"Contact"
Commander Sisko had been sitting in front of Worf''s cell for the last hour simply looking at him, examining him as though he was some type of rodent. The large Klingon male returned the stare and both of them had eventually gotten comfortable simply looking at one another. The Klingon had at first assumed that this was some type of Human challenge ritual and had determined that he would not be the first one to flinch in this strange form of battle. And at first he was angry. Other than to mention his name, the Human hadn't spoken to him directly and seemed to be trying to look into his soul. But there was no overt challenge, so Worf was at a loss to explain this bizarre behavior. Finally the Human spoke.
"Is it true that Klingons have honor?"
Worf was surprised at the question. Humans understood that a Klingon's life was honor. It was impossible for them not to understand that point. Maybe this one was especially dense. "Klingons live for honor," he answered.
"I don't believe you," Sisko responded. "If Klingons have honor why do they take pleasure in the destruction of helpless people? Betazed was no threat to you."
"It was part of the Federation and as such a target, just as our farming community of Kast'ka was to you. You destroyed that world without a second's thought."
Betazed had few defenses," Sisko countered. "Kast'ka was an armed fortress."
"Then you were fools to allow it to remain so defenseless."
"And that 'foolishness' caused you to destroy ninety percent of the population?"
This was one of the great sore points of the war and a source of dishonor to many, many Klingons.
"If I were in charge," Worf announced, "I would not have ordered its destruction." That one mistake changed the course of this conflict and he hated that fact. "Klingon warriors do not wage war on defenseless people."
"But one of your ships did explode an anti-matter weapon into the atmosphere of Betazed."
"The captain and crew were executed for their over zealousness." Worf had been ashamed of that Captain's actions. Not only was it unnecessary, but also it escalated the brutality of the war. It precipitated the use of planet-destroying weapons on both sides. Tens of billions were being killed instead of simply uncounted millions. "The war took on a life of its own."
"Do you know why you are here?" Sisko asked him changing the subject.
"We were transferred to this ship, in preparation of being interned on some unknown planet in this universe."
"Do you know why I am here?"
"You talk to me to build courage." Worf didn't believe that for a second, but it did have a nice ring to it. "You are here to carry out that duty."
"Captain Garrett wanted you on this ship, Sisko said, completely surprising Worf. "It's the same ship that sacrificed itself for the Narendra III colony. She respected the Klingon people and didn't have twenty-two years of hatred built up in her, unlike us. She wanted me to let you know that if you had honor she would let you have freedoms on this ship."
"Then she is insane."
"No," Sisko said. "She has honor. The question is, do you?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"What your honor compels you to say." Sisko went silent. The ball was in Worf's court now.
The Klingon thought for a second. "I have honor. My word is my honor. My war is over and we are loss in a strange unknown place. Your Captain understands this more than we do. On my honor, I will not anything that will cause damage to the ships or the crews while we are trapped here. But if we make it home then remember, I am Klingon. Now what will you and your honor offer in return?"
"Freedom on this ship. The attempt at a working understanding of each other, a swift death if necessary, sights never before seen by anyone from our universe ever. And maybe the truth of what's out there and why we're here."
"You are an optimist."
"No. I'm a pessimist," he corrected. "I don't think that this will work. But I will try. I guess that makes me more of an optimistic pessimist than a true pessimist."
He would have to think about this. "What about B'Elanna?" he said changing the subject.
"She stays where she is for now." By the scream that threatened to short out the defense field, Sisko understood that she'd heard him. "Excuse me, Mr. Worf," he said as he placed his hands behind his back and strolled over the meter or so to face her cell. "Were you trying to get my attention?"
She threw out a long, long string of curses. He especially liked the comment about his crippled mother and a Terran dog. That one he made a note to remember for future use.
"That is why you're still in this cell, Ms. B'Elanna," he whispered to her after she was spent.
"You Humans are all alike," she moaned.
Although his faced remained a mask, that statement had surprised him. All this time there was nothing but anger from her. This was the first time he detected despair. Interesting. "If we were all alike Ms B'Elanna, then you would be floating out the nearest available airlock. Don't presume to understand me. Don't presume to like me. And don't presume to insult me and expect to get out of this cell within the, let's say, next fifty years."
