Chris AdairDevonport

Initial Contact

///

"Whoa. Tucker lived." Said Ensign Lowe Tara to herself from her settee, in her comfortable cabin aboard the Bureau asteroid station in the middle of their purpose built asteroid field.

It's been nearly 2 and a half weeks since the Dragon Squadron departed the Devonport and made way to the asteroid field where they had discovered the unknown probe. At least it was unknown then, in the 2 weeks that the squadron had arrived at the field and this base, the members of the Watchful Dragon Squadron had learned a great deal about their captors. This base was a massive hidden shipyard and research centre, and dwarfed any other facility in the Federation, and this was just one of dozens of hidden bases. The Bureau, or Section 31 to give it its more common name, has been operating for hundreds of years, even before the Federation was ever founded. Some of the less sensitive mission reports that the squadron had been given access too sounded more like science fiction. Parallel universes, dead heroes like Commander Tucker from the first interstellar Enterprise who weren't dead and had become spies, and impossibly powerful super weapons from other galaxies that Section 31 were keeping hidden for a rainy day. Lowe started thinking a few days ago that even if she could read the classified reports, she wouldn't be able to believe them.

Lowe was half way through Tuckers brief training in the Bureau when she heard the door chime.

"Enter"

The doors opened to reveal Lieutenants Vara Neran and Thomas Parker.

"Hey Little Dragon…" Said Parker as a greeting, using his newbie nickname. "You still reading that thing? You should have come out with us. They've let us check on our fighters…"

"What! Why didn't tell me?" Interrupted Lowe as she jumped to her feet and started towards the door.

"…Hey, don't get your hopes up now. They've re-sealed the hanger decks and we were all under guard anyway, and we didn't have time to tell you, and you know we don't have access to the internal comms. It was one of those random things that `whats his name` does." Said Neran just before Lowe reached the door.

"Me and Neran gave Tiroth a going over before we left, it's in good order." Said Parker. Lowe stopped and made her way back to the couch. "Learned anything new?" Asked Parker, leaning on the back of the chair Neran chose to sit on.

"Commander Tucker didn't die. That's the most interesting revelation I've found so far today. The attack was staged and he was beamed away when he set off the explosion. I haven't got to the mission yet, I'm reading about his very brief training."

"That's pretty cool." Said Parker.

"All Watchful Dragon Squadron members, please report to the F Deck briefing room."

"I wonder want `whats his name` wants now" Asked Neran as she stood up and started walking towards the exit of Lowes cabin.

"No idea. You can never tell with that guy." Answered Parker as he and Lowe fell in behind Neran and made their way to the briefing room.

///

"Welcome Commander. I trust Ramoth is in good condition?" asked the nondescript man who ran this Bureau facility, as Commander Tomoc entered the briefing room followed by Ensign Knot, Lieutenant Commander Po'vak, and Lieutenant Ti'rol.

"My ship appears fine. Why have you asked us here?" Said Tomoc. Tomoc never answered in a friendly tone to this unknown person. Despite the excellent way that they had been treated he never allowed himself to forget that they are prisoners. The unknown man simply responded as if had just shared a friend hug.

"I'm afraid I asked for the whole of your squadron to report here, I'll prefer to wait until…." Before he could finished, Lowe, Neran, Parker, and Bo'gril entered the room.

"…never mind, here they are. Hello, how are you all?" Asked the man.

"We're fine Mister what ever your name is. Thanks for asking. How are you?" Answered Parker sarcastically, as the rest of the squadron joined with the first 4 to arrive.

"I'm well as well." Answered the nondescript man with a smile on his face. "I've called you all here because something has happened that I'm sure you've all been hoping for since you got here." He then moved over to the main console underneath a large wall mounted display. After typing in a few commands the screen came to life displaying the scans and images of a Federation Starship outside the asteroid field. "The Devonport has just dropped out of warp. According to these scans she's venting warp plasma. It appears her warp coils are close to fussing. I'd say they pushed themselves very hard to get here. She's also at battle stations."

"You sound surprised. You know what our brief was. We then go missing. Of course the Captains going to think that something hostile happened." Said Commander Tomoc.

"Well, he'd better be careful. We already have 8 starships surrounding him, and they will open fire if it looks like he'll pose any type of threat. Commander, you and your squadron will accompany me to meet with the Devonport. We have to make sure that your Captain doesn't do anything rash. Follow me." Finished the man, who then walked out the room cheerfully without waiting for a reply.

"Better follow before he gets to far ahead." Said Tomoc as he made to follow the unknown man towards what he hoped would be a reunion with the Devonport.

///

"We've dropped out of warp sir." Reported Ensign Law.

"I'm still getting those thermal alarms from the warp coils, we'll need to vent or they'll fuse." Said Lieutenant Commander Jolaw from his engineering alcove.

"Very well. Begin venting. Law remain outside the asteroid field and keep us moving, use your discretion but make sure we don't get boxed in by any ships that come out of the field. Yota, status?" Said Housen from his command chair, in his typical fast fire method of delivering orders.

"Phasers are at full power. PDPs are powered and scanning, and our torpedo tubes are loaded and ready. Minor interference of the aft shields due to the plasma venting. All security teams are in place and ready." Finished Yota.

"Do your best to compensate. How long until warps available?" Asked the captain, turning his head to look into the engineering alcove.

"I'm keeping the core hot. We can replenish the nacelles in a few minutes, but to do proper repairs we'll need to get into the nacelles. Something that's very difficult to do when there's plasma running through them." Answered Jolaw while he was coordinating repairs with Pom down in engineering.

"You can do proper repairs when we know we won't need to fall back. Do what you can for the moment, ask the exocomps if they'll go in, they can withstand the current environment within the nacelles if they use their shields, if they agree make sure you keep a transport lock on their transponders and maintain communications. Okuda, what are you seeing out there?"

"Nothing of note sir." Responded Okuda from her console to the captains right. "Scans are consistent with what we have from our first encounter and those from the Vienna."

"Try scanning for cloaked ships. If this group is really like what the Admiral said, then they probably have no scruples about using cloaking technology." Ordered Housen.

"Aye sir, reconfiguring sensors."

