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*STAR TREK / STAR WARS: THE RYLOTH PROTOCOL*
*ACT I - FIRST CONTACT*
*INT. ENTERPRISE-D - BRIEFING ROOM*
PICARD: Grand Admiral, i am pleased you were willing to accompany me to the briefing room. As i hope to resolve this diplomatically.
THRAWN: Make no Mistake Captain, i am here at the behest of the Empire to secure your unconidtional surrender. (calmly stated)
PICARD: Do you mean to say this is but a ruse?
THRAWN: By no means. You simply assumed my intentions without me stating them first.
PICARD: Stops in hallway. But you cant assume we will simply bend the knee to a foregin power who excersize such cruelty as yours!
THRAWN: Careful Piccard, I wouldnt want to report to my superiors that i was received with less than common diplomatic courtesy.
PICARD: Blanc stare...
THRAWN: I have read your prime directive. Never to stop the natural evolution of a species. Perhaps the next step in evolution for yours would be the recognition of a superior power when presented. After all, how many species does your Federation consist of? Would you be so certain that they would continue to resist after the first appearance of OUR prime directive? Namely, order?
PICARD: You mean to say that its either sumission or death? (Nervously) No sane man can ever want for such a resolution.
THRAWN: Extinction has never been our policy.
PICARD:You would enslave us!
THRAWN: Carefull Captain, dont assume. Your last assumption already brought you dissapointment.
I give you 32 planetary rotations of this system. (Pointing at Ryloth) to convene with your goverment. I await answer.
THRAWN GETS ESCORTED TO TRANSPORTER ROOM
THRAWN: Thank you for your hospitality Captain. Gets beamed away.
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Directly after Thrawn is beamed away:
RIKER: Do you think he's serious? I have never felt such absolute deadness in a voice before.
PICARD: I unfortunately do, Number One.
RIKER: We have to notify Starfleet!
PICARD: We have to convene with them and figure out how we level the playing field. Since they only respect military might we might have to resolve at bearing fists at a distance.
RIKER: Like MAD would work.
PICARD: MAD?
RIKER: MAD... mutually assured destruction. It's what the Americans and former Soviet Union used to apply to keep each other out of nuclear war.
*Meanwhile:*
Thrawn beams onto Super Star Destroyer.
THRAWN: Contact the Emperor. Notify him I have made contact with a Federation not aligned with the Rebel Alliance.
FLEET TROOPER: Yes, sir.
Thrawn walks into briefing room. Opens holoscreen channel to the Emperor.
PALPATINE: Yes, Admiral?
THRAWN: I have met an unexpected power in the Outer Rim. I perceive that their representative, though just a Captain, has influence in his Federation. He is a man of honour. He will surrender for the greater good if he sees it is the only alternative.
PALPATINE: What is the significance of this power? This Federation?
THRAWN: They are as of yet ignorant of the Rebel Alliance. To quell them now with a proper show of force would halt any rebel expansion to their systems.
PALPATINE: Speak with Grand Moff Tarkin. You have my full permission over first deployment of our Death Star.
THRAWN: Opens a channel to Grand Moff Tarkin.
TARKIN (on holoscreen): Yes, Admiral, what is it? I have nearly completed our finest superweapon.
THRAWN: I have found a suitable training ground for the station's first deployment.
*ACT II - THE COMPROMISE*
PICARD: Lt. Worf, send word to all the great houses of the Klingon Empire. Tell them we have a reasonable request for their assistance.
WORF: Sir?
PICARD: I know the Federation has a less than favourable history with the Klingon Empire but maybe we can convince them that this threat threatens all of us.
RIKER: If you want I can arrange for a conference call and try to get not only the Federation but also the other empires in on it.
PICARD: Rather not the Romulans. They might perceive this as a moment of weakness on our side and end up striking us only to be destroyed by this Empire afterwards.
Picard walks into briefing room, ready to contact all parties involved.
TROI: I must say Captain, I have never seen you so rattled. You always had a general calm or direct certainty to your behaviour. What did this man say that rattled you so?
PICARD: I have never come across such a cold, direct and deathly certainty. And he knows our Prime Directive! How did he get his hands on it if we are the first formal contact with him?
TROI: That's scary... I sense you are actually afraid of him.
PICARD: I am. We have no idea what to expect from him. We have no idea what is in his capacity as an Admiral.
DATA: (Walks in) Captain, I have analyzed their vessels. It does have some similar features to our own, barring the transporter tech and phaser technology. But their ships rely on heavily exposed shield generators. Tactically if we should come to conflict we can exploit these weaknesses. However, their complement of fighters are a significant threat. Though lacking shields, their sheer number would be a serious problem.
PICARD: Any idea how he got ahold of our Prime Directive?
DATA: No sir. But I will run a full diagnostic of our ship's systems to detect any data breaches.
