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The Long Patrol - Part Three
Kirk plopped down in the center seat. "Mr. Mordane report please."
"Sir, we are at station keeping, I have located the distress signal. And calculated the size of the cone."
"And what do we have?"
"The object is now 48.76892 light years from us."
"See if you can get a snapshot of it, full spectrum, and continue to the location, best speed."
Lt. Failee gave Stellar cartography time to take their pictures, then resumed speed. A few moments went by. Kirk was about to get up.
"Stellar Cartography to Bridge. Ensign Cassman here."
"Go ahead Ensign."
"I have something, interesting Captain. I think you want to see this."
Kirk looked at Spacik. Spacik looked back. "OK, I'll be right down. Spacik?"
"I am with you Captain."
The two entered the turbolift. A short time put them outside the Stellar Cartography section. Acertor was there as well.
Kirk said. "Admiral, want to see something unusual?"
"Indeed. I think I would."
The three entered the map room. Ensign Cassman was sitting at the control board.
Kirk said. "OK Ensign Let's see it."
"Yes Sir." The view shifted to a perfectly normal star field.
"What is to see?"
"I'll do the false color image." The color shifted and a bright deep violet object jumped into existence.
Spacik said. "This is the standard scale."
"Yes sir."
Kirk said. "An x-ray object."
"Yes Sir, I called up several recent scans from the Saltok array and the Lenoiv array. Correlated this is what the full circle looks like."
The view rotated, the object vanished. As it went around that spot darkened to a deep red, then vanished, and once again the deep violet.
Acertor said. "Spectrum shifted."
"Yes sir. I was able to get the speed of the object; 0.9699c. That would make it the fastest non-warp object we know."
Kirk said. "How big is it?"
"Tiny sir, estimated at under 10,000 tons."
"A ship?"
Spacik said. "And a small one."
"Admiral, I think we need to send a message to your fleet, we are going to be delayed."
"Understood Captain. Are you hoping to find a living crew?"
"Always. There is just something about this that is tickling the back of my mind."
Acertor entered the Kongo's Senior Officer's lounge seeking a quite place to read. Mr. Spacik was engaged in a similar activity, with a plate of leafy somethings in front of him.
"If I might comment, I wouldn't take you for an herbivore."
"We are not. Taxidermicly we are omnivores. Vegetarianism is a philosophical choice."
"Then you would not have a warrior tradition."
"To the contrary Admiral. The past of Vulcan is soaked in blood. Indeed, I would not be sitting here had we not broken that cycle."
"A messianic savior?"
"As I understand the term yes. Surak introduced the ethic of reason to Vulcan. It is now a total part of our culture."
"You have no dissidents?"
"Yes, they left some two thousand years ago."
"So you have had space flight for a while?"
"As a matter of necessity, yes. An Orion colony attempted to annex Vulcan some twenty five hundred years ago. We had to learn to fight in space so we would not be conquered."
"Was this before or after Surak?"
"Unfortunately for the Orions, before. Unfortunate for us as well. Our culture was impacted. Isolationism was imposed and we did not venture out again for fifteen hundred years."
"Why?"
"We believed the Orion's statement that they controlled all beyond us. After the dissidents left, someone challenged that statement, in a reasoning fashion. We began to reach out once more. However, with great care as to not bruise others in the way we had been bloodied."
"So you waited for the cultures around you to catch up?"
"An we had reason to not be seen. A large and rapacious Empire was not at all far from Vulcan. We could not have withstood an attack. When they waned, we explored further. By that time, our neighbors were also exploring."
"You joined this Federation then?"
"It was more complex than that, but yes, we saw the reason in taking that step."
"So who on Vulcan decides?"
"Everyone."
"Everyone?"
"Yes, for any issue of planetary importance public debates are held and votes taken on a planet wide basis. The majority result carries the issue."
"It seem an awkward method of running a planet."
"When reason prevails, much is accomplished. How does your government decide."
"We have a ceremonial Matriarchy, that still carries some power. Decisions are made in the Hall of Pinions."
"Who is in the hall?"
"Heads of household's of the Second Estate, or a designated proxy. These days more proxies than heads. The planets are far apart, and estates must be managed. In the choice to manage one's goods or one's government, most choose the goods. The Imperial Halls are very far away, and truthfully matter little except on the core worlds."
"As with most large Empires, the reach of the throne is felt only so far as quick communication will carry their will. Regional governors have great power."
