Chris Adair Into the Fire
Into the Fire
///
"No discernible effect on primary threat vessels."
"Escorts aren't a threat, Defiants 1 through 5, take out their escorts."
"We have a problem with the main phasers."
"Primary threats are firing torpedoes. PDPs to full tracking."
"Close. Remain outside their primary weapons firing arch."
"We got feed back on the phasers, all units don't..."
"Akira 12 is down. Looked like a... Norways 4, 7, and 8 just went down. Non of them took any hits."
"Its the main phasers. All units do not fire your main phasers against primary threat vessels. PDPs, Pulse Phasers and torpedoes only."
"PDP effectiveness is dropping, we can't keep track of all the torpedoes. They've launched nearly a thousand already."
"We're losing shields. Dropping out of formation."
"Akira 14 moving up."
"Their firing their primary weapon. All ships evade."
"We've lost 8 ships to that shot. Second combat line move in."
It's been under a minute since the fleet of Bureau warships attacked these unknown tear dropped shaped vessels and their escorts, and already 12 ships had been lost from the first combat line of 25. These vessels were proving to be tough customers. Their main weapons, some sort of high mass particle beam weapon tore through the shields and ships in a second with unbelievable kinetic force, and after firing, these ships were somehow able to manipulate the beam and send it spiralling into other ships, and any ship that wasn't in that weapons very wide firing arch was swamped with literally hundreds of plasma torpedoes fired from the jury rigged launchers all along their hulls.
To make matters worse, the Bureaus primary weapon was more then ineffective. Whenever a phaser beam impacted against these tear drop vessels shields, some sort of feed back sent a charge through the phaser capacitors from the emitters causing them to explode, and an interference pulse sent down the beam before hand prevented the safeties from cutting off the beam before the capacitors detonated. The only upside to the battle so far, was that the escort fleet for these massive vessels were completely ineffective. They weren't even a match for a single standard fighter, let alone these purpose built Bureau warships.
"Captain, one of the Akira class vessels is moving towards us. They request support." Said Okuda from her operations console.
"Commander Scot. Time for your boys to shine..." Said Captain Erick Housen, commanding officer of the Federation Starship Devonport. "...What does the Akira need?"
"I'm completing my scans now sir. A number of external bulkheads have collapsed. Several Nacelle support beams have micro-fractures, they'll need replacing. They also have several destroyed phaser capacitors. I'm sending a list of materials down to Toeck now. Captain, I'll need 4 of the workbees and the exocomps."
"Brief the Exocomps Scot, Paytec get 4 of your workbees ready for launch. Yota, ready the secondary shield generator, extend it around the Akira when they come along side ."
"Aye sir."
"Sir, The other support ships are reaching their limit, they're working on 3 ships each already." Said Okuda.
"Have them direct ships here. We can comfortably handle at least another 5 before feeling the pinch."
"The Akira is coming along side, they're request a tractor beam." Reported Okuda.
"You heard her Yota. Hold it in position."
"Aye sir. Engaging tractor beam and extending secondary shields." Reported Yota.
"Tomoc, alter your formation to accommodate the Akira." Ordered Housen.
"Will do Captain." Came the response.
Everything was proceeding smoothly on the Devonport. Scots engineers were busy creating the parts needed to repair the ship safely secured alongside their own. Jolaws engineers were keeping their ship running and standing by in damage control parties. Yotas security personal were stationed all over the ship at purpose built defensive points in and around the Devonports vital areas, and Paytecs deck crews were preparing the tugs and workbees that maybe called into action at any moment.
Everything outside the ship however wasn't proceeding so smoothly. The Bureau Fleet had finished off the tear drop shaped vessels escorts, but the primary targets themselves were just shrugging off the otherwise earth shattering amount of fire power being directed at them, and the hundreds of plasma torpedoes being fired by them every few seconds were creating a deadly kill zone that the Bureau fleets ships were finding hard to penetrate.
