***
Written By
Michael Gray
***
Please Note-
As with all of the material presented in
the Star Trek: Dark Horizon story, this installment
falls generally within the PG-13 category.
***
***
Chapter 1 - The Broken
The U.S.S. Chamberlain moved slowly through the large field of debris floating in space that had once been the starship Balthazar. Alongside tangled pieces of charred metal, bodies, disfigured by energies never meant for flesh, turned end over end colliding occasionally with a large chunk of bulkhead.
Jack McCall's heart raced. His mind could not accept the vision before him on the ship's viewscreen. The Sovereign class starship his father had commanded and his wife had been on lay shattered beyond all sanity. Not a single piece of recognizable debris had been found by the sensors of the Chamberlain which now methodically searched for any sign of life.
Jack fought back the swirling anguish that gripped his heart. His father, his wife, and five hundred others gone. No sign of life had been discovered in the last five minutes since they'd come across the wreck of his father's starship. The debris was scattered across an area of over three thousand kilometers. It would take hours, if not days to search it all. He didn't know if his mind could resist coming apart before then.
Mei! Please Mei! Be alive! he begged of the Universe, but so far the Universe seemed to be denying him any hope. He had started to tremble just a minute or two before, but to him it seemed he had been doing nothing else for days and weeks, even months. If she was gone…
No! his mind screamed in defiance of the reality his eyes tortured him with. He would not accept it! He would not allow himself to accept it!
Jack turned to see Kyle Hoffman at the science station, a tear running down his cheek.
How dare he even imagine he was allowed to shed a tear for her! Jack felt an urge to take out all of his building rage and let it strike Hoffman. He would have if he'd thought it would bring Mei-Wan and his father back to him, but he knew it wouldn't.
He rose to his feet. He wanted to scream with every bit of strength he had as he staggered toward the conn station where Nedj s'Felis sat plotting their course through the wreckage.
Hank Evans walked up to Jack the moment before he lost control and grabbed hold of his arm.
"Jack," he said under his breath, "Keep it together. You can't do her any good if you fall apart."
He turned to Hank not sure he'd really heard him. "What?" he asked.
"What you do in the next five minutes will chart the course for the rest of your life," Hank told him "Don't go to pieces--- not here, not now."
"Get away from me," Jack spoke in a whispery emptiness.
Hank took stronger hold of his friend's arm. "You're a starship captain, damn it. Act like one."
Jack closed his eyes. Hank was right. He couldn't do anything if he fell apart. He walked to his command chair and sat down. He faced forward, but avoided the gruesome scene before him.
"Any sign of escape pods?" Jack finally got out.
Hank had made his way back to the tactical console and checked his scans. "None yet that aren't in multiple pieces."
Negev, Jack's Andorian executive officer, came up to the science station.
"Any evidence of energy signatures or subspace traces?" he asked Kyle Hoffman.
The science officer glanced at his displays. "There is a massive energy field near the center of the debris."
"Mr. Evans," Negev said, "Put up a tactical display of the debris with that energy field in place."
Hank did so and the panorama of destruction was replaced by a diagram with straight and curved lines, plots of the largest pieces of debris, and notations of local peaks in temperature. The center of the wreckage had the highest temperature still, but there were hot spots farther away and much smaller. Negev hoped some of those might be escape pods with still functional energy systems.
"Plot out the most likely candidates for survivors or operational escape pods, Mr. Hoffman," Negev ordered.
Despite the trouble they had gone through recently, Jack was now very glad Lak Negev was on the bridge. He might be a pain in the ass when it came to the Prime Directive, but he knew how to keep his cool in moments of crisis.
"I got one!" Hank Evans called out.
Jack and everyone else on the bridge looked at him.
"An intact escape pod, bearing 301 mark 27," Hank said. "Its systems are still operational."
"Life signs?" Negev asked.
"It's hard to tell," Hank responded. "There's part of a plasma conduit nearby that's interfering with some of the scans, but I think there are minimal life readings."
