Sky Trek: Children of the Night

Chapters

Q-Tipped
Encounter at Farpoint
Forgotten Ones
The Night Princess
The Hardest Road
Of Words and Actions
Floating Monument

Q-Tipped

Picard, Deanna, and Leia walked towards the Enterprise’s command spire. Having cleared the Normander’s landing pad, they were now moving across the Enterprise’s small craft landing strip. It was somewhat sparsely populated, a mechanic here or there working on a few of the bi-planes that weren’t stored below. One could easily mistake them for older aircraft, but with their top and bottom wings bent slightly upward and downward respectively, Picard knew better.

He squinted slightly and was able to make out the markings on their wings: a hollow black circle with what looked to be a top down view of some sort of large bird in the middle. Picard immediately recognized what it meant.

‘Rogue Squadron.’

“Marvelous designs, aren’t they?” Princess Leia said.

Picard nodded warily. “From the New Republic, if I’m not mistaken.”

“T-65 ‘X-Wings’,” she said, a flicker of fire in her eyes. “The Empire actually originally designed these, but we made better use of them than they ever would have.”

“Your brother is quite the ace with one, isn’t he?” Deanna asked.

Leia smiled. “He doesn’t fly as much anymore since starting his Jedi academy, but he was probably the best next to Wedge back during the war.” She then winked. “Don’t tell him I said that, though.”

Deanna chuckled. “Secret’s safe with me.”

Leia took a step closer to examine one. Though they were barely visible after apparently having been scrubbed, there seemed to be a faint, small set of dashed lines near its cockpit - a tally of sort.

“Huh - looks like this one saw some action,” Leia said. “Might have even taken part in Endor.”

“Against the second COD?” Deanna asked.

“Mhm,” Leia nodded.

“‘Citadel of Death’,” Deanna said, shaking her head. “The Empire certainly has a flair for the dramatic.”

“You won’t hear an argument from me,” Leia said, narrowing her eyes. “Though both of them lived up to their names. The main weapon of each of them could wipe out entire cities in the blink of an eye.”

Picard grew solemn. He knew that Leia had seen such a thing first-hand. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright,” Leia said, taking a deep breath. “We barely saw it coming - only by a week or two. Honestly, the only thing more surprising than that itself was that nobody stepped into help afterwards.”

“Including the Federation,” Picard said.

She gazed ahead blankly. “...”

“Jean-Luc,” Deanna warned. “I wouldn’t-”

“I’m not going to get into it,” Leia sighed. “I’m not here to rip open old wounds.”

“I shouldn’t have brought it up in the first place. I thank you for that,” Picard nodded appreciatively. “To the bridge, then?”

“To the bridge.”

They continued onward, a deafening silence ringing in Picard’s ears. He was grateful to find two new figures blocking the entrance to the spire, talking to each other. One was a young woman who he didn’t recognize. But the other, an outright half-human, half-golem, he knew right away: his radar/sonar operator, Victor Stone. While an intimidating sight to be sure, with half his body essentially being solid rock, his casual, laid back voice immediately disarmed that quality.

“So you can just straight up move things with your mind?” he asked the young woman.

She nodded, smiling slightly.

“Don’t need any hand movements? No ‘Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos?’”

“Huh?”

He chuckled. “Oh, you haven’t met Raven yet? I’m sure you’ll run into her eventually - old friend serving aboard the ship. She can do something like that, but she kind of has to do a sort of chant.”

“Was she one of the Titans, too?”

Victor nodded. “Mhm.”

“Titans?” Leia asked, interrupting their conversation. “Sorry, I overheard you two talking.”

The two seemed somewhat surprised at her and her group’s new presence, but shrugged it off soon enough.

“It’s no problem,” Stone said, giving her a friendly smile. “Wait, aren’t you… shoot- sorry, I’m bad with names sometimes, but you’re from the New Republic, right? Not surprised you haven’t heard of us.”

“Leia Organa,” she said, returning the friendly smile.

“Oh, and Captain Picard. Good to see you, too,” Victor nodded. “And …”

“Deanna!” the young woman suddenly said, beaming brightly at her and immediately rushing for a hug.

“Jane Hopper,” Deanna said, quickly returning it. “Look at you! I walk away for one minute, the next thing I know you’re all grown up and piloting a skyship.”

The two gazed at each other warmly, an awkward moment of silence passing.

“Uh …” Victor said.

“Oh, sorry!” Jane said. “Sometimes it just happens and I don’t even- heh.”

“Huh?”

“They’re both telepaths,” Picard explained.

Victor blinked.

“We can talk to each other… with our minds!” Deanna said dramatically, getting a laugh out of Jane. “My apologies though, it is kind of rude.”

“No worries,” Leia said. “Believe it or not…” She paused, as if weighing something. “Eh, nevermind. Maybe later.”

“Damn, and I thought I was gonna be the center of attention,” Victor said, gesturing to his half-stone side. “Not that I mind.”

“You were going to talk about the Titans, though,” Leia smirked.

“Oh, yeah, uh…”

He seemed to notice Picard glancing past him.

“Oh, shoot. Guess you wanna get to the bridge, right?”

“It’s quite alright,” Picard said politely. “I was just heading up there to meet with my bridge crew, but I’ve met half of them already.”

“Heh, I’m sure you want to see the bells and whistles too, though. Why don’t we talk on the way up?” Victor offered. “Jane and I’ve been there already - just stepped out for some fresh air. We’ll give you the tour.”

“Certainly,” Picard said. “Lead the way.”

With a nod, Victor led them into the command spire. There was nothing on the ground floor to note save for a small elevator shaft with an elevator car waiting for them. They quickly made their way inside, Victor manipulating the controls with his human hand. A moment later, the elevator moved skyward at a brisk pace. Instead of the usual monotonous music, there seemed to be a radio show of some sort playing softly in the background.

“-- consequences of flooding the airways with these types of EM signals, Dr. Tekla?”

“A good question, and one we hope to answer for ourselves. However, so far there hasn’t been much of any evidence to say--”

“So, yeah, the Titans,” Victor coughed, interrupting it. “We were sort of a… well, vigilante team, to be honest.”

Leia raised her eyebrows.

“‘Vigilante team’ is being a bit hard on yourselves,” Picard noted. “From what I understand, you were one of the few sources of stability in Jump City at the time.”

“Heh, true enough, I s’pose,” Victor said. “See, Jump City got hit pretty hard by The Great War. It was pretty much abandoned by the NCR. Could call it post-apocalyptic, honest. Complete anarchy, and not the good kind. We tried to keep the criminal elements from pretty much ruling the place. It was just five of us - all with, er, unusual abilities. Two of us grew up there, the other three moved in to help out. Can’t say how well we did, but the city was still standing when the Federation peacekeepers moved in, so… there’s that at least.”

“Pffft, you were heroes and you know it!” Jane smirked.

“No, not heroes,” Victor said, shaking his head. “Just wanted to keep the place from falling apart, is all. Too many people were already seeing Thestrals, if you catch my drift.”

“You’re not giving yourself enough credit,” Leia said. “You could have gone anywhere, but you saw a chance to do some good and took it.” She then gave Picard a pensive glance. “No matter the personal cost.”

“Indeed,” Picard said, narrowing his eyes at her.

‘So much for not ripping open old wounds.’

Before anyone could speak further, they reached the top of the spire, and Picard’s bad mood immediately lightened slightly.

Now this was a bridge. Like much of the ship, he had examined the blueprints to it many times. However seeing it on paper was nothing compared to seeing it in person. It was oval in shape, with no walls, but windows, offering a 360 degree view. In the center of it was the captain’s chair, with various work stations surrounding it and facing out the windows, everything state of the art as expected. What he didn’t expect was the comfort features, with both the captain’s chair and every station chair being padded with leather. The room was also cooler than outside, meaning only one thing.

“Air conditioning?” Deanna said, clearly delighted.

“They thought it’d be best if the bridge crew was comfortable as possible,” Picard said.

“The Federation certainly spared no expense,” Leia said. “They really are going all out with Enterprise. ”

“That would be an understatement,” Picard said. “I don’t think the powers that be have ever given so much attention to a single project before.”

Only two other individuals were on the bridge at the moment, one who he recognized immediately. She was a rare antlered elf, averial hybrid, her large wings folded at her back. Combined with majestic blue hair that actually seemed to sparkle, Picard immediately knew who she was.

‘Luna.’

Busy looking out of the ship’s long-range telescope, she didn’t seem to notice the newcomers. However, the other individual on the bridge did: a young woman of a species Picard didn’t recognize, her yellowish eyes beaming with excitement.

“Hey El, you found Captain Picard!” she said to Jane, immediately rising from her seat.

‘El’s’ eyes widened in horror - she rapidly shook her head.

Picard chuckled to himself slightly. ‘Relax, Miss Hopper, I’m not going to be thathard on her.’ He then cleared his throat. “Ensign,” he said, still taking on a slightly stern tone.

She coughed. “Oh crap… sorry, just kind of uh… jumpy.”

“Charlotte Magne, Communications Officer, yes?” Picard asked.

“Er, yeah,” she coughed. “Wait, you know my name? Duh, of course you know my name. You’ve probably memorized everyone on the ship by now.”

‘If only’, Picard thought. “It’s alright, ensign,” he continued in his most calming voice possible. “At ease.”

“Right, right, sorry,” she said. “It’s just we learned all about you at the academy. What you did on the Seagazer was… well, legendary, to say the least.”

“I simply made the best out of a bad situation,” he said. Out of his peripheral, he could have sworn he saw Princess Leia roll her eyes.

“The Picard Maneuver, right?” Victor said. “Oh yeah, that one was for the books.”

“He didn’t name it, by the way,” Deanna smiled.

This seemed to catch the ear of Princess Luna, who gazed up from her telescope for the first time and gave Captain Picard a coy look. “There’s no reason to be humble on his behalf.” She then began to walk over to Picard, the two, jagged antlers on each side of her head now clearly visible. “With a mere frigate, you managed to destroy an Imperial battleship, is that correct?”

Picard nodded solemnly.

Luna gazed at him curiously. “Mine are a peace loving people, but even we were impressed by such a feat - the ones who know about it, anyway.”

“It isn’t something I’m proud of,” Picard said. “It was… necessary.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh? I haven’t met many humans who fail to pride themselves on their combat prowess.”

“Then you need to meet more humans, Princess Luna,” Picard stated.

“I have studied your people extensively,” she said. “The bookmarks of your history are the start and ends of wars - near continuously, in fact. It only ended when one so bloody, so costly came along that your only hope of self-preservation was to stop. Only then could something like the Federation be born.”

“Hey, you’re being too harsh!” Charlotte argued. “Sure, some humans are bad, but not all of them! And inside even the worst is a rainbow!”

“Rainbow?” Victor said, gazing at her in bemusement.

“It’s a metaphor!” she beamed, before grinning wildly. “A colorful one!”

Cyborg shook his head in bemusement. “Starfire 2.0.”

“Huh?

“Later.”

Picard glanced at her. ‘That confirms she isn’t human.’ He quickly shrugged off those thoughts before turning back to Luna. “It wasn’t just out of self-preservation,” he continued, trying to relax himself. He didn’t know much about night princess other than she had just returned from a very long exile a decade back, but she clearly needed a bit more real world experience. “It also came from self-reflection. The Great War forced us to look deeply at ourselves, and we were not happy with what we saw.”

“It certainly took quite a bit to motivate you,” Luna noted.

“We get it. You don’t like humans very much, do you?” Princess Leia interjected, her voice laced with annoyance. “Kind of strange since the Earthen have been with you for centuries.”

“Earthen aren’t exactly human,” Princess Luna stated. “And I never said I disliked humans - I just find them… interesting..”

Picard raised his eyebrows. “You may study humans at your convenience - just don’t let it interfere with your duties.”

“I promise you, you will find no better navigator,” she said. There wasn’t just confidence in her tone, there was absolute certainty. “I know the stars like the back of my hand.”

“Good,” Picard said. “Your first orders are to plot the quickest route to Farpoint. We’ll be leaving at 0800 hours tomorrow. Please take into account any weather phenomenon relative to that time frame - I would rather avoid storms if possible.”

“Of course, captain,” she said.

“Well then,” Picard said, instinctively tugging on his uniform as he glanced about the room. He then gave Deanna a glance that practically screamed ‘ I need to get some things off my mind.’ “It’s time I took a look at the ready room. Deanna, care to join me?”

“I’ve got time. But what about the ...”

“Ceremony?” Picard said. “Not until we get to Farpoint. I’d like everyone aboard first. Until then, carry on with your duties. I’m sure there’s just as much you need to get used to as myself.”

Most of the bridge crew with various affirmations, though Luna merely silently returned to her telescope. With that out of the way, Deanna and Picard walked towards the bridge lift. His ready room was right beneath the bridge, and Picard knew what was waiting for him there.

“Tea time?” Deanna said, as if reading his mind. Possibly actually doing so.

“Tea time."

“Annnnnd there’s no tea,” Picard sighed, his eyes narrowing. “This does not bode well.”

In his ready room, there were several crates stacked neatly against the far wall - his personal items - and a large, wooden desk with a simple but comfortable chair waiting for him at it. Most of what he expected to be in the crates was there, except for his most sought after item. Instead, there was simply a note.

'Sorry, captain, but there wasn’t a speck of Earl Grey Tea anywhere in the capital city, and both Jim and I, mostly I, spent a day looking for it.'

- Volunteer Chief Logistics Officer, Dwight Schrute

“Got the kettle but didn’t get the tea, huh?” Deanna said.

“And it’s such a lovely kettle,” Picard sighed.

He gestured to what was attached to his desk: a large, self-heating kettle. A gift from President Missy herself. It was a rarity to find one, as they weren’t exactly mass produced, each requiring an easy but tedious enchantment from a magic user. Judging by the insignia on the side of it, he could tell one of the students at Hogwarts likely had a hand in it.

“I’m sorry, captain, I know how much you were looking forward to it,” Deanna said.

He nodded. “I appreciate the thought, though it isn’t really that big of a deal. Just…”

“A bad end to a bad day?” Deanna asked.

“Not bad,” Picard said. “I wouldn’t say that. No force on Hyporia could make the day I toured the Enterprise bad. It’s just some of my crew… I’m somewhat uncertain of.”

“Your thoughts?” Deanna asked.

“...”

“Come on, captain, it’s healthy to discuss these sorts of things.”

Picard sighed, nodding reluctantly. “Alright, but before I begin, I want to emphasize that by no means do I intend to replace any of them. That would be the cowardly way out. Instead I simply wish to try to improve them. To form them into the crew I believe the Enterprise will require. It will just take some effort.”

“In what ways?”

Picard gestured to one of the guest seats, which Deanna quickly took. He then moved to sit at his desk, placing his hands on it in a thoughtful pose.

“The only members of the bridge crew I have absolutely no issues with, aside from you, of course, are Mr. Stone and Ms. Hopper. Though their proficiency at their stations has yet to be proven, they seem to be taking their roles seriously, which is a good sign.”

“Jane’s telekinetic and extra-sensory abilities were strong even when she was a child,” Deanna said. “She could probably do the work of two helmsmen by herself.”

“If it were anyone but you saying that, I wouldn’t believe it,” Picard said.

“But what about Commander Shepard?” Deanna asked. “She seems to be the model of professionalism.”

“Our General Onboard does, naturally, excel at military matters,” Picard said. “Though that may come at a cost. She seems a bit… hawkish. That’s certainly fine at the right time, but when we head into the unknown, our goal is to establish relationships with new civilizations, not shoot at them.”

“Fair enough,” Deanna said. “Though she probably just needs time to get her bearings.”

“That is what I’m hoping,” Picard nodded, before sighing heavily. “Then... there’s our chief diplomat.”

“Princess Leia does still seem to hold a grudge,” Deanna said.

“Mmm, yes,” Picard said. “A grudge for something I wasn’t even really in control of to begin with.”

“You did recommend not going to war with the Empire,” Deanna said. “And you do have a bit of influence, remember.”

“I’d make the same decision twice,” Picard said. “It shouldn’t be Federation policy to interfere with matters that are not our own, especially if we’d be putting millions of lives on the line doing so.”

“While she thinks injustice should be countered anywhere at any time no matter the cost,” Deanna said.

“Exactly.”

“I do think she wants to let go of the grudge, though,” Deanna said. “It’s sort of part of her job to. I’ve seen her in action before at Khitomer - she is a very good diplomat.”

“True enough,” Picard said, happy to move the subject along. “Next, I have a fairly… minor quibble with our communications officer, Ms. Magne.”

Deanna smirked. “Seriously? I like her. She’s… bouncy. If anything, it’s good for morale.”

Picard raised his eyebrows. “It’s a 50-50%. I’ve served with officers like her before. They tend to have their heads in the clouds. Sometimes they can overcome it, other times they can’t.”

“Aren’t you being a bit premature?” Deanna asked.

“Hm?”

Deanna gave him a look. “First impressions are usually wrong, yes?”

Picard glanced away from her, thinking for a moment. Finally he nodded in agreement. “Perhaps. But don’t worry: even if she does have issues, I am not going to give up on her.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Deanna beamed. “But… and I don’t want to sound rude or anything, do you know what species she is?”

“I was puzzling over that myself,” Picard said. “I’ve studied the member species of the Federation extensively, but I’ve never seen someone like her. I believe she might be part pixie, but that’s only speculation at this point. I’ll have to look over her personnel record.”

“At least she’s friendly,” Deanna said. “Unlike…”

Picard held back a chuckle. “Our navigator princess seems to have a rather dismal view of humanity, to say the least. We certainly have had our faults - still do, but it will almost certainly lead to friction if she can’t overcome it.”

“Most of her knowledge of humanity seems to come from third hand sources,” Deanna said.

“Indeed, and that is what I’m hoping she’ll come to realize,” Picard noted. "To her credit, however, with everything that's happened in her home nation lately, and her checkered past before then, I can't be too harsh. I'd be a bit jaded as well."

