A single torpedo was fired and reached the Avenger, blowing it up. There was a certain beauty in the ensuing explosion that could not be denied. Several crewmembers from the Numancia and the Rhian'Unn watched the vessel's destruction with a tingle of excitement and a bit of sadness. Some people in the Firebird had seen it too, but they could not understand; their command crew was dead or captured, the bridge was unmanned and they remained in their posts unaware of what was going on. Engineering had tried to make contact with the command officers, and now several lower ranking officers called the bridge, alarmed at the twin ship's destruction by the Rhian'Unn, but they received no answer; confusion was starting to spread aboard the Tal Shiar vessel.
And in the Numancia's mess hall, where most Jem'Hadar now stayed, the Dominion warriors contemplated the death of what had been their ship without any particular emotion. The Starfleet officers who were in the room gave them a wide berth, eyeing the former enemy soldiers with certain distrust. The Jem'Hadar also grouped together, keeping the distance, without sharing a single word, and just stared at their hosts.
Many of them were injured. They were now being treated at the infirmary. None of the medical personnel had ever taken care of a Jem'Hadar patient before. They consulted the data base all the time trying to learn as much as possible of their particular physiology. It was a stimulating challenge. But they had too much work to do. The circumstances had made them activate the Emergency Medical Hologram and the virtual doctor now moved around the infirmary treating the Jem'Hadar too. Sloan was still in a bad condition and the medical staff could not forget him either; he still needed surgery again, but he was too weak.
First and Second were in the bridge. Garak and Gaallash had joined them too, leaving the Cardassian operative alone in her quarters and under guard. Saavik and Ba'el were also present. Even if he addressed everyone, First focused his attention on Saavik; being the highest ranking officer and being Vulcan both were important to him.
"The Federation can help. You understand. We are people," First was saying forcibly.
"Yes, I do not question facts," Saavik calmly explained. "But without the Founders' invitation we cannot intervene."
"Why not? We're inviting you, you just have to speak" the Jem'Hadar leader frowned, perplexed.
"We cannot interfere in an internal affair of the Dominion unless both parts agree to accept us as mediators. We cannot take a side."
"But we are right. We are right and you agree," First insisted. "Why not?"
"It's regulations," Saavik simply said; she noticed how crestfallen the warrior looked. "It is important to us."
First noted the other officers nodded in agreement, their expression grim.
"Oh, yes, Starfleet and their many regulations, but you'll never get them to back down in that one." Garak was the only one smiling, a playful tone in his voice.
The others did not appreciate his comment. However, Saavik could not help but commiserate with the Jem'Hadar soldiers and their predicament, "I can only speak of your particular situation with Starfleet Command. However, our orders specifically state…"
"So you will just return us to the Dominion, Admiral" First cut her off, making his own conclusions.
"That is what you asked for and so is established in our peace treaty," Saavik defensively answered.
"Yes. We are going back. With a message. With a goal," First pointed out. "I expected the Federation to understand and support us."
"That's just not possible," Song replied, regretfully shaking her head.
"You can ask for assylum," Ba'el supplied. The Numancia's officers stared at the half-Klingon with surprise; it was another possible course of action, maybe even the only one open to the Jem'Hadar, but none of them dared to suggest it aloud. Ba'el, however, that have found in the Federation a place were she could have a fulfilling life after having been rejected by both the Klingons and the Romulans, wanted them to have the same oportunity.
"Assylum?" First doubted for an instant, then reacted the opposite way Ba'el had intended. "You want me to defect!"
"She is offering you the only help we can," Saavik sobered.
"Help? That's not help, Admiral. I am a loyal soldier and I will not defect!" given the even tone First had kept until then, his raised voice was actually a scream. Beside him, his second in command also tensed, his eyes sparkling.
Saavik tapped her chair for an instant, displeased with the turn the conversation had taken. She gazed at Ba'el; she answered back with a chagrined look, she was not about to blame her. Next she faced the enraged Jem'Hadar with her most serene look, "You are going back to the Dominion to claim your independence and to call the rest of your race to join you. That can be considered treason by the Founders," First and Second bristled but remained silent as she went on, "and they can retaliate. Under those circumstances, I can grant you assylum. You and your crew will be safe in the Federation with the status of refugees and you will be able to pursue your goals within the limits established by our laws." Saavik paused, as if she needed time to collect her thoughts, so she gave the two warriors time to reflect. "However, if you decide instead to go back to the Dominion and once into their sovereign space, I will be unable to provide you any assistance. I am a loyal soldier too and I have an oath to keep, that includes the principle of non interference."
"I don't understand you and you don't understand me. I won't stay in the Federation. I'll return and speak to all the Jem'Hadar of what happened to us and how we all can be free to choose our own path now. And if that is treason, then I'll face the consequences," First firmly answered.
"Oh, I can tell you what the consequences will be," Garak was the only one who could joke in any situation; even if he kept a straight face, he practically laughed at them.
And the Jem'Hadar seethed; Second actually took a menacing step towards him, but his superior stopped him in his tracks, always glaring at the Cardassian.
"You are not like your compatriot, Reltan," First announced him. "He was a good man. He respected us, and he was brave in spite of not being a warrior."
He was so utterly convinced of his words that Garak could only grin this time. "Oh, yes, a very good man," he mocked them. "He spent his whole life taking part in any project related with genetic engineering, no matter how nasty. He never cared as long as it helped further his career. And he decided to work on you without telling anyone. He surely had plans for you, but I doubt they had anything to do with bravery or respect for you. Don't be mistaken. You were just lab specimens for him."
"You lie!" Second roared.
Both the Jem'Hadar rushed this time to attack him. Saavik swiftly stood up to block them, so did the security officers that accompanied the Dominion warriors, raising their weapons. The two of them stilled, a glint of rage never leaving their eyes.
Garak was neither intimidated nor satisfied; he went on, "So you are going to turn Reltan in your new god. The Founders aren't going to like your new religion."
Saavik turned to him, "Garak, keep quiet or leave the bridge now," she coldly ordered. The situation was already tense enough.
The Cardassian opened his mouth to speak again, but met the admiral's stare and decided otherwise. "As you wish," he submitted, and turned to leave. He was out of the room before anyone could utter another word.
"As if he ever tells the truth," Ba'el muttered, almost to herself, but she had to wonder if this time he had actually been sincere.
Saavik was facing the Jem'Hadar leaders, composed in spite of her own surge of fury. "I apologize for his behavior, First Ikat'Etan," she said formally, trying to appease the two soldiers.
"You should kill him right now," First advised, disapproving her mild manners.
Saavik thought that he was the one who had to apologize now. She answered, her face expressionless and her voice even, "I know how to run my ship; nevertheless, I thank you for your advise."
The two Jem'Hadar just blinked, unable to conceive the Vulcan admiral could be any less than utterly serious in her reply. However, her officers had to stiffen a laugh or smile.
Ikat'Etan subdued, and mulled over the offending Cardassian's words. He did not believe what he said about Reltan or about them, but the mention of the Founders' displeasure stirred an old fear in him. "The Founders… they will understand. We are free now," he expressed his thoughts aloud, but they were only meant to himself.
None in the bridge would laugh now, and they just kept quiet, not willing to contradict the Jem'Hadar leader once more; they knew very well the Founders would not be very open to understanding.