“Speaking of doing things on one’s own terms, Mahmud, tell me something. You enjoyed being out on assignment, so why did you settle for a long-term job at Headquarters?”
Before replying, al-Khaled stopped to tap a series of diagnostic commands into one nearby console, nodding in satisfaction at the results the monitor displayed.
“Call it payback,” he said. “After we pushed like hell to get the Corps into official standing with Starfleet, things changed. Instead of three old tubs, we had S.C.E. teams assigned to ten active starships, to say nothing of special assignments like this one. For the concept to truly work, it made sense to break up the original three teams in order to spread experienced crewmembers across all of the ships. Not everyone from the Lovell left me high and dry, though. Can you believe that O’Halloran and Anderson still want to take orders from me?”
Scott laughed. “Of course I can. What I canna believe, though, is that you’re done givin’ orders.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say that.”
Now what does that mean? Once again Scott was left to consider his friend’s cryptic words as al-Khaled completed his inspection tour of the engine room and returned to where Talev and Tomar were still reviewing data on one of the control consoles.
“Lieutenant,” he said, “let’s have a look at what you’ve come up with.”
As Talev looked up from her computer station, Scott noted the not-quite-suppressed expression of irritation on her face. It seemed to him that the Andorian did not appreciate being interrupted, regardless of who might be doing the interrupting.
“We’ve identified a few minor fluctuations in the intermix chamber,” she said, and Scott could almost hear her jaw tightening as she spoke. “However, at the speeds we’re going to approach, these fluctuations are likely to cause no noticeable effect.”
Scott chuckled. “Lieutenant, it’s the little things that usually get ye into trouble. We had ‘minor fluctuations’ in the Enterprise’s warp engines the first time we took her out after her refit, and we ended up in a wormhole and almost got ourselves killed.”
Talev stood silently for a moment, and Scott got the distinct impression that he was being sized up by the younger officer. “Mr. Scott, the Enterprise’s intermix formulas are remedial mathematics when compared to the technology we’re working with here. We will manage just fine. I would like you to just sit back and enjoy your ride today, and to be prepared for a potential redefinition of warp speed as we understand it.”
Neither convinced by nor impressed with the Andorian’s assertions, Scott nevertheless held back voicing his doubts when he saw the cautioning look on al-Khaled’s face. For his friend’s sake, he attempted a small smile as he regarded Talev zh’Thren.
“Well, in that case, Lieutenant, best of luck to ye. As they say, fortune favors the bold.”
Just as he thought he might get away before his desire to throttle the young officer got the best of him, Talev decided to say one more thing.
“This is hardly a matter of luck or fortune, sir. We are here because of attention to research and application of our skill. Confidence, Mr. Scott. That’s what they’re teaching in the Academy these days.”
Al-Khaled must have sensed his rising ire, because Scott quickly felt his friend’s hand on his shoulder before he asked, “Do they also teach patronizing behavior toward superior officers, Lieutenant?”
“No, sir,” Talev said, stiffening at the rebuke and shaking her head quickly. Pausing for a moment, she finally asked, “Permission to return to my departure preparations, sir?”
Nodding assent, al-Khaled waited until the Andorian was out of earshot before turning his attention back to an almost seething Scott.
“She certainly paid attention to her Academy cockiness course,” Scott said.
“Scotty, she’s young and full of herself,” al-Khaled replied. “For her, this is like being in the locker room before the big game. I’ll talk to her about it later, but right now I need her focused on her pre-launch duties.”
Shaking his head, Scott sighed in exasperation as he cast a final look about the bustling engineering room. “Why do I get the sudden feeling that this is going to be a very long day?”
Chapter
3
Montgomery Scott had always believed that the very atmosphere of a starship’s bridge demanded action from its occupants. The constant barrage of sound, the flashing of indicators and switches, the flurry of personnel either at their posts or moving from station to station lent an almost palpable charge to the air.
