Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All characters and events in this story are entirely fictional.
-=oOo=-
L'Nea's alert sounded on the bridge of Falcon.
"What do we have?" asked Riker.
"A ship it seems, lost in hyperspace in a universe we haven't been to. I'm a bit surprised. The signal we are getting is aimed such that it is almost as if they don't want rescued," said L'Nea.
"Let's take a look, carefully. When we arrive, don't let them know we are there just yet," said Riker.
"Changing course," said Ekuryua.
-=oOo=-
"The paint on that space vehicle I find highly offensive. It's all some kind of flag, I think," said Sobaash.
"Ignoring .. no .. um zoom out a bit.. a bit more.. yes that's better. Okay ignore that, what can you tell me?" asked Riker.
"Again, if I didn't understand dimensional theory I'd assume their attempt was to make a signal no one heard. I believe the universal translator has translated it now, though um, are you sure you want to hear it?" asked L'Nea.
"No, but play it anyway."
"The great and exalted one who is the only only one who can fix it, who is the most honest, brightest, and most truthful expected your vote in the coming elections. Together we can make the once great and noble Talan Empire great again. Great things will be for the one who gives the great exalted Frump a ride to his next campaign appearance. The Great Frump is greater than all great leaders before him, greater even than the founders of the Talan Empire, even Emperor Tarant the first. Please contribute to the Great Frumps legal defense fund, so we can make the great and noble Talan Empire great again."
"It repeats," said Jadzia, who shut it off.
"It there any chance they will make it on their own?" asked RIker hopefully.
"Their drives are pretty much toast," said Samson.
"I want an excuse to leave here."
"We believed it was all a mass hallucination, so had to leave as quickly as possible?" tried Jinto.
"A plausible excuse," said Riker.
"Let's figure out where they are going, and then drop them as far as possible from there, but where they will live," said Lafiel.
"I'm liking this plan. I'm not helping the great and powerful Frump win some election. Can someone um talk to them?" asked Riker.
"I'm afraid that's your job," said Jadzia dryly.
"Fine. Decloak and connect us."
"This is Frump Force One. I'm the captain. I was told to tell you that Frump insists on immediate conveyance to Talan 1 for the election."
"Can you send us your star maps and such? We are not familiar with your system."
"Alright."
"We are receiving. It looks like they have a settlement on Tevon seven that is as far out as any," said Jadzia.
"That is months of travel time to reach home," said the Captain.
A fat slightly orange man pushed the captain to the side.
"I demand you take me to Talan."
"Sorry, it is Tevon seven or nothing."
"I demand."
"Don't care. Your pretty far out past anything resembling a normal hyperspace route. I doubt anyone else would even find you."
The captain, behind him, smiled.
"What do you want to take me directly where I want to go?" asked Frump.
"We aren't arguing. I suppose we could take your people to someplace a little closer and they could maybe mount a rescue campaign."
The captain gave him a thumbs up where Frump couldn't see.
"Isn't it simpler just to take me to Talan?"
"Oh we hate to do things the simpler way," lied Riker.
"I will point out that the odds of anyone finding you alive, by the time we find the ship is pretty small," said the Captain in a bored tone.
"Your not getting paid for this crap."
"I insisted on the pay up front, as did everyone else."
"Fine, take us to this useless place."
The captain nodded and gave him a thumbs up that Frump didn't see. Jadzia cut the signal.
"Let's get this noble task over with," said Riker dryly.
"There was a scheduled maintenance of the engines coming up. We should probably not exceed a fairly slow speed," said Ekuryua.
"Of course. Just someone else answer next time he contacts us, or just um don't answer."
"Agreed," everyone said at once.
-=oOo=-
"Tell me this time it isn't Frump again?" asked Riker hopefully.
"If it was easy I'd filter such annoyances, but the rest of them don't deserve it, probably, Fortunately this is not Frump," said L'Nea.
"I studied their ship. There were the parts to repair the main engines in that ship. They were just spread in seven different well hidden locations," said Jadzia.
"His own people tried to sabotage him? Nice. Guess we didn't change much, given we somehow got to the outpost after the election was over," said Riker.
"I got lost," said Ekuryua in a bored tone from the side.
Lafiel snorted and then gave her a thumbs up. Jinto just smiled.
L'Nea continued, "At any rate, I'm not entirely sure you want to respond to this, or not. It seems down there is a young woman on a nearby planet who is regularly posting her daily life in kind of running monologue. She is part of a theater group who is kind of desperate to figure out a way to restore power to their theater, since opening night is well in three days. I'm a bit surprised that my program detected it, but that is what it is."
"I don't mind taking a look. If we decide to help, I'd rather them not know that those not from their planet helped," said Riker.
"I'm sure we can come up with something. Perhaps we can catch the show?" mused Jadzia.
"Let's take a look."
-=oOo=-
"So what do we have?" asked Riker after they established a cloaked standard orbit around the pre-FTL planet.
"Everything checks out. For what its worth the company providing electricity is willing to reconnect it on a priority basis if they get partial payment," said Jadzia.
"How could we pay this without tracing it back to us?" asked Riker.
"On the other side of the same country there is a treasure hunt for gold that went down in an old style sailing ship. Some has been found, so it is legit," said Samson.
"Pyrrha and I could go find it. I'd kind of like to go swimming anyway. We'd have to replicate a suit that could withstand those depths and go at night," offered Piper.
"Well the suit will take care of most of the risks and you can always port out, so sure. How long till night there?" asked Riker.
"Just over an hour," said Samson.
"Okay you do that. Have Doctor Bashir keep track of you. Attempt to bring enough back to fully pay the bill and a bit more."
"Got it."
-=oOo=-
"James, come here. Come quick."
