Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 26 Apr 2004 07:59:54 -0700 In: alt.startrek.creative From: whoa_nellie40@hotmail.com (whoa nellie) Title: Nocturnal Transmissions Author: Whoa Nellie (whoa_nellie40@hotmail.com) Series: TNG Repost: 5/7 Rating: NC-17 Codes: P/Vash Synopsis: The evil alternate Picard from the mirror universe returns for Vash. Can Picard stop his counterpart and save the love of his life? Author's Note: Feel free to archive to any pertinent site. In preparation to play in our Double Entendre universe in the coming year, we're reposting the stories from that universe as a refresher (or introduction to those who haven't read our earlier work). These stories have been polished up a bit, but they are still are earliest pieces from when we began writing nearly a decade ago. Edited-down versions of most of our stories can be found through our author page at fanfiction.net: http://www.fanfiction.net/profile.php?userid=85355 As always: Paramount owns all the marbles, we just have a lot more fun playing with them. Feedback is always appreciated - posted or e-mail. Whoa Nellie's Picard/Vash Romance Fan Fiction website is at: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Galaxy/7926/ Whoa Nellie's Sci-Fi Romance Fan Fiction website is at: http://www.geocities.com/whoa_nellies2000/ Continued from Part 4 Picard and Vash entered the conference room to find his senior staff already assembled and ready for a briefing. Data and Geordi were quietly discussing sensor logs as Data prepared to report on his findings. Everyone looked up as they walked in and Picard made his way to the head of the table. Vash remained standing, preferring instead to pace the floor just behind Jean-Luc's chair. "I assume everyone is wondering why you've been assembled. It appears there has been some communication from the alternate universe. We may be looking at an imminent cross-over. Mr. Data, report." "Well, Captain," Data began his fingers rapidly skimming across the computer panel in front of him. "I reviewed the sensor logs for the past 96 hours, as you requested. Beginning precisely 96 hours and 31 minutes from the time you requested I begin this search, there has been a low-intensity electromagnetic energy signature indicating a possible transmission to this vessel of approximately 28 minutes in duration once every 24 hours. The shortest duration was 72 hours ago, lasting 23 minutes and 40 seconds. The longest transmission was the initial transmission lasting 31 minutes precisely." "What form have these transmissions taken, Captain. Were you threatened?" Riker was instantly concerned about his commanding officer. "No, Number One, I have not been the recipient of these transmissions." Picard turned to Vash, "Do these times coincide with your dreams?" "Could he run through that in English, please?" Vash had gotten lost right after Data's 'Well, Captain.' "The transmissions would have begun at approximately 0230 hours each time," Data responded. "That would be about 2:30 in the morning," Picard added, noticing the look Vash shot Data. "Does this have anything to do with those dreams you were so concerned about?" Deanna asked. "Yes and yes," Vash answered both questions. "Has Vash been threatened, Captain? Perhaps we should bring in more security and put the ship on yellow alert." Riker's immediate response was to protect his captain's wife. "I think Mr. Worf is sufficient security for the time being Number One," Picard was mildly amused at his first officer's reaction to the threat to Vash. "Did you say you knew about these dreams, Counselor?" Deanna and Beverly exchanged glances. "Yes, Captain. Vash was extremely agitated because of the dreams she had been having. She discussed them with Doctor Crusher and myself yesterday. We thought they were simply dreams at the time." "Do I need to ask how much chocolate was involved in this discussion?" Picard asked dryly. The chocolate-fests were legendary among the senior officers. "Perhaps I should run a complete scan on Vash," Crusher chimed in, getting concerned. "Later, Doctor," Picard agreed. "Mr. Data, your analysis of the situation, please." "The transmissions are regular in nature, may I assume that there was an indication in one of them that a cross-over was planned?" "You may." Picard didn't elaborate. "If they have some sort of interdimensional transporter, they would need to establish coordinates in this dimension to activate and safely transport across." Data's initial theory struck a chord in Riker. "He's making good on his threat, Captain." "Time out." Vash grabbed Picard's chair and swung it around so he was facing her. "What threat?" "Number One, please review the Starfleet definition of tact." Picard made a mental note to kill his first officer if he survived his wife. "I chose not to tell you about his parting words. At the time, we weren't sure if he had even survived his injuries. It seemed like an empty threat and I didn't wish you