The combined assault fleet of Jaridian and Delkari warships came out of interdimensional space near the orbit of the forth of the five planets in the Ya'sa'ra system. Rapidly the combined force assumed the battle formation designated by the Jaridian Admiral commanding the fleet and began to move in system towards Ya'sa'ra itself and the fleet of Taelon warships that was already breaking out of orbit and assuming an opposing set of battle lines facing their approaching foes.
The Taelon warships fired the first shots. The first line of defending ships each fired a spread of twelve long-range positron torpedoes at the wave of destroyers and cruisers that formed the vanguard of the approaching assault fleet. One hundred and twenty torpedoes shot forth towards the enemy vanguard of nine Delkari heavy cruisers and three Jaridian heavy destroyers. Explosions and icy blue flashes of Cherenkov radiation erupted as positron torpedoes encountered Delkari or Jaridian shields. One of the Jaridian destroyers and two of the Delkari cruisers were instantly obliterated – another Jaridian destroyer was disabled and dropped out of formation trailing wreckage and burning plasma from a massive hole in its side.
The remaining destroyer and cruisers in the vanguard fired a retaliatory salvo of phased plasma torpedoes at the Taelon ships. Several Taelon cruisers took hits but the salvo was so spread out – since the Jaridians and Delkari were trying to hit every single ship in the line that none suffered any damage – their heavy regenerative multidimensional shields shrugging the single or odd dual impact aside contemptuously. The Taelon vanguard line responded with yet more torpedoes concentrating all of their fire on a mere eight targets. The single Jaridian destroyer and seven Delkari cruisers were the targets of fifteen high-yield positron torpedoes each – not one survived. Hammered beyond their ability to protect themselves all eight ships blew apart.
Despite the utter obliteration of their vanguard force the assault fleet continued to close heedless of the losses it was taking. The second wave of attacking ships consisting of twelve Delkari heavy cruisers, six Jaridian heavy destroyers and two Jaridian cruisers launched salvos of their own torpedoes.
The Taelon ships responded to the oncoming deluge of torpedoes with another round of their torpedoes and by doing something that neither the Jaridians or the Delkari had ever seen them do before. From the tips of several cruisers a pulse of blue light emitted the pulses broke up into hundreds of tiny energy fragments forming a barrier between the cruisers and the approaching torpedoes. The torpedoes impacted the barrier and every single one detonated. A nebulous inferno of plasma and radiation burned between the two fleets even as the third salvo of positron torpedoes hammered the shields of the second assault wave.
The second wave of the assault fleet came through the fading inferno and ran straight into a heavy barrage of disruptor fire from the Taelons. Two Delkari cruisers blew apart as disruptor bolts ripped through shields weekend by torpedo strikes. One Jaridian destroyer lost shields and took a direct hit on its primary power core. Automatic safeties immediately shut down the core and transferred to a backup generator – but the destroyer was crippled. Main power went down throughout the ship as did propulsion and the destroyer dropped out of formation to drift dead in space.
The rest of the second assault wave opened fire on the Taelons with their own disruptors. Taelon shields glowed softly as red photonic disruptor bolts from the Delkari and blue-white quantum disruptor beams from the Jaridians impacted them but did no damage. They returned fire supported by torpedoes from the ships immediately behind them.
The third and final assault wave picked up speed and came in to aid its beleaguered follows firing phased plasma torpedoes at the Taelon vanguard. Having seen the complete lack of success of trying to strike at the entire vanguard at once the torpedoes were focused on the four ships at the immediate point of the Taelons defensive wedge formation. The four warships were the targets of more than twenty torpedoes each – there was no way for them to survive such an onslaught. All four were blown out of space instantly opening a hole in the defending vanguard. Those Jaridian and Delkari warships closest to the hole opened in the Taelon first line went in. Immediately shields flashed as they took phaser fire from the secondary batteries on the other Taelon vanguard ships. But the Jaridians and Delkari refused to be distracted and fired more torpedoes at the first ships in the second defensive line while firing across at the ships currently firing at them.
