A/N: This arc will wrap up the first book in the Raptorverse. As I said earlier, this story has grown so large that I'm having to break it up into separate books. We're already at approximately 500,000 words and will probably clock in another 20000 with this arc, so, it just makes common sense to end the book with the conclusion of this arc and then pick up in the next book where the opening episode will be where we leave off here. I want to thank all my readers for sticking with me through all sorts of stuff since I started this story many years ago. And…as I said…while I'm concluding THIS book with the end of this story arc, the story very much continues as I plan to have the first arc of the next book up fairly soon as well. Thanks again!

Bridging the Divide 1

Drozana Station—Universal Alliance Command Headquarters—Science Division

"I was informed that you have something." Commodore Soren Magnussen, head of the Joint Universal Taskforce announced as he and his temporary aide, Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams entered the lab.

"Yes, Sir." Zara, an excited quarian astrophysicist who, along with her fellow refugees were recently rescued from a perilous situation when they were suddenly transported from their universe to this one, exclaimed, her enthusiasm coming through her vocalizer. "It took some work, but we were finally able to determine the exact resonances and frequencies we need to open up a stable portal linking the universes through that nexus point."

"Stable?" Ashley interjected, "You're saying that we'll be able to maintain contact?"

"Exactly!" Lieutenant Commander Talana Zha'Thara, the Valley Forge's chief science officer assigned to the portal taskforce eagerly responded. "That is…if a connection is maintained from the other side as well."

"In other words…" Soren concluded, "…the door can be opened and closed at will."

"Correct." Zara replied, "Unstable portals can be opened from one end or the other, but to keep the portals stable, it will require both universes maintaining the connection."

"That will make the access points important strategic objectives." Soren mused as he considered the ramifications of what he had just been told.

"While some of the powers on the other end might be eager for a stable connection…" Ashley pointed out, drawing on her prior experience under Shepard's command, "…there will be others who will oppose it. And I can all but guarantee that there will be a political free for all over who controls the portal entrance."

"That's something we'll have to let the diplomats wrangle over." Commodore Magnussen declared, "All we can do is offer suggestions—hopefully, they'll listen to them."

"They're politicians." Ashley wryly commented, earning an amused smirk from her lover.

"We'll just have to make them think it was their idea, Lieutenant Commander."

"Yes, Sir." Ashley smiled back.

"What about the other research, Talana?" Soren inquired.

"Twesata, Rana, Lieutenant Velen the Aeolia, are dealing with the augmented and genetically altered prisoners. They think they've found something you might be interested in." The Andorian science officer reported back

"We'll check with them next." Commodore Magnussen acknowledged, "Anything else?"

"Yes, Sir. Dr. Treeya and Salome have been analyzing the artifacts she brought with her from the universe. You might want to pop in on them."

"Good idea."

"Finally…" Talana ended her report, "Treasure, Dixie, and Nelia have been hard at work on several projects."

Nodding his head, the commodore answered back with a smile, "We'll be sure to check in with them too. Now…unless there's anything else?"

"No, Sir." Talana replied with a cheeky grin, "If I might suggest, Commodore…why don't the two of you go see Twes and Rana now…"

"And let you get back to work." Soren chuckled, bantering back at Talana' subtle smirk and wink. "Very well, Lieutenant Commander, we'll let you get back to your research."

"Any results?" Soren asked as he entered the lab where Twesata and Rana were working, the two lovers staring at a computer model on their screen.

"Oh!" Rana exclaimed, startled by the sudden interruption, "Commodore. Yes…I think we might have something. Come over here and take a look."

"These are the results we've gotten from a genetic scan of the krogan." Twesata explained, "Somehow or other—we're still working on figuring out how—they've managed to fuse Borg and Reaper nanites while also grafting Gorn tissue and neurons."

"They seem to have found a way to take advantage of the rapid regeneration capability that krogans naturally possess along with their redundant organs." Lieutenant Commander Velen, the Denobulan science officer from the Aeolia, interjected, pointing to a series of numbers on the screen. "These are normal krogan alleles."

"Now look at these…" Rana instructed, pointing to another sequence. "They are the ones altered by Borg and Reaper tech.

"I'm no biologist…" Ashley commented, "But it looks to me like the Borg and Reaper nanites are rewriting the genetic code."

"They are." Twesata concurred, "But what's even more remarkable is that they're doing it in cooperation."

"Somehow…someway…" Rana concluded, "They've found a way for Reaper and Borg technology to work and play well with each other."

"That's not the most pleasant piece of news I've heard this morning." Soren quipped sarcastically. "But…I've got a feeling there's more. All right…" The Danish starship commander sighed, "Lay it on me."

