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Battle In The Key Of BSB By the way any archivist can take the story as long as I'm made aware of it, and where it's going to be. I'll even provide you with a cover for the story. January 1, 2001 "Today, Backstreet Boys Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean and Nick Carter have been entered into the first cryotraining program of the Grand Federation of Universes. Though their training will last only a century they will be woken in the year 3000. More news will be coming up on the cryotrainees." Stardate 25065.3 / Earth Date: May 23 3000 Space Station above the terrestrial city of San FranAngeles "Who's next?" "Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean, Howard Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter" "Isn't there usually only one?" "There's a special procedure written for these guys." He then entered the extended commands into the computer. Klaxons and alarms sounded. A computerized voice announced, "Attention release of multiple cryosubjects. Prepare conditions." The already rushing lab technicians started rushing even more, entering commands into computers and hurrying to get everything ready.Stardate 25065.5 / Earth Date: May 25 3000 The six stood before General T'sah as he updated them on the happenings. Finally he gave them their assignment. "Captain Kevin Scott Richardson." "Sir." came the answer. "You will be in command of the Galaxy-class starship USS-Backstreet." Richardson raised an eyebrow but showed no other sign of surprise. "Your ship will be patrolling the omega quadrant until further notice." "Yes, sir." Richardson answered briskly. The general turned to look at the next person. "Commander Alexander James McLean." "Sir" "You will be first officer of USS-Backstreet along with being responsible for battle command." And so the General gave the six the details of their posts; Councilor Howard Dorough, councilor of the ship, Lieutenant Brian Littrell, helm and navigations, Commander Nick Carter, engineering and Science Advisor Fatima Robinson, head of sickbay. "USS-Backstreet is ready in spaceport. Your subordinate crews are already on board. a transport shuttle is ready to take you there. Good luck Backstreet. Dismissed." They thanked and saluted the general before leaving the office. They were in awe. She was beautiful. Her titanium plates shone and
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letters were grand and dark on the hull, lit by hidden lights. Captain Richardson took a deep breath as the shuttle landed in the shuttle bay. Letting out that breath, he stepped out and looked around. "Well crew," he said without turning around, "Let's go to the bridge." The doors of the turbolift opened directly to the upper deck of the bridge and they stepped out. Everyone who was already on deck turned when they heard the hiss of the turbolift doors. And stood straighter when they saw the primary crew. "Good afternoon, everybody." He walked down the ramp to the lower level. "Start everything up. We're leaving dock tonight." The activities in the bridge seemed to speed up. "Captain, I'll be going to Engineering." The young captain smiled at the youngest of the primary crew. "Go ahead, commander." Everybody went to their own stations, Fatima left for the sickbay, Kevin sat in the leather covered chair as Howie sat in the chair to his left. AJ went to the control panel that was in front of the upper deck with full view of the viewing screen. AJ looked down at the panel that came to his waist and started entering commands. "Commander Carter to Bridge." A voice was heard over the comlink. "Go ahead, Commander." Kevin said. "The warp core, drives and engines are all ready, sir." "Understood Carter." He took a deep breath before continuing to the general area of the bridge, "Time?" "2215 hours, Captian." "Mark time as time of departure. Engines to full impulse." "Full impulse." Lieutenant Littrell answered. The ship slowly and gently started moving and they watched on the view screen as the spacedock was left behind. When they cleared the spacedock and had gotten a significant bit away from it the young captain gave the new order. "Lieutenant Littrell, set course for the omega quadrant. Maximum warp." When Brian told the captain that the engines had powered up and were ready for the warp speed he said, "Engage." As the ship burst into warp speed, he looked at AJ who was now sitting beside him and smiled, getting a response in return as if to congratulate him on the 'job' well done. "How long till arrival?" He turned to the helms officer. After a quick