A/N: I know it's been more than a year since I've updated this story. I've moved to Florida and gotten a job and am now looking for an apartment. Hopefully I can start updating again soon. I have an idea for another fanfic for Babylon 5, perhaps I'll put out a teaser/trailer in the next chapter. As always R&R.

Chapter 11 Task Force Hippocrates

Disposal of the high-yield weapons took several days, but with no interference from either the Cardassian government or the True Way; a Cardassian terror group dedicated to bringing back the old government, the work went by quickly.

The Sentry did have time for a brief stopover at Deep Space Nine and shore leave was extended to the crew. Captain Maxwell had bought some time in a Holosuite at Quark's but brought his own program…

Maxwell ducked as the sword cleaved through thin air. He blocked the reverse swing and retaliated. A steady clang of metal rang through the field as the Colonial Army clashed with British Redcoats. Seeing an opening he stabbed the redcoat who quickly fell to the ground. Looking for another target he spotted an officer. Before he could engage however, a French officer yelled for him. "Colonel! The line is faltering!" he yelled, pointing toward the front of the lines where colonial troops were starting to fall back.

Maxwell grabbed a fallen flag and began running to the house at the top of the hill. "No retreat! Hold! Hold!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

With renewed vigor, the colonials rallied and pushed over the hill forcing the red coats to retreat. As the British forces began to retreat Maxwell looked around and spotted a British officer riding a horse, headed straight for him. With the flag staff in his hand he stood ready the officer sped toward him the horse's feet pounding the ground. The officer raised his sword ready to cleave Maxwell head off when a beep was heard. He ducked the swing and said "Computer freeze program."

All around him the soldiers froze wherever they were in whatever position they were in. Looking up he said "What is it?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you Commander but there is a priority one message from Starfleet Command." Replied the bartender who had relayed the message to the Holosuite.

"Very well. I'll take it on my ship." He sighed, "Computer, end program."

The battlefield and all the soldiers disappeared, replaced by a standard Cardassian design holodeck. Maxwell exited and grabbed the data rod containing his holo program from the computer. He then proceeded to his ship's ready room. Just before he sat down he approached the replicator. "Tea, earl grey hot." He said, a cup of tea appearing in the alcove. Taking the cup, he sat at his desk and tapped a control. A viewscreen rose and the computer asked for his authorization. "Authorization Maxwell, five delta seven."

"Commander, I'm sorry to cut your leave short yet again but I have an assignment for you." Said Quinn.

"Yes sir."

"We're getting a higher number than usual reports of Klingon and Gorn attacks on the border of Federation space. I've assembled a task force of tier 2 ships to patrol a set of star systems and I've assigned you to command it since your ship has tactical superiority. You are to rendezvous with the U.S.S. Black Pearl, Flying Dutchman, Majestic, Sarak and Boston at Starbase K-7. Your first patrol is the Xarentine sector."

"Understood and thank you."

Admiral Quinn paused noticing the cup in Maxwell's hands. "Is that Earl Grey tea?" He asked.

"Oh, yes sir. A Federation Ambassador once recommended the drink to me. On Vulcan, during my desert survival training." He replied

"Vulcan? I thought desert survival was taught in Australia?" Quinn asked

"It was an advanced class sir. In addition to survival it was a continuous escape and evasion exercise." Maxwell replied

"Ah, I see. Well at any rate, you have your orders. Starfleet out."

Maxwell tapped a control on his desk. "Maxwell to bridge. Set course for Starbase K-7, maximum warp. Then assemble the senior staff in the conference room in an hour."

"Aye sir." Flores replied.

Turning his attention to the computer, he began scrolling through various ship reports. An hour later he arrived in the conference room.

"I've been assigned to command a tier 2 rapid response force near the Federation-Klingon border. There has been a sharp increase in the number of Gorn and Klingon attacks in the area, our first patrol is the Xarentine Sector. But first we're going to rendezvous with the rest of the task force at Starbase K-7." He said

"What kind of ships do we have available?" asked Kolez.

"The Black Pearl and Flying Dutchman are both escorts like the Sentry, the Boston and Majestic are both Exeter-class and the Sarak is a Nova-class science vessel." Maxwell replied

"Then may I recommend three, two-ship flights. An escort paired with both cruisers and the science vessel." Kolez said

Maxwell nodded in agreement. "I had the same thought and have already put together a tentative patrol schedule. Dismissed."

