Well, I had a few ideas for a sequel. Perhaps even draw in the Cthulhu Mythos. There could be only one being mightier than the Q, and that's Azathoth, lol. Or Animorphs and Doctor Who.
As I said, I have a clear beginning and end to this story.
Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
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Yukaphile
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Re: Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
"A culture's teachings - and more importantly, the nature of its people - achieve definition in conflict. They find themselves, or find themselves lacking."
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
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Simplicius
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Re: Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
Well, Doctor Who fits in reasonable well - especially given the fact that the Cthulhu Mythos is considered a part of its canon (as much as Doctor Who has a canon). I don't know anything about Animorphs, however.
Doesn't Star Wars have its own Lovecraftian monsters?
Doesn't Star Wars have its own Lovecraftian monsters?
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AquaReggie
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Re: Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
Sorry, I feel like you posted a list of weapon power ranges for various 'verses, but now I can't find it.
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AquaReggie
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Re: Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
Never mind, found it. Okay. to go back to the Empire vs. Federation war, (since as mentioned these are the two franchises I'm most familiar with), if you're sticking with those numbers than bye-bye Federation (barring interference from even crazier/less defined stuff like the Warp Gods and Q).
Forgive the incoming long musing, but now I've actually gotten interested in the idea...
The Wolf 359 battle involved 39 ships and appeared to be a significant loss for the Federation, although during the Dominion War it appears that hundreds of vessels across the Federation have been involved. Put simply, even factoring in the need to devote large amounts of Imperial resources to suppress their own citizens, losing 30-50 large starships to take out one ISD is a losing proposition for the Feds.
As I mentioned, the Empire is not only larger in size, but some of its planets are densely populated and heavily industrialized to a level you won't find in the Federation. The Empire also appears to be far more experienced in ground warfare. For all the fun that's been made of stormtroopers, they at least had the sense to wear breath masks and armor instead of throwing people into battle with cloth uniforms and LEGO phaser rifles. EU stuff also makes brief mention of various specialist stormtrooper corps equivalent to the snowtroopers, so the Imps could potentially call these up to conquer any planet that's particularly harsh in terrain.
On to space combat: the big thing here is that ISDs and SSDs are both battleships and carriers. So not only can they throw around blasts 60x more powerful than standard Federation weapons, each of them is carrying multiple squadrons of TIE fighters and other craft. It's a fixture of Star Wars that fighters and bombers are capable of destroying larger ships if they're allowed to close in and strafe/torpedo them (again, WW2 in Space!!). Let's be pretty conservative and say that the cannons of the average starfighter are 200 times less powerful than the light guns of an ISD. That still puts their firepower at >1 megaton. Per cannon shot. From a vessel that the Empire makes almost fast as Android makes phones. Missile weapons would presumably be significantly more powerful.
This means that a smart Imperial admiral can do several things with TIE Fighters/Bombers/TIE Advanced. First, they're a viable warshiup killing asset by themselves against the Federation. Second, they can screen the larger vessels to increase the number of targets to aim at and reduce the chance of sneak attacks. Third, to return to the WW2 analogy, you can use TIE squadrons as U-boats. Set up small bases/supply depots outside the main battle areas, headquarter a squadron or two from each, and watch them maul Alpha Quadrant shipping like a tiger on a beefsteak.
Okay, sorry, big post over. Hope some of these ideas are helpful!
Forgive the incoming long musing, but now I've actually gotten interested in the idea...
The Wolf 359 battle involved 39 ships and appeared to be a significant loss for the Federation, although during the Dominion War it appears that hundreds of vessels across the Federation have been involved. Put simply, even factoring in the need to devote large amounts of Imperial resources to suppress their own citizens, losing 30-50 large starships to take out one ISD is a losing proposition for the Feds.
As I mentioned, the Empire is not only larger in size, but some of its planets are densely populated and heavily industrialized to a level you won't find in the Federation. The Empire also appears to be far more experienced in ground warfare. For all the fun that's been made of stormtroopers, they at least had the sense to wear breath masks and armor instead of throwing people into battle with cloth uniforms and LEGO phaser rifles. EU stuff also makes brief mention of various specialist stormtrooper corps equivalent to the snowtroopers, so the Imps could potentially call these up to conquer any planet that's particularly harsh in terrain.
On to space combat: the big thing here is that ISDs and SSDs are both battleships and carriers. So not only can they throw around blasts 60x more powerful than standard Federation weapons, each of them is carrying multiple squadrons of TIE fighters and other craft. It's a fixture of Star Wars that fighters and bombers are capable of destroying larger ships if they're allowed to close in and strafe/torpedo them (again, WW2 in Space!!). Let's be pretty conservative and say that the cannons of the average starfighter are 200 times less powerful than the light guns of an ISD. That still puts their firepower at >1 megaton. Per cannon shot. From a vessel that the Empire makes almost fast as Android makes phones. Missile weapons would presumably be significantly more powerful.
This means that a smart Imperial admiral can do several things with TIE Fighters/Bombers/TIE Advanced. First, they're a viable warshiup killing asset by themselves against the Federation. Second, they can screen the larger vessels to increase the number of targets to aim at and reduce the chance of sneak attacks. Third, to return to the WW2 analogy, you can use TIE squadrons as U-boats. Set up small bases/supply depots outside the main battle areas, headquarter a squadron or two from each, and watch them maul Alpha Quadrant shipping like a tiger on a beefsteak.
Okay, sorry, big post over. Hope some of these ideas are helpful!
Need help with "Star Chronicles" my eight way sci fi fanfiction
I watched the first 2 Eps of S1 the other week there. Thought it was ok, but then that opinion might be skewed slightly due to the presence of Summer Glau.........
Was tempted to pick up the boxset, good idea ? bad idea ?
Was tempted to pick up the boxset, good idea ? bad idea ?
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Yukaphile
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Re: Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
I've begun SG-1, and finished Season 1, so plenty of ideas bubbling.
"A culture's teachings - and more importantly, the nature of its people - achieve definition in conflict. They find themselves, or find themselves lacking."
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
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Yukaphile
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Re: Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
I've begun fleshing out the fleet dynamics to this story.
Let's say there's two Imperial Star Destroyers versus a Mon Calamari cruiser, a Galaxy class ship, two Defiants, and three White Star Ranger ships. The Imperial Star Destroyers will have superior firepower and shield output. They can only be breached by weapons of equal or comparable power, which means the Mon Calamari will have to weaken the shields now, or let their fighter screen in close enough to blow away the bridge deflector shields. That will leave them vulnerable for the highly maneuverable and nimble White Stars, same size as a Galaxy class, but MUCH faster, to dive in peppering it with strafing runs. So will the Defiants. But then, the Galaxy hangs back, and beams aboard a few photon or quantum torpedoes rigged to blow, crippling the ship. See how that strategy kinda weaves together? Basically, the White Stars and the Fed ships would provide covering fire, until they could move in to do their thing.
Let's say there's two Imperial Star Destroyers versus a Mon Calamari cruiser, a Galaxy class ship, two Defiants, and three White Star Ranger ships. The Imperial Star Destroyers will have superior firepower and shield output. They can only be breached by weapons of equal or comparable power, which means the Mon Calamari will have to weaken the shields now, or let their fighter screen in close enough to blow away the bridge deflector shields. That will leave them vulnerable for the highly maneuverable and nimble White Stars, same size as a Galaxy class, but MUCH faster, to dive in peppering it with strafing runs. So will the Defiants. But then, the Galaxy hangs back, and beams aboard a few photon or quantum torpedoes rigged to blow, crippling the ship. See how that strategy kinda weaves together? Basically, the White Stars and the Fed ships would provide covering fire, until they could move in to do their thing.
"A culture's teachings - and more importantly, the nature of its people - achieve definition in conflict. They find themselves, or find themselves lacking."
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
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Yukaphile
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Re: Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
So, guys, back! Been a year. Now, I'm gonna post the actual START to Foldspace. Prose to come later. I also got a summary for Part 1 done, somewhat. I finally got to play StarCraft again! AND I've advanced into Season 2 Atlantis and Season 10 SG-1, so I know something of Stargate lore. I was inspired to set this on the Dyson Sphere since I felt it made sense for the Ancients to have built it.
Here.
TRANSCRIPTS
PICARD: Captain's Log, Stardate 51718.7. The Enterprise has been recalled from the front lines in a new mission Starfleet Command has deemed of stupendous importance for the future of the Federation, which returns me and my crew to an old stomping ground, one to which I had thought never to return.
DATA: We're approaching the designated coordinates, Captain.
PICARD: Bring us out of warp, Mr. Data, and drop us down to half impulse speed.
DATA: Aye, Captain.
(And into view comes the Dyson Sphere, where Picard is wistfully reminded of his older explorer days, before the Dominion War.)
PICARD: Magnificent. Now this sure brings back memories.
RIKER: It looks much the same as it did five years ago.
PICARD: Indeed, Number One, always quite a sight.
TROI: Have the science ships that Starfleet Command left behind made any headway into studying the Dyson Sphere?
(And into view now soar two Oberth-class ships.)
RIKER: Something tells me we're about to find that out.
PICARD: Full stop, Commander. Hailing frequencies.
KNIGHTLY: Aye, sir. Hailing frequencies opened.
(And on the screen appears an older man.)
LOU: Ah, there you are, Jean-Luc! I was wondering when you'd get into this neck of the woods, we've been waiting nearly three days.
(A happily surprised grin now appears on Picard's face.)
PICARD: Lou! It's marvelous to see you again, my old friend.
LOU: Likewise, Jean-Luc. Wasn't expecting to see me, eh?
PICARD: It's certainly been a while, hasn't it?
LOU: Not since the diplomatic conference on Beldon Prime.
PICARD: Where Ambassador Shurok had to be recalled due to breach in protocols. He was rather... disruptive for a Romulan, wasn't he?
LOU: Not half as disruptive as the Cardassians were.
PICARD: So, Lou, if you'd pardon me for asking...
LOU: You'd like to know why you've been brought back.
PICARD: (wryly) If it wouldn't be too much trouble?
LOU: Follow me, and I'll show you, old friend.
KNIGHTLY: The Eratosthenes is relaying a set of coordinates to us, Captain... it seems they want us to follow them inside the Dyson Sphere.
(Consternation now dawns among the command staff.)
RIKER: I would advise against that, Captain. Remember what happened the last time we tried.
(Picard slowly nods his own agreement.)
PICARD: Yes, I'm inclined to agree, Number One. Lou, what —?
LOU: I know what you're going to say, Jean-Luc, but give me a chance to speak my piece, ya old baron, before you jump to any conclusions.
PICARD: Go ahead, Lou. I'm listening.
LOU: Now, what you need to do is reset your subspace differential generator across an inverse broad-spectrum quantum resonance field with harmonic oscillating properties, and the excessive power feedback will be diffused along your shield grid capacitors. Far smoother sailing than the last time you were in the area.
PICARD: I see... very well. Mr. Data, comply with Captain Suvall's orders, and if all goes according to plan, we'll see you inside the Sphere.
(The screen blinks out, and Picard returns to his chair.)
PICARD: Ensign, set a course for the specified coordinates and keep the Eratosthenes in visual range. Proceed at one-quarter impulse.
ENSIGN: Yes, sir! Engaging impulse drive.
(And the Enterprise banks down into a tight course aft of the Eratosthenes, following them in closer to their destination.)
DATA: Approaching the nearest access aperture.
PICARD: Bring us to a full stop, Commander.
(Standing upright, Picard moves forward and tugs firm upon his shirt.)
PICARD: Signal the Eratosthenes... we're ready whenever they are.
KNIGHTLY: Signaling Eratosthenes... you may proceed with your maneuver. Take us in.
RIKER: Here we go. Everybody hang on!
(And like before as the hatch opens up the piloting beams grab onto the two ships and start pulling them in, while the red alert klaxons wail.)
RIKER: Data, report!
DATA: The EM resonance frequency of the piloting beams is being redirected throughout the subspace flow distribution and dissipating harmlessly across the graviton field — the shields remain at 93%.
PICARD: Maintain your efforts, Mr. Data. We're going in.
(And soon the two ships are led inside the Sphere.)
DATA: We have been released from the automated piloting beams.
PICARD: Stand down the red alert. Status report, Commander.
DATA: USS Pythagoras is holding station at one hundred thousand kilometers off our port bow. Reinitializing impulse drive. Enterprise is now free and clear to proceed heading on your discretion. Orders?
PICARD: Well, we certainly want to avoid that star. Lay us in an elliptical orbit circumnavigating the coronasphere, Mr. Data.
DATA: Yes, Captain. Setting course.
(And the tactical console starts chiming.)
KNIGHTLY: Eratosthenes is hailing us.
PICARD: Patch it through, Commander Knightly.
DATA: Compensating for electromagnetic interference.
(And onto the screen pops the image of Lou again.)
LOU: You still hanging around with us, Jean-Luc?
(Picard fixes his friend with a bemused stare.)
PICARD: Quite the wild ride, Lou.
LOU: Captain, gentlemen, welcome to the Dyson Sphere, Part 2.
(Picard and his officers walk down the corridors.)
RIKER: I'm still not sure about this, Captain.
PICARD: They've had the ruins mapped for the last year and a half. If there were any dangers about the area they would have found them by this juncture, Number One.
RIKER: What about the radiation from that star?
DATA: I have plotted out a trajectory that only brings you past the corona of the star every 12.5 solar hours, and Enterprise still retains main power. That is more than a sufficient timeframe to recharge the shield emitters at the far end of orbit, and if a supplementary power source is required then the option is available to reroute the warp engines to power the shield grid directly.
(Both officers give him a look, so that Data shuts up.)
RIKER: I'm also not entirely clear what Captain Suvall wants from you, sir.
(Picard shrugs, feeling the same way.)
PICARD: Oh, neither am I. Though he said it was the archaeological find of the millennium. How could I let such a chance pass me by?
RIKER: It still might be prudent to take security with you, sir.
PICARD: Will... please do me a favor while I'm gone.
RIKER: Of course, sir. Name it.
PICARD: Relax. They've had the Federation base camp set up for a year now, but if it puts your mind at ease, keep a transporter lock on us and you can beam us back at anytime. Though I hardly suspect Captain Suvall has an ulterior agenda behind all of this.
(Riker inclines his head, accepting the order.)
RIKER: Whatever you say, Captain.
(Stepping onto the transporter pad, Picard smiles at him.)
PICARD: Besides, there's over a thousand Starfleet personnel working down there. What are the chances anything will go wrong? Energize.
(And the two disappear in a flash of blue light.)
RIKER: I wish he hadn't said that.
(The two materialize on the surface, and feeling surprised from the abundant plant life, Data pulls out a tricorder, taking readings on the surrounding environment before reporting what he learned back to Picard.)
DATA: Fascinating... although the primary of the Sphere exhibits intense luminosity and lengthened bursts of coronal mass expulsions, the indigenous plant life and corresponding weather patterns appear to remain relatively undisturbed from such disruptions. In fact, tricorder scans reveal low levels of oxygenated content similar to that of the Cretaceous Period in Earth history.
PICARD: But how is that possible, Mr. Data?
DATA: Perhaps the designers built failsafes into their technology.
(And before their eyes another blue flash materializes Lou.)
LOU: There you are, Jean-Luc! Made it in record time.
(The two approach and firmly grasp one another's arms.)
PICARD: Well, Lou, it seems you've done very well for yourself.
LOU: Likewise, Jean-Luc. And you must be the famous Lieutenant-Commander Data. I've heard nothing but good things about you.
(He offers a handshake. Data respectfully returns it.)
DATA: I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Suvall.
LOU: Please, Data... would it be okay if I call you Data?
DATA: (matter-of-factly) That is my name.
LOU: You can do away with that "Mr. Suvall" nonsense. I haven't been "Mr. Suvall" since I was a young courier in the Diplomatic Corps. It's Lou, if you please, Data.
DATA: I shall endeavor to comply with your request, Lou.
LOU: Excellent! Do that, and we'll get along splendidly.
PICARD: Lou, you'll forgive me making this a personal inquiry, but I am still in the dark to what it is we're doing here. Orders were a little vague, but Starfleet Command said that this was a mission that had profound implications for the future of the Federation.
LOU: And so it does. Come, see for yourself, Jean-Luc, Data.
(And they begin heading down toward a cavern entrance.)
PICARD: I was under the impression the expedition would be exploring the surface region of the habitable zone, but I couldn't make out any signs of the base camp.
DATA: For that matter, the initial scans we performed five years ago gave no indications of subterranean structures or other clues to former occupation. All we were able to ascertain was that the designers had abandoned it at some point prior to our arrival.
LOU: And you'd be correct! However... gander your eyes on this.
(And they emerge out into the lower levels of an open space built as some sort of base nerve center of alien design with computer consoles scattered about and expedition members moving slowly through the small underground area, taking readings.)
PICARD: (amazed) My word.
DATA: Truly remarkable.
(The three walk down the steps into the bunker.)
LOU: Took us three years to figure out how to overcome the issues posed by the access terminals, but once that was sorted out we were able to run very thorough seismic scans. It wasn't until the sixth or seventh pass that we made out a series of interlocking tunnel networks that circled the length of the outer shell; some five, ten kilometers in diameter. It's a virtual hub of habitats, honeycombed throughout the Sphere, and composed of solid neutronium alloys.
(Data and Captain Picard exchange a knowing glance with each other.)
LOU: That's why you weren't able to pick them up during the initial survey — you both know the havoc neutronium plays on sensors.
PICARD: Yes, indeed, that would certainly explain a few things.
DATA: Has your team made success in uncovering any information as to who might have been responsible for building the Dyson Sphere?
PICARD: And if so, to what end?
(Lou shakes his head.)
LOU: No, that's still something of a mystery. The technology here's light-years ahead of us or anything else we've ever discovered. Early projections estimate we could spend a hundred years mapping out the interior of the Dyson Sphere and still have only scraped one-tenth of all the secrets that this place holds. But, lookie here.
(And here Lou leads them over to a small table.)
LOU: We recovered a few artifacts in the eight months we've been combing over the ruins. As you can see, ah, this is all we found.
(Data picks up a small object and turns it over in his hands.)
DATA: It appears to be a remote interface device.
LOU: For sure — we'd sussed that all out by ourselves.
PICARD: (stunned) Impossible... these markings... they look to resemble an early Italic script... or some variation of Etruscan consonants...
LOU: Thought that'd get your attention.
PICARD: But Lou, how can this be?
LOU: Well, that's a bit tricky, but best we can hypothesize, whoever the builders for the Dyson Sphere might have been, they probably had a hand in influencing the development of early civilizations on Earth.
DATA: There are other precedents that would support the theory, Captain.
PICARD: Simply breathtaking... and yet, Lou, for all the intriguing possibility this raises, surely this alone wasn't the cause for diverting the Enterprise off the front lines and pulling us away from the war effort.
(Lou shakes his head.)
LOU: Boy, you've changed, Jean-Luc; there was a time that nothing could've pried you from a good mystery, come hell or high water.
PICARD: That was then, and this is now. Over a dozen planets are depending on our choices, Lou, and with the quadrant embroiled in a battle for its very soul, we have to make priorities. And matters of intellectual, historical, and personal curiosity, however thought-provoking they may turn out to be, have to take second seat.
LOU: Then maybe this will convince you. There was an incident... recently and the commander of the expedition was able to prevent a loss of invaluable scientific data. The cost to our research efforts would have been... incalculable. His show of foresight got him promoted to Chairman of the Federation Science Council, and now the Dyson Expedition lacks leadership. I've spoken with Starfleet Command on this, and they think that's you. All this, every archaeological secret you could ever dream up... it's yours, Jean-Luc, out there waiting for the taking.
PICARD: Lou... haven't you been listening to me? Even if I were inclined, I couldn't possibly accept! With the fall of Betazed and the Dominion closing in on our flanks, this has become about the survival of the Federation in her bleakest moment, and Starfleet has urgent need of our expertise and experience if we're to emerge from the bloody conflict with our high-minded values intact, our morality unchallenged. Nine hundred billion lives hang in the balance.
LOU: And where do you think we are, Jean-Luc? Where are we standing, right now? A forgotten land of ancient treasures, arcane knowledge lost to history! All of which might prove to be a potential boon in the fight against the Dominion, if the right people were to salvage it. Who else but you to take charge and lead the way?
PICARD: I'd recommend Mr. Worf — Strategic Operations Officer of Deep Space Nine. I've worked with him before. He's meticulous as he is courageous and can assess the strategic benefits better than any other officer I've served with. He's your man.
LOU: He's already being shuttled over and will be here in two days, but we need, more, than a... seasoned combat veteran to review the military gains. We need the foremost archaeologist of this age, and that's more your forte than Commander Worf's. Remember what Professor Galen told us. Never let a chance to make history —
BOTH: — pass you by.
LOU: Yes, that, exactly, Jean-Luc.
PICARD: Lou, you flatter me, but that is entirely undeserved. I'm afraid the answer will have to be no; we've already long overstayed our welcome, and must return to the front lines. The expedition shall have to make do without the Enterprise. Your own team can handle this. Unless there's more going on here that you're not telling me.
(His friend looks pained.)
LOU: Actually, there is, but I didn't want to do this.
PICARD: Well, whatever you have to say, let's have it, Lou.
LOU: This is a personal request by the President of the Federation passed down the chain of command. It comes from the highest levels and while it's not an order, President Jaresh-Inyo wants you here.
PICARD: But what on Earth for? Why would the President be so adamant to my heading up this command post?
(Lou hesitates before finally speaking.)
LOU: When the Dyson Expedition first set out, we scouted the tunnels for months before we came across the central operation chamber to the whole subterranean complex.
(He nods his head around him, indicating the room.)
LOU: We hooked up into the facility's mainframe and tried downloading. We figured if we could look into the records for this place, we'd have a clearer insight about the Sphere; who built it and why. We're still in the process of deciphering all the information we've accumulated, but it may take years. A percentage of the technology base appears to require a specialized genetic key for access we haven't been able to replicate. But that's for another time.
(And here he starts pacing back and forth nervously.)
