Deep Space Nine
Jagged Reflections
by Roger Timothy Rehberg Jr.
(rehberg@ns.sympatico.ca)

Jagged Reflections

PROLOGUE

Captain Benjamin Sisko's Report to the Federation Scientific Community...

I would first like to once again state that I am not in agreement with your proposal. Sending a science vessel to the "Mirror Universe" as it has come to be called, via the wormhole, is extremely dangerous. It is one of the most hostile and unpredictable places that I have ever been to. Excluding the psychological effects, such as seeing friends, who are enemies in that place, and enemies, who turn out to be friends, one cannot escape the turmoil that place is filled with. This would be a great risk.

If you insist on proceeding with this project however, I can do little but offer you my logs and those of my crew who have been there. For the sake of this report I can give a quick overview. From the experiences my crew and I have had in the "Mirror Universe" we could put together a series of events that had occurred. It was approximately eighty years ago that Captain James T. Kirk and several of the crew of the original starship Enterprise were accidentally transported to the parallel dimension. There, Kirk discovered many similarities, but what resembled the Federation, was actually a militaristic, conquering body known as the Terran Empire.

While Kirk was there he somehow convinced the alternate Mr. Spock, the opposite of our own Ambassador Spock, to promote reform, and to help to change this Empire into something better. After Kirk returned to this universe, Spock went ahead and did just that, and actually became the leader of the Empire with his peace policies as a major platform. These drastic moves however made the Empire weak, and an alliance of Klingons and Cardassians conquered it, reducing the Terrans to slaves.

Several of my crew and I have been to this place, and once again, people from this side have provoked change. A Terran resistance was developed, and it was able to take control of Terek Nor (the alternate DS9), and even actually created a replica of the U.S.S Defiant. A new opposition had arisen to face this Alliance.

After acquiring a cloaking device, the Alliance was in preparation to finally squash the rebels, but that plan ultimately failed. It should be noted that the leader of the Alliance is Mr. Worf, the alternate of my own tactical officer here at Deep Space Nine, and his title in the "Mirror Universe" is Regent. Apparently the rebel forces during our last incursion into their space had captured Worf, but since that time we do not know what has happened.

You have the specific details of each of our travels to this place through my various reports and logs, but after the Regent's capture we have no further information or have had no contact. Whether the Alliance or rebels were victorious is still unknown.

Captain Benjamin Sisko
Commander of Deep Space Nine

The Mirror Universe...

The Defiant's cloaking device was severely damaged and there was absolutely no way that the crew was going to be able to repair it. Besides, there were more important things to attend to, such as trying to restore the quickly failing main power. Even that seemed like a hopeless task, for the Alliance fleet, comprised of both Klingon and Cardassian vessels, pounded on the small rebel ship until it was spitting flames out into space and close to coming apart at its joints. Finally, the attacking warships ceased, without an intention of mercy, but because already being detected on Alliance sensors were rebel reinforcements on approach and there was little time to do what they had come there for.

The Alliance ships turned to the former Cardassian mining station known as Terek Nor, the station that the Defiant and its crew had valiantly tried to protect. Once a major stronghold of the Alliance, serving as an ore processing facility among its many uses, the outpost had since fallen into the hands of the Terran rebels and was now one of their major bases. The only thing the Alliance considered it at this point however, was a target.

Even with the weapon and shield modifications the technical wizard Miles "Smiley" Obrien had made, the station still could not sustain the damage that was being inflicted upon it. Disruptor blasts from the small but powerful Klingon birds of prey tore open sections of the upper pylons, while the immense Cardassian Galor class ships concentrated on the outer ring. In the end, like the Defiant, Terek Nor was beaten, but it was not lost as several dozen Terran ships arrived with bright red phasers blasting away.

The Alliance ships had retrieved what they come for however, and the rebel reinforcements were little too late. The station may have been preserved for another day, but at a cost that may be well too high for the Terrans and their allies to afford. The Klingon and Cardassian vessels swung around and jumped to warp before an encounter they may very well have lost.

