- SEVEN -
Shrouds of Darkness
- December 7th, 2380 -
Inside a dark and ominous room, twelve black slabs made of polished metal formed a full circle. Each slab was about the size of a regular door, except for one that was larger then the rest. About three quarters of the way up on each slab was a faint strip of light, and just below it were Roman numerals denoting each slab, with the largest being one and the rest numbered two to twelve. In the heart of the ring, planted on the cold grey floor was a holographic projection of a talking Captain Lauren Dougherty.
"Yes sir, he has escaped just as you requested." She reported. A commanding voice boomed from the larger slab.
"You have done well Captain Dougherty." She nodded and continued.
"Thank you sir. Our agents report that the Enterprise has been intercepted and Captain Picard placed under Federation arrest." She paused for breath, "Our ships are in place and ready to act on your command sir." Again, the same voice spoke.
"Excellent. You may proceed captain." Dougherty nodded in acknowledgement as her holographic image disappeared. Another slab turned to face the larger one.
"It is just as you had predicted Jehovah. Those fools are ready to believe anything they see." Again, the large slab replied.
"Of course Thaddeus, the pieces are falling into place. Soon Apokalypto will be ready."
- February 15th, 2156 -
Captain Jonathon Archer slumbered quietly and peacefully in his San Francisco apartment, with his dog Porthos at the foot of the bed. Unfortunately this didn't last much longer as both were taken from their sleep by the call of the flashing video monitor located on the wall next to Archer's bed. Archer grunted his annoyance as he lifted himself from the softness and comfort of the mattress to face the blinking monitor, crying out for his attention. Who the hell is calling at his hour? Finally Archer pressed a button to answer what he hoped was a truly urgent call.
"Sorry to have called you at this time of night." Admiral Forrest said the instant his face appeared on the screen. Archer wiped his face with his hands in an effort to shake off the inevitable drowsiness in this situation.
"I'm sure it's important enough to wake me up Admiral." Archer said. Forrest had no trouble picking up the hint of annoyance in Archer's voice. Given the circumstances he let it go and continued.
"It is Jon. The Vulcan envoy has been destroyed." Archer gave the Admiral a stunned look.
"What?"
"A Vulcan outpost picked up the distress signal two days ago actually. They sent a ship to investigate... they found the envoy, or what's left of them."
"And our own ships?" Archer inquired about the Starfleet escort that also took part. The Admiral shook his head.
"No survivors."
"Are you sure it was the Romulans?" Archer already knew the answer but had to ask anyway.
"The weapons signatures found on the wreckage is consistent with those from the Atlantis... it's definitely them Jon. There's no doubt about it." Archer silently cursed, he knew the whole thing was a long shot, but it still provided him with some linger of hope for a peaceful solution.
"What about the senate? They know yet?" Forrest nodded in confirmation.
"The senate just called an emergency session first thing in the morning." Forrest continued. "Jon, this hasn't been released to the public yet, the World Government wants to arrive at a decision first before letting everyone know."
"What's Starfleet doing?"
"We're going to be there. I need you down at headquarters immediately; I'm calling everyone in right now." Archer nodded and promptly got up to dress, but turned back to the monitor as the Admiral spoke again. "Jon. This could be it." Forrest emphasised. "This could be war..."
- December 7th, 2380 -
"What the devil are you doing here Will?" Picard said, looking at his smiling former Number One.
"Trying to get your butt out of the fire again Jean-Luc." Picard couldn't help but give up a grin.
"Well, it's good to see you again. I only wished it was under better circumstances." Picard said, as he gestured towards the two chairs in his quarters. Both sat down.
"That's always the case isn't it? How long has it been... two years?" Riker replied.
"Too long Will, too long. How's Deanna?"
"She's fine, but concerned... about you."
"So am I." Although he would love to catch up with Riker, Picard knew there was more important business at hand. "But what brings you here?" Riker's smile faded as he started speaking seriously.
"Admiral Janeway sent me."
"Kathryn?"
"Yes. She wanted me to find out what's going on." Picard gave him a quizzical look.
"I'll be damned if I knew. I was hoping she would have some answers for me."
"She doesn't, and I don't either. Starfleet received the Illustrious' transmission, and before we could do anything, the Federation Council ordered your arrest." Picard was somewhat shocked.
"The council ordered my arrest?"
"Unbelievable isn't it. Any other day, they're slow as snails but when it comes to putting people in custody, you couldn't keep them away. But it was more like the council voted for it and the President issued the order... she had no choice." This started juggling Picard's brain.
"Will, we were intercepted only two hours after the attack. Even with the Federation Council in fast-motion, there's no way they can have a session, vote, issue an order to Starfleet and have it respond and arrest us in two hour's time!" Riker immediately picked on Picard's train of thought.
"You're right. It all seems too convenient doesn't it?" Picard related to Riker the entire incident from when the Illustrious and Enterprise were ambushed to his unexpected treasonous arrest. But it was the jamming that really caught Riker's attention.
