Star Trek : Angel - Book III - Saving History

[unusualsuspex]

AUTHORS FOREWORD

Much of what you will read in this story is pure speculation based on the snippets of information that Star Trek has provided us on screen (dates, casualties, names etc.)

Even the history of certain characters has barely been touched upon except in the vaguest of terms, so again I've made an attempt to weave theses characters a believable back story.

Much of the technology you will read about however is already in the development stage, and in some cases is being field tested. (Thank you Google!)

The subject of World War III even in a science fiction setting has not been a comfortable one to write about because on the whole, some of the premises I invented suddenly seemed all too logical.

Even so, don't have nightmares.

Extra thanks go to Kes7 for insider knowledge!

 

[unusualsuspex]

Prologue

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010​

STAR TREK : ANGEL – BOOK THREE
SAVING HISTORY​

Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.
George Orwell (1903-1950) British novelist, essayist, and critic.​

The destruction of the past is perhaps the greatest of all crimes.
Simone Weil (1910-1943) French Philosopher​

PROLOGUE

WASHINGTON DC
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
EARTH
3rd January 2026 – 1042 EST (1542 UTC)

Zhang Mei was her real name, but since her adoption at the age of two she had been known as Karyn Parkes. A model pupil through junior grade and high school, she had progressed through college to eventually earn a BSc (Hons) degree in Political Science at the University of Washington. She was, to all intents and purposes, the all American girl most likely to succeed.
Only Zhang Mei knew otherwise.

It was a crisp winter morning in Washington; the kind where breath steams, sunlight catches frozen spider webs and the promise of a new year was an antidote to the world’s tensions. Or at least a partial antidote.

North Korea’s abortive but costly invasion of its neighbour just before Christmas had raised the stakes in brinksmanship across the global political stage. The US with its allies had supported South Korea and rebuffed the invasion though the cost in life had been horrific. The discovery that the government of North Korea had been on the verge of launching nuclear weapons should have been a warning to humanity but like all warnings, it was not heeded worldwide.

The Chinese, who had been suffering internal strife for some time and were particularly keen to divert the people’s attention, were quick to demonize the West claiming that the “evidence” of nuclear weapons was manufactured simply to justify the taking of North Korea. In a show of military support for their Communist brothers forces had quickly massed along the North Korean border with China that stretched from Donggang in the west to its conclusion in the east as it ran down the Tumen River and China’s border merged with Russia.

The Russian’s had taken a surprisingly neutral stance after the invasion by North Korea, neither condemning the invasion nor its eventual rebuff. Their only concern was their own territorial sovereignty and as such had moved their own military into the region west of Kraskino. This did not threaten either the Chinese or Allied forces close to the region but sent a clear message to both parties.

Other states in the Middle East and Africa however were quick to rally to China’s cry for immediate withdrawal from the former communist state and the fragile pact that had been formed between Israel and Palestine was once again sundered as old allegiances were once again taken up.

Rogue states that had come into the possession of nuclear weapons by the black market following the scaling down by the super powers were now covertly – and in some cases overtly – offering support to what had become known as the. All in all, the United Nations was struggling with all its might to defuse tensions as they continued to skyrocket. Harsh words were being traded, ambassadors being withdrawn or expulsed and the world believed it had seen it all before.

Working her way through University, Zhang Mei had secured a job as a delivery driver in the Washington area and was a well known face to many, including the security officers that guarded the avenues and approaches to the Whitehouse. She had often stopped and shared a coffee or a pastry with them before continuing on her rounds delivering everything from clean linen to dirty books and today had been little different.

She’d teased Agent O’Halloran about the Washington Nationals trouncing by the Boston Red Sox then given him a doughnut as a peace offering, grinning as the big quiet man squirted jam down his jacket. Agent Pike had asked what her plans were now that she had her degree and she’d answered cryptically “let’s see how the world turns out” before waving goodbye.

As she turned off of Independence Avenue Southwest into the parking area of the National Air and Space Museum she took a deep, calming breath. Intellectually she knew that her cargo, hidden behind boxes filled with visitor’s guides for the museum, was quite safe. Even so, at the very climax of her mission she had at last succumbed to nerves if not doubts. The event she was about to trigger would change the world forever and she was fairly certain that she would not survive to witness it.

Staring through the windscreen of her delivery van she watched a young woman leading a crocodile of school children towards the Museum entrance and for the tiniest fraction of a second felt a pang of compassion for the innocents. She had suggested that the effect of the mission at night would have just as much impact but had been overruled. The West and its coalition, she had been told, needed to see that their nemeses were everywhere and did not need to hide in the shadows of darkness. In reality, the children would have been no safer in their beds than they were here and the flicker of doubt was extinguished.

Climbing from the cab she donned her quilted jacket and turned up the collar against the winter cold. The path to the administration entrance was a familiar one and even treading carefully to avoid the ice that lingered in the shadows, she was soon at the checkpoint and saw the smiling face of Archie Flannigan as he slid back the small window.

“Morning Karyn! Happy New Year!” he called and pressed the discrete security button that would allow her entrance to the building. Zhang heard the buzz and click as the door unlatched but stepped to the window instead.

“You too Archie. Listen, I’m just gonna pop down to Jelly’s stand and grab something to eat before I start unloading, that ok?”

He shook his head and laughed. “Y’know I don’t know how you manage to keep eating that junk food and stay so slim.” He patted his considerable girth and winked conspiratorially at the young woman. “Still, as you’re down there…”

“…hotdog with everything?”

“How well you know me!”

Once again that flicker of doubt surfaced as she returned Archie’s easy laugh and she turned away quickly to head out of the parking lot towards the fast food vendor in Seaton Park before the feeling could grow.

In the security office, Archie sat back down and turned the radio up slightly. The latest news from Korea wasn’t good and he’d been following it closely now that his son was stationed at Kunsan airbase with the Air Force. Archie wasn’t a fool and knew that the whole Korea thing wasn’t just going to subside without further action from somebody, despite what the media was trumpeting as “a successful conclusion to hostilities.”

Just as the anchor was about to hand over to the correspondent from Korea, Archie sighed when he heard the door bang open signalling that Michael Kramer had entered the office with his usual lack of etiquette.

“Why’s the delivery not being unloaded?” he snapped, pointing out of the window at the delivery truck. “And will you turn that thing down, this is a place of work not a coffee shop.”

Kramer was the sort of person that every office had and nobody particularly wanted. He had his small empire and guarded it jealously; any deviation from the norm set him to rattling his cage and stomping around like some third world dictator.

“Driver’s just grabbing a coffee Mr Kramer, she’ll be back shortly.”

“On her own time maybe, not mine.” He gestured out of the window at Zhang’s retreating form. “Is that her?”

Before Archie could answer, Kramer had released the door and stepped out into the lot.

“You! Driver, stop!”

Zhang heard the voice call from behind her and unconsciously quickened her step in the hope that whoever it was would give up and await her return. It wasn’t to be however as the voice called again for her to stop and she heard the sound of running feet. She had no idea who it might be but as she checked her watch she realized that it didn’t really matter. As the last few seconds ticked away to mid-day, she turned to face the parking lot seeing a red faced man in a badly fitting suit trying to maintain his footing on the slippery sidewalk.

The alarm on her watch began to beep and she turned her attention back to her van, still visible in the parking lot, mouthing a silent apology to Archie who would never receive his hotdog. In a blinding flash, the neutron weapon concealed amidst the tourist guides and household appliances detonated and the world was forever changed.

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 1

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 1


USS BLACKWELL
UNKNOWN LOCATION
UNKNOWN DATE

Aboard the Blackwell, Homer was effectively blind. The forward ports had polarized to block the glare as they entered the anomaly and so far hadn’t deigned to become transparent again suggesting that he wouldn’t be able to see even if they did. Similarly the sensors were reporting nothing but a mish-mash of unusable data, totally unable to comprehend and translate information that they had never encountered before.

He didn’t dare to input commands to the flight controls until either of those two situations improved and so sat ready should the circumstances change. Without taking his eyes from the panels, he called over his shoulder to Dan who was crouched beside Misaki on the deck.

“How’s she doing Sir?”

Dan had finished running the tricorder over the young Brevet-Ensign and discovered much to his relief that it was a simple concussion without complications. Drawing a hypospray of stimulant he pressed it against her neck while monitoring her vital signs.

“Good I hope. I’m a starship captain, not a doctor though.”

Dan had checked on Gabe to ensure that their entry into the anomaly had not thrown him from the biobed which was, even now, feeding him nutrients and medication. The ravages inflicted by his infestation by the mind control parasite had come very close to killing him. However, while he was still weak the prognosis was good.

With a blinding flash of light the forward screens cleared and most of the helm control console lit up. Certain functions were still down however and Homer swept his hands across those serviceable in an attempt to bring the runaway craft under control.

Directly ahead and approaching rapidly was a blue, green planet and by the looks of it they were closing at an angle to one of its poles, the white of the ice sheet blinding against the velvet black of surrounding space.

“Sir I’d strap Misaki and yourself in if I was you, I’ve got real limited control here and sensors are now down. This might not be a pretty planetfall.”

“As long as we get to walk away from it, I won’t press the issue.”

Dan struggled across the heaving deck and managed to pull Misaki into the system operator’s seat behind the pilot, rotate it forwards and fasten her webbing before climbing into the co-pilot’s seat himself and doing likewise. By that stage they were entering the atmosphere of the planet and if Homer had managed to slow the craft, Dan couldn’t tell.

With the advent of air friction, the ride became rougher, jarring Dan to the extent that he found it difficult to read the panels in front of him.

Homer had adjusted the angle of re-entry into the planet’s atmosphere enough to ensure that they wouldn’t burn up, but even so the lack of control meant that any landfall would be a rough one.

“Sir!” Homer pointed out of the starboard viewport. “Civilization and it looks pretty advanced.”

Dan knew immediately that until they identified the planet they couldn’t afford to be discovered under the Prime Directive.

“Find us a black spot if it’s possible, anywhere away from that centre of population.”

Homer grinned wondering why he always got the easy jobs. “I’ll try Sir, hit the shields and see if you can boost the structural integrity field.”

Gone were the days of pilots having to haul back on heavy controls to correct a dive towards the surface, but Homer’s rapid input of commands and fluent cursing were ample replacements to Dan’s mind. He managed to get the shields up and was attempting to redistribute the S.I.F. when Homer called out “Brace for impact!”

He barely had time to throw his arms up in front of his face before the runabout nosed into deep, and thankfully very soft, snow. It careened along digging deeper as it ran, the howling blizzard outside doing all it could to erase any trace of its passing.

After what seemed an eternity, but was in fact less than a minute, the sound of incessant pounding ceased and the craft came to an abrupt halt. By that time there was nobody conscious to notice.


USS ANGEL – FLIGHT DECK OPERATIONS OFFICE
ARGOLIS SECTOR
UFP SPACE
September 16th 2371 – 1314 FST

“I’m really sorry we lost the Rube 1100, 1101.”

Far from appearing upset over the loss, the two Bynar technicians seemed positively enthused.

“It was merely a trial model Chief Tarrant…”

“…and its loss means we can now begin work on an improved model.”

Spider wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that one, although he heard Dingbat heave a sigh of relief behind him. “They took that better than I expected.”

“I appreciate that, gentlemen and…well, people…anyway thank you but I’m not sure Captain Gray has given me authorization to replace the craft.” Spider had a vision of the two diminutive Bynars taking the Captain’s Yacht apart and doing heaven knows what to it even while his back was turned. “You’ll really need to discuss that with her first.”

In toy like co-ordination they nodded and smiled.

“Of course Chief Tarrant…”

“…we wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise.”

It was difficult not to smile back. The Bynars as a race, with their lilac skin, large hairless skulls and lively eyes, were at the forefront of computer technology within the Federation and although none of them currently served in an official capacity within Starfleet, Spider hoped it wouldn’t be long before they did. He still had a great deal of trouble telling the individuals apart in their social pairings though and wondered how they would react to a suggestion that they wear nametags.

“We understand that you would like our help…”

“…in checking the Hildr’s computer core?”

The Hildr was one of the Angel’s two experimental Valkyrie class fighters along with the Gunr. They’d been stationed aboard by the Advanced Starship Design Bureau for field testing at the launch of the new ship and so far had proved excellent in their task of area defence in support of the ship’s missions.

