DS9 - "The Only Thing We Have To Fear..."

[BolianAuthor]

Though I am still busy with production of "Battlestar Urantia", I thought I'd get back to my Star Trek roots, and post a short little yarn here again. I won't spoil the surprise, but here are four facts about the story...

- It will be post-Dominion War

- It will NOT feature warfare

- It WILL feature the Tholians, and very heavily so

- It will be in the "prime" DS9 universe

Look for the first post soon.

- BolianAdmiral

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Could be interesting!

 

[BrotherBenny]

Looking forward to having a read.

 

[BolianAuthor]

STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE

"The Only Thing We Have To Fear..."

Written By: BolianAdmiral

Based Upon "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" Created By:

Rick Berman & Michael Piller
​

-- -- --

In the aftermath of the Dominion War, many of the races that were subjugated by the Dominion began to enter the Alpha Quadrant, in search of a new beginning far from the ravages of war they left behind.

Many of these new races quickly became protectorates of the United Federation of Planets, while some elected to just establish their own new colonies in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
​

THE JENTHIRII CORRIDOR - ALPHA QUADRANT

The tranquility of space was suddenly broken by over a dozen distant warp flashpoints, as that many ships came streaking to a slow impulse glide, in open space.

The ships were medium-sized ships, of unknown design, and were a metallic blue color, with purple engine lights. The ships began to angle over a planet about the size of Earth, which looked like a giant version of the moon Europa, as they continued on course through space.

Suddenly, another ship caught up with the small fleet... but this new ship was not unknown... it was a familiar and very small diamond-shaped craft, almost crystalline in appearance.

The small ship quickly brought itself alongside the new arrivals, and began to transmit a general-band message, via subspace radio...

UNKNOWN ALIEN SHIP - BRIDGE

On the Bridge of the alien ship, the humanoid crew sat at their posts, listening, as the strange alien voice was piped through the speakers... a very shrill and reverberating voice, with an almost metallic hint...

"Attention unidentified vessels... you are trespassing in the territorial annex of the Tholian Assembly... you must leave this area immediately, or we will regard you as a hostile force, and will take any and all appropriate action. This is your one and only warning." the voice stated.

The Captain regarded the message, and finally, gestured to his Navigator to alter course, as the officer worked her panel.

In space, the small fleet of blue ships began to angle about and break formation, as the lone Tholian ship stood watch.



BAJORAN SECTOR - ALPHA QUADRANT

A lone Tholian vessel sat alone, in the middle of the vast expanse of space, not moving so much as a micron. Suddenly, a vast plume of swirling blue, yellow, and white light filled everything in sight in front of the Tholian ship... the Bajoran Wormhole fully displaying its awesome majesty for the universe to see.

THOLIAN VESSEL - BRIDGE

The angular glowing yellow-white eyes of the Tholian crew sliced through the thick swirling gasses of orange and purple that filled the Bridge, as the Tholians looked to the holographic spectral image of the Wormhole's various susbpace layers and harmonic resonance readings. Holographic data callouts appeared in orange, on either side of the Wormhole's image. Finally, one of the Tholians spoke, in the high-pitched squeals and clicks of the Tholian language...

(translated from Tholian) "Can it be done... are there enough quantum oscillations in the tertiary verteron layers to allow for a multi-harmonic layered inversion?" the Tholian in the center of the room asked.

(translated from Tholian) "Yes... it can be done... but it will have to be done within the transwarp realm... if we use conventional subspace field pockets, the link will not hold, and we will have no anchor." one of the forward Tholians reported.

(translated from Tholian) "And you are sure once it is complete, we will be able to contact the others?" the center Tholian asked.

(translated from Tholian) "Yes." the other replied.

(translated from Tholian) "Excellent... begin calculations for the next available cycle. In the meantime, set a course for Deep Space Nine, warp one." the center Tholian ordered, as the other "bowed" to it, and moved to carry out the order, as it tapped the mist in front of it, activating a holographic navigation panel, as it began to enter the course and speed.

In space, the Tholian vessel began to move forward, and then pick up speed, before veering sharply to the right, and streaking into warp, leaving only a distant pinpoint flash of white light behind it.

- TO BE CONTINUED -

 

[Mistral]

Ok, good opening. I am curious about who the Tholians want to contact and what purpose the anchor serves.

 

[BolianAuthor]

^

Thanks! An update will be up late tonight. The plot will seem obvious and easily deal with at first, but that's the point... the way things seem can sometimes be deceiving... these are not humans we're dealing with... these are Tholians, and the Tholians are quite multi-faceted.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

LOL at the pun!

 

[fleetcaptain]

Interesting plot indeed. Can't wait to see what happens.

