StarDestroyer.Net BBS

If you want Stravo's story in one fell swoop and in a nice pretty black-on-white format, try here

Hmmm BDZ Earth is out of the question I think so do it to Mars you strike two blows with this .First ya show the Feddys you can do it second you destroy the larghest shipyard they have other than Section 31s

Well, there's been some waiting I know, but blame the legal community for keeping an aspiring writer too busy to write. Enough excuses: Here comes Chapter 12, and keep a sharp eye out for 13, because its writing itself as we speak



Chapter 12: The Summons

“They did this to an Imperial held world?” Nemesis asked darkly as he stood on the vast glassy plain of what used to be the largest city on Remus. Nothing remained, not a single building, no wreckage, no sign at all that this world had been inhabited for thousands of years and home to a thriving empire. The glassy plain stretched on for the entire planet, there was not a hill, mountain, nothing that deviated form the single flat monotonous vista.

“Probes and sensors confirm that the entire planet is composed of this same glassy silicate all the way down to the core.” Kittaine replied. They all wore environmental suits, the atmosphere of the planet had been burned away, exposing the world to the harshness of the void.

“That would include all the dilithium deposits as well as other resources that Remus was providing us. It was the economic heart of the Romulan province.” Branna added shaking his head at the waste he saw around him.

“Is that all you can say?!” T’Vok exclaimed, furious at the detached interest the Imperials were taking to a holocaust of epic proportions. Billions of Romulans had died this day.

“Calm yourself, Admiral. This is not a time to act from emotion.” Kittaine replied coolly.

Nemesis stared down at the ground for a long moment. He had felt the disturbance in the force nearly immediately when the action took place, the death of an entire world in the matter of instants. The ripples this action had sent throughout the force had nearly stunned him in their intensity.

“Tell me more about these Klingons, T’Vok.” Nemesis asked quietly, eyes still focused on the ground beneath his feet.

T’Vok took a moment to compose himself. His aide was at his side as usual, handed him a data pad that had a complete report from the home guard concerning the battle. The populace on Romulus had been kept in the dark regarding the loss of Remus. He did not know how they could break the news to his people. They had suffered so much in such a short amount of time, and the armed forces whose pride and joy it was to defend their great empire had proven completely incompetent in stopping the twin holocausts that had been visited upon them: The destruction of Romulus’ greatest continent and cities, and the loss of Remus.

“The Klingons were involved in the attack. Although numerous sources indicate that there were only scattered confirmed sightings of Klingon ships, we do know that the Klingons are fond of attacking and cloaking as soon as possible to confuse the enemy as to their numbers. The fact that the Federation ships were using cloaking devices further implicates the scum, they obviously shared cloaking technology or even outright gave them cloaking devices to under take this attack.” T’Vok replied, his voice tight with anger.

Nemesis could feel the anger raging within him and he was comforted by it. He continued listening, but his thoughts were also out in the void. There was another disturbance in the force, it was close, very close.

“This tactic is more like the Klingons, the Federation simply has no stomach for this kind of warfare.” He added looking around in disgust at the smooth, lifeless plain.

“They obviously have the technology for it.” Kittaine replied.

“What you fail to understand about the Federation is that they have the technology to do many things, but their insipid belief in their moral superiority would not allow them to use that technological edge to its fullest benefit.” T’Vok commented.

“Obviously that’s not true in this case.” Branna replied dryly.

“These Klingons, they are considered a warrior race?” Nemesis asked, his mind focusing on the disturbance. It was very close indeed.

“If howling animals who stupidly board ships and assault planets armed with edged weapons is what you consider a warrior race, then yes, you can say that. Their culture is bent to war; subtlety and intelligence are beyond their understanding.” T’Vok answered with some disdain.

“You’re people hate them?”

“We have been enemies for nearly a century.” T’Vok replied icily.

“Excellent. Then it is time the Empire stretch forth its mighty hand and crush the warrior race of this galaxy for their participation in this direct attack on one of the Emperor’s worlds.”

“But, Lord Nemesis, it was clear from our scans that the Federation fleet itself was directly responsible for the attack on Remus, the Klingons were only involved in the periphery of the battle. Vengeance must be sought against those that are directly responsible for this atrocity!” T’Vok protested. His aide nodded in agreement.

Nemesis slowly turned his head to face T’Vok, his cool blue eyes bore into the old but proud Romulan admiral.

“There will be vengeance against the Federation. I am no fool. I saw the reports for myself, but I have something special in mind for the Federation. For now, you will content yourselves with mastery over the Klingons.”

“What?”

“Your fleet will assemble and be led on a general assault on Klingon space. You will engage every Klingon fleet that you encounter, until you arrive at the Klingon homeword. When you arrive there, you will signal me for instructions.”

T’Vok was uncertain how to proceed.

“Once the Klingons are conquered they will be placed under your direct control as a province of the Romulan empire as payment for their unwarranted aggression.”

T’Vok frowned.

“And the Federation?”

“Leave that to me.” Nemesis smiled triumphantly as he finally located the source of the disturbance.

“Admiral Kittaine, I want you to signal Captain Tarsi, he and the Executioner will be pulled off duty on Vulcan and be given the assignment of conquering the Klingon empire. He will have all the resources of the Romulan provincial forces at his discretion.”

“Who will replace him on Vulcan?”

“Deploy the Relentless and several support ships, including a wing of warbirds. Tarsi will not be gone for long, I can assure you.” Nemesis replied with a grin.

“The Relentless is currently undergoing extensive repairs in the shipyards.” Kittaine warned.

“Admiral, I am well aware of our current tactical and strategic situation, the Relentless, though badly damaged is still a dire threat to anything but a full fledged Federation fleet.”

