- ELEVEN -
The Incoming Tide
- November 15th, 2156 -

Captain Jonathon Archer strolled briskly through the empty corridors of Starfleet Headquarters. The windows and lights which lined the hallway scrolled by, revealing a bright cityscape that prevented the darkness of night from completely enveloping it. Although San Francisco slept, Jonathon Archer could not enjoy the same pleasures and luxury. While the captain spent countless days meeting with Starfleet's highest commanders, his starship sat quietly high above the sky, orbiting the planet while nestled in dry-dock as dozens of workers raced against time to get her back in shape for battle against their Romulan nemesis.

"Good evening Jon." The sectary greeted him. Archer flashed a smile.

"I see you're burning the midnight oil too." The middle-aged female assistant to Admiral Forrest replied with her own heart-warming smile.

"You know the saying; we're all in this together." She said, "The Admiral's waiting for you inside."

"Thanks." Archer proceeded through the doors into the Admiral's office for the umpteenth time today.

"Jon, take a seat." The Admiral greeted him, as Archer sat down across from the Admiral's desk. It was just the two of them.

"I don't think I've left his building in a week." Archer begun, getting a slight laugh from the Admiral.

"I lost count after fifteen days." They both allowed the atmosphere to lighten a little. "So I hear you've got news for me, I hope for your sake that it's of the good variety."

"Hey, don't kill the messenger." Archer said, as he pulled out a data-pad from his pocket, placed it on the desk and slid it across to his superior. "We've finally cracked the Romulan cipher for that transmission." He continued as the Admiral picked up the pad and started reading.

"It looks like Intel was right." The Admiral muttered.

"Yea, the Romulans are preparing to take Vega Sector. But we're still missing a few pieces of the puzzle."

"The numbers?"

"Right." Archer nodded. "We also know that they're amassing ships slowly, so it won't get our attention, for the attack. We're just missing a number for how many ships, a specific date, and exactly where they're going to hit." The Admiral sat silently for a few seconds in deep concentration before replying.

"What do you think Jon? How would you deal with this." Archer was caught off guard, and he showed a bit of it in his facial expression, but quickly recovered.

"Well, for starters I would deploy more ships to Vega Sector, amass our own fleet. But we need more information then anything else right now." The Admiral agreed. "We should focus on getting more intelligence; find out more about the Romulan's plans before we commit to any kind of set defense." Forrest grinned.

"Looks like you may be ready for a promotion after all Jon." Again, Archer was caught slightly off-guard.

"Thank you Admiral, although I would prefer to remain in the captain's chair."

"I know you do Jon. Let's get the rest of the staff here, start moving some more ships to Vega, and get Intel to step it up a notch." Admiral Forrest returned to look at Archer, "This just might be the big one."
- December 9th, 2380 -

"Will, you know as well as I do that I can't run." Captain Jean-Luc Picard said firmly while looking straight into the eyes of his former first officer. Captain William Riker, on the other side of the long conference table frowned again.

"Look, going back to Earth right now would be suicide! The Federation Council will hang you in a second." Riker repeated, and turned to Deanna Riker sitting in the chair next to him. "Deanna...", the Enterprise's former counsellor took her cue and jumped into the fray.

"Captain." She pleaded, "I know you want to stand up for yourself and clear you name." Picard huffed. "But Will is right. Tensions in the Federation are at a boiling point, there are all these accusations flying around and everyone's looking for someone to pin the blame on. And unfortunately they've chosen you." Picard was clearly frustrated.

"But that transmission was a fake! Surely Starfleet and the council must know that!"

"They're blinded by their emotions and everything that's going on." Deanna again pleaded.

"You almost sound like a Vulcan." Smiles broke throughout the briefing room.

"Captain, forgive me but I do believe they're right." Commander Madden broke in. Picard let out a frustrated sigh.

"They're using me and there's not a damn thing I can do about it!" No one said anything, instead giving the captain time to cool down. After a few moments, Picard nodded at Will, finally admitting defeat.

"Good. The Titan's going to head back to Earth, I'll get in touch with Admiral Janeway and see if we can sort this mess out." Riker then tapped his comm-badge. "Riker to Perry."

"Perry here sir." Replied the Enterprise's operations officer.