"Not so great, quick communication we have in plenty. I took a look at the maps, your Federation covers a much greater volume than the Acceptian Empire. Amazing that you have taken so much area in so little time."
"The Federation does not 'take area'. We come when invited and do not come when not invited."
"So I had been told, but the area the Federation covers, without conquest, how could you?"
"The maps show the patrol area of the Federation, not territory held."
"So, you patrol so much?"
"Federation members are scattered throughout the area. Therefore so is Starfleet."
"That is much to think about."
"Something to think about is always good."
Kirk looked around the table. All present he began.
"We are 48 hours from our target. Further examination has proven the initial speculation. We have a ship, moving at high relativistic speed, Ensign Cassman, your report."
"Sirs." The center of the table shifted to a rotating display of the doppler shifted object. "The object is moving at 0.9699c, mass would indicate a ship of under 20,000 tons. We have not been able to get a clear sensor reading of the object even with the aid of the high resolution normal space and subspace telescopes located at the Saltok and Lenoiv arrays. However with the aid of Tathilan we were able to somewhat correct the view, thusly."
The blurred and distorted image slowly coalesced in to a recognizable object. A tubular ship with unclear projections off it.
"Tathilan can you correlate that with any known design."
**Parameters Captain?**
"Federation designs."
**One moment.**
The moment passed, then another. Finally several dozen ships designs popped up in the display.
**All designs are pre 23rd century. The last was in use as late as 2245.**
Felialan asked. **What was it used as?**
**The SS Bustard was used as a robot ship to transport hazardous cargoes for disposal. She was disposed of at the same time. Disposal method was driving the ship into a star.**
Miritath said. "Any other service?"
**The SS Bustard and others of her class were used as a primary transports throughout the Romulan War.**
Kirk said. "Romulan War, that is causing an itch I don't feel I can even try to..."
Hanson said. "Well, spill it."
"It couldn't be, not a chance."
"We will never know unless you tell us."
"In two days, we will know. It's an old legend."
Spacik said. "Captain, I do wonder how we are going to approach this object. Warp speed is too fast, and impulse too slow."
"Felialan, is my memory good? I seem to recall a lecture in warp drive engineering that discussed sublight speeds in warp configuration."
**Memory serves you correctly. It can be done. It's hard on the engines and I don't recommend the procedure.**
"Can you give us matching speed long enough to get a good look?"
**Yes, fifteen minutes, the warp bubble will be highly unstable.**
"OK, we will try and make it ten. Regiban, any problems with the sensors in that state."
**None I can think of right now. I'll let you know well before we need it if their are.**
"Any other comments?"
Hanson piped up. "Yes. What if we find survivors?"
"We cross that bridge when and if we come to it. OK, Mr. Solin, plot us an approach that will place us in a parallel course with the object, as close as you dare get. Consult with Felialan on any possible difficulties in controlling the ship at sub-light speeds in warp. Let's do it."
As the others filed out Doctor Hanson lagged behind. "Captain, a word in private if I might?"
"Five minutes, my ready room."
"Gotya."
Kirk came in, Hanson was already comfortable on the couch with is coffee, a second cup was steaming on the table.
"Made yourself comfortable I see."
"Comfortable seems a nice way to be. To the point, why so cagey?"
"Because I don't want speculation flying around the ship. We will know for sure soon enough. If we have survivors we are talking old sleep tubes. Can you be ready for that?"
"It's a tough one, but doable. Hibernation shock is at it's worst in the first two weeks. Unfortunately the science of how to deal with hibernation shock has not progressed much. There has been little call for it."
"What's the record?"
"I don't know. There are a few cases that are hinted at in the old Enterprise no letter that are never fully disclosed, 'need to know' only. One case out of DS10 in recent years close to 200 years old. I would have to say that is pretty much the record."
"Well, if I am right, you will be looking at are least 200 years. Be ready for the worst. I'll see if I can get you that information. I would call this need to know."
"Thus ill informed I go forth. Anything else you would like to add?"
"Yes, but not now."
The door chime jolted Kirk out of his concentration. Odd, most crew paged him.
"Come."
Acertor entered the cabin.
"Admiral, an unusual call to say the least. Have a seat. What can I get for you?"
"Water please. I should like to be a prisoner more often if this is how you treat them."
"That still has not been decided. Water, normal, Skoor cup."