“What if they do decide to deploy a fleet in a counterstroke against Vulcan? It’s what I would do after an attack such as this.” Branna interjected.

Nemesis’ smile broadened.

“Captain Branna, the Federation will be deploying many fleets in the coming days, but they will not be to retake Vulcan, it will be to protect itself against our assaults.”

“Then we will be moving against the Federation as well?” T’Vok pressed.

“Indeed, Admiral. In fact, I want you to have all warbirds closest to your neutral zone to begin immediate offensive action against all Federation ships and bases. The Imperial fleet will be deploying soon thereafter.”

“Our goal?” Kittaine asked curiously.

“There can be only one goal. But that will be revealed to you in time. For now I have a far more pressing question.”

“My Lord?” Kittaine asked after a moment of uncomfortable silence where the only sound was the air coming into their environmental suit’s helmets.

“Admiral T’Vok?”

“Yes?” T’Vok replied.

“How long have you had a Changleing as your aide?” Nemesis asked.

T’Vok whipped around as his aide suddenly drew a disruptor and aimed at Nemesis. Kittaine cursed himself as he tried to draw his own sidearm, he should have ignored Nemesis’ insistence that there was no need for stormtrooper escort on the surface. Even Mara Jade was moving a beat too slow, drawing her weapon and firing, the first shot missing the aide’s head by less than a hand’s breadth. She was cursing loudly as she fought against the natural clumsiness of the environmental suit’s gloves.

The aide sneered and fired two quick snap shots from the disruptor.

Nemesis moved without anyone seeing him do so, between the blinks of an eye, there was snap hiss and his crimson lightsaber ignited deflecting one disruptor bolt into the ground next to him and then swung his blade in a flash of movement form his wrists, taking the next bolt and whipping it back at the aide.

He screamed as the bolt sheared off his arm. The aide collapsed to the ground, clutching the stump of its gun arm. Mara was by the aide’s side in the next moment and pointed her blaster at his head and began to pull the trigger.

“Hold!” Nemesis barked and strode over to the stricken aide, whose wound was now oozing strangely, as flesh gave way to some odd golden liquid. Kittaine grimaced in disgust. T’Vok stared dumbfounded at the sight.

“So, you thought you could blatantly hide among us, eh, shapeshifter?” He noted with contempt as he deactivate his lightsaber.

The changeling did not look up, instead it was massaging the stump, the liquid gelatinous substance was slowly solidifying, but oxygen was clearly running out of the enormous tear, ice crystals forming on the clear shield of the helmet’s face plate.

“Struggle all you want but your treachery has been discovered. Your people have been oddly silent since our arrival. Considering you nearly brought this quadrant to its knees I was wondering when we would begin to see the Dominion.”

“For a solid, you have a firm grasp of strategy and tactics, but you are as flawed as all of your kind. You act from baser instincts which we have surpassed long ago. You come to impose order on this galaxy. Order? What do your people know of order?” The changeling laughed, looking up at Nemesis with unconcealed contempt.

Nemesis smiled.

“Death is the only penalty for spying on the Emperor’s minions. However, if you tell me what I want to know I will make sure that you will live long enough to join the great link again.”

The changeling’s face was difficult to gauge for emotion but there was no doubt that Nemesis’ revelation of his knowledge of what was going through its mind disturbed it.

“This cannot be, even the most powerful Betazed telepaths cannot pierce our mental discipline.”

“Beta Zed telepaths? I am no simple mind trickster. I am a Sith and the dark side will not denied. Now, what say you? Your oxygen is running out and it looks as if you are having trouble with the lack of pressure here. How long before you boil away to nothing, I wonder.”

“I will tell you nothing, foul one. I have seen what you call order and it is nothing more than the application of force to deal with a problem. That is infantile and pathetic. Your weapons may be impressive but I have seen enough to know that you are far from home and lacking support here. The Federation surprised you here and my people are just waiting patiently for any weakness. We will not fold as easily as these fools.” He replied hotly, jerking his head in T’Vok’s direction.

Nemesis stared intently at the changeling for a moment. The changeling returned the gaze without flinching. Nemesis suddenly pressed his lightsaber against the faceplate and there was a snap hiss. The changeling stiffened as the blade passed through its head and emerged on the other side. The body began to boil away, lumpy gelatinous golden liquid spilled out of the suit.

“Burn it all. Leave no trace of the thing.”

Mara nodded and commenced to burn away the liquid with her blaster. Nemesis whirled and stalked over to Kittaine. T’Vok still shook his head in disbelief.

“The Dominion has been spying on us since we arrived here. The changeling was alone, there were no others, to its knowledge nonetheless, but begin immediate screening of the population.” He paused and a slow smile crept across his face. “And tell Tarsi that he has to make a stop before proceeding on his invasion of Klingon space.”

“My Lord?”

“His mission will be to collapse the wormhole at Bajor. Without it, our patient friends will indeed have to be patient because it will take decades for their warp drive to get them here.” Nemesis sneered.




“Let me get this straight now, because logic is not my strong suit, you are saying that we were brought here by an outside force?” Tarsi asked the cool quiet Vulcan standing opposite the table of Tarsi’s office. He had set up a command post on the planet where he acted as temporary military governor.

“That is what we have been able to ascertain so far from the data you have provided us.” Xon answered. He was the head scientist in charge of the group that Tarsi gathered at Vulcan’s most prestigious university. They were 100 of the planet’s finest minds, experts on temporal and spatial mechanics, theoretical physicists and Experts on subspace fields and theories. They worked around the clock for the last week, using data provided by Tarsi as well as their own materials. There were two shifts 18 hours each, with no meal breaks. Tarsi had heard of the Vulcan’s near legendary stamina and was using that to its fullest.