Deanna furrowed her brow. "I still have to wonder what a near-immortal former princess would want with being here, though. You'd think she'd have seen it all by now."

“I'm not sure," Picard said. "She might just be looking for something new to do. Perhaps reading more into her history will help." He took a deep breath. "Time will tell, time will tell - for all of them. I just wish we were doing something a little more interesting than flying to Farpoint as their first test..”

“Ohhhh I wouldn’t say that.”

There had been a flash of light, and Picard was forced to double-take in disbelief. For now, sitting in place of the person he had been talking to was someone he hadn’t seen before. One that reeked of arrogance, of condescension, but also of… wisdom? Nonetheless, anger quickly took the place of shock, and with a brisk pace, he stood up and dashed towards the intercom system.

“Really now?” the man said. “Is this how you treat all your guests? Calling security on them without even hearing a word they have to say?”

Picard paid him no mind and flipped on the intercom switch. “Security to the Captain’s Ready Room. Security to the Captain’s Ready Room.”

No response came.

“Oh, what a bore,” the man sighed. “They can’t hear you, you know. I took the liberty of making sure our meeting wouldn’t be interrupted.”

Picard twirled about, glaring daggers at the… entity. “Look, I don’t know who the hell you are nor do I care, but the abduction of my crew is intolerable. What did you-”

“Is that what all of these theatrics are about?” he laughed. “Ms. State The Obvious is fine. She’ll probably be back in 15 minutes or so.”

“Probably?!” Picard snapped.

He shrugged. “I assume that’s how long it takes to move across the ship.”

“What the hell does that mean?!”

The entity rolled his eyes. “Do I have to spell it out for you? I moved her to the other side of the ship. She’s probably running back here as we speak. You should have seen the surprise on her face when she suddenly found herself in the cafeteria! Quite amusing you mortals are.”

Picard nearly laughed. “Mortals? I’ve met many mages before, but none with that sort of ego.”

“Pffffft, ‘mage’,” he giggled, before giving a playful grin. “If that’s what makes you feel better-” He snapped his fingers, suddenly appearing in a stereotypical, sparkling wizard’s robe, complete with pointy hat. “Then sure. Headmaster Q of Hogwarts at your service.”

Picard actually did laugh this time. “There is no headmaster there by the name of Q, if that truly is your real name.”

‘Q’ smirked. “You’re right.” He then snapped his fingers, appearing back in a regular Skyfleet uniform. “I’m faaaar too much fun for that stuffy place. Did you know that they don’t even let the students practice magic outside of school? Quite limiting, I dare say. Are humans so afraid of even themselves?”

“Ah, another critic of the human race, I see,” Picard sighed. “You know, I’d be the first to admit we have our flaws, but we are trying to better ourselves.”

Q laughed. “You think this is something you can beat through a change in philosophy? Through sheer force of will?”

Picard folded his arms. “You think it’s in our nature?”

“Isn’t it? As dear Luna said, your history books are divided by the start of wars, not the ends of them.”

“Oh, here we go,” Picard sighed. “These things are recent history, not ancient. Evidence shows that warfare among human tribes was rare before scarcity became a problem. You realize what this means, right?”

Q let out a dramatic yawn. “Uh huh. Just because humans don’t usually kill each other for the fun of it does not make them any less barbaric.”

“But if you get rid of the--” Picard paused, shaking his head. “Let me ask you something: what are the causes of most wars and violence in general?”

“You tell me.”

Picard narrowed his eyes. “Many things: Like I said, scarcity of resources - sometimes artificially created - being the big one. Then, you have ignorance, vengeance, and finally, those who would manipulate us into harming ourselves.”

“You sound like you’ve rehearsed that speech,” Q smirked. “Do you truly think those no longer affect you?”

“To a great extent,” Picard said. “The Federation has eliminated poverty, and our education system is second to none. We’ve overcome our need for vengeance, and the manipulators …”

“Taken care of?” Q grinned. “You really think so?”

“I do,” Picard nodded.

Q gave a wicked cackle. “Ooooooh you are going to be too much fun, Picard.”

Picard gave him an incredulous look. “Is this what you’re here for? To fulfill some… twisted sense of pleasure?”

“Hah!” Q laughed. “I admit that’s part of it, but no, I’m attending far more important work than that.”

“Then quit being so vague and tell me what it is you’re here for!” Picard growled.

“You’ll learn in time,” Q smiled. “Let’s just say, as you gaze into the darkness that surrounds your waters, peering, many eyes stare back at you, wandering, fearing.”

Picard furrowed his brow. “You- they believe we may be a threat?”

Q smirked once again, opening his mouth as if he was about to say something. However, at the last moment, he seemed to have changed his mind, stating instead: “We’ll see if it’s warranted in a moment’s time. Consider yourself a representative of your savage child race, and one who is, as of this moment, on trial. No need to adjust course - you’re already heading towards the courtroom: Farpoint. The pristine little island the Hiberians, some of you owe so morally righteous humans, tainted with sin those many years ago..

When you get there, handle things as you please, but know that I’ll be watching, waiting for you to slip up, and when you do…” He smirked. "Things are going to get batty. "

He put on a magnificent grin once again, and without saying another word, snapped his fingers and disappeared in a flash of light.

Picard couldn’t help but sit back in his chair, dumbfounded, but intrigued.

‘Batty?’

Encounter at Farpoint

Chapter Image

As far as Riker knew, Paddy’s Pub & Grill was the only restaurant on the small island of Farpoint. It was also, naturally, the only pub, too. It made sense, as there weren't too many customers around save for the small civilian population and Federation naval personnel. However, judging by the content looks on his new comrades’ faces, the food sufficed. Though he wasn’t exactly sure why in one of their cases.

“Worf, I really don’t get how you can drink that stuff,” he asked, making a mock gag face.

“It is not for pleasure,” Worf, the Enterprise’s weapons officer said, taking another satisfying sip of prune juice. “This… this is a warrior’s drink.”

“And what exactly makes it a warrior’s drink?” Tasha Yar, Chief of Security, asked the Klingon Orc.

Worf raised his eyebrows. “If you would merely try it, you would know.”

“Dr. Cox, Dr. Dorian, what do you have to say?” Riker asked. “Is there some… medical benefit to drinking prune juice?”

The gruff, older doctor and the younger absent minded one looked at each other, then back to their table companions.

JD (John Dorian) coughed. “Well, it uh… it does have benefits for certain…”

“Annnnnd that’s enough, newbie,” Dr. Cox said, midway through lifting up a sandwich. “That look we had a second ago was, despite what you might be thinking, not permission to ruin everyone’s lunch.”

JD frowned. “Oh, my fault, I thought we were doing a thing.”

Dr. Cox rapidly shook his head, before taking another bite of his sandwich. “Never.”

Tasha leaned towards JD. “Why does he keep calling you ‘newbie’?'' Haven't you been working together for years?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” JD said, smiling. “Dr. Cox just has trouble connecting with people on an emotional level so he does his best to--”

“Newbie,” Dr. Cox said, giving him a glare. “Finish that and I swear you’ll be the first patient treated aboard the Enterprise.”

JD gulped, before making a zipping motion across his mouth.

Riker shook his head in bafflement. “Anyway, so let’s consolidate. What do we know so far? Tasha and Worf, you first.”

“First name basis already?” Tasha grinned.

“Seemed appropriate for the setting,” Riker shrugged. “Anyway…”

“Right, right.” Tasha cleared her throat. “Well, as far as we can tell, the sabeuters used somewhat… blunt methods to disable the radar.”

“You mean they just smashed it, right?” Riker asked.

Worf nodded. “Whoever is responsible did not have the knowledge to disable it discreetly. There are half a dozen ways to have done so without even letting us know it was sabotaged for quite some time. Instead, they opted to rip the dish off of its supports before heavily damaging it with what looked like bladed weapons. Then, they threw it into the lagoon.”

JD blinked. “Bladed weapons?”

“Something to add, doctor?” Riker asked.

“Hate to say it, but I’m with newbie on this one,” Dr. Cox said. “The seamen working at it were taken down via blows to the head. There weren’t any lacerations, I checked em’ out myself.” He paused, before adding, “And no, they didn’t see who did it, by the way.”

“They’re otherwise fine, though, right?” Tasha asked.

Dr. Cox bobbed his head back and forth. “They’re going to have some nasty headaches for a few weeks, but that’s about it.”

“We, uh, also found traces of smokeleaf in their blood,” JD pointed out. “Not to insinuate anything …”

“She says, insinuating,” Dr. Cox groaned. “‘Golly gee, where oh where could that smokeleaf have come from? Maybe the saboteurs felt so bad about knocking them they gave them a good ole’ shotgun kiss.’”

“Alright, what’s with you?” Tasha said, folding her arms and glaring at Dr. Cox. “Do you really need to be so hard on him?”

JD’s eyes widened in horror. He rapidly waved his hands back and forth as if to say, ‘STOP before it’s too late!”

Dr. Cox, in turn, put on a wicked grin. “We’ve only just met, Ms. Yar, so how’s about we start this relationship off without me wanting to tell you where to shove it, huh?”

“Okay, okay, let's take it down a notch," Riker said in a half-light, though half-stern tone. “We’re officers of the flagship of the Federation - let’s try to act like it.”

“Sorry,” Tasha said reluctantly.

“Mph,” Dr. Cox growled, glancing away.

Out of the corner of his eye, Riker saw Worf giving a look of disapproval. “Mr. Worf?”

“Mmm… nothing.”

“So…” JD said, smiling brightly. “Group hug?”

“Klingons do not ‘hug’,” Worf grumbled.

“How about we put a pin on that for later?” Tasha chirped.

“That’s the spirit,” Riker smiled. “Alright, so we know the saboteurs had bladed weapons of some sort but chose not to use them on the radar operators. Instead, they used non-lethal force. What else do we know?”

“Surprisingly little,” Tasha said. “For how…. inelegantly they took out the dish, they left very little evidence. No footprints, no hair follicles, nothing.”

“Very little about this adds up,” Worf noted. “Especially when considering the only party with a motive to destroy the dish would be my people.”

“Isn’t brute force sort of a Klingon thing, though?” JD asked. “Er, no offense.”

“None taken,” Worf said. “However, if my people were behind this, I doubt they would have left the operators alive. Though they might prefer a blunt approach to the dish, they would also know how to sabotage it properly - the Klingon Empire has been using radar before even the Federation.”

“There was that squadron leader who went missing two weeks ago,” Riker said. “Still hasn’t been found. It sounds grisly, but he could have been killed and… disposed of somewhere.”

Worf shook his head. “If Klingons are responsible for that particular incident, I don’t believe the two things are related. It would imply they’ve been in hiding for two weeks. Long-term stealth is… not our way.”

“It was probably an accident,” Dr. Cox said. “The island is a deathtrap in some places. High sea-cliffs with winds that could kick you right over into jagged rocks. He wouldn’t be the first person here MIA.”

“What if they purposefully changed their behavior?” Tasha asked. “To throw us off the trail?”

Worf seemed to weigh her words, before responding with: “Such a thing is not unheard of, but it is unlikely.”

“Relations with the Klingons have been a little shaky lately,” Riker said. “I don’t think we should rule it out completely.”

“With their submarines, they wouldn’t have a problem getting anyone here undetected, either,” Tasha said.

“What if they didn’t come here by boat?” JD suddenly blurted out.

“Newbie…” Dr. Cox sighed.

“Wait, wait, hear me out,” JD continued. “I was talking to that delightful dwarf who runs this place …”

“Who, Frank?” Tasha blinked. “D-Delightful?”

“Yeah, he’s great!” JD chirped. “Let me in on the island’s biggest secret for only 30 bits.”

“Oh?” Riker said, already apprehensive about what might be coming.

“There’s a warpgate on the far side of it,” JD smiled.

Dr. Cox looked at Riker, then back at JD, then facepalmed. “Newbie… that isn’t a secret. Everyone who lives here knows about the warpgate.”

JD practically deflated. “Oh… well, still, it’s true.”

“I think someone should have a little talk with that dwarf,” Worf growled, nodding towards Riker. “I volunteer, sir.”

“Not right now, Mr. Worf,” Riker sighed. “Dr. Dorian, I hate to say it but I think he pulled a fast one on you.”

“I’m shocked, shocked!” Dr. Cox said dramatically. “Well, not that shocked.”

JD frowned. “And he seemed so… personable, too.”

“I dunno if it was that bad. I didn’t know about any warpgate,” Tasha said. “Honestly, I don’t even know what a warpgate is, really. Some sort of relic, right?”

“I’m not surprised - they barely covered them at the academy,” Riker said. “They’re ancient stone-like structures scattered all about the Terran Continent and surrounding islands - the Federation has discovered about 15 in our territory alone.”

“The Klingon Empire also has a few,” Worf noted.

“Supposedly, they were used by one or more ancient people to travel instantaneously from one place to another,” Riker continued.

“Teleportation?” Tasha blinked. “I thought that was dangerous?”

“It is outlawed for a reason,” Worf said.

Dr. Cox shrugged. “Maybe they didn’t give a crap.”

“Or figured out a way to use them safely,” JD said hopefully.

“I personally don’t think they were used for travel at all,” Riker said. “There’s never been any concrete evidence that what we call ‘warpgates’ were anything more than ceremonial decorations.”

Tasha gave him a pensive look. “Maybe, but wouldn’t it be worth investigating the possibility? Just in case?”

“We don’t have anywhere else to go at the moment,” Worf said.

Riker sighed, before reluctantly nodding. “I suppose. I’d like to give the captain something before the Enterprise arrives. Even 100% ruling out the warpgate was used would be better than what we have.”

“If it was used, there would likely be some form of residual energy we could detect,” Tasha noted.

“Yeah, have fun with that,” Dr. Cox said, finishing up his sandwich. “In the meantime, newbie and I are going to be playing a fun game called, ‘let’s see how much logistics screwed up our medical supply requests’.” He held two fingers up to his mouth and made a loud whistle. “Newbie, come.”

“Woooo, bonding time!” JD beamed.

Dr. Cox cringed. “For the love of whatever of the many deities the Federation worships that might actually be real,” he sighed. “This is purely professional, newbie, professional.”

With that, the two of them left the restaurant, one in a worse mood than when they had entered.

“God, what a jerk,” Tasha groaned.

Worf, however, smiled slightly. “Perhaps, but I like him. A doctor who pursues his craft with a warrior's conviction. It is… a nice change of pace."

"Very Klingon-like, Mr. Worf?" Riker grinned.

"No comment."

"Come on," Riker chuckled. "Let's go see what they have in the workshop."

An hour later, the trio were walking through a dense woodland on the far side of the island. It wasn't long before they came across a clearing with a large, circular orifice standing in the middle. It was held upright by an obsidian base.

"Well, that's not ominous at all," Tasha quipped. "Like something out of an adventure picture."

"Hah! So I'm not the only one who likes those?" Riker beamed, pulling out a small device out of the pack he carried. "That settles it. We're definitely having film nights aboard."

"Dibs on first pick!" Tasha interjected.

"Only if you win the first poker match," Riker smirked.

Tasha laughed. “Giving me a way to take your bits and the first pick? Bad move, commander.”

“A second officer makes no bad moves,” Riker grins. “This is all by my design.”

“Commander,” Worf moaned.

“Right, right, back to work.”

A second later, he pressed a large button on the side of the device he carried. It began to make a soft beeping sound in a slow interval.

"Hey wait, you never did say what that thing is," Tasha said

"A trimeter," Riker said. "It's magitek. Should be able to detect almost any forms of energy, including, well, magical ones."

"Handy," Tasha said.

"Well, it does fit in your hand," Riker smirked.

His companions stared at him blankly.

"I stick by that joke," Riker said proudly.

To his satisfaction, Tasha did, indeed, laugh at that.

"Hey now," he said, making a mock tone of offense.

"Sorry, sorry," Tasha said, continuing to chuckle. "It's just you're... different than most officers I've served with. Sooo… casual."

"I try my best," Riker mused. "Now then, let's see if there's any truth to the whole teleporting thing."

As they approached the artifact, Riker noted various markings carved into the sides of the rings. He had no clue how to read them.

"Interesting," Riker said. "Mr. Worf, Lieutenant, did either of you take that Ancient Dialects course at the academy?"

They both shook their heads.

“Ah well,” Riker said. “Worth a shot.”

Not seeing a reason to wait, he moved closer to the artifact. Sure enough, his tricorder began to beep more rapidly. Two lights, red and blue began to shine atop it. Within the two half-circle meters on the device, arrows began to dance to the right.

“Heh, I might stand corrected,” Riker said, raising his eyebrows.

“What is it?” Worf asked.

“There’s almost certainly been some magic used here recently,” Riker said.

“Can it say what type?” Tasha asked.

Riker nodded. “If I’m reading this correctly, it was Shadow Magic. There’s also a lot of residual EM energy.”

“A magitek device was likely used in the vicinity of the ring, then,” Worf said.

“Or it was the warpgate itself,” Tasha said, excited.

“If that’s true, then our saboteurs could have come from anywhere,” Riker said. “And could have gone anywhere.”

Before anyone could respond, there came a voice - a woman’s - from the edge of the clearing. Its tone nearly ran a shiver down Riker's back.

It was dripping with venom.

“You would like that, wouldn’t you?”

The trio immediately went on full alert, each drawing a weapon. Riker and Tasha each drew stun rifles, while Worf, naturally, drew a Gin’tak Spear from his back. A second later, they emerged: two grey-skinned humanoids with large, bat-like wings folded at their backs. One wielded two, short stick-like weapons and the other, an odd-looking pistol.

“Woah,” Riker said, nearly taking a step back in surprise. “This was unexpected.”

“Thestrals,” Worf growled.

“What-strals?” Riker asked.

“They’re sort of like gargoyles,” Tasha explained. “But without the turning to stone thing. And the only way you can see them …”

“Is if you’ve seen death,” Worf said bluntly.

