The Journeys of Magus - Chapter Five

    Scotty walked through the engineering section, tool belt strapped to his waist. He did not look a happy man.
    “Careful with that crystal chamber!” he shouted. “And you! You’re using the wrong tool! I always say you should use the right tool for the right job!”
    Then Magus strode into the engineering room. He clapped Scotty on the back.
    “How are things going?” he asked.
    “These bloody dwarves don’t seem to have the faintest idea what they’re doing!”
    “Dwarves are considered the finest engineers in the galaxy!” said Magus.
    “That may be so.” said Scotty. “But they can’t reach half the controls!”
    “Just give them time Mister Scott.” said Magus.

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter Four

    Commander James Winthorn sat in the Suffield Park pub in Cromer, still on shore leave and gazing into his glass of beer. Ever since he was rejected for the post of first officer on the Valkyrie he had been in a slight depression. He wondered where his career was going. He thought he had a better chance than anyone of getting that posting on the Valkyrie because he had served aboard her before and knew that ship like the back of his hand.
    As Winthorn sat brooding he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. He could tell instantly that it was a woman’s hand. He turned round to see an attractive young woman wearing a Starfleet uniform smiling at him. It was someone he hadn’t seen in ages.
    “Sonya Gomez, what are you doing here?” he smiled.
    “Celebrating my promotion to lieutenant, and taking a bit of shore leave before I go to my next assignment, whatever it is!”
    “So am I.”
    Winthorn began to brood again.
    “I heard about you getting turned down for the first officer’s post on the Valkyrie. Tough break.”
    “Tell me about it.”
    “But I can understand them giving it to Sutek. He does know the ship, and I think it’s always good to promote from within.”
    Winthorn stared at Gomez.
    “You’re doing it again! Running on like a fifty cent watch!”
    “I know, but at times I just can’t help myself!”
    Then they heard a coughing noise behind them. They expected to see a burly looking man trying to get a drink, but instead they saw a man in the uniform of a Starfleet admiral.
    “Admiral Calevicchi!” said Winthorn. “I didn’t know you where here. Can I get you a drink?”
    “No thank you Commander. I came here looking for you, and for you Lieutenant Gomez. What are you doing tomorrow morning?”
    “Nothing.” replied Gomez. “We are still waiting for our postings.”
    “Good. Meet me outside the President’s office at oh-nine hundred hours.”
    “The President’s office?” said Gomez. “In Paris?”
    “The same one. He’d like to have a word with you about something, about your next assignment.”
    “What about it?”
    “I’ll let him explain. Good evening to you.”
    The Admiral then left them to their drinks. Gomez smiled.
    “This is great! Looks like we could be together on our next assignment!”
    Winthorn took his glass to his mouth.
    “Yeah, great!”

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter Three

    The room was a mess. It looked like it hadn’t been cleared up for ages. Bits of computers and various engineering parts were scatted all over the place. You could hardly tell that someone lived in this mess, but live in it they did. The occupant of this particular dwelling was a retired Starfleet officer, and he lived here alone. On this day he sat at a computer terminal, the image of a starship warp coil chamber on the screen in front of him. He worked the computer as if he had been around them for ages, which he had. The only time he looked up was when he heard a noise outside his front door. He quickly picked up an old type phaser which was on a nearby table. Slowly he walked towards the door, phaser at the ready. Then he heard the noise again. There was definitely someone outside, but who? He hadn’t had a visitor in ages. He was now at the door and he pressed the panel next to it. The door suddenly opened and he pointed his phaser outside. There was indeed someone outside, two people in fact, and they didn’t take too kindly to having a phaser stuck in their faces. All the same, they raised their arms.

    “Come now Scotty! Is that any way to greet an old friend?”

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter Two

    The Chancellor waited in a corridor as the Valkyrie’s transporter was energised. Soon Watt, Sutek and Magus arrived on the planet’s surface. The Chancellor greeted them warmly.

    “Captain Watt, it is a pleasure to meet you. Your grandfather has told me much about you during our talks.”

    “It is a pleasure to visit your fine planet.” Watt replied. “May I present to you my first officer Commander Sutek and Ambassador Phineas Magus.”

