Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All characters and events in this story are entirely fictional.
-=oOo=-
Julian examined Shion in detail. She waited patiently.
"I read the records you sent before of course. They are of course correct. I do apologize. I have some ideas, but my medicine does not appear better than your own."
"I think we can help her. I don't know how much. Tirla, Donna, Mary, what do you think?" asked Rowan.
"May we?" asked Tirla.
"That is why I'm here. I'm in your hands," said Shion softly.
Tirla, Donna, and Mary surrounded her. The others surrounded them, laying hands on them as Tirla, Donna, and Mary gently laid hands on Shion.
"I feel like I'm in some cult ceremony," joked Shion.
"Don't worry, you won't have to become our high priestess or anything," said Deanna in amusement.
"Gee thanks, though I think Kosmos still sort of sees me as high priestess."
"We are beginning soon. This will take some time, but your conversations can of course continue," said Tirla.
Doctor Bashir looked on, tricorder in hand as all of their wells around their neck glowed a soft white.
-=oOo=-
"Can you hear us?" thought Deanna to Shion.
"Yes, can you hear my thoughts?"
"We can," replied Celeste.
"Are you comfortable?" thought Mary.
"Yes. I feel fine."
"I can somewhat interact directly, if you permit it," thought Faile.
"I do not understand."
"I am a changeling. I can sort of wrap around your body. I assure you, you will not come to any harm."
"If you are sure, I guess," thought Shion uncertainly.
"I will go slowly, if you wish."
"Please."
Faile flowed between the three and wrapped around Shion's body. The well she had around her neck reformed around Shion's. This all happened over about a minute.
"Are you well?" thought Faile.
"This is really strange, but warm."
"Do you want to be part of the understanding or just keep chatting?" thought Tirla.
"I've never shield away from the big picture."
"We will have to shield your mind a little, but we will give you most of it."
"Sure."
Shion was fascinated as she could feel and, at least in the moment, understand what they were doing as her body was healed with many of the years even falling away. She was particularly touched how Faile helped repair her womb, though it wasn't really Faile, but all of them together. She didn't have many eggs left, but those too were revitalized, and from what she could tell seemed well. Amazing, and so precious, and so very rare. She considered offering them all a job and then she felt the amusement in their thoughts. They weren't necessarily opposed to one day going there. She would have to work on that. Maybe she could introduce some of them to her crew. Now there was more amusement and a bit of curiosity. She looked again, amazed at what they had done, and also a little concerned.
"You will likely fall unconscious when we let go, but you will come to no harm from it. Your body must catch up," thought Deanna.
"Besides, that cute doctor will be watching you probably all night," thought Piper.
"That cute doctor who has made some progress with Jadzia. I'm still surprised at that," thought Celeste.
"Come on guys, we are almost done. Focus," chided Mary.
"Sure thing." It wasn't long before they were done and Faile reformed.
-=oOo=-
Back in the waking world Tirla said, "You should give her something for all the nutrients we used. She should wake in about twelve hours probably."
Bashir was looked at the readings and didn't respond right away. He then said, "Right. I think I have it from here." He seemed a bit uncertain, but said it anyway.
"Call us if you need us," added Tirla.
"I will."
They walked out and Kosmos, Momo, and Allen walked in.
"How is she?" asked Allen before doing a double take.
"She requires sleep. She will be fine. You can stay if you want, but you will be quiet," insisted the doctor.
They all stood vigil. The doctor fell asleep in his own chair about three hours later, even as Jadzia came to check on him. She sat in another chair reading a pad as they waited.
-=oOo=-
Shion blinked her eyes open the next morning and was surprised she could focus and see details. She tried to check if she had her glasses but her arm was half asleep.
"Just relax. You are fine, though as exhausted as you were it may take a little while to recover," said Julian.
"Glasses."
"Do you need them? I thought for sure I checked," said Julian.
"I'm not wearing them," she slurred.
"No, your vision is fine, isn't it?" asked the doctor.
"Coffee."
"I'm not given you a stimulant. Water is available if you want it."
"Stupid doctors," she grumbled.
"Do you want water?"
"Fine."
She felt a little better after she drank a full glass. She drank another and then said, "Bathroom?"
"I'll help you, if you want," offered Jadzia.
"Please. Your bathrooms are weird."
"I'm seen some stranger ones. Come on."
-=oOo=-
"Hey Shion," said Allen that evening in her quarters aboard Athena.
"Allen, I know it's not fair to you, that I am suddenly in my mid twenties again."
"I don't care about that. I just wanted you to be healthy. I know how much not being able to have a child hurt you."
"I know I shouldn't think of such things when we will go to war soon, but did you still want to..."
"You know I do. I would be deeply honored. Is it possible now?"
"In about a month, probably. The doctor gave me a dose of something that would delay things till my next cycle. He wanted me to wait several months. I talked him down. He was very stubborn, but I pointed out that I could just go to my own doctor and he gave in."
"If you get pregnant you can't go into battle."
