July 12.

            "The Cardassian Union, the Romulan Empire, the Federation, and the Klingon Empire are the most major nations of my sixth of the galaxy," said Wesley.  "I guess that the Q-gate is what kept the. . ."  He read a name.  ". . .United Galactic Nations from coming into contact with the Romulans, the Federation, the Cardassians, the Klingons, or others.  The first hole in Q's Gate was the point where Q allowed us passage through his gate to explore this mass of the galaxy.  A little northeast of where the unexplored region of VideoLand has its northernmost border on the Romulan Empire is where the weakened portion of the Q-gate is, where the computer indicates '2nd hole in Q's gate.'  That is the point to which Ludwig is going."

            "And, when he gets there," said Wilykit, "that point in the Q-gate will be too weak to withstand his darned ship's disruptor blasts."

            "If he manages to negotiate an alliance with the Cardassians, it could be the devil for the Federation, the Klingons, and the Romulans."  They heard the sound of molecular transport.  They turned toward it, and they saw that Torreth, Sela, and Tomalak were arriving.  Wilykat went toward the three Romulans.

            "Welcome to Darkwing Tower," said Wilykat.  "Which of you is in charge?"  Tomalak and Torreth looked at each other.  Tomalak nodded to Torreth, who nodded back.

            "It is I, Commander Torreth," said Torreth.  She indicated Tomalak.  "This is Admiral Tomalak,. . ."  She indicated Sela.  ". . .and this is Commander Sela."

            To Torreth, Wilykat said, "Thank you, Commander Torreth."  He turned to Picard.  "You before me, Captain."

            "Thank you," said Picard, who walked closer to the Romulans until there were only 26 centimetres between Torreth and him.  "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Enterprise."  He indicated Data.  "That is my second officer, Lieutenant Commander Data."  He indicated Troi.  "Ship's counsellor, Lieutenant Commander Deanna Troi."  He indicated Wesley.  "And Cadet Wesley Crusher, temporarily captain during a shaky situation."

            "We have already met," said Wesley.

            "Yes," said Torreth.  "When that audacious Ludwig von Koopa came near the Romulan Empire and was followed by Mr. Crusher in the Enterprise.  Von Koopa certainly has a lot of nerve!  Making a replica of the Romulan Warbirds!"

            "What an audacious thing to do," agreed Wilykat.  "But pardon me.  I am Wilykat, whom Commander Steelheart put in charge of the mission of showing our five sixths of the galaxy to the Federation ship."  He indicated his sister.  "That's my twin sister, Wilykit, who helped the Enterprise in defeating Ludwig's Warbird in the Neutral Zone."  Wilykit nodded slightly.

            Torreth said, "Yes.  I met her, too.  I only wish that the Warbird's cloaking device could have been irreparably damaged."

            "Yes," said Wilykat.  He indicated Darkwing.  "And there's the N-Team division leader in this Galactic Area, Darkwing Duck.  The one I booted off the subspace waves."

            "Yeh, yeh, yeh!" said Darkwing.  "That is I, Darkwing Duck!  The terror that flaps in the night!  The cloaking device that fails just when the evildoer needs it the most!"

            "All right, Darkwing," said Wilykat.  "Enough of the nonsense, please, before I have to get Steelheart in here."

            "Excuse me," said Wilykit.  "We have something important over here."

            "We have worked out a probable course for Ludwig's Warbird and Metroid," said Wesley.  "We are very certain why Ludwig has chosen that course."  Wilykit went to the big screen in the centre of the room, activated it, and showed what appeared to be Q's gate.

            "That is the Q-gate," said Wilykit.  "It blocks off the sixth of the galaxy which is Federation, Romulan, Klingon, and Cardassian and all those others from our five sixths of the galaxy."  She showed the overlay of the galaxy shown earlier in this Act.  "That is what our galaxy looks like with the most major nations.  The five galactic areas are separate nations joined into a union.  A little northeast of where the unexplored region of VideoLand borders the Romulan Empire, there is a weak point in the Q-gate.  That is where Ludwig is headed.  By the time he arrives there, the point in the Q-gate will be weak enough for his disruptors to blast a hole through it.  He can pass through that hole into the Romulan Empire, take a turn to the southwest, and quickly form an alliance with the Cardassians."

