From: Anton_Sanderfoot@qms1.life.uiuc.edu (Anton Sanderfoot)
Subject: STORY: Wisdom of the Ancients 1
Followup-To: alt.startrek.creative
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1992 21:49:18 GMT

Here is the first of ten parts of "Wisdom of the Ancients." The story has
been completed, and will be posted in a semi-rapid pace over the course of
this week.

Please do: 
-mail me with comments and critiques.

-insert standard disclaimers (make up your own) about copyright and
ownership of characters, etc.

Please don't: 
- mail me asking for missing parts. I don't have the time or resources to
send out a copy to everyone. If response for sections is too great, I will
repost it later.

-consider any of this as "cannon"

Now, on with the story:
_______________________________________________________

Open onto Enterprise warping through starfield, pan through to bridge as
Picard voices-over the log entry:

Picard: [vo] Captains Log: Stardate 46988.3. The Enterprise is proceeding
at warp 3 for the Cardassian border due to the hostilities that have
erupted there. Fortunately, Federation intelligence allowed us to be
prepared for the assault, or the damage could have been significant. Losses
were light for the Federation, though the Cardassians were not so
fortunate. Conflicts continue to erupt sporadically, and the Enterprise is
on the way to mediate any potential cease-fires and to provide needed
fire-power, if necessary.

Worf: Captain, priority message from Star Fleet, coded for senior officers
only.

Picard: Very well, [to ceiling] senior officers to Conference Room.

Riker, Worf, Data, & Troi leave bridge for Conference Room. As they enter,
Crusher and Geordi enter from opposite door.

Picard: Computer display message...

Screen shows standard fed title screen, and is replaced by typical Admiral.

Picard: Admiral duJour, how are things progressing on the Cardassian
border?

duJour: Better than expected.  But, the situation is still quite volatile.
Unfortunately, thats not the reason Ive contacted you. Seven days ago, we
lost contact with the ZetaOmega science station. Due to the conflict, we
were unable to spare a vessel to investigate. The long range probes sent to
the area have provided some unsettling data: the station is gone, ripped
off the surface of the planet.

Picard: The Borg...

duJour: Thats what were afraid of. Star Fleet is still stretched pretty
thin covering both the Cardassain and Romulan borders, but Ive managed to
rush a vessel out of the Ontario 3 ship yard, a Nebula class, the
Gregarious.

Picard: Surely one vessel can be no match for the Borg...

duJour: Certainly not, we will not make that mistake again. Its mission
will be recon only.

Data: Though ZetaOmega is pretty far out, seven days is more than enough
time for the Borg to reach the center of the Federation.

duJour:  Exactly, something else is up. We need to find out what. The
Gregarious is currently steaming for ZetaOmega, but it is currently without
a captain. Star Fleet needs an experienced officer out there, we believe
that officer is you, Commander Riker.

Riker: [surprised] Me, Sir? [looking around at other crew] I am honored.

duJour: Very well, William Riker, you are hereby given field promotion to
Captain. I am transferring any information as well as the crew manifest of
the Gregarious to the Enterprise. Rendezvous will be set up at Diego Marta
in 29 hours.

Data: [to group] Diego Marta is a planet at the fringe of Klingon
territory, it is considered frontier, and is somewhat lawless. Control
over the planet is considered thin at best. Is it wise to arrange a meeting
there?

duJour:  Time is of the essence, Diego Marta is the shortest meeting point
for the two vessels. By the way, Capt. Riker, the Gregarious is currently
short on command staff, so, with Capt. Picards permission, you may choose
a First Officer from the E.

Riker: [staring at Worf] Captain, I wonder if you could spare Lt. Worf?

Picard looks over to Worf and nods.

Riker: Mr. Worf, would you be interested in joining me as first officer of
the Gregarious?

Worf: I, too, am honored.

duJour: Excellent, Mr. Worf,  you are hereby field promoted to Lt.
Commander, and designated first officer of the Gregarious. Any further news
we receive will be relayed to you on the Enterprise. duJour out.

Picard: Well, Mr. Riker, Mr. Worf, I believe a change in uniform is in
order. Mr. Data, how long will it takes us to get to Diego Marta at warp 3?

Data: 28 hours, 37 minutes.

Picard: Very well, relay the coordinates to the helm and change course.
Dismissed.

All but Picard and Crusher leave.

Picard: Dr. Crusher, is there something I can...

Crusher: The Gregarious, thats Wesleys ship. He was so happy to get
assigned to it...and now...

Picard: Doctor...Beverly, there is no such thing as a safe assignment...he
could have easily been on one of the ships that was hit by the Cardassians
during their first assault.

Crusher: Yes, but with the Cardassians he at least has a chance...with the
Borg...

Picard: [walking over to her] Beverly, he has become a fine officer. Your
worrying doesnt help him, or you. In fact, from my experience with Wesley,
he may be just what Riker needs to stop whatever they will face...

