The Sovereign entered Spacedock. And not docked far from her, were two other ships, the Mystic and the Leeds.
"I wonder how they manage to fit so many large ships in this thing?" Tac said.
"Skill, and a lot of help from God." Grasmick replied.
Tac heard his panel beep, "The Mystic is hailing us."
"Put them on screen," Grasmick waited until an old friend was on screen, "Well, well, well. They finally get both of our ships in Spacedock at the same time, Captain Schleicher."
"Do you think we'll both fit? I mean, you, me, our ships, the Leeds..." Schleicher said.
"You just stop there, Clint. Where are all of these members of our high school class getting together?"
"Spacedock lounge 35, overlooking my ship."
"Aaron and I will be there in about 20 minutes."

20 minutes later, Grasmick and his chief engineer walked into Spacedock lounge 35. Everyone hollered at them as they sat down. They spoke with old friends, many they hadn't seen in years. It wasn't a large group, but they were there.
Grasmick was speaking to the whole group, "Anyway, after I 'left' the Enterprise, I ended up being chief engineer of the Endeavor, but then the Borg came. Afterwards I was first officer of the Galaxy, then I commanded a shipyard, and then I was sent to where I am now, the Sovereign."
An classmate of his from a German class asked, "Did you bring the Sovereign with you?
Grasmick thought a moment, and stared at Schleicher, "If Captain Schleicher wouldn't have parked the Mystic right in front of the window over there, you would be able to see her."
Another friend of his asked, "How much of this story are you making up?"
Grasmick stood up to speak, when Admiral Bennett came up behind him, "He's making most of it up, except for the part about him just doing his job."
"Admiral, when I get the opportunity to replicate some snowballs, I'll..." Grasmick looked at a solemn look on Bennett's face, "What is it?"
Bennett handed Grasmick a PADD, which Grasmick began reading, "From Starfleet Intelligence to Fleet Admiral J. Robert Bennett. Subject, Shadow terrorist organization plot to carry out murder and assassination of Federation officials and civilians. Bob, what is this?"
"Keep reading."
"The Shadow terrorist organization has conspired to carry out the deaths of several ranking officials and civilians of the United Federation of Planets. We suspect that they are doing this to remove 'barriers' to their cause. You will find attached to this report a list of confirmed kills. Please pass this report on to the necessary officers under your area of operations that will likely face the Shadows in a situation where combat will be involved. Ok Bob, I've read it. Why am I getting this?"
"Scroll down to number 45 of the list of confirmed dead. You have a right to know."
Grasmick began scrolling down the list of names. He saw a few prominent politicians, as well as a few Starfleet admirals and captains that he knew, but when he saw his father listed as number 45, he nearly went into shock. He dropped the PADD, he tried to sit down, but missed the chair and landed on the floor. "How?" he asked Bennett in a frightened voice.
"Well, you have pissed them off and didn't realize it. We think they traveled back and time and killed him. They must have thought it was a time before you were born. Prevent your birth, prevent all the times you have saved the Federation's butt, especially all those times you played diplomat and force to be reckoned with this past summer."
"Who?" he asked as he stood up.
"I don't think I can tell you that."
"WHO?" Grasmick screamed.
"I CAN'T tell you."
"Then I'll go ask someone who can." Grasmick left.
One of his high school friends, who was one of the volleyball players, asked, "What was that about?"
Bennett picked up the PADD and handed it to her, "It's a list of confirmed kills by the Shadows. Number 45 is his father."

