The Seventh Trinity/Chapter 2
From UNICOMP, the Universal Compendium
Chapter 2: The Green Line
"I simply cannot see this your way, Jean-Luc."
Representative of the Milky Way, Jean-Luc Picard, sighed as Corscan representative Mara Jade Skywalker spoke.
"Corscan is in no condition to allow a reduction of the military to pass. For seven years now we have been rebuilding our galaxy. Calrissian's Empire has wiped out so much that we are struggling to decide if it is in our best interest to rebuild Coruscant or not. The planet is virtually abandoned. The Republic is still battling anarchy among the people of Corscan."
"And I must also take this stance on the issue," Triana Representative, Bernard Galvan, said, "Triana is still in its infancy. The Gylan Empire needs protection."
"From who, Galvan?" Picard said, irritably, "I can see the reasoning behind Corscan's need for assistance, but who threatens you?"
Skywalker also looked questioningly at Galvan, who smiled and simply responded, "Outside aggression."
"There is no evidence of this at all in any of your reports. I hope you understand that this Quorum may only have our three galaxies in it, but soon many others will join. You cannot simply lay claim to something like this without evidence."
"I understand your concerns, but I believe you have all the records you need. It states in my reports on several occasions that our fleets have many cases where they simply disappear and never return, or they lose ships mysteriously during routine missions. We cannot allow our protection as a growing government to be compromised because the leaders on the other side of a portal choose it."
Skywalker looked back at Picard, who nodded slowly. "Very well. The vote is obviously going to sway in your favor. For your sake, I hope you both understand the implications of keeping a large military ready like this..."
President Palmer, who watched the Quorum from a monitor in another room, slammed his data pad down on the table in front of him.
"Damn it!" he yelled.
Novick sat down next to him. "I am sorry, Mr. President, but the vote is over. We need to move on."
"Yes, I know," Palmer said, taking a deep breath. "What news of last night's attacker?"
"Nothing yet. Spudic is still on it."
"I cannot believe someone got into our compound undetected and left no trail to follow."
Novick nodded as Picard entered the room.
"I am sorry we couldn't do more for your cause, Mr. President," he said, shaking Palmer's hand, "But now we must worry about your safety. I have a place for you to stay aboard the Titan B. Captain Riker said you are welcome to stay as long as you like."
"I am lucky you can still pull some strings, Admiral."
"Please, sir, I am no longer an admiral. It seems mere politics are my job now."
"If it were up to the people of this Alliance, you would still be the captain of the Enterprise."
Picard's eyes lowered and he nodded, "The Enterprise is in good hands. It has been for some time."
"Well," Palmer said, moving away from his seat, "You may tell Captain Riker that I would be honored to stay on the Titan."
"Very good. I will be in orbit for a few days, should you need to contact me. Good day, Mr. President."
---
Spudic moved quickly through the forest, looking for the entrance he had heard of.
There's nobody here...
He soon found what he was looking for: a large tree stump in a clearing. He stepped on a small catch lever, cleverly disguised as one of the stump's roots. The top of the stump swung open and inside was a small tunnel. Before he could climb in, he was violently thrown backward, slamming into a tree behind where he was standing.
"Not even you can go unnoticed, Mr. Spudic."
A black and red object zoomed around him, and a hand offered to help him up.
"Dammit, Shadow, you could have done that back by the ship. I wouldn't have had to suffer through this place. I don't even know which direction I came from."
Shadow the Hedgehog didn't even smile to Spudic's remark, but responded, "I know where your ship is, but did I understand you correctly? Did you come to Mobius looking for me?"
"Yes... I need your help."
"Brad Spudic, a Sith warrior, needs my help?"
"I am not a Sith," Spudic growled. "I am merely an officer. I work for the American president."
"Fine, you are a good man now. I get it."
Even this angered Spudic, and Shadow knew it. "You aren't exactly a good guy either, you know."
"We are very alike, Master Spudic," Shadow remarked. "What do you need?"
"The President was attacked last night at the White House. I have no leads, and I think you can help."
"What makes you think I would help you?"
"Well..." Spudic said, "At the same time last night, there was a break in at Julian Robotnik's research facility."
Shadow looked surprised. "The Mobian government is still looking into it...we haven't opened this to Alliance records yet. How do you know about it?"
"My government's intelligence knows everything they need to. Do you know what happened at the lab?"
"No, I haven't been assigned to the case, and frankly I don't care."
"Then you might find it interesting that Robotnik's Chaos Emerald was stolen, but everything else was left intact."
Shadow's eyes narrowed. "The Chaos Emerald?"
"Yes."
"And you think they are connected?"
