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Runabout Challash: A Seven Part Miniseries

FederationHistorian

Commodore
Commodore
PART ONE

The pink scaly skinned Venturi merchant handed over the book to the Benzite male that paid for it. Titled The Peaceful and the Science Movement, translated to Federation Standard from Ka'bu title that basically said Ba'ku and Son'a, which recounted the history of the two species that inhabited the planet Ba'ku below the starbase the Benzite was on - Starbase 40. The Benzite was named Cen Tree. All Venturi he had met before had taken up the pirate life, or were susceptible to the pitched of Ferengi Daimons to be in their employ. All to get what they though the Federation owed them for not doing enough to save their homeworld over a century ago. This Venturi merchant was had no problem breaking the mold. The Venturi attempt to sell copies of another book title The Legend of Gorath, a Klingon folktale. Judging by its size, it was heavily dramatized from the original telling.

Stepping aside for the tattooed Romulans that were still mourning the loss of their homeworld, and sitting down to read the book he purchased, Cen waited for his crew to meet up with him. The New Planet of Peace, this time centered around the powers involved in the Dominion War. Even though there was no indication that it would be any more successful that the original attempt on Nimbus III. Grand Nagus Rom, First Clerk Leeta, and Quark and the dabo girls were enjoying shore leave on the planet. there probably would be a Quark's open on Ba'ku by the end of the shore leave.

He raised his eyes up to see a triumvirate of female Vuclan archeologists - T'Lirus, the bald T'Sara, and the blonde haired T'Laris - make their way across the starbase, like to a transporter to beam down to their work on Ba'ku. T'Sara made her name searching for the artifact called the Ko'Nya that once belonged to Surak's clan before it was stolen by another clan that left for Romulus. The other two made their name in the Codis Cluster back in the 2360s studying Chodak ruins. While there were eight clusters that ran along the former Romulan Neutral Zone - Codis, Corax, Orientas, Pintor, Signas, Tytris, Verentitor, and Woki - only Codis, Pintor and Woki were of any major stategic importance or interest to the Federation, with Signas having only moderate importance. that's were all the major discoveries were made, including a first contact with a Gamma Quadrant species called the Eunacians. And the three Vulcans were hoping to find new developments in the Undercity. Cen though they were just trying to save their careers, after being replaced on Hanoran II by a daughter of famous El-Aurian known as Guinan. And having run into a dry spell on Viga III uncovering Vurian remains, a species that went extinct around the time ground was broken on Earth's Warp Five Complex, suggesting that the Gorn organization, the Guardian's Errant, took all the major Vurian artifacts. A similar complaint was made with artifacts of the Taubat Commonwealth. Cen thought that they were trying to steal the thunder of those actually in charge on the surface, excavating the Undercity after it was discovered a year after the USS Enterprise-E engaged the Son'a. If he was not running on a tight schedule, he would get into an argument about it.

The Yellowstone class Runabout, USS Challash. He wanted a Kaplan F17 freighter, but he did not trust the Iotian gangsters that were selling him the craft. A tip he picked up from another captain would went through something similar. Cristobal Rios, if he was recalling the name correctly. Who he only met once due to a common contact, a Benzite named Yerm. A contact he never saw again, due to Yerm's drug addiction. Cen also had interest in a Hycombia Confederation starship due to its dentarium composites, and its special shielding to protect it from protostar radiation. with the only area of concern was that its operating systems were comparable to the Daystrom OS used by cadets at Starfleet Academy a hundred and fifty years ago. It was purchased by a Koth captain who had no issue with the dated OS and had dealings with some Romulans, forcing Cen to turn to purchasing a used, kind of careworn, runabout. With the namesake of the vessel having a storied history.

