From: Michael Reilly Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Subject: "Wormhole" (ST:VOY/Star Wars) Date: Fri, 4 Oct 1996 14:31:06 -1000 TITLE: Wormhole AUTHOR: Michael Reilly (wicket@bigfoot.com, s1511@kowande.bond.edu.au, zz_michael_reilly@macmail.bond.edu.au) Series: VOY, Star Wars (during X-Wing Novel Series) Summary: Voyager is flying through the Delta Quadrant, looking for an Class M planet to land on to do external repairs after a Kazon attack. Neelix suggests a nearby planet in the Vagron system, which they enter. Voyager is struck by a spatial anomaly, and transported into an alternate universe (where Star Wars occurs) and join up with the Rebel Alliance to find a way back. DISCLAIMER: Star Trek, Star Trek Voyager and the characters created within are property of Paramount. Star Wars, and the characters created within are property of Lucasfilm. However the story and those parts not used by Paramount or Lucasfilm are COPYRIGHT 1996 by Michael Reilly. I welcome any compliments and mild complaints/problems, but since this is my first story written for ASC, don't be too rough about it. Remember, flaming only wastes bandwidth. Also, if you want me to be guaranteed of me reading your replies, send it by private e-mail. I am a uni student and don't spend my whole time reading ASC, thus may miss any replies. Time of Story: ST Timeline - Set in First season of Voyager. SW Timeline - Set in Star Wars Universe about two and a half years after SW:ROTJ i.e. A slight way into the X-Wing book series. For all the Trekkies out there who are reading this and know nothing about Star Wars starfighters, X-Wings, Y-Wings, B-Wings and A-Wings are the Rebel starfighters Calamari Cruisers are very large spaceships used by the Rebels TIE Fighters, Interceptors, Avengers and Defenders are twin ion engine starfighters used by the Empire Assault Gunboats and Missile Boats are also starfighters used by the Empire Eyeballs are either TIE Fighters, TIE Advanced/Avengers or TIE Defenders Squints are TIE Interceptors Doupes are TIE Bombers Interdictors, Victory Class Star Destroyers, Star Destroyers and Super Star Destroyers are very large spaceships used by the Empire Main Characters in story ------------------------ Rebel Alliance: Senator Leia Organa/Skywalker (Alderaan - Human) General Han Solo (Corellia - Human) Chewbacca (Kasykk - Wookie) Wicket (Endor - Ewok) Rogue Squadron Members: Captain Luke Skywalker (Tatooine - Human) Captain Tycho Celchu (Alderaan - Human) Commander Wedge Antilles (Corellia - Human) Lt. Corran Horn (Corellia - Human) Ooryl Qrygg (Gand - Gand) Erisi Dlarit (Thyferra - Human) Gavin Darklighter (Tatooine - Human) Lujayne Forge (Kessel - Human) Nawara Ven (Ryloth - Twi'lek) Rhysati Ynr (Bespin - Human) Bror Jace (Thyferra - Human) Peshk Vri'syk (Bothawui - Bothan) Riv Shiel (Uvena III - Shistavanen) Andoorni Hui (Rodia - Rodian) Starfleet Officers from Voyager: Captain Janeway (Earth - Human) Commander Chakotay (Earth - Human) Lt. Tuvok (Vulcan - Vulcan) Lt. B'Elanna Torres (Earth - half Human, half Klingon) Lt. Tom Paris (Earth - Human) Ensign Harry Kim (Earth - Human) Chief Nurse Kes (Ocampa Homeworld - Ocampa) Morale Officer Neelix (Talax - Talaxian) Emergency Medical Hologram Doctor (Voyager - Hologram program) Astromech Droids and other droids: R2-D2 (Artoo Detoo) - Luke's R2 unit KT-15 (KayTee Fifteen) - B'Elanna's R2 unit Mynock - Corran's R2 unit Whistler - Wedge's R5 unit Emtrey - M-3PO unit for Rogue Squadron Dusty - Gavin's R2 unit Chapter 1 --------- "Captain to Neelix, will you meet me in my ready room? We need to discuss an urgent matter." Janeway said over the intercom as B'Elanna Torres entered. "B'Elanna, what is the current status of the repairs after the fight with the Kazon?" After scanning a PADD for a second, B'Elanna looked up. "Some of the minor repairs can be repaired while we are in space. However, the external damage needs to be repaired quickly. As the repairs are so extensive and we are lacking some repair materials, I would recommend a planetary landing where we could use the mining equipment." As she finished talking, Neelix entered the room. "Hello captain. Anything you need to know about this area?" "Yes. We need to find a Class M planet to land on. The external repairs to the ship are extensive and best down where we do not need environmental suits. B'Elanna has also informed me that the planet needs to have some specific metals to be mined." With that, the PADD was handed to Neelix to review. "Ah ha. I have the perfect planet in mind. It is a deserted planet in the nearby Vagron system, the second innermost planet. I will give Mr Paris the coordinates." With that, the three of them left the room and entered the main bridge. After Neelix told Tom Paris the coordinates, he left the bridge. "Course laid in, Captain." "Good. Warp Factor 4 and engage. Commander Chakotay, you have the bridge." Captain Janeway said as she entered her ready room. ************************************* "Commander, we are entering the Vagron system. However, I am picking up vertiron particles. Lt. Tuvok, I think you'll want to look at this. The emission seem to be coming from a nearby moon. This seems very strange," Kim said. "Agreed, Mr Kim. Any suggestion, Tuvok?" Chakotay said as he walked up towards the Vulcan's station. "Apart from wormholes, no other natural phenomenon cause vertiron particles. No process in the Federation sciences creates them either. Therefore, it must be either a wormhole or some unknown technology. I suggest we inform the captain." Tuvok said as he looked up. "Tuvok, take us to yellow alert. Until we know what is occurring, caution would be a good idea." Chakotay turned away and walked over to the ready room door, waiting for the captain to answer. A few seconds later, the door opened and he entered. "Captain, we have entered the Vagron system. Mister Kim has picked up vertiron particles coming from a nearby moon. Tuvok has no idea what could be causing it. I took the ship to yellow alert as a precaution." Captain Janeway hit a button and stood up. "Good idea. Call B'Elanna Torres to the bridge. She might be able to help us figure it out." she said as they walked onto the bridge. Suddenly, the ship shook and a science station blew up. "Tuvok, take us to red alert. Janeway to Engineering. B'Elanna, come to the bridge immediately. Bring a repair crew with you." "Captain, shields are down to 60% of maximum. I am picking up high levels of cosmic radiation, neutrinos and vertiron particles around the ship. The source is a spatial anomaly heading towards at Warp 3." "Mr Paris, get us out of this system, any heading at maximum warp now." Janeway said as the ship shook again. Tom Paris was thrown from his station. B'Elanna Torres burst onto the bridge and head to the Engineering station. "Impulse drives 100%. Warp drive off-line. Phasers and torpedo systems off-line. Emergency power at 80% of maximum. Inertial dampeners at 90% of capacity. Structural integrity normal. Long range sensors are non- operational. Captain, we cannot withstand this much longer." "Agreed. Mr Paris, take us out, full impulse. Head for that planet as quick as possible." "Yes, Captain. Course plotted and impulse drives activated," he said as he climbed back to his station, hitting some buttons. "Captain, the anomaly is pulling us in. We don't have enough power to break out," Kim said. Janeway hit her combadge. "All hands, brace for impact. Computer, activate Emergency Medical Hologram." the captain managed to say before the anomaly hit and she lost consciousness. Chapter 2 --------- "Computer, what is the status of Voyager?" B'Elanna managed to say when she awoke. Looking around, she could see the bridge panels ripped apart and sparking. Everyone on the bridge was unconscious and the viewscreen was off. "All major systems are either non-functional or operating at minimum efficiency," the computer chimed. "Computer, reroute the Emergency Medical Hologram to bridge holo-emitter arrays," she said as she started working on the viewscreen circuits. "Rerouting circuits damaged -- unable to load program. Suggest manual rerouting through Holodeck One." it chimed. "Ok. Computer, try and get the viewscreen activated and tie it into the short range sensors. I'll do the rerouting." After five minutes, Doctor Zimmerman appeared on the bridge. "State the nature of medical emergency," it said. "We encountered a spatial anomaly. Everyone is unconscious and most of the ships systems are down. You look after the bridge crew, I'll try and fix some of the bridge stations." From the command deck, Captain Janeway managed to wake up. "B'Elanna, what happened?" she muttered. "Do not talk, Captain. You have suffered concussion." the doctor said as he ran the medical tricorder's sensor over the captain. "Forget that for the moment! I am transferring Voyager's command codes over to you since I am injured." "No thank you Captain. I'll have too much to do trying to fix the ship. Give them to the Doctor. He did it once and didn't crash the ship," she said as she replaced damaged circuit boards. "Computer, transfer all of Voyager's command codes to the Emergency Medical Hologram. Authorization Janeway Alpha Two," Janeway said. "Captain, I must protest. I do not want the codes," the hologram said. "Too late Doctor. You are now acting captain of this vessel," she said before lapsing into unconsciousness again. ************************************* After about ten minutes, B'Elanna managed to get the communications channels back on line and the viewscreen activated. Ensign Kim had also awoken and the doctor certified him fit for duty. "Ensign, the tactical station is now routed through Ops. It'll take a bit of time to route Helm over but I'm working on it. The only operational transporters is also routed through to you." "Thanks, B'Elanna. Doctor, I have two large vessels on an intercept course with us. About eight new small one-man vessels and a mid-size vessel are flying around it. The computer cannot recognize the configurations. They are hailing us on audio only." "Lieutenant, you take over. My programming was not made to handle inter-ship communications," the doctor ordered. "Starfleet, open hailing frequencies," she said. "This is Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres of the Federation vessel, Voyager. Who are we speaking to?" "This is General Solo of the Rebel Alliance on the Millenium Falcon. The cruiser next to us is the Rebel Calamari Cruiser Firewing. We detected you on our sensors. Your vessel is like none we have seen and we don't think you are with the Empire. We offer you aid if you need it," came over the speakers. B'Elanna distinctly thought she heard a loud bear-like creature growl in the background. "We accept your aid. However, we do not know what the Empire or Rebel Alliance are. We were flying through a star system when we encountered a spatial anomaly." "We haven't seen anything in this area recently. Standby while we lock tractor beams on and we will tow you to a nearby repair base at Beta Sigma 5. By the way, the large ship is a Calamari cruiser, I'm flying a modified Corellian freighter and the small ships are InCom X-Wing Starfighters. Do you have a landing bay big enough for one of them? We will send over someone to talk to you if you do." "Certainly. One of the starfighters could easily fit. We can also transport people from one place to another using matter transporters," she replied. "Excuse me, Lieutenant. Since we will be getting aid, I will leave you in charge. Computer, transfer all command codes from me to Lieutenant Torres. Authorization EMH program Alpha Two. If you need me, I'll be in Sickbay. Computer, reroute me to Sickbay," the doctor said as he disappeared. "One of the X-Wings is making a landing approach. The pilot will be there in a moment. About that transporting thing, is it perfectly safe?" "Certainly. We can give you a demonstration. Ensign, lock onto General Solo and anyone else in the cockpit and beam them to the bridge. Make sure a tractor beam is on their vessel from the cruiser or us and bring it onto a parallel course." A minute later, the familiar transporter sound could be heard. A human and a tall hairy creature appeared on the bridge. The tall one howled and thumped the human on the back. "He says he likes it. My name is General Solo, but call me Han, and I am from the planet Corellia. This is my Wookie copilot, Chewbacca, from the planet Kashykk. Just be careful, Wookies are known to rip off arms when they get angry. Everyone in the Alliance calls him Chewie so you guys might as well. He's gotten used to it being around humans so much." B'Elanna and Han went over to one of the science stations while Chewbacca walked up behind Harry. "Hi, Chewbacca. You can call me Harry if you like, although I don't think I understand you language." With that, Chewie made a growling sound. "He says ok, Harry and he doesn't mind about you not understanding," Han yelled out. "Lieutenant, the starfighter has landed and the pilot is waiting in the shuttlebay. Crewman Marks is the crewman on duty." "Before I forget, Han, do you have any copies of the Wookie language that we could put through our Universal Translation system?" "No. But I am sure you can get Chewie here to speak into the computer," Han said. "B'Elanna, the computer is responding badly to most of our requests. The universal translator is damaged anyway," Kim informed the group. "Too bad. Anyway, here is a combadge for each of you. They provide access to the intership intercom system, health monitoring and transporter lock-on signals. When it is not damaged, it also can access the Universal Translators database. Inform me if anything happens, Ensign. Also, see if you can get the single language translators for the hyposprays working. Then we can download Wookie into them, since the Universal Translator system is on the blink. Han, Chewbacca, if you follow me, we will meet with the pilot. You can call me B'Elanna." With that, they entered the turbolift, talking. Chewbacca growled at B'Elanna. "He says he likes your name as it reminds him of a Wookie friend," Han said as the doors closed. Chapter 3 --------- Luke typed the open hatch code into his comm terminal, retrieved his blaster and climbed down to the deck. Looking around, he saw two shuttle craft of an unknown design. A man in a different styled uniform walked over to him. "Welcome to the USS Voyager, sir. My name is Crewman Marks, acting shuttlebay commander. I don't mean to be rude, but how do you wish me to address you? I have no knowledge of your rank or anything," the man asked. "I'm Captain Luke Skywalker. However, I don't like formal titles so just Luke is fine." "Okay, Luke. The acting captain, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, will be here shortly with General Solo and his copilot, Chewbacca." "They arrived already? You Federation people must have some really hot tech aboard this ship. By the way, do you have any cranes or winches I could use to get my astromech robot done from my ship?" "Actually, we don't have any