While Okuda was retuning the sensors to scan for cloaked ships the rest of the bridge waited tensely monitoring their own consoles.

"Right. I'm ready. Sensors have been reconfigured. Commencing scan." Said Okuda after a minute had passed.

"I am detecting evidence of cloaked ships, 4 definite signatures." Okuda paused as she scrutinised an alarm that started sounding on her board. "Also an uncloaked Starfleet ship has been detected inside the field. Looks like an Akira Class cruiser. It should exit the field near our location in 20 minutes."

"Understood Okuda. Law keep our bow on them. We'll wait for them to come to us." Ordered Housen.

///

"Looks like the venting procedures concluded." Said the unknown man sitting in the command chair of the Akira Class Starship making its way out of the field.

"That's right, but according to sensors their warp core is still active. Looks like Housens not completely closing the door on escaping." Said another man sitting at what Tomoc assumed was the operations console. This new unknown person and every other person he'd seen for that matter wore the same unadorned uniform, and this ship didn't help him figure out what was going on either. The stations were in the wrong places, there were automated weapons everywhere and each station was partitioned, some hidden from view.

"The Devonport has begun a Tachyon Sweep. They may be able to detect the ships around them." Reported a man who was apparently manning the Ops console.

"ETA?"

"Roughly 10 minutes."

"Their status?"

"Looks like full battle stations. Weapons are fully powered. Shields are at 100%, although there is noticeable interference caused by their venting around their aft shields, they're stabilising. I'm detecting mobile objects inside their nacelles, probably their exocomps, looks like their attempting repairs to their nacelle coils. They've altered course to keep their bow on us. They're also remaining outside the field." Finished one of the non-descript bureau personnel from another of the ships bridge consoles.

"We should be the ones to contact the Devonport." Stated Tomoc. Interrupting the apparently well rehearsed sequence of procedures that his crew had been following since leaving the asteroid base.

"That's why you're being brought along, we could disable and take the Devonport with very little difficultly. That approach however would leave Housen completely unwilling to cooperate, and according to our contact it's Housen we need more than the Devonport, although the ship itself is important." Said the non-descript man.

"What contact would that be? You haven't said anything about why you need Housen or his ship." Replied Parker, standing beside the rest of the squadron at the back of the bridge.

"Housen knows. He's already been contacted by our contact, and tried to pull a phaser on him. We'll be briefing him this time, and this time we'll have something to show him beyond words and opinions." This was the first time that Tomoc heard this man talk without a cheerful tone, for the first time he actually sounded serious.

The entire bridge seemed to sense the change in the unknown mans tone as the ship continued to the rendezvous point, while the dragons waited looking at each other and trying to figure out what had changed.

///

"The vessel will be exiting the asteroid field in one minute." Stated Okuda.

"No change in their status. Shields are raised, and weapons are un-powered. Which is a good thing, that ships close enough to determine their weapons load out. It's a cruiser chaise with dreadnought weaponry. We are extremely outmatched. Despite our tonnage we've only the equivalent fire power of a cruiser." Said Yota.

"Oh well, we're not meant to be a ship of the line remember. That just means we've gone from an escapable 5 to 1 fight to a bluffly negotiation." Said Housen, as he used his console to bring up the sensor information coming from the ops and tactical consoles. "Okuda, open hailing frequencies."

"Hailing. They're responding. Channel open." Said Okuda just before the view screen changed from showing the asteroid field ahead to the darkened bridge on board the other starship. On this other bridge in the command chair sat a rather forgettable looking man. Non-descript features, and a bland unadorned uniform. Behind this person stood the pilots of dragon squadron. All of them standing casually with the odd glance around, seemingly impatient with those people that must be the bridge crew of that ship, that were sitting off-screen.

"This is Captain Erick Housen of the Federation Starship Devonport. Release my pilots and their craft into my custody immediately, and state your purpose for detaining them and your presence inside this asteroid field." Stated Housen as he stood and moved into the centre of the forward bridge.

"Hello…" Said the non-descript person cheerfully. "I'm the person in charge of the Bureau Rapid Assault Cruiser number 4, and the administrator of the Bureau Asteroid Fort Yard 7. I'll be happy to return your crew members and their craft. Before that however, I'd like you to come to our base and listen to a proposal I have for you. You may then leave if you wish." Finished this non-person sitting on the bridge of this horrendously powerfully vessel. He then nodded to someone off the screen.

"Captain…" Whispered Okuda at her console.

Housen looked down at his console and saw the sensor read-outs that prompted Okuda to call for his attention. 8 starships declocked of varying classes, all of them also massively over armed for their size.

"I'm guessing that your request isn't a request, and that I only have the one option here." Said Housen to the man on the view screen.

"That's correct, but I only want to appropriately brief you on the situation. You can then leave, although I know that after the briefing and seeing our evidence you'll feel compelled to assist us."

"Captain…" Said Commander Tomoc on the bridge of the Bureau starship, taking a step forward. "Although from what I've seen this organisation has some questionable ethics, they have treated my squadron well, and they have kept their word about everything they have said to us. They may not be in keeping with why I joined the Federation, but compared to their counterparts in other empires, they at least appear quite trustworthy."

"Transport my squadron over now, and I'll transport over to your ship for this briefing, but I and no other member of my crew will enter the asteroid field." Countered Housen.

"Sure. That's good enough." The man then tilted his head as if to speak to someone behind him. "Helmsmen, move us out of the field enough so that we can lower shields. See you in person in a few minutes Captain." Said the non-descript man just before the view screen changed back to the image of the Akira class starship and the asteroid field it was moving out of.

///

"Captain this is a very bad idea. The warp engines will be ready in a few minutes, when we have the dragons back we should leave here and head straight for the nearest friendly outpost." Said Yota as he and Housen walked up to the nearest transport room a few decks above the bridge.

"No. we can't out run those ships, and they can tear our engines to pieces in a few seconds with the armaments they're equipped with when they chase us. At least this way the ship and crew remain outside the field where escape is a possibility and we get our crew back. Besides, it's possible that whatever they won't to show me is worth seeing." Replied Housen as he and Yota entered the transport room. Yota moved over to the main console and dismissed the transport operator.

