MLK's Star Trek Saga

A full security squad materialized on board the small-unidentified ship lead by Odo. The interior of the craft was dark with smoke rising from some of the instrumentation as Dr. Bashir scanned for life signs.

"Well doctor," Odo seemed impatient. "Anything?"

"Yes Odo, right there." Bashir pointed in the direction of a figure lying on the floor of the bridge unconscious. "Curtis Fox, I presume?" Bashir scanned the man's vital signs while Odo turned him over revealing his face.

"Get those emergency lights on lieutenant." Odo barked, directing his voice toward an underling security officer. "Doctor what is his condition?" Per orders two other security officers began to search the other sections of the ship.

"His condition is good except for a few minor abrasions." Bashir reported.

"Then why is he unconscious?"

"Well, from the discoloration on his forehead, I would say that he hit his head in the attack on his ship." Bashir administered a shot of cordrazine, which instantly brought the man to consciousness.

"I am chief security officer Odo." The changeling was direct. "Why was a dominion warship trying to kill you?"

"...I don't know." Curtis Fox shuddered. He was suffering from a slight concussion. "Yes, now I remember." He shook.

"Take it easy." Bashir helped him to his feet and to the chair from which he piloted the ship. "Can we continue this later constable?" Bashir objected to Odo's questioning at this time. "The man needs immediate medical attention aboard deep space-9."

"My questions will only take a few minutes doctor. Captain Sisko expects answers and I will provide him with them." He was unwavering in his duties. "Now to the question at hand Mr. Fox, why was your ship under dominion attack?" His stare sent chills through Curtis.

"They...wanted this ship." Curtis spat out. "Yes, they wanted this ship."

"And speaking of this ship," Odo glanced around the vessel. "How did it come to fall into your possession?"

"It was an experiment," Curtis jerked, reeling from a spasm of pain in his head.

"Go on, go on!" Odo snapped.

"That is enough constable!" Bashir grabbed Odo's shoulders. "This man will be beamed aboard the station to the infirmary right now." He meant it for sure this time.

"But my questioning..."

"Will have to wait." Bashir finished his sentence. "That's a medical order." Odo knew that Bashir out ranked him in medical matters so he argued no further.

"Very well doctor but as soon as he is fit for questioning contact me immediately."

"Will do." Bashir agreed. "Bashir to ops."

"Go ahead doctor." Kira answered.

"Two to beam directly to sickbay."

Starfleet Headquarters had always been a site to behold on earth for those who were lucky enough to see it. The academy itself was a tourist dream come true. With its spectacular sculptures, recreational facilities and on occasion, the men and women that had made their names legend could be momentarily seen here.

Christopher Gray, the man that many considered the guiding hand behind Starfleet, made his way through the bustling activity of fellow officers and academy students to finally reach the command center. His day had almost come to an end. That is until he received a top priority message from deep space-9. It seems that the station had intervened in a matter involving a dominion warship and a federation class scout ship. The high point of the matter being that the scout ship was unrecognizable to any starfleet officers present.

"Commander," This from Sherrica Haley, a beautiful female Delvadonian from the planet Delvado, a new race just recently inducted into the federation. "I have Captain Sisko on a coded channel now sir."

"Very good lieutenant." Chris's smile was mixed with worry. "And you are absolutely sure that no one can decode this message?"

"Affirmative sir." She answered, sure of herself.

"Benjamin," Chris called to the captain. "What's your status there?"

"We have the pilot of that scout ship in custody now Commander." Sisko told him. "And we have discovered some startling news about the ship that he was piloting."

"What do you mean?" Sisko's last words got the attention of everyone in the room.

"Dax." Sisko motioned to his old friend to explain further.

"Sir, the ship is without a registry number." She stated. "But the basic design suggests federation technology combined with that of alien origin."

"What are you saying?" Chris was amazed with their findings.

"We are saying admiral that we have a major security breech in starfleet technology." This was Sisko. "And that Dax and Chief O'Brian believes that the ship is combined with Dominion technology." This fact even startled Sisko.

"If that is the case captain, then we have a major problem." Chris shuddered. "Have you learned anything from the pilot of that ship?"

"Nothing more than the fact that he is human." Sisko explained. "And that he calls himself Curtis Fox, and we ran a check on that name and it is not in starfleet data bases."

