STAR TREK REPUBLIC

Created by ALDO MOTTO

Based on STAR TREK created by GENE RODDENBERRY

Based on STAR TREK ENTERPRISE created by RICK BERMAN and BRANNON BRAGA

Episode 1. WHERE DO YOU SEE I'M GOING AHEAD. LET'S GO! First part

Written by ALEJANDRO LOIS

Main titles made by JAVIER MORINI TEAM

Fiction set in the STAR TREK Universe and free to distribute

See ALEJANDRO LOIS illustrations on the Star Trek Republic page on FACEBOOK

 

The U.S.S. REPUBLIC was traveling through the deep space of the galaxy at Warp speed. The REPUBLIC was one of the last starships, of the NX-CLASS, in service in the year 2242 and within STARFLEET. The exterior of his hull had not received the modifications that the others had, and that caused them to be classified as CONSTITUTION-CLASS. They had just painted his hull and updated his number to NCC-1371.

The REPUBLIC had undergone its own modifications: the bow saucer module had been extended between the port and starboard engineering sections, mid-ship to aft. Below the saucer module was a new section, containing the navigational deflector disk and the training facilities for the STARFLEET ACADEMY cadets.

 

Madeleine Arland had her long black hair combed over her head, very expressive eyes, a delicate nose and lips. Arland was the current captain of the REPUBLIC. She handled the change in her professional life quite well, given that the STARFLEET COMMAND had transferred her from an old J-CLASS starship to the REPUBLIC main bridge, with no prior experience in something so great and important to the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS.

Arland, at the time of the launch of the REPUBLIC from the orbit of planet Earth, had hoped that the ambassador T'Pol of Vulcan (if she was still alive) would have dedicated or recorded some words for this last ship of the NX -CLASS. Since she T'Pol had been a crew member of the first of them all: Captain Archer's ENTERPRISE NX-01, launched in 2151.

But none of that happened. There was no recording, written words or live broadcast. Useless to have hope ... and less human hope for the Vulcans.

 

The REPUBLIC had a very small human crew, only about twenty men and women. All STARFLEET ACADEMY cadets about to graduate next year. All these young men were under the command of Arland and, also, of Lieutenant Benjamin Finney.

Benjamin was tall, athletic and good social interaction with the cadets and acted as chief engineer (temporary) of the REPUBLIC. Like Arland, he was new to the REPUBLIC, having spent the previous years teaching at the STARFLLET ACADEMY. Now he was wearing the STARFLEET uniform of those days: a light blue stretch jumpsuit with no pockets (Pockets were the main difference from the STARFLEET ACADEMY teacher uniforms). His neck was open almost to the shoulders and bordered in the color of the department in which he served on board. Arland's uniform collar was yellow (Command), Benjamin's was red (Engineering). The rank of each was displayed below and to the right of the neck. The starship's name (U.S.S. REPUBLIC) was on the left side of the chest and above the universal translator apparatus.

Arland and Finney had a simple order to follow on this maiden voyage. The first of all the other trips to the stars that the REPUBLIC would make, already as a school ship of the STARFLEET ACADEMY: to transfer to the distant star system OMEGA the last part of the gigantic archive of Mr. Brack, historical researcher of humanity and the Earth as a whole and the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS.

 

Arland was sitting in the central chair of the bridge when the REPUBLIC helmsman, Ensign Robert Evans, announced that the sensors were detecting a starship, stopped in the middle of the course they were developing towards the OMEGA system.

Arland required Evans to make immediate identification of that ship and put the image of it on the main screen of the bridge. Evans described aloud the chemical composition of the hull of that stopped ship, and that towards its origin within the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS. Fortunately it was not a ship of the Annoi, the humanoid race with which the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS had begun to have important diplomatic differences in the galaxy.

Arland spoke to Finney in the REPUBLIC's engine section through one of the gooseneck viewers. The two of them were treated exceptionally since they were new to STARFLEET.

“Ben, do you recognize the starship we have on screen?”

“That's right, Captain. Unfortunately it is the U.S.S. MONTU.”

“Why "unfortunate"?”

Evans wanted to know, sitting in front of Arland and behind the ship's helm station.

Finney answered him from the small viewfinder screen, which Evans had on his station.

“It's Captain Stefan Garth's starship.”

Arland broke off the dialogue between her two officers.

“Evans, say hi to MONTU.”

 

“And who is Garth?”

Arland was silent: she thought Garth and Evans, since he, as a recent graduate of the STARFLEET ACADEMY, did not know all the commanders stationed in deep space. The MONTU captain appeared in Arland's life as a curse. Finney consulted with Arland, through the viewfinder screen in the central chair. Arland authorized him to speak, with a nod to her head.

“Captain Garth wanted command of the REPUBLIC for himself. Our captain and Garth competed with each other. By decision of the STARFLEET COMMAND, Arland won and Garth lost.”

