Mirror Force

Sparks flew from the helm as a blast of laser energy slammed into the Millennium Falcon sending the whole ship rocking. Han Solo swore under his breath and tried to regain control. He had just gotten Leia off of Hoth and he was not about to lose control now.

"Damn Ties'" he muttered as another shot skipped along the hull of the Falcon. "Go to hell you bastards" he yelled over the comm.

"Han, please clam down or we are going to end up as a smear on one of these asteroids" Leia chided.

Han bit back a crude remark and began to focus again. With expert care he forced the Falcon into a dive and slid past a large asteroid missing the surface by less then five meters. The Tie pilot behind him was not so lucky and Han smiled as the sensors registered an impact as the small fighter slammed into the asteroid.

Han was getting anxious, "Chewie is the hyperdrive back online yet?"

"Marrroww" came the response over the comm.

"Come on you bucket of bolts, WORK!" Han grumbled.

As if to spite Hans outburst the Falcon shook as the main drive tried to kick back in before fizzling out again. Leia silently chuckled. Han and his ship had a truly unique relationship.

Suddenly the comm crackled to life again, "This is Captain Norath of the Vindicator class "Fury" stand down at once."

Glancing at the sensors Han noticed that the fighters had managed to herd the Falcon directly into the Fury's line of fire. "Damn"

Pulling up in a hard climb Han tried to place a large asteroid between the enemy cruiser and his ship.

"Norath to enemy ship, I would prefer to take you alive as Lord Vader has ordered but I will fire, unless you surrender now."

"Go to hell grey coat!" Han responded over the comm.

With that the Vindicator opened fire with her main guns blasting the asteroid to shreds. The Falcon rocked from the explosion and it was all Han could do to keep control. Suddenly the energy sensors spiked and alarms began blaring.

"Captain Solo, Captain Solo, the computer is saying that the lasers from the Fury have had some kind of reaction with something in the asteroid." came the frantic cry of C-3P0

Han did not have time to ask for clarification as a bright white light engulfed the ship.

As the strange light faded Captain Norath lowered the hand he had used to cover his face. His face went ashen as he noticed that the asteroid field outside the view ports had disappeared.

"Science station report now, where is the Falcon. Navigation what is our current location." Norath barked out orders and the Imperial crew went to work as they all recovered from the massive release of energy.

"Sir our lasers ignited something in the asteroid, but I am not entirely sure what it was. However there appears to be a massive rip in space off the port side." came the report from his chief science officer.

"Navigation report!"

The navigation officer turned to his captain, "Sir we are not in the same location, in fact the computer can not pinpoint our location." A short beep came through the officers console and after reading it he turned back to Norath. "Sir our hyperdrive is also offline."

"Dammit, is the Falcon still out there?"

"Yes sir and it is pulling away at high speed."

Norath did not hesitate, he had his orders. "Pursuit course, order the remaining Ties to launch and engage the Falcon."

As the Fury's main drive kicked in Captain Norath turned to the science station. "I want a full report on that rip by the time the Falcon is apprehended."

With that final order Norath moved off and began barking orders at the rest of the command crew as the Vindicator class tore after the Falcon.

It was 0230 hours and the bridge was silent save for the occasional beep from a console as commands where input. With the rest of the command staff sleeping Lt. Commander Data sat in the command chair for the night shift. He had agreed to cover for Commander Riker who had an old friend aboard for a short visit.

While most of the staff dreaded the night shift Data preferred this time of the day, it allowed him to contemplate many of the daily problems which came up so often without interruption. At the moment he was trying to find the meaning behind a joke Geordi had told him about a priest, a police officer and a naked bartender.

Turning to Data the helm officer started, "What if it means...no no that's stupid." Data was not the only one stumped by the joke and the Bolian pilot was attempting to help the commander understand human humour.

"I will never understand terran humour." The Bolian grumbled as he turned back to his console.

Data nodded, "Yes I fail to grasp it as well."

Despite the fact that it was an emotion, Data did have a basic grasp of frustration and if someone asked what he had been feeling at that moment he would respond as such.

All of a sudden the tactical station began blaring. Shattering the early morning quite the alarm seemed louder then normal.

"Report" Data ordered as to activated the command chairs computer link.

Hands flying across the panel Ensign Yoshi the night tactical officer responded, "Sir we are detecting multiple energy spikes one point five light years of the port bow. I would say it is weapons fire but I do not recognize the signature."

Data read the display that was being fed to the captains chair. The ensign was correct, the weapons signature and type where unknown but they where close to Klingon disruptor fire.

"Sir I am receiving a distress signal...the frequency is strange but I think the computer can put it through."

