Runabout Challash: A Seven Part Miniseries

[FederationHistorian]

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.

 

[FederationHistorian]

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.

 

[FederationHistorian]

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.

 

[FederationHistorian]

PART FOUR

"I love Kasselian opera," said Cen, as the singer belted out the song that filled the cabin. "They give their only performance at the end of their lives. There's only one chance to be good."

"Some Kasselians are not fortunate enough to live that long and have to perform younger. It's an appalling tradition. Please change it. To Vic Fontaine. Or that album Archer recorded," requested Garza.

"Don't go that route! You end up in the Tarkanas gravity well! Do you know how ships the Bolians have lost in there!" panicked Renn, as he caught Cen map a new flight plan.

"I've traversed the Breker Rift to make a shipment to Attrexians, and then smuggled an Idryll researcher to a neutral world. Evaded a D'deridex warbird over Bersus V. Help out Garidians that were searching for one of their revered scrolls, and brought them back to Frigis to be welcomed by their own warbirds. Safely navigated Arvada II where remnants of the Erselrope Wars are still ongoing to this day. Shipped trilithium from Epsion II to B'kaazi Prime while being stalked by a cloaked Faeht-class intel warbird, and paid a handsome sum by the Markonians. What have you done?" asked Cen.

"Studied Antilos I," said Renn meekly.

"You sure you know where you are going?" asked Sanders.

"I've run routes from the Cardassian worlds of Caronne, Nuraka III, and Gulvaria VI to the Ferengi ports of Bordla, Krall, and Singha. And then back to Evadne IV to Zadar IV to Meezan IV to Bolarus IX. To Dreon VII to Sherman's Planet to Emila II," said Cen confidently. "I know my way around both quadrants."

"Then you must have seen the upgraded Cardassian fleet. Damar class, Hutet class, Janissary class," Renn listed off.

"I've been caught off by a decloaking Brinor class when crossing their border. I was lucky I was not disintegrated then and there," said Cen.

"You likely had nothing of value onboard to be brought in by their ramscoop," said Garza. "That's the only reason you were spared."

"You could have been sent to one of their re-education centers. They've doubled down on those, in spite of their democratic reforms," said Peterson.

"They've also reorganized the Cardassian Guard into a defense force. They are putting in the effort to shift away from dytopianism," said Sanders.

"Liburnian class ships are Galaxy class killers. They probably destroyed the San Francisco," said Renn.

"That not true. I saw Captain Jae last week. She and her crew just returned from her ten year mission in the Alpha Quadrant. She told me a hilarious prank she played on Commander Madden." said Cen.

"The days of Excelsior and Galaxy class ships outclassing Cardassian ships are over," warned Renn.

"Sulu would be disappointed to hear that," said Cen, thinking of the famed Excelsior captain.

"I read today that pirates have been harassing the Be'Qai shipyard in Romulan space. It was bad under Praetor Hiren, but it's gotten worse. Same thing with the singularity plants."

"Which pirates? asked Cen.

"The Elasi."Garza answered.

"Pfft. The last time they were a threat to anyone, Kirk was in the middle of his first five year mission. Elasi pirates never stay banded together long," said Peterson.

"Those Romulan miners are completely fine. Those asteroid busters can hold their own against any starship." said Cen.

"They should have continued the alliance with the Klingons and the Federation." suggested Peerson.

"No," rejected the cabin crew in unison.

"They destroyed the Unity One starbase, because of how deep the tachyon detection grids were scanning Romulan space. And we did not let them in on the project," said Cen.

"Eh, Klingons are installing tachyon detection grids throughout their entire fleet now. and are trying to annex the Romulan Free State in one of their expansion phases. The Romulans had it really good, in my opinion," said Garza.

"They attempted to massacre Cardassian colonists on Ordeve." said Sanders.

"The Phoenix project that Admiral Sela and Doctor Oldan were working on was an Armageddon weapon," said Garza. "Creating tears in the space-time continuum."

