Call to Arms

The desk comunit chimed, prompting Picard to set aside his tea and copy of the poet Juvenal's satire. The face of Admiral Janeway confronted him with an obvious crisis, as she dispensed with her usual greeting. "Jean Luc, we may be premature in thinking we stopped the Borg from assassinating Ardra's young self in the distant past. I can't say for sure they did it, but Ardra has gone missing. She's usually reliable in answering calls for help. Even if she doesn't want to get involved, she'll at least appear and say so."

This was deeply troubling; Ardra was the one sure hedge against the Borg. "Most distressing, Admiral. Has there been any unusual activity on the Borg side?"

"None that we can detect. That leads me to suspect another agency is responsible, some political conflict that Sisra got caught in the middle of." The wizardress Sisra was Ardra's early manifestation, using her increasing power to attain demigoddess status. "For that reason, you and I will be making a trip to the Outworld to investigate."

Picard was aghast. "You, Admiral? You know what a dangerous place it can be. Sisra's abbey is right across the river Brue from the Old Quarter, a den of thieves and assassins."

"Precisely my point. If one of those assassins has a beef against Sisra, we need to know it." Janeway offered a small hopeful smile. "If there's one bright spot, it's that Sisra and Jili, the world's foremost assassin, once did a mission together into the demon plane. Jili considers her a 'princess', but does respect her power. She can brief us on the local politics, whether Sisra has any enemies there."

Picard stared at the blinking light at the bottom of the viewer, showing its secure connection. "Very well, Admiral. I'll set course for the dimension sphere." Janeway served as station commander there. "We should be able to use an interplanetary shuttle for the trip to Earth." In that parallel dimension, Earth was a wild west show after the Apocalypse Wars, but Space Command ruled the skies. They could beam down and access the hidden gateway to the Outworld.

Just then, Picard's combadge broadcast Commander Riker's voice. "Sorry for the intrusion, Captain, but we're being hailed by a Romulan."

"I'm on my way." Picard resumed his chat with Janeway. "I can already guess what they want."

"So can I, Jean Luc. They're also aware Ardra is missing. We'll have to listen to a certain amount of bluster until we get to the bottom of this. Janeway out."

Picard made his way out to the bridge, seeing the familiar shape of a green Romulan warbird sitting nose to nose with them. The view switched to the face of the Romulan commander. Picard put on the most phony smile he could muster. "Commander Vintok. Always a pleasure to see your cheerful features."

The Romulan glowered. "Picard, we'll accompany you to the sphere, as is our right by space treaty. That way, we'll be first to learn of your failure in voyaging into the past to save Ardra."

"Ardra? Who's she?"

"Let's not be coy, Picard. You don't think we monitor your communications? Star Fleet is in a panic over the apparent loss of its pet goddess. If that's the case, be assured we'll arrange a more equitable arrangement for use of the galactic gateways at the sphere." Dealing himself the upper hand, Vintok signed off abruptly, and his ship veered onto a new heading.

Seated on Picard's right, Commander Riker allowed his mouth a downturn of distaste. "I hate it when they do that. But do you really think Ardra is gone?"

"I sincerely hope not," Picard said. "We're very different people, but I'd miss her insouciance. She used to call him Wind Sock."

At the helm, Data turned about. "Insouciance? Ah yes—a word of affectionate derision. Whacked. Crackpot. Nitso-nutso."

Picard spread fingers to end the lesson. "We're familiar with the jargon, Data. Estimated time of arrival at the sphere?"

"Six point two hours at warp five, sir."

"Make it so."

The Galactic Sphere

Not a part of the Builder design, the newly installed admin center featured a magnificent view out the lobby area. Ships of all types floated at mooring stations in the cavernous reaches of the structure. Lacking air and moisture to obscure distant vision, the sphere had no impediments to even the farthest support ribs. Since the venture was a joint Federation/Romulan enterprise, other ships came only by invitation. It was understood that, should they get into trouble in some remote galaxy, only their own kind were obliged to attempt a rescue.

