Chapter 1
Harry Potter, Lone Traveler, appeared at the back of a large command deck of what appeared to be a space ship – one he was not familiar with.
He was just in time to hear, "Firing All Batteries, AYE!" and watching the command crew slam down on various controls.
Harry's eyes widened as the various screens showed a massive explosion of two large vessels. The explosion, according to the images on the screens, was massive enough to destroy whatever this ship was – and so Harry interfered.
Harry Potter, Lone Traveler, could be impetuous.
Quickly drawing his wand, he heard the Commander cry, "Give me an escape route!"
And just as the man at the console yelled back, "There are none, Commander!" – Harry Cast.
And, suddenly, directly in front of the speeding Pegasus, a portal appeared – and clear space could be seen through that portal. As the Basestars exploded in bright light, the Battlestar Pegasus disappeared from the killing field, no more to be seen by their brethren in that place.
The Colonial Fleet mourned the loss of the Pegasus, but a few, perhaps many, maintained hope that Cain had just gone silent once more, to once again harass their enemy, protecting their travel from a distance.
Cain looked out at the clear space his ship had arrived at. He was very near a brown star, which did not appear familiar to him.
The Commander cried out, "Can anyone tell me what in the names of the Lords of Kobol just happened?"
From his position at the back, Harry answered, "I can."
Everyone in earshot whirled toward the voice and they were all amazed to find a man, dressed in civilian-looking clothes, holding a stick, watching them.
Several Warriors brought blasters to bear, waiting for orders. Commander Cain looked at the man and barked out, "Who are you?"
"My name is Marek Ilumian. And I'm the one who opened that portal."
"If you sent us here, you can send us back."
Harry shook his head, "Sorry. Although I may be a God, my choices are limited."
Cain paused for a moment upon hearing that. "A God? Are you claiming to be one of the Lords of Kobol?"
Harry snorted. "No. There are far more Gods that the ones you know. As far as when I arrived, perhaps you have a visual record of this Bridge for the last – oh 10 minutes?"
Cain was confused for a moment. "Minutes?"
"Sorry – wrong planet. Centons."
Cain gave a few orders and very soon, Harry's appearance occurred. Those watching could hear the commands and replies. It was apparent that he had arrived just a few hundred microns before the Pegasus would have been destroyed.
Cain looked at him and asked, "What did you do?"
"I applied my Will to open a portal to the place you were most needed, regardless of where and when."
Cain had motioned to the Warriors who had put their weapons away.
"Most needed?" he asked with disbelief.
Harry nodded. "My name is Marek Ilumian. I was named Patron God of Free Will. I am also God of Knowledge and a God of Travel. My appearance is usually to places where my assistance can prevent the end of a world or the end of a civilization. Sometimes I appear to people who would otherwise be lost who can do good elsewhere – which is what I think happened here. The ability to open the Portal is because I am a God of Travel and could therefore assist in your traveling here. I honestly do not know where and when this is but if you can give me a moment … er .. a micron … to concentrate, I can probably figure it out."
"Go ahead. But first, answer me this: What is the Planet you are from?"
"Earth." Harry then closed his eyes and concentrated, ignoring the reactions of those around him.
And as he cast his mind outward, Harry was soon familiar with when, where, and what universe he was in. He also became aware of a few facts which irritated him to no end. "Okay. Earth is about to be invaded by a machine/cyborg enemy, much like your Cyclons were originally. They are vastly superior in technology to what Earth has to defend themselves. And while much of what Earth can produce is far ahead of what your people have, they have no Battlestars. They have Starships of which the largest are a tenth of your size and one third your length. This is Wolf 359."
Harry sighed as he sorted out the information. "Earth is part of a Federation of different species – yes, Aliens. Although much of the Federation is human, because many worlds started as colonies of Earth. Humans seem to move around more than the other species. The Federation has called every ship it can to arrive here as it is on the way to Earth for this enemy ship and closest to the Klingon Empire, whom the Federation has asked for support.
