A Captain Decision Ch. 07

I waved a hand toward the female, putting her on my couch. I allowed her mouth and head freedom, then wished I hadn't as she started to scream.

"Look, that isn't necessary," I shouted to get over her. She immediately quieted as I sat in a chair in front of her. "Now, who are you, who do you work for?"

"Mary, Mary Dolance, "till a week or so ago, I worked for a bunch of creeps." She named a few names that I recognized; I nodded as she went on. "We were left in some type of lab, they all vanished one day. Not really sure what happened to them."

"Ah," I said, "afraid that was me. Here, let me get the rest of them," I said as I pulled all the weak powers I felt where the female had been.

I suddenly had fifteen females and five males milling around my apartment. Shit, I thought just what I needed.

I just shook my head, as I watched them roam the room aimlessly. I wasn't sure that I couldn't send them home. Chances were that the government had backup plans. So, these people could be captured again.

I sat with a thud going over everything that I knew. I looked at all of them, seeing that they were weak compared to me. Maybe I could mask them from detection, then send them home.

I called all of them, trying to explain just what I was trying to do. Perhaps they could have a more normal life?

I started tentatively on the female that I had first pulled here. Mary Dolance bit her lip when I started. "It won't hurt, will it?" She asked.

"No," I said, "you'll hardly even know that anything has been done. You are the strongest, so I would start with you."

A weak smile came to her lips, then she slowly nodded. "Alright, I... I trust you."

I stared at her in shock, this was the first time anyone, let alone a female had evet said that to me. I started laying down a type of shield that masked her abilities, using her own energy.

"There, that should hide you very well, as long as you do not use your abilities. I hope that you can stay hidden," I said.

"Are you sure? I really don't want to go back there," she said.

I slowly nodded my head. I somewhat knew what she was talking about. They had tried to get their hands on me a few times.

"Alright, let me just make sure," I said as I reached out to her. This whole time I hadn't noticed that the rest of them had crowded near us, listening intensely.

I kept my abilities low about what I thought the government types would use. I smiled as I went to half power, nothing good, she was mostly normal appearing.

"Well? How do I appear?" She asked.

"I am about half of my abilities; you are mostly normal. I don't think that there are many that are more powerful than that. I believe you are good to go. Now," I said, looking at the rest of them. "Remember, if you use them then, they will notice you. I mean anything that appears out of the ordinary, they will investigate. If that happens, try to call to me, I'll try to stay attuned to you."

I thought about it, seeing most of the thoughts of all of them. I decided I might do a little more to guarantee they were safe. I started on the other nineteen, actually turning off their abilities for a bit. I could see later that they would probably be more than upset with me. I'd have to deal with that later.

I started to send them home 'til I was at last left with Mary. "You never told me where..." I started.

"Can I stay here?" she asked. "I," here she blushed, "really, don't have anywhere to go or anyone to go back to. So, I was thinking, that is if you don't mind, that I could stay here. At least 'til I find somewhere to go."

I just groaned at what she'd said, if I let her stay, I could see that she might never leave. Damnit, why, did I feel like I was screwed, blue and tattooed?

I then tried to explain that I had to leave for a while, that I wasn't sure when I would be back. I had to, if I didn't, then our world, hell out entire universe, was doomed.

"Can't I just go with you?" She asked.

I thought about it, she really wasn't strong enough. I knew whoever these energy beings were, they would overwhelm her in no time. I really didn't have the time to increase her much, though what I could do would help her here.

"Not this time, there are beings out there that would rip through your defenses as if they weren't there. Here, I said as I put a hand to her forehead. For the first minute or so, nothing happened, then I felt her abilities jump higher. I had them almost double, when I stopped, the strain on her was pretty great. "There, you are double what you were, though not nearly as high as I think you need to be."

"I don't feel any stronger," she said.

"For now, you won't, though this should have them leaving you the hell alone. I'll be back as soon as I can, there should be enough food for nearly a month. I have books, games, the internet and cable," I told her.

