Arriving at the wormhole

Captain's log

Stardate: 88299.9

We have reached the coordinates of the Azimuth Horizon portal. The Horizon has been preparing itself dilligently in the last three days to perform her duties and coordination work with the USS Phoenix has gone smoothly. There has been no further disturbance on board and both personnel and colonists are ready and eager to tackle the momentous task ahead of us.

It seems like ages ago that this whole area had been filled with plasma fire raging through subspace fractures in a savage cosmic storm that would have devoured the entire universe. Now, it is but a strange, calm dead void almost empty even of the elementary particles that usually fill normal space. In this black dead sea we approach at standard cruising speed the monitoring automated stations guarding the perimeter of the first and only Federation-made artificial stable wormhole; the gateway to another universe.

It is to this brave new world that we are about to commit ourselves; launch our latest major colonization effort that bring back Starfleet to it's most noblest roots.

"One minute to perimeter boundary, Sir."

"Slow down to full impulse, Mister Snow."

The familiar streaking of starlight coalesced into the illusionary stillness of the firmament as the Horizon dropped from warp 7 to a quarter of the speed of light. The smaller but sleeker form of the Phoenix coasted right beside the massive and majestic classical Starfleet shape of the flagship and both ships in formation moved towards blinking points of light that marked the position of the nearest monitoring station of this peculiar zone.

"Standard approach vector to monitoting station 3," reported the Inuit helmsman. " Distance sixty-seven point five million kilometers, ETA fifteen minutes, present speed. Distance to portal, two-hundred and seventy million kilometers; TA with wormhole aperture, one hour."

"Receiving hail and authorization code request from station," now announced Lyrya at the medical command chair. "Our transponder code has been received and acknowledged."

"Transmit code," ordered Kheren.

On the Phoenix, the same procedure was followed with the same rigorous efficiency. And at the same time the tactical board of Aron'Son flashed on the Horizon, Mriin M'ata's tactical sensors beeped.

"Captain; thrree ships just drropped out of warrp, bearring 300 marrk 275, distance sixty-eight point nine million kilometerrs forwarrd porrt frrom ourr prresent position. They arre on an interrcept courrse with the station; coming at full impulse. They will rreach the station in less than fourr minutes. By configurration... D'Derridex class; Rromulans, Sirr!"

Witnessing the three D'Deridex class vessels suddenly drop out of warp, Syntron exclaimed in a calm yet forceful tone "Red alert" from the center seat of the Phoenix, as his bridge crew sprung into immediate emergency mode. They would initiate no provocative action, but would also not appear as sitting ducks to whoever was commanding this Romulan triad that surprisingly entered into this space on a direct intercept course with the station.

Syntron then opened a secure channel to the captain of the USS Horizon traveling nearby.

"Captain Kheren" Syntron almost whispered, "I am certain that you are seeing what just appeared in front of us. Thoughts and recommendations?" he inquired, as silence filled the air awaiting his response.

The Vulcan captain had advised his senior staff to 'expect the unexpected' and here was a clear example of that warning.

"Affirmative," answered the deep soft voice of the Andorian commanding officer after a few seconds. "We are implementing red alert also. Maintain course and speed and wait for them to make the next move. Nice call, Syntron."

Romulans respected strength and resolve. Keeping a neutral non-threatening trajectory while making a definite show of force would honor them by declaring them worthy of weariness, yet not openly threaten them with confrontation an interception course would have done. They were like lions; showing fearlessness and keeping distance insured their peacefulness better than any oath of peace. The last thing to do was showing them anything they could interpret as a weakness.

The Horizon's engineer immediately pulled up the sensor data on his console. "Why did I have to ask about intelligence about Romulan incursions..." He muttered. "Captain, give me a moment to analyze them..."

The captain simply nodded without looking back at him. Their open presence in Federation Space demanded explanation. And Kheren wanted for them to give freely that explanation as their own return gesture of respect... before they came into weapons range.

"Any personnel on board that monitoring station?" he inquired.

"Negative, Sir," Lyrya answered him, looking with her sensitive fingers at the read out  on her modified console. "It is entirely automated and the maintenance crew is scheduled for next Tuesday."

That one brought a brief smile on a few faces. But they evaporated quickly when she spoke again.

"The hailing transmission has been received by the Romulan ships. No response yet. The nearest patrolling starship will receive it's alert transmission if things go south... or the signal of it's disaster beacon in case of destruction... but the nearest one would reach us at maximum warp only in an hour."

"It's up to us then... and them."