"I know, but I know our crew is good. They know their jobs. I wish you didn't have to go, but as my second, one of us must."
"I don't mind. I always ask you to stay at home."
"And I'll listen this time, that is, if you can um..."
"In a month then," he asked.
"I have no intention of waiting a month Allen."
"Yes mam."
-=oOo=-
Elim Garak stood before Benjamin Sisko as he entered DS9.
"I thought you had fled," said Sisko calmly.
"Merely a small vacation."
"Your shop is still there, though there has been some graffiti."
"Better than I thought."
"Why are you here?"
"Many reasons."
"And those are?" probed Sisko. Odo was not far away watching gruffly.
"I see you have chosen to embrace your destiny."
"Not particularly," said Sisko.
"Ah, the math then. It is always the math," said Garak somberly.
"I'm still waiting," said Sisko.
"For? I seem to have lost my train of thought," said Garak.
"The reasons you are here, other than the math."
Odo looked at him closely.
"Why, I'd have thought that obvious."
"Enlighten us, or turn around. Your choice," said Sisko.
"I didn't approve of the plan. I only found out well not that long before I told about it."
"How long?" asked Odo.
"Three hours. Three hours to arguably commit treason."
"You weren't committing treason. You were doing the math," said Sisko.
"Quite, I estimated the odds with your new group and concluded they would destroy Cardassia utterly. I can just see those telepaths of yours dropping Quantum torpedoes right into the core of a planet."
"You likely underestimate their ethics."
"Perhaps, but I'm not sure the outcome would have been different."
"There is one thing I don't understand. Who exactly released the virus on Cardassia?" asked Odo.
"That was certainly not me. That, as near as I can tell, was incompetence."
"You investigated?" asked Sisko.
"I did."
"You don't sound like you believe your words."
"I don't," said Garak.
"Then who do you think released the virus on Cardassia?"
"I am not entirely sure. I couldn't even land. It is difficult to conduct an investigation in such circumstances, with so many dead."
"The Romulans lost nearly as many."
"Yes, your heroic efforts took what should have decimated them and reduced it to that, plus gave those that remain extra long lives to nurture their desire for revenge. Quiet poetic really," said Garak.
"You do not desire revenge against the nameless ones that affected your world?"
"My dear Mr. Sisko, I do not fault a patriot for doing his or her job. I am certain it was the Obsidian order, untainted by outside influence, who created the abomination, and I am certain they are, unfortunately, beyond my revenge."
"You disapprove of bioweapons?" asked Sisko curiously.
"Not particularly. I disapprove of those too stupid to do the math playing god."
"Unlike you, who can do the math," added Sisko dryly.
"Of course. That is why I am here."
"Your trying to make people hate Cardassians a little less then," suggested Sisko.
"It is better for them to have a target. I will play the simple tailor, likely till I die or am killed. It is, perhaps, the best move I have remaining."
"You do not think the Cardassians will become a part of the new Alliance?"
Odo snorted.
"Why my dear Mr. Sisko, all things are possible, but only if you are willing to walk the path. Now, unless I'm mistaken, you do not have sufficient reason to turn me away."
"Not today," agreed Sisko.
"As I said, I am but a humble tailor."
Odo snorted again.
"See that you remain that way. Odo, do not give him the benefit of the doubt."
"I never do."
"Oh and Garak. I don't actually need a reason to get rid of you. That is very clear. Consider this your first and last warning," said Sisko.
Garak nodded.
-=oOo=-
Momo materialized on the Defiant.
"Hello Momo. I would like to welcome you to our crew," said Riker.
"I am pleased to be here. I am in your care."
"And we are in yours," finished Riker.
She bowed and Riker bowed back.
"What is our assignment?" asked the little seeming girl.
"Well, while Picard and the others figure out the Alliance stuff, we thought we would go do something useful," said Riker.
"We were also hoping you might help us figure out how to move faster," said Faile.
"I can possibly help, though the readings we took when you did the other transport form we have not fully understood yet."
"Incoming communication from Starfleet," said Arjin.
"On screen," said Riker.
Admiral DeSoto appeared on the screen.
"I hate to bug you so soon, but you are effectively the fastest ship that can get there, and I'd rather not ask our new allies so soon."
"What is the problem sir?" asked Riker.
"Do you recall the Crystalline Entity?"
"I know of the incident," said Riker.
"It is on course for Melona IV. It will be there at the present rate in about six hours. I know you can't make it in that time at warp 9, but I know you can make it. No one else is closer Will, unless you think we need to contact Athena."
Will turned to Rowan. "How long?"
"Maybe forty minutes. We will be pretty tired when we get there, but this is better than some."
"We will take a look first. If we can't handle it, we will contact Athena."
"I'm also sending another starship. Their ETA is just over six hours. Your minimum goal is to buy enough time for them to get there. They have the capacity to beam the colonists off in about twenty minutes, if necessary."
"Understood. Riker out."
