Chapter Eleven
Darkness spread across the city as Reman patrols continued their searches after the curfew was made decades ago. If any Romulan was found in the streets after the curfew, they would be shot on site, with no warning. Reman and Hybrid soldiers moved through he streets as above, vessels scanned the city for any sign of those breaking the curfew while the soldiers checked each door methodically. Hiding in an a long since abandoned facility, what remained of the most wanted in the Reman Unity, gathered around a small glowing lamp which provided no heat and barely enough light in the freezing winter.
"The guards have passed!" Called out a Romulan.
"We have one hour before the next security check, we must proceed now!" Called out a hooded figure.
"No! We are still few, our numbers are thinning too the security forces, Your plan was… flawed!" Cried out the first Romulan.
"My plan, are you call it… was agreed on by all. It was the only course of action"
"I understand, but now, I am questioning your leadership!"
Quickly standing, he hooded figure ran towards the Romulan as he grabbed a large serrated sword from his belt line and sliced through the air, a sickening crunch filled the large room as the Romulan fell in two onto the ground. Whipping the blade through the air, he smiled as he spoke.
"Does anybody else wish too challenge my judgement?"
Shaking their heads, the Romulans gathered around the small and useless lamp as the hooded figure sat back down in the space he once occupied.
Hours seemed too pass as they sat around the almost useless heat lamp while attempting too keep themselves warm, with rations almost gone, the hooded figure spoke first.
"The time is fast approaching, we must act soon!"
"Agreed. We have everything in place…"
A voice called out from a dark corner, stern and almost angry as a figure appeared before the gathered group. With weapons raised, the strangers stepped closer into the pale light as the Romulans looked on in shock at what they saw.
"What the hell?" Called out the hooded figure.
"Switched sides I see!" The stranger laughed. "So much the better. By order of the United Federation of Planets, Starfleet Command… and damn, every civilised world around. You! Are under arrest!" The Figure smiled.
"Lieutenant Steele!" The hooded figure laughed.
"Close, but not quiet"
From behind Steele, footsteps where heard, dropping quickly too his knees, he twisted and punched out with as much force as he could while a gasp for breath could be heard. Slowly standing, Steele smiled as his small team aimed their weapons at the gathered group before them.
"Now, I will say again… I wouldn't recommend touching those weapons!" He smiled. "The Romulans are free too go, you… are under arrest!" Steele laughed.
"And what, miss all of the fun?" The hooded figure laughed.
Instantly, the hooded figure grabbed it's blade as it whipped through the air, leaning backwards slightly, the blade sliced through his chin before he could move any further. With the Romulans under guard, Steele moved from left too right as he avoided the blade, quickly raising his phaser, the hooded figure sliced through the air, cutting across the emitter. Now useless, he used the damaged weapon to block the strikes and he jumped and rolled around the floor in an attempt to avoid the deadly sharp blade before him.
Once again, Steele rolled as he picked up a piece of metallic piping and swung it before him in a figure of eight as a defensive stance.
"Do we really have to do this?" Steele laughed.
"Ohh, very much so!" The hooded figure laughed, taunting him with every slice through the air.
"Alright, ohh… did I forget too tell you…"
Using the pipe as a sword, he blocked each strike while he almost mocked his opponent by calling out each move the hooded figure made.
"Ohh, keep up you're left arm!…" Steele laughed.
"Tell me what?"
Quickly pushing away the sharp metal blade with his pipe, Steele laughed slightly as he spun around on his heels kicked the hooded figure in his jaw, sending him crashing too the floor. Standing over him, Steele removed his hood as he spoke too the figure before him.
"I trained for years… Jean-Luc!"
Reaching down, he picked up the clone of his former captain and smiled as he punched hard on his jaw. Feeling the body go limp in his hands, he smiled as he continued.
"I always wanted too try my luck against you… now I know!"
"What about me?" A voice called out from behind him.
Memories flowed back too Steele as he turned slowly and came face to face with the man who had tortured him for what seemed like days. Holding a rifle, aimed at the Commander's head, the Reman Hybrid laughed like a mad man as he spoke.
