STAR TREK - The Brave and the Bold Book One Page 3

  That could be anything, Rosenhaus said prissily.

  The word plague was used, Doctor, Decker said. Does that help?

  Not especially, no. Hard to prepare sickbay when I dont know what to prepare it for.

  Takeshewada turned to Masada. Talk to me about Proxima, Guillermo.

  Masada reached behind his head and yanked on his ponytail, which he always did right before giving a report. Your basic Class-M planetpart of the big colonization push after warp drive was discovered, made part of the Federation, gobby gobby gobby. Nothing particularly notable.

  Decker could hear the undercurrent in Masadas voice, and knew he was dying to add, Unlike, say, a neutron star. Guillermo, knock it off.

  Sounding nonplussed, Masada said, Sir?

  We know youre angry about cutting the neutron star survey short. Get over it and give a proper report.

  Straightening in his chair, Masada pulled on his ponytail again. Yes, sir, he said quickly, and peered into his sensor hood. Blue light shone on his features as he read off the data contained therein. Alpha Proxima II was colonized in 2189 by the S.S. Esperanza. They set up two cities, both on the northern continent. In fact, the northern polar regions the only place thats really comfortable for humansrest of the planets either too hot or covered in water. Current population is about one million four hundred thousand. The government consists of a planetary council run by a chief speaker, and they also have representation on the Federation Council. He looked up. You want their chief exports?

  Chuckling, Decker said, Ill pass, thanks.

  Then Masadas console beeped. What the?

  Report, Takeshewada said.

  Masada peered back into the sensor hood. Thats weird. He looked up at Takeshewada, who was now standing behind him. Were picking up an energy signature from Proxima, one that triggered a flag in the computer relating to Starfleet General Order 16.

  Decker frowned. I dont remember that one.

  Neither do I, Takeshewada said, sounding ashamed at the lapse.

  Masada snorted. Honestly, if the computer hadnt just shoved it in my face, I wouldnt have remembered it, either. But if this sensor reading is accurate, we may have stumbled across a deadly weapon.

  What kind? Takeshewada asked.

  Not sure, Masada said, shaking his head and starting to work his console, but Ill have something by the time we get there.

  Decker turned away from Masada and smiled. Now that he had a problem to solve, Masada was sounding less petulant. Good, he thought. Last thing I need is Guillermo feeling sorry for himself when weve got a medical crisis and some unknown weapon.

  The Constellation 'sSensor Control Centeror sensor room, as it was more commonly knownwas not normally a hotbed of activity. Someone was always on duty to make sure everything was working. However, that person was often alone. Located on deck twelve, all the sensor information from the ship came through this room. Unlike the bridge sciences stationwhere the duty officer could pick and choose what to focus onthe consoles in this room took in and recorded everything. Its functions were generally automatic.

  Since the Constellation had arrived at Beta Proxima eleven days ago, though, there had never been fewer than four people in the sensor room at any given time, and sometimes up to ten. Lieutenant (j.g.) Chaoyang Soo had joked that the science staff had spent more time in the room in those eleven days than they had during their entire collective tours on the Constellation.

  Right now, Soo was frowning at a new reading that had come in. With the sudden departure to respond to a medical emergency, Soo had taken it upon himself to dismiss the staffmostly noncommissioned scientists who had spent the last eleven days being harangued by Lieutenant Masadaleaving only himself and Ensign Sontor. Were Sontor not a Vulcan, Soo would have dismissed him, too. However, he had apparently altered his metabolism so he would not need to sleep at all for the two-week period of the mission. It was a move that some viewed as showing off, but it also made dismissing him so he could get some sleep more or less pointless.

  Curious.

  Soo, who had been gazing at the lateral sensor array, walked over to stand behind Sontor, who was staring at the same anomalous reading. What do you make of it?

  We have detected the energy signature of one of the Malkus Artifacts.

  You say that like I have the first clue what that is. Soo realized after he said it that he sounded more irritated than he should have. Ah, hell, its not like Sontorll care.

