Warnings: Contains scenes of violence in some parts, but nothing graphic.
Disclaimer: As usual I own no part of this world and I gain nothing from this story, other than getting the ideas out of my brain so they can stop nagging me.
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A small craft glided through the vast space between the stars. Its markings identified it as a merchant ship of the Breen. It dropped from warp and fell into a nondescript solar system. The craft banked towards one planet and blasted towards a small dark dot orbiting above it. As it approached the small dot became larger, its large saucer shape forming first and behind it two bright warp nacelles. The Breen craft kept its course towards its target not slowing until it fell under the deep shadow cast by the great Federation ship.
On the bridge of the Federation Starship Pegasus, yellow alert sirens blared. The turbolift doors slid aside for its Captain. Riker strode to the centre of his bridge, still pulling on his uniform jacket.
"Report!"
"A Breen merchant ship came out of warp two minutes ago and has approached us directly. As yet it has not replied to our opening hails." The young ensign at Conn reported.
Riker sighed, rubbing the last of sleep from his eyes.
"Open hailing frequencies. Breen ship, this is the Federation starship Pegasus. May we assist you in some way?"
Silence filled the bridge.
"What status are their weapons and shields?" Riker demanded.
"Weapons and Shields are down, Sir."
He watched as the small craft closed in towards them – what did they want?
The Breen had remained neutral from the Telpor and Federation conflicts – choosing instead to work like Ferengi and gain profit from the conflict. They had been happy to fire at Federation and Empire ships alike. They had strong resources and Riker believed they had most likely had some kind of agreement with Telpor for their world to be left alone. Riker did not trust them as far as he could throw the merchant craft.
The small ship came to a stop at the boarder of the Pegasus' shields.
"They are hailing now, Sir."
"Let's hear it." Riker sat down into his chair.
"Federation ship! We intend no aggression. We are currently carrying a passenger who wishes to board your ship. Prepare for transport."
"Wait a moment," Riker interrupted "who is this person and why do they wish to board?"
"We are only concerned with fulfilling our agreement to bring him to you. We have no interest in the whys. Prepare to receive our passenger! Breen out."
"Friendly people." Riker muttered. "Bridge to Transporter room two. Prepare to receive a passenger from the Breen ship. Put up a level ten force field around the transporter pad. We will be with you in a moment."
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Riker strode into the transporter room to the tell tale sound of the transporter beam. He stood facing the pad with his security guards flanking him. The blue sparkling beam coalesced into a human shape. The moment the beam reached threshold and the human form appeared the transporter panel began to blare. Riker snapped his head round to the transporter chief, "What's up!"
The chief looked confused and then slightly frightened. "I…I think the sensors are detecting an energy suit!"
The guards beside Riker drew their phasers and shifted themselves between their Captain and the forming humanoid visitor.
"Red Alert!" Riker called to the computer and red lights and high shrills filled the room.
The humanoid finally formed his back to them. He turned round towards them slowly, lifting his hands to show he carried no weapons. Riker could see brief flashes of energy suit circuitry under his long segmented cloak. The being was human in appearance; his hair was long and black. He reached up and pushed the cowl of his cloak down from his face revealing a forehead tattoo and a large smile.
"Greetings Captain Riker. I bring news of Telpor and of Kathryn Janeway."
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Tuvok and Justin entered the Pegasus' conference room. Tuvok raised his eyebrow in an expression as close to pleasure as Justin had ever seen on the Vulcan's face.
Captain Riker indicated the stranger, "I believe you know this man, Tuvok?"
"Indeed. It is good to see you, Chakotay." Tuvok walked over to Chakotay and they bowed their heads to one another.
Justin came up and stood by the Captain. "Who is this?"
Tuvok replied, "This is Chakotay. He was one of the team members who brought down the Borg Collective." Both Riker and Justin regarded Chakotay with a renewed look of respect.
"Why are you here?" Justin asked.
"I contacted Chakotay before we left Earth, Justin. To see what he could learn about Kathryn and Telpor's behaviour."
Riker indicated the chairs around the conference table, "Shall we sit? What have you learnt, Chakotay?"
"Much. I was able to get aboard Telpor's flag ship, interact with Kathryn and test her use of the energy suit."