“Something you’re accustomed to, I see,” one of the Thestrals, a woman, hissed. “Not surprising given how quickly you drew your weapons.”

“I told you, Teyla,” her accomplice, a gruff-sounding male said. His most noticable feature were the large, tendril-like dreadlocks he sported. “Why do you think they’ve made such good friends with the Klingons? Humans only know one language. They’re almost bad as the Wraith in some ways.”

“Wraith?” Riker questioned.

“You’ll meet them eventually,” he said. “Unless you learn to stay where you belong. Not the easiest thing for you to do, though, huh?”

“You are judging us?” Worf spat. “You were the ones who injured two of our people without provocation! Don’t deny it - it must have been you!”

“And you took over my friend here’s home and then poisoned it,” the male growled. “You’re lucky we only beat em’ over the head.”

“Her home?” Tasha said, raising an eyebrow.

“My tribe was here long before you!” Teyla snapped. “For centuries we’ve lived in pristine isolation. Yet even then, we were willing to share. Willing to try a different way. But what did we get for our efforts? Gunshots. Your expedition had no room for talk.”

“Expedition?” Riker said. “You mean the original explorers who found the place? That was over 200 years ago!”

“You speak as if it was uninhabited!” Teyla said. “My people are natural at hiding. Though we’d have liked to try different path, we’ve been content walking in your shadows for generations, making you think we were gone. That was until recently …”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you,” Riker said, lowering his rifle ever so slightly. “I’m not an expert on Farpoint - what we call this island - but apparently that first contact was never reported. My people, the Federation, had no idea anyone else was living here.”

“Ronon?” Teyla said to her partner, hesitantly.

“He’s lying,” Ronan said. “The humans who discovered this place? The Hiberians or whatever? They joined up with the Federation. Everyone on the Terran Continent did. Anything they knew the Federation should know.”

“Many of those explorers from way back weren’t exactly the best people,” Tasha explained hastily. “They might have left it out of their biographies.”

“Ain't that convenient,” Ronon chuckled darkly. “Just like the Federation to play dumb."

"Indeed," Teyla said. "My friend travels quite a bit - he has heard tales of you. All say the same thing: you hide behind 'progress' in fear of your past - something you don't want people to know of. Well that excuse won't help you now. Today, your past catches up with you. This island used to be known as Athos, and that's what it'll be known as again."

The two Thestrals raised their weapons and began to draw closer. The trio, in turn, readied their own.

“We don’t want to fight you,” Riker said sternly. “But we will defend ourselves if necessary.”

“Put down your weapons and come with us,” Teyla said. “Do this, and you have my assurance that no harm will come to you.”

“We will be nobody’s hostages!” Worf snarled.

“Forget it,” Ronan snapped. “They won’t listen, so no more talk. You wanted me here for a reason, Teyla, so let’s get to it!”

Within a split-second, he pulled the trigger on his pistol. A red orb of energy shot forth from it right towards Riker. He ducked at the last second, the orb grazing his hair and making it stick up on end - as if it were a ball of electricity.

“Cover - now!” Riker shouted, and the three used the warpgate’s sides to do so.

Ronan continued to shoot at them, his shots splashing off the sides of the ancient stone ring. Tasha and Riker, in return, aimed and fired their stun rifles, their mana-infused pellets whizzing towards Ronon. The Threstral was prepared for this, however - folding his two bat-wings in front of him like a shield and, with some visible discomfort, blocking the shots.

Teyla, in the meantime, charged towards the trio as Ronon distracted them. Using her wings to speed her across the grassy clearing, she was soon upon them.

“RAAAAAAUGH!” she cried, plunging her two sticks towards her nearest opponent, Worf.

He met her with his spear, and the three weapons collided with a near thunderclap. They didn’t parry for long, however, as Worf quickly shoved her away from him. She flew backwards a foot before stabilizing herself with her wings, then began to pounce on Worf with a series of rapid thrusts. Having no initiative, he was forced on the defensive, blocking one after another with the top and bottom of his spear.

Riker, in the meantime, tried to take aim at Teyla. However, it was too late. She was in control of her fight with Worf, having placed him between her and Riker. He quickly realized it was a mistake even trying to help him, for now that he only faced one opponent, Ronon closed distance slightly, firing another barrage.

“ACK!” screamed Tasha, who was caught by one of the bolts as she leaned out of cover to shoot. Electricity visibly surged through her body, and she collapsed onto the platform of the warpgate. Riker went wide-eyed, giving his full attention to Tasha. He was about to reach down to check her pulse when--

“RIKER!” Worf shouted. “ON YOUR 9!”

Riker came to attention. It didn’t take long to see what Worf was shouting at: Ronan was circling Riker’s cover - flanking him. Thinking quickly, Riker raised his stun rifle, aimed down the sights, and fired another shot. Again, Ronan shielded himself with his wings, blocking it. Riker tried to fire again, but his rifle merely made a small buzzing sound - its mana crystals which jutted from the forestocks were still recharging it.

“Oh hell,” Riker moaned, drawing from his uniform something he hoped he would never have to use: a loaded, standard revolver. However, before he could take aim, he felt a surge of electricity painfully cascading through his body.

The last thing he saw was the sight of Worf finally gaining the upper-hand in his own fight: striking Teyla with the butt-end of his spear.

Forgotten Ones

Chapter Image

“Commander?”

Riker blinked, shaking his head in a daze. His vision was too blurry to see anything, and the voice that called to him was distant and distorted. In the back of his mind, he could hear a high-pitched buzzing sound.

“Commander, thank the skies!”

He sat up, his vision coming to him. The first thing he noticed were metal bars in front of him. He quickly realized he was in some sort of cage. Outside of it was a surprisingly well-lit cavern, stalagmites hanging from the ceiling. Riker then winced. His entire body was a weird mixture of pain and numbness.

“Commander?” the voice called again. “Are you alright?”

Riker turned his head. In the cage with him was Tasha and a man who he didn’t recognize. No Worf in sight.

“Yeah,” Riker said, pained, before wiggling his fingers slightly. “Yeah, I’m good. I think everything’s working. Just feels like I was hit with a stun spell.”

Tasha raised an eyebrow. “When were you hit by a stun spell before?”

“Oh, it wasn’t in a fight or anything,” Riker said, coughing slightly. “I dated a mage once. She uh… needed a test subject this one time…”

Tasha deadpanned. “You didn’t.”

“She said it’d be low voltage,” Riker said innocently.

“And she was probably pretty,” the unknown man said casually. It was just then Riker noticed he was wearing a flight jacket. “Just a guess.”

Riker perked up slightly. “You wouldn’t happen to be a pilot would you?”

The man shrugged. “I don’t like to brag, but I know my way around a throttle.”

Riker noted Tasha suppressing a chuckle. Resisting the urge to smirk himself, he then looked the man over. There was a particular insignia on his uniform he quickly identified. “A Federation naval squadron leader, no less.”

The man smiled. “Like I said, I don’t like to brag.”

“He’s the airman who went missing two weeks ago,” Tasha said. “Commander Riker, meet Major John Sheppard.”

Riker raised his eyebrows. “No relation to Shepard? The MACO commander?”

“Common mistake,” Sheppard said. “I’m Sheppard with two Ps. We’ve worked together a few times, though - caused some confusion on the comms line.”

Riker chuckled. “No surprise.” He then looked around again. Nothing of interest was outside of their cage. They appeared to be alone. “What happened to Worf?”

“They wouldn’t say,” Tasha said sadly. “He might be held somewhere else. That or…”

“Let’s not go down that line of thinking,” Riker said. “Worf’s a Klingon Orc. Say what you want about them, but they’re sturdy.”

“Sorry, sir,” Tasha said, gazing downward.

“It’s alright, Lieutenant.” Riker said, clearing his throat. “So, anyone have any idea where we are?”

“A cave?” Tasha half-joked, obviously trying to lighten the mood. “Sorry, we have no idea. If they took us through the warpgate...”

“We still don’t know if that thing can teleport people,” Riker said. “Let’s not make any assumptions.”

“I think we’re still on Farpoint,” Sheppard said. “I’ve been stationed here for a year - kind of learned the smell of it. Just the right mix of sea salt and palm trees even in here."

“Were cave systems ever mapped around Farpoint?” Tasha asked.

Sheppard shook his head. “No, not that I know of. There’s no mountains here and no entrance to any sort of underground cave was ever found.”

“Because we didn’t want you to,” a familiar voice said, coming from the tunnel that led to their ‘prison’ chamber.

“Hi Teyla, nice to see you again,” Sheppard chirped.

“Sheppard,” she said in a neutral tone, walking towards the cage.

Riker noticed she carried a bowl of various fruits - all that happened to grow on Farpoint.

“Pineapple again? Guess you do like me,” Sheppard continued.

“Your jokes still haven’t grown endearing,” she sighed.

“Even with your headaches gone away?” Sheppard asked.

“No,” she sniped. “In fact, now I’m fully conscious as to how bad they are.”

“You hold me prisoner then insult my jokes,” Sheppard said. “You really don’t have mercy, do you?”

She glanced away from him. “Here, eat.” She then opened a small latch at the base of the cage, sliding the fruit in to her prisoners.

“We never did get done talking earlier,” Riker said. “What is all this about? Why did you attack our people - destroy the radar dish?”

“Why do you ask questions you already know the answers to?” Teyla said, annoyed.

Tasha blinked, confused. “I don’t understand. You’re acting like… like we attacked you or something.”

“Ooooh so you’re playing innocent?” Teyla laughed sardonically. “Uh huh. Nice try, human.”

“Technically, I’m not completely human,” she pointed out. “I’m actually 1/8th Vila.”

“That makes no difference to me,” Teyla said. “Human or not, you all despise us equally.”

“Despise you?” Riker said, genuinely surprised. “I don’t understand - what makes you think we have anything against you?”

“Stop playing dumb,” Teyla snapped, her tone growing darker. “Your actions are evidence enough. You weren’t happy with us being here so you built a weapon to drive us away!”

“Weapon?” Riker said. “What weapon?”

“And we didn’t even know you were here!” Tasha argued. “You’re good at hiding, remember?”

“More and more of you come to this island every year,” Teyla said. “You must have found out.”

“Don’t bother with it, commander,” Shepard sighed. “I don’t know what we did to piss em’ off so much, but whatever it was, they haven’t told me.”

“And confirm that your weapon works?” Teyla laughed. “Not happening.”

“Who are we going to confirm it to?” Riker said. “You have us locked away. There’s no way we could tell anybody. I don’t know what we did, but we can make it right. We just need to talk to each other. If you think we’re trying to drive you away, you’re wrong. The Federation isn’t in the business of imperialism.”

“Your Federation,” Teyla said, putting a spiteful tone on the word, “Has integrated Equestria into itself - those who drove us from our ancestral homes. It seems you seek to repeat history.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Tasha said. “You’re the same Thestrals they exiled a thousand years ago?” She turned to Riker. “I thought that was just a legend.”

Teyla narrowed her eyes. “Either you’re lying or have foolishly made bed with those you know nothing about.”

“If we’re fools, couldn’t we have foolishly hurt you without you realizing it?” Riker asked.

Teyla blinked, gazing at him with an uncertain look. Then, she shook her head. “Even if you didn’t know, your expedition still attempted to exterminate us.”

Riker reluctantly nodded. “The Hiberians did a lot of horrible things - many of our nations did.” Riker lifted a finger. “But we’ve cast the old ways aside. Millions of humans have banded together not just with ourselves, but other species. Maybe you could-”

“Enough!” Teyla shissed. “Ronon warned me the Federation has weaponized not just the air, but the very words they utter. We will not speak of this again - not until someone with authority arrives.”

“To do what?” Riker asked.

Teyla narrowed her eyes. “To remove your Federation’s presence from our home.”

“Just a reminder, captain, using the mana engine at max power will generate a lot of EM interference. Long range communication ain’t happening,” Ensign Stone said matter of factly.

“Awwww,” ‘Charlie’ (Ensign Charlotte Magne) pouted.

“We won’t be doing it too often,” Picard said, sitting in his captain’s chair. “Just a test run to Farpoint.”

“You just want to put the pedal to the metal, don’t you?” Deanna smirked, sitting next to him.

Picard gave her a sarcastic look, before glancing out the front windows of the bridge. The skies in front of the Enterprise were clear, giving her a straight shot to the south-west. That didn’t mean they were clear all around, however. Many civilian crafts could be seen floating around her. Joining them were numerous maritime ships in the sea below - quite a few more than usual.

That fact was obvious to anyone listening to the radio Charlotte had playing in the background.

“So, Mike, only two minutes until the Enterprise launches.”

“Thaaaaat’s right, Jay.”

“Well, I know you’ve been super excited about it, so I got something super special for you at the seaport gift shop.”

“Wow, is that what I think it is?”

“Yep! An Enterprise t-shirt! Congratulations, you’re now an official walking Skyfleet recruitment poster.”

“Jay, I believe the proper term for it is ‘Skyfleet shill’.”

“Oh ****, sorry. I always confuse those two things.”

“It’s alright, buddy. But hey, I’m not the only one excited. Look at the crowd. Everyone waiting for the Federation’s flagship to start her great adventure… that they’ll probably read about in the newspaper from time to time then forget about.”

Picard raised an eyebrow, glancing his communication officer’s way.

“Sorry, sorry!” she squeaked. “I thought it was softer than that.”

Victor laughed. “You’re the last person I’d expect to like Red Letter Radio, Charlie.”

She smirked. “Vaggie got me into it. They’re so…”

“Cynical?” Deanna said.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Charlie said. “My optimism shines through it like a flare spell! They’re just so funny sometimes. Also, Mike's a Skyfleet junkie."

"It is nice to hear a civilian's point of view," Leia noted. "Skyfleet's future is contingent on it."

"Indeed," Picard said. "And I believe it's time to give them what they came for. Ms. Charlotte, have all sections reported ready?"

"Yes, sir!" she beamed enthusiastically. "All crew and requested supplies are accounted for! Chief LaForge reports all systems go."

"Excellent. Navigator, is our heading accurate?"

"As precise as a thread through a needle," Luna reported.

"Good, good. And Mr. Stone, are the skies as clear as they look?"

"Darn right, captain. No ships in our path. Doppler shows no serious weather for 50 klicks."

With that, Picard gave each of his bridge crew a rare, genuine smile. "Nicely done, everyone." He then turned towards his loan helmsman. "Ms. Hopper, power up all drive systems."

With a slight smile, the young, shy psychic complied. With both her hands and remotely with the power of her mind, she pulled various levers and wheels.

Picard glanced out of the windows of the bridge, watching his ship come to life. Steam billowed out of the small stacks in front and the whir of the mana engine powering up rippled through her. Everything began to vibrate, but not uncomfortably so. More like a massage chair than anything.

Deanna turned to Picard. “Captain, don’t forget--”

“Yes, I better get it over with,” he sighed. He then flicked a switch near his chair, toggling the intercom. His voice echoed through the ship as he began his speech:

"All hands. I know the on-board fanfare for this launch has been minimal, but know that in the eyes of the populace as well as in my own, it is still historic. Now is the time to hone our skills, to make sure that when we begin our mission, we are truly the finest crew in Skyfleet. No matter what awaits us beyond the horizon, let no one say we weren’t prepared for it.”

There was a pause as he cleared his throat slightly. “Prepare for maximum thrust. Picard out."

He flicked the intercom off.

Deanna smiled at him. "See? That wasn't so hard."

"Mph," Picard grunted. "Never did understand the point of rambling on about something everyone already knows."

Surprisingly, out of the corner of his eye, he caught Leia and Luna suppressing two light smiles at that.

“You’re the captain, sir,” Deanna said, her smile becoming a smirk. “You’re entitled to ramble.”

Picard raised his eyebrows, before gazing back towards Charlotte.

"All sections still reporting no problems, captain," she said.

He nodded with a determined look before gazing back at his helmsman. "Then Ms. Hopper, the time has come…" He raised a finger and dramatically pointed it forward. "Engage!"

She complied with a flick of her wrist, telekinetically moving the EOT (engine order telegraph) dial. A thunderclap rocked through the ship as the mana engine came fully to life, spitting forth a massive, blue flame that illuminated the stern of the ship like a miniature sun. Fortunately, the sheer weight of the ship prevented everyone on the bridge from being knocked off their feet, though Picard still saw a few people hang onto something, including Princess Luna.

“W-Well then,” she said, uncharacteristically uncomposed. “What is the expression these days? ‘That’s quite a kick in the posterior?’”

“Something like that,” Victor said, chuckling.

“And quite so,” Picard said. “What is our speed?”

Luna began reading her instruments. “W-We’re- we’re already approaching maximum speed. 150 k/m, 160 k/m …”

“Ludicrous speed,” Victor said, somewhat in awe.

Charlie laughed. “What speed?”

“Ludicrous,” Victor said.

“I vote that as its official name,” Charlie beamed.

“What? Seriously?” Leia said sardonically. “We are not calling max speed of the Federation’s flagship ‘ludicrous speed’.”

“Awww …” Charlie and Victor whined.

“Mmm, funny you should mention that,” Picard noted. “Chief LaForge actually had a name for it: ‘warp speed’.”

“But we’re not warping anything,” Deanna pointed out.

“The mana engine is,” Victor said. “It gives high speeds by taking massive amounts of raw, magical energy, compressing it, then ‘exciting’ it to give a hell of a lot of thrust. AKA, it warps it.”

“Ah, of course,” Leia smirked.

“Pffft, neeeeeeeeeerd,” Charlie said, sticking her tongue out.

“Oh for--” Victor sighed. “Am I the only one who paid attention in the Skyship Engines 101 class?”

“You were not the only one,” Luna said, surprising Picard.

“Booya,” Victor smiled. “Thank you, princess.”

She shrugged. “No need to thank me. It was quite fascinating. Modifying an electromagnetic field to do such a thing... My people never seriously considered integrating technology and magic to such an extreme. However, you humans …”

“It wasn’t just humans,” Picard noted. “A combined effort of all Federation species made the mana drive possible.”