"I told them. They can't stand against those ships, not to mention the possessed cultists leading these people." Said Mathews from the back of the bridge near Jolaws engineering station.
"So it would seem, but from what I've seen and heard about these Bureau people they're fanatics too. Just not religious ones." Commented Law, sitting at his helm station.
"PDPs firing. Multiple incoming torpedoes." Yelled Yota, without warning. Housen looked down at the his own tactical display and saw that things had gone from bad to worse in the minute or so since Housen turned his attention from the battle taking place, trusting Yota to speak up when his attention was required. The 3rd wave was already committed and taking losses. Housen couldn't even see the tear dropped shaped vessels on the view screen any more. Surrounding those vessels now was an aura of dead starships and hundreds upon hundreds of plasma torpedoes. Every now and then a massive beam of yellow light would erupt from that aura, spiralling and always colliding with no less than 5 starships.
"Sir, the last wave is being called up. The Bureau ships are also now communicating using different encryption. It isn't one of the codes they gave us." Said Yota from his console.
"Okuda, break that encryption. I need to know what they're saying." Ordered Housen.
"I'll try sir, but I don't know if I'll be able to before the battles over, if ever."
"Give it a go." Ordered Housen again.
"Aye sir."
"Sir. The Akiras engaged her impulse engines. They're trying to break away." Said Scot from his own console on the bridge.
"What's her status?" Asked Housen.
"We've replaced one of the capacitors and about 3 quarters of the needed bulkheads. She's not ready yet."
"Okuda, tell her to stay put."
"Aye sir...Sir she isn't acknowledging." Replied Okuda.
"What the hell is going on. Why aren't they talking to us..." Said Housen in frustration as he stood from his command chair. "...Hail Assault Cruiser 4."
"That ship was on the first combat line. It's been destroyed." Said Yota. The ship was suddenly hit hard from close range by the Akira they were trying to repair.
"Well, at least we know we've fixed that one phaser." Said Scot.
"Call the Exos and Bees back Paytec. Yota let those idiots go."
"Aye sir."
"Aye, releasing tractor beam."
The Akira Class ship, started moving away, back towards the battle.
"Sir, she's powering her warp drive." Reported Okuda.
"They must have ordered a retreat." Said Law hopefully.
"These people don't retreat young man." Said Mathews, he had appeared to have shrunk into himself a little.
"What is it? What are they going to do?" Asked Housen, turning towards the other man standing in the aft section of his bridge. Mathews turned his face away a little.
"Oh good lord..." gasped Okuda "...Captain they've routed all power to engines and..."
"Shields." Finished Housen turning back to the view screen.
"Yes sir. Everything else that isn't needed for ship stability is offline."
The view of the Akira class ship showed that it was getting faster and faster.
This looks very familiar.
Thought Housen to himself. The ship tore straight ahead and dived into the destructive aura surrounding one of the tear drop shaped vessels. A second later a large explosion that completely hid the ship from view blazed into existence. Followed by other equally massive explosions from the other vessel and yet even more from the ship that just weathered a suicide run from the wounded Akira.
"This is nuts! What the hell do they think they'll accomplish?!" Shouted Law.
"They wanted to know exactly what it'll take to bring these things down..." Said Mathews from the back of the bridge. "...we have to get out of here before those ships notice us."
"Report Yota." Ordered Housen.
"29 starships rammed the primary threat vessels, all that was left of the Bureau Fleet apart from the support tenders. I don't have a fix on them yet, we'll need to wait for a few minutes while the radiation dissipates, but nothing could come back from that" Said Yota.
"They failed Erick." Said Mathews.
"Move us out of weapons range Law. We'll wait for the radiation to dissipate then make a pass for any survivors. Okuda, order the Support Tenders to come with us." Said Housen.
A massive energy beam, easily identified as the primary weapon of one of the tear drop shaped vessels tore out of the radiation field and smashed the 2 support tenders to nothing. The beams width more than the breadth of those vessels, completely engulfed the 2 small ships.
