Date: Mon, 28 Mar 1994 21:06:07 -0700 Reply-To: Highlander TV show stories Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Michael Smith Subject: Treklander (ST:TNG/Highlander Crossover) Part 3 (There can be only one...These are the voyages...) T R E K L A N D E R Copyright 1994 John F. Moore III Part 3 CAPTAIN'S LOG, Supplimental: We're approaching Clari III and are preparing to beam Embassador MacLoud and his assistant to the surface. Commander Riker expresses concern about the pair going down alone due to the renewed conflict, but the Embassador seems unconcerned. I have to wonder if he knows something we don't... Picard sat on the bridge, monitoring the orbital maneuvers performed by the ensign at Ops...what was her name...Cathaway? Yes, that was it. Cathaway had been assigned to the Enterprise two weeks ago from the Acadamy. She worked very hard to please her superiors and seemed likable. Still, on a ship as big as the Enterprise, it wasn't difficult to understand why Picard, or any of the senior officers (except Data) had trouble remembering the names of everyone on-board. MacLoud entered from the turbolift, getting the attentions of Worf. Giving the Klingon a cheery smile, he approached the Captain. Picard looked up at him. "Hello, Embassador. I must say this is a surprise. I thought you'd be--" "Something wrong, Cathaway?" Everyone except MacLoud to see what Riker was talking about. Cathaway seemed concerned, and until Riker alerted the crew, she was staring at MacLoud. "Nothing, sir," Cathaway said as she turned back at her station. "Captain, may I speak to you in private?" "Of course, Embassador. We may use my ready room. You have the bridge, Number One." As Picard and MacLoud exited the bridge, Riker walked up to Ensign Cathaway. "Do I detect a problem with the Embassador, Ensign?" Cathaway seemed like a little girl who had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "Of course not, sir. But as the Captain was saying, his arrival on the bridge was a surprise." Riker looked at her sternly. "Your duty is to fly this ship, not watch the comings and goings of people who may or may not belong in the bridge, is that understood?" "Implicitly, sir. It won't happen again." "See that it doesn't," Riker said as he sat in the command chair. "What can I do for you, Embassador?" "Captain, I don't like titles much, especially in private. Mr. MacLoud or Duncan will do." "Very well, Mr. MacLoud. You wanted to speak to me?" "Captain, I understand Commander Riker is a little concerned about my wanting to go without armed escort." "So he tells me. I can't say I blame him. The violence down there--" "I can handle myself rather well, although...that Ensign out there... Cathaway was her name?" "Yes, what about her?" "If you could spare her, I'd like to have her along." "Rather a strange request...why her and not Lt. Worf?" "Because I feel...there's something special about her." "I will consult Commander Riker about it. What have you discovered about the situation on Clari III?" "Not as much as I'd like. The two sides were willing to talk peace until someone...the reports didn't say who...took over as leader and renewed the attacks. Most unsettling... (The Alamo, night: Duncan is nursing the wounds of several of the defenders of the besieged fort. With him is Pierre DuSable, a Canadian sympathetic to the Texans' cause. "I tell you, mon ami, if we can hold out a little while longer ze reenforcements will arrive and we'll route Santa Anna's men back to Mexico!" Duncan sighed. "I wish I had your optimism, Pierre, but the fact is we're running out of supplies. Even if anyone arrives we may starve to death before then." DuSable stood proud. "Zen I shall form a raid to get supplies from ze Mexicans!" Duncan looked at him. "Don't be a fool! You'll die out there!" "Better to die fighting zen to starve to death!" Duncan exited the medical shack a moment later shaking his wrist and barring the door from the outside. "Forgive me, my friend, but I'm more qualified than you for this kind of thing." Under cover of darkness, Duncan crept into the Mexican camp. After killing a sentry and taking his uniform, he walked into the supply area. *The mother lode*, he thought as he found two wagons full of food, waiting to be unloaded. *This will sustain the Alamo for a few more days* Suddenly, he Sensed someone. Pulling out his sword and turning, he saw a Mexican officer enter the tent, carrying a sabre. "Well, well," he said. "Looks like I found myself a spy. You know, spying's a dangerous business...one could lose his head if the pressure gets too high." Duncan barely managed to block the Mexican's attack. As Duncan retreated, the Mexican began speaking. "I plan to order my forces to attack. That fool Santa Anna will have no choice but to order a full assault. He wants to play the waiting game, let the Mexicans starve to death. Doesn't he realize those idiots will die for what they believe in?" "And you're just the man to help them, right?" Duncan dodged as the Mexican's slice cut open a bag of flour. As a white cloud hung around them, the pair continued, but Duncan began to fight back. As the battle raged between the two, Duncan seized the advantage until the Mexican was forced to his knees. Suddenly, there was a loud thunderclap as Duncan's eyes widened and he fell to the ground. The Mexican put away his pistol and readied himself for the Final Strike when he also fell from a gunshot. A figure crept up to Duncan. "Mon ami, are you all right?" Duncan looked weakly at him. "Pierre? What are you doing here?" "I thought you might need some help, especially since it was my idea, non?" The pair walked back to the supplies, leaving the Mexican to heal...) "And you hope to reason with a man like that?" Picard asked. "I hope so. But if not I want as few people as possible down there." "I will recommend that Ensign Cathaway be assigned to you for this, if you think that she'd be helpful." "Thank you Captain." Julia Cathaway Sensed MacLoud exit the Captain's ready room. She tried hard not to let it affect her again, though it was easier since she knew he was there this time. She couldn't let Riker know her secret, and he really came down on her hard. The fact was that she was scared of Riker, moreso than any Immortal she'd faced. She tried hard not to come into conflict with him, but it wasn't always easy. She heard Riker and the Captain discuss something, but was too afraid to do anything but watch the screen as the planet revolved below the ship. "Ensign Cathaway." Julia nearly jumped out of her skin as Riker bellowed her name. She wondered what she did now to deserve his ire. "Yes sir?" she said, turning to face them, hoping her nervousness didn't show. "You're relieved of duty. Report to Transporter Room 5 at 1800 hours." "Yes, sir." Julia almost sprinted off the bridge, relieved to be away from Commander William Riker. =========================================================================