Chapter One: Revelations

Captain Jean-Luc Picard restlessly rolled over in his bed and tried to find a more comfortable position. His mind raced through the many events of the last few weeks.

The faces of William Riker and Deanna Troi, Data and Shinzon floated in front of his mind's eye, the events that surrounded them playing out again and again as he tried to sleep… as the tried to find peace.

Shinzon, his evil twin… a clone, came forward screaming at Picard, his killer. A sadness filled Picard. Shinzon was very much the victim of circumstance. The result of a botched Romulan plan, Shinzon was created to take Picard's place and plunge the Federation into war with the Klingon Empire. The plan was scrapped after a change in Romulan politics. Shinzon had been just a young boy in appearance when he was summoned to a secret meeting to decide his fate. The Romulans decided he would live… as a slave in the Mines of Remus, Romulus' sister planet. It was a long time before he saw the stars again. During the Dominion War he had proved his value as a warrior and a commander and he used all the skills ha had been originally groomed for to their logical conclusion. He over through the Romulan Empire in one fell swoop and became its leader overnight. At Shinzon's request, Picard and the Enterprise were quickly dispatched to Romulus to investigate the change in power and to open negotiations. It was a trap. Shinzon wanted Picard for his blood. To save his own life, Shinzon needed a complete infusion of Picard's blood, all of it… To further complicate things, Shinzon planned to invade the Federation and to destroy the Federation's heart, Earth, via his secret Thalaron Radiation weapon. Only by the quick thinking of the Enterprise crew and a good deal of luck had Shinzon been defeated, but the cost had been high. The Enterprise had been crippled, many of her decks exposed too space and she had lost more of her crew as well. One loss in particular came to mind as he tossed and turned.

Data, Why was it so hard to accept that Data was gone? Data had been a never-ending source of amusement, sometimes bemusement, and most often inspiration. Many times Data's views had helped to temper Picard's actions and decisions. He had come to rely on Data a great deal as a sounding board. Now that lifeline was severed and adding to the mix was the presence of B-4, Data's brother and apparently he and Lore's precursor in Soong's research. All in all, B-4's existence was helping Picard in his acceptance of Data's death, but he was no sounding board… at least he wasn't yet. Data had downloaded his memories into B-4 with the hopes that B-4 would be able to assimilate them. This was working, but not in the way Data had anticipated. Instead of having instant recall of Data's life and experiences, B-4's Positronic Net had placed the memories in a kind of buffer to prevent a cascade failure. B-4's Net WAS absorbing the knowledge, but it was doing it at a rate that it could handle, creating the necessary pathways as the Matrix grew, almost like a living brain would develop. It was an amazing thing to watch according to LaForge. Yes, thought Picard, Data may be gone, but his legacy lives on…

With that final thought, Picard fell into a more restful, less troubled sleep.

"Captain's Log, Stardate 57502.3

The Enterprise is finally about to leave Spacedock after an extensive repair and refit. After our altercation with Shinzon and given the repair time that Mr. LaForge had reported, Starfleet decided that the Sovereign Class was due for a review and after looking over current technology vs what was available during the Class' inception a full refit was offered to me. Stronger shield generators, Ablative Armor, and the latest Phaser upgrades have been added to the vessel. In addition to this the Warp Nacelles have been slightly realigned and upgraded to assist with the use of a stable Slipstream Drive. We will be testing this new form of FTL shortly. Lt. Commander Harry Kim, formerly the Operations Officer aboard the USS Voyager, has supervised the project with the help of Annika Hansen and B'Elanna Paris. While his current assignment aboard the Enterprise is temporary, I hope to offer him a more permanent position soon, IF I can manage to pull him away from Admiral Janeway. She watches over her old crew like a mother hen… with teeth."

Picard smiled at the thought of his last comment as he sat in his ready room. "Computer, delete last sentence."

"My new First Officer, Martin Madden is eager to get underway. I look forward to "breaking him in" when we are deemed space-worthy once again. The time we've spent in Spacedock has given me a good look at his performance under unusual conditions. I look forward to evaluating his performance once we are underway."