Mathews jumped in front of Housen and assumed a stance that looked like he was bracing himself against something.
"Get us out of here Erick!" Shouted Mathews as another beam tore through the field heading straight for the Devonport. The Dragons saw it coming and screamed out of its path, literally a second before impact. The Devonport, even with the warning couldn't get out of the way. The beam smashed into an unknown field of energy just a metre before it would have impacted against, and smashed through the Devonports shields. Despite this unknown fields apparent power, some of the beams power got through. The ship was rocked hard, by the comparatively tiny amount of fire power that reached it. Consoles exploded on the bridge, smoke was engulfing Jolaws engineering alcove and he was heard screaming in pain. Everyone else was thrown from their positions and ended up flat on the floor.
"I can't hold this off forever!" Yelled Mathews as people started to pick themselves up and return to their duty stations.
"Law. Get us out of here, any direction..." Housen moved to his command chair and opened a channel himself to the Dragons, as Okuda hadn't yet returned to her chair. "...Tomoc, follow us." Ordered Housen.
"Aye sir."
"Engaging warp engines. We're clear. Best speed is warp 1.5 at present."
"Jolaw. Report!" Shouted the captain as the last few sparks exploded from odd console.
"Jolaw is unconscious Captain. I've already summoned a medical team." Shouted Martin from Jolaws engineering alcove. Housen could just make out the vulcan in the smoke still hanging in that area of the bridge, as he began pulling Jolaw into cleaner air.
"Scot, re-purpose your console. Take over engineering and give me a report ASAP. Yota, report."
"The Dragons have fallen in behind us, covering our flanks. Devonport 7 formation. Main shields are offline, secondary operating at 22%. All weapons offline, looks like it's only the control systems. Structural integrity is down to 76%. No signs of pursuit." Reported Yota as he re-organised his security personnel to assist medical teams and damage control.
"Captain..." Began Scot. "...several of our nacelle coils have been fused by their weapon. We can't generate a large enough warp field to safely increase speed. Damage control teams are already responding."
Housen turned to address Law when he nearly tripped over the fallen body of Peter Mathews, laying on the deck where he conjured the field of energy that saved Housens ship.
"Law, find us somewhere to hide." Ordered Housen as he bent down and felt for a pulse on his former captains neck. It was there, the man was alive, stable, but unconscious.
"Martin, casualty report."
"No fatalities have been reported. 45 crew members injured, including Jolaw, and Mathews." Said Martin from his own console again. The Medical team having reported to the bridge and removing Jolaw to sick bay, while 2 others saw to Mathews.
"I'm altering course to a system with a ringed planet, about 3 hours away from here at present speed." Reported Law.
"Good man. Yota, order the dragons to go ahead of us and make sure the area isn't occupied. Paytec, get a trio of warp tugs prepared. When they're ready, we'll drop out of warp and launch them. They can tow us faster than we can go by ourselves at the moment. Any damage in your section?" Asked Housen.
"Minor damage to one of the workbees when we brought it back aboard. A few minor injuries from the hit. Nothing serious." Said Paytec.
"Martin, prepare a full damage report. Priority is warp drive and shields, then weapons..." Mathews started regaining consciousness thanks to the med-techs. "Martin you have the con. Mathews, my ready room." Said Housen as he walked over to his ready room, Mathews getting up off the floor and following as best he could on his groggy legs.
Housen moved round behind his desk, but didn't sit, and waited until the door closed behind Mathews before speaking.
"Not that I'm not grateful, but what did you just do?"
"I told you. The Prophets have granted me their power to protect them with. That power obeys my will to do whatever I require of it." Said Mathews as he moved to one of the chairs and sat down.
"Did you learn anything about the ships we faced from them?"
"Everything I know was passed onto the Section 31 people when I contacted them. They passed that info onto you." Said Mathews. He was looking better by the second.
"We need to start planning our next step. Do you know what the Bureaus next course of action will be?"
