Chapter 80
Eye of the Storm
Crubelli IV Station
March 5, 2378
Captain Matthew Gideon poured over the information he'd received from Alex Wildstar and he could see that what he faced would be difficult at best. He'd called in as many reinforcements as he could get, from Starfleet as well as Earthforce. The Legendora were sending more ships to assist, but even with their advanced technology it still looked to be a tough challenge.
The renegade Founders had a well-defended base in the Gora system, according to the Vorta records. There was always the chance that the records could be forged, but Gideon's instincts told him that he was going in the right direction.
Will Riker came into the operational center and Gideon gestured to him to be seated. "I just got word that Wildstar will be here in another couple of days, as well as the EDS Freedom, Liberty, and the newest ship, Victory II. Yamato II is also inbound, and Suarez will be bringing along several Klingon and Romulan ships with him. So it looks like we're going to have a sizeable force to go up against the enemy."
Gideon nodded and responded, "We're going to need them. Coming up with a battle plan is going to be tough, but we've got enough ships to do it."
"So what do you recommend our first move to be," asked Riker.
Gideon punched up a tactical display. "This is the Omnigra system. According to the Vorta reports we seized at Olak Prime, it's the main slave labor camp for the Founders. It's where they make most of their heavy weaponry. If we can seize the facility, we can deny the enemy those weapons as well as the chance to counterattack us once we've achieved the main objective."
"Which is?"
"The Gora system, where the renegade Founders are. If our intelligence is correct, then the Ragendora are assembling planet killers there. If they bring those into the battle, we're up crap creek without a paddle."
"Understood. So that's why we've called in all these reinforcements," remarked Riker.
"Correct. Our force will go after Omnigra, while I'll send Alex Wildstar and Deslok after smaller targets with their smaller forces. From the reports I've received, Deslok's tactical maneuvers really decimated the forces we expected to have to use Wildstar's wave motion guns on. So I'm giving him the responsibility of taking on the Jem'Hadar forces at Bullon, while Wildstar will deal with the Ragendorans at Xintoa."
Riker commented, "Good idea. There's one thing about the EDF I can say, they know how to fight."
"Agreed. I'd hate to go up against those Wildstar brothers in battle. If it's all the same to them, I'd rather stay on the safe side of a wave motion gun blast," Gideon said, as both men laughed.
Riker went back to his ship and checked in with his XO, then headed off to bed. He still couldn't get used to sleeping alone after sharing his bed with his wife for so long. But she was still being treated for the damage that Bester had inflicted upon her, and so she was in the best place to be treated for her condition. His fist clenched hard at the thought of what he'd do to Bester when he got his hands on him, then he shook his head and moved his mind to something else. Ever since his wife had been violated, Riker had been consumed with revenge. He knew it was something he should not dwell on, but a part of Riker couldn't stand having someone do something like that to his woman.
He slept, after a fashion, and awoke the next morning to a message from Starfleet. It was Admiral Rainier Boch, head of special operations for Starfleet.
"Will, I've got some good news about your 'brother' Thomas!"
Riker nodded his head, pleased at the news. While he and his "brother" weren't close, they had been bridging the gap in recent years. "Can I talk to him?"
"Not yet. He's still in the infirmary on Deep Space Nine. The blast caught him and threw him against a wall, so there's a lot of neural damage that's being repaired. He's only conscious for an hour or so a day, and they need to let him rest. However, I do have another piece of good news."
Riker was surprised at this. "What is it?"
"Thomas asked Ro Laren to marry him. He told her that if we all survive this, the wedding will be on Risa. Now, if that's not motivation to win this war and make it through in one piece..."
Riker smiled and said, "Understood, sir! That's the best morale booster I've had in a long time! Thank you sir!"
"You're welcome. And Godspeed and good luck to all of you in the Gamma Quadrant! Boch out!"
Riker's smile faded a bit, but he refused to let the gravity of the situation get him down. He had a great reason already to survive the war in the form of his wife, but now he had another wonderful reason to survive and triumph. He got up and went to the bridge to go about the business of achieving victory.