Worlds Without End, Part XXII

Still in his dress uniform, Picard strode through the halls of the Enterprise towards Science Room 1. He had left an official Federation function, which meant he would probably receive a severe dressing down for his absence, but if there was one thing he relied on, it was his first officer's judgment. Stepping into the room, he saw Riker, Data, and Seven gathered around the display, looks of concern on all of their faces. "What's so important," Picard asked as he stepped up to the group.

"Sorry to disturb you, sir..." Riker began. Picard waved it aside.

"I'm sure whatever it is must be very urgent," Picard replied, looking at the display that had everyone's attention. On the screen were several reproductions of the former station Deep Space 9, its destruction at the hands of the Cardassians played out at several angles. Seven looked at him with some hesitation.

"I've completed my analysis of the destruction of the space station," Seven said. "The Inferno was employing heavy jamming throughout the area, but using the filtering systems provided by the Gilgamesh crew I was able to construct a more detailed sensor image of the destruction."

Picard nodded. How one ship could single-handedly defeat a station designed to resist a force of fifteen Galor-class vessels had puzzled him greatly. He doubted even the Enterprise could destroy the station if it tried, let alone in a single volley. "Cardassian torpedoes shouldn't have that kind of destructive capability," he commented.

"No," Seven said. "And these were not normal Cardassian torpedoes. The weapons used a polarized helium matrix."

"Polarized helium matrix?" Picard repeated. "I've never heard of such a thing."

"I was unaware of such a device as well," Data replied. "However, it does fit the description of the weapons, once the principles were explained."

Seven tapped the panel, causing a diagram to appear of molecular bonds. "The weapon used extreme high energy bonds formed by combining light elements with helium in a charged lattice that will completely bypass any known energy shield. The compounds are highly unstable and explode with the force of three photon torpedoes."

"Even more powerful than a quantum torpedo," Riker muttered.

"Yes," Seven said. "However, not only is the weapon highly unstable, it is ineffective if stored for any considerable length of time, since the weapon deteriorates rather quickly. The weapon deteriorates into harmless elements within thirty-two hours of construction. Also, its very nature dictates that it can only be fired at very low speeds, as any high levels of inertia will destabilize the weapon."

Picard found this entire subject dubious. "Are you suggesting that this weapon, which uses chemical," he emphasized the word, "energy can produce more power than an anti-matter reaction?"

Seven tapped several keys, the images replaced by several diagrams and three graphs. "The entire substance acts as a single molecule, utilizing a continuous re-harmonization to retain the energy. The substance is formed by a high energy input into the system, forming the original matrix state. Unfortunately, correction for quantum variance is impossible and the entire weapon slowly loses energy in the form of heat and theta radiation. Helium bonds, by their very nature, are unstable."

"According to known chemistry helium bonds are an impossibility," Data remarked to the captain.

"Yes. However the Yynerm were able to synthesize it and use it as a weapon," Seven said.

"The Yynerm?"

"Species 2901," Seven said. "They are the only known species to possess such technology."

"Where are these Yynerm now," Picard asked.

"They were assimilated," Riker said quietly. "The entire race."

"Yes. Approximately 3700 years ago."

"So," Picard said, "it's rather unlikely that they ever gave this technology to the Cardassians."

"The possibility is virtually nil," Data replied. "And since the weapon has a tendency to break down there would be no chance of the Cardassians copying a prototype."

"In either case," Seven said, "Species 2901 lived over 50,000 light-years away from Cardassia. The Cardassians couldn't have found any remains of the species, even if the Borg had left it behind."

"What is the likelihood that the Cardassians reproduced this particular technology independently?" Picard asked.

"They do not have the technical sophistication to complete the task," Seven said. "There is more, captain. I've analyzed the power release of the weapon, and using the helium bond decay rate, I have determined it was manufactured two hours before detonation. Meaning the ship had to have been docked previously at a space station before proceeding to the battle."

"The weapon production creates high-level energy fields," Data said, "which could destabilize a warp core."

"Rather convenient that they happened to have it at the battle," Riker said.

"It is a bit odd," Picard admitted.

