Star Trek: Metamorphosis
Westfall/Star Trek TNG Crossover Fanfiction #2
Scene 5
Doctor Beverly Crusher took her seat beside Counselor Deanna Troi. Along with Commander William Riker, Lieutenant Commander Geordi LaForge, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Lieutenant Worf, the table looked to their captain for further information on the unexpected meeting.
“I will make this short, as time is our most precious resource,” Jean-Luc Picard began, his hands on the table. “We’ve been given a mission from Starfleet Command to retrieve a Klingon sect from the planet Najhom. However, this sect has developed customs that forbid outside discussion without a pair of Klingon present.”
“That doesn’t seem an unreasonable request,” Will looked to the captain.
“Other than Najhom being clear on the other side of this sector,” Geordi added much less confidently.
“And that is my biggest fear: not having enough time to retrieve a pair of Klingon and bring to them to Najhom before the allotted time runs out and the sect is destroyed.”
“Destroyed,” Beverly repeated.
Will’s brows arched on his forehead. “That does raise the stakes a bit.”
“I can send out a call for nearby Klingon vessels, sir,” the single Klingon spoke up.
“Go,” the captain dismissed Worf back to the bridge. “Mister Data, plot the fastest course to Najhom from our current location.”
“Aye, sir.” Data, too, got up, although he remained in the room to work on the viewscreen at the captain’s back.
“Counselor, have all our crew on shore leave returned?”
“We’re expecting four more to return within the hour,” her long curls bounced as she nodded.
“I still have Doctor Giorgio Hayward aboard as a visitor from the conference,” Beverly added.
Jean-Luc’s narrow eyes turned to her. “He will need to depart as soon as possible.”
Beverly’s mouth hung open for a moment. “Captain, he’s got–”
“This mission is of utmost importance. If he is still aboard when our crew arrives and our plan is in place, he will have no choice but to come with us.”
She bit her lip and nodded. “Yes, Captain.”
Data turned around, displaying a trajectory on the viewscreen. “Captain: Najhom is approximately a five-day’s journey at warp six.”
“And warp nine?”
The lead engineer winced as Data turned around and recalculated. “Captain, that’s really going to push our engines; if we have a situation where we need that power—”
“I understand, Mister LaForge,” Jean-Luc sternly assured him.
“At warp nine, it would take approximately two days, two hours, and fifty-three seconds, sir.”
“Worf to Captain Picard,” the captain’s badge chirped.
“Go ahead.”
“I received word from the Belkon. They are two weeks away from our current location.”
It was Will’s turn to wince. “And how long do we have until Najhom is cleared?”
Jean-Luc breathed slowly through his nose as his eyes remained focused on the table. “Five days.”
“Five days,” Will repeated, eyes wide. “Captain, we’ll barely make it with enough time to speak with them as it is!”
“Mister Worf: thank the Belkon for their response but tell them we will find another way. Then return to our meeting.”
There was a slight hesitation before Worf spoke, “Aye, Sir.”
“And what exactly is this ‘other way,’?” Will leaned an elbow on the arm of his chair.
Jean-Luc’s eyes were still focused elsewhere. “I do not know.”
“We do have Worf,” Deanna tried when the hopelessness continued to drift through the room. “Could this sect not make an exception due to the circumstances?”
“The Kzinti and another federation vessel have already attempted alternative contact to no avail. Even a single Klingon emissary is considered a breach in their code of honor; they will not listen to anyone but a bonded pair of Klingon.”
“Sir,” Data returned to the table as Worf returned to the room. “If we could invite the Klingon sect’s leaders to the Enterprise, we could simulate a second Klingon in the holodeck.”
“First contact will still have to be made in person. They do not have a functioning communications system.”
“Forgive my suggestion, Worf,” Geordi held out a hand toward the Klingon, “but could we simply disguise a crewmember as a Klingon?”
“It is not that simple,” Worf's response was short. “Klingon are complex to mimic–and will retaliate with great force if they discover they’ve been deceived.”
“Mimic,” Beverly spoke under her breath.
“Doctor Crusher?” Jean-Luc noticed the change in her expression.
Beverly bit her lip and stood. “Captain, I know another way.”
Commercial Break