* * * * *

One of the dark gray moons of Romulus appeared across the main viewer of the Romulan flagship known as Romii. Admiral Bill Ross quietly paced around the busy bridge until he finally turned to a young Romulan officer at his side. "Rear view..." The moon vanished and now on the giant screen appeared a fleet that was following close behind them. It was a collection of several dozen small Terran attack vessels, almost hidden amongst the hundreds of immense warbirds and stormbirds that travelled near their hull. A smile crossed Ross' face as something popped into his head. How could they lose? He asked himself this question realizing that these ships were his to command.

The Admiral then turned to the communications officer and leaned down next to her. "Patch me through to the Commander..." The mission had been secret since its initial planning and Ross made sure that people only knew what they needed to know. This was the greatest endeavor yet made by the resistance and there could be no leaks. Victory rested on this operation and no unnecessary or reckless chances could be taken. The communications officer looked to the Admiral and told him the Commander was now listening.

"Commander, this is Ross, we're ready to move out... I just got news from Terek Nor that everything is already proceeding to plan."

There was a response. "Excellent, Admiral..."

The Romulan officers on the Romii's bridge had no idea just who this commander was, Ross had already made sure of that, but there was something familiar in his accented voice. Some were sure that they had heard it before, but did not come forward to mention that they did. They just continued to listen.

Ross folded his arms. "Well then, Commander, let's proceed..."

"We'll see you in orbit, Admiral..."

"That you will. I promise you..."

The communication then ended, and Ross immediately turned around to see someone waiting behind him. It was Sela, the Supreme Commander of the entire mission. The Admiral immediately stepped closer and firmly took her to pull her next to him. Their Romulan clothes were now pressed against one another. He then kissed her in front of everyone present, caring little of what the onlookers thought, and held her there for several passionate seconds. It was true, Ross and Sela, Terran and Romulan, were lovers.

Sela, somewhat embarrassed by the unprofessional move, had already expected something like that from Ross, and she finally managed to step away from him. The rest of the crew, still in somewhat of a shock, returned to their duties like true Romulan officers. "Phase one has been put into motion..." A smile was still on the Admiral's face and it did not appear to be going anywhere.

"Excellent... We should immediately warp to the Gorkon Sector and begin the second phase..." Sela moved to her command chair located in the center of the bridge and took the very seat she had volunteered for. Ross then quickly positioned himself at her side.

"So we are understood, Commander? We fight until we have ultimate victory? Until not one Alliance troop or officer is alive?" Ross, the smile now gone, had a determined look on his scarred face as he stared into the whites of Sela's eyes. He knew what she was going to say, but he had to press the issue. The Alliance had to pay for the deaths of his wife and children. They all had to die.

"The Romulan Republic is committed to freeing your people, Admiral, but there is no way I am going to let this turn into an operation of extermination. The Alliance will fall, but with only sufficient blood shed..."

"Spoken like a true Romulan Commander... Sufficient..."

Sela turned to him with her eyes opened wide. Ross was not blinking or turning away, and for almost thirty seconds they did this, with some on the bridge believing they would actually come to blows. The Admiral then reached out and pulled her close to kiss her again, and in her ear he whispered. "I love you..." He then turned away and walked off of the bridge.

Sela sat back in her seat, crossed her legs and folded her arms. "Helm, set course for the Gorkon Sector. Communications, tell the fleet we're moving out..."

* * * * *

Regent Worf walked onto the bridge of the Alliance flagship, a vessel, until that day, he had never seen before. He stepped up to face the man who had commanded his rescue and had surely risked his own life in the process. "General Martock, my old friend... I always knew I could count on you..." The Regent, his shackles only moments before removed, patted his large hands upon the General's shoulders. A smile crossed Martock's face. He was pleased that Worf was happy.

"I would never leave you on that station, my lord... As soon as I heard of your capture I organized our forces..."

"And you led such a successful mission, General. You should be proud, as should your crew... But this ship, what is its name?" The Regent looked around at the huge bridge and the numerous Klingon officers near him.

"It is the Kahless, my lord, and it is yours to command. It is the new flagship of the Alliance... I had it constructed specifically for you..."

"You never cease to amaze me Martock..." A pleased expression appeared across Worf's face as he moved away from the General to examine his new prized possession.

