Chapter One: Altered Plans
"Admiral's personal log, stardate 79043.9. The Enterprise has joined with Tactical Assault Fleet Omega in preparation for a renewed offensive against the Dominion. Ever since the lines stalled eight years ago both sides have been throwing massive amounts of men and materials into the line. I intend to break that stalemate. I have also received word that Director Sloane of Section 31 has dispatched a vessel to assist us, though anything dealing with Section 31 is never fully what it appears."
Admiral Jean-Luc Picard slowly got to his feet, his black and crimson uniform crinkling a bit at the motion. Outside his ready room window the blue and white tunnel of the Quantum Slipstream tunnel flashed by in rhythmic pulses. It was strangely calming Picard realized, as his eyes fixed themselves on the rhythm of the light. It reminded him of the Light stone his brother Robert had given him and which sat on the corner of his desk.
Picard's face drooped for a moment as he thought of his brother. He can been the Captain of the Galaxy class battleship Macbeth, which had been lost a year ago in an engagement with a Dominion battle group. Since that day Picard had sworn to bring down the Dominion and any who followed them.
The thought of his brother briefly brought a tear to Picard's eye before he slapped it away. "Weakness is not in the Picard bloodline," he reminded himself. His quarters reflected that belief. The black walls and low lighting fitted his often brooding personality. The bookshelf was filled with volumes on war and strategy, along with a collection of Shakespeare. His paintings of his family and home in France dominated the walls, along with a single portrait of the Enterprise flying through space, her weapons reaching deep into the hull of a Dominion dreadnaught, drawing the beginnings of an explosion from deep within. He hoped to be able to bring that painting to life soon.
The door buzzer sounded, drawing Picard from his reverie. "Computer, open door," Picard ordered. The tritanium armored door slid open and Counselor Troi entered, her Black Section 31 uniform not leaving much to the imagination. Counselor, is there something I can do for you?" Picard smiled.
"There are many things you could do for me, but none are why I am here, this time," Troi said, her own smile more of a knowing smirk. "I have received word that the Dominion have moved three fleet divisions to the Colonhel System. It would appear they have taken Admiral Hanson's diversion."
"The Ice Queen does it again," Picard chuckled, using Admiral Anika Hanson's nickname. No one used it within earshot of her, since the former drone could easily crush the skull of any of them. "I swear, that woman may one day outshine me."
"Oh I don't think so," Troi replied, running a hand through Picard's thick chestnut hair. "Her skills are far below yours. If I thought differently, you know I would tell you."
"Counselor Troi, since when did you ever tell anyone the complete truth?" Troi faked a hurt expression. "Well, other than the late Commander Riker."
Troi's playful smirk quickly changed into an angry frown. "You know I don't like to think about him," she said, and Picard felt the phantom fingers of her mind brushing over his own. A brief moment of apprehension seized him, and he saw Troi's knowing expression. He knew what she was capable of, and he had seen her in action before.
"You know I intended no harm Deanna," Picard replied, his voice braying no emotion. "I was merely pointing out that the only people either of us trusts with the complete truth are the dead."
"I thought that's what you were getting at," the full blooded Betazoid replied. She drew her mental probes back into her mind, shuddering at the brief moment of phantom cold as a part of her mind rejoined the rest from the cold recesses of another soul. Even after years of training she still preferred the familiar warmth of her own mind, but being a Section 31 operative she had developed many skills most other Betazoids didn't even know they possessed.
"So tell me, what was your original reason for coming here, other than to antagonize me?" Picard asked, knowing Troi's games often had many possible outcomes, both pleasant and not.
"I came, Admiral, to tell you that we're three hours out from Fortress System Athena," Troi informed her Captain. She outranked him in the sense that a Section operative could seize command if they felt the ship or fleet's commander was unfit for duty, but Jean-Luc had never given her reason to doubt him. In fact, they had grown closer since Commander Riker's unfortunate death during one of the final battles with the Borg. "Base Commander Yolen will give us our specific orders once we arrive."
"I see. Well I was just about to go for a run on the holodeck. Would you care to join me?"
"Perhaps another time," Troi replied, secretly amused at Jean-Luc's slightly lusty thoughts regarding her in an athletic uniform. "I have work to complete. I will inform you when we're five minutes out from the Starbase."
"Oh I'll know," Picard smirked, tapping his ear. "Sheloff's Syndrome does have some good points once you get rid of the disease itself."
"As you tell me every other day," Troi replied as she walked out. Her mind always eased up around Captain Picard. There was something about his mind which inspired confidence and put her at ease. "Perhaps one day," she said to herself.
…
Jean-Luc jumped a fallen log and landed steadily on his feet. His breath was steady but quick. The holographic woods, though no substitute for the genuine article, were more than adequate to keep him in shape. The cool breeze flung away some of the sweat as he ducked a series of low hanging vines. The sunlight flashed here and there where the leaves overhead thinned out. He remembered racing his brother through the woods of this very program. Robert had always beaten him, and still held the record for time.