Challash was born in the Tellar Prime capital city of Shirgat during one of its savagely cold seasons that would rival the ice storms of Andoria and permafrost of Denobula. When he came of age, Challash was a lowly crewman that served on a Grak-claas Tellarite starship in the Battle of Cheron, and often confused for the second liberator Shallash due to the similarity of their names. He only became somewhat known after becoming the debate opponent of Jonathan Archer, with Challash's debate skills on display that he mastered at debate houses on Tellar and Vulcan solely for his entertainment. Along with Challash's extensive knowledge of a period in Tellarite history known as the Voice Wars. While he lost the race to be the first unitary president of the United Federation of Planets - no one ever believe he had even a remote chance of winning - Archer came respect him enough through those roundtable conversations to make him the third ambassador at large for the Federation. Challash was entrusted in bringing in the Thalassian Trading Confederacy into the Federation. Along with the outlying worlds that were originally a part of the Coalition of Planet trade agreements, such as Ophiucus colony. And the Vulcan trade routes of Arcturus, Cor Caroli, Regulus, Deneb, Kaferia and Lorillia to help grow the Federation. That also included Denobula and their trade routes that included Fellebia, Neethia, Pree' and Pyrithia. A difficult task after Denobulans had become more withdrawn due to Romulans and Klingon aggression, and Federation opposition to genetic engineering, But one he still succeeded at. His only real failing was bringing in Coridan, which no one faulted him for, as every other Federation ambassador was just as luckless in their attempts. A simple man, Challash preferred shore leave on Tellar's two moons, Kehra and Phinda. And when he finally stepped down, it was to those two moons where he retired.

While Chalash was the least famous of his contemporaries that were appointed ambassadors-at-large for the Federation - the others being Thy'lek Shran of the IGS Kumari and General of the Imperial Guard, whose first ever interspecies shelthreth he and Jhamel bonded with Jonathan Archer. And T'Pol of Enterprise NX-01 fame, and the only ambassador-at-large whose tenure lasted well into the 23rd century, meeting everyone from Captains Robau and Georgiou to Pike and Kirk. And having met both Ambassador Skon and Ambassador Sarek. Her negotiations with the Sheliak Corporate onboard the USS Enterprise in 2255 is considered to be among the most legendary of diplomatic missions. But it did not make his work any less pivotal.

As the powerwall displayed the FNN report of a Vulcan logic extremist attacking a Starfleet recruitment center in the city of Vulcana Regar. A ticker in the corner of the screen flipped to a number. 2192. 2192 days General Nadar - once known as Commodore Oh - was on the run. Presumed to be a half-Vulcan Romulan, but more likely a half-Vulcan Reman considering her affinity for sunglasses, likely surgically altered on Adigeon Prime. As the surgeons there could alter anything, except the eyes. Cen wondered if the Federation were deliberately stalling in her arrest. As her capture would result in not just trial of the century, but trial of the millennium. It was not every day that a member of the Tal Shiar rose to the very top of Federation Security and commits a major terrorist act on Mars. While screwing over Federation citizens, Romulan citizens and synths alike, and have billions of deaths on her hands. And while he was confident that the crew of the USS Enterprise-G was going to be the ones to capture her, having spent the past few years in Romulan Free State space, Cen was on edge. With their last reported encounter, they barely escaped a Vitruvian bomb with a Ferengi paywall attached to it. All to save the live of Procounsul D'Tan and those living on New Romulus, who themselves were evacuated by Admiral Donatra along with other key leaders of the Romulan Republic. The month before that, the crew, along with a Sagan-class and Curiosity-class starship, evaded the quintet of Mogai-class warbirds sicced onto them by Praetor Tal'aura, who led the remnants of the Romulan Star Empire. The month before that, they had a high stakes showdown with Empress Gell Kamemor, leader of the Imperial Romulan State, staring her down on her D'deridex class warbird. And a year before that, an encounter with the former governor of Yuyat Beta, Shiana, who formed an alliance with several smaller extremist factions in an attempt to revive a faction called the Empty Crown. And all the various warlord-led factions with their Varon-T and a litany of devastating weapons in between.

Cen looked back down at his book, only to hear a commotion. He saw a female and two males, one of the males being Betazoid while the other was human, approaching. While they all looked to be in their mid-30s, they were actually all in their mid-50s. The blonde woman was in the middle of an argument with a Black male. Cen's freighter crew had arrived. And Cen could heard their argument as they got closer.