Picard turned away from the vast expanse of super glass, and its other gawkers, to enter the staff turbolift up to the conference room. It was a good imitation of the one built by the Consortium in the adjacent universe. The same view dominated up here, only smaller, as the space was intended to be cozy and informal. Picard waited by the window as a clerk prepared to take notes on the upcoming meeting.

Presently, Admiral Janeway came in, attended by the Romulan Commander Vixia, who had served in battle with Commander Moast on the other side against the sole Borg drone smuggled from Outworld by the Borg queen. He had instead expected Vintok.

Vixia surmised his confusion. "As I outrank Vintok, I'm here instead to represent the interests of the empire." She and Janeway were seated.

Picard took his place opposite, his back to the window. "What would those interests be? We're concerned solely with the survival of Sisra, and her modern incarnation, Ardra."

"You may relax," Janeway said. "She doesn't want to return to Moast's dimension. I've asked her to keep a lid on the ambitions of the Romulan senate while we're away. Our biggest drawing card is our intent to bring Ardra back. They know quite well the consequence of angering her."

So did Picard, such as spending a brief time two feet tall during their first hectic meeting. He turned a speculative look on Vixia. She'd proven herself a capable tactician during temporary command of Moast's ship, Orchidia. Good in space meant good on the ground. What was her game? With Janeway gone on the mission, she'd have less of a deterrent to mischief. Perhaps there was a way to keep her occupied. "As I recall, Commander, you were quite the sensation at New Mars on the other side. They'd never seen any Romulans before. Doesn't that hold any allure?"

Vixia fanned fingers with dark burgundy nails. "We are not like humans, Picard, who live for approval on interplanetary media. I found it bewildering and suffocating."

Janeway seemed to guess his intent. "I think we can have confidence on my temporary replacement—Admiral Jellicoe."

Picard winced. The man was a hard-driving tyrant. Only Riker had stood up to him in Picard's absence. Still, Jellicoe wasn't one to be tricked or bullied by anyone. "A good choice, Admiral. Have overtures been made to the other side?"

"They have. We've obtained permission to enter Pluto Station with our shuttle. Naturally they'll want to know what we're about, since our actions in their past could affect their present." Her eyes widened at a sudden memory. "Oh—and Commander Moast will get us to Earth in record time aboard his ship. Last time I was there, I had the privilege of sitting in the command seat while in space dock. It will be grand to take her out, if Moast is amenable. Space Command said we should pilot our shuttle directly to Orchidia."

That was a relief. No lengthy interviews with the pervasive media on that side, always eager for a story. They suffered from a lack of foreign intrigue, since their universe had no Romulans, Ferengi, in fact, no sentient life comparable to their own. It was no wonder Vixia had been such an exotic hit. The media were just as wild about Moast's wife, the sorceress Zena, who hailed from the same Outworld that was home to Sisra. It reminded Picard-

"Admiral, I think it inadvisable to involve Team Dan." They were the mercenaries Zena was a part of, who relocated from future Earth. Who could blame them? They'd gone from lowly lab workers to super stars. "As talented as they are, they've never faced any assassins, especially of the caliber we're discussing."

"My thoughts as well, Jean Luc. As I recall from Zena's wedding, we arrive first at the Archonage in Lunari where they're based. Then we can teleport directly to the abbey where Sisra serves as administrator."

Picard shifted uneasily; he didn't like to countermand a superior. "Why not consult the Sybils at Eolca? They can give us a prophecy in their obscure way. It might give us a more profitable place to start."

"I like it," Janeway said. "I remember how Moast and Sisra helped destroy the demon star satellite the Borg were trying to use against Sisra. We have some capital built up."

Vixia had assumed a slouch. "This is almost interesting." She regarded Picard under lowered lids. "The senate will expect an initial report. I think I'll accompany you as far as Pluto Station."

Picard grinned. And she'd go as far as New Mars, too. Who didn't like adulation and being in the spotlights?