"Captain," Data said, "this device is a tactically unfit weapon for a battle like the one at the Bajor system, or any space battle. It is the most powerful weapon that can be used in attacking stationary shielded targets, but is impractical against any other type of attack. In short, captain, the most likely event is that this weapon was created to specifically destroy Deep Space 9."

Picard mulled it over. "That doesn't make sense," he finally said. "If the Cardassians had wanted to destroy the station, they could have done it with a series of charges, rather than wasting resources in such a manner."

"Which means," Riker said, "we have a weapon used by a people who don't possess it in a manner that is logistically unsound."

"So it's unlikely the Cardassian destroyed the station," Picard said. He turned his attention to Seven. "Who else has the technology to create such weapons?"

"No one," she replied. "At least no one encountered by the Borg."

Picard hesitated. "The Empire?"

"The Empire, like the Federation," Data said, "believes that molecular bonds with helium is an impossibility. I do not believe they could create such a device."

"Apparently, Deep Space 9 was destroyed by an extinct species," Picard replied gloomily.

"Not extinct," Seven replied. "Assimilated."

"I stand correct-" Picard replied, and then stopped. "The Borg have the technology, don't they?"

"Yes," Seven said. "In fact the collective made several improvements on the weapon, although it is almost never used."

Picard mulled it over. No, that didn't make sense either. The Borg would have no reason to destroy the station. Even if they were capable of thinking in such terms, it wasn't in their interests to encourage them to fight Cardassia. If anything, they would have impersonated the Empire to cause a war between them and the Federation. Still, at the moment, the Borg were their only lead. "Lieutenant," he said. "I'd like a word with you in private."

Seven walked with Picard away from the others. "I apologize for interrupting your social event-" she began.

"What? No, think nothing of it." He wasn't sure how quite to bring this question up. "Seven, the Enterprise is needed here for the war effort. However, I think there may be some answers in the delta quadrant."

"The Imperials fighting the Borg," Seven said, always quick to fill in the blanks.

"At the moment, they're our only lead," Picard said gravely. "And you are our expert on both the Borg, the Empire, and this weapon. But traveling there will be dangerous because of the Borg..."

Seven nodded as she took a deep breath. "Yes, captain. And I must confess that it is... frightening, to contemplate encountering the Borg again in a shuttle or runabout. The thought of assimilation, of losing my individuality and my- feelings..." she became introspective for a moment. "But part of the price I must pay for my position is to do my duty despite my fears." She looked up into his face. "I will do whatever you feel is necessary for the safety of the Enterprise and the Federation, captain. I trust in your judgment."

Picard found his breath slightly taken away by the words. "I'll send Lt. Travis with you," he said. "He's faced the Borg before, and is a fine officer. He'll watch out for you."

"Thank you, captain."

Picard turned back to Riker and Data. "Number One, I'll need a hyperdrive-equipped shuttle or runabout to go to the delta quadrant. Lieutenants of Nine and Travis will be meeting with the Imperials to discuss the Borg situation. See to the details."

"Aye sir," Riker said with a nod and left.

"Lieutenant," he said to Seven, "you'd better get ready, it will be a rather long flight in an uncomfortable craft."

"Yes captain," Seven said, and left.

"Shall I continue the analysis, sir," Data said.

"No, commander," Picard said. "Until we find more about this weapon, I think we'll hold off on DS9. Besides, your review is coming up in a few days," he said with a smile. "I want to see you on top of your game." He noticed Data's frown. "I mean that I want you to be focused on that challenge."

"I shall, sir," Data said. "Though I must confess I will be relieved when this is over. With my duties shared between Commander Riker and Lieutenant of Nine, I find myself unfocused; that I am only supplementing the duties of others rather than performing my own."

"I'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable, Data."

"Not uncomfortable, sir, merely unchallenged."

Picard nodded a little in understanding. "Well, Mr. Data, before too long, I believe you'll have more challenges than you know what to do with."

The Hound's Tooth descended onto the launch pad on Cardassia Prime. A few palms had been greased to allow the landing, but it was probably considered a worthwhile investment, given the size of the bounty. The Trandoshan, Bossk, got out and took care of the minor details that the landing required.