"So they formed the Typhon Pact with other isolationist xenophobes?" asked Peterson.

"Considering that Admiral Toreth is the face of the Typhon Pact alongside Thot Rong." began Cen.
"Thot Rong? Who is that?" ask Renn.

"She is to the Breen what Picard is to the Federation. The face of that whole organization. Her missions are just as legendary," said Cen. "Though she is not as fond of altruism as Picard is."

"I still cannot believe that the Romulan Star Empire is gone." said Renn.

"The Romulans were adamant that they had time. They knew it would take eleven and a half years to evacuate." said Peterson.

"When did they expect it to happen?" asked Sanders.

"In 2397. Even the Praetor believed that. That's why the evacuation was so slow and would not bring an evac order to the Senate until the final few weeks. And wouldn't even evacuate plant and animal life," said Garza.

"His mind was elsewhere, after Shinzon made a mess of everything. The Praetor was more preoccupied about the ongoing food shortage on Romulus that had been ongoing for half a decade at that point. And the ongoing energy crisis. And he never believed Ambassador Spock's warning. And the military was in complete lockstep with him." said Sanders.

"Stardate 64333.4, miners looking for decalithium warn the Romulan Senate that the sun begins to nova ahead of schedule. Weeks later, Romulus and Remus are destroyed, with billions of lives lost and the Remans are rendered nearly extinct. Then on stardate 64471.6-" spoke Renn as he read the log entry.

"Ambassador Spock sacrifices himself," finished Cen. "The Jellyfish was fast enough. LaForge built that and the evacuation fleet on Mars. Maybe if the Romulans weren't so committed to secrecy, he could have built bigger and faster ships."

"The Obsidian Order was behind it," suggested Garza.

"The Federation, the Klingon Empire and the Cardassians were the only ones that helped them. The Typhon Pact simply stood my and watched as "neutral observers" and let the Romulans handle it on their own," said Sanders.

"And how would the Obsidian Order have sneaked in a weapons to destroy the Romulan sun?" asked Cen.

"They posed as members of the Carnellian Circle. You know, the Cardassian version of the Mariposas?" explained Garza.

"And how would they have destroyed it? Trilithium?" asked Sanders.

"No, that's too fast. They would have used a Kessok solarformer," said Garza.

"They sneaked something that big past the Romulans?" asked Peterson.

"The sun of Oriens Delta has an extra high magnetic field that allows for ships to hide from Romulan sensors. It's possible." explained Garza.

"That was not a normal supernova. You want a normal supernova, Beta Loris II is a great example." said Cen.

"But why?" asked Renn.

"Payback for the bad intel that led to the death of so many Obsidian Order operatives in the Omarian Nebula," said Garza.

"That's not their fault! That was a Changeling that infiltrated the Tal Shiar!" said Renn.

"Romulans are supposed to be cautious. So, as far as the Obsidian order is concerned, it is their fault." said Garza. "I would not be surprised if a few of them were undercover in Starfleet right now."

"So, it was not Section 31?" asked Peterson.

"No, they just knew about it and let it happen. Just like they knew that the Romulans were building the Scimitar class to modernize their fleet, and they knew that Shinzon was going to do his coup," said Garza.

"It's more rational than the theory that either the Romulans or the Remans blew up their own sun." said Cen.

"I was going to mention the Iconians." said Renn.

"That sounds like something from the Temporal Wars than a real answer. It was the Obsidian Order," affirmed Garza.

"It's not unjustified to think they had their hand in it, considering the destruction of the Bajoran wormhole." said Cen.

"Nah. That one was either the True Way or the Cult of the Pah-wraiths. Or a rogue Changeling." said Peterson.

"Well, whoever was responsible has radicalize the Bajorans. The Kahl-Taan have taken over Bajor. and took over DS9," said Renn.

"It's not DS9 anymore. It's Starbase Bajor." said Sanders.

"So, Deep Space Nine...Two." said Renn. "Still, they took it over."