"I do."
"On what grounds?"
"They happened at exactly the same time. Precise to the millisecond."
Shadow thought for a moment, and then nodded, "Then what do you need from me? I still have not been cleared by King Acorn for any sort of investigation."
"Work for the Americans this time. If these two acts are indeed connected, we could simply search for the Emerald and it will lead us right to the attempted assassin. Your sensitivity to the Emerald's energy could come in handy."
Shadow thought for a second, then nodded. "Very well. Let's go."
Spudic pointed at the stump, "Isn't there anything you need before we leave?"
"No. I travel light. All I need is this."
In his hands was a bright orange gem.
Spudic shook his head. "Do you always carry a Chaos Emerald with you?"
Shadow walked toward the woods and shrugged.
"No."
---
"Welcome aboard, Mr. President."
Palmer smiled as he shook Captain William Riker's hand. He had never been aboard a Federation starship before, and by the looks of one of the Titan's transporter rooms, he was in for a comfortable stay.
"I appreciate your hospitality, Captain Riker. I'll try not to be too intrusive while I am aboard."
"Please, sir, you’re not intruding at all. We are stationed here for a refit. If anything, we may be bothering you. Noise is a factor. Above all else, your safety is our number one concern."
Palmer smiled, and followed the crewman to his guest room.
Riker turned to Picard once Palmer had left the transporter room and smiled. "It's been a long time since you and I have been aboard a starship together."
"And this is the first time you outrank me." Picard said, smiling.
"Aboard my ship you will always be my captain...Captain..."
Picard smiled, "I am only here to work with the President on affairs of state. Can I assume a quiet stay on the Titan?"
"Peaceful as a refit can be."
"Good to hear," Picard stood outside the door as it was shutting, "Number One..."
---
"How is the press handling it?"
"Most news companies are blaming your chief of security."
"Spudic? I have complete confidence in the man. He was recommended by Master Skywalker himself."
Novick moved toward the food replicator. "Coffee, black, hot."
Instantly a cup of steaming coffee appeared in the machine.
"I never liked anything replicated..." Palmer muttered.
"The Titan has the most state of the art replication software in the Alliance." Novick took a sip. "Not too bad."
Palmer folded his arms and closed his eyes. "I'm going to have to let Spudic go, aren't I?"
Novick nodded somberly. "It would be best for everyone. The press is calling for blood."
"What else is new?" Palmer muttered.
"This is the Captain."
Palmer met eyes with Novick, and they both listened as Riker spoke over the comm. system.
"We have been issued new orders. One of our ships outside the green line has just been reported as missing in action. We are ordered to proceed to their last known coordinates and attempt to find them. The refit will have to be postponed for the time being."
Within moments Captain Riker and Picard had entered Palmer's room.
"Sorry for the lack of information, sir," Riker started, "But there is a method to our madness. We are using this to get you out of this system, and hopefully throw off your attacker."
"Then there is no missing ship?"
"Oh there is...unfortunately one of our older Battlestars, the Galactica, has not reported in during its survey of the Badlands. We will indeed be hoping to find them."
"What kind of danger are we looking at?" Novick asked.
"Minimal...this may be just a malfunction of communication equipment on the Galactica. It is an old ship, after all. You will be in no danger, and all your work will be routed through our deflector array, through the best subspace signal we can produce. It will be as if you never left orbit. The badlands are mostly empty. You have nothing to worry about."
"Very well," Palmer said, "Do your job, Captain, and I will do mine."
"I hoped you would see it that way. Thank you, sir. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
Riker and Picard walked out of the room.
---
"You didn't tell me about the distress signal." Picard said as he looked at the order from Allied Command.
"Well, command made it clear that this mission was to take place under the radar. Apparently the CO, Admiral Adama, and the Galactica made contact with someone hostile that overpowered them. We are going to see what happened."
"Will..." Picard said, alarmed, "You have the President of the United States aboard. You can't possibly be considering taking him into a combat situation?"
"Command is playing a risky game. We have to keep him with us to protect him from the assassin, all at the same time putting him in danger out there. Apparently, after the White House was breached, they find this alternative the lesser of two evils."
"I must respectfully disagree with that assessment. This is a wrong decision."
"Orders are orders, unfortunately."
"Yes, I remember that saying..." Picard said, exhaling.
"Right now we are at yellow alert pending further contact with Admiral Adama. You should be in your room until we stand down."
"Are you kidding?" Picard said stubbornly, "I will be on the bridge, where I can help. I used to do this, you know."
Riker did not object.
"Are there any other ships near the Badlands? Exploration vessels or research facilities?"