It took three days at high warp to rendezvous with the task force and another two to reach the Xarentine Sector. The Sentry was paired with the Nova-class science vessel U.S.S. Sarak and its Vulcan captain T'Pol. On the first day of patrols they received a general distress call from a medical supply ship under attack by Gorn ships. The Sentry and Sarak managed to drive them off and repair the supply ship. However, another call came and this time two pairs of ships responded. A Vulcan medical ship, the T'Pau was trying to assist a colony that was experiencing an outbreak of Takanian syndrome. But the colony was being attacked by Gorn forces. The four ships formed an escort around the medical ship with the escorts in front and the science vessel and cruiser to the port and starboard. The five ships proceeded into an asteroid belt to hide their energy signatures. Unfortunately, a trio of Klingon Birds-of-Prey decloaked and attacked. The Sentry and Black Pearl opened fire immediately, destroying two while the third got in a shot at the medical ship but the ship's shields held against the energy bolts. The third patrol ship was quickly destroyed a second later.

The group encountered a trio of Gorn frigates and Klingon Defense Force ships which were quickly eliminated before the group reached orbit. The captain of the T'Pau, Saalar, hailed Maxwell's ship.

"Thank you for your escort Commander Maxwell. But we are detecting weapons fire on the planet's surface. Especially in and around the local hospital. We have limited security forces and they are unequipped for such resistance. Will you beam down and secure the area so our doctors can transport safely."

"Of course, Captain. We'll contact you when the hospital is secured. Sentry out."

Maxwell turned to Kolez. "Kolez you're with me, have a security team meet us in the transporter room. Flores." He said motioning for her to come closer.

"The presence of the KDF means that this is not a simple raid, a hospital is an awfully specific target. I want you to coordinate with the other ships and try to get a tachyon detection grid going, try to prevent more ships from interfering with our operations." He whispered. Then went to the turbolift.

"Aye sir." She replied

Maxwell and Kolez arrived in the transporter room with a four-man security team. Since they were anticipating several close quarters firefights, the team was equipped with phaser carbines, which had a shorter barrel and stock making them perfect for clearing buildings. Maxwell approached the transporter operator. "Ensign, how many enemy lifesigns are in the hospital?" he asked.

The operator tapped two keys then said "I'm picking up approximately two-dozen Gorn and a dozen Klingon lifesigns. They appear to be spread throughout the hospital but there are clusters on the fourth and fifth floors."

"Is the colony's SRU on the scene?" he asked.

"Yes sir. They have secured a perimeter and are standing by to provide assistance as needed." The operator replied

"Good, tell them we're beaming down to the roof and not to breach until we give the signal." Maxwell said then stepped on the transporter pad. "Energize."

The team materialized silently on the roof of the hospital. There were no guards so the team approached the roof access door. A quick scan revealed no booby traps but it was locked as per security protocols. Maxwell tapped his combadge. "Colony SRU, this is Captain Maxwell."

"This is Sgt. Greg Parker, SRU. How can we help?" asked the leader of the colonial team.

"I need you to unlock the roof access door so we can enter. Once we're in, sweep and clear the first two floors. Then wait for my signal. Use of lethal force is authorized." Maxwell said

"Understood. I'm sending you a code to unlock any door you come across." Parker replied

"Much appreciated. Maxwell out." He said then took his place in the line. Thinking back to his CQB (Close Quarters Battle) training he quickly reviewed the three principles of CQB. Speed, not moving fast but in a steady tactical motion. Surprise, maintaining the element of surprise. Violence of Action, hitting hard and fast. As Captain, he couldn't take point but instead took second place to his security chief. He tapped the Saurian's shoulder once and nodded when he turned back to look at him. Kolez tapped a panel and entered the override code. The door opened quietly and the team moved down the stairs. They encountered a single Gorn guarding the bottom of the staircase and took him out quickly and quietly, then moved into the intensive care wards. Kolez continuously motioned to startled doctors, nurses and patients to stay low and quiet. The sixth floor was clear and Maxwell's team moved to the fifth level. The team was stacked inside the stairwell but quickly confirmed the presence of several Klingons who were at the moment interrogating a security officer.

Maxwell nodded to the officer on point who entered the code into the door. It opened with a light swish and Maxwell immediately aimed and fired taking down a Klingon standing over a wounded security officer. The other members of his team took down two additional Gorn soldiers. Maxwell crouched next to the security officer and motioned for the medic. "What did the Klingons want with the hospital?" he asked

The officer grimaced from the pain but replied "They wanted to know about genetic engineering technology and techniques. But we only used it for medical research."

"Genetic engineering? Why would they want that? They have the same tech." asked one of the officers.

"If it helps, I overheard one of them say something about augments."

"Augments? Super-soldiers…" Maxwell said.

