Author: Kitlee
Title: The Days the Galaxy Stood Still
Series: TNG/DS9/Voy/New Frontier
Codes: Crossover, aliens
Rating: PG
Summary: Our heroes and heroines have stumbled upon a massive galactic war between two superior alien races. Can they uncover the truth, rescue themselves, and save the Federation in time?
Disclaimer: All recognizable things are from Star Trek and are property of whoever owns Star Trek (I think Paramount). They are obviously not mine. There is also a line buried in here from the musical 1776. There's also another line from Star Trek V. Find either or both and win a cookie.
Author's Notes: This is the first chapter of my little Star Trek epic. For TNG, the time is sometime after Nemesis but before Crusher leaves the ship. For DS9, it is just sometime after the series ends. Ditto for Voyager. For New Frontier, it takes place after the book Dark Allies (#8), since I haven't been keeping up with the series.
Feedback: Review, or to kitlee@diary-x.com
Day Two, Part 1
0100, Starship Voyager
With two former crewmembers missing, Admiral Kathryn Janeway knew she had to do something. Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres were like family to her and besides, Janeway wasn't ready to explain to young Katie (her namesake and goddaughter) why her parents weren't coming home.
She had expected to have to fight Starfleet Command on this one, but Command had been surprisingly accomodating on this one. They had given them the official task of finding and apprehending a missing Runabout from Deep Space Nine, which ships in the area had realized were heading straight for the mysterious space where so far Dr. Beverly Crusher, soon-to-be head of Starfleet Medical, the USS Excalibur, and the Delta Flyer had all disppeared.
Janeway addressed her crew, "All right People, we have our assignment here. Officially we are to intercept the missing Runabout from Deep Space Nine and find the missing Delta Flyer. In addition, Starfleet Command is expecting us to aid the Enterprise in her search for the cause of these recent disappearances." Her face broke into a smile. "On a happier note, I'm glad to be back here, on Voyager with this crew. I know that we can do it. Helm," she said to the Lieutenant taking Tom's place, "lay in a course, maximum warp. Harry, try and contact the Enterprise and arrange a rendevouz time."
"Yes ma'am," Harry said.
Janeway sat in the Captain's chair -- her Captain's chair -- and sighed slightly. As the old saying went, it was good to be back in the saddle.
*****
0145, Starship Enterprise-E
The sound of a concerned first officer slowly brought Picard back to consciouness. He opened his eyes, which immediately protesting the bright light of sickbay. The pain slowly faded to be replaced with a dull ache that he assumed was from the head injury.
"What happened Commander?" he croaked, slowly sitting up on the bio bed.
Ford looked up from where he was talking with one of the doctors. "Sir, we apprehended the intruder on deck 5. After you did not answer hails, we found you unconscious in you quarters."
Picard nodded. "And where is the intruder now?"
Ford motioned towards another bio bed. "She collapsed after her capture. Dr. Danowitz believes that it is a forced coma brought on by a device she found in her brain. We have erected a level 10 forcefield around the bio bed to prevent her escape."
Picard nodded. "Excellent work Commander." He rose and walked over to examine the intruder more closely.
The first thing that struck him was how innocent she looked asleep -- like any of the silly and annoying children onboard the Enterprise. Red hair, cut short, lay on the pillow.
"Doctor -- is she human?"
"Yes sir. According to my readings, she is a normal human girl approximately 12 years old."
"Amazing," Picard murmered. "Where did she come from?"
"Sir, sensors indicate no vessel near the Enterprise here or any time last night. And the computer does not recognize her as a passenger on Enterprise," Ford reported.
"How can that be Commander? Teenaged girls do not simply appear on Starships."
"I don't know sir," Ford admitted. "Unless she wakes up, I fear that our questions will go unanswered."
"All right Commander. Are we near the Excalibur's last known position?"
"Yes sir. We shall arrive there in the next ten minutes according to Helm."
"Doctor, continue monitoring the girl. Commander Ford and I will be on the bridge."
Danowitz suddenly spoke up. "Sirs," she said quietly, "I don't think she's actually in a coma."
"What?" Picard demanded.
"Or if she is, she can still hear us," Danowitz continued in a whisper.
"What makes you think that?" Ford asked.
"When you said that you were leaving, her pulse jumped two points. I also noticed increases in her vital whenever I checked on you Captain or talked to Commander Ford -- all instances when she was less heavily guarded."
Picard walked closer to the bio bed. Speaking over the hum of the forcefield in place, he said, "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. State your name and purpose here."
No response.
Picard motioned for the forcefield to be lowered. "I repeat, I am..."
The girl's eyes snapped open. With the fastest reflexes Picard had ever seen in a human, her bare foot lashed out and caught him squarely in the chest. Picard fell.
"I know who you are," she said coldly.
But Picard had been expecting this. He grabbed her own leg and pulled the unsuspecting girl down hard onto the floor. Pulling out his phaser, he pointed it squarely at her head.
"Now, you will answer my questions and stop playing games," he directed.
The girl scowled at him. With one free hand, she surreptitiously pressed a button on her belt.
A flash of light, and Q appeared. "You rang, Cat?"
*****
0150, Unknown
*The room is at least ten degrees too cold to be comfortable,* Captain Calhoun decided. Not that the chilly temperature was the highest on his list of problems. The first was obviously the fact that he was hung in an elaborate harness from the ceiling of a room that had to visible aperture besides a tiny air vent in the ceiling.
"I feel like a bug in a cocoon," McHenry commented from his harness.
Scattered throughout the chamber hung Calhoun's entire command crew plus two other individuals who had identified themselves as Lieutenant Tom Paris and Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres. After pumping the two for information, of which they had little, everyone had settled into a silent contemplation. Except, of course, Mark McHenry.
*If they hope to gain information by monitoring us, I wonder what they think of McHenry's babbling,* Calhoun thought. There was little doubt in Calhoun's mind that whoever controlled the ship was currently monitoring their communications. It was what he would have done.
"McHenry," Kebron rumbled, "must you keep chattering mindlessly?"
McHenry sounded surprised. "I'm just thinking aloud."
"Well, think to yourself," Kebron replied.
Suddenly an oval on the dark wall seemed to grow paler and paler until it was translucent. Shelby hissed for everyone to be quiet.