"Arjin set course and get us a straight shot. Tell me when we are ready. Momo, please gather any data you can that may be helpful. Rowan and company please get us there in time," said Riker.
Momo quickly sat down and then placed her hands directly on the controls. Her hands glowed softly as she interacted with the ship directly in some manner.
"We are on course at maximum impulse," said Arjin.
"We are taking us in," said Rowan.
"I'm estimating thirty four minutes at this rate," said Arjin.
"This is quite fascinating," said Momo.
"Well if you figure out how to let everyone else do it, I'm sure they would appreciate it."
"It is like and unlike standard methods. There is an orthogonality here, I think, that I do not understand. It seems you have found a linked dimension, but information is preliminary. I have never heard of such a thing. I'm not even entirely sure it would be affected by Hilbert fields, which makes it potentially very dangerous," said Momo.
"Why is that?" asked Riker.
"It could counter our normal defense systems. Anything that can do so is automatically marked as dangerous."
"I know what you mean. Our shields can't stop them. Obviously we don't need to stop them, but sooner or later, someone else will have it."
"Indeed."
"We can block each others attempt at transport, if that helps," said Rowan.
"Well, if we are nearly as strong," said Deanna.
"I would also like a shield against this power. My people have a very large interest in this," said Faile.
"I have no answers yet, but I am learning," said Momo.
"Would you like to be a part of our link. We will have to slow down a little," said Rowan.
"Another time I think. I do not want to remove time that this mission may require," said Momo.
Rowan nodded.
-=oOo=-
"We are nearly there. I suggest approaching at warp speed, not using this," said Arjin.
"Agreed."
They emerged into normal space and Arjin took them into warp.
"Thanks for the break. It gives us a minute to recover," said Deanna.
"No problem."
"I should have thought of it. Good catch Arjin," said Riker.
"We are approaching now. On screen matching speed. It is ignoring us."
"Options?" asked Riker.
"I will try to communicate. I don't want all three of us in this, just in case," said Faile.
"Be careful. We have tried to communicate before. It has never worked," said Riker.
Faile tried for close to ten minutes while they continued to pursue.
"It is sentient. I'm sure about that. That is about all I'm sure about," said Faile.
"I may have figured out something. May I try?" asked Momo.
"Proceed."
"I'm modifying the firmware on one phaser emitter to carry a communications signal. The others remain online and available, if needed. Setting levels to minimal and sending universal greetings."
"I am reading a ten percent increase in its pulse rate," said Worf.
"It noticed, but what it is going to do about it?" asked Riker.
"I have not yet established communications. There is a response yes, but understanding has not been achieved," said Momo.
"Perhaps I can help," offered Deanna.
"I have no better idea. Please proceed."
Deanna sat in the chair next to her and reached over to lay her right hand on Momo's right.
-=oOo=-
"I was hoping our combined talents might bring understanding, but I do not understand," thought Deanna.
"This is better, I think," thought Momo.
"Faile sent me what she learned, which was surprisingly little. I agree with her conclusion. Let me try something."
"You must not go to Melona IV," she sent strongly, as Momo's work tried to send the same down the particle beam."
"Confusion. That is all we are getting," they thought.
They heard Riker say, "If you cannot convince it to turn, I will have to stop it, at least long enough to rescue the settlement."
"We understand," said Deanna.
"We must get its attention," thought Momo.
Faile and Rowan joined the link.
"We will try to slow its motion," thought the part that was Rowan.
The entity slowed. Arjin kept them at the same relative distance.
"Pulse frequency increasing. Now reading double the energy output we started with," said Worf.
"You must not go to Melona IV. People will be harmed," they thought strongly at it.
"Still no meaningful contact," thought Momo.
"It's firing," said Worf.
The ship rocked.
"Shields down thirty percent."
"Arm quantum torpedos, but do not fire unless I give the order."
"Torpedos armed."
"Try releasing it," said Riker.
"It has doubled its speed, but its course is unchanged," said Arjin.
"Damn. Overtake. Fire a warning shot ahead of it."
"Now at warp seven. I hope this is near its max speed," said Arjin.
"Firing phasers. No change in course," said Worf.
"Fire a torpedo ahead of it, but make sure it feels it a little," said Riker.
"Firing."
"It is changing course," said Arjin.
"New destination?"
"It's turning around and towards us."
"Maintain distance. Worf, fire if you have to."
"We are holding it still now," said Rowan.
"Can you do that long?" asked Riker.
"No. It is very strong. Minutes at best."
"Options people. I don't want to kill a sentient that may just not understand us, but I will defend that colony."
"We could retreat. If we can stay ahead, we buy time," offered Neela.
"Fine, increase distance. I'm pretty sure I know how this ends."
"It is matching us. Increasing to warp eight. It seems it can't match that," said Arjin.
"It is firing," said Worf.
A bed suddenly appeared in the way of the beam, and was instantly destroyed.
"I liked that bed," muttered Deanna.
"I'll get you a new one," said Riker.
"Continuing to open distance," said Arjin.
"It is frustrated," said Momo.