*****
Tactical Operations Centre Ya'sa'ra Orbital StationAdmiral Owen Paris followed General Kincaid and Da'an into the tactical operations centre of the orbital station. He would much rather be on the bridge of a ship during a battle but there was no ship available for him to go and he didn't want to get in Captain Janeway's way on Voyager so he'd come here with General Kincaid, Da'an and the non-Starfleet members of the science/diplomacy team. Lieutenant Barclay and Commander LaForge had accompanied Captain Janeway back to Voyager – since as engineers they'd be useful to her during the battle.
The tactical operations centre immediately put him in mind of the old RAF Coastal Command control rooms from Earth's Second World War – Tom had nagged him into taking him to see a preserved one when he was seven. Though everything in this room was high tech in the extreme. A central table projected a three dimensional holographic image of Ya'sa'ra and all ships in near orbit – if he looked closely he could see tiny points of light indicating disruptor bolts or beams, phaser beams and torpedoes flying between the attacking and defending ships that had now so completely interpenetrated each others lines that the battle was becoming a capital warship version of a dogfight. Operators manned consoles around the edges of the circular room and it didn't slip his notice that most of them were hybrids though there was the odd Taelon here and there.
General Kincaid and Da'an walked up to the hologram table and studied the progress of the battle. Owen followed them. The battle appeared to be going quiet well for the defenders – a large number of enemy ships had been destroyed for the loss of only a handful of defending ships.
As he observed the unfolding battle Liam frowned in confusion. This was going to well, too easily. The Jaridian/Delkari force was composed almost entirely of cruisers of various types and destroyers. There was only one Sokara battleship amongst them and it was currently firing at the Wasarin while simultaneously trading broadsides with a pair of cruisers. Surely if the Jaridians had intended to destroy Ya'sa'ra they would have come in with more than one Sokara battleship. The fact that there was only one Sokara battleship in the enemy fleet was very confusing.
Powerful as they were Sokara-class battleships couldn't completely destroy a planet even with their quantum disruptors at maximum power. But they could very easily wreck the by nature delicate biosphere of a planet and strip away huge sections of the planetary crust exposing the mantle which would flash heat the atmosphere to the point of combustion and cleanse the surface of life. However Sokara battleships had one major drawback – the design was clumsy, the world wrecking warships couldn't manoeuvre easily and was therefore extremely vulnerable to faster and more manoeuvrable opponents.
Liam was confused however by the fact that their was only one Sokara with the enemy fleet – surely the Jaridians weren't stupid enough to think that one would be enough to destroy a well defended planet like Ya'sa'ra? They had to know that any defending forces would almost certainly destroy it before it got near the planet. Against a well-defended planet like Ya'sa'ra he would have expected the Jaridians to send more Sokara's with the fleet. Something was not right here.
"Something's not right here," he said softly to Da'an. "Why only one Sokara battleship? The Jaridians aren't stupid they have to know that it couldn't possibly have a chance of destroying or even damaging Ya'sa'ra. So why send only one with the fleet?"
"Your right Liam," Da'an agreed contemplating the hologram. Sensors reported that the battleships shields were severely damaged and would soon fail. "One Sokara battleship makes no sense. The Jaridians are bound to know that it wouldn't last long enough to do us any damage especially since our weapons are just as powerful as theirs. It makes no sense?"
Alarms sounded as abruptly a new set of enemy targets appeared from interdimensional space on a completely different vector to the main battle. Liam studied the new ships and saw the answer to the puzzle of only one Sokara battleship. It hadn't been alone. There were four more in this next squadron. They formed the core of the formation screened by a force of eight heavy destroyers and four Delkari cruisers.
"Theirs your answer general," Admiral Paris said. "They must have been taking tactical lessons from the Romulans splitting an attack force is one of their favourite tactics. Send in one force to distract your enemy then slip another one in while he's occupied."
"I am familiar with the manoeuvre admiral," Liam replied looking at the white-haired Starfleet admiral. After so long being around other hybrids who like him didn't seem to age much past their late thirties he was surprised to see someone whose age was so obviously being shown. "Though I'm surprised to see the Jaridians employing it. Normally the full Jaridian force charges into whatever opponent it's facing. Such tactical manoeuvres are most unusual for them."