"Take this." Said Yota. He reached into a hidden pocket up his sleeve and produced a small computer chip. "If they ask what it is tell them it's for bringing a copy of the briefing data back here, it'll also allow me to maintain a transport lock on you. You could be standing in a field of transporter inhibitors and I'll still be able to transport you out. It's also equipped with a short range passive scanner."

Housen moved over to him and took the small chip examining it briefly before putting it in one of the pockets on his trousers.

"Cool little gadget. S.I. would probably like to have a look at this." Said Housen as he now moved over to the transporter pads.

"They already have, I transmitted the specs to Headquarters just before we entered the Batazed system. S.I. should be just finishing their tests on the device."

"So this thing`s untested." Said Housen as Yota started inputting data into the transporter rooms console.

"I've tested it. War games on the holodeck, plus live exercises with that device on the Security Deck. As far as I can determine it's reliable." Replied Yota as he finished inputting the target location into the transporter system. "Transporter system is ready. I've received a green light from the bridge and the other ship."

"Energise." Said the captain, and second later after Yota manipulated the controls infront of him. Captain Housen disappeared in a swirl of blue light.

"Welcome aboard Captain." Said the unknown man standing before him after the transporter room stopped shifting and solidified. This room was a match for the one onboard the Devonport, apart from the weapon emplacements on the wall and the more subdued lighting.

"Where are the Dragons?" Said Housen as he stepped off the transportation platform and stood before the non-descript person.

"They where beamed over to your ship as you where transported here. If you'll follow me." Said the unknown man as he turned away and started to walk towards the exit of the transporter room. Housen remained standing where he was and tapped his com badge.

"Housen to Devonport."

"This is the Devonport." Came the reply from Martin.

"Have the Dragons been beamed aboard?"

"They have sir. They're being escorted to the Security Deck for de-briefing, and their craft are being examined on the hanger deck." Came the reply.

"Understood. Housen out." Said Housen who then turned to the unknown man standing at the threshold of the transporter room, with the alleyway, as sombrely lit as the transporter room, visible through the open door behind him. "Lead on Administrator." Said Housen as he started walking towards and then beside this man as he lead the way along the alleyway.

"So. What's this briefing about?" asked the captain as the walked down the dimly lite alleyway.

"You already know. Your former captain, Captain Mathews, tried to tell you about the Par Wraiths cultists. He told us that you didn't believe him, and we found out that you tried to pull a phaser on him. Needless to say, he was telling you the truth. Those cultists have now attacked a cardassian planet on the far side of their territory." Said the unknown man as he led Housen into a room with a large central table and wall mounted display.

"If you'll take a seat captain." Said the unknown man as he walked to the wall display and waited while Housen took the nearest seat.

"You're about to see a recording of the battle that took place over the planet and sensor readings of the planet after the cultists had secured local space. Thanks to Mathews warning we were able to get a recon probe to monitor that area."

The unknown man manipulated the panel next to the display and the wall screen lite up, displaying a small ringed rocky planet with bands of vegetation, and according to the readings only a couple of thousand cardassians in one settlement. After a few seconds 3 cardassian Hideki class attack ships came into view from behind the planet in a loose formation.

The sensor readings then changed, showing an inbound warp field, a few seconds later a huge ship, easily bigger than the Dominion super battleships, dropped into normal space near the planet. This ship was a wash of dark colours, shaped like a tear drop with some sort of concave, curved structure at its forward larger end, and what look like jury rigged brownie orange structures along its length.

"This is the cardassain warship Brac`dor to unknown vessel. You have entered cardassian space without permission. Come to a complete stop and state your identity and purpose."

The sensor readings being displayed showed that the ships were also communicating using encryption with the settlement on the planet. However, it appeared that the encrypted communication the cardassians tried to send outside the system was being blocked. The 3 cardassian ships also broke orbit and assumed a tighter formation with raised shields.

"Unknown vessel, you are blocking our extra-solar transmissions. Cease immediately, bring your vessel to a complete stop and establish communications."

The readings from the probe now showed a change from the unknown vessel. A huge build up of energy, and a shift of the mass of the unknown vessel. A massive particle beam tore from the unknown ships forward concave structure, impacting and completely destroying one of the ships with a single hit, the beam then spiralled and impacted against one of the other ships, destroying it as well. The remaining attack ship went straight to full impulse and started manoeuvring closer to the unknown ship. The cardassian ship was apparently being flown by a dab hand, since the concave structure that was apparently a weapons port couldn't be brought to bear. The odd looking structures on the unknown ships side opened up and started firing torpedoes. They appeared to be cardassian plasma torpedoes. In a second the attack ship was hit by dozens of them and the ship exploded.

The unknown ship started moving towards the planet.

"Unknown ship, this is the Tor`dor agricultural colony. We don't know what we've done to warrant this attack, but we surrender. Our only protection were the ships you destroyed. There are no weapons on this planet. Please tell us why you are here?" Said someone who was apparently on the planets surface, in as pleading a tone as Housen had ever heard coming from a cardassian.

The unknown ship took up a geostationary orbit above the settlement.

"Those that follow the way. You will hear what…"

The image froze.

"The cultists onboard the ship started talking a lot, for several hours in fact. Non-stop. The abbreviated version is `You will believe what we believe or we'll kill you.` Not the nicest way to introduce yourselves."

He manipulated the console again and the recording resumed at a different time index.

"…in fire."

"We hear you Wraith followers, but nothing you say can make any of us leave the way."

It was apparent even without the probes sensor telemetry that the colony cut communications. The ship on the screen didn't miss a bet, it started launching waves of torpedoes which altered course towards the planet and converged on a single point. Hundreds of torpedoes were launched in the space of a minute. According to the probes sensors, all the cardassians on the planet were killed in the first few seconds, but the ship kept firing. When it was finished a large black spot was visible even at the probes current position. The settlement and everything within 500 miles was completely destroyed.

