The Aldara had been one of only three Galor class cruisers outfitted with improved weapons and a cloaking device, but hadn't been sent on the ill-fated Cardassian/Romulan joint mission into the Gamma Quadrant. As with the other two Galor-class ships, it had been set back with mechanical difficulties during the upgrade process and was forced to stay behind. These new, upgraded, Keldon-class cruisers had barely escaped the Orias system when the Dominion launched their counter attack that devastated the entire system. He could tell by the faces of his bridge crew that they didn't want to be pursuing this Federation ship, either. His annoyance at his superiors made him grit his teeth. First, they were fighting the Dominion, then they were partnering with the Dominion. Then, they changed sides and fought against the Dominion. Now... they were siding with the Dominion once again.
Personally, he didn't want anything to do with the Dominion. On several occasions, he had even considered disobeying orders and attempting to contact the Warlord in an effort to retake Cardassia. He knew several other Guls would follow his lead. After all, this new Federation ship was immense; over eight times the size of his own cruiser. With the help of what was left of the Cardassian navy, they could easily defeat this Jem'Hadar task force. Besides, just looking at the size of the ship they were following... it would be suicide to go against it one-on-one, even with cloaking technology and advanced disruptor cannons. It had also crossed his mind to simply turn around and tell his superiors the Federation ship simply got away.
He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to be following this ship. He didn't want to have to attack what was probably their best chance at freeing Cardassia once and for all from the Dominion's hands. Once more, the words "Open a hailing frequency to the Federation ship," almost left his lips. He sat up straight in his seat. In the end, he was a soldier sent to perform his duty. Although he didn't relish the idea of being under Dominion rule again, he didn't want to be a pawn of the Federation, either. He would remain a loyal Cardassian soldier to the end. Eventually, he thought, this warship would HAVE to let its shields down. When they did, they would strike. He figured they only had one chance. They would have to drop their cloak in order to fire and they had been warned that this Federation ship was capable of seeing cloaked vessels. The Aldara would have to stay back until the very last moment. Perhaps, once this mission was complete, he would be able to more surreptitiously talk to the other Guls and organize a resistance. He rubbed his neck ridges in the hopes of relieving some stress.
"The Federation ship has stopped!" His sensor officer exclaimed.
"By the fates!" The navigator swore as he feverishly began pressing buttons and flipping switches in an attempt to stop as well.
Realizing the Warlord had probably stopped too quickly to avoid them from being detected by their sensors, Gul Danar only ordered the obvious. "Emergency stop!" He yelled, standing up from his seat. "Reverse engines! Back us up!"
"I'm trying!" The navigator yelled.
"We've been hit by a field of tachyons!" The science officer yelled.
Oh, no, Danar thought. They had been found out. Somehow, the Warlord crew knew they were being followed. Now, they were discovered. He still had a chance, though. "Decloak the ship! Open all hailing frequencies!" He yelled aloud. Hopefully, they would listen.
The sensor officer looked at the forward viewscreen to see a red pinpoint of light glowing in an aft torpedo tube. "Oh, no," he said quietly.