  My apologies. I had, of course, assumed that you would be familiar with the major archeological find on Beta Aurigae VII one hundred and fifteen years ago, since it relates to the sixteenth of Starfleets General Orders. Sontors right eyebrow shot up. Obviously, my assumption was in error.

  Soo closed his eyes and counted to ten in English, French, and Mandarin. Then he opened them again. Ensign Sontor, would you be so kind as to enlighten me as to what a Malkus Artifact is?

  Masada to sensor room.

  Our master speaks, Soo muttered, then thumbed the intercom. Sensor room, this is Soo.

  I need everything on Starfleet General Order 16 and what it has to do with emissions were getting from Alpha Proxima II, and I need it yesterday.

  With a look at Sontor, Soo said, I dont think thatll be a problem, sir.

  So youre saying that this plague may be caused by thisthis artifact?

  Decker felt dubious about the story that Ensign Sontor was relaying to him on the bridge now. On the other hand, Starfleet didnt issue general orders without a reason. Obviously whoever issued the orderand, according to Sontor, it dated back to when Starfleet was Earths space exploration arm before the forming of the Federationthought the threat of these four artifacts was real enough. Even if the distress call turned out to be a false alarm, just detecting those emissions meant that the Constellation and the Enterprise were now obligated to find and confiscate the artifact or artifacts. Do we know what type of disease the artifact can cause? he asked.

  No, sir. Only that the disease in question is fatal. Sontor hesitated. If I may say so, sir, this is a fascinating discovery, of great scientific importance.

  You may say that, Mr. Sontor, but Im a bit more concerned about the loss of life on Proxima.

  Of course, sir, Sontor said quickly, though he didnt sound nearly contrite enough to suit Decker.

  Oh lay off the kid, he admonished himself. Hes just being Vulcan. He wouldnt know contrite if it bit him on the rear.

  The ensign at helm said, Entering Alpha Proxima system, sir.

  Come out of warp and bring us into standard orbit of the second planet. He turned to Masada. Guillermo?

  Peering into the sensor hood, Masada said, Several artificial satellites and small vessels in orbit, all matching what should be there. Also reading a Constitution -class starship in a standard orbit, registry NCC-1701thatd be the Enterprise. I can also now verify the presence of the energy signature from General Order 16 on-planetbut I cant localize it. At least, not yet.

  Decker turned to communications. Any luck raising anyone in authority, Ensign?

  The ensign shook his head. No, sir, but Im getting a signal from the Enterprise.

  Good. He turned to Takeshewada. Whats the captains name again?

  She rolled her eyes in the long-suffering manner that Decker had long since learned to ignore. Kirk.

  Right. Ensign, open a channel.

  When they came out of warp, the viewscreen had provided an image of Alpha Proxima IIa gold-and- yellow-tinged planetand a ship of the same class as the Constellation in orbit around it. Within moments, that image was replaced by a bridge that was also of the same design as the Constellation.

  In the center seat sat a man who was barely in his thirties. My God, theyre letting children captain starships. Im Commodore Matt Decker of the Constellation.

  James T. Kirk, captain of the Enterprise. Its a pleasure, CommodoreIm just sorry we cant meet under better circumstances.

  Likewise, Decker said quickly. Have you been able to get anythin
g from the planet?

  Kirk nodded. Not from the government, but my chief medical officer has been in touch with the chief of staff of one of the hospitals. Im afraid the news isnt good, Commodore. Right now, over thirty percent of the population is either incapacitated or dead from this virus.

  My God. That was Rosenhaus, who still stood by the turbolift, still in his nightclothes.

  Unfortunately, most of the planets public officials are among that thirty percent.

  Decker blinked. How is that possible?

  My first officer is working on that right now, though he has a theory based on some emissions weve received.

  Nodding, Decker said, The Malkus Artifacts? General Order 16?

  Again, Kirk nodded.

  All right, I want you, your first officer, and your CMO to beam over here in fifteen minutes. Bring everything you know about the situation, both on Proxima and regarding these artifacts. Well do likewise.

  Of course, Commodore. Kirk sounded as nonplussed as Masada had when Decker dressed him down earlier. Well see you in fifteen minutes. Enterprise out.

