AN: This was initially supposed to be two chapters, but when I finished the first section, it just seemed too short. This should make a few of my readers happy, because we finally get to hear the prophecy that brought Spike to the future.
Picard drummed his fingers on the conference table as he waited on his appointment. In lieu of his ready room, this seemed like the best place to think. From the window on the wall of the room, he could see Earth, the planet that had been his home for the last few years. He knew that he was getting older, but he still felt the draw of exploration.
Lately though, he'd felt like a museum exhibit. He sat at his desk and smiled as various dignitaries and envoys marched through his office. Their guide would then talk with awe about his various exploits and tell them in hushed tones that most of what he had done was classified. He was expected to entertain them with stories of what he could tell them about, but Picard had never been good at telling stories.
His mind wandered again to the years spent in a captain's chair. He remembered well Kirk's advice; Don't let them promote you, don't let them transfer you, don't let them do anything to take you off the Bridge of that ship. Because while you're there, you can make a difference.
He had held onto the chair as long as command would let him. It was only the promise of an office near his families' vineyard in France that had finally gotten him to consent to a promotion. That and the aches and pains of age. Most of his days since from then on had been spent looking at reports and assigning missions to ships. At least his new position allowed him plenty of time to ride.
One thing that he never seemed to have enough time for while commanding the Enterprise was a brisk ride in the country. Even when he did manage to sneak away for a few hours, the horses on the holodeck never seemed quite right. Even when he instructed the computer to allow him to control the horse, the safety protocols kept him a little too safe.
A chime broke into his thoughts. "The time is fifteen hundred and fifty hours," the computer said.
Picard took a moment to clear his thoughts and looked back to the pad on the conference table. He began to scan it once more, but he had only read two sentences when the door opened and two men stepped in. One was the man he had seen before, Captain Benjamin. The other must have been his first officer. He had been told about how big Commander Siegel was, but he had always assumed those descriptions were just exaggerations. He now saw that they didn't do him justice.
Both men stood in front of Picard at attention. He took another minute or two to skim the report before casually tossing on it the table. He looked at the two men and considered for a moment longer. He mentally noted a bruise forming around Bejamin's left eye.
"Sit," he finally said, indicating the chairs before him. The two men did as instructed. Picard could hear the chair creak under Siegel's weight.
"Captain Benjamin," Picard started, folding his hands on the table, "Please explain your reasons for your complaint against Captain Riker."
Benjamin drew in a deep breath, "I wish to formally apologize and withdraw my complaint, Sir."
Picard's eyebrows shot up. "You were quite adamant earlier about his involvement in the deaths of thirty of your crew and the destruction of your ship," he leaned back in his chair, "What changed your mind?"
Benjamin leaned an elbow on the table and relaxed a little. "It was my first officer, actually," he said, "We talked about it over the last couple hours and now I realize that Captain Riker could not have known what would happen. He made decisions based on the information that he had and it was unfair for me to condemn him based on my twenty-twenty hind sight."
Picard nodded. He was honestly impressed by how level headed he seemed now, especially compared to his attitude this morning. He guessed that he must put a great deal of weight on his first officer's opinion.
Picard leaned forward and slid Riker's report across the table to Benjamin.
"Read over that and tell me if you feel that it is a fair assessment of the situation."
Benjamin picked up the pad and began to read.
Benjamin skimmed over the first half of the report. It was Riker's account of what had happened. Everything up until the point that the Kothre hailed the Enterprise after the initial attack, Benjamin knew already. He was most interested in what had occurred when the Kothre had fled and the Enterprise had given chase.
He reached about the middle of the report, mentally prepared himself, and read on.
"Now Riker," Donatra said, "We're going to leave the nebula, and you're going to stay here with a boarding party until you can be collected."
"Collected? By who?" Riker asked
Donatra chuckled, "Don't worry about that, you'll see soon enough."
The screen went blank. Riker looked to Meps, who brought up a view of the forward sensors. The screen lit up again, showing the Kothre holding position in front of them. Suddenly the image began to waver and fade.
"They're cloaking, Sir," Meps said urgently, "Compensating."
The ship still continued to fade, but now they could see ripples in the space where it had been, the computer trying to visually interpret the information it was getting from the sensors. Meps touched a few more controls and a shadowy image of the ship appeared in place of the ripples.
"Great job, Meps," Riker said, the slightest bit relieved.
"Don't thank me Captain," Meps replied, "Their cloak is almost ten years out of date."
Riker considered that for a moment before touching his badge, "Riker to Lazarus."
"Lazarus here," came the reply.
"We're about to have company," Riker said, "Do you think you can keep them off the ship?"
"Maybe, Captain," Lazarus said hesitantly, "I'll need control of the shields."
"Worf?" Riker called.
"Already done, Sir," Worf confirmed.
