Destiny Of The Stars
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The sun was setting, and the sky had turned a deep red. It looked like it would be an interesting night to watch as stars began appearing in their places across the vast expanse of space that stretched out before them. They were still far from any planet or moon they could see with the naked eye; however, there was no doubt at all about what lay ahead for the crew on this ship.
“Captain,” said one of his officers, “I’ve been monitoring our course since we left Earth.” He paused briefly while he checked something off on a clipboard. Then continued speaking again without looking up: “We’re going too fast! We should have slowed down by now!”
Grimshaw didn’t answer right away but instead stared intently into the distance through the viewport above him. His eyes narrowed slightly when he saw nothing unusual among the stars around them. Finally, after several seconds passed, Grimshaw spoke quietly so only those closest to him could hear the sound of the engines.
“What’s your estimate?” asked Captain Grimmaw. There wasn’t much time left until they arrived at their destination—and if things went wrong here then there wouldn’t even be enough fuel remaining aboard the ship to get back home. If anything happened during this mission, then everyone onboard would die.
And yet, despite knowing how dangerous everything was, Grimshaw couldn’t help feeling excited. This was exactly why he’d chosen to become a captain in Starfleet. To boldly go where no man has gone before…
There was silence for another few moments as the officer wrote some more notes onto his clipboard. When he finally finished writing, he raised his head and looked directly into the eyes of the captain. “It looks like we’ll arrive within ten minutes of schedule,” he replied confidently.
A smile spread across Grimshaw’s face. “Good work,” he told the young officer. “Keep me posted.” With that, he returned his attention to the viewport once again. As he watched the stars pass by outside, he thought about the journey he’d just taken. How many times had he dreamed of being able to travel through space?
Now, thanks to the Federation, he was living out every boyhood dream imaginable. But unlike most other boys who grew up dreaming of becoming astronauts, Grimshaw knew better than anyone else that such dreams weren’t always possible. So instead, he decided to dedicate himself to making sure others got the chance to fulfill theirs. That way, maybe someday someone might look upon his achievements and say, ‘That guy made my childhood worth having.’
And I hope you do the same for yours, Grimshaw silently added. Because whatever happens next, know that I’m proud of what you did today. You’re a good man, Lieutenant Commander John Grimshaw. A great leader. And a hero.
He smiled to himself as he remembered the words spoken to him by Admiral James T. Kirk not long ago. After hearing about the events leading up to the destruction of the Enterprise-D, the legendary starship commander had come to speak with Grimshaw personally.
At first, he hadn’t wanted to believe what he’d heard about the fate of the famous vessel. Surely, there must have been some mistake somewhere along the line. Or perhaps it was simply a case of bad luck striking twice in quick succession. Either way, Grimshaw felt certain that the admiral would soon discover the truth behind these tragic circumstances.
However, as the days went by and no further information came to light regarding the incident, he started losing faith that the situation could ever change for the better. In fact, he found himself wondering whether the best thing to do was just give up on trying to fix things altogether.
But then, after months of waiting, the news finally broke. The Enterprise-E had indeed suffered severe damage following its encounter with the Borg cube. Although the ship managed to escape relatively unscathed, the loss of life amongst her crew was devastating.
Even worse, the ship itself was badly damaged beyond repair. She needed to be completely rebuilt from scratch before she could return to active duty. Unfortunately, due to the sheer scale of the task involved, the repairs were estimated to take years rather than weeks.
So, how does that make me feel? Grimshaw wondered aloud. Am I happy about this turn of events? No, not really. Not anymore.
After all, what kind of Starfleet captain can’t even save his own ship?
As he sat alone in the bridge, staring blankly out at the endless expanse of starry darkness, Grimshaw suddenly realized that he’d never truly understood the meaning of the word ‘hero’. Yes, he knew that heroes existed. People like Spock, Picard, and Sisko had proven themselves worthy of the title countless times throughout history.
They’d done incredible things, risking their lives day in and day out to protect humanity against any threat that dared cross its path. Yet still, none of them compared to the likes of Kirk or Picard. Those men were true legends in every sense of the word. It seemed impossible to imagine either of them failing in the slightest. This meant that whenever they faced adversity, the odds were stacked firmly in their favor.
Yet somehow, I failed both of them. Grimshaw shook his head sadly as he recalled the moment when Kirk died. He’d known the man since he was a child, so seeing him fall victim to an alien weapon was almost too painful to bear. And yet, despite knowing full well that the end was near, Kirk refused to accept defeat.
