Shadows of the War (A post-Dominion War fic)

[Dingo]

Part III: Janus

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil--prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that heaven that bends above us--by that God we both adore--Tell this soul with sorrow laden, if, within the distant Aidenn,It shall clasp a sainted maiden, whom the angels name Lenore---Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels name Lenore? Quoth the raven, "Nevermore." - From The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe.

Deep Space Nine, 2375: Henry Tresckow tossed and turned in his bed. Dreams were coming unbidden into his mind.

"Senator Tahat Maru, Admiral Jellico, and esteemed members of the Federation War Crimes Investigation Committee, I stand before you to protest a grave injustice. It has to stop..." Henry began.

"Gul Jassad and Gul Evek are important figures in keeping the Cardassian self defense force strong enough to protect its borders. An investigation against them would undermine confidence of the Cardassian military in their leaders." Jellico said.

"Who knows how many Federation prisoners died under the abuses of the Cardassian and Jem'Hadar overseers!?" Henry replied.

"Lieutenant you are out of line." Jellico said, "We need this peace to get this quadrant back on its feet."

"Suck it up..."

"Jellico must die!" Henry said as he awoke. That much he knew and he knew he would shoot him. A single internal fragmenting TR-116 round to the pelvis to shatter it and a second to superheat his intestinal tract.

"You know what was taken from you. You know what you must do." The Voice said.

"And I will do it." Henry said as silent tears rolled down his cheek, "For the sake of my lost Deborah I will kill the architects of her torment and the bastard who has insured that those nabobs go unpunished."

Henry rolled back over and attempted to sleep once more.

---

USS Aizawa, 2370: Ensign Deborah Kelley stood behind the transporter console as Chief Lena Shonsui, a small and slim figured Japanese woman who served as the Aizawa's transporter chief checked her readings.

"Increase the frequency discriminator. You can get a better lock on the archaeological survey team that way, even with that ion storm." Shonsui said.

"Yes Chief." Deborah replied.

"Good." Shonsui replied with a warm smile.

"Energizing now." Deborah replied as her fingers flew across the console. The familiar shimmer of transporter effects could be seen as the six Starfleet cadets and three Archaeologists could be seen on the pad.

Deborah smiled when she saw one redheaded figure reform from his constituent molecules.

Henry smiled back at her.

"You know each other?" Chief Shonsui asked.

"Yes." Deborah said.

It was all Henry could do not to run off the pad and sweep her into his arms.

Finally they were able to get some time alone. "Fancy seeing you here." Henry replied, "Not that I'm complaining I thought that the USS Sentinel was supposed to pick us up."

"She was. But we were closer and due to that ion storm coming into the Altair system our captain decided to pick you guys up." Henry replied.

"Remind me to send Captain Stauber a thank you card." Henry replied.

"Shh." Deborah said, "He doesn't know we're dating. Neither does most of the ship."

"Actually Ensign I am aware that you and Cadet Tresckow are quite close." a voice said.

The pilot was several shades of caught off guard but Stauber added, "As long as you two can keep it professional I have no problem with it."

"Yes sir." both of them replied almost at the same time.

"Well there is a reception for the archaeological team in the Team Room. I believe you two are running late." the Captain said.

A few minutes later the two of them arrived at the team room to find a festive atmosphere. Deborah led them to a small table near the closest viewport and as the stars swept by they sat opposite one another.

He gently took Deborah's hand and said, "I really missed you."

"I missed you too." Deborah said.

A group of crewmembers with musical instruments started to play.

"That's our impromptu orchestra. Chief Shonsui is their conductor." Deborah replied.

"May I have this dance?" Henry asked as a slow song began to play.

Deborah smiled as Henry escorted her to the dance floor. She felt Henry's left hand around her waist just above her hip and his right hand taking her left.

The soft feeling of her skin was a feeling that Henry would always treasure.

---

Deep Space Nine, 2375: Henry woke again. He blinked sleep out of his eyes. He could still feel the softness of Deborah's touch, remember how her skin felt as soft as it looked.

"Quoth the Raven: Nevermore." the Voice said, "Edgar Allan Poe definitely had it right."

"It's time for me to get it right." Henry replied and he dressed and walked out of his quarters.

Henry installed the pheremone sensor in the weapon scanning station and placed the timer and hid the explosives in their predetermined locations.

And it was then that he walked by the Promenade and noticed Counselor Dax's office was open.

---

Counselor Dax's Office, 2375: "Please have a seat." Ezri said.

"Thank you." Henry replied.

"I heard you have been having problems coping." Ezri said.

Henry regarded her and Ezri added, "Danielle filled me in. It was in confidence. She as well as others are worried about you."

"Have you ever been in love?" Henry asked, "That was a rhetorical question. I'm sure you've had your share of loves throughout your lives."

"Imagine if you will having only one life to live and meeting the woman that is your soulmate. Someone that you wanted to spend the rest of your days with. Someone that you could imagine being the mother of your children. Someone you could grow old with." Henry said and added, "And imagine her being murdered and her murderers wandering free. And your superiors won't do anything about it."

"Tell me about her. Tell me about Deborah." Ezri replied.

"What's the point?" Henry asked.

"It would help you to remembered her when she was alive. Focus on the good memories you have of her and treasure them..." Ezri replied.

---

San Francisco, 2370: There was a litter of puppies half a dozen brown and black Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies playing in a small collapsible enclosure.

"They're adorable." Deborah said.

"They're about a month old." Henry said, "I've been eying this litter for at least that time now."

"What about that one?" Deborah pointed at a particularly confident and strutting pup.

"Nah." Henry replied, "Not really my type. That one is more what I'm interested in."

"He's a runt." Deborah said.

"But he's got a spirit to him. I can feel it." Henry replied.

"Is this some sort of mystical South African bush wisdom I'm about to hear?" Deborah asked with a smile.