"Tell me about it. Arjin, take a guess at its weapons range and stay out of it, but don't open beyond that. I want it chasing us, not returning to its original plan."
"Double this range?" suggested Arjin.
"More like triple," said Neela.
"Alright, that is what I'll aim for then."
"It is turning back towards Melona," said Worf.
"Would Athena have a better idea?" asked Riker.
"Perhaps. Shall I call them?" asked Momo.
"Explain the situation and see what they say. Arjin, head back towards it. Worf, fire a low yield phaser shot at it when you get in range. Try to get it to follow us again."
They had just fired their shot, destroying a small bit of the entity, when they got a response from Athena on the left of their screen.
"We will head out shortly. I don't have an answer for you, but we will try. Momo is going to coordinate our arrival so we are between it and the colony."
"Understood."
"It is following at warp seven point five."
"We can't slow it anymore," said Rowan.
"We are fast running out of options. Are we sure it is sentient? I would have thought we have been clear enough," said Riker.
"I believe it is, though perhaps not as we are. We are not talking on the same level," said Rowan.
"Q, are you around?" asked Riker.
"Asking for my help?" asked Q, who was suddenly there.
"Sure, I'll take advice. I think we can destroy it, but so far the only effective action we have taken is to make it mad enough to follow us."
"It doesn't think like you. You are like a gnat to it that is acting strange and annoying. It wants to swat you," said Q.
"Is there an option other than destroying it?"
Q sighed. "Your determination that it was sentient is debatable. It's somewhere between a dog and a monkey I suppose."
"I suppose that is why it ignored the torpedo detonation in front. It didn't hurt it enough directly. The weak phaser hit did. Great," said Riker.
"Pretty much. Don't let it kill you. You have important work left to do." Q vanished.
"Worf, that order if we are in serious danger remains valid. Do not wait for me, if you think you need to fire," said Riker.
"Understood," said Worf.
"Connect me with Captain Picard."
"Athena is coming out of fold space," said Momo.
"Update them. See what they say."
"Understood."
"Will?" asked Picard.
"The Crystalline entity is apparently somewhere in intelligence between a dog and a monkey, according to Q, and its behavior seems to be consistent with that. It is dangerous. I have warned it, repeatedly. Athena is here now, but it looks like we are going to have to destroy it."
"That's what the chair is about Captain. If you can find no way to keep people safe without killing. I'm sorry Will."
"Understood. Riker out."
Shion appeared on screen. "I see no alternative either. This entity is quite dangerous. I can destroy it if you want."
"No, I'll do it. I assume your shields are up."
"They are."
"Worf. End this."
"Firing." A quantum torpedo launched towards it, hitting its core and vaporizing it.
"Entity is destroyed."
Riker turned back to Shion. "Sorry to drag you out here."
"There is no harm in seeking to preserve life. It renews my faith in your Federation as allies. Would you like to return with us?"
"No, we are fine," said Riker.
"I would like to study their odd method of propulsion," said Momo.
"Could we wait till tomorrow morning?" asked Deanna.
"I was hoping you could move Athena. It has better sensors," said Momo.
"I'll need to see what data you have so far, before I can authorize that," said Shion.
"Send it," added Riker.
Shion began reading. "I'm inclined to head to your colony world and then address this further in the morning when everyone is rested and I have time to review this."
"That sounds like a plan," agreed Riker.
"It's a short hop through hyperspace, but, from what I can tell your systems are incompatible, so we will see you there," said Shion.
They opened a hyperspace window and went through.
"I still can hardly believe they didn't have a working transporter before meeting us," said Riker.
"Shion can't either. She is quite annoyed with herself for not figuring it out earlier," said Momo.
"Get us on course. How about warp five?"
"That will get us there in two hours," said Arjin.
"Let's go with that. Engage when ready."
"Hyperdrive technology is well known to us. It may be a better path than pursuing this, though we are quite interested in this. Areas of science that are unknown often yield such large rewards," said Momo.
"What would that entail?" asked Riker.
"A new ship, more or less, or a major refit. Your nacelles are likely incompatible with the layer of subspace we usually travel through. Even shutting them down may not be enough. We can fold you safely enough, though that is a far too extreme process to use for normal travel."
"So, when is one better than the other?" asked Neela.
"Your warp drive is clearly superior for survey type missions, or when you need knowledge of current events in real space. Knowledge of real space is limited from hyperspace. You can still detect major masses and such, but detailed information is generally unavailable. Hyperspace, on the other hand, is at least as fast as what you were doing, which is itself curious," said Momo.
"Are you saying they are linked?"
"I do not know, though that is my theory. I believe you may have found an orthogonal path with similar properties, that can be reached by those like you. The energy requirements are significantly below what I would have predicted for a ship of this size. That is one of the major reasons it is interesting. Reducing the cost of operating the fleet is always a goal," said Momo.
"Can anyone who learned anything about the Crystalline entity please work on writing down what you can, so Starfleet has a chance to avoid doing this again?" asked Riker.