Grasmick was devastated. He hadn't felt so bad since that day in February when he was 11. He nearly was in shock when his Dad died, and he nearly was now. He was, however, able to fly his runabout home, but after he landed, he stood up, took two steps, and tried to sit down again, missing his chair. He stayed sitting their, with his head to his knees. "Why? Why so close to Christmas?" he said to himself.
Out of no where, he heard a sound, "Crinky, that sounds like a damn runabout."
The runabout came to a hover above the landing pad that Grasmick had built for his runabout. Two people beamed down.
Grasmick heard a tap on the port hatch of the Gary, "Brando, get up off of 'yer ass and open the damn hatch."
Grasmick moved back to the pilot seat, hit the hatch open button, and sat staring forward. His two friends walked in, "Well Brando, what the hell is wrong with you?"
"Chris Martin, watch yourself. I'm not in a good mood." Grasmick said.
"Ok. I saw you bring the Sovereign into Spacedock." Martin said.
Grasmick was in no mood to talk to anyone, "Captain Martin, just return to the Leeds and leave me alone."
"Hell no, I won't go. At least not until our friend speaks with you." Martin replied.
"Damnit Chris," Grasmick stood up with phaser drawn and turned around, "What is she doing here?"
Grasmick was shocked to see Melissa Teahon, "Surprised to see me? I'm the only one who has access to the intelligence report you need that is willing to give it to you."
Martin spoke next, "You see my human friend, we being friends of yours heard of your predicament and came to help."
Grasmick holstered his phaser, "Well then, my El-Aurian friend, go set down the Hazard in what is left of this years beat field, harvest has been done for over a month and a half. Melissa, get that INTEL report. I need to plan a small assault mission. Oh, and Chris? Don't act dumb when I find out stuff like this."

Admiral Bennett, Captain Schleicher, and a few of Grasmick's and Schleicher's high school friends walked into Bennett's office at Starfleet headquarters.
"I'm wondering if I did the right thing," Bennett said.
"How's that, Admiral?" Schleicher asked.
"Telling Brandon what happened. He's likely to go after these goons and take the whole damn UFP with him." Bennett replied.
"Tell me about it," Schleicher said, "You should have been with us when we flew his shuttlecraft to Pluto after our high school graduation."
Bennett chuckled, "I was. I rescued your behinds, remember?"
"Well in that case..." Schleicher was interrupted by the intercom.
"Leetee to Bennett, we have a small situation brewing out on the Breen border."

"Admiral, with all due respect, I have a few problems now. Not the least of which is that the Sovereign needs repairs." Grasmick said.
Bennett replied, "As if you need to tell me. There are other ships in the area, but I'm sending you out."
"Why? Do you think I'm planning on going after the Shadows?"
"Yes."
"What makes you think that?"
"Every time you and Captain Martin are anywhere near each other, havoc is sure to follow."
"Need I point out the time you and JP Hanson...."
"Don't ever bring that up ever again. Go see what the Breen are doing, the Mystic and the Leeds will back you up. Bennett out." Grasmick's comm screen went blank.
"Chris?" Grasmick asked.
"Wait a minute," Martin's commbadge had beeped, leading Grasmick to think that his friend was soon to be officially informed of his back up duty.
"Melissa, are you up to perfoaming some temp duty on the Big Sov?" Grasmick asked.
"Perfoaming?" she said with a chuckle.
"Performing. So I can't talk today. Beat me with a stick why don't ya!"

Grasmick sat in his chair in the observation lounge on the Sovereign, "That's about the size of it. We go out, figure out what the Breen are doing, and come home. Lt. Commander Teahon will be pulling some temp duty in your department, Tac. Any questions?"
Wilson stood up, "When do we get to go kick the ass of the person or persons responsible for killing your Dad?" Everyone pretty much agreed with him.
"Tac, why do you think I asked Melissa to join us? And why is Bennett stupid enough to send the Leeds as back up?" Grasmick said.
"Well, either he wants us to, or he just plain forgot." Tac replied.
"Knowing Bennett, neither. Also knowing Bennett, that is why Schleicher and the Mystic will be with us as well. Clint is not likely to let us go grab the SOB's that gave Dad the heart attack."
Peterson laughed, "Since when would Schleicher slow down and follow the rules?"
"Aaron, I think you just answered your own question," Grasmick said, "Let's get to departure stations, we need to go handle the Breen and the Shadows."

