Aldebaran Connection
Chapter 7 of Edge of the Universe
All three ships stood abreast in orbit about the planet Donna tapped for raw materials. The completed sphere fragment awaited dead ahead, faintly gleaming in distant starlight. It consisted of the only part they needed—the octagon linked to the home sphere. Moast would enter first, and send back confirmation of successful transit, followed by the Valdor. Enterprise would be last, which was why Donna was aboard to assure the makeshift portal continued to function.
"Orchidia signals ready for entry." Worf sent back an acknowledgment. "Their probe has returned."
"Godspeed," Picard said. A starship was a far cry from a simple probe. Would the replica segment hold up? It was especially of concern, since no one knew if Donna could cobble together another one. She stood off to one side of the helm, a majestic presence impossible to ignore, who was intent on the main viewer.
Orchidia entered, and the hatch closed behind them. "Transfer sequence initiated," Data said. Ten minutes later: "Their probe has returned. They arrived safely at the home sphere." That elicited cheers, which Picard made no effort to stop. He wore a huge grin himself.
"Hail the Valdor," Picard ordered. "Your turn, Vixia. Orchidia will be waiting to greet you." Which meant Orchidia would blast you asunder if you tried to sabotage the gate. On screen, the green Romulan ship eased into the octagon, which closed behind them.
"Captain," Data added, "Orchidia's probe has a message from Admiral Janeway. She's holding a conference of all parties involved after review of the mission."
"Very good," Picard replied. "Let's see if Vixia has cooled off enough to send back her own probe, instead of obligating Moast to do so." Would she really attack the gate out of spite? If that happened, even Donna wouldn't be able to get them back. But minutes later, a Romulan probe came back.
"A problem has manifested," Data reported. "Energy levels in the shell have dropped. One moment; we are on a new heading. Power is being rerouted through the sensor array." All heads turned to Donna, who had an arm stretched out toward the screen.
"Take no action," Picard said. "Let her do anything she wants." Enterprise hovered above the shell, then backed away.
"Tachyon emissions at maximum" Geordi said. "Now firing an antimatter spread in line with the black hole. Coming to a new course to line up with the gate."
"Come on, Betsy," Riker said. "One more time." Enterprise moved through the opening hatch and awaited the familiar static display on the screen, showing that the shell's phase inducers were precisely mapping the ship's contours. With energy buildup at peak, a flash of lavender light heralded the brief disorientation of wormhole travel.
"Now in our own sphere," Data confirmed. Cheers happened anew.
"Take us out." Riker looked to Picard. "I wonder if Janeway can smooth things over. I can't believe the Romulans would ever pull out, and after the Dominion war, they're in no position to force us out."
Picard stood up. "I hope the admiral approves the mission to Aldebaran. We owe that to both goddesses."
Sphere Admin Center
Unlike in Moast's dimension, this control center was free-floating, secured by geo-sensors. Docks at either end gave access to the Romulan and Federation factions, serving as de facto embassies. A visitor center was provided in the center. Atop it all sat the governing council chambers. The view out its conference room overlooked a growing fleet of research vessels. None was allowed near any octagons without express approval of the council.
Janeway presided on her side, flanked by Ardra, Picard, and Moast. Only two Romulans sat opposite: Vixia and Praetor Duvrok.
"Your case," Janeway began, "is paper thin. Proceed with your complaint."
"They violated the charter!" Vixia snapped.
Duvrok silenced her with a look. "How do you defend that, Admiral? The planetoid items would have been used only for research."
Ardra checked her nails. "Oh, I don't know. Park one of those bombs in orbit, and you can demand anything you want."
"This woman is not a member of the council," Duvrok pointed out. "Besides, has not Commander Moast armed his vessel with black hole bombs and missiles? What is our assurance he will not supply these to the Federation?"
"He's good," Ardra whispered to Janeway.
"First of all," Moast said, "they detonate if anyone tries to reverse engineer them. Second, we haven't found enough of them to play Santa Claus. You wouldn't believe the red tape involved in getting authorization to handle them."
Duvrok clasped hands like an orator. "You have used them in combat, even creating a black hole in your own solar system—a serious hazard to navigation."
"Hyperbole," Moast said with a grin. "It's beneath you."
Picard made a slashing motion. "It seems the discussion has been sidetracked. We'll even overlook the wanton destruction of a mobile unit by Bakra. I think the admiral will agree that this was a four-way mission, with all parties having a say. Frankly, I approve of Ardra's action. After all, it did furnish the black hole she used to reconnect the sphere fragment with the dark matter web."
"Now ask him," Moast added, "why they launched when their probe failed to return."
Janeway stared at both Romulans. "That's right. You knew something was there that justified the risk. Care to explain that?"
"We were careless," Vixia said. "No one would have expected the failure of a sphere."
Duvrok shrugged it off. "We can at least take part in your goddess rescue. The Valdor can take her wherever she wants to go."
"No doubt," Ardra noted. "But she has only your road map to go by."
"A valid concern," Janeway said. "Since we'll need Donna to make contact, I'll authorize Enterprise to take her to Aldebaran. What the other goddess wants to do is her own concern."
Duvrok stood, along with Vixia. "Agreed. My parting thought on the Builders is this: did they use those weapons to create their dark matter web, or against an equally formidable foe? What do you say, Commander Moast?"
"I think it's the latter." It came as a surprise to all. "Do you recall the UFOs from your own experience that were never explained? I used a bomb to seal a portal they were using to enter our galaxy. Nor do I think that's the end of it."
Vixia didn't look convinced. "Ghosts and demons? I have a hard enough time believing in goddesses. They're just another life form."
A life form, Picard sincerely hoped, that would not cozy up to the Romulans.