check the officer answered. "Two days, fifteen hours." Richardson got up after hearing this. He looked at the two who sat in the chairs on either side of his. "I'll be in my quarters." after telling the first officer that he had the bridge, he left, the turbolift doors hissing behind him.He sighed as he sat on his bed. Suddenly he noticed that the room was too quiet. "Computer play music." "Specify type." "Earth, twentieth century. Armageddon soundtrack." He got up as the first notes of Aerosmith's 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing' started. Getting a cup of tea, he went back to the bed setting the cup on the wide window sill. Then he went to the bedroom and after getting into something to wear to bed he got under the covers. Leaning his back on the wall he slowly started drinking the tea, letting the music wash over him. The second song of the soundtrack, called 'Remember Me' had started. Halfway into the song he heard the door chime. He pulled on his robe and then called out, "Come in." The opened to reveal a woman who looked to be around his age. Well, at least if you didn't count the years spent sleeping in cryogenic labs. "I uh," she looked a bit unsure of herself suddenly, "I was nearby when I sensed your sadness and confusion and I uh I thought I could help or, I don't know, be of some guidance." "Sense?" "Yes, I am skyronian." Kevin had heard of Skyronia and of skyronians. They had many likenesses with humans except for the fact that their senses resided at a higher level than humans. That included the sixth sense. Skyronians could be one of three things: empaths, telepaths or both. Their level of perception differed from being to being as well. Kevin frowned. "Would like to talk about it, Captain? It usually helps." she offered. Still frowning Kevin sat on the couch, deep in thought and she sat down beside him. "Captain Richardson?" she asked softly. "I guess you could say I miss home." he said after a while. "Earth?" he shook his head. "Lexington, the 21st century. Just the way it used to be." He paused before saying a little louder. "Computer play song 'I Want It That Way' 20th century, Earth" She looked at him questioningly. "Listen." he said simply. ~..I want it that way You are my fire "Computer stop music." Kevin looked at the woman beside him when she gave the order to the computer. He gasped. There were tears on her cheeks. He gently wiped them away with his thumbs. "You ok?" "I'm sorry," she said shakily, "I was overwhelmed by the emotions coming from the singers." Kevin raised an eyebrow, smirking at the same time. "What?" she asked. "You didn't recognize the voices?" "No." she shook her head. He then sang the verse she had just listened to, his verse. He smiled when he saw her eyes grow wide. "Now I understand." she said. "Understand what?" Richardson asked temporarily forgetting about the previous conversation. "How you were feeling. But I sense that your sadness disappeared when you sang." She watched his handsome features as they changed and darkened. "I feel that you know you have a new responsibility but that you still miss being part of a world wide phenomenon." she had to smile when he bowed his head to hide the scarlet coloring his cheeks, " And that you miss dancing and singing." He looked up when he felt her hand on his cheek. A silent understanding passed between them and he wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you," he frowned, "what is your name anyway?" "Qia-Ra Jales." "Thank you Qia-Ra." he said softly. "You're welcome, Scott." He pulled back and looked at her strangely. "How did you know my middle name?" "Your memories told me." after a moment of silence he chuckled and letting go of his grip on her, he shook his head. "You know I used to think that that was just a bunch of nonsense." "But it still is for the beings of your world. But for my people it's normal." he grinned. "You are one amazing person, Qia-Ra." "I should hope so. You were brooding when came, now you're smiling." He once again hid his embarrassment by bowing his head. Finding the gesture very cute she ran her hand through his hair ruffling it a bit. He looked up and their eyes locked. It suddenly seemed as if time had stopped. He leaned closer and gently kissed her. When he pulled away she reached up and reclaimed his lips. This time though it was more passionate and contained more feeling. After a few minutes they pulled away, breathless. Qia-Ra smiled gently at him. "I don't know," Kevin said in a low voice, "but I think I sensed that you needed some TLC." She raised an eyebrow. "TLC?" "Tender Loving Care." "That's a very