"I hate you."
"You hate yourself, woman." He watched as her defiance turned into pure fear and something in his heart softened-just a little. "You're keeping yourself a prisoner, B'Elanna." Then he turned away.
Returning back to Worf's cell he called to the security guards. "Release him." Then to the large Klingon," follow me."
Freedom! The Klingon cautiously move away from the cell. Sisko stopped him.
"Your honor keeps your freedom. As a Human, my word also means honor. If you violate your honorable word, I will kill by any means necessary. The Captain believes in the Klingons. I don't. But I do want to see Klingon honor in action. Are you worthy?"
"As you Humans would say 'anything is possible'." His smile was predatory, matching Sisko's.
Two light years distant from Earth colony Proximal Three:
"The stealth probe that we launched should enter Earth-space within the hour. If fact, captured communications have already been quite fascinating. Now, we'll get detailed information concerning the situation going on in that region of space."
"Good. We need to find out what's going on over there."
Onboard the bridge of the Enterprise–D, Commander Riker, sporting a beard and a touch of prematurely gray hair, took one last look at the communications from what the earth directorate portrayed as an alien influence attempting to subvert Humanity into what amounted to slavery. "Lies," he muttered. What he'd seen disgusted him. "How did these people wind up in charge of Earth?"
"Unknown Commander," Data answered, even though the question was rhetorical in nature. "However the circumstances, the fact is that the Earth Government authorized the bombing of Mar's domed city. The death toll was significant."
"Yes," Riker agreed. This entire situation made him livid. He'd fought for the safety of Earth, his Earth ever since he was drafted into Starfleet and now they had a dilemma on their hands. Both Federation ships were capable of functioning independently for several years, if necessary. But if they couldn't get back to their home, they would have to settle somewhere and more and more this Earth wasn't looking too inviting at this point. "And they won't stop there, not until all of their colonies are back under their control. The question is what are we going to do about it?"
Picard's voice ranged over the comms system. "All senior officers to conference room one in ten minutes."
Decision time," Riker said as he and Data finished collecting the last of the information filtering in.
Captains Picard and Garrett, Commanders Riker and Castillo and Sisko, Lieutenant Commander Data and LaForge, and Lieutenants Yar and P'tvon of the Ambassador, took their seats just as Guinan walked into Conference Room One onboard the Enterprise. Several of them looked up in surprise at her presence here. She just smiled and sat next to Picard.
"Everyone knows why we're here," Picard started. "A decision that will affect our futures is about to be made be made in this room. We have intercepted several communiqués from Earth. It seems that the Orion and Proxima Three colonies have broken away from the totalitarian Earth government and that government has decided to bring them back into the fold by, as Commander Sisko would say, any means necessary. Already the Mars colony has been attacked and thousands of innocent people injured and killed. Also, several warships have been dispatched to other colonies as well, to persuade them by force of arms, that resistance is futile. The question is what, if anything, should we do about it?"
Captain Garret began. "The Prime Directive applies here in this universe. Make no mistake, I hate playing fast and lose with the Prime Directive. We shouldn't interfere with this government. But because of our unique situation, our choices like our resources are limited. Either we ally ourselves to the Earth government, or to the colonies, or just simply leave and find somewhere else to live and try to get back home on our own." She looked around at everyone for emphasis. "People, we're only two ships. Looking at the big picture, that's nothing. But I will not ally myself to the Earth with the state that it's in."
"I agree," Riker said. "Our people would be in danger if we did that. I am referring to how these Terrans would react to our non-Human crew. With their attitude, who knows what they would do? At the same time, I hate running from a fight like this."
"Their leader, a President Clarke, has just declared Marshall Law. Their ISN information-news network was just more or less blown, up just as they were trying do an 'expose' on the what's actually happening." Commander Sisko grew even more sober. "We may not be able to help the planetary colonies," he said. "But here is one place that they seem to be saving for last. It's a place called Babylon Five. They're the ones spouting the most rhetoric about the illegal activities going on Earth. Evidently this space station has more firepower than the other colonies and the Earth Government is going to have a fight on its hands, which is why it's last on their list of targets."