It was during the conclusion of their first mission at Zethander that an alien pilot had been forced to transfer her essence into the Hildr’s core when her own vessel was destroyed by the Borg. It was only in the early hours of this morning that she had successfully been transplanted into a new android body and so the Hildr now required expert attention prior to being released for flight once more.

“That would be more than appreciated thank you.” He pointed to the vessel where it sat at the rear corner of the flight deck. “Feel free to start whenever you’re ready and I’ll speak to Captain Gray on your behalf about a replacement shuttle.”

“Thank you Chief, we will start shortly and for your benefit…”

“…we have attached markers to our buffers to indicate who is who.”

As they indicated the compact units attached to their waists, Spider could see that one had a zero stencilled on to it while the other carried a large one. He actually felt a little stupid now that he’d seen it in practice.

“Was I that obvious?”

“No more so than many others …”

“…that we have worked with Chief.”

Smiling and chattering in their high frequency computer language, they descended the stairs to the flight deck and headed for the Valkyrie to begin work.

“Smart little cookies aren’t they?”

Dingbat couldn’t resist a passing dig. “Can’t be that smart, they never asked if you could read.”


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
EARTH
3rd January 2026 – 1200 EST (1700 UTC)

The blast effect from the neutron weapon itself was confined to a radius of no more than a couple of hundred metres but a massive wave of radiation with twice the range of a standard nuclear device swept out across the United States Capitol complex in Washington DC.

Those at the epicentre of the blast were the lucky ones, killed outright by the explosion or the immediately lethal wave of radiation. Further out, serious injuries came from shattered glass and crumbling masonry but the radiation still proved to be more lethal than the physical traumas.

Some 9 kilometres away, air traffic landing and departing from the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was hit by the electro magnetic pulse shutting down engines, electronic instruments and onboard computers. An outbound flight to San Francisco found itself without power in the crucial phase of climb and the flight crew desperately fought the controls, suddenly heavy without the aid of electronically controlled hydraulics. Miraculously they recovered control enough to make a forced landing in the Potomac, in the process unintentionally bringing their fragile cargo of humanity into the heart of the radiation.

Other aircraft weren’t so lucky, plummeting from the skies out of control and smashing into the heart of the nation’s capitol opening wounds that would not be completely repaired for years.

Road traffic was similarly affected as motorists lost on board computer control and engines to the EMP; power assisted steering became heavy and brakes almost useless. The freeways of Washington became high speed death traps with plumes of smoke rising to mark the funeral pyres.

In the terror and panic that gripped the Capitol, many were unaware that similar attacks had taken place in 24 other cities across North America, all co-ordinated to cause death if not total destruction at the same moment.

The list of cities struck along with Washington would become infamous; San Antonio, Seattle, Las Vegas, Houston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Spokane, Chicago, Sacramento, Dallas, Tulsa, Portland, New Orleans, Kansas City, Richmond, Detroit, Cleveland, Miami, New York, Denver, Atlanta, Richmond, Birmingham.

Yet one city would become more famous still when the neutron weapon placed at its heart failed to explode.

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 1 (cont)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 1 (cont)



SECURE NATIONAL COMMAND POST 4
CHEESMAN LAKE
PIKE NATIONAL FOREST
COLORADO, USA
EARTH
3rd January 2026 – 1100 MST (1800 UTC)

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States.”

As Madeline Everett made her way to the head of the table, she passed by many ashen and grief stricken faces. Each one, however, whether in service uniform or civilian clothes, was now thrust on to the world stage and the actions that they decided on in the next hour or so would shape the world for centuries to come.

No pressure at all then thought Everett as her chair was slid out for her to sit.

“Please be seated ladies and gentlemen.”

Buried deep below the wooded slopes of the Pike National Forest, SNCP 4 was listed on no chart of the area, it did not appear in any single document (official or otherwise) and its actual location was classified at the highest level. After the events of 9/11, the preservation of the chain of command became an imperative to the military minds. With technological advances available to even the poorest of terrorist nations, it was realised that few locations could be classed as secure any more. So began the military construction of five command posts that would serve as the next generation of safe havens for the US Commander in Chief.

Even the drivers of the small underground metro cars that serviced the facility didn’t know its exact location. The metro tunnels ran for some miles underground before arriving at their destination and with blacked out windows and multiple tracks, the journey length was never the same.

Everett had been ushered into SNCP4 three weeks ago after the events in Korea and had been here ever since. To her surprise, if not entirely to her pleasure, she had discovered a complete mock-up of the Oval Office from which she had made several broadcasts to the Nation already. It bucked against her moral sense to be safe in this unknown location while across the nation her fellow countrymen were dead or dying, yet she knew it had to be so and swallowed the bitter thought. It would return to haunt her time and again.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I know there are those amongst you who forecast this day might come and you’re probably thinking to yourself why did she not listen.” Everett stood, looking weary but not defeated. “I could tell you it’s because I won the right to decide who to listen to and who not, but the truth is that despite the madness that was unfolding I honestly believed that this couldn’t happen in my country again.”

There was silence as each person at the black marble table accepted that statement for what it was; an acceptance of making a mistake. It was a mistake that they were all a party to in one way or another, but now was not the time for apportioning blame.

“Before we begin I wish you to hear the recordings of two phone calls that took place in my office in the past half hour. The first was from the Russian premier Sergey Aleksandr Altukhov at 1312.”

Everett nodded to her aide who pressed the play pad. There was a click, a short squeal where the encryption sequences meshed and finally, the deep sonorous voice of Altukhov.

******​

“Madam President, I realise that I call you at the gravest of times but I feel that I must do so in an attempt to prevent a disaster.”

“A disaster for who Premier? Because from where I’m sitting it would appear that one has already occurred and it is not the Russian motherland that has been targeted.”

Everett had looked to her National Security Advisor, Robert Carmel, and he had nodded encouragingly. Carmel, a long time friend and running partner of Everett’s had advised her that Altukhov needed to see strength in the President, even a small amount of arrogance. Strength she could do, but with the world around her descending into madness, she wasn’t sure about the arrogance.

“That is true Madam President and while I cannot begin to understand your anger, I can understand your need for revenge.” He paused for a moment and there was the sound of a muffled cough. “I apologise. I need to ask you to remain calm and objective because there are those in the world who will immediately be pointing the finger of accusation, particularly in your own government.
”
“Trust me Premier, if there was any immediate evidence of the culprit this conversation would be moot. I should remind you that whoever committed this act of insanity left all our means of retaliation untouched and with that in mind I assure you that there will be a reckoning.”

Altukhov began coughing again, this time for longer. Carmel pointed to his chest and Everett realised that Altukhov’s terminal illness was taking its toll. When he at last returned to the phone his voice was husky, his breathing uneven.

“Of that I have no doubt Madam President.” Another pause, but this time no cough. “Madeline, let me be honest. There are those within my government who welcome the sight of the United States so mauled but they are in the minority and while they might not realise it, easily controlled. However, with my personal situation as it is, anything could happen.” He took a deep breath, the wheeze evident. “You have my word that these attacks were not carried out on behalf of the Russian peoples, nor by any Russian national accountable to me.”

There was silence as Everett considered this. Altukhov had been a voice of reason throughout his service to the Russian country he deeply loved and his rise to power had very much mirrored her own. In all their dealings, he had been honest and forthright and she desperately wanted to believe that he was being so now.

“Sergey, I have to meet with my advisors.” Hesitating only slightly, she concluded the call with the one statement that Carmel had hoped she wouldn’t use. “I believe you Sergey, but,” she continued as she saw Carmel’s eyes close, “if it should prove otherwise, then be aware that there will be retribution.”

“As it should be Madam President.”

With a soft click, the line went dead.

******​

In the silence that enveloped the briefing room, Everett studied the faces around her. Some were nodding, others dubious. Let’s see what they think of this next one then she thought.

“The second call arrived just prior to me attending this briefing and it was from Huo Zhou.”

Everett didn’t deign to refer to his title which should have been a clue as to the content of the recording. Again at her nod, the aide pressed play.

This time after the click there came the blare of a martial tune that none of those present, apart from Everett and Carmel, could recognise. Several pairs of eyebrows rose at this breech of Presidential etiquette.

God if they think that’s bad they’re really gonna wet their pants in a minute.

******​

A strident voice came on the line announcing that the fortunate listener was about to speak to the Revered and Gracious Chinese Leader Huo Zhou. As the music reached a crescendo Everett looked at Carmel in puzzlement. Carmel shrugged indicating he had no idea what was going on.
A harsh voice speaking in Mandarin spoke for several seconds before a translator stepped in to repeat the speech in English.

“President Everett, the United States has long been in denial about its failing status in the eyes of the world” – a pause while the original speaker continued – “but it would seem that the truth is now obvious. Unable to protect even yourselves, there can be no place for your brand of global policing and moral bankruptcy.”

Everett’s brief attempt to interrupt was ignored.

“This is a statement, not a discussion President Everett.” (Pause for Mandarin) “The world is a dangerous place and never more so than today.” (Pause for Mandarin) “The West is not the giant it believes and the proud and downtrodden people of Asia are no longer the quiet slaves to its inflated economic ego.” (Pause for Mandarin) “The ambassadors of the ten key ASEAN states” (Pause for Mandarin) “have been recalled by their governments and through me wish to dissolve all economic and political ties with the United States of America.”

Carmel was rapidly dialling a number on his mobile and speaking urgently as Everett continued listening in a state of shock.

“There will be a further statement at our discretion.”

The blare of unfamiliar music rang out again before the line was abruptly terminated.

“What the hell was that?” Everett was shaking, part anger at her treatment, part shock at the news and part fear at what it meant about the attacks.

Carmel hung up the call and looked at her pale faced.

“Whatever it was, he was telling the truth. The ambassadors and staff of all ten of the ASEAN embassies are currently vacating.”

******​

The room that had so quietly listened to the words of Altukhov were suddenly on their feet in anger at the outright arrogance of Huo.

Everett raised her hands and the room quietened, its whole mood now changed.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the People’s Republic of China, possibly aided and abetted by other countries, was responsible for the attacks on this country today. 25 cities and thousands of American citizens have been decimated. Just as bad, foreign nationals who had the right to feel safe and protected within our borders have come to harm and I will not let this go unchallenged.”

Carmel knew exactly what was coming next because after the call from China, Everett had told him.

“I require within the next hour plans enabling American forces to strike at 25 targets within the mainland of China. The force and overall effect of these strikes is not to exceed that used in the continental United States but I expect it to be a telling strike.” As she made to leave the room, she spoke over her shoulder. “The meeting will reconvene at 1230 and by that time I expect a plan ready to implement immediately and just as important, some answers as to how the hell this happened.”

It was impossible for the hermetically sealing sliding door to slam, yet it gave that impression nonetheless. Once outside the door, Everett no longer held back her tears.


MISSION OPERATIONS
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE GLOBAL STRIKE COMMAND
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE
LOUISIANA, USA
EARTH
3rd January 2026 – 1230 CST (1830 UTC)

Lieutenant (J.G.) Philip Green was a man who was not happy with where life was currently taking him. His service in the United States Air Force had been a pre-condition of him inheriting his late father’s substantial estate. It seemed the old man felt that a tour of duty with the armed forces would be the making of him.

Instead he’d progressed through the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs before being posted to Barksdale AFB and being landed slap bang in the middle of what now looked like World War III. All he could think in his self pity was that if the old man hadn’t been such an ass, he could’ve used the money to get somewhere safe.

“Lieutenant, on the double. I need the following discs immediately for briefing.”

Najor Charles Eddington was somebody else Green had little time for. He was a man who, in Green’s eyes, was too busy preening himself for the Pentagon to take much notice of anybody below his own rank, or indeed social standing. Even so, with the present crisis Green was aware that the world was likely to turn to crap just as easily for Eddington as it would for him. Death was a great leveller, or so his father had always spouted.

As the Major reeled off a list of highly classified discs, Green removed them from the operations vault, carefully checking and signing for each one then making sure that Eddington did the same. His role in Mission Operations here at Barksdale lay in one of those grey areas that the military loved. Officially he was an Operations Analyst though his true war role was somewhat more important. It fell to him to provide briefing material to his commander on black operations concerning nuclear weapons, and he’d been surprised on being inducted into the role to find out just how many of them there were.

