/-/-/-/
/- Around the Same Time
His foot jammed on the side of the ramp as he bolted up it. Cursing under his breath, his hands gripped the side railing, shifting his weight, he pulled himself off the ground and twisted into the cockpit. The hatch closed, but he wasted no time watching it, instead he was hurriedly checking every essential system and powering the fighter up. It took only a minute, but the entire time he was bouncing impatiently in his seat and desperately trying to ignore the starting of pain in his right shin.
The cockpit glowed lightly, a gently humming comforting his nerves. He took a breath, closing his eyes to calm his mind and hands. After a silent prayer, his eyes snapped opened and his hands took the controls. The mechanism turned his fighter so that it faced out of the ship; the mechanism released and he soared away from the haul and into the darkness of space.
With a look to his left, then right, he noted that several others were already on his wings. Taking one hand off the controls, he adjusted the earpiece and linked himself into their fighters. One simple order drew him to the front and three others created a diamond around him. Looking to his right, he knew he would see two other diamonds and, if he looked to his left, there would be three more.
"Gamma leader, you've got the left. Beta leader, take the right. Alpha squad, follow me in." His voice came out low, adrenaline filled and dulled in a way that only experience could bring.
His hands pulled back on the controls, his left hand keying in a few quick sequences, his eyes darted between the panel and the view outside his screen. Debris came at him, and without any more than a startled tug, he twisted his fighter around to avoid it. "You okay back there, Mav?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Incoming!" he called into the earpiece, eyes widening as he watched the shower of photon torpedoes pass by them. The diamonds broke apart, twirling around before forming back up. "We're going in…" his voice trailed off as he led the diamond into a dive. As one, it bent, pulling up just as all four fighters starting to rain down a hail of phaser fire. Again, as a whole, the diamond turned, flying back over the haul of the ship and targeting the weapons platform. Eight direct hits finally took it out.
"Nice hit, Jake-man."
He just smirked, continuing to fly his diamond towards the back end of the Federation ship. Jake pulled up just as he released a single photon torpedo to the ship's warp core. The four twisted and bend away, forming back into a strict diamond as they rushed away. Jake turned his head to look out the back window, watching as the ship seemed to shudder. His eyes turned back to the view in front of him; moments later he felt the explosion. His controls jerked and his fighter was spun forward. Something pulled at the ship, pulling it into a tailspin. He worked the controls ferociously. Glancing up, he watched as his wingman collided into a piece of stray debris; the other two seemed to have regained control and were a safe distance away. He pulled back hard, then jammed the controls to the right. The debris hit anyway, knocking the fighter even harder to the right. A warning light flashed, but nothing was damaged too badly. He pulled back harder; after a minute he felt safely in control of the machine.
"Did Mav get out?"
"A transporter got him."
Jake nodded to himself, reforming the diamond into a triangle. A fire lit in his eyes, his nostrils flared and his sights locked onto another Federation ship in the distance.
The triangle followed him and a second diamond came just behind them. As one, they weaved through the debris of destroyed ships and darted between stray phaser fire. Jake started the wave of phaser fire, the red beams cutting through the nearest bit of haul, eventually making it to the first weapons platform.
"Break!" he called, and in pairs the others split off, targeting whatever threatening object they could find. Jake veered off by himself, twisting to break through the shields. Phasers locked onto him and he just barely avoided them. He targeted the weapons platform, but his aim was off. Again he maneuvered, twisting away. His fleeing led him to buzz the bridge. He couldn't help but smirk. Turning upside-down, he passed by them again. He looked up just in time to see the planet Dekari in the distance.
A phaser beam struck his fighter in the wing. His balance was knocked off. Again he pulled back, trying to regain control. A second blast caught him in the right.
"May day, Phoenix. I need a lift out of-"
/-/-
It was an odd angle. No, not odd- just different. He could see his face from where he was. It was red, not flushed red from heat and adrenaline- but flushed from the last ounce of life left in his body. His eyes were open- he never noticed until then that they were green.
Slowly Data managed to twist onto his back. It was another odd angle; another different look of his bridge. It was odd the way he just stood there, the way his body was stiff and yet leaning against the tactical console. The way he seemed so composed, so in charge of his body, even as his hand covered his stomach and red flowed over his hand. It was like watching a pole snap; he had seemed so rigid, so composed, and then suddenly he just collapsed, melting into the smoke and debris.
He turned onto his elbow, trying to look away from the destruction. His eyes focused instead on the dirtied ground below him. His arm felt stiff as he moved it to tap his communicator; he wondered if he had managed to somehow injure himself. "Harper, I need medics up here as soon as possible."
"We need medics a lot of places, Captain. We're busy everywhere."
