30 Worlds: Royal Megaforce, Episode Final: "Masters of the Ultimate Power"
FINAL BOOK*CHAPTER TWO
Aboard Dimensional Defense Vessel Gansett
Conference Lounge
On course for Sector 001, Alpha Quadrant
William took his traditional place at the head of the table, while Sofia, the Rangers, Phineas, Zenon and Chekov took seats elsewhere around the table.
"We are about ten minutes from Sector 001 and the action zone," William said. "A few moments ago, Agent Evans contacted me from aboard Gavan's Glory II and noted that Zero had picked up a message from the USS Titan."
William tapped a control on the keypad set in front of him. The conference lounge lights dimmed and a holographic projector glowed into life. "This is Commander Seven of Nine, acting captain of the USS Titan, broadcasting on all emergency frequencies," the woman on the holographic display said. "We are currently trying to slow the Borg attack on Earth as best we can, but our systems are failing. Captain Shaw and most of the senior crew are injured, assimilated or dead. Please help."
Commander Seven proceeded to explain how, using a cloaking device from the century-old Klingon Bird-of-Prey at the Fleet Museum, the Titan was constantly cloaking and de-cloaking in order to break the line-of-sight propagation of the communications channel that the Borg Queen at Jupiter was using to control the Fleet and the assimilated officers.
Seven noted that the Borg had added nanoprobes to the transporter systems of every ship and installation in Starfleet which gradually assimilated every officer under the age of 25. In addition, Borg technology was used to create the Fleet Formation mode which ultimately allowed the Borg takeover of the fleet.
Chekov looked at William. "Since your armada is not tied in to the Fleet Formation network, I am officially deputizing the Scarlett Armada into Starfleet for the duration of this emergency," he said.
"I understand, Mr. President," William said. "Would you like to assume control of the Armada?"
"No," Chekov said, shaking his head. "As far as I am concerned, your ships are your responsibility. I would be honored to provide advice, though."
"Thank you, Mr. President," William said.
"Zero to King William," a voice called out on the comm.
"Go ahead, Zero," William said.
"We are five minutes from the Terran solar system," Zero said.
"Slow to sub-light. We're on our way," William said. "Go to Tactical Alert, all ships. Dismissed."
The room lights returned to normal (but with a red tint) as William, Sofia, the Rangers, Phineas, Zenon and Chekov exited the conference lounge.
Back on the Bridge of the Gansett, William sat in his chair and activated its restraints. On either side of him, Mal and Chekov did the same.
"All stations here on the Gansett and all ships in the Armada are ready for action, William," Mal said, checking her display. "All capable ships are readying to launch fighters."
"Understood," William said. "All fighter-capable vessels, launch when ready."
On the Gansett's viewscreen, the Galactica, Pegasus and other ships with fighter launch systems began to scramble them.
"Zenon, patch me through to Princess Elena on the Enterprise," William said. Zenon nodded, then set to work.
The virtual viewscreen switched to Princess Elena Castillo Flores. She sat on the Bridge of the Enterprise.
"Yes, William?" Elena said.
"Elena, form up on me," William said. "We're going to cover the Titan."
"Will do," Elena said.
Aboard Federation Starship USS Titan NCC-80102-A
Main Bridge
Commander Seven of Nine sat in the Titan's command chair and watched as two Duderstadt-class ships began to bear down on the Titan.
Nearby, her former lover, Commander Raffaela Musiker, reported, "One more hit, and we lose the cloak."
"And if we lose the cloak, we get re-assimilated," Seven said.
But just before one of the Duderstadt-classes fired the sure-to-be-fatal blow, both ships were hit with an unknown energy weapon. The officer at the communications station reported, "Commander, incoming text message."
"Let's see it," Seven said.
On the viewscreen, the message read, "COMMANDER SEVEN OF NINE, YOUR SALVATION IS AT HAND. THROUGH SCARLETT FLAMES, WE COME TO RESIST THE BORG."
Then, a cloud of red mist appeared on the Bridge, revealing William.
"Prince William?!" Seven said.
"Not now," William said instead of correcting Seven. "Where is the HMS Bounty's cloak installed?"
"Deck 7, but..." Seven started to say before the doors onto the Bridge opened and a group of assimilated Starfleet officers began to step onto the Bridge. William stepped between the approaching assimilated officers and the Titan Bridge crew, sonic screwdriver at the ready.
However, suddenly, the officers stopped. William's communicator went off.
