Star Crossed Fanfic

[NecronLord]

Does Janeway have to save the universe by travelling into the past and erasing herself from existance?

No, because that would simply create another paradox. You know, the grandfather paradox.

"Temporal sheilding."

[Darth Yoshi]

Please. I would think that Stravo can keep a story going without the use of technobabble.

[Stravo]

Please. I would think that Stravo can keep a story going without the use of technobabble.

Why thank you Yoshi......*sound of Stravo desprately retyping several pages worth of the next chapter*

[Illuminatus Primus]

AH! She betrayed Han! Bitch!

Yess....you have committed blasphemy Stravo.

[Admiral Drason]

Leia needs to die for betraying Han.

Janeway needs to die becase.
A. She f**ked up the universe.
B. Shes Janeway and needs to die anyway.

[Stravo]

I am shocked....shocked I tell you for the backlash against poor Leia. She's a woman and she has needs. Han is a frozen stiff (literrally) who she most likely would never see again.....what a plot twist THAT would be, eh?..... and Kirk is there and available. And WHO did not see this one coming? I was telegraphing this since the first few chapters.

[phongn]

I am shocked....shocked I tell you for the backlash against poor Leia. She's a woman and she has needs. Han is a frozen stiff (literrally) who she most likely would never see again.....what a plot twist THAT would be, eh?..... and Kirk is there and available. And WHO did not see this one coming? I was telegraphing this since the first few chapters.

I saw that coming long ago and quite expected it. Considering that Han is a frozen popsicle, I found no suprise here.

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

It's still an appalling lack of loyalty. Han gave her a planet and then killed the warlord who dared to stop them from going there!

[consequences]

Didn't happen yet, she can't base decisions on events that don't exist in her personal timeline.

[Illuminatus Primus]

It's still an appalling lack of loyalty. Han gave her a planet and then killed the warlord who dared to stop them from going there!

Han owns.

Its simple.

[Master of Ossus]

Well, I for one thought that that was Stravo's best chapter in some time. The quality on this one was top-notch.

[Master of Ossus]

It's still an appalling lack of loyalty. Han gave her a planet and then killed the warlord who dared to stop them from going there!

Actually, Han hasn't given her a planet yet. Remember that this is only just after RotJ's Battle of Endor. They're not even that committed to each other, at this point.

[hvb]

Considering that Han is a frozen popsicle, I found no suprise here.

I believe the term you are looking for is corpsicle, even if it is corbonite he is frosen in.

[Mitth`raw`nuruodo]

ooo, new chapter....

the Kirk/Leia thing was coming for awhile guys, you had to have seen it. Go back and read the parts involving Kirk's thoughts about her in other chapters. Leia is trapped in another galaxy, her past love is a corpsicle, whaddya think is gonna happen?

The fact that they (SW characters) are 3000 years ahead of their time, but Han appears to Darth Nemisis brought up some interesting questions. First, does Carbonite prevent aging? Like if they (they=Rebels) went back to their galaxy, but say it was a different time then when they left, would they still be able to save Han, and have him pop out just like he was when he went in? You would think he'd decay. How do they feed him in carbonite? So many questions, not story-related, but something worth thinking about.

Second, the Rebels have never mentioned the fact they are way out of time, or even how far they are from their home. They might not know their time and place is a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Hmmm....

Stravo, earlier people were talking about the EU (specifically the X-Wing books), and you said you haven't read any of it. Well, the name Horran Corr to me sounds a lot Corran Horn, one of the main members of Rouge Squadron (Rouge Nine, reporting in!). A freaky concidence, or did you end up reading

This chapter seemed kinda short, but a long delay (it seemed long to me, this is the first one I've had to wait for), but good work Stravo, and hope for more soon!

[Captain Cyran]

ooo, new chapter....

the Kirk/Leia thing was coming for awhile guys, you had to have seen it. Go back and read the parts involving Kirk's thoughts about her in other chapters. Leia is trapped in another galaxy, her past love is a corpsicle, whaddya think is gonna happen?

I saw it coming...doesn't mean I have to like it though.

[Mitth`raw`nuruodo]

Ok. I don't like it either, but it makes the story interesting.

[Mitth`raw`nuruodo]

Is anyone gonna answer my questions/comments, or has this thread died (again)?

[Stravo]

ooo, new chapter....

Stravo, earlier people were talking about the EU (specifically the X-Wing books), and you said you haven't read any of it. Well, the name Horran Corr to me sounds a lot Corran Horn, one of the main members of Rouge Squadron (Rouge Nine, reporting in!). A freaky concidence, or did you end up reading

I stopped reading the EU after Darksabre really so I am pretty much ignorant of anything after that. As to the name, being on this site I hear alot of things from the EU and I'm sure that Corran Horn's name came up several times, floated around in my head and reappared subconciously when I wanted a name for a light warship. But it is not intentional.


This chapter seemed kinda short, but a long delay (it seemed long to me, this is the first one I've had to wait for), but good work Stravo, and hope for more soon!

I don't know about short, each chapter averages about 20 pages. This one came in at about 21. I know that alot of people, depending on how good they like a chapter consider it short. I guess you must have liked it.

There were several reasons for this long pause. One the War. I devote nearly all my attention to war coverage when I get home so I have very little free time to write and I suspect until its over it will remain so.

I am also writing another fanfic simultaneously with this one The Twilight War. TW's chapters are a little longer and denser but I try to write 2 SC chapters to every TW chapter until SC is over.

Sorry for the waits but RL intrudes (ain't that a bitch) Anyway I hope this goes to answering some of your questions..

BTW I just KNOW someone's going to run in here thinking its a new chapter...as always sorry.

[Mitth`raw`nuruodo]

Yes, Stravo, that answers them. Thank You.

The chapter just seemed short for some reason. Maybe the words were spaced different, or my eyes just went weird, but it seemed short. (Maybe it was just so good that I lost track of time while reading it )

[Stravo]

Chapter 45: Raw Deal



“What?” Jerjerrod stammered for a moment.

“Sir, are you alright?” The officer asked curiously.

Jerjerrod glanced around in confusion. Where was he? He was standing in the middle of a corridor holding a datapad under his left arm.

