Treacherous Waters - Gibraltar/Intrepid Crossover

[Gibraltar]

Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 1)

Chapter 30

USS Gibraltar

Brett Lightner sat uncomfortably in a chair facing Captain Sandhurst’s ready room desk, the ensign’s face expressing a mix of curiosity and worry at this unanticipated meeting.

Sandhurst had been plucking away at a padd for the past thirty seconds after inviting Lightner to sit rather than standing at attention. Finally finished with his task, the captain set the padd down and gave the younger man his full attention.

“Mister Lightner,” Sandhurst said brusquely, causing the helmsman to stiffen in his seat. “You are out of uniform.”

“Sir?” Lightner spared a quick glance down at his immaculate duty jumpsuit. “I’m... not sure I understand.”

The captain sighed, shaking his head in evident disappointment. “Your rank insignia.”

Lightner’s hand darted up from his lap to brush across the single pip adorning his collar. The confused expression on his face grew even more pronounced. “I don’t... ah--”

Sandhurst’s dour facade cracked, revealing a mischievous smirk. He stood unexpectedly, prompting Lightner to spring to his feet as well. “Ensign Lightner,” the captain said, his voice taking on a formal tone. “In the past fifteen months you’ve seen and done more than some Starfleet officers do in an entire career. You’ve demonstrated courage, determination, quick-thinking, and strong decision making. You’ve earned two commendations and a medal, and in my estimation, you’ve earned this as well.”

The captain extended a hand, intimating that Lightner should do likewise. “Pre-sent... arms,” Sandhurst uttered in a low-key rendition of Academy formation cadence.

Thus prompted, Lightner held out his hand, palm up. Sandhurst placed a brevetted rank pip in the young man’s hand. “As of this time, you are now Lieutenant junior grade Lightner.”

The newly minted lieutenant’s eyes widened briefly as he absorbed this unanticipated advancement. “Thank you, sir,” he said gratefully. He extended the pip back to Sandhurst. “Would you do the honors, Captain?”

“Of course.” Sandhurst secured the pip to Lightner’s collar, then shook his hand. “Let me be the first to offer my congratulations, Brett. Well done.”

Lightner was beaming now, quite unable to control the broad smile radiating across his features.

Sandhurst reached back and picked the padd up off his desk, handing it to Lightner.

Lightner examined the device, his earlier confusion returning as he scrolled through its contents. “I’m not sure I understand, Captain.”

Sandhurst elaborated, “There are presently open billets for flight control officers aboard a number of ships, to include Venture. I’ve got some pull with Venture’s captain, and I’m more than willing to give you my highest recommendation.”

Lightner cocked an eyebrow, giving the captain a skeptical look. “You promote me and now you want to shuffle me off somewhere else, sir?” A slight smirk punctuated the query.

The captain grinned in response. “Not at all, Lieutenant. I am aware that Gibraltar wasn’t exactly the post you’d have wished for after graduating near the top of your class. Despite whatever disappointment you experienced at your being assigned here, you’ve performed above and beyond my expectations during your time aboard. That said, I want to give you the option of moving on to greener pastures.”

The younger man fell silent for a long moment as he reviewed the various available postings on the padd again.

An incongrous smile formed on Lightner’s lips, and he slowly lowered the padd. “I’m flattered that you’d consider me for transfer to a bigger ship, sir, but I have no desire to serve anywhere else.”

Rather than the reaction Lightner might have expected, Sandhurst’s mouth drew into a tight frown. “Brett,” he began in a confessional tone, “things haven’t been easy for us, and truth be told I don’t expect them to get better anytime soon.” Sandhurst’s eyes bore an intensity the younger officer had seldom seen. “Your life expectancy might well improve elsewhere.”

The junior lieutenant stared unabashedly at his captain for an achingly long moment. He opened his mouth to speak, then paused. “Permission to speak freely, Captain?” he finally managed to spit out.