The young woman picked up the plain white envelope and opened it, revealing a handwritten message. "We found this at that shipwreck. Hopefully it helps you with your theater production."
The man glanced around and quickly pulled the small chest inside, before closing the door and opening the chest. His eyes widened as he saw what was inside. The coins were still full of algae, and even a bit wet, but it looked real.
"We will have to call the media, so they know this is legit, and make sure this remains ours," the woman said.
"Assuming someone doesn't accuse us of stealing it," said the man.
"I'll make the call."
-=oOo=-
"This just in. Much of the treasure that they were searching for out west was found at the door step of a local theater who desperately needed money. The national oceanic museum has agreed to buy it at appraised cost, as well as to loan them the money for their electric bill. It was not just coins but a lot of very old and very rare jewelry in there. For those that do not know here is the address of the theater. Opening night is tomorrow at seven. It promises to be a quite good play and I for one don't intend to miss it.
In the back in minor disguises Riker and the others attended the opening night. They had to replicate some of the local money, but it wasn't enough to be noticed. It was a hit. The theater managed to sell out the next three weeks of shows, which was more than they planned to run.
-=oOo=-
"Am I imagining things, or did they more or less recreate Man of La Mancha?" asked Riker.
"I don't think anyone else has an Earth based background," said Jadzia.
"Oh, well feel free to look it up."
"It does read as similar," reported Sobaash.
"Yep. This one I liked. I don't think Jean-Luc ever managed to make sure a play went on for a mission, though he would have loved to," said Riker.
The familiar beep happened again.
"How exactly does that work?" asked Riker.
"It's basically listening for any anomalies, signals, anything, and trying to classify them," said L'Nea.
"And this one?"
"Let's see?"
"It's a news report."
"Now at Juuban high school we have the scandal when star student Ami Mizuni was caught kissing Michuru Kaio, who is one year her senior. The principal expelled them both. Two promising careers are now in ashes."
"Um, what?" asked Celeste.
"We are not going to just let them destroy two girls lives for kissing right?" asked Pyrrha.
"Probably not, though figuring out what we can do is another matter. Either way head there, but keep us hidden," said Riker.
"Heading that way," said Lafiel.
"Once we get there I can analyze more. It was a bit of a fluke I picked that up. The information was actually forwarded through one of the few nodes the Alliance has brought online," said L'Nea.
"That's progress I suppose," said Riker.
"Indeed it is. If you compare the development of this group to the spread of the Abh Empire, or even your Federation, we are doing very well," said Sobaash.
"I agree," said Jadzia.
Riker nodded.
-=oOo=-
Riker had everyone meet in the briefing room the next morning.
"What can you tell me? I know this is another Earth and I know a lot of your worked through the night analyzing this situation."
"It's fairly bad. There has been a massive population decline that started from a series of viruses raged out of control. That much has been dealt with. Still, where once same sex relationships were tolerated, poorly, now it is not even that. Their parents have kicked them out of their houses. Had they not done it their landlords were going to kick them out," said Samson.
"They want them to sign a pledge to have children within the next year to show they are reformed. They are demanding medical checks. Both are far too young. This is all insane," said Piper in a disgusted tone.
"Where are they now?" asked Riker.
"Staying with a friend of theirs, though they are hiding in her room so no one finds out. It won't last. Her mother doesn't even know. They are treating them like fugitives from justice," said Pyrrha.
"They are both star students. Ami Mizuno is the top student of her country, and Michiru is almost as good, though as a musician," said L'Nea.
"What usually happens to these cases?"
"Suicide is not uncommon, either before or after having children," said Jinto.
"Let me go down. If I can convince them subtly to ask for help, we take them and maybe a few more off this rock and give them a chance somewhere sane," said Celeste.
"Does anyone see any way to actually chip away at the prejudice?" asked Riker.
"Saving them won't be a significant prime directive violation provided they stay away and we don't influence development. We could possibly fake corpses, if needed," said Jadzia.
"Would it matter?" asked RIker sadly.
"Unlikely. Suicide is a common outcome," said Jinto.
"Alright Celeste you can head down. Keep them alive. Look for a path to fix this mess, but not at the expense of people like them."
Celeste nodded.
-=oOo=-
Celeste appeared inside the house they were hiding in, then knocked softly on the bedroom door. There was no answer.
"I promise I'm here to help not hurt," said Celeste, once again thankful for the universal translator.
The elder light blue haired young woman peeked out the door. "Who are you?"
"I'm Celeste Troi."
"Why are you here?"
"To help."
Michuru snorted. "You can't help. Our families are forced to abandon us, and the rest of the world is no better."
"I can help. There are places I know of that would welcome you, regardless of what gender you are interested in."
"Prove it."
Celeste pulled a folded photo out of her pocket. They had of course created it, but it was a real photo. She handled it to Michuru.
"Huh? Two women, one pregnant."
"My mother Deanna was pregnant in that one. The other is my mother Rowan."
"You have a guy somewhere or?"
"No. We just know how to get around such things, or technically in that case we knew someone who helped, but we could manage it regardless."
"That's impossible."
"I assure you I am their daughter."
"That technology doesn't exist on this planet. They wouldn't freak out nearly as much about same sex relationships if it did," said Michiru.
Celeste was suddenly thoughtful for several minutes.
"Your not saying you can provide such? Not as if I'm that interested in getting pregnant, but at least Ami isn't repulsive."
"Gee thanks," said Ami as she came out.
"You know what I mean," said Michiru.
"I'm trying to avoid breaking some rules, but I assure you that I have not lied, and that such places do exist."
'Then take us there. It is not as if we have a future here. I refuse to become a brood mare just to make the politicians happy," said Ami.