Those that provided beneficial data to the Empire were rewarded with hours of free time and family visits. In Tarsi’s opinion this inspired a sense of competition that would speed up any breakthroughs. The 100 were simply the top minds, the head of the entire effort. Thouands of scientists were aiding the cause, many were simply carrying out the calculations and mundane research while the committee poured over the data to try and find answer.

Xon had come to him after the committee had decided on a working theory as to why the Imperial forces were here.

“If you read our report it is extremely detailed and simplified.”

“I prefer you tell me.” Tarsi replied, a dangerous edge in his voice. He did not take kindly to provincials telling him what to do.

“As you wish,” Xon bowed his head slightly after arching an eyebrow. Tarsi found the habit irritating.

“After extensive analysis of the data provided by your people and our own knowledge of the wormholes that have been encountered in this galaxy, several conclusions have been made. One, the wormholes and temporal anomalies encountered by both Starfleet and other space faring races in this galaxy have been localized to this galaxy or its local cluster. There has never been a single recorded occurrence of an extragalactic entity, object, or material appearing through a wormhole or anomaly in space time. Two, your sensor readings showed absolutely no changes save for precisely .45 seconds of ‘lost’ time. Extensive reworking of your databases by our and your technicians has found absolutely no way of accounting for this lost time. There is not a single recorded instance of such an effect happening with regard to any temporal or spatial anomaly. Usually the ship’s sensors pickup strange readings and the crew even feel slightly disoriented by the experience, yet at no time do any of your sensors pick up anomalous readings. Three, the anomaly usually remains active for a brief period of time, some for an extended period, but we have never had any experience with an anomaly that has had an instantaneous duration. Four, the vast differences in distance and time between our galaxy and yours, make it nearly impossible to conceive of the energy requirements needed for such an event. Wormholes that cross such vast distances and simultaneously act as temporal anomalies is unheard of and unnatural. We therefore conclude that the anomaly you encountered was wholly artificial.”

“You’re trying to tell me that someone brought us here?” Tarsi snapped in disbelief.

“Someone or something. There is precedence for this conclusion. There are many beings in this galaxy which Starfleet has catalogued with vast powers over time and space, chief among them the Q. There is also evidence of extremely advanced civilizations such as the caretakers, who used their technology to bring ships across thousands of light years in mere seconds.”

“Tell me about these Q.”

“They are powerful entities, we do not believe that they are life forms in the strictest sense of the word, they seem to have transcended the need for physical shapes. Their powers have never truly been tested but there are catalogued instances of mass changes on a planetary, even galactic scale. They have even claimed to be able to change such things as universal constants such as gravity. They bend space time to their will.”

Tarsi nodded, very interested.

“Any why have they not conquered this galaxy then?’

“It has been theorized that they have certain rules against interference with other species and they seem to relish the role of tricksters or watchers, walking among us and studying us for a purpose we cannot fathom.”

“Foolish fops, eh? Where might we find these Q?” Tarsi asked, smiling at the thought of introducing these supposed gods to a BDZ operation.

“They do not seem to exist on this plane of reality. Their home is an extra dimensional construct they simply call the continuum.”

Tarsi frowned and sat back in his chair.

“So, in the end, what you are telling me is that beings who have godlike powers and live in a faraway place that is inaccessible to us have decided to drag our fleet trillions of light years across the cosmos and millennia out of time?” He asked snidely.

“That is our logical conclusion.”

“Xon, do you seriously expect me to believe this nonsense?” Tarsi sighed.

“What other explanation do you have considering the evidence? It is immanently clear that this wormhole was an artificial construct.” Xon stated firmly.

Tarsi eyed the Vulcan suspiciously.

Tarsi picked up a pen and jabbed it at Xon.

“If I find out that you have been wasting the Empire’s time with these fairytales about alien beings who choose to call themselves by a single letter and live in a place that does not exist, you will find yourself wondering what it will be like to live without pain.” Tarsi growled.

“There is no need to become antagonistic, Captain Tarsi. If I may be so bold, you must learn to govern your passions, they will be your undoing.”

Tarsi’s jaw dropped and his face reddened. Xon had spent little time interacting with humans but he recognized raw rage when he saw it.

“Why you green blooded, pointed eared-” Tarsi began to thunder. An aide cleared his throat as he entered.

“What!” Tarsi snarled.

“Orders from Admiral Kittaine. You are required to read them immediately.” His aide stated uncomfortably and handed Tarsi a datapad. Tarsi snatched it away and began reading it, eyes snapping along the electronic symbols and with each line he read, his rage quickly subsided and a smile crept across his features. He placed the datapad on his desk and looked up at Xon and his aide. The smile was unnerving, like a wolf that had spotted prey.

Xon briefly wondered what poor world would suffer at his hands.





“Station keeping.” Kirk ordered.

“Aye sir, but the subspace and gravitational currents in this wormhole are very strong, its taking nearly all of our power to maintain position.” Sulu reported.

Kirk nodded as the Enterprise came to a stop in the center of the wormhole. Around him cascades of light erupted around them. The Sagan was taking up position directly next to the Enterprise. Kirk waited for a few minutes as the ship rocked steadily.

Nothing.

Perhaps there was something more.

“Maybe we should announce ourselves.” Kirk turned in his command chair to face Uhura.

“Uhura open hai-” he stopped as he noticed the bridge was plunged in a yellowish light and there was a sound of a very slow heartbeat. Uhura faced him and her face was a blank for a moment, then her eyes focused on him.

“The Kirk is impatient.” She stated flatly.

“The Kirk is restless.” Spock noted from his place on the bridge.

“The Kirk is much like the Sisko.” Sulu added.

