Star Trek Remembrance
Chapter 10 ~ The Shadow Knows
Elim Garek walks down into the bows of Deep Space Nine. He was checking on a storage bay, for Rom. He normally didn't get involved with things the Ferengi and his brother Quark did, but this case was different. Rom had a serious mess to clean up after the station lost gravity. And normally Quark would help with this but Quark was dealing with another problem. He apparently brought a Stasis Chamber on board and it had opened, so the Bridge Crew was trying to sort things out with that, with Quark's help. So that left Rom, to do everything by himself. Since Garek had a unique way of keeping his merchandise, his cleanup lasted only 30 minutes. So he had plenty of free time on his hands. But he was never one to stand around, so he offered help to Rom.
Rom had graciously accepted the help. While the two were cleaning, Rom offered a tidbit of information, during, general, discussion. It seems that the Enterprise was scheduled to dock there soon. Garek, of course, found this bit of information, quite delectable. In the meantime, he was currently, still helping Rom, and had just located his destination; Cargo Bay 8.
Garek walks down the hallway of Storage Bay 8. He shines a light down the walkway, looking on the shelves for the item Rom had requested; an old mediboard. Why, they could carry one thousand times their weight, and you could easily move them with a gentle push. It made perfect sense to Garek why Rom wanted it.
Garek moves over next to a shelf, "Now, where are you?" he says. He shines a light over various shelves and then side steps down the aisle. He continues this routine, shining the light. Stepping down, down, down, the aisle, shining his light and side stepping, until he kicks something.
"What's this?" Garek smiles and shines the light downward. His smile slowly fades, "Oh dear." He says.
A low growl rumbles from behind him.
Garek turns around slowly, and looks up, "Oh dear, indeed."
The door to Docking Bay 1's seal, expels smoke. The door slowly opens.
"Captain," Sisko offers his hand, "It is good to see you. Though I wish it were better circumstances."
Captain Picard steps from the opened Docking Bay door, and takes Sisko's hand, "Agreed."
"Please," Sisko points, "This way. We have a lot to discuss in a short time."
Picard nods and follows Sisko and the other members of his bridge crew. They walk over to the Briefing Room. Multiple crew members all seat themselves and others stand nearby.
"Captain Picard, we do have quite a few problems currently facing us."
"As do we. What issues do you have?"
"We noticed you have a certain cubical issue currently at Docking Bay 4," Riker asks.
"We certainly do," Sisko agrees.
"They don't seem to be a threat, at least not currently," O'Brien says.
"Our scans indicate the Borg do not appear to be attempting repairs. Were you able to ascertain if their damage was due to the Electro-Synth Wave?" Data asks.
"We don't know," O'Brien shifts in his seat, "Hell, we didn't even know they were there at first. There's no telling how long they were there."
"Have you seen any signs of Borg activity on Ds9?" Riker asks.
"No sir," O'Brien answers, "At least not yet."
Riker turns to Picard, "That's good at least."
Picard nods. Then Turns to Sisko, "So, you believe it is Vorlan, within the Chamber?"
"We think so," Sisko says, "But now we are beginning a station-wide search to see if we possess one Chamber or two." Sisko looks over at Quark.
"Quark," Riker says, "Who sold you the Stasis Chamber?"
"Ren Th'zathehr."
"Hmm, I'm familiar with him. He sold me a gift for my niece," he crosses his arms, "It turned out to be bugged, in a literal sense."
Troi turns to Riker with a questioning look.
"Insectoids," he says, "Infested with them. It took my brother 10 weeks, to get rid of them all."
"Well," Quark says, "Ren Th'zathehr was never fond of humans."
"You don't say," Riker laughs.
"Look, he didn't really tell me where he got it. I have learned, in the past, not to ask," Quark says.
Riker turns to Picard, "I wonder why?"
Geordi snickers.
"Major, would you mind bringing up the video of our helpful, stranger?"
Kira nods.
"Helpful stranger?" Worf asks.
Back in the Cargo Bay area, Garek was running down a corridor. He dashes behind a large container and hides. He grabs his side and exhales. He was bleeding pretty badly from a wound. A large gash above his eye was oozing blood down the side of his face. Though Cardassians were not a weak species, this, thing, that attacked Garek, was much, much stronger.
Garek peaks around the corner and peers down the corridor. There was no sign of the thing. He turns the opposite directions and looks down that corridor.
