-Chapter One - Old Wounds-
-Sol System, Sector One, Terran Empire-
2nd Fleet dropped out of slipstream at the desired coordinates. Sol system was locked down tighter than Starfleet Academy's Headmaster's daughter in light of the recent terrorist attacks against Terra and the attack by the Grand Alliance. Nothing civilian went in or out that wasn't searched and thoroughly scanned. Just the same, most of First Fleet had been assembled to provide Second Fleet with an honor guard as they began their daylong impulse cruse to Terra orbit.
Nearly every com channel was filled with raucous celebration. The new leader of the Terran Empire, now styling himself Emperor Jack Chambers thanks to popular support throughout the Empire, had thought that it would be a good idea. Morale was at lows only experienced during the darkest days of the Imperial/Borg war. The people needed a hero, something good to look up to in this time of uncertainty. Upon learning of the exploits of 2nd Fleet in general and Captain Ulysses Vanguard in particular, the Emperor had found his heroes. He had originally planned on having 2nd Fleet out of the way permanently, but given how the rest of his plan had ended up unfolding, he was glad 2nd Fleet had escaped its fate. It gave the civilians something to tack their attention to while he went about further solidifying his grip on power. For they truly needed something to focus their attention on. The last month had been nearly nothing but defeat and terror for the Terran Empire. The civilians had no idea just how close it had come to becoming a conquered empire. What they did know was bad enough. Honoring the Empire's heroes would be one of the best things they could do while they awaited their revenge upon their enemies.
-Imperial Star Ship Athena, Bastion class Monitor, Terra Orbit-
The massive Imperial Terra class shipyard, San Francisco Memorial Shipyard (Formerly San Francisco Shipyard), settled its octopus like metal struts around the Athena with a gentleness one wouldn't expect from a multi billion ton construct. The engineering crews of the Athena were to be commended for their excellent repairs to their ship, but some of her damaged systems and frame segments could only be repaired at a major shipyard. Even as the long metallic supports were curling around the Athena in a loving embrace, thousands of work bees and construction hard suits sprang from the shipyard's hangars, setting about peeling away the emergency hull patches Athena's engineers had worked so hard to emplace.
They looked like a swarm of ants boiling out of their disturbed nest. The Athena herself was for the most part powered down, her pitted and scorched charcoal black hull lit only by the fiery furnace of Sol and the shipyard's spotlights. The yard dogs said that it would be nearly two months before all of her battle damage was fully repaired and the massive warship was again 100% combat capable.
That suited her crew just fine. After coming within a hairs breadth of being killed first by the errant Psychonic attack, then by the powerful Species 8472's counterattack, they felt that they deserved some R&R. While their flagship was stood down, most of the other vessels that made up 2nd Fleet were reassigned to reinforce the Neutral Zone between the Terran Empire and the members of the Grand Alliance. But before that happened, they were treated to a heroes welcome on Terra.
-Progress Road, Moscow, Terra, 10:15 AM local time-
Fleet Admiral T'var sat in the ancient convertible in front of Ulysses, the bright sunlight gleaming off of her polished armor. The automobile T'var sat in was known as a Dodge Viper from the late 20th century. Ulysses sat on the back seat of a Chevrolet Corvette, also from the late 20th century. Both cars had been borrowed from the Historical Automotive Museum of Washington for use in the parade. It was an actual ticker tape parade, with reams of the small paper ribbons falling from the sky. The crowds that lined every available space along the route were cheering wildly, waving Imperial flags madly, held back by local law enforcement officials. After hearing what had happened to San Francisco and seeing the actual devastation from orbit, Ulysses didn't begrudge them a reason to celebrate something. He waved back to the cheering throngs as his car followed T'var's down the parade route. Behind Ulysses, all of his senior officers were similarly being honored. Overhead, flights of seed like fighters and graceful, deadly looking assault shuttles swept by, adding to the spectacle of the parade.
Ulysses might have actually been able to enjoy the hoopla if he hadn't felt that 2nd Fleet's survival had upset some plan initiated by the upper echelons of the Terran Empire. Putting a fake smile on his face and periodically waving to the citizens, he began to think. Someone had sent out that Section 31 Constitution with orders to ensure 2nd Fleet died. It MIGHT have been a rogue operation, but Section didn't recruit those who would do such a thing, making the possibility that it was a rogue very remote. The common joke that Section operatives needed forms signed in triplicate wasn't that far from the mark.
