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  Keep our eye on them, for now.

  Picard said, “Our primary concern is the field generator and the instability that now seems to have crept into the quantum energy it is producing. What we need to know is whether it will affect any future dimensional transitions, and what impact those shifts may have on the planet or anyone on it.” He paused, looking to Riker and his staff. “There’s also the rather important question of whether the Enterprise-D and the Romulans can be returned to their proper dimensions.”

  “We are examining our most recent sensor readings,” said Data, from where he stood on the hologrid next to Riker. “The instability reported by the Sidrac engineers is small, but not insignificant. The same is true for its rate of increase. If this continues and the planet experiences another shift, increased instability in the quantum field could have unpredictable, disruptive, or even catastrophic effects.”

  “Catastrophic?” echoed Picard.

  The android nodded. “Yes, sir, though that might well be a worst-case scenario. Our understanding of transdimensional passages is quite limited, so we are therefore forced to consider every possibility, no matter how dire.”

  “Unless or until we can find a way to penetrate the quantum field surrounding the field generator and the power complex,” said Elfiki, “we’re not going to be able to do anything. So far as the rest of the universe is concerned, that area of the planet is in its own bubble that’s playing by its own rules.”

  The Enterprise-D’s La Forge said, “So, we need to pop the bubble, but in such a way that it doesn’t unleash a torrent of unregulated quantum energy all over that planet.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t want to be down there if that happened.”

  Crusher said, “I don’t know if popping is the best analogy. More like locating or creating a weakened area that might give us access, like finding a hole in a ship’s deflector shields.”

  “What about a controlled burst of quantum energy?” asked the older La Forge. “Maybe push back against the existing quantum field somehow?”

  “An intriguing idea,” said Data. “However, I do not know if either of our ships is capable of creating such a release of energy. It may be possible to reconfigure our main deflectors to generate such a burst, but the power costs would be considerable, particularly in each ship’s present compromised condition.”

  “What about a transphasic torpedo?” asked Elfiki. “Could something like that be reconfigured to provide this burst you’re talking about?”

  Riker frowned. “What the hell is a transphasic torpedo?”

  “A little something we picked up from an . . . unlikely source,” said Picard.

  For the moment, at least, he preferred to avoid discussions about how, two decades from now, a future version of Admiral Kathryn Janeway from yet another timeline would defy regulations and perhaps even logic and common sense in order to assist her past self and the Starship Voyager. As part of her audacious plan to help return the wayward ship from where it had been stranded for years in the distant reaches of the Delta Quadrant, she provided her younger counterpart with several pieces of future Starfleet technology specifically created to fight the Borg. Chief among these gifts was an advanced form of ablative armor as well as transphasic torpedoes, with just a single such weapon capable of destroying a Borg cube.

  Following Voyager’s return to the Alpha Quadrant eight years ago, Starfleet spent considerable time going over the starship’s various “upgrades,” not just those from the future Janeway but also as a consequence of its crew having to adapt to their situation in the Delta Quadrant. The use of transphasic torpedoes against the Borg had come during their final, massive invasion of Federation space. While Starfleet scored numerous early victories against their implacable adversary in the opening rounds of that conflict, the Collective managed to adapt to the weaponry.

  And yet, we still won.

  With the Borg gone, transphasic torpedoes were not typically carried aboard Starfleet vessels, though the specifications for constructing such weapons were available in the memory banks of each starship’s computer. Was it possible such a device might prove useful here?

  “We’d need to go over the specs again,” said the older La Forge, “but if we can reconfigure it to deliver some kind of quantum energy pulse, it could work.”

  Elfiki said, “Without the explosion and wanton destruction that comes with it.”

  The Enterprise-D’s La Forge replied, “Even accounting for the apparent time difference between our two dimensions, this sounds like something that’s way ahead of us.”

  Picard nodded. “In truth, it was advanced even for us.” Choosing his words carefully, he said, “Consideration was given as to whether or not the technology was something Starfleet should exploit, and the potential impact of that decision. It was finally decided, given the circumstances under which we became aware of its existence, that it was something we could use so long as we did so judiciously.”

  It occurred to him that—assuming the Enterprise-D was even able to return to its own dimension—that providing information about the transphasic torpedoes and the other advanced anti-Borg technology might just give the Starfleet of that reality an edge it had sorely lacked in this one. Could it be possible for the Federation to take the fight to the Borg far sooner than had occurred here? Perhaps they would even be able to vanquish the relentless foe long before it was able to inflict something similar to the widespread damage from which this reality’s Alpha Quadrant was still recovering.

  There was also the possibility that if the Borg of the other dimension did launch an invasion of a scope similar to what this reality had endured, Starfleet might deploy such a weapon too soon, and give their adversary ample opportunity to adapt to it. Such a tactical error would leave the Federation all but defenseless. The devastation visited upon the Alpha Quadrant in that dimension might be even more severe. Worse, the Federation itself might well fall to the Borg. The very thought chilled Picard’s blood.

  What to do?

