Chapter 10: The Dark Legion Beckons
Personal Log: Cadet Sonic the Hedgehog: Stardate 48264.9: It has been almost 3 months since my friends and I started our first academic year here at Starfleet Academy. I am taking classes in Survival Strategies, Interspecies Ethics, Early Starfleet History, and Turn-of-the-Millennium Technology. Tails is taking Xenobiology, Robotics, and Early Starfleet History. Rotor is taking Organic Chemistry, Basic Warp Design, and Robotics as well. Antoine is taking Interspecies Ethics and Protocol, and Forensic Psychology. And Bunnie is taking Survival Strategies, Intrasystem Peacekeeping Operations, and Creative Writing for her courses. All of us are doing okay, I guess. We've earned both praise and prejudice from older folks, but we get by. But with our first break coming up, we are wondering what is gonna happen.
Sonic was resting in his room and Tails was studying a little longer than he usually did, since he wanted to be sure that he could remember everything over his break, while the others were simply cleaning up their rooms to be ready when they returned.
"Boy, one can learn so much of how to deal with Cardassian cultures and learn about some holes in history." said Sonic.
"What do you mean, Sonic?" asked Tails.
"I've learned that while the situation deteriorated on Mobius, the Federation had some difficulties with the Klingons and the Romulans. Things for them haven't been any better, ever since they got into wars with the Cardassians and the Borg. The Federation would never abandon anyone out of predjudice or hate. They feel that people should make an effort to coexist in peace and harmony, just like the philosophy of the Mobian people that Rosie taught me." said Sonic.
"Wow. Our peoples do have a lot in common now, do we?" asked Tails.
But then they heard a knock on the door. It was Bunnie. "C'mon, ya'll, we gotta message from Commandah Mitchell, sayin' that the Andromeda has arrived and is ready to beam folks aboard. And he has requested we come aboard, sayin' that this is important."
"Okay, Bunnie. We'll be there at the usual shortly." said Sonic as he got to work getting ready. As soon as Sonic and Tails were packed, they joined their friends in the Academy lobby, where they awaited the signal to beam aboard.
But then, they heard a communication signal from the Andromeda: "Mitchell to Sonic. We're ready to receive you."
"Okay, Commander. We're ready." said Sonic. "Energize."
And with that all said and done, they were beamed aboard the Andromeda, and there was Commander Mitchell in a Type B command uniform and an older man around the age of 51 in a Type A Command uniform. "Welcome aboard, Sonic. Freedom Fighters." said Mitchell. "May I introduce my Captain, Garrett Kimble."
"Greetings." said the Captain. Sonic and his friends then stood at attention and the Captain replied: "At ease, cadets. As soon as you are shown your quarters, come to the observation lounge. We have an important matter to discuss."
"Yes, Captain." said Tails.
As soon as they were settled in, the Freedom Fighters immediately went to the bridge of the Andromeda, and they saw that looked very much like that of the Enterprise, only with a few minor modifications. They knew right then and now that the Andromeda was a sister ship to the Enterprise. But all questions aside, they made their way into the observation lounge, and they saw Captain Kimble and Commander Mitchell with a few other people, who they believed to be the senior officers aboard. "Allow me to introduce the rest of the staff." said Kimble.
The first they saw was a Vulcan male of around 119 years old, in an operations Type A uniform. "This is our Science Officer and 2nd Officer, Lt. Commander Sorvek."
"Greetings, Cadets." said Sorvek in a calm demeanor.
They then turned to a human man of around 37 years old, and was wearing a Type B operations uniform: "This is our Chief Engineer, Lt. Commander Raymond Blake."
"Cadets." said Blake with a heavy Cockney English accent.
Next there was a woman, a female human around 31 years who was in a Sciences Type A uniform: "This is LCounselor Stella Messer. She's skilled in psychology and if you have problems, come see her."
"Hello, Cadets." said Counselor Messer.
Next there was a man of about 44 years old, and he was wearing a Sciences Type B uniform: "This is our chief medical officer, Doctor Larry Benedict."
"How do you do, Cadets?" asked Dr. Benedict.
And finally, there was a woman of about 28 in an Operations Type A uniform. "And finally, our Chief of Security, Lt. Erica Kennedy."
"Cadets, good to have you aboard." replied Lt. Kennedy.
"And of course, you know our First Officer, Commander Jason Mitchell. And before you ask, he was promoted to full Commander last week." said Kimble. "Now that we know each other, let's get down to business."
"Right, sir. What's the deal?" asked Sonic.
"The deal is that, we are being sent to the Mobius Cluster to investigate the Echidna Dissident group called the Dark Legion." said Kimble.
"Are they that group of cybernetic Echidnas who have been causing trouble on Mobius recently? Yeah, I've been listening to news from home." said Sonic.
