact that the man in charge of Hetlek Station, one Commander Edward Nostrum, spent most of his time wondering whose shoes he must have stepped on to get such an awful position. That; combined with the fact that T’pock was ridiculously smarter than him.

 

Living in the abandoned part of the station, underground, the twelve thousand people enjoyed cramped conditions, under-nourishment, poor hygiene and a severe lack of privacy until the Dominion war was over. In this time a few people got sick, but nobody died or anything, well except for eighty-nine year old man who dropped dead of heart-attack after he lost his first ever game of three-dimensional chess to a five-year Vulcan child, who was the nephew of T’pock.

 

But other than that it was fairly peaceful and definitely no worse than some of the conditions that the Maquis had endured in the ‘good old days’ before the Cardassian’s joined forces with the Dominion and began slaughtering them. The people settled in to the bowels of the station quite happily, many even decided to make little baby Maquis militiamen – well, to be fair there were twelve thousand of them living down there and they didn’t really have much to do except fix broken down sections of the abandoned part of the station, play three-dimensional chess or discuss personal interests.

 

So when the Dominion war ended the people were more than happy to get off Hetlek station, along with any extra children they’d produced. But T’pock realized that even if Commander Nostrum was thick as a brick he was still going to notice twelve thousand people, plus babies, leaving the station. Then Commander Edward Nostrum’s birthday came along, he’d put in for leave and he was expecting to have to spend it on the station. Then his senior staff through a surprise party and T’pock handed Nostrum a pair of week-long passes to Risa, a holiday planet. So, with his arm around a young Ensign, he had his eye on for some time, Commander Nostrum left Hetlek II for Risa.

 

T’pock then got his hands an invisible, unscented sleeping gas and distributed the gas throughout the station putting the crew into temporary unconsciousness. With a breathing mask fitted to his face, from his Nostrum’s office T’pock contacted a long waiting convoy of transport ships to come and pick up the twelve thousand. The mass exodus was quick, simple and efficient. T’pock spent the time forging fake reports for Nostrum to read upon his return. Shortly after the twelve thousand Maquis had left, the crew of Hetlek Station awoke, not knowing what had happened. Nostrum returned with a very much in love Ensign on his arm. Two days later Nostrum received word that he was finally being promoted and transferred to deep space five, to serve under some Admiral. Breaking the Ensign’s heart – Nostrum took the promotion and left Hetlek Station, never knowing what had truly transpired in his time there.

 

The twelve thousand Maquis were transported to Hetlek III, an M-class planet which would have been perfect for them to settle on and spend the rest of there days foraging, hunting, fishing and farming. It would have been perfect, if the federation hadn’t built a colony there about thirty odd years ago, the colony was a lot like New York in the fifties, only with subtle space ages frills. The leaders of Maquis who had formerly hidden on Hetlek II first sent message to T’pock telling him everything was alright and then they set about deciding what to do next. They formed the N.M.U, or Neo-maquis-union. At first the N.M.U was dedicated to helping former Maquis members rebuild there lives and find there families. Then the N.M.U set about locating remaining Maquis factions, abandoned bases and space ships. After that the N.M.U set about reuniting the remaining

Maquis forces under one flag. Discovering that there former homes were now gone and very different planets, this quickly growing group decided to stay on the edge of the federation. Eventually the moved a little out of federation space and the N.M.U found several new systems included numerous M-class planets for them to colonize.

 

The N.M.U grew quickly a soon the majority of the Federation’s frontier was made up of several Neo-marquis-union planets, planets helping the N.M.U or planets under N.M.U jurisdiction and protection. And before it even could it even blink, the Federation had a full fledged independent union of planet states on their doorstep. Political debate immediately began to focus on the dispute over this new territory’s potentials, both positive and negative. This is when our story begins.

 

The frontier, now arguably the Federation border with the N.M.U

 

Major Felix Raden looked out his cockpit window at the several lightweight Bajoran fighters roaring through space past the slow moving Bajoran civilian ship, they been assigned to protect. He hated these sort of missions, but service to the militia was not always fun and games, he was just glad to in a cockpit, and not behind a desk which was where many of his seniors wanted him. Raden looked across to the civilian ship as at chugged along through space, terra-forming colonists on board. With the N.M.U laying claim to the edges of frontier space, the federation was making a quick rush for any planet which they hadn’t previously colonized, knowing that if they didn’t colonize them soon they wouldn’t be able to colonize them ever. Raden shook his head, looking at the Bajoran ship

 

It was hardly a Bajoran ship now, only the crew were Bajoran, the terra-formers on board were made up of Humans, Vulcans, Andorians, Bolians and various other races within the Federation. The Federation was so desperate to move people, equipment and even weapons quickly that they had turned to the Bajoran government to rent ships, and support fighters.

 

Raden’s console beeped in front of him and his eyes flicked over it, to his surprise long-range scanners had picked up three unmarked fighters, moving in fast. Major Raden looked over his scans; the fighters dwarfed anything he’d seen in the Bajoran militia and even Star Fleet. In fact; the ships were like nothing he’d ever seen before in the universe: glowing intakes and strange ultra state-of-the-art technology; but - devoid of any insignia. Felix had no idea who or what they represented. He didn't even have a clue which side the craft were fighting for ... or against for matter. As the ships closed in, Raden opened a channel and hailed the leader fighter.

 

“Unidentified craft this is Major Felix Raden of Bajoran militia… please state your intent...” Raden said with a mundane voice. Then he waited patiently for a reply, only stopping to exhale nervously and look at the enclosing fighters. Their design brought to mind only one word: Death.

 

While subtly raising his shields Raden switched the communication to his squadron and the Bajoran transport and spoke

 

“All fighters and Bajoran transport vessel… unidentified fighters incoming… this could possible be the neo-maquis-union forces paying us quick visit. All ships go to yellow alert, raise shields… and… sit tight.” Raden said calmly, hoping to not panic the civilians aboard the transport.

 

Meanwhile in the dark of one of these unknown crafts’ cockpits, a pilot raised his shields and brought his weapons online before contact his squad

 

“Targets sighted. Let's do this.”

 

The unmarked craft swooped down on the Bajoran fighters and the transport vessel, beginning with a rip roar of pulse phaser fire. The civilians inside the ship watched the dogfight ensue but one by one the Bajoran fighters were blown apart by the unknown fighters’ superior fire power, the unknown fighter ships picked them off as if they were swatting gnats. Finally only Raden was left, but only because he had been dodging the unknown fighters rather than attempting to confront them. Suddenly the fighters all disappeared off his sensors.

 

“What the…?” Raden remarked in shock “Fighters don’t have cloaking devices!”

 

Suddenly the fighters reappeared on his sensors and his ship was encircled. Before Raden could react the unknown fighters tore forward, opening fire and destroying his ship, killing him, and flying straight past each other, one under the other and then moving on the transport ship. The female captain of the transport opened a channel to the lead fighter.

 

“Lead fighter… cease fire! We are an unarmed Bajoran transport ship helping terra-forming Federation colonists make their way to their new home. We surrender and we will allow you to board us at will.”

 

“I have a better idea.” The lead fighter replied. Switching his communication to his fellow pilots he ordered “Break off and fall back… I’m prepping the ‘Super heater’.”

 

“Crew, brace for impact!” The captain of the Bajoran transporter ordered to her bridge staff. The Bajoran transporter crew waited for the inevitable as the lead fighter pilot flipped the safety on a switch on his console and pressed the fire button. The crew may have been expecting a torpedo, missile, or even a strange phaser fire to emanate from the unknown craft, but instead, a thin, convex-shaped disc spewed forth and after penetrating the transporter’s shield it latched itself on to the onto the hull of the transport. The lead fighter broke off his attack and rejoined his squadron. Surprised at the sudden change of events the Bajoran captain hailed the fighters again

 

“Thank you… we our grateful for your act of mercy.” The, the captain suddenly realized how ridiculously warm the bridge had become

 

“Captain!” The science officer reported “The ship’s temperature is rapidly rising!” meanwhile the disc on the side of the ship seemed to vibrate and shimmer. Suddenly the transporter began to rumble. A giant, malevolent flash explosion sprang from the transport's interior, as if it was destroyed by a bomb from the inside. In mere seconds there was nothing left but a charred, blackened husk rotating onto its side in space.

 

“I’d say that was a successful ‘test’… wouldn’t you?” The lead pilot said yanking back on his flight stick and going into an absolutely unique and death-defying maneuver - dropping a mine, hitting his afterburners, and being propelled by the resulting explosion - out of which he leads his squadron off. The fighters were gone in an instant, as if they were just a hallucination...

 

Star Fleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth

 

Ethan awoke from a terrific dream, into the star less dark space of his room. He looked around in the bleak, and emptiness of what surrounded him.

 

“Computer, lights.” In a split second the lights were on, Ethan winced ever so slightly at the sudden change of lighting “What’s the time?”

 

“The time is: 0900 hours.” Getting up and moving into the kitchen of his quarters, Ethan stopped in front of the replicator and ordered his morning wake up call

 

“Coffee, black, two sugars…” A white mug of black coffee materialized before him and he picked it up before sitting down on his kitchen stool. He mused quietly to himself about his bizarre dream and drank his coffee. He looked around the room, it was good to wake up at nine in the morning, admittedly not as good as days at home when he would wake up at midday, but waking up at nine was certainly better than having to get up at six, to report to role call. Training was all but finished; Ethan was looking forward to getting out and experiencing real missions. But for now, Ethan contemplated how he wanted his eggs done for breakfast. Fried, scrambled, poached, boiled?

 

Federation council, San Francisco, Earth

 

If you were to walk into the council room during this part of the story, you’d be assaulted by the clamor of eminent senators in heated debate. On this day men and women from all over the Federation’s corner of the alpha quadrant were present, and they each want to be heard. The assembly master banged down his gravel hard, three times and announced

 

“The President of the United Federation of Planets.”

 

The President entered accompanied by an Admiral, one Admiral Lewis Carver, a noted and respected Admiral of star fleet and one of the many heroes to emerge from the war with the Dominion.

 

“Friends, senators and fellow members of the federation… you will all have an opportunity to voice your opinions on the hideous occurrences which have occured on the frontier. But before hand, we will now hear from the Commander of the Strategic Readiness.” The President explained “Admiral Carver?”

 

Admiral Carver stepped up to the podium, his eyes coolly appraising the multitude of politicians before him. Carver let his dedication and the gravity of the situation show as spoke.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen of the Federation Assembly: as Admiral of the Star fleet, I am charged with many duties. Foremost among these is the protection of the frontiers of our borders.” Admiral Carver paused for a second “Unfortunately, I stand before you, a humble servant ... with few answers. Despite the efforts of federation Intel, the random acts of violence taking place on the border remain a mystery.”

 

The senators reacted with diverse roar of differing views, thoughts and opinions; no single voice could be heard, but if everyone were quiet and waited there turn a few of the opinions held to could be heard:

 

“Its renegade pirates, I tell you!” One senator argued

 

“No! It's worse! The Maquis militia is behind it.” Another argued with him

 

The assembly was clearly divided. The master of the assembly desperately tried to bring order to chaos with his gavel. Carver was more effective by simply raising his hand.

 

“Well, I'm sure we all have our own little theories... but let me tell you: it will not be a mystery for long.”

 

This sentence brought some order and relaxation to the assembly, the senators began to listen attentively, hoping Carver could answer there many questions. Carver spoke

 

“As most of you know, my lifetime of service to the federation has included many tours of the frontier; I was first officer of the U.S.S Tomahawk, a galaxy class vessel which explored much of the frontier. And from my experience with the Maquis, during my time as the first ever captain of U.S.S Sovereign, I can assure you that the Maquis is indeed enigmatic group… full of rogues, privateers… but… also reasonable men, just trying to right wrongs done to them over the years.”

 

“Scoundrels! That's what they are!” A senator yelled

 

“Hoodlums! Terrorists!” Another agreed

 

But once again, Admiral Carver was the voice of reason.

 

“Let me remind you that the Marquis have suffered much over the years, from the days they were fighting the Obsidian Order to the time many of them were slaughtered by the Cardassians and their Dominion allies, I doubt very much that they want to see anymore blood shed.”

 

“But this is the neo-maquis-union… they have different goals… which may include attacking us!” One senator yelled

 

“Although many have died and we have not found there murderers do not let your lust for vengeance cloud your judgment senator. The N.M.U could prove to be a valuable friend in the future. And I don’t know about all of you… but I don’t want a new enemy.”

 

There were murmurs of agreement from the various senators; nobody wanted a repeat of the Breen attack on Earth, which occurred during the worst days of the Dominion war. Nobody wanted a repeat of Wolf: 3-4-9 when so many united space ships were lost fighting the Borg Cube in the Sol system. Nobody wanted to see anymore death. People wanted to see at least a few years of peace. Carver smiled with satisfaction

 

“However, we must also keep in mind that now the war is over, certain social and political changes were taking place along the frontiers.” Carver paused and sipped some of the mineral water on the podium before him before continuing “Whether or not these changes relate to these senseless acts of terrorism, remains to be seen... but see to it ... I will. A covert investigation will begins immediately.”