“Uh, I’m not sure….” Jerjerrod’s voice wandered off. What had happened here? He thought he had been in the middle of a conversation but he could not remember with whom it was. Why was everything in such a fog? There was a dull throbbing pain building in his temples. He had been suffering from these headaches of late.

“Would you like me to call for medical assistance, sir?” The officer asked with some concern.

“No.” Jerjerrod replied quickly and looked around for a moment. He nodded briskly to the young officer and pushed past him. He walked quickly down the corridor, thoughts racing.

What was happening? He had brief episodes of light headedness before, but it seemed that he lost track of time and where he was. This was so unlike him.

He slipped into a lift and paused for a moment as he came face to face with Kahn flanked by his ever present entourage consisting of a pair of stormtroopers. Kahn smiled cordially at Jerjerrod and he swore he heard something whispering in the back of his head, like a low hissing of escaping steam.

Jerjerrod shook his head for a moment then nodded a silent greeting to the genetically engineered super man. Kahn nodded in return and smiled softly as the doors closed and the lift took off.

“Tell me, Captain, have you had a chance to read my proposal on capturing James Kirk?” Kahn asked innocently.

Jerjerrod nodded slowly. Why did he have an odd feeling that this conversation had taken place before?

“Your thoughts?” Kahn asked.

“I find the plan, unique and almost unbelievable in its simplicity. You truly think he would choose that option?”

Kahn smiled coldly, like a predator that had cornered its prey.

“I know the man, Captain. He will have no other choice.”

“But, its inconceivable to me that a commander of a fleet would choose that.” Jerjerrod exclaimed.

“For you and I it is inconceivable, but Kirk will not see it that way.” Kahn replied.

Jerjerrod shook his head in disbelief as the doors to the lift snapped open. Jerjerrod stepped out. Kahn motioned to his stormtroopers.

“After you gentlemen.”

“We go through this every time, Kahn. Let’s go.” One of the troopers replied sardonically. Kahn shrugged and followed Jerjerrod out of the lift.

They walked onto the bridge of the Executor. The crew was obviously in preparations for the coming battle. Kahn watched them, impressed by their professionalism and demeanor. They would make good foot soldiers when the time came.

“I see you are punctual, Kahn, a trait I admire.” Thrawn said casually as he signed off on an order and handed it back to the deck officer.

“Grand Admiral, always a pleasure to be invited to your bridge.”

“I invited you up here to discuss this plan you circulated amongst my senior staff.”

“A copy of which was forwarded to you as well.” Kahn added.

Thrawn nodded to Piett who handed him another datapad. Jerjerrod waited patiently behind Thrawn. Kahn noted the position of each officer, filing away their habits every time he was on the bridge.

Thrawn as usual ignored him and walked with Piett down the command walkway that ran above the crewpits below. Kahn began to follow when one of the stormtroopers in his permanent escort raised a hand.

“You know the drill Kahn. When the Grand Admiral wants to speak to you, you’ll know it.”

Kahn smiled coolly.

“Of course.” He replied and remained standing where he was.

“Are you certain of this?” Thrawn asked Piett as he eyed the datapad.

“We have confirmed through computer analysis. The probe droid stopped transmitting 16 seconds after dropping out of hyperspace in this coordinate area. Before it stopped transmitting it managed to send a partial sensor probe report that indicated power readings consistent with matter/antimatter annihilation and a very strong indication of cloaking technology similar to our Romulan allies. There was also a grav shadow analysis that suggests a massive base complex orbiting the eighth planet in this system.”

Thrawn nodded slowly as he examined the report for himself.

“Excellent work, Admiral. Alert all commands. The fleet deploys within 15 minutes.”

“Yes, Grand Admiral.” Piett snapped a clean salute and rushed to his navigator.

Thrawn remained standing, hands clasped behind his back and watched his fleet from the view port of the command deck. He had such plans for them. He would not allow himself to smile in pleasure. Pleasure would be the eventual and inevitable outcome. Then, the possibilities were limitless.

He motioned with his head to Jerjerrod. Jerjerrod quickly walked over.

“Sir?”

“Inform the Imperium fleet that we are deploying within 15 minutes.”

“I will inform Admiral Kittaine.”

“Jerjerrod, from now on, you will use his new title.”

“Grand Admiral?!” Jerjerrod replied in shock.

Thrawn nodded.

“But sir, only the Emperor can assign someone Grand Admiral.”

“I am well aware of the requirements to achieve the post, Captain.” Thrawn replied coolly.

“My apologies, Grand Admiral.” Jerjerrod replied sheepishly.

“Jerjerrod, think of it in these terms. We are giving them more rope. This ‘Grand Admiral’ is merely sealing his fate every time he allows himself to be addressed thusly. When the time comes it will be his undoing. I am merely being polite enough to let him think that he is worthy of the name.” Thrawn added softly.

“I see, sir.” Jerjerrod replied and fought back the sudden skipping of his heart. Thrawn was right of course, but he also hinted at something that Jerjerrod dared not ask him. How could he hold Kittaine and his fleet liable for this rope they were feeding him? They would need to bring him back and it seemed that they certainly did not mean to leave.

Why do so unless…the authority was coming here.





“And we are secure from warp speed.” Tom Paris announced with a grin.

Kirk nodded slowly.

“Good work, Mr. Paris. Chekov, are you picking up the homing signal?” Kirk asked. The trip had taken them a day at maximum warp. A planet on the edge of Federation space and on the outskirts of Orion controlled space. A very gray area that only the hardiest and most daring dared venture. A veritable no man’s land of disorder.

“Yes, Keptain. I have the signal locked in. Our opposite numbers are waiting for us.”

“Okay, gentlemen. Care to explain these things to me one more time?” Kirk asked as he eyed the small metallic armbands he now wore on his left bicep.

“That is a recent development among our special forces troops. It’s a personal transporter for emergency transport. You hit this button and the personal transporter beams you up to preset coordinates. Right now I’ve linked it to the Hudson. Anything bad happens and poof, we’re back here.” Paris explained.

“I do not think we will need these precautions. My contacts have known my family for generations.” Chekov assured Kirk. Kirk smiled and nodded to Chekov who was seemed so painfully young to him. Had Pavel really been out of the academy for three years?