cranes. Normally, we would be able to use antigrav controllers and localized tractor beams, but none are working at the moment due to combat damage." "I have other means. Could you just step back a few meters and not make any noise for a moment? I have to concentrate. R2, release yourself from the docking clamps and just stand on top. And no, I will not drop you like on Dagobah." "If it is all right with you, I have to go back to my station in Engineering. They should not be to long," With that, Ensign Marks walked out of the bay. The short blue and black robot beeped loudly and released himself. Standing on top, he waited patiently, beeping softly in a frightened manner. Luke put out his hand towards R2 and closed his eyes, concentrating hard. The little robot slowly lifted off of the top of the X-Wing and moved slowly to the ground in a parabolic path. When he was about five meters from the ground, the doors suddenly opened. B'Elanna Torres, Han Solo and Chewbacca walked in talking loudly between themselves, surprising Luke. As Luke spun around, he forgot about R2 who smashed to the deck loudly and drew his blaster. ********************************************** Seeing the energy weapon, B'Elanna went straight to her phaser. Han quickly put a steadying hand over her arm before she shot Luke. Seeing Han and Chewbacca, he put it back on his belt. "Geez Luke, she nearly shot you. Don't be so jumpy," Han said quickly. Luke walked over and put out his hand to B'Elanna. "My name is Luke Skywalker, last of the Jedi Knights. Are you going to introduce us, Han?" he said with a big grin. "You make it a bit hard sometimes, Luke. This is Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, a half-Klingon half-human from Earth. She is acting captain of the USS Voyager who was very close to blasting your head off. Lieutenant, this is Captain Luke Skywalker, who hates being called Captain Skywalker and just prefers Luke. He's from Tatooine." Han said as Luke and B'Elanna shook hands. "Welcome aboard the Voyager, Luke. Normally, Captain Janeway or Commander Chakotay would be here, but every command officer except me and Ensign Kim are unconscious. You can keep the blaster as long as you don't take potshots at the crew. You can call me B'Elanna as we are on first name basis." A loud beeping and rattling started from behind Luke at that point. Turning round, they saw R2 trying to right himself unsuccessfully. Chewbacca walked over and pulled the droid up, making a sound that sounded like laughter to B'Elanna. The short robot extended a short arm and touched it to the Wookie, releasing a small electrical charge into him which caused the huge creature to kick the robot violently and growled loudly at the droid. "R2, leave him alone. He helped you and I do apologize for dropping you." Luke said as he walked over, "Nothing looks damaged on you so quit complaining." "If you follow me, we can head to the briefing room," B'Elanna said, motioning towards the shuttlebay door. ******************************************************* They walked onto the bridge and Ensign Kim looked up. "Lieutenant, the doctor sent word that Lieutenant Tom Paris is awake and returning to duty. Most of the skeleton duty stations have been filled by crew. Neelix and Kes are helping in the Doctor in Sickbay. However, the captain, Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Tuvok are still unconscious," the ensign reported. As he finished, Tom Paris entered from a turbolift. "Good you are awake, Tom. This is General Han Solo, Chewbacca and Captain Luke Skywalker of the Rebel Alliance. Until we get repaired, everyone is on a first name basis. Luke, Han, Chewie, this way. Harry and Tom, once replacements arrive, meet us in the briefing room. Torres to Neelix, can you meet us in the briefing room? If Kes is too busy, she doesn't have to come but we do need you," Torres said. "Okay, Lieutenant. I'll be on my way. Kes is too busy. Neelix out," came over her intercom. Chapter 4 --------- Two minutes later, Tom, Harry and Neelix entered the briefing room to find Han and Chewbacca talking to B'Elanna while Luke stood at one of the windows. "Neelix, may I introduce you to General Han Solo of Corellia, his copilot Chewbacca of Kashykk and Captain Luke Skywalker of Tatooine. Han, Chewie, Luke, this is our Talaxian guide, Neelix." she said. They all took a seat except for Luke who walked over to a wall monitor. "Computer, bring up downloaded file R2-D2 File 1. This will be a brief overview of the past history of this galaxy and some of the vessels that you might encounter." Turning around, he activated the monitor. "Many years ago, the galaxy was controlled by what we call the Old Republic, exactly like the Republic government system which evolved in your universe, which sparks a few questions about possible mixing of our universes at one point. The Old Republic was protected by the Jedi Knights, of which I am one of the last two, an order of people who had learnt to harness a mystical field of energy known as the Force, which only occurs in this universe, that flows through all matter in the universe. The Force has two sides - a good Light side and an evil Dark side. Just in case you want to know, I am on the good side. After a while, an ambitious senator named Palpatine was elected. He studied to be a Jedi Knight and eventually turned to the dark side. He created his own secret private army of Stormtroopers without anyone's knowledge. Had the Jedi Knights realized, we would not be in civil war at the moment. My father, Anakin Skywalker, was sent on a mission to retrieve -----. However, his friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi, followed him. When he retrieved it, it changed him. Obi Wan saw this and was forced to attack him to stop him. Anakin fell off a cliff and into a lava pit. He only survived due to Senator Palpatine, who changed him into Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of Sith, by remaking his body and training him in the Dark Side. Darth Vader lead a purge of all Jedi Knights with Stormtrooper help. By the time anyone could do anything, the Republic crumbled and Palpatine started the Empire with him as Emperor. Soon after, the Rebel Alliance started. The Empire had reigned a few years before a secret Empire laboratory developed an weapon so powerful that it could destroy planets. It was named the Death Star, and built at an unknown location. Luckily for the Rebel Alliance, Bothan computer hackers managed to smuggle out the Death Star plans to the Alliance at a meeting place above the planet Tatooine. R2 and a protocol translator droid called C-3PO crash on the planet with the plans in R2 with a message for Obi-Wan. After I took them to Obi-Wan, we managed to find Han here to pilot us off the planet on the Millenium Falcon to the Death Star construction site. We were captured and taken onto the Death Star, where we had to rescue Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, which had been destroyed as a test by the Death Star. After blasting our way out of the Death Star and Obi-Wan had died fighting Darth Vader, we headed to the Rebel base at Yavin 4. However, we arrived to find out that the Death Star was heading to Yavin 4 as well. The base starfighter squadrons took of and started bombarding the Death Star before it could get in range. Using the data from the Bothans, we were went out to fire a proton torpedo down a small thermal exhaust port leading directly into the station reactors. We managed to destroy the Death Star, but at a high cost of life. The Yavin 4 base was abandoned and we headed to the ice planet Hoth. Eventually, the Empire found Hoth and we had to abandon it too. Han, Chewie, the two droids and Leia headed to Bespin and were captured, while I headed to Dagobah to train as a Jedi with a Jedi master called Yoda. When I found out, I headed to Dagobah to rescue them despite being warned. I was unable to stop Han from being frozen in carbonite and sent to Jabba the Hutt, because of gambling debts and a lost cargo of Jabba's. I fought with Darth Vader and only ended up losing my hand, which has been replaced by a mechanical duplicate. Darth Vader tried to tell me that he was my father, but I did not believe him at the time, so I told no one. After escaping, Leia and the others headed to a Rebel base while I returned to Dagobah. At Dagobah, I found Yoda dying. Before I died, he told me that my training was nearly complete and the rest I could do on my own. He also told me that Darth Vader was actually my father, that he had been changed from Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. We spent the next few months, working out how to rescue Han, which we eventually did. After we returned to the Rebel base, we heard that a new improved Death Star was half completed in orbit of the planet Endor and we would have to destroy it. A group of us flew to the forest moon of Endor to blow up a powerful shield generator protecting the Death Star. After blowing up the shield generator, Luke went to Darth Vader to try and turn him back to the good side and Anakin Skywalker. He was taken to Emperor Palpatine, who informed him that the station was operational. The Emperor fired lighting bolts at me after I refused to join him. Some memory in Darth Vader turned him partially back to Anakin Skywalker and he picked up the Emperor, taking the brunt of the attack on me and threw the Emperor to his death. My father was dying so I dragged him to a shuttle and left the station just before it blew up. Before he died, he told me that Leia was actually my sister. We had been split up by Obi-Wan and hidden when the Jedi were being killed so Darth Vader could not find us. That is the history up to now. The battle of Endor occurred a week ago and we were regrouping when we found you. Leia and a representative of Endor are currently aboard the Firewing, in fact. Actually, they were supposed to be here by now. Would it be possible to beam them over, just not letting them know?" "If that is really what you think best. Lt. Torres to Ops Station, lock onto the room coordinates sent to you by Captain Skywalker and beam the occupants over without informing them. Beam them and two extra combadges straight to this room," B'Elanna said as she activated her combadge. Seconds later, a female human appeared in the room. Stumbling, she looked around and glared when she saw Luke grinning. "Luke Skywalker, you will pay for this, even if you are my brother," she said as she walked angrily up to him. Next, a short furry teddy-bear like creature appeared carrying a short spear. Screeching in fright, he jumped onto the desk and waved his spear around. "Calm down, Wicket. These are friends, even if they don't act like it. Shame on you, Luke. You know that the Ewoks get nervous easily about advanced technology as they aren't used to it. Before we found them, the most advanced thing they had was the spear." Leia said trying to calm down the frightened creature. "Forgive me, Sis. May I introduce Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, acting captain of the USS Voyager, Lieutenant Tom Paris, pilot, Ensign Harry Kim, the operations officer and Mr Neelix, the local guide from the region of their galaxy that they were in. This is Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan and my sister, and this is Wicket, an Ewok warrior from the forest moon of Endor." Luke finished the introductions and sat down. Leia and Wicket took seats as well. Harry noticed that Wicket was tapping at the table with his spear and picking at the chair, trying to work out what it was made of. "Thanks for that. Harry, how long will it be before we reach the Alliance repair station?" B'Elanna said, looking towards him. Harry picked up a PADD and hit a few buttons. "We have five hours until we reach the station, according to the uploaded astrological maps from the Alliance," he said as head read the PADD screen. "In that case, everyone on the bridge might as well have a break. If anyone wants to come to the holodeck, we have some interesting programs on file." Chewbacca looked up and growled in delight. Han laughed, trying to not fall off the chair. "He wants to know if there are any fighting programs. He always thinking of food or battle," Han said. Chewbacca slapped Han on his back and growled loudly, pushing him into the desk. "Sorry, Chewie. It was a joke, not personal. They have no sense of humor at all," Han managed to say despite being winded. "Sure we do. B'Elanna, do you have any that would be suitable?" Tom said. "A few. I'll meet you at the Holodeck in an hour Chewie after I check in on Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Tuvok. Anyone else want to participate is welcome. If that is all, this meeting is over," B'Elanna said. "Count me out. After that whack, I might visit the Sickbay," Han said. The room emptied quickly after that. ************************************************************** An hour later, B'Elanna came up to Holodeck One's doors, with Chewbacca and Tom Paris waiting. "Sorry about that. I have a few programs setup, so I'll let the computer pick a random one. Computer, load a random program from my selections. Place three swords inside - two generic Earth types and one Klingon Bat'leth. Never knew you were interested in hand to hand combat, Tom?" "At one point, I was thinking about Security at the Academy, but I was a better pilot." With that, the holodeck doors opened. From behind, B'Elanna heard running footsteps. From around the corner, Luke Skywalker came rushing up. "Glad I made it in time," he said. "Computer, add an extra sword," Tom said to the terminal. "I don't need any sword." he said as he unclipped a short metal rod from his belt. Stepping back, he pressed a button and a bright blue beam of energy appeared from the shaft. "How did you smuggle that on? The computer didn't pick up any weapons," she said in alarm. "I brought my own one, but it is built to be non-detectable. Sorry I forgot to mention it. It is called a lightsaber, a Jedi weapon." "Computer, register the item in Luke Skywalker's hand as a weapon, a lightsaber." "Weapon confirmed. Entry recorded in security log." came the response. The four of them entered the holodeck and took stance in a circle, the door closing once they were inside. "Start program at level one." B'Elanna said. Immediately, eight humanoids appeared in the room. Luke swung his lightsaber and blocked a blow from a tall bird creature. Dodging a blow from the bird creature, he spun around and took off the head of a scaly reptilian creatures. Swinging again, he split the creature in half. He sensed the bird creature coming in fast and spun, letting it impale itself on his lightsaber. It swung at Luke's head in pain and was blocked by a sword stuck quickly up, giving Luke time to dispatch the creature with the lightsaber. Looking around, he met B'Elanna who was grinning. Chewbacca growled loudly. Turning around, the two of them saw him standing in a pile of torn bodies with his sword lying about five meters away next to Tom, who was leaning on his own sword. "Typical