Three beings entered through the wall. They were tall, approximately six and a half feet tall in height. They wore gray body suits that left their feet bare and were several shades darker than their already gray skin. Calhoun noticed six fingers on their hands and six toes on their feet. They appeared pretty much humanoid, with a shiny and wet-looking area on their foreheads. One wore a more elaborate uniform -- various colors were worked into the material in bars along its arms which Calhoun assumed that this was an indicator of rank. The other two wore plain uniforms. Their behavior, though, was identically cold and severe.
"Greetings Captain," one of the plain-uniformed people said. "I am a security officer onboard this vessel. State your positions and worths."
It took a moment for Calhoun to realize that they spoke Federation Common.
"How is it that you speak our language?" Shelby asked.
"Your language is simple. You could not understand ours, so we must lower ourselves to yours," the being said. "Now give us the information we seek."
"I am afraid that I don't understand the question," Calhoun said. "But I am Captain Mackenzie Calhoun of the Federation Starship Excalibur. These are my command crew, along with Lieutenants Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres."
"Yes yes, but what is your worth?" the first being asked impatiently.
"Silence," the third said. The other two fell silent and still, supporting Calhoun's theory that this was their superior. "They do not understand. What we wish to inquire is this: what are your lives worth to your Federation?"
"Every life is valuable to the Federation. Starfleet will send a vessel to rescue us, and..." Shelby said.
The third being interrupted her. "How humerous. You must realize that your Federation is no match for us. What we wish to determine is simply how much of an annoyance will it be to execute you."
"By the way, where is Doctor Crusher?" Calhoun asked. "I assume that you are the ones who captured her."
"Who? Oh, you mean the Starfleet female in the shuttlecraft. We were hoping that you could give us some information on that."
Shelby sounded surprised. "But if you didn't take her, then who did?"
"I am not necessary to hold the information." The third being beckoned to the other two, and they left through the wall.
"Pleasant folk, aren't they," McHenry said. Calhoun couldn't tell if he was joking enough and wisely said nothing.
*****
0200, Starship Enterprise-E
It took a while before things quieted down.
As soon as Q appeared the girl he called Cat exclaimed, "Get me out of here Q."
Q glanced from Cat to Picard. "I'm sorry my dear, but I can't."
"Why not? You claim to be my protector. Well, protect me."
"Tsk tsk little Cat. I can't always solve your problems. Besides, where would I take you?"
"Where I came from, of course. Back to the flagship."
Q gave her an almost pittying look. "Cat, you must realize already why I can't take you there. To your ship maybe, but not there."
A cool calculating look came over her features as she analyzed the information. Picard marveled at how intelligent and contained the child looked. For someone all of twelve years old, she bore the sign of an intellect comparable to the finest minds in the Federation.
"I see," she said at last. She then turned to face Picard. "Very well then. I am prepared to be executed."
"Executed? What are you talking about?" Picard asked, visibly confused.
"I am a spy from an enemy alliance Captain. I guarantee you that they will not bargain for my release, and if you let me live, I shall use every effort to escape. Therefore your only logical choice is execution." There was something disconcerting about a child's voice speaking such words with impecible calm and coolness in a manner a Vulcan would approve of. Her manners and presence bothered Picard. But more than just her coldness. There was something oddly...familiar about her.
Her piercing blue eyes bore through him. "Well, I suppose that is why Humans are not seen as a particularly logical race. Commander Ford, escort the intruder to the brig and see that she is secured there."
"Aye Captain."
Picard exited Sickbay and headed to the bridge. New mysteries kept popping up, but he told himself to focus on the most immediate ones. Once he had discovered the force that had led to the disappearances of Beverly and the Excalibur, he could focus on the mysterious intruder.
*****
0230, Eris Prime
After less than twenty-four hours onboard the alien ship, Beverly was still not used to the smaller dimensions. Everywhere she walked she felt herself constantly bumping her head against five foot tall ceilings and uncomfortably stooped. After having her wounds attended to, she was given quarters and the assurance that her son would speak with her soon. However, it took hours before that happened.
"Sorry it took so long Mom," Wesley Crusher said, crawling in.
"That's all right Wesley." She smiled and hugged her grown son. "How are you Wes? Last I heard you were off with the Traveler. What happened?"
"Oh, I'm still with him. Or, at least I sort of am. He left me here to study with these people -- they call themselves the Wanderers, by the way, and this is their home port called Eris Prime. They're incredible Mom. They're extremely powerful, but also gentle. They know so much about themselves, the galaxy, the universe, everything. There's so much for me to learn here Mom."
His eyes were glowing that same excited glow that her little boy would get when she would open his world -- teaching him to read, taking him off-world for the first time, taking him to a holodeck.
"I'm happy for you Wes." Changing the subject, she asked, "So tell me, what was it that attacked me?"
"I wasn't really supposed to do that Mom," he admitted. "I've been in meetings for hours justifying it. They don't place the same value on family here, so it's hard for them to understand it."
"Wes, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble because of me."
"It's no trouble Mom, really. See, what happened is that you managed to stumble on the Empire's Capital ship. It randomizes its position every couple of hours, so it's almost impossible to trace. However, when it made that jump, it didn't take into effect your shuttlecraft, and so its ship was damaged. I can't really explain their technology, but basically any error in calculations will damage the space-time 'bubble' around the ship which in turn damages the ship.
It was in the process of destroying your ship and then taking you captive when I convinced the Wanderers of Eris Prime to intervene. I couldn't let you face capture and execution, Mom."
"Execution?"
Wes nodded. "They execute everyone they don't think is valuable as a hostage or ally."
"So where are we now?"
"Still near to where we picked you up. The Wanderers have the ability to sense areas in space/time where pivotal paths cross. This is one of those areas, so we're still monitoring the Empire Capital."
"Wes," Beverly asked, something dawning on her, "Wes, when I disappeared like that, Captain Picard is bound to have alerted Starfleet."
Wes looked uncomfortable. He nodded.
"He would have come to investigate, or else asked another ship to come. Wesley, what's been happening here these past hours?"
"Mom, part of what I've had to learn here, is that we don't interfere. Ever. The events of the galaxy flow around us, and we do not interfere in them. We just observe. Sometimes it's hard, but we have to do it that way."
"Wesley, what's happened?"