“I’m sure that’s the case, Mr. Chekov, but we have to be cautious.” Kirk assuaged his feelings.

“I’m picking up heavy traffic, but no starships. Looks like we’re in the clear. I’ve calibrated our sensors to warn us if they detect the slightest hint of hyperspace disturbance.” Paris added.

Kirk glanced around the small quarters of the Runabout and nodded.

“Alright, gentlemen. Looks like we’re set. Let’s do this.”

Tom nodded and worked the transporter as Kirk and Chekov stood still. Tom hurried over to stand with them and they disappeared into columns of light.





“What sort of place is dis?” Chekov murmured as they stepped into the bar. Tom smiled. The bar was rather tame by his standards but he could imagine that someone from Chekov’s era would never have seen a place like this. Kirk looked comfortable as he continued walking, not wanting to stop and draw attention to himself as an obvious newcomer.

“Chalnaya has always been a way station for those from Orion space, the Federation frontier and other places. It’s been left to its own devices by many of the major powers for the simple reason that it can be considered neutral ground for most parties.” Tom explained as they slipped in among the crowd.

The bar itself was several stories tall, levels above them were almost completely swarmed with people and all manner of aliens. Exotic blends of smoke and spices drifted in the air, clouds of it drifting in the large open space above them. In the center of the establishment was the bar itself.

A large crystalline glass structure that was not exactly transparent was streaked with a rainbow hue of colors. Several bartenders worked the bar, where it did not look like another human being could fit.

Alien and human languages also filled the air. It blended into an almost dizzying cacophony of sound and splendor.

“I miss this.” Kirk mused.

“Sir?” Chekov asked curiously.

“This is what it was all about, Chekov. This, the new worlds, new languages, new races. This is why I went into space. Certainly not to fight wars of survival.” Kirk scanned the area around him as they passed the bar.

“I wish I could do that again. God, I wish I could just take to the stars and explore.” Kirk muttered to himself as he wove his way through the crowd approaching a table off to a corner on the main level. Two humans and a very nasty looking Nausiccan stood in a semi circle around the table. Kirk paused for a moment and sized everyone up. He had heard of Nausicans, in his time they had not yet made contact with their world but they were quite prevalent in this century. He could tell the tall imposing alien would be trouble if things got physical but Tom assured him that the Nausicans were as smart as they looked.

The table was occupied by three people. Two men and a woman. The men were speaking in hushed tones when the older one stopped and looked over at Kirk. The woman was massaging the older man’s shoulders.

The older man peered at the intrepid trio.

“And who are you?” he asked with a thick Russian accent.

“I am Pavel Chekov, we spoke a little while ago.” Chekov replied.

Kirk kept his eyes on the bodyguards. They were tough customers but he had taken down far worse. Sometimes when the weather was just right he still got a twinge in his right shoulder from the scuffle he had with a Gorn captain. You want to know tough customers, nothing beat hand to hand with a Gorn.

“Chekov?” the older man’s eyes narrowed on the young ensign. He suddenly said something in Russian. Chekov replied casually. The older man nodded and stood up.

“Can it be?” he asked reverently.

Kirk returned his gaze without flinching.

The older man’s face was suddenly broken by a huge grin.

“It is you!” he exclaimed.

Kirk and Tom exchanged a furtive glance.

“Come! Come! This is a moment that as long as I lived I did not think would ever occur!” he shouted and motioned feverishly to his guards to let the three pass. The Nausican glared at Kirk.

Kirk returned the glare with a wink of the eye and graciously accepted their host’s offer of open seats at the table.

“Your hired help is a little off putting for a legitimate business man don’t you think?” Kirk asked wanly.

The older man roared with laughter and slapped an open palm on the table.

“Most excellent captain! I had always pegged you for a humorous man.”

“Thank you.” Kirk replied uncertainly.

“Allow me to introduce myself, I am Vassilli Zeitsev, founder and president of Zeitsev Unlimited minerals and processing Inc. This is my son, Vanya and my…masseuse Lissette.” he indicated the younger man who was smiling at Kirk with a muted expression of respect. The young woman barely acknowledged Kirk with a nod of the head before continuing the massage. She looked utterly bored.

“I guess you know who I am, this is Pavel Chekov and Tom Paris.”

“The Tom Paris from Voyager?” Vanya suddenly brightened.

“That’s’ right.” Tom replied cautiously.

“I am a fan of your Captain Janeway. She brought your crew and ship back from certain death across a vast gulf of space, facing off against the Borg and lord knows what else. That is a hero after my heart.” Vanya beamed.

Vassilli frowned.

“You have to forgive my son, Captain Kirk but there is no accounting for taste.” he replied bitterly.

“Father please don’t get me started on why Captain Janeway is a far better commander than Kirk.” Vanya replied haughtily.

Tom nearly choked.

“Uh..”

“It’s OK, I don’t have much of an ego and I’m sure that Captain Janeway is a fine captain.” Kirk interjected holding up his hands

“You see!” Vasilli exclaimed jabbing a finger at Kirk. “THIS is a Captain. He is humble and self assured. Your Janeway did not fight the Borg, what she did we called collaboration in my day.”

Vanya began to respond when Chekov cleared his throat loudly.

“Gentlemen, please. We came here to discuss a business arrangement. You requested Captain Kirk’s presence as a sign of good faith and I have provided it.”

Vassilli nodded sagely.

“Of course you’re right. My people are very pragmatic Captain, but we can become emotional about certain matters. It’s rare that we find anyone worthy of being a hero in our eyes.”

“I understand, Mr. Chekov has been quite the education for me in regards to your country men.”

“Ah, Captain. You have no idea the pleasure you bring me AND unless I am mistaken you are wearing the uniform underneath the survival jacket.” Vassilli commented pointing to the bit of gold fabric peaking out from the bulky survival jacket Kirk wore.

“You understand that my time is limited. I have a fleet to supply and the war looks like its turning into a long meat grinder. I’m going to need all the help I can get.” Kirk replied folding his hands on the table.

Vassilli nodded.

“Da. You’re right of course. I happen to own one of the most prosperous dilithium refineries in this quadrant. I supplied Starfleet with nearly 18% of its total dilithium needs over a 15 year period. I have the supplies of dilithium you need and I can keep you supplied.”

