Space Empires IV Game RP

[Trogdor]

Primus scowled as he reread the Klingon's message. He would have to bring up the Dominion War. It was well known that in the final battle, the Romulan flagship had been destroyed, sending the Romulan forces into chaos and nearly costing their alliance the battle. It was a fact that Klingons loved to bring up during the rare times when they had dealing with Romulans. But the Klingon looked willing to join the current alliance, which was more than Primus had expected, so he restrained his ire. He began to compose a reply.

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Klingon:

You wish for an alliance for mutual defense against the Borg/Ferengi alliance, but no new era of peace and friendship between our peoples? That's perfectly acceptable with me, for in truth, I don't like your people, either. But expressions of loathing are no way for allies to behave, even allies of convience. Let us speak no more of these things until the coming war is won.

My Empire is indeed from the post-Dominion War era, and we remember fighting alongside humans and Klingons. We can do so again without difficulty. But I doubt the Dominion will ever be such a threat again. My intelligence sources suggest that the Dominion have either been wiped or subjugated by the Borg. Admiral Kirk has said he will investigate the matter further to determine what their status is exactly.

Enclosed in this message are the comm. frequencies you asked for. Hopefully after you use them and find them to be real, you will be ready to make your empire an official member of our new alliance.

Praetor Primus

The message that Primus had recieved from Admiral Kirk was exceedingly worrisome to say the least. By the looks of it, it was finally starting. He wished that they'd had more time, but he supposed that they were lucky to have had as long as they did to prepare. He started on a message to Kirk now.

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Heil Admiral Kirk,

This incresion of the Borg into your space is indeed disturbing, if not entirely surprising. The Borg have always shown great interest in your people. I had hoped that whatever quality drew them to your Federation was one that had not yet developed in your version of it, but it appears that my hopes are dashed.

Do you require reinforcements? I can have eight of my Empire's new King Falcon class starships en route to assist you, if you desire. I can have significantly more sent if you are willing to wait a few months. I was going to use them for conquest of the neutral empires, but I would need to build up more Romulan Legions first anyway and would have no immediate use for them.

I agree that we should upgrade our treaty to Partnership, and I will put my secretaries to the task of writing up the new treaty.

My Empire is also experiencing resource difficulties. With the specter of war hanging over us for so long, I concentrated on the military-industrial complex to the detriment of civilian resource gathering. I've taken steps to correct this problem, but between continuing buildup for the war and the cost of these upgrades, I fear my Empire's stocks of minerals may run dry soon.

Would you be interested in a trade? My Empire has a huge surplus of food, as well as uranium and antimatter. We would be more than willing to exchange these for some of the surplus of minerals that you mentioned your Federation has.

Best Regards,
Praetor Primus of the Romulan Star Empire

[brianeyci]

The plot to kill Dr. Leonard McCoy had failed. Exactly as planned. Now Kirk would see enemies everywhere, enemies where he once saw friends. An angry man, a fearful man, a hateful man was easily manipulated. He would do what all humens did when confronted with fear--shut himself in a bunker and stay afraid. The mercenary had carried a Romulan disruptor pistol. Hardly evidence of the Romulan's involvement in a sane man's mind, but humens were so easily swayed from sanity when their friends and family were threatened.

Zargat looked at the strategic holographic map of the galaxy. The Klingons had not moved on him yet despite their boasts. The Borg had moved with thirty cubes into the Federation. The Federation would be in anarchy soon, and he couldn't count on his deception to last long. The unassimilated Ferengi merchants would have to be recalled. Breaking the treaty with Kirk would hurt the master plan in the short term, but was unavoidable. Kirk might even suspect the Ferengi of the assassination attempt and respond somehow. Although Zargat doubted it. With Borg help, his borders were secure with fleets of cubes. The Dominion too were producing mass amounts of attack ships and were reinforcing his borders. They would swat Kirk's defense like flies. If his merchant's spying had been accurate, Kirk relied too heavily on fighters and shuttles. To the Borg adaptive shielding, these would be meaningless.

Zargat stroked his chin. So much depended on the next few months. The master plan must succeed.

Brian

[Trogdor]

"...details are sketchy at the current moment, however, reliable sources have confirmed that the man who attempted to assasinate Dr. McCoy was carrying a Romulan disruptor pistol. Neither Admiral Kirk, nor Dr. McCoy himself have yet issued a statement about the attack.

"Opinion polls across the Federation have shown the dramatic change in the people's feeling toward the Romulans that this has caused. The approval rating for the alliance with them has dropped from 84% to a mere 26%. Due to the lack of a subspace network that was present back in our home galaxy, the Romulan Praetor has not yet been able to issue a comment.

"In other news, Admiral Kirk recently ordered planetary defensive fighters and shuttles to scramble in the face of the oncoming Borg threat--"

Primus switched off the human news feed. One of the Empire's border colonies had picked it up recently, and they had patched it through to him over what little they'd been able to build in the way of a new subspace network.

