Story:Star Trek: The Next Generation (alternate)/Shakedown Cruise/Act One

A few years later

The Enterprise is docked in a dry-dock getting repaired from its battle in the Brassen Rift against the Reman Warbird Scimatar, and the death of Commander Data.

In the ready room Captain Branson is looking at the worker bees soaring over the ship, when the doors chimed.

Come Captain Branson says as he looks at the doors.

His wife walks in.

Hey you got a minute? Kelly says as she looks at him.

He smiles.

Yeah what's up? John says as he looks at her.

She looks at him.

Its our daughter she's been in Starfleet Academy and has been passing her classes, her teachers have been wondering if you could talk to Captain Kira about getting her field training at Deep Space 9? Kelly asked as she looks at her husband.

He smiles.

I can see what I can do John says as he looks at her.

She smiles at him.

Thanks honey Kelly says as she looks at him.

They kiss.

Hey I've got to see what Typhuss is up to so maybe I can talk to her about it John says as he looks at her.

She looks at him.

That's good Kelly says as she looks at him.

She leaves his ready room.

Bridge to Captain Commander Invanova says over the com.

He taps his badge.

Branson here go ahead Susan Captain Branson says as he speaks into the com.

Incoming hail from Starfleet Command its Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway Commander Invanova says over the com.

He sighs.

Patch it here Captain Branson says over the com.

The desktop monitor appears from the table and on the monitor appears Vice Admiral Janeway.

Admiral Janeway what can I do for you? Captain Branson says as he looks at the screen.

Starfleet has an assignment for you I believe that you will find it a great chance to test the Enterprise's systems that've been upgraded with the technology that Voyager brought back from the Delta Quadrant Admiral Janeway says on the monitor.

Branson looks at the monitor.

What's the assignment? Captain Branson asked as he looks at the monitor.

A few days ago a Klingon vessel was destroyed by a Federation starship Admiral Janeway says on the monitor.

Branson was shocked by that.

I was just as shocked as you are now the thought of a Federation starship destroying a Klingon warship is unexplainable and it may put as strain on our alliance with the Empire, so I want you and your crew to see to this and figure out why this is happening and put a stop to it Admiral Janeway says as she gives him the information.

Branson looks at the monitor.

Understood Admiral Captain Branson says as he looks at the monitor.

We're dispatching the Intrepid to Deep Space 9 as well, good luck Captain Branson Janeway out Admiral Janeway says as she ends the hail.

Branson thinks.

Enterprise is free and able to fly and then leaps into warp.

In the observation lounge Captain Branson, Commander Invanova, Lieutenant Mitchell, Lieutenant Ro, Ensign Kaye, Doctor Chambers, Lieutenant Commander La Forge, and Lieutenant Commander K'Tar are around the table.

I'm sure you all are wondering why Starfleet launched us ahead of schedule Captain Branson says as he looks at the crew.

He gets up from the front chair and walks over to the big screen and inputs commands into the panel and it shows the footage of a Klingon attack cruiser being destroyed by a Federation starship.

That's impossible Captain the only reason that can be real is if they're trying to frame us Lieutenant Mitchell says as he looks at Captain Tyson.

She nods at Lieutenant Stadi.

Understandable Lieutenant but we've got our orders and we're the only ship in the area Captain Tyson says as she looks at Lieutenant Stadi and the others.

Then Commander Invanova chimes in.

We're talking about a needle in a haystack Captain maybe someone thinks the Klingons are going to attack us, and they decided to take action on this Commander Invanova says as she looks at the senior staff and the Captain.

Captain Tyson nods at her.

Understandable Commander I wanna find out who or what did this and I want tactical readiness reports as we're approaching the sector, questions or concerns all right dismissed Captain Branson says as he looks at the senior staff.

They get up from their chairs and head to the bridge.

On the bridge the senior staff resume their stations as Lieutenant Ro looks at her console.

Ma'am we're approaching the border Lieutenant Ro says as she looks at him.

Captain Branson looks at the main viewer.

Slow to one quarter impulse Lieutenant bring up the debris on the main viewer Ensign Captain Branson says as he looks at Ro and then at Kaye.

She brings the debris field on the main viewer.

Wonder how many people were on board the ship? Commander Invanova says as she looks at the main viewer.

Lieutenant Mitchell looks at his console.

1,900 crewmen were on board that warship Commander Invanova says as she looks at Captain Branson.

Branson leans forward in his chair.

Maintain scans I wanna know why a Federation Starship took out a Klingon battle cruiser Captain Branson says as he looks at Ensign Kaye.

Ensign Kaye inputs commands into her console.

Then all of the sudden a Klingon K'tinga-class battle cruiser decloaks.

On the bridge Captain Branson turns to Lieutenant Mitchell.

Lieutenant open a channel Captain Branson says as he looks at the viewer.

He inputs commands into the console.

Channel open Lieutenant Mitchell says as he looks at his console.

He looks at the viewer.

Klingon vessel this is Captain John Branson of the Federation USS Enterprise hold your fire Captain Branson says as he looks at the viewer.

The viewer changes to the bridge of the Klingon vessel.