"Sort of. One of the most famous dogs in South African history, Jock of the Bushveldt, was a staffy that was the runt of his litter. He had the strongest spirit of his whole lot." Henry replied and with the breeder's permission let the pup sniff his hand and the pup licked his fingers.

"Should I let you two be alone?" Deborah smiled.

"Oh no, love. Let him smell you too." Henry replied.

Deborah reached her hand in and the dog sniffed her fingers before looking up and then licking her fingers.

 

[Gibraltar]

Comments for Part II - Downward Spiral

There's a lot of foreshadowing here as Henry contemplates what it must be like to suffer the loss he must endure years later.

It's good that his friends are worried about him, and have taken some steps to intercede, but will it be too little, too late?

 

[Gibraltar]

Comments for Part III: Janus

Henry's coming ever closer to the moment of truth, and though he keeps brushing up against those who might be able to help dissuade him from this self-destructive path, so far he has remained constant as the Northern Star.

Excellent pacing, and just enough of the flashbacks to fill in Henry's backstory without bogging the narrative down with them.

Nicely done.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Hmm...something tells me Ezri's approach isn't going to help. And the fact that somebody went to her with concerns and she TOLD who it was--clearly she is very inexperienced. And I'm worried that could backfire on her and the person that went to her.

 

[Dingo]

Part III: Janus

Deep Space Nine, 2375: "So is this treatment supposed to help me with what I'm dealing with." Henry replied.

"It could be a useful tool you can add to your coping kitbag." Ezri replied, "You yourself once said that as long as Deborah lives on in the hearts and minds of those who cared for her she'll never die."

"And what! Am I to subsist on memories of good times we shared until I eventually die!" Henry snapped back at her.

"No I'm not saying that. But remembering the love you shared can be a stepping stone towards your recovery." Ezri replied.

"Until I find someone else?" Henry said in an accusatory tone, "I can't believe that you're telling me to replace Deborah!"

"No one's telling you to replace anyone." Ezri replied, "And you don't have to seek anyone else..."

"There is no one else for me." Henry replied, "I love her with all that I have. I would give everything of mine just to see her one last time...Even my own life."

---

San Francisco, 2370: Henry clasped Deborah's hand as they walked through the San Francisco Museum of Performance and Design.

A song began to play and its lyrics played from an interactive display on the performing arts of the 20th Century.

"Underneath the lantern, by the barrack gate. Darling I remember the way you used to wait. T'was there that you whispered tenderly, that you loved me, you'd always be, my Lilli of the Lamplight,my own Lilli Marlene." The song began.

"Lilli Marlene, it was a popular song on both sides of World War II." Henry replied, "It was originally a German song sang by Marlene Dietrich and broadcast by Radio Belgrade and listened to by German soldiers for the station's 2155 sign off. It was also picked up on British shortwave radios and became popular on the British side.

"That's strange. Listening to an enemy's music." Deborah replied.

"Well that's the point of the story. A soldier missing his lover is a universal theme no matter what uniform he wears." Henry replied.

"It must've irritated some commanders." Deborah replied.

"It did. Actually the British Army issued an unpopular order banning listening to that song. It didn't stop soldiers from tuning in to listen though. It actually prompted version in English we hear now." Henry replied, sounding exactly like a museum tour guide before adding, "Sorry for the history lesson..."

"It's alright. The way you tell it makes the story come alive for me." Deborah replied, "It's like having my own private tour of history with someone who doesn't bore me to tears."

"That song speaks to my heart as well. During my last summer training in the swamps and mountains of Florida and Georgia I'd hum a few bars or sing it softly to myself and think of you." Henry replied before he sang along: "Time would come for roll call, time for us to part, darling I'd caress you and press you to my heart, and there 'neath that far-off lantern light, I'd hold you tight, we'd kiss good night, my Lilli of the Lamplight, my own Lilli Marlene."

"That song's over four centuries old but it just feels so timeless." Deborah replied.

"It really resonates for me." Henry replied, "On long night patrols and training sessions thinking of you helps my pack weight get lighter and keeps my spirits up."

Deborah reddened and smiled, "Henry stop it, you're making me blush."

"Deborah. I'm serious. I love you more than anything." Henry replied.

She took both of her hands as she moved closer to him and put them on his chest before kissing him.

After they broke from their kiss Henry said: "I'll miss you."

"I really couldn't tell." Deborah said with a smile. Trust her to come up with a nice little barb.

Henry said: "Shall I demonstrate it again?"

"Not unless you want the real guides to escort us out of the museum." Deborah said, as one particularly Puritanical looking human female gave them a disapproving frown.

Deborah added, "And besides the Aizawa has a six day refit at Earth Station McKinley. Not to mention the Captain's granted us some much needed shore leave."

Henry's smile brightened, "So why did you tell me you only had tonight?"

"I wanted to make sure I could pleasantly surprise you." Deborah said, "And the time pressure helped your stunning performance on recounting that song's history."

"I'm glad I could oblige." Henry replied.

"I'm still not very clear about just how that song resonated with the soldiers though." Deborah said.

"Shall I show you again?" Henry replied and leaned over to kiss her again, and yet again earning the withering glare of the female guide.

After they parted from that kiss Deborah said, "I think a more intimate setting would be preferred."

"I love how you think." Henry replied as they left the museum.

---

Deep Space Nine, 2375: "What else is there to say but that I miss her so much." Henry replied, with a shudder and barely contained tears, "That I feel like part of me is also dead."

"Nothing more unless you need to say anything." Ezri replied.

"I've got to my quarters to get my dress uniform on and then I've got to get to the Docking Ring to meet the delegation." Henry replied.

"Alright. But if you need to talk any further..." Ezri replied.

"I know where to find you. Right." Henry replied.

---
"Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged." - Samuel Johnson

Deep Space Nine, 2375: Henry Tresckow straightened the front of his dress uniform and silently cursed having to dress formally for vermin who deserved little more than the common grave and for traitors who allowed the death of his beloved to go unavenged.