"This is bad," Dove said mournfully. "Very bad."

"It is an obvious deception," Primus said softly.

"Kirk nearly fell for that staged broadcast of the Ferengi and the Borg fighting," Hawk said. "You know how easy it is to get humans worked up."

"How did the would-be assassin get a Romulan disruptor pistol?" Primus asked.

Hawk shrugged. "It wouldn't be too hard. They're not for sale to civilians, but the military doesn't totally control them. The Vigilis units, planetary militias, and some others can get them easily. It's not surprising that somebody would be able to get one through bribes or theft."

"Has Kirk contacted you about this yet?" Dove asked.

"No, but I'm sure he will," Primus said grimly. "Hopefully, he will be able to see reason through his fear and anger."

"He keeps the Vulcan Spock at his side," Dove said optimistically. "He will probably tell Kirk that it would have been illogical for us to have attempted such a thing."

Primus nodded. He looked out his large window and at the city below. Though he appeared calm, fury was erupting through him. This was either the work of the Borg or the Ferengi, but he was betting it was the latter.

How dare they? How dare the big earred merchants try to scheme against them. He would show the greedy freaks that one could not play the Romulans' game against the Star Empire and expect to win.

"Get me the head of the Tal'Shiar."

[Nephtys]

The Queen now waited on her new cube, a massive ship dwarfing even her newest warships. Her spire had lifted into orbit, and docked with the great ship, becoming it's command center. Little Shodan poked her head into the room, quickly moving over. "My Queen." she started, in a manner heard so many times before.

"Our forward screen has encountered the displaced Federation humans. They are in the process of invading a small system of species 9423. They will be triumphant soon at the current rate."

Nephtys frowned. "I see. This federation is warlike and aggressive, attacking clearly outmatched powers through military force. How... strange. But if they attacked such a feeble nation, they will surely come to harm us unless we act..." she sits on her throne, then smiling as a wave of the hand brings up a communications channel. She relays a message to her fleet in the field, to be transmitted to Kirk's fleet.

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"Ships of the United Federation of Planets..." she smiled, using the formal name they had. "I know you are lost in a time and place alien to you. We also know of your Romulan 'allies', a strange pact you have made with a power that you know, desires only your downfall and has for a hundred years."

"We have recently captured their operatives, and we know their true motivation. Whatever they may have told you, we are not the Borg monsters that invaded the Alpha Quadrant, but an independant faction, breaking away from the despotic collective by my will alone. I desire only stability and security for the beings under my care..." she begins to explain, before lowering her head.

"You have invaded the natives of our contested system, in a clearly unprovoked act. This is not the Federation I once served in. I will give your ships two standard time units to withdraw, before I /must/ intervene on their behalf, due to our treaty obligations. We are sending you an emmisary to discuss a... peaceful solution to this." 

The Queen turned away, message sent. "Ah, that is done. Let us see how they respond..." she curls her fingers. "Bring me the romulan spies." she commands Shodan, who nods politely and moves away as a pair of pointy-eared drones enter. Yes, she would have fun with her new puppets.

[Dalton]

Martok bared his teeth at the Romulan's message. They expected peace and friendship so fast? He composed a reply.

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Praetor:

The war between our two peoples has been a long one. It is not a surprise that any sort of friendship will take some time to form. Trust has to be rebuilt. If you fight honorably alongside us against the coming storm, that trust will have a foundation. The struggle against the Dominion was almost too great, and to go back to old rivalries after yet another great struggle would be folly.

Perhaps after we have defeated this menace may we speak of truce.

Qa'pla!

He turned back to his work. Defensive positions needed to be established and warships constructed, and with research as far behind as it was, Martok had a feeling he was in for a very, very long battle.

[Trogdor]

Lt. Derex of the Tal'Shiar had known that inflitrating the Borg had been a fool move from square one, but he'd had little choice but to participate. Besides, he'd thought when he'd been assigned to the team, living through such foolish missions were excellent ways to get higher up on the chain of command.

He'd been caught, of course. Like a good soldier and spy, he'd taken his suicide pill upon capture, along with all the others.

It hadn't worked.

WHY HADN'T IT WORKED?!

That was the thought he took with him into the living nightmare that was the Borg overmind. That surely, not even the Borg's nanoprobes could overcome a poison that killed in seconds.

But somehow, they did.

Now, here he stood before Queen Nephtys, about to be used for who knows what...

[Arthur_Tuxedo]

"How can you think about going into a partnership with those green blooded, pointy eared backstabbers after what they tried to do to me?" raged Dr. McCoy.

"I need not remind you, Jim, that it is not in the Romulans' nature to act in such an illogical manner. The Romulans have more to lose than anyone by engaging in such an action, and it is highly unlikely that they would use a Romulan disruptor. A war with the Federation would not only cost the Romulans their economy, but it would cause their downfall at the hands of our mutual enemies," reasoned Spock.

"Not if they're in bed with the big eared Ferengi. They've got us right where they want us, and we're just..." Kirk interrupted McCoy's rant with a raised hand.

