DISCLAIMER: Warhammer 40,000 and Star Trek are the property of their respective owners, Games Workshop and Paramount. No infringement intended and no profit is made from this story. I only write it because I enjoy doing so.
And so we come to Chapter Three of The Proof of Zeal! Much foreshadowing, awesome explosions, and the feelings of a Commissar are revealed! At least, partially in the case of the last. I was very busy the week before I left, so I wasn't able to finish this chapter, though at present the chapter itself is just under 4000 words, pleasing me to no end! Yay for keeping goals!
Anyways, it's quite possible (re: likely) that future chapters might be more intermittent, as I've just gotten my first job, got a bit sick from being out of town, am twisted around inside over a good friend, and got new books!
I also have two ideas for some Mass Effect/40K crossovers; one a more serious tone, wherein a lone Astartes joins Shephard, the other more grimdark-comedic, as not only is a Space Marine included, but also a Dark Eldar love interest (for who?) and a Traitor Astartes! Lulz for the Lulz God?
And without further blathering about and ado, the chapter:
CHAPTER THREE
"So, Bashir, what have you got for me?" Sisko asked the young Starfleet doctor.
"Sisko, I don't know much about the dietary requirements of these people. But, given that the 'servitors' they use are apparently not considered crew, and Baryk asked for food for his crew, I was able to determine that the amount of supplies he's asking for would feed two thousand people for twenty years."
"You're certain?"
"As much as I can be, considering we know so little about these people."
Sisko looked out the window, staring off into the distance, towards the small outline of the Zelus Probatii. The ship dwarfed Deep Space 9, and would certainly have the firepower to destroy it if the captain so chose. What concerned Sisko more, however, was the untraceable nature of its stardrive system, the requests made by its captain, and, most importantly, the very human basis of the vessel.
He had to find out just what Baryk intended to do with the enormous amount of food he had asked for.
/
The Zelus Probatii hung silently in the void, watching the delicate ballet of ships docking and departing with and from DS9. The bearing of the great ship was as a very important, very dignified individual, deferring to remain aloof from the menial tasks and doings of everyday people. The image was actually quite accurate; Baryk would usually have considered such dealings as he was now engaged in as far beneath both himself and his ship.
But these were strange times. Several messages had been received from the numerous embassies aboard the defense platform; every single one was turned down or otherwise ignored. In contrast, a xeno named "Quark" had been most useful, insofar as he intimated that he had quite a bit of useful information- information that Baryk desperately needed. So he was preparing to call Sisko to admit a shuttle containing several men from D-99.
He assured Sisko that the Elysians would not cause problems. To Baryk, the only "problems" would be if the Elysians were captured or killed.
And D-99 was far too professional for that.
/
"Captain Sisko to the bridge." his commbadge said, beeping.
"Sisko here, on my way. What's the problem this time Kira?"
"The 'Imperials' wish to send several people to DS9." she replied. Sisko was momentarily puzzled.
"Why?"
"Apparently they have business here."
"Quark." Sisko groaned. The greedy Ferengi just wouldn't give up.
"Probably." Kira agreed. "What should I tell Baryk in the mean time?"
"Tell him that he can send his people if it makes him happy. We can't close them out of the station without losing face. Hopefully Baryk doesn't know that."
"If he doesn't know that, then we don't need to tell anyone that he's asked to send people to the station."
"And what about Quark? He won't give up, not without a fight."
"Alright, I'll tell Baryk. But I don't like it."
"Have Odo check them in, then."
/
"So, Captain, what is our task again?" Major Durra asked.
"You are to meet with this xeno, Quark. From there, you will bargain with him for the following items-" Baryk listed off several things that Durra would need to get, "and afterward you are to return to the Zelus."
"Alright. I don't like the idea of dealing with a xeno, but if it gets us moving around, well, who can question His Will?"
"That's the spirit, Major. Here's several thousand Thrones. That should cover your expenses."
"Thanks, Baryk." Durra turned towards his command squad. "Let's go, gravdivers."
The five of them boarded an Arvus lighter, which, after a few moments, left the starboard-side hangar of the Zelus Probatii.
/
"Deep Space 9 flight control, this is Hog Alpha-Secundus 14, requesting docking permission."
"Copy that, Hog Alpha-Secundus 14. Set your autopilot to the following coordinates."
"Uh, come again, DS9 flight control?"
"Your autopilot. Set it to the coordinates we transmitted."