Sandhurst nodded in reply.

Lightner’s tone was one of exasperation. “Really, sir? How many other ships have we seen destroyed since you and I reported aboard Gibraltar? Should I name them, Captain? I’ve committed them all to memory. I could recite them in alphabetical order for you, or maybe by size or mission-capability?”

For once, Sandhurst seemed at a loss for words in the face of Lightner’s outburst.

“I won’t pretend this mission hasn’t been terrible for everyone, sir,” Lightner continued. “But Commander Ramirez gave her life for her shipmates, and with all due respect, your defeatist attitude isn’t worthy of her sacrifice.”

Sandhurst’s expression hardened. “I don’t recall saying we’d been defeated.”

“Telling me I need to change assignments before I’m killed sounds pretty defeatist to me, sir.”

The captain’s mouth tightened as a sigh escaped him. “It seems being put in my place is the order of the day.”

Only half-joking, Lightner replied, “Do you want the pip back, sir?”

Sandhurst shook his head fractionally. “No. I’m even more certain now that you’ve earned it.” He settled slowly into the chair behind his desk as he jerked a thumb towards the door. “Get out, Lieutenant.”

“Aye, sir!” The ready room doors couldn’t open fast enough for Lightner’s taste.

*****

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 1)

Oh, my...Lightner certainly was bold, wasn't he? But that was really wonderful to see him get some recognition, and to see his loyalty to the Gibraltar. And something tells me Sandhurst needed that, too.

 

[CeJay]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 1)

Look who else is making a comeback around here. Good to see this continued.

And my, what a neat little character piece right here. First of all, I love seeing Lightner's development from the reluctant young officer we got to see in the very first story to the forward but loyal man he has become.

And yeah, this guy's got some cojones, mouthing off to the captain that way. Even if he makes a halfway decent point here.

And I think the lessen to get out of this isn't that Gibraltar is a bad luck omen for anyone who serves on her, the lesson is, just being close to Gibraltar is a bad luck omen.

 

[TheLoneRedshirt]

Great chapter! Mr. Lightner has come a long way from the kid with the snarky attitude we first met when Donald took command of Gibraltar.

Now he's a man with a snarky attitude. (j/k)

Seriously, an excellent character piece. Lightner has proved his courage and skill many times over. And I agree - it took stones for him to speak to Captain Sandhurst in that manner, but I think he was right.

Donald seems to think highly of everyone on the ship, save himself. He's made some extremely tough and controversial calls, but The Rock is still flying (granted, with liberal applications of spit and duct tape). He'd better get out of his funk or that survival string may come to an unfortunate end.

 

[Gibraltar]

Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 2)

Thanks for the commentary, folks, it's appreciated as always.

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Hangar Deck, USS Gibraltar

The cavernous hangar deck was the only venue aboard ship large enough to accommodate the entire crew as well as the deceased they had gathered to acknowledge. Rows of officers and enlisted personnel faced the seventeen Federation flag-draped coffins situated just in front of the podium where Captain Sandhurst stood.

The walls of the hangar bay below the observation deck were adorned with service pendants, each banner displaying the name, emblem, and registry of one of the five starships annihilated by the Changeling’s subspatial charge.

This would not be the first time Sandhurst had delivered such a service, but never before had the losses struck so tellingly close to home. It was hard enough when the dead were people he hardly knew, but this time some of the fallen had been his closest, most trusted crew.

He took a deep breath and paused to make sure his voice was resonant as he began, “We are gathered here today to pay final respects to our honored dead. Among those we mourn are seventeen of our shipmates, as well as the two-thousand, three-hundred and twenty-six comrades assigned to this mission who have also paid the ultimate price that our profession all too often demands.

“It is a heavy burden to lay one’s friends to rest and be forced to live on without them, sustained by nothing save our memories of the departed. Nevertheless, it is a charge we are honor-bound to uphold, as their valiant sacrifice demands no less. To succumb to our grief and anger would be to betray all that our friends held dear, and that we shall not do.

