Star Trek Coda

Chapter 14: The point of no return

USS VOYAGER, 2383, DELTA QUADRANT

As they returned to the ship, there was panic on the bridge. The crew were moving around fast and the red alert siren was pounding, "report!" yelled the Admiral.

A voice called out, straight to the point, "we've received a communication from Earth. They've gone to war with the Romulans and the Klingons. The Alpha Quadrant is in chaos."

Janeway stood in silence, for once she wasn't sure how to respond. It was the last thing she expected to happen. She decided to follow Spock's advice and her own gut instinct, "get me the President on a secure line in my ready room."

It wasn't the order anyone expected, and it brought the bridge to stillness.

It took a few moments but they managed to get a line to President Scott. The flustered woman appeared on the screen, "Admiral I understand this is an urgent matter? As you are aware we are jumping into war here."

Janeway hesitated, but only for a moment. Her words needed to be calculated, "I am sorry to do this Madam President and I hope you can respect my directness and respond accordingly. Did you falsify the intelligence reports and start this war?"

The President was silent, "why would you ask me that?"

Janeway simply nodded, "why?"

The unspoken truth was out. They both knew what had been done, the words didn't need to be said, "the Federation is weak, it's insecure. We need a reason to fortify it and make it able to stand up to a real threat."

"But at what cost?" replied the Admiral. Janeway couldn't believe she was even having this conversation. What was the Federation coming to? How was this real?

"At any cost. I know it's a risk, but it has to be done."

"What about trust?"

The President was confused, "trust?"

"Yes Jane, trust. Trust that the people will do what's right, and not just our people but the peoples we share the galaxy with. If we assume people will be their worst we set the scene for them to be their worst."

Scott nodded, "ah you want to see the best in people? I admire you Admiral. I admire your hope. When this is all over, I know I will have to face the consequences of my actions. The people will need a better leader than me, someone like you. You should consider the Presidency."

Janeway dismissed the notion as they continued a circular conversation. She just looked at the President silently, giving her a moment to ponder what to say next and the President a moment to reflect. Eventually she said, with as much sincerity as she could muster, "Jane. It's not too late. I implore you, this has to stop."

"I appreciate your counsel Admiral. God knows I need it. But no, the wheels are in motion and there is no going back now. It's done." That was when she finally broke eye contact and looked away. Janeway saw it; this was the moment of hesitation. It was the moment of regret. Jane Scott was not brave enough to look her in the eye. Somewhere deep down she didn't fully believe she had done the right thing. Maybe there was still hope?

"Jane, you know this is wrong. You're already seeing the unimaginable pain of war. This can only bring us to darkness. Please. I am begging you. Let us come back from this."

The President ignored her plea, "I'm sorry Kathryn. I really do admire you."

The commlink ended before Janeway could reply. She pondered. She wasn't one to be prideful but she did agree with the President, maybe she could take this on. And maybe she had to. Everything hung in the balance and it was time to make a tough decision. She returned to the bridge where Jack, Ethan and the other captain's were waiting.

Everyone watched her as she exited the ready room. She still felt at odds with being the centre of attention in such a way. She was no deity. She did understand she carried the news they were eagerly anticipating though. It was time to get straight to business, they would soon see, "hail Utopia," she ordered.

Spock's face quickly appeared on the screen, "are you ready Kathryn?"

She ignored his knowing question, feeling confident now, "yes. We need to go back to Earth."

The other captain's looked shocked but didn't question the decision. The room was silent now.

"Very well. I am going to open a wormhole. When you're ready it'll take you into Earth orbit directly above Starfleet command. You'll have the opportunity to do what you need to do."

"Thank you"

"Before you go Admiral, I implore you. Remember, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. It is noble to leave nobody behind but as you have learned the hard way it is not always possible. You can't save everyone and you will not save everyone, not nearly. If you try, we'll all lose everything. That's why I am here. To make sure we don't."

Janeway nodded. There was nothing more to say.

Jack and Ethan were listening intently. They couldn't quite put their finger on it but they shared a knowing gaze. It was starting to come together. Spock wasn't just warning Janeway, he was warning all of them. This was where it was all going to begin. The pieces of the puzzle were coming together and they worried they were the only ones who could see it. Maybe that was their purpose here?

Picard spoke up, "what are we doing here Admiral?"

She locked eyes with each of them and then her bridge crew, "I have just spoken with President Jane Scott. The President has admitted to high treason in faking intelligence to start this war. It is my belief that Starfleet's leadership is involved in this conspiracy. I see it as my duty to arrest the President and the leadership of Starfleet and take immediate control of the situation to prevent war. If we fail, we will be criminals. So I want you all to understand that you do not need to participate in this action."

Nobody spoke a word, until Picard finally said, "I don't believe you will have any objections. Duty, justice and doing what's right often does not match what is enshrined in law or what is dictated by governments and militaries."

Then Jack spoke up, "yes you do have objections! We come from the future, we've proven that. We've proven that this woman is the person who ends everything, that she is the villain! And here she is taking over, and starting a coup," he looked at everyone desperately, "you can't let her do this!"

Silence.

It seemed to make sense that Will Riker was the one to finally reply, "I understand your hesitation. But this is the most legitimate process for removing a head of state and this is what we are going to do. I'm sorry Jack."

More silence, "then you're damning us all." Jack looked across the bridge, "you are all damning us. We are doomed! Why can't any of you see it?! It's right in front of you! The pieces are coming together! Just think! Think for once!"

He stormed off the bridge with Ethan following, as Voyager and the fleet jumped into the next stage of their journey and decisions that they would never be able to take back.

The shining portal in space was more than a portal. It was the point of no return. If only they were able to see that.