  His momentary reverie was broken as Data said, “I believe I could be useful assisting Commander La Forge and Lieutenant Elfiki with the analysis and reconfiguration required to modify such a weapon.” When his comment drew looks, the android added, “If I am so ordered, I would not be able to reveal any details of the technology to which I would be exposed. Indeed, I could even simply delete that information from my memory.”

  “I don’t mind saying I’d appreciate the help,” said the Enterprise-E’s La Forge, “but I get that we’re definitely skirting the Temporal Prime Directive here.”

  Riker said, “My first thought is to say to hell with the Temporal Prime Directive, along with whatever other crazy regulation Starfleet might trot out as justification for complaining about all of this. They’re not here, and the only way they’ll be able to yell at us is if we make it home.” He looked to Picard with a wry grin. “I can’t help you with your Starfleet, Captain. You’ll have to deal with them yourself.”

  “It wouldn’t be the first time,” replied Picard. “First things first, however. For now, Mister Data’s assistance is most welcome. We’ll deal with the other issues once we’re closer to crafting a solution to our immediate problem.”

  Everyone was startled by the sound of a red alert klaxon echoing through the otherwise empty holodeck, and Riker looked to Picard.

  “I take it you’re hearing that too?”

  Picard nodded, just as the ship’s intraship flared to life.

  “Bridge to Captain Picard,” said the voice of Lieutenant Aneta Šmrhová. “Sir, the Romulans are on the move.”

  • • •

  Expecting to see a Vas Hatham–class warship displayed on the main viewscreen, Picard was instead surprised to see the image of a smaller, less powerful Mularr-class escort as he emerged with Dina Elfiki from the turbolift.

  “Report.”

  Standing at t
he tactical station behind the captain’s chair, Aneta Šmrhová replied, “They broke formation two minutes ago, sir. The escorts split and started heading for us and the Enterprise-D on attack vectors. Sensors show their weapons are armed and their shields are up, and the bird-of-prey has activated its cloaking device.”

  Picard approached his seat. “Bring phasers online, place them on ready status. Lieutenant Faur, take us out of orbit and engage evasive maneuvers. Concentrate on keeping our nose to the approaching ship. Glinn Dygan, route all shield power to forward deflectors.” Settling into the command chair, he prompted, “Lieutenant Elfiki?”

  Having returned to her station, the science officer said, “Ordinarily, we’d be able to track a ship using such an outdated cloaking device. Starfleet cracked that nut over a century ago, but our sensors are still compromised by the nebula, the quantum fluctuations, and the damage we took.” She turned from her console. “They can still play games with us, sir, if that’s their plan.”

  “Picard to engineering.”

  “La Forge here, sir.”

  “I need all available power to the shields and weapons, Geordi.”

  “Shields are only at fifty-eight percent. Phasers are at three-quarter power. We’re trying to improve those numbers, Captain, but if the Romulans are going to start shooting at us . . .”

  “Work faster, Mister La Forge. Picard out.”

  At the ops console, Joanna Faur reported, “The ­Romulan ship is closing, sir. It’s locked weapons on us, but I’m not seeing any indication it’s readying to fire.”

  “Lieutenant Šmrhová, target their forward weapons ports, but hold fire until my command.” Considering the evolving situation, he asked, “What’s the other ship doing with the Enterprise-D?”

  Behind him, the security chief replied, “The second escort is approaching it on a vector similar to ours, sir. The Enterprise-D is breaking orbit, maneuvering to give itself some breathing room. Both ships have clear shots at each other.”

  And there’s still the cloaked Romulan ship.

  “Open a channel,” ordered Picard. When Šmrhová gave him the go-ahead, he announced in a formal voice, “Romulan vessels, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard aboard the Enterprise. Your actions are unprovoked and unwarranted. Withdraw, or we’ll be forced to defend ourselves. Failure to acknowledge this message will be interpreted as further hostile action.”

  After a moment, Šmrhová said, “No response, sir. Ships still on approach.”

  “Stand by to fire. Lieutenant Faur, continue evasive maneuvers. Keep them in front of us.”

  Nothing about this action made sense. Even in their compromised condition, each Enterprise could best all three of the Romulan vessels in any prolonged skirmish. The only chance the Romulans had now was surprise, and while their cloaked companion played into that to a degree, that advantage would be lost the instant that ship was forced to decloak in order to fire.

  There’s something else going on here.

  “Fire across the escort’s bow, Lieutenant.”

  Picard saw a single orange beam of energy lancing across space, well ahead of the Romulan ship. For its part, the other vessel seemed unperturbed by the warning action, its course unchanging as it continued its approach. Then the ship seemed to surge forward.

  “They’re accelerating to full impulse,” reported Šmrhová. “They’re locking weapons.”

  “Evasive,” snapped Picard even as he saw the escort’s forward weapons ports glow bright green just before twin energy bolts spat forth. An instant later the image on the viewscreen was awash with static. The volley was followed by a second strike that produced a similar effect as the ship maneuvered out of the frame. It returned seconds later as Lieutenant Faur continued guiding the Enterprise in a bid to keep the Romulan ship in front of it.

  Šmrhová said, “Impact on forward shields, but no significant damage.”

  “Return fire,” said Picard. “Target their weapons.” He was not ready to disable the other ship just yet, preferring instead to keep that option in reserve.

  A new round of phaser fire crossed space, and Picard watched as the energy beams struck the Romulan ship’s forward shields. Without waiting for a new order, Šmrhová fired again as the escort attempted evasion, and the second volley was greeted by an even greater clash of energies followed by an obvious strike on the enemy vessel’s hull.

  “We breached their shields, sir,” reported the security chief. “Damage to front starboard disruptor port, but I’m not seeing any signs of a hull breach.” A moment later, she added, “They’re moving off, Captain.”

  Before Picard could issue his next instructions, an alarm signal warbled across the bridge, and the overhead lighting shifted from its normal levels to the softer illumination that accompanied an alert condition.

  Šmrhová called out, “The bird-of-prey! It’s decloaking to the stern!”

  “Bring us about!”

  Faur was already acting even before Picard’s order, and the image on the screen blurred as the Enterprise rotated to port. The lieutenant had guided the starship to spin on its axis, bringing its nose down so that within seconds the Romulan bird-of-prey was centered on the viewscreen just as a brilliant crimson energy plume erupted from the weapon port at its prow.

  “All hands!” Picard shouted. “Brace for impact!”

  The red mass undulated and glowed with barely restrained fury, growing as it filled the screen.

  21

  U.S.S. Enterprise-D

  Despite the best efforts of its pilot, there was no escape for the Romulan escort, and Riker could not help smiling as he beheld the vessel’s stern.

  “Target its main propulsion,” he said. “Fire.”

  A pair of phaser strikes courtesy of Tasha Yar at the tactical station was enough to overload the escort’s shields, and a second barrage hit home, slamming into the cylindrical nacelle tucked close to the port side of the ship’s primary hull. Plasma vented at the point of impact, and Riker saw the vessel shudder in response to the attack.

  “Primary propulsion appears offline,” reported Wesley Crusher from the ops position, “but their hull’s still intact.”

  Yar reported, “Captain, the Romulan ship has dropped its cloak. It’s closing on the Enterprise-E.”

  Well. It’s about time.

  Attempting to track the elusive bird-of-prey had been problematic, given the ship’s compromised sensors. Yar and Data were able to tune the scanners enough to pick up a faint energy distortion, which could have been the enemy vessel, drifting well below the ship’s original orbital glide path as it maneuvered toward the far side of the planet. Then the two escorts had taken their own actions, and Riker’s attention was forced to shift.

  “Bring us around, Mister Worf,” he said. “Let’s see if we can’t lend a hand.”

  “The Romulans are firing!”

  Yar’s warning came just as the viewscreen shifted to show the Enterprise-E. The second Romulan escort was maneuvering away even as the bird-of-prey was facing off against the larger starship.

  “Target that ship, Lieutenant,” said Riker, the words leaving his mouth just as he saw the massive sphere of writhing red energy lurch forth from the Romulan vessel. It crossed the void separating the two ships, the other Enterprise’s shields flaring into a warped curve of hellish color and light as they attempted to absorb the attack.

  “Enterprise-E shields down to twelve percent,” reported Yar. “Sensors are showing massive overloads across the ship.”

  Riker snapped, “Fire! Now, before it gets back under cloak.”

  He could see the bird-of-prey already beginning to shimmer and waver as its cloaking device reactivated. It was moving off, no doubt planning to alter its course as soon as it was fully masked from sensors, but Yar was faster, retargeting the escaping ship and firing. A pair of phaser beams caught the vessel am
idships, and Riker recognized the telltale signs of a hull breach. Yar followed with a second strike and the fleeing ship shuddered in the face of the assault.

  From where he sat next to Riker, Data examined the control panel near his own seat’s right arm. “Their cloak has failed, Captain. The ship’s main engines have also been damaged. There was a breach, but the affected compartment appears to have been sealed off. I am unable to determine if there were any casualties. Their life-support system appears functional.”

  “They’re moving off, sir,” said Worf. “Should we ­pursue?”

  Riker shook his head. “Negative. Let them go, but keep an eye on them. Tasha, send a message to the ship and offer our assistance with repairs or casualties, but make sure they understand we’re done playing games. And contact the Enterprise-E. Let’s find out how they’re doing.”

  In short order, Captain Picard’s weathered visage filled the viewscreen, and he nodded in greeting. “Thanks for the assist, Captain Riker. Your timing, as always, was superlative.”

  Gripped by momentary nostalgia, Riker offered a small smile. “Always happy to help, sir. What’s your status?”

  “Nothing our Mister La Forge and his team can’t handle. Our scans show a similar situation for you.”

  Moving to stand between the conn and ops positions, Riker asked, “Damage reports?”

  Crusher replied, “Some buckling to the starboard deflector shield generators and several more circuit overloads on multiple decks, sir. Commander La Forge has already dispatched repair teams.”

  “As if he doesn’t have enough to do.” Riker sighed. The ship’s engineering staff had been working nonstop in a bid to finalize the numerous minor yet widespread repairs that still plagued the crew in the wake of the dimensional shift. He knew that their counterparts on the other Enterprise were in similar straits, and he suspected this was the reason the Romulans had elected to attack, but to what end?