"Okay, first you will not be harmed or forced to do anything you don't want to do. Second you will be returned if you ask. Third, I require your promise not to tell anyone much of anything about where you were, beyond that you are safe and unharmed. I'm not asking you to lie. You will be safe and unharmed."
"We could just say it and then what?" asked Michuru.
"If I believed you were lying, then I might leave. I am serious. The best I can offer is to help you provided you keep secrets the details. If you want to make it I'll keep a secret if you do what you said, that is fine."
"But there are a lot of people that need help," said Ami.
"I'm not saying you can't argue for that. You can. I'm saying that there are rules and in order to make you the offer I had to agree to obey them too," said Celeste.
"Do you like women too?" asked Michiru.
"My sister seems kind of interested in one she met. I haven't made a strong commitment either way."
"Michiri, Ami, I'm home," said a bubbly blond.
"Usagi, close the door," said Ami.
Usagi did so then came up to Celeste. "Have you told on them?"
"I have not."
"Good." Usagi turned to Ami and Michuru. "So I brought some extra cookies from school. I'm sorry it is not much."
"This girl says she can take us someplace that we will be safe and doesn't mind same sex relationships," said Ami.
"Really?" asked Usagi.
Celeste nodded.
"That's great!" enthused Usagi.
"Usagi, you are entirely too optimistic," said Ami deadpan.
"Do you think she is lying?" asked Usagi in surprise.
"Have I really asked so much?" asked Celeste softly.
"Just to keep all your secrets," added Michuru.
"Add your own terms then. We aren't unreasonable."
"We don't keep your secrets if they harm anyone or if the failure to disclose them harms anyone, including ourselves, you, Usagi, or anyone," said Ami.
"Okay."
"Or my mother," added Ami.
"I believe you covered that with anyone," said Celeste dryly.
"My mom will be hurt if I leave," said Ami.
"She is what?" asked Celeste.
"A doctor," said Ami proudly.
"She can probably come, if she agrees to the same terms."
"This reminds me of cookies," said Usagi.
"How so?" asked Celeste curiously.
"They said they were good for me, but I gained weight," said Usagi.
Celeste blinked. "Um, moving on. We are willing to try to help you fix things here. We currently do not see an obvious solution."
"We?" asked Michiru.
"Yes, there is more than just me. You likely won't stay with us, since you are under age, and would have to go somewhere to finish your education and such."
"What if we want to stay with you?" said Ami.
"We have rules. You could come back later, maybe, if you did well in school."
Usagi snorted. "As if."
"Fair enough. How can I gain your trust?"
"Tell us about yourself," asked Usagi.
"And you will keep our secrets if I do? I really don't want to be the cause of trouble for your world."
"Why would you be trouble for our world?" asked Ami.
"Do you believe in telepathy?"
"No such ability has been proven to exist," said Ami.
"Want to learn it? That is, if we are going to be alone for a couple hours?"
"You can't just teach something like that, let alone in two hours," said Ami.
"I can give you and Michuru a lesson. You would need many."
"Me too," said Usagi.
"I can't. I'm willing to gamble that they will come so I can finish their lessons. If I begin with you, you might learn enough and then have no one here to finish your lessons."
"I'm not leaving my friends," said Usagi.
Celeste palmed her head with her hand. "Are you truly willing to leave with the other two? I have some leeway with Ami and Michuru, because their lives are in actual danger. I have none with you. Your parents would have to approve."
"What do you mean Ami and Michuru's lives are in danger?" exclaimed Usagi.
"A lot that are outed end up committing suicide," said Ami softly.
"Yes. I would like to think that would not happen with you two, and I really really don't want it to, but it is a consideration. Will your parents approve?"
"I have none. Well I have foster parents, but I'm a prize to them, not a daughter. They kicked me out without a thought," said Michiru.
"My mother is heartbroken," said Ami.
"If you can do the mind thing, then do it. Maybe we could trust you then?" asked Usagi.
"Then you consent?" asked Celeste.
Usagi nodded.
"You agree far too easily as usual," said Ami.
"We will stop if anyone wants to stop. I suppose Usagi won't learn enough to matter in one lesson," said Celeste.
"Fine, add me in," said Ami.
"And me," said Michiru.
"Let's go sit on the bed," said Celeste.
"Maybe you just want to have your way with us" said Michiru.
"You are quite attractive," added Celeste.
Michiru blushed furiously.
"Come on," said Usagi, before sitting on the edge of the bed. Celeste sat in the middle with Ami on her right and Michiru on her left.
"Hello," thought Celeste.
"I can hear you," chipped in Usagi out loud.
"You don't have to speak," thought Celeste.
"Really?" thought Ami.
"Yes."
"Ami, say eighty nine," thought Michiru.
"Eighty nine," said Ami out loud.
"This is real?" thought Michiru.
"Yes."
"So what is this place that accepts same sex couples?" asked Miciuru.
"I don't even know if I like women exclusively," thought Ami.
"You certainly don't have to," thought Celeste.
"I like Motoki," thought Usagi.
They felt Ami and Michiru roll their eyes, even if they didn't really do it.
"Here is my parents and our family," thought Celeste.
"You have a lot of sisters," gushed Usagi.
"Yes."
"Your sister Piper and Pyrrha," thought Ami.
"Yes, though I don't pry."
"You can fly," thought Usagi.
"How the devil did you extract that from my thoughts?" asked Celeste in surprise.
"Usagi is weird like that," thought Ami.
"I want to fly," thought Usagi.
"That is a very advanced skill that takes a lot of kinetic ability," thought Celeste.
"It seems so simple though," thought Usagi.
Usagi concentrated and seemed to lift several inches in the air before falling back down. "It is hard."
