STAR TREK - THE KELVAN CONQUEST

STAR TREK: VOYAGER

Book Five: "War and Peace"

This book is dedicated to Danny Petricini, the rock that cannot be moved.

Star Trek - The Kelvan Conquest

Act One: "The Best of Old Allies"

What seemed like walls of energy flowed around the USS Voyager as it flew out of the Milky Way galaxy and towards Andromeda.

Admiral Janeway stepped onto the bridge and couldn't help but grin at the sight of the old crew back at their stations.

"Admiral," greeted Chakotay. He was a Captain now, but he yielded the command to Janeway. Not just because of her seniority, but also because this was and always would be HER ship.

She stepped down the stairs and sat immediately into the Captain's chair. "Status, Captain?" she asked.

"All systems are functional. Engineering reports the Kelvan Engine Core is working at peek proficiency. The diplomatic team is currently in session."

"Good. I'll be in my Ready Room."

She stood up and looked back as Chakotay once again took her chair. He looked up at her, catching her glance.

"Feels good to be back, doesn't?" he asked with a sly grin.

"Yes. Very much so."

***

"It's only a mild fever," reported the Doctor. "She'll be fine in the morning."

Tom paced for a quick moment, then turned back to his infant daughter. "Are you sure? Are you sure she'll be okay?"

"Yes yes. Now please - calm down," he ordered, giving the little 1/4 Klingon a hypospray injection.

"I can't. I guess . . . I guess I'm just anxious. I wish we hadn't brought little Miral with us. But I just couldn't abandon her there."

"I sure you made the right decision, Commander," replied the Doctor. "Now, take her home and get some rest."

"Right. I'll put her down for her nap right away."

"I was talking about you."

***

Commander Tuvok stepped into Janeway's Ready Room and was far from surprised to find her drinking a hot cup of coffee.

"Hello Admiral."

"Tuvok. Good to see you again. Have a seat."

The dark-skinned Vulcan sat down in a chair across from the Admiral's couch. "Thank you."

"I was hoping we would get the chance to talk for a few minutes. We weren't been able to catch up when we were on the Enterprise because of the Kelvans."

"Indeed."

"How are you, Tuvok? How is your disease?"

"The Mind Meld with my wife and son has successfully done away with the disorder."

"Good. I was afraid of the worst."

"Understandable, but now . . . the disorder has been cured."

Just then, there was call to the Bridge. Janeway looked to Tuvok with a flash of concern, then stood and the pair walked out.

"What is it?"

"We're reading some sort of energy mass behind us," Chakotay reported.

"What kind of energy mass?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," Lieutenant Harry Kim returned. "I'm detecting a flux between kinetic and quantum patterns. Wait. I'm getting something else now too . . . This can't be right."

The young Asian punched a few more keys, double-checking his readings.

"What can't be right?" asked Chakotay. He turned back to him. "Harry?"

"There's . . . I'm . . . I'm detecting a biological entity inside the energy mass."

"How is that possible?" Janeway wondered.

"It should not be," said Seven. "But the sensors are not malfunctioning. There is most definitely a life-form within the mass."

"Admiral," reported Tuvok. "The entity is overtaking us. It make contact with the ship in ten seconds."

"What section?"

Tuvok quickly looked over readings. "The Bridge."

Before anyone could say anything, a brillant light filled the Bridge. When the light finally sub-sided, a lone figure stood before everyone. She was young with long, blond hair.

"Hello everyone."

"Kes!" Janeway exclaimed as she stood up from her chair. "What . . . what are you doing here?"

"Let's just say there any many other parties interested in this war than you'd think. I've been asked to observe."

"Well, you're certainly looking much more in control than the last time we saw you."

"Thank you. It . . . it is good to be back, Admiral."

***

The Enterprise NCC-1701-E shimmered in the sunlight as it made its way past the blazing star towards a lonely colony world. With the invading Kelvan forces spreading out, many of the 'rebellious' starships were forced to defend the 'rebellious' colonies.

'Rebellious.' Picard scoffed at the word. People were starting to refer to them all as the 'New Maquis.'

He sighed and leaned back in his chair. Warfare was getting tiring. The constant battle and fight were weary on the explorers soul.

Still, Picard knew that the Federation must be protected at all costs. No matter what would happen, the Federation and the many peoples of the galaxy had to survive.

"Report."

Data flickered and pressed few keys. "I am detecting a small Kelvan ship entering the system. It is smaller and appears to be a scout ship."

Picard swallowed.

"Open hailing frequencies."

"Open sir," replied Lieutenant Daniels.

"This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. You are entering a system where the Kelvan Treaty of Nimbus Three has been rejected. Please be advised and turn away."

There was a pause. "No response, sir," said Daniels.

Just then, the Kelvan scout vessel launched a beam of blue light at the Enterprise. The Federation starship rocked.

"Looks like they want a fight . . ." muttered Riker.

"Arm forward torpedoes. Lock phasers," Picard ordered. "Raise shields."

Daniels pressed a few buttons, but received no response. "Captain, I can't raise shields. Something's wrong."

Riker tapped his badge. "Bridge to Engineering. LaForge, what's wrong with the shields?"

"I don't know, Commander. All systems are on-line down here. It's almost like . . . wait a minute." LaForge paused. "The entire energy grid is down. Whatever they got us with, it took out the systems that supplied the shields with energy."

"Damn it."

"Captain, they're firing again."

The Enterprise was smashed as two beams of sheer energy struck its saucer section. The Enterprise returned fire, but the Kelvan shield kept reshaping.

"We can't keep taking a beating like this, Captain," said Riker.

"We have no choice, Number One. Return fire. All weapons."

The Enterprise did so, but it was returned with another volley of blue energy beams. "We're losing main power," reported LaForge.

"Captain," Data said suddenly. "I am detecting eight Fighters coming from the colony."

"Open fire on the Kelvan ship, but let the Fighters move in. Maybe we can make this a fair fight."

The Eight Fighters surged forth, weapons blaring away at the Kelvan ship. The Enterprise joined in, weapons going strong. Together, the nine ships were enough to overload the shields.

As the shields collapsed, weapons fire scrapped across the hull of the Kelvan scout. Explosions ripped it apart. The Kelvan ship was destroyed.

"Well done," said Riker. Picard cleared his throat.

"We're receiving a message from the lead Fighter."

"On-screen," Picard ordered.

The View Screen changed suddenly to reveal none other than Wesley Crusher. "Permission to come aboard, Captain."

Picard smiled. "Permission granted, Mr. Crusher. Permission granted."