"Arvus lighters do not carry autopilots."
There was a moment of silence, as the Arvus pilot sat in his cockpit, slightly annoyed, and DS9's flight controller, in this case Dax, was mortified at the fact that she'd forgotten the cardinal rule of the Imperials: they are different. From their point of view, it was probably perfectly natural to not incorporate such systems as an autopilot for such a small craft as this "Arvus lighter".
"Can you fly by vector?" Dax tentatively asked.
"Don't insult me." For a moment Dax thought that the Imperials flew by sight, an extremely silly notion from her view. "Every Imperial Navy pilot has to be able to fly-by-vector. Just give me the vector sequence, and I'll be able to get this little pig in."
"Copy that, Hog Alpha-Secundus 14. Here's the vector sequence." Dax transmitted the sequence, hoping that it either wasn't too different from the Imperial system, or that the helmsman of the Zelus had already shared out the vector system used by Starfleet among the Imperial pilots.
In any case, her fears were unfounded as the Arvus sedately moved into its designated hangar. Odo would be there, waiting for the Imperial delegation. Dax hoped that the Odo wouldn't have any trouble with the Imperials.
/
"Well, so these are the Imperials everyone's been talking about." Odo said, looking over the five men who stepped out of the "Arvus lighter". Very strangely, they were all armed with a rifle of some sort.
"I'm afraid you'll have to leave your weapons here." Odo mentioned, casually, as he turned around to get a tricorder. When he looked back, all five men were pointing their weapons at him.
"I'm afraid that you'll have to take them from our cold, dead bodies." one of them said, presumably the leader. Odo was quite surprised, did they not realize that this was a Federation station, and that the rules were quite clear about such things as this?
"And why, might that be?" he forced himself to say.
"Because we have business, and this is as good as enemy territory to me. Stay out of the way, and I won't blow your head off." the leader said, just as casually as Odo had said that they were required to leave their weapons behind.
"Perhaps we could come to a compromise?" Odo said, now hoping that he could dissuade these Imperials from bringing weapons onto the station. The leader appeared to think for a moment, and then looked at him.
"I think we can work something out then."
/
Durra was walking along the "Promenade" of DS9, with his command squad in tow. Xhyst, Thanstadt, Syckava, and Gerek were all with him. Each of them carried a concealed laspistol, under the long coats that they'd been issued from the Zelus's armories. In addition, they each carried a frag grenade, a bayonet, and a set of breather gear if they needed to do a vac run. He looked up; the sign was similar to what Baryk had described. He walked into the bar, looking around.
"Ah, you must be Major Durra. Mr. Laszlo said you'd be along shortly. I am Quark, and I have just what you need. Refreshments, gentlemen?" a short xeno with a malformed head and overlarge ears said.
"Business is the reason we're here, xeno. Just give us the goods and we'll be out of here soon enough." Durra replied.
"Fine then. What is it you want?" Quark asked. Durra handed him the list.
"Well, I think we can arrange something. But it won't come cheap. One thousand bars of gold-pressed latinum. No lower."
Durra was confused. Gold-pressed latinum? What in the name of the Emperor were those? All he had were Thrones. He informed the xeno of his quandary.
"Hmm. We'll need to establish a medium of exchange, then. Just how much is one of these Thrones worth?"
"A Throne. That's how much."
"It's worth an entire throne? Well, that's an odd currency."
"No you idiot alien, a Throne Gelt is worth a Throne Gelt! How am I supposed to know how much gold or silver or adamantium it's worth?" Durra yelled.
"Touchy, touchy. Well, perhaps we can barter. I've heard you've got very, interesting, weapons technology. We might be-" Quark didn't get to finish as Durra cut him off.
"No. Imperial technology is to remain firmly in Imperial hands. I will not allow your abominable race to pass around the holy weapons of the Imperium as if they were trinkets and toys. You will give us the maps for three thousand Throne Gelts, or we will take the maps for nothing."
Durra backed up his implied threat by staring down at Quark; Durra and his group were already among the tallest people on the station, and standing right in front of Quark and staring down at him was even more intimidating than it might otherwise have been.
"Alright, alright, three thousand Throne Gelts, whatever those are. Come, I'll get you your maps." Quark quickly said, afraid of being injured, and the remote possibility of death that Durra exuded.