"Federation ships will start arriving in one centar and the enemy will arrive in about four and a half centars. The ship they are facing is three times as long as you are and is a cube – which makes it about 50 times your size – even if it's not built like a standard ship. Unfortunately, the Klingons who are supposed to arrive were ordered to slow down by a Klingon politician who doesn't want to see the Klingons aid the Federation. Although most Klingon Warriors are honorable, there are some who are not.
"Without your largest weapon – of which Earth has no equivalent in their ships – the fleet would be destroyed – 11,000 lost. So – do you want to run or do you want to fight?"
Cain looked around. "We'll fight. And then, maybe we can begin to find the rest of the Colonial remnant."
Harry nodded. "You'll have to have the Federation check to find out if you have the same Quantum resonance – which would mean you are still in the same universe. If you are, your star charts and records and those you got from Adama might allow the Federation to figure out where the Galactica and its fleet are – or where they will be. In the meantime, you can teach the Federation about the necessity of a strong defensive fleet such as the Battlestars represented to the Colonies of Kobol."
"Isn't Earth a colony of Kobol?" Cain asked.
Harry sighed. "Have the Federationists explain the Preservers and the different Earths that came to be, after the battle is won."
Cain started ordering his Warriors to affect the direst repairs. If there was an enemy coming they would be ready.
Harry took on a pugnacious look – and proceeded to create quite a few problems for the House of Duras. They may not lose any ships at Wolf 359, but the Klingon High Council would be receiving the records of transmissions and the orders that Duras actually gave to his fleet.
The Traveler would not allow Duras to get away with such a lie. Duras had the right to act as he saw fit (Free Will and all that) just as the High Council had a right to know the truth.
Admiral Hansen arrived to Wolf 359 aboard the USS Yamaguchi, one of the few Ambassador Class starships that could get to Wolf 359 in time. While it was no Galaxy Class, like the current Enterprise, it packed quite a punch. It was one of few classes of ships with the title of Heavy Cruiser.
The rest of the ships arriving would include a couple more Ambassadors, Miranda Class cruisers, Niagra Class fast cruisers, Apollo Class light cruisers, Cheyenne Class light cruisers, Challenger Class light cruisers, a couple of older Russell Class light cruisers, Nebula Class exploratory cruisers, Excelsior Class explorers, Springfield Class frigates, New Orleans Class frigates, Rigel Class scouts, and even an Oberth Class science vessel or two.
Some of these were not designed for large battles but Starfleet needed every ship it could get.
However, when the Yamaguchi arrived, it was faced with something completely unexpected. "What in the hell is that?" Hansen asked his crew.
"Admiral! Hail coming in from the Reliant!"
"Put it through."
The image of Captain Lex on the Reliant appeared. "Admiral Hansen. At this time USS Reliant transfers Flag authority of the gathering fleet to you."
Hansen nodded. "Thank you. What is the unknown ship?"
"It is the Battlestar Pegasus, Commander Cain commanding. It comes from a civilization called the Colonies of Kobol and Commander Cain has offered his ship to help defend against the Borg. He is currently ensuring repairs are completed as his ship literally came from battle just 2 hours ago. He will be available to speak in one hour. By that time, his needed repairs will be far enough along where he can help coordinate his place in the battle."
"I see. Send what you can on fleet deployment. I'll look it over."
"Yes, Admiral. Sending now." Captain Lax nodded to one of her bridge staff. One of the bridge staff on Yamaguchi indicated that the data was coming through.
Hansen started reviewing the information. And while he noted the names of each ship that was arriving, he paid particular attention to the information on the Pegasus. According to scans and from what information he was given, she was an absolute beast. With Armor plating which would neutralize almost anything the Federation could throw at a ship, it also had energy shields (currently down but almost unnecessary anyway). It apparently normally operated as a Carrier for single-seat fighters but it itself had formidable weapons. While the technology seemed somewhat primitive (particle lasers perhaps a generation or two older than their current phasers), the sheer strength of their largest supercannons was astounding.
Quantity had a quality all its own, after all. The Pegasus was perhaps their best hope in the upcoming battle.
It was T- two hours when the various captains met on the Yamaguchi for final tactical briefing.
