Star Trek/Star Wars: The Best of Both Worlds
Moderator: LadyTevar
Okay, my first priority was getting the next chapter of Yesterdays and Tomorrows out of the way. So, next on the list is the opening chapter of Act II. Hopefully, the weekend will see the completion of the next installment. After that, there may or may not be anything due to the Holidays, just to warn you. As always, thanks for your patience in these matters.
You're all going to hate me for this... 
Disclaimer: Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry and owned by Paramount Pictures. Stat Wars created by George Lucas and owned by Twentieth Century Fox and Lucasfilm. I own the story and any original characters/species. No copyright infringement is intended.
Star Trek/Star Wars: The Best of Both Worlds: Intermission
“The tale is often wiser than the teller.”
-- Susan Fletcher --
Author’s Notes: This is simply a brief recap of Act I, an in-between acts sort of thing and to help fuel anticipation for Act II, Part One, which should be up either later today or tomorrow.
***
En route to Earth in order to attend the wedding of Commander William T. Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E were pulled into a spatial rift created by the warp core breach of a cargo freighter and found itself millions of years in the past, in a galaxy far, far away, in a system called Naboo.
Their timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The Millennium Falcon, the longtime freighter of the venerable Captain Han Solo and carrying some of the most important figures of the New Galactic Republic and New Jedi Order, was under attack by the alien Yuuzhan Vong, the alien race that stood intent on opposing its religion and culture onto what it believed to be infidels.
The conflict had gone on two years thus and the Republic and Jedi desperately sought allies to counter the aliens as they drew closer and closer to the Core. The Enterprise-E rescued the Falcon and destroyed the attacking Yuuzhan Vong task force. Safe aboard the Federation flagship, the wife of the Jedi Leader, Mara Jade Skywalker gave birth to her son, thereby curing her of a Yuuzhan Vong-induced disease and introducing the Enterprise crew to the ways of the Force.
Concurrent to this happenings, the entity known to the Federation at large as Q became aware of a great disturbance in the cosmos, an event described by the elder Q as the Merging and the beginning of the end, precipitated by the wormhole that had opened between both galaxies. Q informed Picard and Master Skywalker of the initial details of the Merging.
In light of these developments, epresentatives of the Q and M Continuums, the Organians, the Bajoran Prophets were dispatched to the Quintessence, a meeting of the lords of chaos and order in the universe. Under the direction of the mysterious Stranger, a battle plan began to take shape at the same time as the Jedi Master and Starfleet Captain began to plot out an alliance between both the New Galactic Republic and the United Federation of Planets, one that would be the first step in stopping the end of existence as they knew it on their temporal and spatial plane.
But there were opponents to any such attempt at an alliance on both sides of the wormhole. Admiral Alynna Necheyev, long-time critic of Picard and Section 31, the long concealed secret police of Starfleet, attempted to frame the New Republic for data theft from the databanks of Starfleet Intelligence. Naboo’s Queen Quital, unwilling to allow her planet to be a pawn in the hands of either galactic governments after the planet’s experiences at the hands of Emperor Palpatine, refused any offer of an alliance or use of the system as a staging ground. Kuati Senator Viqi Shesh, in collusion with the Yuuzhan Vong since before the fall of Duro, worked to undermine the talks at the order of Warmaster Tsavong Lah.
Meanwhile, others utilized the chaos presented by the contact with the Republic Galaxy to further their own agendas and plans. In the Klingon Empire, elements loyal to the Old Blood and the remnants House of Duras shot and possibly killed Chancellor Martok. In the Romulan Star Empire, a rising Centurion named Shinzon wiped out the Romulan Senate and the Tal Shiar in return for favors to the Romulan military and the ex- Tal Shiar agent Sela. The Reunification movement and their leader Spock watched the latter event silently, unsure of what course it would take.
On Deep Space Nine, the infamous bartender and brother to the Grand Nagus, Quark, was approached by Smuggler Lando Calrissian, hoping to set up a…legitimate supply run between the galaxies that could benefit both sides. In the future, factions of the Temporal Cold War began to play the conflict to tip their balance, forcing Agent Daniels to not only fight against elements like the Neo-Borg Collective, but also discover the cause of a mysterious phenomena that appeared to be tied to the Merging.
Knowing that the crucial parts of the fight against the Merging were to take place on the space-time continuum, the Stranger summoned Picard and Skywalker to the Quintessence. He revealed that the Merging was, in nature, the direct opposite of the Force. Just as the Force contained a light side and the dark side, the Force itself had a counterpart, a counterpart that sought an end to life and was in essence entropy. After returning them to the space-time continuum, an emissary of sorts was summoned to further assist them in facilitating a response, the creature and former Fosh Jedi Vergere who had lived 50 years among the Yuuzhan Vong.
The Yuuzhan Vong, however, were not about to sit by idly while their enemy courted a new and potentially powerful ally. A premature attack was launched by Nas Choka, induced in part by Daniels to correct the flow of the timeline. The situation became one-sided with the sudden arrival of Borg ships under the command of the rebellious Unimatrix Zero. The actions of an alternate Admiral Janeway the year before had brought down the Collective and Unimatrix Zero was responsible for the clean-up.
At this point in time, Starfleet ordered Colonel Kira Nerys of Deep Space Nine to seek Dominion aid and to ascertain their position on the matter. What the Defiant found was a Dominion under attack by rouge Borg. Confronted by this, Axum admitted that not only were rouge Borg elements taking their revenge against the Dominion, but that the current conflict of the Republic’s galaxy was in part due to the Borg. It was the Collective, during a transwarp experiment, that had attacked the Vong’s ancient homeworld, setting them on the road to technophobia and conquest.
The revelation couldn’t have come at a worst time. The Yuuzhan Vong’s Supreme Overlord, Shimrra, revealed the Borg’s role in their people’s exile and a second, larger attack on Sector 001 was launched. The Federation and Republic were off-balance due to a bombing engineered by Yuuzhan Vong Executor Nom Anor and Viqi Shesh, and despite Section 31’s own interference, the Vong reached Earth. Though fighting valiantly, the Federation was in danger of having its capital world overrun, made all the more apparent when the Warmaster’s personal troops boarded the Enterprise.
Salvation, however, came from an unexpected source.
His cloned body dying, Shinzon sought the use of cloning technology from the Republic’s galaxy, specifically from the world of Kamino, a key player of the infamous Clone Wars. Shinzon, for reasons of his own, activated the Thalaron weapon aboard his flagship, killing the entire fleet and apparently Nom Anor with it, and immediately, with stolen Transwarp technology, set out for Kamino. The Enterprise was re-taken, with the android Data successfully besting Tsavong Lah in one-on-one combat.
Federation President Grey’si wasted little time. With the Federation Council ready to declare war against the Yuuzhan Vong, the Andorian knew that Borsk Fey’lya, injured in the Council explosion, would likely die and was needed to support the Republic’s approval of the alliance. He ordered Captain Picard to assemble a team to travel once again through the wormhole and act as the Federation’s ambassadors to convince the Senate of their case.
Master Skywalker chose to remain in the Milky Way and journey to Bajor to seek out its Force potential. He, however, was unaware that there were elements on the planet that sought their own solution to the Merging, one that involved the Jedi and the Pah-Wraiths, the demons of Bajor. In the Quintessence, Vergere was apparently killed by a counteroffensive orchestrated by the Merging, leaving the Gods without their primary emissary.
Now, Picard and his handpicked team have arrived at Coruscant, prepared to forge an alliance for the sake of not only both galaxies, but for all of existence as our story continues…
Disclaimer: Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry and owned by Paramount Pictures. Stat Wars created by George Lucas and owned by Twentieth Century Fox and Lucasfilm. I own the story and any original characters/species. No copyright infringement is intended.
Star Trek/Star Wars: The Best of Both Worlds: Intermission
“The tale is often wiser than the teller.”
-- Susan Fletcher --
Author’s Notes: This is simply a brief recap of Act I, an in-between acts sort of thing and to help fuel anticipation for Act II, Part One, which should be up either later today or tomorrow.
***
En route to Earth in order to attend the wedding of Commander William T. Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-E were pulled into a spatial rift created by the warp core breach of a cargo freighter and found itself millions of years in the past, in a galaxy far, far away, in a system called Naboo.
Their timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The Millennium Falcon, the longtime freighter of the venerable Captain Han Solo and carrying some of the most important figures of the New Galactic Republic and New Jedi Order, was under attack by the alien Yuuzhan Vong, the alien race that stood intent on opposing its religion and culture onto what it believed to be infidels.
The conflict had gone on two years thus and the Republic and Jedi desperately sought allies to counter the aliens as they drew closer and closer to the Core. The Enterprise-E rescued the Falcon and destroyed the attacking Yuuzhan Vong task force. Safe aboard the Federation flagship, the wife of the Jedi Leader, Mara Jade Skywalker gave birth to her son, thereby curing her of a Yuuzhan Vong-induced disease and introducing the Enterprise crew to the ways of the Force.
Concurrent to this happenings, the entity known to the Federation at large as Q became aware of a great disturbance in the cosmos, an event described by the elder Q as the Merging and the beginning of the end, precipitated by the wormhole that had opened between both galaxies. Q informed Picard and Master Skywalker of the initial details of the Merging.