It was an impulse he wasn't familiar with; one brought on by the darkness of his surroundings. He was ready to snap at her, to demand and order her otherwise. But the words couldn't pass his throat. Instead, he pushed himself off the floor. "Whenever you are able to send them, Harper."
"Soon, Captain."
"Thank-you." He tapped the communicator as he pivoted around, surveying the damage. It was a different view from above. His eyes were hidden, the last signs of life couldn't be seen. All he could identify was the tuffs of brown hair and the uniform. It didn't seem as bad. It made it almost easy to pull the body away from the console; almost easy to not feel bad as he just let the man fall to the floor.
It was an old feeling, to be sitting there, back at his old position. The memories, the instincts, the movements all fell back into place. Their sensors were nearly useless. The ship was a mess; it couldn't withstand any more fighting.
"Captain?"
The voice came from behind- Lieutenant Avory. He was the science officer on deck. But, spinning around in the chair, he could see that Avory had abandoned his post and took over as tactical officer.
"Avory?"
"I'm trying to boast signal strength to the sensors… Sir, I'm detecting only Starfleet ships… everything else is wreckage."
It was certainly a different site to look up at the enemy hovering just beyond their shields. Half destroyed ships, scattered pieces, and escape pods floated lifelessly. He had never before sat so utterly helpless, looking down the enemies throat, and knew in an instant that he was behind enemy lines with no where to go and no way out. Propulsion was gone; communications were shotty at best.
"I'm also detecting a few scattered Alliance Fleet ships, sir, but they seem to be in as bad of condition as we are."
Data just nodded.
Beyond the wreckage, beyond the other ships and float debris, however, he could just barely make out the station. Deep Space Nine- once the beckon of light for Bajor and the centre of commerce and exploration of the Gamma Quadrant- stood, pounded and broken. It was conquered. Escape pods fluttered lazily, hopefully towards the planet's surface. He wondered who had made it to them; how many were civilians, how many were people he had meet, how many would survive through Federation patrols.
He tapped a small button in the corner of the console; voices rang throughout the silent bridge. He could hear plasma fires raging everywhere. The Lieutenant's voice shouted above the others.
"Lieutenant Ilya, I need maneuvering capabilities now."
"We're working on it, Captain, but it's a mess down here."
"I understand, Lieutenant, but, as things stand, we are currently sitting here waiting for Starfleet to capture us."
There was a pause and Data realized that he knew nothing of the situation outside his engine room. "Understood, Captain. We'll have propulsion and shields in… maybe twenty minutes if we ignore some safety procedures."
"Thank-you."
It was a different feeling. One of movement, even though he felt utterly still. When the battle had begun, twelve people had stood on his bridge. Two had left on orders; three had arrived without any. As they stood there, waiting, hoping, praying, there were only five of them. In a pile off to the side, half hidden by debris and settling smoke, four bodies were laid on top of one another. Four more sat against another wall. One was on his back, clutched at his stomach, labouring to breathe. Another was cradling his arm, biting back pain and swatting away the medic, telling him that he was needed elsewhere. Another sat next to him, the right side of his face disfigured from burns and his hands cradled in his lap. And the last was also on his back. His eyes were shut, his body limp; the only sign of life was the steady rise and fall of his chest. The only sign of injury was the small gash across his forehead.
Harper had only the means to offer one medic. He was over there with them. Data had asked, silently, earlier. Without a Sickbay- which had been all but destroyed- and without supplies, he couldn't begin to help the Ensign with the head wound and he could only make the Lieutenant with the stomach wound comfortable. He needed surgery and the medic couldn't perform it. The Ensign who had been burned was already treated, cooling gel had been applied, but nothing farther could be done until he made it back to an Alliance Fleet medical bay. The Ensign with the broken arm was the only one treatable, but he wouldn't hear of being helped before the others.
He didn't know how long it would take Engineering to get propulsion back. He didn't know how long they would be waiting; or how long they had to wait. Moving the bodies, helping the injured- they were all means to keep the others occupied, to help them feel like something could be done. But now they were just standing. They could clear the debris from the centre of the bridge, but he had no desire to order these tired men and women to work at some unnecessary task. He couldn't decide whether the physical or mental was more important in that moment.
He turned, seeking out his crew. He was standing in the far corner- where the viewscreen met the wall and where they had placed the bodies- and he found that he had never before stood there. Never before had he caught that view of his bridge. Two officers knelt before the injured- he was their friend. Data just watched as the bowed their heads and began to pray. Data just looked away.
His eyes found yet another view. He stared out the viewscreen. He was looking straight down the viewer, making the images distorted. Making the Federation ships look bigger, stronger than they were.
It had been a horrific battle. They had fought to every last man, to every last ship, to every last ounce of strength that they had possessed and the Federation had matched them. They had fought and died and nothing seemed to have surmounted from it. One of the most strategically positions they possessed had fallen to the enemy. Some of the finest ships and crews had been lost to the abyss of death.
"Captain?"
The voice crackling over the intercom startled him, but he didn't jump or even blink in surprise. He merely reached up and tapped the commbadge. "Yes, Lieutenant?"
"We can give shields at twenty percent and Warp Three… it's the best we've got for now."
Data nodded. His eyes once again turned towards the Federation ships. He wondered how many were fit enough to jump to warp, how many had warp capability that could outrun them. Patrol ships had been out for the past hour surveying the damage. They could only go to warp three, perhaps four with a good engineer but not for long. They hadn't been damaged- or even engaged- in battle; they would be chasing them.
"Could we push Warp Four out of the engines?"
"Four?" The pause was not encouraging, but Data waited. "We can give it to you for… maybe an hour. But that's the best I've got, sir."
"A half an hour, Lieutenant, would get us well past the Bajoran system. That's all I need- then to remain steady warp two… I also need communications up as soon as you're able."
"Sir, we've got a Federation patrol ship coming our way."
Lieutenant Malory was back at tactical. Data nodded at him.
"We'll manage, Captain. We're ready down here."
"Very well," he said, turning. Already one of the praying officers had taken the Helm. "Turn us about, Ensign. Warp Four."
"Aye, sir."
His eyes roamed back, finding the angle he had been observing
/-/-/-/
/- Two Hours Later
"Blue leader, take the left."
"Jefferies, where are you?"
"We can't get past their shields."
"This is the Hermes to the Warbird. What's your status?"
"This is Ivinch. We took some heavy damage. Thanks for the help but I think we're sitting the rest of this out."
"Jefferies?"
"They've got us pinned in… We- break left-!"
"Jefferies?"
The cold hiss of static interrupted the steady stream of words and voices, but only for a moment. Another voice took over, then a second and third overlapped each other, a fourth and fifth vied for attention as the second voice repeated.
Riker blinked at the chaos but he made no other show of standing confused at the anarchy. His feet pivoted of their own accord, turning him away from the screen. His hand reached up, so accustomed to the action that it did it more out of reflex than need to rub at the raw skin beneath his right eye.
"Admiral?" his ears perked at the title. His head rose to attention, his eyes seeking out the shy voice. A young Ensign- a cadet really- had snapped to attention at his console. Riker took a few steps towards the rear of the bridge, too tired, or perhaps too apathetic, to notice that he had begun to tremble, intimidated by Riker's nearness.
"Yes, Ensign?"
He hesitated a moment, then stood straighter, finding confidence in the façade the uniform created. "Captain Data is hailing."
Riker sighed. His body shifted and his shoulders slumped slightly, giving Riker a deflated air. His head pivoted around, glancing at Commander Byron on the other side of the bridge, briefly at the viewscreen, at the tactical station, before his eyes turned back to the Ensign. "Shut this off," he ordered. The Ensign nodded and a moment later the battle communications ceased.
Riker wet his lips and waited for the Ensign to glance back at him before ordering, "Put him on the screen." He turned away, his eyes finding the viewscreen just as Data's face replaced the previous site. A spark flared over Data's head; he didn't even blink. Behind him, a fire raged; a Lieutenant was limping away holding his arm, two others were attempting to put the fire out. A body was splayed over a side railing; a couple of the wounded were making their way to the turbolift. "Data?"
"The Starfleet ships pushed past our defences at Dekari. We were forced back into the Bajoran system… They've taken Deep Space Nine. We had no choice but to retreat, Admiral. The Bajoran system and all of the Dekari sector has been overrun."
For a moment Riker didn't feel confident in his ability to think. He merely blinked and slowly he began to nod. His eyes strayed from the viewscreen, his head turned to the side to find Byron watching the android. The Betazoid briefly glanced at him; Riker thought he must have shared a similar dazed look. "Understood…" his voice trailed off and slowly he looked back to Data. Riker had known the android for over twenty years and never before that day had he thought Data looked more Human than in that moment. His emotion chip was off, but even without it a certain look of fear, of grief, of shame and disappointment had crossed over his face and were reflecting in his eyes. Riker caught his eye and, without breaking the contact, he bowed his head. "We'll get it back, Data."
"Yes, sir. Data out."
The image of his old friend disappeared. The screen remained blank for just a few seconds and Riker found himself silently praying that it would never change back to show the outside world. But suddenly, and all too soon, stars blinked into existence and ships appeared, debris clouded the serenity that once existed. And, far off in the distance, he could see the purple oceans of Trill. The planet stood out, prominent and dignified, defiant in the face of the rest of the galaxy. And, surrounding it, two dozen Federation ships. Slowly it grew smaller, the stars grew longer, and a few seconds later it was gone completely.
/-/-/-/
/- The Next Morning
The Betazoid sky had a wonderful appearance to it in the early morning hours. He had discovered it one restless morning; walking throughout the house, he had stumbled onto the patio door. Looking out into the foggy morning, dew drops covering the elaborate garden, his eyes spied the purple hue was cast over the white patio chairs. Pinks danced throughout purple, blue was hinted at throughout the nebulous clouds, red was brightened by yellow streaks, the two swimming together into fantastic oranges.
Before his time on Betazed, JJ had only once seen a sunset and only twice had he seen a real sunrise. Kira had taken him to her home on Bajor; they had stayed up into the early hours of the morning. She let him watch the sun fall over the Bajoran mountains and woke up as it climbed over the treetops of a nearby forest.
On that cold fall morning, he sat huddled on the damp patio seat, pale skin lit up with the sight. The reds played against his skin, giving life to his sleepy face. His eyes sagged under the heavy weight of exhaustion. He shuddered, a cold wind slipping under his thin bedclothes.
"What are you doing out here?" Her voice was soft, as it always seemed to be. He turned his head slowly, unsure if he had the strength to move any faster. He just looked at her for a time, then shrugged. His eyes wandered back to their spot just over the horizon, catching the first sight of the sun peaking over the trees.
"It's early; you should be in bed."
"I like watching the sun rise."
He could hear her footfalls, he knew when she stopped that she was standing just behind him. A soft sigh passed her lips; he knew she was crossing her arms.
"It's five in the morning, JJ."
"Back on the station, it's midday."
She nodded. He knew she must be thinking of an easy way of telling him that he wasn't, in fact, on the station. He heard her sigh again, and knew that she could think of no gentle way to phrase it. Instead, she stepped away, pulling a second chair over to him. Blue eyes turned to her, watching as a symbol of grace slouched down into a chair.
"It's beautiful here." She just nodded in agreement. He turned to look at her, wondering when the last time she had simply stopped to marvel in the beauty of her world. He wondered when the last time either of his parents had had the opportunity to stop and marvel at the wonder of any world.
"It's winter on Bajor right now. All over the world, they get snow. Only for a month or so, but they can get a lot of it. Kira says that she'll take me one day- I've never seen real snow before."
"I've never seen real snow either."
"Really?"
"Nope. Betazed doesn't have snow."
A silence fell over them. Not a harsh, awkward quiet, but one filled with unsaid thoughts and quiet emotions. JJ looked away.
"It's almost six. Do you mind if I turn on the news?"
"I don't mind."
"Do your parents ever let you listen?" JJ shook his head slowly. They told him some things, but they were careful about it. He never felt as if he had the whole story. Kira told him some other things, but they never seemed to fill in the right holes. Recently, Lwaxana had answered several questions of his and slowly the picture was becoming complete.
With a mere tap of a hidden console on the patio table, the sound of the reporter's voice drifted through the morning air. For a time, JJ didn't pay attention. The man made mention of a few planets he had never heard of and logged the movements of the fleet from days ago.
A woman's voice interrupting her constituent caught his attention. He darted his eyes over to Deanna, who appeared to be watching him carefully, but he could tell that her focus was on the words the woman was saying.
"This data is just a few minutes old from the front lines. Alpha fleet ships have just pulled out of the Trill sector. Starfleet has officially claimed control of the Alliance Fleet planet Trill and her surrounding space."
All JJ could do to that was blink. There were people on Trill that he was related to, grandparents that he had never met and an aunt he had occasionally heard of. He had an uncle as well, but he was unsure whether or not he still lived on Trill. He blinked again, brows furrowing. His mother would be worried; his father would know how it felt to have parents trapped on a Federation controlled world. His other grandparents had, after all, not been able to escape from Earth years ago during the split.
"We're getting more reports from the front. One second please…"
The man's voice came back, his tone set as he began reading the latest, "Beta Fleet ships have been forced out of the Bajoran sector," JJ's entire body stiffened, "Reports show that the station- Deep Space Nine- had been commandeered by Starfleet. It is uncertain now whether Alliance Fleet members were able to escape or how many civilians may be left on board-"
The voice stopped- JJ wasn't certain whether or not Deanna had stopped the commlink or he had simply stopped listening. His shoulders slumped; he tried to swallow back the tears. He had been told that it would only be a matter of weeks before he could go home. Now, his home was a part of the Federation and his parents were captured- they may not have even been alive. His friends, Kira, Odo, Miles…
Hands wrapped around his shoulders. Tears slipped down his cheeks. His entire body fell limp; he let his head fall into the nape of her neck. "I just wanna go home."
"I know, baby, I know."