Therefore, it did not seem right that he would be idly occupying a chair hugging the perimeter of the Chandley’s upper bridge deck, crammed out of the way at the edge of the turbolift alcove.
“I feel like I’m sittin’ on my hands here, Mahmud,” he said as he swiveled to his left, moving his legs from the path of a passing Kelvan engineer. “You know this is killin’ me.”
Al-Khaled smiled as he proffered the padd that had been resting in his lap. “You want something to do? You can write my report to Starfleet.” When Scott shook his head at the offer, al-Khaled shrugged, returning the padd to his lap. “You’re supposed to be a guest here, Scotty. Enjoy yourself, and let somebody else worry about the small stuff for once.”
“Aye, just a wee shakedown, as ye said.” But was it as simple as that? According to al-Khaled, Starfleet was most interested in the results of this test. If the Kelvans truly were on the cusp of some important advance in propulsion technology, such an accomplishment stood to benefit not only the Kelvans, who were now poised to take the next step in their quest for identity within their adopted family, but the Federation as well.
“I guess you could slide over there and eavesdrop,” al-Khaled said, indicating the engineering station where Talev and Tomar were consulting the array of display monitors. “We’re well enough away from New Kelva by now to engage the drive. I wonder if there’s a problem.”
“Now you’re just goadin’ me,” Scott said, a smile creasing his features. “I’ll stay put, if ye don’t mind.” He let his eyes wander over the other bridge stations, several of which were unmanned. Still others, such as the weapons control alcove just to the left of the main viewer, had been removed entirely, the gaping holes in the consoles where keypads and monitors had once been were now covered with plastisteel plating. It was yet another stark reminder to Scott that this vessel’s days as an active ship in service to Starfleet were behind her.
“They might find something for us to do yet,” al-Khaled said. “With only a skeleton crew aboard, anything’s possible. I was surprised when Tomar said that only eighteen people would be onboard for this test. That’s not even a tenth of this ship’s normal complement.”
Scott understood his friend’s concern. This was not his first run-in with extreme shipboard automation, after all. The mishaps of Richard Daystrom’s failed M-5 computer test on the Enterprise were still fodder for much debate, especially in the Starfleet engineering community, and had provided lessons that Scott himself would never forget.
He watched as Talev and Tomar stepped down into the bridge’s command well and began to speak in quiet tones to the occupant of the captain’s chair, Hanar. Scott recognized the dark-haired, slightly built man as another of the Kelvans who had hijacked the Enterprise. For that matter, the woman seated at the helm position was also familiar to him. He could not remember her name, but he was sure that she had also been part of that small group who had caused so much trouble for him and his shipmates.
“I’d have thought the Kelvans would have given up their humanoid appearance by now,” Scott noted quietly as he watched the aliens at work.
“Interesting, isn’t it?” al-Khaled replied. “I’ve read Captain—I mean Admiral Kirk’s report about how the Kelvans had encased themselves in a type of ‘shell’ in order to appear human and better interact with our technology during their voyage to the Andromeda galaxy on the Enterprise. I guess the same mindset is what led them to retain their
humanoid appearance even after all these years.” He shrugged. “Too bad, really. So far as I know, no one has ever seen any Kelvans in their natural form.”
Scott’s attention was drawn to Talev as the young Andorian returned to the engineering station, spending several moments examining the information on the console’s displays. “Shipboard energy readings are optimal. Everything is in line with our computer simulations. I would say we’re ready.”
Nodding at the report, Hanar toggled a switch on the arm of the command chair. “This is Hanar. We are preparing to engage the primary drive. All personnel mind your stations and report any anomalies to the bridge immediately.”
Apparently realizing that she was being watched, Talev turned in her seat to face Scott and al-Khaled. “Everything is proceeding according to plan, gentlemen. There’s nothing to be concerned about.”
“But an engineer is always concerned, Lieutenant,” Scott replied. “And even if everything does happen as planned, an engineer is still concerned because there’s always next time.”
