Hello, and welcome to the Breach. This is the first part in a trilogy epic crossing over Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who.
I should point out the timeframes of each of these franchises; this fic will take place during the Empire Strikes Back, the Next Gen era of Star Trek (TNG, DS9, VOY), and the revival series of Doctor Who.
With that out of the way, I give you the Breach...
Captain's Log. The Enterprise is currently in route to Gregorovitch Station, a remote research base located on a planet in the outer fringes of Federation space.
Simon Gregorovitch, the base's founder and manager, is considered to be the greatest expert on parallel universes alive today.
Our mission is simple; check in on Gregorovitch's research, or rather the lack thereof.
Simon Gregorovitch has been regularly sending in very vague and threadbare reports on his various projects.
Even after five years of constant research, Gregorovitch has very little to show on the nature of parallel dimensions.
I fear that Starfleet may pull the plug on this think-tank if Gregorovitch doesn't come up with a satisfactory answer for his lack of progress...
As Captain Jean-Luc Picard switched off the log recorder, he took a moment to look about the bridge of the Starship Enterprise-D.
Lieutenant Commander Data was seated at the left helm, his fingers moving over the computer screen with inhuman precision.
An as-of-yet unnamed helmsman was at the right helm, looking with some confusion at Data's speed with the computer.
Picard smiled to himself. This crewman was undoubtedly new, and had yet to familiarize himself with the Federation's only sentient android.
Behind him, Picard could feel the steady presence of Lieutenant Commander Worf, undoubtedly typing on his own computer terminal.
And, finally, that left Commander William Riker at the chair to his right.
Counselor Deanna Troi would have been on the seat to his left, but she had an appointment in her office with one of the other crewmen.
Riker was currently reading from his personal computer pad, thoroughly engrossed in the reading material.
Picard glanced at the length of the material, before turning his eyes back to the starry field the viewscreen showed.
"A little light reading, Number One.", joked Picard, as the scientific journal was anything but short.
Riker didn't answer at first. His eyes never strayed from the article when he finally said, "That's nice, captain."
Worf began chuckling from his position above them, while several crewmen around the bridge cracked a smile.
Riker looked up in puzzlement at the mirth, and said, somewhat guiltily, "I said the wrong thing didn't I?"
Picard, who was holding back a smile as well, patiently said, "What are you reading, Number One?"
"Gregorovitch's last published scientific journal before he left Earth to command his station.", said Riker. "It's truly fascinating material."
"Indeed it is.", said Picard. "I've read it, too; though, some of his ideas to reach said parallel Earth's were... quite radical."
"I'm just glad Starfleet put a stop to some of the more radical projects he had envisioned.", said Riker, absently.
"Oh, if only that were the case, my stolid first officer.", said a smarmy voice from behind them.
Most of the newer bridge crew jumped and grabbed at their phasers at the sound of the voice, for it belonged to a man in a starfleet uniform who had just appeared on the Bridge.
Picard, Riker, Data, and Worf did not jump, however, as they knew the mocking voice of Q all to well.
"What is your business here, Q?", demanded Picard, as he stood up and glared at the omnipotent trickster.
"Oh, such a harsh reception for little old me.", said Q, feigning a hurt tone. "I would think that my favorite little humans would treat me better."
Picard was about to retort, when Riker stood up as well. "What do you mean by that, Q? If only it were true that Starfleet stopped Gregorovitch's studies?"
"Too late.", said Q, putting a hand dramatically to his chest. "Your dear captain has already wounded me most egregiously. I'm afraid I'll be off without giving my little warning."
Picard marched up to Q. "Warning? What do you mean? What's going to happen, Q?"
Q smiled a mirthful smile at Picard's ignorance. "I'll just leave you with this: you won't be seeing me for some quite time after the events of this Earth day. Now, ta-ta!"
He then smacked Picard lightly on the cheek, and disappeared in a flash of light.
"We won't be seeing him for quite some time?", repeated Worf, grinning wickedly. "Some good news from him at last."
"Q said he was going to warn us about something.", stated Riker to Picard. "Could this have something to do with Gregorovitch station?"
"I can almost guarantee it.", said Picard, thinking on the matter heavily. "Data, how much further are we from the planet?"
Data turned in his seat obediently, and recited, "We are four hours away from the planet, that is, if we consider continuing to the planet the wisest course, captain."
"Explain.", demanded Picard.
"This could all be just an elaborate deceit on Q's part.", said Data. "Or, more likely, us going to Gregorovitch Station will in fact cause danger that is cause for such a warning."