“One wonders what we could achieve if we brought even more people into the fold,” Deanna said.

“A question I hope we answer,” Picard said, gazing out the frontal bridge windows as ocean white-caps passed them by below. He took one last look out the rear windows, watching as the skyscrapers of Axis Mundi slowly faded away, before gazing towards the future. “Let’s see what’s out there.”

Two Days Later

“There’s nothing out here, is there?” Jane sighed, her usual stoic tone turning to boredom. “Just ocean, ocean, and more ocean.”

“Hey now, no need to be so down,” Charlie said, her perky personality not diminishing an inch. “There’s clouds, too.”

Victor rolled his one human eye. “Hey, at least you guys have something to do. All radars have been clear the whole trip. Never thought I’d be happy to see a rain cloud, but at the moment...”

“We’re still in known waters, you two,” Deanna said, giving them a sympathetic smile. “We weren’t supposed to find anything too interesting this close to--”

“Woah, sorry, but hold that thought,” Charlie said, adjusting a dial on her equipment. “Picking up a faint transmission - Skyfleet channel. It’s really garbled though.”

“Let’s hear it,” Picard said, nodding her way.

Charlie turned another dial and flicked a switch, allowing the broadcast to come through the bridge intercom.

“Lieutenant Worf to …*Shhhhk*... situation *Shhhhk* make haste *Shhhhhhk...”

The transmission cut.

Picard raised his eyebrows. “Lieutenant Worf?”

“He might just be trying to check in,” Luna said. “Perhaps he isn’t aware of the mana engine’s interference.”

“Mmmm,” Picard said, striking a thinking pose. “I’m not so sure. From his profile, Lieutenant Worf was a top student at the academy. It wouldn’t be like him to overlook something so important.” He turned to his confidant. “Deanna?”

“Klingons can be very good at hiding their emotions at times,” she said. “However, there was agitation hidden underneath his stoicism. Could you sense it, too, Jane?”

She nodded shyly. “It’s subtle but… it’s there.”

“I sense something, too,” Leia announced, Picard now noticing she had her eyes closed. “A disturbance in the Force… dead ahead.”

The bridge crew turned to her in surprise.

“Wait, I thought we only had two Jedi aboard,” Deanna blinked. “Lady Tano and Padawan Solo. You’re one, too?”

“Somewhat,” Leia said, almost sounding embarrassed. “I have a connection with the Force, just no… formal training.”

“Even with your brother leading the academy?” Luna asked curiously.

“It isn’t something you just learn in an afternoon,” Leia chuckled. “It takes years of intense training, and you’re supposed to start young.” She shook her head. “No, I wouldn’t want to waste Luke’s time.”

Deanna gazed at her sympathetically. “It’s still nice that you have the connection.”

“I suppose,” she said neutrally.

“And that makes three of us who sense something’s off,” Deanna said.

“The more the merrier,” Victor said, before doing a double-take. “Er, well, I mean it’s good we have so many empaths, I mean.”

“Point taken,” Picard nodded. “Add that to the fact Worf was part of the team investigating sabotage… I think some due caution is in order. Ms. Hopper, drop engines to cruise speed - half-speed.”

“Yes, sir,” she said, a hint of excitement in her tone. Without delay, she turned the EOT dial half-way to the left. Though the effect on the ship’s speed wasn’t completely noticeable at first, the mana drive’s flames dying down certainly were. With its shine, It was as if someone had just turned off half the bridge’s lights.

“Ms. Charlotte, hail Farpoint - see if we can get Mr. Worf back on the horn,” Picard ordered. “Keep everything on bridge intercom.”

“Will do, sir!” she said, her fingers dancing across her equipment. “Enterprise to Farpoint. Anyone home?”

“Lieutenant Worf responding,” a stern, stoic voice replied almost immediately. “Have any of my previous messages been received? I was not sure if they could get through the interference.”

“Good to hear from you, Mr. Worf,” Picard replied. “We received one of your messages but it was unclear. Is everything okay?”

His voice was grim as he almost immediately responded with: “No sir, the opposite.” There was a short, but noticeable pause. Apprehension was quickly filling the room.“ Commander Riker and Lieutenant Yar have been captured.”

The Night Princess

Chapter Image

One Day Earlier ...

“Commander!” Worf shouted, watching as Riker collapsed onto the warpgate’s platform.

He didn’t have much time to stare, however, before his opponent was on him once again. One after another Teyla flung her battle sticks at him, and over and over, he twirled his staff back and forth to counter them. After what seemed like an eternity, Worf finally saw an opening, smacking the butt end of his spear into the Thestral’s chest.

“OOF!” She reeled backwards, trying to stabilize herself, and was barely able to block the next blow: this time the blade end of the Klingon’s spear. “You f-fight well," she wheezed. “However, you are not fighting for your home!”

With that, she seemed to energize herself. With renewed vigor, she twirled about for a 360 degree strike, using her left wing for extra momentum. Worf was able to parry again, but her two combat sticks hit his spear’s pole with such force even he couldn’t compensate. He felt his legs buckle ever so slightly, almost falling over. Instead of collapsing, however, he stumbled backwards, and the two duelists began circling each other.

"You have an honorable goal," Worf admitted, just now beginning to pant. "Even if your understanding of the Federation leaves much to be desired. You did not need to kill my companions."

"Kill?" Teyla laughed. "You project unto us too much."

Before Worf could respond, she lunged at him again, launching another flurry of rapid strikes.

“So, you did want hostages, then!” Worf managed, continuing to, with some effort, block her blows. “I take it back, you are not so honorable after all!”

“It is dishonorable, but you are forcing our hand!” Teyla cried. “We did not wish to walk this path!” With a battle cry, she ducked low and stuck out her legs. Maneuvering her body with her hands and wings, she attempted to sweep Worf’s own legs out from under him ...

“Don’t speak as if you have no choice!” Worf growled, leaping into the air, dodging the sweep, and cascading his spear downward for a tremendous horse cut. Instead of parrying, however, Teyla merely jutted to the left with the help of her wings, dodging it completely. Worf’s spear slammed into the grass, almost embedding itself in it…

“Your arrogance extends beyond your words, it seems,” Teyla chided.

Worf’s eyes widened as she swung her sticks horizontally, nearly clipping his shoulder. Fortunately, he was able to right his spear just in time, blocking her strike once again. Thus, their dance continued, with split-second thrusts and split-second blocks, their weapons moving faster than the untrained eye could see.

As Worf tried to counter her rhythm, he noticed Ronon drawing closer and closer, and began continuously moving to keep Teyla between him and himself. At this rate, it would only be a matter of time, however. He had to end this fight and--

Worf’s eyes suddenly widened. His last horizontal swing was countered by Teyla quickly ducking - a critical error on his part. He saw Ronon grin; he had a clear shot at him, and it didn’t take long for him to take it.

“RAAAAAUGH!.!.! ” Worf roared as electricity surged through him. Unlike his companions, he wasn’t mercifully knocked unconscious. His hardy Klingon body was allowing him to take the full force of it wide awake. He backed away from Teyla, forced to kneel. However, it wasn’t long before he realized he could no longer move.

Yet despite having the opportunity, instead of attacking him, Teyla looked to Ronon.

“Not surprised,” he said, almost casually. “Orcs are sturdy - Klingon varieties especially. I could--”

“No, we don’t know if that will kill him,” Teyla said, moving over to Tasha’s body, picking her up, and throwing her over her shoulder. “We have who we need. Grab the other and let’s go.”

“He’s gonna tell the rest of em’, you know,” Ronon said, picking up Riker. "Let me call for backup so we can--"

“They will be finding out slightly sooner, that’s all,” Teyla noted, before turning to a still stunned Worf. "In fact, why don't you relay the message, Klingon? Contact someone with authority - let them know that until your Federation leaves this island, your friends will remain in our custody."

"Or worse," Ronon growled. "And if they don't care about their people, maybe they'll care about their stuff. Better guard your toys carefully, cus' anything we can smash we will smash."

And with one last pair of ice-cold glares, the two of them and their captives disappeared into the woods.

Present...

Inside the radio room of Farpoint's command center, Worf sat solemnly next to the main transmitter, trying his best to describe what happened.

"... and that was all they said to me."

"So they're trying to force our hand through hostages," Picard’s voice crackled.

"Yes, sir,” Worf grumbled. "It is my fault, captain. If not for my failure, we would never be in this position. I take full responsibility for what has happened."

"I do not accept that, Mr. Worf."

Worf grimaced at that. The captain’s words hit harder than Teyla’s battle sticks. "I understand, sir. The dishonor goes beyond a simple reprimand."

"No, I mean it is not your responsibility," Picard said, surprising Worf. "Speak to me later, but for now, I need you to look forward, not backwards. We will be arriving in Farpoint within the hour, and your insight will be invaluable to handling this situation. Will you be ready to lend a hand?"

Worf perked up ever so slightly. "Gladly, sir.”

"Good. I look forward to meeting you in person, Lieutenant. Picard out."

At that, the stoic warrior couldn’t help but shake his head in bafflement.

“Thestrals,” Picard said, pacing the Enterprise’s bridge in bewilderment. “Why on Hyporia would they be doing this?”

“I wasn’t even sure Threstrals were a real thing until today,” Deanna said. “I thought they were just stories…”

“Bedtime stories,” Picard said, making a ponderous expression. “Used to scare children. ‘Do your chores or the Threstrals will take you away’. That sort of thing.”

“So even in human lands they are feared...” Luna said sadly. Her eyes seemed distant - as if looking into another time.

“Lieutenant?” Picard said.

“My apologies,,” Luna said, seemingly snapping herself out of it. “Hearing of them brought back… old memories. Very old.”

Picard gave her a curious yet stern look. "Princess Luna--"

"Please don't," she said coldly. "That title has meant nothing for cycles."

"Very well," Picard said patiently. "I do know of your history, however. Your people's history, that is.”

“Oh do you?” Luna said, agitation starting to fill her tone.

“Captain, careful,” Deanna cautioned.

Picard, however, continued unabated. “During the civil war, the Threstrals fought on the side of the Nightmare entity, yes?”

“Do not go there, captain,” Luna said, her agitation giving way to anger. “Do not go there.”

“I only bring it up for reference,” Picard said. “From what I understand-”

"Thou should'st not presume to understand anything, human!" Luna finally snapped, and to the horror of the bridge crew, her eyes seemed to flicker a pure black for an instant. Picard, however, was unphased, as he rose from his chair to face the former ruler. Before he could respond, however, she continued with: “Most few among my own people wot sooth, let alone thyself!”

The bridge was tense as Picard and Luna faced each other down.

“Captain,” Charlie said in an uncharacteristically serious tone. “Should I call security?”

Picard shook his head, not taking his gaze off Luna. “That will not be necessary, ensign.”

“Yo, can someone translate what the five hells she just said for me?!” Victor said.

“It’s an older type of common, not used for many years,” Picard noted, his voice still a tranquil breeze in the storm. “Nearly a thousand, I believe.”

Luna continued to glare at him.

“Much can be lost in a thousand years,” Picard continued. “Much more can be warped by myth and legend, isn’t that right? History is malleable and not often accurate. And even when it is, it’s often missing a crucial bit of nuance.”

Her glare turned uncertain.

“And that is why I simply wish what insights you may have to offer,” Picard finally finished.

To perhaps even her own disbelief, her eyes suddenly widened. For the first time since he had met her, she seemed taken aback. Slowly, but surely, she began to relax, moving back to her post. “I… I’m sorry, captain. For my outburst.”

“Perfectly understandable,” Picard said. “You must understand, though, that I have a rare opportunity here to gain counsel from someone who saw ancient history first hand. That counsel could be invaluable to diffusing this situation. So I ask again: is there anything you know that could help?”

Luna slowly shook her head. “I don’t know much of modern Thestral culture. All I can tell you is that in the past, they were often misjudged simply for what they were. It’s possible that that mere fact has turned them bitter over the years. Perhaps they’re not who they were. I don’t know. I don’t really know anything anymore… not since--”

“Hey, hey,” Princess Leia comforted, putting a hand on her shoulder. “It’s fine. I don’t know the whole story, but it’s been a wild ride recently, hasn’t it?”

“That’s no excuse,” Luna said, dejected. “My behavior was completely unprofessional.”

“Hah!” Leia laughed. “Unprofessional? You think you’re the first person to blow up on Picard in public?”

Picard threw her a blank look.

“Waaaaait a minute,” Charlie suddenly said, her voice rising in jubilance. “Is this the part where we get all our feelings out in the open and bond as a group?! Because that would be sooooo awesome!”

Picard gave her an even blanker look. “No, ensign.”

“Nobody’s drunk enough for that,” Deanna chirped. “Not yet, anyway.”

“Deanna!” Jane said, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Did I say that out loud?” she said innocently.

“Oh for the love of--” Picard snapped. “Everyone, get back to your stations, damn it! We’re long overdue at Farpoint.”

The crew complied, but it wasn’t out of fear of Picard’s apparent anger. Something in the room’s atmosphere had changed. He had seen it happen before, but wasn't consciously aware of it as it happened live.

His bridge crew was beginning to bond.

Two hours later, a number of personnel sat at the long, wooden table in the Enterprise's meeting room. One seat remained vacant, however, reserved for the newest arrival.

"Mr. Worf. Welcome aboard the Enterprise," Picard greeted, giving the newly arrived Klingon Orc a firm handshake. He then gestured towards the empty chair before moving to take his own seat at the head of the table. "I know you'd probably like more time to get your bearings, but with circumstances the way they are…"

"That will not be necessary," Worf said bluntly. "I'm ready to serve."

"You don't let the grass grow under your feet, huh?" Shepard joked, a hint of respect in her words.

"I prefer not to, commander," Worf said simply.

"Very well," Picard nodded. "So, to recap, two of our high ranking officers have been taken hostage by at least one tribe of Thestrals - apparently native to the island. They've been taken to an unknown location and will not be released unless the Federation completely abandons Farpoint. Due to her dealings with them in the past, I’ve asked our Chief Navigator here to sit in on the meeting.”

Luna glanced about warily.

Shepard gazed at her pensively. “What kind of… dealings did you have?”

She shuffled in her seat.

“It’s alright, CN,” Picard said. “Nobody is here to judge, just to understand.”

Luna finally sighed. “Very well. I will try to keep this brief.” She took a deep breath. “A thousand years ago, my homeland of Equestria faced a state of Civil War. The catalyst of this was my… transformation into a demonic entity called Nightmare Moon. With her extreme magical prowess, she promised to envelope the entire continent into eternal night, and to ‘right injustices’ towards the children of it.

A millennium ago, two armies, one wearing of silver and yellow armor, and the other dark blue, stared each other down upon a grassy field.

“The Thestrals, seeking an escape from centuries of oppression, naturally flocked towards her banner, and the war began in earnest.”

With sword, shield, and spear, the bat-like creatures slammed into the force of Averials, Earthen, and Antlered Elves. A chorus of clangs and shouts erupted. The first battle had begun.

“You say ‘her’,” Shepard noted. “This… this Nightmare Moon. You view her as a different individual?”

Luna winced. “I… I do and do not…” She paused. “It is… complicated.”

“I see,” Shepard said, folding her arms.

Picard gave her a stern look. “I do not believe this is relevant, commander,” he said. “CN, please continue.”

Luna glanced about warily, before clearing her throat. “Nightmare Moon was actually defeated early in the war and exiled, though the ‘army of the night’ continued to fight regardless, even if it was pointless in the end.”

At spear-point by those in golden armor, numerous, solemn Thestrals marched along a long, dusty road, a shining sea before them.

“Though the war lasted for a cycle, the Thestrals were outclassed at every turn. Eventually, they were forced to surrender.”

Standing on a high cliff, a figure wrapped in white watched the scene, tears draining from her eyes. Unveiling a pair of angelic, white wings, she then took flight, flying slowly in the opposite direction.

“Their punishment was absolute. I suppose my sister, Celestia, saw it as merciful to force them from Equestria, given the anger of the populace. She always said it was for their own good.”

Luna closed her eyes. “It was nearly a thousand years before I was freed from the influence of the… entity. It was no small effort to weaken it.” She then gazed at Picard. “I do not wish to talk about that matter further.”

Picard nodded sympathetically. “I believe we’ve gotten all the information we needed. Thank you for sharing. I know it wasn’t easy.”

“It was not,” Luna said bluntly. “But… you’re welcome, regardless.”

Picard cleared his throat. “Now, as to the here and now. Career Minister?”

Leia nodded. "Normal Federation policy when it comes to hostages is to use the carrot, not the stick. As long as what we offer won't endanger more lives than those already at risk, it's fair game."

“Well, we obviously can’t just give up Farpoint - that would qualify as putting lives in danger,” Shepard said bluntly.

“It is possible my people would view it as a sign of weakness,” Worf said.

“Nobody is suggesting that,” Picard said. “I do consider it to be on the table, but only as a last resort. For now, I want alternatives. What other bargaining chips do we have?”

“That’s the problem,” Leia said. “We have nobody to negotiate with - no way of finding out what else they may want.”

Picard looked towards Luna, who fidgeted in her seat. “CN?”

She cleared her throat. “... Like I said, my knowledge of modern Thestral culture is limited. Even… way back when, every tribe had their differences. If there was a common, ahem, trope - I suppose you could say - that they followed, it was many valued their isolation.”

“Given the stigma, I’m guessing the other Equestrian races were happy to oblige,” Leia said.

“Unfortunately,” Luna said bitterly. “However, there were some who wished to intermingle with the rest of my people, and that was where the path to conflict arose.”

“Held in contempt for simply wishing to coexist,” Picard sighed. “A story told throughout the world many times, sadly.”

Luna glanced at him with a hint of surprise - perhaps even familiarity. “Yes.”

“Wait,” Leia said. “You said… you said they liked being left alone, right?”

