Space Station Down: The Hunt For Jake Grey Part Eleven

Jake Grey stops laughing as the Archangel draws ever closer to his ship. "Fire a barrage of Quantum Torpedoes at them. Full spread."

-

Rita sees the lfash of light coming from the Galaxy-class vessel's front seciton and instinctively takes the ship into a dive. "Aw shit," she mutters. Suddenly the ships shudders. "Dammit! Three quantum torpedoes impacted. Sheilds down 25%!" A panel next to Jackson explodes. His sleeve catches fire. Rita reports, "One of those Jem'heddar ships fired some kind of concentrated particle cannon at us. Sheilds were pierced like melted butter. Hull breach on Decks 6 and 7, near sickbay. EMH not responding!"

-

Keith and Sorik begin a slow stealthy trek towards the massive statue Keith saw in the distance. Sorik checks his suroundings to see if anyone might be within earshot of them. "Mr. Yeager, do you really think it wise to blow up that statue?" "We can blame it on the conspiracy. Shoudln't be too hard with this piece of paper I snagged from Mkasi. It has a crudely drawn map of the Caeser's planned tour of the African Senatorial building. Just plant this next to the wreckage of that stature we're gonna blow up, and it will leave enough suspicion that Emperor Agricola will either postpone his visit, or incease his personal security. Then we can snag us a biplane or two, and get back to Malta to tell Senator Lambert what we found."

Nero, Mr Yeager. Nemo is from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea.

Mr Yeager, fraudery is not going to help our case. If it is discovered it was our doing, as it no doubt will be, it will make it seem like we are guilty of much more.

Keith smiles. "That's where you come in Sorik. If anyone can figure out a way to keep us from being implicated it's you and your Vulcan logic. Look, the fact is, we have no real evidence. What we have is heresay and circumstantial. From what Mkasi said, I take it that Senators from island countries are generally not given as much repsect as those from continents. If Senator Lambert, and the two of us went to the Caser and told him about this plot, then Mkasi came in and said it to be false, who do you think the Emperor is more likely to beleive?" Sorik raises an eyebrow. Keith nods. "Exactly. It's not loigcal what we're about to do. Even I know that. But sometimes the illogical way is the best way. The only way." He looks around and moves several feet ahead and ducks behind a weathered old well, one that apparently hasn't been used in decades. He motions for Sork to follow him.

Minutes earlier...

Hudzen ran the chances through his head. If the ship he had acquired was the Defiant, they'd have an easier time against the Jem'Hadar Attack Ships, but the Archangel was slightly less powerful when it came to ST tech. The attack ships could easily distract the Archangel while the Galaxy-Class starship had little resistance as it blew the Archangel out of the sky. The chances were not high at all. But Hudzen didn't tell the crew. Morale was down enough. Besides, knowing humans, they would need all of the confidence they could get. Then the attack began. The ship shook and Rita took it into evasive manuevers.

Weapons ready Captain. Firing phasers.

The Archangel came down under a Jem'Hadar ship, the dorsal phaser firing, but only creating minor damage. The Archangel swung around and settled behind the Jem'Hadar ship. The Archangel's forward phasers fired, slamming into the Dpminion ship's aft. Unfortunately, a phaser shot from the Galaxy-Class made contact with the Archangel.

Aft shields down to 12%. One more shot and they will completely collapse. Ablative armor will only last long enough for us to escape with a blind warp jump if we continue to take this much fire.

Rita grits her teeth. Although she's only two months along she can almost feel the aby tensing with her. She begins to sweat, even ehavier then the rest of the crew, something that only Carrie notices. "Carrie, divert all availbale power to the forward phasers!" she shouts throguh her clenched teeth. Carrie draws power form all back up systems, and the power for lights and life support in the unused portions of the ship. Rita checks her screen. "Not enough," she mutters. Hudzen fires a barrage of Quantum Torpedoes that pummel one of the Jem'Heddar attack ships, sending it spinning, the second oen anrrowly avodiing a collison. More than enough time, Rita thinks to herself. Without warning the lights dim and temprature abruptly drops. Jackson's eyes widen in panic. "Sheilds down!" "Not quite." Rita says. She hits a button on her panel, and the ship shudder as a red beam of energy, deadlier than any beam weapon Gryemoran or anyone else ahd ever seen intercepts the other Dominion ship, slicing it in half, passing through it's sheilds as though they weren't there. One piece flies into the path of the other ship, haivng regianed it's 'footing' as it were, and the other ship spins out of control yet again, this time towards the Archangel. Rita pushes the ship into a dive. As the Jem'heddar ship passed the location where they would've otherwise collided, a torpedo launched form the Galaxy-class ship slams into it, knocking it off course yet agian, but not destroying it. Carrie's voice comes over the comm. "What the hell! Someone shunted all power from every system on the ship in that phaser bank!" Gryemoran stands up, rubbing his arms. "Including life support," he says with worry. Greymoran goes over to Rita to ask her waht happened, but she slumps out of her chiar and passes out, sweaty and breathing shallowly. The viewscreen shows the damaged Jem'Hedar ship self-destructing, the shockwave sending Arhcangel into a spin. With the inertial dampers drained from the power switch, the entire crew gets slammed hard into the ceiling. Greymoran's body protects Rita from the impact.

-

Jake Grey smiles as the Defiant-class ship Archangel spun away from him. It's lights blackened, it's forward most phaser array burnt beyond any possible repair. A quick scan of the area showed that it would most likely smash into a comet that was passing thorugh the sector in a matter of hours. "Well, I'd like to stay to make sure it happens, but I have an appointment to keep. TorGal! Open the portal. Let's get out of here."

Jackson, who has put out the fire on his sleeve, is currently sliding along the ceiling next to the viewscreen
This has not been a good day!
He fires what looks like a small harpoon from his wrist gauntlet towards his station and with effort pulls himself down. Once there, he puts on his seat belt and checks the various sensors
Sir, if the sensors are correct, we're on an intercept course for a comet! If things don't change, we'll be space debris in about three hours!

Hudzen pushes off the ceiling and flies toward the helm station. As soon as he hits the floor he activates the magnetic devices in his boots and wrists, as he grabs at the station.

Captain, helm is currently dead. Carrie, are you still active? Can you stabilize the ship?

Carrie's voice comes through very grainy. Emergency thrusters are firing, I can slow us down but that's about it. Sheilds, artifiical gravity, life support, emergecny systems, all dead. You'll suffocate in two hours anyway so the comet is the least of your problems. If you pass out it'll be up to me and Hudzen."

Carrie, I'm still wearing my Cybersuit, and it's self contained, so oxygen won't be a problem for me for a while... For the others, we have EVA suits, don't we?
Jackson undoes his belt in order to check Greymoran and Rita. As he floats to the ceiling, his CyberTec catalog falls out of his pocket. Inspired, Jackson grabs for and catches it.
Ah Ha! I wonder if we can find something in here to save us?
Or... Carrie, are there any inhabited systems nearby, and can we send a distress signal?

Sorik ducks behind the well and grabs Keith by the left arm. Keith instinctively starts to raise his right arm in defense, then subsides.

I refuse to committ vandalism and lie in order to prove the truth. Someone will see us destroying the statue, someone who will have evidence against us. And if they do, it will seem like we were trying to assassinate the Caesar. If we get out of this alive, I shall put this on your report. But there must be a better way.

Jackson pushes off a wall, retrives the bridge's medkit, and goes to check on Greymoran and Rita. After a scan with the tricorder, Jackson says.
Greymoran seems to be alright...just some slight brusing... Rita and the baby were shielded by Greymoran, and they seem to be alright too.. Hold on... baby?
Jackson gives a hypospray dose, and they slowly wake up. Jackson looks around the room to see what works and what doesn't. He notices a faint glow from a console, and upon investigation, he realizes that the interdimensional communicator still works, but barely.
Hmm.. if I could get it fully working, maybe I could contact somebody, like the LICC...

