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Dark Territory: Maelstrom (WIP)

Shapeshifters are formidable opponents because they're just so damn hard to kill as Diadem's crew and allies are finding out here.

And you gotta love the Alshain. Once the villains get confident enough to reveal their entire plans you know they're gonna go down. Also, they made Terrence Gover angry. And you woulnd't like it when Terrence Glover is angry ...
 
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Exarch-Class Cruiser Vyras
Incarceration Chamber

“I will slaughter you and your families personally!” Exarch Jedalla roared at the guards that delivered the trio of humans to his cell. The guards remained silent, but wary. They pushed the humans into the cell and hurriedly clanked the door shut. He winced as his rage caused a burning in his chest. His mate placed her hand on his shoulder, but he roughly shrugged it off.

He had already shown far too much weakness and he would be damned if he revealed more. In fact, somewhere along the way, the Vizier had come to view him as weak, and had planned his downfall. He didn’t think the obsequious Topal would ever have the nerve to defy him, in anything, if he didn’t gauge that Jedalla could not respond appropriately.

And it appears that the Vizier had been right. He had been surrounded by traitors all this time, on his personal command vessel no less. Even his secret police, which was supposed to enforce loyalty to him throughout the Exarchate, had been compromised. He wondered how deep the conspiracy ran, and if his Dauphin Jang and his other children were safe, and his uncle, the Grand Duke. If Jedalla and his sons fell today, Jarko would be the heir to the throne, and Jedalla knew that the old man was too sickly for such a burden. He pledged to his patron deity, Garrm that he would do all within his reverse his fortunes. And once he had retaken control he would cleanse the stables.

“Exarch, are you well?” Lt. Commander Pell asked. “It’s good to see you on your feet.” Queen Symea snarled, and Jedalla was heartened by his wife’s jealousy. It was perhaps put on for his benefit, but he didn’t mind it.

“I am well,” Jedalla stood to his full height. His captors had been foolish enough to unshackle both him and his mate. The Exarch also noted that the humans had been left unrestrained as well. It pointed to the confidence of the cabal, and that would be their undoing. “But I promise you our enemies won’t be.”

“I like the way you think your Highness,” Captain Glover spoke, his voice as cold as the lava pouring through Jedalla’s veins.
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USS Diadem
Main Bridge

Security Officer Dwight Payne willed himself up to his hands and knees. He shook his head, but his head throbbed and his vision remained blurry. “Got to survive,” he muttered to himself, “Got to push through.” He heard the shape-shifter before he saw it. The sound of its movement reminded him of running water. A rippling golden mass ran beneath Payne and formed in front of him. Payne looked up, ignoring his aching head. The Founder was now wearing the guise of a species he had never seen before. It was now tall with a barrel chest and a thick alabaster fur coating. The creature leaned down almost to eye level. Golden fire smoldered from its hooded eyes. He reached out, grabbing Payne’s chin, firmly but not painfully.

“You will tell me what I need to know,” the Founder said.

“Screw…you,” Payne was able to say.

“I need to return to the Hibernia System,” the Changeling said.

“Not my concern,” Payne replied. He tried to pull out of the creature’s grasp, but the Founder yanked his face back around. The security officer bit back a yelp.

“I am not your enemy,” the shape-shifter said.

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“My name is Daas. I am a shape-shifter, but I have no quarrel with your people. My mate was taken by the Romulans and I came to save her…but she’s gone now, and I just want to return home.”

“You just massacred the captain and a good deal of my crew, and you think I’m going to help you?”

The Changeling sighed, a look of genuine reluctance settled over his features. His fingers dug into Payne’s flesh. “I will have to divine this ship’s secrets without you.”

Payne wrapped his hands around the wrist of the Founder, in an attempt to wrest away. But the shape-shifter’s grasp was ironclad. The security officer knew he was about to die, but his life didn’t flash before his eyes, and he was thankful for that. But he couldn’t stop himself from closing his eyes. A humming filled his ears before a stinging current touched his skin. The Changeling’s hand fell away. Payne’s eyes snapped open and he fell backward.

The Changeling was trapped inside an amber colored transporter beam. He was pounding against the photonic walls. He appeared to be speaking, but his voice was muffled. Payne pushed back, unable to believe his good luck. He heard more transporter beams behind him. Turning around, his heart shrank. A trio of Romulans surrounded Milon and Leach.

“It’s okay,” Milon said, a note of disbelief in his voice, “the Romulans are with us.”
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Exarch-Class Cruiser Vyras
Stateroom

“This was unanticipated,” Vizier Topal admitted.

“So, what are we going to do about it?” Lady Diellza asked.

“Sept D’Noth is too powerful. We need their support, not to mention the influence Lord D’Noth wields among the Peerage.” War Minister Ardit said.

“Isn’t the territory we ceded him from Sept L’Dac enough?” Diellza asked, incredulous. “What else could he want? The O’Jinn bloodline will still sit on the throne; tradition has been tweaked but not abolished.”

“You are correct, but perhaps it will take him a little time to adjust to the new realities.” Ardit offered.

“If he will not sanction our action then I will find a member of his Sept that will; or a more compliant member among the Peerage.” Diellza said.

“I suggest that we give him a moment to realize that our way is the best,” Ardit replied. “Force can’t be used for every situation,” he admonished the Unguis operative. Diellza sniffed.

“The War Minister is correct,” Topal said after quiet consideration. “Once D’Noth realizes that tradition has not been cast aside he will join us, and with the Peerage and the Starforce behind the Grand Duke any opposition to his reign will melt away.”

“It might turn out exactly as you say, but I wouldn’t be much of a spymaster if I didn’t design contingencies,” Diellza responded.

“No, you wouldn’t be,” Topal said, “and I give you leave to concoct them.”

“I take my leave of you,” the lady nodded at them both before departing. Once the door had closed, Topal activated an interference field against any listening devices.

“She is too dangerous,” Ardit said.

“I know,” Topal nodded. “But she is still useful…for the moment.”

“We need someone we can trust in charge of the Unguis. They will be needed to enforce order once the populace learns of Jedalla’s assassination.”

“I have just the candidate in mind,” Topal said. “I will take care of that as soon as we return to Proper. What is our ETA?”

“The sutahr last informed me that we forty-six hours from our border.”

“Have long range sensors detected any Starfleet ships?” The Vizier asked.

“No, we haven’t encountered any Starfleet or Federation vessels,” Ardit said. “We have been fortunate in that regard.”

“Let’s make sure that we keep it that way,” Topal said.

“The sutahr has been informed to take sparsely traveled routes though it has added to our travel time.”

“A small price to pay,” the Vizier concluded, “to see our plan make with success.”
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USS Diadem
Main Bridge

“I’m going to enjoy watching them take you apart,” Sublieutenant Pugio declared. Daas threw himself futilely against the transporter beam.

“How did you do it?” Officer Payne asked, still disbelieving.

“We supplied Mr. Milon with data on the quantum stasis field,” the big Romulan bruiser said. Payne noted the funny look on Leach’s face, but he was surprised that she kept her mouth shut.

“Yes, the Romulans supplied us with information about the field, which prevents the Changeling from changing form. But I spliced the stasis field with an annular confinement beam to trap him.” The Benzite added.