So, if it wasn't a rogue op, who could have started it? To be sure the list wasn't that long. Finding out the source was important, because they may try again having failed the first time. Any one who would sacrifice 2nd Fleet, for any reason, is someone who didn't feel anything about the possible repercussions of their actions. Even in its current strength, 2nd Fleet was the single most powerful offensive fleet in the Empire. So who would have reason to remove such a powerful asset? And why would they want to? The back of his mind nibbled at him that he was missing something glaringly obvious, but for the life of him, he pin down what.
The parade ended at the gates of what had once been the Kremlin in old Moscow. The original had been wiped out with most of old Moscow during WW III. On the same strip of ground now stood an imposing building. It was originally a high priced residential tower, but now it was being renovated to house the Emperor and his staff and entourage. Ulysses had watched his broadcasts with the rest of the Empire, and could have sworn that he knew his voice from somewhere. The face wasn't familiar, for Ulysses had never followed Imperial politics. The new Emperor did take decisive action. Once he learned of High Command and ranking officer involvement in the attack against San Francisco, he had those responsible executed. Like the rest of the fleet, he was shocked that fellow officers could do such an act, but the evidence provided of their guilt was overwhelming.
T'var, Ulysses and the rest of the senior officers from the Athena got out of their cars inside the walled compound and approached the imposing tower. Already, it mounted ablative armor generators and shield emitters for protection. Work parties were slaving away to make them less conspicuous. They were doing the same with the defensive emplacements that had sprung up around the tower. Security was tight, with the entire party having to submit to retinal and DNA tests to authenticate their identities before they were admitted into the tower. Inside, there were guards everywhere, most in full combat armor and carrying military issue grav guns. Entering a turbolift, the heroes were whisked to the upper levels of the tower.
"His Imperial Highness, Emperor Chambers will see you directly!" the young secretary said, a huge smile on her face as she shook their hands in turn. When she shook Ulysses', there was a definite invitation in eyes. He had remembered seeing it in more than a few young ladies in the crowd. A guy could get used to this hero business, Ulysses thought. The two guards in formal dress armor braced to attention as the heroes passed through the open massive double doors to enter what had become the throne room of the Terran Empire. Double sets of marble columns marched down either side of the massive room beyond. Their mostly white with black striations marble contrasted with the mostly emerald with white marble of the floor. A gold, ruby and emerald mosaic of the emblem of the Terran Empire was inlaid in the spotlighted white marble roof. Sunlight streamed in from the floor to ceiling many paned windows that lined three sides of the room. A gaggle of reporters was on hand for the momentous event, standing off to one side, shouting for the Heroes to look their way for a picture. They stopped when a chime sounded.
From the far side of the room, a section of the mosaic roof irised open to allow a small turbolift to settle on the floor of the throne room. From it came the Emperor followed by a young woman, an imposing man and a rather large dog. The Emperor wore a cowled robe of black silk that went nearly to the ground. He drew back the hood as he approached the Athena's officers. The young woman wore a similar robe but in white. She also wore a small tiara studded with diamonds, indicating that she was Crown Princess Dorothy Chambers. The large, muscle bound man wore simple loose clothing, yet his eyes seemed to faintly glow blue and he looked the part of a body guard. The dog that never strayed far from his side also seemed to have glowing blue eyes. The pair was very creepy, making the hairs on Ulysses neck stand up. But then the Emperor was addressing the 2nd Fleet officers and Ulysses dragged his attention back on him.
"Welcome home my friends. It is good to finally meet you all in person."
"You are welcome your Majesty." T'var said, bowing formally with the rest to the newly crowned Emperor of the Terran Empire.
"Here," The Emperor said, snapping his fingers, "I have some small tokens of appreciation for your success against Species 8472." Princess Chambers approached with a small ebony case. She opened it, revealing the gleaming series of medal boxes within. Each department head of the Athena was given a medal in turn. Clay Heidberg, Percy Davenport and P'tel all received the blue, purple and gold ribboned bronze Christopher Pike Medal of Valor. Then, instead of going to Ulysses, as he was next in the line, Jack went to T'var. That was damn peculiar?! Why was he doing that?
"Fleet Admiral T'var, it is my pleasure to bestow upon you the Order of Terra." T'var bowed, helmet under her arm, to have the black and gold ribboned crossed swords on starburst medal placed around her neck. The medal was the second highest medal for valor in the Imperial Starfleet. But why was she given her medal before me Ulysses thought? She's of higher rank, and thus should be given her medal last, unless. Oh hell, they can't possibly be thinking of doing THAT to me!!. can they?
