On the Pegasus station, Captain Pendragon looked out of his office window. Since he had taken command of the station just over a year ago, things had changed dramatically. He no longer represented the United Federation of Planets, but an organization known as the Free Federation. But at the moment that name meant nothing. They had no basis of government, no official military wing, no political assembly. They were a Federation in name only. Pendragon looked outside at the Time of Legends, and the vast number of ships that now orbited that great planet. Since the defeat at Wolf 359 there had been a steady stream of ships arriving from all over the Alpha Quadrant, some military, some civilian, all requesting asylum with the Free Federation.
This was all new to Pendragon. Firstly, he was a soldier, and a damn fine one at that. Secondly, he was a diplomat, although that role did not come naturally to him. Now, he was acting as a sort of president to this new Federation. It was a role he was not comfortable with, but at the moment he couldn't see who could fill that role. The one man who could hadn't been seen since the battle of Wolf 359, not since he helped them escape from the Imperial forces. He began to think of Phineas Magus. He had heard Magus' speech on Nimbus 111, when he persuaded the likes of Picard and Calevicchi by telling him that he would fight for his Federation. That Federation was now lost under the oppressed hand of a man named Palpatine.
Pendragon walked over to his desk, and picked up the data pad Magus had given him. The pad outlined Magus' plan for the rescue of the Valkyrie crew from Cygnus Alpha. Magus had instructed him to leave by a certain date. That date was now less than a day away. Pendragon began to wonder if it was wise to go to Cygnus Alpha at such a critical time to save his old friends, after all, wasn't it a great diplomat who once said that the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few?
It was an announcement no one in the Alpha Quadrant was expecting. During a break from the Imperial propaganda that had filled all of I.S.N. networks, Servalan now made another announcement. This time she appeared seated between Grand Admiral Thrawn and Darth Vader. The two Imperial warriors dwarfed her by comparison, but power-wise she now had as much as they had. She soon began her speech.
“Under the authority of Emperor Palpatine of the Galactic Empire, and the Prime Minister of the Sontarran government, I hereby proclaim Damian Magus as President of the newly formed Galactic Federation. This appointment has been approved by both of our senates. Also effective forthwith, Borath of the Dominion will assume the role of Ambassador for the Federation on Babylon 5, and Commander Travis will assume command of station Deep Space Nine.”
Pendragon was still in his office, and the sparks flew as his fist went through the screen.
"Damn you, Phineas," he thought to himself, "where the hell are you?"
Things had calmed down on Altor in the past two days. Everyone had been fearing the arrival of Imperial forces since the surrender, but to everyone's surprise they had not come. However, fear of this kept everyone inside. They knew it was coming, they just didn't know when.
The D.C.P.D. was the quietest it had been for years. Podley and his crew had nothing to do, so the Captain decided that now was the best time to discuss his plan. A few minutes later, four of his finest officers, Brogan, Haldane, Took and Castle were seated in his office before him. They had an inkling of why they had been called there, they just needed Podley to confirm their suspicions.
"You probably saw Doctor Magus here two days ago," Podley started. "He came here asking our help, and I told him we would give it to him."
"Excuse me, Captain!" said Haldane. "We? Did I hear you right?"
"You heard me perfectly, Haldane," Podley continued. "Here, look at these."
Podley handed each of them a data-pad, outlining the plan he and Magus had worked on for hours.
"This is crazy!" said Brogan. "Even if we could get Watt and Sutek out of New Zealand we couldn't get them off the planet!"
"You'll have to," said Podley.
"Are you sure this is the right time?" asked Castle. "From what I've heard the Federation doesn't exist anymore! Where do we even stand on this?"
"For now we say nothing," said Podley. "But I made a promise to Doctor Magus, and I need your help to fulfill that promise!"
"I'll help," said Took. "I was against arresting Captain Watt and his crew in the first place. They were innocent. I'll do anything to help get them out."
"You may need to," said Podley. "Because the going will get pretty hairy on Earth."
"So what reason do we have for going to Earth anyway?" asked Brogan.
"The Snake has to return there for his trial," Podley replied. "It just so happens that he's to be held at the New Zealand before his trial begins."
"That's if it goes ahead at all!" said Haldane. "With someone like Servalan running the show, who knows what will happen!"
"I need your answers now, people!" said Podley. "Carson, Orin and Romek have agreed to act as your back-up should you need it. All I need is for you to say if you'll help. If you want to back out then I won't think any the worse of you."
"Count me in!" said Brogan. "I was going to try and get my family to the Time of Legends anyway!"
"Me too," said Castle.
"You've got my answer," said Took.
Podley stared at Haldane. It was obvious that Haldane was in two minds about the whole matter.
"Hell! If the fools need company, then count me in!"
And so it was complete. The plan finalized, all they had to do was execute it.
No comments:
Post a Comment