Chapter 107.
Dragon's teeth.
(Leah POV)
We were cruising at warp went something happen at my window and we were in some kind of tunnel.
"Red Alert, Captain to the Bridge," Chakotay said.
As I headed out.
"Report," I said.
"We've entered some kind of subspace corridor," Harry said.
"We were cruising at Warp 6, Then Wham," Tom said. "This thing pulled at our warp field like a magnet,"
"Where did that debris come from," I said
"Unknown, But the corridor is filled with it," Tuvok said. "Metal fragments, Plasma exhaust, Organic residue,"
"Some of the debris is over 800 years old captain," 7 said.
"I'd like to avoid becoming part of this garbage stream, can you find a way out," I said.
"I don't know," Tom said. "There's hundreds of corridors, It's like a maze,"
"Well be a good rat and find us the cheese," I said.
"I'll do my best Captain," Tom said.
As we rumbled a bit.
"Tuvok," Chakotay said.
"It was a vessel, sir," Tuvok said. "They are hailing us,"
"Put it through," I said.
"Who are you?" He said.
"I'm Captain Leah McCall of the starship Voyager, and you are," I said
"This under space belongs to us," he said.
"We're here by accident, We're trying to find a way out," I said. "Can you help us,"
"Help you, Yes, We'll help you," he said. Then Cut the channel.
"They are targeting our shields with a resonance pulse," Tuvok said. "It's altering the harmonics, We're being pushed out of the corridor,"
"We're clear," Tom said.
"The vessel has exited the corridor as well," Tuvok said.
"Captain we're over 200 light years from where we entered the corridor," Tom said.
"200 light years in 5 minutes," Harry said.
"We gone over a 1000 with the hyperdrive," I said. "Hail them. Thank you for your help, There's something I'd like to ask you, We've got a long journey ahead of us, And I was wondering if we could negotiate passage through this under space of yours,"
"Lower your shields. Prepare to be boarded," he said.
"Boarded for what reason," Chakotay said.
"We must purge your computer, remove all readings you've gathered in our territory," He said.
"We pose no threat to you, We're simply trying to," I said.
"We're going to destroy that information one way or another," he said. "Lower your shields,"
"I won't do that," I said. "Harry, ZPM 1 to shields,"
As he cut the channel.
As we got hit.
"Evasive maneuvers," I said. "Return fire,"
"Their vessel is highly manoeuvrable," Tuvok said. "It's difficult to get a Phaser lock,"
"Picked up to more ships heading our way," Harry said.
As we got hit.
"Direct hit, Warp drive is offline." Tom said.
"Shields down to 82%," Tuvok said. "60%,"
"They're closing," Tom said.
"We could use some clever suggestions about now," Chakotay said.
As we got hit.
"There's a planet 8 million kilometers ahead, Uninhabited but the atmosphere is charged with radiogenic particles," 7 said.
"How Radiogenic," Chakotay said.
"3,000 isorems," 7 said.
"If we route enough power to the shields, we can survive in that, But maybe our friends can't," Chakotay said.
"Harry ZPM 2 and 3 to shields," I said "Tom do it,"
As we got hit.
"Shields at 93%," Tuvok said.
"Entering the thermosphere," Tom said.
"Radiation level at 3,000 isorems and climbing," Harry said.
"The Alien ships," Chakotay said.
"In pursuit and charging weapons," Tuvok said.
"Increase our descent vector," I said.
"They're still closing," Tom said.
As we got hit.
"Direct hit to our aft shields," Tuvok said.
"Find the highest concentration of radiation, and take us through it," I said.
"Proximity radiation at 4,000 isorems, 5,000, 6," Harry said.
"Their shields are weakening, they're breaking off," Tuvok said.
"Now all we need is a place to land and make repairs, Tom," I said.
"We're clearing the lower stratosphere," Tom said.
"On screen," I said.
"I thought you said this planet was uninhabited," Chakotay said.
"The radiation must have interfered with my scans," Harry said.
"I doubt it inhabited anymore looks like this planet is in the middle of a nuclear winter," Tom said.
"Agreed, Gamma radiation level are highly toxic," Tuvok said. "The impact crater suggest an orbital bombardment,"
"How long ago," I said.