Jack stood to his feet. He knew the chances of that pod carrying Mei-Wan or his father were remote, but this was the best news to come along so far. He longed for even the tiniest amount of hope at this point.
"Bring it aboard," Jack said. "Check for survivors and then I want a full analysis." He turned to Hank. "I want to know who did this."
Evans began the process of bringing the pod aboard the Chamberlain. He just hoped for Jack's sake that a miracle was about to happen.
***
"Damn it!" Hank shouted as he stood on the deck of Shuttlebay Two. The escape pod sat charred and beaten a few feet away. A technician had just informed him that the atmosphere inside the pod was seventy-eight percent carbon dioxide and only three percent oxygen. There was no way anyone inside could still be alive.
"Crack it open," Hank said to three engineers standing by.
They began their work as Melissa Vargas walked up. "He's on his way," she said.
"You sure you want to be here?" Hank asked the noticeably shaken Vargas.
She nodded. "If she's in there I want to know, Hank."
Doctor Preston walked up to them with several nurses.
"What do we have, Mr. Evans?" he asked.
"Looks like three dead bodies the best I can tell," Hank answered.
The engineers opened the access door of the escape pod. Hank pulled out a phaser and motioned everyone else back. Melissa followed him in.
The pod had seats for nine, but only three of them were occupied. Two Human women and one male Vulcan sat slumped over, held in place by belt restraints.
Hank examined each of them. "Well, that's not what I expected," he said.
"What?" Melissa asked as she stepped up next to him.
"These people didn't die from lack of oxygen."
"Then what?"
Hank pointed to a charred area, stained with green blood, on the Vulcan male's chest. "They were killed with energy weapons at close range."
Melissa looked quickly at the two women and didn't know if she should be relieved or saddened that neither of them were Mei-Wan. It left them still not knowing if she was alive.
Hank turned around. "Everyone out!"
Preston who was now inside frowned. "I'd like to get the bodies out."
Hank shook his head and pointed at two seats across from the other three. Several pieces of ripped fabric were stuck to the belt restraints which had obviously been torn out of their latches.
"Someone boarded this pod," Hank said. "And I don't want any of the evidence disturbed until I can figure out who did it."
As they made their way out, Jack walked up to the pod.
"Well?" he asked.
"Neither your father or Mei-Wan are in here, sir," Melissa said.
Hank pointed to the outer hull of the escape pod where several indentations could be seen. "That confirms it." He turned to Jack. "This pod was taken aboard another ship, someone forced out of it and the three left behind were killed."
"By who?" Jack asked.
"That's what I'm going to find out," Hank stated.
***
Jack stood at the window in his ready room waiting. He hated it. But this day he hated a lot of things, most of all his inability to change what had happened. Aside from that, he hated not knowing.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath remembering when his life was simpler, when the only questions plaguing his mind were where he and his friends would run off to for the day. He didn't think so at the time, but now he knew that being ten years old had certain advantages.
Back home the warmth of spring would have started bringing life back to the living things his mother always spent so much of her time with. As a kid he had hated how the loneliness weighed upon his mother while his father cruised about the Galaxy in his starship. Now he wished Mei-Wan had lived the same life--- away from the danger that had taken her from him.
Jack had sent a signal to his mother an hour earlier, but knew it would be more than a week before she received it. He hoped in that time he'd have a chance to find out what had happened. He knew his mother would suffer horribly and wished he could free her from the pain, but he knew he couldn't do that any more than he could free himself.
Jack exhaled and forced his eyes open just as Melissa Vargas walked up to him. He wondered how long she'd been standing behind him.
"Evans have anything yet?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I just came up here to see how you were holding up, sir."
Jack didn't try to hide his agony. He didn't see the point.
"Better than I thought I would an hour ago, but that's not saying much," he replied.
She nodded.
"I know you and Mei were having troubles lately," Melissa said. "But you have to know she loved you very much."
Jack was afraid to talk about the turmoil between him and Mei-Wan. It tore at his heart that they had wasted so much time on what now seemed so insignificant.
She started to go, but Jack didn't really want to be alone. Not now.