"Don't forget, Sir…" Twesata joked back, "You asked for it." Pausing momentarily as she called up a new image on the screen, the Betazoid science officer explained, "What we've also discovered…this time from non-invasive scans taken from the infected passengers and crew of the Dawn Star, is that the Thorian spores also combine with the Borg and Reaper nanites to produce a very cohesive form of hive mind almost impossible to break."

"In other words…" Ashley grumbled, "The Borg Collective on steroids."

"Right." Lieutenant Commander Velen confirmed. "We're looking for a means to unravel the very complex genetic, molecular, and even sub-molecular rewiring…" the Denobulan science officer shook his head dejectedly, "…but haven't had any success."

"This is beyond even what Saren was doing—isn't it Rana?" Ashley queried the asari scientist.

"Most definitely." Rana answered back. "I was exploring how the Thorian spores might be able to combat indoctrination, but what they've done is use those spores to not so much combat it as to direct it. In short…they've taken it to the next level. Instead of using the spores as a weapon, they're using them as a tool."

"So…there's nothing we can do for these poor people." Soren concluded somberly.

"Not yet, Sir." Twesata responded, "But…we haven't given up yet. Just…" the lovely Betazoid winced as her asari lover squeezed her hand, "…please don't ask me to try to go back into their minds."

"I won't let you, siha." Rana promised, explaining to the Commodore, "That time she did, she nearly lost her sanity. I am not going to let that happen to her again."

"Don't worry." Soren assured, "No one's going to ask her or you to repeat that experience. You have my word."

"Thank you, Sir." The lovers responded gratefully.

"If there's nothing more…" The Commodore announced as his eyes glanced at the exit, "We'll be on our way. Keep me posted if you find out anything else."

"Where to now, Sir?" Ashley asked as she walked beside her lover.

"Let's take a looksee at what Dr. Treeya and Lieutenant Jenkins are doing, shall we, Lieutenant Commander?"

"Aye, Sir." Ashley responded with a smile on hearing the commodore referring to her new rank.

"Dr. Treeya…Lieutenant Jenkins…I understand you've found something interesting."

"Maybe." The asari archaeologist responded as she beckoned the commodore and his aide to a table. "What you're seeing here is a collection of artifacts from both of our universes. Notice anything special?"

Carefully examining the relics on the table, Commodore Magnussen commented, pointing at a pair of stelae, "Those two…they look like they were made by the same culture."

"Good guess, Sir." Salome said in her usual languid tone of voice. "Take a look at the engraving on both of the slabs. See the similarities in the pictographs?"

"Yes." Ashley interjected as she peered at the two monuments. "Do you have any idea who made them and what they mean?"

"We're still trying to figure that out." Dr. Treeya responded, "What I can tell you though is that they came from different universes. This one…" she pointed at one of the stelae, "…came from the artifacts I found on Fehl Prime in the other universe. And the other one…" she gestured to another relic on the other end of the table, "…was found by an archaeological team on Geron III in this universe."

"Which means that they were probably left by the same people." Soren surmised, "Do you know how old they are?"

"At least a billion years old…"

Letting out a low whistle, Ashley remarked, "That puts them as older than any of the species we've run into in either of our universes. What about your universe, Salome? Those ruins your captain and first officer investigated?"

"You're right, Ash." Salome confirmed, "It does appear that they were made by the same people who left those ruins in my universe. The only problem is…"

"You don't know who they are." Soren concluded.

"Exactly." Salome acknowledged with a frown. "Since we're finding these artifacts in multiple universes, that would indicate that this race is not only very old…but also very advanced and powerful."

"In other words, they might be our mysterious puppet masters." Ashley conjectured.

"Maybe." Dr. Treeya agreed before sounding a note of caution, "However, we can't rule out the possibility that another race such as the Iconians, Reapers, Undine, or Borg are using that technology for their own ends."

"Or that there isn't another player entirely—one we haven't run into yet." Salome added.

"I see…" Soren drawled, "So…have you been able to figure out what the stelae are saying?"

"No." Salome shook her head before explaining, "Usually, you can crack an ancient language by analyzing the languages it stems from and work your way back."

"Like the Rosetta Stone?" Soren queried.

"Somewhat." Salome replied, "Although the Rosetta Stone was something of a lucky break in that along with the until then unknown Egyptian hieroglyphics, you also had a translation in demotic Greek and a transitional script. It was much easier to work back from that once the scholars knew what to look for."

"We don't have that here, I'm afraid." Dr. Treeya interjected. "We're having to figure this out cold…and…" she admitted, "…we're not having much…really any…success."

"It's like trying to decipher Linear A or ancient Harrapan, but worse because we don't have any frame of reference." Salome heaved a dejected sigh. "Hopefully, once we open up the portal between our universes, we can find out something over there that'll help us unravel this mess."