"Skoor cup? Ah, Doctor Hanson mentioned them." He took the covered cup. "Yes, similar in function to the ones we use. After all the trouble I went through to get my favorite programmed in the computer."
**Next time ask.**
"Excuse me?" Acertor spotted Tathilan beside the couch.
**Next time, ask what we already have.**
"Your 'voice' sounds familiar, but I can't place you?"
**I'm Tathilan, the ship's Computer Officer.**
"I recognize you now. I thought you were an AI program?"
**Close, we can discuss it later. You had concerns.**
"Yes. I got through to High Command. They understand your rescue mission and the delay it will cause. They are taking advantage of it to send an Elder out with the Vigilant."
"You don't sound pleased."
"It means that High Command considers the issue of importance."
"I have never regarded it as anything but."
"Captain Kirk, while I am prepared to accept the consequences of my actions, I am not required to look forward to it."
"Understood. Concerns indicates more than one."
"Do you have an 'Ambassador' or person of equal rank on the ship? If so I have not met them."
"All ship's Captains of line rank are considered Ambassadors of the Federation. That means me."
"Also, we have not had any formal discussion of terms as of yet."
"I do not consider the process of understanding finished."
"Such processes are usually continuous."
"Then they should continue. You are our guest."
"I am acquiring the impression Captain that you don't intend to make me a prisoner."
"Good impression. No, that was never my intention."
"Yet you went through the motions of that possibility."
"Yes, I did. I sensed that you needed it at that time. It is my hope you are moving beyond that need."
"You trust your senses with a species you had never met?"
"We, had, I had not."
"We? I don't understand."
"Acertor, I am one of those humans that is part of the All, Ansisi as was explained to you."
"I see. So you will be recommending war to liberate Harmony?"
"Nothing of the sort. Harmony has not requested liberation. Do you assume that Harmony would need liberation?"
"I have been told in certain terms that the Empire is not welcome."
Tathilan said. **Nor is it unwelcome.**
"Your terms were strong in disapproval."
"How would you react to having your house invaded and someone setting up offices therein and posting rules you have no need of?**
Acertor puffed up. "We would not allow it!"
**Yet you do it.**
"Acceptians are the natural rulers of our region."
Kirk said "It's an old argument, one both Human and Ane have heard, and that more than one Human has expressed. An argument that you will not convince me of, and one I don't think I will dissuade you of. We need not argue the point."
Acertor visibly brought himself under control. "How can I expect your opinion to affect your judgement Captain?"
"You can expect that it will not. I represent the entire Federation in this matter, not myself alone. Opinions of your governmental system will vary. You are not now at war with the Federation, or any other body to which we are allied."
"What do you think Captain?"
"Your Empire will fall."
"It has lasted 2000 years."
"Yes, you have not yet outstripped your ability to communicate effectively. In that you are strong. However, your comments to Mr. Spacik are telling. The rulers of the ruling houses see more fit to profit than rule, a form of rot. How long before the Proxies do not answer to the interests of their Patrons, but answer for their own interests, or the interests of the highest bidder? This could be happening already. The Government rotting from within."
"If you are so knowledgeable on government Captain, why are you not in Government?"
"Political Science is taught to every command cadet. We are required to be expert generalists. Equally at home in silicon grease or at diplomatic dinners. Our knowledge is not from the human experience alone, but every member of the Federation adds to the store of knowledge. Authoritative systems rot from within. Totalitarian systems rot faster, Republics take more time, but all rot. Effective pruning to prevent rot is a difficult task. It is seldom undertaken until the root is gone."
"So what was the oldest government on Earth?"
"China, an absolute monarchy that lasted in several forms but with a continuous government for well over 3000 years. By the time someone toppled it over, it required only a light push, and it fell apart. Totally rotten from within."
"Why are you so concerned to convince me of rot within my own government?"
"Because, if you are aware, and willing to see the truth, you have a chance to stop it. Authoritative governments fall, this is the experience, be aware of it and watch for the signs. Then you have a chance to break the pattern."
"You have no suggestion as to a better system?"
"Not my place to suggest. It's your government, your people. If you feel you can best thrive under your current system, it is not my place to condemn it."
"Yet you say it will fall?"
"That is the experience yes. However, that is not your immediate concern."
"What do you suggest we do about Harmony Captain?"
"Get off it."
"Just like that?"
"Yes, get off, and ask permission to return, aware and accepting of the fact that you might not get it."
"Retreat is not the Acceptian way."