Commander Cain was dressed in an outfit which was almost formal in its militancy. It was obvious he came from a Warrior culture. The other captains were warned that his rank, in his society, was equivalent to a one-star general or admiral. It would be the equivalent of a leader of an entire task force as the Battlestar would be the backbone of any fleet. His rank was equivalent to Hansen's own.
As a courtesy, he and the two warriors accompanying him were allowed to keep their sidearms as would any Federation security detail.
Information from the Enterprise had already come in and the Borg tactics were a major part of the briefing.
As the information was passed around and plans were made, Cain sat and watched. And became more and more annoyed.
Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore. "Are you trying to get your people killed?"
Everyone stopped and looked at their newest ally. Hansen asked, "What do you mean?"
Cain stoop up and explained. "Please understand, this is not my world that we are defending. But Earth has been a hope for the Colonies of Kobal and I would see that it is not attacked. I only arrived here due to a fluke – which we can discuss after the battle is won. But first – the battle must be won.
"Among our fleets, I was known as the master strategist. Can I give you my take on this situation and how we can minimize losses?"
Hansen looked around at the convening captains and first officers and then back to Cain. "Please do."
Commander Cain walked up to the front of the eighty-odd Federation officers and looked at them. "Okay people. You're facing a murderous enemy who has no concern for rules of engagement, humanity, or any consideration which you would expect of an enemy. This type of enemy is known to me. It is of the utmost importance that this cube be led to where my supercannons can be brought to bear. And unfortunately, due to the differing nature of our FLT methods, our best choice is here. Wolf 359. Here is my plan."
It was immediately apparent that while Cain had only the barest understanding of Federation technology, he had learned very quickly, and he was far and away the best strategist that they had ever seen. This was a Master of War.
He had plans, contingencies, things to do if those contingencies didn't work and he obviously knew how to use the nature of their enemy against them.
When Cain's plans were laid out, the captains all – to a man – suggested that this plan be the one followed.
Hansen had to agree.
Meanwhile, Harry Potter stood off to the side of the Klingon High Council chambers, disillusioned against discovery.
Harry had opened up a transmission link from Duras and his fleet and ensured that it played in full for the entire council to see. The messages from the Federation (including footage from the Enterprise) as well as the replies from Duras were included.
Free Will was based on knowledge and it would be interesting to note what the Klingon High Council would decide to do about one of its more prestigious members with all the facts laid bare.
Nodding to himself, Harry concentrated and traveled.
Riker was pushing the crew to complete their current tasks so that the Enterprise could be brought into the battle. Suddenly, there was a chime on his chair. "Riker," he barked out.
"Captain, you had better come to sickbay." Riker recognized the tone of Doctor Crusher's voice – it was important but weird.
Still he answered, "Can it wait? We're kind of in a crisis here."
"I recommend you come to sickbay – this has bearing."
Riker sighed. "I'll be right there. Riker out." He slammed his finger down on the chair's controls and stood up. "Shelby, you have the con."
"Yes, Captain," their newest Commander replied.
Riker made his way to the turbolift and quickly moved to sickbay. As he entered, he asked, "What's the emergency, Doctor?" Suddenly, he stopped and asked, "Is that Captain Picard?"
The Doctor, who was supervising her madly working staff as well as Captain Picard's condition replied, "Yes. He was just brought in."
"Brought in? By who?" Riker asked incredulously.
She pointed over her shoulder. Riker saw two men. One he didn't know and the other … "Q! What are you doing here?" he asked with antagonism.
The figure he didn't know looked over and said to Q, "Damn. Now I owe you a favor."
Q was smug as he nodded in reply. Riker was confused. "What the hell is going on?"
The man he didn't know said in accented English, "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!" The man said this with no emotion and didn't really move.
Riker was confused and said, "What?" even as he saw Q roll his eyes.
Doctor Crusher said with irritation, "Idiots! Could you get out of my sickbay and not distract my people?"
The man he didn't know pouted and said quietly, "No sense of humor." And then, with a grin, "Certainly, Doc. I'll explain to this guy – Q is just here to watch me."