“You’ll need to remain here Lieutenant as I’ll be making this brief directly to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

Eddington said it in the same way that an evangelical priest might tell his congregation that God was talking through him, and him alone, to discuss the schedule for Armageddon.

Ass.

Nevertheless, Green waited in the Vault spending the time working out exactly how many more days he’d have to serve under people like Eddington before the inheritance became his.

 

[kes7]

Well, this is an interesting start. The characters are intriguing, and the scenario is dark, but gripping. I'm curious how this is going to progress. Keep going!

 

[Gibraltar]

A very promising beginning to your latest story. So far it's unfolding like a Clancy novel!

Something tells me that Dan Fishlock may be having a rather lengthy discussion with Temporal Investigations when he gets back.

Looking forward to more.

 

[unusualsuspex]

LOL! I suspect there may be the chance that that may be a possibility perhaps maybe!

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 2

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 2


SECURE NATIONAL COMMAND POST 4
CHEESMAN LAKE
PIKE NATIONAL FOREST
COLORADO, USA
EARTH
3rd January 2026 – 1225 MST (1925 UTC)

Madeline Everett sat alone with Robert Carmel as they awaited the return of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The other members of the meeting milled around at the far end of the room collecting fresh coffee and pastries. Everett particularly eyed the ashen face of Andrea Spinelli, the Head of Homeland Security.

“How the hell could this happen Bob? 25 nuclear or WMD events in the space of 15 minutes, all within our own borders and not a whiff of it.”

Carmel sighed as he swilled the cold coffee around in the fine bone china cup, wishing they’d supplied mugs instead. He’d never been one for delicate fineries and the bone china seemed jarringly out of place in the midst of discussing nuclear terrorism.

“I’m not about to jump the gun Ma’am. Let’s hear from Homeland Security and the FBI before we start making too many wrong connections.”

Everett was about to reply when the doors to the conference room slid back and the Joint Chiefs of Staff entered. At the same moment she saw Spinelli speaking rapidly into a cell phone. Her attention was diverted as Admiral James Packard, the Chairman of the JCS, stepped into her line of view.

He bent low and spoke quietly meaning his message only for the ears of Everett and Carmel.

“Madam President, we have your option but I would request that the room be cleared prior to our delivering it.”

Everett had come to know Packard as a straight talking and honest navy man who had worked his way up through the ranks to the exalted position of CJSC so this sudden cloak and dagger turn seemed quite out of character. She looked at Carmel who simply shrugged, equally in the dark. Turning her attention back to Packard, she gave a curt nod.

“You have 15 minutes Admiral, make them count.”

He returned to the other JCS members and then quietly spoke to the Marine sergeant in charge of security who quickly circulated with the news that the meeting room was to be cleared. Several of the members turned to eye both Packard and Everett somewhat suspiciously before leaving but it didn’t faze the President in the slightest.

Before being ushered out herself, Spinelli quickly stepped up to Everett’s table.

“Ma’am, I’ve just received a call from the FBI. They’ve found another device that didn’t detonate.” Her eyes blinked rapidly as she spoke. “It was in Greensboro.”

For a moment, Everett’s world froze. Greensboro was her hometown with a thriving population of just over a quarter of a million men, women and children. It was the place where her mother and father still lived in a small house out in Hope Valley. The town where she’d met her husband Michael and raised two precious daughters. She realised that it was also the town where she had begun her climb to the Presidency. If it had been an attempt at a symbolic strike, thank God, it had failed.

Everett bit back the sudden flare of anger at this most personal of attacks, if that’s what it had been. 25 other cities had also been the homes of equally deserving people and they hadn’t been so lucky.

“Keep me informed, but I want a total blackout put on it. Tell them it was some local loony trying to get his 15 minutes of fame or whatever you like, but kill it.” Spinelli nodded and hurried from the room.

“Alright Admiral, you now get your 15 minutes,” she said rounding on Packard. “Make it good.”

Packard cleared his throat before beginning and Carmel got the impression that the man the services called “Bull” looked extremely nervous. “Just to advise you Ma’am that all commands have confirmed DEFCON 1 status worldwide and the Vice President is airborne in an E-4 at this time.”

“Which presumably brings us to the crunch Admiral?”

He looked sideways at the other Joint Chiefs before replying but his resolve seemed to strengthen.

“Yes Madam President, it does and the crunch is ‘Operation Winter Tiger’.” He handed her a thin dossier covered with so many classification labels that Carmel’s eyes fairly bulged. He didn’t recognise the name and he was fairly certain that with the classification being that high he certainly should have.

“I need to state at this juncture,” he continued, “that neither yourself nor Mr Carmel will be aware of, and subsequently have not authorised, this operation. As it is a long term deep cover operation, the assets we have in place have been there since 2021 and are currently operating on immediate standby to execute a strike.”

Everett placed the dossier on the polished desk top without opening it.

“Assets in place? I assume you mean members of the United States armed forces within the sovereign territory of China Admiral?”

Packard didn’t flinch. “Yes Ma’am that’s correct.”

She closed her eyes and the epithet that slipped from her lips shocked even Carmel who knew her better than anybody in the now silent room.

“Can I also assume that the idea of keeping this knowledge from your Commander in Chief and her National Security Adviser was in the interest of plausible deniability?”

“That is also correct Ma’am.”

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Everett waved her free hand. “Then I’d better be brought up to speed so that I have ample opportunity to understand what it is I’ll be denying.”

As the briefing unfolded, Everett saw that it was the answer she needed and the Admiral and his Chiefs got more than their 15 minutes.


‘OPERATION WINTER TIGER’
Overview

1. This OpOrder is subject to DEFCON1 procedure implementation.

2. Assets will remain anonymous except in number.

3. Overview.

In the event that a WMD event precludes use of standard weapons delivery, (either by disruption of lines of communication, destruction or incapacitation of delivery systems or unnecessary risk of escalation), this OpOrder shall be implemented under the authority of surviving governmental leaders and/or their assigned military representatives.

15 (fifteen) teams of military personnel (consisting of 10 (ten) members to each team), are currently in safe locations throughout the target nation. Upon activation, each team has a designated target (App1) and a time frame within which to strike, plus secondary targets.

Teams are considered expendable in the event of activation with no planned extraction points or mission plans.

(Extract from the Operation Winter Tiger Operation Order.)


USS BLACKWELL
UNKNOWN LOCATION
UNKNOWN DATE

Homer was the first to regain consciousness aboard the runabout with a splitting headache and a definite fracture to his right leg where it had jammed against the helm panel.
The interior of the shuttle was pitch black without even emergency lighting to give him an indication of how the other crew members may have faired.

“Captain?” Oh, that was too loud you idiot!

A soft moan from behind indicated that at least Misaki, the young Brevet-Ensign combat medic, had survived though what condition she might be in he couldn’t tell.

Reaching into the recessed storage locker to his left, he rummaged around in the crash disturbed contents and eventually managed to extract a palm beacon. Turning it on did little to help his blinding headache but at least he could now see that Captain Fishlock in the right seat appeared uninjured, at least to his untrained eye. Turning round in his seat proved impossible as the bearings in the column seemed to have seized so he returned to his previous method of investigation.

“Ensign?” Once again there was a low moan accompanied this time by a slight rustle of movement. “Ensign, if you can hear me wake up.”

After several more prompts, Misaki’s groggy voice answered.
“Lieutenant? Where…where are we?”

Keeping his voice low and controlled Homer coaxed her back to full consciousness, explaining that right now how they were was more important than where. Under his tutelage, she managed to release her restraints and after several moments of frustrating searching, reset the tripped emergency lighting.

“Ok I need you to tend to Captain Fishlock first so that he can help me through into the back of the runabout alright?”

As she leaned between the seats, she offered him an analgesic to tide him over until she could reset his leg but Homer gently refused. Until such time as Captain Fishlock was conscious and mobile, he wanted to remain drug free not knowing exactly what might happen next. The uncertainty of whether they had landed on a friendly Federation world, or one inhabited by a pre-warp civilization, or even worse one which bore no friendship at all to the UFP had him extremely worried.

Over the next few minutes, as Misaki worked on the Captain, he regained consciousness and thankfully showed no sign of debilitating injuries. When a mild analgesic had taken the edge off his pounding headache, he managed to slide his seat backwards and stand.

“That was certainly some landing Lieutenant.”

“You only asked for one you could walk away from Sir.” Homer winced realising that he wasn’t about to be walking anywhere. “I’ll need a little assistance though.”

Without being able to move Homer’s seat, extracting him proved both difficult and painful so that in the end, Dan had to order him to take the analgesic.

“What is it about you fighter pilots that gives you an aversion to medication anyway?”

Homer smiled, his mind floating slightly.

“Legend has it we’re frightened it’ll take the edge off the synthehol buzz Sir.”

Dan noticed Misaki’s weak grin and felt slightly better himself for the brief interlude of humour.

“I so hope that’s the medication talking Lieutenant.”

Lifting the pilot carefully, Misaki managed to apply a stasis splint to his leg before they manhandled him through the central passage into the rear compartment.

Like the Angel herself, her complement of runabouts were refits of a standard class specifically tailored to the medical and casualty evacuation role, changing their class designation from Danube to Chapel along the way. The main difference came in the rear compartment behind the interchangeable modules of the mid-section where a compact but extensive medical suite had replaced the crew compartment. While this could be switched out in a relatively short space of time to enable evacuation operations, it became the standard fit.

“Ensign, if you can work on Lieutenant Richmond and check on Captain Martello here, I’ll see if I can get some life back into the Blackwell ok?”

“Aye Sir,” she responded, obviously glad to have duties that took her mind off their current predicament.

As Dan returned to the cockpit, Homer looked at Misaki slightly lopsidedly.

“You do realize I was only joking about the synthehol don’t you?”

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 2 (cont)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 2 (cont)



USS ANGEL – BRIDGE
ARGOLIS SECTOR
UFP SPACE
September 16th 2371 – 1314 FST

“Captain, Koch reports alongside with the recovered civilian vessel.”

Kat stood and stretched working the knots out of her aching shoulders. It had been a long and stressful 48 hours and it didn’t seem that things were likely to let up any time soon.

“Thank you Commander DeSalle, request a security team escort him to the ready room and I’d like you to attend as well please.”

“Aye Captain.”

By all accounts, the pilot of the disabled merchantman was a flamboyant character who resolutely denied any wrong doing, which obviously meant he was guilty of something because he hadn’t actually been accused of anything.

“Commander T’Sell, you have the bridge.”

“I have the bridge Captain.”

As T’Sell descended to take the centre seat, Kat made her way through to the ready room and took the few minutes grace to freshen up in the adjoining bathroom.

It was only a few moments later that DeSalle and the security team arrived and Kat had extreme trouble preventing herself from laughing out loud.

“Captain Gray, this is Captain Harold F Samson of the Federation Merchant Vessel Stella Escape.”

Wearing a broad brimmed hat and sporting a moustache that tried bravely but in vain to cover the broad (and patently false) smile beneath it, Samson was the picture of ludicrous.

“Captain Gray,” he gushed, “It makes such a change to meet a beautiful Starship captain. It seems all my previous contacts with Starfleet have involved testosterone fuelled idiots.” He eyed her speculatively. “I must say, I do like the new uniform.”

At Angel’s launch, her crew had been supplied with the new pattern uniforms as a trial for comfort and durability. They weren’t yet scheduled for the rest of Starfleet and she assumed that the civilian captain had only seen the previous incarnations with the department coloured yokes. It would be a little while before she found out how wrong that assumption was.

“Captain Samson,” she replied, having to physically extract her hand from his grip, “I’m afraid I’m a little short on time for pleasantries.” His face fell at Kat’s businesslike manner. “Now, would you mind explaining why your vessel doesn’t appear in the Federation registry?”

“It doesn’t?” She wasn’t at all sure where this clown had gone to acting school but she was going to recommend he ask for a refund. His face the antithesis of innocence, (though it was quite obvious that he honestly believed otherwise), he hummed and hawed for a moment. “I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation Captain…”

“I’m sure there is as well Captain Samson, but as you can see we’re currently in the middle of a clear up operation and I’m a little tight on time right now.”

Samson instantly cheered up. “I quite understand Captain,” he said quickly. “Don’t worry; if I could simply ask for a little help from your engineering department, I’ll be on my way before you know it.”

Kat’s grin was perhaps a little more feral than she would normally have allowed but her patience with this buffoon was wearing exceedingly thin.