The probes sensors then started showing more warp signatures in bound, at least a dozen. A few seconds later more ships, some looking cobbled together and others that looked just like the first one that was still orbiting above the planet, although Housen noticed that the positioning of the attached torpedo pods were different on each vessel. These vessels started seeding cardassian defence platforms in orbit of the planet. The wall screen then went white.

"The cultists have already settled the planet with their own followers, all cardassian as far as we can tell." Said the unknown man as he walked round the table from the wall display. "The Cardassian government doesn't even know about this yet, and we're hoping to keep it that way." He said, no longer using a cheerful tone and taking one of the seats a little along the table from where Housen was sitting. "If they found out, they would retaliate and their ships and crews would die. We believe that they intend to travel to every planet they can reach and either recruit followers or destroy opposition, until the Par Wraiths are strong enough to strike out on their own. When they are strong enough, everything's over. They will have the ability to destroy every planet, everywhere. We're massing. You scanned this ship and know its power. This ship and the others like it under my command are the first line, the basic ships that we use to see if the regular fleet can stand against what ever they may have to face if push came to shove. Mathews told us that we need you. We don't know why. However we believe him. Help us." Finished this unknown man sitting before Housen.

"What would you expect of me?" asked Housen. "And why not just contact Starfleet and meet this threat together, since I'm assuming that negotiations aren't an option."

"That isn't an option. We're dealing with what are essential religious fanatics. They are still rational, intelligent people, but in order to just talk to them we would have to find a way around the religious dogma that they have accepted as their bread and butter, their very purpose. Considering the lives that could be lost waiting for reason to out weigh religion… We don't have time for that. Plus the people at the top of the cultists are possessed. Now, why not contact the regular fleet. Well, frankly we don't believe the regular fleet will be a match. This fleet we're massing won't be able to either according to projections, but we can't deploy the big guns until we've at least tried, after all we maybe able to gain some useful information that the regular fleet can use if we can't contain them. Your duties. We don't know. Mathews asked us to tell you to go and get him from the Bajorian wormhole, after that I don't know what's expected of you. We'd like you to bring him here and join the fleet, we'll be leaving in about a week. That would give you enough time to go straight to DS9 and back."

"Was it Mathews idea to meet them on the field?" asked Housen after the unknown man had finished.

"No. He told us to do nothing and just get you to meet him at the wormhole. He told us not to get involved. He said it would be a needless waste of life to engage them, but we can't sit here and not act. We have to know about the threats out there, and we have to meet them. The Federation would already be dead a hundred times over if we didn't act. Besides, we mere mortals have beaten the immortals before, and we will keep doing it."

"What about command, It'll only take a few days for them to realise that the Devonports gone off mission, and what about DS9. I think I may have left a negative impression last time I was there."

"Don't worry about Command or DS9. They won't notice you're gone and DS9 won't notice you at all, unless they look out a window of course, but picking out one grey starship out of a sea of stars isn't that easy."

"You sure about what's at stake?" asked Housen.

"The Universe. Positive."

"What about my crew?"

"Tell them everything. They'll be scared, they'll have questions, but they will do their jobs. We checked out all your crew members after Mathews contacted us. A few we're even thinking about recruiting. Those that do leave you can drop off at DS9, I'll have one of my people meet them and have them reassigned. Starfleet Command won't notice a thing."

"I'm in. I don't like not informing Starfleet, but if the probes readings concerning that weapon were correct then they wouldn't stand a chance, and they'll inform our allies. Throwing more lives into the fire. I'll leave immediately."

"Good, see you in a week captain." Said the unknown man.

Housen reached up and activated his comm Badge.

"Housen to Devonport, beam me aboard." And with that Housen left the Bureau ship and returned to the Devonport.

///

"That sounds pretty fantastic. You sure?" Said Jolaw. Housen had set them onto a course for DS9 the moment he got back onboard, and now he had just finished detailing his briefing to Martin, Tomoc, Jolaw, Michael Scot, Samantha Prescot, Hito Yota, Darim Paytec, Peter Law, and Debbie Okuda, all of whom where sitting around the bridge deck conference table.

"I am. I don't think that person needed to lie. The probes scans were authentic from what I could see, and everything he told me does make sense. Any way, when we reach the Bajorain Wormhole we'll know for sure. Either that or I'll be in serious trouble."

"Oh well. It's not like you haven't been in trouble before." Said Jolaw. "Lets not forget that you tried to brake into restricted files back at command."

"Really? How'd you do?" Asked Okuda.

"Not well. I was caught before even finishing inputting my first search request."

"Oh well. Not everyone can have a cardassians natural sense of stealth and guile." Said Paytec with a little smile on his face.

"No doubt. Now, about the crew. Not all of them will be willing to go along with this, and we have no right to take them off mission without just cause. I believe Starfleet will not consider a mission from section 31 to be just cause." Said Tomoc.

"You're right. I've actually already made a recorded message that I'll send to every ones personal consoles after this meeting, telling them everything. I've asked that they do what they believe is right in either saying onboard or asking to leave. I've asked them to remain quiet over the com about this so as not to risk the lives of those that stay, and that I'll transport them to DS9 if they do decide to leave."

"Well that's good. At least we won't be taking anyone into this that doesn't know the score." Said Scot.

"So, who is this Captain Mathews. I understand he was your previous CO." Asked Paytec to the Captain.

"That's right." Said Housen, his jaw noticeably clenching and his nostrils flaring slightly. "Up till the battle for Deep Space 9, Mathews was an excellent commander, having fought hundreds of engagements as both a commander and a subordinate onboard the Noble and other vessels. During the battle for DS9, he…phased out for a split second and then his behaviour changed almost completely. He ordered the crew to abandon ship and then crashed it into one of the Dominion Superbattleships. My fiancé was alive when the abandon ship order was given, she and everyone else in the Aft ventral section of the ship was dead by the time I got into my lifeboat. I was the last to leave the ship. He's a good person. I personally just can't forgive him for what his actions took from me. It's petty and small, but it's how I feel anyway. I recommend you make your own judgements about Mathews, my opinions clouded." Said Housen, obviously becoming angry. "Martin, you're to be his liaison when his onboard. I'd prefer not to see him unless it's necessary."

"Yes sir."

"ETA at DS9 Law? Asked Housen.