“Those aboard Intrepid who died have joined the crews of the starships Nagasaki, Suleiman, T'Plana-Hath, Hornet, and Leeds in sacrificing their lives in the service of Starfleet and for the ideals of the Federation. Though undeniably tragic, their deaths were not in vain. In the course of this assignment, we have aided a world in turmoil. We have flown the Federation’s flag proudly in a quadrant of the galaxy that has known only imperialism and subjugation, and in so doing we have located and captured a disturbed Changeling who might well have reignited the horrors of the Dominion War."

Sandhurst found himself surprised by how easily the words came. He had expected to be overcome with emotion, seeing as Ramirez and Tark were among the dead, but his voice held firm and his eyes remained clear.

“Those of our own among the fallen, our shipmates, our family… they will leave the deepest and most painful wounds to our hearts. But our duty demands that we must continue on with our mission, no matter the void their passing has created. New assignments await, new challenges arise, and new worlds will always beckon."

A picture of Liana Ramirez appeared behind Sandhurst on the bulkhead above the podium. She was the first of the seventeen that he would recognize.

“Commander Liana Ramirez was as fearless as she was capable…”

*****

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 2)

A lot of losses. It's hard to decide here whether Sandhurst is becoming used to being surrounded with death, or if he's just numb in these moments.

I suspect it's the former, personally, given what we see in Chains of Error.

 

[Gibraltar]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 2)

A lot of losses. It's hard to decide here whether Sandhurst is becoming used to being surrounded with death, or if he's just numb in these moments.

I suspect it's the former, personally, given what we see in Chains of Error.

I think at this point it's safe to say Donald's suffering from severe emotional exhaustion. The decisions he's made and the actions he's carried out on this mission have taken a cumulative toll on him.

Thanks for the commentary!

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 2)

You're welcome. He's suffered a lot, but Sandhurst will always be a favorite character of mine.

 

[CeJay]

Donald needs some love and a nice long hug. I'm not normally the sentimental type, but this dude's gotta catch a break soon ... or he'll break.

 

[Gibraltar]

Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 3)

The Changeling’s form undulated within the confinement field, coiling, expanding and searching every square centimeter of its environment for some avenue of escape.

Sandhurst observed the creature’s desperation with a neutral expression that was more a product of his near total exhaustion than a genuine lack of sympathy for the Changeling’s plight. He had retired to the science lab where the mad Founder was being held immediately after the funeral service, unable to share in any more of his crew’s anguish without completely losing his already tenuous grip on his own emotional control.

Despite the significant losses Starfleet had just suffered in the last weeks with the destruction of their task force in conjunction with the Talarian incursion into Federation space, the magnitude of the situation in the Velkamis system had necessitated a swift response by the Federation. Even now, Starfleet Command was scrambling a relief force headed by the Galaxy-class starship Magellan to offer aid to the newly reconstituted Velk species. Pell Ojana’s transfer request had been eagerly accepted by Vice Admiral Festian of Betazed, the officer in command of the incoming expedition force. Pell’s diplomatic experience with the Velk would doubtless prove an invaluable asset to their efforts.

The doors sighed open to admit Captain Aubrey who looked immediately to the trio of security specialists stationed in the lab to safeguard against any unexpected failure of the containment field. “People, could you give Captain Sandhurst and I a few moments in private?”

They looked to Sandhurst for confirmation and after a long moment the Gibraltar captain broke his gaze away from the Changeling long enough to offer a curt nod of approval.

As the others exited the compartment, Aubrey stepped up next to Sandhurst. He too turned his attention to the rippling, surging specter of the caged Changeling.