"Captain Ulysses Vanguard," Chambers said as he pulled out the final medal box from the case his daughter was holding, "It is my proud duty to bestow upon you the Lion of Terra for valor above and beyond the call of duty." Ulysses dipped his head to receive the medal only after a few moments of stunned immobility. His eyes went wide as saucers as the rampant lion's head in gold and silver on a midnight blue ribbon settled around his neck. The newsies were busy snapping holo pictures and video of the event. In the history of the Terran Empire, no one below the rank of Rear Admiral had ever received the Lion of Terra. In fact, only 26 officers had ever received one, and 12 of those were posthumorous. The medal allowed him to take a salute from any officer regardless of rank, and with the recent passing of Fleet Admiral Chriton, made him the only serving officer to possess one. No wonder he had been left till last to receive his medal. If T'var had been left till the end, it would have been anticlimactic in the extreme.
"Thank you your Majesty." Ulysses managed to get out. He was surprised his voice didn't squeak.
"Unfortunately, due to your junior rank, you cannot remain in the Captain's chair of the Athena. However, I have pulled some strings and you have been given Captaincy of a new Wraith class nearing completion. Once it has finished outfitting and trials, you are to take it to Starbase 2000 where it will become the flagship of the Delta Quadrant Expeditionary Fleet. Congratulations Captain Vanguard!"
"Thank you your Highness." Ulysses hadn't really expected to stay in command of the Athena. She was to powerful a vessel to leave in command of someone who had been captain only just under a month. What he had gotten in recompense was almost as good though. A Wraith was a very powerful ship to hand a junior Captain, and it spoke of both Starfleet's' and the Emperors faith in him almost more so than the Lion of Terra hanging from his neck. It was only Captain's nearing promotion to Flag Rank that were given command of the heavy capital ships of the Imperial Starfleet.
"Now I'm sure you all want to get changed for the formal ball this evening, so I won't keep you any longer. I just want to thank you all again for your service to the Empire. I'll let you go, because I'm sure that there are a million little things to do before the ball." Then the head of the Terran Empire reentered the turbolift with his daughter and his bodyguard.
It was only after the doors closed and the lift left the throne room that Ulysses finally placed where he had heard the Emperor's voice before. Its last phrase had finally jogged the connections in his brain. White-hot rage boiled out of its prison deep inside of him. He couldn't hold it back, and didn't even want to even if he could have. All of his training for keeping it in check was for nothing, all he knew was the red tide of old hate fueled by old anguish that engulfed his consciousness. Then he felt a sure hand gripping his neck near its base and the world went dark, his hate raging against the galaxy that its revenge was denied when it was so close to fruition.
-Sol System, Sector One, Terran Empire-
2nd Fleet dropped out of slipstream at the desired coordinates. Sol system was locked down tighter than Starfleet Academy's Headmaster's daughter in light of the recent terrorist attacks against Terra and the attack by the Grand Alliance. Nothing civilian went in or out that wasn't searched and thoroughly scanned. Just the same, most of First Fleet had been assembled to provide Second Fleet with an honor guard as they began their daylong impulse cruse to Terra orbit.
Nearly every com channel was filled with raucous celebration. The new leader of the Terran Empire, now styling himself Emperor Jack Chambers thanks to popular support throughout the Empire, had thought that it would be a good idea. Morale was at lows only experienced during the darkest days of the Imperial/Borg war. The people needed a hero, something good to look up to in this time of uncertainty. Upon learning of the exploits of 2nd Fleet in general and Captain Ulysses Vanguard in particular, the Emperor had found his heroes. He had originally planned on having 2nd Fleet out of the way permanently, but given how the rest of his plan had ended up unfolding, he was glad 2nd Fleet had escaped its fate. It gave the civilians something to tack their attention to while he went about further solidifying his grip on power. For they truly needed something to focus their attention on. The last month had been nearly nothing but defeat and terror for the Terran Empire. The civilians had no idea just how close it had come to becoming a conquered empire. What they did know was bad enough. Honoring the Empire's heroes would be one of the best things they could do while they awaited their revenge upon their enemies.
-Imperial Star Ship Athena, Bastion class Monitor, Terra Orbit-
The massive Imperial Terra class shipyard, San Francisco Memorial Shipyard (Formerly San Francisco Shipyard), settled its octopus like metal struts around the Athena with a gentleness one wouldn't expect from a multi billion ton construct. The engineering crews of the Athena were to be commended for their excellent repairs to their ship, but some of her damaged systems and frame segments could only be repaired at a major shipyard. Even as the long metallic supports were curling around the Athena in a loving embrace, thousands of work bees and construction hard suits sprang from the shipyard's hangars, setting about peeling away the emergency hull patches Athena's engineers had worked so hard to emplace.
They looked like a swarm of ants boiling out of their disturbed nest. The Athena herself was for the most part powered down, her pitted and scorched charcoal black hull lit only by the fiery furnace of Sol and the shipyard's spotlights. The yard dogs said that it would be nearly two months before all of her battle damage was fully repaired and the massive warship was again 100% combat capable.