"Okay am I the only one extremely annoyed that she somehow bypassed all my hard work and almost pulled it off?" thought Celeste.
"That is weird. I mean I sort of see too, except I don't think it is meant to work like that for us and I have no idea why I thought that," thought Ami.
"Well if it helps, neither do I," thought Celeste.
"It is so cool your from outer space," thought Usagi.
"And your going to keep that tidbit secret right? We only get by with what we do without Starfleet complaining too much because we generally deliver results that are better than the alternatives."
"Your prime directive thing. Boy this must be a massive violation," thought Michiru.
"Gee thanks. Please do me the favor of not saying that out loud."
Michiru focused and a hair brush came towards her and then laid on the table, given that her hands were full.
"Yes, telepathy can speed up the acquisition of skills. This isn't that. You already had these skills, or something," thought Celeste.
"And you thought this would be a simple mission," chided Usagi.
"Nothing with Usagi is ever simple," thought Ami.
"Meany," thought Usagi.
A black cat walked in and said, "What is going on here?"
"Cat's can talk?" asked Celeste out loud.
"Not last I knew," said Ami.
"Um forget I said that," said the black cat.
"Luna, how dare you hide that you can talk from me," said Usagi.
"I think that is enough telepathy for now. Something very odd is going on here," said Celeste, as she gently let the other two go.
"Yes, and Luna is going to spill," demanded Usagi. Usagi started towards the cat.
"It was all Setsuna's idea. You were not supposed to get your memories back, but you did. You were just supposed to live your lives, and then Ami kissed Michiru and it all fell to pieces!" complained the cat.
A red eyed woman with green hair walked in. "Luna, you are the absolute worst at keeping secrets."
"It's not my fault," defended the cat.
"You talked in the middle of a room with four people," noted Ami.
"You would too. None of what I was seeing made any sense," said Luna.
"Who are you?" asked the green haired woman.
"Celeste Troi, and I thought I was making sure two young women didn't end up possibly committing suicide."
"I'd have done something. I still haven't figure out what, but if need be I'd have spirited them away and kept them safe," said green hair.
"And you are?"
"Setsuna Meio."
"Huh. Technically if you can handle the situation, and everyone just agrees to forget I was here, then I can just call this mission done."
"Not so fast. Just because this world doesn't really need us, or at least needs to get its priorities straight, doesn't mean I'm letting a possible way off this world leave without at least a conversation," said Setsuna.
"What makes you think I could offer that?"
"Because she has a space ship!" chipped in Usagi.
"Does she ever keep secrets?" asked Celeste warily.
"Not very well," muttered Luna.
"Your one to talk," said Setsuna.
"Okay for the moment let's assume I might have a space ship. What does this mean to you?"
"We are kind of reincarnated warriors from another time. There is magic involved. Basically we have the potential to do a lot of good, but there is no need for us here anymore," said Setsuna.
"You couldn't do something about the rampant bigotry?" asked Celeste.
"Destroying monsters we can do. Destroying bigotry is a bit harder," said Luna.
"How many of you are there?" asked Celeste.
"Nine."
"Plus possible parents. What a mess. So hypothetically, if we did work all that out, what is your goal out of all this?"
"Find someplace that actually needs our help that won't overreact to magic," said Setsuna.
"I know of a world that has magic in it, well part of it. It's hidden from the other part. They could probably use the help," offered Celeste.
"Do tell," said Luna.
"You know you forgot to keep phrasing everything as only maybe true," said Ami.
Celeste glared, and then dashed over and gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
"What did you do that for?"
"Was curious."
"Isn't that how this started?" asked Michiru dryly.
"Did you like it?" asked Setsuna lasciviously.
"Perhaps in a couple years."
Ami looked at her curiously then added, "I'm in no hurry, though I wouldn't mind trying that again sometime."
Celeste blinked. "I'm acting out of character. Ami is attractive, and brilliant and all that, but I do not randomly kiss people. What just happened?"
"I don't either. I don't think I do. I mean, a lot more went into the decision to kiss Michiru," said Ami.
"Usagi. I bet it was Usagi's fault," said Luna.
"It's not my fault," whined Usagi.
Luna hid her head behind her paws.
"What happened before I got here?" asked Setsuna.
"A minor telepathic merge to do a little show and tell. I'm all grown up. I know how to protect my mind from influence," said Celeste.
"From telepathic influence, right?" asked Setsuna.
"You mentioned magic," said Celeste.
"Usagi has a great deal of it, and it is very very warm," said Ami.
"Maybe." Celeste turned to Ami. "Would you mind trying again with me, but just for a minute at most. I want to focus on our reaction. The others can slap me or something if we do get silly. I'm on guard now, so I don't think it will be a problem," said Celeste.
Ami pinked. "Sure."
Celeste took her hand. Her energy streamed into Ami and it seemed other energy streamed back. They both blushed lightly, before letting go.
"And?" asked Setsuna.
"There is a resonance there. Not a major one, but it is there. I am surprised I didn't notice before. I'm still not sure that explains all. Maybe I was influenced by Usagi, or Ami's magic. Either way, it seems under control," said Celeste.
"Good."
Celeste turned to Setsuna. "Your the adult one right that I guess organizes stuff?"
"Some would say that."
"Organize stuff. We don't particularly want this world to know 'aliens' visited."
"So, your taking your job and giving it to me?" asked Setsuna dryly.
Celeste nodded. "You do want a ride. I believe there is an old saying about singing for your supper."
"I believe I can work this out, but first, perhaps you should show me this world you speak of."
Celeste held out her hand.
"I want to see too," said Usagi. The others followed suit.
"We normally give people day between their first telepathic contact and more, and usually a doctors check," said Celeste.
"They will be fine. I can assure you of that," said Setsuna.
