Extinction - The Preserver Saga, Part Two
- Thread starter thew40
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DEFIANT
Sisko paced the bridge, impatiently waiting for battle. The door to the bridge opened up and Bashir walked in. “Sickbay is ready,” the doctor reported. “Doctor Crusher is preparing the neutralizer.”
“Very good, Doctor. Good work.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The captain stepped over to tactical, where Colonel Kira prepped weapons for the conflict to come. “Colonel?”
“Phaser banks charged, photon launchers responding, Captain,” she said quietly. “The Jem’Hadar won’t know what hit them.”
Sisko gave her a small smile. “That’s what I like to hear, Colonel. Any word from the station?”
“Nothing new.”
“Another thing I like to hear,” Sisko replied and walked to Nog at navigation. “Ensign? Fleet coordination?”
“We’ve assumed attack pattern Theta-4, Captain. Fleet is reporting ready for battle.”
“Just keep your eyes sharp, Ensign,” Sisko stated.
Nog smiled broadly. “As sharp as my teeth, Captain.”
Sisko patted his shoulder and finally made his way over to O’Brien. “Chief?”
“Damage control teams standing by, Captain. Engineering is ready. We’re getting too familiar with battle preparations.”
“I have to agree with you, Chief.”
Sisko took his place in his chair, crossed his legs and intertwined his fingers. “Good work so far, people, so let’s keep this going. We’ll be arriving at Ulana Four shortly and I want all hands at battle stations . . . and all hands to return home. Understood?” There was no response, but there didn’t need to be. “Mr. Nog . . .”
“Approaching Ulana Four.”
“Captain, I’m detecting the Dominion fleet,” Kira reported.
“On screen, Colonel.”
The fleet appeared above Ulana Four. Twenty Jem’Hadar attack ships, ten Cardassian Galor-class destroyers, and five Son’a vessels. They outnumbered the alliance fleet, but just barely.
Sisko took in a deep breath. “Alert the fleet to drop out of warp and assume battle position Delta-Niner-One. Lock photon torpedoes and phasers. Prepare to fire on my command.”
WAR
Captain Picard moved to the edge of his seat, his heart thundering faster in his chest. He glanced at Will, who stared down the fleet. Picard then looked to Troi, who didn’t need to be told that she was trying not to be overwhelmed by all the different emotions she was feeling. She had, in the beginning of the war, told Picard that the Jem’Hadar’s abundant aggression was staggering and she could sense even from this far. That, combined with the edginess of the crew in this type of situation (not to mention the fleet that surrounded them), was a lot to handle for her.
“The Dominion fleet is breaking formation and arming weapons,” Data reported.
“Lieutenant Daniels, Ensign Perim, coordinate our attack with the rest of the fleet. Fire phasers and arm photon torpedoes.”
The Enterprise moved forward, along with the rest of the fleet. Phaser beams slide through space, against an in-coming Cardassian vessel, ripping across its shields until it met with the hull. A barrage of photon torpedoes disabled the ship and the Enterprise and three Klingon cruisers sailed by it, moving onto the next one.
The Klingon vessel was quickly struck by Jem’Hadar polaron beams and Cardassian disrupters. Huge sections of the Vor’cha class vessel were seared back by the attack, debris flying off from the skin of the ship. A second Vor’cha swung into position, firing at the Jem’Hadar fighter. A Son’a ship joined against the second Vor’cha, destroying much it and sending in smashing into the first. The collision of both vessels disrupted the alliance’s attack pattern, forcing them to quickly adapt.
The Dominion moved in quickly.
Jem’Hadar ships swung in, charging forward and doing as much damage as possible. One of them slammed into a Reliant ship, ripping it in two. Two others tried the same, but were destroyed before they could manage.
The Cardassians and Son’a attempted to outflank the fleet. Four Galor-class vessel and two Son’a ships moved to the left of the alliance fleet. One of the Defiants and Akiras moved in with an Intrepid and Nu’Daq’s Maht-H’a engaged this arm of the fleet. The Akira took immediate heavy damage, but the Defiant and Intrepid class were able to destroy a Cardassian vessel rather quickly. The Maht-H’a lost a nacelle to a Son’a ship, but repaid them by bombarding the ship with disrupters. The Son’a ship was wiped out.
Sisko paced the bridge, impatiently waiting for battle. The door to the bridge opened up and Bashir walked in. “Sickbay is ready,” the doctor reported. “Doctor Crusher is preparing the neutralizer.”
“Very good, Doctor. Good work.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The captain stepped over to tactical, where Colonel Kira prepped weapons for the conflict to come. “Colonel?”
“Phaser banks charged, photon launchers responding, Captain,” she said quietly. “The Jem’Hadar won’t know what hit them.”
