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Distress Call

Chapter 4

Despite the best speed the Enterprise and Ender Wiggin were making, the timing was going to be close. It now appeared that the Lantree and the Monitor Ships would arrive at about the same time - though from a different angle. A Cylon Basestar responded to the emergency and they were expected to arrive shortly after the Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin.
***
Sector Marshal Dermod conferred with his captains about the upcoming police action. “Based on the information provided by Commander Wiggin during my second conversation with him, the International Fleet Dreadnaughts have few, if any drones. According to Commander Wiggin, those ships were designed to take on the Formic motherships and to bombard planetary targets. But remember. There is the possibility that defensive guns have been placed to protect those ships from side approaches.”
Captain Fletcher said “Since Rhabwar has no true armament and we would rely only on pressers and tractors should the action drift to where we will be holding, I have to ask this question. Are we sure there are none of their carriers hanging back somewhere waiting to surprise us and Starfleet?”
“According to Admiral Terrag, their long range scans show only those four dreadnaughts in that immediate area. That Cylon ship is going to take position at the edge of the system to watch for other ships. The Admiral has shared some targeting information he said came from studying the International Fleet ships Starfleet captured during earlier encounters. The graphics are still being prepared, but you will have them available for your repeater screens before we go into this action. According to the Admiral, those ships were designed for assault - to press the battle onto their enemy. Their strategy relies on drones from their carriers for protection. According to Captain Picard, that we are faced with the Dreadnaughts alone suggests that we, and Starfleet are facing some kind of test. If this is some kind of test, I intend for whoever is behind this test to judge us for who and what we are. Now. The exact timing and sequence of these events is still the unknown. Therefore, I expect we will have to improvise part of this, but here is what I intend to do.”
***
“No.” replied Senior Physician Conway, “The system was not designed to be that specific. Remember, there are almost Seventy different species holding membership in the Federation - ah, I mean the Galactic Federation. The system was designed to facilitate quick decision making among the staff at Sector General on how to bring patients and staff into the hospital, then where to place them once they are in. It wouldn’t do to place an oxygen breathing patient in a ward set up for chlorine breathers. The system is also used by the crews on rescue ships to make quick decisions on how to configure their Casualty Deck. That being said, I can tell you that a ship bringing casualties from all three species you named and described would not pose a major challenge to Sector General. Despite the difference in the base of their blood, Earth Humans, Vulcans, and Klingons are all warm-blooded, bipedal oxygen breathers who require the same atmospheric conditions and have similar basic nourishment requirements. Therefore, all three species would have the DBDG classification. Based on the information I’ve gotten so far, many of the species in your Federation would be DBDGs.”
“But,” responded Dr. Crusher, “if you set up for a Human only to discover that the patient is a Vulcan– ”
“That’s why whoever is bringing the patient to us for treatment would say something like ‘I have a Vulcan DBDG with a puncture wound, multiple fractures, and lacerations.’ The Admittance Staff uses the classification for placement, then it would be up to the doctor, or nurse performing the initial examination at the hospital to begin the decision making on tools and treatment. Look. I’ll give you an example of different classifications. That may clarify what I’m trying to say. Take the Formics, and compare them to Cinrusskans like Dr. Prilicla. Commander Wiggin was close when he suggested we start with Dr. Prilicla’s GLNO classification in planning for possible Formic casualties. He also gave us an important clue when he said that Formics are more robust than Cinrusskans. Dr. Prilicla is here on the casualty deck for this conversation. Being an oxygen breather, he has no need for an environment suit on this deck during normal operations. He does, however, need to use gravity nullifiers in our standard Earth Human gravity environment. He is from a planet with much lower gravity and he would be immediately crushed if he were to be subjected to our one-G setting. From the additional information we’ve received, the Formics are geared to or are at least comfortable in a one-G environment. Therefore, my preliminary classification assignment for the Formics is GLEG. I may make refinements to that classification after I have examined one, but I am sure that those refinements would not take it to GLNO.”
“So the system IS primarily a triage tool.”