"Colonel Pallik and his Jem'Hadar guards. That guy could become a Vedek or Kai some day. He's already trying to use his ties to Bajoran Intelligence to give the Koma Tath a new mission." said Cen.

"The Koma Tath is supposed to hunt down Cardassian war criminals. and expanded to the Dominion and the Breen. They might go after Federation, Klingon and Romulan war criminals." said Sanders.

"I cannot speak for the Klingon or the Romulans, But we don't have any war criminals in the Federation." said Garza.

"The Cardassians and Bajorans will have a defense pact soon. It's a sign they don't see the Federation as reliable partners," said Sanders.

"Perhaps if Litvok Nor was not destroyed by the Federation-Klingon-Romulan alliance." began Peterson.

"It was only destroyed because some rogue Legate tried to destroy Lyra Station while key leaders of that alliance were in a meeting." said Garza.

"Yes, I was visiting Alberia III. That attack by the Legate was unprovoked." said Cen. "Ah we're here."

The Challash dropped out of war and pulled into Soho Station.

 

[FederationHistorian]

PART FIVE

Freighter's log. We've departed from Soho Station and are making our way to Persephone V to deliver supplies to Starbase 45. To make our journey quicker and less tedious, the Challash will have to cross the Ikolis Expanse in Sector 441 in Klingon territory.

"Kantare is were the Federation makes warp core." said Renn.

"Settled around the time unremitting hostilities began between the Federation and Klingons. That the most interesting thing about the planet. It's so boring." said Garza.

"Want something interesting? Here goes," began Peterson. "A pair of Constitution III class ships, the James Kirk and the Picard, engaged a Vor'cha battlecruiser.

"Picard?" asked Renn, confused as the naming of the ship.

"Renee Picard. Famous Earth astronaut," answered Sanders. "O'Brien is consulting with Picard on a new ship design called Picard class. The Ent-D, the Ent-E, both Constellation and Sagan class Stargazers, the Verity. And La Sirena. O'Brien went all the way to Cleveland to get Commander Barclay to come out of retirement to assist."

"Whatever happened to that guy?" asked Renn.

"Riker and Troi intended for him to go to their wedding with Seven of Nine. But he skipped it for shore leave with someone named Maril. Who they originally intrduced to him," said Sanders.

"Leah Brahms agreed to go with Geordi. But backed out. To work with some engineers on the Talarian starship Mevdar," said Peterson.

"What happened to Doctor Brahms's husband?" asked Renn.

"He was vaporized in some protomatter accident years before. On the edge of Talarian space." said Garza.

"Why didn't she just send her twin sister in her place?" ask Renn.

"Captain Benteen was on assignment," said Peterson.

"He married Leah," stated Renn.

"Leah Daystrom. Not Leah Brahms," clarified Sanders.

"But getting back to the Klingon border wars. How many enemies are they still fighting?" asked Peterson.

"The Gorn Royal Navy, the Reman Resistance, the Kam'Jahtae, the non-aligned world of Tezwa, and a bunch of rogue factions on both sides of the former Romulan Neutral Zone." explained Garza. "They even had a couple of skirmishes with the Tholian Incursion Reaction Force near the Thaleris asteroid belt and the Mendora Nebula."

"They should build a wall. To keep everybody out," mused Sanders.

"Actually, the High Council plans to construct a trynar wall. To appease the T'Kuvmaist faction," informed Garza.

"You reckon we're headed for another Federation-Klingon war?" queried Renn.

"More like simultaneous Federation, Klingon, and Romulan civil wars," Garza posited.

"So, War of the Quadrants?" prodded Peterson.

"I'm not including Cardassia and Bajor, or any power from the Gamma or Delta Quadrant, so no. More like Great Khitomer War," suggested Garza.

"Neither the Klingons or the Romulans came to our aid in the Frontier Day attacks or Defense of Coppelius," said Peterson.

