The Twilight War

[Sea Skimmer]

Nine million losses considered heavy for the Republic? The Soviets Union lost several times that many people in World War two and won. The Republic might notice nine billion. But million, that's a scratch at worst.

[Illuminatus Primus]

Yeah, but its a single battle from a single incursion into a single sector.

If I was running a campiagn and one of my attack elements in an area was annhiliated and lost nine million all at once...I would pissed.

Remember Stravo, you're looking at AT LEAST twenty four BILLION clone troopers by calcs.

[Stravo]

Yes, nine million sounds small to those in love with the awesome size of the Republic but keep in mind there hasn't been a war in the Republic in a millennia, and the biggest battle they have seen since then has been the battle at Naboo. So I think losing 9 million troops and 600 capital ships in a single sector in a single battle would be quite shocking to those not accustomed to such losses. And they were not all clones, there were draftees and conscripts who have families back home who are slowly beginning to realize that this war will not be over for soon and it will cost them alot. This is a democarcy and they will soon start pressing the senate for a resoultion to this conflict. Just because they have billions of troops does not mean they are ready and willing to lose ALL those troops.

Quite often people like to focus on numbers and not on the political and psychological realities that war causes in a society. The US has a million man army...could the US willingly sacrifice a million men...and keep on fighting without pressure building on the home front to stop the body bags from coming home? In Vietnam we pulled out after losing 50,000 over a period of a decade. The willingness to fight is just as important if not moreso as the numbers available.

And as stated before, they have been losing these kind of numbers STEADILY since the start of the war over a year ago.

[Sea Skimmer]

Even losing nine million per day, that's only 3.2 billion.

Assuming the whole Republic was only one quadrillion, about one three hundred thousandths of the population. That's the equivalent of the US losing one solider in a year while fighting a huge world war. Meanwhile the rout that was the Gulf war killed an American every couple hours.

However the Republic has quadrillions on its capital planet alone, is almost certainly into the quintillion range overall. So with those numbers, the US could be ina world war for its entire existance and not lose a single man.

Really, this is a galaxy in which civilians have more firepower then the Earths nuclear aresnal, in single warheads and in which accidents can kill millions or billions easily. Hive virus wiped out whole planets in the Old Republic.

No ones going to raise an eyebrow at nine million.

[Col. Crackpot]

Even losing nine million per day, that's only 3.2 billion.

Assuming the whole Republic was only one quadrillion, about one three hundred thousandths of the population. That's the equivalent of the US losing one solider in a year while fighting a huge world war. Meanwhile the rout that was the Gulf war killed an American every couple hours.

However the Republic has quadrillions on its capital planet alone, is almost certainly into the quintillion range overall. So with those numbers, the US could be ina world war for its entire existance and not lose a single man.

Really, this is a galaxy in which civilians have more firepower then the Earths nuclear aresnal, in single warheads and in which accidents can kill millions or billions easily. Hive virus wiped out whole planets in the Old Republic.

No ones going to raise an eyebrow at nine million.

I disagree. Peaceful societies not accustomed to losing lives in wartime combat often react with shock and anger when even a relatively small number of lives are lost in that manner. 2800 people die in new york city and a entire continent grinds to a halt. Canada loses 4 soldiers to friendly fire in Afghanistan (their first combat losses since 1953) and the entire nation is shocked and angry. It is psycological .... and because of that i don't think the Soviet example fits. At the time people of the Soviet Union had grown accustomed to people dying in massive numbers...The Revolution...WWI...Stalin's 'purge'. It it not fitting to compare that to the relative tranquility of the Republic which hadn't known war for countless generations.

[Sea Skimmer]

I disagree. Peaceful societies not accustomed to losing lives in wartime combat often react with shock and anger when even a relatively small number of lives are lost in that manner. 2800 people die in new york city and a entire continent grinds to a halt. Canada loses 4 soldiers to friendly fire in Afghanistan (their first combat losses since 1953) and the entire nation is shocked and angry. It is psycological .... and because of that i don't think the Soviet example fits. At the time people of the Soviet Union had grown accustomed to people dying in massive numbers...The Revolution...WWI...Stalin's 'purge'. It it not fitting to compare that to the relative tranquility of the Republic which hadn't known war for countless generations.

You're missing the point. Four people, 2800, Those loses are massvily greater relative to the size of the populations there drawn from compared to nine million for the Republic.

If the Republic had one quntillion people in it, 9 million would be one 1.1 trillionth of the population. Four men for Canada represent one 7.5 millionth. 2800 people are around one 100,000th of the US population, though hundreds who died where not US citizens.