 

The assembly reacted positively. But the noise is still to load for anyone one voice to be heard, so once again, the assembly master banged his gavel.

 

“Admiral, the increase in these incidents has given rise to great tension between the Federation and the Neo-maquis. Thus, time is of the essence...” The president began his closing statement “...the Assembly looks forward to the results of your investigation. We shall decide a course of action within a month...”

 

Graduation ceremony, Star Fleet academy, San Francisco

 

Ethan walked round the edges of the academy, the ceremony had been concluded, the class had all performed better than any other band of pilot cadets Star Fleet had ever seen, all had been given the rank of Ensign and were being spread across the quadrant, posted of various carried such as the: U.S.S Atlantis, U.S.S Hornet, U.S.S Necromancer and the U.S.S Wellington. Ethan was being sent to the frontier, undoubtedly to oversee the events unfolding there.

 

“Well, if it isn’t the bastard son of Kirk.” Ethan turned round to here the familiar voice of his grandfather, dressed in his old Star Fleet uniform, a former commander. Bastard son of Kirk, that what Ethan’s grandfather had always called him.

 

“Why do you call me that?” Ethan asked, already knowing the answer

 

“You know the answer to that…” Ethan’s grandfather replied

 

“If James T. Kirk had been born in this era and he’d been a fighter pilot...” They said in unison “He’d be called Ethan Burleigh.” Ethan chuckled

 

“Besides… you have that picture of me shaking his hand back when he was still alive. I was only an Ensign, like you are now… well; your grandmother was never ashamed to tell me she thought Kirk was a very attractive man. One time…” Ethan’s grandfather said nudging Ethan “One time I pretended to be a Captain Kirk, and your grandma pretended to be a green slave girl…”

 

“Grandpa… that’s a little more than I need to know.”

 

“What! You never think with your (Please stop me from cursing)?” Ethan grandfather barked, in his typical New Yorker accent “A good pilot always thinks with gut, his heart, his mind… and his balls!” Ethan’s grandfather said “Remember that!”

 

“Of course, granddad…” Ethan said shaking his head. Ethan’s flight instructor and drill sergeant waltzed over to him. And handed Ethan a small case, the kind which ear-ring were kept - but inside were a pair of lieutenant’s pips.

 

“Jeez Louise!” Ethan’s grandfather remarked in shock “What’s the world coming to…?”

 

“I’ve barely left the academy, sir.” Ethan blushed

 

“Congratulations ‘Lieutenant’ Ethan Burleigh. You were top of your class, and your class was the best class the academy has ever seen when it comes to fighter pilots, I only wish they weren’t breaking you up… but what with so many deaths of pilots during the Dominion war and with the crisis on the border they’re eager to fill in the gaps… hence your somewhat prompt promotion.” Ethan fitted his pips but as he finished he spotted a familiar face amongst the friends and family members at the ceremony. It was Commander William Riker, first officer of the U.S.S Enterprise. Riker smiled and walked over to Ethan

 

“Consider them a graduation present…” He said

 

“I don’t want your charity, commander.” Ethan frowned “When I make lieutenant I intend to do it on my own.

 

“Hey, even I can’t get you promoted that fast… you did do it yourself… I just… may have slipped my recommendation over to various high-up friends I have.”

 

“Hmph… I thought so…” Ethan reached for his pips, as if he was going to tear them out

 

“Whether you keep the pips or not… you’re still officially a lieutenant… and the best fighter pilot star fleet has ever.” Riker said

 

“I don’t want to be a lieutenant this fast; my friend won’t stop laughing at the thought of having to call me ‘sir’ from now on.”

 

“If your going to let the thoughts of you classmates affect you, then you’re forgetting that they all respect you deep down, even Ensign Henri Dufresne.” Ethan’s flight instructor told him. Ethan stormed off

 

“I’m sorry about that, Commander Riker… I don’t what came over him…”

 

“Unfortunately… I do…” Riker said

 

“I’ll talk to him.”

 

“I’d appreciate that… but I’ve got a shuttle to catch… I’m needed back on Enterprise; Star Fleet wants us patrolling the neutral zone.” Riker sighed. Ethan’s grandfather finally caught up with Ethan.

 

“Now what’d you do that for? Commander Riker’s a great man.”

 

“Commander Riker’s an (Ignore me, I'm using profanity).” Ethan disagreed

 

“All great men are assholes! And these days they don’t much greater than Riker.” Ethan laughed at his grandfather’s comment. He smiled, the old man always new what to say to him “Now why were you so rude, eh? I was hoping to get a picture of you with the commander… something for you to show your grandson!”

 

“I wouldn’t shake hands with Riker for all the gold-pressed latinum in the Alpha quadrant.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“I never earned his respect or friendship… Riker only talks to me because he blames himself for my father’s death… back when they served on the U.S.S Pegasus together. That’s the only reason I got that promotion… I’ve forgiven Riker… why can’t he forgive himself?”

 

“Hmph… your father should have been a fighter pilot like you and me… then there would be nobody to blame for his death except him.”

 

“No… then lots of people could be to blame. The captain of his carrier, the person who shot him down, his squad who didn’t protect him…”

 

“No… all those people wouldn’t have been to blame because if you’re a good pilot you don’t die, if you’re a bad pilot you die – and that’s the golden rule regardless of your captain, your enemy or your squad. When you’re aboard a ship of line it’s different – your fate is the hands of the ship’s captain, the first officer and senior staff. And you running around the ship will make little difference if you have a bad leadership. In a cockpit – there’s only you.” The crazy old coot makes some sense, Ethan thought

 

“I guess you’re right about one thing.”

 

“Of course I’m right… I’m me!” Ethan’s grandfather laughed “Come on, let’s go get drunk!”

 

The Midnight Owl, a popular bar with Star Fleet cadets, on the edge of San Francisco

 

It was getting late, the post-graduation party was all but over, but there were still a variable collection of humans and aliens occupying the bar, presumably until closing time. Ethan looked over at the clock behind the bar, and then around the bar, but wherever he looked he could not Henri. Ethan had wanted to get to know the Frenchmen a little better before leaving San Francisco since they were being posted on the same ship. There were a quite a few people in star fleet uniforms but now Ethan recognized none of them, it was obvious that the rest of his class had moved on to a downtown club. Clubs weren’t Ethan’s thing. Ethan watched his grandfather talking with four elderly star fleet officers, apparently they were the last of there own graduation class and it was a reunion.

 

Ethan then sighed, looking down in to his empty beer glass and then up at the long haired teenage male bartender

 

“Want anything else?”

 

“Whiskey…” Ethan said

 

“What brand?” The bartender asked

 

“Surprise me.”

 

“Do you want a shot or a double?”

 

“Double, on the rocks.” Ethan answered. The bartender snatched a glass from under the bar and set about making Ethan his drink. Ethan was suddenly jostled by a down-on-his-luck Dominion war veteran who sidled up next to him at the bar.

 

“Hey, kid, can you spare the price of a drink for an old vet?” The veteran asked; Ethan turned to face the man.

 

“Were you a flyer?”

 

“Yep, flew off U.S.S Liberty for about…forty-years.” Ethan looked at the veteran and passed him two strips of latinum.

 

“There’s a nice little Ferengi restaurant down the road, which stays open until late… get out of here and get yourself a meal instead.”

 

“Thanks pal. I'll do that.” With a little salute, the veteran got up and left.

 

“We get a lot of people like that now the war’s over, it’s crying shame.” The bartender said, giving Ethan his glass of whiskey.

 

“Well, thanks…” Ethan paid the bar-hand and got up moved over to a quiet table. Just across from him, Ethan could hear a familiar French voice, it was undoubted the voice of Henri Dufresne, he was talking to a Bajoran woman.

 

“So what do you say?” Henri finished, the Bajoran woman slapped and stormed off. Ethan sat their with a knowing smile as the Frenchman rubbed his cheek and turned to reveal that he was, of course, Henri, call-sign: ‘Lunatic’.

 

Henri ‘Lunatic’ Dufresne quickly recovered from the rejection and flashed his trademark smug grin.

 

“When will you learn?” Ethan said. Henri sat down next to him.

 

“I guess Bajoran women can't appreciate a civilized man.” Henri chuckled

 

“Sure they do. When they meet one…” Ethan smiled

 

“Funny, Ethan” Henri said “Perhaps I should get used to calling you by your call-sign. What was it again?”

 

“It’s ‘Overlord’.”

 

“Overlord, that was it… or maybe you’d prefer me calling you ‘sir’…”

 

“(I'm trying to say a bad word but can't)… and I thought nobody noticed…” Ethan groaned, before Henri could answer, a fight on the other side of the room broke out. A man with icy cold eyes had knocked over a table and shoved another man up against a wall, grabbing him by the throat.

 

“You'll do as I ask; nothing more and nothing less.” The icy cold eyed man hissed

 

“But you still haven’t paid me for my last run…” The other man protested. Ethan looked around the room, then at Lunatic.

 

“Isn't anyone gonna stop that?” Ethan asked

 

“Not my problem…” Lunatic shrugged “Maybe you should show ‘im… whose boss, ‘Lieutenant Burleigh’.” Ethan looked back at the two men having the “disagreement” and decided to get involved. Ethan headed over to the spot where the icy eyed man was clutching the other man’s throat.

 

“Let him go.” Ethan demanded

 

The icy eyed man did nothing of the sort. He turned to look at who dared to interrupt him. When his icy eyes locked onto Ethan's, there was a glimmer of an evil grin.

 

“I can't see where this is your concern, lieutenant.”

 

“I'm prepared to make it my concern.” Ethan answered, and there was a tense moment of silence. Then the man suddenly moved with incredible speed, letting go of the man he’d been threatening, spinning around, and whipping out a Klingon dagger, which he flashed at Ethan. What he didn't expect was that Ethan didn’t flinch, not even an eyelash twitches. Ethan simply met the icy stare with one of his own. “You'll get one swipe with that thing… that's all.” It was clearly a stand off. Finally, the icy eyed man put away his knife.

 

“You're going to wish you never met me.” The icy eyed man said

 

“I already do.” Ethan frowned. The man smiled a frighteningly evil grin as he backed away, a grin that looks like a death's head skull. “Personally, I'm looking forward to the next time we meet.” The man shoved people out of the way and disappeared. Ethan returned to Lunatic who actually seemed a little impressed.

 

“Of course I would’ve backed you up if he tried anything...” Lunatic insisted

 

“Of course, Henri…”

 

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” Ethan grandfather yelled from across the room. “Balls! Bartender! Get that man a whiskey… and one for his friend…”

 

“Come on, Henri let’s back to our seats.” Ethan and Henri spent the rest of the night chatting over their whiskeys and later, some French red wine.

 

Star Fleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth

 

In the early hours of the morning Ethan stumbled back into his bedroom, as he stumbled through his kitchen into his study he could see his console bleeping at him, he had an incoming message; he sat down and answered it, on the other end it was his flight instructor

 

“Ethan, sorry to wake you at such an early hour.”

 

“Nonsense, I’ve only just got it, sir… spent the night partying.”

 

“Of course. I just wanted to inform you that you’re wanted on the Jupiter space station at eleven hundred hours, for a meeting with Admiral Carver.”

 

“Who’s Admiral Carver?”

 

“One of the big heroes from the Dominion war. Once captain of the U.S.S Sovereign, he’s been put in charge of the investigation of the frontier crisis.”

 

“And I take that he doesn’t want to brief all the pilots going out there…”

 

“I’m afraid he just wants to see you.” Ethan’s flight instructor explained

 

“Alright, I’ll be on a shuttle first thing tomorrow morning…”

 

“Alright get some shut eye, you’ll need it…” And with that Ethan’s flight instructor’s face was replaced with the star fleet insignia.

 

Jupiter space station, in orbit of Jupiter

 

The shuttle swung round Jupiter's immense globe, only to pass something man-made that was almost as awe-inspiring as the giant gas planet. Two immense super-carriers, U.S.S Gemini - A and the U.S.S Gemini - B, both were under construction. Of the two, the U.S.S Gemini - A seemed nearest completion.

 

“Whoa!” Ethan said in amazement “Those super-carriers certainly dwarf any ship I’ve ever seen before. The war may be over, but looking at those things, you'd never know it...”

 

“Yeah, the U.S.S Gemini, A and B. They’re the offspring of something called the ‘Prometheus project’… that was a big ship which could split into three parts!” The shuttle pilot explained “Basically some engineers got the schematics for the U.S.S Prometheus, took out the ship separation feature and replace it with a large fighter bay. We were planning to use them for the Dominion war but back then they were only a third of the way finished, Star Fleet was gonna scrap them, but the crisis on the frontier began…” Finally the shuttle docked with the Jupiter space station.

