ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

The Final Frontier

by Daniel Stevens

DISCLAIMER: The more familiar characters and situations in this story are property of Renaissance Pictures, Studios USA, and Universal/MCA. The technology in use is borrowed from the TV Series 'Star Trek: Voyager', which is property of Paramount Communications. No copyright infringement is intended.

SYNOPSIS: This story takes place late in the Fifth Season of the TV Series 'Xena: Warrior Princess'. In fact, it comes after the events in the episode titled 'Amphipolis Under Siege'. Certain of the Olympians, having failed to kill Eve, have chosen to try out another way to deal with the consequences of her birth. A way that the mortals themselves had pointed towards.

This whole business had begun some months ago, with the birth of Xena and Gabrielle's baby, Eve. Eve's very existence had represented the greatest threat to the rule, and indeed, the very existence, of the Olympian gods, that they had ever faced. A threat that had claimed the lives of Zeus and Hera when the child was born. A threat that, with Xena's and Gabrielle's protection and support, had defeated the best efforts of Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Hades, and Poseidon to defeat or subvert.

Finally, in desperation, the remaining gods had met on Olympus, to discuss the situation. Athena remembers that meeting like it was yesterday. After all, she had pretty much presided over it, and had presented this whole idea there. Now, it's up to her and Hephaestus to make the idea work as advertised.

"Face it, guys! Direct action has failed! So have our priests and temple guards!"

"Artemis, perhaps we should now consider another way, that will at least give us a new lease on life, if nothing else."

"And what might that be, Athena?"

"A way that the mortals themselves have pointed out to us. To embark upon the greatest adventure of all time."

After a moment, "I don't follow you."

"In case you haven't noticed, the mortals have named several objects out in the heavens after us. For example, that dreary rock fourth out from Helios, after Ares."

"And that bad imitation of Tartarus, after Aphrodite. So?"

"Perhaps the time has come for us to depart this Earth, and seek out a new destiny, out among the stars. Hephaestus?"

The Blacksmith of the Gods steps forward, to call up an image before the assembled gods. It is of an object that clearly has three or four sections. The first looks like a rounded off arrowhead. Attached to the 'arrowhead' below, and at it's rear, is a short flattened cylinder that flattens out completely at the rear. The front of this has a glowing blue ring on it. The rear has protruding from it two flat surfaces, that each connect with a smaller cylinder, with a glowing blue stripe on the outside. The whole of the object is a dull bluish-gray in color, against a background like the clearest night sky.

"After my failure at Amphipolis, Hephaestus and I had a real good look at the distant future of the mortals, in the Hall of Mirrors. Specifically, we looked at a type of theater and literature among them called 'Science Fiction', from some two thousand years from now. This featured several designs for hypothetical ships supposedly capable of sailing the heavens." After a moment, "Of the lot, we found this to be the most advanced design, and therefore the most useful to us. I have already researched the scientific theories behind this ship design, and others similar to it, from a series of productions collectively called 'Star Trek', and find them to be quite sound, and adaptable to our needs. Hephaestus has already begun construction of a prototype, in orbit some four hundred miles above us. I have taken the liberty of naming her the *Hope of Olympus*."

Athena can see that Apollo and Artemis are intrigued by her presentation thus far, as is Hermes.

"I propose that we test out the *Hope of Olympus*, and if she works out as well as I expect, then we can build one ship for each of us, to use our most loyal worshippers as crews."

At this point, Hades holds up his hand.

"Hades?"

"Athena, I'm sure you're well aware of the feelings Persephone and I have for one another. I'm equally well aware that Demeter would not want to be separated from Persephone, either. If she would be amenable to the idea, I would propose that Demeter live aboard our ship, with us."

"No offense, Hades, but I'm not quite *that* reconciled to your and Persephone's marriage." After a moment, "However, I see no reason we can't have two ships that travel together, for mutual protection. After all, there's no telling what we may find out there."

"Good point, Demeter. That's why the ships will be equipped with the same weapons mentioned in the 'Star Trek' Series. Hephaestus, display a battle scene."

The assembled gods watch as the ship portrayed fires some sort of high energy beams at a target, followed by a series of glowing objects that explode upon impacting the target.

"The weapons portrayed are called 'phasers', and 'photon torpedoes'. The 'phasers' appear to be a type of directed energy weapon, while the torpedoes are armed with an antimatter warhead. I also saw mention of a more advanced torpedo called the 'quantum torpedo'."

Even Ares is impressed with that kind of firepower.

"The ships themselves will use a matter/antimatter reaction to warp space itself, thus giving us a way to end run the light barrier. At maximum warp, the speed of these ships should be the equivalent of traveling in one year a distance such as would take a beam of light a thousand years to cross. Their range should span the entire galaxy. We will also include a sublight drive, called 'impulse', for maneuvering within a star's planetary system."