nice term." He grinned at her difference from the women he had met before. "You know what's good about this?" "What?" she asked, curious. "No worries about someone loving for being a Backstreet Boy." she just smiled. "I'm glad you came." he said after a moment. "As am I." Just then the first officer's voice interrupted over the comlink. "Bridge to Captain." "Go ahead commander." He pulled away from Qia-Ra and sat straighter. "We've just received a distress signal from the Relia system." "Where are we now?" "Vria system." Kevin frowned. The two systems couldn't be further away from each other while still being in the same quadrant. "Aren't there any other ships? Closer to Relia?" "There's USS-Syncronisation in the Crolia system but they are undergoing repairs after a battle with the shifters." Kevin winced. The shifters were hideous creatures, ruthless, violent and able to change into any shape, once you provided them with an image, let it be from memories, pictures or even just a partial picture. Those on board Syncronisation were lucky to be able to get away from them in one piece. Or, at least, not in a million pieces. "I'll be right there." he cut the link and turned to Qia-Ra, getting up. A look of understanding passed over her face. "I'll let you get back to the bridge." "I appreciate what you have given me." he said softly. "And I you, Captain." They left his quarters, her going to sickbay, where her post was and him, to the bridge."Have there been any more responses from the ship in distress?" "No, sir." "Lay a course for the Relia System, maximum warp..Engage." After watching the view screen for a minute, "Time to arrival?" "At current speed, 20 minutes 15.2 seconds, sir." "How are we on weapons status?" he asked AJ, who now was back at the battle stations. "Everything is up and running." "Shields?" "100%" With that last bit of information the young captain got up. "I'll be in my ready room."He had just finished gathering information about the system they were going to when he heard Commander McLean's voice over the comlink. "Captain, we are approaching the Relia System." He got up and left the spacious room "Drop out of warp." He turned to Brian, "Where is the ship now?" "USS Spear is currently in the alpha area, two minutes to arrival." "Have you been able to identify the source of attack or reason for the distress call?" "Sir," AJ started, "the computer gave us an identification but we're doing a re-check." the captain looked at his first officer, turning in his seat to do so. "What for? What did it say?" he asked, confused. "Federation-allied." Kevin frowned. "Sir, we have USS Spear in range." the helm officer under Brian's command said. "On screen." Kevin said. On the view screen a wreckage entoured by a ship appeared. "Jesus Christ." he heard someone mutter. "Goddamnit. Hail them." Richardson felt anger bubble inside him. A few seconds later a humanoid with blue hair and violet eyes appeared on screen. Kevin, trying to compose himself, stood straighter. "I am Captain Kevin Scott Richardson of the USS Backstreet from the Grand Federation of Universes." "Good day Captain. I am Captain in Service To'ch-ra'il of the High Ship Ich'ne-la'm. How may I be of service?" the being's calmness disgusted Kevin. "I was wondering, Captain in Service why you had destroyed a Federation ship when your civilization is a federation allied people." The being feigned innocent, though to Kevin and his crew it looked very fake. "I beg your pardon Captain Richardson? We came here when we got ahold of USS Spear's distress call. Unfortunately we were too late." Just to be sure, Kevin looked at the ships councilor, who shook his head. The being was not telling the truth. "Do not lie, Captain in Service. We will be on your case." With that final threat, he cut the communication. Then he turned to Howie. "He was lying, wasn't he?" he asked to make sure. "Yes Captain. I sensed a great fear of discovery and decievance." Kevin nodded then cursed again. "Contact the Federation. Tell them a Federation allied has destroyed USS Spear." Moments later the communications officer told him that he was receiving a message. "I'll take it in my reasy room." he left the bridge still feeling the anger brewing in him. "General." he greeted his commanding officer. "Captain Richardson. I just got a message from you. Am I to understand that a Federation allied Namely Ship in Service Lea'r'ich, destroyed USS Spear?" Kevin could hear the disbelieving tone in his commanding officers voice. "Yes, sir." "Then why is it that when I asked the Kro's'lich General about this ship, he told me that it is in