Chapter 1: The Last Outpost
Buffy and Dawn had been on the Enterprise for a week. While they did study, and review the material to catch them up to the time period they now found themselves in, they were wary of Picard and his crew. After all Buffy had dealt with the Initiative and it had left a bitter taste in her mouth.
They had been taking a break in Ten Forward when the Enterprise had received orders to recover a T-9 energy converter that had been stolen from an unmanned monitor post on Gamma Tauri IV.
It was not long after as they chased a Ferengi ship that Buffy's spidey senses began to go off.
"Buffy?" Dawn said as she saw her sister look toward the big window that separated Ten Forward from the vacuum of space.
"I don't know, Dawn," Buffy said as she stood up and, followed by Dawn, left Ten Forward heading for the bridge.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
As Buffy and Dawn stepped onto the bridge they saw on the main viewscreen the Ferengi ship and a mysterious planet.
"Obviously, we've underestimated their technology, Captain…" Riker said.
Picard nodded as he stood up from his seat somewhat alarmed. "Considerably. It appears the Ferengi have us right where they want us - in their sights."
Buffy looked at the ship on the viewscreen and then shook her head. She then looked at the planet. Her senses were telling her whatever it was, was coming from the planet itself. "I don't think so."
"Ensign?" Picard said as he looked at Buffy.
"There is something we should tell you," Buffy said.
Picard frowned as he looked at the sisters. "Later."
"I think you might want to do that now, Captain," Dawn said. "Believe me, what we have to say, well …"
Picard sighed. "Get me answers, Number One," he said. "Ensigns, my Ready Room, now." He turned and led the sisters into his ready room. As the doors closed behind them he turned on Buffy and Dawn. "I know you both are new to our time and still learning shipboard operations. But this is my ship, my command. You follow my orders. Is that understood?"
"I don't play well with the military," Buffy said. "They and me are non-mixy things when they get themselves into situations that I have to get them out of. Such as the Initiative did back home."
"The Initiative?" Picard asked.
"It was a top secret military operation," Dawn said. "Devoted to studying what they called hostile sub-terrestrials. In other words, demons and vampires."
"Demons?" Picard said with a shake of his head. "And vampires. Maybe I should have Counselor Troi check you both out."
"Captain," Buffy said. "What do you know of your own history? Apparently not enough. Either that or even today they manage to stay hidden. Have you ever heard of the Slayer or the Watcher's Council?"
Picard shook his head as he turned his attention toward the ceiling as he spoke, "Computer identify the term Slayer."
"Working … Vampire Slayer. A young girl normally between the ages of 15 and 18 that is chosen to fight the demonic forces."
"Computer," Dawn said. "Do you have the prophecy of the Slayer on file?"
"Affirmative."
"Play it please," Buffy said.
A male voice came over the speakers that Buffy and Dawn instantly recognized as Angel's. "Into every generation, a slayer is born: one girl in all the world, a chosen one. She alone will wield the strength and skill to fight the vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness; to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their number. She is the Slayer."
"Computer," Picard said. "Where did that come from?"
"Section 10 archives."
"Section 10?" Picard asked unfamiliar with any so-called section of Starfleet.
"Formerly known as Slayer's Council. Formerly known as Watcher's Council."
"Who is the commanding officer of Section 10?" Picard wondered.
"Admiral Angel Summers."
Picard looked at the sisters. "Two things. Who is this Angel Summers could he be a distant relative of yours? And two what does this have to do with the two of you."
"Angel isn't a relative of ours," Dawn said. "He's a vampire. A good vampire that was cursed with his soul."
"And what this has to do with me," Buffy said. "Computer in the Section 10 archives, does it list Buffy Summers?"
"Affirmative."
"Type of record?" Picard asked.
"Biographical."
"Relate relevant information," Picard said.
"Buffy Summers, called as Slayer late in the year 1996. Disappeared Spring 2001. Notation, sister Dawn Summers disappeared same date."
"So, you are this Slayer?" Picard asked as Buffy nodded. "And that relates to this situation how? Because as it stands right now I see no relevance to the situation at hand."
"Slayer's have abilities far beyond the average human," Dawn said.
"I can run faster than probably most everyone on this ship," Buffy said. "I heal from just about any injury overnight. I get prophetic dreams. And I have what I termed spidey senses, it's a pop culture reference from our time. Usually it's something supernatural. My spidey senses are going off on that planet. Whatever is happening I bet it has to do with that planet."
Picard sighed, he wondered if Buffy had been genetically engineered. After all she and her sister were from the time of the Eugenics Wars in Europe and Asia.
"Captain," Dawn said. "I remember what was happening in Europe and Asia at the time we disappeared. While Buffy hates doctors and hospitals I am sure to ease your mind, she will agree to tests run by Doctor Crusher to prove she is not genetically engineered."