“Actually Captain, you don’t appear to understand at all.” She stood quickly, the perfect signal to DeSalle that for now at least, this meeting was over. “I will deal with this matter at a later time when my primary duties are complete.” She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at Samson who shrank back visibly. “You, on the other hand will be escorted to the brig where you will await further questioning from my Chief of Security.”

“What? But you can’t…” DeSalle took Samson’s arm firmly and began leading him to the door. “You…this is ludicrous.”

As he disappeared from view still being firmly led by DeSalle, his protestations continued including threats involving lawyers and civil liberties.

Almost immediately, Kat dismissed the trader from her mind as other more pressing duties reclaimed her time, though something was nagging at her memory and damned if she could think what it was.


SECURE NATIONAL COMMAND POST 4
CHEESMAN LAKE
PIKE NATIONAL FOREST
COLORADO, USA
EARTH
3rd January 2026 – 1314 MST (2014 UTC)

Everett entered the briefing room and the attendees stood respectfully until she had taken her seat and asked them to do likewise.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she began, taking in the circle of pale and worried faces, “I apologise for keeping you waiting, but I assure you it was with good reason. Before I explain the decision I have reached, I think Ms Spinelli has an update on an earlier situation which has some bearing. Ms Spinelli?”

The slim black woman stood and proceeded to the situation briefing screen that dominated the room.

“Thank you Madam President.” Touching a control on the remote in her hand, the screen lit up to reveal the image of a cordoned off warehouse. Around the entrance and inside the tape sat police cruisers from the Greensboro Police Department as well as several dark sedans. The figures sporting FBI jackets were instantly identifiable as the owners of the latter. “At 1212 hours EST today, the workers at this plastics storage warehouse in Greensboro reported that they had subdued a man of Cambodian descent who had apparently, and I quote, “gone mad, screaming that he had failed, he had failed”.” Spinelli touched the remote again to reveal the bloodied and battered face of the man himself. “His name is, according to his ID, Chey Heng but we’re still confirming this. While in the process of going postal, Chey was hammering his fists on a suitcase according to witnesses. The truth is.” once more the screen changed, “that this was inside it.”

The image now showed the inside of the case containing electronic components, a cylinder apparently made of metal and several other unrecognizable devices.

“This, ladies and gentlemen, was the 26th WMD in our country which, despite Chey’s hammering, obviously didn’t detonate.”

The room erupted with questions and Spinelli held her hands up to forestall them.

“Please, ladies and gentlemen, please.” As the room quietened Spinelli showed the last slide, a close up of the suitcase’s contents. “I’ve just been advised by the FBI that as far as they can tell from their initial inspection, every identifiable component in this case was manufactured for the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China.”

Where before there had been a riot of voices, now there was only one. Madeline Everett stood.

“I have issued orders to the Joint Chiefs of Staff that as of 2100 hours GMT, they are authorised to carry out retaliatory strikes against the People’s Republic of China.” She closed her eyes, knowing that the words she spoke now could possibly spell the beginning of the end. “It is to consist of strikes against 25 cities to equal and not exceed the force of those attacks made against us. The Chinese Government is currently refusing to answer any attempts at communication and therefore, one hour after the attacks have commenced I will address the nation.”

Opening her eyes again, she looked for several seconds at each face in the room. Not one had raised an objection. There had been no outcry of “What if?” There was simple acceptance and a tangible resolve to prove that the violator’s of their homeland would not go unpunished.

“The Threat Advisory System will remain at Red and I have ordered the immediate notification of recall for all National Guard and Reserve units. Make no mistake, I am fully aware of the consequences of this decision and I will now table a motion for dissension if so requested.”

There was not a sound in the room, not a flicker of movement from those sat with her in the briefing room and when she felt that she had given them ample time to respond, she bowed her head.

“Thank you for your support ladies and gentlemen. You’ll obviously all need to prepare your departments for…” she almost said war, but caught it just in time. “For any contingency that may arise,” she finished.

“Bob,” she pointed to Robert Anderson the White House Press Secretary, “if you’d join me please?”

The room rose to their feet as Everett made to leave and unexpectedly, starting with a single person but filling the room within seconds, came the sound of applause.

Everett smiled bravely but her mind railed about receiving an ovation for possibly starting World War III.


USS BLACKWELL
UNKNOWN LOCATION
UNKNOWN DATE

They had been on the ground for some while and so far, there had been no hint that their arrival had been noted. Dan’s main concern was that whoever the locals may prove to be, they may just be waiting for the weather to abate before commencing a search.

Certainly when they’d landed the blizzard outside had been of epic proportions and they still weren’t sure how far from the ice cap they’d eventually travelled. The signs of civilization that they’d passed over had been widely spread and concentrated appearing to be more like settlements than major cities, but he was not about to take anything for granted.

With a hum and a flicker of light, power was fully restored to the Blackwell’s interior with several of the consoles springing to life around him. Sadly, others remained dark and the one he’d prayed would come up was one of the latter.

Without sensors they were effectively blind to the world outside. He wasn’t sure just how deep below the surface they had ploughed through the soft snow but it was a double edged blade, for while it protected them visibly from any attempted search, it also stopped them from making any visual checks of the surface.

Homer’s head appeared at the cockpit entrance.

“At least we can count on heat and food for now,” he smiled. “Both warp and impulse are still offline Sir but to be honest I’d rather find out what’s up there before I make any major attempt to reset them.”

Dan nodded in agreement. “If there’s an advanced civilization it could give us away you mean?”

“That was my thinking Sir. I’d prefer to get sensors online and then comms.”

“Makes sense. Let’s find out where we stand first and unless trouble comes a knocking stay put.” Dan pointed at Homer’s leg. “Look’s like you made the right decision in bringing a combat medic along rather than an engineer.”

Homer didn’t seem too convinced. “I’d have put up with a bit more pain if it meant I could get the sensors online quicker.” At Dan’s sceptical look Homer smiled sheepishly. “Ok maybe not. I’d better get back to it Sir, oh and Misaki says Captain Martello was asking after you.”

“Thanks Homer, let her know I’ll pop through shortly.” Homer nodded and was about to turn back down the central corridor when Dan stopped him. “I never got chance to thank you by the way.” At Homer’s slightly puzzled look, Dan smiled. “Nice landing.”

 

[Gibraltar]

The situation grows ever more serious as the American president sets plans in motion that will push the world into the most destructive conflict in human history. The grim fatalism you’ve managed to capture here is very unsettling… so mission accomplished!

Fishlock and the crew of the Blackwell weathered the landing better than I’d hoped, though they still haven’t the foggiest of where they are.

I’m really enjoying the pace at which this latest installment is unfolding.

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 3

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 3


TEAM LEOPARD
SHENYANG (CAPITAL OF LIAONING PROVINCE)
NORTH EAST CHINA
EARTH
4th January 2026 – 0430 China Standard Time (3rd January 2026 - 2030 UTC)

Shenyang, with a population exceeding ten million and covering an area of 8515 square kilometres, was the capital of Liaoning Province and China's fifth largest city. Located in the centre of Liaoning Province, north of the Hun River, and just over two hundred kilometres North West of the North Korean border, at 0430 its streets were just starting to come alive with people as the curfew lifted.

Among the smattering of early morning traffic was a truck so old that little held it together apart from the rust and mud that covered almost every inch of its body. Its driver seemed equally ancient, but deceptively so, for Liu Meng was fitter and better educated than many of the young conscripts that manned the check points in the city. He knew most of them by name, young men who had been called to service in the Chinese People's Liberation Army when their regular counterparts had been dispatched to the borders.

As he drew the truck to a shuddering halt at the final checkpoint on his route, he stepped from the cab and was relieved to see that the young boy detailed to search his truck was one he knew well.

“Good morning Tao!” He called and the young man smiled half heartedly and waved back to him. “How is your mother?”

Tao shook his head forlornly. “I think it is just a matter of time Mr Liu. The medicine ran out last week and it would seem that unless you are about to face the enemy, then you won’t be getting treatment.”

Liu put his finger to his lips and indicated the back of the truck. Once they were out of sight of the jerry built guard post, Liu lifted the canvas flap that dangled raggedly over the rear cargo bed. Inside were crates precariously stacked almost to the roof. Liu made a theatrical show of checking around him before reaching under the canvas and pulling out a small package wrapped in old cloths.

“Perhaps this will help your mother? I’m sorry, it is low grade but morphine is morphine.”

Tao’s eyes lit up at the sight of the package. “Mister Liu, how can I thank you?”

Wearing his most humble grin, Liu shook his head. “The old are no longer revered as they once were Tao. Take it with my wishes of good health for her.”

Quickly hiding the package inside his badly fitting and patchwork uniform, Tao thanked him and took a cursory glance under the canvas flap. “More supplies for the garrison eh?”

The old man nodded. “Though I don’t know why, the place has been almost empty for a month now.”

Tao smiled broadly and puffed his chest out with pride. “Not for much longer Mr Liu. I’ve been told that soon there will be a major operation and at last I will be part of it!”

Liu made a great attempt to seem world weary at such news but his ears pricked up at that titbit of information.

“But what about leaving your mother alone son?”

Shrugging, Tao said, “She doesn’t really understand Mr Liu. She keeps saying that my service to China isn’t the honour I believe it to be. But if I come back from North Korea as a hero…” Suddenly realising he had said too much, Tao clamped his mouth shut.

“Do not worry; I’m sure your mother will understand Tao.” Gently leading the young soldier back to the cab of the truck, Liu made it seem as if it was he that was being guided and thanked him before climbing once more into the driver’s seat.

“Give your mother my best wishes Tao,” he called but the young man’s thanks were lost in the truck’s asthmatic attempts to start.

Eventually the engine caught enveloping the rear of the truck in a wreath of carbon monoxide fumes. Sorry boys he thought, and then waved to Tao as he drove ahead through the checkpoint. It was only a few minutes later that he pulled into a dimly lit side street and turned the engine off for the last time.

Checking around and seeing that the street was empty, Liu banged twice on the boards at the back of his cab, and then twice more. There was movement from behind and then he saw in the mirrors the wraiths that were half of the US Special Operations team known as Leopard as they silently exited the rear.

Liu had worked with the Americans for almost ten years now and had been first choice for the in-country contact for Leopard. His knowledge of the area was second to none and the contact network he’d set up had proved invaluable. He’d received the only thing he’d asked for in return when his family had been spirited away to the West. The knowledge that his children and grand children at least now had a chance of living the life they deserved was more than enough payment for his services. He’d felt for some time that the corruption of his government and its false pride in its burgeoning economy would lead to this day.

“I assume you’ll be joining us some time today?”

Captain Alec Mitchell’s Mandarin was flawless and the comment made Liu jump.

“If my heart doesn’t stop first!” Liu slipped from the truck, all signs of infirmity and age having fallen away like a cloak. “Idiot!” He punched the black clad soldier on the arm playfully.

“Yeah right, you’ll be around long after I’m gone.”

Liu and Mitchell joined the four remaining members of Leopard as they lifted the heavy bar that had locked the innocent seeming double door behind the truck. The other five members of Leopard had departed on their own mission that for the sake of security hadn’t been divulged to Mitchell or the others.

“And there she is,” whispered Mitchell. In the dim light inside the garage sat an Audi Q7 carrying the flags and plates of a high ranking Chinese official. It was their ticket to freedom.

In China’s financial boom years, the government had been criticised on the purchase of such vehicles for their officials and eventually cut back the expenditure but many of the vehicles were still in use. Carrying the high ranking indicator plates and the flags of a highly placed official, their escape to the port of Yingkou 166 kilometres south west of Shenyang along the eight lane Shenda Expressway was likely to be unchallenged.

“Alright ladies, get the package down the hole then suit up, the clock’s ticking.”

Arnold, the bespectacled intel operative had set up the radio in the back of the Q7 and was quietly scanning the local army and police frequencies for any unusual activity. Benjamin had already unlocked and freed the weapons case in the rear of the vehicle while Levin and Webb carefully lowered the case they’d unloaded from Liu’s truck down a foul smelling manhole that hadn’t seen the light of day for quite some time.

With the manhole cover back in place, the team quickly changed into PLA uniforms with suitably high ranking braid. They would only pass a cursory examination of course, only Arnold and Liu being of Chinese descent, but as they would be passing through the checkpoints at high speed it was likely to make little difference or so they hoped.

