I hate disclaimers. Okay, I know nothing. I mean own nothing.

Four: Unnecessary force

Ratchet, Clank and Data rushed out of the turbolift onto the Bridge as the klaxons of Red Alert sounded around them. Data hurried to his post, while Ratchet and Clank stood by the weapon's console.

"Sensors have picked up three Dominion warships coming through the wormhole. We are moving to intercept." Riker turned to Ratchet.

"Ratchet, could you call on any ships in this area to assist us?"

"I could send a transmission," Ratchet replied. "But if they have firepower similar to yours, we would be no match."

"Captain," Burke spoke up. "Might I make a suggestion?"

"Go ahead, Ensign."

"The Enterprise is equipped with a prototype Starfleet Fighter." Burke continued. "It hasn't been used in combat yet, but all the simulations are positive. As these two seem to have experience in fighters, I suggest that they pilot the fighter to assist us."

Picard thought it over, and finally nodded. "Good plan. Please escort Ratchet and Clank to the shuttlebay, and accompany them on the fighter to instruct them on its operations."

Burke nodded smartly, and led Ratchet and Clank back into the turbolift. Riker turned to Picard.

"I was not aware of any Starfleet Fighter."

"It's a simple prototype, like the Defiant." Picard explained. Starfleet Command wanted us to test it to see if it could be used against the Dominion."

"Another battle ship?" Riker asked, incredulously. "This war is changing the Federation. Starfleet isn't an organization of exploration anymore. It's an army."

Picard nodded. "I agree, number one. But if we don't defeat the Dominion, there won't be anything left of the Federation."

"But what about after the war?"

Picard sighed. Riker was right. Some officers at Starfleet would not want to give up their power after the war, which could cause civil battles in the Federation.

"I suppose we'll worry about that when we come to it." Picard sighed again. What if the Federation was changing? What if they ended up like the Dominion themselves?

Inside the fighter, Burke was showing Ratchet the controls.

"Now, this accelerates the ship, and this is the primary firing system." He explained. "The phasers still overheat when used too much, so go easy on them."

Ratchet nodded, and pointed to the display on one of the screens.

"And are these the shields?"

Burke smiled. "You catch on quick."

"I used to pilot things like this back home. The weapon power is the only main difference."

"Picard to shuttlebay. We are coming out of warp and are intercepting the Dominion ships. Prepare for launch. Picard out."

Burke tensed up. "This is it."

"Haven't you ever done anything like this before?" Ratchet asked.

Burke ignored him and started fiddling about with the thruster controls. As the hangar doors opened, he got them off the deck and out into space.

"Right, Ratchet," Burke instructed Ratchet. "You pilot the ship, and I'll handle the weapons. Clank, you keep an eye on the shield power."

"Aye, sir." Clank replied, and obediently shut one eye and swivelled over to look at the shield console.

Suddenly, the ship was rocked by a blast from one of the Dominion ships.

"Here we go." Burke tensed up again. "Ratchet do your best to keep out of their line of fire, I'll handle the weapons." The ship was rocked again.

"Shields down to 87." Clank reported.

"Go, Ratchet, go!"

Ratchet sped off between two warships, dodging their fire. One began to follow them, while the other two went after the Enterprise.

"There's one on our tail!" Burke shouted.

"I can't shake them!" Ratchet replied.

The Dominion ship dodged their fire whilst keeping in line with them, and matched their every move.

"Wait… Turn around, head straight for them!" Burke shouted suddenly.

"Are you crazy? We'll crash!"

"Let me take care of that. Do it!"

Ratchet pulled the craft around, and set a collision course for the Dominion ship. They were getting closer… 500 metres… 300… 100…

"Hurry up!" Ratchet yelled.

"Keep going!" Burke replied.

"They are at 33 metres and counting!" Clank reported.

"NOW!" Burke bellowed, and launched a torpedo. Ratchet pulled up just in time, and the Dominion ship exploded in a starburst of colour.

"That was some good firing." Ratchet commented.

"Well, I…" A Dominion Torpedo smashing into their hull cut Burke short.

"Warning! Warning! Hull Breach in Transporter bay!" The Computer warned them.

"Activate the Bulkheads!" Burke ordered Clank, who busied himself with the keypad. Two large doors shut them off from the back of the craft.

"Shields at 42." Clank reported.

"Hurry, there's still two to go!" Ratchet shouted.

Another shot rocked the entire fighter, and the emergency lights came on. Steam began to vent from the back of the ship.

"Shields at 23!" Clank cried.

"You keep piloting. Avoid as much fire as you can." Burke barked at Ratchet. "I'll go back and see what I can do." So saying, he jumped up from his seat and made his way to the back of the ship and ripped a compartment open. Ratchet had to use all his piloting skills to avoid Dominion fire.

An explosion from the back of the ship sent shudders through the hull of the fighter. The lights came back on.

"Good work, Burke!" Ratchet called, and turned smiling to see the officer. The smile was quickly wiped off his face when he saw Burke's body limp on the floor next to the panel, blood dripping down his forehead. Ratchet ran to him, and Clank hopped down from his seat to inspect him. Ratchet held Burke's head up, and wiped away some of the blood. He checked for a pulse and felt his forehead.

"It's no use, Ratchet." Clank said, sadly. "He's dead."

Suddenly, a hit form one of the fighters pummelled the ship, and sent Ratchet sprawling. He quickly got up and returned to the conn, but it was too late. The Dominion fighter on screen was almost upon them.

Clank checked his console. "Shields have failed." He reported, dismally.

Ratchet struggled to control the ship, but to no avail. The fighter was getting closer, closer…

It was suddenly blown to pieces, and the Enterprise flew past triumphantly. Ratchet let out a breath of relief and activated the comm link.

"Ratchet to Enterprise. Thanks, you saved our butts."

"No problem." Riker replied. "Are you all alright?"

"Well…" Ratchet turned to Clank.

"It's Burke." Clank filled in. "He… didn't make it."

There was a pause on the other end. "I see." Riker finally acknowledged. "We'll beam him to sickbay, and then tow you in."

"Alright. Ratchet out." Ratchet stood back, and watched Burke's body disappear in a blue haze.

"There was nothing we could have done." Clank reassured Ratchet. "He saved us. You couldn't have saved him."

"I know, but still…" Ratchet stared sadly at the space where Burke's body had fallen.