"Lieutenant, have you been able to contact Chancellor Martok?" Picard immediately looked at Riker.

"Yes captain, he's waiting for you."

"Thank you, patch him through to the briefing room please." A few seconds later, the Chancellor of the Klingon Empire appeared on the view screen behind Picard. The old Klingon warrior wore a broad grin.

"Captain!" Martok greeted, "I am glad to see you are still in good health considering what has gone on in your Federation these past few days."

"Thank you Chancellor." Picard replied, before returning his attention to Riker.

"And Captain Riker, to what do I owe the pleasure of this communication?" Martok asked.

"Chancellor, you already know the events that have recently taken place in the Federation." Riker said.

"I am aware of them, and the accusations of Picard's betrayal which I assume are nothing more then lies."

"You have assumed correctly Chancellor. I realize that the Klingon Empire does not wish to get involved." Riker paused for breath. "However, we must ask a favour of you... to provide Captain Picard with protection while he seeks refuge in your space."

"Now just a minute Will..." Picard interjected, only to be cut off by the Klingon.

"My people, nor the Klingon Empire have forgotten the role you played in our civil war Captain Picard." Martok continued after checking that he had the captain's attention. "It would be an honour captain, to have your presence here."

"Thank you Chancellor, your generosity..." Picard started, but was again interrupted by Martok.

"Nonsense captain! The Klingon Empire will always stand by it's ally." Martok then turned to Riker next. "I give you my word that no harm will come to Captain Picard under my protection. I will have an escort waiting for him at these coordinates." Martok turned to punch in some data on a nearby console pad, then returned his attention back. "I look forward to seeing you again captain, Martok out." The screen turned black.

"Well, I appreciate you looking out for me Will. But you should know, at this age I'm very capable of taking care of myself." Picard said, somewhat sarcastically but it only amused Riker.

"It was my idea captain." Deanna jumped in, "I would feel better if you had someone looking out for you while we were gone." Picard sighed and gave in again.

"Thank you Deanna." She let out a smile and showed some relief. "But before you go, we need to sort a few things out." Picard continued before anyone could cut in. "When you get to Janeway, I need you to see if she's found anything about Apokalypto." Riker gave him a puzzled look.

"Sir?" Picard then cursed silently to himself when he realized he forgot to tell Riker about it earlier. He then gave Riker a shortened retelling of Q's visit, and his message about Apokalypto. Although Riker was in a bit of disbelief, he promised he would look into it once he returned to Earth.

"And one more thing." Picard continued. "See if you can find out anything about this Captain Lauren Dougherty."

"The one you think is actually leading the Armia Krajowa?" Picard nodded.

"I'll look into it." The two Rikers stood up to leave, but Deanna walked over to Picard to give him a hug.

"Good luck captain, and be careful."
- January 3rd, 2157 -

Archer never had a chance to celebrate the New Year, in fact he welcomed it by spending a whole week in his office. Reading report after report of constant defeats has not only worn him out but it has also demoralized him. A report from Starfleet Intelligence estimates that Romulans will be walking on Earth, through San Francisco within twelve months at this current rate. Bad news indeed, something must be done to curb the tide.

But now he is resting his eyes, napping, in his chair finally giving in to his exhaustion. Unfortunately for him, the peaceful tranquility would not last as the door bell rang to awaken him.

"Come in." He said automatically before realizing he was still half- asleep. Admiral Forrest walked into the office with a very quick stride and a clearly distressed look plastered on his face. "Admiral?" He said sheepishly.

"Jon, pack you're bags. We're mobilizing the Enterprise." Forrest spoke, a little quickly due to a shortness of breath.

"What for?"

"You're going to Vega." The keyword immediately snapped Archer awake.

"The Romulans?" Forrest nodded.

"We intercepted a transmission two hours ago, they're almost ready."

"Damn, how long do we have?" Archer asked as he moved to contact Trip and the rest of the Enterprise crew still on Earth.

"The attack is happening in ten days. You're going to lead the fleet."

"What?!" Archer turned back to the Admiral, thinking it might have been a joke. But Forrest was dead serious.

"Jon, it's like I've been saying, this is the big one." Forrest said, "We need our best people for this... because the future of humanity is going to depend on the outcome of this one battle."

To Be Continued...