"Anything I should know?" She asked.

"Yes, don't leave this apartment, they will try to get you to, don't, as I said, you are safe here. I have to go the energy I feel is starting to increase," I said, then vanished.

I'll try to remember; I heard her thoughts then Rommie and I were in orbit. The ship was stronger, faster and far more deadly than before. I now had three rooms, just in case I thought.

"Alright Rommie, let's go to the next place," I said.

A large portal appeared in front of us with swirling colors, we quickly moved into it. I was reaching out as soon as we were through. As of yet, I wasn't feeling whatever they were, though I felt they hadn't given up.

Sure enough, less than a minute later, I felt them move in behind us. We were moving faster than before, though the energy beings were keeping up with us.

"How long, Rommie?" I asked.

"Thirty seconds," she said.

I nodded as I extended my hand, putting up a shield before them. This time, I had it as strong as the last I had used against them. When they moved through it somewhat easily, I doubled the strength, feeling them slow. I could also feel their amazement. They tried to push harder, still unable to get through, I smiled as we exited the portal.

I could almost feel the anguish when the portal closed with them still a great distance from it. I surprised them this time as I had the first time. I didn't think my luck was going to hold out. No, I thought, I needed to get stronger. I wasn't nearly powerful enough to stop them yet.

I looked around where we were, it appeared we were a lot further out than I had at first thought we were. I saw a ship almost out of range of our view screen.

"Rommie? Is that the Enterprise? Hard to get a good visual this far away," I said.

"Scanning," Rommie said. "I am detecting the Enterprise-D, though the readings are strange. I am reading almost no power. Minimal life signs onboard."

"What has caused..." I started, then noticed that there were a great number of ships around the Enterprise. "I see that we have company."

I pointed at one of the ships, surprised when it vanished into flames and debris. Shit, that got their attention, most of them started to accelerate towards me. Pointing, I watched half of them vanish like the first. I shook my head as the rest didn't even pause, still advancing on me.

"Alright stealth, move us as soon as it is activated," I ordered.

"Done John," Rommie said as we moved a few million kilometers away.

What was left of the ships that had tried to intercept us were attacking where we were. Hmmm, they were stronger than I thought they were. I pointed, watching as almost that were there vanished.

I was amazed that they kept trying to find us. The ships were compact, triangular shaped, with what appeared to be of crystalline technology. The name Tholian came to me from an old episode.

What the hell was going on? As far as I knew, the Tholians were not a threat in Picard's time. I could see that they had spun an almost complete enclosure around Picard's ship.

No, I thought this wasn't going to happen, not with the fate of my universe at stake. I felt my anger start to rise, then the small, powerful ships started to explode one at a time.

Almost all of them were gone when I received a message. "To the ship destroying our fleet, we will destroy you if you continue to interfere."

"Open a channel, Rommie," I said.

"Open Captain," Rommie said.

"You obviously are more incompetent than I first thought. Continue if you wish to lose your entire fleet. You are far inferior to me, so please continue," I said, tired of dealing with warmonger races who thought they were the best.

I could see that they thought they knew where I was, 'til I appeared behind them. I slowly started to blow away every ship I saw. I just shrugged as I took out the rest of them.

I had Rommie turn to head to the Enterprise when it suddenly went to warp! Now, I was really starting to get pissed off. I just wanted to return the weapon then go home. Why in the hell, were all the captains being so difficult?

"Rommie follow them," I started, then several ships dropped out of warp firing on me! A moment later, I saw that the number was starting to grow. Less than two minutes, I swear there were more than a hundred ships in front of me.

"Stealth Rommie!" I yelled, then we vanished. I could see that the Tholians were actively hunting for me. I guess the loss of a lot of their ships had angered them. I just sighed as I ordered Rommie to open a portal.

All the ships turned toward the portal trying to get to it, we entered it, going to trans-warp.

"Try to get a reading on Picard's ship, once again we are going to have to find them," I told Rommie.

