The Last Queen Dragon
"This is Daymon Lumoq of the Ferringee ship Rethguad requesting verification of coordinates.""This is Federation Outpost Deep Space one-twenty-one, in sector "K", between six-zero-six-niner and the Orgondi systems."
"Permission requested to dock and come aboard. I have a most urgent message for your commander."
"Permission granted."
Soon Daymon Lumoq was ushered into Captain Covington's office. Of course, he was disgusted and dismayed to find a woman seated behind the desk. But what could one expect from the Federation?
"Have a seat, Daymon Lumoq. Would you care for some refreshments?" Lumoq grinned and bobbed his head. "Tarkalien Simatsocip, please." The replicator hummed and the steaming brew materialized. Lumoq was hopping that the female would have to serve him. Instead a man stepped away from the wall, retrieved the mug and handed it to him, bowing as he did so.
Captain Covington's eyes twinkled as she said, "Allow me to introduce my first officer, Commander Maddox.
"How do you do?" Commander Maddox smiled and bowed slightly again, then seated himself in the chair at the corner of the dest.
Lumoq sipped the hot liquid and smacked his lips. "Ahh, your replicators do justice to Simatsocip. How do you get it to replicate the aeromatics so precisely?"
Maddox grinned at Lumoq, a nearly Ferringee wolfish grin, at the scent of Proffit. He leaned forward and said in a conspiratory tone, "I like to tinker. I've developed a few new prograns...."
Captain Covington cleared her throat and said, "Gentlemen, please. Daymon Lumoq had a most urgent message for me."
"Yes, well, that is to say, the Commander of the Federation Starbase." Lumoq squirmmed in his chair, in that distinctive Ferringee way.
Covington leaned forward in her chair to rest her chin atop her steepled fingers. A sweetly wicked little smile spread across her lips, but did not extend to her peircing gray eyes. "Yes, Daymon Lumoq, and that would be me. I am the Commander of this Federation Space Station." She leaned back in her chair. "Please proceed with your most urgent message."
Lumoq squirmmed in his chair again. He cleared his throat several times, and started to say something, then thought better of it. He squirmmed in his chair some more, then sank into it with a hissing sound, like letting air out of a tire. Commander Maddox leaned forward, now, somewhat concerned at this uncharacteristic behavior of the Ferringee Daymon. "Is something the matter, sir?"
"Yes, yes, everything is the matter." Lumoq sprang from his chair and paced the length of the room. "About three weeks ago we passed by your station...."
"Yes, I remember," Covington said. "You whooshed by here at warp eight. Defying all etiquite and safety standards for passing within a quarter lightyear of a space station."
Lumoq dismissed her comment with a wave of his hand. "We had no business with you, then."
"And now you do?"
"It would seem so." Lumoq pased the length of the office several more times then threw himself into the chair with that same hissing sound of a tire deflating.
"Which is?" Covington prompted.
Lumoq sprang from the chair once more to pace the room again. With wild wavings of his arms, he exclaimed, "It's too far fetched. You will never beleive me. I don't beleive it myself."
In a sweet, gentle voice Covington said, "If you tell me the truth of your experience, I will believe you."
Lumoq stopped pacing in front of the window to gaze out on the impressive tripple pulsars of the six-zero-six-niner systems. At last he spoke again, haltingly at first, then the words came out in a rush, "We flew by here over three weeks ago on our way to check out a proffitable tip. About an hour ago we encountered a dragon as big as our ship, traveling at warp six in deep space. It flew right up to us and spoke directly to everyone's mind, 'Help, please get help! Go back and get the Enterprise. Go back now. This is too dangerous for you.' Then the dragon waved its wings, knocking us back the way we had come, more than three week's travel in a matter of seconds!" Silence fell in the room like a black velvet manteling everything. Lumoq continued to stare out the window. At last Captain Covington broke the silence. "You're right, it is a strange tale. But it is not up to me to judge. We are both just messengers." She pressed a toggle on her com-unit, "This is Captain Covington of Federation Outpost Deep Space one-twenty-one, in sector "K", between six-zero-six-niner and the Orgondi systems with a message for Admiral Amaaz at Starfleet Headquarters." Covington typed in "play tape, time index 14:38 to 14:41". She concluded by saying, "This is such a strange tale, Admiral Amaaz, that truth just could be stranger than fiction. Now, I leave it in your capable hands. Captain Covington out."
Covington swiveled in her chair to face the Ferringee Daymon. He turned to face her as well. "Well, we have both done our duty, Captain. Thank you for believing me." He started for the door. "Good-bye."
Covington pressed a switch on her desk which locked the door as she stood behind the desk, resting her hands on it. She towered over him, for she was a tall woman. "Not so fast, Daymon Lumoq. There is still the matter of your violating safety standards for flying by a space station. For failure to identify yourself or communicate with the control tower, and for flying faster than impulse speed within one-quarter of a lightyear of a space station, I hereby fine you one-hundred bars of gold pressed latnum."