            "I see," said Tomalak.

            "Damn," said Picard.  "That could greatly upset the balance of power in that entire sixth of the galaxy.  If Ludwig gave the Cardassians the cloaking device and such a powerful warp engine, not to mention the molecular disassociator cannon, they could conquer that entire section of the galaxy."

            "I thought that the Federation had an alliance with them," said Sela.

            "Not quite an alliance," said Picard.  "Just an agreement to keep from fighting.  I think the Cardassian government would probably love to blast us into oblivion.  All of us.  The Federation, the Romulan Empire, the Klingon Empire, the Ferengi Alliance, everyone."

            Torreth tapped the insignia on her collar to activate a communicator.  "Torreth to Kazara."

            "This is the Kazara," responded Narak's voice.

            "I would like to have a communication directly with Proconsul Ranott on Romulus.  How quickly can you get me one?"

            "I'm not certain, sir.  As far out as we are, the absolute best that we can possibly do is to get a connection is twelve days.  Then, there is that gate to be considered."

            "Stand-by."  She tapped the insignia again.  "Twelve days will be more than enough for Ludwig to form an alliance with those Cardassians."

            "We'd need to stop him before that," said Sela.  "But how?"  Everyone thought about this.  It was true that the Romulans would have to be the first ones to be warned, but no one could think of how to communicate with Romulus.

            "Well," said Darkwing, "I'm going to call Steelheart."  Wilykat glanced at Darkwing and nodded.  Darkwing tapped open a comm-line.  "Darkwing Tower to Commander Steelheart.  There's a problem."  Steelheart's face appeared on his screen.

            "What is it?" asked Steelheart.  "Did you put off the Romulans?"

            "No, this is serious," said Darkwing.  "Scan the gate through which the Enterprise and the Kazara came.  There will be a weak point on the west side."  Steelheart looked down and manipulated certain controls.

            "Yes," said Steelheart.  "A 90%-power disruptor blast will blow a hole right through that."

            "Well," said Darkwing, "Wilykit and Wesley Crusher just said that the other side of that hole was the Romulan Empire.  A few light-years southwest of that point also is the border between the Romulans and the Cardassian Union."

            "Hm," said Steelheart.  "Admiral Tomalak told me about them.  It appears that they have had one or two border skirmishes in the past few weeks."

            "Well, Ludwig might go barrelling down to Cardassia and quickly form a li'l alliance with the Cardassian Union.  He could give them cloaking technology, a powerful warp engine, and the molecular disassociator cannon."

            "In that case, we have a problem," said Steelheart.  "Ludwig did find a way to hide his ship completely from our sensors."

            "Wilykit did something to the readouts," said Darkwing.  "It just gave her a vague impression, but it was concrete enough to convince her and Wesley Crusher that Ludwig is heading toward that weak point in the Q-gate.  It would appear that Metroid is attached to the Warbird's head."

            "Great," said Steelheart.  She sighed.  "Well, we've got to stop Ludwig before he gets there.  Don't you think that you should call Romulus?"

            "Well, the Romulans can't," said Darkwing.  "Not in time, anyway.  It would take twelve days."

            "Give them access to our communications network," said Steelheart.

            "Say what?" demanded Darkwing.

            Steelheart said, "Give them access to our communications network so that they may contact Romulus, Darkwing.  Are you deaf or just hard of hearing?"

            "Give access to our communications network to the Romulans?"

            "Darkwing Duck, do it, or I'll boot you from your leadership position and give it to GizmoDuck without a single damn voting session!"

            "Oh, all right.  Darkwing out."  He cut the transmission.  He turned to Wilykat.  "Wilykat, I need to talk to you."  Wilykat came over to him.  "Steelheart just ordered me to give access of our communications network to the Romulans."

            "Very well," said Wilykat.  "Do it."  Darkwing sighed.

            "Okay," he said.  "Commander Torreth, the N-Team's communication network will be able to reach Romulus in a fraction of a second, if you wish to use it."