LOU: The partial files we'd tracked so far are stored in a portable database. I told you the former expedition leader was able to stop a catastrophic loss of valuable information. I regret to say it's only part of the whole story. The truth was, his actions precipitated a security breach.
PICARD: A security breach?
DATA: Was it caused by the Dominion?
PICARD: Possibly even Changeling infiltrators?
LOU: Nothing quite so outrageous as that. Truthfully, we've been shorthanded thanks to the war, so a substantial number of our staff are voluntary and in some cases entirely mercenary. You have to understand, Starfleet's resources are stretched pretty thin, and extensive background checks are beyond the limited assets we have available. We've done the best we can, but no system is foolproof and we already accepted there were most likely going to be a few things that escaped our sight and fell through the cracks.
PICARD: What happened?
LOU: One of our recent volunteers foolishly triggered the ancient technology while we were sleeping and was lost to it — the next day when we woke up, we found the portable database was purged, wiped completely clean, all our precious files deleted, yet whether this was through accident or design we can't say. Fortunately, Commander Bingham had been feeling too excited by the prospect of new discovery to wait in checking back with the Science Council at the scheduled time, so he sent his preliminary report a day early, which included data backups Starfleet was able to retransmit. If it wasn't for pure, dumb luck, we would have lost our whole database... years of careful study and analysis. We suspect it could have been the last attempt by the volunteer to conceal their destination.
PICARD: Who? Who is he? And what does he have to do with me?
LOU: I'm afraid the volunteer in question is not a "him," in fact, but rather, a "her." A woman that you know quite well, Jean-Luc...
(Picard appears very startled by this news.)
PICARD: Lou, are you saying...?
LOU: Yes, I'm sorry, Jean-Luc. The volunteer was Vash.
PICARD: Stupid, bloody foolish woman! How could you have let her sign on?! Intrigued though she would find herself about the historical ramifications to this place, Vash is a pureblood mercenary through and through! There should have been no doubts she would have seen the potential to turn a tidy profit from your little scientific endeavor.
(Lou actually winces, and hurries on with an explanation.)
LOU: As I said, we don't possess nearly the same capabilities in processing background checks that would otherwise be present and accounted for prior to war, and with many Starfleet vessels scattered through Federation space engaged in battles on a dozen fronts, we had to take what little help we'd received. I'm sorry, Jean-Luc... we never meant for something like this to happen.
(Picard sucks in a deep breath, calming himself.)
PICARD: I apologize for my use of words. They were harsh and uncalled for. But there has to be more than what you're telling me, Lou. Starfleet Command wouldn't recall us merely because Vash and I... because this issue would be important to me. What else do you know about this? All of it, if you please!
(Lou visibly squirms, and sweat runs down his temple.)
LOU: What do you reckon this is, my old friend? What's really going on here? What strategic significance can be gained from the presence of your ship in our little corner of space?
(And it all dawns on Picard.)
PICARD: Of course... that's it, isn't it? This was never about the potential for new discoveries... or archaeology... or even Vash and myself! It's about the fact that the Dyson Sphere is merely a stone's throw away from several key sectors, among those included being the planets that helped form the coalition which founded the Federation, Tellar, Andor, Earth...
LOU: And what else to reassure nervous citizens from those worlds than a surprise appearance by the Enterprise-E?
PICARD: To show the flag, such as it were.
(Lou shrugs helplessly in his place.)
LOU: What can I say? You're absolutely right, Jean-Luc.
(When he speaks next there's a slight disgruntlement to his tone.)
PICARD: You've changed as well, Lou. You've turned into a rather fine politician.
(Lou seems put out.)
LOU: I had orders. You know all that that entails.
(He steps forward, his voice full of conviction.)
LOU: Jean-Luc... since the fall of Betazed there have been rumors about a secret Dominion battle fleet operating in the area, using the gaseous emissions present in the nebulas to cover their tracks. All the reasons you should take command of the team still hold true, Jean-Luc, and quite frankly, we could use you here to protect us if the Dominion does come knocking at our doors. The Dyson Sphere possesses as much advantages to them as it might offer us.
(Picard mulls it over, accepting the point Lou had made.)
LOU: Please, Jean-Luc... please reconsider. You're a damned fine archaeologist, one of the best whom I'd ever known, with all of the command-level experience to back it up, and give the tough calls necessary against the unknown dangers we could run across, if needed.
PICARD: Very well. At least until such time as Vash can be found and the Enterprise can be on her way, I'll honor the President's request, Lou.
(And there's no doubt in his next words.)
PICARD: I accept your proposition to lead the Dyson Expedition.
PICARD: Captain's Log, Stardate 51720.5. There still remains no clue to Vash's whereabouts, or signs of a technical boon to assist in the war effort; nevertheless, my crew will see to their duties with resolve and valor, as I've always known them to.
(Picard is beamed in.)
DATA: Captain. I had not anticipated —
(Captain Picard easily waves off the coming reproach.)
PICARD: Please, don't trouble yourself on my account, Mr. Data.
(From his work area, Worf saunters over to Picard, as well.)
WORF: Captain Picard.
(Picard flashes a beaming smile.)
PICARD: Mr. Worf. It has been too long.
WORF: Likewise, sir. Captain Sisko sends his regards.
PICARD: Hmm, well, that's heartening to know.
(Picard recalls their last encounter.)
DATA: Your scheduled check-in was not set until 1400 hours.
PICARD: Yes, well, I'm entirely aware of that, Mr. Data, but I had decided, where's the harm roaming about in stretching my legs for a jaunt? Besides, Commander Riker will handle the Enterprise quite suitably in my absence.
DATA: As you wish, Captain.
(And Picard joins with Data and Worf.)
PICARD: How far have the two of you advanced?
DATA: It is indeed as Captain Suvall postulated: The total extent of information contained in the download will take years if not decades to decipher through and to categorize all of the accumulated contents. Nevertheless, through employing a fractal decryption algorithm, I believe I have made significant progress.
WORF: If there is a hidden cache of weapons or technical secrets that could help us win the war, we have not found it. It will be a... great challenge, but I am confident in the outcome. We will succeed.
(Picard nods, his gaze drifting.)
PICARD: Keep up the good work, Mr. Data, Mr. Worf.
DATA: If you would prefer, I could present a full recounting —
PICARD: No, no, no need for that Mr. Data. I think I'll, just, um... take a quick stroll about myself — explore more of the structural interior.
DATA: Hm. As you wish, Captain.
(And giving a light patting to Data's shoulder, Picard saunters off, wandering about the innards of the control center, feeling bored with himself, until he comes to a small space set aside, and he taps his combadge.)
PICARD: Picard to Data.
DATA: Go ahead, sir.
PICARD: I've stumbled onto a... sort of alcove that seems to be set apart from the main area for the Sphere's center of operations.
(He moves closer toward the end of the small room.)
DATA: Yes, there are similar such apparatus alcoves scattered throughout dozens of corridor intersections at a radius of several hundred kilometers into the facility's lower levels, but the reasons to the precise geographical layout has eluded the Dyson Expedition, and I myself have yet to identify correlative parameters imbedded into the framework.
(And as Picard approaches, lights blink on while two inlaid door panels suddenly swoosh open, revealing an enclosed section in the alcove.)
PICARD: Extraordinary...
DATA: Captain?
(Picard pokes further into the enclosure.)
PICARD: Mr. Data, I find it curiously remiss that your report never made any mention of a concealed crawlspace within the alcove.
DATA: (puzzled) Because there is not one.
(And as he steps in, the doors shut, closing Picard inside.)
DATA: Captain, to what is the nature for this query?
(To their surprise, Picard doesn't answer.)
DATA: Captain?
WORF: Captain Picard!
(Reacting to this, Data now tracks his tricorder readings to the last spot where Captain Picard's biothermal signature had registered, with Worf following in tow. Approaching the doorway, it refuses to open similarly as it had for Picard, leaving them both flummoxed.)
DATA: Captain!
WORF: Where could the Captain have gone?!
(Elsewhere, Picard emerges from a pair of sliding doors on the other side, in a medium-sized room of tri-crossed circular spaces, and within is a rounded archway and a flat-disced console, situated at the dead center of each space beside the third, where he stands.)
PICARD: Remarkable. Mr. Data, it would appear the crawlspace functions in the same fashion as one of our transporter pads.
(Silence.)
PICARD: Commander Data, respond.
(Still silence answers his calls.)
PICARD: Mr. Worf!
SUMMARY
Meeting with Maois, Picard interacts with the holographic interface. Learning the room has a jamming frequency being emitted, and that the transporter cubicle only responds to those with this Ancient gene, Picard, with assistance from the Maois hologram, uses the console to have the jammer field lifted and Data beamed in to help him research the database. Picard deduces that Maois is actually the earlier name to the later derivation of Moses, and this room was built as a relay station to access the foldstream matrix in the Ancients' role as Gatekeepers to the Belkan Empire, with the first model Astria Portia built (the Stargate seen on board the Destiny class ship) to serve this role, and this place being an Astria Icon, the center of the network.
Following the loss of their war with the Wraith, however, and knowing their time was finished, the Lanteans evacuated to Earth, though a few traveled throughout the foldspace universe, settling in various realities across the foldstream. At that point, a subspace signal was sent out to disable the use of the first model Astria Portia, and they waited for the inevitable end. Many Ascended, a few retreated into their technological bastions, and some attempted to blend in with early humanity. Further analysis and probing of the Maois avatar as well as several holographic engrams stored within the computer buffer yields a surprise revelation that the foldspace universe mentioned by Maois extends past the cyclic collapse-rebirth of the universe in the distant future and out into other iterations warped off along the foldstream, placing an exact age for the first iteration they occupy at 840 trillion years with the six iterations in the foldstream matrix spawned off over a period of 140 trillion years to the universal collapse-rebirth process.
Further investigation leads them to learn the Stargate network is powered by the solar radiation of the star within the Dyson Sphere. Thus, the Starfleet team is able to dial out, to the Planet Mars within the fifth foldspace iteration. First, however, they send an atmospheric probe, finding conditions tolerable for human life, and enabling a direct two-way communication through the Stargate by use of their subspace transmissions, leading them to deduce it is a machine able to generate a stable wormhole vortex. The Earth Alliance scientists who had boxed up the Stargate on their side, unable to ever get it working, are drawn to the room due to the seismic disturbance and are completely floored by the voice coming from the bright glow of the shimmering substance that appears like liquid. The team of scientists lose their head and thus invite the Starfleet team to their universe. The admiral on the monitor overseeing the experiment orders Picard and the away team to comply with their wishes. The justification is to make new allies that they need for the Dominion War, though possibly this is Kerrigan using one of her mind-controlled minions to tie up a loose end.
Thus, the Federation beams in a shuttle small enough to travel through the Stargate. Riker, in his dutiful role as first officer, refuses to allow Captain Picard to lead the away team, and so brings Data and two additional security grunts to ride the foldstream to another reality. Picard wishes him luck, slightly envious of Riker. However, once on the other side, the Gate then shuts off, and doesn't immediately turn back on, to their shock, as they expected it to stay activated, which is when Earthforce Security Corps grunts storm in, leading into a shootout that claims the lives of the two redshirts. The abashed scientists are forced to admit to the state of Earth on their side, leading to a renewed sense of urgency to dial the Gate and wondering why Starfleet hasn't already done so. Data, however, reminds him that due to these uncertain time variables, as in relative terms, since they are more than eight hundred trillion years into their own "future," Starfleet might have already tried and failed to. At this point, more Earthforce grunts stomp in, and since the team is completely outnumbered, and with a surrender demanded, Riker has no choice but to go along with their demands.
Riker is brought before William and interrogated. He makes no bones to the reason they need him, which is to activate their shuttle to which Data has locked out just prior to their seizure. Riker murmurs, "Really? How terrible for you." Put bluntly, they want the technology, that while the superluminal propulsion is markedly inferior to the technology that they possess, the transporter, the replicator, and shielding technology more than makes up for that, and would allow the Earth Alliance to put their many long-term projects into operation. Riker stubbornly refuses to negotiate, commenting that these humans haven't yet mastered the base impulses to which his own people had advanced beyond centuries prior. William admits it's unfortunate, but out of his hands. Then Riker is removed from the room and brought before a Psi Cop, possibly even Bester himself...
Back on the Dyson Sphere, however, a day has passed since the team went missing. Attempts to dial in have failed, since while the wormhole connects, they have received no telemetry from the atmospheric probe and no communication back despite their repeated inquiries. However, they have uncovered new records in the database to assist them in the search — finding out that more than a few apertures on the outer shell of the Sphere, which they speculated were entry and exit terminals for passing starships, in fact resemble stable wormhole generators similar to the one the away team went through. And so, the Dyson Expedition has one of them activated, to which Captain Picard decides to take the Enterprise through in search of Riker and the away team. Possibly this is Kerrigan using the admiral to approve their rescue mission with the intent that once she has leaked Captain Sisko's deception to the whole of the Alpha Quadrant, the Dyson Expedition can be shut down to deal with the escalating war, given that she wants to keep the monopoly on her foldspace ambitions with the Stargate she's rigged up near a black hole or planet with intense solar activity.
That said, the Enterprises-E emerges at the wrong entry point, as waiting for their sensor array to reboot pinpoints their destination at within the third foldspace iteration, although curiously, they appear to have traveled to a century in a close proximity to their own, prompting Captain Picard to wonder whether there's some order to the transitions across the foldstream matrix. Back in the fifth iteration, operatives for the Mars Resistance now assault the Earthforce strongholds and rescue Riker and Data from Clark's lackeys. Waking up back in a subterranean cavern, Number Two derides Data's mechanical nature, when suddenly in marches Number One, leader of the Mars Resistance. (This chapter could effectively be titled "Number One to Number One.") Number One explains rumor reached them through their Earth Alliance contacts and the science team who witnessed the event, so they decided to mount a rescue. When Riker thanks her, Number One scornfully insists it wasn't for them, so much as if Earthforce couldn't get this shuttle they arrived in back to working order, there was no chance for them, and leads into her next point, as she notes the superior technology that they possess, making Riker the offer to assist them retrieve the Stargate should they loan them the use of this shuttle in the struggle against the Earth, with their shuttle, she asserts, Mars could truly win its independence.
Riker balks at this idea, as interfering in the internal affairs of other groups is strictly prohibited by Prime Directive of Starfleet Command. Number One grows exasperated, stating quite confidently that without them, there's no hope to grab the Stargate and hopefully return home. Even if the others came through the same way they did, it's now under heavy lock and key, preparing to be moved to a more secure facility so that Clark's toadies could study it more thoroughly. They will never get another opportunity like this and any further breach will result in more of their people being captured. Riker is torn, for while this Earth isn't a pre-warp society in the more rigid sense, they may very well resemble one in many aspects, the paranoia and senseless conflict among other humans. Number One senses his hesitation and offers a trade-off, that if he assists them in an operation which sheds minimal blood and they personally oversee, they help them to retrieve the Stargate. Riker asks her to give him time to think it over.
Back in the third iteration, Picard and his group soon realize they are going to have to find the control center for this Sphere in order to dial to another foldspace iteration in their attempt to retrieve their missing officers. However, while beamed down, a party of ONI officers witness them and also see Picard activate some of the relic technology. To this end, they pull their guns on the away team and start issuing demands, as they have been marooned here for a long time, and seek an escape off the Sphere. Picard offers them use of the Enterprise in free passage back to their space. However, the ONI party figure he's too useful with his ability to trigger the Ancient technology, insisting he remain behind to help them unlock it, while they take Geordi and the rest of the away team back as hostages onboard his vessel, given that they've deduced quite clearly his organization doesn't hail from this reality and from the archaeological markings left behind, they know the purpose behind the Sphere was an interdimensional hub. Picard denies they're the Sphere Builders, but the ONI faction is dead set, and thus they have no choice but to comply. Prior to beam-up, their second-in-command reactivates the AI construct they have with them, which had long been shut down out of a fear of cascade rampancy, now feeling it to be worth the risk.
Once on board the Enterprise, ONI is shocked to find their weapons have vanished, and security takes them into custody. The ONI second-in-command breaks towards the nearest computer terminal, security is briefly distracted by the ONI goons fighting back, but once they are all put down, they find it was too late, as the ONI agent was able to finish his goal and suddenly the lights flicker as the systems go out, but once they reactivate, the crew report the Enterprise-E, shockingly, is pulling away, outside their navigation... they've lost control! Down below, ONI lets Picard know they've uploaded an AI construct into their computers and demand that he keep working, because when they return it will be with reinforcements. The unconscious ONI agents are sent down to the brig while the Starfleet officers keep trying to restore computer control and find themselves obstructed. Soon after, the first ONI goon to wake up presses the AI, Selione, on whether or not she's gone rampant, and she declares she hasn't. A few hours have passed as it's taken her that long to bypass the omnipresent ship computer brain. The ONI second-in-command questions her if there's anything in the ship that may help them fight a war against the Covenant. Selione responds in affirmative and so they ask her to fly them back to Earth, which is dozens of light-years away. Selione agrees to their course of action. As they leave she sifts through Starfleet log entries and the computer database and so is able to enhance the ship's warp engines, to get them back home faster — much to ONI's delight when she reports back. At that, she drops the force shield and allows them access outside the brig, triggering a wave field that deactivates all shipboard weapons except those pilfered from the brig security ONI has overpowered.
Back in the fifth iteration, Riker agrees to Number One's proposal. He asks first why they can't just retrieve the Gate and shuttle at the same time, but the other Number One nixes that idea as they are both being held at separate facilities, quite a distance from one another, and with minimal security, it's the choice time. Riker flirts a little with Number One, but she rebuffs his advance. Number One asks to what the range for their transportation technology is and when Riker tells her, Number One admits this can be done. Using their stun weapons (phasers, Riker corrects her), it should work without a hitch, yet they only possess two and the others are back at the home base with the shuttle. The plan is to storm the complex the shuttle is being held in, assisted by the guilt-ridden scientists, grab their other phaser weapons, and then fight their way into the shuttle where they will beam the Earthforce personnel out of the room, beam the rest of their tools back in, beam the Stargate to one of the underground bases for their Mars Resistance, and then raise the shuttle's shields as they blast their way out of the complex. Luckily the science facility doesn't host a significant crew complement, for this will breach the dome, exposing them to the Martian atmosphere. Riker agrees, but adds a stipulation that they beam the Earthforce officers to a safe location. He won't have opponents killed in a war he knows little about. While this infuriates Number One, she allows it.
Meanwhile, ONI has managed to seize sections of the ship, including the bridge, as more systems fail. The self-destruct was attempted and failed. On the way to Earth, however, news comes in of UNSC distress signals, as it appears the Covenant is now attacking Reach. Given their proximity to the planet — they could be there in a little under six hours — ONI diverts the Starfleet vessel to the planet by Selione. Troi is held captive on the bridge, with the bridge personnel around her stunned to serve as hostages, and Geordi running around the halls trying to put a plan in motion to retake their ship, although he feels overwhelmed and this becomes very telling when Selione is able to jury-rig a metaphasic shield merely from poring over Starfleet log entries and their computer mainframe. He still doesn't give up, though. Selione reports that their metaphasic shield will be a boon against Covenant plasma weapons.
Back in the fifth iteration, the operation goes off exactly as it had been planned out. On the way out Number One informs Riker to the mission she wanted from them, which is to beam food and medical supplies to the Resistance bases. Riker agrees since providing them with material help far outweighs the potential for military action. They also beam up atmospheric suits, given that there's no way they can land the shuttle anywhere in the Mars Resistance's bases, so they are going to have to land someplace in the Martian desert, an isolated region to avoid being picked up by orbital scans, and lock out the controls again while hiking back to the Resistance bases. Data volunteers to stay with the shuttle, which Riker agrees to, figuring there will be need for more negotiation once they return to the Mars Rebels.
In the third iteration, Picard tricks the ONI thugs and dives through the Stargate, hoping to return back home to the first iteration and to secure reinforcements to bring back to the Dyson Sphere in the third foldspace iteration, but this fails and he winds up off course. The ONI thugs also follow him, threatening him with their weapons, but at that moment, a wise and serene figure glides up to them, sensing the dark side and a disturbance in the Force, as Luke gently requests that they lay down their weapons, this isn't the way, they can mediate whatever shadow ails their souls. When they turn their weapons on him, the Jedi merely levitates them away, much to the shock of those present. Luke then asks again they rethink their choices, and the ONI thugs run. Still flabbergasted, Luke calmly walks up to Picard, and introduces himself. Picard does the same thing. And with the tricorder, he's able to deduce that while he has really returned to the first iteration in the foldstream matrix, his accuracy was off; he has traveled several billion light-years and a couple of billion years off course. He's living in his own past in a distant galaxy!
Back in the third foldspace iteration, the Enterprise-E drops out of warp and charges headlong into battle against the Covenant, launching shuttles for use as mobile tactical nuclear weapon transports with their transporter technology. The AI plugged into the Enterprise-E, Selione, is able to take out a dozen Covenant warships, much to the fascination and horror of Troi and the smug delight for the ONI agents. In the due course of battle, however, something goes wrong as the ship turns and makes a beeline out of the system, heading back to warp. ONI objects, which fall on deaf ears, as Selione now shows definite signs of cascade rampancy. ONI pieces it together that Selione's trajectory brings them to Earth, while dragging an entire Covenant fleet behind her! Troi finds it interesting that a parallel Earth should exist this far into the future of the eerie foldstream matrix at more than 800 trillion years, but there's little time to dwell on this as ONI makes demands that Troi assist them unplug Selione. Troi outright refuses, even rubbing it into their faces a bit on how their plan didn't quite work out how they thought. The ONI minions deflate them a bit when they declare this will lead to the death of everybody on the Earth native to this reality. At that, Troi decides to help out, not wanting to see so many humans get killed, while secretly she is coordinating with Geordi.
