Topic: ST:Tigermoth - Silent Enemy

[James Smith]

**********
Romulan Escort Cruiser RIS Torlamak.
Bridge.


Commander Vorlon stirred uneasily. He didn't enjoy these cargo escort missions, and while he recognised them as essential to the coming strike he still wondered if it was right to trust the Gatrellians. They've become so different to us since they broke away. They went against our wishes and left Earth mostly untouched, they refuse to give us their weapons technology even though we supply them the materials they need to survive. Our leaders must have their reasons for allowing this to continue, they don't seem to share my reservations.

He was interrupted in his musings by a shrill alarm from behind him. He turned. "What is it, Centurion?"

"I'm picking up contacts on our convoy path. I believe it's a small group of ships."

"Gatrellians?"

"No, Commander. I don't believe so. I think they're Klingon. Bird of Prey type vessels, I'm reading 4 signatures."

"Monitor their communications. Tell the cargo ships to stay on course, we will deal with these Klingon ships if need be."

The ships came into focus on the viewer. Vorlon eyed them intently. "Do you have anything from their communications yet?"

"Yes, Commander. It sounds like they've been seperated from their patrol group. One of the ships is running on auxiliary power. They will be in weapons range in 6.2 cycles."

**********
USS Tigermoth-A.
Bridge.

"Transwarp velocity in 4...3..2...1...mark."

Smithy settled back, listenening to the hum of the engines as they propelled the ship to speeds he'd always dreamed of travelling at. He looked over at Lisa, who smiled back at him. "Bet you want to be down in the engine room right now, huh?"

"Nah. I'm pretty comfortable here. Besides, I don't have the time right now to learn how to operate a transwarp core and nacelle setup."

Lisa consulted her panel. "Well, Dave said you'd be getting a call any minute now..."

beep beep beep

"...and here it is."

"On-screen." Smithy stood, wondering who Dave had found to lead an attack.

The image on the screen resolved into the bridge of an Achilles class ship. The man in the centre chair stood up, and stepped forward.

"Smithy? Lisa?"

"Kieran?"

Admiral Kieran Forester blinked in confusion at seeing his old friend alive. "It really is you. How....I mean...." He shook his head. "You have no idea how good it is to see you guys."

"Good to see you too Kieran." Lisa got up and stood next to Smithy. "So, Dave's got you leading the merry little assault on the Gatrellians."

"Yeah. When Starfleet set up home in the Briar Patch I found myself reactivated. We tossed a coin to see who'd get to command a ship and I won."

"You'd finally taken my advice and retired out there huh? Nice to know that some people pay attention to me." Smithy grinned at seeing his old friend looking so damned young again. "You look pretty good for an old guy."

"You look rather good for a dead one." Kieran glanced at something off-screen. "Listen, we're getting close to our first target. We'll have to catch up soon. Good luck there."

"Good luck to you as well. See you soon old friend."

**********
IKV Mortum Hesta.
Klingon Attack Force 1.
Bridge.

"Coded message coming in from the forward patrol. No contact yet, the anti-cloaking scanners haven't picked up anything yet. Not even any neutron radiation."

"They're probably still too far away for radiation traces to be picked up. Are the Starfleet ships here yet?"

"We're waiting for one more. I belive they're arriving now."

Thulinuk turned as the screen switched to show the new arrival. "Well, she's certainly looking better than when we last saw her. Hail the Tigermoth."

Smithy's image replaced that of his ship. "Standing by, Captain. Apparently you're leading this little operation."

"Indeed. Enter formation with us, James. We will do deeds worthy of song today." He stabbed a button on his chair. "All ships, engage."

**********
USS Hyperion-D.
Bridge.

Kieran had just about recovered his composure after the joy of hearing from his friends again. I don't know why I was worried. That man just refuses to die. "Signal the fleet, ready to execute the plan on my mark."

"Signalled, admiral."

He glanced over at the Tactical display. The fleet he had was almost as large as that which they faced. Nearly equal numbers for the first time. We may actually pull this off.

Standing, he thought back to all the battles, all the wars over the years that he'd been in Starfleet for. This....is where it ends. No more war, no more weakened Starfleet barely able to repel invaders. He recalled what Sheehan had told him, about how Smithy had said it was time for a change. His features hardened with determination. "Engage."

