Admiral's Log, Supplemental: We've reached an agreement, somewhat of an agreement with Weyoun, who identifies himself as Vorta. Our information on them labels them as the diplomatic hand of the Dominion with the Jem'Hadar being their primary military. In many ways though, these Vorta are perhaps more dangerous than the Jem'Hadar, given Weyoun's own approach being that of both experience and high intelligence. I must remain cautious around him, even as we continue to stall the Dominion pursuit of the Remee refuge fleet.

End Log

USS Enterprise
Bridge

Kirk stepped onto the bridge and immediately approached Spock's station. "Status."

"The Remee fleet has gone to warp and will be on the edge of this sector within an hour." Spock answered. "Weyoun and his escort have returned to their ship?"

Kirk nodded. "They have. So now we're playing the waiting game. If we can stall the Dominion long enough, the Remee can escape and find a safe world to rebuild their civilization."

"Assuming the Dominion doesn't simply decide to destroy us and immediately pursue afterward. Our hyperdrive is our only bargaining chip and they are likely to try and steal it by taking this ship." Spock pointed out.

"It's a risk but one we all agreed to take when we chose to serve in Starfleet." Kirk admitted before smiling. "Have they tried scanning us?"

"They have. They attempted to be discreet through an advanced form of anti-proton scanning. I admit it was a challenge to detect but I managed." Spock nodded. "This could be used as a better way to track the cloaking devices of Klingon and Romulan ships back home."

"Assuming we get home of course." Kirk stated.

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Of course. I calculate our current odds are not in our favor."

"When are they ever?"

Spock took a moment to consider this question. "Less than I believe a human would be comfortable knowing."

Kirk had to chuckle at that.

Weyoun's Ship
Weyoun's Quarters

"You are certain of this?"

"Beyond all doubt, Founder. These people have broken the transwarp barrier and can travel to any point in the galaxy."

Upon returning to his ship, Weyoun had immediately headed for his quarters, informing his guards that he did not wish to be disturbed as he had to make a very important call.

A call to the true leaders of the Dominion.

His gods.

"Then you must take steps to ensure their ship is not damaged and brought to the nearest outpost. This 'hyperdrive' would allow the Dominion to travel to and establish order in any part of the galaxy and beyond."

"I had reached that conclusion myself, Founder." Weyoun agreed, his head device allowing him to speak and see his master without anyone able to listen in on their conversation, aside from hearing what he was saying.

Not that the Jem'Hadar outside his quarters would allow for such a crime.

"There is also the matter of the Remee refuge fleet. They were last seen in the same sector we encountered the Federation ship. It is possible they rendered aid to the refugees before meeting us." Weyoun pointed out.

"Then they are criminals to be tried for crimes in aiding the enemies of the Dominion."

"Of course." Weyoun nodded. "We only have three ships but I am confident we can take the Enterprise without damaging her too much."

"See that you do, Weyoun. The nature of this hyperdrive must be studied in thorough detail and if the ship is kept in well enough condition, we can use it to begin infiltrating the Alpha Quadrant, starting at the home system of this Federation."

"And thus the Federation and all of its territories would fall under the control of the Dominion." Weyoun smiled. "A wise and brilliant plan, Founder."

"Just remember to play your part in it, Weyoun." His master continued, barely even acknowledging Weyoun's praise. "I will be on my way with reinforcements to escort our guests to their new home."

"They will be ready and waiting for you, Founder." Weyoun stated, bowing as the transmission ended.

He removed the display device from his head and turned to the door, exiting it and turning to his guards. "We are going to the bridge."

USS Enterprise
Bridge

"Admiral, sensors show the Dominion ships are powering weapons and shields." Spock reported as his station started beeping.

Kirk turned to the screen, watching as the ships that resembled Terran scarab beetles in design began approaching his ship. "Red alert. Raise shields."

Klaxons went off, signaling the rest of the ship of the coming danger.

"Mr. Sulu, give us some maneuvering room." Kirk immediately ordered. "Don't make us a stationary target. Full impulse power and try and to keep us out of range of their weapons. If they do come in range then try to keep out of their targeting range."

"Aye sir." Sulu immediately complied.

"Mr. Chekov, ready phasers and photon torpedoes."

Weyoun's ship
Bridge

"The Federation ship is moving at high speed." The Jem'Hadar tactical officer reported.