While Riker agrees to help the Mars Resistance in a limited form in the fifth foldspace iteration, rescuing prisoners and other indirect aid, Data is given time to study the Stargate near the shuttle. Back in the first iteration, Picard is aghast at the idea of interfering in history, though a close scan reveals a quantum flux that extends deep into the subspace layers, demonstrating that this reality runs parallel to his own, and any action he takes won't influence the outcome of events. Luke and Picard take the time to discuss matters. Luke finds Picard fascinating, as well as this notion of parallel realities. Luke reveals how in all the time they had operated the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin IV, they hadn't encountered a machine like the Stargate before. Picard explains his whole story, that when they were poking through the Dyson Sphere they'd inadvertently reactivated the foldspace Stargate network, which had been shut down for eons. Picard feels humbled by the repercussions, daunted from the implications, but because they did this, they need to take ownership of it. Right now, though, all he wants is to get home, and find his missing crew. Picard reasons there must be a Dyson Sphere in this universe as there was one in the third iteration. Luke offers to take him to the New Republic Senate on Coruscant to plead his case before the government and Picard agrees, as the two head out.
Back in the third iteration, the Starfleet officers have set their plan into motion. At the same time the Enterprise emerges from warp and starts firing on the nearby ODPs. While there are 300 ODPs, less than a third are at operational capacity as it would take another month to get them into full working condition. Thus, Fleet Admiral Hood calls in the UNSC Home Fleet to engage enemy forces. The battle goes poorly as it looks the Covenant might eventually win the day until Geordi implements his plan, which is a virus that completely disables the ship. The ONI goons are incensed, thinking they've just doomed Earth and themselves, and that they've robbed Earth of their only chance of victory, but while Troi was stalling them on the bridge, Geordi's been busy puttering with the replicators on one of the few remaining shuttles left in the bays to turn them into makeshift transporters, and before Troi is shot, he has these ONI thugs beamed into one of the ODPs, which is soon blown up after. However, not wanting Earth to be destroyed, even in a parallel reality, he begins beaming out photon warheads to try to disable the Covenant ships, not destroy them, though the makeshift replicators short-circuit quickly. And with Geordi realizing the battle will be decided long before he can restore main systems, he concludes it's out of their hands.
Meanwhile, Luke has taken Picard to Coruscant, where he makes his impassioned appeal to the New Republic Senate. That said, they aren't terribly receptive to his request. Afterwards, Leia and Han come up to him. Han says he could check with his more unsavory contacts to hunt down this Dyson Sphere. Picard is hesitant, but accepts once told there will be no murder or unscrupulous actions, even offering the use of the Falcon to get him home to his native reality. Leia adds the potential for understanding and cultural exchange can't be ignored, to which Picard agrees.
Here.
TRANSCRIPTS
PICARD: Captain's Log, Stardate 51718.7. The Enterprise has been recalled from the front lines in a new mission Starfleet Command has deemed of stupendous importance for the future of the Federation, which returns me and my crew to an old stomping ground, one to which I had thought never to return.
DATA: We're approaching the designated coordinates, Captain.
PICARD: Bring us out of warp, Mr. Data, and drop us down to half impulse speed.
DATA: Aye, Captain.
(And into view comes the Dyson Sphere, where Picard is wistfully reminded of his older explorer days, before the Dominion War.)
PICARD: Magnificent. Now this sure brings back memories.
RIKER: It looks much the same as it did five years ago.
PICARD: Indeed, Number One, always quite a sight.
TROI: Have the science ships that Starfleet Command left behind made any headway into studying the Dyson Sphere?
(And into view now soar two Oberth-class ships.)
RIKER: Something tells me we're about to find that out.
PICARD: Full stop, Commander. Hailing frequencies.
KNIGHTLY: Aye, sir. Hailing frequencies opened.
(And on the screen appears an older man.)
LOU: Ah, there you are, Jean-Luc! I was wondering when you'd get into this neck of the woods, we've been waiting nearly three days.
(A happily surprised grin now appears on Picard's face.)
PICARD: Lou! It's marvelous to see you again, my old friend.
LOU: Likewise, Jean-Luc. Wasn't expecting to see me, eh?
PICARD: It's certainly been a while, hasn't it?
LOU: Not since the diplomatic conference on Beldon Prime.
PICARD: Where Ambassador Shurok had to be recalled due to breach in protocols. He was rather... disruptive for a Romulan, wasn't he?
LOU: Not half as disruptive as the Cardassians were.
PICARD: So, Lou, if you'd pardon me for asking...
LOU: You'd like to know why you've been brought back.
PICARD: (wryly) If it wouldn't be too much trouble?
LOU: Follow me, and I'll show you, old friend.
KNIGHTLY: The Eratosthenes is relaying a set of coordinates to us, Captain... it seems they want us to follow them inside the Dyson Sphere.
(Consternation now dawns among the command staff.)
RIKER: I would advise against that, Captain. Remember what happened the last time we tried.
(Picard slowly nods his own agreement.)
PICARD: Yes, I'm inclined to agree, Number One. Lou, what —?
LOU: I know what you're going to say, Jean-Luc, but give me a chance to speak my piece, ya old baron, before you jump to any conclusions.
PICARD: Go ahead, Lou. I'm listening.
LOU: Now, what you need to do is reset your subspace differential generator across an inverse broad-spectrum quantum resonance field with harmonic oscillating properties, and the excessive power feedback will be diffused along your shield grid capacitors. Far smoother sailing than the last time you were in the area.
PICARD: I see... very well. Mr. Data, comply with Captain Suvall's orders, and if all goes according to plan, we'll see you inside the Sphere.
(The screen blinks out, and Picard returns to his chair.)
PICARD: Ensign, set a course for the specified coordinates and keep the Eratosthenes in visual range. Proceed at one-quarter impulse.
ENSIGN: Yes, sir! Engaging impulse drive.
(And the Enterprise banks down into a tight course aft of the Eratosthenes, following them in closer to their destination.)
DATA: Approaching the nearest access aperture.
PICARD: Bring us to a full stop, Commander.
(Standing upright, Picard moves forward and tugs firm upon his shirt.)
PICARD: Signal the Eratosthenes... we're ready whenever they are.
KNIGHTLY: Signaling Eratosthenes... you may proceed with your maneuver. Take us in.
RIKER: Here we go. Everybody hang on!
(And like before as the hatch opens up the piloting beams grab onto the two ships and start pulling them in, while the red alert klaxons wail.)
RIKER: Data, report!
DATA: The EM resonance frequency of the piloting beams is being redirected throughout the subspace flow distribution and dissipating harmlessly across the graviton field — the shields remain at 93%.
PICARD: Maintain your efforts, Mr. Data. We're going in.
(And soon the two ships are led inside the Sphere.)
DATA: We have been released from the automated piloting beams.
PICARD: Stand down the red alert. Status report, Commander.
DATA: USS Pythagoras is holding station at one hundred thousand kilometers off our port bow. Reinitializing impulse drive. Enterprise is now free and clear to proceed heading on your discretion. Orders?
PICARD: Well, we certainly want to avoid that star. Lay us in an elliptical orbit circumnavigating the coronasphere, Mr. Data.
DATA: Yes, Captain. Setting course.
(And the tactical console starts chiming.)
KNIGHTLY: Eratosthenes is hailing us.
PICARD: Patch it through, Commander Knightly.
DATA: Compensating for electromagnetic interference.
(And onto the screen pops the image of Lou again.)
LOU: You still hanging around with us, Jean-Luc?
(Picard fixes his friend with a bemused stare.)
PICARD: Quite the wild ride, Lou.
LOU: Captain, gentlemen, welcome to the Dyson Sphere, Part 2.
(Picard and his officers walk down the corridors.)
RIKER: I'm still not sure about this, Captain.
PICARD: They've had the ruins mapped for the last year and a half. If there were any dangers about the area they would have found them by this juncture, Number One.
RIKER: What about the radiation from that star?
DATA: I have plotted out a trajectory that only brings you past the corona of the star every 12.5 solar hours, and Enterprise still retains main power. That is more than a sufficient timeframe to recharge the shield emitters at the far end of orbit, and if a supplementary power source is required then the option is available to reroute the warp engines to power the shield grid directly.
(Both officers give him a look, so that Data shuts up.)
RIKER: I'm also not entirely clear what Captain Suvall wants from you, sir.
(Picard shrugs, feeling the same way.)
PICARD: Oh, neither am I. Though he said it was the archaeological find of the millennium. How could I let such a chance pass me by?
RIKER: It still might be prudent to take security with you, sir.
PICARD: Will... please do me a favor while I'm gone.
RIKER: Of course, sir. Name it.
PICARD: Relax. They've had the Federation base camp set up for a year now, but if it puts your mind at ease, keep a transporter lock on us and you can beam us back at anytime. Though I hardly suspect Captain Suvall has an ulterior agenda behind all of this.
(Riker inclines his head, accepting the order.)
RIKER: Whatever you say, Captain.
(Stepping onto the transporter pad, Picard smiles at him.)
PICARD: Besides, there's over a thousand Starfleet personnel working down there. What are the chances anything will go wrong? Energize.
(And the two disappear in a flash of blue light.)
RIKER: I wish he hadn't said that.
(The two materialize on the surface, and feeling surprised from the abundant plant life, Data pulls out a tricorder, taking readings on the surrounding environment before reporting what he learned back to Picard.)
DATA: Fascinating... although the primary of the Sphere exhibits intense luminosity and lengthened bursts of coronal mass expulsions, the indigenous plant life and corresponding weather patterns appear to remain relatively undisturbed from such disruptions. In fact, tricorder scans reveal low levels of oxygenated content similar to that of the Cretaceous Period in Earth history.
PICARD: But how is that possible, Mr. Data?
DATA: Perhaps the designers built failsafes into their technology.
(And before their eyes another blue flash materializes Lou.)
LOU: There you are, Jean-Luc! Made it in record time.
(The two approach and firmly grasp one another's arms.)
PICARD: Well, Lou, it seems you've done very well for yourself.
LOU: Likewise, Jean-Luc. And you must be the famous Lieutenant-Commander Data. I've heard nothing but good things about you.
(He offers a handshake. Data respectfully returns it.)
DATA: I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Suvall.
LOU: Please, Data... would it be okay if I call you Data?
DATA: (matter-of-factly) That is my name.
LOU: You can do away with that "Mr. Suvall" nonsense. I haven't been "Mr. Suvall" since I was a young courier in the Diplomatic Corps. It's Lou, if you please, Data.
DATA: I shall endeavor to comply with your request, Lou.
LOU: Excellent! Do that, and we'll get along splendidly.
PICARD: Lou, you'll forgive me making this a personal inquiry, but I am still in the dark to what it is we're doing here. Orders were a little vague, but Starfleet Command said that this was a mission that had profound implications for the future of the Federation.
LOU: And so it does. Come, see for yourself, Jean-Luc, Data.
(And they begin heading down toward a cavern entrance.)
PICARD: I was under the impression the expedition would be exploring the surface region of the habitable zone, but I couldn't make out any signs of the base camp.
DATA: For that matter, the initial scans we performed five years ago gave no indications of subterranean structures or other clues to former occupation. All we were able to ascertain was that the designers had abandoned it at some point prior to our arrival.
LOU: And you'd be correct! However... gander your eyes on this.
(And they emerge out into the lower levels of an open space built as some sort of base nerve center of alien design with computer consoles scattered about and expedition members moving slowly through the small underground area, taking readings.)
PICARD: (amazed) My word.
DATA: Truly remarkable.
(The three walk down the steps into the bunker.)
LOU: Took us three years to figure out how to overcome the issues posed by the access terminals, but once that was sorted out we were able to run very thorough seismic scans. It wasn't until the sixth or seventh pass that we made out a series of interlocking tunnel networks that circled the length of the outer shell; some five, ten kilometers in diameter. It's a virtual hub of habitats, honeycombed throughout the Sphere, and composed of solid neutronium alloys.
(Data and Captain Picard exchange a knowing glance with each other.)
LOU: That's why you weren't able to pick them up during the initial survey — you both know the havoc neutronium plays on sensors.
PICARD: Yes, indeed, that would certainly explain a few things.
DATA: Has your team made success in uncovering any information as to who might have been responsible for building the Dyson Sphere?
PICARD: And if so, to what end?
(Lou shakes his head.)
LOU: No, that's still something of a mystery. The technology here's light-years ahead of us or anything else we've ever discovered. Early projections estimate we could spend a hundred years mapping out the interior of the Dyson Sphere and still have only scraped one-tenth of all the secrets that this place holds. But, lookie here.
(And here Lou leads them over to a small table.)
LOU: We recovered a few artifacts in the eight months we've been combing over the ruins. As you can see, ah, this is all we found.
(Data picks up a small object and turns it over in his hands.)
DATA: It appears to be a remote interface device.
LOU: For sure — we'd sussed that all out by ourselves.
PICARD: (stunned) Impossible... these markings... they look to resemble an early Italic script... or some variation of Etruscan consonants...
LOU: Thought that'd get your attention.
PICARD: But Lou, how can this be?
LOU: Well, that's a bit tricky, but best we can hypothesize, whoever the builders for the Dyson Sphere might have been, they probably had a hand in influencing the development of early civilizations on Earth.
DATA: There are other precedents that would support the theory, Captain.
PICARD: Simply breathtaking... and yet, Lou, for all the intriguing possibility this raises, surely this alone wasn't the cause for diverting the Enterprise off the front lines and pulling us away from the war effort.
(Lou shakes his head.)
LOU: Boy, you've changed, Jean-Luc; there was a time that nothing could've pried you from a good mystery, come hell or high water.
PICARD: That was then, and this is now. Over a dozen planets are depending on our choices, Lou, and with the quadrant embroiled in a battle for its very soul, we have to make priorities. And matters of intellectual, historical, and personal curiosity, however thought-provoking they may turn out to be, have to take second seat.
LOU: Then maybe this will convince you. There was an incident... recently and the commander of the expedition was able to prevent a loss of invaluable scientific data. The cost to our research efforts would have been... incalculable. His show of foresight got him promoted to Chairman of the Federation Science Council, and now the Dyson Expedition lacks leadership. I've spoken with Starfleet Command on this, and they think that's you. All this, every archaeological secret you could ever dream up... it's yours, Jean-Luc, out there waiting for the taking.
PICARD: Lou... haven't you been listening to me? Even if I were inclined, I couldn't possibly accept! With the fall of Betazed and the Dominion closing in on our flanks, this has become about the survival of the Federation in her bleakest moment, and Starfleet has urgent need of our expertise and experience if we're to emerge from the bloody conflict with our high-minded values intact, our morality unchallenged. Nine hundred billion lives hang in the balance.
LOU: And where do you think we are, Jean-Luc? Where are we standing, right now? A forgotten land of ancient treasures, arcane knowledge lost to history! All of which might prove to be a potential boon in the fight against the Dominion, if the right people were to salvage it. Who else but you to take charge and lead the way?
PICARD: I'd recommend Mr. Worf — Strategic Operations Officer of Deep Space Nine. I've worked with him before. He's meticulous as he is courageous and can assess the strategic benefits better than any other officer I've served with. He's your man.
LOU: He's already being shuttled over and will be here in two days, but we need, more, than a... seasoned combat veteran to review the military gains. We need the foremost archaeologist of this age, and that's more your forte than Commander Worf's. Remember what Professor Galen told us. Never let a chance to make history —
BOTH: — pass you by.
LOU: Yes, that, exactly, Jean-Luc.
PICARD: Lou, you flatter me, but that is entirely undeserved. I'm afraid the answer will have to be no; we've already long overstayed our welcome, and must return to the front lines. The expedition shall have to make do without the Enterprise. Your own team can handle this. Unless there's more going on here that you're not telling me.
(His friend looks pained.)
LOU: Actually, there is, but I didn't want to do this.
PICARD: Well, whatever you have to say, let's have it, Lou.
LOU: This is a personal request by the President of the Federation passed down the chain of command. It comes from the highest levels and while it's not an order, President Jaresh-Inyo wants you here.
PICARD: But what on Earth for? Why would the President be so adamant to my heading up this command post?
(Lou hesitates before finally speaking.)
LOU: When the Dyson Expedition first set out, we scouted the tunnels for months before we came across the central operation chamber to the whole subterranean complex.
(He nods his head around him, indicating the room.)
LOU: We hooked up into the facility's mainframe and tried downloading. We figured if we could look into the records for this place, we'd have a clearer insight about the Sphere; who built it and why. We're still in the process of deciphering all the information we've accumulated, but it may take years. A percentage of the technology base appears to require a specialized genetic key for access we haven't been able to replicate. But that's for another time.
(And here he starts pacing back and forth nervously.)
LOU: The partial files we'd tracked so far are stored in a portable database. I told you the former expedition leader was able to stop a catastrophic loss of valuable information. I regret to say it's only part of the whole story. The truth was, his actions precipitated a security breach.
PICARD: A security breach?
DATA: Was it caused by the Dominion?
PICARD: Possibly even Changeling infiltrators?
LOU: Nothing quite so outrageous as that. Truthfully, we've been shorthanded thanks to the war, so a substantial number of our staff are voluntary and in some cases entirely mercenary. You have to understand, Starfleet's resources are stretched pretty thin, and extensive background checks are beyond the limited assets we have available. We've done the best we can, but no system is foolproof and we already accepted there were most likely going to be a few things that escaped our sight and fell through the cracks.
PICARD: What happened?
LOU: One of our recent volunteers foolishly triggered the ancient technology while we were sleeping and was lost to it — the next day when we woke up, we found the portable database was purged, wiped completely clean, all our precious files deleted, yet whether this was through accident or design we can't say. Fortunately, Commander Bingham had been feeling too excited by the prospect of new discovery to wait in checking back with the Science Council at the scheduled time, so he sent his preliminary report a day early, which included data backups Starfleet was able to retransmit. If it wasn't for pure, dumb luck, we would have lost our whole database... years of careful study and analysis. We suspect it could have been the last attempt by the volunteer to conceal their destination.
PICARD: Who? Who is he? And what does he have to do with me?
LOU: I'm afraid the volunteer in question is not a "him," in fact, but rather, a "her." A woman that you know quite well, Jean-Luc...
(Picard appears very startled by this news.)
PICARD: Lou, are you saying...?
LOU: Yes, I'm sorry, Jean-Luc. The volunteer was Vash.
PICARD: Stupid, bloody foolish woman! How could you have let her sign on?! Intrigued though she would find herself about the historical ramifications to this place, Vash is a pureblood mercenary through and through! There should have been no doubts she would have seen the potential to turn a tidy profit from your little scientific endeavor.
(Lou actually winces, and hurries on with an explanation.)
LOU: As I said, we don't possess nearly the same capabilities in processing background checks that would otherwise be present and accounted for prior to war, and with many Starfleet vessels scattered through Federation space engaged in battles on a dozen fronts, we had to take what little help we'd received. I'm sorry, Jean-Luc... we never meant for something like this to happen.
(Picard sucks in a deep breath, calming himself.)
PICARD: I apologize for my use of words. They were harsh and uncalled for. But there has to be more than what you're telling me, Lou. Starfleet Command wouldn't recall us merely because Vash and I... because this issue would be important to me. What else do you know about this? All of it, if you please!
(Lou visibly squirms, and sweat runs down his temple.)
LOU: What do you reckon this is, my old friend? What's really going on here? What strategic significance can be gained from the presence of your ship in our little corner of space?
(And it all dawns on Picard.)
PICARD: Of course... that's it, isn't it? This was never about the potential for new discoveries... or archaeology... or even Vash and myself! It's about the fact that the Dyson Sphere is merely a stone's throw away from several key sectors, among those included being the planets that helped form the coalition which founded the Federation, Tellar, Andor, Earth...
LOU: And what else to reassure nervous citizens from those worlds than a surprise appearance by the Enterprise-E?
PICARD: To show the flag, such as it were.
(Lou shrugs helplessly in his place.)
LOU: What can I say? You're absolutely right, Jean-Luc.
(When he speaks next there's a slight disgruntlement to his tone.)
PICARD: You've changed as well, Lou. You've turned into a rather fine politician.
(Lou seems put out.)
LOU: I had orders. You know all that that entails.
(He steps forward, his voice full of conviction.)
LOU: Jean-Luc... since the fall of Betazed there have been rumors about a secret Dominion battle fleet operating in the area, using the gaseous emissions present in the nebulas to cover their tracks. All the reasons you should take command of the team still hold true, Jean-Luc, and quite frankly, we could use you here to protect us if the Dominion does come knocking at our doors. The Dyson Sphere possesses as much advantages to them as it might offer us.
(Picard mulls it over, accepting the point Lou had made.)
LOU: Please, Jean-Luc... please reconsider. You're a damned fine archaeologist, one of the best whom I'd ever known, with all of the command-level experience to back it up, and give the tough calls necessary against the unknown dangers we could run across, if needed.
PICARD: Very well. At least until such time as Vash can be found and the Enterprise can be on her way, I'll honor the President's request, Lou.
(And there's no doubt in his next words.)
PICARD: I accept your proposition to lead the Dyson Expedition.
PICARD: Captain's Log, Stardate 51720.5. There still remains no clue to Vash's whereabouts, or signs of a technical boon to assist in the war effort; nevertheless, my crew will see to their duties with resolve and valor, as I've always known them to.
(Picard is beamed in.)
DATA: Captain. I had not anticipated —
(Captain Picard easily waves off the coming reproach.)
PICARD: Please, don't trouble yourself on my account, Mr. Data.
(From his work area, Worf saunters over to Picard, as well.)
WORF: Captain Picard.
(Picard flashes a beaming smile.)
PICARD: Mr. Worf. It has been too long.
WORF: Likewise, sir. Captain Sisko sends his regards.
PICARD: Hmm, well, that's heartening to know.
(Picard recalls their last encounter.)
DATA: Your scheduled check-in was not set until 1400 hours.
PICARD: Yes, well, I'm entirely aware of that, Mr. Data, but I had decided, where's the harm roaming about in stretching my legs for a jaunt? Besides, Commander Riker will handle the Enterprise quite suitably in my absence.
DATA: As you wish, Captain.
(And Picard joins with Data and Worf.)
PICARD: How far have the two of you advanced?
DATA: It is indeed as Captain Suvall postulated: The total extent of information contained in the download will take years if not decades to decipher through and to categorize all of the accumulated contents. Nevertheless, through employing a fractal decryption algorithm, I believe I have made significant progress.