"I'm just getting some uneasy vibes after considering all the developments of the past thirty years," said Garza. "The Federation has issues with those that think it's gotten too warlike, and Fedxit types like Olivia Quest. The Romulans have all these different Romulan factions that are trying to acquire a destructive weapons than their rivals. So they are kind of already there, there just have not been any official declarations yet. Then there are the Klingons. With the different colour ships, the T'Kuvmaists being courted by the Duras and Antaak houses on Cossina III, and the unused warplans of General Chang."

"What unused warplans?" asked Cen.

"Tum sum it up, the plan is to create enough pressure that the Federation implodes in on itself by targeting key worlds. Not just Earth. But Vulcan, Berengaria VII, Andoria. A divided Federation will make Klingon expansion much easier."

"How do you know this?!" asked Cen.

"I ran the holodeck program at the Elite Command Academy on Qo'noS. And had a brief stint in Starfleet Intelligence," explained Garza."I also have contacts in the Honor Guard, the Yan-Isleth, and in Imperial Intelligence. That's how I know the House of Duras and House of Antaak are courting T'Kuvmaists, As well as descendants of the discommendated House of G'logh. I also own a copy of the Codex of Vaksuu, as I like to study Klingon strategies."

"I'm worried," said Sanders. "Starting with weapon proliferation. Transphasic torpedoes and ablative generators are no longer illegal under the Temporal Prime directive. Every major power using cloaks, from the Federation to the Cardassians to the Kessok. Tachyon sensors for Starfleet and the Klingon Empire to find those cloaked ships. Better warp drives. Klingon have chrono-deflectors and subspace weapons starships and torpedoes that create temporary ion storms. And Cardassia will likely loan out some of the scientists they've embraced that created new weapon system for themselves. And the Zhat Vash pulling in supporter all over. not just the Federation, or Klingons or the Gorn. Or their newfound alliance with the rogue changelings. But Bolarus, Cardassia, whatever is left of Pakled Planet, even Talos IV. Then add in the wormhole tunneling tech. Vulcan created red matter that creates black holes. Klingon gravitation attenuation devices that can create supernovas if dropped on the event horizon of a black hole that near a star. Romulan rift makers, Kessok solarformers and Omega molecule research. Some planets are going to go boom somewhere someday. Like Romulus did. Its an interstellar extinction event waiting to happen."

"Maybe that's why Starfleet mothballed the quantum torpedoes?" mulled Renn. "To dial down the temperature."

"The Titan-A should have still had them," said Peterson, think back to their battle with the Shrike.

"That could have gotten them all killed," said Sanders, thinking of how the Shrike used the wormhole tech as a defensive weapon.

"And that would have been the end of the plot," stated Peterson.

"You are forgetting Daystrom Station," Sanders facepalmed. "And that they housed Picard's body."

"Forget Daystrom. You are forgetting Wesley and his powers as a Traveler. No way he'd let that stand," said Garza. "He'd change the timeline."

"So, taking away the Kanagawa Sublight Museum was not enough for them," mused Cen of the once existing museum on Mars. "I visited Bradbury City to go there as a cadet. I was hoping to visit again -"

A Klingon Negh'Var decloaks in front of them. The USS Challash comes to a sudden stop. From the view of the cabin, the Heart of Virtue was visible on the Negh'Var's hull.

"That's a big ship," commented Renn.

"No it's not," dismissed Cen. "Now the Heart of Kahless, that's a big ship."

"They are armed with polaron torpedoes," noted Garza.

"Which means what? I missed that class at the Academy," said Renn.

"Our shields are useless. They'll one shot us into Sto-vo-kor," said Peterson.

"You are outmatched and outgunned! Come about and surrender," said the Klingon captain.

"Leave them to the mercy of a ro'ped on Rura Penthe! Or even better, throw then into the frigid waters to be devoured by chuch bIQDep! They're both as deadly as the temperatures!" said a member of the Klingon bridge crew.

"Everything in Klingon space wants to kill you. That ship probably has a few Tar Chops running around right now," said Cen. "I was trapped with one on a Toron class shuttle once. after a shipment from Ajilon Prime to Rawhe Prime went awry."