  Without turning to look at Rosenhaus, Decker said, Doctor, that gives you fifteen minutes to put a uniform on and get to the briefing room.

  Hm? Oh, right. Sorry, he said sheepishly, and went into the turbolift.

  Takeshewada stepped down to the lower portion of the bridge and stood next to Decker. A little rough on the kid, werent you?

  He showed up on the bridge in his jammies, Number One, that

  She smiled. I dont mean Rosenhaus, I mean Kirk.

  Decker snorted. Im the ranking officer here. Besides, Kirk doesnt look old enough to shave.

  You do know that hes got a list of commendations about a kilometer long, not to mention the Medal of Honor, the Silver Palm, a Kragite, and probably some others Im forgetting, dont you?

  Decker grinned. Yeah, but I bet Ive got more reprimands. He hauled himself up from his chair and drained his coffee cup. Handing it to Guthrie, he said, Yeoman, make sure theres a full pot in the briefing room. Were gonna need it.

  Yes, sir, the yeoman said, taking the now-empty cup.

  Masada, Sontor, lets go. He turnedand realized that he didnt have a clue what the names of any of the officers left on the bridge were. He had enough trouble keeping track of alpha shift, much less the nearstrangers from gamma shift presently staffing the duty stations.

  Takeshewada, bless her, whispered the word Alamanzar in his ear.

  Alamanzar, he said without missing a beat, and wondering which face that name belonged to, you have the conn.

  Decker spent the time waiting for the Enterprise contingent and Rosenhaus to show up taking a quick glance at Kirks service record. Although the commodore was appalled to see that Kirk was only a few years older than Deckers son, he was also impressed with the young mans service record. Kirk had several citations besides the ones Takeshewada mentioned.

  Still think hes too damn young to be a ship captain

  The man himself came in a moment later, followed by two men in blue uniforms, one Vulcan, one human; they were led in by a security guard, whom Decker dismissed with a nod.

  Decker stood up and offered his hand. Captain Kirk.

  Commodore. May I present my first officer, Mr. Spock, and my chief surgeon, Dr. Leonard McCoy.

  The first officers wearing blue? What the hell kind of ship is this kid running? The ships second-in-command should have been in command gold, not the blue of the sciences. Aloud, he said, This is Commander Hiromi Takeshewada, my XO; Lieutenant Guillermo Masada, my second officer; and Ensign Sontor, one of my science officers. Were still waiting on

  The door opened and Rosenhaus ran in, tugging on a blue uniform shirt that looked like it had been hastily thrown on. He was also trying to smooth his red hair down, and only partially succeeding.

  my CMO, Decker finished with a smile. Dr. Lewis Rosenhaus.

  A pleasure, sirs, Rosenhaus said breathlessly.

  Within moments, they were all seated around the table. Dr.McCoy? Decker said. When the doctor nodded affirmation, he continued. Since youve been in touch with the surface

  McCoy nodded. According to Dr. Baptiste, the head of the Sierra City Medical Centerand, for all intents and purposes, the surgeon general down there, since the S.G.s one of the ones whos down for the countwhat were dealing with here appears to be a virus that stimulates the adrenal gland. The body can only handle so much of that, naturally, and eventually the organs become overworked. The most common actual cause of death is heart failurethe heart almost literally explodes from the intensity of the blood being pumped through it. The doctor made a snorting noise. In fact, most of the people who have died from this did so before anyone realized something was wrong. Damn difficult to diagnose a disease whose symptoms include feeling energetic, unusual vigor, and general excitement.

  Rosenhaus asked, What finally led them to realize it then?

  Over a dozen seemingly unrelated deaths with the same cause within a close time frame. Law-enforcement types tend to notice that kinda thing, McCoy said dryly. The autopsies revealed the presence of the virus, and they started treating it and asking anyone with the symptoms to report to the nearest hospital immediately.

  Decker leaned back in his chair. Which meant the hospitals were flooded with healthy people who felt good and thought their hearts would blow up.

  McCoy half-smiled. Exactly. But the virus is fairly easy to identify.