"Admiral. Colonel Kira Nerys, Commanding Officer of Deep Space Nine." Captain Moru said to Admiral Jellico.

"Colonel. Just to inform you I have a Starfleet replacement enroute to replace you." Jellico said.

"Yes sir. But technically this is a Bajoran station. I would imagine that Starfleet does appreciate Bajoran contributions to its efforts in this sector." Kira replied.

"Noted, Colonel, but I'd rather have Starfleet commander at the entrance of the wormhole." Jellico replied before heading down the line.

"Gul Evek. Colonel Kira Nerys, Commanding Officer of Deep Space Nine." Moru replied.

"Ironic that Terek Nor's commander is a former terrorist. But since we are at peace with Bajor I suppose that it is not a great surprise." Evek said.

"Evek. Arrogant even after defeat I see." Kira replied.

Evek moved down the line and it was all Henry could do not to plunge the knife hidden in his trouser waistband into his guts to eviscerate him.

Gul Jassad didn't even bother to introduce himself to Kira and simply stalked past.

"Colonel. So pleasant to see you again." Elim Garak said.

"I see you're familiar." Captain Moru said, with a belated, "Sir. Anyway. This is Ambassador Elim Garak of the Detapa Council."

"Congratulations Garak." Kira said, "What exactly are you doing for the council."

"I'm the aide de camp of Legate Breslau." Garak replied.

An older Cardassian man followed Garak, also clad in a conservative civilian outfit, "Must you use my title Elim. I haven't been in the military for years."

"Once a soldier always a soldier sir." Jassad piped in.

Soldier my ass. Common arrogant thug you are. And I will bring justice to your victims since my government has failed to do so. Henry thought to himself.

A Starfleet officer followed the Cardassians. He was a silver haired Filipino man with an easy smile.

"Vice Admiral Bonifacio. Vice Chairman of the Reparations and Treaties tribunal." Moru said.

"Pleased to meet you Colonel. I apologize for my colleague's abrasive behavior earlier. Some in Starfleet aren't pleased with having a Bajoran militia officer commanding one of our most important posts but I assure you I oppose such legislation." Bonifacio said with the charm of a born diplomat.

Bonifacio walked down the line and introduced himself to the different officers. He stopped in front of Danielle and spoke, "I heard that you're getting married soon. To my son of all people. He's a good man, but then as his father I might be somewhat biased."

"Yes sir." Danielle replied.

"I have arranged for him to have a three day layover here on Deep Space Nine." Bonifacio replied, "Before he reports to Cardassia for the civil affairs projects."

"Thank you sir." Danielle replied.

Bonifacio walked over to Henry and said: "I again give you my condolences for your loss. What you endure is something no one should have to endure."

"I'm surviving sir." Henry replied stiffly.

But Deborah's death will be avenged and soon...Henry thought as the Admiral headed off. I won't kill Bonifacio or Danielle. And Garak and the old legate's fate might not warrant death. At least not yet. They could be handy for spreading my message to the Cardassian people about reparations for their crimes in the Badlands.

"All are welcome to a reception in the conference room." Kira said to the party.

"A reception? Perfect for gathering last minute intelligence and passing final judgements on the legate and Garak. Perhaps they can be spared death..." The Voice said.

 

[Gibraltar]

The seconds are counting down to Henry's moment of truth. I don't see him being disuaded from his course... so, let the mayhem begin.

 

[Dingo]

Part III: Janus

Deep Space Nine, 2375: The senior staff was mingling amongst the Cardassian delegation in the conference room.

Quark thought he had a potential new mark in the new Starfleet Security OIC and headed over to Henry.

"Excuse me. I couldn't help but notice you were alone. Perhaps you would be interested in a nice holosuite session." Quark began.

"No." Henry replied.

"It's on the house. A free introductory session with an Orion Harem and..." Quark began before Henry slammed him into a wall and said, "You my friend had best respect my solitude or I'd best show you that I don't take kindly to being disturbed. Understood Ferengi?!"

"Yes." Quark said before Henry released him and stalked off.

"You might have made a mistake giving Henry an offer like that." Danielle warned, "He's been going through some serious issues..."

"Such as?" Quark asked.

"His fiancee was killed by the Cardassians." Danielle warned.

"That might upset a man." Quark conceded.

Captain Moru stopped Henry as he walked over to get a glass of water from the buffet table.

"I know Quark can be tiresome sometimes but physically shoving him is not the way to get your point across." Moru replied.

"Aye sir. It won't happen again." Henry replied.

"What's going on? You seem upset." Moru asked.

"It's just the present company is upsetting me." Henry replied.

"I looked through your service record and it said you were with the Federation's 501st Infantry Regiment on Felucia, a particularly nasty battle against the Cardassians." Moru replied.

"It's that and other things." Henry replied.

"My husband was murdered by the Cardassians during the Occupation. I understand how you feel." Moru replied, "It's trying for me to be among them. If you want to take the day off tommorrow for security at the conference I can get Chief Bastidas to fill in for you."

"It won't be neccessary sir." Henry replied, "I started the task I intend to see it through. No matter how distasteful I find the company."

Overhearing this Garak quipped, "I thought that the Federation preached tolerance of other species."

"The Federation may preach it. But I certainly have little patience for overbearing, xenophobic, prisoner abusing species." Henry replied.

"Garak," Danielle warned grabbing his arm and saying not too gently, "Don't provoke him."

"Clearly he lost someone important to him to the Cardassians." Gul Jassad began.

"My fiancee died because of your people. In my opinion the Jem'Hadar should have erased you from existence!" Henry replied. And I will erase you from existance within the next twenty-four hours Cardassian! Garak is merely irritating. He doesn't warrant killing. But you certainly do.

"Our Lieutenant Tresckow is still rather heated by past events." Jellico said.

