PHALANX - The series

Episode four : Journeys on undiscovered paths.

 

Frederic walked up to the temple at Stonehenge. As when he came here to fight his nemesis, the temple reinstated itself upon his approach. He walked directly to the open center of the ancient circular building. He took his sword and drove it halfway into the ground at the exact center of the temple, right under the yellow power lines that appeared once more. Immediately, he took a few steps back, as a large bolt of lightning rose from the grounds and blasted towards the heavens.

The 6 men and women that were the Gods of the Universe appeared. As before, the elder God spoke:

"We know why you are here, young Phalanx. We will be honored to bind you and Jennifer in marriage."

Frederic dropped to his knees upon his realization he hadn't done so before, and said: "Thank you, O wise one."

The elder God nodded. "We will return tomorrow to fulfill your marriage. Until the, young Phalanx."

"Until then, O wise one. Thank you."

Again, the elder God nodded. "Before we go, there is one thing I'd like to tell you."

Frederic became worried. What would the Gods want to tell him? It must be bad news. Panic coursed through his nerves as he asked:

"Which is?" his inner panic almost made it to his voice.

"It's about time you asked her. Until tomorrow." The Gods disappeared.

Frederic let go of his breath and burst out laughing. He stepped out of the temple, and the ruins once again filled its spot. Frederic raised his left arm, tapped his communicator and said: "One portal to central command. Authorization Phalanx-Alpha-two-nine."

The shining blue portal appeared right in front of him, and as he stepped through, his body materialized immediately at the Earth central command building.

"And? What did they say?" Jennifer asked as soon as his nose came out of the portal.

"They agreed. Same time tomorrow. They also said it was about time I asked you." Frederic said, hugging Jennifer close to him. His kiss was deep and long. They explored freely in each other's mind. They had found that the special ring Frederic had given Jennifer had created a bridge, allowing them to share even their deepest emotions, secrets and desires. This formed an even deeper bond, sharing things that no other people could possibly know about.

Daphnix and the rest of the central command battle command laughed. They broke the kiss.

"You are all invited to the party afterwards. Unfortunately, the Phalanx wedding ceremony is for the bride, groom and Gods of the Universe only." Frederic said. The crew laughed and congratulated them.

 

The next day, Frederic and Jennifer were standing in the center of the temple of Stonehenge. Frederic was wearing a custom-made Italian style black tuxedo with little diamonds worked into the buttons.

Jennifer wore a white gown, lined with diamonds and other precious stones. Its lower edge was just mere centimeters above the ground. Her shoulder-long hazelnut hair was tied into a pony-tail and was lined with white flowers.

They were facing each other, holding hands, just savoring the moment. Their eyes kept wandering over each other's body, taking in the beauty of their clothes, their bodies and their emotions. Finally, the Gods of the Universe appeared. The elder broke the magical silence that had formed between the two people in front of them.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

Frederic and Jennifer turned towards the Gods. "We are." They said in unison.

"Good. Take each other's right hand and…"

For the next hour, the Gods performed the ceremony to bond them together for ever. After exchanging vows, the God said:

"You have completed the ceremony. Your love has come through without fading: so be it! You shall be connected for all eternity."

They felt a surge of energy flowing through their bodies. The link the ring had forged was deepened, widened, extended. Their connection went now beyond what it had been until then. Their minds were so deeply connected that they could actually talk with each other, deeper than they ever though possible.

"You are now husband and wife. Good luck in your further life." The God concluded the ceremony, but it went unheard by Frederic and Jennifer. They had lost all sense of reality, and were engulfed into their connection, each feeling each other's love and happiness.

The Gods took their cue and disappeared, while Frederic and Jennifer remained in each other's arms, kissing, snuggling and being content for what seemed like hours to the outside world, but in their world, time flashed by.

Finally, they broke the embrace, and portaled to the party being held at Earth central command. All higher officers and the bridge crew of the command center were present. They were congratulated, comments about Jennifer's beauty were made, and presents were handed over. Fortunately, the people realized that you don't buy house hold appliances for someone like Frederic and Jennifer. The best of the gifts was undoubtedly the Daedalus II. Alpha labs had finally gotten a working prototype of the FTL drive the aliens use, and they had installed it into the Daedalus. So were the latest weapons, shields and cloaking devices. The Daedalus II was now the most advanced ship in the fleet.

The party lasted until the early hours, but Frederic and Jennifer went to bed hours before, to do what married couples are supposed to do.

A few days later, Frederic, Jennifer and Daphnix set out in the Daedalus II, to test the new systems. There was no time for a honeymoon.

"Ok, everyone. Systems check?" Frederic asked after they seated themselves on the brand-new cockpit of the Daedalus II.

"Engines, computer, sensors, and powers systems 100%" Jennifer said.

"Weapons, shields and cloak show 100% too." Daphnix reported.

"Ok, I'm taking her out. Central command, all systems check. Prepare for launch." Frederic said to launch control.

"Acknowledged Daedalus II. You are clear for launch. Good journey and a safe return."

"Thank you launch control. See you when we get back." Frederic terminated the connection, and opened up the engines.