Instead, he fought bravely right down to the very last second. His final act of heroism was nothing short of heroic. Indeed, it was one of the greatest acts of courage ever witnessed by mankind.
I should’ve been there to see it myself, Grimshaw mused bitterly. If only I wasn’t stuck here on Earth, watching helplessly while everything around me crumbled away. Then maybe I wouldn’t have lost my nerve back there. Maybe I would’ve stood tall and shown everyone exactly why I deserve to wear the uniform.
Grimshaw sighed heavily as he stared out at the stars. Why couldn’t I have stayed aboard the Enterprise-E? What if I’d gone with her instead of coming home early? Would anything different have happened then? Perhaps I could’ve prevented this whole mess from happening in the first place! But now it’s too late. There are no more options left open to us. All we can do is face our impending doom together…
“Captain?”
The voice startled Grimshaw out of his reverie. Turning toward the source of the sound, he saw Captain Riker standing beside his chair. “What is it, Number One?”
Riker looked grimly determined as he spoke. “We need to talk.”
***
It took several minutes for the two captains to reach the turbo-lift. As they stepped inside, Grimshaw noticed that the doors were already closing behind them. This was unusual behavior for such a busy section of the station. Normally, the lift would remain open until someone entered or exited. Therefore, he assumed that something must be wrong.
“Is everything okay, sirs?” asked the lieutenant who was operating the controls.
Both officers nodded reassuringly. “Yes,” said Riker. “Everything appears to be functioning normally.”
Still, Grimshaw remained unconvinced. Something just didn’t seem quite right. After all, the turbo-lifts weren’t supposed to close automatically unless somebody pressed the button. So where did the power come from? Surely nobody else had access to the system? Unless…
Suddenly, the realization hit him like a bolt from the blue. Of course! That explains everything. We’re being targeted again, aren’t we? By whoever attacked the Enterprise-D, most likely. Whoever it was, it seems clear enough that they wanted to keep us off balance.
To prevent anyone from getting too comfortable. In other words, they want to force us into making rash decisions without thinking them through properly. Well, let them try. Because this time, we’ll fight fire with fire.
Once the turbo-lift reached Deck Three, the doors opened once more. Both captains emerged onto the main corridor outside the transporter room. Once again, the area appeared deserted. At least, it certainly felt that way. However, that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
For some reason, the presence of empty corridors made Grimshaw distinctly uneasy. The feeling was especially strong because he sensed that something bad might happen soon. Nevertheless, he forced himself to ignore his instincts. Now was hardly the time to start panicking.
Besides, whatever was going on out there, it probably wouldn’t affect him personally. Just stay calm, he told himself sternly. You don’t know what you’re dealing with yet.
He turned to look up ahead, expecting to find Lieutenant Commander Data waiting patiently for them. However, the android was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, Grimshaw glanced over at Riker. “Where’s your friend?”
“Data has taken the opportunity to explore the ship further,” replied Riker. “As far as I’m concerned, that’s perfectly fine. It gives him something constructive to do during these troubling times.”
Grimshaw frowned thoughtfully. “You mean to say that you trust him implicitly?”
“Of course not!” snapped Riker angrily. “But neither am I prepared to condemn him outright based solely upon hearsay. I think it’s important to give people the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. Otherwise, how will any of us ever learn anything new about ourselves?”
Grimshaw paused briefly before replying. “Very true…” He hesitated momentarily. Then, after taking a deep breath, he continued: “However, I still feel that we shouldn’t leave him alone for too long. Not even Data can protect himself against every threat imaginable.”
“Then perhaps you should accompany him,” suggested Riker. “If anything happens to either of them, it could prove disastrous for everyone involved.”
Despite his misgivings, Grimshaw found himself nodding reluctantly. “All right, but make sure you stick by my side throughout the entire mission.”
Riker smiled wryly. “Don’t worry. I won’t abandon you so easily.”
They both hurried down the corridor, heading straight for the nearest turbo-lift. Before stepping inside, however, Riker stopped suddenly. He raised one hand to signal for silence, then whispered urgently: “There’s another person nearby.”
At first, Grimshaw couldn’t see anybody in particular. But now he realized why Riker had been able to detect their presence. A few meters away stood a tall man wearing an unassuming gray uniform and carrying a large bag slung across his shoulder. His features were obscured beneath a pair of dark sunglasses.