"I must return to Earth, my lord. My duties require me there. With your permission of course..."

"You may return to Earth, General, and soon I'll join you... First however, there is someone I need to deal with..."

"Gowron..." The General answered for him.

"Yes. The Cardassians have him on Empok Nor... His attempts to overthrow me will result in his own death... I personally want to transport him back to Earth and see to his trial..."

"A trial, my lord?" Martock found the comment strange. The Regent never bothered with such things.

"A formality only, General... Believe me when I tell you that Gowron will die..."

"I never doubted it, my lord..." The General walked up a small set of stairs and to the bridge exit. He lowered his head, and bowed to the Regent in respect, before leaving. "I will see you on Earth, my lord..."

"Count on it..." Worf moved to the helm officer and stood over the young Klingon in an intimidating fashion. "Set course for Empok Nor..."

The enormous Alliance flagship jumped to half of its maximum warp speed with apparent ease. Klingon designed and built, and easily the most powerful ship in the entire Alpha Quadrant, the Kahless now served as the Regent's personal warship. The mere sight of the vessel would frighten most, but with the realization that Worf is now aboard, it would make the Kahless the most intimidating sight anywhere.

Worf's long dark black cape swayed behind as the loud cranking doors to the mess opened before him. He walked into the dim lit room and gazed around at the Klingon warriors and few Cardassians who could not help but stare at him. For a moment there was only silence. The once loud area almost fell deaf at the sight of him. They continued to watch and wonder why he had come here, for word had it that he did not usually do so. He regularly ate in his quarters, but sometimes, very rarely, and when he was in a good mood, he would go and eat along the side of his troops.

He lowered to sit at the head of a table as warriors on both sides pushed away, giving the Regent plenty of space. There was no hesitation on the matter. Worf then looked up and gazed into each of their eyes. He knew they all feared him, and he realized that as long as they did, he would forever rule them. He told himself that nothing could ever be allowed to change that.

"Blood wine! Now!" Worf slammed his massive clenched fist down upon the table. The others still watched and remained motionless. "Eat! Drink!" He yelled across the room ordering things to be as they had been before his arrival.

A Ferengi appeared, opened a bottle and placed it before the Regent. The small man understood that Worf never used a glass. "Here, my lord..." The Ferengi then bowed his cowardly head and slowly backed away. Worf picked up the dusty brown bottle and shoved it to his mouth, and only moments later the thing was empty.

"Ha, ha, ha! It is a good day... Drink everyone, your Regent is free! And it's all the better we'll soon be back on Earth..." Worf looked around and tried to locate the Ferengi. "I need music! Get me a singer, now!"

The Klingons to his sides continued to munch on the large meals in front of them, but they still watched the Regent closely. Some envied him, while others wanted his title, but were afraid to make such a challenge. Their attention was broken however, when they noticed a young human woman enter the room and walk to a far corner. Worf could tell by looking into her deep blue eyes that she did not want to be here, but he could care very little. He thought she should be grateful for it was a life away from such places as the back-breaking mines.

She shook her head and allowed her long blonde hair to travel down past her back. This action alone captured the attention of many of the Klingons and Cardassians who had been in space much far too long. "Sing, Terran, sing..." The lightly spoken Ferengi told her to do so from a position nearby.

She opened her mouth, and in a high, gentle voice, began to sing a soothing opera-like song. It was a tune not Klingon, or even Cardassian, but of human origin. It did however, captivate her audience similar to a trance with the focus of the Regent himself even being captured by the moment. Her sounds pleased and relaxed him, so he slowly shut his eyes, and he went to a place somewhere between sleep and consciousness.

* * * * *

Even from space the fires burning on the planet Praxis could be seen. The combined Terran and Romulan forces now pushed away from the devastated scene having been victorious in what was a hard fought battle. Warbirds maneuvered around large pieces of destroyed Galor class warships as the smaller Terran vessels ahead of them were finding the best route through the wreckage.

On the bridge of the Romulan flagship Sela monitored the damage reports that were now coming in. Aids were at her side informing her that only a handful of ships had been lost and the fleet was prepared to move out again. She dismissed them only to notice Ross sitting in her seat.