WORF: If there is a hidden cache of weapons or technical secrets that could help us win the war, we have not found it. It will be a... great challenge, but I am confident in the outcome. We will succeed.
(Picard nods, his gaze drifting.)
PICARD: Keep up the good work, Mr. Data, Mr. Worf.
DATA: If you would prefer, I could present a full recounting —
PICARD: No, no, no need for that Mr. Data. I think I'll, just, um... take a quick stroll about myself — explore more of the structural interior.
DATA: Hm. As you wish, Captain.
(And giving a light patting to Data's shoulder, Picard saunters off, wandering about the innards of the control center, feeling bored with himself, until he comes to a small space set aside, and he taps his combadge.)
PICARD: Picard to Data.
DATA: Go ahead, sir.
PICARD: I've stumbled onto a... sort of alcove that seems to be set apart from the main area for the Sphere's center of operations.
(He moves closer toward the end of the small room.)
DATA: Yes, there are similar such apparatus alcoves scattered throughout dozens of corridor intersections at a radius of several hundred kilometers into the facility's lower levels, but the reasons to the precise geographical layout has eluded the Dyson Expedition, and I myself have yet to identify correlative parameters imbedded into the framework.
(And as Picard approaches, lights blink on while two inlaid door panels suddenly swoosh open, revealing an enclosed section in the alcove.)
PICARD: Extraordinary...
DATA: Captain?
(Picard pokes further into the enclosure.)
PICARD: Mr. Data, I find it curiously remiss that your report never made any mention of a concealed crawlspace within the alcove.
DATA: (puzzled) Because there is not one.
(And as he steps in, the doors shut, closing Picard inside.)
DATA: Captain, to what is the nature for this query?
(To their surprise, Picard doesn't answer.)
DATA: Captain?
WORF: Captain Picard!
(Reacting to this, Data now tracks his tricorder readings to the last spot where Captain Picard's biothermal signature had registered, with Worf following in tow. Approaching the doorway, it refuses to open similarly as it had for Picard, leaving them both flummoxed.)
DATA: Captain!
WORF: Where could the Captain have gone?!
(Elsewhere, Picard emerges from a pair of sliding doors on the other side, in a medium-sized room of tri-crossed circular spaces, and within is a rounded archway and a flat-disced console, situated at the dead center of each space beside the third, where he stands.)
PICARD: Remarkable. Mr. Data, it would appear the crawlspace functions in the same fashion as one of our transporter pads.
(Silence.)
PICARD: Commander Data, respond.
(Still silence answers his calls.)
PICARD: Mr. Worf!
SUMMARY
Meeting with Maois, Picard interacts with the holographic interface. Learning the room has a jamming frequency being emitted, and that the transporter cubicle only responds to those with this Ancient gene, Picard, with assistance from the Maois hologram, uses the console to have the jammer field lifted and Data beamed in to help him research the database. Picard deduces that Maois is actually the earlier name to the later derivation of Moses, and this room was built as a relay station to access the foldstream matrix in the Ancients' role as Gatekeepers to the Belkan Empire, with the first model Astria Portia built (the Stargate seen on board the Destiny class ship) to serve this role, and this place being an Astria Icon, the center of the network.
Following the loss of their war with the Wraith, however, and knowing their time was finished, the Lanteans evacuated to Earth, though a few traveled throughout the foldspace universe, settling in various realities across the foldstream. At that point, a subspace signal was sent out to disable the use of the first model Astria Portia, and they waited for the inevitable end. Many Ascended, a few retreated into their technological bastions, and some attempted to blend in with early humanity. Further analysis and probing of the Maois avatar as well as several holographic engrams stored within the computer buffer yields a surprise revelation that the foldspace universe mentioned by Maois extends past the cyclic collapse-rebirth of the universe in the distant future and out into other iterations warped off along the foldstream, placing an exact age for the first iteration they occupy at 840 trillion years with the six iterations in the foldstream matrix spawned off over a period of 140 trillion years to the universal collapse-rebirth process.
Further investigation leads them to learn the Stargate network is powered by the solar radiation of the star within the Dyson Sphere. Thus, the Starfleet team is able to dial out, to the Planet Mars within the fifth foldspace iteration. First, however, they send an atmospheric probe, finding conditions tolerable for human life, and enabling a direct two-way communication through the Stargate by use of their subspace transmissions, leading them to deduce it is a machine able to generate a stable wormhole vortex. The Earth Alliance scientists who had boxed up the Stargate on their side, unable to ever get it working, are drawn to the room due to the seismic disturbance and are completely floored by the voice coming from the bright glow of the shimmering substance that appears like liquid. The team of scientists lose their head and thus invite the Starfleet team to their universe. The admiral on the monitor overseeing the experiment orders Picard and the away team to comply with their wishes. The justification is to make new allies that they need for the Dominion War, though possibly this is Kerrigan using one of her mind-controlled minions to tie up a loose end.
Thus, the Federation beams in a shuttle small enough to travel through the Stargate. Riker, in his dutiful role as first officer, refuses to allow Captain Picard to lead the away team, and so brings Data and two additional security grunts to ride the foldstream to another reality. Picard wishes him luck, slightly envious of Riker. However, once on the other side, the Gate then shuts off, and doesn't immediately turn back on, to their shock, as they expected it to stay activated, which is when Earthforce Security Corps grunts storm in, leading into a shootout that claims the lives of the two redshirts. The abashed scientists are forced to admit to the state of Earth on their side, leading to a renewed sense of urgency to dial the Gate and wondering why Starfleet hasn't already done so. Data, however, reminds him that due to these uncertain time variables, as in relative terms, since they are more than eight hundred trillion years into their own "future," Starfleet might have already tried and failed to. At this point, more Earthforce grunts stomp in, and since the team is completely outnumbered, and with a surrender demanded, Riker has no choice but to go along with their demands.
Riker is brought before William and interrogated. He makes no bones to the reason they need him, which is to activate their shuttle to which Data has locked out just prior to their seizure. Riker murmurs, "Really? How terrible for you." Put bluntly, they want the technology, that while the superluminal propulsion is markedly inferior to the technology that they possess, the transporter, the replicator, and shielding technology more than makes up for that, and would allow the Earth Alliance to put their many long-term projects into operation. Riker stubbornly refuses to negotiate, commenting that these humans haven't yet mastered the base impulses to which his own people had advanced beyond centuries prior. William admits it's unfortunate, but out of his hands. Then Riker is removed from the room and brought before a Psi Cop, possibly even Bester himself...
Back on the Dyson Sphere, however, a day has passed since the team went missing. Attempts to dial in have failed, since while the wormhole connects, they have received no telemetry from the atmospheric probe and no communication back despite their repeated inquiries. However, they have uncovered new records in the database to assist them in the search — finding out that more than a few apertures on the outer shell of the Sphere, which they speculated were entry and exit terminals for passing starships, in fact resemble stable wormhole generators similar to the one the away team went through. And so, the Dyson Expedition has one of them activated, to which Captain Picard decides to take the Enterprise through in search of Riker and the away team. Possibly this is Kerrigan using the admiral to approve their rescue mission with the intent that once she has leaked Captain Sisko's deception to the whole of the Alpha Quadrant, the Dyson Expedition can be shut down to deal with the escalating war, given that she wants to keep the monopoly on her foldspace ambitions with the Stargate she's rigged up near a black hole or planet with intense solar activity.
That said, the Enterprises-E emerges at the wrong entry point, as waiting for their sensor array to reboot pinpoints their destination at within the third foldspace iteration, although curiously, they appear to have traveled to a century in a close proximity to their own, prompting Captain Picard to wonder whether there's some order to the transitions across the foldstream matrix. Back in the fifth iteration, operatives for the Mars Resistance now assault the Earthforce strongholds and rescue Riker and Data from Clark's lackeys. Waking up back in a subterranean cavern, Number Two derides Data's mechanical nature, when suddenly in marches Number One, leader of the Mars Resistance. (This chapter could effectively be titled "Number One to Number One.") Number One explains rumor reached them through their Earth Alliance contacts and the science team who witnessed the event, so they decided to mount a rescue. When Riker thanks her, Number One scornfully insists it wasn't for them, so much as if Earthforce couldn't get this shuttle they arrived in back to working order, there was no chance for them, and leads into her next point, as she notes the superior technology that they possess, making Riker the offer to assist them retrieve the Stargate should they loan them the use of this shuttle in the struggle against the Earth, with their shuttle, she asserts, Mars could truly win its independence.
Riker balks at this idea, as interfering in the internal affairs of other groups is strictly prohibited by Prime Directive of Starfleet Command. Number One grows exasperated, stating quite confidently that without them, there's no hope to grab the Stargate and hopefully return home. Even if the others came through the same way they did, it's now under heavy lock and key, preparing to be moved to a more secure facility so that Clark's toadies could study it more thoroughly. They will never get another opportunity like this and any further breach will result in more of their people being captured. Riker is torn, for while this Earth isn't a pre-warp society in the more rigid sense, they may very well resemble one in many aspects, the paranoia and senseless conflict among other humans. Number One senses his hesitation and offers a trade-off, that if he assists them in an operation which sheds minimal blood and they personally oversee, they help them to retrieve the Stargate. Riker asks her to give him time to think it over.
Back in the third iteration, Picard and his group soon realize they are going to have to find the control center for this Sphere in order to dial to another foldspace iteration in their attempt to retrieve their missing officers. However, while beamed down, a party of ONI officers witness them and also see Picard activate some of the relic technology. To this end, they pull their guns on the away team and start issuing demands, as they have been marooned here for a long time, and seek an escape off the Sphere. Picard offers them use of the Enterprise in free passage back to their space. However, the ONI party figure he's too useful with his ability to trigger the Ancient technology, insisting he remain behind to help them unlock it, while they take Geordi and the rest of the away team back as hostages onboard his vessel, given that they've deduced quite clearly his organization doesn't hail from this reality and from the archaeological markings left behind, they know the purpose behind the Sphere was an interdimensional hub. Picard denies they're the Sphere Builders, but the ONI faction is dead set, and thus they have no choice but to comply. Prior to beam-up, their second-in-command reactivates the AI construct they have with them, which had long been shut down out of a fear of cascade rampancy, now feeling it to be worth the risk.
Once on board the Enterprise, ONI is shocked to find their weapons have vanished, and security takes them into custody. The ONI second-in-command breaks towards the nearest computer terminal, security is briefly distracted by the ONI goons fighting back, but once they are all put down, they find it was too late, as the ONI agent was able to finish his goal and suddenly the lights flicker as the systems go out, but once they reactivate, the crew report the Enterprise-E, shockingly, is pulling away, outside their navigation... they've lost control! Down below, ONI lets Picard know they've uploaded an AI construct into their computers and demand that he keep working, because when they return it will be with reinforcements. The unconscious ONI agents are sent down to the brig while the Starfleet officers keep trying to restore computer control and find themselves obstructed. Soon after, the first ONI goon to wake up presses the AI, Selione, on whether or not she's gone rampant, and she declares she hasn't. A few hours have passed as it's taken her that long to bypass the omnipresent ship computer brain. The ONI second-in-command questions her if there's anything in the ship that may help them fight a war against the Covenant. Selione responds in affirmative and so they ask her to fly them back to Earth, which is dozens of light-years away. Selione agrees to their course of action. As they leave she sifts through Starfleet log entries and the computer database and so is able to enhance the ship's warp engines, to get them back home faster — much to ONI's delight when she reports back. At that, she drops the force shield and allows them access outside the brig, triggering a wave field that deactivates all shipboard weapons except those pilfered from the brig security ONI has overpowered.
Back in the fifth iteration, Riker agrees to Number One's proposal. He asks first why they can't just retrieve the Gate and shuttle at the same time, but the other Number One nixes that idea as they are both being held at separate facilities, quite a distance from one another, and with minimal security, it's the choice time. Riker flirts a little with Number One, but she rebuffs his advance. Number One asks to what the range for their transportation technology is and when Riker tells her, Number One admits this can be done. Using their stun weapons (phasers, Riker corrects her), it should work without a hitch, yet they only possess two and the others are back at the home base with the shuttle. The plan is to storm the complex the shuttle is being held in, assisted by the guilt-ridden scientists, grab their other phaser weapons, and then fight their way into the shuttle where they will beam the Earthforce personnel out of the room, beam the rest of their tools back in, beam the Stargate to one of the underground bases for their Mars Resistance, and then raise the shuttle's shields as they blast their way out of the complex. Luckily the science facility doesn't host a significant crew complement, for this will breach the dome, exposing them to the Martian atmosphere. Riker agrees, but adds a stipulation that they beam the Earthforce officers to a safe location. He won't have opponents killed in a war he knows little about. While this infuriates Number One, she allows it.
Meanwhile, ONI has managed to seize sections of the ship, including the bridge, as more systems fail. The self-destruct was attempted and failed. On the way to Earth, however, news comes in of UNSC distress signals, as it appears the Covenant is now attacking Reach. Given their proximity to the planet — they could be there in a little under six hours — ONI diverts the Starfleet vessel to the planet by Selione. Troi is held captive on the bridge, with the bridge personnel around her stunned to serve as hostages, and Geordi running around the halls trying to put a plan in motion to retake their ship, although he feels overwhelmed and this becomes very telling when Selione is able to jury-rig a metaphasic shield merely from poring over Starfleet log entries and their computer mainframe. He still doesn't give up, though. Selione reports that their metaphasic shield will be a boon against Covenant plasma weapons.
Back in the fifth iteration, the operation goes off exactly as it had been planned out. On the way out Number One informs Riker to the mission she wanted from them, which is to beam food and medical supplies to the Resistance bases. Riker agrees since providing them with material help far outweighs the potential for military action. They also beam up atmospheric suits, given that there's no way they can land the shuttle anywhere in the Mars Resistance's bases, so they are going to have to land someplace in the Martian desert, an isolated region to avoid being picked up by orbital scans, and lock out the controls again while hiking back to the Resistance bases. Data volunteers to stay with the shuttle, which Riker agrees to, figuring there will be need for more negotiation once they return to the Mars Rebels.
In the third iteration, Picard tricks the ONI thugs and dives through the Stargate, hoping to return back home to the first iteration and to secure reinforcements to bring back to the Dyson Sphere in the third foldspace iteration, but this fails and he winds up off course. The ONI thugs also follow him, threatening him with their weapons, but at that moment, a wise and serene figure glides up to them, sensing the dark side and a disturbance in the Force, as Luke gently requests that they lay down their weapons, this isn't the way, they can mediate whatever shadow ails their souls. When they turn their weapons on him, the Jedi merely levitates them away, much to the shock of those present. Luke then asks again they rethink their choices, and the ONI thugs run. Still flabbergasted, Luke calmly walks up to Picard, and introduces himself. Picard does the same thing. And with the tricorder, he's able to deduce that while he has really returned to the first iteration in the foldstream matrix, his accuracy was off; he has traveled several billion light-years and a couple of billion years off course. He's living in his own past in a distant galaxy!
Back in the third foldspace iteration, the Enterprise-E drops out of warp and charges headlong into battle against the Covenant, launching shuttles for use as mobile tactical nuclear weapon transports with their transporter technology. The AI plugged into the Enterprise-E, Selione, is able to take out a dozen Covenant warships, much to the fascination and horror of Troi and the smug delight for the ONI agents. In the due course of battle, however, something goes wrong as the ship turns and makes a beeline out of the system, heading back to warp. ONI objects, which fall on deaf ears, as Selione now shows definite signs of cascade rampancy. ONI pieces it together that Selione's trajectory brings them to Earth, while dragging an entire Covenant fleet behind her! Troi finds it interesting that a parallel Earth should exist this far into the future of the eerie foldstream matrix at more than 800 trillion years, but there's little time to dwell on this as ONI makes demands that Troi assist them unplug Selione. Troi outright refuses, even rubbing it into their faces a bit on how their plan didn't quite work out how they thought. The ONI minions deflate them a bit when they declare this will lead to the death of everybody on the Earth native to this reality. At that, Troi decides to help out, not wanting to see so many humans get killed, while secretly she is coordinating with Geordi.
While Riker agrees to help the Mars Resistance in a limited form in the fifth foldspace iteration, rescuing prisoners and other indirect aid, Data is given time to study the Stargate near the shuttle. Back in the first iteration, Picard is aghast at the idea of interfering in history, though a close scan reveals a quantum flux that extends deep into the subspace layers, demonstrating that this reality runs parallel to his own, and any action he takes won't influence the outcome of events. Luke and Picard take the time to discuss matters. Luke finds Picard fascinating, as well as this notion of parallel realities. Luke reveals how in all the time they had operated the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin IV, they hadn't encountered a machine like the Stargate before. Picard explains his whole story, that when they were poking through the Dyson Sphere they'd inadvertently reactivated the foldspace Stargate network, which had been shut down for eons. Picard feels humbled by the repercussions, daunted from the implications, but because they did this, they need to take ownership of it. Right now, though, all he wants is to get home, and find his missing crew. Picard reasons there must be a Dyson Sphere in this universe as there was one in the third iteration. Luke offers to take him to the New Republic Senate on Coruscant to plead his case before the government and Picard agrees, as the two head out.
Back in the third iteration, the Starfleet officers have set their plan into motion. At the same time the Enterprise emerges from warp and starts firing on the nearby ODPs. While there are 300 ODPs, less than a third are at operational capacity as it would take another month to get them into full working condition. Thus, Fleet Admiral Hood calls in the UNSC Home Fleet to engage enemy forces. The battle goes poorly as it looks the Covenant might eventually win the day until Geordi implements his plan, which is a virus that completely disables the ship. The ONI goons are incensed, thinking they've just doomed Earth and themselves, and that they've robbed Earth of their only chance of victory, but while Troi was stalling them on the bridge, Geordi's been busy puttering with the replicators on one of the few remaining shuttles left in the bays to turn them into makeshift transporters, and before Troi is shot, he has these ONI thugs beamed into one of the ODPs, which is soon blown up after. However, not wanting Earth to be destroyed, even in a parallel reality, he begins beaming out photon warheads to try to disable the Covenant ships, not destroy them, though the makeshift replicators short-circuit quickly. And with Geordi realizing the battle will be decided long before he can restore main systems, he concludes it's out of their hands.
Meanwhile, Luke has taken Picard to Coruscant, where he makes his impassioned appeal to the New Republic Senate. That said, they aren't terribly receptive to his request. Afterwards, Leia and Han come up to him. Han says he could check with his more unsavory contacts to hunt down this Dyson Sphere. Picard is hesitant, but accepts once told there will be no murder or unscrupulous actions, even offering the use of the Falcon to get him home to his native reality. Leia adds the potential for understanding and cultural exchange can't be ignored, to which Picard agrees.
Last edited by Yukaphile on Thu Jun 03, 2021 12:07 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"A culture's teachings - and more importantly, the nature of its people - achieve definition in conflict. They find themselves, or find themselves lacking."
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
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Yukaphile
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Re: Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
Character limit! 
But here's the excerpts! Not all will stay the same, some editing will be required as I progress. But, here it is!
EXCERPTS
(From the fogged timelessness of the haze of black unconsciousness Riker slowly stirs, returning to full senses as he finds himself sprawled on the floor of a brightly lit room and he rises himself up right as the door bursts open and in walks a neatly dressed man alongside two Earthforce officers, who set up a table.)
WILLIAM: Do you have any allergies or illnesses I should be aware of? Are you currently taking any medication? Have you had any trouble with your heart?
RIKER: Who are you?
WILLIAM: I'm afraid that is neither here nor there. At the moment, I am the one who will be conducting this interrogation and that's all you need to know. To me, you're just a name, a file, and a case number. You will answer all my questions at once and without hesitation. Cooperation will be rewarded, resistance punished. Now...
(And William has finished setting up the table.)
WILLIAM: Do you have any allergies or illnesses I should be aware of? Are you currently taking any medication? Have you had any trouble with your heart?
(Riker flashes him a devilish grin, set in resolution.)
RIKER: What makes you think I'm gonna cooperate with you?
WILLIAM: Believe me when I say I have no invested interest in the outcome to your interrogation. I am here because my superiors have need of the information that is in your possession, and you'd do well to answer to the best of your ability and knowledge, or they shall resort to... less savory methods.
(With his strength restored, Riker lunges up toward William, but is literally shocked from this course by the electrical resistance he experiences, and falls back into a gasping heap.)
WILLIAM: A word to the wise, I wouldn't attempt that again.
(Riker makes his way upright, still reeling from the zap.)
RIKER: (stunned) What... what, was... that...?
WILLIAM: Pain givers. Bought them off the Narn during the war — though I suppose you wouldn't know anything about that, would you? No. Remarkable devices. Come within three feet of me, you will be hurt. Get to within two feet, you'll be rendered unconscious.
(Rubbing at his jaw, Riker nods in acknowledgement.)
(Picard begins stirring.)
RIKER: Captain, Captain... Jean-Luc, can you hear me?
(The Frenchman attempts to sit himself upright.)
PICARD: Number One... it... I... they can't...
RIKER: Take it easy, Captain. You've been through a lot.
(And Riker and Data both help to lift him back up.)
CAPTAIN: Where am I, what happened? Last thing I remember, I...
RIKER: It's all right, Captain. They got to me, the same as you.
(Spotting this, a guard is dispatched away by the others.)
DATA: The three of us have been detained and subjected to examination and interrogation over the past four days, seventeen hours, and twenty-nine minutes pending charges of sedition, treason, crimes against humanity, mutiny, sabotage, acts of criminal conspiracy with hostile alien forces intent on undermining the legality of the local Earth-centric government, and a multitude of other nefarious acts according to the allegations made by Earthforce personnel.
RIKER: Jean-Luc, it's even worse than we suspected, they —
PICARD: Yes, I'm aware, Number One. It appears we've been stranded in a foreign universe and barbaric time period not too dissimilar from the pre-warp ages of our own world.
DATA: And without a significant power source hooked up to the Stargate mechanism we emerged through, there is an insufficient cause to make progress in attempting to input a manual connection back into our home universe — at least for the foreseeable future.
(Now blearily focusing his eyes, Picard spots the Martian Resistance guards, armed with PPGs in hand.)
PICARD: Who are they?