Evans, very eager to know the behind-the-scenes of that STARFLEET COMMAND decision, continued to ask.

"And why did Garth want command of the REPUBLIC? He has the MONTU. That it is a compact, modern ship and much faster than ours.”

Arland was the one who answered.

“The REPUBLIC will officially become a STARFLEET ACADEMY school ship very soon. We, you and Finney, will help train the new STARFLEET cadets. Garth wanted to do that, because of the increased annoi activity.”

"And now we find him adrift with his ship."

 

"Welcome to the REPUBLIC, Captain Garth! I am Captain Arland and these are my officers, Ensign Evans and Lieutenant Finney.”

The woman and the four men were standing in the doorway of the REPUBLIC's forward shuttlebay. Behind all of them was a small personal ship, with Warp capability, with which Garth and his mysterious companion had arrived aboard the REPUBLIC. The name of that little ship was PROTON.

Arland and Garth shook hands tightly. The MONTU captain was taller than everyone present. Attractive, blond-haired and slim. With the physiognomic and postural details that set him apart from the common STARFLEET crew. Young man, he was already a leading figure within STARFLEET: he famous for having achieved command of MONTU, the fastest ship. What was not known was that the MONTU was the consolation prize for having lost the exam against Arland. He worthy heir to the great ancient naval heroes of Earth and Izar (Garth was a native of this last human colony on another planet). His STARFLEET uniform included a black collar.

“Thank you, Captain. I will shortly detail the fate of MONTU and what has left us in such an uncomfortable situation. The most important thing right now is that you evacuate Dr. Richard Daystrom and his new invention from this space sector.”

Arland found that the human figure that had so far stood behind Garth was advancing toward her and holding out its hand. That figure was an African-American whose height was greater than that of all those present, a complexion similar to that of Garth and wearing a jacket and tie.

Finney, who was next to Arland to come to give MONTU aid from him (As soon as PROTON returned to Garth's ship), did not hide his admiration for the doctor, while he still continued to salute the captain.

“Captain, Daystrom is the latest winner of the Nobel and Zee-Magnees prizes”

“Congratulations, doctor.”

“Thank you very much, Captain Arland.”

They stopped greeting each other and Garth stepped between them.

“Excuse me, but even in the presence of the doctor, I am the most important person on board.”

 

Back in Arland's personal booth next to the REPUBLIC's main bridge, Garth was talking tirelessly, pacing back and forth. Arland, for his part, had sat behind his small desk.

“As he told you on the shuttlebay, he must get Dr. Daystrom out of this sector. The Romulans have secretly penetrated the NEUTRAL ZONE regardless of the consequences, even if they were discovered. And that's what I've done.”

“Do you have evidence that you can submit to the STARFLEET COMMAND?”

“Of course: my personal experience dealing with violent alien forces. My instincts, being in command of MONTU, and that led us to be chosen to test Daystrom's latest invention.”

“I have orders to finish the transfer of the Brack Archive to the OMEGA star system. In the cargo sections of the REPUBLIC there are numerous pieces of historical and investigative value for the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS that should not be missed.”

“Captain, the doctor has a higher strategic value than whatever Brack has put in the cargo sections. Daystrom has created new technology for STARFLEET and the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS. If he or his discovery falls to the Romulans ...”

"Why do you insist on the Romulans? They will not attack the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS again. They had enough at the Battle of CHERON.”

“A battle that happened a hundred years ago? I admire you if you can seriously consider that the Romulans continue to be intimidated after so much humiliation and time.”

“That's how it is. The UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS must be concerned about the danger expressed by the Annoi.”

"The Annoi don't compare to the Romulans! MONTU has been attacked by the Romulans a few hours ago. They have followed us since we left starbase with Daystrom aboard. I have sources of information, my own and secret, in both quadrants of the galaxy that confirm this to me.”

“Did you notify the STARFLEET COMMAND?”

“There's no need. Our long-range communications will be able to be monitored by the Romulans. Besides, I continue to command, the MONTU is being repaired by my people and yours, Arland, and I still control the situation.”

Garth said that and walked out onto the REPUBLIC bridge. For a few seconds he read the dedication plaque of the ship, placed on one of the walls that led to the elevator:

U.S.S. REPUBLIC

STARSHIP CLASS

SAN FRANCISCO, EARTH

FIRST STARSHIP OF STARFLEET ACADEMY

And the leitmotiv:

Wherever you see that I am going ahead. Let's go!

 Garth read this sentence at the bottom of the plaque.

“Beautiful words. Who said them?”

“Vetio Messio, a Volscian who faced the power of Rome in 431 BC. c. This phrase was personally chosen by Professor John Gill. As you know, he is one of the most reputable cultural observers of the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS.”

Garth shook his head affirmatively. He seemed to lose himself enough to gather the energy for what he was going to say.