“So, what are we going to do with him?” Leach asked.

“Throw him in the warp core,” Tart suggested, prompting a laugh from the burly Decurion.

“He is our prisoner,” Sublieutenant Pugio declared. “You will escort us to the Romulan border where we can transfer the prisoner to one of our vessels.”

“Excuse me sister,” Payne couldn’t help himself, “But have you taken a look around this bridge?” He paused, glancing at the carnage surrounding them. Many of the others did too. Leach’s breath caught in her throat. “That thing murdered our captain and all of our command officers.”

“It did no less to my superiors,” Pugio shot back. “Plus we had taken it into custody first.”

“No, you had kidnapped him and his mate,” Leach said. Inside the beam, Daas gave a muffled wail. “Maybe if you hadn’t done that in the first place, none of this would’ve happened.”

The Romulan sneered. “How naïve you humans continue to be,” she spat. “We did what was necessary to win this war. Something you proved incapable of doing until we joined your alliance. Without us, the Dominion would’ve longed planted its flag on Earth. You should be thanking us, but yet you question our methods? The gall of you veruul!”

“That’s enough,” Milon said, holding up placating hands. “Nothing will be gained by arguing. Since the Romulans don’t possess a ship at the moment, Daas will remain on the Diadem. Once we have arrived at Starbase 21, I’ll let our superiors determine the shape-shifters ultimate fate. The main thing we should be concerned about is rounding up the rest of the Remans and restoring the ship’s systems.”

“You speak much wisdom,” Pugio said. The Benzite nodded. “We will assist you in any way we can.”

“I am ready to take lead on mopping up the Reman resistance,” Decurion Mucius said. Pugio gave her permission.

“I want Ms. Leach to accompany you,” Milon suggested. “And I want lethal force used only as a last resort.”

Mucius groaned, but Pugio backed up Milon.

“I want to go too,” Payne said.

“No, we’ve still got to get you checked out, and I have another job for you,” the Benzite said.

“And what would that be?” The human couldn’t take the note of challenge out of his voice. The Benzite sighed, his expression suddenly growing weary.

“As my first officer.”
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Exarch-Class Cruiser Vyras
Incarceration Chamber

Terrence Glover’s muscles were charged with frustration. He glanced at Exarch Jedalla and the Alshain ruler nodded. He was on all fours, in a pouncing stance. Both men understood, without stating it, what each had to do. Queen Symea, Pell, and Juanita formed the last line of attack.

The door parted open. The two men leaped. A body fell through the doors. In mid-flight, Jedalla ripped the man’s head off its body, throwing the corpse to the side as he still sailed through the air. Glover wasn’t as fluid. He crashed into a second body that flew through the door, crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Glover threw the dead weight off him and began pounding the man. He stopped a few seconds later when he realized that the Alshain soldier wasn’t offering any defense.

Taking a closer look at the Alshain warrior, he noticed a neat hole through his armor. The Alshain was already dead. “Please my lord, I beg you, I came to help!” Glover heard someone wail beyond the door. “Please!”

“Exarch Jedalla, hold up!” Glover shouted. “I think he’s telling the truth.”

“Jedalla, cease!” Queen Symea commanded. She and the others had already walked through the open doors. When Glover passed through the slit, he saw Jedalla still crouching over a prone and quivering Lord D’Noth. One arm was held rigid above him, with blood dripping claws extended and ready to maul. The thin man had his head thrown back, offering his throat for Jedalla to tear out if necessary; a sign of submission. The captain noted a disruptor pistol beside the supplicating noble.

“I believe the soldiers were already dead,” Glover said, “And Lord D’Noth killed them.”

“Is that true?” Jedalla bellowed.

Lord D’Noth nodded vigorously before answering, “Yes, milord. The conspirators sought to enlist me in their treason, but my loyalty remains to you, the true ruler of our people. I would never overturn millennia of law and tradition.”

Jedalla nodded after a few seconds. He stood up and offered his hand to the Peerage head. The Exarch gently pulled the older man to his feet. “I should never have doubted your loyalty.”

“You had every right too,” Lord D’Noth said. “If your own Vizier can betray you, who can you trust?”

“How many remain loyal on this vessel?” Queen Symea asked.

“I don’t know?” Lord D’Noth admitted. “I have gathered a small claque of loyalists.”

“Enough to take back this vessel?” Glover asked. Lord D’Noth frowned at the human’s impudence and didn’t answer.

“Do we have sufficient forces or not?” The exarch asked.

“I…don’t know,” Lord D’Noth said.

“Well, let us find out,” Jedalla said, “And let us be quick about it. Our escape will not go unnoticed for long.”

“Your Highness, don’t you think it would be more wise to escape,” Pell suggested. “We can take a shuttle and warp away.”

“I will never be run off my own vessel,” the Exarch declared. “I will hold this vessel or die in the attempt.”

“Pell, the Exarch is right,” Terrence said. “We’ve got to drawn the line somewhere.”

“Captain,” Pell leaned forward, her voice softening, and for his ears only, “I think you’ve already crossed it.”

“No, he hasn’t,” Jedalla said, pointing to his upraised ears when Pell looked at him askance. “My queen shall escort you to the shuttle pods. Take them, and seek asylum inside the Federation.”

“I won’t leave you,” Symea declared.

“You will obey me,” Jedalla flared. “Protect the Starfleet officers. Show both the Federation and our people that our bond remains strong no matter how our enemies try to derail the summit.”

Symea snorted, but lowered her head. “I will acquiesce my love.” She reached out to touch his face, but Jedalla stepped back.

“Go, now,” He commanded, his voice hard as duranium.

“Be careful sir,” Juanita said, hugging Glover tightly. He was stunned by the woman’s emotional response, but also relieved that someone felt so strongly about him. He tepidly returned her hug. Pell also gave him a hug, though it was more chaste.

“Don’t give in to your anger,” Pell warned. “And come back to us in one piece.” He leaned close to her.

“Make sure you take care of both Symea and Juanita, the fate of the war might be riding on it.”

“I won’t let you down,” the Bajoran said.

“I know you won’t,” Glover smiled wanly. “I just wish I could make the same promise to you.”

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I like how you've fleshed out the inner workings of Alshain politics--very much in keeping with a carnivore pack worldview as we're about to have a confrontation between the current alpha and the would-be alpha--this will not end well for one of the participants.

Glover is also showing himself to be an alpha to the Alshain--that will actually help in securing Alshain alliance, but will have long-term ramifications.

Very nicely done.
 
I'm hitting the home stretch now...finally. Thanks for reading and commenting. Honestly I had intended for "Maelstrom" to only be no longer than 30 pages, one third of a much bigger story, but it just sort of kept expanding and I thought it wouldn't be right not to let the story take shape fully. There were a lot of good things I've think have come out of it, hopefully: fleshing out the Alshain, deepening Juanita Rojas's characterization, giving Glover and Pell another adventure and focusing on their friendship, giving Pedro Rojas a proper send-off beyond a few offhanded mentions of his demise spread throughout several of my stories, and some Dominion War action. I hope you all like how the story winds up and what I have planned for the rest of the rest of this arc. Though I might take a little break after "Maelstrom". Thanks again for your continued interest and support.