"Why would you choose the Cerritos? You served on the Enterprise. You served under Picard and Worf! You served alongside Data!"

"The Cerritos had me at the soul poetry. Besides, I grew up on the Enterprise. It was time to spread my wings."

"The Titan and the Defiant were right there."

"It worked out."

"Did you work Delta shift?" the Betazoid male asked.

"Gamma shift. I was a part of the middle decks. I did not stay long. I joined the Archimedes. What was the last ship you serve on, Garza," asked the human male.

"USS Resolute," said Garza.

"That's Centaur-class," noted the Betazoid.

"My last mission was over Jenjor VI. The Jenjorians really marginalized the Reman population."

"We're really giving the Romulans a pass, when they abandoned the Remans and the Jenjorians when the radiation levels of that planet escalated?" asked the human male.

"Romulans abandoning other species, and their Reman brethren, is not remarkable at this point, Peterson. Just ask Admiral Picard or Commander Musiker about the Yuyati on Yuyat Beta. I'm just shocked about what the Jenjorians did." As they stopped in front of Cen, Garza continue. 'I also escorted a Tirrion ambassador to DS9 to re-negotiate with the Scythians. Paid a visit to Tuner IX and met some Lantoids. And had an encounter with Brassicans. Oh, and visited Pollux V."

"USS Galen under Captain Newton," said the Betazoid. "She was lost when some Romulan pirate beamed over mining explosives to the medbay. I have not served in Starfleet since. It's been decades."

"Olympic-class," Peteson noted.

"Romulans have been mastering the pirate game for over three hundred and fifty years now, Sanders. It's amazing that's not their reputation," said Garza.

"There was an opportunity with Captain Mekara on the Stargazer a few years back. But I was not interested. I was not interested in being stationed on Starbase 220 or Starbase 202, as I did not want to be posting with Captain Dax on the USS Emmett Till. As sleek as the Nightingale-class is, I still turned down the posting."

Briefly checking his PADD, noting that they all shared named with starships that were a part of the Saber wing that assaulted the moons of Nibia decades ago. It was at that moment that Cen decided to nickname his crew Saber Crew. Cen decided to keep it internalized for now, choosing a more formal introduction.

"I am Captain Cen Tree, I was born in the Utva Geostructure on Benzar. Served on a Saber-class starship. Fought in the Battle of Goralis in the Dominion War. I have not served in Starfleet since the war ended. I've been a freighter captain since then, and I'm pretty good at it."

"Today, we are going to drop off a few minerals. Jupitarium. Transinium. Isodesium," explained Cen.

"Isodesium. That's a critical isotope to repair starships," said Sanders.

"It will help to make your starship look unscathed. Like Voyager," said Cen.

"We really do overlook how that Illyran ship that Archer pirated played a role in the Voyager crew not breaking down into revolts and court martialing the captain," interrupted Peterson.

Before he could replay to Peterson's comment, he was distracted by a Napean male rushing towards them. Cen was not completely pleased to see him, even though the Nepean was a part of his crew.

"You're late Renn. Where have you been?"

"The Fissure of Jorat," said Renn, referring to the obscure landmark on the Akoszonam homeworld. "A couple of Lykotian tourists got lost on the way back to the transport."

"You were just engaged in conversation with that Miradorn woman again," Cen accused.

"Zo-Var and I have chemistry," Renn replied defensively. "Also, I had a difficult time proving to the security protocols that I'm not a Changeling."

The rogue changelings that attempted to destroy the Federation just a few years ago during the 250th anniversary, had just allied with the Zhat Vash movement and had just attempted to overthrow the Cardassian government a few weeks ago. Though they failed, thanks to the interventions of Captain Ezri Dax and Captain Kira Nerys, and a reported assist from Captain Harry Kim and the crew of the USS Voyager-B, no one across the Federation seemed to have any reaction to this new alliance, they seemed like they were putting on a brave face. Braver than he had seen in a while.