"That was a tremendous victory, Commander... The crews should be proud..."

She dropped a datapad she was carrying to her side. "I'm sure they are..." She looked at him, and he immediately knew she wanted her seat. He smiled at her and rose to his feet. "I hope they realize it won't be that easy when we reach Mars... Mars is not like Romulus... Mars and the word peaceful don't go together very well..."

"We know what we're getting into... But if you want we can always turn around and head back to Romulus..."

Again Ross smiled for he realized that she knew him and his tactics all too well. He moved to her side once again as she sat in the command chair where she belonged. "Inform all ships to prepare for warp... Next stop, the Sol system..."

* * * * *

When the human girl finally finished her musical piece, it did not take long before the warriors quickly returned to reality again. Worf took a drink from another bottle of blood wine the Ferengi had brought for him during the distraction. Before he picked it up off of the table, he turned and took another look at the beautiful woman who stood not far from him but she stared only to the floor.

His gaze was broken by a sudden and violent shake that sent him from his seat and hard to the deck below. He quickly rose, his clothes now soaked with the wine, and looked around to take notice of the others that had also fallen from their seats. He could hear the loud, annoying sound of the ship's alarm, and it did not take long before Worf realized what was happening. They were under attack.

Someone's voice shouted over the intercom system and the ragged speaking Klingon could be heard throughout the mess. "Regent Worf, a small ship has decloaked from beneath our bow... It's attacking..."

The others looked to their Regent. "Well, fire back! I'm on my way!" Worf moved towards the doors kicking a bowl of over-turned soup from his path shaking his head at the incompetence of the crew.

Worf walked onto the busy bridge and quickly moved to his empty command chair. No one would dare take his place, in his seat, even when he was not present. "Tell me what's happening..." His words were still calm and collected. "Show me the fools that attack my ship..."

"This vessel appeared out of nowhere and began firing at us... We've suffered no damage, just a bit of rumbling..." Worf's first officer stepped forward to give the report, and pointed to the viewer ahead which showed a small silver ship off in the distance. Worf immediately recognized it. It was a Terran sleeper ship.

"Him!" Worf immediately jumped to his feet startling a few others around him.

"Who, my lord?"

"A dead man, Katesh, a dead man..." Worf moved closer to the screen and continued to look at the attacking vessel. "Drop to impulse and lock disruptors... Destroy that ship!"

The Kahless disengaged warp and slowed to impulse speed, but the Terran ship did the same and remained very close. A thin dark green beam shot out from the Alliance flagship and it hit the attacking vessel, but the beam quickly reflected off and traveled back in the same direction smashing into the Kahless with a tremendous intensity. It cut into the Klingon hull, almost tearing a starboard section completely off. Damaged heavily, the flagship turned onto its side as debris floated away from the crushed area. The shining Terran ship then swung around to come nose to nose with the Klingon vessel.

Worf struggled to his feet amongst the growing fire and black smoke. He could feel the cool pink blood running down the side of his battered face. In an almost embarrassing fashion, he had hit his head against the back of the seat during the fall. "Damage report!" he screamed out, not yet realizing he was the only left alive around him.

He looked at the burned bodies that lay scattered across the bridge floor and ground his teeth in anger. "Weaklings..." he mumbled to himself as he stepped to a control station located behind his damaged chair. Worf learned that there was backup power only, that six decks were open to space, and reports were coming in that over four hundred were dead. The Regent quickly realized they were in trouble.

What a fool he had been. He kicked his foot hard against the station base realizing now that he should have taken the Terran ship more seriously than he did. The old vessel had been modified, heavily, and had new reflective shielding. It was technology that had been perfected by the Gorn. He never gave the Terrans any credit. It was his arrogance. It was one of his weaknesses he understood he needed to change.

The sensors, he told himself. If only he could get the sensors operating. He attempted to do just that, but quickly understood it was useless. There was no chance, everything was gone and would take too long to repair. The Kahless was utterly damaged by its own lethal weapons. "They'll be docking..." He turned to leave, tore the cape from his neck, and wiped the blood that covered his face.