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Somewhere in Alshain space…

“The Vyras is en route back to the Origin Sector,” Syndic Gedvin said with satisfaction. The grand duke wasn’t as pleased as the cleric.

“Has the royal couple been…removed?” Jarko asked. The syndic looked away before finally meeting the duke’s eyes.

“No, they are being held with the Starfleet officers,” Gedvin finally answered.

“What?” Jarko barked. “Why are they delaying Jedalla’s execution? Each second he lives puts our little gambit in greater peril.”

“The Vizier was reluctant to neutralize the Exarch without the support of Lord D’Noth.”

“D’Noth is on the fence on this?” Jarko asked, raising an eyebrow. “I thought we had sufficient support among the Peerage?”

“Well, Highness, Lord D’Noth can be quite stubborn and reactionary,” Gedvin said. “Perhaps the prospect of so much change so quickly is disturbing to him.”

“Perhaps,” Jarko rubbed his chin. “But wouldn’t it be easier to convince him with Jedalla removed from the equation as soon as possible?”

“Ah, the Vizier and the others are planning a more elaborate end for the royal couple, one that will reinforce support your decision to sign a non-aggression pact with the Dominion.” The cleric paused, idling.

“You have something else to add Gedvin?” Jarko snapped. He was still troubled by the Vizier’s change in plans. He knew enough about his nephew to know that if he was given enough opportunity he could turn to the tables in his favor.

“Have you signed the pact yet?”

“Don’t you think it a bit presumptuous to sign a treaty when I haven’t assumed the throne yet?” Jarko grumbled. “I won’t sign the treaty until I am Exarch.”

“Of course, of course,” Gedvin bowed and began backing out of the room. He wisely never took his eyes off the duke, and Jarko did likewise. As the cleric stepped through the doorway, Jarko called out:

“Be mindful of who you serve Gedvin. Our interests and the Dominion’s are one in this instance, but the future remains….unknown.”

“I will take heed,” Gedvin promised. “I would never choose the Dominion over the Exarchate.”

Jarko shook his head, forcing back a coughing fit stirring in his lungs. Haven’t we both done that already? “I will make sure you don’t.”

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Exarch-Class Cruiser Vyras
Main Propulsion

Lord D’Noth imperiously waved the guards away. The two young warriors stepped aside, their eyes trailing the aristocrat as he strode forward. Their inattention proved just long enough to be fatal. Glover had thrown a knife in years and he questioned his aim, but he wouldn’t dare voice his doubt. Exarch Jedalla exhibited no doubt whatsoever. He launched the blade at his target, the wind milling weapon slicing through the air. It caught the unsuspecting warrior in the throat. He gurgled, clutching at the knife before he slumped against the wall. His partner could barely react before he caught Glover’s knife in his chest.

Terrence quickly followed the Exarch’s lead. They rushed from their hiding spot behind the bulkhead leading to the main corridor into the engine room. The small contingent of loyal soldiers D’Noth had gathered backed them up. The captain wished they had more backup, but Jedalla had split the small force, sending the last loyal Paladins to retake the ship’s central computer core. Terrence could already hear the sound of disruptor fire and screaming filling the room. He barely looked down, grabbing his blade and the dead man’s weapon as he moved forward. Jedalla had already entered the room, his pilfered weapon barking fire. The captain followed suit.

The trio had caught the engineers completely unaware. The engineers offered little resistance. It was another matter for the few security guards the cabal had posted in the engine room, no doubt to insure compliance with the mutiny. Glover took up behind the nearest standing console, right inside the door. Jedalla stood strong, daring the enemy soldiers to strike him. The captain noticed that D’Noth had forgone hiding as well and stood in front of his monarch, a living shield. The Paladins had also formed a cocoon around their sovereign. The display disgusted Glover, but at the same time he admired the collective courage. The cocoon moved deeper into the room, sweeping the room with disruptor fire. Glover tried to pick off as many resisters as he could.

This wasn’t the fight he wanted. He wished that the holographic Jem’Hadar had been real, or at least he was facing seasoned Alshain warriors, and not a bunch of scared kids. Even the rebel guards looked too young.

Lord D’Noth grunted and fell to one knee, clutching his chest. Blood gushed from between his fingers and splashed on the floor. Jedalla walked around the wheezing man, intent on eliminating all of his enemies. He killed two more before a Dragoon from the Exarchal Guard stepped from behind a terminal. The resisters stopped firing. “Finally one rebel has found their missing backbone. Do you accept my challenge?” Jedalla asked.

“One one condition,” the Dragoon said.

“You are in no position to make demands,” the Exarch snapped.

“If I am successful, or if I die with honor, you will spare my men,” the officer ignored him to finish his sentence.

Jedalla snarled. “I promise nothing…but a quick death.”

The Dragoon bared his sharp teeth and sprang. Jedalla easily sidestepped the lunge, catching the man by the throat and yanking him from the air. He snapped his neck and tossed him to the side. The entire room, Glover included was awed by the powerful display of ferocity.

“This mutiny has grown tiresome,” Jedalla intoned with a note of boredom in his voice. “I will tolerate disloyalty no further.”

Jedalla stood impatiently in the middle of the floor, the dead Dragoon curled at his feet. The remaining soldiers and engineers solely filed out from their hiding places, their weapons clanging loudly as they dropped them on the metal floor. Glover had taken the brief respite to check on Lord D’Noth. The elderly man was lying on his stomach in a pool of blood. Terrence checked his pulse. “Lord D’Noth is dead.”

The Exarch’s body quivered at the news. He glanced back at the still kneeling Terrence, his gaze as black as the densest singularity. A chill ran over Glover’s body. “Kill them,” Jedalla hissed, “Kill them all.”
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Thanks for reading CeJay. Similar to Gorkon from STVI, I knew that Jedalla would be traveling with other high-level folks and I wanted to use the scene to show some of the various factions inside the Exarchate and to show that there was a difference of opinion regarding the Alshain entering the war. The scene was also reminiscent of the Alshain Committee's squabbling and scheming from "Fallout", which I really enjoyed writing.

Interesting focus on the Alshain here. You are giving these guys quite the complex treatment. I have to admit though, I was a bit lost with all these new characters popping up all of a sudden.

I like how you've reduced Glover and co to spectator status. At least temporarily.

The real action seems to be taking place on the Diadem for now. Let's see if the junior officers have it in them to fight off the Remans.

Trying to get caught up. So far this far. To reference what CeJay said, I too was very impressed by how fleshed out the Alshain were here. On top of which the complexity of the political situation and the potential for subversion and double dealing just screams at me. This could make things decidedly complicated. Love the history provided by Pell on the matter and it seems very likely and fits brill within the UT universe.

On top of which, relegating Glover and co. to the sidelines or their being forced to the sidelines is great as the focus allows exploration of the Alshain politics and puts Glover in an uncomfortable position. A precarious position too. Sealed off as they are and not privvy to what is exactly happening. Not quite the reward one would expect for lending assistance. And it is not as if Pell made friends with the Queen much - especially the laying hands on her and receiving a withering look in return. Some great writing.

Then on the Diadem the situation is getting decidedly dicey and intricate. The mystery and the whys behind all of it is just glorious fun to read and wonder about. Great altogether.
 