Riker was suspicious at this. Crusher, irritated, waved the three out of her sickbay.
The unknown man and Q walked out, followed by the annoyed Captain Riker. Once outside, the two stopped and waited. "Okay. Who exactly are you?" Riker asked the one he didn't know.
The man replied, "Joking aside, my name is Marek Ilumian. I happen to be a God."
Riker looked at suspiciously at the man and then looked to Q. Q just nodded to him. He asked the man, "I'm supposed to buy that you're a God?"
The man sighed. "Let's find a place that's more comfortable."
Suddenly, in a flash of blue light, the three disappeared from the Enterprise and appeared in a dingy pub. Looking around, it seemed to be almost medieval to Riker. Harry turned to the barman and said, "Three butterbeers, Tom." He pulled a gold coin from his pocket and handed it to the man before leading them over to a table.
Riker looked around and saw a number of people. No one seemed to by paying them any attention. He did notice one man reading a newspaper and stirring his drink – without touching the stirrer. Riker asked, "How is he doing that?"
The man, Marek, grinned at him. "Magic."
Riker looked at him and said, "Magic."
"Yup, Magic."
"I don't believe it."
The man looked over at Q, who said, "I told you they were prejudiced and unwilling to accept the truth."
Marek sighed. "Yeah." He turned to Riker and asked, "You want a demonstration?"
As the man delivered three drinks to their table, Riker nodded his thanks and said, "Yes."
Marek grinned and waved his wand.
Suddenly Riker was sitting on the table and the room looked very large. The man put a mirror in front of him and he saw himself – he was in the shape of a ferret.
Riker tried to protest, but his voice just came out as animal sounds. Suddenly,however, he was back in human form and another man was there, wearing red robes.
"Come on now! You can't just be transfiguring Muggles into ferrets. I'm going to have to arrest you for violation of the Statute of Secrecy and misuse of magic on a Muggle!"
The man looked at the new arrival and said, "Scan my shoulder. I think you'll find something interesting." The man gave a word.
Suspicious, the newly arrived man waved his own stick and then, eyes wide, said, "Sorry. I guess you do have authorization. But if you could do it in private next time? We have a hard enough time preventing idiots from getting bright ideas already."
"Sorry, Auror. I will endeavour to not do such things in public again. I was trying to explain magic. He didn't believe me that it exists."
The man in red robes, the Auror, looked at Riker and laughed. "Oh, right! That's one way to prove it. Carry on." The man walked back to his own table and picked up a glass that had some steam or smoke coming from it.
Marek waved his wand and set up a privacy shield. "There. We can talk and the rest won't hear it."
Riker took a long drink to settle himself. Suddenly, he looked at the bottle. "This is good!"
Marek grinned. "I know. Not much alcohol – a favorite of school children at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Riker, still disbelieving a bit, asked, "Aren't your powers like Q?"
Marek and Q looked at each other. Q said, "Not really. His are limited in a way. He's pretty close to omnipotent like the Q – but not quite there. He's not omniscient."
Marek nodded. "The Creator alone is omniscient and omnipotent in a way that goes even beyond Q and his people. But just beyond. The Q continuum tries to force its members to emulate the Creator, who's all about letting people decide for themselves and make their own mistakes, but they aren't actual Gods like me."
"How is the Creator beyond even the Q?" Riker asked curiously.
"Because the Q are tied to creation in a way that the Creator and Gods like me are not. If the Q warred like humans, for example, their spats would have negative affects on the Quantum level of the universes they are a part of. You'd have supernovas exploding all over the place and no reason for it to happen. The Creator is above creation – but has decided that he will interfere for only a very few number of reasons and only in very specific ways. Honestly? I interfere more in mortal lives every day than God has in millions of years. He's a real pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps kind of guy … or girl when he decides to be a girl. And the Gods are given certain areas and try to stay within those limitations."
"Than why do you interfere?" Riker asked.
"Because it's my nature. I was named the God of Free Will and a God of Knowledge and God of Travel. I like to give people a real opportunity to choose for themselves. And save lives where I can."
