Chapter 8

Fear and loathing at the Federation border

"You are sure, Jean Luc?" The admiral questioned. "After what happened to the Rigalleto, I'm not so sure that it is a wise move bringing these beings into Federation territory."

"Scott," Picard said looking at the screen with the Admirals image "We don't have much choice now, We suspect that we are being tracked by the same Romulans that held them hostage. If the Romulans are successful in their endeavor it could spell ruin for the universe."

"The Enterprise should be able to handle any Romulan war bird" the Admiral replied confidently

" As I reported earlier, We're picking up multiple neutron surges it could very well be a small fleet of War birds" the captain responded.

"Understood," The Admiral said "Jean Luc we've been friends a long time, There's something that I have to tell you. It isn't just the risk of what your guests would do to the Federation, I also worry of what the Federation might do to your guests when they arrive."

"What do you mean?" Picard probed "What have you heard Scott?"

"Oh it's nothing old friend. Just some rumors and here-say." The Admiral replied not looking Picard in the eye.

"From who?" Picard insisted.

"Henry Graham." The other man admitted

"Admiral Graham!" Picard breathed "Chief of Starfleet tactical research!"

"Yes, he is most anxious to meet these travelers. He's even petitioning the Federation to leave in a ship and meeting you."

"Oh, Scott." Picard said shutting his eyes. The last thing he needed was a top Admiral trying to take advantage of a very dangerous situation. Picard contemplated for a moment then opened his eyes "Very well Scott I'll stay out of Federation territory as long as I can. Please try to arrange things so we may enter without having to face a no win situation."

"I'll do what I can. Scott out."

The screen went dark; Picard got up and rubbed his temples. He had also suspected that something like this would happen. The Federation was constantly looking for a new way to assure security for it's self. Tapping into the power of people like Goku and Vegeta and their comrades would defiantly secure that. But Picard wondered if that kind of power wouldn't be too much to safely or wisely use it.

Just then Data contacted the Ready Room. "Captain several neutrino surges begun to disappear from the sensors it could be that it was a natural phenomenon."

"Data, What is our current ETA?" Picard asked

"At our current speed and trajectory we will enter Federation territory in exactly 5 hours 17 minutes 50 seco..." Picard cut Data off

" Maintain yellow alert prepare for course change and call the command crew we have to talk."

"Aye Sir!"

...........................................................................................................................................................................

"We're waiting" Vegeta grumbled

"Just hold on Vegeta," Goku said staring confusedly at his playing cards "I'm trying to remember the rules."

Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Trunks and Krillen sat a circular table in ten-forward, Gohan, Bulma, Tien and Yamcha. were conversing at the bar.

"For Kami's sake Goku!" Piccolo growled "You've been staring at those cards for the last fifteen minutes!"

"Well give me a break guys!" Goku cried " This game is complicated!"

"Its go fish!" Trunks yelled

"This game is making me hungry. Can we eat now?" Goku asked

"That's it!" Trunks yelled "Let's play a real game, It's called Poker"

Guinen approached the other group at the bar. She took notice that they were carrying on a heated conversation. She couldn't help but overhear

"We need to use them. With one wish we could be home in a matter of minutes" The one with three eyes said

" And where are we going to call Shen-long out to?" The purple haired woman said " In case you haven't noticed we're on a starship. There's not really a whole lot of room."

" Maybe we could request to go to a planet." suggested Gohan

"It's just what if Vegeta finds out ." Yamcha reminded "That's why we didn't take him in the first place."

Just then Goku jumped up "Ha! pair of sixes! Take it off Piccolo!

"Goku," Piccolo said "First of all we're not playing that kind of poker and second you lost this hand."

"Oh," Goku said "So does that mean that I have to take it off?"

"No!" Vegeta yelled "In all the universe is there a dumber person!?"

Goku stared at his cards, then looked up "I'm hungry"

Even Krillen was getting impatient "Goku! We're trying to play cards right now! You shouldn't have started unless you planned on finishing !"

Trunks began to shuffle the cards and handed the deck to Goku "Cut the deck" he said

Goku grabbed Trunks sword and lifted it high above his head.

"No!" Trunks jumped "That's not what I meant!"

"Oh," Goku said preplexed then suddenly smiled "Oh! Now I get it!" With that Goku began to attack the floor with his sword. Upon seeing this Guienen ran toward the mentally challenged saiyan.

"What are you doing!" She demanded

"I was just...." Goku began but was cut off as the ship rocked under their feet causing several of them to fall over. Suddenly red lights began to flash and the red alert sirens sounded.

"What's going on?" Trunks asked

"Lets find out." Vegeta said

...........................................................................................................................................................................

"On screen" Picard said staring at the Romulan Warbird that had appeared in front of the Enterprise and blast of disrupters at them. The Romulan commander appeared where the ship had been.

"I am commander Toa Pa" he said "On behalf of the Romulan empire we demand that you lower your sheilds and beam those super soldiers of yours on board."

"This is a direct violation of the Treaty" Picard countered "you have crossed the neutral zone and are approching Federation space."

"We are merely taking vengence your super soldiers crossed the neutral zone first." Tao Pa retorted. "Lower your sheilds!"

"What are you talking about ?" Picard asked "We have no super soldiers here."

"Don't lie to me Captain." I know that Goku and his crew are aboard your ship." Tao Pa said.

Just then Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z crew entered the bridge. Tao Pa saw them

"Ah, Son Goku" he said "We meet again, but this time you escape me."

Goku approched the view screen "Leave us alone Tao Pa we're not here to hurt anyone!"

Tao Pa addressed Picard "You will beam him over at once or be destroyed."

Picard first looked at Worf "Arm quantum torpedoes," he turned to address the commander "We are prepared to protect these people, with our lives."

Tao Pa smiled "I was hoping that you'd say that." transmission ended.

Tao Pa's Warbird began to charge up disrupters, "Prepare for evasive maneuvers," ordered Picard "Fire torpedoes on my mark!"

The Warbird fired full disrupters at the Enterprise, Data managed to evade most of the blasts but it was none the less hit "Shields down to 80%" Worf said

"Return fire"

A volley of torpedoes shot from the Enterprise the other ship also evaded but also received a few torpedoes then returned fire; Firing full disrupters. The Enterprise shook with the impact, Also firing phasers and torpedoes at the Romulan vessel.

"The Romulan Warbird's shields are holding." Worf declared

"We need to end this." Picard said "Prepare for the Picard maneuver."

Tao Pa looked at the Federation starship on his screen. " Sub commander Tarles." he said "Condition of shields?"

"Shields are at 65%, and holding" the romulan reported

"I think its time for our little surprise," Tao Pa smirked, just then the sub commanders sensors started chirping

"Sir!" he said "the Federation ship is powering up for warp drive!"

"They are trying to retreat?" Tao Pa wondered "Cowards."

Just then Enterprise shot toward the Warbird creating the double image and firing everything at the Romulan ship. The ship rocked to and fro knocking Tao Pa out of his seat, sending sparks flying from consoles and knocking officers against bulkheads.

"Shields have failed! Damage reported all over the ship!" Tarles cried. "The humans are hailing us."

"On screen." Tao Pa growled

The Federation Captain appeared on the screen along with his crew and the "super soldiers" The human stepped forward.

"Romulan Commander," he said "You will leave at once and return to Romulan space."

"Very good Captain," Tao Pa smiled "Very good, That was quite the surprise! Now it's our turn." he turned to Tarles "Sub commander, now."

The Sub-commander pressed a button, the space surrounding the Enterprise shimmered with a green light as nine warbirds appeared surrounding the Enterprise

"Surprise!" Tao Pa smirked