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Starfleet Research
Daystrom Institute Technological Annex
Galor IV

Lt. Jasmine Glover centered herself before answering the call. She expected it was Admiral Samson Glover calling again, on Terrence’s behalf. She knew her husband was coming to Earth, and had deflected her attempts to ward him off. Jasmine just hoped she still had enough time to make it to Earth before he arrived. It would prevent her from having to answer a lot of questions about where she had been and what she had been doing. Even though the answers would explain why she hadn’t been able to make it Pedro’s funeral or be there for Terrence during that awful time.

Her heart hurt with the pain as she thought about Terrence, his world reeling with the death of his best friend, and how she had turned away from him, pushed him away. But how could she tell him about her work with Starfleet Intelligence? It was a classified project that might give the Alliance the ultimate victory, and it would prevent more Chin’toka’s.

Yeah right, she thought glumly. She had come to conclusion that the project would create more destruction than it would end, and had recently decided to inform her SI liaison that she would be leaving the project soon. But one hurdle at a time, she thought, before bringing Admiral Glover on line. “What’s wrong?” She asked immediately. Her father-in-law’s expression was pinched as if he were in deep pain. His face was drawn, with dry, ashen skin that was a noted contrast to the usual lustrous brown. “Please, don’t tell me…”

Jasmine couldn’t finish because her heart was clogging her throat. “He’s missing,” Admiral Glover finally said, though the answer did nothing to alleviate her anguish.

“What happened?” Jasmine asked, pleading. “Please…”

“I can’t get into details,” Samson replied. “The ship he was on en route to Earth…it was attacked by a Dominion patrol.”

“Oh God,” Jasmine covered her mouth in shock. “No, no…oh God.”

“It’s not just Terrence…Pell Ojana and Juanita Rojas were on board too,” Glover exhaled as if he had been punched in his stomach.

Pedro had just died, please don’t have his family bury another child so soon, Pell silently prayed.

“We’re doing everything we can to find them,” Glover promised. “If there are…survivors, we’ll find them.” The admiral choked up.

Jasmine placed her hand against the cool screen. “You know Terrence wouldn’t let a few Jem’Hadar stop him. He’s out there.”

“I know,” the admiral said. “I would like to think I would know, I would feel if he wasn’t there anymore. But sometimes…I don’t know, I doubt that…and then I wonder that maybe he’s out there, but he isn’t all there.”

Unconsciously Jasmine touched her artificial arm. She had lost an arm and leg early in the war, and was still having a hard time accepting her prostheses. Sensing the trend of her thoughts, Samson added quickly, “I’m sorry.”

“No,” Jasmine said. “Don’t apologize. I know what you mean, and it’s all right. I want him back in one piece too.”

“I’m going to bring him back,” the Admiral declared, though Jasmine wasn’t sure if the message was directed at her, or fate, daring the capricious nature of the universe to defy him. The usually staid man’s boldness reminded her of his far more blustery son. She wiped away the beginning of tears. Once she had disconnected the link, she would let the dam burst.

“I’m here sir, if you need someone to talk to,” Jasmine said. The older man smiled wearily.

“Thank you daughter,” He said. “But I should be saying that to you.”

“How about we prop each other up?” Jasmine offered.

“Deal,” the admiral somberly replied.
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USS Urania
Captain’s Ready Room

Captain Rahul was impatient. Normally he could manage his restlessness better, but his native Efrosian sensitivity to others’ emotions had gotten to him. The bridge crew was restive, and he really couldn’t blame them.

The mission into the Maw had been shelved due to bureaucratic wrangling and turf battles among the Alliance members. Or so Rahul and most of the mission’s participants had been led to believe. It had been less than a day ago that Admiral Glover had called him into his private office and removed some of the murkiness surrounding the delay. The ship carrying the Alshain Exarch had been attacked by the Dominion and had possibly been destroyed. Furthermore, his son Captain Glover and two other Starfleet officers were assumed aboard. The Diadem, which had been escorting the Alshain vessel, had been forced to break off during the attack and had barely survived itself.

The Admiral informed him that Diadem had recently established contact with the starbase and that he had authorized a recovery mission to expedite the damaged ship’s journey to port. Glover had then sent him out to track down the missing Alshain cruiser.

The crew had been both excited and mortified when he briefed them on the mission. They wanted to get back into action, but at the same time they were rightly concerned about the ramifications of the Exarch’s assassination in Federation space. Perhaps the outcome of the war hung on their ability to find the Vyras, or at least divine what happened to her.

He had left the hunt in the capable hands of Commander Kapoor while he updated Admiral Glover. “Anything yet?” The graying man asked tightly, his voice sounding uncommonly strained and flat. Rahul could tell that the man hadn’t slept in days. The front of the admiral’s tunic looked wrinkled, and his eyes were glassy.

“No sir,” Rahul said, saddened that he didn’t have better news. “Our Operations and Science Departments are working hard on this. They have taken the Vyras’s last known location and created projections of likely routes. I have dispatched four shuttles to create a web of coverage. We’ll find them sir.”

“So, you haven’t picked up an ion trail or seen any debris?” Glover pushed, not mollified by the captain’s confident declaration.

“Yes, we’ve detected remnants of several ion trails, some decayed beyond recognition, and we’ve also encountered debris, which we’ve identified as Dominion in origin.”

Glover nodded, “At least some of those bastards got what they deserved. I just hope the Vyras didn’t go down fighting.”

“I don’t think she went down sir,” Rahul said. The Efrosian found himself in the unusual position of propping up the normally chipper admiral.

“I hope you’re right,” Glover sighed. “I don’t how I could manage if you’re wrong.”
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Exarch-Class Cruiser Vyras
Command Salon

Vizier Topal occupied the center seat. Though he had been subordinate to far more powerful men for his entire life, he had been close enough to power to realize that the men who wielded it did so mainly because of divine will and not because of their own talents. An accident of birth had kept him from being among their numbers.

But as he had come to accept the necessity of committing regicide, Topal had also come to realize that the monarchy itself was antiquated, and just as much a threat to the resuscitation of Alshain civilization as joining the losing side of the war for the Alpha Quadrant. He had made sure that Jarko would be selected as the next Exarch because he knew the ailing man didn’t have long to live and he could ease a transition away from monarchy after his death. The fate of the Exarchate was too important to rest solely in the possession of one man any longer.

“I think we have given Lord D’Noth enough time to ponder our offer,” Lady Diellza murmured from his side. “It is time for him to make a decision.”

Topal stroked his plump cheek. “I agree,” he said. “We need to present a united front to the people to insure an orderly transfer of power.”

“Communications Officer, contact his Lordship,” War Minister Ardit said from behind Topal. The man had been pacing the bridge for what seemed like hours, his restlessness keeping the entire bridge on edge. Topal had allowed that state of tension to exist to keep the officers alert in case they encountered any Alliance patrols or vessels.

“Lord D’Noth is not answering the summons,” the stout female at the comm terminal replied. Ardit instructed her to make a second attempt. Her answer was the same.

“Use ship’s internal sensors to locate Lord D’Noth,” Lady Diellza ordered. One of the bridge crew promptly obeyed her order.

“The Lord’s bio-locator is not emitting,” the Sensor Officer said, with confusion and fear warring on his face. The sensors register the Lord’s last biosignature in Main Propulsion,” the Sensor Officer replied.