"Alright. Let me show everyone the world where we met Harry Potter."
An hour later they heard the door open. Celeste teleported them all to the top of a nearby building she had planned before she arrived. Her well flared as she did so. It was near dark out, though you could just see by the light of the moon, plus all the street lights.
"You are quite handy in an emergency," said Setsuna.
"Yes, well, now what?"
"I believe you should return Usagi to near her house. I will care for the others. We should be ready to go in about one week."
"You can return the others and all the rest?" asked Celeste.
"Yes," said Setsuna.
"And your not going to show me how you do that?"
"No."
Celeste laughed. She then turned back to Usagi. "You know, I half bet you can fly with a bit of help. Your apartment is right over there." She pointed to her right. "So, do you want to try, if I help? It seems whatever happened before is over."
"You mean fly? Sure."
Celeste held out her hand. Usagi took it for a moment, then let go and flew a few feet up in the air.
"I'm making my knowledge of flight available to you. You likely won't remember much, but some. I will help you fly home, but you need to transition to your own ability. Got it?" asked Celeste.
"Sure!" chirped Usagi.
Usagi started flying like a bird in the sky about ten feet above their heads.
"She isn't even paying attention," said Ami fondly.
"How much are you helping?" asked Setsuna.
"About a third. She is in no way qualified for solo flight, but she certainly has the ability to learn it. Her control varies. She doesn't need instructions in flight. She needs mental training in general," said Celeste absently.
"Yes, she does," agreed Setsuna.
They let her play for another fifteen minutes before Setsuna called out, "Usagi, come get Luna and go home."
Usagi landed near them. "Come here Luna."
"Remember, you won't be able to do it without my help without more practice, so don't get hurt," said Celeste.
"I won't." She held out her hands for the cat who asked, "Can you just send me back, please?"
"Okay," said Celeste. Luna vanished.
"Usagi, don't tell your parent's were you were," said Setsuna.
"Oh well, I'm flying. Bye guys. Pleasant dreams," said Usagi, before dashing off, and less than a minute later touching down behind her apartment building.
"How will we contact you?" asked Setsuna.
Celeste touched her com badge. "Can I get some kind of communicator to give out? A simple button that indicates they wish to talk is sufficient."
"We will get you something. Stand by," said Riker.
"What if I don't want to go to the magic world, but want to stay on the space ship?" asked Ami.
"How old are you?"
"Nearly eighteen. I'd have been in Michiru's grade if my birthday was a little later."
"I don't know. You can ask," said Celeste.
"And our kiss?" asked Ami.
"The chemistry is possibly there. I'm going to report what happened, so people know that I'm not entirely unbiased. If you want to be part of our crew, you have to make the case." said Celeste.
Ami nodded.
"I feel jilted," teased Michiru.
"Please your both gorgeous," said Celeste.
"I'm not sure it is only Usagi. I think Ami's magic may be calling to you on some level. I'm not saying it is a bad thing. Just be aware of it," said Setsuna.
"Is that what it was? I keep thinking I shouldn't have kissed her."
"How old are you?" asked Ami.
"Almost twenty."
"That's nothing," said Setsuna.
A small plastic puck with a red button appeared on the ground. Celeste picked it up and handed it to Setsuna.
"Cliche much?" asked Setsuna.
"No idea why you didn't get a regular communicator, but oh well."
"It doesn't matter. As long as it works," said Setsuna.
"Well I'm off to explain something... This should be fun," said Celeste.
Setsuna nodded in amusement.
-=oOo=-
"So, your saying you have a group of reincarnated something something with magic powers and you liked kissing one of them," said an amused Captain.
"I'm reasonably sure I'm not insane, though I suppose I might be reasonably sure if I was," said Celeste dryly.
"Your not," said Piper with amusement.
"If I knew you were interested in girls I'd have offered," said Ekuryua.
"What? Really?" asked Celeste.
Ekuryua nodded.
Celeste shook her head. "I somehow feel today has gotten too weird. I'm not forgetting what you said, because I'm quite tempted, but I think I'll have the doctor check me over and go to bed."
"Alone?" asked Jadzia in amusement.
"I went down there to save two potentially suicidal girls and came back with a group of reincarnated something magic girls that want to emigrate and honestly still feel a little out of sorts." She turned back to Ekuryua and licked her lips absently. "Okay doctor first." She turned to Piper. "You're doing the next mission."
"Alright."
-=oOo=-
"Well you have several elevated hormones. I can see how that would be distracting. I don't see a reason for it, yet it is significantly above the baseline for either a human or a betazoid," said Julian.
"Can you give me anything for it? It's really distracting."
Q popped in, holding a bucket of popcorn and eating it.
"Are you entertained?" asked Celeste.
Q nodded.
"How about telling me why I seem to have lost some of my mental discipline? That's kind of important when I could potentially rip a ship in two on my own."
"You already know why. It's their magic that you unintentionally woke up, coursing through your system, well you are also quite compatible with Ami," said Q.
"That isn't why Ami and Michuru kissed?"
"Nope, they are immune to the side effects and wouldn't affect them anyway, but you inadvertently opened yourself to it. Some weird interaction between your abilities and their magic."
"And it will end when?"
"It won't. It found a nice home and is setting up camp. It should augment some of your abilities a bit in time, not to the extent theirs are, but still, a nice bonus." He ate some more popcorn.
"You mean I have to walk around dreaming about kissing and stuff all day every day?" exclaimed Celeste in annoyance.
"Well you could get it out of your system I suppose," offered Q.
She turned back to the doctor.
"I'm probably not going to be able to give you drugs for long. They are dangerous long term. I can do it for now, but honestly your better to learn to cope sooner than later, just like the rest of us," said Julian.