"About 3 days, at current speed sir."

"Well, if no one has anything to add we all have duties to perform." Housen paused for a second. "Good, dismissed." With that said, everyone stood and left the briefing room. Housen remained and stood looking out of the large armoured windows for several long quiey minutes.

///

"So what was it like at their facility? From what I hear it sounded quite comfortable." Asked Peter Law as he manoeuvred his fighter round an asteroid, and pushed the engines on his fighter to try and keep the ship he was pursuing in his sights.

"It was. We were restricted to one deck, no comms access and we didn't have access to our fighters, but apart from that we had access to everything that we have access to here. We were even allowed to read some of the de-classified mission reports for Section 31." Responded Lowe as she spiralled around an asteroid in an attempt to shake off her pursuer.

"Did you learn anything interesting?" Asked Law as he slowed and cautiously flew round the same asteroid in order to keep Lowe ahead of him.

"Yeah. About 90 years ago, Section 31 used a rouge asteroid as a weapon against a major Romulan stage area." Said Lowe as she pivoted on her axis and fired off a torpedo towards Law before shooting off again on a perpendicular cause. The Torpedo missed Law by a few meters and destroyed the asteroid he'd just piloted round. "They crashed it into the planet they were using to mass troops, and on its way there it smashed through their orbital shipyards." Lowe activated her rear viewer to focus on the pursuing fighter, but she had lost track of it in the fast moving remains of the asteroid she'd just destroyed. Lowe knew better than to go back and check, since last time Law hid in the field of debris with his fighter completely powered down until she started a search for him since the simulation didn't end. Then he killed her. His first kill. Lowe started going back through her sensor records to try and find him while she orbited the field of debris outside weapons range.

After a few seconds, Lowe was able to determine a DR position for Laws fighter. Lowe launched a full spread of torpedoes at and around that location. The resulting explosions sent the debris from the asteroid in new directions and vaporised those in the immediate area. Although lowes sensors were blinded in that small area for a second while the after effects of the detonation dissipated, the trio of torpedoes heading her way weren't missed. Lowe headed straight for them, planning on flying between their formation and finding and destroying their source, then her sensors detected her damaged but operable opponent flying after his torpedoes and firing his pulse phasers right through his torpedo formation towards her. Lowe made a last second dive to miss being hit by the phasers, a sharp corkscrew to avoid the torpedoes and returned fire, scoring a hit on Laws Port wings. His fighter started tumbling and spinning out of control, and then smashed into one of the asteroids that had avoided destruction and exploded.

The simulation ended. The current score, 12 to 1 displayed in front of Lowes eyes before the holodeck reverted to its idle, hologrid configuration.

Lowe looked around and saw Law laying on his back in the middle of the room.

"Bugger. I thought I had you then. Oh well." Said Law as he propped himself up on his elbows. Lowe walked over to him and offered him a hand to get back on his feet.

"You nearly did. How did you maintain a target lock from inside the blast radius?" Asked Lowe.

"I didn't, I used your torpedoes trajectory to determine your approximate position, course and speed and then waited until your torpedoes detonated so that you wouldn't see them coming for the first second or two. I then followed them thinking you would evade and show me your nice flank to shoot at. I didn't expect you too try and dive between those torpedoes." Answered Law as he got up onto his feet and started brushing himself down, despite the holographic cockpit debris having disappeared with the rest of the simulation.

"Ready for round 2, I win so I get to pick." Said Lowe as she grabbed onto Laws arm.

"What do you have in mind?" Asked Law moving a little more into Lowes proximity.

"Computer, Lowe 7 please." Law immediately started fielding a big smile, and the hologrid changed to that of a warm beach in Lowes home province on Bajor. "Are you ever going to tell your friends that asked me out a month before the Dragons left for the Section 31 base?" Asked Lowe as she walked over to a pair of towels that materialised on the beach a few metres from the shore.

"Nope. If I did they'll be even worst than they are now, and Jolaw will have you put under tight scrutiny by every friend he has on the ship. His very projective when he wants to be." Answered Law while he followed Lowe to the towels, one of which she was now laying on. "Besides, if it's alright I'll like to hear more about what you learned." As Law laid down on the other towel next to Lowe, she went about retelling everything she had read about the de-classified Section 31 missions. 2 hours later they emerged and went their separate ways. Lowe to perform maintenance checks on her fighter before the next scheduled drill, and Law to get ready for his bridge watch in an hours time.

///

"Sir, we're approaching DS9. We are on the course proscribed by Section 31." Reported Law as the Devonport cruised towards the ex-cardassian space station.

"Very well. Drop us out of warp, engage Impulse engines. Continue to follow the course given to us." The star field on the view screen changed from streaking pattern seen at warp to a static pattern. "Martin, how many people want off the ship?" Asked housen as DS9 came appeared on the view screen.

"8 sir. They have already been briefed and have assured their department heads that they won't betray our confidence. They are already mustered in the transporter rooms. Transporter range to the station will occur in 3 minutes." Replied Martin.

"What's the traffic like around the station?"

"3 small commercial vessels are manoeuvring around the station, looks like they are waiting for berths. 16 other vessels are already docked, looks like it's a busy day on the station. None of the vessels pose any risk to our flight plan, and none are reacting to our presence. DS9 should have tried to hail us already." Responded Okuda after taking a second to scan her console.

Housen nodded to himself. Apparently, everything was going as planned. The only thing that would announce their presence to the station would be the opening of the wormhole, and with the stations sensors blinded for the duration of the Devonports visit, Housen only had to hope that no one in DS9s operations centre was watching the wormhole through a window when it opened.

///

"Colonel, we have a transmission for you from Bajor. It's from Benjamin Sisko." Said the Starfleet ensign sitting at one of the upper tier ops consoles.

"My office ensign." Said Kira as she started up the stairs from the central command position up to the Station Commanders Office.

Kira had entered her office and nearly sat down when Siskos face and shoulders appeared on the small Starfleet desk monitor.

"Hello Nerys. I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time. I know the station has a lot of traffic going through today." Said Sisko.

"No, of course Emissary. It's always good to hear from you. How have you been? How's everyone down there?" Asked Kira, beaming at the small monitor.