"Does this ship have any weapons?" asked Sanders.

"Mircotorpedoes, with sirillium," Cen confirmed.

"Sirillium?" Sanders peeked.

"Siriullium torpedoes pack quite a powerful punch. Tellarite starships used such torpedoes for centuries. In a microtorpedo, the bang would be as big as a standard torpedo." said Peterson.

"I also have a myotronic beam that I salvaged from a Romulan debris field. Garza, could you load the torpedoes while I charge the beam?" Cen asked

"Yes, captain," Garza affirmed.

As the IKS Gowron moved closer to the runabout, The myotronic beam disabled the IKS Gowron's weapons. the torpedoes damaged the Gowron's propulsion. The Challash then engaged the warp drive.

"Why are we allied with the Klingons anyways? What are they protecting us from?" asked Peterson, exasperated from the experience.

"The Khulli. The Rakelli. Sha'Kurian remnants. The Hydrans, The Letheans. The Kinshaya," lists off Cen.

"The T'Kuvmaists," adds Sanders, referring to the radical Klingon faction.

And I didn't even list the bireQT, " said Cen.

"It either them, or Section 31 becomes relevant again." said Garza.

Cen was prepared to debate. But Peterson posed a different question to Cen.

"Cen, why don't you want to discuss the Rigel X Conspiracy?"

 

[FederationHistorian]

PART SIX

Cen sighed. "There are so many inconsistencies with the story," he said.

"It's also a fundamental command exercise since Pike was a cadet. The namesake of this vessel created it. You are supposed to point out all the historically inaccurate flaws. It's purpose is to help you discern wrong from right. no one has seen all three hundred thousand scenarios," said Garza.

Realizing that the crew was going to break the rules regardless, Cen relented and shared his viewed.

"When you disregard the official story and start to discern the actual truth, it starts out reasonably. The NX-01 picked up Shran from the Devolin system, which is not too far from Earth or the unmonitored areas of the Romulan Neutral Zone. Talla was a stand in for d'talla, related to Romulan service required to earn Romulan citizenship. And Phlox was a stand in for one of his wives, since all Denobulan women take their husband's first names as their married name for cultural reasons. They replaced Trip's organs from whatever they harvested from Sim, and faked his death to spy on the Romulans. And had Shran take him to Algeron, a strategic world during that war. And Reed, Mayweather and Sato likely just spliced the records from 2156 on the eve of the founding of the Coalition of Planets and the end of their five year mission, with the day of the founding ceremony in 2161. Even the pirate ship that Rigelian pirates used, a Kzinti police vessel, was not very fast."

Cen pressed some buttons on the console. He seemed to be struggling with sharing his view of the subject. But he managed to continue.

"Then you start nitpicking further and start arguing that the the bridge crew are wearing the wrong division uniforms since they all transferred to different ones. And that Archer, Trip, T'Pol and the MACOs caught some virus they brought back with them from Rigel X, and most of the crew was quarantined as Phlox treated then with ryetalyn. And the ship may have been stuck in some temporal anomaly so they missed most of the war, which explains why none of them have any grey hairs. Phlox is a stand in for a Tellarite or Bolian or Cardassian that joined the crew at some point, while Phlox was away making his Frankenstein-like creations on Pree'nos. Trip was only severely injured, instead of killed, and was unable to appear at the founding ceremony regardless. And T'Pol use a mind meld on the crew to make them forget his condition. Which explains why they do not seem sad at all."

Cen took a breath before he resumed. He was well aware how stilted and wooden his delivery was. He hoped that he was not judge for that by his crew.

"Then before you know it, you are down the rabbit hole and you are arguing that T'Pol was a stand in for an Elasan Dohlman. Shran was a stand in for a Troyan smuggler. Talla was a stand in for an Andorian nano-biogenic weapon meant to be used on Vulcanoids. The amethyst was supposed to be used in some experimental cloaking device devised by Arik Soong. The Rigelian pirates were actually Klingons that belonged to the house of an irate captain Archer met during first contact with the Xyrillians. Mos of the crew is actually on Risa for some Nuvian de-aging therapy that involves Risian sea rays for drinking water they were not supposed to, or passing through some cloud. Everyone is happy because the Klingons did not get the activation codes to the weapons or the cloak because of Trip. And we are supposed to suspend disbelief that in the whole ten years Archer commanded Enterprise, he never once asked the Vulcans how fast those Klingon warbirds could go! Also, Mayweather is just too damn happy for someone that's been in space his whole life! he wasn't a greenhorn anymore by that point! It's debatable if he ever was!"

Cen was relieved to get it off his chest. His frustration was visible. "It's enough to make someone consume a whole Romulan ale distillery. Or a strong shot of terakine. Sometimes its easier to admit the the Borg somehow screwed up the timeline."

Cen waited in silence. He was expecting pushback on his views, or to be mocked for them. The subject was quite controversial, which made it perfect for debate exercises among Tellarites and Vulcans. The response to his thoughts on the subject surprised him.

"That's the coolest theory yet. It makes more sense than some other theory I heard. That T'Pol and Trip swapped bodies through a katric swap. After an attempt at Vulcan soul-sharing went wrong. Meaning Trip survived in T'Pol's body," said Peterson.

"I had T'Pol ex-husband Koss as the stand in for Trip, Reed be the stand in for Archer in my scenario. And Rigel X was replaced with Ardana, and the pirates were Osaarian. And the NX-01 with the Intrepid, with a Warp Delta registry of DX-01," said Sanders.

"In mine, Phlox was the stand in for Trip. And Rigel X was replaced with Denobula. The chief medical officer was a Xindi-Reptilian. And the NX-01 with the NX-07 as part of an NX Wing with the NX-05 and NX-06," said Renn.

"My scenario had Captain Hernandez stand in for Archer and it takes place on Columbia. And replaced Rigel X with Trill, and replaced the pirates with Orions. And replaced T'Pol with T'Pau," said Garza.

"There even one that replaced T'Pol with Spock's grandma, T'Rama," said Peterson.

"Archer's unrequited childhood crush. And T'Pau's personal bodyguard," said Garza.

"Three hundred thousand scenarios. And no one has seen them all. Not even a Lanthanite. And they live basically forever" said Sanders.

"All the programmers had to work with are the crew's redacted debriefings, and paragraphs from Archer's speech," said Renn. "So, the actual sequence of events are out of order And fragmented. Which logs did they splice together?"

"One dated June 17, 2156, about a month into the war. And another in the first half of 2161," Garza said, looking through the historical database. "Sorry for the vague information. Everything after that crisis with the Earth isolationists is fragmented and lost to history. Those are the only dates I could pull up that match."

"Before Sulu falsified his logs, that crew did it first. They're so cryptic." said Sanders.

"None of the bridge crew got promoted, but they did not get court martial either. So officially, nothing scandalous happened," said Garza.

"They were already promoted. It was a temporary demotion in rank," said Peterson.

"And no one questioned the official story at the time, due to how common piracy was in that era," said Garza.

"I never understood how visiting Rigel X again was poetic justice. How was their first visit to Rigel X a transgression in the first place?" asked Renn.

"It must have been sarcasm," said Sanders dryly.

"Only makes sense if the pirates were Klingons upset Archer returned Klaang back alive." said Garza
"So Tucker just quote-unquote died to appease them," said Sanders.

"No one said T'Pol tears were real," Garza pointed out.

"They were probably real. Archer just lied, since as a Vulcan, she could not," said Sanders

"So its just a big prank on the Klingons?" Garza asked.

"Possibly. It might have even been T'Pol's idea," said sanders.

"Archer does not hug T'Pol when she's crying. Only when he heads out for his speech. And seemed irritated with her, which is out of character for him at that stage of his life," said Peterson. " So the Elaasan theory holds some weight."

"I don't even think there were eighty three crew board on the way home. I think it was just the bridge crew, Trip, Phlox and the chef," said Sanders.

"So they all left Enterprise to go down to the planet, and left the ship to be guarded only by Porthos and Phlox's menagerie?" posted Renn.

"Honestly, with that crew, all is possible," said Sanders.

"The files Bashir leaked suggests something different," said Peterson, while holding a PADD. "He has a beard, and is greyer, and put on a bit of weight. But it's Trip Tucker."

"You mean Captain Stillwell, of the starship Rochelle." said Garza, repeating the biographical information on the PADD. "Mayweather was his first officer."

"Technically Admiral Stillwell, Director of Starfleet Intelligence. Apparently was at odds with Archer of Section 31, even though Archer only invoked it a grand total of once. Something to do with the mirror universe," said Sanders.

"It also says that Stillwell commanded the Dauntless until his death. and oversaw all the efforts to break the warp seven barrier," read Garza.

"It says here Stillwell died after being stabbed in the heart by a Nausicaan," read Peterson.

"Does that mean anything though? He probably popped up again under a new identity, as the 22nd century Boothby on Vulcan or something," said Renn.

"It's common knowledge among Betazoid royalty that it's not real," said Cen.

"If Mayweather can take on the name Takeshi Kimura for the rest of his life, then there's no reason Trip could not take on the name Stillwell," reasoned Peterson.

"Anything else in those files?" asked Renn.

"Something classified about Burnham's War," started Peterson.

"That's a misnomer," interjected Cen.

"Regarding some experimental tech called a spore drive," Peterson muttered.

"If spore drive tech worked properly, other species would be using it. We never see anyone use it. Coxial warp drive is more common," said Garza.

"Archer only authorized research into that tech in his final days of his Presidency, because they reached a dead end trying to break the Warp 8 barrier. It did not work out," said Sanders.

 

[FederationHistorian]

PART SEVEN

Freighter log, supplemental. We have arrived at Persephone V, where the starbase personnel are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Enterprise-G, which is scheduled to emerge from the Z'Tarnis Nebula in the next few hours, after making several discoveries in the Kridnar navigation block. Meanwhile, my crew is continuing to bond over late 22nd and early 23rd century history.

"Their chef had a husband, that he talked about constantly. Mark Latrelle," said Sanders. "Reed's former roommate."

"I heard he was chatterbox like Morn." said Renn.

"And the chef was Canadian. You know, like Khan," Said Garza.

"I think she's suffering from pyritic radiation. Khan was not Canadian," said Peterson.

"Yes he was," shot back Garza, certain that she was correct.

"Do you think Cen has a point? That Mayweather being a greenhorn was not believable?" Peterson asked.

"Mayweather's more anti-hero, blase phase happened after his time on Enterprise. He served in the Merchant Marines, with his co-captain, J. Fiona Mackenzie. The legendary MACO who he called his work wife. Working out of starbase 12 under Admiral Narsu. He was mean to all the pirates," said Garza.

"All the trafficked Nuvians and Oran'taku think otherwise. They see him as a hero. Even the Tandarans gave him a medal for assisting them in stopping the Mazarite pirates responsible for trafficking in their space," said Sanders.

"He clamped down on the smuggling of Rigelian Flamegems in the Mutara sector and Venus drug addiction across Federation colonies," said Garza.

"He arrested Eska bounty hunters. And protected colonies like Izar from falling under Orion influence," said Peterson

"He was nominated be be Ambassador to Kretassa, but turned it down. To spend time with his son," said Garza.

"And still found time to teach flight classes at the Academy. And to supervise the next phase of the NX Project," said Sanders.

"His role in creating peace and stability within the Federation is underappreciated," observed Renn.

"Not to mention he's really good at keeping secrets. Who knew he had encounters with Andorians a whole decade before Archer? And conversed with them as to whether Zefram Cochrane passed through their system," said Garza.

"Or his visits to Trillus Prime. And adopting the Trill saying 'grow old in wisdom' as his own. He retired on the coast of Selipsis beach," said Peterson. "And don't get me started on Hoshi. Hoshi was Petra Aberdeen before Petra Aberdeen. A real life Indiana Jones or Lara Croft."

"She has a buildings named after in at Amazon University in Brazil and across several Federation worlds." said Garza

"She wrote a cookbook and was heavily involved in all the festivals in Brazil. Was an multi-time interstellar poker champion. And could cut a rug like no one else," said Sanders.

"Remain close with the Phloxs, T'Pol and T'Pau. Not to mention nearly a hundred years of friendship with Archer. And was an important mentor of Sarek," said Peterson.

"And was the only one who could best Mayweather in those board games and RPG tournaments they hosted together," said Garza.

"She was so f'n cool," said Sanders.

"So, there for five Keniclius clones. What happened to the other ones?" Renn asked, changing the topic of discussion.

"Keniclius 2 served in the Romulan War with an Augment contingent. Keniclius 3 led the surviving Augment veterans to occupy Earth for a whole year in 2173 in the forgotten Eugenics War, in an attempt to keep the peace. They were listening to the reactionary propaganda that the very existence of the Federation equaled war," said Sanders.

"Why is that a forgotten Eugenics War?" Reen asked.

"It was the least violent one. And the Augments only occupied all six capital cities of Earth, instead of half the planet," said Garza. "Which is a bit strange it's been swept under the rug seeing as they held the Federation Council hostage."

"What about Keneclius 4?" Renn asked.

"Keniclius 4 was working alongside the various proteges of Doctor Arik Song. Unfortunately, he was left catatonic after a passionate night with Deltans," said Peterson.

"I have a growing belief that the 25th century with be the last century of traditional exploration for the Federation before the time ships become the norm and change everything." said Garza.

"There are already a couple time ships in existent. Including the one from Archer's college roommate. Rasmussen, or whatever his name was. But I think time ships fleets are still a couple centuries away," said Renn.

"Still enjoy what you've got now," said Garza.

"Enjoy your break, Sabre Crew. You've earned it," said Cen.

"Sabre Crew? Why not something else, like Warp Core Five?" asked Renn.

"I think that's trademarked," pointed out Peterson.

"There's an Orion bar on Qo'noS I'd like to visit." said Renn.

"That in the Andorian quarter. The Andorians built around the Orion embassy and outpost after it was considered a planetary landmark. Romulan and Klingons often get into fights in there, with the Klingons coming out victorious, One memorable fight I witnessed was over a Token of the Mek'leth that a junior officer had earned defending Qualor II. He used that kligat he took from the Capellans brutally. If your interested in Orion entertainment, there's an Deltan-Orion on M'Talas Prime. She originally had a residency on Freecloud..." Garza said as she spoke with Renn as the pair walked off together.

"There this bar on this asteroid in the Aquila system called Finn's Fist, because that's what the asteroid is shaped as. It's been run by some guy name Denning for forty years now," said Sanders, as he left Cen and Peterson.

"What's your ideal shore leave? The Fire Plains of Riaax?" asked Peterson.

"Hong Kong," said Cen. "It's my favourite Earth city."

"Are there any arboretum ships here?" Peterson asked. I was going to buy Picard a kal'ta plant for his 100th birthday celebration. And I's rather not have to go to Vulcan and get one. Ch'kariyas love a kal'ta plant."

"There should be," said Cen "Listen, I've going to check up on our next shipment. Governor Yar urgently needs some supplies to get to Turkana IV. Could you contact Andrew Kim? He knows a few shortcuts to get there. One runs through Xahea and Gemworld."

"I've never met him," said Peterson. "And there are probably a dozen Andrew Kims in the database."

"Look for the one that is a quarter Klingon and a quarter Taresian. Who's father is Harry Kim'" Cen explained.

"You could have just led with that," Peterson said, as he walked off.

Welcoming the break from rigorous argument, despite it being in the spirit of the ship and the namesake of that ship, Cen found a quiet place to read his book.

- FIN -