Worf pushed through the wreckage, fallen support beams and such, plus the numerous bodies that lay along the corridor. He needed to hurry, they would soon be aboard. The doors to a long and narrow room barely opened, but the Regent managed to squeeze through to look over a vast collection of weapons that had been gathered from across the galaxy. A bat'leth was before him. "What could be better?" he asked himself as he removed it off of the wall, to carry it at his side. Worf then continued down the passageway.

With the transporter scrambler still operational, there was only one other way they could come, the main cargo bay. As the Regent continued moving, he now thought about this new adversary. He may have taken him somewhat lightly at first, but the man's attributes were never ignored. With his weapon gripped firmly in his hands now, Worf was ready to fight. He wanted another trophy and the only way it would mean anything to him, was if he did this alone. It was that arrogance factor again.

The Regent entered the cargo bay of the Kahless and could see that the attackers were already trying to force the cargo door open. He raised the gleaming bat'leth to attack the first person he laid his eyes upon, and as soon as the large hatch began to swing open he could hear them. There had to be at least twelve.

The first to enter his ship was a large rugged looking human and in his hands he carried a Romulan disruptor. Worf asked no questions and immediately swung the thick metal weapon catching the man directly in the center of his chest. It was one perfect and deadly hit that sent the man falling to his back without a sound. As the Regent had expected, the now dead man never came alone.

Worf continued to swing the bat'leth, striking several others, and fatally wounded them, but the numbers were just too great. Soon the room was filled with the attacking Terrans and Worf could not even raise his weapon to swing. Five men subdued the Klingon and pushed him to his knees. The Regent continued to resist, but it only proved to be useless and ineffective.

He could see two feet moving towards him, and as much as he could, looked up at the obvious physically enhanced man. As Worf had predicted when he first gazed at that small ship on the viewer, it was he. The one Worf had a feeling he would someday meet. The one he now wanted to desperately kill more than anything else in the universe. "Khan..." Worf barely managed to speak through the blood in his mouth that was rising from deep within his body.

Khan bent down to face him. His long and gray hair was now pushed aside as he looked to Worf's eyes. "Yes, Regent, it is I... You should have been prepared for me..." Khan spoke very soft and calm for he had all the power in his hands now.

"Release me, and I will allow you the honor of dying by my hands..." The Regent smiled, and whether Khan thought it was an empty threat or not, Worf believed it to be the truth. Khan returned the gesture and smiled back.

"No, Regent, I will not die today... I still have much to do..."

"What is it Terran? What is it you want from me?" Worf struggled once again to free himself.

"Actually, I'm getting what I want right now... Your ship is motionless, and this means that the rebel fleet has probably taken the Gorkon sector by now..."

"What are you saying?"

"Do I need to spell it out for you? We came here to stop you, to prevent this ship from returning to Earth. The fleet has most definitely taken the Gorkon sector and is on route to the Sol system itself... That is what I'm saying..."

The Regent was outsmarted and he knew it. Worf's large muscular arms tightened as he attempted to reach out for Khan, but he was still held down by Khan's followers. "But, how did you know? How did you know I'd be returning to Earth? That I'd even be separated from the rest of the fleet?" Khan said nothing, realizing it would only take a moment before the Regent realized himself what had happened.

"Gowron..."

"Yes, Worf, your old friend... He has been a tremendous help to us and even allowed himself to be captured for our cause... We knew you'd want to see him personally, and we knew you'd even go all the way to Empok Nor to get him, to see him brought to Earth..."

"This is an outrage! I will have you all! If it is the last thing I ever do, I will kill you!" Once again the Regent attempted to stand, but he could not do so. He was bound in shackles again, but he had never bowed down to anyone, and he realized that the human before him, was forcibly stripping him of his remaining dignity, and even worse, his honor.

"Things are going to change..." Khan began to move around the cargo room, pacing. "Long ago, hundreds of years before your Alliance even existed, I was a President on Earth... The people elected me themselves. It was a time when Terrans had such opportunities... That is the Earth I remember, and that is the Earth that will be again. Believe me, Regent, I promise you, Earth will be ours..."

"Never... The Alliance can never be defeated, especially by a band of narrow-minded Terrans who just don't realize what they've gotten themselves into. Take the Gorkon sector Khan, but Earth is a place you will never see! I will watch it burn in a ball of fire first!"