"We're all fine down here. The weathers wonderful, that invitation is still open to come down and visit."

"I will. I have a months worth of leave coming up and I'll come down for a quite visit." Said Kira, looking away from the monitor for a second as if she's been scolded by a lecturer, but keeping her smile on her face.

"Good. Nerys, for the next 10 minutes or so can you do something for me?" Asked Sisko.

"Of course. What can I do for you?"

"I need you to freeze the view screen display so that no one can see the wormhole opening." Said Sisko, his face reverting to his captains expression, as Kira calls it.

"I can do that, but I'll need to know why?" Answered Kira.

"I can tell you that, but you'll have to keep it confidential. The Protectors transportation will reach the wormhole in a few minutes. Your sensors have already been blinded to this ships presence, but the view screen on DS9 doesn't produce an image using only sensor data like those on Starfleet vessels. It'll still produce an image of the wormhole opening and the vessel entering."

"What vessel is going to serve as the Protectors transport?" Asked Kira.

"The Devonport." Kiras expression immediately turned foal. "I can see that you remember Captain Housen." Said Sisko.

"That man risked my station, his own ship and his crew in order to defy the Prophets. Why would they want him as their vessel? I would gladly take command of the Defiant from Vaughn and take the Prophets wherever they would want to go." Said Kira, clearly unhappy that her gods are relying on some obnoxious captain other than her. Although she also started typing in commands that will freeze the view screens re-fresh rate for the next 15 minutes.

"I, and they know that Nerys. Housen is just the one that's needed, that's all."

"It's done, but I'm not happy about it. When I come down I want a full account of all of this."

"Of course." Said Sisko. Now fielding a huge smile. "I look forward to when you'll be visiting us Nerys. See you soon."

"and you Emissary."

"It's Ben." Said Sisko as he leaned forward and de-activated his connection.

///

"Sir. Transports are complete. Those wishing to be put off the ship are now in their quarters on the station." Said Martin.

"Good. ETA to the wormhole aperture?" Asked Housen.

"Under 1 minute." Answered Law.

"Yota, bring the ship to Yellow alert." Said Housen. The Yellow alert alarm sounded thoughout the ship and yellow light strips started flashing all over the ship.

"Ship reports Yellow alert sir." Said Yota a few seconds later.

"We are approaching the aperture. The wormhole should be opening now." Said Law. Just before the view screen showed the image of the wormhole opening. Displaying its splendour for all to see.

"We are entering the wormhole." And the Devonport was now surrounded by the beautiful electric blue interior of the Bajorain wormhole.

"Take us to the coordinated specified and hold position." Order Housen. "Now we wait, are Mathews quarters ready?" Asked Housen, obviously unhappy about Mathews coming onboard.

"Yes sir. He's been assigned VIP quarters in the Forward Saucer." Answered Martin.

"That should be fine. Thank you Martin. You'll find that my things are already in them." Said a man standing just behind the Tactical station. Everyone on the bridge turned round and Yota had a half raised phaser in his hand. That man standing behind him was defiantly Captain Mathews. He was the same height as he was when Housen last saw him in his ready room, whoever, his build had changed a lot over the few weeks that had passed since the visit. He was trimmer and slightly broader in the shoulders, this was obviously a more muscular image of his old captain than what Housen remembered. He was wearing his Starfleet uniform, complete with combadge and captain pips. Over his uniform he wore a large, dark brown trench coat. "Permission to come aboard Captain."

Asked Matthews.

Housen stood glaring at his former captain for a few seconds, until he noticed Yotas head turn to face him.

"Permission granted. Welcome Aboard." Said Housen, trying his best to keep any of his feelings from showing in his voice. He knew he failed by Mathews admirably concealed pained expression, and the few heads that turned to regard him. "You look different." Said Housen, trying to sooth the tension he felt developing between him and Captain Mathews.

"Yes. Most of what you see is how I see myself. I've always liked trench coats, and I'll always consider myself a Starfleet Captain. My improved build is a result of the power my faith has granted me, and mostly, the power the prophets have granted me in order to face this threat on their behalf."

"Speaking of which, Law, re-enter the Alpha quadrant and lay in a course for the Bureau Fort. Warp 8."

"Aye sir, coming about."

The starship spun in place before exiting the wormhole and once again passing DS9, before jumping back into warp towards the Bureaus Asteroid Fort. 5 minutes later DS9s sensors regained their full vision.

///

"How have you been Captain? Learned anything interesting from the Prophets?" Asked Jolaw. The command crew, minus Housen were sitting at the command table in Poms, Mathews was regaling those that didn't know him with stories from his time as a Commander and then as the Captain of the Noble, when Jolaw walked over to the table and sat down next to Okuda.

"I'm doing ok Jolaw, and you wouldn't believe the amount I've learned from the Prophets. There is nothing I can't learn now, but for the most part I've been concentrating on the Prophets and Bajor." Said Mathews.

"That's a very good non answer Captain." Said Okuda who then turned to Jolaw. "Whenever we ask him about anything to do with the Prophets, he very skilfully gives us nothing while sounding as if he has answered our question in unprecedented detail. It's really very clever."

"Well, the Prophets do like their privacy. They told me to be discreet. It sounds as if you are a qualified communications specialist, and you can run an ops console, a demanding job at times all by itself. Aren't you the ever talented young woman." Said Mathews with a grin and a quick sidelong glance at Jolaw.

"Computer Andorian Ale." Said Jolaw, giving Mathews his own sidelong glance.

"Besides, I'm more interested in hearing what everyone else has been up too. Jolaw, know that you're here, have you found that great passion you've been looking for?" Jolaw looked around shyly, his gaze lingering on Debbie for a second, giving Mathews and everyone else around him a fair idea of where his feelings lay. Okuda, as usually, didn't seem to notice a thing. "Oh well. I have no doubt that you'll end up with who you're looking for." Said Mathews as Jolaws drink landed softly on the table. "Ha, I understand your second designed this place Jolaw. I like it."