 

Admiral Carver’s office, Jupiter space station

 

Admiral Carver looked out the window of his lavish office, admiring the same super-carriers; and the beehive of activity that enveloped them, he watched with the kind of delight that the pharaohs might once have felt as they watched the pyramids being built.

 

Lieutenant Burleigh entered through the door at the opposite end of the office. Carver watched Ethan's reflection in the window as he approached, then turned to greet him. The two men appraised each other, silently. Carver gestured back to the window; and the mighty work-in-progress it framed.

 

“Magnificent, aren't they?” Admiral Carver said. Ethan nodded thoughtfully. “Bet you wish you'd had one of those during the war, eh? Would've put the fear of God into the Dominion.”

 

“Carriers don't fly themselves, Admiral.” Ethan said

 

“Quite. It is the men, isn't it?” Carver smiled “A federation vessel is only as good as its crew, or at least that’s what Captain Jean-Luc Picard once told me.” Carver sat behind his large oak desk and gestured at the chair opposite, so Ethan sat down.

 

“You wanted to see me, sir?” Ethan asked

 

“Seems the Academy life agrees with you.” Carver said, ignoring Ethan’s question “I’ll admit; I'm envious. If I was confident of the Federation's security, I'd walk away in an instant… spend the rest of days lecturing at the same academy I once learned at.”

 

“Sir, may I ask why am here?”

“A recommendation.”

 

“Riker.” Ethan hissed under his breathe

 

“No, actually it was your grandfather. One star fleet best pilots; after reading his letter I looked over your file, that had a recommendation from Riker attached, but it was flight instructor and your lecturers’ reports that really got me interested.

 

“Really?” Ethan puckered his brow

 

“I’ve brought you here to discuss current events. At the moment… law and order seem to be concepts crumbling throughout the federation.”

 

“These are transitional times, Admiral…” Ethan protested

 

“With the Dominion, we had a common enemy, and it was humanity's finest hour. But now I am not so certain about humanity unity. People are forgetting the common values that forged the Federation. I need a good pilot to go out to the frontier along with several others and investigate the current situation out there.”

 

“My loyalties are to the Federation, sir.”

 

“But of course, that’s something we count on, lieutenant. For months now, an undeclared war has been waged against us: acts of terrorism, piracy, sabotage. Is it symptomatic of these ‘transitional times’ or… is something else at work?

 

“Are you saying you see a strategy ... or design behind it?” Ethan asked. Carver shrugged

 

“Every time I connect the dots… I am guided back to the N.M.U.”

“You think they’ve undertaken some kind of guerrilla war?” Ethan asked

 

“Ever since they formed the relationship has been uneasy with the Federation…” Carver gestured out the window at the super-carriers. “Readiness, lieutenant... may be the only thing to save us.”

 

“Which is where I come in?” Ethan said. Carver looked at Blair and smiles.

 

“There's no denying your achievements. This is why I have personally selected you for this delicate mission...” Carver paused “Not only will you assist me in solving this mystery by being my eyes and ears, you and your fellow pilots’ presence there will be a potent message to the quadrant.”

 

“We’re not politicians, sir.” Ethan said

 

“Actions speak louder than words, Lieutenant Burleigh.” Carver explained “I'm not sending your squad out there merely to be a symbol... I'm putting you in the cockpit where you’ll meet every star fleet officer’s secret love... the thrill of battle. Ensign Dufresne is waiting for you with two federation fighter… you’ll make your way to the edge of the Sol system where you will board the U.S.S Shelley for departure to the frontier.”

 

En route to the U.S.S Shelley, orbiting Pluto

 

Ethan was so at peace, now that he was finally experiencing space flight inside the cockpit of his Valkyrie class fighter, and there was no instructor to bother him. His communication received a transmission from Lunatic

 

“So did the Admiral mention me in his meeting with you this morning, lieutenant? I am going to a get promoted as quickly as you?”

 

“In your dreams, ensign. How we holding up for time?”

 

“We’re ahead of scheduled to dock aboard the U.S.S Shelley and make the warp jump out of Sol. All the same it’s been a long ride, so just to make it interesting; I got surprise for you, Lieutenant. I had our ships rigged for a virtual dogfight mode. I know you've always wanted to take a shot at me, so here's your chance. Our guns’ power generators have been temporarily altered to fire non-lethal blasts; our missiles are locked down. Your console will show 'virtual' damage on both our ships. First one with one hundred percent damage is the loser. So we can finally see who's better with a flight-stick. So what do you say?”

 

“Negative, Ensign. No messing about, we stay focused.”

 

“I knew you'd never want to face the truth…” Henri laughed; Ethan frowned and then tore towards Lunatic’s fighter

 

“And you can face this.” A simulated battled ensued between the two fighters. Eventually when both ships had suffered seventy-five percent of virtual damage each, Lunatic caught Ethan behind.

 

“Say goodbye, lieutenant.” Henri smiled

 

“Goodbye.” Ethan smirked putting his lower and fighter’s reverse after burners on, forcing his fighter to rotate ninety degrees and reverse straight past Lunatic until Ethan was behind. Saying nothing Ethan fired; finishing the simulated dogfight, and then flying over the top of Lunatic’s fighter.

 

“What do you say now…?” Ethan chuckled

 

“So you got lucky? Like you did with that promotion… I’ll see you on board the Shelley.”

 

“Alright.” Ethan smiled. The U.S.S Shelley came into view and Ethan said “Wow… she’s a beauty.”

 

“Class twelve warp engines, Spartan living quarters, one crew lounge, advanced turbo-lift system, full compliment off photon torpedoes and one holo-deck, reserved for tactical flight simulations.” Dufresne explained. Ethan opened a channel

 

“U.S.S Shelley this is: Lieutenant Burleigh and Ensign Dufresne, permission to dock?”

 

“This is communication officer, Lieutenant Commander Soams, welcome aboard.”

 

Docking bay, U.S.S Shelley, edge of the Sol system

 

Finally aboard the carrier, Lunatic and Overlord AKA Henri and Ethan got out of there ships and arrived aboard the U.S.S Shelley.

 

“You may be a lucky pilot but I don’t see why you get to schmooze with some high-up admiral while I have to carry my own duffel bag and fly my own shuttle to Jupiter station. So… what did you to talk about anyway?”

 

“Classified… I could tell you, but if I did… then I’d have to kill you.” Ethan grinned, walking off

 

“I don’t know; a guy gets one promotion…” Henri shook his head, following after Ethan

 

Bridge, U.S.S Shelley, edge of the Sol system

 

After unpacking his things Ethan went to the bridge to meet his new commanding officer, Captain Daniel Fletcher. The two men nodded at one another.

 

“Pleasure to finally meet your, lieutenant… Admiral Carver and Commanders Burleigh and Riker all speak highly of… I’m looking forward to working with you. I knew your father well, and if you’re half the man he was it will both and an honor and a privilege to get know you.”

 

“Eh… well, thank you, sir.” Ethan realized that no matter what he was always inevitable going to meet someone new who knew his father, he decided not to let it bother him. But he wanted to at least try and change the subject “Quite a ship you’ve got here.”

 

“Yes, Star Fleet’s been taking care of me. My task is little different now... but it still means I need good pilots. Ensign Oviedo, break orbit and bring us to one third impulse then set course for the frontier, warp nine, on my mark…”

 

“Aye, aye, sir!”

 

“Well, lieutenant… if you’ll excuse me, I have a ship to run… but feel free to take a look around, this carrier may be a little different to the ones they had on in simulations.” Captain Fletcher said, Ethan nodded and left the captain to his work. As he entered the lift the captain gave the order to his helmsman to: “Engage.” Once the ship was at warp speed Ethan ordered the lift

 

“Computer: Desk two, officers’ lounge.”

 

“Vocal command control is malfunctions.” The computer explained “Please select desks manually…”

 

“Oh, for crying out loud…” Ethan fumed “That’s one thing which never happened in a simulation.” Ethan sighed and pressed the button for deck two. Heading through the corridors Ethan wandered past various crewman, mostly human, with the occasional Vulcan, Bajoran, Bolian or Alpha Centaurian passing him by as well. He finally arrived at the crew lounge which was remarkably similar to the lounge ‘Ten Forward’ aboard the U.S.S Enterprise - D.

 

Officers’ lounge, U.S.S Shelley, Warp space

 

Sitting at one of the table riffling through a deck of cards like a Casino card dealer, was Commander Winston Chang, call-sign: Joker - head of the pilots aboard the U.S.S Shelley. He looked up at Ethan, and grinned.

 

“Hi, I’m new here…” Ethan smiled

 

“Wait, you’re a lieutenant I thought we were being sent some academy whelps…”

 

“I am from the academy, sir… end of the war means rapid promotion.”

 

“All the same… welcome aboard, lieutenant… what do you say to: one-card draw for the next drink?” Commander Chang asked. Ethan thought it over as he took a seat and then shook his head

 

“No.” Ethan answered. Joker cut the deck anyway and peeled off two cards: one for Ethan, one for himself; Ethan would have won.

 

“See that? Pilot should always trust in fate, or at least once in a while.” Ethan just shrugged and smiled.

 

“I’ve heard about you…”

 

“What my exploits as a federation pilot?” Joker said

 

“No… as a card hustler…”

 

“I should have guessed… do I still have a reputation?”

 

“In one of our last lectures we were warned about the hazards of space… you were one of them.” Ethan said, Joker chuckled “But they did also say you were a first-class pilot and good man… you fought in the Dominion war, didn’t you?”

 

“Yeah, but I had to get greedy. Stayed in the active reserve… playing cards with the newbies… who would have never expected star fleet to actually reinstate me.” Joker ginned ruefully “I got played for a sucker. I should know better, right?”

 

“Never heard of you losing a hand, Commander…”

 

“Call me, Joker… do you prefer your call-sign, rank or name?”

 

“I don’t mind.”

 

“Alright… I’ll call you by your rank when we’re on duty… when we’re on a mission I’ll refer to you by your call-sign, and when we’re off duty your actual name… just the way Star Fleet would want it.” After a couple of drinks Ethan plucked up the courage to give Joker a run for his money, but just as his lecturers had predicted, Ethan lost ever single time to Joker. Commander Chang was a fine pilot, but he was the deadliest card hustler in the alpha quadrant.

Outside Captain Fletcher’s quarters, U.S.S Shelley, the Frontier

 

Ethan moved down a corridor and approached the door to Fletcher’s cabin. He stopped and pushed the call button. But there was no answer. After a brief pause Ethan moved away from the door and back down the corridor, toward the turbo-lift.

 

Briefing room, U.S.S Shelley, the Frontier

 

Ethan entered the briefing room to find Captain Fletcher in waiting, in the centre of the briefing room was a table with a tactical display as it surface; it displayed all of the surrounding area in grids. Fletcher was happy to see Ethan enter.

 

“Shall we cut to the chase, lieutenant?”

 

“Wouldn't have it any other way, sir.” Ethan grinned

 

“We’re in this area because pirates have been disrupting the trade routes in and out of the system. As yet, we don't know what their motivations are. Some of their attacks appear to be the usual attempts to steal supplies and weapons. Yet others are simply acts of senseless, violent terrorism.” Fletcher pointed to the map “I want you and a wingman to escort this supply transport to the edge of the system, ensuring its safe passage out of the system. Then you're to fly to this point where a communications array is under construction. Upon your arrival, you'll relieve the patrols currently providing security in the area. Understood?”

 

“Not a problem…” Ethan said “Who will be my wingman?”

 

“Take your pick, the roster is in the corridor outside hangar bay… just choose the wingman of your choice and then the computer will tell him to proceed to the nearest computer where he’ll receive a transcript of the briefing.”

 

“I guess I’ll take Lunatic.”

 

“Always choose your wingman wisely; it could make the difference between life and death.”

 

Ethan’s fighter, en route to meet cargo freighter, frontier space

 

Lunatic and Ethan’s fighters roared through space towards the rendezvous point with the transport

 

“Picking up the transport on long range scanners…”

 

“Federation fighters this is ship supervisor of the merchant ship, is this escort really necessary?”

 

“Afraid so… we have reports of pirate activity in this sector.”

 

“Acknowledged. Very well… we will proceed to edge of the sector before we engage our warp engines, as required by star fleet regulations.”

 

“That’s all we ask, beside we’re only here for your protection… please go to yellow alert and engage your impulse engines.”

 

The cargo ship fired up its impulse engines and trudged toward the edge of the system. Lunatic and Ethan’s fighters ripped past the cargo transport freighter, when suddenly a squad of three fighters came seemingly out of nowhere

 

“Incoming pirates, sir.” Lunatic said

 

“Red alert. Evasive maneuvers!” Ethan ordered. The freighter reeled at the sight of pirates’ fighters, a pirate hailed Ethan taunting him.

 

“I’m gonna have your guts for garters… star fleet.”