"Indeed," Da'an added. "This is most uncharacteristic of the Jaridians. Normally they fight somewhat like the Klingons of your quadrant admiral without caution or real thought beyond destroying the enemy. The fact that they are now employing different combat tactics is most unusual. Perhaps their alliance with the Delkari has had a deeper impact on the Jaridian psyche than we had previously believed. Either that or something has happened that is forcing the Jaridians to fight more cautiously."
"Both of those are very possible," Liam agreed. "However this is a discussion for another time." Liam turned to look at the planetary defence net controller. "Target the Jaridian and Delkari ships currently engaged and commence firing."
"Yes general." The Taelon manning the console turned to carry out the order. Liam turned to the fleet communications officer.
"Order as many of our ships as possible to break off from their current engagements and engage the approaching squadron."
"Also order my flagship to break off from defensive orbit near the station. This station has enough firepower to protect itself should any enemy ship get to close," Da'an added. "Have them move to a long range fire support position."
"Yes sirs." The hybrid manning the console relayed the orders just as the outer ring of defence satellites began firing upon the closest squadron that their forces were already engaged against and which had already lost half its number.
Turning back to the hologram Liam could see nearly a dozen of their larger warships break away from those currently engaged with the first squadron and fall into assault formation as they moved to engage the second squadron.
"Sir Voyager is requesting permission to undock," the dock master called out to Liam. "Captain Janeway says she wishes to join the battle." Liam glanced over at Admiral Paris to ask the admiral's permission to send Voyager into battle – since she was a Federation ship she wasn't for him to command without permission. The admiral nodded.
"Permission granted," Liam said to the dock master. "Have Voyager move to engage the second squadron as well. Send them tactical information on Delkari cruisers, Jaridian destroyers and Sokara battleships as well."
"Yes sir."
*****
U.S.S Voyager"Captain," Ensign Harry Kim called out from the operations bay. "The Taelons have granted us permission to undock. General Kincaid is asking if we could join the fleet heading for the second Jaridian and Delkari squadron. We're also receiving tactical information on the shields and weapons configurations of the Jaridian and Delkari ships."
"Pass that information to tactical," Captain Kathryn Janeway ordered. Harry nodded and keyed in the commands to transfer the tactical information on the Jaridians and the Delkari to Tuvok's station. As he was doing so Janeway turned to Chakotay who was manning the helm since Lieutenant Paris was still in sickbay recovering from the ordeal of changing into a hybrid. "Chakotay get us clear of the station," she ordered.
"Aye captain," Chakotay replied. A glance at the readings on the helm console scanners showed that the Taelons had dropped the force field that had been acting somewhat like docking clamps in holding Voyager to the space station. Quickly he engaged the docking thrusters and eased the ship clear of the stations docking port once far enough away he brought the impulse engines to one quarter and the ship accelerated away from the space station and out into the fray. There was a soft jolt as Voyager passed through the stations defence shield perimeter as soon as they were clear Tuvok raised Voyager's own shields.
"Tactical display on screen," Janeway ordered Tuvok. "Chakotay set course for the second Jaridian squad…"
Before she could finish the bridge turbolift doors opened and to her surprise Lieutenant Tom Paris stepped out onto the bridge. Janeway turned in her chair to look at him as he came down onto the centre level of the bridge. She could see that he was still tired but not as much as she would have expected considering what he'd just been through.
Tom came to a stop before his captain. He hoped he could convince her to let him take his station here on the bridge. He knew that they were going into battle with the Jaridians – quiet how he knew that he didn't really know but he just knew it. Guess it must be a hybrid thing, he thought.
"Mr Paris what are you doing up here you should still be in sickbay," Janeway said already knowing the answer. His station was up here and they were going into battle, this was his place.
"My place is here especially since were going into battle against the Jaridians," Tom replied while simultaneously thinking please don't ask how I know that it's the Jaridians. Because I cannot give you an answer because I don't know how I know myself.
Tuvok standing at his normal station raised an eyebrow at the certainty in Lieutenant Paris' voice. How did he know that it was the Jaridians they were about to go into battle against.
"How do you know it is the Jaridians?" he asked the hybrid lieutenant. Tom shrugged in answer.
