Act Three: "Articles of Independence"
First Minister Shakaar was shocked to find his former lover – and a Bajoran Colonel – approaching him in the middle of the night. He made for the door immediately.
"Neryes? What is it? What's wrong?"
She didn't say anything, only heaved a book in her hands. Shakaar recognized it – it was the Book of Hoopo. It was fairly ancient, but was usually looked over as nothing more than listings of numbers and inventory.
"Neryes?"
"Listen," she began, a dead-set look in her eyes, "I know I shouldn't tell anyone this, but the rules have changed. I was drawn to the Orb of Contemplation and I had a vision."
"A vision?"
"Yes. It was the Emissary. Captain Sisko. He told me to look up a page and a passage in the Book of Hoopo. I looked it up."
"What does it say?"
She pointed out a circle in the middle of one of the pages. In it was figure with words running across the interior of the circle.
"It says here that the Emissary 'will protect Bajor from the danger of the distant stars. The stars blighted with heat. The Emissary will watch over us from the Celestial Temple.'"
"What are you saying, Neryes?"
"I'm saying that Benjamin Sisko – the Emissary – is going to protect us from the Kelvans from the Celestial Temple. No matter what happens."
"Are you sure of this?"
"Shakaar, you have to trust me on this. This is our sign that Bajor will be safe. Captain Sisko – the Emissary – has guaranteed that."
***
Worf stood silent, looking out upon a lake before him. To his back was a large and dense forest filled to the brim with creatures and animals of this planet. But even through their constant nose making, he could hear something else approaching . . .
Suddenly, two trees bent over and a large, multi-tentacled creature shot forth. Worf spun around and knocked the creature – a Kelvan – back onto the grass. He was about to finish the Kelvan off, when there was a loud shout from the edge of the forest.
"STOP! PLEASE!"
Another Kelvan came forth.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Rojan. I am here to help you."
"Help? How?!"
"Remember your history, Ambassador. I'm against the invasion. I'm for the peace initiative. There are only four of us here. When I learned that both you and the Romulans may still be alive down here, I assigned myself and three others of my cause to execute you."
"I do not believe you!"
"You should," said Sela, stepping out from the brush.
"You!? How did you hide from me without my knowing?" demanded Worf.
"Our intelligence operatives reported that you were strongly against the invasion movement. Always have been," Sela said to Rojan, completely ignoring Worf.
"Exactly. And now, we must get back to our ship and get you to safety."
Sela nodded. "Good. Mr. Worf, if you were smart you and your people would be joining us."
Worf snarled a bit, then released his Kelvan and then went about contacting the rest of his crew.
"So, Rojan," asked Sela, "did we miss anything while we were gone?"
***
Meanwhile, in the Delta Quadrant . . .
Neelix stood on the bridge of the Vada lead warship. At his side was Mantora, who was at the lead navigational console. Behind the warship were the fleets of the Krenum, Malon, Talaxian, Vidiian, Kazon, and the Hirogen – not to mention the Vada.
"We are approaching the heart of Borg Space, Commander Neelix."
"On screen," ordered Neelix.
The screen showed a dramatic scene displayed before them. Dozens of Borg vessels lay lifeless, like dead bodies floating in space.
"By the Nine Moons . . ." Mantora said, stunned.
"We're picking up no life-signs from the ships. The only thing we can detect is slight energy and magnetic patterns from within the central cores. But other than that . . ." trailed off the Vidiian Denara Pel. Neelix had spoken to her earlier. She was the Vidiian that the Doctor had shared a romantic relationship with a few years ago. Now that the Phage was cured, she and her people were both happy and healthy once again.
"Commander Neelix, you are receiving a communication from your home. It is being retransmitted from there from another location," said the communications officer.
"On screen."
The screen flickered for a moment before Lieutenant Commander Barclay appeared. "Neelix!" he exclaimed. "I have hopes you are receiving this. The Federation has been infiltrated and is surrendering to an alien force called the Kelvans. Be warned – these aliens have collapsed the Borg's Collective Net and are using their space to launch an attack on the powers of the Delta Quadrant. Be careful. Reply as soon as you get this message."
"COMMANDER!" shouted Mantora. "Fifteen vessels coming about! They can not be classified!"
"We're receiving a transmission," said the Communications officer. "They claim to be scouts . . . of the Kelvan Empire."
"They're opening fire!"
The fifteen ships launched weapons against the vessels of the Delta Quadrant.
"Pull back!" ordered Neelix. "Pull back and open fire!"
The fleet began to turn around, but four of the Kelvan vessels sped through and destroyed an entire line of the fleet. The lead Vada warship took a beating.
"Get us out of here!" Neelix commanded, attempting to pull himself back into his seat. "Open fire! All weapons!"
The combined might of the fleet was only successful in destroying one of the Kelvan ships. The other fourteen swerved around the fleet and continued to blast it apart ship by ship.
Suddenly, torpedoes came speeding out and struck each of the Kelvan vessels. Three more were destroyed.