"WHAT?" Lumoq screeched. "You can't do that!"
"Oh, yes I can, and I am. Your ship is hereby impounded until the fine is paid in full."
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The Enterprise is summoned and given the coordinates down loaded by the Ferringee vessel. After nine days of travel they come upon Wesley Crusher and the Traveler floating in space suites inside a bubble. They are beamed aboard. Beverly Crusher is nearly hysterical to find her son floating in space. After greeting his mother with a hug and, "Mom, I'm fine. We were waiting for you," Wesley practically ignored Beverly, requesting to address Captain Picard and the senior officers. When everyone was assembled Wesley addressed the group, "I'm sure you all remember Traveler," indicating his companion.
The Rescue
Another 3 days travel and the Enterprise rendezvous with Gril, another Traveler, and his Dragon partner, Zegh. Zegh is nearly as big as the Enterprise. Zegh and Gril ask for the Enterprise's help in retrieving her Golden Egg. Zegh is the last Queen Dragon and her Golden Egg has been stolen by the Nekeibrabes, a peaceful trading race. Their docileness is what gives them the ability to sneak in and steal the eggs. The Xixgon's, the armor plated, pig-faced, warrior race, whom they sell the eggs to could never get in close enough to steal an egg. They need the Enterprise to help retrieve the Golden Egg before it is sold to the king of the Xixgon's for their yearly feast. The Xixgon's have hunted Dragons to extinction. And the Nekeibrabes have stolen all the eggs.
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The third morning after Traveler and Wesley came aboard was a quiet morning. After the morning briefing everyone settled into their job, alone with their thoughts, only speaking when necessary to report something.Deta swiveled in his chair wearing a puzzled look on his face. "Captain, long range sensors show something coming toward us."
"On screen." Captain Picard squinted at the view screen. All he could see was the star scape. "Magnify."
Suddenly the screen was filled with what looked like a hawk with bat-wings, flying directly toward them.
"What the--!" Riker exclaimed.
"It appears to be a biological life form," Deta said in an apologetic tone.
"Sir, it is approaching at Warpspeed," Warf announced.Captain Picard pivoted in his chair to look at Warf. "Warpspeed?"
"Warp-four to be exact." Warf concluded as if trying to be as exacting and methodical as Deta.
The Captain whirled back to look at the view screen. The creature flew with powerful, yet, slow and rythumetic wing beats.
"How can that be?" Troi wondered aloud.
The door to the turbolift whooshed opened, Traveler and Wesley stepped onto the bridge.
"Oh, good," Traveler said. "You've discovered Zegh. Impressive isn't she?"
The bridge crew was quiet watching the dragon grow larger on the view screen until she nearly filled it and Deta reduced the magnification. After Deta reduced the magnification back to normal, Captain Picard called, "Full stop."The dragon continued to grow in size until she filled the view screen. Deta pressed several buttons on his console in rapid succession, then he reported, "Sir, she has almost as much mass as the Enterprise."
Riker whistled.
Everyone watched the dragon as she stopped, hovering motionless directly in front of them.
"Thank you all for coming." The words resinated in every mind throughout the ship, causing a great deal of confusion for everyone not looking at and aware of what was happening on the front view screen.
"My rider, Gril, wishes to come aboard. Please blink your green light three times in rapid succession if that is acceptable." This last communique was directed to the Bridge Crew only.
Picard looked at Traveler and Wesley. They both smiled, hopefully and encouragingly. Picard nodded at Jordi, sitting at the Engineering Station. Jordi touched the buttons on his console. Before anyone could move Gril materialized himself on the Bridge next to Traveler.
Warf instantly had his phaser pointed at the newcomer. Traveler stepped forward, in the line of fire. "Allow me to introduce my brother, Gril. His abilities are as far advanced from mine as mine are from Wesley's." Traveler laid an arm on the shoulders of each of his companions as they faced the Captain.
Picard regarded the trio standing before him, then looking Gril in the eye, he nodded. Rising, Captain Picard said, "Gentlemen, shall we retire to the conference room?" and led the way. The senior officers followed, including Commander Troi.
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After much discussion, it was finally decided that the Away Team would consist of Deta, Warf and Gril. They stood on the transporter pad awaiting their queue, while the ship warped into transporter range. When the ship came to a full stop, Captain Picard ordered,
"Transporter room, beam them to the site, now."
The Transporter Engineer pressed the buttons, shunting their molecular structure through the transporter buffers and reconfiguring them again at the proper site.