"Control to Mystic, you are clear to leave dock." Control reported.
Schleicher ordered, "Helm, ahead one-quarter impulse, follow the Sovereign out of here."
"Aye, sir." The helm officer replied.
Schleicher was quite unsure about this shotgun-mission. He had to fly backup of the Sovereign with the Leeds, AND keep tabs on one of his best friends, the captain of the Sovereign. Admiral Bennett told him that Grasmick would do something to go after the three people that had killed his father. To top that off, he had almost everyone from his high school reunion onboard.
"We are clear of Spacedock. The Leeds is beginning departure." Schleicher's first officer reported.
"Very well. XO, the bridge is yours. I have some guests to tend to in 10-Forward." Schleicher said as he left.

Like Captain Schleicher, Captain Grasmick was unsure about this mission. Although, he had very different things to worry about. He was once again carrying the weight of his fathers death on his shoulders, he had to worry about possibly taking his and two other ships into a combat situation, and he had to worry about one of his best friends looking after him. He knew that Bennett had sent Schleicher and the Mystic to keep an eye on him. How he'd be able to shake the Mystic was something of a mystery to him, but he first had to worry about the Breen.
"Captain, we are approaching the Breen border." Tumok said.
"We'll hold station here. Send a signal to the Mystic and the Leeds, tell them to hold position 10 light-years from us." Grasmick said.

"Damn, they sent the Sovereign." James Baker said.
"It would appear that our attempt to start a war between the Federation and the Breen will fail," one of his aides said.
"It would appear so. Damn. We come so close to stopping the Federation, and then Grasmick shows up."
"James, why don't you just walk up to the door at his Earth home, knock, wait until he opens the door, and then just blast him with a phaser?"
"That would be too easy."
"Do you think he knows by now what you did to his father? Our mole at Starfleet headquarters caught wind of an intelligence report about our Strategic Assassination Plan."
"Starfleet's admiralty wouldn't be stupid enough to tell Grasmick about what I did with Lex and Torvan. Besides, even if they know about the SAP, what can they do about it?
"Absolutely nothing, James."
"Right, absolutely nothing. We are on what is the largest type of ship that the Dominion has built. How we managed to buy 20 of them off of the Founders I still don't know. This may be our last chance to kill Grasmick. Disengage the cloaking device and open fire."

"Sweet merciful crap!" Tac said, "Dominion supercrusier decloaking dead ahead."
"Quit stealing my lines, Tac," Grasmick said as the Sovereign was rocked by weapons blasts, "Is that one of those that the Shadows have?"
"That's affirm, Brando," Tac said, "Firing phasers!"
The Sovereign fired phasers.
"No damage, Tac. Send a message to the Leeds and the Mystic, we'll need help on this one." Grasmick said.

"Ok, begin tests on the..." Captain Martin was interrupted by his tactical officer.
"Captain, we are receiving a message from the Sovereign, they are under attack," he said.
"Go to battlestations. Plot an intercept course and engage at maximum warp."

The Sovereign took another hit. "Tac!" Grasmick shouted.
"Firing torpedoes!" he said. He then let loose a full spread of Quantum torpedoes, "Direct hit, they aren't moving."
"Good shooting, Tac. Hail them, I want to know what the hell their deal is." Grasmick said.
Tac opened the comm line. They then met the face of the Federations newest enemy for the first time.
"Ahh, Captain Grasmick, the epitome of evil in the Federation." James Baker said.
Grasmick replied, "You really have room to talk. How many people have the Shadows slaughtered?"
"We have slaughtered no one. We only rid the galaxy of doers of evil as we prepare to take control." Baker replied.
Grasmick muted the comm line, "Tac?"
"The Leeds and the Mystic just dropped out of warp. They are taking a position behind us on a forty-five degree angle off center aft." Tac said.
"Tell them to monitor my conversation," Grasmick turned the comm line on again, "You would seem to have the advantage. You do know my name, after all.
"Oh goodness, where are my manners? I am Prefect James Baker, and I was one of three people who killed your father."