Sisko gave her a small smile. “That’s what I like to hear, Colonel. Any word from the station?”
“Nothing new.”
“Another thing I like to hear,” Sisko replied and walked to Nog at navigation. “Ensign? Fleet coordination?”
“We’ve assumed attack pattern Theta-4, Captain. Fleet is reporting ready for battle.”
“Just keep your eyes sharp, Ensign,” Sisko stated.
Nog smiled broadly. “As sharp as my teeth, Captain.”
Sisko patted his shoulder and finally made his way over to O’Brien. “Chief?”
“Damage control teams standing by, Captain. Engineering is ready. We’re getting too familiar with battle preparations.”
“I have to agree with you, Chief.”
Sisko took his place in his chair, crossed his legs and intertwined his fingers. “Good work so far, people, so let’s keep this going. We’ll be arriving at Ulana Four shortly and I want all hands at battle stations . . . and all hands to return home. Understood?” There was no response, but there didn’t need to be. “Mr. Nog . . .”
“Approaching Ulana Four.”
“Captain, I’m detecting the Dominion fleet,” Kira reported.
“On screen, Colonel.”
The fleet appeared above Ulana Four. Twenty Jem’Hadar attack ships, ten Cardassian Galor-class destroyers, and five Son’a vessels. They outnumbered the alliance fleet, but just barely.
Sisko took in a deep breath. “Alert the fleet to drop out of warp and assume battle position Delta-Niner-One. Lock photon torpedoes and phasers. Prepare to fire on my command.”
WAR
Captain Picard moved to the edge of his seat, his heart thundering faster in his chest. He glanced at Will, who stared down the fleet. Picard then looked to Troi, who didn’t need to be told that she was trying not to be overwhelmed by all the different emotions she was feeling. She had, in the beginning of the war, told Picard that the Jem’Hadar’s abundant aggression was staggering and she could sense even from this far. That, combined with the edginess of the crew in this type of situation (not to mention the fleet that surrounded them), was a lot to handle for her.
“The Dominion fleet is breaking formation and arming weapons,” Data reported.
“Lieutenant Daniels, Ensign Perim, coordinate our attack with the rest of the fleet. Fire phasers and arm photon torpedoes.”
The Enterprise moved forward, along with the rest of the fleet. Phaser beams slide through space, against an in-coming Cardassian vessel, ripping across its shields until it met with the hull. A barrage of photon torpedoes disabled the ship and the Enterprise and three Klingon cruisers sailed by it, moving onto the next one.
The Klingon vessel was quickly struck by Jem’Hadar polaron beams and Cardassian disrupters. Huge sections of the Vor’cha class vessel were seared back by the attack, debris flying off from the skin of the ship. A second Vor’cha swung into position, firing at the Jem’Hadar fighter. A Son’a ship joined against the second Vor’cha, destroying much it and sending in smashing into the first. The collision of both vessels disrupted the alliance’s attack pattern, forcing them to quickly adapt.
The Dominion moved in quickly.
Jem’Hadar ships swung in, charging forward and doing as much damage as possible. One of them slammed into a Reliant ship, ripping it in two. Two others tried the same, but were destroyed before they could manage.
The Cardassians and Son’a attempted to outflank the fleet. Four Galor-class vessel and two Son’a ships moved to the left of the alliance fleet. One of the Defiants and Akiras moved in with an Intrepid and Nu’Daq’s Maht-H’a engaged this arm of the fleet. The Akira took immediate heavy damage, but the Defiant and Intrepid class were able to destroy a Cardassian vessel rather quickly. The Maht-H’a lost a nacelle to a Son’a ship, but repaid them by bombarding the ship with disrupters. The Son’a ship was wiped out.
CARDASSIA PRIME
Weyoun stared at the screen as up-dates came in from Ulana Four. Damar was off someplace, probably in a drunken stupor, which was preferable. He would probably wonder why it was the alliance was so interested in this little world in the old DMZ. The bioweapon had been kept a secret from all except those heavily involved in its creation. If word got out that this was even being created, it would surely strain the already tense membership of Cardassia. The Cardassians involved in its creation were of what Weyoun considered to be a “higher mindset” and understood that the weapon wouldn’t be used against them. There wasn’t even a back-up of the bioweapon’s formula on Cardassia Prime. Besides, it was last resort.
Weyoun blinked and realized something about the alliance’s fleet pattern. Klingon Birds-of-Prey weren’t engaging the enemy. In fact, all of the other vessels seemed to be protecting them. Weyoun didn’t have to think for long as to why that would be.
ULANA FOUR
“Captain, the Dominion is reorganizing their fleet,” Kira reported from tactical just as another photon torpedo struck them. The vessel shook for a moment. “I think they’re onto us.”