"Sir?" asked an alien officer

"Augments were humanities first experiments with genetic engineering. They produced supermen, with enhanced strength and intellect. But also increased aggression and the idea that normal men were inferior. This led to our Third World War. The last thing we need are super Klingons or Gorn. Let's keep moving."

With the guard stabilized, the team moved on and more Klingons and Gorn appeared and were quickly taken down. Then Sgt. Parker contacted him.

"Captain Maxwell, this is Sgt. Parker, third floor clear, proceeding to fourth floor."

"Understood, Sgt. Well done." Maxwell replied.

Maxwell and his team entered another door and saw a patient being held at gunpoint. Maxwell and his team swept the area of Klingon and Gorn. Then rounded a corner and ran right into a huge Gorn who proceeded to rip a piece of the floor out and throw it at Maxwell. One of the officers jumped in front of Maxwell and pushed him to the side. "Look out!" he yelled. The got hit by the flying piece of debris. His personal shields protected him from the brunt of the impact but was knocked unconscious. Maxwell and the rest of the team opened fire hitting the massive Gorn several times until he went down. "Was that an Augment?" asked one of the officers. One medic knelt next to the Gorn and scanned it. "No, this was a Hodch. A Gorn Captain." They replied. The other medic knelt next to the wounded security officer. "A mild concussion and some bruising but he'll be ok." Then gave the officer a hypospray. The officer woke with a start, then remembered where he was and got back up. "You ok ensign?" asked Maxwell.

"Yes sir. My head just hurts."

"That's happens when you get hit by a giant piece of flooring. But next time just let me duck." Maxwell said with a grin.

The officer grinned back "Yes sir."

Maxwell pulled out a tricorder and scanned the area for any more Gorn or Klingons. But the fifth floor was clear. Maxwell tapped his combadge, "Maxwell to Parker."

"Parker here. We've nearly secured the fourth floor. Give us another five minutes and we should-"

"Parker?"

"Sorry, Klingon came out of nowhere. Standby."

A moment later, Parker got back on the comm. "Fourth floor secured."

"Good work. Fifth floor is clear. I'm contacting the T'Pau so they can beam down their medical teams and supplies."

A moment later Captain Saalar and a medical team beamed down to the hospital. "Thank you for securing the area Captain Maxwell, our security forces would have been no match for Klingon and Gorn troops." He said

"No problem. We found out that the Klingons and Gorn were after genetic engineering technology and techniques, which didn't make much sense because they have a lot of the same technology we have until one of the guards overheard them say something about Augment research. I think they were looking for information to make super-soldiers." Maxwell said

"Surly such information is classified by Starfleet Command?" asked Saalar.

"Darn right. Your hospital wouldn't have had any helpful information that wasn't historical in nature."

"Interesting. At any rate the danger is over, I estimate my crew can get this wing of the hospital operation in 52.1 minutes. You may depart at your leisure." Said Saalar.

"Thank you, Captain. Maxwell to Sentry, five to beam up."

The away team materialized on the transporter pad. Maxwell went straight to his ready room while Flores went to the bridge. "Computer, open a priority channel to Admiral Quinn."

Voiceprint verification required. Stated the computer

"Verification Maxwell-Omega-Four."

Verification confirmed. Channel open.

Quinn appeared on his small monitor. "Commander, I just got your report. Excellent work escorting the medical ship and clearing the hospital. I'm very concerned about the implications of Klingons getting their hands-on Augment research."

A quick thought appeared in Maxwell's mind. "Sir, maybe it's not for the Klingons but the Gorn instead. The Klingons already tried to make their own augments way back in the 22nd century but it didn't work out too well. They're not really the kind of people to do things again once they've tried and failed."

"Perhaps you're right. I will have intelligence look very closely at this. I would hate to have the Gorn learn from the Klingon's mistakes and create their own Augments. This does not bode well. Remain in orbit for the time being, I will contact you again for further orders."

"Yes Admiral. Maxwell out." Maxwell sighed and closed the channel. Then went to the bridge. "Report." He said as he took his chair. "All battle damage repaired Captain. All systems are operational." T'Pring reported from engineering.

"Good." He turned to T'Vrell. "Contact the hospital and see if they need any further technical or medical assistance." He said then turned to Flores. "We'll be in orbit a little while longer. Keep up the scans for cloaked ships. I don't want any surprises."

Captain's log Supplemental: Our mission was a success. We escorted the T'Pau medical ship and cleared the Klingons and Gorn from the hospital. They were apparently searching for information regarding Augment research. Such research has never been successful in the past and we don't know why they would want to try again. At any rate, we've been ordered to remain in orbit for the time being until we receive new orders.