Federation No More: Civil War Chapter Seventy-Four

In his study, Magus sat at his huge desk, with countless books stacked in front of him. Then, suddenly, a small computer terminal appeared in front of him, out of nowhere. Putting the book down, he began to speak.

"Computer, open a secure channel to the Demeter City Police Department on Altor. Specifically, Captain Rexton Podley."

The computer began to work.

Rexton Podley sat in his office, with mounds of paperwork around him. President Servalan was due to make an election visit in two days time, and he was getting a headache trying to sort out the security arrangements. Then, Orrin entered.

"Captain, we're picking up a transmission for you."

"From where?"

"We can't tell. The signal is being scrambled, re-routed somehow. We can't get a lock on it."

Podley sighed. As if he didn't have enough to worry about.

"All right. Put it through."

Orrin left Podley alone in the office. He was surprised when the image of Phineas Magus appeared on the screen before him.

"You realize I could be arrested for just speaking to you at the moment."

"I do, Captain, and I apologize if I put you in any danger, but I must speak to you on an urgent matter."

"What about?"

"Even though we are on a secure channel, I will only speak to you of this in person. I will arrive on Altor within the next few days."

"Are you crazy, Doctor? Any ship you come in will be blown out of the sky!"

"I know. But I will still see you in a few days, Captain. Magus out."

The screen went blank. Podley's headache was now getting worse.

 

It was the time of the latest I.S.N. election report, and this time it was the turn of Ambassador Spock to be interviewed. Lois Kent, as always, was given the plum assignment, with the interview being held in Sheridan's office on Babylon 5.

"Ambassador Spock, in the past few days you have been very vocal in your concerns regarding the Dominion peace conference on Deep Space Nine. Why?"

"My reasons are simple, Miss Kent. We know very little of the Dominion, and yet we may be entering into a treaty with them. At least when we entered into agreements with the Klingon and Cardassian Empires we knew something of them."

"But your opponents would answer that these agreements only came after decades of conflict. With the Dominion there have only been what could be termed as skirmishes."

"But it has come to light that the Jem'Hadar have destroyed several Federation vessels that entered the Gamma Quadrant. Surely that is enough evidence for you."

After the interview finished, an opinion poll was taken. Servalan was now five points in front of Spock. Her handling of the Dominion situation was winning the voters over.

 

The away team arrived back in the transporter room of Voyager. After stepping off the pad, Janeway discovered the real reason that Neelix grabbed the Ocampa girl.

"Oh, Kes. It's so good to see you again."

A short time later, they were taken to Sickbay, where Kes' injuries were treated by the holographic Doctor. Meanwhile, Janeway made it obvious to Neelix that she was not pleased.

"You used us and our situation to get her back!"

"Captain, I apologize if I misled you in any way, but I had no other choice!"

With his work done, the Doctor tried to restore some order to his Sickbay.

"Please! This is a Sickbay, not some conference suite! Will you kindly..."

"Computer."

"End emergency medical hologram."

Before he could do or say anything, the Doctor vanished from view, with the instrument he was holding falling to the ground.

"All of this is my fault. I should never have gone up to the surface. It's because I'm too curious. I'm told it's one of my failings."

Neelix walked over to the bed, in an attempt to comfort her.

"No, my dearest. It's one of your most endearing qualities! Now, with your permission, Captain, we'd like to leave!"

"We can't!"

"But I saved you!"

"With their help. The least we can do is repay them by helping them."

Neelix bowed his head. Although he wanted to leave, he knew Kes was right. Soon, they would return to the planet.

 

After meeting up with O'Brien, Bashir was about to enter Quark's for a quiet drink when he saw a rather annoyed looking Sub-Commander Toru heading his way. She did not look at all pleased.

"Commander Toru! I thought you had left the station. What's wrong?"

Toru had to calm herself down slightly before she spoke. She didn't want to bite Bashir's head off.

"I've just heard from the Federation negotiators that the Romulan Empire have been excluded from these talks!"

"Are you sure?"

"Almost every major power in the Alpha Quadrant was invited to these talks, except for the Romulans!"

"Surely there must be some mistake here. This can't be right."

"There was no mistake, Doctor! There is a conspiracy here against my people! We were intentionally excluded!"

"Let me see if I can get to the bottom of this! There has to be some mistake here!"

"I assure you, Doctor, that there was no mistake!"

With a huff, Toru left Bashir alone, as he began to wonder how he would get to the bottom of it.

 

Moments earlier, Pendragon had received a call from Magus at Craigmillar Castle, asking him for a private meeting. Now, he sat in his office aboard the Pegasus station, waiting for the wizard to arrive. He did not have much longer to wait. A minute later Magus arrived in his office.

"What is this all about, Doctor? You sounded very urgent."

"It is, Captain. A matter has arisen that requires my attention elsewhere. That is why I am here."

Magus reached into his inside pocket, and took out a small computer chip. He inserted it into Pendragon's console. A display appeared on the screen.

"This is Cygnus Alpha! A layout of the surface! How did you get this plan?"

"I have my ways, Captain, but I will not reveal them now. I am here to ask a favor of you. I need your help in getting your former Valkyrie ship-mates from the prison there, as well as Thomas."

"Didn't you mention in passing that you were going to lead this mission?"

"Circumstances have now changed. I must make other arrangements."

Pendragon leaned back in his chair and began to stroke his chin.

"It won't be easy. Although it has no defense systems, I've heard the stories of the cult that has developed there. For all we know the Valkyrie crew have been assimilated into that cult. Perhaps Leacock has as well."

"I assure you, Captain, that Thomas has not. If he had gone over to the other side I and my fellow Istarians would have felt the shift in power. He is still on our side."

Pendragon pressed a button on his console, and the display changed.

"What you are looking at now is a plan I have formulated. I suggest you speak with Lieutenant Maris. Her time with Enigma Force will help you and this mission greatly."

"I shall speak with Commander Blake. He and his ship will be of use here."

"No. The Scotsman would be better. With the cavourite drive you can get in and out without detection from Federation patrols."

"I see you've included a list of team members. You've really thought this out, haven't you? But tell me, Doctor, where are you going to be while all of this is going on?"

"I have an appointment with someone I haven't seen for a few years. If he lends his help then we will be having another former Starfleet officer with us, someone you know very well. I am going to try to get his help?"

Pendragon knew who Magus was talking about, but did not say anything.

"So if I'm going to be commanding the Scotsman, how will you keep this appointment?"

A smile appeared on the wizard's face.

"I have my ways, Captain. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must continue with my work."

Magus then left Pendragon alone to consider his plans. A few seconds later he activated his communicator.

"Colonel Greenleaf and Lieutenant Maris, please report to my office."

Soon, they began to make their plans.