 

[BolianAuthor]

- CONTINUED -



STARFLEET COMMAND - SAN FRANCISCO, EARTH

OFFICE OF ADMIRAL KINDAR

A human Admiral paused outside the office of Admiral Kindar long enough for the doors to slide open, and allow him to enter, as he made his way over to the Andorian Admiral's desk, where he saw an alien representative sitting across from Kindar, in a chair. This new alien was humanoid, but looked different than anything either Admiral had seen before...

The alien had black skin... jet black. It appeared to be male, and its hair was the color of copper, and it's eyes were bright yellow, with black speckles. Its clothing consisted of flowing robes of blue and green, with a decorative sash of crimson. The new alien glanced up at the human Admiral, before offering a short and silent nod, as it again faced Admiral Kindar, who himself looked to the human Admiral, gesturing for him to take a seat.

"Ahh... Admiral Reese... good of you to join us. This is our new friend. He represents the Hunjiiri. His people came to the Alpha Quadrant no more than three months ago, to flee from the former Dominion-held territories in the Gamma Quadrant." Kindar explained. "He has been telling us of a... situation... in the Tholian Sector." he added.

"Situation... I'm not aware of a..." Reese began, as the Hunjiiri looked to him, and began to speak...

"It is nothing of a violent nature." the Hunjiiri began. "But for over four weeks now, ships coming into that region from the Gamma Quadrant are being stopped by Tholian patrols, and ordered out of the region. There is nothing in that region of use to us, but a bunch of inhospitable worlds... in many cases, we just want safe passage through the region, so we can begin colonization operations in the Delvorek Reach. Going through the Jenthirii Corridor is the fastest route to take." the man stated.

Admiral Reese smiled slightly, as he nodded, before replying.

"I'm assuming then, that none of your people have established any form of visual communications with the Tholians, then?" he asked.

"That is correct... we have tried, but they seem quite... elusive." the Hunjiiri replied.

"You have no idea." Admiral Kindar softly lamented, as Reese began to continue.

"Well, the Tholians are a... unique... form of life. What you call inhospitable worlds, are what the Tholians would call home. And the Tholians are highly isolationist, almost to the point of xenophobia... they could see this new increase in traffic through the region as a threat, even though no hostile action has been taken by either side yet. The Tholians are fiercely territorial." Reese offered, looking to Kindar, so he could take over.

"Tell you what..." Kindar began. "As it happens, I actually do have a meeting with the Tholian Ambassador later this evening. I will bring up your concerns at the meeting, and see if we can't work something out. You're free to join me, and meet the Ambassador for yourself, if you like. In the meantime, I believe the starship Rutan is near that region of space... I'll have it divert course, and keep an eye out for any more confrontations that may occur." he offered, as he and Reese stood up, and the Hunjiiri followed, as Kindar extended his hand to the alien.



STARBASE DEEP SPACE NINE - BAJOR ORBIT

The old Cardassian station sat in orbit over the beautiful world below it... Bajor.

OPS

All was calm, as the crew tended to their posts and duties, as a series of beeps sounded on the panel of Chief O'Brien, who looked to Colonel Kira, to give a report.

"Colonel, a Tholian ship just dropped out of warp, and is on a direct heading for the station... they're hailing us." he said.

"Tholians?" Kira asked aloud, puzzled. "On screen!" she ordered, as the viewscreen generated a holoview of the Tholian ship on an approach vector.

Suddenly, everyone in OPS had to bring their hands up to shield their eyes, as the intense brightness of the Tholian atmosphere filled the viewscreen with the image of flowing orange and purple gasses, as the form of the Tholian Commander gradually became visible, its bright white eyes slicing through the gaseous haze.

"I am Commander Lokess. We request permission to initiate scientific study of the nearby wormhole." the Tholian announced.

"Greetings, Commander Lokess." Kira began. "We are happy to grant your request, but the wormhole is open for everyone to study at will... why did you feel your request merited a personal contact?" she asked.

"In order to conduct our tests, and ensure that our instruments function with maximum accuracy, all traffic through the wormhole must be suspended, for the duration of our tests. There can be no margin for error." Lokess replied, as Kira regarded his words, turning to face the others in OPS.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Uh-oh...I'd definitely be concerned about the nature of these experiments!

One question, though. When did DS9 move back to Bajor orbit like it was in its Terok Nor days?

 

[BolianAuthor]

Uh-oh...I'd definitely be concerned about the nature of these experiments!

One question, though. When did DS9 move back to Bajor orbit like it was in its Terok Nor days?

That was just something I felt like doing... I figured that after the Dominon War, the station would have been returned to Bajor orbit, to serve as Bajor's "starbase" during Bajor's first years as a UFP member, and to kind of serve as a base of operations for relief efforts on the world, as the UFP works to build up their economy and infrastructure. I figure by this point the UFP and allied fleets would be large enough to patrol the outer Bajoran Sector. But it was just something I felt like doing... I always loved how DS9 looked orbiting Bajor.

