Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All characters and events in this story are entirely fictional.

-=oOo=-

Aboard the Artha in orbit above Earth Lindy Harlaown looked at her display of the battle raging down below. Artha was formidable, but she would prefer not to have to kill about a fourth of Earth's population to stop the thing in the Tokyo bay, though she was prepared to give the order, if that was the only way.

"Dimension rift forming near Earth," said Amy Limietta from her place up front of the bridge.

"What? Backup?" asked Lindy.

"Does not read as a TSAB ship. Energy readings are very high, but reads as a pure tech ship."

"A D-drive without magitech. Interesting. The timing is poor though. Either way, connect me."

"Your on."

"This is Admiral Lindy Harlaown of the Time Space Administration Bureau. We are currently in the middle of a situation. Unless you are helping, we would appreciate if you would move further away and stay out of it."

"How can we help?" asked Riker.

"You understand that I do not have time to be polite now. You are going to follow my directions without delay?"

"Yes, within reason."

"Our team is on the planet. They are facing against a magical construct that was named the book of Darkness. If they can manage to damage it enough they can transfer it to space and we can destroy it. If it goes out of control, we will be forced to attack it on the planet and likely wipe out a fourth of the Earth's population."

"Recall your people. We will try to destroy it. We can be somewhat more targeted, than that."

"Are you tracking them?"

"Their is one magical onboard. I'm tracking her, barely," said Amy.

"Contact Nanoha and the others. Tell them to back away as far as they can. Tell them a ship is on its way."

They watched on their displays as Nanoha, Fate, Hayate, and the rest flew back to Tokyo, even as the monster began to approach them. A ship came out of the back of the larger ship.

Nanoha and the others suddenly heard in their mind, "The runabouts shields are going to try to protect this area. If you will stop blocking my teleports, I will move you to safety."

"I'm not going anywhere," insisted Nanoha.

"Then please add whatever protections you can," insisted the mental voice.

"Protection, Powered," shouted Nanoha. Fate and Hayate created their own overlapping shields. The Runabout's shields went in front of that even as the blinding light of a polaron beam launched out of a clear sky and vaporized half of the monster. It regenerated.

The beam lanced out smaller, again, again, and again and then just became a solid beam that continued to erase structure faster than the book could rebuild until there was nothing left.

"It's reforming," said Yuuno.

"Let's transport it before it does," said Hayate.

"Dimensional Transfer now!" they shouted together as the remains beamed up into orbit. Lindy turned the key to fire the Arc-en-ciel. Five seconds later the massively overpowered magical weapon fired, vaporizing the monster.

"Did we win?" asked Nanoha.

"That seemed unfair somehow," said Fate.

"Let's not complain. It worked," added Hayate.

-=oOo=-

Lindy reconnected to the ship in question. "I apologize for my earlier words. Thank you for your help."

"Glad to be of service. I personally find it nuts that individual people, no matter how powerful were fighting against something like that," said Riker.

"Well our primary weapon is too overkill to use on a planet, and we don't have something smaller like you seem to have."

"We can hold our own in a fight."

"I've no doubt of that. I'm curious, did you come here for a reason? You are technically running an unsanctioned dimensional drive in TSAB controlled space, which is a violation, though given the readings I'm seeing we could probably issue you the necessary permit after suitable tests."

"Actually we came here based on the advice from a friend. Would you mind if we met and talked?" asked Riker.

"No, do you have a preference as to where?"

"Either ship is fine with me," said Riker.

"Mine then. You can bring up to three others. Do you have a transport mechanism, or shall we use ours?"

"We will use our own."

"Fifteen minutes?"

"That sounds fine," said Riker.

-=oOo=-

Celeste, Riker, L'Nea, and Aditu beamed over. Lindy had Chrono, Nanoha, Amy, and Landy. Alex was manning the bridge.

"Now, I am quite curious, why are you here?" asked Lindy.

Riker slid the tablet he was holding across to Lindy. "That has the details of what we are facing. You can just swipe left or right to review the current material," said Riker.

Lindy figured it out quick enough with Chrono and Amy crowding around.

"You have a universe in danger of destruction from a galaxy eater," said Lindy.

Riker nodded.

"They are credibly handling it, though without magitech its amazing they are doing this much good," said Amy.

"Can you fix it? We are more than welcome to trade favors, work out an alliance, something. It's going to take a lot of resources on our part and even then we are trying to get a steady flow of people out in case we fail," said Riker.

"I'd prefer you not shift so many people between universes," said Lindy absently.

"We know. If we can find a certain solution we would probably pair that back a lot."

"We have to finish dealing with the book of Darkness tomorrow, but after that we are free," said Amy.

"It's a galaxy eater. It's the kind of thing we try to prevent by tracking down the Lost Logia like the book before they reach that point." Lindy sighed.

"We are going to need help," said Chrono.

Celeste slid her own datapad across. "That contains a simulation of a plan another group with magic came up with, as well as what details were figured out before we left."

Lindy flipped it on. She saw the simulated video, then flipped both ways and reviewed the initial information. Lindy shook her head. "Okay first thing, tell the rather brave young woman to just stop. Seriously stop. I'm not even sure she wouldn't end up feeding the eater. I may also have words with whoever tied that magic to her."