"Sir, with all due respect I have far more respect for the Jem'Hadar I fought on AR558 than I do you. At least I knew for certain they were the enemy on sight."

"Tresckow you are out of line." Jellico said.

"Is he?" Bonifacio stated, "Edward you have a reputation for being tactless and abraisive. Mr. Tresckow's loss of his fiancee was devastating and you simply told him to suck it up."

"Family is of great importance. And a man's wife is sacred." Legate Breslau added, "Such poor leadership on your part Jellico to be so insensitive to a subordinate's problems."

Breslau won't die. But Jellico will. And with a round through the stomach so his intestines will superheat as he cooks to death. Poetic irony to say 'suck it up' for what I had to deal with. Henry thought.

"If you'll excuse me ladies and gentlemen." Henry replied before leaving the room.

---

"But you have no right to call me a murderer. You have a right to kill me. You have a right to do that... but you have no right to judge me." - Col. Walter E. Kurtz, US Army, from Apocalypse Now.

Deep Space Nine, 2375: "Vengeance is at hand. Ambassador Garak and Legate Breslau being spared was a good thought." The Voice said.

"They deserve a second chance." Henry replied, "Perhaps they can make the Cardassians acknowledge those crimes. But Jassad, Jellico, and Evek all must die. As well as this list of names I've compiled from Evek and Jassad's staffs. These officers and soldiers were guards at that orbital facility where Deborah was worked to her death. I will kill them."

He scanned the list on his PADD and published the data to his computer. As soon as his massacre started the information would be passed to every computer terminal on Deep Space Nine and any ships docked to her. Along with the message he was about to record.

Glinn Brelgor: Formerly Tunnel thru the Stars 2nd Shift Commander, Female prisoners detention Pod A. The interrogator that started the riot that killed fifty female prisoners. This man was now an aide to Gul Jassad.

Glinn Bumar: Officer in charge of prisoner orbital construction. Responsible for the execution of four Federation POWs for failure to complete their assigned tasks.

Forty-two Cardassians connected to Jassad and Evek that had a hand in the project were on the list along with their crimes. They would die. All of them. And he would be the hand that would send them to Hell where they belonged!

Henry removed the TR-116 from the cloth wrapping and cradled it tenderly like one cradled an infant. This weapon was his release. This was how he would send any Cardassians that survived the bombs to hell where they belonged.

Jassad, Evek, and the Traitorous Jellico were the three that absolutely had to die.

Henry felt emotion choke his throat and willed himself to be strong.

"Computer begin recording." Henry began.

The computer obliged and Henry began his speech: "Admiral Jellico and Vice Admiral Bonifacio. I came before you almost a year ago to protest a grave injustice that had to stop. But you failed to stop it. You would rather let murderers who caused atrocities such as this..."

Henry had programmed a video clip that would manifest on every monitor on DS9 and every docked ship that would show the following.

Two Cardassians holding a female prisoner by the arms. A Cardassian glinn, the name of Glinn Brelgor flashed across the screen, was interrogating her. He struck her in the stomach. The prisoners rioted and the Cardassian soldiers in riot gear waded amongst the prisoners with batons in a tight formation.

Henry felt tears well into his eyes as he saw a baton strike Deborah's skull just below her right temple. He hoped that she had died instantly or at least not been conscious when the Cardassians flushed the dead and severely wounded prisoners out the nearest airlock.

"...go unpunished." Henry replied. "Admiral Bonifacio. I do not blame you. I know you tried your hardest to hold the men responsible accountable. I also know you sought to reopen the investigation. So I have chosen to spare your life."

Henry blinked a tear away and said: "Admiral Jellico. You are a traitor to the memories of the Federation prisoners who died at that hell of a facility. Your sentence is death."

"Lieutenant Danielle Kernan of the Starfleet Diplomatic Corps. I have chosen to spare you as well because you also have expressed a desire to see justice to be held for our fallen brothers and sisters." Henry continued.

"Gul Evek and Gul Jassad. You were the commanders of the Cardassian forces on that facility. Your deaths are a forgone conclusion. Since my government has chosen to abandon those poor souls you killed I am the hand that brings them justice!" Henry replied.

"Legate Breslau and Ambassador Garak. I have chosen to spare you for the simple reason that you must bring the message to the Cardassian people. They must be held accountable for their crimes during that project." Henry replied.

"And all who see this broadcast understand that this is what is being glossed over by traitors like Jellico." Henry continued.

The video cut to the explosion of a Cardassian anti-matter tanker in an industrial accident at the facility. The prisoners in space suits working near it that weren't killed by the blast were killed by the Jem'Hadar guards to prevent their escapes. A Cardassian patrol ship added its fire.

"I have done this act to bring awareness of this atrocity to everyone who will watch and listen. This injustice has pushed me to this act. I tried to bring justice to these victims through legitimate means. But men like Jellico simply told me to 'suck it up'. Well I return the favor Admiral...You can now suck it up as the burning fragments from the Mamba TR-116 load cook your intestinal tract."

Henry composed himself and continued: "You may find me a murderer. But I assure you I tried to make them see reason. Let us hope that this act elevates their thinking."

"Computer end recording." Henry commanded. The recording would follow the first explosion as would two lists. The first of the criminals he was about to kill and the other a list of the prisoners who died. It would broadcast to every ship docked on Deep Space Nine as well as to every computer console on a repeated loop.

He went to a small bedside table in his room. The picture of him and Deborah at his senior formal at Starfleet Academy stared back at him. Tears flowed unhibited as he stared at the picture.

"I miss you so much." Henry said, before adding, "This is what I have to do Deborah. Something I know I have to do. I tried. I tried to make them see reason. Let's hope this raises their awareness. But whatever happens please don't think less of me."

Henry gently kissed the picture before falling asleep. Tommorrow he would reap a terrible harvest. Tommorrow the Cardassians would pay for that loss he endured. Tommorrow a traitor would die.

