Act Seven: "Falling Back"

Hours passed and Voyager continued to soar through the cosmos, the Musaka ship still tailing it. Janeway was gripping the arms of her chair as they pushed on at Warp Nine. She was more than concerned at this point. Her bridge crew was weary - none of them wanted to leave the bridge.

Rojan paused for a moment as they all watched the Musaka ship following them. If they were in Kelvan Space, then why were the Musaka following them? It didn't make much sense.

"Kalinda to Rojan," chimed a voice.

"Rojan here."

"Come down to Stellar Cartography. There is something I must show you," Kalinda replied. Rojan looked at Janeway for a brief second, then stepped into the turbolift.

Upon arriving in Stellar Cartography, Rojan found both Kalinda and Seven of Nine standing in front of the very large screen. It displayed an incredible sight, one that Rojan had seen only in history records.

"The Eye of Great Bird . . ." he muttered, taking Kalinda's hand.

"For so long we have wanted to see it," said Kalinda. "If only the others could see it as well."

She nodded, her eyes taking in the beauty. It was a cluster of stars in a bath of high-level plasma. In the early years of Kelvan culture, it was regarded as the Eye of the Great Bird of the Galaxies. Even after it was discovered to be nothing more that what it really was, the landmark has been considered key in the Kelvan heritage. Its presence in Kelvan history has made it a major stepping-stone in their development. For years, the Kelvans desired to reach up to the Eye and draw its attention. It is why they developed space travel and explains how they became so aggressive to other cultures - because they were unworthy of the Eye's attention.

But those days were over now, Rojan sighed. Long over, weren't they?

"Kalinda, Rojan, Seven of Nine, please report to the bridge," Janeway announced over the ship-wide comm-system.

The pair headed up to the bridge where they saw them. Five Musaka ships, moving at Warp Seven behind Voyager. "Where did the other four come from?" asked Rojan.

"Out of a nearby system," Kim reported.

"Impossible! The Kelvan Empire commands over 30% of the galaxy, including this sector here. There's no reason why there are Musaka ships in the vicinity."

"That was a long time ago, Rojan," answered Kalinda.

"But we never learned of anything happening. Surely an event of this scale and magnitude would have reached New Kelva."

"It seems you have a few questions to answer," Chakotay replied.

"Apparently so," sighed Rojan. "But still . . . I like not the looks of this."

It was then something even more shocking occurred. Lieutenant Kim looked up from his station. "I'm reading ten warp signatures approaching form multiple vectors."

In no time at all, ten large Kelvan ships appeared around Voyager, matching the Federation starship exactly. Four of the ships fell back and went to engage the Musaka vessels. The other six surrounded Voyager.

Janeway suddenly felt pressure from each side. They were being boxed in. "Can you open frequencies?"

"Communications is being jammed."

"Shields? Weapons?"

"Shields are inoperable," Tuvok answered. "I do not recommend weapons at such a close range."

Suddenly, Voyager shook; panels and lights flickering for a few seconds.

"All of the ships have fired tractor beams. We're locked in position."

"Admiral, this is a typical maneuver for the Kelvans," Rojan told her.

"What does it mean?" she wondered.

"It means we're going to Kelva."

***

". . . we've also heard from the Romulans," reported Kira. Admiral Ross nodded. "Senator Sela reports that the Romulan have resorted to actually destroying some of their own colonies."

"Terrible."

"As goes this war. The Dominion fleet we brought through the Wormhole has been the cause of a lot of grief," Kira returned. "Which I wasn't necessarily not expecting. This was going to happen."

"We need a new strategy. Start going on the offensive," said Ross.

Kira grinned. "That's sounds something the Captain used to say."

Ross nodded with a short smile. "I know. But we can't deal with him right now. I suppose, in his own way, he's contributing to this war. Protecting the Bajorans also means protecting Deep Space Nine and all the Bajorans on board."

"Apparently so. Pretty incredible," Kira noted.

"It will take something pretty incredible to win this war," said a familiar voice from the turbolift. The pair looked to see three Cardassians - including one Mr. Garek.

"Garek!" gasped Kira. "I'm . . . surprised to see you."

"Yes, and I'm surprised to be here," replied the shady Cardassian. "My people need me. But my crew need supplies and my ship needed repairs."

"Your ship?" questioned Ross.

"Yes. Who knew I would end up being a Gul?"

"I heard Lekat if Voyager doesn't come back," stated Kira realistically.

"Let's not worry about that right now," Ross told them. "We need to concern ourselves with the conflict here."

"Admiral, Colonel," addressed Nog, "we're receiving a transmission from Ambassador Worf."