Khan looked away, having ignored the comment, and turned to face his loyal troops. "Search this deck. Take everything of any value... We may as well take advantage of this opportunity while we have it..." Khan looked back to the Regent and then something else came to his mind. "Wait... I have a better idea... Disable the communications, weapons and engines of the Botany Bay and then disengage the Kahless's transporter scrambler and beam the surviving Klingons and Cardassians there. We have a new ship now... The most powerful vessel in the entire quadrant..."

* * * * *

General Martock was finally able to sleep. For weeks he found it difficult to do so, perhaps because of the Regent's capture, but for some reason today he had no trouble at all. The rest didn't last long however, when he was soon awakened by the sound of the ship's alarm. The bridge was reporting that a fleet was emerging from warp near the planet Mars. It was a fleet comprised of several dozen small rebel attack ships, and the real threat, several hundred Romulan warbirds and stormbirds.

The General marched onto the bridge to learn that the attacking fleet had already broken through the red planet's outer defense perimeter. He wiped his tired eyes and looked at the battle on the main screen in front of him. Martock then turned to the communications officer. "Inform the Kahless of the situation..." He sat down in his seat and looked to the helm. "Get us there now!"

The Terran ships easily destroyed Mars' orbiting gun posts, but already arriving on the far side of the world was Martock's impressive fleet that took a position just beyond the planet's atmosphere. The warbirds continued forward and used their bulk and firepower to push through the Alliance first line, which was made up of small Klingon birds of prey. Even though the smaller ships had greater maneuverability, it proved to be futile.

What was left of the first line was nothing but scrap metal. The Romulan and Terran ships moved forward. The big Klingon attack cruisers were now however in position to fight. Even the huge warbirds were torn open by Klingon disruptor and torpedo fire. Nine warbirds were quickly destroyed from the new onslaught, but the others, including the Romii carrying Admiral Ross and Commander Sela, continued ahead. There could be no turning back now.

* * * * *

Khan bent down to whisper to Worf's ear. "You would have been best Regent, if the Romulans never found me in deep hibernation... I was forced to leave my home because of tyrants just like you, and it hurt me like you wouldn't believe... In a sense I want vengeance, and maybe even a little revenge... Those who over-threw the Earth so long ago have been dead for a long time, but you, you my friend, so similar, in so many ways, can easily take their place..."

"Then kill me! Let it be done!" Worf's voice carried all the way into the corridor.

"No, no... I will not kill you... Not like this anyway..."

Khan's attention was broken when he noticed one of his dedicated followers approaching. It was Joachim, and next to him was a young woman with long blonde hair and deep blue eyes. It was the young singer, who had earlier captivated the mess audience. "And who is this?" A smile appeared across Khan's face.

The woman looked down at the Regent who had little choice but to remain on his knees. Blood continued to trickle down his cheek as her eyes opened wide by the sight. She would have never believed such a thing could be done, but here he was, defeated. She almost pitied him, but did not.

"Who are you my dear?" Khan asked her once again.

"My name... My name is Myllisia..."

"That is such a beautiful name for such a beautiful woman..."

Joachim stepped before Khan to speak. "The ship is ours... The Botany Bay is disabled and the Klingons and Cardassians have been beamed aboard. I've got others conducting repairs and they seem to be optimistic... On our way to the bridge we found her..."

"Good, Joachim... Finding you, my dear, makes this all the worth while..." She smiled, and it was something she had not done in many years.

Khan was suddenly startled by the sound of breaking bones and noticed Joachim falling to the floor. His neck had been broken. Khan looked down and could see that Worf''s feet were free. Before he could react the Regent had risen, and had disposed of the shattered shackles that had bound his wrists. Khan had realized that holding a Klingon, and the Regent himself at that, as a captive, was going to be difficult, but he never expected this.

A large smirk developed on Worf's face. This was exactly what he had wanted, and now he was going to have his own vengeance. Khan's followers stepped forward to apprehend him, but Khan, with a simple sway of his hand, motioned for them to move aside.

"No, he's mine..."