"One of the Founders of the Federation, General Veseppi Kallfalx said; 'It is better to win friends than win battles.' And he was known for both."
"What message would failing back from a long held position give? It is not something to lightly consider."
Tathilan said. **You hold a conquered Empire by the power of your closed hand. Open that hand, and it flees from you.**
"Yes, that is so, the hand must stay closed."
**The Federation's hand is already open, and always has been.**
"That is our strength."
"Do you admit weakness?"
"Yes, power still corrupts, so everyone must watch carefully to see that one's self and one's fellows are not getting corrupted."
"When you find this what do you do?"
"Warn them they are going to far. Official action is only taken if the warning fails to get their attention."
"So what government does your world have?"
"Earth is a republic with democratic overtones."
"Yet you say republics rot."
"A fact of which we are painfully aware. Pruning of the tree must be done occasionally to keep it healthy. Earth seems to work best under a republic that practices benevolent neglect."
"Benevolent neglect?"
"Being slow to take action. Most problems solve themselves, or at worst require local action. Very little requires the world government to have a hand in."
"So you consider it best that the government does nothing?"
"That would be the ideal circumstance, yes."
"Most curious Captain. I do have one more question?"
"Ask."
"How did you know of my conversation with Mr. Spacik?"
"He briefed me on it."
"I, see. Good night to you then."
Kirk took a quick look around the bridge.
"Mr. Failee?"
"Course plotted sir, we should come along side the unknown two minutes after beginning the curve."
"Regiban?"
**Sensors ready, I have everything on line.**
"Felialan?"
**Warp power is under constant class one monitoring, you will have 14 minutes at warp 0.9699. After which the system will automatically increase to warp 1 and a controlled drop to real space. Intermix chamber B is off line in case of feedback damage we can't control."
"Understood. Mr. Failee, engage."
The Kongo came around in the graceful turn slowing as she came until she was 1000 meters off the Starboard side of the unknown ship.
Failee said "Warp 0.9699 now, timer running."
**Sensors running we are getting everything.**
"On visual."
The view of the old ship swam into focus. Talking on the bridge slowly came to a halt, as each member of the crew saw the ship.
"Magnify."
The ship jumped closer. The paint was worn off the bow from 200 years of micrometeors leaving a dull satin finish. Part of the vessel's name remained. "USS Ulysse" was all that could be read. Kirk rose from his seat, as if to walk toward the relic. NCC-107 was still visible on the near nacelle.
"The Grant."
Lt. Failee said. "Five minute mark."
"It's the Grant."
The silence stretched out. "Regiban, do we have lifesigns?"
**Barely readable, but yes, we do.**
"Ten minute mark."
"Regiban?"
**We have enough.**
"End the cycle Mr. Failee."
The Kongo briefly passed the ancient Grant, and then dropped behind her at a "slow" 0.1c.
Kirk said. "Felialan, get me a level two on the Warp drives. Everyone, conference in an hour. Mr. Spacik, the bridge is yours."
Kirk retreated to his ready room. The bridge exploded into talk as the door closed behind him.
Kirk had no sooner flopped on the couch when the door call rang.
"Come."
Doctor Hanson walked in. "Well, expectations met?"
"Exceeded." Kirk jumped to his feet and began to pace. "I had a faint idea, a too large hope, a longing even for it to be the Grant. But to actually see her. Bob, no one has laid eyes on that ship in over 200 years!"
"And we have lifesigns."
Kirk stopped. "Yes, we do." He sat. "And a real problem too."
"We can't get close to her."
"Not with warp drive, you can't touch the ship."
"I might be a doctor not a physicist, but I recall Mr. Einstein was rather hard on anyone getting near the speed of light."
"That he is. Well conference in the hour. We'll kick some ideas around. Assume we can get to her, you have a bunch of very old hibernation tubes to rescue."
The conference room was buzzing like Hornet's nest. Everyone who could was in the room proper. The second ring table had been installed. The "gallery" had small holos of every departmental office with even more people crowded in, and even the main lounges. Kirk looked at the large audience.
"Is anyone flying the ship?" He waited `til the laughter died down. "Seriously."
Another face popped up on the central projector.
"Ensign Harry Kim reporting sir. I have the helm."
"Someone at least is on the job here. For the record, we have discovered the long lost USS Ulysses S Grant, as by now half the quadrant knows. Regiban, can we have the details please?"