    “The legendary Ambassador Magus. I admire your work during the Monstron wars. Please, come this way.”

    They were soon shown into the council chamber where the President, the Doctor and Drathro greeted them. Magus and the Doctor soon renewed their acquaintance.

    “I would say it is good to see you again.” said Magus. “But I haven’t seen you since you regenerated. Which regeneration is this?”

    “Tenth.” the Doctor replied.

The Journeys of Magus - Chapter One

    The Lord High President of Gallifrey sat in his office, very involved of the day-to-day running of his planet and his people. It was while he was deep in thought that the Chancellor entered.
    “Lord President, young Drathro would like to speak with you.”
    The President looked up from his work.
    “Ah, Drathro. Please, show him in.”
    A few seconds later the door opened and a young man dressed in traditional Gallifreyan garb walked in. The President got to his feet and shook the young man warmly by his hand.
    “Drathro.” the President smiled. “It’s good to see you again. Please, sit down.”
    The two were seated opposite each other. Drathro began to look slightly uneasy.
    “I have a request to make of you Lord President.” he said. “During my time at the Academy I have read many of the Doctor’s accounts and journals. It is while doing this that I have grown to admire him greatly, and it’s because of this I have come here. I would like to travel the universe as he has done.”

Return of the Blob - Chapter Two

    O’Rourke put the shuttle on automatic pilot as she and Watt began to put on cold weather clothing. Watt was surprised when Magus did not do the same.
    “Aren’t you going to get kitted up?” asked Watt.
    “My dear Captain, I have visited Istarix many many times. There parts of that island that are far colder than Alaska. I will be fine.”
    After putting on her thick jacket O’Rourke seated herself in the pilot’s seat. She then pressed a button on the communications console.
    “This is shuttlecraft Copra calling the Alpha Tracking station, please respond.”
    Her words were greeted with silence, so she tried again to contact the station. She got the same result.

Return of the Blob - Chapter One

    Alpha Tracking Station in Alaska was the first tracking station set up by the United Federation of Planets on Earth. It’s main task was to monitor occurrences such as meteor showers and the like. On this day they were doing just that.

    In the main control room the station’s commanding officer Commander Adam DeSoto was overseeing the monitoring of a meteor shower that was hitting the ground only a few miles away from them. The science officer, the Vulcan Lieutenant Torak, was very intrigued.

    “Most meteor storms have a set pattern.” he reported. “This one seems to be very random, except for it’s landing pattern.

    DeSoto sat next to him and watched the screen intently.

    “Look at this.” he said. “One of them seems to be breaking away from the others.”
    The whole building then shook as the meteor hit the ground just outside the main building.
    “That was close!” said DeSoto. “Get your thermals on Torak. We’re going to take a look.”

Pegasus: The Beginning - Chapter Three

    Pendragon stood looking out of the window of the Operations Room. He watched as the Eldar cruiser began to approach the station.
    “Red alert!” he ordered. “Shields up!”
The shields came up just in time as several phaser blasts from the Eldar cruiser hit the shields.
    “Shield strength down ten per cent.” reported Larin.
    The Eldar fired another blast, this time followed by three photo torpedoes.
    “Shield strength down to sixty-eight per cent.” said Larin. “I’m diverting power from other areas.”
    The Eldar cruiser then stopped firing as one of the hatchways on the side of the ship began to open. Then three Eldar fighters began to emerge from the larger cruiser. Pendragon pressed a button on the communications console in front of him.
    “Ops to fighter bay. Are your men ready yet Archer?”
    “As ready as ever Captain. These fighters haven’t had a proper test yet.”

Pegasus: The Beginning - Chapter Two

    Pendragon sat in his office taking in his new surroundings. The office looked very bare. He had yet to make it “his” and he was considering what to decorate his office with, what personal belongings to bring in. While he was undertaking this contemplation his communicator sounded.
    “Greenleaf to Pendragon.”
    “Go ahead Colonel.”
    “The Enterprise has just docked. Lieutenant Plato and Doctor Pulaski have just arrived.”
    “Good. Ask them to come to my office.”
    A few minutes later Dr. Pulaski and Lieutenant Plato arrived at the office. Pendragon was taken aback slightly by Plato’s appearance. He was tall with blue skin and white hair. Pendragon greeted him warmly but he was taken aback by the young Socratian’s approach.