"Oh shit," Captain Martin said, "Send a message to Teahon and Grasmick on the Sovereign, we stand ready to assist in the kicking of asses. Those exact words."

"Damn," Captain Schleicher said, "Grasmick is going to do something."
His high school friends were on the bridge watching the events. One of them said, "What makes you say that?"
"Just watch. I really hope he doesn't do something stupid. Send a message to the Sovereign, tell Grasmick to not go off on a personal mission." Schleicher said.

"Come now, Grasmick, I'm not even a telepath and I can still feel the hatred building up within you. What do you have to say for yourself?" Baker said.
Grasmick muted the comm line, "Tumok, send a message to the other ships, tell them to open fire when we do. Tac, lock torpedoes on target, use the Tri-Cobalts, this SOB isn't getting away."
Tumok replied, "Both the Mystic and Leeds acknowledge."
"Weapons ready," Tac said.
Grasmick turned the comm line on again, "I have one word for you, Baker. The word is," Grasmick turned his head towards Tac, "Fire."

The Sovereign, the Leeds, and the Mystic began firing. Theykept firing.
"Brando, we are running out of Tri-Cobalts." Tac said.
"Switch to Quantum torps then." Grasmick said.
"No need to keep firing, Captain," Tumok said, "Their hull is beginning to rupture. I would estimate that their warp core will breech in a matter of minutes."
"Cease fire, Tac. Let's watch what...." Tumok interrupted Grasmick.
"Captain, an escape shuttle was just launched from their ship." Tumok announced.
The shuttle transmitted one message before going to warp, "Nice to have met you in person, Captain Grasmick. I look forward to killing you. Baker out."

Grasmick and Martin met with Schleicher on the Mystic. "Tumok was able to track their course. They are headed to Gronax 5." Grasmick said.
"When do we leave to go get Baker?" Martin asked.
Schleicher replied, "We don't. Our orders were to find out what was going on at the Breen border. We have, so now we go back to Earth."
"Wrong, Clint," Grasmick said, "Bennett left me in charge. We will go after them."
"Like hell we will, Brandon." Schleicher said.
"That's right, we will. And if your reason against it is old friends of ours being on your ship, feel free to send them over to the Sovereign." Grasmick and Martin left for the transporter room, and their ships.

The Sovereign entered orbit of Gronax 5, with the Leeds and Mystic behind her.
"Brando, there is a small outpost on the northern continent." Tac said.
"Tac, Teahon, we're beaming down. Alex, cover us." Grasmick said.
"We'll keep an eye on you." Commander Ryan replied.

Grasmick and his friends beamed down. "Tac, what does your tricorder say?"
"Well, it says..." Tac was interrupted when Baker came out of hiding.
"DON'T move," he said as he aimed his phaser at them, "Drop all of your weapons, comm badges too." Grasmick dropped his phaser rifle and commbadge, and Tac and Teahon dropped what they had.
"Baker to Bird, beam Wilson aboard," Tac was beamed aboard Baker's ship, "Now, watch this," Baker pulled out a comm unit and pressed a button, the ground shook and pieces began to fall away. Grasmick remembered the chapter in is book that was about the death of the original Enterprise, Gronax 5 would soon suffer the same fate as planet Genesis.
"You see Grasmick, I may die, but I'm taking you with me. Oh, this is on stun, so she won't feel it," Baker shot Teahon, who collapsed by Grasmick's phaser rifle and comm badge.
"As a showing of good faith, I'll dispose of my communicator," Baker made the mistake of placing it by Grasmick's phaser, "And now, you die."
Grasmick hit Baker with a right hook. A large fight insued. Baker dropkicked Grasmick, Grasmick got up, and took a jab in the face. Grasmick grabbed Baker, and pushed him off a ledge to a small piece of land. Below, was fire. Most of the land in the area had fallen away.

"Sovereign to Grasmick, where are you? Damnit! Tumok?" Ryan said.
"I can't find them on the scanners, the volcanic eruptions are causing massive interference." He replied.

