Star Trek The Next Generation The Gift: A Star Trek SI

[DarkDestroyer]

I like the idea of breaking canon, creating chaos and having to deal with the fallout.

Click to shrink...

I think folks are going to be surprised with the next chapter. I'm gonna do it

Edit: I jumped the gun a bit, that doesn't happen until Unification

 

[Lillie Jones]

thanks for the chapter
Continue on
Cheers!

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Ahhh I screwed up.. LOL

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Paramount-SkyDance Own Star Trek. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Non-Profit.

Author's Note: Totally screwed up. Here is Part III.


Captain Picard exits his ready room. I stand up and watch as the Klingons move into battle positions.

"Red Alert." orders as I hear the klaxon go off

"A second ship has joined the attack on the Bortas." Data reports.

"It's begun." I say aloud to no one

"The Bortas has lost her port shields sir. It is unlikely they will withstand another hit at that quarter. Their primary life support has failed sir."

Riker looks at the console then turns to Picard.

"The Bortas put out a general distress call."

Picard without hesitation turns and goes to sit in his chair. I do the same thing as I sit on the box.

"Ensign Riol, plot a course to take us safely away from the combat area. Half impulse."

I feel a wave wash over me, a tingly sensation. It is still strange to experience in reality what I have only been an observer of in the past. Riker makes his comments over the ship and Worf, and Picard makes his point about getting involved in a Klingon Civil War.

Later on, my door chime beeps.

"Come."

Worf enters in full Klingon regalia. He looks glorious. Once again the show doesn't do any of this justice. I stand up to greet him.

"I know this was not our plan...but I feel..."

I put up my hand.

"You don't need to explain yourself to me, Worf. You are doing what you think is right for your family. I understand. I just wish there was more that i could have done to prevent us from getting here."

"You have done so much already Adam. Kurn and I owe you much as I said before. You are part of House Mogh now. Alexander is not here to witness this, and K'ehleyr is safe thanks to you. That is all that matters."

I nod.

"Be careful my friend, and Qa'pla to all of you!"

"Good Journey Adam."

"Good Journey Worf, we'll see each other again soon enough.'

He nods and I watch him leave.

"Alright, Sela, you have made your move. It is time for us to almost make ours..."

The Enterprise is in orbit at Starbase 234. This is the first time that I have been to a planet based Starbase. The location was chosen for it's nearness to both Klingon and Romulan space, and it's placement on the meridian of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. During the Klingon War of the 2250's, this was occupied by the Klingons for a brief period of time. Technically we are in the Beta Quadrant but only a few parsecs from the Alpha Quadrant. Captain Picard has brought us here to make his pitch to Fleet Admiral Shanthi, who has planted her flag here given the tensions between the Klingons and Romulans in recent months. She's been here actually since last year.

However there is no time to play the tourist as we are in the conference room, briefing the Admirals on Picard's plan. Commander Riker is with him as well. I sit at the back of the table, I'm here in my capacity as Special Consultant. I occasionally make adjustments to the PADD I have in front of me as Picard talks.

"There have been three major engagements in the last two weeks, all of them won by Duras forces." Picard says

"None of which are our concern Jean-Luc. The Klingon Civil War, is by definition, an internal matter of the Empire."

Correct.

"Agreed. But if what Mr. Young claims is true, and the Duras are being aided by the Romulans...it becomes very much our concern. he Romulans have been attempting to destroy the Klingon-Federation Alliance for the past twenty years. At the same time, the Duras have been secretly conspiring with the Romulans. Doesn't it strike you as odd that the Duras are able to field such an overpowering force against Gowron? That they outmatch him at almost every turn."

"Some would call it good leadership." Shanthi replies

That's seriously maybe the stupidest thing I've ever heard her say, and she's easily one of the smartest people I've met.

"And some would say they must be getting help. The Romulans are prepared to take enormous risks to gain any advantage over the Federation. Can we seriously believe that now, with the future of the Klingon Empire in the balance, they are content to stand by and watch?" Picard retorts

"What is that you propose, Captain?"

"We must stop the flow of supplies and equipment to the Duras from the Romulans. What I propose is that we send a fleet to the Romulan-Klingon border. We'll take no offensive action, but we will be in a position to expose any Romulan supplies that attempt to cross the border."

"A blockade." Shanthi says

"Exactly."

"But how would you overcome the Romulan cloaking device?"

"My Chief Engineer has developed a system that should nullify that advantage. Each ship will send out an active tachyon beam to the other blockading ships. Now, in theory, any cloaked vessel that attempts to pass between our ships must cross that beam and be detected."

Shanthi looks down the room at me.