Martin Madden was young for a First Officer, but the Dominion War had taken its toll on the Federation in lives and older, more experienced crew. Madden had passed through a crucible during the war, taking command of a ship after most of her bridge crew was killed by enemy fire. He had managed to get the warp drive back online and disabled the Jem'Hadar's with a precise Phaser blast so his ship could escape the elaborate ambush that one of the Vorta had apparently set up. Knowing when to retreat so as not to be slaughtered was a trait Starfleet captain's sometimes lacked. For his actions he was given the Federation Medal for Valor.

"We have also been granted a special dispensation by the Romulan Star Empire to use cloaking devices when exploring new space, an extension of the clause granting the Defiant permission to use its cloaking device when in the Gamma Quadrant. It is hoped that this will help us avoid any new wars in the immediate future."

Picard grimaced at the thought of war. Shinzon had nearly plunged the whole quadrant into another war. Would the Federation ever really know peace again, or would it only find itself locked into a never ending cycle of war.

"The new Romulan Senate has made overtures of peace with Vulcan as well. Perhaps Spock's dream of reunification will be seen in his lifetime after all. If so, the Romulan Empire may well cease to exist as it is absorbed into the Federation, something that not so long ago was thought to be impossible."

Picard fervently hoped that the transition, IF it occurred, would be an easy one. But then, nothing ever seemed to be that easy in real life.

"Computer, end Log. Transmit log to Starfleet." commanded Picard.

"Transmitting, Log sent." replied the computer.

He rose from his desk chair and headed toward the Bridge exit door.

On the bridge Commander Martin Madden was seated in the Captain's chair reviewing staff reports as they came in. He had a slight smile on his face as he read. At five feet ten inches with sandy clean cut hair and boyish good looks, Madden struck quite a pose for anyone looking his direction. He was a lean one-hundred eighty pounds, all of it muscle. He reminded Jean-Luc of Riker when he first came onboard the Enterprise-D. He looked up when Picard entered the bridge and promptly stood up as Picard came towards him. Picard waved him back down and spoke. "I'm just passing through Number One. I've been asked review some new simulations for the Slipstream Drive by Mr. Kim. If all goes well, we'll be departing in hour for Deneb."

"Very good sir, I've heard we'll get there in days instead of weeks using the new drives." said Madden.

"Yes, it will revolutionize star travel. If it works as advertised, the galaxy just got a great deal smaller." replied Picard with a rueful smile.

Madden nodded. "I believe Mr. Kim is in Holodeck Three."

"Thank you Number One, you have the bridge." said Picard as he headed toward the turbolift.

Madden took a moment to review the members of the bridge crew as they worked their shift.

Ensign John J. Thomas sat at the helm, running final diagnostics and plotting a course for Deneb. He had served with distinction during the Dominion War under the command of Admiral William Ross at Starbase 375 and he was from Alpha Centauri as well. A clean cut well mannered man with blonde hair, Thomas topped out at six feet in height and weighed a reasonable two-hundred pounds He requested this posting to get his feet wet, so to speak, by piloting a Sovereign Class ship for the first time. Picard made a mental note to keep an eye on the 25 year old helmsman.

At Tactical, the Enterprise's Third Officer, Lt. Commander Tyler C. Lyson was also preparing the ship for departure. A full blooded Betazoid, Lyson had the dark hair and eyes typical to the species. He was someone Picard felt would really come in handy in the days ahead. His telepathic skills would prove most valuable. After the fall of Betazed and during its short occupation, Lyson had led a resistance cell against the Dominion forces stationed there. He nearly single-handedly destroyed a full platoon's worth of Jem'Hadar. Because of this Picard made him his chief tactical officer. He was quite the imposing figure standing at six feet five inches tall and weighing in at nearly two-hundred seventy-five pounds.

At Ops sat, Lt. Daala, a Bolian of medium build his blue skin glistening as the ship's lighting was cast on it. Daala had transferred from the USS Armstrong. He had managed the get that ship's shields up after it was ambushed by Klingons during the last short war with them. The Armstrong had then limped to DS-9 for medical aid. His heroic acts in the face of incredible odds had earned him a promotion and the Federation Medal of Valor. Madden took comfort that Daala was so capable an officer.