“I Had a Changeling infiltrate my ship once. ” Aubrey said. “Back during the war, of course. It had impersonated me, then used its position to give classified information to the Dominion. Because of that, the Federation colony on Raven’s World was obliterated and two thousand lives were lost. After the Changeling was found out, he went out of his way to kill again----four members of my crew, specifically.” He glared through the containment field. “And there was no reason...he was already cornered, you see. He murdered my people simply out of spite.”

Sandhurst rubbed his eyes tiredly. “Mercy has never seemed one of the Founders’ strong suits.”

“To say the least. They slaughtered millions with no more regard than a child has for stepping on an ant. And those were your average Changelings, loosely defined as sane.” Aubrey turned towards Sandhurst. “Which brings us to our lunatic friend, here. I haven’t received any orders from Starfleet on what to do with him.” There was a telling pause. “Have you?”

“No,” Sandhurst murmured, barely above a whisper. He finally pried his eyes away from the Changeling’s frantic efforts and turned to face Aubrey. When he spoke again his voice had regained its usual timbre. “But I’ve already made my decision in that regard.”

“Your decision. I see.”

“The Changeling’s in my custody, and as soon as Intrepid’s able to maneuver under her own power, Gibraltar will depart for Dominion territory and return our prisoner to the Founders.”

Aubrey shook his head in a gentle display of exasperation, as though he had expected the announcement, but was disappointed never the less. “You have an interesting view of justice. You chauffeur this monster back into the welcoming arms of his people, and then what? I hope you’re not expecting the Founders to punish him for his atrocities. It’s more likely the Great Link will give him a hero’s welcome.”

“That may well be,” Sandhurst conceded. “But if the Founders discover that the Federation has one of their number held prisoner, they’ll go to war again, guaranteed.” He closed his eyes briefly and kneaded the back of his neck absently.

Aubrey raised his eyebrows. “I wouldn’t make that assumption.”

“The whole Alpha Quadrant’s been holding its collective breath for the past year and a half, hoping that the Founders have learned something from the war and that maybe they’ve integrated the experiences of a single individual, Odo, which might change their species’ entire outlook.” Sandhurst’s eyes had seemingly come back to life, and were now illuminated by a spark of conviction. “How better to demonstrate to them the concept of mercy than to return a deeply wounded member of the Great Link to them, despite the crimes it committed against us?”

“You’re forgetting the other side of the coin; the value of demonstrating strength----showing that we have the conviction to hold others accountable for their actions. The Founders have nothing but contempt for us, and a deep hatred for all we represent. It goes back thousands of years. It’s unrealistic to think that a few overtures of forgiveness will change that. In fact, it may only be taken as weakness and encourage more hostility in the future.”

Whether in response to Aubrey’s words, or simply the conversation itself, the Changeling suddenly slammed against the containment field with renewed fury. The energy barrier snarled out a blast of light, causing both men to step back in surprise.

The doors parted immediately and the trio of security guards rushed back in, phasers drawn. One of them cautiously approached the containment monitoring system, while the others ran their tricorders over the energy barrier itself. Sandhurst and Aubrey had moved across the room and stood by silently as the guards compared their individual data.

Finally, a young ensign nodded at Sandhurst, indicating that the prison hadn’t been compromised. In response, Sandhurst raised an index finger, silently ordering them to remain in the room. Prudence had won out over discretion.

Sandhurst regarded Aubrey warily. “You could be right, Captain, which is why I’m making this decision alone, and I’ll be the one to live with the consequences.”

Something unpleasant happened to Aubrey’s face. His eyes became empty and devoid of warmth. Sandhurst had the impression that gears were spinning wildly somewhere behind those pupils; as if different stratagems were rapidly playing out, different risk factors weighed and examined with a cold and calculated precision. It was an expression eerily reminiscent of Pava Lar’ragos.

The look melted quickly into Aubrey’s familiar half-smile. “I understand that burden all too well.” He said cordially. “Regardless of regulations, I suppose it should be your decision. You and your crew have certainly paid for the privilege.” He shrugged. “And let’s face it, Starfleet will back your play----they’d agree to just about anything to avoid angering the Founders.”

