Chapter 9
"Captain, we will exit the wormhole in five seconds… four… three… two… one… zero." As soon as Harry Kim finished the countdown, the Federation starship USS Voyager exited the wormhole.
"Captain, we are now several decades closer to Alpha Quadrant and Earth. I still can't believe Q actually decided to help us." A thrilled Kim stated.
"There's always a first for everything." Tom Paris answered from his helm console.
A soft sound from his tactical console then caught Tuvok's attention.
"Captain, sensors are detecting three vessels in the vicinity plus debris form a forth, the nearest two are approximately one hundred kilometers from our starboard while the other is much more distant," Tuvok said with his unemotional voice. After a more thorough scan, the Vulcan raised his right eyebrow to add, "One of the vessels appears to be of Federation design. If I remember correctly, it seems to be a Sovereign-class. That class of vessel however, had not yet been deployed when Voyager was commissioned."
"Five years has passed, so perhaps that class of ship is already on active duty. But, that doesn't explain how they got here to the Delta Quadrant," Chakotay stated.
"It seems to be badly damaged. The other vessel appears to be preparing to fire upon it," Tuvok stated.
"Everyone's questions will have to wait. If that ship is really from the Federation, we cannot allow it to be fired upon. RED ALERT! Mr. Tuvok, fire a warning shot across the attacker's bow. Mr. Paris, put us between the two ships," Janeway ordered.
"Yes, Ma'am," Paris immediately replied.
Voyager then made a quick turn to starboard and fired a phaser beam, which passed extremely close to the dreadnought's bow and clearly caught the Vorlon's attention. Then it came to a halt in the middle of both ships.
"Mr. Kim, hail that ship," Janeway commanded.
"Hailing now, Captain," Harry Kim acknowledged and started entering the appropriate commands.
"Captain, the registration of the Sovereign-class vessel is NCC 1701-E, U.S.S. Enterprise," Tuvok said after reading the display on his console.
"That is not possible; everyone knows that the Enterprise is a Galaxy class vessel. This must be another trick from Q," Kim declared.
Despite the newly arrived ship's smaller size, its design was similar to the larger one, so the Vorlons immediately decided they had been built by the same race.
"No reply to our hails yet, Captain," Kim informed Janeway.
"Captain, the unknown vessel is powering its weapon." Tuvok declared. In the next instant, the Vorlon dreadnought's powerful energy beam hit the small Federation starship, throwing it backwards in an out-of-control spin as if it was a leaf whirling at the wind.
"Captain, shields are at twenty percent and the unknown vessel is about to fire again. We will not survive another hit," Tuvok stated with his usual impassive voice as if this were not a dangerous situation.
"We wouldn't have survived the first one if it weren't for our shields' Borg enhancements," Kim interjected while grabbing his console to avoid falling to the floor.
"Mr. Paris, execute evasive maneuver theta-four now! Mr. Tuvok, fire at will." commanded a very pissed Janeway.
Tom Paris managed to regain control of the seven hundred thousand ton ship in record time due to his exceptional piloting skills and made a quick dive, allowing Voyager to partially avoid another incoming deadly beam. However, the glancing shot still did plenty of damage in the form of large breach on the top of the saucer section. Only with great difficulty was Paris able to regain control of the ship. But Voyager immediately repaid the favor by firing a rapid succession of phaser beams and torpedoes at the Vorlon ship.
The Vorlon ship had also begun evasive maneuvers immediately after it fired upon the younger race ship so it was able to avoid some of the phaser beams and torpedoes fired at it, however not all and it got badly damaged by the shots that did manage to land on it.
Meanwhile on Voyager's bridge several consoles had exploded filling the place with heavy smoke.
"Captain, we successfully hit the unknown vessel damaging it badly, but we aren't in much better shape ourselves. That glancing shot was enough to disable our shields and make a large hull breach on decks three, four, and five. Warp drive is also offline. Despite its large size, that vessel is as agile as we are, and definitely carries a powerful punch." Tuvok stated.