After a moment, from Apollo, "Athena, you are sure that these ships will function as you indicate?"

"Nothing is certain. That is why I'm having the *Hope of Olympus* built. It is my intention to test her out, by having myself and Hephaestus take her to the brightest star in the Constellation of the Centaur. The star is only 4.3 light years from here, so if all goes well, once we depart, we should be back in less than a week."

"How long before your ship is completed?", from Artemis.

"She's almost ready now. Hephaestus just needs to install the cloaking device."

"The what?"

"A device that refracts all energy coming from the ship in such a way as to render it effectively invisible in all band widths."

Finally, the eldest of the gods, the goddess Hestia, speaks.

"I see no reason why we should not allow Athena and Hephaestus to proceed. Also, should this test be successful, we should direct them to build as many of these ships as is desired."

The other gods, having heard the eldest voice among them, and also one of the wisest, aside from Athena herself, nod their consent to this. All but Ares, who bristles at the idea before popping out, no doubt to try to work some fresh mischief with Xena, Gabrielle, and Eve.)

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

Now, the *Hope of Olympus* is preparing to leave orbit, with Athena in command. She takes her place in the Captain's Chair, and looks about. An excellent crew, this one. Made up entirely of her priests, priestesses, and acolytes. She herself had hand-picked and trained them. All persons on board, including herself, are wearing uniforms just like the ones she saw in the theatrical programs. After all, said uniforms are the very soul of functional efficiency.

Then, she addresses the crew.

"All hands, this is the Captain. We are about to leave orbit, on one of the most important voyages in the history of Olympus. The success or failure of this voyage may well determine the fate of all of us. You all know what is expected from each of you, and that I have the utmost confidence in each of you, to do your duty." Then, "All hands to stations."

After a moment, "Corides, take us out of orbit, one quarter impulse."

"One quarter impulse, aye."

With that, Earth's gravity well is soon forced to surrender it's hold on the *Hope of Olympus*.

Some time later, "Pallas?"

"Course plotted, and laid in."

"Corides, engage, at full impulse."

With that, the *Hope of Olympus* slips the bonds of Helios' gravity well with great ease, moving on a course oblique to the plane of the Helios ecliptic.

"Terreis, rear shot on view screen."

"Aye, Captain."

A moment later, an image comes up of a rapidly receding Earth, and moon. Off to one side, Helios is also receding, with equal speed.

Then, over the ship's intercom, "Captain, the Warp Core is on line, and functioning according to design specs. You have warp drive at your command."

"Very good, Hephaestus." Then, "Pallas, are we clear of the Helios System yet?"

"Aye, Captain."

"Very good. Corides, Warp One. Engage."

The *Hope of Olympus* is wrenched forward at incredible speed, until it breaks through an apparent barrier of energy.

"Warp One, Captain."

"Very well, Corides. Increase to Warp Nine, *gradually*. Let's not have any unpleasant surprises when we're this close."

"Aye, Captain."

After roughly one hour, "Captain, Warp Nine."

"Very well. Maintain course and speed."

Then, Athena stands.

"If anyone needs me, I'll be touring the ship. Pandrosus, you have the Bridge."

"Aye, Captain.", as Athena steps into the turbolift, which closes behind her.

"Deck Twelve. Sickbay."

A few minutes later, Athena enters the ship's sickbay.

"Tenn-hut!"

"As you were."

Athena now has a look around. She rubs her finger on a couple of surfaces, and inspects it. Satisfied that there is no dust to speak of, she moves on.

Then, "Computer, bring the EMH Program on line."

An image appears of a balding, dark haired man with piercing black eyes.

"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."

"None, Doctor. This was just a test. You passed with flying colors." Then, "Computer, deactivate the EMH Program for now."

The image disappears. Athena leaves Sickbay, to continue her tour of the ship.

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

A little over two days later, Athena is back on the Bridge. The *Hope of Olympus* has dropped out of warp, and is approaching the Alpha Centauri System on full impulse.

"Lysia, activate cloaking device."

"Cloaking device activated."

The view screen shows a slight shimmer, as the cloaking effect kicks in.

Then, from Terreis, "Captain, long range scanners are picking up an anomalous reading, off our starboard lower quarter."

"On screen."

At first, the image is fuzzy, as the bogey is at extreme range. Then, it moves in close enough to get a clear look at it.

"Definitely a ship of some sort."

It looks like a big, shimmering black bug of some sort. It also looks familiar to Athena. Like something she had seen- Then, it comes to her, hitting her like one of Zeus' thunderbolts. She hits her com button.

"Red Alert! All hands to battle stations!"

The klaxon sounds.

Then, "Pallas, all stop."

"All stop aye."

"Lysia?"

"Shields are at maximum. Phasers are fully charged. Forward and aft torpedo tubes are carrying full war loads."

