Time's Caretaker

by Themightytom

sequel to Time's Razor and concurrent to Star Trek Delta. As the twelve colonies struggle to survive the Fall, and to understand the new world they find themselves in, the path to the future leads to the past, and legends point the way. Includes direct crossovers from Star Trek franchise, Battlestar Galactica 2003, The 100, and more, only if you are reading very closely.

9. Chapter 9: Enemy

To: President Roslin

From: Admiral Adama

Mission Report Day 8.

Location: In orbit over Kobol

Recovery of Pegasus crew, complete. 881 survivors. Kobol expedition suffered over 40 percent casualties. List attached.

Ground facility at A.T.H.E.N.A. installation online. Klingons Engineer Maltz augmenting ground to air defenses augmented with federation technology. Schematics and construction notes will be sent by courier.

Starship Monroe providing inertial dampeners for Vipers and raptors, Commander Marcus and Lieutenant Yar overseeing installation. Will proceed to Sol rendevouz point in 12 hours. Schematics and construction notes attached.

Sunmary list and medical notes of detainees recieved from Monroe attached.

"...'The bear was seeking his cub, not the bulls'." Kahn read in his theatrical voice. He paced his cell in the brig holding his book Captains Courageous. Accross the room in another cell, Marla Macguyver sat on her heels, hands on her knees listening attentively. "'Hard men who had their knives drawn to fight for their financial lives put away the weapons and wished him God-speed'." He snapped the book shut and put his hands behind his back, nodding approvingly, " That is a man of power. Even his rivals wish him fortune."

Delos shifted his feet on the console with his arms crossed. Kahn took note of the movement. "I suspect you were such a man yourself once, Mr. Deloc uses."

Delos checked the setting on his phaser. "Nope. Not interested Singh." He said dryly, "The three of you are here until the Captain says so, and I'm only here until lunch. Let's forgo the sudden adventure into bonding and common cause, I hate the side quests."

"I see." Kahn replied clasping his hands behind his back while facing the forcefield, "But who is our third companion? She has done little more than sleep and cry out on occasion."

"Don't know, don't care." Delos said stolidly. "Blondie's nightmares aren't my problem. Commander said it was okay for you to read to your wife, she didn't say I had to talk to you. That's the way it works here."

"Of course your commitment to order is commendable." Kahn said dryly. Still he took the hint. "My wife, let us practice the form of the Eagle." He adopted a stance as his wife rose dutifully to her feet, and accross the small hall from him in her own cell she began to mimic his moves. Delos snorted softly. The cells weren't particularly large, cointaining only a bunk and a wall unit with a head and a sink inset in the wall. Delos sat at a small array of consoles in the center of three such cells. An identical arrangement could be found at two other sides of a triangle around a central room with a secured turbolift. Additional access points were located through storage rooms, and evidently the brig doubled as some sort of hazardous animals transport solution, or even an overflow medical ward, but the prisoners wouldn't know that and the secured storage rooms were mostly full of the equipment to reconfigure the room. He took note of a light flashing on his console and reached forward to tap a command. Behind him, Mogh was visible through a window keeping watch on the two occupied sections from the central chamber. The doors beside the window opened to admit their visitor. Kahn completed his movements a tad hurredly to Delos' eye and then stood watching, his hands behind him. Macguyver did, as well.

"How are our guests." Captain Kirk asked, like Kahn his arms were behind his back. He entered slowly, almost warily, despite the heavily armed Klingon behind him and Delos himself.

"The Singhs are apparently done with story time, so now they are doing some kind of fancy Karate, Doctor Dehnmer hasn't really moved." Delos answered. Kirk gazed slowly around.

"She does not seem well, Captain." Kahn said casually, "Perhaps your Sickbay would be a more appropriate lodging for one so frail." Kirk looked at Kahn appraisingly and approached his cell.

"There is a good possibility that she is the most dangerous person in this room." Kirk told Kahn, earning a slowly raised eyebrow from Kahn. Kirk eyed him contemplatively.

"I see the eyes, of an old and tired soul." Kahn said softly. Kirk gazed at him evenly. "Set in the face of a man who once dared me to tame a world." He locked eyes with Kirk. "Joachim is safe ?" He asked, only the barest hint of warning in an otherwise respectful tone.

"He is." Kirk acknowledged, still meeting Kahn's gaze. "I didn't think it wise to keep the two of you together, he is in another security suite."

"It seems this new ship has much more room for prisoners, than your old Enterprise. An interesting sociological trend for your more evolved society." Kahn said carefully. "I understand your caution, as I am a dangerous man, Captain, and Joachim as well, but do you consider it appropriate to keep my wife imprisoned as well?"

"Absolutely." Kirk said without flinching, "You are no doubt well aware how capable she is, and as a former member of my crew I am, as well." Macguyver, standing in her cell, flinched. Kirk waited for her to respond but bowed her head deferentially to Kahn. Irritated, Kirk turned back to Kahn. "She aided you once before Kahn. She is not to be underestimated."

"So is she to be punished for her loyalty to me, or for her disloyalty to you." Kahn demanded, his voice hardening, then he put a hand to his head. "Forgive me, I am fatigued, and these forcefields create such an irritating whine, just at the edge of my perceptions." Kirk put a hand to his head reflexively, he was feeling a headache as well, but he had chalked it up to the fatigue of the past few days and somewhat of an excess in drinking the night before. Catching himself he dropped his hand, the last thing he wanted to do was show weakness to Kahn, or show any solidarity, and regardless, Delos seemed unaffected.

"It doesn't make a difference." He snapped, "I've a responsibility to the men and women on this ship, Kahn and I can't just let you loose among them." He looked over his shoulder at Macguyver "and I certainly can't assume history won't repeat itself."

"And just what is that history?" Kahn demanded, "When last we parted, you set me and my people free. When that abomination arrived and seized us I became acutely aware of the type of peril you left us to face. My people were tortured, James Kirk, made to compete as animals, all because that mechanical marionette wanted to study it's superior forebear. " Kahn moved millimeters from the forcefield, demonstrating his awareness of exactly where it was projected. "Another man might hold you responsible for leaving us so… vulnerable."

"What choice would I have had?" Kirk replied, his voice tight, "Take you to a starbase? Risk another starship? What prison would hold you, Kahn, whose blood would be on my hands if I'd brought you back to the federation, and if I'd stuffed you back in your pods would you be any better off?" He glared at Kahn, "I don't deserve your hate, I don't deserve your rage." He let out a breath.

"No you do not." Kahn conceded, almost chidingly, "I consider you a worthy adversary, James Kirk, as I consider myself an educated, and civilized man. I was bred to rule, I do not deny my ambitions, but I assure you they are tempered." Grimly he nodded to Marla. Head still bowed, she began to speak.

"He was tortured Captain. Lore forced his people to fight monsters from across time and space over and over. Sometimes he killed them himself, all while Khan was forced to observe and comply." She looked up with a face devoid of emotion. "For me. Captain. Lore threatened to hurt me, if Khan didn't serve him. Khan had to sacrifice people sworn to him, just to protect me." She looked at Khan. "I can never repay him for that."

"I'm sorry." Kirk said sincerely to her, he turned to Khan, "I can't imagine what you've been through." Kahn regarded him stoically, "But I have to think of my crew too."

"You fear me." Kahn said dissmissively, "you fear me for what I am. Even humbled, you fear me like primitive man fears the crash of thunder. Dissappointing."

"I don't fear you," Kirk snarled. Delos, forgotten, put his hands on his phaser instinctively at the venom in Kirk's voice and as the heat rose between the two men, "I hate you for what you took from me, the lives you cost me, starting with hers." He jerked a thumb at Macguyver, Kahn was actually taken aback, though the only sign he gave was a slight relaxing of his posture for a moment. Kirk continued. "Always complaining about yourself, aren't you, how unjust the world is for you, but do you think of others? You know what she gave up for you? Do you know what's at stake?"

"I am aware that her existence was transformed." Kahn growled. "I am aware that she has given herself to a cause greater than her own ambitions. What is an inconvenienced career on a starship compared to the chance to stand beside a living legend."

"Her career was ended, Kahn, she would have been guilty of mutiny on a federation starship." Kirk snapped, "She was an officer on my ship, she was an accomplished historian,

do you have any idea what she might have been part of she stayed aboard? We met the being known to man as Apollo, we fought Nazis, we found a preserved roman society, I met Abraham Lincoln, and the list goes on. Our mission of exploration took us into the greatest eras of Earth's history, and she was part of it.

all of that ended when she chose to join you, and the others? Uhura had nightmares for years, Chekov transferred from Navigation to Security just to convince himself his ship was safe, and then after what you did to him the second time…" Kirk broke off, but Kahn's eyes lit.