"Mom--" he began, but Beverly fixed her best Mom glare at her son. "There's been some captures," he said hesitantly. "But Mom, we can't--"
"Wesley Robert Crusher!"
Wesley sighed. Reluctantly he told her about the capture of the Delta Flyer ("Which has nothing to do with you," he added quickly) and the subsequent capture of the Excalibur. He talked about how the Enterprise and the Voyager were coming to investigate it all as was a mysteriously connected Runabout. When he finished, Beverly fixed her son with a serious Look.
"Wesley, you have to have to help. The Enterprise and the Voyager have no idea what to expect here. They can't fight this. You can."
"Mom, I can't do that, remember? I'm removed from these events here. I'm just an observer, bound to do nothing but that."
"Then send me back."
"In what Mom? There's no ship or shuttle."
"Then, then wait until the Enterprise gets near and beam me over."
"Mom! I didn't rescue you from the Empire to let you fall victim to them again. I can't send you off to your death."
"And I can't just sit here and do nothing while good people, people I know and care about, die!"
"Mom--" Wesley began, but Beverly interrupted him.
"Wesley, you claim that you can't interfere, but then why did you save me?"
Wesley gave his mother a look both pained and surprised she had to ask. "Because you're my mother."
"I don't see why you can justify saving me while sending other innocent people to their deaths."
"But I'm not Mom! I'm not doing anything! I'm part of the Wanderers now, and we cannot interfere. It's like the Prime Directive Mom, only bigger. We have the power to alter every conflict and interaction to our liking, but how would we decide how to use that power? How could we decide who wins and who loses, who lives and who dies? It's best just to do nothing, to let the galaxy occur around us. So don't blame me for what the Empire is doing."
"Yes you are. You're condeming them by not aiding them when you can."
Wesley looked pained. "I've -- I've gotta go Mom. I'll see you later." He crawled out.
Beverly sighed as he left, and crawled over to her computer console. If Wesley wasn't going to help her, then she would find a way out herself.
*****
0420, Starship Voyager
It was harder to find the missing Runabout than Janeway thought. After it became clear that their path led them away from the Enterprise's path and the last known location of Tom and B'Elanna, Janeway found herself forced to chose between her mission and her real reason for being out there.
As much as she hated to give the order, she had to. It was her duty, and besides, the Enterprise and Captain Picard were legendary. "Mr. Kim," she ordered Harry, "send a message to the Enterprise. Tell them 'Good luck and godspeed in rescuing the captives.' "
"You don't mean to follow them?" Chakotay asked.
"No, I don't. Our orders are to find and retrieve the Runabout, and that'll take us away from Tom and B'Elanna."
"But ma'am, it's just a Runabout. Surely we could get it and Tom and B'Elanna as well," Harry protested.
Janeway shook her head. "That may be the case Harry, but I don't want us to rush through this mission. Even if it is 'just a Runabout,' it's led us into an area of space about which we know nothing. I know that you're worried about Tom and B'Elanna. I am too. But I have every confidence in the Enterprise."
That had been several hours ago, Janeway reflected, and since then there had been nothing to break the calm of spacetravel as the Voyager caught up with the Runabout. Nothing except a growing sense of fear in the pit of Janeway's stomach.
"Captain, I'm picking up a vessel on long-range sensors," Harry Kim said.
"On screen," Chakotay ordered. "Is it the Runabout?"
"Negative sir. Whatever it is, the computer can't identify it."
"Open a channel," Janeway directed.
"Channel open," Harry reported.
Janeway stood. "This is Admiral Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager."
The viewscreen changed to an image of an alien being. Very tall and slender, it bore blue wings that faded from almost black at the top to nearly white at the tips. It's skin was tinged blue, it's hair was short and navy, and it's eyes were large and gray. When it spoke, it was in Federation Standard.
"What is your business here?"
Behind the genial mood the words bore a menacing weight. "We are searching for a missing craft from one of our spacestations. We mean you no harm. Who are you?"
"My name is C'Ral. We shall return your missing vessel, but not its occupants. They have violated our isolation and must be held until trial."
"I'm afraid that I can't allow that. I must personally see to the safety of my people," Janeway said.
"Admiral," C'Ral said with obvious mirth, "you are not in a position to demand anything."
"What will their punishment be, if they are found guilty?" Chakotay asked.
"You are lucky it was us they found and not our enemy. Their punishment will be nothing more than a mind-wipe and relocation to their part of the galaxy."
"And what about us?" Chakotay asked.
"You? You do not have enough information to be a threat. We leave you your memories to deliver this message to your Federation: do not disturb us."
A noise in the background distracted C'Ral for a moment, and when he returned, his face was grim. "I have just received new orders concerning your people. You may return with the Ferengi called Nog and the Human called Jake Sisko, but the Trill called Dax must remain in our custody."
"For how long?" Janeway asked, although part of her already knew the answer.
"Forever."
"Again, I can't allow you to do that," Janeway said.
"And how will you stop us?" C'Ral asked, amused again.
"By physical force, if necessary," Janeway said. It was a ridiculous statement, from an obviously smaller and less powerful vessel, but Janeway intended on carrying through with her threat.
C'Ral smiled. "Perhaps we have underestimated your Federation, Admiral. I shall contact the Council. We may have use for you yet."
*****
0445, Unknown
It was hours before the next aliens visited the cell. These were different than the first ones in both species and dress. All were perhaps two meters tall with pale brown skin and dark purple hair, slicked back. Two wore silver uniforms that left hands and feet bare and knee-length cloaks -- one dark blue and the other black. The third man was clad only in dark purple shorts with a longer purple cloak that swept the floor. Around his forehead he wore a strange metallic device that wrapped around his left eye and cheek and hooked over his right ear. Like the others, they all sported the odd wettish organ on their foreheads. Each man (they were obviously male) carried a weapon that looked like a cross between a knife and a phaser. Calhoun would have liked to see it used, but obviously not on himself or any of the other Starfleet officers.
The Starfleet officers did not realize that they were laying eyes on the most dangerous man in the galaxy (according to the TriCouncil) -- the Emperor.
"Well, well, the mighty Starfleet has come at last," the blue-cloaked man sneered. "You look surprised Vulcan," he said to Soleta. "Does it not surprise you that we have learned your pathetic 'common' tongue. You will find that there is little you can do to surprise us, for we have been watching you since long before your pathetic Federation came into being."