Now Voyager and the Vorlon dreadnought were in a standoff as both ships were too damaged to continue the confrontation without risking their destruction, but Captain Janeway was not going to run and leave the Enterprise defenseless without first confirming whether it was real or another trick from Q.
On the Vorlon's side, its communications system was damaged so they could not call for reinforcements, but it also was not going to leave and left the other Vorlon dreadnought that was still drifting at the mercy of the younger race ships.
Meanwhile the Enterprise had been closely followed the nearby events.
"Lieutenant Daniels, what are the condition of both ships?" Picard asked.
"It's difficult to tell Captain, our sensors effectiveness was heavily degraded by the battle, but both ships appear to be severely damaged although remaining partially operational," the Tactical Officer replied.
"Geordi, report. How are things in engineering, and how long will it be until we have main power back online?" Riker asked.
"I wish I could tell you Commander. I may be able to give you partial power in about half an hour, but that is it. Things are so messed up down here that it looks like a hurricane has gone through engineering," the Chief Engineer said.
"Do what you can, Geordi. For now, we seem to have a break, but I don't know for how long. Riker out."
"What can you tell me about that Federation ship, Mr. Data?" Picard asked.
"It's registry NCC-74656 indicates it is the USS Voyager, Intrepid-class; commanded by Captain Kathryn Janeway. According to Starfleet records, until recently was considered missing as it disappeared five years ago in the Badlands while on a mission to apprehend some Maquis.
Then ten months all changed when in very unusual circumstances Starfleet came to know that they were still alive. Happened that they had been transported seventy thousand light years away deep into the Delta Quadrant by an alien Entity called the Caretaker."
"How did they manage to send a signal to Starfleet from that far?" Riker inquired.
"Records say that they come across with a very powerful and ancient alien communications array." Data replied.
"And now they are here, just in time to save our butts, what are the odds of that happen?" A completely baffled and suspicious Riker asked.
"Somehow I think Q may have a hand in this, Number one. That wormhole they came from has surprising similarities to the one that brought us here from the Alpha Quadrant," Picard stated.
"Could it be that ship may not be real but just one of Q's tricks, Captain? Riker asked.
"So far it has been real enough to prevent us from being destroyed, Number One. Mr. Data, do we have communications?" Picard asked.
"Short-range only, Captain." Data answered.
"Hail Voyager so we can try to get some answers," Picard said.
"Yes Captain, hailing them now," Data replied.
Moments later, a female figure with slightly messy hair appeared on the main viewscreen.
"Greetings Captain and many thanks for the assistance as without it, we would certainly have been destroyed," Picard said.
"You are welcome, Captain Picard. Who are those aliens that were firing on you, and how did you arrive here in the Delta Quadrant? Also sorry for asking this, but why a new Enterprise?" Janeway asked.
"Regarding the aliens' identity or their reasons for attacking us, your guess is as good as mine, Captain. As to how we arrived here, it is a bit complicated. But basically, the culprit was a powerful Being who goes by the name of Q. About the Enterprise-D, it was destroyed in battle three years ago. Now about you, According to Starfleet records, five years ago Voyager was transported from the Badlands to the Delta Quadrant, but the Quadrant is a very big place, how it happened you to appear here exactly when we more needed?" Picard asked, and noticed the exchange of looks between Janeway and her crew after he mentioned the name Q.
"It appears that we have much in common, Captain we also have had previous encounters with Q, and he is also the reason why we are here now. I'll gladly tell you all about it, but now I think we have more urgent matters to attend to." Janeway replied.
"I agree Captain; above all we need to develop a strategy as quickly as possible in case more aliens arrive. It may not be safe to talk over subspace. Do you mind if we discuss our next course of action here on the Enterprise?" Picard asked.
"Not at all Captain. The first Sovereign-class had not yet been commissioned five years ago, so I am eager to see how it looks on the inside. I will be there shortly. Janeway out." The transmission then ended.
"Mr. Daniels, the Bridge is yours. Continue hailing the alien vessel, maybe we still can reason with them. Mr. Data, Counselor, come with me. Number One, please go to Transporter Room one to receive Captain Janeway and accompany her to the briefing room," Picard said.
"I'm on my way, Captain." Riker replied.