"From the rate of Radiogenic decay, 892 years." Harry said.
"This must have been a city of millions, Set us down, Those Buildings will give us some cover," I said.
As we set down.
"Disengaging engines," Tom said.
"Stand down Red Alert, Assign damage repair teams," I said as the klaxons went normal. "And Tom Make sure B'Elanna has enough help in Engineering, I want those warp engines back on line,"
"Yes ma'am," Tom said.
"Our friends are still in orbit," Tuvok said.
"Circling like Vulture," Chakotay said.
"Well they are going to go hungry," I said.
"Not if they find a way to adapt their shields and come down after us," Chakotay said.
"Captain, I'm detecting faint lifesigns coming from a chamber several hundred meters beneath the surface," Harry said.
"Survivors," I said.
"After 900 Years," Chakotay said.
"Oversee the repair teams," I said.
"You're going down there," Chakotay said.
"If somebody survived this catastrophe, They might need our help, Get a good fix on those coordinates. I don't want to be into solid rock. 7, Tuvok, you're with me," I said.
XXX
As we beamed in.
"These walls have been reinforced with tritonium," I said. "They built this place to last,"
"Most of the power relays are still active," Tuvok said.
"Not bad after 9 centuries," I said.
"The Main rector is drawing energy from the planet's geothermal core. Efficient," 7 said.
"Some kind of stasis pod," Tuvok said.
"This display indicates that there are more chambers behind these walls, Some of them have failed," 7 said.
"It's amazing they survived at all, Let's see what else we can find," I said.
As Tuvok and I headed on. Then Heard something.
"7, What are you doing," I said.
"I've activated the reanimation sequence, He may be able to provide us with answers," 7 said.
"We don't know anything about this species, They could be hostile," Tuvok said.
"Most humanoid cultures are," 7 said.
"Remind me to reacquaint you with away mission protocols," I said as he woke up.
"Who?" He said.
"It's all right, We're not your enemy, We're from a starship, We discovered this chamber and revived you," I said.
"How long was I," He said.
"In stasis, Close to 900 years," I said.
"900?" He said. "Jisa, Help her please,"
As 7 opened it. But she was dead.
"No Jisa, She was my wife," he said.
XXX
As we got to Voyager.
"And the others," he said.
"Flesh and Blood, Like yourself," Doc said.
"You're the ones that took me out of stasis, I don't recognize your species," He said.
"Human, Our home planet is halfway across the galaxy," I said.
"And you've expanded your territory into this space," He said.
"Our ship was brought here by accident, We're trying to get home," I said.
"You're Borg," He said.
"How do you know that?" 7 said.
"Don't you recognize my people. The Vaadwaur," He said.
"The Collective's memory from 900 years ago is fragmentary," 7 said.
"I've had many encounters with your kind," He said.
"And lived to tell about them," Doc said. "Impressive,"
"How did you find us," He said.
"We needed someplace to hide from the Turei, After they found us in one of their subspace corridors," I said.
"Their corridors," He said.
"So they claimed," I said.
"The Corridors were ours, it took centuries to map them," he said. "We were the envy of a hundred species, including the Turei,"
"Are they responsible for what happened to your planet," I said.
"The Turei and a dozen others," He said. "What one couldn't accomplish, the others finally did, I would like to look at what's left of my world,"
As we went to the Mess hall.
"We made our final stand there," Gedrin said.
"I've scanned the caverns, you've got a thousand more stasis pods down there, Most of them still active," I said. "Hundreds of ships, land vehicles, Weapons,"
"A single battalion and their families," Gedrin said. "We had planned to come out of stasis after 5 years, We believed that by then the alliance would have been at each other's throats,"
"You were going to rebuild," I said.
"No, Not here," Gedrin said. "We knew this planet would be poisoned for centuries, We were planning to go to another world, start a colony hope to find new allies, learn from them,"
"Your power core is still functioning, It was the controls that were damaged in the attack, that's why you never came out of stasis," I said.
"Jisa and I lived there in the old quarter. We had a garden overlooking the street below, It's a shame she didn't show more courage at the end," Gedrin said.
"Given the circumstances," I said.
"Well, that's no excuse," Gedrin said.