“Now what do you need in return. Somehow I’m not sold on the idea that just by me showing up you would feel the urge to simply give us all that dilithium.”

“Captain, while dilithium is not nearly as precious as it was in your day, it is still a valuable commodity. Starships need it to run their warpcores, it is the fundamental building block of all Federation technology.”

“We don’t need a lesson on standard warp technology 101. I got plenty of that in the academy.” Tom interjected impatiently.

Vassilli frowned and shot an annoyed glance at Vanya.

“That is the product of your favorite commander, Kirk’s man is quiet and polite. You tell me again who is the better leader.”

“Uh…” Kirk began.

“At least Janeway didn’t die in a stupid accident.” Vanya shot back.

“No she didn’t because I could not conceive of Starfleet letting her near a starship after her disastrous leadership.” Vassilli shot back acidly.

“Dead?” Kirk stammered.

“Oh, I’m sorry Captain. Vanya has a propensity to be rather irrational in the defense of his so called idols and he speaks before he thinks. But surely you must realize that you would be dead by this century?”

“Well, uh, to be quite frank I never really gave my death much thought.”

“It was stupid way to go.” Vanya replied with a frown.

“I cannot argue with my son there but at least you did so saving lives.”

“Hey guys, there’s this thing called the temporal prime directive. Cut it out here.” Tom exclaimed.

“That prime directive applies to your Starfleet not to us civilians. The life of James Kirk is very well known to those who appreciate a hero cut from the traditional cloth.”

“I’m hardly a hero.” Kirk replied with a soft smile.

“You think Janeway would react that way?” Vassilli demanded of his son.

“Oh father stop drooling over him and get on with it!”

“I own the deck plate that you were standing on when you did die, Captain. One of my most valuable possessions.” Vassilli commented with a wink before slipping back into serious business man mode.

“Now, Captain you are very perceptive to see that my offer does have some strings attached.”

“Get on with it.” Kirk sighed wondering what sort of crazed request was coming.

“When you reestablish the Federation I want you to make it in the mold of the old Federation.”

“What?” Kirk asked clearly confused by the request.

“The new Federation has become a utopian ideal that despises the mercantile roots from which it sprang. Do you want to know why the Federation comes to me for its Dilithium supplies.”

“Because you’re a merchant in dilithium.” Kirk replied without hesitation.

“Did you know that the Federation is so rich in dilithium deposits that it can be a mass exporter of dilithium if it so wanted.”

Kirk blinked.

“That’s right Captain, so why come to such shady operators as myself? Shady only in the sense that less than fifty years ago mine was a thriving company WITHIN the Federation.”

“What happened?” Kirk asked leaning forward with interest. Tom looked down at the table with some embarrassment.

Chekov frowned. Then caught sight of something in his peripheral vision. He slowly turned to look.

“The Federation slowly began outlawing privately owned corporations and businesses. At first it was restrictive governmental controls and regulations, then it became increasingly more difficult to own stock and private property. After all in the Federation’s view of utopia who needs private property?”

“It would only increase the possibility of creating discontent among their ‘enlightened’ masses.” Vanya added bitterly.

“Finally they simply outlawed them altogether.”

“That’s not exactly true.” Tom piped up defensively.

“Oh yes, please forgive me, I will be more precise. They allowed your company to continue to exist if it had a permit from the Federation which essentially gave the Federation a controlling interest in your company and you followed the newest labor and business regulations which ELIMINATED profit. Does that sound about right to you?” Vassilli pressed staring daggers at Tom. Tom muttered something under his breath but did not look up at the man.

“Then Captain, when people like my grandfather and others fled the Federation into outlying space we were labeled traitors and worse by the Federation for abandoning their utopia and did not lift a finger to help us out here when we were forced to fend off the likes of Orion syndicate and other fringers that were looking to take a piece of us.” Vanya added darkly.

“We survived out here Captain, barely, but then the greatest irony of all. The Federation’s new labor laws and business restrictions made it inefficient to mine dilithium. Mining is hard work, Captain.”

“I know. When on my first five year mission I arbitrated many mining disputes for the Federation with the mining guilds.”

“Not to mention saving the mining guild from attacks by the Horta.” Vassilli added.

“Well it wasn’t really attacking in an evil sense.” Kirk explained.

“Would you be surprised to hear that the mining operation you saved was one of the only ones still functioning efficiently in Federation space thanks to the Horta? Anyway, Captain, the fact of the matter is that the Federation crippled their own industry with labor laws which limited work days and hours, increased employer liability to the point where it was no longer efficient to conduct certain operations well. The Federation began buying their dilithium from independents like myself after their own production could not keep up with demand. Tragic really. But you see my point don’t you captain?”

“I had no idea.” Kirk replied and eyed Tom for a moment.

Chekov saw him, moving through the crowd like a specter. He wore battle armor, looked like a Breen. What would a Breen be doing in this place. He seemed to be moving with a deadly purpose. Chekov’s eyes narrowed on the approaching armored figure and he saw the flash of gunmetal gray beneath a covering hand as he passed between two frantic dancers.

Chekov’s eyes widened as the target became painfully obvious.

“That is not the Federation that I am fighting for, Vassilli. You have my word that when this war is over, I will do all within my power to restore her to her former glory. I fully intend to make her a place where we can once again be a mercantile and industrial power and not drive our vibrant entrepreneurial people into the wilderness.”

Vassilli looked into Kirk’s eyes and both men stared at each other for a moment.

“I believe you would Captain.” Vassilli whispered to Kirk. “Done!” he slammed the table emphatically.

“Keptain!” Chekov shouted and shoved Kirk out of his chair as the blaster went off. Three bolts slashed into the gathered crowd at the table. One struck the human guard nearest Kirk, the second bolt tore a fist sized hole right through the metal table and the third bolt struck Chekov in the chest, where a mere second before the back of Kirk’s head had been.

Kirk landed awkwardly on the floor but was already drawing his phaser.

The second human guard whirled and unleashed a torrent of angry green disruptor fire at the armored human who was now leaping to the side and unleashed another volley from his blaster.