"No," Riker said in a curious tone, "Not that I know of..."
---
They think they can fly away without me noticing...how cute.
The figure activated his ship's cloaking device and locked onto the Titan B. Soon he was in hyperspace heading toward the Badlands.
The Badlands? I suppose there isn't a better place for their President to die, he thought. I hope I get paid extra for this.
The figure sat back and waited for his time to strike.
---
Kalnaree followed Rana-Pah into the chambers of the Khana-cen, the leader of the Goshoban fleet. Kalnaree knew he was not to look at the Khana-cen, for he was never deemed worthy as an Aliqui to gaze on the master of the Khana.
As an Aliqui, he was not supposed to fear the Khana. The power was something rooted deep within the fabric of both the Aliqui and the Goshoban. While the Goshoban were much younger as a species than the Aliqui, they had a much greater grasp on the magic. It was once different, but since their enslavement began, few Aliqui learned the true power involved with the Khana. What they did know, however, is that the Goshoban only used it for material gain. The power that the few Aliqui priests left practiced was much more powerful, and much more spiritual.
It was for this reason that the secret the Goshoban sought must never be revealed.
The fate of the universe depended on it.
Kalnaree was not permitted to listen to the Goshoban plan, but it was not hard to overhear their meeting. The Pahs, each commanding their own fleet, were tired of trying to discover the secret the Aliqui carried, and decided that searching other areas of what they called "Galaxy-418803" was going to commence. The ship they found in the void was proof that the Aliqui were not alone in Galaxy-418803, as the Aliqui had been able to convince them for these past millennia.
Thousands of Aliqui were to be destroyed as punishment for their race's deception. There were not that many Aliqui left as it was.
Kalnaree had never felt so hopeless.
He barely understood the last part of the meeting, as it was held in their own ancient tongue, but he heard the word for 'total destruction' amongst their chants and howls as the ship entered prime space, toward the location of the encounter in the void.
Kalnaree knew that this ship, the children of his brothers, must be warned. And he was going to be the one to do it.
---
"Dolis, this plot is going to send us deep within the Badlands... are you sure that’s where we are supposed to meet?"
"When I got the transmission from the operative, it said clearly that the Badlands were far enough away to avoid capture. Just get us there, will you?"
Sendra nodded and typed away on the computer. Dolis went to where the Chaos Emerald was being kept, and stared at it intensely.
What is it about you that drives Mobians nuts? You carry great power, yes, and the other six do too...but why Mobius? What makes that miserable planet so special?
Something made a noise behind him.
"Sendra, is that you?"
Without warning, a black blur erupted around him.
"CHAOS CONTROL!"
A flash of light and a bang filled the room, and above Dolis stood a black hedgehog with red highlights. Beside him stood a human in a dark cloak; he had his lightsaber drawn and pointed at Dolis’s neck.
"What the hell...?" Dolis started, but the hedgehog spoke first.
"Quiet. You will cooperate or die, do you understand?"
Dolis reached for his blaster at his side, but the black hedgehog moved so fast that it was in the hedgehog’s hands before he knew what had happened.
"Dolis?" Sendra's voice came from the cockpit, "Who are these guys?"
A robot had Sendra by the collar and set her down next to him on the metal floor.
"Good work, Gamma," the dark hedgehog said.
"Who are you working for?" the human said. "What do they want with a Chaos Emerald?"
Dolis and Sendra said nothing.
"Fine," the man said, "We will let your ship reach its destination, and then we shall see what happens. Gamma, tie them up and keep them under watch. If they say anything, let Shadow or me know immediately."
The robot responded instantly, "Yes, Master Spudic."
Shadow? Shadow the Hedgehog?
Dolis knew of Shadow from the records belonging to Dr. Robotnik that he had stolen. Supposedly created to be the "Ultimate Life Form" by Professor Gerald Robotnik, Shadow had the unique ability to use the Chaos Emeralds to manipulate time and space.
That’s how he found us...but who is the human he is with? What do they want?
Before he could think any further, the robot sprayed a gray-colored gas out of his arms and Dolis drifted into a deep sleep.
---
"This council is designed to take the possibility of medical advancement and pursue the best course. What you speak of is nothing but rampant speculation!"
Fenton Markal sat in the audience, listening to the two doctors argue. "Kryptonian blood has the potential to advance disease research in humanoids tenfold!" shouted the second doctor, "We have seen the evidence, and it is all conclusive!"
"But there is little blood available! Superman is not just giving it out, and there are only two other people who have it. We do not have a line of people waiting to donate Kryptonian blood! We must pursue other ventures!"
Damn, this is boring, thought Markal. I remember the days when I found excitement. I was a support pilot for the best fighter squadron in the galaxies. How did I go from Hide Squadron to this?
The second doctor, sporting wild white hair, continued, "You are incorrect. Superman and his offspring are not the only ones with enough Kryptonian blood to be studied. There is another. He is an American starship captain."
This caught Markal's attention, but the majority of the rows laughed at the white haired doctor's remarks.
"An American? A human? Please forgive us for our skepticism. I know of whom you speak, and what does this man have to show for it? Superman donated him blood during the war; what has he done since?"
"There is significant record of him slowly gaining the powers Superman currently carries. He is much stronger than the average human, he has limited flight capabilities, and his senses are greatly enhanced!"
"What does that have to do with disease? Did he carry something that was healed when he received this blood? I do not recall that being on the chart."
The second doctor grew quiet for a moment, and then sat down.
"I have no reason to believe this man is carrying any disease. I daresay he is now one of the healthiest men in the Alliance, perhaps in the galaxies. In correct dosage, blood transfusions into humanoids could greatly improve immunity in all beings and perhaps aid in the extinction of the most deadly diseases known to anyone, anywhere."
"What you are proposing is genetic enhancement. This has been frowned upon by the highest intellectuals everywhere. Only humans have gotten deep into it..." there was laughter again at the mention of humanity, "...and their damn SPARTAN program is one of the most risky enhancement processes known to modern medicine. Nearly 80% of SPARTAN children die due to the process. There is no way anyone here can condone that sort of treatment on a wide scale. Besides, we can't just replicate Kryptonian blood. The race is nearly extinct!"
"The man was also trained as a SPARTAN, if you remember correctly. Once he had Superman's blood his power grew even more. You forget how the Great War ended, I think..."
"Gentlemen," the proctor said from the middle of the crowded concert hall, "your argument is well fought, but this forum is out of time. Thank you for your views, and to everyone who attended today, I wish you a fond farewell. I hereby close the seventh annual Alliance Medical Enhancement Forum. We’ll see you next year."
Markal raced down to the stage where the scientists who were arguing cleaned up their papers and datapads, and approached the white-haired one. Now that he was closer he recognized the face of this scientist.
"Doctor Emmett Brown? I don't know if you remember me but—"
The doctor turned and smiled, interrupting him. "Of course I do! You were a pilot on the Corellia, were you not?"
Markal smiled, "Yes. I wanted to tell you that I think you were right to promote your theory on the blood. It did help Commander George."
"These people forget too quickly how much that man did for all of us. I doubt anyone in this room was in the professional capacity seven years ago. They don't even know his name. What are you doing here anyway, my boy? Aren't you a pilot?"
"I was a support pilot for Hide Squadron back then, but as a support pilot you are also the team doctor. I was here doing research. I run the medical center at Corellia City on Earth."
"Ah! Sounds like you have made quite a name for yourself then. I remember working on that magnificent ship. It is too bad it was unable to be returned to space after the war..."
"I agree. We could always use another mega-ship. The Corellia-class line is no longer in service. All of them have been decommissioned or destroyed during the war. Doctor, is it true what you said about the Commander? Is he really that healthy?"
The doctor jumped down from the stage next to Markal. "No, he isn't, my friend. I meet with him once in a while, usually when he is near Earth, to check in on him. His SPARTAN enhancements still need tweaking now and then. What I did find was quite alarming, actually."
"Really?"
"Come," Doctor Brown said, "Let's have dinner and we can talk."
---
"Try polarizing the hull plating again!"
Adama moved to the engineering control panel on the bridge, but it exploded, sending him flying backward onto his deck.
"We have a hull breach on decks 2 through 4!"
Adama used the panel to help him get to his feet. "Evacuate and seal off those decks. Get repair crews."
Another explosion rocked the bowels of the ship. The two Octagons outside were severely damaging the ship and the Galactica's attacks seemed to have no effect on them.
"We can't even target them!" shouted the voices of his Viper pilots over the radio. "No firing solution, no targeting data? This is bullshit, Galactica."
Adama turned to his left and asked for a casualty report.
"Twenty vipers down in the last ten minutes, almost 30 have been lost in total."
"Get our pilots back here..." Adama said. The deck rocked again before he could continue his order. "We need to find a way out of this. No answers to our hails or distress calls."
Derrenger raised his eyebrows and shrugged, "We can't abandon ship, sir. These guys don't seem to want to let us go alive."
Another explosion rocked the ship. Adama watched as the two Octagons fired a laser that intersected right in front of their ship, combining at the apex and growing into a much larger ball of energy.
"All hands, brace for impact!"