"So there is more." He said in confirmation, "The fear I see isn't for me after all, but perhaps for whom I might have become." He let his hands fall to his side, "Tell me of the life I never lived Kirk, tell me the destiny of which I was denied." His voice lowered, "Did I return to conquer your federation?"

"No you fool!" Kirk snapped. "She died, evidently horribly. We went back there, we found the bodies! That poor crew you marooned down there found your journals, learned of your unborn son! You went mad! You waited over a decade and then you stole a ship and you attacked a ship full of trainees without warning. Then, when enough people had died to defeat you, you killed yourself." He let the words hang in the air as he glared at Kahn. "There was no glory to be found Kahn, only tragedy, only senseless death!"

Kahn broke the gaze first. He moved to his bunk and slowly sat down. He looked past Kirk and saw Marla covering her mouth in horror, and a shadow of regret cross Kirk's face at his outburst. Kahn nodded to himself. He looked up.

"I am.. aware.." He said with some difficulty, "That the attributes which I have been given to lead, may also become… twisted." Kirk was shocked to see vulnerability on the so-called superman's face. "The loss of my wife, would be an insurmountable blow."

"You murdered good men and women." Kirk told him angrily, "You destroyed innocent lives, you almost jeopardized galactic peace with your insane quest for revenge."

"I cannot atone for the sins of another, Captain ." Kahn said stiffly, "And it is unjust to punish me for things I have not done."

"But there is more Kahn, look past yourself for one single moment." Kirk shouted. "Lore took you just a few weeks before she would have died, with your unborn son. You haven't aged since he took you, don't you see what that means?"

"I… have a son…" Kahn breathed, "An heir.." he looked at Macguyver with wonder, "you are a superior woman." He turned to Kirk. "I will see this child rise no matter what forces array against him."

"Well that would be convenient for you, wouldn't it." Delos suddenly spoke up. "To be the hero of this story, the underdog." He leaned forward on the console. "Except that just because you haven't killed all those people, doesn't mean you won't. Just because you didn' get your child killed this time around, doesn't mean you won't." Kirk looked at Delos. "I've heard you reading, Singh, I know your type." He looked warningly at the augment. "You reek of ambition. You're enthralled by power. You'll forget the wonder of this moment soon again and then you'll seek advantage." Kahn rose.

"And you seek…" Kahn snarled, and then caught himself, trying to follow his accusation to it's end, " understanding."he finally decided, almost taken aback "You seek meaning Mr. Delos I've listened to you too, though you are a man of few words, you are a man of many regrets." He turned back to Kirk, "But you… you Captain James Kirk. You seek justice. The man I met, commanding an intrepid crew in a five years mission of exploration, you took command, because you wanted to do it right." He emphasized the last with a sweep of his hand and turned away running a hand through his hair, then turned back to them. "In another time, you might have served me as a general, in still another, we might have grappled to the death, James Kirk, but I think in this moment, now, we are more alike than you would like to admit. You would fight for your family just as I will, you would kill for them, if you needed to, and you would hate." Kahn relished the thought, "Oh how you would hate any who tried to take them from you."

"This is pointless." Kirk said angrily, "You can rot for all eternity for all I care-"

"Because you have the power." Kahn interjected before Kirk took more than a step, "you saved me once again, for which I am greatful but then you shot me, didn't you. You imprisoned me here. Tell me, Mr. Delos, is James Kirk my savior, or another jailer, is he the hero, or the villain."

"We don't all wear white hats and black hats any more Kahn." Delos told the superman, as Kirk shook his head and left angrily "and we don't all get happy endings, and maybe this isn't even your story."

. *. *

"Ensign Reyes!" A tall and bumbling older man called down the hallway as Raven moved with purpose, "Ensign Reyes?"

"Berlinghoff." She didn't pause, "Catch up with those creepy spider legs of yours or meet me in the Engineering Lab, we're both running late and I do not want to keep the Commander waiting, and I do not have time for your creepy pretenses to shock me into conversation, we've all had our traumas."

Berlinghoff Rasmussen caught up hurredly gasping slightly as he exerted himself.

"I just.. haven't had much exercise these past few years." He huffed, "Once Lore figured out I wasn't what my alternate had told him I was, in his timeline, he mostly found menial chores for me." He painted, "You ever try to clean a room after a vivisection?"

"Jesus Christ no, why would I-"

The doors parted and she stopped as they entered a room full of people. A large display table occupied the center of the room, with several work stations and displays surrounding it.

"Doctor Rasmussen, Ensign Reyes." Saavik acknowledged, Reyes gave Rasmussen a sort of shocked shrug as Saavik continued,"Kind of you to arrive nearly on time."

A younger man at one side of the work station groaned earning Saavik's attention and and a raised eye brow. Rasmussen mouthed to Raven 'later' and the profanity laced refusal Raven had in mind could only be expressed with an extended finger outside the view of Commander Saavik. The Commander had shifted her attention anyway.

"Lieutenant Ducane." She asked as the others took the places around a large circular table with a Holotank, "Is there a problem."

"We hate time jokes in the Timefleet.* He said dryly, "Everyone feels the need to make them and all associated puns."

"Then perhaps it is fortuitous that you are not in the Timefleet." Saavik stated flatly. Ducane looked down. "Lieutenant Hansen, and Ensign Icheb have begun to enhance this laboratory with technology derived from a species identified as the Borg." She told the others, "I have not yet had a chance to familiarize myself with it's operations, Mr. Icheb, could you activate the holographic model?"

"Yes Ma'am." Icheb said nodding politely. He dinner the lights and began to work his console. Saavik continued.

"In the meantime, for our late arrivals, I am aware that most of you were kept on isolated parts of Emperor Lore's ship, and are therefore unfamiliar with each other and us as well. I am Commander Saavik, Lieutenant Commander Ro and I are part of the command staff, she is our chief tactical officer and third officer, I am executive officer and second in command of this vessel, you will note the individuals in uniform are also Starfleet officers on this vessel, Ensign Icheb and Lieutenant Hansen were crewmenbers on a federation starship, and Ensign Reyes has been given a field commission. Professor Rasmussen was a traveller from the 26th-"

"Twenty second Century." Berlinghoff clarified then added, "I'm actually from the 22nd Century, the time pod I arrived was from the 26th Century." He waved a hand "I'm from New Jersey, actually." At the collective blank looks he said "Earth." Nobody seemed interested so he added hesitantly, "I've just become a bit lost, from my own time, and I've been caught up in so many tragic events, that even the emotional toll-"

"Indeed." Saavik interjected, he opened his mouth and she stared him into ceasing, then continued in a more business like tone, "Lieutenant Ducane is from a variant of the 29th Century Timefleet, therefore possessing a great deal of perspective, however, per his training, he is not able to enlist in starfleet of any era but his own, and is only able to offer limited consultation. I would ask that we not press him for specifics, nor attempt to explore the ideological or philosophical underpinnings of the boundaries he has expressed."

"Though I understand the temptation " Ducane added, "Not only are we in such a wildly deviated timeline from my own, that it seems likely at first glance, the Timefleet never existed, we are in the far future from my own timeline, and it's not always clear how seemingly linear events interact fourth dimensionally." Ducane explained, "Our missions have taken us into situations like this before, so we have procedures in place to manage our affect on those interactions, though they have at times proven evidently pre-destined."

"Clearly the interconnected interactions of multiple timelines and periods would require a complex governing administrative protocol." The shortest member of the group spoke up. Notable for a wild mane of hair and high distinctive forehead he was the most obviously alien member of the group. He spoke softly in an almost distracted voice, "Despite the opportunities presented by the exploration and manipulation of time, most species prefer to simply leave it alone due to its inherently self referential dynamic."

"Self referential dynamic huh? Sounds like Stretch over here." Raven said dryly. Rasmussen looked wounded.

"Kurros is, a member of a species native to the Delta Quadrant, and a member of a group functioning as mercenary think tank." Hansen spoke up. Kurros bowed his head, "In my timeline dealings with him and his group were found to be devoid of moral restraint."

"I was taken into my group as a child and I admit that our activities were hardly altruistic." Kurros replied, "Yet I am also the only survivor of the horrors Lore inflicted upon us for his amusement and I have undegone considerable self reflection, during the tedious years of my capture. I am grateful to this ship for my rescue. I recognize the fundamental necessity of working cooperatively to end the risk that Emperor Lore represents and I encourage you to feel that you have full use of my capabilities."