**********
IKV T'Mar.
Bridge.

"Preparing proximity charges, sir."

"Fire when ready. Lets see if we can illuminate their plasma trails."

**********
RIS Torlamak.
Bridge.

"Sir, I'm picking up an energy surge from the Klingon ships."

Vorlon's head snapped round. "Energy surge? A weapon signature?"

"I believe so." Everyone on the bridge looked up as several torpedoes appeared on the screen. Vorlon could see that they were going to miss, but their slow speed triggered a thought.

His thought was confirmed as the torpedoes detonated. The tactical console lit up in alarm. "Sir, our plasma trail! It's reacted to their torpedoes, they know exactly where we are!" The centurion glanced back down at his board, and swallowed. "A large fleet has just dropped out of subspace, Klingon and Starfleet ships."

That was the last voice that Vorlon heard, as the bridge exploded around him.

**********
USS Tigermoth-A.
Bridge.

Smithy watched as the convoy ships came apart under the weapons fire. "Well, thats what you get for running your impulse plasma mixture too rich I guess. What's our next target Thulinuk?"

"Sending the co-ordinates now. A large Gatrellian fleet has been sighted heading for the Gatrellus nebula, we believe that they are heading back to help defend it against the Starfleet attack."

"Right. Helm, lay in a course for the Gatrellus nebula. Thulinuk, am I right in thinking that the Tigermoth is the only ship here with transwarp?"

"I think so. You go on ahead, see what those new engines can do."

"See you when you get there. Tigermoth out." He tapped his comm badge. "Smith to Olatrel. I want everything this ship has."

"Aye, Captain."

"Helm, engage. Maximum transwarp."

**********
USS Hyperion-D.
Bridge.

"Shields holding, admiral."

Kieran glared at the enemy ships on the screen. "Torpedoes, make them break off."

"Got them, sir. Reading heavy damage."

The bridge rumbled and shook under more fire from enemy ships arriving. "Are those torpedo ships in position yet?"

"Yes sir!"

Kieran patched into the comm link. "Fire."

He watched in satisfaction as the Gatrellian base station crumbled under the torpedo barrage. Within seconds the ships had done their work, the base reduced to a cloud of debris and plasma. "Alright, lets get the remaining ships. Helm, evasive pattern Alpha-3-5."

"More ships coming in, sir. We just lost the numbers advantage."

Kieran swore under his breath. "We'll just have to make sure we make our shots count."

Gatrellian ships flashed past the viewscreen, their shields illuminated by weapons fire from the Hyperion. Kieran could see other Starfleet ships struggling with the numbers of ships that were attacking them.

"Sir, I'm picking up another ship coming in. I think it's the Tigermoth!"

**********
USS Tigermoth-A.
Bridge.


"Cover the Venture, give them some time to get sorted. Open a channel to the Hyperion." Smithy made his way over to the comm. station.

"Good to see you, mate. Are the Klingons coming?"

"They're a few minutes behind. Hopefully they won't be long, we see more enemy ships coming in on our sensors."

"Yeah, we see them too. Lets go to work."

Smithy closed out the connection and returned to his chair. He glanced over to Sheehan at tactical. "Target and fire at your discretion."

Sheehan flashed a quick grin. "Aye, Captain."

"Helm, evade as much of their fire as you can without hampering our own weapons' effectiveness." He settled back, and turned to Lisa. "You're right."

She threw him a quizzical look. "What about?"

"I do miss it. Right now I feel like I should be....juggling power requests, and ordering a group of young people to keep equipment working under conditions that it was never supposed to, and yelling at whoever's in this chair."

Lisa smiled. "Like I told you before, I certainly won't miss you doing that job. Anyway, we haven't heard from Orlatrel ye-"

"Engine room to bridge. Would you please tell Mr Sheehan to rest the forward phaser banks for a minute? The cooling setup for the coils can't cope."

"Well, I'll ask him Orlatrel. No promises though." Smithy glanced over at Sheehan, laughing as his tactical offiver rolled his eyes. "Humour him. I don't want to start my career as commander of this ship having a blazing argument with the guy doing my old job."

"Alright." Sheehan vented his frustration on the enemy ships that headed anywhere near torpedo range. He glanced over as his console alerted him to new signatures. "Looks like the backup has arrived."