The Romulan turned in his seat, "Captain, my analysis is complete. For the ships to be cruising at full impulse, without cloaking systems running...it is highly unusual. Passive scans show all of their systems operational, yet only their shields are online. They clearly know we are here, and yet they have not adjusted their strategy. Something is not right. I have only seen such actions when the Commander has, as the humans say, 'an ace in the hole'."

"Thank you Mister Solius. Let us call their hand then. Lieutenant Lyrya, open a channel."

"Ship to ship, Sir."

Kheren stood up at attention and looked straight at the main viewer.

"This is Captain Kheren of the starship Horizon. You are in Federation Space. State your intent and purpose."

The screen shimmered to reveal the unique view of the twin command seats of a classical Romulan bridge with only the huge crest of the jade wingspread raptor grasping two planets on a field of shining gold visible behind them. In one of the chairs sat a stern-looking, grey-haired Romulan female with a face as severe as that of a siamese cat. Beside her could be seen a broad-shouldered, silver-haired Romulan male with a square face, small thin eyes and a wide mouth spread in a half smile; a face many on both ships recognized immediately as much as his peculiar hollowed tone of voice.

"Ah my dear Captain Kheren; so nice to see you again so soon and in such good health."

If the Andorian was surprised, pleased or annoyed, nothing transpired from his rigid face, his silver eyes or his deep soft voice.

"Admiral Tomalak," he simply greeted in return.

His cold silence was obviously meant to express his legitimately superior posture before a declared enemy encroaching on his territory, without bothering to explain himself further. The same way, his deliberate ignoring of her colleague would have been deemed an insult had it not been for the fact that it was for them to justify themselves, thus them being in the wrong until they did. It visibly struck at the woman's pride to be thus used as a pawn in both men's play, but she had little choice but to wait on them so as not to further lower her status by speaking up before being properly introduced.

"Allow me to introduce to you Captain Toreth, commanding officer of the Khazara," the old admiral then said.

Toreth nodded slightly towards the screen, never leaving her sharp obsidian stare from those of the Andorian. her name was not unknown to Starfleet officers; her ship was the one that had been tricked by Ambassador Spock's clandestine Unification Movement on Romulus with the help of Counselor Deanna Troi of the USS Enterprise D into delivering defectors into Federation hands. It certainly explained why such an obviously veteran officer was but still a warbird commander after all those years; her own previous reputation as a war hero and powerful allies in the Romulan Senate within a shattered civilization hungry for leaders and symbols had kept her there... and alive.

"And this is Captain Syntron, in command of the USS Phoenix," then shot back Kheren, knowing that Lyrya had already patched the other vessel into the transmission from the start.

"A research cruiser and a colonist transport... and three warbird battleships..." commented the Romulan woman with a small sneer starting to stretch one side of her face.

"Ah, but with a warship hidden in one sleeve, if our intelligence on your Horizon class design is accurate," added Tomalak with a small smile of his own that froze her own lips in displeased surprise.

"Lotus class, Admiral..." corrected Kheren and that in turn froze the smile on the Romulan's face as doubt on the reliability on their spies was planted.

And still the commander of Lotus Fleet's flagship kept silent, waiting for the other to explain himself with the poise of the one who knew being in his right and completely unafraid of the apparent disproportion of force stacked against him... truly as if he had himself an 'ace in the hole' as his chief engineer had suggested of them.

Be it with blades, fists or just words, Kheren was still very much a duellist of Andoria.

But Tomalak was no novice either, having sparred with the likes of legendary Jean-Luc Picard. He was not one to let another enjoy long his advantage.

"Gentlemen of the Federation, you are certainly wondering about our presence within your borders, especially while the relations between our governments currently being a bit... tense..."

"We expect such... unannounced visits from you since your ill-advised attempt at destroying the Azimuth Horizon anomaly," shot back the Andorian.

If the reference to their strike force incursion that had endangered the entire universe from pure fear and ignorance struck a nerve, it didn't show on the admiral's face; but his eyes flashed with the same hard light as those of Kheren; both of them had lost their ship as the Andorian had then rammed the stardrive section of his USS Artemis into Tomalak's Scimitar class Shavok. They certainly knew one another's mettle and played accordingly now as they had done that day.

"Ah yes, the tachyon detector grid of these monitoring stations are just as effective as those of your outposts along the Neutral Zone."

Which obvioulsy raised no alarm when these three ships crossed the border was the unfinished part of the sentence. Kheren however did not give him the satisfaction of showing surprise, annoyance or worriness about that plain fact; the advantage of having so few facial muscles. But his silence acknowledged it as much as it kept him a bit longer in his upper stance. Tomalak was now ready to topple him.

"Federation representatives, we are here under the Treaty of Nelvana to implement our first colonization effort of the Vor'tavor universe beyond the nearby wormhole."

The antennae of the Andorian captain perked up in surprise, a reaction that did not escape both Romulan officers as they showed the same small satisfied smile on their green-tinged faces. It was either in hearing the amazingly coincidental Rihansuu name for Eden given to the pocket universe or about the mentioned treaty... or both. His yeoman was the one to come to the rescue.

"Sir... following Operation Horizon, a diplomatic conference between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire of Empress Sela was held at Nelvana III, within the Neutral Zone. A treaty was ratified there, allowing a limited number of duly registered Romulan vessels to follow without stopping a closely guarded flight corridor at a maximum speed of warp 5, from their territory straight to the Azimuth Horizon portal. The treaty allows those authorized ships to do so provided they do so for scientific, commercial or colonization purposes only, do not launch probes or shuttlecrafts, arm weapons, activate cloaking device, transporters or long range scanners and answer all hails while flying within this narrow flight path. A Starfleet escort might be provided upon request from one or the other party. There are a few specifics like in case of emergency situations... but all in all , Sir, it means that they are... legally justified to be here."

"They just sent their own authorization code to the monitoring station," added Lyrya once Blackbird finished. "The station acknowledged it and is powering back to monitoring status."

On the Phoenix, Yeoman Jessica Albera had nodded confirmation to her Vulcan captain of what they had just heard over the ship to ship comm channel. 

"And what's in it forr us?" growled Lieutenant M'ata.

"Peace, Lieutenant," answered Jonathan Livingstone. "At least a chance for peace; a first step into releasing the political tension of the last years with the Romulan Star Empire, even a possibility of mutual cooperation and benefit through science, commerce and prosperity... something we all need, but that the shattered Empire can not afford to miss, especially being also in open conflict with the neighboring Klingon Empire. A peace between the Romulans and the Federation would also be a further step into ending our conflict with the Klingons; they would not be able to wisthand a prolonged war with both our forces at the same time... and even they would see the profit in easy access to the ressources of another universe."

"Peace with Klingons... most unlikely, especially when the Rromulans arre involved," shot back the felinoid woman from the tactical station, her claws bared on her controls."They crrave conflict forr the sake of it... and they neverr forrgive norr forrget any rreal or perrceived affrront. They will neverr forrgive norr forrget the uncalled forr Rromulan massacrre of theirr outpost on Narrendrra III."

"Yet, didn't they drank bloodwine with Starfleet and the Imperial Navy on Cardassia when the Dominion War was over?" retorted the X'Ell.

"Did it last?" 

"Peace is like a flower; yes it can wither and die... that's why it must always be worked for, nurtured and cared for. Hence this treaty."

That silenced Mrriin. But her claws did not sheat themselves as her slitted eyes stayed on the smug Romulan faces on the screen.

On the Horizon, the Romulan Engineer had kept his back to the monitor. He could feel the legendary Tomalak's gaze pass over him, making notice of the AWOL Romulan defector. He took notes silently on what Tomalak was saying, determined to assault Starfleet with requests for upgrades to the taychon net and monitoring sensors. Yes, by legal right, the Romulan warbirds were authorized to be there, but that doesn't mean they wanted peace. His mind was already recalling tactics and strategies that had been used by Romulan commanders of yore, and he awaited the closure of the comm channel to express his worries.

Syntron gradually leaned back in the center seat of the nearby starship USS Phoenix as he pondered for a moment the circumstances that had just unfolded before them involving the Romulans and their beguiling overture of peaceful colonization within the universe beyond this nearby wormhole.

Reopening the secure channel to the Horizon the Vulcan spoke softly once again.

"It would appear Captain Kheren... that the game is afoot."

Syntron then inquired almost rhetorically "How are your tactics in chess these days?"

"Let us see first what game they want to play," answered the Andorian. "But if they are also on a colonization mission, then chess is not really the game here; Ever heard of Go?"

Kheren made a gesture under the frame of the screen so that Lyrya reopened the ship to ship link.

"Admiral, Commander... we are pleased that you are also hear to foster peaceful prosperity for your people just as we are intent upon for ours. may I suggest that we combine our talents and ressources into that common goal?"

As much as Toreth's face crunched into the very image of suspicion, Tomalak's features stretched in amazement that he nevertheless quickly hid behind a condescending smile and tone of voice. 