"We'll let you get back to your work, then."

"Engineering?" Ashley inquired.

Nodding his head, Soren affirmed, "Engineering. I'm curious to see what Nelia and her people have dreamed up for us."

"Knowing Nelia…" Ashley chuckled, "It's NSFS."

"NSFS?" Soren smirked.

"Not Safe For Starfleet." Ashley grinned in response. "C'mon. Let's go see what they've got cooked up."

"Ya'll are pullin' my leg!" Dixie laughed as Treasure finished her story.

Lieutenant Commander Angela 'Treasure' Barrows, the Texas-descended buxom blonde Aeolia chief engineer responded. "Candy an' Atris will back me up if ya'll don't believe me. They were there when it happened!"

"You tellin' me you jumped up on a table at Quarks during a barroom brawl with some Klingons, pulled up your shirt and flashed 'em!" Dixie's Alabama accented voice and laughter filled the room. "No way!"

"If Ah'm lyin' Ah'm dyin'!" Treasure swore jokingly, raising her right hand as if taking an oath. "It was back when I was an ensign on the ol' Sutherland."

"Where was the captain when this went down?" Dixie asked.

"She was screwing DS 9's Chief Medical Officer in his quarters." Nelia interjected with a knowing smirk. "My uncle was on the station at the time—he was part of a border cutter crew that had docked at the station to resupply and was there when the fight with the Klingons broke out. He used to joke about how he got cold cocked by some Klingon while he was looking at Treasure's phaser banks."

"See! I tol' ya!" The buxom blonde engineer cried out triumphantly.

"Ahem…"

"Oh!" A now red-faced Treasure exclaimed, "Commodore! We didn't know…"

"Obviously." Commodore Magnussen interjected as he tried to hide the smirk that wanted to appear on his face, especially as his aide wasn't even trying to hide her snickers. "Do you have anything to report?"

Now all business, Nelia, a reluctant Starfleet Commander and even more grudgingly in charge of this detail, took over for her stammering teammate. "We've been busy with trying to adapt some of the technology of Dixie's universe with ours."

"Any success?"

"Some." Nelia replied, "Edi, Treasure and Dixie have done most of the work, so I'll let them fill you in."

"Go ahead, Edi." Treasure encouraged, "After all…it was your idea, Sugar."

"We have found a way to integrate medigel into your universe's armor systems." The mobile AI reported. "We can begin producing prototypes immediately."

"Do so." Soren responded, "Anything else?

"Yes." The AI answered back, "This breakthrough, however, is theoretical at present."

"Go ahead, Sugar…" Dixie urged, "Tell 'em."

We think that we have found a means by which we could make mass effect relays work in this universe."

"How so?" The Commodore inquired, his curiosity aroused. "I thought you needed this element zero substance to make it work."

"Correct, Sir." Edi confirmed, "That is why this study is purely theoretical at this stage. However, should a stable corridor between the two universes be established…"

"Trade routes could carry eezo for stuff unique to this universe—like dilithium." Ashley interjected, receiving a nod of affirmation from the AI.

"That is also correct.

"Right." Soren acknowledged before further inquiring, "Any success on finding a way to ensure the stability of a portal once we do open it."

"Yes, Sir." Treasure triumphantly declared. "Since we now know the resonances and frequencies, Ah can adjust our deflectors to transmit a dark energy burst that should open up a portal. Once we open up the portal, it should remain stable for as long as a gateway remains open on the other side."

"That's useful…" The commodore noted, "But it depends on us controlling the other side as well. Do you have anything that would keep the portal open on our end? I'd much prefer having the door open in the event we have to beat a hasty retreat."

"Way ahead of you, Commodore." Nelia responded cheekily, "Satellites located at certain points that we've already identified can be set that will transmit the frequencies to keep the door open or closed from our end. Here are the specs. You can run them by the others if you want." She then handed the Danish commodore her padd. "We can have the satellites deployed in less than a week."

Nodding his head, Soren gave his assent. "Do it. I'll set up a meeting with the admirals. Commander Terre…hold yourself in readiness. I have a feeling the admirals will want you and the other project heads at the briefing. Lieutenant Commander…" The commodore turned to his raven-haired aide, permitting a slight smile to come to his lips, "Looks like you might get to see your family before Christmas after all."

"Yes, Sir." Ashley responded with a big grin.

Turning his attention back to the engineers, Soren smiled as he praised them, "Good work, everyone. Unless you hear otherwise, proceed with your plans. As of now, we are on the go for extra-universal travel."