Krolian territory, almost two light years away from the point you were at when USS Spear exploded?" "Sir, out records indicate they were there!" Kevin protested. "How can I know those records aren't fabricated so you could clear yourself." "Sir-" "Captain Richardson, you are now under orders to come to space command immediately for reevaluation as will your primary crew be." "Sir, we did not destroy USS Spear!" "Your instruments also show two missiles fired?" "What?!" "Captain Richardson, I suggest you speak in a suitable tone to your superior officer. Now, I want you to be back at space command in three days." "Sir-" he was cut off as the general ended the communication. He jumped up from his seat, "Goddamnit!" He went out to the bridge. He tried to think of an easy way to tell his crew, his friends, that their commanders believed another's word instead of theirs."Computer start program alpha-alpha-gamma-two." A command console appeared. The console itself was entoured by a starmap. Commander Aaron Carter immediately sat in the single chair, waiting for his captains orders. "Where were we exactly when we encountered the Kro's'lich ship?" "20 000km out of orbit from Relia 2." as he gave that information, he put in the same information to the computer, making it show those coordinates on the starmap. "Captain," came a voice over the comlink. It was Commander Carter, "we're picking up some strange signatures on the warp reliever. There's about 20% less energy than there should be." "Have you been able to get any details?" "Not yet. We're still working on it." "Get back to me when you find something." "Yes, sir." The comlink was cut suddenly when they heard the computer go into yellow alert. "What the hell is going on?" he demanded through the reopened channel. "We're having another drain!" Came Commander Carter's voice. Then the first officer's voice interrupted. "Sir, USS Syncronisation has just entered range. They want to speak with you." "I'll be right there." Then he and Aaron got off the platform and he said, "End program." The platform and everything around it disappeared as they left the holoroom."On screen." The captain said as he stood in front of his seat. The face of Captain Kirkpatrick appeared and Kevin fought to repress the wince that came to him. /How on earth could they make that guy a captain?/ "Captain Richardson." The young man acknowledged. "Chris, what can we do for you?" "We've heard about the destruction of Spear and what happened afterwards. You believe that the culprit is a federation-allied?" Kevin raised an eyebrow. /How on earth did he learn about that?/ "Yes." he answered cagily. Apparently the other captain had noticed this; he frowned. "Kevin, our ship was almost destroyed by shifters. Not twenty-four hours after that USS Spear was destroyed. Not far from where we were attacked. I'd say there's good reason to suspect something going on. And I would like for our two ships to join so we can investigate more fully." /Yuck./ Kevin looked at the younger man and finally gave his answer. "Of course." "I will be happy to welcome you and your crew aboard USS Syncronisation." Kevin gave a slight nod. "We'll be there." "We'll be expecting you for dinner, if it suits you." "That will be fine. Thank you captain." He made a signal and the communication was cut. With a pensive look on his face he turned to his crew and looked at Howie. "I'm sorry Captain. I couldn't sense anything." Richardson pursed his lips and nodded. "Anybody needs me, I'll be in my quarters. McLean you have the bridge. Primary, transporter room 6 at 2000 hours."When he arrived at his quarters he saw Qia-Ra waiting for him. "How long have you been waiting here?" he asked, amused. "I just arrived. I felt your anxiety and knew you'd be coming here." Kevin smiled as the door opened and they both entered. He looked at the hand that had settled on his shoulder once the door had closed, then to her. Her eyes were closed as if in concentration. He didn't say anything until she reopened her eyes. "What?" he asked softly. "Lay on the bed." "'Scuse me?" Kevin's eyes grew wide. "I meant on your stomach. Your back is so tense you could use it as a shield and you wouldn't feel it. You need a massage." she explained matter-of-factly. With a gentle tug she pulled him over to the bed making him lay down on his stomach. Kevin groaned when he felt her hands on his back. But instead of running them over his back in the normal massage routine, she simply kept her hands in the same spot. Even though it was a different method he could feel the tense muscles under her hands shifting, relaxing. She