Twice a week at least Jean-Luc ran this path. It was his way of remembering what his brother had taught him about never giving up or settling for second best. Robert Picard had worked hard for every step of his career. Even in the battle where he was killed, he had served the Empire with honor, giving nine damaged ships time to escape while he stayed behind to delay thirty Dominion attack ships. Robert Picard had gone down in history as the Hero of Bophiston.
Jean-Luc reached the end of the path, which terminated in a clearing with a large granite boulder in the center. Sitting at the base of the stone was a hologram of Robert, holding a stopwatch and with a smile on his face. "Nine minutes fifteen seconds. Still thirty seconds behind me Jean-Luc. Better luck next time," Robert said as he fizzled out.
"Perhaps Robert. Perhaps," Jean-Luc said. He took a drink from his water bottle at the same moment as his communicator activated, causing him to choke for a moment. He then felt a slight vibration and knew what was coming. "Picard here."
"Admiral, we're five minutes out from the Starbase," Dianna's voice informed the Admiral.
"I'll be right there," Picard replied. He grabbed his towel and the uniform he'd left lying in the shade. Quickly changing, he would toss the uniform into a cleaner unit on his way to the bridge. Soon the Enterprise would be in combat, the Sovereign class battleship tearing into the hides of weak Dominion fighters and claiming vengeance for all the Terrans killed thus far in the war.
…
Picard arrived on the bridge just in time to see the slipstream tunnel flash white and vanish, replaced with a view of the Athena system. The sixth planet, a gas giant surrounded by deuterium refineries and weapon platforms, looking like pearls laced around a massive orange. Picard had been to the Athena system several times before, but it still managed to impress him.
Counselor Troi looked up from her seat in the Admiral's chair. "Glad you decided to join us," she joked. "We're just about to reach the first checkpoint."
"Then may I have my chair back?" Picard asked. Troi smiled and stood up slowly. Picard settled into the plush black throne, his hands already moving across the twin arm displays. "Open a channel to the Starbase Mr. Sulek."
Aye sir," the Vulcan ops officer replied. Sulek was the most recent transfer to the Enterprise. After the death of Lt. Killian during a battle three months ago, Sulek had been Picard's first choice for a replacement. His file had revealed he had a calmer mindset than most Vulcans, and he had a nearly spotless record with the exception of a few minor skirmishes with security. He also had an interest in meditation techniques which had intrigued Deanna. "Signal coming in."
The tactical view screen switched from a view of space to the head and shoulders of Base Commander Yolen. The Commander was a tall, thin man, with a head of black hair and small but piercing blue eyes. He was often described as intimidating but fair. "Admiral Picard, glad you could make it."
"The Enterprise is always ready to serve the Empire, Base Commander," Picard replied.
"Glad to hear it. We're transmitting the security codes for the minefields. Once you arrive at the Starbase report to my office immediately."
"Understood, Picard out." The Admiral looked over to Sulek, who nodded confirmation that the mine codes had been received. As the Terran flagship entered the inner system, Picard felt a slight nervousness form around his body. The mine defenses, though powerful, occasionally backfired. A year ago the Akira class cruiser Raven had not received all the mine codes and had been cut in half. The people responsible for severely disciplined and nothing similar had happened since. Still, the memory of seeing the proud Terran vessel reduced to debris would give anyone a shiver.
Gradually the Starbase orbiting the third planet came into view. Athena Four was where the majority of the defenses were concentrated, with the shipyards and torpedo factories located around Athena Three. The heavy defense platforms, each housing half a dozen phaser arrays and a pair of torpedo tubes, had always reminded Picard of a jellyfish. The platforms had a dome shaped center body and several arms extending out. Smaller platforms based on a combination of Empire and salvaged Dominion technology snuggled between their larger brothers.
The Starbase itself, they keystone of the defenses, was a monumental structure. A dozen kilometers tall with the traditional mushroom shape common to most Imperial installations, its silver armor and streamlined weapons gave it the appearance of a silver spire waiting to reach out and cut anything that opposed it to ribbons. Picard had been offered the command of a similar base in the Poseidon system, but he'd rejected it. He had promised Robert no one would ever stick him behind a desk. Still, the sight of so much power would make any man a bit jealous.
"We have been cleared for docking," Sulek reported. "I am bringing us in."
"Very well, once we dock all off duty personnel are granted five hours shore leave, and tell Mr. Laforge he has until we're done here to work any problems out of the slipstream system."
…
Down in main engineering Lt. Geordie Laforge was busy chewing out several members of his staff.
"And what the HELL were you doing when I told you to increase the plasma flow? Sleeping? Do you have any idea how new and untested this engine is!"