The enemy ships scattered as the Klingon and new Starfleet arrivals poured in. They began to run, most getting to warp speed before they could be destroyed.

"Track their course. I want to know where they're headed." Smithy glanced at his wife. "Open a channel to Kieran and Thulinuk."

"On-screen."

"Looks like we won round 1 then gentlemen."

"Certainly looks that way. Sheehan's calculating their course." Smithy looked over at him. Sheehan mouthed one word. "And it appears that they're on a direct course to Romulus."

"Romulus?" Thulinuk scowled. "So, where are we heading now?"

"Sol. There's still a large group of Gatrellian vessels just outside the solar system, and it's time they were removed."

**********
**********

Just a short part to welcome an old friend back into the Tigermoth universe.


EDIT - I missed a bit off the end of this when I posted it. Added it back in. Hopefully I'll post some more tomorrow if I get around to editing the next part up.[/b]

[KOTH-KieranXC, Ret.]

Enter K-Fo, stage left. Cue explosions. Great way to bring in the good admiral, Smithy, on a wave of asskicking.

[James Smith]

Enter K-Fo, stage left. Cue explosions. Great way to bring in the good admiral, Smithy, on a wave of asskicking.

Well, I couldn't let the fic get past page 2 without K-Fo and his trusty ship appearing

[Grim Reaper]

James!

I'm terrible sorry I did not reply sooner! I've been busy because I finally entered the real world. I've got a real job now. No internship or extension of an internship.

I love the way the story is going now. I wonder about the Romulan motivation. I think that Romulan captain has it right... They must have a good motivation to enter an alliance on such infavourble terms

[James Smith]

James!

I'm terrible sorry I did not reply sooner! I've been busy because I finally entered the real world. I've got a real job now. No internship or extension of an internship.

I love the way the story is going now. I wonder about the Romulan motivation. I think that Romulan captain has it right... They must have a good motivation to enter an alliance on such infavourble terms

Heh, 'tis okay Grim. I figured you'd be along in a while.    Interesting that you mention the Romulan terms with the Gatrellians, as I've been working on this very subject. Not entirely certain how to resolve some of it yet....bah, I'll think of something.

More shall be posted soon. I'm in the middle of some uni work at the moment, and spent most of this afternoon and night helping a mate with some calculations for his - I'm starting to hate the sight of stress-strain equations and free-body diagrams.

[Scottish Andy]

Yes! Finally caught up on this again. I don't know, leave for a week or so and you just run away with it!

Good work with the story, keep it up and can't wait for more!

EDIT: On second thoughts, I can wait a little. I have Larry's story to catch up on and comment about, S'Tasik's story to start, and numerous other little bits and pieces to look into.

Yeah. Hold that thought, and that next chapter. *grin*

[James Smith]

Just a quick note - I am without reliable internet for a short while (gotta love the UK's pre-historic network), more will be posted as soon as I can.

[James Smith]

****************
****************
USS Tigermoth-A.
Bridge.

"Hold position here helm, give everyone a chance to form up."

Smithy ran a hand through his hair, studying the tactical plot on the main screen. More and more ships had entered the area, and now Romulan ships were joining the mix. He shot Lisa a look. "I see the Romulans decided to join the party."

"Just what we needed, huh?"

"Yeah. Bridge to Engine Room."

"Orlatrel here."

"Is she ready?"

"I've completed the modifications to the phaser coils' cooling system. Shields are recharged to full capacity, armour is at 100% integrity. She's good to go."

"Thanks." Smithy stared at the screen, his features hardening. "Helm, full ahead. Tactical, target as soon as we enter weapons range. Ops, I want target updates sent directly to Tactical. Communications, keep a channel open to Main Engineering."

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more." Sheehan frowned at his screen. "There sure are a lot of them."

"Better not miss then." Smithy leant forward as the enemy fleet sprang into focus on the screen. "Mind, you really aren't wrong. Tigermoth to Hyperion."

"Forester here."

"Kieran, how d'you want to play this one?"

"Not sure really. I always favour the simplest solution usually though."

"Straight at them it is then." He closed the connection and turned to Sheehan. "Looks like I'm sticking to those orders. Don't miss."

"I'll try."

Everyone stared intently at their console, except Smithy who had his gaze firmly locked on the screen. "Here they come."