"We recently discovered a Dark Legion Outpost on Angel Island recently when we regained contact with the Echidna people, and we suspect that it was built not too long ago, which is a violation of the Treaty, and therefore we are being sent to investigate the area in which we relocated them." said Kimble.
"Then why are we going to Mobius first?" asked Antoine.
"We plan on picking up some old friends of yours who've encountered the Legion before." said Mitchell. "And you guys are here not just for a little training cruise, but so that you can back us up when we need it."
"Dismissed." said Kimble as all the officers filed out back to their stations. Tails would work with Sorvek, Rotor with Blake, Bunnie with Kennedy, Antoine would help with Dr. Benedict, while Sonic had the honors of being the helmsman of the ship, and his task: Get the ship to Mobius at Warp 5.
When they arrived, they assumed standard orbit, and were then in geosynchronous orbit above Angel Island, Captain Kimble said: "Cadet Hedgehog and Commander Mitchell, go meet our guests in Transporter Room 2."
"Aye sir." said Mitchell.
"Yes, Captain." said Sonic as the two headed down to Transporter room.
When they arrived, the transporter chief said: "6 to beam up, sir."
"Energize." said Mitchell.
And soon, two echidnas, a male and female, along with a male crocodile, male armadillo, male chameleon, and a male bee materialized on the transporter pad. Sonic recognized them right from the start: "Well, I'll be! It's the Chaotix! Led by Knuckles the Echidna!!"
"Sonic the Hedgehog, Freedom Fighter-turned-Starfleet Cadet! How are 'ya doin',?" said Knuckles as he and Sonic shook hands. "So, you finally ended up in uniform."
"Not yet, Knuckles." said Sonic. "I'm still just a cadet. I have a long ways to go."
"You may be just a student, but you and the others are well on your way. Don't rush it." said Commander Mitchell.
"Anyway, Knuckles: this is Commander Jason Mitchell, First Officer." said Sonic Introducing Knuckles to the Commander. "Commander, this is Knuckles the Echidna, the Guardian of Angel Island. The girl here is his partner, and former Dark Legionnaire, Julie-Su. The other guys are their backup: Vector the Crocodile, Mighty the Armadillo, Espio the Chameleon, and Charmy Bee."
Commander Mitchell, as he shook hands with the Chaotix, he then noted that Julie-Su had a weapon in a holster. "Welcome aboard the Andromeda. By the way….We'd be more comfortable if you weren't armed, Julie-Su." said Mitchell.
"Is there a problem, Commander?" asked Julie-Su.
"Security Protocol. You gotta check your weapon." said Mitchell. Julie-Su then relented and unholstered her weapon, and handed it over to Mitchell, who checked it thoroughly. "Proton Beam pistol. Two barrels, protonic power cells, no stun setting, not as powerful as a Phaser, but, it's a nifty weapon."
"It's a carryover from my Dark Legion days." said Julie-Su.
"You may carry it. But don't make me regret it." said Mitchell handing it back to Julie-Su, and then led the Chaotix to the observation lounge so they could speak with Captain Kimble.
"As you all know, I am the Guardian of Angel Island, and the Chaotix is my backup. We first came into contact with the Federation when we stumbled upon the crew of the USS Rochambeau providing relief supplies to the city of Echidnopolis." said Knuckles.
"We know that already." said Kimble. "What of the Dark Legion?"
"Yeah, well, I've had some run-ins with these guys before. Julie-Su was a straggler who decided to drop her flags. The first signs of them were sporadic, but after I met Julie-Su and then made contact with the Federation, we discovered a small outpost that had been built some time ago. I led an attack on the outpost, since we had to take it out quickly before it became a problem. But not before I had a run-in with Grandmaster Kragok." said Knuckles.
"Do any of you know of the Dark Legion Grandmasters for the last 80 years?" asked Mitchell.
Julie-Su spoke on that: "15 years after the Treaty was enacted, Moritori Rex became Grandmaster for many years, and then, Grandmaster Luger, who is Kragok's father, came into power some 40 years ago. But he disappeared and Kragok assumed the mantle."
"So, we'll be dealing with him." said Kimble.
"I sure hope you guys aren't thinking about making friends with these guys." said Vector.
"Why not?" asked Mitchell.
"They aren't to be trusted." said Espio. "They'll stab you in the back when they get the chance."
"I'd have to agree with Espio on that." said Mighty.
"I won't forget that the Federation has had that prior dealing with the Dark Legion, which show them to be untrustworthy. But we can't afford not to try." said Kimble. "We are going to proceed to Sector J-5127, where the Dark Legion Colony is located, and see if we can establish a relationship with them. And hopefully, get them under control."
"It'll be impossible, Captain. Kragok is not to be trusted to abide by and treaty imposed by the Federation. He'd take advantage of your passiveness in order to stab you in the back." said Knuckles.
