//------------------------------// // Last Mission // Story: Where No Pony Has Gone Before: Supplemental Logs. // by FoalsHalf //------------------------------// Last Mission In the Year 2355: "Captain's Log: We are en route to the Maxia Zeta star system to conduct a routine survey of the system. Hopefully, once our survey is complete, we will be given permission to proceed to Starbase 217 for repair, resupply, and shore leave. This Old Girl and her crew and Captain are due for a rest." With that, Jean-Luc Picard closed the log and glanced around the familiar bridge of the Stargazer. The ship was long overdue for overhaul and modernization but little was likely to ever be done. while hailed as part of Starfleet's 'Next Great Leap' when introduced in the late 2280s, the Constellation-class had been perhaps a leap too far. The design never met expectations. The Constellations became the fleet's 'lost children'. Never first in line for the new upgrades, only soldiering on while the Excelsiors and then the Ambassadors drew the plum assignments and the funds for upgrades. But to Jean-Luc Picard, none of that mattered. Stargazer was HIS ship... his Lady. And he was her Captain. Over at tactical, Lieutenant Vigo frowned as an alarm chirped. At that moment, all the bridge monitors lit with the same odd emblem. "What...?" Picard's voice was a bare whisper. "We're dropping out of Warp. Helm controls are not responding," The helmsman replied. Code Sunset? Picard thought. He had been briefed upon Code Sunset and the Omega Directive when he was given official command of the Stargazer but the briefing had been frustratingly vague. It only stated that Code Sunset material was not to officially be entered into the ship's logs or discussed without prior authorization. Directives given under Code Sunset were to be followed to the letter even if those directives violated other Starfleet orders or even to the point of violating General Order One itself. Even the Omega Directive was to be considered less binding than a Directive issued under Code Sunset. Picard had heard the rumors, like many in Starfleet. Of course, he didn't believe in Celestial Prophecies. It was all very odd and yet now he had an actual Code Sunset on his hands. He input his command code and the Sunset emblem ended. "Helm controls have been released, Captain. Shall I resume course?" "Negative Lieutenant. Hold position." Picard turned to the tactical station. "Vigo, Bring us to Condition Yellow. I want our shields up and maintain a full sensor sweep of the area. You have the bridge, Number One. I'll be in my ready room." "Aye, Captain!" Leaving the bridge for his ready room, Picard quickly seated himself at his computer terminal., where the mysterious 'Sunset' insignia was still displayed. "Authorization Picard Tango One-one-four." "Acknowledged," the computer voice responded in that very familiar tone. It would possibly have been of mild interest that the ship's computer voice was that of Adrianna Chapel, First Officer of the USS Enterprise a century earlier. As it was, it was no more than a minor curiosity. On his screen, the image of a Star Fleet legend spoke. "Hello Captain," The image of Admiral Christopher Pike greeted him. "Sorry for the dramatic introduction but we had to get your full attention. Information in our possession leads us to believe with near certainty that a hostile vessel is waiting for you in the Maxia Zeta system, hidden on one of the moons of Maxia Zeta IV, we believe. Now... With some quick thinking and innovative tactics, you would be able to destroy your attacker... And NO, Captain. They will not stop to talk things out... But by that point, USS Stargazer will be a loss. Light casualties among your crew but we can avoid that and would prefer to do so if possible. So here's what we're going to do about it..." *** A short time later, Picard returned to the Stargazer's bridge. His First Officer rose from the command chair. "Sir? Any idea of what's going on here?" "I'm not completely sure, Number One. But at least we have instructions to follow." He turned to Vigo. "Send the following message on Starfleet Frequency Four, tight beam." "Frequency four, Captain? That frequency hasn't been used in decades!" "Never-the-less, Vigo. Send the following message: 'Lafayette Awaits.'" "Aye, sir." Vigo acknowledged. Orders were orders after all... Even if they didn't make sense. "Message sent sir." "And now we wait." *** Approximately an hour later, Vigo jerked upright. "Captain! I'm picking up another ship, closing fast! She's now dropping to sublight." "Big ship..." The First Officer noted. "I've only seen colony movers that big." Picard nodded. "We're receiving a hail." "On screen." "Lafayette... We have arrived," the woman seated in the center of the screen announced. Then she gave a wry look. "Don't look at me, Captain. that was put in my mission packet before either of us was even born." "Admiral... Garrett?" "Yes, Captain Picard. I'm here because we have a delicate situation to deal with here." "So I'm told," Picard replied skeptically. "I felt the same way eleven years ago when Admiral Sulu summoned me to her office and informed me that I was about to take my ship and crew into a hopeless battle." "But Narendra III was a decisive victory, both for the Federation and for our relations with the Klingon Empire." "But imagine if I had taken my ship into that fight alone. I, my ship, and my entire crew would be dead. So, based on personal experience, I take this information VERY seriously." "Of course, Admiral." "The Stargazer will accompany the Enterprise Sigma to Maxia Zeta. The Enterprise has just come out of dock with a few upgrades to her shields