"Have you ever heard of the term Mutually Assured Destruction?" asked Kirk.

"It's a 20th century human term that came from your Cold War. It refers to an inability to initiate hostilities between two superpowers for fear that both would be destroyed in the ensuing conflict." intoned Spock.

"Well said, Mr. Spock. The Romulans cannot start a war with us and expect to survive. Not being pincered by two Federations. There is no way they would have sent that assassin. I will get my speech writers working on something that will exonerate our allies without directly implicating the Ferengi. And Section 31 will have to be expanded to protect against such attacks in the future."

* * *

The last few weeks had been a flurry of activity, and nearly all of it was bad. Aside from the attempted discrediting of the Romulans, even worse things had happened. Kirk summed them up into his communique with the Romulans.

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Dear Praetor,

Most disturbing news. The Borg have moved no less than 26 ships into the Talarian system, of which 20 could possibly be attack ships. The attack ships range in size from 600 to 800 kT. We know nothing about their specifications. The Borg have issued an ultimatum for us to move out of the Talarian system or they will attack. We have decided to temporarily abandon the Talarian system and regroup at the friendly side of the Talarian-Antede warp point, where we will retrofit the current fleet and prepare to attack all Borg assets in the Talarian system, with the goal of holding the Talarian warp point against a possible combined Borg-Dominion-Ferengi fleet. For this, we would request any warships that you can spare proceed to the Antede system at best speed. However, please do not send so many ships that you open yourself up to Ferengi attack.

Your ally,
Admiral James T. Kirk

Finally, in the wee hours of the morning, Kirk utilized the new Klingon comm channels to send a message of welcome.

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Greetings Chancellor,

We are pleased to learn that you have agreed to join our Alliance. The Federation that I left behind may have been bitter enemies with your people, but that time seems so long ago now that I can barely even recall it. I understand that your people and mine have long been allies in your time period. This is good. United, our foes cannot stand against us.

Your ally,
Admiral James T. Kirk

[Trogdor]

Primus breathed a sigh of relief as he read Kirk's message. The human was rational enough not to accuse him of the attempted murder of Dr. McCoy. Of course, he was also asking for help, and no species that Primus had yet heard of would be so foolish to ask for help and spit accusations in the same breath.

Maybe the Pakleds...

"600 to 800kt," Hawk observed, reading the message over Primus's shoulder. "Unusually small for the Borg."

"Well I'm not complaining," Dove said.

Primus nodded in agreement. "I want the new King Falcons sent to Antede system."

Hawk frowned. "Those are our best warships, Praetor," he said. "Wouldn't it be best to keep them at home? We can send Kirk the D'Deredix fleet, or the Firehawk II's."

"Either of those forces would take many months to arrive," Primus scowled. "Besides, they already have their own tasks. Send the King Falcons."

Hawk nodded reluctantly. "Yes, Praetor."

He left to go and relay the orders. "What's the status of the upgrades to our resource gathering infrastructure going?" Primus asked Dove.

"On schedule, Praetor," Dove answered. "The economy is doing much better now. We are still in a deficit for minerals, but it's been greatly reduced. The upgrades to the mining facilities on our homeworlds should be completed well before our stocks run dry. Also, as you know, the Klingons have agreed to join our alliance. They still don't trust us, but they will trade with us. That should also help."

Primus nodded. "Good, very good. I want you to inform all idle space yards to be ready. I want to resume full war-time production as soon as we're able."

"Yes, Praetor," Dove said, and also left.

Alone now, Primus composed a message to Kirk, assuring him that help was on the way. He also thanked him for his trust, and sent him the paperwork for the partnership treaty. There was real trust between Kirk and himself, and Primus had rarely been so sure he was making the right decision.

He then wrote a message to President Alshain. His Federation had been the forgotten player in their alliance due to its location. Alshain's Federation was unfortunatly boxed in between his Empire and the Trill. Even if he had managed to conquer the Trill, Alshain couldn't hope to expand much further. Primus had already grabbed much of the space that probably would've been Alshain's without the sybiotes getting in his way.

Primus had to hand it to Alshain, though, the man had as cool a head as a leader could want. He knew of many who would've invaded his Empire in Alshain's place.

Primus told Alshain that he could send any ships he could spare to help Kirk without fear of reprisal from him. Also, he offered Alshain partnership as well. Since they would be able to monitor the other through Kirk soon, and with dangerous enemies closing in around them, it seemed foolish to hesistate.

-----------

Tal'Shiar Headquarters

The head of the Tal'Shiar looked down upon a large group of Romulans who did not exist.

"Fellow members of the Tal'Shiar," he began. "A war is coming, and the Tal'Shiar must do what it has always done for the Empire in such times. Before the Navy's guns fire, before the Legions cover the ground of the enemy's worlds, we act. It is the same now as it has always been, and yet it is not.

