November 23
The Kelvan Battle Planet emerges from the transwarp conduit and destroys Cardassia Prime. It sets a course toward the Federation.
<< See Episode 135: "Meanwhile" for details >>
November 26
Bajor is destroyed by the Kelvan Battle Planet. Deep Space Nine is bypassed by the Kelvan Battle Planet this time because Starfleet had evacuated all its personnel from there.
November 27
There had been a change in Starfleet's battle plan at the last second. It was decided that in order to intercept the Kelvan Battle Planet as early as possible, the Knight and her group should make speed in the direction of the Tholian Assembly. In the Knight's alternate timeline, that was the last known location of the Kelvans, so it was assumed that they would pass that way again in the current timeline.
The Knight had been underway now for three days, and it was still more than a week before they would reach Tholian space. Pike had pressured engineering to pour on as much speed as they could without compromising the ship's combat capacity. He marveled at the engineering crews on the Orion and the Gettysburg. Even undermanned they had managed to keep up speed with the Knight.
Pike was sitting and brooding in his command chair. Waiting like this was torture to him. He fought to keep his mind from wandering, but it was a losing struggle. To his relief, his mental meandering was disturbed by Mr. Tumock.
"Commodore? I have an incoming transmission from Starfleet Command," he said.
"On screen," said Pike, straightening in his seat.
On the main view screen, the streaking stars were replaced by the Starfleet logo, and then the stern countenance of Admiral Zultok.
"Admiral," acknowledged Pike. "What news?"
"None good, I regret to say," said the Admiral. "Our long range probes set to monitor the Kelvan Battle Planet have returned grim reports. It seems the Kelvan's tactics are different than what they were in your alternate timeline. According to your report, after they destroyed DS9, they turned aside from their course into the Federation and wiped out the Ferengi, Sheliak and Tholians before you lost track of them."
"Yes sir," confirmed Pike.
"Well, this time the Kelvans are sticking to their original goal. They're heading straight for Earth. No side trips."
There was no emotion in Zultok's voice, of course, he being a Vulcan. He might as well have been reciting a recipe for chocolate chip cookies than declaring the doom of Humanity's homeworld for all the feeling in his words. Still, his pronouncement sent a chill along Pike's spine. The Knight was headed in the wrong direction!
Zultok was still speaking. "If you and your battle group turn around right now and make best speed, we estimate that you'll arrive back at Earth about three hours before the Kelvans get here."
Pike scowled and pounded his fist on his arm rest in frustration. "Admiral! My report was accurate! Why have the Kelvans deviated from what they did before? Everything was happening just like it did before. Everything's the same...."
"Not everything, Commodore," interrupted Zultok. "In this reality, Deep Space Nine was unmanned when the Kelvans passed. That must somehow have affected their decision on what path to take."
Zultok was right. When Starfleet learned of the Kelvan invasion from the time-travelling Knight, they had sent a warning to Deep Space Nine. The station had been abandoned. In saving their deep space installation, Starfleet had unwittingly condemned Earth to destruction!
Pike sank deeper into his chair and sighed.
Zultok's penetrating regard divined Pike's resignation. He said, "I do have one item that might be considered 'good news'."
Pike regained his composure and said, "What's that, Admiral?"
"After your battle group left Earth, Starfleet Engineering took a look at the specs of the Han'gosian shields and weapons."
That got Pike's attention.
"We've refitted four of our old Peregrine craft using your Lieutenant Carter's new design, plus we've installed the Han'gosian devices. They are already en-route along your return vector and should reach you tomorrow. They are manned by Lieutenant Carter's old wingmen. To say they volunteered would be an understatement."
"Thank you Admiral," said Pike. "But what difference will four more small ships make against the odds we'll be facing?"
A tiny smile flickered across the Vulcan Zultok's face, or did Pike just imagine it? "Because Commodore, one of them is delivering a Genesis Device."
Pike was struck speechless. His jaw hung open. The reaction was the same from every member of the bridge crew. A Genesis Device!
The Genesis Device, normally delivered to its target via torpedo, altered the subatomic structure of its target in a chain reaction effect. Any matter, be it interstellar dust or even an entire planet, could be converted from its normal composition to anything else of equal mass, depending on what the device was programmed to do. There was just one problem.
"Admiral...." said Pike, finally.
"Yes Commodore, we are aware of the flaw in the Genesis Device. But is exactly that flaw that will be our salvation," said Zultok.
Pike nodded in understanding. The Genesis Device used a certain technology that was illegal in the Federation because of its inherent instability -- "protomatter". It was protomatter that made the Genesis Device functional, but protomatter is an unstable substance. Anything created by the Genesis Device, a new planet for example, had a lifespan of only a few days because of the protomatter embedded in its matrix. That was what the Admiral had been referring to.
If the Kelvan Battle Planet could be targeted with a Genesis Torpedo, it would be restructured into a harmless, inert planet which would implode in a few days. All Kelvans on the planet, as well as the defense moons would be consumed by the conversion process. It would a terrible loss of life, but the survival of the Human species, not to mention the rest of the galaxy was at stake!
Pike nodded in agreement. "Understood Admiral. We'll do our best."
The Admiral's expression softened somewhat. "I know you will, Jeffrey. I know this is a terrible burden on you, but you know that the fate of the entire galaxy rests upon your shoulders. Starfleet out."
With that, the main view screen flashed back to the Starfleet logo, and then resumed its display of stars streaking past the Knight.
Pike now something immediate to occupy his attention. No more waiting! "Helm! 180 degrees about!"
"Aye."
"Communications. Notify the Orion and the Gettysburg of our new objective."
"Aye."
"Pike to Engineering."
[Benson here.]
"Mr. Benson, I want all power poured into the engines. We need every fraction of speed we can get! I want Warp 9.99999 or better!"
Benson understood the meaning of the Commodore's words. [If we do that Commodore, we won't be battle ready when we reach the Kelvans! The engines can't take the strain!]
"Our orders have changed, Benson. Just get on it!" clipped Pike.
[Aye.]
Tumock chimed in from his station. "Commodore, the Orion and the Gettysburg won't be able to keep up with us if we max out our engines."
"I am aware of that, Mr. Tumock. However, they will catch up while we stop to pick up our new fighter squadron."
"Aye sir."
The Knight sped back in the direction it had just come.
Meanwhile, the Kelvan Battle Planet sped towards its ultimate goal, the home of the Human species -- Earth.