"What happened to his memory?"

"The doctor has discovered that shortly after beam-out from his ship, he experienced some sort of medically induced amnesia. His mind has completely shut down."

"I trust you are working around the clock to cure this forgetfulness?" This was a subtle order from Chris.

"Yes we are admiral." Sisko said. "Rest assured, I have my security chief on the job as we speak."

"In the meantime, we will cross verify that name. And what have you found out concerning the dominion ship?"

"We are investigating that as well admiral. The ship was completely destroyed by our attack but we are looking into all possibilities." Sisko seemed overwhelmed with duty. "I will keep the station on yellow alert just in case the dominion decides to retaliate against the station for the destruction of one of their ships."

"Very well captain, I am sending the starship Intrepid to assist in your work. Also Geordi Laforge will come aboard to help with the ship analysis." Chris moved closer to the viewscreen. "Ben, I can have the Enterprise-E there in a few days..."

"Unnecessary admiral, that ship will be needed for the Borg attack." Sisko shook his head. "Earth will need all the firepower it can get and that ship will be the most powerful in the fleet."

"You are correct Captain." Chris agreed. "But I will see if we can allot you further starships just incase the station falls under attack."

"Affirmative admiral. And if starfleet intelligence is correct about the Borg, then the defiant will be joining the fight as well, Sisko out."

"Don't be shy Captain." Senior Captain Michael L. King motioned for Riker to sit. "Please, relax." Michael could sense the tension in Riker's face. The former first officer was quite nervous and very close to breaking a sweat. Riker sat uncomfortably but he tried his hardest to fight it. He could not help but think that his first encounter with captain Michael L. King, renowned warrior of the past, would be riddled with insatiable nervousness. Still, he did not want the captain to realize his new weakness.

"Sir," Riker's heart flooded with pure joy as he addressed the man from the past. Michael King was not only his childhood hero but his adult hero as well. "I can't tell you how much of a privilege it is to meet you." He felt tears trying to form and this was something that he definitely did not want Michael to see! The last time that he experienced a similar feeling was when captain Picard was rescued from the Borg ship, in orbit around earth, by Worf and Data.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well...captain?" Michael smiled. He purposely tried to invoke Riker to not be so formal.

"Oh, I am...William T. Riker," He felt his words stumbling all over the place. My uh...friends call me, Riker." He sighed while feeling just a bit of stupidity.

"Good," Michael grinned boyishly. "Then I shall call you Riker as well." He could see the obvious affect that he was having on the ship's captain. "Please captain, I am just as human as you are. There is no need for anxiety." Michael confirmed. "I know that this must be an unusual experience for you but frankly captain, I am no more a hero than you are..." Michael heard himself speak. And even as he said the words...he did not quite agree with them. His ego knew better.

"Thank you sir." Riker finally formed a considerate grin. It was not a forced one this time. "However I must respectively disagree with you." He said that last part with a little less suggestion than the first. "Captain," Riker waited to see how Michael would react to his statement before he finished his. The last thing he wanted was to offend the man. There was no reaction by Michael. He did however...enjoy the adulation and admiration in Riker's praise. "I have followed your career since I was a small boy." Riker spoke with pride. "At 18, you were promoted to ship's captain and held the distinction of being the youngest captain in Starfleet history. That was a record that was once formally held by James Kirk."

"True." Michael enjoyed the overview of his life but he tried to keep his indulgence to a low tolerance. "What else do you know of me, Riker?" He wanted to hear. Being a hero to someone was a new experience to him.

"Well sir," Riker saw Michael's pleasure. "You commanded Enterprise-A in the defeat of the Saurian Empire and saved the earth." He grinned. "The mad scientist Richard Shepherd, was thwarted by your intervention..." He stopped in mid-sentence. "Sir, I don't want to bore you?" He knew that once started, he could go on and on. Riker's eyes scanned Michael's face, waiting for the go signal. He was not ready to halt his conversation.

"You are not boring me Riker," Michael really meant those words! If his ego could chew-up and digest sustenance, he would be full! "Please, continue." The go signal was given. Like an ancient earth-racing contest, Riker took off.

"You rescued the entire crew of the Intrepid from the great barrier..."