"We now fight foes like never before. Cyborgs who will turn you against the Empire if we allow them to. Part of the reason that you have been selected to fight the shadowy battles of war is because you are all skilled computer hackers. But as you know, that will not keep you from being assimilated. Not even our old suicide pills will, we've discovered.

"Each and every one of you now has a small implant in your brains that will pass for a part of your universal translators, but it is not. It is a microbomb, progammed to detonate at the first sign of nanoprobes within the body. Let the monsters we fight try and assmilate that!"

Most groups would've been afraid of having a bomb inside their very brains, but the elite of the Tal'Shiar just smiled grimly. Capture was unacceptable, and they never intended to be captured.

[brianeyci]

Zargat laughed and laughed and laughed. Kirk, the fearsome Kirk. Just like he predicted several years ago (it felt like an eternity ago) the humen starship commander would make a disasterous blunder. Being a starship commander, even the most famous starship commander in the history of the galaxy, did not exempt one from training and experience. Commanding a starship was not like commanding a fleet. Yes, Zargat had been right. He was always right.

"If two times your enemy's strength divide your army Kirk, not if you are outnumbered and certainly not when you are trying to attack a superior foe. Kirk, Kirk, Kirk the Fool," said Zargat continuing to laugh. He pressed the button again and watched the holographic replay sent to him by the Borg Queen. Five smaller Federation ships plowed into the Borg formation and were torn apart before the fifteen others engaged.

Well it was possible. That this disaster was not Kirk's doing but one of his subordinates. Possible, but unlikely. Kirk was a hands-on manger and no doubt he had micromanaged his men.

If this was the best the humens and the Romulans had to offer, the master plan would have no obstacle.

Brian

[Arthur_Tuxedo]

It was a trap! The treacherous Borg queen had only given the ultimatum in order to cut the Federation fleet off at the warp point and destroy them. And it had worked. It was the worst military disaster since the Earth-Romulan war, and it had happened under his watch. The single shield disruptor mounted on each Federation ship was insufficient to take out the massive numbers of shield generators on the Borg cubes, and so it had taken concentrated firepower from several Fed ships to destroy one cube. It also took fire from several cubes to destroy one Constitution class cruiser, but his fleet was so badly outnumbered that parity of firepower was a death sentence for his ships.

Kirk immediately drafted a fiery declaration of war on the Borg. He would not rest until the monstrous cyborgs were totally and utterly defeated. This scourge had to be wiped off the map if peaceful species were to ever know the word "safe" again.

[Nephtys]

Cackles rolled from her high throne, the Queen leaning on her armrest with a smile, rubbing her hands together. She watched in delight as the battle unfolded on her monitor, the Federation fleet foolishly decided to come at her from two sides.

She issued commands, the battle unfolding in a panoramic view about her. Her cubes flew in perfect, mechanically efficient formation, a solid wall of overlapping fire arcs and supportive positions as the federation ships closed in two spread clouds. She knew the time for decisive action has come.

First, the Daedalus and Colombia broke formation, lunging at her walls. Swiftly, her cubes evaded their first attack with a shift to the side, her formation rotating then blasting ripper beams and incinerator lances deep into the Colombia's sides. Shields flared and failed, before the waves of energy smashed the ship into a brilliant cloud of dust. A few weak phaser and torpedo blasts fired back in reply as the Daedalus attempted to disengage, but it was already too late.

Streaks of green tore into the heavy cruiser's side, carving through her starboard warp nacelle with a bright flash. Doomed, the ship drifted back, replying weakly with additional shots impacting harmlessly on the lead cube's shields.

As the Daedalus withdrew, another wave of Federation ships blazed forward, their weapons blasting against the lead cube with concentrated fire. The Queen smirked as that cube exploded in a bright flash, her core penetrated. Losses were expected. She had to proceed still.

The Trafalgar, Constitution, Maxwell and Enterprise streaked forward, trying to protect their wounded sister. Futile attempts to further harm the cubes ensured, but their disorganized formation prevented fire from being brought to bear on any more. Battlecube x014F suffered great damage, but remained combat capable, replying with additional fire. The Queen nodded. Enough was enough.

"Destroy them all." she says, laying her feet out across her newest footstool, the failed romulan spy, now but a humble servant.

Her cubes lashed back, striking each ship with a coordinated barrage of fire only possible to perfect, mechanical beings. In series, each federation vessel exploded as they could do nothing against the wave of cubes. The Enterprise, fastest, most powerful of the ships present fired her Neutrino Phasers and advanced Tri-Cobalt Torpedos launched her salvo against a cube, dealing noticible surface damage. Undetered, the cube merely rotated ninety degrees, bearing an undamaged side upon the ship and destroying it in a single volley.

The combat fleet destroyed, Nephtys shook her head at the remaining non-combat ships. They were military transports, troopships, minesweepers and others. Armed or not, they were still ships of the enemy that threatened her rule.