  So whats the problem? Rosenhaus asked.

  No ones been able to find a cure is the damn problem, McCoy snapped at the younger doctor. Decker had to hide a smile. McCoy went on Dr. Baptiste is sending us all his lab work. Theyre treating with sedation and anti-adrenal medications, but thats only temporary. The virus works past that eventually. It also inhibits any attempt to put the body into stasis. Even under sedation, it wont allow body functions to slow down enough for that.

  Impressive disease, Rosenhaus said. It knocks out the best method of staving it off, and badly cripples the second-best. Have they tried using brolamine?

  McCoy frowned. You cant use brolamine in these cases.

  Of course you canaccording to

  Both Kirk and Decker said, Gentlemen, simultaneously. Decker smirked and added, You twoll have plenty of time to kibbitz later. Doctor, if you could please have that lab work sent over to us as well, so Dr. Rosenhaus can argue with authority.

  Of course, McCoy said. The other problem, he said before Decker could then turn to Kirk and ask him for a reportDecker had thought McCoy to be finished, is that theres no pattern to the distribution of the virus.

  Its not airborne? Rosenhaus asked.

  No, and its not being transmitted by contact, either. In fact, as far as Baptiste has been able to tell, its not in the least bit contagious. But suddenly, without any kind of warning, a group of people in a certain geographic area all contract it.

  Dr. McCoy is correct, the Vulcan first officer what the hell is his name? Decker thought in a mild panicsaid. The size of the area targeted varies from incident to incident. One of those targets was Sierra City, the colonys capital, during a full council session. Most of the representatives of the government are now illand several of them are dead, including the Chief Representative, who was the head of the government.

  Turning to Kirk, Decker said, So whats the situation planetside?

  In a word, Commodore, chaos. The governments ground to a halt. We may need to take drastic actions.

  Sontor spoke up then. It is likely that the Malkus Artifact is indeed responsible for the virus.

  The Vulcan from the Enterprise said, Agreed. The logical deduction would be that someone has unearthed the artifact and is using it to foment chaos.

  Or at least strife, Kirk said. Chaos is random, and there was nothing random about the attack on the government.

  Masada tugged on his ponytail. Ive picked up the artifacts energy pattern, but I havent been able to localize it.

  Nor have I, Kirks first officer sai
d.

  In that case, Mr. Spock, Kirk said with a small smile, the logical course would be for you and Mr. Masada to pool your resources. And see if theres any more information about the Zalkat Union.

  That goes for our doctors, too, Decker said. Time to prove if two heads really are better than one. One question, Doctorif its not contagious, do we need to quarantine the planet?

  McCoy fidgeted with a stylus. Id still recommend it, Commodore. All right, so its being transmitted to a person with some kind of artifact instead of traveling on microbes through the airthats still transmission of a disease, and it still calls for a full quarantine. No ships leave orbit, no ships come into orbit. That includes us.

  Very wellput that into motion as soon as were done here. He turned to Kirk. In the meantime, Captain

  Deckers words were cut off by the comm officer. Bridge to Decker.

  He thumbed the intercom, and the young ensigns face appeared on the three-screen monitor in the center of the briefing room table. Decker here.

  Were getting an emergency distress call from a Chief Bronstein on the planet. Shes apparently the head of the Proximan Police Department. Riots have broken out in Sierra City, and theyre requesting immediate assistance.

  Tell her well be sending a party down. Decker out. He stood up. Captain, I suggest you and I both beam down and assess the situation in person and put both our security staffs on standby.

  Commodore, if there are riots breaking out Takeshewada started.

  Im a big boy, Number One, I can handle myself. You have the conn while Im gone. Decker noticed that this Spock person didnt put up the same argument. He wondered if that was because he was spineless, or just knew better than to argue with his captainand if the latter, did that mean Kirk was stubborn or that Spock just knew him too well?

  Of course, Hiromi knows me too well, and Im pretty damn stubborn, but sos she. Shell keep beating her head against the same wall, figuring itll fall sometime

  However, that was speculation that could wait. Lets go, people.

  Chapter Three

  C HIEF , weve got more problems.