As usual, Drathro was piloting the ship. Although not known for his fighting skills, Magus wanted him on the mission anyway, because of his trust in the young Gallifreyan. As always, Scotty and Sonya Gomez were in Engineering, making sure everything ran smoothly.
They had only been away from the Time of Legends for thirty minutes when Maris picked up something on her sensor panel.
"Captain, I'm getting a strange energy reading directly ahead of us."
"Are you sure you've worked that thing out yet?" asked Pendragon. "You were having trouble with the readouts."
"This isn't a glitch, Captain," Maris replied. "Something is directly ahead of us."
"Confirmed, Captain," said Greenleaf. "An energy reading a million kilometers ahead, and I think I know what it is."
"What do you mean?" asked Pendragon.
Pendragon soon got his answer, as a blinding flash of light suddenly appeared on the Bridge before them. Everyone had to shield their eyes until the light dimmed. When the light dimmed, the familiar figure of Doctor Phineas Magus was standing before them.
"You said you were wondering what had happened to me, Captain Pendragon. Well, now I'm here!"
Pendragon stood up and gestured to Magus, offering the command chair to him. Magus turned him down.
"The con is still yours, Captain. After all, you still outrank me."
"But the ship belongs to you."
"This ship is now the property of the Free Federation. Command of her is still yours. Now onwards to Cygnus Alpha. I have a son to rescue!"
The main sensor station on the Andorrian homeworld suddenly came to life as a strange vessel entered orbit above it. The new Imperial commander looked over the shoulder of the Andorrian controller.
"It is nothing to worry about. It is a ship under Imperial command."
In almost every sector of what used to be Federation space, this scene was repeated. Strange, dark, spider-like ships suddenly appeared around countless worlds. No contact was made with the surface. All the controllers were told was that each of the strange vessels were under Imperial command.
At the New Zealand Penal Colony, Former Valkyrie first officer Sutek sat alone in his darkened cell, pondering what would happen to him next. In the space of a year, he had gone from serving aboard one of the finest vessels in Starfleet to nothing more than a prison number, not even having had a trial for a crime he didn't commit. That was all about to change. Suddenly the door opened, and three Imperial Storm Troopers appeared in the doorway. The commander pointed his blaster at the Vulcan.
"To your feet."
Sutek did as he was told.
"Where are you taking me?"
"You'll find out, soon enough."
"I would like to know now."
"It won't matter in a few minutes. Now come on."
Not wishing to upset his captors, Sutek did as he was told, following the troopers out of the cell.
On Cygnus Alpha, Vargas stood outside his citadel, gazing at the stars and beyond. He was feeling joyous. He had never felt this way before. Great power was now within his grasp. He could feel it. He could taste it. Those who had put him on this godforsaken piece of rock would soon taste his revenge, thanks to his newfound power. And yet, as he gazed at the heavens, he could feel something. Someone was coming, someone that could threaten his plan. He did not care. He had overcome many obstacles in his life. This was just another one. He would overcome it.
Aboard Demeter City Transport Unit 4-2-7, Podley sat, quietly pondering his next move. They were currently en route to the New Zealand Penal Colony on Earth, officially to take the Snake there. Unofficially to take James Watt and Sutek back with them. He began to look around at the officers he had chosen for this mission. Haldane sat at the navigation console, while Castle and Took manned the sensor and tactical stations. Brogan, meanwhile, was taking a break, having piloted the ship for five hours after they left Altor. Podley had a good feeling about this mission. He felt that it would go well. He hoped he wouldn't be letting Magus down.
For the past two days, the government of Altor had been locked in talks, not letting anyone in or out as they debated the current happenings in what was the U.F.P.. The leaders of the opposition were also at this meeting, and for once, it seemed that they were siding with the government on this matter. As midnight loomed, a statement was released to all I.S.N. networks, those not controlled by the Imperials.
"We the government of Altor, choose not to recognize the so-called Galactic Federation. We do not recognize Damian Magus as its president, or any other ruling body that claims to represent it. From this day forth, we recognize only the Free Federation, for they, and they alone, stand for what the United Federation of Planets stood for."
It was a statement that would have repercussions all over the Alpha Quadrant.
As Commander Travis walked along the Promenade of Deep Space Nine, surveying his new command, he could see the effect that Imperial rule was having on Bajor and above. The Promenade itself was quite empty. The Klingon restaurant had only two customers, and they were Klingons. Garak's tailor shop was closed. Since Commander Sisko's escape, in which the Cardassian had been injured, Garak had not been seen. It was rumored that he had been taken aboard Darth Vader's Star Destroyer. It had also been rumored that Major Kira and Constable Odo were also aboard that ship, having been captured in the Gamma Quadrant. Travis knew that rumor was true, but the people of Bajor didn't know if it was.
He soon walked into Quark's Bar. It also was very quiet. Only a few regulars were there. However, Rom still found time to clean the tables, and Quark leaned over the bar, an unhappy look on his face as he looked at the empty chairs. Travis strode into the bar and seated himself next to one of the few loyal customers Quark had left. It seemed that Morn had spent half of his life in the bar, but upon seeing Travis, he soon left. This made Quark even unhappier.
"Thank you for driving away one of my last customers!" he said. "It seems that ever since you humans got into bed with the Dominion and the Imperials my business has gone down the toilet!"
Travis stared over at Quark with his one good eye, and leaned forward. Grabbing the Ferengi around the throat, he lifted him off his feet.
"You may have been able to speak to Sisko like that, but you will soon learn that I am a different kettle of fish altogether! Now get me a drink!"
Travis dropped Quark on his feet, and it was a few seconds before he could get his breath back.
"Sure! Anything you want! On the house!"
Quark knew that things were about to get very difficult.
No comments:
Post a Comment