To Scott’s surprise, Talev seemed to ponder his words rather than arrogantly discard them out of hand as he had expected. If she was going to respond to him, however, her opportunity was lost as Hanar spoke once again, this time to the female Kelvan seated at the helm.
“Drea, lay in the course for Starbase 22.” Turning to face the communications station he added, “Jahn, please alert them that we are ready to commence our test.” Scott knew that sensors on the starbase would record the Chandley’s passage, as well as provide a marker for the distance and speed portions of the test.
Waiting patiently for confirmation that his instructions had been carried out, Hanar calmly relayed his next order. “Engage the drive and accelerate to warp three.” The order was as much a formality as anything else. The computer system designed and installed aboard the Chandley by the Kelvans would oversee the engines’ operation, including monitoring of acceleration and performance once the desired speed was reached. The parameters of the test run had already been programmed by Talev, so Drea’s duties in this regard would be limited to simply ordering the computer to carry out its predetermined instructions.
As the command was initiated, Scott sensed a quiver in the soles of his feet and the pit of his stomach. It was a feeling familiar to the engineer, yet tinged with a hint of uncertainty as, in his mind’s eye, he saw the warp field created by the Chandley’s engines flare into existence. Scott imagined himself being pressed back in his chair as the ship entered subspace, a sensation he knew was wholly artificial thanks to the effectiveness of inertial dampers.
“Warp one,” Drea reported, issuing updates as the ship continued to accelerate. Taking his eyes from the main viewer and its almost hypnotic field of streaking stars, Scott noted Tomar studying one of the monitors at the science station and wondered why the Kelvan had not issued any sort of status report since the ship had gone into warp.
Then the hairs on the back of his neck stood up at the precise instant a concerned frown crossed Tomar’s features, and a full three seconds before Drea called out in alarm.
“Hanar! We’re at warp four and continuing to accelerate!”
Without conscious thought Scott bolted from his chair, noting as he did so that al-Khaled had done the same thing. “What’s the problem?” Scott asked.
“The computer doesn’t appear to be following the test instructions,” Drea replied, her brow furrowed as she hunched over the helm. “And it isn’t responding to abort commands.”
Talev rose from her chair and moved toward the science station. Scott turned to follow but felt al-Khaled’s hand on his arm.
“This is their test, Scotty,” al-Khaled said in a quiet voice. “Let them work.”
His jaw torqued in growing annoyance, Scott heard Hanar call for Jahn to contact Starbase 22 as Talev and Tomar conferred at their console. He watched Tomar shake his head while Talev raised a hand as if to calm him.
Now what’s that about?
As if in response, the young Andorian turned to Hanar. “We believe this is an anticipated effect of the new automated oversight system.”
“How d’ye figure that?” The question exploded from Scott’s mouth before he could do anything to suppress it, and he heard al-Khaled sigh in resignation. Despite that, he continued, “Y’expected the computer to deviate from its programming?”
“Of course not,” Talev replied, and for a moment Scott detected a trace of the annoying demeanor the Andorian had displayed at their first meeting. “This is not a deviation.” Turning back to Hanar, and effectively disregarding Scott in the process, she added, “The automation protocols are operating perfectly, and the computer is allowing the warp drive to operate at faster speeds because it knows the engines can accommodate the increased demands in a safe manner.” She paused to look at the viewscreen and the streaking starfield displayed upon it. “Let it work, Hanar. I promise you that the computer will initiate safety protocols to avoid exceeding tolerance levels.”
Much to Scott’s dismay, Hanar appeared to consider the proposition. “Drea, what is our current speed?”
The Kelvan’s voice quavered only slightly, but Scott noticed it nevertheless. “Warp seven-point-eight and continuing to accelerate.”
“Ye dinna think that’s approachin’ tolerance levels?” Scott asked. “This ship isn’t built for this kind of speed.”
“Scotty,” al-Khaled hissed, but Scott ignored him.