Sisko nodded and sighed. “Very well. Inform Captain Picard, General Martok and Commander Galathon that the time has come. Alert the fleet to execute the siege of Ulana Four.”
The word went out. The fleet shifted best it could against the Dominion firepower and pushed towards Ulana Four. Eight Birds-of-Prey were soon joined by ten Runabouts and shuttlecrafts, as well as some forty Romulan Scorpion attack vessels. With the fleet protecting the Birds of Prey and the Birds-of-Prey protecting the smaller craft, they all pushed their way to Ulana Four.
The fleet broke away from the smaller group once the Birds-of-Prey and the smaller ships reached higher orbit. A Jem’Hadar ship managed to destroy one Bird-of-Prey, but no others.
Half the Birds-of-Prey broke off to engage the base itself, blasting hard against its defenses. Two Birds-of-Prey were destroyed in this volley. The others joined the rest of the smaller fleet, which was now depositing an army.
The gangway of the Rotarran allowed Worf and Martok exit onto this dull, chilly world. Scores of Klingon warriors were pouring out of nearby Birds-of-Prey. At the same time, Starfleet security-turned-soldiers marched towards the Klingons. A small number of Romulans joined them, but most of the Scorpion fleet was in the sky, striking the base best they could and keeping the Dominion from attacking from above.
Doctor Crusher moved near Worf, who was armed to the teeth with his disrupters, bat’leth, and D’k tahg. He looked to her and sighed. “Stay close to me, Doctor,” he advised, “but not too close.”
“Understood,” she replied, holding a phaser at the ready and making sure the neutralizer was secure.
“THEY COME!” Martok shouted. “JEM’HADAR AND THEIR CARDASSIAN PUPPETS! PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR BATTLE!”
Worf felt a surge of energy. Partially from the rejuvenating effects of the Briar Patch and partially out of the grief for Jadzia that still burned within him. He didn’t reach for his disrupter. He reached for his bat’leth.
TEAMWORK
“Captain - ”
“I see it, Colonel,” Sisko responded, eyes locking onto the Jem’Hadar heavy cruiser as it came out of warp. “Get me the Enterprise.”
“Channel open.”
“Captain Picard,” Sisko began, “I believe we have a chance to work together here.”
“Oh?”
Sisko nodded. “Follow my lead.”
Within seconds, the Defiant broke from its engagement and jetted towards the heavy cruiser. The Enterprise was right behind her, phasers and torpedoes knocking back anyone who thought about following them. The Defiant took a shot from the cruiser, but the Enterprise fired at the exact point where the polaron beam had come from. The Defiant swung close the cruiser blasting its pulse phaser through the shields, striking the hull. With every strike, the Enterprise matched it, doubling or tripling the amount of damage.
The Defiant and Enterprise veered off, then swung back and fired again, striking it with as much firepower as the ships could muster. Explosion roared silently from the cruiser as it was ripped apart. A few more shots finished it off.
“Good thinking, Captain,” Picard offered as they rejoined the fleet.
“Thank you sir. See you on Ulana Four.”
Weyoun stared at the screen as up-dates came in from Ulana Four. Damar was off someplace, probably in a drunken stupor, which was preferable. He would probably wonder why it was the alliance was so interested in this little world in the old DMZ. The bioweapon had been kept a secret from all except those heavily involved in its creation. If word got out that this was even being created, it would surely strain the already tense membership of Cardassia. The Cardassians involved in its creation were of what Weyoun considered to be a “higher mindset” and understood that the weapon wouldn’t be used against them. There wasn’t even a back-up of the bioweapon’s formula on Cardassia Prime. Besides, it was last resort.
Weyoun blinked and realized something about the alliance’s fleet pattern. Klingon Birds-of-Prey weren’t engaging the enemy. In fact, all of the other vessels seemed to be protecting them. Weyoun didn’t have to think for long as to why that would be.
ULANA FOUR
“Captain, the Dominion is reorganizing their fleet,” Kira reported from tactical just as another photon torpedo struck them. The vessel shook for a moment. “I think they’re onto us.”
Sisko nodded and sighed. “Very well. Inform Captain Picard, General Martok and Commander Galathon that the time has come. Alert the fleet to execute the siege of Ulana Four.”
The word went out. The fleet shifted best it could against the Dominion firepower and pushed towards Ulana Four. Eight Birds-of-Prey were soon joined by ten Runabouts and shuttlecrafts, as well as some forty Romulan Scorpion attack vessels. With the fleet protecting the Birds of Prey and the Birds-of-Prey protecting the smaller craft, they all pushed their way to Ulana Four.
The fleet broke away from the smaller group once the Birds-of-Prey and the smaller ships reached higher orbit. A Jem’Hadar ship managed to destroy one Bird-of-Prey, but no others.