Greymoran and Jackson act to cushion Rita as the ship's spin stops and they begin to float towards the floor. Carrie's voice sighs a sigh of relief. "I had to burn out the thrusters to do it but our spin is controlled now. We're stilld rifitng, but I don't think that comet will be a problem. As for inhabited system, my star charts for this universe put us beyond Terran AND Kilrathi explored space."

-

Keith snorts. "Dammit Sorik I have thought about it. There isn't a better way! We have to do SOMETHING to buy time for Senator Lambert's friends in Rome! Look, I saw a sign on our way to the Senate chamber earlier that said there was a 10 o'clock curfew. It's almost 8. We wait a few hours, then we go for the statue. Remember, we still have our Centurion uniforms."

I think the first thing we need to do is access the full damage we incured... of course, without power, that's going to be hard... hold on, I've got an idea!
Jackson rushes to the bridge weapons locker and picks out the two largest phaser rifles he can find. He then opens the Ops panel and the power area of the phasers and, with a few wires, connects the two.
Ok... the power cells from the phasers SHOULD power Ops long enough to let us determine how much damage we have.
Jackson activates the power cells, and soon Ops is activated. He accesses damage controls and gives a low whistle.
It looks like the damage is pretty bad. Take a look.
With a press of a few buttons, a schematic of the Archangel appears on the screen on Ops. Areas damaged, destroyed, and otherwise mangled in some way are shown in various colors. Unfortunatly, the entire ship is shown to be damaged, much of it major. At that point, the power gives out and Ops goes dark once again.
Folks, this kind of damage can only be repaired at a space station. And, as Carrie said, we seem to be nowhere near a space station. Adding to our woes is a lack of long range communication, so we can't call anybody for help... In fact, the only comm system still remotly functional is the interdimensional communicator. Captain, may I suggest I try to get it working, or at least to the point where I can call for help? And may I also suggest that we try and get a hold of the LICC for assistance?

Greymoran sighs. "I've been going through the files on my free time. I suggest we go to STU90. Apparently Grey's assault on the Federation wasn't entirely successful. I'd always wondered what happened to the bulk of the XDCA fleet. It was a regular Battle of Midway over Vulcan. The records of that battle were fired from one of the ships destoryed in a probe that Carrie picked up before she found me on the Spidership II. Let's just hope Grey hasn't decided to finish what he started there yet. Carrie, can you get the portal generator on-line?" "Yes, but you'd lose the ability to communicate with me until repairs are complete. Plus I won't be able to control WHERE in STU90 we turn up. We'll definately need the LICC's help for that part" Greymoran sighs yet again. "Jackson, call your-" He pauses. Then, he chuckles. "I almost called him your brother. Call my son. Tell him we need any emergency power packs he can afford to spare."

Right, sir. I suppose in a way he could be my brother... I mean, most identical twins are close to being clones, right?
With that, Jackson searches the weapons locker again and pulls out the rest of the weapons... all three of them and peforms the same procedure with the interdimensional communicator and sets it to the LICC's frequency.
Jackson Dupree to the LICC, we have an emergency situation here on the Archangel. I don't know how long I can talk, but I'll give you a brief outline of what's been going on.
Jackson goes on to briefly describe the trouble the Archangel is having.
We will be heading for STU90, but will not know where we'll be. Please meet us there. Here is the coordinates for that dimension.
Jackson sends the coordinates. By this time, the various power cells begin to flicker.
I don't have much time left to talk! Please...
With that, the power cells give out, and the panel goes dark.
Ok, the message has been sent. Hopefully they'll get it.

We still have the shuttle power as well since they have independent power sources.

And we have me as well...

Sorik sighs. Arguing is futile, and there does seem to be no other way.
Very well. You may do as you will, but if my fears are correct I will take no repsonsibility for your actions. Do you understand?

Keith nods. "I understand. Here, help me get the gunpowder of these bullets."

Greymoran enters the bridge wearing an EVA suit and tosses another to Jackson. "Sickbay has an indpendent power source, but it's damaged. Rita will be safe in there for now becuase the oxygen supply is steady." Jakcson, freezing, and trying to slow down his breathing as the oxygen left on the bridge disappears gladly puts the suit on. Hudzen not needing it, uses his own back-up power cells to add a few extra hours of life to Jackson's console. Greymoran pulls a small tool kit out of his suits belt and begins making superficial repairs to the damaged consoles. "Form follows function," he mutters to himself. "So, have we got an ETA on when my son gets here to help? I'd like to see my grandchildren before they start talking and walking." Jackson smiles, but Greymoran cannot see him through the tinted glass of the helmets. "Yeah, I wanna get a good look at my niece and nephew too. So do you think my borhter finally married that girl?" "I certainly hope so. For her sake at least. I know the Avariel. She'll stay becuase she loves him but if she doesn't marry her soon she's gonna make it so he never sees the kids again."

Jackson connects the EVA functions to his own Cybersuit, which he is still wearing. This should insure that he won't run out of oxygen any time soon.
ETA? I have no idea. They'll get here when they get here. They are superheros, you know. Probably busy with something.
Jackson looks out a nearby window just as the ship passes through a self-generated portal and into another dimension, preseumably STU90.
Sir, while we're waiting, do you want me to go around the ship to see if I can fix anything?

Greymoran thinks about it for a moment. "I think the last damage report had the shuttle bays wrecked, both port and starboard. We should try to fix one of them up so an LICC shuttle can land without slipping. We'd better tell whoever decides to come with my son and his repair teams to bring EVAs of their own for the time being." Jackson starts towards the turbolift. He stops. "Sir, why don't you call him by his first name? Tacoman, I mena." Gryemoran frowns. "He enver liked being called Jack or Jackson. When he was yougn he kept begging me to pay the money to have his name legally changed to something more 'exiting.' You should have most of his memories being a clone. Of course cloning always is tricky business. I once met a clone of Adolf Hitler who was a complete and total pacifist, but I digress. To answer your question, I never gave it much thought to be honest with you."

At this, Hudzen's quickly turns his head toward Greymoran. This wasn't in his databanks...

Hitler was cloned? I do not understand where the advantage in doing so would lie.

As for the ship, I can help repair it as well.

Jackson turns and looks at Greymoran
I've never heard about that, either...
As for the naming thing, in the late 20th century, I was called Lance Pepperman for a while.. but that was just a name to go with the cover of being a rich playboy type that also was a superhero...

Sorik looks at Keith with a cold hard stare and does not help him take any gunpowder out of the bullets.

Keith groans. "Fine. Don't help me. Give me the silent treatment you fucking child!" Keith manages to get all the gun podwer he can into a small bag that had held some small gold coins. He didn't take the coins out. He pulls Mkasi's map half-way out of his pocket, and hopes it will look natural when it eventually falls out as he runs for the statue. He looks around for a long piece of string. "Too long, too short, frayed, wet, ah ha! Got it!" He runs for the statue. As planned the map falls onto the ground. No one sees Keith. Even though there is no total darkness yet, the ringing of loud bells while Keiht was string searching drove everyone, including the Guards that sat near the statue indoors. Curefew, Keith though. Don't have much time. They're probably sending elites over here to enforce it. He stuffs the bag into the open mouth of the statue, and jumps down. With the help of a crudely fashioned flint he lights the string, then runs towards the spot where he and Sorik were hiding. He dives behind the abadnoned well just as the bag explodes. Between the explosion and the coins in the bag, the head of the statue, from the mouth up, is blown completely off.

Sir, what I'm going to do is activate my suit's emergency beacon and transponder. That way, the LICC will have have something to hone in on when they arrive in this universe.

With a flash of light, the Spidership arrives in STU90.
Ops, helm, begin a search for the Archangel.

