A note from the author, T'Son,

Here we go, boldly going where no one has gone making allies and enemies. Some may accuse me for following Voyager's storyline a bit too close, but I can assure you I am not and I will not. References to Voyager will be made throughout the series. No copy write infringement intended.

"The Big Bang, Part II"

Last time on Star Trek: Plato

"Sir, the Paris is ready to enter the wormhole!"

"Admiral, anti-proton emitions have increased inside the nebula."

"SIR! I've lost helm control!"

"It's going to blow sir!"

"Damage report?" "Sir, the Computer is offline."

"What is it ensign?" "Sir, According to the Paris, we're in a mirror universe of an alternate timeline!"

And now the conclusion...

Admiral Jefferson finally arrived at Main Engineering. "Damage report Mr. Kovit!" He said as he looked towards his chief engineer.

"Fairly good sir," The Bajorian said appreciatively, "I have shields, sensors, propulsion, and communications back online. Still working on weapons and other systems." Jefferson smiled.

"You're my miracle worker Kovit!" He said as he patted the engineer on the shoulder. Kovit smiled warmly and then the sounding of battle stations broke the calm.

"Red Alert!" The familiar voice of his first officer, Captain Alexandria, yelled through the COMM system, "All hands to battle stations!"

"Computer," Jefferson said with a moan, "are the turbolifts online?"

"Affirmative." The computer responded in its monotone voice. Jefferson smiled and ran to the lift.

"Bridge!" He ordered. Finally, he arrived at his destination and stepped onto the bridge. "Report!" he said as the ship shook violently.

"It appears we are under attack by Federation-type ships...though they clearly aren't federation." Lt. Grener said as he looked to the admiral, "The flanking ships appear to be a variation of the Nebula class starship...the lead ship is nothing like what we have with Starfleet."

"Hail them!" The Admiral ordered. To his surprise, a face did appear on the viewscreen, and a human one.

"This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Terran Imperial Starship Enterprise, stand down and prepare to be boarded." Jefferson turned to Grener and gave the gesture to mute audio. Grener did so and Jefferson looked toward T'Riel. "Commander, I thought the Terran Empire didn't exist..." Jefferson stopped realizing this was the mirror universe on an alternate timeline. He sighed thinking about the paradox.

"Sir!" Lt. Grener interrupted, "I'm reading what appears to be a fleet of Cardassion and Klingon vessels, the Terran ships have broken formation and are preparing to engage them." Jefferson quickly took a seat in his chair.

"Well," Jefferson said as sweat ran down his forehead, "Let's take a rain check on the show! Ensign Robbins, take us away from the action, ahead full impulse!"

"Aye sir!" The ensign responded.

"Sir..." Grener said as Jefferson turned to him, "I'm reading 5 Ferengi ships dropping out of warp." There was a long pause. "Sir," Grener said with a confident tone of voice, "They're drawing cover fire...they're hailing us!"

"On screen!" Jefferson ordered to see a Ferengi Dai'Mon on the screen.

"Captain," The Ferengi said in a voice not common to the Ferengi Jefferson had met...but this was of course an alternate mirror universe, "We have detected your ship was in distress and we are here to assist. No charge for the assistance...perhaps we can help restock your ships and repair your ship for a modest fee."

"Of course!" Jefferson said with a smile, "Right now, let's try and get..."

"Sir!" Grener interrupted again, "I'm reading a huge ship...dropping out of...some type of speed...it's sending a message to all the ships in the area."

"On speakers!" Jefferson said as he noted the Ferengi Dai'Mon was getting nervous.

"This is Del Mondon of the Werthian Order Ship DeGross," a furry humanoid life form said confidently, "You will all be eradicated!" A harsh green beam filled the system and the Terran and Alliance ships' hulls were buckling.

"Admiral!" The Dai'Mon said in alarm, "We're towing you at warp speeds, hope you don't mind, Dai'Mon Jert out!"

"Well," Jefferson sound aloud as the screen went off, "I guess we don't have any reason to object...they seem friendly enough, perhaps we can resupply and repair at Ferenginar."

"Quite a first day!" His first officer, Captain Alexandria remarked with a smirk.

"Indeed!" Admiral Jefferson replied with a smile. "Stand down Red Alert...and open a COMM channel throughout the ship and uplink with our fleet of five!"

"Aye sir," T'Riel responded as she carried out the order. "Channel open."

"We have embarked upon a grand new adventure," Jefferson began as he stood up from his chair, "we have a rare opportunity here to meet new worlds and civilizations, everything starfleet stands on. However, we are unfortunately out of touch with our world." Jefferson paused, "This reminds me of the starship Voyager which recently returned to Earth...but things are different even then their situation. Like Voyager, we've made some friends, enemies and we've encountered the unknown. Unlike Voyager, we've been able to ascertain a few facts that might prove useful. Our primary mission is clear; we must find some way to return to our timeline and our universe, but what starfleet regulation says we can't have a little adventure along the way? I fear this could be a long journey but we'll have to make the best of it. Working together I am confident that this fleet of 5 ships will carry the banner of our Federation proudly through this strange new worlds. We will indeed begin exploring space, the final frontier, we will be traveling the unknown seeking out new life, new friends, new resources, and new civilizations...and yes, we will boldly go where no one has gone before." Jefferson hit the button to terminate the speech and applause erupted on the bridge. "Well Jefferson," He thought to himself, "Perhaps Professor Marcus was wrong, I can influence people with my speaking."

END CHAPTER