"Do that, now. Then we'll discuss this when she is done."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Beverly looked over the scans she was doing of both Buffy and Dawn. She shook her head. Dawn appeared to be far younger than she appeared, on the order of only a year. She knew from history that genetic engineering was possible, after all the Eugenics Wars of the period from which Buffy and Dawn had disappeared from had been fought by genetically enhanced humans. But to grow a person to the age of fifteen in a year was impossible even by the technology of the time. Then there was Buffy, her tests showed that Buffy was indeed enhanced but not by any genetic engineering. In fact, she could not tell how Buffy was enhanced. Medical scans revealed nothing. The only reason she knew Buffy was enhanced was because of the physical tests she had done. She had clocked Buffy able to lift two hundred pounds with little effort and run at least thirty miles an hour.
"Crusher to Bridge," Beverly said. "Captain, I have those results on Ensign Summers, both of them, that you wanted. You need to see this, sir."
"On my way."
Five minutes later Picard walked into Sickbay. "What do you have?" he asked.
"Buffy is enhanced," Beverly said. "But not by any genetic engineering. I can't determine how in fact. But Science definitely did not make her the way she is."
"What do you mean?" he wondered.
"She can lift me or you with ease," she told him. "She can outrun either of us by several times. And her healing. She allowed me to cut her. A small slice on her arm was healed all by itself with no help from me within minutes. But how she can do these things is beyond me. All the markers that would have shown she had been genetically enhanced are missing. Then there is Dawn …"
"Is she like her sister?"
"No," Beverly said. "She is only a year old."
"How is that possible?" Picard asked. He like Beverly knew that cloning technology in the late 1990s had not been advanced enough to produce a fully-grown person in less than a year."
"I don't know," Beverly said. "Do you remember the Traveler?" Picard nodded. "He told Dawn when he was trying to bring us home to reach down deep inside herself for the Key. I asked Dawn and Buffy what the Key was, or had been as Dawn is adamant now that it's gone. They told me that it is ancient magic that was designed to open the doorway between realities, all of them. It was how they got here, they said. And when the Traveler brought us home, Dawn said the Key was now gone."
"What does this have to do with her being only a year old?" he wondered.
"Dawn was created to house it. Before a year ago, she did not exist. I'm not sure I believe in real honest to god magic, but left without any other scientific explanation that is the only explanation I have left."
Picard let out a sigh. "What about the elder Summers sister's report of having extra sensory perception?" he asked.
"I don't know. Like the rest of her abilities it defies scientific explanation," Beverly said. "I could find no evidence that it existed. It's why I sent them to Counselor Troi. That and the determination of whether or not they could be …"
"Delusional," Picard finished. "The thought had crossed my mind as well when they mentioned demons and vampires."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Troi sighed as she, Buffy and Dawn sat across from Captain Picard in his Ready Room. "From what I sensed during their sessions. They are not in the least bit delusional. In fact, they believe one hundred percent what they are saying. Coupled with what Beverly found … I have to believe it is all true. Why the existence of vampires and demons are missing from our records is unknown. There is something else I discovered, Captain. Buffy and Dawn share a telepathic bond."
"How is that possible?" Picard asked.
"I have no idea," Troi said. "Before now no human I have ever encountered has ever shown the possibility of full blown telepathy. Take Commander Riker and myself when Will was stationed on my home planet. He became my Imzadi, the term loosely translated means beloved. It's how he and I are able to share our thoughts. But you and I can't. I can't read your mind because of my being only half-Betazoid. My mother could of course, but not I. A true telepath could read your mind and even transmit their thoughts to you. Buffy and Dawn are true telepaths, but only with each other. They have the equivalent of an Imzadi bond without being Betazoid or in romantic relationship."
Picard sighed. What he had heard had defied all explanation so far. For now, he decided to trust his officers and take what they were telling him as the truth. He would contact this Admiral Summers of Section 10 once their current mission was over. He looked at Buffy and Dawn. "Alright, while I am not sure I believe what I have been told. I trust my officers that it is true. I will be contacting your Admiral friend for more info after the resolution of our current mission. I want you two on the bridge. I want to know anything the moment you sense it. Is that understood?"
Dawn held up her hand to silence Buffy. She knew that Buffy would object and told her sister with her newfound ability that they should play along for now. "Yes, sir."
"Bridge to Captain Picard," came Data's voice from the captain's commbadge. "There is something you need to see."
Picard followed by Troi, Buffy and Dawn stepped out onto the bridge. "What is it, Data?"
"In my opinion, someone is reading every file, every bit of information stored in the Enterprise memory banks..." Data said.
"They can do that?" Geordi asked impressed.
"And more, perhaps," Data answered.