"Hunt them down and assimilate the survivors. Replace any lost drones during our repair cycle." she commands dismissively, smiling as her warships descended upon the ungainly transports and construction ships. The last badly-damaged Constitution-class cruiser tried to escape, powering up her warp engines just before being overtaken by a Battlecube and scattered through space as coherent energy raked across her hull from above. In the end, The Queen's ranks swelled with new drones, and only a single ship was lost against the Federation Fleet.

Resistance was futile.

[Trogdor]

"...despite the claims of our future counterparts and the Romulans, most government officials are saying that they did not expect the ferocity with which the Borg attack came.

"Exact losses are not known at this time, however, it is safe to say that this is one of the greatest disasters in the history of the Federation.

"Earlier today, Admiral Kirk issued a declaration of war to the Borg Collective, much to the satisfaction of an enraged populous."

Primus shut off the human news broadcast, CNN, he believed it was called. It was a very roundabout way of getting information on his human allies, and he couldn't wait until Kirk ratified their new treaty, so he could information quickly.

"It begins," Hawk said grimly.

"So it does," Primus agreed. "I suppose I'll have to make the declaration come morning."

"It is the only honorable thing to do," Hawk said.

"Did the cyborgs truly think that we would not rush to our ally's aid in their time of need?" Primus asked.

Hawk paused for a long while before answering. "It would not have been too unlike the Senate back home to have taken this opportunity to invade the Federation to the south while the one to the north is distracted. Perhaps the Borg Queen expected us to take such a course of action here."

"Either that or she considers us a nonentity," Primus said.

Hawk grinned like a predator. "If so, then she invites her own ruin. The Romulan Star Navy will never falter while defending its Empire and her honor."

"You're speaking of honor quite a bit this night," Primus commented.

"If I may be so bold, Praetor, our Empire did some unsavory things before we were transported here," Hawk said. "It is...nice to feel to that we stand for what is right."

The two were silent for a time, until Primus said. "I never thought I'd have to come to Kirk's rescue. Give assistance, yes, that was part of our agreement. But if things are as grim as they seem, we may have to fight the Borg for them, at least until they can pull their fleet back together. Bit annoying, really."

"It may be that the human media is blowing things out of proportion," Hawk said. "They are wont to do that. It's not impossible that they're not, though. Commanding a ship is a very different thing than leading an empire, or a federation. And if you don't mind me saying so, Praetor, I think you'd make a terrible starship commander."

The two men shared a brief laugh before Hawk spoke again. "Look at it this way, Praetor, if we save the Federation, they will be able to deny us nothing. If anything remains of the Dominion's empire, it sits next to the Talarian system. It could be ours."

Primus grunted. He had to bail out the Federation anyway, so it was worth considering, at least.

[brianeyci]

Zargat stood surrounded by noiseless minions. One of them was operating the console, the others flanking him watching the closed chamber. Zargat nodded to the operator.

Soon, the familiar whirring and buzzing sound begun. It would have been no occasion to hear the sound of a transporter, but this was no transporter. Something appeared, forming from the reorganization of matter at the molecular level. It slowly but surely solidified piece by piece. Zargat eyed the piece, willing it to materialize. The transporter buzzed and creschendoed.

"Increase power," said Zargat.

The man at the console dispassionately obeyed the order. The lights flickered then went out, and emergency lights came on. Every joule on the continent was being channeled to this room, focusing the angular confinement beam to its limits. Then, the beam disappeared and Zargat squealed.

He reached into the machine and pulled out the disruptor pistol. "Excellent," said the overlord. Now that replication facilities were online, the older monolith facilities would no longer need to be constructed. The replicator was reborn, and this time it would not be used for boarding parties or to transport explosive devices onto enemy ships. No, that was far too crude a use for the ambrosia.

Instead, the master plan would plod forth in true Ferengi fashion, producing more and more raw materials until the enemy was overwhelmed.

Zargat a button. "Recall all Ferengi merchants from the Humen and Romulan territory." It was time to be self-sufficient. No longer did he need the wares of these infidels.

Brian

[Trogdor]

"The people are...growing leery, Praetor," Dove said.

Primus and his advisor were walking through one of the gardens in the Praetorian Estate on one of the five worlds that had been transported from the home galaxy.

It was such a waste, he thought, that each of the "homeworlds" had constructed such a thing. Each clamored for the honor of being renamed Novus Romulus, even as the galaxy was plunged into war.

Still, Primus had to admit that he did enjoy the garden. It had been far too long since he had walked out in the sunshine. He probably shouldn't be now, of course, but he felt that spending much more time in his office would drive him mad.

"Of what?" he asked.

"Of your power," Dove answered. "It has been more than five years since we came here, Praetor. You have done well leading us, but..."

"I declared war upon the Borg Collective," he finished. "And many would rather we leave our ally to burn than fight the monsters with them."

"Yes, Praetor," Dove agreed, reluctantly. "But those who have the brainpower to do more than proclaim our inevitable assimilation have been made to think about how much power you have. We are going to war because you, a single Romulan, said we should. Even those who agree with your decision are now aware of the totality of your power.