"I knew you would return one day… after all, it was written in the Stars!" He laughed.
"Da'Kar!" Steele smiled. "Want too face me? Put down that rifle… face me!"
Quickly walking too his side, a young female officer grabbed his left arm and spoke harshly.
"Sir, we have the clone… let it go!"
"Not a chance!" He said as he shook her hand free. "You have no idea what that… thing did to me!"
"Sir, Jack… we should really go now!"
"Hold your ground Alison… this ugly bastard is mine!"
Throwing the metallic pipe away, he picked up the sword once held by the clone of his former captain as he slowly waked towards the large Hybrid before him. Quickly, Alison stepped between them before Steele hit her hard on her shoulder, sending her crashing too the ground.
"Riker…" She said as she hit her commbadge. "We have a problem!"
Laughing, Da'Kar ran up a large ramp leading into a dark room, disappearing into the shadows as Steele entered the room. Laughter filled the room as Steele's eyes attempted too adjust to the darkness while a voice filled the room.
"We Remans, are used too the darkness… very foolish of you too follow me"
Slices seemed too come from left and right from the sharp blade the Hybrid was carrying. Slashing through his uniform and into flesh slightly as Steele lashed out into the darkness.
"Face me!" Steele demanded.
"Ohh, I knew it would come too this… just you and me"
Pain echoed around Steele's left cheek as a blade ripped through him once more, almost teasing him slightly, much too the enjoyment of Da'Kar. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Steele smiled slightly as he spoke.
"One thing you don't know…"
"Ohh, do tell me" Da'Kar mocked.
"After leaving the academy, I was assigned too a ship. I quickly fell in love with the Chief of Security… but she was married, too the First Officer"
"How touching!" He mocked once more as he sliced at his right leg.
Fighting the pain, Steele remained still as he continued.
"I quickly signed up for her class… She taught me everything I know about personal defence… even the sword"
"Amazing"
Once more, a blade sliced through his chest while Steele remained perfectly still.
"One trick she taught me… was something fun… you're eyes can trick you…. Don't trust them and…"
Quickly whipping his heavy blade through the air, a crunch was heard, followed by the sound of metal hitting the floor and a scream in pain. Smiling darkly, Steele opened his eyes as he continued once more.
"… Did I mention I was blindfolded? You breath too heavy… It gives you away!"
Once again, security forces had gathered around the ramp as Steele walked down with blood dripping from many slices on his skin. Smiling slightly, he looked at Alison as he nodded and spoke first.
"Da'Kar… IT is in there… you might want too leave him where the local security forces can find him"
"Commander?"
Slowly walking towards her, he collapse in her arms as they both fell to the floor.
"It's over Ally… Let's get off this damned world"
"He killed my parents, thank you" She smiled. "Are you okay?"
"No!" He laughed. "I think… I think I'll never be fine"
"Ohh, stop playing the wounded soldier" She laughed.
"What? Looking up at a beautiful woman, cut too hell and almost dying while I confess my undying love doesn't score me some points?"
"What?" Alison blushed.
"IT works in the old movies!" He laughed.
"You Bastard, I thought you where really…"
"On my last breath? Not chance!" Steele laughed.
Staggering too his feet, Steele laughed as Alison helped him stand while the security officers dragged Da'Kar out by his arms as the green blood flowed from the large open wound where his hand once was. Tapping his commbadge with a slight smile, he wiped the blood from his jaw and cheek as he spoke.
"Steele to Riker, we're ready too beam back. We have the clone and Da'Kar"
"Understood, any problems?"
"No sir… just have a medical team standing by… we have injured"
"Understood. Riker out!"
Disappearing into a haze transporter energy, the large away team onboard a ship of Reman design, Nodded slightly towards Captain Riker, Steele limped out of the transporter room as the medical staff from both the Federation Starship and the captured Reman ship, now under Romulan control entered the transporter room. Quickly running towards the injured Hybrid, the Half-Romulan doctor from the Enterprise examined his wound quickly before she spoke.
