Chapter 1

A galaxy far far away

Admiral Keys woke up a few minutes after hitting the rift. He could see other crewmembers waking as well. "Status?" he ordered.

"Admiral, I can't get a navigational fix on our location. It's like we're not in our own galaxy anymore." said the conn officer.

"Did you run a diagnostic?" asked Keyes

"Yes sir, same results. I'll keep trying sir."

"Lucien any ideas? asked Keys

"Sir, I can confirm that we are no longer in our own galaxy. I can also confirm...that we are no longer in our reality." replied Lucien, the Senior Science officer.

"Is there any way to get back?" asked Keys

"Not at the moment sir. I'm going to have to analyse these readings. They are very strange." he replied

"Sir, I have comm traffic. But it's not like anything I've ever heard. I'm also receiving visual signals." said Scott, chief tactical officer.

"On screen."

The screen changed from a starfield to a mirage of images. They all appeared to be advertisements for one product or another. One ad was astonishingly in english. It talked about a 'Galactic Empire' and exploring the galaxy. However the images on the screen of armies in bleach white armor didn't look like any explorers to Keys.

"Lucien, Scott, analyse these recordings and see what you can find out." said Keys.

It took some time but Scott and Lucien put a report together about this new galaxy they had entered.

"Admiral, my analysis of the communications we intercepted clearly indicates a thriving galactic civilization which includes humans. However, unlike our Milky Way, this galaxy has been largely explored and charted for thousands of years. From what we can tell, it used to be ruled by a central democratic Republic from a planet called Coruscant. Approximately twenty years ago after a bloody civil war the Republic fell and was reorganized into a malevolent Empire. This Empire is guilty of horrendous crimes including the wanton destruction of an inhabited planet. I highly advise avoiding contact with the Empire at all costs. There is no indication of technology like our transporters or replicators and if the Empire learns of our technology they would attempt to seize the ship and execute the crew after a torturous interrogation.

Keys nodded in understanding. "Scott, what our tactical situation look like?"

"Shields and weapons are fully operational. I have MACO and Omega personnel guarding key areas of the ship and security is on constant full alert. We'll be ready if they board us. As Lucien mentioned they don't seem to have transporters so I believe any boarding action will occur via shuttle. As for ship to ship combat I recommend we stay at full impulse. From what we've seen the larger capital ships don't have the maneuverability we're used to. Combat tactics seem to be a combination of WWI and WWII naval tactics, with heavy reliance on fighter support. Primary weapons consist of what I believe to be a plasma-pulse weapon called a 'turbolaser'. There are different levels of turbolasers, light, medium and heavy. However, I can't really gauge how effective our shields would be without solid data. I believe they are individually weak which is why the largest ships carry several dozen of these weapons. There are torpedo and missile weapons as well."

"Very well. Genaro, your report?"

"Sir, the technology in this galaxy is impressive. I'd love to get a look at a hyperdrive motivator. It seems to be the only method of faster than light travel. As near as I can figure it's a kind of quantum slipstream, very fast but limited. It requires precise calculations for a jump and does not function in a gravity well. As Lucien and Scott have mentioned there is no evidence that they have transporter or replicator technology. There is no evidence of antimatter being used as a power source."

"If no one uses antimatter how will we refuel?"

"I've looked at some star charts and plotted possible sources of antimatter. So it shouldn't be too much of a problem."

"Sir, I have something to add." said Scott.

"Go ahead." replied Keys

"I've found evidence of an insurgency against the Empire. There are references to the Rebel Alliance to Restore the Galactic Republic. I've seen some of the propaganda and it looks like this Rebel Alliance has won a major victory. The Emperor, a man named Palpatine is reported to be dead and the Rebel Alliance has declared itself as The New Republic. Sir, I recommend making contact with them if we can't find a way home. We could offer them some minor technological upgrades in exchange for a safe haven. They aren't as aggressive as the Empire. I'd say they fight for the same reasons we do, freedom." he said

Keys nodded but Lucien had reservations. "Sir, wouldn't offering aid to this Rebellion be a violation of the Prime Directive?"

"I don't think so. This is not just one planet experiencing a civil war, it's an entire galaxy. If they fight for the same reasons we do I see no reason why we should help them. Have you been able to pinpoint our location?"

