“After each war there is a little less democracy to save.”
~Brooks Atkinson, Once Around the Sun
PROLOGUE
Stardate: 52925.9 (14 December 2375)
USS Midas
Near the Cardassian System, The Battle of Cardassia
The cold blackness of space was calm and tranquil.
The serenity was shattered by the unmistakable pattern of light caused by pulse phasers. The USS Defiant maneuvered skillfully around the hulk that was, a moment earlier, a Dominion attack ship.
The chaos of battle was in every direction. Shields glittered. Hulls breached. Phasers burnt through space. Torpedoes filled the darkness like small stars.
The lucky ones died when a warp core exploded or when an EPS conduit blew. The unlucky ones were still alive in small pockets of atmosphere in the wreckage of their ships. Their fate was to wait for death in the form of asphyxiation. Many, in their delirium, tried to get out. That would lead, to what most considered, the worst-case scenario; being blown out into space.
Contrary to popular belief, one will not freeze to death when exposed to intra-stellar space, Ensign Nar’vook remembered from his training. His furry hands were moving about the helm. He had been on the Midas, since before Captain Aurelia was in command. He sometimes wondered what it would be like to die in such a way. Assuming you were in a star system, you would immediately begin getting a severe sunburn and tissues would begin to swell. After about 15 or 20 seconds, you would lose consciousness and die of lack of oxygen to your brain a few minutes after that. ‘But what a view that would be for those 15 seconds’, he morbidly thought. He was jolted back to reality when the Galor he had been following disappeared in a fiery plume.
It was just as chaotic on the bridge of the USS Midas as it was outside. The air was heavy with the smell of smoke and various melted polycomposites. A small fire was burning at the environmental station. It was left unattended for the moment. The smoke made the already dark-lit room seem like some sort of accursed pit from hell.
Security Chief Karim bin Nadal called from the aft of the bridge, “Captain Aurelia, the Galor’s been neutralized.”
Captain Aurelia, still clinging to the arm rests of her chair, called out, “Excellent!”
Keagan Wilson, her first officer, braced himself on the railing. He didn’t celebrate, “Scan for the next nearest target!”
Bin Nadal, anticipating his commander’s order was scanning. That’s when he saw it. The most dangerous ship on the field of battle was bearing down on them. All he could utter was, “Ah, hell.”
Upon hearing that, Sintina Aurelia’s gut sank. She turned to see the fear in bin Nadal’s eyes justifying her feeling. “What is it, Karim?” she coolly asked; loathing the answer.
Bin Nadal was already targeting phasers at the weakest point on the hostile’s shields, “A Dominion battleship is closing on us and opening fire!”
There were only a few tense moments before the salvo of phased polaron beams and bursts pound the dorsal side of the Ambassador class ship. In less than a second, the attack finished off the shields in that section. The last two bursts impacted on the hull, leaving a 6 meter hole aft of the bridge.
A plasma conduit blew beneath Commander Wilson’s feet. It launched him from the railing behind the captain’s chair, over the helm, and into the main view screen. The display shattered. The impact sent razor sharp debris hurtling into the air.
Ensign Nar’vook felt Wilson’s boot hit his right shoulder. Next, he looked up and saw what looked like a meter long shard of glass hurtling toward him. He had time to think, ‘I guess I won’t be enjoying those 15 seconds.’
The Latin American captain had already called for medical teams to the bridge out of instinct. Then, she saw her first officer and helmsman and realized the call had been a waste of time. Sintina had lost many friends over the last 3 years. The sight of death had become common. She knew all too well how to delay her mourning. She was grateful bin Nadal was behind her; as it gave her a reason not to look forward.
“Dorsal shields are gone!”