to be concerned about it." "Sorry, sir." Riker's somewhat meek apology filtered across the room. "Well, I think maybe it's time you told me about it. And I won't even tell you that if I had known about it I might not have waited four days to bring these dreams to your attention. So what exactly did he say?" Vash would deal more directly with her husband when this was all over. "Just before he activated his transponder, he said that I may have won the battle but that the war wasn't over. His last words were that he would be back for you." Picard's throat tightened at the memory. Vash hugged herself tightly and walked over to stare out the window. Up until now, she had thought her mind was playing tricks with her. The realization that it was truly the alternate Picard who was playing tricks with her mind was terrifying. "Yes, Number One, it appears that he is preparing to make good on the threat he made." Now that the cat was out of the bag there was no point in beating around any more bushes. "Suggestions, anyone?" "I propose twenty-four hour security on Mrs. Picard." Worf's immediate concern was security. "I think we should initiate a constant transporter lock on Vash until we figure out what this guy is up to and how to neutralize it." Riker didn't want to trust any one person with her safety. "Agreed, Mr. Worf, please see to both measures." "Aye, sir." Worf rose and left the room to make the arrangements. "Doctor Crusher, Mr. LaForge, any suggestions as to how to block these transmissions. They are very upsetting to Vash." Picard's primary concern was keeping her here, but he also wanted those dreams to stop before his alternate went much further with them. As Picard, Crusher, and LaForge began conferring on various alternatives to blocking the transmissions, Data noticed Vash holding herself tightly and shivering almost imperceptibly by the windows. He walked over to her and stepped in front of her. "What do you see, Vash?" Data asked softly. "Right offhand, you," Vash answered wryly. "My skeleton is a polyalloy composed of cortenide and duranium. There is no known humanoid with the ability to get through me." Data looked down at Vash reassuringly. "You will not be leaving this vessel." Vash took a small step forward and threw her arms around Data's neck. Planting a quick kiss on his cheek she whispered, "thanks, Data." Riker saw Vash hug Data and walked over to where they stood "No man on this ship is going to let anything happen to you. You're our queen bee, let him find his own." Vash reached out to squeeze Will's hand and leaned up to give him a kiss on the cheek. "If Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot are finished vying for your favors, may I escort Lady Guinevere home?" Picard had finished his discussion with Crusher and LaForge and dismissed them before joining the threesome by the window. "Since the transmissions occur only once in a twenty-four hour period, Geordi thinks that we should have at least a twenty-two hour window of breathing space." " I concur, Captain. I will get started at once on options to neutralize any type of interdimensional transporter device he may be planning to use." Data's lack of need for sleep usually annoyed others, now it was coming in handy. "After you've had a little more sleep, Deanna and Beverly would like to see you in sickbay. Ostensibly to run some neuroscans, but I'm sure there will be chocolate involved at some point. In the meantime, let's try to salvage a little of this night. Goodnight, gentlemen." Picard dropped an arm around Vash's shoulders and steered her toward the door. Data and Riker watched them walk toward the door and both quickly stifled their laughs when they heard Vash's voice drift across the conference room. "My hero." .......................................... Later that afternoon, Picard sat in his readyroom pouring over weekly reports. He set aside the report he was reading and checked the computer for Vash's current location, just as he had done every ten minutes all day long. As captain, he knew it was totally unnecessary, Vash was under a constant transporter lock and her location was being continuously monitored in engineering, in sickbay, and by the tactical station on the main bridge. Any transporter lock on her from an outside source would automatically raise the shields and set off more alarms than a Romulan Warbird decloaking off the port bow. However, as her husband, he checked her location anyway. The comm signaled for his attention. "La Forge to Captain Picard." "Picard here," he replied, "Go ahead, Geordi" "Sir, may I see you in engineering?" His chief engineer's voice came over the comm. "We have a plan, sir." "On my way, Geordi." Picard stood up and headed for the door as he spoke, "Please contact Vash and Dr. Crusher and have them meet me there." "Aye, sir." .................................. As Picard rounded the corner to main engineering, he saw his wife and her security guard coming from the