Admiral's Briefing a couple of days later

"We've examined your reports." Admiral Kererek declared, speaking for his fellow admirals. "Are you sure that a portal can be safely opened?"

"Quite certain, Sir." Commodore Magnussen replied, "My engineering team is ready to deploy the generator satellites now. All we need is your approval for us to proceed."

After several moments during which the admirals confabbed with each other in barely audible tones, Admiral Kererek spoke with an incline of his head, "Very well. Approval has been granted. Diplomats from each power have arrived and will accompany your expedition. Secure control of the nexus point and then proceed into the other universe and make contact. Also…" the Romulan admiral requested as a yeoman handed a padd to the commodore, "…if you would please pass this on to Commander Kaval? He should be the one to deliver this, along with our congratulations, to Subcommander Avesti on your meeting. She has earned it."

Reading the padd, a slight smile crossed the Danish commodore's lips, "Aye, Sir. I will gladly do so."

"Dismissed and may the Elements guide your path, Commodore Magnussen." Admiral Kererek declared as he rose to his feet, effectively ending the meeting.

"Qapla!" General Martok exclaimed as he also rose from his chair. "May you enjoy success."

As the meeting ended, Commodore Magnussen addressed the captains under his command, "Wrap up what business you have on the station and call your crews back from their shore leaves. We depart in twenty-four hours." Turning to Ashley, he whispered, "You might want to tell Ajun to get ready as well. I was just informed that she has been accepted into next year's Academy class. That means I have the authority to appoint her as an acting ensign. If she wants the job, she's assigned to the Valley Forge until she graduates school here and the next Academy class year begins."

"Yes, Sir." Ashley grinned in response, "This will make her day, Commodore."

"Yes…" Soren cleared his throat, "Remind her that she will have to keep up on her studies and pass her final exams as well as take on her shipboard duties. That's a heavy load for anyone to juggle."

"She can do it, Sir." The former Alliance gunnery chief answered back reassuringly.

"I know." Soren nodded his head, "Just make sure she understands what she's getting into.'

Lowering her voice as she made sure that no one other than her Danish lover could hear her, Ashley vowed, "She'll do just fine, Soren. I promise."

"That's good enough for me." Soren smiled back also whispering, "I'll see you tonight for dinner at Belen's."

"It's a date." Ashley responded, the pair briefly touching hands as they parted, "See you tonight."

USS Belladonna

"Tell the boys and girls to get their partying done tonight, Elisa dragam because we're going to another universe in twenty-four hours." Captain Zsuzsanna Rosza said to her executive officer as the pair stepped out of the captain's luxurious bathtub.

"Was that what the comm was about baby?" The olive-skinned, dark-haired first officer replied as she sensuously toweled her lover down, pausing for a moment to linger at a sensitive spot.

"Mmmm…Hmmm…" Zsa-Zsa purred. Then all dried off, she repeated the procedure for her lover. "Time to get dressed, dragam. We've got work to do before our going away party at Belen's tonight.

"We're having a party?" Elisa responded with a sensuous growl.

"Of course, dahling." Zsa-Zsa answered back with a mischievous wink as she got dressed in the Belladonna's standard female uniform of midriff top, short skirt, and thigh high boots. "Now…hurry up...I want to check our weapons systems and readiness."

"Shall I call a drill now, Captain?" Elisa, now fully dressed herself and her voice tone all business, asked.

"Igen, dahling. And be very strict about response times. Assign extra duty to anyone who's slacking off and restrict them to the ship. We'll cut loose tonight, but I want to be ready for anything tomorrow."

USS Aeolia

"Tell Treasure that she needs to doublecheck her emissions shielding." Captain Hobson instructed his Deltan executive officer. "They are .054 micro-angstroms too high for my tastes."

"That's still well within the range of tolerances, Captain." Commander Rysyl commented already anticipating her captain's response.

"Starfleet's range of tolerances is not mine, Commander." Hobson rebutted, giving the response his first officer and lover expected him to give. "Let us turn now to T'Pren's department and then Sciences." The Iceman then read off a list of seemingly minor instances and issues until his first officer, seeing that they were alone, finally interrupted him.

"Chris? Don't you think you're being a little too…"

"Nitpicky?" The faintest traces of a smile played very briefly on the captain's lips before being replaced by his usual placid, icy exterior. "Of course I am, Anara. The crew expects it. It would put them more on edge if I weren't. But…there's also a method to my seeming madness at work here. For example, while it might look like my insisting on bringing those emissions escaping through our cloak down by a mere .054 micro-angstroms is just me being my usual autocratic self, that small margin of error could prove crucial in maintaining stealth as we close with a potentially hostile fleet or planetary defenses…"

"Or probe systems still governed by the Prime Directive, yet also possessing the technology to potentially detect us through our cloaks." Anara finished with a nod of her head.