Rather large difference, not counting the circumstances of 9/11 and the CDF loss, terror attack on a civilian target and friendly fire, which elevate the public reaction.

[Ender]

How did I miss this until now?


Good so far Stravo. I hope yopu avoid the brainbug of this soley being the Trade Federation vs the Republic Troop transports.

Question though: You keep using the word "treasure" in liu of other synonyms. Is this foreshadowing or symbolic of things to come?

And people, they lost 9 million in a single battle. That's huge.

[Ender]

However the Republic has quadrillions on its capital planet alone.

No it doesn't. The populkation of Courscant is explicitly stated, both in Shadow Hunter and Traitor, to be 1 trillion.

[Stravo]

Question though: You keep using the word "treasure" in liu of other synonyms. Is this foreshadowing or symbolic of things to come?

I'm glad you picked that up. It is intentional, NOT a super major plot point but a subtle theme I'm working on in this story about what is precious and more importantly the cost of things - in both monetary and personal loss.

[The Prime Necromancer]

Quite excellent Stravo. I look forward to updates for this one very nearly as much as from Starcrossed.

I see that you made a good deal of effort in order to address Bean's criticism. Althought, I didn't have a knee-jerk reaction to the Mandalorians in the last chapter, I found the scene between Tantos and Sisko quite well done.

As for the "nine million isn't that big in a galaxy of quadrillions" greivance. As others have pointed out, the Republic as a whole has been at peace for hundreds, probably even thousands of years. *Any* loss of life from war is going to be a *major* shock. There is a reason you cannot simply compare percentages: "Men are not potatoes." A penny to whomever knows the quote.

[Illuminatus Primus]

Does not matter. In fact this is a no-holds barred FULL SCALE war.

If Obi-Wan mused in a depressed, disillusioned way, that they'd lost another ten million troops just today in one battle on a local planet to display his discouragement/dismay, it wouldn't matter.

As it is, Obi-Wan is remarking in shock about supposedly amazing losses in a major engagement.

On the Star Wars level, this should annhilitate billions at least.

Think about it. A single full-power Slave 1 seismic charge dropped in the Galactic/Imperial City would probably easily kill a billion people.

A single BDZ in one hour by an ISD-scale ship (a mere destroyer) will kill dozens of billions in a small colony world.

On a major planet? Trillions easily.

On the other hand, the casualty count did appear to talk about sheer troops and crew aboard fleets, and the enormous SW death tolls would be reached by civilian deaths. Given the size of SW fleets, and the crew counts on something as big an Eclipse-class ship being a million easily (assuming we ignore RPG accounts to the contrary), losing over nine million and six hundred ships all at once is quite dramatic given the crew size of even prodigious vessels. And in a single engagement.

Let us all thank Stravo for not producing a Zahn-moment of a "climatic battle" having a couple destroyers and some shitty picket ships floundering about like Trek ships.

[Sea Skimmer]

However the Republic has quadrillions on its capital planet alone.

No it doesn't. The populkation of Courscant is explicitly stated, both in Shadow Hunter and Traitor, to be 1 trillion.

I ignore clear bullshit from the EU, even if Coruscant was no more developed then NYC it would have a much greater population then that. However we see in canon that it is covered in multi kilometer developments.

[Ender]

However the Republic has quadrillions on its capital planet alone.

No it doesn't. The populkation of Courscant is explicitly stated, both in Shadow Hunter and Traitor, to be 1 trillion.

I ignore clear bullshit from the EU, even if Coruscant was no more developed then NYC it would have a much greater population then that. However we see in canon that it is covered in multi kilometer developments.

Picking and choosing evidence is not valid. Your like or dislike is irrelevent to the stated fact that Coruscant has a population of 1 trillion.

[Stravo]

So.....what do you guys think of the STORY?

[Ender]

Very good. I'm alos peeved because when I saw your name in the most recent poster area just now I figured there was more and now feel cheated.

And when does this get it's own thread up top?

[Sea Skimmer]

No it doesn't. The populkation of Courscant is explicitly stated, both in Shadow Hunter and Traitor, to be 1 trillion.

I ignore clear bullshit from the EU, even if Coruscant was no more developed then NYC it would have a much greater population then that. However we see in canon that it is covered in multi kilometer developments.

Picking and choosing evidence is not valid. Your like or dislike is irrelevent to the stated fact that Coruscant has a population of 1 trillion.

Canon shows a city developed to a level that would hold far more then one trillion people. It also shows high levels of population within this development. One trillion is bullshit. The EU is ignored on countless issues contradicted by canon. I'm not debating this further, as it was already agreed on during a thread dedicated to it some time ago.