"Enough talk," the black-cloaked man snarled. "It is time for us to learn of you. Speak quickly, or you mght find yourself without a few appendages." His voice barely rose above a whisper, but they all heard the hate and cruelty on every word.
"Enough of both of you," the third man said. He clapped his hands together, and instantly they were all standing on the ground, free of their harnesses. "You are our guests, Starfleet, not our enemies." Another clap and they were in a luxurious room overlooking the stars. It looked oddly similar to quarters on a Federation Starship. "I hope this will make you more comfortable. Sit."
"What is this? Illusion?" Shelby demanded.
"Illusion? Of course not my dear Commander Shelby. This is as real as you and I are. We simply altered it to better suit you."
The man sat. "I am the Emperor here, and these are my advisors -- Tamur and Katran. We are here to offer you the chance of a lifetime."
"And what would that be?" Kebron rumbled suspiciously.
"To join us of course. We are currently looking for allies and will even take obviously inferior beings such as yourselves."
"Join you in what?"
"In our command of the galaxy, and our war against your enemies."
"What enemies? We don't have any at this time, unless you count the Borg," Shelby said.
The Emperor laughed. "The Borg? Oh, we could teach you to destroy them easily Commander. No, just because you do not know of this enemy does not mean that they have not wronged you."
"What are you talking about?" Calhoun asked.
"The Gemini of course, one of the founding members of the TriCouncil." The Emperor looked at the crew in mock surprise. "You mean you have no idea? None at all?"
"Cut the act and just give it to us straight," Calhoun said.
"As you wish Captain," the Emperor said with mock deference. "For years now, the Gemini have stolen your gametes to breed their species. They are our enemy, along with the entire TriCouncil, and we wish you to join us in our quest to *crush* them." His tone never lost its pleasantness, but a darkness and ruthlessness filled his eyes.
"Wait a minute, what makes you think we'll believe this story?" Paris asked. "We would have noticed something like that."
"Oh no, Mr. Paris. You wouldn't. The Gemini are almost as advanced as we are, and I assure you that we can come to your planet unnoticed if we wish."
"Why us?" Shelby asked. "Why people of the Federation?"
"Not people of the Federation, only Humans specifically. Your DNA is the best for their manipulation. They use your gametes to create genetically-perfect citizens to ravish the galaxy and spread their power over all."
"I repeat," Tom said, "got any proof?"
There was a pause, and then the Emperor replied, "Yes, I'm afraid we do. Tamur, get me the data." The blue-cloaked man nodded and fetched him a small data pad.
"This is the record of a human we managed to liberate from the genetic labs on Gemini. Sadly, though, she died in a retaliation raid by the TriCouncil. As you can see, she is definitely human." The Emperor handed the pad to Calhoun, who in turn handed it to Dr. Selar to examine. She pulled out her medical tricorder.
"Is it real?" he asked her.
"It appears so Captain. They have included samples of blood, and it tests as being human. However, I have no way of noting if it came from a previous Human prisoner."
"I give you my word Captain that it did not. Come now, give me your answer. As representatives of your Federation, join me and my people in our quest to defeat the TriCouncil, who as I have shown have already hurt your people for generations. Join us, and become part of the most powerful empire in the galaxy." Fire danced in his dark eyes.
Calhoun paused. He didn't feel right making a deal with this obviously lying person, yet he had no desire to anger him and risk execution. "I...I apologize for wasting your time Emperor, but I do not have the power to speak for the Federation. I'm just a Starfleet Captain, and a rather new one at that. Sorry, but you got the wrong guy. If you let me speak to the council on your behalf however..."
"Silence! Katran! See that the prisoners are secured tightly." He glared at Calhoun. "Do not lie to me Captain, or spread half-truths. You may not live to regret it." He stormed out of the room, and a few commands later found the officers back in their harnesses.
*****
0600, Starship Enterprise-E
They had been searching for hours before anyone thought to ask the girl. Picard expected to find something dangerous, vast, and complicated at the Excalibur's last known location.
"Sir, every instrument I have says that there's nothing out there," Gardiner reported from Ops.
"Picard to Engineering, I want you to try to reconfigure the sensors. There has to be something out there that we cannot detect."
"Aye Captain," Geordi responded.
Picard sat impatiently in his chair, monitoring the efforts of his crew to find something in the vastness of space. He had a good crew; he didn't doubt that now. The way they were working under pressure at that moment assured him of that. However, it didn't seem to be enough.
"Commander, you have the bridge. Continue adapting the sensors. I'll be in the brig," Picard said, standing.
"Aye sir," Ford asked.
Picard walked to the turbolift and rode down, all the while wondering what he could say to someone so foreign and so young.
He motioned for the security officer to leave them alone, and then faced her. She appeared to be asleep.
"Hello Cat."
"Hello Captain," she said, sitting up. Picard wondered idly if she ever really slept. That reminded him of his own lack of sleep recently. He stiffled a yawn.
"I have come to ask you--" he began, but she interrupted him.
"--to help you, to give you information, right? I refuse to do so."
"Why? Are these your people?"
"I am a misfit, an oddity. I don't have any 'people' Captain. But yes, they are who raised me."
"How is it that you were raised by this race? Are you from a colony? Who are they?"
"They call themselves the Empire. And as for me, any information about myself is worthless to you. They don't care about me anymore, and neither should you. Not if you want to stand a chance against them."
"I care about you because you are a human being, and you are in need of help."
"I don't need help. Not yours or anyone else's. No one has ever helped me with anything. And I survived just fine. So just leave me alone." She smirked at him. "Besides, you have bigger problems besides me and besides the fact that you're just scanning truly empty space. Because the Empire is bound to detect you soon, and they don't exactly like you."
"Now you listen to me. As much as you may hate it, you are a human child. And part of that is the willingness to help others. My crew and I are willing to help you reclaim that humanity, that part of your heritage; but in exchange we expect you to help us and not sit idly by while our ship is destroyed around us."
She gazed at him, her face perfectly stoic. Sighing to himself, he left and headed up to the bridge to order all senior officers to bed. If there was an enemy coming, he wanted himself and his crew fully rested and prepared.