Data nodded and the bridge speakers crackled to life.

"I repeat this is Princess Leia Organa aboard the Millennium Falcon, we are under heavy fire from an Imperial ship and we require assistance. The captain is unconscious and our hyperdrive is off line please any loyal ships respond...please"

"Red alert all hands red alert, Captain Picard to the bridge." Data quickly went through the motions that came with a call such as this.

"Sir I am detecting a large ship roughly six hundred meters in length as well as a dozen smaller craft in addition to the ship the call is coming from."

Data stood and took his usual place at the navigation station. "I am setting an intercept course."

Less then a minute later the captain strode onto the bridge with Riker and Worf in tow. "Report Lieutenant Commander."

"Sir we have received a distress call from one Princess Leia Organa requesting assistance, the ship she is on appears to be a small transport and they are coming under attack from a large ship slightly smaller then the Enterprise." Data paused for a moment as more information came through.

"Sir the attacker has immense firepower for a ship its size, we are picking up what appear to be over fifty weapons of varying configurations. No torpedo launcher however. The dozen smaller ships appear to be one man attack craft."

"Very well, have sickbay stand by to receive wounded." Picard began to throw out orders and the crew jumped to with a powerful energy as he had come to expect of them. "Worf charge all phasers and arm torpedoes."

A second later Worf responded, "Ready sir."

"Sir sickbay reports ready and Geordi says engineering is ready." Riker reported to the captain, "never a peaceful nights sleep is there."

Jean-Luc smiled slightly at his second in command. "You never expected there to be when you enlisted did you?"

"Well I figured every once in a while, you know."

Their attempt at light humour was meant to help keep the bridge calm as they approached a deadly encounter. Most of the crew had grown accustomed to the way Picard ran his bridge and they took comfort in having a strong captain who still retained a sense of humour.

"Captain I am bring us out of warp, the ships are dead ahead." Data reported.

"On screen"

Picard scowled as the large triangular craft appeared on screen. The smaller craft was roughly circular in shape with a pronged front, what appeared to be its command centre positioned off the the side of the craft and a large old style dish mounted on the top. The smaller fighter craft where a globe shape with a pair of vertical wings mounted on either side.

Worf started and cautioned, "Sir the attacking ship has turned toward us and their weapons are fully charged."

"Open a channel," the captain responded, "This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise. Be aware that you are in Federation territory and any act of aggression will not be tolerated."

The response was swift as the ship fired a volley of turbolaser shots at the Enterprise. The majority of the shots missed but a few impacted the forward shields.

"Damage report."

Riker responded first, "Minimal sir only three of their shots hit us."

"Captain from my readings I would say that each individual cannon has the same power as a light Klingon disruptor. However they mount twenty five individual cannons as well as twenty more in what appear to be quad-fire turrets."

"Very well, return fire."

Energy stabbed out through space as Worf fired the main phasers at the enemy craft. The shots impacted the enemy hull appearing to bypass whatever shields they may have had. The following shots impacted across the hull of the Vindicator with several landing just short of impacting the bridge.

"Sir the enemy craft is coming about and the enemy fighters are rejoining the larger ship. They are moving away at high speed. From what I can tell they took sever damage but not entirely from us." Worf gave his report as the strange alien craft pulled away at increasing speed.

"Very well, Number One prepare a rescue party and go over to that transport," as Riker nodded and moved to the turbolift motioning Worf to follow Picard continued. "Data will that ship hold up to a tractor beam?"

Data consulted his screens for a moment. "No sir, it has taken severe damage and beyond that it appears to be at least thirty years old with dozens of jury-rigged repair jobs holding her together."

Picard was silent has he listened to the report. Knowing how the ships captain would probably be opposed to leaving his ship behind, if he survived, Picard began to contemplate calling in a mobile repair craft to help. However Data interrupted his thoughts.

"Sir I believe that we could load the ship into our main shuttle bay. It would be a tight fit but we could manage."

Picard contemplated this for only a second. "Very well make the preparations and once Riker and his team have returned bring it in."

Nodding Data began to transfer the appropriate orders to the right people across the ship.

Riker, Worf and Beverly materialized into the small cramped space just behind the Millennium Falcon's bridge. Riker cautiously touched the door between them and the cockpit, it was cool so their was no fire beyond.

"Worf give me a hand."

Working together they managed to slide the door open, only to find themselves staring down the barrel of a small pistol. The short women had brown hair that was very dishevelled and she had small scraps across her face but she appeared to be in decent shape, the same could not be said of the man she stood protectively in front of.

"Who are you and how did you come aboard?" demanded the women, "we did not dock with another ship so explain NOW!"