"King William. Go ahead," William said.
"William, this is Sofia. The Enterprise-D has destroyed the Borg cube! The Borg signal has ceased!" Sofia said.
"Got ya, Sofia," William said. "William, out."
William watched as the African American woman at the head of the group of previously assimilated officers began to apologize to Seven for what had happened while she was under Borg control. Seven simply hugged the officer—who William knew from his records to be Sydney LaForge, daughter of Geordi LaForge.
"Commander Seven, I leave the Titan to you, as you seem to have things in hand," William said.
"Thank you for being ready to help us, Your Majesty," Seven said. "It was also a pleasure to finally meet you."
William nodded, before disappearing in red mist.
Ship's Log, DDV Gansett, Mission Date 1,293, King William recording.
With the destruction of the Borg cube at Jupiter by the Enterprise-D, the battered Federation fleet is beginning to rebuild.
At the request of President Chekov, the ships of the Scarlett Armada are continuing to serve as Starfleet ships while the actual ships are rebuilt and/or repaired. In addition, ten Type-III mobile drydock facilities have been summoned to the Unaligned World of Star Trek to assist in the repairs and rebuilding of both Probert Station and the damaged Starfleet ships.
Ship's Log, DDV Gansett, supplemental, Ensign Zenon Kar recording.
The members of the Gansett's Bridge crew have been summoned to a special meeting of the Federation Council. We were not notified of the reasoning for this request, but we have been assured by President Chekov that something special awaits us there.
Council Chambers of the United Federation of Planets
San Francisco, North America, Earth
One Week Following the Frontier Day Disaster
Chekov stood at the lectern at the front of the room as the other Councilors took their seats. After calling the meeting to order, Chekov cleared his throat.
"Ladies and Gentlebeings of this Council, it does me proud to stand before you on this day, as we hold our first Council meeting since the debacle one week ago," Chekov began. "Were it not for the bravery and fidelity of men and women like those we have gathered here to honor today, I myself might not even be standing here."
Chekov then turned to a nearby door. "Bring in our honored guests," he said to a pair of Starfleet officers.
The door slid open, allowing William, Sofia, Mal, Phineas, Zenon and the members of the King's Hand to enter the Council chamber and stand before Chekov. "Standing before us now are the senior command crew of the Dimensional Defense Vessel Gansett, the flagship of a Scarlett Army fleet who aided the rebuilt USS Enterprise-D in stopping the Borg attack on this planet," Chekov continued. "Councilor zh'Thane, please read the award presentation warrant for the record."
An Andorian zhen stood up and read from a PADD she was given by one of her assistants. "'We, the Governing Council of the United Federation of Planets, do hereby gather on this day, Stardate 78307.67, to honor the Armada sent by the Cinnabarian Resistance Alliance—hereafter referred to as the Scarlett Army, for brevity's sake—for their bravery in defending the Federation from an attack by the forces of the Borg Collective.'"
Councilor Charivretha zh'Thane stood and followed her aides down to where the crew of the Gansett were standing. "'King William Edward Felchenerow III and Queen Sofia Lynn Roland I of Cinnabar, Princess Consort Mal of Auradon, Phineas Flynn, Ensign Zenon Kar and Agents Steven Evans, Poppy Blu, Victoria Nichols, Jane D'Amico, Koska Reeves, Zasha Gagrin and Elizabeth Steckler, for conspicuous gallantry and actions above and beyond the grandest traditions of service to this Federation, we hereby present each of you with the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor in the name of your fleet and your organization. Signed and Authorized, Stardate 78307.67, Anton Pavelovich Chekov, President, United Federation of Planets.'"
Chekov stepped down from the lectern and pinned the Medal of Valor to the tunics of each member of the Gansett's command crew. When he got to Zenon, Chekov asked, "Ensign Kar, how old are you if you don't mind me asking?"
"Fourteen years old as measured by Terran years, Mr. President," Zenon said.
As he affixed the Pike Medal to the tunic of Zenon's Liberty station dress uniform, Chekov then announced: "Ladies and Gentlebeings, with today's presentation we are making history. At just 14 Terran-standard years old, Ensign Zenon Astrid Kar of the Dimensional Defense Vessel Gansett becomes the youngest-ever recipient of the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor."
As William heard the cheering of the Councilors, he smiled a wry smile. With the A.I.C. still at large, he knew that everyone receiving the Pike Medal might be getting a cluster or two soon.
::TBC::