"Very good. Give me a firing solution." Then, "I didn't come here for a fight. But if those buggers are who I think they are, and if they detect us, we'll only get one shot. So, if we have to fight, I want a clean kill. Before they kill us."

"Aye, Captain." Then, "Firing solution coming up... now. Programming it in."

"Hold your fire unless I say otherwise."

"Aye, Captain."

After several tense minutes, the enemy vessel turns about, and vanishes into the night.

Several minutes after that, "All hands, Yellow Alert. Secure from battle stations. Pallas, forward, full impulse."

"Forward, full impulse aye."

The ship gets underway again. The cloaking device had worked perfectly. The shields, phasers, and photon torpedoes would have to be tested at some future time and date.

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

Some time later, the *Hope of Olympus* is approaching the third planet in orbit about the main star of what proves to be a binary system. This planet proves to bear a lot of resemblance to Earth in every detail except continental outlines, and the presence of two smaller moons instead of a single large one.

"It's... beautiful!"

"Aye, Captain. That it is."

Then, Athena is back to her usual all-business manner.

"Terreis, any sign of sentient life down there?"

"Nothing conclusive, Captain. But then, I seriously doubt that Earth would register any such signs, either. After all, remember where you got this technology from."

"Good point." Then, "Sounds like an away team is in order." A moment later, "Sickbay, I want a standard away team from Life Sciences in Transporter Room One in ten minutes."

"Aye, Captain."

Then, Athena stands, and goes over to where Terreis is mapping the planet surface. She studies the mapping data, and finds what she is looking for.

"Terreis, send these coordinates to Transporter Room One. The away team is to beam down to this location."

"Aye, Captain."

Then, Athena vanishes in a white starburst...

And appears on the planet surface, at the top of a hill of medium height. She immediately takes out a tricorder, and begins a preliminary survey.

By the time the away team beams down to the surface, Athena has determined that there is no indigenous sentient life on the planet. Only the expected range of plant, animal, and microbial life.

'Artemis would love it here.'

She turns to the away team.

"I want a detailed analysis of the local ecology, with a view towards possible colonization."

"Aye, Captain."

The away team gets to work on the survey and analysis.

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

Several hours later, all personnel are back on the ship. The Life Sciences department has enough data to keep it busy for some time to come. Athena is back on the Bridge.

"Corides, lay in a course back to Earth."

After a moment, "Course plotted and laid in, Captain."

"Very well. Pallas, engage, at maximum warp."

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

Two days later, the *Hope of Olympus* enters standard orbit about Earth, directly over Greece. Athena leaves the ship, to report her findings to the other Olympians.

"I have taken the liberty of naming the planet 'Nea Gaia'. Once you study the data, I believe you will see why."

After much study, and some discussion, Apollo speaks.

"One thing is clear: the planet that Athena and her crew have found looks like a veritable Elysium. However, I think we should stick to the original plan, as the best protection against this whole situation arising again in the future. Do I hear a second?"

Artemis now speaks.

"I find that I agree with my brother, much as it pains me to say so. To someone like me, especially, this new planet looks *too* good. *Too* enticing. Much as I wish I could trust it, I find that I can't."

All present nod in agreement. Then, two shows of hands are called. All present vote in favor of building the full fleet, and ignoring the new planet.

Then, Athena speaks again.

"Very well. Hephaestus will begin construction immediately, of as many ships as we settle on as being needed. Upon their being fitted out, we will then get underway at the earliest possible moment. Is there anything else?"

After a moment of silence, Athena adjourns the meeting. The remaining Olympians, and their hand-picked followers, both divine and mortal, have a lot of work to do, and not much time to do it in.

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

Some days later, in Amphipolis. Xena, Gabrielle, and an Eve who is now walking are visiting Cyrene, when Aphrodite pops in, wearing her new uniform. Xena and Gabrielle go for chakram and sais.

"Yo, guys, I'm not here to harm the little monster! I just wanted to say 'good-bye'."

" 'Good-bye'?! Where are you going?"

"We're like, heading out into the heavens, none of us knows where. The Nerdette is having Hephy build a fleet of ships for all of us. This tacky outfit goes with the ships. And we *won't* be coming back. Ever."

Ironically, it is Gabrielle who reaches out, to give Aphrodite a big hug.

"You know, Aphrodite, even after all we've put each other through, I'm actually going to miss you."

"Back at you, Gab.", with a warm smile.

Then, Xena shakes hands with the Goddess of Love.

"You guys just raise the kid right, okay?" Make us proud of her."

"Don't worry. We intend to."

"Oh, by the way, Ares has decided to stay, and take his chances on the threat the little rugrat represents."

"That's just great! He's the one I was most hoping would leave, or die, or something! *Anything* to get him out of our hair!"

"I know, Xena. But even *we* can't have everything we want, all the time. Well, tootles!"

With that, Aphrodite vanishes in a pink starburst.

The End

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