other direction. Lieutenant Mark Randall, who was raised on a ranch in Montana, looked like a younger version of Will Riker. Vash affectionately referred to the handsome, young officer as 'the cowboy.' Even from down the corridor, Picard could see Vash chatting away amicably with the officer. As Randall and Vash reached the entrance to main engineering, the young man looked down at Vash with a gallant smile, replying to something she had just said. The lieutenant's expression turned serious and he took on a military stance as Picard approached them. "Captain," Randall addressed his commanding officer. "Mr. Randall," Picard nodded, inwardly amused by the young man's fondness for Vash. " Hello, darling," Vash greeted her husband as she took his arm. "Ma chere," Picard gently laid his hand over the small hand she had placed on his arm. "Shall we?" "Of course." Vash turned to Randall, who was standing next to the entrance. "Mark, you'll be here?" "Yes, ma'am," the officer replied with a glint in his eyes. "Right here where you left me." "Good enough." Vash gave him a quick.wink before Jean-Luc led her into engineering to find Geordi. "You don't really have to encourage them, you know," Jean-Luc noted dryly as they entered engineering. "Of course I do," Vash shot back. As Picard shook his head in amusement and guided her through engineering toward La Forge's office, Vash couldn't help glancing over at the powerful warp core. The sight of the immense heart of the warp engines still awed her. Lieutenant Reginald Barclay was working at the computer console next to the chief engineer's office door. Barclay stood up and straightened into a rigid military stance as they approached. "Captain," Barclay said in his usual nervous tone. "Commander LaForge went to check on a slight fluctuation in one of the sensor relays. He wanted me to ask you to please wait in his office." "Of course, Mr. Barclay," Picard replied. "Thank you." "I . . . I . . . I'll let him know you're here, sir," Barclay stammered. Vash always found Reg Barclay's bashfulness very endearing; however, she noticed that, along with his customary nervousness, he looked tired. His hair wasn't quite as neat as usual and there was some shadowing under his eyes. Her expression grew slightly concerned as she looked up at him, "Reg, are you all right?" "Yes, ma'am. I'm . .I'm fine," Barclay answered with a small, timid smile. "I came down here halfway through my sleep cycle to check on a repair I had done. Mr. La Forge asked for my opinion on an analysis he was running. When I found out what he and Mr. Data were working on I volunteered to help." Vash sounded stunned. "Reg, are you telling me that all three of you have been working nonstop since 4:30 this morning on my little problem?" "Yes, ma'am," Barclay nodded. Vash looked up at the engineer shyly through her lashes. "My heroes, how can I ever thank all of you?" "We'd never let him, or anyone else, take you from us," Barclay told her with uncharacteristic firmness. Picard cleared his throat. Wryly, he thought to himself, 'At this rate, the single men on this ship will be throwing rose petals at her feet by our second anniversary.' Arching an eyebrow, he addressed Barclay, "Lieutenant, weren't you on your way to let Mr. La Forge know we were here?" "Yes, sir, certainly sir," Barclay nodded and beat a hasty retreat to find the chief engineer. As they stepped into La Forge's office, Vash discreetly pinched her husband's arm. Under her breath, she scolded him, "Intimidating Reggie is the equivalent of kicking a puppy." "Oh, it's Reggie now," Picard chuckled. Vash turned to face her husband, her back to the door. "Reg comes by about once a week to help me calibrate some of the more finicky pieces of equipment in my lab. He's very sweet." Picard regarded his wife with open amusement. "Talk about harems, ma chere, I see you're expanding your harem of single men to include junior officers as well as senior ones." "Everyone needs a hobby, Jean-Luc," Vash cooed at her husband. Just as the office door opened, Picard sighed melodramatically, "There must be at least one single male on this ship that isn't enamored with you." Looking up to see his chief engineer, Picard smiled, "Ah, Geordi." Geordi walked up behind Vash, glancing down at her. He looked back up at the captain with a straight face and deadpanned, "Sorry, sir, totally smitten." With a regal toss of her hair, Vash gave her husband her most triumphant smile. "Et tu, Brute," Picard feigned injury as he took a seat in one of the chairs across from the engineer's desk. Geordi smiled and shrugged his shoulders as he offered Vash a seat in his large desk chair. Settling herself in the large, comfortable chair, Vash marveled, "this is as nice as the one in Jean-Luc's readyroom." "I know, I requisitioned both of them at the same time," Geordi chuckled as Beverly Crusher, Data, and Barclay entered the office. Crusher and Barclay took the two remaining chairs. Geordi