A/N Thank you so much to Warriorcreed and SRAM for their wonderful reviews. I learn so much from you both. I just hope I can do justice to your ideas.

I do not own Big Bang Theory or any of the related characters. The Big Bang Theory series was created and owned by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady. All rights of Big Bang Theory belong to them. This story is a work of fanfiction and is meant for entertainment only. I am not making profit from this story.

Penny stood outside Fomac's apartment building. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the button marked James Parker.

She was relieved when she recognized the voice that answered, "Who is it?"

"It's Penny from the Cheesecake Factory."

There was a long pause and then the door opened. She made her way to his room and knocked.

Fomac wondered what he was going on. Why was she here? Did she know who he was? He opened a drawer in a nearby desk and checked to be sure the gun hidden in there was loaded.

When the knock came at the door he called out for her to enter.

Penny entered and looked around. Now that she was here, the evidence that led them to believe he was Fomac seemed less formidable.

"What are you doing here, Penny? How did you know where I lived?"

"I followed you from the restaurant." She paused, "I know you are Randall Smith."

There was a long silence. Penny had to smile to herself when he finally said, "I don't know what you are talking about."

Penny smiled, "It took you much too long to protest. I know you were at my apartment. I also know you denied you had ever been to the restaurant but the last time you were there, I sent a picture to Raj and he identified you. I also know someone has been in my apartment."

Then she had a hunch, "I have a feeling if I searched you, I would find the other key to my apartment."

By his reaction, she knew she was right.

Suddenly, he turned and began to open a drawer behind him. Penny quickly crossed over and grabbing his hand looked into the drawer. Holding him fast, she took out the gun.

She then dragged him over and sat him on the couch, sitting down beside him.

"Okay, now that we both know who you are, we can talk."

Fomac's mind was reeling. How much did she know? What was she going to do? Her next words helped him relax a little.

"Anton, you need to listen to me. You are not in trouble. The Republic just wants to know what happened to you. Do you think you are the first agent that has wanted to stay on a planet? The important thing is that you warned the Republic about Doctor Cooper before you disappeared. Thanks to you, I was able to stop him."

Fomac pondered what she was saying.

Penny continued, "There is one thing. We know that you have become wealthy. There was some concern you have committed a crime."

Fomac managed a smile, "It seems my telekinetic abilities come in handy with certain games of chance."

Penny pretended to have to think about that before answering, "I see."

She sighed, "I don't think cheating at gambling will be considered a serious crime by the Republic."

She took a deep breath and continued, "There is something else. The Republic is being invaded."

Fomac stared at her in shock, "Invaded?"

"Yes, a large enemy fleet attacked Sector Seven." She paused, "My planet Celara is in that sector."

Fomac was stunned by what he was hearing. He thought of his own planet. In spite of what he had done, he still felt ties to Darvin 7. For the first time in a long time, he thought of his homeland.

Penny had continued, "When I was informed of what had happened, the starship captain also told me all ships were being called to meet with the rest of the fleet. He told me it could be a long time if ever that we would be contacted again."

Fomac contemplated what she was saying and what it meant. They could both be stranded on this planet. He found himself feeling a kinship with her.

Penny wondered what he was thinking. Finally, he spoke up, "I am sorry about your home planet. I am sure you have family there."

He looked at her, "I don't know about you, but I would like to stay in contact."

Penny was thrilled, it was working as they had planned. At the same time, in spite of what he had done, she did feel a small sense of kinship with him.

Captain Ortag was stunned when his communication officer informed him they were receiving a general call for any Republic ship by an Imperial Starship.

What were they doing in Republic territory? It was also surprising there was only one ship.

It had been over a hundred years before when ships from the Republic scouting new territories had been confronted by ships and told they were entering Imperial space.

The Empire occupied a space comparable to that of the Republic. Fortunately, even though they were an Empire, the were not interested in acquiring territory by force.

Emissaries from both entities had met and agreed to create a buffer zone that neither one would attempt to settle. In the course of the talks, scientists created a translator that enabled them to converse. Although no one could occupy the designated territory, there were exchanges between the two, including some trade. But, for the most part, the two had little contact.

Ortag ordered, "Put it on the screen."

Ortag recognized the occupants of the other ship to be Nordians, members of the ruling class. They were albinos with deep blue eyes.

"This is Captain Nord of the Imperial Starship Notanna, whom do I have the honor of addressing."

"I am Captain Ortag of the Republic starship Victory." He paused, "You are a long way from home, Captain."

"It is imperative that I talk to you. But as you will soon understand, we must remain at Warp. Is there somewhere you can communicate with me in private?"

Ortag turned to his Armory officer, "Commander Hortag, you have the Com." Turning back, "Lieutenant Grow, patch the Captain through to the conference room."

When Ortag was settled in the conference room, Captain Nord began, "Some time ago one of our patrols detected ships from the Syndicate coming from the direction of the Republic."