Pegasus: The Beginning - Chapter One

     The clothes he was wearing did not look right in the setting of this ancient castle, but it bad been a long time since Arthur Pendragon had engaged in a sword fight. With the magical sword Excalibur in his hand he slowly walked through the empty halls of this strange castle. Then suddenly he was attacked. He only just had time to bring his sword up in front of him. The man who was attacking him was wearing bright shiny silver armour.

    The battle began in earnest. The sound of clanging swords rang out throughout the hallways. Thrust and parry was met by thrust and parry as Pendragon showed his might sword skills. Then Pendragon gained the upper hand. Soon his opponent was on his knees.
    “Please, spare my life!” he said. “I yield!”
    Pendragon raised his sword high above his head, and he was about to bring it down upon his opponent when he heard someone behind him.
    “Computer, freeze program. End.”
    The surroundings began to shimmer, they were soon replaced by the walls of the holodeck. Pendragon turned around to see Ambassador Magus standing behind him.
    “You did well Captain Pendragon.” he said.
    Pendragon smiled.
    “How long have you been standing there?” he asked.
    “Long enough.” Magus replied. “Captain Spalding asked me to tell you that we are approaching the Time of Legends. We should be docking with the Pegasus in ten minutes.”
    Pendragon reached down for his towel and wiped the sweat from his brow.
    “I’d better go take a shower. I don’t want to step into my new command smelling like this!”

A Time of Change - Chapter Two

    Shortly afterwards Watt beamed aboard the Valkyrie to see how the repair work was going. He was greeted in the transporter room by Lom.

    “Commander, how are the repairs going?”
    “On time, as always. But with me keeping an eye on them they’ll have to stay on track!”
    Lom escorted Watt into the corridor.
    “There were two communications just before you beamed aboard, one from Babylon 5 and one from an approaching shuttle craft. The shuttle will be here in ten minutes.”
    “A shuttle? From where?”
    “The Enterprise.”

    A few minutes later Watt sat in his ready room. The image of Commander Jeffrey Sinclair, commanding officer of the Babylon 5 station, was on the screen in front of him.

A Time of Change - Chapter One

   For the first time in ages the U.S.S. Valkyrie neared it’s home base, the planet Earth, for a long awaited refit. On the bridge a very relieved Captain James Watt sat in his chair as his ship docked with the McKinley Repair Station. Next to Watt Commander Pendragon smiled.
    “It’ll be good to get some shore leave.” he said. “It’s been a while.”
    “It certainly will number one.” said Watt.
    Then Amarus noticed something on his panel.
    “Captain, I’m receiving a communication from Starfleet Security. Admiral McCarthy is ready to beam aboard.”
    Watt sighed and got to his feet.
    “You have the bridge Commander. Mr. Amarus, you’re with me.”
    Watt and Amarus soon stood in Transporter Room Three. Watt then gave the order for the transporter beam to be energised. Seconds later a rather stern-looking man dressed in the uniform of a Starfleet admiral beamed aboard. The man was Admiral Joseph McCarthy, the head of Starfleet Security.

The Passing of The New Age - Chapter Four

    The Valkyrie crew were pushing the engines to the limit and beyond in pursuit of the stolen shuttle. In the conference room Watt sat with Magus to his right and Pendragon to his left. Watt had some questions that needed answering.
    “How long have you known about Hogan’s connection to Darkmagus?” Watt asked.
    “I suspected something when he first came aboard.” Magus replied.
    “Then why the hell didn’t you say something?” snapped Pendragon. “I’ve heard all the old stories about Darkmagus. If they’re true we could be headed towards a full-scale war here.”
    “They are all true, Commander, but there is something that you don’t know about. I believe Tompkins is safe, and he will be back with us when we reach the Procyn system.”
    “Why there?” asked Watt.
    “Because Darkmagus is there.”