Crewman Sizemore is a synthetic being with the cognitive pathways of human born one million years ago.* Saavik continued, with Sizemore earning a surprised look from the woman wearing a lab coat, "He was kept in a virtual network for most of that time, Ensign Reyes is a survivor of this Earth's nuclear apocalypse in the early 22nd century, other members of her group colonized the planet below, and subsequently repopulated Earth and an additional number of worlds before conflict with a combined race of mechanical and synthetix life forms, among other things, evidently rendered Earth once more inhabitable. Finally Doctor Zoe Graystone, a citizen of the so called 12 Colonies of Kobol, and expert on cybernetics and cybernetic warfare."

"Call me Doctor Z." Graystone told them, "My family name made me somethin of a pariah once the war started."

"Yeah, I think you and an acquaintance of mine named Becca might have a thing or two in common starting an apocalyptic war between AI and humans."

"I take it you haven't had the chance to get to know Delos and Charlotte." Sizemore said wryly.

"The cowboy and the bartender?" Raven asked surprised. "Those were real people? I just thought they were programs."

"What do you mean 'were' real people, am I not a real person.?" Sizemore said, seemingly offended.

"Remember the AI maxim, Mr. Sizemore." Suggested Doctor Z. "If you think you are thinking, than you may be being, and if you aren't, don't tell the fleshies." Raven looked at Zee suspiciously.

Saavik gave them a few moments to exchange pleasantries before nodding to Icheb.

At commands entered into the table, a wireframe model of Lore's ship appeared, along side smaller schematics of the Monroe, and the Mercury class Battlestar.

"Commander Marcus is working with a team to implement minor practical engineering improvements in existing defensive technologies. Engineer Maltz is working with Mogh and a ground based contingent to fortify the A.T.H.E.N.A. installation. The Monroe has completed tractoring the Pegasus back into orbit, where it is being brought into drydock at the Cylon Colony. This should afford some protection against an attempt to removed it from the timeline, as the Colony is mobile. Our purpose here is to explore the known and probable tactical capabilities of our respective technologies as they relate to what we could discern from scans of Lore's ship. "

"We are due to depart shortly to the Sol system where we expect to reinforce colonial fleet elements and attempt to broker peace between them and a party identified as the Cylon Empire." She looked at Zee for a reaction, but the doctor seemed unfamiliar with them. She continued,

"A note for our newer guests, our current Cylon allies do not organize around the principles of an emperor and were created by the 12 colonies, Dr Zee, though originating in an alternate timeline is familiar with their original programming and capabilities, but suffice it to say that even the Cylon Unity as they are currently known, would be at most something like cousins to the Imperial Cylons. The Cylon Emperor, evidently came under the control of Emperor Lore, but is descended from the Cylons of the thirteenth colony, conceived here on Kobol and ultimately responsible for recolonizing Earth."

"and then destroying it again." Sizemore stated. Raven narrowed her eyes at him, but he continued "Which is relevant here because according to the initial findings of the Sol expedition, the 13th tribe consisted originally of advanced versions of the host I currently inhabit."

"Mr. Sizemore has expressed interest in upgrading the hosts we recovered, such as himself, and the idea of more advanced models is of personal interest to him." Ro pointed out.

"It was my desire to reach my greater potential before, yes." Sizemore admitted "Now knowing, not only that we may go up against superior versions, run by personalities and programs descended from those we may have been endangered by, and even murdered by, as far back as Westworld? Yes, you could say I am nervous, but it's also worth noting that in the conflicts between hosts even BEFORE they.. er I suppose I should say, we.. tried to supplant humanity, the architects of those conflicts, were hosts operating with expanded capabilities. Delores initially operated as a model of an earlier design, as did Bernard. Bernard was modelled to an extent after one of the park's original programmers, Arnold, and Arnold himself made alterations to Delores, including the addition of a 'Wyatt' personality." He realized he was losing them, "According to the A.T.H.E.N.A. installation, these personalities made a number of known advances, who knows what else their descendants are capable of?"

"What is the specific nature of these known advances over your current design?" Kurros asked.

"Evidently they were capable of engaging in sexual reproduction." Hansen explained. Lee flushed.

"And you cannot perform this function?" Kurros asked.

"Well I'm capable of performing.. I mean having sex.." Sizemore flustered.

"Oh is that where your last name comes from?" Raven interrupted, she gave him a wink. "You're 'fully functional'?" Rasmussen leaned in, preparing to add something as he moved towards Raven but Saavik placed a casual hand on the indent of his elbow, a hand he found backed by vulcan strength. With a resigned sigh approaching a gasp of pain, he shuffled back as she moved between them.

"Of course I.. well I mean I haven't actually tri- in THIS body I haven't.. "

"Mr. Sizemore would not be capable of bearing a child." Doctor Z clarified.

"This is unusual? I was under the impression that the even the organic males of your species were already unable to do so." Kurros frowned. He had a tricorder and began to scan Sizemore. Sizemore reached over and flipped it shut.

"Do you even mind?" The host objected. "No the males do not carry children, Lieutenant Hansen was talking about the ability of the Imperial Cylons to reproduce without need for mechanical assistance." Raven wasn't going to let it go. She gave a knowing glance and Hansen and Doctor Z, "Well I suppose there is some degree of mechanical…"

"We are not here to explore the reproductive capabilities of the Cylon Empire." Saavik interjected, forcefully. Her presence among the others abolished their distractions. "Mr. Sizemore you had a point about the 13th colony?"

"I'm sorry, yes. We can imagine that their individual capabilities are at least divergent from, if not superior to, our own, and if the manner in which the Cylon Unity explored ship design is any indication, their vessels might be too. " Sizemore shook his head. He looked helplessly at the controls for the holographic tank, and then at Icheb. "It's just.. well we haven't got any scans of them, so we've no idea about things like how fast and in what manner they think, but we should at least consider the likely capabilities of the Cylon Imperial ships. That would be the manner in which they express threat to us. Though they are descendants of the 13th colony and therefore Kobol, so at the very least there are a number of technological differences we might anticipate."

"The five Cylons who reinvented resurrection technology didn't have access to faster than light technology." Raven pointed out. "They used the Elegius III, didn't they? After they arrived at the 12 colonies, 40 years ago the Cylon unity integrated into the colony out there." She gestured aimlessly to indicate the massive construct floating in space somewhere beyond the bulkhead "But because they were traveling at relativistic speeds they left Earth hundreds of years ago. During that time the human cylons on Earth fought the mechanical ones and ultimately left what was left for parts unknown." Raven noted heads agreeing with her narrative so she continued, "They encountered Emperor Lore and he took over and developed evidently some kind of faster than light drive, in whatever order that occurred."

"I believe that of those in this room Icheb and I were on board the Emperor's ship the longest." Hansen said, "yet I do not recall ever encountering a mechanical Cylon."

"There were parts of centurions in the wreckage of the A.T.H.E.N.A. installation, so it seems likely they came on Lore's ship." Raven pointed out, "They must have been there, somewhere."

"There was also an earlier ship configuration, prior to our rescue." Icheb pointed out. Another wireframe appeared beside Lore's ship, a smaller simpler version.

"It can transform?" Rasmussen asked, Sizemore shook his head but Icheb answered

"Based on the Monroe's sensor readings the Emperor's ship underwent a self contained temporal shift prior to our evacuation." Icheb said. "Emperor Lore found it necessary to alter his own timeline in order to alter the outcome of the battle, in an inverse application of the time drive, we were not aware of ever having been implemented."

"And which we would not be aware of, if we were altered by use of the device." Hansen stated, "assuming Emperor Lore is committed to self preservation, he must have some mechanism for preserving his own awareness of what such a procedure would alter."

"The Emperor also haf an ego." Rasmussen shuddered, "He murdered more than a few of his own counterparts and wired them up as some kind of ghoulish think tank of his own."

"Those weren't all duplicates of Lore." Hansen spoke up, "Many were of a counterpart android named Data, however, your point remains. I do not believe Lore would allow himself to be blindly substituted by a copy of himself from another timeline."

"He had schematics for a portable chroniton generator would could have been integrated into his design." Kurros noted, "my colleague was forced to create them."

"I was forced to create a replacement for Icheb's interplexing beacon when Lore extracted it." Hansen said grimly. "Such components could create a system where Lore could transmit a checksum for limited updates."

"Then he would still need a partner, or secondary data system."

"Possibly the room you observed." Hansen told Ramsussen, "Such an assembly would be highly compatible, as it consisted of Soong type androids."

"But even if he shielded himself and then sent an upload from whereever or whenever he needed to, he still alters time. Raven pointed out, "in changing his own timeline to make his ship bigger and badder he may have altered his local timeline's relationship or reliance on the Cylon Empire. Maybe they aren't all as tight as they seemed."

"Emperor Lore utilized large scale temporal shielding on his ship, to displace him from the timeline and protect him from it's changes." Ducane observed. "If you understood the nature of those shields, you could potentially confirm whether their function could be inverted."