A blinking light grabs Greymoran's attention. The dimensional incursion warning. Someone has just enetered the universe. Jakcson cheers. "They made it!" "Wait," Gryemoran says cautiously. "We should confirm that it's them before we send a message. If it's Jake Grey I don't want to be caught with my trousers down." He goes over and hits a few buttons. The lights dim from the temporary power drian to the communications atenna. "I'll monitor all outgoing communications within a parsec." For several seconds only silence fills the bridge of the Arhcangel. Then, a familiar, and long awaited voice come sover the bridge speakers. "Tacoman to Archangel. Do you read? If you cna ehar us pelase repsond. Dad? Jackson? Anyone? Please repsond." Greymoran and jakcosn cheer and embrace, as tightly as possible in the EVA suits. In the low gravity the two practically jump up and down with exictement. The tension of not knowing if they would live to see this moment was broken in a moment of unbridled joy. Greymoran and jackson quickly return to their stoic selves and the moment is lost. Greymoran keys up the frequency. "Greymoran to Spidership III, this is Archangel. We read you."

Aboard the Spidership, we hear the words "We read you" over the speakers. Tacoman lets out a breath.
Good to hear from you. Right now, we're trying to find your position in the universe....
At that, Jackson activates his Cybersuit's transponder and emergency beacon. Tacoman notices and continues speaking.
...hold on, we've just received what looks like the emergency homing signal from what can only be a cybersuit... and the only other person I know of in this unverse with a Cybersuit would be Jackson Dupreee, my esteemed clone...
Jackson looks up at the ceiling with a slight sick look. We hear Tacoman's voice waift over the Archangel's bridge.
It looks like we can be at your position in a few hours at maximum warp, so just sit back and relax until we get there. Tacoman out.

Hudzen stands at the back of the Archangel bridge. If he ever showed emotion, he would be smiling right now. He'd recorded Jackson and Greymoran jumping up and down. All of it. The moment was not lost after all.

Captain, do you believe that Grey has a ship anything like the LICC's Spidermobile? Also, considering their reputation, I would imagine Grey would avoid that dimension.

Captain, from what I saw of the damage report, it looks like the shuttle bays will take a lot more repair then I can do in the next few hours...but I think I can get a docking port ready. I'm going to head to the port port and repair it.
With that, Jackson enters the Jefferies tube and eventually disappears from view, on his way to make some repairs.

Milkshake looks concerned...

Captain, I'm getting odd readings from the EPS grid. It looks like some power conduits on Deck 6 have been damaged somehow. I'm sending an Engineering team to investigate.

Very good, Commander. We should make plans on what to do when we reach the Archangel. I guess we should probably beam in with a small away team.
Meanwhile, on the Archangel, Jackson makes his way to the port docking port to check and repair any major damage that it incured.
Let's see...still structurally sound...a few cracks here and there, but nothing I can't repair. All in all, It looks like a shuttle can still dock here.
Jackson gets to work on repairs, and an hour later, he has finished the major repairs. He makes his way back up to the bridge.
Well, the docking port is fixed, at least to a point where it can accept shuttles.

Colanator and three engineers, pulling an antigrav-cart with repair tools, reach the first damaged power conduit on Deck 6. Colanator stares at it and scans the breach with an engineering tricorder. Shortly after, on the bridge, an intercom call comes in.

Colanator to Captain. We are at Conduit PS-42. Something has destroyed the corridor panel and completely exposed the bare conduit, which has several breaches in the conduit shielding. By any reckoning, the conduit should have ruptured already, but something unknown is holding it together. We are about to stabilize the damaged part with a forcefield, but to properly repair the damage, we will eventually need equipment from a repair yard or Starbase. May I suggest we do not linger in this universe?

Greymoran goes to the deck directly below the bridge to the enarest viewport. In the distance he can see the Spidership approaching. He hits his communicator and keys up Hudzen. "Hudzen, send them a message about Jackson's rig, and tell them that our air supply is dead in every area except sickbay. In fact we should get them to beam Rita to their medlab. Their equipment is still in working order. Tell them to make sure their engineering crew has plenty of EVA suits and oxygen tanks." Hudzen responds in the affirmative and forwards the message. Gryemoran heads for the tubrolift and heads down to meet Jackson. He ponders his situation for a moment. "Gryemoran to Jackson, the turbolifts seem to run on their own indepnenet power supply. This just ocured to me. I wonder, could we rmeove those sources and use to restore full gravity to the ship?" "We could certainly try. I'll get to work on it."

-

Keith and Sorik stay low and well hidden. Keith risks a peek over the old well to see the procession of Centurions arrive at the site. They begin to move the people who'd come outisde to find out what had happened back into their homes. Keith and Sorik begin to sneak away, and find a ditch to duck in. Shortly afterwards, a pair of Centurions reach the well, and begin looking around. Not seeing anything they soon begin to walk back towards the damaged statue. Keith breathes a heavy sigh. "Hopefully they'll find the map of the Emperor's itenerary and sned a message to Rome. I think we've done all we can here. Let's find another place to hide until morning, then we try to find a way back to Malta."

While coordinating the repair crews that are to head over to Archangel, Milkshake has a thought...

Does anyone remember what happened to Comet Lad? I can't for the life of me recall where he is...

Jackson continues speaking.
...but if I did that, the only way to get around would be the Jefferies tubes, and with these EVA suits, that's going to make things a bit crowded.
On the Spidership, Tacoman responds to Colanator by saying
I understand. We'll try to spend the least amount of time around here as we can.
An Ensign with a PADD wanders up to Tacoman and hands the PADD to him. Tacoman reads it.
Colanator, when it comes time for your team to make repairs, you need to dock the shuttle in their port docking port. I'm sending the message about the situation to you now.
Tacoman looks up to the screen at the rapidly approaching Archangel. He winces as he sees the major damage that has been incured to the ship.
Tacoman to the Archangel, we should be in transporter range in about an hour or so. I and a few of my crew members will transport over to make an initial assessment of the damage and to see what you will need. Then, we'll just take it from there. I'll be nice to see all of you again.

I don't know where he is either sir. I don't think he was with us when we were transported into the bodies of the Arcola Chapter. In fact, I haven't seen him since shortly after the whole comet mission. Well, I suppose we should head over.

Greymoran stands by the port, waiting for the shuttle to dock. Tacoman and his team beam onto the bridge, greeted by dim lights, and the robot Hudzen.

Hi Hudzen. Where's Greymoran?
Tacoman looks around the room
It looks like this place has seen better days.

Hudzen tells Tacoman where Greymoran is, and Tacoman, by way of the Jeffries Tubes, is there just as the shuttle docks and Colanator disembarks. Gryemoran smiles as Tacoman approaches. "Like the redecorating job?" he asks sarcastically. Tacoman chuckles.

-

On board the Spidership, Kiehart, siting in the First Officer's chair {AN: I assume the CO went with the Captain}, checks the long range sensors. "Hmm. Well, using the data the Archangel provided we seem to be on the outskirts of explored space. A station called DS9 is a few parsecs away. We're just outisde their detection range near as I can tell." He taps a few more buttons. "Whoa. That baby is armed to the gills. It must be a hot spot. Flight Commander to Launch Bay, Yellow Squad I want a four-flight rotation patrol. Three fighters outside at all times, 6 hour shifts. Stay alert. I don't want us to be ambushed."

Tacoman turns to Commander Milkshake, who decided to accompy him, and says
I don't think you've had a tour of the Archangel, have you? Come to think of it, I don't think I have either.
Tacoman turns back to Greymoran, just as Colanator joins the conversation.
Captain, this is Colantor, my Chief Engineer. Tell us what we need to do, and we'll get it done.
Anything for a fellow captain.
Just as Tacoman says this, Jackson approaches from the other direction. He doesn't see the LICC yet as he says
Captain, I've manage to restore some life support. Enough for the bridge and few other vital systems that we use a lot. Now...
Jackson notices the LICC, and Captain Tacoman in particular.
Hi Captain. How are things going in the LICC? I've been sending brief reports to you all, but I never hear what's going on on your end.
Captain Tacoman: Well, you know how things are in the superhero business.. So, first officer and self-appointed repair person around here... brings back memories of my early days of the LICC...
Jackson: Excuse me, but they're my memories too...
Tacoman: Of course they are, you're my clone, aren't you? So that would make sense...
Tacoman walks off to talk to Greymoran, leaving Jackson to steam and give the good captain an angry and spitefull look.