"Exactly." Hobson confirmed, "The same principle holds with the other departments. While I have absolutely no complaints with how our department heads are doing their jobs, as a matter of fact, they are performing splendidly, they expect me to…"

"Give them shit." The Deltan executive officer finished with an amused smirk.

"Just so." The Iceman responded, again with the faintest traces of a smile on his face. "My seeming pettiness also keeps them on their toes…but…" he further explained, "…you are right. It can be carried to an extreme. As we are moving out in twenty four hours, give the crew extended shore leave so that they can sort out any affairs that they need to or let off any excess energy they might possess."

"I've known you for over ten years, Chris." Anara declared with a slight chuckle, "And you continue to surprise me."

"And you, me, my dear." Hobson warmly responded before again putting on the mask of the stern martinet. "I want the crew fully alert and back at their posts promptly at 0800 hours tomorrow and I want those adjustments made prior to our reaching the Coronado system with the rest of the fleet."

"Understood, Captain." The Deltan first officer crisply responded before inquiring in a more informal matter. "Anything else?"

"Yes." A slight smile appeared on the stony-faced captain's face, "Would you care to join me this evening for a night of dinner and dancing?"

A grin playing on the lovely Deltan's face, Anara answered, "I thought you'd never ask."

USS Spoiled Princess

"What do you mean you're leaving us?" Shelana exclaimed as she burst into the bar, "Why?"

"I'm sorry. I'd love to stay with you but…" Belen replied apologetically, his eyes moistening with tears, "…the station's grown so much in the past few years. Drozana's no longer just a marginally profitable stopover and repair port. It's grown into a full-fledged resort and will probably be a gateway port between universes. Just think of the trade and commerce it's going to pick up! I just can't afford to let Qwixo run it on his own anymore." Belen explained in a rueful tone of voice. "But I don't want to leave you girls…and Joachim…without someone to look after you—tend your bar…cook your meals…take care of you and your guests. So…" The Ferengi merchant grinned as he pushed seemingly shy young Ferengi forward, "Say hello to Bylo—my nephew from Moogie's side of the family."

"Bylo?" Nelia interjected, raising a skeptical eyebrow in response.

"He just graduated Commerce School." Belen boasted, "First in his class." The Ferengi merchant, speaking now in a stage whisper, muttered to his old friend, "I paid out enough gold pressed latinum in bribes to make sure he did."

"I want to get my Trade Pioneer's license." The young Ferengi proudly declared.

"Trade Pioneer, Third Level…" Belen whispered to the roguish green Orion sitting at the bar sipping her Antarean sunrise. A pleading quality now in his voice, the Ferengi resort owner begged, "He's got potential…he's just a little young…that's all. And…I don't want him to apprentice himself to someone like Madran or Oglo. Leaving out the fact that they'll just treat him like an indentured servant, they're old school Ferengi. Those days—for better or worse—are gone for good. It's a new universe with new rules. We Ferengi have to adapt and part of that is rethinking some of the old ways"

"Okay, Bel…" Nelia agreed with a smile, "We'll take him with us."

"Thanks." The Ferengi bartender grinned back as he handed his friend a holosuite key. "Special program." He whispered conspiratorially, "Give it a try tonight and tell me what you think. If you like it, I'll put it on the adult only program list and comp you and anyone with you whenever you want to use it."

"Thanks." Nelia smirked as she took the key an slipped it between her breasts. "Now…how's about another Antarean sunrise."

Ashley and Ajun

"So…" Ajun asked as she modeled her new red Starfleet miniskirt, "What do you think?"

"Looking good, baby Sis." Ashley grinned. Then, her smile vanishing as quickly as it appeared, the former Gunnery Chief admonished, "Don't think for a moment that Soren, Jeff, or I are going to cut you any slack young lady. You are going to work your ass off. Not only are we going to expect you to perform your shipboard duties, you're also going to have to study for your regular school classes and pass your finals." Her face and voice now reflecting concern, Ashley asked, "Are you sure you're up for it? There's no shame in saying that you'd rather wait for a year and get through school first."

Her former joyful mood now replaced by a more serious demeanor, the young Bajoran teen replied, "I'm sure, Ash. I don't expect anyone to cut me any breaks. I know it's going to be tough, and…I'm ready. All I want is a chance to show all of you that I am."

Responding with a warm smile, Ashley promised, "You'll get that chance." Changing the subject, she teased, "So…Alric, Huh?"

"What do you mean, Alric, Huh?" Ajun retorted, her cheeks reddening slightly at the mention of the teenage Betazoid boy in her class.

"A little bird told me that he's taking you to the holosuite tonight."