"Of course. I have already begun," said Momo.
"I'm starting now. It was such a pity," said Deanna.
"I do not believe I have anything to add, but I'll do it anyway," said Faile.
"Reports are fun. They consume a lot of my evenings," said Riker.
"I do not mind creating one for you to review," said Momo.
"No, then it becomes too tempting to just take whatever you produce. I'll make my own. Starfleet records have solved a great many cases, particularly if you analyze discrepancies," said Riker.
-=oOo=-
Momo walked on the lovely garden world for several hours, exploring here and there. The colonists were even now putting up buildings and preparing to stay. She eventually made her way to where they were planning the new town on a computer in a tent and sat down to watch.
"Carmen, we have a guest. This is Momo. She is a new member of our crew. I dearly wish I could convince her to stay, though it is probably temporary," said Riker.
"Oh? I sense there is a story here."
"Momo is special. She is older than she looks."
"Does she have any skill in designing a city? Everything I've seen so far from the others looks like the last three colonies we helped with," said Carmen.
"I could give it a try," offered Momo.
"Feel free." The woman moved out of the way.
Momo sat down and placed her hands above the interface. The screen rapidly became a blur. "Accessing Athena's sensor web. Determining the location of raw materials. Offloading city design to Athena's subsystems. Stable design achieved. Four million stable variations completed. Reducing. One hundred thousand remain that are near optimum. Artistic subroutines running. Designs are compiling. Balancing constraints. Choosing final set. How many would you like to look through?"
"I don't know. A hundred maybe?" added Carmen.
"Set reduction complete. It will take about an hour to fully render them in a simulation environment, even with Athena's systems. Here, however, is the first suggested city, based on this site."
Carmen looked at the birds eye flyover of the new city and couldn't look away. "This is amazing. Is this what all your cities look like?"
"No, there are many variations, though this basic approach is a popular one. It is my favorite. There are, however, ninety nine variations being prepared."
"Your hired."
"You can call me the next time you have a planet you want to design a city on, though I couldn't have done that without Athena. It would have taken me months alone without her computational resources," said Momo.
"Yes, we usually don't have access to such a resource. I was able to use a holodeck in one of the Galaxy Class ships once for design purpose. That was amazing," said Carmen.
"Perhaps that is your version of a simulation room?" asked Momo.
"Probably. We can, for instance, program it with the contents of a book, and then go in and interact with the story," said Riker.
"Curious. Ours are quite expensive and restricted from casual use. Perhaps we could look at yours sometime?" asked Momo.
"I have no objection, though the Defiant doesn't have one. We'd have to go back to the Enterprise or DS9. That bar has some. They are of Ferengi design, but they work."
"I'd love to have one down here, but that won't happen. It would be great to have this kind of thing to help plan things out," said Carmen.
"You do know that when a ship nears the end of its practical life, we don't have to destroy them, right?" asked Riker.
"You mean, like older starships?"
"Calliope was modified based on a ship with the same design as the Enterprises predecessor, and while it didn't have a holodeck, adding one wouldn't be that hard. Put another way, you mostly go from world to world, spending around a year at each, helping get stuff setup. I would bet it would make more sense to reuse an older ship, configure it as needed, and at least give you a way to get away if need be," said Riker.
"We would have the resources of a starship as well. That would be grand," said Carmen.
"I'll mention it. I'm not saying one is available now, but to me at least it makes sense to use the old ships in these limited roles and get more use out of them before we retire them."
"There is also the fact that if we do give you hyperdrive technology, many of your current ships may be made available sooner," said Momo.
"Your getting a new drive design?" asked Carmen excitedly.
"We hope so, and hopefully it doesn't destabilize the quadrant."
"That will be a concern for us of course. We also have to be sure to have a solid plan for these Borg, and not just result in their increased ability," said Momo.
"You'll get no argument from me there. The last thing we need is them to be able to come to this quadrant faster."
-=oOo=-
The next day Shion and Momo took a short trip on the Defiant with them plus Neela in the merge of senses Faile, Deana, and Rowan provided. They then spent several more hours reviewing the results before Shion approved a trip on Athena.
"All recorders up. I want every detail of this recorded," said Shion.
"Recorders are up. All main drive systems are idle."
"Power down all reactors, save primary shielding, gravity, and that which is needed for sensors. We don't even need life support, not for a short trip. I want the clearest readings possible," said Shion.
"Would you like us to draw from your systems or use our own energy reserves?" asked the Rowan.
"You mean those normally invisible necklaces?"
"Yes."
"It's hard to be sure, but let's go with your sources. We don't necessarily need a long trip, and maybe that will be cleaner."
"Alright. Our goal is just a short hop, of about a minute. Please go ahead and start the journey. We will just speed it up."
"Go ahead, maneuvering thrusters only. Get us on a safe vector."
"Course is stable. Athena is ready."
The three joined hands with Faile in the middle this time as their wells flared and they vanished from normal space.
"Telemetry coming in. All recorders nominal," said Momo.