“Why can’t you detect his bio-locator?” Ardit asked, concerned.

“More importantly, why was his last location in Main Propulsion?” Topal asked. Diellza leaned forward in her seat.

“Contact Main Propulsion,” The Unguis operative ordered. “Let’s get to the bottom of this.”

“Umm, lords…” the Sensor Officer interrupted with a gulp, “I’m now detecting a bio-locator consistent with Exarch Jedalla….and a human life sign in Main Propulsion.”

“What?” Ardit and Diellza seemed to ask the question at the same time Topal did.

“Check the Incarceration Chamber,” Topal snapped. The main screen flickered to a view inside the chamber. Pieces of two corpses were spread across the floor.

“Damn!” Ardit smashed his fists against the railing right above Topal’s head. “They’ve escaped.”

“Initiate security procedures!” Diellza roared. The woman was out of her seat, on her feet, her claws jutting out of her hands and her eyes red with blood lust. “Activate the photonic Jem’Hadar! I want them captured and brought before me now!”

“Yes milady,” the Security Officer said. Almost before he could complete the statement the deck plates shuddered beneath them. The ship jerked to a stop. Alarm klaxons blared across the bridge and emergency lights flashed.

“What just happened?” Topal demanded.

“The warp engines have gone offline,” The Sensor Officer said.

“Sir…there has just been a hull breach in Shuttle Bay Four. One vehicle has escaped into the vacuum.” The Security Officer added.

“Lock a tractor beam on it and bring it back,” Diellza ordered.

“We…can’t,” The Security Officer said, fear and dejection filling his voice. “We’ve…lost…” The bridge went black. Seconds later, the lights returned with such intensity that they blinded Topal. He shut his eyes against the painful glare.

A mocking voice filled the bridge, “Did you think it would be easy to dispatch me so easily? Did you truly think that Great Garrm had disowned me?”

“I recommend you surrender now Jedalla. If you do so now, I promise I will insure that Symea and your children will live out the remainder of their lives safe in exile.”

“I am your Exarch, address me as such!” Jedalla thundered, “And your Queen has already escaped. She will carry the truth of what you have attempted to do here to our people. They will see you all for the sniveling rodents you are. Relinquish the bridge and I will execute you quickly and your septs will not bear your shame.”

“Never!” Lady Diellza snarled.

“Then that means we’re going to have to take it then,” Captain Glover said jauntily.

“You and what force?” Ardit asked, “The crew has sided with us.”

“Not everyone has sided with your cabal,” the human replied.

“And I grant amnesty to any who wish to renounce your treachery,” Jedalla added.

“Cut off the link,” Topal ordered. The Communications Officer complied.

“Place a force field around Main Propulsion, we’ll trap them there,” War Minister Ardit said.

“I’ll prepare a strike team,” Lady Diellza offered.

“No, once we’ve erected the forcefield, we’ll pipe gas into the room. I want Jedalla alive…for the moment.”

“Sir, the Exarch has already erected a forcefield around the bridge. We have been cut off,” The Security Officer said.

“What?” Topal’s jowls quivered with rage and fear. “How is that possible?”

“Exarchal Protocols,” Jedalla’s voice boomed across the bridge again. The main viewer shifted to Main Propulsion. The blood splattered Jedalla stood beside the human Glover.

“I thought I ordered you to sever communications!” The Vizier shouted, smashing his fists in the central chair’s armrests.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t institute some type of failsafe, an override in the eventually that the ship was overtaken by our enemies? This program has lain dormant in the ship’s systems for years.” Jedalla said. “I remain the master of this vessel.”

“Back down now,” Captain Glover said, his voice filled with surprising, and sickening sympathy. “You’ve lost. At least save the honor of your bloodlines.”

“This is more important than our septs and clans,” War Minister Ardit replied. “Jedalla will lead us into a war we can’t win. We’re trying to save the Exarchate. Jedalla will lead it to ruin.”

“I am the ruler of all Alshain, the best interest of our people lies not with placing ourselves under the thumbs of the Dominion,” Jedalla said. “Our best chance for freedom, for self-determination lies with the Federation Alliance. We’ve had these debates already and the Peerage agreed with me to ally with the Federation. You have no right to subvert our laws, our customs due to your cowardice.”

“It is your arrogance, your belief in a mythical Greater Alshain that will be your downfall,” Ardit charged. “I know our military capabilities, and we are not prepared for a sustained war against the Dominion, despite your propaganda.”

“That decision has already been made,” Jedalla repeated. “We will war against the Dominion and we will reassert ourselves on the galactic stage.”

“The war will destroy our ability to do just that,” Ardit said, exasperated.

“I’m through talking with you,” the Exarch sniffed.

“Surrender,” Captain Glover urged.

“No,” Jedalla snarled. “I sentence the entire bridge to death. Captain Glover, I give you permission to carry out the sentence.”

“What?” Glover turned to the Exarch, surprise evident in his voice and expression.

“I will not defile myself by even touching these traitors,” Jedalla explained. “Beam them out into the void, and let them die like the dishonorable snia that they are.”

“I’m not a murderer,” Glover balked.

“It isn’t murder,” Jedalla replied. “I am the ultimate authority in all matters Alshain and this is an Alshain vessel. You will be carrying out a lawful action. It is an honor that I have bestowed upon you, a chance to satiate your desire for revenge, for what these traitors did to Commander Pell.”

“I think they should stand trial,” Glover said.

“Are you rejecting my benevolence?” Jedalla challenged. The Exarch reared up over Glover, but the human held his ground.

“I am not,” the captain said tightly. “You gave me permission to carry out the sentence and I told you how I want to carry it out.”

“I won’t participate in any show trials,” Topal declared.

“There is your answer Captain Glover,” The Exarch said. “No, they can’t be allowed to live for a nanosecond longer,” Jedalla added. Topal’s stomach twisted in knots as he sat back in his seat, preparing for the end.

“I won’t be a part of this,” Glover protested. “This isn’t right.”

The Exarch laughed. “Perhaps the War Minister was right, after a fashion; perhaps the Federation doesn’t have the stomach for victory.” Jedalla said, scratching his chin, “Which explains your recent losses…like in Chin’toka.”

“I…would advise you not to mention Chin’toka again,” Glover said. Topal heard the dangerous edge in his voice. The two men faced off. For a moment his spirits soared with the fantasy that both of his adversaries would slay each other.

“Mercy is not a value we hold dear,” Jedalla said after a few moments. “Vulcans have a concept, ‘Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations’, if we are to be partners you must understand and appreciate the predator’s heart that dwells in all Alshain. And perhaps what you find so detestable about it is that you share the same heart. Hunters know hunters.”

Topal watched transfixed while Glover pondered his words. He nodded. “You might be right. But I don’t murder.”

“If you haven’t yet in this war, you will,” Jedalla promised.

“Maybe, but not today,” the human stepped away from the Exarch. He turned his back to the screen.

“Much to learn,” The Vizier barely heard Jedalla mutter. Topal’s stomach roiled. He needed to relieve himself, but he knew it would be futile to leave the center seat. There was really nowhere he could run.