Wookie attack methods. Throw away weapons and start ripping," Luke said laughing. Three hours later, Harry Kim's voice was heard over the intercom. "Harry to B'Elanna. We have reached the repair station. Please come to the bridge. Luke, Tom and Chewbacca are also requested." "Computer, save program and end simulation," B'Elanna said as the four of them left the holodeck, leaving the holodeck swords with Luke clipping the lightsaber to his belt. Chapter 5 --------- The group of four walked onto the bridge and took positions, with Han and Chewie standing next to Kim, Luke taking Chakotay's spot and B'Elanna taking the command chair. "Harry, open a channel with the flight control center of the repair station." "Audio channel opened using high end electromagnetic waves, B'Elanna," Harry said shortly after. "USS Voyager, this is Hadar Six Comm Center. Does your vessel need a Spacedock, or can it land on the planet?" "Planetary landing is preferred. Harry, can the ship handle it at the moment?" "Yes, if we put the shields to full," he said. "Comm center, we can land safely. Could you please give us a landing site?" B'Elanna said over the channel. "You have landing permission. A site will be transmitted shortly and all traffic directed to far side of planet. Safe landings. Comm. Center out." "Go to yellow alert. Inertial dampers and SI fields to full, shields to full. Mr Paris, start planetary landing sequence." "Computing trajectory to given landing site. Preparing landing legs. Thruster power to maximum, Impulse drive standing by." The vessel entered the atmosphere and started a circular course to the landing site. Halfway down, the landing legs were locked into position and the impulse drive was fired at lowest power to slow down descent. Voyager landed with hardly even a jolt on the landing site. "B'Elanna Torres to all crew, we have landed on the repair planet. All injured crew are to report to Sickbay. Harry, lower boarding ramp. Doctor, how is Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Tuvok doing?" "Only Commander Chakotay is awake, but not fit for duty, despite his complaints," the doctor said over the intercom. "Tell him I'll be down soon with some guests. Leia, Luke, Han, Chewie, this way if you please," she said as she headed to the turbolift. ************************************************************** The group entered the Sickbay to find the Doctor arguing with Chakotay. "Can you just wait in the Doctor's office? I want to explain this first." "Sure. Just call us when you are ready," Luke said as the Rebel people walked into the office. B'Elanna thought about what she would say to Chakotay and walked over. Seeing B'Elanna, Chakotay grinned. "B'Elanna, I heard you did well in command of the ship," he said. "Yes Commander, but I hope you can take over soon," she said. "Computer, freeze Emergency Medical Hologram program. I'm ready whenever you are." he said as he stood up. "Good. Computer, transfer all command codes of the USS Voyager to Commander Chakotay. At last! I don't know how the captain handles it. Before I forget, we have a slight problem. We are not in our universe anymore as the rupture must have shifted us. We met up with some of the natives who offered to help repair the ship and try to get us back to our universe. We just finished landing on a repair planet of theirs and some representatives are waiting to meet you. Since it was easier, we tended to work on first name basis on the bridge so far and with the dialogues," she reported. "At least we have some local help. Don't worry about first name basis. You did well as acting captain on your first go. Good work B'Elanna, I'll put a commendation in the ship's log." "I'll just get them now," she said as she left the section. Coming back shortly, she was followed by two human males, a human female, a short furry creature, a tall furry creature and a short three legged robot. "May I introduce Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, General Han Solo of Corellia, Han's copilot Chewbacca of Kashykk, a Wookie, Wicket of Endor, an Ewok, Captain Luke Skywalker of Tatooine, one of the last of the Jedi Knights, and his astromech robot, R2-D2. This is Commander Chakotay." B'Elanna said, also recounting the history of the Rebellion. With that, Wicket jumped up onto the table Chakotay was sitting on and sat down next to him, tapping the table with his spear. Chakotay slowly reached over and patted him. Wicket jumped and brought his spear up defensively. Leia walked over and started humming slowly to him, holding him softly. Once the Ewok had calmed down, she spoke, "The Ewoks have not gotten totally used to technology yet. Before the Empire built the shield base on their planet and interfered with their development, their most advanced technology was the spear. Luckily, they were not severely affected as some races B'Elanna was telling me about. Like your Prime Directive, we have tried not to interrupt the development of any worlds like Endor that were not advanced as we are. Wicket is one of the few who have left Endor and we have grown very attached." Leia filled in Chakotay with the Alliance's history, complete with noises and paw motions from Wicket. At that point, Harry Kim walked into sickbay with a two combadges and followed by a golden robot. "Welcome back Commander. I managed to download the Ewok and Wookie languages into two special modified combadges with C-3PO's help. All they can do is directly translate Ewok or Wookie words into Federation standard words and vice versa. No grammar fixing or anything else, as direct translation takes up all the processing power they can handle. Until the Universal Translator is fixed, they are all we have, apart from an Alliance translating droid following each of them." With that, he handed the two badges to Chakotay before leaving again. Chakotay handed the Wookie one to Han and the Ewok one to Leia. "I think you two will be better able to convince them to wear them," he said, thinking of Wicket's reaction. Han walked over to Chewie and slapped the badge onto Chewbacca's sash, getting a strong push in return, while Leia knelt down and patted the Ewok softly. While he was not watching, she slipped the badge onto his leather jerkin and then stood up. "Done. Can you understand us now, Wicket?" she said. The Ewok talked in his own language and then looked down at the badge. "What do that? Remove funny thing. How me understand you? Speak strange way you do," was the badge's response. "Wicket, that badge I fixed to your jerkin does the translation. It does not fix grammar though which is why it sounds strange. However, you will still be able to communicate enough," Leia said, laughing slightly as the small badge translated to the Ewok language. Chewbacca walked over to Han and growled loudly. The badge complied with "Stay away, smelly human. Chewbacca angry," Looking down at the badge on his sash, he picked it off. Growling again, he threw the badge to the ground and stomped on it. It managed to translate "Stupid badge not work right" before it was rendered into broken components. Looking up, he grunted and sighed. After a while, Han managed to say, "I think it might be a good idea not to make another one. We don't want him to take his anger at the badges out on us," Chakotay stepped up to Chewie. "Ok. We won't make you wear a badge if you don't want." "Ops to Commander Chakotay, the Alliance Base sends a message asking if our senior crew could join them at the Base HQ, with General Solo, Princess Leia, Captain Skywalker and the Ewok ambassador," Kim said over the intercom. "Tell them we are coming and meet us at the landing ramps with Neelix. Chakotay out. If you follow me, I'll lead you to the landing ramps. B'Elanna, Tom, come with me as well." With that, the group left the sickbay. Chapter 6 --------- "All rise for the Alliance Council. Princess Leia, you may address the assembly," Admiral Ackbar said, motioning to her. "Thank you, Admiral. As you may or may not know, we met up with a lone starship from another universe that was transferred to our universe. The vessel, known as USS Voyager, is from a collection of star systems called the Federation which shares some similar goals to our Alliance. The Federation's navy is called Starfleet. At present, we are helping the Voyager to repair damage caused by the transference of their vessel and the healing of injured crew. At the moment, their captain is unconscious and the acting captain, Commander Chakotay, is here with us now as well as a group of his fellow officers, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, Lieutenant Tom Paris, Ensign Harry Kim and their guide, Neelix. What I propose is that we help them return to their universe after repairing the damage to their vessel. However, they will have to wipe all records of our technology and we wipe all our records of their technology after the repair, so that neither universe is adversely affected. I will now hand the floor to Commander Chakotay of the USS Voyager to explain the reasons for the wiping of records." Chakotay stood up and walked to the nearby podium. "Thank you, Princess. Ladies and gentlemen of the Council, I am here speaking on behalf of our currently unconscious captain. In our version of the Alliance Navy and the Alliance, we have a special rule which we call the Prime Directive. The Prime Directive states that in no way are any Starfleet or Federation personnel allowed to interfere any other society.Throughout our history, we have seen many cases where actively or passively interfering has been detrimental in the long run. It is for this reason that we ask that all records of our technology are permanently erased, as we will do about yours. Without trying to sound impolite or arrogant, we do not have any reason to interfere in what we can see is an internal civil war, despite how long it has been going on. Despite this, we do need help to get back to where we came and would appreciate any help. That is all I have to say, so I'll hand the floor back to Admiral Ackbar." He stepped back and took his place next to Torres. Torres leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Nice speech. I just wish we didn't have to wipe the data. They are many years ahead in their android technology." *************************************************************** After the meeting, the Voyager officers met with Luke outside the chambers. "The council will reconvene tomorrow with their decision. Until then, your crew might as well have some rest time. The whole base is open to you and your crew," Luke said. "Thanks. I think that everyone needs a rest. It was hard on the crew being stranded on the other side of the galaxy, but being stranded in another universe is even worse. Chakotay to Tuvok, come in," he said as he hit his combadge. "Tuvok here. The doctor has done a good job with treating the crew. Ninety percent of the crew is back on duty. However, the captain is not awake yet. Repairs are on schedule. What did you want, Commander?" "Until further orders, the Voyager can do with a skeleton crew. All the rest can have shore leave thanks to the Alliance. The next shift ends in about 10 minutes and shore leave can start from then. Chakotay out." Chakotay turned around to speak, but found that the group had grown. Standing nearby was Leia, and a human in an orange flightsuit. "Commander Chakotay, this is Commander Wedge Antilles of Corellia. Commander Antilles is one of the few pilots who have Death Star kill markers and is a member of the X-Wing Rogue Squadron, famous for destroying the Empire's two Death Stars," Luke said. Wedge leant over to Luke and said something quietly to him, which Chakotay noticed causing him to blush slightly and glared at Wedge. "Since you guys are now off duty, if any of you want, I can give you a tour of the base," Wedge offered. Everyone agreed and the tour started. Leading the way, Wedge headed to a waiting monorail pilot transport. "At the moment, we are passing by the main control center. Inside, the base's ion cannons and other defenses can be activated, and the base's standing starfighter squadrons can be organized and directed. It was a base like this that we had to leave on Yavin 4 and Hoth previously. At the moment, the base defenses are on low power due to the presence of two Calamari cruisers and so many starfighter squadrons. However, they can be brought to full power within two minutes. Up ahead is the X-Wing landing bay. To the left are the astromech loading cranes and the X-Wings to the right. Technicians are ready at all times in case of Empire assault. The current battle drills have proven that we can have four X-Wing, two Y-Wing, four A-Wing and three B-Wing squadrons launched within ten minutes and a total of double that after fifteen minutes. Next up is the A-Wing landing bay," Wedge said as the transport continued along its track. As they were about to enter the tunnel leading to the A-Wing bay, Wedge noticed Luke and Torres getting read to jump off, but decided not to mention it. He winked at Luke and pointed out his X-Wing to Chakotay, Paris and Kim as a distraction. The two hid against the wall until the transport entered the tunnel. "Now, time to show you the X-Wings. Follow me," Luke said as the pair headed into the bay. *************************** Climbing up onto the lower right S-Foil of his X-Wing, Luke opened up the engine hatch. He pointed to a torus shape deep in the engine and motioned B'Elanna over. "That's the X-Wing's gravity generator and above that is the hyperdrive unit, one of our advantage over the Empire. So far, only the two newest out of their five starfighter types have hyperdrives. On any of the others, the hyperdrive rips itself out of the vessel went it hits hyperspeed. Also, all our vessels have shielding while theirs doesn't. One direct hit on crosslink and a TIE is dead, while we can take a fair amount of pounding." "Showing off to the visitors? It isn't like a Jedi Knight, Luke," an X-Wing pilot said as he walked over with some other pilots. "Very funny, Corran. B'Elanna, this is Lt. Corran Horn, Gavin Darklighter from Tatooine, Lujayne Forge from Kessel, Ooryl Qrygg from Gand, Bjor Jace and Erisi Dlarit from Thyferra. They are all members of Rogue Squadron, our most famous X-Wing squadron of which Wedge and me are a part of as well." The pilots shook hands and then went off to the Pilot Lounge. "Do you think we would be able to fly one of these? I've had a lot of experience in piloting with the Maquis," B'Elanna said. "Sure. I'll just get one ready for you. Rank has its privileges," Luke jumped down and walked over to some technicians. "Is my X-Wing ready for takeoff yet?" he said. The techs told him it was ready and he looked around. Nearby, Gavin Darklighter overheard the conversation and yelled out, "She can use the spare one, Luke. They just finished on it about twenty minutes ago." Luke waved in thanks and walked back to his ship. "The techs are loading an astromech into one of the spare X-Wings for you. The droid's name is KT-15, but just call him KT. R2 is being