A noise at Science Station One drew Madden's attention. Sitting in the chair in front of the station was the latest addition to the Enterprise's crew roster, Ensign James P. Kirk. The ensign was the grandson of Peter Kirk; Captain James T. Kirk's nephew. Madden rose from the Captain's chair and walked around to stand behind the young ensign.

"Is there a problem Ensign Kirk?" Madden asked.

The young ensign turned with a startled look to his commanding officer. His features were so much like his Great Uncle's that he sometimes was the butt of practical jokes. "Wha! No sir! I apparently entered an incorrect command code and the station shut down on me. It's fine now Commander." He gushed.

Madden nodded and glanced at the station's screen. "What are you working on?"

Kirk blushed and stammered out. "It's nothing important sir. I decided to review some of my namesake's logs while the diagnostic on the main sensor array was running." On the screen was displayed a record of the incident that had killed the Ensign's great grandfather and grandmother, Samuel and Aurelan Kirk.

Madden was curious himself. "Send a copy of that to my display Ensign. We're heading in the general direction that those things that killed your family came from. We may encounter more of them and we should be prepared for it. Nicely done, Kirk."

Needless to say the young Kirk was flabbergasted. His motives weren't to find potential hazards on their upcoming mission. They were more mundane than that, but he wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to gain some praise from his peers. He nodded to the Commander and began to do exactly what the Commander had actually recommended between the lines. He pulled a search engine and began researching potential threats along the path that the ship was to take on its way to Deneb. AFTER sending the log about the Neural Entities that had killed his family of course.

Madden had just returned to his seat when LaForge's voice came to him over the intercom. "LaForge to bridge."

"Go ahead Mr. LaForge." Replied Madden to empty air.

"We're as ready as we'll ever be down here. We're just waiting for Mr. Kim's final adjustments before we can get underway." reported the Chief Engineer.

"Thank you Mr. LaForge. The Captain is on his way to Holodeck Three now to see about just that very thing. Bridge out." said Madden. After so much time in dry dock, he was eager to get underway.

Holodeck Three

Lt. Commander Harry Kim reviewed his findings for a third time and turned to B-4. "It looks good to me. What do you think?"

B-4 nodded slightly without really noticing. "I concur. The last set of figures you entered improved the performance ratio of the new drives by five point seven six three percent. I believe we have reached the maximum efficiency rate for this particular drive unit."

Kim smiled and said. "Let's tell the captain."

"Let's tell the Captain what?" asked Picard as he entered the Holodeck.

"We're finished testing the new drive's performance. We're ready for a live test, sir." replied Kim formally.

"That's good to hear, Lt.. Please report to Engineering with your adjustments so we can get started." said Picard. He turned to B-4 and momentarily his eyes glazed over. The first time he had met Data was on a Holodeck, he remembered. He also remembered a very wet and young Wesley Crusher. He came back to reality and spoke. "Are you enjoying yourself B-4? I hope you have found this experience an interesting one."

"I do not understand what you mean by "enjoying myself" Captain, but the experience has been "Interesting" as you put it. May I accompany Mr. Kim to Engineering?"

"Of course, I was going to suggest it in fact. You have seemed to gained most of Data's abilities in the Engineering sciences. But then it's not surprising, given how naturally it came to him." said Picard smiling.

"Thank you Captain. I am finding myself wanting to emulate my brother in many ways, but I do not wish to replace him. You have been very patient with me since my brother died." said B-4 with an almost childlike quality to his voice.

"It's the least we can do B-4. Data meant a great deal to us and I'm happy that you've decided to stay her aboard the Enterprise." replied Picard.

Nodding slowly to himself B-4 followed Kim out the door.

Picard looked around a moment and spoke again. "Computer, End Program and save."

The computer chirped an acknowledgement and the Holodeck shut down. Picard then headed for the Bridge.

Bridge: A few minutes later.