moved her hand and repeated the same thing. "You know I could really get used to this." Qia-Ra smiled. After about fifteen minutes she lifted her hands, finished with the massage, and looked at the young captain. She leaned down and laid a kiss on the lax forehead. He had fallen asleep to her ministrations. She closed her eyes and sent images of love to Kevin. Just as she was about to get up she felt a shift in the balance and was surprised to feel Kevin send his own images and emotions, all of love, to her. She turned to look at him and, as if her body had a mind of its own, laid down beside him. "Is that how you show your emotions?' he asked, his voice rough with sleep. She nodded. "This is how we do it." Then he leaned in and captured her lips with his own. He felt her respond to him almost immediately as he pulled at the ties holding her hair back, letting it cascade through his fingers.Richardson was the last one to the transporter room, though not late. As soon as he arrived, they all went to the highrise and looked at Carter as he made the final adjustments, then sent them to the other ship. When the primary crew rematerialised on board USS Syncronisation they were greeted by the primary crew of the ship. He shook hands with the captain and left the room as Captain Kirkpatrick said, "Welcome aboard USS Syncronisation, Captain Richardson." "Thank you." They soon arrived at the lounge where the dinner was being held. Inside they went to the single long table that had already been set. Soon after they sat the food came, set in the middle so they could take what they wanted. Almost immediately afterwards an amicable conversation started. However, the sight wasn't the same 15 minutes later. One by one all of the crew of the USS Backstreet started collapsing. The others stopped any pretense of eating, standing as a group of guards came. 'Captain Kirkpatrick' said only two words. "Take them."The first thing he was aware of was the voices surrounding him. They were all generalized, as if there was a crowd in the room. Then, slowly, the voices began to single off, taking on character and his mind started putting the faces with the voices. Brian..AJ..Howie.. "Why isn't he waking up?" came Brain's worried question. "I'm sure he's fine." AJ answered. "I can sense that he's fighting to wake up. I think he'll be awake soon."Howie. /Always dead on. No wonder he became the councilor of the ship./ Finally he was able to open his eyes. Slowly he turned his head. The three noticed he was awake and quickly came to his side. With AJ's hand on his back and Brian holding his hand, he sat up. "How long?" Kevin asked, barely. His voice was raw, dry. Unfortunately there was no water to wash it away with. Just then a group came to the other side of the shield that was holding them in the cubicle. "Shifters." Kevin muttered. "You are correct Captain Kevin Scott Richardson. I was surprised that Councilor Howard Dwaine 'Howie D' Dorough didn't notice." He then gestures to the shifters around him and soon th group was being dragged to what appeared to be an arena. /And yet again it's filled all the way. Though I doubt it's for our singing./ Kevin thought. Sure enough the head shifter soon announced, "Fellow comrades! you have gathered here for a grand event! As with USS Syncroniation's crew, we will have a duel of death with the captain and first officer of USS Backstreet!" The crowd cheered as Howie and Brian were held behind yet another shield while AJ and Kevin were given weapons that resembled double-edges lightsabres. Two shifter warriors came into the center, holding the same type of weapons. Then with a gesture from the head shifter the fight started. Kevin quickly took to the weapon in his hands, using it like a pro. Although AJ had a little difficulty, he too was able to figure it out. Brian and Howie watched in horror as the two sides fought and they winced when Kevin's arm was grazed by the sabre in his opponent's hands, making his moves sloppier. Although the two continued the fight, all too soon AJ's tiredness started having its effects on him, making him leave his left side unguarded for a moment; long enough for his opponent to take the advantage, going in for the kill. Then all seemed to slow. Kevin rushed forward, in front of AJ. Directly into the blades way. The red beam went through his chest on the left side, though not touching AJ. Then suddenly it all disappeared and they were all, all four of them, in the transporter room of USS Backstreet. Everyone rushed immediately to Kevin who collapsed just after rematerialising. Qia-Ra placed Kevin's upper body on her