/
Durra looked at the case he was holding between his legs, as he and his command squad sat in the Arvus that brought them to Deep Space 9. It purportedly held starmaps of the local regions, and a great portion of this "Alpha Quadrant" that they appeared to be in.
Baryk would be pleased. And Durra would hopefully be able to get some sleep.
/
Baryk and Kahl were poring over the maps with the ship's Navigator, as they charted their position, especially relative to the position of Terra. The problem they were encountering, however, was a notable and disturbing lack of astrographic landmarks that they recognized; most prominently, the entire Eye of Terror was missing.
Gone. Like the Emperor had arisen, looked at the Eye, and simply said, "Away with you", wherein it vanished from existence.
But it was not the only object to be missing; the Maelstrom and the Storm of the Emperor's Wrath were gone, the turbulent shadows where the Hivefleets drew forth were gone, even the Astronomican no longer shone from Holy Terra.
And it was as they were doing so that the alarm klaxons sounded off.
/
"Status report!" Sisko yelled, as Deep Space 9 shook with yet another volley of weapons fire.
"We have a Dominion fleet that just came in from the wormhole, they're assaulting the station and all ships in the vicinity! We can't hold out much longer against this assault!" Dax shouted.
"We must hold to the last!" Worf barked, as he concentrated on the weapons systems of the station.
It was then that a cluster of Dominion attack ships ceased to exist.
/
"Mabon!" Baryk shouted into the inter-ship vox.
"Aye, captain!"
"FIRE AT WILL!" Baryk veritably screamed into the vox.
Mabon did not answer; the ship did that for him, as the portside armament of the Zelus Probatii unleashed fury greater than any known to the local area. Twenty ships were rendered to expanding clouds of plasma, and forty more crippled, listing around.
"Helm! Bring us into the thick of it! I want every to be able to fire till the barrels run molten!"
"Aye, heading into the thick of it!" Kahl responded, grinning slightly.
Those few xenos enemies which failed to move out of the way in time were smashed apart upon the prow of the Zelus Probatii, leaving blackened stains.
/
"Such prowess," Worf breathed, in awe at the destruction the Zelus Probatii was wreaking on the Dominion fleet. Hundreds of attack ships had been outright vapourized, while several Jem'Hadar battlecruisers had been smashed apart by the fearsome firepower that the Zelus wielded. And still the titanic warship continued its way through the Jem'Hadar formations. Such a maneuver would have been suicide for all but the most heavily protected ships in Starfleet.
While phased polaron beams spattered impotently against the sensor-distorting field surrounding the immense warship, a halo of explosions far off from it, and an unusual lack of photon torpedoes impacting the shields suggested that the Zelus was actually shooting down enemy torpedoes- a feat unheard of! Even so, it appeared as if the ship might end up overwhelmed; the sheer number of enemy ships mean that some would eventually get through.
At least, that was what the crew of Deep Space 9 thought.
/
"Inform Angel, Screamer, Destructor, Annihilator, and Eureka squadrons that they are to deploy immediately." Baryk calmly said to Laszlo, who dutifully relayed the orders. The broadside hangar bays, located along the extended fins of the Zelus Probatii, opened, and allowed ten Fury interceptors, ten Starhawk bombers, and two Fautus-class interceptors to egress the two kilometer-long, multi-megatonne bulk of the Zelus.
The twenty-two small attack craft that supported the Zelus in its voyages dove into the immense fleet arrayed against them. The superior acceleration of the fighters and training of the crews allowed them to absolutely dominate enemy forces. This was further augmented by the greater coverage given by some of the attack crafts' weaponry; each Starhawk was dotted with small defensive turrets, and the Faustus scouts were equipped with a potent tail turret and highly destructive prow gunnery.
It appeared that the squadrons were likely to have impressive kill ratios. And yet, the sheer size of the enemy fleet worked against them still.
/
It had been an entire hour since the Dominion fleet had entered the Bajor system through the wormhole, and still the Zelus Probatii and its complement dueled the enemy fleet. However, it looked as if the Imperial frigate was finally beginning to wear down; at the very least, sorties by its complementary craft were growing more and more infrequent, as apparent damage or crew fatigue set in. And then the potent Jem'Hadar battlecruisers grouped together, and attempted to ram the Zelus Probatii.
/
"Helm, heading zero-ninety-twelve, all ahead full!" Baryk said, as the xeno ships drew close in an attempted ramming assault.