Minutes later, three figures materialized on the transporter pad of the Enterprise.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Captain Janeway. I'm Commander Riker, First Officer of the Enterprise. Please follow me, as Captain Picard is expecting us in the briefing room," Riker said to Janeway as he extended his hand to greet her.
"I'm pleased to meet you too, Commander. This is Lieutenant Tuvok, my Chief Tactical Officer, and Seven of Nine."
"I'm pleased to meet you too," Riker greeted Janeway's companions, who returned the greeting.
"Seven of Nine, that is a very unusual name isn't it?" Riker asked, very intrigued while staring at Seven of Nine's cybernetic implants.
"It's my Borg designation and it is how I prefer to be called," Seven replied in a flat tone.
"Did you just say Borg?" Riker asked slightly alarmed.
"Seven was a Borg drone whom we rescued from the collective. She is now a valuable member of my crew," Janeway said trying to clarify the matter, seeing that Riker was somewhat alarmed.
Riker did not pursue that topic further, but he couldn't stop paying extra attention to the beautiful blond woman with Borg implants and her tight blue jumpsuit, asking himself how Captain Picard would react to it. All four exited the transporter room and headed towards the briefing room.
-oOOo-
Location: Delta Quadrant, in orbit of the Earth Alliance Homeworld.
On the thousands of ships gathered around Earth rumors had quickly spread that the newly arrived aliens called Klingons had decided to help them fight the Minbari and had gone to face three Minbari warships on the edge of the solar system. People everywhere began speculating about the results of such a confrontation. While many people wanted to believe that the Klingons in their small ship had a small chance of winning such a battle, the great majority were not that optimistic.
That mood quickly changed when four Klingon warships entered Earth orbit towing a Minbari frigate. Seeing their new allies returning safe and sound with a severely damaged Minbari ship was beyond their wildest expectations. When the word began to spread, tens of thousands of people in orbit and millions in the planet below began to celebrate; some even had tears of the happiness in their faces. However one question was still to be answered, from where did the other three Klingon ships came from?
-oOOo-
In the Holodeck on board the IKS Kahless.
In the last several hours, Shelby had shown Sheridan wonders that he had never thought he'd see in his whole life. Currently they were on a holographic simulation of the Federation Earth Spacedock's recreation room. Sheridan was speechless on the magnificence of the place.
"This is incredible, the guys on Earth aren't going to believe me unless they see this place with their own eyes," Sheridan said.
"Not to the entire Earth population naturally, but to President Levy and a few other people, certainly something can be arranged as I don't think that Brigadier Korras will oppose a visit here to the Holodeck," Shelby answered.
Suddenly Shelby's comm. badge produced a soft sound.
"Shelby here," she said after tapping the badge.
"Commander Shelby, we have arrived. Take the Human Commander to the transporter room. He is expected on the surface of the planet." Korras said.
"We're on our way, Sir. Shelby out."
"I guess it's time for you to go home, Commander," Shelby said.
"I guess it is. When do you think it will be possible for us to inspect the Minbari Ship?" Sheridan asked.
"Probably as soon as we reestablish its environmental systems," Shelby replied.
Half a day later at the Earth Alliance Headquarters in Geneva, the Joint Chiefs of Staff headed by Chairman General Robert Lefcourt were having an emergency meeting.
"Gentlemen, we are gathered here to discuss our next course of action. One day ago, we were without any hope, facing the end of Mankind at the hands of the Minbari. Suddenly, the Klingons appeared from nowhere. All of you have read Commander Sheridan's report on what happened there, and how the Klingons faced and defeated a Minbari force that would have effortlessly obliterated any Earth Force fleet. Does anyone have any comments on this?" General Lefcourt asked the audience.
"What is their position on selling us weapons?" General Carmo asked.
"For the time being, they have not specified how are going to help," Lefcourt answered.
"What kind of allies are they? The loss of three Minbari ships is nothing to the boneheads. They have thousands of ships and still can steamroll us at any moment. We have to have those weapons to defend ourselves," General Tomko declared.