"Melissa," he whispered.
She stopped. "Sir?"
"Thanks," he said as he forced a smile. "I love her so much…" he started, but the tears couldn't be fought off.
Melissa Vargas gently touched his arm.
Jack looked in her eyes and saw the pain she felt. Mei-Wan and Melissa were best friends and while he had found it difficult being around Melissa because of that the last several months, he was now glad he had at least one person with some understanding of the pain gripping him.
Suddenly the entrance to the ready room opened, breaking the silence between them and a moment later Hank Evans and Doctor Preston made their way to Jack and Melissa.
"The pod's recorder confirms your father's transponder signal," Hank said. "He was definitely on board."
Jack hesitated, unsure if he should take that as good news or not.
"Since all flag officers in Starfleet have a transponder imbedded within their bone marrow, that very signal is all anyone would need to find him," Preston said.
"But those are classified," Melissa responded.
"They're supposed to be," Hank said with a frown.
Jack guessed the doctor had other news.
"We found some...," Preston paused a moment. "Some genetic material, blood and skin samples, on one of the other seats in the pod."
Jack closed his eyes. Part of him wanted it to be her, but he was afraid of what that might mean.
"According to my analysis, Lieutenant Mei-Wan McCall was aboard as well," Preston stated.
Jack turned away from all of them. When all of this happened, she was still alive. Someone had taken Jack's father and his wife from that escape pod.
"Any idea who was behind this," Jack asked, turning to Hank Evans.
"It was the Levalum," Hank said.
Jack tapped his comm badge. "Mr. Negev, set a course for..."
Hank waved him off. "Jack, no."
Jack thought a moment before speaking again. He didn't want to delay another second.
"Standby," Jack said softly before turning to Hank. "What?"
"You can't deal with this like that," Hank told him.
"Are you sure it's them?" Jack asked.
"The energy signatures on the wreckage match my records and a half hour ago we found some debris that is consistent with Levalum vessels." Hank stated.
"Then I'm taking the Chamberlain into their territory and…" Jack began.
"If you take this big ass ship into Levalum territory all you'll do is start a war the Federation can't afford to fight," Hank said. "You want to find Mei and your dad, we have to do this a different way."
***
Ten minutes later, a green-skinned M'naran stormed her way into Lak Negev's office.
"Don't let him do this!" she insisted.
"I assume you're referring to the captain and Hank Evans leaving," Negev said.
"Stop him, Lak," Akala Wilmarza said. "You can order him to go through a medical review. I'll certify he's under severe strain, and unable to carry out his duties."
"I would imagine his response would be to take a leave of absence, which would only help speed his departure."
"You don't understand what this will do to him if he goes off like this and finds her dead," Akala said, standing on the other side of his desk.
Lak Negev's antennae moved slowly forward. "Akala, considering the situation and Mr. Evans description of the Levalum I find it hard to argue with the captain's choice."
"You can't be serious," she said, shaking her head. "I thought you agreed Captain McCall was having serious psychological problems."
"I do and before we received the distress signal from the Balthazar I was strongly considering your suggestion to force him to take several weeks leave to work with you on them," Lak said.
"Then do something to make him stay."
"Akala, he's going off to find the Starfleet admiral who commands the Third Fleet, and an archaeologist that Admiral Simmons thought so important that she had been recalled to Kel-j'na," he stated. "Once Simmons replies back to the report I sent five minutes ago, I'm sure he will concur with Captain McCall's plan of action."
"McCall shouldn't be the one to go," she said, placing her hands down on the desk and leaning toward him.
"Perhaps, but if I force the issue he's likely to just resign from Starfleet. Is that the best thing for him?"
"No, but he needs extensive counseling," Akala answered.
"I would agree," Lak said, standing. "But if it were you, could you stay?"
"You know they're probably dead," she argued. "If he goes this may very well destroy him."
She walked slowly to the door, knowing it was pointless to try to change the Andorian's mind. "When he comes back, I hope you'll be able to live with yourself, Lak. I know he won't have that luxury."
