SCORPION STING
Overwhelming requests to serialize this story; it is a 34-week - 34 installment book.
OK, what is it about?
This is a story about a covert operation of the Federation, not so much Starfleet.
As you can see from the image above, four complete books are in this story. I opted to merge them into a single book because (a) I cannot charge for this story; therefore, it is free forever, and (b) if I did charge for it, Paramount would contact me and sue me because this is their universe.
Since I am giving it away FREE as fan fiction and am not using ANY of the characters commonly associated with Star Trek, Starfleet, the Federation, or the Romulan Star Empire, they cannot do anything. And you get to enjoy the story.
A few STATS on the book(s):
Four books are called PARTS.
If printed on 8.5x11, it would be 340 pages.
Total Word Count is roughly: 123,000
The average novel is 40,000
The average Sci-Fi novel is 60,000
34 total chapters
PART 1 is:
PAGES: 60
WORDS: 23,000
PART 2 is:
PAGES: 95
WORDS: 35,000
PART 3 is:
PAGES: 105
WORDS: 36,000
PART 4 is:
PAGES: 85
WORDS: 29,000
Therefore, 34 total installments starting next Sunday at 5:12 AM
What is it about? Wait, I asked that already.
This Star Trek story is based around the time before Star Trek: The Next Generation.
This is the story of the USS Scorpion, NCC-4017, and their mission to infiltrate the Romulan Star Empire.
This is the Star Trek universe, but not the characters you know.
In 1987, I created a Star Trek fan club at Eglin AFB in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida (big surprise, right?). Each member created a “Persona,” a WHO-WHAT-WHY of their character in the Star Trek Universe.
Of course, I created Gregory T. Binotti, and my wife created Ramona O’Roury, and yes, they get together in the story.
But, be aware that each person you read about in the story I held to the persona they created, their alter-ego. As you read, you need to know that the club’s vice president, Bev, had the persona of Shilo Ariel, and I hope I held to her convictions in the story.
I began writing this story in 1987 and picked it up by accident a few years ago when I found, in a box (ready for this), the 9-pin dot matrix printout. Yep, I am that old.
The entire story was only 30 pages, a really short, short story. Over the next few years I took a chapter and rewrote and expanded on it. Realizing my writing style had improved a lot since the late 1980s.
Here is the first installment of the 34 installments. It is the PROLOGUE. Information you will need while reading the story, and not getting lost.
PROLOGUE
The universe created by Gene Roddenberry is a fantastic place. It can be utopian, dystopian, medieval, or futuristic all at once, depending on where you are, who you are, or what you would like to do at any particular moment.
In this universe, in this story, on the Starship Scorpion, one man, Gregory T. Binotti, is in command. He leads through example, and he leads well. Loyalty and trust are the basis for his leadership style. His crew appreciates him and believes he has their best interest at heart.
The mission he has been designing for nearly a year is dangerous, and he may not survive. Hell, his ship may be discovered and destroyed, the crew captured, or worse. But it is his assignment.
Starfleet Command feels that an unconventional mission needs an unconventional commander. But on this possible suicide mission, he will be taking 135 souls with him, so the plan needs to include getting home for everyone.
His ship, the USS Scorpion, is a Charger Class starship, but it will have a few interesting modifications. His chief engineer, a friend for decades, had a few ideas. Greg let him run with those ideas. The additions will add to the abilities of Starfleet, the shipyard, the design team, and the engineer. The captain will need to understand how everything works.
Admiral Jose Ramon, Greg’s former CO and friend, gave him the option for this assignment.
“Greg,” said the Admiral, “This assignment I have outlined is hazardous. You have all the information, so please take some time to consider the possibility.”
“No need, Admiral. I know the chances of return are slim, but I like when the odds are stacked against me. Sir, I have been labeled a misfit for most of my career and tucked away into a corner. I attained command by accident and excelled, which made it difficult for command to be taken away from me. I had a lot of amazing commanding officers in my history, and sir,” Greg looked him dead in the eyes, “I accept this position with a few stipulations.”
“Stipulations?” The Admiral asked.
“Yes, sir. I pick my own crew, get a blank check, and plan the mission or change it on the fly as I see fit.”
The Admiral stared at him a moment, “Agreed. But I get to choose your XO.”
Greg smiled, “Well, sir, all I can ask is that you pick me a great First Officer.”
“I plan to pick someone who is nothing like you. Let’s call it complimentary talents.”
“Then Admiral Ramon, I accept the assignment, and the XO you feel is my opposite, my counterpart. If that is the case, how can we not succeed.”
“Greg, this is a dangerous, covert mission that some a fleet think may just mean if you are caught, they will disavow your actions and the actions of a rogue starship captain hell-bent on creating a war. Be careful.”
“Jose, my friend. I plan to succeed in the mission and return with everyone I leave with.”
“OK, now it's time for you to leave. You were never here, and we never talked.”
The two old friends shook hands and walked off in opposite directions. The admiral beamed back to his ship, and Captain Gregory Binotti returned to his hotel. Ramona, his girlfriend of several decades, was there, getting ready for dinner. He needed to get ready himself.