“It’s time to carry out the sentence,” Jedalla said, his voice devoid of emotion. He looked off screen. Topal looked at Diellza, but the woman kept her eyes locked forward, toward the main viewer, but the Vizier knew she was gazing at something else, something deep within and far more important. He shifted in his seat to look at Ardit. The War Minister was standing by the railing, his expression stoic, but Topal noticed that the man’s claws were digging into the metal.

It’s really about to end, the Vizier thought sadly before he felt the tingle of a transporter beam on his fur, and then he felt a painfully frigid cold, a crushing burning in his chest, and then nothing.

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

Eluder-Class Shuttle Dewclaw

“If it’s got an engine I can fly it,” Ensign Juanita Rojas said again, miffed at Symea’s millionth offer to take the helm.

“She is pretty good at what she does,” Lt. Commander Pell said, and the compliment made her feel much better.

“I have no doubt of that, but this is an Alshain vessel,” Queen Symea pointed out. “It took a lot for me to accede to my husband’s wishes and leave the field of battle. I am not one to allow others to take the driver’s seat.”

“Just trust me on this one, all right,” Rojas griped. Symea chuckled.

“All right Cub,” She said gently. “I will take over the defensive systems terminal.” The ensign turned around and gave the queen a smile and a head nod.

“Thank you Your Highness.” Pell smiled too, before resuming checking the shuttle’s engines. They had escaped the Vyras with little difficulty and Pell had instructed Juanita to plot a course to the nearest Starbase, which Symea had translated as Starbase 21. The Alshain script had taken Juanita a few seconds to manage. But she figured she would have a lot of time to bone up on it since their journey would take three days at the shuttle’s top speed.

It would also hopefully take her mind off of what was happening on the Vyras. She hoped that Captain Glover wouldn’t get hurt or worse. She had always thought the captain was tougher than tritanium, but she had thought the same thing about her brother, and fate had cruelly proven otherwise. If Captain Glover didn’t make it of the Vyras alive she didn’t know what she would do. The idea stressed her so that she forced herself to put it out of her mind, though it kept burrowing its way back into her consciousness.

“Any response to our hail?” Pell asked, as if she somehow knew that Juanita needed a distraction. They had sent out an automatic repeating call for help several hours ago. So far, they hadn’t received any response, which might not be a bad thing, particularly if the conspirators aboard the Vyras had nearby compatriots.

“No ma’am,” Juanita said.

“Keep it activated,” the Bajoran instructed. “Space is vast, but not infinite. We’ll get a response, for better or worse soon.”
******************************************************************

USS Diadem
Main Bridge

Milon wanted to stand at his usual Tactical console more than anything. But he knew that the crew didn’t need another Tac Officer at the moment, they needed a captain.

The Benzite shifted uncomfortably in the center seat. It didn’t fit him, not yet anyway. He was glad when the stand-in Ops Officer called out, “Sir, we’re receiving a long-range distress call; audio only.”

“Answer it,” the Benzite ordered.

“We’re not in range yet,” the flustered Saurian replied.

“Put it on speakers,” Milon said. A small smattering of claps broke out at the sound of Queen Symea’s voice. At least someone from the royal family survived, Milon thought. He was relieved that their move to separate the ships had spelled total doom for the other party.

“Can we send a response?”

“Not quite in range yet,” the Saurian said.

“Triangulate on that message, we’re going to render aid,” Milon said.

“This ship isn’t capable of undertaking such a mission,” Sublieutenant Pugio said. The Romulans had taken seats along the aft section of the bridge. Milon stood up and pinned the Romulan officer with a hard stare.

“I think we know this ship a lot better than you,” Guard Payne, at the Tactical console, said.

“I see you’ve been such good stewards,” Decurion Mucius snorted.

“At least we didn’t lose our ship,” Payne shot back. Mucius stood up, and Payne stepped away from his console.

“Stand down Mr. Payne!” Milon said.

“Him first,” Payne riposted. Mucius rapidly clenched his hands as he flexed his biceps.

“Sublieutenant Pugio please restrain your subordinate,” Milon snapped. The Romulan shrugged, and blew through her teeth, clearly showing her boredom.

“Rein it in Mucius,” she said. The large Romulan seethed, not stepping back. Pugio brandished her firearm. She walked calmly over to Mucius and placed the emitter cone against his temple. “You will obey me,” she hissed.

Mucius’s face twisted with disgust but he back down, and Milon sighed in relief. The last thing he needed was another confrontation.

“Helm, I want you to lay in a course based on the signal,” the Benzite said. “We don’t leave people in the lurch,” he explained to the Romulans.

“Remember your generosity almost cost you your lives when you came to our aid,” Pugio warned.

“Are you saying we shouldn’t?” Milon asked, incredulous. The question stumped the woman. The Benzite thought it was a good omen.
********************************************************************
USS Urania
Main Bridge

Captain Rahul stepped briskly onto the bridge. He squinted, his sensitive eyesight always taking a moment to adjust to the lighting. He had tried to adjust it several times but nothing had worked, so he gave up and decided to live with the discomfort. “What do you have?”

Commander Ananda Kapoor stood up smoothly from the center chair. The slender, brown hued human responded crisply, “Sir, we have received a distress message from the Alshain shuttle Dewclaw. They are asking for assistance.”

“How far are we from them?”

Lt. Harper, the ship’s Operations Officer, answered without being prompted. “Six hours at maximum warp.”

“Shall I call the other shuttles back?” Kapoor asked.

The Efrosian shook his head. “No, let them continue the search. Inform them of the distress call, and tell them we are changing our course to lend aid. Perhaps the shuttle’s occupants can help us piece together what happened.”
********************************************************************
 
********************************************************************

Exarch-Class Cruiser Vyras
Command Salon

Exarch Jedalla lounged in the command chair. Not as spacious as his Crimson Throne, but it was sufficient. Captain Glover stood rigidly beside him, staring at the main screen with intense skepticism. An Alshain shuttle was sandwiched between two Starfleet vessels, one a battered Sovereign and the other a pristine Excelsior.

“It’s not an illusion,” the monarch said. “We have passed our test and the gods have granted us our reward. Hail the Starfleet vessels.”

The screen shifted to the interior shot of a Starfleet bridge. An Efrosian captain stood in front of his command chair. He bowed. “Your Highness, my name is Captain Rahul, of the Starship Urania.”

“Rahul, it’s good to see you again,” Glover said, genuine relief in his voice. There was an uptick in the left corner of the Efrosian’s mouth when his eyes shifted to the human.

“It is also good to see you to,” Rahul replied. “Your father will be most pleased to know you are well.”

“I’m sure he will, and I can’t wait to tell him,” Glover said.

“We were in the process of assisting both the Dewclaw and the Diadem,” Rahul said. “Once we are finished, we will escort you to Starbase 21.”

“The Vyras is heading to Earth,” Jedalla said, making sure his tone brooked no debate. Rahul gave him a double-take.

“Excuse me sir, but my orders were to recover survivors and return with them to Starbase 21.”

“Is your President Santiago at Starbase 21?” The Exarch asked.

“Well, no, he is not,” the Efrosian answered.

“Then I am not going to Starbase 21,” Jedalla said. “I ask that you transport my wife back to this vessel.”

“The Queen, Lt. Commander Pell, and Ensign Rojas are undergoing a medical check. Once that’s concluded, I will release her.” The Urania captain promised.

