Chapter II
As the Enterprise shot out of warp, the first ship was approaching the planet. Despite the crew's realisation that it was the smaller of the two craft, it was still intimidatingly large. Data, having activated his emotion chip, had just said so, his voice holding back the mounting terror that had filled him.
'That doesn't necessarily mean that they are hostile, Data,' chided Troi gently.
Picard said, 'Open a hailing frequency, Lieutenant.' Hedly complied.
'Open, sir.' Picard cleared his throat.
'This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise, representing the United Federation of Planets. Our intentions are peaceful.'
The short speech, confronted with the large ship in front of them, sounded pathetic. Troi leaned towards Picard.
'Captain, I am receiving large amounts of emotions, but towards the Enterprise specifically is directed great...' she struggled for words, 'Amusement,' she settled on eventually. 'I think they believe that we aren't a threat.'
There was silence as Picard digested this information, and then Hedly said, 'Captain, we are reading a large energy build-up in the ship. It could be a weapons sequence.'
Before the Enterprise, a sickly green light in a narrow beam pushed forward to the saucer section. The ship rocked slightly. Data kept a careful eye on the screen. 'We are being scanned.' Picard held out a hand, voice filled with warning.
'Make no return scans! They may mistake that as a hostile act!' Suddenly Troi gasped.
'Captain! The emotions have changed! Not amusement anymore, but great hatred!'
'Towards us or the Romulans?' asked Picard.
'Us, Captain. It is as though they know who we are or are aggrieved at the Federation in some way.'
'Or maybe just humans,' added Riker.
The huge ship scanned the Enterprise a little longer, and then two huge doors slid open on the side of the vessel, making the thin beam an ocean of light.
On the bridge, Picard shielded his eyes. The bright green light encapsulated the bridge, forcing the crew to squint or block it out. The exception to this was Data, who started to analyse it. He glanced down at his panel and then shouted, 'Energy release from the ship!'
'Evasive manoeuvres!' shouted Picard, but by then, however, it was far too late.
A white blast of energy hit the Enterprise on the forward shields. The energy smashed the Enterprise backward as if it had taken an uppercut to the jaw.
On the bridge, a large explosion damaged the consoles at the back of the bridge. The lights went out, quickly replaced by the red emergency lights. The crew was thrown around the bridge by the impact. Data shouted, 'The Enterprise is tumbling, Captain!' Hedly pulled herself back to her console and stared at the readings in horror.
'Shields down completely, Captain! Main power is down! We have fires on decks four, seven, eight and twelve! There is a large hull breach on deck nine! Emergency forcefields not responding! Inertial dampers off-line!'
Bridges tried to get back to her panel, but another massive surge threw her against the bulkhead, knocking her unconscious. Lieutenant Thames, who had been near the console when the blast had struck, staggered over to the helm, and fought to right the ship. The viewer was still working, and it gave a view of the large ship heading towards the planet nearby.
'Sir, the vessel will reach the planet in twelve minutes,' Data reported, his voice full of fear.
'Sir, I've got the tumble under control, but we've lost Ensign Bridges for the moment. She's badly injured,' reported Thames, her voice cool and professional.
Picard raised his head and seemingly spoke to thin air. 'Bridge to sickbay! We need a medical team up here now!' Crusher's voice came back. She sounded pressed, understandably.
'I'll have one up in a few minutes!' The link cut off abruptly. Picard looked back at the viewer.
'Lieutenant Hedly, send a message back to Starfleet Command, directly to Admiral Paris. USS Enterprise encountering hostile force. Recommending Code Factor One. After you've done that, arm quantum torpedoes and ready phasers. Intercept course, Lieutenant Thames. Hedly nodded, giving no outward sign of any worry about the declaration of invasion status.
'First officer concurs,' said Riker, for the computer's log.
'Second officer concurs,' added Data.
'It's a pity the ship's captain doesn't,' muttered Picard, too low to be heard. He glanced at Riker, a quick smile on his lips.
The Enterprise controlled the roll, and used it to gain greater impetus in its great curving arc. It gave pursuit.
'Captain,' said Data, 'the enemy ship has entered the planet's atmosphere. It is heading towards the only major city on the planet. There is a strange build-up of energy directed to the central circle on the underside. I cannot conjecture any hypothesis.'
Suddenly the turbolift slid open, and four medics, led by Beverly Crusher, entered the bridge. One went immediately over to Ensign Bridges.
