Chapter Fifteen: In Debt

Alissa's Diamond was approaching the Dominion homeworld. Odo was on the command deck along with Alissa and Sinal.

"When we arrive we'll beam down to an island and wait to be contacted."

"How many of your people are on the planet?" Sinal asked. Odo was beginning to get annoyed by Sinal's questions. She had hardly closed her mouth since Odo had come aboard.

"Several billion." Off to the side Alissa suddenly stiffened. "Is something wrong?"

"Sensors are detecting weapons fire. Distance, twenty light years. Weapon signatures match the Kreedak." Odo started looking worried. "Increasing speed to maximum. Time of arrival three minutes."

…

A squadron of Jem'hadar attack ships strafed a Kreedak heavy cruiser, loosing five of their number to acid and phaser fire. The space above the Founders homeworld was littered with the debris of thousands of ships. The Dominion had been under attack by the Kreedak for over a month, and in every engagement both sides had suffered massive losses. Dominion Poleron weapons were able to penetrate Kreedak shields easily, but the Kreedak phasers could do the same to Dominion shielding. The Founders had ordered a massive increase in both ship and troop production. Kreedak ground troops were extraordinarily resilient. It took five to eight Jem'hadar to defeat one in hand to hand combat.

"Order the third wing to concentrate their fire on the enemy squadron bearing 173 mark 5," Keevan, the Vorta in charge of planetary defense ordered. He had been given the honor of defending his gods, and he would not fail them. Arrayed against him were close to 7,000 enemy vessels, including a single massive vessel over five kilometers long. It was shaped partially like a Federation starbase laid on its side. Thus far it had remained in the rear of the fleet. "Time until the arrival of the fifth fleet?"

"Seven minutes Vorta," the Jem'hadar first replied. He watched as Dominion warships hurled themselves at the enemy. The Kreedak fleet was mainly composed of medium sized warships with larger ones dispersed among them. "The forward lines are holding."

"First, sensors are detecting an unknown object approaching." The First and the Vorta used their visual headsets to see a massive vessel emerge in a streak of green light. It immediately began firing on the Kreedak ships in the rear. "We are being hailed."

"Answer them," the Vorta replied and watched as the image of the ship was replaced by one of a founder. "Founder," the Vorta spoke in greeting.

"I'm afraid we have no time for introductions. The vessel I've come on is here to help. We will hit the Kreedak from the rear while you press them from the front."

"As you wish Founder," Keevan replied.

As the Dominion ships pushed forward, space was filled with Transwarp apertures as more Borg ships arrived. Alissa had sent for them as soon as she had detected the weapons fire. Over a thousand Cubes and other vessels arrived and began attacking the Kreedak. A moment later the Dominion Fifth Fleet arrived as well.

…

On board the Kreedak Battle Hive Dark Swarm, Commander Haass Keredif observed the battle. The arrival of the Borg had not been anticipated. Their resistance quotient was extremely high. So far they had defeated every Kreedak assault made against them.

"Time until we enter range for the main cannon," Haass demanded, his claws clicking together.

"At present speed seven minutes Commander," one of the workers replied. "The Borg are turning our left flank. They will enter weapons range in two minutes. Your orders my lord?"

"Order the fleet to increase to maximum speed. The Hive Elders tasked us with the destruction of this planet, and I will not disappoint them."

"As you command my lord."

…

"The enemy fleet is increasing speed," Commander Alana replied. "I am also detecting a massive build up of energy in the enemy flagship, likely a weapon."

"All vessels press forward. Get the Demon's Tooth into a clear firing position!" Alissa ordered. She watched as the Dominion fleet as well as her own attempted to reach the enemy flagship. Suddenly the ship extended six spikes from its front and green energy began flowing.

"I am reading massive energy surge," Alana reported.

"No choice then," Alissa said and closed her eyes. Eight Cubes suddenly warped into orbit of the Founders planet and formed a line just as the enemy flagship fired. A massive blue-green beam shot out. The eight Cubes exploded in sequence, but by the time the beam reached the surface it had only a fraction of its original power. Still a small wave was created and a crater was blasted into the surface. Odo gasped.

Just as the beam hit the surface the Borg Demon's Tooth fired its own weapon, cutting the Battle Five in half. Escape pods began launching. Jem'hadar warships picked the majority of them off, but a few were tractored into other Kreedak ships as the remaining 4,000 ships retreated into subspace tunnels.

"Hail the Dominion flagship," Alissa ordered. As soon as the image of a distraught Vorta appeared on the screen Alissa began talking.

"Vorta, I am Alissa, commander of the Borg flagship. I regret we were unable to prevent the Kreedak flagship from firing, but I would like to speak with the Founders as soon as possible."

"I will relay your request," Keevan replied.

…

It took seven hours before Alissa and Alana were granted permission to beam down to the planet, and only under heavy guard.

The two Borg and five Jem'hadar materialized on a small island in the middle of a golden sea. Odo could see pieces of black ash in the golden water, the remains of dead founders. A shape began taking shape, resolving into a female changeling Odo recognized.

"Hello Odo," the female shapeshifter spoke in greeting.

"Hello. This is Commander Alana and Queen Sinal of the Borg."

"I am very sorry we were unable to destroy the Kreedak weapon in time. Did you suffer many losses?" Alissa asked.

"Nearly five hundred founders were killed," the female shapeshifter replied. Odo hung his head. "But your actions likely saved tens of millions, and for that we thank you. How many did you lose?"

"Each Cube had a crew of 150,000 drones, but they can be replaced. If there is any way we can aid you please ask."

"We will survive. Why have you come to our world?"

"To propose an alliance against the race that attacked you. The Borg have been under attack for over a month. With our two empires joined together the Kreedak won't stand a chance. If you agree we can begin sharing our technologies. Your ships would benefit greatly from Transwarp drive and adaptive shielding, and your rapid cloning technology would prove most useful to us. Do you find that acceptable?"

"I will take your proposal to the Great Link," the female shapeshifter said as she melted into the golden sea.

…

Alissa, Alana and Odo waited for over three hours until the female changeling reappeared.

"I have spoken to the Link, and they have accepted your proposal. The Kreedak must be made to pay dearly for what they have done."

"I am grateful," Alissa replied. "The Borg have recently assimilated a Kreedak vessel and obtained a partial map of their territory. Once your fleets are fitted with Transwarp capabilities we can begin a counterattack."

"Very well. We will arrange for a supply of cloning chambers to be transferred to your vessel."

"Thank you. We will return to our vessel. Until we meet again." After the landing party had gone the female changeling rejoined the Great Link, to mourn for those lost. The Kreedak would pay for their actions with their lives, and with the Borg and Dominion allied together, the days of the Kreedak were numbered.

How was that? So the Dominion and the Borg are allies now. Will the Kreedak stand a chance? What happened to the Kreedak Commander? Find out in the next exciting chapter of A New Way. See ya all then, and don't forget to review!

ENTILZA