 

“Alright come on then, you academy drop out!” Ethan taunted back. Ethan opened fire on the lead space pirate and began tailing, the pirate was unable to shake Ethan’s lock and his ship was soon reduced to space dust.” In the meantime Lunatic had taken out a pirate himself, the last pilot announced

 

“Screw this; I’m out of here…” and with that he broke off his attack and disappeared off into space

 

“Do we follow him, ‘Overlord’?” Henri asked Ethan

 

“Negative, Lunatic, stay focused on the task at hand… merchant freighter are you alright?”

 

“Affirmative, star fleet fighters… sorry about before… we might be dead now if it wasn’t for you.”

 

“We’re just doing our jobs.”

 

“Thanks all the same, good luck and goodbye.” With the merchant ship jumped to warp and disappeared

 

“What now?” Henri asked

 

“We head for communications array and relieve the squad posted there…” But when Ethan and Henri arrived at the communications array, the fighters which had been protecting it had been reduced to scrap. And they have arrived just in time to watch a Bajoran assault fighter, sporting N.M.U militia markings, launch a small quantum torpedo at the array and destroyed it in a massive explosion.

 

On Ethan's communication screen, a helmeted pilot of that fighter appeared. His voice and image fizzled in and out, making it difficult to recognize him, but Ethan recognized his, and it was then man from the Midnight Owl bar in San Francisco.

 

“What you see before you, Lieutenant Burleigh, is just one of what will be one of the many victories for the N.M.U.” the transmission ended and before Ethan could react the pilot performed an amazing, absolutely unique mine-drop, afterburner maneuver and disappeared out of range. Lunatic came up on the com screen in shock.

 

“Sonuva(I'm trying to say a bad word but can't)! Wish our ships could catch him. I'd love to nail that bastard.” Lunatic yelled “Well, we've got no choice, buddy. Guess we have to head back to U.S.S Shelley with bad news.” As Ethan and Henri were flying back Lunatic asked “Who was that guy? How’d he know your name?” Ethan stared out his cockpit. His intense eyes reflect confusion and anger.

 

“I have a hunch.”

 

“Care to share?”

 

“I think it was that guy from the bar…”

 

“Ha! Now that’s just too far fetched…” Lunatic laughed

 

“Well, I'd love to get my hands on him, whoever he is.” Ethan answered

 

“And how 'bout that move he made back there? You call me a hotdog.”

 

“That wasn't hot-dogging, Lunatic.” Ethan said with a mix of awe mixed with anger “That was the move of a true master...”

 

Corridor outside the officer’s lounge, U.S.S Shelley, Frontier space

 

Captain Fletcher didn’t seem to worried about the destruction of the communications array, he was just relieved that both Henri and Ethan had made it back alive, and that the freighter had managed to jump to warp relatively unscathed. Ethan had gone to the bar for a few drinks, only to discover that the lounge was fairly dead, heading out into the corridor he bumped into a very lost looking attractive half-Bajoran, half-Trill woman about his age, carrying a duffel bag and looking lost

 

“You look lost, any chance I can help?” Ethan smiled

 

“Ensign Kim Shi’kar. Call-sign: ‘Angel’.”

 

“As in First minister Shi’kar?”

 

“I’m his second cousin’s adopted daughter. I’m a pilot.”

 

“You just shipped in from the academy?”

 

“No, I was serving aboard the U.S.S Necromancer patrolling the neutral zone; I requested a transfer and I got it…”

 

“Looking for a fight?” Ethan smiled

 

“Kinda… I just wish there were still some Jem’hadar around for us to play with.”

 

“Well, we’re a little late on that score…” Lunatic came from down the hall

 

“Hey, Ethan… sorry I didn’t get here sooner, I was having a conversation with captain.”

 

“Wait a minute are you Ethan Burleigh?” Angel asked

 

“Why?” Ethan smiled, getting big-headed “Does my reputation precede me?”

 

“Oh, no… I meant you’re related to Commander Burleigh? The hero of the first Cardassian war! Some of his missions are part of the academy curriculum… set down as text-book dogfights.”

 

“I must’ve been sick that day…” Ethan frowned “So you’ve never heard of me?”

 

“Well, I heard that Commander Burleigh’s grandson was studying at the academy… apparently you’re something of a pilot yourself… any chance I could be your wingman sometime?”

 

“Sure… I’ll talk to the captain but I can’t see why not…” Ethan smiled

 

“While this corridor is fun… I would recommend moving it into the lounge.” Henri said

 

Briefing room, U.S.S Shelley, the Frontier

 

“You've did good out there lieutenant… don’t worry about the communication array, we can rebuild those quickly… pilots however are a whole other matter.” Captain Fletcher said “I've got more work for you… I want you to team up with commander Chang.” No sooner had Captain Fletcher spoke that commander Chang had stepped off the turbo-lift and joined them.”

 

“Lieutenant Burleigh…” Joker nodded “I’ll be clocking some flight time with you.” Joker said, Fletcher smiled and continued

 

“Star Fleet Intel has reports of a seemingly aggressive squad of fighters invading frontier air space. We don't know where this wing of fighters is from but the Shelley has just picked up an S.O.S. from a Bajoran transport carrying federation terra-forming colonists and their families. I'm sending a shuttle from here but I want you to check it out, too. Soams had updated your ship navigational computer with the transport’s current location.”

 

Bajoran transport’s last known location, frontier space

 

When Ethan reached the set destination, he saw that the Bajoran transport; was nothing more than a charred husk. They were too late. A shuttle and a couple of other fighters from the Shelley were already there, scanning the remains of the transport. But there was no sign of enemy craft. The shuttle pilot appears on Ethan com screen.

 

“Commander Chang and Lieutenant Burleigh, this is Alpha Shuttle from the U.S.S Shelley. We're clear here: no sign of the N.M.U, so we don't know if they were involved. This transport was full of civilian colonists…”

 

“…'was' being the operative word…” Joker sighed

 

“We’ve been scanning the wreckage and it appears that a new and unknown kind of weapon was used here. Something super-heated the artificial atmosphere within the transport to the point where it flash-ignited, turning the interior into an inferno. It was over in a matter of seconds.”

 

“Why would anyone do this to a bunch of civvies?” Joker wondered out-loud

 

“Well, you’ve done all you can here… you might as well head back to the Shelley… we’ll finish our scans and be back for breakfast.”

 

Officer's lounge, U.S.S Shelley, warp space

 

After the shuttle had returned Captain Fletcher ordered the helmsman to set to set course for a little ways further up the frontier so, traveling at warp three, the U.S.S Shelley moved along the frontier. Traveling at warp speed meant all the pilots were grounded, which gave them a bit of spare time

 

“...that’s where you're wrong, sir.” Lunatic argued

 

“I'm not wrong, Ensign. Maquis radicals; that's who's causing all this trouble.” Joker explained

 

“Listen to him… ‘Joker the political scientist’…” Lunatic protested to Ethan

 

“Fine, ask the Lieutenant. We saw the same thing. It must’ve been the N.M.U who destroyed the transport…”

 

“Yeah… maybe…” Ethan said “But hasn’t it occurred to you, sir… that the N.M.U militia probably doesn't have the technology to do what we just saw out there? They rely on mix of old Bajoran and salvaged Maquis technology.

 

“We don’t know what they've been up to since the Big War. I’m sure ain't pirates carrying around that kind of firepower…”

 

“All I know is that the Maquis fought the Dominion too. But what'd they get for it? A few colonies on the edge of nowhere… and any time the federation needs a dumping ground for anything from toxins to prisoners, the frontier is the place.” Lunatic insisted. Joker paused for a second, giving consideration to what he was about to say.

 

“Well then… if they are behind this... maybe they’ve gotten that desperate for their freedom.” Joker said. All three men looked at each other in silence.

 

Briefing room, U.S.S Shelley, the Frontier

 

As the U.S.S Shelley was coming out of warp, Ethan made his way to the briefing room to receive his next mission. Fletcher did not look in high spirits

 

“What’s the matter, sir?”

 

“I wish I had a little more faith in the data I'm getting from Star Fleet Intel. We've just entered N.M.U territory, the Tyr system, where an important hostage has been taken, all because of the current tensions. That means a ground extraction, the U.S.S Peacemaker; a marine troop transport will be arriving shortly accompanied by the U.S.S Minotaur, a galaxy class vessel. But first we have to find the hostage first and determine the best method of removal, which is where you come in.” Fletcher pointed at the map “Intelligence says the target is in this base complex on Tyr VII, but we need as much recon as we can get. All our fighters are equipped with a new laser-recon device: fires like a gun; takes pictures like a camera. Get as close as you can and record as much info as possible, be sure to consult your mission notes and navigational computer: they'll have a few more technical details.

 

“Should I expect any resistance?

 

“My guess is they aren’t going to appreciate snoops with cameras down there. Try to make it a clean operation. We’re more interested in recon than kills. Good luck, lieutenant…”

 

Tyr VII, edge of the Tyr system, N.M.U territory.

 

Ethan roared out of the hanger bay and onward towards Tyr VII, wondering what to encounter. When he finally arrived on the outskirts of the planet he spotted three fighters patrolling the planet. But they hadn’t spotted him yet. Ethan slowed and halted his fighter, scanning the area; Tyr VII had a full planetary defense system - this would be no problem for a galaxy class vessel with its phasers and photon torpedo compliment, but it would make short work of his fighter. So Ethan began running scans of the planet, he was in luck - if he could reach the planet unnoticed he would be able to use the thick atmosphere of the planet to hide his ship’s signal, it would make for a bumpy ride, but according to his computer the camera would still function and be effective. Ethan roared forward and down into the atmosphere. Meanwhile on the planet, at one of the communication and radar facility, a conversation went a little something like this

 

“Sir, I think I’ve spotted a fighter…” one of the facility’s personal said looking at his console

 

“Position?” the facility commander asked

 

“It’s gone!”

 

“Probably just a glitch… these old systems have been in use god knows how long.”

 

“Last time we by Bajoran tech off the Ferengi… eh, sir?

 

“Nah, it’s cheap… and keeps us on our toes.” The facility commander replied

 

Meanwhile Ethan roared through the planet’s upper atmosphere, taking pictures of the bases as he did. Finally, when he was finished he shot out of the atmosphere at high, blowing the clouds aside.

 

“Holy, (I'm trying to say a bad word but can't)… where’d you come from?” An N.M.U pilot announced seeing Ethan’s ship on his long rang-scanners. “No matter, I know exactly where you’re going!”

 

But it was too late; Ethan had already engaged his afterburners and was on route back to the carrier. As the U.S.S Shelley appeared on his view-screen so did two other ships: The U.S.S Minotaur and U.S.S Peacemaker.

 

Captain Fletcher’s office, U.S.S Shelley, the Frontier

 

Ethan arrived on the bridge and made his way to the doors to Fletcher's office. He stopped to press the call button, and from inside he heard

 

“Enter.” The door whooshes open and Ethan stepped inside.

 

Ethan found Fletcher looking over a workstation, his hands moving busily on the keyboard. The office was typical galaxy class style office, with a few of Fletcher’s personnel frills. There was a picture of the U.S.S Enterprise-C mounted on the wall. On the opposite wall there was a picture of Captain Fletcher and his wife on there wedding day, Fletcher in his best-dress uniform rather than a tuxedo. On the shelf behind the desk there was a collection of personal items. Captain Fletcher’s three favorite books in there original hardback covers, an alien tribal mask, an old Victorian microscope and a statue of an oriental dragon - undoubtedly a gift from Commander Chang. Also, near the desk, propped on a stand - was a jazz saxophone.

 

“Looking at the recon data?” Ethan asked

 

“No, nothing quite so vital...” Fletcher said, not looking up “Letters to my grandchildren. New school year, they’re all excited.”

 

As Ethan moved closer, Fletcher hit a screen-blanker and looked up, there was trouble in his eyes but he did his best to hide it.

 

“You wanted to see me about something, Lieutenant?” Fletcher asked. Ethan hesitated, unsure of what to think about Fletcher's actions. But then, not wanting to create an awkward atmosphere he spoke

 

“Yes, sir… the assignment we’re undertaking here… the extraction.” Fletcher stood up, discreetly popping a data cartridge out of his terminal and sliding it into his pocket.

 

“Yes, we’re about ready to perform that extraction. It won’t be easy. We’ll discuss it at the briefing.” Fletcher headed for the door. “I’ve got to check in on the bridge right now. I’ll see you down in the briefing room.” And with that, he was gone, leaving Ethan standing in the room, wondering to himself if it was really ‘letters to his grandchildren’.

 

Pilot’s quarters, U.S.S Shelley, the Frontier

 

Ethan went back to his quarters and got some shut eye, before checking his mail which had been brought in by the U.S.S Minotaur. It was a large parcel and a hand-written letter from his grandmother. The letter made him smile, but it was the contents of parcel which really made him beam with joy. Inside was a home-made apple pie, just his grandmother used to make him. The letter gave him instruction on how to re-heat, so he did just that in the mess-hall and ate two thirds in one go, which

Edited February 25, 2004 by Lt. Evans

[Lt. Evans 0]

In any case, they were stuck on a big carrier together with nothing to do in between missions, if anything could happen it would happen - Ethan told himself.