“Yes. That’s what it was set up as. However, all the departments in Sector General have adopted it to ease communications between the departments, and to aid in work assignments for the maintenance and technical staff.”
“I don’t know if everyone in our Federation would be willing to adopt that system, but I can see its usefulness for emergency situations. I will pass all that you have told me about this system and the educator tapes on to Starfleet Medical.”
“You said you had three things you wanted to discuss. What was the third?”
“Commander Wiggin told me that, from his reading of the stories of your realm, you all carry out your duties with the given that pathogens cannot cross the species barrier.”
“That is correct.” Dr. Conway replied.
“Well, you need to know that that is not a given in our realm. Maybe it has to do with the fact that most of the humanoid races in the Federation can be traced, genetically, back to the genetic seeds that had been planted by a long gone ancient race. But, even with some non-humanoid races, certain strains can cross the species barrier in our realm.”
Murchison and Naydrad, who had been listening while working with Dr. Prilicla to prepare the deck for possible casualties, stopped and looked at the screen. Murchison had a worried look on her face and Naydrad’s fur had taken on an unsettling twitch. Dr. Prilicla spoke first “That could be a major problem, Friend Crusher.”
***
Useless sat with Fishlegs, Petra, and Camicazi at a table in Ten Forward. Horrorcow and little Stormfly were also at the table. The Prime Team and the Dragon Army were getting in a meal break before the Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin would reach the International Fleet ships. Fishlegs said “I’ve started reading the Sector General stories. Overall, they seem like nice people, but they are kind of backwards in some of their beliefs. They believe women can’t do the same things as men. Well, I can’t wait till we finally meet with them and see how they react to Camicazi and Petra.”
“Don’t forget Astrid and Valentine.” said Petra as she gestured to the table where Astrid was sitting with Ender and Valentine was sitting with Chamaco. It was clear who were the couples at that table. Valentine had been given a choice by the Starfleet Medical when this crisis arose. Of course, she chose to stay with the Enterprise to get some emergency response experience to add to her training at the academy. Her place in this was in the medical section, but she had managed to have her breaks coincide the Prime Team’s scheduled breaks. She was friends with everyone on the team, but everyone understood that the scheduling was so she and Chamaco could spend some time together.
After Captain Picard’s comment, a few years earlier, about the members of the Dragon Army having clean slate futures, they had each looked up the fictional versions of their lives in what some in this realm called the Enderverse. None in the Dragon Army was really pleased with what they saw in those fictional futures. Bean, for obvious reasons, was pleased to learn that his genetic background in the book series had not been carried over through the movie and into this realm. (Though he had been going in for checkups every two or three months to be sure during the first year or two.) He and Petra did try spending free time together, but they found that the things that had brought them together in that fictional world were not in play here.
After some time (and realizing that Camicazi’s interest was in Useless), Petra had taken an interest in Fishlegs. She had been about to give up before she realized that Fishlegs was worrying about getting between Petra and Ender. At about the same time, Chamaco’s Astrid decided to make open advances on Ender and that led to this current group of pairings coming about.
“Especially Valentine” Petra continued, “with how well she is doing at the Academy.”
Useless added “And we’ll have to see how they react to the Dragons.”
Commander Riker entered Ten Forward then said “Useless, Bean and Ender. Please come with me. You may bring your meals. Sector Marshal Dermod has requested your participation in finalizing the plan of action. The rest of Dragon Army and Prime Team should take your meals back to your workrooms. I’d like for you to be ready to provide information should Useless or Bean call for it during the Command Level session. Valentine, you have time to finish your meal here, but report to Dr. Crusher as soon as you are finished. The Rhabwar medical staff will be holding a conference with you and the medical component of the Wiggin’s crew at the conclusion of the Command Level session.”
“Yes sir.” came the reply from the crowd in Ten Forward.
Ender steadied himself then returned to his seat. Just as Astrid was about to ask if he was all right, he said “Yes. We are approaching your planet. There are International Fleet ships approaching your planet and we are on our way to protect you.” After a pause, he said “We had just been called to a meeting with the captains of our ships. Useless can hear me and I am asking him to let them know that you have contacted me and you wish to talk, through me, with them.”