Arnold climbed quickly into the driver’s seat with Liu beside him while the other four squeezed into the rear seats. With the blacked out windows, their cover was almost perfect. Starting the engine and leaving the garage quietly, Levin jumped out to drop the bar back across the heavy door before climbing back in.

Leaving behind the Shenhe District, the majority of which lay within the old city wall, Arnold guided the Q7 out on to the wide Shenda Expressway and accelerated through the sparse morning traffic. Fast moving governmental vehicles had become a common sight on China’s roads since the North Korean invasion of the South with high ranking military staff and political party members being ferried around the country. Other drivers had the common sense to remain clear of any vehicle flying a flag.

They had travelled just over half the distance to Yingkou when a false sunrise lit up the sky behind them.

“That’s it ladies, all bets are now off.” Mitchell grimly passed out the silenced automatic weapons to the team with only Liu declining. From hereon in, each one knew that they would either make it to Yingkou or die. If it were to be the latter, they would do so knowing that Team Leopard had succeeded.


GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE
TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE WEST SIDE
DONGCHENG DISTRICT - BEIJING
CHINA
EARTH
4th January 2026 – 0500 China Standard Time (3rd January 2026 - 2100 UTC)

On the Western edge of Tian’anmen Square sat Beijing's Great Hall of the People, the meeting place of the Chinese National People's Congress and the current location of President Huo Zhou. He wouldn’t normally have been here at this hour, but today was the day he would finally announce a brand new era to the world; the formation of the Eastern Coalition of Nations.

Now that they had proven their audacity to the West there would be nothing to prevent this coalition from taking centre stage in global politics. They had effectively shown that they were a force to be feared and now that the countries of ASEAN had combined, Huo was on the verge of power unlike any he had ever imagined.

When the phone rang, he was tempted to leave it. With much to organise and little in the way of time to do so, he could well do without the interruption. However, when the phone continued to ring, his concentration was finally broken. Snatching the receiver from its cradle he snapped “Speak!”

“I thought I would call to bid you farewell.”

Huo recognised the quiet and cultured tones immediately. It was Chimera, the only name he had ever known the man by. Over the past year, this mystery figure had guided Huo infallibly through the minefield of world politics and power struggles asking nothing in return other than perhaps “a footnote in the history books.” Huo had never understood that particular statement but seeing the accomplishments of this man’s guidance he would gladly acquiesce to such a small price. Eventually of course, he would have to be rid of him, the difficulty being so far that he had no idea who the man was.

“Chimera I wondered if you might call today. Though I do not understand why you bid me farewell. Are you leaving?” That would solve many of Huo’s problems but he doubted it would be that simple.

“Not at all, I actually called because there are some things that you need to know.”

Huo felt that the warmth had leeched from the voice and couldn’t understand why. “Can this not wait, I am…”

“You are a fool; a greedy, corrupt fool who has no place leading the ECoN into an era where it will become the predominant power in the world.”

For a moment Huo was stunned into silence. “Is this some kind of joke?”

“The only joke, Huo, is that you thought you could set your private dogs on me and actually expect them to find me. That was very foolish, not to mention ungrateful.”

For the first time Huo felt a shiver of fear. Chimera had never spoken this way to him before and he had foolishly thought the man’s subservience was due to respect or fear of Huo’s power. It would seem that wasn’t the case. In the silence that followed, he could hear every small sound in the building. It seemed each tiny creak was the footstep of an assassin and Huo cursed himself for dismissing his personal guards to the reception area while he worked.

“It was not meant to threaten you I…”

“Please, no more lies. I want you to know that China will eventually rule the world Huo but you will have no more part in it. I also want you to know that in the past ten minutes, the West have attacked 25 cities in China for the atrocities that you caused in America.”

The voice was now almost mocking and Huo stood quickly, his chair falling over unnoticed behind him.

“Lies, they would never dare strike against China! Our air defences are stronger now than…”

“THIS is the reason why you do not deserve to lead this continent you idiot! I warned you not to do this!” Huo was shaking now and it was fear not anger that provoked such a reaction. “But still you committed yourself to striking and now that decision will destroy you.”

Huo, despite the almost paralyzing sense of panic that was creeping over him, pressed the alarm on his pager knowing that the guards would instantly respond to his location. Knowing that armed and very professional assistance was seconds away, Huo felt a flash of bravado. “You dare to threaten me?”

“One day Huo, China and the Eastern Coalition will rise to their deserved place but it will be despite you, not because of you. For now the people will have to bear the shame of your actions and that is the worst crime you could have committed. You will not be here to learn the lesson Huo that I never threaten, I act.”

There was less than two seconds delay between Chimera pressing the enter key on his laptop and the enhanced radiation weapon detonating in the Great Hall of the People.

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 3 (cont)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 3 (cont)


SECURE NATIONAL COMMAND POST 4
CHEESMAN LAKE
PIKE NATIONAL FOREST
COLORADO, USA
EARTH
3rd January 2026 – 1445 MST (2145 UTC)

“Madam President, the targets were as follows: Tianjin, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shenyang, Chongqing, Nanjing, Harbin, Xi'an, Chengdu, Changchun, Hangzhou, Jinan, Dalian, Taiyuan, Zhengzhou, Qingdao, Shijiazhuang, Kunming, Lanzhou, Zibo, Changsha, Nanchang, Urumqi and Guiyang.”

Admiral James Packard read the list quietly and with a deep sense of sorrow to Everett’s mind. She could sympathize with the feelings.

“Many of those strikes also took out military troop, supply and munitions bases although the country’s infrastructure has not been damaged irrecoverably.”

In fifteen minutes, Everett was due to make an address to the American public. What she wanted to say was sorry; sorry for leading the country she loved down this particular avenue, sorry that she hadn’t protected those citizens pledged to her care, even sorry to the innocent Chinese people who had suffered her wrath because of their leader’s stupidity. But she could say none of that, not without losing the faith of the American people.

“There is one other thing Ma’am.”

Packard’s tone had changed and Everett was instantly alert.

“There was a strike in Beijing.”

“What?” Everett was furious. “I specifically said that there was to be no strike on the capital Admiral! What went wrong?”

“Nothing went wrong Ma’am. I have no idea exactly what happened, but that was definitely not one of our teams.”

“Are you sure there wasn’t some sort of miscommunication in…”

Packard stepped in quickly to avert questions that right now he simply didn’t have the answer to. “Ma’am, forgive me but the only thing I can tell you with 100% clarity is that the strike in Beijing was definitively not ours.”

A knock at the door to her private office interrupted the Admiral.

“Wait!” Lowering her voice, Everett looked directly into Packard’s eyes. “Jim, by the time I’ve finished this speech I want some answers and they’d better back up your statement because at this moment in time your job might depend on it.”

Packard replaced his cap, saluted with a “Yes Ma’am” and then strode briskly from her office.

Everett instantly regretted her words. Packard was a long time friend and normally she would accept his word as scripture. Normally. Whatever happened to normal? She wondered.

“Madam President?”

She looked up to see Robert Anderson, the White House Press Secretary, waiting at the door.

“They’re ready for you Ma’am.”

The walk to the simulated Oval Office seemed a very long one.


TEAM LEOPARD
YINGKOU PORT - LIAONING PROVINCE
NORTH EAST CHINA
EARTH
4th January 2026 – 0535 China Standard Time (3rd January 2026 - 2135 UTC)

Strangely, when they arrived at the main gates to Yingkou Port there seemed to be little in the way of panic or even response to the strikes against Chinese cities as far as Mitchell could tell. The guard at the gate was one of the local militia as it had been for the past two weeks and there seemed to be no increase in internal security.

Either we’re blessed with more luck than we deserve or the other shoe is about to drop right on us thought Mitchell as Arnold parked the Q7 between two of the dockside warehouses.

Turning to the rest of the team Mitchell gave what would be one of his his final briefinga in Chinese territory, or at least so he hoped.

“Alright, I have no idea why this place isn’t buttoned up tighter than a nun’s habit but the plan remains. We get Liu’s son-in-law as planned, head out on the Binhai Road to Bayuquan where we hit the water. Any issues?”

There was no reply and Mitchell nodded, satisfied for now. The pick up of Liu’s son-in-law was the final part of a prearranged escape strategy that had been refined weekly over the past 6 months.

Ever since the invasion of South Korea by the North, Team Leopard hadn’t known when they might be called to strike that country as opposed to China, but with the retaking of the North, it would now become their final destination before repatriation.

Mitchell smiled at the older native in the front seat who in their flight from Shenyang had now shaved off his beard and moustache removing years from his appearance. “Alright, Meng, think you can handle a luxury car instead of that death trap of a truck?”

“That death trap got you out of Shenyang young man.” Liu returned Mitchell’s smile with a gleam in his eye. “Still, I’ll give this one a try.”

“Thought you might.” He turned next to the team’s communication specialist who was also of Chinese descent but born in America. “Arnold, you’re point on this. Confirm you have all the documentation?”

Arnold made a show of patting all his pockets and looking panicked before producing a wallet of documents with identification papers and official letters stating that Liu’s son-in-law, one Dong Xu, was to accompany him for interview. Mitchell knew that the statement ‘accompany for interview’ would not be argued with by anybody in Dong’s workplace.

“Funny Arnold.” Mitchell’s tone of voice said it was anything but. “Alright the rest of us remain in the car and as soon as Xu is in we move.”

Arnold and Liu exchanged places in the front seat before they reversed back out from between the warehouses and headed along the waterfront towards the offices of the Pan-Asiatic Transportation Company. Pulling into the wide berth in front of the glass doors, Mitchell watched as Arnold left the vehicle.

Inside, the security guard at the front desk hurried to open the door for him and although they were out of earshot, Mitchell knew that Arnold was even now producing his credentials and demanding to see Dong Xu.

There was much nodding and the guard retreated behind the desk to summon somebody more senior. Mitchell smiled as Arnold paced back and forth, the very picture of a martinet who was not used to being kept waiting and it appeared to be having the desired effect on the guard. He was all smiles and nods in his effort to placate this senior officer although Arnold remained aloof.

Eventually an elderly man in what appeared to be an expensive business suit arrived, placing his right hand over his left and giving a small bow in the Chinese way of greeting. Arnold ran through his pantomime once more, being obvious in checking his watch, and the old man’s face became ashen. He quickly disappeared back into the offices.

“Come on, come on,” whispered Mitchell, knowing that the longer this charade continued the more exposed they were. He had no idea whether the strikes across China would cause a belated crackdown either within the port or on the road to Bayuquan, but he wasn’t likely to bet against it.

At that moment, the elderly man returned with Dong Xu, the latter a striking dark haired young man who was theatrically waving his arms. As soon as Arnold pointed to the car and placed his hand on the holster at his hip, Dong quietened and spoke quickly to the old man. He gave a short nod in return as if he didn’t wish to be tainted by association with his employee and watched wide eyed as Arnold led him outside by the arm.

Room was made in the rear of the Q7 as Arnold bundled him in unceremoniously and then they were away. Liu in the front was concentrating on his driving but said mockingly, “I always knew you would end up in trouble with the authorities.”

Mitchell could no longer contain the laugh that had been building up inside him.

“Arnold, either your acting has improved or you’ve gone native.”

For his part, Arnold peered through his round glasses and commanded in perfect Mandarin “Silence or you too will be accompanying me for interview.”

 

[Gibraltar]

The American counterstrike has apparently played into the hands of the real power broker behind the formation of the ECoN. I don’t envy the president the speech she will have to make, nor the people of North America for the ECoN retaliatory actions which are almost sure to follow.

You’ve captured a real Tom Clancy feel here yet again, and I find myself forgetting that I’m reading a Trek story as I become increasingly engrossed with the happenings here in the 21st century.

Just amazing stuff, and I’m eager for more!

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 4

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 4


USS ANGEL
ARGOLIS SECTOR
UFP SPACE
September 16th 2371 – 1356 FST

Kat had left the ready room having completed her interim report to Starfleet. Her only omission was the strange message she had received and even now she was wondering if she had done the right thing in not reporting it.

There was no doubt in her mind that the message from Dan was genuine and if that was so, then the message from his benefactor was equally so. As he had promised to be in touch shortly, she felt that Starfleet could wait a little while longer.

Inspections of the three refugee vessels was continuing apace although it would still be at least eight hours before they were cleared (or not as the case may be) for warp flight. The USS Chamberlain was now on scene and although the border cutter carried a small crew, they were also helping marshal and examine the three ships.