In light of these developments, epresentatives of the Q and M Continuums, the Organians, the Bajoran Prophets were dispatched to the Quintessence, a meeting of the lords of chaos and order in the universe. Under the direction of the mysterious Stranger, a battle plan began to take shape at the same time as the Jedi Master and Starfleet Captain began to plot out an alliance between both the New Galactic Republic and the United Federation of Planets, one that would be the first step in stopping the end of existence as they knew it on their temporal and spatial plane.
But there were opponents to any such attempt at an alliance on both sides of the wormhole. Admiral Alynna Necheyev, long-time critic of Picard and Section 31, the long concealed secret police of Starfleet, attempted to frame the New Republic for data theft from the databanks of Starfleet Intelligence. Naboo’s Queen Quital, unwilling to allow her planet to be a pawn in the hands of either galactic governments after the planet’s experiences at the hands of Emperor Palpatine, refused any offer of an alliance or use of the system as a staging ground. Kuati Senator Viqi Shesh, in collusion with the Yuuzhan Vong since before the fall of Duro, worked to undermine the talks at the order of Warmaster Tsavong Lah.
Meanwhile, others utilized the chaos presented by the contact with the Republic Galaxy to further their own agendas and plans. In the Klingon Empire, elements loyal to the Old Blood and the remnants House of Duras shot and possibly killed Chancellor Martok. In the Romulan Star Empire, a rising Centurion named Shinzon wiped out the Romulan Senate and the Tal Shiar in return for favors to the Romulan military and the ex- Tal Shiar agent Sela. The Reunification movement and their leader Spock watched the latter event silently, unsure of what course it would take.
On Deep Space Nine, the infamous bartender and brother to the Grand Nagus, Quark, was approached by Smuggler Lando Calrissian, hoping to set up a…legitimate supply run between the galaxies that could benefit both sides. In the future, factions of the Temporal Cold War began to play the conflict to tip their balance, forcing Agent Daniels to not only fight against elements like the Neo-Borg Collective, but also discover the cause of a mysterious phenomena that appeared to be tied to the Merging.
Knowing that the crucial parts of the fight against the Merging were to take place on the space-time continuum, the Stranger summoned Picard and Skywalker to the Quintessence. He revealed that the Merging was, in nature, the direct opposite of the Force. Just as the Force contained a light side and the dark side, the Force itself had a counterpart, a counterpart that sought an end to life and was in essence entropy. After returning them to the space-time continuum, an emissary of sorts was summoned to further assist them in facilitating a response, the creature and former Fosh Jedi Vergere who had lived 50 years among the Yuuzhan Vong.
The Yuuzhan Vong, however, were not about to sit by idly while their enemy courted a new and potentially powerful ally. A premature attack was launched by Nas Choka, induced in part by Daniels to correct the flow of the timeline. The situation became one-sided with the sudden arrival of Borg ships under the command of the rebellious Unimatrix Zero. The actions of an alternate Admiral Janeway the year before had brought down the Collective and Unimatrix Zero was responsible for the clean-up.
At this point in time, Starfleet ordered Colonel Kira Nerys of Deep Space Nine to seek Dominion aid and to ascertain their position on the matter. What the Defiant found was a Dominion under attack by rouge Borg. Confronted by this, Axum admitted that not only were rouge Borg elements taking their revenge against the Dominion, but that the current conflict of the Republic’s galaxy was in part due to the Borg. It was the Collective, during a transwarp experiment, that had attacked the Vong’s ancient homeworld, setting them on the road to technophobia and conquest.
The revelation couldn’t have come at a worst time. The Yuuzhan Vong’s Supreme Overlord, Shimrra, revealed the Borg’s role in their people’s exile and a second, larger attack on Sector 001 was launched. The Federation and Republic were off-balance due to a bombing engineered by Yuuzhan Vong Executor Nom Anor and Viqi Shesh, and despite Section 31’s own interference, the Vong reached Earth. Though fighting valiantly, the Federation was in danger of having its capital world overrun, made all the more apparent when the Warmaster’s personal troops boarded the Enterprise.
Salvation, however, came from an unexpected source.
His cloned body dying, Shinzon sought the use of cloning technology from the Republic’s galaxy, specifically from the world of Kamino, a key player of the infamous Clone Wars. Shinzon, for reasons of his own, activated the Thalaron weapon aboard his flagship, killing the entire fleet and apparently Nom Anor with it, and immediately, with stolen Transwarp technology, set out for Kamino. The Enterprise was re-taken, with the android Data successfully besting Tsavong Lah in one-on-one combat.
Federation President Grey’si wasted little time. With the Federation Council ready to declare war against the Yuuzhan Vong, the Andorian knew that Borsk Fey’lya, injured in the Council explosion, would likely die and was needed to support the Republic’s approval of the alliance. He ordered Captain Picard to assemble a team to travel once again through the wormhole and act as the Federation’s ambassadors to convince the Senate of their case.
Master Skywalker chose to remain in the Milky Way and journey to Bajor to seek out its Force potential. He, however, was unaware that there were elements on the planet that sought their own solution to the Merging, one that involved the Jedi and the Pah-Wraiths, the demons of Bajor. In the Quintessence, Vergere was apparently killed by a counteroffensive orchestrated by the Merging, leaving the Gods without their primary emissary.
Now, Picard and his handpicked team have arrived at Coruscant, prepared to forge an alliance for the sake of not only both galaxies, but for all of existence as our story continues…
Disclaimer: Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry and owned by Paramount Pictures. Stat Wars created by George Lucas and owned by Twentieth Century Fox and Lucasfilm. I own the story and any original characters/species. No copyright infringement is intended.
Star Trek/Star Wars: The Best of Both Worlds -- Act II, Part 1
“All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers."
-- Orison Swett Marden
***
Musical Note -- For the final approach of the Gray Spirit, I recommend Yôko Kanno‘s “Flying Dragon” from Vision of Escaflowne or Shirô Sagisu’s “All-Purpose Submarine” from Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water.
.
As always, enjoy!
****
Location: The Q Continuum
Somewhere in the Universe
Despite the fact that they were all, by nature and by physical makeup omnipotent, the Q’s did not always share the same thought. The Lady Q did not pretend to understand her husband’s mannerisms, a fact that had caused friction between them, particularly in the raising of their son, q. She doted upon him almost endlessly, trying to raise him to be open-minded and proper. Her husband on the other hand believed that all work and no play made for a dull boy.
Harmony had not been a constant their household.
But in this case, she was considerably worried for the safety of her mate. It had been…well, Q-time flowed differently from human perceptions of time and space, as her husband had been so fond of point out when this had all begun ,which had been…
Oh to hell with it.
Either way, she was getting worried. She and her son had alone only a short time, but it didn’t feel right; she should have felt something from him by now. All was silent from on high, from their leader, the great and powerful Q as well. In fact, there was little evidence of the shit having hit the fan here in the Continuum. No, all was normal atop Olympus and she didn‘t like it one bit.
So, she was actually thankful when an annoying beeping noise brought her our of his stupor. The younger q was startled at the sound; even given his age in the Continuum, he still didn’t recognized all aspects of Continuum law or protocol -- which wasn’t all that surprising considering that the operating manuals was a good several light years thick.
“What was that?”
“I’m getting a pager message.”
She peered down at the LCD panel and her relief turned to one of worry once more.
“Uh-oh.”
A look of concern crossed her son’s youthful features.
“What do you mean ‘uh-oh?’”
The Lady Q looked up, her expression worrying him further. She had been annoyed, even angered at her husband on so many occasions, but she had always had respect and genuine admiration for him and his abilities.
“Well, the good news is that it’s your father.”
“And the bad news?
“It’s a 777.”
“So?”
“That’s 911for the Continuum.”
He gave his mother what could only be considered an incredulous look.
“Well, Dad’s an omnipotent being with space and time at his very command, right?“
“Yes.”
“Then why does he respond by cell-phone?!”
Lady Q thought it best to ignore her son and instead, pulling out a cell phone, dialed back the number listed the pager. She waited a moment before the caller on the other end picked up.
“Yes? Yes, I’m here, I -- What? What?! Do you need -- alright. See you in a few.”
She switched off the cellular phone and gazed down at her son.
“We’re going on a road trip.”
And with a snap of her fingers, they were gone in the Q’s trademark, patented flash of godly light.
***
Location: Coruscant
That Galaxy Far, Far Away
Immediately cleared for entry by Coruscant Air Traffic and escorted by the famed Rouge Squadron, the Gray Spirit began its descent towards the surface - or what passed for the surface in the cityscape of the Scilliant Planet - and for the Imperial Palace. The Federation team stood in the cockpit, shocked and amazed at the sights before them. Leia was still conversing with Quital and was smiling at their reactions.
She had had a similar reaction when she had first been elected to the Imperial Senate. Except for her, the sights of magnificence and grandeur had been tempered by the fact that Palpatine ruled the capital with his iron fist. Luke’s had also been similar, having taken place shortly after the New Republic had driven Isard from the world.
Approaching ever closer in their forward canopy was the sight of the Imperial Palace, formerly the Presidential palace to Chancellors like Finis Valorum in the days of the Old Republic. Behind it loomed the dome of the Atrium of the Senate. The image further added to Leia’s memories of her time in the Imperial Senate.
