Nearby, Colonel McQueen watched them both. He wasn't sure if this was a good idea, going to Wolf 359 in this way.
“My squadron aren't ready,” he said. “And there's hardly any of us left!”
“That doesn't matter, Colonel,” said Hague. “We need as many ships as we can get.”
“I tend to agree with the Colonel,” said Ross. “And besides, why wait for us at Wolf 359? Why there?”
Hague could not answer, because he didn't have the answer.
“Commodore, has the coded transmission been sent to all starships?” Hague asked.
“It has,” Ross replied. “But it may not do us much good.”
“It may have to.”
The battle between the Imperial forces and the strange aliens continued on G-889. It seemed to have reached a stalemate as the inhabitants of this world continued to fight against all manner of Imperial transport.
From afar Devon and her team continued to watch the fight. She was intrigued by it. She had never seen anything like it before. She continued to watch until her communicator sounded. The call was from Commander O'Neill on the Eden.
“We've just got a call from Starfleet Command,” he said. “Seems some more of our friends here are gathering at Wolf 359. We're to go there at once.”
“Are you sure?” asked Devon. “These aliens could use our help.”
“From what our sensors say they won't. Get back up here, Devon, we've got a job to do.”
Reluctantly, Devon and her team did as they were ordered. A minute later they were back on the Eden, and soon on their way to Wolf 359.
On board the Scotsman Drathro sat at the main science station, a coded message on the screen before him. Beside him Pendragon stood, hoping that the young Gallifreyan would soon decode the message.
“It's really quite simple,” said Drathro. “Usual Starfleet Priority Code One. All ships are being told to rendezvous at Wolf 359, to engage the Imperial and Sontarran forces.”
“And has anyone replied?”
“Many have. I'm also getting reports saying that the outlying colonies of the Klingon Empire have also been attacked and conquered.”
“And how long until we reach Wolf 359?”
“Using the cavourite drive we could have got there by now. But we have to make allowances for the others. It will be a few hours at least.”
Pendragon then returned to the command chair. He began to think about the battle they would soon be engaged in.
As the Klingon High Council sat in session, Chancellor Gowron was annoyed when a young consort interrupted the meeting.
“Chancellor, we are receiving a distress call from our outlying colonies. They have fallen to the invading Imperial Forces.”
“And what of Starfleet? What are they doing to combat this threat?” Gowron asked.
“They are starting to gather at Wolf 359. They are sending out coded transmission asking for assistance in fighting the Imperial and Sontarran forces. It also seems that the Centauri are helping them. The Narn homeworld could fall at any time.”
“Order any available ship you can to Wolf 359. Tell them to coordinate their efforts under the command of General Hague. That is all we can do.”
In his office on Centauri Prime, Lord Reefa sat looking at his view-screen, an image of Borath before him.
“The Centauri Republic are always pleased to help any new ally,” Reefa said. “How may I be of help?”
“Because of the Dominion's treaty with the Federation, several sections have risen up against us and are starting to fight us. They are gathering at Wolf 359.”
“My sources had told me that the invading forces are gathering there.”
“That is not the faction I am talking about. The invading force is in fact allied to the Dominion, and as I speak, part of that force is helping the Centauri Republic conquer the Narn homeworld, as I believe you owe a favor.”
“What can I do?”
“Send any ship you can spare to Wolf 359, to join our force there.”
“It is done. Anyone who helps us against the Narn will get our help in exchange.”
During this invasion, Servalan had been unusually quiet. From several screens in her office, she saw several accounts on what was going on in the quadrant, from the attacks on the Klingon colonies to the attack on the Narn homeworld. Everything, for her, was falling into place.
As she watched what was going on her communications panel sounded. Pressing the button, the image of Morgan appeared on the screen.
“Mister Morgan, I'm glad you could reach me. Tell me, where is the ship now?”
“It is on its way.”
“And is Pressman with them?”
“He is.”
“Then direct them to Wolf 359. Tell them to wait behind the Imperial forces, and do nothing until the battle starts. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Madam President.”
As the Saratoga continued on its journey to Wolf 359, Hague and Ross were surprised to see several unexpected starships near them.
“There are six ships coming up on us,” said Ross.
“Are they Imperial or Sontarran?”
“Neither. Five are Federation starships, one is of unknown origin.”
McQueen walked over and checked the sensors.
“I don't believe it,” he said. “I'm picking up the Enterprise, the Lohengrin, the Defiant, the Tempest and the Flying Scotsman, the ships that defected!”
“We're being hailed,” the communications officer reported. The image of Captain Pendragon soon appeared on the screen before them.
“This is Captain Arthur Pendragon of the Free Federation Starship Flying Scotsman. We understand you would use a little help, General.”
“We need more than a little help, Captain,” said Hague. “You realize that I could arrest all of you now for treason.”
“Then why don't you?” asked Pendragon.
“Because I need every ship and every man I can get right now. Consider yourself a part of this fleet, Captain. We can discuss arresting you later.”
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