StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Prologue

It was a small change.

“All ships, concentrate your fire on that Super Star Destroyer!”

The Emperor had never made public his powers before. To the gathering masses of the Empire, he was a kindly old gentlemen, who had been cloistered away from the people.

“Intensify forward firepower!”

True. He embraced strange personage, the most notorious being that of Lord Vader, a sad adherent to the misguided Jedi Order. However, his kindly nature had in recent years been manipulated by the engines of greed and stupidity, creating the excesses of Empire. The common cry was for someone to wake up the old Emperor, to restore his wisdom in council against those who would isolate him from his people.

“Too late!”

The Emperor foresight however was greater than most people thought. Nevertheless, it had still required augmentation. And it now requires direct intervention.

“Sir, we lost main power to the bridge. ComScan states that the sensor and communications array is disabled and cannot be repaired. Secondary reactors cannot come online due to fire in superstructure. Fires from the A-wing crash has cut off access to …………”

Admiral Piett let the report flow through him. Working under Lord Vader had taught him the gift of caution. .

“Fall back to holding Sector 3-2-7. Order the Chimera to tighten up the flank.”

The Rebels were still doomed, whether or not his ship remains in battle. The Emperor Will been done.







The golden sparkles of an incoming transport dissipates.

“Captain, permission to come aboard.”

“Permission granted Admiral.”

Captain Picard cut off the salute, settling to military ease.

“I am assigned to be your escort by the Captain. I am fully qualified to answer any queries you have on the Enterprise. If you should so require, I…….”

“That will be fine commander…. Data. I’m actually quite satisfied with the reports submitted to me. This visit is more personal. Jean-luc, will you have a ready room prepared for us please?”







"I stand by my recommendation Admiral."Captain Picard says stiffly.
"He isn't Commander Data. Commander Data died in the Scimtar incident Picard."
"He has Data memories. He has Data skills. In all aspects, he is Commander Data, and he is fit to be my XO on this cruise."
"We're taking too many losses to afford our flagship to be commander by a untested first officer. Your loyalty to your crew is commendable, but you must not let it interfere with your duties."
"Are you so sure your own loyalty is not interfering with your duties Admiral?Voyager demise was not........"

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The entire room blossoms into red flames.
"You fool! Have you any idea of what you have done!" Q reachs out a black gloved fist and draws Picard towards a facial encounter. Long, white, charged tendrils flow out from Q tattered judical armoured robes. His normal tanned skin betrays patches of skin that glows red, blue and white in a seemingly oscillating pattern. His normal scarastic tone has been somehow transform into a deep baritone, multi choral even, as if the entire universe of beings somehow speaks through him. The static charged tendrils illuminated a steady white, burning into Q spine. Occasionally, a flare in brightness will result in a grimace of pain on Q frantic face. The ethereal tendrils flying through the air slices through Picard desk..... the model of the Stargazer..... a painting, gift from the departed Riker and Troi..... charging them with unnatural power before they burst white hot and vapourise into thin air.
"Your race has just doomed the multi-verse. There is only one thing left to do. You must travel to the ancient Temple of Bajor. There, you will find a gate. You must find the courage to step through. Now. GO!"

As the world zooms into darkness, Picard last sight is that of Admiral Janeway peering at him with concern.

Chapter 1: And so it begins

"God moves in mysterious ways." Ambadassor Picard.

The degradation of the subspace barrier has accelerated instability in our neighbours as well as several procterorates and members in the Federation. Worlds cut off from supplies and communications are demanding that the Federation do anything to supply them, even as they await the ineveitable.The loss of Dorvan Five and USS Voyager, annihalated in subspace and the accusations of the involvement of subspace weapons by the Bajorans, Cardassians or the Federation has created unrest on all sides of the border. I request the assignment of an additional 6 squadrons to the region until, well, until further notice.
Admiral Ross, address to Federation council.



"You believe me don't you?"