"Match their speed. Do not let them escape." Weyoun ordered. "You are to target to disable only. If that ship is destroyed or damaged beyond sufficient salvage you will answer to the Founders."

"Yes sir." The First turned to the tactical officer. "One quarter power to the weapons and order our ships to do the same."

"Yes sir."

Weyoun watched as the Enterprise moved with elegant like grace, working to likely remain out of range of their weapons. "He is a shrewd one."

The Enterprise and the Dominion ships found themselves moving in almost a circle like dance with the Enterprise moving to keep out of range of their weapon or at least stay out of the targeting radius. The Dominion ships were fast and maneuverable, owning to their size but the Enterprise was just as maneuverable.

Even so, that did not get them completely out of firing range.

The Dominion ships would fire off blasts from their front and aft emitters, the occasional blast hitting the Enterprise and passing through their shields like they were not even there.

USS Enterprise
Bridge

Kirk gripped his chair's arms tightly as the ship shook. "Damage report."

"Thermal damage to the hull, no hull breaches yet." Spock reported. "Bulkheads are holding."

"Divert shield power to the structural integrity field. No point having them up if they can't block enemy fire." Kirk ordered. "Mr. Chekov, return fire."

"Aye sir."

The starboard phaser banks that were facing the Dominion ships fired, red beams reaching out and touching the shields of the ship at the rear end of the formation.

Weyoun's Ship
Bridge

"Attack Fighter Three is reporting minimal damage with shield power dropping to sixty percent on their port side." First reported. "The enemy ship is continuing its maneuvers while firing."

"They can't engage us fully since our weapons can penetrate their shields." Weyoun mused, watching the Enterprise continue its slash and dash strategy. "An intelligent move but we still have the advantage. Try to disable their engines but do not damage them enough to cause a warp core breach. We need the vessel intact. Prepare a boarding party to beam onto their bridge and engineering sections as soon as it is disabled."

"As you wish."

USS Enterprise
Bridge

The ship shook from another hit.

"Admiral, we cannot continue this engagement. We risk suffering a fatal shot to any vital areas." Spock stated.

"Agreed. Mr. Sulu…Bring us about." Kirk immediately ordered. "Mr. Chekov, prepare a full spread of photon torpedoes with phasers ready."

Weyoun's Ship
Bridge

"Sir, the enemy ship is turning around. It's coming towards us." The First Jem'Hadar reported as his console beeped. "They are arming forward weapons."

"I can see that." Weyoun replied, watching as the Enterprise turned and was seemingly heading straight for them on a collision course. "Target their engines-"

"They are firing!"

From the torpedo on its neck, the Enterprise fired four photon torpedoes right at the incoming Dominion ships. However the three ships were already breaking off to dodge when something unexpected happened. The Enterprise's forward phaser banks fired, not at the Dominion ships but at the torpedoes themselves just as they about to pass the Dominion ships. One torpedo was hit and that set off an explosion that caused the other three to explode.

"The explosion has scrambled our sensors!" The Jem'Hadar tactical office exclaimed as the bridge shook.

"Where is the Enterprise?" Weyoun quickly asked.

His question was answered as the Enterprise shot through the flaming cloud created by the explosion, passing in between the three Dominion ships. The Federation ship fired its port and starboard phaser banks at the flanking Dominion ships and fired its bow phaser banks at Weyoun's ship. The forward shields held off the attack but the Enterprise continued to fire as it sailed over the lead ship, firing its rear phaser bank as it passed over. The shields shuddered to hold off the attack but as the Enterprise shot past Weyoun's ship, the shields failed and a single phaser shot hit the port nacelle.

"We are leaking plasma from the port nacelle!" The first Jem'Hadar reported as the bridge shook again.

Weyoun watched as the Enterprise immediately went to warp as soon as it was clear. "Track them. I want to know their heading."

"We cannot pursue." The first replied.

"It doesn't matter. If the Founders find we lost the ship, we will have failed them and might not live to make up for this debacle." Weyoun retorted. "Shut down the engines and make repairs immediately."

As the Jem'Hadar scrambled to carry out their tasks, Weyoun looked in the direction the Enterprise had left.

"Well played, Admiral Kirk." Weyoun admitted. "But this is not over."