"I have them John. They seem to be going back into Federation space," Rommie said. I issued a sigh, now they were making it even harder to get to them.

"Follow them, they have to stop sometime, when they do, we can trans-warp to them," I said, wondering why the damn universe was against me. "Drop out of trans-warp when we are far enough away that the Tholians can't detect us."

"Dropping out now, we are more than ten par-secs away," Rommie said as we exited through another portal.

I could only shake my head, I hoped that things were going well back home. So far, I hadn't heard anything from the nineteen I sent home, nor Mary.

____________________________________________________________________

Mary Dolance had tried as hard as she could, though the boredom was starting to get to her. John had said he'd be gone for a time, though he didn't know how long.

Mary had looked at everything she could, though she trusted him to a point, she wasn't stupid. So far, John hadn't lied, though she knew from personal experience that most guys did.

Then again, she hadn't found much to prove her right about that. She decided that she'd reserve judgment about John on that point.

She had endured almost twelve hours when she decided she needed to get out. She could hear John saying she was safe here, that they would get her to leave. With a sigh she decided that she was strong enough, after all, John had strengthened her, right?

She started for the front of the building, suddenly feeling that someone or several someones, were watching the building. A shake of her head didn't seem to clear it away. Was this one of the new senses John spoke of?

The thing was that the closer she got to the door, the stronger the feeling got. Damnit! She thought it would be safe with what John had done to her.

Damn, it was a lot harder to concentrate being more open like this. Stopping at the door, she started to step out, feeling several people pointing weapons at her. A moment later she felt a stinging pain lashing ou, she heard several people cry out.

Whatever they had used, wasn't as bad as she felt it would be. She turned, taking three then four steps almost to the door. Several men ran towards her as she dragged herself so slowly to the door.

She watched amazed as they started to scream, grabbing their heads, some actually bouncing back from her. Falling in the door, she smiled as she felt safe again. OK, not going to do that again! Pulling herself further in, away from the door, she stopped then passed out.

"Control, one of the subjects is here. My god, she's twice as powerful, nowhere as strong as the one we are tracking. She knocked about ten grown men out, then took refuge in that no-entrance building. Yes sir, we will maintain vigilance. We managed to hit her with the nullifies, though, they barely hit her. Yes sir, just like the one we are tracking, yes sir!" The man with the radio said.

"Control says we are to remain here, we are to try to get her and him to exit the building, if possible," the man said.

This sent several men off to attend to those that were injured and remain in their positions. This was going to be a long time here. Might as well get takeout while they waited. As far as those here said, she was unconscious at the moment.

With any luck, they could get her and him with the new weapons control had just built. He hoped that they would not good to go against an enemy with mental powers and no weapons.

It was nearly dark when Mary finally stirred from her forced nap. She quickly checked herself for any physical injury. Relief washed over her when she saw that she was unharmed.

Slowly getting to her feet, she started to climb the stairs. OK, she could see the wisdom behind John telling her to stay put. She laid down still feeling weak, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

As she started to dream, she decided she needed to come clean and tell John. She knew that this mission he was on wouldn't let him come back, she just had to let him know.

I was still tracking Picard's ship, having actually slept while I waited. I had forgotten that warp drive was slow compared to trans-warp.

I had only been up an hour when I heard a weak voice. John? I shook my head to make sure I wasn't imagining it. John, I heard again, I swear it sounded like Mary.

I can hear you Mary, are you OK? You sound very weak, I thought to her.

No, not really. I tried to go out. There were men waiting out there, they shot me with some type of energy weapon. I got mad think I hurt some of them, some when they tried to get me as I was at the door, she thought.

I was worried, so I tried to scan her, yes, I could see she was partly shut down. I could also see that she was asleep probably a good thing. Sleep as you are, you should feel better when you awake. Eat and don't try that again, OK?

I won't John, I'm sorry, she said.

