"Madam President, how do you feel about the news that Ambassador Spock has gained a slight lead in the polls?"
"Polls can be deceptive, Miss Kent."
"And what about the reported rumours that several prominent Starfleet officers, most notably Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Admiral Sherman Potter have defected to the so-called 'Free Federation'?"
"The Council of the United Federation of Planets does not recognise this so-called alliance, and as for these rumours, I'm sure they are nothing more than that. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Servalan continued with her walkabout. Kent did not believe her. Instead, she believed these rumours, and she knew something big was about to happen.
Lieutenant Plato sat at the main operations console in the Pegasus Operations Room. He watched the view-screen as the Liberator, closely followed by the Enterprise and the Tempest, docked with the station.
Meanwhile, Pendragon and Zarkoff went to greet them. Admiral Potter was the first to step out of the airlock.
"Permission to come aboard, Captain.", he said.
"Permission granted.", Pendragon replied. "Welcome to the Free Federation."
Magus soon joined them, as did Riker, Tarrant, Koenig, Lethbridge-Stewart and Sinclair.
"How have things been going?", Magus asked.
"That's what I'd like to discuss with you.", Pendragon replied. "Plato has picked up something on the wire, something big. I'd like to call a meeting of all the senior staff in the Observation Lounge."
A short time later, a cross section of all crews were seated in the Observation Lounge. Plato began to give his report, first telling of Commander Sisko's first encounter with the Jem'Hadar, and of General Hague's peace mission. He then told them of the peace conference on Deep Space Nine, of which almost every major power in the Alpha Quadrant had been invited to attend. The only ones not invited were the Romulans.
"I've heard of this Dominion before.", said Magus. "But I'm afraid I don't know much about them. From these reports, if Servalan was to form some sort of alliance with them, we could be in trouble."
"But what can we do?", asked Picard. "We can't get to D.S.9. No doubt word has got back to Servalan of our meeting."
"I may be able to help.", said Zarkoff. "As far as we know, Servalan still thinks I am in retirement somewhere."
"What are you suggesting?", asked Magus.
"I will go to Deep Space Nine as unofficial observer for the Free Federation. With my diplomatic experience the Federation may require my expertise."
"I agree.", said Potter. "That old witch wouldn't give a hoot about a private visit to an old retired president making a trading post."
"Then it's decided then.", said Zarkoff. "I'll start my preparations."
With Tuvok making a scan of the 'countryside' around the barn, Janeway, Chakotay and Paris conducted their own scan. They soon met up with Tuvok.
"I can find no trace of any other life signs, Captain.", he reported. "They are not here."
Chakotay looked around. He soon saw something.
"He'll know."
Chakotay marched off, until he saw the old banjo-playing man. The others soon caught up to him.
"Not you again!", the old man said. "What do you want?"
"Two of our people are missing.", said Chakotay. "We want them back."
The old man chuckled.
"My! Aren't we contentious for a minor bi-pedal species!"
"Well this minor bi-pedal species doesn't take too well to being abducted!", Janeway replied. "We want our people back!"
"Well you can't have them! They may have what I need. No! You'll have to leave without them!"
"What is it you need?", asked Janeway. "Maybe we can help you."
The old man laughed.
"You? No! But they might! You'll have to leave them!"
"But we can't do that!", said Chakotay.
"You'll have to! Now be gone!"
Then, with a wave of his hand, the old man returned them to Voyager, leaving them no further than where they started from.
With four starships now docked with the station, and several more personnel to find room for, Captain Arthur Pendragon was having trouble trying to allocate resources to the ever-growing Free Federation. However, his troubles were about to escalate slightly.
"Captain, I'm picking up a small vessel on the long range sensors.", Maris reported.
"Confirmed.", Plato added. "I'm reading a Federation warp signature."
"It could be an attack.", said Pendragon. "On screen."
As this happened, Magus entered Ops.
"What's happening?", he asked.
"We've picked up a Federation ship on the long-range sensors.", Pendragon replied. "We're about to get a visual."
The image of the ship appeared on the screen. It was not, however, what they were expecting.
"It is a Federation shuttle.", Maris said. "One life sign, and hailing us."
"On screen."
The image of Admiral Calevicchi was soon before them.
"Admiral!", said Magus. "What are you doing here?"
"That bitch attacked us!"
"Who?", asked Pendragon.
"You remember Captain Tarrant say that he picked up a Pursuit ship on his sensors? My ship ran into that thing, found out we were at Nimbus III and almost blew us to pieces!"
"How many survived, Admiral?", Magus asked.
"As far as I know, I was the only one! But that's the least of my worries now, Doctor. What are we going to do about this mission?"
"What mission?", asked Pendragon.
"I know what he's talking about.", Magus replied. "But there is a certain law that stops me from giving you all the details. Admiral, I may have a way of helping you, but we must plan very carefully. I'm sure Captain Pendragon will give you the co-ordinates for the docking bay. If you'll excuse me, Captain."
And with that Magus left Ops, returning to his quarters on the Scotsman. There, he sat in his rocking chair, to think. He knew everything had to be very carefully. The slightest mistake could alter everything.
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