“Who are you? I came like you asked, but there is little time. The enemy is about to over run the Federation.” Kirk replied, standing up and walking around his chair eyeing the bridge crew who were all turned and watched him with the same blank expressions.

“The Kirk is not the Sisko.”

“The Kirk is not of Bajor.”

“No, I’m not. But you called me, remember? I came as you asked and risked my ship, my crew and my command, because I believed that you had an answer for me.”

“The Kirk seeks answers?”

“No, The Kirk seeks intervention.”

“The Kirk could never understand or respect the rules of the game.”

“The Kirk has lived his life disobeying the rules, violating codes, because he believed that his heart knew more than his head.”

Kirk frowned. This was not going as he anticipated.

“What is it about god like aliens and the need to be so damned cryptic?” He muttered.

“I’ve asked the same question myself many times, Captain.” Sisko replied with a smile. He was standing right under the viewscreen in a Starfleet uniform.

“Thank God, Captain Sisko, I was beginning to feel unwanted.”

“Actually you are unwanted, they are not happy about you being here but at the same time they seem to be angry about something. Space time seems to be unraveling around us captain, but we are linear beings so we don’t exactly feel it, but the prophets live their lives in multiple dimensions and times simultaneously and they are not happy about what they see.”

“These enemy ships are the source of this unraveling?”

“No, more like a symptom. They come from a galaxy far away and long ago.”

“The Sisko tries our patience.” Sulu interjected.

Sisko smiled.

“Sorry captain, let’s get this over with. I am opening a portal to another place, I need you to send a distress call, tell them everything that you know and hopefully we will get a response.”

“Hopefully?” Kirk replied sharply.

“I can’t make any promises. I am just an emissary.” He pointed to his bridge officers. “They run the show.” Sisko smiled warmly as he walked over to Kirk and held up his arms over him. Suddenly Kirk seemed to be in a bright white spotlight and the bridge faded into shadows so that there was only Sisko and Kirk.

“Go ahead, captain.”

Kirk cleared his throat and looked up at the light.

“This is Captain James T. Kirk of the starship Enterprise. I am a representative of the United Federation of Planets, a peace loving organization that has recently been attacked by a fleet of warships from another galaxy. They claim to be representatives of a Galactic Empire. We need assistance. Please, if anyone can render aid please do so, our situation will grow dire very quickly.”

Sisko lightly brushed against Kirk’s arm and Kirk felt a rush of electricity and the next words out of his mouth were not his own.

“The Imperial Fleet is led by Darth Nemesis.”

Who in the hell was Darth Nemesis?

Sisko lowered his arms and the spotlight dimmed. Kirk was back on his bridge. The bridge officers watched him intently but the Spock and Sulu entities were staring hard at Sisko.

“The Sisko has influenced the Kirk.” Spock accused.

“The Sisko knows that such violations are anathema to us.”

“I know, but I also know that he needs all the help he can get and the aid he needs will not come without the message being clear.” Sisko replied sharply.

“The Sisko grows belligerent.”

“The Sisko has not learned much in the temple.”

“It’s my hope to teach you some day.” Sisko replied coolly.

The prophets exchanged puzzled glances.

“Captain, you have to know that sometimes, the help you call for and the help you receive may not be what you expect.” Sisko warned.

Kirk frowned.

“Now what is THAT supposed to mean?”

“Ah, I see your help has arrived!” Sisko exclaimed and clapped his hands good naturedly.

Kirk looked over at the view screen. A strange ship had entered the wormhole and was slowly approaching the Enterprise.

“What is that?” Kirk asked.

“You can say that again, Jim. It looks like my granddaddy’s outboard motor on his boat.” McCoy muttered.

Kirk looked around. The bridge had returned to normal. Everyone was going about their business.

“Spock?”

“Scanning, the vessel does not match any known configurations. Its power core is similar to the warships we encountered in the neutral zone. It seems to also be carrying several fighter type space craft. Weapons are superior to our own but no where near as numerous or as powerful as the Imperial warships.”

“Captain, I am receiving a hail from the ship. It’s called the Reckless Hope. The captain is requesting a meeting with you on board right away. They heard our distress call and have come to help.”

“Curious, we sent no distress call.” Spock noted.

“Mr. Spock, I wouldn’t exactly say that.” Kirk replied with a mysterious grin.

Spock raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Inform the Captain of the Reckless Hope that I will be beaming aboard right away and to provide coordinates.”

“Aye sir.”

Kirk rose from his chair and smiled.

“Gentlemen, shall we?” He indicated to Spock and McCoy.

“You seem mighty sure of yourself.” McCoy stated eying Jim suspiciously.

“I feel like luck has turned to our side, for once Bones. You can say I’m high on hope.”

McCoy turned and looked over at the odd starship floating off their bow and smirked.

“Let’s hope it’s not a reckless hope.”

Kirk groaned as the turbolift doors hissed shut.

Brilliant, as usual...

Excellent. I thought perhpap's you'd go and let Kirk kick the Empire's ass with the Enterprise (would have been a bit unrealistic) but with the rebel ship turning up, that's good.

*Cross of Empire running around kicking Q rear off list of possible things Stravo would do

Say where is Q anyway

I believe... i know who the mysterious player is.

“Why you green blooded, pointed eared-” Tarsi began to thunder. An aide cleared his throat as he entered.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Excellent touch, Stravo. Simply excellent.[/quote]

Now the Federation will get a taste of a full blown Imperial Smackdown.

Dark Primus wrote:I believe... i know who the mysterious player is.

Indeed? Is that the same guy I betted on?

Once again, you countinue to wow me. Glad we got back to Kirk, ableit it was short, but sweet. And with the rebel ship showing up, you've added anotherdimension to your fanfic.