"Secure everything first, cut off any possibilities of rescue or support, then surround and capture." Picard looked at Geordi and P'tvon. "What is the state of our ships if we go into battle?" He already knew but wanted it confirmed anyway. Besides if there were something new he wanted to be aware of it before committing his and Garrett's ships into a conflict.
"We've done a lot of repairing and upgrading to both ships and they're up to specifications," Geordi replied. The only good thing about our situation is that we had a chance to really go over both of them with a fine-toothed comb. Life support, propulsion, weapons, even the meal replicators are back to producing real food instead of those god-forsaken R-rations."
Almost everyone smiled at that revelation; even the Vulcan representative's eyes twinkled.
"In addition," P'tvon stated," the Enterprise-C engines will maintain an increased power output and cruising speed consistent with warp eight point seven, two points above specs." The Enterprise-D, the more powerful of the two starships had a cruising speed of warp nine point two however, since both ships would most likely fly together, the slower speed wouldn't be a problem. "Two of our shuttles have been retrofitted with heavier shields, phaser and photon torpedo launchers. And two of our eight combat Runabouts have been transferred to the Enterprise-C. But the Enterprise-D still has the USS Yeager."
The Yeager was the new Saber-class fighter with a tiny engineering compliment of twenty personnel, who would reconstruct the ship at the completion of its journey. It was being transported to Renga two-in pieces-before the unscheduled universal stop. "The engineers are in the process of putting it together as they have the time. It's actually longer than the old Constitution, although not as large. If we start reconstructing it now, it should be ready in about three weeks."
Picard stood up. "The crews seem to working together well. They're just waiting for a decision, by us. It is my opinion," Picard said, "that our best way home may be by allying ourselves to this Space station. It will be beneficial for the survival of us both."
"Agreed." Rachel sat back, obviously concerned about this stretching of the Prime Directive but definitely weighing the choices available to them
Guinan took all of this in. They had essentially agreed that the Babylon Five colony appeared to be their best hope under the situation. They were right. They just didn't know it yet. "You all seem to be in agreement," she said. "The question is, will you get there in time?"
"In time for what?" Rachel pressed. Picard placed a lot of confidence in this woman. Why, she didn't know yet. But she did seem to be aware of a lot more than she should be.
"To keep it from falling into the hands of its enemies, and to make new friends, of course," she replied cryptically. Rachel noticed the way this woman was smiling…
"Let us hope it actually works out that way." Turning to Data: "What do we know about this Babylon Five?"
"Very little, so far. The station is located in the Epsilon Eridani star system, ten point four-nine light years Earth relative. That corresponds to our universe's coordinates exactly. It is a standard K-two class star, luminosity zero point four of Earth standard with an apparent visual magnitude of plus three point seven-two, receding velocity away from Earth at seventeen kms per second."
"Very close comparison to ours," Castillo murmured. "At warp six, we can be there in nine hours." At warp six, both ships would be traveling at three hundred ninety-two times the speed of light or four hundred twenty-one billion kilometers per second.
"Number One, direct the closest probe to that area," Picard ordered. "I want to make sure what we will be dealing with."
The dynamics of the meeting continued on for another twenty minutes. The bottom line was that they were ready.
As the officers left, Picard requested that Data and Riker to remain behind. "Ensign Crusher to Conference Room One."
A few moments later, a young man about seventeen years old, the son of the chief medical officer entered nervously looking around, unused to being summoned by the Captain.
"Yes sir?" he asked, trying his best not to shake.
"Relax, Ensign," Commander Riker told him.
"Thank you, sir," the young man gulped. He wasn't nervous he told himself. Not really. He was seventeen years old now. He could handle it.
"Ensign Crusher," Picard began. "You're here because we want to acknowledge your exemplary performance of your duty. The pressured you've endured and your ability to continue work under extreme stress throughout your tour on the Enterprise has not gone unnoticed."
"Thank you sir," the boy said beaming. A touch of praise from the Captain was worth everything to the young man.
"We're going to assign you to Mr. Data," Riker said. "You've shown an aptitude for science and engineering and now that we have a little respite from the war we're going to concentrate more on your education."
"However," Picard added. "There will be some changes."
"Sir?"