 

Briefing room, U.S.S Shelley, the Frontier

 

After finishing his pie, Ethan reported to the briefing room for his next mission. Fletcher was there waiting for him.

 

“Your next mission has been deemed extremely important by the federation.”

 

“Any particular reason?” Ethan asked

 

“We’ll go over that in the briefing.”

 

“Yes, sir…” Ethan answered

 

“N.M.U reinforcements are headed this way, so we have to move fast. A trooper transport has just joined up with us. You are to escort the U.S.S Minotaur to Tyr VII where it will begin it’s aerial bombardment of the planet, defend it against any fighters in the area. The troop transport will be moving in right behind you carrying the ground personnel who will nab the hostage.” Fletcher pointed to the map.

 

“Thanks to your recon, we know just where we’re going and what we’re up against. The hostage is located in this structure. When it arrives you'll need to cover the trooper transport’s descent to that location, and then make sure it gets back here in one piece. All clear, Colonel?

 

“Consider it done.” Ethan answered

 

“Have you chosen your wingman for this mission?”

 

“I’m planning of taking Ensign Shi’kar along with me…”

 

“Angel?”

 

“Yes, sir…”

 

“Alright, good luck, Ethan.” And with that Ethan made his way to the hangar to prep for launch. As they joined the U.S.S Minotaur, a shuttle departed from its dock and headed over to the Shelley. Ethan wandered what it could be about, but before he could casually hail it Angel had hailed him

 

“An assault mission, this makes a nice difference to the patrol runs I’ve been doing. So how come your getting all the good missions?”

 

“Orders from high places. I’ve been asked to report on the situation here, I guess they want a pilot’s view of things.”

 

“Sounds a lot like what they had your grandfather do.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“You really should take the time to read up on your grandfather’s service history, he’s a great man.”

 

“I know… but he’s my grandfather… I kind of take him for granted sometimes, you know.”

 

“Yeah… I know. So where’s your father?”

 

“He died.”

 

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

 

“Maybe we should keep the radio chatter to a minimal… stay focused on the task at hand.”

 

“Ethan, I’m sorry…”

 

“We’re on a mission, call me ‘Overlord’. Look it’s alright… tell me about your father, before we reach Tyr VII, then hush-hush, unless absolutely necessary.”

 

“My father’s the Commander of a ship of the line… one of the new ‘Intrepid’ class vessels. He wanted me to serve as its pilot – you should have seen his face when I told him I was gonna fly fighters.”

 

“I can only imagine… my father worked on a ship of the line as well… if he was still around he’d probably want me there. But my grandfather’s proud that I’m a pilot, alright we’re approaching Tyr VII… look sharp.”

 

Spotting the incoming federation ship the N.M.U fighters, of which there were about half a dozen roared forward, they were flying old Marquis Peregrine class fighters. The old fighters proved no match for Star Fleet’s Valkyrie class fighters or the galaxy class vessel. A burst of phaser fire took out the lead fighter in one go, Ethan and Angel set about taking out the last remaining fighter. The marine transport roared in after them. Without saying a word the transport went to blue alert and headed towards the facility on the planet, landing there would be the easy part – the U.S.S Minotaur had made short work of the facilities defenses. After some time the transport reappeared, the transports helmsman appearing on the Ethan’s com.

 

“This is Troop Transport U.S.S Peacemaker. We've collected the package. Get us out of here, Lieutenant.” With that Ethan and Angel began to escort the transport back to the carrier, the captain of the U.S.S Minotaur appeared on the com.

 

“Well, if our job is finished, here lieutenant… I’ll bid you goodbye… and good luck with your continuing mission.” With that the U.S.S Minotaur jumped to warp and disappeared. Arriving back at the U.S.S Shelley, Ethan was hailed by Soams, the communications officer.

 

“Extraction was successful, lieutenant. We’re on our way out of this hostile sector. You have clearance.”

 

Meeting room, U.S.S Shelley, warp space

 

Ethan joined a gloomy looking Captain Fletcher and Commander Chang in the meeting room, one similar to the typical galaxy class design. Ethan naively asked

 

“What's up?”

 

“We’ve got company.” Chang explained “Someone from the U.S.S Minotaur.” No sooner had Chang spoke, than a Captain in his mid-forties stepped in to the room, he stood ramrod straight before Fletcher, Chang and Ethan.

 

“Captain Hugh Long; attached to the Third Fleet, with orders from Regional Command.” He introduced himself. Fletcher offered him a handshake, but Long looked at Fletcher’s hand with a severe look of distaste. Fletcher shrugged it off

 

“Welcome aboard, Captain. They must be important orders for you to have personally carried them so far.”

 

“All of star fleet’s orders are important, Captain. The Shelley is to head immediately along the frontier where we’ll rendezvous with the Third Fleet, I have provided your helmsman with the course setting.” Captain Long explained. Fletcher raised an eyebrow.

 

“I take it that you'll be filling me in on Star Fleet’s plans?”

 

“We have much to discuss...” Captain Long said glancing at Ethan “...in private, Captain.”

 

“Then we'd better adjourn to my office.” Fletcher gestured politely. Captain Long didn't waste any time, briskly he headed out of the room. Fletcher followed.

 

Pilot’s quarters, U.S.S shelly, now attached to the third fleet, the frontier

 

Ethan returned to his quarters and looked at his workstation. Too his surprise he had a recorded message from Admiral Carver marked ‘urgent’, slightly bemused Ethan opened the message

 

“Greetings, lieutenant... I imagine it feels good to be protecting the federation's interests from the inside of a cockpit. No doubt you’ve started making some close friendships as well...” Ethan nodded to himself. “Camaraderie in the field… something I'd trade my rank for. I’m afraid the federation council and the admiralty is far too often a nest of vipers I must contend with here… especially now, without the Dominion to unite our interests.” Carver paused briefly. “Which brings me to the subject at hand: What's your appraisal of the situation on the frontier? Are we headed for outright war? I look forward to your report.” Carver’s image blanked from the screen.

 

“Record response?” The female computer asked. Ethan thought to himself.

 

“Yes...”

 

“Proceed.” The computer replied, after a slight chime

 

“Admiral Carver. I'm afraid the situation here remains quite ...” Ethan paused to search for the word. “... fluid. We find ourselves battling pirates, N.M.U ships, and even unmarked craft. It's difficult to see any pattern. I'm afraid that's all I have right now. But I would like to ask: Can you tell me about Captain Hugh Long from Third Fleet? He's just come aboard ... with orders from Regional Command.” Ethan hesitated; then he hit a button on the console.

 

“Transmission recorded and sent.” The computer said. Ethan stared at the Star Fleet logo screen for a second and then exited.

 

Officer’s lounge, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet, the frontier

 

Ethan met up with a smiling Henri in the officer’s lounge having a glass of red wine, and sitting by the bar.

 

“Can I get you anything?” Henri smiled

 

“How ‘bout a glass of Romulan ale?” Ethan asked, Henri snapped his fingers at the bartender and then turned to Ethan

 

“I just got a peek at that bio-convergence chemist we sprung from Tyr VII.”

 

“Bio-what?” Ethan said. Henri acted like he was explaining something to a retard

 

“Bio-convergence, try downloading a science update once in awhile.”

 

“And when did you become a science-wiz?”

 

“Hey, I don’t rest on my laurels… like some people I know. Anyway, now I know why they turned the frontier upside down looking for this egg-head.”

 

“Why?” Ethan asked. Henri gestured, and on the other side of the room was a blue collar science officer, a female science officer.

 

“We are talking one beautiful scientist.” Henri smiled

 

“I thought you weren't interested in any woman with an IQ higher than a wing-nut?”

 

“Au contraire, mon frère...” Henri said “Tonight I'm planning to bone up on my periodic table of elements... if you know what I mean.”

 

“You think her recent trauma has made her that desperate, huh?” Ethan asked

 

“It's not unheard of to show a little appreciation for your liberator...”

 

“Yeah, but you didn’t liberate her…”

 

“But she won’t that if I don’t tell her, and you don’t tell her… I’ll just mention I’m a pilot and she’ll fall into my arms.” Henri explained. Ethan looked across the lounge, spotting Joker and Angel in the middle of a card-came with another red-shirt he hadn’t met before. Ethan took his Romulan ale and headed over to join them. Angel groaned and threw down her cards as Joker scooped up another pot.

 

“This guy is good, Ethan.”

 

“Oh, he’s the best.” Ethan said; then he turned to Joker “You never show any mercy, do you?”

 

“I seek only to instruct. The youth seeks wisdom and experience.”

 

“So what do you think about the new brass that just came aboard?” Angel asked

 

“Captain Long? Too many cooks in the mess hall kitchen, always a bad sign.” said Joker

 

“Yeah, things get top heavy when if there’s too many higher-ups around.” Angel said

 

“If I were you I'd worry more about losing my shirt to Joker and less about who's on board.” Ethan said. Angel frowned, and then Ethan had second thoughts about his comment.

 

Briefing room, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet, patrolling the frontier

 

To Ethan’s surprise Captain Long, not Captain Fletcher, stood by the map table, studying a manual. Ethan raised a single eyebrow and then spoke

 

“Will we be joined by the Captain, sir?”

 

“Captain Fletcher ... has been assigned other duties. Orders from Star Fleet command.”

 

“But he still commands this ship?” Ethan asked

 

“His new obligations will not allow him to continue his previous functions. I now command this vessel.” Captain Long paused “Any problems with that?”

 

“Has the captain been derelict in any way?”

 

“I’m not at liberty to discuss personnel decisions, lieutenant. Time grows short. We have a mission ahead of us.” Ethan wanted to continue his protest, but Captain Long pushed on “The N.M.U forces have brazenly hijacked a key military space-lab in this system. You'll go in first to soften up the surrounding defenses. Then, the marine troop transport from our fleet will move in and take control of the lab. Cover that transport until you receive an ‘all clear’ from the marines.” Captain Long paused dramatically “It’s absolutely vital we re-take that lab back from these marauders; we can accept nothing less than total success. I'm certain you won't let the Federation down, Lieutenant Burleigh. Dismissed…”

 

Ethan made his way down to the hangar bay to discover that half of the usually available wingman unavailable some of them had been ‘transferred’, others had been grounded and one had been confined to the brig. Ethan didn’t like what was happening on the U.S.S Shelley, things were getting strange, he decided to talk with Captain Fletcher upon his return. In the mean-time he selected one of the few red-shirts available, the one he’d see with Angel and Joker. Ensign Butch Sanders, call-sign: Steel.

 

Federation space-lab, edge of the frontier

 

As Ethan and Steel approached the space-lab they expected some sort of fighters patrolling the area. Instead they found a collection of reprogrammed floating gun-turrets and mines.

 

“Damn… and I was hoping to meet some enemy fighters!” Steel groaned “Oh, well… the mines will make good target practice.”

 

“Alright, you focus on the mines; I’ll focus on the gun-turrets.”

 

“Affirmative…” Steel replied. The two fighters engaged there afterburners and roared ahead of the marine’s transport taking out the mines and gun-turrets with no trouble. The transport docked with the space lab.

 

“Thanks for clearing the path, boys… alright we’re moving in.” The marine helmsman congratulated the two pilots. After a while he came up on the com again. “This tin can is all ours…. we'll take it from here.”

 

Ethan hastily made back to the U.S.S Shelley with his wingman close behind. Lieutenant Commander Soams appeared on the view screen “Captain Long passes on his congratulations. You have clearance to land.”

 

Officer’s lounge, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet, edge of the frontier

 

At the bar, Lunatic slid up next to the shapely, recently liberated biochemist and whispers in her ear. She abruptly slapped his face and walked out. Lunatic looked around. To his relief, no one seems to have noticed because everyone's attention is focused on a news-brief playing on a monitor. Ethan came and joined the collection of people watching the monitor

 

“What’s this?” Ethan asked

 

“A recording of a news-report some got from home.” Lunatic said. The news anchor spoke

 

“The neo-maquis-union, as they now call themselves, indicate they remain at peace with the federation, but that the federation's bylaws and constitution no longer govern them nor does Star Fleet.” The image went split-screen; with the news anchor on the left and Carver, in his office, on the right. “In response, the Federation assembly has decreed that neo-maquis vessels can no longer operate within federation territory, unless under Star Fleet escort.”

 

“For weeks now…” Carver explained “…we have been experiencing an increasing harassment of legitimate federation space operations. Innocent people are being murdered and chaos is the result. Until we bring the perpetrators to justice, we must monitor all traffic flying a different flag. Not only this fledgling government, but the Klingons, Romulans, Cardassians and even the Ferengi.”