"That little bird wouldn't happen to be named Belen, would he?" Ajun quipped as her blush deepened.

"I'm not a stool pigeon." Ashley joked, "So…what's the program?"

"Don't worry, Ash. It's one of the safe ones—roller-skating on old Earth back in the 1950s." Taking out a pink and white poodle skirt from her closet, the young Bajoran woman held it up, "See…all good."

"Just make sure that part of the program doesn't include the two of you in the back seat of a '55 Chevy." Ashley half-teased. "Okay…go ahead…have a good time. But get back at a reasonable hour. We're shipping out tomorrow."

"Aye, Aye, Lieutenant Commander." Ajun replied with a mock salute and a smile as she went back into her room to change, "You and Soren have a good time too."

Drozana Station—Alliance and Council Refugees

"Can I have everyone's attention, please?" Captain Elmer Forrester of the Systems Alliance and Council registered passenger freighter MSV Dawn Star cleared his throat as he announced his news to his fellow refugees gathered in one of the station's conference rooms. "I know many of you have been waiting a long time for this moment. Well…that time has come. I can now tell you that the Joint Taskforce will be attempting to open a gateway to our universe soon. If all goes well, we'll all be going home." After giving his surviving passengers and crew a few moments of applause and cheering, the captain continued speaking, "I realize a few of you have begun to establish new connections and relations here. Those of you who choose to stay and who are not minors can remain if they wish. However, before you make that decision I would urge you to be very sure of your choice. If you have family or other ties to our universe, you might want to consider resolving any issues there first before starting a new life here. However, the choice is yours. You will not be forced to stay or go home against your will."

"I can't wait to get back home." One of the passengers shouted back in response. "I've got a daughter I haven't seen in months."

"Yeah…I miss my family too." Another passenger announced, declaring her intention to return home.

"Too many aliens here." One of the crew grumbled, "And too much mixing between species. It's unnatural."

"I'm staying." Another passenger declared, "I just asked Dyna to marry me and she said yes." Glaring at the crewman who had just spoken, he explained, "Dyna's Ktarian. I'm not going to put her through the bullshit some people would give her just because she's got a line of bumps on her forehead."

"What about you, Orania?" Captain Forrester inquired, "Do you want to stay or do you want to go home?"

"I think…" The turian widow responded hesitatingly, "I think…I'm going to stay." After a momentary pause, she explained, "I don't have anything or anyone waiting for me back home and…" the turian equivalent of a smile appeared on her face, "I have found that I enjoy helping out with the school. I have something to live for here. I hope you understand."

Smiling at the turian woman, Forrester responded, "We all understand, Orania, and we wish you well."

"What will you be doing, Captain?" One of the crew called out.

"I and Gunnery Chief Keys will be going with the Taskforce to the other side. After that, I'll be returning to take the Dawn Star and anyone who wants to return back home. After that…" he paused for a moment, "I will be leaving the White Star Line to start my own company with the backing of Belen and other shareholders in this universe and hopefully back home. While we are gone, Donna will take my place here and look after your needs. If you need help or assistance with anything, please feel free to go to her. If there's nothing else, I'll let you go now and…thank you for everything."

Donkey and Donna—Drozana Station Bar

"So…you're going with the fleet?" Donna asked as she and her date, the two of them sitting at the bar and nursing their drinks, watched the people coming in and out of the restaurant and casino.

"Yeah." Donkey replied, "I'm a 'special consultant'."

"What does that mean?" Donna asked with a laugh.

"The Commodore wants an extra Alliance liaison should it be necessary."

"Makes sense." The Dawn Star purser replied before inquiring further, "So…staying or going?"

"I'm going back home." The marine gunnery chief declared, inclining his head in the direction of Ashley and Soren, currently entering the restaurant, both now wearing civilian clothing. "Ash might have gone native, but I'm Alliance blue all the way. You?"

"I'm going." Donna announced, "I mean…this universe is nice and all and I wouldn't mind vacationing here, but…" after a moment's pause she thoughtfully inquired, "Have you been in any of the holographic programs set on this Earth?"

"No." Donkey shook his head, "I never got around to it. Why?"

"This Earth…" Donna sighed, "It's beautiful. They've restored a lot of the monuments and buildings that were destroyed…the cities are clean…climate controlled weather…no crime…no poverty. It's…I guess you could say it's paradise. It's just that it's too…"

"Perfect?"

"Yeah." Donna nodded her head, "It's too clean and safe. I miss Earth…my Earth…warts and all. You know what I mean?"

Smiling at the attractive woman sitting next to him, Donkey motioned for the bartender to freshen their drinks. "Yeah…I know exactly what you mean. I want to go home too."