"Something similar has already been said," added Riker.

"Good. You know it was supposed to get simpler after stopping something like the Book of Darkness," said Lindy bitterly.

"Is that really what could have happened if it kept ravaging worlds?" asked Nanoha.

"It's low odds, but not impossible. I'd really like to know how this one formed," said Yuuno.

"We didn't stumble upon the distress call till I think three or four years after that planet saw it," said Riker.

"How much time do they have?"

"Four and a half years. We think we can get them off the planet in time, but in ten to twenty years, if we don't stop the Eater there is a chance the universe will itself be destroyed," said Riker.

"What odds did you calculate?" asked Lindy.

"Four percent, assuming we continue our all out efforts, which again is a lot."

"I'm from that world. Please anything you can do," asked Aditu.

"It is not a question of whether we will help. We are mandated to stop this kind of thing, or die trying. They have to be stopped, or everyone is in danger. As to the odds, I suspect your timeline is too big and your odds of failure are too low. These things accelerate. It's not obvious, but they do," said Lindy.

"You have records then?" asked Riker.

"A few, not many. One has been stopped in TSABs history at a high cost. The other two were basically the ones before that one."

"Those records have to be nearly as old as Al-Hazard," said Yuuno.

"Nearly so," agreed Lindy.

"What do you need from us?" asked RIker.

"I'll need your complete plan, including details of the tech you are using."

"We don't have the details of the anti Hilbert effect theory. Our allies do, but they consider it a secret that must be kept, if at all possible," said Riker.

"Won't work. At least our specialists have to understand the whole picture. We will work it out somehow. We are going to have to go pickup some specialists as well," said Lindy.

"I'm fairly sure something can be worked out."

"I need to get to the Infinity library and dig up all our research on the subject," said Yuuno.

"Agreed. It will take a week or so for us to get back to Mid Childa, but we are going to need to consult regardless."

"We can get you there quicker, if you want, well our ship can probably do so," said Riker.

"Your ship is not authorized, but it probably needs to come to Mid Childa to be checked," said Lindy.

"We can't necessarily share our tech either," said Riker.

"We don't need to share it, though I'd bet many will want to copy it. We have to be sure during normal operation you are not causing damage. We can probably do that by following you during your trip. If you are faster, you will have to go slower, probably."

"Then we probably should finish with trying to save what can be saved of Reinforce," said Hayate softly before wincing in pain from her wheelchair.

"Are you injured, or something? I have some healing ability," offered Celeste.

"It won't help. Shamal has tried. I'm still linked to the book, even if we destroyed the defense program," said Hayate.

"Mind if I try?" saked Celeste.

"Feel free," said Hayate.

Celeste knelt before her, took her hands, and let her combined energy and magic flow through her carefully. She kept at it even as she absently said, "Your kind of strange. There is resistance, but I think it is helping."

"I think it is too."

They worked at it for another ten minutes before Celeste's efforts stopped. Hayate got up and slowly walked around a few steps before sitting back down.

"Be careful Hayate," said Lindy.

"That helped I think. Not a cure, but it helped," said Hayate.

Shamal walked in and focused on Hayate. "I felt you, not in pain, but something. What happened Hayate?"

"Celeste here healed some of it."

"I'll be the judge of that. Klarer Wind, scan please."

She kissed one of the two rings on her left hand. A magical circle enfolded Hayate and floated her into the air before rotating around her and sliding up and down her. Sigils formed in the air in front of her.

"I'll grudgingly admit she did you some good, but you have to rest Hayate."

"Reinforce. I know she is doing her best, but even now the corrupted defense program will be trying to reform from her soul. We have to finish this," said Hayate.

"Please explain," asked L'Nea.

"There is a very forbidden form of magic. Use of it is one of the few death penalties we have left on our books. You take the soul of a living sentient and you etch onto it programming, turning them into a construct. Reinforce is the primary soul behind the book of Darkness, or as it was once known the Tomb of the Night Sky. Shamal is one of the others, but not corrupted like Reinforce. Reinforce doesn't want to go out of control and repeat this sad story, but if the defense program rebuilds and does a dimensional jump then all this will be for nothing," said Lindy.

"That's horrible. Your proposing a split, to save a fragment and then willing destruction of the rest?" asked L'Nea.

"You know something of such dark things?"

"My race collected a very great deal of knowledge, though we didn't use this. I only barely remember reading it, mostly because of how horrible it was."

"Reinforce, are you listening?" asked Lindy.

A very beautiful long silver haired woman with red eyes and a black dress appeared. She looked over at Celeste and said, "I have not seen a life adept in a long time. As large as her capacity is, I do not believe it is enough to hold both of us safely while what must be done is done. It would need to be someone of incredible potential, particularly with purification."

"That will burn you," said Lindy.

"I would take the fires of purification in a heartbeat over having most of my soul obliterated, but time draws short. One must be done. I will not harm Hayate further. This choice I make without regret."

"Usagi. I bet she has the potential," said Celeste.