"Yes. They'll assemble a move advanced fleet and attack again. These people are relentless. They won't stop until the task is done. No matter the cost."
///
"So. The fleet failed." Said a man sitting at a table in a hidden room with no exits.
"Correct. The escort vessels where no threat, but the main ships proved to be extremely resistant to our own. Only the Devonport escaped. Some how they survived a direct hit from one of the tear dropped shaped ships main weapon and then left the area at low warp."
"What about the administrator?"
"His back at his Fort Yard. His preparing the second offensive."
"What's he planning?"
"His equipping the fleet with the tactical systems Voyager brought back last year. Hopefully that'll at least level the playing field."
"How's Harbour 1 and 2 coming along?"
"They'll be complete in the next couple of days. The Administrator will be taking them with his second attack fleet."
"What about the last resort response fleet, I think we should have it prepared."
"I agree. I'll update him."
As one, the men in this room stood, activated their implants, and disappeared. Leaving one man alone to de-brief, arguably one of the most powerful men in the Alpha quadrant.
"Computer. Activate Slone contact algorithm."
///
"17 of the warp coils have been fused. The saucer and engineering hulls have suffered extensive outer hull damage. The nacelle pylons have taken minor structural damage. The primary shield generator is completely shot and will need to be completely rebuilt. The secondary is being reconfigured to bring it back to full strength. Lieutenant Yotas assessment of the weapons array was accurate. Control systems are being rebuilt. Repairs should be complete in 22 hours, however the primary shield generator will take several days to rebuild." Finished Martin as he briefed his commanding office on the damage that the ship had sustained during the battle.
"That's impressive. Some of the damage sounds like it would need a starbase." Commented Mathews.
"No other ship class has the Harbours mass replication facilities, nor the number of engineers onboard that we do." Threw in Housen.
"That being said sir, we will need to stop at a starbase for a complete structural assessment of all systems, before command will put the ship back on the active list. Especially considering our current circumstances." Said Martin.
"We have to survive this first. We'll be heading for the first system these cultists attacked, we'll be making way as soon as repairs are complete and a few modifications made. Make the appropriate arrangements to get repairs completed. I'll brief everyone latter. " Ordered Housen as he started rubbing his left temple.
"Is that wise sir? According to your briefing their main fleet is likely to be gathered there, as well as a large number of fixed heavy defences platforms." Offered Martin.
"Don't worry Martin. If I'm right about the technology were about to receive, the platforms will be ineffective against us and their escort ships will be even more so. The only thing we'll need to worry about will be the main capital ships, and even they should be significantly less effective." Said Mathews, standing by the window in Housens ready room.
"What technology?" asked Martin.
"You'll be briefed with the others shortly. Is their anything else that needs to be said?"
"I don't believe so sir. When would you like the briefing to take place?"
"In 1 hour. Make sure all the senior staff are present. Dismissed." Said Housen. Martin then stood and exited the ready room to go about his duties.
"Why has this technology been with held. The losses Starfleet wouldn't have sustained if defended with this equipment..." Housen began.
"That's not for me or you to decide. However, this technology if made public could have serious political repercussions. The Federation would have to whether major pressure from the other major powers if the fleet suddenly jumped from on-par to unbeatable. It could even trigger a pre-emptive strike from the more paranoid. Even with this gear we'll still take losses, any war would probably be prolonged as well seeing as Federation leaders are usually reluctant to retaliate, not to mention the more comfortable position they'll feel like they would be in with a near indestructible fleet."
"They would be content to contain whatever forces challenged Starfleet, indefinitely." Interrupted Housen. "Wasting more of, their, lives."
"I'm glad you're able to talk to me like this Erick." Said Mathews as he walked away from the ready room window and stood before Housens desk.
"I can't blame you any more. However much I may want to. P'Rol would say I'm being illogical. Then she would give me the silent treatment until I made things right again." Said Housen with a small smile on his face when he looked at the picture sitting on his desk.