“Gray Spirit, you are cleared for landing on platform twelve-a. Welcome home.”
***
Following the end of the Clone Wars and the creation of the Galactic Empire, Emperor Palpatine had renovated the Presidential Palace into his Imperial Palace. Along with basic renovations, he had also made a large number of other modifications and alterations to the structure. One such item was a series of concealed, undetectable balcony’s and personal promenades from which the Senator-turned-Chancellor-Emperor could; further gaze down upon his throne world.
When the New Republic had taken the capital and the Palace, most of these chambers had been sealed off or converted into storage rooms. But several were still in operation for use by high-level officials in the New Republic government. From behind one such promenade, NRI Director Dif Scaur watched the Gray Spirit touch down and begin offloading his passangers with a mild interest.
He already knew he exact specifications and data on most of the four humans, android, Betazed, and hologram that were debarking from the Nubian Royal Cruiser and greeting an escort of Republic soldiers and Senators Omas and Pwoe of the Advisory. Medical teams were already in place and moving Borsk Fey’lya with utmost care towards a fully-equipped medical facility -- for whatever good it would do him.
Scaur knew the basic schedule that would await this ambassadorial team now that they have finally arrived on Coruscant. After a chance to wind down and relax following the journey from Sector 001 and the Outer Rim, the Federation delegation would attend a State Dinner and the next morning, begin the negotiations within the
He wished them luck. With the amount of intrigue and backstabbing that so characterized the Senate these days, they were going to need it. In the meantime, he was concentrating on the continuing advance of the Yuuzhan Vong, of course, but the battle in Sector 001 had brought a new variable into the equation in the form of what the Federation had termed Thalaron Radiation.
Scaur had studied the data provided on some of Palpatine’s most infamous scientists, among them the late Evir Derricote, and knew quite well the nature of bio-weapons. That was why he had initiated Projects Alpha Red and Alpha Blue as a last-resort weapon should the Republic’s fortunes continue to plummet further -- though that could change with Federation involvement.
The project had called for the establishment of a bio-weapon, but one that targeted only Yuuzhan Vong. The Chiss scientists were having limited successes and it would probably be another year before they had a working strain that could be tested on the pathetically low number of Yuuzhan Vong POW’s that hadn’t been able to commit suicide after being captured.
One year.
Corsucant could well be in enemy hands, even with an alliance with the United Federation of Planets. And this new type of alien radiation, while brutally effective, could also be turned against the New Republic. The Federation insisted it had no idea of the identity of that ship’s crew and Scaur, against his distrustful nature, believed them.
That ship had to be found lest it be used against them or, if his Chiss team failed, use it against the Yuuzhan Vong. But the Federation had been unable to find it and Scaur couldn’t shake the very-real possibility that it was here in their galaxy, up to who knew what kind of mischief, Yuuzhan Vong or otherwise…
***
Location: Reman Warbird Scimitar
Kamino System, That Galaxy Far, Far Away
Sparks flew from the ceiling conduits, flying across the bridge and signing the hairs on the back of Shinzon’s neck. But he had learned to live with plain both during his years in the dilithium mines of Remus and during his engagements against the Jem’Hadar, arguable the most vicious soldiers ever created. His attention needed to be focused here and now.
“Damage report!”
Vkruk swung his staff through the air, catching onto the bridge’s railing and allowing him to hold on and pull himself up. His clawed, wrinkled hands upon the console, he struggled to gather an accurate reading.
“Dorsal shields are down to eighty-five percent, we have lost power on decks eight, nine, and twelve.”
“Compensate as best as you can. Prepare to go to phase two!”
“Aye.”
Had it been any other ship from the Milky Way Galaxy, those first shots would have probably disabled or destroyed them; such was the power output possessed by turbolasers. But the Scimitar’s enhanced shields were far greater than typical shield projection technology possessed by the Romulans, a result of Dominion projectors that had gone missing in the aftermath of the Dominion War from their shipyard in the Orias system.
Also, had it been anyone else firing at them, Shinzon would have blown them out of the sky with the Scimitar’s disruptors, torpedoes, or even the thalaron generator. But not here. In fact, he was happy for his theory had been correct. Emperor Palpatine had not wiped out the Kaminoan race. And if the Kaminoans were still alive, then there still existed a chance, his chance..
“Prepare to transmit.”
“Ready, Centurion Shinzon.”
Shinzon nodded and began to speak.
“To the people of Kamino. I am Shinzon of Remus. I come in peace. I wish to employ your services, services that would be most beneficial to both parties involved.”
Shibzon waited a long moment. The turbolaser fire had stopped and the Scimitar drifted slowly in orbit of the watery world. Then, the communications console began beeping hushed tones. Vkruk, with his staff in hand, stepped towards the display and glanced down.
“We are receiving a return signal, audio only.”
“Put it through, Vkruk.”
The viceroy did as he was ordered and a strange, alien voice began filtering through the bridge’s speakers, the computer system working quickly to translate the Kaminoan language using top of the line -- and “borrowed -- universal translating equipment .
“ Len Tabo Ne Woin, je-ister of Kamino, Banu Le. You may speak.”
“As I said, I, Shinzon of Remus, seek to purchase the use of your services, specifically cloning.”
There was a long silence. Then the Banu Le responded.
“Your information is outdated. We are no longer cloners. We have no wish to experience another Imperial sanction or reprisal.”
Shinzon smiled. He had learned how to differentiate between lies and truths during the Dominion War -- it hadn’t been easy, considering that almost everything the Romulans had told him were lies, but there were the occasional grains of truth -- and he could tell within an instant that Kaminoan was lying.
“There is no need to deceive me. I know that you know that Palpatine’s Empire is long dead. I know that you could never possibly abandon your primary choice of economy. I know that you still have contact with the outside galaxy and know of the threat it now faces and could pose to your world. You can continue your isolation, but there is no guarantee that it will succeed. I can give you technology and data that can help you defend against the Yuuzhan Vong should they attack your world. I can assure you that the weapons I possess are different from what you may expect and more suited for the unpredictability of Yuuzhan Vong tactics. ”
There was further silence and the first hints of worry began to tug at Shinzon’s gut, though he was tempted to consider it further evidence of his genetic breakdown -- and what a cruel piece of irony that would have been. Here he was, at the world that could save him and the condition was instead accelerating! He would sincerely hate to have to blackmail the Kaminoans with the Thalaron weapon he had stolen from the Tal Shiar laboratory all those years ago.
Then the console that Vkruk had remained standing at began chirping.
“Centurion, we have just received a set of landing coordinates.”
Shinzon sat back in the chair of command, smiling. He loved it when things went as planned and when his gambles paid off.
“Vkruk, prepare a security escort and ready a dropship and an escort.”
The Viceroy gave Shinzon the Reman equivalent of cocking an eyebrow.
“Would it not be wise to utilize transporters, Shinzon?”
Shinzon shook his head.
“No, not here. I wish to do this the old fashioned way, the way they are used to; I also wish not to alert them to our tactical advantage. And besides,” he added with a slight hint of a grin upon his face, “a little rain never hurt anyone.”
***
Location: San Francisco
Earth, Alpha Quadrant, Milky Way Galaxy
Had she not been one of the most recognizable personnel in all of Starfleet, Alynna Necheyev could probably have been mistaken for a walking, hysterical cat-like creature, or perhaps a Cathir of the Republic’s galaxy. Her hair was frazzled, her uniform disheveled, and she had a look in her eyes that made Cortin Zeweller very glad that his superiors were not physically present in the room.
“This is unbelievable. Grey’si is as insane as Picard. The Council has been bombed, we’ve suffered heavy fleet losses, and now he wants to continue this attempt at an alliance. Worse, the Council is following his insane lead.”
That much was true. As Grey’si had predicted in his meeting -- and yes, Section 31 did indeed have access to that transcript; they wouldn’t be much good if they weren’t able to observe the movements and actions of their elected leader -- the Council had almost unanimously approved, despite the efforts of Viqi Shesh, a declaration of war against the Yuuzhan Vong and a strategic alliance with the New Galactic Republic.
“Your point, Admiral.”
“My point is this: Why aren‘t you doing anything about it. Why not close the wormhole or -- ”
“Admiral, I’m going to excuse that tone you’re taking with us as simply exhaustion on your part from the stress of the last several days. As for the wormhole, I will say this: what makes you think we haven’t tried to close it?”
That revelation swung Nechayev out of her little rant.
“What?!”
“Since this all began, we’ve covertly tried to see about closing the phenomena, but have been unsuccessful. In its makeup, it is entirely unlike the Bajoran or Barzan Wormhole in its structure.”
“Then what do we do about it?”
“For the moment, nothing. It has however, caused us to wonder if Picard’s report on his contact with the god-like races wasn’t a hallucination or a Force trick on the part of the Jedi Skywalker. Admiral, before you go into another rant, let me be clear on this matter: I’m not saying Picard is right, I’m simply saying that this is all very strange indeed and we’re not certain of what to believe.
There was a pause before the lead monolith continued.