No problem as long as you learn, I said then I tried to up her defense a bit. It wasn't easy. I got her a little higher, still nowhere near me, though better.

I let her go as Rommie alerted me that Picard's ship had finally stopped. "Alright Rommie, trans-warp near them. Try not to scare the crap out of them, OK?"

Rommie's holo-gram appeared as she smiled, "I will do the best that I can. You do realize that probably no matter what I do they will more than likely attack."

"Yeah, I know, probably run knowing my luck," I said.

Rommie just smiled at me as a portal opened in front of us. Less than a minute later, we exited not far from earth.

"Damnit," I said. "We are too damn close to the federation headquarters. Stealth Rommie!" I shouted.

"I am detecting no less than seven armed warships moving our way, Rommie advised me.

"We need to move now; I know they can't see. They may try to blanket the area with weapons," I ordered Rommie.

"Moving closer to Picard's ship. Advancing ships have slowed, now scanning all the area where we were and far from it," Rommie advised me.

"Let's hope that we can get there before something alerts them to our presence," I said as we moved closer.

It was several hours before all the new arrivals started to move further away. "Alright, open a channel to," I started when again Picard's ship moved away, then went to warp.

I just shook my head; I swore I was going to have to disable Picard's ship to get him to stay still. "Track them Rommie, somehow we need to get the ship alone, then take Picard off the ship."

"You don't think that might start an incident, do you sir?" Rommie asked.

"The way things are going; it might be the only way we can get to him. Why the hell is this getting harder and harder?" I asked Rommie. "I mean we are so much stronger; weapons, shields and our cloak. I swear that something or someone is definitely working against us."

I really didn't expect an answer, so it came as a surprise when she actually did! "Well John, I have analyzed all that we have been through. It does appear that something is indeed working against all that we are doing. As of yet I don't have enough data to correlate an answer."

I could only stare at Rommie as I sat reaching out feeling everything I could. At first there was nothing, then I felt a faint energy that seemed to be coming off the ship and me. What in the hell was that?

I started to concentrate; I felt the energy coming from deep in space. Not all that far from where we had come into this universe. The longer I felt it, the more it started to feel like the energy beings we had met.

First, I tried to block it, though that was only temporary. I had to remove what was marking us first, that I saw was going to be far harder.

Far out in the in-between area of space that the same said energy beings were, a discussion was taking place.

"Supreme master," a voice near a huge cloud of energy said. "Twice we have detected a vehicle capable of freeing us from this prison. Each time we met resistance from a solid presence, more powerful than we have ever met. Many are afraid that it is the one who put us here."

"Why think you this, the one who put us here was far more powerful than all of us," the supreme master said.

"The first time it was barely able to stop us. The second time, the power was more than double, slowing us enough to exit," the voice explained.

"Let us see what has passed, um yes, I can see what you mean. I do not feel it is are imprisoner, though the second time the solid's power started to feel more like our jailer. Warn all that if they detect it again do not attempt a direct attack. The way the power seems to grow this solid is a most definite threat," the supreme master said.

"Not a direct attack? How then will we board and exit this prison?" The voice asked surprised.

"We will have to use subterfuge; I know this is unheard of. Facing our jailer or one as powerful as him, is not an option we can afford," the supreme master said.

"It will, Supreme master!" The voice said. "It appears that the solid has detected our destiny beam."

"It is as I feared, without that the solid will have a greater advantage over us. Shut it down before it is traced back to us!" The Supreme master said.

Rommie was actually trying to trace the beam that I had put her onto. She had traced it back to near where we entered this universe, when it vanished.

"I am sorry John, the beam has stopped," Rommie said.

"Yeah, I figured as much, it appears someone else is interfering with our mission. I have a feeling it is some race that is in-between all the universes. Is it completely gone?" I asked.

"Yes sir, it has been severed. Sir, Picard's ship has stopped again, this time it's alone," Rommie said.

"About time, trans-warp maybe we can end this soon," I said as the portal opened, then we winked out.