****************

RIS Neirhh.
Bridge.

"The Federation fleet is accelerating sir. Their course....they are heading straight for us."

The Romulan commander scowled at the tactical plot. I notice the Gatrellians are hanging back, putting us right in the firing line. This was an ill-advised union from the start. "Hail the Gatrellian fleet commander, inform him that we will need more ships."

"Sending the message sir." The young officer worked the controls, sending the message. He frowned. "I'm not receiving any confirmation of receipt."

****************

Gatrellian Cruiser TH-1947.
Bridge.

"The Romulans are pleading for more ships."

"Then we shall give them more ships. Execute Order 1 helm."

****************

USS Tigermoth-A.
Bridge.

Smithy gripped the armrests of his chair as the intertial dampening field lagged behind the erratic course the ship was on. Sheehan shot him a quick look. "Four more Romulan ships damaged, three destroyed. We're overwhelming their lines."

"Good." Smithy glanced over at Lisa. "Fleet status?"

"The Gemini and Republic are withdrawing, both have serious damage to their power systems. The Thunderer, Viking and Ulysses are damaged but can continue to operate." She frowned as her board flashed an alert. "The Gatrellians are starting to move now, but they don't appear to be making an attack run on us."

Smithy started at the screen. "They aren't. Helm, hard about! Lisa, get the fleet back away from the Romulans!"

The screen lit up with plasma explosions as the Gatrellian ships opened up on the Romulan fleet. Within seconds the Romulans dissolved into a cloud of plasma and debris, the Gatrellian ships punching through it and turning away.

"All ships, pursuit course. Engage!" Smithy shook his head sadly. "I should have seen that one coming a lot sooner."

"Why would the Gatrellians turn on them?" Sheehan shook his head. "Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me." He glanced down at his board. "They're coming to a halt. And....hailing us. They're asking for you."

Smithy frowned. "A, how do they know my name? And b, why do they want to talk all of a sudden? They've been completely silent up until now. Never mind, put them through."

The image of the Gatreliian bridge sprang up, Smithy noting the Romulan-esque architecture. Two Gatrellians flanked a chair with it's back to the screen, their faces hidden by masks and helmets. And Smithy suddenly knew, without question, who was in the centre chair.

"Show yourself."

The chair turned, it's occupant hidden in shadows. It then moved forward, revealing him.

"I love what you've done with the Tigermoth, James. Very modern. All kinds of innovations. Didn't I tell you I'd be back? Didn't I forsee the fall of the Federation? You didn't believe me at the time, or perhaps you did....perhaps this is all part of the Grand Plan. Either way....you can't stop me this time."

Smithy's face bore a wry smile. "Same old Bob Metcalf. Same old delusions, same sense of self-importance....same arrogance.....same murderous jumped-up little git that I probably should have killed a long time ago."

Metcalf grinned. "Same old James Smith. Do you still see the Universe the same way as you used to? Do you feel the shifting of the vortex? I had an epiphany you know....I see as you see."

Smithy sighed. "You went into the Nexus....but thats not the whole story is it? You didn't get all the way in before you were pulled back."

"I was torn back out." Metcalf's eyes flashed with anger. "I was so close to understanding you....so close to working out why I'd not been able to defeat you. And the answer was taken from me. But of course....it wasn't. It just needed a little time, and suddenly I saw everything in a new light."

Lisa turned to Smithy, muting the audio. "Dave's signalling. We have Klingon reinforcements coming in, 5 minutes away now. They're going to use the Sun to screen their entrance."

"Good. Sheehan, co-ordinate with the fleet. Get ready for when the Klingons enter the stage." He restored the audio. "Bob...do you honestly see the same things I do? Because if you do, you should know exactly what I know. You should know that the Federation will survive this, and everything else that will be thrown at it."

"You see the path that you want to see. I see another. You know that as well as I do.....that the vortex is fluid, changing. Every decision, a new layer comes into being. Every path is taken."

Smithy sat back, and regarded his former CO for a minute. He actually knows what it all means. This just took a really dangerous turn....a man like him with the power to see the vortex.

His musing was interrupted by Metcalf. "I understand that you married the girl who killed my wife....ah yes, there she is. I see your name in the vortex a great deal, Lisa. I'm not sure I understand why yet, but you are very important to the Universe."