Sandhurst studied Aubrey carefully as he asked, “Then I can trust you won’t try to interfere with what I’m about to do, Captain?”

The other man’s response came a few seconds later than it should have. “It was never my intention to try and force the issue.” His disarming smirk remained frozen in place.
There was an awkward gap in the conversation during which Sandhurst wavered on the sincerity of the other captain’s remark. It occurred to him just how little he truly knew about the officer before him.

Or what he was capable of.

Just as Sandhurst doubted that Aubrey realized that the former engineer had infused Intrepid’s systems with a host of overrides that would enable Sandhurst to effectively disable the larger starship should Aubrey attempt to thwart his mission to return the Founder home. Once Gibraltar was safely away, he would send an encrypted signal buried within routine data update protocols to Intrepid that would cause those contingency programs to evaporate into the figurative cyber-ether.

Aubrey looked away, his minute smile dissolving as he examined the Changeling writhing within the containment field. “I’m sorry we won’t be escorting you into Dominion space, but I have wounded that need special care. They’ll be transferred to the hospital ship Vesalius at the Bajoran wormhole.” He considered for a moment. “I’d be happy to take some of your injured.”

“I appreciate that, Captain. Fortunately, though, with our expanded medical facilities, we’ve more than sufficient bed space for all our casualties.” Sandhurst’s expression tightened as he was drawn back to the images of those wounded among his crew. “How’s Lieutenant Benjamin?”

Aubrey’s shoulders slumped at the mention of his chief engineer. “So far, the kid’s beating the odds. Dr. Kella tells me most patients in his condition don’t make it through the first 48 hours.” He sighed heavily. “But he needs more care than we can provide here, which means the sooner he gets to the Vesalius, the better. ” Aubrey straightened again, as if physically resisting his grief. “We get under way in two hours.”

Sandhurst extended a hand. “Good fortune, Captain Aubrey. I’m sorry we had to meet under such dire circumstances. May you and your crew have a safe journey home.”

Intrepid’s CO took the offered hand. The hand shake went beyond mere courtesy; it was also a punctuation mark, a statement of closure for an ugly mission that had taxed the spirits of both men and their crews.

“Thank you,” Aubrey replied, “And watch your back out there.” He walked towards the exit and then stopped just as the doors opened for him. “And Captain Sandhurst,” He said over his shoulder, “If you should ever find yourself in trouble again, the kind where you need a friend...be sure to look me up.”

Sandhurst offered a weary half-smile. “Given our history, I’m fairly certain I’ll have to take you up on that at some point.”

*****

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 3)

I have to admit, I can see both sides in this debate--but the problem is, it's contingent on whether the Great Link has listened to Odo or not. If they've listened to Odo, then Sandhurst is right. But if he's not, then Aubrey is right and this is the equivalent of when Scotland handed al-Megrahi (who was supposedly "sick") back to Qaddafi--a contemptible show of weakness that resulted in a terrorist getting a hero's welcome. And could this insanity infect the link and undermine what Odo has done in any way?

I admit it...even though I usually agree with Sandhurst on things, Aubrey seems to have the stronger point here. Even if I returned the Changeling, I'm not sure I'd do it with no strings attached.

 

[Gibraltar]

Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 4)

“To any Dominion outposts or vessels, this is the Federation starship Gibraltar. We have discovered an injured Founder in a nearby star system. His condition is serious and beyond our abilities to treat. We wish to return him to the Dominion. Please respond on this frequency.”

The message had been repeating for the past six hours, and as yet there had been no answer.

Gibraltar remained on station, holding position one light year from the Dominion border as the crew waited anxiously for some kind of reply to their message.

Would the Dominion fall upon them and destroy the ship after rescuing the captured Founder? Nobody could say with any degree of certainty what, if any, response would be forthcoming.