"I could be enjoying shore leave on Hobson Delta II right now," mused Cen. "I could have had a holographic crew. I chose you all instead. So, if you don't mind, may we get underway?"

As the crew made their way to the runabout, Cen spoke to his crew some more.

"There was supposed to be a Canopian, who's a dear personal friend of mine, who had just resigned being the Sovereign's security officer. But she went back home to Canopus Planet, to mediate a dispute between her pod siblings. Disputes are extremely rare among her people, but they do happen. Also, a stop at Doctori Alpha has been changed to a different freighter headed to Raritan IV and Chaltok IV. Which is fine by me. Will make this run fly by quicker."

They took their seats, and the Challash powered up and flew out of Starbase 40's shuttlebay. As they left, a Klingon starship, SuQ'jagh-class, flanked by two B'rel-class Birds-of-Prey caught their eyes. The ships flew overhead of them as they prepared to dock with the starbase.

"Are those Klingon ships...red?" Renn asked, caught by surprise as the hull colouring.

"Just a ship under the House of Duras. Or House of Antaak. Either way, nothing to see here," said Cen, hoping to quash conversation on the state of Klingon politics. Cen knew it was a very messy topic, and one he would do best to avoid.

The Challash flew past the Ross-class, Curiosity-class, Defiant-class and Kaplan F17 starships near the starbase. And then, the nacelles flashed a bright blue, and went to warp.
 
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PART TWO

Peterson finished reading a chapter on Hodgkin's law, that es describing how much like there were parallel Earth worlds, discoveries had been made where were parallel world for for Acamar III, Malcor III, and Tanuga IV. All while drinking his Cardassian sunrise. Renn ate his Andorian redbat sandwich with tuber root fritters, and drank his plomeek iced tea. Renn was also nice enough to share Orion spice funnel cakes with the cabin crew. Sanders returned, after cleaning himself off after his meal he ordered from the replicator fell onto him and getting a new uniform. And Garza filled the dead air on the Challash by talking about herself.

"I graduated from the University of Ashalla on Bajor. Dual citizenship on Bellatrix V and New Sydney. in a slum run by Orions. I was not held with much value on either world, due to my gender. I was seen as property. I escaped with the help of Farians who were also lived in those slums when we snuck onto a Hupyrian cargo ship destined for I'dania. It was a tight fit, consider the cargo hold had a Erelynian cryogenic capsule inside."

"And the Orions did not see any of you??" asked Renn, as he stuffed his face with food.

"Oh, they saw us. The cargo ship was dodging every pion and kaon torpedo the Orions fired. He was a very good pilot. Anyways, we landed on Tanuga IV. I was able to get the Tanugan Anocracy to help me contact the Federation for help. Manua Apgar is the Inquisitor now. Following in the footsteps of her mother. Though it's likely the events involving the Enterprise-D were also a factor."

"Who had duel citizenship in the Federation?" asked Sanders, wanting follow up to an earlier point Garza had made.

"Um, freighter families that were born between worlds. Travis Mayweather was dual citizens of Draylax and Vega." said Garza. "There's precedent."

"Ah, the perpetual ensign," said Sanders upon hearing of the historical name.

"In the United Earth Stellar Navy, the ranks of 1st lieutenant and 2nd lieutenant are both equivalent to ensign in United Earth Starfleet. United Earth Starfleet was using the Royal navy system, meaning no junior lieutenant or lieutenant commander ranks at the time. Even the pip design is the same! You could get confused as a lieutenant or a captain very easily. Or commander and lieutenant colonel. That Admiral Gardner made Starfleet wear the Stellar Navy uniforms for the sake of uniformity did not help matters." explained Peterson.

"Thought he was a brevet ensign." commented Sanders.

"No. Hoshi was the brevet ensign," said Peterson.

"But who did Msyweather served under in the Stellar Navy? General Picard?" Sanders asked.

"General Casey. Major General Picard never left the Sol system. He would know who Major General Picard was." Peterson clarified. "The Stellar Navy was made up of mostly Deddys," the slang term for Daedalus class starships. "Cheap starships that could be mass produced rapidly. That ship class single highhandedly made Starfleet as we know it."