"I won't trust him. I will take precautions." said Kimble. "Dismissed." then everyone filed out, while Sonic led the Chaotix to their quarters.
But on the way, Sonic conversed with them. "Why join these guys, Sonic? They take diplomacy before action quite seriously. Cramps my style." said Knuckles.
"Cramps my style, too. But, there's plenty to do within the Federation, and also I owe them a big debt for helping to drive Robotnik off Mobius." said Sonic.
"You? A debt? That's hard to see coming from you." said Julie-Su.
"And besides, there are countless adventures waiting on other planets, something I'm not gonna pass up." said Sonic. "And even so, I'm gonna be the first Mobian to make Captain in the Federation!"
Knuckles perked at idea, and began thinking of something. Knuckles and Sonic then began to talk about entry into Starfleet Academy, and how Sonic got into the Academy in such a short amount of time. "What is your intention, Knux?" asked Sonic.
"Oh, nothing. Just wondering what I should do…." said Knuckles as they approached their quarters.
First Officer's Log: Stardate 48271.2: We have arrived in Sector J-5217, but there are no signs of any Dark Legion ships in this area so far. We remain on alert in case they show up, but we are taking no chances.
"Report." said Mitchell.
"No ships on sensors, sir." said Sorvek.
"You think we might have scared them off?" asked Kennedy.
"Unlikely, Lieutenant." said Kimble. "They are probably watching us, seeing what we do before we make our move."
"That sounds like Kragok." said Julie-Su.
"Cadet Hedgehog, slow us to ¼ Impulse." said Kimble.
"Aye, sir. ¼ Impulse." said Sonic.
"Prepare two Class 1 Probes, Mr. Sorvek." said Kimble.
"Ready sir." said Sorvek.
But then Kennedy noticed the sensors responding: "Captain. I am detecting a vessel decloaking right in front of us. Bearing 5-0-1, Mark 4-1-6."
"Belay that order, Mr. Sorvek." said Kimble. "Identify."
"The vessel is Klingon in origin, Captain. It is an Insurrection-class Bird-of-prey." said Kennedy.
"Insurrection-class?" said Mitchell in surprise. "Those were retired years ago."
"My best guess, Commander, is that the Dark Legion was able to acquire ships by stealing or dealing them from the Klingons." said Kennedy.
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Lieutenant. The Legion has been making deals with the Klingons before the Khitomer Accords went into effect. Expect them to use older Klingon ship designs." said Julie-Su.
"Put that vessel on screen." said Kimble. And then, the image of a black and red Insurrection-class Bird-of-prey appeared on screen, and it was slowly moving towards the Andromeda.
"That's Kragok's ship: the Dmitri's Will." said Julie-Su. "Be careful. The design may be old, but the weapons are capable of matching some starships."
"Noted." said Kimble.
"Captain. We are being hailed." said Kennedy.
"All stop, Cadet." said Kimble.
"Aye, sir. All stop." said Sonic.
"On screen, Lt." said Kimble.
"Aye, Captain." said Kennedy.
A moment later, the image of an echidna around 32 years old appeared on screen. He had a prosthetic left eye and what appeared to be an inorganic left arm. "I am Grandmaster Kragok, of the Dark Legion. Identify yourself."
"This is Captain Garrett Kimble of the Federation Starship Andromeda." said Kimble.
"So I gather." replied Kragok. "And I see the Guardian is with you, along with that traitor. No surprise that they'd join the Federation."
"We aren't with the Federation, Kragok. We're just helping them out for a while." said Knuckles.
"Well then, I can see that Captain Kimble may want to discuss matters with me. May I come aboard your vessel, Captain?" asked Kragok.
Kimble then gestured for the audio to be muted, which Kennedy did. Kimble then asked: "What do you think?"
"I don't trust him, Captain. He sounds dirty." said Mitchell.
"I'd have to agree, Captain. We should assign a security detail to them." said Kennedy.
"Negative, Lt. They're our guests, not our prisoners. But I agree with the idea of posting guards in some of the sensitive areas of the ship, do that." said Kimble.
"Aye sir." said Kennedy.
"And Captain," said Sorvek. "I advise we keep our shields raised and our computer locked out so that we do not have any chance of a subversive take-over."
"Agreed. Let's take no chances with them. They've attacked a Federation ship before; let's assume they'll do it again." said Kimble, who then gestured to return audio. He then turned to Kragok. "Okay Kragok, we'll allow you to come aboard. But you will be watched closely."
"Typical. I will be aboard your vessel shortly." said Kragok. "Kragok, out." then the viewscreen went back to showing the Dmitri's Will.
"Commander, Sonic, Knuckles, and Lt. Kennedy, accompany me to Transporter Room 1. You have the bridge, Mr. Sorvek." said Kimble.