"Nearly everyone does. My sneaky second engineer managed to keep this place a secret for nearly 2 months while he was fitting it out. Good thing too, I don't think I would have come up with something like this. I would have stuck with a more traditional design."

"Well. There's nothing wrong with tradition. I remember when I was a cadet and had to deck out the Suffolks shuttle bay to receive Klingon delegates. There were so many tradition check boxes I had to tick before we could receive those guys, by the end of it, 2 days later, our shuttle bay looked like the High Council Chamber."

"I think every cadet has to do something like that. Part of their right of passage into the ranks of Starfleet officers..." Said Housen as he walked up to the command table. "...mine was to prepare for a Tholian delegation." Housen didn't sit down with his officers. "Mathews come with me. I want a quick word." Housen then turned around and made his way back to the bars entrance, not waiting for a reply.

"If you'll excuse me for a minute." Said Mathews as he got up from the table and followed the Devonports captain.

Outside the bar and up the chutes in the alleyway leading to Poms, Housen waited for Mathews to exit the bar and join him. When he did, he just stood there with a small friendly smile on his face. "What would you like to know Erick?"

"P'Rol. What happened to her?" asked Housen. Mathews had expected to be threatened to not put the Devonport at risk, or to demand more information about the cultists.

"You weren't able to find out?" Asked Mathews, a sombre, slightly confused look coming across his face.

"I've accessed the sensor logs of every vessel that survived the battle and all I can learn is that the escape pods for the science section left the ship, entered an area of high interference, and didn't re-appear when that interference dissipated." Said Housen, his expression neutral. Mathews remembered when Housen use to have a very large reapituare of facial expression.

"She died, in that interference. Those lifeboats lost sensors and collided with debris from a Dominion Attack Ship." Said Mathews, sounding sincere and sorry, wanting to reach out to his long time friend.

"Do you know if she would have died if you didn't order us to abandon ship?" Asked Housen almost accusingly.

"Yes, she would have." Said Mathews immediately.

"How could you know that?"

"The Prophets have taught me many things, including, when I'm in their presence, How to read timelines, and possible timelines. P'Rol would have died when Captain Sisko didn't stop the Dominion reinforcements from entering the Alpha Quadrant, if I hadn't had saved him. Her life would have been extended about 4 hours, and billions of other lives wouldn't have lasted much longer."

Housen seemed to visibly deflate at hearing this, Mathews thought to himself that Housen must have really wanted to think that a future would have been possible for him and P'Rol if it hadn't been for Mathews actions. "I am sorry Housen."

Housen nodded, turned away and started making his way down the alleyway.

///

"What the hell are we suppose to be doing when we meet up with these Section 31 people. I'll see." Said Okuda, tossing a poker chip into the small pile in the middle of the small table.

"Those ships they have could make mincemeat of any other ship I've ever seen before." Said Yota. "If they chose to, I don't think that there's a fleet anywhere that could stand against them. Apart from the Borg of cause."

"I'll raise 10." Said Martin.

"They must need us for transport of fighters, we could increase their fighter screen by roughly 150 craft." Said Scot.

"Peregrines are capable of warp flight, they don't need us to carry them. Although a well rested pilot, would fare much better during combat than one that's been sitting in a cockpit for days on end. Even a Cats Eye can only do so much to recharge a pilot, and I'll fold. Is that right?" Said Lowe as she leaned round and showed her cards to Law.

"Yeah. I wouldn't continue with that hand"

"You're picking this up quick lass, played before?" Asked Scot.

"A few of us at the academe use to get together to try various human pastimes. The Vulcans were very good at poker. After a few games the Vulcan players were the only ones that kept playing it, they kept winning and the conversation was non-existent. You guys are much nicer." Said Lowe. "No offence sir."

"None taken." Said Martin.

"What about the other members of the dragons, do they play poker?" Asked Okuda.

"No, they play a Romulan game Commander Tomoc taught us. I think it's called Ra'Fali. It's a fairly complicated card and board game. I think the closest comparison would be a mixture of Risk and Cheat." Answered Lowe.

"I'll raise 20. Bring it on mates." Said Scot, leaning back in his chair. "I don't think we're going to be doing anything in the battle, we're probably just here to transport Matthews. We're only involved because he asked for us."

"I don't mind that, less for me to fix afterwards if we don't get involved in a fight. Although, truth be told I'd rather not be involved at all, but we are, and considering the stakes I don't think sitting idly by would be more comfortable." Said Jolaw, as he stared at his cards. "What do you think will happen if something goes wrong? Do you think a literal wall of fire will engulf the universe?"

"I doubt it, no type of combustion can exist in space. Most likely it'll be a shockwave carrying some form of volatile gas that will ignite when it comes into contact with an atmosphere." Said Martin as he reached for his own cards.

"Well from what I hear Matthews said `Fire will spread across the Galaxy`. Also, when the emissary confronted Dukat and the traitor Winn, the rescue team that went after him found actually fire blazing away, with no fuel or ignition source. So I think that fire will literally sweep across the galaxy, unless we stop it." Said Lowe.

"How was the fire being maintained, everything needs some type of fuel?" Asked Okuda. Lowe just shrugged.

"We don't know. There was just fire, burning away." Said Lowe.

"Well, there are a number of beings and phenomenon that could quite easily create an illusion of fire spreading the way Captain Matthews describes. The Q being the obvious example." Said Martin as he held the deck of cards in his hands, the game forgotten for the moment.

"I would prefer not to be involved with these Section 31 characters. Shady blokes they sound like, and surely we're not just a taxi for Matthews." Said Scot.

"We'll know soon enough. We're only a few days from meeting up with the Bureau Fleet." Said Law. "Now lets continue the game, I've only got about another hour before I need to get some rest."

"What's wrong Law. Conversation not interesting enough for you." Commented Scot, as Martin started reshuffling the cards.

"It's not that, It just feels odd to be sat here talking with nothing to twiddle in my hands." Said Law as a card landed in front of him and he immediately picked it up and started fiddling with it.

///

"Sir, we're approaching the asteroid fields perimeter." Said Law, seated at his console in the forward section of the bridge.

