The Sky's The Limit Part 4

From her left, she heard Yar say, "Still with me, Doctor?"

"Barely, but yes," Crusher replied, not bothering to open her eyes. "And, you know you can call me Beverly, right?"

"Well, Beverly," Yar said, and this time the doctor heard the humor in her voice, "the Enterprise has been allowed into Carda.s.sian s.p.a.ce, thanks to our new friends back there, so we'll have a much shorter trip this time. Our rendezvous point is less than two hours away, if that helps any."

"Actually, it does," Crusher said. "Thanks."

There was a pause before Yar said, "It's good to hear that Gul Edal will be okay."

"All thanks to you," the doctor replied, opening her tired eyes and straightening her posture in her chair. Looking to Yar, she added, "Getting him to the shuttle and the organ stimulator made all the difference. How does it feel, saving your first patient?"

Yar tried but failed to hide a satisfied smile. Nodding, she said, "I'll definitely be stepping up the field medicine training for my people, that's for sure." Her smile turned mischievous as she added, "I'm thinking I might also add something about the tactical applications of exoscalpels and other medical equipment. That was some fast thinking on your part, I have to say. In fact, I was amazed at how well you handled yourself during the whole incident." She paused a moment, and her expression faltered as she added, "I have to admit I had my doubts when things started to go bad. I wasn't sure how you'd react."

"Well, I had my own doubts," Crusher replied, "but not anymore. Jean-Luc was right about you."

It took physical effort for Crusher not to smile at Yar's shocked expression. "The captain's talked to you about me?"

The doctor nodded. "A few times, most recently just before we left," she said. "I wasn't sure you were up for something requiring this kind of finesse, but he told me not to worry. He's never doubted you, not once." Leaning closer, she added, "And not for nothing, but impressing Jean-Luc Picard is no easy feat."

Yar was silent as she seemed to let the affirmation sink in. "Thank you, Beverly."

Closing her eyes again for a moment, Crusher wondered if their little adventure would do anything to further Federation-Carda.s.sian ties as both sides lobbied for peace. The cynic in her said it was unlikely, but the healer and romantic in her wanted to believe that such acts of bravery and compa.s.sion might be just enough to make two societies look differently at one another and act for the greater good. After all, it had been more than sufficient for two individuals to alter their own perceptions.

Reaching out, Crusher tapped Yar on the forearm. "By the way, I'm still owed a shift on the bridge. Think you can handle it?"

Yar actually laughed at that. "Absolutely. I do have one request, however."

"What's that?" Crusher asked, her brow knitting in momentary confusion.

"Please, no more personal messages when you're on duty."

Redshift Richard C. White

Historian's note:

This tale is set during the second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

RICHARD C. WHITE.

Richard C. White's first Star Trek story, "Echoes of Coventry," was released in May 2006 as a part of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers series.

Other works include the novel Gauntlet: Dark Legacy #1-Paths of Evil, which was released by ibooks, inc., and became one of their bestselling tie-in t.i.tles for 2004. In addition, Rich contributed to the Ultimate Hulk anthology (Byron Preiss/Marvel Comics) in 1998, cowriting a.s.sault on Avengers Mansion with Steve Roman. Additionally, he has a short story, "The Price of Conviction," coming out in the 2008 Dr. Who anthology, The Quality of Leadership.

After graduating from the University of Central Missouri in 1982 with a degree in medieval history, Rich spent fifteen years in the army as an a.n.a.lyst, a linguist, and a crypta.n.a.lyst, which helped him land the Corps of Engineers job writing about Bart Faulwell, who is also an a.n.a.lyst, a linguist, and a crypta.n.a.lyst. He now works as a tech writer in the wilds of corporate America.

He greatly appreciates the support of his very patient wife, Joni, and daughter, Katie. His four cats are reasonably supportive, as long as this writing stuff doesn't get in the way of their feeding times.

"LOOK, DOCTOR PULASKI, I'M NOT TRYING TO BE UNCOOPERATIVE, but you're not giving me much choice. You're asking an awful lot of the system."

Katherine Pulaski took a deep breath to regain her composure and stared at the curly-haired man standing across the transporter console from her. "Once again, Chief, it's not that difficult. I realize that I've been on the Enterprise only a couple of months, but these are changes I want to implement. As chief medical officer, I have that privilege."