Dr Crusher lets out a long sigh.
"Luc, how could we? Q manifestations has always been physical. They never been the kind of one on one mental encounters like the ones Captain Sisko reported. Furthermore, like what the Admiral states, none of the classical Prophet nor Q signs was present. You yourself mentioned how strange Q was."

"No damn it. Look, no matter what Q has done, it has always, always, been real. You know it. At Farpoint, the Borg, even that timehop through alternate timelines, it, has, always. Been real. I, I , I, ."

Picard slides into the bed.
"Well good doctor? Am I fit for command or am I not?"

"Luc. You know that its there."
Irumodic Syndrome. Sometimes, the galaxy isn't fair.
"I guess... some things don't change, do they?"

"No...... they don't." She replies in a quiet voice. She looks at him tenderly.
"You do know that the disease won't set in for at least another decade. The Admirality can't use it to force you to retire."

"They might consider the last visitation a hallucination."

"Do you?"
Picard looks back at her, visibly startled at the question.
"You always considered Q in a bad light Luc. Yet now, you're suddenly eager to jump off on some quest to help save humanity. Its, abnormal. You should be angry at Q for putting humanity through another trial. Maybe, you're just seeking answers, and you believe Q is it. No, don't argue with me, I know you Picard. When was the last time you slept?"


"It might not be Q madam. The scientific report submitted to the Federation council makes note that warp drive has been proven to degrade the subspace barrier over time. The recent Dominion war with the influx of large numbers of warp travel as well as possible subspace annihalation particles from the unnatural radiation pouring forth from warp coil debris and nacelle technology may have so badly contaminated the region that the inverse polaron catalytic deconstruer set in place on all refitted Federation vessels didn't matter. Of course, the war refitted vessels sent to fight in the Dominion war have not been fitted with such devices and along with containmination may well have...................."

"Data. There are door chimes. Use them."

"Oh. I see. I "invaded your privacy". Should I leave captain?"
Picard exchanges a wry grimace with Crusher. The naviety of the new Data is sometimes endearing, sometimes annoying, but always so painful, a constant dagger reminding them of what they have lost. Scarificed.

"Your report Mister Data?"

"Oh? Yes sir. The sensor logs contains no anamolies for the time period discussed. There are also no form of cuts or destruction in your ready room save for the normal microscopic friction tear. No form of temperature rise or strange radiation residue."

"And the only thing wrong with you is that you're old and need sleep. I reccomend 8 hours." Beverly quips in.

"Are you all ganging up on me?"

"Why, Picard. You should consider yourself honoured. Me, head of Starfleet Medical, pulled out of her office in a very busy day, when the entire existence of the Federation is at stake, just to give you a medical to assert that you're fit for duty. Now, get off my bed. There are others who need it more."

As Picard stands up to leave, he grasps Beverly hands.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He taps his combadge. "Enterprise. Two to beam up."




"Commander Madden. Wake up."

"Who is this? What have you done to me. Release me!"

"I miss home......... I understand you saw Captain Picard. Tell me of him."

"Who are you! Release me!"

"There is no need to fear. He's not here. He won't be back yet."
Giggling echoed throughout the white cavern.

"He's off in another universe. Or is that two? Maybe ten."

"No, don't! Don't go mad! You're Starfleet. You can't go mad.

Oh dear. Now, I won't know whether daddy Picard will go mad too. Maybe mummy will know."
The screams of pain and insanity lurches its way out from a soul under torture, as it echoes out over and over the white sand of light.

"Chakotay.Where are you?" The high pitched voice whined out.




"Commander Laforge, I want you to cast off from Spacedock as soon as we get clearence. Let's get out from here before the Admirality gets any more funny ideas."

"Sir, that will be unwise. As of the moment, we are being held in orbital reserve for emergency deployment." Data spoke up from the ops console.

"Mister Diarrhia, scan Starfleet coms. What's the latest planet to be threatened?"