"I don't know Tuvok," Tom replied. "I just do." He must have some precognitive ability, Tuvok thought, that is the only logical explanation. Intriguing.
Janeway had listened to the brief exchange between Tuvok and Tom. Like Tuvok she realised that Tom had to now have a precognitive ability almost certainly as a result of becoming a hybrid. It could prove useful in the future. If they had a future it all depended on the coming engagement – and she had to admit they would stand a much better chance of surviving with Tom Paris at the helm. After all he was – as he sometimes said – the best pilot on Voyager.
"Take your station lieutenant," she said after a moment. The logical part of her brain was saying that this might not be a good idea but here instincts were telling her that Tom would be fine and she had long ago learned to trust her instincts. "And lay in a course for the second Jaridian squadron."
"Aye captain," Tom replied with a smile of gratitude before turning and relieving Commander Chakotay at the helm. Chakotay gave Tom a concerned look as he moved back to his usual station. He hoped that Tom was up to this.
Tom ignored Chakotay's concerned look though he was touched by it. Yes he was still tired from being metamorphosed back into a hybrid – but the tiredness was not so bad now. When he'd gone to leave sickbay the Doctor had scanned him and discovered to both their surprise that his energy levels had increased to the point where they would normally be if he'd been awake for two days. He could manage this battle.
Quickly he dismissed those thoughts from his mind and focused on his task of guiding Voyager into formation with the Taelon warships moving to intercept the second group of enemy ships.
This time it was the Jaridians and Delkari who got in the first shots. Voyager shuddered as a beam from one of the Jaridian destroyers impacted her forward shields. The Taelons warships returned fire immediately. Meanwhile the Jaridian destroyer whose beam had hit Voyager fired at her again.
"Tuvok target that destroyer and open fire," Janeway ordered as Voyager trembled under the impact of the blast. The forward phasers cut lose slamming bright orange energy beams into the Jaridian destroyer's forward shields, the destroyers shields flashed brightly and the ship seemed to momentarily tremble at the impact.
"Direct hit," Tuvok reported. "Minor damage to their forward shields." Even as he spoke Jaridian fire shook Voyager. "Shields are holding."
"The Jaridians are targeting our warp core," Harry Kim called out even as several disruptor blasts in rapid succession shook Voyager violently.
"Shields at eighty percent," Tuvok added even as he fired a dual salvo of phaser beams and photon torpedoes back at the destroyer in retaliation. The destroyer's shields lit up brightly and the Jaridian ship was visibly rocked.
"Evasive pattern sigma one," Janeway ordered to Tom. That pattern would bring them under and behind the Jaridian warship firing constantly. Tom immediately obeyed while Tuvok cut lose with the phasers slicing into the Jaridian ships shields repeatedly. The destroyer's shields fought to withstand the pummelling even as it returned fire.
"Shields at seventy percent," Tuvok reported.
"EPS relays have blown out on deck three sections ten through twenty," Harry added even as Tuvok returned fire aiming for the destroyers engines where according to the tactical information provided by the Taelons the ships shields were weaker. Weaker they were – the dual phaser beams from both lower forward arrays sliced through the weaker shielding. An explosion erupted as the beams impacted the destroyer's main drive exhaust ports. Almost instantly there was another much bigger explosion as the destroyer's entire impulse drive unit exploded. The fury of the blast tore through the destroyer bursting out the bow. The destroyer split wide open before disappearing in a fireball.
No one on Voyager had any time to celebrate the destruction of the enemy ship for even as the light of the destroyer's death blast faded a incredibly bright disruptor beam struck the ship and physically slammed her off her central axis. Voyager's shields held but only just.
"Report," Kathryn Janeway demanded as she picked herself up off the floor where she'd been thrown when Voyager had been hit by that incredibly powerful disruptor beam.
"That blast came from one of the Sokara battleships captain," Tuvok reported. "Shields are down to ten percent. Weapons systems are off line."
"Propulsions out to captain," Tom reported frustration evident in his voice. Before Janeway could ask for a more complete damage report the battleship that had hit them fired at them again.