"We have had run ins with them through the years. We fought a major battle with them ten years ago and thought we had seen the last of them."

"When the patrol reported in, the Imperial Commander decided to find out if they had returned in force. Since we were the closest ship to the Republic, we were ordered to check to see if the Empire could possibly provide assistance."

Ortag was stunned. He finally said, "We appreciate your coming. A few months ago we were attacked by a large fleet. They attacked several planets before we could gather our forces. But before we could engage them, they broke into smaller fleets. We have dispersed our fleet to protect our planets. We hope we have the situation under control."

Then he thought of something, "Where exactly are you located?"

When he received the coordinates, he realized they were close to Earth.

"Could you do me a giant favor? I know it would be a lot to ask."

Nord was surprised but answered, "What exactly would you want me to do?"

"There is a planet that contains a pre-warp society at the following coordinates. It is a possible target for the Invaders. I believe they could reach the planet before us. We have two Republic citizens as observers on the planet. The Republic would be grateful of you could remove them without being detected."

"I am willing to make the effort. Don't you want me to alert the planet?"

"I am not positive they are a target and am not willing to interfere with their normal progression."

"I understand. How can I contact them?"

"I will send you the frequencies for their communicator."

He hesitated, "I and the Republic will be forever grateful."

As the months added up, Penny managed to put thoughts of what was happening to the Republic in the back of her mind and concentrated on her life on Earth.

In the days after she had met with Fomac, she sensed that something was bothering Leonard. It seemed to be a little strained between them. She did notice that he seemed to be more distant when Tort was around.

She finally decided that for some reason, Leonard believed there was something going on between her and Tort. She wondered if she should do something about it but then reluctantly decided it was probably for the best. No matter how she fought it, she knew she was in love with Leonard. She also knew she couldn't do anything about it.

Tort and Penny had brought their communicators back to their respective apartments so as not to miss getting a message as soon as possible.

Just when they decided it was going to be some time before they heard anything, Penny was stunned when Tort notified her he had received a message.

She excitedly and a little apprehensively hurried to his apartment.

They were both shocked when they heard the message.

This is Captain Nord of the Imperial Starship Notanna. Captain Ortag of the Republic has asked me to contact you and remove you from the planet. It is possible that Earth could be a target of a Syndicate attack. I understand there are two of you. Contact me when you are ready to beam out. I urge you to hurry.

Tort recovered first, "How did an Imperial starship get involved?"

Penny was stunned, "Earth could be a target? What the Hell has been going on?"

"I don't know but I guess we are leaving."

Penny nodded. She was shocked by what she was thinking. She knew it was crazy. She knew she would be in deep trouble but she also realized she was going to do it.

She turned to Tort, "You go find Fomac and bring him back here. I have something I need to take care of."

Tort acted like he was going to say something but nodded. Checking to be sure his gun was loaded, he headed out.

Taking a deep breath, Penny ignored the voice screaming in her head and made her way up the stairs.

Not wanting to try to page Fomac, Tort waited until someone entered the building and made his way to Fomac's apartment and knocked on the door.

Fomac wondered who that could be, "Who is it?"

"Penny sent me. She said she needs to see you."

Wondering what was going on, Fomac tentatively opened the door, "Why didn't Penny come herself…?"

Tort pushed the door open and drew his gun, "I am agent Tort of the CDB. Zonder Fomac, you are under arrest for the murders of Maret Zovack and Oran Norfa."

Fomac cursed himself bitterly. He couldn't believe how stupid he was. How he let Penny deceive him.

Still not quite believing what she was doing, Penny knocked on Leonard and Sheldon's door. When Leonard opened it, she quickly said, "I need you and Sheldon to come with me."

"What's going on?"

"I'll explain everything but you need to trust me and come with me now."

Both Leonard and Sheldon looked like they were going to refuse but Leonard sighed, "Come on, Sheldon. Let's see what she wants."

Leonard and Sheldon were stunned when Penny led them to Stephen Johnson's apartment.

Penny knew they were wondering what was going on and knew she should let them know, but she continued to tell them they needed to trust her.

Luckily, they didn't have a long time to wait before Tort arrived with Fomac. Leonard and Sheldon stared as Johnson entered holding a gun. Sheldon recognized the man as the one who they had seen outside Penny's apartment. Sheldon caught Leonard's eye, What the Hell was going on? What have we gotten into?

Tort stared at Leonard and Sheldon, "What are they doing here?"

"They are going along." Before he could say more, Penny continued, "And that is that."

As stunned as they had been before, Leonard and Sheldon forgot all that when Penny took out a strange device and spoke into it in a language they did not recognize.

Captain Nord was shocked when he was told there were five to beam up but decided it was not the time to ask questions.

Sheldon and Leonard panicked when they experienced a strange feeling and then everything went black.