***
Kadan Loftus held Hank Evans tightly, hoping she could keep him in the bed--- keep him from leaving on a mission she feared he might never return from.
"It'll be okay," Hank said, trying to reassure her.
Loftus wasn't buying it.
"But you've told me these people can be ruthless," she said, her voice nearly breaking.
"They can be."
"Then take more officers," she pleaded. "I can have my pilots ready. With us backing you up..."
"We'd all get killed," he told her. "Force won't get Jack's father or Mei-Wan back. This requires a more thoughtful approach and a less obvious one."
"But we could still help."
Hank turned to her. "We have to go alone, Loftus."
She lowered her eyes. "Are you sure McCall's up to this?"
"He's gonna have to be up to it," Hank said without a trace of emotion. "I doubt I could talk him into staying behind."
"What about you?" Loftus asked, looking into his eyes.
"Me?" Hank smiled. "I'll be fine."
She shook her head, knowing there was no point in continuing. He had made up his mind and that was that.
"Just come back to me, Evans," she whispered.
Hank drew her close to him.
***
Jack McCall shoved several shirts into the small piece of over the shoulder luggage lying on his bed. Hank had told him to bring along several changes of non-standard Starfleet issue. Jack still wondered where exactly they were going, but Hank had refused to tell him.
Jack checked for another pair of pants when a picture of Mei-Wan caught his eye. It sat atop a small bookshelf next to the bed and displayed her smiling from a far happier time in their lives.
When the hell was that? he asked himself, trying to remember when it had been taken.
He picked up the picture and stared at if for nearly a minute, lost in thoughts about where she might be and...
No! his mind shouted. He took a deep breath and set the image back in its place. She has to be okay!
The door chime sounded and Jack moved to close up his luggage, but hesitated, staring at the image of Mei-Wan.
The door sounded again.
Jack grabbed the picture and stuffed it into his bag, then after closing it, slung it over his shoulder.
He walked to the door, stopping a few steps away. "Enter," he called out.
The doors parted revealing Akala standing in the corridor.
"Counselor?"
"Captain," she began. "I think we need to talk."
"I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a hurry."
She gave him a determined look that said she wasn't likely to back off.
He exhaled and stepped back, allowing her in. "All right," he said. "I can give you two minutes."
Akala Wilmarza walked slowly into her captain's quarters, taking a brief look around to make certain they were alone.
"Captain, I think you should reconsider going."
He shook his head. "Not a chance."
"Let Evans take someone else," she insisted. "You're not fit to go on a mission like this."
Jack was about to yell at her, but caught himself. She was just doing her job.
"I have to go," he murmured.
"Tell me something, Captain--- would you allow an officer under your command to go off on such a mission if he was in need of psychological help?"
Jack stood silently.
"Well, Captain McCall? Would you?" she insisted.
Jack's patience was all but gone. "This is different," Jack said. "We're talking about my father and my wife."
"You didn't answer my question," she shot back. "Would you let such an officer go?"
Jack took a deep breath. "At least he'd have a chance to do more than sit back and let the Universe steamroller over his life... again," Jack whispered.
Akala reached up and touched his arm. "Jack," she said tenderly. "That's not what's happening here. Give yourself the chance to..."
The door chimed cutting her off.
"Enter," Jack said, glad for the interruption.
Hank Evans stepped in. "You ready?"
Jack nodded.
"We better get going," Hank said, turning to Akala.
"Thank you for your concern, Counselor," Jack said.
The captain of the Chamberlain walked past her into the corridor beyond.
Akala sighed and walked up to Hank who stood on the other side of the doorway. "Hank, if he gives in to all of the pain and rage that's built up for…" She stopped, feeling she was losing the battle for Jack McCall. "This could destroy him," she finished.
"If he doesn't go, and face that pain and rage head on, it will destroy him."
She leaned against the doorframe. "He's not ready to face them head on yet."
Hank met her eyes. "I've found the Universe rarely gives anyone the luxury of getting ready... for anything."
He let silence hang between them a moment.
"You either are, or you aren't," Hank said.