"Errr. Sir, we lost all communications from Tarsus IV."

"Very well, inform Starfleet Command, we're moving out to investigate."

"Sir, we're clear from Spacedock."

"Very well. Set a course for Tarsus IV. Warp 3. Engage."




Picard examines the starcharts closer. Waves of subspace destruction ringed regions of space. Betazed. A wavefront heading towards Vulcan. A possible oncoming rift tear in the areas near Sector 001. Tarsus IV will promise to be a difficult destination. And his ultimate goal..................

"Computer, status of Bajor."

"Green subspace level. Significant political disturbance from anti Cardassian movements. Bajoran representatives are warning that quote"we shall not be held hostage to Cardassian murderers again! Protect us or else!" unquote. Significant infiltration of border region by Cardassian, Dominion warships. Starfleet Command has sealed off the region ."

"What about Starfleet?"

"Remainding Starfleet forces is concentrated at DS9, Starbase 77, Starbase 94. In a concillatory measure, Starfleet has chosen not to increase ship strength in the region to relieve Cardassian fears of invasion."

"What about the wormhole. Is it still unstable?"

"Wormhole flux decreased by 20%. Colonel Kira reports that Gamma Quadrant travel is still too dangerous.Combined Dominion Cardassian blockade of wormhole still in effect."

The chimes on the door breaks into Picard solitude.

"Enter." Picard turns away from his PADD, to look upon his chief engineer.
Unlike the days of old, when youth, vigor and a VISOR covered his eyes, Geordi exhaustion shows as he continually work miracle after miracle. Barely refitted after the Shinzon incursion, multiple minor malfunctions from turbolifts to sensors and almost being destroyed by a warp core breech, the Enterprise has endured only 2 weeks in Spacedock before Captain Picard launched from Earth.

Rubbing his eyes, Geordi said," Captain, I got those replicators fixed and transported them down. Governor Meilian won't have any excuse to abandon the planet now. I can't seem to find why those subspace communicators can't work, its probably the beacons and intermix offplanet. Same problem everywhere. I see what I can do to get some kind of communications set up here. Maybe if I could set up a probe relay system.... Sorry captain. Still trying to get used to these eyes here."

"Get some sleep Geordi, we won't be staying here another day." Picard waves off his engineer words.

"Sir, are you adamant about going to Bajor?" Geordi speaks up.
"Have you thought about why we're doing this? If we do go through, we be violating Starfleet orders, if we haven't already done so by leaving Earth. "

"I have my utmost confidence in this ship and her crew ability, to pass through the blockade."

"Sir, if we do so, we only confirm their accusations that we are the agressors. This could mean war."

"I... Geordi. In an alternate timeline, you once pledged to go with me to the Devron system. Has, anything changed?"

"Sir. You know Leah there. I don't want to risk her. "

"Trust me." Picard implores his friend.

"Sir, all I ask is for you to think about it. We're risking the entire Federation if we enter the wormhole."

"I have reason to believe that we risk the entire galaxy if we don't."

Without saying anything more, Geordi left, leaving Picard to do exactly what Geordi wanted him to do. He thinks.........





"Sir, we're being hailed by the Bozeman II."

"Onscreen." Picard snaps in reply.

"Captain, when they said they were sending me reinforcements, I didn't expect to get the USS Enterprise."Captain Bateson remarks. " The Cardassians are adamant in their false accusations of war, and has refused to allow us to move ships through the Pax corridor. Slimy tribbles, we opened up access to help them and they turn around and bite us. In my time, we wouldn't have stood for this, no we won't."

"I need to get to DS9 captain."

"So do I. Didn't Starfleet tell you? DS9 is destablizing. If the parts this convoy carries fail to get through, we have to evacuate." Bateson face now carries a frown."Sir, did Starfleet brief you, or were you pulled out of station like I was?"