"Pardon me for saying this, But that seems a bit heartless," I said.
"When it rains, do you run from doorway to doorway, trying to stay dry getting wet all the while, or do you just accept the fact that it's raining and walk with dignity," Gedrin said.
"Rain's one thing, Plasma Bombe are something else," I said.
"But the principle is the same," Gedrin said.
"I'd bring an umbrella," I said.
"Maybe it's not too late to meet a new ally and learn from her," Gedrin said.
"I took the liberty of preparing a large assortment of Delta Quadrant dishes," Neelix said. "Hopefully, There's something here that you'll like,"
"You're Talaxilzay," He said.
"Talaxian, but you're right, my ancestors referred to themselves as Talaxilzay in the old tongue," Neelix said
"The old tongue was new when I met your race," Gedrin said.
"You travelled all the way to Talaxia?" I said.
"And farther. Our corridors took us to many worlds," Gedrin said. "I'm curious, Have you heard of us, The Vaadwaur?"
"Oh, I'm afraid there aren't many record from that period, But Vaadwaur is a word in the old tongue, It means, uh. Foolish," Neelix said. "I'm sure that it's just a coincidence of course, I didn't mean to be rude,"
"Your ancestors were wise, Only fools would let this happen to them," Gedrin said.
"Chakotay to Captain McCall," Chakotay said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"Looks like our friends in orbit have found us," Chakotay said.
"We're on our way, Go to Red Alert," I said.
As we got there.
"Report," I said.
"6 Turei vessel are in orbit, all firing plasma charges," Chakotay said.
"That was 2,000 meters to starboard," Tuvok said.
"Looks like they can't get an exact fix on our position, The radiogenic atmosphere must be disrupting their targeting," Harry said.
"900 meters," Tuvok said.
"They're getting closer," Tom said.
"Can we fire back," I said.
"We have the same problem, Our torpedoes won't lock on," Chakotay said.
"Direct hit," Tuvok said. as we got hit. "Aft shields down to 18%,"
"Harry, use all 3 ZPMs to shields boost then up," I said.
"Captain, Can you transmit a signal through this atmosphere," Gedrin said.
"We've already tired talking to them," I said.
"I have no intention of speaking with the Turei," Gedrin said. "We put a sentry satellite in orbit directly above the city, You could use it's sensors to help guide your torpedoes,"
"It's there. Intact and functional," Tuvok said. As as we got hit.
"Open a channel," Gedrin said. "I'll give you the activation code," As we got hit. "I'm a few centuries out of date,"
"You can enter the activation code here," Harry said. "It's processing our telemetry,"
"Triangulate," I said. As we got hit. "Fire,"
"Direct hit, the lead ship has lost shields," Tuvok said. "It's propulsion is down,"
"One more torpedo will finish them," Gedrin said.
"The other ships are retreating," Chakotay said.
"Captain why don't you keep firing," Gedrin said.
"We've scared them off, That's enough for now," I said.
"But they'll come back with twice as many ships," Gedrin said.
"With any luck Our warp drive will be back online by then," I said.
"The Turei may be cowards, but their technology has become much more advanced than ours, If you leave us, We will be slaughtered again," Gedrin said.
"What do you purpose," Chakotay said.
"Help us off this planet, And we will show you subspace corridors known to nobody else, You will be free from the Turei, and you will be a thousand lightyears closer to your home," Gedrin said.
"Let's wake up your battalion," I said.
XXX
We were down on the Planet with Gedrin and Chakotay. As he got a set of doors open and turned on the lights.
"Dragons teeth," Chakotay said.
"Dragons teeth," I said.
"An old Greek myth. After a dragon was killed in a war, it's teeth were spread out over the battlefield, They took root, and warriors sprung from the ground to continue the fighting," Chakotay said.
"That's something I would take right now," I said.
XXX
"Captain's Log Supplemental, We've revived nearly 200 of the Vaadwaur, and we're moving forward with our unexpected alliance, End log," I said.
We were in Astrometrics.
"Voyager was pulled into the corridor 200 lightyears from here," Tuvok said.
"Pulled in," Gaul said.
"There must have been a break along the radial wall," Morin said.
"The corridors occur naturally, but they're very unstable, They're damaged by use," Gedrin said.