"Aye, Captain." said Sorvek as the four headed down to the Transporter Room, where Kragok and a female echidna around the same age appeared next to him.
"Welcome aboard the Andromeda, Grandmaster Kragok." said Captain Kimble.
"Thank you, Captain." said Kragok in a slow, calm tone. "May I introduce my sister and second-in-command, Kommissar Lien-Da."
"Captain." said Lien-Da in a similar tone.
After introducing Commander Mitchell and Lt. Kennedy, Kragok turned his attention to Knuckles. "And the Guardian presents himself before me." said Kragok walking towards Knuckles. "You've cost us plenty by aiding the Federation in attacking our outpost."
"More the Federation helped me." said Knuckles.
"From your point of view." said Kragok who then noticed Sonic. "Ah, Sonic the Hedgehog. The boy who is the number-one enemy of Dr. Robotnik, and now I see you are a member of the Federation Starfleet."
"What's that got to do with anything, cyberpunk?" asked Sonic.
"I see that your time among humans has not affected your behavior. Nor your attitude for that matter…I had hoped you'd be more noble a person, considering your reputation." said Kragok. "Now, we have matters to discuss, Captain Kimble. If you please."
Kimble, Mitchell, Kennedy, Sonic, and Knuckles led the Grandmaster & Kommissar towards the observation lounge of the Andromeda. Mitchell was a bit intimidated by Kragok's three-fingered, mechanical arm, but even more by the fact that if he mentioned his relationship to the Federation Captain which was involved in the Menniker Incident, it would mean trouble. So Mitchell promised himself that he wouldn't say anything.
In the observation lounge, Kragok and Lien-Da explained their end of the bargain: "As you have found out, we established a small outpost on Angel Island back on Mobius to listen in on the Council's dealings, so that if the Federation returned, we would be ready."
"So what are you proposing to us?" asked Kimble.
"It was a mistake for the Legion to dare challenge the Federation, considering you outnumber us 5-to-1." said Lien-Da. "We would like to propose a peace between the Dark Legion and the Federation."
"What's the condition?" asked Mitchell.
"We are getting ready to move to retake the Island that rightfully belongs to us, Captain. We are ready to move against the High Council of Echidnopolis, if we have the Federation's cooperation. In exchange for providing aid, we will aid with helping develop cybernetic enhancements identical to our own. We don't hold any grudges against humans, but we'd be more than willing to provide you with new technological secrets that could aid in your own goal. So, is it a deal?" asked Kragok.
Kimble was silent for a few moments, and he then got up and looked out the windows and replied: "The Federation would welcome new technology, but not what we have to do in order to obtain it."
"What do you mean, Captain?" asked Lien-Da.
"The Federation cannot interfere with this affair of yours, nor can we support an invasion. But may I offer an alternative?" asked Kimble.
Kragok looked at Lien-Da for a moment, and she looked back at him, but then they turned to Kimble. "What do you propose, Captain?" asked Kragok.
"We will allow you safe passage, and peacefully create a small settlement under Federation supervision, and we will allow you a fair share of the island between the council and the Dark Legion, with the Federation acting as a barrier between the two factions, and we can find a peaceful resolution to the conflict." said Kimble.
Kragok and Lien-Da looked at each other again, and thought for a moment. But then Lien-Da spoke: "We are intrigued as to why you insist on peace, and where you're taking this. Nothing more. How much of the Island are you willing to cede to us?"
"I believe 1/3 of the island between the High Council, the Federation, and the Dark Legion sounds fair enough. But it will be demilitarized, to ensure that the peace is kept, like how we dealt with the Romulans and Cardassians." said Kimble.
Kragok and Lien-Da were silent for a while, but then, they thought for a moment. Then they looked at one another, and then Kragok replied: "Very well, Captain. We will accept your proposals, and will go quietly with it. But make our share of the island a good one."
"It shall be done." said Kimble.
"Well then, it's a deal, Captain." said Kragok. "We would like to join you and your staff for dinner tonight to show that we are good terms, and that we are not enemies of the Federation."
Kimble, Mitchell, Sonic, Kennedy, and Knuckles were surprised by this turn of events, but Kimble immediately replied: "Very well, we'd be honored to have you aboard tonight."
"Excellent, Captain. So will we." said Kragok as he and Kimble shook hands. Knuckles really didn't like the sound of this, but he decided to play along with it, since he knew that he could protect the crew against any attempt on their lives. "1800 hours?" asked Kragok.
"Of course." said Kimble.
"We will return to our ship and make arrangements." said Lien-Da.
"Do what you feel is necessary." said Kimble, as he led the Grandmaster & Kommissar back to the transporter room, but Mitchell, Sonic, and Knuckles felt a bit uneasy, since they did not trust Kragok and Lien-Da at all. They had no idea what fate would await them next…..