It was the proudest moment of Jeffery Sinclair’s life. Ever since he was a young boy he dreamed of commanding a starship, he knew that would be his destiny, and after a long and distinguished career in Starfleet, most notably as the first commanding officer of Babylon 5, his dream was about to be fulfilled.
In the shuttle craft designated ‘Turandot’ Captain Sinclair sat in the main control section next to the man who was to be his science officer, the twenty-one year old Vulcan, Lieutenant Xon. Xon was considered a bright young man, even by Vulcan standards. Indeed, the Vulcan Science Academy would have been upset when Xon declared his intent to enter Starfleet Academy, had Vulcans shown that emotion.
The shuttle was heading towards the Utopia Planitia Yards in orbit around Mars, and towards the U.S.S. Lohengrin-B, the third starship to carry that name.
“Turandot to Lohengrin.” said Xon. “Request permission to land.”
A woman’s voice gave the reply.
“Turandot, you are cleared for landing in Shuttle Bay Three.”
The tractor beam was soon operated, guiding the shuttle into the bay. Upon landing Sinclair turned to Xon.
“That was a pleasant journey Lieutenant. I hope it is the first of many.”
“As do I, Captain.”
The two men then got to their feet and left the shuttle. Upon entering the bay area they saw that many officers had gathered to greet them.
“Stand to attention!” Xon boomed. “Captain on deck.”
Sinclair walked forward and took his place at a podium that had been erected.
“Under the authority of Starfleet Command, I, Jeffrey Sinclair, take command of the U.SS. Lohengrin. Orders signed, Admiral Duncan McCloud, Commander-In-Chief, Starfleet.”
Sinclair then stepped down from the podium.
“Ladies and gentlemen, some of you I know, some I do not, but I would like to say I hope it is a pleasure serving with you.”
A short time later Sinclair arrived on the Bridge. He could see that final preparations were being made for the short journey back to Earth, where they had been ordered. Upon entering the bridge Sinclair saw some familiar faces. In the counsellor’s chair sat the former Psi-Corp representative to B5, Lyta Alexander, now holding the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. At the ops position sat Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Riker, the ‘twin’ of the Enterprise first officer, Commander Will Riker. At the tactical position stood Lieutenant Simon Tarses, another man who had served aboard the Enterprise. Then Sinclair saw a first for a starship. Making engineering checks was a midget officer, part of a new program. The midget had had an arm amputated, and that arm had been replaced with a tool device which, with other attachments, was capable of repairing damaged systems. The midget had been designated Q5, and up until now the Q series had served mainly on luxury liners. This was a first for a starship.
Then as Sinclair approached the command chair he saw his first officer. While on board the Enterprise Commander Elizabeth Shelby had been valuable in fighting off the Borg attack, and now, after serving at Starfleet Command, she wanted to get back into the thick of things. She saw the posting to the Lohengrin as the opportunity to do just that.
“You are relieved Commander.”
Shelby smiled as she took her first officer’s chair.
“Mister Riker, set a course for Earth, one quarter impulse power.”
The journey to Earth took up very little time, and it was during this time that Sinclair sat in his Ready Room. The room was very sparse. He hadn’t had time to make it ‘his’ yet. As he sat he could tell that they had arrived at MacKinley Station, stopping so they could make their final preparations for their first assignment. As he sat in contemplation Commander Shelby entered.
“Captain, someone is here to see you.”
Shelby stepped to one side, revealing Admiral Duncan McCloud standing behind her. Upon seeing McCloud Sinclair stood up.
“Admiral, I had no idea you were aboard.”
“I only just arrived.” said McCloud. “I’ve come to give you your orders. You may as well stay, Commander. It will save Captain Sinclair briefing you later.”
McCloud handed Sinclair a small computer chip.
“You are to go to the Cardassian de-militarised zone and locate Commander Calvin Hudson.”