So, there are limits to what he knows. That gives me a slight edge at least. Smithy turned to Lisa. "He's right, you know. You are pretty important to the fabric of the Universe. He doesn't know why, he can't see it." He turned back to the screen. "But I know. I know and have always known. And d'you know what else I know?"

"What? What could you know that I don't?"

"I know that there's a fleet of Klingon warships about to open up on you." He closed the channel, and watched as disruptor fire rained down on the Gatrellian fleet. "Helm, attack pattern Theta-Five, full impulse. Sheehan, target at will. Lisa, get the fleet moving."

A chorus of acknowledgements filled the bridge. Lisa glanced sideways at him. "What did he mean?"

"You mean, about you and the vortex?" Smithy grinned at her. "Don't you like a little mystery in your life? Never mind, I will tell you....just got to find the words to do it first."

****************
****************

Notes:

Yay, a new part! I had this idea rattling around in my head a while back. For those of you wo have no idea who Bob Metcalf is, he featured in "Return of the ISC" on the old Taldren board. He also has a starring role in "Vengeance", which I'm still not happy with the story of yet so that won't get posted on here until I am.

I realise that this part had just raised a number of questions regarding certain characters - but in the end it will make clear why Smithy gets those flashes of insight, why Lisa got into Starfleet while still probably too young for it, and why she ended up on this ship married to someone who can see pretty much all of Creation.

Now, I promise I won't leave it as long in between parts this time. No, I mean it.

You can trust me   

[Grim Reaper]

Notes:

Yay, a new part!

I agree

I realise that this part had just raised a number of questions regarding certain characters - but in the end it will make clear why Smithy gets those flashes of insight, why Lisa got into Starfleet while still probably too young for it, and why she ended up on this ship married to someone who can see pretty much all of Creation.

great, i'm looking forward to it!

Now, I promise I won't leave it as long in between parts this time. No, I mean it.

You can trust me   Grin

.... (need i type more?)

[Scottish Andy]

Thanks for the new part, Smithy! Glad to see someone making a comeback to the boards. Looking forwards to more.

[James Smith]

****************
****************
USS Tigermoth-A.
Bridge.

"They're running." Sheehan glanced over at his CO. "Metcalf's ship is being covered by a group of ships, looks like he plans to live to fight another day."

"Project their course." Smithy stood and crossed the bridge to Sheehan's station. "Well?"

"They're headed for home, and that big pile of Gatrellian ships just outside the nebula. You want to continue pursuit?"

"Better not, the fleet is in no condition to take on that many enemy vessels. Lisa, patch me in to Kieran and Thulinuk."

"Channel open."

"Kieran, I reckon it's best if we call it a day here. Get the fleet back up to full strength and then we can make a renewed assault."

"I concur. All the crews could use some time from battlestations as well. Thulinuk?"

"Agreed. We have more ships coming in from the Drell Shipyards and will need time to get them co-ordinated into the FK Alliance fleet.[/b]"

"Alright. The fleet will hold here. Kieran.....I think we better go plant the flag back on Earth."

***************
Starfleet HQ.
San Fransisco.

Smithy picked his way carefully over the rubble, making his way over to Kieran who was standing in what remained of the entrance hall. "They did a number on the old place, didn't they?"

Kieran looked around sadly. "There's barely a wall standing." He turned back to Smithy. "Did Lisa manage to raise the cloaked stations yet?"

"Yeah, we eventually found the right frequency. I'm pretty impressed about those mass transporters, they certainly managed to get everyone off the planet pretty quickly. Just sorry that it was too late to save the Council."

"The new Council is arriving from Vulcan soon. They want to know what the plan is."

"Plan?" Smithy shot his friend a broad grin. "What plan?"

***************
USS Tigermoth-A.
Captain's Quarters.

"You seriously don't have a plan?"

"Nope."

"What did Kieran say?"

"Not much, just a nervous giggle." Smithy rubbed his eyes and returned his attention to the PADD in front of him. "Last intelligence report said that the Gatrellians were building something. Something big."

"A station, maybe?" Lisa glanced at her husband. "Fits in with Metcalf's mentality, from what you told me."

"It's a possibility. I don't think he's planning on stopping at the Gatrellus Nebula though."

"Bridge to Captain Smith."

"Go ahead Sheehan."