 

“Admiral, can the Neo-Maquis-Union and the Federation come to terms with each other?”

 

“What other choice is there?” Carver said

 

“Thank you, Admiral...” And with that the anchor’s image became full screen again. “And now, the scores for the Galactic Water Polo Cup…” Ethan turned back to Lunatic and then Commander Chang joined them.

 

“Ethan, Henri… how’s things?”

 

“Fine, I guess.”

 

“Ca va bien, mon ami…” Henri answered in French

 

“What do you make of the news report, Joker?” Ethan asked

 

“Carver’s right. The federation has to do whatever it takes to maintain order. Otherwise, you got everyone goin’ around half-cocked.”

 

“Now that the war’s over the Federation is desperate for a scapegoat…” Henri said “Seems to me this ‘required chaperoning’ is just gonna turn up the heat.”

 

“Hey, they ought to thank god it isn't the Dominion bossing them around.” Joker said

 

“What about you, Ethan… think they should be forced to fly under escort?”

 

“It's a big galaxy; people's goals are bound to be different. Also Star Fleet has been in a lot of wars over the years. Star Fleet is partially a military organization, and when there are no wars to be fought military organizations don’t really know what to do with themselves. Before world war two the American government was getting ready for potential conflicts with Great Britain… pity they didn’t notice the Empire of Japan planning its demise…”

 

“So what you’re saying is the N.M.U could turn out to be our ally?” Joker said

 

“Possibly… possibly not…” Ethan said “I’m just considering the potentials of this new presence in the alpha quadrant…”

 

“Have you seen Captain Fletcher?” Henri asked; Ethan shrugged “I think he’s laying low. I don't blame him.”

 

“He’s in his office mostly…” Joker added

 

“Maybe I’ll stop by his office…” Ethan said

 

“You better hurry… I don’t think it’ll be his office much longer…” the commander said

 

Captain Fletcher’s office, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet

 

Once again, Fletcher was at his terminal. He hit the kill switch as Ethan walked in, and to Ethan’s surprise, Fletcher looked surprisingly upbeat. Ethan grinned

 

“Guess there’s more time for keeping up with your mail now.” Ethan paused “Captain Long spoke about new orders?”

 

“I'm awaiting transfer. Those are the extent of my orders.” Fletcher explained. Ethan paced round the room, agitated.

 

“Someone’s going to wake up and rescind that decision.” Ethan insisted

 

“The federation’s a different place these days. Running a ship is a different job than it used to be...” Fletcher paused “Just might be they're doing me one huge favor… I do appreciate the concern, lieutenant. Tell the crew ... the old man's looking forward to new challenges.”

 

“What about all the pilots they’re transferring and grounding…”

 

“Captain Long informs me that he’s bringing in high-caliber pilots to help out with the crisis… the rest are being sent to the U.S.S Necromancer to help patrol the neutral zone in the unlikely event that the Romulan empire decides to take advantage of the situation.”

 

“Who’s being made to leave…?”

 

“I’m not sure… because I’m not in command anymore… but I know Commander Chang, yourself, Angel and Lunatic will be allowed to stay unless you request a transfer.”

 

Ship corridor, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet

 

Angel shot past Ethan with even saying a word. Ethan turned round in surprise, feeling slightly hurt and yelled to her

 

“Hey! Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Angel turned round and walked backward

 

“The Briefing room! Lunatic and me are going on mission together, and we have to be briefed by Captain Long.” And with that Angel turned forward again and kept moving. Ethan finally ran out of things to do, and went to bed.

 

Pilot’s quarters, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet

 

Ethan got up and took a sonic shower before having a plate of jam and English scones for lunch in the mess hall. Lunatic joined him once, with a plate of Chinese cuisine in hand

 

“How was the mission?”

 

“Alright. Rather predictably, it was to do with the N.M.U brazenly defying the federation airspace edict. We were sent in to approach one such outlaw convoy. It was under escort of a military ship that had technically invaded federation territory, because it maneuvered with no Star fleet escort. They’d ignored orders to turn back, and have even taken potshots at the federation's forces.”

 

“What happened?”

 

“The military ship’s captain was a stuck up sonuva(I'm trying to say a bad word but can't)… he told us we had illegally taken control of one of their space-labs and there was no way he would surrender. So… we took out the fighter escort and then Angel took out the military vessel… the convoy leader panicked and apologized before turning tail and returning into N.M.U territory.”

 

“Wow… she took out a whole ship… how’s she holding up?”

 

“Don’t know… we haven’t spoken since the mission… I hear when a pilot takes out his first full blown ship he either feels proud or guilty… my hunch is she felt guilty.”

 

“I better go see her.”

 

Officer lounge, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet

 

In the officer’s lounge Angel was sat at the bar, her brow knitted and her head hunched over a cup of Klingon coffee. Ethan looked at her; this is not the Angel he was used to seeing. He sat beside her, but waited for her to speak

 

“Can I ask you something, Ethan?”

 

“What’s up?”

 

“Attacking that convoy... is ... is this the way wars start?” She said sadly

 

“Wars are like bombs, the fuse gets lit before you actually hear the bang. Sometimes the fuse is pretty long. Sometimes you can put it out… other times... you can’t”

 

“Did you know I’m a descendant of the maquis, sir?

 

“Oh…?”

 

“I was raised on Bajor by my adopted father, the one who’s in Star Fleet. But my real parents were both full-fledged members of the Maquis. Guess I'm just having some problems with these missions. On whether they’re right… and I don’t like what’s going on around the ship… all these changes…”

 

“Can’t say I like being kept in the dark, either... but it’s hard to know what’s best without all the data...” Ethan said encouragingly “Captain Long is not going to be much help. Maybe Captain Fletcher's holding out on me. Think maybe I'll talk to him again.”

 

Captain Fletcher’s office, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet

 

Fletcher was making makes notes at his desk. He stopped as Ethan entered and looked up at him.

 

“I'll be shipping out soon. I'd like to make sure the crew doesn't make it too big a deal.” Fletcher explained. Ethan nodded in understanding and sat opposite Fletcher.

 

“Lately, some of the men aren't so sure of the missions they’re flying for Star Fleet.”

 

“No?” Fletcher stopped to think “During the war with the Dominion things were easier… loyalty to the Federation required little commitment… because there was no alternative. Now that the war is over… second guessing is easy.”

 

“Personally, I never thought I’d see the day where I’d be shooting down my own kind.”

 

“Humans will always vie for power. The Federation may be less than perfect, but don't forget it was the driving force behind our victory.” Fletcher said “It succeeded in uniting humanity and various other races in a way no institution ever had before.”

 

“That's our ultimate duty, isn't it?”

 

“Yes... the difficulty is in knowing how best to execute it.”

 

“Well, sir... it was a pleasure serving under you.” Ethan extended his hand and Fletcher shook it warmly.

 

“I sincerely wish you a long and happy life, lieutenant Burleigh. It has been both a pleasure and an honor commanding you.”

 

Pilot’s quarters, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet

 

Arriving back at his quarters Ethan shaved and had another cup of coffee, just the way he liked it. Then riffling through his mail he found, at the bottom a pack of Star Fleet brand chewing gum along with an attached note from his grandfather explaining that they were good for stopping your ears popping after missions. Ethan never really experienced such a problem, but he new his grandfather always had. Regardless he took a stick of gum and chewed it as he looked over his messages, there was only one and it was, predictably, from Admiral Carver.

 

“Lieutenant…” The admiral started “…situations described as ‘fluid’ rarely bode well. This lack of any pattern is indeed vexing. However, I have the utmost faith in your judgment, and can only ask that you keep your eyes and ears open at all times.” Carver appeared as if he's was about to sign off, when another thought came to him. “Oh, yes.” As to your inquiry regarding Captain Hugh Long…” Carver shrugged “Day-to-day personnel movement is not my domain. But…” Carver reviewed his notes “From what I can see in his bio-file, he's ... nothing more than a professional bureaucrat ... and I wouldn't attach much importance to his presence anywhere in the galaxy. You'd do best to keep your attention tuned outward, to the frontier. Good luck, lieutenant.” And with that the screen went blank.

 

“Record message?” The female computer asked, Ethan let things roll around his mind for a moment before answering

 

“No.”

 

Ship corridor, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet

 

As Ethan moved down the corridor with attention of heading towards the officer’s lounge he saw Lunatic, having an argument with one of the new pilots, the pilot stormed off and Lunatic turned to Ethan

 

“What was that about?” Ethan asked

 

“Some of these new guys… aren’t exactly friendly.”

 

“What about that bio-convergence chemist? Friendly? Or friendly fire?” Ethan asked, Lunatic rubbed his cheek and looked out the ground. Before Ethan could comment the computer made an announcement

 

“All non-senior staff clear the hangar bay, immediately… there will be no unauthorized access to the hangar until further notice.”

 

“Oh, for crying out loud…” Lunatic complained “Pretty soon I’m going to need a hall pass just to go to the bathroom. Come on, let’s go to the ship’s lounge, at least they won’t kick us out of there…”

 

“Yeah… you go on ahead… I’ll catch up with you a bit…”

 

“Wait a second…” Lunatic said “Ethan, you aren’t thinking about going down to the hangar… are you? Look… Captain Long doesn’t strike me as a man who cuts much slack… you’ll be practically walking into the brig.”

 

“Maybe I’ll get lucky and they’re bringing another bio-convergence chemist aboard.”

 

“Suit yourself.” Lunatic answered, pacing off down the hall

 

Hangar bay, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet

 

A shuttle from a Sovereign class vessel had just landed in the hangar bay, Ethan hid behind a pile of crates and barrels peering over toward the shuttle. Authorized flight personnel scurried to meet the shuttle, while a security team moved about. From the shuttle came the icy eyed man from the bar, Ethan looked in shock. There seems to be a lot of importance attached to his arrival. His icy eyes made him instantly recognizable to Ethan: the throat-grabber back on Earth, only now in a Star Fleet uniform. Captain Long hurried to greet the man.

 

“Lieutenant commander Grisham, this is certainly unexpected.” Captain Long snapped to attention

 

“Things haven't been progressing as anticipated... I have been sent here to oversee the situation…”

 

“Off course… I take you’ll be staying for a while…”

 

“For the duration of this operation… and I will require senior staff quarters.”

 

“Of course, the former captain just moved out of his… you can have those, if you’ll follow me…” And with that the Captain and the icy eyed lieutenant commander moved out of hearing range. Ethan didn’t like what was going on one bit, but he decided he’d done enough snooping around, he returned to the officer’s lounge

 

Officer’s lounge, U.S.S Shelley, attached to the third fleet

 

Sitting at the bar drinking a glass of water Lunatic sat waiting for Ethan, as Ethan sat down beside him Lunatic passed him a glass of Romulan ale

 

“Here… your favorite.”

 

“What’d I do, win the lottery?”

 

“Let’s just say you owe me one… so did you find any bio-convergence chemists?”

 

“No such luck.” Ethan smiled “I saw that guy from the bar.”

 

“Well… that explains what he was doing in a Star fleet hang out.” Lunatic shrugged, drinking his water

 

“Why are you drinking water?”

 

“Got to keep a clear head...” Lunatic explained

 

“That doesn’t sound like the boozing, womanizing, half-crazy ‘Lunatic’ that I know.”

 

“Well, you’re only young once… but… one day… I think I’ll buy a farm, somewhere in Belgium… settle down and have a family…”

 

“Where are you from?”

 

“Lyon, France.”

 

“Is it nice there?”

 

“Very. Well… if you’ll excuse me… I forgot… I have something I need to do.” And with that Lunatic left. Half-way through his Romulan ale, Ethan’s com device bleeped.

 

“Lieutenant Burleigh, report to the briefing room.”

 

Briefing room, U.S.S Shelley, detaching from the third fleet

 

Ethan entered the Briefing room to find Joker has just arrived. Captain looked like he was grinding his teeth; standing next to him was lieutenant commander Grisham.

 

“Gentlemen, we have a critical situation: Captain Fletcher has stolen a shuttle and fled the U.S.S Shelley… he’s defecting to the N.M.U…” Long explained. Ethan and Joker looked at each other in disbelief.

 

“There has to be some explanation.” Joker insisted

 

“We have reason to believe he's been feeding information to Neo-maquis Intelligence these past weeks. That’s why he was relieved of command, we had hoped to bring him in quietly and simply pull the plug on his... indiscretions. My guess is he knew we were on to him…” Long explained. Ethan stood trying to evaluate Fletcher’s recent actions and words.

 

“Is Captain Fletcher piloting the shuttle?”

 

“Unfortunately, the captain seems to have enlisted the aid of…” Captain Long checked his notes “Ensign Henri Dufresne, call-sign: Lunatic.”

 

“What!” Ethan yelped in shock

 

“Gentlemen, I know this is difficult… since he is your former captain. But this is a deadly breach of security. If the current tensions erupt into war ... the information Captain Fletcher might have could do us serious damage. I believe that the Federation has never needed you more.

