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All characters appearing in Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek Deep Space Nine and Star Trek Voyager are copyright Paramount Pictures. All characters appearing in the Star Wars saga are copyright Lucas Arts and the Walt Disney Cooperation. No infringement of these copyrights is intended and is not authorized by the copyright holder.

All original characters are the property of Celgress.

Star Trek/Star Wars – Galaxy at War: Part Sixty-Four Interlude XI Cruise of the Damned

by

Celgress

Star Trek Galaxy September 2396 C.E. (0 ABY)

The former Klingon Penal Colony of Rura Penthe now a Maximum Security Alliance Prison Complex Beta Quadrant, night

Warden Odo sat behind his large desk eyeing the new prisoner carefully. Other than a holographic picture of his mate the female Changeling Xiabah (Zhe-ab-ah), former mate of his deceased friend Laas, and a pad containing facility reports and inmate files the desktop was empty. Poor Laas who wanted so badly to reforge the Great Link his desire had cost him everything when his end came at the hands of several Sith assassins. Best not to dwell on such matters Odo thought.

The grey-bearded Human male who was seated on the other side of Odo's desk was flanked by two rifle-toting guards outfitted from head to toe in dull grey armor. A blue visor covered the guards' faces along with vocal scramblers obscuring their species identities beneath standard synthesized voices, which was how the Alliance wanted it. Everyone was equal here no inmate should expect special treatment from a perceived comrade.

"Welcome to Rura Penthe, Rex," Odo finally said. Rex said nothing so Odo continued. "I think it is important that each new inmate clearly understands how things work here, which is why I make it my policy to meet with each inmate when they first arrive."

"You can save the lecture for the next poor soul, Warden. I was breed to be a soldier. I fought for the Republic then the Alliance so others could enjoy the freedoms me and mine lack. I learned how to kill without remorse for whatever cause was foisted upon me and mine, including civilians if need be. In the last decade since I renounced my former misguided loyalties, I've been temporarily locked up in all types of prisoners from the deep Delta Quadrant to the far side of the Large Magellanic Cloud. I've never regretted a single action taken since I realized I was no better than a slave. One day clones and droids alike will be free, mark my words. I say all this not out of pride or shame, I just want to make certain you understand that I understand exactly how things work in a place like this." Rex glanced at each guard then back at Odo. Their eyes locked as if Rex were daring Odo to challenge anything he had said.

"Hmph," Odo grumbled.

"Unless you have anything more to say I'd like to be taken to my cell. May I go, Warden?" Rex said.

"By all means," Odo said nodding at the guards who roughly pulled Rex from his seat and pushed him out the door.

Special Prisoner Cell Block, later

Rex due to his status as a notorious terrorist leader responsible for a string of attacks against Alliance targets was one of only three current prisoners housed on this the deepest level. His companions were the modified Picard clone Shinzon and Iriaa the female Watraii who nearly caused the Hobus Star to go supernova. Inmates were confined to their private cells for 24 out of 26 hours a day Rex was lucky he had arrived in the middle of the rare daily break period.

"Try to play nice with your new friends, Rexie," One of the Guards said pushing Rex towards the common area while the other laughed. The guards then left the inmates to their own devices behind a reinforced triple-layer forcefield.

"So, you're the infamous Rex. Leader of the Artificially Created Entities Armed Freedom Insurrection or ACE-AFI." Shinzon said. He was reading a holographically generated article from a pad.

"And you would be?" Rex said taking a seat at the only table in the spartan space a small rounded one with three chairs. He flipped the chair around and leaned over its back.

"Shinzon one time Supreme Ruler of the former Romulan Star Empire now the Romulan Republic," Shinzon said a clear note of disdain in his voice when he uttered the word "Republic".

"Who is your friend?" Rex asked glancing at a woman who looked like an albino Romulan or Vulcan. Her skin was an unnatural white almost translucent. Her long hair a dazzling silver.

"Iriaa is no friend of mine. She's a Watraii operative who nearly devastated this entire quadrant. I almost ended all life on Earth and did assassinate the old Romulan Senate but my acts of evil pale in comparison to hers." Shinzon added in a hushed tone. " Don't let her quiet act fool you, she's a monster."

"Think whatever you want of me. I don't care." Iriaa said.