"They want the Senate restored, Praetor."

Primus nodded. Five years ago, he would've been enraged to hear such words. Now he was almost pleased. Primus couldn't remember the last time he'd had an entire day to pursue his own intrests or spent a night with a woman. The sparkle had long ago worn off absolute power.

"Normally, such unrest would be of little matter," Dove said quickly. "But much of the Tal'Shiar is off attempting to infiltrate our foes and cannot police the people. We've not enforced the anti-sedition laws very strongly in all the time we've been here. The people have become used to being able to speak their minds."

"Perhaps it is for the better," Primus sighed. "I'm not sure I will ever use the Tal'Shiar as brutally as many of my predcessors. As for the Senate, let the people know they shall have their wish, but after the war is won. Now is the time that we need petty politicking the least."

"Yes, Praetor," Dove said. "If I may ask, where do you intend to rebuild the Senate chambers? Or have you not bothered with that question yet?"

Rather than answer, Primus gestured for Dove to follow. He led him into a holodeck. "Computer," Primus said. "Activate the Monument program."

Primus and Dove were suddenly standing in space, looking down upon a huge, metallic world. "What is that?" Dove asked.

"It is what the humans call a 'Dyson Sphere,'" Primus answered. "It was well beyond any known power of the Milky Way, but it is not beyond us. We have the technology, we just don't have the resources. When the war is won, we will build this. It will be a monument to the might and prosperity of our Empire, as well as a tribute to the brave children of Romulus who will die in the war. I will name it Novus Romulus and build the new Senate chambers upon it."

"Magnificent." Dove breathed.

[Arthur_Tuxedo]

On one hundred worlds, there was silence. No one spoke, no one laughed. Everyone watched the battle unfold in their homes, at their workplaces, and in squares from giant screens, as the Borg cubes faced off against the Federation fighter legions. There were roughly 20 combat capable Borg ships faced off against about 300 fighters. The Borg ships all came through the warp point at once, point defense guns blazing. 60 fighters vanished in an instant. The Federation people collectively gasped. All was lost! How could their protectors survive such an onslought, much less win?

The fighter pilots were undaunted. Swarming the cubes in grous of varying sizes, they fired all weapons simultaneously at the same spot on each cube. Four of the largest cubes went up in a blazing fireball. Two Constitution-class ships fired torpedoes and phasers into the mass of cubes, but they were too few to make much difference. The Borg ships counter-attacked. Many more fighters were destroyed, as was the USS Saratoga, but the damage was much more limited than the Borg's opening salvo. Four more cubes exploded as their fellows continued pouring fire into the groups of shuttles. Their aim was impeccable, but these shuttles were newer and much better protected than the ones that were so easily swept aside when the battle began. It took many point-defense shots to kill a single fighter, and there were still over two hundred. As the number of cubes dwindled, so did the number of point defense guns. A cry of relief went up as the second and last dedicated point defense ship exploded. Now it was just a matter of mopping up. When the last cube was destroyed, billions of people cheered at once.

Over 100 fighter pilots and several hundred crewmen had given their lives for this victory, but the Borg fleet had been smashed. Celebration parties across the Federation lasted for three days.

* * *

Kirk felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of his shoulders after the battle was over, but he could not bring himself to join in the celebration. 22 Dominion ships had entered the Talarian system, headed for the jump point. Besides the need to scramble defenders for a second time, it confirmed his fears. The Dominion were now a puppet of the Borg empire, and with the Ferengi putting their vast merchant economy behind the Borg and Dominion, Kirk could look forward to fleets this size and larger for the forseeable future. Kirk had to figure out how to counter these numbers without bankrupting his own economy, especially since he expected the substantial trade with the Ferengi to stop at any moment. Kirk was confident that he and his allies could win this war, but it wasn't going to be easy.

[Uraniun235]

President Alshain signed the attack order. At last, his forces were in place to attack the Trill homeworld. He hoped that once Starfleet forces had secured the planet, it's economy could be swiftly turned towards the war effort against the Borg.

The newest Concordiat class starships had just entered production. While the fleet attacking the Trill was too old and slow to be much use against the Borg and the Dominion, these newer starships would prove to be far more formidable combatants. They would form the backbone of the Federation Fleet for years. There would be a few minor revisions, to be sure, but for now they would do just fine.

[brianeyci]

Three pale behemoths moved into position around the asteroid fields in the Daycara system. They flanked a frigate, a tadpole in comparison, which entered the asteroid belt leaving behind its watchers. As the frigate moved into a predetermined orbit the behemoths placed themselves in asteroid fields around the solar system, distancing themselves greatly from the doomed frigate.

Inside the frigate, the ship's computer counted down from nine hundred and ninety nine. The device in the captain's chair asserted its mastery over the bridge with shining force and rang high-pitched to destruction.

Then, it happened. From thousands of kilometers away dispassioned drones saw the Genesis Device detonate in the heart of the asteroid belt. Rings of glory formed and haloed the expanding gases hearlding the arrival of a new birth.