Koros entered a command into his tricorder, and a number of energy patterns appeared and were highlighted. The image quality improved and the displays presented were accompanied by scrolling sensor data.

"Something like this, perhaps?" He asked Ducane.

"How did you access the display from your tricorder?" Icheb asked startled, Koros looked at him patiently and Icheb amended, "Forgive me that isn't relevant."

"It is from a security standpoint." Ro said frowning. She exchanged a glance with Saavik."I thought we had all transmission points on the ship locked down." Raven examined Kurros' tricorder. She looked over at Ro.

"He's using the sensor pings to create microvariations in the holo display feedback monitors, and he managed to write code for an interface while we were talking." She shook her head. "The adaptability of federation energy technology as well as it's integration with sensory interpretation software seems to create an infinite number of security holes." She told them. "The more advanced communicators let us plug some of the monitoring holes built into the ship.." she pointed at the comm array in the ceiling, "But any modulated form of energy that includes feedback needs a firewall, forcefields, touch panels, probably even life support with this character on board."

Hansen looked over what Kurros had displayed.

"Your waveforms are consistent with sensor data collected by the Voyager before it's ultimate destruction." She stated. Kurros nodded. Saavik was examining data now scrolling beside both versions of Lore's ship. Raven opened her mouth but Hansen continued, "You have updated our schematic to include sensor data collected by the Monroe, however you appear to have extrapolated a considerable amount of information that wasn't immediately discernible by this vessel's sensors."

"The data was there." Koros assured her placidly, "A few simple algorithms to correlate the necessary factors, and I took the liberty of tying in readings collected by the Battlestar Vesta and the A.T.H.E.N.A. installation."

"I just finished upgrading the Colonial virtual defenses. Looks like I already need an update patch ." Raven said dryly, as she joined Ro in looking over what Kurros was doing on his tricorder. The others however, remained on task.

"With this additional data, it will be possible to track Lore's ship in real time, with modifications to our sensor analysis." Hansen told Saavik. "We can also run a comparative analysis between the variations of Lore's ship and alterations in it's emissions."

"But what about the Cylon Empire?" Sizemore wanted to know, "If we beat the Emperor there, won't we have to face them first?"

"I can provide projections of likely capabilities based on our sensor scans of the Cylon Colony ship, as well as data collected by the Sol expedition, though sadly the latter data is contained in a format that is more difficult to manipulate." Kurros said. "Further, I believe by cross referencing the medical examinations of my fellow refugees from Emperor Lore's ship and further study of the technology it might be possible to develop a means of identifying respective origin points in temporal sub strata." Ducane perked up.

"If you can identify that, it might be possible for some of us to return to our appropriate timelines." He said, "presuming we are able to stabilize the dynamic confluence that Lore represents."

"You mean 'end him'." Hansen said approvingly. "A goal that is desirable in and of itself."

"Wouldn't the simplest way to do that be to erase Lore with his own ship?" Rasmussen asked, Ducane frowned, but Icheb spoke up.

"That would be highly unethical." He pointed out, "For better or worse, Lore's manipulation of the timeline caused the expression of numerous temporal purturbations. The collective neutralization of those timelines, interwoven as they are, would not only affect the lives of millions of beings, likely billions, but would most likely represent the termination or creation of countless more."

"In my time we always joked about nuking Jersey, but unlike in Raven's timeline, nobody was actually going to do it."

Rasmussen mused. "Still, the idea of cleaning up the last of the Augments, Greens terrorists, the Terra Prime movement had it's appeal to some. Better to let evil fester, or just murder it in the crib, right?" He looked at Ducane and Raven, "'For the greater good' as they say."

"'For all mankind'" Raven paraphrased bitterly.

"Raven's timeline is shared by Mr. Sizemore, Ms. Graystone and our current allies." Saavik said, "comparing the pros and cons against a reality far removed from this one, is not productive Professor Rasmussen, your argument for eliminating the multiple timelines that Lore created by attrocity, does not preclude it being itself, a temporal attrocity."

"As Earth is but one world among hundreds affected over a thousand millenia the scope of such a blunt response would be both clumsy and self defeating." Koros said dismissively, "While it wouldn't necessarily be deleterious to my personal pre-history, the timeline from which Lore originates would be that which reasserts itself, and would include profound changes to the history of this galaxy, assuming that the destruction of the vessel itself does not precipitate the assertion of an earlier timeline.

It is my understanding for example that Lore appropriated the time ship from previous owners who were, themselves attempting to alter the timeline. Erasing Lore would re-establish their timeline, no doubt under their guidance, and it is not at all clear what their goals were. Were I to consider such a drastic response I would have no assurance that such a timeline is particularly beneficial and, as a product of an altered timeline, I would cease to exist in my present expression." Raven stared at him.

"Alright I got all the concerns about unleashing a timeline that is worse, or playing god with history, but you're saying you wouldn't consider changing it just because you wouldn't be the person who benefits?"

"I appreciate the experiences my life has to offer me, and the singular nature of my existence." Koros said diffidently "Even were I protected from changes to the timeline, I would be reduced to an alternate version of a native expression of myself." He pondered, looking at Icheb, "Though perhaps a modification to your nanoprobes to install an interplexing beacon coupled with a chroniton projection system tied into my nervous system…"

"You probably don't have an alternate in this timeline, given our position relative to your time and timeline of origin." Ro pointed out. Kurros looked at her knowingly, "Which is why you are fine with it, no matter what it cost to get us here."

"I'm afraid I cannot sanction the development of any such technology using the resources of this vessel without specific consideration of it's ethical ramifications." Saavik interjected flatly. "As observed, such technology would be a fundamental violation of the principles of the federation, however," She looked at Ducane, "Were it possible to identify points of origin and a navigation system there may exist a device we may utilize to transport individuals to their point of origin, rather than doing so by altering the timescape."

"If what you are referring to, exists in this timeline, and I grant, that considering it's basic properties, there really isn't any reason to believe it doesn't," said Ducane meeting her gaze, "Then that could be feasible."

"A topic for a other time." Saavik stated. "I suggest you make use of the additional data available to us and begin planning a strategy. I have duties to attend to." She turned and left without further comment. Raven and Sizemore began to speak

at once and then stopped. Icheb began to say something as Doctor Graystone did. Kurros kept tapping at his tricorder and Ducane crossed his arms.

"Enough." Ro said finally. "As likely the least specifically qualified person in the room, aside from the Professor here, "I'll moderate discussion. Sizemore, break away with Reyes and Graystone, try to figure out what we know about the 13rh colony, Kurros, Seven and Icheb, work out the likely capabilities of Lore's ship. We'll review findings in thirty minutes and start to make a list of recommended modifications and responses."

"I didn't hear a role for myself and my friend the time cop, here." Rasmussen said.

"That's because the three of us aren't going to focus on the ships or technology." Ro said, "We're going to focus on Lore."

"Why would I have any special knowledge about Lore?" Rasmussen asked a little too nonchalantly. Ro pierced him with a discerning gaze.

"I've studied the missions with Lore in my timeline, as well as the mission with you." She told him. "By your own admission, You have been privy to some of Lore's most despicable acts and appalling experiments, but before all that Lore started as an android programmed just a little too well, by Doctor Soong, he made the colonists uncomfortable and was de-activated but not before he befriended a crystalline entity to wipe out the Omicron Theta colony, subsequent encounters with that entity, in both timelines, that the despite Lore's ability to communicate with it, he never explained to it that it was killing sentient organic life. He's been collecting other beings to help him solve problems he encounters. Lore uses others for power, he may be an Emperor now, but he started as a con man, and I think that's something you have insight into."

.*.*.

Saavik found Kirk in his chair on the bridge, fist to chin. Lieutenant Castille manned ops and Crewman Smithee manned the helm. Harry Kim greeted her as she paused at the threshold of the port side turbo lift.

"What do you think, Commander?" He asked gesturing to the science station he had just inset aft of the turbolift. He was seated in new installed testing the movement on a sliding console that was now forward facing. "The original Ambassador class design calls for a lot more science work done below decks, but the Captain wanted something more like on the old Constitution class for the science officer on duty, a little more integrated with the workflow up here."

"The Constitution class might be a bit dated, Lieutenant." Kirk observed, "But my chair had a swivel."

"It appears most satisfactory, Lieutenant." She replied, "I trust your assignment to engineering is equally satisfactory?" Kim nodded.

"Yes ma'am." He nodded, "We've got some good people, but with the Commander away, it's a big ship and there's a lot to do." He glanced around the bridge and leaned in "I had a bit of command experience on Voyager you know too, so I'll be doing a night shift rotation with Lieutenant Commander Ro a few times a week. I miss being a bridge officer but…" he sighed, and looked towards the forward console "I think I have some ghosts to put to rest, so the change is good."