Greymoran senses the tense situation dveloping and decides to intervene. "Well, since you're here son, I wa shoping I'd have a chance to visit my daughter-in-law and my new grandchildren. Perhaps once the life support is restored?" "Sure thing, but, uh, Butrfli and I aren't married, yet." Greymoran frowns. "Well, why not? I mean, maybe it's because I'm an old-fashioned Wizard, but when you fall in love with someone that deeply you make the commitment. I mean, you wouldn't have children with someone you weren't planning on spending the rest of your life with, would you?"

I'm afraid Taco here is the old-fashioned one, Greymoran. Used to be popular to try to get all the benefits of marriage without a legal joining, but I guess old Tacoman prefers the traditions of his youth.

Milkshake gives a friendly punch to the immortal yellow-suited Captain.

That's right.. you left Earth to go back to your job before the whole phenomenon of living with someone without marrying them happened...
In any case, I'd like to invite you and whoever else wants to join me for dinner aboard the Spidership while Colanator and his people make their repairs.
You can see Butrfli, Fran, and Logan at the same time, too.
Jackson, who's been making repairs here and there looks up at the invitation.
Would that include me?
Tacoman: Of course it does. I'm sure that you'd like to get out of this cold, dreary, and dark spaceship for one that actually has power.
Jackson: That does sound good.

Greymoran nods. "Allright. I can check on Rita in sickbay. She took a nasty blow to the head during that tailspin we went into. Maybe once we get all our gear back on-line we can find out what happened to our shuttle." Tacoman blinks in surprise. "You're missing a shuttle? Who was on it?" "Keith and Lieutenant Sorik. They were en route to Earth in the universe we were just in. We lost touch with them. In the middle of everything that's been happening I've forgotten that it's been almsot several days since we lost tocuh. Even if they went silent to avoid getting caught by someone we should've heard SOMETHING by now. And we have a message intercepted from that region that Rita was trying to de-crypt. I hope it's still in the database."

Hudzen is working on a console when the bridge is lit up with the familiar light of a transporter beam. The person being transported appears. It's Lt. Commander Rikard in an EVA suit.

Hi there, Josh Rikard and you are?
Hudzen: Hudzen
Rikard: Oh yes, I should have known. The Archangel's security robot. Um, do you know where Captain Tacoman and Commander Milkshake went?
Hudzen: Docking Hatch
Rikard: Okay. Rikard pulls out a site to site transport device. Are you coming or staying?
Hudzen: I am fine.
Rikard: Okay then. See ya.

Rikard dematerializes and rematerializes in front of Greymoran, Tacoman, Milkshake, Dupree, and everyone else that's in the group that the author forgot about.

Greetings Captains. What needs repairs?

Greymoran coughs. "Try, everything! We BARELY got the artifical gravity back and the only part of the ship with full oxygen supply is sickbay. We've got breaches and buckles and scortches all over the damn ship. I'm not looking for a total rebuild, but I'd like for us to get to a decent, and VERY heavily armed Starbase without the hull peeling off. Jackson's already got it started off and Colonator and his team have taken over the rest." He then tells Rikard about the dinner invitation.

Greymoran leads the visiting LICC crew towards the old science lab, since that area was still pressurised. When he opened the door, the room extended far off into the distance, making it appear to be much larger than the Archangel was. A young man was standing on the other side of the door.

Couldn't you find another place to house your guests? Oh well, come in! You should be able to find whatever tools you need around here.

Oh, by the way. I decrypted that message of yours.

He hands Greymoran a disk and ushers the LICCers inside. Then the door closes in Greymoran's face. Greymoran opens his mouth in supprise and opens the door, and walks into the Archangel's original, and empty, science lab.

Ahz leads the LICC into his lab. They are standing in an extremely large room, next to a free standing door. Ahz was typing on a virtual keyboard suspended in mid-air as a small elevator brought a number of tools out of a small hatch in the floor.

You should find everything you need here. I'm Ahz, by the way.

Adon was typing at the security controls.

This is strange. There are a few discrepancies in the securty files. I can't say what happened yet, but I'm going to look into it. If you need me, I'll be on Deck 6 if you need me.

Ahz? I think we've met before, havn't we?
If memory serves, you're a Wanderer, like Adon on my crew, right?
Nice place around here, by the way.
Tacoman turns toward Colanator and his crew
Ok ladies and gentlemen, it's all yours. Have fun.

You are correct. Much like your Commander Adon, I too, am a Wanderer.

Lightning flashed and an organ struck a dramatic chord.

Ryo-O, please be serious for a little while.

A female voice giggled, echoing through the vast room.

You will have to excuse her. She's developing a bit too much of a sence of humor. Oh, well. I guess I could lend a hand in the repairs.

Ahz grabbed a tool and vanished before Tacoman's eyes.

whispering But what if they are working for Mkasi? Anyway, how are we going to reach Malta? It would take weeks, unless we stow away about a zeppelin.

Greymoran finally found the ability to speak after the shock of seeing Ahz for the first time in almost a month. "Wh-where have you been Ahz? We'd counted you for lost. Last we saw of you you were with Adon. I'd assumed you either joined with him, or gone back to the Conclave." He takes a look at the PADD in his hand finally. "Oh God." Taocman looks at him. "Waht's wrong?" "It's a Kilrathi tranmissions. They'd already conquered Earth by the time we got to WCU59. This says an unknown shuttle entered Earth space and was damaged badly and disapeared into a portal. They must've entered a universe outisde of XDCA control otherwise we would've gottan an XDS signal. Dammit! This is not what we need. Ahz, is Ryo-O capable of dimensional travel? We need to go back to WCU59, to where the shuttle left that universe. IF there's enough residual energy we can find out where they went!" He turns to Tacoman before Ahz has a chance to repsond. "I'm afraid I'll have to cancel the dinner and the family visit." Tacoman shakes his head. "Nonsense. Butrfli and the kids can come with us." "You want to come with us? It could be dangerous, even with Ryo-O and Ahz protecting us. The Kilrathi are ruthless." "I'm sure we'll fine. Besides, I know Keith. I want to see him safe same as you." Greymorna smiles. "Hudzen, come in. Two things. One, Ahz is back. Two, Ahz is goign to take us to find Keith and Sorik. Tell Jackson the ship is his till we get back."

-

Keith swore under his breath. "I hadn't thought of that. Of course conventional wisdom suggests that the fewer people who know about a conspiracy the less chance of it being uncovered, but if Senator Lambert knew about it, then odds are Mkasi didn't follow conventional wisdom. We may have to hijack a Zeppelin to get out here." Sorik shook his head. "Unwise. Thye have bi-planes as you pointed out on Malta. They could shoot us down easily. And if they have radio communciations or telegram abilities as I assume they do from those wired poles over there, Mkasi has had plenty of time to warn everyone about us." Keith swore under his breath again. Then, his eyes narrowed, and he smiled slightly. "Sorik, tell me, can you fly a bi-plane?"

Actually, I think the kids can stay on the Spidership for now... they're still a bit young to go into battle... but I'm sure Butrfli would come in handy, since she's the assistant to our Doctor and is good things medical.
Besides, as I said before, it's going to take a little while for Colanator and his people to get the Archangel up and running...or at least, up to a point where you can get to a place to make more major repairs.
Tacoman to Butrfli, please join me aboard the Archangel at my coordinates.
Butrfli: Aye sir.
With that, Butrfli exits sickbay at the same time Rita is transported onto a biobed. Soon, Butrfli is in a transporter room, puts on an EVA suit cut for her, and transports to the Archangel.
Hello Greymoran. So is there an emergency situation I need to take of?
Tacoman: Actually...
he goes on to explain the shuttle situation.
Butrfli: So you want a trained and non-holographic medical official with you just in case, right?
Tacoman: Something like that... plus, you and Greymoran can visit.