She watched as Chief O'Brien ran a hand through his hair. His recalcitrance was infuriating, but instead of giving in to impatience, she shifted to her best bedside manner. "I want to conduct an exercise with my emergency medical response team and I can't accomplish that without your cooperation. The team is scattered throughout the ship. I need you to lock onto them, wherever they are, and beam them into sickbay."

"I understand your request, Doctor. It won't be easy, but that's not what's worrying me."

Pulaski pushed on as if Chief O'Brien hadn't said a word. "Once you have transported them to sickbay, start your timer. When it reaches five minutes, lock onto them again and transport them to the various parts of shuttlebay 2 to deal with a simulated emergency. It's vital they arrive at their designated positions. I'll be down there to grade their reactions and time."

Chief O'Brien ran his hand through his hair one more time and tried to step in front of the tsunami. "And I still stand by my objection, Doctor. A site-to-site transport takes a lot of energy out of the ship's reserves. Two of them back to back is just begging for trouble, especially one that requires so many separate sets of coordinates. You realize the danger they're going to be in if anything goes wrong? I might not be able to recover their signal in time."

Pulaski patted him on the arm. "That's why I wanted you on the job. It'll be up to you to make certain nothing goes wrong."

"Oh, no. No, you're not laying that on me. I think Lieutenant La Forge should be consulted before we go any farther."

"Chief, I realize my dislike for these contraptions is well-known, but I do understand how they work. I have run series of simulations, and the energy requirements of this exercise fall within an acceptable range of Enterprise's resources. There is no reason to bother Lieutenant La Forge. If it makes you feel better, I hereby a.s.sume full responsibility as chief medical officer for the entire exercise. If anything goes wrong, which it won't, you won't be blamed."

She heard him mutter, "Famous last words," but she turned and left before he had a chance to raise another objection.

Reaching shuttlebay 2, she went to a pre-positioned monitor screen and signaled O'Brien to begin the exercise. She glanced at her display and noted the decrease in ship's power as the transporter chief worked his magic. Another section of the monitor showed O'Brien gnawing his lower lip as he made adjustments on the console as he tracked down the last member of the EMR team. She admired his technique, keeping part of the team in stasis while he locked onto the others before transporting the entire team into sickbay at once.

The team materialized in various positions and states of dress. Pulaski hadn't told them what time the exercise would kick off, simply that it wouldn't be during their regular duty hours. She was pleased to see how they reacted to their sudden appearance in sickbay. She focused the monitor to follow them once they realized what had happened. The monitor didn't have an audio channel set up, but she could watch as they gathered their equipment and changed into proper uniforms.

Outstanding. Only two weeks of training and they're already starting to work like a team. If everything goes well, I may invite Captain Picard to watch their next exercise. I think he'll be impressed.

Checking the chronometer, she was even more pleased to see them a.s.sembling near the doorway to sickbay in less than three minutes. Fantastic, shaved thirty seconds off their best time. I have to put something in Technician Johannson's file for her work as the team leader.

Watching the monitor, she saw Chief O'Brien begin preparations for the second stage of the exercise. She glanced at the sensors she'd set up around the shuttlebay. They would determine how accurately O'Brien could position her people. She knew he was a wizard with the transporter, but she was grading him along with her team. At exactly five minutes, he engaged the transporter again and the EMR team disappeared into a flickering haze of lights. Pulaski smiled, visualizing the successful conclusion, when the alarm on her monitor went off and the shuttlebay's lights began flickering.

What the h.e.l.l? She saw Chief O'Brien on the monitor, his hands flying over the controls of the transporter as the lights flickered in the transporter room also.

She turned and rushed out of the bay. I need to get to the transporter room. He'll try to divert them to his location to save power. Rushing down the corridor, she headed toward what she hoped was a working turbolift. It took a couple of tries, but after some agonizing moments, she was able to reach the main transporter room's deck.

c.r.a.p, this can't be happening. There should have been plenty of power. What went wrong?

She leaped out of the turbolift as soon as it stopped and rushed down the hallway. The lights began to stabilize as she entered the room. Lieutenant Wallace had joined O'Brien and the two were manipulating the transporter controls as fast as they could. O'Brien gave the transporter console one last tap with his left hand, and a familiar whine filled the room. Sparkling lights coalesced into her team and they slumped to the floor, stunned from being held in transit for so long.

Finally able to take action, Pulaski rushed to the dais and gave them a quick going-over, relief and frustration warring for control. Disoriented and weak, but nothing life threatening. When I find out what happened, someone's going to get a piece of my mind.