[Col. Crackpot]

I'm not debating this further, as it was already agreed on during a thread dedicated to it some time ago.

respectfully, i think that is a statement that is an overused copout. although i am inclined to believe you, the use of that statement without a link to said thread happens an awful lot.

[Kuja]

Stravo, I like the story overall, but the DS9 dialogue in general and the Mandalorians in particular are grating on me. The Mandalorians never struck me as the type to brag. Look at Jango and Boba, both of them are the silent type, even in the EU. To me, the Mandalorians should be the silent menace, the kind where you see them, they're not doing anything (yet), but there's still something wrong, something you can't put your finger on, but it's there.

Rather, your TW Mandalorians are more like DS9-era Klingons, with the battle/death/bragging obsession.

Oh, and one minor nitpick: her name is Sev'Rance Tann. Or is your spellchecker doing that?

[Stravo]

Stravo, I like the story overall, but the DS9 dialogue in general and the Mandalorians in particular are grating on me. The Mandalorians never struck me as the type to brag. Look at Jango and Boba, both of them are the silent type, even in the EU. To me, the Mandalorians should be the silent menace, the kind where you see them, they're not doing anything (yet), but there's still something wrong, something you can't put your finger on, but it's there.

Rather, your TW Mandalorians are more like DS9-era Klingons, with the battle/death/bragging obsession.

Oh, and one minor nitpick: her name is Sev'Rance Tann. Or is your spellchecker doing that?

Iggy keep in mind one thing: Tantos Dree is the only Mandalorian we have really heard from, his aide has been rather quiet, I get what you're saying, this is intentional, I am setting up something here for the Mandalorians that becomes quickly apparent, have faith that I am NOT making the Mandalorians into Klingon clones.

I will not back away from my own errors, I thought her name WAS spelled the way I put it in the story, this error will be corrected in future chapters, thanks for the heads up.

I only asked in my previous post about how good the story was because half the posts about the story have been taken up by an off hand casualty quote and whether losing nine million troops was too small or just right. With the focus on such a minor point in the story I got a little frustrated. It would be like watching the first 20 minutes of ANH and debating whether there were enough stormtroopers storming the Tantive IV in the beginning if you get my drift.

[Kuja]

Iggy keep in mind one thing: Tantos Dree is the only Mandalorian we have really heard from, his aide has been rather quiet, I get what you're saying, this is intentional, I am setting up something here for the Mandalorians that becomes quickly apparent, have faith that I am NOT making the Mandalorians into Klingon clones.

OK, that makes sense.

I will not back away from my own errors, I thought her name WAS spelled the way I put it in the story, this error will be corrected in future chapters, thanks for the heads up.

Ah. Reason I asked is that my spellchecker came up with 'Severence Tan' the first time I typed her name out.

[Illuminatus Primus]

No it doesn't. The populkation of Courscant is explicitly stated, both in Shadow Hunter and Traitor, to be 1 trillion.

I ignore clear bullshit from the EU, even if Coruscant was no more developed then NYC it would have a much greater population then that. However we see in canon that it is covered in multi kilometer developments.

Picking and choosing evidence is not valid. Your like or dislike is irrelevent to the stated fact that Coruscant has a population of 1 trillion.

Mike also follows this policy and I am inclined to as well. It's like the 25,000 ISD statement and people who think ISDs were the battleships of the Empire. Yeah, when the Trade Federation can send up ships massing far more than ISDs by the 1000s for a political ploy around a relatively insiginificant planet...my ass.

[Stravo]

Chapter 4: Breaking Bread

“An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.”
Richard III Act 4, Scene iii



“Remarkable, Captain. I must commend you and your crew on an excellent dinner and voyage. We are now on the cusp of a new adventure.” Meerlinda Farstrider announced holding up a glass in a toast. Kirk and Doctor Dehner knew that the glass held only water, Meerlinda did not drink alcohol.

“Thank you, Ms. Farstrider, it truly is an honor to be taking part in this historic mission for both our governments.

“Ms. Farstrider, I am particularly interested in knowing why your Supreme Chancellor thinks we would make such a great difference in your war effort. After studying some of the technology on your starfighter and these reports, I would hazard a guess that a standard Federation starship stands little chance even against the lightest warship in the Separatist fleet.” Spock asked neutrally as he wiped his fingers on a napkin.

