The Hour of The Wolf
Chapter Five

Will sat down in the ready room. He still couldn't think of it as his ready room. Not yet, maybe not ever. With him were Guinan, Worf, Shelby and two of the Colonials, Captan Apollo and his son Lieutenant Troy. 'Now that we've got a moment, there's a question I need to ask. Captain Apollo, I have to know how a colony of humans, especially one this size and with more than a thousand years of history, could exist without us knowing about them.'

'Wait, hold on. What?' Apollo asked, looking confused. 'We're from the twelve colonies, just as you are the thirteenth.'

'I'm sorry?' Shelby asked blinking. 'We're from Earth, Terra.'

'Yes, the lost tribe.' He looked back and forth, seeing that Will and the others had no idea what he was talking about. 'Our history tells of the thirteenth colony. It's why we came looking for you.'

'I think I can help here.' Guinan supplied pressing her fingers together. 'I am not human, my species is El-Aurian.' she said for the colonials benefit. 'We too are an old people and very long lived. A long time ago, before the Borg attacked and scattered my people across the galaxies, I travelled some. Learnt much, experienced more. In this time I visited your Colonies, the twelve. After hearing some of their legends I sought out Earth and found you as well.'

She took a breath and nodded, almost to herself. 'I don't know exactly what happened, or how long ago it was but I have been able to piece some of it together. Many thousands of years ago something disastrous happened to the original homeworld of humanity, Kobol.' Will sat back, the idea that humanity was from a planet other than Earth was a fantasy long disproved. Still there was something about the way the bartender spoke that had him questioning that fact.

'It was rendered lifeless by our ignorance. Pollution and waste seared the sky and poisoned the water.' Apollo announced. 'I have been there. The world is dead, nothing but desert and death.'

Will frowned for a moment before catching himself. He was good at reading people and it was obvious Apollo had some bad memories of that place. 'Please you know this part better than me.' Guinan invited

Apollo looked to his son for a moment and nodded sharply 'With our world dying our people set out across the darkness. Kobol, you see, was a lone planet orbiting a standard star, but that star was hidden in the darkness of a vast magnetic sea. It scrambles sensors and bends the light of distant stars making it all but invisible. When our ancestors emerged from that darkness they learnt there were worlds beyond. Knowing this the twelve tribes set out from their dying world for salvation. They found a solar system with twelve worlds we could colonise. Using the knowledge we had earned at the price of our original homeworld we made those words habitable.'

'You terraformed a solar system?' Shelby asked. 'So where does Earth come into this?'

Guinan had an answer. 'The story tells that while the twelve went and made a system to live on a thirteenth, collected from those that remained from the others, searched for another world. A planet like Kobol. Where humanity could thrive. They found that world and named it Earth.'

Shelby shook her head. 'That's impossible. We have thousands of years of history. A fossil record that goes back even further. We'd know if humanity just arrived one day. We didn't, mankind evolved on Earth. We've proven it.'

'I know. I've seen the evidence.' Guinan told them with a smile. 'I did a lot of research when I found out that people on Earth had never heard of Kobol. I was never able to find out what happened, but I'm certain Earth is the thirteenth colony. For all the thousands of years you have been separated deep in your hearts you are still the same. Still strive for the same goals, have the same ideals and the same weaknesses. In every way that matters you are the same.'

Will stroked his beard. There was an earnestness to her voice he couldn't ignore. Looking at Apollo and his son he couldn't shake the idea that they were human. He had just opened his mouth to dismiss them when Data came over the comm. 'Captain. With Lieutenant Dillon's help I have identified several of the ships hailing us.'

'Thank you Mr Data. Can you contact Dr Crusher and Geordi, co-ordinate with them.'

'Yes Captain. One of the ships, a medical transport, is requesting to talk with Strike Captain Apollo.'

The two Colonials laughed 'That's got to be Sheba. She's going to be as mad as a daggett on a sunspot she missed the fight.' Apollo laughed.