Yet despite the fact that he seemed completely oblivious to their presence, the captain knew instinctively that he’d never forget those eyes. They were cold, calculating, and utterly devoid of emotion. And worst of all, they belonged to none other than Dr. Julian Bashir.
The doctor was standing next to a wall panel that had been concealed behind a transparent sheet. Apparently, he hadn’t bothered to remove it. Instead, he simply leaned casually against it while staring intently at the floor below. Although he wore civilian attire, the Starfleet insignia on his chest gave him away immediately. Furthermore, the badge bore a striking resemblance to the one worn by Captain Picard aboard the Enterprise-E. Which meant that the two men must have known each other well indeed.
Bashir looked up sharply when he heard footsteps approaching. When he saw who was coming toward him, he quickly stepped back into cover. Unfortunately, that left him trapped between the wall and the door leading deeper within the corridor. As a result, he was unable to move anywhere except backward.
“What are you doing here?” demanded Riker quietly.
For a moment, Bashir didn’t reply. Then, slowly raising his hands above his head, he muttered: “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“That remains to be determined,” said Riker grimly. “Now come along peacefully or else—”
Suddenly, Bashir let out an agonized cry. Instantly, Riker spun around just in time to witness the doctor being dragged off his feet by unseen forces. Within seconds, he disappeared from view. In the blink of an eye, he’d vanished without a trace.
“No!” gasped Riker furiously. “How did this happen? What happened to him?!”
Before anyone could answer, the turbo-lift arrived at its destination. The doors slid open with a soft hum, revealing several armed security officers. All three of them carried phasers aimed directly at Riker’s face. One of them barked: “Put your weapon down! Now!”
Unable to comply, Riker stared defiantly at the officer closest to him. “This is ridiculous… You’re going to kill me anyway, aren’t you?! So what difference does it make if I put my gun down now or later?”
His words caused the guards to exchange glances. Finally, one of them spoke up. “We don’t know that yet. We’ll take you to our detention center where you can explain yourself in more detail.”
With that, the guard gestured toward the lift. Riker nodded curtly, then followed him inside. Once again, the doors closed automatically, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
***
Aboard the UES Discovery, Dr. Bashir lay strapped tightly onto a medical table. For some reason, he wasn’t restrained using handcuffs or chains. Nor was there any sign of violence having taken place during his capture. Nevertheless, he remained motionless as though paralyzed by fear. Even worse, something told him that things would only get much, much worse once the Federation authorities learned exactly what he’d discovered.
He glanced over at the woman sitting beside him. She appeared calm enough, although her expression betrayed no hint of sympathy whatsoever. Her name was Lieutenant Commander T’Pol, and she served aboard the starship Enterprise under Captain Archer’s command. Despite the fact that he recognized her instantly, he felt compelled to ask: “Are you really a Vulcan?”
T’Pol turned to look at him, then shook her head sadly. “You still believe such myths about us, Doctor? It saddens me greatly to hear that you continue to harbor these prejudices after everything we’ve tried to teach you.”
Dr. Bashir frowned slightly. “It isn’t prejudiced, it’s simple logic…”
She sighed heavily before replying. “Logic has little to do with it, Doctor. Your mind is too limited to comprehend the truth. There is so much you need to learn but will probably never understand until it’s far too late for both of us.”
Her words sent shivers through the doctor’s body. He struggled desperately to free himself from his restraints but found that he was powerless to resist. At last, he managed to speak: “Who are you, people? Why am I here?”
Without warning, T’Pol reached forward and placed her hand on his forehead. Immediately, he began to feel dizzy. Before long, his vision blurred and faded away entirely. His consciousness slipped further and further beneath the surface, then finally went completely dark.
When he awoke, he found himself lying on a bed in a small room. A single window provided him with a clear view of the stars outside. Yet despite all appearances, he knew instinctively that he wasn’t actually aboard the UES Discovery. This couldn’t possibly be the same ship. After all, he’d seen the captain’s quarters earlier today. And they were considerably larger than this tiny cabin.
Slowly, he sat upright and gazed around curiously. Although he had no idea how long he’d been unconscious, he realized that someone must have brought him food while he slept. That meant that he hadn’t spent the entire night tied to the bed. Which begged another question: How had he gotten here in the first place?
Then, suddenly, he remembered. Someone—or something —had abducted him from the UES Discovery. But why? What possible purpose could it serve?