Luna nodded.

“Do you remember them being territorial? Er, even violently isolationist?”

Luna shook her head. “No, not to the extreme we’re seeing now. Their very nature led to them being invisible to many. They could literally hide in plain sight.”

“Explains some of the paranoia,” Shepard said, earning a cold look from Luna. “Not that they earned it - just saying.”

“Hmmm, worth a shot,” Leia said. “Wouldn’t make sense, though, now that I think about it - if they’ve been here since forever, why choose now to draw the line?”

“Perhaps a shift in leadership,” Worf suggested. “One of them I encountered did say we had ‘poisoned’ the island. Perhaps they meant with our presence itself?”

“Mmm…,” Leia pondered. “Using that sort of language, that would indicate a large degree of xenophobia.”

“I don’t want to jump to that conclusion just yet,” Picard said. “Poison could mean many things; pollution, for instance.”

“I don’t believe so, captain,” Worf said. “I thought the same myself, so I did some research.”

“Oh?” Picard said. “What did you find?”

“That while there has been an increase in both land and air pollution since the industrial revolution, the F.E.D. has found it’s actually gone down in recent years - mainly thanks to new technology.”

“Makes sense,” Shepard said. “They probably switched from coal to mana batteries like a lot of small bases have.”

“Maybe, but…” Leia trailed off.

“Speak your mind, Career Minister,” Picard offered.

She took a deep breath. “This speculation helps give us some context, but honestly? Like I said, we have nobody to negotiate with. Nobody to offer anything to. I hate to say it, Mr. Worf, but are you even positive that-”

“Yes, they’re still alive,” Worf said.

“How can you be sure?” Shepard asked.

“Because our adversary didn’t kill me when they had the chance,” Worf said. “I’m sure they could have relayed their message without me. It was even somewhat risky to keep me alive. However, they stayed their hand. It was… honorable.”

Picard raised his eyebrows, before turning towards Luna. “Would you consider honor to be one of their ‘tropes’?”

“Somewhat - like I said, each tribe was unique,” she said. “However, I can say that they never went out of their way to be cruel.”

“Wouldn’t really make sense for them to... eliminate the hostages, either,” Shepard said. “If they did and we left the island, we’d just come back, and there wouldn’t be any bargaining from then on.”

“Agreed,” Picard said. “However, Minister Leia is correct - we have to find a way to open a dialogue with these Thestrals if we’re going to resolve the situation.”

“They don’t seem like they’re in a talking mood,” Shepard said. “They know that we know what they want, and that might be enough for them.”

“Maybe,” Leia said, striking a thinking pose and looking Luna’s way. “Though I have an idea. CN, you sound like you sympathized with the Thestrals quite a bit, even when you weren’t, er, transformed.”

“That is correct,” Luna said. “I frequently advocated for them, both past and present.”

Leia smiled. “Then there might be one person in the Federation they’d consider talking to.”

“No more talking! Not now, human!” Teyla hissed, wincing as she sauntered over to Riker’s cage.

“I just said ‘hello’,” Riker said, taken aback.

“Eh, I wouldn’t bug her, commander,” Sheppard said casually. “I’ve seen her like this before - her and the others - she’s got a killer migraine.”

“Killer being the appropriate word,” she growled angrily, hastily sliding a few bowls of fruit salad into the cage.

“Well that’s curious,” Tasha said. “Your friend came in earlier and he had one, too.”

“And a bunch of them had even worse ones a few days back,” Sheppard explained, keeping his voice down.

“Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Teyla roared, rubbing her temples. “How is this even possible? We destroyed your weapon!”

“Wait a minute…” Riker said, squinting in thought. “A few days ago. That’s when--” His eyes finally widened in realization. “You thought the radar dish was a weapon?”

“Is that what you call that infernal device!?” Teyla hissed. “Ray-dar? I warn you, if we find you repaired it, my people may not be so merciful this time. Your weapon nearly killed one of us before. If Ronon had been there at the time--”

“Hang on, time out,” Riker interrupted.. “The radar isn’t a weapon, for one thing.”

Teyla rolled her yellow diamond eyes. “And Thestrals steal children out of the womb. How stupid do you think we are? If it’s not a weapon, then why did the pain stop when we destroyed it the first time?”

“It’s true,” Sheppard explained. “It’s used for detecting airborne objects; planes, airships, skyships, really well thrown frisbees…”

“Why would you need a device to do the work your eyes could?” Teyla growled.

“It’s for long range detection,” Riker said. “They’re still new, but we’ve been installing them everywhere. They sort of work like… like an early warning signal.”

“A… warning signal?” Teyla said, her tone softening somewhat.

“The Federation doesn’t go looking for fights,” Tasha explained. “But sometimes they come to us. We’ve been attacked by the Klingons, the Romulans, the Goa’uld …”

“The point,” Riker said, cutting her off. “Is that if we’re about to be attacked, we need to know about it.”

“And they have the convenient benefit of making it sound like there’s a drum beating in our heads,” Teyla groaned. “Must have been a nice discovery.”

“No, not at all,” Riker said, sympathetically. “Like I said, they’re new devices. There was some talk about them affecting bird flight patterns and things like that, but it was never proven. We had no idea this would happen.”

“Though we’re sorry it did,” Sheppard said softly.

“We should have tested them more thoroughly,” Tasha said, to Riker more than Teyla. “How could we be so sloppy?”

“I don’t know,” Riker sighed. “But we need to fix this.”

“I’d…” Teyla said, hesitantly. “I’d like to believe you, but I’d need proof.”

“Your friend,” Riker said. “Ronan, right? He seems to know a thing or two. He’s not from here, is he?”

Teyla remained silent.

“If he knows how to use the warpgate, he could travel to other Federation bases. Maybe some where there’s no Thestrals around. That would at least prove they weren’t created to hurt you.”

“Perhaps,” Teyla said.

“One thing I don’t get,” Sheppard said. “If the radar is what’s doing this, then why are they still in bad shape?”

“The Enterprise ,” Riker said, figuring it out almost immediately. “The Enterprise has its own radar. They were due to arrive around now - they must be near the island.”

“Then they must turn around,” Teyla demanded, once again wincing. “This pain is unbearable!”

“If we could talk with them,” Tasha offered. “Let them know what’s going on…”

“And give up our only bargaining chip?!” Teyla said. “I said I’d like to trust you, not that I do .”

“Look, I don’t know what it is you’re planning on doing here,” Sheppard said. “Even if you managed to use us to keep the Federation from Farpoint and keep our airships away, what’s gonna happen if someone else takes the island? The Klingons have eyes on this place. Do you think they’re gonna give two craps about hostages?”

“You’re speaking in hypotheticals,” Teyla argued. “Even if everything you’re saying is true, it seems like you need these… these radars to protect yourselves. Do you truly believe the Federation would put itself at risk for... for us ?”

Her last words were filled with sorrow.

“We would,” Tasha said. “And if we didn’t, I’d smash the radar myself.”

“That makes two of us,” Riker said.

“Ditto,” Shepard said. “Er, Tritto?”

With those words, it was as if something clicked in Teyla’s mind. Riker could see it in her eyes: the spark of clarity.

“You wanna do what?” Ronon said, gazing at Teyla incredulously.

The two of them along with Teyla’s confidant, Halling, met in a small chamber in their cave network. Bags hung under Ronan’s eyes, but his focus was still perfectly clear.

“I wish to speak with this… Enterprise’s captain,” Teyla repeated.

“I thought we agreed we didn’t need to,” Ronon said. “They should already know the terms. Leave the island, the hostages go free.”

Teyla glanced away from him. “I’m not so certain that is the best route to go anymore.”

Ronon narrowed his eyes. “You were talking with them again, weren’t you? What did they say? That if you just asked the Federation to leave, they’d be on their merry way?”

“No,” Teyla said quickly. “No, convincing them to leave would be difficult. However, their device…”

“Isn’t a weapon,” Ronon said.

“Yes,” she said, before doing a double take. “Wait, you knew?!”

Ronan bobbed his head back and forth. “I never said it was. You did.”

“But you never--”

“Because there’d be no point,” Ronon said. “It might not be a sword, but you better believe it’s a shield. No warrior in their right mind would give that up. Not if it’s what’s keeping them from getting gutted.”

“What if we simply demanded they keep their radars off Farpoint?” Halling suggested. “Then the hostages go free?”

“Weren’t you paying attention? Their radars help keep them safe. They wouldn’t give them up,” Ronon argued. “Either way, better not let them know exactly what this is all about. They might figure it out themselves, but by the time they do, we’d have already made a fortress out of this place.”

“It isn’t that simple,” Teyla said. “Their skyships: they have… they have radar of their own.”

Halling furrowed his brow. “That complicates things.”

“Yuh huh,” Ronon said, wiggling his wings. “Yep, don’t see anything we could do about skyships. Not like we can fly or anything.”

Teyla gave him a blank look. “Ronon…”

“I’m just saying,” he said. “Remember, we’re invisible to anyone who hasn’t seen death. Even if only half the people on that ship were green, if we wait for a cloudy night, we could probably sneak aboard, mess with a few systems, and then…”

Teyla’s eyes widened in horror. “That could kill… thousands of them.”

“Humans aren’t really much better than the Wraith,” Ronon said bluntly. “And I’ve never had much problem killing them. Sure, they might not suck the soul right outa ya’, but what they do isn’t better. They kill the land, air, and sea wherever they go - polluting it, enslaving it, doing whatever they want without a care in the world. That’s to say nothing about what they do to each other. Throw a gold nugget on the ground and two of them will fight to the death to get it.”

Teyla shook her head. “I’m just not sure--”

“Look, not saying your people would have to do it,” Ronon said softly. “The Setadan Tribe owes you one. You took us in after the Wraith slaughtered us - got us back on our feet. Letting us protect you would go a long way to returning the favor.”

“And what if something goes wrong?” Teyla said. “What if you fail? Or what if you succeed but half of you are killed? Do you think we want that on our consciences?”

“It wouldn’t need to be.”

“It would be, no matter what you say,” Teyla said. “And if humanity truly is evil, what do you think they’d do if you took down one of their skyships? If you did take heavy losses and they responded, what would happen then?”

“I’m not sayin’ it’s going to be easy,” Ronan sighed. “Or that we’d all make it back. But it’s less risky than trying to make friends.”

“There’s still the third option,” Halling said.

“Run away?” Ronan laughed. “Haven’t Thestrals done that enough? Even if we found a place off the map, everyone’s been expanding everywhere - wouldn’t be long before we got cornered. No, we should make a stand here. Make this a haven for Thestrals everywhere.”

Before Teyla could respond, she heard the flapping of wings - the pitter-patter of webbed feet.

“S-Sorry to bother you, Wise One Teyla,” a newcomer huffed, rushing into the chamber. He was a young Thestral, barely a teenager. Like the trio’s, his eyes wore heavy bags as well. “But I spotted something in town earlier--”

“Jinto?” Halling said, concerned. “Are you alright, my son? How are you feeling?”

“Fine, father,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I already told you: I’ve gotten used to the migraines.”

“What is it you wanted to say, Jinto?” Teyla asked.

He took a deep breath, still clearly out of it. “It’s her, Teyla. I couldn’t believe it when I first saw, but she looks just like the old paintings.”

Halling raised his eyebrows. “Who did you see?”

“The Night Princess,” Jinto spoke eagerly. “She was calling for us - says she knows we’re listening.”

Ronon folded his arms. “What did she want?”

Jinto smiled widely. “To speak with us.”

The Hardest Road

Chapter Image

Luna drew quite a commotion as she walked through the small village center of Farpoint (Farpoint Island’s original colonists weren’t too great at original names). Though most of the civilians and Federation naval personnel spoke in whispers, it wasn’t hard for her elven ears to pick up what they were saying.

“Who the bumpkins is that?” one said.

“Wait, wait, I think I know her,” another replied.

“Yeah right. There’s no way in hell you know a girl like that, Harold.”

“Not like that, Kumar, I meant like I’ve seen her before. In the newspaper or something.”

“You dudes need to get out more,” a tired looking man said. “That’s Princess Luna for crying out loud. Well, former.”

“Former? Was she ousted or something?” Kumar asked.

“Naw, stepped down for Princess Twilight to take her place,” the man said.

A balding, stout-looking dwarf laughed out loud at that. “Princess Twilight? The five hells? Is there a Princess Morning, too?”

“Shut up, Frank,” an elven woman groaned. “Their culture has weird names - deal with it.”

“Why should I have to deal with it?” Frank pouted. “They’re the ones with weird names.”

“You would put it like that, wouldn’t you?” she said. “Ugh, dwarves .”

“Oh, now who’s being insensitive?”

Yet another person spoke up: “Hold up, though. I thought Equestria went 100% democracy. Why do they still have a princess?”

“They’re a parliamentary monarchy - princess is an honorary title,” Harold explained.

“Then what’s the point of having a princess at all if she can’t do nothing?” Kumar asked. “Also, shouldn’t she be a queen if she runs the place? Er, formerly ran the place?”

Finally, Luna had had enough. With a vein about to throb on her forehead, she turned towards the commentators. “Art thou finished?” she growled.

The group quickly silenced themselves, gazing away at her. Ths was save for the apparent bravest among the bunch - a Federation naval officer with the name badge ‘Lorne’. “Sorry about that, miss, just trying to clear some things up.”

Luna let out a deep sigh. “It is… alright. For the record, my… my sister and I stepped down for Princess Twilight to take our place many moons ago. Then... things happened and Equestria moved towards democracy.”

“You mean when your sister went missing?” the same elven woman from earlier called, before turning sheepish. “Oh, crap, sorry.”

Luna shivered slightly, glancing away from her.

“So without her influence, Twilight - still a weird name, by the way - couldn’t hold back the tides of progress, eh?” Frank said.

This time, a vein really did throb on her forehead. “It did not happen that way!”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say,” the dwarf laughed. “Well, you ain’t making any decrees here, princess. You hear that?”

“Frank! Shut the-”

“ENOUGH!” Luna finally roared, her voice practically a thunderclap.

The group practically collapsed at that. Not another word was spoken.

“Chief Navigator, is everything alright?” Picard’s voice echoed through her hand-held radio. “They heard thatfrom the Normander.”

Luna closed her eyes, pressing the transmit button on her radio. “Yes, Captain, everything is fine.”

“Worf and Shepard are still standing by. Are you sure you don’t want a security escort?”

“No, captain - I need to do this alone. There are already enough people around as it is - they may not appear if there are more.” She then raised her voice once more, shouting towards the surrounding woodland with what seemed to be a built-in megaphone. “ I KNOW YOU’RE LISTENING!”she called. “AND WE KNOW YOU HAVE OUR PEOPLE! YET WE DO NOT NEED TO QUARREL! COME SPEAK WITH ME! WE CAN, AS THEY SAY, WORK THIS OUT!”

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the elves among the group of onlookers wince. “By the light, why is she yelling?!”

“Pffft, you call that yelling?” Frank laughed. “Friggin’ pansy elves.”

“I am sorry,” Luna apologized. “I’m here on official Federation business; Enterprise business, to be specific.”

“The Enterprise?” one of the onlookers wearing a Skyfleet Medical uniform said. “They’re here already?”

“How else did she get here, newbie? She couldn’t have flown that far,” another medical officer said, stepping forward. “I’m Dr. Cox, soon to be Chief Medical Officer aboard the Enterprise. I’m guessing Mr. Worf already told you about what’s going on?”

“Situation?” Frank the Dwarf asked. “What situation?”

“A ‘none of your business’ kind of situation,” Dr. Cox growled.

Luna couldn’t help but smile slightly at that. “Indeed, Dr. Cox. Please, if you could help me get everyone out of sight-”

“Say no more,” the muscular doctor said, before turning towards the ten or so onlookers. He then stuck two fingers in his mouth and made a whistling sound nearly as loud as Luna’s shouts. “Alright lookie-loos and lookie-looettes, you heard the lady. If anyone isn’t indoors within the next ten seconds I’m going to start performing a proctology exams with my boot. Get the jist?”

The group paused, half-baffled and half-fearful.

“GET THE JIST?!” Dr. Cox roared.

“Sir, yes, sir!” one of the military personnel said sheepishly. Without any protest, they along with the rest of the group made their way into the various wooden structures surrounding them.

Dr. Cox gave a satisfied smile, before turning towards ‘newbie’. “Come on, newbie, that means us, too.”

“Do you think you can teach me how to whistle like that?” he said hopefully.

Dr. Cox gave him a blank look, before ‘guiding’ him into the nearby pub and grill.

Luna then took a deep breath, gazing at her surroundings. It would be awhile before the Thestrals responded, if they were to respond at all, so she reached for her radio.

“Captain?” she said.

“Yes?”

“Thank you for this,” she said solemnly.

“You don’t need to thank me,” Picard responded. “This was the natural course to take; the quickest way to resolve the situation peacefully.”

“Still, not everyone would be willing to give the Thestrals the benefit of the doubt,” Luna said. “My people, for instance…”

“Actions taken a thousand years ago do not reflect on who you are now,” Picard said. “What we were yesterday is not who we are today.”

“Perhaps that can be said for all of us,” Luna smiled.

“Indeed.”

There was a fairly lengthy moment of silence. Luna was about to give up hope. Then, her ear perked at the sound of rustling brush. On the opposite side of the village center, three figures moved into view.

Luna’s eyes widened at the sight. Not only were two Thestrals now visible, but a third figure, a young Skyfleet officer, as well. This was not out of her free will, however, for one of the Thestrals was holding what seemed to be a pistol to her forehead.

“Alright, princess,” the male Thestral doing the deed hissed. “You wanted us? Here we are.”

“Ronon…” a female sighed. “Perhaps a little respect?”

“Giving away respect isn’t my style, Teyla,” Ronon said. “It has to be earned."

Luna took a deep breath, trying to compose herself and clear her thoughts. “I am… happy you came. But is the hostage really necessary?”