Keep it up, you got something good going here.

Now the Federation will get a taste of a full blown Imperial Smackdown

yep, can't wait for the imperial fleet to invade federation space, as a bonus we get to the see the Klingon nitwits be ripped to to shreds as well.

Alright, the wait is over, please enjoy the latest installment: Chapter 13.


Chapter 13: Revelations in the void

Nemesis watched the fleet assembling and nodded to himself in satisfaction. This was the beginning of the end for the thorn in his side. The Federation had proven to be a more resilient foe than he could have imagined. Small, insignificant, a mere 150 member worlds with a Starfleet that could not challenge a single sector fleet of the empire on paper. But they had just destroyed one of the Empire’s sole supply bases in this miserable galaxy and had embarrassed them in the eyes of their provincial subjects.

Word had reached him of a small riot that had broken out on a small island to the south of the main continent. Thousands were burning him in effigy, cursing the empire and threatening revolt. News of the loss of Remus had been impossible to keep secret for very long. The sister world could be seen on a clear night and it was obvious that it was now a dead world. Silent and glassy hanging low over the horizon.

Nemesis had been tempted to order a full scale retaliation for the riot. But an idea struck him. If he ordered the rioting civilians to die, the military could turn on them and it would be a pointless waste of a battle, time that the empire did not have. So he decided to do something no other Sith lord had ever even attempted.

He decided to inspire the people.

Nemesis transmitted his holographic image across the entire planet.

“My Romulan subjects, we have all suffered a horrible blow at the treacherous hands of the Federation and the Klingon empire. While our fleet was away engaging a Borg fleet that was on the cusp of launching a full scale invasion on the Romulan provinces your valiant home guard was surprised by a fleet of Federation and Klingon warships, bent on destroying billions of lives and ripping the economic heart of the Romulan provinces. I am sorry to report that our fleet although victorious against the Borg,” simultaneously a hologram of the battle against the Borg was playing in the background of his transmission. “the Home guard was unable to prevent a horrible attack that ended with the death of over 6 billion of your fellow Romulans and our loyal subjects. What is the empire’s response to this unwarranted and savage act?” He looked down on the worldwide audience. Many of the rioters had stopped, most looked up in a mix of sorrow and anger as images of the Battle of Remus played out in the background, ending with the detonation of the device that ended all life on the planet. Many of the Romulans fought back tears as the hologram focused on the now dead world.

“Revenge!” Nemesis shouted. “We will descend upon your enemies like a tempest, they have sown holocausts and deaths now they shall reap the whirlwind of our righteous rage!” Nemesis snarled. Some of the Romulans began shouting encouragement. “The Klingons will learn to lick your boot heels, they have lived their lives by the sword, now they will most assuredly die by that same sword.” More Romulans began shouting, many chanting. “The Federation will be taken down from their high and mighty lofty towers and we will burn their so called superior culture to the ground and salt the earth where it lies. In the end, Remus’ blood will have brought the future of a Romulan empire that spans the entire galaxy.” The holographic background depicted a galaxy and the insignia of the Romulan Empire coupled with the Imperial seal, great green fingers slowly unfurled form the center of the twin seals, clutching the galaxy in a fist. “And our empire will never know an end.” Nemesis whispered he final part like a solemn vow.

There was absolute silence for a long moment all throughout Romulus. It was as if the entire world was holding its collective breath. Nemesis stood towering above them, arms crossed across his chest, waiting.

“Nemesis! Nemesis!” the chant began. It started with several Romulans scattered throughout the cities on Romulus but soon the chant rose in strength as the hologram switched to an enormous armada orbiting Romulus, Stardestroyers flanked the Emperor’s Will like great ivory war hounds. Wings of warbirds stretched out around the entire fleet, like a sea of green. They flashed along, quickly moving among the massive stardestroyers like remora on a shark. Hundreds of warbirds gathered together with the mighty Imperial fleet. The citizens of Romulus had not seen a sight like this even during the height of the Dominion war.

“Nemesis! Nemesis!” The chant rose like a war cry as hundreds became thousands, many with fists raised in the air in time with the chant. Raw fury was on the eyes and lips of those that called for Nemesis to be their avenging angel.

“Point the way to our enemy, show us the way to vengeance!” Nemesis shouted, and as one, the crowd roared, pointing to the heavens, to the cluster of stars where the tiny Sol system lay nestled. They were no longer a million disparate voices, but one unified voice, and then, unbidden, another chant began, it was the Romulan anthem. The masses began singing it as they watched their armada slowly break from orbit.

They knew now that blood would be exacted for what had occurred on Remus. Nemesis, the avenging angel as he was slowly becoming known, would not allow this crime to go unpunished.

“As we leave you, be happy, for already, your valiant forces have begun striking blows for freedom and justice. The neutral zone has collapsed, the Klingon border posts which had stood imposing for so many decades are burning.”

The hologram shifted to various views of different battles. Warbirds swarmed around lone Federation starships on patrol. They decloaked and opened fire without pause. Wings of warbirds flashed by Klingon outposts, plasma torpedoes exploding with a cascade of fire that embraced the entire outpost. Klingon ships fled, not conceiving that such a force was flying against them. And the hologram returned to the sight of the great war fleet as it departed.

“We shall return victorious and we shall not rest until all the war criminals are brought back to Romulus for trial. We are in this together now. Your brave sons and daughters stand side by side with your Imperial brothers as we bring the galaxy under our wing. Work hard, build quickly and help your fellow Romulans as we embark on the Grand Offensive.”

The hologram shifted again back to Nemesis.

He looked down on the people like some black robed god of vengeance.

“There is no other way than victory.”