"So I'm otherwise healthy. I'm just affected, but I'll learn to deal with it?" asked Celeste.
"Yes," said Julian.
Q eat popcorn. She reached out her hand and summoned the bowl to her. Q snapped his fingers and created another and resumed munching. She then stalked out.
"She is quite upset at losing her precise control," said Julian.
"Yes, but she will get over it. It will cause her no long term problems. Seriously, had she linked to any one of them, or maybe two, but add in the way overpowered Usagi into the mix and this is what you get. The minor resonance between herself and Ami just aimed her in a direction," said Q absently before vanishing.
-=oOo=-
Celeste requested entry into Ekuryua's quarters that night. Ekuryua was wearing a night gown.
"They, well, Q said the magic of those I linked with did this, that I am well more interested in certain things than before because of it, and that it um won't easily go away. You are very beautiful and I was quite touched by your offer, if it is still open?" asked Celeste hopefully.
Ekuryua pulled her into a kiss that Celeste soon returned. WIth infinite care they enveloped each other in their own rapport, Celeste being sure to limit it to keep Ekuryua safe as they continued to kiss.
-=oOo=-
The next morning they woke. Celeste was tucked into Ekuryua's shoulder. She looked to the blue haired girl and asked, "We are okay right? I truly enjoyed that."
"As did I."
"Do you mind if um?" asked Celeste.
"I have tried lying with Sobaash at times, and it is enjoyable, but not as fun as that was. I would greatly appreciate your company in the evenings."
"Oh, so this is just a friends thing right?"
"Do you want it to be more?" asked Ekuryua softly.
"Not really.. Wait, do not be offended."
"I was not."
"I mean right now my emotions are a bit messed up. I think what we did helped. Once I'm back in full control of my faculties and if we both want more, can we talk then?" asked Celeste hopefully.
Ekuryua nodded.
"You are okay right? I was very careful."
"I felt it, and appreciate it. I think you will make me a stronger telepath if we keep this up," said Ekuryua simply.
"Well I've never heard of that being how to become a stronger telepath, but as long as your okay with it."
"I am. In fact, I'd like to do it again, but we need to be on duty soon."
"Share the sonic shower?"
"Yes, let's," agreed Ekuryua.
-=oOo=-
The others boarded a week later. Ami pulled her into her new room, or rather the room she was to share with her mother later that evening. Her mother was elsewhere.
"I was wondering, did you figure out more?" asked Ami.
"Part of it was all of your magic having an odd effect on me."
"Oh," said Ami dissapointed.
"The resonance is also real. I'll tell you what. When your eighteen I'll glad take you on a date. For now I, well kind of found a friend."
Ami blushed furiously. "I'll probably take you up on that you know."
"I look forward to it."
"So who, if I may ask," asked Ami.
"We are so far private. I'll ask if she minds. Knowing her she won't. She is liable to invite you, then forget your not yet eighteen."
Ami blushed more furiously. "Hormones are annoying."
"Yes, they are," agreed Celeste.
"You mentioned telepathy could help one learn?"
"Why do you want to learn quickly?"
"I want to join I think your word was Starfleet."
"Let's go talk to Jadzia. See what she thinks."
"Alright."
-=oOo=-
"I don't quite understand what you two want from me," said Jadzia.
"Is this wise?" asked Celeste.
"Your coming to me, for caution and restraint? I've dated far and wide, both men and women," said Jadzia.
"But your with Julian now?"
"Well true, but it is not because he is a man. It's because he grew up."
"So you don't have any objections to Ami joining starfleet?"
"No. Did you want me to test her?"
Ami, beside Celeste looked at Jadzia curiously, then added, "I'm certainly willing."
"Alright, let's see what you know."
Jadzia started firing off basic, then more advanced questions. Before long they were on calculus, analytic geometry, science, the structure of matter, medicine, biology, human anatomy, history, what was mistakes, and what was not. It was a dizzying array of material they covered in three hours, one question after another.
Celeste could hardly stay awake as they went from subject to subject, but it finally ended when Jadzia said, "Well she has my recommendation for Starfleet, and I'm sure I can get the captains. As to you helping her learn, I question if she needs the help."
Ami blushed.
"I guess I can try. I think she will be teaching me at the rate. Did you do anything but study?" asked Celeste.
"Not much," said Ami bashfully.
"I'm not complaining, but maybe get out more?" said Celeste.
"You two will be fine. You should bring in Ekuryua. She knows a very great deal as well."
Celeste blushed.
"Is that who you are seeing?" asked Ami.
"I wanted to ask her first."
"Can I ask her second?" Ami suddenly covered her mouth then added, "I blame Usagi."
"Get out of here you two and behave," said Jadzia, in a I don't really mean it tone of voice.
-=oOo=-
Celeste hugged Ami before she and her friends walked off to the Academy. Setsuna stayed back before saying softly, "I just wanted to thank you."
"Why? It was an honor. I have no doubt you will all likely become legends, particularly when you learn to use your native abilities. Be well," said Celeste.
"Ami wanted to stay with you."
"And I wanted her to stay, but she will become so much more, and that begins here. I wanted that for her more."
Setsuna pulled Celeste into a hug. "Your a good woman Celeste Troi. If our world had more such, well it wouldn't be so messed up."
"We try to fix some, when we can, though try to leave alone when we can as well. It is always hard to know when it is better to leave things alone."
"Don't I know it," muttered Setsuna.
"Pardon."
"It was nothing. Goodbye," said Setsuna.
-=oOo=-
"Ready to go?" asked Riker when she turned around.
"Yes."
Piper and Pyrrha gave her a hug.
"I'm fine."
Ekuryua gave her a warmer hug. She smiled and kissed her softly on the cheek.
