Chapter 65

Setting Up Shop on the Other Side of the Tunnel

Aboard Empock Nor

Dortelia system

January 14, 2378

Gideon entered his office aboard the station shaking his head, looking at the Starfleet commander who would be in charge of the station while he led the fleet to Crubelli IV for the first stage of the attack. "Commander Genabe, I have never been so frustrated with anyone or anything in all my life! That robot, IQ-9, is...well, he's damned stubborn is what he is!"

"I take it sir that his repairs on the photon torpedo tubes did not meet with your approval," said Commander Lashonda Genabe.

"Oh, he did a good job, alright! When he was done, he chased one of my female techs down the corridor, trying to flirt with her!"

Genabe burst out laughing, then silenced it as best as she could when Gideon shot her a very humorless stare. She coughed then said, "Sir, if I may, I'll talk with IQ-9 and try and get him to shape up and meet your standards of performance."

Gideon replied with only a short nod as he headed back out of his office, through Ops, and towards the turbolift, which took him down to the level where the conference room was. When he got there, Captain Alex Wildstar and Chief Miles O'Brien were waiting for him. "Captain Wildstar, what's the status of the Legendoran forces?"

"We're ready to go whenever you are. Hercules is coming through the wormhole as we speak, and should be docking at upper pylon three within the hour. They'll add to our offensive capabilities in this theater."

O'Brien interjected, "Sir, we're still getting this station back operational, and I'll need a few more days to bring it up to where you want it to be."

"You have three days, Chief. Just do the best you can, because we need to start the first wave of attacks before the Jem'Hadar know we're here. Minbari ships will be here in a couple of days to provide for defense,as well as other ISA ships, so we should be good to go as far as defending the station."

"Aye, sir! It'll be hard, but we'll get it done. What about the station orbiting Crubelli IV," replied O'Brien.

Gideon sat back in his chair and sighed. "That'll be a tough one. We need to jump in relatively close, blow whatever opposition we have waiting for us there, and take the station before they can set off the self-destruct sequence. That's why I'm taking most of the Whitestars,
Klingon and Romulan ships, as well as several of the Defiant-class ships. That's why the Hercules is so essential to the operation. If we can get whatever intelligence they have there, it'll give us a leg up in this war."

Wildstar nodded and said, "Agreed. I've got the Tenth EDF fleet ready to go whenever you need us, Captain, and Deslok is ready to join us as well."

Gideon nodded and said, "Good. Dismissed." O'Brien and Wildstar left, but Gideon called to Wildstar before he could get out the door. "Alex,wait a second. I need to have a word."

O'Brien went ahead without notice as Wildstar stepped back into the room. "Yes, sir?"

"I don't trust this Deslok character. I don't know him well enough to trust him, and I need someone to keep an eye on him should he get out of line. Are you up for the task?"

"Yes, I am, Captain. That's why I've added his forces to my fleet. I don't completely trust him yet myself, but he's come through for us so far."

"I know, but, Alex, I've been betrayed enough in my life by people I thought I could count on. Just do me a favor and keep an eye out for him, ok?"

Wildstar nodded and said, "Yes, sir! I'll keep him under watch."

Gideon dismissed Wildstar and Alex made his way back to his ship, the Galaxia, where he met up with Deslok and his aide, Talan.

Deslok got right to the point. "He doesn't trust me, does he?"

Wildstar was caught short by this. "No, he doesn't. I don't think he trust anybody, not completely."

Deslok shrugged his shoulders and waved his hand dismissing the concern. "I'll manage. So, are we going to Crubelli IV or does Gideon have other plans for us?"

"No, we're staying here for the time being. We'll stand defense of this place until he gets back with the intellgence from the space station there. From what we know, it is a major hub of activity for the Vorta and the Jem'Hadar. The planet itself has no sentient life whatsoever,
but Gideon wants an overwhelming force there just in case there are defenses on the planet."

Talan added, "So we're being saved for the big punch, so to speak?"

"Indeed. Gideon wants to use us for some massive hit and run attacks, which we can't do until we have targets to go after. Plus, he wants to check out those Legendoran ships and see how they do in combat before committing to using them in the battle.," replied Wildstar.

Deslok said wistfully, "My forces will be ready, and I will earn Gideon's trust, or as much of it as I can. I cannot completely atone for all I've done in the past, but I can make up for as much of it as I can."

Meanwhile, back in the conference room, Captain Will Riker had just entered the conference room. "Gideon? Will Riker, of the Hercules."

"Pleasure to meet you. How's your wife doing?"

Riker nodded soberly, "As best that can be expected. Bester's handiwork is going to take some time to recover from. Gideon, if we find that bastard, I want a piece of him."

Gideon replied, "That's not our mission right now, but if we stumble upon him, let's just say he might find his way to your brig."

"That's all I ask. So when do we strike?"

Gideon stood up and looked at the tactical display, then turned back to Riker. "Three days from now, we leave for the Crubelli system. We hit hard and fast and take that station. If we lose it, then things get a lot harder for us."

"We'll get the job done, Gideon. I can't speak for the rest of the fleet, but I can speak for my ship."

Gideon nodded and said, "Get some rest, Will, because I have a feeling we'll all need it."