Episode 24: Endgame (Part 1)
Synopsis: Since it has been a looooooong time since the last update, a synopsis is in order I think.
The Assembled, a robotic race from a parallel universe, hell-bent on the destruction of all organic life, began to visit a variety of universes and gather information on each of them.
Realizing the impending threat they displayed, several of these universes banded together to try and stop them. After some information gathering of their own, including a trip the Assembled 'Earth' by Data and the Doctor, they found the Assembled were seeking a "Great Machine". This machine was in fact Epsilon 3 from Babylon 5. The Assembled planned to use its temporal abilities to shatter the dimensional barrier between universes, collapsing them until only their own remained. The ST, SW and SG-1 universes formed a unified force to stop them, instead intending on using the Machine to reinforce the dimensional barrier and trap the robots within their own universe.
Now these four universes have engaged their enemy above Epsilon III.
Epsilon III
The Assembled fleet slowly moved into battle formation, a few lead ships making their way towards the planet and the small Imperial and Federation task force protecting it. Sensor probes stabbed outwards, blanking the robotic ships and feeding information back to the humans. Communication channels opened up, linking the allies together, while on the forward hull of each Assembled ship a massive apparatus unfolded itself, swiveling towards their targets.
"Sensors indicate the Assembled fleet has some form of Imperial shielding. Our phasers will have trouble penetrating it."
"Not a problem, Mr. LaForge," Janeway said.
"That's not all…those weapons arrays. They are Federation torpedo launchers."
"We knew they had access to our technology, Mr. LaForge," Picard said.
"Yes, but they have apparently tied them into a type of industrial replicator. Much of their ship has been designed as a weapons platform. It appears from these readings that they'll be able to launch an almost endless stream of quantum torpedoes, generating a new one after each firing. They've actually removed the need for storage."
"It matters not. We will not allow them to reach the planet," Vader stated, "launch fighters."
Beneath each of the Imperial Stardestroyers a mass of Tie fighters emerged, speeding across the distance between the ships. A Imperial cruiser took a lead position, targeting the approaching fleet. Twin Assembled ships mirrored its positioning.
"The fighters are almost within weapon's range."
The lead Assembled ships suddenly blossomed in energy, green blasts streaking out from various points and striking the fighters dead centre with computer accuracy. Within the span of a few heartbreaking moments the attack fighters were little more than floating debris. The ships glided through small floating bits of metal with no pause.
"We suspected as much," Picard said quietly, shaking his head. Vader had been adamant about a first fighter strike.
"Our sensor probes indicate your ships are no match for their weapons, Admiral Janeway," Vader said over the communication channel, "withdraw to the protective zone we established along with this universe's human and alien ships. Wait there with them in case we need you."
"Negative, Lord Vader."
"Very well. We will not waste our resources ensuring your protection."
"No need. Federation ships, engage shielding."
Around the three Federation ships, metal shielding appeared and wrapped around the curves of each craft, cradling each in a protective blanket of ablative armour. The Assembled fleet gave a brief pause at this, their sensors sweeping over the Federation fleet. They soon resumed their course, the numbers moving closer together. The Imperial Fleet began to fire, their range superior to the Federation. The Assembled shields glowed from the impact, their lead ship taking heavy fire The Assembled retuned the favor in kind, their weapons arrays making good on their promise of near-constant fire. A torrent or torpedoes erupted from each ship and fired into the allied ranks. The lead Imperial and Assembled ship were destroyed in massive explosions.
"My God," Sheridan said from the command deck of his station, "I've never seen such a display of firepower."
"Mr. Worf," Picard ordered, "you may engage at your discretion."
The Defiant sped out from its position, swinging around to the frontline of the Assembled ranks. Torpedoes and green blasts of energy stuck its surface, the regenerative shielding around the small ship holding firm. Weapon ports opened, twin torpedoes lashing out at its target.
"Transphasic torpedoes away," Worf stated.
The torpedoes passed through the modified Assembled shielding, impacting on the hull and giving birth to a massive explosion. Secondary explosions detonated throughout the length of the ship, until the craft was incinerated in a final massive discharge.
"Weren't expecting that were you? Robotic bastards," Janeway declared.
The Assembled fleet, realizing technology existed that they had not anticipated, increased speed and closed ranks on their enemies. Vader and Picard gave the order to fire at will, the Federation ships with their superior maneuverability flying into the robotic ranks and dispatching torpedo after torpedo. The Imperial Stardestroyers blasted into the Assembled with heavy guns, shredding their shields and hull while Imperial ships began to burst aflame above the planet.
Debris began to fill the space between the ships. Within it robotic scouts, ejected from their ships but otherwise intact, began to activate their propulsions system and make their way slowly to the planet. Sensors detected their movement.
"Launch remaining fighters," Vader said, pointing towards the tiny sparks moving through the fleet, "destroy those scouts."
"Admiral," Sheridan said, "our own fighters can help with this." He nodded to Ivanova who gave the order to launch squadrons. Starfuries launched into space, gliding into the rear ranks of the allied fleet and joining up with the Tie fighters. Together then began to engage the robotic scouts.
"Captain Picard," the Enterprise helmsman said, "one of the Assembled ships is branching off."
"Where is it headed?"
"Babylon 5."
"That station hasn't finished evacuation. It doesn't stand a chance against an Assembled cruiser."
"Ignore it," Vader said.
"Intercept course," Picard returned, ignoring the Sith Lord.
Vader stood a little straighter, watching as the robot ship broke ranks and a nearby Imperial ship exploded on their port side. He turned to an officer.
"Prepare my fighter."
The Enterprise broke rank and headed towards the speeding ship. Closing to weapons range, the robot ship suddenly banked sharply and headed back to the planet, ducking under the Sovereign class ship and making its way through the brief opening in their defenses.
"Hard about," Picard ordered, cursing under his breath. The Enterprise swung about, its weapon ports zeroing on the speeding ship. "Fire torpedoes."
Nothing happened.
"Fire torpedoes!" Picard again ordered.
"My console is not responding," the weapons officer said. As he desperately tried to activate the launchers, the ship shuddered to a stop.
"Mr. LaForge," Picard said quietly.
"I don't know what is happening, Captain. I…" he worked the console just as the display began to fill with Assembled programming code. "We've been infected with a virus."
Picard quickly rose from his command chair and crossed the bridge to stand by the engineer. "How is this possible?"
"I don't know sir, the communication channels were protected. There's no way it could have…oh no."
"What is it?"
"It must have been here all along. Lying dormant in our systems waiting for this moment to become active. Our diagnostics must not have been able to detect it. That means….oh no."
"Sir," the helmsman said, "the Assembled ship is in transporter range of the planet." On the viewer, the Defiant barreled into view and engaged the enemy, firing torpedoes. The Assembled ships blew apart above the planet.
"How many did they transport down?"
"No way to tell sir."
"Communications?"
"Still down sir. Vital systems have been disabled."
"Oh no," LaForge continued to whisper, his mind racing.
Within Epsilon III
"Janeway to Colonel O'Neill."
"Go ahead," Jack said.
"The Assembled have broken through our line. Expect company."
"What? It's only been a few minutes!"
"Best we could do. Janeway out."
"I never liked her," O'Neill said to Dr. Jackson.
"Carter and the others are working on the console in the central chamber, Jack. They need time."
O'Neill looked around at the Stormtroopers and Starfleet security personal, checking the humming shield barrier and their modified TR-116 weapons. Ahead of him a single bridge reached across the massive expanse cut into the planet, connecting to a darkened hallway. Within the depths of the hall light could be seen to flash. O'Neill shook his head and turned his hat around, leveling the unfamiliar weapon to his shoulder.
"We'll do what we can, Daniel. Get ready."
The sound of metal on metal began to echo from the darkened chamber at the end of the hall, the sound of robotic constructs making their way towards the bridge. O'Neill could not tell how many there were, but it sounded like a large number. A construct emerged into view and paused, its head swiveling around the room.
"HUMANS DETECTED. TR-116 WEAPONS. STANDARD ENERGY SHEILDING. THREAT ASSESMENT: MODERATE. BEGININNG ATTACK."
The construct swung its arms forward and began to fire, energy pulses striking the shield across the expanse and blossoming across the perimeter. O'Neill yelled out the command to attack and squeezed the trigger of his rifle. The gun gave a little jump as the micro-transporter engaged, sending the enhanced projectile into the robot body. Through the scope, he witnessed the scout stagger slightly as the explosive detonated.
"ALERT STATUS. MODIFED TRANSPORTER DETECTED. TRANSPORT DESTABILZER INEFFECTIVE. EXPLOSION DETECTED. ALERT STAzzzzggghHHHHshruruiesdhfhfHHHH."
The scout staggered and fell off the bridge, falling in the depth of the cavern to the triumphant shouts of the humans. More scouts began to fill the bridge, rushing out of the hall. Several of them unfolded hollow tubes from their backs and began to fly into the air, powerful jets propelling them. Blast after blast began to strike against the shielding. Imperial heavy weapon stations returned fire, the shielding allowing their blasts to pass through, while the others fired as quickly as they could.
"How long can this shield hold?" a Stromtrooper yelled.
"Long enough," a Starfleet Lieutenant returned.
"My targets aren't stopping," another yelled.
"The Assembled have devices that prevent transport. Keep switching frequencies as you fire."
Daniel fired as quickly as he could when a flash of red and silver caught his eye. A large scout stepped onto the bridge, its head locking onto his location. It gave the archeologist a slight nod of the head in acknowledgement.
"My God, it's actually saying hello," Jackson said.
"What?" O'Neill shouted, not taking his eyes off his targets. The din of energy fire was deafening in the room.
"That robot…the one that called itself Avatar…the one that interrogated me. The one that…that killed Captain Riker. It's here! I'll kill it," he vowed. Jackson raised the rifle and pointed it at the looming scout. He staggered then, just as he was about to fire. Nausea flowed through him, his head suddenly feeling like it was splitting open. His arms and legs began to tingle. His arms swung the rifle towards the shield generator closest to him.
"Jack! Help me!" he shouted as he began to work the trigger of his weapon. Terror filled Daniel as he realized he was no longer in control of his body. The generator collapsed on itself as the explosives blew apart the inner workings and with a hiss, the shield at the bridge entrance collapsed. Energy pulses flew into the gap, striking the humans and dissolved anything organic instantly, leaving only uniforms and Imperial personal armour. Within a moment the other shield generators stretched their safeguard around the gap. A Zat gun could be heard and Jackson fell to the ground. Teal'c walked over to him, holding the weapon as O'Neill grabbed the closest Federation officer.
"Can the remaining shield generators compensate?"
"Under this kind of fire? Only for a few minutes."
"Jack," Jackson whispered.
"What happened?"
The Federation officer drew out his tricorder and looked grimly at the Colonel, "He's filled with nanobots. They took control of his nervous system."
"How? When?"
"He must have been injected when he was being interrogated aboard that Assembled ship. They remained inactive and invisible to our detection until now. That Zat gun rendered them inoperative however."
The officer was cut off as a high-pitched whine filled the air. The officer stood up and lifted his weapon, dropping the tricorder, "The shields are collapsing."
O'Neill thumbed his radio, "Carter, how much progress?"
"We need more time, Colonel."
O'Neill stood up, watching as the shield perimeter at the bridge connection began to shimmer and fade. He took a deep breath and exhaled. Once the shield was done, the Assembled would run rampant through their ranks. They were no match for them.
O'Neill began to give the order to withdraw back into the central chamber when a burst of white light exploded behind him, followed by a terrific noise, one that sounded like the very fabric of the universe was being split apart. He turned to see a vertical tear form, light streaming from it. He should have been blinded by it he realized. Instead he stood transfixed.
From within the light a figure emerged, dressed in white. His wooden staff touched the floor, held by a strong hand. The other stroked a long beard. Behind him another old man emerged dressed in grey. A misshapen hat was perched on his head, one that slid down over his face and he shouted about being stricken blind. O'Neill's mind reeled as another tall figure took shape from the light, this one dressed in a long red cape, actually hovering above the floor. A stream of soldiers also emerged, dressed in almost familiar armour. Their apparent leader called them Roughnecks and ordered them to form up.
The old man in white walked up to O'Neill.
"We come to you now," he said, "at the turn of the tide."