 

[Gibraltar]

Closer and closer yet. Tick-tick-tick...

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Bonifacio was good, but awwwwwww, I like Breslau. To recognize an enemy's losses, and really acknowledge the pain--that speaks to a basic decency in him that I wish Henry would realize condemns his whole genocide idea. To have even the death of ONE Breslau-type on his head is a terrible sin. And I was SO glad to see him slap Jellico down. (I STILL haven't forgiven Hellico for his insensitive comments about the Cardassian race as a whole. What a narrow understanding! And no, that's not a typo.) What Breslau says is also very true to the more decent Cardassians in my own writing--that yes, they may have this hierarchical instinct, but it should NOT be all about yanking your underlings around. A big part, and I daresay the bigger part, is knowing how to support your direct reports, give them what they need to do well and be fulfilled. Jellico totally fails in that regard...fear will only last for so long before someone breaks. Usually not as dramatically as Tresckow, but even a disgruntled employee/soldier is not a good thing to have around the workplace.

But even to circumvent the justice system to just execute whoever he wants...even the Cardassians recognized that was wrong on SOME level--the show trials were there to appease just that part of them.

Now I'm surprised Tresckow has decided Garak should live. The messenger, I guess? Or does he just not realize how influential Garak really is?

The crazy thing here, though...is that if anyone has a chance of cracking this thing now that Ezri's struck out as I predicted--it's Garak, perhaps with a little assistance from Breslau. I never thought I'd be rooting for Garak, but now I am. Garak's got the intel savvy, and Breslau's got the humanoid decency (or at least enough that I think he could see just how messed-up Tresckow is and figure out the lengths that could drive him to), and they MIGHT be able to stop him before it's too late.

(Though I wonder why Starfleet's psych evals have failed so badly...)

 

[Dingo]

Part IV: The Reckoning

San Francisco, 2371: The view overlooking the Bay Bridge was breathtaking in the early evening glow of a setting sun.

Deborah wore a red dress with no shoulder straps that hugged her curves in all the right places. The skirt ended just a few inches above her knees and exposed her long legs and she wore tasteful black stilleto heels.

Henry wore his dress uniform. It was the evening of his last cadet formal. In one more week he'd be an Ensign in Starfleet.

"So where did you get assigned?" Deborah asked.

"I've got Advanced Individual Training at the Starfleet Security and Infantry Training (SSIT) in the Mojave Desert for 14 weeks and then I go to Starbase 375 where 1st Battalion, Kilo Company, 501st Infantry Regiment is based." Henry replied.

"The Aizawa visits there almost all the time. We'll see each other more regularly." Deborah said.

"That's why I picked the 501st Infantry." Henry replied, "But enough about that. If I may quote our first date: 'An angel is like you, Kate, and you are like an angel.'."

Deborah smiled as she leaned against him. He put his arm around her waist and smiled as Sam Lavelle held the holoimager. His date, a blonde Bajoran woman named Sito Jaxa said: "You two might as well hold still for an hour. Sam's a notoriously picky shutterbug..."

Sam grumbled a reply and took three shots of the couple.

Deborah and Henry went to look at the photo. "It's lovely." Henry replied, "I shall replace the other photo in my combat gear with it."

"You keep a photo of me in your combat gear?" Deborah asked.

"It's my good luck piece." Henry replied, "I've kept it in my webbing since we've been together. And my pocket everytime I'm not in the field."

"That's a little strange." Deborah remarked.

"Ancient knights of Earth actually kept tokens of their chosen ladies inside their armor so that their sweethearts were always close to their hearts even in the midst of campaigns." Henry replied.

"Just which picture of me did you use?" Deborah asked.

Henry withdrew a photograph on a hard backed piece of flimsi. It was of Deborah in her cadet uniform as a second class cadet just after a training flight with Nova Squadron.

"Henry I'd just flown probably one of the most difficult low orbital flights I'd ever attempted. I was sweating and tired from the effort." Deborah said.

"You always look beautiful to me." Henry replied.

"Aww..." Sito Jaxa replied and Sam rolled his eyes.

"But this photo of you in that dress will definitely take its place." Henry replied.

"Come on you two we're gonna be late." Danielle said from the atmospheric shuttle.

"Not if I fly us there." Deborah said.

"Careful Henry's notoriously airsick." Sam jibed.

"Oh shut up..." Henry groaned.

---
"I cant remember anything. Cant tell if this is true or dream. Deep down inside I feel to scream. This terrible silence stops me." - Metallica, One.

Deep Space Nine, 2375: "Almighty God! Enough! Enough!" Henry bellowed angrily.

"The hour of vengeance is at hand. Destroy the Cardassians!" the voice said.

"Yes. My enemies will die." Henry said as he dressed and grabbed his TR-116 and a hand phaser. He also carried a short metal thrusting spear. It was a perfectly constructed and functional assegai,a native Zulu weapon of South Africa that Henry had painstakingly trained with after taking a hand to hand combat course his sophomore year at the Academy. If the fighting got close he would ram the weapon into a Cardassian chest or neck or right into the face.

Henry took one more deep breath.

He had let Captain Moru know he was ill. A perfectly contrived excuse for missing the day's festivities. He got into the nearest Jeffries tube to an abandoned alcove in the old ore processing area.

He slipped the exographic targeting sight on and checked his chronometer before activating it. 0900. The conference had just started. The Cardassians had walked through the doorway arch ostensibly to be scanned for weapons. But their biosignatures activated the timers on several explosive devices.

He sent a file to two people who were his last living links to simpler and happier times. He let one last tear. One last vestige of his pain show before he prepared to reap his vengeance.

Henry turned on the exographic targeting sight and focused his crosshairs on Jellico...

---

Docking Ring, 2375: Sam Lavelle heard a beep come from the PADD containing his cargo manifest for his ship. He saw a message on the screen. It was from Henry.

"Must be bored stiff to hear the big wigs talk." Sam said before he scanned the file.

"Oh my God!" Sam said before he went pale.

"Sam?" Ro said worriedly as she watched two of Quark's employees loading various things that had been exchanged for she and Sam's recent bumper crop of tomatoes from their farm.

"It's Henry." Sam said.

"Go. I'll finish up here." Ro said.

Sam ran towards Henry's quarters. He dropped the PADD on the deck as he ran and the screen had the last will and testement of Henry Tresckow.

To Sam Lavelle and Danielle Kernan my few friends remaining in this world. This is my last will and testement. First I would like one of you to keep an eye on Jock. Please ensure he is taken care of as his master will not return to him.

Secondly please be sure my story is told. A lot of media spin will portray me as simply a crazed assassin. Inform them otherwise. Testify that I have done everything for justice for Deborah and the other prisoners and this was the only way justice could ever be meted out.

I meant every word when I said I couldn't live without her. My life is in shambles and I must strike this last blow against the heathen bastards.

Lastly I ask only one thing. Please bury what remains of me beside Deborah. I wish to be beside her at long last...

As Sam ran by the conference room he saw the shimmering of several transporter effects around him and felt the area shake violently with an explosion.

---
Conference Room, An Instant Earlier: Vice Admiral Bonifacio made the opening speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen. We are here today for the Reconciliation Talks. Cardassia and the Federation fought a nearly three year long and devastating war against one another. Casualties on both sides were high at places like Felucia, Toros Shipyards, Chin'Toka and many other places too numerous to name. Now we can start the first of many talks addressing the improvement of relations between our peoples..."

It was just then that Admiral Bonifacio, Lieutenant Danielle Kernan, and all the Starfleet and Bajoran security personnel were beamed out of the room a fraction of a second before several explosions filled the room.

The blasts threw Gul Evek into the nearest bulkhead with enough force to shatter his spine and the back of his skull in fifteen places.

Shrapnel riddled Gul Jassad's midsection. He tried to stand but looked down and saw to his everlasting horror his legs had been mangled by the explosion and several shards of metal.

He was still conscious long enough to see the monitors that showed the face of Henry Tresckow and heard the first words of his speech.

"Admiral Jellico and Vice Admiral Bonifacio. I came before you almost a year ago to protest a grave injustice that had to stop. But you failed to stop it. You would rather let murderers who caused atrocities such as this..."

Henry had programmed a video clip that would manifest on every monitor on DS9 and every docked ship that would show the following.

Two Cardassians holding a female prisoner by the arms. A Cardassian glinn, the name of Glinn Brelgor flashed across the screen, was interrogating her. He struck her in the stomach. The prisoners rioted and the Cardassian soldiers in riot gear waded amongst the prisoners with batons in a tight formation.

Jellico fumed. The blasts had left him untouched. That was Tresckow's first mistake.

"Tresckow! You will go down for this!" Jellico shouted: "You have gone too far."

"...go unpunished." Henry replied. "Admiral Bonifacio. I do not blame you. I know you tried your hardest to hold the men responsible accountable. I also know you sought to reopen the investigation. So I have chosen to spare your life."

On every monitor in the station Henry blinked a tear away and said: "Admiral Jellico. You are a traitor to the memories of the Federation prisoners who died at that hell of a facility. Your sentence is death."

The sound of a bullet cracking could be heard and a bullet propelled itself into the midsection of Admiral Edward Jellico just above his right hip. As soon as the bullet piereced his flesh it tumbled and fragmented into several small pieces that were instantly boiling Jellico's blood and lacerating and burning his viscera.

He fell to the ground screaming with blood gushing from his mouth.

"Lieutenant Danielle Kernan of the Starfleet Diplomatic Corps. I have chosen to spare you as well because you also have expressed a desire to see justice to be held for our fallen brothers and sisters." Henry continued.

As those words echoed all over Deep Space Nine Sam was helping Danielle to her feet. She was unharmed physically. Tears flowed into her eyes.

"Please God this can't be happening." Danielle began.

"I'm afraid it has." Sam said.

"My access code doesn't work!" Petty Officer 2nd Class Malarkey shouted as he tried to get into the room.

Meanwhile Jassad lay bleeding on the floor beside Jellico who was clawing at his lower stomach. His fingernails were clawing at the wounds and he rolled on the ground screaming in agony.

He remained conscious enough to here his own pronouncements.

"Gul Evek and Gul Jassad. You were the commanders of the Cardassian forces on that facility. Your deaths are a forgone conclusion. Since my government has chosen to abandon those poor souls you killed I am the hand that brings them justice!"

"AAGGHHH!!" Jellico screamed as he felt fire in his belly as the fragments of the bullet burned in his intenstines.

"Legate Breslau and Ambassador Garak. I have chosen to spare you for the simple reason that you must bring the message to the Cardassian people. They must be held accountable for their crimes during that project." Henry replied.

Garak was helping a stunned but uninjured Breslau to his feet as more pronouncements were made.

"And all who see this broadcast understand that this is what is being glossed over by traitors like Jellico." Henry continued.

The video cut to the explosion of a Cardassian anti-matter tanker in an industrial accident at the facility. The prisoners in space suits working near it that weren't killed by the blast were killed by the Jem'Hadar guards to prevent their escapes. A Cardassian patrol ship added its fire to scorch several more fleeing prisoners.

Jellico looked up at the screen knowing his killer was striking for very personal reasons: "I have done this act to bring awareness of this atrocity to everyone who will watch and listen. This injustice has pushed me to this act. I tried to bring justice to these victims through legitimate means. But men like Jellico simply told me to 'suck it up'. Well I return the favor Admiral...You can now suck it up as the burning fragments from the Mamba TR-116 load cook your intestinal tract."

Dr. Bashir stood over him as security had managed to force the door open amid the carnage. Cardassian soldiers were falling left and right from shots from the TR-116 rifle fired from somewhere on the station.

"He's too far gone." Bashir said.

"Give me something!!" Jellico said and grabbed Bashir's arm: "The pain! It's intense!"

Bashir injected him with the hypo.

"NOOO AAAHH!!!" Jellico screamed: "What did you put in that thing!"

"I'm sorry sir. But the rounds seem to have been treated with a substance that enhances pain if painkillers are applied." Bashir said and went to other wounded.

Another round cracked which pierced Glinn Brelgor just below his chest. The fragments began to superheat his blood and internal organs. Two of them literally liquified his heart. As he lay screaming on the floor clawing at his chest his jet black hair began to turn snow white from the sheer stresses his body endured.

Henry's voice echoed through the carnage: "You may find me a murderer. But I assure you I tried to make them see reason. Let us hope that this act elevates their thinking."

---

OPS: "What the hell!" Kira Nerys shouted as every monitor and console in OPS showed the broadcast and the two lists.

"There's been an attack on the conference. Admiral Jellico's been killed and Gul Evek has died as well." LTJG Nog reported.

"Can you end that broadcast?" Kira said.

"I can't." Nog said: "It's on an encrypted loop that keeps repeating the message."

"Call a security alert. We have an assassin to catch." Kira ordered...

 

[kes7]

Wow.

This is like a school shooting on crack. I keep thinking of the Columbine killers and that guy from VT.

I wonder what Garak is going to do.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Good Lord!

I would never wish Garak on anyone, ordinarily, but this guy's got a date with Obsidian-Order-7, if you ask me. (Double-O-7, instead of 007. ) He has become what he despises, and now that he's done this--he needs to be put down. And I think the best revenge would be to do it in a more humane manner than what he did to his enemies: that way he can die knowing that he is unworthy of his manner of death.

One small nit...how could Brelgor's hair turn white? The living hair at the VERY roots, I could maybe see...but the already-dead length of hair that he already has?

 

[Gibraltar]

I'd hoped Henry might be stopped in time, but it appears that was not to be. Now he's not only murdered in cold blood, but potentially endangered the fragile peace between the Federation and the Cardassians.

How hard will he fight, and for how long? How many others will he add, either intentionally or inadvertently, to his butchers bill?

Intense, disturbing stuff, but well crafted nonetheless.

 

[Dingo]

Part IV: The Reckoning

Deep Space Nine, 2375: Henry crawled through the Jeffries tube. The first thing he did after killing Brelgor was do a site to site transport into an empty cargo bay.

"Henry!" Sam said.

Henry leveled a phaser at him: "Don't make me do this."

"Henry it's me! Sam. You're best friend." Sam said.

"I don't wish to harm you Sam. But if you stand in my way I will have no choice but to do so." Henry replied.

"You can stop Henry. You don't have to die." Sam replied.

"And what? Turn myself over to the authorites to be arrested?" Henry replied.

"Henry! I'm not carrying an open commlink. No one knows I went to look for you. Not even Ro." Sam replied, "She thought I ran to go help Dr. Bashir."

"You can surrender." Sam said.

"Like I said. It is now that I must die." Henry replied: "You know from my will I had no intention of living. Even if no punishment awaited me I can't live anymore. Not without Deborah. My hopes for life died when you broke the news of her death to me. I sought vengeance any way I could."

"Henry...don't worsen the situation..." Sam began before Henry fired the phaser.

Sam crumpled to the ground. The impact of the phaser set on stun was still quite a substantial force.

---

Infirmary: "Report." Kira said as she walked into the Infirmary.

"I've got Jassad stabilized. There was nothing I could do for Jellico." Bashir reported, "But there were complications."

"Meaning?" Kira asked.

"We couldn't save Jassad's legs. And his body has shown signs that his nerves are too damaged for biosynthetic limbs." Bashir said.

"How many people have died?" Kira asked.

"So far we've lost eighteen people. Seventeen Cardassians and Admiral Jellico." Bashir replied.

"We have to stop him." Kira said: "Take him alive if possible."

"Perhaps we could persuade him to surrender." Ezri remarked.

"I don't think that's the case." Sam Lavelle said as he walked into the infirmary.

"Sam! Oh thank the Prophets!" Ro said and flung her arms around his neck.

"I surprised him in Cargo Bay 2. He shot me with a phaser on stun." Sam replied: "He doesn't intend to live..."

"You need to stop him before he kills us all!" Glinn Bumar shouted. His legs had been damaged by a falling table and he lay on his back.

"Alright. Have security teams begin sweeping the station. Be sure that their weapons are set to stun. I want to take him alive." Kira said and turned to Gul Chok, a stocky Cardassian infantry soldier, "Have your men do the same..."

"I will issue no such order. I want this man dead." Chok replied.

CRACK! A TR-116 round sounded and Glinn Bumar's face was literally split in half, dousing Ezri with blood and brains.

---

Unknown Location: Henry scanned the station through his tracking sensor. He'd since gotten rid of his comm badge as he decided to hunt Cardies with extreme prejudice.

A squad of Cardassian soldiers moved through the docking ring. They were sweeping room by room trying to find him.

Henry aimed his rifle at the chest of one of the Cardassians and squeezed off a round. He watched with savage elation as the Cardassian fell dead.

Another of the Cardassians turned to try and search the area only to be taken down by another rifle shot from the TR-116.

Shoot and move. Henry thought. He moved to another room and made sure that it was clear before he scanned the station searching for more targets...

 

[Gibraltar]

Yep. Henry's gone past the point of no return. I can only hope he's put down quickly before he can create too many more casualties.

One question, how the heck is Starfleet allowing armed Cardassian soldiers to run amok on a Federation starbase, barging into people's rooms?

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Who says they're unsupervised?

Plus...it would be ironic as hell if Tresckow's actions brought the Federation and Cardassians closer together--by their working together to track him down--instead of driving them apart...

 

[kes7]

I'm with Nerys. I think it would be deliciously ironic if this results in the Feds and Cardies working together to bring this guy down.

 

[fleetcaptain]

Damn, didn't think there would be this much happening like this on the station. Henry has gone too far and will most likely die at the end of all of this.

 

[Dingo]

Part IV: The Reckoning

Habitat Ring, 2375: Petty Officer Malarkey breached the door of the unoccupied guest quarters in the Habitat ring. Three of the Cardassian soldiers accompanying him and Petty Officer Atwell burst inside.

The first Cardassian's head burst apart as a TR-116 round struck his head and blew it apart. The second Cardassian managed to fire a phaser shot only to catch a round through the throat.

The third Cardassian was shot dead with a chest shot. Henry raised his hand phaser and blasted both Malarkey and Atwell.

Malarkey realized at the last second before losing consciousness that he'd been hit with a stun beam. The last thing he saw was Henry limping with a phaser wound through his right hip...

---

Crossover Tunnel 2: Henry limped into the Jeffries Tube and hid deep inside it. He bit back a silent curse as he stuffed a shred of his right sleeve into his right

He took aim at a group of Cardassian soldiers that were creeping through the docking ring. He squeezed off a single round and the first Cardassian's head exploded apart.

This is for the injuries that those prisoners endured you bastards...Henry thought as he stalked the Cardassians. He moved his targeting sensor to the Promenade where two of them were conferring with Gul Chok.

He'd been the officer in charge of the cell blocks overall. He had been watch commander when Glinn Brelgor conducted the interrogation that led to the riot that took Deborah's life. He took aim at Chok's head and squeezed off a single round.

Chok's head blew apart. Blood and brain and bone fragments splattered all over his troopers which sent them scurrying for cover.

Henry let them go. He moved his targeting sensor elsewhere. There was a Cardassian soldier that was Legate Breslau's orderly. He had been one of the guards that had been in the riot.

Death has come for you. Deborah's death will be avenged since you swung your stave into her skull. Henry thought and squeezed the trigger.

The Cardassian soldier felt that his chest was on fire when the round burst inside his chest cavity. The fragments of the round superheated and literally cooked his heart and lungs. Blood erupted from his mouth and he spat blood all over the face and armor of Legate Breslau...

---

OPS: Chief Sandy Bernstein, Chief Administrative Assistant for Col. Kira Nerys, heard the repeat broadcast of Henry Tresckow's and buried her head in her hands. She saw the video. Saw the prisoner clad in the tattered remains of her uniform.

That prisoner had been her...

---

Artificial Wormhole Female Cellblock, 2373: Chief Bernstein nearly fell over nearly exhausted from their shift. She felt an arm catch her and saw LT Deborah Kelley beside her.

"Are you alright Chief?" Deborah asked.

"I'm fine lieutenant." Chief replied as Deborah helped her to a sitting position on her bedroll on the cold metal deck.

"Here. Take some of my food." Deborah said: "You need to keep your strength."

"Thank you..." Chief said wearily.

It was then that the Cardassians came into the room and seized Chief by each arm.

"What's going on?" Deborah asked.

"Quiet!" Glinn Brelgor replied.

"As the ranking officer for this cell block I ask that all concerns..." Deborah replied before Brelgor back handed her and shoved her to the ground.

"Worker 954 you were working at the illurium decompiling coil. What happend! Why is it malfunctioning!?" Brelgor replied.

"Sabotage no doubt?" One Cardassian said.

"No...I'm not a technician and..." Chief replied.

"Shall we toss this one into the void?" the other Cardassian replied.

"Stop it! It was just a technical mistake." Deborah shouted and a third Cardassian held her back.

"Answer the question!" Brelgor demanded and struck Bernstein in the stomach.

It was then that the women rioted. Despite Deborah's best efforts order shattered. The Cardassian guards outside in riot gear waded into the prisoners like sharks attacking bait fish.

Deborah saw Chief Shonsui fall down and she helped the Japanese transporter chief to her feet just in time to feel a baton strike the side of her head.

She fell to the ground and felt Cardassian boots crush her ribs underfoot as the soldier swung his truncheon among the prisoners. She felt the pain fade as her vision blurred and then blackend.

Her last thought. This is it? This is how I die? Oh God how will Henry take this...

---

Deep Space Nine, 2375: It was then that a Federation News Crew was wandering about the station. The reporter was Trish Tilby. She began her live holobroadcast.

"This is Trish Tilby coming to you live from Deep Space Nine wherea massacre is taking place. Just hours ago a bomb exploded in the conference room where the Reconciliation talks between the United Federation of Planets and Cardassian Union had occured. Subsequently Admiral Jellico was murdered by a TR-116 shot. The accused shooter is Lieutenant Junior Grade Henry Tresckow. His motives seem to be bringing awareness of Cardassian war atrocities he accused Jellico of simply glossing over."

A clip of Henry's speech could be heard and the videos of the Cardassian and Dominion atrocities could be seen.

"Others attribute Tresckow's actions to post traumatic stress disorder. One of the prisoners killed in the riot portrayed was his fiancee LT Deborah Kelley." Tilby continued.

"Petty Officer Rob Malarkey served under LTJG Tresckow with the 501st Infantry Regiment." Tilby said.

Malarkey's face could then be seen: "The LT was a good and decent man. I'm so sorry to see that our higher ups pushed him to these actions."

"Chief Sandy Bernstein was another prisoner held at the camp with Tresckow's fiancee. What do you think of his actions?"

Bernstein had tears in her eyes: "I don't disagree with his actions. The men who abused us remain free. LTJG Tresckow's actions are striking a blow for justice and raising awareness of our plight. Our pains have been ignored far too long by the Federation government..."

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Re: Part IV: The Reckoning

Wow. Tresckow even infected others with his poison. I am wanting him dead even more now for not just going crazy himself, but "seeding" others in this manner as part of his revenge.