Title: The Days the Galaxy Stood Still
Series: TNG/DS9/Voy/New Frontier
Codes: Crossover, aliens
Rating: PG
Summary: Our heroes and heroines have stumbled upon a massive galactic war between two superior alien races. Can they uncover the truth, rescue themselves, and save the Federation in time?
Disclaimer: All recognizable things are from Star Trek and are property of whoever owns Star Trek (I think Paramount). They are obviously not mine. There is also a line buried in here from the musical 1776. There's also another line from Star Trek V. Find either or both and win a cookie.
Author's Notes: This is the first chapter of my little Star Trek epic. For TNG, the time is sometime after Nemesis but before Crusher leaves the ship. For DS9, it is just sometime after the series ends. Ditto for Voyager. For New Frontier, it takes place after the book Dark Allies (#8), since I haven't been keeping up with the series.
Feedback: Review, or to kitlee@diary-x.com
Day Two, Part 1
0100, Starship Voyager
With two former crewmembers missing, Admiral Kathryn Janeway knew she had to do something. Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres were like family to her and besides, Janeway wasn't ready to explain to young Katie (her namesake and goddaughter) why her parents weren't coming home.
She had expected to have to fight Starfleet Command on this one, but Command had been surprisingly accomodating on this one. They had given them the official task of finding and apprehending a missing Runabout from Deep Space Nine, which ships in the area had realized were heading straight for the mysterious space where so far Dr. Beverly Crusher, soon-to-be head of Starfleet Medical, the USS Excalibur, and the Delta Flyer had all disppeared.
Janeway addressed her crew, "All right People, we have our assignment here. Officially we are to intercept the missing Runabout from Deep Space Nine and find the missing Delta Flyer. In addition, Starfleet Command is expecting us to aid the Enterprise in her search for the cause of these recent disappearances." Her face broke into a smile. "On a happier note, I'm glad to be back here, on Voyager with this crew. I know that we can do it. Helm," she said to the Lieutenant taking Tom's place, "lay in a course, maximum warp. Harry, try and contact the Enterprise and arrange a rendevouz time."
"Yes ma'am," Harry said.
Janeway sat in the Captain's chair -- her Captain's chair -- and sighed slightly. As the old saying went, it was good to be back in the saddle.
*****
0145, Starship Enterprise-E
The sound of a concerned first officer slowly brought Picard back to consciouness. He opened his eyes, which immediately protesting the bright light of sickbay. The pain slowly faded to be replaced with a dull ache that he assumed was from the head injury.
"What happened Commander?" he croaked, slowly sitting up on the bio bed.
Ford looked up from where he was talking with one of the doctors. "Sir, we apprehended the intruder on deck 5. After you did not answer hails, we found you unconscious in you quarters."
Picard nodded. "And where is the intruder now?"
Ford motioned towards another bio bed. "She collapsed after her capture. Dr. Danowitz believes that it is a forced coma brought on by a device she found in her brain. We have erected a level 10 forcefield around the bio bed to prevent her escape."
Picard nodded. "Excellent work Commander." He rose and walked over to examine the intruder more closely.
The first thing that struck him was how innocent she looked asleep -- like any of the silly and annoying children onboard the Enterprise. Red hair, cut short, lay on the pillow.
"Doctor -- is she human?"
"Yes sir. According to my readings, she is a normal human girl approximately 12 years old."
"Amazing," Picard murmered. "Where did she come from?"
"Sir, sensors indicate no vessel near the Enterprise here or any time last night. And the computer does not recognize her as a passenger on Enterprise," Ford reported.
"How can that be Commander? Teenaged girls do not simply appear on Starships."
"I don't know sir," Ford admitted. "Unless she wakes up, I fear that our questions will go unanswered."
"All right Commander. Are we near the Excalibur's last known position?"
"Yes sir. We shall arrive there in the next ten minutes according to Helm."
"Doctor, continue monitoring the girl. Commander Ford and I will be on the bridge."
Danowitz suddenly spoke up. "Sirs," she said quietly, "I don't think she's actually in a coma."
"What?" Picard demanded.
"Or if she is, she can still hear us," Danowitz continued in a whisper.
"What makes you think that?" Ford asked.
"When you said that you were leaving, her pulse jumped two points. I also noticed increases in her vital whenever I checked on you Captain or talked to Commander Ford -- all instances when she was less heavily guarded."
Picard walked closer to the bio bed. Speaking over the hum of the forcefield in place, he said, "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. State your name and purpose here."
No response.
Picard motioned for the forcefield to be lowered. "I repeat, I am..."
The girl's eyes snapped open. With the fastest reflexes Picard had ever seen in a human, her bare foot lashed out and caught him squarely in the chest. Picard fell.
"I know who you are," she said coldly.
But Picard had been expecting this. He grabbed her own leg and pulled the unsuspecting girl down hard onto the floor. Pulling out his phaser, he pointed it squarely at her head.
"Now, you will answer my questions and stop playing games," he directed.
The girl scowled at him. With one free hand, she surreptitiously pressed a button on her belt.
A flash of light, and Q appeared. "You rang, Cat?"
*****
0150, Unknown
*The room is at least ten degrees too cold to be comfortable,* Captain Calhoun decided. Not that the chilly temperature was the highest on his list of problems. The first was obviously the fact that he was hung in an elaborate harness from the ceiling of a room that had to visible aperture besides a tiny air vent in the ceiling.
"I feel like a bug in a cocoon," McHenry commented from his harness.
Scattered throughout the chamber hung Calhoun's entire command crew plus two other individuals who had identified themselves as Lieutenant Tom Paris and Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres. After pumping the two for information, of which they had little, everyone had settled into a silent contemplation. Except, of course, Mark McHenry.
*If they hope to gain information by monitoring us, I wonder what they think of McHenry's babbling,* Calhoun thought. There was little doubt in Calhoun's mind that whoever controlled the ship was currently monitoring their communications. It was what he would have done.
"McHenry," Kebron rumbled, "must you keep chattering mindlessly?"
McHenry sounded surprised. "I'm just thinking aloud."
"Well, think to yourself," Kebron replied.
Suddenly an oval on the dark wall seemed to grow paler and paler until it was translucent. Shelby hissed for everyone to be quiet.