The frigate emerged from the transformation looking none the worse and docked at its mothership, repairing its device for the next act of creation.

The destruction of the Queen's fleet had been unexpected. It was a serious blow to the master plan, but still it could not be stopped. Already a massive slurpus of resources had been stockpiled and temporal shipyards were ready across the galaxy to begin construction of the master's arms. But with the Borg defeated at least temporarily, there was need for more allies.

Zargat pulled his map up. The crystal beings were the only ones who were unaligned. Perhaps they could be persuaded to join the master plan. Yes, they could be offerred a special place in the plan, if they would join in the vision. Zargat pressed a button and spoke to the air, the signal being sent through subspace to Presetadel Quarzon--an offer of truce.

Brian

[Dalton]

Much like an awakening giant, the Klingon Empire roused from its slumber and cast its baleful eye north, towards the frontier, towards the border with the Ferengi and the Borg and the Dominion. Shipyards swung into production. Research facilities were working overtime. Captured enemies were put to work for the greater glory of the Klingon Empire.

The new Kor-class War Cruisers began construction. New weapons came online. Colonization increased. And Martok, outwardly satisfied with this increased production, worried still that it was not yet enough. The Romulans had proved that, with a fleet of mighty ships that could crush his small navy with practiced ease, and the Tholians had some sort of armor that made Klingon disruptors near-useless.

And as the first of the new gas-giant colony ships sped off towards their destinations, Martok drank deeply from his blood-wine. The road would be long and hard, and Martok was already feeling his age.

"Chancellor, the Federation has accepted our offer of treaty."

Martok stirred. "Excellent. Now do not disturb me for the rest of the evening."

"Yes, Chancellor."

Martok took another drink. "Worf...where are you when I need you?"

[Trogdor]

"Praetor, 6th fleet has left our territory," Hawk said. "They will be too far from our stars for an insta-link soon."

Primus nodded. He knew what Hawk wanted him to do and he knew he should do it. "Get me Admiral Feh'rok," he ordered.

Hawk quickly complied, and the face of Feh'rok appeared on Primus's office view screen. A talented officer, Feh'rok's inability to keep his opinions to himself had gotten stuck on one of the previously backwater worlds that had been teleported to this galaxy.

"My Lord Praetor," he said respectfully, nodding his head.

"Admiral Feh'rok," Primus greeted. "You understand your orders?"

Feh'rok's mouth quirked, as if he were trying to restrain a smirk. "My Lord Praetor, I know that politicans and soldiers usually do not have a very high opinion of one another, but I hope you trust me to understand orders as simple as 'Enter Federation space, refuel at New Earth, and then help the humans fight our mutual enemies.' "

Primus had to restrain a smirk of his own. It wasn't hard to see why Feh'rok had been unofficially exiled, yet Primus found himself liking the older Romulan. "Very well, then, Admiral. As Praetor, I wish you luck and hope to see you and everyone serving under you return home safely. Remember, Admiral, in defending the Federation, you defend our Empire."

Feh'rok nodded. "I understand, My Lord Praetor. And I'll make sure everyone else in my fleet understands, as well."

[Uraniun235]

...in a stunning display of strategy and tactics, Federation troops quickly captured key command-and-control assets on the Trill homeworld last week. With the orbital battlespace secured and more ships on the way, it is thought the Trill system is soon to either capitulate or be neutralized within the next year.

"Mute." The screen was immediately silent. "It seems we overestimated the Trill fleet. Only two ships damaged, and those some of our oldest and weakest in the Starfleet. Well done, Darling."

Admiral Darling was still far too pleased with himself and with his Starfleet to notice the pun. "Thank you, Mr. President. I must confess it would probably make for a swifter campaign if we had more transport ships - we could divide the fleet up then and mop up the system in a fraction of the time."

"Perhaps, but it's best not to get overconfident. We can't afford to send any more ships to the Trill system than are already on the way. How is Project Concordiat coming along?"

"Quite well, sir. The first batch should be rolling off the lines in two months. Hopefully they'll be able to make it in time for the party."

"I'm sure they will, Darling."

[Nephtys]

The Queen rested back on her throne, watching into the skies as her latest warship continued it's reactivation. She heard news of the loss of her fleet in Federation Space, but payed it little mind. Her romulan toy was busy attending to cleaning the base of her throne with little brushes that replaced his left hand, and she smiled at his sight. Soon, all who threatened her would be like so.

She reviewed the design of her new vessel, a proud cube combining several smaller ships to produce the most powerful ship in known space. The second wave of her forces had already mustered into their positions. Her analytical mind raced now to the thought of the war and it's development.

With a tap of her fingers on the armrest of her magnificent throne, she opened a new screen. "So much to attend to.." she thought. More and more drones were regaining awareness, and basking in the glory that was her service and vision. She smiled. "Bring me to my flagship!" she commands to her other attendants. The throne was lifted by specially enhanced drones, constructed from victims of her conquests. The entourage marched out slowly, to bring her to the Royal Cube resting upon her planet's surface... she had to pay Zargat a visit.