loaded in mine. The flightsuits are in the locker rooms over there. I'll just check on the droids," he said. Reaching into his cockpit, he produced another light saber, and threw it to her. "Take this just in case. I don't know why yet, but it might come in handy." B'Elanna headed off and returned five minutes later in an X-Wing flightsuit, the light saber strapped to the flight suit. "The droids are right. While I change, the techs will just go over the basics of the targeting and flight systems. I'll be back soon." Torres climbed up the ladder and sat in the cockpit. A tech from Bespin showed B'Elanna how to use the flight controls and targeting. B'Elanna looked away and saw Luke having a conversation with two Alliance Security guards standing near another man. After a while, Luke and the other man walked away, talking like they were good friends. The two walked up to the X-Wing Torres was in. "B'Elanna, this is Captain Tycho Celchu from Alderaan. He used to be in the Imperial Navy, but defected to our side like most people from Alderaan when the planet was blown up. If you don't mind, Tycho will be flying with us. Not many people trust him much, but I know he is all right. Times have been hard these days when even the word of a Jedi Knight is not fully believed." Torres climbed down and shook Tycho's hand while KT was loaded into the X-Wing. "Sure. Welcome aboard. You can call me B'Elanna. May I call you Tycho?" "Certainly. I have not met anyone for a long while who was so friendly towards me. Even people who never knew me before and hear rumors. Excuse me while I get an astromech loaded." Tycho walked away leaving Luke and B'Elanna alone. "I thought that anyone willing to fight for the Rebellion would be treated better. He risked his life defecting. Before I joined Voyager, I was a member of a similar organization like the Rebellion." "You will have to tell me about it sometime. If you need help, KT will look after you. Have a good flight," Technicians closed the hatches on the X-Wings and climbed down. "Ready to fly? KT and R2 worked out an obstacle course for us while they were waiting, complete with shooting targets. The X-Wing has three major systems that power is divided amongst: weapons, shields and engines, each with minimal, normal or maximum power. Weapons and shield power can also be transferred fully to either them or the engines. When you want to adjust any of them, just ask KT. Looking at all the data we have been given, we will be following one of the X-Wing training missions. R2 just reminded me that he created one like one from my home planet, Tatooine. A flight in Beggar's Canyon. Keep your eyes out. On training missions, the droids will only ever take control to stop the ship from crashing. Time to head out. You can go first," came over the intercom from Luke. B'Elanna activated the repulsor lifts and pushed the joystick to head out of the landing bay, moving the throttle slightly forward. "KT, minimal strength to shields, weapons to normal, engines to full." Once the X-Wing just cleared the landing bay doors, B'Elanna hit the throttle to full and killed the repulsor lifts, causing the technicians to race for cover from the dust spun up by engines. Luke followed her out in a similar fashion. B'Elanna let up on the throttle and let Luke catch up. Once he had, she hit the side thrusters and set her X-Wing to do a 360 degree roll on its center axis. "These are better then shuttlecraft. I haven't flown anything like this ever. The closest thing was back in the Maquis fleet and it was nothing like this," she said with a laugh. "Is that what you say to every pilot?" he said. Suddenly, a green laser beam hit off the bow of each vessel. Luke immediately punched up the rear view and saw two more X-Wings coming in. "You didn't think you would be alone, B'Elanna? When we reached the end of the tour, Tycho told us where you guys went. Chakotay went back to check on the captain so me and Harry decided to join you. The techs loaded in the flight plan and sent us off," Paris said over the radio. "Ok. Once the program starts, I'll be Red Leader, B'Elanna Red Two, Tycho is Red Three, Tom is Red Four, Harry is Red Five. R2, feed the start signal to the other X-Wings and download mission data to Red Four and Five's astromechs. Start program once down." With that, the five ships lined up and entered into the training canyon. Chapter 7 --------- "Red Leader to Red Squadron, look sharp and watch for the targets. The drones will be reinitialized after each ship passes or destroys one. The X-Wings are programmed to leave enough distance," Luke said over the intercoms. B'Elanna pushed the throttle to 1/3 of full speed and activated the laser guns. "KT, you take over shield controls and lower the gravity to 1/3 of Normal. Set up the targeting computer to change when I hit the secondary button. Take over damage control as well if we get damaged and hold on tight," she said. Twisting the joystick to the right, she did a sharp right bank and pushed the throttle to full. The X-Wing dove into the canyon quickly and reached the target quickly. Quickly shifting into crossed fire link, Torres blasted out the drone before heading on to the next. "Good work. The next target will need a few shots and good accuracy," Luke relayed over the intercom. A group of drones flew out from behind a boulder and Torres nailed them. Suddenly, a red light started flashing on her console and KT started beeping loudly. "Red Leader to Red Squadron, break off attack. Repeat, break off attack. An Imperial Interdictor has moved into orbit of the planet. Hostile enemy forces are moving into the area in the form of TIE fighters, interceptors and bombers," Luke said quickly. The five X-Wing's lifted out and headed back towards the base. "The base has radioed to me that the A-Wing, B-Wing, Y-Wing and the rest of the X-Wing squadrons are being launched at the moment. All cruiser based starfighters have been launched and the cruisers have attacked. Luckily, the cruisers were able to knock out their communication arrays so they couldn't send out the location of this base, and have blocked the Interdictor from escaping. Do not use the hyperdrives as they will not be able to escape the gravity field and will burn out. You wanted some action, here it is. Be careful of our base's ion cannons and the Interdictor's turbolasers. We are to help knock out the TIE squadrons so that the Y-Wings and B-Wings can safely do their bombing runs with heavy rockets and torpedoes. All of our squadrons except one X-Wing have been sent into orbit. Thanks to the Voyager's phasers, our base is protected enough. Time to head for orbit. Put shields to full strength until we reach orbit then drop them back to normal. Set the weapons to full strength," Luke said as he explained the situation. ****************************** The four ships met up with the rest of Rogue Squadron on the way up. "Glad you didn't miss this Luke, we can sure do with your help," Wedge said over the squadron open channel. "So am I. Wedge, take over command and I'll be Red Nine. Tycho, take number two. B'Elanna, Tom, Harry, we'll all shift down to Nine, Ten, Eleven and Twelve. Wedge is Leader, Tycho is Two, Corran is Three, Bjor is four, Gavin is Five, Lujayne is Six, Ooryl is Seven, Erisi is Eight," Luke said. "Assume attack formation. ETA to TIE's is ten seconds. Let's live up to the name of Rogue Squadron. There are Eyeballs, Squints and Doupes in this flight, and possibly Assault Gunboats. Give 'em hell!!" Wedge cried over the speakers. The squadron of twelve X-Wings plowed through the closest TIE fighters and blasted them into space dust. "This is Red Six, I have a Squint on my tail and I can't shake it," came over B'Elanna's radio. Bumping the throttle to full, she did a hard turn to go around. "Red Ten to Red Six, I am closing with the bogie now. Locking on to his engines and firing now." In rapid succession, four green laser bolts flew into the Squint's cockpit and engine section, causing it to explode. B'Elanna flew through the explosion and took out a Doupe in her flight path, not giving it time to realize. "Now that's what we call fine shooting. If you keep this up, we won't let you leave. Rogue is looking for some new pilots. Just think about it," Wedge said. "Gold Leader to Rogue Squadron, twenty squints, nine Doupes and 2 assault Gunboats incoming at 6 o'clock. ETA twenty seconds. Look out," came over the radio. Suddenly, a bright red missile flew past B'Elanna and hit Red Five. "This is Red Five, my port laser guns are out and the port thrusters are damaged. My astromech says it will take twenty five seconds before power is back to the thrusters, as he has to reroute it. Shields are also down." "Red Squadron, form a defense ring around Red Five. Put all shields to fore and huddle in close." The ships formed a ring and waited for the Interceptors to hit. Suddenly, the interceptors broke their formation as a squadron of A-Wings bore down on them. "Gold Squadron to Rogue Squadron, the cavalry has arrived. Watch Red Five and we'll stop the squints from carving you guys up." B'Elanna quickly hit a few buttons and bumped the shields forward. "KT, bring up the power routing circuit diagrams for the hyperdrive, shield and lasers. Ok, good. Now route the hyperdrive main power conduit into the shield power conduit. Forget about the specs and rules saying that it should not be done and just do it. If you won't do it, just tell me how to from in here." A set of instructions appeared on her console which she read, "Hyperdrive cannot be rerouted due to a safety control board. Instructions to remove board: Second, get circuit tools from behind seat. Secondly, remove panel at left side of cockpit floor using the panel opener. Thirdly, render the chip marked Hyperdrive Override Safety inoperable using the demagnetizer. Fourthly, repeat the process for the rest of the board inside the panel. Alternatively, you can remove the board fully by using the magnetic screwdriver, but this way may take time. Lastly, return tools to behind seat. If the board or cover is damaged, there will be no major problem, but since it is an official part of this vessel in the Alliance Fleet, they should not be destroyed according to Regulation 2034 Subsection 192 Part 257a." With that, B'Elanna reached down and ripped the panel out, following it with the circuit board. "Done. Now, you can reroute the hyperdrive power into shields. Red Ten to Red Squadron, I have managed to reroute the power from my hyperdrive unit into the shields. With the added power, I might be able to extend my shields around Red Five long enough to get us both back into safety aboard one of the Calamari Cruisers to get repairs. However, it will totally burn out the hyperdrive unit and the shield unit after about 30 minutes. My astromech is standing ready to launch a grappling hook over to Red Five. All Red Five has to do is grab it and send another one back for my astromech to attach. Any other suggestions?" "Red Leader to Red Ten, go ahead with the plan after you move into the middle. Rouge Squadron, close ranks and let Red Ten inside with Red Five. Red Five, follow Red Ten's exact orders until you are back and safe," came over the intercom. "Okay, KT. Activate shields on two seconds after my mark. Red Five, launch a grappling hook and get ready to receive one on my mark. Launch now!" The two grappling hooks flew threw the short space between the X-Wings and were firmly attached. Two seconds later, the specially enhanced shield activated, enclosing the two ships. "Rouge Squadron, we are ready to head out," she said over the intercom. "Ok. Everyone, form attack pattern Delta Five Nine with Red Five and Ten in the middle. Set course for the nearest Calamari Cruiser. Gold Squadron, cover us while we dash to the nearest Calamari Cruiser." "Received. Gold Squadron taking position." The group of X-Wings swung into formation and set off for the Cruiser landing bays. When they reached the range where the Cruiser could protect the two X-Wings with its turbolasers, the rest of the squadron flew back into battle, leaving B'Elanna and Gavin alone. Chapter 8 --------- A loud beeping started from one of the panels next to the damaged one. "KT, what is that? Shut it off," B'Elanna said angrily. A message came up on her viewscreen, "Hyperdrive has reached maximum safe operating conditions and will explode in ten minutes. No way to stop explosion due to fractures of coolant chambers and automatic venting of coolant has activated to relieve coolant pressure. "Damn! Ok, plot in a hyperspace course that will get this vessel out of the area as fast as possible and set it to activate thirty seconds after you give the signal, but don't activate until I tell you to." B'Elanna reached up to her flight suit helmet and made sure it was attached and would not leak air in a vacuum. Hitting some switches, she vented the air in the cockpit and readied the cockpit cover explosive release switches. "KT, tell me when we are just outside the shield range of the cruiser and then cut the engines." The droid beeped in confirmation. "Red Ten to Calamari Cruiser close to me, my hyperdrive is close to exploding and I am towing Red Five. In ten minutes, the ship will blow. I have programmed in a hyperspace course to send this ship into hyperspace as far away as possible. When Red Five is close enough, I will transfer over to it with my astromech and my X-Wing will enter hyperspace twenty seconds after. You will have to tractor Red Five as his X-Wing has no power or shields. We will be at your outer shield limits, so get ready. Red Ten out. Red Five, I hope you heard that. I'll cut the cables when we are aboard the X-Wing safely. See you in the Cruiser. KT, when I knock on you, disable all the cockpit controls and activate the course programmed to go off after thirty seconds. Also, release your magnetic clamps so I can pull you out, but don't cut any cables to Red Five. I have a magnetic clamp that I will attach to my flight suit so you will not float away." A few seconds later, KT set a light flashing as a signal and the two ships stopped. B'Elanna hit the release switches and the cabin cover blew out. Climbing out of the cockpit, she activated her Starfleet issue magnetic boots and walked along the hull to KT. Knocking on him, she pulled him out after two seconds and wrapped the clamp to him and her flight suit. Grabbing one of the cables, she pulled herself over to Red Five. After attaching KT to the X-Wing by magnetic clamps, she drew the borrowed lightsaber and cut through the grappling cables with it. She then attached herself to the X-Wing with magnetic clamps and knocked on the cockpit for Gavin to signal the Cruiser that it could activate the tractor beam. A blue beam locked onto the X-Wing and the ship was pulled into the landing bay. Technicians and medical teams raced over to the crippled X-Wing with cranes. B'Elanna jumped down onto the deck and removed her helmet. Two Rebel Alliance men in blue jumpsuits walked up to her and one started talking, "This way. You have been ordered