"As you were saying Garza," interjected Cen, wanting to hear her talk about herself more.

"I'm a recipient of the Golden Nova Medal. And the Munro Medal of Honor," stated Garza. " Also ranked sixth at the Garriat XII Marksmanship Tournament."

"Sounds like you'd fit in with Admiral Tuvok's Hazard Team," remarked Renn.

"He's admiral now? First I'm hearing of it," said Garza. " I thought it was just Riker that was promoted to that rank."

"Did you hear how Starfleet is planning a mission to the homeworld of the Borg. to make sure they are really gone? The world, according to Seven of Nine, is called Arehaz. Wonder if they'll find fifty trillion Borg corpses?" asked Peterson.

"Who's on the shortlist? What ships are being considered to make the journey?" asked Sanders.

"Admiral Janeway and the USS Dauntless. Captain Chakotay and the USS Rhode Island. Captain Harry Kim and the USS Voyager-B. Captain Va'Kel Shon and the USS Enterprise-F-"

"What happened to the G?" asked Cen.

"Nothing. Starfleet plans to rechristen the F the USS Vol'Rala. Translates to Enterprise in Andorii, apparently. As I was saying, Captain Data and the USS Sovereign. And Captain Koli Jocan and the USS Verity."

"I can't see Data leaving Coppelius. He still getting to know all of his offsprings. Cambridge just opened up a satellite campus there in Synthville. And it's become a popular shore leave destination for synthetic lifeforms. And for xBs. Which is basically everyone that was assimilated on Frontier Day. More likely Commander Ku gets a field promotion." said Sanders.

"Or Lily Sato," suggested Cen, thinking of the Andorian comm officer.

"Probably for the best. The reunion between Data and Commander D'Sora would probably be awkward." commented Garza, think back to their romance on the Enterprise-D that had been shared by members of that crew.

"Well, whoever they choose, they'll need a Hazard Team if by happenstance they encounter an Antarian Mankiller. Those creatures are deadly than a Mugato or a le-matya." said Renn.

"It will probably be Janeway. There's Progenitor tech in the Delta Quadrant, if the testimonies of Director Okaro are truthful. She'll be trusted the most to handle it. Not just to retrieve it, but debate what should be done with it. Examine every argument," said Peterson.

"Hopefully, she'll check up on the Suliban to see if they made to to their destination." noted Garza.

"Maybe it should be Shon." suggested Cen.

"Still stinging about that bad experience," remarked Renn.

"All I did was point out that Arkenites used to be subjugated by the Andorians. And the conversation ended up spiraling out of control, to the point that I ended up on the wrong end of his chaka blade."

"What's that?" ask Peterson.

"A blade that somehow sharper than an ushaan."

"Arkenites served with Andorians and Aenar on the USS Atlirith, a Sombra-class ship. The Andorian equivalent of the all-Vulcan USS Intrepid. I think they are all good now, and there has not been issues among them for centuries. You were just trying to provoke a fight." commented Sanders.

"Commanders Paris and Torres stood by watched." noted Cen.

"Says here that the Atlirith went missing in the Regulan Badlands in the mid-2260s. Admiral Chin-Riley never figured out what happened to them." read Garza. "Had no idea atlirith was Andorii for eagle."

"Cullah probably rules over the Quadrant now. When you consider all the Borg wreckage that can be salvaged. Probably armed to the teeth with gravimetric torpedoes." said Renn.

"If that's the case, nothing is stopping him from slingshotting to the Alpha Quadrant." said Sanders.

"I'm more worried about the Silver Blood. Or Species 8472. Cullah's not a threat to anyone." said Garza.

"I've been thinking over the Battle of Frontier Day, and the significance of something that happened that day just dawned on me. The Borg assimilated the son of the Emissary." said Peterson.

"Youngest son. I think Joseph Yates-Sisko will be fine. He can live with it. He's a good sport. He could have stayed with the Emissary and never joined Starfleet. And chose otherwise." said Cen. "Last time I spoke to him, he was visiting his friend Eddy at the Institute."