Gryemoran smiles and takes Butrfli's hand. "Nice to see you again. It's always nice to meet the woman who stole my son's heart. I only wish our second meeting didn't involve more serious matters. Two of my crewmen are missing. We need to find them, make sure they're OK. Keith is a capable science officer, as well as being good with alein languages, and an OK pilot. Sorik is our chief engineer. Both of them are important to this crew and it's mission. If we can save the shuttle we must do so, but not at the expense of our or their safety. Now, transferring to Ryo-O will be a little weird as we won't appear to have transported anywhere at all since tehcnically you entered her the moment you entered the lab, but you get used to it after a few times. Jackson and Colonator ought to have our hull and our warp drive at the bare minimum requirements before we get back." He turns to Ahz. "Are we ready to go?"

Captain Tacoman. Hourly status report. My team has finished hull repairs and the ship is now spaceworthy. We are preparing to install an impulse drive on Deck 14 to power the ship until full repairs can be made to the existing engines.

I have not had training in doing so, but I believe it would not be difficult to learn how. Do you have another criminal act planned, Mr Yeager?

We could lend the Archangel some nanites and other repair robots if they need them Captain. They would probably speed the entire repair process up.

Keith nods. "Last one. I promise. And trust me, I keep my promises. Especially when it comes to Rita. I promised I'd come home and I plan to do that. Some bi-planes are two-seaters, so we'd only need to take one. The problem would be fuel. As in would we have enough of it to get to where we're going."

-

Greymoran heard the report and smiled. He picked up his own communicator. "Spidership, this is Greymoran. The Captian and I are going to pick up some friends of ours who got lost. As soon as Rita is better beam her back to the Arhcangel. Then you can go on your way. I'm only sorry I didn't get to see all of you again. It's been a long since we all wnet to Cormyr together. But, duty calls. Greymoran out."

-

Aboard the Spidership, Kiehart sighs a breath of relief. "Good. I'm glad we get to leave. This place is giving me the heebie-jeebies. Kiehart to Yellow Flight 1, return to Launch bay. We're going to be leaving sooner than I thought." Just then Kiehart notices a small blip on the long range sensors. At first it owrries him, but it goes away. Since it wasn't registered as Dimensional interference he wrote it off, but decided to send it Arhcangel's mostly working computer working anyway, just in case it was something they wanted to check out.

Tacoman to the Spidership, Greymoran has a point, Keith Yeager is a friend, and as a friend, I should help rescue him. Return to our home dimension, and I'll be back soon. Until then, Commander Milkshake has the ship. Tacoman out.
Colanator, good job. Mr. Rikard, do it.
Captain, may I suggest that Jackson take the ship to the nearest starbase or other major repair area now that the Archangel is fully spaceworthy once Colanator is done with his repairs?

Gryemoran nods. "Gryemoran to Jackson, Ahz and I are going to try and find Keith and Sorik. The ship is yours till I retunr. In the data base you should find the nearest friendly space station where repairs can take place is DS9. At impulse you should get there in about 48 hours. Hoepfully Colonator's repairs can at least get us to Warp 1. I'll be going in Ryo-O so we'll ctach up as soon as we can."

Aye Captain. I'm down here helping the LICC repair team. They've done a good job in their repairs.

Ryo-O appeared next to the Spidership and the Archangel. Ahz was standing in the control ring, and Greymoran was sitting nearby in a seat that had melted up out of the floor. Several floating windows were showing the current plotted course, the Archangel, and the Spidership.

We're on our way. Ryo-O, if you could get us something to drink while we travel, please?

A small floating robot delivered a pair of drinks.

Thank you. Now, what are your plans for when we get there?

Scan for the residue that gets left behind by a closing portal. It's a very distinct radiation. It shows up purple on infrared scanners, but the amounts are so minute to begin with no one who isn't looking for them will see them. And they start to fade rather quickly, so we don't have much time. If the portal was open for a alittle longer than standard or if it opened in an atmosphere it will linger a bit longer, but even then time is against us."

Tacoman picks a drink from a nearby floating robot and takes a seat.
Nice ship you've got, Ahz. Jackson mentioned something about it in one of his messages, but didn't fully go into it. So what can else can Ryo-O do?

It is likely that there will be fuel in cans at the nearest air base where we will attempt to... appropriate the biplane. I am not aware of the fuel capacity such a transport would require, though.

Sorik and Keith slip away and make for the nearest air base

A translucent image of a young woman appeared next to Tacoman. When she spoke, it was with the same voice he heard giggling in the lab. As she spoke, windows appeared behind her, illustrating what she said.

I am a living starship. Actual physical controls are unessesary, as I interface with a direct neural link with whoever is in the control ring although, I can create controls in nessessary. Thanks, to Ahz, I can now open a portal at will.

Oh, by the way, Greymoran. I found the location of the portal. I am attempting to determine the destination.

Is there anything else you would like to know?

Ahz: "That's where he went. Plotting course."

Opening portal.

A portal opened in front of Ryo-O, and she vanished.

Rita awakens in Spiderships' sickbay for the second time, and groans slightly, but out of pain rather than displeasure. The HoloDoc smiles and walks over to her. "Mrs. Yeager! Good to see you in such good shape. I was a little worried when the Captain had you beamed over here. But you and your child are fine. A little stressed though. The little one had to be calmed with some pre-natal sedatives." "Sedatives?!" Rita says in a panic. "No, no, the baby is fine. A very heatlhy little-" "Don't. I don't want to know the sex. Not without Keith." "Ah yes, Mr. Yeager. The Captain and Mr. Greymoran are out looking for him and your Vulcan companion as we speak." "Archangel left without me?" she asks indignantly. "No, no. They left in Ryo-O." Rita's eyes widen. "Ryo-O? Th-that means Ahz came back!" HoloDoc shrugs. "All I know of your crew is what Ms. Butrfli tells me, and she never mentioned that Ahz was ever gone." Rita shakes her head and tries to get out of bed. "Oooh, bad idea Mrs. Yeager. You're legs are still a little weak. You pulled quite a few muscles during that battle. I'll get you a temporay hoverchair. My orders are to transfer you back to Archangel as soon as you're mobile. Now, don't get back intot hat Helm chair for a t least a few weeks! You could put the baby at risk again." Rita moans lightly. "OK, fine. I guess Jackson will have to fly for awhile." She looks up at HoloDoc. "Jackson didn't go with them did he?" "No. He and Mr. Hudzen are still on board your vessel making some minor repairs."

Captain, I cannot remain dimensionally apart from the Spidermobile. As a result of my neural link with the Spidermobile, a vital part of my processing is handled by our computer core. I would cease to function if the Spidermobile left subspace range of my position. I recommend leaving my Engineering team with the Archangel to complete repairs. They are definitely capable of finishing repairs independent of my supervision.

So, while we're heading to the rescue, how has Jackson been holding up? I know that some clones have trouble adapting to their new life, and from what he's sent back, he seems to be stable. But I'm just curious on how others see him.

On the dark bridge of the Archangel, Rikard and Hudzen look up from their repairing as the lights come up.
Rikard: Emergency power's restored. Auxiliary should be up in a few hours. The good news is that you can fly the ship again, albeit at impulse but it will still be able to move.

Jackson enters the Archangel bridge and looks around.
Ok, the Spidership repair teams have repaired most of the hull breaches that could be considered life-threatening. As soon as things are ready, we'll head for the space station that the sensors have picked up.
Carrie, what's your status?
Hi Josh. Nice to see you again. So, have the senior staff had the chance and opportunity to look over the reports that I occasionaly send? Also, how are my...niece and nephew, I guess you could call them, since I've decided to regard Tacoman as my brother of a sort...

Ensign Yellowshirt: "Commander, Engineer Colanator is back on board."

Good. Commander adon, are all crew accounted for?

"Yes sir."

Computer, yellow alert.

Dwee-dwah

Helm, power up the Dimensional Drive, set a course for our universe.

Yellowshirt: "Course set."

Engage.