"We did increase the flow sir," Jennifer Walters ventured.
"Yeah, AFTER I told ya three times! I don't need incompetents on my staff. If you can't operate this drive PERFECTLY by the time I'm finished with the plasma couplings, well, you don't wanna know."
As their boss stalked off, Jennifer turned to Mark Nerfen. "Well, he's defiantly been drinking too much coffee this morning."
"Yep," Mark replied. "Maybe we should start circulating that photo of him with his foot stuck in the plasma injector."
"Nah, maybe later. We don't want him too steamed when he's working on that engine. I prefer like my body non-crispy."
"Well then, I guess we'd better start working the kinks out of the plasma network," Mark said.
"Ok, I'll the coils themselves, you look over the computers," Jennifer suggested.
"Sounds fair, then maybe we can get some decent food on the Starbase after our shift's done."
"It's a date," Jennifer smiled before crawling into a Jeffries tube, purposefully getting caught for a few seconds to give Mark a nice look at her behind. She snickered as she closed the hatch.
…
Picard passed through the weapon scanner at the airlock, the barely visible blue field not giving any reaction, and the security officers let him through. The interior of the Athena Starbase was much the same as on a ship, with corridors honeycombing their way through the place, connecting to larger conference rooms and training simulators. The walls and ceilings were mostly grey and silver, with the symbol of the Empire, a golden Earth pierced by a sword, appearing regularly on doors and in patterns along the bare metal floors. Officers and base personnel passed by regularly as they carried out the thousand and one functions of running the Starbase.
He entered a turbo lift, the door hissing shut behind him. "Command lever," Picard said.
"Access to command deck requires level three clearance. Please state access code," the computer's female voice replied.
"Picard four seven Alpha Tango."
"Code accepted." The lift hummed as it went up nearly a hundred levels, slowly coasting to a stop and opening to reveal the command center, a massive chamber the size of a small theater. Consoles ringed the walls on two tiers, crewman and officers processing everything from incoming messages from the front to changes to the mess hall menus. Closer to the center of the chamber lay a smaller ring of primary stations arranged in a split circle around a large holographic display which was currently showing an overview of the Dominion front. Terran and Dominion icons clustered around seven systems on the border of Dominion space. Three Terran icons were crimson, indicating heavy damage. Commander Yolen was speaking with several of his tactical advisors when his gaze found Picard.
"Ah, Admiral Picard. I'm glad you made such good time," Yolen said in greeting.
"Thank you Base Commander. I heard that Admiral Hanson's diversion was successful," Picard replied.
"Yes. Let's step into my office." Yolen led Picard into a richly decorated room covered in bookshelves and star charts. A padd covered desk occupied the rear section of the room. Commander Yolen took a seat and a deep breath. "Admiral Hanson's diversion didn't go as well as we'd hoped."
"Oh? Picard queried. From what he knew, Admiral Hanson had lured a sizable number of Dominion ships into a trap where she had detonated several subspace weapons. The resultant detonations had been expected to completely destroy the Dominion ships.
"The subspace weapons destroyed most of the Dominion ships, but a second wave, likely from deep in Dominion space, attacked an hour later. The Admiral's fleet took heavy losses and was forced to retreat. She should be here inside twelve hours. That's why your fleet was called here Admiral. The Dominion seems to be gearing up for a full offensive. Three of our fortress systems nearly fell. Admiral Hanson managed to draw most of them into pursuing her, but another attack will likely overwhelm them. If the Dominion can break through our lines they could do a lot of damage before we could stop them."
"How many ships are following the Admiral?" Picard asked.
"We estimate eight thousand," Yolen replied. He suppressed a smirk as Picard's eyes briefly widened. "Now that may sound like a lot, but we're ready for them."
"But there are only just over fifteen hundred ships based here, plus another hundred and twenty if you count my fleet."
"The defenses of this installation are formidable Admiral Picard," Commander Yolen said. We can defeat this attack, but it will take skill and misdirection in addition to straight up force." He tapped a panel and a side door opened, admitting a man with grey hair and a white beard. "Admiral Picard, I would like you to meet Admiral James Hawksten, the commander of the garrison fleet.
"It is an honor to meet you Admiral Picard. Your reputation precedes you," Hawksten said in greeting, his voice giving off an English accent. "Let me assure you that I have planed for just this scenario. My fleet can turn the Dominion back, and with your assistance it will only be that much easier."
"What do you propose?" Picard asked.
"I'm glad you asked," Hawksten replied. He activated a small holo emitter built into Commander Yolen's desk, bringing up a diagram of the Athena system. "We expect the Dominion fleet to emerge here, around the sixth planet. That is the edge of our warp jammer field." A mass of Dominion icons sprang into existence, clustered in several large groups. "As the Dominion advances, they will take damage from our mines. My fleet will divide up into twenty divisions, each striking the Dominion fleet from maximum range. Hopefully they will split their own fleet to pursue us, thus negating their strength in numbers. Once the Dominion fleet is divided, we will draw then into range of the Starbase's defenses. The weapon platforms will target the center of the Dominion fleet while our ships engage from the rear as well as above and below. The Starbase itself will deal with any Dominion ships which break through."