"In the office, Nog."

Ross and Kira left Garek and entered into the Office. Kira immediately took the desk seat and snatched up Sisko's old baseball before turning on the viewer.

"Ambassador Worf," greeted Ross.

"Colonel, Admiral. It is good to see you well."

"You too, Worf," Kira returned. "What's going on?"

"I thought I would inform you that before leaving for the Andromeda Galaxy, Chancellor Martok sent word to me that I would be in command of the rebellion."

"Sounds like good news," Ross stated.

"Yes. But we are fighting a losing battle here."

"We're working on that, Worf," said Kira quietly.

"I understand. But I believe a new objective must be made. We must take New Kelva."

"And if we do, Ambassador, then the rest of the quadrants will be left unguarded. We can not risk it, Worf. We know this."

Worf looked frustrated, but he sighed evenly. "Then we will wait for you to make the first move. When you do, we shall stand beside you."

"Good," Kira said. "We'll need everyone we can."

"Worf out."

Kira rolled the baseball in her hand before placing it back in its stand. "Well," she said, "I don't know about you, but I'm getting something to drink."

"Sounds like a good idea," Ross agreed. "But - damn, I've got a meeting in ten minutes."

"I'll see you tomorrow, then. Good night, Admiral."

"Colonel."

Neryes walked into Ops and saw Garek chatting it hope with Nog. "Garek, would like to join for a drink in Quarks?"

"For old times sake? Of course, Colonel."

Just as Kira and Garek reached the turbolift, Rom and Leeta appeared before them. "Hey! I was just coming to see you!" shouted Rom.

"Good. Then you can join us for a few drinks down at Quarks."

"But I need to give you the war update from Ferenginar. The whole Alliance is in turmoil."

"Come on, Rom," Leeta said, pulling his arm. "Let's have a few drinks. This place isn't going anywhere."

***

Janeway sat in her chair, eyes fixated on the sight before her. The six Kelvan ships had taken them all the Kelva. And Kelva was huge.

The entire world was over twice the size of Jupiter and was almost completely taken up by cities, it seemed. It was dark and green in the cold vacuum of space as the world circled a binary star group.

"Kelva . . ." Rojan muttered.

"Home," Kalinda continued.

By this point, the bridge crew had been joined with Spock, T'Pol and McCoy. "Well I'll be dipped," McCoy said with a grin. "It's all just oceans and cities."

"Not surprising, Admiral," Spock replied. "Seeing as how the society is centered around logic and mathematics."

"Yeah well, I don't see Vulcan covered in cities."

"That is because mathematics are sometimes not logical."

"Gentlemen," Janeway interrupted, "we have a crisis at hand."

McCoy smiled. "She's starting to sound like Jim."

"Indeed."

Voyager was pulled down into the atmosphere of Kelva, it's hull interacting with the heat shields the surrounded the planet. Luckily, the Kelvan ships surrounding and holding her mostly protected Voyager from this.

Within a few minutes, what appeared to be the main city of the Kelvan Empire became apparent. Rojan walked off with Kalinda to restore themselves into their natural forms.

Voyager was pulled down next to a very large, very tall, and very dark tower that loomed high into the air.

"We're receiving a message," Kim reported. "Audio only."

"Let's hear it."

"Admiral Janeway of the USS Voyager NCC-74656. You are ordered to journey though the air lock and meet with the High Commandant. Come with only one arm, one ambassador, and Commanders Rojan and Kalinda. High Commandant Assist out."

Tuvok followed Janeway, Ambassador Spock, Rojan and Kalinda to the airlock. The five of them paused before entering the long tunnel to the tower. They entered the tower and were immediately confronted with nearly two dozen Kelvans.

Immediately, Rojan spoke in his native tongue. "We are here to speak to the High Commandant."

"This way," answered one of the Kelvans, escorting the five aliens.

Soon, they arrived in a very large room. A large column went straight up, containing thousands of Kelvans. There was a loud noise, drawing the attention of each of the Kelvans and the crew of Voyager.

"State your business here, Rojan!"

"I am here with these members from target galaxy 001. They are on a mission of mercy. They wish to halt all invasion plans."

"Do you stand with them, Rojan?"

"Yes, High Commandant."

"And do you stand with them, Kalinda?"

"Yes, High Commandant."

Whispers filled the room before the High Commandant spoke again. "You have forty-eight hours to convince us of peace. In that time, our advances into your galaxy will cease. If you can not give us sufficient reasoning to make peace and abandon our plans, then we will take you as our own. Rojan and Kalinda will be executed. And your galaxy will be ours. Such is our way. Such is our law. Present your case."