Three beings entered through the wall. They were tall, approximately six and a half feet tall in height. They wore gray body suits that left their feet bare and were several shades darker than their already gray skin. Calhoun noticed six fingers on their hands and six toes on their feet. They appeared pretty much humanoid, with a shiny and wet-looking area on their foreheads. One wore a more elaborate uniform -- various colors were worked into the material in bars along its arms which Calhoun assumed that this was an indicator of rank. The other two wore plain uniforms. Their behavior, though, was identically cold and severe.
"Greetings Captain," one of the plain-uniformed people said. "I am a security officer onboard this vessel. State your positions and worths."
It took a moment for Calhoun to realize that they spoke Federation Common.
"How is it that you speak our language?" Shelby asked.
"Your language is simple. You could not understand ours, so we must lower ourselves to yours," the being said. "Now give us the information we seek."
"I am afraid that I don't understand the question," Calhoun said. "But I am Captain Mackenzie Calhoun of the Federation Starship Excalibur. These are my command crew, along with Lieutenants Tom Paris and B'Elanna Torres."
"Yes yes, but what is your worth?" the first being asked impatiently.
"Silence," the third said. The other two fell silent and still, supporting Calhoun's theory that this was their superior. "They do not understand. What we wish to inquire is this: what are your lives worth to your Federation?"
"Every life is valuable to the Federation. Starfleet will send a vessel to rescue us, and..." Shelby said.
The third being interrupted her. "How humerous. You must realize that your Federation is no match for us. What we wish to determine is simply how much of an annoyance will it be to execute you."
"By the way, where is Doctor Crusher?" Calhoun asked. "I assume that you are the ones who captured her."
"Who? Oh, you mean the Starfleet female in the shuttlecraft. We were hoping that you could give us some information on that."
Shelby sounded surprised. "But if you didn't take her, then who did?"
"I am not necessary to hold the information." The third being beckoned to the other two, and they left through the wall.
"Pleasant folk, aren't they," McHenry said. Calhoun couldn't tell if he was joking enough and wisely said nothing.
*****
0200, Starship Enterprise-E
It took a while before things quieted down.
As soon as Q appeared the girl he called Cat exclaimed, "Get me out of here Q."
Q glanced from Cat to Picard. "I'm sorry my dear, but I can't."
"Why not? You claim to be my protector. Well, protect me."
"Tsk tsk little Cat. I can't always solve your problems. Besides, where would I take you?"
"Where I came from, of course. Back to the flagship."
Q gave her an almost pittying look. "Cat, you must realize already why I can't take you there. To your ship maybe, but not there."
A cool calculating look came over her features as she analyzed the information. Picard marveled at how intelligent and contained the child looked. For someone all of twelve years old, she bore the sign of an intellect comparable to the finest minds in the Federation.
"I see," she said at last. She then turned to face Picard. "Very well then. I am prepared to be executed."
"Executed? What are you talking about?" Picard asked, visibly confused.
"I am a spy from an enemy alliance Captain. I guarantee you that they will not bargain for my release, and if you let me live, I shall use every effort to escape. Therefore your only logical choice is execution." There was something disconcerting about a child's voice speaking such words with impecible calm and coolness in a manner a Vulcan would approve of. Her manners and presence bothered Picard. But more than just her coldness. There was something oddly...familiar about her.
Her piercing blue eyes bore through him. "Well, I suppose that is why Humans are not seen as a particularly logical race. Commander Ford, escort the intruder to the brig and see that she is secured there."
"Aye Captain."
Picard exited Sickbay and headed to the bridge. New mysteries kept popping up, but he told himself to focus on the most immediate ones. Once he had discovered the force that had led to the disappearances of Beverly and the Excalibur, he could focus on the mysterious intruder.
*****
0230, Eris Prime
After less than twenty-four hours onboard the alien ship, Beverly was still not used to the smaller dimensions. Everywhere she walked she felt herself constantly bumping her head against five foot tall ceilings and uncomfortably stooped. After having her wounds attended to, she was given quarters and the assurance that her son would speak with her soon. However, it took hours before that happened.
"Sorry it took so long Mom," Wesley Crusher said, crawling in.
"That's all right Wesley." She smiled and hugged her grown son. "How are you Wes? Last I heard you were off with the Traveler. What happened?"
"Oh, I'm still with him. Or, at least I sort of am. He left me here to study with these people -- they call themselves the Wanderers, by the way, and this is their home port called Eris Prime. They're incredible Mom. They're extremely powerful, but also gentle. They know so much about themselves, the galaxy, the universe, everything. There's so much for me to learn here Mom."
His eyes were glowing that same excited glow that her little boy would get when she would open his world -- teaching him to read, taking him off-world for the first time, taking him to a holodeck.
"I'm happy for you Wes." Changing the subject, she asked, "So tell me, what was it that attacked me?"
"I wasn't really supposed to do that Mom," he admitted. "I've been in meetings for hours justifying it. They don't place the same value on family here, so it's hard for them to understand it."
"Wes, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble because of me."
"It's no trouble Mom, really. See, what happened is that you managed to stumble on the Empire's Capital ship. It randomizes its position every couple of hours, so it's almost impossible to trace. However, when it made that jump, it didn't take into effect your shuttlecraft, and so its ship was damaged. I can't really explain their technology, but basically any error in calculations will damage the space-time 'bubble' around the ship which in turn damages the ship.
It was in the process of destroying your ship and then taking you captive when I convinced the Wanderers of Eris Prime to intervene. I couldn't let you face capture and execution, Mom."
"Execution?"
Wes nodded. "They execute everyone they don't think is valuable as a hostage or ally."
"So where are we now?"
"Still near to where we picked you up. The Wanderers have the ability to sense areas in space/time where pivotal paths cross. This is one of those areas, so we're still monitoring the Empire Capital."
"Wes," Beverly asked, something dawning on her, "Wes, when I disappeared like that, Captain Picard is bound to have alerted Starfleet."
Wes looked uncomfortable. He nodded.
"He would have come to investigate, or else asked another ship to come. Wesley, what's been happening here these past hours?"
"Mom, part of what I've had to learn here, is that we don't interfere. Ever. The events of the galaxy flow around us, and we do not interfere in them. We just observe. Sometimes it's hard, but we have to do it that way."
"Wesley, what's happened?"