“In the meantime, we are just as worried about the thalaron-ship and the bomber. We have a possible answer concerning the latter. During the battle, we detected a Federation transporter signature coming from the Ralroost. The two may be connected…”
As the briefing continued, Zweller leaned back, watching as Nechayev remained enraptured by the meeting. In reality, he was quietly receiving a message through an communications implant that was used by man an agent of the organization and virtually undetectable with standad5rd bio-scans.
“Cortin, we want you to keep an eye on her. Despite the services she has accomplished for us, I fear her hatred of Picard could be her undoing and us along with her.”
“Understood,” he mouthed, the implant picking up his mouth’s movements and translating into speech for their recipient.
***
Location: Deep Space Nine
Bajoran System, Alpha Quadrant, Milky Way Galaxy
The wardroom aboard Deep Space Nine had achieved an illustrious history during the course of the last decade. It was in this meeting chamber that Cardassia and Bajor had signed their peace treaty, where Bajor had nearly become a member of the Federation, where many important planning moments of the Dominion War had taken place, and where the cease-fire to that same conflict had been signed.
If Federation historians had their way, the room would be salvaged and placed into a museum. But that would only happen once Deep Space Nine was de-commissioned and that day was still a long, long way away. So, the room continued to be used for weekly briefings and other important events aboard the joint Federation/Bajoran station.
On this particular stardate, it was now serving as the meeting between representatives of Unimatrix Zero, the Dominion, and Starfleet. The wall-mounted display showed a rough map of the Gamma Quadrant, far more detailed than anything gathered by the original Defiant during its initial foray into dominion territory. Only Odo would have shared territorial data like that. The map showed where the rogue Borg elements had struck. Chakotay was speaking at that moment.
“What I don’t understand is why they aren’t using transwarp drive to hit the key production centers and worlds.”
Axum nodded.
“I spoke with Constable Odo and we came to a similar conclusion. Their data on the Dominion is several years old. The Dominion has expanded much in the time since their assimilation and the status quo is not what it once was. They’re testing the waters, so to speak, before making any major tactical moves.”
“Which means the longer we wait, the more likely they’ll drive deeper and deeper into Dominion territory, ” stated Odo, turning now to Kira.
“What’s Starfleet’s feeling on this mission?”
“Starfleet’s approved this. The sooner we can stabilize this situation, the sooner efforts can be focused on the Yuuzhan Vong. The Defiant will be heading out with you under Commander Chakotay’s command whenever you are ready to proceed.”
Weyoun spoke up at this point.
“As ordered by the Founder, the Gamma-relay has been used to contact our central military command. A fleet will be arriving on the other side of the wormhole within a few days.”
“Once we hook up with the Jem‘Hadar fleet, Unimatrix Zero reinforcements will arrive from the Delta Quadrant. We’ll begin enacting countermeasures for dealing with the Borg technology in the hands of the renegades,” Axum continued. “If all goes according to plan and depending on the exact size of their force, we should hopefully be able to bring this to an end as quickly as possible.”
***
In an effort to prevent emotional attachments from developing that could jeopardize them, the old Jedi Order had forbidden marriage among members of their order. Some, such as Corran Horn’s grandfather Nejaa Halcyon and Luke’s father as well had gone against this -- though the actions of the latter had had dire consequences for both the Jedi and the entire galaxy.
But when Luke had begun reestablishing the Jedi Order, he knew that he would, due to practical matters and his own lack of knowledge, be forced to abandon some of the rules that had characterized their predecessors and the familial taboo had been one of the main ones. He had further emphasized the abandonment of that rule when he had married Mara and others like Streen and Tionne had followed in his path.
He felt that a Jedi’s relationship with their partner made them a more complete Jedi and his marriage to Mara had been no exception. They both drew strength and inspiration from each other, especially now in the face of invasion and during her now cured Yuuzhan-Vong induced disease.
As a team, they had been very busy over the course of the day, touring Deep Space Nine and researching Bajor‘s relationship with the Prophets. Luke had been most interested in seeing Colonel Kira’s office and the quarters that, even though they now lived on Bajor, still belonged to Sisko’s family. Though it had been almost four years since the Captain had last been seen, the room still held a significant Force imprint, similar to what Leia had felt in orbit of Endor five years after Palpatine’s first death.
But whereas Palpatine’s mark had been what Leia described as a dark, cruel void, he felt only peace and harmony in those places touched most significantly by Benjamen Sisko.
Next on their list was a visit through the wormhole and then to Bajor, to seek out Kasidy Yates and the Orbs. Major Kira, though busy in regards to planning the joint Starfleet/Unimatrix Zero/Dominion operation and in having been reunited with her lover, was working on arranging them transportation. It would have been far easier if they had the Jade Saber with them for traveling purposes, but Luke had been insistent that they depart for Deep Space Nine
He and Mara were now discussing these details within the confines of their quarters, eating a quiet dinner, the stars slowly moving past them through the viewing portals.
“So, what do we do until then?”
Luke smiled.
“I know the perfect way to spend the evening, The Colonel actually suggested it.”
“Alright, I’m listening.”
***
“Hey, pallie!”
The Jedi Masters had proceeded through the Promenade and the local gaming and drinking establishment and after Mara had nearly been hit on by a large, bald alien sitting at the bar -- which had brought back memories of the incident in the Mos Eisley cantina and fear that Mara was going to follow in Obi-Wan’s footsteps -- had proceeded upstairs in to what appeared to be some kind of Lounge. It resembled less the Mos Eisley Cantina or even Quark‘s Bar and more of some of the plush lounges that Luke had seen after leaving his desert homeworld and that Mara had done undercover work in .
“I’m Vic Fontaine, your resident holographic singer and your host for the evening. So, the Colonel recommend the Lounge as your spot, eh?”
Luke looked surprised
“You know Colonel Kira?”
Vic nodded coyly.
“She told me to expect you. And yeah, I do know her. Who do you think it was that got the Colonel and Odo together?”
“Ah.”
“A and speaking of which, if you’ll take your seats, both the Colonel and Odo recommended this one for you two. “
Vic stepped back atop his Lounge stage and gestured to his holographic band.
“Okay boys. And a one and two and three!”
And so the band played as the lights dimmed and Vic began to work his magic.
“Come fly with me, let’s fly let’s fly away
If you can use, some exotic booze
There’s a bar in far Bombay
Come fly with me, we’ll fly , let’s fly away!”
Mara looked a Luke, an amused expression on her face.
“You call this relaxing?”
“Yes.”
Mara just shook her head as she and her husband embraced and began to dance, lost each other’s arms and in the moment that seemed to last forever.
***
Location: Millennium Falcon
Sol System, Alpha Quadrant, Milky Way Galaxy
Han Solo had never claimed to be father material. He had never known his parents and the closest thing he had had to a parental figure had been less the abusive trader Garris Shrike and more his Wookie cook, Dewlanna. When he had married Leia and she had become pregnant, he had been uncharacteristically worried about his ability to raise children “properly”. Luckily, Leia, despite Bail Organa not having been her real father, and See-Threepio had known a thing or two about “proper” parenting.
But her royal highness and Goldenrod were currently billions of light-years away and Mara and Luke were chasing Force-beings on the other side of the Federation. So, that was why Jacen and Jaina, against their will, were looking after their cousin and his nephew down on the planet surface and why he was now speaking with his youngest son and with Commander Worf in the main cabin.
“Look, are you sure you want to go halfway across the Quadrant now?
Anakin nodded.
“Great. First your aunt and uncle and now you. I might as well retire to Riza.”
“Risa,” corrected Worf, despite his own dislike of the pleasure planet.
“Whatever. Look, I --”
“Dad, we’ll be fine.”
“Well, considering that all the bodies of power around her seem to keep getting shot at or blown up, so sue me for worrying.”
“I will watch over him, Captain Solo.. Starfleet has allowed me to undertake this mission due to my former status as Federation ambassador to Q’onos. Your son is a formidable warrior. The Klingon Empire would be honored to welcome a Jedi Knight. We‘ll be in contact with you as well.”
Han sighed and looked at his son once more.
“Your mother’s going to kill me when she gets back, you know that.”
Anakin grinned.
“I know.”
Han rolled his eyes and muttered something about teenagers before hugging his son. He had accepted after having come to terms with Chewie’s death a year earlier that his children had the right to spread their wings. Besides, Leia was the bigger control freak, not him -- though he would never mention that to her face, of course. He may have been a smuggler, but you tried not to get the krayt dragon too fired up.
“Good luck to both of you.”
Worf nodded and tapped
“Worf to Gorkon. Two to beam up.”
But as his son de-materialized in a shaft of life -- and he was still, despite everything he had seen during his years as a smuggler and Rebel, having trouble getting used -- he just couldn’t help but shake the same feeling that he had had more than twenty years earlier when he had parted ways with Lando to board the stolen Imperial shuttle Tydirium, that he would never see his son in person again.
***
Location: Yuuzhan Vong Warship Yammka’s Mount
Intergalactic Void, That Galaxy Far, Far Away
It has often been argued that war is essential for the health of the nation. That may have been true, but the warriors waging that war were only as good as the commanders who led them into battle. And simply wasn’t their strategies that mattered. An idea commander was one who could not only plan adequately, but also had charisma and could instill confidence and loyalty in the legions at their command.