There was nothing around, but him, unfortunately. Garek would have loved for the good doctor to suddenly come looking for him due to a notice, of his absence. But, Garek feared, this would not happen, at least not this time. He was very deep, in the bows of the station. And Dr. Bashir had no idea where he was. Truthfully, at that point, Garek had lost his baring's as well.
Garek slowly comes out from his hiding place. He begins to walk quickly, and quietly down a corridor towards the direction of a TurboLift sign, overhead. He is looking all around him and sincerely hoping, he was alone. He sees the lift, to his right and turns to run; running into the thing. It slashes at him, catches his shirt, and shreds it. Garek yells and falls backward. The thing leans down and is about to pounce on Garek when a shadow figure jumps in front of him. The figure holds a 2 meter pipe out, in front of it.
"No!" Garek yells, "It will kill you!"
The thing leaps at the shadow.
The door to Briefing Room opens and Odo steps through.
"Fascinating. The unknown being, appears to be protecting the crewman," Data observes.
"That is how we perceived it as well," Sisko says, "He does not seem to be a threat, but rather, a hhelper."
"At least, we hope he is," Kira adds.
"Do you any clues as to the identity of this individual?" Picard asks.
"Not as of yet. But he is the least of our concerns."
"Perhaps we should consider, that the being in the Stasis Chamber was not a Vorlan, but instead, the unknown helper?"
"You may have something there, Mr. Data," Picard says.
"You know, the being he is carrying seems to resemble Tohaus," Worf says and then turns to Geordi, "Is it possible this is the lost child?"
"Lost child?" Odo asks.
"We discovered him, or rather, he discovered us en route. His name is Tohaus. His species is a Ragoreyn. He is searching for his lost son," Riker responds.
"A Ragoreyn?" Dr. Bashir asks sitting up.
"Are you familiar with them?" Picard asks.
"Indeed," the Doctor smiles, "They are one of the most historical species I have ever encountered. They are like finding a unicorn," he laughs and turns to Picard, "You have a Ragoreyn, on your ship," he points to the table, "Right now?"
In the bows, of the station, the shadow leans against a bulkhead. He was carrying one injured being, and has the other Injured being, leaning against him.
"I can't…" Garek begins, "I can't make it."
The shadow steps in front of Garek.
Garek slides down a wall. He was too exhausted to continue. He watches as the shadow continues to walk away from him. He could not blame him. He was already carrying the armored being. Truthfully he didn't see how they made it as far as they had. But had that TurboLift not been malfunctioning they could have already been in Infirmary.
The shadow reappears with a long, wide black material. He leans down, puts the armored one down, puts the material down, and flattens it.
The material expands to 2.4-meter width by 3 meters in length.
The shadow picks up the armored one and puts him on the material. Then the shadow moves to Garek. He helps Garek up and over to the material.
Garek lies down on the material. The shadow leans down and picks up a few straps. He then then turns and drags the material, with Garek and the armored one on it, behind him.
"So now the million dollar question," Riker says turning to Picard, "What do we do about the Borg?"
"Captain," Data says, "With permission, I believe it is imperative we find out the status of the Borg. The only conceivable way is to board their ship."
"I hate to admit it," Odo scoffs, "But he's right."
"Okay then. I can lead an away team over?" Riker offers
Sisko nods, "Take Major Kira with you."
Riker nods, "Yes sir."
"Mr. Data, can also accompany them," Picard says.
"Yes, sir," Data says.
"Crewman Duran to Doctor Bashir?" the overhead Comm beeps.
"Go ahead," Dr. Bashir says.
"Garek has reported to Infirmary with severe injuries from an attack."
"What?!" Dr. Bashir rises.
"Sir, there is also two others here, with him."
"Who?" Sisko asks.
"Sir, Garek was saved by a shadowed figure. The shadow is here. And he is also injured, there is also another being with them."
Odo stands and hits his Comm badge, "Security to Infirmary, on the double!" he says.
Sisko rises and hits his Comm badge, "Crewman Duran, please try to keep them all calm. I will be there shortly with the doctor."
"Yes, sir."
Picard rises with Riker.
"I think we all seek answers," Sisko holds out his arm, "After you, Captain Picard."
Duram turns to Garek, "Dr. Bashir is on his way. Just lie back," he says.
Duram turns to the armored figure and the shadow, "You should all lie down. You 2 are injured, too." He steps around the medbed, "I can only give you something minor for the pain, I'm sorry sir, but Dr. Bashir just started my training, not 3 days ago. But I'm sure the doctor will be here any second."
The doors to Infirmary open behind Duram.
"Thank goodness!" Duran says, "They are all pretty serious," he turns around, "but Garek…" he stops in his tracks and sees what just walked into Infirmary.
The Turbolift doors open. Picard, Riker and Sisko step out.
"He walked in from space, too," Sisko says.
"Can't be a coincidence. They all have to be Ragoreyn," Riker says.
Picard, Riker and Sisko get to Infirmary in time to see Crewman Duran thrown out of Infirmary, into a wall.
Riker grabs the crewman.
"Don't go in there, sir!" Duran yells, "There's a thing in there! It's attacking Garek!"
Beverly covers her mouth, "Oh my god," she says, walking from the other side of the hallway, with security following her.
The doors to Infirmary were opened. Bashir was inside, against a wall. He was trying to protect Garek.
The shadow was no where to be seen. But to the left there was an armored being. The being was 1.5 meters in height. He had broad shoulders and large hands. He had a hunchback protruding from the middle and went down along the spine. He was covered in a dark gray metallic-like armor that resembles scales. It starts at his neck and overlaps downward to his knees. His hands were covered in gray, metal gauntlets with blades that came up from the knuckles and went out and over the fingers. The gauntlets went up to his elbows. On his elbows were long sharp, blades. The blades went out and ran parallel to his upper arm. On his knees were a thick metallic-like covering with several spikes coming out. On his head was a gray, metal helmet covered with scales. His bright, blue, eyes could be seen perfectly. The being, was a Ragoreyn.
In the center of Infirmary stood a fearsome creature. It was almost 5 meters tall. There are 8 spider-like, legs, attached to an abdomen. A torso is coming from the top of the abdomen where 4 arms are attached at the top. The head had 4 orange eyes and a large, wide, mouth with exposed rows of half meter teeth, like a shark's mouth.
The creature held Garek by what was left of his shirt.
Worf lurches forward, to help Garek, but is knocked back by the creature.
Data grabs an arm of the creature, freeing Garek, but he is also knocked back.
Doctor Bashir grabs Garek and pulls him away from the creature.
Suddenly, the shadow appears from the ceiling and jumps on the creature's back.
The creature spins, violently at the waist 360 degrees, trying to remove the shadow.
"He is fearless!" Worf says watching the shadow, a bit impressed.
The armored individual stands and dives at the creature, catching it with claws.
The shadow jumps off the creatures back. He grabs a metal pipe from the wall, breaks it off, and jumps at the creature.
"Giltak!" the creature booms at the shadow.
The creature turns to the armored individual.
The creature turns back, to attack the shadow, but is impaled in the head by the pipe.
The creature twitches and slowly slides down the pipe, dropping on the floor, in front of the shadow.
The armored individual falls and the shadow catches him before he hits the floor, and drags him to side of room. He steps in front of him and rips another pipe, from the wall. He stands in front of the armored individual, guarding him.
"You will both not be harmed here," Data addresses the shadow.
The shadow shifts his weight, he was ready to defend them at any time.
The lights suddenly flash and an electrical wave comes out of the consoles and goes into the shadow and then the armored individual.
"De'as Tek," the armored one says.
The shadow turns behind him, "You're sure?" he asks.
The armored one nods.
The shadow turns back to Data. He lowers the pipe, raises his hand, and takes his head covering off.
Worf's eyes widen.
Troi and Beverly exchange glances.
The shadow had long dark hair, a neatly trimmed goatee and green eyes.
Riker was standing in the doorway with Picard, "A human?" Riker asks.
Doctor Bashir begins to run to the armored individual but the shadow steps in front of him.
"We walk in the dark places no others will enter," the shadow says, "We stand on the bridge, and no one may pass. We live for the one, we die for the one," he brings the pipe up and spins it, "If you approach that boy, with ill-will intended, I WILL become your worst nightmare."
"Warrior," Worf steps up and stands next to Bashir, "you both, will not be harmed. You are safe. We are not your enemy." The Klingon stood tall and proud.
The human scans the faces of all nearby. They seem to be concerned, not a threat. He relaxes some.
Worf extends his arm toward the shadow, "I am a Klingon. I am Lieutenant Worf of the Starship Enterprise."
The shadow grips Worf's mid forearm,
"That is Brual," he turns to the armored individual, "A Ragoreyn," he turns back to Worf, "And I am a Ranger. My name, is Marcus Cole."