Author's Note:

Starfleet ship capabilities

I have assumed that the AU Galaxy and Nebula classes are significantly more potent than the standard versions. Here are the changes.

1. Double the number of shield emitters

2. Galaxy has two forward and two rear torpedo launchers. The Galaxy has an additional launcher underneath the saucer. The single rear launcher has been replaced with dual launchers. Nebula has six forward and four rear. All launchers are in the pod.

3. Both ships can fire up to 6 torpedoes per launcher every 5 seconds

4. Photon torpedo strength has a maximum of 64 megatons (online sites vary. Most sites I've seen seem to agree that the standard is 45 megatons. I assumed that the AU ships should be closer to the theoretical strength of 64. I am not using Type VI from Voyager (200 megatons). That seems overpowered.

5. Galaxy has dual phaser arrays on the saucer's top and bottom, close to the outer rim. The ship also has several additional phaser banks around the vessel for added firepower. Galaxy and Nebula [RR1] also have point-defense phasors for anti-missile defense.

6. Galaxy has dual warp cores, the second used to power defensive systems. IMO one doesn't make sense for a dedicated battleship. Nebula also has dual warp cores, only smaller.

U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-C

-The year 2343-

Narendra System

"Approaching the Narendra system, Captain," Lt. Castillo reported from the helm.

The Enterprise-C had received a distress call from the Klingon outpost on Narendra III, claiming to be under attack from Romulan Warbirds. Garrett ordered the ship to set course for the system at maximum warp. Given the unprovoked nature of the attack, she wasn't going to take any chances.

"Red alert. Slow to impulse. Report," Garrett ordered as she looked at the tactical display on the main viewer.

"Two Romulan Warbirds detected in orbit of Narendra III. They're firing disruptors on the surface," Garrett heard from the weapons officer.

"Hail them."

"No response, Captain."

Garrett watched the attack continue on the viewscreen. She considered her next move carefully as she wanted to avoid an armed confrontation with the Romulans, if possible.

"Fire a warning shot at the Romulans."

"Shot fired, Ma'am."

Moments later, the ship was struck by disrupter fire from both port and starboard sides. The ship shook violently from the attack.

"Report!" Garrett ordered.

"Romulan Warbirds have decloaked both port and starboard sides. They're firing disruptors."

"Return fire. Come to course 211 mark 115, one-third impulse."

"Captain, the Warbirds have left the colony and are on an intercept course," the Ops officer reported.

"Evasive maneuvers. Target closest ship and fire." Garrett didn't like their odds against two Warbirds. Against four, she knew they had no chance. However, she was committed to trying to save the colony.

"Minor damage to target starboard shields."

"Captain, shields are down to 70% and dropping. We won't last long against four Warbirds," Garrett her from her first officer.

"Acknowledged. Increase speed to full impulse. We'll try to lure them away from the colony. Contact Starfleet to update them on our situation."

Deep Space 6 - Rigellian System

-The year 2366-

The starbase had been the scene of several significant battles throughout the war. The Klingons had gained temporary possession of the system at three instances during the 20-year war, only to lose it to an overwhelming Starfleet counter-attack. The system was now heavily fortified with defensive satellites, mines, and significant fleet assets. The Klingons would incur substantial losses if they attempted to attack. This system was about as safe a place that now existed on the front lines.

"The admiral will see you now, Captain."

Captain Jean Luc Picard had been called to Vice Admiral Hansen's office just as his ship was being prepped for its scheduled departure to join the 9th fleet. Picard had been a close friend of the admiral for over 20 years, so he thought it quite strange to receive a summons from Ensign Grey, the admiral's assistant.

Standing up, he looked into the tired ensign's eyes, nodded, offered a simple "Thank you, Ensign," and walked into the admiral's office.

JP Hansen was a 32-year Starfleet veteran and commander of all forces in the sector. He was well respected by Starfleet Command and field officers alike due to Hansen's successes on the battlefield. He wasn't a political admiral, unlike many who held positions of power in Starfleet during the early years of the war. Hansen's office was adorned with pictures from his early days in Starfleet. The names and faces of former classmates and shipmates that, in many cases, were no longer alive. Casualties of war.