Picard stroked his chin in thought.
"We could always have Starfleet send a different ship.", said Riker, knowing what his captain's answer would be.
"No, we will continue on to the station.", Picard finally decided, as he and Riker sat at their stations. "Knowing Q, we are probably intertwined with these events whether we like it or not."
Reading about the scientific theories and discoveries that Simon Gregorovitch had made about the multiverse had intrigued Picard's past self. How he would've given anything to meet the man way back when.
However, meeting the man today, Picard was forced to eat his own words.
As soon as Picard, Worf, Troi, Data, and Geordi Laforge had beamed down to the planet below, Gregorovitch had met them personally.
This would normally be a promising start to a tour of the station, with the sole fact that it was being led by a man who couldn't care less about them.
Gregorovitch led them on an increasingly threadbare tour of the station, giving incredibly vague explanations of the projects his subordinates were working on and snapping at every interruption and question.
Finally, the tour was over, as Gregorovitch led them back to the reception hall.
"And that concludes the tour of our station.", said Gregorovitch, testily. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but I simply don't have the time. Thank you for visiting."
His tone of voice indicated that Picard should leave orbit of planet, something that Picard found irritating.
"Visit?", he said. "Dr. Gregorovitch, this is a routine Starfleet inspection. Inspections typically last for a few days, maybe weeks."
"Out of the question!", Gregorovitch suddenly snapped. "I have far too many projects to complete to deal with various nuisances."
"Yes, your... projects.", said Picard, carefully. "Starfleet has been complaining about the lack of substantial results from your research from the past five years. Perhaps you can explain that?"
Gregorovitch walked up to Picard, face to face. Picard knew that Worf had reached for his phaser, so held up a hand to signal restraint.
"Captain, I do not come onto your starship, and give you orders and instructions on how to perform your duties.", Gregorovitch said, as dangerously as he could muster. "When I receive results from my research, I will inform Starfleet. Until then, please get the hell off my planet!"
The two men stared at each other for a moment, then Picard touched the emblem on his uniform. "Transporter room, beam us out of here."
Identical beams of light enveloped the five-man away team, transporting them back to the Enterprise.
Gregorovitch stared at the spots they had disappeared from, then walked quickly back into the main research station.
He walked through hallways and hallways, deeper into the bowels of the station. Finally, he came to a large pair of doors.
They slid open slowly once he got near them, revealing a dark room filled with boxes.
"Lights!", Gregorovitch, and the lights came on immediately. The boxes Gregorovitch ignored as he weaved in and out of the maze the stacks had made.
Finally, he came to a small portion of the wall uncovered by boxes. Gregorovitch slid his hand along the wall, until a holographic keypad appeared at his touch.
Gregorovitch typed in the correct number and order of the code, and a secret door slid open to reveal a large room, bustling with activity.
Gregorovitch stepped into the room, looking around at his creation.
All around the room were computer terminals, each staffed by at least two scientists. More scientists were bustling about the room, checking equipment here and there.
And at the front of the room? A large metal contraption was standing. It resembled one of the ancient, robotic machines used by factories before the post atomic horror.
Except, instead of ending with robotic arms that carefully constructed whatever the factory was making, this one ended in a deceptively simple metal rod.
The machine was powered off at the moment, with the metal rod hanging limply towards the ground.
Gregorovitch walked over to his second-in-command of this project, Dr. Barnum, and simply asked, "Is it ready to begin?"
"Yes, Dr. Gregorovitch.", said Barnum, cautiously. "Doctor, wouldn't it be better if we just informed Starfleet about this procedure?"
"As I've stated multiple times before, Starfleet would pull the plug on this project in an instant. It is better that we do this in secret."
Barnum was about to raise another complaint, when Gregorovitch continued, "You do want to see a parallel Earth, don't you?"
Barnum, who had desperately wished for such a moment his whole scientific career, became quiet.
"Power it on.", commanded Gregorovitch.
Barnum soon got up, letting Gregorovitch sit in his seat. Barnum soon told nearly every technician in the room that they were starting the first test.
In about five minutes, every computer station was manned, every wire connected to the great machine was humming, everything was ready to go.
Gregorovitch, seeing this, punched in a code into his terminal, and the machine powered up.
The metal rod rose itself with a machine-like whirr to point directly at the opposing wall.
Immediately, the rod began humming and vibrating, but nothing occurred where it was pointing.
Gregorovitch punched in a few more commands, and the rod began vibrating in earnest.
"Doctor, you can't!", said Barnum. "We must take it slowly. You have no idea what could..."