"Aye, heading zero-ninety-twelve, all ahead full!" Kahl called out in response, and a slight shift was felt as the ship began to move, ponderously at first, but with increasing rapidity. The Zelus Probatii managed to get out of the way of two of the three would-be rammers completely; the third passed not twenty meters from the plasma drives, and exploded quite spectacularly as the immense power of the drives took its toll on the moderately sized warship.
"Helm, keep heading, all ahead full for one thousand kilometers, then full stop and come to new heading one hundred eighty-two hundred seventy-three hundred forty-eight, all stop. Inform Chief Enginseer Osric to have a salvo of vortex torpedoes loaded." Reinholdt calmly said, much to the rest of the bridge crew's puzzlement.
"You are, of course, aware of the uses of vortext torpedoes, Commissar?" Baryk asked, hoping that it wouldn't get him the status of Reinholdt's new bolt magnet.
"I have a rudimentary understanding of their usage, yes. However, such understanding also indicates that it should be possible to proximity detonate the warheads, in order to consume a large volume of enemy vessels, correct?" she replied, still staring straight ahead at the hololith representation of the battle.
"In...rare...cases. By the Emperor, and I thought that that chow job was a spark of brilliance. You seem never to cease to amaze, Commissar."
"I but live to slay His enemies, Shipmaster."
"As do we all, Commissar. But it is unusual to find someone so adept at finding unusual ways to do so."
Reinholdt waved him off, though Baryk thought he could see the ghost of a smile on her face. By the Throne, he was going to try to ask her about her background and how she came to be such an out-of-the-box thinker- especially for a Commissar.
/
Minutes later, the Zelus Probatii executed a turn, bringing its prow, and more specifically the prow-mounted torpedo tubes, to bear on the slowly approaching Dominion fleet. Four torpedoes streaked out of the tubes, homing in on the designated areas of space that each one had been assigned. Within seconds, the torpedoes had covered the distance, and detonated.
Reality itself was torn asunder, as massive temporary tears in the fabric of the materium were formed, and the hellish destruction boiled over into realspace. The effect was suitably spectacular; etheric lightning lashed around, massive eye-hurtingly colored distortions coalesced, consuming ships. As the immaterial destroyed the material, the bridge crew of the Imperial frigate watched impassively, unmoved by the sight of such destruction and death.
They had seen it all before, tenfold, a hundredfold, even a thousandfold more devastating.
But the crew of Deep Space 9 had not; they were in awe at the sheer scale of death that was being wrought before their very eyes. And they could not help but find newfound respect, and even fear, for the Imperials. Such beings as wielded weapons which tore apart the fabric of reality were to be respected greatly.
Only minutes later did they find out just what Baryk had sent his people for aboard the station. Something which caused Sisko no end of frustration.
/
Literally hundreds of Jem'Hadar attack ships and dozens of battlecruisers had been destroyed in the reality-tearing conflagration of the vortex torpedoes. What little of the fleet was left immediately fled; the Federation crews were able to identify the trajectory as aligned with Cardassia Prime- a stinging betrayal, in their eyes. To the crew of the Zelus Probatii, it underscored a truth, a constant of their lives- the cowardice of the xeno.
Baryk was standing at attention on the bridge of the Imperial frigate, as it took station around the defense platform once more. As he looked over the platform, he considered it quite humorous that the locals considered it a full-fledged space station- an Imperial port of comparable intent was many times larger, capable of docking an escort squadron and usually a pair of cruisers as well; the largest dockyards used by the sector fleets were immense, planet-wreathing constructs, awe-inspiring and uplifting.
This Deep Space 9 simply filled him with contempt. Imperial scholars would no doubt consider it to be an interesting contrast, though Baryk cared not for most of their prattle. He was more concerned with other, more important tasks- like the acquisition of edible supplies and reserves.
"Captain, the station has called for you." Laszlo said from the vox-booth.
"Ah, excellent." he commented, as he walked towards the booth. Baryk took the headset in his hands and donned it, looking at the screen.
"Yes, Captain Sisko?"
"I do not appreciate having spies sent aboard my station." Sisko began, before Baryk interrupted him.
"I did not send spies. I sent Imperial Guardsmen to retrieve items which I deemed necessary to the continued operation of one of His Most Glorious Navy's frigates, as befits a captain of the same. Now, concerning the fact that we have, quite obviously, aided your puny little government quite substantially-"
"What?" Sisko interjected. Baryk looked at him, eyebrow raised.
"What would you call the xeno assault on the station, which is located in a quite strategically significant locale? It does not take a tactical genius to see that. With the repulsion of the attack by the Zelus Probatii, I expect my thirty thousand tonnes of edibles to come quicker. Supplies will be delivered to your defense platform, from which they will be shuttled to the Zelus via Arvus flights.
"I assume that this will not be a problem, yes?" Baryk finished.
Sisko looked at him, somewhat dejected.
"I'll try to work something out, but I'm not making any guarantees about this. I still have to consult with Starfleet Command about the diplomatic situation we have here."
"What diplomatic situation?" Baryk asked, looking slightly puzzled at the idea.
"The situation between the Federation and your Imperium, of course. We still have no idea what you wish-" Sisko was cut off as Baryk glared at him.
"The Imperium's goal is to ensure the total dominance of mankind in the galaxy, to protect Man from the devious machinations of the xeno and mutant, the traitor and rogue psyker. While the enemies of the Emperor still draw breath, there can be no peace among the stars.
"And I see an enemy of the Emperor in the filthy xenos of the Dominion."
Baryk cut the communication, and returned to center of the bridge, to stare down into the hololith tank.
/
Sisko was in his office, holding his head in his hands. He had a building migraine, and was dog tired. Thirty thousand tonnes of food and edibles was turning out to be far more difficult to procure than he had imagined- something he suspected had to do with the situation regarding the Zelus Probatii. Starfleet Intelligence was going over every piece of data and information that had been so far gathered on the ship and its crew.
Not much was turning up; too little contact had been had with the Imperials to determine much. Worse, he was getting hourly messages from the Zelus that time was "running out" for getting the food to them. Baryk was becoming increasingly impatient, and increasingly angry. Especially due to the interest that the Imperial warship was generating; Ferengi traders, Klingon observers and diplomats, various delegations from Federation members, all had come to see, and hopefully bargain and trade with, the Imperials.
So far, none had been successful. Even the entirely-human Federation team had been refused, being insulted heavily in an indecipherable language; what was barely understood was very, very unpleasant. Apparently, the Imperials had a fondness for cursing, and a very heavily steeped belief in the supernatural. Sisko himself would probably have been somewhat more understanding in the past, but having had to deal with the issues of Bajoran religious tendencies, he felt something that was probably dangerously close to contempt for the Imperials and their religion.
All the same, there was something niggling at the back of his mind. Something about Baryk's reaction to going through the wormhole, about "demons", or some such nonsense. All of a sudden, the thought resolved itself, crystal clear.
What if the Imperials were right?
/
Reinholdt's quarters were fairly spartan. They saw little use, except as a place where she could sleep, and occasionally be alone when she felt the need. Such times were very rare, but aboard a cramped Navy ship, they were highly prized by most officers. Reinholdt cared little for it, but still, it was a comfort that she was rather loathe to dispense with.
Which was why she was currently kneeling in front of her private shrine to the Emperor. She questioned the wisdom of her advice, decisions, and thoughts in recent days. Ever since they'd run across that blasted fighter, things had changed, and, in her opinion, not for the better. Even worse, she wasn't sure of her consideration of the Zelus Probatii's captain. In former times, she'd have executed him without question should he have shirked his duty. But now...she didn't know.
For the first time in her life, Maya Reinholdt was uncertain.
/
Durra was busy cleaning his lasgun, overseeing the sergeants put the men through their athletics drills. Some were busy grilling their squads on marksmanship or close combat training. Others worked on coordinated urban assault exercises, practicing the art of storming and taking buildings. It was a time he could be proud of; seeing fine men work together to sharpen each other, so that they might execute the fine task of dealing death to the enemies of the Emperor and Imperium.
And from what he'd heard from Baryk, there was a new enemy of the Imperium that was to be fought. A foul foe, whose very nature allowed them to mimic the divine human form, desecrating it and blaspheming Him on Earth with their very existence.
As he looked over his company, he felt a familiar sense of pride that his unit, his men, were to be the ones who brought the redemption of such abombinations.
Death.
/
The Dominion War has broken out, their invasion fleet nearly wiped out! Baryk's food is coming, but will it come soon enough? What is Maya Reinholdt uncertain of? When will D-99 see action? ARE THE IMPERIALS RIGHT?
I think the last one is already answered (hint: THEY ARE!), but the others will remain unknown until Chapter Four of The Proof of Zeal!
Expect at least two updates this month.