            "I see," said Torreth.  "One moment, please."  She motioned to Tomalak and Sela, who went to her.  "This is an opportunity to report to our superiors."

            "Yes," said Tomalak.  "I believe that we should do so before Ludwig has a chance to enter Romulan space."

            "Sela, you are the expert on human nature," said Torreth.  "What do you say?"  Sela thought.

            "I'm not certain," said Sela.  "I am inclined to saying that we should co-operate with the N-Team.  It is, after all, in our interests.  If Ludwig gives the cloaking technology and the disruptor cannon to the Cardassians, it will fire up the conflict and allow the Cardassians to conquer Romulan, Federation, and Klingon territory."

            "The Federation broke off our alliance with the Klingons," reminded Tomalak.

            "Tomalak, I mean no disrespect, but, if we had not even attacked the Khitomer Outpost, our alliance with the Klingons would not have been compromised in the first place.  We Romulans initiated that.  The Enterprise C only went there to help out."  Of course, she knew that she would not be around if that attack had not even happened.

            Tomalak sighed.  "You're right," he said.  "It was the Romulans who initiated that.  In fact, through most of our history, it has been we Romulans who have been aggressive.  I'm beginning to think that this distrust is eventually going to kill us."

            "Yes," said Sela.  "So, the distrust should end here.  Co-operation with the N-Team, the Federation, and the Klingons."

            "Very well," said Torreth.  She went over to Wilykat.  "We accept your offer."

            "We are pleased to be of assistance," said Wilykat.  "Okay, Darkwing.  Please, transfer the necessary codes for our communication system to the Romulans' frequencies."

            "Yes, Wilykat," said Darkwing.  He typed in the necessary codes and information.  "There.  That should do it."

            "I'll go up and call Romulus," said Sela.  She tapped her collar-insignia.  "This is Commander Sela to Kazara Transporter Room.  Please transport me up."

            "Yes, sir," replied the Romulan transporter officer.  Commander Sela disappeared into green energy.

            "Now," said Torreth, "there are probably some others who would desire to know of this incident."

            "Precisely.  Commander Data," said Picard, "go up to the Enterprise, brief Riker on the events that have just happened here.  Tell him that I would like him to call Admiral Johnson at Starbase 178 and to tell the admiral what happened and to ask the admiral to tell the Klingons what happened."

            "Aye, sir," said Data.  He stepped away and tapped his communicator.  "Transporter Room 3 of the Enterprise, this is Lieutenant Commander Data.  Please beam me up."  He dematerialised into bright energy.

            Wilykit stepped over to Darkwing's communications console and tapped a button.  Steelheart appeared on the screen.  "Steelheart," said Wilykit, "Ludwig's Warbird will have to drop its cloak before opening its hole in the Q-gate."

            "True," said Steelheart.  "What do you suggest?"

            "That you send someone to delay him."

            "I agree.  Steelheart out."  The screen blanked again.

            "You know," said Torreth, in a manner to make it look like something that just came to her mind, "I find it silly to think that we need a neutral zone between the Federation and the Romulan Empire to keep both sides from destroying each other.  Don't you agree, Captain Picard?"  Picard glanced offhandedly at Troi, who nodded.  Telling the truth, thought Picard.

            "Yes, I do, Commander," said Picard.  "If we are truly so civilised as we wish to seem, then our worlds need not be separated by such a thing."  The screen in the centre of the room shone with a yellow '2' across it, and an alarm sounded.  Wilykit almost ran to where she had been working.  Metroid, attached to the head of Ludwig's Warbird, was decloaking a few light-years away from the Q-gate.

            "Ludwig's Warbird and Metroid have decloaked," said Wilykit.  "They're raising shields.  At their current speed, they will reach the gate in five minutes."

            "They obviously anticipated our sending out someone," said Darkwing.  "They do not want to be surprised."

            A small Hawk's-Head symbol appeared where Hawkhaven was.  Suddenly, it was near where the Warbird and Metroid were.  "Some Silver Hawks have gone out in the Mirage to stop Ludwig," said Wilykit.  "But the Mirage is not powerful enough to stop the two combined."