to report to the Sickbays for an examination. If you will come with me." With that, the one who talked grabbed her arm softly. "Forget it. I am going back out there whether you like it or not. You Alliance people cannot order me not to go back out there," B'Elanna said as she stepped back quickly and broke the man's grip. "No they cannot, but I can. From the condition of your ship, you must have suffered some damage," Chakotay said loudly from behind as he stepped up to her. "Commander. I didn't know you gave the orders. However, the ship did not suffer damage from being attacked. Red Five's X-Wing was hit by an advanced concussion missile which damaged his engines, shields and laser guns. I managed to reroute the power from my hyperdrive into my shields and extend them around Red Five. However, the hyperdrive unit was burning out and would explode soon. So I abandoned it and sent it off into hyperspace away to where it could not harm anyone. I haven't been hurt at all! I have to go back out there." "Wait a sec. This tricorder from Voyager can't find any major injuries, so I suppose you can go back out." he said as he pulled out his tricorder. "B'Elanna, I managed to scrape up two spare X-Wings. Hurry up so we can go back!" Gavin yelled out over the repair bay, causing most of the technicians to turn around in surprise. Suddenly, the shuttlebay doors opened up and some Calamari walked into the room. When the techs looked to see who had entered, most of them gasped in surprise. Admiral Ackbar and two Calamari pilots were heading over to three B-Wings next to the X-Wings. "Lt. Torres and Blint, do not leave so quickly. Temporarily, there will be three new B-Wing additions to Rouge Squadron. Who is the last in your squadron? Mr Gavin, you do not have to salute since I am joining your flight group. Also, Lt. Torres, you will be pleased to know that your X-Wing exploded without causing any harm," Ackbar said as he walked up to the group, quickly motioning Gavin to stop saluting. "The last pilot is Red Ten, Admiral. Glad to have you aboard," B'Elanna said. "Commander Chakotay, Senator Organa has sent word from the planetside base that Captain Janeway has awoken. A shuttle is waiting for you." "Thank you Admiral. B'Elanna, give them hell for me!" he said as he walked away. With that, B'Elanna and Gavin headed to the new X-Wing fighters. After the astromechs were put back in, the X-Wings took off followed by the B-Wings. "Red Ten to Red Squadron, we managed to scrounge up two X-Wings and head back in. We also picked up three friendly allies in the form of B-Wings as well." "This is Red Leader. Good, but did you have to get B-Wings? So far, we have never had any of those `lumbering Calamari tanks'?" came over the intercom. "Red Eleven to Red Leader, do not refer to our B-Wings as `lumbering Calamari tanks'. We will not be permanently attached to this squadron and we all know your preference for the X-Wing starfighter, despite the performances of the A-Wings and B-Wings," Ackbar spoke over the intercom. B'Elanna heard a crackle in her radio and tapped the intercom. KT brought up a message, `Switch to private channel 985', so she did. "Red Ten, you could have told me who was flying!! What are you trying to do, get me thrown out of the Alliance or what?" Wedge yelled over the intercom. "Sorry Red Leader. How could I know you would say that?" she said, trying not to laugh. "Ok. Switch back to the squadron channel," he said and she heard the crackle again. "Wait. Don't worry about him. He blows off steam like that sometimes. Great joke. Let's blast some Imperials!" Luke said over the not-so private channel that he had spliced into. B'Elanna laughed before switching back. "Red Squadron, the Interdictor's TIE squadrons have been destroyed. Prepare to launch proton torpedo runs on the Interdictor. Break formation and attack!" With that, the squadron peeled apart and started bombing runs. "Astromech, lock on the targeting sensors to the main bridge power reactors," Paris said as he switched over to the proton torpedo launchers. Kicking in the throttle to full and crosslinking them, he lined up the bridge and waited for the crosshairs to go red. Pulling back the throttle, he pressed the button twice quickly in succession. Suddenly, his ship shook as it was hit by two turbolaser turrets. He hit the throttle to full and pulled up hard. "Red Ten to Red Nine, are you all right? Watch out for the turrets underneath the bridge," the intercom said. A big explosion flared up on Tom's screen and he looked around to see the Interdictor exploding. "Red Squadron, head back to the planetside base. The Interdictor was unable to send for help and alert the Empire of our base's location. We managed to capture the commanding officers of the cruiser when they were escaping. Rebel Intel should be able to find out if this was an isolated accident or the Empire really knew that our base was here within the hour. However, we have some bad news. Ten assault transports and two escort shuttles were able to escape into hyperspace. B'Elanna, Tom, Harry, I am sorry to tell you that the shuttle had just captured some crew from the Voyager and our base when it lead a Stormtrooper assault that slipped through our defenses. Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay, Lt. Tuvok, Princess Leia and forty of Rebel command staff as well about seven other Starfleet personnel were taken aboard the shuttle. We are to report to the base for the rescue mission. The Alliance does not let down its allies," The X-Wings broke off from the B-Wings and flew at top speed down to the planet. Chapter 9 --------- The X-Wings landed in the shuttle bay and found Emtrey, Rogue Squadron's protocol droid waiting. "Commander Antilles, Captain Skywalker, and the Starfleet officers with Rogue Squadron are to report to the Council chambers upon arrival. Mynock, R2-D2 and KT-15 are to report as well." "Thank you, Emtrey. If you will follow me, I will lead you," Wedge said. The group raced through the base and reached the door. Two Alliance guards saw who they were and ushered them into the council chambers. Princess Leia nodded to them and motioned to an older looking woman who stood up and banged a gavel. "This council meeting is now open. As you know, part of our Alliance Council, base command staff and a number of officers from Voyager were captured during a surprise Stormtrooper assault on our base. Intelligence managed to maintain a track on them and has given us coordinates where they are. What has been proposed is a rescue mission including special operatives from the Alliance and Voyager. Admiral Ackbar, General Cracken, General Salm and their staffs have devised a plan." While the lady sat down and Ackbar walked to the podium, Paris nudged Luke and whispered, "Excuse me, but who was that lady who just spoke?" "Senator Mon Mothma, the leader of the Alliance Council." When Luke realized that Ackbar was staring towards him, he stopped talking. "What we propose is that we send in a group of 5 people in X-Wings plus 7 people in the Millenium Falcon to the Imperial planet. Once the people have been broken out of the prison, eight Calamari Cruisers and ten starfighter squadrons will arrive from hyperspace to cause a diversion while assault shuttles land to recover our people. We have found the following plan to be acceptable. Captain Luke Skywalker, Commander Wedge Antilles, Lt. Corran Horn, Lt. B'Elanna Torres and Gavin Darklighter will fly in X-Wings, with all identifying marks removed and cover identities as free mercenaries who are escorting a Corellian Transport to the Imperial Base. Lujayne Forge, Erisi Dlarit, Ooryl Qrygg, Lt. Tom Paris, Ensign Harry Kim and Wicket from Endor will be aboard the Falcon with General Solo and I assume, Chewbacca." Wedge stood up and turned towards Ackbar, with a look of anger. "With due respect, Admiral, but Tycho Celchu is one of the best pilots in the Alliance and we will need him on this mission. Just because none of you trust him is no reason to not put him on this mission. There is no proof at all." "Commander Antilles, you know the reasoning behind Captain Celchu not being trusted," Luke stood up and put a hand on Wedge's shoulder, motioning him to sit. "Admiral, if I may take the podium." "Certainly, Captain Skywalker." Luke walked up to the podium which Ackbar stood back from. "You all know of the reputation of the Jedi Knights, of which I am the last trained one. You also know of the plight of the people who survived the tragedy that occurred to the planet Alderaan. Tycho Celchu was struck hard enough by the devastation that he switched sides and joined the Rebellion. I ask that you trust in the reputation of the Jedi Knights and myself to make sure Tycho does not betray the Rebellion. In this mission, we will need all the talent we can get, which is the piloting skills of Tycho. If you ask anyone in Rogue Squadron, Senator Organa, General Solo or anyone who has flown with Tycho enough to get to know him, you will see that he can be trusted. I am finished, Admiral." Luke walked back to his seat, and Mon Mothma took the stand again. "The council will now decide on the matter of Captain Tycho Celchu's involvement in this upcoming mission of great importance. All non-council members are to leave this chamber until we have finished the ballot." Admiral Ackbar and his fellow planners left the room followed by Han, Chewie, Luke and the Starfleet officers. ****************** Six hours later, Wedge Antilles walked into the full briefing room and up to the podium. "Listen up. As you all know, ten Starfleet personnel, some of the Council members and about forty of our base command staff were captured by Imperial Assault Transports during the battle and managed to escape. The Alliance Council has authorized a rescue mission involving the Voyager crew." Suddenly, the briefing room doors opened and a group of four Alliance Security guards entered. A second later, Senator Organa walked in. Immediately, half the room stood up and saluted. "Guards, you are dismissed." she said as she stopped and looked towards one of the guards, who left quickly. "Wedge, I thought I told you to let all the rookies in Rogue know that they don't have to salute to me. Anyway, I have good news for you all. Tycho, the Council has agreed to allow you to fly on this mission. I managed to get them to forget about you having to be guarded as of now. Everyone in this room knows you are innocent. You will be aboard the Falcon, as the five fighters that will escort the Falcon have been allotted pilots." The two men who were standing behind Tycho looked towards Leia and saluted before leaving. "Now, you may continue with the briefing. Don't mind me," she said as she took a nearby seat. "Ok. Rebel Intelligence has managed to find out that they have been taken to an Imperial penal facility on the fifth moon of the Draconis system. They are to be interrogated tomorrow at 11 am," he said before turning around to a large map behind him. "Luke, Corran, B'Elanna, Gavin and myself will fly in X-Wings with the callsigns Red One, Three, Two, Four and Leader. The X-Wings will have all kill markers and Alliance symbols covered up and merc fleet ones put on over the top, but making sure that that can be undone. Tycho, Han, Chewbacca, Paris, Harry and Wicket will be aboard the Millenium Falcon, who will also have all identifying marks covered and standard merchant ones put on in place. All of you who are in the X-Wings will be wearing standard merc clothing with non- traceable weapons. Lightsabers are only allowed if carried in sensor reflecting cases. Everyone on the Falcon will be in standard merchant fleet clothing. Two Modified Corellian Corvettes, five Calamari Cruisers, a captured Interdictor from the Battle of Endor, a Victory class Star Destroyer also from Endor and thirty starfighter squadrons will be on standby with hyperspace courses plotted in. If possible, the USS Voyager will also join the fleet if the ship is repaired enough. They will be within twenty minutes range waiting for the acknowledgment signal. The mission will start in five hours when the ships are ready to go. B'Elanna Torres has informed me that Voyager will supply a tricorder for each person in the group. A self-destruct mechanism is built into each of them that the astromech droids can activate, so the Imperials will not have them for long if they are taken off anyone. Also, two Starfleet Type II phasers and two Type III phaser rifles will be taken on the mission with similar anti-capture mechanisms built in. The Voyager engineering crew have started installing a transporter system from one of their shuttlecrafts into the Millenium Falcon to transport battle armor over once the rescue is started. The briefing is now over. You are all dismissed." Harry noticed that Senator Organa left the room quickly after the meeting finished. Luke and Wedge walked up to Torres, Paris and Kim. "I heard that the lightsaber was useful. Keep it as a permanent gift," Luke said. "We all have to report to the Base Quartermaster's Office about an hour before leaving to get the proper clothes and other equipment. Also, KT and R2 will be going along. Sorry, everyone but B'Elanna, will have to go on the Falcon, because Han and Chewie are too noticeable if it gets boarded, an transport would only have a maximum of five escort starfighters plus a solo Ewok owning and flying a Corellian Transport would not stand up. I don't want to be rude, but the reason why you were chosen to go in as a merc and not on the Falcon, B'Elanna, is that we don't think anyone would take you on face as a merchant. Since none of you have experience with the standard merchant issue blasters that we have to use, we might as well head to the target range. I need to get some practice in as well," Wedge said as they walked out the door. They walked down the corridor and entered another room. Harry noticed that one of the stalls was being used when the group walked into the blaster range. The person heard them and stopped firing, stepping back. The person was dressed in merchant fleet clothing with a standard issue blaster and Alliance target range helmet. Removing the helmet, Harry saw Princess Leia Organa looking at them. "Don't even try, Luke. If you and Han are going, I am as well." Luke stepped forward and motioned her into a small office. After a minute, they walked back. Suddenly, Leia spun around and fired the blaster three times at one of the targets. "Okay. We will need all the help we can get," Luke said apprehensively. After that, the group started target practice. ************************************************* "Landing Bay control to Special Squadron, you have launch permission. Transmitting trans-orbital flight plan. Goodbye and good luck," came over Luke's radio. "R2, feed the plan into my terminal and start computing possible hyperdrive paths with two jumps before getting to the rendezvous. Relay it to the other X-Wings and the Falcon." The X-Wings rose of the ground using the repulsor lifts and flew out of the base landing bay with the