That suited her crew just fine. After coming within a hairs breadth of being killed first by the errant Psychonic attack, then by the powerful Species 8472's counterattack, they felt that they deserved some R&R. While their flagship was stood down, most of the other vessels that made up 2nd Fleet were reassigned to reinforce the Neutral Zone between the Terran Empire and the members of the Grand Alliance. But before that happened, they were treated to a heroes welcome on Terra.
-Progress Road, Moscow, Terra, 10:15 AM local time-
Fleet Admiral T'var sat in the ancient convertible in front of Ulysses, the bright sunlight gleaming off of her polished armor. The automobile T'var sat in was known as a Dodge Viper from the late 20th century. Ulysses sat on the back seat of a Chevrolet Corvette, also from the late 20th century. Both cars had been borrowed from the Historical Automotive Museum of Washington for use in the parade. It was an actual ticker tape parade, with reams of the small paper ribbons falling from the sky. The crowds that lined every available space along the route were cheering wildly, waving Imperial flags madly, held back by local law enforcement officials. After hearing what had happened to San Francisco and seeing the actual devastation from orbit, Ulysses didn't begrudge them a reason to celebrate something. He waved back to the cheering throngs as his car followed T'var's down the parade route. Behind Ulysses, all of his senior officers were similarly being honored. Overhead, flights of seed like fighters and graceful, deadly looking assault shuttles swept by, adding to the spectacle of the parade.
Ulysses might have actually been able to enjoy the hoopla if he hadn't felt that 2nd Fleet's survival had upset some plan initiated by the upper echelons of the Terran Empire. Putting a fake smile on his face and periodically waving to the citizens, he began to think. Someone had sent out that Section 31 Constitution with orders to ensure 2nd Fleet died. It MIGHT have been a rogue operation, but Section didn't recruit those who would do such a thing, making the possibility that it was a rogue very remote. The common joke that Section operatives needed forms signed in triplicate wasn't that far from the mark.
So, if it wasn't a rogue op, who could have started it? To be sure the list wasn't that long. Finding out the source was important, because they may try again having failed the first time. Any one who would sacrifice 2nd Fleet, for any reason, is someone who didn't feel anything about the possible repercussions of their actions. Even in its current strength, 2nd Fleet was the single most powerful offensive fleet in the Empire. So who would have reason to remove such a powerful asset? And why would they want to? The back of his mind nibbled at him that he was missing something glaringly obvious, but for the life of him, he pin down what.
The parade ended at the gates of what had once been the Kremlin in old Moscow. The original had been wiped out with most of old Moscow during WW III. On the same strip of ground now stood an imposing building. It was originally a high priced residential tower, but now it was being renovated to house the Emperor and his staff and entourage. Ulysses had watched his broadcasts with the rest of the Empire, and could have sworn that he knew his voice from somewhere. The face wasn't familiar, for Ulysses had never followed Imperial politics. The new Emperor did take decisive action. Once he learned of High Command and ranking officer involvement in the attack against San Francisco, he had those responsible executed. Like the rest of the fleet, he was shocked that fellow officers could do such an act, but the evidence provided of their guilt was overwhelming.
T'var, Ulysses and the rest of the senior officers from the Athena got out of their cars inside the walled compound and approached the imposing tower. Already, it mounted ablative armor generators and shield emitters for protection. Work parties were slaving away to make them less conspicuous. They were doing the same with the defensive emplacements that had sprung up around the tower. Security was tight, with the entire party having to submit to retinal and DNA tests to authenticate their identities before they were admitted into the tower. Inside, there were guards everywhere, most in full combat armor and carrying military issue grav guns. Entering a turbolift, the heroes were whisked to the upper levels of the tower.
"His Imperial Highness, Emperor Chambers will see you directly!" the young secretary said, a huge smile on her face as she shook their hands in turn. When she shook Ulysses', there was a definite invitation in eyes. He had remembered seeing it in more than a few young ladies in the crowd. A guy could get used to this hero business, Ulysses thought. The two guards in formal dress armor braced to attention as the heroes passed through the open massive double doors to enter what had become the throne room of the Terran Empire. Double sets of marble columns marched down either side of the massive room beyond. Their mostly white with black striations marble contrasted with the mostly emerald with white marble of the floor. A gold, ruby and emerald mosaic of the emblem of the Terran Empire was inlaid in the spotlighted white marble roof. Sunlight streamed in from the floor to ceiling many paned windows that lined three sides of the room. A gaggle of reporters was on hand for the momentous event, standing off to one side, shouting for the Heroes to look their way for a picture. They stopped when a chime sounded.