"To continue your advancement as an officer, new experiences will benefit you." Saavik stated, "You have plans for more work?" Kim looked back at the science stations.

"Well. I checked with the Commander and there really isn't a dedicated engineering relay station up here, which is particularly surprising considering the experimental drive system. I suppose they planned initially to do all that from engineering with a dedicated team" he said hesitantly, "Maltz is down in the transporter room with one we replicated, we were going to install it on the starboard side EPS socket there, and convert all these back stations to general science, but if we are going to be getting under way…" he looked hesitantly at Kirk. "I don't want to get out of control with redecorating, and if there's something else I can do to help.."

"Proceed with the engineering station, Lieutenant, Admiral Adama has not indicated his intent to get underway just yet and Commander Marcus is still coordinating security upgrades with the Colonial ships and the Cylons." Saavik told him, "We will address the aft stations at a later time." He nodded and she moved to stand beside Kirk. He shifted upright and drummed his hands on his arm rest. Saavik turned to Kirk "Your chair doesn't swivel, sir?" Kirk glanced at her confused and then gave a slightly sheepish grin. "Logic suggests upgrading your chair might have been more efficient than reconfiguring the bridge."

"Well I recall some recent difficulty in a command situation and I thought my first officer might appreciate bring a little more properly oriented." Saavik nodded approval.

"Thank you sir, in that case, I believe it will improve coordination in a crisis." He nodded. She added, "And if I may say, sir, I have observed that without installing restraints, during moments of crisis you seldom stay in your chair. A swivel would not make an appreciable difference." Kirk have her a suffering look.

"Commander you have somehow integrated Spock's discerning logic with Doctor McCoy's sardonic with into an unholy covenant to keep my ego in check." Kirk said. "I'm both impressed and terrified."

"Captain, we've got another update from the Vesta." Crewman Smithee announced from her station forward, "'acknowledge receipt of four photon torpedoes per ship. Modifications to forward launch tubes underway." She looked back, "Looks like a comment from the Admiral here Captain it says 'thanks for the hand me downs'" she was puzzled. Kirk sighed.

"The Admiral was most insistent as to the tactical value of arming his flotilla with photon torpedoes." Saavik said, "in exchange he's willing to provide access to drydock facilities and any supplies we might need moving forward but his computer systems wouldn't begin to handle automated arming, launch and targeting. Commander Marcus and Maltz fabricated simplified casings modified from the older style designs we used during the early five year missions." He waved a hand, "point and shoot and simple as that. The yield isn't quite as big as our more modern munitions because we don't want to chance an accidental detonation."

"Blowing our allies up with the weapons we gave them is a little too on the nose for the advocates of the Prime Directive that might disagree with our actions." Kirk mused.

"They will still be considerably faster than their standard ordinance with much greater yield." Saavik nodded. "Without a willingness to utilize more complex computer systems, it is unlikely the Colonial Fleet will be able to derive the full benefit from our shield and sensor technologies." Kirk nodded rubbing his jaw. "As our departure is increasingly immenent, may I inquire as to the disposition of our crew compliment?"

"You mean will we be taking our detainees with us." Kirk lowered his voice. Octavia and Castille gave no evidence of listening in, based on the shimmering emergence of an engineering console starboard, Mr. Kim was due to return. He rose and gave a command. "Mr Blake, take the conn." Her head snapped around.

"Sir? I am the least senior-"

"Give it a whirl, Ensign, we aren't going anywhere and Mr. Castille can handle your station. It's never too early to try out the chair."

Octavia approached the chair with slow reverance as she considered the responsibilities that lay before her. Yar and Castille watched with bemused pride, but Kirk was already past the tableau and more literally, the newly arrived engineering console as he moved to the starboard exit. Stepping through the doors he entered the short hallway, even as Kim returned via the turbolift. Kirk proceeded to the small ready room beside it and sat down behind the desk, beckoning Saavik to take a seat. The Momentos of the previous Captain were still positioned about the tiny office and Saavik had made use of it more than Kirk had.

"Khan's presence is one of the worst kept secrets aboard." He began.

"The security arrangements alone utilize a significant fraction of the crew. " Saavik observed. "There are three guards in the security annex at all times, with overlapping shifts." Kirk nodded.

"True." He allowed, "But are you familiar with Doctor Dehner's history?" Saavik nodded.

"As you have given me full clearance to the ship's files I was able to access her personal record and noted that she was present during your initial visit to the Great barrier." Saavik stated, "Though the full Starfleet database and her complete file is of course inaccessible, a summary of the incident at Delta Vega was included as well as cross references to classified missions probing the barrier."

"When we attempted to breach the barrier, some kind of reaction manifested in human crew members with high esper potential." Kirk replied, "Doctor Elizabeth Dehner, a recent transfer from Aldebaran was one such individual."

"As was Lieutenant Commander Gary Mitchell." Saavik noted "both were listed as Missing In Action and Delta Vega is now among a select few planets subject to general order 7."

"Gary went mad. Whatever was happening to his mind, it warped his soul." Kirk said bitterly, "My best friend at the academy and my first officer, went mad and tried to kill us all. He began to exhibit God like powers and considered us little more than ants." He looked up, "Dehner began to exhibit the same kind of powers but she held on to her humanity long enough to save us all."

"At the cost of her own life." Saavik noted, Kirk nodded. "She was barely lucid upon arrival, and her medical examination showed extensive brain damage."

"Lore wasnt even trying to dissect her any more " Kirk said distastefully, "Antaak found objects embedded in her cerebral cortex, some of which seemed there for monitoring, some for control, and some just to cause pain. According to Bashir the damn android couldn't decide on what to do with her."

"She appears to be recovering rapidly now that the objects are removed." Saavik noted, Kirk nodded.

"But recovering what." He said ominously, "That kind of treatment would strip even the best of us of our humanity and it's my belief that something was attempting to emerge through Gary Mitchell and to a lesser extent Dr Dehner, some.. malevolent entity." He stared off, "Even with God like powers Gary would never have done the things he did…" He whispered. Saavik watched him intently.

"Captain, At this point, noting that you are emotionally troubled seems redundant, but I must remind you, you are not in this alone. You have a command crew to support you, small though it may be." She replied, "given your past experiences with Kahn Noonian Singh and Lieutenant Macgivers, to say nothing of this additional situation, you have every right to seek counsel when needed or even desired." Kirk was not convinced, she pressed on, "You promised to kill Maltz once, and he was a member of the crew of Klingons that killed your son. Mogh is the son of the Klingon who represented you when you were framed for killing Chancellor Gorkon. You returned to this space time continuum in order to rescue your great granddaughter, who is now your chief engineer, you spent months being hunted by the Hirogen, shielding others while essentially unable to crew the Starship hidden in orbit, to effect a meaningful escape." She considered, her brow furrowed slightly. "I suspect that despite that list I have likely left some things out." Kirk caught himself staring at her, suddenly aware that he was familiar with reading her microexpressions.

"You fascinate me Saavik." He said aloud almost absently. She started slightly.

"Sir?" She asked, sitting stiffly. He clarified.

"First off, you're a hell of an officer, you always have been." He said leaning back, "You're smart, you're competent, you're seemingly tireless." He said looking at her, "But you've changed over the years, haven't you." He contemplated her, "For starters you're much more self assured, you aren't trying to prove anything, and for another I've seen you with the crew, you're empathetic, you nurture them, you encourage them." He nodded approvingly. "That's something even Spoxk struggled with over the years, present company excluded." He added. "As his protoge, I always thought he showed a special fondness for you, almost intimacy, but I have to wonder, how much of that was your doing?" He rested his chin, thinking of Spock, "Valeris never seemed to appreciate what he was trying to be for her, as much as you did."

She acknowledged the comment with a nod but said.

"I am unsure where you are going with this " she admitted.

"I'm guess I'm saying you're right." Kirk admitted, "I'm personally compromised in a number of ways. If we ever return to Starfleet, they'll have some hard questions about a number of my actions."

"Such as providing photon torpedoes to Admiral Adama?" Saavik asked. "I believe that regulation 498 specifies "other races" and it has been clearly established that the 12 Colonies are human."Kirk waved his hand helplessly,

"That's a hell of a technicality even for me, and I appreciate you having that ready, but it's only the beginning. Stunning Kahn on sight, most likely constitutes assault. " he admitted, "throwing him, his pregnant wife and his crony into the brig after rescuing then from torture? Doctor Dehner should probably still be in Sickbay, I've put a number of emotionally unstable inexperienced androids in command of vital areas.." he put his face in his hands rubbing it and then shaking it looked up. "What's the regulation for relieving oneself of duty again?"