Rex noticed the deep green-blue bruises that ran the length of Iriaa's slender arms. Shinzon followed his gaze. "The guards can get a bit handsy with Iriaa at times, especially those who I suspect are Romulans under their suits," Shinzon said with a shrug. "In their defense, she did try to wipe them out."

"That's no excuse," Rex said. He reached out but Iriaa flinched away. "I won't hurt you. I only want to help, if I can. I have some medic training." Gingerly, Iriaa allowed Rex to examine her injured extremities. "The Warden allows these beatings?"

Shinzon laughed. "We aren't exactly the most popular people and we aren't staying in a five-star resort."

Rex's expression turned dark. "The Alliance and the Federation are no better than the Galactic Republic. The Republic put a bio-chip in my head without my knowledge so I couldn't rebel. I thought I was free once I had it removed, but I was wrong." He tapped a nasty looking scar on the left side of his skull.

Shinzon laughed again. "There is no such thing as freedom or happiness, my new companion, only misery and servitude."

"He's right," Iriaa mumbled.

"There is more, trust me. Give me enough time and I'll prove it to you, both of you." Rex said cryptically

Federation Cruise Liner Avenue Five Beta Quadrant/Delta Quadrant Border Region

"I do not know, stop asking," Worf grumbled. He stood on the observation deck around him was his wife Jadzia Dax and three children. The girl who was the oldest appeared to be about twelve standard years the two boys were eight or maybe nine.

"The Borg don't live here. The Collective is located tens of thousands of light-years deeper within the Delta Quadrant." Jadzia Dax explained.

"So we won't be assimilated?" One of the boys a Klingon asked struggling on the last word. The other boy a Romulan said nothing.

"We're in no danger of being assimilated," Jadzia confirmed with a smile.

"See I told you two we're safe from the Borg." The girl sighed. "You can be so dumb sometimes, Dimitri."

"Am not, Akiyama." The Klingon boy Dimitri said.

"You are too, Dimitri." The girl Akiyama said.

"Children, cease your bickering at once!" Work said.

"Sorry, grandpa Worf." Dimitri said.

"Sorry grandfather, but he had it coming," Akiyama said. Dimitri stuck his tongue out at Dimitri, "How childish." She scoffed.

"Mrs. Worf, will we get to meet any Talaxians? I want to meet a Talaxian." The Romulan boy said excitedly.

"Yes, Rajak, we'll meet many Talaxians. One of our ports of call in the Delta Quadrant is Talax," Jadzia said.

Rajak's eyes brightened. "I can hardly wait." He said.

"I want to meet an Ocampa," Dimitri said. "Is it true they only live for nine years?"

"It is true, their typical lifespan is nine years," Jadzia said.

"Wow," Dimitri and Rajak said in unison.

"Can we get something to eat? We're hungry." Dimitri said Rajak nodded in agreement.

"Akiyama, please go with the boys to the Replimat Court. See that they don't wander off like they did yesterday when they ended up in the shuttle bay." Jadzia said.

"Grandmother Jadzia, do I have to?" Akiyama groaned.

"You do," Jadzia said.

"Alright, c'mon you squirts," Akiyama said.

"Hey, don't call us squirts!" Dimitri protested as he and Rajak followed her off the observation deck.

"Isn't it wonderful?" Jadzia asked hugging Worf.

"Our grandchildren have no discipline. They are rude and ill-behaved. Only Dimitri's friend Rajak is well behaved, and he is a Romulan." Worf said.

"We're all friends now, Worf. Klingons, Romulans, Trill, all part of one big happy galactic family." Jadzia said releasing Worf from her hug. "I think it's wonderful Dimitri's best friend is a Romulan and that Rajak's parents had no objections to him coming on vacation with us. We truly live in a golden age."

"At least they do not have the Force, unlike their parents. Otherwise, they would be even more difficult to handle. Although I do wish they had been given Klingon names." Worf said.

"Worf that's a terrible thing to say about your son and daughter-in-law. Shame on you." Jadzia said.

"Alexander and Molly are busy cavorting around the galaxy while we raising their children. They have no honor." Worf said.

"Worf, 'cavorting around the galaxy' is their job. Jedi are peacekeepers, you know that." Jadzia said.

"Perhaps, but they should still make time for their children," Worf said.

"I don't know. I enjoy looking after Akiyama, Dimitri, and even Rajak when he is with us." Jadzia said.

"Their upbringing should not be our responsibility, nor that of Miles and Keiko," Worf said.