The crowds roared their approval as his image wavered and turned off.

He stood proudly for a moment before the holotransmitter before turning away.

“Masterful, Lord Nemesis. You were as inspiring as the emperor himself, why you yourself would make a great emperor of this backwater!” Branna exclaimed.

Nemesis paused and turned his head slowly to regard the young captain with a sharp penetrating glare. Kittaine was uncertain what was going to happen, but the sour look on Mara Jade’s features told him that Branna had certainly said something wrong.

“Because your service to us has been flawless and loyal and because I can glean that you meant nothing by those words I will let you live, Captain.” Nemesis replied, voice like a tomb.

Branna blanched.

Nemesis stalked off the bridge. Mara remained behind for a moment.

“What did I say?” Branna stammered.

“You insinuated to a Sith Lord that they could or should supplant the Emperor. You even went so far to suggest that he begin his own empire here and place himself as emperor. The Sith are extremely sensitive to such suggestions. The last man to suggest something like that to Lord Vader found himself in Vader’s private fortress watching bore worms eat his vital organs and then have the process begin all over again as medical droids regenerated the organs.” Mara smiled coolly. “I do believe you can still hear his screams if you walk down the right corridor. Be thankful, Captain, Lord Nemesis was uncharacteristically merciful.” Mara added then turned on her heel and left.






The cavernous hangar bay of the Reckless Hope was filled with troops and pilots as three shimmering columns of light appeared in the center of the bay. Kirk, Spock and McCoy materialized. Captain Entebbe was waiting for them, his female Vulcan first officer stood by his side.

“Captain Entebbe, a pleasure sir. Good to see that I have some company on this first contact.”

“My pleasure captain Kirk.” Entebbe replied with a warm grin. “This is my first officer, T’Rees.”

“I must say Captain Kirk, that I filed a formal protest against the captain’s actions of late. We have violated Star Fleet regulations because of a simple case of hero worship.” She added coolly.

“Oh?” Kirk replied.

T’Rees suddenly caught sight of Spock and she straightened slightly.

“Mr. Spock. It is an honor to meet you.” She stated formally.

Entebbe and Kirk exchanged knowing glances while McCoy openly smirked.

Someone cleared his throat and Kirk and company turned. Standing in the center of the gathered troops was a young man, black hair kept short, obviously a military man, but upon closer inspection, Kirk surmised that he was a pilot. He had the same look in his eye that Sulu had. They seemed to see farther and they were sharper. Very little escaped this man’s notice.

“My name is Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise. I’ve come as a representative of the United Federation of Planets.”

The young man nodded and smiled softly.

“A pleasure Captain. I’m Commander Wedge Antilles.”

“Are you the commander of this ship?”

“No sir.” He replied and shook his head. “I am a squadron commander for rogue Squadron, finest starfighter squadron in the rebel alliance.” He answered and pointed to the dangerous looking fighters in the background of the hangar.

“I’m in command here, captain.” A young woman interjected. Kirk regarded the newcomer. She was short but her eyes belied a passion and force of will that could not be overcome. She was also extremely beautiful, her brown hair was up in a set of buns on the top of her head, with several braids interlinked between the two. She wore a light blue uniform that had a distinctly ceremonial cut to it, it was not a military uniform. It looked more like a gown or casual wear for a noble woman.

Behind her strode an imposing companion, well over two meters tall, thick brown fur covered the thing’s entire body. Kirk thought back to the big foot legends he heard while growing up in Iowa. He wore a silver bandolier strap and carried a wicked looking crossbow. He never strayed more than an arms length away from the woman and she seemed quiet comfortable with his presence.

Standing to her left were two androids or robots, he was not sure. One was a tall slim golden robot, obviously humanoid in shape, his companion was a short squat blue and white robot that seemed to be whistling quietly, as if the whistles were a language.

“I’m princess Leia Organna. I am a duly appointed representative of the Rebel Alliance. I’ve come to help.” She answered with a soft smile and an inclination of her head.

“This is Chewbacca my aide and bodyguard, and these are my droids, R-2 D-2 and C-3PO.” She added.

“A pleasure Princess. If you don’t mind my asking, where is the rest of your fleet?” Kirk asked.

“Pardon?”

“Well, my distress call was very clear that we had an Imperial fleet running rampant in my galaxy,” Kirk glanced around the hangar. “You’ll excuse me if I say this does not qualify as a fleet to me.”

“You’re very direct.” Leia replied sharply.

Wedge frowned.

“Do you have any idea what is going on back home for us? We have been fighting this Empire for years, our resources are extremely limited. We are embarking on the largest and riskiest battle in Alliance history that could turn the tide of this conflict. It took all of my powers of persuasion and calling in almost every favor I had with the Alliance to take my flagship into the wormhole that had suddenly appeared near Sullust to come help you.” Leia explained.

“You’re not here to help us are you?” Kirk replied softly as realization flashed in his mind. Sisko’s words in his mouth, the subtle warning. He had expected a fleet of ships that could stand up to the Imperial forces. Instead here was this lone ship and it was beginning to look like this was the extent of his help.

“Of course we are you ungrateful-“ Wedge began to protest but Leia shot him a warning glance and he quieted down but continued glaring at Kirk.

“Jim, I didn’t know that part of your negotiating tact was to insult potential allies.” McCoy muttered, gripping Kirk’s shoulder.

“Indeed, Doctor, it seems that the Captain is correct. Logically if you were here to help us you should know that this ship is wholly inadequate to fight against the fleet we have seen. Judging by the power consumption curves on their reactor system, size and armament load out, in comparison to the Imperial warships we saw, this vessel could be considered no more than a destroyer, or frigate perhaps.” Spock commented eyeing the hangar bay with a critical eye. He turned his attention to Leia. “The captain is correct, you have not come to give us direct military assistance. Logically there is another agenda at work here.”