"Eddy Bashir-Dax." said Peterson, familiar with the name.

"Are the Changelings going to attack the Jurati Borg? Since they admitted that they were betrayed by the OG Borg Queen," asked Sanders.

"Captain Kira and Commander Sisko will look out for Jurati. The Emissary told them to. And to not trust Starfleet either. It will help Kira keep her mind off the loss of Commander Ro." said Cen. "They are only serving in Starfleet because the Emissary told them to do to begin with.

"When his he coming back?" asked Garza.

"When the Prophets are ready to release him. That's what Jake said. that could be today, could by the 33rd century or the 52nd century. Could be ten thousand years in the future or in the past. For now, he remains beyond time." stated Cen.
 
PART THREE

The Challash continued on its voyage to Soho Station. But the crew did not have much to talk about with each other. To break the silence after days of trying, Peterson brought up a new topic, one that had not been brought up before.

"With the Tal Prai'ex, the first thing they do is announce their loyalty. And unlike the Tal Shiar, it's okay to fall in love with each other. Also, much like the Federation, they had no love for Orion pirates occupying other worlds."

"Expansion and conquest is how Romulans explore. The Way of D'era," said Sanders.

"They never needed to raid civilian colonies. sneak suicide attacks on shipyards. They were very honourable, perhaps too honourable. Opposed to extermination for both conquest and withdrawal," said Peterson.

"That's what makes them scary. They were just plain better than us. I'd rather deal the Tal Shiar, dishonest as they can be. Or the Tal Diann." said Garza.

"Tal Praie'x used centurions and had no need for and type of invisibility shielding. Tal Shiar used A.I. And kidnapped Aenar and holographic cloaks." said Peterson. "The Tal Prai'ex and Tal Shair have been deadlocked over the future of the Romulan people for centuries."

"There are no men or women in any of their ranks. Only Romulans," commented Renn.

"Okay, need to set some groundrules," said Cen, who was growing frustrated with the conversation. " Keep it PG-13. No shipping of anyone. Leave that to the Beckett Mariners of the universe. No Earth-Romulan War discussion."

"Boo," voiced a displeasured Peterson. "What if we want to discuss the Klingon view?"

"I'm well aware that the Klingons have a completely different understanding of that conflict from the Federation. And make no distinction between that war, the Xindi Conflict, the territorial disputes between the Vulcans and Andorians, and the first few decades of the Federation-Romulan Cold War. To them, they're all "the Romulan Wars". And thought that the Romulans were hiding in plain sight the whole time, from Earth to Vulcan, and from Qo'noS to Azati Prime. Besides, Admiral Narsu wrote a series of pretty definitive encyclopedias and memoirs on the subject, ebigna veteran of the conflcit himself. So, my stance stands."

Cen took a breath before making his last request. "And no Rigel X Conspiracy discussion."

"Boo!", voiced the entire cabin crew at Cen.

"With the Section 31 files that have been leaked, it's a timely discussion." noted Sanders.

"For the love of Q, please don't." pleaded Cen. "Talk about someone that needs shine. Not Archer, Kirk, Pike, Picard, Sisko, any of the Crushers. Not Martok or Tomalak. Not even Mott or Neelix or Peanut Hamper or Petra Aberdeen. Someone obscure."

"T'Pragh," said Peterson. "She saw so much during her life. The Imperial Reckonings of 2291 and 2367. The Shiva Disaster of 2292. The Khitomer Peace and Khitomer massacre. And the Tzenkethi War. Her first term saw the birth of the post-Khitomer era. Her second term saw the launch of the Enterprise-D. She wrote to so many leaders. Think of all the contemporaries she wrote to. Director Grezidsel of Lissepia. First Minister Karcin of Kaelon. Chancellor Serel of Malcoria. Swapping K'tarian pudding recipes with Dignitary Tanera. She even had secret correspondence with Legate Chamat and Praetor Devoras Narviat. Apparently, she thanked Devoras for stopping the mad Praetor that was trying to blow up the USS Stargazer in an act of ketrakath. And congratulate him on wedding Charvanek. Among other things."