The Jaridians had reduced the power of the beam so as not to destroy Voyager outright but the beam completely destroyed Voyager's remaining shields and ripped into the hull taking Voyager on the upper port side of the saucer and cutting deep into the hull blowing out several whole sections on decks two through five. Nearly twenty crewmen were vaporised instantly, several more were sucked out into space before emergency force fields and bulkhead doors could seal the damaged sections off from the rest of the ship. Not that the rest of the starship was trouble free.
EPS conduits overloaded and blew out throughout the ship starting dozens of plasma fires. Main power went down throughout the ship along with dozens of other systems. Within a second of being hit a second time Voyager was hanging dead in space completely and utterly helpless.
Up on the bridge Captain Janeway spat out a broken tooth and picked herself up off the floor for the second time in as many minutes. What she saw was a scene from her nightmares. The bridge was in smouldering semidarkness – lit only by the red haze of emergency power, the sparks raining from shorting power relays and the flicking glow of the fire burning in the science bay.
A pile of fallen debris near the helm moved and was suddenly flung aside and a battered looking Tom Paris staggered back to his feet. All around the bridge most of the staff were climbing back to their feet.
"Damage report," Janeway demanded wincing in pain as she spoke. She guessed that she'd probably broken at least one rib judging by the pain in her side. Harry Kim staggered back to his station and struggled with the damaged console to comply. Janeway could see from the look on his face that he didn't know where to start.
"Main power is off line. Primary life support systems destroyed," he reported. "We've got a massive hull rupture on decks two through five sections two through nine. Those sections are gone captain theirs nothing left."
"Oh my god," Janeway breathed horrified knowing how many people were in those sections. "Casualties."
"Twenty-four confirmed dead. Twelve more unaccounted for." Janeway closed her eyes in pain at the loss of so many crewmen and women. A hand closed on her arm and she opened her eyes to see Chakotay standing besides her as always his own eyes reflecting the pain that he to felt.
"Continue with your report ensign," Chakotay said after a moment.
"EPS relays burned out all over the ship. There are plasma fires raging in both cargo bays and the shuttle bay. We're functioning on emergency power only – emergency power itself is only at sixty percent. We're venting plasma from both nacelles. Navigational deflector out. Hydroponics bay destroyed. The main computer is down. Radiation is leaking from the main impulse reactor. Evacuating affected sections now."
"Captain," Tuvok's voice abruptly called. "We are being boarded. Transporter signatures detected throughout the ship."
Before Janeway or Chakotay could issue an order a transporter beam shimmered in the centre of the bridge and rapidly formed into a blocky green bipedal monstrosity that was obviously a machine of some kind.
Tuvok immediately whipped out his phaser and fired at the hostile object. The beam never touched the machine instead it dissipated harmlessly against a shield. Had he been Human Tuvok would have frowned but he wasn't Human so he simply increased the phasers power even as the machine turned and raised an arm, which changed into some sort of cannon. Tuvok ducked as a bright blue-white disruptor beam ripped through the smoky air to shattered the monitors behind his station showering him with hot bits of plastic and crystal.
The replicant scanned the area immediately surrounding it for more threats. Another phaser beam – this one at full power struck it from behind. The replicant staggered as its shield only just withstood the blast. Whirling the replicant knocked the phaser out of the hand of the helmsman and knocked him flying as well. As the man flew through the air the replicant scanned him and immediately detected a Taelon energy signature emanating from him. The man was a hybrid and thus was a very grave threat to it since the replicant knew the hybrid would have the shaqarava, which were fully capable of destroying it. Tactical subroutines indicated that the hybrid should be eliminated immediately before he could use his shaqarava on it. The replicant brought its disruptor cannon around to bear on the hybrid and increased power to be sure to kill the hybrid with its first shot.
Tom Paris observed the replicant turn its disruptor cannon on him. Instincts that weren't Human gripped him at that moment and without even realising what he was doing he brought his hands up palms – and shaqarava – pointing at the replicant as it fired at him. As the replicant fired Tom felt his newly resurrected shaqarava flared to life. The disruptor beam impacted the shaqarava and was stopped between them forming into a glowing ball of destructive energy. Whoa I can't believe I'm doing this, he thought, here I am holding a ball of energy that a millisecond ago was an energy beam intent of vaporising me. Liam and Mit'gai are right I really need to learn how to control these shaqarava things properly. But that's for later but first I better get rid of this thing. Vaguely he remembered how to make the shaqarava fire so he did.
The ball of disruptor energy absorbed the discharge of shaqarava energy and shot back at the replicant. The replicant exploded the instant the bolt struck it disintegrating in a near blinding blast of light. A few sparking fragments were all that remained.
Tom staggered back to his feet and looked at the few sparking fragments then down at the still glowing shaqarava in the palms of his hands, then back at the remains of the replicant. He was aware of everyone on the bridge staring at him in surprise and astonishment – even Tuvok.
"I can't believe I did that," he said looking down at his shaqarava again. "I really need to learn what exactly these things can do," he added more to himself but Janeway and Chakotay heard him. After a moments more contemplation of the shaqarava glowing in his hands like two small stars he made them stop glowing.
Kathryn Janeway shook herself out of her amazed daze. Though she'd known about the shaqarava this was the first time that she had ever really seen at least part of what they could do. It suddenly brought home to her just how powerful hybrids like Tom and Liam really were. She turned to Tuvok.
"Tuvok what's the status on the other intruders," she asked after all Tom couldn't be everywhere. Tuvok checked his damaged console.
"Five have been destroyed," he reported. "Six more remain. They are heading for the main computer, the bridge and main engineering."
"Dispatch security parties to intercept," Janeway ordered.
"What's going on out there Tuvok," Chakotay asked referring to the battle he couldn't see what was going on since the view screen was inoperative.
"Almost all of the Jaridian and Delkari warships have been destroyed," Tuvok reported. "Three are adrift with minimal power readings and only sporadic life signs. Remaining Jaridian and Delkari ships are retreating."
"Engineering to bridge," B'Elanna Torres' voice said over the intercom. "We have a serious problem the plasma injectors for the warp core have been ruptured were trying to shut it down no…" abruptly their came a bang followed by a hissing sound and a Klingon expletive. "Coolant leak," B'Elanna called out. "Bridge we've got a coolant leek in the warp core I cannot shut it down. We're five minutes from a warp core breech."
"Eject the core," Janeway ordered.
"I cannot the core injection system is…"
"B'Elanna report!"
"Some kind of energy beam is coming through the bulkhead," B'Elanna's voice said. In the background the hissing of leaking warp core coolant stopped. There was a comment from what sounded like Geordie LaForge though B'Elanna's combadge couldn't pick up what it was. "Captain I don't believe it but the warp core is powering down," B'Elanna's voice said awe in her tone. "The energy of the matter/antimatter reaction is being dissipated somehow and the antimatter itself neutralised."
"Captain the energy beam is coming from one of the Taelon ships," Harry Kim reported. "One of their cruisers has pulled along side us. Their beaming personnel over."
"Captain all the remaining hostile machines have been destroyed," Tuvok reported. "But not by any of my teams. They've been destroyed by hybrids beaming over from the Taelon cruiser."
"Hybrid teams are beaming back to their ship," Harry reported.
"Engineering to bridge the warp core is off line," B'Elanna reported disbelief still plain in her tone of voice. "That energy beam has been disengaged but the cores staying off line. Captain who did that?"
"We did," a voice said from the other side of the bridge. Janeway whirled to see a female hybrid standing near the ready room doors. "We saw that you were on the verge of destruction and that your escape systems are off line. We also noticed the replicants on board. So we decided to help," the hybrid continued walking up to Janeway. "Sorry if we startled you but your ship-to-ship communications are not working."
"Captain who is that," B'Elanna's voice asked.
"My name is Sonia," the hybrid woman said. "Actually its Lieutenant Commander Sonia Kincaid – and before anyone asks General Kincaid is my grandfather."
"Well thank you for your help," Janeway said.
"Captain is Tom all right," B'Elanna asked after a moments silence with the immediate threat of the warp core going boom averted she was now thinking of her husband not her duty.
"I'm fine B'Elanna," Tom answered for Janeway.
"Captain Janeway," Sonia Kincaid said. "Our sensors show that your propulsion systems are off line," she added. "We can tow you back to the orbital station for repairs if you like?"
"That would be very kind of you," Janeway replied. For a second the hybrid woman was silent and once more Janeway got the hint that some sort of silent telepathic communication was going on. She looked at Tom to see if he could confirm it. Tom nodded he was aware of the communication but he couldn't tell what was being said he was just aware that Sonia was talking to someone.
A second later a shiver ran though the deck.
"Captain the Taelon cruiser has locked a tractor beam on us," Harry Kim reported. "There taking us in tow and moving back to the orbital station."
"We will transfer you to the orbital stations tractor beams as soon as where in range," Sonia said. "Now you must excuse me but I must return to the Val'shi we have our own injured and dead to attend to."
"Of course." Sonia made the now familiar greeting/leave taking gesture then she touched what looked like a crystal on the wrist of her jumpsuit. And was instantly enveloped in a Taelon transporter beam and was gone.
For a second Janeway just stood watching the empty space where the hybrid woman had once been standing just as the fire suppression systems came back on line and immediately began tackling the blaze consuming the science bay.
"All right we have our own work to do," she said after a moment. "Chakotay, Harry I want you to do a complete analysis of the damage we've sustained. Tuvok take a security team and begin sweeping the ship deck by deck looking for anyone injured or trapped. Tom go down to sickbay and help the Doctor."
"Aye captain," everyone who'd been spoken to said.
*****
Tactical Operations Centre
Ya'sa'ra Orbital Station
Admiral Owen Paris was glad when the battle with the Jaridians came to an end – it been just as brutal as many of the engagements with the Jem'Hadar and Cardassians had been in the recent war with the Dominion. It had brought up unpleasant memories.
He was worried about Voyager however. The stations sensors showed that Voyager had sustained massive damage when that Sokara battleship had fired at her. He didn't know what the casualties were like on board but he knew how Kathryn would take it. Every death would feel like a personal loss to her. Her empathy for her crew was what made her such a good captain but it could also be a weakness. He was also worried about Tom – was he alive.
"Admiral are you alright," General Kincaid asked making him jump.
"Yes I'm fine," he replied looking over at the tall hybrid. "But I am worried."
"About your son?"
"Yes."
"I understand I worry everytime any of my family goes into battle even if its sometimes me sending them. You don't have to worry though your son is fine."
"How do you know? Know wait I don't want to know. But I am worried about something else."
"Oh?"
"These Jaridians are they likely to attack the Federation now that one of our ships engaged them?"
"I do not think so," Liam replied with a smile. "That would mean fighting a war on two fronts. The Jaridians are bold, vicious and arrogant but their not stupid. It is a possibility but then it always was. For Jaridians know the history that your world has forgotten. And that is that once Humans and Taelons were allies against them. There was always a risk they would attack you from the moment this new war began forty years ago."
"You've been at war for forty years?"
"Yes. Mainly with the Delkari. Until now the Jaridians only participated in the initial assaults of the war. Then for some reason the Jaridians just disappeared from the battlefield. The amount of time we've been at war is nothing like the last war was. That lasted for a thousand years. But this time its different tactics and weapons on both sides have changed."
"I just hope they leave us out of it," Owen replied. "We're only just getting back on our feet after the Dominion war. We've seen enough death for awhile."
"The Jaridians should leave you alone as I said there not stupid enough to start a two front war. At least I don't think they are. But it is always a risk a risk that Humanity especially has lived unknowingly with for nearly four hundred years."
"So where do we go from here diplomatically speaking?"
"That's up to your ambassador and to Da'an and the Synod. We'll help repair Voyager and we'll help you adapt ID technology for her like we were going to anyway. Where we go from there is up to you. Now if you will excuse me admiral I have a number of things to do."
"Of course. Can you get someone to take me to the airlock Voyager will be docking at."
"They won't be docking at an airlock we'll bring them into a repair bay. But I will have someone take you and Dr Brahms to Voyager."
"Thank you." Liam smiled then turned and walked away. Owen watched him go he wished he could be as certain as the hybrid that the Jaridians wouldn't attack the Federation now that Voyager had destroyed one of their ships.