She turned to thank O'Brien for his work, but the words died unsaid when she spotted the ship's first officer, Will Riker. He stood by the door, his face set in a familiar scowl. Nearby, Geordi La Forge talked to a nervous Chief O'Brien. The ship's newly promoted chief engineer was upset, but he was following Riker's lead at the moment.

"Doctor Pulaski, if you would be so good as to accompany us. I believe you have an appointment in the conference lounge...right now."

d.a.m.n. Oh, well. Can't say I didn't earn this one. "Very well, Commander. I'll be happy to join you as soon as someone arrives to take over here."

Just then, a med team came rushing in. How's that for irony? She took a few seconds to ensure no one on her team was seriously injured and then followed La Forge and a smiling Riker out of the transporter room back toward the turbolift. The least he could do is not look so b.l.o.o.d.y happy that I'm in trouble again.

Pulaski looked around the room and spotted Captain Picard sitting in his usual place at the head of the conference table. From the look on his face, she antic.i.p.ated this would go as most of her conversations with the captain had gone-badly. Taking her seat, she noticed that Riker and La Forge sat on either side of Picard. If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a court-martial.

The captain leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and bringing his fingers together in an inverted V. "Doctor Pulaski, do you have any idea what your stunt today has cost the Enterprise?"

"With all due respect, Captain, I would hardly call training medical personnel to respond to an emergency a stunt."

"May I point out to the good doctor the problems your exercise caused? Problems, I'd like to add, that could have been avoided with a simple call down to engineering to ensure that power would be available. In fact, did not Chief O'Brien suggest contacting Lieutenant La Forge before you began the exercise?"

Pulaski paused before responding. "I believe he might have made such a suggestion. However, the simulations I prepared showed that the drain of two site-to-site transports would be well within the Enterprise's capabilities."

The young chief engineer leaned forward, adjusting the VISOR that covered his eyes. "And it would have, if today had been a normal day. But we took several power couplings off-line for standard maintenance. If I had known, I could have put that maintenance off until your exercise was complete. But, since you didn't inform anyone of your plans, we couldn't support you."

Pulaski leaned forward preparing to speak, but Riker cut her off. "I know what you're going to say, and you're right. You have the right and obligation to train your people as you see fit. In fact, from what Chief O'Brien told Lieutenant La Forge, there's merit in your plans. That isn't the issue. What is the issue is that one of the Enterprise's senior officers failed to coordinate her training with the rest of the staff."

Riker leaned forward, tapping a finger on the table as he began reciting. "It was only because of Chief O'Brien's skill and Lieutenant La Forge's team restoring power when they did that we didn't lose your team today. Still, several scientific experiments on board have been compromised and may have to be sc.r.a.pped. In addition, ship's sensors were damaged by the power fluctuation. We'll be without our long-range sensors for at least another three hours. Also, there was a spike in the warp core temperature that will force us to put in at a repair facility as soon as this mission is over."

As Riker paused for a breath, Captain Picard took over. "Doctor Pulaski, this is not the first time you've disregarded ship's protocol since you came on board. I've been inclined to overlook some of your indiscretions due to your unfamiliarity with the Enterprise. However, while you make a fine replacement for Doctor Crusher as a chief medical officer, you do not appear to be making any effort to fit into shipboard routine and insist on doing things your own way. Well, that stops as of today. I cannot overlook this behavior any longer, especially when doing so puts members of my crew in jeopardy. Do I make myself clear, Doctor?"

Pulaski's mental claws flexed, but she could tell that this was neither the time nor the place to have this conversation. Forcing herself to remain calm, she held her tongue and nodded.

"Thank you. Doctor, Mister La Forge, that will be all. Number One, I'd like to talk to you about-" Picard looked up when a sudden chirp interrupted him. He keyed a small switch on his table. "This is Picard."

Data's familiar voice filled the room. "Captain, could you and Commander Riker please come to the bridge? There is something here I believe you would be interested in seeing."

"Can't he just patch the feed through to here?"

"Actually, Doctor, we are having problems with the sensors and are unable to provide a visual of the phenomenon at this time." The android's matter-of-fact reply did nothing to tone down the accusatory look Riker shot her. "However, in this instance, it would make little difference. That is why I have requested Captain Picard's presence."

"On my way, Data. Come on, Number One, let's go see this phenomenon, whatever it is."

"Right behind you, sir."

