Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own characters, everything belongs to Tolkien the genius and Roddenberry, the Great Bird of the Galaxy.
Author's Note: Here's more to my dear readers!
Chapter Seven: Secrets
"Sisko to Defiant crew," came the Captain's voice over the comm system. "Report to the ship immediately. Red Alert."
Dax lifted up her head, now awake from her peaceful slumber, and tried to get moving but a strong, yet gentle hand held her arm.
"What is this call he has given?" Glorfindel asked in concern up at her from his place on the couch where they had fallen asleep in each other's arms after their comforting the night before.
"We need to get to our starship as soon as possible," she said, starting to head toward her room to find a fresh uniform. "It's important if he is sending us out on the Defiant. This might be related to your people so you should come too."
Glorfindel stood up and took her arm to stay her before she left the room. Cupping her face in his hands, Glorfindel kissed her tenderly. They both smiled at each other and nuzzled into the other's embrace and touch at not having more time together before leaving. Within a couple minutes she was ready, since Glorfindel said he needed no other preparations, and headed down the corridor to get to the starship. When they arrived on the Bridge, Captain Sisko was present as were Lord Elrond and Lord Erestor. They all had determined faces yet worrisome lines crossing their foreheads as they awaited disembarking.
"Another of our ships is under attack," Elrond informed Glorfindel as Dax stepped past him to her station at Helm. "They are still being assaulted by the same Dominion ship that came after us."
"We must come to their aid quickly," Glorfindel said intently.
"That's what we're going to do," Sisko said as he checked the readiness status of the crew on his chair's nearby console. "All hands are reporting ready. Take us out, Dax."
"Defiant to DS9, release docking clamps," Dax called to the station.
"Clamps are released," Kira's voice was heard from Ops. "We'll keep an eye out here if anything else develops. Kira out."
"Reverse thrusters," Sisko commanded. "As soon as we are clear of the station, cloak and go to maximum warp to the distress signal's coordinates.
"Aye, Captain," Dax acknowledged, being more formal on the ship in the middle of a tense situation.
"What is a cloak?" Erestor asked, unsure of their terminology.
"It allows us to approach and travel unseen," Worf said from his weapons station. "Perhaps we can catch the warship unawares."
"Indeed," Glorfindel agreed. "Then we might get more answers."
"This is the space station Deep Space Nine, call off your attack on the vessel you are engaging," Kira sent the message out to the ship, hoping that it would make a difference before the Defiant arrived. "You are in violation of space conduct in Bajoran space and the ship you are firing on is under the protection of the Federation and the Bajoran magistrate. Cease now or we will respond in force."
"They aren't responding or acknowledging our hail, Major," an ensign said from his control station.
Kira grumbled to herself as she wondered about the situation. It was then she noticed Haldir standing nearby watching her intently.
"What are you going to do now that they do not heed your warnings?" he asked.
"Not much can be done from here," she said with a sigh. "But the Defiant is well on their way to where they are." She then turned to the ensign again. "Send a subspace message to the Defiant about our attempt to contact the Dominion ship and their failure to answer."
"Aye, sir," he said and followed her orders.
"Now we wait," Kira said turning back to Haldir. "Don't worry, the Defiant can take on at least three of the Dominion warships at a time."
"I hope you are right," Haldir said, his mouth a tight line.
In no time they were speeding toward the ship in distress several light-years away. The elf ship's communications were jammed and the Defiant could not hail them. Luckily they knew their location and set their sights ready to attack. The Dominion warship was still attempting to penetrate the shields of the elf starship when the Defiant arrived in range. Several volleys of torpedoes were sent as the smaller ship tried to fire back with minimal disruptors. The protections of the elves were strong but the weapons stood no chance to make a dent in the shields of the Dominion ship.
"We will disengage the cloak as we come up on them from underneath," Sisko sprang into action. "Aim for their shield generators and engines, Mr. Worf. I don't want them destroyed or going anywhere. After dropping the cloak, raise shields and fire at will on my command." The Captain waited as Dax brought the fast ship up underneath, the bottom hull quickly coming toward them so they could inflict maximum damage at a close range. "Mark!"
The Defiant shimmered into view suddenly and without hesitation it unleashed its destructive force upon the warship. The shields of the Dominion warship sparkled and crackled under the sudden onslaught and the ship moved out of its position in response to put distance between itself and the Starfleet ship. Another round of quantum torpedoes slammed into their shields as power was routed to sustain them longer. Several phaser shots hit the Defiant's own shields, causing the ship to shudder a little but easily sustain the damage.
"Shields at eighty-nine percent," Worf said. "The Dominion ship is on a defensive retreat course, Captain."
"That is strange," Sisko said, stroking his goatee as he often did while in thought. "It did seem odd how they reacted to our appearance. Not alike at to their usual behaviors."
"Pursuit course, Captain?" Dax asked as she maneuvered the ship around the elf ship. "The warship only caused minor damage to the outer hull of the elves' ship."
"No, I don't want to leave them as sitting ducks here while we chase down the other ship. For all we know it is a diversion or trap," Sisko said with a tad bit of annoyance at wanting to go after the warship but knowing the priority was checking on Lord Elrond's people. "We will still be able to follow their warp trail for some time. I still want to get to the bottom of this."