"Just got word from one of our patrol groups. That huge Gatrellian fleet just walked right into Romulan space. Headed right for the Romulus-Remus system."

"And after yesterday's performance, I doubt that they're still allies. You suppose there's much we can do about it?"

"They haven't got a prayer. That fleet is just going to walk right through their space bulldozing anything in it's path. You know, this is probably the first time I've ever felt sorry for the Romulans."

"Has Dave's ship arrived yet?"

"Be here in less than an hour with the new Federation Council. Still haven't got a President, but it's a start."

"Alright. I'm going to practice my poker face for the Council. Let me know when they arrive."

"Will do."

Smithy closed the connection, and turned to Lisa. "Look...I'm still not sure how to say this, so I'll just come out with it. When my mother's people went into the Nexus, it gave them an ability to see more of space-time than other sentient life. The ability varied with each person. At least one person could be a part of several space-time streams and retain knowledge of them all. Another was able to see into the future of his particular space-time stream."

"And your mother?"

Smithy closed his eyes, remembering her. "She could see everything. All of space, all of time, the changes brought about by every decision. Her ability to use it wasn't too good though - she could see it, she just couldn't describe it or act on it. By the time she'd made sense of it it would be too late. So she just let it flow through her, and lived as a normal person. She met and married my father, and I was born with her 'insight'."

"But you can see things as they develop, even before they develop. Your ability to use it is...."

"Better than Mum's." Smithy finished for her. "I see the entire Universe. I see it, and feel it, move. And I can alter the way certain time-streams develop. I still have limits of course - if something has to happen to fit the Grand Plan of the Universe then I can't see it, can't change it. But for anything else, it's fair game. Temporal Investigations has had to devote an entire bank of M19 computers to me."

He rose and stared out of the window into space. "Several people in this galaxy are important to the Universe. Metcalf knows this much. He doesn't know why they are, so he sees them as a threat. One of them was the commander of the Karlon 3 base, Captain Shorll. An Andorian."

"And the Gatrellians destroyed the base, killing him."

Smithy nodded sombrely. "Want to guess who another is?"

"A Romulan?"

"Yep. Admiral Tarlonak. He'll be leading the defence against the Gatrellians I expect. In fact, he will be dead within the hour. I can't change that now, just as I couldn't change the death of Trell. What I can do, is stop another very important person dying."

"You mean..."

"You." Smithy turned to her. "Sometime soon, within the next Earth decade, a foreign power will invade the galaxy. It will be repelled, as it was before."

"Before?" Lisa's eyes widened. "The Andromedans?"

"They will attack, and they will be defeated. It will unite all the governments in the galaxy. It won't be the final conflict of course, others will follow the Andromedans eventually from other galaxies. But it will mean that our galaxy is strong enough to prevail. Certain people need to be alive in order for us to be able to defeat the Andromedans. If one of those people is alive, we can do it."

"So, Metcalf is killing the people who you know will help defeat the Andromedans."

"He doesn't know about that. All he sees is people more important in the space-time fabric than him, which makes you a threat."

Lisa sat down on the edge of their bed. She looked up at Smithy. "What am I going to do that's so important?"

"No idea. There's just a ruddy great question mark in my mind. Whatever it is, it must be bloody good. Especially now that it's you on your own, unless Winston Churchill comes back to life. He was also important in the galaxy. Maybe we ought to go back and grab him from 1945." Smithy took her hands in his own. "Metcalf has to go through me to get to you. If he tries, I will kill him."

"All senior officers, report to the bridge. Council ship is entering the Sol System."

Lisa stood, and the two held each other for a few moments. Smithy kissed her on the forehead. "Come on, lets get back at it."

****************
****************


Just a short piece to set the next part up. Anyone fancy Metcalf's chances of surviving his next encounter with Smithy? 

[Potemkyn]

When's the next installment a com'in?




Mike

[Grim Reaper]

I'll bet there be some nastly suprise. Perhaps you can reuse a part of you old story (something big, green and ....)

[James Smith]

************
************
Federation Building.
Birmingham, England.
Earth.
1100hours Earth Standard Time.


Smithy walked out of his meeting with the Federation Council. Man, am I glad that's over. And with a plan approved. Either politicians are getting easier to persuade or I'm getting far too good at this.