For the first time since the test had begun, Tomar turned from his station. “The ship is perfectly safe, Commander. We have not yet reached even the speed at which your vessel was traveling when we attempted to return to Andromeda.”
Of course, this would make sense, Scott admitted. The Kelvans had obviously outfitted the Chandley with a similar form of reinforcement to the ship’s structural integrity system that they had used on the Enterprise during their attempt to hijack her. The ship had reached speeds far in excess of its supposed limits, and according to Tomar had not even attained its maximum velocity before the hijacking had been thwarted.
“Commander,” Talev said to him, “what you must understand is that this new drive generates a warp field unlike that of our Starfleet ships. In a sense, the field itself provides more protection for the vessel than would result from our current level of Federation technology. This turn of events is precisely what we need to study in our tests!”
This youngster is startin’ to irritate me, Scott mused, tiring of the Andorian’s condescending attitude but electing to say nothing about it for the time being. Once the situation was under control, however, he would have his say.
Swiveling in his seat, Hanar regarded al-Khaled. “Commander, you’ve not weighed in on this issue. What’s your opinion?”
Frowning, al-Khaled studied Talev for a few seconds before responding. Finally, though, he nodded. “It seems that all systems appear to be functioning normally or as expected.” Scott caught the hard glare his friend leveled on the young Andorian as he spoke. It eased his discomfort, if only slightly, that al-Khaled appeared to have the same concerns that he did. With that in mind, the engineer in him found he could not disagree with him when al-Khaled finished with, “Since we are on a test mission, I recommend we see where this takes us.”
Nodding in approval, Hanar exchanged looks with the rest of the bridge staff before he said, “Very well, then. We shall continue.”
Personnel turned to their respective tasks, and Scott only partially listened as Drea continued to report on the Chandley’s acceleration. His attention was instead focused on the engineering station where Talev was standing, having resumed her study of the warp drive diagnostic displays. He could not tell whether she failed to notice his approach or simply chose not to acknowledge it.
Easy, he reminded himself. Let’s keep things professional, eh?
“Lieutenant,” he began as he stepped closer, “I don’t wanna believe ye knew this would happen, but I’m havin’ a hard time of it.”
>
Looking up at Scott, the Andorian smiled slightly in response. “We’ve known all along that this could be the next big step, that we could be opening the door to transwarp drive.”
Transwarp. Of course. Supposedly the next big step in interstellar travel, engineers throughout the Federation had been carrying on about transwarp for years. Starfleet designers were at this very moment developing a prototype transwarp drive, and a whole new class of starship was being created to accommodate the new propulsion system. Scott himself was skeptical about the concept, but had the Kelvans developed the equivalent to transwarp, or even something superior? Was Talev merely consumed with ambition at the idea of being involved in such a staggering achievement? That would go a long way toward explaining her attitude, he decided.
“Ye knew that, did ye? Well, here’s something that ye better learn quick,” Scott said. “Engineers don’t keep secrets. They don’t hide tricks up their sleeves for their own amusement, and they don’t keep a damn thing from their captains, even if the person playin’ captain is a civilian overseein’ a test run. This may be a great feather in your cap, but don’t be so quick to smile. Ye’ve got nothin’ to be proud of just yet.”
Talev’s smile faded and her posture stiffened in response to the comment. “And why is that?”
“Because ye’ve not got us home yet.”
Several seconds passed as Scott held the young engineer’s gaze. Talev did not flinch from his scrutiny, but he could see that his words had struck some sort of chord in her. That was good, he decided. His gut told him that she was a good officer, intelligent and full of passion. All that was really needed to fully tap her potential was experience, both practical and personal. Time would bring that, he knew, so long as she was receptive to the occasionally harsh lessons that experience would bring. Judging by what he had read in her eyes, he believed that would not be a problem.
A voice cut above the rest of the bridge noise, begging for his attention. It was Drea.
Foundations Book Three Page 3