Falcon following. Shifting to full throttle, the convoy blasted into high orbit of the planet and headed off. "Red Nine to Falcon. How are things going there?" "Perfect, Luke. Don't worry, I'll protect your sister from the Imperials and Harry Kim is here to protect her from me," Han said over the radio, laughing. "Just be careful. Luke out." Chapter 10 ---------- "Red Leader, here. We are coming up on the first Imperial defense station. Everyone keep quiet. Luke, take over control of Red Squadron. Falcon, take over communications," Han heard over his radio. A minute later, the radio activated again. "This is Imperial Defense Station 29 over the planet Temdian IV. You are entering an Imperial Navy interdicted zone. State your vessel's identity and the clearance code or we will open fire. We have one Corellian transport and an escort of five InCom X-Wing Starfighters on our screens." Leia nudged Paris forward, who leaned over the radio unit and pressed the open channel button. "This is the Corellian transport Corellian Starfire bound for Temdian IV Imperial Interrogation facility with some captured Rebel prisoners. Sending clearance code on channel 15 in five... four... three... two... one... now!" he said as he pressed the transmit button. Han noticed that Harry was sweating from fear of being found out. After a few seconds that seemed like a lifetime for Han, the radio came back on. "Clearance code accepted. Follow your flight plan and head directly to the Interrogation Facility, landing pad C5. Defense Station 29 out," After Han hit the power cut switch for the radio, he wiped his forehead. "When we get back to the Alliance, remind me to send my personal thanks to the Bothans who cracked the codes for us. Harry, you can calm down now." "Transport Corellian Starfire to Escort Squadron, we are cleared to land at pad C5. Follow us down," Turning around, he pulled a switch nearby. "The rest of you and Wicket take control now. Leia, can you help me and Chewie into the restrictors? After that, you get into the disguise we made for you. The Imps would believe me and Chewie captured, but not you." ***************************** Paris set the Falcon down on the landing pad and turned off the repulsor lifts. "Landing pad control to Transport Corellian Starfire, lower your entry hatch and prepare to be boarded. Your escort has been informed to stay in their X-Wings until we are finished with you. Please list the crew of your vessel and its escorts. Landing pad control to Escort Squadron, you have permission to exit your X-Wings. Wait at base of X-Wings for the Patrol to meet you," Paris heard over the radio. "Entry hatch open. Inform the boarding party to come aboard. I wish to inform you that we have five Corellians, three Tatooinans, one from Kessel, one Gand, and a Ewok pet aboard this vessel. Also, one Corellian prisoner and one prisoner from Kashykk, a Wookie." Paris then heard the following from Luke over the radio, "Escort Leader, order confirmed. Will wait for Stormtrooper patrol." "The boarding party will be informed. The Ewok and Gand will be allowed outside after we give them medical scans and locators band strapped on two of your crew and them. You are to not let them leave within ten meters of the crew. If this is disobeyed, facility security will be informed and you will all be arrested. Do you understand?" "Certainly. We both agree to the conditions," The group walked to the entry hatch, which had just finished lowering when they reached it. Twenty Stormtroopers with high-powered assault blasters and a Stormtrooper sergeant walked aboard. "Scan them now. Now, you two will lead these Stormtroopers to the two prisoners. The rest of you, to the bottom of the ramp and stop there. Watch out for the Wookie, Patrol. If he reacts, shoot to kill," the sergeant said as he pointed to Tycho and Paris. The twenty Stormtroopers went of with the pair. When the group reached the bottom of the ramp, the sergeant talked into his comm channel. "When the two prisoners have been secured, we will finish with you," A minute later, Han and Chewie were escorted out by Stormtroopers followed by Tycho and Paris. "Patrol One, take these two Rebels to the other Rebel prisoners in custody," The sergeant waited until Han and Chewie had been taken away before turning back. The Stormtroopers headed to the main entrance and were met halfway by two more groups of twenty Stormtroopers, also with assault blasters, who were coming to help with the visiting ships. When the two patrols arrived, the sergeant barked out, "Patrol Two, come with me. Patrol Three, search every last part of this ship for contraband." With that, Patrol Two led the disguised Rebels and Starfleet officers over to the X-Wings. ***************************** As the Rebels and Starfleet officers from the Falcon walked over, Luke couldn't help thinking that the disguise for Leia made it difficult for even him to notice it was her, let alone Stormtroopers who had never met her. However, all of them were disguised enough so that Luke would not have noticed them to be Rebels even though he knew them so well. Luke stepped forward to the sergeant. "Aliens, step to the left. Stormtroopers, scan them and put on the locator bands. You two will have to wear locator bands as well," the sergeant said as he pointed to B'Elanna and Wedge. The two of them put the bands on as the sergeant handed them out. "You are to not let it leave within ten meters of you. If this is disobeyed, facility security will be informed. Do you understand?" B'Elanna and Wedge nodded. "Okay. Stay within ten meters of your alien, or we will be alerted and arrest the lot of you. Get all the equipment you will be bringing into the base and pile it over there." Luke looked towards the sergeant and used his Jedi skills to open a link to the sergeant's mind. Luke mentally whispered and heard his commands repeated verbally by the sergeant, "You may bring the astromech droids inside the base by my authority, if they wear droid control bands," The Stormtroopers directed magnetic cranes to lift each droid out. After that, the group was escorted to their rooms once the droids had the bands put on. "At this time, this base has been placed under non-leaving status. You and your escort will be taken to rooms where you will stay until the status is removed." Chapter 11 ---------- The Stormtroopers stopped the group outside a group of five doors and the sergeant pulled out five security cards. "At the moment, we only have these four rooms available. Each room can hold three people. Split yourselves up. Here are the security cards to open the doors. My patrol and I must go now, so I will leave you. If you need anything, call to the Base Security Office." The sergeant walked away with his patrol when Luke took the cards. He handed one card each to Wedge, Leia, Paris and Lujayne and spoke when the patrol was out of hearing range. He tapped Artoo, who beeped and extended his small antenna. "Good. Artoo has activated a sensor scrambling bubble around us so that the Imperial sound sensors will not pick up what we say. Wedge, you take Emtrey, Tycho, Mynock and Ooryl with you." Luke felt a tap at his knees and looked down. Wicket motioned for him to kneel, which he did, so he could whisper in Luke's ear. After a few seconds, Luke laughed and nodded. Wicket raced over to B'Elanna and grabbed her arm. "Wicket wants to go with you. He doesn't feel safe here and thinks you will protect him best." B'Elanna patted the Ewok on the head and nodded to Luke. "Leia, Wicket, KayTee and B'Elanna are with you. Paris, you are with Harry. Lujayne, Erisi is your bunkmate so you two will be together. Corran and Gavin, you two are with me. Bring Whistler and Dusty with you. It will need three astromechs to do what they have to do. Mynock is to work out how to send a coded transmission to the fleet without letting the Imps discover it while KayTee is to draw up a plan of the paths and sizes for the Stormtrooper patrols. Everyone, rest while you can as we will have to act quickly once the droids have done their jobs." Artoo opened his secret compartment and a Starfleet communicator for everyone popped up. Luke handed them out and said, "Hide them under your clothing so the Imps don't find them. Good luck and may the Force be with you." After that, the separate groups entered the corresponding rooms. Luke, Corran and Gavin walked into their room followed by the droids. "Ok. Artoo, Whistler and Dusty, log on to the Imperial network and disable the security protocols. Then, you will have to organize a search pattern so that you and the other droids can locate all our people. When you are finished, create a diversion." Artoo beeped and opened a small panel. Out shot Luke's lightsaber. Corran tapped his communicator through his flight jacket. "Corran here. Is everyone ready?" Wedge, Paris, Lujayne and Leia replied with the arranged call-signal. "Ok, close the channel so the Imps don't pick them up. When the droids have completed their duties, send one person over to tell us. Corran out." A knock came from the door and Luke quickly hid his lightsaber. When that was done, Gavin opened the door and B'Elanna quickly walked in, the door being closed quickly behind her. "KayTee has found that the computer with the Stormtrooper and pilot listings was unguarded by security blockouts and monitoring. He said it was classed as "unimportant" in the Imperial computer file lists. Via that computer, he was able to generate an authorized link to the security monitor system without causing any security alerts to activate. He uploaded a special program that will let the tricorder access it without being detected. That way, we can view it anytime on one of the tricorders," she said as she pressed a few buttons. A light beam came out of one end and projected a three dimensional map of the base with colored dots. "The moving green dots designate Stormtrooper patrols, red blocks designate security offices and the blue flashing dots are security sensors. As you can see, there are two in each of our rooms, as the astromech droids detected and created sensor bubbles around. Also, KayTee set it up so that we will display as yellow dots on the tricorder map. The moving purple dots are non- Stormtroopers." "Ok. Time to check it is accurate. There should be a patrol coming by outside in about one minute if the map is correct. Setting chronometer now. I'll step out as the patrol should be walking past. Set the map to not display on the wall and check to see if the dot stops. Gavin, when I get them to come in, act like you are really ill. B'Elanna, hide behind the bed and jump out then stun them once I have the door closed." B'Elanna took it back and keyed in a few buttons. She placed it under Corran's bed then Luke checked his watch and stepped out directly in the way of a patrol of eight. The leader raised his blaster and said, "Step out of the way. Good. We have been sent to check on you. Do any of you need anything?" Using his Jedi skills, Luke planted ideas in their minds as he said, "Yes, one of our people is ill and I don't know anything about medicine. Could your patrol come inside?" The leader looked around before speaking, "Patrol, follow me. Take us to the ill person." Luke led the group of eight inside. Once they were all inside, Corran quietly closed the door as the troopers examined Gavin. B'Elanna jumped out and took them out with a heavy stun wide-beam phaser blast. "They will be out of action for an hour. The armor will have suffered no damage at all." Luke hit his combadge and ordered Tycho, Leia, Erisi and Lujayne to report to his room quickly. A minute later, the group had assembled inside. "Ok. While the droids work, we will scout around the base. Tycho, you trained at the Imperial Academy. What would you say our chances of impersonating Stormtroopers would be? My last time back at Yavin failed." "Despite the precautions taken at this base, the Stormtrooper helmets change voices enough for no one to recognize us when we speak. Wearing the battle armor, no one will think anything strange about us hopefully. I reckon we would succeed as long as we stay out of the barracks and don't remove helmets. We will have to leave the combadges here though," B'Elanna looked up and said, "I recommend we take R2 and say we are delivering him if anyone asks. A phaser can be put inside him in case we need it." "Ok everyone. Time to suit up. I'll take the leaders place since he is a captain. Five minutes and don't forget the blaster rifles. Don't worry, this will be a piece of cake. Luke to group, send one person to each of the unoccupied rooms. If troopers come along, tell them the missing people are sleeping." *************************** Luke lead the patrol down the corridor. At a crossroads, they ran into another patrol. The patrol stopped immediately and saluted when they noticed Luke was wearing a captain's rank on his uniform. "Report," Luke said in his most commanding voice. One of the troopers, obviously the patrol leader, stepped forward and said, "Nothing to report, Captain." "Carry on with your patrolling, troopers," Luke said. The troopers walked away and around a corner. "I glad you were right, Tycho. Move out down this way. Look out for any security offices, especially empty ones." The group rounded a corner and walked into a large room. Groups of Imperial technicians were working at computer consoles, directing the main fusion reactors that generated the base's power supply. Luke motioned for the Rebels to make room for B'Elanna to stun the techs. Collecting the phaser from R2's compartment, she hit it to heavy stun at widest range as the group shielded her from the sight of the techs. When it was ready, they moved away and B'Elanna stunned the group. Corran closed all the doors and locked them. R2 beeped when he finished disabling all the sound and sensors in the room. "Okay. We have five minutes before the next patrol comes through. B'Elanna, can you set the reactors to blow in twenty minutes time? We need all power throughout the base to go down, so the planetary force fields and communications are down. Once the force fields go, we can signal the Rebel fleet to hyperspace in. The ion cannons will do the rest." B'Elanna started working on various consoles, rerouting circuits while R2 monitored the main computer. "Everything is done. From the data KayTee gave me about the reactors, I started a pressure buildup in one of the reactors and disabled all the release systems. The resulting explosion will take out the other reactors, making it look like a set of faulty release valves caused the problem." Luke nodded and motioned for R2 to go to work. "Artoo will upload a specially designed computer virus designed a few years ago by the alliance. All our astromechs were given programs to stop the virus infecting them. The virus will cause the sensors to give false readings and scramble all the files in the main computer systems." After Artoo finished, the group left the room. Four minutes later, the Rebels had reached the rooms assigned to them. Luke pulled out his