“Captain, you will obey my orders. I consider that our respective ships are involved in a combat situation. By regulation 191, article 14, of STARFLEET: the command of both ships rests with the commander with tactical superiority. MONTU is a combat ship, and has survived a confrontation with the Romulans. The REPUBLIC is just a school ship.”

As proof, Garth pointed to the gooseneck scopes scattered across the bridge. Visors with which future STARFLEET ACADEMY teachers would observe their cadets in action.

“Captain, are you planning to take us into a combat situation? The REPUBLIC has a crew of forty men and women. Most of them recently graduated cadets.”

“Not at all, Arland. With this regulation that I cited I reinforce my order to leave this sector, with Daystrom and her discovery on board. I believe I still have a pending meeting with that Romulan commander.”

 

Selected cadets from the REPUBLIC, along with Finney, returned on board with PROTON. Doctor's personal ship that, like Daystrom himself and his invention, remained in the REPUBLIC. Grath used the transporter beam to return to MONTU and departed immediately.

Arland indicated to continue heading towards the OMEGA system, since he was outside the sector that Garth indicated as penetrated by the Romulans. Personally, she was not pressured by the MONTU captain's alarm. She was more than sure that, if there was such an alarm, Garth could take care of it well alone. She was sure that the current threat to the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS continued to be the annoi… so she ordered Evans to maintain complete subspace radio silence until reaching OMEGA.

Daystrom took a seat in one of the STARFLEET ACADEMY staff booths. On whose door appeared the name MALLORY.

Everything seemed to be proceeding normally, until the doctor began to insist to the main bridge that he wanted an interview with the captain as soon as possible.

 

Arland appeared in the gooseneck visor on the booth's center table. Daystrom walked over to that table and leaned on it. Since he was so tall, he had to crouch down enough to be able to finish with the viewfinder screen in front of his eyes.

“Doctor, what do you offer?”

"Captain, the Romulans who attacked us wanted my latest invention. I am convinced of it.”

“Why do you insist with that? Do you have additional evidence to that presented by Captain Garth?”

“Remember that the Romulans, during the early part of the war we waged against them, used a technology that allowed them to remotely take over the control systems of our ships. Thus they used our ships in treacherous attacks and the crews of these same ships as hostages to prevent their destruction.”

"Doctor, as you well know, STARFLEET has solved that part of the Romulan threat. Our technological level on the main bridges has been lowered and the number of crew involved in executing the orders of the commanding officers has multiplied. The REPUBLIC is an example of this.”

Daystrom looked down, evidently pained by Arland's words. When he reacted, he pointed his index finger at the viewfinder screen, where the image of the captain's face was.

“The Romulans who attacked Captain Garth managed to take control of the ship's systems from him. He will never recognize it, but he did. He got rid of them by sending them a powerful ultrasound signal, which must have affected them physically… What I want to tell you, Arland, is that the Romulans can now manipulate at will, even briefly, the monotronic systems of UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS ships.”

“My mind is one of the brightest within the UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS. Therefore, my personal safety and my intellectual survival must be ensured by STARFLEET and yourself, Captain. But I don't feel that way. I fear for my future aboard the REPUBLIC. I have listened to the comments that Garth made to you, while you were with him: as he did not consider you capable of exercising command during a crisis, since his previous experience was only on the bridge of a J-CLASS ship ...”

“Doctor, I appreciate your confidence. But these words… they don't matter to me. I take into account that my time ...”

"I was supposed to install my latest invention on Garth's ship. You already know what he is like, or you imagine it. He is a bigot. He despised me from the beginning for being African American and only intended to use my discovery in military exercises. I have not created it for those sole purposes. So I make the following offer to him, which I think he will not refuse: I want to immediately install the duotronic system in the REPUBLIC. I want to be as sure as possible that both my invention and I do not fall into enemy hands. "

 

In another part of that same space sector and on the control bridge of an alien starship that had a stealth system on at the time, two senior officers were talking to each other.

"The Federal ships have split up, Commander. The one we attack returns to the coordinates of the confrontation.”

"I'm sure your human captain is looking to reconstruct our ionic trail."

“The other federal ship has resumed travel. Destination: uncertain. Apparently: the OMEGA star system.”

“Where is the human doctor and the new technology that he has developed?”

“Our Antossian spy, in the crew of one of the federal ships, reports that both targets are on the ship bound for OMEGA.”

“Centurion, change of course: towards OMEGA. Halfway there is a cloud of dangerous metreonic gas. To get to OMEGA soon, the Federal ship would have to cross it. To get there safely, you should go around it. We will force her into the cloud and take over our goals. Then we will help each other with metreonic gas to cover the traces of our presence ...”

 

TO BE CONTINUE…

 

Alejandro Lois

12-23-2021

Martin Coronado, Argentina