"You have been uncharacteristically silent, Mr. Young. Do you have anything to add?" she asks

"No sir, I concur with Captain Picard's assessment of the situation."

"I'll have to clear this with the Federation Council, in the meantime Captain, assemble your fleet."

STARFLEET ASSEMBLE! All 25 or so ships that we have left!!!

The two Admirals leave and I get up and saunter over to Picard and Riker.

"Nicely done, I hope we know what we're doing." Riker says

Remember when I said about smart people saying stupid things? Adam stop.


"This is the only way to counter what Sela and her forces are doing." I say

"I hope so, Mr. Young. I hope so." Picard says

Captain Picard's plan is approved by the Federation Council, and has begun to implement the assignments for all the ships. The Fleet is composed of all the ships that were in the yard in service, and that were within one day's travel of the Starbase. 23 ships in all, some of whom needed re-assignment from the senior staff since well...because of Wolf 359. It is still difficult to say, because of me, but Deanna feels that is an important step in my continued recovery.

There's frankly not a whole lot I can do right now. I've been mostly in my quarters studying the blockade positions that have been assigned, and staring at Geordi's diamond shaped tachyon grid. The plan is simple. The Fleet will wait until Gowron makes his move, Starfleet will follow. The Excalibur will fall back with engine problems, the Akagi and Hornet will assume positions ordered by Picard. This will open up a small hole in the network which will provoke Sela and then the Tian An Men will swoop in to expose them. It is a sound plan. However it doesn't take into account TWO very important things. How clever Sela is, and Data.

I am invited to the bridge to observe and sit for the first time in the third command chair...Deanna's chair. I feel awkward sitting here and have declined many times before, preferring the box. Events unfold as they did in the episode and then...Sela hails us.

"Captain, I'm picking up something directly ahead. Romulan ship decloaking. Shall I raise shields?"

Picard glances over to me, I shake my head.

"Not yet."

"They're hailing us sir." O'Brien reports

"On screen, Tasha?" Picard breathes and I stand up from the chair as I see Sela for the first time. There's something...different about her.

"No, Captain. I am Commander Sela. The woman you knew as Tasha Yar was my mother. Deploying an invasion fleet along our border is a clear act of aggression, Captain. It will not be tolerated. You have twenty hours to recall your ships and return peacefully to Federation territory."

After Picard has his conversation with the others and Guinan. I am called in.

"This is who you have warned us about for the past two years?" he asks

"Yes sir."

"How long has she been involved in attempting to destabilize our alliance with the Klingons?"

"I don't know. I would guess at least the last decade, from the sheer scope of her ambition."

"What does she want?"

"What any Romulan military commander wants, power. Supreme power. She has her eye on the Praetorship."

"The attacks against us?"

"Motivated by her hatred for Tasha. She---"

The doors swoosh open and Sela enters as security stops at the door.

"Well Captain, what is this urgent matter you wish to discuss?" Sela asks directly, she's not hear to waste time. I can't help but stare at her. So ambitious. So bold. So confident. Like a twisted mirror version of her mother. I shiver. Tasha....

The two of them engage in their conversation for the next couple of minutes. Sela catching my eye on a couple of occasions. After she tells him what happened to Tasha, and gives us 14 hours to leave...I hesitate.

"Captain, I request permission to converse with the Commander a moment."

"For what purpose?"

"Information sir."

He looks at Sela who nods, then he nods, and leaves.

"Sela.."

"I have nothing to say to you." her eyes are like daggers

"Why?"

"Why? Why? Because when I was a child...all I ever heard was how great Adam Young was. This noble human...my mother talked about you all the time, but not YOU...the other you from her reality."

I can only imagine the childhood upbringing she had. Romulan conditioning, balanced out by whatever Tasha taught her about us, about humanity and the Federation. I finally see her though for...her. I spot what I've had trouble seeing this entire time. She has HUMAN ears.

"Sela...you're...human. Who was your father?" I ask

"I have said who my father was, the great General Revo!" she claims. I have a sudden sinking feeling

Was Tasha pregnant by the other me when we sent her back? Tasha...

"Sela..."

"I have nothing more to say to you." she replies


"I see. That is unfortunate. I want you to listen very carefully. Do not underestimate me, Commander. I have had people underestimate me my entire life. I know how your plans turn out in the future, miserably. I am giving you one chance, one opportunity to change all that now. End this, before you experience that failure, something that you have never experienced before. Stop this, before I stop you." I say cold as ice

Sela has nothing to say and leaves the room, and I'm left to contemplate this stunning revelation. A Romulan General raised a human child as his own, and that child was...the other me's??? I sit down as Picard and security return.

 

[War Sage]

Ha!

Just as expected lol