Half the Birds-of-Prey broke off to engage the base itself, blasting hard against its defenses. Two Birds-of-Prey were destroyed in this volley. The others joined the rest of the smaller fleet, which was now depositing an army.
The gangway of the Rotarran allowed Worf and Martok exit onto this dull, chilly world. Scores of Klingon warriors were pouring out of nearby Birds-of-Prey. At the same time, Starfleet security-turned-soldiers marched towards the Klingons. A small number of Romulans joined them, but most of the Scorpion fleet was in the sky, striking the base best they could and keeping the Dominion from attacking from above.
Doctor Crusher moved near Worf, who was armed to the teeth with his disrupters, bat’leth, and D’k tahg. He looked to her and sighed. “Stay close to me, Doctor,” he advised, “but not too close.”
“Understood,” she replied, holding a phaser at the ready and making sure the neutralizer was secure.
“THEY COME!” Martok shouted. “JEM’HADAR AND THEIR CARDASSIAN PUPPETS! PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR BATTLE!”
Worf felt a surge of energy. Partially from the rejuvenating effects of the Briar Patch and partially out of the grief for Jadzia that still burned within him. He didn’t reach for his disrupter. He reached for his bat’leth.
TEAMWORK
“Captain - ”
“I see it, Colonel,” Sisko responded, eyes locking onto the Jem’Hadar heavy cruiser as it came out of warp. “Get me the Enterprise.”
“Channel open.”
“Captain Picard,” Sisko began, “I believe we have a chance to work together here.”
“Oh?”
Sisko nodded. “Follow my lead.”
Within seconds, the Defiant broke from its engagement and jetted towards the heavy cruiser. The Enterprise was right behind her, phasers and torpedoes knocking back anyone who thought about following them. The Defiant took a shot from the cruiser, but the Enterprise fired at the exact point where the polaron beam had come from. The Defiant swung close the cruiser blasting its pulse phaser through the shields, striking the hull. With every strike, the Enterprise matched it, doubling or tripling the amount of damage.
The Defiant and Enterprise veered off, then swung back and fired again, striking it with as much firepower as the ships could muster. Explosion roared silently from the cruiser as it was ripped apart. A few more shots finished it off.
“Good thinking, Captain,” Picard offered as they rejoined the fleet.
“Thank you sir. See you on Ulana Four.”
THE LONE SON’A AT THE DOOR
Ilkis stood at the door to the base, left alone after the Jem’Hadar had rushed out to the fields along the south perimeter. He counted himself lucky to just be stuck here. The odds of the alliance forces actually making it here had to be pretty damn impossible. The Son’a breathed deeply, however, and prepared for the returning Jem’Hadar.
The nearby ridge was soon filed with figures returning from war. Ilkis looked up, expecting to see Jem’Hadar and Cardassians . . . but found a Klingon covered in blood, a human next to him, and an army of Klingons and Starfleet personnel behind them. The Klingon whipped out his disrupter and pointed it straight at Ilkis.
“Open the door, play dead, and we’ll let you leave.”
Ilkis raised his phaser a little, lowered, walked to the edge of the pathway, unlocked the door, and flopped to the ground.
Doctor Crusher grinned a little at Worf; happy to see a more ‘easy’ side of him compared to the raging warrior she was following across the battlefield.
The door came open and the Klingons moved in, some of them falling to security’s fire, but most of them rampaging through the foyer and into the next chamber. The Romulans and Starfleet followed, phasers and disrupters drawn, firing at anything the Klingons may have missed.
Reluctantly, Crusher had to turn a blind eye to the heavily injured Cardassians that fell to the ground. Worf grabbed her arm and pulled her away from a polaron beam. She didn’t have a chance to say ‘thanks’ before Worf slammed the end of his bat’leth into an approaching Son’a. A nearby Romulan pointed in the direction of the lab.
Inside, two Cardassians were shot on sight by the Romulan, while three Jem’Hadar were handled by five Klingons. Beverly pulled out her tricorder as the remaining scientists (two Cardassians, one Vorta, and two Son’a) were pushed against the walls, phasers and disrupters on the backs.
Crusher found the lone container of the bioweapon. Above it, a hologram of it floated with status message all around it. Crusher worked the controls until she was able to access the airlock valve for the bioweapon. She locked in the neutralizer and opened it.
The computer began to beep. The hologram displayed the genetic variances based on the binary clones DNA as it was attacked. The bioweapon was neutralized rather quickly, the deadly virus decaying before her very eyes. Just as it reached the point of no return, however, the bioweapon began to reconfigure itself.