From the far side of the room, a section of the mosaic roof irised open to allow a small turbolift to settle on the floor of the throne room. From it came the Emperor followed by a young woman, an imposing man and a rather large dog. The Emperor wore a cowled robe of black silk that went nearly to the ground. He drew back the hood as he approached the Athena's officers. The young woman wore a similar robe but in white. She also wore a small tiara studded with diamonds, indicating that she was Crown Princess Dorothy Chambers. The large, muscle bound man wore simple loose clothing, yet his eyes seemed to faintly glow blue and he looked the part of a body guard. The dog that never strayed far from his side also seemed to have glowing blue eyes. The pair was very creepy, making the hairs on Ulysses neck stand up. But then the Emperor was addressing the 2nd Fleet officers and Ulysses dragged his attention back on him.
"Welcome home my friends. It is good to finally meet you all in person."
"You are welcome your Majesty." T'var said, bowing formally with the rest to the newly crowned Emperor of the Terran Empire.
"Here," The Emperor said, snapping his fingers, "I have some small tokens of appreciation for your success against Species 8472." Princess Chambers approached with a small ebony case. She opened it, revealing the gleaming series of medal boxes within. Each department head of the Athena was given a medal in turn. Clay Heidberg, Percy Davenport and P'tel all received the blue, purple and gold ribboned bronze Christopher Pike Medal of Valor. Then, instead of going to Ulysses, as he was next in the line, Jack went to T'var. That was damn peculiar?! Why was he doing that?
"Fleet Admiral T'var, it is my pleasure to bestow upon you the Order of Terra." T'var bowed, helmet under her arm, to have the black and gold ribboned crossed swords on starburst medal placed around her neck. The medal was the second highest medal for valor in the Imperial Starfleet. But why was she given her medal before me Ulysses thought? She's of higher rank, and thus should be given her medal last, unless. Oh hell, they can't possibly be thinking of doing THAT to me!!. can they?
"Captain Ulysses Vanguard," Chambers said as he pulled out the final medal box from the case his daughter was holding, "It is my proud duty to bestow upon you the Lion of Terra for valor above and beyond the call of duty." Ulysses dipped his head to receive the medal only after a few moments of stunned immobility. His eyes went wide as saucers as the rampant lion's head in gold and silver on a midnight blue ribbon settled around his neck. The newsies were busy snapping holo pictures and video of the event. In the history of the Terran Empire, no one below the rank of Rear Admiral had ever received the Lion of Terra. In fact, only 26 officers had ever received one, and 12 of those were posthumorous. The medal allowed him to take a salute from any officer regardless of rank, and with the recent passing of Fleet Admiral Chriton, made him the only serving officer to possess one. No wonder he had been left till last to receive his medal. If T'var had been left till the end, it would have been anticlimactic in the extreme.
"Thank you your Majesty." Ulysses managed to get out. He was surprised his voice didn't squeak.
"Unfortunately, due to your junior rank, you cannot remain in the Captain's chair of the Athena. However, I have pulled some strings and you have been given Captaincy of a new Wraith class nearing completion. Once it has finished outfitting and trials, you are to take it to Starbase 2000 where it will become the flagship of the Delta Quadrant Expeditionary Fleet. Congratulations Captain Vanguard!"
"Thank you your Highness." Ulysses hadn't really expected to stay in command of the Athena. She was to powerful a vessel to leave in command of someone who had been captain only just under a month. What he had gotten in recompense was almost as good though. A Wraith was a very powerful ship to hand a junior Captain, and it spoke of both Starfleet's' and the Emperors faith in him almost more so than the Lion of Terra hanging from his neck. It was only Captain's nearing promotion to Flag Rank that were given command of the heavy capital ships of the Imperial Starfleet.
"Now I'm sure you all want to get changed for the formal ball this evening, so I won't keep you any longer. I just want to thank you all again for your service to the Empire. I'll let you go, because I'm sure that there are a million little things to do before the ball." Then the head of the Terran Empire reentered the turbolift with his daughter and his bodyguard.
It was only after the doors closed and the lift left the throne room that Ulysses finally placed where he had heard the Emperor's voice before. Its last phrase had finally jogged the connections in his brain. White-hot rage boiled out of its prison deep inside of him. He couldn't hold it back, and didn't even want to even if he could have. All of his training for keeping it in check was for nothing, all he knew was the red tide of old hate fueled by old anguish that engulfed his consciousness. Then he felt a sure hand gripping his neck near its base and the world went dark, his hate raging against the galaxy that its revenge was denied when it was so close to fruition.