As he pondered those questions, a sudden thought occurred to him. Perhaps he should try contacting Starfleet Command. Surely, they wouldn’t want to see their chief scientist disappear into thin air like this. If only he could remember the proper procedure for making contact with Earth…
But even before he finished thinking the words, a voice interrupted. “Good morning, Doctor. Are you feeling better?”
Startled, Bashir looked up sharply. Sitting across the room from him was a young man who seemed vaguely familiar somehow. However, he couldn’t quite recall where he might have met him. Then, just as quickly, the memory came back to him. The boy was named Ensign Travis Mayweather, an ensign serving aboard the UES Franklin. They’d spoken briefly when he boarded the vessel yesterday afternoon.
Bashir smiled politely. “I’m fine, thank you. Did you bring me breakfast?”
The youth grinned sheepishly. “Well, sort of… Actually, I think you ate most of it already.”
At that moment, a tray containing two bowls of soup materialized next to the doctor’s bedside. As soon as he saw it, he jumped out of bed and rushed over to pick it up. “Thank you,” he said gratefully. “This looks delicious!”
“Yes, well, I hope you enjoy it.”
After taking a seat, he took a spoonful of the steaming broth and tasted it carefully. To his surprise, however, the flavor didn’t seem very appetizing. Instead, it reminded him of something else altogether. Something he’d eaten many times before.
Suddenly, the pieces fell together in his mind. He recalled being held captive by aliens during the Dominion War. Back then, he’d suffered terrible nightmares every time he closed his eyes. In particular, one recurring nightmare kept coming back again and again. It involved a strange creature known as a Breen. And the way it used its tentacles to feed off human flesh.
For several minutes, he continued eating without saying anything. Finally, though, he spoke up. “So what happened to me? Where did I go?”
Ensign Mayweather shrugged helplessly. “Honestly, sir, I don’t know. All I can tell you is that you disappeared right after dinner last evening. We searched everywhere for you, but there was nothing to be found. So we assumed you must have left the ship voluntarily.
You weren’t wearing any identification or personal effects, which made things rather difficult. Eventually, Captain Archer ordered everyone to return to their duties. But I stayed behind because I wanted to make sure you got some rest.”
He paused for a moment, then added softly, “And now I wish I hadn’t bothered. Because if you’re not going to eat your breakfast, I’ll take it instead…”
Before Bashir could stop him, the ensign scooped up the remaining soup and downed it in three quick gulps. When he finished, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stared at the empty bowl sadly. For a few seconds, neither of them said anything; then Mayweather shook his head and stood up abruptly.
“Sorry about that,” he muttered. “It’s just that you look really pale and unhealthy, Doctor. Even more so than usual. I mean, usually, you’ve got a healthy glow to you. Not anymore. Now you look sicker than anyone I ever saw. Do you feel okay?”
Bashir nodded slowly. “I suppose I do. At least, I believe I am still alive. Otherwise, I would never have woken up here. Right now, I’m afraid my memories are fuzzy. I keep having these disturbing dreams, and I can’t seem to focus on much else. But I promise you, I will get myself together eventually. Until then, please let me concentrate on recovering.”
Still, he wondered whether he should report this incident to Starfleet Headquarters. After all, he knew full well how important it was to maintain a tight security net around the Federation’s top scientists. Especially since the Dominion War had taught them firsthand just how dangerous such individuals were to the enemy.
However, he decided against doing so. First of all, he wasn’t entirely certain that the Enterprise crewmen who’d taken him hostage had done it intentionally. Second, he doubted that Starfleet Command would react favorably to learning that one of its own officers—even a junior officer like Ensign Mayweather—had been caught spying on another starship.
Besides, he realized, it probably wouldn’t matter anyway. No doubt Commander Sisko would simply order Mayweather to forget everything that had transpired between himself and the doctor.
Besides, he told himself firmly, there was no need to worry. Once he recovered his strength and returned home, he’d find a way to explain away this entire episode. Then, once he reported to Starfleet HQ, they’d understand why he’d gone missing. They’d realize that he’d only needed some time alone to work through his problems. That he’d come to terms with his past mistakes.
In fact, he thought hopefully, perhaps even Admiral Nechayev herself might offer her support. She seemed to care deeply about him, after all. Maybe she could help him put his life back together again.
As he lay back down on the bed, he tried to convince himself that he’d be able to handle whatever came next. Whatever challenges awaited him. However, deep within his heart, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was already running out of time…
The End