"Naw captain, yu know the conditions of the subspace natwork. Wee barely got a massage to Starfleet as ut is."Bateson mate scottish colony drawl joins into the fray.
"And captain, I never thank yee for saving us."

Picard grins, trying to relieve the tension. "The Enterprise is still mine, so, I guess that is thanks enough. "

"Captain, 3 Cardassian Golars approaching." Data chooses this moment to pipe in.

Against the star streaked convoy of ancient Excelsiors, the refitted Bozeman II as well as the Soverign class Enterprise, 3 Cardassian Golars inch their way through the border region to the Polar corridor. A passage opened by the Federation to allow the Cardassian to resupply planets cut off by the subspace barrier, now, they intend to use it to "consolidate and prevent any follow on strikes by the Federation Oppressors." In the light of the crisis, the Federation might have let the Cardassians acquire this thumb of space by default. If it wasn't for the fact that the Cherek Bore has opened up, preventing access to Bajor and other Federation protectorates unless a risky passage is made through the Badlands and then through a passing nebula. The Third Fleet has been asked to reinforce the Romulan Neutral Zone. The 2nd and 4th Fleet are going into Klingon space to help and protect the Klingons against mysterious raids. The 1st Fleet tied up around Sector 001 to assure Earth, Vulcan and Betazad that Starfleet, its knight in shining armour is around.
The fact that Starfleet can even contest such an illegal incursion into its space has become a miracle, testament to the talent of Admiral Ross.

Commander Data hands suddenly become a blur on his console.
"Sir, they are charging shields and weapons. I am also detecting various tachyon and subspace emissions approximately 10 thousand kilometers away. It could be the same precursor to the raiders from Dorvan Five."

Captain Picards stands up and summons his most magestic presence.
"Approaching Cardassian vessels, you are to stand down and reverse direction."

"And if we don't?" A ghostly voice echoes out from the comms.

"Stand down, or we will be forced to fire."

"We were stationed at Chin'toka murderers. We will not hesitate to avenge our fallen brethen."

"Whoever you are damn it, we are about to come under attack. Stand down damn it."

"Never."

Captain Bozeman, deferring to the authority of Picard has been silent up to this point." Sir, I didn't run from no Klingon ship in the past, and I'm not going to run from an enemy we annihialated."

The general orders, issued from the Federation Council has been for ships to use diplomacy to venture past the blockade and in the event of hostilities, to withdraw and try a new route to circuvement the attackers.
"Captain, Laforge here. The new shield enhancements are in place. They should work against the raiders subspace beams."

Time and tide waits for no man, much less a captain of USS Enterprise, flagship of Starfleet, the Federation and its hopes, dreams and ideals.
"I wish Troi was here. She tell me what they're thinking." Picards thinks silently to himself. He looks around the bridge, seeking consenus for what he feels must be done.

The silent bridge finds it voice in one android.

"Sir, I believe I speak for the entire convoy when I say. To hell with our orders."


"Red Alert Mister Data."
The sirens of red alert sounds off through the ship.
"Raise shields, prepare phasers for frequency modulation. Engage."

Chapter 2:Confusion
To this day, no one knows how it happened. The shocking fact that a mere captain was able to circumvent every Starfleet Directive and restriction, acquired the cooperation of all Starfleet officers and ship he came into contact with becomes extraordinary , when one realises that not even Picard himself could explain why he did it.

“From Worlds in conflict, Crisis. Misha Auburn”

Airam sector.
“Well, here's another one for you Han old buddy.” Lando looked straight at the floor and attempted to pick up the glass on the counter above his head.

The Sullustan by his side chittered at him, placing his diminutive frame between Lando outstretched hand and the glass.

“What do you mean that 5 GargleBlasters is the limit? Did I ever tell you about the time I outdrank Zim under the table? Huh! Han had to ........., HAAAANNNNNN!!!!!!!”