Lar’ragos was manning the Tactical station for the last time, his attention focused wholly on his weapons panel as he tried to anticipate what was to come. Pell Ojana had remained behind at Velkohn with one of their shuttles, awaiting the arrival of the relief task force that was due to appear within the next eighteen hours.

Sandhurst was writing his ninth condolence letter of the day for a deceased member of the crew when Lar’ragos summoned him to the bridge from his ready room. Ironic, Sandhurst reflected as he assumed the center seat. I’m actually relieved to be called away to face the Dominion.

“Sir,” Lar’ragos announced with a detached, clinical air, “Sensors indicate the approach of one Dominion battle-cruiser and a squadron of twelve Scarab-class attack ships.”

“Damn,” Juneau exhaled from the Ops station. “All that for one little escort? Isn’t that overkill?”

“The Dominion isn’t big on the subtle, Lieutenant,” remarked Lightner from beside her at Flight Control.

Sandhurst admonished, “Focus on your work and don’t let them get into your heads, Lieutenants.”

Two chagrined sounding, “Yes, sir’s” floated back to him, nearly prompting a smirk from the captain.

Shanthi turned to address Sandhurst from the Science station. “Sir, I’m curious as to why the Dominion have never used cloaking technology, despite having had ample access to both Klingon and Romulan systems?”

Sandhurst swiveled his chair ever so slightly to look askance at the young science officer. “For the same reason we don’t, Mister Shanthi. Like us, they feel they’ve nothing to hide. They’re ‘The Dominion.’ They want you to see them coming.”

Shanthi bobbed his head in a gesture of resignation. “That’s what I was afraid of, sir.”

“Their shields are up and their weapons systems are activated, Captain,” Lar’ragos prompted from back of the bridge.

“Acknowledged,” Sandhurst replied. “Maintain our present posture. No shields, no weapons.”

It was impossible to miss the flurry of dire glances exchanged by a number of the younger bridge officers at this pronouncement.

“We’re not shooting our way out of this one,” Sandhurst added.

It took another excruciating twenty minutes for the flotilla of Dominion ships to reach Gibraltar’s location. The battle-cruiser positioned itself nose-to-nose with the starship, while the attack ships enveloped Gibraltar in a spherical formation with the Starfleet ship at their center. The Jem’Hadar vessels performed this encirclement in a leisurely maneuver designed to convey their awareness of their complete superiority in this encounter.

Even with every joule of warp and auxiliary power transferred to the shields, Gibraltar would not survive their opening salvo.

“Hold your places, people!” Sandhurst ordered as seven figures suddenly materialized onto the bridge. Six of the new arrivals were heavily armed Jem’Hadar, while one was a female Vorta administrator.

The Vorta stepped forward to meet Sandhurst as he rose from his chair. “I am Zelash, chief administrator of this sector of the Dominion.”

“Donald Sandhurst, commanding USS Gibraltar,” Sandhurst inclined his head towards her.

“You will release the Founder at once,” Zelash announced.

Sandhurst remained unperturbed. “I’ll release the Founder as soon as I’ve communicated to you the particulars of its situation.” As the Vorta opened her mouth to respond, Sandhurst cut her off. “Or would you rather endanger the entire Great Link because of your impatience?”

Zelash’s mouth snapped shut, and she mulled the statement over for a moment as the Jem’Hadar behind her scowled menacingly. “Continue,” she said finally.

“As far as we’ve been able to determine, the Founder had contracted some manner of degenerative disease within the past two years or so. While returning to your homeworld for treatment, its ship was wrecked by a natural phenomenon and it was subsequently rescued by the inhabitants of a local star system. They attempted to treat its condition, but in so doing they appear to have permanently altered some of the Founder’s morphogenic structure.”

The Vorta’s expression darkened. “Altered how?”

“The Founder appears to have lost some of its morphogenic properties. It can shapeshift only with serious exertion, and then it’s unable to hold its physical form for a prolonged time.” Sandhurst paused on the cusp of the most significant revelation, worried as to how it would be taken. “Additionally… it seems the treatment has also had an adverse affect on the Founder’s mental state.”