"Regulation 619, but only if the officer felt he were incapable of rational decision making." Saavik replied. She folded her hands."And were you to do so, as your executive officer Command of the Monroe would fall to me, and in times of war, regulation 13982 grants me broad powers in conscripting almost anyone in a time of war." Kirk stared at her, he slowly grinned.

"You'd Shanghai me back into the Captain's Chair?" He said amused. Saavik considered.

"Most likely to Phaser Control, as Mr. Blake only possesses rudimentary qualifications at best." She stated. Kirk frowned.

He blew out a breath.

"Alright, XO. Let's explore our options shall we?" He asked, "maroon the doctor on Kobol and risk her superpowers returning, leaving Kahn behind and hoping he doesn't stumble across some unknown remanent of technology, take them with us and risk the ship?" Saavik had considered this.

"Captain what about placing Khan and his party in the temporary custody of the Cylons? Their Centurions can certainly match his augmented strength and even with his intelligence most of their technology would remain inaccessible to him. He could accompany them with us to Earth while we deal with the present situation." Kirk considered that.

"I suspect you will have to make peace with the man one way or another, Jim." She said gently and he looked up at the use of his name "But you do not need to do so today." He nodded slowly. "Perhaps Doctor Dehner could remain at the A.T.H.E.N.A. installation for the moment under medical supervision. Admiral Adama is leaving a sizeable contingent here under the command of Major Shaw to work cooperatively with the Cylons.' she considered further, "given that we are likely to go into battle we could offer to allow civillians to remain behind, La'as and Lara, are already down in the A.T.H.E.N.A. installation perhaps Angelica. They have certainly been cooperative aboard ship but in truth they haven't had much choice, and Lara's background might actually be quite helpful for restoring the biosphere of Kobol to full habitability." He was nodding. Saavik continued in an almost gentle tone.

"I find that at least identifying options, can provide hope. When I feel, at times, that I can discern no desirable options, I recall what a great man once told me." She gazed at him intently. "'There are always possibilities.'"

Kirk looked up.

"Is hope logical, Saavik?" He asked.

"Hope is motivation to draw breath for all living things." She pointed out, "As is fear. Choosing one over the other, is simply a matter of pragmatism, which is sometimes indistinguishable from logic."

Kirk stood up, and she followed suit. When he came around the desk he put his arms on her shoulders.

"You are an excellent first officer." He told her, "and a good friend Saavik. Thank you." He dropped his hands and she stood at attention, the cramped room giving them little space.

"What are your orders sir?" She asked. He straightened, and stepped back beside the desk.

"Make the arrangements with the Cylons for Khan and MacGivers. Watch the transition. He's got a reason to try anything now, and that's when he'll do it. Make sure the Cylons are fully aware of his enhanced abilities." He ordered, "Have Antaak check in on Doctor Dehner and treat her in Sickbay. Let see if she is able to make a decision for herself. Have Lieutenant Commander Ro wrap up her think tank within the hour, but don't let them implement anything without Sam's approval. She handed out the new communicators this morning but Sizemore was pushing for something he called a cellphone, that evidently everyone in his generation was addicted to because the blasted things beamed lights into your phase and provided instant gratification. Any ideas they come up with I want an interdisciplinary pass at before implementation, also, announce a general assembly of the crew, civillian, crewman, recently commissioned officers for this afternoon. I have something thing left to do, and I plan to bring the Admiral along. The Vesta's transport inhibitor field went up a few hours ago, so have a shuttle prepped for me, Ms Reyes can get some flight time."

.*.*.

"We can modify the shields to shield us from the weapon, or any Chroniton torpedoes, though Lore has yet to attempt to use those." Hansen summarized, "and adjusting phasers harmonics to disrupt his shielding has proven effective."

"We've determined it is most likely that Lore provided a degree of technological enhancement to the Cylons in exchange for their obedience, energy weapons and rudimentary warp drive." Sizemore reported, "We have begun to recieve telemetry from our long range probe as it newrs the Sol system, but we have altered it's course to intercept the rally point given to us by the Admiral."

"Can we enhance Adama's defenses?" Ro asked, Hansen nodded.

"In addition to the transporter jamming signal, their FTL jump engines can be modified fairly easily to allow use in sequence for rapid short range jumping. We can additionally fabricate a number of compression coils that will allow for greater power generation through existing systems." Icheb offered.

"I can recommend a chemical additive that will additionally increase their energy production four fold." Kurros noted. "They would be able to power a rudimentary deflector shield, though a more effective system would require production of a significant number of emitters."

"I thought they needed more advanced computers." Ro said. Kurros frowned.

"I did say 'rudimentary'' he pointed out, "operating such a shield without specific modulation is extremely efficient. Even with the enhancements suggested they would expend their entire fuel supply in a matter of hours."

"They would expend it anyway if they were blown to bits." Rasmussen observed. Kurros gave him a distracted nod.

"What about their fighters, or their raptors?" Grayson asked, Hansen nodded.

"The fuel modifications would be much more effective on a smaller scale." She declared "and mountable deflector shield arrays could be manufactured in their machine shops with their current inventory."

"That spares us the energy cost of replicating them." Raven noted, "without our secondary power supply we'd have been in danger of draining our anti matter stores, but as it is we can only draw a steady amount of before without hitting a threshold where it starts to move us quickly."

"That can be remedied with an alternating field coefficient algorithm." Kurros told her, "While the design as a means of transport is fundamentally flawed, it's use as a power source is quite promising."

"I disagree that it cannot be used for travel." Hansen stated flatly, "It would simply require a different medium, such as a transwarp conduit." Kurros paused for a moment almost taken aback.

"You are correct." He said after a moment, "I had not considered that." Then he smiled chidingly, "however, modifying this vessel's warp engines to emulate the Colonial FTL technology is far simpler and more than adequate for near instant trans-galactic travel."

"Your reasoning is flawed." Hansen argued, "in order to utilize such means, we would have to be able to identify and calculate the gravitational behavior well beyond our possible sensor range."

"You fail to account for relay probes." Kurros told her plainly, "and designing a chroniton infused progressive tachyon pulse would be a simple matter."

"You want to scan into the future to save travel time?" Raven shook her head. " You guys are way too big brain for me."

"I agree." Ro interjected, "We need to focus on creating instructions for the colonials to make these modifications immediately and we'll have to be able to supervise the initial set up."

"There are literally millions of Cylon Centurions in the system and they can share information much more rapidly." Graystone pointed out. "Kurros, why don't we work on developing a protocol for installing deflectors on the battlestars and base ships that are coming?"

"Perhaps we could make use of the Cylon manufacturing capabilities as well to expedite production of the small craft enhancements." Icheb suggested.

"That might not go over so well with the Colonials." Ro said.

"Why tell them?" Raven asked, "If these guys can build a array for a raptor or a raider in ten minutes, and we have a hundred of them, they can make ten every minute, we just beam them to the battlestars, and it doesn't look any different then us replicating them, but it keeps our power curve sustainable."

"We should not take further action without permission from Commander Marcus, and Captain Kirk." Icheb pointed out. Raven sighed and Kurros looked mildly insulted, but Ro was quick to back him up.

"He's right. These are ideas, but she's Chief engineer and he's the Captain, we run it by him first." Ro stated in a tone that left no room for argument.

"Saavik to Reyes, please report to main shuttle bay." Ro glanced at Reyes insignia surprised.

"They were handing them out at breakfast this morning." She shrugged. She tapped her comm badge. "Reyes here, on my way."

"Alright everyone else, let's get to work. " Ro ordered.

.*.*.

Adama stared at the page he had been given for what seemed like the hundredth time. He tossed on his desk and leaned back in his chair taking a drink from his glass. He winced as the drinks hit him. Suddenly his phone chimed.

"Frack." He said. He pulled the handset from the cradle. "What."

"Major Shaw, sir. Captain Kirk is here to see you." She said. Sighing he racked the phone and put the drink on the desk. He and went to the door, refastening his jacket.

"Captain Kirk." He stated gruffly. "I wasn't aware you were on board." He gestured for Kirk to enter. "I was just about turn in for some shut eye before we get under way." Kirk entered the cabin and was for a moment, taken aback by both it's size and the number of books seemingly piled in every corner. Adama returned to his desk and stood by it. Idly Kirk's gaze fell on the list Adama had been reading.

"Yes I was informed you would be ready to leave by morning." Kirk replied, "But before we go, we've something of a mutual acquaintance." Adama was pouring Kirk a glass and paused.

"You mean Sisko." He said. Kirk nodded and accepted the glass. Adama refilled his own. "We've sent ships to the location of the wormhole, you know, it hasn't opened."