"So she wrote about Spock's Romulan girlfriend. Big whoop." commented Renn.

"What did she make of Syndic Gaimon? Since the Farian Syndicate that she led totally took over the Farian Planetary Authority and became the de facto government." asked Garza.

"I think she spent more time writing Spokeperson Ferheel." said Peterson.

"The Boslics? Can an anarchy even have a leader?" asked Sanders.

"Well, that what she claimed she was." said Peterson.

"Then the Boslics don't have an anarchy. It's...something else." said Sanders.

"Zor Eslo did not see it that way. Nor did Ambassdor Pavel. Or the J'naii Council. Or Ariza Jal." said Peterson.

"My roommate at the Academy had the Jal symbiote," said Cen. But no one was paying any attention to Cen, as the cabin crew continued the discussion with each other.

"Did T'Pragh have a Presidential codename? Like, Archer was codenamed 'The Captain'. Ra-ghoratreii was 'Frost Field'." asked Garza.

'I don't know. It's not like they need one." said Peterson.

"S'task,"said Sanders. "He was a student of Surak that valued emotions over logic. And considering his impact on both Vulcan and Romulan societies, it's odd how unknown he is."

"Androna," said Garza, referring to a Terrellian doctor. "She a captain in Starfleet now. And was leading a medical flotilla to the Romulan Free State to deal with an outbreak of the Oroborus virus."

"As long as they do not get caught in the crossfire of those border wars the Klingons are waging." said Renn.

"It's not border wars. Its expansionism. Like the expansion programs the Tholians were doing, back in the early 23rd century." said Garza.

"No, they are border wars. They want to build a trynar wall. Tholians don't like walls. They like webs. Just look at their drydocks." said Renn.

"Thy'kir Shran," said Cen, in a bid for attention. "I wonder how he survived the onslaught of D'Ghor's forces on Starbase 1. Seeing as he was the sole survivor of the Sebrova. And no escape pods were launched. and the lateral vector transporter did not have the power to transport anyone."

"He was a Shran. They are good at cheating death," said Sanders.

"The Ly," said Renn.

"That's not a person. That's a species" noted Cen.

"A species that allegedly more powerful than the Klingon, Romulans, Gorn and Tholians combined. And the Federation ever talks about them." said Renn.

"You should probably trust them on that, since you are talking about them being more powerful than the members of the Typhon Pact. Come on there a number of individual to choose from. Just from Andoria alone. There's Krotus the Ka'Thelan Conqueror. Umarin. Thalisar the Last. Lor'Vela. Thress," prodded Cen.

"sh'Rothress. Avaran sh'Rothress. The last Federation Council president. Before the Federation changed to to a unitary presidency." said Renn.

"She got robbed," interjected Garza. "She totally had Archer beat, and that second term of his should have been hers.

"sh'Rothress beat sh'Rothress. I cannot believe she invoked Becky in that way." said Sanders

"The redhead British lady Archer convinced to join the shelthreth? Or the nickname that Shenandoah captain often called archer?" asked Peterson.

"Both." said Sanders.

"She underestimated how much of Vulcan culture and philosophy Archer adopted by that point." said Peterson.

"He only adopted Vulcan ways to intellectually conquer T'Pau!" said Garza.

"In that era, T'Pau was Vulcan! Can't convince Vulcan without convincing her." said Sanders.

'sh'Rothress would not have built up the Federation fleet like Archer, who had been doing that from the second he became Starfleet chief of staff. War would have resumed with the Romulans before the century was out if she was the President then. Sorry Garza. But the right candidate won," said Peterson.

"Also, sh'Rothress did not like transporters," said Sanders.

"Aenar DNA was not meant to use the transporter. So many children born blind and telepathic because of that." said Garza.

"We got Miranda Jones out of it." said Peterson, proud of his reference to the known psychologist.