"That jamming... two hours at maximum warp, that's quite some range its got." Riker filled in the puzzle.
"Exactly. It's something new; Geordi said he's never seen anything like it. By the time we were out of its range and dropped out of warp these ships appeared and told me I was under arrest for treason!"
"Sounds like a set up." Riker said quickly, he had no doubt after his former commanding officer's innocence and believed every word he heard.
"Well, the Enterprise's logs seem to think we did destroy the Illustrious."
"But those can be altered." That caught Picard's attention.
"Yes, yes you're right. Damnit why didn't I think of that before?" Picard cursed.
"Although that would be difficult to do, but not impossible. And that transmission could've been a forgery too. No one gave it a second glance as soon as they saw it." Riker added in.
"Who would do all this? And this is all circumstantial, we've got nothing concrete. Unfortunately the ship's under lockdown and none of my crew have access to the computers to check the logs." Riker grinned again.
"But I do." Riker activated his communications badge. "Riker to Titan." It took two seconds but a familiar female voice responded.
"Deanna here. How's the captain?" Picard again gave up another grin at hearing her voice again.
"Could be better Deanna, but I'm fine." Picard spoke up. It didn't take a telepath to tell that the person on the other side of the line was smiling. Riker cut in.
"Deanna, I need you to download the Enterprise's logs." The reply came fast.
"I'm not sure if Captain Thessien will like that Will. He's already complaining about you being there." Picard gave Riker a look, who simply smirked.
"Tell him it's for the investigation. If he doesn't like that, then he can take it up with Admiral Janeway himself." It was always nice to have friends in higher places.
"I'll get right on it. And don't worry captain; we'll get you out of this." She directed to Picard.
"Thank you Deanna." Picard replied before the line was cut. He turned back to Riker. "Good to see that commanding a starship hasn't changed you one bit." Riker's smile returned.
"I learned from the best." Riker was about to continue when something out the window caught his eye. Picard caught it and turned around as well. Outside, several warp flashes appeared in succession, at least seven, maybe eight. An instant later, Picard was able to make out the approaching ships, which were heading straight for the Enterprise. Riker quickly went for his comm badge but was beaten as Deanna's voice blared out in the room.
"Will, I think you should get back to the Titan." Riker and Picard exchanged glances.
"Is that the troop carrier?" Riker asked, but the answer came before Deanna could respond as the sound of the red alert klaxon flooded the room.
"I don't think so..." Deanna replied. Her doubt was quickly confirmed as the closest approaching ship opened fire on the Enterprise.
Shrouds of Darkness
- December 7th, 2380 -
Inside a dark and ominous room, twelve black slabs made of polished metal formed a full circle. Each slab was about the size of a regular door, except for one that was larger then the rest. About three quarters of the way up on each slab was a faint strip of light, and just below it were Roman numerals denoting each slab, with the largest being one and the rest numbered two to twelve. In the heart of the ring, planted on the cold grey floor was a holographic projection of a talking Captain Lauren Dougherty.
"Yes sir, he has escaped just as you requested." She reported. A commanding voice boomed from the larger slab.
"You have done well Captain Dougherty." She nodded and continued.
"Thank you sir. Our agents report that the Enterprise has been intercepted and Captain Picard placed under Federation arrest." She paused for breath, "Our ships are in place and ready to act on your command sir." Again, the same voice spoke.
"Excellent. You may proceed captain." Dougherty nodded in acknowledgement as her holographic image disappeared. Another slab turned to face the larger one.
"It is just as you had predicted Jehovah. Those fools are ready to believe anything they see." Again, the large slab replied.
"Of course Thaddeus, the pieces are falling into place. Soon Apokalypto will be ready."
- February 15th, 2156 -
Captain Jonathon Archer slumbered quietly and peacefully in his San Francisco apartment, with his dog Porthos at the foot of the bed. Unfortunately this didn't last much longer as both were taken from their sleep by the call of the flashing video monitor located on the wall next to Archer's bed. Archer grunted his annoyance as he lifted himself from the softness and comfort of the mattress to face the blinking monitor, crying out for his attention. Who the hell is calling at his hour? Finally Archer pressed a button to answer what he hoped was a truly urgent call.
"Sorry to have called you at this time of night." Admiral Forrest said the instant his face appeared on the screen. Archer wiped his face with his hands in an effort to shake off the inevitable drowsiness in this situation.
"I'm sure it's important enough to wake me up Admiral." Archer said. Forrest had no trouble picking up the hint of annoyance in Archer's voice. Given the circumstances he let it go and continued.
"It is Jon. The Vulcan envoy has been destroyed." Archer gave the Admiral a stunned look.
"What?"
"A Vulcan outpost picked up the distress signal two days ago actually. They sent a ship to investigate... they found the envoy, or what's left of them."
"And our own ships?" Archer inquired about the Starfleet escort that also took part. The Admiral shook his head.
"No survivors."
"Are you sure it was the Romulans?" Archer already knew the answer but had to ask anyway.