Hey Cap-, uh Jackson. It's good to see you too. We have been able to read your reports. They're pretty interesting although we are glad that we're not in the middle of a war. As for Logan and Fran, they growing up. I remember when Logan was a mostly bald little guy. They should be crawling any day now. They can already lift them-

Ens. O'Malley to Rikard, what's your status?

Rikard: Rikard here, the Archangel should have warp drive back soon and enough power to get to the nearest starbase. I'd say we're done.

O'Malley: Good, Commander Adon would like you to return to the Spidership.

Rikard: Acknowledged, Rikard out.

Rikard nods to Jackson and Hudzen.
It's been good to see you guys again. Good luck.
He taps his communicator.
Energize
With that, Rikard is transported from the Archangel's bridge, arriving in one of the Spidership's transporter rooms.

Tacoman raises an eyebrow.
Impressive.
Need any tactical or sensor help, Greymoran and Ryo-0?
Meanwhile, on the Archangel, Jackson is in command.
Hudzen, I want a full status of all systems. Carrie, how you doing?
Did the Spidership beam Rita back?

Greymoran shrugs. "He's doing great. He's mostly trying to find himself, which is difficult for a clone to do, but like I've always said, cloning is reproduction, not resurrection or Xeroxing as the case may be. Like may clones he's repulsed at the idea of being seen exactly like their originals."

Jackson watched as the Spidership entered it's portal and left. Although he had felt a connection and a loss when Spidership II had been destroyed, he felt nothing for this third one. "Not my home," he mutters under his breath. Rita looked up from her hoverchair, locked down next to the science console, a picture of her and Keith clutched in her hands. "What?" she said with concern. Jackson coughed. "Sorry, just talking to myself there." He sits down in the captain's chair, and jumps back up rubbing his behind. Rita chuckles as Jackson notices the spring sticking out of the torn chair. "24th century technology and these chairs still have springs," He mutters. He reaches down and tears out the spring, realizing too late the cushion had the same design as the patterns on the trim of Greymoran's robe. "Oh shit. Shouldn't have done that." Cautiously he sits back on the chair. I can have the repair crews at DS9 fix it before we get back, he thinks to himself. "Hudzen transfer helm control to this console," he says pointing to the console to the immediate right of the Captain's chair. He turns the chair to face it, and the panels glow, buttons shift, and colors change to reflect the transfer. "Bridge to engineering, thanks for sticking around to make sure the temporary repairs stick." The Yellow Shirt from the LICC who stayed behind replies. "My pleasure sir. I think my team did an excellent job, but it never hurts to field test such things. I suggest not going to warp until we've tested the integrity repairs at full impulse." "Agreed," Jackson says, cutting the commlink and returning to the temporary Helm console. "OK, we're going to one-quarter impulse now." The ship shudders slightly for a moment then stops and moves smoothly. Jackson smiles at this small victory. "OK, let's take her to half impulse." The
ship shudders again, this time for several seconds, but before Jackson can reduce speed it stops and the ship continues on smoothly. Rita smiles. Even Hudzen seems quite pleased. Jackson takes a deep breath. He decides it's worth it to risk skipping three-quarters and going to full impulse. "Full impulse. Hang on to your hats and cross your fingers." Unconsciously Rita crosses her fingers. Hudzen simply sits in his seat, stiff backed and watching the stars on the viewscreen, the only thing on the bridge not scorched, torn, or dented. Jackson closes his eyes with his finger over the button that will take them to full impulse. The ship shudders violently. Jackson almost loses his grip on his console. Rita's hoverchair shifts in place and she drops her picture of Keith. Hudzen manages to keep his grip, but looks to Jackson with the closest a robot can get to a look of concern. Jackson reaches for the console to slow the ship down, but the console explodes, burning his hand. Suddenly the ship levels out. Hudzen gets out of his chair and goes to Jackson. "I know some basic first aid sir." Rita touches a button on Keith's console. "Engineering! This is Rita Yeager! What the fuck just happened?" "Structural integrity briefly failed one second after we hit full impulse. I managed to get it stabilized but I had to cut power to the defensive phasers my team had repaired before they left and switch it to the inertial dampers." Jackson swore as Hudzen applied a salve to his hand. "Dammit. No if we're attacked we can't even swat away a small rock. We're defenseless." "Not entirely." The Yellowshirt replies. "We still have deflector shields." "Yeah, that'll work great if we're attacked by space dust." He winces as Hudzen puts on the last of the salve. Rita sighs heavily. It's become an all too familiar sound to the crewmembers left aboard the ship. Jackson takes the seat at the main Helm console. "Transferring helm controls back to the helm console. I guess warp speed is out the question." "Pretty much," the engineer replied. Jackson groaned and punched the side of his chair with his good hand. "This sucks." The Engineer coughed. "Well, sir, I think I can cut off all the independent systems such as sickbay and the turbolifts." Jackson shook his head, forgetting the man couldn't see him. "Won't work. Not enough power. Even if we shunted all that power to the dampers we still couldn't make Warp 1." "Maybe not sir, but isn't it worth a try?" Jackson lets out a frustrated laugh. "Yeah right! The minute we hit warp 1, we'll find out for sure. When our bodies become Jackson Pollock paintings on the bulkhead we'll know it didn't work." Suddenly the proximity alert light blinks. Jackson sees his and shoved his head into his hands. "Oh now what?!?"

Keith and Sorik reach the airfield with little trouble. As they arrive they see a man pouring a can into the tanks of one of the bi-planes, a two-seater, just like Keith had hoped. Sorik looks over the plane and raises an eyebrow. "It would appear the pilot's seat is the one in the back. Highly illogical." "You'll get no disagreement from me. It sometimes amazes me some of the idiotic things my species has done in the past. I oughta introduce you to the Darwin Awards collection. It's at, I think 26 volumes now, and Volume 1 just holds the first three or four books released in the 21st century." "Darwin? As in the human scientist who discovered evidence of evolution, and was the subject of great controversy on your planet for many years?" "Named after him yes, but he actually had little to do with the awards. I'll tell you later. Like when we're back on Archangel." Sorik nods, and the two make for the plane. Sorik catches the re-fueller off guard and drops him with a neck-pinch as Keith climbs into his seat in the plane. Sorik check the fuel tanks, the empty can, and tries to make a rough estimate as to if they have enough fuel to reach Malta. It looks questionable, but Sorik decides they have little chance of getting out of Africa otherwise.

It was a short battle. The Kilrathi sent their carriers and escort ships to attack Ryo-O first. But with her and Ahz working in perfect consort, Ryo-O was able to find the particles they needed to analyze as Ahz deftly used Ryo-O external weapons to pick off the fighters, missiles, and smaller escort ships with relative ease. The larger ships hung slightly back out of range to both side's advantage. Their weapons might actually hurt Ryo-O at close range, but from here they're blasts wouldn't even scratch her. The carriers, without their fighters or escort protection tried to retreat, firing blindly as they did so. Ryo-O and Ahz crippled them quickly. Ahz turned to Greymoran. "Shall we finish them off?" Greymoran nods. The fewer ships here when the Terran Confederation makes its inevitable attempt to take Earth back the better." Ahz agreed. Ryo-O quickly disintegrates the crippled Kilrathi ships. Several of the large ships that were hanging back began to turn and run. Tacoman steps up beside Greymoran. "We should let them go.
Ryo-O made a panel for Butrfli and I to analyze the particles. They've definitely gone to universe not under XDCA jurisdiction. I don't quite understand the lingo, but I do understand the concept of dimensional coordinates, and we know where to go." Greymoran nods. "We've hurt them enough. The Kilrathi are somewhat superstitious. Having their fleet cut apart by basically a giant tree ought to disrupt them. We may have to come back here later though. If we can restore this universe to some semblance of normality, Grey will have finally lost one of his missions." Greymoran goes over to the panel and checks out the information. "Ryo-O, do you have these coordinates?" "Yes I do. Shall we go?" "Yes, please!"