Eyebrows rose around the table.
"And what did you discover?" Tuvok asked.
Chakotay sighed with feeling. "Much. Telpor is manipulating Kathryn into fighting for him by making her think she is in some way dealing out revenge for her father's murder. He seems to have some form of physiological control over her as well. Most likely she has an implant that he can trigger to make her more aggressive at his will. She seems to have buried all her emotions other than anger and a form of guilt. Her use of the suit is adequate, but rudimentary. Her mind is in great conflict and if she is not helped soon, then she may be lost forever."
Justin sat forward with sudden aggression of his own,"What do you mean, lost forever!"
Chakotay remained unaffected by Justin's out burst.
"I mean, she may become more of a liability than Telpor. Her mind could shatter and leave an alternate personality created by the implant and her own pain. Left unaided her anger channelled through the suit could lead to many deaths including her own."
Riker sat forward in concern. "If it comes to that, can you stop her from harming anyone?"
Chakotay looked down at the table, sighed and looked up at Tuvok,"Yes. I can stop her. If it comes down to saving lives then my orders are to do whatever is necessary."
Justin sat back with a grunt, "From whom do your orders come from? Your energy suited people! Where were you when she began using the suit to harm people?"
"The suit she wears is another matter." Chakotay replied as he looked from Riker to Tuvok.
"As I understand it The Federation came across an abandoned energy suit twelve years ago. Kathryn Janeway was the head scientist assigned to understanding the suit. She was found to be compatible with the suit and testing began. Over the next year she began using the suit more and more at a basic level only. During that year she went on vacation with her father and he was murdered. She returned to Earth a changed woman and became obsessed with finding the killers. She became convinced there was some form of conspiracy within the Federation. She stole the suit and disappeared, until now. Is that correct?"
Riker and Tuvok exchanged a confirming look, "Yes, that is what happened."
"The suit that Kathryn is wearing has a distinctive signature. I checked in with my people and the original wearer of that suit disappeared twelve years ago. His body was later found on Cardassia. Our investigation at the time indicated that he was injured during a battle and then killed by a low level officer in the Cardassian military – a man named Telpor. How is it that low officer now rules an empire? And how did that energy suit find its way from Cardassian hands into the Federation's?"
The four men sat in silence. Justin looked from the faces of each man.
"Are you suggesting that Kathryn's paranoia may have been correct? That someone inside the Federation was responsible for her father's death? There was a conspiracy?"
Tuvok frowned, the pieces of a fragmented puzzle slowly coming together in his mind.
"He is suggesting more than that. The suit was found to work only on Kathryn – was this simple biology, or was it planned? What if there is a group within the Federation that was working with Telpor – finding a wearer for the suit and then manipulating her into running to him in the future. By murdering her father she became enraged and began using the suit more and with greater passion. She became the perfect weapon with which Telpor could begin his empire."
Justin shook his head in disbelief, "That is ridiculous! Why would someone go to those lengths just to gain an energy suit? And why would members of the Federation help Telpor come to power?"
Riker sat back in his chair, a deep frown cutting through his forehead.
"The energy suit represents more than power – it is a means of control. People fear Kathryn. Rumours of Telpor's lead fighter having an energy suit cause fear and give him an edge. Everyone in the known galaxy has heard of how a group of people wearing energy suits brought down the Borg! Then they magically disappeared. Mr Chakotay here is the first member of that group I have ever seen since that time. They have become legend in their own lifetime. The energy suits are mysterious and powerful. In the hands of a madman like Telpor it means death and pain. He believes he can frighten people into surrendering to him. Governments will give in long before he reaches their council chambers. In the last month he has taken over fourteen star systems and his name is preceding him. Kathryn is his tool."
"Why would the Federation aid Telpor in coming to power?" Justin asked his question again, his voice calmer.
Riker shrugged, "Maybe they wanted the suit for themselves. Maybe those working with him were after power as well? Maybe Admiral Janeway was on to them, or was in their way and that is why they chose Kathryn? Who knows. The question here is what can we do about it?"
Chakotay sat forward, "If we help Kathryn, stop her from helping Telpor then his power will be diminished. Take his flag ship and you may be able to find evidence as to whom in the Federation helped him and who may still be helping him now."
TBC