Dax slowed the ship down and brought it next to the elf ship as per Sisko's orders.
"Sir, we are being hailed by the elf ship. Their communications are no longer jammed," Worf said as a beeping was heard from the consoles.
"On screen," Sisko said.
The image of a bridge and several people replaced the view of the stars and ship outside. A single person stepped forward to the screen as several others stayed behind him; all were dressed and looked similar to Lord Elrond and his fellow elves.
"Hello, I am Gildor Inglorion," the elf said, his dark hair a bit tousled than the usual fresh and smooth look the elves had, more than likely due to their recent event. He bowed his head in appreciation. "Many thanks to your assistance."
"I am Captain Benjamin Sisko of the Federation starship Defiant and commander of Deep Space Nine," Sisko introduced himself. "We are glad to be of service. I believe we have someone onboard with whom you are familiar?"
Gildor smiled with relief as Lord Elrond stepped forward from the back of the Bridge.
"Lord Elrond, we are gladdened to see you are with us," Gildor said, another short bow. "We do not know what provoked this unwarranted attack on us but are glad that you came to our aid."
"No one is hurt or any other damage?" Lord Elrond asked.
"We fared well," the elf responded. "No one was badly hurt other than minor bruises. The ship may need some repair though."
"The Defiant can easily tow you back to our station," Sisko offered. "Then we can find out more about your encounter from you."
"Of course," Gildor said, and then turned with a nod to another elf on the Bridge. "We are lowering our shields so that we can return with you."
"We will see you soonest," Elrond assured him as they closed communications.
Sisko had called for all the elves from the two ships, including the hobbits, and his senior crew to join him in the War Room to discuss the decision he had come to concerning the Dominion ship attacks. The room was quite full but he wanted the attention of everyone so that they could come to an agreement on many things. He already had given them a thorough outline of the recent events unfolding starting with Lord Elrond's ship being attacked and the two people, Gandalf and Lady Galadriel, being kidnapped. He now came to the last part to discuss his plan of action.
"After speaking with my crew about the erratic behavior of the Dominion ship," Sisko began. "We have deduced that we may be dealing with a rebel or separatist group but it may be anything. Either way, Starfleet and Bajor will not stand for these attacks continuing in our territories and have now become involved. Major Kira, Commander Worf, Lord Elrond, Lord Glorfindel, and I have discussed our options and we will pursue this warship by tracking and tracing its residual warp trail from the attack earlier today. We will take several of our security teams along with those of Lord Elrond's people who are willing to join us. We are not sure what we may come across so any expertise is needed, elf or human."
The room was quiet for a moment as the elves looked to each other, quiet voices whispering to each other about this plan. Not all of them had been soldiers or warriors so they were hesitant but none made a word of acceptance right away. The first to step forward though did not surprise anyone.
"I will go," Haldir said. "We must find Our Lady as well as Mithrandir. I owe that much to them at least."
"We offer our services as well," his brothers, Orophin and Rúmil, said as they stepped forward next to him.
"I shall go," Gildor also offered, stepping up from the wall he had been against and smirked. "One last stand before going to Valinor should not be too much."
Several more stood forward pledging their help until there were plenty to join the Starfleet officers on their quest. Though the next voice that spoke up was unexpected.
"Then I will go," Frodo spoke up from his chair. "Gandalf is my friend and I cannot stand by without helping him as he did for me for so long."
"There is no need, Frodo," Elrond said with a hand on his shoulder. "We are already all in debt to you for your deeds. No more should be asked of you against this evil."
"But I wish it," Frodo said indignantly. "It is my fault!"
All became quiet as every pair of eyes in the room settled on the little hobbit. Elrond looked curiously upon him, not sure of what he meant.
"Why is that, Frodo?" he asked quietly.
"They were drawn to me," he said, holding to his fist to his chest near to his heart. "I could feel it inside as they knew that I had once held the Ring and a piece of their old master."
"Why did you not tell us this before?" Erestor asked, his voice was not cold or angry but more encouraging and comforting at the same time.
"I did not know what it was at first," Frodo said, his head lowered, as he felt even guiltier. "It was too late when I realized it."
"Do not worry, my boy," suddenly spoke up Bilbo. "You brought no harm unknowingly. Gandalf will not be angry with you."
"I know, but still…" he said sadly, even as Bilbo patted his shoulder and placed his hand on his. "If I go with them, I will be of greater help in the search. I'll be able to feel them and know when we are close."
"Or they may be drawn right to us," Glorfindel said quietly. "We cannot always be sure of the Power's sway even now that it is destroyed yet still influences you and these attackers of ours."
"Lord Glorfindel is right," Sisko agreed. "We must be discreet in this matter until we find out more through this mission. If we find out where your people are being kept and hidden, we will see to it that they are rescued unless of course we do not have a strong enough force to take them."
"It is understood," Elrond said, placing a hand on Frodo's shoulder to let him know he was trying to keep his best interest at heart.
"Constable Odo will also be joining us on this mission since this may have to do with his own people," Sisko also added on. "We might come across the Changelings and others so we will require his help."
The elves were a little unsure but agreed with slow nods.
"Since that is settled," Sisko said. "We will leave in half an hour."