He hurried down the steps and made his way to the transport co-ordinates. Something was nagging at the back of his mind, and it was worrying him. He hadn't felt like this since the last time his path had crossed his former captain's. He thought of all the bitter arguments they'd had on the Excalibur. The huge battle that had led to the destruction of the original Tigermoth. The second war against the ISC, and Metcalf's return and subsequent capture. I could have killed him, but oh no. I had to be the bigger man, had to arrest him rather than kill him. How many people did I kill with that decision?

"You didn't kill them."

Smithy stopped, and turned. "Getting inside my head again? You know you aren't supposed to do that, Q."

He sat on a park bench, Q joining him. "For a dead man, you don't look too bad. How did you cheat it this time?"

"Thought you Q were omnipotent. You ought to know the answer."

"I could find out, but it's much easier if you tell me. Very well......time hole.....travelled forward 6 years.....and so on. Very boring. Jean-Luc would have found a much more exciting way of escaping that battle."

"I'm not Picard."

"Yes. You're much more interesting. We've had our eyes on you for some time." Q stared at him thoughtfully. "How is it that you've never truly used your wonderful talent?"

Smithy shook his head. "What, and blow the integrity of the space-time continuum sky high? It's barely stable as it is without me poking holes in it. And while we're on that line of questioning, how is it that you've never used your talent to put an end to this?"

"'This'?"

"Come on Q. Don't play dumb with me. You know what Metcalf might do."

Q thought for a second. "If I let you in on some secrets, will you promise not to tell anyone it was me who told you?"

************
USS Tigermoth-A.
Bridge.

"A battleship?"

"Not just a battleship. A very big battleship. According to my source, Metcalf started construction on it soon after Lisa and I went into that wormhole. He intends to go rampaging through space destroying anyone he sees as a threat. I intend to do what I should have done a long time ago. The Tigermoth will go on ahead under phase cloak and get me onboard his ship. I'll find some way of disabling it from the inside, then the fleet can come in and put it out of commission permanently along with the rest of the Gatrellian fleet if need be."

"We almost have the numbers together to do that. The Klingons have brought in every ship they could find, the Cardassians have sent ships. And the Romulans are mounting a stand against the Gatrellians in Romulan space. Alright, I'll co-ordindate things on this end and update the Council with the edited highlights of the new plan. Good luck Smithy."

Kieran's image disappeared from the screen. Smithy closed his eyes for a second, clearing his mind, before re-opening them. "Helm, set a course for the Gatrellus nebula. Maximum transwarp."

************
Starship 'Galactic Domination'.
Bridge.

Robert Metcalf read the information in front of him. "So, a large Federation fleet is massing with Klingon and Cardassian fleets. Numbers?"

The Gatrellian who handed him the padd turned back from his work to answer. "Unknown at present, our sensor probes have been destroyed."

"Very well." Metcalf walked over to the window at the rear of the bridge. You're coming for me aren't you? Do you honestly believe that you can beat me?

Before you had the advantage. You could see ahead, see the paths that the time-streams were heading down. Now I see as you see.....and I will beat you.

************
USS Tigermoth-A.
Ready Room.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"How d'you mean?" Smithy glanced up at his wife as she paced back and forth. "You're going to wear out my new carpet doing that."

"I mean, is facing Metcalf on your own a good idea? Can't you at least take Sheehan with you?"

"Sheehan's needed here for when I've got the battleship's defences down."

"A security detail."

"They'd get in the way."

"Me."

"That....would not be a good idea."

Lisa stopped pacing. "Why the hell not? You took me along to the pirate base when we were trying to find Metcalf's superweapon. You took me along when trying out the Spitfire. You've taken me along on some of the most dangerous, harebrained missions ever. What's so different this tme?"

"You know what, you're right. There is nothing that different this time." Smithy sat back and sighed. "If I don't take you along I might fail. I mean, you are the perfect person to take along when you want to bring a ship's defences down due to your computer knowledge. But if you do come along.....I have to keep you safe."

"How about you don't worry about that. I can take care of myself, and I'll be armed. Now, show me the plans of this ship so we can work something out."

************
************

Just another short part. More coming soon.

[Scottish Andy]

Good stuff, Smithy! Keep it coming!

[Grim Reaper]

Dude i like your posting interval!