The turbo lift door opened and Kotor stepped into the room. His uniform was dirty and torn in places. He sported a nasty gash on the side of his face.
"Meps, keep track of that Warbird," Riker ordered, "I want to know the second it moves! Kotor, I'm going to assume that because you're here, that cut on your face can wait. Take your station."
"Yes sir," he said.
"Captain," Torik called, "It appears that Dr. Lazarus's shield changes are in place."
That was fast, Riker thought.
Torik went on, "We won't know if it will work until they try to beam-"
The vulcan was cut cut off by a beeping on the tactical panel. Kotor touched the control and read the information.
"We've sustained several small hits to our shields," The tactical officer reported, "They're holding. The energy signature is identical to the transporter beams they used earlier."
Meps suddenly looked up, "Sir! The Kothre is coming about and powering their engines."
"Torik, send a message to the Davenport." the captain ordered, "Tell them we're going to chase the Kothre and order them to stay put. Tenpenny, follow that ship."
Tenpenny tapped a few controls and the Enterprise began to move forward in line with the shadowy Warbird. When the Kothre jumped to warp, the Enterprise immediately followed.
"Captain," Tenpenny said, "This is odd."
"What's that Lieutenant?" Riker asked.
"We're not headed for the Romulan border," the helmsman said, "We seem to be headed toward the energy signature we came here to investigate."
"Kotor, energize a full spread of quantum torpedoes," Riker ordered, "I want to take out their engines.
Riker's second officer shook his head, "Not a good idea, Sir."
"Indeed," Torik interjected, "Romulans use a quantum flux to power their ships. Hitting the engine with quantum torpedo at warp could create a much larger quantum flux. That could create a singularity much larger than we have ever seen."
"How much larger?" Riker asked. Stupid question, he chided himself after he asked it.
"Theoretically, it could engulf the entire Neutral Zone."
Riker thought a moment, "If we can get them to stop?"
"Then it significantly reduces the risk," Torik said. Riker raised an eyebrow, so the vulcan answered "To less than one percent, Sir"
"I might be able to tractor beam them," Kotor said suddenly, "I was looking at Meps' sensor modifications, and I think I can use them to establish a lock through the cloak."
"Do it," Riker ordered.
Moving at warp nine, the Enterprise's tractor beam shot out and caught the Kothre. The Warbird shook as its engines tried to pull not only it's own mass, but that of the much larger Sovereign Class Federation Starship. The two ships gradually slowed to a stop.
Riker tapped his badge, "Jacobs, get my wife out of there!"
A few tense, slow seconds ticked by. Riker held his breath.
"Got her, sir"
"Release the tractor beam and fire!" Riker barked.
The blue beam holding the Kothre in place disappeared at the same time as three torpedoes launched from various bays in the Enterprise. As the weapons hit, the Federation ship was already turning around and moving back toward the nebula. The Warbird exploded as the Enterprise jumped to warp.
Benjamin put the pad down and looked to Picard. He took a deep breath and sighed, "Everything up to the Enterprise chasing the Kothre seems accurate."
Picard nodded, "Tell me, what do you make of the Kothre's actions?"
Benjamin thought a moment before answering, "It actually makes sense now that I see the whole picture."
"Oh?" Picard asked.
Benjamin and Siegel shared a look. The captain seemed to be silently asking for his first officer's advice. Siegel nodded. Benjamin rapped his knuckles against the table nervously.
"Sir," he finally said, addressing Picard, "What is your security clearance?"
Picard was a little surprised at the question, "The actual level of my clearance is classified to anyone below the rank of admiral."
"Computer," Benjamin called suddenly, "Go to Conclave Mode for the conference room. Authorization Benjamin alpha seven nine alpha."
The computer chimed and a familiar voice answered, "Level Two Conclave Mode granted. Authorization required from all other parties in the room."
Siegel spoke up, "Authorization Siegel gamma gamma one six"
Picard sat in stunned silence for a few moments. These two had clearance nearly equal to his. No one below the rank of admiral was supposed to know that conclave mode even existed, let alone be able to activate it. These two were defiantly more than they appeared.
"Authorization required," the computer prompted again.
"Oh, yes," Picard said, "Authorization Picard one one nine delta"
The computer made noises for a few seconds as it digested the information. Finally it spoke up again, "Level Two Conclave Mode initiated. Doors have been sealed and communications blocked. Authorization required to end Conclave Mode."
After a moment of silence, Benjamin asked, "Admiral, what do you know about 'Project: Jumper'?"
Riker sat at his desk looking over the reports of the damage that had been done to the Enterprise during the fight in the nebula. Most of it was fairly minor and easily repaired, but he still had to read the reports.
Suddenly his badge beeped, "Doctor to Captain Riker."
Riker tapped his badge, "Riker here."
"Captain, Spike says he needs to speak with you immediately." the Doctor said "He says it's urgent."
"Doctor, I'm very busy right now," he lied, "Can it wait?"
The Doctor hesitated, "I don't think so, Sir"
He sighed, "Very well Doctor. Bring him to my ready room."
"Yes Sir," the Doctor replied.
The channel closed. Riker began to look at the report again. He really didn't want to deal with the vampire right now, but he couldn't ignore him either. The Enterprise had pulled him from cryogenic stasis, and he was now Riker's responsibility. Especially after pushing so hard about that video disc he had with his things. Like it or not, Spike had the right to be heard.
Spike chugged the last of his drink and stood when the Doctor finished his conversation.
"We need to stop by your pad," he said, "I need something from my trunk."
The Doctor nodded and the two made their way through the halls and into one of the little elevators they had used earlier. It moved at the Doctor's command and soon they making there way to sick bay. Once there, Spike immediately threw open the lid to the trunk and began rifling around. After a few minutes, he came up with a little fireproof container, designed for families to keep documents safe in case of a disaster. It had a little combination lock, but Willow had told him what the combination would be so that he could open it when he woke up.
"Got it," he declared as he held it up for the Doctor to see.
The Doctor nodded and motioned for Spike to follow. He did so and the two walked down the hall and into another elevator.
"Bridge," the Doctor commanded. The walls began to hum and the the lights moved, but Spike still felt like he was standing still. The sensation, or rather lack there of, was a little disorienting.
"I have to admit I'm impressed, Doc," Spiked said after a minute or so of silence, "A voice activated elevator is pretty cool."
"It's not strictly an elevator," the Doctor said, "Elevators only go up and down-"
Spike cut him off, "But the Wanker-vator can go sideways and slantways and longways and blah blah blah."
The Doctor raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"
Spike was about to explain the reference, but at that moment the door opened. The brightly lit room Spike saw instantly made him nervous. Every available space seemed to be taken up by a control panel. Just under a dozen men and women stood at various displays, all wearing the same uniform as the Doctor. As he stepped off the elevator, all eyes turned to Spike.
He turned his head slowly, trying to take in the whole room. At what he thought must be the front of the room, a large screen took up most of the wall. Dominating the screen was Earth. Spike felt a pang of longing at the site. A small part of him knew that it wasn't the same Earth he remembered, but the rest of him didn't care. It was Earth and he wanted to be back there.
The sound of his name broke him from his thoughts and the turned to see the Doctor motioning him toward a door on the other end of the room. Spike took a second to shake off the sensation then followed to the door. He was surprised when it didn't open automatically like every other door he had seen so far.
The Doctor pressed his thumb against the miniature control panel on the wall to the side of the door. The panel chimed and, almost instantly, the captain's voice sounded from it.
"Come in," he said, and with that, the door slid open. The Doctor stepped in and Spike followed. The room was relatively small. What looked like a rather spartan bed sat in the corner below some shelves built into the wall. The selves held what looked like various books and knickknacks. A stone obelisk sat in a corner behind a desk. Riker sat at the desk and motioned for the two to sit. They did so in the two chairs before the desk. Spike held the container in his lap.
"What did you want to see me about, Spike?" Riker asked.
Spike responded by working the dial of the lock until it clicked open. He reached in and pulled out the lone sheet of paper it contained.
He lifted the delicate paper gingerly and read, "'When humanity is seeded among the stars, they and their allies shall face a threat so great that if not stopped, will engulf all of reality in it's evil. This evil will send robotic demons disguised as one of humanity's oldest enemies calling for peace'," He looked up from the paper, "I'm pretty sure that was the romulans the Doctor told me about."
Riker gave the Doctor a reproachful look, but Spike ignored it and continued, "'The Vampire with a Soul', that's me, 'must sacrifice his future to help a reluctant captain,' that's you," Spike indicated Riker, "'a doctor made of light,' and him," Spike indicated the Doctor, "'Save all that is and all that will be, or he will spend his existence burning in the fires of hell.'"
Riker sat back, looking a little confused. After a moment, he held his hand out and asked to see the paper.
"Yeah, just be careful with it," Spike said, gently handing it over. Riker took it carefully in both hands and placed it flat on his desk. He read over the prophecy for a few minutes.
"Are you sure this is real?" Riker asked.
Spike shrugged, "As sure as I can be. I was there when it was given."
"Doctor?" Riker asked.
"This is the first I've heard of it," the Doctor replied, "But I must admit it is troubling. If it is real, then we have an enormous responsibility here. According to that, all of reality might depend on us."
Riker chuckled as he leaned back in his chair and stroked his beard, "It's not first time I've been told that. All right, Spike. Tell me about this prophecy.
AN: Again, please review. I really want to know how I'm doing.