"He's lost a lot of blood, I have too get him into the medical bay as soon as possible" T'Lana said with a smile.
"Do what you can, I want that… thing alive!" Riker demanded.
Slowly walking towards the still unconscious Picard clone, Riker smiled as he looked down upon the face of his former Commanding officer.
"Get this… clone to the brig" He growled to a security officer.
"Right away commander"
"Alison, what happened down there? You said you may have a problem"
"For a moment, I thought there might be. Steele went toe too toe with Da'Kar… In the darkness" She smiled with pride.
"He's lucky too be alive, the Remans live in the darkness" Riker smiled.
"I noticed. Somehow, he disarmed"
"Aye sir!"
"Captain Riker, this is Sk'lar. Several Reman ships are about too converge on our location, I'm getting us out of here… I've contacted the Enterprise, they're standing by at the rendezvous point"
"Understood, I'll be up shortly. Riker out… she sounds more human by the day, doesn't she?"
"Hadn't noticed!" Alison winked. "I'd better find Steele, keep an eye on him…"
Under cloak, the captured Reman vessel leapt into high warp while quickly pursued by three Reman medium cruisers. Although the stolen ship was a heavy cruiser and out gunned the vessels three too one, taking on three Reman ships with limited crew and weapons would not end well for the captured enemy vessel. Screaming through warp space as fast as they could move, Riker entered the bridge of the vessel as Sk'lar sat in the command chair comfortably as with a slight hint of mischief in her voice, she spoke.
"Glad you could make it, you're late!"
"Yeah, traffic was a bitch!" Riker laughed.
Confused by the Captain's statement, she looked up at him as she raised an eyebrow slightly in an echo of the Vulcan way.
"Forget it!" Riker sighed. "What've we got?"
"Umm… three Medium cruisers, nothing to worry about really. We should be within range of your ship soonest"
"Understood" Riker nodded.
"I want too congratulate you and your team Captain, capturing the most wanted men in the galaxy and on the first Romulan - Starfleet venture"
"Thank you!" Riker said as he leaned against a railing next too her. "Starfleet has no idea we are out here, remember?"
"Of course I do. Once you return the clone too Earth for trail, Starfleet will approve of this mission. They will have little choice!"
"Perhaps… however, I think the credit for this should fall upon you and your crew. After capturing Da'Kar and the clone, you contacted the Enterprise for support. That is the way it shall read in my log entries"
"You honour us Captain. Thank you. May I say I am pleased that you are well once more, your new appearance has caused quiet a stir amongst my female crew" She smiled slightly.
"I noticed" He smiled proudly.
"Sk'lar… ETA Enterprise… one minute, however… I have nothing on sensors"
A look of dread ran over her Romulan features as the captured Reman ship dropped out of warp, spinning quickly to face the enemy vessels, their shields raised in an instant as their weapons activated.
With the three enemy ships dropping out of warp before the captured and much larger vessel, the enemy weapons fired into her shields with deadly accuracy. Responding in kind, Sk'lar ordered her weapons officer too fire on the lead ship as streams of energy and bolts of torpedo fire screamed back and forwards between the four combatants.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Starfleet phaser fire slammed into the enemy shields as the tiny scout class Enterprise decloaked above the enemy fleet and activated the rotary phaser cannon carving a trough through the lead ship's shields before slicing the ship in half with its aft cannon as they passed over the lead ship. Splitting up instantly, one of the Reman vessels locked weapons on the Enterprise as on the screen before Sk'lar and Riker, the smiling face of Admiral Sisko appeared.
"Nice timing Ben!" Riker laughed.
"Thank you, we thought it look better if they didn't know we where coming"
"Impressive ship Captain Riker!" Sk'lar smiled.
Avoiding the weapons fire from the Reman ship, the Nova Class Enterprise swiftly moved in evasive patterns before they slipped in behind the second ship and let loose with a deadly barrage of weapons fire. Destroying it instantly, both the Enterprise and the captured cruiser turned their weapons on the remaining ship as it attempted too escape the vicious attack. Slamming into its weakening shields, the vessel's shields finally collapsed before its hull buckled and the vessel exploded in a shower of debris in all directions.
Finally pulling along side the tiny Enterprise, Riker, his away team and the two prisoners where transported onboard the Federation Starship. Separated into different areas of the ship, it was finally time too interrogate the prisoners. With much now at stake for the disgraced crew of the Enterprise, the delicate matter had to be rushed forward in order to gain as much information as possible from the two most wanted men in the galaxy.
Sitting alone in a darkened isolated room, the Clone of Captain Picard was the first too be interrogated. With his connection to two of the officers onboard, Captain William Riker and Lieutenant Alison Crusher, it was agreed that the matter of the interrogation would fall upon the first officer.
Cradling a large bruise, the clone leaned back in his chair slightly as the only door in the room opened while a figure stood in the doorway, smiling slightly.
"Lieutenant Steele, I underestimated you. Something I will not do again"
"You'll get your chance… what do I call you? Clone, Picard Clone… what?" Steele said as he sat facing him.
"My… friends call me Shinzon" He smiled darkly.
"Ahh yes, Reman for… 'Deception' very… original"
"Not quiet… but close. Ohh, now I see, the rank pips on your uniform. Congratulations Commander… or is it First Officer Steele?"
"Which ever you feel will get you what you want"
"How about I call you… Jackson, that is your name… or 'Little Thief!' I am not familiar with the exact translation into Greek, but that was your name growing up… wasn't it?"
"Something like that. Now, shall we begin?"
"Ohh yes, is this the part where you attempt too gain my secrets? Tell me, who is your Captain… Riker? Worf?"
"Do you know the names and location of the remaining Reman agents within the Federation?"
"Tell me Commander, how is Doctor Crusher?" He leaned back and laughed.
"What is the location of the Reman facility known as Anchorage?" Steele smiled darkly.
"I know all of your tricks… Little Thief…"
Laughing outloud, Shinzon leaned back in his chair with a look of pride on his face as he spoke.
"You have no idea what you have done, the Remans have accounted for my… capture. You thought you had taken us all down, but one more is still out there. Consider the Hydra… from ancient Greek Mythology, you sever one head and two grow in it's place"
"Consider this… sever the head and burn the wound, cauterising it… sealing the wound, what remains is a wounded animal"
"An animal is at its most dangerous when wounded… Little Thief!"
"While we're speaking on Mythology… consider the ancient tale of Sisyphus, King of ancient Corinth: in Greek mythology, a cruel king who was condemned in hell for all eternity to roll a boulder up a hill only to have it roll down again just before it reached the top"
"I see you know of Mythology…" Shinzon smiled.
"I know more then you think. Now. Teach me more… the location of the Reman Anchorage… the Reman Agents inside the Federation!"
"Go push a boulder!" He laughed, mocking Steele.
The sound of the door sliding open caught their attention as Lieutenant Crusher entered the room with flames in her eyes. Before anyone could react, she punched Shinzon in his jaw hard before picking him up and slamming his head on the chair in which he once sat over and over as blood exploded from his nose and mouth. Jumping to his feet, Steele pushed her away as the Clone lay dazed and confused on the floor.
"Get outta here Lieutenant!" Steele said forcibly.
"That Bastard killed…"
"I know. He'll pay for that. GET OUT!" Steele demanded.
Kicking the clone hard in his ribs, Alison turned and left the room as Steele threw him back onto the chair facing him as the clone looked up with a smile on his face.
"She's grown… and very attractive. Though I must ask… why is she in a gold uniform?"
"You've just met the new Chief of Security… and she's pissed at you"
"And Worf?"
"Transferred… Excuse me"
Quickly standing, Steele left the room. As the door closed behind him and a forcefeild sealed the door, he stopped as he saw the Lieutenant standing against a wall, shaking with rage.
"Nice work…" Steele smiled.
"Lucky I didn't kill that… thing!"
"For a moment, I thought you would" He smiled slightly.
"What now?" She growled with rage.
"On too the next!" He laughed as he placed his arm around her shoulder.