"She also thought very different about that whole Valakis thing with the Menk," said Sanders.

"Well, Valakis is in Andoria's backyard. She should have an opinion on that," said Garza.

"I've read up on T'Pol. Was she really like that? The decon gel and everything?" asked Renn.

"Those Vulcans exist, and even think it's a logical way to live. But T'Pol was not one of them. Though, yes, she wore tight jumpsuits. Lots of Vulcans wore them at the time." said Peterson.

"I have a critique. T'Pol, kolinahr master, had an addiction to trellium-D. They made that up to cover up that she's half-Romulan," said Garza

"To be fair, not even T'Pol knew she was half-Romulan until that transporter accident," said Peterson.

"And it implies that both Lorian and baby Elizabeth were themselves quarter Romulan," said Sanders, referring to her children.

"And no one is supposed to have seen a Romulan back then. Spock said as much. Not to mention it's a career ender to have Romulan blood back then." said Peterson.

"Do we count Tolaris? Since he fled to Romulan space for a century." asked Garza about the infamous V'tosh ka'tur practiioner and former Vahklas crewmember.

"Well, Tolaris is no one to, well, everyone." said Renn.

"Wasn't he arrested by Pike's crew? Or was it April's?" asked Sanders. "I know it was a captain of the Enterprise."

"All I recall is that T'Pol testified against Tolaris, told a few jokes at his expense, and he went away." said Renn.

"What was the deal with the tech back then," Cen asked the rest of the cabin crew. Taking note of their enthusiams of the 22nd century.

"Everything on the NX-01 was a field test prototype, from the phase pistols to the transporter to the secondary hull they installed. Even the biofilters." said Peterson. The whole cabin turn to him as he defends himself. "A plaque at the Fleet Museum says so. It even say that Admiral Forrest is the one who chose the final design of the NX-01."

"He's the reason it wasn't a Declaration class ring ships? Or at least a Warp Delta?" said Garza.

"Warp Deltas, Neptunes, NX class, Declaration class. They all have the exact same interiors." observed Renn.

"And could all be refitted into warp 5 vessels when needed to. Unlike the DY classes and other sublight vessels that predated them." said Sanders.

"Considering how imaginative the 22nd century vessels are, I'm surprised the interiors are so...uniform." said Renn. "It was never like that on Nepea whenwe firs ventured out into the stars."

"That vessel that inspired the Crossfield class is pretty cool," commented Cen. "Tucker class, it's called."

"Can't believe they rechristened her the USS Dauntless." said Garza.

"Well, the USS Columbia was NCC-01. The first flagship of the Federation. Hence the nickname Columbia class." said Peterson.

"Can't believe they saved the NX-01. I thought it would have been turned into scrap metal, like othr starships." said Sanders.

"Archer got sentimental about it and had it preserved. And used it to train the very first class to graduate Starfleet Academy. No other graduating class can claim that privilege."

"That asylum on Elba II would have been built a decade sooner if sh'Rothress was the President. And she would not have built those space stations along the Klingon border. There never would have been unremitting hostilities for seventy years." said Garza.

"That was Rear Admiral Reed's idea," said Peterson.

"Yes, Reed. The first badmiral," said Garza.

"Reed never got caught doing anything wrong, so he's technically not a badmiral. His personality is oddly like Admiral Pressman's though by that period of his life. It might explain why Riker such a fanboy of him" said Sanders.

"Just because he has ancestral ties to the Optimum Movement does not mean he's bad. Didn't Pike have an Augment and a Noonien Singh on his ship who are well revered?"" said Peterson.

"The only bad thing he did was not like chess." said Sanders.

"Only becuase Mayweather and Archer beat him every game," said Garza.

"Didn't he raise some crewmember's daughter who died in the Delphic Expanse?" asked Renn.

"Crewman Fuller's. With the help of Corporal Cole, I think." said Cen.

"No. Cole had children with some Denobulan guy, and the kids were part Romulan. Reed raised Fuller's daughter with someone else," said Sanders.

They continued their conversation, letting the time fly passed them.
 
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