Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 07:06:56 -0800 In: alt.startrek.creative From: "Jay P Hailey" JayPHailey@comcast.net Title: Star Trek: Outwardly Mobile Author: Jay P Hailey (JayPHailey@hotmail.com.com) Series: MISC - TNG OCs COdes: None Part: 11/335 Rating:[PG] Archive: Fine with me, just tell me where. Disclaimer: Paramount owns all things Star Trek. I claim Original Characters and Situations for me. Website: http://jayphailey.8m.com Meanwhile In an Alternate Universe By Jay P. Hailey And Dennnis Washburn I was taking practice with my saber when my man servant Bruce entered the chamber to give me the news. I only undertook such strenuous exercise out of habit. It had been many a long year since my honor had been worth impugning. My prospects were limited and it appeared that I was destined to be a minor functionary at the court of his majesty Kirk the Fourth King of Elysia, and Lord protector of territories and colonies that I hadn't bothered to keep count of recently. Still, Viscount was good title, and without the pressure that notoriety brings I could serve the realm quietly without undue stress. It seemed that my comfort was not to last. Bruce came to me, bowed and said "Your honor, I bring word from the Palace." Trying not to be too familiar, I let Bruce stand for a second in his submissive pose. Bruce was an excellent manservant and had made life much easier for me. I worried about not being stern enough with him, and losing his respect. Without that, I would lose his good service. "What message is that?" I said off handedly. A summons to the Palace was a serious matter, but it wouldn't do to lose my composure in front of Bruce. "The Lord High Chamberlain sends his summons, Your Honor." Bruce said neutrally. His trepidation was understandable. A panicky or excessively emotional Viscount has been the end of many a man servant. I don't operate that way. "Very Well," I said, turning quickly to return to my chambers to dress appropriately. "Well done. Ready my carriage and have it around to the front in five minutes." "Yes, Your Honor." Bruce said to my back. I was already rushing to make myself presentable to the Lord Chamberlain. The Baron Quinn was one of the Emperors' inner circle of ministers and advisors. I owed my position at the court directly to him. It was widely understood that Quinn was some sort of sorcerer. I found him mysterious, odd and unorthodox in his thinking. In spite of that he had never been unfair or capricious with me. I knew that he served The Emperor faithfully, and was honored to lend my efforts to his. To be summoned to the Palace meant that certainly some great events were afoot. Events that I would certainly be playing my small part in. I arrived in good order, and while Bruce took my carriage and team into the stable at the palace. I went directly to Baron Quinn's office. It was in one of the southern towers on the outer ring of the grand Palace of Elysia. I was introduced to the presence of the Lord Chamberlain by the herald and bowed low. Respect to ones' superiors was a survival trait, and those in power rarely ignored a breach. Baron Quinn had no time for such things. "Jay, A pleasure." He said drawing me from my submissive pose "How do you fair, this day?" I allowed myself to smile as I began my report. All matters of station aside, I had the feeling that Quinn genuinely liked me, and I returned the affection. Quinn listened to my report with appropriate attention but little real interest. If my business was anything that required Quinn's personal attention, then I had not been doing my job. I had, so the details were not as useful to Quinn. Quinn said "I have a job for you, Viscount. Would it be convenient for you to settle your affairs for a trip?" This was phrased as a question, but it wasn't. Quinn had an assignment for me. I was used to this. An inspection tour, or a minor diplomatic contact to one of the allied cities that made the empire so powerful. "I could easily be ready to leave by the end of the week My Lord." I responded. "Thank you, Jay. I will assign a trusted acquaintance of mine to oversee your businesses and house until your return." I was overwhelmed. Quinn was going to take personal responsibility for my estate and property until I returned. That also meant that I would be gone for a significant amount of time. "Thank you, My Lord. May I ask of the service which I am to undertake?" I asked. Quinn simply smiled and handed me a scroll. "Read this first, and then I will brief you on the details." I opened the scroll and read. I had been promoted to the level of Count, and placed in authority of his majesty's ship, the Harrier. The scroll had been signed personally by the hand of His Majesty James Tiberius Kirk the Fourth, Emperor of the Etc. I felt weak. The Emperor himself had placed this mission upon me. It meant that he knew my name and that he trusted me, probably on Quinn's recommendation. I couldn't receive a greater honor, or a better favor for Quinn to grant me. "My Lord..." I began, but I couldn't continue. I was choked with emotion. Quinn then told me the details of my mission. It was not going to be easy, but it had the potential to bring great honor to me. On the other hand, it could get me killed. This was why a better known nobleman wasn't going in my stead. On Quinn's say so, the Emperor himself had gambled on my abilities. I was to take the Harrier, a two deck sloop with fourteen guns to the small island nation of Bajor. They were suffering under the heel of the Cardassian Union. My mission was to slip onto the island and discover if any Bajorans were willing to ally with our nation. Then my new allies and I would start a well-timed campaign of terror and sabotage to soften the Cardassian forces on the island for our fleet. The H.M.S. Harrier would carry a cargo of muskets and powder to supply a Bajoran resistance as well as treasure from the Emperors' own vaults to finance the corruption of Cardassian Officials or whatever bribes and mayhem I could create to advance Elysian interests in that quarter. However, the Emperors' men had just completed a treaty with the Cardassians. Interference in their affairs would cause a war. The Emperor felt that the time was not yet ripe for a war with the Cardassians, so he needed someone who was not notably allied with the crown to be his agent. If I were captured, then the Emperor and the Lord Chamberlain could claim that I was a privateer, out to improve my fortunes in an unauthorized adventure. It was certainly an all or nothing proposition. However, if I succeeded I could look forwards to new holdings on Bajor, as well as booty rights to all Cardassian treasure and materiel once the offensive to free Bajor started. I had not been to sea since I had been part of Baron Picard's campaign against the Klingons. Quinn soothed me by telling me that I would receive a crew capable of handling the mission, as well as a few trusted officers of his choosing. With all due haste I arranged my affairs, and went to inspect my new command. I arrived in my carriage, with Bruce and a few things packed along. I had learned during the Baron Picard's Campaign that it is a mistake to pack heavily on a sea voyage. The Harrier herself was a disappointment. Her hull was a good shape, narrow to cut through the waves like a blade. However, she was old, and I could see many patches in the hull. Her crew was an even worse surprise. I yelled to for permission to board. It was granted, but the officer who granted me permission was a tall Nubian woman. She was scantily clad and I could see the sinews playing in her arms. She was obviously part of the crew. I came aboard, and saluted the Keel. "Who is the first mate of this ship?" I asked. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.564 / Virus Database: 356 - Release Date: 1/19/2004 -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. From ???@??? 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