Meerlinda glanced over at Spock, putting her best diplomatic smile on. The exact same question currently plagued the Jedi knights. What was Palpatine gaining by dragging this empire into the war? The Federation would not be able to provide the level of support that they needed to turn the tide. But of course her orders had been relayed to her by both Palpatine and Master Yoda. All available diplomatic efforts would be made to bring the Federation into an Alliance with the Republic. Palpatine was adamant about this and the Jedi were servants of the Republic. But she had heard rumors in the Temple. Rumors that Master Yoda and Master Windu had foreseen something in regard to the Federation and this vision seemed to agree with Palpatine’s insistence that they join.

“Mr. Spock, there are other ways to assist in the war effort and granted while your ships are magnificent they are not up to the standards of the heavier Separatists cruisers, but I have to add that in the beginning of the war, factions of the Separatists were fielding vessels that were nothing more than freighters with heavy guns attached to the hull. We are prepared to dedicate ourselves to the refit of your entire Starfleet to bring you up to our level in terms of firepower and defensive systems. The Republic will not allow Federation ships to be at the mercy of our enemies unprepared for this conflict. But at the same time we would have use for your doctors and scientists to assist us in research and technological development, your doctors would supplement our own medical corps. There are many levels to this alliance, not to mention trade. With the vast majority of the Separatists faction comprised of the heart of our mercantile power, the Republic’s economy has begun to suffer. Opening trade with your Federation and eventually your galaxy, with the Federation as middle man of course, both our governments will prosper greatly.”

“That was very…diplomatic of you.” Number One added coolly.

Kirk shot Number One a warning glance. She returned his gaze evenly and turned her attention back to her vegetarian dish. Kirk sighed softly.

“I understand, I really do. I am not easily offended. The true reason that your vessel and crew are being brought across to our galaxy is so that you can see for yourselves that we have nothing to hide and that this alliance truly is beneficial for both of us.”

“You have to understand our side, Meerlinda. Our people are extremely suspicious of war. We have come out of a time when our people nearly destroyed themselves and the last truly great war we have had almost decimated the human population and sent us into a genocidal tailspin with the Romulans. We are very cautious about engaging in war, we are explorers after all.” Doctor Dehner added.

Meerlinda nodded slowly.

“Of course, Doctor Dehner. I fully understand this. My hope, actually our hope is that you see that our cause is just and that your help could help us end this disastrous conflict sooner. Even if we stop the war a single month earlier, it will mean saving the lives of billions. Surely you can say the justice in that.”

“I do.” Kirk replied. She smiled softly at the young Captain.

“Well, its been a long evening and I must retire to prepare for tomorrow morning sir. If you will excuse me.” Number One asked with a curt nod of the head.

“Of course, Number One. I’ll see you on the bridge.”

Number One nodded to Meerlinda and strode out of the room after politely nodding to Spock. Meerlinda watched her leave.

“She does not trust me.”

“Frankly, I haven’t a clue what my XO thinks of anyone.” Kirk commented dryly.

“Captain..” Dehner muttered to him and shook her head.

“That’s alright Captain. I hardly know what my superiors are thinking either. We just do the best we can to get through the day.” Meerlinda replied with a warm smile. He caught himself staring at her. What the hell was he, some sort of school boy?

She watched him for a moment, her emerald eyes flashing in the lowlight and with a toss of her head she sent her long flowing green tresses back over her left shoulder. Command fit him well, but it was a fit he was getting accustomed to. She felt something else, something primal flash from his deepest thoughts as he looked at her and she batted it away. She was a Jedi and trained to deal with such emotions, but there was an odd reaction she had not encountered before. Her own primal response in return to the handsome young Captain.

She sighed inwardly. Another long night of meditation ahead. She was sure that this was just a passing event, fed more by the excitement of this moment than anything else.

“I do believe that I must excuse myself, I have kept you all up rather late and considering what we are doing tomorrow, it would be best if we all get as much rest as possible.” Meerlinda commented with a soft smile and regally rose from her place at the table. Kirk rose quickly as well and bowed slightly.

“Jedi Farstrider, it was a rare pleasure and honor. I hope to see you on the bridge tomorrow morning.”

“Indeed Captain it has been a pleasure. And Mr. Spock if you have any other questions and concerns please feel free to discuss them with me. I am the Republic’s representative and a Jedi knight, I would be happy to answer your questions as fully and truthfully as I can, but I do hope that our actions speak louder than our words when you come across.”

“Ms. Farstrider.” Spock replied with a curt nod of his head.

“Meerlinda, let me walk you to your quarters.” Dehner offered with a smile and rose form her place at the table joining Meerlinda.

“Thank you, Doctor.”

Meerlinda and Doctor Dehner walked out together as Kirk watched them leave. Spock stood at his place at the table and glanced over at Kirk.