As soon as they were fully materialized, to the surprise of the negotiating Nekeibrabes and Xixgons, Warf pivoted to put his back against Deta's back, thus protecting them both. Deta grabbed the packaging containing the precious Golden Egg and tossed it to Gril's awaiting hands. Gril teleported himself and his valuable cargo back to the bridge. The Xixgons attacked Deta and Warf. "Two to beam up, quickly!" called Deta into his com-badge as he fended off three Xixgons. Two Xixgons charged Deta and Warf, one from either side, just as the transporter beam grabbed and dematerializing them; leaving the Xixgons to crash into each other instead of the invaders.
"I have them, sir," the Transporter Engineer relayed to the bridge as soon as the two had materialized.
"Helm, get us out of here, reverse course, warp six," Captain Picard ordered. The pilot touched several buttons and the ship jumped into warp.
Deta and Warf entered from the turbolift, then, and took their places. Deta read his console and turned to the others.
"Sir, the Xixgons are in persuit."
"And, they are gaining on us," Warf added.
"Go to warp eight," Picard ordered.
Gril stepped forward, still holding his priceless package. "Captain, may I make a suggestion?"
Picard nodded.
"Gradually slack off your speed until the Xixgons overtake you. Let them fire on you, of course, you fire back, making it look like a real battle. If you could make it look like your shields have failed, that would be very helpful. If you could detonate a small amount of antimatter behind you. Traveler and I will link with your ship's systems and engines, just as the antimatter explodes, we will jump the ship to a safe distance, beyond their scanner range, leaving the illusion of an exploding ship. Therefore the Xixgons will think that the Enterprise is destroyed and they will stop perusing you."
Picard regarded Gril for a long while.
"The Xixgons are a warrior race," Gril continued, "but not particularly bright or curious. They mostly take things at face value, believing what appears to be. Most of their technology is pilfered from other races, many times along with slave operators," Gril concluded.
Picard looked at Riker. Riker shrugged. "Sounds reasonable to me. He's our expert here. We know nothing about the peoples of this sector."
Picard nodded once, "Make it so."
The Golden Egg
The Enterprise rendezvoused with Zegh and Gril on the planetoid called, Wormoid. Gril asked Counselor Troi to officiate in the mating ritual. Wesley, Traveler, Troi, and Riker beamed down to the temple with Grill and the Golden Egg. Gril gave Troi his ceremonial knife to crack open the shell. Troi was thinking that it would be a chick, but hot liquid spilled over her hand and a blood red jelly-stone-yoke rested in her palm. Confused she asked, "Now what do I do? Who gets this?"At that moment a miniature elephant, about the size of a big Saint Bernard dog, flew in the front door of the temple, just like Dumbo, the storybook flying elephant. The poor creature looked almost dead, whitish-gray in color and labored breathing. He seem just barely able to move. Taking the jelly-stone-yoke from Troi, he flew out the entrance again, around the temple to the right to the side door and ate the yoke.
"What the heck?" Riker exclaimed; incensed that they had all risk their lives and the Enterprise only to have the Golden Egg eaten by something else. The miniature elephant was barely able to eat the yoke after flying around the temple he was so near death. Laying there, he started to glow, first red, then orange, then golden. He sprang up, trumpeting lowdly, and flew back to Zegh, hovering at the front entrance, leaving a glowing golden auric trail. He cavorted around Zegh, trumpeting all the while. Then he slowly settled to the ground, with a rumbling croon, in front of Zegh, his trunk draped over her beak. The glowing gold faded to orange and then red. The miniature elephant slowly collapsed like the air going out of a balloon, as the glow faded. Zegh nuzzled him lovingly, then, 'CHOMP!' she crushed his head and neck in one bite. Three more chomps and a gulp and Zegh devourer her mate! Both Troi and Riker were horrified at the sight.
Then the temple shook, knocking them all to the ground. The temple started crumbling around them.
"The Worm awakens!" yelled Gril as he ran and leaped astride Zegh's neck.
"Evacuate! Evacuate!" cried Traveler."Beam us up quick!" exclaimed Wesley.
The quartet was beamed directly to the bridge.
On screen the planetoid was breaking up, unfolding into and elongated shape. "Get us out of here!" Riker bellowed as soon as he'd fully materialized.
Wormoid
The helmsman plotted a course after the quickly escaping Dragon. They could see her on the view screen, starting to glow red, then orange and finally golden. When she glowed so brightly she was difficult to look at, she started leaving a trail of what looked like glowing stardust, like the trail of a comet.
"What is that stuff?" Beverly asked.Traveler stepped in front of Captain Picard. "Captain, it is imperative that you change course to lead the Wormoid away from Zegh's trail. We need to save every last seed that we can! We need to veer off and when the Wormoid follows us, then dive."
Picard regarded Traveler for a moment before ordering the course change. "Evasive action, delta. Then zero, zero, mark, thirty, mark, sixty. When you are sure the Wormoid is following us then change course to zero, zero, mark, one-eighty, mark, ninety." Turning back to Traveler, he asked, "Care to answer Doctor Crusher's question? And elaborate further on just what is happening?"