"We will be at the target coordinates in just over half a minute," said Rowan.
"All systems are nominal. Background radiation is significantly below normal hyperspace levels," said Allen.
"Existing. We are kind of controlling it, but you would fall out if we just let go anyway," said Faile.
"Record for another five minutes,then archive set and restart main systems," said Shion.
"Confirmed."
Shion turned back to them. "The fact that this degenerates to normal space is also quite interesting. Hyperspace does not. Without a window generator you will eventually die there. It may be superior if we could figure out how to duplicate it without obviously requiring the kind of effort you must spend."
"I believe I may be able to duplicate it," said Kosmos.
"Really?" asked Shion in surprise."
"Not with Athena, but with my own systems."
"How?" asked Shion curiously.
"The Hilbert transformation equations. The standard form sweeps nearby entities in dimensional space and pulls them into local space. If you invert the equations and instead project towards your target subspace layer, it should be possible to be swept into the space. After that point, you must use a carefully crafted field in order to avoid being swept back into normal space."
"Thrust?" asked Shion.
"I have not figured that part out. I assumed conventional thrusters may work and that we were looking at a projection of real space onto a smaller total volume."
"Your brilliant Kosmos, and I suspect you are correct, or nearly so. What do you think Momo?" asked Shion.
"The theory makes sense. I might be strong enough to use it to move a small distance, but I lack Kosmos energy reserves."
"I honestly have no intention of authorizing either of you to experiment. Your lives would be at risk. We need to build something and test with that. I'd rather not use any of our shuttlecraft."
"We need something smaller. I'd rather not risk the Defiant either," said Riker.
"There is a ton of old craft on Bajor. Your just going to use the reactor and gut everything else right?" asked Neela.
"It would be better if they had systems that would require less modification," mused Shion.
"There is a Federation salvage depot on Qualor II operated by the Zakdorn. We could contact them, and see what they have," said Riker.
"That seems reasonable. Allen, can you make contact?"
"I'm not familiar with the source of this transmission. Who is this?" asked the gruff junkyard operator.
"I'm Captain William Riker of the Defiant. We have need of possibly a series of identical shuttles, possibly with a decent sensor suite and computers. They do not need to have functional warp drives."
"Got a lot of those. Warp drives are always the first to go, and they don't like restarting the production line on old models. Some fancy computers in the Vulcan ones. Your welcome to come take a look."
"Thanks. We will head there soon." The man disconnected.
"At least if you think it promising?"
"Sure, as I said, I'm certainly not risking Momo or Kosmos when I can outfit a bunch of expendable test articles."
"We are a couple days out at your normal speeds. I really can't recommend a fold for this," said Allen.
"Agreed. Captain Riker, could you come with us, and then have some of your crew follow in your ship?" asked Shion.
"That would be fine, I think."
"I'll stay with the Defiant. I want one of us to be there just in case," said Rowan.
"Call us if you need us," said Shion.
"Don't worry, I will."
-=oOo=-
Admiral T'Lara opened the subspace connection.
"How can I help you Captain Riker?"
"I'd like to transfer two dozen old Vulcan shuttle craft at the Qualor II salvage depot to Athena and her crew."
"Why are the shuttle craft there, and what is the purpose for the transfer?"
"Their warp cores are end of life. Actually, they don't have warp cores. Some have other bits missing, but most have upgrades to sensors and the computer core that are approximately five years old. We want to use some of them for test articles to study how Deanna and the others move ships beyond warp speed. Shion wanted something we had copies of to use to produce automated test articles to study the phenomena."
"We are getting the data as well, correct?" asked the admiral.
"We are."
"Computer record approval of request. Add in fifty percent the value of the shuttlecraft for other parts and supplies. Unused items are to be returned to the salvage yard, unless security considerations are present and then they are to be handled according to either Captain Shion Uzuki or Captain William Riker or their designates."
"Recorded."
"Thanks. I have no idea how long this will take or if it will pan out, but they are making more progress than we were."
"I understand. This is a high priority, but the technology is not to be commonly released, nor is the hyperdrive technology if we get it. Above all, we must not give our enemies any advantages."
"Understood. Is there any progress on the greater Alliance?"
"Some, though many keep wanting to use the newcomers and gain everything they know. I am fighting for sanity and trying to make sure we do not drive them away. We need allies, for this threat and the threats yet unknown. Short term thinking is, unfortunately, a common failure in sentient species."
"You do know we appreciate you guys. I wasn't sure I wanted to deal with all the headaches Jean-Luc had to deal with, and the station wasn't really my cup of tea either, but the Defiant with a more manageable crew, well I couldn't ask for more."
T'Lara held up her hand and spread her fingers in the Vulcan farewell. "Live long and prosper Captain Riker."
RIker did the same. "Live long and prosper Admiral T'Lara."