"This is... quite... an interesting offer, Captain; but as much as such a joint endeavor might fo to ease relations between our peoples, I'm afraid that we, as officers of the Empire, don't have as much freedom as you, Starfleet officers, in suggesting or accepting such a generous offer. I would have to contact my government and get approval from the Empress and the Senate; but, alas, the conditions of the treaty do not allow us long range communication while within your borders. Unless of course you, Captain, as a duly appointed Federation representative with diplomatic powers, would allow us to do so..."

"Even as the senior commanding officer of this mission, I would have to discuss this with Captain Syntron and his senior staff to ratify such a decision properly. In the meantime, Admiral, Commander, let us follow our current orders and make sure that, if not actually helping one another, ensure that we do not impede one another in our peaceful efforts."

Tomalak nodded with a glint of clear understanding in his eye. He obviously understood that Kheren was stalling for time, not quite committing himself yet  and placing the Romulans into having to make the next move and commit themselves... And at the same time, he was giving a warning; we know you will watch us... as we will be watching you.

"Seems we will be travelling companions for at least a short while then, Captains. Jolan Tru."

Oseno observed the discussion silently from his station until the channel to Tomalak's vessels was closed. He had had the admiral as a 'guest' aboard the Alsea during Operation Horizon where the legendary, or some would say notorious, Romulan commander had attempted to defuse the situation even going so far as to kidnap his own Empress.

"Captains, if I may" Oseno said "As I'm sure you both know Admiral Tomalak was a "guest" aboard the Alsea during Operation Horizon.  He tried to defuse the situation with the Romulan fleet. I'm sure he has his own orders, and I'll admit this is one scenario that my people hadn't considered, but I don't think he's here to start a war. It's more likely he's here to observe and report what we are doing...Sela is paranoid, and agressive, but she isn't stupid."

"Agreed" the Andorian said; "they are in need of ressources and territory since the Hobus catastrophy shattered their civilization. At least their... explanations are plausible. Let us hope that they are true."

"Well, there are over a thousand more Rihansuu lifesigns aboard each of these vessels than their known usual crew complement," reported Lyrya from her bioscanners auditory report into her comm relay. It had been adapted to fit one antenna since she had, like all Andorians, no "ears" to plant it in like humanoid species usually have on the side of their head. "No way however to say if these are actual civilian colonists or combat troops."

"And they do have full cargo holds," added Valencia Irksos, the black-skinned woman from Science Station 2, where she had come to free Ke'Leysha for sensor sweeps of the larger area. "Their hull and crate materials however do not allow us to identify that cargo; could be terraforming materials... or military equipement,. No way to tell unless we perform an actual inspection."

"Yeoman; do the treaty allow us to do so?"

"Yes, captain, but only under certain conditions, like refusal to answer hails, failing to show proper authorization, trying to avoid monitoring or escort, deviating from the filght plan... And it certainly would not put them in as good a mood as they are now."

Redding remained impassive to the event. "You say that as if there was a difference, IF they are here for legitimate colonization, and I do think that is their point, Romulans will start this process by setting up fortifications and laying claim to every good patch of dirt they can find. After they have gained an advantage in a region only then will they bring in civilians."

"Unless they know something we don't, their here for the same thing."

From tactical, Aron'Son had made his own assessment of the Romulans.

"We should not trust them. Their duplicity is well known-despite the commander's experience, though they are no match for our combined force even if they have made technological improvements to that ancient design." 

"The D'Deridex is the workhorse of Romulan starship designs," piped in the shrill voice of Ops Chief Cheonghi, "much like our own one and a half century old Excelsior class is; sturdy, efficient, easily upgradable... and deceptively familiar. If they came to tackle the Azimuth Horizon and an unknown universe with these, most certainly they are state of the art inside that classic shell."

"An intentional choice to be sure, given their stereotyped predisposition you underlined, Lieutenant Aron'Son," acknowledged Kheren. Then he signaled Lyrya to link him visually with the Phoenix who was still on the secured channel. "Your thoughts on this, Phoenix?"

Syntron considered the inquiry from his Andorian counterpart on the Horizon for a few moments before responding.

"Under the current circumstances, I am apt to reduce our ship status to yellow alert, as a gesture of good will. Our ship's defense fields will remain energized, and our shields will continue at full power, but our weapons systems will then go off-line. They will undoubtedly detect our reduction of force almost immediately. How they respond to this may be an indicator of any ulterior motives they may be harboring, while also demonstrating our own peaceful intentions."

The Romulan on the bridge of the Horizon stood, facing the rest of the bridge officers.