lap, running a hand through his hair as Fatima made the analysis of the wound. The four Backstreet Boys along with Aaron entoured the fallen captain, as another officer called for a mediteam. Kevin looked at his friends, those who had become his family over the years. "guys.." he rasped, his voice fading quickly. "Don't talk," Brian said, "you need to save your energy." A dry chuckle came from Kevin. "We have never...lied...to each other..Let's...not start...now" Already his senses were becoming lost to him. He could no longer smell what was the sweet scent of Qia-Ra. He barely heard the choked sob that came from Nick. "You have to survive, big bro. We need you." The last sentence came out with yet another sob as Nick clung to AJ. Now Kevin could no longer see his five brothers, his sister and his lover. He barely was able to lift his hand, to which the Backstreet Boys clung to. This was the last time they would be complete. "Keep The Backstreet Pride Alive." were the last words Kevin said and heard before the life left him.When they first felt the hand they held go lax, they at first couldn't believe it. But soon they all broke into sobs, not even registering the mediteam that finally arrived. A few minutes later they looked up to AJ who got up, a very angry look on his face, as he wiped away the tears that coursed down his cheeks. "Let's get these bastards." he growled, "They took Sync, they took Spear, they took Kevin, they will not take Backstreet." He took a deep breath as he looked at the body of their captain, "He told us to keep the Backstreet pride alive and by God we will." He then stormed out followed by Brian, Howie, Aaron, and Nick after they were given a quick reassurance from Fatima that she would get Kevin to a better environment, namely sickbay.The officers on bridge looked up as they heard the doors open, through which an angry faced Commander McLean and a teary eyed Councilor Dorough, Commander Aaron Carter and Lieutenant Littrell came. Ignoring the bridge crew's surprise AJ immediately started giving orders. "Turn to face those no good screws. Get all the torpedoes you can, ready. How are shields?" "100%." came the answer. By then Brian and Aaron had gotten the ship turned so they could face their adversary, Kevin's murderers. Everyone could easily hear AJ's mutters. "Come on, shoot. Make me have a way to send you into oblivion." The answer to his 'pleas' came soon enough as the Universal class starship's shields had to endure two torpedoes from the other ship. "Target them and fire until they are destroyed. Use as many torpedoes as you need." AJ watched, along with everyone else, as a line of torpedoes made their way to the other ship, before long destroying it. "Go to hell." AJ said as the pseudo-USS Syncronisation blew to pieces. Suddenly everything came to him in a rush. He quickly sat down, too late noticing his mistake. He had sat in the captain's chair. He groaned as he covered his eyes with a hand, trying not to show the tears. Finally getting his emotions under some semblance of control, he got up to face the bridge crew. Taking a deep breath, he started. "Computer open ship channel." "Ship entirety open." came the mechanical answer. "Crew of USS Backstreet, today, not more than a month after our ship left dock for the first time, we grieve over the loss of a fine captain." Several tiny gasps could be heard from the bridge crew. "In a fight against our most hated enemy he gave his life to save another. I will be taking over his duties until we reach space command. the final salute will be tonight at 2100 hours."AJ looked at everyone who had gathered in the room to see the final farewell of the young captain. Qia-Ra stood beside him dressed in black. Brian was next to her, supporting her as much as possible as Nick, Aaron and Howie stood to his left. "Before we were frozen, back in the 21st century, we kicked up a storm. Singing and dancing our hearts out." A chuckle went through those who had known them during that time. "He always kept us in line, making sure that we didn't lose focus on what was important." AJ took a deep breath as he went on, "He had grown with music, now, in his final salute, we will send him away with music." Then they started to sing 'Show Me The Meaning'. Tears coursed down Qia-Ra's cheeks as she sang Kevin's part with a heart filled voice. They ended the song and with a final look at the face they had come to know so well they let the capsule to the vast emptiness of space. "Goodbye, cuz." was the last thing Brian said.The End? Expect a sequel soon called Insurrection of the Soul... -'-Back to the FanFics-'- |