Crusher: Youre right, its just the Mother in me. I just wish...oh,
nevermind...[smiling weakly]...thank you Jean-Luc. [she gets up and walks
out]

Picard watches her leave, pauses, then exits to bridge

Cut to Riker, who is now wearing 4 pips, sitting at a table in Ten-Forward
drinking some blue colored drink. As he is about to set down his empty
drink, Guinan appears to claim it.

Guinan: Com..er.. Captain Riker, may I have a word.

Riker: Certainly, have a seat.

Guinan: Could I join you on the Gregarious?

Riker: I dont understand.

Guinan: Picard and I have discussed it, and we agreed that I should
accompany you on the Gregarious, with your permission, of course. If you
are facing the Borg, I could be helpful...

Riker: [smirking] This is a surprise, a welcome one, of course. Actually, I
was looking over the crew manifest, and noticed that I am without a ships
Counselor...

Guinan: [hiding a smile] Im not sure Id want to get involved in
all...Counselor, huh?

Riker: I would be most pleased if you would join me as Counselor of the
Gregarious.

Guinan: It would be my ple...

Picard: [vo]: Capt. Riker, will you have you crew report to the conference
room

Riker: [pointing to door] After you, Counselor...

Cut to conference room, Riker, Worf and Guinan are present as well as the
usual Enterprise senior staff. Worf sports a red uniform and a third hollow
pip.

Picard: Mr. Data is about to present the latest information from the
Cardassian front, I thought you may wish to hear this. Go ahead Mr. Data.

Data: The Cardassians launched a second attack near the Romulan edge of the
border. The attack was halted by Federation forces including the Excelcior
class vessels: Wisconsin, Kingfisher and Sydney as well as the Klingon
cruisers Bechkai and Pucghcha. Each vessel suffered damage, yet managed to
destroy 3 Cardassian heavy cruisers before reinforcements arrived and the
main Cardassian force retreated. Meanwhile, Romulan ships have been
detected approaching and departing the neutral zone, but appear to only be
testing the Federation forces. Cardassian losses are now at 23 vessels
destroyed, 13 severely damaged. Federation losses at 8 vessels lost or
disabled, 4 vessels severely damaged. It is now felt a cease-fire can be
arranged, and a new treaty written.

Picard: Capt. Riker, the other reason I asked you here is that it appears
our presence at the border is required as soon as possible. I would like to
increase to warp 8 and drop you on Diego Marta early for your rendezvous.

Riker: I understand, Im sure we can fend for ourselves for 12 hours...

Ensign: [vo] Bridge to Riker. Incoming message from the Gregarious.

Riker: Pipe it into here...

The screen clears to show a young female lieutenant, in standard red
uniform, sitting at command, Wesley, also in red, can be seen at the Helm.
A vulcanoid male in a yellow uniform sits at Ops. The remainder of the
bridge appears sparsely crewed.

Rild: Capt. Riker, this is Lt. Rild. We have a problem, our anti-matter
mixing chamber has developed  a fissure and we must slow to impulse for
repairs. Chief Engineer Thomas tells me it can be replaced in 12 hours.
That would put us at Diego Marta in 24 hours from now.

Riker: Proceed Lieutenant, keep me apprised.

Rild: Thank you, Sir. Gregarious out.

Riker: [to Guinan and Worf] Well crew, it appears we will be staying the
night at Diego Marta. Mr. Worf, make the necessary arrangements.

Cut to the surface of Diego Marta. The surface is very desert like, and
structures similar to a 20th century city of Earth with some moderately
tall buildings. Decay and debris litters the streets. Riker, Worf and
Guinan materialize in front of what appears to be a hotel.

Riker: Riker to Enterprise, we are down. Good Luck...

Picard: [vo] And to you,...Captain Riker.

Worf: I have arranged rooms in this hotel, the communications equipment
has already been transported inside.

Riker: So, lets see what Diego Marta has to offer in the way of
accommodations...

They enter hotel. Cut to the 3 walking down hall of third floor. The
interior appears to be as a normal hotel with hinged doors opening into the
rooms. Worf is reading his tricorder as they walk along.

Guinan: No one is around, its kind of eerie...

Worf: I asked that the floor be cleared, for security reasons. I am reading
no life forms on this level, and the lift doors have been locked.

Riker: Excellent, Mr. Worf. With luck, we should have no need for such
precautions.

Worf: Our rooms are here, they are connected. The Captains room is on the
right, I am in the center, Guinan you are in here.

They enter Guinans room to find an typically furnished room, near the
window is a vase of white flowers.

Guinan: What beautiful flowers...

Worf: [suspiciously] They are...unexpected.

Riker: I think I recognize them, they are from Earth I think.

Guinan: Yes, Carnations, very rare this far out....

Riker: Mr. Worf, lets get the communications equipment set up.

They leave. Guinan examines the flowers further.

Guinan: [to the air] So, what trouble do you have for me this time?

END PART ONE
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