“I am not certain that she knows everything concerning this mission. Logically, we would make a poor choice as an ally in this war.”

“Must everything be logical to you?” Kirk asked absently still looking at the door, remembering the sparkle of her emerald hair, the flash of those green eyes, her pursed full lips as she spoke. She was quite possibly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Spock raised an eyebrow at the comment.

“I am a Vulcan, Captain.” he replied simply. Kirk looked over at his Vulcan science officer and could not help but smile.

“Of course you are Mr. Spock and you do it so well.” Kirk replied with a smile. Spock’s eyebrow arched higher which only provoked a louder laugh from his Captain.



The ship was quiet and peaceful. She moved through the corridors like a ghost, pausing long enough to avoid any crewmen that may be walking the halls during the depths of the night cycle on board. Even the lights were slightly dimmed to denote the time difference. Starfleet had learned the hard way that in order to maintain psychological stability amongst its long range ship crews that all manner of small minor details that reminded them of home needed to be taken into account.

She slipped into a turbolift that took her to the level she desired and she moved through those corridors unseen, nothing more than a shadow among other shadows. She finally reached her objective and paused at the door, took one last quick furtive glance and stepped through the doors.



He sighed softly as he stared out at the beauty that was the universe. The stars were bright tonight and the arboretum was quiet. Gamma shift was hard at work and most people did not want to waste precious sleep cycle time walking in the Enterprise’s arboretum.

He liked walking among the green, it made the burdens of command a little easier when he could look up and see trees and beautiful flowering plants on the twisted walkways through the area. The smell was also unlike the rest of the ship with its processed air and perfect temperature and humidity.

Kirk sighed softly as he watched the stars and wondered what wonders awaited him on the other side of the wormhole. He was also concerned by the points brought up by Spock and Number One. They were valid concerns and ones that he was not sure Meerlinda had adequately addressed. Unfortunately the decisions rested on his shoulders. And those decisions were weighing heavily on him and he had not even faced his first true crisis or test.

“This is not at all what I expected.” he muttered.

He heard a quiet rustle of leaves and he found himself slowly stepping back, instinctively melting into the shadows thrown up by a bulkhead overhead. A figure seemed to glide through the foliage and paused at the edge of the clearing. He watched the figure intently as it looked back and forth, it reminded him of the great elks he used to see on trips to the far east during training trips in the academy. The subtle yet powerful grace of the beast was reflected in this figure as it slowly entered the clearing and finally relaxed.

He recognized the soft brown robes and the hood was suddenly thrown back. Meerlinda’s emerald hair glistened in the low light, slowly cascading down her shoulders as she took a deep breath of air. She glanced around slowly, examine the trees and plants around her with a careful but curious eye.

She slowly bent down on one knee and examined a flower that seemed to shimmer and give off a low whisper when its petals were touched. She smiled at the sound. He smiled as he saw her smile.

It was radiant and pure. It made him feel clean somehow, eased his burdens and relax.

She paused. Her head lifted ever so slightly and her eyes darted to the left. She smiled to herself, one hand was already going for the cylindrical object clipped to her belt. Security had wanted the confiscate the weapon when they were briefed on it by Doctor Dehner, but she was adamant that the lightsaber be left alone. It was a symbol to the Jedi as much as it was a weapon. To ask for it would shatter the trust that the Federation diplomatic corps had worked so hard to establish between the two parties.

He did not feel any menace from her at all.

“You know, it is considered rude to spy on someone no matter what galaxy they are from.” she said coolly.

Kirk slowly stepped out from the shadows, hands raised and open at chest level with a childlike grin on his face.

“I wouldn’t touch your eyes after touching the Ithyliss flower. It can cause extreme redness and if the pollen really gets under the eyelids it can even cause some serious inflammation. That’s why her nickname is the redeye rose.” Kirk commented.

Meerlinda watched him for a moment. The last person she had expected to see was the young captain.

“I will take your advice in the spirit in which it was offered, Captain. Many thanks.”

“Enjoying our arboretum?” Kirk asked casually.

Meerlinda nodded absently and rose up from her squatting position.

“It is beautiful. Unfortunately with the war and things being the way they are back home, there is precious little room for such amenities on our warships.”

“This isn’t a warship.” Kirk replied.

She looked into his eyes.

“I know.” she replied evenly and then promptly turned her attention back at the big window facing out into the stars.

“One has to wonder why the stars are so beautiful yet we bring horrors with us into them.” she sighed.

Kirk slowly walked around to stand to her right, arms crossed.

“Spock is right, isn’t he? Our starships aren’t going to do much good in your war effort.”

“He is partly correct. As they are now, your starships will prove quite fragile under the guns of Separatists warships.” she replied. “But we will make sure that you will be ready for them.”

“Can I tell you something that I probably should not be telling you?” he asked.

She slowly turned her head and regarded him with a hooded expression.

“I don’t trust you.”

She blinked.

“Not what I expected, I’ll grant you that, Captain. Are you usually this…diplomatic?” she asked sharply.

“No, I’m usually quite charming I’m told. But I feel that charm will not do here. You prefer blunt and honest.”

“I would prefer that I had some private time with myself, but I will hear you out.”

Kirk shrugged.

“I can always leave you here to your thoughts, but I have to wonder, what is it that drove you here now, tonight? You seem a bit troubled.”

“There is a war going on back home killing millions a day, Captain. Many of my friends, Jedi that I trained alongside as a child are fighting and dying out there. My thoughts ARE preoccupied.” she replied and noted the harshness in her tone. She quickly reigned in her thoughts. He had pricked something in her. There was an odd feeling in her breast when he stated so simply that he did not trust her.

Perhaps because he should not, a phantom voice whispered from deep within her heart. She quickly pushed those thoughts away, banishing them with a simple Jedi mind discipline exercise taught to her by master Yoda so long ago.

“I’m sorry.” he replied.

She shook her head.

“No, please forgive me, I have been too hard on you. How could you possibly know these things, you haven’t even crossed over yet. I apologize, Captain.”

“No need to apologize.” he tried to reassure her with a weak smile.

“You should not have been able to sneak up on me like that Captain.” she said trying to change the subject.

“Oh?” he replied with a cock of an eyebrow.

“You obviously subconsciously used some of your force talent to hide yourself from my senses. A good job too for someone who is not trained.” she examined him more closely, her deep green eyes seem to look past everything, peering into his very soul. He shifted uncomfortable. “A pity.”

“What’s that?”

“That your talent was not discovered earlier, that you were not given a chance to explore your full potential. I sense great promise in you.”

“I would be flattered, Meerlinda, if I believed in your force.” he replied wanly.

She frowned slightly and cocked her head as she peered into his eyes.

“And what do you believe in James Kirk?” she asked seriously.

Kirk stared back and there was silence for a moment.

“I believe in myself.”

“As we all should, but what do you believe in, James.”

“Please, my mother called me James. My friends call me Jim.” he interjected.

She smiled.

“Very well, Jim. What do you believe in, what stirs you, what moves your soul?”

“I believe in the Federation and her ideals.”

She shook her head and started to pace around him, her eyes never leaving him.

“I asked you what you believed in. What is in the heart of your hearts. For instance, Doctor Dehner confided in me that she found it difficult to believe in the Force but that her faith did not lie in the conjectures of a mystical energy field as she pit it but in the cold hard truth of science. Doctor Dehner is a woman of science. What do you believe in?”

“Why?”

“Why are you afraid to answer?” She countered.

“This is getting us nowhere. I’m sorry I disturbed you, Meerlinda.” he started and began to back away.

“What are you afraid of? Perhaps you don’t believe in anything?” she pressed.

“Alright damn you, I believe in man.”

“What?”

“I believe that humanity has grown and will continue to grow beyond itself. That we have reached out from the depths of near extinction and that we will continue to grow and expand. We’ve grown up as a race, shedding the notions of gods and magic and soon we will reach even greater heights. I believe in the stubborn nobility of man, the innate goodness and spirit that will not allow us to fade away.” Kirk stated firmly, his voice rising proudly with each sentence.

“Man does not rise alone. He is in unity with the rest of the universe.”

“You’re trying to sell me on this Force of yours are you?”

“You are so willing to cast aside the spiritual?” she asked with concern.

Kirk frowned.

“Meerlinda, spiritual is not something that I can see or feel or measure and honestly, spirituality has been used too often to harm or hinder our growth as a species. There was a time in our past when we perhaps needed gods and spirits, but we’re not the children we were then, Meerlinda.”

“I do not see it that way, Jim. Man is a spiritual being. You say that he is hungry for knowledge always stretching forth, growing. What drives them besides simple curiosity? What comforts mankind when he is out here alone in the universe? Why do you build these edifices to nature? Perhaps to hold on to, to grab the spark of the divine that resides in all living things?”

“This conversation reminds me of a philosophy course I took back in the Academy.”

Meerlinda laughed softly.

“I’m sorry, I’ve bored you or worse, perhaps offended you.”

Kirk laughed as well.