The hostage piped up. “It’s alright, um--”

“Luna, Chief Navigator of the Enterprise,” she replied.

“Right,” the hostage nodded. “I’m Tasha Yar, Chief of Security. Not really doing that great of a job at the moment, as you can see… However, I really don’t think they mean any harm.”

“Uh huh,” Ronon said. “Keep telling yourself that. Walk!”

He shoved her forward, earning a wince from Teyla. Within moments, the two parties stood before each other on the dusty streets of Farpoint.

“I see you’ve given up your ancestral style of names,” Luna said. “Teyla? Ronon? Much different from things like ‘High Pitch’ and ‘Midnight Blossom’.”

“Times change,” Ronon said. “Just like you have.”

Luna winced. “If you’re referring to domestic matters, know that I tried with all my power to end your exile.”

Ronon laughed in her face. “You think that’s what I’m talking about? What makes you think we’d even want to come back to that place?”

“Ronon, we are not here to dig up old corpses,” Teyla said.

Luna raised an eyebrow. “Or make any, I hope.”

Tasha gave her a look.

“Sorry, that was in bad taste,” Luna said, before clearing her throat. “However, I do believe Ms. Yar. Is this really the path you want to take?”

“Now you sound like that Klingon,” Teyla said, folding her arms. “As I told him, we did not choose it, your Federation did.”

“The one you happily jumped in bed with,” Ronon growled.

“It was not my decision,” Luna said. “Equestria is a democracy now. They chose that path.”

Teyla furrowed her brow. “If it still was, would you have?”

Luna blinked, glancing away from her. “It’s… complicated. The Federation, though it likes to say otherwise, is mainly dominated by humans. Given their past, I’m still not sure if I trust them completely. However, I do sincerely believe they want to be better than they were.”

“That seems a bit optimistic,” Teyla said.

“It’s the truth!” Tasha said. “Do you think we could build something like the Federation without a change in attitude?"

“Yap yap yap,” Ronon groaned. “That’s all you got, isn’t it?”

“Even if you believe that, I’m not sure--” Teyla suddenly paused for some reason, rubbing her temples.

“Are you alright?” Luna asked, sincerely.

“No,” Teyla said, still looking pained. “Terrible, actually.”

“What is wrong?” Luna said.

Teyla raised her eyebrows, glancing towards Ronon, then back at Luna. “So, you don’t know?”

Luna glanced at her pensively. “Know what?”

“What this is all about,” she continued.

Ronon shook his head. “Teyla, don’t.”

“No,” Teyla said. “If we are to talk, we need to put everything on the table.”

“Good,” Luna said, satisfied. “The root of the matter. You’re wondering why I’m here, yes? To tell you the truth, it was the humans’ idea. We need to know exactly why you want us off Farpoint in the first place. We seem to have done something to harm you, but we don’t know what it is.”

Teyla thought for a moment, before glancing at Tasha, nodding. “Go ahead.”

“It’s our radar,” Tasha said. “We should have tested the damned things more. The signal it gives off, it’s affecting these Thestrals. It seems to be giving them severe migraines. And I don’t mean something that you can just coffee away. Luna, they say it almost killed one of them already.”

Luna’s eyes widened. “Is this true?” she asked Teyla.

She nodded. “Unfortunately. We’re still not sure exactly what happened, but we do know the pain didn’t help.”

“Damnit, Teyla,” Ronon spat. “You shouldn’t have let her say that. Now that they know--”

“We can work to fix the problem,” Luna said.

“What are you going to do?” Ronon laughed. “Stop using radar wherever Thestrals live? You need them to cover your asses, don’t you? Wouldn’t make any strategic sense to give em’ up.”

“I don’t know,” Luna said, closing her eyes. “However, I do believe I can help you now if my assumption is correct...”

Teyla glanced at her curiously, perhaps even with a hint of trust in her eyes. “What do you have in mind?”

Without another word, Luna reached for her radio. “Captain, I need you to move the Enterprise further away from Farpoint.”

There was a pause before the response came. “Any particular reason why?”

“I can’t say - not now,” Luna spoke. “I just need you to... I just need you to trust me.”

“You are aware that if something were to happen, help will be even slower to arrive, yes?”

Luna smiled slightly. “Don’t worry, captain, I can take care of myself.”

Another pause. Ronon tapped his foot impatiently.

“Very well, CN,” Picard finally responded. “We’ve begun distancing ourselves another klick at maximum thrust. It will still take a few minutes, however. ”

“Wait,” Teyla said, looking as if she had just dipped herself into a soothing hotspring. “I can… I can already feel it.”

“Same,” Ronon said reluctantly.

“See?” Tasha said. “I told you Captain Picard would listen.”

“Doesn’t change anything,” Ronon growled. “If anyone tries anything funny, you still die.”

“Ronon, enough already,” Teyla groaned. “I realize you’re trying to help, but we are making progress here.”

“Uh huh,” Ronon said, narrowing his eyes. “We still haven’t gotten at the meat of the issue here.” He then glanced at Luna. “I’d like to trust you, princess, but I’ve got no reason to trust humans anymore than Equestrians, and if you had any sense, you wouldn’t either.”

“My people have shown me great kindness since my return,” Luna said. “They seem more accepting than they once were. As for the humans, they are… different from what I expected.” She then smiled slightly and, surprising even herself, added: “Especially Captain Picard. I do not believe he means harm towards anyone.”

To Luna’s delight, Teyla’s face was now filled with more curiosity than malice. “Would this… Picard be willing to talk to us?”

“Let me find out,” Luna said, turning on her radio. “Captain, the Thestrals formally wish to meet with you.”

His response was almost immediate. “It would be my pleasure."

Of Words and Actions

Chapter Image

At the largest table in Paddy’s Pub & Grill, the two sides sat opposite of one another. The tension in the room was palpable, but despite it all, Picard himself was able to keep calm as he usually was in such high-stakes situations.

“As a gesture of good faith,” Teyla said, speaking first. “Ronon and I have agreed to allow the one known as Tasha Yar to go free.”

Tasha smiled, sitting next to Picard at the table.

“Believe me, it took some convincing,” Ronon mumbled.

“We know it wasn’t easy for you,” Leia said, sitting on Picard’s left. “We sincerely appreciate it.”

“Don’t forget that we have two more of your people,” Ronon said bluntly. “And it’s going to take a hell of a lot more than--”

“What my friend here is trying to say,” Teyla interrupted in a cool tone. “Is that we are going to need something from you before we consider releasing them.”

“Indeed,” Picard said. “Well, let’s not beat around the bush, then.” He glanced at the young man sitting a ways from him. “Doctor?”

JD remained silent, looking like he was off in his own little world.

“Doctor?” Picard repeated, annoyed.

With a shake of his head, JD seemed to snap out of it, realizing where he was. Then, to the bafflement of the entire room, he announced: “We’re really going to need a lot more ice cream.”

Picard face-palmed… slowly. “What?”

“He does a lot of daydreaming,” Tasha explained.

“I see,” Picard said, narrowing his eyes.

“Sorry about that,” JD said. “Oh, and Dr. Cox, uh… is also surprisingly sorry for not being here.”

“Why is that, again?” Picard asked.

“He’s busy dealing with a patient in intensive care,” JD said. “Says I’m better with the ‘touchy-feely’ stuff, anyway.”

Tasha raised her eyebrows, smiling slightly. “So he does respect you.”

“In his own way,” JD said. “Though he also said he wouldn’t be able to see the Thestrals since he’s never killed a patient before.”

“Jerk with a heart of jerk,” Tasha sighed.

“Heart of gold,” JD corrected. “It’s just really, really deep down in there.”

“I’m… not sure if I should be offended by all of that,” Teyla blinked.

“Doctor,” Leia said impatiently.

“Sorry, sorry. Anyway, we spent half the day brainstorming, and we believe we know how the radar is harming the Thestrals so badly. Naturally, we’d need to run a few physical exams-”

“Not happening,” Ronon said.

“-to confirm, but with studies done on… related species...”

“Bats, you mean,” Commander Shepard (One P) said bluntly.

Teyla gave her a look.

“Hey, we’re all trying to be honest here,” she said.

“Enough interruptions already,” Picard growled, sharing Teyla’s look of annoyance. “Doctor, continue.”

“Er, yes,” JD coughed. “To simplify, EMF fields such as the ones produced by our radar can create a small thermal increase in the skins of various species. In certain cases, this can affect the rate of blood flow. While laboratory studies have shown the effect doesn’t seem to do much more than create mild discomfort in most animals, we think that the effect might be amplified on Thestrals for… some reason.”

“So the heat it creates is affecting blood flow,” Picard summarized. “If I recall correctly, variations in it can cause severe migraines. And I’m assuming that may not be the only ill effect it can have on the body.”

“Yes,” JD said. And with a calm and caring tone, he continued with: “Irregular blood flow can lead to all kinds of life-threatening conditions if it’s intense enough; which it could be, depending on Thestral physiology.” He then glanced towards Teyla. “Kind of a weird question, but do you know if Thestrals have… really low body temperatures?”

Teyla looked at Ronon, then back at JD. “Some say our touch is as cold as the grave.”

“That’s… an interesting way of putting it,” JD said.

Luna smiled at that. “I always thought it was pretty... What’s the slang term? Cool?”

Shepard gave her a blank look. “Was that a pun?”

Luna blinked in confusion. “Huh? No, I just like the gothic connotations of it.”

“Figures,” Leia chuckled.

“Alright, so we’re beginning to figure out why,” Teyla said. “Now the question is: do you intend to act on this information?”

“CM?” Picard said, glancing towards Leia.

“Don’t gotta tell me twice,” she smirked, pointing to a large textbook before her labelled, ‘Charter of the United Federation Species ’ She then gazed at the Thestrals pensively. “Do you know the significance of this document?”

The two Thestrals shook their heads.

“It is a set of guidelines that defines Federation policy,” she said. “Note that it is not a book of laws. It is, in fact, what guides the making of them. They represent everything that the Federation stands for. All of our ambitions revolve around it. All of our hopes and dreams.”

“Colorful speech,” Ronon said. “But it’s just a bunch of words. The speech and the book. Hell, we don’t even know if it’s for real.”

“You really think she just pulled a five hundred page document out of her ass in like five hours?” Commander Shepard said, chuckling. “Sorry, but nobody on the crew can type that fast.”

“Shepard…” Picard sighed.

“Sorry, captain,” she said. “I’ll behave myself better.”

“Thank you,” Picard said.

“To tell you the truth,” Ronon said, actually managing a slight smile. “It was the most real thing said so far. I liked it.”

“You would,” Teyla said in a light-hearted tone, gaining a smirk from Ronon.

To Picard’s surprise, the group actually shared a light chuckle, and thus, the tension in the room eased dramatically. He couldn’t help but nod appreciatively Shepard’s way.

‘She may have her own style of diplomacy, but at least she’s not incapable of it.’

“I only brought this because I know you don’t trust us,” Leia said. “That much is obvious. However, you do seem to know a bit about us. Therefore, I challenge you to find anything in the charter that the Federation has knowingly contradicted so far.”

Ronon glanced at her, then at the book. “Still not sure if this isn’t just a big trick.”

“If you trust me, Ronon,” Luna said softly. “Then trust me when I say that this is, indeed, the official Federation Charter.” Her voice then went deadpan. “Believe me. I had to memorize the entire thing before graduating from Skyfleet.”

Shepard smirked slightly. “You don’t like a little light reading?”

“Not unless it’s Marx Twain,” Luna said.

“The point,” Leia interrupted. “Is that this charter is quite important to us. We don’t just throw it aside when it becomes inconvenient. And in the charter...” She quickly turned a couple hundred of pages before setting her finger on a small section. “Is a section relevant to this exchange. Wise One Teyla, could you recite it for us?”

She glanced back and forth, before frowning slightly. “I’m afraid I do not know your written word.”

“I do,” Ronon said, sighing heavily. “Give it here.” Leia passed it to him, and Ronon cleared his throat. “Gonna say right here and now I hate reading long text, but here goes.” He took a deep breath. “The Federation shall, under no circumstances, make harm towards any other lifeforms, be it on an individual, cultural, or species-wide basis. Even in times of war, force shall never be excessive and never more than what is needed to restore the peace.” Ronon then raised his eyebrows. “Long-winded much?”

“It’s worded in that way so there would be no question as to its intent,” Picard said.

“Alright, but couldn’t our actions towards you be considered an act of war, though?” Teyla asked skeptically.

“No,” Leia said, shaking her head. “Though it was accidental, we were the ones who made the first strike, which means the owness is on us to restore the peace at all costs. And as Ronon just read, we also, accidently, violated its spirit in terms of harming other lifeforms. Our radar’s effect on you qualifies as that, yes?”

“Perhaps,” Teyla said. “However, from what we understand, these radar devices help you almost as much as they harm us. Without them, you would not know an attack is coming.”

“It would put us at a slight disadvantage,” Picard admitted. “However, we are at peace with the Klingons at the moment, and before radar, we had other ways of anticipating attacks.”

“So, your Commander Riker wasn’t lying, it seems,” Teyla said, almost in disbelief. “You would… you would be willing to keep them off Farpoint?”

“Until we can find a way to keep them from being so destructive,” Leia said. “Yes.” Then in a warm tone, she continued with. “The Federation isn’t perfect. We’re more pacifistic than for our own good sometimes.” She gave Picard a sideways glance at that. “However, we do stand by our words: we mean no harm to anyone.”

Ronon still held a skeptical look. “What if the Klingons have their teeth around your neck? Would you still say the same thing?”

Commander Shepard spoke up at that. “Look, to be honest, I don’t like the idea of getting rid of any at all. However, if the Klingons had us beaten down that hard, it’d be because of a lot more than us getting rid of one radar.”

“Just this one? What about radar near other Thestral colonies?” Teyla asked.

“And don’t even think about asking for us to tell you where they are,” Ronon glared.

“You won’t need to,” Picard responded. “I will recommend to the Federation Council that we remove any radar near areas where Thestrals have been sighted. And you have my absolute assurance that Farpoint’s radar will remain disabled until further notice.”

“In addition, any ships approaching the island will be ordered to disable their built-in radars until they’ve cleared the area,” Leia added.

“You’re… you’re serious about this, aren’t you?” Teyla said hopefully. “Getting rid of your security… for us?”

“To be honest,” Picard said. “I wish we had met you under better circumstances. The primary mission of Skyfleet is to seek out new life and learn from it. I’m sure there’s plenty we can learn from you .”

“Many of us would not be too enthusiastic about interacting with other peoples just yet,” Teyla said warily.

“The Federation will interact as much or as little with you as you want,” Leia said. “Hell, you could even become citizens if you wanted.”

“No,” Ronon said bluntly.

“Ahem,” Teyla said. “What is that human saying? ‘Baby steps’? I think that applies here. That being said, though many among us may not wish to get to know you...” She then paused, standing up. “I am not one of them.”

Surprising Picard, she held a hand out. And for the first time since taking command of the Enterprise, he couldn’t help but feel elated. With a firm grasp, he shook. It was, indeed, cold as the bone, but the warmth of the moment easily melted through it.

“Teyla,” Ronon said, concerned. “You sure about this? It’s all happening kind of quickly.”

“Yes,” Teyla said. “Yes, I am. If you could, go ahead and release our two… guests.”

“Blindfolded?” Ronon asked.

“Mmm, indeed,” Teyla said, looking at Picard apologetically. “It is nothing personal, but as I said--”

“I fully understand, Wise One Teyla,” Picard interrupted, still smiling widely. “Believe me, ‘baby steps’ is better than no steps at all.”

“Damn, captain,” Shepard said. “Don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy.”

“Same,” Leia said, raising her eyebrows.

“I cannot blame him. This… this is amazing!” Luna said, joy filling her tone for the first time since Picard had met her. “We’re making more progress than even I did so long ago!”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re all best friends now,” Ronon groaned, turning to leave.

“Ronon?” Teyla said.

“No point in me sticking around,” he said. “Plus, I gotta clear your cave of the other humans.”

“Be nice.”

“To them? Sure.” He was now at the door. However, before he exited, he turned one more time to Picard, looking him over. “Keep in mind, though, captain, that my tribe doesn’t take broken promises laying down. We’re everywhere, and we’ll be watching. If you break your word, make no mistake, there won’t be anywhere on Hyporia you can hide. I’ll find you and I will kill you.”

Tasha quickly stood up from the table, looking like she was about to pounce on the Thestral.

“Tasha?” Picard said, flabbergasted by what was going on.

“Sorry sir, as Chief of Security, I can’t take threats like that lightly.”

“I am in agreement,” Teyla said. “Ronon, that was out of line.”

“I vowed to protect your people, Teyla,” Ronon said simply. “And I’m gonna do it whether you like it or not.” He then turned towards Tasha, smirking slightly. “You wanna protect your captain? Make sure he keeps his word. Cus I’ll keep mine. ”

Tasha merely responded with a glare.

Ignoring it, he then turned towards Luna, his tone softening slightly. “But I gotta say: despite it all, it was worth it to see a legend in the flesh.”

“Did I live up to it, child of the night?” Luna asked, a slight bit of tears in her eyes.

Ronon opened his mouth as if he were about to say something, but instead only smirked once more. “We’ll see.”

And without another word, he left the pub.

“Captain Picard,” Teyla said almost immediately afterwards. “Allow me to apologize for his behavior. He means well, he’s just…”

“Temperamental?” Shepard said.

“That would be an understatement,” Teyla laughed.

“It is not the first time I’ve been threatened nor will it be the last,” Picard said diplomatically. “However, at least in this case, the threat was meant for a good cause.”

Teyla blinked, gazing at him with a mix of confusion and respect. “You have a very… philosophical view of the world, captain.”

“Comes with the job,” Picard said.

She chuckled. “Well, if all captains take their jobs so seriously, then the Federation might not be so bad after all.“

Picard merely smiled in return.

