CHAPTER TWELVE
In his ready room Captain Picard stared blankly at his monitor. It was empty. His report to Starfleet could wait. At this moment data and Geordi were trying to figure out exactly how the worm hole or what ever it was could be opened . They would have roughly five minutes once they arrived before the two pursuing Star Cruisers would intercept. It was going to be close.
Picard leaned back in his chair and rubbed his palm over the crown of his head. A whole other world. Planets, peoples,, species, histories, and customs they had never heard of. And he had to run. No time to explore or make contact with anyone. Just fight and run and hope you got to see your own home again. So much to see and learn. Life is to short, he thought.
He listened to the steady hum of the warp engines. Warp two. It wouldn't give them much time. But he couldn't think of anyone else that he would rather depend on to get them home than Geordi and Data. He trusted his crew implicitly. If they couldn't get them home, than he believed no one could have done any better.
He leaned forward, shut the monitor off and rose too his feet. He hated waiting. Strangely he had a reputation for being patient, but he couldn't stand idleness. Doing nothing was what drove him crazy. Maybe he should go down to engineering and see how things are progressing. No. Geordi didn't need him looking over his shoulder.
"Captain are you busy?" Geordi's voice broke the silence.
He smiled and answered; " It can wait lieutenant."
"I'd like to show you what Data and I have so far."
"I'll be there momentarily." He said, heading to the turbo lift.
Engineering, surprisingly, was not as busy as he had expected it to be. Data and Geordi leaned over a console deep in conversation. The steady thump of the Warp engines was about all the sound there was as Geordi looked up and motioned him over.
"Captain we've gone over the sensor logs and there really isn't much more information we can glean from them. However when we scanned the engine logs from the Enterprise we found this;" Geordi pointed to a long graph on the monitor.
"That seems a little busy for an engine log." Picard said
"Yes Captain," Data said. "The engines harmonics generally only produce phase variances on three levels. But here you can see six and almost seven phase variances." Geordi said pointing to the graph. "This portion of the log shows the engines activity at the moment we engaged warp and opened the anomaly." He continued.
"Here, Captain, we have the Logs from Skywalkers ship. At the moment he engaged his hyperdrive, there were no less than three phase variances in the motivators that power the hyperdrive units. They only need one phase variance to operate at light speed." Data explained.
"Alright than, what exactly does this tell us? Picard asked.
"Well Captain, we were looking for the answer to the question; How did our going to Warp open the anomaly? When it was really the other way around. You see the anomaly was already there and it was open. Captain, we didn't travel through a type of worm hole. That anomaly triggered some sort of time shift, and because we were at warp when it happened it threw us not only back in time but an incredible distance as well."
"But that doesn't explain why it only happens when our warp drive or their hyperdrive units are engaged that this phenomena is triggered." Picard said.
"We haven't figured that one out yet, Captain." Geordi said. "But right now we have a bigger problem to worry about. When we jumped out of that fire fight with the Borg we did it at warp six. The Hyperdrive unit on the X-Wing that Skywalker jumped with is capable of, if you compare it to our measurements of speed, is about warp four."
"So what are you saying Lieutenant?" Picard asked.
"Captain, warp two isn't going to be enough to get us home. We may jump but it's probable that we will end up in some other time and place other than the one we want."
"Suggestions?" Picard asked, trying to ignore the gnawing sense of dread growing in the back of his mind. "We either need to find a crystal more pure or we need another crystal." Geordi stated plainly. Than he added "With two I could possibly get us up to warp four or five."
"Captain we will be arriving at the jump coordinates in fifteen minutes." Riker's voice broke in.
"Keep working on it Geordi, And I don't believe I have mention our running out of time?" Picard said.
"No sir, you don't" LaForge said turning his attention back to the engine logs.
The Millennium Falcon cruised off the port bow of the Enterprise. Dwarfed in the shadow of the galaxy class starship Luke Skywalker stared out the window of his cramped quarters his mind deep in meditation. At the last moment he had decided to accompany Chewie but did not tell anyone but Leia. He thought it best to go before Vader decided he wanted another family reunion. Besides he still felt something was wrong. The Enterprise was not home yet and they were far from being out of danger. Their sensors picked up two pursing star destroyers and no doubt more were on their way as well. Luke turned over in his bunk, his back to the window and began to go through his Jedi calming techniques that Yoda had showed him. He felt fear welling up more and more these days. He felt as though everything were coming to a head. There were rumors of another Death Star. And you can bet the Empire would be more cautious in it's design.
He shuddered at the thought of another Death Star. And at the thought of the Emperor getting his hands on the Enterprise. Things were bad enough for the Rebellion. Money was short and they were being chased around the galaxy like common criminals. All they need is the Empire to build better and more advanced weapons. Good will always triumph over evil, Ben had once said. The darkside is strong but the liteside is stronger for those whom it is with. He believed that. But he could not shake the feeling that he was not good enough. He had to trust himself as well as the force. He was the last of his kind. He sighed. He felt the pressure of the thought slam down on his shoulders. He pushed it from his mind. It would do no good to dwell on the problems they faced. Just take them one at a time and deal with them.
Luke swung his feet to the floor and ran his fingers through his hair. The room was almost dark except for the running lights of the Enterprise that cast their shadows into the room. Standing he pushed his feet into his boots and opened the door. They must be getting close to the coordinates by now, he would want to be up front with Chewie when they did. He felt the Falcon shudder slightly and knew they had come out of light speed. Making his way through the last corridor he slid the cockpit door open and fell stiffly into the copilots seat. Chewie grunted an almost silent greeting without looking up. They were here.