The bolts flashed by the two guards exploding along the far wall.

Kirk turned his attention to Chekov who was lying on his side.

“Chekov?” Kirk asked and slowly rolled him over. He saw the large black burn point from the blaster bolt marring Chekov’s jacket and gold shirt beneath. Chekov!” Kirk shouted and checked the Ensign’s vitals while searching for the armored assailant.

“Tom, lay down some suppressing fire, we have to get out of here now!”

“Sir, what about the crowd?” Tom asked hesitantly as he kept his phaser at the ready while hunting for the armored killer.

“If they’re smart their getting the hell out of here, now lay down that fire or we’re ALL dead.”

“Aye Aye sir!” Tom replied and began firing his phaser, sweeping it through the bar.

“Chekov, you listen to me, son. Pavel, you’re going to be OK.” Kirk said as he checked the ensign’s face. Chekov’s eyes were closed tightly in pain and his breathing was erratic.

“Keptain, I’m sorry…I was…too slow.”

“Belay that Mister. We’re getting out of here right now!” Kirk spat and helped Chekov up on his shoulders.

“Let’s get the hell out of here Father!” Vanya shouted.

“A good old fashioned fire fight. I should have known you would bring something like this wherever you went Captain!” Vassilli roared with delight as he pulled out his own disruptor and fired several shots into the bar area.

“Sir you have to get out of here!” his remaining human bodyguard turned his head and shouted.

The armored warrior suddenly popped out from behind a column and fired a steady barrage of fire that exploded around them and the human bodyguard’s head explode into a thick mist of blood and bone. His body fell backwards, limbs flopping uselessly across the shattered remains of the table, his partially cauterized stump of a neck spilled blood all over Lissette who stood up screaming and shaking her arms wildly.

“Lissette for the love of—” Vassilli began when another volley of fire tore into them and Lissette caught several bolts that spun her around like a manic ballerina and the last blast hit her square in the back catapulting her over another table where she landed with a horrifying wet crunch.

“BASTARD!” Vassilli screamed and fired his disruptor at the armored warrior who suddenly rolled away from the column and disappeared behind overturned tables and chairs.

“I just want Kirk. The rest of you can go.” a cold monotone drifted back to them as both sides took a moment to gather their wits.

“Who the hell are you?” Kirk shouted back.

“I’m giving you exactly 7 seconds to clear the way or I’m going to kill all of you.” The voice replied without a hint of emotion. Kirk noticed the Nausican was creeping out along the columns that interspersed the bar. Perhaps they weren’t as dumb as Tom told him.

Kirk turned to Vassilli and Vanya.

“Get out of here and remember what I told you. You get my fleet that dilithium and I’ll get you back into the Federation. Now GO!” He shouted and turned at his hip and fired a steady burst from his phaser at one of the upturned tables. The blast sent the table spinning and the armored warrior popped out from behind another and flung a round metal object at them.

Vassilli and Vanya were racing out of the bar without hesitation, Vassilli pausing long enough to take one last look at his dead Lissette. “Father come on!” Vassilli followed his son.

Kirk watched it spinning as it descended on them, a red light blinking on one end of the ball. His eyes widened and he pulled on Tom’s shoulder, jerking him backwards as he tried to clear the table with Chekov slung over his shoulder like a sack.

The thermal detonator landed right on the table top and exploded.

The blast sent Kirk and Tom tumbling forward to the ground. Tom rolled to the left onto his belly and fired several quick bursts over where the armored warrior was but he was already on the move towards them.

Kirk aimed and fired at the floor right in front of the charging warrior and the armored human was flung backwards off his feet as the phaser blast sent a billowing blast of superheated metal up into a geyser.

“Let’s go!”

“Where? He’s got the exits covered!” Tom demanded as he fired another blast from his phaser which struck the floor where the warrior had been a mere moment ago. How could someone in armor move so fast?

Kirk glanced around them desperately, if they took the stairs to the next level they were sitting ducks to his fire. If they tried to charge him to make it to the door they were also likely to get gunned down.

“I’m an idiot!” Kirk exclaimed and jabbed his free hand at their emergency transport bands.

“Damnit how could I forget? Energizing.”

The Nausican roared as he came up on the attacker. The armored warrior instantly noted their movements and pressed a stud on his left arm ignoring the Nausican.

Tom hit his transport button as did Kirk, clumsily using his gun hand to simultaneously touch Chekov’s armband.

There was a garbled whine. Tom and Kirk exchanged alarmed glances.

The Nausican slammed into the armored warrior and delivered a hammering blow to the midsection. The attacker doubled over for a moment then looked up at the Nausican.

“I give you a free shot and that’s the best you can do?” He sneered. The Nausican roared and cocked back its hand to deliver another haymaker. The armored warrior stepped and delivered a lightning strike with the butt of his rifle into the Nausican’s throat. There was a loud crunch and the Nausican clutched at his throat. The warrior delivered a hammer kick to the side of the Nausican’s right knee, it gave with a horrid crack and as the Nausican fell to his knee, the warrior took a firm grip of the Nausican’s head and jerked it around hard. There was one loud crack and the Nausican crashed to the ground, head lolling at an odd angle.

Tom savagely pushed down on his emergency transport button again but the same sickly warble was the only response.

“Your transporter signals are easy to disrupt. Now, its time to fight like men.”

“Tom covering fire!”

“What are you doing?” Tom replied as he fired another steady series of bursts in the direction the voice.

“Making us an exit!” Kirk exclaimed and adjusted the power setting on his phaser. He pointed it at the far wall and fired. The wall exploded outward with a horrible roar, leaving a small house sized hole in the wall.

Tom smiled triumphantly and fired one more burst before turning to go. Kirk was clearing the hole and turned on his hip again to provide Tom with covering fire.

The armored warrior suddenly popped out again from behind the bar itself and poured a murderous fusillade at the retreating men. One bolt clipped Tom on the right thigh and nearly drove him to the ground. Kirk fired a blast and the armored warrior reacted a shade too slow, the blast clipped his shoulder and the warrior grunted in pain clutching his shoulder as he ducked back down behind the bar.