“No, Meerlinda, I find it hard to believe that you could offend me.” He replied. They both looked at each other for a moment. She coughed.

“Perhaps we can reach some sort of accord between you and I?”

“I’m all ears.” He said with a broad smile. He is quite the handsome man. She noted.

“Perhaps you and I can try to understand each other. You do not trust me and I do not think that you are so devoid of spirituality as you claim.” Kirk smirked. “So let us both have an understanding. We all not lie to each other and we will try to understand each other.”

“You mean a diplomatic mission, between you and I?” he asked incredulously but unable to take his eyes off her.

“Yes.” she replied with a curt nod.

“You have a deal.” he said and stuck out his hand. She promptly took it and they shook. There was an electric spark between them on contact and the shake slowed and they remained holding hands for a long moment before she politely slipped her hand out of his grip.

“This is a good start, Captain.”

“Why don’t you tell me where you’re from?” he asked. Meerlinda was a little confused. There were strange feelings brewing up within her that she needed to control. He was a handsome man but she had met many handsome men in her life. There was something else about this young Captain.

“Correllia.” she answered.

“Can’t say I ever heard of it.” Kirk said after taking a moment to rub his chin pensively and fake thinking deeply. Meerlinda could not help smiling.

“I doubted you would. My world has quiet the reputation, I just hope that by the time you hear of it you will know me better and will not judge me by it.”

Kirk arched an eyebrow. “Really? Now I am interested.”

“And you?” she asked deflecting the direction of the conversation.

“Iowa.” Kirk smiled broadly. “NOTHING happens in Iowa.”

They stared at each other for a moment and both started laughing. Their laughter floated freely on the light artificial breeze in the heart of the arboretum.






“I must say that I am impressed with the resources you have brought to bear in resolving our conflict with the Dominion. You are after all fighting a full scale war back in your home galaxy.” Jean Luc Picard said as he put down the glass of wine from which he sipped. Sitting across from him at the table in his quarters was Sev’Rance Tan. She wore a striking black gown and her hair was draped down her left shoulder in an intricate braid. Her glowing red eyes coolly regarded the Federation Captain. She left hand rested on the edge of her elegant wineglass, her index finger tracing slowly along the lip of the glass as he spoke.

“I am however troubled by reports of Mandalorian brutality.”

“Brutality? Mandalorians are not brutal Captain. They are consummate soldiers.”

“But there have been verified reports from the fleet captains fighting alongside them that they have been utterly merciless with the Jem’Hadar and their Vorta handlers. They have killed every single Jem'Hadar that they have faced and even those that surrendered to our Federation forces have been forcefully taken from our custody and executed.” Picard countered.

Sev’Rance nodded slowly, a lazy smile came to her full red lips.

“They are clones.”

“Excuse me?”

“The Jem’Hadar are clones, are they not?”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Picard asked sharply.

Sev’Rance slowly steepled her fingers together as she leaned forward, she reminded Picard of a tiger the way she moved, lazily but self assured. There was a sense that she knew everything that was going to happen and she was prepared for every contingency.

“The Mandalorians despise clones. They always have, a cultural hatred that dates back some time. I’m not certain what the origins of it was, but I suspect that it has to do with the fact they have always been eyed as the prefect template for soldiers and as such it would dilute their pride and heritage if they were reduced to nothing more than a horde of faceless clones. Mandalorians are fiercely individualistic, Captain. A clone for them is an affront to that individuality. Besides, there are rumors about the clones we are fighting in this war.”

“What sort of rumors?” Picard asked as he dabbed the corner of his mouth with a silk napkin. The remains of their meal rested on the beautiful white china plates.

“That the Republic is using a Mandalorian as a template for their clone troopers.”

Picard nodded slowly understanding.

“The fighting between the Mandalorians and the clone troopers are fierce. They can be very brutal. This is a holy war for them, Captain. The Mandalorian who they used as a template was the protégé of the Mandalorian commander Tantos Dree. He was like a son to him and to see his memory defiled in such a manner has driven him and the Mandalorians into a war frenzy the likes of which I have never seen.”

“I met Tantos Dree. He did not seem the type to be in a frenzy. I found him rather friendly.” Picard commented.

Sev’Rance smiled and it was ice.

“The Mandalorians allow you to see precisely what they want you to see. Tantos Dree is a warrior the likes of which I have never seen before. He has in his private quarters a collection of lightsabers. They represent each Jedi he has killed since this conflict began. Believe me, Captain Picard, killing a Jedi is not a simple deed, and he did it one on one.”