            * * *

            Bridge, Warbird.

            Ludwig, sitting calmly in his command chair, turned to his computers.  He was tracking the Mirage.  "Excellent," he said.  "Roy, come here for a second."  Roy came from his position at the tactical station to Ludwig.  "The Mirage has come out to stop us, just as I expected."

            "Hm," said Roy.  "What do you want to do?"

            "Just knock out its engines," said Ludwig.  "A .5 laser blast should do the trick."

            "Aye," said Roy.  He returned to his station to calibrate the disruptor cannons.  Liquidator sloshed up in front of Ludwig's terminal station.

            "Yes, Liquie?" asked Ludwig patiently.

            Liquidator said, "The Kazara has established a communication with Romulus via the N-Team's communication network.  I cannot descramble the Romulan transmission code."

            "That does not matter," said Ludwig.  "We will be recloaked before we even enter Romulan territory.  The Enterprise might soon make a communication with the Federation.  Disregard that, as well.  Let them communicate.  What they can do will not stop us."

            "Very well, Prince," said Liquidator.  He left the Bridge.  Ludwig continued what he was doing.  He tapped a comm key.

            "Dr. Wily," he said, "how are you coming?"

            "Very well," replied Dr. Wily's voice.  "I've almost repaired the EM-bender, and I've modified it to bend all forms of radiation around us. . . including tachyon emissions."

            "Very good.  Keep at it."

            "Aye."  Ludwig cut off the comm-line.

            "Firing sequence keyed in," said Roy.

            Ludwig said, "Very well.  You may fire when ready."

            "Yes, Ludwig."  Roy hit the fire key.

            * * *

            Mirage.

            Approaching the Warbird in the Mirage, Quicksilver, Steelwill, and Bluegrass had an uneasy feeling.  "I don't like this," said Quicksilver.  "Why would Ludwig decloak so early?"

            "Maybe the son of a dog knew we'd be here," said Bluegrass.  Something beeped.  "Their left disruptor array is charging up."

            "Uh, oh!  Beat it!"

            "Too late!"  The Warbird shot a bolt of laser energy that smacked the Mirage and put out its engines.  "Durn!  That bad boy done knocked out our engine power!"

            "Fix the engines," said Quicksilver.

            "I can't out here," said Bluegrass.  "We need to be in drydock to do it."

            "Then, we can't stop the Warbird before it gets into Romulan space," said Steelwill.

            * * *

            Bridge, Kazara.

            ". . .and that is our problem, Proconsul," said Sela, communicating with Proconsul Ranott, a high-ranking member of the government on Romulus.  "Prince Ludwig von Koopa's Warbird is almost absolutely undetectable when cloaked.  I would suggest that at least three warships be sent, cloaked, out to the gash that will appear at the co-ordinates which I have specified."

            "I agree with your advice," said Ranott.  "I thank you for your information, Commander Sela.  I believe that pursuing a good relationship with the Federation would be an excellent idea.  Should this von Koopa form an alliance with the Cardassian Union, the safety of this entire sixth of the galaxy would be jeopardised.  Already, we have had another border skirmish with a Cardassian warship.  I would send out a Warbird to the Federation for the purposes of diplomatic relations.  First, however, I need it to be voted upon."

            "Hm," said Sela.  "If I were on the council, I would vote in favour."

            "Yes.  The number of people agreeing with the idea is becoming more and more numerous in the senate and in the council with each day, with each attack by the Cardassians, and with every passing hour.  Meanwhile, try to pursue a peaceful relationship with this N-Team and with the Federation officers."

            "Yes, sir," said Sela.  "Commander Sela out."  The bird-of-prey symbol of the Romulan Empire appeared on the screen.  She was communicating on Torreth's terminal.  Torreth had already informed the crew of the Kazara that they were to treat Sela as if she were Torreth herself.  "Okay," said Sela to herself.  "What are they up to now?"  She tapped on the terminal to a galaxy overview.  The symbol of the Brain-Team was still approaching the weak point in the Q-gate.  The Silver Hawks symbol came near it.  Suddenly, the Brain-Team symbol blasted the Silver Hawks symbol out of warp.  Sela could not resist muttering under her breath, "Damn."  Weighing the situation, she sat back in the command chair and thought.  She mumbled to herself, "What should I do?"  She looked at the main viewer, which was displaying the Enterprise.  She ordered, "Hail the Enterprise."  The weapons officer followed her order without question, though he definitely had one.  Riker's face appeared on the screen.