Teyla then faced Luna. “As for you, my princess, though Ronon didn’t want to admit it, I’ll say it for him: you did live up to the legend. It was an honor to meet you.”

“The honor is mine,” Luna said softly.

Teyla lifted a finger. “There is something you brought up I’m worried about, however.”

“Oh?” Picard said, a hint of apprehension in his voice.

“The Klingons,” she said. “I’m concerned about what would happen if they took the island. And without your radar device…”

“As said, we can make due without it,” Picard said. “We will simply need to devote more naval vessels to the area for patrols.”

“I trust you will do what you can to protect the island,” Teyla said. “However…”

Shepard raised her eyebrows. “You want a stake in it.”

Teyla merely nodded.

Shepard grinned in return. “I think we can work something out.”

Captain’s Log, SFD 53.1932

It is with great joy that I may report that all hostages taken by our new Thestral friends have been released. This includes a grateful Major Sheppard, the flight officer previously kidnapped by them. Noting an absence of a pilot’s position aboard the Enterprise, he has opted to join the crew. Normally, I wouldn’t be open to a last minute transfer, but Commander Riker speaks quite highly of him. I only hope that CommanderShepard will excuse the confusion this may create in communications, but such is the life in Skyfleet.

In the meantime, Commander Riker will be joining me in my ready room for an informal debriefing. Despite the tense situation it created, I do believe he and his team handled themselves quite well, though whether he believes that himself is still a mystery.

“I refuse to believe you had no hand in smoothing the tension with the Thestrals,” Picard said, shaking his head as he sat at his desk, Riker across from him. “This is no time to be modest, Number One.”

“Whatever credit we can take isn’t much compared to what you, CN Luna and CM Leia did,” Riker said. “We owe our freedom to you.”

“I just want you to understand that what happened does not reflect poorly on you,” Picard said. “Mr. Worf seemed to blame himself, and I don’t know why. From all available reports, everyone involved handled things appropriately.”

“Worf’s a fine officer,” Riker said. “Though he can be a bit too hard on himself sometimes. Not sure if it’s a Klingon thing or just his own.”

“Regardless, all I can say is that I’m happy things worked out so smoothly,” Picard said, before smirking slightly. “And… interestingly.”

“Sir?”

“Let’s just say I didn’t expect the trip to Farpoint to be so… eventful,” Picard continued. “Forgive me, but it was actually a nice surprise.”

Riker chuckled. “Glad to be of service, captain. I’ll have to get captured more often.”

Picard chuckled at that. “In all seriousness, we did come out of the situation better than where we started.”

“I suppose,” Riker admitted. “I think losing a few radars is worth making contact with a new species.” He gazed at Picard pensively. "And satisfying that Q character you mentioned. Should we… should we be more concerned about him?"

"I do believe he was powerful," Picard states. "However, if we had failed his trial, we'd have known by now. Really, I don't want to give that matter much more thought - we can't afford to be second guessing ourselves all day."

"True," Riker nodded. "Oh, and I've heard Wise One Teyla has offered to lead patrols around Farpoint. Is that correct?"

"Indeed," Picard said. "It certainly made the admiralty happy knowing they wouldn't need to divert too many ships."

“After how much we hurt the Thestrals,” Riker said, shaking his head in bafflement. “It’s certainly generous of them.”

“Mhm,” Picard said. “I can only hope it’s the beginning of a more large-scale relationship with them.”

“Just a shame we couldn’t make friends with all of them,” Riker said. “I’m almost certain Ronon’s tribe know how to use those warpgates.”

“So, you believe they can be used for travel as well?”

Riker hesitated. “I didn’t at first, but now? I’m pretty sure the legends are true.”

“I share that belief. It’s a shame we can’t determine it at the moment, but perhaps Teyla’s people know its secrets, too,” Picard suggested. “However, we won’t push them into anything - if they wish to teach us, they should be the ones to make the first move.”

“‘The road of trust takes time to pave,’” Riker said.

“Sounds like a quote of T’Pol’s,” Picard said.

“Yes, sir,” Riker smiled. “Wrote a paper on her at Skyfleet Academy.”

“I’ll have to read it one of these days,” Picard offered, before leaning back in his chair slightly. “However, for now …”

“A little R&R?”

“Take the chance while you still can,” Picard said. “Remember, we’re heading into the unknown. Who knows what might happen?”

“That sounds like a plan if I’ve ever heard it,” Riker said. “I think I’ll go check out the cafeteria. But Captain …”

“Yes?”

“It was a pleasure to finally meet you,” he said formally.

“You as well, Number One.”

Without any more fanfare, Riker exited the room, leaving the captain’s only companion a stack of paperwork. However, before he began moving through it, there was a knock on his door.

“Come!” he called.

The door opened, and to his slight surprise, in peaked Princess Luna.

“CN Luna?” Picard said. “Please, come in. I actually wanted to speak with you.”

With that, she seemed to summon her courage, walking up to his desk. She was clearly out of her element. “I just thought… erm… well…”

Picard raised an eyebrow. Why was she acting so awkwardly all of a sudden… and why was she holding two teacups in her hands?

She coughed slightly. “Sorry. This… this isn’t easy for me, you know.”

“What isn’t easy?” Picard asked.

“Apologizing,” she said, offering a smile. “I’m not good at apologizing.”

Picard’s eyes widened ever so slightly, though he tried to hide his surprise the best he could. “Princess, you have nothing to apologize for. In fact, I’ve been wanting to thank you for how well you handled things on Farpoint. Without you I don’t think things would have turned out so ideally.”

At that, Luna’s posture performed a 180, going from tense to a state of relief. However, she still looked as if she had something to get off her mind. “I thank you very much for that, captain, but I still think I owe you an apology. Well, to be more accurate, I owe humanity an apology.”

“CN…” Picard said reassuringly. “Though I didn’t want to say it earlier, all that we are is a summation of our actions in the end. And until recently, that would cast a bad light on us.”

Luna smiled, before chuckling slightly. “‘What we were yesterday is not who we are today.’”

Picard gazed at her whimsically. “That quote was not my own, you know.”

Luna nodded. “My sister often said it.” She glanced away from Picard. “That was before…”

Picard looked at her sympathetically. “If it means anything, I do not believe a woman of her caliber is gone for good. She’s out there somewhere - along with the other missing VIPs. Who knows? We might be the ones to find them. And whoever abducted them will be brought to justice.”

“It is… part of the reason I’m here,” Luna admitted. She then gazed at the cups she was holding. “Anyway, I thought maybe you’d like to share a cup of tea with me? To, erm, seal the apology. You’re fine with two sugarcubes, yes?”

“Perfectly,” Picard said, giving another rare smile. “And I’d be delighted.”

He gestured towards a large, comfortable couch with a tea table in front, and the two took a seat, Luna handing him his tea. He took a quick whiff of the aroma and raised his eyebrows in surprise. The scent was deliciously familiar.

“Is this… Earl Grey Tea?” he asked, a hint of wonder in his voice.

Princess Luna nodded, taking a sip of her own. “Indeed, one of my favorites. Why? Is it not to your liking?”

With that, Picard found himself laughing for the first time in a while. “No, it’s quite fine.”

“And quite rare,” Princess Luna noted. “The leaves only grow in a very specific spot on the Terran Continent, from what I recall.”

“Indeed, near Ys, Gallia,” Picard said.

“You know of it?” Luna said in surprise.

“Of course, I was raised there,” Picard chuckled. “I must say, I’m surprised you have any. Logistics reported the capital city was completely devoid of it.”

She simpered slightly. “I might have had a hand in that, actually…”

“Oh?” Picard said.

“It’s possible that I… bought the last of it in the city,” she coughed.

She seemed to expect Picard to be angry with her, but instead he merely laughed. “Well, I suppose I can’t blame you: it’s quite the strong stuff.”

“Yet without the bitterness of that… coffee substance,” Luna noted. “If you enjoy it, you’re welcome to share in my stash. There’s more than enough for two people.”

Picard shook his head in bewilderment. His opinion on Princess Luna was already high, but now it was soaring.

“Princess Luna--”

“Please, just Luna,” she offered.

“Very well,” he said. “Luna, I believe you and I will get along just fine.”

Her smile widened at that. “R-Really?”

“I cannot deny the friendship of a fellow tea aficionado,” he stated bluntly. “And of a skilled officer.”

“Likewise, captain.”

And with a gaze of mutual respect, the two of them began to sip away.

Far away and where time stood still, three figures appeared in a flash of light. A supernaturally thick fog rolled around them, and ancient, near primordial trees loomed overhead. However, it didn’t seem to bother them. Their attention was focused only on each other. While it wouldn’t be easy to determine their moods, at the very least, their eyes still showed a hint of mutual respect.

Well, what could be called eyes in the case of one.

“Well, it would seem that your… pet? Shall we say? Has met your test, Q,” one of the figures spoke: a tall, pale-faced man in a sharp business suit.

“A ‘pet’ would imply a certain degree of affection,” Q stated. “I can’t say we’re there yet.” He then raised a finger. “However, though it took a little… prodding, he did perform above my expectations, along with the rest of their crew. I really need to stop underestimating dearest Luna.”

“Does this mean my… services, mmm, are no longer required?” the pale-faced man asked.

The third figure shifted at that, a ghastly skeletal menace cloaked in black. Though his eyes were nothing but black holes carved into his pale-white, cracked skull, they still bore into the other two in earnest. With a flick of his hands, the fog surrounding them began to coalesce into letters before him. Their message was simple: “ NO. BUT FOR NOW, THE EXPERIMENT MUST CONTINUE.”

The pale-faced man grinned wickedly. “Mr… Gaster. Let me just say how pleased… I am to hear this. If you believe… they will need extra help, I have someone, ahem, special in mind.”

“What you’re asking for in payment is too high,” Q said sternly. “I am not willing to go there until I’m sure the Enterprise can’t do this on its own. Don’t forget, she hasn’t consolidated her power yet, not completely.”

The pale-faced man merely chuckled darkly.

Gaster maneuvered his hands once more, and again, the fog formed into words before him. “TIME WILL SHRED ALL UNCERTAINTY.”

“Indeed it will,” Q said, narrowing his eyes. “Indeed it will.”

Floating Monument

World Map and Glossary

As twin full moons ascended above the small, tranquil Farpoint Island, a young Federation naval officer, Kumar Patel, stepped outside his radar station. As the device mounted on the small building twirled, he reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a self-rolled smokeleaf joint. Leaning against the side of the structure, he then reached for his flintlock lighter.

It was a warm night as it usually was on Farpoint, with a gentle light breeze adding to the comfort. Also as usual, his radar picked up no contacts. Perfect conditions for a little self-indulgence.

However, before he was able to do anything more, he heard the snap of a tree branch coming from the tropical forest surrounding him.

“Yo!” Kumar called. “Harold? That you?”

The chirp of crickets was the only response.

“Harold?” Kumar called again.

Again, there was nothing.

“Dude, quit screwing around and help me smoke this thing,” he groaned. “What took you so long, anyway? You pass a kidney stone or something?”

There was a noise this time, though it was only a familiar bird chirp.

‘Guess it was just that snipe again,’ Kumar thought, relaxing slightly. ‘Though what the hell is Harold-”

Before he could even finish the thought, he felt a sharp pain on the side of his head.

Only darkness followed.

Two days later and two thousand miles away, a new shadow loomed over the skyscrapers of Axis Mundi. Far below, among the hustle and bustle of numerous pedestrians, magitek automobiles, and trotting horses, Captain Jean-Luc Picard eagerly studied its origin. It was a skyship; his skyship, in fact, and one his horse-drawn carriage was rapidly closing the distance towards on the busy city streets.

It was nearly half a kilometer long, larger than any other ship in the vicinity. Flying high above the nearby bay, her metallic and wooden hull glowed like a beacon in the midday sun. It was enough to illuminate many of her larger features: everything from maneuvering propellers to her massive, saucer-shaped bridge, to fin-like sails hanging off her sides. The latter were not the main mode of propulsion, however, merely the brakes. That would be the gargantuan, rectangular mana engine fitted to her stern.

“Something on your mind, captain?” Deanna Troi, Picard’s carriage companion noted, turning to him as their carriage bounced along the cobblestone city road.

He chuckled slightly. Though normally he wasn’t too open with his emotions, it was no use trying to hide them from her. “Is it that obvious?

"You know who you're talking to, right?" she sassed. “Though this is just common sense, really.”

“I wish you’d have just chalked it up to your abilities,” he said. “Here I thought I’d mastered the stoic pose.”

“That’s pretty much your default - there’s no need to master it,” Deanna chuckled. “When it’s broken, though, it’s like a ripple on still waters…”

“More easily noticeable,” Picard mused.

“And more potent,” Deanna smiled.

Picard gave her a whimsical look. “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

As he spoke, the carriage slowed to a stop at a crosswalk. Briskly, creatures of all shapes and sizes began to move across it, from humans to winged averials to dwarves to elves of all types. He could even spot a few of the normally reclusive nymphs and newly emerged astrals, or ‘monsters’ as they called themselves, bumping shoulder to shoulder with each other. Picard couldn’t help but marvel at the sight.

“Captain?” Deanna said, snapping Picard out of his thoughts.

“Mmm? Sorry counselor,” he said. “Honestly, do you want to know what makes me… somewhat disconcerted about all this?”

“The children aboard?” Deanna joked, earning a sarcastic smirk from Picard.

“No, not the children,” Picard said. “Though I’m still hesitant about that decision, mind you, not that I had any say in it.”

“If not them, then what?” Deanna asked.

There was a pause. Picard gestured towards the pedestrians. “Did you know that literally every member state is sending someone to serve aboard? From the largest to the smallest. And they’re all the cream of the crop. The best Skyfleet Academy could give us. Some are even royalty.”

“There are a few coming aboard, aren’t there?” Deanna said, nodding.

“It only shows how invested everyone is in this,” Picard said. “It’s virtually a monument.”

“It is kind of like one, isn’t it? Like something you’d see here in the capital - something that celebrates unity,” Deanna said. “Only this one’s mobile.”

Picard thought for a moment as the driver of the carriage, a young Earthen, whispered something in his horses’ ears. They quickly changed direction.

“I just hope anyone we meet doesn’t get the wrong idea,” Picard said. “Almost seems like we're showing off, strutting around our best technology like this. Envoys who do that sort of thing are all to often mistrusted, and rightfully so. Historically, most haven’t had good intentions. That old proverb, ‘first impressions are the most lasting’, comes to mind.”

“The Enterprise is a little too well armed, in my opinion,” Deanna said. “However, a wise people would know that first impressions are almost always wrong.” She then smiled. “We’re going to be fine. Like you said, we have the best of the best with us.”

“Mmm… speaking of which,” Picard said. “We’ve both reviewed the bridge crew roster, and I’m a bit… concerned.”

“Of?”

“Cohesion, mainly.”

“They’re a diverse bunch, that’s for sure,” Deanna said. “Like you said, almost everyone wants to have a hand onboard.”

“A diversity of species is not what I am worried about. It’s, well… you know.” Picard glanced away from her. “I requested Skyfleet make some… rearrangements, but they wouldn’t hear it.”

Deanna smirked, a hint of a twinkle in her eyes. “Is this about a certain princess?”

“Partially,” Picard stated bluntly. “I know it’s a bit arrogant to believe I have the right to be able to hand-pick the entire crew, but given our history, it’s asking for trouble.”

“She just needs to get to know you - the real you,” Deanna said. “They all do.”

“Mmmm, I just wish they’d all be there on our trip to Farpoint,” Picard said.

“We’re only missing a few people,” Deanna said. “Though what is Commander Riker doing all the way out there, anyway?”

“Investigating rumors of sabotage,” Picard said.

“Sabotage?” Deanna said, raising her eyebrows.

“My thoughts exactly,” Picard said. “Farpoint hasn’t had any real strategic value for decades - not since we made peace with the Klingons. The small base we have there is more of an emergency port for trade ships than any real fortification.”

“It sounds like you don’t think it was the Klingons,” Deanna said.

Picard shook his head. “It’s unlikely. They could roll over the island like a tsunami if they wanted to - they’d have no reason for sabotage.” He then smiled slightly. “However, I’m confident the commander will get to the bottom of it before we arrive.”

“You and me both,” Deanna said, and again Picard saw the twinkle in her black eyes.

“And by the way, I am happy you accepted the invitation,” Picard continued. “If there is a lack of cohesion on board, I’m sure you’ll go a long way toward remedying it.”

Though she hid it well, a hint of a blush crossed the empath’s face. “I’m always available if you need me.”

Before the conversation could continue, the young Earthen piped up from the coachman’s seat in front of them in a Lyonessian accent. “Bout’ a minute out, Cap’n. Sorry for the delay - traffic was extra thick cus of the maiden voyage an’ all.”

“Nothing you could do about that,” Deanna responded. “Um, Pip, was it?”

“Yes, ma'am,” he said jubilantly, tipping his newsboy cap her way. “Boy, when me mates hear who I shuttled today, they’re gonna lose their sh--” He paused, coughing slightly. “Uh, they’re going to go bonkers!”

“Mmm, yes, I’m sure they will,” Captain Picard said, folding his arms and holding back a sigh.

“He’s not as grouchy when you get to know him,” Deanna said, winking at a slightly off-put Pip, who smiled back at her with a nod.

Picard shifted in his seat. “Honestly, I’d be in a better mood if this entire damned city wasn’t out of good tea.”

Deanna looked at him curiously. “I managed to find some this morning. There’s this cute little shop right when you enter the elven district. They have better Wellness Tea than even Vulzedia in my opinion. Oh, and the chocolate. By the gods...”

“Hm…” Picard hm’d.

"What?"

"Oh nothing. Sounds lovely."

Deanna looked puzzled for a second, then smirked. “Oh.”

“Oh what?”

“Ohhhhh …”

Picard gave her a blank look. “You know I hate it when you do this.”

Her smirk didn’t diminish. “Don't be coy. You’re picking up what I’m putting down, alright. You mean the city doesn’t have any ‘real’ tea.”

Picard raised his eyebrows. “That is a backwards, Galliacentric attitude and you know it.”

“Then you’ll agree with me that Earl Grey Tea is *not* the best in the Federation.”

Picard gave her a sarcastic look. “And here I thought counseling required a certain degree of honesty.”

Deanna laughed. “And here I thought Klingons were picky.”

“I wouldn’t tell a Klingon that if I were you,” Picard chuckled.

A minute or so later, the carriage pulled into one of the many skydocks lining along the coast. Though one could easily mistake it for a simple large, concrete platform at first, on closer inspection it was so much more. Like a normal maritime dock, each of the facilities was equipped with everything needed to maintain any type of small vessel that needed it. There were everything from suspendium tanks to stockpiles of electro-mana batteries.

The vessel that currently sat on the landing platform was what appeared to be a newer ship - no scuffs or scratches to be seen. It was relatively small, 200 meters long with what seemed to be oversized propellers fitted on it.

“Is that the Normander ?” Deanna asked.

“Indeed,” Picard said, gazing at it with an impressed look as it grew closer. “Remind me to send my compliments to the construction crew - it fits the design to a T.”

Deanna raised her eyebrows. “You mean it’s a brand new design?”

Picard nodded. “Quite. Specifically made for the Enterprise’s use, too. It’s formally designated as a light sky frigate, but has a unique nickname given what it’s supposed to do.”

“What’s that?” Deanna asked.

“A ‘dropship’,” Picard said.

“A what?”

Picard cleared his throat. “A dropship.”

Deanna blinked. “It’s a skyship specifically made for… dropping out of the sky?”

“Well, it can,” Picard said. “Oh, I know - it’s like a larger version of a sky shuttle.”

“Why not just call it a ‘large sky shuttle’, then?” Deanna chided.

Picard coughed slightly again. “Well, because, to put it in the design team’s own words… ‘dropship sounds cooler’.”

“I see.”

“I think it sounds cool!” Pip called.

Picard nodded his way appreciatively. “Thank you.”

“Also, we’re here,” Pip said, tipping his newsboy cap as the carriage rolled to a stop. Carefully, Picard and Deanna exited it. Pip smiled their way one more time. “I’ve got a few more runs to do before I can come aboard. Hope everything goes smoothly for you lot.”

“Thank you, cadet,” Captain Picard said formally.

With that, the young man smiled once again and drove off, the cloppity clop-clop of the horses trailing off into the distance.

Deanna smirked at Picard once again. “See, captain? You handled a kid well enough.”

Picard sighed. “He isn’t exactly a child. Not to mention, there will be more than just one young person aboard the Enterprise, and I haven’t even seen the finalized crew roster.” He held up a small folder he had been carrying to emphasize.

“Oh no. An experienced captain being in a position to influence a bunch of young officers?” Deanna said sarcastically. “Truly a nightmare scenario.”

“Nightmares are something you can wake up from,” Picard snarked.

Deanna nearly rolled her eyes. “Captain…”

“Jesting, jesting.”

With that, they began to move towards the ramp that would take them to the top of the two meter high platform. When they reached the top, they spotted three individuals, two who were currently arguing among themselves. A third, a woman wearing light metallic armor, gazed at them with a mix of amusement and annoyance.

“I’m telling you, feeding that much mana into thedrive without any dilution is going to overload the thing,” one said harshly in a haughty tone. “And need I remind you, without engines we can’t move!”

“That must be Dr. McKay,” Deanna whispered to Jean-Luc.

“Fits the profile,” Picard nodded.

“Not if we can’t regulate with the new siphoners,” the other man retorted. With his glowing orbs in place of eyes, Jean-Luc recognized him immediately as his Chief Engineer, Geordi LaForge.

“Mana energies shift like winds during a cyclone. That’s magic in general for you - it’s inherently unpredictable,” McKay huffed. “You’d have to have someone watch the readings like a hawk to even attempt it.”

“Not if we figure out a way to--”

“Oh, I know where you’re going - don’t even think about trying to automate it! Haven’t you ever heard of the Hawkins Incident?”

As the two continued to argue, Deanna and Picard approached the watching woman.

“Commander Shepard, correct?” Picard asked.

She turned around, before giving Picard almost a relieved smile followed by a salute. “Reporting as ordered, sir.”

“No need for that, commander,” Picard said. “I’m not MACO.”

“Sorry, old habits,” she said. “Still getting used to working with Skyfleet.”

“It’s quite alright,” Picard nodded, before gesturing at the two verbal combatants. “Is everything okay here?”

“Well, they haven’t started flinging insults yet,” Shepard shrugged. “Better than most ‘conversations’ with Dr. McKay turn into. Helps that Chief LaForge seems to have the patience of a sniper.”

“How long have they been at it?” Deanna asked.

“30 minutes,” Shepard deadpanned.

“Ouch.”

She gave a morbid chuckle. “And I’m pretty sure something about lemons was what sparked it.”

"Well, it is a pretty sour topic," Deanna chirped

Picard raised an eyebrow. In the back of his mind, he could hear a rimshot. "Really?"

"I'm gonna keep telling whimsical jokes and there's nothing you can do to stop me!" Deanna pronounced.

Shepard blinked, glancing between Picard and Deanna. "Is that a shrink thing?"

"A good shrink thing," Picard said, earning a bright smile from the empath. "Whatever she's doing, it seems to be working."

"Eh, fair enough," Shepard shrugged. "But uh, back to the matter at hand." She gestured towards the arguers.

“Mmm, yes. I suppose whatever kicked it off, they’ll have to save it for later,” Picard said. “Commander?”

“With pleasure,” she grinned, before raising her voice and calling: “Hey, do you two wanna get a room or something?”

The two paused, before slowly turning her way. Though they looked annoyed for a split-second, their eyes (in a manner of speaking) widened upon seeing the captain.

“Hi!” Deanna beamed, waving.

McKay turned towards Geordi. “Dinner?”

“Dinner.” Geordi turned back towards the captain. “Sorry about that, captain, just debating ways to boost engine output.”

“Highly theoretical ways,” McKay said. “Buuut better than what most engineers have thrown my way.”

“Hah!”

Picard nodded. "It sounded like you were speaking of increasing drive output with a high energy mana load."

"W-Well yeah," Geordi stuttered out. "But how did you-?"

"I sat in on the majority of the design meetings," Picard said. "I was under the impression it is impossible-"

"It is," McKay said stubbornly.

"-However, I'm no expert. Do you think it could be done?"

"No," McKay moaned.

"Possibly," Geordi said.

Picard gave him a satisfied look. "Then perhaps some limited experimentation is in order, so long as it doesn't endanger the drive."

"Oh for crying out loud," McKay groaned. "I didn't expect you, captain, to be the type to drive out of your lane like this."

Picard gave him a stern look, to which he simpered at.

"... Well, alright, if you insist.” He turned to Geordi. “Maybe bring the design specs to dinner?”

“It’s a date!”

At that, Picard could have sworn he heard Deanna whisper to Shepard, “I’m definitely shipping them.” When he turned to her, she merely gave him an innocent glance.

Shepard, again, had a mix of annoyance and bemusement on her.

“Let’s uh…” Picard said, clearing his throat. “Let’s get on the ship.”

“With pleasure,” Shepard said. “Right this way.”

She led them to a large ramp extending from the rear of the sloped ship. They soon found themselves in a large chamber that seemed to take up the majority of it. Inside was a large, glowing leviton crystal in the center, and wrapped around the edges of the room were a series of harness-equipped seats, of which everyone but Shepard moved to take.

“Wait? You really want to sit back here?” Shepard said, raising an eyebrow.

“Is there anywhere else?” Geordi asked.

Shepard gestured towards an archway leading to the bridge. “We’ve got a few spare seats up front. Thought you might want to take a look. It’ll give you a better view of the Enterprise as we go up.”

“It would give us a chance to meet the helmsman as well,” Deanna noted.

“Oh wait, yeah…” Shepard said, glancing away from them. “About that…”

Picard gave her an inquisitive look. “Oh? Is something wrong?”

“It’s just Joker can be a bit… grating,” Shepard said. “And Edi can take a bit of getting used to as well.”

“Ah, the Edi?” Picard said, the intrigue in his voice growing.

“Indeed, the same one my team, er, liberated from that Cerberus lab a while back,” Shepard said.

“I would assume having a wisp with her abilities would be incredibly useful,” he said. “Is there a problem?”

“Other than doing the creepy ghost in the machine thing?” McKay grunted.

“Thank you, doctor,” Picard grumbled. “Commander?”

“It’s really nothing. It’s just Joker and her tend to… bicker,” Shepard said, holding back a cough.

Deanna and Geordi couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at that. McKay, instead, rolled his eyes.

Picard finally sighed. “Very well, I’m sure we’ll be fine back here. The view isn’t that bad.”

Indeed, there were multiple viewports inside the chamber. Some were situated above six machine gun ports that lined the room. Others were just there seemingly to give the passengers a chance to survey their surroundings before disembarking. Either way, it gave anyone within a somewhat checkered horizontal 360 degree view of the ship’s surroundings.

“Probably for the best, anyway,” Shepard said. “I’m sure everyone is eager to take off.”

Almost as if on cue, a voice chimed in over the ship’s intercom speakers. “Commander, are we going to lift off soon or should I book a hotel?”

It looked like Shepard was about to face-palm at that. Without delay, she moved to a nearby comms unit and hit its transmit button. “Joker, you realize who’s on board, right?”

“Is it one of the princesses?” Joker said. “Cus if it is make sure she comes to the bridge. Don’t want to miss a chance to show off to a--”

“Annnnd that’ll be all,” Shepard sighed. “Go ahead and ready the ship for takeoff.”

“Yes, mom.”

“Joker!”

“Sorry, sorry.”

Shaking her head, Shepard cut the comm line, avoiding the bemused looks on most of her companions… save for one.

‘Is everyone in my crew going to act so… unprofessional?’ Picard thought, taking a seat and strapping himself in.

A second later, a light humming sound originating from the leviton crystal could be heard, the numerous cables connected to it glowing hot as mana flowed through them. Soon the ship would be skyward.

“My apologies for that, captain,” Commander Shepard sighed. “He’s probably the best helmsman in Skyfleet. The only problem is he knows it.”

“Not to worry,” Picard said reassuringly. “I trust in your abilities to handle him.”

Shepard grinned wickedly. “Well, I can’t physically kick his ass like we’d do in MACO, but I have other ways.”

Picard raised his eyebrows.

“Kidding, kidding.”

Picard shook his head, speaking softly to Deanna beside him. “Hopefully none of my own bridge crew will be as rambunctious as this ‘Joker’ character.”

“A little comedy never hurt anyone,” Deanna said.

"Your comedy, no," Picard states.

“Most comedy. I’ve gone over numerous psychological studies that show having someone with a sense of humor among a group can actually improve morale and thus efficiency.”

“I see…”

“I should also note that the study was conducted by the Federation Comedian Guild.”

Picard stared at her blankly, to which she simply smiled innocently at.

“Buckle up, kiddos, we’re lifting off,” Joker called over the intercom. "Alright Edi, you know the drill. All flight systems powered?"

"Affirmative. Mana and electro-mana batteries at 70% and 76% respectively," a new, slightly distorted voice replied.

"Docking platform clear?"

"Indeed."

“What the-” Geordi said. “Did he leave his intercom on?”

“He’s been doing that all day,” Shepard said. “I think he and Edi like showing off. Captain, I can tell him to turn it off if you want.”

“No, it’s alright,” Picard said, folding his arms. “Let’s see if his cocky attitude is warranted.”

"Go ahead and charge the leviton crystal to 50%.”

“Roger,” Edi stated .

“Spinning up maneuvering propellers to 50% as well. Gonna be nice and smooth."

"That'd be a first."

"Hey, snark is my thing. No copypastarino."

"What?

"Nevermind. Anyway, lights are green, so sky is clean. All clear. Give us 0.35 ms lateral."

"Crystal charged to 60%. We have liftoff."

With almost no fanfair, the leviton crystal began to glow even brighter, and the ship drifted skyward. If it wasn't for the maneuvering propellers and their respective machinery, it would have been almost completely silent.

Sensing a break, Captain Picard opened the folder he was holding and began to peruse through the Head of Departments roster.

Dr. Rodney McKay - Lead Science Officer

Dr. Perry Cox - Chief Medical Officer

Lieutenant Tasha Yar - Chief of Internal Security ...

"That is one beautiful view," Deanna said dreamily, interrupting him before he could read further.

True to her word, the ship had lifted above the small buildings that lined the coast, giving everyone a clear view of the capital city's shimmering bay. For miles and miles, various ships of all sizes could be seen, from small sailing vessels to even a couple of maritime military cruisers. However, none could outclass the sight of the Enterprise hanging above them all.

"Powering engines to 75%.”

The whir of the propellers grew louder, and the Normander jetted forward towards the Enterprise, forcing Picard to instinctively hold onto his seat. It was one thing to know the frigate was a speedy little thing, it was another thing to actually feel it.

"Heading towards our docking station.”

"Never thought we'd build a ship big enough to house a frigate," Shepard said. "On top of how many of the new monoplanes?"

"Thirty-six," Picard said. "Mixed assortment of fighters, fighter-bombers, bombers, torpedo bombers, and scout planes."

Deanna gave him a sarcastic look. “Do we still have room for our quarters?”

“Deanna…”

"Sorry, I just can’t get my mind off how… excessive it is," she continued.

Shepard shook her head. "I disagree. What's that old saying? 'Offer one hand and arm the other?' We’ve barely charted the waters around the Federation. There's no telling what we might run into out there."

"Not to mention, many of our neighbors aren't the most amicable bunch themselves," Picard noted.

Deanna looked slightly taken aback, perhaps even disappointed. "I thought you argued against arming the ship so heavily?"

"I did," Picard said. "The original design was even more heavily outfitted. With tensions so high with the Galactan Empire after the New Republic integration, the Federation Council wanted nothing short than a dreadnought at the time. They were convinced the Enterprise would be withdrawn from it's exploration mission within months and sent off to war. I convinced them otherwise."

"You might have actually prevented a war," Shepard said. "Thrawn isn't someone who lets himself get cornered. If the Empire caught wind of us building such a mean ship, it could have provoked them into attacking first to keep it from being finished."

"Indeed - the president herself actually made that argument," Picard said.

"A win-win in my book," Shepard said. "No war with the Empire and the Enterprise can still throw down."

“True enough,” Picard said, nodding. "However, and no offense, commander, I hope we’ll never need to.”

"So do I," Shepard said. "But still, it doesn't hurt to have teeth.”

Shepard gestured out the front window. As if to punctuate her statement, the Enterprise was now close enough to show off her weapon systems. The semi-rectangular craft was indeed armed for anything, having everything from point-defense machine guns to flak cannons to several massive multi-gun turrets on both her top and bottom decks.

“Can’t believe we managed to get maritime dreadnought guns on her,” Shepard said.

“The Enterprise’s leviton crystals must be top of the line,” Geordi said.

“Hah!” McKay piped up. “Top of the line doesn’t even begin to describe it. I honestly can’t stand dealing with magitek, but helping to design that thing… totally worth it.”

Geordi raised an eyebrow. “What’s with you and hating on magic so much?”

“Bleh, don’t get me started,” McKay spat. “It has its uses, but we’re always trying to use it to do things it’s not supposed to. It’s like… it’s like using pliers to turn a screw.”

“Now you’re speaking my language,” Geordi laughed. “Fair enough, I suppose.”

"Set crystal mana to 50%, Edi, and hail our docking station, will ya'?"

The group glanced out their respective windows with a hint of eagerness. The Normander had moved above the floating Enterprise, approaching her stern. From here the Enterprise revealed itself to be a sort of carrier/dreadnought hybrid. On the rear was a large landing pad where the Normander was preparing to land on. The back-mid section contained a landing strip, a dotted line running down its middle. And in the center, blocking the view of the aft, was a tall spire, windows lining it all the way up. Atop it sat the saucer-shaped bridge.

A few moments later, the Normander was hovering over her docking pad. Then, with a flicker of the leviton crystal, she set down. A skyship sitting upon a skyship.

Picard put on a hint of a smile, glancing towards Shepard. “My compliments to Joker. Not too shabby. I’m surprised he didn’t sign on for the main bridge crew.”

Shepard chuckled. “He’s more than qualified, but in his own words, ‘The Enterprise is too damned slow.’ ”

“He hasn’t seen the mana drive in action,” Geordi piped in. “We can move almost as fast as the Normander at max power. Speaking of which…”

“Of course, Mr. LaForge,” Picard nodded. “Believe me, I’m just as interested in viewing the bridge.”

“And I want to see if my lab is remotely up to spec,” McKay piped in.

Geordi chuckled. “This isn’t the private sector - Skyfleet will have you covered, doctor.”

“Yuh huh,” McKay said, folding his arms. “We’ll see about that.”

Picard ignored the quibble, turning to Shepard. “Commander?”

She grinned. “Armory. Sergeant Undyne and a few other MACO want a crash course in firearm usage.”

Picard noticed Geordi raise his eyebrows. “They’re from cultures who haven’t discovered or bothered to utilize gunpowder,” he explained.

“Primarily magic users,” Shepard continued for him.

“Ah, gotcha,” he said.

At that, the hatch on the back of the Normander lowered, creating a ramp to her landing pad.

“Well then,” Deanna said. “It was a pleasure meeting all of you. Here’s to a smooth-”

As if sensing his sudden unnerve, she turned to Picard, who was gazing apprehensively at a figure waiting for him at the bottom of the Normander’s ramp.

“Uh oh.”

With her white dress and hair formed into buns, there was no mistaking Career Minister Leia Organa. As per usual when interacting with the captain, she held a cold look on her.

“Hello again, Captain Picard,“ she said in a diplomatic tone. “Welcome to the Enterprise.”