“I read the reports. I am a little skeptical about this so called Force. Perhaps they have found a way to tap some sort of esper energy, or maybe they are simply the product of genetic engineering coupled with some form of energy manipulation. It would not be the first time we have encountered such oddities.”

Sev’Rance laughed softly and sat back.

“Forgive me, captain, please. It’s just that your people seem slightly obsessed with the need to find a scientific explanation for everything you encounter. The Force exists, Captain. You will have no doubt of it when you meet the Jedi.”

“Considering what I’ve read so far I wonder whether I would want to meet them. They smack of secret police units used to keep a regime in power and that is distasteful to me.”

“I thought you might feel that way, Captain. You struck me as an enlightened man in this Federation from our correspondence over the last few weeks. You understand precisely what is at stake in this war. It is a war of survival for us as well as a war against oppression and to bring freedom to a galaxy that has been suffering from the iron grip of the Republic for so long.”

“Of course, I am the one who has to make the determination of just how true that claim is.” Picard gently reminded her. Sev’Rance smiled more broadly.

“We have nothing to hide, Captain. I for one am quite pleased that they chose you for this fact finding mission. Captain Sisko seems less than eager about having Deep Space Nine transferred to our side of the wormhole but our technicians are already working on his station to make sure that nothing can happen to it in battle. It will become a veritable fortress of the stars.”

Picard frowned slightly.

“We are not a militaristic people Sev’Rance. We will take no joy out of this war.”

“Do you think that there will be joy in our hearts? Do you think that we enjoy seeing our comrades dying by the millions?” she pressed, red eyes flashing dangerously.

“I apologize. It is just that I am uncomfortable around the banging of war drums and your folk seem to be very enthusiastic about this conflict.”

“We are enthusiastic about the outcome, Captain Picard do not confuse the two. The war is a means to our end.” Sev’Rance paused. “If it will ease tensions I will speak to Tantos and tell him that any Jem’Hadar taken by Federation forces is to be left alone. Will that help?”

Picard nodded slowly, deciding to take another drink from his wine.

“By this time tomorrow the Enterprise will be in your galaxy. Just by crossing the wormhole we will have traveled farther than any Federation starship ever has. This should be quite thrilling.”

“I have such wonders to show you Captain.” Sev’Rance promised with a mysterious smile.





The dining room was silent as the couple ate their meal. The woman was tall and slim, middle aged but still had the rosy bloom of her younger years on her face. Her long hair was like spun gold, slightly dulled along the ends with age but still gorgeous and vital. She sat down and poured herself a glass of purple juice and glanced up at the man sitting opposite from her.

He was tall and large around the shoulders, broadly built with a sharp aquiline nose. Iron gray hair colored his temples and his face betrayed the worry lines of age and responsibility. He was intent on cutting a thick piece of roast beef, his knife glinted dully in the light of the chandelier overhead. Outside the light of a setting sun cast a dazzling reddish hue into the dining room from the picture window on the far side of the luxurious house.

The woman paused as she heard something running up the porch. She looked at the man with an expression of concern. The man pointedly ignored the sound and chewed on the cut of meat he had made.

The door to the house was flung open and the sounds of footsteps approached the dining room.

A man stepped in quickly and brought himself up short as the older man glared at him from his place at the table.

The younger man took a breath and composed himself.

“You know why I’m here.” he said sternly. The older man went back to eating his food. The woman looked from the older man back at the younger man.

“He’s at it, isn’t he? Everyone knows it!” he shouted.

The woman scowled.

“There’s no time for that. You have to help me.”

The older man ignored him and continued eating.

“This is such nonsense. Are you going to keep ignoring me. Do you know how long its been?” he exclaimed in frustration.

The older man paused in chewing but made no other motion.

“And you! You know what he is capable of, I hold you both equally responsible for this mess.”

The woman looked stricken.

The older man slammed his utensils down on the table and glared at younger man. His anger faring up in his eyes.

“You knew what you were doing when it happened. You allowed it to escalate and then you blame me! There are two galaxies about to consume each other in war because of him!”

The older man snapped his fingers emphatically and the younger man vanished in a flash of light. he stared at the open space for a moment as if assuring himself of something then looked over at the woman. She bit her lower lip in frustration and began to speak but the older man shook his head stonily and emphatically before returning to his meal. He chewed his food quietly and stared down at his plate, not looking back up at the woman.

She stared back at the empty space where the young man had stood, concern and shame mixed on her face.

[2000AD]

First post!now to read

[2000AD]

Niiiiiiiice. This is shapoing up to be every bit as good as Starcrossed.

[Illuminatus Primus]

I can't wait to see a full-fledged Republic/Confederacy battle.