"Let's go."
-=oOo=-
The bridge crew of Falcon were disguised, part technologically part simple makeup as they sat at a table at a local inn on a backwater planet in the middle of nowhere. They sat and enjoyed the company, the food, and more than a little bit of ale, or in the Abh's case water they had the transporters silently replace their ale with. The native water wasn't safe to drink.
A young woman stepped on a stage with a guitar. An old man played drums off to the side. She began to sing.
Our here our hero claims a warriors heart. I tell you I tell you the Dragonborn comes.
Sudden there was a deafening roar. Piper and Celeste dashed under their table, with the others hiding them. The rumbling suddenly subsided yet the light from the windows was now absent. Only the few candles or oil lamps kept any light in the suddenly smaller tavern.
"What happened?" thought Riker.
"Avalanche. We diverted part of it. We weren't ready and there were people watching. Only so much was possible," thought Piper.
"Structurally this place is compromised. We are holding against it, and it is now a static load, but it is too much," thought Celeste.
"Then we better start digging out. I think I can orient with my own ability. What do we have for shovels?" thought Riker.
"We've found one real shovel outside in someone's barn. We can relocate it down into the corner of the cellar, where it could have been missed," thought Piper.
"Do it. How much snow, and do we have air?"
"The entire building, including the fireplace flu is solidly covered," thought Celeste.
Riker looked over at the fireplace, which had snow in it. "We need to get that flu open. Thankfully the fire is now out."
"We can do it, without it looking too obvious. There are some coals buried we can bring air too," thought Piper.
"Do it."
Plops of snow continued to hiss and pop against the remains of the fire and then stopped, before a small pile moved out of the fireplace onto the floor.
"It's open. We have air for now, though we will likely need to help it circulate," thought Celeste.
"Good. Get the shovel."
"Done."
Out loud Riker said, "I think we just got buried in snow. Who wants to help me dig us out?"
"That sounds like a might good idea, but we don't have any shovels," said the Bartender.
"Well let's search the place. Maybe we will come up with something. If nothing else we can maybe take apart a table."
"Aye. I have pots. The aren't ideal, but we can get started."
"That's the spirit."
"Hey Jake, can we get the fire going again?"
"I'm not sure. Until we get another way out, that may be our only air," said Riker.
"Damn Jeb, I bet he might be right. Let's dig ourselves out."
"How are you doing?" thought Riker.
"We are still providing some structural support, mostly off axis support. Some of the supports for the roof are not quite up and down," thought Piper.
"Then we will hurry."
-=oOo=-
They dug out using pots and pans at a near thirty degree angle for almost an hour as people kept searching for something better. They found it as snow they carried inside the bar started falling into the cellar, and then someone saw the shovel. Two hours later they made daylight and met teams of rescuers who were even now removing snow from the old bar to try to keep it standing.
"It's the strangest thing. That Avalanche could have been so much worse. Your inn should have been flattened," said one of the rescuers.
"Guess we just got lucky," said the old Bartender.
"Yea, well I guess it can't all be against us huh? Let's hurry up and get you dug out. Once we are sure your building is okay I want a drink!"
The bartender laughed and they all got back to work. They were about done when the bartender turned to Lafiel and said, "You have odd ears and hair, but your always welcome at my bar. Thanks for helping out. You know the more I see, the more I think this fits you more than before."
"Um, thank you," said Lafiel softly.
Riker walked over and asked softly, "Can you do us a favor and not mention it?"
"Sure, just stop back in sometime. I'm not sure I'd have a bar without your group doing all that work."
"We will do that. We wish you a good day and were glad to be able to help."
The man called Jeb walked up to the Bartender. "I don't believe we will see them again Jake."
"Probably not. Did you see the flash of light from under their table just after the avalanche started?" asked the bartender.
"Just a bit. I think they saved us, though I have no idea how. What will you do?"
"We are going to not mention anything, like the man asked." The bartender turned and looked at the pattern of snow around the bar.
"Tis unnatural Jake."
"Maybe so, but I'm not saying nothing, and if you want to drink my ale you will not either."
Jeb nodded.
"Goodbye Jake. I'm heading home."
Jeb followed the trail of the strangers for almost a mile, until it go to hard ground and then nothing. He went home.
-=oOo=-
Back on Falcon L'Nea said to Lafiel, "I'll need your camouflage necklace at some point to try to fix it."
She pulled it off and handed it to her.
"Please check over all of them. Jadzia, if you wouldn't mind, please double check. I'm certainly not doubting L'Nea's work, but I'd prefer that not happen again," said Riker.
"I think it may have happened towards the end of the digging when that pile of snow fell on Lafiel. I got her out fairly quickly, but I presumed something happened then," said Jinto.
"Your probably right. I was exhausted and couldn't react in time. I need to get physically stronger, but we really don't develop muscle easily," said Lafiel.
"I can help you," said Sobaash.
"I should do more as well. It was just fluke that it was Lafiel. In a sustained operation on the ground we are at a disadvantage," said Ekuryua.
"Sounds good. Let me know if you need anything. For that matter, we should probably establish a minimum fitness standard for everyone. I know we usually don't have to go dig out of an avalanche, but I also know I'm going to be feeling it in the morning," said Riker.
"Everyone stop by sick bay one at a time. I can help, somewhat, but yes, you will feel it in the morning," said Julian even as he also winced.
"You will see to physical fitness as well?" asked RIker.,
"Alright. I'll setup something and we will go from there," said Julian.
Riker nodded.
-=oOo=-
"So what's next?" asked Sobaash. It was almost time for first shift and it was just Sobaash, Samson, and Jadzia and a few other random crew members.