"A sound plan," Picard admired. "But what if the Dominion simply ignores our ships and goes after the Starbase?"
"Then they will be ground down while our entire fleet engages them from the rear," Commander Yolen replied. "Let me make one thing very clear. The Dominion cannot be allowed to break through our lines. Our fleets in the Delta Quadrant are stretched already, and our home defense fleets have their hands full with defending our holdings in the Beta Quadrant. It is my own personal opinion that the Empire has advanced too far too quickly."
"That may be true Commander, but things are as they are," Admiral Hawksten replied. "All we can do now is make sure that our gains are defended and ensure the survival of our race. That is the principle upon which the Empire was founded; to ensure the survival of the human race, no matter the cost."
"I will return to my ship and prepare the fleet for combat," Picard said. "We will be ready to join you by the time Admiral Hanson's force arrives."
"And I will assemble the garrison fleet," Admiral Hawksten replied, his calm expression never wavering.
"Good luck to both of you," Commander Yolen replied. "Long live the Empire!"
"Long live the Empire," the two Admirals echoed, thumping their right fists over their hearts.
"Admiral Hawksten, please wait a moment," Yolen called as the two men turned to leave.
"Yes Commander?" Hawksten asked.
"I don't have to tell you what's at stake here. The Empire is perched on the edge of a precipice. The Dominion is the greatest enemy we've face since the Borg, and in ways they're worse. Despite our greatest precautions, shapeshifters continue to infiltrate our ranks. The enemy can breed legions of troops in a single day, and while their ships are one on one no match for ours, soon they may be able to bury us beneath them."
"They may surpass us in numbers Commander, but not in skill," Hawksten replied, his eyes confident and sure as always. "Each member of the fleet has trained for years or even decades to get where they are. Our technology is in many areas beyond the Dominion, and our warships are more than a match for theirs. If you can understand your enemy Commander, and turn his strengths against him, you cannot loose. I have won every battle I have ever fought precisely because I never let my enemy capitalize on my weaknesses. That is how I fight, and that is how I will win."
"Humanity has spread across the galaxy," Hawksten continued, "because of our drive to survive and explore. We have forged the greatest empire the galaxy has ever seen, and no one race can defeat our spirit, especially not the Dominion. Have faith in your men Commander, and they will rarely let you down."
"As always you know just the right thing to say Admiral. I have commanded men for over a century, and with the Briar Patch under our control our greatest need never grow old and die. Perhaps one day we can extend that gift to all of humanity."
"Perhaps Commander. If you will excuse me," Hawksten said, turning and leaving. As the door hissed shut behind him, Commander Yolen reached into the drawers of his desk and retrieved a transmitter. He placed it into the holoprojector and activated it. For several seconds there came an annoying buzzing sound, then the face of a Section 31 agent appeared. "Agent Bashir, preparations are being made. When the Dominion fleet arrives they'll find us ready and waiting."
"Good to know," the black haired operative replied. "I have four isolytc bursts ready if they become necessary."
"I hope we won't have to call on them," Yolen answered. "Have your ship stand by inside the planet. We'll signal if we need you."
"Or I'll simply be there," Bashir added as he closed the link.
"Agents, never know what to expect," Yolen said to himself before getting to his feet. He had a defense operation to plan.
…
Picard entered the bridge and was pleased to find the officers still at their posts and ready. He had trained his crew to be ready at all times, a measure which had saved the ship more than once during the Borg War. "Lt. Sulek, recall all personnel currently on shore leave and prepare to disengage docking clamps."
"Aye sir, is something up?" Sulek asked, using one of the many interesting expressions he had learned from humans.
"An eight thousand ship strong Dominion fleet will be here in five hours."
I see. Recalling all personnel now sir. Preparing to disengage docking clamps. Think we're in for a good fight sir?"
"More than that lieutenant, this battle may very well decide the fate of the Empire in this quadrant." As Picard sank back into his chair, he swore he could feel his brother next to him. "It won't be long now," Jean-Luc whispered to himself.
"Did you say something sir?" Sulek asked.
"Nothing of consequence," the Admiral replied. "Once we clear the starbase have all ships form up on us in an inverse wedge formation."
"Are sir. We will be ready to depart in three minutes."
"Very good Lt." As Picard watched the defenders of Fortress Athena, he knew he would soon face his greatest challenge since the Battle of the Unimatrix. He was ready; he would see the Dominion burn and the Terran Empire rise to dominate the entire galaxy, as was its destiny.
Next chapter coming soon.