and weaponry. We should be able to handle a single Ferengi vessel." "The Ferengi?" There were rumors about the Ferengi but very little was actually known. The Ferengi may be the least of Starfleet's worries in coming years but shouldn't be dismissed out of hand. It's a dangerous galaxy out there. Perhaps more now than in any other point since the foundation of the Federation." "Whatever is out there, we'll be ready to handle it." If you only knew, Captain, Garrett thought. There were times she dearly wished she could have refused Admiral Sulu's invitation to succeed her in charge of 'Project Sunset' but the knowledge was now her burden to bear. Including the knowledge that not all horrible things could be avoided. "While en route," Garrett said, not replying to Picard's comment, "You have some homework. In your mission packet, you will find information on the 'Picard Maneuver'. Study it well and draw up a report on its implementation. You'll be giving a report on it back at Starfleet Academy in six weeks." "The... 'Picard Maneuver'?" "I would assign you to do a report on the 'Riker Maneuver' but that's a tale for another day. In the meantime, have your ship take station off our port quarter." Picard turned to his helmsman. "Make it so, lieutenant." "Aye, Captain." "Until our rendezvous with the Ferengi, then, Captain. Garrett out." The main viewscreen cut back to an external view as the helmsman maneuvered alongside the massive Enterprise Sigma. "Well, then, Number One. You have the bridge! I'll be in my ready room... studying." *** "I am picking up signs of the Ferengi vessel near the second moon of Maxia Zeta IV," Enterprise's science officer, an Equestrian Mare named Shooting Star reported. A one time student of Twilight Sparkle, Shooting Star had a penchant for questioning everything her teacher said. This posting seemed a 'logical' outlet for Shooting Star's energies. "Very good, lieutenant.," Garrett acknowledged. She turned to her com officer. "Open hailing frequencies." "Hailing frequencies open." "Attention, Ferengi vessel. This is Admiral Garrett. Quoting rule 125 of the Rules of Acquisition: You can't make a deal if you're dead." "We're receiving a response." "On-screen." The main viewer switched on to show a young, Ferengi male glowering back at them. "What do Hoo-mans know of the Sacred Rules of Acquisition?" Garrett smirked predatorily, recalling the 48th Rule of Acquisition: 'The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife'. "I know Rule number 7: 'Keep your ears open'. That's good advice to follow if you don't want to pay more on this transaction than necessary." "The 2nd rule. But Rule 190 states: 'Hear all, trust nothing'." "Well spoken... But trust this: If you think that 'War is good for business', then you are, of course, welcome to attack us. But I would suggest that 'Peace is better for YOUR business.' We value the lives of our people as you value latinum. So Imagine the lengths we will go to to protect what we hold of value. Your ship is outgunned and your shields are paper compared to what my weapons can do." "You would not boast so loudly if you ACTUALLY had the power to back up your threats... Hoo-man." "Unless I stood to profit from sparing you..." The Admiral's grin widened. "What profit would that be... Hoo-man?" "Your father... Daimon Bok... Now owes us a favor. We will collect it when we are ready. In the meantime, consider that knowledge and patience equal profit. And remember... You will find that attacking the Federation may bring small, quick profits... But the price ALWAYS comes due. Now. Let us have a mutually profitable discussion. Shall we...?" *** Onboard the Stargazer, Jean-Luc Picard watched the Ferengi ship go. "The Enterprise is hailing us." "On screen." Picard waited as Admiral Garrett's visage appeared once more. "An impressive display of 'diplomacy', Admiral." "Thank you. Now... Unfortunately, I have new orders for you. The Stargazer will proceed with us, under our tow to an undisclosed location and stand down upon arrival." "Admiral... I don't understand! The Stargazer is..." "Your ship, Captain. Believe me. I know. She's old, overworked and underpowered, on the verge of flying apart at the seams sometimes. But she's your ship. And that's why, Captain. Because while the day will come when the Federation WILL need her again, that day isn't today. We need you and your crew now but the Stargazer is going to get the rest and refitting she deserves. I hope you bring the same dedication to the next ship placed in your care..." *** Sixteen Years Later Captain Jean Luc Picard felt the pain of the altogether familiar scene as the USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-D, entered Starbase Independence for decommissioning. "Have you ever been here before, Captain?" He asked Captain Kirk, who took the mission specialist seat on Picard's left. "I was here when it was built. Back in those days, there weren't quite so many ships in here. The Reliant... The Grissom... And a lot of open slips." At tactical, Mr. Worf looked up. "We are receiving instructions to moor in slip nineteen. Admiral Garrett will be waiting there." "Acknowledge, Mr. Worf." Picard turned to the conn officer. "Make it so." "Aye, sir." As the Enterprise slid into her last mooring, Picard noticed a very familiar ship in the next berth over. Except this ship was glistening, pristine from bow to stern. On the saucer, Picard could clearly see the registry: USS Stargazer, NCC-2893. So here now was his pride and his first love, berthed together. Unlike Admiral Garrett, Jean Luc Picard had no idea what awaited him. But for the moment, he felt content. The next adventure lay ahead, yet to come.