Act Six: "All Hopes"
Deep Space Nine was all a flutter with activity. Civilians were being ordered off the station. Security was being beefed up. Ships were gathering together in a defensive position around Deep Space Nine and the attached Voyager.
Two hundred Kelvan ships were on their way. The only thing defending Bajor, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager was a fleet of only 150. And with the power of the Kelvan ships - it was easily a four-to-one shot. So, the intensity of the situation was causing stress for all. The fleet was only thirteen hours away.
And everything was going both slow and fast at the same time.
"I'm working as hard as I possibly can!" shouted Scotty as he continued to reconfigure a particle wave scanner on the engine core.
"Well, work harder!" commanded Captain Chakotay.
Scotty grumbled something and just kept on it.
"You people should be going a lot easier on us," said Torres. "We're doing the best we can. This is very difficult work, you know."
"I understand, but we're running out of time."
B'Elanna looked over at him. "And the longer you hassle us about it, the longer it going to take. We'll have this done in time. I promise."
"Right," Chakotay breathed. His eyes glanced over at Seven of Nine, who was up on the second level. She smiled at him frustratedly, then went back to work. He sighed and walked out of Engineering.
"Try to power up the network processor 1-5!" Scotty shouted.
"Power flow beginning," Seven said, her fingers pressing against the computer panel. Five large processors attached to the engine on the second level began to light up and activate.
"Network processors on-line," reported Data. "Information space and recycling systems are operating normally."
"Good!" said Scotty. "That's some progress!"
As soon as he said, the third processor sparked and smoked.
"Powering down," said Seven, her tone disappointed.
Scotty sighed. "Alright. Commander Data, how about you and Seven of Nine taking a look at those processors? Torres and LaForge, keep on the engine core. And I'll try my best to figure this little bugger out!"
***
"No no no no no no NO!" shouted Quark as he stomped around behind his bar.
"I can't do this, Quark," pleaded his brother Rom. "I need to be here in the Alpha Quadrant directing our ships."
Quark looked at Rom right in face. "Well then, in that case - NO WAY!"
"Quark, please," said Rom. "You know I can't negotiate as well as you can."
"Negotiations have nothing to do with it, Rom," Quark returned.
"Then what is it?"
"My bar. I can't abandon my bar," Quark replied.
"Quark, this isn't about your bar. This is about the future of our people!" argued Rom. "Anyways, maybe someone else could run your bar for you."
"Oh, like who? Morn!?" Morn looked up from his drink with a questioning look. "Nevermind, Morn. Keep drinking."
"I don't know. But this is important. You are the only one I can possible think of to send to the Andromeda Galaxy to help negotiate peace."
"And why is that, Rom?"
Rom just found his way inside his brother's head. "Because you're the only negotiator that can help us end this war. Do you know how many people will adore you for that? Or even moreso - how much money you will receive because of this? Remember Quark. You're not just doing this for Ferenginar or your Nagus, but yourself above all else."
Quark mouth formed a wide-eyed grin. "Rom, my brother, you have yourself an ambassador!"
"Yay!" Rom shouted, jumping up and down. "I knew I could count on you!"
***
As the hours counted down, the strategy became more and more clear. The first line of vessel the Kelvans would encounter would be Cardassian, along with a few Romulan and Klingon ships. Behind that were the Starfleet and Ferengi vessels. A Bajoran fleet would be protecting Bajor.
Under all circumstances, the Enterprise was to have Voyager covered while they completed work on the engine core. The timing would be very close and the possibility and not even being able to launch was ever present in everyone's mind.
"It should work," said Ross as he looked over the strategic map in Ops.
"Hopefully," said Martok. "We bring the Kelvans in by surrounding them with Cardassian, Romulan, and Klingon ships. Then he push the Starfleet and Ferengi ships up and hopefully add a crippling blow."
"With a few surprises along the way," noted Picard, who finished off the group.
"Well, I must be going. The diplomatic group going to Kelvan space has been ordered aboard Voyager," Martok said sadly. "Though I would must rather be heading into battle with the rest of you."
"You will be sorely missed, Chancellor," Picard said quickly. "But something tells me that this battle will be nothing compared to what may occur if you fail in your mission."
"Are you kidding? This is what I want to be here for!" laughed Martok. "I have one more stop to make on the Neg'Var before I board Voyager. Good luck to you both in battle."
"Ka Pla!" Picard said in honorable Klingon fashion.
"Ka Pla!"
***
"Processors are on-line and steady," said Seven of Nine to Scotty.
"Good. Energy fluctuations?"
"None," Data reported.
Scotty grinned. "Modulators, Mr. LaForge?"
"Looking good, Scotty," said Geordi.
Scotty looked at his display. "Particle manifests are secure. Safety interlocks are ready for activation. Lass, are ya ready to turn this thing on?"
B'Elanna pressed a few keys on the counsel before her. "All set."
"Then by all means, go to it."
The Kelvan Engine Core - which was able to reuse Warp Drive to curve around space/time - lit up brightly for a mere moment, then went out in a flicker. As soon as it did, parts on the Engine activated and worked.
"Alrighty! We're all done. Now we've just got to let this thing charge up before we go blasting off to another galaxy!" Scotty exclaimed, a smile on his face.
"And how long would that be, Captain Scott?" asked Janeway from behind.
"Four, maybe five hours."
Janeway grimed. "We have only four hours before the Kelvan fleet arrives."
"There's nothing we can do," said Torres.
"The lass is right. This is all nature from here."
"There is no way to sped this process up, Admiral," Data agreed.
"Impossible," sounded Geordi.
"I am afraid I have to agree with the rest of the-" Seven began.
"Alright, alright!" Janeway countered. She knew when she was cornered. "We'll just have to wait until it charges. We'll just be cutting it close, that's all."
***
Martok finished a letter to his wife and then sent it over sub-space communications back to Quo'Nos. The last of his things were gathered for the trip and just as he was about to join his fellow Klingons in the transporter bay, he made one last command.
"Alexander."
Alexander Rozhenko stood before the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council. He was a little more than nervous, but the young Klingon kept his cool.
"Yes, Chancellor?"
"I am in need of you," said Martok. "Take the Klingon Bird-of-Prey Glory to sector 1784. Go under the guise of cloak and keep an eye out on all Kelvan vessels."
"Chancellor, how . . . what do you mean? I do not understand."
"You are to command the Glory. You will be its commanding officer."
"But . . . well . . . does the Glory's crew know of this?"
"Yes. They have been informed."
"How will I . . ."
"Alexander!" Martok shouted. "Remain strong. Remain firm. Follow your instincts, but remain mindful. This day will yours. Do you understand?"
"Yes, my Chancellor!"
"Good. Ka'Pla!"
"Ka'Pla!"
***
"There's nothing to be worried about, Mother. I am sure you'll do just fine," said Deanne Troi.
"Well I know that, Little One. It's you I'm worried about. You don't know how relieved I was when I learned that the Enterprise wasn't always on the front lines during that awful Dominion War," replied Lwaxana.
"And you have no idea how relieved I was when I learned that my mother was not killed during the invasion of Betazed."
"Oh, Deanna, are you sure you won't come with me?" she asked as the pair reached the transporter room.
"No, mother. I have too much to do here on the Enterprise."
"Oh alright. But just be careful. Will Riker is only a human and not a Klingon!"
"Mother!"
Lwaxana smiled and hugged her daughter. "Oh, I'm just joking," she laughed. "I do love you so, Little One."
"I love you too, mother."
"I'll see you later!" the elder Troi said as she stepped onto the pad. "Good bye."
"Good bye, mother."
A few moments later, Counselor Troi walked onto the Bridge and joined the rest of the Senior Staff. Data and LaForge had since returned from Voyager.
"Mother's away," said Deanna.
"Excellent. Then that's all of them," Picard replied.
"Captain Picard," said Data, "we are receiving a transmission from Deep Space Nine. It's Admiral Ross."
"On screen."
Admiral Ross appeared before them. "The Kelvans have just entered Bajoran space. Get ready for a pounding."
"We'll be ready for them."
***
Like long and large sea barges from Earth, the Kelvans speed towards the armada that awaits them. All attempts to hail them are ignored.
The Kelvan waste no time in this. As soon as they are within firing range, beams of energy shot forth, demolishing four ships. The Cardassians shot forth, following swiftly by a line of Romulans and Klingons.
The large massing of Cardassians split into four prongs and move themselves around the Kelvan vessels. The Cardassians hope in vain to entrap them. But they didn't count on the Kelvans firing as they passed the Kelvans by. Explosions cripple over half the fleet.
The Klingons and Romulans then move into position, blaring their weapons at the incredible Kelvan fleet. They follow-up on the Cardassian attack. As before, over half the fleet in destroyed.
The Federation and Ferengi ships shove forth and launch their blazing attack on the Kelvan vessels. One Kelvan ships falls. As soon as it does, two more move to fill in its gap. Weapons are fired and strike at the Federation/Ferengi fleet.
Nearly twenty ships are lost already.
In Ops, Admiral Ross sends out a signal to initiate "Phase Two."
Nearly forty Romulan and Klingon ships de-cloak and shot forth, weapons at full. Their cloaking fields were augmented by Rojan to prevent ANY sort of detection.
The combined fleet immediately sprays the Kelvan destruction fleet with their weapons. Torpedoes, disrupters . . . anything.
Though it helps defeat four more ships - just barely - the Kelvans are not yet defeated.
In fact, five ships move from their position and shove themselves through the line that the alliance fleet has attempted to build up in vain.
These five ships make their way quickly to Voyager and the Enterprise.
"Full shields! Prepare to fire!" Picard orders as the Enterprise moves to block Voyager from harm.
Suddenly, there is a blue swirl of energy that explodes. The wormhole has just opened. From it, comes the Defiant.
Behind the Defiant?
500 Dominion ships. The five Kelvan ships are crushed.
The Dominion vessels join with the rest of the fleet and the battle has become joined. These Kelvan ships are far stronger and larger than any previously encountered.
But now with the Dominion on their side, there is still hope.
Despite all this, the Kelvans are still very much determined to gain some sort of victory. Three ships head towards the Enterprise and Voyager.
While Dominion and Federation forces severally damage two of these ships, the third surges towards Voyager.
The Enterprise receives the edge of beam and is down for the count.
Voyager is within the cross hairs of the Kelvan ship.
"Mr. Scott . . ." said Janeway nervously.
"One more minute, Admiral," replied the Scottish Captain.
"We don't have one more minute!"
"You do now! GO!" shouted Scotty.
"MR. PARIS!"
"Engines to full!" exclaimed Paris.
Voyager vanished is a burst of light. The Kelvan energy beam completely missed them.
Meanwhile, the Defiant spun around to track five Kelvan vessels heading towards Bajor. The sheer size of these vessels would very easily overtake the Bajoran fleet.
The engines were at their full capacity. But would it be soon enough?
No.
The Kelvans vessels were just about to open fire on the Bajoran fleet, when suddenly - the wormhole opened up once more.
But instead of depositing ships, a long stream of fire-like energy was unleashed. It spun towards the five Kelvan ships and quickly obliterated them. Two other ships went to fill their position, but met with the same fate.
Kira then recalled the words she read from the Book of Hoopo: "[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."
***
With the aid of the Dominion, the Kelvan fleet was soon overturned and forced into retreat. But Colonel Kira knew it would not be the end of it. The cost of this battle was so high, but what of any others? She wondered how tragic the rest of this war would be?
***
Meanwhile . . .
In Sector 1784, the cloaked Klingon vessel Glory sat in waiting, hoping to detect any sort of sensor reading. The crew had barely said or done anything to Alexander and he was happy about that. But he was always on edge about something. He recalled what Martok had told about his instincts.
"Is this cloaking operating well with the new modifications?" he asked.
"Yes . . . Commander."
"Are you certain we can not be detected?"
"You just asked me - "
"I ASKED YOU A QUESTION!" Alexander found himself shouted. Maybe this chair was working well for him.
"Yes, Commander."
"Then bring us to these coordinates. 417 mark 218."
"Yes, Commander."
The Bird-of-Prey shifted and moved behind an asteroid that was straying near the New Kelva system.
"Commander, we are detecting an energy surge."
"On screen."
The screen displayed a fluctuating green and blue energy.
"What is that . . . ?" wondered Alexander.
He didn't have to wait for long for an answer. The energy suddenly surged and flashed. Before them all then was a massive Kelvan fleet.
Over 800,000 ships strong.
"By the hand of Kahless . ." said one of the Klingon officers.
Alexander sat in shock. He quickly took control of the situation. "Take us out of the sector. As soon as we are, get me Deep Space Nine. They must be warned. All of the other ships, they were only the beginning. This . . . the invasion has arrived. The invasion is already here."