 

“Do we have a heading?”

 

“His destination ... is still undetermined. We believe that he head for an N.M.U ship… where he will dock and hand them the information. Your wingmen will be ‘Angel’ and… ‘Steel’… your ships have been prepped and ordnance has already been committed. You must bring Captain Fletcher back, alive.”

 

“If he’s already taken this step, sir ... he may not return willingly.” Ethan said

 

“Then use any means necessary to stop him.” Captain Long said sternly “Captain Fletcher must not be allowed to leave this system. He must not be allowed to rendezvous with neo-maquis-union forces, dismissed.”

 

“One thing, Captain Long… will the lieutenant commander be joining us on this one?” Ethan asked. A cold grin crept onto Grisham's face.

 

“No. I need him here to help me coordinate our efforts.”

 

In pursuit of Fletcher’s commandeered shuttle, frontier space

 

The four Valkyrie class fighters raced out of the hangar and in hot pursuit of Captain Fletcher and Ensign Dufresne. As Ethan came with in firing range, Captain Fletcher’s image crackled up on the communication’s device.

 

“Lieutenant, if you can hear me ... there is a great deal of information I've uncovered. I want to extend to you an invitation to join the Neo-maquis-union. I know such a move will be the most difficult thing you’ve ever had to do. But I believe the Star Fleet we fought for is not the Star Fleet we now have. You and I need to be on the same side, my friend... I don’t think you’ll regret it...”

 

“I'm not firing on the captain. I'm going with him… you with me?” Joker said

 

“I’m with you commander… and what about you lieutenant?” Angel said. Ethan made a snap decision, based on the accounts which had unfolded on the U.S.S Shelley

 

“Affirmative… I’m coming with you guys.”

 

“Have you all lost your minds?” Steel roared

 

“Come with Steel…” Angel said

 

“Kiss my *buttocks*, (I'm trying to say a bad word but can't)!” And with that, Steel opened fire on Angel. Joker locked on to him from behind

 

“Hey, that ain’t no way to treat a lady, partner…” Joker phasers blasted at Steel

 

“I can’t shake him, sir!” Angel yelled

 

“That won’t be problem very soon.” Joker finished what he had started and put Steel’s fighter out of commission

 

“Ejecting!” Announced Steel, and with he did, leaving Ethan and his friends to follow after Captain Fletcher’s shuttle.

 

“You don't have any idea what it means to me that you boys came along for this ride.” Fletcher smiled “We're landing on the N.M.S Pensacola, a former Star Fleet vessel. I don't think you'll get clearance going back the other direction, you have incoming fighter. Take them and protect the Pensacola make it quick, too. We're going to warp as soon as you land.”

 

A squad of Valkyrie fighters came from U.S.S Shelley, now in hot pursuit of Ethan and his friends

 

“Looks like Captain Long won’t let us go without a fight.” Angel observed

 

“Well, let’s give them a run for there money.” Joker said. The three defected fighter pilots broke off and attacked the incoming Star Fleet fighters. Ethan pulled down hard on the fire trigger roaring toward an enemy fighter, before diving under the hurtling, flaming wreck it had been reduced to. “Good shooting, lieutenant, keep it up.”

 

Ethan next one was the unfortunate receiver of one of his torpedoes, shutting down its shields and allowing his phasers to punch through their armor like a hot knife through butter. Finally the remaining Star Fleet fighters backed off, and retreated back to the U.S.S Shelley. Ethan turned his attention to the N.M.S Pensacola, once all the fighters were aboard it made the jump to warp.

 

Hangar bay, N.M.S Pensacola, warp space

 

Ethan clambered out of his cockpit, the hangar bay way a mess, the N.M.S Pensacola had suffered severe damage and the crew was running desperately trying to make repairs, fight fires, move equipment and attend to the wounded. Two lieutenant commanders were arguing over how things should be organized

 

“We need to send more people up to the top deck to make repairs.” The female one insisted

 

“Forget it, the top decks are already gone… we need get the torpedo bays and the hangar repaired so we can defend ourselves.” Fletcher made his way over to them with Ethan, Lunatic, Angel and Joker not far behind

 

“I appreciated you letting us aboard.” Fletcher said

 

“Who’re you?” The male lieutenant commander frowned

 

“Captain Daniel Fletcher, recently in command of the U.S.S Shelley… and these are some of my best pilots.”

 

“You got here just in time ... we weren't going to wait for you much longer.”

 

“Looks like you guys ran into some trouble…” Henri stated. The male lieutenant commander shot an angry look at Henri

 

“We ran into a federation frigate… the U.S.S Springfield. It kicked the living (I'm trying to say a bad word but can't) out of us… we were lucky to escape alive. I’m lieutenant commander Max Chen of the neo-maquis union, my call-sign is ‘Big Boss’ and this is my friend lieutenant commander Imogene Blake call-sign ‘Wraith’ and as much as I’d like to play ‘get to know you’ we are little busy down here.”

 

“Just direct me to Captain Mendez…” Captain Fletcher asked “She’s expecting me.”

 

“Captain Mendez was on the bridge…” Wraith answered “She’s… dead… along with the rest of the senior staff.”

 

“She didn’t make… no one the bridge did… it was the frigate’s main target.”

 

“Oh, (I'm trying to say a bad word but can't) it.” Henri cursed

 

“Captain Dominguez did brief us on your ... possible defection.” Wraith said, as she looked across the handful of former Star Fleet pilots

 

“But your deal was with him.” Big Boss said “And we’ve got to discuss things with our crew before you guys get too cozy…” Wraith’s come bleeped

 

“Yes.” She answered

 

“Chief of engineering, here… we’ve got a containment leak in engineering! If we don’t sort it out soon the warp core could go critical!”

 

“(I'm trying to say a bad word but can't).”

 

“I’ll go…” Ethan volunteered

 

“You?” Big boss frowned

 

“Sure… it’s least I can do for you letting us aboard.”

 

“Thank you.” Wraith said “The turbo lift is over there… it’ll take you directly to engineering.” The group dispersed leaving Ethan and Fletcher

 

“Why did you volunteer…?”

 

“I figure if we do them a few favors they’ll owe us one…” Ethan explained, and with that he headed off to the turbo-lift.

 

Deck 10, computer core, N.M.S Pensacola

 

As the lift moved down to deck eleven, engineering, it broke down leaving Ethan stuck on deck ten, but he had no idea where he was. He headed over to an engineer trying to repair a plasma relay.

 

“Excuse, where am I?”

 

“Sorry, I’m a little busy for chit-chat…” the engineer, another crewman came from down the hall, carrying a data-pad “Garret, can you give me a hand with this plasma relay?”

 

“No problem, here is the damage report for the starboard side of this deck…”

 

“Great. Who’s working on the data-shunt?”

 

“Brex and Showers.”

 

“Excuse, which deck am I on… the turbo-lift broke down…”

 

“You’re on deck ten, computer core.” Garret explained. The ship rumbled and Ethan headed round the corner and onward through the ship until he came to a t-junction. Running down the left end of the t-junction came an engineer, who was knocked off his feet by an explosion. He got back up and started running only to yell

 

“The EPS conduits are going to explode. Hit that console and bring up a containment field.” The engineer yelled. Ethan waited for the engineer to get to safety and then hit the console bring up a force-field just in time to block the explosion’s path. When the engineer had caught his breathe he asked

 

“Thanks… say where are you trying to get?”

 

“I have to get to engineering… they’re suffering from a containment leak.”

 

“Well… there’s a turbo-lift but it’s behind that containment field now.” The engineer explained, shrugging “You could try the starboard side of the deck.”

 

“Thanks… I’ll do that.” And with that Ethan wandered over to the starboard side of the deck. The deck floor had been opened up and two crewmen, a Bolian and a human were working on a data-shunt. “Any chance I can get past?”

 

“No, problem… just mind your step.” The Bolian said. Ethan made his way across and as he did the human spoke to the Bolian

 

“Brex, my tri-corder is going on the fritz… hang on… I’m getting a power serge from the data shunt!” But it was to late, there was a small explosion and before Ethan knew it the Human was laying on the floor the left side of his severely burned, and he was shaking.

 

“Holy (I'm trying to say a bad word but can't)…” Brex said, picking up a Klingon looking communicator “Brex here… Shower’s had been hit… can beam him directly to sick bay?”

 

“Right away.” Was the response. And with that the human crewman was beamed to sick-bay. Ethan carried on down the hall, this part of the ship appeared to have suffered severe damage, he bumped into another crewman

 

“Help you?” The crewman frowned

 

“Trying to get to engineering… can you tell me where the turbo-lift is?”

 

“I could… but the corridor leading to it is buried under debris, you’re gonna have to use the Jeffries tubes.” Ethan groaned and started looking for a Jeffries tube.

 

Deck 11, engineering, N.M.S Pensacola

 

Finally, when he’d made his way into a cargo bay on the engineering deck he saw that the floor was flooded with liquid plasma.

 

“Oh, give me a break!” Ethan yelled heavenward, these problems made the malfunction vocal command device on the U.S.S Shelley look like nothing. Ethan hurried round the balcony of the cargo bay to a console and drained the liquid plasma, dumping it into space. Finally he made his way down to the cargo bay ladder and out into the hall, rushing toward engineering in the vain hope that it would still be there when he arrived. Outside a female Bajoran engineer was waiting

 

“Who are you?”

 

“Ethan Burleigh, I just defected from star fleet… I’ve been sent to help you.”

 

“About time… what took you so long?”

 

“Don’t ask… just don’t ask…”

 

“Whatever. Don’t worry about it anymore. We cut the power relays and decoupled the dilithium matrix, bringing the warp core offline… it forced us out of warp… but at least it saved us.”

 

“You mean to tell me, I came all this way to save you and you were fine!”

 

“Sorry.” The engineer shrugged. Ethan sat down and leaned against one of the corridor walls and began banging the back of his head against it. Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to be a hero.

 

Hangar bay, N.M.S Pensacola, frontier space

 

Tech sergeant Park was busy repairing one of the Bajoran fighters, in case the N.M.S Pensacola ran up against another threat any time soon. Rubbing his greasy fingers and chewing a wad of tobacco he looked at old fighter

 

The fighters were old, tough and ugly. Just like him. Tech Sergeant Samuel Parks was an old coot with a leathery face and a gravelly voice that sounded like something you'd hear in the pits of the Daytona 500. His mood could swing radically from that of a friendly grandpa to that of a gruff, sour old fart. But at that moment he was feeling particularly grandfatherly, he moved over to a Bajoran assault fighter

 

As the tech sergeant did, Ethan arrived in the hangar to survey his new nest. He stopped and smiled at the tech sergeant

 

“Hey, there… who’re you?” Ethan asked

 

“Tech Sergeant Samuel Parks. People call me ‘Sparks’ for short. You must be one of the Star Fleet boys come to fight on our side…”

 

“Ethan Burleigh’s the name.”

 

“As in Commander Burleigh?”

 

“He’s my grandfather…”

 

“Well… hooo-ray. Guess that means we're gonna win this thing after all...” Sparks said sarcastically

 

“You knew my grandfather.”

 

“Only through reputation, back when I was working for Star Fleet…”

 

“You were in Star Fleet?”

 

“Yeah, for about twenty years… got bored and took early retirement… not much to do on a carrier outside war-time, and Star Fleet won’t let me tinker with the fighters as much as the maquis will. You’ll be surprised how many maquis members got there training from Star Fleet… both Big Boss and Wraith are academy drop outs… great pilots… but not to good at the mathematics and science exams… plus they argued with lecturers, or so I hear.” Sparks took another lump of tobacco and chewed it, before pointing to Ethan’s squad of Valkyrie fighter. “Haven’t seen one of those since I left Star Fleet…”

 

“Did you work on many in the past…?”

 

“Yeah… now I know you’re thinking that was the past… but don’t let my wrinkles fool you… I can still perform miracles with nothing but a socket wrench and junked parts… I’m gonna enjoy working on those birds.”

 

“I suppose you’ll have to.”

 

“I can tweak ‘em way beyond the specs those egghead engineers come up with.” Sparks smiled

 

“Well, I can use all the help I can get out there, Sparks.” Ethan said. Sparks spat tobacco and Ethan winced

 

“You wait 'n see what I can do, kid. Trust me.”

 

“Don’t go overboard… specs are specs… I’m sure the engineers have their reasons.”

 

“The way things are… there’s gonna be a time when your gonna need that extra juice of mine, kid. Trust me.”

 

Crew lounge, N.M.S Pensacola, frontier space

 

Ethan arrived in the crew lounge to find a young human woman pouring over several data-pads. Ethan stood over her and watched

 

“Take a seat.” She said

 

“Don’t mind if I do.” Ethan said sitting down, he gestured at the documents

 

“What have you got there?”

 

“So of our equipment is down that I’m being forced to use data-pads to decrypt the information Captain Fletcher brought us.”