**The USS Ulysses S Grant NCC-107 was reported as missing in action on Stardate 246.54 The reporting ship indicated it was heading off at a high sublight rate on an unknown bearing. The reporting ship, the USS Paris NCC-137 was unable to raise the Grant.**
Cmd Solin said. "With the fact that they rigged their sensors to send a distress message, I would conclude the subspace set is damaged beyond repair."
**That is likely correct. Damage is extensive. The hull has a sizable hole under the engineering section, and it is open to space. Likewise the shuttlebay is in vacuum. The rest of the ship is holding tight. The fusion reactors are shut down, and there is no antimatter aboard, I was able to tell that the port antimatter intermix system is on, but no longer supplying power to the ship."
Hanson said. "So, no reactors, what is the ship running on?"
**Batteries. I estimate two or three months of remaining function.**
"We got here just in time."
Kirk said. "That looks to be the case. The problem is how do we match speeds with the Grant, and then decelerate."
Felialan said. **We do not have sufficient impulse fuel to perform such a maneuver.**
Hanson said. "But we could be the last chance these people have. What keeps us form using the warp drive power plants?"
**The way they work. It's a cheat in Einsteinian space. They leverage your way passed the speed of light, not bull our way through. To go fast in normal space, you have to have mass and energy. Energy we have plenty of, but not enough mass."
"Sirs?"
Kirk said. "Who is speaking."
A hologram flickered into the central area. "Ensign Martendale, engineering. Sir we use deuterium as a fuel because it packs easy, and we can get it almost anywhere. However, the impulse engines will accept any gas, or even liquid as reaction mass. We could use the basic elemental stores normally used in the replicators as reaction mass. We would even get a better thrust ratio because the mass of the elements is greater."
Kirk said. "Felialan, is this practical?"
**Yes, but we will have some very dirty impulse engines when we are done.**
"How much can we afford to burn?"
Mr. Spacik answered. "We can expend 63.564% of our current supply level and not engender the ship."
"Is that enough?"
Tathilan said. **Yes, with the decrease in mass as we throw mass we will have sufficient mass to make the maneuver and to brake to a full stop. We will then have to maintain emergency rations and will have only 10% of our impulse fuel left.**
"Does this account for the mass of the Grant?"
"No, we will have to rescue the crew and abandon the Grant."
Spacik said. "That's too long at relativistic speeds. We are talking a significant time dilation effect."
Hanson sat up. "Wait a minute. If we would experience time dilation, the Grant has for years."
"You are correct Doctor. I calculate that the Grant has experienced only 10.95238 standard years according to the standard time dilation table for 0.9699c."
Felialan said. **However, that does not address the possible failure of the Grant's batteries.**
Spacik said. "That is true. Rescue must occur soon."
Kirk said. "What is the closest star system with a hunk of rock and a gas giant?"
Tathilan said, as the graphic came up. **Albert's system. 10.23 light years from our current heading.**
"Any PD problems?"
**No, it is listed as uninhabited.**
"Right. Tathilan, plot a course. Ensign Kim."
"Yes Sir."
"Engage the course now on your board, warp factor 9.5"
"Yes Sir."
"OK, here is what we do. I want all the shuttles, shuttlepods, gigs and anything else that can be off loaded off loaded in Albert's System. I want a crew for the Akagi to keep an eye on things, we are coming back for it. Empty the cargo holds of anything for which an immediate or emergency need cannot be thought of, such as the colony recovery kit. All excess material will be dumped in space with the shuttles. Felialan, rig every emptied cargo hold necessary with material tanks. Those figures were on the Kongo as she is currently massed?
**Yes.**
"Good, we will replace that mass with expendables in a ram-scoop run on the local gas giant. That should improve our margin. Get every gram of reaction mass you can without losing the gain to diminishing returns. I want everyone taking a critical look at your departments. Any equipment that isn't tied down, and is not needed for the rescue, and will survive vacuum storage, gets added to the pile. Personal possessions are optional. No one is required to ditch personal items. Tear the ship apart. Every gram you can save, means another gram of reaction mass.
Doctor Hanson, your department is the exception. At least one hold is reserved for your hibernation recovery ward. The crew of a Lenin class is?"
Regiban said. **One hundred persons Captain.**
"Assume one hundred then. Let's do it people."
Continued in Part Four
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Return to -- Epiphany Trek: The Stories The Above is a work of fiction. All characters are fictional, any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.
Copyright © Garry Stahl: July 2000. All rights reserved, re-print only with permission. |