"If there is a way to save Reinforce, then we will of course support it, but the corrupted defense program must be destroyed, at any cost," said Lindy.

"So, shall we all head back in Falcon? We can do it there, can't we? It would take us about four hours," said Riker.

"Our ship can follow. We will head over with you," said Lindy.

-=oOo=-

"Let me see if I understand. You want me, to use my absolute strongest purification magic on you, to burn away this defense thing?" asked Usagi.

"You will not be able to hold back and you will need our support if it is as serious as she says," added Setsuna.

"We are also willing to help," said Rowan.

"This needs I think moved to a neutral planet, without people. I believe we should not do this above this world," said Sobaash.

"There was that mostly ocean world we found. Terrible for a settlement, but there was one section of land and it is likely still warm enough now," offered Lafiel.

"Then let's go there now. Time is not on our side," said Lindy.

"Can we help?" asked Rowan.

"I don't know. It might help if one of you is part of it, but if Usagi messes this up at all, you might be lost too," said Lindy uncertainly.

"Is it fair to say that Reinforce coming through this intact provides us some help in solving the problems in this universe?" asked Rowan.

"Likely but not certain. Having her undiminished would certainly help some places," said Lindy.

"I'm standing with her too," said Hayate.

"You cannot my master. You must remain separate to keep the others safe. Please, give me that," said Reinforce.

"I'll help. I'll take my chances, particularly if the alternative is me seeing one of my children risk herself," said Rowan.

"Alright, if we are ready. Let's go now. Our ship will follow," said Lindy.

-=oOo=-

On a water world in the middle of the only land it was a warm rainy day. They all beamed down. Lindy and the others created the magical circle that would contain and direct the efforts while Usagi and the others transformed to their Eternal forms. Aditu also came down to represent Lothlorien.

Riker, Celeste, PIper, Rowan, and Pyrrha also beamed down. Celeste turned and confronted her mother. "Please let me do this. I think the magic I have already absorbed may give me a better chance."

Amy Limetta said, "She could be right. Magic is at least stable in her. You have none, and her capacity psychically appears not that much smaller."

"But," started Rowan.

"I don't like any of this, but if Celeste has the highest odds, I'm not going to put you over her in this," said Riker.

Rowan swallowed. "Are we sure a merge will not help?"

"I wouldn't. This is already incredibly powerful and complex magic. Celeste is also going to be hit with it. If it diffuses too much and the job is not done..." trailed off Setsuna.

Usagi now in the form of Queen Serenity said softly, "It is time."

Reinforce walked to the center of the circle without hesitation. Celeste was only a moment behind. Reinforce sat on the ground and then Celeste enfolded her.

"I will guard your soul to the best of my ability. Please let me in this once," said Celeste.

"I thank you and will return fealty with fealty. I will not fail you in this," said Reinforce formally.

Magic and psychic potential flared among them as their true potentials burst forth. Usagi called forth the Silver crystal. The others from her court put their hands on her as a thick beam of purifying energy shot forth from the crystal.

Reinforce and Celeste screamed, but kept holding each other, minute after minute as power continued to pour from the Senshi into Usagi's empowered form, and then into the crystal before flooding out in a torrent of silver purifying power impacted Reinforce before spilling over into Celeste. They continued screaming.

Five minutes in a dark corrupted stream of black thread seem to be ripped out of both of them somehow, even as a halo of white was pulled out as well. The stream from Usagi wound down. The white halo faded into nothing even as both passed out.

"Don't touch them. We need to let this settle for a few minutes at least," said Yuuno.

"I'm not her master anymore," said Hayate softly.

"But you are ours, and we seek no other," said Shamal.

"I'm just glad she seems to be alive, and we are fairly certain she is healed. We are fairly certain right?" asked Hayate.

"Too intense. Until you or one of us can run scans, I can't tell for sure," said Amy Limetta.

Ami Mizuno materialized the Mercury computer and her visor. She spent several minutes looking them both over before she said, "I detect nothing of concern."

"Let me see," said Setsuna. Ami handed her the Mercury computer. She reviewed the findings as well, before she passed it onto Amy Limetta, who also reviewed them then added, "So far so good. Again, things need to settle.."

"I can feel their minds. I'm not probing, but I can feel both and both feel intact," said Rowan.

"Then we wait. I much prefer to avoid this kind of approach. Too much can go wrong, but it was better than our own plan," said Lindy.

-=oOo=-

Reinforce woke up in more than a little pain, but she woke up. Celeste was still holding her, though loosely. They had been covered with blankets, and apparently lifted up somehow, since more were underneath them, even though they had not been moved. She very gently separated from Celeste and carefully stood.

"Are you well?" asked Hayate.

"I feel different. There are some pains, but they are fading."

"Can I scan you now?" asked Shamal.

"You may."

She again used her device. A magical circle quickly enveloped Reinforce again with sigils forming in the air.

"Congratulations, your healthy and from what I can tell free. I thought Celeste would end up your master."

"I offered. She did not wish it. I did not expect this. I do not remember the time before," said Reinforce softly.

"You all can be free too if you want," said Hayate.

"We do not want that. The risk to you is too high, particularly to obtain what we do not seek," said Shamal.