The improved mark II fusion engines blasted the Daedalus in a matter of seconds to maximal velocity. The improved dampers could now take 100 times the G-force the old systems could, so they never felt a thing. Frederic jerked the Daedalus from left to right, up and down, and the craft never failed to do what it was told.

"This thing flies like a dream. Ok, enough fooling around. I'm setting course to the edge of the solar system. Daphnix, put us in first cloak."

"Affirmative." Daphnix said, while his fingers flew over the controls. "Prime cloak operational."

"Central command, do you detect us?" Frederic transmitted over the new faster-than-light (FTL) radio.

"Very faint energy signature detected Daedalus II. This is only because we now your exact location, and all our sensors are very actively scanning your present location."

"Daphnix, second cloak."

"Operational."

"Central command?"

"This is incredible, Daedalus II! You have vanished completely from all our scans! Not a single fusion particle seeps through!"

"Great! Send my regards to the science department. We will contact you again when we have reached the test location for the quantum displacement drive."

"Acknowledged, Daedalus II. See you in a couple of hours."

Even at light speed, the boundary of our solar system is 5 hours from Earth, so they had ample time to discuss the new systems.

"These cloaks are incredible! Now the Ketari won't know what hit them!" Daphnix said.

"Yes, but unfortunately that we are unable to fire when under cloak. The quantum phase shift we use to disguise ourselves makes it impossible for matter to be exchanged between our space-time bubble and the rest of the universe. For this reason, we can not be fired upon when under cloak, but it also prevents us firing at them."

Daphnix nodded. "In time we will find some way to do it. I am sure of it."

"Yes. I just hope that the new quantum displacement drive works as good as the cloak. Remember, this is borrowed technology, we have no way of knowing how it will interact with our ship."

Destination reached. Full stop. Central command has been notified and is standing by.

"Thank you, Linda. Jennifer, do one last check on the QDD."

"QDD is fully operational. All parameters are within normal tolerance levels."

"Ok, here we go. We will begin at one time the speed of light."

Out of their cockpit window, the crew could see a bluish tunnel appearing. The next moment, the ship was sucked in. The Daedalus II raced through the tunnel at one time the speed of light.

"Velocity is holding at 300,000 km/sec. QDD within tolerances."

"Anyone who objects to opening it up some more?" Frederic asked after they had notified central command of the new success.

"Not at all.."

"Go for it."

"It is decided then. Central command, this is Daedalus II. We are going to open up the QDD. See you when we get back."

"Until then, Daedalus II. Good flight, and have fun. Oh, before I forget, there is a message from Admiral Decker."

"Decker here. Are you having fun, you lucky devil? I whish I was there with you. Decker out."

Frederic just laughed. "Ok, Jen. Set a course for the nearest star."

"Course set."

"Here we go."

Again, the ship was sucked into the Quantum Displacement tunnel.

"One time speed of light. I'm opening it up. Hang on." Frederic's nimble hands flew over the controls.

"10 times the speed of light. 100 times. 1000 times." Frederic said in quick succession.

"Holding at 1,500 times the speed of light. What do you think? We still have more left"

"Come on, show us what this baby can do!" Daphnix urged him. Jennifer backed him up.

"Ok, here we go! 2,000 times the speed of light! We will reach the nearest star in less than one day."

"3,000 times the speed of light. 4,000 times. This thing is incredible! We aren't even halfway there!" Frederic shouted.

His two friends only nodded. "Come on, open it up!"

"4,500. Five …thousand…"

The display before their eyes changed. From the bluish tint, the tunnel became bright red. the Daedalus started shaking, and Frederic hurriedly cut the engines.

"The ship won't slow down! I've cut the QDD, but it won't slow down!"

"Reverse them!" Jennifer shouted.

"Reversing QDD… now!"

The ship seemed to slam into a wall as they were violently brought to a full stop. Consoles blew up, armor slid in place over the dangerously cracked front windows. Linda shouted warnings over the blaring of the warning claxons, and the blinking red lights.

"Central command? Central command, come in! This is the Daedalus II! We have encountered difficulties with the quantum displacement drive. Send assistance immediately. I repeat, we need assistance. Over."

Nothing but static.

"Damn! Now what? We are stranded here, 50 light hours from the solar system, without FTL drive, with protective armor covering the windows, and who knows what is damaged."

"Weapons, shields, cloaks and main power off-line. Engines 25% operational, but due to emergency power only, they have been shut down. FTL drive is operational, but is not recommended. FTL radio is behaving erratic. Primary computer systems are 59% operational. Sensors are useless. They keep saying that we're someplace we're not." Jennifer delivered a damage report.

"What do you mean, they say we're someplace we're not?"

"They are unable to identify the region of space we're in. They keep telling us we're 65 light-years from Earth."

Frederic had to stop himself from laughing. "65 light-years? It seems you're right. They aren't working properly. Ok, everyone. Let's get to work."

They rushed off to start working on the primary fusion reactor. Unfortunately, the Mark II reactor needed to power the QDD was infinitely more complex then the 'old' reactor, so they had more trouble getting to start up.

WARNING: Incoming unidentified vessel. Recommend battle stations. Repeat: Incoming unidentified vessel. Recommend battle stations.

"Thank you, Borlan." Frederic said, when they rushed to the bridge.