leaned against the edge of his desk. "Since we're all here, Doc, do you want to start?" Beverly pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "The medical scans I performed on Vash this morning did show brain wave activity with a low level energy signature similar to that of a Ferengi thought-maker; however, the effect is much more subtle and could be very easily missed, if you weren't specifically looking for it. Someone has obviously done some tinkering and fine tuned one of the devices. That would explain why Vash hasn't experienced the severe headaches and other side effects normally associated with the thought-maker." "Someone most likely being my counterpart," Geordi's eyes narrowed with disgust. "This is not my proudest moment." Vash's reply was gentle, "Geordi, you're no more responsible for the creation of this device than Jean-Luc is for the way it's been utilized." "Vash is right, Geordi," Picard said sincerely. His voice became all business and he continued, "Options." "Well sir, I have good news and I have bad news," Geordi sighed. "Tell us the good news first," Picard suggested. Geordi nodded, then began his report, "There are two distinct parts to these transmissions. First is the low level electromagnetic energy wave from the thought-maker. The second part is an interdimensional carrier wave. It would be easy enough to modulate the shields to block the low level energy wave of the thought-maker. However, that doesn't solve our problem because it leaves Captain Psycho's equipment still functional. Reg came up with the idea of using the carrier wave for our own purposes. We want to send a high energy pulse back up the carrier wave. It poses absolutely no threat to Vash and it will overload the thought-maker along with anything linked to it, such as a transporter." "That's wonderful, Geordi." Slightly wary, Picard regarded his chief engineer. "What's the bad news?" La Forge took a deep breath before continuing. "Since we are using their carrier wave, we need Vash to allow herself to be contacted again. We also need to make sure the energy pulse has sufficient time to travel back up the carrier wave and that it's not detected." "Understood," Picard responded with a curt nod. It wasn't an ideal situation, but it would solve the problem. "Not understood! You want me to what?" Vash arched an eyebrow, ala her husband, and shot Geordi a 'You wanna make a bet' glance. She didn't understand all the mechanics to this plan, but she understood the part about having to revisit Hades again. Geordi kneeled down next to Vash's chair so that he was face to face with her. "I can stop him, Vash. But I need your help to do it." "You absolutely have to have me receive another dream," Vash said quietly. Geordi nodded. "It's more than that. I don't know what these dreams are that he's transmitting to you; but, during his next transmission, I need you to do two things for me. First of all, I need you to stall him, so the energy pulse has time to travel up the carrier wave. Secondly, I want you to try to keep his attention focused on you; any monitoring equipment will notice the energy pulse, but if he's occupied with you, he may not notice the warning until it's too late to stop it." "Vash," Picard kept his voice even, knowing he was on very thin ice at the moment. "All you have to do is keep him distracted long enough for the pulse to reach his equipment and destroy it" "Oh, is that all," Vash responded in a clipped sarcastic tone as she glared across the room at her husband. "And exactly how does the good captain suggest I keep his counterpart entertained without ending up on my back? Should I try an exotic dance such as the flamenco or maybe a belly dance. Perhaps I should try something in the striptease genre. There is always the old bump and grind, the bubble strip, and, of course, the fan dance. I know, I could mix the exotic with the erotic and do the dance of the seven veils." During Vash's tirade, Picard reached up to rub the bridge of his nose. He could tell by her voice she was tired, frightened and frustrated. He purposely ignored the shocked expressions of his officers, trusting them to have the sense to keep their reactions tactful. When she finally stopped to take a breath, he arched his eyebrows and looked at her over his fingers. "Are you finished?" "Not a chance," Vash retorted. "What if our friend out there finds my performance so diverting that he decides to transport me into his universe right then and there, while I'm alone in bed? I really don't relish the idea of spending the rest of my life as his courtesan." Data spoke up for the first time. "That would be quite impossible. First and foremost, you will be in sickbay, not your quarters. Additionally, you will not be alone; Dr. Crusher, the captain, Geordi, Mr. Barclay and myself will all be with you. I have also taken the liberty of modulating the shields to prevent any known form of transporter from being used," Data paused