"Reinforce, will you come home with us when this is all over?" asked Hayate.

"Perhaps. I have never known such a strange feeling."

Celeste woke. Reinforce bent down to offer her a hand, and then kissed her softly on the cheek.

"I cannot thank you enough. You risked much to free me, expecting no reward," said Reinforce.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad that this.. err, I'm just glad it turned out well."

Reinforce smiled, apparently knowing what she was about to say.

"Can I check you as well?" asked Shamal.

"Go for it, but I half want to eat and go back to bed. I am not using my own power for well at least a day."

The circle formed again, and again she was checked. Shamal said, "I'd tentatively say make that a week. I think you will be fine though."

"I'll have Tirla or one of the others look me over, but I want food and sleep."

"That we can manage. Are you sure you are well?" asked Riker.

"Reasonably so. If you ask me to port a ship before I am well rested I may have to hurt you though."

"Understood."

"We will handle anything you might be needed for," said Rowan proudly.

"Sounds good."

"Your potential to heal is likely increased," said Ami Mizuno.

"Really?"

"Probably, but again, no magic either. Give it time," said Ami.

"Cool, well I'll never turn down anything that might help us out." Her eyes seemed to glaze a bit as she looked at Ami, who blushed. "Sorry, spaced out for a moment," said Celeste.

"Don't worry about it," said a suddenly pinked cheeked Ami.

Usagi and Minako snickered.

Minako sang softly, "Let me tell you that I love you, that I think about you all the time. Caledonia you are calling me. Now I'm going home. But if I should become a stranger, then it would make me more than sad. Caledonia has been everything I ever had."

Ami and Celeste blushed a bit more.

"Well at least Ami has more taste than most of the rest," joked Haruka.

"You should remember dear that I kissed Ami partly because you were being a jerk," said Michiru.

"Usagi's beau didn't even decide to come," added Ami.

"Mamo no baka," muttered Usagi.

An amused Aditu walked forward and before Usagi knew what happened gave her a very tender, yet brief, kiss on the lips.

"What?" asked a suddenly dopey Usagi.

"Just curious, is all,"

Haruka started to speak.

"Say it and your sleeping on the couch dear," said Michiru.

Haruka froze and then turned and said, "I would never."

"Keep it that way, or perhaps I'll see if Ami and maybe Celeste have some free time," said Michiru.

Ami and Celeste blushed furiously.

"Ekuryua will not want to be ignored," added Celeste without thinking.,

Michiru looked, if anything, more interested.

Usagi turned to Aditu and asked, "So, where do your people go to have fun?"

"I like to go for long walks in nature."

"Want some company sometime?"

"I'd like that."

"Peter will be so dissapointed," joked Celeste.

"He was not serious, and he is too old," muttered Aditu.

"True."

"If we are all recovered, or at least recovered enough, we should decamp and return to Lothlorien to continue our work," said Riker.

"Actually, we need to go get help. I just got an update, Artha is now in orbit above this world. If most would not mind taking my ship, I would like Celeste, Reinforce, and possible L'Nea to journey to Mid-Childa aboard Falcon to try to get priority support there," said Riker.

"There is another thing. I did not notice it originally, but all my spells are gone," said Reinforce.

"Not unexpected. Your core and self are intact is the major thing. We can build you a device. It won't be as good as say Raising Heart, but it will help. I assume Hayate will need one as well," said Lindy.

Hayate nodded.

"Then you will need to come," said Lindy.

"Alright."

"I assume I am to come to prove the corrupted part of the book of darkness is truly destroyed," said Reinforce softly.

"Yes, they will want to see you. Don't worry, after some annoyances it will be fine and we will stay with you," said Lindy.

"So will we," said Celeste.

"They will want to examine you as well. Any chance must be checked."

Celeste nodded.

"You may benefit from a device too, though I'm not certain there."

"What?" asked Celeste in surprise.

"It is not required, nor do you have to accept one, but your magic is raw and unrefined. If you do consider the Mid-Childan style, then it requires the computation of high level math in real time, which you will have to learn, but, our devices also assist us in doing so in intense situations.

"And us?" asked Ami curiously.

"Your magic has the feel of long use and patterns. I'm not certain now is the time to change, but the choice is yours. Just creating three devices will likely take weeks," said Lindy.

"They have engraved part of the patterns on their souls. I am certain of it," said Amy Limetta thoughtfully.

"Probably, and had they been the ones to do it, we would have a problem, but they are the subjects not the culprits," said Lindy.

"There is no control. That was absolutely forbidden on penalty of death and we all, long ago, did volunteer," said Setsuna softly.

"But your current selves did not, hence our problem, but there is nothing to be done for it and it can be dealt with later," said Lindy.

"You mean you could wipe away our mana bindings, mantles and all that?" asked Ami in surprise.

"What exactly do you think you just did? Admittedly, there is no need in your case, except if you are one day reincarnated again, that person will again, inherit all of it, whether they want it, or not," said Lindy.

"Could we give them the choice on that future day?" asked Usagi.

"Maybe, but again later. For now we must deal with now."

"Agreed, let's get moving," said Riker.

