Chapter 56
Three Relics
On board USS Andromeda II
Babylon 5 Space Station
May 22, 2271 7:30am
Starfleet Engineer General Montgomery "Scotty" Scott had always been a hands-on kind of man. His position in Starfleet these days was mainly serving as a consultant, but since he hated sitting behind desks, he mainly lived out of his suitcase. He had been trapped in a transporter for three quarters of a century until being freed by the crew of the old Enterprise-D, and, in the decade since then, he had not only caught up with all the modern technology that he'd missed out on, but even made some of his own innovations as well.
But even he was amazed at the technological marvels that the Legendora were giving the Federation, along with the Earth Alliance and the remaining Earth Defense Force ships. Several more were due to arrive later on that day, and Scotty had to find some way to edge them into his schedule, which was already packed. Babylon 5's commanding officer, Captain Elizabeth Lochley, had managed to get him quarters on the station with a hot shower, but he was hardly there as it was. Just to grab a quick nap, shower, and put on a fresh uniform, and then try and grab something to eat, because his body needed fuel as well as the engines he tended did.
He was assisting the engineering crew with the installation of a new conduit to the bridge when his communication link beeped. As usual, he was on his back putting it in as the others assisted him as best they could. They knew that he'd probably push them out of the way and do it himself anyway, so why delay the old man from doing what he wanted to begin with?
He tapped his comm badge and answered the hail, "Scotty here. What is it?"
"It's Captain Habib, sir. The EDF ships have just come through the time rift in Sector 14, and you asked me to let you know when they arrived."
"Aye, thank you, Captain! How many ships are there, per chance," Scotty replied in his Scottish hilt.
"Reading...ten...no, make it twelve. Sensors had to compensate for the rift, but we have confirmation of a dozen EDF ships. They should be in orbit of Epsilon Eridani 3 within four hours."
Scotty chuckled, "No rest for the weary, eh Captain?." He sighed and added, "I'll be up there shortly." He then turned to one of the engineers, toss him the spanner that he was using and said, "I've had my fun for the day. Now all of you fine fellows and lasses can have at it!" With another chuckle, he walked away from the corridor and towards a tubecar.
Meanwhile, while Scotty was making his way to the bridge, Dan Tanner, Lyta Alexander, and Byron were assembled near a shuttle in docking bay 21. "Are you sure you want to do this, Byron? The last time I was there,the sensation was a bit overwhelming, even for me."
"Look, my love, I need to see this man. If he has any more idea of our origins, I would love to find out about them. And besides, we need all the help we can get in the coming war. The telepaths who came with me are reluctant to enter this fray, but Wildstar and Ashcroft helped to convince them to join them in this war. It's my responsibility to give them all the chance I can to survive the battles that lie ahead."
Lyta nodded and walked into the shuttle, followed by Byron. Dan Tanner made one last check of the exterior of the shuttle, then climbed inside himself. He knew of Kevin Vacit and his history, and the fact that Lyta and Garibaldi had encountered him on an alien world in an unchartered sector of space. President Hollifield had warned him to be careful, and to take along a tricorder and any other equipment he needed from the Wildstar, and Ashcroft had signed off on that request. So, in addition to the usual scanners that an Earthforce atmospheric shuttle would normally have, he had decked the ship out with an array of Federation-brand equipment. The tireless Scotty even pitched in some time to assist the android once known as Data with his mission.
They took off and soon exited the entrance to the station. Tanner set the shuttle on course to the jumpgate, which received the proper codes and, with a sparking display of energy, opened up a vortex into hyperspace. He linked the shuttle's tracking system with the gate's beacon, as well as his own internal systems. After a couple of more jumps, they would meet up with a Whitestar and make their way to the planet where Vacit resided.
After the shuttle entered the jumpgate, Scotty was beamed from the Andromeda II to an empty office that served as Babylon 5's improvised transporter room. Scotty had designed it himself, and he personally trained the station's crew on its operation. The buffers weren't quite to his liking, but they did the job well enough. He materialized in the room, greeted by Captain Lochley and Yamato's Captain Wildstar.
Lochley nodded at Scotty and said, "Good to see you again, General. If you'll come this way..." She extended her arm, indicating the doorway leading out of the office. Scotty sighed, still not used to someone who was as formal in her duties as Lochley was. She didn't notice his sigh, or, more likely he thought, she pretended not to notice it. Wildstar, on the other hand, did notice and shot him a little smile, indicating he had the same trouble with her as Scotty did.
They arrived at Command and Control just as the remaining ships from the EDF entered into the space around the station. Lt. Saed El Haudori was at the main station, and he nodded to the threesome as they came around the railing to stand beside the station.
To Scott's surprise, the Arab spoke in with a soft accent from the southern region of the old United States. "Sir, we're getting a message from the Arizona. Her captain's hailing us."
Lochley nodded and said, "Put it through!"
The image of the captain of the Arizona came through, and Derek was shocked at who he saw. "Greetings, Captain Lochley. I am Captain Abraham Avatar of the Arizona. We have come for the offer to be refit with the Legendoran technology."
"Confirmed, Captain Avatar. Welcome to Babylon 5," she replied, and turned in time to see Derek Wildstar faint to the deck.