“Commander Calvin Hudson?” said Sinclair. “I thought he defected to the Maquis!”
“He did, and that’s why I want you to go to the zone. I want you to get to the bottom of the situation there.”
“I thought Admiral Nachayev was dealing with the situation.” said Shelby.
“She was, but I’m taking overall command of the situation. This thing is getting way out of hand, and it could blow up into a full-scale conflict.”
“Ro Laren would have been a great help in this one.” said Sinclair. What her previous contact with the Maquis.”
“Unfortunately she’s a little tied up right now.” said McCloud. “Her preliminary hearing is due to take place in a couple of days.”
“Tell me Admiral.” said Shelby. “What does President Servalan think about all this? Did she ask you to give us these orders?”
“I’m trying not to bother her about this. She seems very pre-occupied with several other matters at the moment. With the way things are at the moment she probably wouldn’t care!”
“And what happens if we can’t find Hudson?”
“I hope you do Captain, otherwise the situation will get worse, and many lives will be lost!”
Unconscious. It was an experience that Roj Blake was getting use to in recent weeks. Once again he found himself slowly coming to, but this time there were no bright lights shining down into his eyes. This time when he came to he was greeted by a smiling face, a face covered with a big bushy beard.
“Good! I see you’re finally coming around! I apologise for the way you were brought here, but it is rather necessary!”
Blake slowly sat up, feeling the back of his head where he had been struck. He winced slightly as he found the spot that hurt.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I should perhaps ask the same thing. I am Vargas, Lord of Cygnus Alpha.”
“You mean you’re the warden here?”
“Cygnus Alpha doesn’t have any wardens! Now tell me, who are you, how did you get here and what are you doing here?”
“My name is Roj Blake. Until recently I was a prisoner aboard the Valkyrie.”
A broad smile appeared on Vargas’ face.
“We heard the reports that three of the Valkyrie’s prisoners had escaped on an alien vessel, and now it seems you are here! Where is your alien vessel?”
“In orbit.”
Vargas went over to a nearby table and picked up the bracelets Blake had brought down with him.
“And what are these?”
Blake paused before he gave his answer.
“Communications devices. They allow me to keep in touch with my crew.”
“Then contact them, and tell them I want their ship!”
“I will do no such thing!”
“My dear fellow, with your help, and the power I now have at my command, we can rule the entire universe, together, side by side!”
“What power? All I’ve seen so far is a few old prison cells! The only power you hold is the drugs that keep these men alive!”
“That’s just a ruse! These men don’t have any ‘Curse of Cygnus’! It’s just a way of keeping everyone loyal! I control the drugs, which means I control the people!”
“Then it’s all a hoax!”
“Come with me! I will show you where my real power will come from!”
Blake stood up, and Vargas led him down a long, dark corridor, until they came to a huge wooden door. Vargas reached into his robe and took out an old metal key and unlocked the door. The door made a creaking noise, as if it was in urgent needing of oiling, when Vargas pushed it.
“Come inside.” he motioned. “Come and see my real power!”
They walked forward as Vargas lighted a candle. He then led Blake to something that resembled a coffin. Vargas put the candle on a nearby bench and opened the coffin. Blake was horrified at what he saw.
“This, Mister Blake, is former Federation Vice-President Thomas Leacock, one of the most powerful wizards in the known universe. At this moment in time he is in a form of suspended animation, and he will remain that way until I can find a way of stealing his power.”
“You can’t be serious! He’s an Istarian, you can’t steal his power!”
“Without his staff he is in a weakened state! All I have to do is discover the right process and his power will be mine! Then, with your ship, we can take control of the universe!”
“I will have no part in such a thing!”
“Ah, but you see, you have no choice!”
Blake knew he had to try and escape, and he also knew that he had to take his chance now. Making a fist he connected with a blow to Vargas’ jaw, stunning him. He then took his chance and ran down the corridor as fast as he could, towards Vargas’ room Shaking his head, trying to get rid of the cobwebs, Vargas soon ran after Blake.