"Jen, open a channel." Frederic felt her anxiety through the link. He sent calming things back. Her anxiety faded. Frederic could only imagine how his friend was holding out, but thanks to the link, he could at least help Jennifer cope.

"Channel open."

"This is the Human vessel Daedalus II to unidentified vessel. State your intentions or prepare to be fired upon." He made the 'cut off' motion, and Jennifer closed the channel.

"Daphnix, how are the weapons?"

"We've got no torpedoes, but I can get you a 75% phaser blast, before the array fries. Shields are at 15%, cloak inoperative."

"Damn. Jen, have they responded?"

"They are just now."

"On screen."

The window was filled by a familiar face, but thanks to the changes they had underwent, no outward sign was given.

"I am Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the Federation starship Enterprise. We have no hostile intentions towards you."

<<Deactivate weaponry. They are harmless.>>

"You have to excuse our reaction earlier captain, but where we come from, we're in a war with a non-human race, and since our sensors are only partial operational, we thought you might be one of them."

"Your reaction is only understandable. Our sensors show you having difficulties. Do you require assistance?" the captain offered.

<<What do you think?>>

<<It's better to shut down all systems before working on them.>> Daphnix sent.

<<I agree. Having help could mean we can get home faster.>>

<<Then it is agreed.>> Frederic concluded. "We would very much appreciate a place to work on our craft before attempting to return home."

"We have a shuttle bay and an engineering crew who might be able to assist you."

"Thank you very much, captain. Unfortunately, our main power is off-line, and our engines won't function under emergency power."

"No problem. We will use our tractor beam to pull you into our shuttle bay."

"Thank you very much for your help, captain." Frederic said, with a small nod of his head.

"No problem. Enterprise out." The image faded.

"Damn! Where are we? The Enterprise? Captain Jean-Luc Picard? What the hell happened?"

"It appears that the quantum inverter coil overloaded, causing a quantum backfire loop, throwing us over the Einstein-Rosen-Podalski bridge." Jennifer said.

"What? You're telling me we're in an alternate reality? The number of alternate realities is infinite. We'll never get home, even if we're able to repair the ship." Daphnix said.

"Not necessarily. Crossing the Einstein-Rosen-Podalski bridge leaves a trail behind. If we follow it, we could be able to trace our way back home. All we have to do is fill in the correct variable in the equation." Frederic said.

Daedalus II has safely been landed in the Enterprise shuttle bay. Location: Deck2. Main shuttle bay.

"Thank you Linda." Frederic said, rising from his seat in the cockpit. He opened a small cabinet, and took out three devices.

"These have to be snapped on your lower arms, and they contain a small Linda unit and a mental amplifier. They also act as communicators." The three snapped the small devices on their arms, and Frederic ordered the door opened.

He walked out the ship, his two companions joining him.

"Welcome to the Enterprise. I am Commander William Riker, this is Lieutenant-commander Data and this is counselor Troi." The bearded first officer of the Enterprise introduced the two people with him.

"I am Frederic Fromthefield, Phalanx of the mental forces. This is Admiral Daphnix Smith, my second in command and my military and tactical advisor. This is my wife, admiral Jennifer Fromthefield, my scientific advisor and design expert."

Riker looked strangely at them, but a strange aura around them held him back from making a comment. They were only 17, and this high in rank? They were probably just playing games, he decided. He was even more amazed as Frederic turned around, and said:

"Linda, deactivate all systems. Authorization Phalanx-gamma-twelve. Keep security at alpha level."

Yes, sir. All systems deactivated except security. Alpha level initiated.

"Thank you, Linda."

Welcome.

"What happens now, commander?"

"I will first show you to your quarters, and you can negotiate with our engineering crew after that."

"If it isn't too much trouble, we would like to work on our ship alone. We have a lot of cutting-edge prototype equipment on it, and we wouldn't want to run the risk of the Ketari finding out about it."

"Of course, I understand. This way, please." Riker was still amazed on the amount of authority this kid displayed.

Frederic slid his arm around Jennifer's waist, and she did the same with his. Hugged like this, they walked down the corridors of the Enterprise, towards their quarters.

Deanna Troi kept trying to get a feeling from them. She got the scare of her life when suddenly:

<<Would you please stop trying to get through our mental shields? We are having enough difficulties without you keep trying to invade our privacy.>>

She looked stunned at them, but kept quiet. Riker looked at the Betazoid, but didn't ask as she lipped a 'later'.

"These are your quarters. I am sorry we were unaware that you were married, so for the time being, you will have three singles." Riker excused himself.

"No problem. We have had to … improvise before." Jennifer giggled at the memory of her sneaking into Frederic's room at night.

"This one quarter will do nicely. We only need a place to freshen up, get some food and get some sleep." Jennifer said.

Riker looked even stranger at them, but decided to keep quiet. "If you need anything, just ask the computer."

"Of course commander. Thank you for your hospitality." Frederic said. Jennifer and Daphnix entered the room, with Frederic right behind. The doors slid shut.

"Now, would you mind telling me what that was all about?" Riker asked Troi.

"I think we should have an urgent meeting. I think we have brought more on board then we could ever imagine."

"What are you saying, counselor? Those three kids are who they say they are?" Picard asked the counselor after she said what had happened.

"More so. The one who named himself 'Phalanx' urged me to stop trying to get through his mental shield."

