The ship lurched again, another console exploded, causing the unlucky officer leaning over it, to scream with pain as his face was burned. The fire suppression system cut in, putting out the flames before they could take hold and spread but several of the control panels on the bridge were now completely unusable.

"Helm, attack pattern gamma." And then "Gunner, continue firing." Pointing towards the nearest enemy ship, Mariner added, "Aim at the upper wing joints, they are vulnerable there." Moving over to an undamaged console, she began to re-route power, attempting to bring the shields back up to full strength, at the same time continuing to give orders to the crew.

Then unexpectedly, Tendi looked up from the communications console, "Sir, we have an incoming message."

"From Sun Seeker?" Mariner asked as a lucky shot hit the Hur'q ship, causing it to explode.

"No sir" Tendi said, a note of surprise in her voice, "It's from a Dominion ship."

Mariner barked an order to the helmsman, telling him to change course, then, "Put it through on audio only. I want the enemy kept on screen."

A voice came crackling over the comm. system, speaking standard English, "This is Captain Strax of the Dominion Starship Oath Keeper. Do you require assistance?"

Mariner gave a harsh laugh. "There are plenty of enemy ships here for both of us, Captain. You are welcome to join the battle." Quickly and efficiently changing his battle plan to take advantage of the unexpected ally, he continued "Take an attack vector on heading one-one-two, mark six. Target the ship to starboard and fire on my command."

With the assistance of the Dominion fighter the battle was quickly over. When a second Hur'q vessel blew up, the remaining ships, realising that they could not win, changed course and retreated. Regretfully, Mariner gave the order not to pursue them. They were badly damaged and there was a freighter full of refugees in need of medical and technical help, not to mention protection on the rest of its journey.

Bringing the Enterprise around, "Get us to Deep Space Nine," Mariner said angrily. "In the meantime, the Freighter has sustained some serious damage. Beam them over, then get us out of here at what ever out maximum warp is."

A few hours later Captain Strax stepped onto the ops of Deep Space Nine to meet Admiral Sisko and discuss the situation.

Their meeting was interrupted by the half Romulan Jessi walking in.

"Welcome aboard both of you," Sisko decided after thinking for a moment, "Sadly the Enterpirse B was lost."

Turning to the Federation officer, he said, "Captain, you are welcome to stay,."

Jessi shrugged, saying calmly "I keeping my options open for now."

"Well Noire will be recovering for some time and the rest of the crew have returned to the Cherretos."

Jessi stirred. Sisko noticed this and sighed. "Jessi," he said. "I have other plans for you."

"And what plans might those be?" she asked coolly.

"Captain Strax needs a new first officer," Sisko said, enjoying her surprised reaction to his words. "You're ideally suited for the position, so I'm sending you over to the Oath Keeper. You will he part or a Dominion crew but still Starfleet."

Turning away from Jessi Sisko addressed the chief engineer, telling him to get the repairs finished. "Now, any questions?"

There was silence.

Strax gave a satisfied nod. "Never had a Romulan on my crew before." With that he stepped across ops " This is should be interesting."