“What is this?” she questioned, as the genetic variances mutated the bioweapon further. While it was still neutralized, something was still happening to it. She looked down at the container, finding what once appeared to be an empty holder was now filling with some kind of yellow gas.
“What is happening?” she asked the scientists.
“ANSWER HER!” shouted a Klingon after no one spoke.
A Cardassian at the end looked to the hologram and his brow furrowed. “I don’t know . . .”
THE FOUNDER
Weyoun didn’t like what he was seeing. The base was now being overrun and the fleet was falling apart. He was about to send for reinforcements when the doors the command center opened and the Founder entered.
“Founder,” Weyoun praised, bowing, “you honor me with your presence. How may I serve you?”
The Founder looked at the screen, her body slowly decaying. Weyoun, of course, knew of this plight, and did everything he could to avert his eyes. She looked at him then and he rose up at her gaze.
“The situation on Ulana Four has deteriorated. The weapon has been neutralized.”
“It has?”
The Founder gave him a look that punished him for questioning her. Weyoun stepped back, aghast that he offended her.
“Recall our fleet from the system. Order all Jem’Hadar to execute our operatives and then themselves. We can not allow any word of this project to reach the civilian population.”
“As you command,” Weyoun said and went to the comm terminal.
“After you’re done with that, Weyoun, I need you to write me a report.”
“A report?”
“Yes. About the Breen.”
STANDING DOWN
“The fleet is in retreat, Worf,” Sisko reported over the comm. “Good work down there.”
“Captain,” Doctor Crusher cut in, “I’d like Doctor Bashir to come down here right away.”
“I’ll send him right down,” Sisko replied after a pause. “Defiant out.”
The hologram above the canister was in continuous mutation, evolving one way, then another. It never lost its humanoid signature, but it was constantly changing. The Dominion scientists were now standing nearby, though with Starfleet security officers at the ready.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said one of the Cardassian. “It’s extraordinary.”
“I might have a theory,” spoke up the Son’a.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have a chance to reveal it. A Jem’Hadar unshrouded right next to him with a weapon at the ready. He fired five shots, killing of the scientists before turning it on himself. The Klingons and the security officers barely had time to react.
“What the hell just happened?” yelled Crusher.
“It’s happening all over the base,” reported Martok from the door. “Looks like the Jem’Hadar are interested in keeping this place a secret. The database has been destroyed as well.”
***
Within the hour, Bashir, Sisko, Picard, and Data arrived in the lab. Bashir walked over to the canister, but before he could, something jumped from above. It made straight for Sisko.
A Changeling.
Three quick phaser pulses struck it before it could attack the Captain. The Changeling staggered back as Sisko, Data, Worf, Martok, and some of the others fired. The Changeling screamed out as it died, collapsing to the ground into a pile of dust.
Sisko looked to see who had saved him . . . and found Jean-Luc Picard.
Ilkis stood at the door to the base, left alone after the Jem’Hadar had rushed out to the fields along the south perimeter. He counted himself lucky to just be stuck here. The odds of the alliance forces actually making it here had to be pretty damn impossible. The Son’a breathed deeply, however, and prepared for the returning Jem’Hadar.
The nearby ridge was soon filed with figures returning from war. Ilkis looked up, expecting to see Jem’Hadar and Cardassians . . . but found a Klingon covered in blood, a human next to him, and an army of Klingons and Starfleet personnel behind them. The Klingon whipped out his disrupter and pointed it straight at Ilkis.
“Open the door, play dead, and we’ll let you leave.”
Ilkis raised his phaser a little, lowered, walked to the edge of the pathway, unlocked the door, and flopped to the ground.
Doctor Crusher grinned a little at Worf; happy to see a more ‘easy’ side of him compared to the raging warrior she was following across the battlefield.
The door came open and the Klingons moved in, some of them falling to security’s fire, but most of them rampaging through the foyer and into the next chamber. The Romulans and Starfleet followed, phasers and disrupters drawn, firing at anything the Klingons may have missed.
Reluctantly, Crusher had to turn a blind eye to the heavily injured Cardassians that fell to the ground. Worf grabbed her arm and pulled her away from a polaron beam. She didn’t have a chance to say ‘thanks’ before Worf slammed the end of his bat’leth into an approaching Son’a. A nearby Romulan pointed in the direction of the lab.
Inside, two Cardassians were shot on sight by the Romulan, while three Jem’Hadar were handled by five Klingons. Beverly pulled out her tricorder as the remaining scientists (two Cardassians, one Vorta, and two Son’a) were pushed against the walls, phasers and disrupters on the backs.
Crusher found the lone container of the bioweapon. Above it, a hologram of it floated with status message all around it. Crusher worked the controls until she was able to access the airlock valve for the bioweapon. She locked in the neutralizer and opened it.