"Who was that?"
Pel ran her fingers across her control panel. "Sensors are reading . . . Borg signatures!"
"Out of the frying pan . . ." muttered Neelix. "Continue to fire on the Kelvan ships. We'll deal with the Borg after we're done with the Kelvans."
Five Borg Cubes danced around the Kelvan ships. The Cubes took heavy damage, but continued to blast at the remaining twelve vessels. The fleet – in the meantime – reorganized itself. Together, the now four Cubes and the rest of the Delta Quadrant fleet unleashed their full might on the Kelvans.
Soon enough, with only seven vessels left, the Kelvans sped away. Neelix sighed.
"Prepare to take us out and - "
"We're being hailed, Commander. It's the Borg lead Cube."
"On screen."
A new image appeared on the forward viewer. A young Borg stood before a number of others. There were a few things that caught everyone's attention before the Borg drone. The first was that it was a drone itself speaking, not the faceless collective. Second – this was no ordinary Borg drone.
"Ambassador Neelix, my name is Hugh. I am a part of the Borg Resistance Movement. With me are many members of the Collective that were freed during Voyager's tenure here in the Delta Quadrant. We are in desperate need of your help."
"Wait!" shouted Mantora. "How can we be sure that this isn't some sort of ruse?"
"There are files about Hugh in the Starfleet database," said Neelix.
"And if that doesn't convince, maybe this will . . ."
Hugh moved back. Behind him was the Borg Queen imprisoned within a force field. "LET ME OUT OF HERE!" she screamed.
Mantora looked over at Neelix.
"What do you propose we do?" asked Neelix.
"The Kelvans are a grave threat to us all, Ambassador. The powers in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants have done everything but surrender. The Dominion in the Gamma Quadrant has taken serious blows. And with the Borg gone, the Delta Quadrant teeters at the edge of destruction. As an Ambassador, you need to contact the Federation and provide them with the knowledge we have here. As a Commander, I need you to create an alliance."
"And what do we get in return?" asked Mantora.
Hugh seemed annoyed. "Other than guaranteed survival? Information about the Borg. And, if we can reach the Borg homeworld once this is over, a new, far more peaceful Borg Collective."
"I think we can discuss the aftermath later," said Neelix. "We need to live long enough to see it."
"Agreed," said Hugh.
"Indeed," agreed Mantora.
"Then it is settled," Neelix announced. "Let the formalities begin. And to start it off, I'm going to need to talk to Starfleet."
***
Worf sat on the bridge of the Kelvans vessel and looked hard at the screen before him. The rest of his crew was back in a storage bay, attempting to sleep in such cramped quarters. The Romulans were in another storage bay, having a lot harder time doing so. That made Worf happy.
But this . . . this didn't.
"What's wrong, Ambassador?" asked Sela. "Don't like the hot, steamy environment? The view?"
Worf attempted to ignore her. She smiled at him.
"What is it that troubles you, Ambassador?" she asked once again. "Hmmm? Oh! I've got it! It's the fact that you're not running around the woods naked anymore, chasing down animals! That must be it!"
He looked over and glared at her. "No. It's the fact that you look so much like your mother in this light."
Sela's eyes about bugged out of her skull. "YOU NO-GOOD, DIRTY KLINGON- "
"Excuse me," said Rojan, "but we have arrived at the rendezvous point."
The pair looked over at the viewscreen. There was nothing part the blackness of space and the twinkling of stars. But then . . . a Romulan Warbird decloaked before them.
"What is this!?" shouted Worf.
"Not to worry, Ambassador," said Rojan. "This is not what it seems. Comm-officer, open communications."
The screen suddenly changed and displayed the interior of the Romulan Bridge.
"YOU!?" shouted Sela.
"I can't believe it . . ." Worf muttered.
Rojan grinned at the figure on the screen. "Prepare to tractor us aboard, Ambassador Spock."
A few moments later, the Kelvan ship was tractored into the Shuttle Bay of the Warbird. Once inside, a few other familiar faces greeted both Sela and Worf.
Captain Scott from the Starfleet Corps of Engineers stood next to Chief O'Brien at the Shuttle Bay controls. Behind them was none other than former Admiral McCoy. Spock stood before them all.
"How is this possible?" demanded Sela.
"The invasion of the Kelvans dates back longer than your life, Senator," said Spock. "These men – with the exception of the Chief – and I have personal experience with Kelvans. I contacted Mr. Scott and the former Admiral and together with Chief O'Brien, they were able to help me gain control of an older Warbird. This was retired last year because of a faulty weapons array. My people now command it."
Sela was furious. "Not any longer. My crew will - "
Spock administered a Vulcan nerve pinch. "Do nothing, Senator."
"He really has to teach me that someday," said McCoy.
"Aye," replied Scotty. "It is refreshing to see that he hasn't lost his touch."
"Chief," greeted Worf. Miles O'Brien shook his hand.
"Good to see you again, Worf. Just like old times, huh?"
"Yes. Quite."
"Ambassador Spock," said Rojan. "We must be going."
"Indeed. We don't have much time until the meeting begins."
***
Five exiled Romulan Senators.
Four Admirals.
Former Grand Nagus Rom.
First Minister Shakaar.
Former Chancellor Martok.
And three Cardassians Lekats and a Gul.
The Romulans, Ferengi, and the Klingon were all exiled from the people due to the manipulation by the Kelvan Empire. The humans, the Cardassians, and the Bajoran were all there voluntarily and in secret.
"We have a problem," said the Cardassian Lekat, Mumora. "That much is true. But I'm not sure if this is the right way to go about solving it. After the Dominion War, it should be obvious that combat is not something we are all capable of handling right now."
"We don't have much of a choice, Mumora," said Janeway.
"An alliance, I believe, is a faulty idea. Why not appear to give up our resistance to the peace and be allowed to return back to our governments?" asked Shanta, formerly of Romules. "We can use this as a way of infiltration and cure out people."
"As soon as you turn, you will be reprogrammed with the virus," said Janeway. "There's no easy about it. We must bring about four civil wars at once by declaring independence. And to back up that claim, we are going to need help. That means fellow soldiers that agree with us AND governmental power. Lekat Murmoa, the Bajoran government has already cast their vote in with us. Deep Space Nine is our declaration point."
"I'm still reluctant."
"Admiral Janeway," said the voice of Colonel Kira of the comm-line, "the Warbird is here."
"Bring them immediately to the Ward Room," said Janeway. She then turned to the rest of the group. "I believe we may have a way of handling the situation."
A few minutes later, the door of the Ward Room opened and in walked Spock, Scotty, and McCoy.
"These three were part of the crew that first encountered the Kelvans. They will be aiding us. Ambassador Spock, retired Admiral McCoy, and Captain Scott."
Next came Rojan and Kalinda in human form. They looked only twenty years older than they did when they first arrived in this galaxy. "This is the Kelvans they faced. Rojan and Kalinda. They are strongly opposed to the invasion plan. Finally, might I introduce you to . . ."
An old, Vulcan woman walked. She was tall and dressed in a black ceremonial robe.
"Former Ambassador T'Pol."
The entire took a collective stance. Not only was she one of the longest living Vulcans in history, she was also known throughout the quadrants as one of the greatest peacemakers of all time.
"I understand that a dire crisis is at hand and I am needed to help negotiate?" asked T'Pol.
With that, the doors shut.
***
Nimbus Three hasn't changed much since Kirk visited it on Stardate 8454.1. Chosen as a symbol of Galactic Peace, the Kelvans felt it best to negotiate there. They even built an new facility for this purpose.
And, therein the negotiation room . . . Eli Decker sits with Brunt, Mogard, and Van'dora as the peace treaty remains to be completed. The Kelvan in command of the peace treaty – High Commander Gargh – sat across the table.
"Well, now, where were we - " began Decker.
Suddenly, the doors opened a young Starfleet Commander ran in. "I apologize for my entering unannounced, but you must see this."
The Commander turned on viewscreen. On it was Janeway from Deep Space Nine. It was being broadcasted across all sub-space channels.
"This is Admiral Janeway of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets. I have evidence of manipulation of the Federation Council, the Romulan Senate, the Ferengi Cooperate House of Representation, and the Klingon High Council. These manipulations come as a result of the attempted conquest of the Kelvan Empire.
"As of now, I hereby declare Deep Space Nine separated from the Federation. As a result of this declaration, I hereby declare Civil War between the people of Deep Space Nine and the Federation until the Kelvan manipulation is stopped and the peace treaty is dissolved. I now call former Chancellor Martok to speak to his people."
Janeway walked off the screen and Martok took her place. "Fellow warriors! There is deception within the Klingon Empire. Any one of you that wishes to purify the Empire once again, come to Deep Space Nine and join me. Civil war will follow, must assuredly, but any of you that wish to aid in this will lose no honor when I return to the Hall of Warriors. Former Senator Sela, talk to you masses!"
Sela now walked on screen. "As a now-exiled member of the Romulan Senate, I implore all Romulans to rise up against the Kelvan Peace Treaty and aid us in exposing the manipulation by the Kelvans. Former Grand Nagus Rom."
Rom walked over. "I'll give any Ferengi 10 Bars of Gold Pressed Latinum to rise up against the Kelvans! Yay! Um, uh, Lekat Mumora and First Minister Shakaar."
Murmora and Shakaar appeared on the screen next. "We will support the alliance as it brings civil war and eventually clarity to the galaxy once more."
Finally, Ambassador T'Pol appeared on the screen. "Make no mistake," she said, "the Kelvans will not conquer this galaxy. As we speak, data is being transmitted to every ship and station receiving this message. It will include what we know of the Kelvans plans. The Federation and its allies will survive. Even if it brings about war to make the peace."