Star Trek Coda

Chapter 13: The road to hell ...

EARTH, 2383, SECTOR 001

President Scott walked to the turbolift followed by two armed officers. One of the guards pressed the button for basement level 25. In a few seconds she would be deep under San Francisco in the War-Room bunker. The second the doors slid open, her senses were overwhelmed, alarms were blaring and people were rushing about in every direction. There was clear panic in the room. Stanson came up to her, "let's go to the wardroom."

Scott followed him through the corridor. It felt like a Starship. The bunker was properly furnished and pressurised. It could be self-sustaining for years. A set of doors to the side opened into the wardroom. There was a large round table to seat 20 people and huge screens on the far wall.

The pair sat down for the briefing, an officer handed her a PADD, and began his report, "we have just received intelligence that Romulus, Qo'nos and four other worlds have built a secret alliance with the intent to topple the Federation, starting here at Earth."

President Scott feigned shock, "how are we only hearing about this now?"

"They did a very good job at keeping this secret. But what we do know is we have irrefutable intelligence that within days a massive offensive will be launched on the Federation including an attack on Earth."

The President stood silent for a moment, making her shock seem natural. She was also feeling the reality of her plan. This was real, it had begun. The pieces were coming together, she hoped it worked.

"There's no possibility we're wrong about this?" she asked.

"None."

The President stood up and walked to the head of the table, "in that case, we will need to take immediate action. The fifth, six and seventh fleets are to be recalled to Earth immediately along with all available ships in the region," she looked to Stanson, "New Romulus is going to be the weakest, I want you to draw up battle plans for an immediate counterstrike." She looked back to the room, "Bring us to full alert readiness and lock down the planet. I am declaring martial law. Deploy MACOs planet wide."

More alarms activated, as Earth prepared for invasion - and war.

*****

A few hours later President Jane Scott's face was being displayed throughout the entire United Federation of Planets. "To the People of the United Federation of Planets, I regret to inform you that yet again dark days are upon us. As many of you may know, the Romulan Star Empire and the Klingon Empire have declared a brutal invasion on our peace. We do not yet know why. What we do know is that war is upon us. We will get through this. It will be okay, but right now I need you to be brave as we put processes in place to protect our security. We will immediately be militarising Starfleet and activating emergency wartime production to increase our defensive and offensive resources. I also need to declare martial law. This will give us the ability to put our assets where we need them, like here on Earth, without waiting for parliamentary approval which will simply be too late. I know it's terrifying, it isn't what we wanted to hear and it's so soon since the Dominion War. But we can do this, because we must and we will be better and stronger for it. Thank you."

FEDERATION FLEET, 2383, DELTA QUADRANT

Archer opened his eyes. He didn't even remember closing them. He was still on Utopia but it was just him and Spock. He glanced around, everything else was the same, "I know this must be disorienting for you," said Spock.

Archer was angry now, "where is everyone?!" he growled.

"They are back on the ship, which is where you will be in a moment. You're frozen in a moment in time."

"Why?! What does that mean?!"

Spock kept his composure, "worry less about what it means. Just know you will be back in a moment. We're here so you and I can speak privately."

Archer didn't like this at all, but his strategic brain told him he had no way out. He may as well listen, it could be his best escape, "i'm listening," he said.

"I know you were at the end of your journey, but Jack and Ethan convinced you to extend it."

Archer nodded.

"Do you believe you're here by accident Jonathan?"

"Of course not," he replied, "but I don't believe in destiny either."

"Oh but destiny is just a word for things we do not understand," replied Spock, "there is a design. There are those looking out for you. Gods? Maybe not. But as powerful, as benevolent, oh yes."

"Alright, I'll bite. So you're part of these beings?"

"I have become one of their allies. But this is also an aside."

"So why now?" Archer asked, "so much has happened, why now?"

"Because this is the most pivotal point in the galaxy in recent history."

"So the boys are right?"

"Oh yes," replied Spock, "but they are also wrong. The end of the Federation is inevitable. Humanity will soon cease to exist as we know it."

"So what are you trying to do then?"

"Why it is simple," Spock replied, "save the rest of the universe."

"So where do I come in?" asked Archer.

"Because you saw humanity at its birth into the universe. You saw it grow from infancy, and you envisioned what it could be. If anyone can see that isn't what it is now - it's you. You have one more step on your journey Jonathan."

Archer grew angry now, because he knew Spock was right. He sensed the darkness all around him. This Starfleet - he had seen it before, years ago. He saw it during the Xindi era when he was a far angrier man, when he learned how dangerous it was out here. But that was not the Starfleet he envisioned. That was not what he fought so hard for. How did it all go so wrong? How did the coalition turn into this empire, which nobody could see? He was so angry - angry that he had wasted so much to accomplish so little, and angry that he was being confronted with it. As he pondered, he realised what angered him the most; it was the thought that in an attempt to do good, he had actually done the opposite. He broke from his thoughts and finally replied to Spock, "okay quit the riddles. If you know me so well, you know I will never give up on humanity."

"Oh I know," replied Spock. He nodded his head and spoke sadly, "but you will not have a choice." His eyes showed emotion now, "I too am fond of humanity. I truly wish it did not have to be this way."

His sincerity did not gain Archer's compassion but it did calm him somewhat, "I am not sure what you want from me."

Spock sighed, "I want you to understand, and when the time comes, help guide your companions to do what you feel is right."

Archer opened his eyes. Again, he did not remember them closing. He was beaming onto the ship with the others. No time had passed. Was that conversation even real?