While Ender continued his discussion, Useless tapped his communicator then said “Captain Picard, we are on our way, but you should know this. The Formic Queen has detected our approach and she has just formed a link with Ender. Ender has told her about the I.F. ships. She wishes to talk, through Ender, with you and anyone else on the Command Level who is willing to talk with her.”
After a long pause, Captain Picard replied “You may tell the Queen that we all are very much interested in having her join this discussion. I will explain her telepathy to Sector Marshal Dermod while we wait for you to get here. Let Ender know that he will not have to explain it before he speaks for her.”
***
Captain Fletcher decided to let the medical component of his crew listen to the discussion. They were able to talk freely among themselves as the audio was listen only unless they were asked a question. Dr. Prilicla said “We are not yet close enough for me to detect any emotional radiation, but I am hearing no signs of stress in Friend Andrew’s voice. He seems comfortable letting the Formic Queen speak through him.”
“I agree.” replied Dr. Conway. “And I find it encouraging that both the Formics and the Federation are willing to let Sector Marshal Dermod try to talk with the International Fleet. We might get through this without any casualties.”
Murchison said “We can only hope you are right.” Naydrad chose not to say anything, but her fur did not look relaxed.
***
The Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin dropped out of warp between the Formic planet and the I.F. ships which had been decelerating - making it clear that the Formic world was their target. The Monitor Corps ships dropped from hyperdrive between the Federation and I.F. ships.
“I am Sector Marshal Dermod of the Monitor Corps and I am offering my services to mediate between the parties in this dispute. Will you bring your ships to a stop to talk with me?”
The I.F. ships slowed their pace even more. They shifted their positions relative to each other while they did so. As they neared the Monitor ships, a voice called out on the channel “This is the only language the Buggers understand.”
The ships fired charges. Two of the ships fired at the Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin. Those shots did not penetrate the Federation shields. The other two ships fired at the Formic planet.
Dermod switched to a secure channel then called out “All Monitor ships, plan Delta. Pressers and tractors now.” The Monitor ships energized their tractor and repulsion beam emitters then targeted select portions of the I.F. ships.
The farthest ship tried to turn its attention on the Rhabwar, which was holding off to the side. Before it could bring its main weapon to aim, the forward portion of that ship was damaged by a phaser strike from Enterprise. The I.F. ship accelerated.
“Rhabwar. Put up your shields now.” Captain Picard called out “and try to get some distance from that ship”
“Our shield is up.” replied Captain Fletcher.
Enterprise fired two torpedoes which had been set for low yield. The I.F. ship was disabled, and it continued to drift with its momentum. Though, Rhabwar had gotten clear of its drift and was safe. That quickly, the battle was over. All four I.F. ships had been disabled.
***
“Captain Picard.” said the Formic Queen through Ender who had been sitting next to the Captain on the Bridge. “We require assistance down here. The attack has caused some cave-ins. Many of us are trapped.” Ender’s voice was carried on the open channel.
Sector Martial Dermod called out “Rhabwar, Ender Wiggin, and Trafalur, go to the Formics. We will stay with Enterprise to secure the I.F. ships and search for casualties and survivors.”
Captain Picard called out “The Dragon Army will report to the main Shuttle Bay. Ender will meet you there.” then he said to Dermod “I’m sending them in a Runabout to meet with Rhabwar and the Wiggin at the Formic planet. The Queen is familiar with them and they will serve as the on the planet interface between the Formics and their rescuers.”
“Agreed.” replied Dermod.
Just before leaving the Bridge, Ender said “The Queen thanks you, Captain.”
***
Scott Tracy explored the tunnels that led to where the cave-ins had occurred then he used some of International Rescue’s equipment to take some core samples from ground level down to the level of the below ground caverns. Meanwhile, Jeff Tracy used a modified Starfleet tricorder to get a picture of where there were tunnels and chambers, and where the ground would be solid enough for Rhabwar to land. Ender walked with Jeff while the Queen guided them, through Ender, to areas where tunnels had not been dug.