'Sounds about right Captain.' the voice of Lieutenant Dillon came over.

'Captain William, could I talk with her. My wife's not a very patient person, especially when she's angry.'

Will nodded and both he and his son left. 'Guinan, could you give us a minute.' he asked. After a second she nodded and left. When she had gone it was just Worf, Shelby and him. 'Captain Picard would probably have an answer for all this. He'd probably have figured it out long ago. I haven't. Opinions?'

'It's nonsense.' Shelby burst out. 'Absolutely impossible.'

Will knew that was going to be her reaction 'Worf?'

But Shelby hadn't finished 'You can't be considering this. We're talking about rewriting human history on the word of a, of a bartender.' she insisted.

'You've not been on the Enterprise more than a week.' Will reminded her. 'Guinan is a lot more than a bartender. She might run ten forward but I wouldn't dismiss her advice.'

'I don't know.' Worf rumbled after a moment. 'They seem to believe it.'

'They could be lying.' Shelby pointed out.

Will had already made his decision. 'I want you both to keep your eyes open and don't dismiss anything. Shelby, get the science department heads together. Have them pick through transmissions, anything they can to find out as much as possible. Tell them to treat this as any other first contact. Keep it quiet with minimum impact. Worf, you're following orders. Take a shuttle to the rest of the Fleet, you'll have a copy of all our logs but while you're there see what you can find out about what happened.'

He stood up. 'They keep talking about the Galactica, as if it's one ship. Worf, if I'm right one ship took out that cube. Lying or just mistaken I don't want to get on the wrong side of a people that can do that. Find out what you can about them.'

Beverly found herself staring at the screen. Just staring, not even at her reflection. 'Doctor Crusher?' Data asked helpfully.

'Yes… sorry.'

'Are you alright Doctor?' he asked

'It's nothing.' She waved off his concern. She was meeting with Data, Geordi and Troi in the observation lounge. Trying to organise how best to distribute what supplies they had amongst the fleet outside. 'You were saying?'

'According to our best estimates the Colonial Fleet has been traveling for at least fifty years. Many of the ships were barely space worthy at the time, as a result most if not all are suffering numerous malfunctions ranging from minor to major. As of yet we have been unable to identify their warp drive system.' He announced.

'I've been looking at the scans.' Geordi spoke up. 'I can't identify their power source, but as far as I can tell they don't have Warp Drive.'

'I don't understand.' Deanna spoke up. She was looking better than she had last time they were in this room but Beverly still had reservations letting her out of sickbay so soon. 'How could they get this far into space without Warp Drive?'

'It's conceivable that they have been traveling at sub-light speeds. This could account for some variations in relativity and inconstancies with our known history.' Data announced.

'I don't think so.' Geordi disagreed. 'They're too advanced. What if they took a different approach? Something other than Warp Drive.'

'Like what?' Deanna asked

'Hyperspace, Folding space, wormhole drive. Take your pick. I can't wait to have a look.'

'Right now they don't need to go anywhere.' Beverly reminded him. 'Fifty years cramped aboard a ship, minimum supplies.' She shuddered. 'Medical needs must take priority.'

'I have identified the medical ship in the fleet.' Data announced. 'According to Lieutenant Dillon while all ships maintain a limited medical function only a medical transport and their command ship, the Galactica, have dedicated facilities. Their medical staff are stationed across the fleet'

'Then I need to be there. Which one is this Galactica?'

'The Galactica is currently at sector three-five-nine.' Data told her as he brought up a ship on the small view screen. 'This is the medical transport. Currently two hundred and fifty six people onboard.'

Beverly was already doing the math. Her sickbay was nowhere near big enough for that amount of people. 'I'm going to need a couple of cargo bays, do we have a contact on board?'

'Two. A Doctor Xerion, ships chief medical officer and Captain Sheba, a military officer stationed on board as security.'

Picking up her padd Beverly stood up. 'I need to talk to Dr Xerion. I'll have nurse Ogawa set up emergency rooms in Cargo bays three and four.'

'Strike Captain Apollo is talking with his wife, Captain Sheba, onboard. Doctor, there are other ships requiring medical assistance.'

'Data, I can't co-ordinate a fleet wide medical evaluation, not with a fleet wide population this big. I haven't got the staff. The medical ship will have a census and stock list I can prioritise from. If they're anything like Federation doctors they'll also have the worse cases onboard.'

'I had not factored that eventuality.' Data looked back down at the table. 'Fascinating. My positronic processor appears to have developed a fault. I am unable to dedicate processor time away from a specific problem.'

'What problem?' Geordi asked

'Jean-Luc' Beverly guessed. 'Its the same for me Data. The only thing we can do is keep working. When we have the time we can make arrangements.' Her voice cracked but she kept her head up.

'That may be effective. I am able to recall Tasha's death and a similar but far less disorienting fault. Perhaps it is my programming that is flawed.'

'No Data, your programming's just fine.' Geordi said sadly. 'I take it we've received word?'

'The Borg ship was destroyed with no survivors' He confirmed.

Beverly swallowed hard, 'If you'll excuse me I have patients.' with that she left. Entering the bridge she saw the three strangely dressed men at one of the science stations. Ignoring them she looked to the helm.

There Wesley was busy with his duties. 'Mr Worf's shuttle is away.' He announced professionally. For all his grumbling and disapproval Jean-Luc always went out of his way for her son. Beverly knew that he'd been questioned about making Wesley an acting ensign. Starfleet command didn't like the idea of a boy too young to even be in the academy piloting their flagship.

Jean-Luc took the criticism and even promoted him to full ensign a couple of weeks ago. She knew Will would do the same, look out for her boy.

She still had work to do. Turning to the science station she got the attention of one of the Colonials 'I'm Doctor Beverly Crusher, chief medical officer.'

'Lieutenant Troy, my father's just talking with Sheba on the medical ship.' he told her.

'Would it be possible for me to talk with her?'

It took nearly an hour to get to Wolf 359. In that time Worf had re-read the sensor logs. Specifically what they knew about the small fighters known as vipers. Tiny little things with incredible speed and manoeuvrability. Targeting sensors would have a hard time tracking them, phaser arrays would also have problems. Despite it all phaser beams still traveled. A small erratic target, flying just below the speed of light, could out manoeuvre any attack.

Worf had to think of a way around that. Increasing phaser efficiency, faster recharge cycles. Enhanced tracking programs. He used the time alone to make notes. He had a few ideas, some of them might work but the only ones that would have any effect needed a complete refit.

The computer beeped loudly and the auto-pilot brought him out of warp. Taking control he brought the shuttle around. 'Unidentified shuttle, this is the USS Kyushu. This sector is restricted, transmit identification.' a woman's voice ordered. Worf guessed they were vulcan.

'This is Lieutenant Worf. On Shuttlecraft Cochrane, off the Enterprise. With information for the admiral.'

There was a moment before they replied. 'Granted. Kyushu out.'

Defiantly vulcan

Worf checked his sensors and identified the Admiral's ship. Setting a course he realised there were two very large ships the sensors didn't recognise. The first one that came in to visual range was the Cube, or what was left of it. Two great craters took up one side and part of another. Even with the naked eye Worf could see energy burns and bent supports. The space around it was full of debris. Borg bodies and what was once ship hung there. dead as the vessel they'd been blasted from. The admiral wasn't exaggerating, the cube was destroyed and Riker was right to be worried. Whatever could do that was a force to be reckoned with.

As Worf passed the Cube he saw just what a Galactica was. At nearly three miles long it was a warship. It stood over the corpse of the Cube like a warrior drinking in it's victory. Starfleet vessels surrounded the warship, but it was unbowed. Despite out numbering the giant vessel it was as if they were cowering under it for protection.

Dull grey and built like a long, thick sword. It had a broad wedge at the front and a raised section at the back. Worf could easily see large sections of hull that had been burnt and repaired time and time again, like battle scars. Worn proudly by one that had stood firm and won despite the wounds.

As Worf looked at the massive vessel he began to worry. The Colonials had built this ship, they had to be able to build more but they still lost against their enemies. A ship powerful enough to devastate a Borg cube and it wasn't enough.

Hanson had the Lieutenant stand at attention as he read the logs. Watching him out of the corner of his eye he noticed that the Klingon stood ram rod straight. Every inch the officer, just what he expected from a man Jean-Luc worked with and trusted.

Eventually he dropped the Padd on his desk. 'More than two hundred ships. Tens of thousands civilians packed onboard like cargo. It's a nightmare.' The Lieutenant shifted his shoulders, but remained silent. 'Yes?' Hanson asked

'Admiral, it is our duty to help them.'

Sitting back Hanson grinned. 'After helping us in our hour of need it would be the honourable thing to do. The problem Lieutenant is logistics. Getting supplies to them is short term, we need to start planning long term. I'll be meeting with Adama shortly, I would like you to come with me.'

He gave an evaluating look at the Klingon. 'But first, I need your expert opinion. I chose three-five-nine as it was close to the Klingon border, I knew we'd need their help against the Borg. You didn't happen to see them on the way in, did you?'

'No.' he rumbled.

'I contacted the Klingon high council, they assured me reinforcements would arrive. Command of the Klingon Defence Forces supposedly sent was given to a council member by the name of Duras.' The warriors eyes flashed with inhuman rage. He was obviously struggling against his temper. Hanson was impressed, Klingons weren't known for their restraint. 'I asked for opinions Lieutenant, speak your mind.'

'Duras is without honour, his heart is not Klingon.' He snarled and Hanson got the impression the quickest way to deal with the man would be to hand the Lieutenant a knife. Failing that he'd probably rip the council members throat out with his teeth given half a chance. 'He did not send support?'

'And was quite vocal about it.' Hanson agreed. 'You have a personal connection to Duras, I've seen the logs. What I don't know is why.'

'With respect, Admiral, that is a private matter.' the Klingon admitted. 'I assure you my personal feelings on the matter are my own. My professional opinions on Duras are that he is untrustworthy, willing to sacrifice anything for personal gain. His loyalties are to no one but himself. He is without honour.'

'A man like that is often willing to do anything and with his position he has the power to do so as well.' Hanson reasoned. 'We may have to keep a careful eye on the High Council for awhile. It never rains but it pours. Lieutenant I'll meet you in transporter room three in ten minutes, once I've had time to think.'

Nodding the Lieutenant turned and left. Hanson stood up and walked to the window. This was going from bad to worse. An immense fleet packed to the rafters, men women and children in need of help. Throw in that ship out there and it was a political disaster that could shatter relations with other governments. Now it looked like the cracks had already been there.

'Looks like you could do with some help JP.'

'Jean-Luc!' Hanson spun to see his old friend.

The Frenchman was standing in Hanson's ready room in a completely white version of the Captains's duty uniform, with it's open tunic and undershirt. His comm-badge and rank pips were a polished silver rather than the familiar gold. Jean-Luc practically glowed under the lighting. 'Because believe me old friend, this is only the start.'

End Chapter Five

Authors note.

Damn. This took a while. Mostly because of the sharp left turn I had to make. Originally the plan was to have Worf catch a ride with Apollo in his Viper, but it didn't work. I just couldn't come up with a practical way for Apollo to offer, or for Worf to agree. It also felt wrong to have Apollo come all the way back to the Fleet, with a pregnant wife no less, and not stick around.

Things might be moving slowly right now but there are changes coming in the next few chapters. Most notably the Klingon Civil War (that puts Gowron in charge) the Romulans manipulating things behind the scenes and then the Cardassians and Deep Space 9. Yes this is a long one and it's going to take some time to set everything up.