Picard pulled out a small box, handed it to Wesley. "Congratulations Ensign Wesley Crusher. You are now a full bridge officer, Ensign, with all the duties, responsibilities and benefits thereof."
"Congratulations," Riker said smiling. "You've more than earned it."
"Congratulations, Ensign," Data echoed.
"I suspect that your mother might want to know abut this," Picard suggested to the beaming not-quite man.
"Yes, sir. I think she would, sir," the Ensign responded.
"Well, I suggest you let her know."
Wesley smiled, saluted and left, almost running out the room.
Picard sighed. "I wish I could do that more often, Number One. I wish that he wasn't here on this ship. He should have been in school, worrying about girls, not here on a warship fighting to keep us alive."
"He'll do well enough with his mother here. And then he has you as a father figure."
Picard looked at his smiling XO. "Rubbish. I'm his Captain."
"Yes sir."
"It's time we moved on and deal with the situation at hand," Picard said briskly. Riker's smile was irritating him, to say the least.
"Yes, sir," he answered still smiling.
Back onboard the Ambassador, Captain Garret sat down, hit a switch and started speaking. "Everyone, it's time. The 'Ambassador' is ready to take on all comers. We're about to explore unknown territory. Stay sharp and remember that what each one of us does, will reflect on everyone else, so I want you at your best." She turned off ship-wide communications. "Mr. Castillo, if you please."
Prepare for warp," he said. "Plot a course to Epsilon Eridani, warp six." Beside him, stood Benjamin Sisko at tactical. "The board shows green."
Just as both ships prepared to go to warp, a jump point formed, a whirlpool of swirling light defining hyperspace from normal space. Two Earth Alliance Ships destroyers, the EAS Rochester and Pournelle spilled forth, battle ready. Long-range sensors had detected two highly unusual blips near the Proxima III colony currently under pacification, configuration unknown, possibly heading in the general direction of Babylon Five, Earth Force's next and most dangerous military objective. Both Destroyers registered the unknown bogies, but were unable to identify either ship.
"This is the Earth Alliance Ship Rochester. You have entered a restricted area under the jurisdiction of Earth Government. Your ship's identification is designated in English," the voice said, sounding somewhat perplexed by the strange ships in front of him. "But your configuration is unknown. Identify yourself."
"Audio only," Garrett said to her communications officer. "This is the Federation Starship Ambassador. How may we help you?" Lord she thought, I sound like one of those ancient telephone operators. Continuing: "Yes, the lettering is English but we are not from Earth. Your Earth she added silently. "And we are just passing thru."
There was silence for a moment.
"Are you from some sort of lost colony?"
"Something like that," she answered evasively.
There were a few more moments of silence over the comms. Then the voice returned, louder and with more authority. "Even though your ship cannot be properly identified by our records, the language markings identifies your ship originating from Human origin and therefore subject to Earth Gov rules. You are suspected of carrying illegal contraband and as such you have violated Sovereign Earth territory rules and regulations by carrying those controlled substances and contraband. Your ships will be boarded and impounded until you can be properly identified and processed. Any resistance from you will be considered hostile and we will respond accordingly."
Several small single manned fighters launched from the Destroyers, vectoring towards the Federation Starships.
Garret ordered the communications cut. Did her ship actually look like a smuggler's pirate vessel? Couldn't they come up with a better excuse? She felt vaguely insulted. It was time to go. "Inform Enterprise that we are leaving."
"Enterprise acknowledges and concurs, Ma'am."
"Very good, Commander." She opened the channel once more. "Rochester, nice meeting you. Good bye." She turned to the helmsman a young male Betazoid. "Helmsman, engage full impulse until we are out of range of their sensors then go to warp." the Captain ordered.
Both starships, one light second apart, jumped to full impulse. They easily outran their pursuers and once out of range both vessels went to warp. They blurred and disappeared as distortion physics took over.
Instead of an anticipated fight with those smallish vessels, the Ambassador and Enterprise simply left. The crew onboard the EAS Destroyers were stunned at the speed in which both ships moved. There was no way to chase them and how they simply disappeared was unknown. Their acceleration to light speed was detected, but after that-
It was believed that these ships had stealth capabilities since no jump point trigger had been registered by either Destroyer. In any case, this unknown factor needed to be compensated for. And since they were Human ships, that kind of technology could be very useful-especially in the light of the Minbari menace. Conferring with Command Central the pursuit orders were given and both Destroyers jumped to join the others headed towards B5. If that was where they were going, then their people just may need the extra help.