Scott walked to them while Jeff and Ender were checking an area that might be suitable for the Rhabwar to set down. “One thing is sure. We can’t use the Mole. The Formic resin technology is amazing, but when it comes to the vibration frequencies the Mole puts out, that stuff is just too brittle.”
“I was afraid of that.” replied Jeff “We could start with shovels, but I’ve been thinking about something else. Remember the beings who tunneled through rock in that old Star Trek episode? What were they called?”
Ender asked (as himself) “Are you thinking of the Horta?”
“Yes. That’s what they are called.” Jeff tapped his communicator then said “Jeff Tracy to Enterprise.”
Commander Riker replied “Enterprise here, this is Riker. Go a head Jeff.”
“Conditions here are too sensitive to use our tunneling equipment. I’d like to know what are the prospects of bringing a few Horta here to assist in this rescue.”
“A few moments.” After a long pause, “The Leif Ericson Is the closest ship to their world. They will leave their station at the fog and proceed at maximum warp. If the Horta agree, and I’m sure they will, the Ericson could have them here in less than half the time it would take for us to go get them.”
“That’s F.A.B. Keep us informed.”
Ender let the queen take over again for a conversation with Scott and Jeff.
***
Rhabwar landed as soon as a suitable landing site was selected. The Trafalur, one of the smaller Monitor Corps ships, landed near Rhabwar. The crew of that ship took on the task of setting up the portable field unit hospital structures while Doctors Conway, and Prilicla preformed their first evaluation of the Formics who had already moved to, or had been moved to, the surface. Dr. Murchison stayed on Rhabwar to analyze the specimens and samples she would soon be getting. Naydrad worked with the Rhabwar’s crew moving tools and supplies to the field unit structures. Medical Staff from the Ender Wiggin began arriving in shuttles. (Useless’s moment of caution back when the Queen was still in the egg had been proven correct. Formic physiology was not compatible with the transporter process.) Valentine had come down with the Wiggin staff. She helped move one of the more critically wounded Formics to the field unit. While she discussed what she saw in the patient with Dr. Conway during the triage, the Doctor decided that she should spend some time assisting Dr. Murchison on the Rhabwar.
“So. You are sending me a cadet to watch over and keep her out of everybody’s way?”
“No. I’m sending you a competent student who, professionally, reminds me of you when you first came to Sector General. She explained that she is here to get field experience and I believe that as the Pathologist you are the one to give her the most instructive experience.”
“Very well, but you owe me.”
During a lull a short time later, Murchison said to Conway and Prilicla “It seems that the tools and materials for treating exoskeletal fractures in GLNOs will require only slight modification to work with the Formic GLEGs. Though, I want Dr. Prilicla there to monitor reactions, and Ender there to speak for the Queen when we treat the first few Formic patients.” After a pause, she added “Valentine has spoken with Admiral Terrag and Captain Picard. They are issuing us Starfleet communicators which will arrive on the next shuttle from Enterprise. You will see that being able to quickly speak with the medical staff on Enterprise is useful.”
“So. You are no longer upset about me asking you to ‘watch over’ Valentine.”
“True. But, you still owe me.”
Those first few operations were successes. They had been simple procedures by Sector General and Starfleet standards - even with the precaution of extra monitoring. The individual patients were ecstatic. Some of them would otherwise have lost their fractured limbs. Word spread quickly and this led to some individual Formics volunteering to carry specimens, samples, and supplies between the field unit and the Rhabwar. This increased interaction with the Formics enabled the Rhabwar’s computer to quickly add the Formics’s soft percussive language to the translation database. Within minutes, the language had also been added to the Federation translation database. Even with this development, Ender continued being a speaker for the Queen as this enabled her to, in a sense, be in two places at once.
As the ending of the first wave of Formic patients approached, Dr Murchison said to Charge Nurse Naydrad “I’m sending Valentine to you. She has been very useful here, but I feel that she should also get some field hospital experience. I’ve checked with Dr. Crusher and have been told that with her current level of training at the academy, Valentine is more than qualified to serve as a nurse. Work with her as you see fit.”

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Distress Call

Chapter 4

Despite the best speed the Enterprise and Ender Wiggin were making, the timing was going to be close. It now appeared that the Lantree and the Monitor Ships would arrive at about the same time - though from a different angle. A Cylon Basestar responded to the emergency and they were expected to arrive shortly after the Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin.
***
Sector Marshal Dermod conferred with his captains about the upcoming police action. “Based on the information provided by Commander Wiggin during my second conversation with him, the International Fleet Dreadnaughts have few, if any drones. According to Commander Wiggin, those ships were designed to take on the Formic motherships and to bombard planetary targets. But remember. There is the possibility that defensive guns have been placed to protect those ships from side approaches.”
Captain Fletcher said “Since Rhabwar has no true armament and we would rely only on pressers and tractors should the action drift to where we will be holding, I have to ask this question. Are we sure there are none of their carriers hanging back somewhere waiting to surprise us and Starfleet?”
“According to Admiral Terrag, their long range scans show only those four dreadnaughts in that immediate area. That Cylon ship is going to take position at the edge of the system to watch for other ships. The Admiral has shared some targeting information he said came from studying the International Fleet ships Starfleet captured during earlier encounters. The graphics are still being prepared, but you will have them available for your repeater screens before we go into this action. According to the Admiral, those ships were designed for assault - to press the battle onto their enemy. Their strategy relies on drones from their carriers for protection. According to Captain Picard, that we are faced with the Dreadnaughts alone suggests that we, and Starfleet are facing some kind of test. If this is some kind of test, I intend for whoever is behind this test to judge us for who and what we are. Now. The exact timing and sequence of these events is still the unknown. Therefore, I expect we will have to improvise part of this, but here is what I intend to do.”
***
“No.” replied Senior Physician Conway, “The system was not designed to be that specific. Remember, there are almost Seventy different species holding membership in the Federation - ah, I mean the Galactic Federation. The system was designed to facilitate quick decision making among the staff at Sector General on how to bring patients and staff into the hospital, then where to place them once they are in. It wouldn’t do to place an oxygen breathing patient in a ward set up for chlorine breathers. The system is also used by the crews on rescue ships to make quick decisions on how to configure their Casualty Deck. That being said, I can tell you that a ship bringing casualties from all three species you named and described would not pose a major challenge to Sector General. Despite the difference in the base of their blood, Earth Humans, Vulcans, and Klingons are all warm-blooded, bipedal oxygen breathers who require the same atmospheric conditions and have similar basic nourishment requirements. Therefore, all three species would have the DBDG classification. Based on the information I’ve gotten so far, many of the species in your Federation would be DBDGs.”
“But,” responded Dr. Crusher, “if you set up for a Human only to discover that the patient is a Vulcan– ”
“That’s why whoever is bringing the patient to us for treatment would say something like ‘I have a Vulcan DBDG with a puncture wound, multiple fractures, and lacerations.’ The Admittance Staff uses the classification for placement, then it would be up to the doctor, or nurse performing the initial examination at the hospital to begin the decision making on tools and treatment. Look. I’ll give you an example of different classifications. That may clarify what I’m trying to say. Take the Formics, and compare them to Cinrusskans like Dr. Prilicla. Commander Wiggin was close when he suggested we start with Dr. Prilicla’s GLNO classification in planning for possible Formic casualties. He also gave us an important clue when he said that Formics are more robust than Cinrusskans. Dr. Prilicla is here on the casualty deck for this conversation. Being an oxygen breather, he has no need for an environment suit on this deck during normal operations. He does, however, need to use gravity nullifiers in our standard Earth Human gravity environment. He is from a planet with much lower gravity and he would be immediately crushed if he were to be subjected to our one-G setting. From the additional information we’ve received, the Formics are geared to or are at least comfortable in a one-G environment. Therefore, my preliminary classification assignment for the Formics is GLEG. I may make refinements to that classification after I have examined one, but I am sure that those refinements would not take it to GLNO.”
“So the system IS primarily a triage tool.”
“Yes. That’s what it was set up as. However, all the departments in Sector General have adopted it to ease communications between the departments, and to aid in work assignments for the maintenance and technical staff.”
“I don’t know if everyone in our Federation would be willing to adopt that system, but I can see its usefulness for emergency situations. I will pass all that you have told me about this system and the educator tapes on to Starfleet Medical.”
“You said you had three things you wanted to discuss. What was the third?”
“Commander Wiggin told me that, from his reading of the stories of your realm, you all carry out your duties with the given that pathogens cannot cross the species barrier.”
“That is correct.” Dr. Conway replied.
“Well, you need to know that that is not a given in our realm. Maybe it has to do with the fact that most of the humanoid races in the Federation can be traced, genetically, back to the genetic seeds that had been planted by a long gone ancient race. But, even with some non-humanoid races, certain strains can cross the species barrier in our realm.”
Murchison and Naydrad, who had been listening while working with Dr. Prilicla to prepare the deck for possible casualties, stopped and looked at the screen. Murchison had a worried look on her face and Naydrad’s fur had taken on an unsettling twitch. Dr. Prilicla spoke first “That could be a major problem, Friend Crusher.”
***
Useless sat with Fishlegs, Petra, and Camicazi at a table in Ten Forward. Horrorcow and little Stormfly were also at the table. The Prime Team and the Dragon Army were getting in a meal break before the Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin would reach the International Fleet ships. Fishlegs said “I’ve started reading the Sector General stories. Overall, they seem like nice people, but they are kind of backwards in some of their beliefs. They believe women can’t do the same things as men. Well, I can’t wait till we finally meet with them and see how they react to Camicazi and Petra.”
“Don’t forget Astrid and Valentine.” said Petra as she gestured to the table where Astrid was sitting with Ender and Valentine was sitting with Chamaco. It was clear who were the couples at that table. Valentine had been given a choice by the Starfleet Medical when this crisis arose. Of course, she chose to stay with the Enterprise to get some emergency response experience to add to her training at the academy. Her place in this was in the medical section, but she had managed to have her breaks coincide the Prime Team’s scheduled breaks. She was friends with everyone on the team, but everyone understood that the scheduling was so she and Chamaco could spend some time together.
After Captain Picard’s comment, a few years earlier, about the members of the Dragon Army having clean slate futures, they had each looked up the fictional versions of their lives in what some in this realm called the Enderverse. None in the Dragon Army was really pleased with what they saw in those fictional futures. Bean, for obvious reasons, was pleased to learn that his genetic background in the book series had not been carried over through the movie and into this realm. (Though he had been going in for checkups every two or three months to be sure during the first year or two.) He and Petra did try spending free time together, but they found that the things that had brought them together in that fictional world were not in play here.
After some time (and realizing that Camicazi’s interest was in Useless), Petra had taken an interest in Fishlegs. She had been about to give up before she realized that Fishlegs was worrying about getting between Petra and Ender. At about the same time, Chamaco’s Astrid decided to make open advances on Ender and that led to this current group of pairings coming about.
“Especially Valentine” Petra continued, “with how well she is doing at the Academy.”
Useless added “And we’ll have to see how they react to the Dragons.”
Commander Riker entered Ten Forward then said “Useless, Bean and Ender. Please come with me. You may bring your meals. Sector Marshal Dermod has requested your participation in finalizing the plan of action. The rest of Dragon Army and Prime Team should take your meals back to your workrooms. I’d like for you to be ready to provide information should Useless or Bean call for it during the Command Level session. Valentine, you have time to finish your meal here, but report to Dr. Crusher as soon as you are finished. The Rhabwar medical staff will be holding a conference with you and the medical component of the Wiggin’s crew at the conclusion of the Command Level session.”
“Yes sir.” came the reply from the crowd in Ten Forward.
Ender steadied himself then returned to his seat. Just as Astrid was about to ask if he was all right, he said “Yes. We are approaching your planet. There are International Fleet ships approaching your planet and we are on our way to protect you.” After a pause, he said “We had just been called to a meeting with the captains of our ships. Useless can hear me and I am asking him to let them know that you have contacted me and you wish to talk, through me, with them.”
While Ender continued his discussion, Useless tapped his communicator then said “Captain Picard, we are on our way, but you should know this. The Formic Queen has detected our approach and she has just formed a link with Ender. Ender has told her about the I.F. ships. She wishes to talk, through Ender, with you and anyone else on the Command Level who is willing to talk with her.”
After a long pause, Captain Picard replied “You may tell the Queen that we all are very much interested in having her join this discussion. I will explain her telepathy to Sector Marshal Dermod while we wait for you to get here. Let Ender know that he will not have to explain it before he speaks for her.”
***
Captain Fletcher decided to let the medical component of his crew listen to the discussion. They were able to talk freely among themselves as the audio was listen only unless they were asked a question. Dr. Prilicla said “We are not yet close enough for me to detect any emotional radiation, but I am hearing no signs of stress in Friend Andrew’s voice. He seems comfortable letting the Formic Queen speak through him.”
“I agree.” replied Dr. Conway. “And I find it encouraging that both the Formics and the Federation are willing to let Sector Marshal Dermod try to talk with the International Fleet. We might get through this without any casualties.”
Murchison said “We can only hope you are right.” Naydrad chose not to say anything, but her fur did not look relaxed.
***
The Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin dropped out of warp between the Formic planet and the I.F. ships which had been decelerating - making it clear that the Formic world was their target. The Monitor Corps ships dropped from hyperdrive between the Federation and I.F. ships.
“I am Sector Marshal Dermod of the Monitor Corps and I am offering my services to mediate between the parties in this dispute. Will you bring your ships to a stop to talk with me?”
The I.F. ships slowed their pace even more. They shifted their positions relative to each other while they did so. As they neared the Monitor ships, a voice called out on the channel “This is the only language the Buggers understand.”
The ships fired charges. Two of the ships fired at the Enterprise and the Ender Wiggin. Those shots did not penetrate the Federation shields. The other two ships fired at the Formic planet.
Dermod switched to a secure channel then called out “All Monitor ships, plan Delta. Pressers and tractors now.” The Monitor ships energized their tractor and repulsion beam emitters then targeted select portions of the I.F. ships.
The farthest ship tried to turn its attention on the Rhabwar, which was holding off to the side. Before it could bring its main weapon to aim, the forward portion of that ship was damaged by a phaser strike from Enterprise. The I.F. ship accelerated.
“Rhabwar. Put up your shields now.” Captain Picard called out “and try to get some distance from that ship”
“Our shield is up.” replied Captain Fletcher.
Enterprise fired two torpedoes which had been set for low yield. The I.F. ship was disabled, and it continued to drift with its momentum. Though, Rhabwar had gotten clear of its drift and was safe. That quickly, the battle was over. All four I.F. ships had been disabled.
***
“Captain Picard.” said the Formic Queen through Ender who had been sitting next to the Captain on the Bridge. “We require assistance down here. The attack has caused some cave-ins. Many of us are trapped.” Ender’s voice was carried on the open channel.
Sector Martial Dermod called out “Rhabwar, Ender Wiggin, and Trafalur, go to the Formics. We will stay with Enterprise to secure the I.F. ships and search for casualties and survivors.”
Captain Picard called out “The Dragon Army will report to the main Shuttle Bay. Ender will meet you there.” then he said to Dermod “I’m sending them in a Runabout to meet with Rhabwar and the Wiggin at the Formic planet. The Queen is familiar with them and they will serve as the on the planet interface between the Formics and their rescuers.”
“Agreed.” replied Dermod.
Just before leaving the Bridge, Ender said “The Queen thanks you, Captain.”
***
Scott Tracy explored the tunnels that led to where the cave-ins had occurred then he used some of International Rescue’s equipment to take some core samples from ground level down to the level of the below ground caverns. Meanwhile, Jeff Tracy used a modified Starfleet tricorder to get a picture of where there were tunnels and chambers, and where the ground would be solid enough for Rhabwar to land. Ender walked with Jeff while the Queen guided them, through Ender, to areas where tunnels had not been dug.
Scott walked to them while Jeff and Ender were checking an area that might be suitable for the Rhabwar to set down. “One thing is sure. We can’t use the Mole. The Formic resin technology is amazing, but when it comes to the vibration frequencies the Mole puts out, that stuff is just too brittle.”
“I was afraid of that.” replied Jeff “We could start with shovels, but I’ve been thinking about something else. Remember the beings who tunneled through rock in that old Star Trek episode? What were they called?”
Ender asked (as himself) “Are you thinking of the Horta?”
“Yes. That’s what they are called.” Jeff tapped his communicator then said “Jeff Tracy to Enterprise.”
Commander Riker replied “Enterprise here, this is Riker. Go a head Jeff.”
“Conditions here are too sensitive to use our tunneling equipment. I’d like to know what are the prospects of bringing a few Horta here to assist in this rescue.”
“A few moments.” After a long pause, “The Leif Ericson Is the closest ship to their world. They will leave their station at the fog and proceed at maximum warp. If the Horta agree, and I’m sure they will, the Ericson could have them here in less than half the time it would take for us to go get them.”
“That’s F.A.B. Keep us informed.”
Ender let the queen take over again for a conversation with Scott and Jeff.
***
Rhabwar landed as soon as a suitable landing site was selected. The Trafalur, one of the smaller Monitor Corps ships, landed near Rhabwar. The crew of that ship took on the task of setting up the portable field unit hospital structures while Doctors Conway, and Prilicla preformed their first evaluation of the Formics who had already moved to, or had been moved to, the surface. Dr. Murchison stayed on Rhabwar to analyze the specimens and samples she would soon be getting. Naydrad worked with the Rhabwar’s crew moving tools and supplies to the field unit structures. Medical Staff from the Ender Wiggin began arriving in shuttles. (Useless’s moment of caution back when the Queen was still in the egg had been proven correct. Formic physiology was not compatible with the transporter process.) Valentine had come down with the Wiggin staff. She helped move one of the more critically wounded Formics to the field unit. While she discussed what she saw in the patient with Dr. Conway during the triage, the Doctor decided that she should spend some time assisting Dr. Murchison on the Rhabwar.
“So. You are sending me a cadet to watch over and keep her out of everybody’s way?”
“No. I’m sending you a competent student who, professionally, reminds me of you when you first came to Sector General. She explained that she is here to get field experience and I believe that as the Pathologist you are the one to give her the most instructive experience.”
“Very well, but you owe me.”
During a lull a short time later, Murchison said to Conway and Prilicla “It seems that the tools and materials for treating exoskeletal fractures in GLNOs will require only slight modification to work with the Formic GLEGs. Though, I want Dr. Prilicla there to monitor reactions, and Ender there to speak for the Queen when we treat the first few Formic patients.” After a pause, she added “Valentine has spoken with Admiral Terrag and Captain Picard. They are issuing us Starfleet communicators which will arrive on the next shuttle from Enterprise. You will see that being able to quickly speak with the medical staff on Enterprise is useful.”
“So. You are no longer upset about me asking you to ‘watch over’ Valentine.”
“True. But, you still owe me.”
Those first few operations were successes. They had been simple procedures by Sector General and Starfleet standards - even with the precaution of extra monitoring. The individual patients were ecstatic. Some of them would otherwise have lost their fractured limbs. Word spread quickly and this led to some individual Formics volunteering to carry specimens, samples, and supplies between the field unit and the Rhabwar. This increased interaction with the Formics enabled the Rhabwar’s computer to quickly add the Formics’s soft percussive language to the translation database. Within minutes, the language had also been added to the Federation translation database. Even with this development, Ender continued being a speaker for the Queen as this enabled her to, in a sense, be in two places at once.
As the ending of the first wave of Formic patients approached, Dr Murchison said to Charge Nurse Naydrad “I’m sending Valentine to you. She has been very useful here, but I feel that she should also get some field hospital experience. I’ve checked with Dr. Crusher and have been told that with her current level of training at the academy, Valentine is more than qualified to serve as a nurse. Work with her as you see fit.”