-=oOo=-

Aditu sat in a seat on the bridge next to Lindy. L'Nea and Jadzia remained to work on the problem. Lafiel and Jinto were piloting today.

"How are we doing?" asked Riker.

"All systems are at one hundred percent. I just finished a bit of maintenance," said Neela.

"Good. Lafiel, do you have the dimensional coordinates?" asked Riker.

"We do."

"Take us there."

"Beginning with a short hyperspace trip to get us away from Lothlorien to further reduce the chance of weakening local dimensional space. Total course time is estimated between one point two and one point seven hours, depending on where we emerge from the dimensional sea," said Jinto.

"I definitely want this technology. Not having to use a D-Drive in a system for fast movement is something we really really need," said Lindy.

"I can send a message back to Athena once we emerge from hyperspace and make the request," offered Sobaash.

"Go ahead. It is ultimately their tech we are using here, though I could possibly offer warp drive tech, after some discussions with Starfleet."

"And that is?"

"Not as fast, and requires being offline for awhile and the nacelles purged before dimensional transport, but it is in real space, so you can search or even use it in combat, if need be," said Riker.

"Interesting. Can I have access to the telemetry from your drive emissions?" asked Lindy.

"Go ahead," said Riker.

"Forwarding you the information to your station," said Neela.

"I don't follow this, but I assume this is the current drive mode," said Lindy.

"Correct, it will switch once we switch," said Neela.

"You have so many toys we want. I would bet we can make some trades, provided each side is satisfied the other is using them appropriately," said Lindy.

"Your devices seem quite interesting. Can they be built for those without magic?" asked Neela.

"Yes, they do less, but certainly acting as an assistant, or an alert to danger, or whatever, is all feasible. We might be able to work with your psi abilities, if we get some time to study it."

"I would love to have an energy reserve that didn't glow in the dark," said Celeste dryly.

"Generally our devices do not store energy. It comes from the user," said Lindy.

"Figures."

Lindy smiled.

"Do you have one of those devices?" asked Lafiel.

"Yes, Sandry and I are good friends. My specialty is helping to close dimensional tears, so not without application to the current situation, but needless to say Sandry and I can't stop that thing. We would be incinerated and accomplish nothing."

"I wonder if your tech can be added to our own to make more useful satellites. It would be nice if they survived. We could program drone ships to collect and move them," said Neela.

"Possibly. I'm certainly going to try to work towards that. Nanoha is braver than any young woman should be, but if we can make things fix this mess, let's do it."

"Agreed," said Riker.

"We are exiting hyperspace. Drive unlock complete. Drive checks are confirmed. Diving," said Lafiel.

Lindy looked down at her screen carefully for over ten minutes as she watched the values change and the included graphs update. "We might be able to help you in a few areas here, or not. I'm not entirely sure. D-drive operational theory is not my specialty. Still, you are well within limits, though some areas are higher while some lower. I'd honestly like to see us both improve if we can. Our privilege of travel comes with responsibility," said Lindy.

"I don't think you will find any disagreement. Dimensional drive tech is limited to the Alliance. My own parent organization, Starfleet does not have it, and is unlikely to ever get it," said Riker.

"Good. It should be limited. Too many bad things are possible with careless use."

"I am getting an emergency signal," said Sobaash.

"Details?" asked Lindy and Riker simultaneously.

"Sorry," said Lindy.

"Not a problem."

"Seems to be just a broken ship, but not sure anyone else will get it," said Sobaash.

"Time to divert?"

"Twenty minutes if you ignore time there, give or take," said Sobaash.

"Let's take a look. If need be we will get someone else to finish or deploy a runabout and fetch them on the way back."

"Diverting," said Lafiel.

Twenty minutes later Lafiel said, "We slipped out of the dimensional sea at the wrong end of the probability curve. I'll have to enter hyperspace. Five minutes," said Lafiel.

"Yes, for all our knowledge our navigation isn't perfect either. Still, we may be able to help a bit there," said Lindy.

They emerged from hyperspace and activated the cloak six minutes later.

"Details when you have them," said Riker.

"It appears to be a cargo ship with warp engines. I can't determine what is wrong from here," said Jinto.

"I might be able to if we go active, but I see nothing of concern. Their energy weapons will not penetrate our shielding," said Neela.

"Decloak and hail them."

An attractive middle aged man appeared on screen. He had dark hair, well trimmed, and a beard. He was wearing a dark uniform and a weapons belt.

"I dearly hope your here to answer my distress call."

"We are, but we are in somewhat of a hurry. What is the problem?"

"Okona, did someone answer?" An obviously very pregnant yet still very attractive woman walked in.

"Yes, Merin, we do appear to have help, and to answer their question our warp plasma regulator is more a decoration than anything useful. We barely got it shut down in time."

"Two more ships just dropped out of warp," said Jinto.

"Oh boy," said Okona.

"They are demanding we turn Okona and Merin over to them," said Samson.

"Talk about bad timing," muttered Okona.

"We request sanctuary," said the pregnant woman very quickly.

"Extend shields. Inform the others that we are just trying to get to the bottom of this," said Riker.