The crew of the Archangel stood, or in Rita's case sat, on the bridge of the U.S.S. Defiant.
Colonel Kira Nerys sat in the Captain's chair. "You know I've never met Greymoran? Is he really as powerful as they say?" Jackson shrugs. "I haven't had the chance to see everything he can do but it's impressive regardless. The tow should be picking up the Archangel by tomorrow you said. Are you absolutely sure? Nothing personal but I don't plan to stay here forever. We've still got a renegade to hunt." "Of course. Till then the four of you can stay on the station." Jackson smiles and nods. "Thanks for picking us up Colonel. We were sitting ducks out there." Rita stares ahead at the sight in the viewscreen. It's almost eerie to her how identical the bridges of the Archangel and the Defiant were, but that's be expected since both ships are of the same class. "Oh my," she says. "That is quite an impressive space station." The Yellowshirt engineer nodded in agreement. "Most impressive. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it." Jackson looks at it and also nods. "So, Colonel, I've heard a few stories about that station. One thing I've heard is that it's protected by omniscient aliens. Is that true?" "That's, kind of a long story."

Jake Grey watched his impressive fleet. He was saddened that he had to sacrifice one of the universes he controlled to pull this together, but SWU3 had been a thorn in his side anyway. Besides, once they removed STU90 as a threat they could always go back to SWU3 and start over from scratch. It would drag out Grey's plans longer than he wanted but by now he'd become used to it, especially since Greymoran's return from retirement. Not for the first time, he wondered how this would've gone had the wizard's son not left to become a super-hero. Greymoran may have returned to fight Grey anyway, but then he may not have. "Too late to worry about such things now I suppose." he said out loud. TorGal's ear perked up. "My lord?" "Nothin' TorGal. Just talking to myself I suppose. How are the Ssi'ruuk ships doing?" "Quite well my lord. Convincing them to side with such 'meatlings' as us was difficult but it only took a few hundred slaughters to convince them." "Hmm. I wish it had been less. That's a few hundred fewer troops fighting with us. Have all the Breen, Jem'Heddar and Cardasian ships been prepared?" "What ones we could salvage. The defeat of the Dominion was quite a messy one. Finding abandoned and crippled ships capable of decent repairs and refits was difficult. But we even managed to get a few Romulan Warbirds, Klingon Battlecruisers, and even a Federation ship." "What class?" "Intrepid. The U.S.S. Bellepheron." "Ugh. I hate those ships. Reminds me of that awful Voyager mission. What else?" "The Ssi'ruuk droid fighters are fully operational with that counter-shield generator." "Excellent. The suicide fighters will slide through DS9's shields like butter." "Their weapons energy outputs have been tripled as well." "Hmm. Best we can do I suppose. We should put their non-carrier ships in back. Those won't do much to shields but it'll melt through any hull plating. Is that all TorGal?" "Yes my lord. Our numbers are sadly not quite up to what we desired. I've sent the call out to some XDP cartels but many of them are quite mistrusting of us." Grey nods, "Understandable. We move tomorrow. You have 12 hours to get as many people as you can. Then, we attack DS9."

Sorik, not wanting to take off until he was certain he could fly the plane spent ten minutes learning the basics of their plane. Soon afterwards they were in the air. Keith almost enjoyed the rush of the air against his face. The plane dipped slightly a few times, but in less than five minutes was out over the ocean, and headed towards Malta.

Ryo-O came out over Earth, and immediately began scanning the area. "Hmm. No sign of the shuttle or Vulcan lifesigns on this side of the planet so far. Full scan of this hemisphere should be done in a minute or two." Greymoran said. Tacoman checked his own panel. "Amazing. This planet seems to be under the control of the Roman Empire, but the technology level I'm picking up would place the time period for the middle of the 20th century! I can't wait to tell Milkshake about this place." Greymoran smiled. Butrfli walked up to Ahz. Ahz turns to look at her. "You're an Avariel." he says matter of factly. "Yes, yes I am," she says smiling. "Are you from my world?" Ahz turns back to his work and doesn't answer. "I'd prefer not to discuss that at a time when there is a mission to accomplish." Butrlfi nods sheepishly then walks back to Tacoman and Greymoran.

Jackson stretches out in the room he'd been given on DS9. He flops onto the bed and closes his eyes to take a nap. Next door to him, Rita crawls painfully into hers, looking for some well deserved R and R. The Yellowshirt sits in Quark's bar sipping some drinks, and reading a book he'd brought with him to the Archangel, The Federal Mafia by Irwin Schiff. Hudzen meanwhile stands up in an empty cargo bay recharging the emergency power pack he'd had to remove to help get the Archangel's consoles working after the battle that left them derelict. His internal sensors tell him that the pack is now at full, and he places it back inside his body. He leaves, and wonders what to do next. Doubtless the other three are getting some much needed rest. Suddenly the lights in the habitat ring turn red. The unmistakable sound of alarm klaxons sound a split second later. Hudzen heads for the nearest lift. The lift stops one deck up and Jackson gets on. "What the hell just happened? I was going down to sickbay to pick up some sleeping aides." he shouts. "I don't know," Hudzen replied. Soon the two are in Ops. A small fire is being put out in the center console and Colonel Kira is holding her left arm, wincing in pain. "We were attacked! Grey pulled together a massive fleet. Their fighter craft have been piercing our shields like they aren't there and ramming us. Our phasers can't knock them all down. We've taken heavy damage!" She looks at the floor. Jackson frowns. "There's something you're not telling us." "One of the first sections of the station destroyed was the section where you and Mrs. Yeager were staying. I was afraid you'd been killed too." Jackson's knees weaken and he nearly collapses to the floor. Hudzen grabs him and holds him. Jackson chokes back his cries and wipes away the tears streaming down his left cheek. "Should we order an evacuation?" Another explosion rocks the station and everyone in Ops loses their footing. Kira stood up wincing as she still holds her arm. "I think they just answered that question for us." She begins to walk towards the lift, but another explosion shakes the station, and a smaller explosion happens just above the lift itself, and it crashes downward, leaving everyone in Ops trapped. Another explosion and things go black for Jackson. Locked to the deck with magnetics Hudzen watches as the air is blown out of the hull breach above them. Jackson and Kira and many of the others were dead and floating in space, but he and several others we're holding on for dear life. Many of them suffocated before emergency shields finally took over. Hudzen watches through the shield covered hole as a barrage of weapons coming from several ships, including Jake Grey's Galaxy-class vessel heads for him. "I guess I'll be seeing you in Hell Grey." He says shortly before the explosion ends his existence.

Jake Grey laughed as the space station before him broke apart. Several small craft took off and began to run away, Runabouts no doubt. "Evacuation. No surprise there. TorGal, send Bellepheron to destroy as many of the escaping craft as she can before they get clear of the wreckage and go to warp." TorGal nodded. "Yes my lord." Grey smiled. Soon STU90 would be his completely. Like STU59, the survivors would probably go into dimensional hiding, as had the Archangel and the Revanche, but with Archangel gone, they would likely fall apart without a leader to rally around. And clearly the Archangel was no longer a problem. She should've spun into that comet by now, and since she had shown up, it obviously was the case. His smile grew. "Beautiful. With that wizard gone life is going to get a lot easier."

"I found the shuttle!" Tacoman shouts. Greymoran smiles, but feels slightly uneasy. He can't quite explain it. Possibly just worry over the Archangel. He goes over to Tacoman's console. "It looks pretty banged up. It's under what looks like an abandoned overground aquaduct. I doubt it crashed there." "I'll have Ryo-O transfer the shuttle to us." Ahz says. Greymoran nods. "Do that. I'm not seeing any life signs. We should kepe searching. Keep the sensors searching for Vulcan lifesigns as that's our best chance to find them if they don't have their communicators." With a shimmer, the Shuttle appears behind Tacoman and Butrfli. They turn around with surprise, but Gryemoran wastes no time climbing into it. It looks bad. Minor hull breaches, impact damage, one nacelle missing, but there's no sign inside that the two occupants were harmed at the time of the crash, even though the shuttle's interior appears to have taken some water damage. Greymoran even finds a dead sea-horse next to the First Aid kit. Then he sees something that worries him somewhat. Keith and Sorik's uniforms, communicators, and wepaons, stacked neatly, the uniforms are even folded in military fashion. "Sir, there's something huge going on on that island. The Romans sems to be using the primitive early version of radio communciations, and the calls I'm picking up are putting the island on lock-down. Apparently a Senator was assassinated." Tacoman says, still reading his console. Ryo-O's voice flow through the shuttle to Greymoran. "I've done a thourough scan of the island of Malta which is what my records identify this place as. No current sign of Keith and Sorik, although they have doubtless been here fairly recently." "Whereever they are they're in the native clothing. What forms of transportation are they using on this planet?" Greymoran says, exiting the shuttle. Ahz responds to his question. "Bi-Planes, dirigibles, Model-A automobiles, and steam powered boats." Gryemoran nods. "Try scanning any boat within range. Then we move to the blimps."