"Yes sir. From the star charts I've gathered I believe we are in the Corellian sector. The primary system being the Corellian system itself, with three habitable planets. It is also an Imperial stronghold and home to several shipyards. Corellia appears to be one of several planets that have a thriving market in starships. They manufacture anything from light freighters to cruisers. I recommend we move away from this system immediately sir. Every hour we're here exposes us to possible detection and attack by Imperial forces." said Lucien

"Scott, you said the Rebels won a major victory recently. Where?"

"A planet on what they call 'the outer rim territories'. Endor."

"Hmmmmmm, Genaro you said that a hyperdrive is probably a kind of quantum slipstream. How does it compare to transwarp drive?"

"Transwarp is much faster. If my math is right, we can transwarp to Endor in three days, while quantum slipstream would take about a week because we have to drop out periodically and let the hull cool down from the extreme velocities."

"Very well. When we're done here lay in a course for Endor and engage the transwarp drive."

"Understood sir."

"Bridge to Admiral Keys."

"Keys here."

"We've detected a high-speed anomaly approaching our position. I think it's a ship in hyperspace."

"We'll be right there." replied Keys

The Admiral and his senior staff took their places on the bridge. As the crewmen were relieved they reported. "Sir, the target is reverting to realspace sir."

In a flash of motion a small vessel appeared. The Admiral looked at it closely. "Looks like a patrol ship. Imperial?"

"It appears so sir. According to our information it's a Corellian Corvette. Also known as a blockade runner."

"Tactical analysis?"

"Two twin turbolasers and four single lasers. Shouldn't be much of a challenge."

"Hail them."

"They are hailing us sir."

"On screen...this is Ad-" he was cut off harshly by the Imperial officer.

"Rebel scum!" he yelled then cut the channel."

"That went well..." commented Scott. "They're targeting us...and opening fire...No reduction in shield strength sir. With the power levels I'm reading they couldn't challenge a Miranda-class frigate let alone an Odyssey cruiser."

The Imperial crew was surprised to see a bubble shield shimmer around the ship with each shot.

"Alright that's enough. Scott, disable their communications and engines. We don't want them calling reinforcements on us."

"Aye sir." replied Scott.

Two quick shots melted the communications dish and punched a small hole in the engines. Scott noticed a possible tactical advantage when his shots partially penetrated the shields. "Sir, I don't think they have experience with modulating weapons." he said

"That's quite an advantage for us but we'll have to discuss it later. Major Columbus, prep your MACOs for boarding action. I want you to capture the ship intact."

"Yes sir. Let's move MACOs!" said Columbus as he lead a platoon to the transporter room. "First squad beams to the bridge, second takes engineering, third and fourth squads are on hallway duty, secure the rest of the ship. Phasers on stun."

"Scott, I need one more shot, try to disable their shields."

"Aye sir."

One last phaser shot connected the two ships for an instant as the corvette's shields flickered then shorted out.

"Shields down commencing boarding action." said Scott.

Captain Zurel Darillian, commanding the Imperial Corvette Night Caller, was incensed at his ship being disabled so easily. He couldn't even call for reinforcements. His crew looked to him for guidance. "Arm up. They probably want to board us." he said

The crew scrambled to their positions and broke out blaster rifles and pistols. The small contingent of stormtroopers took positions near the airlock and around key areas of the ship. They were totally unprepared when men in suits of grey armor carrying odd looking rifles appeared out of thin air. Captain Darilion shot at one and was rendered speechless when a blue force field shimmered around the man and his blaster shot literally bounced off the shield. The MACO quickly stunned him and his bridge crew before they could put up more of a fight. Engineering was secured just as quickly. The other two squads were encountering resistance from the stormtroopers. The stun setting on their rifles weren't effective against the stormtroopers armor. A phaser rifle on setting 6 was needed to punch through armor. The whole boarding action took thirty minutes.

Starfleet crew members swarmed the ship, downloading the tactical database and analysing the weapons. They also downloaded the Intelligence and linguistic files. Genaro used the navigation system to get a real fix on their position and the Corvette was stowed in the Zeus's shuttlebay. Genaro was eager to see what kind of modifications he could make. The Admiral had given him full authorization to 'tinker' with the ship as he saw fit.

The Zeus engaged its transwarp drive and jumped to Endor.

A/N: Yes I'm the one getting married...