 

“So you’ve got a talent for code-breaking.”

 

“I don’t mean to brag… but I’m certainly one of the best, Lieutenant Jessica McEwen.”

 

“Lieutenant Ethan Burleigh. You found anything…”

 

“Plenty… it’s just gonna take some time to decrypt all of it.” Jessica said “One thing for sure, though… Star Fleet has definitely got lot of skeletons in its closet.”

 

“I’ll leave you to get on with it, nice meeting you…” Ethan said, he headed over to the spiral staircase and went up to the upper-half of the lounge, it was not much more than a lot of burned-out, twisted metal. And there was a gaping hole in the ceiling above, where more wreckage could be seen. Lunatic was standing looking through the hole

 

“The bridge used to be up there.” Lunatic said, not looking down

 

“Poor bastards.” Ethan said, Lunatic shook his head solemnly

 

“Never knew what hit ‘em.” He looked back down “At least when I go, I'll be in a cockpit…” Ethan realized that Lunatic needed a little cheering up.

 

“I still think it'll be friendly fire that gets you.” He chuckled. Lunatic didn't respond, instead he shrugged at all the damage surrounding them.

 

“I don't know... the side we picked to be on... has a long, hard road ahead.” Lunatic sighed, Ethan tried again

 

“All I know for sure is ... that promotion you wanted… you ain't gonna get it now.” It worked a grin slowly crept to Lunatic’s face.

 

Briefing room, N.M.S Pensacola, warp space

 

Having finally got the problems in engineering under control the N.M.S Pensacola was making a sluggish speed of warp factor one point five, faster than the average twentieth-first century bus but not fast enough to out run the U.S.S Shelley, which was scouring the frontier for the Pensacola.

 

“So would you mind filling me in on the situation, Captain… and by that I mean you, this ship, everything… Captain Long said you were a spy…”

 

“Spy is such a harsh word… I prefer detective… you probably couldn’t tell but I was having grave doubts about the missions we were flying. We were being fed a lot of biased information. For a while, I've been collecting mission data, coded transmissions, tracking fleet movements got as much as possible. Maybe it can stop a full-blown war.” Captain Fletcher did not look entirely confident

 

“But you don't know what it all means; do you?” Ethan asked

 

“I'm still missing a lot of the pieces. But I do know these clashes between Star Fleet and the N.M.U, they’re being provoked ... by certain elements within Star Fleet. But I have no idea who they are.”

 

“So you thought you’d join the N.M.U?”

 

“Last minute choice… when Star Fleet found out what I was up to, I couldn’t stay on board the Shelley… I was hoping to meet up with this star ship’s captain but it seems fate conspired again me… she was a good friend and I’ll miss her.”

 

“What’s the story behind this ship? It’s Star Fleet in origin.”

 

“It’s an old Miranda class vessel… with upgraded warp nacelles and class thirteen warp engine… when the engine is fully functional it can out run even some of the new galaxy class vessels. They fitted it with a fighter bay and used it in the Dominion war. It was due to scrapped, but then the N.M.U hijacked it and have been using it ever since…”

 

“So you’re telling me there an Ensign standing around on some space port landing pad wishing he hadn’t left the keys in the ignition?”

 

“Something like that…” Fletcher chuckled

 

“Why didn’t you tell me about all this?”

 

“I’m sorry, Ethan… I didn’t know who I could trust… when I turned to ‘Lunatic’ it was a last minute decision… and if he’d tried to turn me, he’d be waking up right about now after being stunned with a phaser.” Fletcher said, Ethan smile. Wraith and Big Boss entered the briefing room, arguing as usual.

 

“...we should just cut our losses and pull out. When we’ve completely repaired our warp engines we should go to warp nine, straight away!” Wraith exclaimed

 

“But it's way too obvious. If we stay and hurt the U.S.S Shelley as much as possible, we’d be hurting Star Fleet too.” Big boss argued back

 

“How long have they been arguing like this?” Ethan asked

 

“Too long…” Fletcher sighed “Listen you’re both right… and both wrong… attacking the U.S.S Shelley now would be a waste of recourses…” Fletcher explained, Wraith smiled “… but we can’t simply run away… our engines our too badly damaged and the U.S.S Shelley will find us long before we completely fix the warp core. I say we slow to impulse, repair the engines and then leave… but the Shelley will undoubtedly come looking for us.”

 

“Let them come…” Big boss smiled

 

“What do you think, lieutenant?” Wraith asked Ethan

 

“I think this ship needs a captain…” Ethan sighed. Wraith and Big boss looked at each other and then at Fletcher. They both nodded

 

“I’ll run it by N.M.U high command when we’ve fallen back, but if Wraith and I support it I don’t see there being any problem.”

 

“I’ll do my best…” Fletcher said “Thank you for your support, Ethan…”

 

Hangar bay, N.M.S Pensacola, the frontier

 

Ethan approached Sparks who was sporting a wide grin and was looking very greasy

 

“You look like a cat that just ate the canary, feathers and all…”

 

“Guess maybe I have… those fighters you flew in on, made a nice meal… and they certainly brought the Bajoran fighters specs up a notch.”

 

“What are you saying?”

 

“Just stripped them down for parts.”

 

“Without consulting me or the captain first?” Ethan said in shock

 

“My job’s keepin’ the birds we got flyin’. How I do it is my business, kid. Besides, you think N.M.U command has surplus parts just layin' around? You ain't flying for Star Fleet no more.”

 

“Alright… alright… I hope you put them to good use.”

 

“Oh, I did… you’ll appreciate it when you get out there, kid.”

 

Briefing room, N.M.S Pensacola, frontier space

 

Ethan arrived to a fraught looking Captain Fletcher planning fourth coming missions, he did not look comfortable

 

“Ethan… I’m afraid I’m going to have to send you and Wraith out on a patrol run.”

 

“What’s the problem?”

 

“Long range scanner’s still aren’t functioning… we’re blind… and effectively dead in the water until the engines come back on line… the Shelley can’t be to nearby or we’d be under fire… I want you to find out where it is… don’t let it spot you or we’re done for… just find it and get the hell out of there.”

 

“Not a problem.” Ethan said, and with that he was gone. He fixed himself a cup of strong coffee to keep his reflexes sharp and then headed for the hangar bay to meet Wraith.

 

Frontier space

 

Ethan looked out of his cockpit; one thing he hadn’t been ready for was his bodies reaction to the caffeine without any food in the last twelve hours along with a lack of sleep. Ethan was groggy, suffering from a headache, and going from extremely energetic to half-asleep. He put his ship on auto-pilot and tailed after Wraith

 

“Are you alright…?” Wraith asked noticing Ethan fighter acting sluggish

 

“Tired… tried to make up for it with coffee… big mistake.”

 

“When’d you last sleep?”

 

“About twelve hours ago…”

 

“That’s nothing… I haven’t slept in two days… and all I’ve had to eat today was a bowl of Bajoran soup… and I didn’t even get to finish, we were attacked when I was halfway through lunch.”

 

“Alright, fine you win…”

 

“Sorry…” Wraith said smiling “But you’re gonna have to get use to it… flying for the militia is no cake-walk…”

 

Ethan and Wraith flew onward, finally they came across the U.S.S Shelley, and it was orbit of a ringed gas giant, the fifth moon from the system’s sun.

 

“Alright there she is… let’s go home.” Wraith said

 

“No such luck…” Ethan said looking at his scanner “We’ve got incoming fighters!” no sooner had he spoke than three fighter came hurtling towards them. “Evasive maneuvers!”

 

The fighter span round one another, Ethan found himself fighting his headache as well as the enemy ships. It was not going to be an easy battle. Wraith copped her first kill of the missions, and roared after second. Suddenly a Valkyrie class fighter came charging towards Ethan, Ethan shook his head and set his tractor beam to reverse firing it, knocking the fighter aside and making the out of control vessel no threat and leisurely destroyable target. Ethan fired a row of torpedoes and it was gone, Wraith disabled the last one and they were on there way back to the Pensacola.

 

Cargo bay two, makeshift quarters, N.M.S Pensacola, the frontier

 

After there mission Wraith sent Ethan to get some shut eye to try and sleep off his caffeine high, since there were no immediately disposable quarters until after the ship had been repaired, Ethan was going to have to sleep on a roll our mattress in one of the cargo bays along with Joker and Angel. Ethan found them already there, trying to make the best of things, but looking pretty glum

 

“Welcome to our new sleeping quarters.”

 

“Hey, don’t look at me… I never promised luxury living quarters…”

 

“And the Shelley’s quarters are supposed to be Spartan? This just takes the piss…”

 

“I don’t get…” Angel shook her head “Less than a few hours ago I was a Star Fleet pilot… now I’m nobody… pretty soon I’ll be shooting a Star Fleet pilots. Why am I here?”

 

“You’re here because your trying to make things right…” Ethan said

 

“I just don’t know what the rules are anymore…”

 

“Life is not a flight simulation. You’ve got to learn that the rules keep changing…” said Joker

 

“I just hope we did do the right thing… if the Shelley comes after Pensacola things could get… ugly…”

 

“Well… we’ve got to stick with the guys we trust… and I for one trust Captain Fletcher…” And with that, Ethan set about making his bed.

 

Briefing room, N.M.S Pensacola, the frontier

 

The ship had gone to red alert, the crew were rushing around. Unknown to Ethan the Shelley had found the Pensacola. Rushing to the briefing room, Ethan was amongst all the pilots aboard. This was a ‘do or die’ mission. Captain Fletcher pulled his uniform straight

 

“The U.S.S Shelley has been spotted on long-range scanners. We have to destroy it now or it’s all over… as soon as you return… we should have warp engines full functional and we will leave. But we can’t run, we’re still to sluggish and we’re out-gunned by the Shelley.”

 

“Take on a carrier?” One of the Neo-maquis pilots exclaimed “Are you nuts?”

 

“Got any better ideas?” Fletcher growled “…I didn’t think so… dismissed!”

 

Frontier space

 

Each carrier had launched every last fighter they could spare, and powered their weapons for combat, this was skirmish by the standards of the Dominion war, but it would mean an untimely death for one ship’s crew and victory for the other. A mixture of Bajoran and Maquis fighters scrambled to meet the Valkyrie class star fleet fighters. This was to go down as one of the most devastating dogfights since the Dominion war. Victory or death! Angel, Big Boss, Joker, Lunatic, Overlord and Wraith and three other maquis pilots hurtled towards their enemies. To Ethan’s relief he didn’t recognize any of the pilot’s he was about to engage, these were the high class pilots that Captain Long had brought in.

 

A explosion of phaser from both sides and Ethan’s ship began to rattle, one evasive maneuver and he was under the thick of the fighting, he swooped back up, gunning at a enemy fighter. There was absolute chaos. Multiple chatter across his com channel both side; taunts, damage reports, kill counts, deaths and friendly fire warnings.

 

“Chalk up another for the Lunatic!”

 

“Ride ‘em cowboy!”

 

“Die, you traitor scum!”

 

“Mind your fire, lieutenant!”

 

“One down, more to go…”

 

“I’m hit!”

 

“Ejecting.”

 

Ethan killed another, and another and another. His fighter rip-roared through the three dimensional battlefield of space. Finally, it was all but over. The Star Fleet fighters were all destroyed or disable. The neo-maquis had taken two loses, two pilots he had not known – Ethan gave a silent thanks. It was time to take on the U.S.S Shelley, a roar of streaming phaser from multiple arcs desperately tried to fend of the neo-maquis fighters as they swarmed round it like a nest of angry hornets. Huge burn marks from torpedoes decorated the outer hull of the U.S.S Shelley, and before long it was reduced to a flaming wreck. The neo-maquis fighters returned to the N.M.S Pensacola and it jumped to warp.

 

There was movement from the flaming wreck of the U.S.S Shelley, a runabout shuttle craft headed off in the opposite direction. Inside Captain Long fret with worry, sitting next to him was Grishim looking of the shuttle with the icy eyes, his personification of controlled rage.

 

“…my god, that was a disaster. What a catastrophe…”

 

“Stop your whining.” Grishim ordered “If you had only killed him you had the chance we would be in this mess now.”

 

“Captain Fletcher or that Lieutenant… Burleigh…”

 

“Take your pick.”

 

“What happens now…?”

 

“What do you think?” With lighting reflexes Grishim drew his Klingon dagger and slit Captain Long’s throat. In shock Long grabbed the wound and tried to stop the flow of blood, he slumped out of his chair and crawled across the floor toward a medical device which could seal the wound. “Where do you think you’re going?” Grishim said diving his dagger in to Captain Long’s back, striking the spinal cord.

 

“And now I will continued with my plans… with added pleasure of killing Star Fleet academy’s ‘best’ fighter pilot…”

[Lt. Evans 0]

This is the first two installments of my fan-fiction, stay tuned for the next episodes. Hope you enjoyed what you read. Please, feel free to give feedback and constructive criticism!