"Captain, this is a trap."

He eyed the Governor, choosing his next words carefully,

"The chance that the Romulan Empire would send colonists at the same exact time as the Federation is minuscule.  I would recommend remaining at red alert and full combat readiness as well as keeping our distance at all times and give them no chance to interact, no matter the circumstance. I would not be surprised if one of the vessels experiences a catastrophic engine or life support malfunction."

He understood that his tone was grim, but he was speaking from experience. With the cultists on board, their security was already at maximum. But what was to prevent infiltrators from overrunning the unprepared Romulans and commandeering their ships? Romulans were untrusting to outsiders...but non-military civilians?? They would never expect the dagger to their back.

"If there is one thing Romulans are good at, it is at the cloak and dagger game," Kheren agreed. "I am sure their informants told them about the governor's project and they saw their opportunity in... joining us. For one thing, they do not know how to navigate the anomaly nor have the best equipement to do it, like the special sensor system devized by Captain Syntron."

As if to prove the point, Aguk Snow reported on the movement of the Romulan battleships they then observed on the main viewer.

"They are taking a delta formation, twenty thousand kilometers directly aft and matching our current speed and heading, Sir."

"Using us as a guiding manned probe like we did with a shuttle back then," understood the Andorian, recalling the first time his old Ambassador class starship had navigated through the Azimuth Horizon. "And staying well within transporter range in case of unforeseen trouble."

"Or to better stab us in the back..." shuddered Cheonghi.

"Captain Syntron; we will follow your lead. Our larger bulk will cover you while you guide us through the portal."

Tha Andorian sat back in his command chair.

"Stand down to yellow alert. Mister Snow, match course and speed with the Phoenix, distance thirty thousand kilometers. That will keep us in transporter range with her but keep her well outside of immediate access for the Romulans. Mister Solius, your inside knowledge of them will be invaluable with our new travelling companions; please assist our tactical department in evaluating their moves and intent. Mister Cheonghi, allocate reserve energy to reinforce aft shielding and mimimal personnel in those sections. Mister Aron'Son, keep our phasers on standby and our one torpedo in the tube as per standard yellow alert protocols... but I want that torpedo transfered aft. And make sure they can detect our target lock on their sensor array. Start boarding action drills for security.Lieutenant Lyrya, contact Starbase Lotus and get official confirmation of their expedition. Commander Ke'Leysha, we need neurogenic protection in case those possible combat troops are Reman and include psionic assault."

Aron'Son entered several commands into his tactical console and responded "Aye Captain, phasers to standby, and aft torpedo...aggressively targeted on the lead Romulan vessel." 

Kheren finally turned toward his Strategic Ops Officer.

"Commander Oseno; I beleive we should show some consideration to our... guests and provide them with a rearguard escort."

Oseno rose from his station "Aye Sir, I will report to the Polaris and we'll deploy immediately." 

The Bajoran used a site to site transport authorization and vanished from the bridge of the Horizon materializing on the bridge of the flagship's integrated escort. Lieutenant Ji'lan, the half-Orion science specialist was startled by the sound of a transporter and turned from the science console to face her commander.

"Sir, I-I take it we are deploying sooner than expected?"

"That's right Lieutenant.." Jureth replied as he approached the command chair, and entered instructions for the computer to recall all crew members for immediate departure."

It took about half a standard hour for the Polaris crew to report back to the ship, but soon enough the ship was staffed and Jureth was issuing departure orders.

"Mister Hunter, clear our moorings, and take us out."

"Aye Captain, docking umbilicals disconnected, engaging maneuvering thrusters forward, docking bay opening."

The Polaris maneuvered under Shawn Hunter's guiding touch back and away from the Horizon.

"We're clear of Horizon Sir, deploying nacelles."

"Good work Mister Hunter, maneuver us in behind the Romulan formation, and Mister Kalaar take us to Yellow Alert." 

"Aye Sir," the imposing Capellan responded "then what?"

"We shadow them, and follow the proper protocol escorting a friendly vessel."

Beside Jureth T'Lana looked at him with a raised eyebrow "Sir, I do not believe that one could describe the Romulans as friendly."

"Neither do I," Jureth replied with a smile "but until they do something aggressive we'll treat them like they are."

"Fascinating..." was the Vulcan's only reply

***

 David sat at the main engineering console at the aft of the Phoenix bridge, listening to the Romulan exchange with Captain’s Kheren and Syntron. Many points of interest seemed to be covered,  except one. David chimed in as the Phoenix reduced its status to yellow alert following the Horizon’s example.