"Well of course… we were invited." Kirk said as he raised his glass. Adama returned the gesture. They both drank and Kirk made a face. He looked at the glass with skepticism. "Admiral…"

"Bill." Adama said, "Off duty." He shrugged off his uniform jacket and tossed it to his desk then he crossed the room to the sectional and took one side. "I'm not going anywhere Captain, not like this."

"Jim." Kirk said in reply. Eh glanced with interest at the pile of books beside him, but the language on the covers was inscrutable. He held up the glass and continued "Bill, this isn't celebratory." He raised the glass. "back home we'd call this rot gut." Adama nodded appreciatively, and raised his glass again.

"Sounds about right." He said, and tossed his glass back. "If it's not to your taste I've got some nicer stuff over there…" Kirk tossed his back as well and settled into the chair opposite the couch. Adama nodded, impressed. Kirk took stock of the room noting the furniture, the artwork, the library. He picked up a book on the coffee table.

"Sea Rider Falcon." Adama told him. "Classic story of a man marooned on an island." Kirk looked up.

"I used to love Robin Crusoe as a boy." He said, "I must have read it a thousand times." He paged through the book, and looked up. "I'm afraid the universal translator doesn't quite work with writing. Maybe I'll try to get a translation some day." Adama nodded. He raised his glass again, then realized it was empty. Kirk noticed.

"Bill what's this about." Kirk asked, "I've only known you a day, but I've seen your outfit. This is a military operation, and you're in command, this" He nodded to Adama's glass "doesn't add up."

Adama stared at him, and then to Kirk's surprise he tossed the glass down, with a clatter. Amazingly it didn't even crack. Adama leaned forward.

"It wasn't even the resurrection of my son that did me in." He said almost whispering. "It's my sister." Kirk blinked. "My sister who died before I was even born. She's on your ship, she was on that ship."

"You mean Lore's." Kirk said sourly. He stood and moved to the cabinet that Adama had pointed too earlier. He took a bottle and held it up. Adama nodded. Kirk returned to the coffee table and filled both glasses. "The people we rescued are recovering in sickbay, some have requested asylum, a few have even insisted they be given things to do to take their mind off things. I took note of your son during our little exchange with Lore, and I've been assured he's recovering nicely, he just.. needs a little time to face a world full of strangers with familiar faces. Our crew is doing everything we can did them. Our Klingon doctor actually took one to our recreation deck and got into a boxing match with her."

"Starbuck." Adama chuckled. "She's much the same in any time line, I reckon."

"Bill." He said gently, "They weren't the only ones on the ship, there were others. That young lady, Starbuck, she watched another, older version of herself tortured into servitude. We met her dopple ganger on Kobol. She tried to kill herself."

Adama was silent. Then at last he said, "She's not my Kara Thrace, but she's a survivor. She'll have a place here. They all will, if they want it."

"It will be hard to explain to others." Kirk warned, "Hard for their counterparts here."

"But they will find a way." Adama said. "They are survivors."

Kirk raised his glass.

"To survivors." He said, "and to the possibilities they must explore." He paused just before drinking " and to the final frontier." Adama nodded and returned the toast. Kirk nodded appreciatively at the drink.

"Much better." He told Adama. "Before I left I was informed that our resident experts had a number of ideas to better arm, and armor your ships, before we go to Earth." Adama sat up, interested. "We think we can shield your raptors, maybe even your battlestars, enhance you power systems to support it all. Commander Marcus thinks we can install a sort of pre- charged phaser cannon."

"Now you're talking." Adama told him, "But I'm curious, what happened to the lofty ideals of the federation? The Defiant made it sound like we were too… primitive." He gestured disgusted, "a bunch of noble savages."

"I've seen what "primitive" looks like." Kirk said, in a moment of sadness. He put the drink down and picked the book back up. Adama looked at him questioningly. "I was injured on a mission once, lost my memory on a world populated by a long extinct culture from Earth." He explained. He waved a hand dismissively, "That's a long story too, I suppose, but I don't fear the noble savage, I fear the indifferent cosmopolitan, the educated man. I fear the city in the clouds and those who would make war a.. a computer program, and death a simple calculation." Adama peered at him.

"You really have seen all those things haven't you." He said wonderingly. "That vast, lively galaxy the Defiant records described." Kirk nodded. Bill looked away for a moment.

"In another life… another time.." he whispered, "I could have sailed those bright stars."

"To seek out new life, new civilizations.* Kirk added. Adama looked at him

"Our stars are distant, space is cold and empty." He said at last "My life is one of war and readiness." He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. "Is this how it's supposed to be?"

"I don't know." Kirk replied honestly, "I think life is what we make it, whether it's here, or a universe away." He absently raised his glass again and sipped once more, "You find a stout ship, you stand shoulder to shoulder with a good crew, and you see what comes." Adama nodded. "You've got family here, Bill, you've got to meet them." He said passionately. "At the end of this life, past the duty and the mission, what's left that really matters, but family?"

"I think I'm gonna pay for this." Adama said looking at the glass and placing it down still half full. "It's time to focus on what really matters." Kirk nodded. He put his glass down next to Adama's.

"On the other hand." he told Adama, "We've got a cure for hangovers now." Adama raised an eyebrow. Kirk nodded "Seems an old Physician of mine finally got tired of Mint Julip hangovers and made an important contribution to modern medicine. It cancels inebriation effects too, within moments."

"Sounds handy for returning to duty." Adama said. He considered picking the glass back up and finishing it, but he shrugged. He picked up his uniform jacket off his chair and began to fasten it on. Kirk flipped out his communicator.

"Kirk to Reyes."

"Reyes here." Raven replied.

"Ensign, you still guarding the airlock?" Kirk asked.

"Me and these four Jarheads. Although it's about to be three if Lurch over there keeps staring at my chest." She shouted suddenly, " It's a communicator, you Neanderthal, eyes front!" Kirk blinked. He looked up at Adama apologetically.

"She must mean a marine detail." Adama said, "Funny, we call them Jarheads too."

"Raven, let's assume the shuttle is secure for the moment." Kirk said. "I assume you're familiar with a McCoy Special."

"It's all part of a balanced breakfast sir. The most important thing I've discovered since beaming to the Monroe right after the bar anyway." Kirk grimaced.

"No wonder the lounge is running low." He said dryly. He raised the communicator again. "Why don't you make one up from the shuttle's medkit and bring it to the Admiral"s quarters." He looked at Adama, "I'm sure one of your new friends can show you the way."

"I'm sure they'd love me to, Captain." She griped. "On my way sir."

.*.*.

"Captain on deck." Octavia announced startling Bellamy. He was seated in the monitoring station of the brig, a half finished Padd on his desk. Kahn and Macgivers sat on their knees in their respective cells, evidently meditating. He half turned. "I got to command." She gloated, "You still feeling good about command, big bro? Raven's flying around a shuttle now too."

"Isn't your shift done?" Bellamy asked rubbing his temples tiredly. He noted Mogh through the glass watching him in the area.

"Didn't your shift just start? I came to see the genetic super man." She asked frowning, "What's wrong with you Bell?"

"Just had a headache all day is all." Bellamy said, "I should have mentioned it to Bashir when he took out our third guest." He gestured to the empty cell. "It's finally gone now anyway." He squinted at the cells which suddenly looked different but he couldn't put his finger on why.

"Commander is on her way down." Octavia explained catching his attention, "We're transferring the superfamily to a base ship I guess." She moved next to Bellamy and activate the control station "There's some kind of transporter interface that will let us beam through the detention fields." She frowned. Bellamy glanced over.

"O, that's not even set right, it says there aren't any force-" Bellamy suddenly realized why things has seemed off, and tangentially that the low whining he had heard for the past hour was gone, but before he could say anything everything went sideways. Movement of air was all the warning he had, looking up, he saw Kahn before him. Even as his hand twitched for his phaser, Kahn backhanded Bellamy send him sprawling accross the room and smashing brutally against the wall.

"Bellamy!" She shouted in horror. Kahn turned to Octavia and smiled. As he opened his mouth to speak, Ovtavia smashed his face with Bellamy's Padd, her face contorted with rage. Annoyed, he looked back at her, she smashed him again and the face of the Padd shattered.

"My physical strength is ten t- ack" Octavia jammed the broken padd corner first between his teeth and leaping up kicked the end. She pushed off and the move propelled her back towards Bellamy, while over balancing Kahn.

"Mogh, a little help he-" She saw Mogh thrown against the window, a flash of Kahn's associate beyond him. The window became obscured by a smear of pink blood. She scrambled for Bellamy's phaser, on the floor beside him, but Kahn's wife, Lieutenant Macgiver was nearly to it. Octavia, with a sense of foreboding threw herself to the ground as Kahn swung over her head. She came up behind him and leaped up grabbing him in a choke hold. Holding on with all of her might while attempting to restrict his airway proved pointless, he reached back, striking not Octavia, but the console. The doors opened.

"Go. This one lacks the strength to harm me." He growled to Macguyver, Marla moved though the door. Tragically for him, Octavia had found a weapon. Ripping off her new com badge she jammed it in Kahn's eye.

Roaring, Kahn grabbed Octavia in an iron grip and hurled her bodily at Bellamy. He put a hand to his eye and stumbled towards her, but his vengeance was not to be.

Despite the pain of the impact and the confusing tangle of limbs, Octavia had spotted Bellamy's phaser and came up with it, giving Khan barely enough time to change direction into a dive through the door. She actually got a shot off at Kahn as he hurdled through the main entry way. Macguyver slapped the door controls and they slid shut.

A battered and bleeding Mogh had somehow pinned Joachim to the ground controlling his arm, but Kahn put an end to that by kicking the Klingon in the face. Joachim pulled a knife that had been buried in one shoulder out, and another from his side. With both he turned wrathfully on the Klingon, but found Kahn exchanging blows with Mogh himself. Joachim shot as Octavia fired through the door as she came through. Gasping he dropped his knives and sank to one knee as she advanced. She turned her gaze to Mogh grappling with Kahn and did not see Joachim rise once more.

"The door!" Kahn shouted as he sucked under a sluggish strike by Mogh, placing the Klingon between himself and Mogh. "Get the lift!"

Joachim backed towards the turbolift door and Octavia switched targets tracking him again, but her aim was suddenly spoiled by Macguyver's flying tackle. From the room beyond, Bellamy barely avoid colliding with them as he lurched through stumbling to the station at the side of the door.

"Bellamy to bridge, security alert." Bellamy shouted his hand on Mogh's console "lock down the turbo-" the doors hissed open.

"You are too late!" Joachim crowed as he half turned to engage the person in the turbolift, "Sir I have-" he gasped and then jerked sideways the newcomer's hand on his shoulder. He sank jerking to the ground even as Kahn buried his fist deep in Mogh's abdomen drawing a roar of pain from the Klingon and turning. Octavia broke free of Macguyver as Bellamy hauled the Lieutenant up and off of her.

"You do not touch her " Kahn snarled at Bellamy, Octavia snarled back, rising between Bellamy, and Marla...and Kahn.

"Why don't you bring me your other eye, superman." She taunted raising the bloody communicator. She licked it. "Bet it tastes like chicken."

"Stand down." A commanding voice ordered.

Kahn turned to face Commander Saavik.

Joachim had succeeded in dragging the phaser from her side as he lost his battle against her nerve pinch.

"Release my wife, or I shall murder your commander." He threatened ominously. He advanced menacingly on Saavik, giving her no time to.retrieve the weapon. Octavia had never seen a Vulcan fight, though she was fully aware from the past week's physical training, that they possessed greater strength and stamina than humans. She had certainly never seen a Romulan fight, and neither had Kahn. As he closed, Saavik struck hard, fast, precise, and unfortunately for Kahn, from the side with his ruined eye. Where Kahn attempted to block, as he had done with Mogh, and to trade blows, he found only air, and the pain of her strikes. A harsh block twisting his hand, the heel of a hand striking above his elbow, his face plummeting towards a rising knee and the disorientation of his nose breaking and his own blood and tears obscuring the rest of his vision.

Octavia was accustomed to fighting stronger, larger opponents. Both understood aggressive intimidation. Octavia with explosive ferocity, Kahn with unyielding power, but Saavik-

Light and dark whirled as he reared back shaking his head and attempting to grasp his shattered elbow, but his arm was not free, it twisted and pulled him and he felt nearly impaled by an elbow intruding, distending into his stomach compressing his organs as they convulsed around it uncontrollably-

Saavik was trained to fight by Starfleet, with the strength of Vulcan logic and opportunistic aggression of a Romulan. She was more experienced fighting stronger opponents, and she was trained to defeat them.

Struggling not to vomit, his mouth was slammed shut by an uppercut that lifted him off his feet.

The same superhuman intellect that had analyzed the schematics of a starship in hours, for it's weaknesses, struggled mightily to recall how to breath. Arms and legs failing him, suddenly his ears exploded in a thunderclap as and hands slapped them with inhuman strength and as he involuntarily clapped his working hand to his ear, the other suddenly free. His good wrist was grabbed and twisted painfully around, Kahn felt the world spin disorientingly as a sudden overwhelming pain exploded in his shoulder. He fell to his knees a look of bewilderment and then irritation as he fell unconscious.

"My Khan!" Marla shouted in alarm. She struggled against Bellamy and broke free for a moment before Octavia, finally in possession of a phaser and a clear shot, glanced back and stunned her. There was a moment's silence.

"Saavik to transporter room." Saavik announced tapping her brand new com badge, "transport the augments and Lieutenant Macgiver's to the Cylon Base Star immediately. Advise them that they are unconscious but recently attempted their escape. They will require medical care but should first be separated and subdued."

Three forms began to shimmer. Saavik moved to her quickly.

"Ensign, you are alright? She asked, Octavia nodded quickly. The most she had injured herself was when she had been pounding Kahn with the padd. Her wrist was swelling.

"Crewman?" She asked Bellamy.

"Present." Bellamy managed to croak. He looked terrible, an eye swollen shut swollen lips definitely a broken arm, probably a dislocated jaw, and a vast discoloration spreading accross the side of his face, but he waved them off and urged them to Mogh.

"Medical emergency to brig annex." Saavik announced. The Klingon breathed but he was covered in pinkish blood. Octavia searched for the other guard in the second brig area, and found Angela gasping painfully. Joachim had twisted her neck snapping her spine, but for a host that didn't mean death, just prolonged agony and helplessness.

"Bashir to brig, Antaak is on her way." Saavik knelt beside the Klingon, with one hand, Bellamy hauled a medkit from the wall and tossed it to Saavik, while Octavia knelt beside the gurgling Angela.

"I'm sorry." She whispered to the pleading eyes "I'll get you to Sizemore as soon as I can." She twisted the head back around so at least the woman's throat wasn't mangled. "For now, your fight is over."

. *. *.

"When you promised a quick ride I didn't realize you weren't even going to use the flight deck." Adama said dryly. Kirk and Raven operated the controls and he sat in a seat behind them with Major Shaw. "Seems a little reckless to operate a small craft without even a flight suit, especially considering that little docking maneuver."

"Ensign Reyes is new, so we didn't dock via flight deck." Kirk said wryly at Raven who bit of a snarky response,"I saw an opportunity for her to perform her first manual docking maneuver."

"And evidently her first un-docking maneuver." Adama said wryly. "At flank speed." Kirk glanced reproachfully at the Ensign.

"I'm sure her simulations were on maneuvering jets." He said, "but we'll certainly run those again, won't we, Ensign."

"Yes sir." Raven said, "honestly sir having touchpad controls is not a bright idea. Impulse is right next to the magnetic clamps."

"You mean the controls for the clamps." Kendra said dissaprovingly, "Seeing as the actual clamps are most likely still attached to the Vesta's hull. How many flight hours do you have on this model, Ensign?"

"About one." Reyes said lightly.

"One?" Adama demanded.

"Sure, hey, all the career officers make fun of the ensign her second week on the job, what does she know, what does this do?" Raven asked curiously and put the shuttle into a barrel roll. Shaw and Adama have an involuntary intake of breathe.

"Enough of that Ensign." Kirk said chuckling as he stabilized them from his controls. "You might be the brightest young woman I've ever met, carrying the flame of a dozen leaders of humanity, but there's still a chain of command. We've all left a dent or two."

"No G forces at all." Adama so impressed he monetarily forgot Blake's insubordination, "I could get used to that, Sisko never took me out in one of his shuttles." Then he remembered what had just happened, "Remind me to return the favor some day ensign." He said with an edge. "I'll show you what a raptor can do." Octavia gulped.

"Um sir, I think I'll be sick that day." She replied.

"Count on it." Adama replied darkly.

"Anyway," Raven announced quickly "Approaching wormhole coordinates."

"We've already sent some raptors out here to try it out, but we've never had any-" Adama trailed off as an eruption of color spread vast around them. "Well I'll be damned." He said

"Guess you need an invite." Kirk said, "Steady as she goes Ms Reyes." The shuttle began to rock. Kirk raised the shields and then adjusted them.

"So how do we know when we-" Adama stopped as he realized the world had become strange, lighting exaggerated, the beating sound of his own heart and Reyes turned in her seat to reveal Benjamin Sisko.

"You've come at last." Sisko said, "Welcome to the Opera House."