Barnum cut himself off. A shimmering circle of light was slowly appearing in between the rod and the wall. It was very vague and indistinct but it was there.
Gregorovitch stood up in expectant triumph, tears appearing in his eyes.
The shimmering light became more and more distinct, until...
The light disappeared entirely, and a thin crack appeared on the opposing wall.
It took a moment for the team of scientists to realize that the crack was not in the wall, but was instead hanging in mid air where the circle of light was.
The crack began to spew out light; golden light that illuminated the dimly lit room.
Gregorovitch began to walk towards this blasphemy of nature, getting ever and ever closer.
Barnum eventually shook himself out of the trance the appearance of the crack had put in him, and saw Gregorovitch standing in front of it.
"Doctor, no!", he yelled.
Gregorovicth ignored him, and leaned in closer to the crack. He could hear indistinct noises coming from the other side of the crack.
Getting excited over the prospect of this being another world, he raised his hand, paused for a moment, then stuck his arm into the crack.
Then, all became bright...
Back in the Enterprise, Picard, Data, Geordi, Worf, and Troi walked back on the bridge.
Riker, who had assumed the captain's chair in Picard's absence, stood up and moved to the right of the chair.
Seeing everyone's sour face, Riker raised a questioning look at Picard.
"Gregorovitch was... less than enthused by our appearance.", said Picard.
The captain turned to Data and Troi. "Well, did you notice anything unusual in our trip down to the station?"
"In my observances of the human body language and behavior in our trip down to the station, I could tell there was a heightened sense of unease from the various technicians around the laboratories.", explained Data.
"Most of the technicians seemed nervous about something, with some having a visible gleam of sweat on their foreheads. Most of them were not even doing actual work in the laboratories, as they seemed to be only pretending to work at their stations."
"Yes, I'd noticed that, too.", said Picard, musingly.
"Also, the station seemed to be grossly understaffed, with only half of the known researchers who journeyed with Gregorovitch appearing in our tour."
Picard nodded, then turned to Troi.
"Gregorovitch seemed nervous about something as well, though there was something else to it.", said Troi in her strange accent. "He seemed extremely excited about something, something that he wanted to keep secret from us."
Picard nodded, then thought to himself.
"Orders, captain?", said Riker.
"Contact Starfleet and have them send two more ships to this area.", commanded Picard. "Do a sensor sweep of the station; try to find those missing scientists as discreetly as you can. We'll get to the bottom of this soon enough."
The words had not left Picard's mouth in time when a massive explosion occurred.
The bridge crew were knocked off their heels by the tremor of the explosion, as bright light enveloped the bridge from the viewscreen.
Outside, the ship was pushed back by the force of the explosion, eventually coming to rest a few hundred miles away from where the planet once was.
Once the rocking of the ship had ended, Picard got to his feet. "Report! What the hell was that?"
Data, who had been the only crewmen on the bridge who had managed to hold onto their station, looked out the viewscreen, at the slowly diminishing light.
"Captain, I am at a loss for words."
Picard, who had helped Riker and Troi to their feet, looked out through the viewscreen, and stopped in awe.
There, where the planet used to be, was a gigantic crack in space and time. It stretched to the left and to the right as far as the eye can see. Though the bridge crew didn't know this, it had successfully bisected their galaxy.
Strange light poured out of the cracks, though not as bright as when it had first appeared.
For a moment, the bridge crew stood in awe at the sight. Then, the crack began to glow brighter and warp slightly in one location.
"Quick! Sensor readings!", said Picard, moving to his chair.
The unnamed crewman at the other side of the helm stated, "It appears that something is going through the... crack.", said the crewman, shocked. "Something much bigger than the Enterprise."
Picard was about to reprimand the man for his vague description, when the crack stopped it's abnormal occurrences.
Although they were at a distance where they couldn't properly see what had come out of the crack, they knew that it was indeed big.
"Magnify.", said Picard, referring to the viewscreen.
Data did so, and the bridge crew sucked in their breath at the sight of the unfamiliar ship.
It was wedge-shaped, with a small tower at the larger end, and was impossibly huge. The Enterprise was big, but even it would not be able to fill up the wedge portion of the ship.
For a moment, the two ships stood looking at each other, the first of many first contact scenarios that was occurring across three universes...
Please review as much as you can. I really want to get feed back on this first chapter, as I'm not sure how strong it actually was.
Also, fan art is greatly appreciated as the story goes on, as I can use it for the thumbnail of the story, so to speak.