'Captain, the ship has reached the centre of the city,' reported Hedly.
'On screen.' The viewer showed the ship hovering over the city. Picard frowned. 'What's it doing?'
Crusher looked up. 'We need to get Ensign Bridges to sickbay, Captain.' Picard nodded, absently.
Beverly tapped her badge and said, 'Transporter room, beam two people directly to sickbay.' The glittering energy enveloped them and carried them off.
Picard looked at Data. 'Analysis?' Data looked at his console, and then shrugged.
'Our sensors cannot detect what is going on inside the saucer.'
Hedly interrupted. 'Captain, I'm reading a massive surge of energy. It was discharged two seconds ago.' She frowned. 'Also reading multiple explosions, mass fires breaking out....' She shrugged. Riker gasped.
'Captain!' Picard turned towards the viewer.
A massive wall of fire was expanding from the edges of the saucer, large enough to be seen from space. It was destroying everything in its path. Data spoke.
'Captain, the fire is going to completely level the city in less than a minute. It is produced as an after-effect of what must be a weapon mounted on the underside of the saucer.' Picard gaped in shock.
'A weapon,' he whispered. He looked at Data. 'How many people down there?' Data looked at his console.
'Two thousand.'
Hedly spoke, her voice full of warning. 'Captain, the larger ship is entering the system. About four hundred smaller ships have been launched towards us and are travelling at full impulse. They will reach our position in four minutes. They have altered their approach to an attack vector.'
Picard paused, considering his options. On the screen, the huge ship began to move away and the Enterprise crew could see the full extent of the devastation on the city. Data spoke again.
'Life-form readings, out of a population of two thousand, there are fourteen survivors.' Everyone looked at Data, not believing.
'Two minutes to intercept.' Hedly's anxious voice broke everyone out of his or her trance. Picard sat in his chair and made a decision. He stared at Thames.
'Lieutenant, set course to Romulus, warp 9.' He glanced at Riker, prepared to explain his actions, but his first officer merely nodded. The Enterprise left the orbit of the planet.
The two huge ships approached each other as hundreds of smaller craft swept past, the smaller of the two displaying its underside to the surface of the larger vessel. The smaller ship faced the empty ring, and connected to it. The two joined ships moved towards the planet.
'It appears I owe you an apology, Number One. It was a weapon.' Picard sounded slightly distant as his first officer stood before him in his ready room. Riker decided to take the comment at face value.
'Thank you, sir.' Picard didn't reply to the light sarcasm in Riker's tone. 'Is there a problem, Captain?'
'What is it that they hate about us, Will?' Picard said, his tone concerned. 'Troi said that she could sense hatred directed to us, and not to the Romulan city, but they eradicated that city needlessly. What are they?'
'We know that they have powerful ships and weapons. They are undoubtedly hostile to the Romulans, and to us, but their reasons are unknown. Beyond that, we know nothing.'
Picard glanced up at Riker, his expression one of mock-exasperation. 'Will, can't you do any better than that?'
Riker shook his head, smiling. 'Sorry, sir.' His face became serious again. 'They're not indestructible, sir. No-one is.'
'Except us, Number One,' said Picard, still smiling.
The Enterprise entered the orbit of Romulus and was immediately challenged by two Romulan Warbirds.
'I assure you, Commander Ralek,' said Picard to the young Romulan officer on the screen, 'we are here on a mission of paramount importance to both the Star Empire and the Federation and with the permission of the Praetor. May I be permitted to speak with Praetor Naxus?'
'I will give you a channel to the Praetor, but please be brief,' said Ralek, reluctantly.
Picard nodded. 'That is all I need, thank you.'
The screen abruptly filled with Romulan symbols, and then an old man's face appeared on the screen. Picard recognised Naxus from the extensive files Starfleet Intelligence kept on him, but was amazed to find that the Romulan's face was haggard and drawn. 'Praetor Naxus, I am –'
'Captain Jean-Luc Picard, I know. I assume that you have come to warn me about the ships that have attacked Korella II.'
Picard took the Romulan leader's casual remark in stride. 'Yes, Praetor.'
'I am afraid that we already have more information on these ships and their capabilities than you have, Captain. If you beam down, then I will be prepared to share it with you.'
Picard nodded. 'I trust you will not be insulted if we came armed, Praetor.'
