Chapter Title: One Man Army

Chapter Synapses: VonBach goes on a mission for Section 31 while the Hyperion crew work on decoding more logs.

Written by: JosephVonBach and Seraph Koji

Previously…

"We have operatives within the heart of Romulus and the Klingon Empire, the Cardassian Union (rather what's left of it), even the Breen Confederacy. We have had men in the cabinet of the past five Federation Presidents. Admirals, doctors, we have a lot of influence, Captain. And we are expanding." Operative Newberry explained.

"Victor, you should not be forced to help 31, so I'll tell you now. " A female operative told him, earnestly, "They are after you. They want Hyperion and aim to get her at all costs."

"These guys think I'm their ace in the hole for the Hyperion." Starwind explained to a fellow Captain, "But I refuse to serve them."

Collins looked up from the console, "Better hope they don't offer VonBach membership."

Starwind addressed Winters in regards to VonBach, "I want you to write reports weekly on his activities. Any unauthorized activity, from communications to overusing holodeck hours. Also, any sensitive tactical information or security information goes to you, and not him."

And now, the continuation…

The Hyperion flew through space, everyone at their usual bridge positions.

"Captain incoming message on a secure channel" said Talara.

"Who is it for?" Starwind asked, quite annoyed that she wouldn't tell him whom it was for.

"It's for Commander VonBach, sir"

"Captain, can I take it in my office?" VonBach asked

"Yes, Joe you may, dismissed." Starwind replied, VonBach walked off to the turbolift as Lieutenant Winters took over tactical.

VonBach stepped into the turbolift, "Brig". He walked into his office, the walls where lined with weapons from every race known including Borg, Klingon, Romulan, and even Zeon, an army from another universe entirely. On a shelf behind his desk were glass cases holding a replica of Kirks phaser, his phaser pistols and an original Heckler and Koch MP-5.

VonBach walked over to his desk, "Computer lock brig office door, security code VonBach alpha-gamma-1774" the door shut.

He tapped the screen on his desk. "Admiral Ross." VonBach said sitting at his desk.

"Commander, you are to assassinate this Romulan senator, he is a direct threat to the Federation." a picture of him flashed on the screen and than again was replaced by the Admiral. "All standard Section 31 operating procedures apply, a shuttle will pick you up in an hour. Be ready, Ross out." the screen went blank.

VonBach went over to his replicator, "5.56-by-40 millimeter ammunition, 30 round clips and 5 mark III plasma grenades"

On the bridge Collins asked Starwind "How long have you known the Commander?"

"Sense he was an Ensign, why?"

"Is that the only reason you keep him around?"

"He's good at his job, but that's about it." Starwind replied, chuckling.

VonBach came back to the replicator dressed in all black and over that he wore a tactical vest. He picked up the ammo and placed it in his vest. He than walked over and picked up his guns, a XM-8 light machine gun and an XM-8 compact which he holstered in a special hip holster. He removed and tapped his comm. badge.

"VonBach to Starwind, sir, a shuttle is picking me up in 15 minutes, I can't guarantee I'll be back. Winters has tactical."

Starwind looked confused as he sat on the bridge "Commander what are you doing?"

"My job, sir" Starwind started to understand now, VonBach training would make him Section 31's top assassin.

"Commander, you stand relieved of all the duties and responsibilities of belonging on this ship until farther notice." Starwind did that half to keep his ship safe because VonBach couldn't know anything about its movements if he where captured. The other reason was that he was being such a smart-ass. 'Doing my job'.

VonBach grabbed his guns and the grenades and went toward the shuttle bay.

Back on the bridge, "Captain, a shuttle is approaching…"

"Let it board, Lieutenant." Starwind ordered. "Winters, you have tactical, could be permanent so get used to it."

"Where is the Commander" Winters wondered aloud.

"He's 'doing his job'." Starwind replied.

VonBach was on route to the Romulus, while back on the Hyperion things where getting somewhat back to normal.

"Captain, your presence is requested in engineering, urgent" Phral spoke over his comm. badge.

Starwind arrived in engineering "What's going on?"

"Sir we have found another log from the future Hyperion but its password encrypted, we can't get to it."

"I think I know the password." Starwind typed in 'Heckler & Koch' the computer beeped "Password accepted."

"That's VonBach alright, choosing the name of his favorite producer of archaic Terran projectile firearms." Phral grinned.

"Heckler and Koch was apparently created by VonBach's ancestors, but I think it's mainly the archaic firearms thing." Strwind noted "Send this log to my ready room. It may contain confidential information."