"Outsourcing your assassins, Vader?" Garak said as he watched Bossk through his viewer. "How disappointing. I was hoping you might come in person."

Lord Vader tapped on several of the controls and the door of the newly completed holodeck opened. He analyzed the controls briefly, discerning their meaning. Throughout both of his lives, the Dark Lord of the Sith had possessed a gift with technology, an ability to analyze and understand it on a level no individual could. This was Federation technology, which he would need to learn more about if he was going to pursue his own plan for the future. The Emperor was throwing away the Sith rulebook, so Vader had no problem with doing the same.

It didn't take long for Vader to grasp the underlying theories. A special holographic projection system coupled with forcefields to provide the illusion of substance. He issued a few basic commands, and a light green cube appeared in the air. Vader pushed it about with the Force... it moved as if it were real enough, even bouncing off the wall. A few more commands, and the room became an open field. He picked up a rock; it felt real enough. He tossed it; after a few meters it vanished, but he could still watch its path. A clever optical illusion that would be enough to fool those limited in their perceptions.

Vader continued exploring the possibilities of the technology, and soon he became skilled enough to program without voice commands or touching the panel, just using the power of his mind. Programming with the speed of thought, worlds appeared and disappeared, changing on his whim. He began adding life to them, creatures filling the forests and swamps, people bustling about their non-existent lives. Soon his skill reached a point where it was merely an extension of him.

The Battle of Geonosis played out around him as he lit his lightsaber. While the passing of years may have touched his body, his experience more than compensated, and he quickly waded amongst his holographic enemies, slaughtering them. He was very pleased with this device. A thought, and it was the Jedi Temple... far more challenging, in keeping with the true deftness of his enemies. Still more worlds, still more enemies, and Vader started to feel more alive than he had in years. Mustafar and the Separatists, collapsing before him one by one, helpless.

Vader whirled, saber raised, and froze. There was only one person there with him, unspeaking, unmoving. His lightsaber switched off, and he looked at her. There were a thousand details, but for the Dark Lord, the only one that mattered were her eyes. Wide open, reflecting the pain and sorrow that filled her soul. He wanted to reach out to her face and touch her cheek, but it was impossible. The cheek wasn't real... and neither was his hand, for that matter.

During the incident with Xizor Vader had accepted the undeniable truth that his Dark side abilities were limited by his own emotional weaknesses. He could never fully repair the damage he'd suffered on this world because he couldn't maintain the hate necessary for it. It was a shameful truth, but Vader had learned from this moment before him that denying truths wouldn't change them.

Padme had been telling him the truth. She may have been hopelessly naive to the political realities of the situation, but she hadn't betrayed him. She had cared... the reason she wasn't by his side was because he had driven her away, not Obi-Wan. If he'd only recognized it at the time, then perhaps he wouldn't have...

Vader whirled as the door opened and a young officer walked in. "Sorry for the intrusion my Lord-" but he never finished. Vader's hand was stretched out, and his breath was gone.

"I said I was not to be disturbed!" Vader roared, and a sickening crack sounded as the officer's head was yanked at an odd angle. His body was dropped to the floor and Vader marched over to the panel and drove his lightsaber into it. Sparks issued from it as Mustafar vanished around him, and the Dark Lord of the Sith stormed off.

The shuttlecraft dropped out of hyperspace with a shudder. Seven had been regenerating in her chair, but went to immediate alert status as she examined the controls. "Some kind of dampening field," Travis quickly informed her. "We passed right through it."

"The field is also interfering with our weapons, shields, and communications," Seven said. But sensors were still on line, and they showed a ship... far more powerful than any Federation ship she'd ever seen. "Can you reactivate the hyperdrive?"

"No," Travis said.

There was a hum and a device materialized in the back of the shuttle. Seven accessed internal sensors. "It's a bomb," she said, hands flying over the controls. "Transporter is off line."

"Take the helm," Travis said, getting up. "I'll try to disarm it." Seven switched controls to her and tried putting as much distance between them and the ship as possible, hoping that she could get far enough away to use the hyperdrive. The last thing she heard was the sound of an explosion, then darkness overtook her.

Go To Part XXIII
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