A minute or so later Blake made it back to Vargas’ room. The self-styled lord had been careless. He had left the teleport bracelets and the weapon behind when he had shown him Leacock’s tomb. Then, leaving the room, he headed in the direction of the old cell.
Vargas was soon in his room, and he was seething with anger. He shouted at the top of his voice.
“Attack him! I want him dead!”
As Blake ran along he suddenly found himself stopped by two robed figures. Raising his weapon he fired at them, sending them flying back with a low energy burst. He then continued on his way to the cell. Soon afterwards Vargas arrived and saw the two bodies lying on the ground. He then continued to run.
Blake soon arrived at the cell. Gan and Vila were surprised to see him again. He handed them each a bracelet.
“Here, put these on.”
“What are they?” asked Gan.
“They’ll get us off this planet.”
“But we told you.” said Vila. “We can’t leave! We have the disease!”
“That was one of Vargas’ lies! Now hurry up or they’ll be here soon!”
Vila and Gan did as they were told. Blake then activated the communicator.
“This is Blake. Lock onto us and bring us up.”
On the Liberator Avon activated the teleport beam, and just as Vargas arrived at the cell Blake, Vila and Gan vanished.
The three of them soon arrived on the Liberator. Vila and Gan were pleased at the way they escaped.
“Avon, give us weapons. We’re going back down.”
“Down? For what reason?”
“Vargas is holding Thomas Leacock and plans to steal his powers!”
“We must get out of here!” Avon replied. “Three Federation pursuit ships are nearby. There’s no time for any more rescue missions!”
“But we can’t just leave him there! If a madman like Vargas were to get Istarian power then he’d go on a rampage!”
“He’s right Blake.” said Jenna. “We can’t risk it!”
Blake then took off his teleport bracelet and put it on the control panel.
“Very well, get us out of here.”
Avon then raced to the Bridge to give Zen his instructions. He left Blake thinking that he should have done something to help Leacock, but it he couldn’t do anything to help the Istarian he knew someone who could.
In the shuttle craft designated ‘Turandot’ Captain Sinclair sat in the main control section next to the man who was to be his science officer, the twenty-one year old Vulcan, Lieutenant Xon. Xon was considered a bright young man, even by Vulcan standards. Indeed, the Vulcan Science Academy would have been upset when Xon declared his intent to enter Starfleet Academy, had Vulcans shown that emotion.
The shuttle was heading towards the Utopia Planitia Yards in orbit around Mars, and towards the U.S.S. Lohengrin-B, the third starship to carry that name.
“Turandot to Lohengrin.” said Xon. “Request permission to land.”
A woman’s voice gave the reply.
“Turandot, you are cleared for landing in Shuttle Bay Three.”
The tractor beam was soon operated, guiding the shuttle into the bay. Upon landing Sinclair turned to Xon.
“That was a pleasant journey Lieutenant. I hope it is the first of many.”
“As do I, Captain.”
The two men then got to their feet and left the shuttle. Upon entering the bay area they saw that many officers had gathered to greet them.
“Stand to attention!” Xon boomed. “Captain on deck.”
Sinclair walked forward and took his place at a podium that had been erected.
“Under the authority of Starfleet Command, I, Jeffrey Sinclair, take command of the U.SS. Lohengrin. Orders signed, Admiral Duncan McCloud, Commander-In-Chief, Starfleet.”
Sinclair then stepped down from the podium.
“Ladies and gentlemen, some of you I know, some I do not, but I would like to say I hope it is a pleasure serving with you.”
A short time later Sinclair arrived on the Bridge. He could see that final preparations were being made for the short journey back to Earth, where they had been ordered. Upon entering the bridge Sinclair saw some familiar faces. In the counsellor’s chair sat the former Psi-Corp representative to B5, Lyta Alexander, now holding the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. At the ops position sat Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Riker, the ‘twin’ of the Enterprise first officer, Commander Will Riker. At the tactical position stood Lieutenant Simon Tarses, another man who had served aboard the Enterprise. Then Sinclair saw a first for a starship. Making engineering checks was a midget officer, part of a new program. The midget had had an arm amputated, and that arm had been replaced with a tool device which, with other attachments, was capable of repairing damaged systems. The midget had been designated Q5, and up until now the Q series had served mainly on luxury liners. This was a first for a starship.
Then as Sinclair approached the command chair he saw his first officer. While on board the Enterprise Commander Elizabeth Shelby had been valuable in fighting off the Borg attack, and now, after serving at Starfleet Command, she wanted to get back into the thick of things. She saw the posting to the Lohengrin as the opportunity to do just that.
“You are relieved Commander.”
Shelby smiled as she took her first officer’s chair.
“Mister Riker, set a course for Earth, one quarter impulse power.”
The journey to Earth took up very little time, and it was during this time that Sinclair sat in his Ready Room. The room was very sparse. He hadn’t had time to make it ‘his’ yet. As he sat he could tell that they had arrived at MacKinley Station, stopping so they could make their final preparations for their first assignment. As he sat in contemplation Commander Shelby entered.
“Captain, someone is here to see you.”
Shelby stepped to one side, revealing Admiral Duncan McCloud standing behind her. Upon seeing McCloud Sinclair stood up.
“Admiral, I had no idea you were aboard.”
“I only just arrived.” said McCloud. “I’ve come to give you your orders. You may as well stay, Commander. It will save Captain Sinclair briefing you later.”
McCloud handed Sinclair a small computer chip.
“You are to go to the Cardassian de-militarised zone and locate Commander Calvin Hudson.”
“Commander Calvin Hudson?” said Sinclair. “I thought he defected to the Maquis!”
“He did, and that’s why I want you to go to the zone. I want you to get to the bottom of the situation there.”
“I thought Admiral Nachayev was dealing with the situation.” said Shelby.
“She was, but I’m taking overall command of the situation. This thing is getting way out of hand, and it could blow up into a full-scale conflict.”
“Ro Laren would have been a great help in this one.” said Sinclair. What her previous contact with the Maquis.”
“Unfortunately she’s a little tied up right now.” said McCloud. “Her preliminary hearing is due to take place in a couple of days.”
“Tell me Admiral.” said Shelby. “What does President Servalan think about all this? Did she ask you to give us these orders?”
“I’m trying not to bother her about this. She seems very pre-occupied with several other matters at the moment. With the way things are at the moment she probably wouldn’t care!”
“And what happens if we can’t find Hudson?”
“I hope you do Captain, otherwise the situation will get worse, and many lives will be lost!”
Unconscious. It was an experience that Roj Blake was getting use to in recent weeks. Once again he found himself slowly coming to, but this time there were no bright lights shining down into his eyes. This time when he came to he was greeted by a smiling face, a face covered with a big bushy beard.
“Good! I see you’re finally coming around! I apologise for the way you were brought here, but it is rather necessary!”
Blake slowly sat up, feeling the back of his head where he had been struck. He winced slightly as he found the spot that hurt.
“Who are you?” he asked.
“I should perhaps ask the same thing. I am Vargas, Lord of Cygnus Alpha.”
“You mean you’re the warden here?”
“Cygnus Alpha doesn’t have any wardens! Now tell me, who are you, how did you get here and what are you doing here?”
“My name is Roj Blake. Until recently I was a prisoner aboard the Valkyrie.”
A broad smile appeared on Vargas’ face.
“We heard the reports that three of the Valkyrie’s prisoners had escaped on an alien vessel, and now it seems you are here! Where is your alien vessel?”
“In orbit.”
Vargas went over to a nearby table and picked up the bracelets Blake had brought down with him.
“And what are these?”
Blake paused before he gave his answer.