“Release Pell and Rojas too,” Glover said. “They’re coming with me, and we’re going to Earth with the Alshain delegation.”

“Sir, a lot of people, not just your father, would like to debrief you,” Rahul said.

“That can wait,” Glover replied nonchalantly. “I’ve got a good memory, I won’t forget the details. Besides, the delegation needs a Federation escort. Since you’ve have your hands full taking care of the Diadem, we can handle things here.”

“Just from a smidgen of what Commander Pell told me, I have no doubt of that,” Rahul nodded. “The Admiralty will not be pleased at your delay, but I don’t think you are overly concerned.”

Glover shook his head. “Not really.” Rahul almost chuckled.
*****************************************************************
Exarch-Class Cruiser Vyras
Private Chambers

“I’ve got to go Ivan, make sure you don’t scratch or dent my ship before I return,” Captain Terrence Glover said. Lt. Commander Cherenkov replied with a tight-lipped smile.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“All right,” Glover said. “See you in two weeks.” He turned from the monitor and looked at the door. There was a light wrapping on the metal. An old fashioned way to announce an arrival that he knew could only be one person. “Open.”

The Bajoran stepped through the space provided by the retreating door. She was looking much better. The burns and scarring on her hand had been removed by the Urania’s expert medical staff. He stood up. “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” she said, walking into his open arms. He hugged her tightly. “It’s good to see you again sir,” Pell added. He quickly released her.

“Likewise,” He said. He gestured for Pell to sit on a couch in the center of the living space and he took up a position on the opposite end. “You didn’t run into any trouble after leaving the Vyras did you?”

“Actually, it was an almost pleasant trip, once we got the Queen to settle down a bit.”

“I bet,” Terrence chuckled. “I’m glad I stayed onboard to route the cabal.”

“Are you really? I’ve heard about Lord D’Noth,” Pell shook her head regretfully. “How bad was it?”

“It…was bad,” Terrence admitted, looking down and then away from her. Pell moved over and lightly touched his shoulder.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Still looking away, his eyes boring into a dull gray wall, the captain said, “Not really.”

“Okay,” Pell said. She kept her hand on his shoulder and he was grateful for the contact; it felt like a tether that kept him linked to his humanity, perhaps the last link.

After a few moments Terrence decided to speak. “I didn’t lose it. I didn’t cross the line…like you thought I might.”

“I didn’t think you would,” Pell said softly, “I was just afraid you might. This war has spread a lot of darkness, and none of us are immune to its shade.”

“I did, I do, want revenge,” Terrence said, finally looking at Pell, drilling her as he had the wall. He needed her to understand that what he was saying was how he felt, no matter how shocking it might be, “I want not just to defeat the Dominion, I want to hurt them, like they hurt Jasmine, they hurt Pedro…they hurt me. And when I thought they had hurt you…” He stopped, overcome with memories and mortification. Pell sat quietly, letting the moment pass. Terrence was grateful for that. “But when the truth was revealed, and I found myself facing a bunch of kids in Main Propulsion, kids following orders, not genetically programmed killing machines, it just didn’t feel right…slaughtering them.”

“I heard what Jedalla did, and I heard a little about what you said to him,” Pell replied, squeezing his shoulder.

“You’re really nosy, you know that?” Glover laughed. Pell’s gentle squeeze turned into a pinch. “Oww!”

“Seriously Terrence, I’m proud of you. You controlled your rage. You didn’t let it control you.”

“This time at least,” Glover said, not quite as pleased with himself. “I wonder about the next time, and this damned war will provide plenty of next times.”
*******************************************************************
Starbase One
Public Transporter Room Twelve
Sector 001
Three Days Later…

The young boy leaped into Terrence’s arms. He latched onto his neck, hanging on for dear life. “Hey Uncle Terrence!” He shouted into the captain’s ear. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too Jalen,” Terrence said. He kissed the boy on the cheek.

“Are you ready to stop assaulting your uncle now?” Jamaica Mendes, Jasmine’s older sister said, with a smirk. She was taller, dark chocolate to Jasmine’s milk chocolate complexion, and didn’t have caramel colored eyes, but they resembled each other enough to comfortably be identified as sisters. Terrence carefully let Jalen back on the ground, and the energetic young man pounced on Juanita next.

He peppered the flustered young woman with a ton of questions, and Glover smiled at the exasperated expression on her face. He hadn’t wanted to leave Juanita on the cold, sterile starbase while Jedalla and Santiago hashed out a treaty. Terrence thought bringing Juanita with him would be good for her. She needed to be around people, needed to be active so she couldn’t dwell as much on Pedro and the incidents on the Vyras. He gave his sister-in-law a quick hug, her swinging braids brushing against his face. He blew them back.

“Where’s Jazz?” He looked around, but Terrence already knew that his wife wasn’t in the transporter room. “Is she okay?”

“In a manner of speaking, she is,” Jamaica said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Physically she’s recovered fairly well,” Jamaica intimated, “but emotionally…it’s been tough for her.”

“I know,” Glover said, thinking about the last rushed conversation he had with his wife. He had really wanted to unload all of his anguish about Pedro to her, but she hadn’t had the time or the capacity to bore more pain.

“I thought her assignment with the SCE would be good for her,” Jamaica said. “She just recently got back from an assignment, a couple days before you. But since she got back, she seems like she’s been in a daze…withdrawn.”

“Do you know what type of assignment she was on?” Glover asked, instantly concerned.

“No, she couldn’t tell me, or so she said,” Jamaica wrinkled her nose in annoyance. “But I think it might’ve brought back memories of that battle in the Tyra System.”

“Oh God,” Terrence breathed. “I need to see her.”

Jamaica put a restraining hand on his chest. “She’s at home. We’ll be there in a few minutes. Just go slow with her, okay?”

“I’m her husband,” Terrence griped, “I think I might know what my wife needs.”

“And I’m her sister,” Jamaica held her ground, “I’ve known her a lot longer than you. And I’ve been there for most of her recovery…unlike you.”

The cutting words hurt more because they were true. “I’m a Starfleet officer,” Terrence said, but the excuse didn’t have any force behind it. “I had a duty…”

“You’re more than a Starfleet officer,” Jamaica said, quietly, but firmly, her words echoing Pell’s. “You’re a husband too. Marriages aren’t like military assignments. It’s messy; problems can’t always be solved in a neat, timely manner.”

“Spoken like someone who has never been in the service,” Terrence quipped.

“I’m being serious now Terrence,” Jamaica reproached him. “Just give her time okay? I know you only have a couple of days and you might want for things to be like they were with you and Jasmine, but that’s not going to happen, and you have to be willing to adjust. If nothing else, for her sake.”

Glover marshaled in his disappointment. “I just want to see my wife.”

Jamaica smiled sympathetically, “That’s a start.”
********************************************************************
Somewhere in Alshain Space….

Keilan was sorrowful, “It appears that our plan encountered unforeseen circumstances. The Exarchate officially joined the Federation Alliance this morning.” The Vorta shook her head. “It is unfortunate…we will show you no quarter…but do know that I personally came to respect you these last few months.”

Grand Duke Jarko smashed the screen with his fist. The smell of smoke, burning circuits, and singed fur filled his nostrils. His rage brought another coughing fit. “Milord,” the duchess gasped. She rushed to his side, but he pushed her away.