Zelash’s countenance hardened even further, her eyes growing hooded. “Elaborate,” she ordered in a low, dangerous voice.

“I’m certainly no expert in the Founder’s neural makeup,” Sandhurst allowed, “but it’s demonstrated wildly impulsive behaviors and irrational thinking. To put it succinctly, whatever curative therapies it was exposed to seem to have rendered this Founder quite mad.”

The Vorta stepped forward, coming almost nose-to-nose with Sandhurst. Lar’ragos stepped out from behind the Tactical console with his hand inching towards his phaser. The Jem’Hadar leveled their weapons at the bridge personnel in a single, almost choreographed movement. “At ease…” Sandhurst instructed, careful to keep his voice as neutral as possible.

Lar’ragos held his ground. In his mind he had already killed the various Jem’Hadar around the bridge a dozen times over in a host of different scenarios. He continued to play out these mental chess games in his head while Sandhurst awaited Zelash’s next move.

“Who is responsible for this travesty?” Zelash hissed, her anger palpable.

“Their intentions were good, they simp—“

“Who?” she barked, causing Juneau to startle in her seat nearby.

“The Gambis,” Sandhurst said succinctly.

The anger displayed on Zelash’s face seemed to wane, replaced by another expression entirely. Fear.

“The Gambis?” she repeated.

Sandhurst nodded slowly for emphasis. “Yes.”

The Vorta seemed to deflate, and any signs of her former certitude and arrogance evaporated.

Sensing her sudden vulnerability, Sandhurst pressed, “I wish it to be known that we return your Founder to you, despite the fact that in its altered state it committed horrific crimes against the Velk species and the United Federation of Planets. It killed thousands of Starfleet personnel and tens of thousands of Velk.” He pursed his lips, then blurted, “Hell, its actions caused the entire Velk species to be wiped from the universe, albeit temporarily.”

Zelash blinked as if awaking from a stupor, then turned back to regard Sandhurst. “Hmm? Oh, yes, of course. You actions are duly noted, Captain.” She offered the slightest of bows, “The Dominion recognizes and appreciates the Federation’s actions in this matter, most especially the return of a Founder to the Great Link.”

She looked back to address her Jem’Hadar escorts. “You will stand down.” Instantly their poleron rifles were lowered, and their kar’takins sheathed. Zelash directed a beatific smile at Sandhurst. “With your permission, Captain, we would like to assume custody of the Founder.”

Sandhurst gave her a skeptical look as he replied, “Of course.” He gestured to Lar’ragos. “My security officer will escort you to the containment vessel.”

A Jem’Hadar soldier held out a small circular receptacle to Zelash, who took possession of it as she and two of her escorts followed Lar’ragos into the tubolift.

Before the doors could close, Sandhurst inquired, “Zelash, I’m curious. You seemed ready to tear this ship and my crew apart a moment ago. I mention the Gambis, and now you’re as polite as can be. Why the sudden change?”

“Because you mentioned the Gambis, Captain,” she replied guilelessly.

Sandhurst’s curious expression grew more pronounced.

“There are gods, Captain,” Zelash said softly as she looked down at the Founder’s receptacle clutched in her hands. She raised her eyes to meet Sandhurst’s stare. “And then there are… Gods.”

*****

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 4)

Zelash must be very sure that addled Founder isn't going to hear her, if she dares to acknowledge the fact that the Gambis are more powerful than the Founders.

It also seems to me that either the Great Link is changing at a glacially slow pace, or it is not changing at all, with that kind of cold reaction (she seemed to almost treat Sandhurst the way one treats a servant to show what their "place" is) and what seemed as though it was going to be a threat to wipe out whatever species botched the treatment of this Founder.