It was Chamberlain’s arrival that had interrupted her planned questioning of Samson and prompted Kat’s latest trip to the main transporter room to meet a Colonel Abe Anderson. His message had been short and to the point, requesting a meeting to discuss one of the Angel’s crew members. He hadn’t been more forthcoming and Kat could think of no reason to refuse.

As she entered the transporter room, she saw Chief Waverley was manning the operator’s station. “Chamberlain reports ready Captain.”

“Energize Mr Waverley.”

A sparkling column of light eventually coalesced to reveal a tall, black colonel wearing the insignia of Special Operations and Kat instantly stepped forward.

“Colonel Anderson, welcome aboard the Angel.”

Smiling, he took Kat’s proffered hand as he stepped down from the transporter platform. “Nice to arrive on a ship with a little more headroom.”

“We do like our creature comforts Colonel.” She indicated the door and thanked Waverley before escorting the Colonel to a nearby conference lounge.

“A drink Colonel?”

Anderson shook his head. “Perhaps later Captain. I’m afraid I don’t have a great deal of time at the moment but thank you. I need to discuss one or two factors of your recent operation here, in particular with respect to Captain Fishlock’s disappearance.”

While Kat had not been privy to the contents of Dan’s message to Admiral Bryan at Starfleet Command, she deduced correctly that Anderson’s prompt arrival was in some small part connected to it.

“By all means Colonel.”

Anderson took a seat at the table and Kat sat across from him deciding that she could wait for a coffee.

“I understand from Starfleet that the field that was around the anomaly proved difficult to penetrate with sensors?”

“Initially Colonel, yes. As the field contracted we were able to better define the anomaly itself though.”

Anderson stroked his chin for a moment, framing his next question.

“What I really need to ascertain Captain is the disposition of the vessel or vessels that Captain Fishlock was investigating. In particular a vessel by the name of SS Leech.” Anderson looked at Kat expectantly.

“Is this classified Colonel?” When he nodded, Kat tapped her communicator. “Captain to T’Sell.”

“Go ahead Captain.”

“Commander, could you route the sensor telemetry of the period five minutes prior to the loss of the Blackwell to five minutes after to my location please?”

“Aye Captain.”

Within moments the screen on the table lit up with the frozen image of the anomaly. Just visible to the right of it were three, possibly four, small vessels.

“That’s received T’Sell thank you.”

“Bridge out.”

Kat turned to Anderson as T’Sell signed off. “What exactly is it you’re looking for Colonel?”

“Captain Fishlock somehow managed to send a message to Starfleet with a report on a classified mission he was undertaking. It’s my job to confirm that the job was completed though to be honest I’ll be damned if I know exactly how.”

Kat knew that the message she had forwarded on had reached Starfleet via such a circuitous route that it would be impossible to trace it back to Angel. Kat had no idea why the mysterious man who had sent it to her wanted it that way but with Dan’s welfare at stake it seemed a sound decision.

“I’m assuming that the classification precludes me from being aware of what to look for?”

Anderson looked slightly troubled for a moment, and then sighed. “To be honest Captain, our mission was compromised by people and agencies unknown at this time. Even their purpose has yet to be fully uncovered, though that’s in hand.” He rested his arms on the desktop wearily. “I suppose if I can confirm that the Leech was destroyed it would be a starting point.”

Reaching across Kat looked at the screen before tapping several controls.

“Computer, enhance and magnify grid 047.”

With the response “Working”, the image zoomed in so that the group of vessels could now be seen more clearly.

Kat tapped the screen and said, “That one’s the Blackwell, and the one out to the right there is the Berwick. I assume this thing here must be the Leech?” When Anderson nodded, Kat requested a further enhancement and the image of the Leech sprang to centre frame.

It was obvious from the enlargement that the vessel had broken in two just aft of the bridge module with the two halves separated by some 500 metres in the still image. The aft section clearly showed a second ship entangled in the wreckage of the Leech.

“A collision?”

Anderson agreed. “Certainly looks that way. That looks like the shuttle that was in pursuit of the Leech.”

“Computer, run sequence at half speed and scan for possible signs of anti-matter containment failure.”

In a slow motion pirouette, the two halves of the Leech sailed ahead of the Berwick and the Blackwell, gathering momentum as they approached the anomaly. Just on the verge of disappearing inside, there was a flash and then the two Starfleet craft were left alone to descend themselves into the anomaly’s heart.

“Computer, select time frame zero point one and advance frames incrementally at one second intervals.”

Rewinding, the Leech became visible again, this time moving much more slowly towards the anomaly. At the first sign of a light flare from the anomaly, Kat called “Computer freeze playback.”

Anderson leaned into the screen. “Computer analyse frame and associated data. Is that the beginning of a containment failure?”

“Working.” Within moments, the computer had completed its review of the data. “There is a 37% probability based on spectography that the event is a warp core containment failure.”

“Only 37%.” Anderson looked up at the ceiling. “Computer is there any evidence in the next five seconds of data that this vessel was destroyed?”

“Working.” This time the pause was slightly longer. “There is insufficient data of substantial clarity to confirm the status of this vessel at the point of entry into the anomaly.”

Anderson’s disappointment was obvious. “Thank you anyway Captain, I felt I had to check it myself. If you could ask your Science department to attempt a cleanup of the data that would be greatly appreciated.”

“Of course Colonel.”

Anderson stood and extended his hand. “Thank you Captain. I’m sorry this was a brief visit but I have some unfinished business back aboard the Chamberlain to attend to.”

Kat chuckled wryly at that. “Oh I know all about unfinished business Colonel. There’s enough around these parts to fill a Ferengi’s vaults and then some!”

As they entered the Transporter room once more, Anderson stepped up to the platform. “I’ll try and get back once the workload dies down a little.”

Kat turned to Waverly and said “Return trip to the Chamberlain for the Colonel please Mr Waverly?”

The Chief tapped at his console, received an acknowledgement from his counterpart aboard the Chamberlain then nodded to Kat.

“Energize.”

As Anderson dematerialized, Kat wondered just what it was that Dan had been involved with. It was obviously classified way above her level, though it went some way to explaining his unorthodox departure from Angel.

Once again steeling herself for her meeting with Samson, she was about to leave the transporter when there was a call from the bridge.

“Captain, incoming hail from the SS Rayna, personal for you.”

Kat didn’t recognise the vessel name but asked sh'Loran to pipe it through to her location. Lord knows I don’t mind the delay, she thought.

“Captain Gray?” The image of a handsome, grey haired man looking to be in his late forties appeared on the screen. Though Kat couldn’t identify the face, she instantly recognized the voice as the man who had sent the mystery message.

“Speaking. How can I help you?”

“My apologies for dropping in unexpectedly. My name is Emil Vaslovik and I was rather hoping I could talk to yourself and your guest Chariscarpia?”

Kat was on the verge of asking how he knew about Chariscarpia when she reminded herself that he already knew about Dan. Whatever the situation was here, it was tangled and intriguing.

“By all means Mr Vaslovik. I’ll arrange for your arrival, if you could bear with me for a short while?”

When Vaslovik smiled it was both warm and genuine.
“Captain, believe me when I say I have all the time in the world. I’ll await your call.”

Kat couldn’t help but feel charmed by Vaslovik’s easy manner and as she made her way to Security, she mulled over just what it was that Vaslovik had come to tell her.

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 4 (cont)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 4 (cont)


TEAM LEOPARD
OUTSKIRTS OF BAYUQUAN - LIAONING PROVINCE
NORTH EAST CHINA
EARTH
4th January 2026 – 0624 China Standard Time (3rd January 2026 - 2224 UTC)

The decision to travel via the coastal Binhai Road to Bayuquan rather than the faster Shenda Expressway had been a tactical one for Mitchell. He had felt that the major highways would be the first to be blocked by military checkpoints after the co-ordinated strikes and a low key journey made more sense now.

This early in the morning, they saw little traffic on the road. The odd bicycle appeared and disappeared in the Q7’s headlights but otherwise the road was deserted. With the Eastern horizon already lightening though, it would not be long before the road became more frequented and they had to reach their destination quickly.

It was Dong Xu who had provided their final transport in the shape of a small fishing vessel. With his contacts in the marine industry, he had purchased the vessel some time ago when prices were low and then allowed it to be used by friends of the family. This meant that not only was it in a constant state of readiness for travel, but it had become a familiar sight departing the harbour at all hours. There would have been little point in having a means of escape that lay moored to the dockside for months only to prove unusable at the crucial moment.

Luck was on their side this bitterly cold January morning as they drove down to the moorings adjacent to the major docks. Thick fog laying across the Liaodong Wan, or Liaodong Bay, had drifted inland turning the streets and alleyways into mist shrouded homes for ghosts, the Q7’s headlights barely penetrating far enough to see their route.
By the time they arrived, the sun had barely peeked above the horizon and so the world remained dark and grey.

Arnold quickly drove the Q7 away to bury beneath tarpaulins in the midst of the dock’s warehouses while Liu, Dong and the rest of Team Leopard hurriedly boarded the small fishing vessel. Descending into the bowels of the trawler, they discovered the clothing and provisions that Dong had secured in the main storage locker and swiftly began to change. With the freezing temperatures out at sea, it would be expected for most fishermen in transit to remain inside, and even when they ventured up on to the deck they would be so swaddled in clothing their Caucasian ancestry would hopefully remain hidden.

There was a long haul yet around the coast to the relative safety of the North Korean coastline and it was one fraught with danger. Since the West’s capture of the North, China had increased her sea patrols along the borders of the disputed territorial waters and there had already been minor skirmishes between US and Korean ships that thankfully had involved little more than exchanged curses. In a fishing vessel they were in no position to argue with one of the littoral catamarans that China was now deploying.

Arnold returned moments later and with hushed commands that were swallowed by the fog, they cast off thankful at least for the modern radar set on the small boat. Mitchell was only too aware, however, that the Chinese radar was much better.


YANGLIUQING
XIQING DISTRICT
TIANJIN
CHINA
EARTH
4th January 2026 – 0658 China Standard Time (3rd January 2026 - 2258 UTC)

The town of Yangliuqing lay some 15 km west of Tianjin's urban area, which itself was just south east of China’s capital Beijing. With a history stretching back over a thousand years it was famous for its popular Chinese New Year woodblock prints or Nian Hua and ironically, it was one of these that Chimera studied distractedly now as he considered the disrupted path that had been thrust upon him.

Huo had been premature in his strike upon the United States of America obviously believing that the leadership of that nation would never dare precipitate nuclear conflict with China by retaliating in kind; all this despite Chimera’s warnings to the contrary. Of course Huo had been the wild card all along and one that Chimera had been forced to accept knowing that the rest of the government could be more easily swayed.

But where to now? He wondered. Though he had foreseen treachery from Huo and indeed easily avoided it on a personal level, the stupidity of the man would now force China to make one of two decisions. Either follow up its initial terrorist attack with a full scale nuclear strike or lose face by backing down and biding its time.

He knew it had to be the latter because in a full nuclear exchange there would be no winners. What was it Einstein had said? I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. How right he was, and despite the efforts at reducing the world’s supply of weapons of mass destruction, there were still enough to destroy the world many times over.

No, that was not the route to take. He reflected on the similarities to the time when he had served under Khan at the height of his powers. A remarkably well educated man, he had still underestimated the resilience and tenacity of the un-augmented to resist his power. Now, with Khan somewhere in the depths of space Chimera didn’t intend to repeat the mistake. China would survive and grow, members of ASEAN would become a part of it under the Eastern Coalition of Nations and the world would then be a different place. He would still need to guide China’s new leader, whoever that may be, but time was their ally and not the West’s.

“Father?”

The quiet voice was enough to distract Chimera as his daughter entered the darkened room and sat beside him on the floor.

“Juan, you are awake early.” In truth he had heard her hushed footsteps some while ago and knew that she had been awake most of the night, a fact that she also knew.

In every action and word, his daughter was a vivid reminder of his late wife Lian. The way she spoke, the fragrance she wore, even the way she would sit on the floor to talk quietly to him. And it had been war that had stolen Lian from him as they defended Khan’s escape from Iraq in early 1991.

Already heavily pregnant with Juan, Chimera had pleaded with her not to come to the potential warzone knowing that Khan was overstretching his resources and that the West would not tolerate the invasion of Kuwait, but she had insisted that it was her duty. Looking at her with a mixture of respect and fear, he had reminded her that she had another duty now, one that didn’t involve Khan. She had simply looked at him and said in that quiet sing song voice, “Where you are, then so must I be.”

In the final, withering hours of that conflict Lian had been struck by the bullet of a fleeing Iraqi soldier. When the US Marine found him cradling a new born baby in one arm and his dead wife in the other, even the battle worn soldier had wept at war’s indiscretion.

“You are day dreaming again father.” There was the hint of a smile in her voice and Chimera placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I know my little one, and this is not the time for daydreams.” He stood and paced the room opening the curtains to a new dawn, literally and symbolically. He turned and in the soft morning light of the dawning sun saw the woman that would become the leader of the world’s most powerful union of nations, saying quite simply, “It is time for the future.”


USS ANGEL
ARGOLIS SECTOR
UFP SPACE
September 16th 2371 – 1415 FST

When Kat walked into the security section aboard Angel, she was already lacking patience and sympathy and so any prevarication on the part of Samson was only likely to shorten her already lit fuse.

“Mr DeSalle, if you wouldn’t mind,” she said waving at the forcefield and barely slowing down as it dropped.

Samson, who had been sitting with his feet propped up on the bunk, saw the signs immediately and was on his feet in a vain attempt at a pre-emptive strike.

“Captain Gray, I must protest at…” but Kat held up her hand.

“No Captain, what you must do is sit down and start telling me the truth and we’ll get going with your real name.”

Samson’s eyes went wide with surprise though his bluster continued.

“Captain Gray, I’ve already told you my name.”

“Yes, but I want your real one. I might point out that I have no other candidates for occupying this cell for quite some time so it makes little difference to me how long you decide to keep lying.”

Samson deflated and slumped back on to the bunk. “What is it with you Starfleet types? A trader tries to make an honest living and just because something goes wrong it’s ‘jump on the little man’.”

Kat simply folded her arms and said nothing and Samson sighed in resignation.

“Very well Captain, I suggest you take a seat. This may take a little while.”

Kat took a seat opposite the flamboyant man.

“So shall we start with my original question Captain? Your real name, please.” It was now much less a request and definitely more of a demand.

He sighed and placed his face in his hands. “Very well Captain Gray. My name is Mudd. Harcourt Fenton Mudd.”

(The full story of Mudd’s inadvertent journey to the 24th Century is contained in the Vignette “My Name Is Mudd” coming soon!)


TEAM LEOPARD
LIAODONG WAN
BOHAI SEA
CHINA
EARTH
4th January 2026 – 0715 China Standard Time (3rd January 2026 - 2315 UTC)

The team aboard the small fishing vessel Pearl Island knew that this was likely to be the most dangerous part of their journey but matters had just taken a turn for the worse.

Having believed that the fog on Liaodong Bay would cover their initial flight along the coast, they were totally unprepared to find that their exit route had been predetermined not by man but by nature. The ice pack that normally formed for up to four months of the year had covered almost 60% of the bay, over 21000 square kilometres, and the Chinese authorities had mandated a prescribed route for all traffic to maintain safety.

Safe as it may have been for normal shipping and the vessels of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, it suddenly removed the escapees from the general safety of the shallow coastal waters out into the main flow of traffic.

“Xu, you’re the expert here. Are the PLAN likely to be checking traffic through this route?” Mitchell was still considering taking the small boat along the coastal route if it meant avoiding a direct confrontation with vessels of the Chinese navy.

Dong thought seriously about the question before answering. “To be honest Captain, I cannot be certain but based on previous situations, I suspect not. Since the events in Korea, keeping the shipping moving has been a major issue for the government.” He pointed out into the fog shrouded waters ahead. “Unnecessary checks in a confined stretch of water, especially with the amount of ships now coming through, would cause a bottleneck of unprecedented nature.”

Mitchell nodded as he considered their new route.

“What about when we exit the ice pack?”

“I’m sure the likelihood of checks will increase Captain but see here…” Dong unrolled a maritime chart and pointed to the narrow passage formed between the Jiaodong and the Liaodong Peninsula. “Because the channel narrows once again as we exit into the Yellow Sea, I suspect that our main concern will be after that point. Plus,” he said with a smile, “we may have a small trick up our sleeve if the weather forecast is to be believed.”

It was the first Mitchell had heard of it, but any ace in the hole was better than none.

“Care to let me in on the secret?” It was said with a smile and Dong took no offense. Rather, he grinned wolfishly as he passed Mitchell the forecast.

“Temperatures down to -8, heavy snowfall overnight and the fog persisting. Looks lousy if you’re on a pleasure cruise…”

“Which we are not, so for us the weather is ideal if it holds,” replied Dong. “What we need to do as we approach the Bo Hai Strait is tuck in close to one of the big boys. Not enough to scare him but enough to shelter us from the PLAN radar on the Liaodong Peninsula.”

Mitchell wasn’t convinced. “Can we get close enough without upsetting somebody?”

Liu stepped forward with a similar smile to Dong’s. “Oh it’s been done many times Captain.” He shrugged and his face became the picture of innocence. “Or so I’m led to believe.”

As he wondered just what all that was about, Arnold stepped up from below decks.

“Captain, the HAVEQUICK is on standby and the satphone’s ready.”

Their HAVEQUICK radio was the latest frequency agile unit supplied to SpecOps forces but despite its secure transmissions, Mitchell intended to save it until absolutely necessary. The satphone, however, was a different thing altogether. Common enough in this day and age that its signal wouldn’t be considered unusual, he intended to place a call to an untraceable number in Washington.

“Best we tell Uncle Ho that his cousin is well on the road to recovery then.”

“I’m sure he’ll be pleased,” grinned Arnold.

 

[Gibraltar]

Harcourt Fenton Freakin’ Mudd?!?! Oh, now this is going to be spectacular! And I thought only Dan was going to be jumping through hoops with Temporal Investigations.

Continued excellence with your 21st and 24th century stories. Both are engrossing and I’ll be fascinated to see how all these characters and situations fit together as the tale progresses. I’m loving all the little details involved with Team Leopard’s escape plan and all the variables they’re having to account for as their dangerous egress unfolds.

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 5

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 5


SECURE NATIONAL COMMAND POST 4
CHEESMAN LAKE
PIKE NATIONAL FOREST
COLORADO, USA
EARTH
3rd January 2026 – 1635 MST (2335 UTC)

“…and so it is with regret that today, following due deliberation, your President sanctioned a retaliatory strike against the People’s Republic of China. This was not a knee jerk reaction however. It was a clear and decisive message to those in the world whose intent is to kill and maim that the United States of America is capable and, moreover, willing to defend itself in kind.”

The camera slowly zoomed out from Madeline Everett’s open and honest face.

“Like many who have occupied this office before me, I came to power knowing that one day I might have to place the lives of those entrusted to me in harms way. Unlike many of my predecessors, for me, that day came today and it is one that will sadly live long in the memory of the world. The time to end this is now and it is my hope that the government of the People’s Republic of China will step back from the abyss they have opened. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America".

Everett sat and stared as the screen faded to darkness and wondered whether her words would live in history to become as immortal as Winston Churchill’s “The few” speech, or as infamous as Neville Chamberlain’s "Peace For Our Time". She rubbed tiredly at eyes that felt gritty and picked up the glass of water beside her chair to take a sip. As the recording finished Carmel broke the silence by her side.

“I’ll probably sound like a sycophant but it was a good speech Madeline.”

He noted sombrely that the tired smile she gave him didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Toady.”

A quiet tap at the door interrupted her train of thought and her personal aide Hannah Jefferies’ head appeared.

“Ma’am, I have Admiral Packard to see you.”

And now another apology to make thought Everett.

“Thank you Hannah, ask him to come through.”

Packard arrived moments later with a smart salute and an eager smile on his face, though Everett pre-empted whatever news he might be delivering.

“James, before you divulge whatever it is that’s got you grinning like a loon, I owe you an apology. We’ve known each other long enough for me to be well aware that I was out of order earlier. My apologies.”

“Ma’am, that’s the privilege of office, but I’ve checked and I can confirm 100% that the event in Beijing was not of our making.” She indicated a seat by the small table but he graciously declined. “I have some news Ma’am and its time sensitive. We’ve received a signal from one of our China teams and they’re making their way out of country!”

Carmel was instantly on his feet.

“Are they the first, Admiral?”

With a pained expression, Packard said, “So far Sir, the only.”

Everett grimaced at that news though she knew that to have at least one team coming out was more than she could have hoped for. “James, you have my authority to exercise whatever means necessary to extract those men short of attacking the Chinese mainland. Do we know where they are?”

Packard pointed to a spot on the wall map. “Their coded location puts them somewhere here in the Eastern Bohai Sea Ma’am which obviously means they’re coming out by boat. That in itself is good news; it gives us a little more latitude in how we play it.”

Her flagging spirits were reinvigorated by the news that at last something was going right. “Get them out James, whatever it takes.”

“Yes Ma’am and thank you!” Packard replaced his cap and saluted before exiting the room briskly, a plan of action already forming in his head.

Turning to Carmel, Everett said, “Bob, I need you to speak to whatever assets we have that can sort out this mystery of the Beijing strike. There’s something going on here that has me deeply worried.”


USS BLACKWELL
UNKNOWN LOCATION
UNKNOWN DATE

“Ok the ODN is reconnected, the relays have been reset. Sir, as far as I can tell that should do it.” Homer closed the panel over the sensor relays that he’d just been working on and looked to Dan. “We should have both comms and sensors when you’re ready Sir.” I hope.

Sat in the system operator’s seat, Dan brought up the menu that would reactivate the desperately needed systems. “You do realise if this doesn’t work I’ll be taking my runabout somewhere else for it’s next service?”

“Standard Starfleet warranties apply Sir.”

Dan hit the activation pad and with a flicker that made the two officers hold their breath, the sensors and comms panels came to life.

Dan turned to Homer with a nod of appreciation. “Looks like you get to keep the contract then Lieutenant.”

A rapid check of the comms bands showed no subspace communications within range which was an immediate warning signal that something was extremely wrong. Even at the edge of explored space there was always the background murmur of traffic; here there was nothing.

“What do we have in the lower spectrum?”

Homer readjusted and was almost knocked out of his seat as the comms system was swamped by signals.

“I guess that goes some way to answering the question about the technological level of…” Homer stopped mid sentence.

“What is it?” Dan turned in his own seat then stood to look over Homer’s shoulder and he was equally dumbfounded, because there on the screen was a man named Jeff Winters standing in front of a very familiar logo.

“CNN? This is just a little too weird Sir.”

“Turn it up Homer, let’s find out exactly what’s going on.”

As Homer raised the volume, the image behind Winters changed to that of a world map.

“…and as you can see, ECoN have now consolidated their forces throughout Korea, Taiwan and Japan. Resistance through Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia has now been quashed and ECoN’s advances northwards have reached the Mongolian border with Russia. Russia has already strengthened their military presence along the border region with Premier Anastasiya Dobrolubskaia demanding an immediate cessation of all military activity in the region. President Hanson, meanwhile, has already arranged an emergency meeting with the leaders of the European Union at this latest threat. In an earlier statement he said that should the ECoN forces not halt their progress, there were dire consequences to be faced. So far there has been no response from President Lee Juan. Our correspondent in…”

Winters continued but for now both Dan and Homer turned to each other in shock. “This is Earth isn’t it?”

Dan was sure that his face was as shocked as Homer’s as he nodded. “Certainly looks that way, but we’d better get the sensors up and confirm it.”

As Homer began the sensor scan, he said quietly “Sir, I gotta tell you I’m a fairly big history nut for this period.”

The tone of Homer’s voice made Dan realise that there was something nasty coming.

“I’d say we’re three weeks or so away from the nuclear exchange that ended World War III.”


THE CARIBOU CLUB
SHREVEPORT
LOUISIANA, USA
EARTH
3rd January 2026 – 1805 CST (0005 UTC)

Green had parked his car in his usual spot under the street light outside The Caribou Club and tiredly headed inside. Having changed at work, he now wore a simple t-shirt and jeans which made him probably a little over dressed for the place but he didn’t mind. The Caribou was the kind of place he liked; big enough to bring in the ladies and keep out the rednecks.