Picard entered the admiral's office. He noticed that the lights were dimmer than usual, which set a somber tone. JP Hansen was always one of the most positive people he had ever known. Picard could only imagine the topic of this discussion for Hansen to be negatively impacted.

He recognized that something was wrong right away, as instead of standing to greet him, Hansen remained seated with a sullen look on his face. Picard quickly realized that this was no social call.

"You wanted to see me, Admiral," Picard asked while standing at attention in front of Hansen's desk.

Hansen, who felt the weight of his emotions weighing heavily on him, extended his arm for Picard to take a seat. "Yes, Captain. Please be seated."

There were no words spoken between the men for almost a minute before Picard decided to break the silence. "JP, I don't think I've ever seen you look so grim. Is there something that I can do for you?"

Hansen sighed as his shoulders slumped slightly. "Unfortunately, Jean Luc, there is." He paused briefly before continuing. "I met with Starfleet Command earlier today, and the news was not good. We continue to suffer more losses than victories. Intel expects the Klingons to launch a major offensive very soon based on our intercepted communications during the last 24 hours. Tactical concurs based on observed fleet movements from multiple Klingon fleets. We'll have to adjust our fleet positions accordingly."

Hansen stood up from behind his desk and looked out the window before he continued. "This is where you come in, Captain. I will reassign most fleet assets in this system to counter this anticipated offensive. There are those of us who believe that this could be a feint by the Klingons to force us to overcommit our forces, only to strike us in our exposed flanks."

Hansen then turned to face Picard before he continued. "We need to do something to let the Klingons know that we won't just roll over and wait for them to attack us. I want you to command a small strike force tasked with attacking softer but strategic targets within Klingon space. Maybe they will reconsider their attack whenever it comes."

"How small of a strike force are we talking about," Picard asked, who tried hard to reserve judgment on the plan.

"No more than ten ships. Four ships will accompany you when you get underway. Five additional ships will join you when you meet the 9th fleet," came Hansen's reply.

"JP, this is a suicide mission! Starfleet has never had any success with previous strike attempts. What makes them think that this time will be any different? We'd be lucky to survive our first engagement," Picard said, still somewhat unsettled by the order.

Hansen returned to his seat. He understood what Picard felt because he felt it himself. "Jean Luc, I must be honest with you. We are desperate. Starfleet Command believes that the Federation will have no choice but to surrender within six months. If successful, the results of your strike force may only delay the inevitable. You are one of my best friends. I know what I am asking you to do, and I don't like it one bit."

Picard's face was expressionless when he responded: "You have effectively given me, and every member of the strike force, a death sentence."

Hansen's expression became almost that of a statue. "I know. Believe me, if there were any other options, I would consider them. Unfortunately, this is the last card I have left to play."

"Things are that bad?" asked a now very somber Picard.

"Unfortunately, yes. Our failure to truly take this war seriously in the beginning has proven to be our undoing. Your strike force will most likely represent the final offensive move made by Starfleet in this war."

Picard didn't know what to think after hearing this. He suspected things weren't going well based on recent fleet after-action reports. However, this was an entirely new revelation. To think that the Federation would have to surrender to the Klingons was beyond depressing.

His thoughts then shifted to the new orders that he had been given. Death was always a primary consideration in every engagement. However, this was different. For the first time, he was asked to overcome impossible odds to achieve a victory: any victory. Even if his strike force survived, it would probably make no difference.

Ultimately, Picard set aside his doubts and fears. He was a starship captain, and he had a duty to perform. He stood up, pulled the hem of his uniform to smooth out the wrinkles, and then extended his hand to Hansen. "When do we get underway?"

"Tomorrow, 0800," replied Hansen as he stood to shake Picard's hand. "Oh, one more thing, Captain. I am promoting you to Rear Admiral. I don't want any doubts about who is in command of the strike force. Besides, you have more than earned it."

"Thank you, Admiral."

"Jean Luc, I would appreciate it if you would join me for dinner tonight. It would mean a lot to me."

Picard smiled and replied, "To me as well. I'll be there. Is there anything else that you would like to discuss?"

A now somewhat more relaxed Hansen shook his head. "Not at the moment. I want you to know that this has been the most difficult order of my career. Thank you for making it easier for me."

Picard replied, "I understand. Trust me, I understand."

U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-C

-The year 2343-

Captain Rachel Garrett had just recovered from yet another hit on her ship. The battle with the Romulans had been underway for only a few minutes, but it felt significantly longer. She took a look around the bridge and made a quick assessment of their current situation; it was terrible. Every station had been damaged; the air was thick with smoke. Barely functional consoles and emergency lighting provided the only illumination. Static covered the feed on the main viewer in static. Several crew members were injured or worse. She was proud that her crew continued to fight despite the odds. However, it was apparent that they were losing this battle and would most likely not survive.

The odds were stacked against them even before the battle began. The one-ship garrison was quickly destroyed before it could fire a single shot. Once Enterprise-C joined the battle, the situation changed only slightly. One Warbird had been destroyed, while another had been disabled. That left two fully functional Warbirds against a now heavily damaged Enterprise-C. Garrett knew that there was no way that they could defeat those ships in their current condition.

"Commander Zh'erhosrohr, what is our status?" she asked, trying to sound calmer than she felt.

The Andorian first officer, who had moved to the Tactical station when Lt. Lee was killed, looked at her barely functional console. There were red indications everywhere. "Captain," she replied with anger in her voice, "main power is offline. Our shields are down, and weapons are offline! I recommend that we withdraw and effect emergency repairs."

They wouldn't get far without main power. The ship had lost warp drive earlier in the battle, which meant that escape would be impossible and, more importantly, limited available power for their defensive systems.

"Helm, plot a course. 115 mark 21, best speed," ordered Garrett.

As the ship slowly moved to the new course, Garrett saw the two Warbirds come in for what she figured was the final pass. 'This was it, she realized. Just as she was going to give the order to abandon ship, she heard the Andorian's voice for the last time.

"Four incoming torpedoes! All hands brace for impact!"

Rachel Garrett closed her eyes and waited for the inevitable.

U.S.S. Phoenix NCC-65420

-The year 2366-

Captain Ben Maxwell had just returned to his quarters after leaving the briefing given by now Rear Admiral Picard. They were being sent on a mission of utmost importance to Starfleet and the Federation. However, he and everyone else saw it for what it was: a desperate attempt for victory. They also knew something else: they were all likely going to die.

Since losing his wife and daughter to the Klingons ten years ago, he had dedicated himself to avenging them in the only way available to him. He was going to kill as many Klingons as possible and do whatever it took to help Starfleet defeat the Klingons once and for all.

Now it seemed as though he wouldn't get the chance, and it made him angry. The more he thought about the orders, the more upset he became. Maxwell ultimately reached for the one thing that always brought him peace.

He sat down at his desk and started to play a video of his family, which allowed him to remember the happier times when he felt that his life still had meaning. Since Maxwell's family died, revenge was all that mattered to him. Unfortunately, it never seemed to matter how many Klingons he killed; the pain always remained. Nothing seemed to soothe it. Nothing seemed to fill the void left by the loss of his family.

Maxwell sat in the darkness of his quarters as the video finished, as was his nightly ritual. However, tonight was different. For the first time in years, he shed a tear. He felt he had failed them and could no longer honor their memory and his commitment to avenge them.

Then something clicked within Maxwell. He decided that if he were being asked to throw his life away on a futile mission, the Klingons would be made to suffer just as much as Maxwell. The years of anguish would become pure rage as he destroyed as many Klingon warships as possible. Maxwell had now found his purpose for completing his final mission. He was going down fighting, and he would take down as many Klingons as possible with him.