"What do you suggest that we do, General Tomko? Do you want us to force them to hand over their weapons?" Lefcourt asked.
"If the need arises, yes."
"Really? If they are that much more powerful than the Minbari, we would be replacing an enemy that can erase Mankind completely with another that can do it even more easily." Lefcourt said, not liking the implication of such suggestion.
"There are ways and there are ways, General Lefcourt. By their own words, they are far from their territories and they have only four ships. When the rest of them come and find out what we have done, we will have already strengthened our forces to the extent that no one else will want to go to war with us," General Tomko replied.
"General Tomko, I'm not a man that often uses harsh words, but I have to say that you are a moron." Lefcourt said.
"I protest being called a moron, General," General Tomko vociferated.
"Then don't act like one. Hell, only God knows how many more ships they may have since at first we only thought that they had a single ship but not long after they showed up with three more. So what you are suggesting is that we try to steal technology from the only race that is willing to help us, as well as suggesting that if we by any chance we manage to be successful in doing it, we then will be able to defend ourselves from any force that they may have. Does this idea make sense to anyone else but you?" Lefcourt asked and then continued. "We have no clue how their weapons work, which materials they use or even if we would be able to duplicate them. So please no more stupid assumptions. Brigadier Korras will be arriving here soon to tell us what plans he has to stop the Minbari. Let's stop the speculation and stick to more productive topics."
"Maybe we could use a telepath to discreetly scan their minds and find out their secrets," General Romanoff suggested.
"Telepaths? Are you serious? I wouldn't trust a telepath any more than an alien. If they managed to find anything useful, they'd probably hide it from us," General Martel interjected.
"I think you are overreacting, General Martel. It's true that there's little love between telepaths and normal humans, but I don't think they would go that far," Romanoff replied.
"In that case, please tell us about the last time any telepath put the interests of non-telepaths in front of their own? Hell, I'm certain that anything they could discover would only be used on behalf of their own kind, and they'd happily let the rest of Mankind burn," Martel stated.
"I agree with General Martel. We have no way to check if the telepaths were being honest with us," Tomko added.
"The main question is what we're going to do if the Klingons don't give us any weapons, just roll over and die?" General Carmo asked.
"I think that all of you are again jumping to conclusions. Let's hear what Brigadier Korras has to say about this and then discuss it." Lefcout said trying to ease the tension and be voice of reason.
"What about those other Humans of the United Federation of Planets? They may be more receptive to helping us," Carmo said.
"We don't know if those Humans really exist, or if it is only a hoax. Even if they do exist, they could turn out to be nothing more than puppets at the hands of the Klingons and not willing or able to help us," Tomko said.
"And what about all that Commander Sheridan saw in that holographic room?" Carmo asked.
"If that Holographic room can do everything that Commander Sheridan described, then it can also easily manufacture something that isn't true. Also, the Klingons' suspiciously good timing could easily be a ruse to cause us to lower our defenses," Tomko said
"Sorry General Tomko, but I'm not buying that. If they can defeat the Minbari, they can defeat us even more easily even with all our defenses up," Carmo said.
"Who knows how aliens think. Just because they are advanced does not mean that they have many resources. They may just want to do it in a simpler way, who knows how aliens think?" Tomko Replied.
"If they don't have many resources to deal with us, why would they risk pissing off the Minbari? Sorry, but that doesn't make any sense," Carmo replied.
"Like I said before, who knows how aliens think. I just don't trust them. And to put things mildly, anyone that does is being naive," Tomko said.
"General Lefcourt, on the humans of this supposed Federation of Planets Commander Sheridan's report is not as extensive as it should be. In order for us to have a better assessment of the situation, perhaps he could come here so that we could clarify certain aspects of his report," General Martel requested.
"This can be easily arranged. I thought that you should want to question him, so he's waiting outside now," Lefcourt replied as he pressed the button for the intercom. "Sergeant, please tell Commander Sheridan to enter."
Moments later, Sheridan entered the room and saluted all the brass.
"At ease Commander, some of us present wish to question you on some points of your report," Lefcourt said.
"I will try to clarify any doubts as best I can, General," Sheridan replied.
TBC