"Understood, bring us out of warp and engage impulse engines. Remain outside the field. Sound Yellow Alert." Ordered Housen, the last order being said over his left shoulder to Yota from his position from the command chair in the centre of the bridge.

The ship jumped to Yellow Alert. The shields were raised, bulkheads and forcefields were activated or deployed, reinforcing the ships structural integrity. Security personal went about securing any weapons or equipment that was currently in use or that had been removed from secure storage. Jolaws and Scots engineers went about the same tasks, secure their work areas and any dangerous equipment and material. Every other crew member on duty secured their posts while those not on duty went to join their damage control teams. While all this was happening inside the ship. The view screen showed the Devonport dropping out of warp.

"Ship reports Yellow Alert sir." Said Yota.

"We've dropped out of warp sir, I'm keeping us 500 kms for the fields perimeter." Said Law.

"I have the Bureau fleet on sensors. 100 ships, bearing 035 mark 053 12000 kms distant." Reported Okuda.

"Law, alter course. Intercept the fleet." Ordered Housen.

"Aye sir."

The Devonport elegantly alter her course towards the collection of incredibly powerful warships, masquerading as a Federation Rapid Response Force. Although, where the proper Federation Fleet would be able to handle anything from supporting an assault on a major star system to a planetary evacuation, this fleet massed here obviously had only one purpose. That of hunting down and destroying whatever it came across. The fleet was composed of Sabres, Norways, Defiants, Streamrunners, Intrepids, and Akiras, as well as a few designs that Housen wasn't familiar with, next generation starships. There wasn't a single ship heavier than a cruiser, but every ship was a match for some of the heaviest ships that Housen had ever seen.

As the Devonport was making its approach the bridge turbolift doors opened and Matthews came out onto the bridge. Looking at the fleet depicted on the view screen with open displeasure.

"Captain, we're being hailed by Bureau Rapid Assault Cruiser 4." Said Okuda

"On screen."

The image on the forward view screen changed from the vista outside, dominated by the Bureau Fleet and the asteroid field to show the bridge of the re-purposed Akira Class Starship.

"Ahh. Hello again Captain. You've arrived just in time." Said the Administrator standing on the other ships bridge in his customary cheerful tone. "We're about to move out to intercept the Par wraith fleet, we're transmitting fleet coordinates to you. Link up and assume formation."

"Hello Administrator. Have you forgotten what I told you" Said Matthews quickly, so as to get his words in before the transmission was cut.

"And I told you why we must go. We have our duty to preform, and we will preform it. Even if it's completely futile." Said the Administrator his face very serious for the few seconds it took him to utter that sentence. His face then reverted back to its perpetually cheerful self. "Talk to you later Devonport." Said the Administrator. Then the view screen reverted to the view outside the ship.

"Captain, I've received our formation position." Said Okuda.

"Transfer them to the helm. Law alter course. Formate with the fleet." Ordered Law.

"Aye sir." Said Law and Okuda.

"Where are they putting us?" Asked Matthews.

"If they have any sense. We'll be in a support position behind the first combat line." Said Housen.

"That's correct sir. We're supporting the Starboard end on the line. A pair of more traditional support tenders are supporting the Port end." Answered Okuda.

"Law can you extrapolate an ETA?" Asked Housen.

"Yes sir. Section 31 sent us our destination and max speed the fleet can maintain. We'll reach the combat area in about 4 days." Answered Law.

"Very well. Maintain Yellow Alert." Said Housen as he got up out of his command chair and walked over to his ready room. "Martin you have the con."

"Is it just me, or has Housen became a bit colder this past month or so." Said Jolaw from his position at the Main Engineering Console after Housen had entered his ready room.

"I agree. Since our encounter with the Par wrath ship that attacked the Bajoran tanker, I have noticed a distinct change in the Captains mood." Commented Martin from the command chair.

"I'm surprised you would bother to notice that type of thing, you being a vulcan of course." Said Paytec swinging his chair around and facing forward instead of towards his console.

"I am this vessels Chief Officer, it is part of my duties to make sure the captain does not develop any potentially hazardous behavioural characteristics, and although humans are relatively emotionally stable when compared to many other life forms, there moods can still swing wildly with extremely volatile results." Answered Martin.

"What is your opinion of Housens current state?" Asked Matthews, still standing on the bridge next to the command chair.

"He has become more distant and slightly less receptive, as well as becoming less animated when he does enter into discussion. I conclude that he is frustrated, angry, and sad. I have no course for concern at present. The Captain appears to be containing and dealing with his feelings."

"I hope you're right. I would hate to see him fail in this endeavour." Said Matthews.

"Why'd you get us involved in this anyway. Why not get the Bureau squad to ferry you?" Asked Law.

"Because I need you, and this ship, and Housen. The Bureau won't last long during these battles" Said Matthews, who then turned around and left the bridge.

///

The Devonport maintained yellow alert for the entire 4 day trip that lead them across the Cardassian Border and through a rather large chunk of their territory. The Administrator had apparently chosen his route well, the fleet didn't encounter a single other vessel. Not even when crossing the border, where starfleet had committed a not insignificant percentage of it's fleet to protecting the Cardassians from opportunistic expansionist minor powers in that region until the Cardassians reduced military can once again protect its people by themselves.

As the fleet drew closer to its objective, they started to notice a gradual drop in subspace communications chatter, and the few that were open were filled with static. Apparently the Cultists jamming technology was far reaching and quite effective. Housen started to wonder why the Cardassian Military hadn't noticed this communications blind spot in their territory, but later learned that Section 31 had taken over all the listening posts belonging to the Cardassians in this region of space, and they were feeding the Cardassian Military and the Dutapa Council false information about what was taking place in the region.

The fleets sensors started picking up pieces of wreckage around a number of worlds, and significant damage to the planets ecology, apparently the cultists had been busy since the recording Housen was shown was taken.

Now, very close to their destination the fleets sensors detected their targets. 2 of the massive tear drop shaped ships, escorted by dozens of smaller mismatched, scavenged ships similar to those that the Devonport encountered just over a month ago.

The fleet altered course and changed into a more flexible and aggressive formation. They all dropped out of warp as one and with out warning or ceremony, the first combat line opened fire.

To be continued.