Chapter 6: Admiral and Queen

Picard walked onto the bridge of the ISS Enterprise, nodding to his first officer, Captain Tasha Yar. She was a fine and accomplished officer who had served onboard the Enterprise since it was commissioned nearly a decade ago. She was the type of officer he liked; fair when she was able to, tyrannical if the need arose and brutal in a fight. She had helped Riker during first contact with the Ferengi and had sent the Ferengi into a panic at the damage she could do personally to those who tried to attack her.

"The Empress is heading to Bajor," he called out across the bridge, his implants itching again, "So we will go ahead of her and be there just in case. It is after all near the Cardassian warfront. Helm, set a course for Bajor."

"Aye, aye sir," the Bajoran Ro Laren replied from her helm, "Setting course for Bajor."

Tasha stood from the Captain's chair and moved over as he took a seat. He wasn't going to stand through the entire trip, that was for sure! Tasha looked over at him and asked, "Sir? Won't the Royal Guard be enough for her?"

"No," he said, "The Enterprise will be there."

"What about the Klingons and Romulans?" she asked.

"To h-l with them!" he snapped, making her frown. She was one person he very rarely lost his temper with. He had once seduced the Mother Empress when they were younger. And he would not let his daughter go there alone.

"Warp 7," he said, lifting an open palm, "Engage."


Ten Forward was the place to relax during long missions. And Picard took the time to relax. He especially liked being able to talk to Guinan, who acted as councilor. Councilor, friend and guide. He wasn't even sure what their relationship truly was.

"It's about time you got down here," she teased, handing him a cup of Earl Grey, "I was getting kind of lonely."

"I had business," he shrugged.

"What kind of business?" she asked.

"Important business," he replied.

"What kind of important business?' she pressed.

He rolled his eyes. "The kind that's important," he said.

Guinan chuckled. "I always like that type of business," she noted.

"I wouldn't believe it if you didn't," Picard snorted, "So, what sage advice do you have for me this time?"

"You remember the first time we met?" she asked, sliding her hands across the glasstop.

"Of course I do," he smiled, "Your shuttle had crash-landed on Risa's third moon and I came to your rescue and helped you out."

"No," she chuckled, "We first met back in the 19th Century. You were on a mission to find Commander Data who had gone back in time to the then United States of America in an attempt to bring democracy to our time. In the other universe, you went back in time to save Data and saved me. Well, you bumped into me during that mission and the memory from the other universe leaked into ours."

Picard's eyes widened. "Yes...of course!" he said, slapping the table, "I knew something was familiar about the woman I saw on the mission."

Guinan frowned slightly, throwing her whole being into a reclusive darkness. It wasn't just a contemplative glance. No, it was a truly troubled look. Picard reached out his hand and touched her own gently.

"Guinan?" he asked.

She shivered. "I have the ability to see ripples in space and time," she said, "And I have a great sense that this ripple is going to be cut soon."

"'This' ripple?" he asked, not sure what she meant.

"Us," she said, "This whole ship. Even what we perceive as the Empire will end soon."

Picard raised an eyebrow. "Not sure if I like that," he muttered.

"Captain Yar to Admiral Picard," his com chirped.

"Go ahead," he said.

"We are getting a Priority Violet signal from Starfleet Command," she reported.

Priority Violet? Invasion? He looked at Guinan, and the resigned look on her face showed him all he needed to know.

"What are the coordinates?" he asked.

"Sector 512," she said, "The Bajoran System."

"Alert General Quarters," he said, and stood up, and with a small nod passed between him and Guinan, he marched towards the bridge.


Empress Mallor sat on the throne on Imperial One. It was made of pure titanium and chiseled in such a way that it reflected with absolute precision every detail around her. It had a personalized heating system installed to always keep her comfortable. Helped keep her dignified, if a little sleepy.

He was going to be there. Her true love, Lt. Tom Eugene Paris. He was the current head of Starfleet Maquis Division, a group of Special Ops that was aimed towards destabilizing key regions every couple of years to keep them off balance. She had met him when Special Forces and Special Ops had done a combined mission assassinating the Gorn Emperor, Nakrog, to prevent his threats of war against the Empire. Only her and Paris had survived the mission. She always had a weakness for human males, but if all worked out, she planned to announce her betrothal to him by the end of the year.

"Empress," the Captain, an android by the name of Royal Captain Lore Soong called from his station at the back of the bridge, "Admiral Jellico has issued a Priority Violet Signal across the Empire."

"Location of the invasion?" she asked.

"Bajoran system," he reported, "Seems the other side of the wormhole was not as empty as we thought. Empress, if I may suggest, we must pull back for your own safety.

She felt a cold clamp around her stomach of fear. Paris would be in the region, and so would so many others. She went to bring peace. Why all of a sudden this invasion? Was the Gods of her people mocking her for taking the purple? If she turned back...it would not be any good.

"No," she decided, "We go to Bajor."

"But Empress," Lore said in contempt, "We cannot risk your safety."

"I am Empress!" she snapped, "I go to bring the sword to our enemies. A strong show of force against this foe will be enough to turn them aside. Order the Imperial Ninth Fleet to join us at Bajor. I want the Angry Angels to be in the lead of the war-effort."

"Yes, Your Majesty," he bowed his head, anger filling his android eyes. Even he, with his artificial speed, would not go against her personal guard, standing camouflaged in many different parts of the bridge, although he could see them all.