The Passing of the New Age - Chapter Three

      Early the next morning Singh carried out a full examination of Hogan. The doctor seemed very happy.
    “Mr. Hogan, I am proud to announce that you are in perfect health, for someone of your age anyway.”
    “Does that mean I can leave sickbay?”
    “It certainly does. I see no reason for you to remain if you’re healthy.”
    Singh activate his communicator.
    “Singh to Watt. Captain, our patient is fit and well and ready to leave sickbay.”
    Watt, who was on the bridge, responded.
    “Understood Doctor.”
    Watt turned to Tompkins at the helm.
    “Mister Tompkins, please show our guest to his quarters.”
    A few minutes later Tompkins arrived in sickbay. He saw Hogan sitting on the examination table.
    “Good morning Mister Hogan. I’m Lieutenant Mark Tompkins. I’m here to show you to your quarters.”
    Upon hearing Tompkins’ name he perked up a bit.
    “Tompkins? Very pleased to meet you.”
    Tompkins showed Hogan out of sickbay. They made their way to the living quarters.
    “It certainly is a remarkable ship you have here Lieutenant.”
    “Please, call me Mark.”
    “Well, Mark, tell me something of your ship.”
    “The Valkyrie is a Wagner-class starship, currently the only one of it’s class in service. It was commissioned ten years ago. Her first commander was Captain Connor McCloud. Captain Watt was first officer then, and was promoted when Captain McCloud was promoted to Admiral.”
    “Why does the name Connor McCloud sound familiar?”
    “Probably because he is an Immortal, born eight hundred years ago, give or take a year or so.”
    They stopped when they came to a door.
    “Here we are.”
    They entered the guest quarters. Hogan looked around. Tompkins walked over to the replicator.
    “This is the food replicator. It will provide any food or drink you want.”
    After gazing around Hogan looked at Tompkins.
    “Would it be possible to take a tour of this ship?”
    “I would have to ask the Captain first, but I don’t see why not. If you wish to contact me press this button on the panel.”
    Tompkins soon left the quarters. Hogan seemed very happy at his surroundings.

The Passing Of The New Age - Chapter Two

 Watt was soon joined by Trospheo in the corridor, and they entered sickbay together. The first thing they saw was the stranger sitting up on the examination table drinking a glass of water. Before they could approach him they themselves were approached by Singh.
    “How is he?” Watt asked.
    “In perfect health, and very hungry.” Singh replied. “I didn’t tell him anything about his current situation. I thought it best to wait for you.”
    “Very well Doctor.”
    Watt then walked over to the stranger, extending his hand as a token of friendship.
    “Hello, I’m Captain James Watt.”
    The stranger seemed very interested when he heard Watt’s name.
    “Hello. Are you THE James Watt?”
    “It depends on which one of us you mean.” said Watt. “Tell me, how did you come to be on that space vessel?”
    “To be perfectly honest Captain I don’t have any idea. All I know is that I was on my way back to Earth.”
    “Can you remember your name?”
    “That I can. Terrence Hogan.”
    “What was the year you made your journey in?”
    “Seems an odd question. It was 2000. Why did you ask that?”
    Watt began to rub his chin.
    “There’s no other way to tell you Mister Hogan, but I’m afraid you’ve been in hibernation for three hundred and seventy years.”
    Upon hearing this new Hogan dropped his glass of water.
    “Are you sure?”
    “By the old calendar this is 2370.” said Watt. “I’ll let you rest now. If you want to talk to anyone Counsellor Trospheo will be happy to help you.”
    Watt left sickbay a few minutes later. He bumped into Magus in the corridor.
    “How is our patient?” Magus asked.
    “Awake and somewhat confused.” Watt replied. “It seems that his sleeper ship was returning to Earth in the year 2000.”
    “Odd. I don’t remember any space missions returning to Earth in that year.”
    “Perhaps you can work with Lom and Sutek in examining that ship.
    “I’ll help them study the information when they bring it back, but I’d also like to keep an eye on our guest. I have a rather strange feeling about him.”