For one moment of lucridity, Lando saw two images of Han standing at the doorway and realised he was drunk. His hurried spin did not end, continuing its silent march in his head.

“You old pirate.”

A sudden blow pinned Lando to the wall. Stars obscured the brown mass of fur in front and a klaxon joined the percussion orchestra in a private performance.

“You said, not one scratch.”

Cymbals and extremely high pitched, off key string instruments ran a ragged route through Lando body as two claws dangled from the brown trunk.

“Buzz off Sullustan, you're next.”

“Han?”

The fog started to clear.

“Chewie?” Another series of booms, woofs and howls sent Lando into the darkness.




“Thank the Force.” Mon Mothma embraced Leia.

“You had us worried Princess.” general Rieekan butted in.

“Has Luke reported in yet?” Leia broke the hug.

“Commander Skywalker was in your team......”Ackbar uttered.

“We split up the night before the attack. Luke felt that his presence was endangering the mission.”

“So........ not all the heroes of the Rebellion returned.” Cracken drawled.

A fleet captain chose this awkward moment to chime in.

“Admiral, Senator, Commander Antilles has reported in. Bakura is saved...... and has pledged allegiance to the Alliance.”


Tamul


“How much further Sir Hawk?

“20 more kilometers Lady Elenia.” growled Hawk.

“Ammo check!” The heavyset squire Marik shouted.

“Holy Emperor, by your grace........ we put our fate in thy hands.” As Sir Bevier concluded his prayer, Bjork gestured to the east with his melta-gun. A wave of festering undead rambled, moaning their eerie hunger.

“We're never going to make it to Cherek, much less Kell.”mumbled Daran. “Have faith acolyte. We are the Emperor chosen, our burden forsooth, is less heavier than others called to the Emperor.” Sir Tinian rumbled.

“We have an entire night march before we reach the coast and secure passage to Antioch, an entire night of marching past this accursed forest through the undead ranks of Chaos. Back in Mallorea, they said that Gothmog Orks had penetrated Lord Tegel defences in the north and is surging down the coast and the last time we slept was two days ago, before the fog lifted and we saw what happened to that PDF deserter. I pity the fool who is worse off than us.”





Bajor


“Sir, they merged.” Commander Data reports.



“USS Bozeman, report!” Admiral Ross barks.

“(**static**...squelch!) kind of subspace linkage. Vessel power is off our scale sir.”

“All ships, fall back and provide close escort for DS9 evacuatees.”

“Enterprise, please respond....”

“Enterprise, you're leading your squadron the wrong way. Turn around, heading 225.”

“Enterprise? Captain Picard, fall back. Do you acknowledge?”

“Sensors! Tell me that didn't happen!”

“Sir..... gamma radiation is still past danger levels..... wormhole transit is not possible...... ”

“Admiral, USS Bozeman here. The Enterprise.... she's gone.”

“Take command of the squadron and redeploy to Bajor! Quickly..... Bateson, what happened? “

“I don't know sir...... Picard ordered us out here, and now, he's gone. His last message was... strange.”

“What was it?”

“My god, its full of stars!”

Chapter 3: Friends
The laws of economics teach that the rarer an object, the higher its value. Judging by this, peace is truly the most precious. This may explain why the Alliance ruptured the way it did.

President, Chief of State Mon Mothma




Airam shipyard

“A Star Destroyer? Han..... this has to be the largest ship you captured in your nine piracies!”

“12th. You weren't around for some work I did for Doc and on my own back in the Corporate Sector.”

Chewie howled his approval at that statement. All around Lando, Chewbacca and Han were the technicians and engineers from Airam shipyards, probing around the newly christened Rebel Dream. In the open deck of the bridge, Lando could glance at the prow of the destroyer where shipyard cranes were replacing damaged equipment.

“You took this? With just one company of commandoes?”

“Yeah........ well and a couple of the Ewok tribes we picked up from Endor. There's one short stuff called Wicket. He's short, but he's good in a fight. Bit cocky though.”

Lando stared at Han face, his redshot eyes having barely recovered from his drunken binge.

“Han.......... I just wanted you to know. I'm sorry. I had no choice.”

“Hey! Don't break down in front of me pal. “Turning around, he muttered to the air.” Spend 6 months escaping from the Empire and everybody starts getting delusions of pity. I should die more often.”
Chewie bark of laughter could be heard echoing through the bridge even after they entered the turbolift, heading towards the docking bay and a missed starship.




Time is short Picard. Our enemy advances at an inexorable pace.




Somewhere in the fading sunset, the howl of alien wolves echoed through the landscape, interspersed by a strange, high pitched mechanical whine. One totally alien to the snowy banks and unfrequented woods.

“You must go sire.”

“I can't leave you Marik.”

The burly man raised his hand to examine the latest scar on his battered body. The cold wind of the north became to increase its whine, blowing scattered bits of loose snow and twigs into the bunker.

“Sir Hawk..... What is your mission?”

Hawk long face was streaked with tears as he blurted out “To carry Lady Elenia to safety at the holy temple of Kell.”

“It is unseemly for a Knight of the Holy Emperor to falter in his duty to the Emperor, much less to cry. Where have I failed in my tutorship?”

Hawk hand swept over his broken nose, tossing away liquid saline to the floor.

“Go my lord. May the Emperor protect you.”

Hawk stood up, his armour creaking as rust affected the rivets. Marik frowned at the squeak and gestured to the lubricant in his pack.

“I'm sorry my lord, my weakness has left your armour unoiled. If you would deign to hand me my bottle, I will oil it for you.......” 40 years of devoted service raised his wrinkled hand as Marik reached for the pack and coughed. On an impulse, Hawk unhooked the bolter from his holster.

“For you.......... spill some more green scum with it.”

Marik stared at his lord in shock.

“You cannot. It is an holy artifact, a family heirloom. Commoners are not allowed to weild such weapons, even the commanders of the PDF do not have such weapons.”

“You taught me how to shoot with it Marik, saved my life with it at Kadach. My father would had approved.”

“But to let the Orks soil it.....”

“Send them back to the burning abyss my friend.”

Hawk stormed out of the bunker and mounted his horse, craning his neck to look to the east. His companions had left him and Marik the illusion of privacy, busying themselves with the burial of the dead. Further away, a platoon of the local defenders tended to their wounds and stripped the dead of useful equipment.

“Shecpke, gather the men and move out. Those Evil Sunz will be back.”

It was an hour in the march when they heard the retort of a lascannon firing behind them. Dull roars and high pitched whines threatened to overwhelm the steady hum of the lascannon fire until all fell silent, to be replaced by the chilling howl of the wind. Hawk felt the freezing bite of moisture down his cheeks on the cold, dry wind and turned back to face the path.



Picard, you are the touchstone of humanity once more.




“Impossible. All our funds, every single Alliance unit is tied up in the counter-attack and pacification campaign right now. “Admiral Drayson blurted out.

“General Cracken, you must agree that the location of the Emperor and Vader is of paramount importance to the Alliance.”

Cracken turned his head to glance at the two combatents on the debate floor.

“Princess........ I have nothing to give.”

Before Leia could cut in with another retort, Mon Mothma stood up and waved her white senatorial robe to silence the floor.

“Leia.” Her stately gaze focused on Leia red cheeks. “No matter how important Commander Skywalker may be to you or to the Alliance, the safety of the Republic must be , our paramount concern. Your mission, will help sway newly independent worlds to the banner of the New Republic. Once we have gathered our resources, surely you agree we could more properly discover the existence of the Emperor and his minions.”

Leia felt their unspoken toughts as she turned around and stormed out of the chamber. No, it did not feel right, leaving behind a friend......... a brother.



All our worlds are now in parallel. You must be the chereographer, that...........