            "This is Commander Riker of the Enterprise," said Riker.

            "This is Commander Sela on board the Kazara," said Sela.  "Might I come over and discuss some matters with you, Commander?"

            "Certainly," said Riker.  "Shall I have you transported over?"

            "Yes, if you do not mind.  You may beam me over as soon as you are ready."

            "Very well.  Transporter Room 1, lock onto Commander Sela, and transport her over on my command."

            "Aye, sir," replied a voice in the background.

            "Thank you," said Sela.  That was the weapons officer's signal to terminate the communication.  "Sub-Commander Narak, as soon as I leave, you have command until Torreth, Tomalak, or I return."

            "Yes, sir," said Narak.  "Good luck, Commander Sela."

            "Thank you."  With that, she was transported away to the Enterprise.

            * * *

            Observation Lounge, Enterprise.

            This time, Sela took the seat when it was offered to her.  "Now, Commander," said Riker, "what may I do for you?"

            "I have just communicated with Proconsul Ranott on Romulus," she said.  "He is going to try to pass a movement which, I hope, will put the Romulans and the Federation on better terms."  Riker smiled.

            "How nice," he said.  "Does it have anything to do with our present situation?"

            "Yes," said Sela.  "The Kazara is presently the only D'Kazanak Class Warbird.  The D'Deridex Warbirds are unable to handle Ludwig's Warbird, which is about to blast into Romulan space."

            "I have been informed that there is the greatest possibility that he will do that," said Riker.  "In addition, there is the greatest possibility that he will form a speedy treaty with Cardassia."

            Sela said, "Yes.  Were he to do that, he would give the Cardassians the cloaking device and the disruptor, not to mention a speedy warp engine.  The Romulan Empire has recently had a couple of border skirmishes with the Cardassian Union already.  With those three devices, the Cardassians could conquer the sixth of the galaxy that we Romulans, the Federation, the Klingons, and the Cardassians themselves dominate.  I would believe it to be in the interests of both our peoples for the Romulans and the Federation to at least become partners in case the Cardassians accept Ludwig's possible proposal, ally with him, and refit their ships with some of the most terrible weapons in the area."

            "I see," said Riker.  "Have you discussed this with your superiors?"

            "I have, indeed, discussed this with Proconsul Ranott on Romulus," said Sela.  "He said that an increasing number of senators and proconsuls in the Romulan government are agreeing that the Romulans should attempt to form diplomatic relations with the Federation, with each successive day and with each successive Cardassian attack.  He told me to pursue a peaceful relationship with you officers of this ship and with the N-Team."  Riker could not resist being at least a little bit amused.  Though she understood, Sela just had to ask, "You don't believe me?"

            Riker said, "Well, Commander Sela, let's put it this way.  I've fallen into one too many traps to be able to accept much at face value.  Plus, our counsellor is down on that planet.  I don't exactly have her talent."

            "I see," said Sela.  "You are simply cautious, to avoid falling into a trap.  I can understand.  How are the Federation's relations with the Cardassians holding up?"

            "They're holding up," said Riker.  "The problem is that we needed to plant steel beams to help them hold up.  Ludwig's giving them technology may be the disruptor blast which will destroy those beams."

            "I see," said Sela.  "How about where reporting is concerned?"

            "I have to make one," said Riker.  "Now that Captain Picard has informed me about what's going on."

            "Well," said Sela, "it has been a pleasure to meet you, Commander Riker."

            "As here, Commander Sela," said Riker.  "Good day."

            "Jolan tru {Zhó-lahn trú} [Romulan] (Good day)," replied Sela.  "Same expression in Romulan."  She stood and touched her collar-insignia.  "Commander Sela to Kazara.  Please transport me from the Enterprise directly to Commander Torreth's co-ordinates on Darkwing's Earth."