"Yes..." Michael pondered that event. "And lost a good friend." He almost whispered.

"...Sir?" Riker knew he had struck a nerve.

"Nothing Riker, I was just thinking of what you spoke." He told him. "Please continue."

"OK sir..." Riker thought to be more cautious but he realized that he really could not be. How could he guard his words against sensitive subjects...when he was not even there? "The return uprising of the Saurian Empire and your superb leadership in bringing them to total defeat." Riker shook his head. He was almost in disbelief that one man could make such a difference in less than half his lifetime. "The list goes on and on sir." He smiled.

"Yes, it does Riker." Michael agreed. "But let us not dare forget the people of those times that gave all they could for the causes of the Federation." Michael's ego knew when to stop indulgence.

"Of course not sir." Riker agreed "Men like Jeffrey Mark Kimbro, Antonio Summers, Jay C. Port..."

"Yes." Michael nodded. "...And the list goes on." He grinned back at Riker. "I have enjoyed having you here." Michael admitted. "Though I must admit to being just a bit...overwhelmed by the strides in Federation technology." He looked around the room in awe. "Hmmm...my quarters were never like this."

"We still have time sir," Riker interjected. "And frankly, I would love to give you a tour of the ship." Now Riker was the one acting with boyish enthusiasm and charm.

"You have a deal, Riker." Michael could not resist that face. It was not everyday he met with his biggest fan.

"Then sir, follow me." The tall man stood and led Michael outside in the corridor. Michael could not help but notice the grand statue of a man that was William Riker. "Sir, if I may?" Riker stopped just outside of the door. His anxiety was completely gone.

"...Yes?"

"I've seen the video clips and reports." He stated. "I've read the history books and heard many lectures on the subject but sir, please tell me what you were...are, really like?" The pressure nudged at his gut once again.

"Well," Michael searched his mind. That was a good question! "Shall we walk?" He requested.

"Of course sir." Riker confirmed.

"Those times that you have read about were...trying days to say the least." They walked together, side by side. Michael's new 24th-century senior captain's uniform glistened in the light. Actually no such uniform existed. This was his uniform from his time. Made in his honor with high-resolution material, making him standout as a figure of great authority and admiration. Riker submitted the material. "I don't know how to answer that question, Riker." Michael admitted. "However in the time to come, you will get better aquatinted with me." He did not like talking about himself. But he loved it when others did so.

"Very good sir." Riker understood. He knew that the stress of transition from the 23rd-century to the 24th could be unsettling. "This is ten-forward." Riker pointed out. "The entire crew enjoys a leisure drink and conversation here from time to time." He had that grin that only Will Riker could muster. "Would you like to go inside?"

"Sure." The thought of a cold one pleased Michael. The large doors swished open and all eyes were upon the captain from the past. This was a bit overwhelming for Michael. He knew why they looked but with all eyes on him, he found it difficult to function under such scrutiny.

"As you were!" Riker barked as he realized what was going on.

"Thank you." Michael said under his breath.

"My pleasure sir." Riker motioned and they sat at the bar.

"How long before the memorial service?" Michael asked Riker.

"...About 1 1/2 hours sir." Riker's voice lowered in respect. "I never thought that I would be a part of a ceremony in honor of James T. Kirk." Riker saddened. "He was a great man in all respects."

"I agree, Riker." Michael's voice retained sadness as well. "Beaming to the surface of Veridian III to have the ceremony and retrieve the body will not be an easy task for me." He groaned. "Jim Kirk taught me all that I know and Riker...he was my childhood and adult hero."

"Yes sir." Riker knew that Michael was hurting but he did not know what to say in comfort. "What would you like to drink, sir?" Riker asked.

"Well now..." Michael stopped and glanced to the back of himself. All the lounge crewmen stood at attention facing the door. Riker gazed at the door and upon seeing who was standing in it, did the same. The second person of honor had entered the bar. Michael looked as well and leapt from his chair. He moved briskly to the door to greet the person. Riker's eyes followed every step he took.

"Welcome aboard the Constellation, Ambassador Spock..."

End of Part 2

Star Trek is a registered Trademark of Paramount Pictures. These stories are intended for fan reading only and are by no intention, an infringement on Copyrighted materials nor for monetary benefit.