At least it seems there's some possibility that this Founder might not be released directly into the Great Link to avoid screwing the whole thing up. But after that reaction, I still don't trust the Dominion to not have this backfire in some way.

 

[Gibraltar]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 4)

Zelash must be very sure that addled Founder isn't going to hear her, if she dares to acknowledge the fact that the Gambis are more powerful than the Founders/

It also seems to me that either the Great Link is changing at a glacially slow pace, or it is not changing at all, with that kind of cold reaction (she seemed to almost treat Sandhurst the way one treats a servant to show what their "place" is) and what seemed as though it was going to be a threat to wipe out whatever species botched the treatment of this Founder.

Change does not come quickly for as old a species as the Changelings. However, a year and a half earlier, the Jem'Hadar would have crippled Gibraltar, slain the ship's crew, and extracted the Founder themselves. Given that, the fact that they were a bit 'surly' in this encounter is actually a vast behavioral improvement.

At least it seems there's some possibility that this Founder might not be released directly into the Great Link to avoid screwing the whole thing up. But after that reaction, I still don't trust the Dominion to not have this backfire in some way.

Thanks for the thoughtful feedback!

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 4)

Awful as it is, I'm surprised neither captain mentioned the possibility of just offing the Founder where no one would ever find out. It would be cold, and wrong in lots of ways, but I'm amazed no one contemplated it.

Then again, maybe Aubrey contemplated it and just knew better than to say it out loud, given that there are hints that he's just as evil as Lar'ragos underneath the surface. I don't think I get the context of those hints, though, but it at least seemed like it could be there.

 

[Gibraltar]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 4)

Awful as it is, I'm surprised neither captain mentioned the possibility of just offing the Founder where no one would ever find out. It would be cold, and wrong in lots of ways, but I'm amazed no one contemplated it.

Then again, maybe Aubrey contemplated it and just knew better than to say it out loud, given that there are hints that he's just as evil as Lar'ragos underneath the surface. I don't think I get the context of those hints, though, but it at least seemed like it could be there.

I'm sure that possibility occured to both men. However, both Sandhurst and Aubrey realize that it's entirely possible that there may be one or more Changelings still under cover on Earth, perhaps within Starfleet itself. Should the Founders ever discover that a Changeling (especially a sick one) was executed by the Federation, there would be reprisals.

And ultimately, returning the Changeling to its people was morally the right thing to do.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Treacherous Waters - Chapter 30 (pt 4)

And I agree it was right to return it too.

But that's a very good point, that the Founders could still have spies. That would be just like them to violate what I'd imagine to be the terms of their treaty.

 

[CeJay]

Really liked the Aubrey/Sandhurst scene. You can see where both these guys are coming from and their different viewpoints on the matter are great reflections on their characters. Even though I almost expected Donald to be much darker and fatalistic after what he's been through.

And what do you know? Gibraltar is once again surrounded by a fleet of much more powerful ships. Is it Tuesday already? Looks like this time she and her crew are getting out of this without getting blown to hell. Phew!

 

[Galen4]

Really liked the Aubrey/Sandhurst scene. You can see where both these guys are coming from and their different viewpoints on the matter are great reflections on their characters. Even though I almost expected Donald to be much darker and fatalistic after what he's been through.

And what do you know? Gibraltar is once again surrounded by a fleet of much more powerful ships. Is it Tuesday already? Looks like this time she and her crew are getting out of this without getting blown to hell. Phew!

Glad you enjoyed the character interaction, CeJay.
I believe it came off as we hoped.
Thanks for your comments.

 

[Gibraltar]

I was planning on adding an epilogue to this story, but after giving it some thought I discovered that my short story Salt the Wounds already served that purpose quite effectively.

http://www.adastrafanfic.com/viewstory.php?sid=190&chapter=2

Therefore... I'm calling this story finished.

Thank you Galen4 for helping me to craft an especially memorable story, and for bringing your crew of outstanding characters to out to play.