"Doctor Crusher to the bridge," Picard said and then looked around the bridge. "Conference evaluation." He then looked at Buffy and Dawn. "That includes you two."
"If I may recommend something, Captain, that we follow Ensign Summers' suggestion of checking the planet," Troi said.
Picard nodded in agreement as he looked at the cloud shrouded planet on the viewscreen. "Consult the charts on this planet, Data. See what we have on it in the library."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"No response on hailing frequencies?" Beverly asked.
"We had no response," Picard answered. "So, while we still have some power left, it is time for difficult decisions." A thin smile crossed his face. "While we cannot have a democracy aboard, I value your considered opinions."
"I say put all available power into a full-out combined phaser and photon torpedo salvo. Destroy their ability to sustain this forcefield, sir," Tasha suggested.
"Yes!" Worf agreed. "Hit them hard and hit them fast."
Buffy looked toward Dawn and shook her head.
"You don't agree, Ensign?" Riker asked noticing the exchange between the sisters.
"As we told the Captain," Buffy said. "What is happening to us is not from that ship but from the planet. Besides fighting is not always the answer. Not everything is evil."
"And you know this how?" Tasha asked.
"Buffy has some form of extra sensory perception," Troi said. "How I am not sure. Tests run by myself and Beverly could not find an explanation for Buffy's powers. But they are there. Of that we are sure of." She looked to Picard. "I suggest we talk to them."
"That has been tried; no response," Picard answered.
"But did we tell them anything they wanted to hear?" Troi asked. "If Buffy is correct and our predicament is coming from the planet, they too might be similarly affected."
"Any other observations?" Picard asked but received no response. "Thank you all for your advice and counsel. Now if you will excuse me, I'd like to be left alone with Commander Riker." As everyone including Buffy and Dawn left the conference room, Picard turned to look at his first officer. "As my first officer, I assume you fully realize our situation. Although the final decision must be mine, this is your opportunity to speak your mind."
"I believe we have covered all available alternatives, Captain, but..." Riker said. "Are there any other options you wish to analyze?"
"The only one left needs no conversation, Number One. And it is the only one we must avoid."
"Sir?" Riker asked slightly confused.
"Total annihilation," Picard answered.
"What about what Ensign Summers suggested?" Riker asked. "We know nothing of this planet. It is possible that she is correct that we share the same predicament. I recommend we explore that, regardless if we believe or not that she has these powers."
"They have been tested and shown to exist," Picard said with a sigh. He turned and looked out the conference room window at the vast emptiness of space. "Both Doctor Crusher and Counselor Troi examined the sisters at length. There is more troubling information that has not been made public yet." He turned back to Riker. "The computer confirmed the existence of demons and vampires through a previously unknown section of Starfleet."
"Unknown?" Riker asked. "How do we know about it then?"
"Good question, Number One," Picard said. "Computer state reason behind the clearance for access to Section 10 archives."
"Clearance was granted by Admiral Angel Summers," replied the computer. "And given to Ensign Buffy Summers and Ensign Dawn Summers."
"Why?" Riker asked both to the computer and his captain.
"Status for Ensign Buffy Summers is noted as reactivated. Status for Ensign Dawn Summers is noted as Watcher."
"How would this Admiral even know they're here?" Riker wondered. "And is he related to both Buffy and Dawn?"
"No on the relation," Picard said. "Supposedly he is a vampire cursed with his soul. And how he knows they would be here is well, my logs."
Riker nodded. "So, what does it mean she has been reactivated?"
"I expect it means that she is a Slayer again," Picard answered. "A person with the ability to fight these demons and vampires. I intend to contact this Admiral once where done here, for answers. But this ability to sense things that could be supernatural is the reason she and her sister were included in this meeting."
"If she is correct about the planet then," Riker said. "The Ferengi could be in the same predicament as we are. We should try to talk with them again and see what they know."
"Agreed," Picard said.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
"Open hailing frequencies," Picard said.
"Open, Captain," Data answered.
"Attention, Ferengi starship! This is Captain Picard. It is obvious we have a situation here that needs resolving... And we are willing to do whatever is reasonable and necessary. I would like... I would appreciate... discussing it with you."
"It's moving, sir," Riker said.
"We ask to surrender and now they fire on us?" Worf asked.
"Ready torpedoes, sir? There's enough power for a couple of them," Tasha suggested.
Picard nodded. "Ready," he said. "But hold at ready, Lieutenant." He turned his attention back to the Ferengi. "Ferengi vessel, we are awaiting your response."
"Suggest first strike, sir. Our shields now only have sixty-three seconds of power available before lowering," Tasha said.
"If the Ferengi ship's sensors can read us, sir, they will be waiting until we are most vulnerable..." Worf added.
"Despite what Ensign Summers has said about that planet," Riker said. "I have to agree with Lieutenant Yar. Since they haven't bothered to answer us..."
"I'll wait a bit more, Number One," Picard said.
"Fifty seconds...
"Patience. Patience..." Picard said.
At that moment, the sub-space channel crackled loudly. "The quicker we can come to terms, the better, NCC 1701-D," came the voice of a Ferengi over the comm system.
Everyone on the bridge noticed that they had audio only but no visual. Still they could tell that Picard was relieved.
"Who is speaking?" Picard asked.
"I am Taar. DaiMon of the Ferengi. You wished to discuss surrender, Captain Picard?"
"What I actually said, DaiMon, is..." Picard started to say. He wasn't interested in surrender not at this point just the return of the part as well as whatever was holding them there.
"UNCONDITIONAL..." Tarr interrupted. "... Surrender, I warn you, is... Totally unacceptable!
We will die to the last one of us before such dishonor!"
Picard made a slashing motion as he looked toward Tasha.
"Hailing frequency off, sir," Tasha said.
Picard looked to Riker. "It seems Ensign Summers is correct in her assumptions that what holds us likely originates from the planet since they're in the same predicament as us," he said. He glanced toward Data. "Launch a probe toward the planet. "He looked back at Tasha. "Back to hailing frequencies, fast." Tasha nodded as she reopened communications. "... and so, I regret DaiMon Taar that I can no longer negotiate unless it is conducted visually."
"Your complete message not received, Enterprise. But visual communication is against our custom."
"And it is against Starfleet orders to accept a surrender otherwise. Do you withdraw your surrender offer?" Picard asked.
"You give us no choice, Enterprise. May we have a visual on you too?"
"Agreed, DaiMon Taar. You should be able to view us now," Picard said. "Do you have us on your screen?"
"We... are now viewing you," Taar said as the viewscreen flicked and DaiMon Taar appeared on the screen. "I do not know how your twisted alien culture has paralyzed our vessel but I concede your 'Enterprise' is superior. We will return your worthless T-9 device and we offer the life of our second officers as required by the Ferengi code."
"I am relieved we have no such code involving our second officers," Data said.
"Is this to your satisfaction, Picard Captain?" Taar said.
"Your offer may be inadequate, but I will discuss it with my staff," Picard said. "Stand by for further communications."
Tasha once again closed the channel.
"Data?" Picard said.
"Probe has been launched and we should receive telemetry shortly. Until then, as requested, Captain," Data said, "library-computer information on this planet. It has been charted only, from long range scans. It is Class M, but with no indications of life forms, sentient or otherwise. However, you may find this of interest..." He touched a button on his console and a star map appeared on the screen with a comprehensible alien legend. "Resolving it into our language..." he touched a button and the legend translated into … TKON EMPIRE.
"A space federation of some sort. But I've never heard the word Tkon," Picard said.
"I have," Dawn said as everyone looked at her. She looked at her sister. "Giles, I think mentioned a race of demons, benevolent, that existed a very long time ago that might have been called Tkon."
"Giles?" Riker wondered.
"My Watcher," Buffy said with a sigh.
"Back in our original lifetimes," Dawn added.
"Go on, Data," Picard said.
"The Tkon have been extinct six hundred thousand of... of our years," Data said. "Though if what Ensign Summers is correct there might have been survivors that made their way to Earth after man evolved. According to... legend, these planets... were outposts... of that empire... Again, only legend, but it describes the Empire as impossibly huge and powerful."
"Surrounded by stars whose planets formed its defensive system?" Riker said eying the viewscreen.
Data nodded. "Correct, sir. Outposts. And the planet below was possibly one of them..."
"Captain," Tasha said, "we're now receiving a signal from the probe."
"On screen," Picard said.
The viewscreen flickered and an image showing the planet, the Enterprise and the Ferengi vessel replaced the star map. They could see that an energy field reached up from the planet surface and encompassed both the Ferengi vessel and the Enterprise.
"Incredible!" Geordi said.
Picard nodded as he looked toward the elder Summers sister. "Reaching up from the planet surface. What enormous power!" He looked at Data. "How does the legend describe the end of the Tkon Empire?"
"By their sun going supernova, sir," Data answered.
"Could this planet have escaped that?" Picard wondered.
Data touched his console and the viewscreen changed back to the star map. "This planet, Gamma Tauri IV, could have been the most distant outpost, sir, in theory. But since it shows no life form readings..."
"We'll have to look it over, Number One. Stand by with an away team," Picard said.
Riker stood. "And if the Ferengi also realize the forcefield emanates from the planet, sir?"
"That's a complication," Picard said as he considered what Riker said. "We may have to ask them to join us in this."
"Team up with the Ferengi, sir?" Geordi asked, surprised
"We were ordered to learn what we can about them," Picard said. "Do you know of a better way than that?"
"Ship's power drain is critical, Captain. I must now shut down our shields to maintain life support systems," Tasha said as she looked toward Picard.
Picard nodded. "Understood, Lieutenant. Open hailing frequencies."
Tasha tapped on her console. "Hailing frequencies open, sir."
"Ferengi vessel from Enterprise, this is Captain Picard. Come in," Picard said.
A second later Taar appeared on the viewscreen. "Your alien images again shock us," he said.
"DaiMon Taar, regarding your surrender to us, the facts are somewhat different..." Picard said.
"Our own probe has already shown us your trickery," Taar interrupted, angrily, "hu-man. We withdraw our surrender."
"Agreed, DaiMon. May this may be a far more productive relationship," Picard said.
"I prefer a profitable one, hu-man," Taar replied.
"Yankee Traders," Data whispered quietly to Picard.
"Explain. What means this yangeetraters?" Taar asked.
"He heard that?" Geordi asked, surprised.
Picard gave Data an irritated look as he searched for an answer to give Taar. "It... acknowledges your interest in profit, DaiMon Taar. Is that an incorrect assumption?"
"We seek only what is equitable," Taar answered. "What do you seek? Why did you begin by attacking us?"
Buffy glared at Picard. "Attack?"
Picard glared back at Buffy as he answered Taar and explained to her and Dawn the situation as well. "We did not attack. We gave chase in order to recover a Federation-owned energy device which..."
"... which we know is ours," Taar interrupted. "Your barbarous Federation chose to place it on one of our planets!"
"On the contrary, Gamma Tauri IV is recognized by all civilized members of..." Picard said.
"The Ferengi are not uncivilized," Taar said, outraged at the implication that he and his fellow Ferengi were indeed that, uncivilized, "hu-man! Is that what you suggest?!"
Picard took a breath and let it out slowly, this was not going well. "All I am trying to say is you have taken a device clearly not your own from..."
"Are you now calling us thieves?!" Taar asked incredulously
Picard decided to try a different tack with the Ferengi. "Certainly not. And I have no wish to argue issues of territory or property, when our mutual problem remains. Like it or not... We are both trapped by the power draining forcefield of this planet."
"On that matter, there can be no argument," Taar agreed.
"Might I propose a swap?" Picard asked.
Taar face grimaced at the word swap, "And... what is a szwop?"
"An exchange, a trade..." Picard answered.
"Yes, trade, hu-man. What is your offer?" Taar asked.
Picard was slightly relieved that they were finally making progress. "We will give you what we know," he said as he noticed a smile on Troi's lips. A smile that was echoed on both Buffy and Dawn's as well, "about the planet, and in trade, you will give us your information."
"Ridiculous. How will we know you have not cheated us?" Taar replied.
"We must trust each other, Taar," Picard answered.
Taar responded with a grating laugh at the idea of them trusting each other. "Amusing, hu-man. But impractical."
"Then may I propose we both cooperate in a joint examination of the planet surface?" Picard proposed.
"And what profit is in this, Picard Captain?" Taar asked.
"The profit, DaiMon Tarr, lies in saving all our lives," Picard replied.
Taar considered for a moment the proposal before nodding. "We will agree to this. But I warn you now, any further trickery on your part will be met with no mercy. Understood?"
"Understood," Picard answered. "If you care to join us, we have a well-proven transporter device which..."
"We have a matter-energy device of our own," Taar answered. "We will beam a science team of three to whatever coordinates you propose."
"Excellent. We will transmit that information shortly. Enterprise out," Picard said with a nod to Tasha.
"Hailing frequencies off," Tasha said.
"I'll log that as promising, at least," Picard said.
"I wonder, Captain. Ordinarily, I don't believe in distrust at first sight... but this may be an exception," Riker said.
"Especially in view of the fact the image he transmitted was likely distorted somehow, sir," Data agreed.
"I felt the same thing, Captain," Troi said. "He was hiding something."
At this moment Riker stood. "With this power drain I see no reason to delay, sir," he said as he looked aground. "I'd like some additional help on this. Can you spare Worf?"
Picard nodded. "Take him and Ensign Summers," he said as he motioned toward Buffy." Her senses did tip us off about the planet even if we did not listen in the beginning."
"Agreed," Riker said as he glanced at Buffy who reluctantly stood up.
"Be careful, Buffy," Dawn said.
"I think, Ensign," Picard said with a glance at Dawn, "that be careful should be extended to everyone beaming down," he looked at Riker who nodded.
Riker walked to the turbolift followed by Data, Geordi, Tasha, Worf and Buffy.
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
Buffy materialized in a desolate landscape, a little woozy from her first beam down. She looked around at the dimly lit world, she guessed it was late in the day. Suddenly lightning exploded abover and a dull thunder echoed across the landscape.
"Hello, child," came a voice from behind Buffy. "Welcome, home."
Buffy spun to see a tall human man wearing a fine long robe looking at her. "Home?"
"You are Tkon," the man replied.
"No," Buffy replied. "I'm human."
"You do not know your own ancestry, child," the man said. "Did you not know your own ancestry? Why you are gifted with gifts that those amongst you do not possess."
"You mean my being a Slayer," Buffy said with realization. "Magic gave me those gifts."
"Magic is what a lesser being identifies the forces that a higher being sees as science and technology," the man said.
Buffy looked at the man for a moment as thoughts spun through her head. Dawn had said that Giles had mentioned the Tkon being benevolent demons. What if the Tkon created the first Slayer. "So the Tkon …"
"Fought what you call demons and vampires," the man said. "Yes. The Nesuferitu , the ones you refer to as the Old Ones, are an enemy of the Tkon." He looked off towards something Buffy could not see. "It is time I believe I introduce myself to your friends."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
The Ferengi were clearly unafraid of the Enterprise crew and Tasha was alert with her phaser to keep them in place. Tasha noticed that one of the Ferengi looked to be asleep while the other two seemed to be walking away. She brought her phaser up: "Stop! Hold it right there!"
The two Ferengi ignore Tasha as there is another clap of thunder, this time closer and louder.
"Set for stun!" Riker ordered wondering where Buffy was. She was the only member of the away team that they had not found. He hoped that Picard's order to bring her along had not gotten her killed at the hands of the Ferengi.
"Already set," Tasha answered. She then noticed that the sleeping Ferengi was not actually asleep and he was suddenly moving for his whip. She fired her phaser but the beam suddenly arved and curved to encircle a large nearby crystalline tree. "What is going on?!"
The Ferengi grabbed his whip and snapped it. An energy burst akin to the phaser beam shot out at the Enterprise crew, but like the phaser beam it curved to encircle the tree again where it dissipated. "What is this?!" he said surprised.
"How intriguing," Data said. "I believe we can deduce these crystalline tree-shapes to be energy collectors."
Riker nodded in agreement. "Along the same principle that is draining energy from our ships."
"But the Ferengi weapons were working when we arrived here..." Geordi noted.
"Which means something new has happened..." Tasha said.
Tasha was interrupted by another blast of thunder which drew Geordi's attention to a clear spinning crystalline shape. "Commander," Geordi said as he motioned toward the crystalline shape.
"Be you barbarians? Speak!" the shape said, it's voice echoing with a bit of thunder. "Who meets the challenge?"
Geordi looked at Riker. "I'm beginning to understand what..." he said as he indicated his visor, "... these "eyes" have been showing me. Patterns of force everywhere. This entire planet has been made into... well, a power accumulator."
"And that?" Riker said indicating the crystalline shape.
"... is the whole point of this place. I can "see" the planet's power emanating from..." Geordi answered.
"Who will it be?" the shape said.
The previously sleeping Ferengi looked at Riker then his own people and then back at Riker. "Riker."
The shape looked at Riker. "You have awakened Portal Six-Three. Do you petition to enter the empire?"
"Who asks the question?" Riker wondered.
Suddenly there was a loud thunder clap and then the crystalline shape slowly became a humanoid man, tall, thin and in a fine long robe. The same man that Buffy had been talking to earlier. "I am the Portal, Guardian of the Tkon Empire."
"Why should we petition for entry to an empire that no longer exists?" Riker asked.
Portal examined everyone and then looked at Riker/ "Why do you attempt deception? The empire is forever."
Your empire fell prey to a supernova..." Riker said.
Portal scanned the cloudy sky above; he was concerned but wary of trickery. Especially when these people had brought to him a daughter of the same empire they said was gone. "Nonsense! Do you not admit having dealings with the Tkon, especially since you brought one of them here?"
Riker looked puzzled at Portal and then realized who Portal was talking about, the missing member of his away team, Buffy. This Portal must know where she was. He decided to keep his realization of that knowledge a secret till he figured how to get her released. "Data. Please repeat the file..."
"It is a matter of record, Portal, in the Age of Makto, the central star of the Tkon Empire destabilized and..." Data explained.
"But the Age of Makto is an eon in the future to come..." Portal interrupted.
"In fact, there have been many ages which have come and passed since Makto..." Data replied.
"This is the Age of Bastu!" Portal said.
Data was relentless in trying to explain the truth to Portal. He too had figured out who the Portal had been referring to. "I am afraid not, as by the Tkon use of galactic motionary startime charts, after Bastu, there has been Cimi, Xora, Makto, Ozari, Fendor..."
"Enough," Portal snapped out in anger. "This is absurd! That is over seven baktun of time! How can this be?"
"It is true," came the voice the Enterprise crew recognized as Buffy. She stepped out of a mist behind Portal. "Portal, I know nothing about your calendar. But from what I was told my ancestors left the Tkon Empire a very long time ago. Probably made their way to various worlds including mine."
"You must have been asleep, Portal, for hundreds of thousands of our years..." Riker said happy that Buffy had been found. Though he was looking forward to briefing her on this.
The Ferengi stepped forward, acting polite and humble. He indicated the Enterprise crew as he addressed Portal. "Deception is the way of these hu-mans. We Ferengi will gladly make a petition."
Buffy frowned as she glared at the Ferengi. Her spidey senses were no longer going wide at the planet itself but at the Ferengi. She took a step forth to place herself between Portal and the Ferengi and his people.
"We invite their petition," Riker said with a glance at Buffy.
"We do not accept their petition," Buffy said.
"Your senses tell you something," Portal asked Buffy.
"Deceit," Buffy replied.
Portal nodded as he looked at the Ferengi. He too had sensed it from the Ferengi. "I will let them speak," he said more to Buffy than anyone else.
Buffy nodded but did not move on the ready for treachery.
"We... our petition is that we be allowed to... serve the Tkon Empire..." the Ferengi said, "... at no profit! Return control of our starship to us and we will happily destroy both the hu-man criminals and their vessel which attacked us without provocation. They came to loot your empire, but we intercepted them! And there is even more! We can prove the hu-mans are destroyers of legal commerce ... also that they selfishly withhold vital technology from backward worlds..."
"... and necessary defensive weapons, too. We Ferengi are now challenge this hu-man madness..." one of the other Ferengi said.
"I admit we restrict advanced technology to all..." Riker answered.
"You see! They are demented; their values are insane. You cannot believe the business opportunities they destroy..." said the third Ferengi.
"Proof of their barbarism – they adorn themselves with gold," said the Ferengi leader as he indicated the commbadges on each of the Enterprise crew's chests, "a despicable use of rare metal..." He looked at Tasha and then at Buffy. "And they shamelessly clothe their females..."
The second Ferengi leered at both Tasha and Buffy. "Inviting others to unclothe them... the very depth of perversion..." He said as he reached for a pawhold on Tasha's uniform in disgust. He suddenly found a hand gripping his arm painfully strong.
"Paws off," Buffy said with a growl.
"No female, hu-man or Ferengi, can order Mordoc around! Submit!" the second Ferengi, Mordoc, said.
"Just try it," Buffy growled.
"At ease, Ensign!" Riker ordered.
Buffy released Mordoc and looked at Riker nodding. She then turned to Tasha and smiled. "You okay?"
"Yes, thank you," Tasha replied.
Geordi was astonished at Buffy's display. "I apparently wouldn't mess with Ensign Summers if I were you..." he said before glancing toward Riker. "But maybe they'd like to find out the hard way, eh, Number One?"
Riker nodded as he remembered what Picard had told him. "Seems their style," he said. He then looked at Portal. "Would you like to hear more?"
"If you desire," Portal said.
Riker gestured to Data, who willingly obliged. "They should add also that Starfleet has refused to prevent several civilizations from falling; we have sometimes let the violent and strong overcome the weak..."
"They admit their crimes!" The Ferengi leader said. "Hear them; they admit the evil which they... !"
There is a clap of thunder as Portal seemed to get younger, more muscled and his robe grew shorter. In his hand appeared a large, lethal appearing scimitar-like weapon. He turned to Riker. "Barbarian!"
"Yes, you show wisdom..." the Ferengi leader said.
"Barbarians, all!" Portal said indicating everyone. He then looked at Riker. "But this one first. In the fashion the Empire has always challenged savages..." He jumped forward.
"No! For battle, come to me..." Worf yelled about to jump between Riker and Portal. He found himself face to face with Buffy. Who was in a fighting stance.
"You have a single chance for life," Portal said. "One only. What is the answer to my challenge?"
"There is more! Self-determination of all peoples..." Riker said.
"You are being tested, Riker!" Portal interrupted. "What is the answer."
Riker looked at Buffy wondering, not for the first time, exactly how long she had been with Portal. He was certain how Portal had learned his name. When Riker did not answer, Portal rushed him, the scimitar held high. Riker stood fast as Portal cut through the air in an unstoppable overhead sweep... Then, the ugly looking weapon stopped a couple millimeters from Riker's head! Riker remained motionless, even calm, serene...
"Ahhh," Portal said. "You are of immovable mind, Riker. One totally committed to facing any fate with composure... But what is the answer to my challenge?"
"Fear is the true enemy, the only enemy," Riker answered.
Portal tossed his weapon aside as he motioned at Buffy who relaxed. "Buffy was correct in her own way of telling things. You are a noble being. And unlike these little ones who close their minds, your mind holds interesting thoughts," he said. "Know your enemy and know yourself, and victory will always be yours. Why that thought? And who is this "Sun Tzu" you revere?"
"An old Chinese philosopher from ancient Earth history..." Riker answered.
"You must tell me more of this wisdom so much like our own," Portal answered as Buffy fell in step with him and Riker.
"Gladly. First, our starship. Can you release it?" Riker answered.
Portal nodded as he looked upwards. "It is released. All power is restored." He looked at Buffy and Riker. "I admit I had my doubts as your ships battled each other..."
"They tried to kill us!" The Ferengi leader cried out.
"In overt acts of belligerence," Portal said as he ignored the Ferengi. "Normally, I would have destroyed all of you and your ships, then I sensed Buffy. I would have transported her off your ship before destroying it, but something confused me."
"Which was?" Riker wondered.
"First you wanted to murder each other, then you were willing to help each other," Portal answered.
The Ferengi leader not one to be ignored, roughly forced himself in front of Riker, his cohorts nearby. "What of our vessel? We knew the same answer..."
"The truth is I gave those words to this hu-man," Mordoc added.
"What of them? Shall I destroy them?" Portal asked.
"Then they would learn nothing," Riker answered. He noticed a smile on Buffy's face.
"Admirable conclusion. But what makes you think they will ever learn, Riker?" Portal wondered.
"Is this a test also?" Riker wondered after a moment's hesitation.
"In life, one is always tested," Portal answered.
"Was Buffy?" Roler wondered.
"Even she," Portal said.
Riker nodded understanding what was going on with Buffy. If she was as Portal said a daughter of the Tkon Empire. She had to have the same beliefs they did. Hence why she confronted both Mordoc and Worf. "I find them very much as we were a few hundred years ago, around the time Buffy herself was born... but with the technology we have now. They're very dangerous..."
"Untrue! We seek friendship with you..." the third Ferengi said.
"But we can hardly hate what we once were. They may grow and learn..." Riker said.
"... And learn ways of destroying you," Portal said.
"That is after all why they have me," Buffy said as Portal nodded. He smiled at her. "You and your sister are definitely daughters of Tkon."
"What of you? With your empire gone...? And Buffy and Dawn being possibly the last of your people."
"Even without the empire, with our children out amongst the stars, the uncivilized must be tested," Portal said. "I shall sleep... until needed again."
0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
A week later the Enterprise pulled up beside the U.S.S. Sunnydale.
"Captain, Admiral Summers is requesting permission to beam aboard," Tasha said.
"Permission granted," Picard said as he got up from his command chair. "I will meet him in my ready room.
"He is also wanting both Ensign Summers to join you."
Picard nodded as he looked to Riker/.
"Ensign Buffy Summers and Ensign Dawn Summers, report to the Captain's ready room," Riker said.
"On our way," Dawn replied.
Picard entered his ready room; he didn't have to wait long before Angel, Buffy and Dawn entered. He could tell the sisters were happy at seeing an old friend. "Admiral," he said.
"Captain," Angel replied and then he let his face morph into its vampiric visage. "I hope that answers your questions about demons and vampires being ready."
"Slightly," Picard said. "Truth be told you could simply be a race of shapeshifter."
"True," Angel replied. He then handed Picard a tricorder.
Picard scanned Angel and his eyes widened. What he saw was proof enough that Angel was indeed a vampire.
"Now, Captain," Angel said, "Buffy and Dawn are hereby promoted to full ensigns. Their Starfleet commissions are activated immediately."
"The Academy?" Picard wondered if Angel was bypassing what traditional Starfleet officers had to go through to serve on a Starfleet vessel.
"Section 10," Angel said," has special jurisdiction when it comes to Slayers. Field commissions are always granted the moment a Slayer is activated. A special circumstance of course is happening with Buffy and Dawn since they are three hundred years out of time."
Picard nodded. "I will make notation …"
"From this moment on Buffy and Dawn's records are classified. Any mention of them in official records will mention brief accounts. Your briefings to me of course will have full details," Angel said as Picard nodded. He looked at the Summers sisters. "Buffy, you will need to work with Captain Picard. Willow told me about the Initiative and I know you have reservations about working with the military. But things have changed in three hundred years. Section 10 follows what you set forth three hundred years ago. "
Buffy sighed. "Okay, Angel, but only because you said so."
Angel smiled and kissed Buffy on the cheek before turning to Dawn. "Dawn, you will be Buffy's Watcher from this point forward."
Dawn nodded. "Of course, Angel.