As the two senior officers left, Geordi looked over at Pulaski. "You were really trying to do two site-to-site transfers involving eleven separate sets of coordinates?" A big smile crossed his face. "I have to give you credit, Doctor. When you do something, you go all out, don't you?"

Pulaski stopped and stared at Geordi. He sounded almost envious. Giving him a confused look, she sat back down. "That was the idea. The scenario said a shuttlecraft had been on an emergency approach to the Enterprise and crashed into the shuttlebay before the inertial dampeners could halt its forward progress. There would be multiple casualties, debris, and hazardous material, so they couldn't transport in as a group. I was testing Chief O'Brien as much as I was testing my team."

"I get it. A worst-case scenario forces your team to improvise even before they arrive. I like it."

She frowned, letting her confusion show. "I'm not getting something here. A few minutes ago, you were ready to hang me by my ankles over the warp core. Now you're showing an inordinate amount of interest in my exercise. Did I miss something?"

La Forge laughed and adjusted his VISOR. "No, not really, Doc. It's true I was pretty hot when I found you in the transporter room, but I've been thinking your exercise has some potential." He leaned forward in his chair. "So, how did you go about choosing your response team?"

"First thing, I called for volunteers. An emergency medical response team isn't a place for someone who's not gung-ho enough to volunteer. After that, I went through their files, trying to find people with a wide variety of experiences and interests besides being a medical technician. We're going to be putting them in high-stress situations where there may not be time to get further instructions. They have to be able to think on their feet and have the courage to act on their instincts."

"I see, so you were looking for energetic, independent thinkers, coolheaded, yet with a pa.s.sion to get right to the heart of the matter without being distracted."

"By George, I think he's got it."

Geordi grinned at her. "I've been trying to think of a way to get my damage control teams into position faster, and I think you may have hit upon something. Your demonstration today gave me some ideas, even if it didn't go as well as it could have."

"Oh, really, Lieutenant? Do tell."

Geordi shook his head. "Uh-uh. Nope. I've got a germ of an idea, but I want a chance to test it first. I've played poker with Commander Riker enough to know not to show my cards too early."

"I can't say I've ever had the privilege."

"They're still getting used to you. If we hadn't taken our trip to Victorian London a few weeks ago, I'd still be trying to figure you out too. You're a hard lady to get to know."

Pulaski blinked, shocked at his outlandish notion, when the communicator chirped again. Geordi reached over and tapped it. "La Forge here."

Captain Picard's voice came over the system. "Lieutenant La Forge, is Doctor Pulaski still there with you?"

"Yes she is, Captain."

"Excellent. I need the two of you to come up to the bridge."

"Right away, sir. La Forge out." He looked over at Pulaski. "Let's not keep the man waiting."

Pulaski nodded. "No, I think being punctual might be a pleasant change."

Pulaski and La Forge stepped onto the bridge just as Data was finishing his report. "We cannot be sure of the craft's exact location because of the sensor anomalies. All we can state with certainty is that it appears to be matching our speed and running a course parallel to ours."

Riker gave Pulaski a dour look as he phrased his next question. "Would the sensor anomalies have anything to do with the power fluctuations we had earlier today?"

"Possibly, but unlikely, Commander. It appears the craft has a means of disguising itself from our sensors."

Pulaski moved forward to get a better look at the viewscreen. The ship, if you could call it that, seemed archaic compared to the sweeping lines of the EnterpriseD. Whoever's out there is either very brave or very stupid.

She turned to face the android occupying the helm. "So, Data, do you have any ideas on how that machine out there flies?" Out of habit, she misp.r.o.nounced his name, shortening the first a.

The android didn't let it slip by, either. "Data."

"Excuse me?"

"My name. It is Data."

"Oh, yes, my mistake. Well, do you have an answer?"

"Not at this time. There are a number of possible propulsion systems that might explain how they are able to maneuver through s.p.a.ce. However, most of those are more advanced systems, some even beyond Federation technology." He pointed to the screen. "They appear to be several generations behind our current technological level."

She sighed before continuing. "Data, if you're not sure, you can say so."

"I thought I just did, Doctor."

The Enterprise's tactical officer broke in. "I agree with Commander Data, Doctor. The sensors are not the source of the problem. We have been attempting to hail the craft ever since we began visual observations. There has been no response."

Picard turned in his seat and faced the large Klingon warrior standing behind him. "How would you rate the level of the threat from our visitor, Mister Worf?"