"Obviously, the Turei don't have the wisdom to maintain them properly," Gaul said. "They'll be very difficult to navigate after centuries of neglect,"
"We've only been able to chart a few of the corridors, Can you provide us with a more complete map," Tuvok said.
"We've never kept written records for security reasons," Morin said. "Of Course we've committed all the corridors to memory, Every multifold, Every spatial intersect,"
"We'll be happy to plot a course for you, but first, we'll need to get past the Turei," Gaul said.
"7 how many ships in Orbit," I said.
"11," 7 said.
"Gaul Tuvok Start working on a tactical plan," I said.
"If we do manage to escape, we'll need to locate a habitable world," Gedrin said.
"7, scan the astrometric database, See what you can find someplace out of the way," I said.
"Yes captain," 7 said.
"Morin, Take charge of reviving the rest of our battalion," Gedrin said.
"Many of our bio pods have been damaged, I could use some assistance," Morin said.
"My Chief Engineer will be glad to give you a hand," I said.
"Thank you," Morin said.
"Well let's get started, We have a civilisation to rebuild," I said as I touch 7 and headed out.
XXX
"16 Turei vessel are now in Orbit," Tuvok said. "Long range sensors indicate 5 more on the way,"
"I can understand that they want the odds in their favour, but that's overkill," I said.
"They may have detected us," Gaul said. "If they know their history they'll come prepared,"
"900 years is a long time to hold a grudge," I said.
"The Turei would like nothing more than to find the rest of our subspace corridors, We can't allow that to happen," Gaul said.
"Then I suggest we use the element of surprise. At 0600, Voyager will leave the surface and engage the Turei ships in orbit, As we draw their fire, the more powerful Vaadwaur vessels will attack from multiple vectors," Tuvok said. "The rest of the Vaadwaur will break orbit from the opposite side of the planet and proceed to the subspace corridors, We'll rendezvous with them afterwards,"
"What if Voyager is disabled, We'll be defenseless," Gaul said. "If we armed my ships with your photon torpedoes,"
"I'm afraid. I can't authorize that," I said.
"Why not." Gaul said.
"Starfleet protocols are very strict about the transfer of weapons," I said.
"I'm not used to putting my life into someone else's hands," Gaul said.
"There are a lot of things you're going have to get used to, We've faced enemies worse than the Turei, We can more than handle them," I said.
"I need those weapons," Gaul said.
"I'm sorry the answer's no," I said.
"If you want access to our corridors," Gaul said.
"We'll continue home through open space if we have to," I said.
"All right, our lives are in your hands," Gaul said.
"Tuvok Make finally preparations. I want to get off the ground at 0550," I said.
XXX
I was in my ready room when my door bell rang.
"Come in," I said. As Gedrin came in.
"You wanted to see me, Captain," Gedrin said.
"Yes, I need a little history lessen," I said.
"Can't it wait until after we've reached the corridors," Gedrin said.
"I'm afraid not, I've just had a conversation with Neelix and 7. They've been poring through various databases and have come up with some surprising findings," I said.
"Surprising," Gedrin said.
"You told me the Vaadwaur were a culture of merchants and scientists Who expanded their knowledge by using the subspace corridors to travel to other worlds," I said. "You were the envy of hundreds of species, some of whom eventually wanted to corridors for themselves,"
"Your Point," Gedrin said.
"let me give another version of events," I said. "The Vaadwaur were an aggressive culture, who expanded their territory by using the corridors to attacks other worlds, Until some of those worlds banded together to defend themselves and put an end to the Vaadwaur threat once and for all, Would you care to set the record straight,"
"That was 900 years ago," Gedrin said.
"If we're going to be fighting side by side, I have to trust you, I need to be certain you don't have any ulterior motives," I said.
"Our only motive is survival," Gedrin said.
"If I were to take you at your word, The Ancient Talaxians might call m Vaadwaur. Foolish That what they came to call anyone who allowed themselves to be deceived by an enemy," I said. "There are hundreds of other references just like it,"
"Both versions of our history are true, We did use the corridors to explore, and on occasion expand our territory, But Captain we have gone from a population of 6 billion to 600, Our weapons are archaic, Do you really think that we are prepared to declare war on the Delta Quadrant," Gedrin said.