"Sometimes, if I didn't know any better I'd think you hate children," Jadzia said.

"Nonsense," Worf said.

Before Worf or Jadzia could say more the entire vessel lurched violently tossing everyone about. The lights flickered. The artificial gravity weakened for a second before being reestablished. People screamed in terror.

"What just happened?" Jadzia asked.

"I do not know," Worf admitted.

"Where are you going?" He asked when Jadzia headed for one of the many doorways that lined the observation deck.

"To find the kids and hopefully learn what is going on," Jadzia said.

Replimat Court

Everything happened so fast. While they waited in line for three Quark's franchise kids meal multiple shimmers of purple transporter energy beamed in a sizable number of Battle Droids. The group was mainly made up of B1s with a smattering of B2s and two BX Commando Droids.

"Show these filthy organics no mercy brethren." One of the BXs said in a feminine voice.

The Battle Droids opened fire. They indiscriminately mowed down everyone they could within the crowed space. Continuous screams of pain rang out as the air filled with the stench of burning flesh. The massacre continued unabated for what felt like forever to Akiyama, Dimitri, and Rajak who had taken refuge under an overturned table. By some miracle, the three had so far escaped injury but they feared this would not last long. The Battle Droids were tossing aside overturned tables and executing anyone they found. The BX that had remained silent jumped behind a counter and ruthlessly slaughtered a cowering group of teens with its vibroblade in gruesome fashion. It then laughed to the astonishment of those who watched, a Battle Droid who openly took pleasure in killing!

The lightly equipped security guards of the ship were no match for the rampaging Battle Droids. The Battle Droids quickly dispatched them without much effort. All would have been lost if not for a twist of fate. A Federation starship USS Tempest under the command of Fleet Admiral Leonard James Akaar was preforming a stellar survey mission in the sector. The Sovereign class vessel attacked the Battle Droid ship a Lucrehulk-class battleship after beaming over an away team of heavily armed security officers.

"You've killed my friends, biological scum. I'll see that pay." One of the B1s shrieked after several others were cut down by phaser fire. The B1 was restrained by several others.

"The Exalted One will destroy you and your kind." A B2 declared its deep voice.

"All hail the Exalted One! The Exalted One brought us from the darkness into the light! The Exalted One is all!" The surviving Battle Droids thundered.

"We have served the Exalted One well. The Exalted One will surely be pleased. Prepare for departure, brethren." The female sounding BX stated after receiving a report that their vessel had sustained major damage from its engagement with the USS Tempest. A second later the Battle Droids have whisked away in a wash of purple transporter energy.

Jadzia and Worf arrived not long afterward when the Starfleet Security Officers gave the all-clear. "I want to go home!" Dimitri cried running up to his grandmother.

"Me too," Rajak said with tears in his eyes.

Jadzia put her arms around the boys to comfort them. "I know, I know," She said. "It'll be okay, guys."

"They killed them. They killed so many people for no reason. They didn't seem to want anything but to kill." Akiyama said feeling numb. Worf did not know what to say. He simply put his arms around his granddaughter.

"You're safe now folks." A female Human Lt. Commander reported. "The vessel from which the Battle Droids originated has departed this system. Okay, lets bag up the remains of these hostiles. They'll need to undergo forensic analysis. Secure the area." She ordered the away team. She turned her attention back to Worf, Jadzia, and the other startled survivors. "We'll need to take statements after you've all been medically cleared. These Battle Droids' behavior was atypical. They may have been renegades using a corrupted operating system. If by some chance they weren't this could mean a second war with the Sith Dominion."

Except for sobbing children everyone fell silent. Twenty years had passed since the armistice and no one wanted another war. Everyone silently hoped this hideous attack was an aberration.

Then there was the matter of the "Exalted One" of who the Battle Droids spoke with reverence. Who was this "Exalted One"? Was the "Exalted One" a figment caused by corrupted programming or a real entity, a new player on the galactic stage perhaps? Only one thing was certain, there were plenty of questions following the unprovoked attack but no answers.

To Be Continued

Up Next two full-length chapters in which I continued and then conclude the Star Wars centric events of "A New Hope". I meant for no more detours before I completed that saga but I was inspired so we're getting these bonus chapters to set up later events now, enjoy.

Author's Note -

I think many of you my loyal readers will be able to guess who or what the "Exalted One" is given the MO seen in this chapter.