Picard exited the turbolift and walked around to his command chair that Madden had just vacated. Sitting down he tapped at his console and spoke. "Picard to Engineering, report."

LaForge's voice replied. "We're just about ready here Captain. Mr. Kim and B-4 are entering their changes into the main computer now."

"Acknowledged. Inform me when you're ready. Picard out." Picard said.

"The crew reports all other stations ready Captain. We can leave at any time." reported Madden.

"LaForge to Captain Picard. All systems check out. We are ready for Slip Stream maneuvers." reported the engineer.

"Give me ship wide. Picard to all stations, prepare for Quantum Slip Stream Test." said Picard. "Get me Starfleet."

"Admiral Janeway is responding Captain." reported Lyson a few seconds later.

"On screen." Picard ordered.

"Captain Picard. On behalf of all of Starfleet, I wish you luck. Take care of that drive captain, it's taken us years to perfect it." said Janeway.

"It's in good hands Admiral. I have every confidence in this crew and Lt. Commander Kim is here to baby sit the engines, just in case something goes wrong." said Picard. He was mildly put off that Janeway had spoken to like she had, but he knew what she had gone through in the Delta Quadrant and let it slide, though she couldn't expect that to help her forever.

"That's good to know. The Rhode Island has been ordered to shadow your course in case you have problems. Other than that, you're on your own. Starfleet out." Janeway informed Picard.

"She's full of confidence." remarked Madden in a derogatory tone.

"She's got a right to be. She went through hell in the Delta Quadrant, but you're right about that partly." replied Picard. "All hands stand by for QSD power up. Mr. LaForge, begin when ready."

"Bringing drive online now. All readings nominal." reported LaForge.

"Mr. Thomas take us out, one quarter impulse." ordered Picard.

"Aye sir. One quarter impulse." replied Thomas. The Enterprise exited the Docking frame and turned slowly to face the direction of Deneb. "We're clear, ready for QSD maneuvers Captain."

"Take us out of the system, Standard Warp Six. I want to be clear of the sun's gravity well so we don't have any unforeseen problems." ordered Picard.

"Aye sir. We'll be clear of the system in ten minutes." replied Thomas.

"Mr. LaForge, report any changes in the QSD systems as we get clear." said Picard.

"Acknowledged Captain." replied LaForge. Running the QSD's in "Neutral" would allow them to do a final stress test before bringing the system fully online and going in the QS velocities.

The minutes ticked by slowly as the crew waited for the ship to clear Sol's gravity. Picard watched Madden and the rest of his crew perform the routine duties they had learned and used for months. He was confident that no matter what happened when the new drive was brought online, his crew would be ready. Finally Thomas reported that they were clear to proceed.

"All hands, brace. Mr, Thomas bring the new drive fully online and disengage the Warp drive."

The Enterprise coasted along at Warp Six, the warp bubble having not fully dropped as the QSD came fully online and took over. The star field that Picard and the others was so used to changed to a blue colored tunnel and he felt a sudden pull of gravity that held him more firmly in his chair as the ship accelerated, the Inertia Dampeners struggling briefly to compensate before adjusting to the sudden increase in speed.

"QSD speed is at an equivalent of Warp Twelve and increasing, Warp Thirteen, Warp Fourteen… she's leveling out at Warp Equivalent Fifteen point Five now. All systems are performing better than expected Captain." reported Thomas.

"Amazing, at this rate we'll be at Deneb in days!" said Madden.

"Indeed. Mr. LaForge, how are things in Engineering?" asked Picard.

"Everything is running smoothly. I'm running diagnostics on the QSD constantly and taking readings with sensors as we go. We're all smiles down here sir." said LaForge looking around the engineering bay.

"Excellent. Keep me apprised, Picard out." said Picard looking around the bridge at the smiling faces of his crew there. "That's one for the history books."

Madden smiled. "Yes Sir… Shall we start writing our victory speeches?"

Picard almost laughed. Almost…

The Enterprise flew onward toward the Deneb Sector.

Vulcan System: USS T'Pol

Captain T'Fal looked at the main view screen observed the chaos that had become of her home system. Nearly fifty Starfleet ships of various classes had arrived after the T'Pol reported the anomaly to Starfleet and more were arriving by the minute. The whole system was on high alert and was reacting like a kicked over ant hill, ships swarming in to assess the situation. Thankfully, Admiral Ross had given T'Fal tactical command of the area around the anomaly itself, but that was becoming more of a traffic cop situation as well as more ships arrived in the area. If anything did come through this strange wormhole, Starfleet would be ready.

"Captain, we're being hailed by Starfleet, it's Admiral Janeway." reported Commander Sorrik, her first officer.

"On screen, commander." T'Fal ordered.

"Report Captain." Janeway ordered when she appeared on the view screen, replacing the anomaly.

"Nothing new has surfaced as yet Admiral. May I ask why you are calling instead of Admiral Ross?" replied T'Fal.

"He's in a conference at the moment, he asked me to see if anything new had been discovered and to review your findings given my own experience with wormholes over the years I was in the Delta Quadrant." said Janeway calmly. She noted that T'Fal reminded her of Tuvok a bit, but that was no real surprise. Most Vulcans did.

"Understood Admiral. I welcome any… insight you may have in regard to this development in my home system.

As the two women were talking, Ensign Savla made a startling discovery, and anything that could startle a Vulcan was something to report immediately. He turned to the view screen and spoke. "Captain, Admiral, I have just discovered something that may be significant."

"Go on." said Janeway looking at the Ensign. "What did you find?"

"A further analysis of the debris has turned up microscopic traces of another set of debris. One that has a signature that originates in this universe." he said.

"Can you tell who or what might be the origin of the material?" asked Janeway.

"Results are not complete at this time Admiral, however I have been able to tell that the debris is a mixture of to cultures. One of them Admiral, is Borg." reported Savla.

Janeway's face drained of color for a moment and then she spoke. "I'll be there in as soon as I'm able. Mr. T'Fal, inform the fleet in the Vulcan system of your findings and see if you can determine where this Borg debris came from. Has your probe returned yet?"

"Negative Admiral. It should be returning in one hour, twelve minutes, sixteen seconds." replied T'Fal.

"Very well, when it returns, contact Admiral Ross or myself immediately and relay its findings to Starfleet." ordered Janeway. "Janeway out."

T'Fal did as ordered. The chaos that surrounded her doubled as ships moved into defensive positions around the anomaly and waited for whatever came next.

Vulcan Probe: B5 Space

The probe exited the opening of the wormhole and began scans of the surrounding space. More debris like that found on the other side was present as well as a small fleet of ships that appeared to be protecting a space station orbiting the third planet in the star system. The planet the station orbited was emitting large amounts of energy in the form of various non-lethal radiation. The probe decided to move in closer for a more detailed scan.

Whitestar Two Bridge

Sheridan and Ivanova watched as a small device about two meters in length exited the anomaly and began a slow approach of the planet. It was emitting energy that read as a form of scanning on LeVar's screens.

"The "device" appears to be scanning the surrounding area Captain. The energy it's using to do this is unfamiliar to me." reported LeVar.

Sheridan nodded. "Makes sense. Whoever is on the other side of this thing must be just as curious as we are. Monitor this probe LeVar. Let me know the instant it does anything that might be considered hostile."

"Aye Captain." replied LeVar as he studied his readings of the probe.

"Susan, get back to the barn and monitor the situation from there. We've been gone too long and I imagine Corwin is getting nervous." ordered Sheridan.

"Okay John, but you owe me one." she replied as she headed for the landing bay.

Sheridan chuckled, "I owe you a lot more than just one."

"Keep reminding me of it and I'll start to collect!" replied Susan right before she left, backpedaling off the Bridge.

"Take us in system, follow that probe at a discreet distance, but don't get in its way." Sheridan commanded.

The Whitestar began to trail the probe as it slowly made its way toward Epsilon Three.

The Great Machine

Draal mentally shrugged again as he tried to penetrate the strange barrier that marked "The Rim" of known space. It wasn't the actual Rim of the Galaxy but a clearly defined point that he was unable to see beyond, even though the Great Machine told him it had not reached the limits of its reach. Someone or Something was keeping him out of that area of the Galaxy, just as he was kept out of Vorlon space as well, though the barrier around Vorlon Space was far less settle about it. He still felt the pain from his last such attempt.

As he brought his consciousness back to Epsilon Three he grew more concerned. Someone had found the "Special" Jumpgate that the Vorlons had created a million years ago AND they had opened it practically right on top of his real body in the cosmic sense of things. He immediately began to scan the area where the Jumpgate was supposed to be and mentally frowned at what he found. The Jumpgate was gone, the threat to this Galaxy, perhaps even to this universe was gone, but something else remained in its place. A gaping hole in reality. One that opened up into a new universe that held its own wonders and dangers.

He watched as a probe entered his universe and began to scan the star system. He also saw that it noticed his scans as well and was now coming toward the planet his body now resided on within The Great Machine. He decided to scan the probe more thoroughly.

Vulcan Probe

As the probe came into range for its sensor sweep the energy readings around the planet below quadrupled. A beam of light reached up and touched the probe enveloping it in a cascade of light.

The probe noted the changes and performed a self diagnostic. The light energy was a probe itself. One that was having a mildly adverse affect on the Probes systems. The probe adjusted its sensors and emitted a beam of its own that surged back down to the planet below and causing a feedback to Draal's probe, disabling it.

It ran a sensor sweep of the planet and found after a deep scan of the planet's crust that a large portion of the planet below had a Mechanical quality to it. It also detected a small population of beings that appeared to be maintaining the machines in this "layer" of the planet. One being seemed to be acting as a central processing unit for the whole, maintaining hundreds of systems, much as the brain maintained a humanoid body.

The being in the machine appeared to be in great pain. The probe immediately withdrew from the area and moved toward the Space Station.

The Great Machine

The first few minutes of examining the probe went well for Draal, but then the probe emitted an energy burst of its own that came flashing back down the light beam and striking the emitter. The energy feedback was so sudden Draal, couldn't prevent it from reaching his physical body. His consciousness snapped back into it and he was wracked in pain… Somehow he must have provoked the probe to defend itself he thought as he sank into oblivion…

Zathras observed the feedback as it cascaded around him reaching systems throughout the Great Machine. "Not good, not good, no no no, Not good at all for Zathras." he mumbled.

Minbari Cruiser Orban'Zha

Shai Alyt Shakiri, leader of the Warrior Caste was not amused. After coming to the aid of Sheridan his ship had received damage in a fight that was not of his choosing. Delenn had asked it of him as a favor to her and the Religious Caste and reluctantly agreed to come. Now while had enjoyed the following battle he was somewhat put off by its consequences. Sheridan owed him one, true. But he didn't want a favor from "Starkiller" he wanted revenge for the men he had lost in the to the Earther. Perhaps he might soon get his wish, IF he could succeed in his plans…

The Gate that the strange aliens had started to come through was destroyed Shakiri noted as he watched the Holo monitor, but in its place was a great maelstrom of reddish light and energy. It looked like a cancerous hole in the fabric that was this universe, a gaping wound in the life force of the galaxy and it was right under the very nose of Starkiller, something that Shakiri found hard to swallow.

He watched as Sheridan bumbled about clueless to the obvious danger and waited for the Earther to make a mistake, one that he could perhaps, capitalize on. Soon one such possibility arrived in the form of an small alien probe. It seemed to crawl out of the "wound" of the anomaly as it entered his reality like a maggot hatched from dead tissue. The thought sickened him, but he held back and watched as the probe moved about the star system.

As it came into range of Epsilon Three he saw a strange beam of light reach up and strike the probe. YES! he thought, his old adversary Draal, was down there and he had seen what a threat this probe must be. He was reaching up to destroy it! But such a thing didn't happen and after a few seconds his disappointment grew. The fool was just examining the thing! Just as he was about to turn off the holo matrix in disgust he saw the probe emit a light beam of its own that reached down to the planet below, striking the source of Draal's. The energy reading the Great Machine was emitting spiked and then dropped off to almost nothing. Draal must have been hit by that beam!

"Attack the Probe… In the name of Valen it must be destroyed!" he commanded. Yes, this is just the excuse he needed to act.

Vulcan Probe

As the probe came into range the Tachyon radiation increased significantly betweens ships and the stations itself, making the probe postulate a the theory that these beings used Tachyons to communicate with each other. It ran a scan of the station and discovered Human lifesigns. This shifted its priorities greatly and prompted it to return through the anomaly immediately. As it changed course it noted that one large ship was on an apparent attack vector. The probe activated its ECM and ECCM systems and began evasive maneuvers as the ship fired a Neutron Beam of energy at where the probe had just been milliseconds before it changed course.

Whitestar Two

Sheridan watched the probe's beam reach back down to the planet below and silence the beam that was accosting it. He struggled for a moment with his ethics and opted to leave the probe alone unless it did something aggressive. So far it had acted only in self defense and Sheridan was reluctant to start another fight so quickly with whatever had sent this probe.

"Captain, the Orban'Zha is moving in on an attack vector towards the probe. They're gun ports are open and she's powering up to fire." reported LeVar.

"WHAT!" said Sheridan, startled into action. "Move us to block them! Warn them off! If they fire on that probe we'll defend it!"

"It's too late. They're firing!" said LeVar.

They watched as the Neutron beam reached out to strike at the probe…that wasn't there! Somehow it had suddenly changed course and was zigzagging on all three axis as it headed back toward the anomaly at a speed that know manned vessel could hope to match. The readings they were receiving from the probe also changed and it became almost impossible to track it.

Get us in there! Keep us between the probe and the Minbari Cruiser!" Sheridan commanded.

"Yes Captain." replied LeVar as he handled the controls.

The Whitestar fell into place between the two combatants forcing the Minbari to slow and finally stop.

"The Minbari ship is targeting us now Captain. Shakiri is hailing and commands that we withdraw." reported LeVar.

"You tell that Minbari no. Target them in return." replied Sheridan.

The holo matrix changed to show the bridge of the Orban'Zha. "You would do well to leave me to my prey Earther. I will have my prize!" said a maddened looking Minbari as he sat in the Captain's chair.

"You can't have your "prize" Shakiri. That probe was just defending itself from an unwanted attack. As far as we can tell nothing was damaged by its retaliation. You're in my space Shakiri, be somewhere else." said Sheridan.

Shakiri eyed the Earther for a moment. If he struck now at this impudent human he might even be doing the Earth Alliance a favor. No he didn't want to do anything that might be considered a favor to Earthers. He watched as the probe entered the anomaly, going beyond is reach, for now. "Very well Starkiller, we will leave here, for now, but we'll be back. You can be sure of that." He turned to his second and issued orders to enter Hyperspace.

Sheridan watched as the Cruiser left and let out a sigh of relief. "Get me C & C."

"C & C Go." said Corwin's voice.

"Corwin is Ivanova there yet?" Sheridan asked.

"I just walked in. What do you need sir?" asked Susan as she stepped into the Observation Dome, the Command and Control center for Babylon Five.

"Call in the Whitestar Fleet. Have them report here ASAP." ordered Sheridan.

"How many?" she asked.

"All of them. I have a feeling something's about to hit the proverbial Fan out here and soon." said Sheridan once more viewing the Anomaly. "I'm heading back to the barn. Let me know what you can find out when I get there."

"Yes sir." Ivanova said. She turned to Corwin. "Looks like we're in for it now." she said brightly.

Corwin eyed dubiously for a moment and said the one thing that came to mind. "One thing you can say about this place. It's almost never dull."

Ivanova looked at Corwin mischievously. "Why you almost sound Russian Lieutenant. I must be rubbing off on you."

"Oh god no!" Corwin replied and moved over to a communications console to begin calling in the Whitestars.

Behind him Ivanova was laughing evilly…

Next: Chapter Two: Decisions