Dixie and Zara—Belen's Bistro, Drozana Station

"So…" Dixie stammered as a human waitress wearing short shorts and a T-Shirt with the words 'Belen's' in fancy script on the front and back arrived with their orders, "Are we okay?"

"Of course we are." Zara replied as the waitress set down a food tube for the quarian and a cheeseburger with fries and a beer for her human friend. "Whatever gave you the idea that we weren't?"

"Well…" Dixie apologetically replied, "I did brush you off…"

"You weren't yourself." Zara interrupted. "You were still grieving for your brother. You were angry and hurt. I wasn't mad at you then and I'm not mad at you now. You're my friend." The quarian exclaimed, "And that's the only thing that matters. Right?"

"Right!" Dixie smiled before biting into her burger. "Damn!" The Alabama-born engineer exclaimed, "Ah think that's the best cheeseburger Ah ever had!"

"Better than Dino's?" Zara joked.

"Well…" Dixie drawled, a big smile on her face, "Maybe not that good, but close!"

Coronado System—Joint Task Force (USS Valley Forge, USS Spoiled Princess, USS Aeolia, RRW D'ressa, IKS Klothos)

"All ships report ready, Commodore." The Valley Forge communications officer, a Caitan female, reported.

"Sciences?"

"Ready when you are, Sir." Talana responded.

"Tactical?"

"Just give the word, Commodore." Lieutenant Commander Jeff Maxwell responded.

"Engineering."

"Ready when you are, Sir." The Tellarite chief engineer declared from his station.

"Ready, Ash?" Soren whispered to the raven-haired woman standing beside him wearing a Starfleet gold miniskirt with Lieutenant Commander's braid on her sleeve and her hair done up in a beehive.

"Ready as I'll ever be." The former Alliance marine responded as she forced down the butterflies in her stomach.

Taking a deep breath, the Commodore issued his orders. "Activate the portal generators. It's time for us to see what's on the other side."

IKS Klothos

"Portal has opened, Captain, and the order has been given to enter."

"Ambassador?" Captain Korath turned his head to the distinguished Klingon diplomat standing next to his chair.

"It is your ship, Captain." Ambassador Worf responded in a deep, baritone voice, "The glory is yours."

"Engage." The human-augment Klingon captain ordered, "Warp Two."

USS Belladonna

"We're on the move, Captain." Elisa Flores, the Belladonna's first officer, announced to her commanding officer.

"Very good, dragam." Zsa-Zsa responded with a smirk, "A new universe awaits us. Let's see what sort of trouble we can get into, dahlings. Warp Factor Two…Now."

RRW D'ressa

"The portal is open, Commander, and the order given to proceed."

"Very well." Commander Kaval inclined his head as he spoke to his executive officer, "Signal that we are underway. Warp factor two. It is time to bring our long lost sister home."

USS Aeolia

"Take us in Mr. Shalev." Captain Hobson ordered on receipt of the command to proceed. "Warp Two."

USS Spoiled Princess

"I wish Ash were here." Shelana grumbled from her position at the helm of the ship.

"I do too." Nelia, sitting at the command chair, responded with a sigh, "I know she's just temporary on the Valley Forge, but she's part of our family too."

"We just got the order to go in." Joachim announced from the tactical station.

"Twes…"

"We're ready, Nel." The Betazoid science officer replied. "Rana's in sickbay and Candy's at her station."

"All-righty then." Nelia grinned, "Atris…bring us in…Warp Two. Let's have some fun."

Subspace

USS Aeolia

"Detecting several Elachi ships near a large installation." Lieutenant Commander T'Pren announced from her tactical position.

"That must be the nexus point we were warned about." Captain Hobson mused. "Signal the fleet and cloak us."

USS Valley Forge

"Commodore?"

"Yes, Lieutenant C'Ress?"

"Aeolia reports extensive Elachi activity around what Captain Hobson states might be a large station."

"Very good." Commodore Magnussen acknowledged, "Have the fleet go to Condition Yellow. Ships that can cloak…cloak. The rest of us…raise shields and charge weapons."

"Condition Yellow, Aye." Lieutenant Commander Michaels replied as the ship's lighting turned amber and a warning bell chimed. "Shields up. Weapons at full strength."

USS Belladonna

"Yellow alert, dragam." Captain Rosza instructed her executive officer.

"Music, Captain?" Commander Flores inquired as she signaled the tactical officer to raise the alert.

"Hmmm…" The mercurial Hungarian captain mused for a moment before responding in the affirmative, "Igen." But…keep it light…a nice jazz tune. I want to save the hardcore stuff until later."

"Aye, Captain." Elisa grinned as a soft fusion-jazz tune played in the background. "Shields up and weapons online."