 

[BrotherBenny]

You might want to explain that before you go much further.

And I'm not sure even low warp is necessary to reach the wormhole, it's about three hours at full impulse from the wormhole to Bajor.

 

[Mistral]

I'm fine with the station there-makes for a good visual. So what do the Tholians want to test? That's the question...

 

[BolianAuthor]

^

Hehe... we'll find out soon enough.

 

[BolianAuthor]

- CONTINUED -



STARBASE DEEP SPACE NINE - BAJOR ORBIT

The old Cardassian station sat in orbit over the beautiful world below it... Bajor.

WARDROOM

Colonel Kira sat at the end of a long table, facing a lone wall monitor, as she spoke to Admiral Kindar, on subspace.

"And so, Admiral... the Tholians are requesting that all traffic through the wormhole be suspended, so that they may conduct their tests." she began to explain.

"And just how long did the Tholians say these tests would take?" Kindar asked, as an assistant handed him a PADD, before walking away.

"Two days, three hours, five minutes, and seven seconds." Kira replied, as Kindar looked up from the PADD, sporting a half-sarcastic smile, as he shook his head.

"The Tholian punctuality... down to the second." he began. "And what is it they want to do in there again?" he asked.

Kira started to throw her hands up, as if she had no idea what the Tholian explanation had been, as she began to tell the Admiral of their plan.

"I have no idea what it all means, Admiral, but from what they told us, it looks like they're trying to create and maintain a stable quantum bridge within the wormhole's interior... within the very fabric of the verteron membrane. They says that if traffic is not stopped, then any ships inside the wormhole may end up falling through the quantum rift, or destabilizing the quantum anchor they plan to use, to keep the rift stable." she offered.

Admiral Kindar looked as if he were thinking the situation over, as he leaned forward to reply.

"Well... if anything, this ought to make the Assembly happy, if but for a while." he began.

"Admiral?" Kira asked, not picking up on what he meant.

"There have been some incidents in the Jenthirii Corridor... Tholian patrol ships have been directing incoming refugee fleets from the Gamma Quadrant away from the region. The latest incident was with a group of Hunjiiri vessels... as soon as they warped into the region, they were escorted out by a Tholian patrol." the Admiral stated.

"That almost makes it seem like the Tholians are intentionally trying to keep outsiders from coming into the Alpha Quadrant." Kira said.

This remark made the Admiral sober up, and think about the possibility.

"Could be..." he began. "On the other hand, we all know how territorial and xenophobic the Tholians are by nature... this could just be normal behavior." he added, as he began to ponder something, before looking back to Kira. "I tell you what... tell the Tholians they have permission to do their thing, but tell them they have to wait a week to do it." he said.

"Sir?" Kira asked.

"I'm sending the U.S.S. Sarek to the mouth of the wormhole... its orders will be to observe the Tholian's experiment. If the Tholians are up to anything sinister, we'll be in a position to stop it. But the Sarek is now at Dykstra II, finishing up trade negotiations with the Stroth... she won't be able to arrive at your location for another six days." Kindar stated. "You make it clear to the Tholians, that they are not to proceed to the wormhole, unless the Sarek is joining them." he added.

"Acknowledged, Admiral." Kira replied.

"Kindar out." he stated, as the screen switched to a view of the UFP seal, before going black, as Kira rocked in her seat a bit, as she turned to look out the widows, to see the lone Tholian ship, sitting in space, as if staring right back at her.

"What are you up to?" she softly asked aloud, as if the Tholians could hear her.



- TO BE CONTINUED -

 

[Mistral]

I'm surprised that kind of an experiment is being permitted-the odds of destabilizing the wormhole are pretty high if I understand your explanation...

 

[BolianAuthor]

^

True, but the Tholians are one of the few "friendly" races that are more than a match for the UFP technologically, and we would probably not want to strain relations, especially when we don't really know their true motives.

Besides, there's going to be a Starfleet observer watching them, in the form of the U.S.S. Sarek.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Hmm...are we so sure, though, that the Tholians are "friendly," or just waiting for the right moment to strike?

I am definitely suspicious of whatever the Tholians plan to do. And I am also surprised that Kira didn't resist something that would potentially endanger the Prophets far more vociferously than she did.

 

[BolianAuthor]

^

Well, historically, post-TOS, the Tholians have generally been depicted as a non-hostile race to the UFP, but as I said before... the Tholians are multi-faceted. Remember... as a whole, the Orvani from my "Shades of Gray" story were pretty cut-and-dry... but even their culture had rogue elements with their own agendas.

As for Kira... I actually thought about that a little, and the very fact that the Tholians bothered to ask her in person might have been enough to convince her that there was nothing (hopefully) sinister behind it. But like the old saying goes... sometimes the best hiding place is in plain sight.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Supposedly the Cardassians "asked" before they took Bajor over, too.