An hour later, Captain Garrett sitting in her chair in her Ready room, prepared herself for her visitor. She wanted this done right so that there would be no misunderstanding. The door chimed. She took a breath and put on her Captain's mask.
"Come in."
The large Klingon entered followed by her equally large security officer. Internally, she smiled as she looked at the two males wearily watching each other, each pretending to be relaxed in one another's presence.
"Mr. Worf," she began. "I find myself in a very unique position here. Normally as a prisoner of war, you would be confined to the brig until we could place you at a suitable internment facility. However, less than a month ago, my time, I found myself fighting to save the Narendra III colony from a Romulan raiding party. My ship, this ship," she said spreading her hands to take in the entire starship, "was shot up, my crew all but destroyed, and what was left was sent to this future where I find myself in the middle of a conflict with the Klingon Empire. First, I'm trying to save you and the next instant; I'm trying to keep from being killed by your friends and family members. What is wrong with this image?"
"The Federation and Klingons have been at war for twenty-two years."
"A war that shouldn't have occurred in the first place!" She was almost livid now. "I talked to the woman Guinan, you'll meet her soon. She told me that this war we're talking about shouldn't have happened. She also informed me that some outside force interfered to bring this war about. Think about it. A Federation ship attempts to save a Klingon colony. The ship is lost and a rumor started by person or persons unknown states that the ship ran away from the fight causing the Klingons to scream loss of honor. But instead of attacking the Romulans who started this in the first place by killing thousands of Klingons-A KNOWN FACT! -You decide to start a war with the Federation because of a rumor that may or may not have been true? My crew died for you people. What is wrong with you?" she screamed.
She carefully watched the Klingon called Worf. He looked like a trapped animal.
"The Duras clan pushed for the war with the Federation." He had heard rumors that the High Council knew of the Romulan attack and its root cause, but they felt that a war with them would be too great a conflict. "The politicians believed that a small conflict with the Federation would appease the people's thirst for vengeance. It was believed that the Federation would not have the stomach for a prolonged battle. The conflict would be over, the people given a defeat-able enemy, eventual reparations would be made, and politics satisfied." The resistance by the Federation was unexpectedly intense. Instead of a small conflict, a blood-war resulted. "We quickly discovered that Starfleet intended to win and honor demanded that we do no less. The war was hard on my people as well. Many of our people were considering Federation demands to end the war."
That revelation surprised both her and Sisko. Each side had been so damaged that the war may not have been able to continue. "Twenty-two years of meaningless war. And we're not there to stop the carnage…if anyone is even left."
"What do you intend to do with us?" he demanded. Several things came to his mind, none of which he cared for.
"From what I understand, both our people have been duped," she answered. "It would be stupid of me, even dishonorable of me to wage war on two people who have been used just much as I have been. I have no intentions of continuing this fight. "Especially," she added for emphasis, "since I was the one who got blamed for the war in the first place. B'Elanna is a special case. She will have to be eased into life onboard this ship-if she agrees. As for you, I am offering you limited freedom on this ship, conditional to your attitude and actions. The more I trust your honor, the better things will get."
"Do your question my honor?" His voice exuded danger. He was very aware of Sisko's subtle change in stance.
"I'm the Captain of this ship. I question everything about you," she barked. "But I will not abandon you to the fates. I intend to finish what I started. Work with me. Let me prove to you that I have honor also."
It was an interesting proposition. He had to think about it. Humans really were insane.
"What would I do on this –ship?"
"First of all, take a bath," she said. "It isn't good to betray your position from several decks away. Then we'll talk some more. Commander Sisko will provide quarters for you. You will be under guard, until I say otherwise. Other than that, your freedom improves as I see you change."
"Is that all?"
"No," she said. "When I had my talk to Guinan she said that you belonged on the Enterprise and were part of the crew. Why, she didn't know, but you we're supposed to be part of that crew. I want that to be true in some way. Our timeline is lost to us. Now we make our own destiny."