USS Spoiled Princess

"Trouble, Boss…" Joachim called out, "An Elachi station and fleet. We've been ordered to go to Yellow Alert and cloak."

"Do what the man says then." Nelia ordered. "Candy? Keep an eye on those scanners. I want to know the moment the first Elachi comes snooping in our direction."

RRW D'ressa

"Cloaked and weapons at full." The D'Deridex-class warbird's executive officer declared.

"Very good, Subcommander." Commander Kaval acknowledged, further commanding, "Maintain scans. I do not want to be surprised."

USS Valley Forge

"We're picking up another fleet on our scans moving towards the station." The Valley Forge Andorian XO called out.

"Elachi?" Soren inquired, pivoting his chair towards the tactical station.

"Negative." Lieutenant Commander Jeff Michaels replied.

"Type and composition of fleet?" Soren requested, now speaking to the science officer, another Andorian.

"Scans match the alternate universe ships fed into our database from Edi…" Talana reported. Then, after a momentary pause, she announced with a hitch in her voice, "Led by a Valdore-class Romulan warbird.

"The Gallena?" Soren exclaimed, his anticipation growing.

"It appears so, Sir." Talana replied.

"Orders, Commodore?" The XO queried.

"Plot an intercept course to the Gallena, and have all ships follow." Soren immediately ordered. "Maximum warp. I want to get to that fleet before they run up on the Elachi."

"Course plotted and laid in." The navigator reported.

"Go. Hail the Gallena once we get in range."

RRW Gallena—Citadel Task Group

"So…this is subspace." Admiral Hackett said, speaking to the Romulan subcommander seated next to him.

"Yes, Sir." V'lana confirmed, "Don't kid yourself though, Admiral. It might look deserted, but subspace has its own lifeforms—most of which are hostile. We can't afford to let our guard down."

"Elachi signals detected." Samantha announced from her comm station. "A lot of them."

"Looks like we stumbled into a fleet." Tovan mused, "It might not be a bad idea to go to Condition Yellow, Little Sister."

"Good idea, Big Brother." V'lana replied before commanding, "Condition Yellow. Inform the fleet."

"Fleet is at Condition Yellow, Subcommander…Admiral." Tovan immediately reported.

"There's another fleet that's on an intercept course for us. And they're coming in fast. Easily Warp Eight." Joker exclaimed in alarm.

"Elachi?"

"Negative." Satra replied. Then, after a momentary pause, the Romulan science officer excitedly declared, "They're ours! Federation…Romulan Republic…even Klingon!"

"Can you identify the ships?" V'lana requested, her heart racing on hearing the news.

"Constitution-class…" Satra reported back, "USS Valley Forge."

"That's Magnussen's ship." V'lana mused. Then, seeing the inquiring look on the Systems Alliance admiral's face, explained, "The commanding officer of the other ship…Soren Magnussen. I've never had the pleasure of meeting him, but he has a reputation for being a very cool and steady commander."

"Not the type to shoot first then." Admiral Hackett replied, nodding his head thoughtfully. "Do you know any of the other captains?"

"Satra?" V'lana inquired, "Do you have IDs on the other ships?"

"Aye, Subcommander." The science officer responded, "USS Belladonna…" the science officer barely resisting a crooked grin as she announced the captain's name, "Commanded by Captain Zsuzsanna Rosza."

"Zsa-Zsa." V'lana chuckled, quipping to the admiral, "Better tell Admiral Mikhailovich to take a strong analgesic. You might want to take one too before you meet her or come on her ship."

"USS Aeolia…Captain Christopher Hobson…"

"The Iceman." V'lana commented, further explaining, "You'll like him, Admiral. He's earned that nickname. Nothing ever rattles him."

"USS Spoiled Princess." The science officer declared, announcing the name of the next ship, "Commerce raider and escort…commanding officer unknown."

"Must have been commissioned after we jumped through the portal." V'lana surmised, "I'm curious as to who's commanding it. Next ship?"

"RRW D'ressa." Satra announced with a big smile, "Commander Kaval."

"Kaval's here!" V'lana declared gleefully. "Now all we need is Korath and my day will be complete." Speaking to Satra, the subcommander inquired, "You have the identity of the Klingon ship?"

"Aye, Subcommander." Satra responded with a grin, "IKS Klothos…Captain…"

"Korath." V'lana interjected, the grin on her face brightening into a full-blown smile, "The gang's all here. Now that we're all together, we're going to have so much fun…the Elachi…not so much."

"We're being hailed by the Valley Forge, Subcommander." Samantha declared.

"Main viewscreen." V'lana commanded, then, in a soft voice, sighed in relief, "We're home."