"I miss her too. She was the only one who could beat Martin consistently, and you could tell he was pissed when she smiled when she won."
"Memory lain will have to wait Pete..." Housens face turning serious again as he activated his desktop computer and brought up the dozen or so reports that appeared and demanded his attention. "Make yourself useful. My ship has been seriously damaged ferrying you around."
"Will do captain..." Said Mathews. He turned and exited the ready room, feeling better, hoping that his friendship with Housen maybe salvaged. "...I need a job people."
"Good..." Shouted Scot, who threw a tricorder at him which Mathews caught. "...get over here and help me fix Jolaws station."
///
Housen was the last person to enter the bridge deck briefing room holding a pad, right on time, 1 Hour later. All his other senior officers were already sitting and waiting for him. Jolaw was also present sitting in his chair after being discharged from sickbay, and Mathews was standing by one of the large stern facing windows. Housen walked over to the wall display and turned to face his officers.
"Has anything changed from the briefing Martin gave me concerning our repairs..." Said Housen, no one spoke up. "...Good..." Housen began manipulating the pad and the wall display came to life, displaying a schematic of a large device labelled as an `ablative generator`. The display changed to show a number of these devices arrayed over a depiction of the Devonport. A second later the devices glowed blue and the ship was enveloped in a mettle shell. "...These devices are called `Ablative Generators`, they encase the ship in a shell of ablative armour sections that the generators maintain and continually replenish. Barring catastrophic power loss, or encountering a weapon or environment that can destroy the armour faster than the generators can replenish it, any ship protected by this system will be invulnerable."
Housens audience were speechless for a second.
"Where did you come up with this idea, and don't ask me to work out the details in true Montgomery fashion for you." Said Jolaw.
Despite the jovial comment, and the odd smile around the table, Housen and everyone else knew that he was being serious.
"I didn't come up with this. A cloaked probe from Section 31 monitored the battle and followed us here. It established a direct communication link with my laptop monitor and downloaded these blueprints, designs and a few other pieces of information. As well as connecting me to the Bureau Asteroid Fort. Where the Administrator briefed me on what he'll be doing next."
"He survived! How? I saw his ship destroyed, and how did he get back to the Fort?" Said Yota.
"I don't know, but he did."
"What are his plans?" Asked Paytec.
"I'll get to that. I want the technical briefing given out first so that Jolaw and Scot can pass the specs up to their respective departments and adjust our repair schedule as needed, and there is one more piece of technology to share with you..." Housen manipulated his pad again and the wall displayed changed to show a torpedo casing. Labelled as `Transphasic Torpedo`. "...This, as you can see, is called a `Transphasic Torpedo`. A very powerful projectile weapon. This weapon destroys targets using a massive subspace compression pulse. The pulse rotates on multiple phase frequencies. Allowing the pulse to practically bypass a targets shields, and deliver its huge destructive potential..." Housen then deactivated the wall display using his pad and sat in his chair at the head of the large conference table. "... Scot, I want you to start producing these devices as soon as Jolaw doesn't need your engineers any more to assist in repairs."
"Sir, we're already at a point where Scots boys can't help us complete the repairs any faster. We've got 2 or 3 people trying to do a one man job up stairs. They've also already manufactured all the material we require. I love having industrial replicators onboard." Said Jolaw, leaning over and saying his last sentence to Okuda.
"Well, that's excellent. Scot, the design specifications are on this pad, and this pad alone. You'll only be able to transfer the data to your computer systems once, and after 22 hours the data will erase itself." Housen slide the pad down the table to Scot.
"Fear not sir. We'll have these generators and munitions ready in appropriate numbers." Said Scot.
"Good man. Yota, tactical information has been transferred to your console. It'll tell you how to configure and manipulate the armour and help you program firing patterns for these new weapons."
"Aye sir. I'll start studying the data when we're done here." Said Yota.