"So?" Picard asked. He still wasn't convinced.

"He did it mentally. Only a full-skilled telepath is able to do that. And the fact that he was able to do that without dropping the mental shield around him suggests that he is… strong."

"How strong, counselor?"

"The strength of his shield indicates he is stronger than anything or anybody I have ever met."

Riker whistled.

The meeting went on, as Frederic, Daphnix and Jennifer sat in their quarters. They were locked in a telepathic conversation. Very soon after their powers had been activated, they realized that mental conversation was extremely power-draining, but in times like this, they used it to their full extend.

It allowed the transfer of ideas and thoughts, without having to bring them to words. This brought forth that deep, difficult conversation could be held, without having to go through the difficulties of having to voice their thoughts.

"Lady and Gentleman, we have a solution!" Frederic shouted when they had finally gotten through the heavy-duty physics and quantum physics required to solve the problem.

"Finally!" Daphnix said.

Jennifer and Frederic momentarily lost touch with reality and submerged in the beautiful bliss of their intimate link. After they got out, they found Daphnix smiling at them.

"We're sorry..." Frederic began.

"Hey, no apologies necessary. I know how much you love each other. And now with this link, you're bound to loose yourselves now and then."

Frederic and Jennifer just gave Daphnix a grateful nod.

"Now, would you mind telling me what this is?" Daphnix said, holding up the new device clipped to his lower arm.

"A portable Linda unit, with mental amplifier, communicator and computer storage device." Frederic said.

"And, how does it work?"

"Focus your mental power on it, and command it to do something. You will find that it goes much easier, more smoother than normally." Frederic held up his arm, and a half-meter long spike of raw mental power appeared.

"Mental blade. Cuts anything, and is absolutely unbreakable, as long as you have enough mental power to sustain it."

After a few failed attempts, Daphnix managed to get it to work.

"Good, enough playing. Now, let's get to work." Frederic said. His two companions agreed. They made plans until late at night, and then went to sleep.

Frederic and Jennifer had some pleasant memories at being in a one-person bed, like in the beginning. Daphnix slept on a mental bed, created by hooking up the mental amplifier to an experimental mental battery.

0600 hours. Wake up. 0600 hours. Wake up. 0600 hours. Wake up.

"Thank you computer." Frederic said, getting up from the bed. After washing and getting their uniforms cleaned somewhat, they got to the main shuttle bay, and started to work on the Daedalus.

"Damn. The magnetic interlocks on the fusion generator have fried. We can't repair them." Daphnix said, after they began checking the fusion generator.

"Can we get home by using the fusion drive as power source?" Jennifer suggested.

"No. We need them to get us safely away from the ship, before using the QDD." Frederic dismissed that idea.

"Then we need to get new ones. Do you think Picard will allow us to use the replicators?"

"I don't see why not. Computer, contact Captain Picard, please."

"Yes, Picard here. What is it?" Picard's voice didn't hide his anger. Frederic could slap himself. 0630 hours. The poor guy must still be sleeping.

"Excuse me for interrupting you, sir. A few of our ship's systems are damaged beyond repair, and we would like to use your replication system."

"You're working? At this hour? Sure, use whatever you need."

"Thank you captain. Sorry to have bothered you with it."

"No problem." The connection broke.

"Computer, music."

Please specify.

"Play something from Beethoven." Frederic said, after rolling his eyes.

Beethoven's 9th. Enjoy.

The music started playing, as the three friends replicated the necessary parts and started working on the Daedalus.

WARNING! Proximity alert! Condition two alert. Condition two alert. WARNING! Proximity alert! Condition one alert. Condition one alert.

"Thank you, Linda. Deactivate proximity alert." Frederic said, stood up from the floor he was working on, and went outside.

"I am Chief-Engineer Geordi Laforge. I was wondering if you needed any help?"

"We are fine, thank you. Thanks to Captain Picard's benevolence, we are using the replicator to replicate what can't be repaired." Frederic said, rubbing the black silt from his forehead.

"Ah, yes. Commander Riker has told me of your secrecy. I was just wondering: your systems are radically different from ours, and since I am a little curious…"

"You wanted to see if you could sneak in, and get to know something."

"Yes, and maybe even get to know the person who designed them."

"Ah. Jennifer, come here, honey! There's someone who wants to meet you!"

The girl appeared out of the door, covered in the same black silt.

"This better be important, I am re-aligning the magnetic interlocks."

"This is Lieutenant-commander Geordi Laforge. He's the chief-Engineer of this ship and wants to meet the person who designed our basic systems. This is Jennifer Fromthefield, my wife and co-designer of the Daedalus basic systems, for our entire technological advancement, in fact. I can tell you, it's not easy designing space-worthy ships and bases with anti-matter weapons and high-speed phasers with 20th century technology."

The man looked from him to her, and back.

"But, you aren't more than…"

"We're 17." Frederic helped him.

"You're 17? And you built something like this? And technology like that?"

"We 'borrowed' the basic idea for the Quantum Displacement drive from the Ketari. The rest is indeed, our work." Jennifer said, proud seeping through her voice.

Frederic nodded. "The hard part was powering it all. The rest was child's play compared to the hours we put in designing the fusion reactor. And now with the mark II, we have all the power in the world."