"Not yet. but right now It's Voyager I'm worried about," I said. "The Turei are going to be firing everything they've got at my ship, you might try to take advantage of that,"
"What are you going to do, Put us all back into stasis," Gedrin said.
"We said we'd try to help you make a new start, And I want to keep that promise, But I can't ignore history Gedrin," I said. Then I went to the Bridge. "Make yourself comfortable, Gedrin, Chakotay, I don't know whether to believe him or not, what I wouldn't give for Deanna right about now,"
"If Neelix is right, We should be ready for anything," Chakotay said.
"Tell Harry to use the ZPMs as he sees is the time to use them. I be ready with the drones if needed. Tell B'Elanna and Tuvok to bring the weapon upgrades online," I said.
"Agreed, their technology may be outdated, but it can still do a lot of damage," Chakotay said.
"Go to full security alert, and have Tuvok keep a weapons lock on their primary reactor," I said. "Tell Clara we may need her on Tactical too,"
"Are we still proceeding at 0600," Chakotay said.
"Yes but with a few modifications," I said. "What's Gaul's location,"
"He's in the Central chamber," Harry said.
"Hail him," I said.
"Captain we've reactivated 73 assault vessels, Our pilots are standing by," Gaul said.
"I need to inform you about a change of plan," I said. "I want you to deactivate the particle cannons on all but 10 of your assault vessels, then we'll proceed on schedule,"
"I don't understand," Gaul said.
"Only 10 of your ships are going to engage the Turei, The others will head directly for the subspace corridors," I said. "I see no reason for those to be armed,"
"Something could go wrong, Why leave them defenseless," Gaul said.
"Voyager will defend them," I said.
"What prompted this change," Gaul said.
"You haven't been completely honest about your past, and that makes me a little uncertain about the present," I said.
"Gedrin," Gaul said.
"I suggest you listen to her," Gedrin said.
"Request denied, captain," Gaul said.
"It's not a request. You can call it an ultimatum of you like," I said.
"Unacceptable," Gaul said.
"I'm going to leave this planet in an hour's time with or without you," I said.
"We did not spend 900 years in stasis to take orders from you," Gaul said.
Then he cut the link.
"Tom what's our status," I said.
"Impulse Engines are on line," Tom said.
"Shields at maximum, weapons standing by," Tuvok said.
"Tom Prepare to initiate the ascent sequence in," I said.
"Report," Chakotay said.
"Massive energy readings, coming from the central chamber," Harry said.
"It's the Vaadwaur, They're launching the first wave of ships," Tuvok said.
"17 vessel have broken through the surface, They're at an altitude of 2,000 meters and charging weapons," Clara said.
"Captain, They're not ascending into orbit, They're heading straight for Voyager," Tom said.
"Tom," I said.
"Engaging thrusters, Initiating ascent sequence," Tom said.
"Vaadwaur ships approaching off our starboard bow," Tuvok said.
"Lock Phasers Full spread," I said.
As we shook.
"We're airborne," Tom said.
"What altitude do we need on this planet, Tom, Before we can go to warp," Chakotay said.
"We'll have to clear the thermosphere, 280 kilometers at least." Tom said.
As we got hit twice.
"Shields at 95%," Tuvok said.
"Phasers fire at will, Evasive pattern Alpha 9," I said.
"We've disabled 4 of their ships," Tuvok said.
"They've launched another 39 Vessels," Chakotay said.
"Evasive Maneuvers," I said.
"It's no use they are coming from all sides," Tom said.
As we got hit.
"Direct hit to the port thruster," Harry said.
"We're losing altitude," Tom said.
"Reroute emergency power, We need to get into orbit," I said.
As we got hit again.
"Targeting sensors offline, Switching to manual," Clara said.
"Harry, Can you open a secure channel to the Turei ships in orbit," I said.
"Yes ma'am, but that would give away our position, they could lock on with Plasma charges," Harry said.
"Time we reacquaint a couple of old friends hail them," I said.
"We've got 9 more fighters on our tail," Tom said.
"Aft shields are at 20%" Clara said.
"ZPM 1 to aft shields," I said.
"Done," Harry said.