Keith and Sorik were still about five hours away from Malta, but Sorik knew for certain now they only had 3 hours of fuel left. They would have to put the plane down somewhere, but there were no islands near enough, and although Sorik saw numerous steam-ships below, none of them seemed to have carrier capabilites. Keith, blissfully unaware of the situation, looked around with child like interest. "Oh man, I never knew how beautiful pre-industrial Earth was. It looks so different in my time. Almost sterile and inhuman looking now. And the skies during the day are never this blue anymore." Sorik didn't respond. He merely tried to think of a way out of the situation Keith had gotten them into to.

So far the search had not gone well. Greymoran was growing frustrated. Tacoman never peeled his eyes from his console despereately searching for any sign of Keith and Sorik. Butrfli kept her hand locked on Tacoman's shoulder, giving him quiet reassurances. Ryo-O spoke up. "So far every sea bound boat shows no sign of Vulcan life signs. If Keith was on any of these boats Sorik wasn't with him. Perhaps they may have split up?" "I doubt it. It's not very logical. Sorik would most likely have taken command of the away team. He-" "Wait! I have something!" Tacoman shouted. He hit a button on his console adn the radio message was piped through. It was Sorik's voice. "This is Bi-Plane," he paused, as if looking for something. "Aphrodite's Propellers." he finished with an almsot humourous sound of disgust at having to say the crudely drawn name. "We are low and fuel and need assitance. Please respond." Gryemoran laughed with glee then ran up to Ahz. "Is anyone repsonding to him?" "Negative," Ahz replied. "Is there a human in the plane with him?" "Affirmative." "Beam them in then!" Gryemoran laughed. He and Tacoman ran
to each other and hugged tightly. Tacoman slapped him on the back. "I told you we'd find them!" Soon the tow of them and Butrlfi were all embracing each other. They all turned as a familair voice said, "Oh get a room." Keith and Sorik were standing there, wearing Roman armor and looking like they'd recently crawled through a dirt pit. Gryemoran went over and put a hand on Sorik's shoulder. "I expect this will be a long story," he said. Before Sorik could answer, Keith began to speak up loudly. "Wait, we have to tell Senator Lambert about the evidence we found!" Gryemoran looked at him. Keith went on to epxlain briefly the whole conspiracy, their meetings with the two senators, and the events leading to them geting in the bi-plane. Gryemoran nods, and sighs. "I suppose it's the right thing to do. Ryo-O, replicate Keith and Sorik two civilian outfits and-" "Senator Lambert of Malta was what you said Mr. Yeager?" Ryo-O interupted. For the first time Keith realized where they were, and that Ahz was back. "Uh, yeah. Why?" "I'm afraid to inform you and Mr. Sorik that Senator Lambert was the Senator murdered on Malta the other night. We found out about it through radio transmissions." Keith lowered his head. "Oh God. Oh my God." He sats down on the floor and just sat there quietly, staring at this feet. Sorik stood up straight. "Sir, we have done all we could to prevetn the assassination of Caeser Agricola. I suggest we return to the Arhcnagel and not disturb this universe any further." Gryemoran reluctantly agreed, and passed on the retunr order to Ryo-O. "When would you like to return?" she asked. Gryemoran raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" "I've sensed that you've been concerned for Jackson, Hudzen, and the ship. I am capable of time travel, although it is an uncomfortable experience, and the further back I go the more pain is caused to me, but I can take us back far enough so that when we go to STU90 we will arrive at DS9 roughly the same time Jackson and the others arrive."

Jackson stretches out in the room he'd been given on DS9. He flops onto the bed and closes his eyes to take a nap. Next door to him, Rita crawls painfully into hers, looking for some well deserved R and R. The Yellowshirt sits in Quark's bar sipping some drinks, and reading a book he'd brought with him to the Archangel, The Federal Mafia by Irwin Schiff. Hudzen heads for a near-by cargo bay so he can have some privacy while he recharges his emergency power pack, just in case it becomes needed. A beep in the communciator installed in his head beeps. He touches his hear and ehar's Greymoran's voice. "Greymoran to Hudzen, we picked up your signal on DS9, and Colonel Kira confirmed Jackson and Rita and someone she called Yellowshirt from the LICC were there, but the Archangel isn't here. What happened?" Hudzen relays to Gryemoran the incident with the impulse engines, and the arrival of the Defiant, and the Starfleet tug that was taking Archangel to a better equipped repair dock as they spoke. Aboard Ryo-O Gryemoran smiled. "Excellent work Hudzen. We found Keith and Sorik and are comign over in a damaged shuttle. Hoepfully we can get her fixed up here. Ahz will take Tacoman and Butrfli back to their unvierse. Go find Mr. Yellowshirt and inform him he'll be going with them." "Aye sir."

Jake Grey watched with amazement as Ryo-O appeared near DS9. Even though the long range sensors were being stretched he could still tell that it was Ryo-O. "Dammit! I thought Ahz had left the Archangel!" TorGal cleared his throat. For Trolls this was a sound of concern, not of getting ready to speak as it is for humans. He walked up to Grey and began to speak with caution. "My lord, we beleived he had, but we never actually confirmed it." "Ryo-O has been as much a thorn in our sides as Archangel, if not more. If Ahz had been with Arhcangel during the most recent battles between us he doubtless would've used his Tree-ship against us. Cancel the attacks on DS9." "My lord! We have a massive battle fleet ready! We can take the station!" Grey backhanded TorGal. It didn't hurt the Troll, but he recoiled anyway. "I want to find out exactly where Ahz has been. Wanderers are a tricky bunch. If he's been setting up a trap for us, or convincing the Conclave to turn it's attention to us we'll be in trouble. We'll take this fleet with us to our rendevous with the other ships that survived the destruction of Macedonia 1. Until we can figure out what he is up to, we'll have to cancel most of our battle plans and reactivate many of our spies. Whereever Gryemoran takes his ship I want someone there who can report to us what exactly Ahz's standing with the crew is. That man is the wild card in this game TorGal, and I won't charge blindly into a situation I may not get out of. Not again."

Rita awoke as someone crawled into bed with her. She startled at first, but thens eh saw who it was and began to cry. She threw her arms around Keith. "Oh baby! I was afraid I'd never see you again!" Keith simply held her close, not saying a word. He was happy to see her, but the death of Senator Lambert weighed heavily on him. He simply held her close, just glad that both of them, or rather, all three of them were still alive. Thinking of Rita's unborn child made Keith smile. Suddenly all the problems of an alternate Earth that was ruled by the Roman Empire didn't amount to a hill of beans.

A purple wormhole opens near to where the Archangel is being repaired and the Ryo-O exits from it. Jackson turns to Greymoran and says
You know, we never got to see young Fran and Logan. Oh well, maybe next time...
Keith, it's good to have you and Sorik back. How was the adventure, by the way?

Keith doesn't say a thing, he just stands next to Rita, holding her and whispering in her ear. Greymoran is in Engineering with Sorik, leaving Jackson and Hudzen more or less alone on the bridge. Carrie's face appears on the viewscreen. "Good news. The Starfleet techs say the ship is going to be fully repaired ahead of schedule! We should be ready to go in a few days." Jackson smiles at this.