"Good. Tomoc, your fighters can't meet the power requirements for the generators and we can't make the torpedoes in a micro form for your launchers. They can however, accommodate 2 torpedoes a piece. However I want to keep your fighters in their current configuration for now. I'll brief you on the plan in a moment."
"Very well sir." Said Tomoc.
"Okuda, Law, Prescot, none of your stations or duties will be effected by these modifications. Make sure your respective stations are at their peak..." The 3 officers nodded. "...Paytec, the armour over the bay doors will be slaved to your console. When you open the bay, the armour over that section will de-materialise automatically. You won't have to worry about it."
"Thank you Captain." Said Paytec.
"Jolaw, Scot. Go and brief your seconds, tell them to begin work on these devices. Try and be back inside of 5 minutes..." Ordered Housen. Both engineers then stood and exited the briefing room at a quick pace. "...With the technical information safely in talented hands and not my own, it's time to move on to the plan. We're heading to the primary cult colony. We will attempt to secure local space and transport Mathews down to the surface to remove the Par'wrath leadership. From what Mathews has told me, removing them will also remove the influence it has on its followers."
"It should be noted however that some of the cultists are willingly following the Par'warths. They will continue to resist after their leader has been dealt with." Interrupted Mathews.
"Then when the leader has been removed, we're going to contact the cultists to arrange an end to hostilities?"Asked Prescot.
"Yes. With the Par`wraths gone the universe is no longer in danger from them. When we have secured local space, we'll locate a remote region on the planet to transport the formerly influenced too. Doctor Prescot, there will be biological makers present in the influenced population, as a by product of the Par`wraths influence. All medical information that section 31 has pertaining to this has been transferred to your medical labs computer. Note that those recorders are detailing influenced Bajorans. Okuda, you're to work with Prescot and develop a means for us to target the influenced with our transporters."
"Understood sir, however it would be best if we could have an influenced Cardassian to work with." Said Prescot.
"I thought you might say that. Tomoc, that's where you come in. After this briefing I want you to launch your squadron and locate one of the Par`wrath escort ships, secure it and take as many prisoners as you can. Bring them back here. We are deep in space that they control so hopefully you'll be able to locate one. If you haven't completed your mission within 24 hours, you are to make best speed back to the ship. No delays. We will carry you to the cultist star system, and you will begin covertly gather intelligence on the planets defences and local fleet. You are not to engage them. The platforms they have, have excellent anti-fighter capabilities, and I imaging the main vessels would simply swamp you under a wave of torpedoes.
"That's my impression as well sir, I understand our orders." Said Tomoc.
"Prescot, if the Dragons can't locate a subject for you in time you'll just have to make do with the section 31 data." Said Housen
"We'll do our best sir. Do you have a contingency plan should we be unable to find a means to target the transporters?" Responded Prescot.
"No. If that situation comes about we'll have to just wait and transport to safety anyone we actually see protecting themselves from the uninfluenced Par`wrath followers. No doubt massive religious violence will ensue after the Par`wrath leadership is gone. So we'll need to be extremely vigilante." Said Housen, Prescots expression changed for the worse. Showing how much of a burden this was for the shy young woman.
"What's the rest of the plan sir?" Asked Law.
"The Bureau fleet will take a week to reach the cultist planet. We will reach the planet in 2 days. We will not be waiting for them..." Everyone around the table tensed at that statement, aside from Martin. "...Although the escort ships and platforms will not be a threat to the Devonport when these upgrades are online, that doesn't mean the cultists primary vessels will not be. I intend to warp into the system using the dragons to locate the best DOW points. We warp as far from the main vessels as possible, but as close to the platforms as we can, then destroy everything in reach. Then we warp out and re-align for another strike."
"Confirm sir. Destroy everything in reach." Said Martin.
"We are going to consider that system, a war theatre. We go in and we do not hold back..." Responded Housen, his right hand had formed into a fist and he was wearing an expression that brokered no argument. "...when we have a safe area in space to operate we will begin relocating influenced Cardassians and landing security personnel to back up Mathews, and protect the formally influenced when Mathews has dealt with the Par`wrath leader."
"The last part of your plan will take time sir. What about the cultists primary vessels." Said Martin.
"During that time we'll have to trust in the armour, as well as Laws piloting skills. After ground forces have been transported we'll either hold our own or fall back to long range harassment tactics to prevent those ships from attacking our forces on the surface."
"I have faith that the Devonport will hold her own..." Said Mathews, moving away from the window to stand near Housen. "...but this is still a very high risk plan Erick."
"I know Mathews, but the universes continued survival is worth us and this ship. However not all of us need go. Paytec, prep every warp capably ship in the hanger. When we reach the outer edge of the cultist system, we'll have everyone apart from the absolutely necessary abandon ship and hold position for either pick up by the Bureau fleet or us. Are there any questions..." no one spoke up. Most if not all of Housens command crew were still trying to come to terms with this rather cold plan that will probably get most, if not all of them killed. "...I'm not Picard, or Kirk. I don't make speeches. But rest assured, I don't make decisions like this lightly. We don't have time to wait for the Bureau Fleet." Housen turned to Mathews and nodded to him.
"The Par`wraths are ready. I can feel the manifestation of their power. In one day, maybe two. They will release the fire." Said Mathews.
"That statement alone tells me a lot about way the mood has changed so much in here since I left..." Said Jolaw, standing at the door to the briefing room, with Scot standing next to him. "...How long to get there?" Asked Jolaw as he retook his seat.
"2 days. If we leave now." Answered Law.
"Can we make it through this, shockwave?" Asked Scot.
"I can get us through." Said Mathews.
"What about the Bureau fleet?" Asked Jolaw.
"They won't be able to follow. We'll be operating alone."
"That's just jolly!" Said Scot
"The plan as outlined isn't unreasonable. Assuming the technology section 31 gave us works." Commented Tomoc.
"Someone really smart once said that even the best laid plans don't survive contact with the enemy." Commented Scot again.
"It's not our fault your culture has too many sayings." Threw in Paytec with a slight smug expression.
"Trust engineers to help make the mood better." Said Mathews quietly to Housen with a slight smile on his face.
"Why do you think I accepted this assignment." Answered Housen as Scot and Jolaw continued to draw attention to themselves with their jovial way of pointing out the impossible in everything and coming up with sayings to back them up.
"You can continue to discusses this in your own time if you wish, but for now make sure all of your departments are ready and all personnel are prepared. Dismissed." Said Housen. Everyone then started for the exits with Scot and Jolaw continuing to overplay doom and for some reason, lifting everybodys spirits slightly.
///
"Squadron has cleared the Devonport, and is free to navigate." Said Ensign Knot from her copilots seat onboard the Cats Eye class variant that serves as a long range recon support vessel called Ramoth.
"Very good. Devonport, the dragons are clear. See you in 24 hours." Said Tomoc, sitting at the command station, selecting likely areas of space where cultist ships maybe be located.
"Copy that Ramoth. Good hunting." Said Paytec from his station onboard the Devonports bridge. A second later Tomoc heard the comm deactivate as the connection was severed from the large vessel. The briefing with the Devonports senior staff ended about 30 minutes ago. He immediately went about getting his squadron ready for their new assignment. Bringing his ships back aboard and having the flight crews give them a quick once over before heading back out.
"All ships, form on me and set your shields too Tachyon, Eddie formation..." Ordered Tomoc over the comm to the 6 other ships that made up his Watchful Dragons. The 7 ships fell into formation and altered their shield harmonics to appear like a faint Tachyon Eddie to other ships sensor. Hopefully this would allow the squadron to move undetected until they could locate a suitable target. "...plot a course to system JK225 Knot, engage when I have taken navigational control from the squadron." Ordered Tomoc.
"Aye sir. Plotting course to system JK225." Answered Knot.
"Good. I have slaved their computers to ours. Engage warp 5 when ready."