"Mom--" he began, but Beverly fixed her best Mom glare at her son. "There's been some captures," he said hesitantly. "But Mom, we can't--"
"Wesley Robert Crusher!"
Wesley sighed. Reluctantly he told her about the capture of the Delta Flyer ("Which has nothing to do with you," he added quickly) and the subsequent capture of the Excalibur. He talked about how the Enterprise and the Voyager were coming to investigate it all as was a mysteriously connected Runabout. When he finished, Beverly fixed her son with a serious Look.
"Wesley, you have to have to help. The Enterprise and the Voyager have no idea what to expect here. They can't fight this. You can."
"Mom, I can't do that, remember? I'm removed from these events here. I'm just an observer, bound to do nothing but that."
"Then send me back."
"In what Mom? There's no ship or shuttle."
"Then, then wait until the Enterprise gets near and beam me over."
"Mom! I didn't rescue you from the Empire to let you fall victim to them again. I can't send you off to your death."
"And I can't just sit here and do nothing while good people, people I know and care about, die!"
"Mom--" Wesley began, but Beverly interrupted him.
"Wesley, you claim that you can't interfere, but then why did you save me?"
Wesley gave his mother a look both pained and surprised she had to ask. "Because you're my mother."
"I don't see why you can justify saving me while sending other innocent people to their deaths."
"But I'm not Mom! I'm not doing anything! I'm part of the Wanderers now, and we cannot interfere. It's like the Prime Directive Mom, only bigger. We have the power to alter every conflict and interaction to our liking, but how would we decide how to use that power? How could we decide who wins and who loses, who lives and who dies? It's best just to do nothing, to let the galaxy occur around us. So don't blame me for what the Empire is doing."
"Yes you are. You're condeming them by not aiding them when you can."
Wesley looked pained. "I've -- I've gotta go Mom. I'll see you later." He crawled out.
Beverly sighed as he left, and crawled over to her computer console. If Wesley wasn't going to help her, then she would find a way out herself.
*****
0420, Starship Voyager
It was harder to find the missing Runabout than Janeway thought. After it became clear that their path led them away from the Enterprise's path and the last known location of Tom and B'Elanna, Janeway found herself forced to chose between her mission and her real reason for being out there.
As much as she hated to give the order, she had to. It was her duty, and besides, the Enterprise and Captain Picard were legendary. "Mr. Kim," she ordered Harry, "send a message to the Enterprise. Tell them 'Good luck and godspeed in rescuing the captives.' "
"You don't mean to follow them?" Chakotay asked.
"No, I don't. Our orders are to find and retrieve the Runabout, and that'll take us away from Tom and B'Elanna."
"But ma'am, it's just a Runabout. Surely we could get it and Tom and B'Elanna as well," Harry protested.
Janeway shook her head. "That may be the case Harry, but I don't want us to rush through this mission. Even if it is 'just a Runabout,' it's led us into an area of space about which we know nothing. I know that you're worried about Tom and B'Elanna. I am too. But I have every confidence in the Enterprise."
That had been several hours ago, Janeway reflected, and since then there had been nothing to break the calm of spacetravel as the Voyager caught up with the Runabout. Nothing except a growing sense of fear in the pit of Janeway's stomach.
"Captain, I'm picking up a vessel on long-range sensors," Harry Kim said.
"On screen," Chakotay ordered. "Is it the Runabout?"
"Negative sir. Whatever it is, the computer can't identify it."
"Open a channel," Janeway directed.
"Channel open," Harry reported.
Janeway stood. "This is Admiral Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager."
The viewscreen changed to an image of an alien being. Very tall and slender, it bore blue wings that faded from almost black at the top to nearly white at the tips. It's skin was tinged blue, it's hair was short and navy, and it's eyes were large and gray. When it spoke, it was in Federation Standard.
"What is your business here?"
Behind the genial mood the words bore a menacing weight. "We are searching for a missing craft from one of our spacestations. We mean you no harm. Who are you?"
"My name is C'Ral. We shall return your missing vessel, but not its occupants. They have violated our isolation and must be held until trial."
"I'm afraid that I can't allow that. I must personally see to the safety of my people," Janeway said.
"Admiral," C'Ral said with obvious mirth, "you are not in a position to demand anything."
"What will their punishment be, if they are found guilty?" Chakotay asked.
"You are lucky it was us they found and not our enemy. Their punishment will be nothing more than a mind-wipe and relocation to their part of the galaxy."
"And what about us?" Chakotay asked.
"You? You do not have enough information to be a threat. We leave you your memories to deliver this message to your Federation: do not disturb us."
A noise in the background distracted C'Ral for a moment, and when he returned, his face was grim. "I have just received new orders concerning your people. You may return with the Ferengi called Nog and the Human called Jake Sisko, but the Trill called Dax must remain in our custody."
"For how long?" Janeway asked, although part of her already knew the answer.
"Forever."
"Again, I can't allow you to do that," Janeway said.
"And how will you stop us?" C'Ral asked, amused again.
"By physical force, if necessary," Janeway said. It was a ridiculous statement, from an obviously smaller and less powerful vessel, but Janeway intended on carrying through with her threat.
C'Ral smiled. "Perhaps we have underestimated your Federation, Admiral. I shall contact the Council. We may have use for you yet."
*****
0445, Unknown
It was hours before the next aliens visited the cell. These were different than the first ones in both species and dress. All were perhaps two meters tall with pale brown skin and dark purple hair, slicked back. Two wore silver uniforms that left hands and feet bare and knee-length cloaks -- one dark blue and the other black. The third man was clad only in dark purple shorts with a longer purple cloak that swept the floor. Around his forehead he wore a strange metallic device that wrapped around his left eye and cheek and hooked over his right ear. Like the others, they all sported the odd wettish organ on their foreheads. Each man (they were obviously male) carried a weapon that looked like a cross between a knife and a phaser. Calhoun would have liked to see it used, but obviously not on himself or any of the other Starfleet officers.
The Starfleet officers did not realize that they were laying eyes on the most dangerous man in the galaxy (according to the TriCouncil) -- the Emperor.
"Well, well, the mighty Starfleet has come at last," the blue-cloaked man sneered. "You look surprised Vulcan," he said to Soleta. "Does it not surprise you that we have learned your pathetic 'common' tongue. You will find that there is little you can do to surprise us, for we have been watching you since long before your pathetic Federation came into being."