The computer began to beep. The hologram displayed the genetic variances based on the binary clones DNA as it was attacked. The bioweapon was neutralized rather quickly, the deadly virus decaying before her very eyes. Just as it reached the point of no return, however, the bioweapon began to reconfigure itself.
“What is this?” she questioned, as the genetic variances mutated the bioweapon further. While it was still neutralized, something was still happening to it. She looked down at the container, finding what once appeared to be an empty holder was now filling with some kind of yellow gas.
“What is happening?” she asked the scientists.
“ANSWER HER!” shouted a Klingon after no one spoke.
A Cardassian at the end looked to the hologram and his brow furrowed. “I don’t know . . .”
THE FOUNDER
Weyoun didn’t like what he was seeing. The base was now being overrun and the fleet was falling apart. He was about to send for reinforcements when the doors the command center opened and the Founder entered.
“Founder,” Weyoun praised, bowing, “you honor me with your presence. How may I serve you?”
The Founder looked at the screen, her body slowly decaying. Weyoun, of course, knew of this plight, and did everything he could to avert his eyes. She looked at him then and he rose up at her gaze.
“The situation on Ulana Four has deteriorated. The weapon has been neutralized.”
“It has?”
The Founder gave him a look that punished him for questioning her. Weyoun stepped back, aghast that he offended her.
“Recall our fleet from the system. Order all Jem’Hadar to execute our operatives and then themselves. We can not allow any word of this project to reach the civilian population.”
“As you command,” Weyoun said and went to the comm terminal.
“After you’re done with that, Weyoun, I need you to write me a report.”
“A report?”
“Yes. About the Breen.”
STANDING DOWN
“The fleet is in retreat, Worf,” Sisko reported over the comm. “Good work down there.”
“Captain,” Doctor Crusher cut in, “I’d like Doctor Bashir to come down here right away.”
“I’ll send him right down,” Sisko replied after a pause. “Defiant out.”
The hologram above the canister was in continuous mutation, evolving one way, then another. It never lost its humanoid signature, but it was constantly changing. The Dominion scientists were now standing nearby, though with Starfleet security officers at the ready.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said one of the Cardassian. “It’s extraordinary.”
“I might have a theory,” spoke up the Son’a.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have a chance to reveal it. A Jem’Hadar unshrouded right next to him with a weapon at the ready. He fired five shots, killing of the scientists before turning it on himself. The Klingons and the security officers barely had time to react.
“What the hell just happened?” yelled Crusher.
“It’s happening all over the base,” reported Martok from the door. “Looks like the Jem’Hadar are interested in keeping this place a secret. The database has been destroyed as well.”
***
Within the hour, Bashir, Sisko, Picard, and Data arrived in the lab. Bashir walked over to the canister, but before he could, something jumped from above. It made straight for Sisko.
A Changeling.
Three quick phaser pulses struck it before it could attack the Captain. The Changeling staggered back as Sisko, Data, Worf, Martok, and some of the others fired. The Changeling screamed out as it died, collapsing to the ground into a pile of dust.
Sisko looked to see who had saved him . . . and found Jean-Luc Picard.
NEW LIFE
The former bioweapon finally stopped mutating now assumed a form that was quickly reconfiguring. Bashir and Crusher both had their tricorders out and were scanning it intensively.
“It’s a life-form,” Bashir realized.
“It’s starting to develop into a cell.”
“What is this gas inside the container?” asked Data.
“We’re not sure yet,” Bashir answered. “I’d like to get this on board the Defiant. Or the Enterprise. Just out of here.”
“Captain, I’m reading a build-up of energy,” Data suddenly announced, his own tricorder beeping. “Something deep beneath use is powering up.”
The floor began to hum with power as the strength of whatever was below them came alive. A green circle of energy rose up from the floor and formed rings around the container. There was a sudden blue beam of energy that shot from below canister, straight through it, and into the ceiling. Then, as quickly as it all happened, it was over. The hum of energy quieted and the whatever it was that was within that container was gone.
***
As the alliance set the last charges and prepared to leave the planet for repairs, Picard took in the sights. Beyond the tall grass that was only matted and mowed near the base, there were gigantic mountains covered in snow. They reminded him a bit of the Briar Patch and he realized that the youthful energy gained from there was quickly fading. He sighed heavily.
“Captain.”
Picard turned around and found Sisko standing nearby. “Captain.”
“I never had the chance to thank you for saving my life back there.”
Picard smirked a little. “No need.”
Sisko made a look that told Picard otherwise. Sisko stepped a little closer. “Captain, there comes a time in a man’s life when he has to learn to put whatever anger he had towards someone away. To be quite frank, I’m tired of hating you.”
Picard laughed a little. “I’m tired of it, too, to be honest. I meant what I said though. About . . .”
“It’s over, Captain. The fact of that matter is . . . I have great respect for you. And I’m sorry.”
Sisko held out his hand and Picard shook it.
“For what it’s worth, I feel the very same.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
“Please. Call me Jean-Luc.”
Sisko cracked a smile. “Jean-Luc. Care to join my family and I for dinner when we get back to the station?”
“Delighted, Ben.”
***
Not long after the Enterprise, Defiant, and Rotarran resumed a course back to DS9, Data found Picard in his Ready Room. “Captain, I thought you would be interested to know, I finished the sensor scans of the base on Ulana Four.”
Picard set down his tea and looked at Data with some surprise. “I was expecting this hours ago, Data.”
“I know, sir, but to be honest, there were some surprises when I completed the initial scans. As you will find, the base was actually constructed on top another structure, one that our sensors indicate is older than nearly any other on file.”
“Nearly?”
“Sensors indicated that it was a match for technology created by the Preservers. As you will find in my report, the Preservers may have also been known as an unnamed noncoperal life-form that was annihilated millions of years ago . . .”
Picard set down the PADD. “Are you saying the Preservers and the ancient humanoids may be one and the same?”
“There are similarities. According to our records, there are indications that Captain Kirk and his crew encountered their descendants in the forms of noncorperal entities Sargon, Thalassa, and Henoch on stardate 4768.3 – and one known as the Keeper on stardate - ”
“Data,” Picard interrupted, “it’s all here on your report?”
“Yes sir.”
“Then I’ll just read it and get back to you.”
“Of course sir. Thank you.”
Data left and Picard stared at the PADD, stunned by the revelations made here.
The former bioweapon finally stopped mutating now assumed a form that was quickly reconfiguring. Bashir and Crusher both had their tricorders out and were scanning it intensively.
“It’s a life-form,” Bashir realized.
“It’s starting to develop into a cell.”
“What is this gas inside the container?” asked Data.
“We’re not sure yet,” Bashir answered. “I’d like to get this on board the Defiant. Or the Enterprise. Just out of here.”
“Captain, I’m reading a build-up of energy,” Data suddenly announced, his own tricorder beeping. “Something deep beneath use is powering up.”
The floor began to hum with power as the strength of whatever was below them came alive. A green circle of energy rose up from the floor and formed rings around the container. There was a sudden blue beam of energy that shot from below canister, straight through it, and into the ceiling. Then, as quickly as it all happened, it was over. The hum of energy quieted and the whatever it was that was within that container was gone.
***
As the alliance set the last charges and prepared to leave the planet for repairs, Picard took in the sights. Beyond the tall grass that was only matted and mowed near the base, there were gigantic mountains covered in snow. They reminded him a bit of the Briar Patch and he realized that the youthful energy gained from there was quickly fading. He sighed heavily.
“Captain.”
Picard turned around and found Sisko standing nearby. “Captain.”
“I never had the chance to thank you for saving my life back there.”
Picard smirked a little. “No need.”
Sisko made a look that told Picard otherwise. Sisko stepped a little closer. “Captain, there comes a time in a man’s life when he has to learn to put whatever anger he had towards someone away. To be quite frank, I’m tired of hating you.”
Picard laughed a little. “I’m tired of it, too, to be honest. I meant what I said though. About . . .”
“It’s over, Captain. The fact of that matter is . . . I have great respect for you. And I’m sorry.”
Sisko held out his hand and Picard shook it.
“For what it’s worth, I feel the very same.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
“Please. Call me Jean-Luc.”
Sisko cracked a smile. “Jean-Luc. Care to join my family and I for dinner when we get back to the station?”
“Delighted, Ben.”
***
Not long after the Enterprise, Defiant, and Rotarran resumed a course back to DS9, Data found Picard in his Ready Room. “Captain, I thought you would be interested to know, I finished the sensor scans of the base on Ulana Four.”
Picard set down his tea and looked at Data with some surprise. “I was expecting this hours ago, Data.”
“I know, sir, but to be honest, there were some surprises when I completed the initial scans. As you will find, the base was actually constructed on top another structure, one that our sensors indicate is older than nearly any other on file.”
“Nearly?”
“Sensors indicated that it was a match for technology created by the Preservers. As you will find in my report, the Preservers may have also been known as an unnamed noncoperal life-form that was annihilated millions of years ago . . .”
Picard set down the PADD. “Are you saying the Preservers and the ancient humanoids may be one and the same?”
“There are similarities. According to our records, there are indications that Captain Kirk and his crew encountered their descendants in the forms of noncorperal entities Sargon, Thalassa, and Henoch on stardate 4768.3 – and one known as the Keeper on stardate - ”
“Data,” Picard interrupted, “it’s all here on your report?”
“Yes sir.”
“Then I’ll just read it and get back to you.”
“Of course sir. Thank you.”
Data left and Picard stared at the PADD, stunned by the revelations made here.
HOME
A nearly depleted bottle of chateau Picard sat it the center of the table, joined with most empty plates of food and dirty silverware. Kassidy had to leave right after dinner to make a freight run to Axanar. Jake wasn’t around too much longer after that, as he was joining Nog in Vic’s.
Picard stood at the window, swishing the last of wine in his glass. “Thank you for dinner.”
Sisko smiled as he poured himself another glass. “You’re welcome.”
“You have a very lovely family. Your son – I didn’t even realize I had read his work before. He’s a very talented writer.”
“I’m glad you agree.”
Picard looked back out at the stars. “Tell me, what did you think of Mr. Data’s report?”
“Intriguing. Make me wish we had gone to Ulana Four in the name of exploration rather than war.”
“Indeed. I actually found myself wondering about the larger context of this finding. In the report Captain Kirk filed after traversing the wormhole from the Norma Arm, he stated that a lot of what had happened was over their heads. I can’t help but feel the same way now.”
“The same. The life-form, the Preserver’s structure underneath, and what I can only assume was some kind of transporter. All pieces to a puzzle we just can’t see right now.”
Picard sipped some of wine and the two men stood in silence for a few minutes, gazing out at the stars and contemplating the larger picture.
“So where’s the Enterprise off to next?”
“We’re weeks overdue at the Goren System. More brushfires.”
“Good luck,” Sisko offered and sat down on his sofa. Picard sat down across from him. He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “Y’know, I’ve meet Captain Kirk before . . .”
Picard started. “Really?” He set down his glass. “Well . . . then we have something in common.”
Sisko laughed a little. “I suppose we should swap stories?”
Picard nodded. “You first.”
Sisko leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his wine. “Let’s toast the man, first.” He raised his glass with Picard. “To James T Kirk, who like us, saw one piece of a big picture.”
Picard raised the glass to his lips. “Cheers.”
LIFE-FORM
The spiral shifted, a stasis tube glowed blue, and a life-form appeared. Robots dropped from the ceiling and clamored upon it, scanning it deeply, and wondering what it was that was just delivered to them. As the data was sent back to the Keeper, the bodiless being sought a new answer to an old question.
The spiral shifted again.
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
COMING SOON: EVOLUTION – THE PRESERVER SAGA, PART THREE
A nearly depleted bottle of chateau Picard sat it the center of the table, joined with most empty plates of food and dirty silverware. Kassidy had to leave right after dinner to make a freight run to Axanar. Jake wasn’t around too much longer after that, as he was joining Nog in Vic’s.
Picard stood at the window, swishing the last of wine in his glass. “Thank you for dinner.”
Sisko smiled as he poured himself another glass. “You’re welcome.”
“You have a very lovely family. Your son – I didn’t even realize I had read his work before. He’s a very talented writer.”
“I’m glad you agree.”
Picard looked back out at the stars. “Tell me, what did you think of Mr. Data’s report?”
“Intriguing. Make me wish we had gone to Ulana Four in the name of exploration rather than war.”
“Indeed. I actually found myself wondering about the larger context of this finding. In the report Captain Kirk filed after traversing the wormhole from the Norma Arm, he stated that a lot of what had happened was over their heads. I can’t help but feel the same way now.”
“The same. The life-form, the Preserver’s structure underneath, and what I can only assume was some kind of transporter. All pieces to a puzzle we just can’t see right now.”
Picard sipped some of wine and the two men stood in silence for a few minutes, gazing out at the stars and contemplating the larger picture.
“So where’s the Enterprise off to next?”
“We’re weeks overdue at the Goren System. More brushfires.”
“Good luck,” Sisko offered and sat down on his sofa. Picard sat down across from him. He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “Y’know, I’ve meet Captain Kirk before . . .”
Picard started. “Really?” He set down his glass. “Well . . . then we have something in common.”
Sisko laughed a little. “I suppose we should swap stories?”
Picard nodded. “You first.”
Sisko leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his wine. “Let’s toast the man, first.” He raised his glass with Picard. “To James T Kirk, who like us, saw one piece of a big picture.”
Picard raised the glass to his lips. “Cheers.”
LIFE-FORM
The spiral shifted, a stasis tube glowed blue, and a life-form appeared. Robots dropped from the ceiling and clamored upon it, scanning it deeply, and wondering what it was that was just delivered to them. As the data was sent back to the Keeper, the bodiless being sought a new answer to an old question.
The spiral shifted again.
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
COMING SOON: EVOLUTION – THE PRESERVER SAGA, PART THREE
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