Riker considered that. "So you brought the Captain back to save his life?"
"Not truly, thought that's a byproduct. No. I gave a doomed group of humans a chance to choose to assist in a fight not their own and perhaps, as a result, not die. If I hadn't of interfered, Picard would have been eventually saved – but 11,000 would have died at Wolf 359. But because I did interfere, I took away that chance and choice from you and the Enterprise – the choice to save him. I try not to ignore the results of the actions I take. Unfortunately, sometimes my actions result in bad reactions – there is no such thing as pure creation, no matter what you try. Any decision destroys what would happen if you chose a different way. People will live because I saved Picard. People will die because I saved Picard. I just hope that more people have Free Will because I acted as I did. I believe it will be so. But it's a gamble."
Riker considered that. Finally he asked, "And Q's part?"
"He arrived trying to figure out what the hell was going on in his playground. The Q keep watch and try to prevent history from being destroyed. Q here is a bit more of a maverick about it – but in the end, he has always appeared when he's trying to teach things to you people or prevent the universe from destroying itself. Even if his methods are unpleasant. Because compared to what happens if you don't learn, he has allowed your people to get off Scot-free from some pretty dumb ass mistakes they would have made."
"Why not just explain?" Riker asked with annoyance.
Q rolled his eyes and said, "I told you they were short-sighted."
Marek nodded. "It's human nature – you know that." He addressed Riker. "Because Humans learn best from pain and misery. I could have cleaned up the machines in Picard in an instant. So could Q here. We didn't. If we did – the lessons learned from overcoming them yourselves would be lost. You may despise beings like us – but we rarely act just from amusement. Even if there are times."
Q looked at Marek with a smirk. "Like that time you dropped the rock on Riddle's head. You could have sent the asteroid to destroy Earth anyplace but decide to ensure it drops on the idiot who played with souls first."
Riker was alarmed. "Destoy Earth?!"
Marek turned and nodded. "In that universe, if I had allowed Humans to live, they would have taken over the entire galaxy by force and enslaved billions and billions of people. My action actually split universes – one Earth lived, one Earth died. In the one Earth was destroyed in, over a space of 100 years, 450 billion survived and were free, even if civilization eventually regressed. In the one I did nothing, 100 billion were enslaved, 200 billion were never born, and 250 billion were eventually killed. And, when those enslaved decided to destroy their oppressors, all life in that sector was lost. Even if life eventually returned a few hundred million years later, which was the best result?"
Riker considered that for a long moment, drinking his butterbeer. "I don't know. It's beyond what I can imagine."
Marek nodded. "Next time you try to judge Q, realize he's working on a level far more fundamental than you can imagine. Some politeness might be a better way than what I saw when you came to sickbay. Regardless of what you think: Q is beyond you. It is not your place to judge him. Even if you have the Free Will to try. In the end, you only piss yourself off and it makes no difference in the grand scheme of the Universe. So, who are you really helping by being arseholes whenever he shows up? And who are you really hurting? You can yell at the storm clouds – or batten up your house to ride the storm and perhaps learn better ways each time: Your choice."
Riker considered what the man – God – said. "We'll try. He just has a way of getting on your last nerve."
Marek nodded and grinned. "Of course! We who live a long time have to get our fun somewhere."
Riker, in his turn, rolled his eyes. "Not to be out of line – but my ship is moving toward a crisis and I really should get back to it."
Marek looked at Q. "There he is, thinking time-linearly again." He looked at Riker and pointed to Q and himself. "Really wicked powerful dudes here. Time is a construct which limits only the mortals. But if you're so set on it …" Marek looked over and called. "Thanks Tom! Keep the change!"
The barman nodded. Instantly, Riker showed up right where and when he had left from, the two beings with him.
Marek looked suddenly serious. "Okay. Your Federation – or what it becomes – is really starting to piss me off. Q? Coming with?"
Q nodded. "Yes. Might as well."
The two disappeared and Riker wondered what the hell that was all about.
He made his way back into sickbay to see that no time difference had occurred – the Doctor was still working frantically.
He left and made his way back to the bridge.