communicator and opened the subspace channel. "In sixteen minutes, the base reactors will explode. By now, the computer virus will be affecting the base sensors. Everyone, go back to your assigned rooms, grab your weapons and we will head out soon. The astromechs will stay here and keep the doors locked. Meet in the corridor in ten minutes." The Rebels removed the Stormtrooper uniforms and selected the weapons they were taking. B'Elanna activated her remote transporter controls and beamed onboard the Falcon with her phaser drawn and on heavy stun. Looking around, she found that no Stormtroopers had checked the cargo bay and the door seal was not broken. Locking on to the various coordinates, she beamed over the suits of Starfleet battle armor to the Rebels and Starfleet crew. After putting on her battle armor suit, she set the transporter to beam her over and grabbed her Type III phaser rifle. As B'Elanna beamed into back into the room, a loud explosion from somewhere in the base shook the floors. A loud siren started and a voice came over the intercom, "This base is on full security alert. All non-essential personnel and visitors are to stay in their quarters. Anyone in the corridors without authorization will be arrested or shot." Luke, Corran, Gavin and B'Elanna left the room and waited for the others to come out. After the group met, Luke looked around. "Wedge, take Tycho, Ooryl, Paris and Erisi with you. You will have to take out the comm center staff. Before you disagree B'Elanna, we will need you with us to break through any mechanical barriers and Harry for any computer ones. The rest of you, follow me to the holding cells. If you meet any Imperials, shoot first and ask questions later, since they will do the same. Head out." The two groups split and went their separate ways. Chapter 12 ---------- Wicket snuck ahead, spear ready to attack. Walking a bit further on, he stopped and sniffed the air. Coming from further up, he could smell the unique smell of humans in Stormtrooper armor. He unstrapped a small bag from his belt and opened it up. He quickly put it close to the floor and upended it. Many small round hardened clay balls rolled out, going everywhere. Racing back to Luke, he screeched in the Ewok language, waving his little arms. A second later, his combadge started translating, "Ahead is big smelly Stormtroopers. Emptied pouch of marbles so slip. Hurry. Outside door prison cells." "Okay everyone. Draw you weapons and take off the safeties. Shoot first, ask questions later." Luke lead the group further on until they found Wicket's marbles. The group split in two and stood up against the walls, weapons drawn. Wicket jumped over the marbles and raced on, yelling loudly. ********************* The Stormtrooper captain looked around and saw an Ewok charging. Bringing up his blaster, he fired off a shot, but missed. The Ewok turned and ran away. "Patrol, follow me. We have one Ewok to toast." the captain said as he lead his men racing down the corridor. The men charged down the corridor and raced straight into Wicket's trap. They went sliding across the ground and landed hard. B'Elanna jumped out and blasted them with a wide angle heavy stun beam, knocking them out. "Quick, drag them in there," Luke said as he grabbed the captain's arm and pulled. A few seconds later, the soldiers were moved into the room. With some strong cables around the room, the Rebels and Starfleet people tied the troopers up before taking off their helmets. Using some rags nearby, the Stormtroopers were gagged tightly. Luke's group left the room and Kim melted the lock on the door with a setting 5 phaser beam. Luke lead the group down the corridor to the the door where the troopers had been after Wicket retrieved all his marbles. B'Elanna stepped up to the door and was about to open it before Corran grabbed her arm. "Watch it. Some of the Imperial doors have special traps. Anyone who doesn't deactivate the panel with a keycard gets an electric jolt strong enough to take out a Wookie. Stand back everyone. We will have to blast through. It will be two thick titanium sheets with a force field inside. Luke motioned everyone except B'Elanna and Kim back. "We need at least four meters range for safety. Go to setting 16, Harry. Watch our backs and watch for shrapnel," B'Elanna said as they both raised their phaser rifles. From the two rifles came bright white searing beams that changed to deep red just before they hit the door. The first door exploded quickly and shrapnelled before the beams hit the interior force field. The field glowed bright blue before disappearing. Once it stopped, the beams pierced the interior door. They shut down the beams. B'Elanna changed down to setting 5 and quickly vaporized the glowing remaining fragments of the door in the doorway. The group charged in and looked around. Around the room were the dead bodies of two Stormtroopers who were shrapnelled and one poor technician who had been opposite the door at a computer panel. B'Elanna raced over to the panels and started examining them. "Part of the console was hit full blast by the phaser beams and is melted. However, the rest works. Give me and Kim a few seconds and we will find the exact cells our people are in. Cover the door," she said as Corran, Gavin, Luke, Leia and Lujayne kneeled down behind the consoles, weapons drawn. A Stormtrooper raced up to the door and was blasted. More Stormtroopers started shooting through the door, narrowly missing the Rebels and Stormtroopers. Wicket started screeching at Kim while waving his spear. A blaster beam fired at him blasted a panel and singed his fur. He looked around and screeched loudly. Grabbing Kim's phaser rifle that he had discard to work on the panels, Wicket pressed a button. Examining the gun that was so strange to him, he accidentally squeezed the trigger. An orange beam flew out of the nozzle and hit the room, narrowly missing Corran who only noticed it flying past his head by inches and feeling the sheer heat it left in its wake. Reacting instinctively, he rolled out of the way and rolled into Leia, knocking her over. The beam blasted out the roof, leaving a very large hole. From above, a very heavy and large steel block slammed down, crushing the doorway plus a meter on either side of it. Everyone turned around and stared at the Ewok, who was jumping up and down happy. "Wicket, give me that rifle," B'Elanna said as she reached out for it. After a few seconds, Wicket handed it over and picked up his spear. "Watch where you leave those next time. He nearly blasted me out of existence," Corran said as he rolled of Leia, blushing. "I have located them. Han Solo and Chewbacca are with them. They are down that corridor, the end six cells," Kim said as he hit a few more buttons. The block started glowing slightly as he was talking. "Everyone, move it quickly. Hurry, hurry," Luke said as he ushered everyone away from the control room. As he left, he shot the panel with his blaster which exploded. The door started closing and he dove through it. Racing on, he reached the group. B'Elanna was working on the door after opening the panel. "Stuff it. Stand back," she said as she drew the lightsaber Luke gave her and slashed through the doors. When she cut through the locking mechanism in the middle, the door sprang open. ************************** Janeway was conferring with Han Solo, Chewbacca and some other Alliance people held in her cell plus Chakotay and Tuvok. Suddenly, she heard someone curse and a strange noise. Recognizing the voice, she jumped up and said, "Everyone, get to the sides of the cell quickly." Just in time, the people jumped out of the way as a (red/blue) lightsaber cut through the door. The door flung open and B'Elanna Torres jumped through, grinning when she saw the captain. Luke Skywalker and Harry Kim followed her through. "B'Elanna, what a welcome surprise. How did you get here?" Janeway said. "We don't have time to talk. Harry, Tom and I came in with some members of the Alliance's Rogue Squadron." The group left the cell and waited in the corridor until the others had been freed. Suddenly, B'Elanna's combadge chirped. "Voyager to Lt. B'Elanna Torres, we have arrived to lift out all personnel. Standby. We have just beamed up Mr Paris's team and are just locking onto you. Main Transporter Room, lock onto all people in the vicinity of Torres's combadge and beam them up. Coordinate with all transporters and get them up in one group. Bring all lifeforms." The group stood straight in a group and waited. A second later, the familiar feeling of the transporter beam activating registered in Janeway's mind. Her last view was of a Stormtrooper patrol charging through a door at the end of the corridor. Seconds later, she reappeared in a transporter room with nine others. She stepped down and raced over to the transporter operator, followed by Tuvok. "Did we get everyone, Ensign?" she said quickly. "Yes, Captain. We beamed up a total of sixty-three people safely. Shields are back up now. I was told to inform you that the Alliance command has set up a combat chamber in the main holodeck under command of Admiral Ackbar." "Good. Janeway to all Transporter rooms, everyone is safely aboard and the shields have been raised. If all Rebel personnel could head to the Main Holodeck, it would be appreciated. All senior officers, report to the bridge." Luke Skywalker and Torres walked into the room. "Congratulations, you two. You have helped rescue a lot of people," she said. "Admiral Ackbar sent a message to me that I might best help you on the bridge," he said. "In that case, Captain, Lt. Torres, Lt. Tuvok, follow me to the bridge." ************************************* The four people stepped onto the bridge to find that Chakotay had beaten them to the bridge. A second later, Paris and Kim raced onto the bridge and took their places. "Mr Paris, plot a course to take us close to that Imperial Nebulon Frigate that is damaging that light Calamari cruiser. Tuvok, fire five photon torpedoes to take out its shields," she said. Voyager head over to a Nebulon Frigate and fired its weapons. The Frigate's shield shutdown under the onslaught from Voyager and the Calamari cruiser. As the shields went down, the energy beams coming from the Calamari changed color from red to blue. "Cease firing. The Calamari can finish it with the ion cannons. Start taking out some of the starfighters with phasers." The Frigate stopped firing and started drifting. "Captain, we are being hailed by the Calamari. They ask that we move the Frigate out of the battle, since it can only get damaged where it is," Kim said. "Lock on four tractor beams. Mr Paris, lay in a safe course to take us out of the battle and engage once we have a good lock." The Frigate was dragged out of the battle and left floating about 2000 kilometers away. Suddenly, a large vessel entered from hyperspace and flew past Voyager. Luke raced over to the Captain from helping Torres at her console. "Captain, that was an Imperial Interdictor cruiser. If we cannot stop it, it will stop us from leaving with its gravity well generators. The only reason it is here is that there must be a fleet of Star Destroyers coming here via hyperspace," Luke said. Suddenly, Voyager shook as if it was punched. "Damn! They activated the gravity well. Captain, we have to shut down the warp drive or the magnetic containment fields will fail soon," Torres said, smashing her fist into a bulkhead. "Do it, Lieutenant. After the drive is shutdown, see if you can find a way to stop the gravity well interfering with the containment fields." "Yes, Captain. Torres to Engineering, shut down the warp drive quickly. Forget about shutdown regs for decreasing restart times, just do it before we blow. I am transferring down there now. Torres out." She raced off the bridge into a waiting turbolift, barging an ensign out of the way who had come up from the Alliance combat room in the main holodeck. "Paris, take us in as close as possible to the Interdictor. Tuvok, arm two tricobalt devices," Janeway said as she stepped up to Mr Kim's station. "Mr Kim, get as detailed a scan as possible of the Interdictor as possible for Tuvok. Concentrate on the gravity well generators and use all sensor arrays at full power. Tuvok, once Kim gets you the scan, aim for the gravity generators and fire at will. Fire a full salvo of photon torpedoes and phasers." A few seconds later, Voyager reached firing range of the Interdictor and fired the torpedoes plus phasers. Two Calamari cruisers, three squadrons of Y-Wings and two B-Wing squadrons helped collapse the Interdictor's shields for the Voyager. Two bright blue probes flew through the space separating Voyager and the Interdictor cruiser. "Tricobalt devices away and tracking. Estimated time to collision in five... four... three... two... one... collision." The devices slammed into the Interdictor, rupturing its hull. A large explosion ripped through its main hull. Explosion started through out the lower hull and spread up to the main bridge section. As the small explosions reached the main stardrives, the ship exploded as the raw power of the stardrives vaporized the vessel. "The Rebels are hailing us. They say to leave the area quickly. Eight Victory class Star Destroyers, four Star Destroyers and two Super Star Destroyers are heading in at high speed. A general retreat has been sounded. They also say that the Millenium Falcon plus all the X-Wings are within ten seconds of us, and ask that we give them a lift due to damage in the base assault," Kim said. "Hail them and tell them to cut their engines. Lock on tractor beams and get them in quickly," she said. Her combadge chirped and she heard Torres's voice. "We have restarted the warp drives. They did not have enough time to cool down too far, so we were able to restart within thirty seconds. We can give you up to Warp 7 at the moment," she said. "Captain, all vessels aboard," Kim said. "Mr Paris, lay in a course along the Rebel's exit vector, Warp 7. Engage!" she said. Voyager sped quickly out of the system at Warp 7, leaving the Imperials behind with a shattered base. Chapter 13 ---------- Back at the new Rebel base, the Rebels and Voyager personnel celebrated the victory. All of the Voyager crew and Rebel personnel met in the large victory hall on the planet of Terriak II. On a large raised dais at one end, Princess Leia, Admiral Ackbar, Mon Mothma, Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay and the Alliance Council sat on golden chairs. A long red carpet led from the dais to the other end. To either side, the Alliance and Voyager crew were assembled. Torres, Kim and Paris were standing talking to Han Solo, Chewbacca, Luke and Wicket. Suddenly, trumpets started playing and the room hushed almost instantly. Princess Leia stepped up to a podium. "We are assembled here today to rejoice for the rescue of the Alliance council and members of the Federation vessel, Voyager. I will now hand over the podium to Mon Mothma, leader of the Rebel Alliance. Upon speaking to Captain Janeway of the Voyager, we have all agreed