            "Yes, sir," replied the transporter operator.  Sela disappeared in green light.  Riker left for the Main Bridge.

            * * *

            Main Bridge.

            "How was your conversation with Commander Sela?" inquired Data as Riker came onto the Main Bridge.

            "Informative," said Riker.  "She told me that the Romulans have been having some trouble with the Cardassians.  One or two border skirmishes.  She said that an increasing number of members of the Romulan government are coming to agree with the idea that the Romulans should attempt diplomatic negotiations with the Federation.  Negotiations that are a vast improvement over what we've been having."

            "I see, sir," said Data.

            "She just transported down to the surface," said Riker.  "My feelings about her tell me that she's telling the truth.  However, I cannot ignore the possibility that she might be lying."

            Data said, "I understand.  I believe that you should soon make that call to Starbase 178, Commander.  It was of Captain Picard's orders."

            "Yes," said Riker.  "I shall attend to that immediately.  In the meantime, you return to the surface, see if the captain needs anything."

            "Aye, sir," said Data before heading for a turbolift.

            "Lieutenant Worf," said Riker, "you have the Bridge."

            "Aye, sir," said Worf as Riker stepped into the Ready Room.  There, he strode over to the captain's position behind the desk and activated the terminal.

            "This is the Enterprise calling Starbase 178," said Riker.  "Please respond as soon as possible."  In a few seconds, the screen's image changed to that of Admiral Johnson.

            "This is Admiral Johnson of Starbase 178," replied the admiral.  "Go ahead, Commander Riker."

            "I have called to report," said Riker.  "Have you received the information packet we recently sent?"

            "Yes," said Johnson.  "I have read it.  Very interesting.  Do you think it fortunate to have met with the Romulans?"

            "I think so, but I am not 100% certain," said Riker.  "You know that Ludwig fellow we told you about?"

            "Yes."

            "And that gate Q made to protect our sixth of the galaxy?"

            "That, too."

            "Well, there is a weak point northeast of the Romulo-Cardassian border.  This Ludwig chap, for all intents and purposes, appears to be heading for that weak point in his own Warbird to blast a hole in it and to be going to form swiftly an alliance with the Cardassians.  With the technology he can give them, the Cardassians would be an extreme menace.

            "Also, I've met with Commander Sela, one of the three in-charge Romulans.  She informed me that she had just contacted a Romulan proconsul and discussed the situation with him.  She said that he said that there had been a few border skirmishes between the Romulans and the Cardassians and that an increasing number of people in the Romulan government were becoming in accord with the notion that the Romulans should try to establish more friendly terms with the Federation.  I'm no telepath, but I believe her."

            "I see," said Johnson.  "Well, the Cardassians have just been getting on everyone's nerves lately.  They just ripped off a Ferengi cargo ship heading for Romulan space.  They just had some skirmishes with the Klingons within their shared zone.  According to Commander Sisko, they almost attacked the Deep Space Nine station.  The Klingons report that they will interpret five such more attacks or one all-out attack as an act of war, and the Federation will join them if the Cardassians attack again.  The Romulans have been unusually worried about this.  They have reported border-skirmishes to us.  No major warships involved, just some transport vessels and more minor warships.  The Ferengi are exasperated.  They just said that they would not trade with the Cardassians until they paid for the goods they had stolen."

            "So," said Riker, "Cardassia is getting on everyone's nerves, eh?"

            "Yes," said Johnson.  "They're damned bad enough as it is without a cloaking device."

            "Add to that disruptors and more powerful warp engines," said Riker.  "Those three things straight from Ludwig.  Only the Romulans can stop him before he gets into Cardassian territory."

            "Well, we can only hope for the best," said Johnson.  "You'd better talk about all this to Picard.  Good luck, Commander.  Johnson out."  The screen flashed to black.  The intercom beeped.

            "Riker here," asked Riker patiently.

            Data responded, "I am ready to beam down, sir."  Riker thought before he gave his reply.

            "Hang on a moment, Data," said Riker.  "Please come back up here.  I have some things you need to tell the captain."