An alert sounded. Samson looked down at his screen. "It's certainly concerning. I'm not sure if we need to wake the others, but we should probably go there. I'll play it."
On the main screen they saw several what appeared to be elves. Not the same color or type as L'Nea yet there were some similarities to the Iconian form. They were, however, the same skin tone as humans. A young woman was speaking.
"Our planet has detected a cosmic ribbon, for lack of a better word, that is expected to hit our world within five years. From the observed effect of other impacts we expect total destruction of our planet at this time. Please. We are only beginning our space program. If anyone is out there, we need help.
"Wake them. I know it's only an hour, but this is an existential threat," said Sobaash.
"I'll get us on course while you do that," said Jadzia.
Riker came in a few minutes later. Most of them, including Riker were still wearing robes, haven't not taken the time to change.
"What do you have?" asked Riker as he took the seat Sobaash vacated.
"Planet reports a cosmic ribbon is going to destroy their world within five years. The people looked a bit like yours L'Nea. Not blue, but otherwise similar," said Sobaash.
She immediately dug into the recent information.
"We are on course then?" asked Riker with a yawn.
"Yes. I figured I'd finish getting us there, then swap out for one of the others," said Jadzia.
"Sounds good. Do we know anything about this string thing? First, do we know if it is real?" asked RIker.
"It's real," said L'Nea.
"Can it be stopped?" asked RIker.
"I don't know. Not easily. Too early to say more."
"Move the planet, move the people, shield the planet, or some of the above," said Sobaash.
"We know we can move a planet with enough preparation, not that it is desirable, or fixes anything long term," said Neela.
"True, we have already done that, after a fashion, though it will take a lot of ships if we do it again," said L'Nea absently.
"Are they related to the Iconians?" asked RIker.
"I do not know. The similarity is notable. A change of skin tone is certainly possible in a species, though I tend to doubt it," she said absently.
"Just to be clear, while we are likely going to help, I don't want them knowing about us till we know more," said Riker.
"I planned to enable the cloak just before we leave the dimensional sea," said Jadzia.
"Let me know when you have anything more."
"Of course."
"How long till we get there?"
"About thirty minutes."
"I'm going to get properly dressed. Sobaash handle anything till I get back."
He nodded.
-=oOo=-
"Well we are here. The planet is much like you expect. I also have a view of the ribbon at extreme range," said Ekuryua.
"Show us," said Riker.
"Magnify."
"Quality isn't great. Our optics have limits," said Ekuryua.
"I've tapped into their satellite array. They are using some kind of phased array. Either way, they are gathering light from far more points. I'll send the composite image to the main screen," said L'Nea.
"Now that is scary. What is it?"
"It's a temporal energy ribbon. Scale is off the charts. I can't find an end to it, on either side," said Jadzia.
"What causes something like that?" asked Riker.
"Nothing good. Nothing good at all. That may be the result of an adjacent universe collapsing," said L'Nea.
"How certain are you of that?"
"Not very. It was a theory I vaguely remember. I don't have a better explanation."
"And if we don't stop it?"
"It's growing as it consumes mass. Saving the people is important, but likely not as important as stopping it," said Jadzia.
"We need to get closer to it and get scans," said L'Nea.
"Summarize what you know. Send a report to Shion's group and get confirmation. I don't plan on us dying, but the priority has to be to make sure this is not forgotten," said Riker.
"Agreed, I'll work with Jadzia and have one shortly," said L'Nea.
"I've a course laid in. If we are planning on getting very close, well I'm good, but Jinto and Lafiel can do more, given there are two of them," said Ekuryua.
"Sure, swap out, but I want you on standby at another station," said RIker.
She nodded, got up an went to another station while Jinto and Lafiel sat down and got ready to move.
A few minutes later Jadzia said, "We have sent the basics. Inter-dimensional communication is slow at best, even with just what we sent. They are coming. They requested we wait for them."
"Send a rendezvous point mid way or something. The planet is now a secondary priority," said Riker.
"Sending," said L'Nea.
"Take us to the rendezvous point."
"Heading there now," said Lafiel as they quietly slipped into warp drive to make the journey.
-=oOo=-
Shion looked at the monster before them magnified on Athena's main screen.
"A galaxy eater," she said soberly.
"There is no known record of one. They were theoretical before today," said Momo.
"Momo this is out of my expertise. What is the theoretical cure?" asked Shion.
"Theoretically if you could prevent it from consuming anything it would run out of energy. I don't know how to do that. Even moving planets, while not impossible, is a delaying action at best, and would ultimately solve little, and consume vast amounts of time moving them, and possibly futile, since it will be drawn to them. Large changes that cause large problems would likely be required," said Momo.
"Perhaps we could invert the Hilbert effect and pull planets out of local space time briefly, so there is no interaction," suggested Shion.
"That may be within my theoretical capacity with certain upgrades, but I could not do it repeatedly without being destroyed, nor could the ship," said Kosmos.
"I know. We will figure out something," said Shion.,
"I do not know if your solution will work Shion," said Momo.
"Connect us to Falcon."
"You are online," said Allen.
"Captain Riker, crew of Falcon. I am authorizing release of our Hilbert field research to your engineering crew. It is not to leave your ship without further authorization."
"Of course. Do you believe that will help?"
"Maybe."
"We will take a look."
"Thank you. Should this mission complete or the research be nonviable for it, your copies are to be destroyed. I'm doing this on my emergency authority, and that is as far as I can go," said Shion.
"Understood. We will follow your directions," said Riker.
"Establish a secure channel and transmit," said Shion.
"Your personal authorization will be required," said Momo.
Shion entered a long string of input into her station then said, "You now have it."
"Sending."
Author's Note: Review, Comment, Favorite, or Kudos.