"The weapons signatures found on the wreckage is consistent with those from the Atlantis... it's definitely them Jon. There's no doubt about it." Archer silently cursed, he knew the whole thing was a long shot, but it still provided him with some linger of hope for a peaceful solution.
"What about the senate? They know yet?" Forrest nodded in confirmation.
"The senate just called an emergency session first thing in the morning." Forrest continued. "Jon, this hasn't been released to the public yet, the World Government wants to arrive at a decision first before letting everyone know."
"What's Starfleet doing?"
"We're going to be there. I need you down at headquarters immediately; I'm calling everyone in right now." Archer nodded and promptly got up to dress, but turned back to the monitor as the Admiral spoke again. "Jon. This could be it." Forrest emphasised. "This could be war..."
- December 7th, 2380 -
"What the devil are you doing here Will?" Picard said, looking at his smiling former Number One.
"Trying to get your butt out of the fire again Jean-Luc." Picard couldn't help but give up a grin.
"Well, it's good to see you again. I only wished it was under better circumstances." Picard said, as he gestured towards the two chairs in his quarters. Both sat down.
"That's always the case isn't it? How long has it been... two years?" Riker replied.
"Too long Will, too long. How's Deanna?"
"She's fine, but concerned... about you."
"So am I." Although he would love to catch up with Riker, Picard knew there was more important business at hand. "But what brings you here?" Riker's smile faded as he started speaking seriously.
"Admiral Janeway sent me."
"Kathryn?"
"Yes. She wanted me to find out what's going on." Picard gave him a quizzical look.
"I'll be damned if I knew. I was hoping she would have some answers for me."
"She doesn't, and I don't either. Starfleet received the Illustrious' transmission, and before we could do anything, the Federation Council ordered your arrest." Picard was somewhat shocked.
"The council ordered my arrest?"
"Unbelievable isn't it. Any other day, they're slow as snails but when it comes to putting people in custody, you couldn't keep them away. But it was more like the council voted for it and the President issued the order... she had no choice." This started juggling Picard's brain.
"Will, we were intercepted only two hours after the attack. Even with the Federation Council in fast-motion, there's no way they can have a session, vote, issue an order to Starfleet and have it respond and arrest us in two hour's time!" Riker immediately picked on Picard's train of thought.
"You're right. It all seems too convenient doesn't it?" Picard related to Riker the entire incident from when the Illustrious and Enterprise were ambushed to his unexpected treasonous arrest. But it was the jamming that really caught Riker's attention.
"That jamming... two hours at maximum warp, that's quite some range its got." Riker filled in the puzzle.
"Exactly. It's something new; Geordi said he's never seen anything like it. By the time we were out of its range and dropped out of warp these ships appeared and told me I was under arrest for treason!"
"Sounds like a set up." Riker said quickly, he had no doubt after his former commanding officer's innocence and believed every word he heard.
"Well, the Enterprise's logs seem to think we did destroy the Illustrious."
"But those can be altered." That caught Picard's attention.
"Yes, yes you're right. Damnit why didn't I think of that before?" Picard cursed.
"Although that would be difficult to do, but not impossible. And that transmission could've been a forgery too. No one gave it a second glance as soon as they saw it." Riker added in.
"Who would do all this? And this is all circumstantial, we've got nothing concrete. Unfortunately the ship's under lockdown and none of my crew have access to the computers to check the logs." Riker grinned again.
"But I do." Riker activated his communications badge. "Riker to Titan." It took two seconds but a familiar female voice responded.
"Deanna here. How's the captain?" Picard again gave up another grin at hearing her voice again.
"Could be better Deanna, but I'm fine." Picard spoke up. It didn't take a telepath to tell that the person on the other side of the line was smiling. Riker cut in.
"Deanna, I need you to download the Enterprise's logs." The reply came fast.
"I'm not sure if Captain Thessien will like that Will. He's already complaining about you being there." Picard gave Riker a look, who simply smirked.
"Tell him it's for the investigation. If he doesn't like that, then he can take it up with Admiral Janeway himself." It was always nice to have friends in higher places.
"I'll get right on it. And don't worry captain; we'll get you out of this." She directed to Picard.
"Thank you Deanna." Picard replied before the line was cut. He turned back to Riker. "Good to see that commanding a starship hasn't changed you one bit." Riker's smile returned.
"I learned from the best." Riker was about to continue when something out the window caught his eye. Picard caught it and turned around as well. Outside, several warp flashes appeared in succession, at least seven, maybe eight. An instant later, Picard was able to make out the approaching ships, which were heading straight for the Enterprise. Riker quickly went for his comm badge but was beaten as Deanna's voice blared out in the room.
"Will, I think you should get back to the Titan." Riker and Picard exchanged glances.
"Is that the troop carrier?" Riker asked, but the answer came before Deanna could respond as the sound of the red alert klaxon flooded the room.
"I don't think so..." Deanna replied. Her doubt was quickly confirmed as the closest approaching ship opened fire on the Enterprise.
To Be Continued...