“This is most distressing, most distressing,” Syndic Gedvin said.

“There is a bright spot,” Duchess Lerin offered. Both men looked at her in confusion.

“It doesn’t appear that Jedalla interrogated the conspirators, and he might not know of our role in the regicide attempt. I’m certain the Dominion won’t tell him.”

Gedvin calmed down a tick, but he was still nervous, “How can you be sure?”

“We still draw breath, don’t we?” Lerin shot back. Jarko chuckled.

“And here to think that your greatest possession was beauty, but you have quite the cunning intellect,” Jarko guffawed. “I was a fool to misjudge you my dear. I was a fool…about many things.”

“Jedalla will drag us to ruin still,” Gedvin declared.

“He is the Exarch, and he has made a decision,” Jarko said. “I will support him…with the remaining time I have left. I strongly suggest that you do the same.”

“But…” the syndic began. Jarko growled, quieting the man.

“It’s over, and we lost. I only want to die in peace now; it’s not much longer.”

“But what of the living?” Gedvin asked.

“That’s Jedalla’s problem, not mine. He’ll lead us to war or ruin, but the gods have spoken. You of all people should respect their decision.”

“But if the gods are wrong?” Gedvin voiced, mortified by his own words.

“Then there is no hope…for any of us,” Jarko replied. “No hope at all.”


THE END
 
I wanted to thank everyone for reading and commenting again on this story. As I said before it I hadn't intended for it to go on this long, but it gave me some fun opportunities to better lay out the groundwork for the events that took place in Gibraltar's "Prophets and Loss", my follow-up "Fall Out", and future Dark Territory works. Both of which are posted at the United Trek website.

I want to thank you again for your interest. This story, I think along with "The Crucible" and "False Colors", wound up being one of the most popular DT tales and it's much appreciated.
 
I wholeheartedly agree. This has been a great story, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

I just have to say that I'm surprised Jarko gave up so easily, but there's still a lot of war out there.
 
I wholeheartedly agree. This has been a great story, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

I just have to say that I'm surprised Jarko gave up so easily, but there's still a lot of war out there.

Thanks Xeris for the compliment. I had established Jarko as sickly, and I had tried to make him somewhat of a reluctant figure. He had perhaps been miffed that Jedalla had gotten the throne over him, but that was the tradition, and he hadn't really done anything about it in all the time that Jedalla had reigned, since the early 2360s.

He had his misgivings about Jedalla's war plans and attempted to do something about it. But his main allies had already been executed by Jedalla. Jarko is dying. He might have problems rallying opposition to Jedalla and then what would happen to the opposition forces after he passed on? He took a stab at it, he lost.

Jedalla is now more entrenched than ever and Jarko would probably not know who to trust to help him pull off a coup. So, I think he looked at his situation and just decided to let nature take its course. If the gods had favored him, Jedalla would've been assassinated and he would've been able to keep them out of the war. That didn't happen so Jarko figured that the gods, or fate, wasn't on his side.
 
I see your point.

I just wonder if the coup d'etat mutineers will also fade away as well, or will Exarch Jedalla have to cull more of his herd.

You've done a wonderful job with the Alshain, just where did you come up with the idea for them and are you aware that Alshain is a planet (Beta Aquilae) on Memory Beta?
 
I put the coup plot in this story as a foreshadowing for the events that take place in "Prophets and Loss" and "Fall Out" and that will play out in the full Alshain arc I would like to do.

I wasn't aware of the Memory Beta reference when I created the Alshain. I took the name from a felinoid character in sci-fi author's Steven Barnes defunct comic Fusion. I like Barnes's work. In fact, I took my name from his blog, which is also called Dar Kush.

But I based the Alshain in part on Babylon 5's Centauri. With Peter David's Thallonians (Star Trek New Frontier) thrown in there to boot. I wanted them to be a bit pompous, ostentatious (sp), but scheming and cutthroat at the same time. They once had a great empire, but lost it over time due to imperial overreach and a succession of bad rulers. Their decline, in recent years, was helped along by the Son'a, who hooked many of the Alshain nobles onto ketracel white (my inspiration for that was the Opium Wars between Britain and China). After Jedalla assumed the throne he decided to put the Alshain back on firm footing and to rebuild "Greater Alshain", the ancient empire that spread over a great swath of the Beta Quadrant millennia ago.

I decided to make them lupine because I've always liked werewolves, and really liked the design of the Lycans from the Underworld movies. I also thought it would be interesting to have a race of werewolves that had all these haughty ways in their attempt to disprove the stereotype that they are mindless, savage animals.

Here is the Alshain entry from the Star Trek Expanded Universe. It provides a lot of their backstory. However, its a little out of date and I need to tweak some things, it'll still give you a good sense of what the Alshain are about.

http://stexpanded.wikia.com/wiki/Alshain

I also want to give credit to Gibraltar for creating great Alshain characters in "Prophets and Loss" and adding to their culture. DavidFalkayn also contributed to their culture as well.
 
Awesome story.

I like the Alshain and not just because they are one (if not the) best fleshed out original species in the UT-verse. And now that you brought it up, I can see the various influences that helped create their society. Very interesting.

Terrence pivotal moment here was his refusal not to execute the traitors. After all he had been through I could almost see him do it. But I liked that he didn't. Terrence is intense and often times driven by adrenaline but he still has his humanity and his basic moral values which he was not willing to compromise even in order to reaffirm their new Alshain alliance.

Now, his next great challenge awaits him. Dealing with Jasmine and trying to save his marriage from falling apart.

Again, terrific stuff.
 
Awesome story.

I like the Alshain and not just because they are one (if not the) best fleshed out original species in the UT-verse. And now that you brought it up, I can see the various influences that helped create their society. Very interesting.

Terrence pivotal moment here was his refusal not to execute the traitors. After all he had been through I could almost see him do it. But I liked that he didn't. Terrence is intense and often times driven by adrenaline but he still has his humanity and his basic moral values which he was not willing to compromise even in order to reaffirm their new Alshain alliance.

Now, his next great challenge awaits him. Dealing with Jasmine and trying to save his marriage from falling apart.

Again, terrific stuff.

Thanks CeJay. Yeah, I was tempted to do a big fight scene at the end with Glover, but I decided against it. He had already been through a lot and I don't think it would've served him all that well. I wanted him to skirt to the edge, but pull back. He hated the Dominion for what they did to his family and friends, he didn't hate the Alshain and I couldn't see him going total dark side on them.

I agree with your assessment that his greatest challenge is saving his marriage. It's something that couldn't be learned in a Starfleet training manual.

BTW, one other inspiration for the Alshain, well the idea of "Greater Alshain" came from the late Serbian President Milosevic.
 
A terrific ending. You took Terrence right up to the brink, but at the end, the better angel of his nature pulled him back. As for his marriage--keeping that together will be a challenge.
 
Dnoth,

Thanks for reading. I forgot to mention that Wing Commander's Kilrathi and Star Wars' Bothans also played a factor in developing the Alshain. I often look to them for inspiration in terms of names, etc.

To some extent the realpolitik continues in "Pandora's Jar", the supposed second part of the trilogy, though I think the idea of this being a trilogy will be modified. This is turning more into a series beyond three stories.
 
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