“Tom, let’s go!” Kirk extended his hand and helped Tom up. They went through the hole and Tom stopped short as he limped out onto a ledge. Below them was a deep gulf between two buildings. They could not see the bottom in the thick darkness of nightfall.

“Hold on, we need to delay him.” Kirk explained and adjusted something on his phaser. A low pitched whine began and he flung the phaser back into the room. He turned back to Tom and motioned for him to start moving along the ledge to a cleaning and service platform just within sight.

“You know that you’re unarmed now.” Tom noted with concern as they started moving as quickly as they could, Kirk trying desperately to balance with Chekov on his shoulders. Chekov had stopped moaning but he could still here him breathing.

“Give me your weapon.” Kirk demanded as the explosion of the overloading phaser ripped through the bar behind them, a plume of fire and thick smoke rushed out of the hole that had served as their exit.

“But.”

“Give it to me, you won’t need it where you’re going.”

“Sir?” He asked as he handed Kirk his phaser. Kirk had been using the old style Federation phaser of his error. As tom handed him his hand phaser, Kirk frowned slightly at the odd configuration of Tom’s modern phaser.

“His scrambler has to have a short range, there’s no way or we would have detected it. I’m willing to bet he’s carrying it with him and so once we’re out of range we should be able to transport and get out of here.”

“How are we getting out of range?” Tom asked as he cautiously peered over Kirk’s shoulder to see the roaring flames licking out of the hole in the wall. He half expected the attacker to emerge untouched through the flames.

“We’re not. Someone needs to stay here and keep him occupied until you can beam me up on the Hudson.”

“Sir, it’s too dangerous let me stay.”

“Don’t worry son, unless he can fly, I’ll be safe for some time.” Kirk replied.

“But how am I—”

“Think quickly, Mr. Paris and forgive me if I’m wrong.” Kirk said with a frown as he roughly shoved Tom over the edge of the service platform.

“What the fu---“ Tom plummeted down into the depths.

This tower was nearly a kilometer high. Kirk fervently hoped that Tom would be out of range long enough to beam back.

Blaster fire exploded over his head showering him with sparks and debris.

“Please forgive me if I’m wrong, Tom, but there was no other way.” Kirk muttered as he aimed the phaser and returned fire. “Who designed this thing?” he wondered aloud in disgust as he glared at the phaser and the awful aim of his shot.

The armored warrior was flying over to another precipice above Kirk via a rocketpack. He landed gracefully and crouched, firing another deadly stream of fire down at Kirk.

“He just HAD to be able to fly didn’t he?” Kirk muttered and fired a steady stream at the armored warrior. The shot was head level. The warrior calmly ducked his head under the stream and cut loose with another volley.

But Kirk’s armored attacker was not his true target. The wall behind where he stood was. The wall exploded outward from the burst of energy. The armored attacker exclaimed in surprise at the concussive force of the blast as it knocked him off the ledge. He plummeted downward into the dark abyss below.

Kirk managed a smile.

Then he heard a deep roar and suddenly the armored warrior appeared opposite him, landing on the edge of the service platform, snapping his rifle down to Kirk. Kirk whipped his arm out and smacked the rifle down to the floor of the platform. Before it stopped clattering, the armored warrior jumped into the platform itself and punched Kirk sending him against the back of the platform. Kirk kicked out and the warrior caught his leg, savagely spinning him around and delivering a chop to the neck.

Kirk gasped as he fell to his knees.

The armored warrior reached out and took a firm hold of Kirk’s chin and back of the head and started to twist, Kirk fought him, one hand desperately grabbing onto the warrior’s hand and the other reaching for the blaster rifle on the floor.

“If you’re…going…to kill me…tell me…your…name.” Kirk managed between the grunts.

“Sure thing…Fett. Boba Fett, dead man.” Fett spat derisively and prepared for the final twist.

Suddenly he felt a sharp kick to his back that sent him tumbling over Kirk’s head and clattering loudly against the lip of the service platform. Fett managed to stop his sudden fall forward and crouched at the lip of the service platform.

Chekov smiled weakly. It had taken all his strength to deliver the double kick to the back of the armored bounty hunter. He drifted back into unconsciousness.

Kirk stood up holding the blaster.

Fett and Kirk faced each other silently for a long time. Fett had one hand extended towards Kirk, the other hovering near a switch at his wrist.

“No matter what you do here, you’re dead Kirk.”

“We’ll see.” Kirk replied stonily.

He could almost see Fett smirking beneath his helmet. The hand began to move towards the switch in a blur, Kirk’s finger tightened on the trigger.

Then he and Chekov disappeared in columns of light.

Fett hit the switch and a swath of fire bathed the service platform from his personal flamethrower. Fett stood up straight and looked down into the platform, it was smoking and charred from the blast of flame but nothing else. He had escaped.

Fett nodded with satisfaction.

He was right, Kirk would prove to be formidable prey. But this chase had just begun. Kirk was not getting away. He pressed a button at his belt, the recall for Slave One. He still had enough time to head them off and end this.

One thing was for sure. This had proven as challenging as tracking and capturing Solo.





“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you!” Tom exclaimed as Kirk stepped off the platform and gently laid Chekov down on the floor.

“Looks like I was right.” Kirk noted with a bemused smile.

“I almost DIED.”

“But you didn’t, Tom. It was either that or we all would have died.”

“You could have told me!” Tom said in exasperation. Kirk broke out the med kit and began administering to Chekov’s wound.

“If I told you to jump down there would you have?”

Tom blinked.

“That’s not the point.”

“Do me a favor, Tom. Get us the hell out of here.”

Tom shook his head in disbelief as he stalked over to the helm controls.

“Tom, it did take you a little longer than I thought to beam us up.” Kirk noted as he checked the mediscanner and began running it over Chekov.

Tom smiled evilly as he brought the runabout out of orbit and set up the warp drive.

“Aside from burning through his scattering field I was considering whether to beam you up at all.”

“Remind me to bring you up on charges when we get back, right after I put you in for a medal.”

The runabout shook violently and a red alert signal sounded. Tom’s face changed to one of cool concern as he ran a quick status check while simultaneously sending the Hudson into a diving evasive maneuver.

“Looks like an Imperial shuttle. It must have popped out of hyperspace on the far side of the planet to avoid detection.” Tom noted.