-=oOo=-
"Shion Uzuki test log. Alpha Test Prototype version 1. We are almost ready for the first flight test of what we are currently calling the alpha drive. The Vulcan shuttles are well suited. The replicator on the Defiant is turning out to be particularly useful in this process. It is obviously a logical outgrowth of the transportation technology we now have working. We were able to use it to extend the sensor array on the shuttle as well as to make most of the Alpha drive parts, though we are making the critical components ourselves, since the replication errors would otherwise affect them. It really is remarkable that the telepaths are naturally achieving the delicate resonance required naturally to enter this exotic realm of subspace, if you can even call it that."
"Our initial engine model is using power cores we duplicated from the missile design the previous generation of warships used. They are unsuitable for extended operation, but do generate power with the needed precision. The really frustrating thing is this area was right before our eyes for centuries, and yet we skipped it to go into the deeper layers of subspace, because we lacked the delicate touch and understanding to reach it. In hindsight, I should have expected as much when humans, albeit very impressive ones with additional talents, managed to access this area on their own. What else have we assumed impossible that we have simply missed? Either way, enough for now. Time to start the test. Time to finally learn to walk."
"How are we doing Momo?" asked Shion as she walked onto the bridge. A view of the Defiant's bridge was on a side display.
"All checks are completed. All simulations currently match observed data. We have done all we can do other than press the button."
"Defiant crew, do you have any reasons to delay the test?" asked Shion.
"We do not. You are clear to go," said Riker.
"I will ask one final time. Are there any precautions missing, any uncertainties that anyone has that need to be first investigated?"
She waited a full minute.
"Allen, at this time I am turning command of the Athena over to you, while I take the lead of the science team."
"I have command. You may begin the test when ready."
"Executing flight test number one on Alpha Drive prototype number 1 now."
The craft vanished, with barely a ripple.
"It worked," said Riker.
"That is not known yet. Data from remove sensor drones is coming in. Drone ship should arrived in five, four, three, two, one, now."
Nothing happened.
"Test anomaly is noted. All available trackers are to search for our missing drone, but under no circumstances are we to move until I give the all clear," said Shion.
"The drones energy supply will be exhausted in ten seconds at the expected burn rate," said Kosmos.
"Five, four, three, two, one, zero," said Shion.
"There it is," exclaimed Arjin.
"Note in the log that it appears the transition to the expected layer may have been correct but that propulsion appears to be a failure. Momo, can you confirm if the drone drives are fully powered down."
"The entire drone appears to be offline including the telemetry engine. I read no EM emissions of any kind, beyond that of black body radiation."
"Kosmos, wait five minutes before you leave to be sure, then retrieve the data core. You are not to remain in there longer than necessary. There could still be dangers we do not understand."
"Confirmed."
"Is there anything we can do?" asked Riker.
"I don't believe so. Kosmos can survive far more than any of us can, not that she is expendable. She is not."
"We understand."
"I am exiting the ship now. I will maintain this audio connection."
"Understood. Rowan, Deanna, Faile, would you do me a favor and pull her out if anything odd happens?"
"Of course. We are monitoring the situation," said Rowan.
"I am entering the access code to the ship. There is no response. It appears that whatever drained the rest of the system also drained this. I can supplement its power."
"Negative Kosmos. Return for a power cell. No direct connections," commanded Shion.
"We can replicate what that craft expects. Stand by," said Neela.
After a few more minutes Kosmos said, "I have the emergency power cell. I have inserted it into the recessed panel by the door. The exterior controls are now available. I am opening the door. Emergency lighting is on, but barely, likely indirectly powered by the power cell."
"That should still be adequate for an hour or so, at least if you don't run anything else," said Neela.
"I am approaching the main cockpit. I am opening the telemetry rack and removing the data core. I am also retrieving our power module and separate telemetry storage. I am returning."
-=oOo=-
Neela loaded the data core in the next test article they had and powered it up. Shion was beside her.
"All systems appear to be initializing normally. Correction, data core is showing an unsafe shutdown. How is that possible?" asked Neela.
"Unsafe?" asked Shion.
"It means someone literally severed the power, or the effect there of, but the data core has two independent power redundancies to make sure in flight data is archived, and the power is isolated, so it cannot flow back to the rest of the system. Look, the condition of the power cells was fine. Sure these weren't brand new, but there was weeks of power in them and then suddenly none. I'm not buying equipment fault. Something happened," said Neela.
"I would tend to agree. It is irritating that the last bit of information is gone, but the key information is actually the unexpected power drain that should never have occurred. What is the flow rate into the data core now?"
"Just what you'd expect if the cells were totally depleted. I don't see any damage."
"Let's take a look at our module before diving more into these."
Shion connected it up and began reading the details.
"Same thing here, though I did get far more detail about it. There was a massive energy drain at the end, right after the field keeping the craft suspended in that space failed due to exceeding its programmed test maximum run time. I think the energy in the storage modules was ripped out, somehow to keep the craft in that region," said Shion.
"That doesn't make sense. We port and send ships through this region frequently," said Rowan.
"My guess is we found yet another region, but this one is inherently hostile to our technology. Curious," said Shion.