Captain Aurelia jumped up, knowing what she had to do. She was almost ill at the sight of her fallen comrades. ‘No time,’ she thought. In one step, she pushed Ensign Nar’vook’s body out of the helm chair and took the post. “I’m turning one hundred eighty degrees on the Z-axis,” she yelled to bin Nadal over the noise of klaxons and fires, “Return fire!” She turned her head so only her left eye meant her Ops officer’s, “Call for back up.” He acknowledged. Sintina didn’t really know the officer. He was transferred from another posting a few days ago. ‘No need to get to know anyone new, anyway,’ she decided, ‘It’d just be another person to miss.’ She altered her train of thought. “Bridge to Engineering,” she barked.
*****
Engineering looked no better than the bridge. In that particular section of the ship, there were lots of things that could explode. Jinal was very aware of that fact as he moved about, but also realized there would be little he could do if the console he was working on decided to overload.
Lieutenant Jinal had been assigned to the Midas the pervious year as Chief Engineer. He was amazed he had been made a section chief only four years out of the academy. The war dictated fast promotion. Still, he was well qualified. In his off hours, he read all the engineering manuals he could get his hands on. It made for a limited social life; not that he felt comfortable socializing anyway. It was the price he had to pay to maintain his Vulcan demeanor. “Go to the impulse deck and replace that driver coil before we’re adrift,” he said as calmly as he could, under the circumstances.
Jinal then heard the com activate, “Bridge to Engineering.”
“Jinal here, captain.”
Over the speaker, Jinal heard Aurelia’s voice again, “Any problems down there?”
Jinal sarcastically thought to himself, ‘Any problems down here? Yes, I don’t have time to explain all the problems I have.’ He replied, “There are many malfunctions, but all manageable.” He thought that sounded nice and Vulcan.
Aurelia simply came back with, “Understood, out.”
‘That’s one thing I like about Sintina’, thought Jinal, ‘Once you get her confidence, she stays out of your business. It’s getting her confidence that’s the trick.’
*****
Back on the bridge, bin Nadal glanced at the tactical display of his target. “The battleship’s shields are at 85%,” he relayed to Aurelia, “Our ventral shields are at 12%.”
Aurelia shot back, “I’ll keep our strongest shields facing the battleship.” She began to enter a new heading into the navigation computer, when she realized she lacked information. “Which are those?”
Bin Nadal was distracted as he fired a phaser array. He knew what the captain’s next question would be, but he couldn’t react fast enough. “Starboard,” he said without looking up. He decided what he was going to say next was worth eye contact, “Ma’am, may I recommend bringing our aft to them momentarily so we can launch photons at them and return to a defensive position.”
Aurelia didn’t have to think twice, “Alright, moving into position. Do it.” She had learned to trust Karim in the short time she knew him, which admittedly was quite a feat for her. He was in Starfleet Intelligence before he was assigned to replace her tactical officer that died at the first battle of Chin’taka. ‘Chin’taka… the second battle of Chin’taka, when we recovering the survivors…those Cardie bastards killed Captain Camar. No time.’
The photons exit the battered vessel. The Midas had several scorch marks on its hull. One on the starboard pylon, another just below the impulse engine, still others scattered here and there. Many of the wounds were from previous battles that had never been repaired. The torpedoes head for the battleship. They were absorbed into the shields, which become visible for a moment from the impact.
“Direct hit on the battleship, they’re returning fire,” reported bin Nadal.
“Bringing our starboard shields to bear,” Aurelia said as she manipulated the controls.
A flurry of positron pulses and two torpedoes emerged from the Dominion warship. The pulses impacted on the shields of the Midas. The first torpedo collapsed the starboard shields. The explosion of the torpedo was still visible when the second torpedo moved through the fire. It crashed into the saucer section of the ship. Debris and at least three crewmembers flew out of the breach before a flash of blue stopped the evacuation.
Karim didn’t have to look at his console to know there was a major hull breach. He felt the quake indicating the ship was severely damaged. “Starboard shields down! Hull breaches on decks 8, 9, and 10. Force fields holding.”
Out of desperation, Aurelia asked, “What are our strongest shields?”
Bin Nadal glanced down, “Port at 20%.” He felt the need to state the obvious, “It won’t make any difference. If they hit us with another volley, we’re dead.”
Sintina had been fighting this war since the beginning. The first battle which involved Starfleet was Torros III; she was there when the shipyards were destroyed. Ever since then, it had been one vicious battle after another.
She could feel the Midas creak and moan in response to the punishment she was receiving. If she was going to go out, it would be on her terms. It would be a warrior’s death.
Aurelia made the decision she said she always would if she were backed against a wall. Every captain had to think about the possibility, but not all captains had the guile to actually do it. “I’m shifting all available power to engines and setting a collision course.”
Bin Nadal knew better than to protest. He, like Aurelia, was the type to go down fighting.
The Midas’ impulse engines became bright red as the ship made a turn to starboard. Ambassador class ships were not very agile, to say the least. The battleship, luckily, had even less maneuvering ability.
Sintina had only her read outs to determine how long she had to live. 1.3 kilometers … 0.9 … 0.4 …
Bin Nadal’s only warning of what would happen next was a proximity alert.
As the Midas closed the distance to the battleship, two Starfleet vessels come from underneath the Dominion dreadnought and waylaid the ventral side of the battleship with phasers, pulse phasers, and quantum torpedoes. The battleship exploded as the attack caused its warp core to lose containment. An Akira and a Defiant class flew through the fireball.
Aurelia registered what her readings are telling her. “Whoa! Full reverse!”
Only now did bin Nadal realize he hadn’t been breathing for awhile. Then, a chime sounded at his station. “We’re receiving a hail,” he managed. “It’s Admiral Ross.”
Without thinking, Aurelia looked up to the main view screen only to have a reminder of the cost of this war. She then, looked back, “Patch it to the helm.”
Bin Nadal saw her discomfort after looking at the view screen, if only for a moment. “Aye,” he somberly said.
Admiral Ross appeared on a small screen on the helm console. He was in charge of the overall assault. She had never talked directly to the admiral before.
Ross began the conversation, “You gave them one hell of a pounding, Captain. Good work. But the Midas is in no shape to continue the assault. Fall ba…” Suddenly, Ross looked off screen as some one on his ship shouted, “Sir, the Cardassians are turning on the Dominion and Breen ships!” At that, Ross spouted, “What?” He then realized he was still on the line with Aurelia and he obviously wanted to end the conversation. He stated, “You have your orders, Captain. Ross out.”
Aurelia sat back and twisted the helm chair to look at Karim. Her orders were in her eyes.
Bin Nadal taped some controls. “Ma’am, it’s true. The Dominion forces are retreating to Cardassia Prime.”
The fire in Aurelia’s soul was relit. She almost smiled, “What’s our tactical status?”
Bin Nadal couldn’t help but smirk a little, “Overall shield strength at 16% and rising. Six of 10 phaser arrays are online…twenty-eight photons left.” He decided to cut to the point, “Ma’am, we’re not heading back to the rally point, are we?” Bin Nadal had worked with Aurelia long enough to know the answer already. She was a soldier. If she could fight, she would.
Aurelia’s smile widened ever so slightly, “As far as I’m concerned, that last order was unintelligible.”
Not surprised in the least, bin Nadal replied, “The fleet is heading for Cardassia.”
Aurelia turned her chair back around, by now the medical team was removing the bodies on the deck. With resolve, she said, “Then, that’s where we’re going.”
The blackness of space is nearly turned into daylight with all the Federation alliance ships warping to Cardassia Prime.
END OF PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1
Stardate: 52969.1 (20 December 2375)
Deep Space Nine
Bajoran System
The Cardassian monstrosity of Deep Space Nine, the “bicycle wheel” as some called it, never looked so beautiful. Several dozen starships of all types: Romulan, Federation, Klingon, Ferengi, Nausicaan, and even a few Cardassian, orbited the space station. A number of those vessels were launching harmless, but colorful starbursts; which added to the already party atmosphere on the promenade.
The large oval windows of the promenade were filled with people watching the fireworks outside. Hardly any were without a glass of some type raised in celebration. Flags of the Federation, Klingon and Romulan Empires were draped from the ceiling along with the Bajoran flags that normally reside there.
Quark couldn’t remember the last time he saw the Promenade so crowed … or if it had ever been so crowed. He couldn’t keep up with the orders. “Dabo,” he heard from across the room. Even though it’d take a week to count his profit from tonight alone, he still cringed every time he heard the word. He glanced over to see who won this time; a relatively young female human. She had a darker skin color than Miles or Julian, but lighter than Sisko’s. It reminded him of the color of raktajino. He wasn’t sure but he thought he saw four pips on her red collar. “Great,” he thought, “another Starfleet officer, a captain no less, is going to take my money.” Don’t get him started on why humans, who don’t believe in money, were so willing to take his. Then, at the bar he saw Kira talking to yet another Starfleet officer. This one wearing gold, or amber, or whatever Starfleet called that color, was talking to her. He’d have to remind her about the party soon. The party, he thought, he had to get up to the holodeck!
“It’s just very rare, that’s all,” Karim bin Nadal said to the station’s second-in-command.
Without warning, the Ferengi jumped over the bar and forced his way up the stairs between the partygoers.
The security officer looked at Colonel Kira in an attempt to gain some understanding of the Ferengi’s actions. She just dismissively waved her hand. He shrugged it off and continued, “Studying religions and beliefs is something of a hobby of mine and it’s rare to come in contact with a religion where the existence of the deities is confirmed; not just based on faith.”
Kira looked up from her drink and said, “We feel very blessed to have the Prophets. You say you study religions, which one do you subscribe to?”
Bin Nadal smiled, anticipating the question. “None, actually,” he elaborated, “In my opinion, and I hope this doesn’t insult you, in my study 9 out of 10 times religion is more about social control than individual salvation. But if it gives people comfort, who am I to judge.”
Kira gave a polite grin and thought for a moment. The grin left, “I can see where you might see that, but I think the Prophets have more in mind for us than social control. In fact, we once had D’jaras, a cast system, and…”
The Bajoran’s combadge chimed. Quark’s voice followed. “Everyone’s gathering in the holodeck for the going away party, Colonel.”
Bin Nadal nodded in understanding, “That explains a few things.” He chuckled a bit.
Kira was unable to hold back and joined him, “Yes, yes it does.” She took a moment to laugh and got up, “I’m sorry Commander, there’s a gathering for the station command crew.”
Karim knew better than to request to go. The first thing out of Kira’s mouth once he sat down was, “I’m taken.” Obviously, he was not the only one that night who had tried to sit next to her. He had acted as if his intensions were innocent and managed to turn the conversation to religion. ‘Another failed attempt,’ he thought. He said, however, “Of course, nice meeting you.”
“You too,” Kira said, as she made her way to the stairs.
Karim then turned around on his bar stool. Sintina seemed to be having more fun than him at the Dabo table. Her smile faded suddenly. She looked as if she were talking into the air. She gathered her winnings and she made her way to the exit. ‘That can’t be good,’ Karim concluded.
*****
Captain Aurelia stopped a few meters from Admiral Ross who was sitting at the head of the table in DS9’s wardroom. He was conferring with a Vulcan commander, presumably his aid, whom was hunched over with a PADD. They both looked over momentarily as she stopped. She didn’t hesitate, “Acting Captain Sintina Aurelia of the Midas, reporting as ordered, sir.”
Ross examined this officer that had announced herself with out the courtesy of waiting before he was finished with his current conversation. She was Latino, mid-thirties…young for a captain. That was now an unfortunate side effect of the loss of officers during the war. Her straight, jet black hair stopped below the grey in her uniform; a few strands partly covered her combadge. He had expected her to be taller for some reason.
He reminded himself what he had read of her record a few hours earlier: promoted to Lieutenant, two years after graduating, in 2364 and Lieutenant Commander 5 years after that. She was Security Chief on the Renegade for another 4 years before becoming the Midas’ first officer. If it were his decision, he would place her back in a first officer’s slot and let her season a bit more. The decision, however, wasn’t his. Her actions during the war impressed his handler. And they didn’t necessarily want a good captain, just an obedient one.
‘Captain in 14 years,’ the admiral sorely thought. He reconciled himself with the fact that it still didn’t beat James Kirk’s record. Then, he remembered the last time he saw her face. He began, “If I wasn’t in such a good mood, I’d give you a harsh talk about disobeying my orders to fall back. You’re lucky the combat was over.”
This was what she was expecting. She was ready to defend her actions, “With respect, sir …”
Ross raised his hand to her and looked down. He continued, “Before you say anything to ruin my good mood, I didn’t call you here about that.” He returned her gaze, “In fact, overall, you’re abilities in battle are superb. Three months ago, the captain of the Midas died in battle. Since then, you have been operating an underpowered and undermanned ship very well with relatively little experience.”
Aurelia was taken back. She was getting complimented now, but she kept on expecting the other shoe to drop. She cautiously managed, “Thank you, sir.”
Ross stood up and made his was to Aurelia while saying, “Because of your performance, I hereby am upgrading your field commission of captain to full captain.” He extended his hand, “Congratulations.”
Aurelia finally began to realize this was not going to be a dressing down. This meeting was only going to be good news. She let the smallest of smiles slip, “Thank you, sir,” as she shook the offered hand.
Turning his back and returning to his previous position, Ross said, “You’ll have the Midas for one last mission.” Sitting down and losing any congratulatory tone he had, he elaborated, “You have the responsibility of transporting the Founder to Starbase 375. She’s been cooperative, but don’t take any chances with her.”
Aurelia was surprised at the mission, but wasn’t about to let herself show it. She simply said, “Understood, sir.” She couldn’t maintain her curiosity, “What happens after we reach Starbase 375?”
Ross, slightly annoyed that she didn’t show more concern about her more immediate mission, “Then the Midas will be decommissioned. You, your chief tactical and engineering officers, along with your counselor will be transferred together.”
She felt the excitement twinge in her stomach despite herself, “Transferred to where, sir?”
Ross started searching for a padd, one among many on the table. As he did, he replied, “It’s a new type of vessel, called a Courageous class.”
Aurelia’s excitement grew and extended to her eyes, which seemed to swell in their sockets.
Luckily, Admiral Ross didn’t notice. “It was meant for the war, but is now being retro-fitted to be a more well-rounded ship. Here are the specifications.” He handed over a padd. “It was built basically a cruiser version of the Defiant class.”
Without thinking, she nearly ripped the padd out of Ross’ hand. “Thank you, sir,” she said as an afterthought. She didn’t bother to actually look at him.
Ross now saw her immaturity first hand. He felt the need to add, “Do not underestimate the responsibility Starfleet is giving you. You are being put in charge of the Federation’s most powerful, and hopefully last, warship. She and her sister ship, the USS Courageous, were close enough to being completed to be commissioned, but Starfleet has cancelled any new vessels of this type now that the war is over.”
Aurelia, realizing her mistake, regained her professionalism and said, “I won’t, sir.”
The admiral sat back in his chair, “The Midas needs to be ready to go by 08 in the morning.”
With resolve, she assured him, “She will be, sir. You can count on it.”
“Good.” He added, “And Captain, we want to keep the media off us. You are not to tell anyone outside of your senior staff about the nature of your mission.”
“Yes sir.”
Ross ended simply, “Dismissed.”
Aurelia clutched the padd he had given her as if it was her child. In a way, it was. She smartly did an about face and left the room.
Once the combined sound of air and metal indicated to Ross that the door had closed, he looked to his aid, “For her sake, I hope she lives up to our expectations.”
END OF CHAPTER 1