The Passing Of The New Age - Chapter One

    It was a lovely day at the Oval. The occasion was a very special match between an England eleven and a Rest of the World eleven. The England eleven were currently batting. Standing at the slips were Don Bradman, Viv Richards and Allan Border. Behind the stumps was the great West Indian Jeff Dujon, and about to start his run-up was the great Pakistani leg spinner Abdul Qadir, who was about to bowl from the pavilion end.
    The England opening batsmen were still at the crease, having made a stand of nearly one hundred and thirty. The non-striker was none other than Geoff Boycott himself, one of the most outspoken cricketers ever. About to take the strike was a relative newcomer to World cricket - Captain James Watt, commanding officer of the U.S.S. Valkyrie.
    Qadir started his run-up. He bowled. It was his famous googly. Watt made his stroke, a glorious effort that sent the ball through the covers. The crowd began to go wild as the ball went for four, brining Watt’s score to one hundred. Taking off his helmet Watt began to acknowledge the appreciation of the crowd. Boycott then came up to him. He had been stuck on forty for the past thirty minutes.
    “You did well there. Not as good as me though.”
    The drinks interval came straight after. Watt was surprised when he saw that the drinks tray was being carried by his first officer, Commander Pendragon.
    “What’s up number one?” asked Watt, taking a sip of orange squash.
    “The sensors have picked up a drifting vessel nearby. I thought you’d want to take a look.”
    “Vessel?” said Boycott. “What the bloody hell are you talking about?”
    Watt smiled.
    “Computer, save program at this time index.”
    The image began to change. Suddenly the holodeck looked empty as the program was saved in the computer’s memory.
    “Personally I would have picked Graham Gooch as my opening partner.” said Pendragon.
    “I’m beginning to agree with you Commander.”
    The two of them soon left the holodeck.
    “I wouldn’t mind trying that program myself.” said Pendragon. “It looks quite enjoyable.”
    “Personally I think test cricket lost it’s flavour when the Sudan were awarded test status in 2009. It was soon afterwards that records were easily broken. Men of limited ability were hailed as the new Bradman or Botham. Now about this craft.”
    “Yes sir. We picked it up ten minutes ago. There appear to be faint life signs but nothing more.”
    “Very well, I’ll take a quick shower and I’ll join you on the bridge in about fifteen minutes.”

Inauguration - Chapter Sixteen

Two days later President Watt sat on the examination table in Med-Lab while Doctor Franklin carried out the second physical examination on him in as many days. A rye smile appeared on Franklin’s face.
    “In all of my years as a doctor I’ve never seen anything like it.” he said. “You absorbed enough energy to kill a thousand normal men, and yet I can find no trace of ill health whatsoever.”
    “Many doctors have been baffled by my medical history.” said Watt. “Did I tell you about the time I pushed en entire space station through a wormhole?”

Inauguration - Chapter Fifteen

Magus stood at the junction of two corridors, wondering which way he should head next. If it were not for the sensors he would have been able to sort this out by now. Then a fall figure appeared before him.
    “Ah, Magus. I knew you would be here. Do not worry about using your powers, you will need them to defend yourself. I intend to kill you and to add your powers to my own.” smiled Alen.
    “Easier said than done Alen. You want to match the skills of four centuries against two millennia?”
    The two began to circle each other warily. Arcane energy began to form around their hands. Alen raised his hands and struck the first blow, sending Magus reeling. Now he could use his powers again there was not the effect Alen had hoped for. The older wizard turned to him with a smile.

Inauguration - Chapter Fourteen

The door to Garibaldi’s office opened, and two heads peered around the door, looking one way and they the other. Slowly they then stepped out into the corridor.
    “Well this is it.” said Watt. “You know the plan. You go through the corridors and I’ll use my powers to go through the walls.”
    “I only hope this plan works.” said Magus.
    “It will. And remember, no matter what happens one of us must disable the reactor.”
    Watt extended his hand, and Magus grasped it.
    “Good luck Ambassador.”
    “Likewise Mr. President.”
    And with that Magus and Watt went in separate directions.

Inauguration - Chapter Thirteen

Watt stood at the small computer station in the corridor busily trying to operate it. After a few seconds he punched the wall.
    “Damn!” he cursed.
    Magus, who was keeping an eye on the corridors, turned round to face Watt.
    “What’s wrong?” he asked.
    “I can’t access the main computer from this station. I need to get to a bigger terminal.”
    Watt switched the terminal off and began thinking.
    “As far as I can see there are two possibilities.” he said. “One of them is the Operations room. That, of course, is out of the question.”
    Watt began to rub his chin. A few seconds later he suddenly snapped his fingers.