(Riker shakes his head about helplessly.)
RIKER: Hell if I know; one moment I'm in a cell with a bright light glaring in my face, and the next, the door bursts open and they rush in. After that it turns into a running firefight and we barely get out with our lives. Say they're from the Martian Resistance and their leader is interested in talking to us, especially you, Jean-Luc.
PICARD: Do you know what is it they are after?
(And suddenly there comes a voice drifting out to the three.)
NUMBER TWO: A question I'd also be very interested in hearing.
(Turning their heads, the three find Number Two walking in alongside the guard who was dispatched previously. Number Two now levels a suspicious glare at them.)
PICARD: I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise, representing the United Federation of Planets. Who are you and for what manner of reason have we been brought here to this place?
RIKER: And for that matter, where even is here?
NUMBER TWO: Now, now, kick back and get yourselves comfy... we got plenty of time to get into the nitty-gritty, assuming the Earthforce reports we received are genuine and the three of you really are who they claimed you are.
DATA: What purpose would we have for fabricating them?
NUMBER TWO: It ain't even you, my good robot. Ya see, we haven't survived so long by being stupid and with Earthforce stepping up their game in putting down all dissent they could have just grabbed three convenient patsies to lure us into springing you from the joint and leading them back here.
DATA: I am an android, not a robot.
NUMBER TWO: My bad. Didn't know a tin can could get offended.
RIKER: We aren't from this universe. There was an accident, we were marooned here, and we could use your help to bring us back home.
ACKBAR: Admiral Ackbar to fleet ships. Status update.
PICARD: Transition is complete, Admiral. Mr. Data is running a series of comprehensive quantum resonance scans to pinpoint our precise location and time period within the foldspace matrix.
DATA: Affirmative, Admiral. I will have it prepared in short order.
ACKBAR: Please see to it your droid does. Admiral Ackbar out.
(He turns to face Luke Skywalker, both eyes shut intently.)
ACKBAR: I don't mean to pry, but what does your Force sense tell you, Master Skywalker?
(And his eyelids slip open.)
LUKE: There's an odd quality to the touch of the Force here.
(Admiral Ackbar regards him with a skeptical look.)
ACKBAR: Such as?
LUKE: Imagine... at the end of the day, you've headed off to sleep, and the next day when you wake up, you see that several eons have passed you with the universe itself inverted around you several times over. It may strike you as entirely mad, my old friend, but that's the impression I had when we emerged from the passage.
(Before Ackbar could speak, however...)
DATA: Enterprise to Admiral Ackbar.
ACKBAR: Yes? What does your report tell you, droid?
DATA: We have indeed returned to our destination within the fifth foldspace membrane. Based on the chronometric decay rate merely ninety days, seven hours, and five minutes have passed since our departure on August 27th, 2260.
PICARD: If that's the case, then perhaps we are not too late.
ACKBAR: The question is, where do we proceed now that we're here? Captain, can your droid plot a course for where we are supposed to be?
PICARD: Of course, Admiral, and we can begin as soon as —
LUKE: Wait. Hold up, gentlemen... something is wrong.
LEIA: Luke, what's wrong?
THREEPIO: Is something troubling you, Master Luke?
LUKE: I sense it, out there even now... among the stars... a great darkness is brewing, so insidious and pervasive, it feels as if it could swallow you whole... the dark side is strong here. Admiral Ackbar, can you direct the ship's sensors onto an area of latitude for coordinates approximating 517 by 629 by 74?
ACKBAR: Ensign Darck, initiate a series of long-range scans.
DARCK: Scanning, Admiral. All frequencies. Wait...
HAN: Found anything?
DARCK: Picking up a series of energy discharges at the coordinates Master Skywalker has laid out for us. Sir, it looks like a firefight!
LUKE: And that's where we need to be. I'm certain about it.
PICARD: Well, pardon my skepticism on this, Master Skywalker, but what good is there to be had from rushing headlong into a random confrontation we know nothing about?
DATA: I would remind you, Master Skywalker, that our objective in this universe is to seek out the Martian Resistance and lend them our support of mutual aid and defense; not to engage an unknown and with all probability hostile armed fleet in potentially hazardous territory.
LEIA: Why, Luke? Why head there?
LUKE: I can't say, Leia, But it feels right. The Force has led us to this time and this place for a reason, and I feel that for any hope for future negotiations in this world our best shot lies over there. That is where we need to be, the path that we need to follow which the Force has laid out for us. I sense it.
ACKBAR: Although I remain as dubious as you are, Captain, I want to point out that Master Skywalker is generally known for being right on a number of occasions when his intuition was called on — if he tells you that's where we need to go, then you'd do well to listen to him.
(And after a moment thinking over it, Picard finally relents.)
PICARD: Very well, unorthodox though it may be, let's see what's going on over there in that quiet sector of space and if our presence might be required to dispatch humanitarian assistance if possible.
ACKBAR: Admiral Ackbar to fleet ships. Proceeding on a course heading of 517 by 629 by 74.
THREEPIO: Oh dear. Here we go again.
(And the fleet takes off rocketing in that direction.)
DARCK: Coming within visual range, Admiral.
ACKBAR: Put it on the screen, maximum magnification!
(Four Shadow Battlecrabs appear while chasing the White Star, prompting a cold shiver to break down across Leia's neck.)
THREEPIO: Oh my! What a terribly unpleasant sight!
LEIA: What in the Stang are those things?
HAN: I don't know, but I don't like 'em. Look like trouble all around.
(And suddenly, without warning all present hear a loud scream.)
SCREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
HAN: What the hell was that?!
ACKBAR: Then you all heard it as well?
(Before anybody could reply, Luke answered, as if in a trance.)
LUKE: Pain... terror... suffering. It's what I'd sensed. Those ships, the crew... they're instruments of the dark side... meant to sow war and discord. I feel it... they are the reason we have come here.
(On the screen, a Minbari ship emerges from hyperspace as four of the Shadow Battlecrabs are now halted from a pursuit of the White Star.)
ACKBAR: What are they doing? They behave like their movements have been constrained.
PICARD: Admiral, are you seeing the same thing?
ACKBAR: Indeed I am, Captain Picard. It is most peculiar.
(And on the screen one of the Battlecrabs breaks free.)
PICARD: Recommendations, Admiral? How do we proceed here?
(And, without warning, Luke moves forward, his face slackening, lids dropping down over his eyeballs and reaching out with his senses.)
ACKBAR: Stand by, Enterprise. We'll advise.
PICARD: Enterprise acknowledges, Admiral. Standing by.
LEIA: Is there anything you can do about this? Luke?
HAN: I don't think he can hear us anymore, Leia.
(Now reaching out with his hand, palm extended upward, on the screen before them all the Shadow Battlecrab rushing at the White Star stops in place while Luke's facial muscles tighten, concentrating intently upon his target. Seemingly in response to that, the White Star flips about and blasts the Shadow Battlecrab as a Narn heavy cruiser bursts out from hyperspace, contributing its firepower to the other warship, so that the Shadow ship splintered apart.)
HAN: Looks like that took 'em down.
(And even more vessels emerge from hyperspace, causing the Battlecrabs to turn as retreat clearly is made the intention.)
LUKE: Oh no you don't...
(And with his skin tightening over his skull, on screen before them the Shadow Battlecrabs jerk into a frozen halt, held in the clenching iron grip of Luke's light-aided Force grab. The other ships move in.)
ROBAB: We're in optimum position to enact a pincer maneuver on the enemy fleet, Admiral. Should we move in to assist the other forces?
ACKBAR: No, it's best to allow Master Skywalker to handle this.
(The White Star and League ships take out the four Shadow Battlecrabs, and then hang in space with a hesitant aura.)
DORAT: I'm receiving transmission from the other fleet.
THREEPIO: Why, Admiral, I would be happy to assist in this endeavor! I am, after all, fluent in over six million forms of communication and have been programmed in a variety of first-contact protoco —
(Leia puts a hand forward to clasp her fingers on his arm.)
LEIA: No, Threepio, I think Jean-Luc should be the one.
THREEPIO: As you command, Mistress Leia, but I only wish to be of service, and while I am unable to assist you for this situation, I do believe I could be allowed to better facilitate —
(A hand comes over his vocabulator.)
HAN: Put a spanner in it, Goldenrod. We'll be here all day.
ACKBAR: Well, Captain, I believe this is more your forte than mine.
(And on the screen appears a shared image between Picard and Sheridan from aboard the White Star, who seems briefly surprised, and then covers this up well to commanding force of presence.)
SHERIDAN: This is Captain John Sheridan of Babylon 5 to unknown fleet. Scanners didn't pick you up until now. Would you like to explain what you're doing out here? In case you didn't notice, the Shadows are on the war path, and sparing nobody.
(Leia leans in close to Luke.)
LEIA: Shadows?
(Luke, however, remains fixated on the image of Sheridan.)
PICARD: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard, commander of the Enterprise Fleet. We are here as... I guess you could say, diplomatic envoys, although we appear to have been thrown somewhat off-course.
SHERIDAN: I see... for a moment, I'd thought you were more First Ones. Our initial scans show your technology's unlike anything we've encountered before. But you're human. Who are you? What do you want?
PICARD: Captain, I would respectfully suggest this is hardly the proper venue for such deliberations — we could have you beamed aboard to discuss it further with me and my command staff.
(Sheridan looks perplexed.)
SHERIDAN: Beam?
PICARD: We have a technology that transports you from one location and rematerializes you in another nearly instantaneously. It's quite harmless.
(Sheridan appears to think it over.)
SHERIDAN: No, I have an idea. It's probably going to sound bizarre, but I'd like to invite both you and your allies back to Babylon 5 as our guests. From there, we can continue this conversation, and... if this all works out the way I hope it will, then I have a proposal that might be acceptable to you.
SHERIDAN: Well — here is my office, gentlemen. Come in, make yourselves comfortable, and, uh, we can get down to business.
PICARD: Thank you for your hospitality, Captain Sheridan.
LEIA: Yes, we appreciate all that you have done for us.
GARIBALDI: Look, maybe I'm talking out of turn here, but, um, rather convenient, isn't it? The way all your ships show up right at the time we're getting pound down by the Shadow forces.
(Admiral Ackbar stiffens up, bristling at the implication.)
ACKBAR: I don't know what you mean to imply, Mr. Garibaldi.
(Sheridan sends a glare at Garibaldi, then looks back to his visitors.)
SHERIDAN: That's why I've assembled this conference. To determine who you are, where you come from, and the reason you showed up when you chose to do so.
PICARD: Of course. We'd be happy to provide the answers.
DELENN: We would welcome whatever answers you can give us.
(Meanwhile Luke, who has been quiet the whole time, now speaks up.)
LUKE: Captain Sheridan, there's a question I would like to ask first.
(Sheridan examines Luke curiously.)
SHERIDAN: Yes? Go ahead, ask.
LUKE: Perhaps it's not my place to interfere on this issue, but... are you aware there is a presence layered within your consciousness?
SHERIDAN: What...?
(He gives a skeptical half-smile.)
SHERIDAN: What are you talking about?
LEIA: Luke, are you sure about that?
DELENN: John...?
LUKE: I sense it. I have from the moment I first saw you. And even now, standing here like this, I can feel it, bright like a shining beacon — a blinding pulsar in the Force; there's an entity buried inside you, and all I can say is it is very long-lived, and very familiar to you.
SHERIDAN: I don't...
FLASH!
KOSH: Understanding is a three-edged sword... one moment of perfect beauty... until you are ready to fight legends... if you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die... as long as you're here, I'll always be here...
FLASH!
SHERIDAN: Kosh! It... it's Kosh. Has to be. I don't believe it...
DELENN: No other sentient would ever attempt it, except a Vorlon.
IVANOVA: Wait, Captain, how is that possible? I mean... I-I know the Vorlons have all of those crazy Psi powers, but that seems like a lot, even for them.
HAN: Hey, 'scuse me for interrupting, but what's a Vorlon?
IVANOVA: Wait, you mean to say you've never heard of the Vorlons?
PICARD: Is there a reason to why we should have heard of them?
(Here Garibaldi rolls his eyes dismissively.)
GARIBALDI: Get out of here.
LEIA: You could say we come from a... place far, far away.
GARIBALDI: I think that was obvious the moment you showed up.
IVANOVA: The Vorlons are an advanced race of telepathic beings that have been around thousands, maybe millions of years and up until a year ago nobody had ever seen what a Vorlon really looks like.
GARIBALDI: The Captain believes they might have interfered with humanoid evolution so when we caught a glimpse of 'em we'd see a being of light — you know... wings, white aura, playing a harp, all that?
(Han and Leia share a look.)
PICARD: A precursor race. Now that certainly sounds familiar...
DELENN: It is precisely as you say, Captain — and the Vorlons are among the oldest ones, known to have been walking the stars when the youngest of the oldest still cradled an inherently short-sighted belief that they were alone in the universe.
SHERIDAN: And the one that lived here, Kosh, was enigmatic as all get-out. But the Shadows had him killed. Or at least we thought they did; now it appears like he's not quite as dead as we've been led to think, if...
LUKE: If I am to be believed, is what I think you wanna say.
LEIA: My brother is one of the most renowned figures of the New Republic. You can take him at his word — I will vouch for that.
IVANOVA: The New Republic?
(Before anyone could elaborate, however...)
GARIBALDI: Hey, buddy, what are you, some kinda teep?
(Even as he replied, Luke kept his gaze on Sheridan.)
LUKE: A what?
IVANOVA: It's Earth slang. Shorthand for "telepath."
LUKE: You could see it that way — from a certain point of view.
DELENN: That is indeed the basis for many of our cherished beliefs.
SHERIDAN: The question is, what do we do with this new information? Why has Kosh chosen refuge in my head? And, how do we coax him back out?
IVANOVA: That's assuming we can get him out at all.
LUKE: About that, I believe I might be able to help you, Captain.
SHERIDAN: Well, now, what can you do? I thought you were a human telepath — and no human telepath has ever been able to match the range and abilities of the Vorlons.
(The Grand Master smiles.)
LUKE: If you will recall, what I actually said is you could see it that way — from a certain point of view. No. While my powers do include telepathy, that's not the end to the skills gifted to me by the Force.
GARIBALDI: The whose and what now?
LUKE: The Force, as it was taught to me by my own Masters, is an energy field surrounding, generated by, and binding all living things together, and it is through the Force which I derive my powers, as do all members within the New Jedi Order as servants to the light side.
SHERIDAN: Sounds complicated. If I may be allowed to ask —
(And Leia heads off Sheridan's question before giving it.)
LEIA: We can get to that in a moment, Captain Sheridan. That is the reason we are here, after all. But if it will expedite matters, I can promise to have all our records made available to you?
SHERIDAN: I'd appreciate that, thank you.
LUKE: Yet the bottom line is, I think I can do something for you, Captain Sheridan. If I might be allowed to touch this Kosh with the Force, perhaps I could convince him to why your arrangement is unacceptable.
SHERIDAN: If you think it'll help, go ahead.
(Luke closes his eyes and reaches out, extending his Force sense. For a few minutes, he simply stands there, until his eyes open back up.)
LUKE: I think I know why this Kosh has taken refuge within your consciousness.
SHERIDAN: And that would be?
LUKE: Fear. The most base and primal of all emotions; fear of dying, an inability to let go. This Vorlon of yours has been... damaged and so clings ever more tightly to you. You are the anchor line by which this Vorlon maintains ties to the physical world, and without it this Kosh would be forced to succumb to its own mortality.
PICARD: Well, now, if that's the case, then it seems there is nothing which can be done to separate the two of them from one another.
LUKE: Not necessarily. I felt the entity, and if I can make my intentions plain, I think I can give this Kosh a new home.
IVANOVA: And... just where would that be, pray tell?
(Smiling widely, Luke reached up and tipped a finger to his temple, to the shock of those assembled.)
LUKE: (simply) Right here.
IVANOVA: Right... there? You mean, inside, you...?
LEIA: Luke, does that really seem like the wisest move?
HAN: Yeah, hate to be a killjoy, old friend, but you could be opening yourself up to all kinds of alien manipulation there — no offense or anything.
SHERIDAN: Oh, none taken.
LUKE: Somehow, it just feels right. While a Jedi Master may be the instructor to students, a Master is but himself a first stage in being a pupil, and I feel as if Master Kosh could be a fine mentor to me; its light is very comforting, like an old friend come back home to me. There is much that we could learn from each other.
DELENN: John... what do you intend to do?
(Sheridan thinks it over for a moment.)
SHERIDAN: All right, if you have the power, then I accept.
GARIBALDI: Whoa, Captain, come on, hold up, what do we know about this guy? I mean, what do we really know about any of them, for that matter? They just waltz in here, right off the heels of our last battle, spin us a yarn on how Kosh is still in your head, ducking any questions we put to them, and now they got you agreeing to this. Come on — with all due respect to the lot of you, they could be Shadow spies, for all we know. Or worse!
HAN: Hey, brainiac, with all due respect you, if I had ya in my target sights, I'd let ya know, and trust me on this, we wouldn't be having such a pleasant conversation.
GARIBALDI: Yeah, that's real comforting; is that supposed to make any of us feel better about this? Yet you still haven't answered any of our questions yet, like who you are, and where do you come from?
PICARD: Perhaps it would be wiser if we were to address those concerns befo —
ACKBAR: Mr. Garibaldi, I can assure you, we are NOT here on any hostile intent and pardon me for being blunt, but given the defenses you have available at your disposal, it would require little effort to make our such hostile intent evident past a doubt.
(But before any of the others could start to comment back...)
SHERIDAN: Enough! As the ranking officer in charge of Babylon 5 and the alliance we've built together here, the command decision falls to me, and it's my call to make, not yours.
(His voice softens up a little bit.)
SHERIDAN: I know it may seem unconventional, we don't really know a lot about them yet, but I have a feeling about this.
DELENN: But how do you know it is the right thing to do?
SHERIDAN: I don't know. Hell, that could just be the part of Kosh that's supposedly still inside me. But while I couldn't say that I knew Kosh the best of anyone here, there was something about him... it, it's tough to explain... but regardless, at the end of the day, Kosh chose refuge with me, no one else. It's my head, my choice. I'll take the chance.
(Sheridan clears his throat.)
SHERIDAN: This place, the station, Babylon 5; it was set up by EarthGov following the Earth-Minbari War to help ensure another future misunderstanding wouldn't lead to a war. It was, well... supposed to be our last best hope for peace.
LUKE: An admirable goal, Captain Sheridan. That is what we in the New Jedi Order strive for, to keep the peace in the New Republic.
PICARD: However... I would dare to venture a guess that something failed along the line, Captain?
GARIBALDI: What gave it away? All the warships orbiting the place?
(A chime comes to Vader within the hyperbaric chamber.)
IMPERIAL COMMANDER: Lord Vader, you have a visitor.
VADER: Who is it?
IMPERIAL COMMANDER: Well, I... I don't know, sir. He won't give us a name. But we've scanned him for weapons or chemical residue. He's clean. And he has all the proper identification. Do we let him in?
VADER: Inform whoever it is that I don't entertain guests, Commander, as you very well know.
IMPERIAL COMMANDER: As you wish, my lord.
(Vader tries to meditate, but then another buzz comes.)
VADER: I am starting to feel irritated by your constant disruptions, Commander — surely your intent here is not to make me angry?
IMPERIAL COMMANDER: I'm sorry, Lord Vader, but the visitor is rather persistent, and... I don't know, there's just something odd about this. Orders, sir?
(Vader feels a hint of curiosity.)
VADER: If he wants to be a fool, then so be it. Let him through.
(He opens the hyperbaric chamber. And in steps Mr. Morden. Vader instantly senses the Shadows on either side, but because that they are not attacking him, the Sith Lord decides instead to let it all play out first, to lure them into overconfidence, especially given how Mr. Morden inclines himself respectfully before him.)
MORDEN: Lord Vader, I take it?
VADER: Yes? What do you want with me?
MORDEN: But that's what I came to ask you! What do you want?
(Vader is tempted to kill him, but can sense the Shadows, and their dark aura is all that stays his hand, although he remains curious.)
VADER: Before we continue this conversation any further, I should tell you, young one, that I will not take lightly to any feeble attempts at humor, so if that was a jest, then we have nothing to discuss.
MORDEN: No... pardon my impudence, but you've misunderstood my intent, Lord Vader. I wasn't trying to make fun of you. I apologize.
VADER: Who are you?
MORDEN: Eh, that's the other guys' routine, not mine. But what I just asked you a moment ago, still true. What do you want, Lord Vader?
(Now fed up that the Shadows do not want to reveal themselves, Vader stands up, igniting his lightsaber. Morden flinches back.)
VADER: What I want is for you to quit playing games. Why have you come to bother me, surrounded on both sides by Force shadows?
MORDEN: You... you can see them?
(The Shadows then appear, and Morden bows.)
MORDEN: I apologize again, Lord Vader. It seems I've underestimated you. But rest assured — we are not here to attack. We want to help.
VADER: What are they?
MORDEN: These are my, um... associates, and we've come with a question. I hope you'll answer this time. What do you want?
VADER: Like I told you, I don't take kindly to jests.
MORDEN: We're not joking. What do you want?
VADER: Is this a test of faith by the Emperor, to ensure my loyalty?
MORDEN: We've here because we want to be, nobody forced us. What do you want?
VADER: Do you have any idea who I am?
MORDEN: Yes. You're one we find interesting. What do you want?
(And in spite of himself, Vader is prompted to tell Mr. Morden.)
VADER: What I seek, you can never hope to understand. I want to challenge the Emperor, to make him pay for all the years of torment he subjected me to, the death of my wife, and worse still, what he has done to the galaxy itself! At the dawn of the New Order he promised ten thousand years of order, but look at the poor state we've been reduced to. Endless civil war, and all for nothing. He lied to us simply to secure his own power and we've paid for it ever since. I want to lead us into the New Order he promised us, and then abandoned for his own insanity. I want the Galactic Empire to be everything it should be, under the superior guidance of the power of the dark side of the Force!
MORDEN: I see.
(Morden reacts, as if listening to the Shadows.)
