The Escape is an original short story written by Matt Morris in 1995.  As this was before Robert Lyon developed the Maximillian fiction program, this story is considered non-canon, containing characters directly named after and based the real-life crew of the Maximillian at that time.  This is the first story ever written for the Maximillian, and was originally published in the October 1995 issue of The Mighty Max.

 

 

 

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Star Trek Maximillian

The Escape 

Written by Matthew Morris

Edited by Chris Stephenson

Based on an idea by Randy Brooks

 

 

Originally published in the October 1995 Newsletter of The Mighty Max

Editor’s note: This story was written before the canon created by Robert Lyon was implemented.  As such, this story should is not considered part of the official Maximillian canon, as there never was a Captain Morris in command of the Maximillian in the ‘Maxiverse’.  It is included to complete the Maximillian series.

 

 

     It was ship’s night, a term some doctor came up with to give space travelers on long journeys some semblance of normality and connection to Earth.  Captain Morris was preparing for bed as he questioned the computer.

     “Has there been any response to my message to my sister?”

     “Not as of this stardate.”  Replied the female voice of the computer. “

     “Great.”  He sighed.  She must be busy.  “Oh well.”  He thought.  Just then the communications unit went off, jerking the captain’s thoughts back abruptly.  “Morris here.”  He called to the ceiling for no particular reason.

     “Sorry to disturb you, sir.”  The voice on the other end of the conn apologized.

     “Not a problem, what can I do for you, Mr. Harper?”

      “We have received a distress call.”

      “Origin?”  Questioned the captain urgently.

     “It’s from Commander Brooks.”

     “What?”  Replied the captain, shaken to full alertness now.  “Trace that distress call, and set a course.  I’m on my way.” 

     “Aye, sir.”  Immediately the captain headed for the bridge.  Seconds later the turbolift doors parted, and before the captain was halfway out of the lift he started issuing orders. 

     “Mr. Harper, do you have that call traced yet?”  Demanded Morris.

     “Yes.”  Replied Lieutenant Darlene Harper, looking at her communications board.

     “Feed to the conn.”

     “Aye, Captain.”

     “Conn, set a course for those coordinates.  Warp 7.”

     “Yes, sir!”  Replied the Conn officer. 

     “I want a senior staff meeting within two minutes.”  Ordered the Captain.

 

 

     Captain’s Log, Stardate 95092.1.  We have received a distress call from my first officer.  We have located the source of the call and are proceeding at high warp.  I am not sure what we will find. 

     The senior staff had been assembled and were talking amongst themselves when the captain hurried through the briefing room door.  “Be seated.”  He said, pausing long enough to allow his officers to situate themselves.  “Mr. Harper, would you play the distress call for us please?”

     “Yes, sir.”  Replied Darlene, and pressed a couple of buttons on the computer in front of her bringing the rooms speakers to life. 

     “Mayday!  This is Commander Randy Brooks.  I have sustained heavy damage while attempting to escape from a Cardassian warship.  Engines are offline.  Oh my God, another warship…Mayday!  Mayday!”  The call ended with a burst of static.  The captain looked around at the shocked faces of his crew.

     “We have tracked the call back to its source and are now en route to rescue Commander Brooks.  I want all departments at battle readiness…”

     “Excuse me, Captain…”

     “Yes, Mr. Jackson.”

     Elaine continued.  “Sir, what about our treaty with the Cardassians?”

     “Well, it seems that they are not sticking to it.  However, we will try to uphold our part of the treaty, but if they force me to fight, then I will.  Any other questions?  The captain asked, looking around the room.  “Good.  Dismissed!” 

     As his officers filed out he noticed his chief medical officer sitting, just staring at the speaker that announced the danger her husband was in.  The captain waited until the last of his officers left the room before he approached her.  “Sharon, I can only imagine how you must feel.   But believe me, I will do everything in my power to get Randy back safe and sound.”

     “I know.”  Said Sharon, patting the captain’s hand.  “Why would they take a Federation officer when we are supposed to have a treaty with them?”

     “I don’t know, but I will find out.”  Replied the captain.  Before either one could say anything further the intercom demanded his attention. 

     “Bridge to Captain.”

     “Morris here.”

     “Sir, we are approaching the coordinates of the distress call.”

     “Good, drop to impulse power, raise shields and begin scanning for the fighter.  Go to red alert.  I’m on my way.”

 

 

 

 

     As another explosion rocked the Godzilla fighter, Commander Brooks kept trying to get his distress call through to somebody, anybody.  “Mayday!  Mayday!  Computer, did the distress call get through?”  He inqured.

     “Unknown.”  Replied the computer. 

     “Status report!”  Demanded Randy as acrid smoke began to fill the cabin.

     “Engines, weapons, and communications offline.  Life support critical.”  Reported the computer.  That thought had Brooks slumping back into the pilots seat.  He reached into his supply pack sitting by his seat and pulled out a round crystal, which he sat on the control panel in front of him and pushed the hidden button on the side of it.  A 3D image of his wife appeared, projected on top of the crystal. 