* * * * *

The hundreds of Romulan ships finally managed to push through the Klingon second line and suddenly the Alliance forces were being pushed back further and further. This was at least what the Romulans and Terrans believed.

Admiral Ross continued to stand along the side of the female Romulan Commander as blast after blast struck hard against the flagship. Shield strength had dropped slightly but not enough to pull back. Even if it was minimal Ross and Sela were prepared to see the operation through, even if it meant sacrificing themselves. As long as Khan succeeded however, and the Kahless was stopped before it could enter the fray, they knew victory was very well at hand.

* * * * *

Worf took an offensive position and immediately lunged forward catching the human with an open handed fist to his face. To the Regent's surprise however, it had produced little effect.

"It won't be that easy..." Khan was the one smiling now.

"All the better..."

Worf refused to hesitate and hit his opponent with an elbow to the stomach, but again Khan did not move. It was now the human's turn, and Khan quickly grabbed the Regent by the back of his neck, and threw him into the hard metal wall to his left. The Klingon's mouth was bloodied even more as a result, but he ignored it. Worf turned and charged Khan, and collided with him, sending the both of them crashing to the hard deck floor.

Worf then punched Khan several times, and it finally stunned the human, but the genetically engineered man took all of it, and somehow managed to push Worf off. Khan's nose was bleeding badly, and he knew it was broken, but he realized he had no time to worry about it now. He went to kick the Regent, who tried to block the foot, but missed, and he hit Worf's chest hard. The pain surged through the Regent's body now. There was no way to escape it. He bent over in pain and then Khan shoved him to the floor. One more devastating punch from the human connected with Worf's head, and Khan believed the Regent was beaten.

Suddenly Worf rose back to his feet, and in his hands was his bat'leth. Khan's troops had carelessly not disposed of it, and now the Regent was prepared to use the device to end the fight. The weapon was raised into the air to strike the human, but Khan had noticed from the corner of his eye and used his own small dagger, and drove it into the Regent's chest.

Worf now too injured and battered to continue dropped to the floor while gasping air. Khan bent down and swiftly pulled the small sharp knife out of the wound that Worf quickly clenched with an open hand. "Bandage him, and then transport him to the Botany Bay... Get him off of my ship."

* * * * *

Ross looked down at Sela who was seated beside him. "They're on the run..." The Admiral, a title given to Ross by the underground, found it very difficult to hide the joy of the thought.

"Perhaps... Or maybe readjusting their lines..." Sela continued to stare at the screen as the Alliance ships moved to a new position.

It took only a few more seconds before they realized what was really happening. A bright white beam, made of pure energy, and two miles in diameter, shot out from the Martian surface and connected with the fleet. In an instant the Terran ships were no more, and close to half of the Romulan vessels were gone as well. The flagship however survived.

"What in the hell was that?" Ross tried to stable himself as the ship continued to shake in the aftermath.

A science officer turned to face Ross and Sela. "It was some kind of energy beam... Its power unlike anything I've ever seen..." The Commander looked up to Ross, a man draped in Romulan civilian clothing, having rid himself of the scraps he wore in the underground. "They don't want to give up this planet of yours, do they?"

"I can't blame them really..."

"What's the status of the fleet?" asked Sela.

"We've lost forty-eight percent of our forces, Commander..." replied an officer at a control station to her side.

"If that cannon fires again, we're done..." Ross thought to add that in even though everyone on the bridge very well knew that.

"I don't think it will... Something with that much power must take some time to charge... We have to move in now, and get this over with before it does..."

"I hope you're right, Commander, but let's do it!" Ross padded her on the shoulder signaling his approval. They would continue forward in what could turn out to be an astonishing victory or a terrible slaughter. Either way, Admiral Ross was ready for it.

* * * * *

Khan breathed heavily now as he looked back to his followers and then to Myllisia. "The battle must have begun... Come to the bridge with us Myllisia, you're free now..." Khan took her soft hand and moved to the exit. He turned once more to face the defeated Worf who had been attended to by Khan's followers, before leaving the cargo bay. The humiliated Regent would not return the look however, and now it was he who stared only to the floor below.