MORDEN: Yes, I'll relay it to him. Lord Vader, you might find that your ambition and the goals of my associates are not mutually exclusive. And, if it would be amenable to you, we are willing to offer you a partnership that would be beneficial to the both of us.
VADER: What do you have in mind?
(Mr. Morden's smirk resembles that of the devil.)
MORDEN: You might have noticed the alien cubes flying about this area of space, which you and your ships so masterfully repelled. Congratulations, by the way.
VADER: What of it?
MORDEN: They'll be back.
VADER: We wiped out their armada.
MORDEN: That won't stop them.
VADER: Tell me more.
MORDEN: They're called the Borg, Lord Vader. You could say my associates have an intimate understanding to how they operate and what their full range of capabilities are. The Borg were engineered by my associates, thousands of centuries ago. Bred as the next step in evolution. Their great experiment. Nevertheless, the experiment turned out to be a failure. The Borg were only interested in spreading order, not chaos, throughout their home galaxy. Their sort of order, by forcefully assimilating others into their collective consciousness. They obtain knowledge this way, and when they do, correct for any flaws they had previously possessed. As a result, you will find that they quickly learn from their mistakes, and adapt to counter them.
VADER: What is there that can be done? This is obviously the reason you've come before me, to offer inside knowledge about the threat. You wouldn't feel so confident standing in my presence otherwise.
MORDEN: They've deemed this Galactic Empire of yours as a priority target and at a technological peak significant to devote the majority of their resources into assimilating it; this offers both a problem and an opportunity for you, to get everything you ever wanted.
VADER: The Galactic Empire will prevail.
MORDEN: They possess millions of Cubes and Spheres to draw on. What do you have at your disposal, Lord Vader? Especially since and forgive me for this, I hear that fancy Death Star of yours got taken out, and by Rebel forces, no less. My associates, though, offer to pledge the vast resources of their fleet assets to you — not the Galactic Empire, but you, personally, Lord Vader — to weather this looming crisis. They know the Borg, they know their tactics, and how their technology operates. Think of this as a... gesture of goodwill.
VADER: Why would you give your assistance so freely, then?
MORDEN: My associates have come with an offer of power and their proposed alliance of partnership I mentioned a moment ago. They feel that you have much potential to still be molded, and with training in the ways of chaos you could see that potential fully realized.
VADER: Are you listening, fool? I seek order, not chaos.
MORDEN: No, please forgive me, Lord Vader, but my associates understand you more than you understand yourself, at least at the moment. With all your actions over the past two decades you've been promoting chaos, which is the natural order to this universe. Think about it. Given your teachings, you know the best way to guide a society is through strengthening them, but the Emperor you bow to has twisted your head, and we've come to put you back on track. The way to rule is not from an iron grip, crushing dissent and ruthlessly maintaining order, but by engineering conflict. It is the only way evolution can be served. Survival of the fittest.
VADER: The weak require a strong hand to mentor them.
MORDEN: War always is the inevitable state of life. You know this as well as we do. So why not encourage it? Those with the potential to become something greater, to find their sure footing and strengthen themselves through evolution, will ascend to newer heights. And those who lack the power to rise above the struggle will fall to the wayside, but sometimes, a sacrifice is necessary for the sake of the greater good. And wouldn't you say that's the way of this wild universe that we live in, my lord? How this Force power of yours is best put into use?
VADER: You are merely trying to confuse me.
MORDEN: No, that's the truth, and you know it, same as I do, Lord Vader. Accept our partnership, become our friend, and we'll give you everything you want, the renaissance you've been dreaming about, including protection from the Borg when they return in force. Just think about it. You stand to gain everything and lose very little.
VADER: So be it then. If this is the alternative, I would be a fool to refuse your help. Help me to topple the Emperor, remove the throne from him and guard the Empire against these Borg of yours, and I will do as you've asked and grant you this partnership that you and your Force shadows seek from me.
(Zeratul wanders the caverns below Z'ha'dum.)
ZERATUL: This place... is steeped in the currents of dark energies, swirling, teeming just below the edge of perception. It stimulates the bloodstream, stills the heart. Hm, this is most definitely where my search has led me, but to what purpose?
LORIEN: To ask the question, one must first examine the reason for its existence.
(And in walks Lorien.)
ZERATUL: To what manner of being are you?
LORIEN: Now... that is the question, isn't it? And for that matter, to what manner of being are you? For myself... am I here, or there? Does my being here, or there, influence the outcome to this conversation more significantly than it would have prior to you receiving the revelation? What if I am neither here, nor there? And to that matter, what truly lies between here, and there? All of the vast in-between, an unfathomable emptiness of nowhere which shows you where you are going and where you have been? Mightn't it be, my friend, that the infinite spaces between here, and there, is what I might be? And where we are? Caretaker to the void lost to the inevitability of entropy?
ZERATUL: What method of meaningless doubletalk is this? Supply me a direct answer and state your intentions here, stranger, or we have nothing further to discuss.
LORIEN: Ah, but it is not I who must be that one to state intentions, for as you yourself noted but a moment ago, where you are now in the empty spaces between where you're going and where you have been before, is darkness, drowned in shadows as a bastion for the chaos that engulfs our universe. And so, I put this to you: What curious manner of a seeker, whether he be mad, romantic, philosophical, a seeker for power, truth, mystery, would find himself drawn to the foreboding emptiness between time and space?
ZERATUL: Hm, complicated though your words may be, I am afraid I cannot give you the answer you demand of me, stranger, for I confess such motivations remain a mystery to me, as well. But, I have heard the siren song of destiny calling, and I have sought this place for illumination along that path.
LORIEN: How interesting that you should choose a world of darkness to light your way to a higher understanding.
WALTER: (intercom) Unauthorized Stargate activation.
(The alarms blares, and the complex bursts into a flurry of activity. Irritated, Teal'c leaves the game he is playing on the base mainframe. General Hammond marches in the operations room overlooking the Stargate itself as O'Neill strolls up alongside General Hammond.)
HAMMOND: There are no offworld teams at the moment.
WALTER: I'm not picking up a GDO signal, General.
O'NEILL: Could be the Goa'uld paying a visit.
HAMMOND: Close the iris.
WALTER: Aye, sir.
(Guards surround the Stargate, weapons cocked, as Dr. Jackson and Captain Carter join O'Neill's side. Teal'c appears as they speak.)
JACKSON: What's going on?
O'NEILL: Ah, just another intruder banging at the door.
HAMMOND: Teal'c, how long do you think it would be before the Goa'uld would attempt travel back by means of our Stargate?
TEAL'C: If we have made an enemy of another powerful System Lord like Apophis, then it would not be very long, General Hammond. At most, a matter of minutes or hours to build up an assault team.
(The minutes continue to pass, and the gate stays open.)
CARTER: Well, this is... odd.
O'NEILL: Yeah, well, odd by our standards, anyway.
JACKSON: Uh, yeah, far be it from me to question your expertise, but, ah, I thought when a Stargate was activated, something had to pass through...
O'NEILL: That's usually how it works, Daniel.
JACKSON: Right, so why isn't anything passing through now?
(General Hammond sends a look down toward Walter.)
HAMMOND: Master Sergeant?
WALTER: I can't explain it, sir. No IDC, no impact events that would register inbound travelers. I'm reading nothing. According to our instruments, the wormhole should have disengaged already.
TEAL'C: And yet it has not, and the gate remains active.
JACKSON: Well, I hate to be an alarmist, but this could be a problem...
O'NEILL: Carter? Got any of those fancy-schmancy ideas of yours?
CARTER: I don't know, sir... a computer glitch, maybe?
HAMMOND: Captain, that's what I'm putting you in charge of finding out. Go over the data to spot if there's something we missed. I'll have Sergeant Siler inspect the Stargate itself to find if there might be some kind of mechanical error. I'll expect a report from both of you at 1300 hours, assuming this problem hasn't taken care of itself. Dismissed.
(And General Hammond marches away.)
O'NEILL: Well, that's a hell of a way to start the day out.
CARTER: Sir, they could be operating along radio wavelengths beyond our frequency range.
HAMMOND: Isn't there supposed to be a hypothetical time limit to how long a wormhole can be maintained?
CARTER: Yes, sir. A thirty-eight-minute window.
HAMMOND: So how long has the Stargate been active?
CARTER: Coming up on thirty-seven minutes now.
SHEILA: My liege.
MENGSK: Have they arrived yet?
SHEILA: Yes, the delegation you've been expecting is at the front gates, under heavy escort, and are requesting to be allowed in.
MENGSK: Well now, I suppose we mustn't keep such distinguished guests standing idly by, should we? Grant them the access they want, but have a platoon of Ghosts prepped and ready to move in on my signal in case our little conferences here turns too hot.
SHEILA: Yes, sir. They'll be on the way up.
MENGSK: Oh, and... Sheila?
SHEILA: Yes, my liege?
MENGSK: Have General Warfield launch all Wraith flights and to execute tactical propaganda strike 219675-Alpha. Codename: Operation First Impression.
SHEILA: Yes, sir. It's already done.
MENGSK: Excellent! You've done a mighty fine job, Sheila, and your services to the Dominion have been noted by the Imperial Office. Emperor Mengsk I signing off.
(Below, the Earth Alliance entourage are led past the gates and through the courtyard, when a low rumble begins picking up.)
LUCHENKO: Do you hear it...? That noise...
BARKER: Can't say that I... wait... I do hear it now.
LUCHENKO: What is that? Sounds like thunder.
BARKER: Whatever it is, it's getting louder.
LUCHENKO: Look, above!
(And over their heads, the sky is suddenly dotted out by swarms of Wraith fighters, and Terran battlecruisers flying low overhead and firing energy blasts into the distance, including Gorgons.)
EARTHFORCE SECURITY GRUNT: What the hell are they doing?
BARKER: Should've expected this, given the Intel we have.
LUCHENKO: Just has to show who has the bigger one.
EARTHFORCE SECURITY GRUNT: Sirs, with all due respect, what the hell are you talking about? We need to leave, we're under attack!
BARKER: Calm yourself down, Captain! We're not in danger.
EARTHFORCE SECURITY GRUNT: But, sir...!
(Sensing he needs assurance, Luchenko speaks up.)
LUCHENKO: Captain, it's merely a show of force, for propaganda purposes. To demonstrate Mr. Mengsk has the upper hand and he's not afraid to use it if he is required to. It gives him a stronger position in leveraging what he wants to get from us with these negotiations.
EARTHFORCE SECURITY GRUNT: I-I hadn't considered that...
BARKER: Like I said, we aren't in any danger, Captain.
LUCHENKO: For now.
(And they are led into the hallways of the Throne Building, where they arrive at Mengsk's office and are led inside, with the security guards remaining just outside the door.)
MENGSK: Ah! You've arrived. Excellent, excellent! Please, gentlemen — and lady — see yourselves in, pull up a seat, and, ah, we can get down to business.
VALEN: Hard to believe that you're my great-great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter.
DELENN: Indeed. It puts all our previous interaction in new context.
PICARD: Starfleet isn't a military organization, nor has that ever been the defining mandate within our charter. We are explorers, Colonel.
O'NEILL: Well, that seems a little pretentious, don't you think?
TEAL'C: If the employment of your Starfleet cannot be categorized as a military function then to what purpose are the weapons you carry with you meant to serve?
PICARD: Starfleet functions in the role of the scientific, exploration, and defense branch for the United Federation of Planets, but in all our travels, we only do battle where we are left with no alternative than conflict.
(Carter sends O'Neill a look.)
CARTER: Well, that's certainly... interesting.
(And at this point, Colonel O'Neill actually rolls his eyes.)
O'NEILL: Oh for cryin' out loud... that has got to be the most ridiculous doublethink I've ever —
(And here Hammond steps in.)
HAMMOND: Colonel O'Neill... with all due respect afforded your position, and however much I might be inclined, on the surface, to agree with your sentiment, I think that perhaps a more constructive dialogue should be called for with our hosts given the scope of this situation. Wouldn't you agree, Dr. Jackson?
(A pale-skinned man strode into the office. Despite her experience with aliens, Kai Winn is thrown off guard by her visitor's visage.)
KAI WINN: Greetings, friend, I-I hope the day finds you well.
(The Ori Prior bestows her a smile with a sinister gleam in his pupils.)
ORI PRIOR: I find it to be in high spirits, Kai Winn, and the day has only just begun.
KAI WINN: Very well then. I must admit, when Solbor informed me I had an unannounced visitor, this wasn't what I was expecting. Was there something you seek from me?
ORI PRIOR: It is, in fact, I, who possess something you may be seeking, Kai Winn.
(Sweat breaks over Winn's forehead.)
KAI WINN: That is highly doubtful. You don't even know me.
ORI PRIOR: I'm a missionary, come to present you an offer of power on the path to true enlightenment and infinite knowledge from the Book of Origin, to become a devout servant to the Ori.
KAI WINN: (scandalized) You want to convert me, the Kai of Bajor?!
(Despite her protests, Kai Winn feels very intrigued deep down.)
KAI WINN: (calming) What makes you think I'd accept that?
ORI PRIOR: Your envy of power and contempt for the Emissary of the Prophets is well known across most of this quadrant, Kai Winn. The Ori have the ability and willingness to give you all that you've sought and failed to achieve in the worship of your Prophets.
(And here Kai Winn has had enough, yet there is an air of reluctance to her bearing and posture as she rises toward the Prior.)
KAI WINN: I'm afraid I must decline. However... frustrating I occasionally find myself with the Prophets, I will remain true to their teachings and the way of life they've laid out for us, for myself and the good of all of Bajor. To do less would be heresy of the highest order.
(Kai Winn stops a few feet in front of the Prior replete in righteous indignation.)
KAI WINN: And I'm also afraid I must ask you to leave. Now! Or I shall have Solbor throw you out.
(The Prior gives Kai Winn a knowing expression.)
ORI PRIOR: You doubt the power I offer, and remain skeptical of the will of the Ori. But you should never doubt the followers of the true path, as I will demonstrate to you.
(And tapping his staff down, a glow and suddenly Kai Winn finds herself floating about through the air, shocked by the display.)
KAI WINN: (outraged) What have you done to me?!
ORI PRIOR: It is not I who is doing this to you, Kai Winn, but the power of the Ori. This is what they can do, what they represent.
(And here, Kai Winn finds herself being flipped upside down.)
KAI WINN: Put me down! I won't be fooled by your tricks!
(The Prior continues, uninterrupted, as if she is not even there.)
ORI PRIOR: They are with me at all times and unlike your Prophets they don't content themselves to withhold their vaunted strength and wisdom when it is needed; the Ori believe their power and superior understanding is to be shared with those who follow them, to be rewarded upon our death by Ascension to the higher plane of existence where they dwell. That is the promise of the Ori.
KAI WINN: You won't tempt me with your heresy!
ORI PRIOR: How is it heresy, Kai Winn? You have your gods, I have mine, the only true gods of the universe. You see the power they can give you — all they can do for your people! Because rest assured...
(Kai Winn finds herself floating down as the Prior finishes.)
ORI PRIOR: To commit to the Ori is to ensure another Cardassian Occupation will never befall you and your world.
(Flustered and shaken up, Kai Winn points to the door.)
KAI WINN: Out, get out! Remove yourself from my presence!
(The Ori's smile doesn't wane, although it fixes more to icy cold.)
ORI PRIOR: In time, you will learn that the Ori are not to be denied, and if you are prideful and refuse to hear the call of your destiny, then you and your people shall be punished for your sins, and Bajor itself consumed by holy fire. For the moment, however, I will heed your request and depart. But before I do, the Book of Origin.
(With a tap of the staff, a book appears on Kai Winn's desk.)
ORI PRIOR: I grant you a week to consider what I've said here and hold the faith for you and all Bajorans to find the love of the Ori, lest you be cast down to suffer the fate of nonbelievers. Choose wisely. Hallowed are the Ori.
(And with a bow, the Prior walks out.)
JACEN: A sentient hologram?
CORTANA: (goes on a long list of her abilities)
JACEN: Why are you naked?
CORTANA: What?
JACEN: You're naked. Why?
CHIEF: Hmm, that's a good question.
CORTANA: Huh. You know, believe it not, you're the first one ever to ask me that question, but since you're an ally, it's probably safe to tell you. Put shortly, it's to judge the way outsiders react, to throw them off guard so their true feelings are revealed long enough to analyze and file away for future reference. You know what they say, first impressions are everything! Lets me keep the upper hand.
CHIEF: Smart tactical decision.
JACEN: Well, it's not like I'm complaining!
CORTANA: Yeah, and your true feelings are spelled out right there on your face, big boy. But we don't have time for that now. Listen up!
JACEN: What do you call a naked hologram?
CORTANA: Do I even want to know the answer to that one?
JACEN: Raw data!
MASTER CHIEF: (groan)
CORTANA: Hm. Well, with a sense of humor like that, it's no wonder the Covenant want you dead!
MEGABYTE: The world of the Users! My, my, this is an interesting development.
(Kevin is about to leave.)
MATRIX: You take care of yourself, okay?
(Kevin smiled. It finally meant he was part of this world.)
KEVIN: Will do. And try not to blast down too many doors while I'm away, will ya?
(Matrix just grins impishly.)
MATRIX: No promises.
LORIEN: Life is a dream within a dream within a dream. But what happens when the dreamer... wakes up?
DELENN: (to Dukat) You dishonor that name.
DATA: If I may suggest a hypothesis, Admiral?
(Picard nods, allowing Data the permission to elaborate.)
DATA: Extrapolating off initial readings taken by the SG-1 team in the report from General Hammond, it is my belief the totality of everything they experienced is the result of a subspace compression plane within a subatomic superposition, and that is being generated by quantum entanglement.
PICARD: Yes, that would explain it. Like a tesseract, Data?
DATA: To an extent, Admiral. While the internal geometry of a tesseract functions independently to the exterior of the outer shape, the virtual domain that the SGC has documented is entirely reliant on the high, narrow frequency of the subspace signals to maintain their cohesion. It is the interaction of supercharged subatomic particles along a nanometric acceleration curve that provides this layer of reality with the substance and form that it possesses.
PICARD: Well, regardless, my old friend, I must admit, it's truly astonishing. For so long we've thought of space as the final frontier, gateways into the unknown, yet for centuries there's been this hidden universe buried beneath our eyes, ever since the days that the early computers first went online. New questions... the lowest levels of reality to plumb and utterly fresh opportunities for exploration and understanding staring us in the face, all this time... and we never suspected it.
DATA: With all due respect, Admiral, it is likely such a profound discovery was prompted from the intervention of the NID and their flagrant disregard in bypassing the standardized safety protocols that would have likewise interfered in similar advancements of our own technological progress.
PICARD: Hm, perhaps, but exploration, Data, probing the great mysteries of the universe — that always carries a certain element of risk to it, and you can never have total security. It's... an illusion. A lie perpetuated to perverse ends by those willing to exploit it and those gullible enough to believe it.
DATA: Hm. A fair counterpoint, Admiral.
PICARD: Such a surprise revelation... new lifeforms, entirely new ways of culture and philosophy, a new state of being... I will confess at the moment I feel rather like a schoolboy, Data.
DATA: Sir?
PICARD: Sitting back in a stifling classroom, head buried in a book, studying the finer points of trivial minutiae and dry technicalities while looking past the window with dreams of greater days ahead of us...
(And without warning Admiral Picard now rises from his chair.)
DATA: Admiral? Is something the matter?
PICARD: I must visit this world, Commander. Myself.
DATA: Admiral, is that wise? The hazards this venture may pose —
PICARD: Any potential dangers are offset by such an invaluable opportunity, Commander, and to establish any dialogue with these people, you're going to needed an experienced negotiator. I've been cooped up in this office for too long — I've begun to feel the weight of my uniform. There's nothing in the regulations forbidding it, and my choice is made. I will travel to this plane of reality personally, and chart the full extent of the diplomatic potential.
(Kevin is back.)
MATRIX: Oh great, roll out the red file-log, the User's back.
GEORDI: I've gone over this four times, Admiral. There's no way to do what you want us to. We can't disconnect everyone hooked up to the Borg collective consciousness. Not without killing them.
PICARD: Perhaps we should contact the Guardian Collective.
But here's the excerpts! Not all will stay the same, some editing will be required as I progress. But, here it is!EXCERPTS
(From the fogged timelessness of the haze of black unconsciousness Riker slowly stirs, returning to full senses as he finds himself sprawled on the floor of a brightly lit room and he rises himself up right as the door bursts open and in walks a neatly dressed man alongside two Earthforce officers, who set up a table.)
WILLIAM: Do you have any allergies or illnesses I should be aware of? Are you currently taking any medication? Have you had any trouble with your heart?
RIKER: Who are you?
WILLIAM: I'm afraid that is neither here nor there. At the moment, I am the one who will be conducting this interrogation and that's all you need to know. To me, you're just a name, a file, and a case number. You will answer all my questions at once and without hesitation. Cooperation will be rewarded, resistance punished. Now...
(And William has finished setting up the table.)
WILLIAM: Do you have any allergies or illnesses I should be aware of? Are you currently taking any medication? Have you had any trouble with your heart?
(Riker flashes him a devilish grin, set in resolution.)
RIKER: What makes you think I'm gonna cooperate with you?
WILLIAM: Believe me when I say I have no invested interest in the outcome to your interrogation. I am here because my superiors have need of the information that is in your possession, and you'd do well to answer to the best of your ability and knowledge, or they shall resort to... less savory methods.
(With his strength restored, Riker lunges up toward William, but is literally shocked from this course by the electrical resistance he experiences, and falls back into a gasping heap.)
WILLIAM: A word to the wise, I wouldn't attempt that again.
(Riker makes his way upright, still reeling from the zap.)
RIKER: (stunned) What... what, was... that...?
WILLIAM: Pain givers. Bought them off the Narn during the war — though I suppose you wouldn't know anything about that, would you? No. Remarkable devices. Come within three feet of me, you will be hurt. Get to within two feet, you'll be rendered unconscious.
(Rubbing at his jaw, Riker nods in acknowledgement.)
(Picard begins stirring.)
RIKER: Captain, Captain... Jean-Luc, can you hear me?
(The Frenchman attempts to sit himself upright.)
PICARD: Number One... it... I... they can't...
RIKER: Take it easy, Captain. You've been through a lot.
(And Riker and Data both help to lift him back up.)
CAPTAIN: Where am I, what happened? Last thing I remember, I...
RIKER: It's all right, Captain. They got to me, the same as you.
(Spotting this, a guard is dispatched away by the others.)
DATA: The three of us have been detained and subjected to examination and interrogation over the past four days, seventeen hours, and twenty-nine minutes pending charges of sedition, treason, crimes against humanity, mutiny, sabotage, acts of criminal conspiracy with hostile alien forces intent on undermining the legality of the local Earth-centric government, and a multitude of other nefarious acts according to the allegations made by Earthforce personnel.
RIKER: Jean-Luc, it's even worse than we suspected, they —
PICARD: Yes, I'm aware, Number One. It appears we've been stranded in a foreign universe and barbaric time period not too dissimilar from the pre-warp ages of our own world.
DATA: And without a significant power source hooked up to the Stargate mechanism we emerged through, there is an insufficient cause to make progress in attempting to input a manual connection back into our home universe — at least for the foreseeable future.
(Now blearily focusing his eyes, Picard spots the Martian Resistance guards, armed with PPGs in hand.)
PICARD: Who are they?
(Riker shakes his head about helplessly.)
RIKER: Hell if I know; one moment I'm in a cell with a bright light glaring in my face, and the next, the door bursts open and they rush in. After that it turns into a running firefight and we barely get out with our lives. Say they're from the Martian Resistance and their leader is interested in talking to us, especially you, Jean-Luc.
PICARD: Do you know what is it they are after?
(And suddenly there comes a voice drifting out to the three.)
NUMBER TWO: A question I'd also be very interested in hearing.
(Turning their heads, the three find Number Two walking in alongside the guard who was dispatched previously. Number Two now levels a suspicious glare at them.)
PICARD: I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise, representing the United Federation of Planets. Who are you and for what manner of reason have we been brought here to this place?
RIKER: And for that matter, where even is here?
NUMBER TWO: Now, now, kick back and get yourselves comfy... we got plenty of time to get into the nitty-gritty, assuming the Earthforce reports we received are genuine and the three of you really are who they claimed you are.
DATA: What purpose would we have for fabricating them?
NUMBER TWO: It ain't even you, my good robot. Ya see, we haven't survived so long by being stupid and with Earthforce stepping up their game in putting down all dissent they could have just grabbed three convenient patsies to lure us into springing you from the joint and leading them back here.
DATA: I am an android, not a robot.
NUMBER TWO: My bad. Didn't know a tin can could get offended.
RIKER: We aren't from this universe. There was an accident, we were marooned here, and we could use your help to bring us back home.
ACKBAR: Admiral Ackbar to fleet ships. Status update.
PICARD: Transition is complete, Admiral. Mr. Data is running a series of comprehensive quantum resonance scans to pinpoint our precise location and time period within the foldspace matrix.
DATA: Affirmative, Admiral. I will have it prepared in short order.
ACKBAR: Please see to it your droid does. Admiral Ackbar out.
(He turns to face Luke Skywalker, both eyes shut intently.)
ACKBAR: I don't mean to pry, but what does your Force sense tell you, Master Skywalker?
(And his eyelids slip open.)
LUKE: There's an odd quality to the touch of the Force here.
(Admiral Ackbar regards him with a skeptical look.)
ACKBAR: Such as?
LUKE: Imagine... at the end of the day, you've headed off to sleep, and the next day when you wake up, you see that several eons have passed you with the universe itself inverted around you several times over. It may strike you as entirely mad, my old friend, but that's the impression I had when we emerged from the passage.
(Before Ackbar could speak, however...)
DATA: Enterprise to Admiral Ackbar.
ACKBAR: Yes? What does your report tell you, droid?
DATA: We have indeed returned to our destination within the fifth foldspace membrane. Based on the chronometric decay rate merely ninety days, seven hours, and five minutes have passed since our departure on August 27th, 2260.
PICARD: If that's the case, then perhaps we are not too late.
ACKBAR: The question is, where do we proceed now that we're here? Captain, can your droid plot a course for where we are supposed to be?
PICARD: Of course, Admiral, and we can begin as soon as —
LUKE: Wait. Hold up, gentlemen... something is wrong.
LEIA: Luke, what's wrong?
THREEPIO: Is something troubling you, Master Luke?
LUKE: I sense it, out there even now... among the stars... a great darkness is brewing, so insidious and pervasive, it feels as if it could swallow you whole... the dark side is strong here. Admiral Ackbar, can you direct the ship's sensors onto an area of latitude for coordinates approximating 517 by 629 by 74?
ACKBAR: Ensign Darck, initiate a series of long-range scans.
DARCK: Scanning, Admiral. All frequencies. Wait...
HAN: Found anything?
DARCK: Picking up a series of energy discharges at the coordinates Master Skywalker has laid out for us. Sir, it looks like a firefight!
LUKE: And that's where we need to be. I'm certain about it.
PICARD: Well, pardon my skepticism on this, Master Skywalker, but what good is there to be had from rushing headlong into a random confrontation we know nothing about?
DATA: I would remind you, Master Skywalker, that our objective in this universe is to seek out the Martian Resistance and lend them our support of mutual aid and defense; not to engage an unknown and with all probability hostile armed fleet in potentially hazardous territory.
LEIA: Why, Luke? Why head there?
LUKE: I can't say, Leia, But it feels right. The Force has led us to this time and this place for a reason, and I feel that for any hope for future negotiations in this world our best shot lies over there. That is where we need to be, the path that we need to follow which the Force has laid out for us. I sense it.
ACKBAR: Although I remain as dubious as you are, Captain, I want to point out that Master Skywalker is generally known for being right on a number of occasions when his intuition was called on — if he tells you that's where we need to go, then you'd do well to listen to him.
(And after a moment thinking over it, Picard finally relents.)
PICARD: Very well, unorthodox though it may be, let's see what's going on over there in that quiet sector of space and if our presence might be required to dispatch humanitarian assistance if possible.
ACKBAR: Admiral Ackbar to fleet ships. Proceeding on a course heading of 517 by 629 by 74.
THREEPIO: Oh dear. Here we go again.
(And the fleet takes off rocketing in that direction.)
DARCK: Coming within visual range, Admiral.
ACKBAR: Put it on the screen, maximum magnification!
(Four Shadow Battlecrabs appear while chasing the White Star, prompting a cold shiver to break down across Leia's neck.)
THREEPIO: Oh my! What a terribly unpleasant sight!
LEIA: What in the Stang are those things?
HAN: I don't know, but I don't like 'em. Look like trouble all around.
(And suddenly, without warning all present hear a loud scream.)
SCREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
HAN: What the hell was that?!
ACKBAR: Then you all heard it as well?
(Before anybody could reply, Luke answered, as if in a trance.)
LUKE: Pain... terror... suffering. It's what I'd sensed. Those ships, the crew... they're instruments of the dark side... meant to sow war and discord. I feel it... they are the reason we have come here.
(On the screen, a Minbari ship emerges from hyperspace as four of the Shadow Battlecrabs are now halted from a pursuit of the White Star.)
ACKBAR: What are they doing? They behave like their movements have been constrained.
PICARD: Admiral, are you seeing the same thing?
ACKBAR: Indeed I am, Captain Picard. It is most peculiar.
(And on the screen one of the Battlecrabs breaks free.)
PICARD: Recommendations, Admiral? How do we proceed here?
(And, without warning, Luke moves forward, his face slackening, lids dropping down over his eyeballs and reaching out with his senses.)
ACKBAR: Stand by, Enterprise. We'll advise.
PICARD: Enterprise acknowledges, Admiral. Standing by.
LEIA: Is there anything you can do about this? Luke?
HAN: I don't think he can hear us anymore, Leia.
(Now reaching out with his hand, palm extended upward, on the screen before them all the Shadow Battlecrab rushing at the White Star stops in place while Luke's facial muscles tighten, concentrating intently upon his target. Seemingly in response to that, the White Star flips about and blasts the Shadow Battlecrab as a Narn heavy cruiser bursts out from hyperspace, contributing its firepower to the other warship, so that the Shadow ship splintered apart.)
HAN: Looks like that took 'em down.
(And even more vessels emerge from hyperspace, causing the Battlecrabs to turn as retreat clearly is made the intention.)
LUKE: Oh no you don't...
(And with his skin tightening over his skull, on screen before them the Shadow Battlecrabs jerk into a frozen halt, held in the clenching iron grip of Luke's light-aided Force grab. The other ships move in.)
ROBAB: We're in optimum position to enact a pincer maneuver on the enemy fleet, Admiral. Should we move in to assist the other forces?
ACKBAR: No, it's best to allow Master Skywalker to handle this.
(The White Star and League ships take out the four Shadow Battlecrabs, and then hang in space with a hesitant aura.)
DORAT: I'm receiving transmission from the other fleet.
THREEPIO: Why, Admiral, I would be happy to assist in this endeavor! I am, after all, fluent in over six million forms of communication and have been programmed in a variety of first-contact protoco —
(Leia puts a hand forward to clasp her fingers on his arm.)
LEIA: No, Threepio, I think Jean-Luc should be the one.
THREEPIO: As you command, Mistress Leia, but I only wish to be of service, and while I am unable to assist you for this situation, I do believe I could be allowed to better facilitate —
(A hand comes over his vocabulator.)
HAN: Put a spanner in it, Goldenrod. We'll be here all day.
ACKBAR: Well, Captain, I believe this is more your forte than mine.
(And on the screen appears a shared image between Picard and Sheridan from aboard the White Star, who seems briefly surprised, and then covers this up well to commanding force of presence.)
SHERIDAN: This is Captain John Sheridan of Babylon 5 to unknown fleet. Scanners didn't pick you up until now. Would you like to explain what you're doing out here? In case you didn't notice, the Shadows are on the war path, and sparing nobody.
(Leia leans in close to Luke.)
LEIA: Shadows?
(Luke, however, remains fixated on the image of Sheridan.)
PICARD: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard, commander of the Enterprise Fleet. We are here as... I guess you could say, diplomatic envoys, although we appear to have been thrown somewhat off-course.
SHERIDAN: I see... for a moment, I'd thought you were more First Ones. Our initial scans show your technology's unlike anything we've encountered before. But you're human. Who are you? What do you want?
PICARD: Captain, I would respectfully suggest this is hardly the proper venue for such deliberations — we could have you beamed aboard to discuss it further with me and my command staff.
(Sheridan looks perplexed.)
SHERIDAN: Beam?
PICARD: We have a technology that transports you from one location and rematerializes you in another nearly instantaneously. It's quite harmless.
(Sheridan appears to think it over.)
SHERIDAN: No, I have an idea. It's probably going to sound bizarre, but I'd like to invite both you and your allies back to Babylon 5 as our guests. From there, we can continue this conversation, and... if this all works out the way I hope it will, then I have a proposal that might be acceptable to you.
SHERIDAN: Well — here is my office, gentlemen. Come in, make yourselves comfortable, and, uh, we can get down to business.
PICARD: Thank you for your hospitality, Captain Sheridan.
LEIA: Yes, we appreciate all that you have done for us.
GARIBALDI: Look, maybe I'm talking out of turn here, but, um, rather convenient, isn't it? The way all your ships show up right at the time we're getting pound down by the Shadow forces.
(Admiral Ackbar stiffens up, bristling at the implication.)
ACKBAR: I don't know what you mean to imply, Mr. Garibaldi.
(Sheridan sends a glare at Garibaldi, then looks back to his visitors.)
SHERIDAN: That's why I've assembled this conference. To determine who you are, where you come from, and the reason you showed up when you chose to do so.
PICARD: Of course. We'd be happy to provide the answers.
DELENN: We would welcome whatever answers you can give us.
(Meanwhile Luke, who has been quiet the whole time, now speaks up.)
LUKE: Captain Sheridan, there's a question I would like to ask first.
(Sheridan examines Luke curiously.)
SHERIDAN: Yes? Go ahead, ask.
LUKE: Perhaps it's not my place to interfere on this issue, but... are you aware there is a presence layered within your consciousness?
SHERIDAN: What...?
(He gives a skeptical half-smile.)
SHERIDAN: What are you talking about?
LEIA: Luke, are you sure about that?
DELENN: John...?
LUKE: I sense it. I have from the moment I first saw you. And even now, standing here like this, I can feel it, bright like a shining beacon — a blinding pulsar in the Force; there's an entity buried inside you, and all I can say is it is very long-lived, and very familiar to you.
SHERIDAN: I don't...
FLASH!
KOSH: Understanding is a three-edged sword... one moment of perfect beauty... until you are ready to fight legends... if you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die... as long as you're here, I'll always be here...
FLASH!
SHERIDAN: Kosh! It... it's Kosh. Has to be. I don't believe it...
DELENN: No other sentient would ever attempt it, except a Vorlon.
IVANOVA: Wait, Captain, how is that possible? I mean... I-I know the Vorlons have all of those crazy Psi powers, but that seems like a lot, even for them.
HAN: Hey, 'scuse me for interrupting, but what's a Vorlon?
IVANOVA: Wait, you mean to say you've never heard of the Vorlons?
PICARD: Is there a reason to why we should have heard of them?
(Here Garibaldi rolls his eyes dismissively.)
GARIBALDI: Get out of here.
LEIA: You could say we come from a... place far, far away.
GARIBALDI: I think that was obvious the moment you showed up.
IVANOVA: The Vorlons are an advanced race of telepathic beings that have been around thousands, maybe millions of years and up until a year ago nobody had ever seen what a Vorlon really looks like.
GARIBALDI: The Captain believes they might have interfered with humanoid evolution so when we caught a glimpse of 'em we'd see a being of light — you know... wings, white aura, playing a harp, all that?
(Han and Leia share a look.)
PICARD: A precursor race. Now that certainly sounds familiar...
DELENN: It is precisely as you say, Captain — and the Vorlons are among the oldest ones, known to have been walking the stars when the youngest of the oldest still cradled an inherently short-sighted belief that they were alone in the universe.
SHERIDAN: And the one that lived here, Kosh, was enigmatic as all get-out. But the Shadows had him killed. Or at least we thought they did; now it appears like he's not quite as dead as we've been led to think, if...
LUKE: If I am to be believed, is what I think you wanna say.
LEIA: My brother is one of the most renowned figures of the New Republic. You can take him at his word — I will vouch for that.
IVANOVA: The New Republic?
(Before anyone could elaborate, however...)
GARIBALDI: Hey, buddy, what are you, some kinda teep?
(Even as he replied, Luke kept his gaze on Sheridan.)
LUKE: A what?
IVANOVA: It's Earth slang. Shorthand for "telepath."
LUKE: You could see it that way — from a certain point of view.
DELENN: That is indeed the basis for many of our cherished beliefs.
SHERIDAN: The question is, what do we do with this new information? Why has Kosh chosen refuge in my head? And, how do we coax him back out?
IVANOVA: That's assuming we can get him out at all.
LUKE: About that, I believe I might be able to help you, Captain.
SHERIDAN: Well, now, what can you do? I thought you were a human telepath — and no human telepath has ever been able to match the range and abilities of the Vorlons.
(The Grand Master smiles.)
LUKE: If you will recall, what I actually said is you could see it that way — from a certain point of view. No. While my powers do include telepathy, that's not the end to the skills gifted to me by the Force.
GARIBALDI: The whose and what now?
LUKE: The Force, as it was taught to me by my own Masters, is an energy field surrounding, generated by, and binding all living things together, and it is through the Force which I derive my powers, as do all members within the New Jedi Order as servants to the light side.
SHERIDAN: Sounds complicated. If I may be allowed to ask —
(And Leia heads off Sheridan's question before giving it.)
LEIA: We can get to that in a moment, Captain Sheridan. That is the reason we are here, after all. But if it will expedite matters, I can promise to have all our records made available to you?
SHERIDAN: I'd appreciate that, thank you.
LUKE: Yet the bottom line is, I think I can do something for you, Captain Sheridan. If I might be allowed to touch this Kosh with the Force, perhaps I could convince him to why your arrangement is unacceptable.
SHERIDAN: If you think it'll help, go ahead.
(Luke closes his eyes and reaches out, extending his Force sense. For a few minutes, he simply stands there, until his eyes open back up.)
LUKE: I think I know why this Kosh has taken refuge within your consciousness.
SHERIDAN: And that would be?
LUKE: Fear. The most base and primal of all emotions; fear of dying, an inability to let go. This Vorlon of yours has been... damaged and so clings ever more tightly to you. You are the anchor line by which this Vorlon maintains ties to the physical world, and without it this Kosh would be forced to succumb to its own mortality.
PICARD: Well, now, if that's the case, then it seems there is nothing which can be done to separate the two of them from one another.
LUKE: Not necessarily. I felt the entity, and if I can make my intentions plain, I think I can give this Kosh a new home.
IVANOVA: And... just where would that be, pray tell?
(Smiling widely, Luke reached up and tipped a finger to his temple, to the shock of those assembled.)
LUKE: (simply) Right here.
IVANOVA: Right... there? You mean, inside, you...?
LEIA: Luke, does that really seem like the wisest move?
HAN: Yeah, hate to be a killjoy, old friend, but you could be opening yourself up to all kinds of alien manipulation there — no offense or anything.
SHERIDAN: Oh, none taken.
LUKE: Somehow, it just feels right. While a Jedi Master may be the instructor to students, a Master is but himself a first stage in being a pupil, and I feel as if Master Kosh could be a fine mentor to me; its light is very comforting, like an old friend come back home to me. There is much that we could learn from each other.
DELENN: John... what do you intend to do?
(Sheridan thinks it over for a moment.)
SHERIDAN: All right, if you have the power, then I accept.
GARIBALDI: Whoa, Captain, come on, hold up, what do we know about this guy? I mean, what do we really know about any of them, for that matter? They just waltz in here, right off the heels of our last battle, spin us a yarn on how Kosh is still in your head, ducking any questions we put to them, and now they got you agreeing to this. Come on — with all due respect to the lot of you, they could be Shadow spies, for all we know. Or worse!
HAN: Hey, brainiac, with all due respect you, if I had ya in my target sights, I'd let ya know, and trust me on this, we wouldn't be having such a pleasant conversation.
GARIBALDI: Yeah, that's real comforting; is that supposed to make any of us feel better about this? Yet you still haven't answered any of our questions yet, like who you are, and where do you come from?
PICARD: Perhaps it would be wiser if we were to address those concerns befo —
ACKBAR: Mr. Garibaldi, I can assure you, we are NOT here on any hostile intent and pardon me for being blunt, but given the defenses you have available at your disposal, it would require little effort to make our such hostile intent evident past a doubt.
(But before any of the others could start to comment back...)
SHERIDAN: Enough! As the ranking officer in charge of Babylon 5 and the alliance we've built together here, the command decision falls to me, and it's my call to make, not yours.
(His voice softens up a little bit.)
SHERIDAN: I know it may seem unconventional, we don't really know a lot about them yet, but I have a feeling about this.
DELENN: But how do you know it is the right thing to do?
SHERIDAN: I don't know. Hell, that could just be the part of Kosh that's supposedly still inside me. But while I couldn't say that I knew Kosh the best of anyone here, there was something about him... it, it's tough to explain... but regardless, at the end of the day, Kosh chose refuge with me, no one else. It's my head, my choice. I'll take the chance.
(Sheridan clears his throat.)
SHERIDAN: This place, the station, Babylon 5; it was set up by EarthGov following the Earth-Minbari War to help ensure another future misunderstanding wouldn't lead to a war. It was, well... supposed to be our last best hope for peace.
LUKE: An admirable goal, Captain Sheridan. That is what we in the New Jedi Order strive for, to keep the peace in the New Republic.
PICARD: However... I would dare to venture a guess that something failed along the line, Captain?
GARIBALDI: What gave it away? All the warships orbiting the place?
(A chime comes to Vader within the hyperbaric chamber.)
IMPERIAL COMMANDER: Lord Vader, you have a visitor.
VADER: Who is it?
IMPERIAL COMMANDER: Well, I... I don't know, sir. He won't give us a name. But we've scanned him for weapons or chemical residue. He's clean. And he has all the proper identification. Do we let him in?
VADER: Inform whoever it is that I don't entertain guests, Commander, as you very well know.
IMPERIAL COMMANDER: As you wish, my lord.
(Vader tries to meditate, but then another buzz comes.)
VADER: I am starting to feel irritated by your constant disruptions, Commander — surely your intent here is not to make me angry?
IMPERIAL COMMANDER: I'm sorry, Lord Vader, but the visitor is rather persistent, and... I don't know, there's just something odd about this. Orders, sir?
(Vader feels a hint of curiosity.)
VADER: If he wants to be a fool, then so be it. Let him through.
(He opens the hyperbaric chamber. And in steps Mr. Morden. Vader instantly senses the Shadows on either side, but because that they are not attacking him, the Sith Lord decides instead to let it all play out first, to lure them into overconfidence, especially given how Mr. Morden inclines himself respectfully before him.)
MORDEN: Lord Vader, I take it?
VADER: Yes? What do you want with me?
MORDEN: But that's what I came to ask you! What do you want?
(Vader is tempted to kill him, but can sense the Shadows, and their dark aura is all that stays his hand, although he remains curious.)
VADER: Before we continue this conversation any further, I should tell you, young one, that I will not take lightly to any feeble attempts at humor, so if that was a jest, then we have nothing to discuss.
MORDEN: No... pardon my impudence, but you've misunderstood my intent, Lord Vader. I wasn't trying to make fun of you. I apologize.
VADER: Who are you?
MORDEN: Eh, that's the other guys' routine, not mine. But what I just asked you a moment ago, still true. What do you want, Lord Vader?
(Now fed up that the Shadows do not want to reveal themselves, Vader stands up, igniting his lightsaber. Morden flinches back.)
VADER: What I want is for you to quit playing games. Why have you come to bother me, surrounded on both sides by Force shadows?
MORDEN: You... you can see them?
(The Shadows then appear, and Morden bows.)