and gave Vash a small, reassuring smile. "As I told you earlier, you will not be leaving this vessel. "Maybe we . . . well, maybe we should just modulate the shields to block the transmission until we can come up with some other way to stop him," Barclay stammered. "When we . . we devised this plan, we didn't know that he was using these dreams to . . ." "Reg, I'd be real careful about how I finish that sentence if I were you," Geordi teased. "We didn't know he was using these dreams to take liberties with Mrs. Picard," Barclay finished euphemistically. For the first time since the meeting began, Vash smiled. Looking at her husband, she chuckled, "Nice save." When she winked at Reggie and Geordi to share her amusement, she realized just how haggard and exhausted they both were. She felt chagrined as she realized that they would willingly give up more sleep to devise another means of protecting her if she refused to participate in this plan. "Oh, all right." Vash looked over at Jean-Luc and added, "you realize, of course, that this is going to cost you a very, very large diamond." "Yes, dear." Picard had been planning to reward her with something anyway, not necessarily that big of a reward, but in the interests of peace, whatever she wanted, she would get. Geordi clapped Barclay on the shoulder and sighed, "Well, I guess we'd better grab a pulse generator and head down to sickbay to get started on the necessary modifications to their diagnostic equipment." "Mr. Data, would you be able to handle the necessary modifications yourself, at least for awhile?" Picard asked suddenly. "Yes, sir." "Mr. LaForge, Mr. Barclay, I want both of you to report to your quarters and get some sleep. Mr. Data: I'd like you to begin the modifications. The others can join you once they've slept. It's going to be a long night and I think we all had best get as much sleep as we can, you included, my dear," he ended shooting a long glance at his very tired wife. "Aye sir," came the responses from his exhausted engineering staff. Beverly stood up to make her way out of Geordi's office. As she passed Data, she patted him on the shoulder, "Come on, Data. Let's get you started." "Yes, Doctor," the android nodded and began to follow her out. Pausing briefly at the door, Data turned back to grin and wink at Vash. As he turned and continued out the door, she and the others could hear the unmistakable sound of Data whistling to the tune of 'We're Off To See the Wizard.' "I could definitely use some courage right now, if the wizard has any to spare," Vash muttered aloud as she recognized the tune Data was whistling. The sound of Reg Barclay nervously clearing his throat caught her attention and she looked over at him. "Ma'am, are you sure you want to go through with it? If you're uncomfortable with this, we can still block his transmission while we work on another way to stop him," Barclay offered, still sounding very concerned. "Really, Reg, I'm fine. If you block his transmission, he'll know we're on to him and we'll lose the element of surprise. Your plan is the best way to stop him. I'll be ready for him this time and the more I think about it, the more I like the fact that I get to help stick it to him," Vash graced Barclay with one of her most charming smiles. "Besides, I know that nothing can happen to me with all of you right there protecting me." "Yes, ma'am," Barclay nodded with a slight blush as he got up from his chair and made his way out of the office. "Well, now that we have that settled," Vash stood up and turned to smile at her husband, "I should probably go round up the cowboy and head back to my office to finish up a few things before returning to our quarters, per orders." "Very good. I'll meet you there in one hour for an early dinner," Picard said as he stood up himself. "Aye, dear, I mean Captain, darling, dear," Vash teased with a jaunty, little salute before strolling out of Geordi's office. Geordi flopped down in his chair, chuckling. Picard glanced down at his chief engineer with mock exasperation. "Oh, go to bed Geordi," Picard retorted good naturedly as he followed his wife out the door. ....................................... End Part 5 -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Awards Tech Support http://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/commenting/ No Tribbles were harmed in the running of these Awards ASCL is a stories-only list, no discussion. Comments and feedback should be directed to alt.startrek .creative or directly to the author. 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: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ From ???@??? Tue Apr 27 22:12:56 2004 X-Persona: Status: U Return-Path: Received: from n29.grp.scd.yahoo.com ([66.218.66.85]) by bunting (EarthLink SMTP Server) with SMTP id 1biEn74aB3NZFmR0 for ; Tue, 27 Apr 2004 19:00:25 -0700 (PDT) X-eGroups-Return: sentto-1977044-13505-1083117625-stephenbratliffasc=earthlink.net@returns.groups.yah