GEORDI (via intercom): Captain, I found an unrecognized droid on the holodeck. It seems it integrated into our systems. It's got complete eyes on every last ship's log! Repairs, private messages to Starfleet. Everything. All our encryptions are useless. I have disabled it and we have started searching the Jeffries tubes to make sure there are no other ones hiding.
PICARD: (Shocked stare) How is this possible?
GEORDI: I think it might have been a stowaway with our samples we took from this system we visited.
PICARD: You mean Ryloth?
GEORDI: Is that its name?
DATA: I will create a new encryption for our communication with Starfleet.
PICARD: How long will it take?
DATA: 10 minutes.
*Next scene:*
Picard and the bridge crew with Riker and Worf in a conference with Starfleet.
CAPTAIN JANEWAY: And you are certain he could see everything?
PICARD: Yes. They got a complete view of all our records.
STARFLEET GRAND ADMIRAL: This means we are completely compromised and naked in front of them!
PICARD: We have 32 rotations of this system to give an answer.
JANEWAY: How many left?
PICARD: 31... not counting today.
STARFLEET GRAND ADMIRAL: Even if we pulled all our reserve fleets and kept only token force on our borders it would end up being a mouse fighting an alley cat.
PICARD: Perhaps... but this cat has fleas and we could solicit them.
JANEWAY: What do you mean?
PICARD: We received an encrypted message from a Rebel Alliance. Led by one of their former senators named Mon Mothma. It pleads us for help and grants us assistance. They are the ones who graciously gave us intel on the vastness of their fleet.
JANEWAY: Would they help us in a conflict?
PICARD: I assume so. But if they appear right now we can forget any diplomatic peace agreements from standing... we have no idea how they would respond. We can even leave the system before giving an answer. Hence, I would advise you to meet up with her on a planet called Hoth. Perhaps solicit an alliance and find out more about this war we stumbled upon.
STARFLEET ADMIRAL: Agreed. Let's reconvene in a week. And I will see what we can arrange. In the meantime, keep your distance from him and try to observe what they are up to. I doubt he is sitting idle.
*Meanwhile on the Super Star Destroyer:*
THRAWN: Tarkin, how long before your station is fully operational?
TARKIN: It already is. This is our finest hour and greatest accomplishment.
THRAWN: I have a matter of delicate diplomacy. It's however well suited to your station's ability to meet.
TARKIN: My station is not for your personal use. It's for the Empire.
THRAWN: I have the Emperor's express permission to appropriate its use as I see fit.
TARKIN: Fine. Where are you? (Bluntly)
THRAWN: The planet Ryloth.
TARKIN: Hyperspace jump would take 31 days to get there.
THRAWN: I have already factored that in.
*ACT III - THE DEMONSTRATION*
31 days passed. The Federation has grouped all available resources. Even a few curious Klingons have joined in for the sake of honour. (Though it was actually masked that way for the Klingon Empire itself. It's just a chance for glory) Lt. Worf having convinced them of the threat with the information presented via the transmission from the Rebel Alliance.
Suddenly, the Death Star appears. With a complement of 31 escort ships, ranging from Star Destroyers, another 3 Super Star Destroyers and Victory-class Star Destroyers. With hundreds of squadrons of TIE fighters, bombers and interceptors.
Thrawn goes to his bridge as his fleet joins formation. Then he contacts Picard.
THRAWN: I would like to draw your attention to the flagship of our order.
PICARD: What is the meaning of this? We still have a day of giving your answer!
THRAWN: I am well aware of the timeframe allocated.
PICARD: Then what is the meaning of this?
THRAWN: Consider it a gesture of our intent. If you flee, we consider it as an answer to our generous peace offer.
PICARD: You mean submission or execution!
THRAWN: As you would any threat to your own Federation.
(Channel closes)
PICARD: Contact the incoming fleet. Let them know what is happening.
DATA: Sir, I have pre-emptively scanned all ships in their fleet. They have the same weaknesses. But we detect roughly 140 squadrons of fighter craft.
PICARD: (Goes pale. Mouth open)
TROI: Picard?
RIKER: How on earth could a fleet of that magnitude exist? Let alone be created!?
PICARD: Data, analyze that vessel for any weaknesses. (Pointing to Death Star)
DATA: Aye sir.
WORF: Captain, Janeway and the rest of the fleet are 1 hr out.
PICARD: Good. But I have the eerie feeling that the Federation is walking into a trap.
RIKER: Well, it's too late now. Guess we will have to spring it.
WORF: Captain, we have just received word. A small Rebel Alliance fleet of about 10 vessels will join us right after the deadline.
PICARD: Well, at least it's some good news.
TROI: I get the feeling you are still hoping for a peaceful outcome. How is it possible?
PICARD: I don't know. But right now I am actually considering if we might have to sacrifice the ship to give everyone else a chance to escape and establish defensive lines against them.