Riker rose both his hands so she could see he was not armed. "I am Commander Riker of the Federation starship Enterprise, we picked up your distress and are here to help."

The women hesitated but remained firm, pointing her weapon at the intruders. "If you had enough firepower to drive off that Vindicator then you must be from the Hapan or Mandelorian governments."

"As I said we are from the United Federation of Planets, but I can assure you we are here to help, you are Princess Leia Organa I assume." Riker was keeping calm and saw the she had was starting to come around but she had been through a lot and was very distrustful.

To everyone's surprise the man she was protecting reached up a hand and clasped her forearm.

"Leia," he coughed, "let them help."

Leia immediately dropped her arm and allowed Riker to gently take her pistol. Stepping aside Riker allowed Beverly to move into the cockpit and scan the captain. As Leia and Beverly briefly met each others gaze Beverly smiled and Leia slouched down into the chair closest to her as she completely relaxed.

A quick scan revealed that the captain, Han Solo according to Leia, had sever and life threatening injuries. With six cracked ribs, a punctured lung and multiple deep lacerations Beverly had to get him to sick bay.

"Will, if I don't get him back to the Enterprise now he will die." Beverly reported.

Leia gasped but before anyone could make another move a large howl erupted from behind Worf. Turning Worf regarded the massive creature which charged him. As they collided Worf grasped Chewbacca's hands and they began to push back and forth in a show of strength that caused everyone to pause.

"Chewie stop, they are here to help I promise." Leia screeched.

Chewie looked past his Klingon adversary and noticed that Riker had moved to protect Leia and the women bent over his good friend had also placed herself protectively over her charge. Looking back into Worf's eyes Chewie nodded, Worf understood and they both released the other.

"Okay then," Riker started, "Lets get these three back to the Enterprise."

As he reached for his comm badge Leia stopped him. "Wait we can't leave without 3P0 and R2."

"You have more crew, where are they?" Riker quickly asked.

"They should be back in the hold or crew quarters."

Riker nodded. "Worf go with...Chewie...and find these two."

"Yes Commander." Turning Worf motioned the Wookiee down the corridor. Glancing at Leia Chewbacca lead Worf way after she nodded her consent.

"WILL, we need to go now!" Beverley suddenly yelled.

Nodding Riker hit his comm badge and a second later the four still in the cockpit dematerialized.

Leia paced back and forth outside of the operation room as she waited for news about Han. She was still queezy from the transport but she pushed the feeling down. A nurse had checked her out and quickly released her saying she was fine and after being treated with a strange device that healed her wounds in seconds she believed that Han would be to.

A rough voice suddenly came from behind her. "Leia are you okay?"

Turning Leia noticed Chewie, 3P0 and Riker. The voice had obviously not come from Riker or 3P0 so she slowly turned to Chewie.

"Umm, Chewbacca, did you just ask me if I was okay?"

A massive grin spread across the Wookiee's face and he nodded. "Yes I did"

With out even wanting to know how or why Leia jumped into the massive Wookiee's arms. "I am fine, thank you my friend."

"It is truly fascinating Princess," 3P0 began, "these good people have a universal translator that translates in real time...I guess I am obsolete."

Leia wiped away her tears and hugged the golden droid. "You will never be obsolete 3P0, I am glad to see you are okay, but where is R2?"

"He took some sever damage but the engineer, Geordi I believe his name is, said that he would take a look at him, I hope he will be okay." Despite the fact that 3P0's face plate never changed Leia could tell he was worried about his long time companion.

"It is nice that you can understand me Princess," Chewie began, "but how is Han doing?"

Leia glanced back at the doors to the surgery. "They say he will recover and be up on his feet in a day or so, their technology is amazing, it would take a week or more in a bacta tank to fix that amount of damage."

Riker cleared his throat and Leia turned to him. "Captain Picard would like to speak with the three of you, I assure you that Captain Solo is in excellent hands and pacing here will only increase your anxiety."

Chewie and 3P0 both nodded their agreement and Leia sighed. "Alright Commander Riker lets go."

"Please call me Will your Highness."

"Only if you call me Leia." smiling she realized that this man reminded her of Han.

Riker returned the smile. "Of course."

A few minutes later the group entered the briefing room. Of the five people already in the room Leia only recognized Worf, a Klingon according to Riker, he was just as imposing as a Wookiee only less hairy.

"Ah Princess Leia, my name is Jean-Luc Picard welcome aboard." The slightly balding man standing before her offered his hand and smiled. Shaking the mans hand Leia thought he looked a lot like General Dodonna.