For the moment, Geordi put his feelings aside, and decided to proceed on his field of expertise.

"You achieved faster than light travel with a fusion reactor? We need an anti-matter reactor, and even then we still need fusion reactors to power the rest of the ship."

"Anti-matter reactors are not user-friendly. You'd need a tremendous amount of power to contain the anti-matter, and the reaction."

The talk would have gone on for hours, if it weren't for Frederic cutting it short after a few minutes. They went back to work, and Geordi went back to engineering, with a promise to talk later that evening.

"Ok, that's it for today. We need to give our brains some rest." Frederic said after ten hours of work. They went to their quarters, freshened up, and replicated some new uniforms. Thanks to Frederic's direct access to the computer, the uniforms came out perfectly. They then went to ten-forward, the ship's lounge, where they would meet Geordi Laforge.

When Geordi entered the lounge, he found the three friends at a table, silent. Not a word was said, but their eyes and the movement of their heads indicated that maybe a conversation was taking place on a different level. As soon as he approached, they looked up at him, and Frederic said:

"Ah, have a seat, Lieutenant commander."

Geordi nodded, grabbed a chair and sat down. The conversation resumed, and soon Frederic and his friends had to use some skill to avoid telling him too many secrets. The subject of weapons and shields was carefully avoided. The rest of the subject either couldn't harm to tell, or Geordi didn't know about them.

The next day, Frederic and his friends managed to get the fusion reactor back on-line, so they could begin testing on the rest of the systems. For the first time, the extend of the damage became clear. It would take a few more weeks at least to get the thing completely operational. They decided to get the FTL radio on-line, and attempt to get a message across the 'bridge', so Harris would know what has happened. They trusted his judgment to do what he sees as right. In times like these, the mobile command center was the place where everything was being coordinated. After all, it was the only one possible to get to the location of the accident, making it the logical choice.

After their 10 hours worth of work, they went to the Holodeck, for some much-needed rest and relaxation. They recreated the forest where Frederic had his retreat.

In the central clearing, Jennifer snoozed under a tree, watching her husband and her best friend testing their abilities.

Frederic and Daphnix had removed their upper garments, and they were now sparring with their bare hands. At this point, their physical abilities had increased even further, and after a good five minutes worth of warming-up blows, their arms and legs started to blur, as they flew to the other person, were parried, and returned. Both Frederic and Daphnix showed no sign of stress or emotion on their faces. They both displayed a look of total concentration. Fighting at this speed does not allow for loose thoughts.

Captain Picard had finally decided to talk to his guests, if it were only to satisfy his curiosity. He asked:

"Computer, location of Frederic Fromthefield?"

Phalanx Fromthefield is in holodeck one.

"It seems our computer know what he is." Picard muttered, before motioning Riker and Data to follow him. They walked into the turbolift, and raced through the ship towards holodeck one. Upon their arrival, the doors opened and they stepped into the dense forest.

"I detect lifeforms, fifty meter that way" Data said, while he started to walk through the dense growths. His two superior officers followed him.

"Intriguing." He said, halting in the bushes bordering the clearing. The two other humans watched in equal awe.

Frederic and Daphnix were standing five meters apart, their hand together at shoulder level, like in some sort of meditative trance, or praying stance.

Their two swords were clanging at each other, exactly in the middle of them. The speed of the 2 razor-sharp weapons increased, and soon only Data could make out the individual motions.

Suddenly, a sword raced towards Frederic, and in a lightning motion, he stopped it, clutched between his two hands mere centimeters from his heart region.

"Close one, pal. I lost my focus." Frederic said, flipping the sword over and presenting it to Daphnix. Jennifer, who had dozed of, walked up to them, fighting a yawn.

"How come?" Daphnix asked, taking his sword. Frederic pulled his own sword from the ground and sheathed it.

"Captain, Picard, commander Riker, and Lieutenant commander Data. Please come out of the bushes." Frederic said, turning towards their hide-out.

"How did you… never mind." Picard said, stepping out.

Frederic was worried. Now what would he do? He should have planted an override code or something, but it won't help much worrying about that now. His two friends were equally worried. Now what would happen? Would they have to fight their way out? Would they be left behind in space?

"It seems that we have a lot of explaining to do." Frederic said.

"So it seems. I am looking forward to you trying to talk your way out of this." Picard said with an edge in his voice.

Frederic looked at the ground, then looked back up. "Tomorrow at o nine hundred hours, I'll give you and your commanding officers a full briefing of where we come from, who and what we are and all you ever wanted to know. And believe me, it won't be pretty."

Picard's interest had been awakened. "Tomorrow, 0900 hours. We'll be there."

Frederic nodded, and simply motioned his friends to follow him as he walked out of the holodeck, leaving Picard and his two officers looking quizzically at each other, even Data did his share of the non-understanding.

0830. Wake up. 0830. Wake up.

"Thank you computer." Frederic, Jennifer and Daphnix got up and made themselves presentable.

They walked to the turbolift and ordered the destination to be the conference room.

"It seems the counselor was correct when she said they were more powerful then she had ever seen." Data said, looking at his fellow officers. Picard was leaning back in his chair, Riker was looking puzzled at Data, while he was doing his report of what happened yesterday in the holodeck. Doctor Crusher was dying to experiment on them. Counselor Troi wanted to know how their psychological make-up had been affected, and Worf, tactical officer and chief of security, wanted to lock them up because they might be dangerous.

Frederic stepped through the doors, Jennifer and Daphnix behind him.

"Good morning everyone. I think you all know what has transpired yesterday in the Holodeck? Yes? Now, where do I start?" Frederic said, walking to one of the monitors.

"How about the beginning?" Worf grumbled.

"Ok, the beginning. When I was fifteen,…" for the next hour, Frederic told them about his genius, his crash, the powers he had in the dream (he carefully avoided the involvement of them in it!), his new-found powers, his discovery of genetic engineering, and so on. He told the officers about his victory of the Dark One, his nightmares, his seclusion in the forest, the command center, Earth central command, the one battle with the Ketari so far, and their capture of an alien craft and three aliens. And how the systems they retrieved from it, and how the test had brought them here.

"You expect us to believe you're from an alternate universe AND you're the leader of and entire army, the ONLY army that can protect the human race? What fools do you take us for?" Riker said, after Frederic had finished.

Frederic looked down. "It is the truth. To convince you, I have some items here." He took a metal sphere, about 20 centimeters in diameter, and threw it to Data.

"What is that?" he asked.

"Deuranium alloy sphere. It is massive, and weighs about 120 kilograms. Curious you could lift it with one hand, let alone throw it to me." Data said. The other officers looked at Frederic.

"Throw it back." Data did, Frederic caught it with his mental powers. the sphere hovered 10 centimeters in front of his face.

"You are now about to get a demonstration of what a fully trained Phalanx warrior can do." Frederic said. The sphere exploded in a million pieces.

All the officers, besides Data, flinched as the sphere's pieces landed all over the room.

"That's a trick." Riker said.

"No trick commander. I scanned it prior to throwing it back. The sphere was massive, and there is no weaponry besides the sword on their backs." Data said.

"You STILL doubt me?" Frederic was beginning to loose his patience. The pieces converged, and the sphere reformed. Frederic threw it to Data.

"100% intact… Impossible. I saw it explode. How…"

Take every piece, hold it on the place of origin in the sphere, and then superheat them, so they melt together." Frederic said.

"Then the form would be distorted." Data said.

"That applies only to normal tools. The brain is infinite more complex, and better than any tool. Superheat only the other atomic layer, forming an atomic bond, like it was before."

"Intriguing. In theory that is possible, but to do it would require enormous power and finesse."

"Next test. Data, you would say that you are tremendously strong, yes?" Frederic asked. Finally, at least Data was beginning to think in terms of 'possible'.

"Affirmative."

"I will arm-wrestle with you. Put your arm into position." Frederic said.

"That would not be wise…" Data began. Picard interjected and said "Just do it, Data. I am intrigued by these people."

Data did as he was told. His face remained stoic, but he mumbled an 'astonishing. I can not push this… whatever it is down." Suddenly, his arms moved back, and crashed into the table.

"I won. THAT, ladies and gentlemen is the power of the human mind. Now, you'll have to excuse us. We need to get back to work." Frederic said, turning around, walking out the door, with his two friends directly behind him. The officers were all looking at Data.

"Did he really… win?" Picard asked.

"It appears so, captain. I was unable to push the… force back, but it did push back my arm. I can safely conclude that he beat me." The android said.

The entire morning was spent on debating. At the end, it was concluded that a few questions remained. After lunch, Worf went down to the shuttle bay to collect Frederic and his friends.

Frederic and his friends walked into the conference room, with Worf directly behind them.

"We have some more questions for you." Picard said.

"I though as much. I do object to being gathered like criminals, and being escorted up here like we were the worst scum ever to walk the face of the Earth." Frederic said. It didn't appear so to Picard and his crew, but Jennifer and Daphnix detected the anger in his voice. Especially Jennifer, as the Link allowed her to feel what no-one else could.

"I am sorry about that…"

"Sorry will NOT suffice! From the moment we got here, I have tolerated you people to treat me with disrespect, I have allowed breaches into my privacy (he glared at Troi), I have not been treated with the proper respect, I have been monitored and questioned. And NOW you treat me like one of the worst criminals ever!?" Frederic's anger was no longer contained.

Picard was taken aback. "I apologize. I didn't know that I offended you so much."

Frederic took 5 deep breaths, and his anger subsided. "Very well. I apologize as well; I shouldn't have lost my temper. It is extremely dangerous for a class-5 mental to lose his temper, especially around normals."

"Your reaction is entirely understandable. Let us both move on."

"Agreed. Now, what questions are troubling you?" Frederic said, taking a seat. His two friends sat down to his left and right. Jennifer's hand placed itself on top of Frederic's, and their fingers entwined.

After about half an hour, Picard's most troublesome questions had been answered, and Frederic and his friends went back to work.

"And I want to see you at 2200 hours in Holodeck 4. We have some unfinished business." Frederic said to Worf on his way out.

That evening, Frederic and Worf had a … confrontation. Worf's pride was as dented as Frederic's had been when they were led across the Enterprise like criminals.

Over the next week, now that their secrets where out, Frederic gladly accepted the help of Geordi's engineering teams. One day, this came all at risk.

WARNING: Ketari presence detected. Switching to BORLAN, Defcon 3. Defcon3. And Holsts's 'planets' started playing.

"Damn. We have to get to the bridge. Come on, everyone." Frederic said.

"…but surely we can get a peaceful agreement." The heard Picard say.

"The human race will be annexed in the …." They walked on the bridge.

"You will not." Frederic said.

"Phalanx? " they heard the panic in the alien's voice.

"Yes! I am Phalanx Fromthefield, Lord Protector of the human race. You will back down, deactivate your weapons, lower your shields and surrender." Frederic said. The connection broke.

"Captain Picard, these are Ketari warriors. We have more experience with them, so I suggest you get out of here as soon as I and my crew are safely out in the Daedalus II.

Captain Picard seemed to think for a moment. "Ok, make it so. Conn, plot a course, maximum warp. Engage as the Daedalus II is safely away."

Frederic and his crew had already disappeared.

"Daedalus II is clear, sir. Engaging."

"Stop here, and put the fight on visual." Picard ordered.

The Daedalus II, with only adequate repairs, was fighting with all it's might, but it was no match for the Ketari battleship.

Frederic, Jennifer and Daphnix were sitting in total silence on the bridge. Their telepathic link was active beyond belief.

<<We can't get though their shields. We just don't have the fire-power needed.>> Daphnix said.

<<Prepare for ramming speed! Power fusion reactor to 300%.>> Frederic ordered. It was carried out without objection.

"Sir, the Daedalus II is unable to get through the Ketari shields. They have sustained damage to their primary sensor array, and are preparing to ram the Ketari." Worf said. "An honorable warrior's death!"

"Not when I'm in command of the Enterprise! Worf, get us in there, phasers and torpedoes blazing!"

Worf complied, and the Enterprise raced towards the Ketari. Its weapons punched a hole in the shields, and the Daedalus, now powering down it's reactor to 75%, used that hole to get the Ketari reactor to blow up. Both ships instantly retreated as the Ketari tried desperately to get their reactor stabilized. Daphnix's aim was perfect, however. The controls were fried, the ejection systems were fused, and the reactor was damaged enough to overload.

"We owe you a debt of thanks, Captain." Frederic said, as he stepped on the bridge. His two friends nodded in agreement.

"You're welcome. It doesn't happen every day that we encounter someone who is willing to give up his own life to save someone he doesn't even know." Picard said.

A faint smile caressed Frederic's lips. "I know how persistent the Ketari are, captain. If we hadn't stopped them, your entire universe would have been conquered, burned to a crisp and annexed. Their mental powers make it impossible to resist them. But they have finally met their match!" Frederic shouted, raising his fist.

"Sir, new ship approaching. It seems to have appeared from a similar vortex as the Ketari vessel, yet it is extremely large, and is very heavily armed." Worf said.

"Put it on visual." Picard ordered.

"That's the command center! Harris must have installed a QDD, and used it to come after us!" Jennifer said.

"I agree. Mister Worf, would you be so kind as to open a channel to the center?" Frederic asked. Worf looked at Picard, who nodded.

"I am command Harris of the… Phalanx! Thank God you're alright!"

"It takes something more than a quantum inverter coil blowing up to kill us. How is the home-front?"

"We have found a Ketari outpost, 10 light-years from Earth, but we do not have the necessary fire-power to obliterate it."

"Acknowledged, Harris. Thanks to the benevolence of Captain Picard here, we have technology that can help us win the war."

The command center bridge exploded in cheers.

"Excuse my manners, captain." Frederic said to Picard. "That is Commander Harris, commander of the command center. Harris, this is Captain Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise." Both men nodded at each other.

The bridge crew of the Enterprise looked at each other. This kid was telling the truth? Frederic choose to ignore them.

"It appears the equations we sent you were correct?" Jennifer asked Harris.

"To the very last letter, sir. All we had to do was reprogram the drive, and here we are. When can we be expecting you back?"

"In a few hours, commander."

"Very well, sir. Good-bye."

"See you then commander." The connection broke.

"You have been so kind as to open your ship to us, now we would like to extend the same curtsey for you and your crew. Would you like a tour on board of the command center?" Frederic offered.

"I would be honored." Picard said.

"Very well. We will leave on board the Daedalus II in 2 and a half hours. I hope to see you and your selected team then, in shuttle bay 2."

"We will be there."

Frederic nodded. "Thank you again, captain. For saving our lives, and for giving us a place to repair our ship."

"You're welcome."

Frederic and his team turned around, and disappeared in the turbolift.

After the last minute inspections were completed, they entered the Daedalus II. Besides Frederic, Daphnix, Jennifer and Captain Picard came along: Lieutenant Worf, Lieutenant-commander Geordi Laforge, Dr Crusher and Commander Riker.

"Is everybody seated?" Daphnix asked to the people in the auxiliary department of the Daedalus.

"We are." Picard said.

"Sorry for the lousy accommodations, but the Daedalus was designed as a fighter, not a transport shuttle." Frederic excused.

"It's ok." Picard said.

"Linda, prepare all systems for departure. Seal airlocks, and transfer Linda and Borlan to command center main units."

All systems ready. Airlocks sealed. Linda and Borlan transferred to command center main units.

Frederic gently plied the controls, and the main shuttle bay opened, allowing for the Daedalus to move out. The Daedalus crossed the distance in no time.

"Command center, this is Phalanx Fromthefield. Request docking clearance." Frederic transmitted.

"Clearance granted. Shuttle bay 1, place1. Welcome back, sirs."

"It's good to be back. Phalanx out." Frederic moved the Daedalus to the now open dock, and eased the Daedalus inside. Since the armor was still in place over the still cracked windows, he had to rely solely on sensors.

As soon as Frederic opened the door, a big sheer erupted. The massive shuttle bay was filled with people.

Frederic raised his arms. "It's good to be back. It's also good to see that the army didn't collapse without us." He joked.

The people laughed, and congratulated them as they walked to the lift, Picard and his people followed behind them.

"We'll start our tour on the bridge, if that's ok with you, captain?" Picard nodded, and Frederic ordered deck one as their destination.

Picard and his crew marveled at the efficiency of the center, and the discipline and admiration of the crew.

"And this is sickbay." Frederic said, stepping in a large space, where the walls are lined with beds.

"Where are the doctors?" Crusher asked, this being her territory.

"We don't have doctors. We have medical physics, their powers have developed purely in the medical area." Frederic explained.

"And what kind of instruments are used?"

"None. Medicine is too subtle to use mental amplifiers. We never loose anybody, except when the poor soul is completely destroyed, or extensive brain damage has occurred. The brain is the only spot in the human body we have only limited control over."

Crusher nodded in understanding.

Warning. Defcon 3. Defcon3. All crew report to battle stations. Defcon3. Defcon3. Alert. Alert. Ketari intrusion.

Again, Holst's Planets alerted the crew to battle stations.

"What have we got, Harris?" Frederic tapped his communicator.

"10 carriers. We have 800 fighters moving into attack positions. We are scrambling our 500 fighters we have on board."

"Captain Picard, his crew, and Daphnix are coming to the bridge. Harris, report to Shuttle bay one. You are going to be my number three."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Jennifer, me and you are going out there."

"Yes, sir." The communication ended.

"You heard me. Get moving!" Frederic shouted to Daphnix.

"Captain, I can't lower the shields. Not under these circumstances…"

"I understand. I'll be on the bridge."

Frederic nodded appreciatively. Frederic and Jennifer moved into the lift, and raced towards the shuttle bay.

All crew; focus your mental energy on the shields.

Harris was waiting for them. As soon as they were in the Daedalus, it launched.

"All fighters, this is Admiral Smith. I have command of the ESMF. Move into pattern gamma, and stand-by to engage enemy." Came over the radio.

"All fighters are in position. The Ketari are holding a normal defensive screen. They are waiting for us." O'Connor reported.

"Good. It's never good to do what your opponent wants you to do." Daphnix said. His tactical and military brain kicked into high gear, and it took him 2 seconds to come up with a countermove. His fingers raced the panel, and soon the fighters were starting to move away from the command center.

"I am going to teach them not to mess with us. Nobody attacks the human race." He muttered.

The 500 human fighters veered away in two groups. The 800 Ketari fighters were totally surprised by the self-confidence the human forced displayed. Therefore, they waited too long to counter, and they were attacked on two fronts as the human fighters closed the formation. The command center cut away with phasers and torpedoes, destroying ship after ship. The fighters did their best to overcome the superior forces, and they did a good job at it too. The very fact of knowing that Frederic was fighting along with them, in the frontline of the human defenses, gave them almost supernatural abilities. They dodged phaser beam, fired torpedoes and phasers and destroyed Ketari after Ketari.

"The last 150 Ketari are retreating into the carriers. Prepare for siege." Daphnix sent. Not one of the Ketari had gotten through. The human forces had lost 100 ships, most of which were disabled, so survival chances were reasonable.

The command center, and the 400 remaining human fighters converged on the carriers, who made a desperate run for it. Daphnix' tactical mind overcome that obstacle, and soon brought the alien carriers to a standstill. They were completely destroyed. Not one alien scumbag survived.

Some of the fighters came back, towing three to four disabled fighters. So was Frederic's.

As soon as they had landed, the shuttle bay was crowded with medical personnel, and fighter crews, trying to get out of the way. Frederic and Jennifer remained, getting injured fighters to the sickbay. Crusher was already there, but soon found out that she had no place being there, as the medical psychics treated wounds at a remarkable rate.

"This is the Phalanx. This is a sad day. We have lost 30 brave men and women today. They behaved admirably, and will forever be remembered as defenders of the human race." Frederic said, after the final death count was complete.

"Captain Picard, I hope you'll excuse me for cutting this tour short…" Frederic began.

"I understand. I will return to my ship."

"Before you go, there's something I want you to have." Frederic said, extending a device.

"Thank you. What is it?" Picard asked, after he looked over the rectangular black box.

"It will enable you to venture into our universe. If you ever need help, you will always find friends on our side." Frederic said.

"Thank you. You will always be welcome here too." Picard said, stepping back and calling for transport. Picard and his team disappeared in the transport beam.

"Harris, plot course for home and engage." Frederic said, sinking in his command chair.