[James Smith]

I'm currently writing up what will probably be the final confrontation in this fic - it'll stretch over several parts due to the length, but I want to get it all written up in a basic form first. By the end of the weekend the first part will definitely be up 

[Jaeih t`Radaik]

Excellent news, Smithy! That's what I'm doing right now with 'Kestrel': making sure she's ready to fly again so there isn't an unexpected "loading" screen to slow down the posting interval.

I'm nearly done... really I am.

Honest!

[Grim Reaper]

Excellent news, Smithy! That's what I'm doing right now with 'Kestrel': making sure she's ready to fly again so there isn't an unexpected "loading" screen to slow down the posting interval.

I'm nearly done... really I am.

Honest!

[James Smith]

*************
*************
USS Tigermoth-A.
Bridge.

Sheehan glanced over at Ops. "Are they onboard?"

"Confirmed, sir."

"Helm, take us out to the rendez-vous co-ordinates. And now....we wait."

*************
Starship 'Galactic Domination'.
Section 12A-3.

A Gatrellian officer hurried along the section, his break almost up. You don't want to be late. Not after what happened to that other officer....

He stopped, hearing a muffled noise from one of the alcoves in the bulkhead. He cautiously approached the source of the sound.

Whump[/b]

Smithy grabbed his unconcious body and stuffed it into the alcove. "You won't do that next time." He motioned to Lisa to come out of her hiding spot.

"I'll get these charges planted on the control relays. Meet you at the rendez-vous?"

"Provided the plan doesn't end up changing. Good luck."

"And you." Lisa quickly kissed him and was gone.

Smithy stood alone for a few seconds, eyes closed. This was it. You feel my presence Bob? I'm making no attempt to hide it. I'm coming for you.

*************
Bridge.

Metcalf stirred uneasily. You're here.[/b] He motioned to the security commander. "Anything to report?"

The commander left the conversation he was having to stand next to Metcalf. "Lieutenant Rarnax hasn't reported in for his shift."

"Section 12, begin your search there. I have a feeling you'll find him."

The commanded saluted and left, leaving Metcalf alone to his brooding. What do you intend to do James? Take on my entire crew? You can't hope to win.[/b]

*************
Lisa finished placing the final charge and closed off the access port. All done. Now for part 2. She glanced at her watch. 18 minutes. I hope James is okay.

*************
The two guards never even saw Smithy coming. He lowered the pair gently to the ground, before placing them inside a storage compartment.

Smithy attached an electronic skeleton key to the door controls, working quickly. The door slid open, and he hurried through into the next section. One of the doors leading to the vessel's control centre was at the end of the corridor.

He felt a strange calmness overtake him, as pieces of the puzzle started to assemble themselves in the right order in his mind. Bob, Bob, Bob. How can you not see it? It's all so simple.

*************
Bridge.

"We found Rarnax, sir. He was in alcove A-3. Alive but unconcious."

"Stunned?"

"No, there was no nadion trace. He was knocked out by someone's fist."

Metcalf nodded. "Yes. That doesn't surprise me."

Both men turned as a security patrol entered the bridge. The leader saluted. "Sir, we found this woman attempting to access an engineering section." He pushed Lisa forward. "She was armed with this phaser."

Metcalf took the weapon, examining it. "Ah, new design. Much better ergonomics. Nice." He stared at Lisa. "So, do I kill you now or do I wait and see what your husband has planned? Yes, that'll work. I had to watch my spouse die at your hands....now you can watch James die at my hands."

"You're insane." Lisa struggled to keep any trace of fear out of her voice. Keep calm, everything is going to plan.

Metcalf turned to the patrol leader. "Any word on where he is?"

Before the leader could answer, the bridge rocked under an explosion and one of the bridge doors dissolved into flame. Several bridge officers were sent flying, almost everyone failing to stay on their feet. Smithy stepped through, and regarded the choas he'd just created with a dangerously calm note in his voice. "Right here Bob."

*************
*************

And there's the opening part of the final confrontation. I hope you all enjoy the ending, I'm certainly having fun writing it.

Excellent news, Smithy! That's what I'm doing right now with 'Kestrel': making sure she's ready to fly again so there isn't an unexpected "loading" screen to slow down the posting interval.

I'm nearly done... really I am.

Honest!

Hehe, sounds good Jaeih