The Terrans stepped onto the bridge of the Kahless, and Khan's troops quickly took their positions. The engine room was now reporting that the ship could jump to warp at Khan's command and that they had repaired several of the disruptor banks. The impressed commander then moved to stand along side his close friend, a man simply known as Rokker who had taken the communications post. "Contact Admiral Ross and Commander Sela on a secure channel and tell them we've acquired the Kahless... Also tell them that I've got a strategy change..."

The bridge of Martock's ship was burning as fire began to engulf everything. Warriors rushed passed him to repair the growing damage, and even though the Romulan forces were close to decimation, Martock was far from optimistic. "How long until the cannon powers back up?"

"Still another thirty minutes sir..."

"Dammit! Where is the Regent! He should have been here by now!" Just then, the General heard the voice of the tactical officer.

"Ship approaching... It's the Kahless, General, but it appears to have been in a fight of its own..."

* * * * *

The Kahless dropped from warp and moved into the fray. It passed right through the decimated Romulan fleet and received only minimally powered disruptor blasts. To the Alliance however, it looked like their flagship was receiving a heavy pounding. Moving from weapons fire, the ship then went bow to bow with Martock's attack cruiser.

The General stared to the view screen, gazing at the flagship he himself saw to construct only one month before. He watched and waited. "What is he doing?" Martock was becoming increasingly agitated.

"We're receiving an audio communication, General... They were attacked on route... Their main power is extremely limited, and they are requesting we extend our shields around them..."

Martock hesitated. Was their power that depleted that they couldn't even activate the main viewer? Could it be a trick? The questions were now flooding through his mind. If this was real however, and not a trick like the General was for some reason believing, the Regent would have his head if he did not do as he asked. Martock ordered the tactical officer to do so before moving from his position and suddenly vanishing from the bridge in a transporter beam.

The attack cruiser's shields extended over the Kahless and encased both of the craft in the "bubble-like" force field. The Kahless then immediately opened fire with its powerful disruptors, and the blast hit Martock's ship at point blank range. The crippled attack cruiser could not sustain the blast and exploded in a billion pieces. The event almost destroyed the weakened and damaged Kahless, but it did not do so. The Alliance flagship was now however quickly losing stability.

Blood was running down Khan's face and his left arm was completely burned, but he managed to get to his feet to look around him at the devastation. Everyone else was dead except Myllisia and she was still at his side. She had not been severely injured, having only suffered several bruises and cuts. She then looked into Khan's blood-shot eyes. He grabbed her soft hand and was happy that she was alive, but he could feel the multiple disruptor blasts still smashing into the side of the ship. He knew that they would be dead within seconds.

Khan pulled Myllisia close and kissed her tightly. He kissed her like he had never kissed a woman before. It was completely passionate, and spur of the moment. If he will die, Khan told himself, then he will die in the arms of a beautiful woman. He finally looked away from her and realized they were no longer on the bridge of the Kahless. He turned to see Admiral Ross and Commander Sela staring at him and Myllisia. Ross ignored what he had witnessed, but still offered a smile. "You're safe Khan... We've done it... What's left of the Alliance is heading back to Earth..."

* * * * *

A small Romulan scout ship dropped to Mars after having passed through the atmosphere and it then entered the dark red sky. Khan stared at the large encased city ahead and the green forests, blue lakes and even white clouds that existed within. It was a beauty that had no comparison unless it was Earth itself. They were indeed so close to Earth, and to home, but Mars could be that temporary home for now.

Khan looked over to Myllisia and noticed a small tear running down her cheek. She had never seen this place before, had never been to Earth's near cousin. They passed over the city now, and people below were tearing down emblems of the Alliance and were chanting cheers of joy.

The small ship dropped through a protective shielding, and the passengers, which included not only Khan and Myllisia, but also Sela and Ross, disembarked. They took notice of the sun setting off in the distance and they stood there watching it disappear, not saying a word to one another. It was then that a thought popped into Ross' head.

It was more than just a word, but an ideal. It was something that had been discussed in the underground, a term from the other universe. It would not leave his mind now, and for some reason, he had to see it come true. He told himself that when they finally freed Earth he was determined to make it the first world of a new Federation.

The End