MORDEN: I apologize again, Lord Vader. It seems I've underestimated you. But rest assured — we are not here to attack. We want to help.
VADER: What are they?
MORDEN: These are my, um... associates, and we've come with a question. I hope you'll answer this time. What do you want?
VADER: Like I told you, I don't take kindly to jests.
MORDEN: We're not joking. What do you want?
VADER: Is this a test of faith by the Emperor, to ensure my loyalty?
MORDEN: We've here because we want to be, nobody forced us. What do you want?
VADER: Do you have any idea who I am?
MORDEN: Yes. You're one we find interesting. What do you want?
(And in spite of himself, Vader is prompted to tell Mr. Morden.)
VADER: What I seek, you can never hope to understand. I want to challenge the Emperor, to make him pay for all the years of torment he subjected me to, the death of my wife, and worse still, what he has done to the galaxy itself! At the dawn of the New Order he promised ten thousand years of order, but look at the poor state we've been reduced to. Endless civil war, and all for nothing. He lied to us simply to secure his own power and we've paid for it ever since. I want to lead us into the New Order he promised us, and then abandoned for his own insanity. I want the Galactic Empire to be everything it should be, under the superior guidance of the power of the dark side of the Force!
MORDEN: I see.
(Morden reacts, as if listening to the Shadows.)
MORDEN: Yes, I'll relay it to him. Lord Vader, you might find that your ambition and the goals of my associates are not mutually exclusive. And, if it would be amenable to you, we are willing to offer you a partnership that would be beneficial to the both of us.
VADER: What do you have in mind?
(Mr. Morden's smirk resembles that of the devil.)
MORDEN: You might have noticed the alien cubes flying about this area of space, which you and your ships so masterfully repelled. Congratulations, by the way.
VADER: What of it?
MORDEN: They'll be back.
VADER: We wiped out their armada.
MORDEN: That won't stop them.
VADER: Tell me more.
MORDEN: They're called the Borg, Lord Vader. You could say my associates have an intimate understanding to how they operate and what their full range of capabilities are. The Borg were engineered by my associates, thousands of centuries ago. Bred as the next step in evolution. Their great experiment. Nevertheless, the experiment turned out to be a failure. The Borg were only interested in spreading order, not chaos, throughout their home galaxy. Their sort of order, by forcefully assimilating others into their collective consciousness. They obtain knowledge this way, and when they do, correct for any flaws they had previously possessed. As a result, you will find that they quickly learn from their mistakes, and adapt to counter them.
VADER: What is there that can be done? This is obviously the reason you've come before me, to offer inside knowledge about the threat. You wouldn't feel so confident standing in my presence otherwise.
MORDEN: They've deemed this Galactic Empire of yours as a priority target and at a technological peak significant to devote the majority of their resources into assimilating it; this offers both a problem and an opportunity for you, to get everything you ever wanted.
VADER: The Galactic Empire will prevail.
MORDEN: They possess millions of Cubes and Spheres to draw on. What do you have at your disposal, Lord Vader? Especially since and forgive me for this, I hear that fancy Death Star of yours got taken out, and by Rebel forces, no less. My associates, though, offer to pledge the vast resources of their fleet assets to you — not the Galactic Empire, but you, personally, Lord Vader — to weather this looming crisis. They know the Borg, they know their tactics, and how their technology operates. Think of this as a... gesture of goodwill.
VADER: Why would you give your assistance so freely, then?
MORDEN: My associates have come with an offer of power and their proposed alliance of partnership I mentioned a moment ago. They feel that you have much potential to still be molded, and with training in the ways of chaos you could see that potential fully realized.
VADER: Are you listening, fool? I seek order, not chaos.
MORDEN: No, please forgive me, Lord Vader, but my associates understand you more than you understand yourself, at least at the moment. With all your actions over the past two decades you've been promoting chaos, which is the natural order to this universe. Think about it. Given your teachings, you know the best way to guide a society is through strengthening them, but the Emperor you bow to has twisted your head, and we've come to put you back on track. The way to rule is not from an iron grip, crushing dissent and ruthlessly maintaining order, but by engineering conflict. It is the only way evolution can be served. Survival of the fittest.
VADER: The weak require a strong hand to mentor them.
MORDEN: War always is the inevitable state of life. You know this as well as we do. So why not encourage it? Those with the potential to become something greater, to find their sure footing and strengthen themselves through evolution, will ascend to newer heights. And those who lack the power to rise above the struggle will fall to the wayside, but sometimes, a sacrifice is necessary for the sake of the greater good. And wouldn't you say that's the way of this wild universe that we live in, my lord? How this Force power of yours is best put into use?
VADER: You are merely trying to confuse me.
MORDEN: No, that's the truth, and you know it, same as I do, Lord Vader. Accept our partnership, become our friend, and we'll give you everything you want, the renaissance you've been dreaming about, including protection from the Borg when they return in force. Just think about it. You stand to gain everything and lose very little.
VADER: So be it then. If this is the alternative, I would be a fool to refuse your help. Help me to topple the Emperor, remove the throne from him and guard the Empire against these Borg of yours, and I will do as you've asked and grant you this partnership that you and your Force shadows seek from me.
(Zeratul wanders the caverns below Z'ha'dum.)
ZERATUL: This place... is steeped in the currents of dark energies, swirling, teeming just below the edge of perception. It stimulates the bloodstream, stills the heart. Hm, this is most definitely where my search has led me, but to what purpose?
LORIEN: To ask the question, one must first examine the reason for its existence.
(And in walks Lorien.)
ZERATUL: To what manner of being are you?
LORIEN: Now... that is the question, isn't it? And for that matter, to what manner of being are you? For myself... am I here, or there? Does my being here, or there, influence the outcome to this conversation more significantly than it would have prior to you receiving the revelation? What if I am neither here, nor there? And to that matter, what truly lies between here, and there? All of the vast in-between, an unfathomable emptiness of nowhere which shows you where you are going and where you have been? Mightn't it be, my friend, that the infinite spaces between here, and there, is what I might be? And where we are? Caretaker to the void lost to the inevitability of entropy?
ZERATUL: What method of meaningless doubletalk is this? Supply me a direct answer and state your intentions here, stranger, or we have nothing further to discuss.
LORIEN: Ah, but it is not I who must be that one to state intentions, for as you yourself noted but a moment ago, where you are now in the empty spaces between where you're going and where you have been before, is darkness, drowned in shadows as a bastion for the chaos that engulfs our universe. And so, I put this to you: What curious manner of a seeker, whether he be mad, romantic, philosophical, a seeker for power, truth, mystery, would find himself drawn to the foreboding emptiness between time and space?
ZERATUL: Hm, complicated though your words may be, I am afraid I cannot give you the answer you demand of me, stranger, for I confess such motivations remain a mystery to me, as well. But, I have heard the siren song of destiny calling, and I have sought this place for illumination along that path.
LORIEN: How interesting that you should choose a world of darkness to light your way to a higher understanding.
WALTER: (intercom) Unauthorized Stargate activation.
(The alarms blares, and the complex bursts into a flurry of activity. Irritated, Teal'c leaves the game he is playing on the base mainframe. General Hammond marches in the operations room overlooking the Stargate itself as O'Neill strolls up alongside General Hammond.)
HAMMOND: There are no offworld teams at the moment.
WALTER: I'm not picking up a GDO signal, General.
O'NEILL: Could be the Goa'uld paying a visit.
HAMMOND: Close the iris.
WALTER: Aye, sir.
(Guards surround the Stargate, weapons cocked, as Dr. Jackson and Captain Carter join O'Neill's side. Teal'c appears as they speak.)
JACKSON: What's going on?
O'NEILL: Ah, just another intruder banging at the door.
HAMMOND: Teal'c, how long do you think it would be before the Goa'uld would attempt travel back by means of our Stargate?
TEAL'C: If we have made an enemy of another powerful System Lord like Apophis, then it would not be very long, General Hammond. At most, a matter of minutes or hours to build up an assault team.
(The minutes continue to pass, and the gate stays open.)
CARTER: Well, this is... odd.
O'NEILL: Yeah, well, odd by our standards, anyway.
JACKSON: Uh, yeah, far be it from me to question your expertise, but, ah, I thought when a Stargate was activated, something had to pass through...
O'NEILL: That's usually how it works, Daniel.
JACKSON: Right, so why isn't anything passing through now?
(General Hammond sends a look down toward Walter.)
HAMMOND: Master Sergeant?
WALTER: I can't explain it, sir. No IDC, no impact events that would register inbound travelers. I'm reading nothing. According to our instruments, the wormhole should have disengaged already.
TEAL'C: And yet it has not, and the gate remains active.
JACKSON: Well, I hate to be an alarmist, but this could be a problem...
O'NEILL: Carter? Got any of those fancy-schmancy ideas of yours?
CARTER: I don't know, sir... a computer glitch, maybe?
HAMMOND: Captain, that's what I'm putting you in charge of finding out. Go over the data to spot if there's something we missed. I'll have Sergeant Siler inspect the Stargate itself to find if there might be some kind of mechanical error. I'll expect a report from both of you at 1300 hours, assuming this problem hasn't taken care of itself. Dismissed.
(And General Hammond marches away.)
O'NEILL: Well, that's a hell of a way to start the day out.
CARTER: Sir, they could be operating along radio wavelengths beyond our frequency range.
HAMMOND: Isn't there supposed to be a hypothetical time limit to how long a wormhole can be maintained?
CARTER: Yes, sir. A thirty-eight-minute window.
HAMMOND: So how long has the Stargate been active?
CARTER: Coming up on thirty-seven minutes now.
SHEILA: My liege.
MENGSK: Have they arrived yet?
SHEILA: Yes, the delegation you've been expecting is at the front gates, under heavy escort, and are requesting to be allowed in.
MENGSK: Well now, I suppose we mustn't keep such distinguished guests standing idly by, should we? Grant them the access they want, but have a platoon of Ghosts prepped and ready to move in on my signal in case our little conferences here turns too hot.
SHEILA: Yes, sir. They'll be on the way up.
MENGSK: Oh, and... Sheila?
SHEILA: Yes, my liege?
MENGSK: Have General Warfield launch all Wraith flights and to execute tactical propaganda strike 219675-Alpha. Codename: Operation First Impression.
SHEILA: Yes, sir. It's already done.
MENGSK: Excellent! You've done a mighty fine job, Sheila, and your services to the Dominion have been noted by the Imperial Office. Emperor Mengsk I signing off.
(Below, the Earth Alliance entourage are led past the gates and through the courtyard, when a low rumble begins picking up.)
LUCHENKO: Do you hear it...? That noise...
BARKER: Can't say that I... wait... I do hear it now.
LUCHENKO: What is that? Sounds like thunder.
BARKER: Whatever it is, it's getting louder.
LUCHENKO: Look, above!
(And over their heads, the sky is suddenly dotted out by swarms of Wraith fighters, and Terran battlecruisers flying low overhead and firing energy blasts into the distance, including Gorgons.)
EARTHFORCE SECURITY GRUNT: What the hell are they doing?
BARKER: Should've expected this, given the Intel we have.
LUCHENKO: Just has to show who has the bigger one.
EARTHFORCE SECURITY GRUNT: Sirs, with all due respect, what the hell are you talking about? We need to leave, we're under attack!
BARKER: Calm yourself down, Captain! We're not in danger.
EARTHFORCE SECURITY GRUNT: But, sir...!
(Sensing he needs assurance, Luchenko speaks up.)
LUCHENKO: Captain, it's merely a show of force, for propaganda purposes. To demonstrate Mr. Mengsk has the upper hand and he's not afraid to use it if he is required to. It gives him a stronger position in leveraging what he wants to get from us with these negotiations.
EARTHFORCE SECURITY GRUNT: I-I hadn't considered that...
BARKER: Like I said, we aren't in any danger, Captain.
LUCHENKO: For now.
(And they are led into the hallways of the Throne Building, where they arrive at Mengsk's office and are led inside, with the security guards remaining just outside the door.)
MENGSK: Ah! You've arrived. Excellent, excellent! Please, gentlemen — and lady — see yourselves in, pull up a seat, and, ah, we can get down to business.
VALEN: Hard to believe that you're my great-great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter.
DELENN: Indeed. It puts all our previous interaction in new context.
PICARD: Starfleet isn't a military organization, nor has that ever been the defining mandate within our charter. We are explorers, Colonel.
O'NEILL: Well, that seems a little pretentious, don't you think?
TEAL'C: If the employment of your Starfleet cannot be categorized as a military function then to what purpose are the weapons you carry with you meant to serve?
PICARD: Starfleet functions in the role of the scientific, exploration, and defense branch for the United Federation of Planets, but in all our travels, we only do battle where we are left with no alternative than conflict.
(Carter sends O'Neill a look.)
CARTER: Well, that's certainly... interesting.
(And at this point, Colonel O'Neill actually rolls his eyes.)
O'NEILL: Oh for cryin' out loud... that has got to be the most ridiculous doublethink I've ever —
(And here Hammond steps in.)
HAMMOND: Colonel O'Neill... with all due respect afforded your position, and however much I might be inclined, on the surface, to agree with your sentiment, I think that perhaps a more constructive dialogue should be called for with our hosts given the scope of this situation. Wouldn't you agree, Dr. Jackson?
(A pale-skinned man strode into the office. Despite her experience with aliens, Kai Winn is thrown off guard by her visitor's visage.)
KAI WINN: Greetings, friend, I-I hope the day finds you well.
(The Ori Prior bestows her a smile with a sinister gleam in his pupils.)
ORI PRIOR: I find it to be in high spirits, Kai Winn, and the day has only just begun.
KAI WINN: Very well then. I must admit, when Solbor informed me I had an unannounced visitor, this wasn't what I was expecting. Was there something you seek from me?
ORI PRIOR: It is, in fact, I, who possess something you may be seeking, Kai Winn.
(Sweat breaks over Winn's forehead.)
KAI WINN: That is highly doubtful. You don't even know me.
ORI PRIOR: I'm a missionary, come to present you an offer of power on the path to true enlightenment and infinite knowledge from the Book of Origin, to become a devout servant to the Ori.
KAI WINN: (scandalized) You want to convert me, the Kai of Bajor?!
(Despite her protests, Kai Winn feels very intrigued deep down.)
KAI WINN: (calming) What makes you think I'd accept that?
ORI PRIOR: Your envy of power and contempt for the Emissary of the Prophets is well known across most of this quadrant, Kai Winn. The Ori have the ability and willingness to give you all that you've sought and failed to achieve in the worship of your Prophets.
(And here Kai Winn has had enough, yet there is an air of reluctance to her bearing and posture as she rises toward the Prior.)
KAI WINN: I'm afraid I must decline. However... frustrating I occasionally find myself with the Prophets, I will remain true to their teachings and the way of life they've laid out for us, for myself and the good of all of Bajor. To do less would be heresy of the highest order.
(Kai Winn stops a few feet in front of the Prior replete in righteous indignation.)
KAI WINN: And I'm also afraid I must ask you to leave. Now! Or I shall have Solbor throw you out.
(The Prior gives Kai Winn a knowing expression.)
ORI PRIOR: You doubt the power I offer, and remain skeptical of the will of the Ori. But you should never doubt the followers of the true path, as I will demonstrate to you.
(And tapping his staff down, a glow and suddenly Kai Winn finds herself floating about through the air, shocked by the display.)
KAI WINN: (outraged) What have you done to me?!
ORI PRIOR: It is not I who is doing this to you, Kai Winn, but the power of the Ori. This is what they can do, what they represent.
(And here, Kai Winn finds herself being flipped upside down.)
KAI WINN: Put me down! I won't be fooled by your tricks!
(The Prior continues, uninterrupted, as if she is not even there.)
ORI PRIOR: They are with me at all times and unlike your Prophets they don't content themselves to withhold their vaunted strength and wisdom when it is needed; the Ori believe their power and superior understanding is to be shared with those who follow them, to be rewarded upon our death by Ascension to the higher plane of existence where they dwell. That is the promise of the Ori.
KAI WINN: You won't tempt me with your heresy!
ORI PRIOR: How is it heresy, Kai Winn? You have your gods, I have mine, the only true gods of the universe. You see the power they can give you — all they can do for your people! Because rest assured...
(Kai Winn finds herself floating down as the Prior finishes.)
ORI PRIOR: To commit to the Ori is to ensure another Cardassian Occupation will never befall you and your world.
(Flustered and shaken up, Kai Winn points to the door.)
KAI WINN: Out, get out! Remove yourself from my presence!
(The Ori's smile doesn't wane, although it fixes more to icy cold.)
ORI PRIOR: In time, you will learn that the Ori are not to be denied, and if you are prideful and refuse to hear the call of your destiny, then you and your people shall be punished for your sins, and Bajor itself consumed by holy fire. For the moment, however, I will heed your request and depart. But before I do, the Book of Origin.
(With a tap of the staff, a book appears on Kai Winn's desk.)
ORI PRIOR: I grant you a week to consider what I've said here and hold the faith for you and all Bajorans to find the love of the Ori, lest you be cast down to suffer the fate of nonbelievers. Choose wisely. Hallowed are the Ori.
(And with a bow, the Prior walks out.)
JACEN: A sentient hologram?
CORTANA: (goes on a long list of her abilities)
JACEN: Why are you naked?
CORTANA: What?
JACEN: You're naked. Why?
CHIEF: Hmm, that's a good question.
CORTANA: Huh. You know, believe it not, you're the first one ever to ask me that question, but since you're an ally, it's probably safe to tell you. Put shortly, it's to judge the way outsiders react, to throw them off guard so their true feelings are revealed long enough to analyze and file away for future reference. You know what they say, first impressions are everything! Lets me keep the upper hand.
CHIEF: Smart tactical decision.
JACEN: Well, it's not like I'm complaining!
CORTANA: Yeah, and your true feelings are spelled out right there on your face, big boy. But we don't have time for that now. Listen up!
JACEN: What do you call a naked hologram?
CORTANA: Do I even want to know the answer to that one?
JACEN: Raw data!
MASTER CHIEF: (groan)
CORTANA: Hm. Well, with a sense of humor like that, it's no wonder the Covenant want you dead!
MEGABYTE: The world of the Users! My, my, this is an interesting development.
(Kevin is about to leave.)
MATRIX: You take care of yourself, okay?
(Kevin smiled. It finally meant he was part of this world.)
KEVIN: Will do. And try not to blast down too many doors while I'm away, will ya?
(Matrix just grins impishly.)
MATRIX: No promises.
LORIEN: Life is a dream within a dream within a dream. But what happens when the dreamer... wakes up?
DELENN: (to Dukat) You dishonor that name.
DATA: If I may suggest a hypothesis, Admiral?
(Picard nods, allowing Data the permission to elaborate.)
DATA: Extrapolating off initial readings taken by the SG-1 team in the report from General Hammond, it is my belief the totality of everything they experienced is the result of a subspace compression plane within a subatomic superposition, and that is being generated by quantum entanglement.
PICARD: Yes, that would explain it. Like a tesseract, Data?
DATA: To an extent, Admiral. While the internal geometry of a tesseract functions independently to the exterior of the outer shape, the virtual domain that the SGC has documented is entirely reliant on the high, narrow frequency of the subspace signals to maintain their cohesion. It is the interaction of supercharged subatomic particles along a nanometric acceleration curve that provides this layer of reality with the substance and form that it possesses.
PICARD: Well, regardless, my old friend, I must admit, it's truly astonishing. For so long we've thought of space as the final frontier, gateways into the unknown, yet for centuries there's been this hidden universe buried beneath our eyes, ever since the days that the early computers first went online. New questions... the lowest levels of reality to plumb and utterly fresh opportunities for exploration and understanding staring us in the face, all this time... and we never suspected it.
DATA: With all due respect, Admiral, it is likely such a profound discovery was prompted from the intervention of the NID and their flagrant disregard in bypassing the standardized safety protocols that would have likewise interfered in similar advancements of our own technological progress.
PICARD: Hm, perhaps, but exploration, Data, probing the great mysteries of the universe — that always carries a certain element of risk to it, and you can never have total security. It's... an illusion. A lie perpetuated to perverse ends by those willing to exploit it and those gullible enough to believe it.
DATA: Hm. A fair counterpoint, Admiral.
PICARD: Such a surprise revelation... new lifeforms, entirely new ways of culture and philosophy, a new state of being... I will confess at the moment I feel rather like a schoolboy, Data.
DATA: Sir?
PICARD: Sitting back in a stifling classroom, head buried in a book, studying the finer points of trivial minutiae and dry technicalities while looking past the window with dreams of greater days ahead of us...
(And without warning Admiral Picard now rises from his chair.)
DATA: Admiral? Is something the matter?
PICARD: I must visit this world, Commander. Myself.
DATA: Admiral, is that wise? The hazards this venture may pose —
PICARD: Any potential dangers are offset by such an invaluable opportunity, Commander, and to establish any dialogue with these people, you're going to needed an experienced negotiator. I've been cooped up in this office for too long — I've begun to feel the weight of my uniform. There's nothing in the regulations forbidding it, and my choice is made. I will travel to this plane of reality personally, and chart the full extent of the diplomatic potential.
(Kevin is back.)
MATRIX: Oh great, roll out the red file-log, the User's back.
GEORDI: I've gone over this four times, Admiral. There's no way to do what you want us to. We can't disconnect everyone hooked up to the Borg collective consciousness. Not without killing them.
PICARD: Perhaps we should contact the Guardian Collective.
"A culture's teachings - and more importantly, the nature of its people - achieve definition in conflict. They find themselves, or find themselves lacking."
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
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Yukaphile
- Overlord
- Posts: 8778
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Re: Need help with "Star Chronicles" (my eight-way sci-fi fanfiction)
What do you think? Hell, clearspira, I know you been disappointed so much by modern Star Trek and Disney canon Star Wars, dude. What do you think of this? A return to form, as it were? Like, do you think I captured the spirit, the ESSENCE of TNG Picard and crew well? And of course there's all those other verses. Yeah, been a busy year. I got to advance so many projects. 
"A culture's teachings - and more importantly, the nature of its people - achieve definition in conflict. They find themselves, or find themselves lacking."
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
— Kreia, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords
