Very well done with a good dose of nasty intrigue.
USS Accipiter - Buried History
- Thread starter mirandafave
- Start date
Thanks for all the comments and feedback - am still having diffs with getting a broadband connection so makes it hard to post and harder still to read others but I will get there.
In the meantime it has allowed me to get to grasp with Vaughan meeting with Tyler Ramsey and set up some of the climax to the story. Almost there. Hope these next segments aren't too ponderous but I had to deal with the Tyler Ramsey and Vaughan situation without letting it override the story but give it the gravitas it warranted from the two characters.
Again, thanks for reading.
In the meantime it has allowed me to get to grasp with Vaughan meeting with Tyler Ramsey and set up some of the climax to the story. Almost there. Hope these next segments aren't too ponderous but I had to deal with the Tyler Ramsey and Vaughan situation without letting it override the story but give it the gravitas it warranted from the two characters.
Again, thanks for reading.
Buried History - Chapter 7 'Erasing The Past'
Ready room, USS Accipiter
Vaughan wearily bid Nathan to enter the quiet and privacy of his ready room. Since returning to the ship he had undergone a quick medical assessment and patch up, which would have been much more thorough if Donna Fichtner were still aboard. Thankfully, she had steered away from pressing the matter of the required medical on Vaughan. For all her tenacity and forcefulness, the doctor had at least accepted it was the nature of starship captains to detest and avoid at all costs the perquisite medical.
However, as Vaughan rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes, he would gladly undergo whatever torments the doctor wished to put him through for an easier life. He would sooner have her here than bank on a rescue mission in an increasingly volatile situation.
The tight smile on his executive officer’s face forewarned Eugene that whatever tidings he brought they were far from merry. Vaughan frowned at the prospect and he saw concern wash over his number one’s face. Vaughan was able then to smile to himself as he noted the concern on Nathan’s face.
In the short space of time, a mere number of months, he had established a genial and easy working relationship with Nathan. He reminded him a lot of Russell Barnes one of his former protégés and now a fierce and formidable captain.
Vaughan held such high hopes for Nathan despite his executive officer’s own doubts and reluctance. Unwittingly thrust into the executive position because the original first officer had been killed whilst awaiting launch of the Accipiter at Starbase 49. Since then Eugene had come to rely upon Nathan, the former head of security, and found his shoulders capable of the burden. He was friendly and authoritative therefore bridging the gap between
Vaughan and the remainder of the crew. Nathan was also quickly beginning to decipher the moods and faces of his Captain meaning he knew when to press his Captain and when to lay off. It was this trait that reminded him so much of Russell. That said Russell was always more self-confident than Nathan had so far allowed himself to be. Vaughan remarked to himself that command of the ship in Vaughan’s absence was perhaps a blessing in disguise for the first officer despite the way things had so far panned out. If any good could come out of this it might be Nathan growing as a commanding officer.
“What can I do you for Nathan?”
Nathan for his part steeled himself for the news he had to bear. “Captain Ramsey requests permission to see you Captain.”
Tyler. Yet another former protégé but Eugene’s relationship with him had always been much more difficult, even from the first. Perhaps the fact lay in Tyler having to replace Russell Barnes as he moved on to his first command. He had to contend with how the crew felt about losing their valued friend and commander whom they had trusted for years and how this changed dynamics throughout the ship. He also had to contend with the fact it was always going to be hard to replace Russell Barnes.
Sadly, Eugene Vaughan wondered had he failed from the start with his former executive officer to allow a viable and close working relationship to be built. Or had he assumed too no one could replace Russell. If so, was it any wonder the relationship between them was strained at the best of times never mind how it frayed completely?
Vaughan tried to put his best smile on the situation. With everything so up in the air, the last thing he needed was to go over the past again with Ramsey. “It must be a good sign if he’s requesting.”
“Well actually he sort of demanded to beam over and is on his way here now.”
“That sounds much more like Tyler.” With a certain resignation he said to Nathan, “Very well then bid him enter when he arrives on the bridge.” Vaughan looked around his ready room and the different artefacts from his long Starfleet career he quickly added, “but make it the Conference Room.”
Nathan looked puzzled deciphering an underlying reason lay behind the Captain’s move but not quite able to figure out the why. Vaughan simply said, “That way I can terminate any ‘discussion’ I’m having with Tyler to press on with the meeting.” Nathan nodded not believing that to be the reason at all but returned to the bridge nevertheless. Vaughan, his eyes falling upon his ship’s model of the Icarus had decided it was best to have as few reminders of their past in the room when he and Ramsey met.
Tyler in the same determined stride he had always borne entered the conference room without a word and made straight for the chair, normally reserved for the executive officer. Vaughan wondered if he should try a joke.
Pointing at the chair he remarked, “Old habits Tyler.”
“Hardly. I did think however that it would be bad form to take the head chair, no matter how unfit I think you are to take it.” He barely suppressed a sneer as he spoke.
“Careful Tyler, if the wind changes your face will stay that way.”
Nostrils flaring, Ramsey bit back an acidic reply. “You always did your best to try and rile me. I think you deliberately tried to provoke me to anger when I suffered under you. It must have been some warped notion of yours to prove Russell was the better man, he would never rise to anger.”
Vaughan’s eyes near popped out of his head as he considered how close Tyler’s words were to his own line o thinking moments ago.
“You always assumed I was comparing the two of you, Tyler.”
“Weren’t you? I don’t think there’s a point in pretending otherwise.”
Vaughan settled in the seat on the opposite side of the table rather than the head whilst they talked. “Maybe afterwards, when things went south, but not when you were my first officer. I knew I could trust you and depend on you to protect the ship and her crew.
“My mistake Captain, was believing we could trust you and depend on you to protect the ship and her crew.”
“Tyler let’s not do this. There’s a meeting in five minutes and a world falling apart below. A tit for tat argument over our past is not befitting of our present situation.”
“Ever the wise and noble Vaughan. Though I beg to differ. Considering the buried history of the planet below and the secrets kept hidden by the government, I think the situation is very pertinent to our own past. How else do you explain how you managed to claw back a command after almost two decades despite the crimes and the lives you took? What really galls me is the fact you went on to preach about the lofty principals of the Federation at the Academy. You the man that wiped out a world in the blink of an eye. Is that what they teach the cadets of today?”
Glibly Vaughan retorted, “Not as standard procedure no.”
“Very witty Vaughan but it excuses you none but just think on this when we sit around discussing the affairs of the world below and the secrets hidden there. You hide your own crimes from this crew and from Starfleet at large.”
Vaughan leaned forwards on the table and quietly levelled with Ramsey, “No, that was the decision of the Admiralty committee in the interests of Starfleet and the Federation as a whole.”
“Hogwash! Or should I say whitewash. There was no concrete evidence for your claims.”
Sarcastically Vaughan spat back at him, “Only because I destroyed it all.”
Aghast, Tyler’s lip curled in distaste. “You’re proud of what the death you doled out that day!”
“Hardly! But it was necessary!”
Ramsey stood to press home his argument and to lend it authority. “Mass murder is hardly necessary. But then again if you do think that then you couldn’t be in better company Vaughan. No doubt the Gedans will say the crimes they have committed have been necessary to subdue the Conmenian peoples, and they in turn state the murder of thousands of Gedan, as discovered by your Lt Commander Ryan, as also necessary.”
“You can’t compare the two.”
Tilting his hands to mimic a scale balance, Tyler asked, “The Gedans and the Conmenian? Or the situation and your own actions?”
With quiet anger Vaughan responded, “My actions were not the same as that of either the Gedan or the Conmenian.”
Tyler agreed. “That much is true. They have tried to kill each other off in the thousands. You kill on a planet wide scale. They probably seem like amateurs to you. Admiralty should have thrown away the key or had you swing from a rope.”
Protesting, Vaughan demanded, “If that is the case why then did they allow me to go free, why whitewash the affair, and why as you yourself say, give me a command once again? Answer me that Tyler. You were there and were privy to the details; you at least should understand and know the truth. Instead, you harp on like one of the many naysayers.”
Ramsey protested in kind, “Enough people on the Icarus fell for your lies that day and a great many died too. I’m not going to add my name to that list.”
“Sarah made her own choices Ramsey. It’s time you accepted it.”
“Don’t bring her into this Vaughan. For if you want to look for further parallels we need go no further than the fact you led my son nearly to his death.”
“All in the line of duty Ramsey. Kurt did what his duty expected of him. Just as Sarah did what was expected in the line of duty. The only Ramsey who didn’t do what duty expected of them was you!”
With his hands out wide in offering Tyler railed, “I’m here now am I not? I saved your sorry ass. I’m assisting the Accipiter with its mission. All in the line of duty. If it weren’t for duty, if it weren’t for my son being trapped down there with you, I’d have left your sorry pathetic life to rot under all that rock.”
A long silence called a truce to their argument. After a minute Vaughan meekly offered a smile and said in a considered response, “Nice to know where we stand with one another. We might as well call this meeting.”
“Yes, we had better.”
Ready room, USS Accipiter
Vaughan wearily bid Nathan to enter the quiet and privacy of his ready room. Since returning to the ship he had undergone a quick medical assessment and patch up, which would have been much more thorough if Donna Fichtner were still aboard. Thankfully, she had steered away from pressing the matter of the required medical on Vaughan. For all her tenacity and forcefulness, the doctor had at least accepted it was the nature of starship captains to detest and avoid at all costs the perquisite medical.
However, as Vaughan rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes, he would gladly undergo whatever torments the doctor wished to put him through for an easier life. He would sooner have her here than bank on a rescue mission in an increasingly volatile situation.
The tight smile on his executive officer’s face forewarned Eugene that whatever tidings he brought they were far from merry. Vaughan frowned at the prospect and he saw concern wash over his number one’s face. Vaughan was able then to smile to himself as he noted the concern on Nathan’s face.
In the short space of time, a mere number of months, he had established a genial and easy working relationship with Nathan. He reminded him a lot of Russell Barnes one of his former protégés and now a fierce and formidable captain.
Vaughan held such high hopes for Nathan despite his executive officer’s own doubts and reluctance. Unwittingly thrust into the executive position because the original first officer had been killed whilst awaiting launch of the Accipiter at Starbase 49. Since then Eugene had come to rely upon Nathan, the former head of security, and found his shoulders capable of the burden. He was friendly and authoritative therefore bridging the gap between
Vaughan and the remainder of the crew. Nathan was also quickly beginning to decipher the moods and faces of his Captain meaning he knew when to press his Captain and when to lay off. It was this trait that reminded him so much of Russell. That said Russell was always more self-confident than Nathan had so far allowed himself to be. Vaughan remarked to himself that command of the ship in Vaughan’s absence was perhaps a blessing in disguise for the first officer despite the way things had so far panned out. If any good could come out of this it might be Nathan growing as a commanding officer.
“What can I do you for Nathan?”
Nathan for his part steeled himself for the news he had to bear. “Captain Ramsey requests permission to see you Captain.”
Tyler. Yet another former protégé but Eugene’s relationship with him had always been much more difficult, even from the first. Perhaps the fact lay in Tyler having to replace Russell Barnes as he moved on to his first command. He had to contend with how the crew felt about losing their valued friend and commander whom they had trusted for years and how this changed dynamics throughout the ship. He also had to contend with the fact it was always going to be hard to replace Russell Barnes.
Sadly, Eugene Vaughan wondered had he failed from the start with his former executive officer to allow a viable and close working relationship to be built. Or had he assumed too no one could replace Russell. If so, was it any wonder the relationship between them was strained at the best of times never mind how it frayed completely?
Vaughan tried to put his best smile on the situation. With everything so up in the air, the last thing he needed was to go over the past again with Ramsey. “It must be a good sign if he’s requesting.”
“Well actually he sort of demanded to beam over and is on his way here now.”
“That sounds much more like Tyler.” With a certain resignation he said to Nathan, “Very well then bid him enter when he arrives on the bridge.” Vaughan looked around his ready room and the different artefacts from his long Starfleet career he quickly added, “but make it the Conference Room.”
Nathan looked puzzled deciphering an underlying reason lay behind the Captain’s move but not quite able to figure out the why. Vaughan simply said, “That way I can terminate any ‘discussion’ I’m having with Tyler to press on with the meeting.” Nathan nodded not believing that to be the reason at all but returned to the bridge nevertheless. Vaughan, his eyes falling upon his ship’s model of the Icarus had decided it was best to have as few reminders of their past in the room when he and Ramsey met.
Tyler in the same determined stride he had always borne entered the conference room without a word and made straight for the chair, normally reserved for the executive officer. Vaughan wondered if he should try a joke.
Pointing at the chair he remarked, “Old habits Tyler.”
“Hardly. I did think however that it would be bad form to take the head chair, no matter how unfit I think you are to take it.” He barely suppressed a sneer as he spoke.
“Careful Tyler, if the wind changes your face will stay that way.”
Nostrils flaring, Ramsey bit back an acidic reply. “You always did your best to try and rile me. I think you deliberately tried to provoke me to anger when I suffered under you. It must have been some warped notion of yours to prove Russell was the better man, he would never rise to anger.”
Vaughan’s eyes near popped out of his head as he considered how close Tyler’s words were to his own line o thinking moments ago.
“You always assumed I was comparing the two of you, Tyler.”
“Weren’t you? I don’t think there’s a point in pretending otherwise.”
Vaughan settled in the seat on the opposite side of the table rather than the head whilst they talked. “Maybe afterwards, when things went south, but not when you were my first officer. I knew I could trust you and depend on you to protect the ship and her crew.
“My mistake Captain, was believing we could trust you and depend on you to protect the ship and her crew.”
“Tyler let’s not do this. There’s a meeting in five minutes and a world falling apart below. A tit for tat argument over our past is not befitting of our present situation.”
“Ever the wise and noble Vaughan. Though I beg to differ. Considering the buried history of the planet below and the secrets kept hidden by the government, I think the situation is very pertinent to our own past. How else do you explain how you managed to claw back a command after almost two decades despite the crimes and the lives you took? What really galls me is the fact you went on to preach about the lofty principals of the Federation at the Academy. You the man that wiped out a world in the blink of an eye. Is that what they teach the cadets of today?”
Glibly Vaughan retorted, “Not as standard procedure no.”
“Very witty Vaughan but it excuses you none but just think on this when we sit around discussing the affairs of the world below and the secrets hidden there. You hide your own crimes from this crew and from Starfleet at large.”
Vaughan leaned forwards on the table and quietly levelled with Ramsey, “No, that was the decision of the Admiralty committee in the interests of Starfleet and the Federation as a whole.”
“Hogwash! Or should I say whitewash. There was no concrete evidence for your claims.”
Sarcastically Vaughan spat back at him, “Only because I destroyed it all.”
Aghast, Tyler’s lip curled in distaste. “You’re proud of what the death you doled out that day!”
“Hardly! But it was necessary!”
Ramsey stood to press home his argument and to lend it authority. “Mass murder is hardly necessary. But then again if you do think that then you couldn’t be in better company Vaughan. No doubt the Gedans will say the crimes they have committed have been necessary to subdue the Conmenian peoples, and they in turn state the murder of thousands of Gedan, as discovered by your Lt Commander Ryan, as also necessary.”
“You can’t compare the two.”
Tilting his hands to mimic a scale balance, Tyler asked, “The Gedans and the Conmenian? Or the situation and your own actions?”
With quiet anger Vaughan responded, “My actions were not the same as that of either the Gedan or the Conmenian.”
Tyler agreed. “That much is true. They have tried to kill each other off in the thousands. You kill on a planet wide scale. They probably seem like amateurs to you. Admiralty should have thrown away the key or had you swing from a rope.”
Protesting, Vaughan demanded, “If that is the case why then did they allow me to go free, why whitewash the affair, and why as you yourself say, give me a command once again? Answer me that Tyler. You were there and were privy to the details; you at least should understand and know the truth. Instead, you harp on like one of the many naysayers.”
Ramsey protested in kind, “Enough people on the Icarus fell for your lies that day and a great many died too. I’m not going to add my name to that list.”
“Sarah made her own choices Ramsey. It’s time you accepted it.”
“Don’t bring her into this Vaughan. For if you want to look for further parallels we need go no further than the fact you led my son nearly to his death.”
“All in the line of duty Ramsey. Kurt did what his duty expected of him. Just as Sarah did what was expected in the line of duty. The only Ramsey who didn’t do what duty expected of them was you!”
With his hands out wide in offering Tyler railed, “I’m here now am I not? I saved your sorry ass. I’m assisting the Accipiter with its mission. All in the line of duty. If it weren’t for duty, if it weren’t for my son being trapped down there with you, I’d have left your sorry pathetic life to rot under all that rock.”
A long silence called a truce to their argument. After a minute Vaughan meekly offered a smile and said in a considered response, “Nice to know where we stand with one another. We might as well call this meeting.”
“Yes, we had better.”
****
Buried History - Chapter 7 'Erasing The Past'
Conference room, USS Accipiter
Around the highly polished surface of the conference table, the reflections of the assembled senior officers were directed towards the solicitous Yeyes Wintrict. “I’m sorry Captain but if I am to understand you correctly, your plan is to barge in there with a rescue team!”
Seated now in his chair at the head of the table now the meeting had begun Vaughan asserted, “That is correct Yeyes.”
“Impossible.”
Steepling his hands as he placed his elbows on the table, Vaughan replied, “My security officer tells me there are a number of challenges but none insurmountable. Believe me it is possible and it will be possible. My chief medical officer has been kidnapped, taken against her will even though she has been invaluable in the provision of healthcare in the aftermath of the moon explosion. If I chose to, I could interpret it as an act of war. I choose not to since it is clear that the elements who took her are outside of the government of the planet.”
Tyler drolly remarked, “That and the fact the world is to hell as it is.”
Ignoring the Manhattan’s Captain, Wintrict responded, “Be that as it may Captain your actions could spark a diplomatic row to say the least. Do you really believe such recourse is the best route?”
Surprisingly, it was Tyler who offered the answer to the diplomat’s question. “Forgive a man for giving a damn about one of his officers Yeyes. It is imperative that the Accipiter gets Dr Fichtner back on board. We have an unknown virus striking down a section of the population below. According to preliminary scans by Miss Ryan there is every possibility that the outbreak is indeed deliberate and manufactured, as claimed by the terrorists. Donna Fichtner is the most expert person we have on such a matter. Captain Tiana has many fine and well qualified doctors under her command and even she admits the truth of that statement.”
“We cannot afford to have this situation spiral out of control. At any time in the Federation, a virus can break out. It is only to be expected with people from across the Quadrant travelling and mixing from many different planets. Let the authorities below tackle the problem it is after all their responsibility. Let them do their job before we cause a rift between Starfleet and the government of Gedasada.”
“Fine sentiments but in the meantime my doctor is in danger.”
“Yes but it is not only the doctor you are seeking. You already have a team on the surface looking for the doctor’s whereabouts. Your other security team is being arranged for an entirely different purpose. Is that not so? That purpose is to break into a secure and sovereign installation of the Gedan government. Perhaps that is the most likely prospect of fracturing the allegiance of the Gedan government.”
Caitlyn butted in, “That is an allegiance we can live without if they have perpetrated the crimes Janek claims.”
“Again all very fine sentiments but we have a war being waged and we don’t need to give the Dominion a foothold in Gedasada if we should screw things up here. We will take no actions until I have alerted Admiralty.”
Vaughan cut over him, “You want us to seek Admiralty’s permission?”
“Yes. Don’t bother to argue Captain either. I will not be swayed.”
“But to stall is to allow any possible evidence to be destroyed.” Tyler Ramsey smirked at the statement coming from Vaughan but he chose to say nothing. He didn’t need to sitting in Nathan’s seat, Vaughan could see all too clearly the smile and hidden thoughts of the Manhattan captain.
Wintrict oblivious to this remarked to the destruction of evidence, “So be it.”
A low growl escaped from Dagon. “We also lose time, initiative and the trail that will help us to discover the doctor’s whereabouts. We also allow for the fortification of defences at the installation.”
“Forgive me Mr Dagon but Trammealeans are not known for their diplomacy, as your ‘antics’ on the surface readily attest to, so of course you would advocate a shoot first policy. It is surprising the Jem’Hadar have held their peace in light of what you have done and not sought to retaliate.”
“Perhaps the Trammealean are not known for their diplomacy but you as a diplomat ought to try have tact when dealing with other aliens. Others on my world would rightly eviscerate you.” Ignatius involuntarily shuddered at her knowledge of what the Trammealean could do. Thankfully, her revulsion went unnoticed by the others. Dagon took a pause to reflect before he continued, “I however, am a Starfleet officer. It does not mean though I am not greatly offended. I tactically suggest Captain, we continue our preparations,” glaring at Wintrict he allowed for no interruptions, “So we are ready if Admiralty should give us the go ahead. I also insist that Keresh should receive back up and his team continues to search for the doctor. Rival factions will be moving in on her position to capture Janek and we cannot allow for the doctor to be collateral damage.”
Vaughan nodded. The Gedan militia at the very least and possibly reinforced by Dominion troops. “Understood.”
“Very well then,” Wintrict feebly tried to assert his authority, “but your other teams do not move until Admiralty gives the go ahead.”
From the bottom of the table Laura Amos Hashap demanded, “Donna is in the hands of terrorists who want us to stop whatever it is the Gedan are up to. Considering it doesn’t sound very legitimate we should be stopping it regardless of Donna. But she’s the ship’s doctor, a colleague, my friend! We have to get her back now instead of waiting about for Admiralty to make a decision.”
Wintrict gave a withering look to the ship’s engineer only returned from the surface and the rescue effort below. Her mood was not pleasant upon discovering the fate and current whereabouts of her close friend Donna had been kept hidden from her. Laura had made up for it by demanding a heavy-handed rescue mission to retrieve the doctor despite any risks or retrieval of evidence. Vaughan had managed to calm her down some but at Wintrict’s proposal, her anger flared again.
“Your ...” Wintrict almost said animal looking at Dagon but managed to stop himself and instead said, “chief of security appears to have the rescue of the doctor in hand. Perhaps you should be more interested in the ship’s engines as per your duties. Refrain from allowing your personal feelings to impinge your duty.”
Vaughan nodded and concurred. “Wintrict if you wish you can use my ready room to contact Admiralty while my staff fleshes out the details. We also need to consider the security of the relief centres, Raleigh reports rioting and hostile reactions from the populace since the broadcast, directed towards the teams.”
Wintrict satisfied that they were getting down to business moved out of the conference room headed for the captain’s ready room. When he disappeared out the door, Vaughan changed tone. “Ok we need to move fast and as covertly as possible. Have you located the sites identified by Donna?”
Caitlyn looked first to Captain Ramsey still seated beside Vaughan and holding his tongue still, then she looked to Vaughan. “I think it is safe to assume that Captain Ramsey wishes us to take the wisest and best course of action for all concerned. So he is no doubt willing to allow our investigations to go ahead.”
Cutting over Vaughan, Tyler spoke for himself, “Suffice to say, I want to hear what you have planned. It’s no secret I don’t trust you Captain so I’d sooner hear your plans and place my trust in you and them. If I hear something I don’t like, I’ll quickly object Lt Commander.”
“That’s as good as a heart felt endorsement as you’ll ever get from Tyler, Caitlyn, so continue. Did you locate the sites identified by Donna?”
Caitlyn nodded her head, “Yes Captain. I was working on it with Major Agnew and he sees that the facility in the remote area is the safest bet. The Junsoon facility is heavily guarded since the doctor was kidnapped and security has been upped since, apparently, the Prime Governor is going to making a speech shortly from there. However, our most recent scans show that Jem’Hadar troops have moved into both facilities and have set up transporter buffers that will block any attempts to transport into the facility.”
“Have you come up with a way to circumvent this?”
“Yes. We will orbit dive into the facility.”
“We?”
“No offense to Mr Agnew’s marines but I don’t think they hold too many science degrees between them. I’m best suited to the task.”
“Yes but after your ordeal.”
“Yours too captain and Mr Dagon’s, yet he is seated here, as are you.”
Nathan cut in sensing Caitlyn’s knack of being able to raise the captain’s ire. With Tyler Ramsey in the room only adding to the tension, it greatly added to the chances of the normally unflappable Vaughan losing his temper. “The benefits of having no CMO currently on board means to say we can all stay at our positions until we get her back.”
“Ok then Caitlyn but Agnew is in charge of the operation.” She smiled and nodded but Vaughan remarked she did not explicitly express her intent to follow Agnew’s orders. He didn’t get to follow up on the point however as he turned to Ramsey and requested, “Tyler with Accipiter’s security tied up with the missions, I want the Manhattan to take over security details of the relief centres and rescue workers.”
Ramsey tensed being spoken to by Vaughan especially in what he considered a patronizing manner. “On one condition.”
Vaughan reigned in the temper outburst he wanted to unleash on Tyler’s impertinence. Instead, he smiled hoping not to appear too condescending. “Oh?”
“We have in place contingencies to get all Starfleet personnel off the planet and at my word we do so.”
“In rescuing Donna, we are seeking to get our people off the planet.”
“Yes but I mean all personnel. I’ve been keeping track and tabs on what they are dealing with and the escalating violence on the planet below. We don’t need our people getting caught in the middle as a civil war threatens to break out.”
Caitlyn responded, “Our job as Starfleet officers is to stand in the middle and referee.”
“I don’t need lessons on Federation principles. I had a professor of the subject as a commanding officer once upon a time.” He locked eyes with Vaughan. Caitlyn knew better than to get into an argument with either man. Nathan however was not so wise and was about to intercede when Ramsey continued, “It is my one condition. Failing it, I go to Wintrict and I stop your plans going any further.”
Again, both Nathan and Caitlyn were going to argue but Vaughan with a hand signal halted their protests. “Agreed. You had best get back to the Manhattan and get organised. Liaise with Major Raleigh to coordinate with her forces.”
Each member around the table took the cue to file out of the conference room to finalise the finer details of the different operations. Ramsey stood and fixed his tunic jacket before he left giving one final baleful look behind Vaughan’s back before he made for the turbolift on the bridge.
Bounding up to Vaughan, with her normally cheery expression missing, Laura Hashap was not to be swayed from her mission. “I want to be on the back up team that goes down for Donna.”
“Laura I hardly think that you are best suited to such an operation.”
“Need I remind you Captain that it was I who helped to blast some of those Jem’Hadar soldiers who boarded the Accipiter a while back in pursuit of their Founder? Saving your life in the process might I add?”
Vaughan agreed with her but added, “Yes Laura and I don’t mean to doubt your abilities however you are clouded in your judgement because Donna is such a close personal friend. That could make you compromise the mission.”
“How? The point of the mission is to get Donna back. My close personal relationship only serves to ensure I make sure I do get Donna back.”
With the correcting tone of a parent, Vaughan lightly scolded Laura’s persistence. “Dagon is selecting some of his best personnel for the operation. Do you want to compromise the tactical strength of the unit he deploys by insisting you be a part of it?”
“You don’t half do a good impression of a Vulcan, Captain.”
“It’s not so much logical as commonsense Laura. Not to mention we have a Jem’Hadar vessel readying to attack once things kick off. I’d like to have at least one of my top engineers on board in such an eventuality.”
Laura shrugged off the compliment. “That is a pretty poor sop to console me Captain.”
“Nevertheless it is true. Get down to Engineering and make sure, if it comes to a fire fight between the ships, that we are in a good shape to face it. Weapons were likely not a top priority for repairs after the shockwave affected systems.”
“Affected systems? Is that what you call blowing up every other EPS circuit?”
Vaughan chuckled as some of her good cheer returned, “That’s more like it.”
“Ok Captain, but if things go south down there I’m beaming myself down and getting Donna out of there myself if that is what it takes.”
“Yes I’m sure.”
They both walked onto the bridge where Vaughan noticed Dagon in deep conversation with Moira and Nathan. Their worried faces gave Vaughan cause for concern. “What is it now?”
Moira informed her Captain. “We have had contact from the surface and the riots have gotten worse. Captain Tiana has appealed for more security personnel and the Manhattan is able to provide the necessary but the situation is becoming increasingly untenable down there for the relief teams.”
“No hope we or the Gedan authorities for that matter, might get a hold on the situation?”
Moira shook her head. “I don’t think so Captain. In fact it might be said, the Gedan militia are being overly zealous in their reaction to the situation”
Vaughan frowned as the situation continued to spiral further out of control. He also knew it increased the chances Tyler would pull their relief teams off the surface. “Well we had better get our show on the road quickly Dagon.
The more this drags out the more likely the situation will get complicated by other matters.”
Nathan gave a heavy sigh and reported their other new development. “Lt. Hayes was conducting his routine scans as part of maintaining orbit and in doing so Moira detected some anomalous signals from the Jem’Hadar cruiser.”
“Go on.”
Gareth Hayes turned from his helm console and interjected, “I’ve detected the signal again. This time it was directed towards the cruiser. I think it confirms the hypothesis.”
“What hypothesis is that Mr Hayes?”
Gareth Hayes smiled nervously with the attention of his Captain and the other senior staff directed at him for cutting in, “Moira thinks and Dagon concurred that the signal was likely a secret communication between the cruiser and some other Dominion forces.”
“Where?”
Moira responded almost with a shrug of her shoulders. “Possibly en route or ...”
None too happy with further vagaries Vaughan questioned, “Or?”
Dagon gravelly intoned, “In system, hiding near to the sun with the increased background radiation from the moon explosion rendering their detection impossible from this position.”
“We need to know if the Jem’Hadar have some pretty damning aces up their sleeves Dagon.”
“I believe that is exactly where they are.”
Vaughan crossed his arms, “How so sure?”
“Because if I wanted to squash an enemy but wanted to remain hidden that is what I would do, until the time was right to show my hand.”
Nathan shook his head in disagreement. “Why hide? Surely if they have other forces, they would be best strengthening their position. As it is, we outnumber their vessel in orbit. Albeit it is a Battle cruiser.”
Dagon replied, “Only because they wish us to believe so. An enemy can be defeated by believing their force to be stronger.”
Vaughan thought of the Jem’Hadar unit who had thought so facing Dagon. “Pray we never have to come up against you Dagon. And it is not just us the Dominion wish to deceive but the Gedan too.”
Nathan boldly asserted, bringing a slight smile Vaughan’s face as he saw signs of Nathan’s growth already. “In light of this development and Dagon’s injuries, might I suggest Captain I lead the back up team for Keresh and have Dagon man tactical here.”
Vaughan nodded. “We also need to confirm our instincts. Moira can we increase our sensor capabilities?”
“I wouldn’t be too sure we could.”
Dagon added not for Moira’s benefit but it made her feel better for being stated, “Nor do I think it would be a good idea as it would forewarn the Jem’Hadar we are aware of their deception.”
Nathan concurred, “True and it might then prompt them to take action and we are best letting them keep hidden for now. I suggest Harrison and some of his pilots, a very few, maybe even only two at most, skirt the planet and when hidden from the Battle cruiser in orbit, search out for any additional Jem’Hadar forces in system.”
“Ok get on it. Let’s get answers people and let’s try to get this situation under some sort of control.” To himself he pessimistically thought, ‘If we can.’
Conference room, USS Accipiter
Around the highly polished surface of the conference table, the reflections of the assembled senior officers were directed towards the solicitous Yeyes Wintrict. “I’m sorry Captain but if I am to understand you correctly, your plan is to barge in there with a rescue team!”
Seated now in his chair at the head of the table now the meeting had begun Vaughan asserted, “That is correct Yeyes.”
“Impossible.”
Steepling his hands as he placed his elbows on the table, Vaughan replied, “My security officer tells me there are a number of challenges but none insurmountable. Believe me it is possible and it will be possible. My chief medical officer has been kidnapped, taken against her will even though she has been invaluable in the provision of healthcare in the aftermath of the moon explosion. If I chose to, I could interpret it as an act of war. I choose not to since it is clear that the elements who took her are outside of the government of the planet.”
Tyler drolly remarked, “That and the fact the world is to hell as it is.”
Ignoring the Manhattan’s Captain, Wintrict responded, “Be that as it may Captain your actions could spark a diplomatic row to say the least. Do you really believe such recourse is the best route?”
Surprisingly, it was Tyler who offered the answer to the diplomat’s question. “Forgive a man for giving a damn about one of his officers Yeyes. It is imperative that the Accipiter gets Dr Fichtner back on board. We have an unknown virus striking down a section of the population below. According to preliminary scans by Miss Ryan there is every possibility that the outbreak is indeed deliberate and manufactured, as claimed by the terrorists. Donna Fichtner is the most expert person we have on such a matter. Captain Tiana has many fine and well qualified doctors under her command and even she admits the truth of that statement.”
“We cannot afford to have this situation spiral out of control. At any time in the Federation, a virus can break out. It is only to be expected with people from across the Quadrant travelling and mixing from many different planets. Let the authorities below tackle the problem it is after all their responsibility. Let them do their job before we cause a rift between Starfleet and the government of Gedasada.”
“Fine sentiments but in the meantime my doctor is in danger.”
“Yes but it is not only the doctor you are seeking. You already have a team on the surface looking for the doctor’s whereabouts. Your other security team is being arranged for an entirely different purpose. Is that not so? That purpose is to break into a secure and sovereign installation of the Gedan government. Perhaps that is the most likely prospect of fracturing the allegiance of the Gedan government.”
Caitlyn butted in, “That is an allegiance we can live without if they have perpetrated the crimes Janek claims.”
“Again all very fine sentiments but we have a war being waged and we don’t need to give the Dominion a foothold in Gedasada if we should screw things up here. We will take no actions until I have alerted Admiralty.”
Vaughan cut over him, “You want us to seek Admiralty’s permission?”
“Yes. Don’t bother to argue Captain either. I will not be swayed.”
“But to stall is to allow any possible evidence to be destroyed.” Tyler Ramsey smirked at the statement coming from Vaughan but he chose to say nothing. He didn’t need to sitting in Nathan’s seat, Vaughan could see all too clearly the smile and hidden thoughts of the Manhattan captain.
Wintrict oblivious to this remarked to the destruction of evidence, “So be it.”
A low growl escaped from Dagon. “We also lose time, initiative and the trail that will help us to discover the doctor’s whereabouts. We also allow for the fortification of defences at the installation.”
“Forgive me Mr Dagon but Trammealeans are not known for their diplomacy, as your ‘antics’ on the surface readily attest to, so of course you would advocate a shoot first policy. It is surprising the Jem’Hadar have held their peace in light of what you have done and not sought to retaliate.”
“Perhaps the Trammealean are not known for their diplomacy but you as a diplomat ought to try have tact when dealing with other aliens. Others on my world would rightly eviscerate you.” Ignatius involuntarily shuddered at her knowledge of what the Trammealean could do. Thankfully, her revulsion went unnoticed by the others. Dagon took a pause to reflect before he continued, “I however, am a Starfleet officer. It does not mean though I am not greatly offended. I tactically suggest Captain, we continue our preparations,” glaring at Wintrict he allowed for no interruptions, “So we are ready if Admiralty should give us the go ahead. I also insist that Keresh should receive back up and his team continues to search for the doctor. Rival factions will be moving in on her position to capture Janek and we cannot allow for the doctor to be collateral damage.”
Vaughan nodded. The Gedan militia at the very least and possibly reinforced by Dominion troops. “Understood.”
“Very well then,” Wintrict feebly tried to assert his authority, “but your other teams do not move until Admiralty gives the go ahead.”
From the bottom of the table Laura Amos Hashap demanded, “Donna is in the hands of terrorists who want us to stop whatever it is the Gedan are up to. Considering it doesn’t sound very legitimate we should be stopping it regardless of Donna. But she’s the ship’s doctor, a colleague, my friend! We have to get her back now instead of waiting about for Admiralty to make a decision.”
Wintrict gave a withering look to the ship’s engineer only returned from the surface and the rescue effort below. Her mood was not pleasant upon discovering the fate and current whereabouts of her close friend Donna had been kept hidden from her. Laura had made up for it by demanding a heavy-handed rescue mission to retrieve the doctor despite any risks or retrieval of evidence. Vaughan had managed to calm her down some but at Wintrict’s proposal, her anger flared again.
“Your ...” Wintrict almost said animal looking at Dagon but managed to stop himself and instead said, “chief of security appears to have the rescue of the doctor in hand. Perhaps you should be more interested in the ship’s engines as per your duties. Refrain from allowing your personal feelings to impinge your duty.”
Vaughan nodded and concurred. “Wintrict if you wish you can use my ready room to contact Admiralty while my staff fleshes out the details. We also need to consider the security of the relief centres, Raleigh reports rioting and hostile reactions from the populace since the broadcast, directed towards the teams.”
Wintrict satisfied that they were getting down to business moved out of the conference room headed for the captain’s ready room. When he disappeared out the door, Vaughan changed tone. “Ok we need to move fast and as covertly as possible. Have you located the sites identified by Donna?”
Caitlyn looked first to Captain Ramsey still seated beside Vaughan and holding his tongue still, then she looked to Vaughan. “I think it is safe to assume that Captain Ramsey wishes us to take the wisest and best course of action for all concerned. So he is no doubt willing to allow our investigations to go ahead.”
Cutting over Vaughan, Tyler spoke for himself, “Suffice to say, I want to hear what you have planned. It’s no secret I don’t trust you Captain so I’d sooner hear your plans and place my trust in you and them. If I hear something I don’t like, I’ll quickly object Lt Commander.”
“That’s as good as a heart felt endorsement as you’ll ever get from Tyler, Caitlyn, so continue. Did you locate the sites identified by Donna?”
Caitlyn nodded her head, “Yes Captain. I was working on it with Major Agnew and he sees that the facility in the remote area is the safest bet. The Junsoon facility is heavily guarded since the doctor was kidnapped and security has been upped since, apparently, the Prime Governor is going to making a speech shortly from there. However, our most recent scans show that Jem’Hadar troops have moved into both facilities and have set up transporter buffers that will block any attempts to transport into the facility.”
“Have you come up with a way to circumvent this?”
“Yes. We will orbit dive into the facility.”
“We?”
“No offense to Mr Agnew’s marines but I don’t think they hold too many science degrees between them. I’m best suited to the task.”
“Yes but after your ordeal.”
“Yours too captain and Mr Dagon’s, yet he is seated here, as are you.”
Nathan cut in sensing Caitlyn’s knack of being able to raise the captain’s ire. With Tyler Ramsey in the room only adding to the tension, it greatly added to the chances of the normally unflappable Vaughan losing his temper. “The benefits of having no CMO currently on board means to say we can all stay at our positions until we get her back.”
“Ok then Caitlyn but Agnew is in charge of the operation.” She smiled and nodded but Vaughan remarked she did not explicitly express her intent to follow Agnew’s orders. He didn’t get to follow up on the point however as he turned to Ramsey and requested, “Tyler with Accipiter’s security tied up with the missions, I want the Manhattan to take over security details of the relief centres and rescue workers.”
Ramsey tensed being spoken to by Vaughan especially in what he considered a patronizing manner. “On one condition.”
Vaughan reigned in the temper outburst he wanted to unleash on Tyler’s impertinence. Instead, he smiled hoping not to appear too condescending. “Oh?”
“We have in place contingencies to get all Starfleet personnel off the planet and at my word we do so.”
“In rescuing Donna, we are seeking to get our people off the planet.”
“Yes but I mean all personnel. I’ve been keeping track and tabs on what they are dealing with and the escalating violence on the planet below. We don’t need our people getting caught in the middle as a civil war threatens to break out.”
Caitlyn responded, “Our job as Starfleet officers is to stand in the middle and referee.”
“I don’t need lessons on Federation principles. I had a professor of the subject as a commanding officer once upon a time.” He locked eyes with Vaughan. Caitlyn knew better than to get into an argument with either man. Nathan however was not so wise and was about to intercede when Ramsey continued, “It is my one condition. Failing it, I go to Wintrict and I stop your plans going any further.”
Again, both Nathan and Caitlyn were going to argue but Vaughan with a hand signal halted their protests. “Agreed. You had best get back to the Manhattan and get organised. Liaise with Major Raleigh to coordinate with her forces.”
Each member around the table took the cue to file out of the conference room to finalise the finer details of the different operations. Ramsey stood and fixed his tunic jacket before he left giving one final baleful look behind Vaughan’s back before he made for the turbolift on the bridge.
Bounding up to Vaughan, with her normally cheery expression missing, Laura Hashap was not to be swayed from her mission. “I want to be on the back up team that goes down for Donna.”
“Laura I hardly think that you are best suited to such an operation.”
“Need I remind you Captain that it was I who helped to blast some of those Jem’Hadar soldiers who boarded the Accipiter a while back in pursuit of their Founder? Saving your life in the process might I add?”
Vaughan agreed with her but added, “Yes Laura and I don’t mean to doubt your abilities however you are clouded in your judgement because Donna is such a close personal friend. That could make you compromise the mission.”
“How? The point of the mission is to get Donna back. My close personal relationship only serves to ensure I make sure I do get Donna back.”
With the correcting tone of a parent, Vaughan lightly scolded Laura’s persistence. “Dagon is selecting some of his best personnel for the operation. Do you want to compromise the tactical strength of the unit he deploys by insisting you be a part of it?”
“You don’t half do a good impression of a Vulcan, Captain.”
“It’s not so much logical as commonsense Laura. Not to mention we have a Jem’Hadar vessel readying to attack once things kick off. I’d like to have at least one of my top engineers on board in such an eventuality.”
Laura shrugged off the compliment. “That is a pretty poor sop to console me Captain.”
“Nevertheless it is true. Get down to Engineering and make sure, if it comes to a fire fight between the ships, that we are in a good shape to face it. Weapons were likely not a top priority for repairs after the shockwave affected systems.”
“Affected systems? Is that what you call blowing up every other EPS circuit?”
Vaughan chuckled as some of her good cheer returned, “That’s more like it.”
“Ok Captain, but if things go south down there I’m beaming myself down and getting Donna out of there myself if that is what it takes.”
“Yes I’m sure.”
They both walked onto the bridge where Vaughan noticed Dagon in deep conversation with Moira and Nathan. Their worried faces gave Vaughan cause for concern. “What is it now?”
Moira informed her Captain. “We have had contact from the surface and the riots have gotten worse. Captain Tiana has appealed for more security personnel and the Manhattan is able to provide the necessary but the situation is becoming increasingly untenable down there for the relief teams.”
“No hope we or the Gedan authorities for that matter, might get a hold on the situation?”
Moira shook her head. “I don’t think so Captain. In fact it might be said, the Gedan militia are being overly zealous in their reaction to the situation”
Vaughan frowned as the situation continued to spiral further out of control. He also knew it increased the chances Tyler would pull their relief teams off the surface. “Well we had better get our show on the road quickly Dagon.
The more this drags out the more likely the situation will get complicated by other matters.”
Nathan gave a heavy sigh and reported their other new development. “Lt. Hayes was conducting his routine scans as part of maintaining orbit and in doing so Moira detected some anomalous signals from the Jem’Hadar cruiser.”
“Go on.”
Gareth Hayes turned from his helm console and interjected, “I’ve detected the signal again. This time it was directed towards the cruiser. I think it confirms the hypothesis.”
“What hypothesis is that Mr Hayes?”
Gareth Hayes smiled nervously with the attention of his Captain and the other senior staff directed at him for cutting in, “Moira thinks and Dagon concurred that the signal was likely a secret communication between the cruiser and some other Dominion forces.”
“Where?”
Moira responded almost with a shrug of her shoulders. “Possibly en route or ...”
None too happy with further vagaries Vaughan questioned, “Or?”
Dagon gravelly intoned, “In system, hiding near to the sun with the increased background radiation from the moon explosion rendering their detection impossible from this position.”
“We need to know if the Jem’Hadar have some pretty damning aces up their sleeves Dagon.”
“I believe that is exactly where they are.”
Vaughan crossed his arms, “How so sure?”
“Because if I wanted to squash an enemy but wanted to remain hidden that is what I would do, until the time was right to show my hand.”
Nathan shook his head in disagreement. “Why hide? Surely if they have other forces, they would be best strengthening their position. As it is, we outnumber their vessel in orbit. Albeit it is a Battle cruiser.”
Dagon replied, “Only because they wish us to believe so. An enemy can be defeated by believing their force to be stronger.”
Vaughan thought of the Jem’Hadar unit who had thought so facing Dagon. “Pray we never have to come up against you Dagon. And it is not just us the Dominion wish to deceive but the Gedan too.”
Nathan boldly asserted, bringing a slight smile Vaughan’s face as he saw signs of Nathan’s growth already. “In light of this development and Dagon’s injuries, might I suggest Captain I lead the back up team for Keresh and have Dagon man tactical here.”
Vaughan nodded. “We also need to confirm our instincts. Moira can we increase our sensor capabilities?”
“I wouldn’t be too sure we could.”
Dagon added not for Moira’s benefit but it made her feel better for being stated, “Nor do I think it would be a good idea as it would forewarn the Jem’Hadar we are aware of their deception.”
Nathan concurred, “True and it might then prompt them to take action and we are best letting them keep hidden for now. I suggest Harrison and some of his pilots, a very few, maybe even only two at most, skirt the planet and when hidden from the Battle cruiser in orbit, search out for any additional Jem’Hadar forces in system.”
“Ok get on it. Let’s get answers people and let’s try to get this situation under some sort of control.” To himself he pessimistically thought, ‘If we can.’
*****
Re: Buried History - Chapter 7 'Erasing The Past'
This conflict between Vaughan and Ramsey has to come to a head soon. They keep going like they're going, one of them is going to kill the other one by the time this is over. In any event, it's not healthy when you're dealing with a ticklish local political and cultural situation and there's a Dominion battlecruiser in orbit over your heads and Jem'Hadar on the ground just waiting to gut you.
This conflict between Vaughan and Ramsey has to come to a head soon. They keep going like they're going, one of them is going to kill the other one by the time this is over. In any event, it's not healthy when you're dealing with a ticklish local political and cultural situation and there's a Dominion battlecruiser in orbit over your heads and Jem'Hadar on the ground just waiting to gut you.
I apologize if I sound repetitive, but I am struck how your story is getting stronger as it progresses. Your writing continues to develop with excellent flow and imagery. So, I just wanted to say, "great job!" and I'm very much enjoying your tale.
Beneath Mouyr city, Gedasada
Janek frowned as he ‘listened’ to the coded messages tapped out on the pipes. Donna thought of the simple but effective mode of communication used by the Conmenian, marvelling at how one could decipher which noises from the bumps, gurgles and grinds of the pipes were messages and not passing fluids and gases.
“What appears to be the matter now?”
“Our scouts have detected a team of aliens zeroing in on our position.”
Donna looked around past her shoulder in the direction Janek was looking assuming it to be the direction of said ‘aliens’. “That will be Keresh and his team from the Accipiter.”
“No, the message is a little confusing but they are not Starfleet. They are the other aliens – the reptilian ones.”
Donna unaware of the Jem’Hadar presence gasped, “The Jem’Hadar?”
“I think so. But it makes no sense. One sentry party sees them, another fails to and yet another reports having seen them pass. So many cannot be incompetent. Our people have grown up warily looking out for the signs of militia raids and attacks so we are ever alert. I will have to weed out the imbeciles who allow these aliens to traverse unseen.”
“Wait! Don’t be too swift to judge. The Jem’Hadar can shroud themselves. So no wonder your people can’t track or spot them. It’s more of a surprise that some did. We had better hurry though. One thing for sure is they are not here to make friends with either my rescue party or us. And they could be on top of us with their ability to shroud.”
“We are zoning in on their location Sergeant.”
Huyrek smiled. They had cleverly followed the Starfleet team and then branched off down other levels and pipe corridors. With more intimate knowledge of the underground warrens than the Federation fools and with knowledge tortured from a scout they were able to estimate where the two parties would hope to meet. It was an open area where pipes of all sorts and various corridors intersected and where transporters were not blocked.
However, they would be surprised to see Huyrek and his team lying in wait. Their ambush would be all the more effective because they carried transporter blockers given by the Jem’Hadar soldiers. He smiled at the thought of those predatory and reptilian creatures hunting down Janek. It was of course also a challenge to rise to. For Huyrek very much wished to inflict his own brand of pain on the rebel self-styled leader. He and the precious little waif who had stabbed his groin with a blade.
Yes, he smiled as he thought about how he would pin her against a wall with a blade though her stomach and finish what he had started that night before she had rudely ended their session. Yes, he would smile as her body bucked and bled and died.
Flight Deck, USS Accipiter
Raymond Agnew surveyed his men from a small distance across the flight deck as they double, triple and quadruple checked their gear. He did so to see if he could note any warning signs of injury or unpreparedness, he might not see when they spied him and tried to cover up. Happily, he saw no deficiencies in them.
Dagon Ghangnanorr was suddenly at his side. How the massive bulk of the Trammealean managed to deftly approach him Raymond could not figure. From their shared career history in a special secret operations unit, Agnew knew a great deal of Dagon’s abilities, strengths and skills, and the running joke in their unit had been Dagon’s ability to sneak up on an enemy (or friend) with the lightest foot despite his size. The Trammealean was likewise measuring the team up with his keen eyes.
“They are ready.” It was not a question but a judgement from him. It was the highest form of a compliment the security officer was like to give. Agnew took great satisfaction in it.
“Thank you. They will need to be.” Raymond saw Caitlyn enter onto the flight deck. “I only hope Ryan will be equally up to the task.”
If he could only read Dagon better, Raymond swore he saw the Trammealean frown and give a small growl at the mention of Caitlyn Ryan. Steeped in a culture with a strict obeyance of society strata Dagon disapproved of Caitlyn’s outspoken and disrespectful attitude to their Captain. However, his keen eyes looked her over and saw she was remarkably recovered and uninjured from her ordeal in the trenches of the mass graves. He saw strength in her limbs and in how she carried her backpack and armour.
The Major moved off to meet her and Dagon remained aloof trusting Agnew to oversee his team. He turned his attention to Nathan Forrest with his reinforcement team. Although he had faith in the ship’s XO he had not shared combat and bled blood and put his life on the line as he had done so with Agnew. Therefore, he looked over his preparations with perhaps not greater scrutiny but greater expectations of finding something amiss except for the fact it included people from his own security department.
Agnew unawares of Dagon’s faith in him approached the science officer with a degree of scepticism as to her inclusion in his team and her ability to complete the mission, especially in the stealthy and risky manner they would have to take.
“Lt Commander Ryan.” The tone of his simple acknowledgement of her presence was a tone that asked ‘was she prepared and ready for the mission’.
Caitlyn coolly looked Agnew in the eye. She simply acknowledged him in return. “Major Agnew.” Her tone haughty and imperious, implying how dare he question her readiness.
The attitude rankled with the major use to soldiers following his orders without debate. He crossed his arms as he addressed her and his concerns more directly. “Did you complete the holographic simulation programme successfully?”
Behind her one of Agnew’s most trusted men sent to accompany Caitlyn on the training programme shook his head imperceptibly giving the Major an honest appraisal of her performance. Ryan however stood taller in defiance as she proclaimed, “A simulation is not necessarily the best training tool and one training session is hardly conclusive.”
“It is however one of thee best training tools. I agree one simulation is hardly enough. That is why it takes years of training and discipline to become a marine.”
Stepping up to him, Caitlyn quietly yet boldly set forth her own credentials. “Perhaps so but I learnt the lessons of combat and survival the real hard way – i.e. the real way. The simulation might be lacking but I trust you a Cardassian training is fairly comprehensive.”
He gave a curt nod in response. “I understand but in this situation we have control and time to preparation for our response. It is not flight or fight, or a desperate struggle for survival.”
“Say that to the Conmenian people down there or for that matter the dead Gedan in those mass graves.”
“We however have the chance to meet the situation with a thoroughness that gives us a greater chance of success and increases our safety. Letting you in on this mission quite frankly jars with my better judgement. I have no doubt that when it comes to a crunch you can handle yourself. But my troops are trained in a mission like this to try to avoid those crunch situations – a swift and stealthy incursion is the best result. Safety is paramount, not because they can’t handle themselves but because that is my job. It comes with the stripes.”
Quietly so as not to draw the attention of the others she retorted. “I appreciate that ...”
“I’m not sure you do. I get it; you’re tough, smart and extremely capable. But let’s be very, very clear about this, no matter your past experiences, you are not a trained soldier. What you are is a danger to my soldiers and possible threat to the mission’s success.”
“What I am, is the person you need to examine whatever it is we discover down there. Then figure out what it is the Gedan are up to and possibly how we might stop it. So I tell you what. I will leave you to do the soldiering and I will do the science. Ok?” She moved off and started to stow her gear and check her parachute.
“What do you think boss?”
Agnew, as usual, ignored the impertinence of Valdroz and answered him nevertheless. “The mission is unorthodox as is, without throwing the Lt Commander into the mix. The orbital jump is a risky strategy but to undertake it with the slight of hand we intend only further complicates it.”
“She can handle herself by all accounts. The stories of what she did ... well they make for grim listening. The truth of what happened may not be what those stories are but if even a grain of them is true ... Maybe after this we might hear them one day from her.”
Raymond answered with a far away look. “I don’t know about that. You hide those parts of you away from others. I also doubt if she will leave the soldiering up to us.” Valdroz decided not to chase up the pregnant thought with any prodding. Like many of the others in the unit, he was intrigued by the ultra secret special ops work Agnew was a part of for years. Therefore, he desired to ask more of the Major but knew he was a fairly closed book when it came to his past. Naturally enough in light of the line of work. Secretive operations that saw him work with Dagon Ghangnanorr, which saw them cross paths with the Borg if the rumours surrounding the mysterious abilities of navigation ensign Zxerya were to be believed.
“Just double check her equipment and the others too.” With that, Raymond moved off to go over the approach vectors one last time with their pilot, Gareth Hayes.
Vaughan approached Nathan as he finished his pre-flight speech to the team assembled in front of the runabout Trasimene. They broke up and started stowing their gear in the runabout.
“Always with the inspirational speeches Nathan.”
He blushed embarrassed. “Yeah, a bad habit I’m getting.”
“So long as it does the job. My own little speech now is going to be less inspirational. Bring Donna back Nathan.” He looked at the security filing into the runabout and taking up their seats. “Keep them safe.” He gave a particularly long look at Kurt Ramsey as he ducked his head entering the runabout.
Nathan spotted the look but passed no comment on the look. He simply squeezed Vaughan’s arm reassuringly and promised, “I’ll look after them.”
“Who’ll look after you in that case then?”
“Ah you forget Captain, Sanjeev is already down there minding my six.”
Vaughan smiled. “It’s good to be able to rely on your friends. Take care Nathan.” Vaughan turned and headed back to the bridge with Dagon falling into step a few paces behind him.
Nathan took up his pack back and stowed his gear. Then when the order came through from the bridge from Vaughan himself that they were clear to launch, Nathan gave Major Agnew a hearty shake of his hand and Caitlyn a nod of encouragement and good luck before stepping into the runabout. The door closed behind him as Caitlyn, Agnew and the six other marines took up their handholds on the side of the runabout.
Helmeted and secured Caitlyn like the others grasped the handholds with a fierce determination. She tried not to think of the fact she was willingly holding on to the side of a ship about to enter orbit, evade detection by Jem’Hadar sensors and then let go and throw herself into oblivion.
The shuttle lifted carefully off the deck and then flew through the blue curtain of the flight deck’s containment field. As it rippled through the field, Caitlyn felt an involuntary shudder through her. Despite the properties of her armour suit, she felt the cold of the vacuum of space.
The Trasimene banked carefully as it cut through between the nacelles of the Accipiter. As it did, Huyio now at helm of the ship made pre-planned manoeuvres to mask the launch of the runabout. Hayes piloting the runabout with Nathan and his security team seated in the aft and Caitlyn and Agnew’s team hanging on to the outside of the runabout carefully matched the moves so his trail was distorted in the Accipiter’s wake. Ramsey’s Manhattan now took up the batten as Hayes started to drop to a lower orbit as they came up on the window of the night sky above the Ru’Ye installation. The Galaxy class vessel interposed itself between the Jem’Hadar battlecruiser and the runabout.
The probability of hiding the ship’s launch was highly unlikely. The gambit had been not so much as to hide the runabout but to hide the marines (and science officer) holding onto its side about to attempt an extreme high orbital dive. The Trasimene was to be detected and scanned by the Jem’Hadar but not until they had dropped off their packages, and then it would continue to the surface where Forrest’s security team would try to triangulate the nearest possible position to Donna and Keresh.
As he descended, both Gedan and Jem’Hadar forces tried to raise Hayes. He decided to ignore the Jem’Hadar and answered the Gedan commander of the forces manning the Ru’Ye installation. He did so whilst deftly running his hands over the controls and maintained the arc that hid the marines from the Jem’Hadar vessel in case they eyeballed them holding on. Gareth tried not to think about their precarious hold on the vessel he flew at speed into a planet’s atmosphere.
A weasel figure with an even more weaselling nasal voice squawked, “What is the meaning of this? You are approaching a Gedan secure zone. It is a no flight area – that includes high altitude flights and reconnaissance missions. If you do not correct your path we will be forced to fire upon you.”
Hayes grimaced as the voice rebounded in the cockpit confines. “I assure you we mean no harm. We are conducting search and rescue operations as part of the relief ...”
Gareth’s lies were cut off as the weasel squawked indignantly, “I repeat, this is a no flight zone, we will fire upon you if you do not change your flight path!”
“Ok, ok! I get the picture. No need to go on.” Gareth held his hands up in mock surrender. Doing so meant he not only bluffed the Gedan commander but also bought more time and more distance to the installation. He stalled more by grumbling, “I was only carrying out my orders. I thought we were supposed to be helping you people.”
“I said change your flight path! We will shoot!”
“Again, ok, ok. Have a little patience.” A light came flashed on his panel controls, the signal that the jumpers had all cleared the Trasimene. Hayes gratefully banked the vessel and headed back towards Mouyr city to set Nathan Forrest down.
Janek frowned as he ‘listened’ to the coded messages tapped out on the pipes. Donna thought of the simple but effective mode of communication used by the Conmenian, marvelling at how one could decipher which noises from the bumps, gurgles and grinds of the pipes were messages and not passing fluids and gases.
“What appears to be the matter now?”
“Our scouts have detected a team of aliens zeroing in on our position.”
Donna looked around past her shoulder in the direction Janek was looking assuming it to be the direction of said ‘aliens’. “That will be Keresh and his team from the Accipiter.”
“No, the message is a little confusing but they are not Starfleet. They are the other aliens – the reptilian ones.”
Donna unaware of the Jem’Hadar presence gasped, “The Jem’Hadar?”
“I think so. But it makes no sense. One sentry party sees them, another fails to and yet another reports having seen them pass. So many cannot be incompetent. Our people have grown up warily looking out for the signs of militia raids and attacks so we are ever alert. I will have to weed out the imbeciles who allow these aliens to traverse unseen.”
“Wait! Don’t be too swift to judge. The Jem’Hadar can shroud themselves. So no wonder your people can’t track or spot them. It’s more of a surprise that some did. We had better hurry though. One thing for sure is they are not here to make friends with either my rescue party or us. And they could be on top of us with their ability to shroud.”
****
“We are zoning in on their location Sergeant.”
Huyrek smiled. They had cleverly followed the Starfleet team and then branched off down other levels and pipe corridors. With more intimate knowledge of the underground warrens than the Federation fools and with knowledge tortured from a scout they were able to estimate where the two parties would hope to meet. It was an open area where pipes of all sorts and various corridors intersected and where transporters were not blocked.
However, they would be surprised to see Huyrek and his team lying in wait. Their ambush would be all the more effective because they carried transporter blockers given by the Jem’Hadar soldiers. He smiled at the thought of those predatory and reptilian creatures hunting down Janek. It was of course also a challenge to rise to. For Huyrek very much wished to inflict his own brand of pain on the rebel self-styled leader. He and the precious little waif who had stabbed his groin with a blade.
Yes, he smiled as he thought about how he would pin her against a wall with a blade though her stomach and finish what he had started that night before she had rudely ended their session. Yes, he would smile as her body bucked and bled and died.
****
Flight Deck, USS Accipiter
Raymond Agnew surveyed his men from a small distance across the flight deck as they double, triple and quadruple checked their gear. He did so to see if he could note any warning signs of injury or unpreparedness, he might not see when they spied him and tried to cover up. Happily, he saw no deficiencies in them.
Dagon Ghangnanorr was suddenly at his side. How the massive bulk of the Trammealean managed to deftly approach him Raymond could not figure. From their shared career history in a special secret operations unit, Agnew knew a great deal of Dagon’s abilities, strengths and skills, and the running joke in their unit had been Dagon’s ability to sneak up on an enemy (or friend) with the lightest foot despite his size. The Trammealean was likewise measuring the team up with his keen eyes.
“They are ready.” It was not a question but a judgement from him. It was the highest form of a compliment the security officer was like to give. Agnew took great satisfaction in it.
“Thank you. They will need to be.” Raymond saw Caitlyn enter onto the flight deck. “I only hope Ryan will be equally up to the task.”
If he could only read Dagon better, Raymond swore he saw the Trammealean frown and give a small growl at the mention of Caitlyn Ryan. Steeped in a culture with a strict obeyance of society strata Dagon disapproved of Caitlyn’s outspoken and disrespectful attitude to their Captain. However, his keen eyes looked her over and saw she was remarkably recovered and uninjured from her ordeal in the trenches of the mass graves. He saw strength in her limbs and in how she carried her backpack and armour.
The Major moved off to meet her and Dagon remained aloof trusting Agnew to oversee his team. He turned his attention to Nathan Forrest with his reinforcement team. Although he had faith in the ship’s XO he had not shared combat and bled blood and put his life on the line as he had done so with Agnew. Therefore, he looked over his preparations with perhaps not greater scrutiny but greater expectations of finding something amiss except for the fact it included people from his own security department.
Agnew unawares of Dagon’s faith in him approached the science officer with a degree of scepticism as to her inclusion in his team and her ability to complete the mission, especially in the stealthy and risky manner they would have to take.
“Lt Commander Ryan.” The tone of his simple acknowledgement of her presence was a tone that asked ‘was she prepared and ready for the mission’.
Caitlyn coolly looked Agnew in the eye. She simply acknowledged him in return. “Major Agnew.” Her tone haughty and imperious, implying how dare he question her readiness.
The attitude rankled with the major use to soldiers following his orders without debate. He crossed his arms as he addressed her and his concerns more directly. “Did you complete the holographic simulation programme successfully?”
Behind her one of Agnew’s most trusted men sent to accompany Caitlyn on the training programme shook his head imperceptibly giving the Major an honest appraisal of her performance. Ryan however stood taller in defiance as she proclaimed, “A simulation is not necessarily the best training tool and one training session is hardly conclusive.”
“It is however one of thee best training tools. I agree one simulation is hardly enough. That is why it takes years of training and discipline to become a marine.”
Stepping up to him, Caitlyn quietly yet boldly set forth her own credentials. “Perhaps so but I learnt the lessons of combat and survival the real hard way – i.e. the real way. The simulation might be lacking but I trust you a Cardassian training is fairly comprehensive.”
He gave a curt nod in response. “I understand but in this situation we have control and time to preparation for our response. It is not flight or fight, or a desperate struggle for survival.”
“Say that to the Conmenian people down there or for that matter the dead Gedan in those mass graves.”
“We however have the chance to meet the situation with a thoroughness that gives us a greater chance of success and increases our safety. Letting you in on this mission quite frankly jars with my better judgement. I have no doubt that when it comes to a crunch you can handle yourself. But my troops are trained in a mission like this to try to avoid those crunch situations – a swift and stealthy incursion is the best result. Safety is paramount, not because they can’t handle themselves but because that is my job. It comes with the stripes.”
Quietly so as not to draw the attention of the others she retorted. “I appreciate that ...”
“I’m not sure you do. I get it; you’re tough, smart and extremely capable. But let’s be very, very clear about this, no matter your past experiences, you are not a trained soldier. What you are is a danger to my soldiers and possible threat to the mission’s success.”
“What I am, is the person you need to examine whatever it is we discover down there. Then figure out what it is the Gedan are up to and possibly how we might stop it. So I tell you what. I will leave you to do the soldiering and I will do the science. Ok?” She moved off and started to stow her gear and check her parachute.
“What do you think boss?”
Agnew, as usual, ignored the impertinence of Valdroz and answered him nevertheless. “The mission is unorthodox as is, without throwing the Lt Commander into the mix. The orbital jump is a risky strategy but to undertake it with the slight of hand we intend only further complicates it.”
“She can handle herself by all accounts. The stories of what she did ... well they make for grim listening. The truth of what happened may not be what those stories are but if even a grain of them is true ... Maybe after this we might hear them one day from her.”
Raymond answered with a far away look. “I don’t know about that. You hide those parts of you away from others. I also doubt if she will leave the soldiering up to us.” Valdroz decided not to chase up the pregnant thought with any prodding. Like many of the others in the unit, he was intrigued by the ultra secret special ops work Agnew was a part of for years. Therefore, he desired to ask more of the Major but knew he was a fairly closed book when it came to his past. Naturally enough in light of the line of work. Secretive operations that saw him work with Dagon Ghangnanorr, which saw them cross paths with the Borg if the rumours surrounding the mysterious abilities of navigation ensign Zxerya were to be believed.
“Just double check her equipment and the others too.” With that, Raymond moved off to go over the approach vectors one last time with their pilot, Gareth Hayes.
****
Vaughan approached Nathan as he finished his pre-flight speech to the team assembled in front of the runabout Trasimene. They broke up and started stowing their gear in the runabout.
“Always with the inspirational speeches Nathan.”
He blushed embarrassed. “Yeah, a bad habit I’m getting.”
“So long as it does the job. My own little speech now is going to be less inspirational. Bring Donna back Nathan.” He looked at the security filing into the runabout and taking up their seats. “Keep them safe.” He gave a particularly long look at Kurt Ramsey as he ducked his head entering the runabout.
Nathan spotted the look but passed no comment on the look. He simply squeezed Vaughan’s arm reassuringly and promised, “I’ll look after them.”
“Who’ll look after you in that case then?”
“Ah you forget Captain, Sanjeev is already down there minding my six.”
Vaughan smiled. “It’s good to be able to rely on your friends. Take care Nathan.” Vaughan turned and headed back to the bridge with Dagon falling into step a few paces behind him.
Nathan took up his pack back and stowed his gear. Then when the order came through from the bridge from Vaughan himself that they were clear to launch, Nathan gave Major Agnew a hearty shake of his hand and Caitlyn a nod of encouragement and good luck before stepping into the runabout. The door closed behind him as Caitlyn, Agnew and the six other marines took up their handholds on the side of the runabout.
Helmeted and secured Caitlyn like the others grasped the handholds with a fierce determination. She tried not to think of the fact she was willingly holding on to the side of a ship about to enter orbit, evade detection by Jem’Hadar sensors and then let go and throw herself into oblivion.
The shuttle lifted carefully off the deck and then flew through the blue curtain of the flight deck’s containment field. As it rippled through the field, Caitlyn felt an involuntary shudder through her. Despite the properties of her armour suit, she felt the cold of the vacuum of space.
The Trasimene banked carefully as it cut through between the nacelles of the Accipiter. As it did, Huyio now at helm of the ship made pre-planned manoeuvres to mask the launch of the runabout. Hayes piloting the runabout with Nathan and his security team seated in the aft and Caitlyn and Agnew’s team hanging on to the outside of the runabout carefully matched the moves so his trail was distorted in the Accipiter’s wake. Ramsey’s Manhattan now took up the batten as Hayes started to drop to a lower orbit as they came up on the window of the night sky above the Ru’Ye installation. The Galaxy class vessel interposed itself between the Jem’Hadar battlecruiser and the runabout.
The probability of hiding the ship’s launch was highly unlikely. The gambit had been not so much as to hide the runabout but to hide the marines (and science officer) holding onto its side about to attempt an extreme high orbital dive. The Trasimene was to be detected and scanned by the Jem’Hadar but not until they had dropped off their packages, and then it would continue to the surface where Forrest’s security team would try to triangulate the nearest possible position to Donna and Keresh.
As he descended, both Gedan and Jem’Hadar forces tried to raise Hayes. He decided to ignore the Jem’Hadar and answered the Gedan commander of the forces manning the Ru’Ye installation. He did so whilst deftly running his hands over the controls and maintained the arc that hid the marines from the Jem’Hadar vessel in case they eyeballed them holding on. Gareth tried not to think about their precarious hold on the vessel he flew at speed into a planet’s atmosphere.
A weasel figure with an even more weaselling nasal voice squawked, “What is the meaning of this? You are approaching a Gedan secure zone. It is a no flight area – that includes high altitude flights and reconnaissance missions. If you do not correct your path we will be forced to fire upon you.”
Hayes grimaced as the voice rebounded in the cockpit confines. “I assure you we mean no harm. We are conducting search and rescue operations as part of the relief ...”
Gareth’s lies were cut off as the weasel squawked indignantly, “I repeat, this is a no flight zone, we will fire upon you if you do not change your flight path!”
“Ok, ok! I get the picture. No need to go on.” Gareth held his hands up in mock surrender. Doing so meant he not only bluffed the Gedan commander but also bought more time and more distance to the installation. He stalled more by grumbling, “I was only carrying out my orders. I thought we were supposed to be helping you people.”
“I said change your flight path! We will shoot!”
“Again, ok, ok. Have a little patience.” A light came flashed on his panel controls, the signal that the jumpers had all cleared the Trasimene. Hayes gratefully banked the vessel and headed back towards Mouyr city to set Nathan Forrest down.
****
On the bridge of the Accipiter Vaughan gave a grateful sigh of relief as the Gedan threat did not materialise and Hayes banked the Trasimene to its actual destination. He turned and looked back to Dagon and then to Moira, querying whether the Jem’Hadar had managed to scan the marines.
The almost smug impression on Dagon gave Vaughan his answer but Moira volunteered, “The Jem’Hadar cruiser attempted to scan but the burst of scanning from the Manhattan blocked their attempts at the critical juncture.”
Vaughan smiled inwardly. Despite Tyler Ramsey’s contempt for Vaughan, he did not allow it to prejudice his duty. He always had been a good officer with all the talents to become a good captain. It made it all the more of a shame that their relationship has fractured so badly.
“What are the Jem’Hadar doing now?”
Sourly Dagon grunted, “They are scanning the runabout and we are detecting communication to ground forces.”
Vaughan completed Dagon’s thoughts. “Informing their troops to move quickly because Federation reinforcements are en route.”
“Precisely Captain. I will attempt to triangulate the location of the ground forces using their communication. It will act as a warning for the two teams. However, we still have no way of informing the doctor.”
“Do so Dagon.” Vaughan turned back in his seat to study the viewscreen. “Moira when is the Prime Governor due to make his broadcast?”
She checked her instruments to confirm her answer. “According to the news channels still operating, within the next hour. I should add however Captain one of the news channels has been shut down. Some form of state censorship I think. That particular news channel was starting to question the militia’s response to the riots and the handling of the plague outbreak by the medical authorities. Whilst not pro-Conmenian it was about the closest there was to such from a broadcaster on the planet.” Moira looked up to lock eyes with Vaughan.
The news perturbed him. It was a sign of the government becoming more hard-line in its response and whilst they could, the Federation had to do its utmost to contain the situation as best it could. Vaughan squirmed in his seat, discomfited in sitting around waiting whilst his crew flew into danger. “Dagon ... I want to beam down and talk to the Prime Governor face to face.”
Dagon rounded his station and approached the Captain. His face was dark and it was the closest he had ever come to showing any disloyalty to the Captain. At her science station, Ignatius quailed to see even a glimmer of the Trammealean’s potential wrath. Dagon questioned the captain’s judgment. “I do not think it a wise course Captain. You make yourself a potential hostage if the Gedan authorities discover the incursion team at the Ru’Ye facility.”
“On the surface, or rather under it, he was aloof and kept away from me, but I believe him to have genuinely the good of his people at heart. If I could talk to him I might learn more about the politics of the situation and understand a way to help these people seek a compromise.”
Having stepped out of the captain’s ready room the diplomat Wintrict looked anything but diplomatic as he took in the absence of senior crew personnel on the bridge and realised he had been bluffed. “What is going on here? I expressly forbade any such mission.”
“With all due respect Wintrict, this is my ship and you do not have authority to forbid me to do anything on it.”
“Then I will use my diplomatic card and contact the Gedan authorities.”
Standing, Vaughan shook his head and crossed his arms. “I’m afraid I cannot allow that!”
“I don’t see how you can forbid me, Captain, with all due respect.”
“Because I will instruct Mr Dagon here to make sure you do not.”
Contemptuously Wintrict looked to the security chief and saw the fierce look that pinned Wintrict to the deck. It was an expression clear in its intent to follow the Captain’s orders to the letter. “Take a seat Dr Wintrict, where Dagon can see you.”
Nervously he did as bid cowering his head involuntarily as he passed the massive form of Dagon. “I still do not think you should go Captain.”
Voice quivering Wintrict gave his two pennies worth. “It might not be the wisest move tactically but diplomatically we must make some sort of attempt to discuss the issue with the authorities. At the very least it will make our violation of their facility appear not so heavy handed.” Wintrict gulped as Dagon burrowed a dark look at him boring the diplomat into his seat.
“Sorry Dagon but I do have to try. Think of it this way, tactically it might help to bluff the Gedan into thinking we attempted nothing in our stunt with the runabout approach.” Dagon gave little credence to that thought but assented stepping back from the Captain and bowing his head fractionally. “Moira, try to make contact with the Prime Governor’s office and request a meeting. Let’s hope he’s willing to talk.”
“Aye Captain.”
“Don’t sound too enthused about it Moira. I had even considered bringing you with me.”
Moira’s eyes lit up at the prospect of getting off the bridge. It had been a long interminable back to back shifts on the bridge during the crisis. Dagon looked less pleased. At helm, Vaughan noted the puckered brow of Huyio at the Captain’s proposed visit to the surface.
Voicing his concern, Huyio said, “Remember Captain your last visit did not go so well and Nathan had tried to warn you against it.”
“Ah that seems such a long time ago now Huyio. Besides, you know Nathan, overprotective. Don’t worry though Dagon. I will acquiesce to a security detail, a small security detail mind.”
“I can only spare a small security detail Captain. Which puts us in a precarious position should, no when, the Jem’Hadar decide to attack.”
“They won’t show their hand yet. And I will be back before Harrison discovers anything about hidden Jem’Hadar reinforcements.” These words did not appease Dagon any.
****
The Office of the Prime Governor
“Fine! Tell Vaughan I will speak to him. But not here. I will not be delayed. Tell the chauffeur to be ready to take me to Junsoon. The Captain can meet me there.”
In a sour mood the Prime Governor flounced from behind his table, still livid to have discovered the Speaker had made himself so at home in his absence. And plotting in the dark with the slimy Vorta at that!
Petok’s brows arched upwards in alarm. “You seriously intend to talk to him. They are taking liberties. The Federation think that because they are providing us with relief that they can dictate to us and lecture us on our hegemony! They have not tried to live with the Conmenian threat for hundreds of years.”
The Prime Governor halted in his tracks and bored a look at Petok. “I think Petok that some of us could try harder to live with our Conmenian neighbours.”
Petok looked disgusted at the thought. From behind, Galek boldly spoke. “I think it is a wise decision. We have a number of drafts prepared for your response and perhaps before you broadcast it might serve well to speak to Vaughan. He might even help to quell some fears and rumours and appear with you in the broadcast.”
“I doubt it, unless we take the approach I advocate. Try to build bridges with the Conmenian.”
Galek stepped forwards, “Don’t think me impertinent,”
Petok glowered, “Well that’s what you are!”
“Silence Petok. Continue Galek, I value your opinion.”
“We must try to bridge the divides in our society; otherwise we will tear ourselves apart. I know it is hard to forgive the wrongs of either side ...” Galek faltered, seeming to tear up at this point.
The Prime Governor placed a comforting hand on Galek’s shoulder. “But if someone with your history can make peace with the Conmenian, then we all can try.” He caught the surprised look on Galek’s face. “You thought I did not know. Of course I did. I must know and trust all those who work for me. That is why I can trust you Galek. Come you must come with me to this broadcast. You can be a shining example for all that we can leave the sins of yesterday behind.”
He shook his head vehemently. “I would sooner not. Besides, if you trust me, then I should remain here to stop the Speaker from making any moves behind your back.”
Nodding his head at the wisdom of Galek’s words, the Prime Governor assented. “Very well then. Together, we will fashion a new Gedasada. One where Conmenian and Gedan alike live side by side in peace and harmony.”
“This is madness. You cannot be serious! After all these years! After how they treated our ancestors.”
“Yes and how our ancestors treated them in return. You know the truth as I do Petok. We owe it to the Conmenian people to live peacefully with them. Especially in light of the truth.”
“The truth!” At this Petok gave a startled and fearful look at Galek. “The truth is dead and buried and must never be known. That is why we should clamp down on the Conmenian before they realise their rightful - pah!” He stopped himself in front of Galek who listened intently for whatever secret the two men hedged at. “We should alos kick out the Federation before they ever discover the truth. In discovering the graves they may yet learn of it.”
“No. If anything we should take this opportunity to come admit the mistakes of the past and the truth of our past.”
“Never!” Petok turned on his heel and stormed out of the office and out of the Prime Governor’s coterie.
Petok’s forceful voice resounded in the chamber. Galek was hugely intrigued but the Prime Governor was silent and likely to remain tight-lipped. Quietly to himself he conceded, “Perhaps we needn’t tell the truth as yet.” Then more cheerfully he announced, “Never mind. It is to people like you the future belongs Galek. I must go. Make sure Captain Vaughan meets us at Junsoon. He is going to smile when he hears what we are going to do.”
Galek smiled deeply in return as the Prime Governor bounded out of the office with a resolve and a cherished hope for the future. Galek knew better than he that the Prime Governor’s hopes would come to an abrupt end at Junsoon.
****
As Petok stormed through the corridors he pulled out his communication padd and pinged Weran. “That grovelling clerk, Galek has whispered his whoolly headed liberal hopes into the Prime Governor’s ear. At this stage he might even be tempted to reveal all.”
Over the communication device, he saw Weran gasp. “I want you to contact the demolition teams. I want no trace of the city left. We should not have delayed in destroying it.”
“What of the Federation’s knowledge about it?”
“We can’t hide it now but we can at least blame the shockwave blast saying it damaged the explosives or the detonator or something of the like. I just want the evidence destroyed. We have not built our civilisation here for Starfleet to come along and steal it from us.”
“And what of any other evidence?”
“None exists except in the secure levels of Ru’Ye. We could never remove it but we should have destroyed it after all this time.”
“Yes but we gleaned valuable technology from it. And it is our ...”
“Enough, we’ve said too much over such an insecure line. Just make sure it is done – destroy the city. I will go to the Speaker. We have to bring an end to the Prime Governor’s madness.”
****
Junsoon Medical Facility, Gedasada
“Trust me Charla, Janek has entrusted us with this mission. It is almost sacred, for we will strike at the very heart of the Gedan’s oppressive regime.”
Charla looked around her, nursing the abdominal wound self-inflicted to hide within the device she carried. “But it is a hospital. There will be sick and injured here.”
“Not on the level we will strike. There, there will only be Gedan.”
“But ... a bomb. It seems so extreme. I am not so sure.”
The man hissed her ear, yanking her arm as he did. “You said you were willing to die to avenge your sister’s death! Do you no longer care to honour her memory?”
“I do ... but all the people who will be killed.”
“Enough of this.” The man pulled out a syringe and stabbed Charla with its drugs causing her to black out. He hefted her into his arms and carried her in through the doors of the medical facility.
****
Skies above Gedasada
Crazily, throwing herself into oblivion gave Caitlyn a rush. Her scientific analytical mind raced with the perils she faced even as it took in the sight of the planet from high orbit but without a transparent aluminium hull of a starship affording her the view. Instead, she was encased in a sophisticated armour suit with her arms thrown out behind her as plummeted through the atmosphere. She was a dart plunging through the high layers of the planet at breakneck speeds. And crazily it made her feel alive.
Obviously, she thought, it is the adrenalin in my system causing me to feel that way. Yet for all her logical analysis her blood pumped with exhilaration, the danger she faced a heady cocktail to behold. It was as if she was only truly alive if she faced indomitable odds and death in the face. It had been that way ever since her Cardassian prison. No wonder people thought her cool and dispassionate. The horrors of her ordeal and the brutal savagery of her survival and escape numbed her to the everyday, the mundane, the monotony of her life as a science officer. Secretly she craved the excitement and the danger a mission such as her current one.
The air buffeted her form, pummelling her body as she fell. The roar of the air as it rushed past, and she rushed further on towards the ground, was muffled and funnelled out by the suit’s helmet as a protective measure. Nevertheless, the incessant roar still almost deafened Ryan.
In the sky around her, other forms dropped to the ground. She spied Agnew even through the dim night sky they deliberately had chosen to drop in, several miles below her. He led and his men followed. She admired that about the man, despite his misgivings about Caitlyn herself.
Within moments the ground rushed ever closer and still Agnew in the lead had not deployed his parachute. Their suits would deflect Dominion sensors, their dark contours hidden in the night sky, but Agnew was determined that their parachutes should not give them away. That meant dropping to the very lowest possible moment before deploying the strengthened and modified black parachute.
Whilst Caitlyn concurred with the logic and strategy of such a tactic, she knew it greatly increased the chances of something going disastrously wrong with no time to correct for any errors. No wonder Agnew raged about sanguine attitude to her failure to complete the simulation programme successfully. She would have worried about such a fact, except that Caitlyn knew her abilities and knew when it was for real she always came through.
She had to survive. A creed she had steadfastly held onto during her incarceration. A creed that helped her to survive her living hell and had won Caitlyn numerous decorations for her bravery and leadership. Decorations she had tossed into the nearest reclaimator.
Caitlyn freed her mind of such thoughts as the ground rushed up to meet her. They were impossibly close to the ground. Their field of vision narrowing to an ever smaller patch of ground ever closer. Then at the signal she trigged the cord freeing the parachute which whipped violently upwards behind her. Almost an eternity seemed to pass before she felt an almighty yank haul her back from her violent descent.
The respite from the parachute canopy unfurling and capturing air to glide Caitlyn serenely and gently to the ground was all too brief because Agnew ordered after the parachute deployed the marines were to dive to the ground as quick as they could to decrease the chances of the parachutes being seen by the naked eye.
Pulling on one handgrip, Caitlyn caused the parachute to begin to spiral downwards faster than it was designed to. Around the other soldiers did likewise corkscrewing down before hitting dirt.
Caitlyn hit the ground hard and did not so much as tuck and roll as crash and then careen into shrubbery. The armour-plated suit was designed to absorb much of the impact. In fact, it was able to store the kinetic energy into a battery like shielding system. Despite her better resolve, Caitlyn’s curses carried over the commlinks.
Much chagrined she stood, detached the parachute, holstered and primed her rifle, swept the immediate vicinity with her phaser rifle poised, and then all clear checked her other side arm. Only then did she allow herself to relax slightly and breathe out. Then she brushed herself down of the dirt and greenery from the impact. Slowly she limbered out from the shrubbery she crashed into and approached an impassive Agnew stood squarely in the centre of the clearing as if having alighted directly onto the spot without having moved a single step in his landing.
Sourly she said, “I suppose that just confirms your theory that I am not fit for this mission.”
Agnew shrugged. No point debating the issue as it was most certainly mute now they were in the exclusion zone for transporters. “Not to mind.” To the gathering soldiers he quietly instructed. “Check your weapons people. Only to be expected Lt Commander. You never trained using them.”
He moved off to check on everyone else but not before looking at her weapon as a nonverbal hint to check it. She replied, “First thing I did upon landing.” He believed her too and moved off.
Valdroz left in the centre of the group with Ryan ventured a jest. “You sure did kick up a dust storm on your landing Ryan. Any bumps and bruises.”
“What I lack in finesse I can certainly compensate for.”
“Hey! I ain’t saying you’re unable to do it because you are a woman.”
Caitlyn pinned him with a steely glare. “I’m not offended because you think I am a woman. People stating I lack in ability because I am a woman does not offend me. I am offended because people saying I lack ability full stop.”
She moved off awaiting the order to move in on their target. Leaving Valdroz to say to no one in particular, “Sheesh!”
Taking out her binoculars she zoomed in on the location Agnew was finishing studying. “Any sign we were detected?”
“No alarms or movement indicating a reaction to our presence. So far so good.”
“How long till we reach the perimeter?”
He thought for a brief moment, pursing his lower lip as he considered. “Fifteen minutes at a brisk pace. We couldn’t chance going in any further with the Jem’Hadar sensors.”
“I know that from the debriefing.”
“Then the time too should have been known.”
She lowered her binoculars and locked eyes with him. Giving a cold smile she said, “Touché Major.”
Suddenly she froze and simultaneously she saw Agnew react and pull his rifle. The noise was faint but not too far off. The others in the team quickly did likewise as they saw the commanding officers at alert and poised for action.
Agnew with his helmets heads up display then saw through the trees a unit of stalking Jem’Hadar approaching their position start to ripple out of sight as they shrouded.
Sorry about the delay in the story almost back to the real world - which one is the real world again ... ???
The real world is somewhat over-rated. We may wake up one morning to find we are all extras in someone's extra-dimensional reality show.
Any very nice segment, by the way!
Any very nice segment, by the way!
Very well done. Your writing continues to improve with each segment.
Sorry for the delay. Again internet connection playing havoc with abnility to post but now have the story finished. Just parts to edit and check over so the next coming week should see the last segments. Though there's about twenenty thousand odd words to put up. Hope you enjoy the last part to the story.
Buried History
Beneath Mouyr City, Gedasada
Nathan Forrest held up his fist and signalled to the company to halt. Without a word they followed his orders, immediately sweeping the area with their weapons to check for a sign of what their CO had spotted. None was immediately obvious. To Sam Martin, the bold and striking ensign it seemed a sign of the commander’s remove from security. He seemed too cautious. Not cowardly but cautious. But in a given circumstance such cautiousness could be as costly as cowardice.
Kh’ién Law approached his senior officer. A slight frown creasing his normally stoic Japanese features as he asked, “What is it Commander?”
Not looking at Kh’ién but staring into nothing, Nathan replied, “I thought I heard something.”
“With all due respect Commander, I don’t think ...”
Nathan waved him to be quiet. “Ssh! There it is again.” This time Kh’ién adopted a similar far away look as he listened in to the rattling of pipes.
“Gases?” Without meaning to, this theory was proposed by Kurt Ramsey.
Forrest did not appear to take offence at the intrusion but shook his head as to the validity of the statement. “No. It’s the rebels communicating with one another. Some sort of coded message. I can’t say I know exactly what they are telling one another but there’s been a flurry of activity from different positions along different pipes.”
Kh’ién leaned in as Kurt and Martin equally intrigued cocked an ear to Nathan’s explanation. “So what do you make of that?”
“It means, we are getting closer. More ominously, it means that others are also moving in on their position. Let’s keep moving.”
“Cutter, have you been able to raise the Accipiter or Commander Forrest?”
The Ops officer shook his head in the negative. “This area is far too shielded. Communications are blocked.”
Sanjeev Keresh shrugged his shoulders and then squared them. “I guess we keep to our previous bearing, Nathan will catch up with us soon enough and the doctor will make her way to us too. Keep an eye out. We are not far from the destination point.”
Donna stumbled but was prevented from falling by the strong grip of the waif like girl whom she walked alongside. Nodding her head gratefully at the girl called Pet, Donna wondered at the strength of the girl and the sheer grit and resolve she saw that burned inside the girl. To even someone with as fierce a temperament as Donna the cold fury that burned behind this girl’s eyes scared her somewhat. She recognised that hatred fuelled that cold fury.
“You must take care doctor; there are lots of steps, pipes and bulkhead doors along this way.” The insincere concern came from behind them as Vehnet made his way up along the group towards Janek now at the front.
“Your concern is noted.” Donna churlishly replied.
The sarcasm was not light in Vehnet’s response either. “As I’m sure it is Doctor. We wouldn’t want any harm to come to you.”
“No, I’m sure you wouldn’t. Especially as I am the one who might be able to help your people.”
Darkly he whispered as he passed, “That’s your problem Doctor. You think we need you. You think yourself so important and superior. But then you would. After all you can fly away on your ship when this is all over.”
“Enough Venhet. Take point. Did you get through to the units on the surface?”
“Of course. Everything is in hand.” Vehnet smiled to himself as he moved off and Janek stepped in alongside Donna as the pace of the group picked up.
“You will be glad to know Doctor that your ordeal is almost at an end. We are almost at the destination point. However, we need to move faster as our pursuers move in on us.”
“I’ll not be sad to see it over and done with. I can get back to my ship and do some good.”
“So Vehnet spoke some truth then. You can jump back onto your ship and disappear.”
Donna shook her head angrily. “I’m not disappearing anywhere. I’ve told you I would help and that is a promise. I’m going back to my ship because there I can do greater good.”
“Of course, of course. It is just easy to believe that you and your people will do nothing to help us.”
Avoiding a low hanging series of pipes Donna tersely said, “You have a real problem trusting people.”
“You haven’t lived our life and you don’t know the reality of it. Trust is a scarce commodity when the militia threaten and bribe people to turn you in. I guess it is a trait one learns.”
“Well you haven’t lived my life and you don’t know the value of my word but I guess you will need to learn such a trait if you want to fix this world.”
Mutely, Pet fixed Donna with a look that was both incredulous and withering. “Pet here does not think much of your hopes for fixing this world. There are many like her with long memories and shorter desires to have anything to do with the Gedan. Too much has passed for them to forgive and forget.”
“Sometimes the trick is to forgive or forget if you can’t manage both.”
“Perhaps you are right Doctor. But it still does not change the fact such a thing is very difficult for our people to do.”
“Spare the excuses for the peace talks Janek.”
“So you really believe that the Federation way – talk and negotiate – is going to work here? You really think peace talks are going to happen after everything else?”
“Yes. With the evidence, you have to force the Gedan government to own up to past mistakes and it forces them to talk. For your own part you have at the very least had the decency not to hide your sins. But do you really believe your people can continue to live like this? Do you really think carrying out terrorist attacks and creating fear is going to accomplish your goals? All you will manage to do is to force the hand of the government to become even more hardline. Their responses will become even more extreme. You cannot afford to let such a calamity befall your people.”
“I understand and believe it or not I have told my supporters on the surface to show restraint. I just hope the militia show a similar restraint.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“You feel smug because you believe you have changed me. Rest assured I have not changed but I see in our current predicament an opportunity to achieve our goals without bloodshed. But I am ready to take up and continue the fight if it should fail.”
“Always the need to resort to violence to settle matters, Janek.”
“I forgot you were a pacifist doctor. You fail to understand what we have achieved so far through our armed struggle. We have helped to protect our people and we have ...”
“Enough! Don’t bandy about the term pacifist as if it’s a bad word. But I would hardly call myself one, not if you knew me and my temperament. However, I do believe violence achieves nothing except hurt and pain and grief.”
“Yes it does and yet it is sometimes necessary.”
“How?”
Pet suddenly spoke up. “To protect ourselves and others we must sometimes kill those who would hurt us instead.” Her words were delivered in a hollow monotone voice not directed at them but the floor in front of their feet as they continued to traverse the pipe lined corridors. It held a fragile vulnerability but similarly held a cold hatred. It sent a shiver down Donna’s spine to think of the horrors inflicted upon and by this girl to have forged such a voice.
Donna shook her head. “No I cannot accept that as a valid argument. Not to defend the campaign of terror you have carried out. I can understand the argument of self-defence but not that your bombs and shootings are some grand stand in defence of your people. It’s lazy politics. It’s mindless leadership. It’s murder.”
Pet answered the doctor, though Donna expected Janek to be the one who made the argument. “You cannot understand. You are a healer. You are kind.”
“Yes hence why I cannot believe it necessary to kill others.”
Janek followed on from Pet’s argument, “You are so interested in trying to be kind doctor that you fail to see the error of your beliefs. If we stood back, we would be allowing innocents to be killed whilst we tried to convince the Gedan not to hurt us. You can be kind doctor but cannot always be right.”
“I’m a doctor. I can be both.” Donna stood firm for a moment halting their progress as she squared her posture and placed her fists on her hips. With a nagging finger she scolded, “Tell me, whilst you protect your people with your guns and bombs what else are you doing to convince the Gedan. Have you ever tried opening a line of communication with them or is it only demands and bomb threats?”
Janek brushed off her comment as they entered into a section opening up to a large warehouse like area. This was leading to the destination point with the Federation search party. Massive pipes intersected here branching off in copious directions. This was a main trunk line of services and utilities serving the underground levels.
Donna stopped to marvel at the complexity of it all. When she was given the tour of the Junsoon Medical Centre, she didn’t appreciate just how deep beneath the surface of skyscrapers she had been. Nor did she appreciate the sheer scale of the extent so much of Gedasada’s subterrain was populated.
It only served to give her further pause to marvel when she realised that they were keeping to the hidden back streets and service corridors of the subterranean levels that paralleled with the Jeffries tubes and conduits of a starship. Somewhere beyond the ventilation shafts, the trunks of pipes, some of which were as wide as a house, lay the more open and bustling street thoroughfares. Trying to take in the complexity of power lines, sewage pipes, water supplies, heating and ventilation, Donna would have likened the intricacies to the innards of a person, with veins, arteries and lungs. The body was much like a machine and she a chief engineer. This made her think of Laura and her intimate knowledge of such places on the Accipiter. She felt a profound sense of loss cut off from her friend.
Her reverie was broken as Pet took her hand and guided past superheated pipes that cut down from the ceiling through the floor to the many levels below. “Be careful of those. They will cause serious burns if you even brush against them.”
The group weaved its way through a veritable obstacle course of opening shafts and conduits protruding from the floor, the walls, and the sides of pipes and from the ceiling. Pipes, massive and small, spun a puzzling web criss-crossing across and throughout the space.
Scornfully, her tiredness adding derision to her voice, Donna remarked, “This is lovely.”
“This ...” Janek waved a hand through the air to indicate the space, “is what we are forced to live in and where we will meet your colleagues.”
“You choose to keep to these hidden areas.”
“Choice has little to do with it. Strategically these areas are best suited to our operations.”
Looking around her surrounds for show Donna returned, “Yeah this is fit for a rat.”
“I do love these conversations Doctor I am going to miss ...” Whump! Boom!
The world around them erupted in smoke and flame as a grenade launcher smashed in to the wall. Immediately two of Janek’s men disappeared as fire and shrapnel gouged their bodies into bloody messes. Janek dropped to the floor drawing his weapon as he did. Donna found herself forcibly thrown to the floor by Pet. The area filled with gun blasts and ricochets as both sides opened fire and rained fire upon one another.
Huyrek’s face was transformed into a macabre grin as he fired indiscriminately into the group of Conmenian terrorists. Without knowing he was shouting and calling challenges down at the rebels from his perch overlooking the intersection. Around him, his militiamen had adopted either similar sniper like positions to pick off the rebels nestled among the trunks of pipes running across near the top of the ceiling, or congregated into walls of firepower hidden behind defensive shields provided by certain conduits.
The rebels not immediately felled by the ambush cowered for cover behind the many obstacles. But Huyrek’s men fired relentlessly into the alley of death churning up metal, fire, bodies and spilling out sewage and water from ruptured lines.
Quickly the rebels started to return fire. Heads and hands armed with weapons sporadically appeared from behind their makeshift shields to spout gunfire back of the Gedan militia. Some of the militia took more careful aim with their shots targeting and anticipating shots to nail the rebels with skilled hits. Most of the others like their leader Huyrek fired with wild abandon into the maelstrom.
Finally, a sense of decorum took effect on Huyrek as he realised his place. But he saw the blood lust in his men and felt it within himself. They had superior numbers and literally the high ground in this conflict. He grinned with self-satisfaction at the total victory he was about to have. However, he knew the Starfleet teams were on their way and he had to make swift work of the rebels and the interfering witch doctor. So he decided to show some leadership and tactical skill as well as allow his men to satisfy their hunger to kill Conmenian.
Over their commlines he called, “Deploy grenades! Wipe them out!”
“Keep down doctor!”
Donna’s eyes flashed angrily at Janek. “Do you think I’m daft?”
“You were going to run out to him. It’s too late for them.” He looked back at the dead soldiers whom he had led for several years and were among his most trusted. Ahead, he saw Vehnet make his way carefully back as he called on the men to fall back. The position was far too dangerous and the odds stacked against them.
Glaring, Donna barked, “I’m a doctor I can help.” She ducked her head down into her knees as gunfire strafed the pipe she huddled behind precariously for cover.
Janek spun around out of cover to fire at the militiaman targeting their position felling him with a bloody shot to the face. He dived back under cover as another spied Janek and returned fire. “Now is not the time. We are getting out of here. We can’t wait around.”
Appalled, Donna spluttered, “I will not leave injured people behind!”
Janek tossed her one of the fallen soldier’s weapons. “Then take up arms and shoot those trying to kill us. If you can stop them then we can rescue our fallen.”
Tossing the gun to the floor with revulsion Donna glowered, “I am not a killer.”
Pet scooped up the weapon so she now held two such guns and fired a continuous round into the thick of militiamen. Needing to reload she hunkered down beside Donna. “Then you will end up killed.”
Again, Donna found herself shocked at the degree of hatred that fuelled this girl that looked so frail and innocent. “No. I will not. It is not who I am. I took an oath to protect life and to take it.”
“Even when your own life hangs in the balance? Will you not seek to defend yourself?”
“Defending myself is one thing ...” she grimaced as shrapnel scoured them, “but to deliberately take life is another.”
Janek smiled at his point proven, “Then we quickly make our retreat and leave the injured behind.”
Pet shouted, “No! We stand and kill them.”
“My people will be here soon.”
Vehnet ran up to them, crouched over for cover. “Not soon enough Doctor! Janek they are going to deploy grenades!”
“Are they mad?”
A series of popping and whooshing noises quietly announced the incoming grenades causing a silence to descend among the defenders. A clatter rang out as the first grenades hit the deck or bounced off pipes. Then resounding booms tore up the floor and walls.
Flames spouted, metal twisted, shards tore through limbs, the earth trembled, and the air became choked with poisonous fumes and smoke. The sudden onslaught abated for a brief second after the initial assault of grenades and then more grenades were fired off with evil intent.
Janek roared as he pushed Donna and Pet ahead of him, “Go, go, go.”
The second wave of grenades impacted and then exploded. The rebounding explosions causing them to stumble and fall into the obstacles as they desperately fled back the way they came.
Suddenly a gas line erupted in a massive fireball that tore through the space. Its flames racing outwards to scorch and smash into rebels and militiamen alike reducing them to bloody and charred fleshed.
Like a tsunami of fire, the flames rolled through the intersection and bore down on Donna and the others as it tore through the space. Its broiling wrath wreaking havoc and destruction as it came upon them. Janek propelled himself atop Donna bringing her down as the fire rolled over them.
All around them was engulfed in the momentary flashover of fire. Fiery red burned through eyelids, squeezed shut in a futile act of preservation then blackness and smoke descended.
****
Beneath Mouyr City, Gedasada
Nathan Forrest held up his fist and signalled to the company to halt. Without a word they followed his orders, immediately sweeping the area with their weapons to check for a sign of what their CO had spotted. None was immediately obvious. To Sam Martin, the bold and striking ensign it seemed a sign of the commander’s remove from security. He seemed too cautious. Not cowardly but cautious. But in a given circumstance such cautiousness could be as costly as cowardice.
Kh’ién Law approached his senior officer. A slight frown creasing his normally stoic Japanese features as he asked, “What is it Commander?”
Not looking at Kh’ién but staring into nothing, Nathan replied, “I thought I heard something.”
“With all due respect Commander, I don’t think ...”
Nathan waved him to be quiet. “Ssh! There it is again.” This time Kh’ién adopted a similar far away look as he listened in to the rattling of pipes.
“Gases?” Without meaning to, this theory was proposed by Kurt Ramsey.
Forrest did not appear to take offence at the intrusion but shook his head as to the validity of the statement. “No. It’s the rebels communicating with one another. Some sort of coded message. I can’t say I know exactly what they are telling one another but there’s been a flurry of activity from different positions along different pipes.”
Kh’ién leaned in as Kurt and Martin equally intrigued cocked an ear to Nathan’s explanation. “So what do you make of that?”
“It means, we are getting closer. More ominously, it means that others are also moving in on their position. Let’s keep moving.”
*****
“Cutter, have you been able to raise the Accipiter or Commander Forrest?”
The Ops officer shook his head in the negative. “This area is far too shielded. Communications are blocked.”
Sanjeev Keresh shrugged his shoulders and then squared them. “I guess we keep to our previous bearing, Nathan will catch up with us soon enough and the doctor will make her way to us too. Keep an eye out. We are not far from the destination point.”
*****
Donna stumbled but was prevented from falling by the strong grip of the waif like girl whom she walked alongside. Nodding her head gratefully at the girl called Pet, Donna wondered at the strength of the girl and the sheer grit and resolve she saw that burned inside the girl. To even someone with as fierce a temperament as Donna the cold fury that burned behind this girl’s eyes scared her somewhat. She recognised that hatred fuelled that cold fury.
“You must take care doctor; there are lots of steps, pipes and bulkhead doors along this way.” The insincere concern came from behind them as Vehnet made his way up along the group towards Janek now at the front.
“Your concern is noted.” Donna churlishly replied.
The sarcasm was not light in Vehnet’s response either. “As I’m sure it is Doctor. We wouldn’t want any harm to come to you.”
“No, I’m sure you wouldn’t. Especially as I am the one who might be able to help your people.”
Darkly he whispered as he passed, “That’s your problem Doctor. You think we need you. You think yourself so important and superior. But then you would. After all you can fly away on your ship when this is all over.”
“Enough Venhet. Take point. Did you get through to the units on the surface?”
“Of course. Everything is in hand.” Vehnet smiled to himself as he moved off and Janek stepped in alongside Donna as the pace of the group picked up.
“You will be glad to know Doctor that your ordeal is almost at an end. We are almost at the destination point. However, we need to move faster as our pursuers move in on us.”
“I’ll not be sad to see it over and done with. I can get back to my ship and do some good.”
“So Vehnet spoke some truth then. You can jump back onto your ship and disappear.”
Donna shook her head angrily. “I’m not disappearing anywhere. I’ve told you I would help and that is a promise. I’m going back to my ship because there I can do greater good.”
“Of course, of course. It is just easy to believe that you and your people will do nothing to help us.”
Avoiding a low hanging series of pipes Donna tersely said, “You have a real problem trusting people.”
“You haven’t lived our life and you don’t know the reality of it. Trust is a scarce commodity when the militia threaten and bribe people to turn you in. I guess it is a trait one learns.”
“Well you haven’t lived my life and you don’t know the value of my word but I guess you will need to learn such a trait if you want to fix this world.”
Mutely, Pet fixed Donna with a look that was both incredulous and withering. “Pet here does not think much of your hopes for fixing this world. There are many like her with long memories and shorter desires to have anything to do with the Gedan. Too much has passed for them to forgive and forget.”
“Sometimes the trick is to forgive or forget if you can’t manage both.”
“Perhaps you are right Doctor. But it still does not change the fact such a thing is very difficult for our people to do.”
“Spare the excuses for the peace talks Janek.”
“So you really believe that the Federation way – talk and negotiate – is going to work here? You really think peace talks are going to happen after everything else?”
“Yes. With the evidence, you have to force the Gedan government to own up to past mistakes and it forces them to talk. For your own part you have at the very least had the decency not to hide your sins. But do you really believe your people can continue to live like this? Do you really think carrying out terrorist attacks and creating fear is going to accomplish your goals? All you will manage to do is to force the hand of the government to become even more hardline. Their responses will become even more extreme. You cannot afford to let such a calamity befall your people.”
“I understand and believe it or not I have told my supporters on the surface to show restraint. I just hope the militia show a similar restraint.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“You feel smug because you believe you have changed me. Rest assured I have not changed but I see in our current predicament an opportunity to achieve our goals without bloodshed. But I am ready to take up and continue the fight if it should fail.”
“Always the need to resort to violence to settle matters, Janek.”
“I forgot you were a pacifist doctor. You fail to understand what we have achieved so far through our armed struggle. We have helped to protect our people and we have ...”
“Enough! Don’t bandy about the term pacifist as if it’s a bad word. But I would hardly call myself one, not if you knew me and my temperament. However, I do believe violence achieves nothing except hurt and pain and grief.”
“Yes it does and yet it is sometimes necessary.”
“How?”
Pet suddenly spoke up. “To protect ourselves and others we must sometimes kill those who would hurt us instead.” Her words were delivered in a hollow monotone voice not directed at them but the floor in front of their feet as they continued to traverse the pipe lined corridors. It held a fragile vulnerability but similarly held a cold hatred. It sent a shiver down Donna’s spine to think of the horrors inflicted upon and by this girl to have forged such a voice.
Donna shook her head. “No I cannot accept that as a valid argument. Not to defend the campaign of terror you have carried out. I can understand the argument of self-defence but not that your bombs and shootings are some grand stand in defence of your people. It’s lazy politics. It’s mindless leadership. It’s murder.”
Pet answered the doctor, though Donna expected Janek to be the one who made the argument. “You cannot understand. You are a healer. You are kind.”
“Yes hence why I cannot believe it necessary to kill others.”
Janek followed on from Pet’s argument, “You are so interested in trying to be kind doctor that you fail to see the error of your beliefs. If we stood back, we would be allowing innocents to be killed whilst we tried to convince the Gedan not to hurt us. You can be kind doctor but cannot always be right.”
“I’m a doctor. I can be both.” Donna stood firm for a moment halting their progress as she squared her posture and placed her fists on her hips. With a nagging finger she scolded, “Tell me, whilst you protect your people with your guns and bombs what else are you doing to convince the Gedan. Have you ever tried opening a line of communication with them or is it only demands and bomb threats?”
Janek brushed off her comment as they entered into a section opening up to a large warehouse like area. This was leading to the destination point with the Federation search party. Massive pipes intersected here branching off in copious directions. This was a main trunk line of services and utilities serving the underground levels.
Donna stopped to marvel at the complexity of it all. When she was given the tour of the Junsoon Medical Centre, she didn’t appreciate just how deep beneath the surface of skyscrapers she had been. Nor did she appreciate the sheer scale of the extent so much of Gedasada’s subterrain was populated.
It only served to give her further pause to marvel when she realised that they were keeping to the hidden back streets and service corridors of the subterranean levels that paralleled with the Jeffries tubes and conduits of a starship. Somewhere beyond the ventilation shafts, the trunks of pipes, some of which were as wide as a house, lay the more open and bustling street thoroughfares. Trying to take in the complexity of power lines, sewage pipes, water supplies, heating and ventilation, Donna would have likened the intricacies to the innards of a person, with veins, arteries and lungs. The body was much like a machine and she a chief engineer. This made her think of Laura and her intimate knowledge of such places on the Accipiter. She felt a profound sense of loss cut off from her friend.
Her reverie was broken as Pet took her hand and guided past superheated pipes that cut down from the ceiling through the floor to the many levels below. “Be careful of those. They will cause serious burns if you even brush against them.”
The group weaved its way through a veritable obstacle course of opening shafts and conduits protruding from the floor, the walls, and the sides of pipes and from the ceiling. Pipes, massive and small, spun a puzzling web criss-crossing across and throughout the space.
Scornfully, her tiredness adding derision to her voice, Donna remarked, “This is lovely.”
“This ...” Janek waved a hand through the air to indicate the space, “is what we are forced to live in and where we will meet your colleagues.”
“You choose to keep to these hidden areas.”
“Choice has little to do with it. Strategically these areas are best suited to our operations.”
Looking around her surrounds for show Donna returned, “Yeah this is fit for a rat.”
“I do love these conversations Doctor I am going to miss ...” Whump! Boom!
The world around them erupted in smoke and flame as a grenade launcher smashed in to the wall. Immediately two of Janek’s men disappeared as fire and shrapnel gouged their bodies into bloody messes. Janek dropped to the floor drawing his weapon as he did. Donna found herself forcibly thrown to the floor by Pet. The area filled with gun blasts and ricochets as both sides opened fire and rained fire upon one another.
****
Huyrek’s face was transformed into a macabre grin as he fired indiscriminately into the group of Conmenian terrorists. Without knowing he was shouting and calling challenges down at the rebels from his perch overlooking the intersection. Around him, his militiamen had adopted either similar sniper like positions to pick off the rebels nestled among the trunks of pipes running across near the top of the ceiling, or congregated into walls of firepower hidden behind defensive shields provided by certain conduits.
The rebels not immediately felled by the ambush cowered for cover behind the many obstacles. But Huyrek’s men fired relentlessly into the alley of death churning up metal, fire, bodies and spilling out sewage and water from ruptured lines.
Quickly the rebels started to return fire. Heads and hands armed with weapons sporadically appeared from behind their makeshift shields to spout gunfire back of the Gedan militia. Some of the militia took more careful aim with their shots targeting and anticipating shots to nail the rebels with skilled hits. Most of the others like their leader Huyrek fired with wild abandon into the maelstrom.
Finally, a sense of decorum took effect on Huyrek as he realised his place. But he saw the blood lust in his men and felt it within himself. They had superior numbers and literally the high ground in this conflict. He grinned with self-satisfaction at the total victory he was about to have. However, he knew the Starfleet teams were on their way and he had to make swift work of the rebels and the interfering witch doctor. So he decided to show some leadership and tactical skill as well as allow his men to satisfy their hunger to kill Conmenian.
Over their commlines he called, “Deploy grenades! Wipe them out!”
*****
“Keep down doctor!”
Donna’s eyes flashed angrily at Janek. “Do you think I’m daft?”
“You were going to run out to him. It’s too late for them.” He looked back at the dead soldiers whom he had led for several years and were among his most trusted. Ahead, he saw Vehnet make his way carefully back as he called on the men to fall back. The position was far too dangerous and the odds stacked against them.
Glaring, Donna barked, “I’m a doctor I can help.” She ducked her head down into her knees as gunfire strafed the pipe she huddled behind precariously for cover.
Janek spun around out of cover to fire at the militiaman targeting their position felling him with a bloody shot to the face. He dived back under cover as another spied Janek and returned fire. “Now is not the time. We are getting out of here. We can’t wait around.”
Appalled, Donna spluttered, “I will not leave injured people behind!”
Janek tossed her one of the fallen soldier’s weapons. “Then take up arms and shoot those trying to kill us. If you can stop them then we can rescue our fallen.”
Tossing the gun to the floor with revulsion Donna glowered, “I am not a killer.”
Pet scooped up the weapon so she now held two such guns and fired a continuous round into the thick of militiamen. Needing to reload she hunkered down beside Donna. “Then you will end up killed.”
Again, Donna found herself shocked at the degree of hatred that fuelled this girl that looked so frail and innocent. “No. I will not. It is not who I am. I took an oath to protect life and to take it.”
“Even when your own life hangs in the balance? Will you not seek to defend yourself?”
“Defending myself is one thing ...” she grimaced as shrapnel scoured them, “but to deliberately take life is another.”
Janek smiled at his point proven, “Then we quickly make our retreat and leave the injured behind.”
Pet shouted, “No! We stand and kill them.”
“My people will be here soon.”
Vehnet ran up to them, crouched over for cover. “Not soon enough Doctor! Janek they are going to deploy grenades!”
“Are they mad?”
A series of popping and whooshing noises quietly announced the incoming grenades causing a silence to descend among the defenders. A clatter rang out as the first grenades hit the deck or bounced off pipes. Then resounding booms tore up the floor and walls.
Flames spouted, metal twisted, shards tore through limbs, the earth trembled, and the air became choked with poisonous fumes and smoke. The sudden onslaught abated for a brief second after the initial assault of grenades and then more grenades were fired off with evil intent.
Janek roared as he pushed Donna and Pet ahead of him, “Go, go, go.”
The second wave of grenades impacted and then exploded. The rebounding explosions causing them to stumble and fall into the obstacles as they desperately fled back the way they came.
Suddenly a gas line erupted in a massive fireball that tore through the space. Its flames racing outwards to scorch and smash into rebels and militiamen alike reducing them to bloody and charred fleshed.
Like a tsunami of fire, the flames rolled through the intersection and bore down on Donna and the others as it tore through the space. Its broiling wrath wreaking havoc and destruction as it came upon them. Janek propelled himself atop Donna bringing her down as the fire rolled over them.
All around them was engulfed in the momentary flashover of fire. Fiery red burned through eyelids, squeezed shut in a futile act of preservation then blackness and smoke descended.
****
Buried History
The force of the explosion was so massive it tossed anyone standing to the deck and threw Huyrek and many of his other men down from their sniper nests to the ground below.
Huyrek smacked into a hollow ventilation shaft that crumpled under the impact of his landing. He rolled off groaning. If he had cared to notice, he would have seen some of his men shared his luck and survived their falls. Others sickeningly were scorched by the blast or hit the ground snapping spines or necks upon impact.
“Move it!” Keresh ran ahead of the group as it recovered to their feet from the blast that reverberated through the corridors. It came from but a small distance away. He prayed they were not too late.
Nathan’s knees crouched in reflex as the sound reverberated. The entire unit turned in the direction the blast came from and then immediately set out to it. “We’re going in hot people.” Nathan called as he rushed towards the now revealed position. “Look out for friendlies and anticipate a highly confused scene.”
“We will swing round and cut off any retreat from the militia attack. Look out for any Starfleet forces sent to reinforce.”
The Jem’Hadar soldiers responded as one, “Yes, Second Jran’iklan.” With a stomp of their feet, they turned and again shrouded to wreak even greater havoc as they descended upon the ambush site.
USS Accipiter, Main Bridge
“Captain Vaughan has beamed down safely.”
Dagon almost didn’t reply as he glowered at the viewscreen showing the Jem’Hadar vessel. “Very well.”
Ignatius grimaced as she noted the body language of the Trammealean. The Captain’s decision to go to the surface did not please him one bit. And the Trammealean being a foul mood only served to put her on edge. Therefore when her panel chirped a warning she almost jumped.
“What is it?”
“I’ve detected a massive explosion!”
Dagon stood abruptly out of his chair forgetting his injuries and fatigue. “The Captain?”
Ignatius replied, “No, it was underground. I think it came from the caves the Captain had visited.”
Huyio turned in his seat at helm. “They detonated the devices at the lost city.”
Ignatius’s panel then chirped a series of times. “Communications from the security teams. They’ve detected a large explosion and a gunfight. The doctor’s party has been attacked.”
Dagon turned quickly to face the viewscreen. “Arm weapons and prepare for an attack.”
“What?”
“DO IT!”
At that, the Battlecruiser opened fire simultaneously on all three Federation ships. The Accipiter shook from the heavy impacts of its firepower as Dagon took over at tactical and started to return fire.
The Junsoon Medical Facility, Gedasada
Vaughan stepped out into the corridor as the Prime Governor’s party made its way towards the platform hastily erected near to a nurse’s station at the centre of the ward. Arrayed in front of this platform various Gedan newsnet reporters and camera operators stood awaiting the Prime Governor’s speech.
The photo op of the Prime Governor visiting recovering casualties from the crisis was about to reach its conclusion as the Prime Governor laid out his plans for the future of Gedasada. A mood of anticipation filled the busy ward, already overworked by the sheer number of casualties and taxed further by this media circus.
Anticipation also filled Vaughan as he understood from one of the Gedan aides that the Prime Governor had also visited the Conmenian patients on the level below. Seeing the smiling and determined face of the Prime Governor approaching Vaughan felt his hopes to be raised that a conciliatory response was about to be pursued by the Gedan authorities after so much pain and discrimination. It was too late to undo much of the hurt of the past but there appeared to be an opportunity to build for the future.
Vaughan walked towards the Prime Governor with a hand outstretched. “Prime Governor.” They heartily shook hands and Vaughan saw a change in the man. He was more animated and fired up. He said so to the Prime Governor.
Eyes widening, as if he only realised the truth of this statement now himself, the Prime Governor responded, “True Captain, only too true. It is as if I finally see my path. For too long I’ve allowed fear mongers to dictate my policies and curtail the reforms I always thought necessary. I’m afraid it has taken such a crisis to make me see clearly the way forward. But as of today we can change the fate of the peoples of Gedasada. Will you join me Captain on the dais as I address the people?”
Vaughan stepped back, slightly inclining his head as he did. “No Prime Governor, this is a momentous occasion for your world. You do not need to share any credit with the Federation. Your people should see that it is you who has come to this decision and that you have not been coerced into it.”
The Prime Governor slapped Vaughan on the arm. “Of course Captain, we don’t want any outsider influences dictating our policies either. I get the hint and the Dominion will be told to leave our world.”
“I do not necessarily mean that however the Federation will be only too happy to help you with any peace talks and with the efforts to repair your world.”
“That is much appreciated Captain.”
On the level below, a young overworked doctor approached the bed of a young female woman as the nurse apprised him of the woman’s details. “So she has a deep laceration to her stomach and minor burns. The burns will have to wait but we will have to stop any blood loss ...”
The doctor’s words faltered as he took in the sight of the young woman lying dead spread out on the bed her innards ripped open and a trail of blood leading away from the bed as if an organ had been carried away. “What the ...?”
The trail of blood droplets followed the Conmenian terrorists who had cut into her stomach to remove the bomb device buried within her stomach. With an intensity he walked towards the dais, pushing through the reporters and milling hospital staff.
“You must excuse me; I have a speech to make.” The Prime Governor stepped away as Vaughan wished him luck.
Moira stepping up beside her Captain asked of him, “Do you think he can make a difference?”
“It is an important beginning though and much needed if we can hope to make a change here.” They both turned their full attention on the Prime Governor as he mounted the dais and opened his speech.
“My people, Gedan and Conmenian. For too long we have viewed each other as enemies. For too long we have looked at what divides us. For too long we have allowed inequality. For too long we have allowed fear and terror to rule our lives.”
“Powerful start.” Vaughan smiled and nodded in response to Moira’s comment.
Moira herself took in the different faces of the on looking crowd, a microcosm of the people across the world, as they reacted to the Prime Governor’s words. Some listened intently like Vaughan enraptured by the words and emotion of those words spoken by the Prime Governor. Others looked appalled at the tone taken and looked outraged or betrayed by those same words. Some even looked disappointed.
Then one face stood out from the others. The look it bore was one of hatred, determination and the face of a Conmenian, more importantly a Conmenian terrorist with something held tightly in his hands.
“But as of today that all has to change. Today we have to right the wrongs of our past. We are a ruined people unless we do. Our world has been crippled but not destroyed unless we allow the same mistakes to be repeated. Acting together for the good of our world, we can make it better, stronger and more secure. Together ...”
“Bomb!” Moira found herself shouting as she withdrew her firearm and pointed it at the terrorist.
Vaughan shocked recovered quickly and started towards the Prime Governor.
The Prime Governor stopped mid sentence as he took in the sight of the terrorists and shook his head in quiet disbelief as his fate was decided. He thought: Just as I have learned to look past my fears.
Beneath Mouyr City, Gedasada
Donna found herself suffering from a concussion as she came to. Her ears ringing, she gingerly pushed herself up off the floor causing Janek to roll off her back onto the debris-strewn floor unconscious. Minor burns and abrasions crisscrossed the palms of her hands and the pain cut through her as she pushed up to a sitting position.
Quickly she fell into doctor mode checking Janek’s vitals but even as she did he started to come round groaning. “Uh! Vehnet! Regroup.”
Donna looked over to Vehnet’s body with the head lying at an oblique angle. His open eyes whited over in death. “I'm afraid he’s dead.” She felt no particular love for the man but Donna was repulsed by death, especially so violent.
Janek rushed to his feet and started barking orders over the fires and dying groans of the soldiers. Donna rushed to support him as he swayed woozy from standing so suddenly. Already the militiamen were recovering from the blast and were starting to open fire once again. Janek stood oblivious amidst the gunfire seemingly invulnerable to the shooting.
Pet pulled on Donna. With great reluctance Pet admitted, “We have to go before they can consolidate their position.”
Donna found herself being hauled down the corridor as the others fell in with them harangued into returning fire by Janek who held back forming a one man vanguard.
The ambush orchestrated by the militiamen had devastated their numbers and the explosion more so. But the explosion had hurt the Gedan militia too. Nevertheless, they were quickly remounting their effort to wipe the rebels out. Donna found herself racing back down the corridor with the Gedan hot on their heels.
Pet came to an abrupt stop causing Donna to look ahead at what she was now targeting. Lunging at Pet, she pulled her trained weapon down.
Shouting out Donna called with relief, “Nathan! I mean Commander Forrest.”
“Doctor. Are we glad to find you?”
A shot fired across Nathan’s head then. The polaran beam a tell tale Jem’Hadar weapon blast. A score of Jem’Hadar soldiers deshrouded, opening a deadly volley of fire at Nathan’s security contingent and the retreating rebels. The retreat quickly ground to a halt.
Nathan ordered his security team to fall in and form a defensive perimeter but further Jem’Hadar soldiers revealed themselves from behind the Starfleet forces having outflanked in a pincher movement. Janek hauled into the group and seeing the position started pushing back to the intersection they had just retreated from.
Janek explained their last option as the Jem’Hadar pressed in on their position. “We might be able to get into a side corridor from there.”
Hefting his rifle and returning fire Nathan agreed, adding optimistically, “And Keresh is on his way. Ramsey, Martin lay down suppressing fire on our right flank. Law, Mendez, on our left. Push back with the doctor. If we can get back to destination point the Accipiter might be able to transport.”
A churning mess awaited them in the intersection. Huyrek’s militia had regrouped and received reinforcements. They were now formed up to chase down the rebels when the rebels entered back into the intersection fleeing the Jem’Hadar forces. Immediately a maelstrom of gunfire opened up and explosion rocked the area once again.
Even to Donna’s untrained eye their position appeared untenable. They were trapped and outnumbered. When then the whine of phaser fire came at the militiamen from their left as Keresh and his team entered into the fray. The firing intensified as Nathan with Ramsey was the last out of the corridor, followed swiftly by the encroaching Jem’Hadar troops.
All hell was breaking loose and Donna found herself shoved to the ground. Feet kicked at her, hitting her face and ribs as the rebels jostled for position and for an escape. Pulling herself into a protective ball, Donna rolled under a pipe for some sort of protection as gunfire raked the ground around her.
Kh’ien Law shouted amid the chaos, “Where’s the doctor?”
Kurt Ramsey turned his back on the Jem’Hadar soldiers to try and spot the doctor horribly exposing himself. A soldier took aim and fired at Kurt’s head.
At the last possible second just as Kurt realised his folly and saw the beam directed at him, Nathan jumped in front of him. The blast hit Nathan’s back and smashed into Nathan as he smashed into Kurt. Both toppled to the ground.
Donna hearing her name called scrambled to her feet having been pushed to the ground in the melee. Pet and Janek were to her right edging towards an opening. Trying to look back at the fate of her shipmates, she found herself isolated with militia forces approaching her.
Quickly she dived towards the entrance Janek and Pet had managed to prise open. Some sort of connecting shaft that meant Donna had to crawl on her hands and knees as she grappled to flee the militia.
Huyrek headed the group bearing down on Donna. First, he saw Janek the leader of the terrorists they had for so long hunted and the bitch whore who had assassinated so many of his men in her bed crawl into a ventilation shaft and then he saw the Federation doctor flee for her life down it. It was now his goal to chase them down and cut each of their throats.
****
The force of the explosion was so massive it tossed anyone standing to the deck and threw Huyrek and many of his other men down from their sniper nests to the ground below.
Huyrek smacked into a hollow ventilation shaft that crumpled under the impact of his landing. He rolled off groaning. If he had cared to notice, he would have seen some of his men shared his luck and survived their falls. Others sickeningly were scorched by the blast or hit the ground snapping spines or necks upon impact.
****
“Move it!” Keresh ran ahead of the group as it recovered to their feet from the blast that reverberated through the corridors. It came from but a small distance away. He prayed they were not too late.
****
Nathan’s knees crouched in reflex as the sound reverberated. The entire unit turned in the direction the blast came from and then immediately set out to it. “We’re going in hot people.” Nathan called as he rushed towards the now revealed position. “Look out for friendlies and anticipate a highly confused scene.”
****
“We will swing round and cut off any retreat from the militia attack. Look out for any Starfleet forces sent to reinforce.”
The Jem’Hadar soldiers responded as one, “Yes, Second Jran’iklan.” With a stomp of their feet, they turned and again shrouded to wreak even greater havoc as they descended upon the ambush site.
****
USS Accipiter, Main Bridge
“Captain Vaughan has beamed down safely.”
Dagon almost didn’t reply as he glowered at the viewscreen showing the Jem’Hadar vessel. “Very well.”
Ignatius grimaced as she noted the body language of the Trammealean. The Captain’s decision to go to the surface did not please him one bit. And the Trammealean being a foul mood only served to put her on edge. Therefore when her panel chirped a warning she almost jumped.
“What is it?”
“I’ve detected a massive explosion!”
Dagon stood abruptly out of his chair forgetting his injuries and fatigue. “The Captain?”
Ignatius replied, “No, it was underground. I think it came from the caves the Captain had visited.”
Huyio turned in his seat at helm. “They detonated the devices at the lost city.”
Ignatius’s panel then chirped a series of times. “Communications from the security teams. They’ve detected a large explosion and a gunfight. The doctor’s party has been attacked.”
Dagon turned quickly to face the viewscreen. “Arm weapons and prepare for an attack.”
“What?”
“DO IT!”
At that, the Battlecruiser opened fire simultaneously on all three Federation ships. The Accipiter shook from the heavy impacts of its firepower as Dagon took over at tactical and started to return fire.
****
The Junsoon Medical Facility, Gedasada
Vaughan stepped out into the corridor as the Prime Governor’s party made its way towards the platform hastily erected near to a nurse’s station at the centre of the ward. Arrayed in front of this platform various Gedan newsnet reporters and camera operators stood awaiting the Prime Governor’s speech.
The photo op of the Prime Governor visiting recovering casualties from the crisis was about to reach its conclusion as the Prime Governor laid out his plans for the future of Gedasada. A mood of anticipation filled the busy ward, already overworked by the sheer number of casualties and taxed further by this media circus.
Anticipation also filled Vaughan as he understood from one of the Gedan aides that the Prime Governor had also visited the Conmenian patients on the level below. Seeing the smiling and determined face of the Prime Governor approaching Vaughan felt his hopes to be raised that a conciliatory response was about to be pursued by the Gedan authorities after so much pain and discrimination. It was too late to undo much of the hurt of the past but there appeared to be an opportunity to build for the future.
Vaughan walked towards the Prime Governor with a hand outstretched. “Prime Governor.” They heartily shook hands and Vaughan saw a change in the man. He was more animated and fired up. He said so to the Prime Governor.
Eyes widening, as if he only realised the truth of this statement now himself, the Prime Governor responded, “True Captain, only too true. It is as if I finally see my path. For too long I’ve allowed fear mongers to dictate my policies and curtail the reforms I always thought necessary. I’m afraid it has taken such a crisis to make me see clearly the way forward. But as of today we can change the fate of the peoples of Gedasada. Will you join me Captain on the dais as I address the people?”
Vaughan stepped back, slightly inclining his head as he did. “No Prime Governor, this is a momentous occasion for your world. You do not need to share any credit with the Federation. Your people should see that it is you who has come to this decision and that you have not been coerced into it.”
The Prime Governor slapped Vaughan on the arm. “Of course Captain, we don’t want any outsider influences dictating our policies either. I get the hint and the Dominion will be told to leave our world.”
“I do not necessarily mean that however the Federation will be only too happy to help you with any peace talks and with the efforts to repair your world.”
“That is much appreciated Captain.”
On the level below, a young overworked doctor approached the bed of a young female woman as the nurse apprised him of the woman’s details. “So she has a deep laceration to her stomach and minor burns. The burns will have to wait but we will have to stop any blood loss ...”
The doctor’s words faltered as he took in the sight of the young woman lying dead spread out on the bed her innards ripped open and a trail of blood leading away from the bed as if an organ had been carried away. “What the ...?”
The trail of blood droplets followed the Conmenian terrorists who had cut into her stomach to remove the bomb device buried within her stomach. With an intensity he walked towards the dais, pushing through the reporters and milling hospital staff.
“You must excuse me; I have a speech to make.” The Prime Governor stepped away as Vaughan wished him luck.
Moira stepping up beside her Captain asked of him, “Do you think he can make a difference?”
“It is an important beginning though and much needed if we can hope to make a change here.” They both turned their full attention on the Prime Governor as he mounted the dais and opened his speech.
“My people, Gedan and Conmenian. For too long we have viewed each other as enemies. For too long we have looked at what divides us. For too long we have allowed inequality. For too long we have allowed fear and terror to rule our lives.”
“Powerful start.” Vaughan smiled and nodded in response to Moira’s comment.
Moira herself took in the different faces of the on looking crowd, a microcosm of the people across the world, as they reacted to the Prime Governor’s words. Some listened intently like Vaughan enraptured by the words and emotion of those words spoken by the Prime Governor. Others looked appalled at the tone taken and looked outraged or betrayed by those same words. Some even looked disappointed.
Then one face stood out from the others. The look it bore was one of hatred, determination and the face of a Conmenian, more importantly a Conmenian terrorist with something held tightly in his hands.
“But as of today that all has to change. Today we have to right the wrongs of our past. We are a ruined people unless we do. Our world has been crippled but not destroyed unless we allow the same mistakes to be repeated. Acting together for the good of our world, we can make it better, stronger and more secure. Together ...”
“Bomb!” Moira found herself shouting as she withdrew her firearm and pointed it at the terrorist.
Vaughan shocked recovered quickly and started towards the Prime Governor.
The Prime Governor stopped mid sentence as he took in the sight of the terrorists and shook his head in quiet disbelief as his fate was decided. He thought: Just as I have learned to look past my fears.
BOOM!
****
****
Beneath Mouyr City, Gedasada
Donna found herself suffering from a concussion as she came to. Her ears ringing, she gingerly pushed herself up off the floor causing Janek to roll off her back onto the debris-strewn floor unconscious. Minor burns and abrasions crisscrossed the palms of her hands and the pain cut through her as she pushed up to a sitting position.
Quickly she fell into doctor mode checking Janek’s vitals but even as she did he started to come round groaning. “Uh! Vehnet! Regroup.”
Donna looked over to Vehnet’s body with the head lying at an oblique angle. His open eyes whited over in death. “I'm afraid he’s dead.” She felt no particular love for the man but Donna was repulsed by death, especially so violent.
Janek rushed to his feet and started barking orders over the fires and dying groans of the soldiers. Donna rushed to support him as he swayed woozy from standing so suddenly. Already the militiamen were recovering from the blast and were starting to open fire once again. Janek stood oblivious amidst the gunfire seemingly invulnerable to the shooting.
Pet pulled on Donna. With great reluctance Pet admitted, “We have to go before they can consolidate their position.”
Donna found herself being hauled down the corridor as the others fell in with them harangued into returning fire by Janek who held back forming a one man vanguard.
The ambush orchestrated by the militiamen had devastated their numbers and the explosion more so. But the explosion had hurt the Gedan militia too. Nevertheless, they were quickly remounting their effort to wipe the rebels out. Donna found herself racing back down the corridor with the Gedan hot on their heels.
Pet came to an abrupt stop causing Donna to look ahead at what she was now targeting. Lunging at Pet, she pulled her trained weapon down.
Shouting out Donna called with relief, “Nathan! I mean Commander Forrest.”
“Doctor. Are we glad to find you?”
A shot fired across Nathan’s head then. The polaran beam a tell tale Jem’Hadar weapon blast. A score of Jem’Hadar soldiers deshrouded, opening a deadly volley of fire at Nathan’s security contingent and the retreating rebels. The retreat quickly ground to a halt.
Nathan ordered his security team to fall in and form a defensive perimeter but further Jem’Hadar soldiers revealed themselves from behind the Starfleet forces having outflanked in a pincher movement. Janek hauled into the group and seeing the position started pushing back to the intersection they had just retreated from.
Janek explained their last option as the Jem’Hadar pressed in on their position. “We might be able to get into a side corridor from there.”
Hefting his rifle and returning fire Nathan agreed, adding optimistically, “And Keresh is on his way. Ramsey, Martin lay down suppressing fire on our right flank. Law, Mendez, on our left. Push back with the doctor. If we can get back to destination point the Accipiter might be able to transport.”
A churning mess awaited them in the intersection. Huyrek’s militia had regrouped and received reinforcements. They were now formed up to chase down the rebels when the rebels entered back into the intersection fleeing the Jem’Hadar forces. Immediately a maelstrom of gunfire opened up and explosion rocked the area once again.
Even to Donna’s untrained eye their position appeared untenable. They were trapped and outnumbered. When then the whine of phaser fire came at the militiamen from their left as Keresh and his team entered into the fray. The firing intensified as Nathan with Ramsey was the last out of the corridor, followed swiftly by the encroaching Jem’Hadar troops.
All hell was breaking loose and Donna found herself shoved to the ground. Feet kicked at her, hitting her face and ribs as the rebels jostled for position and for an escape. Pulling herself into a protective ball, Donna rolled under a pipe for some sort of protection as gunfire raked the ground around her.
Kh’ien Law shouted amid the chaos, “Where’s the doctor?”
Kurt Ramsey turned his back on the Jem’Hadar soldiers to try and spot the doctor horribly exposing himself. A soldier took aim and fired at Kurt’s head.
At the last possible second just as Kurt realised his folly and saw the beam directed at him, Nathan jumped in front of him. The blast hit Nathan’s back and smashed into Nathan as he smashed into Kurt. Both toppled to the ground.
****
Donna hearing her name called scrambled to her feet having been pushed to the ground in the melee. Pet and Janek were to her right edging towards an opening. Trying to look back at the fate of her shipmates, she found herself isolated with militia forces approaching her.
Quickly she dived towards the entrance Janek and Pet had managed to prise open. Some sort of connecting shaft that meant Donna had to crawl on her hands and knees as she grappled to flee the militia.
Huyrek headed the group bearing down on Donna. First, he saw Janek the leader of the terrorists they had for so long hunted and the bitch whore who had assassinated so many of his men in her bed crawl into a ventilation shaft and then he saw the Federation doctor flee for her life down it. It was now his goal to chase them down and cut each of their throats.
****
Buried History
Ru’Ye Installation, Gedasada
Out of breath, Caitlyn came to a halt. The rest of the unit also slowed and stopped then started searching for any sign the Jem’Hadar had spotted them and were in pursuit. Luckily, it seemed they had not. But it had been a close run thing after they had first spotted the patrol.
Agnew’s calm head and swift orders had shepherded the small unit away from the Jem’Hadar carefully at first to create as little noise as possible. A nerve-jangling half hour had passed as the Starfleet forces had tried to manoeuvre away from the Jem’Hadar only to find the enemy was thorough and was patrolling in a haphazard route that meant they backtracked and cut across the path Caitlyn and the others had taken.
When they were at last suitably far enough away, the unit had broken into a run and approached the installation from a circuitous route. With no difficulty, they surmounted the outer perimeter and now crouched outside the inner perimeter. Yet another patrol was keeping a watchful eye here with at least eight Jem’Hadar soldiers walking the building.
“What do you intend to do?”
Agnew did not respond for a minute as he studied the patrol for a moment longer. Then he nodded to himself satisfied with his plan. “When the soldiers cross over,” he pointed with his index finger at the spots where this occurred, “we take them all out simultaneously.” He then gave quiet orders to his men and had them fall into relative positions.
Turning to Caitlyn, he asked of her, “We will take the centre soldiers. There are at least three of them but possibly a fourth in the doorway. We strike quick as we cannot allow them to raise the alarm. We take no prisoners either.”
“That I understand,” more to herself she added, “and intended.”
The time approached to strike as the patrols came closer to each other’s position, the overlap of patrol ground a visual check on each member of the patrol. If any team acted too prematurely then others would notice their missing soldier. Timing was vital but time was running out, already the new day’s sun was starting to dawn over the distant high Ru’Ye Mountains. The dark of the night was beginning to lighten and would give away any advantage they had.
At Agnew’s signal, the different members of the unit moved forwards. Stealthy fluid movements characterised their approach. Daggers drawn and triggers ready the unit members stole up behind the patrolling Jem’Hadar.
Caitlyn then ignored the others as she swept up behind her target. Driving the dagger into the jugular of the Jem’Hadar up to its hilt she whirled round with her sidearm and shot the third soldier square in his chest. As he crumpled to the ground she twisted the dagger and withdrew it, checking her first target was dead before racing over the second soldier to check he too was dead. He was.
Looking up she saw that Agnew had despatched with his primary target, a fourth and a fifth target hidden within the shadows of the doorway. There was no malice or victory on his face as he looked down on his fallen victims. He was composed and professional about his killing. In this Caitlyn admired him. Her own malice eating at her within. All Agnew offered was an explanation for the presence of the unexpected fifth soldier. “The fifth was shrouded.”
In short moments, the bodies were hauled out of sight and entry to the main doorway made. Though it pained him to divide his small unit up, Agnew placed two men on guard. The patrol they evaded would surely return at some point. The remainder of the team ventured into the factory like setting. Steam hissed and pipes gurgled. A great cacophony of noises filled the interior, created by working machinery and vast amounts of rushing running water.
As they made their progress deeper into the facility, the source of the water noises became evident. Part of the installation was a water supply to Mouyr City. Caitlyn took it all in as she scanned with her tricorder in one hand and her raised rifle in the other.
Agnew did not quiz her but kept himself and his men alert for any guards within. The place appeared devoid of any workers. It all seemed still, too still to his trained mind. Caitlyn too felt the unease of the situation. A warren of pipes and machinery played havoc with her scans but also afforded the enemy hiding places and ambush opportunities.
In a room to the side of the water supply room, Caitlyn hacked a door lock and upon entering, called softly. “Bingo.”
Agnew approached her, his rifle scanning the interior of the room. Again, it was devoid of life. All manner of scientific equipment was to be found within. To Agnew it reminded him of the chemistry lessons he had received during training, with Gedan Bunsen burners and mixing solutions.
Caitlyn spotted with greater detail the different equipment and immediately recognised the room as a fabrication room for creating biological weapons. She scanned the remnants of Petri dishes and started up several computer consoles. Agnew watched her silently as she methodically but quickly investigated the room.
“It would appear Janek was correct. The Gedan were creating a biological weapon. It is a virus and I believe they were using the bottled water at the relief centres to pass the virus about.”
“If they were using the bottled water then is it possible for them to utilise the water mains to spread the virus?”
“Oh yes. That is what they are doing. Only for the fact the water mains were so badly damaged in the attack they would have used it in the first place. But now Chief Hashap’s people have helped to repair much of the water main supplies they are delivering it straight into the water mains.”
“Can we stop it?”
Caitlyn smugly folded her arms. “Yes. First, you need to set explosives to destroy this room. There is an antidote and I have reprogrammed the computers to pour it into the water, which should neutralise the virus. The water will taste horrible but it won’t cause any more sickness. I’ve already hacked into their network and introduced a virus to wipe their data pertaining to the creation of the virus to hopefully limit their ability to reproduce the virus. I’ve taken a copy though as evidence of their crime.”
Agnew wouldn’t admit it but he was impressed. “What of the scientists involved?”
“I should think your men will discover them dead at the Jem’Hadar’s hand. I accessed a memory log. One of the scientists tried to get a message out but failed when the Jem’Hadar supposedly here to secure the facility attacked instead.”
Once again, Ryan’s calculating mind impressed Agnew. “Really? Why?”
“I think they introduced a virus that will kill Gedan too. We will have to neutralise that virus the old-fashioned way and cut off the water supply from here. Of course, for the Dominion to have been able to do this, means they must have had prior knowledge of the virus and distribution of it before they ever arrived. The Gedan are being played by the Dominion.”
Startled by the duplicity of what Caitlyn was revealing prompted Raymond to say, “Quite a few discoveries found then.”
Caitlyn allowed herself a mischievous smile. “Not all of them yet.” Agnew did not respond to her bait was nevertheless intrigued. “I also accessed the blueprints for this installation. It appears to go down many, many levels. Considering just how populated and built up the entire planet is, isn’t it more than a little strange that this area around Ru’Ye is left virtually isolated. A lost city, a mass grave and this installation are all that are to be found. It cannot be because of the marshy land alone that no construction has ever occurred here.”
“What are you saying?”
“If the biological weapons are up here, it begs the question what is being kept secret down there?”
“You suggest we investigate.”
Eagerly she nodded her head. “I do.”
Agnew took a long moment to decide his course of action. Nodding his head to himself again, he came to his decision. “Ok we take a look but at the first sign of trouble we get out of here.”
“Fine.”
Power had been cut to the lifts and so the only route was the stairs. Stood at the top of the high shaft of the stairwell Caitlyn and Agnew stared down at the distance they would have to travel.
Valdroz leaned over the railing and spat intoning, as if his spittle was a mathematical gauge of the distance, “It’s a long way down. That will take at least a long half hour later, by the time we get to the lower levels.”
“Time we do not have. The patrol will be returning shortly.” He gave Caitlyn a pointed look.
“You’re right.” She stepped back and looked around the stairwell shaft.
“I’m glad you agree. Time we contact the Accipiter and get out of her.”
“No, I meant you’re right it is a long way down.” She boosted herself up onto the railing and stood atop it.
Valdroz asked astonished, “What are you doing?”
Agnew went to grab her realising what it was she was going to do. “Don’t be crazy Ryan!”
“Not to worry we have back up chutes!” With that, she launched herself off the railing into the stairwell. The unit bent over to walk her suicidal jump but near to the bottom, her chute opened and unfurled. Finally, it gave lift and Caitlyn landed with little aplomb on the floor.
“Damn she’s got ...”
“Enough Valdroz. Show us you have some and do the same.”
“You want us to try that?”
“That or take the long way down.”
Valdroz shrug his shoulders at the prospect. Giving in he mounted the railing and followed suit. The others followed in turn.
At the bottom, they surveyed their surroundings and saw that the path was not clear yet. Numerous locks and barriers had to be hacked or blasted open as they went along but eventually they came at last to the chamber that had intrigued Caitlyn on the blueprints because it lacked any detail for some nefarious reason.
Caitlyn covered her ears as the shaped explosives did their work. Smoke filled the corridor and blanketed them as they hunkered down away from the blast.
Pulling out her tricorder, Caitlyn confidently strode forwards as the smoke cleared and a gaping hole was revealed to be where once a fortified door had stood. As she walked into the chamber behind the former door, her eyes adjusted the dark even as Agnew a constant by her side shone his light into the dimness.
She took in the sight that was to be beheld within. Agnew looked puzzled as he took in the unexpected sight. Caitlyn merely raised an eyebrow, very Vulcan like as she contemplated what it meant.
“Well, this explains everything.”
Ru’Ye Installation, Gedasada
Out of breath, Caitlyn came to a halt. The rest of the unit also slowed and stopped then started searching for any sign the Jem’Hadar had spotted them and were in pursuit. Luckily, it seemed they had not. But it had been a close run thing after they had first spotted the patrol.
Agnew’s calm head and swift orders had shepherded the small unit away from the Jem’Hadar carefully at first to create as little noise as possible. A nerve-jangling half hour had passed as the Starfleet forces had tried to manoeuvre away from the Jem’Hadar only to find the enemy was thorough and was patrolling in a haphazard route that meant they backtracked and cut across the path Caitlyn and the others had taken.
When they were at last suitably far enough away, the unit had broken into a run and approached the installation from a circuitous route. With no difficulty, they surmounted the outer perimeter and now crouched outside the inner perimeter. Yet another patrol was keeping a watchful eye here with at least eight Jem’Hadar soldiers walking the building.
“What do you intend to do?”
Agnew did not respond for a minute as he studied the patrol for a moment longer. Then he nodded to himself satisfied with his plan. “When the soldiers cross over,” he pointed with his index finger at the spots where this occurred, “we take them all out simultaneously.” He then gave quiet orders to his men and had them fall into relative positions.
Turning to Caitlyn, he asked of her, “We will take the centre soldiers. There are at least three of them but possibly a fourth in the doorway. We strike quick as we cannot allow them to raise the alarm. We take no prisoners either.”
“That I understand,” more to herself she added, “and intended.”
The time approached to strike as the patrols came closer to each other’s position, the overlap of patrol ground a visual check on each member of the patrol. If any team acted too prematurely then others would notice their missing soldier. Timing was vital but time was running out, already the new day’s sun was starting to dawn over the distant high Ru’Ye Mountains. The dark of the night was beginning to lighten and would give away any advantage they had.
At Agnew’s signal, the different members of the unit moved forwards. Stealthy fluid movements characterised their approach. Daggers drawn and triggers ready the unit members stole up behind the patrolling Jem’Hadar.
Caitlyn then ignored the others as she swept up behind her target. Driving the dagger into the jugular of the Jem’Hadar up to its hilt she whirled round with her sidearm and shot the third soldier square in his chest. As he crumpled to the ground she twisted the dagger and withdrew it, checking her first target was dead before racing over the second soldier to check he too was dead. He was.
Looking up she saw that Agnew had despatched with his primary target, a fourth and a fifth target hidden within the shadows of the doorway. There was no malice or victory on his face as he looked down on his fallen victims. He was composed and professional about his killing. In this Caitlyn admired him. Her own malice eating at her within. All Agnew offered was an explanation for the presence of the unexpected fifth soldier. “The fifth was shrouded.”
In short moments, the bodies were hauled out of sight and entry to the main doorway made. Though it pained him to divide his small unit up, Agnew placed two men on guard. The patrol they evaded would surely return at some point. The remainder of the team ventured into the factory like setting. Steam hissed and pipes gurgled. A great cacophony of noises filled the interior, created by working machinery and vast amounts of rushing running water.
As they made their progress deeper into the facility, the source of the water noises became evident. Part of the installation was a water supply to Mouyr City. Caitlyn took it all in as she scanned with her tricorder in one hand and her raised rifle in the other.
Agnew did not quiz her but kept himself and his men alert for any guards within. The place appeared devoid of any workers. It all seemed still, too still to his trained mind. Caitlyn too felt the unease of the situation. A warren of pipes and machinery played havoc with her scans but also afforded the enemy hiding places and ambush opportunities.
In a room to the side of the water supply room, Caitlyn hacked a door lock and upon entering, called softly. “Bingo.”
Agnew approached her, his rifle scanning the interior of the room. Again, it was devoid of life. All manner of scientific equipment was to be found within. To Agnew it reminded him of the chemistry lessons he had received during training, with Gedan Bunsen burners and mixing solutions.
Caitlyn spotted with greater detail the different equipment and immediately recognised the room as a fabrication room for creating biological weapons. She scanned the remnants of Petri dishes and started up several computer consoles. Agnew watched her silently as she methodically but quickly investigated the room.
“It would appear Janek was correct. The Gedan were creating a biological weapon. It is a virus and I believe they were using the bottled water at the relief centres to pass the virus about.”
“If they were using the bottled water then is it possible for them to utilise the water mains to spread the virus?”
“Oh yes. That is what they are doing. Only for the fact the water mains were so badly damaged in the attack they would have used it in the first place. But now Chief Hashap’s people have helped to repair much of the water main supplies they are delivering it straight into the water mains.”
“Can we stop it?”
Caitlyn smugly folded her arms. “Yes. First, you need to set explosives to destroy this room. There is an antidote and I have reprogrammed the computers to pour it into the water, which should neutralise the virus. The water will taste horrible but it won’t cause any more sickness. I’ve already hacked into their network and introduced a virus to wipe their data pertaining to the creation of the virus to hopefully limit their ability to reproduce the virus. I’ve taken a copy though as evidence of their crime.”
Agnew wouldn’t admit it but he was impressed. “What of the scientists involved?”
“I should think your men will discover them dead at the Jem’Hadar’s hand. I accessed a memory log. One of the scientists tried to get a message out but failed when the Jem’Hadar supposedly here to secure the facility attacked instead.”
Once again, Ryan’s calculating mind impressed Agnew. “Really? Why?”
“I think they introduced a virus that will kill Gedan too. We will have to neutralise that virus the old-fashioned way and cut off the water supply from here. Of course, for the Dominion to have been able to do this, means they must have had prior knowledge of the virus and distribution of it before they ever arrived. The Gedan are being played by the Dominion.”
Startled by the duplicity of what Caitlyn was revealing prompted Raymond to say, “Quite a few discoveries found then.”
Caitlyn allowed herself a mischievous smile. “Not all of them yet.” Agnew did not respond to her bait was nevertheless intrigued. “I also accessed the blueprints for this installation. It appears to go down many, many levels. Considering just how populated and built up the entire planet is, isn’t it more than a little strange that this area around Ru’Ye is left virtually isolated. A lost city, a mass grave and this installation are all that are to be found. It cannot be because of the marshy land alone that no construction has ever occurred here.”
“What are you saying?”
“If the biological weapons are up here, it begs the question what is being kept secret down there?”
“You suggest we investigate.”
Eagerly she nodded her head. “I do.”
Agnew took a long moment to decide his course of action. Nodding his head to himself again, he came to his decision. “Ok we take a look but at the first sign of trouble we get out of here.”
“Fine.”
**
Power had been cut to the lifts and so the only route was the stairs. Stood at the top of the high shaft of the stairwell Caitlyn and Agnew stared down at the distance they would have to travel.
Valdroz leaned over the railing and spat intoning, as if his spittle was a mathematical gauge of the distance, “It’s a long way down. That will take at least a long half hour later, by the time we get to the lower levels.”
“Time we do not have. The patrol will be returning shortly.” He gave Caitlyn a pointed look.
“You’re right.” She stepped back and looked around the stairwell shaft.
“I’m glad you agree. Time we contact the Accipiter and get out of her.”
“No, I meant you’re right it is a long way down.” She boosted herself up onto the railing and stood atop it.
Valdroz asked astonished, “What are you doing?”
Agnew went to grab her realising what it was she was going to do. “Don’t be crazy Ryan!”
“Not to worry we have back up chutes!” With that, she launched herself off the railing into the stairwell. The unit bent over to walk her suicidal jump but near to the bottom, her chute opened and unfurled. Finally, it gave lift and Caitlyn landed with little aplomb on the floor.
“Damn she’s got ...”
“Enough Valdroz. Show us you have some and do the same.”
“You want us to try that?”
“That or take the long way down.”
Valdroz shrug his shoulders at the prospect. Giving in he mounted the railing and followed suit. The others followed in turn.
**
At the bottom, they surveyed their surroundings and saw that the path was not clear yet. Numerous locks and barriers had to be hacked or blasted open as they went along but eventually they came at last to the chamber that had intrigued Caitlyn on the blueprints because it lacked any detail for some nefarious reason.
Caitlyn covered her ears as the shaped explosives did their work. Smoke filled the corridor and blanketed them as they hunkered down away from the blast.
Pulling out her tricorder, Caitlyn confidently strode forwards as the smoke cleared and a gaping hole was revealed to be where once a fortified door had stood. As she walked into the chamber behind the former door, her eyes adjusted the dark even as Agnew a constant by her side shone his light into the dimness.
She took in the sight that was to be beheld within. Agnew looked puzzled as he took in the unexpected sight. Caitlyn merely raised an eyebrow, very Vulcan like as she contemplated what it meant.
“Well, this explains everything.”
****
Sorry about the delay did I mention lack of internet connection -agh!
USS Accipiter, Main Bridge
“Hail the Manhattan.”
“Channel open.”
Dagon did not even look up from the tactical control panel as he instructed Captain Ramsey, “Protect the Carling Paul and we will endeavour to drive the Battlecruiser off.”
“And how do you intend to tempt them away?”
“I cannot divulge my strategy over a channel.” Tyler looked suitably annoyed but before he could interject, Dagon signalled Ignatius to cut the communication. He then called to Huyio, “Break orbit at my command, head us out of the system towards the remnants of the Tavo IV moon.”
Huyio keyed in the requests as he pre-planned the flight whilst also trying to dodge incoming polaron beams from the battlecruiser. “Care to let us in on the plan?”
“We will use the moon to trap the Battlecruiser.”
Huyio’s dark features furrowed as he dove the Accipiter under the prow of the Battlecruiser as Dagon orchestrated his shots to hit the main weapons. Through clenched teeth, Huyio asked, “How?”
His voice void of emotion Dagon flatly replied, “The dilithium properties of the moon will be present within the debris. We will use the debris field as a natural minefield.”
“You might want to check that one by Chief Hashap!”
“Our sensor abilities are superior to the Jem’Hadar.”
“Perhaps but they do have fairly good guns!” The ship rocked violently as if to illustrate Huyio’s point.
Dagon ignored the jest from Huyio as he outlined to Ignatius. “You will need to feed direct sensor information to Lt Commander Ferreira to help him negotiate the pockets of dilithium.”
Dagon then opened a comlink with Laura in Engineering. Her face rocked in the viewscreen as yet more shots buffeted the ship. “Thanks for the head up. I’ll try to keep shields as best as I can but Dagon I cannot promise anything.”
“All we can do is try but first I need you to lower our shields for a moment if we are to bluff the Battlecruiser into breaking orbit to hunt us down.”
“You mean to act like a lame dog and then attack?”
“Our hiding within the debris field of the moon will then also make sense.”
Laura considered it for a moment and found the idea crazy but remarked it was sometimes the crazy ideas that worked best. “Let’s just hope we can make it that far. By trying to pretend our shields our down we actually do expose ourselves by lowering the shields.”
“Then we had best make our best possible speed to the moon.”
“Ok but if anything happens to my nacelles! Starfleet will chew me out if I ruin another pair! Hashap out.”
The ship pulled away from orbit with its fake power signatures and lowered shields. And as Dagon anticipated the Battlecruiser opted to hunt down the crown piece of technology with Starfleet. To destroy a Sovereign class would be a coup for the Dominion; to avenge the murder of a Founder an even greater glory for the Jem’Hadar aboard.
Junsoon Medical Facility
Vaughan raised himself off the floor. Minor burns to his hands and face were the worst of his injuries but he was numb to any pain as he took in the smoking remnants of the ward. The dais on which the Prime Governor was speaking completely obliterated with a smoking crater in its place.
A huge hole had been created in the ceiling too and showers of sparks rained down from ruptured power lines as burning sheets of paper drifted slowly to the blackened floor. Scores of dead and injured reporters, medical staff and patients littered the blackened floor. A lucky few like Vaughan had survived but sat shell-shocked and rooted to the floor trying to take in the sudden devastation.
Moira quickly came to his aid. Tears streaked her soot covered face as she mumbled something about being too late. Vaughan took little of it in, even as more medical staff poured in and started attending to the worst of the injured.
The Prime Governor was dead and so too the best chance to salvage the situation.
Office of the Prime Governor
“With the Prime Governor dead, ultimate authority falls to you Speaker until an election can be held. An election in which you will be entitled to run in.” Galek smiled benignly.
“All this I know clerk. Why are you bothering me with this? I have a response to co-ordinate.”
“I know and at a juncture like this, such a response will be measured and evaluated in the years to come. Will you be the leader to lead our people out of this crisis? Will you try to follow in the footsteps of our late and lamented Prime Governor?”
Petok stood up angrily out of his chair. “I hope you don’t intend to follow this snivelling toady’s advice. He was the Prime Governor’s lap dog and Conmenian sympathiser. Thanks to him the Prime Governor exposed himself to danger and was killed by terrorists.”
Galek flashed a predatory look at Petok causing the large man to fall back in surprise. From the corner the Vorta spoke quietly with amusement, “The lapdog led the Prime Governor indeed to his death. The lapdog has shown a greater foresight than you might think.”
“What is it to you Vorta? This is Gedan business.”
“Mr Galek here was the one who originally made contact with the Dominion seeking our assistance in helping you to get rid of your Conmenian problem.”
Petok gaped in surprise. Weran too was flabbergasted. “He has secretly played a role to ensure the Conmenian walked themselves into their current position. Weak and exposed and ready to be exterminated.”
“You did all that? How?”
“Keevan gives me far too much credit. Much of the necessary steps taken were guided by yourselves. However, I allowed the Conmenian terrorists to believe I was a sympathiser and it allowed me to infiltrate their organisation and set them at cross-purposes amongst once another. Now all that remains is to chase the Federation out of our system and rid ourselves once and for all of the Conmenian.”
****
USS Accipiter, Main Bridge
“Hail the Manhattan.”
“Channel open.”
Dagon did not even look up from the tactical control panel as he instructed Captain Ramsey, “Protect the Carling Paul and we will endeavour to drive the Battlecruiser off.”
“And how do you intend to tempt them away?”
“I cannot divulge my strategy over a channel.” Tyler looked suitably annoyed but before he could interject, Dagon signalled Ignatius to cut the communication. He then called to Huyio, “Break orbit at my command, head us out of the system towards the remnants of the Tavo IV moon.”
Huyio keyed in the requests as he pre-planned the flight whilst also trying to dodge incoming polaron beams from the battlecruiser. “Care to let us in on the plan?”
“We will use the moon to trap the Battlecruiser.”
Huyio’s dark features furrowed as he dove the Accipiter under the prow of the Battlecruiser as Dagon orchestrated his shots to hit the main weapons. Through clenched teeth, Huyio asked, “How?”
His voice void of emotion Dagon flatly replied, “The dilithium properties of the moon will be present within the debris. We will use the debris field as a natural minefield.”
“You might want to check that one by Chief Hashap!”
“Our sensor abilities are superior to the Jem’Hadar.”
“Perhaps but they do have fairly good guns!” The ship rocked violently as if to illustrate Huyio’s point.
Dagon ignored the jest from Huyio as he outlined to Ignatius. “You will need to feed direct sensor information to Lt Commander Ferreira to help him negotiate the pockets of dilithium.”
Dagon then opened a comlink with Laura in Engineering. Her face rocked in the viewscreen as yet more shots buffeted the ship. “Thanks for the head up. I’ll try to keep shields as best as I can but Dagon I cannot promise anything.”
“All we can do is try but first I need you to lower our shields for a moment if we are to bluff the Battlecruiser into breaking orbit to hunt us down.”
“You mean to act like a lame dog and then attack?”
“Our hiding within the debris field of the moon will then also make sense.”
Laura considered it for a moment and found the idea crazy but remarked it was sometimes the crazy ideas that worked best. “Let’s just hope we can make it that far. By trying to pretend our shields our down we actually do expose ourselves by lowering the shields.”
“Then we had best make our best possible speed to the moon.”
“Ok but if anything happens to my nacelles! Starfleet will chew me out if I ruin another pair! Hashap out.”
The ship pulled away from orbit with its fake power signatures and lowered shields. And as Dagon anticipated the Battlecruiser opted to hunt down the crown piece of technology with Starfleet. To destroy a Sovereign class would be a coup for the Dominion; to avenge the murder of a Founder an even greater glory for the Jem’Hadar aboard.
****
Junsoon Medical Facility
Vaughan raised himself off the floor. Minor burns to his hands and face were the worst of his injuries but he was numb to any pain as he took in the smoking remnants of the ward. The dais on which the Prime Governor was speaking completely obliterated with a smoking crater in its place.
A huge hole had been created in the ceiling too and showers of sparks rained down from ruptured power lines as burning sheets of paper drifted slowly to the blackened floor. Scores of dead and injured reporters, medical staff and patients littered the blackened floor. A lucky few like Vaughan had survived but sat shell-shocked and rooted to the floor trying to take in the sudden devastation.
Moira quickly came to his aid. Tears streaked her soot covered face as she mumbled something about being too late. Vaughan took little of it in, even as more medical staff poured in and started attending to the worst of the injured.
The Prime Governor was dead and so too the best chance to salvage the situation.
****
Office of the Prime Governor
“With the Prime Governor dead, ultimate authority falls to you Speaker until an election can be held. An election in which you will be entitled to run in.” Galek smiled benignly.
“All this I know clerk. Why are you bothering me with this? I have a response to co-ordinate.”
“I know and at a juncture like this, such a response will be measured and evaluated in the years to come. Will you be the leader to lead our people out of this crisis? Will you try to follow in the footsteps of our late and lamented Prime Governor?”
Petok stood up angrily out of his chair. “I hope you don’t intend to follow this snivelling toady’s advice. He was the Prime Governor’s lap dog and Conmenian sympathiser. Thanks to him the Prime Governor exposed himself to danger and was killed by terrorists.”
Galek flashed a predatory look at Petok causing the large man to fall back in surprise. From the corner the Vorta spoke quietly with amusement, “The lapdog led the Prime Governor indeed to his death. The lapdog has shown a greater foresight than you might think.”
“What is it to you Vorta? This is Gedan business.”
“Mr Galek here was the one who originally made contact with the Dominion seeking our assistance in helping you to get rid of your Conmenian problem.”
Petok gaped in surprise. Weran too was flabbergasted. “He has secretly played a role to ensure the Conmenian walked themselves into their current position. Weak and exposed and ready to be exterminated.”
“You did all that? How?”
“Keevan gives me far too much credit. Much of the necessary steps taken were guided by yourselves. However, I allowed the Conmenian terrorists to believe I was a sympathiser and it allowed me to infiltrate their organisation and set them at cross-purposes amongst once another. Now all that remains is to chase the Federation out of our system and rid ourselves once and for all of the Conmenian.”
****
****
Beneath Mouyr City, Gedasada
“Nathan!” Keresh shoved his way through the Starfleet officers. Then smiled in relief as he saw through the burned uniform the webbing of a protective armour vest. “Thank goodness.”
“Ow! Don’t thank it too much,” he painfully pushed himself onto one knee as Keresh held out a hand to help haul him up, “for it hurt like a b...”
“Now, now friend, you know I don’t approve when you curse. It is little and not often but when you start you are difficult to stop.”
The two friends clapped one another in a happy quick embrace glad to see one another again. “If I remember right, when we got caught in the dormitories of the first year cadets and had to make good our escape you cursed plenty yourself.”
“I got caught on a thorn bush! Besides you should have heard Boothby cursing when he discovered his roses had been trampled on.” They laughed heartily at the memories while the teams around them kept up a constant firing rate at the Jem’Hadar and few remaining militia.
Kh’ién Law cut in between them, “Sorry to disturb you but we are in a pressing situation at the moment.”
“Oh right.” Nathan took in the situation. Smiling at Keresh he saw the effect his friend’s entry into the fray had caused. He had demolished the Gedan militia’s strangle hold and allowed both Starfleet teams to meet up. The militia had gotten separated and the bulk was being pushed back. A small contingent was chasing down a ventilation shaft being heavily defended by rebel forces quickly losing their fight. The Jem’Hadar however, continued to press into the space and appeared relentless. “We should be able to transport from here. Ramsey take out the transport enhancers to increase our chances of getting a signal.”
“Yes sir, and thank you sir.”
“Doing my job ensign.” To himself Nathan thought ‘And keeping a promise for the Captain to keep you safe.’ “Now get on with yours. Law, where is the doctor?”
Kh’ién did not immediately answer. Nathan was puzzled at first then glared, “She chased after the rebel leader. We need to get to that shaft and follow them.”
“Damned woman!”
Keresh joked to calm his friend down, “Bloody woman doesn’t get the hint we are here to rescue her.”
Nathan startled at the mild language of the man looked at Keresh askance before recognising his friend’s own brand of humour. “Well we had better teach her the lesson again. Stow the gear for now Kurt; we need to chase down another rabbit hole.”
****
Ru’Ye Installation, Gedasada
“This explains everything.”
Looking at the strange sight Agnew could only ask of Caitlyn Ryan, “It does?”
“Yes. It seemed strange for two distinct species to evolve on a planet. It is not impossible but it is uncommon. This explains how it is we have two distinct species here on Gedasada.”
“How?”
“Because two species did not evolve on this planet. Only one did.” She turned back to look at their discovery. With a single nod of her head, she indicated the cannibalised and ruined spacecraft buried and fused within the rock. “The other came from elsewhere.”
Agnew walked deeper into the chamber. He walked around banks of computers and tables with pieces of technology from the ship spread out on them for investigation. In a pit at the chamber’s centre, a vast ship protruded. A large tail section was fully sawn off and bathed in lights that came on as they entered. Protective wraps and seals covered the exposed areas. The middle section of the vessel would have dwarfed a Galaxy class and Agnew got the impression that a large portion still remained buried within the rock. But the rock surrounded the front of the craft appeared to be hardened molten lava. He remarked as much to Caitlyn.
“It most likely crash landed deep into the ground and the force of the impact caused molten rock which hardened afterwards. My scans indicate the ship to be several centuries if not millennia old. Over time the authorities have worked on digging up the ship and utilising technology from it.” With her tricorder, she pointed towards the removed tail section.
“So one of the species came from this ship.”
“Yes. The sheer size implies it was some sort of colony ship. Whatever happened to it the people aboard were unable to get rescued and set up a new civilisation here. We can only learn more by taking a closer look.” She moved forwards. Agnew gripped her arm.
“This is not part of our mission brief.”
Testily she replied, “Our mission was to discover what was going on here and try to make sense of the situation. That over there provides many of the answers. Besides, getting into here once is a feat in itself, I do not think we will get a second chance and I doubt the Gedan authorities will be willing to explain it for themselves.”
“Alright we will investigate it. But I’m setting a time limit.”
“All I need is to try and access a computer. If we can arm ourselves with some information we can start to make some sense of this.”
“I doubt we have the time for that!”
The two of them turned to Agnew’s right hand man, Valdroz. “Our guard spotted the returning Jem’Hadar patrol. They are on their way here.”
“Then our investigation is finished Lt Commander Ryan.”
“No way! Not yet. We have to figure out what is going on here.” She turned and ran off into the craft.
****
USS Accipiter, Main Bridge
Ignatius rocked over her console, almost pitching over. A barrage of sparks exploded outwards from behind her station. “Shields are down 45%. Fires reported on deck fifteen. Fire suppressant systems not responding.”
At helm, Huyio twisted the Accipiter through the lances of deadly fire from the Battlecruiser. Nevertheless, countless impacts smashed into the ship. Dagon returned the hits with equal ferocity.
Laura’s voice called over the intercom, “I hope you don’t intend keeping this up for much longer!”
“We are almost near the moon.” Dagon stabbed the button to silence Laura and then stabbed his controls to fire repeated phaser hits at the Battlecruiser. “Increase our speed.”
Ignatius remarked even as Huyio complied, “Doing so places a greater burden on our deflector and the shields.”
Huyio chorused to Ignatius to save her from a mauling from Dagon, “Half a dozen of one, six of the other I should think!” His deep baritone voiced attempted a characteristic chuckle. His attempt at levity however was lost on the serious Ignatius and equally, if not more, so Dagon.
“Entering the debris field.”
“Feed the data to Huyio. Take us as close to a dilithium source as you dare can.”
Huyio completed the rest of the plan. “Then we sucker the Jem’Hadar into pursuing us and let rip at the dilithium debris.” The ship rocked as the Battlecruiser, hesitant at first about entering the debris field forged ahead. “Looks like they’re taking the bait. Adjusting course mark ...”
Huyio took them in deeper among the twirling remnants of the mining moon. With the shields weakened and Huyio’s tight flight plan, rocks the ship of the ship grazed the shields further overloading them.
Ignatius warned, “Shields weakening, fore shields, sections 26 through 30 are failing!”
Huyio frantically tried to adjust his course but too late a spinning expanse of rock tumbled on towards them. Huyio pulled the ship and up and away from the rock but it impacted on the underside of the engineering section. The shields there crumpled and the rock dug into hull plates gouging a terrible tract through the bottom of the ship.
The great ship roared with noise as the asteroid clawed through its hull. Massive power surges exploded countless EPS systems throughout the ship. A display of fireworks surrounded Dagon and Ignatius at their stations. Ignatius was violently tossed to the deck. Across the ship others shared a similar fate, smashing and careening into their consoles, walls and one another.
As the sparks died away, dark descended upon the ship as power from the engines fluctuated and stalled. The Battlecruiser came on unabated. Its prey now a darkened shell trailing fire and hull pieces from underneath.
****
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