"Enough talk," the black-cloaked man snarled. "It is time for us to learn of you. Speak quickly, or you mght find yourself without a few appendages." His voice barely rose above a whisper, but they all heard the hate and cruelty on every word.
"Enough of both of you," the third man said. He clapped his hands together, and instantly they were all standing on the ground, free of their harnesses. "You are our guests, Starfleet, not our enemies." Another clap and they were in a luxurious room overlooking the stars. It looked oddly similar to quarters on a Federation Starship. "I hope this will make you more comfortable. Sit."
"What is this? Illusion?" Shelby demanded.
"Illusion? Of course not my dear Commander Shelby. This is as real as you and I are. We simply altered it to better suit you."
The man sat. "I am the Emperor here, and these are my advisors -- Tamur and Katran. We are here to offer you the chance of a lifetime."
"And what would that be?" Kebron rumbled suspiciously.
"To join us of course. We are currently looking for allies and will even take obviously inferior beings such as yourselves."
"Join you in what?"
"In our command of the galaxy, and our war against your enemies."
"What enemies? We don't have any at this time, unless you count the Borg," Shelby said.
The Emperor laughed. "The Borg? Oh, we could teach you to destroy them easily Commander. No, just because you do not know of this enemy does not mean that they have not wronged you."
"What are you talking about?" Calhoun asked.
"The Gemini of course, one of the founding members of the TriCouncil." The Emperor looked at the crew in mock surprise. "You mean you have no idea? None at all?"
"Cut the act and just give it to us straight," Calhoun said.
"As you wish Captain," the Emperor said with mock deference. "For years now, the Gemini have stolen your gametes to breed their species. They are our enemy, along with the entire TriCouncil, and we wish you to join us in our quest to *crush* them." His tone never lost its pleasantness, but a darkness and ruthlessness filled his eyes.
"Wait a minute, what makes you think we'll believe this story?" Paris asked. "We would have noticed something like that."
"Oh no, Mr. Paris. You wouldn't. The Gemini are almost as advanced as we are, and I assure you that we can come to your planet unnoticed if we wish."
"Why us?" Shelby asked. "Why people of the Federation?"
"Not people of the Federation, only Humans specifically. Your DNA is the best for their manipulation. They use your gametes to create genetically-perfect citizens to ravish the galaxy and spread their power over all."
"I repeat," Tom said, "got any proof?"
There was a pause, and then the Emperor replied, "Yes, I'm afraid we do. Tamur, get me the data." The blue-cloaked man nodded and fetched him a small data pad.
"This is the record of a human we managed to liberate from the genetic labs on Gemini. Sadly, though, she died in a retaliation raid by the TriCouncil. As you can see, she is definitely human." The Emperor handed the pad to Calhoun, who in turn handed it to Dr. Selar to examine. She pulled out her medical tricorder.
"Is it real?" he asked her.
"It appears so Captain. They have included samples of blood, and it tests as being human. However, I have no way of noting if it came from a previous Human prisoner."
"I give you my word Captain that it did not. Come now, give me your answer. As representatives of your Federation, join me and my people in our quest to defeat the TriCouncil, who as I have shown have already hurt your people for generations. Join us, and become part of the most powerful empire in the galaxy." Fire danced in his dark eyes.
Calhoun paused. He didn't feel right making a deal with this obviously lying person, yet he had no desire to anger him and risk execution. "I...I apologize for wasting your time Emperor, but I do not have the power to speak for the Federation. I'm just a Starfleet Captain, and a rather new one at that. Sorry, but you got the wrong guy. If you let me speak to the council on your behalf however..."
"Silence! Katran! See that the prisoners are secured tightly." He glared at Calhoun. "Do not lie to me Captain, or spread half-truths. You may not live to regret it." He stormed out of the room, and a few commands later found the officers back in their harnesses.
*****
0600, Starship Enterprise-E
They had been searching for hours before anyone thought to ask the girl. Picard expected to find something dangerous, vast, and complicated at the Excalibur's last known location.
"Sir, every instrument I have says that there's nothing out there," Gardiner reported from Ops.
"Picard to Engineering, I want you to try to reconfigure the sensors. There has to be something out there that we cannot detect."
"Aye Captain," Geordi responded.
Picard sat impatiently in his chair, monitoring the efforts of his crew to find something in the vastness of space. He had a good crew; he didn't doubt that now. The way they were working under pressure at that moment assured him of that. However, it didn't seem to be enough.
"Commander, you have the bridge. Continue adapting the sensors. I'll be in the brig," Picard said, standing.
"Aye sir," Ford asked.
Picard walked to the turbolift and rode down, all the while wondering what he could say to someone so foreign and so young.
He motioned for the security officer to leave them alone, and then faced her. She appeared to be asleep.
"Hello Cat."
"Hello Captain," she said, sitting up. Picard wondered idly if she ever really slept. That reminded him of his own lack of sleep recently. He stiffled a yawn.
"I have come to ask you--" he began, but she interrupted him.
"--to help you, to give you information, right? I refuse to do so."
"Why? Are these your people?"
"I am a misfit, an oddity. I don't have any 'people' Captain. But yes, they are who raised me."
"How is it that you were raised by this race? Are you from a colony? Who are they?"
"They call themselves the Empire. And as for me, any information about myself is worthless to you. They don't care about me anymore, and neither should you. Not if you want to stand a chance against them."
"I care about you because you are a human being, and you are in need of help."
"I don't need help. Not yours or anyone else's. No one has ever helped me with anything. And I survived just fine. So just leave me alone." She smirked at him. "Besides, you have bigger problems besides me and besides the fact that you're just scanning truly empty space. Because the Empire is bound to detect you soon, and they don't exactly like you."
"Now you listen to me. As much as you may hate it, you are a human child. And part of that is the willingness to help others. My crew and I are willing to help you reclaim that humanity, that part of your heritage; but in exchange we expect you to help us and not sit idly by while our ship is destroyed around us."
She gazed at him, her face perfectly stoic. Sighing to himself, he left and headed up to the bridge to order all senior officers to bed. If there was an enemy coming, he wanted himself and his crew fully rested and prepared.