"It's always something," said Lindy fondly.

"Shields are extended," said Sobaash.

"One is accusing Okona of being the father of the child, and demanding they be married. The other is demanding the woman's return," said Samson.

"I'm not. Don't get me wrong, Merin is beautiful, but she can do better than me," said Okona.

"Doctor Bashir, please beam them, without weapons, one at a time to sick bay and figure out if he is the father," said Riker.

"Understood."

"Tell them we are verifying if Okona is the father," said Riker.

"Will do," said Samson.

"Neela, what about that broken part?"

"We'd have to have one intact to scan for replication, and we don't, which means reverse engineering. Honestly, if possible, let them handle it."

"Agreed, still do what work you can. Maybe beam over while Okona is with Bashir and run some scans, assuming the ship has no one else armed in it."

"Will do."

-=oOo=-

Riker walked down to the Infirmary. Ekuryua walked with him. They entered the doors seeing the doctor checking over Okona.

"You have the most beautiful eyes and hair I have ever seen," said Mokona to Ekuryua.

"Celeste is far better looking than you," said Ekuryua absently.

"Truly, can someone with such beauty exist, that eclipses even your beauty?" asked Okona wistfully.

"He is quite entertaining," noted Ekuryua with amusement. Okona pretended hurt.

Riker laughed then asked the doctor, "Is he?"

"The father, no. I treated a few minor things, but nothing of real note," said Bashir.

Riker touched his com badge. "Neela, are you done with scans over there?"

"I've looked around and taken scans. Beaming back now. Sure we can eventually rebuild his failed component, but honestly, again, I hope you will just let them do it. It is a lot of work, for what is likely a standard component to them."

"Snooping around my ship eh?" asked Okona.

"Did I mention we were in a hurry, so who is the father?" asked Riker.

"Sorry, can't say," said Okona.

"Did she say?" asked Riker.

"She did not," said Julian.

"Send him back. Let's try to solve this."

"Is there really a need to be in such a hurry?" asked Okona.

Bashir pressed a few buttons on a nearby console, and Okona vanished.

"Problem?" asked Riker.

"He chased away the Abh nurse that was helping me, though I have yet to figure out if she is going to accept his invitation for dinner," said Bashir.

"Oh, he broke my heart," deadpanned Ekuryua.

"Oh well, you did your job. If we get any more candidates for father we will look you up," said Riker.

"I'm monitoring the bridge messages. Maybe I can ID who it is from genetic characteristics, if we are lucky," said Bashir.

"Worth a shot."

-=oOo=-

They reported what they knew.

"One of the ships is demanding to talk to the captain," said Samson.

"Yes, I figured that was coming. Put it on screen."

"Unknown ship, I am Devon of planet Atlack and order you to heave to and prepare to be boarded."

"They are locking weapons. They are not a threat," said Sobaash.

"Why have you locked weapons on us?" asked Riker tiredly.

"You have not returned my daughter, nor the scoundrel that impregnated her."

"We are trying to sort out the situation. We have determined that Okona is not the father. Did you not get the medical information?" asked Riker.

"A clever forgery."

"If you have a qualified medical doctor we could supervise you repeating the tests on their ship," offered Riker.

"We have no such with us. Hand them over."

"The other ship is now demanding to be heard."

"Conference them in."

"This is Secretary Cushow of planet Stralia. We demand you return Okona now."

"But not the woman?" asked Riker curiously.

"Why would we want one of Devon's brood? No, this has to deal with theft."

"It's him," Piper said softly.

"Pardon?" asked Riker.

"The young man beside the speaker. I'm not even trying to peak but his mental voice might as well be shouting. He is very worried for Merin."

"How is she?" asked the young man.

"What? How do you know her?" exclaimed secretary Cushow.

"I love her. I gave her the jewelry," said the young man.

"Why?"

"I think he answered that already," noted Riker dryly.

"Okona's ship wants to talk as well," added Samson.

"Conference them in too."

"Andrew, I wanted to tell them, but every time I mentioned your world to my father he got so very mad," said Merin.

"I cannot believe you were consorting with him. Okona was bad enough," said her father.

"We are on the clock here. I have stuff we need to do. Okona, Merin, and Andrew, or some subset can come with us and we will find a safe place for them till we get more time," said Riker.

"We could live in peace?" asked Merin hopefully.

"What, no, you can't leave," said her father.

"It seems she already has. Her child deserves to grow up somewhere in peace, and we need to go," said Riker.

"Wait. My son is a father. This has to be settled," said Andrew's father.

"Well you could agree to all talk and work it out, but they need to agree to stay," added Riker.

"I just want to make sure they are okay and get my ship repaired," said Okona.

"We will repair your ship. It is irrelevant. Now be quiet," said Merin's father.

"I think we should go with them. We can check back later to make sure our parents have figured out how to get along," said Merin.

"I agree."

"Your not going anywhere. Our shields are up."

"Celeste," whispered Riker.

Merin and Andrew appeared on the bridge.

"What? How did you do that?" asked Andrew's father.

"We know a few tricks. Okona, are you going to be okay?" asked Riker.

"I hope so. You have just made them mad," said Okona dryly.

"I said we would fix your ship. Now please return Merin," said her father.

"You want to go back?" asked Riker.

"No."

"You Andrew?"

"No."

"There you go. Now we are going. We will stop by when we get time, maybe after your child is born?" offered Riker.

"You will make sure they are safe, or you will face our wrath," said Andrew's father.

"Agreed," said Merin's.

"Get us out of here."

"Dropping back into hyperspace and resuming course," said Lafiel.

Riker turned to Lindy.

"Yes, they can stay on Mid-Childa for as long as they need."

"Thank you. I really didn't want to have to make another stop," said Riker.

"I'll lend them my house for now and find someone to help them," said Lindy.

"Thanks."

"Where are we going?" asked Merin.

"Exiting hyperspace. Drive unlock complete. Tests passed. Diving back into the dimensional sea," said Lafiel.

"Well we went from blue and white to green and white," said Andrew.

"We are now in the dimensional sea. You are now well beyond the reach of your homeland, but don't worry, either this group or mine will get you back when you want to go, or not too long after," said Lindy.

"Oh, what is where we are going like?" asked Merin.

"Mid-Childa is a very lovely world. It is the heart of the Time Space Administration Bureau. I think your world may have been technically within our domain. We try to keep order and prevent abuse of dimensional travel, magic, as well as to assure basic rights."

"Your domain?" asked Andrew.

"This isn't my ship. This is theirs."

"It seems a very nice ship," offered Merin.

"We think so," agreed Riker.

"Do you two need anything? I know the doctor checked over Merin already," added Jinto.

"What, are you sick?" asked Andrew.

"No, he was verifying that Okona was not the father."

"Of course he isn't."

"That is what my father thought. I had a weak moment, and I didn't want him trying to kill you," said Merin.

"So you pointed him at Okona?" asked Riker.

"He suggested it."

"Would you consent to a small test since we have a little time?" asked Lindy.

"What kind of test?" asked Andrew.

"I'd like my device to check you both for magical potential. Well all three really."

"Huh? Magic?"

"It's quite harmless I assure you."

"Um, are you sure?" asked Merin.

"Yes. I've been around the others enough to judge mostly that they don't have much potential, except Celeste, and that odd thing Pyrrha and Piper have going."

"My semblance is magic?" asked Pyrrha.

"Created and derived from, I think. Have the people on Mid Childa check you and you can know for sure."

Pyrrha nodded thoughtfully.

"Um, I guess," said Andrew.

"Sandry, Setup, skip the uniform," said Lindy.

"Stand by ready. Setup." The blue jewel on her necklace flared with power. The power enveloped her and seemed to settle into her skin even as a circle of sigils formed under her and began slowly rotating before vanishing.

"I hope that doesn't affect electronics," said Neela.

"Shouldn't," said Lindy before turning to Andrew. "Potential scan please Sandry."

"Scan commencing."

The circle moved from Lindy to Andrew as multicolored light seemed to crawl over the surface of his body before vanishing. Lindy turned to Merin.

"You are sure it is safe?"

"Yes, if anything its an extra check for your child."

"Okay."

The device didn't wait for a clear command, but reformed the circle below Merin. The multicolored light crawled over her form as well, but then focused and formed into sigils in the air in front of her womb. The magic vanished.

"Just as I thought, and I hope you will forgive the very minor deception," said Lindy.

"What did you do?" asked Riker.

"Nothing, or almost nothing. The magical scan was a very very tiny nudge for the baby she carries. Magic can take a small boost to begin to develop. They have negligible potential, but their child I think now has moderate. Careful training should allow her to develop it."

"Her? We are having a girl?" asked Andrew.

"Apologies, I should not have revealed that without permission."

"I think you should have asked permission before tricking us," said Merin.

"She still has to be trained to ever develop. The worst I have done is make her a bit more resistant to sickness, I promise."

"And if she is trained?" asked Andrew.

"Somewhat longer life is possible, perhaps half again. It all depends. Obviously, she will have many fields that are magic related she could go into, or simply do something non magic related and use magic for convenience, or not use it at all. There are many options."

"But what little you did will have no negative effects?" asked Merin.

"No. Certainly not. If you get further checks they will do that much again, though it won't matter much the subsequent times."

"Next time, be clearer," said Riker.

"Understood. I have seen too many worlds where they chase us away. I shouldn't have assumed."

"No, you should not have, but what is done is done."

"As long as our child is healthy, that is all that matters," said Merin.

"I also wanted you to know that Mid-Childa or one of our other words could become your world really. If you wanted. We welcome new magic with open arms. You could still visit your own, not daily, but probably at least once a year."

"What do you think Andrew?"

"I think I don't care as long as we are together."

"What about me?" asked Celeste.

"You mean, will your use of your abilities likely encourage magic to develop where potential exists?" asked Lindy.

"Yes."

"Almost certainly. You will probably want to get training."

"I'm somehow not surprised. We have had a very good luck at teaching telepathy, though almost always on a basic level. It seems similar somehow."

"We don't have a great deal of telepaths, though many mages have a practiced magical ability to do something similar just to talk," said Lindy.