"Crazy boy is down there? Oh God," one of Schleicher's high school friends said.
"I somehow knew that this would get him killed. Lee, send an inquiry to the Sovereign, ask if they need help locating Grasmick." Schleicher said.

Grasmick jumped down to where Baker was, and landed on Baker. They rolled around a little and got up. Baker was closest to the edge when the edge gave way. He fell, but grabbed what was left of the edge. Grasmick saw fit to show mercy, "Give me your hand!" Grasmick leaned out, Baker grabbed his left ankle and pulled him down. Grasmick fell on his butt, and remembered that same chapter from his book again, especially something Jim Kirk had said.
"I," Grasmick kicked Baker in the face with his free foot, "have had," Grasmick kicked Baker again, "enough of, YOU!" Grasmick kicked Baker in the face for the last time. Baker fell, and Grasmick watched him drop into the hot lava.

Grasmick climbed to the top of the cliff, and looked around. He knew the planet would be gone, at least the area where he was, in a matter of moments. He ran over to Teahon, who was still unconscious, and picked her up with his left arm. He threw the strap on his phaser rifle over his shoulder, placed his comm badge back on, and grabbed Baker's communicator, which was still activated, with his right hand. He spoke into it, "Two to beam up."
Not even a second after Baker's ship beamed them up, the land under them gave way, and fire was everywhere.

Grasmick stepped off of the transporter pad on the Bird. Tac had taken over it.
"Tac, it would seem that the Shadows have stolen at least one Klingon Bird of Prey." He said.
"I guess so. How badly did you kick Baker's ass?" Tac replied.
"He fell into a pool of lava. Here, take his communicator," Grasmick gave Tac Baker's communicator and grabbed his phaser rifle off of his back, "Let's head for the bridge."
Tac chuckled, "Gee, you must be stronger then I thought if you can hold that rifle with one hand."
"Can it, Sammy." Grasmick replied.

Grasmick and company walked onto the ship's bridge, "Don't think about it, drop your weapons."
They didn't. They fired, missed, and Grasmick leveled all of them with his phaser.
He set Teahon, who was still unconscious, down on the floor.
"Tac, disengage the cloaking device. I'm going to call the Sovereign." Grasmick said as he sat down at the helm console.

"Well, we can't wait anymore for them. Tobin, take us to a safe distance from the planet. Advise the Leeds and Mystic to do the same." Ryan said.
Tumok spoke first when something had shown up on the sensors, "Commander, there is a Klingon Bird of Prey decloaking ahead of us. They are hailing us."
"On screen," Ryan almost burst out crying when she saw Grasmick on the screen, "Don't ever scare us like that again."
"Whatever. You know I will. Let's get the hell away from this planet, I'll tell the Leeds and the Mystic to follow us.
The four ships left, as Gronax 5 fell apart.

Grasmick, Schleicher, and their high school friends sat at a table overlooking the Sovereign in Spacedock. "That was a damn foolish thing you did, Brandon. What do you have to say for yourself?" Schleicher said.
"One down, two to go." Grasmick replied.
"Admiral Bennett was mad." Schleicher said.
Grasmick replied, "So was the commanding Admiral of Starfleet. Bennett passed it off with him as us going after the trouble that was at the Breen border that had penetrated into Federation space."
"Slick maneuver, it must be nice having an Admiral as a friend. How's Teahon?" Schleicher said.
"Resting comfortably, her sister wasn't happy with the whole situation though." Grasmick said.
"I'll bet. And you? How about yourself?" Schleicher asked.
"I have a job to finish."

And now ladies and gentlemen, I have an assortment of picures for you. Yes, you will get to see what the three main ships that appeared in this episode look like. The Mystic, the Leeds, and of course, the Sovereign herself. These pictures were downloaded from http://members.xoom.com/devilsworld6/. Go there for more cool pictures.

First, the Mystic:

Next, the Leeds:

And finally, the ship you all have been waiting for, the Sovereign: