What she needed was help, a few more ships perhaps, but they were nearly seventy thousand light years away, with definitely no hope of getting there in time.
As she considered many of her options, her thoughts were distracted by Kim at Ops. Regaining her composure, she turned her attention to him.
"What is it, Mister Kim?"
"Captain, long-range sensors are picking up a large group of ships directly in our path."
"How large?" asked Chakotay.
"One hundred and fifty, possibly two hundred."
"Then the Imperials have found us before we found them," said Janeway.
"I don't think so," said Kim, checking the sensors. "The warp signatures do not match those of any Imperial or Kazon vessels."
"Then could it be one of their allies?" asked Chakotay.
"I'm getting something," said Kim. "It appears to be some sort of automated signal, from a ship called... Battlestar Galactica."
Upon hearing this name, Neelix looked up.
"Did you say the Galactica, Ensign?"
"You know this ship?" said Janeway.
"I know of it, Captain," Neelix replied. "But it's only rumor and hearsay. Some of it is considered the stuff of legend."
"Then what is this 'legend' you speak of, Mister Neelix?" asked Janeway.
"The Battlestar Galactica," said Neelix. "It was the only warship to survive the Cylon attack of the Twelve Colonies. It's supposed to be somewhere in the Alpha Quadrant."
"Then what is it doing here, in the Delta Quadrant?" asked Chakotay.
"I don't know," said Neelix. "I only know what I've heard."
Janeway turned to Kim.
"Mister Kim, establish communications with the Galactica, on all available frequencies."
"I've got a lock, Captain. They're hailing us now."
"On screen."
The screen flickered, and then the image of a man in his late fifties, with a scarred face, appeared.
"This is Commander Adama of the Battlestar Galactica. Identify yourself."
"I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. We are a vessel of exploration."
Adama smiled.
"You look in trouble, Captain. May I be of assistance?"
"I'd appreciate that, Commander. We're on our way to a planet called Wayland. We believe the Galactic Empire are holding a conference there, with some of their new allies."
"I know of this planet," said Adama. "My son, Apollo, is there now. He's on a mission of his own. We're on our way there now, but we are too late. We're now on our way to the Time of Legends to warn them of this conference. Will you join us?"
"Mister Kim, what is the best estimate of our arrival at the Time of Legends, with the Galactica's assistance?"
"I'd say a few days, Captain, at the Galactica's maximum speed."
"Then set a course for the Time of Legends, Mister Kim. Commander Adama, we will join you."
"Good. Adama out."
Janeway smiled. Things were finally beginning to look up for them.
Princess Leia walked through the long corridor, clutching her small data chip. She had to find a way to get off Mount Tantiss and get this information to the Rebel Alliance. She had planned to take transport vessel Tantive IV, but it had been seized by Imperial Storm Troopers a few hours earlier, on the direct orders of Darth Vader.
She was getting close to her original destination—the hangar bay—when she heard someone whisper her name. She stopped and looked around. No one was there. She began to wonder if the long hours had finally got to her.
She heard her name whispered again, and this time she followed the sound. The voice seemed to be coming from an alcove only a few feet from where she was standing. She slowly approached the alcove.
"You are Leia Organa of Alderaan?" a voice asked.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"My name is of no concern to you, young princess. I know why you are here, and I know of your mission."
Leia thought of the best way to get this person to leave.
"If you don't leave, I will call the Storm Troopers!"
The man smiled, and he didn't seem to be in any hurry to leave.
"Then you will only bring trouble upon yourself. I am here to help you."
Leia's face softened.
"How can you help me?"
"You wish to leave Mount Tantiss and bring this information to the Rebel Alliance?"
"Yes."
"I can help you, but you must do as I say."
"Alright. What do I have to do?"
"You must go to hangar bay three. A starship known as the Millennium Falcon is waiting for you there. You must give the pilot a small device. He said he had some vital information for her."
A few steps further down, she heard footsteps behind her. Turning round, she saw a figure standing some ten meters before her. Her heart skipped a beat, thinking that it could have been an Imperial Storm Trooper, or worse, a Jem' Hadar warrior. She was pleased when she found out it was neither.
"You came alone?" a voice asked.
"As requested."
"Good."
The stranger reached into his pocket, and took out a small device, and tossed it to Leia. It landed on the floor in front of her. She recognized it as some sort of data chip.
"Pick it up."
Leia bent down and did as she was told.
"What's on this?"
"The complete plans for that monstrosity in orbit."
"You mean the Death Star?"
"Correct. You will find what you are looking for—a weakness."
Leia looked down at the chip.
"How can I get in touch with you again if I need..."
She looked up and found that she was alone in the corridor. Her contact, the stranger, had gone.
Vader had never been one for receptions, be they formal or otherwise. He preferred to wait in the main control room of the Death Star. An important vessel was about to dock with the mighty battle station.
"It's coming in now, sir," an officer reported. "It's the prison transport ship from the Executor. Reading one Bajoran, one Cardassian, one Romulan, and one changeling aboard."
"The prisoners from Deep Space Nine," said Vader. "Have them taken to maximum security."
No comments:
Post a Comment