     “Well hon,”  He said with a tear welling up in his eye, “I don’t think I’m getting out of this one.” 

     “Warning, unidentified ship approaching.”  Announced the computer, jarring Randy from his thoughts. 

     Great, just what I needed.  “Computer, is the view screen still operative?”

     “Affirmative.”

     “Put it on the screen, I want to see who wants to join our little party.”  The sight that greeted Brooks made him come out of his seat with a start.  Could it be?  Thought Brooks, as he rubbed a smoke irritated eye.  “Computer, identify that ship!”

     “Federation starship USS Maximillian, NCC-72016.”

     “Yes! “  Shouted Brooks.  “Payback time!”

    

     “Mr. Harper, open a channel to the Cardassian ship.”  Captain Morris ordered.

      “Channel open.”  Darlene replied.

     Standing up and moving closer to the main view screen, Captain Morris announced himself.  “This is Captain Matthew M. Morris of the Federation starship Maximillian.  You will cease firing on a Federation citizen.  You are in violation of treaty. “ 

     As in response, two Cardassian torpedoes erupted on the Maximillian’s shields.  “Damage report!”  Demanded the captain.

     “Shields holding, minimal damage to deck 8.”  Chief Engineer Smith reported.

     “Well, they don’t want to talk to us, that’s fine.  Defensive maneuvers Morris Beta One, execute!”

     “Aye, sir!”  Ensign Noll replied.

     “Mr. Johnson, fire the Vampire Torpedo!”

     “Firing.”  Johnson replied.  “Contact made.”

     “Beautiful, match frequencies and firing the gatling phasers on my mark.”

     “Frequencies matched.”

     “FIRE!”  Commanded the captain.  Seconds later multiple groupings of phaser fire streaked toward the warship striking many areas of the vessel.  “Report!” 

     “Major damage in multiple areas of the target, their shields down, weapons offline.”

     “Lock a full spread of torpedoes.  Let’s see if they are more willing to talk to us now.  Open a channel, Mr. Harper.”

     “Sir, they are hailing us.”  Darlene said.

     “Put them on screen.”  Said the captain with a smile.

     The screen lit up with the face of a very agitated Cardassian.  “I am Dimar of the warship Kason, why have you fired on us?”

     “Don’t patronize me; you know exactly why we fired.  You will cease fire on the smaller vessel and us or we will destroy you.”

     “You’re bluffing.”  Dimar replied.

     “Would you care to test me?”  The captain challenged.

     “No need for further hostilities.  A sensor malfunction identified both vessels as Romulan.  Now that we know of our error I humbly apologize for the misunderstanding and we will go in peace.”

     “Be sure you do.”  Morris warned.  The view screen switched to a view of the warship turning and heading for its own space.  “Stand down from red alert, get a tractor beam on the commander’s fighter and bring him aboard.  Have him report to me after he sees the doctor.”

     “Aye sir!”

     “And Mr. Smith…Repair the scratch the Cardassians gave us.”

     “I’ll see what I can do, sir.”  Said Linda with a laugh.

 

 

     Hours later Captain Morris looked up from his computer as his ready room door chimed.  “Come.”  The captain called.  The doors parted revealing Commander Brooks standing at attention.  “Ah, number one, come in and sit down.”

     “Thank you.”  Said Brooks, walking in and flopping down on the couch.

     “How are you feeling?”  The captain asked with concern.

     “Not bad, considering I was hanging around with the Cardassians.”  Brooks replied with a half-hearted laugh.

     “Well, your sense of humor hasn’t changed.  Are you up to telling me how you escaped in one piece?”

     “Well, it was simpler than you would think.  After a round of interrogation they put me back in a cell where I pulled an old Earth trick.  I acted like they had broken me.  I called to the guard pleading to let me see the Gul, that I was ready to confess if he would only make the pain stop.  The guard came into the cell to collect me, and when he was close enough I tackled him against the wall, breaking his neck.  I took his phaser and left the detention area.  Thanks to my study of the interiors of other races vessels I had no trouble finding my way to the hanger bay.  I had to shoot the couple of Cardassians working there so I could board my fighter unmolested.  Once I was on board I fired her engines and blew a good sized hole in the hanger door.  I figured I took them by surprise and made my escape.  But about an hour later a Galor-class warship came out of nowhere and let loose everything they had at me, not giving me any chance to defend myself.  Just when I thought it was over this pretty girl showed her teeth, for which I am grateful for.”  He finished, gesturing around the room showing that he was referring to the Maximillian as the girl.  “And by the way, your shipment is intact.”  He said, handing the captain a large jar.

     “Thank you, number one.”

     “You’re welcome.”

     “Besides,”  The captain continued, “It wouldn’t be the same around here if you weren’t around.  Take the next week off, I’m going to need you rested when you hold the fort while I’m on the Lagrange.”

     “Thank you, understood sir.”  Replied Brooks.

     “And Randy…While you have command, no videos, huh?”  The captain said with a grin.

 

 

THE END