Naxus smiled faintly. 'Believe me, Captain, I would expect you to. However, we have a lot more to fear than each other.' With that dreadful pronouncement, the screen blanked out, leaving Picard and Riker to glance at each other, worry written in their faces.
Then Picard turned to Hedly. 'Have the transporter room readied. Counsellor Troi, Commander Riker, come with me.'
The announcement provoked surprise and outrage on the bridge. 'Captain, you can't beam down to Romulus!' protested Hedly.
'We cannot take three of the most senior officers on the ship down there!' said Riker, shocked by Picard's order.
Picard raised a hand to quell the uproar. 'I understand your objections, but I don't believe that we have anything to fear from the Romulans. Although I maintain a degree of suspicion, we are dealing with what appears to be a greater threat to the Federation than me beaming down to Romulus.' He glanced around the bridge mildly, but his voice held steel. 'We will not go unarmed, but I cannot afford to ignore the opportunity to co-operate with the Romulans. It may prove to be a powerful bargaining chip in the future.' He paused again. 'If that is all, we cannot keep the Romulans waiting.'
Praetor Naxus stood up as the three Enterprise crewmembers entered his office. They sat on plush chairs and Naxus spoke immediately, as if unwilling to waste any time, even on pleasantries. 'Captain Picard, what news do you bring of Korella II?'
Picard sighed. 'Not good news.' He proceeded to tell him of what had happened to the city on Korella. Once he had finished, the Praetor sat back and stared at the ceiling.
'Captain Picard, this is grave news.' Picard nodded.
'Praetor, could you tell us what you know of these ships?' It was phrased as a request, but came out as an order. Naxus sighed.
'About eight years ago, a patrol fleet encountered two of the smaller ships heading towards Romulus at sublight speeds. They had evidently been travelling for a long time, and we assumed that they were sleeper ships. When we attempted to make contact to order them to leave our space, they immediately launched attack fighters and engaged our small fleet. Our weapons could not damage them, and they tore our fleet apart quickly.
'We immediately dispatched our largest fleet under our best admiral at the time in order to destroy them. Very few ships returned and those that did reported that a victory would not have been possible if the two ships had not mysteriously lost all of their power during the battle, shutting down their fighters and their own shield systems. Our defence forces were decimated and we had very few ships left with which to enforce our borders. After the Tomed Incident, we decided it would be prudent to stay isolated until we were able to rebuild our shattered forces. Our designers, in response to the threat we believed was present from those heavy starships, developed our Warbird cruisers.'
Picard frowned, and Riker said, wonderingly, 'We, or anyone else, could have invaded at any time.'
Naxus nodded. 'And we could have put up only a shallow defence. Our defensive capabilities were almost completely destroyed. We fear that this time, no one may survive. They have, from your own account, more than a hundred heavy ships and even more attack planes. Add to that the mother ship, and we have a recipe for disaster. They have the firepower and numbers to destroy every planet and city in the galaxy. And if they gain access to the wormhole, we could be looking at the end of the galaxy.' Horror filled his voice, and Picard did not doubt that Naxus was convinced of his horrific prediction.
Troi whispered into Picard's ear. 'He's very scared, Captain, and he's definitely telling the truth.'
Picard nodded and studied the Praetor. Naxus looked wearied and old, no longer the scheming Romulan that was imagined and vilified by the Federation press. He pressed a button, and spoke into a small microphone.
'Send special operative Sela in, please.' Picard reacted in shock. Naxus looked at him. 'What is the problem?'
Riker spoke, voice concerned. 'Sela is an old acquaintance. We have met before. It would be an uncomfortable reacquaintance.' Picard noted both the way Riker chose his words, and also the delicacy with which he said them. He had no doubt that Naxus realised this, but he was too concerned about the unidentified ships to worry about that. It was interesting to see a Romulan (or, for that matter, a human) put the long years of conflict behind them.
'Oh, and what makes you think that, Commander Riker?' The icy voice of Sela carried over the shoulder of the Enterprise officer. She walked around to face the Praetor. She bowed to him. She turned and faced Picard, an icy smile on her face.
Again, Picard was amazed by the striking resemblance that Sela bore to his late security officer. If he hadn't been at his former security officer's funeral personally, he could have sworn it was Tasha standing before him. The honey-blond hair, and blue eyes projecting malice towards the trio of Starfleet officers reminded him strongly of Tasha Yar.
Except, Picard noticed, that this ever-present malice was no longer there. As he stared at her, he saw only concerned worry. And terror. That, more than anything, convinced Picard that the Romulans were telling the truth.
The Praetor observed their reactions to one another with interest. 'Captain Picard, you and Sela must sort out your differences quickly. The galaxy needs you to work together or it may be the end. Sela is the most experienced member of the Tal Shiar on service at the moment. She will be on a mission to assist you with the little information we have on the ship's weaknesses while we are mobilising the fleet to rendezvous around Romulus. She has been fully briefed.'
'Yes, I bet she has,' said Riker, as if on automatic. Picard glanced at his first officer, and was worried to see traces of mistrust in Riker's eyes.
Naxus looked straight at Picard, ignoring Riker's comment. 'Captain Picard, we cannot let our differences split us apart at this crucial time. The entire Alpha Quadrant is under the greatest threat since the Borg first appeared. If we fail, the entire galaxy may fall prey to these things. Can I have your help?' His voice was pleading.
When Picard did not answer immediately, Sela spoke. 'Captain Picard, we have been enemies in the past, but I know how dangerous these ships are. Can we work together just once?'
Picard glanced at Riker and Troi, who both shook their heads. 'I believe that we can, Sela.' Picard turned to the Praetor.
'If that is all, we shall return to the Enterprise. I wish to speak to my superiors.' Naxus nodded, and the two men shook hands.
A new alliance had been forged.
Two hours later, Picard was concluding a stormy argument with Admiral Nechayev in his ready room. Picard glared into the screen. The implacable admiral stared back, equally immovable.
'Admiral, these ships destroyed an entire city with a single shot! I believe that this constitutes a threat to Earth! What about Admiral Paris' warning?' He had to use all of his self-control to keep himself from shouting.
Nechayev was immovable, but as she spoke, her voice became angrier. 'Admiral Paris has been removed from duty after suffering a nervous breakdown. I have been promoted to take his place as Chief of Staff and, Captain Picard, I will not send you any aid to help the Romulans. I believe that some form of Romulan trick has fooled you, so that they can lay their hands on the design of the Sovereign class. If you try to go against me, I will remove your command, and throw you out of the service!' She calmed down. 'I don't want to do that. Leave the Neutral Zone now, and return to Earth.' The screen switched off suddenly.
Picard was left glaring at a dark screen for a second. The Starfleet paranoia against the Romulans ran deep in the Admiralty. 'Like hell I will,' he muttered angrily under his breath.
The door bleeped. 'Come.'
Troi entered the room. 'Captain, may I have a word?'
'By all means, Counsellor,' replied Picard, curbing his anger for a moment, even though Troi would have sensed it the moment she walked into the room. 'What can I do?'
Troi sat, and stared at him. 'I don't trust Sela.' Direct and to the point.
Picard looked surprised. 'Neither do I, Counsellor. Nobody on this ship who remembers what happened to Worf and the Klingons six years ago trusts her. However, we have bigger threats out there that we have to deal with first. Those ships just destroyed an entire city, and the Romulan leader, a man I know for a fact to be calm and level-headed, appears to be terrified beyond comprehension because of them. However, I am pursuing this course because I believe that there is a serious threat to the Federation.'
Troi nodded. 'If they are lying, what do you intend to do?'
Picard paused for a moment, and then smiled. 'We'll see what happens first.'
He got up and walked onto the bridge, followed by Troi. Riker looked up.
'What did the Admiral say?' Picard looked at him and decided that his decisions should not affect his crew if a court-martial was in the offing.
'She told me that we had permission to help the Romulans in any way possible.' With this lie, he disassociated the crew from any responsibility or repercussions for his actions. That still didn't make it feel right, though. 'We will be getting no help, though. The Azetbur is being recalled to Earth, but the Venture is being sent to Cardassia to try and get some assistance from the Cardassians there.' Another lie, this one to cover the absence of both the ships on the border.
Riker expressed disbelief. 'The Venture? One starship against an entire Jem'Hadar fleet?'
Picard shrugged, indicating, in that simple action, a disgust for Command and a suppressed anger at their decisions. 'It was not my decision, Commander,' Picard replied, letting some of his genuine frustration show through in his voice. 'If I know Captain Mellock, he will not hang around if he's attacked by the Jem'Hadar.' Picard sat in his chair. He looked at Ensign Bridges, who had been allowed to return to duty by Beverly. 'Ensign, plot a course to Korella II. I want to see what has happened to the planet. Warp 5.'
The Enterprise sailed into warp.
Lieutenant Thames stood up from the ops console at last, her legs aching. As she quickly briefed the relief officer, she glanced up at the back of the bridge, where Picard was sat with Riker, discussing a point with Data. She finished her quick conversation and then left the bridge via the forward turbolift, intending to go straight to her quarters.
As she did so, Picard glanced around and made an excuse to leave the bridge via the aft turbolift.
Thames walked down the long corridor, not really concentrating on where she was going, able to navigate to her quarters with her eyes shut. As such, she didn't notice the captain approaching until she nearly walked into him.
She jolted to a halt, staring at him in confusion for a moment, and realising she must look like a starstruck schoolgirl. Picard smiled at her. 'Could I possibly have a word for a moment, Lieutenant?' he asked politely.
Thames gestured quickly towards her quarters, a short distance down the corridor. 'Would you like to come into my quarters, Captain?' she replied, trying to recapture her normal businesslike tone – and failing, quite miserably.
'Out here will do fine, Lieutenant,' said Picard, a fleeting expression on his face. Thames quickly tried to identify it, but couldn't get any closer than – resignation? She herself felt disappointed, but she quickly dispelled the emotion. 'I just wanted to let you know that I was impressed by your taking over the helm duties when Ensign Bridges was injured. We were in a critical situation and you responded admirably.'
Thames barely kept a silly grin off her face. 'Thank you, sir,' she said, trying to make it sound like an officer should do when she was receiving a compliment.
'I'll be entering a commendation for you in the ship's log, and a recommendation that you be moved up to Ops duties as soon as possible. You will be Commander Data's understudy.'
An immediate thought rushed through Thames' mind, too quickly for her to dispel. Where he'll be able to see more of me. 'Thank you, sir,' she repeated, and inwardly winced at her lack of professionalism. And after he's just given me a commendation as well!
A flicker of amusement crossed over his face, and Thames knew that it had registered with him. She felt a rush of embarrassment flood to her cheeks. 'That's all, Lieutenant,' he said, and walked down the corridor. She turned, in a daze, and entered her quarters.
As Picard turned away, he felt a glow of wellbeing mixed with disappointment spread through his body. He had noted the look of pleasure on Thames' face at being told of her commendation and sideways promotion, but he hoped that she had not guessed his ulterior motive for moving her to the Ops station; so that he could see her more often.
Thames stood on the other side of her door, listening to her pounding heart. Of course he doesn't, she told herself furiously. He's the captain; what the hell would he see in you?
Thames knew that she had been attracted to him the first time she had seen him, during her time at the Academy. When she had been given an assignment on the flagship, she had been filled with excitement at meeting Jean-Luc Picard in person. Over time, it became obvious to her that he was not involved with anyone, but it was even clearer that he would not be interested in a lowly lieutenant.
However, she could dream.
One hour later, Data looked up from the science console at the back of the bridge. 'Captain, I have had a chance to review the records on the two ships.' At this moment, Sela walked onto the bridge. Data turned his head automatically – and froze, as his memories of Tasha, always close to the surface, came crashing back.
Picard looked at him curiously. 'Is there a problem, Mr. Data?' Data shook his head to deactivate his emotion chip. His face cleared and became impassive.
'No, Captain. As I was saying, the smaller of the two ships appears to be a form of path-clearer. It is launched from the mother ship in order to destroy any major opposition to any main invasion forces, for example, major defence bases, cities, and any form of space defences. Then, a huge fleet of smaller strike craft is launched to make attacks against principal bases for airforces, or strategic military targets. However, beyond this, my conclusions are merely hypothetical.' Sela was nodding silently in agreement.
'This was the way in which they operated against us in the past.'
Suddenly, Bridges said, 'Captain, we are approaching Korella II.' Picard turned around.
'Standard orbit, Ensign.' The Enterprise roared out of warp and slid into orbit around the dark planet. Data moved around to his console.
'Captain, I am not detecting an alien presence on the planet. There is no sign that there is a heavy cruiser or the mother ship near the planet.' Picard frowned.
'Number One, take an away team to the planet. Sela, I would like you to accompany them.' Riker beckoned to Data and Hedly. The four people headed to the turbolift.