Chapter 18
Onboard the Shadow vessel
Jumping outside of Vulcan home-world
Almost four thousand Federation, and Klingon starships were gathered in the Vulcan system when the Shadow vessel jumped.
Epsilon Eridani. The same system where Babylon 5 resided. Yet in the alternate dimensions the systems formed differently. However the ancient travelers recognized the coordinates and marveled at the similarities between their realities.
“One of the vessels is signaling for you Colonel Kira.” The one of the dark beings informed. “It calls itself Admiral Shanti.”
The center of the chamber formed into a giant image of the Fleet Commander. “Colonel with have diverted as many vessels as we could in such a short time. I hope this is not a fatal choice.”
“This maybe the only time your species had such a well informed source!” Q interrupted altering his form into a famous protagonist spy of the 20th century. “I say Mrs. Goodhead, this is indeed a pickle.”
She was not impressed
“You have caused chaos before Q, just to be entertained. The Colonels opinion is what swayed us to commit to this. Not your ‘good word’.”
Q was about to protest when the Colonel stepped back in “Admiral I know he has been an annoyance before, but I believe he will be an asset now. He has just as much to lose as any of us.”
She had filled in the gaps of the events at Altair 6 and how they affected subspace to the point where Q was powerless. The Third-space Capital ships were the source of the nullification field and were the priority targets.
Suddenly a whine began to grow in the room; it grew in pitch until it was a piercing screech, forcing all that heard it to whither and fold. It began to break-up into a chaotic jumble clearing second by second until the sounds became recognizable. It was English.
“…Fleet, this…Captain Picard …the U.S.S Enterprise. We have been displaced into an alternate universe. Both our realities as well as many others are being assailed by a powerful adversary that maybe encroaching into Federation space even now. This signal carries instructions to create a device in order to respond to us. We will be repeating this message every five minutes.”
“We have analyzed the signal and have found the information. We will be capable of responding in a few moments.” Boasted one of the Shadows
“Showoffs…” mumbled Q
“Ask Captain Picard for a full report as well as any information concerning these invaders.” Asked Shanti
“There is more…” the ancient hesitated
“They have included a detailed summarization of their current allies as well as their circumstances. Their allies have faced this enemy before and have sent detailed reports of these skirmishes. This maybe the information you are seeking.”
“Finally, some good news…” sighed Ezri
“Enjoy while you can…” Q interrupted with earnest “The enemy is here…Now!”
All they witnessed next was space light up into blazing lethal madness.
Onboard the Star Destroyer Liberty
In orbit around Luna
“We are still trying to determine what exactly is taking place. All we know is that we are under attack from a merciless enemy that seems intent on wiping out all life regardless of species or threat-level and their invasion is tearing apart the boundaries of multiple realities. That’s how you may have arrived here.” Explained Admiral Paris
“So this is happening in our dimension as well?” Asked Luke
“That may be the case. We cannot confirm anything at this time. We have a hypothesis that vessels traveling faster-than-light seem to be ricocheted into an alternate dimension when they pass a weak point in the fabric of space. But truthfully we cannot know anything for certain…this is beyond us in scale.”
Luke now understood the chaotic visions that he had been experiencing. He was in touch with the Force from multiple sources, ebbing and flowing into each other. All life created the force, no matter what universe it is from. This would allow him to interact with them.
He calmed his mind, breathing slowly slowing his heart and expanding his consciousness, allowing the Force from this universe to envelope him, penetrate him, soak deeply into his being. It was indeed alien. He felt quite nauseas at first, but he held back the sickness with his will. He needed to connect with this place. He began to adapt to the foreign energy gradually until he could manipulate it as he would in his world. Images flashed quickly at first giving him no specific detail, soon however he cold hold the images for longer periods until he could see the terrible enemy. In multitudes they came, swarming over the fleets and worlds of this galaxy. He could see reality hemorrhage and pull in on itself until there was nothing but a void. His mind tried too rejected the vision. The concept of utter emptiness was too great to comprehend. He could hear a voice screaming from the void, growing louder until it was a shrill. Who was screaming he wondered. It sounded familiar.
Yes…It was his voice.
Luke awoke slumped on the floor. Leia, Han and the Federation Admiral were hovering over him worry etched their faces.
“Luke…your ok now…just relax…take deep breaths…” Leia soothed
“I’m ok…I think…” he said sitting up
“What happened buddy?” asked Han
“I was trying to use the Force, to see if I can view the future. It worked…but I was overwhelmed by the vision. If we don’t stop these creatures now existence will be destroyed. All realities! Everything we know will cease to exist!”
“The Force? What is that?” asked Admiral Paris
“It will take some time to explain Admiral.” Luke answered “However by opening myself to your universe I have discovered the main entry point for the invaders…I need a star map of your galaxy.”
Admiral Paris called his ship and transported a PADD with the pertinent information. Luke looked over the information intently until he found what he was looking for.
“Here! This is where the brunt of the invasion will take place!”
The system he pointed to was Vulcan, Epsilon Eridani.
“Amazing…we already have assembled the majority of our forces there. Colonel Kira of Deep Space Nine had asked Starfleet to send everything we have to Vulcan. It seems the good Colonel was right.”
“Then that is where we also must make our stand.” Said G’kar
“The Republic officially offers its assistance in anyway to your government Admiral Paris.” Leia announced
“The Federation of planets accepts your offer. Let us be off with all due haste and provide a proper welcome to our visitors.”