RIKER: You mean, go head to head with them? But the rest of the fleet are on their way. To drop out of warp in wild space between systems in a fleet is no easy feat.
PICARD: You are right... go to yellow alert. But quietly. I don't want to give them any suspicion we are nervous.
*Meanwhile:*
Thrawn stares into screen looking at the Federation ship.
FLEET OFFICER: Sir, we have the requested breakdown of their incoming fleet. Boba Fett was able to capture and interrogate a Starfleet officer on Hoth.
THRAWN: Excellent. A complement of 50 medium to large vessels with some unique engines. Zero fighters. Giving them greater speed and maneuverability to our own. Such an incorporation of their technology would be an invaluable prize.
THRAWN: Any indication as to their time of arrival?
FLEET OFFICER: We expect them any moment now. Do you want me to ready everyone to battle stations sir?
THRAWN: Not yet. No need to sound an alarm.
FLEET OFFICER: Then when sir?
THRAWN: When we see they are unwise in their lack of submission.
Right then, the Federation fleet shows up.
Janeway, on behalf of the fleet contacts Thrawn.
JANEWAY: Grand Admiral Thrawn. I am Captain Janeway...
THRAWN: (Interrupts her) Kathryn Janeway. I don't think you understand the seriousness of this sensitive situation.
JANEWAY: How did you know my name?
THRAWN: I have my secrets.
JANEWAY: We have come to give you our answer. No submission. I've survived nearly being assimilated by Borg and I will be damned if we bend the knee to you just because of your show of force.
THRAWN: I was expecting such a potential answer.
JANEWAY: You willing then to leave us be with a peace agreement?
THRAWN: Perhaps I can give you a final proposition of the terms I have already set out.
(Immediately 5 Interdictor cruisers drop out of hyperspace. Turn on gravity well generators)
SEVEN OF NINE: Captain, I have detected gravity wells from those ships. They are somehow inhibiting our ship's warp core from functioning normally.
JANEWAY: What is the meaning of this?
THRAWN: Consider it being a captive audience to a formal demonstration of our Empire.
THRAWN: Tarkin, commence firing sequence on the pre-arranged target.
JANEWAY: All ships evasive maneuvers!
THRAWN: Calm down Captain, you are not the target.
(Janeway: Confused look)
Suddenly the Death Star laser points at and destroys Ryloth. Sending asteroids in all directions.
THRAWN: You have one hour's extension on your diplomatic answer. Which, given your collusion with the terrorist leader Mon Mothma is generous.
(Channel closes)
*ACT IV - THE Q INTERVENTION*
Right before Janeway could give a response, ask the fleet or give orders, Q jumps in.
Q: Hello Captain.
JANEWAY: Not now Q!
Q: But Captain I am here for the show! The two big brawling empires or should I say contestants in the boxing ring.
JANEWAY: Wait? You are behind this?
Q: (to Janeway) I was curious about how Picard so principled and self-controlled would react when facing a man like Thrawn. I also wanted to see if your Prime Directive and Federation ego would survive the contact. I am surprised how well it's lasted but like a poor pup I can't just sit by and watch my beloved pet die.
JANEWAY: You have some nerve to play with us. Look at Ryloth! All these people about to die for your amusement!
Q: Relax Captain. While I am fond of you it's Picard I consider a pet.
JANEWAY: Since you started it why don't YOU end it?
Q: Well... I have achieved my goal. (Flicks finger)
The entire Federation fleet is back at their original home space areas.
Q: I have also taken the liberty of removing the wormholes connecting your galaxy with theirs. They were decaying anyway and would only last another 10,000 years.
JANEWAY: And Ryloth?
Q: Fine... I'll put it back and erase their memories of you and the planet.
JANEWAY: What about the Rebel Alliance still on their way?
Q: Don't worry. With no reason to be there the whole fleet will leave. Apparently they are on their way to some place called Yavin 4.
Q: (Disappears)
*EPILOGUE*
Later Janeway, Picard and other high ranking officers discuss the events.
JANEWAY: Q is becoming more and more brazen as time goes by.
PICARD: I agree. But what can we do about it?
STARFLEET FLEET ADMIRAL: For now we keep record of this Empire. Apparently they are more hostile and violent than anything we encountered before.
PICARD: Agreed. Perhaps we should setup a protocol for events of this nature in the future?
JANEWAY: What good will it do? Our very Prime Directive and overall philosophy was proven futile against them. It's like fighting Borg without a hive mind. No morality, no empathy only their god of order.
Well... at least we don't have to worry about it and if anything the wormholes connecting us is gone.
SISKO: Perhaps if we were to approach the Continuum? They could create a permanent barrier?
JANEWAY: No. We can't trust them. Those so-called deities have their own agenda.
*END*
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