Traveler nodded, "The trail is made up of seeds which will soon sprout into snowflake flowers and fly through space absorbing solar energy. If they are drawn into the gravity of an asteroid, they will take root and eventually grow into a Wormoid. If they stay free, floating in space, the sprouts turn into larva which swim through space feeding on solar energy, plasma energy, microbes and spores. When they grow to about five or six hundred kilos then they pupate, eventually emerging from their cocoon as dragons.""But what about that elephant-like-creature that came and ate the Golden Egg and then Zegh ate him?" Troi asked.
Traveler smiled. "That is the strangest thing about this species. Each Queen Dragon comes with ten or so dormant embryos inside her. Whenever she needs a mate, she births one. The life span of a male is only a few months. Their sole purpose in life is to transmute the energy in the Wormoid dropping-eggs.
Troi sputtered in outrage, "You mean that you had me splatter myself with...with poop?!
Riker burst out laughing. Picard struggled with his own composure. Traveler looked confused. And Wesley looked sheepish.
"Sorry, Deanna," Wesley said.
"You... you... you worm!" she cried, stamping her foot in anger.
Traveler, still confused, said, "It was supposed to be an honor.""Well you might have thought so, but Wesley knew better!"
Deanna said, eyeing the culprit angrily. "And you," pointing at Riker, who was still chuckling, "stop laughing! It's not funny!"
Riker, making a gallant effort to stifle his amusement, wiped the smile from his face with his hand. His eyes nearly popped from his head, for he was holding his breath to keep from laughing any more.
Warf interrupted the scene with solemn news, "Captain, that Wormoid thing is gaining on us." Obvious disgust fairly dripped from his voice.
"Warp nine!" Picard ordered."On screen." Riker said.
Deta put the aft view on the view screen.
"What is that thing?" Riker exclaimed. Before anyone could answer, 'A Wormoid, of course,' he continued, "It looks like a giant shark swimming with its mouth open."
Deta pivoted in his chair a puzzled look on his face.
"Question, sir, why does it remind you of a shark instead of a worm. For truly, it is a worm. It has no fins."
"It's those teeth, Deta," Riker said with a devilish grin.
"I've never seen a worm with teeth like that. And I did see a shark at Sea World once when I was a kid."
The sand worms of Dracon-Two have teeth," Deta pointed out.
"And sharks do not generally swim with their mouth fully open as this Wormoid is doing."
"Sir," Warf interrupted, "the Wormoid is still gaining on us."
Picard shot from his chair in alarm. "How can it be?""It feeds on your energy output," Traveler said, "The faster you fly, the more energy you expend, the more food for fuel for it. Even if you succeeded in out flying it for a time, it would follow your energy trail and eventually find you. Then one chomp and we are history, just a big explosion of mater and anti-matter. That is what makes the Golden Eggs so powerful." Traveler finished matter-of-factly.
Picard's anger threatened to overwhelm him. "You have endangered my ship, my crew? You knew this would happen when you asked us to decoy for Zegh! You've sacrificed us for one dragon!"
Riker ordered, "Red Alert!" The claxton sounded and the lights flashed red.
"I intent to sacrifice no one, Captain. With your permission, Wesley and I will go to Engineering, link our minds to the ship through the controls there and "jump" the ship to another point in space, leaving no trail. In this way we will totally allude the Wormoid. Oh, and, it would be very helpful if you could turn off that 'Red Alert'. And, Captain, as you did for me before, request that everyone send us peaceful, joyful, and loving thoughts. It will help us, but, actually, it is really for them, that is, each of you."
Picard swallowed his anger. "Very well. Cancel Red Alert."
Saying Good-bye, again
"How do you do that? Phase like that, in and out of our reality, and think us to another place. It's incredible. Could you help me design the engines to do that?"Wesley grinned at Jordi. "I'll answer the last question first, no. Engines cannot do this. It can only be done with the mind, for Thought is more powerful than anything else. As for your first question, it's simple really. Through Quantum Mechanics the Warp Engines, powered by matter and anti-matter, are able to warp Time, Space, and Gravity, a triangle of Universal Constants. Traveler and especially Gril are able to control the other Universal Constant: Thought!
"There are twelve Universal Constants or Laws in all, but the others don't matter for our discussion," Wesley concluded.
"We can now meet Zegh and Gril back at Dragon's Lair, Captain," Traveler finished.
The Enterprise dropped Wesley and Traveler off at Dragon's Lair.
Zegh, with Gril astride her neck, rose up in space to wave good-bye to the Enterprise and crew. A wave of dragon's wings and the Enterprise jumped to near the space station, where they had started three weeks earlier.
"Drat! I wish they wouldn't do that," Captain Picard said, holding his head. "It makes me dizzy."
(c) by Sharri Lorraine 1996, 2006