"Mum, Aft shields are back to 90%," Clara said.
"The Turei are responding," Harry said.
"What do you want," he said.
"I've got a proposition for you," I said.
"No more Talk, Prepare to be boarded," He said.
"Tell me have you been picking up weapons fire," I said.
"We have detected some unusual energy signatures yes," he said.
"That's because we are under attack by the Vaadwaur," I said.
"Impossible, they were destroyed centuries ago," He said.
"Some of us have survived," Gedrin said.
"They've got over 200 ships, said something about wanting their subspace corridors back, I suggest we join force and neutralize the threat here and now, What's more important to you, Deleting the records of a Federation ship that means you no harm or defending yourselves against hundred of Vaadwaur fighters who are determined to invade your under space, I suggest you pick your enemy," I said.
"Our sensors can't penetrate the atmosphere how are we supposed to fight an enemy we can't see," he said.
"We have access to one of their surveillance satellites" Chakotay said. "We could use it to transmit their vital coordinates to you,"
"If this is a deception," he said.
"I'm having trouble establishing a link with the satellite, Our sensor array took heavy damage," Harry said.
"I could access it from the underground control chamber. Transport me there, Not all of my people are stuck in the past, captain," Gedrin said.
"Tuvok go with him," I said.
XXX
"We've lost impulse engines and navigation," Harry said. As we got hit.
"Thrusters are failing. We're losing altitude," Tom said.
"Tuvok status, Tuvok," I said.
As we got hit.
"I've lost his signal," Harry said.
"All hands this is the Captain, Initiate emergency landing procedures and arm yourselves if the Vaadwaur board this vessel we fight them hand to hand of we have to," I said. "Clara keep hitting what you can,"
"6 Vaadwaur ships were just destroyed by the Turei, The others are falling back," Chakotay said.
"Dad, I got a lock on Tuvok, I'm beaming him back now," Clara said. "Got him, his okay,"
"Impulse engines," I said.
"Still offline," Tom said.
"Emergency power," I said.
"Barely enough for life support, Captain," Harry said. "ZPM's are all in use too,"
"Harry, the radiogenic particles in the atmosphere could we use them as a power source," I said.
"We'd have to modify the warp core's conversion matrix, It could take hours," Harry said.
"What if we drew the Particles straight into our plasma manifold," I said.
"That will give us one hell of a boost," Tom said.
"That could also knocked off every power relay on the ship," Harry said.
"Damn if we do, Damn if we don't," I said. "Open the forward nacelle port and reverse the pressure gradient. Take in 600 kilograms,"
"Particle concentration at 3,000 parts per million," Harry said.
"Release the manifold," I said.
"Rerouting plasma to the power conduits, We have Impulse," Tom said.
"Take us up, full power," I said.
As we starting going up as there were one or 2 explosions.
"13 power relays just blew out on Deck 6," Harry said.
"Keep going," I said.
"We're crossing thermosphere," Tom said.
"Any sign of pursuit," I said.
"None, Look like the Vaadwaur have their hands full," Clara said.
"Altitude," I said.
"260 kilometers, 270, We're cleared the thermosphere," Tom said.
"Get us out of here, Tom maximum Warp, Engage," I said.
"Yes ma'am," Tom said as we jumped to Warp.
XXX
"Captain's Log, Stardate, 53167.9, After 2 days, there's been no sign of the Vaadwaur or the Turei. However 7 has made an unsettling discovery, end log," I said.
"How many ship?" I said.
"Astrometrics scans detected 53 ion signatures entering the corridors, All Vaadwaur," 7 said.
"The underground chambers," I said.
"They were destroyed by the Turei Bombardment," 7 said. "Captain, I believe I made an error in judgment,"
"Oh," I said.
"By awakening Gedrin, I initiated a chain of events that nearly led to our destruction, I wanted to help revive a civilization. Not start a war," 7 said.
"You thought you were acting out of compassion," I said. "I might have done the same thing, But that doesn't make it right, 7, The repercussions of this could be catastrophic,"
"Their technology is 9 centuries out of date," 7 said. "Their plans for conquest are irrelevant,
"They're a resourceful species, determined, They'll adapt. I doubt we've seen the last of them," I said.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe..
Love Y'all
PEACE!