Kirk pressed a hypospray into Chekov’s neck to ease the pain. He quickly got up and peered over Tom’s head at the viewscreen.


An Imperial shuttle was angling to attack position, a storm of angry emerald energy lashed out at them again.

“Looks like the modifications we made to the shields were a good call.” Kirk noted as the laser fire exploded around the runabout.

“Wes said that in a stand up fight our runabout could get shot down by Imperial side arms under the right conditions.” Tom added with a smirk.

“Can you get us out of here?” Kirk asked as he noticed the shuttle doggedly pursuing them.

Tom frowned as he checked the warp drive status.

“Their flak bursts are disrupting the warp shell. We cannot initiate warp.”

“So we’ll have to take them out. I’ll man the weapons.” Kirk stated as he slipped into the copilot’s chair.

Tom smiled ferally as he sent the Runabout into a spinning turn.





“They’re going to try and turn on us.” Mara noted.

“I see it.” Nemesis replied coolly as he angled his deflectors and gunned the engines. The shuttle responded admirably and kept pacing the Federation runabout.

“The pilot has talent.” She noted.

“I have more.” Nemesis replied evenly and fired off another burst from the weapons array.

Mara watched him at the controls. He moved with such a predatory confidence. The way he tracked the ship and fired precisely when he wanted to. Not a motion was wasted and his eyes were locked on their target.

He was in total control and a part of her responded to that.

“We’ll have them soon. Prepare the tractor beam. We’ll simply tractor them back to the fleet and present our prize.”

“Acknowledged.” Mara replied. She smiled to herself as she brought power up on the tractor beam. This was going a lot smoother than she anticipated.

“One more shot.” Nemesis murmured as the runabout now desperately began twisting and diving. Nemesis knew he had them. The Runabout lacked the maneuverability to beat him in a turning fight. All he needed to do was get another clear shot at their shields and they would be vulnerable.

The Runabout evened out from a steep spinning dive and it took a second to reorient. That second was what he wanted. The targeting system locked onto the Runabout.

“I have you now.” He announced triumphantly.

The shuttle shook violently.

“What?!” Nemesis exclaimed as he instinctively took the shuttle into a sharp climb and checked his six.

“We have a bandit on our tail. Sensors indicate a patrol craft of some kind…give me a second.”

The shuttle shook violently again and a warning light went up on the status board.

“We don’t have a minute.” Nemesis spat as he adjusted from being hunter to prey.

“Looks like a Kuat Firespray patrol ship. What in the name of the Emperor is it doing out here?!”

Nemesis frowned and pursed his lips.

“If this is who I suspect it is then we are in for a fight and a larger mystery has opened up for me.”

Mara glanced over at Nemesis.

“You can’t be serious. HIM?”

Nemesis did not reply as he traded fire with Slave One. It whipped by the shuttle firing a steady stream of fire, her blaster cannons rotating on their axis tracking the shuttle and maintaining a steady stream of fire as the ships passed each other.





“Well, that was unexpected. Tom we don’t have much time.” Kirk ordered as he slipped out of his seat. Smoke filled the cockpit of the Runabout, the shuttle’s weapons had very nearly broke their shields down.

Kirk slipped down to examine Chekov.

“Preparing to go to warp. Setting course for Avalon.”

Kirk ran a mediscanner over Chekov again and got an alarm buzz on it. he frowned and looked at the young ensign.

“Don’t you die on me Chekov.” he whispered and prepared another hypospray, upping the dosage in the hopes it would stop the arrest he was in.






Boba Fett maneuvered Slave One around for another pass. The Imperial shuttle was no where near as maneuverable as his own ship but it was taking quite a pounding and her weapons were to be respected. Whoever was piloting her was not some fresh from the academy pilot. This one had real talent.

A warning buzzed in his ear. He checked his sensor array and saw the power spike on the Runabout.

“You’re not getting away that easy.” Fett said coldly and immediately went into action. He pulled a hard right turn and activated a weapons system. Outside Slave One rotated quickly on her access without changing speed and lined up with the Runabout. A panel slid away on the side of the sleek vessel unveiling a missile rack.

In the cockpit the Runabout was padlocked by the weapons system, the color of the padlock turning from black to red.

Fett simply pressed the firing stud and the missile launched.




“We’ve been spiked!” Tom exclaimed.

“Get us to warp now Tom, we don’t stand a chance between those two!”

“Inbound. Repeat missile inbound.” Tom prayed fervently as he saw the warp core flare up to life.

The missile cleared the distance between Slave One and the Runabout and exploded as the nacelles flared up with a flash of bright white light and the Runabout rushed forward into subspace, the blast of the missile sent out massive shockwaves.

“Hold on! Warp shell is fluctuating!” Tom yelled and the Runabout was rocked hard.

“Warning, structural integrity field failing. Warning port side nacelle is in danger of---” the calm female computer voice was drowned out by an awful shearing sound like sheet metal being torn in half by a giant.

The lights in the Runabout dimmed significantly and a console erupted behind Tom.

“We lost the Port nacelle.”

“Power wise?” Kirk asked as he pressed the hypo to Chekov’s neck and quickly ran another scan.

“No, it’s just gone. We lost her in the subspace sheer created by the blast wave. I don’t know if I can keep us in warp. The warp field is fluctuating badly.”

“Hold her together Tom. Start emergency procedures and set up an emergency transmission.”

“Ejecting log tapes and emergency beacons. Starting transmissions now.” Tom reported as he desperately tried to keep up with the horde of warning lights flashing across his board. The subspace field was jumping wildly on his status board. At any moment they could drop out of warp or worse.

“Warning. Warp core in immanent danger of breach. Emergency shutdown strongly recommended.”

“If we shut down the warp core we’ll drop out of warp.” Tom said to Kirk.

Kirk checked Chekov again and shook his head.

“Tom, if we don’t shut down the core we’ll be dead.”

“I think I can nurse her along, Captain. Just give me a minute.”

Tom focused on the board in front of him, hands flying across the touchpads with lightning speed and accuracy. Each new emergency was greeted by his hands accessing a solution. The warp field was now gyrating madly and he knew that no matter what he did there was no way he could keep them at warp.

“Warning warp core breach is immanent. Emergency shutdown is required.”

“Damnit!” Tom cursed and slammed his fist against a panel in disgust.

“Tom, shut down the warp core. We’ve come as far as we can, let’s just hope one of our ships heard the distress call.”

Tom hated to admit when he could not beat a situation. But Kirk was right. he initiated a warp core shutdown and the warp shell suddenly vanished.

The Runabout was thrown forward as it came out of warp suddenly, a planet looming on the viewscreen.

“Warning, gravity well ahead.”

“I don’t need you to tell me that!” Tom spat as he tried to fly out of the headlong dive to the planet. He touched a few controls and nothing happened.

“Oh no.” he muttered.

“Chekov.” Kirk whispered as he ran the mediscanner over the ensign and saw the results.

“Captain, we’ve lost attitude control and thrusters. Our damage was far more extensive than I realized. I can’t pull us out of this dive.” Tom grunted as he tried valiantly to force the nose up on the Runabout to no avail. The touchpads were simply not responding and a new host of warning lights were blinking incessantly on his panel.

The planet filled the screen and the Runabout began to shake violently as it began to cut through the upper atmosphere, the nose slowly glowing a dull red.

“Captain, get into crash positions and secure Chekov.” Tom said as he quickly brought crash restraints down from his shoulders to his waist and squared up in his seat to try and nurse her along as best he could.

“That won’t be necessary, Tom.” Kirk said with a defeated tone.

Tom craned his head back.

“Sir?”

Kirk looked back down at Chekov. Medical supplies and hypos were scattered around his feet and a mediscanner hung limply out of his right hand as Kirk put his left on Chekov’s brow.

“He’s dead.”






“Charlie.”

Charles Evans floated on the ether. It was a soothing experience as he let himself be carried on whatever whims the universe had for him. He was dimly aware that somewhere else, his body lay on a medical bed, surrounded by doctors, nurses, wounded and the dead.

He did not care about that right now.

“Charlie.”

He followed the voice. It was somehow familiar. He wondered if this were death. His adopted family told him in no uncertain terms that he could die. They warned him when he was younger and thought that he was immortal and untouchable. They gently reminded him when he decided to join up on this mission to save the Federation from destruction at the hands of the Empire.

But he never really thought he could die.

Perhaps this was it. If so, he did not understand what all the fear was about. This was rather soothing.

“Charlie.”

He was suddenly pulled forward as if in a vortex and he found himself standing on a barren plain. He was standing next to a player. There was another player seated across from him, intent on the three dimensional chess board between the two. The other player had cold silver eyes and there was a hint of something else fluttering behind them, a kind of madness. Sometimes it peered out of those eyes like some leering beast.

He recognized the player he was standing next to.

“You be absolutely quiet.” Q whispered as he moved a piece.

Charlie did as he was told.

“He can’t perceive you but I’m not taking any chances. Don’t move or speak, in fact it might be a good idea to not even breath.”

Charlie did as he was told, eyeing the silver eyed stranger more closely. He wore a gold uniform shirt much like Kirk’s. In fact he seemed to be a member of the Enterprise’s crew. He recognized the insignia on his chest.

“That’s Gary Mitchell and I’m beginning to see something. I’ve been duped you see. He just wanted to play a friendly game, one last little turn at the boards before the end.”

Charlie opened his mouth to ask a question but Q glared at him from the corner of his eye.

“What did I tell you Charlie. Just watch and listen. There’s no telling what would happen if he perceived you.”

Q was lying. Charlie knew precisely what the silver eyed man god would do if he perceived Charlie.

“But he has another plan and it’s starting to become clear to me. He’s been trying to distract me by trying to pile on to my king and basically make this game a grudge match when it isn’t. I see some inklings of his plan and if I’m right, we have to stop him damn the Continuum’s rules and everything else.”

Q countered a move and watched the silver eyed god who pursed his lips and then smiled cruelly as he moved a piece into an attack position.

“You have to go back and convince Kirk that there’s more to this war than he thinks. This war is not being fought by chance. Its not the be all and end all. In fact this whole war up to this point has been a sideshow for something grander. There are plans being set into motion and I mean to stop them even if it means letting our players onto this little game.”

Charlie wanted desperately to speak but he remained silent, warily watching the silver eyed player.

“Now go back, Charlie, protect Kirk at all costs and tell him to go to Emanaar 4 as soon as he can. Also tell him that the idea he’s been kicking around regarding Organia is not a bad one. Give it a shot, if anyone can do it he can.”

Charlie nodded.

Q smiled softly.

“Goodbye Charlie. I don’t think we’ll see each other again, but you’ve become quite the man.”

Charlie smiled proudly and suddenly he seemed to be swept away as if on the rides of a great sea and the players, plain and board vanished from his sight as he was thrust back into the soothing void where he floated serenely. But no longer so serene, he had a mission, he had to tell Kirk.

Suddenly Charlie sat bolt upright on the medbed.

McCoy rushed over.

“Charlie?”

Charlie looked around for a moment, getting his bearings.

“I need to see Captain Kirk.” he said simply. “We’re being played for fools.”





Back at the game Q continued playing, no sign whatsoever of the conversation he just had. He bent his head down in deep thought and reached out to move another piece. He did not see the slow cold smile spread across Gary’s face as his silver eyes flashed over to where Charlie had been standing mere moments ago.

[Crayz9000]

Not bad, I got the first post for a change.

“I have you now.” He announced triumphantly.

The shuttle shook violently.

“What?!” Nemesis exclaimed as he instinctively took the shuttle into a sharp climb and checked his six.

You really love stealing lines from Star Wars, don't you?

[Ghost Rider]

Nice chapter...sad to see Chekov go, but it adds impact.

Still wonderful writing.

[Stravo]

You really love stealing lines from Star Wars, don't you?

I consider it an homage.

Yes, Ghostrider, it was a tough decision to make but the death had to happen as it becomes a landslide of such tragedies as both good and evil start suffering significant casualties before this tale is through.

Its also my way of letting people know that heroes ARE going to die in this tale. This is not just like the TV show with a reset button and invulnerable character shields, its a dangerous and deadly war and its only going to get worse.

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

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[Stravo]

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