"We should repeat the test with current circumstances enough times to see if it is repeatable, at least once we analyze the data fully," said Momo.
"I agree," said Shion.
"Could this be used to attack the Borg?" asked Riker.
"Possibly, though I'd not like to do it often. They are quite clever and if any of them lived or got a message out, they would have this avenue to explore. EIther way, we have a great deal to learn before we can make such recommendations," said Shion.
"Would you mind if I asked if the Enterprise can come help with this? They worked on this earlier when we didn't make much progress," said Riker.
"No, the more the merrier, as long as everything stays secure. This must not get to our enemies."
"I've already been reminded of that by my own superior. Trust me, we are being careful."
"Then alright."
-=oOo=-
"Data, have you reviewed the information they forwarded us with regards to the alpha drive?" asked Picard from their briefing room. The other department heads were there as well.
"I have. It is most intriguing. At last report they had performed six tests. Two worked as originally predicted. Clearly there is a gap in our understanding of the phenomena."
"Do you think you and Geordi can help? We have a mission that is fairly important, but can be reassigned."
"I am uncertain. Those there are certainly competent. It would be a matter of more looking at it," said Data.
"Geordi?"
"The same. Don't get me wrong, I think we can help, but how much is questionable. According to Miles, Neela is also quite good."
"Let's prioritize our next mission. It is expected to be about two weeks and then swing by there. In the mean time you are of course welcome to participate through secure subspace links."
"Sounds good to me. Honestly, for now we can help almost as much that way," said Geordi.
"Dismissed."
-=oOo=-
The next day Geordi was reviewing on the latest decrypted data dump from the test program when Wesley stopped by.
"Hey, what's that?"
"Data from the test program Athena is running for what Deanna and the others do when moving ships."
"Really?"
"Yah, its pretty secret stuff. You are authorized, but don't add it in any log."
"Understood. Do you mind if I take a look?" asked Wesley.
"No, feel free."
Wesley sat down at another station and Geordi transferred a copy to it. He worked on it long into the night.
Early the next morning as soon as Geordi was on shift Wesley said, "Can you look at this please?"
"Sure thing, we seem to have some time."
Geordi sat down and saw the massive amount of work done. "Did you even sleep at all last night?" He then looked at Wesley and answered his own question, "Apparently not."
"I'll get some sleep, just take a look and tell me if my sleep addled brain was making up comparisons or they are real?"
Geordi spent the next two hours reviewing, even delaying the start to tasks he really needed to do.
"Mr. Laforge, what is the status on the engine work you planned to do? Once we are done here, will we be able to leave for Athena's work?" asked Picard.
"Captain, I think you and Data should come to main engineering."
"We will be right there."
Geordi kept reading until five minutes later when Data and the captain walked in.
"What is the problem?" asked Picard.
"Problem? I'm not sure I'd describe it as that. Wesley, despite his poor sleep habits has done some amazing work here. Data, it has taken me over two hours to follow most of this analysis, and I'm not quite done. That I had to review a lot as I went did not help. Either way, please review Wesley's work."
"I will be glad to."
Data sat down and began reading at an accelerated rate, pages of analysis streaming by in moments. He finished barely ten minutes later.
"Well Data?" asked the Captain.
"Fascinating. I have found fourteen significant errors in Wesley's work, but the main conclusion appears verified. The work here appears to show a seventy one percent correlation with what happened when the Traveler was aboard our ship and Athena's current development program. If you also include the times Rowan and the others acted as motive force to ships, the correlation reaches ninety three percent."
"Well done Wesley," said Picard.
"Does this change anything about our current mission?" asked Geordi.
"No, beyond perhaps acting with increased haste, where possible. Before, we could have asked for someone to take our place, but now that we are here, we must do our job. I will inform Captain Riker, but I want this information and work secured. Wesley there is no unsecured work on this and I mean none. I want a secure lab set aside with this with offline systems. All work is to be moved offline. All knowledge of this is to be restricted top secret, until further orders," said Picard.
"May I suggest my lab? It has a self contained computer and can be disconnected from the main computer," said Data.
"That's fine. I'll order guards outside at all times and restricted access."
"You know this doesn't tell us how to do it," said Wesley.
"I know, but I feel it may be a critical piece. I'm not restricting work on this, except for you Wesley. Until you get sufficient rest you are restricted," said Picard.
"I understand sir."
"Does anyone know how to contact the Traveler?"
"We have no information. We could try going where we started that one journey, but I doubt it matters," said Wesley.
"Wesley did help on the way back," noted Geordi.
"I don't particularly want to risk his life, but perhaps Rowan or the others can use his knowledge to find what is missing," mused Picard
"I'm certainly willing to try," said Wesley.
"Noted, but I or Starfleet Command, possibly with the approval of your mother in her capacity as CMO will be the one to decide if that risk is justified."
"Being of age is pretty useless when your mom is CMO," noted Geordi.
"Quite right, and while we may have to take some risks here, we will do so carefully," said Picard.