to bestow honors on the people who made this day possible. We ask that the following Alliance members come forward: General Solo of Corellia, Chewbacca of Kashykk, Captain Luke Skywalker of Tatooine, Captain Tycho Celchu of Alderaan, Wicket of the Forest Moon of Endor, Commander Wedge Antilles of Corellia, Lieutenant Corran Horn of Corellia, Gavin Darklighter of Tatooine, Lujayne Forge of Kessel, Erisi Dlarit of Thyferra and Ooryl Qrygg of Gand. Unbeknownst to them, the following people are also to come forward: Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, Lieutenant Tom Paris, Ensign Harry Kim of Starfleet, and Princess Leia Organa-Skywalker of Alderaan. I ask that Captain Janeway step up here and help me present the medals." The named people assembled in a group on the dais, after Admiral Ackbar motioned Leia to step over to the group. "Under the powers of the Alliance Council and Captain Janeway's authority in Starfleet, each of you are being presented with a Star of Alderaan Medal from the council, and a Starfleet Medal of Valor by authority of Captain Janeway. Also, Princess Leia, General Solo, Chewbacca, Captain Skywalker, Lt. Torres, Lt. Paris, Ensign Kim and Commander Antilles will receive the Alliance Honor Medal and Starfleet Medal of Honor as well for their part in the mission. On top of this, General Solo and Chewbacca will receive a Citation of Conspicuous Gallantry for their part in the mission. I also have been informed by our scientists that we have found a way to help the Voyager return to their universe once they have refueled and repaired their vessel. I extend a personal welcome to all of the Voyager crew to spend some time here to relax after the battle." The medals were given out personally by Captain Janeway and Mon Mothma. Once they finished, the ceremony broke up. Outside the chambers, Luke and Leia were waiting for Janeway and Chakotay with B'Elanna. The two senior officers walked out and the three walked over. Janeway noticed that Luke and B'Elanna seemed to be very close and she could swear that they had been holding hands before. She looked at Leia, who smiled and motioned for Chakotay and Janeway to follow her. Luke and B'Elanna didn't seem to notice that they were alone after that. "Captain, Rogue Squadron came to me about an hour before this meeting with an unusual request. I was hesitant at first, but have thought it through. Recently, they came into hands of requisitioning a few too many X-Wing starfighters and astromech droids. What they asked is if it would be all right for one of the starfighters and an astromech to conveniently disappear. When I told them that the Alliance Defense Force would probably not be too pleased, they sort of hinted that it would be going where no X-Wing had ever gone before, but could not tell me where it was at that moment or where it would go. If you hear any word of it, could you please leave a message for me with it's location?" Suddenly, Janeway's communicator buzzed and she said, "Certainly. Excuse me, Princess." She stepped away and answered it, "Janeway here." A young female human spoke over the channel, "This is Ensign Larrit from Shuttlebay Control. I just came on duty in the Shuttlebay Control Room and saw a very large object covered up in the secondary shuttlebay. Internal sensors report that it has a fusion-based engine and is not recorded in the shuttlebay manifests. The bridge did not know about it either, so I called down to you." "Thank you, Ensign. I think I know what it is, and it is safe. I will call you in five minutes about what to do with it. Janeway out." she answered. Janeway walked back over to the group, who had been joined by Luke and Torres. "Lieutenant Torres, I have just received word that a large object is currently located in Shuttlebay Two, and is not listed in Voyager's manifests. Hence, it is not a Starfleet shuttle. Have you any idea what it is doing there?" she questioned, slightly annoyed. Torres looked towards Janeway and saw the look on her face. `Damn. Carey probably found the sensor block and turned it off.' she thought to herself. Before she could speak, Luke beat her, "Captain, before you become angry at Lt. Torres, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why the `object' is aboard. She is not the only one to blame for this." Next to her, Leia shook her head and glared at Luke. Chakotay looked down at the ground, so that neither Janeway or Torres could see the amused look on his face. Janeway started tapping her foot and was wearing her most serious face, normally reserved for facing down Romulans, Tholians, Cardassians and recently Kazon. `I'll have to have another talk to B'Elanna again.' he mentally reminded himself. Nobody spoke for about five seconds. Finally, Torres plucked up the nerve to speak, "The object in Shuttlebay is an X-Wing Starfighter with an astromech droid. Rogue Squadron approached Tom, Harry and me with it as a gift for helping them out." `There. At least Captain Janeway won't be angry about me lying.' "Lieutenant, report back to Voyager and tell your collaborators that I want to see the three of you in my ready room in one hour. Dismissed," Janeway ordered, trying to calm her temper. Torres saluted, and walked away quickly. Further down the corridor, she hit her combadge and was beamed back to the ship. "The starfighter will be returned to Rogue Squadron as soon as possible," she said as she turned to Leia. "Thank you, Captain, but it will not be necessary. I know that the people will have to be reprimanded, as will Rogue Squadron and any who were involved. The InCom Corporation recently opened up four new starfighter construction plants in Alliance territory, and we will have more then enough when they are fully operational. The X-Wing is not one of the latest starfighters anyway," Leia said. "Even so, I will have to think about whether it can be accepted, due to our Prime Directive." "In that case, we will leave you to think about it. If you want, we can help arrange something to remind Rogue Squadron and your officers that they are part of organized defense fleets, if you know what I mean. Goodbye, Captain, Commander." Once the pair left, Janeway hit her combadge and said, "Janeway to Voyager, inform Paris, Torres and Kim to wear dress uniforms when they report to me. Two to beam up. Energize." ****************************************** Janeway was sitting on the couch in her ready room, drinking from a hot cup of coffee and reading from a PADD. Chakotay was sitting opposite, quietly thinking to himself as he read from a second PADD. The door chime activated and Janeway looked up. She called out, "Come in." and the door opened. Lt. Torres, Lt. Paris and Ensign Kim stood at attention in front of the two senior officers, all in dress uniforms as were Janeway and Chakotay. "The commander and I have been discussing the situation very heavily. For pulling off this stunt, I show throw the three of you in the brig for the next seventy-five years. You have broken Starfleet rules, grand theft under the Alliance laws, and countless others. Imagine what would have happened if the Alliance Defense Forces had found out and not Senator Organa. Myself, Commander Chakotay and you three are beaming back down to the base now. Lt. Tuvok, beam us directly to the coordinate given before," she said as she opened her combadge signal. Seconds later, they arrived in a corridor. A door opened and they were lead in. To the left, Rogue Squadron was sitting in a raised section, in official Alliance Squadron dress uniforms. Five Alliance security guards motioned for Torres, Kim and Paris to join the squadron, while Janeway and Chakotay sat near the door. Two Alliance admirals walked into the room and sat at a table. Janeway stood and took the third place at the table. One of the admirals spoke, "The court is in session. Lieutenant Ontario, please read the charges." A Corellian male stood and read from a nearby screen, "Conspiracy to theft of a Defense Force starfighter, conspiracy to theft of a Defense Force astromech droid, breaking of the Federation Prime Directive by supplying technology and treason against the Alliance." "You have heard the charges. Under your own admissions that you were all involved, this court finds you guilty. As of the Alliance laws, the combined penalty for this is twenty-five years hard labor and confinement at a Alliance Prison Facility," the second admiral said. The group looked around at each other, and realized that they were all being court-marshaled. The court-martial continued on until the large doors opened up. A group of Alliance Security officers walked in followed by a Mon Calamari Admiral, who took a seat near the door. The Mon Calamari nodded to Janeway, who stood up and started talking, "Upon request of Admiral Ackbar of the Alliance Defense Forces and my own request, all charges against both Rogue Squadron and the Starfleet officers involved have all been dropped. The Alliance will be watching Rogue Squadron though, as will I watch my own officers in future. Admiral, I believe you have something to say. Janeway sat down as Admiral Ackbar walked up to the table. "When I was informed of the X-Wing, I was very disappointed in all involved. Cmdr. Antilles, Captain Skywalker, Captain Celchu, Lieutenant Torres, you four are all senior officers who should know what is right and what is not. The rest are your responsibilities and are not as much to blame. Under consultation with Captain Janeway, Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Tuvok of Voyager, the X-Wing and astromech has been allowed to be transferred. Know this that any future situation as this will bring about strict and final judgment and sentencing. This court-martial is now over. Captain Skywalker, please get your astromech unit to upload all relevant data on the InCom X-Wing Starfighter, including specifications and full engineering plans, into the Voyager's computer system." ****************************************** Three weeks later, Voyager was repaired and refueled. The crew had just finished returning from much needed shore leave on the planet. Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Artoo, Han Solo, Wicket, Chewbacca and Rogue Squadron met in Voyager's transporter room. Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok, Paris, Torres, KayTee and Kim were all waiting there. Leia noticed that Torres and her brother were talking quietly to one side of the pad, and that Artoo and KayTee were also chirping away near the Torres and Luke, and she did not notice Captain Janeway walk up. Janeway started talking, startling her. "Princess Organa, my crew and I wish to thank the Alliance for all they have done. We only wish there was some way we could show our appreciation," Janeway said. Leia replied, "You have paid off all debts you could have created in the time your ship was with us. You have helped rescue the Alliance Council from the hands of the Imperial warlords left over after the Battle of Endor. Without the Council, the Alliance would have fallen quickly and all the work we have done would be for nothing. Your crew has become legends throughout the Alliance and stories of you will last for many centuries. For all we know, we may meet up again. Also, one of your crew has done a lot for my brother. Ever since the Battle of Endor and the death of Darth Vader, who was our father, Anakin, Luke has started being more brooding then before. I believe that Lieutenant Torres has managed to crack his shell." "I am glad for both you and Luke. I hope that you manage to finally start your New Republic and he starts his Jedi Academy," she said, noticing that Leia was slightly distracted. "Thank you. I hope you manage to find a quick way home from where your ship entered our universe. We are sorry that we were unable to help you get home quicker, but the gateway back only exists to a certain location. We believe that it will close shortly after you return, since it is not a stable phenomenon. However, it will last long enough for you to travel through with time to spare. A fleet of Alliance capital ships will escort you to the gateway. Once through, you will have time to send a final message back through before it closes. Good luck, and may the Force be with you." "Again, thank your scientists for the help." The rebel personnel assembled on the transporter pads. "Captain, I have given Lt. Torres a lightsaber before she left on the mission. I would like her to keep it, but I thought we should have your permission first due to the fact that it is sharing technology, and the X-Wing incident," Captain Skywalker said to Janeway. "I give you permission. After all that we have gone through, it will not matter," Janeway said. Luke smiled and took his place. With that, everyone said their good-byes and Torres took over the transport. "Lieutenant Torres, we are ready," Leia said as she took her place next to Luke. The transporter beamed the people over to an Alliance vessel. "The Alliance vessel is signaling that everyone arrived safely," B'Elanna replied. "Good. Janeway to Bridge, lay in the course to the gateway. We will be on the bridge shortly." ******************************************* Janeway took her place as the ship reached the gateway. Torres, Chakotay, Tuvok, Kim and Paris took their respective positions. "Detecting vertiron particles ahead. Sensors confirm that it is a wormhole," Tuvok said. "Mr Kim, signal to our escort that we are entering. Mr Paris, take us in slowly." Voyager entered the wormhole using impulse drives. "ETA to exit in three... two... one... we have left the wormhole. Sensors show that we are back where we left our universe," Paris said. "Mr Kim, inform the Alliance vessels that we have arrived and tell them goodbye," she said. "Message sent. They have replied, saying goodbye and good luck. They also said, `May the Force be with you'." "Mr Paris, set a course for the Alpha Quadrant and home, Warp 8. Engage." Janeway said, as she noticed that Torres was holding the lightsaber, given to her by Luke, and gazing at the stars. Chakotay leaned over to Janeway and whispered, "I think we should watch her, Captain. The pair of them went through a lot and it was hard for them to separate." "Agreed," she said before looking back to the viewscreen, to see the ship was now back on track. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Reilly Student at Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia a.k.a Tasslehoff Burrfoot, Wicket, Splat of Hylo Voice Ph No. : +61-07-55-376-292 Data Ph No. : +61-07-55-289-814 (Voyager BBS) E-Mail : wicket@bigfoot.com <== Prefer this one zz_michael_reilly@macmail.bond.edu.au s1511@kowande.bond.edu.au ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "New roads demand a hoopak. No road is ever old." Tasslehoff Burrfoot - Kendermore ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Commanding a starship is your first best destiny" Captain Spock to Admiral James T. Kirk - Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan -------------------------------------------------------------------------