[brianeyci]

The city of New Ferenginar was being rebuilt in the image of perfectionism. Huge monolithic structures filled the horizon where there were once private dwellings and even the Tower of Commerce had been torn down replaced by a four sided cube. All was being remade in the image of the master and fulfilling the prophecy. Men toiled and turned, except they were no longer men but beasts of burden or cogs of a machine, devoid of ambition and goals. Only two men on the entire planet had any inkling of individuality and one was the slave to the other. And soon, he would not be needed--another would take his place by Zargat's side, one who understood the gestalt of the universe and would help infuse the prophecy into the very fabric of the weak and mighty.

"She comes my lord," said Vreet. Zargat nodded. "The Queen comes, in her finest warship, to discuss the prophecy. Very well, it is time she knew. She will be by my side and it is time for her to know the true glory of the prophecy."

"She will not be ready. She is small and thinks of conquest and slaves and wealth," said Vreet in a low tone.

"She is ready. I can feel it. Yes, I know, she must be ready. The prophecy says she is ready. There will be unity, and none to oppose it. Those who will not hear the voice will be cleansed."

"As you command," bowed Vreet leaving Zargat watching the skies from his balcony. A minute later, the sun was obscured by a mathematical precision gliding down from the horizon settling down in a structure which hungrily latched onto the six sided figure.

"She is here," smiled Zargat. "Bring her to me."

Brian

[Trogdor]

New Earth

Space around the central hub of the Federation from the past was always crowded. But today, things were different.

Several massive warships with dark green hulls floated gently through the blackness around the blue planet.

"Sir, we're getting a message from the planet," the comm. office onboard Admiral Feh'rok's flagship, the Sword of Romulus, reported. "Audio only."

"Very well, let's hear it," Feh'rok said.

"Romulan admiral, this is New Earth space traffic control," came a male voice from the bridge's speakers. "Please go to the coordinates that are being transmitted to you at one quarter impulse."

"Acknowledged," Feh'rok said.

The Romulan ships slowly moved to dock with a small refueling station in orbit around the planet...

Takaran home world, same time

Admiral T'kon watched the Takaran defensive fleet orbit the blue planet it was charged with protecting, unaware of the threat just a few parsecs away.

"All ships, drop cloak!" T'kon barked suddenly.

The Romulan fleet shimmered into existance, catching the Takaran ships totally by surprise. They tried in vain to organize into a coherent formation, but it was no use. The Romulan ships tore them to pieces, firing indiscriminantly upon warships, fighters, satellite launchers, and ship yard stations.

In the midst of the chaos, a transport ship slipped by the Takaran's defensive screen, dropping several Legions of Romulan troops onto the planet.

Some time later...

Colonel Tobar of the 101st Romulan Legion shouted for his men to advance. "We've almost secured the city, men! This is the last pocket of resistance on the planet! Let's make them pay for all the good soldiers they took from us today!"

His men shouted their approval and charged forward, disruptor pistols blazing. For several minutes, there was chaos, then, the final defenders of the Takaran world surrendered.

Once he was sure that the city was secure, Tobar went to the top of the highest building still standing. With great pride, he lowered the Takaran flag and raised the Romulan eagle in its place.

[Arthur_Tuxedo]

Genesis. The formation of a new world. Billions watched via live feed as a lifeless collection of large asteroids and planetoids transformed as if by divine intervention into a living breathing planet. The 11th planet in the Meles system was born. More would follow, many more. Planets richer in resources than any natural planet, and some of them were bound to have oxygen atmospheres. The ones that didn't would be terraformed, just like the dozens of planets in Federation space that were currently undergoing the process. In a few years, Kirk's Federation would practically double the number of planets within its borders, and have more resources and production capacity than it would ever need. Gazing upon the brand new planet, and for the first time in over 5 years, Kirk felt young.

[brianeyci]

"Eight Klingon Battlecruisers," said Zargat to himself. "Cloaked too. But his puny cloaking devices cannot hide him from my all seeing eyes. He cannot comprehend the intelligence at my disposal, the millions of minds all focused on one goal--you are out of your league Martok." Zargat snorted. "Typical Klingon bluster. Eight ships could not overwhelm even our most pathetic defenses. Very well, I will crush you. Zargat waved his hand. The holographic map of the galaxy zoomed in to galactic east and centered on a small floatilla of twenty-five battlecruisers. Zargat focused his mind on them and gave them new directions. The battlecruisers turned from their sentry positions and headed towards Pythro. "You were best to leave us alone Klingons. Now you shall be annihilated."

Code: Select all

Martok,

If your Klingon High Council was impressed enough by the Romulans to listen to their lies, you shall crumble before the wrath of the unity.  Soon you will be begging like a cur for Romulan intervention, and you will have only yourself to blame for starting a needless war.

Brian