"Well then you have another reason to help the Elves, and perhaps take some in," said Riker.

"Oh?" asked Lindy.

"They have a great deal of potential it seems."

Lindy turned to Aditu. "Please know we would help regardless, but yes, you will no doubt catch our leaderships interest."

"Politics then?" asked Riker.

"We minimize it, but we still have it," said Lindy sadly.

"You are helping save our world. Even when you mentioned that you could not stop the ribbon, you did not say you did not want to die, but that it wouldn't help," said Aditu.

Lindy nodded.

"Is there a way where a lot dying would stop it?" asked Aditu.

"I refuse to answer," said Lindy.

"You already have," said Aditu softly.

"A lot can be done by that which is forbidden. It doesn't mean it should be, or that you really are better off. The rules applies to us the same as those we enforce them against. I would appreciate it if no one reported or wrote down what I just more or less admitted to," said Lindy.

"I will agree, but if hard choices must be made, I ask we be allowed to make those hard choices," said Aditu.

PIper sang softly.

What can't we face if we are together?

What's in this place we can't weather?

Apocalypse. We've all been there.

The same old trips. Why should we care?"

What can we do, if we get in it?

We'll work it through within a minute.

We have to try. We'll pay the price.

What can't we face if we are together?

"Where is that from?" asked Aditu.

"A television show. It was fiction. It was about a strong young woman and her team who fought the monsters. When we faced our own apocalypse, one of ours broke the rules and died forever for it," said Piper.

Riker said softly, "This is one Captain Picard quoted a few times. It is from a long ago play called Ulysses."

Come, my friends,

'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.

Push off, and sitting well in order smite

The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds

To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths

Of all the western stars, until I die.

It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;

It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,

And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.

Though much is taken, much abides; and though

We are not now that strength which in old days

Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,

One equal temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

"You have a lot going on then," said Merin.

"Yes, we are desperately trying to save Aditu's home universe, and maybe others that might be nearby. Don't get me wrong. You deserved the help. It was just poor timing," said Riker.

"Can we help?" asked Andrew.

"Not really. We know what we are doing, or at least as well as any. The tech in your ships was far inferior to our own," said Riker.

"Maybe forgive me my very slight check of your child? I promise it is very standard and harmless," said LIndy.

"I think we can forgive you. It seems we would get more tests and such that would have it anyway," said Merin.

"I'd give you a lesson in telepathy if you wanted it, but we aren't staying long, and we kind of like to teach more than one lesson," said Celeste.

"Maybe later? It might be fun to be able to talk to Andrew that way," said Merin.

Celeste nodded.

"Transiting from the dimensional sea. It looks like we emerged more or less where we targeted. That's almost odd," said Lafiel.

"It's sort of a side effect of well used routes. No one really understands it fully, but it is real," said Lindy.

"We are close enough to go via warp drive or hyperdrive. It doesn't matter," said Jinto.

"Use the warp drive. It has been sitting idle for awhile. Get us there reasonably soon."

"Dimensional drive passed post trip analysis. Drive is now locked. Engaging at Warp 5," said Lafiel.

Lindy quickly reviewed the data. "If I can bring this trip data, I think we can get your drive certified."

"Neela, please help her export it."

"No need. Sandry has a copy. I just needed your permission."

"We are twenty two minutes out. Is there a protocol?" asked Lafiel.

"Come out just outside the system. Raise whatever defenses you have, since occasionally stupid happens, but other than that open a connection to the fourth planet. They should figure it out, or I can make a direct connection with Sandry," said Lindy.

"Understood," said Lafiel.

-=oOo=-

"Coming out of warp. Shields are up," said Lafiel.

"Hailing frequencies."

"This is Mid Childa control. Please identify and state the purpose for your visit to our system," said a elderly man.

"This is Captain William Riker with the Alliance ship Falcon. We are here with Admiral Harlaown. She asked us to stop outside the system until details could be ironed out."

"I'm here Steven. Please grant us permission to approach. I have a copy of their dimensional drive data I want to submit for approval."

"Stand by."

"They don't often see ships that don't originate from here and it wasn't that many years ago we finished our war with the Bradensons."

"Cause of that one?" asked Riker.

"Way too much stupid on both sides. We are not friends, but we are no longer enemies," said Lindy softly.

"Well I wish I could say we were never guilty of the same, but I'd be lying. It has happened and more than once."

The video reconnected. "You are granted preliminary permission for standard orbit. If any weapons systems are energized your ship will be destroyed with prejudice. Matter transmission devices may not be used. All transport is to be coordinated with my ship. A medical check is required. I am sending you your orbital insertion coordinates."

"Engaging at warp one," said Lafiel.

"What the heck was that?" he exclaimed.

"I thought I'd get here before you specified at what rate. We are where you wanted us, are we not?" asked Lafiel.

Riker covered a grin.

"Stand by. Let's get someone to look you over."

"If it helps Sandry has detected no issues and their medical science is very good."

"It doesn't."

"Well I'm going to begin setting up virtual sessions with the council. We have a lot to do, and we cannot wait," said Lindy.

"That isn't a problem."

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