“I must say that for people asking for help they are rather rude, your highness.” C-3PO commented in a British accent. Kirk and McCoy exchanged coy glances.

“What does the name Darth Nemesis mean to you?” Kirk asked. Leia suddenly looked uncomfortable and Wedge shifted on his feet slightly. It was as if Kirk had conjured some ghost before them.

His eyes narrowed on Leia.

“This is personal isn’t it?” Kirk pressed.

“Captain, you can either accept our help or we can return back to our fleet. The alliance is going to need every ship it has in the coming battle.” Leia replied frostily. Kirk watched her for a moment. He thought he caught something in her gaze. Upon closer inspection this beautiful young woman looked slightly haggard, circles under her eyes and lines along her cheeks that indicated stress. He was no doctor but this was a woman who was suffering about something.

“I need every ship I can get my hands on for this battle in my galaxy, but I will not accept help from people who have secret agendas. If this Darth Nemesis is the real reason why you’re here then let me know that and I’ll be on my way. I won’t parlay the Federation’s hopes for someone’s personal quest for vengeance.”

Wedge began to protest.

“You see because I personally don’t care what this Nemesis has done to you, all I know that he is ripping a path of bloody destruction through my galaxy and the Federation is firmly in his sights. You try to exact revenge and all that you will accomplish is get yourselves killed and many of my people in the process. I have no time to deal with so called allies that view as a necessary evil to complete some personal goal. This is about saving a galaxy, not your personal feelings…if you can’t understand that, then I’ll go this alone.” Kirk continued then forcefully pulled out his communicator and flipped it open.

“Kirk to Enterprise. Prepare to beam us back up.” he stated stonily, eyes boring into Leia’s.

“Aye sir.”

“Tell him.” Wedge demanded of Leia. She frowned slightly but the mask of control remained. She turned and exchanged a quick look with Chewbacca. She took a deep breath.

“Captain Kirk, you’re right.”

Kirk paused, communicator still open.

“We came here because your distress call mentioned Lord Darth Nemesis. He is a minion of the emperor, the man who rules the Empire which we have been fighting a civil war and have now invaded your galaxy. We don’t intend to kill him however, you see,” she paused and it was clear that this was uncomfortable for her, perhaps even painful. “Darth Nemesis was a friend of ours. He was a hero of the Rebel Alliance.”

“He was the best damned pilot I ever met and a good friend.” Wedge added sadly.

“I’ve come because I want to confront him here, while he is away from the emperor and the influence of Lord Vader, another Sith Lord that turned him into the man you know now. I want to see if we can bring him back with us, return him into the light as the man we all knew…and loved.”

Kirk slowly nodded.

“And you think this is possible?” he asked seriously.

“Yes, Captain. I’m staking my life on it. We will help you fight the empire, we may not be much but we will do what we can. But in the end, my true mission is to return Darth Nemesis back to then man he used to be.”

“You really think you can do this? This Darth Nemesis is responsible for some vicious acts back in our galaxy and he is about to invade the Federation.” McCoy added.

“I have to try.” she replied sternly. She looked over at Kirk. “I owe it to him.”

Kirk nodded.

“Believe me, I understand, this is about friendship and loyalty.”

“Above everything else.” she added.

“Believe me captain, I know this does not exactly sound like what you wanted or expected, but this is the help I can offer you. I know that if I can face him, he will return to the light, I cannot believe that the hero I knew could forget all that he was. I knew him before he accepted that damnable Sith title, before he gave himself over to the Emperor and the vile machinations of Darth Vader. I knew him when he was nothing more than a farm boy with fantasies of adventure, who struck a mighty blow against the empire and could not fit in Storm trooper armor.”

Wedge smiled softly.

Leis locked eyes with Kirk.

“I knew him when his name was Luke Skywalker. I won’t abandon him to the shadows.” she stated grimly.

There was silence in the hangar bay as both parties regarded each other cautiously.

Kirk broke the silence with a boyish grin.

“Princess, welcome to the war effort.”

She nodded and there was a wave of relief and gratitude on her face.

The pilots and soldiers all grinned and laughed as they walked over to Kirk and the others, slapping their shoulders and exchanging handshakes. The joy of the meeting was contagious as McCoy was soon laughing as well as Entebbe. Spock and T’Rees kept a distance form the others but politely exchanged pleasantries.

Leia walked up to Kirk and they faced each other.

“Captain, I take it you understand what I was talking about.”

Kirk nodded solemnly.

“I understand loyalty and friendship well enough princess. I also understand a saying that my logical friend, Mr. Spock would call a fallacy, the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many.”

Leia smiled and nodded.

“I am C-3PO Human cyborg relations, my facilities are at your disposal.” C-3PO proudly announced to Kirk.

“What facilities would that be?” McCoy asked with a wry grin.

“I am fluent in over nine million forms of communication.” C-3PO answered matter of factly. McCoy nodded.

“Great, Jim. It’s a walking universal translator.”

“Pardon me?” C-3PO asked bewildered.

“I’m glad to see our crews getting along. We’re going to have to make a bee line for Earth and hope that you can provide us with information we can use in trying to halt the Imperial invasion, then you have my word that I will personally get you to face Skywalker.”

Leia sighed.

“Thank you, Captain. This has been hard on all of us. The Alliance lost some of its greatest heroes in the last few months just when we needed them. I can only hope that we can recover Luke in time to help us in the assault on Endor.”

The jubilant atmosphere soon vanished as the hangar shook violently. Some of the pilots immediately scrambled to their gear and ships.

“Princess, Imperial heavy turbolaser fire is penetrating the wormhole’s event horizon. I don’t think we’re directly under attack but they are definitely blasting away into the wormhole with some unknown intent.”

Spock raised an eyebrow.

“They intend to collapse the wormhole.” Spock answered.

Kirk turned quickly to his first officer but suddenly the hangar deck was bathed in a soft yellow light and a slow heartbeat filled the air.

“The Kirk must leave.”

“The temple will close now.”

“Captain.” Sisko appeared by his side, concern on his face. “The Imperials are trying to collapse the wormhole, but the prophets are going to close the wormhole anyway. The celestial temple must shut its doors as it did in the past until this crisis abates.”

“What do you mean captain?”

Sisko smiled softly.

“We’re not going to see each other again, Captain. It was an honor and a pleasure to help you in this task. Know this captain, you hold the keys to victory, you simply must find them and unlock the door to the answer. It is all on you now. We have provided you with one vital key,” he paused to look meaningfully at Leia. “It’s up to you to find the others.”

“That won’t be easy if I don’t know where to look.”

“Nothing worth doing is ever easy captain. But take heart, you’re James T. Kirk. The universe has a way of making things reveal themselves to you.” Sisko replied with a wink. He stood up straight and snapped off a perfect salute.

“Thank you, Captain.” he stated and disappeared.

The hangar bay returned to normal.

“We have to get to our ships.” Entebbe urged.

Kirk held up a hand.

“Hold on. We have to think clearly. The Imperial ships,” “Stardestroyers.” Leia corrected. “The stardestroyers,” Kirk continued without pause. “have a way of laying down energy flak that disables our warp drives. When we pop out of this wormhole, they’ll simply stop us from escaping. Your FTL drive is the same as theirs?”

“Yes, we use a system known as hyperdrive.” she answered as the hangar shook again.

“And they cannot be impeded by their flak?”

“No, Captain, we will be able to get away, but what about you?”

Kirk smiled slowly.

“I noticed some docking ports on the sides and bottom of your ship, what’s their weight limitation?”

Leia smiled in return as she understood what he planned.





“Now that was unexpected.” Q smirked.

The silver eyed player stared down at the board, face impassive but the fury could be seen twitching in the corners of his mouth.

“Why her?”

“Afraid that she may have some power over your Darth Nemesis?” Q asked.

The silver eyed player stared up at him and sneered.

“If I were you, I would be fearing for her final fate. Never underestimate the desperation of a man trying to forget a past life.”

“Really?” Q asked pointedly and stared at the player.

A gamut of emotions played across the silver eyed face and finally settled into a carefully crafted sneer of derision.

“At least the continuum hasn’t declared me brain damaged due to my association with humans.”

“Come now, brain damaged wasn’t exactly the phrase.” Q protested.

“Ah, yes. Retarded, I think it was.” the player answered without pause, a cold smile on his face.

Q shrugged.

“It matters not, bring whatever the fates have in store, James Kirk will learn the bitter taste of defeat. The forces arrayed against him are insurmountable. He will learn about betrayal and weakness.” The player fingered the piece that resembled a Constitution class cruiser. “And when he stands alone, among the ruins, all that he has ever cared about or loved gone and victory snatched from him, he will be broken. And I will be there. And he will beg me for death.” the silver eyes slowly tracked up and locked with Q’s eyes. “And like a merciful avenging god, I shall grant it to him.” the smile on the player’s lips was like ice. “Slowly.”

Q shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“And here I thought this was a grand experiment on the nature of humanity and heroism.”

“This is about a great many things.” the silver eyed player answered.

Damn its Luke! That was about the least I expected Nemesis to be!
Great surprise Stravo, just excellent!

That guy sounds a lot like kahn.

In all honesty I had a feeling it was Luke from the start. I mean when Mara was commenting on his lightsaber and it brought memories to him of his 'rebel stained' past or something to that effect I had a feeling it was him. Not to mention details like him being really young and having sandy blond hair. I think there were some more details that involved Vader but I dont feel like sifting through all the other previous chapters again to find it. I am curious to the mysterious player...Kahn could be a possibility. At first I had thought it was C'Baoth but nah.

I thought it was Luke when he said it was a what if with one of the main characters being changed and there was a new Sith there. Who else could it have been?

I was hoping that some of you would be surprised, although I tried to be fair and dropped some hints throughout. There will be other surprises (I hope) as the story continues to unfold.

Looking back, I can't understand why I didn't see the obvious earlier, perhaps it was because I was focussing too much on the mysterious player's identity.

It was still a good surprise Stravo.

You guys didn't know it was Luke? Come on!!!!

Who else could it possibly be? Tsk tsk tsk

Took you long enough to spring it on these guys

Now suddenly a thought struck me


Where's theres Wedge.. Who else is always there

Thiink Hard, Everybody likes him and it gives Stravo the chance to Seperate himself from the Dang good writers from the Prize-winners

A word of warning, caution, caveat, whatever....I have NEVER read a single sentence of teh X-Wing series, I have not read EU for a LONG time (Jedi Acedmey Trilogy I believe) SO if anyone is expecting X-Wing references and such you can forget it...I have NO diea who the characters of those books are, etc. I put Wedge in the story because:

A) I've always liked Wedge, he was that everyman hero that could keep up with Luke.

B) He and Luke are VERY close friends, only Han and Leai are closer to Luke and I say that with my only source being the cannon films. SO it makes sense to come along with the princess to try and save his friend from the darkside.

Sorry if this bit of news disappoints anyone but there will not be X-Wing references in this story, simply because I don't know them so keep that in mind as we go forward and you might say - BUt Wedge never did that in book 2 of the X-Wing series...etc.