“Communications devices. They allow me to keep in touch with my crew.”
“Then contact them, and tell them I want their ship!”
“I will do no such thing!”
“My dear fellow, with your help, and the power I now have at my command, we can rule the entire universe, together, side by side!”
“What power? All I’ve seen so far is a few old prison cells! The only power you hold is the drugs that keep these men alive!”
“That’s just a ruse! These men don’t have any ‘Curse of Cygnus’! It’s just a way of keeping everyone loyal! I control the drugs, which means I control the people!”
“Then it’s all a hoax!”
“Come with me! I will show you where my real power will come from!”
Blake stood up, and Vargas led him down a long, dark corridor, until they came to a huge wooden door. Vargas reached into his robe and took out an old metal key and unlocked the door. The door made a creaking noise, as if it was in urgent needing of oiling, when Vargas pushed it.
“Come inside.” he motioned. “Come and see my real power!”
They walked forward as Vargas lighted a candle. He then led Blake to something that resembled a coffin. Vargas put the candle on a nearby bench and opened the coffin. Blake was horrified at what he saw.
“This, Mister Blake, is former Federation Vice-President Thomas Leacock, one of the most powerful wizards in the known universe. At this moment in time he is in a form of suspended animation, and he will remain that way until I can find a way of stealing his power.”
“You can’t be serious! He’s an Istarian, you can’t steal his power!”
“Without his staff he is in a weakened state! All I have to do is discover the right process and his power will be mine! Then, with your ship, we can take control of the universe!”
“I will have no part in such a thing!”
“Ah, but you see, you have no choice!”
Blake knew he had to try and escape, and he also knew that he had to take his chance now. Making a fist he connected with a blow to Vargas’ jaw, stunning him. He then took his chance and ran down the corridor as fast as he could, towards Vargas’ room Shaking his head, trying to get rid of the cobwebs, Vargas soon ran after Blake.
A minute or so later Blake made it back to Vargas’ room. The self-styled lord had been careless. He had left the teleport bracelets and the weapon behind when he had shown him Leacock’s tomb. Then, leaving the room, he headed in the direction of the old cell.
Vargas was soon in his room, and he was seething with anger. He shouted at the top of his voice.
“Attack him! I want him dead!”
As Blake ran along he suddenly found himself stopped by two robed figures. Raising his weapon he fired at them, sending them flying back with a low energy burst. He then continued on his way to the cell. Soon afterwards Vargas arrived and saw the two bodies lying on the ground. He then continued to run.
Blake soon arrived at the cell. Gan and Vila were surprised to see him again. He handed them each a bracelet.
“Here, put these on.”
“What are they?” asked Gan.
“They’ll get us off this planet.”
“But we told you.” said Vila. “We can’t leave! We have the disease!”
“That was one of Vargas’ lies! Now hurry up or they’ll be here soon!”
Vila and Gan did as they were told. Blake then activated the communicator.
“This is Blake. Lock onto us and bring us up.”
On the Liberator Avon activated the teleport beam, and just as Vargas arrived at the cell Blake, Vila and Gan vanished.
The three of them soon arrived on the Liberator. Vila and Gan were pleased at the way they escaped.
“Avon, give us weapons. We’re going back down.”
“Down? For what reason?”
“Vargas is holding Thomas Leacock and plans to steal his powers!”
“We must get out of here!” Avon replied. “Three Federation pursuit ships are nearby. There’s no time for any more rescue missions!”
“But we can’t just leave him there! If a madman like Vargas were to get Istarian power then he’d go on a rampage!”
“He’s right Blake.” said Jenna. “We can’t risk it!”
Blake then took off his teleport bracelet and put it on the control panel.
“Very well, get us out of here.”
Avon then raced to the Bridge to give Zen his instructions. He left Blake thinking that he should have done something to help Leacock, but it he couldn’t do anything to help the Istarian he knew someone who could.
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