"This is my chief engineer Geordi LeForge, Lt. Commander Data, Consular Deanna Troi and I believe you briefly met Lieutenant Commander Worf." Picard made the introductions and Leia shook everyone's hand with a smile. These people had saved them and bloodied the nose of an Imperial captain, she owed them a lot.

"Thank you Captain, allow me to introduce Chewbacca and C-3P0. The only two missing are Han and R2." A worried look crossed her face and Picard quickly offered her a reassuring smile. "Thank you for the rescue."

"Our pleasure," the captain replied and motioned for everyone to take a seat, "now can you explain why that ship was firing on you?"

Leia took a deep breath. "Of course, that ship belongs to the Empire with whom we are at war. They call us Rebels which I guess is a fair view. The Empire rose from our old Galactic Republic when a single man named Palpatine secretly began a war between the Republic and a group known as the Confederacy of Independent Systems."

An hour passed as Leia relayed the story to her rescuers. Every once in a while one of them would ask a question but for the most part they allowed her to speak uninterrupted.

"Two years ago Emperor Palpatine used his Death Star to destroy my home planet of Alderaan but we managed to destroy it, just barley, but we beat it." Leia paused took a drink of water and finished her story.

"So for the past two years we have been on the run. Yesterday an Imperial fleet found us on Hoth and Han managed to get me out but while we where trying to escape the Fury found us and their weapons fire reacted with something in an asteroid. Next thing we knew the cover of the asteroids was gone. We took a near direct hit from the Fury and they where about to catch us when you arrived."

"Hmm, well your Highness I think we have a problem." Picard began.

"How so?" Leia asked as she cocked her head to the side.

Picard replied with a sympathetic look "The galaxy spanning empire you describe does not exist, at least not in our galaxy."

Leia stopped short, Chewie grumbled and shifted with agitation and 3P0 simply let out and "Oh my."

Data stood and moved to the display at the end of the room. "I have managed to recover some data from the Millennium Falcon and as you can see our galaxy and yours are very different." The display showed both galaxies side by side and then as an overlay.

Data was correct, the two where different sizes and had a different number of arms.

"So...we are not even in our galaxy, I had hoped we had been thrown into the uncharted sectors but this." Tears formed in Leia's eyes.

"It stands to reason that the circumstances of your extra galactic travel could be replicated." Data replied.

"Very well, for now Princess I would hope that you would consider yourselves our guests." said Picard.

Leia brightened up at the prospect of returning home. "Thank you Captain we appreciate the invitation."

The comm suddenly activated and Leia heard the voice the ships doctor. "Jean-Luc I thought that you and our guests would like to know that Captain Solo has stabilized and is awake."

"Thank you Doctor. Deanna why don't you escort our guests to sickbay." Suggested the Captain.

Nodding Deanna ushered Leia, Chewie and 3P0 out of the briefing room. Once the door had slide shut behind them Picard turned to Data.

"Commander what is your threat analysis of this Galactic Empire?"

"Extreme sir. From the records I have reviewed so far they have control of roughly three quarters of their galaxy." Data flicked the display back on. "This is the Imperial Star Destroyer, at one point five kilometres on length it is the mainline battleship for the Empire and these ships alone number in the thousands. If the Enterprise took a direct hit even with our shields at maximum we would not survive."

Riker whistled. "That is one big ship, if we encounter one what defence would we have?"

"Our sublight speed and manoeuvrability are far superior, so we would be able to avoid the brunt of their fire." Data switched to another ship. "Needless to say they have a counter for this as well. The TIE fighter is a mass produced one man attack fighter and each Star Destroyer carries roughly seventy-five of these craft in addition to numerous support craft."

"Very well mister Data and what about the ship that attacked us earlier?" Picard asked.

Data switched to another ship. "The Vindicator class heavy cruiser is six hundred meters in length and carries a large armament of what they call turbolasers. Despite the number of weapons they are located protecting different areas of the ship and cannot all fire in one direction. I believe that if the Fury had been at full strength the battle would have been fierce and could have gone either way. Each Vindicator is a match for a Sovereign class one to one."

"So if the Fury manages to find a way back to their galaxy do you think the Empire would invade?" asked Riker.

Picard responded before Data. "I have no doubt the Emperor would have no qualms about invading another galaxy and bringing it to heel."

"I concur Captain." Data chimed in.

Picard turned his chair and stared out at the stars. "Very well, assemble a team use whoever you need, I want as much of this data reviewed by 0900 tomorrow morning. We will send a copy of this information to Starfleet for their review in addition to our reports."

Turning back Picard looked into the eyes of his command staff. "This is your number one priority, everyone will need to pull double shifts. Now get to work."

After the other three had left the room Picard stood staring out at the blackness of space and he suddenly felt very small.