Starwind sat in his ready room and played the log. It was static-filled and low quality, but at least it was salvaged.

"This is Acting Captain Joseph VonBach. I have just learned that the head of the Romulan military, in a tie-breaking vote, voted down Romulan support to the war effort. The senator I assassinated didn't get to cast his vote. Killing him or not could have changed the war completely. The arsenal he was creating was meant to be used against the Federation but who is to say that the war wouldn't have been reason enough for two enemies to become allies?"

"VonBach's 'Job'." Starwind though aloud. "He is going to kill the senator."

Starwind tapped his display hoping to find Admiral Ross, luckily he was there, "Ross, pull Joe out. NOW!"

"Captain what do you mean?" Ross was acting like he had no idea.

"Pull VonBach out now, or we may all die." Starwind was furious as he replayed to log to Ross.

"I'll do what I can, Vic, but that's all." Ross replied after hearing the log.

VonBach had made it into the compound and was a hall way away from the senator's chambers. He checked his tricorder.

"Two guards at the door and one in the room with the senator." He closed his tricorder and loaded a fresh clip.

Rounding the corner he shot both guards multiple times with his rifle. Hearing the gunshots the guard in the chambers opened the door only to find a knife flying toward him and impaling his chest. VonBach entered the chambers and saw the Romulan senator seated at a table. VonBach walked toward him only to hit a force field. The Romulan smiled at him, but VonBach had figured on encountering these. He pulled a small disk-shaped item from his vest and set it on the floor. It emitted a pulse that knocked out the shield. He had the senator in his sights when he heard crackling in his comm. earpiece.

"Newberry to VonBach, the mission is scrubbed. Get out of there." The voice crackled.

VonBach stood there, gun trained on the senetor, "You're kidding me."

"Problem?" The Romulan asked, "I'll just wait here for you to sort it out."

"Actually, I'm going to spare you." VonBach sighed, relaxing, "Remember that."

"Ah." The Romulan smiled, "Well, then, have fun trying to leave. By now, more solders will be on the way to kill you."

"Wouldn't have it any other way." VonBach left.

"Captain's log, stardate 57659.4. I have to admit that I am rather anxious. Even if we reach him in time, it doesn't guarantee positive Romulan involvement in the upcoming war. I've redoubled our efforts in decoding the logs and have called Chief Phral to brief me on a point of curiosity I had."

Starwind sat in his ready room. Phral entered.

"You called me, sir?" Phral asked.

"Your temporal force field around the ruins on Tal'Nori, will it protect these log entries from change?" Starwind asked.

"Yes." Phral nodded, "Even if VonBach aborts his mission, there is no way to know what affect it will have on the future."

Starwind nodded, "Any new news?"

"Commander Collins has found something in the log files. A reference to the race that is at war with the Federation." Phral informed Starwind.

"Who?"

"They call themselves the Krenim Imperium." Phral reported.

"Krenim?" Starwind rose an eyebrow, "Never heard of them. Search the database for any mention of this Imperium…"

"Aye, sir." Phral nodded.

Starwind paused, "Any sign of VonBach?"

Phral shook his head.

Starwind nodded, "Dismissed."

On a shuttle in orbit of Romulus, VonBach questioned the Section 31 agent, "Why was the mission canceled?"

"Your captain." Newberry said, firmly, "He found a log entry that said that this senator may play an important role in the upcoming war."

"Doesn't this guy have guns pointed at the Federation, poised for war?" VonBach asked.

"That's the idea." Newberry explained, "The bad guys come in, and the senator might turn his guns on them instead of us."

"You couldn't have told me earlier?"

Janeway's image appeared on Starwind's terminal, "The Krenim?" she thought a moment, "Yes, yes. I have met them. I received a warning about them once, and altered course to avoid their space."

"We have reason to believe that they are the aggressor in the impending war." Starwind reported to her.

"What cause do they have?" Janeway asked.

"We think it has something to do with Shran, or perhaps the recent Borg threat." Her responded.

"And VonBach?"

"He'll be back soon, I'm sure."

"Bridge to Captain Starwind." Collins' voice foled the ready room, "Commander VonBach just beamed onto the bridge."

"See?" He smiled at Janeway, "I could use any information we have on these Krenim."

"You'll have it."

Starwind entered the bridge, "How'd the job go, Joe?"

"Just finer, sir." VonBach lied. The information was classified, of course.

"Well, you didn't miss much." Starwind sat at his chair.