Both galaxies had examples of this throughout their long history of war from Count Dooku and Grand Admiral to Thrawn to Captain/Admiral James T. Kirk and General/Chancellor Martok. And despite their alien presence, the Yuuzhan Vong were no exception to this. Even more so than Tsavong Lah, there had been a modern commander that had fulfilled these requirements when he had been Warmaster, a title that he now held once again: Czulkang Lah, father of Tsavong Lah and the new Yuuzhan Vong Warmaster.
The Warmaster had immediately, following Shimmra’s appointment, begun taking steps to continue where his son had failed. To that end, he had chosen Supreme Commander Choka’s flagship, the Yammka, for his mobile base of operations. Czulkang Lah’s fame and respect among the Yuuzhan Vong was so great that the ship had been re-christened Yammka’s Mount.
Aboard the newly-christened Yammka’s Mount, Nas Choka and Czulkang Lah were analyzing the tactical situation that their people were faced with. The blaze bug formations depicted the fleets poised to strike against the Republic, with tactical villips representing these fleets’ commanders. Lah was currently speaking.
“We will continue to spread discourse, yes. But we cannot waste precious time, especially now in light of the infidel’s ‘negotiations’. We must make our moves militarily and quickly lest the enemy be upon the hinges of our fort.”
“Let then come,” growled one supreme commander‘s visage, “so that we may avenge ourselves.”
Czulkang wearily shook his head.
“Business before pleasure, Commander Tugorn. And let me also make this clear: I will not disobey the Supreme Overlord over a familial matter. My son brought that defeat and disgrace upon both himself and us. I will not make the same mistakes.
“But what of his plans, of Project Voxyn?” asked another. Lah considered this for a moment.
“I will allow it to continue for the moment. But the Jedi will not dominate my strategies and moves as they did my son’s.”
As the sessions continued and Lah began to plot out their new battle plans, the feelings of panic and worry that had plagued Choka since the first assualt on Sector 001 began to ease. They were working with a master, a legend in his own time. With Czulkang Lah’s direction, he knew that Yuuzhan Vong could and would cleanse this galaxy of infidels and then move onto the Unclean of the Milky Way Galaxy. It was only a matter of time and proper favor with the gods.
***
Location: Quintessence
Somewhere in the Universe
As one of many essential pillars of the universe, the Q had, for lack of a better term, “Been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.” They had for the most part seen it all and very little surprised them.
However, the Lady Q had only seen her husband significantly injured within a godly realm once, during the Continuum Civil War. The level of devastation caused to a godly realm also had last been seen during the Continuum Civil War and to the Q-M Wars before that.
“Dad!”
q screamed and ran to his father, the elder Q holding up his hands.
“I’m totally fine, Junior. It’ll take more than a celestial blast to put this trickster down.”
“You mean like a dressing down from mom?”
“Don‘t give her any ideas.”
Lady Q smiled softly at the sight of father and son reunited, then gazed out at what had been the Quintessence’s meeting chamber. The other representatives were fine, albeit nursing their own wounds. She finally found the other one she sought, his form leaning against one of the blackened pillars.”
“Stranger.”
He nodded to her.
“Q. It’s been a while.
Q looked incredulous.
“You know the Stranger?”
She smiled coyly.
“You’d be amazed who I know throughout the cosmos.”
Q didn’t bother to retort, instead grumbling into his tattered robes. The Stranger allowed himself a quick smile before his weary expression returned.
“But your husband is right. Ideas are precisely what we need now,” he said. “Have your superiors in the Q continuum taken any steps on their own or rallied their own
She shook her, shock and amazement spreading across the Stranger’s face.
“Nothing?”
“Nothing.
“Hmm. That’s odd. That’s very odd.”
He was silent for a long moment, lost in thought. He then turned to Sisko.
“Emissary, can you handle things here for a short while?”
The former Starfleet Captain nodded.
“Thank you. I will return shortly.”
He walked out of the remains of the council circle towards the trio of Q‘s.
“I believe a trip to your Continuum is in order.”
“Why?”
“Because if what I think is going on with your comrades is indeed happening, then things may have just become even further than the loss of our agent.”
***
To be continued…
***
Author’s Notes:
And they’re off! Act II is now underway. Thanks for everyone for sticking with it and I promise, you won‘t be disappointed.
* The Q's own brand of 911 can be found in the audio-book/play Spock vs. Q: The Sequel.
* Nejaa Halcyon’s rogue status against the Jedi Order’s social taboos can be found in Jedi Trial, the latest Clone Wars hardcover.
* You can probably guess who the alien that tried to hit on Mara was.
* The Quark/Lando, Koval/Spock/Romulus, and Uhura/Female Founder subplots will pick up again in a chapter or two. Act II, Part I was not meant to be too elaborate, just a simple beginning to the next installment/Act.
Star Trek/Star Wars: The Best of Both Worlds -- Act II, Part 1
“All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers."
-- Orison Swett Marden
***
Musical Note -- For the final approach of the Gray Spirit, I recommend Yôko Kanno‘s “Flying Dragon” from Vision of Escaflowne or Shirô Sagisu’s “All-Purpose Submarine” from Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water.
.
As always, enjoy!
****
Location: The Q Continuum
Somewhere in the Universe
Despite the fact that they were all, by nature and by physical makeup omnipotent, the Q’s did not always share the same thought. The Lady Q did not pretend to understand her husband’s mannerisms, a fact that had caused friction between them, particularly in the raising of their son, q. She doted upon him almost endlessly, trying to raise him to be open-minded and proper. Her husband on the other hand believed that all work and no play made for a dull boy.
Harmony had not been a constant their household.
But in this case, she was considerably worried for the safety of her mate. It had been…well, Q-time flowed differently from human perceptions of time and space, as her husband had been so fond of point out when this had all begun ,which had been…
Oh to hell with it.
Either way, she was getting worried. She and her son had alone only a short time, but it didn’t feel right; she should have felt something from him by now. All was silent from on high, from their leader, the great and powerful Q as well. In fact, there was little evidence of the shit having hit the fan here in the Continuum. No, all was normal atop Olympus and she didn‘t like it one bit.
So, she was actually thankful when an annoying beeping noise brought her our of his stupor. The younger q was startled at the sound; even given his age in the Continuum, he still didn’t recognized all aspects of Continuum law or protocol -- which wasn’t all that surprising considering that the operating manuals was a good several light years thick.
“What was that?”
“I’m getting a pager message.”
She peered down at the LCD panel and her relief turned to one of worry once more.
“Uh-oh.”
A look of concern crossed her son’s youthful features.
“What do you mean ‘uh-oh?’”
The Lady Q looked up, her expression worrying him further. She had been annoyed, even angered at her husband on so many occasions, but she had always had respect and genuine admiration for him and his abilities.
“Well, the good news is that it’s your father.”
“And the bad news?
“It’s a 777.”
“So?”
“That’s 911for the Continuum.”
He gave his mother what could only be considered an incredulous look.
“Well, Dad’s an omnipotent being with space and time at his very command, right?“
“Yes.”
“Then why does he respond by cell-phone?!”
Lady Q thought it best to ignore her son and instead, pulling out a cell phone, dialed back the number listed the pager. She waited a moment before the caller on the other end picked up.
“Yes? Yes, I’m here, I -- What? What?! Do you need -- alright. See you in a few.”
She switched off the cellular phone and gazed down at her son.
“We’re going on a road trip.”
And with a snap of her fingers, they were gone in the Q’s trademark, patented flash of godly light.
***
Location: Coruscant
That Galaxy Far, Far Away
Immediately cleared for entry by Coruscant Air Traffic and escorted by the famed Rouge Squadron, the Gray Spirit began its descent towards the surface - or what passed for the surface in the cityscape of the Scilliant Planet - and for the Imperial Palace. The Federation team stood in the cockpit, shocked and amazed at the sights before them. Leia was still conversing with Quital and was smiling at their reactions.
She had had a similar reaction when she had first been elected to the Imperial Senate. Except for her, the sights of magnificence and grandeur had been tempered by the fact that Palpatine ruled the capital with his iron fist. Luke’s had also been similar, having taken place shortly after the New Republic had driven Isard from the world.
Approaching ever closer in their forward canopy was the sight of the Imperial Palace, formerly the Presidential palace to Chancellors like Finis Valorum in the days of the Old Republic. Behind it loomed the dome of the Atrium of the Senate. The image further added to Leia’s memories of her time in the Imperial Senate.
“Gray Spirit, you are cleared for landing on platform twelve-a. Welcome home.”
***
Following the end of the Clone Wars and the creation of the Galactic Empire, Emperor Palpatine had renovated the Presidential Palace into his Imperial Palace. Along with basic renovations, he had also made a large number of other modifications and alterations to the structure. One such item was a series of concealed, undetectable balcony’s and personal promenades from which the Senator-turned-Chancellor-Emperor could; further gaze down upon his throne world.
When the New Republic had taken the capital and the Palace, most of these chambers had been sealed off or converted into storage rooms. But several were still in operation for use by high-level officials in the New Republic government. From behind one such promenade, NRI Director Dif Scaur watched the Gray Spirit touch down and begin offloading his passangers with a mild interest.
He already knew he exact specifications and data on most of the four humans, android, Betazed, and hologram that were debarking from the Nubian Royal Cruiser and greeting an escort of Republic soldiers and Senators Omas and Pwoe of the Advisory. Medical teams were already in place and moving Borsk Fey’lya with utmost care towards a fully-equipped medical facility -- for whatever good it would do him.
Scaur knew the basic schedule that would await this ambassadorial team now that they have finally arrived on Coruscant. After a chance to wind down and relax following the journey from Sector 001 and the Outer Rim, the Federation delegation would attend a State Dinner and the next morning, begin the negotiations within the
He wished them luck. With the amount of intrigue and backstabbing that so characterized the Senate these days, they were going to need it. In the meantime, he was concentrating on the continuing advance of the Yuuzhan Vong, of course, but the battle in Sector 001 had brought a new variable into the equation in the form of what the Federation had termed Thalaron Radiation.
Scaur had studied the data provided on some of Palpatine’s most infamous scientists, among them the late Evir Derricote, and knew quite well the nature of bio-weapons. That was why he had initiated Projects Alpha Red and Alpha Blue as a last-resort weapon should the Republic’s fortunes continue to plummet further -- though that could change with Federation involvement.
The project had called for the establishment of a bio-weapon, but one that targeted only Yuuzhan Vong. The Chiss scientists were having limited successes and it would probably be another year before they had a working strain that could be tested on the pathetically low number of Yuuzhan Vong POW’s that hadn’t been able to commit suicide after being captured.
One year.
Corsucant could well be in enemy hands, even with an alliance with the United Federation of Planets. And this new type of alien radiation, while brutally effective, could also be turned against the New Republic. The Federation insisted it had no idea of the identity of that ship’s crew and Scaur, against his distrustful nature, believed them.
That ship had to be found lest it be used against them or, if his Chiss team failed, use it against the Yuuzhan Vong. But the Federation had been unable to find it and Scaur couldn’t shake the very-real possibility that it was here in their galaxy, up to who knew what kind of mischief, Yuuzhan Vong or otherwise…
***
Location: Reman Warbird Scimitar
Kamino System, That Galaxy Far, Far Away
Sparks flew from the ceiling conduits, flying across the bridge and signing the hairs on the back of Shinzon’s neck. But he had learned to live with plain both during his years in the dilithium mines of Remus and during his engagements against the Jem’Hadar, arguable the most vicious soldiers ever created. His attention needed to be focused here and now.
“Damage report!”
Vkruk swung his staff through the air, catching onto the bridge’s railing and allowing him to hold on and pull himself up. His clawed, wrinkled hands upon the console, he struggled to gather an accurate reading.
“Dorsal shields are down to eighty-five percent, we have lost power on decks eight, nine, and twelve.”
“Compensate as best as you can. Prepare to go to phase two!”
“Aye.”
Had it been any other ship from the Milky Way Galaxy, those first shots would have probably disabled or destroyed them; such was the power output possessed by turbolasers. But the Scimitar’s enhanced shields were far greater than typical shield projection technology possessed by the Romulans, a result of Dominion projectors that had gone missing in the aftermath of the Dominion War from their shipyard in the Orias system.
Also, had it been anyone else firing at them, Shinzon would have blown them out of the sky with the Scimitar’s disruptors, torpedoes, or even the thalaron generator. But not here. In fact, he was happy for his theory had been correct. Emperor Palpatine had not wiped out the Kaminoan race. And if the Kaminoans were still alive, then there still existed a chance, his chance..
“Prepare to transmit.”
“Ready, Centurion Shinzon.”
Shinzon nodded and began to speak.
“To the people of Kamino. I am Shinzon of Remus. I come in peace. I wish to employ your services, services that would be most beneficial to both parties involved.”
Shibzon waited a long moment. The turbolaser fire had stopped and the Scimitar drifted slowly in orbit of the watery world. Then, the communications console began beeping hushed tones. Vkruk, with his staff in hand, stepped towards the display and glanced down.
“We are receiving a return signal, audio only.”
“Put it through, Vkruk.”
The viceroy did as he was ordered and a strange, alien voice began filtering through the bridge’s speakers, the computer system working quickly to translate the Kaminoan language using top of the line -- and “borrowed -- universal translating equipment .
“ Len Tabo Ne Woin, je-ister of Kamino, Banu Le. You may speak.”
“As I said, I, Shinzon of Remus, seek to purchase the use of your services, specifically cloning.”
There was a long silence. Then the Banu Le responded.
“Your information is outdated. We are no longer cloners. We have no wish to experience another Imperial sanction or reprisal.”
Shinzon smiled. He had learned how to differentiate between lies and truths during the Dominion War -- it hadn’t been easy, considering that almost everything the Romulans had told him were lies, but there were the occasional grains of truth -- and he could tell within an instant that Kaminoan was lying.
“There is no need to deceive me. I know that you know that Palpatine’s Empire is long dead. I know that you could never possibly abandon your primary choice of economy. I know that you still have contact with the outside galaxy and know of the threat it now faces and could pose to your world. You can continue your isolation, but there is no guarantee that it will succeed. I can give you technology and data that can help you defend against the Yuuzhan Vong should they attack your world. I can assure you that the weapons I possess are different from what you may expect and more suited for the unpredictability of Yuuzhan Vong tactics. ”
There was further silence and the first hints of worry began to tug at Shinzon’s gut, though he was tempted to consider it further evidence of his genetic breakdown -- and what a cruel piece of irony that would have been. Here he was, at the world that could save him and the condition was instead accelerating! He would sincerely hate to have to blackmail the Kaminoans with the Thalaron weapon he had stolen from the Tal Shiar laboratory all those years ago.
Then the console that Vkruk had remained standing at began chirping.
“Centurion, we have just received a set of landing coordinates.”
Shinzon sat back in the chair of command, smiling. He loved it when things went as planned and when his gambles paid off.
“Vkruk, prepare a security escort and ready a dropship and an escort.”
The Viceroy gave Shinzon the Reman equivalent of cocking an eyebrow.
“Would it not be wise to utilize transporters, Shinzon?”
Shinzon shook his head.
“No, not here. I wish to do this the old fashioned way, the way they are used to; I also wish not to alert them to our tactical advantage. And besides,” he added with a slight hint of a grin upon his face, “a little rain never hurt anyone.”
***
Location: San Francisco
Earth, Alpha Quadrant, Milky Way Galaxy
Had she not been one of the most recognizable personnel in all of Starfleet, Alynna Necheyev could probably have been mistaken for a walking, hysterical cat-like creature, or perhaps a Cathir of the Republic’s galaxy. Her hair was frazzled, her uniform disheveled, and she had a look in her eyes that made Cortin Zeweller very glad that his superiors were not physically present in the room.
“This is unbelievable. Grey’si is as insane as Picard. The Council has been bombed, we’ve suffered heavy fleet losses, and now he wants to continue this attempt at an alliance. Worse, the Council is following his insane lead.”
That much was true. As Grey’si had predicted in his meeting -- and yes, Section 31 did indeed have access to that transcript; they wouldn’t be much good if they weren’t able to observe the movements and actions of their elected leader -- the Council had almost unanimously approved, despite the efforts of Viqi Shesh, a declaration of war against the Yuuzhan Vong and a strategic alliance with the New Galactic Republic.
“Your point, Admiral.”
“My point is this: Why aren‘t you doing anything about it. Why not close the wormhole or -- ”
“Admiral, I’m going to excuse that tone you’re taking with us as simply exhaustion on your part from the stress of the last several days. As for the wormhole, I will say this: what makes you think we haven’t tried to close it?”
That revelation swung Nechayev out of her little rant.
“What?!”
“Since this all began, we’ve covertly tried to see about closing the phenomena, but have been unsuccessful. In its makeup, it is entirely unlike the Bajoran or Barzan Wormhole in its structure.”
“Then what do we do about it?”
“For the moment, nothing. It has however, caused us to wonder if Picard’s report on his contact with the god-like races wasn’t a hallucination or a Force trick on the part of the Jedi Skywalker. Admiral, before you go into another rant, let me be clear on this matter: I’m not saying Picard is right, I’m simply saying that this is all very strange indeed and we’re not certain of what to believe.
There was a pause before the lead monolith continued.
“In the meantime, we are just as worried about the thalaron-ship and the bomber. We have a possible answer concerning the latter. During the battle, we detected a Federation transporter signature coming from the Ralroost. The two may be connected…”
As the briefing continued, Zweller leaned back, watching as Nechayev remained enraptured by the meeting. In reality, he was quietly receiving a message through an communications implant that was used by man an agent of the organization and virtually undetectable with standad5rd bio-scans.
“Cortin, we want you to keep an eye on her. Despite the services she has accomplished for us, I fear her hatred of Picard could be her undoing and us along with her.”
“Understood,” he mouthed, the implant picking up his mouth’s movements and translating into speech for their recipient.
***
Location: Deep Space Nine
Bajoran System, Alpha Quadrant, Milky Way Galaxy
The wardroom aboard Deep Space Nine had achieved an illustrious history during the course of the last decade. It was in this meeting chamber that Cardassia and Bajor had signed their peace treaty, where Bajor had nearly become a member of the Federation, where many important planning moments of the Dominion War had taken place, and where the cease-fire to that same conflict had been signed.
If Federation historians had their way, the room would be salvaged and placed into a museum. But that would only happen once Deep Space Nine was de-commissioned and that day was still a long, long way away. So, the room continued to be used for weekly briefings and other important events aboard the joint Federation/Bajoran station.
On this particular stardate, it was now serving as the meeting between representatives of Unimatrix Zero, the Dominion, and Starfleet. The wall-mounted display showed a rough map of the Gamma Quadrant, far more detailed than anything gathered by the original Defiant during its initial foray into dominion territory. Only Odo would have shared territorial data like that. The map showed where the rogue Borg elements had struck. Chakotay was speaking at that moment.
“What I don’t understand is why they aren’t using transwarp drive to hit the key production centers and worlds.”
Axum nodded.
“I spoke with Constable Odo and we came to a similar conclusion. Their data on the Dominion is several years old. The Dominion has expanded much in the time since their assimilation and the status quo is not what it once was. They’re testing the waters, so to speak, before making any major tactical moves.”
“Which means the longer we wait, the more likely they’ll drive deeper and deeper into Dominion territory, ” stated Odo, turning now to Kira.
“What’s Starfleet’s feeling on this mission?”
“Starfleet’s approved this. The sooner we can stabilize this situation, the sooner efforts can be focused on the Yuuzhan Vong. The Defiant will be heading out with you under Commander Chakotay’s command whenever you are ready to proceed.”
Weyoun spoke up at this point.
“As ordered by the Founder, the Gamma-relay has been used to contact our central military command. A fleet will be arriving on the other side of the wormhole within a few days.”
“Once we hook up with the Jem‘Hadar fleet, Unimatrix Zero reinforcements will arrive from the Delta Quadrant. We’ll begin enacting countermeasures for dealing with the Borg technology in the hands of the renegades,” Axum continued. “If all goes according to plan and depending on the exact size of their force, we should hopefully be able to bring this to an end as quickly as possible.”
***
In an effort to prevent emotional attachments from developing that could jeopardize them, the old Jedi Order had forbidden marriage among members of their order. Some, such as Corran Horn’s grandfather Nejaa Halcyon and Luke’s father as well had gone against this -- though the actions of the latter had had dire consequences for both the Jedi and the entire galaxy.
But when Luke had begun reestablishing the Jedi Order, he knew that he would, due to practical matters and his own lack of knowledge, be forced to abandon some of the rules that had characterized their predecessors and the familial taboo had been one of the main ones. He had further emphasized the abandonment of that rule when he had married Mara and others like Streen and Tionne had followed in his path.
He felt that a Jedi’s relationship with their partner made them a more complete Jedi and his marriage to Mara had been no exception. They both drew strength and inspiration from each other, especially now in the face of invasion and during her now cured Yuuzhan-Vong induced disease.
As a team, they had been very busy over the course of the day, touring Deep Space Nine and researching Bajor‘s relationship with the Prophets. Luke had been most interested in seeing Colonel Kira’s office and the quarters that, even though they now lived on Bajor, still belonged to Sisko’s family. Though it had been almost four years since the Captain had last been seen, the room still held a significant Force imprint, similar to what Leia had felt in orbit of Endor five years after Palpatine’s first death.
But whereas Palpatine’s mark had been what Leia described as a dark, cruel void, he felt only peace and harmony in those places touched most significantly by Benjamen Sisko.
Next on their list was a visit through the wormhole and then to Bajor, to seek out Kasidy Yates and the Orbs. Major Kira, though busy in regards to planning the joint Starfleet/Unimatrix Zero/Dominion operation and in having been reunited with her lover, was working on arranging them transportation. It would have been far easier if they had the Jade Saber with them for traveling purposes, but Luke had been insistent that they depart for Deep Space Nine
He and Mara were now discussing these details within the confines of their quarters, eating a quiet dinner, the stars slowly moving past them through the viewing portals.
“So, what do we do until then?”
Luke smiled.
“I know the perfect way to spend the evening, The Colonel actually suggested it.”
“Alright, I’m listening.”
***
“Hey, pallie!”
The Jedi Masters had proceeded through the Promenade and the local gaming and drinking establishment and after Mara had nearly been hit on by a large, bald alien sitting at the bar -- which had brought back memories of the incident in the Mos Eisley cantina and fear that Mara was going to follow in Obi-Wan’s footsteps -- had proceeded upstairs in to what appeared to be some kind of Lounge. It resembled less the Mos Eisley Cantina or even Quark‘s Bar and more of some of the plush lounges that Luke had seen after leaving his desert homeworld and that Mara had done undercover work in .
“I’m Vic Fontaine, your resident holographic singer and your host for the evening. So, the Colonel recommend the Lounge as your spot, eh?”
Luke looked surprised
“You know Colonel Kira?”
Vic nodded coyly.
“She told me to expect you. And yeah, I do know her. Who do you think it was that got the Colonel and Odo together?”
“Ah.”
“A and speaking of which, if you’ll take your seats, both the Colonel and Odo recommended this one for you two. “
Vic stepped back atop his Lounge stage and gestured to his holographic band.
“Okay boys. And a one and two and three!”
And so the band played as the lights dimmed and Vic began to work his magic.
“Come fly with me, let’s fly let’s fly away
If you can use, some exotic booze
There’s a bar in far Bombay
Come fly with me, we’ll fly , let’s fly away!”
Mara looked a Luke, an amused expression on her face.
“You call this relaxing?”
“Yes.”
Mara just shook her head as she and her husband embraced and began to dance, lost each other’s arms and in the moment that seemed to last forever.
***
Location: Millennium Falcon
Sol System, Alpha Quadrant, Milky Way Galaxy
Han Solo had never claimed to be father material. He had never known his parents and the closest thing he had had to a parental figure had been less the abusive trader Garris Shrike and more his Wookie cook, Dewlanna. When he had married Leia and she had become pregnant, he had been uncharacteristically worried about his ability to raise children “properly”. Luckily, Leia, despite Bail Organa not having been her real father, and See-Threepio had known a thing or two about “proper” parenting.
But her royal highness and Goldenrod were currently billions of light-years away and Mara and Luke were chasing Force-beings on the other side of the Federation. So, that was why Jacen and Jaina, against their will, were looking after their cousin and his nephew down on the planet surface and why he was now speaking with his youngest son and with Commander Worf in the main cabin.
“Look, are you sure you want to go halfway across the Quadrant now?
Anakin nodded.
“Great. First your aunt and uncle and now you. I might as well retire to Riza.”
“Risa,” corrected Worf, despite his own dislike of the pleasure planet.
“Whatever. Look, I --”
“Dad, we’ll be fine.”
“Well, considering that all the bodies of power around her seem to keep getting shot at or blown up, so sue me for worrying.”
“I will watch over him, Captain Solo.. Starfleet has allowed me to undertake this mission due to my former status as Federation ambassador to Q’onos. Your son is a formidable warrior. The Klingon Empire would be honored to welcome a Jedi Knight. We‘ll be in contact with you as well.”
Han sighed and looked at his son once more.
“Your mother’s going to kill me when she gets back, you know that.”
Anakin grinned.
“I know.”
Han rolled his eyes and muttered something about teenagers before hugging his son. He had accepted after having come to terms with Chewie’s death a year earlier that his children had the right to spread their wings. Besides, Leia was the bigger control freak, not him -- though he would never mention that to her face, of course. He may have been a smuggler, but you tried not to get the krayt dragon too fired up.
“Good luck to both of you.”
Worf nodded and tapped
“Worf to Gorkon. Two to beam up.”
But as his son de-materialized in a shaft of life -- and he was still, despite everything he had seen during his years as a smuggler and Rebel, having trouble getting used -- he just couldn’t help but shake the same feeling that he had had more than twenty years earlier when he had parted ways with Lando to board the stolen Imperial shuttle Tydirium, that he would never see his son in person again.
***
Location: Yuuzhan Vong Warship Yammka’s Mount
Intergalactic Void, That Galaxy Far, Far Away
It has often been argued that war is essential for the health of the nation. That may have been true, but the warriors waging that war were only as good as the commanders who led them into battle. And simply wasn’t their strategies that mattered. An idea commander was one who could not only plan adequately, but also had charisma and could instill confidence and loyalty in the legions at their command.
Both galaxies had examples of this throughout their long history of war from Count Dooku and Grand Admiral to Thrawn to Captain/Admiral James T. Kirk and General/Chancellor Martok. And despite their alien presence, the Yuuzhan Vong were no exception to this. Even more so than Tsavong Lah, there had been a modern commander that had fulfilled these requirements when he had been Warmaster, a title that he now held once again: Czulkang Lah, father of Tsavong Lah and the new Yuuzhan Vong Warmaster.
The Warmaster had immediately, following Shimmra’s appointment, begun taking steps to continue where his son had failed. To that end, he had chosen Supreme Commander Choka’s flagship, the Yammka, for his mobile base of operations. Czulkang Lah’s fame and respect among the Yuuzhan Vong was so great that the ship had been re-christened Yammka’s Mount.
Aboard the newly-christened Yammka’s Mount, Nas Choka and Czulkang Lah were analyzing the tactical situation that their people were faced with. The blaze bug formations depicted the fleets poised to strike against the Republic, with tactical villips representing these fleets’ commanders. Lah was currently speaking.
“We will continue to spread discourse, yes. But we cannot waste precious time, especially now in light of the infidel’s ‘negotiations’. We must make our moves militarily and quickly lest the enemy be upon the hinges of our fort.”
“Let then come,” growled one supreme commander‘s visage, “so that we may avenge ourselves.”
Czulkang wearily shook his head.
“Business before pleasure, Commander Tugorn. And let me also make this clear: I will not disobey the Supreme Overlord over a familial matter. My son brought that defeat and disgrace upon both himself and us. I will not make the same mistakes.
“But what of his plans, of Project Voxyn?” asked another. Lah considered this for a moment.
“I will allow it to continue for the moment. But the Jedi will not dominate my strategies and moves as they did my son’s.”
As the sessions continued and Lah began to plot out their new battle plans, the feelings of panic and worry that had plagued Choka since the first assualt on Sector 001 began to ease. They were working with a master, a legend in his own time. With Czulkang Lah’s direction, he knew that Yuuzhan Vong could and would cleanse this galaxy of infidels and then move onto the Unclean of the Milky Way Galaxy. It was only a matter of time and proper favor with the gods.
***
Location: Quintessence
Somewhere in the Universe
As one of many essential pillars of the universe, the Q had, for lack of a better term, “Been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.” They had for the most part seen it all and very little surprised them.
However, the Lady Q had only seen her husband significantly injured within a godly realm once, during the Continuum Civil War. The level of devastation caused to a godly realm also had last been seen during the Continuum Civil War and to the Q-M Wars before that.
“Dad!”
q screamed and ran to his father, the elder Q holding up his hands.
“I’m totally fine, Junior. It’ll take more than a celestial blast to put this trickster down.”
“You mean like a dressing down from mom?”
“Don‘t give her any ideas.”
Lady Q smiled softly at the sight of father and son reunited, then gazed out at what had been the Quintessence’s meeting chamber. The other representatives were fine, albeit nursing their own wounds. She finally found the other one she sought, his form leaning against one of the blackened pillars.”
“Stranger.”
He nodded to her.
“Q. It’s been a while.
Q looked incredulous.
“You know the Stranger?”
She smiled coyly.
“You’d be amazed who I know throughout the cosmos.”
Q didn’t bother to retort, instead grumbling into his tattered robes. The Stranger allowed himself a quick smile before his weary expression returned.
“But your husband is right. Ideas are precisely what we need now,” he said. “Have your superiors in the Q continuum taken any steps on their own or rallied their own
She shook her, shock and amazement spreading across the Stranger’s face.
“Nothing?”
“Nothing.
“Hmm. That’s odd. That’s very odd.”
He was silent for a long moment, lost in thought. He then turned to Sisko.
“Emissary, can you handle things here for a short while?”
The former Starfleet Captain nodded.
“Thank you. I will return shortly.”
He walked out of the remains of the council circle towards the trio of Q‘s.
“I believe a trip to your Continuum is in order.”
“Why?”
“Because if what I think is going on with your comrades is indeed happening, then things may have just become even further than the loss of our agent.”
***
To be continued…
***
Author’s Notes:
And they’re off! Act II is now underway. Thanks for everyone for sticking with it and I promise, you won‘t be disappointed.
* The Q's own brand of 911 can be found in the audio-book/play Spock vs. Q: The Sequel.
* Nejaa Halcyon’s rogue status against the Jedi Order’s social taboos can be found in Jedi Trial, the latest Clone Wars hardcover.
* You can probably guess who the alien that tried to hit on Mara was.
* The Quark/Lando, Koval/Spock/Romulus, and Uhura/Female Founder subplots will pick up again in a chapter or two. Act II, Part I was not meant to be too elaborate, just a simple beginning to the next installment/Act.
Last edited by JME2 on 2004-12-05 02:18pm, edited 1 time in total.
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darthdavid
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Crazedwraith
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Nice Chapter. But Nejaa was Corran'ss Grandfather not his father, Also you said Idea leader at one point instead of ideal leader and there's an incomplete sentence somewhere in there.
Other than very good.
Like there.though he would never mention that to her face, of course. He may have been a smuggler, but you only
Other than very good.
It's the stupid formatting.Crazedwraith wrote:Nice Chapter. But Nejaa was Corran'ss Grandfather not his father, Also you said Idea leader at one point instead of ideal leader and there's an incomplete sentence somewhere in there.
Like there.though he would never mention that to her face, of course. He may have been a smuggler, but you only
Other than very good.
Edit -- Fixed now.
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Robert Walper
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As always, you leave us hungering for more JME2. 
Like others have mentioned, the only complaint is the occasion incomplete sentence, although given the size of these chapters, it's hardly surprising. We shouldn't expect perfection.
*eyes table of Borg implants and technology* Then again...
PS: In regards to your incomplete sentence problem, you could easily find a volunteer to give your chapters a once over before you post them for SDN viewing. As a newbie writer myself, I know that proof reading your own work is difficult, you know what's supposed to be written and what's happening, thus you're less likely to catch minor typos and such. A simple system of putting a easily searchable charactera (ie: like * or whatever) beside errors or suspected errors by your proof reader could cut down these errors by making it much easier for you to spot and correct them. Just a thought. Excellent work nonetheless though.
Like others have mentioned, the only complaint is the occasion incomplete sentence, although given the size of these chapters, it's hardly surprising. We shouldn't expect perfection.
*eyes table of Borg implants and technology* Then again...
PS: In regards to your incomplete sentence problem, you could easily find a volunteer to give your chapters a once over before you post them for SDN viewing. As a newbie writer myself, I know that proof reading your own work is difficult, you know what's supposed to be written and what's happening, thus you're less likely to catch minor typos and such. A simple system of putting a easily searchable charactera (ie: like * or whatever) beside errors or suspected errors by your proof reader could cut down these errors by making it much easier for you to spot and correct them. Just a thought. Excellent work nonetheless though.
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Robert Walper
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You imply disparity where none exists.JME2 wrote:We as in the Borg or we as in the readers?Robert Walper wrote:As always, you leave us hungering for more JME2.
Like others have mentioned, the only complaint is the occasion incomplete sentence, although given the size of these chapters, it's hardly surprising. We shouldn't expect perfection.
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Crazedwraith
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um...hello? We're not borg.Robert Walper wrote:You imply disparity where none exists.JME2 wrote:We as in the Borg or we as in the readers?Robert Walper wrote:As always, you leave us hungering for more JME2.
Like others have mentioned, the only complaint is the occasion incomplete sentence, although given the size of these chapters, it's hardly surprising. We shouldn't expect perfection.
*beat*
Uh-oh.
I was just curious; I didn't know if you'd meant that as a joke or not.Robert Walper wrote:You imply disparity where none exists.JME2 wrote:We as in the Borg or we as in the readers?Robert Walper wrote:As always, you leave us hungering for more JME2.
Like others have mentioned, the only complaint is the occasion incomplete sentence, although given the size of these chapters, it's hardly surprising. We shouldn't expect perfection.
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Robert Walper
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Actually, I really didn't intentionally mean that to come across as Borg like. But it certainly fits the bill. *ponders self for moment* Maybe I'm spending too much time thinking Borg like.JME2 wrote:I was just curious; I didn't know if you'd meant that as a joke or not.Robert Walper wrote:You imply disparity where none exists.JME2 wrote: We as in the Borg or we as in the readers?
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Robert Walper
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Crazedwraith
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That, he is. He's Commander Elias Vaughn. I don't recognize the one on the far right end, though.Crazedwraith wrote:Who's the beard guy? Isn't he on the front of the Mission: Gamma books?
No conscience. No law. No stopping them....
....well, maybe a Happy Meal would do it.
Ka Anor needs test subjects!
I still think Furlings look like tribbles
....well, maybe a Happy Meal would do it.
Ka Anor needs test subjects!
I still think Furlings look like tribbles
Lt. Alexander Munro of the Hazard Team. Pairing him with Kyle Katarn was one of my earliest wishes for this project and I can assure you that their stand in chapters 17/18 won't be the last we see of the two working together.Agent R wrote:That, he is. He's Commander Elias Vaughn. I don't recognize the one on the far right end, though.Crazedwraith wrote:Who's the beard guy? Isn't he on the front of the Mission: Gamma books?
Tech Update
You know that it's going to happen, you just don't know when. Well, this morning it did. My computer's Power Supply died at around 10:15 A.M this morning. The CPU and my files are fine, but I'm going to need to get it replaced. Due to my work schedule, that won't be until Saturday and while I may have limited computer access elsewhere, don't be shocked if there are no updates for the next few days. Again I apologize and thanks for your patience and continued interest in the project.
-JME2-
You know that it's going to happen, you just don't know when. Well, this morning it did. My computer's Power Supply died at around 10:15 A.M this morning. The CPU and my files are fine, but I'm going to need to get it replaced. Due to my work schedule, that won't be until Saturday and while I may have limited computer access elsewhere, don't be shocked if there are no updates for the next few days. Again I apologize and thanks for your patience and continued interest in the project.
-JME2-
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Crazedwraith
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darthdavid
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:!::!: