By Spaceship to Nantucket

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 15393

You feel stupid, and you feel that you'll regret it latter. However, you feel like you must help.

"Okay, I'm in." you sigh. "What do you want to know?"

"Basic state of Nantucket at this time." human Janeway says. "I've been down in Engineering long enough to know right off . . . . . that logistics have gone to blazes with them finding themselves so far from home."

"Also, a basic layout of the powers that be would be nice." furry Janeway says. "I'd like to know who is who, and where to go to negotiate for supplies. And . . . any personal information about them could . . . . prove useful. Sounds distasteful, but I think I might need to know."

"One thing I think that should be known is what, exactly, would be useful for trade." human Chakotay says. "I'm sure that we could trade them everything we had to offer, and get what we need. But, that could prove disasterous. For them, and for us in the long run."

"Like?" you ask, a little annoyed with Chakotay. "What, you think that the backward Americans will go out and destroy the world with what you guys have?"

"In the wrong hands, yes." horse Chakotay says evenly. "We have unscrupulous folks were we came from. Those from the twentith century are no better or worse. Besides, in case relations . . . . . sour between us and Nantucket in the future . . . . ."

"A strategic edge would work wonders." you finish up. Not thrilling, this news, but you guess it's reasonable enough.

"Okay, people of importance . . . . . let's see . . . . ." you mutter, racking your brain.

"At this time, they've probably elected Chief Cofflin, the local sherif, Chief Executive. They've centralized things under a pro-tem government to handle the emergency situation of getting food and other things set up . . . . what with the disappearance of the mainland sources up int the 20th. I remember he took off his uniform, badge, and gun . . . . for that reason. Didn't think it'd do . . . .being an elected leader AND the sherrif.

"Then there is his wife, Martha. She's one of the Council members. What I can tell you of her isn't much. She does have her own mind, is smarter than her husband. She also has a college degree, as opposed to her husband's high school degree. Chief Jared Cofflin isn't stupid, but . . . . his wife has a larger personal data base . . . if you catch my meaning.

"Captain Marion Alston is the Captain of the Eagle. I believe the proper politically correct term is: African American. She went up through the ranks, something that is actually a strike against her in the 20th century Coast Guard. She's a black belt in karate, practices with a katanna. She and Swindapa, a time local English woman who she rescues from some savages from England, are . . . . an item, hurmph......

"One other person of interest is a Lt. William Walker." you finish up. "He's not really part of the effort to keep things together. He's . . . an opportunist. He's out for only one thing, himself. He wants power, and will use it BADLY! More than that, I can't say . . . . can't remember at this time.

"As for what you guys can traid......They have probably started to tear down some things for the material. However, maybe the power grid is still intact......" you say.

"You are suggesting that we power up their town?" furry Torres asks. "How? Their techology and our technology aren't what you'd call compatible. We'd blow out every circuit running a straight line splice into that grid!"

"We could use the holodeck, replicate large generators that would produce 120 volt, three phase, 60 megahertz electrity!" human Torres says, snapping her fingers. "We then could microwave the power to a station that we could set up . . . it could work!"

The Torreses start to babble in a sort of shorthand that makes your head hurt. Furry Janeway coughs, and the Torres blush in embarassment.

"We did it again, sorry Captain." they say together. You wonder what THAT was all about. And then continue.

"What will be a big hit, if you can swing it, is coffee!" you say. That causes the Janeways to stare at you. "They don't have enough seeds to really grow a lot of coffee. Current supplies are going to run out, or have already done that. If you guys can replicate enough of it......"

"Replicators are on their last legs as they are." vixen Janeway says sadly.

"But, if we can get something going with Nantucket, we can nurse them along, and get them back up to snuff." human Janeway says. "Producing coffee in limited amounts . . . . if we set it up as a luxury item. . . . ." the group then starts to talk about the pros and cons of setting up coffee as a luxury item. Coffee, in the past, had been a luxury item . . . with a luxury price back in the past . . . . or in the future . . . . or whatever.

"Finally, you probably know that these people haven't really met anything in the way of aliens . . . ." you say, giving a glance at the furries and the other nonhumans present. "Also, bet that the townsfolks are still jittery at finding themselves back in time. Some weird theories abound, including Saucer people."

"In other words, we need to be careful." human Chakotay sighs. "We've got to prove that we aren't those responsible for bringing them back here."

"I have a question, Frank." Scott Chen asks from the end of the table. "Are they familiar with . . . . .the show Star Trek?"

You blink as you see the gathered Star Fleeters jump at that question. Do they know?

"That is a good question, Scott." furry Janeway says. "We all know that in your universe, there was a television show that mirrored what happened to Captain Kirk . . . . and the expliots of the Voyager. Well, Frank?"

"Well, while you assumed that MY universe had that show . . . . yep, I think that you'll find that there are some Trekkies out there." you smile.

"Trekkers." Scott says. "Star Trek fans hate to be called Trekkies!"

"Whatever." you say dismissively. "I never got into it. Nice to watch every once in a while, but . . . ." you shrug.

It is finally agreed to take the Delta Flier (one of the few vehicles in working order) out to Nantucket, contact the ruling body there, and set up a meeting. You are invited along, and soon you are going along. You . . . . .

  1. You go over to human Tom Paris, and look at the analog controls he has installed on the control panel.....

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2/23/2001 4:01:04 AM

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