The big Greek manager of the place, Demis, always kept the plasma screen on the sports channel and after an hour of watching baseball he was slightly surprised to see a pretty blonde sit at the table adjacent to his. He nodded and she smiled in return but checked her watch before turning away.

Three Jack Daniels later for Green, and she was still sitting there nursing the same glass of white wine. As far as he was concerned she was a target waiting to be hit.

“Excuse me, miss?”

The woman turned to him, her face the perfect picture of misery.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to intrude, but is everything alright?”

She looked from Green to the half finished glass of wine and then back again before, much to Green’s embarrassment, bursting into tears. He didn’t know whether to comfort the woman or pretend he hadn’t noticed. The last thing he needed was her pouring her woes out to him tonight. In the end he settled for waving over one of the waitresses and ordering a fresh white wine for her.

Drying her eyes, she looked at Green with gratitude. “I’m sorry, that’s very kind of you.” She looked around the busy bar as if to make sure that nobody else had witnessed her crying. “I was expecting to meet somebody here but…” She waved her hands at the empty seat across from her. “As you can see it was a no show…again.” The last was added quietly but with a bitter edge.

It was Demis himself who brought the wine over and after he placed it on the table, raised his eyebrows at Green in a fairly lecherous manner. Green ignored him and turned once again to the woman, holding out his hand.

“Philip Green, ma’am.”

She took his hand and, typically for Green, he noticed the expensive jewellery before he noted the carefully manicured and naturally tanned hand.

“Beverly Cartwright. I’m sorry Mr Green…”

“Please it’s Philip.”

“Philip. I’m sorry about the little scene; it’s not usually like me to blub about being stood up.”

Green had become aware over the last few minutes exactly how attractive she was and not in the usual slutty way he normally went for.

“His loss if you ask me.” My God, he thought, she’s actually blushing! “Look I don’t mean to seem forward, and please stop me if I’m out of line, but I was planning on taking in a movie this evening. I’d much rather not do it alone?”

For a moment he was convinced she was going to say yes, but then she apparently thought better of it. “That’s very kind, really, but I guess I ought to grab a cab home. The mood’s kind of soured for a night out.”

Green wasn’t about to give up, especially as this was the kind of woman who wouldn’t normally give him the time of day.

“Well at least let me offer you a lift, the car’s right outside.”

She surprised him again by finishing the rest of the wine in one shot before smiling.

“Thank you, I’d really appreciate that.”

Green smiled at her and left to pay his tab at the bar, otherwise he might have seen her nod at a tall, dark man of Middle Eastern appearance sat by the plasma screen. The nod was all business, and after he had watched them leave, the man remained in the bar and took out a cell phone.

 

[unusualsuspex]

Chapter 5 (cont)

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is trademarked and copyrighted by CBS Studios.
NO infringement is intended. All other material is copyright to Unusualsuspex 2010.


Chapter 5 (cont)


USS ANGEL
ARGOLIS SECTOR
UFP SPACE
September 16th 2371 – 1445 FST

In the half hour that Mudd was talking, Kat occasionally interrupted to clarify a point or two, but on the whole his story made sense. In some kind of bizarre way she thought.

Encapsulated, Mudd had discovered a craft adrift back in 2269 and never one to give up the chance of a quick profit had beamed over to investigate. The crew were still aboard although somewhat to Mudd’s disgust, not in much shape to object to his arrival. They’d obviously been deceased for some while.

Harry Mudd would have been the first to admit that the sight of death was never very pretty even when non-violent and as much as his profession allowed it, he avoided it like the plague. In this particular instance, he’d had to witness a little more before he reached the cargo hold. He only hoped it would be worth it.

As he cracked open the lock, it seemed that the answer was no, it hadn’t been worth it. The hold appeared empty apart from a single titanium case sitting in a stasis web at its centre. Whatever was in there looked to be roughly the size of a photon torpedo casing, although there were no apparent security precautions in place.

When he’d beamed the object back aboard his own ship and withdrawn his ship to what he considered a safe distance in case anybody else arrived, he’d opened the case (“not even secured!” he’d wailed) and discovered what he’d described as “a rock covered in gobbledy gook scribblings.” Needless to say, Harry Mudd was disappointed.

Money, jewels, bonds, precious metals; all of these signified instant profit that required little in the way of hard work to turn into credits. This thing, whatever it was, was simply…dull.

About to return to the bridge, he’d caught a glint of light from part of the object which on closer inspection might well have been an embedded stone of some value. In fact it had turned out to be an activation control.

Mudd had absolutely no idea what had happened next having been thrown across the hold and knocked senseless against a bulkhead. His next conscious memory had been shortly before being hailed by the Koch.

“So as you can see Captain, I’m actually innocent of any breach of Federation law. The vessel itself was legal salvage along with anything aboard unless otherwise claimed.” Mudd’s smile was quite smug as he brushed imaginary dust from his ridiculous hat – even Guinan would give that one a pass she thought – which actually made the task of wiping it from his face all the better.

“Mr Mudd, under article 27 of Federation standard salvage law, any claim on a derelict vessel and/or its cargo has to be filed immediately from the site of the discovery. In addition, removing any property, cargo or other item from said derelict is in direct contravention of that act, i.e. theft.”

Mudd waved his hand nonchalantly. “Pfft, mere technicalities Captain. I’m sure once I’ve spoken to my lawyers, the matter can be verified quite easily and I’m even more certain that Starfleet wouldn’t wish to become embroiled in a legal battle that made it seem like a bully.”

It was now obvious to Kat that Mudd had no idea whatsoever that he had travelled not just in space, but time as well, and she had no intention of revealing that fact unless she was entirely forced to.

“For now Captain Mudd, until my security and engineering departments have had the chance to ensure that this object is not a threat to the safety of the Federation, I’m afraid that you will have to remain here.”

Mudd’s grin slipped at that. “Here? On what charges Captain?” He immediately recalled the salvage laws he’d breached and said quite meekly “Oh, right.”

Kat stood and DeSalle dropped the security field allowing her to leave.

“I’m sure my Chief of Security will make your stay here quite comfortable while you’re with us Captain Mudd.” She couldn’t resist adding, “I’m sure time will just fly by.”

Mudd ignored her and slumped back on to the bed in the weary way of somebody who had been through all of this before. DeSalle raised the screen once more and Kat took him to a quiet corner of the brig.

“Under no circumstances, Mr DeSalle, is Captain Mudd to be allowed access to any material that would have been available after 2269 is that clear?”

DeSalle nodded, already having reached the same conclusion as Kat about Mudd’s ignorance of his time travelling. “I’ll make sure that the security contingent is made aware Captain.”

She looked back at Mudd then grinned at DeSalle. “You know you ought to try a moustache like that. Very roguish.”

She left to head back to the transporter room before DeSalle had the chance to formulate a non-offensive reply.


TEAM LEOPARD
BOHAI SEA
CHINA
EARTH
4th January 2026 – 1112 China Standard Time (0315 UTC)

The Pearl Island had joined the convoy of vessels departing Liaodong Bay that seemed to stretch in a steady stream off towards the horizon. In reality, they could see little in the way of anything beyond the large container vessel ahead, the snow and the fog combining to wash the colour out of everything around them.

The snowfall had now thickened making the visibility worse as Dong had predicted and Liu had taken the wheel of the Pearl for this particular part of the trip.

The reduced visibility, the cramped sea lane and the general weather were once again working in their favour. Under normal conditions, the big container vessel ahead could easily outpace them at an average speed of 20 knots. Limited to half that speed, the Pearl would soon have been left far behind but the naval authorities had decreed that for safety and continued problem free transit, all vessels using the lane had to maintain 10 knots or advise them of the inability to do so.

Liu had explained that with the refinements to the Pearl’s engines, she should be able to push 15 knots for a short period but this suited him much better. Having now closed the distance to the ship ahead’s stern, Dong had been delighted to see that it was a Pan-Asiatic vessel, the New Dawn.

“We are in luck Captain,” he said to Mitchell. “The New Dawn is one of our ships that regularly make the run to the Middle East so she will be sailing out through the Bo Hai Strait and in to the Yellow Sea.”

“Will we be able to pace her past the naval radar site though?”

Dong looked thoughtful as he pondered Mitchell’s question. “I believe that the authorities will maintain the speed restriction at least to the edge of the pack ice Captain, but beyond that I am not altogether certain. The sea conditions are still favourable though,” he added, “so maintaining our speed should not be a problem.”

Having received the message that Uncle Ho would be making every effort to get out and see his cousin, Mitchell was more than aware that help would be at hand somewhere in the Yellow Sea, but where, when and what had still to be confirmed. One step at a time though, he counselled.

This close to salvation, he wasn’t about to upset the Gods with a show of rashness.


USS BLACKWELL
LAKE KHOVSGOL
NORTHERN MONGOLIA
EARTH
5th April 2053 – 0520 UBT (4th April 2053 – 2120 UTC)

Checking the area around them with sensors, the four Starfleet personnel aboard the Blackwell realised just how lucky they had been. Their rapid descent under partial control had brought them directly over the mainland of Russia, across Siberia and eventually deposited them on the frozen surface of Lake Khovsgol in Northern Mongolia.

Their first joust with luck had come over Russia itself, though they didn’t know it. The Russian Ballistic Missile Early Warning radars had seen the Blackwell appear from over the Arctic horizon and anti-ballistic missile systems had swung in its direction until the ground controllers had realised that it simply wasn’t on the right trajectory for an incoming attack; furthermore, it was likely to miss any target of importance by miles. As reports had come in visually identifying the runabout as “a flaming meteorite” the Russian defences had breathed a sigh of relief and returned to their posture of readiness.

A similar reaction had been instigated in the ranks of the Chinese military ranged along the Mongolian/Siberian border and again, when the aerial phenomenon descended with no attendant explosion, the tension had eased.

What they did become quickly aware of was that the remote location of Lake Khovsgol and its attendant surrounding mountain ranges meant that any military interest would be hampered by an inability to easily reach the location. Dan was certain that wouldn’t last, believing that any nearby military commander would have at least the common sense to check out the impact site.

“We were damn lucky those mountains didn’t finish us off first Sir.”

Dan could only agree. Sensors and local maps had shown that the highest peak north of the lake rose to almost three and a half thousand metres and must have been close to their ingress route and that didn’t take into account all the other peaks that surrounded this huge fresh water lake.

“Right now I’m a little more concerned that we make a perfect sitting target out here on the lake. Suggestions?”

Gabe Martello had joined the crew in the command module looking somewhat better than he had even a short while ago. He was still gaunt and tired looking, but at least there was a little more colour in his face and his actions were less sluggish.

“We can’t use phasers to melt the ice beneath us, they’d be too easily seen in the dark, but can we set up a field around the runabout and melt our way through?”

Homer nodded as he worked out the configurations in his mind. “Doable Sir, and once we’re below the surface the hole should freeze up again fairly quickly.” Outside the hull of the runabout, it was still minus 25 degrees.

Dan stood quickly. “Alright Homer, take us down. Once we’re under the surface I’ll feel much more comfortable.”

The thing that really concerned him was just how they were supposed to get home because in around three weeks time the world was about to turn into a living hell that he’d only ever seen from the vantage point of a history lesson.

Outside in the darkness of the forests, or taigas, that surrounded this remote place of beauty, a lone member of the Tsaatan nomadic reindeer herders watched as the great mound of snow thrown up by the runabout slowly fell in upon itself to the sound of hissing and bubbling.

It wasn’t the first time that one of the tribe had seen a star fall from the sky, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. What he didn’t know however was that the next stars to fall would be the harbingers of destruction.

 

[Gibraltar]

You continue to expertly draw tension out of this story as the various threads begin to converge.

President Everett’s speech seemed focused and to-the-point, and it seems she has the resolve necessary to see this crisis through to the end. Unfortunately, in so doing, it appears her actions will contribute to the WWIII exchange that so decimates the Earth for much of the 21st century.

One question though, in the segment where Kat is speaking with Mudd, you reference two dates, both 2369 and 2269. Was the 2369 a typo, perchance?

I’m trying not to sound like a broken record (and failing miserably) when I say, once again, just terrific stuff here.

 

[unusualsuspex]

Ooops! Typey typo! Thanks Gib for the eagle eye there!

You're right, the story lines are now rapidly converging. Watch out for another TOS character who has already appeared, just not yet been recognised!