"Enterprise this is the Millennium Falcon, do you copy?"
"Mr. Skywalker? I was under the impression you were not accompanying us on our return home?" Picard answered.
"I changed my mind, I wanted to make sure you were able to get home safely."
"We appreciate the help. As a matter of fact we do have a situation you may be able to assist us with. Can you beam over?"
"If I can be of any help, sure."
"We will beam you directly to our engineering room. And I will meet you there. Picard out"
Luke was beamed on to the Enterprise only seconds later. A few of the crew members turned to look and then went back to their tasks. He flexed the fingers in his artificial hand, oddly the transport always seemed to cause a tingling in the fingers.
"Over here Luke." Geordi called out.
Quickly Geordi explained the problem with the crystal they had obtained from Iium. Picard appeared moments later and observed the conversation but remained silent. He rubbed his chin impatiently, the Star Destroyers could arrive any moment.
"Captain, their here." Rikers voice broke in quietly over Picards com badge. Speak of the devil, Picard thought.
"Shields up, red alert." He ordered.
Picard threw Geordi a glance that said for god sakes please figure out something. "I'll be on the bridge."
Riker rose from the command chair as Picard strode on to the bridge. His face wore a pensive expression as he settled into his chair.
"What's the word from Geordi?" Riker asked under his breath.
Picard just nodded a negative.
On the main viewer the two Destroyers loomed like two small moons and cast an eerie shadow over the bow of the Enterprise.
"Captain long range sensors show three more on an intercept course, they will arrive in eight minutes and forty-five seconds." Data reported.
"Keep an eye on them Data, Mr. Worf Hail them." Picard ordered.
"Enterprise, You will stand down! Prepare to be boarded!" An unfamiliar face said.
"Imperial vessel This is Captain Picard of the united federation of planets," Picard began as he rose from his command chair and straightened his uniform. "I must inform you that if you make any attempt to board this vessel I will retaliate. Not only will you suffer damage and loss of life but if I have no alternative I will destroy this ship and you will have no prize what so ever."
"Enterprise I must inform you my orders are to take you or destroy you. If you will not cooperate, than I will have no choice but to use force." The officer stated not sounding quite as confident as he had.
"They have severed communication and are powering weapons." Worf reported.
The first volley hit the Enterprise sending shudders through the ship, The shields held. The Star destroyers split and moved in opposite directions trying to flank the Enterprise. Tie fighters swarmed from the huge bellies of the ships. Commander Wedge Antilles and his dozen fighters swooped down to intercept, out numbered three to one. Chewie brought the Falcon around and let go with the underside sweep guns. The main viewer on board the Enterprise showed all of this as Picard gave the order to target the Star destroyers.
"So it begins." He muttered. "Fire"
"I don't think there's anymore you can do with that crystal." Luke said. Suddenly the ship lurched sideways sending a long mournful groan through the Tritanium sub structures in Engineering!
"Captain we are down to eighty percent on the shields!" Geordi said looking down at the read out.
"I need to get back to the Falcon." Luke yelled over the noise in engineering.
"I can arrange that, but it might be a minute." Geordi yelled back.
Suddenly it hit him! "Wait a minute! You can use this!" Luke said pulling his light saber from his belt.
"The crystal is smaller than the one you have but it is as pure as your going to get!"
Geordi started to argue but with another impact the Enterprise again lurched.
"Look, it's the only chance you have." Luke said, seeing the hesitation in Geordi's eyes.
Silently Geordi took the weapon and looked it over. The crystal would be much smaller but if it was as pure as Luke indicated than it would work.
"Thank you. Are you sure you want to do this?" Geordi asked.
"I can make another. But I really need to go." Luke said again.
"Chief O'Brien? I need you to do an emergency transport over to the Millennium Falcon."
"Acknowledged. I'll be in transport room three."
"Good luck Commander." Luke said as he turned to the escort Geordi had motioned over.
Watching him go Geordi touched his com badge. "Captain I have another crystal, give me two minute and we will have enough power to get us home."
On the Bridge Picard raised an eyebrow at Riker. It was welcome news and he would defiantly be looking forward to the report on how he had managed that.
"I'll do my best, Mr. LaForge." Picard answered.
"Captain 1 minute and twenty-six seconds until the other Star destroyers arrive." Data reported.
"Just keep the shields up. How are our friends doing?"
"They've lost two fighters but are holding their own. The Falcon has sustained minimal damage but is still in the fight." Worf said with some obvious pride. "and Luke Skywalker is back aboard the Falcon" He added.
"Data I want a course laid in at what ever warp Geordi can squeeze out of those engines. As soon as he's ready we go." Picard said hurriedly. He added; "Inform the Falcon on a secure channel that we will be making our jump momentarily. I believe they should be going as well."
Suddenly in a flash of light three Star Destroyers appeared. Tie fighters streaming into the fight.
"They don't waste much time do they?" Riker said.
"Captain the other ships are opening fire!" Worf growled.
"Return fire, photon torpedoes full spread!" Riker ordered.
"Captain Picard! How long until you can go? Luke yelled, his voice almost drowned out by the continuous firing of the quad laser cannons.
"We will be going as soon as........"
"Captain were ready!" Geordi's voice interrupted "I think we can get warp five, which should be enough."
"Were going now Mr. Skywalker, I advise you to do the same. Good luck!" Picard said.
"Data bring us around and get us out of here!"
Using the starboard thrusters the Enterprise slowly came around. Surrounded by the huge Imperial ships the depleted shields of the Enterprise absorbed the pounding of the innumerable laser cannons. Rocked by one volley after another the enterprise found her bearings.
"Engage!" Picard ordered.