"Will do sir. Going to warp." Answered Knot. A second later all 7 ships jumped to warp as one, heading to a star system that Tomoc calculated as being along the flightpath of the cultist ships before they were intercepted.
"All right then..." Said Tomoc , who then reached over and activated a secure comm link to the other ships. "...Right Dragons. We're only 2 hours away from our first target point. So I want you to stay in your fighters. We're in enemy territory so stay sharp."
"Aye sir." Answered all 6 ships in unison.
///
"Commander. We're approaching our DOW point." Said Knot 14 hours later through the cockpit hatch to the main accommodation section, where Tomoc was catching up with the paper work required between a fighter squadron and it carrier.
"Ok Knot. I'm on my way..." Tomoc replied as he deactivated the console and stood up. "...Wake up." Yelled Tomoc. His yell brought forth a string of curses and moans from the 4 fighter pilots resting in their small cabins, bringing a smile mischievous grin to the Commanders face, which he hide as he turned to the cockpit. He could depend on his pilots to get themselves ready and board their craft without his further encouragement.
"I hope we find something here sir. This is the last system we'll be able to investigate before having to head back." Said Knot as Tomoc took his seat.
"Agreed. Anything on passive?" Said Tomoc.
"A few consistent energy signatures and mass readings. Ramoths passive sensors have always been a bit fuzzy at warp though."
"I know, but they're good enough. We can't get better without changing the nacelle configuration which would make us harder to hide. Drop us out of warp in the outer planets orbital plain." Ordered Tomoc.
"Aye sir. 35 seconds to sub light." Said Knot. Just then, 4 of the yellow lights on Tomocs command console changed to green , created a solid line of ready lights in front of him. He reached over and opened a secure channel to his ships.
"30 seconds to sub light. Rock formation and retune shields." Ordered Tomoc. The seconds ticked by as his squadron moved at warp towards their last target. No change appeared on the passive sensor display. Then Ramoth dropped out of warp with it dragons which immediately altered their formation to disguise their squadron as an asteroid. With the warp field gone the passive sensors became clearer and the energy signatures resolved into a small fleet of 7 cultist escort vessels in orbit of the 6th planet in this system of 8.
"Set an intercept Knot. Time?"
"We have 4 hours before we have to leave for the rendezvous." Answered Knot, as Tomoc preformed a few calculations using his console.
"A 30 second impulse burst should get us there in 2 hours, re-plot the intercept for the burst and engage when ready. We should be able to disguise our engines emissions for that long." Ordered. Tomoc.
"Aye sir. Proceeding with impulse burst. Sir, these ships aren't a threat. We could go in at full impulse and be in range in 10 minutes."
"I know, but they'll easily read our engine signatures when we're on approach. They'll have time to warn their comrades. I'd prefer that they didn't."Answered Tomoc as he started working out firing patterns from the sensor data obtained in their last battle, that would enable his fighters to disable the target ships without causing catastrophic damage to their ships.
"Disengaging impulse engines, we are on course and remain in formation." Reported Knot after the impulse burst was complete.
"Very good. Releasing navigational control to the fighters." Said Tomoc, and again a bank of yellow lights turned green.
"Sir, I'm detecting additional warp signatures. They read as Cardassian, 3 Galor class warships are approaching the system. ETA 12 minutes." Said Knot.
"Looks like sneaking is out the window..." Said Tomoc as he calculated an intrasystem warp jump. "...Ready a 2 second warp jump, at 30% output. I'll relay to the fighters with a 10 second countdown." Said Tomoc
"Aye sir, ready for warp jump." Replied Knot. The squadron glided in formation for another 8 seconds before jumping to warp for another 2. When they emerged from warp the squadron broke formation and started peppering the cultist escort vessels with low power phaser hits, just shaking them up and buying a few extra seconds before the cultist could respond.
"Dragons, I'm feeding you target coordinates." Said Tomoc as the Ramoth glided effortlessly round and then through a formation of 3 of the cultist ships. A second later the fighters flew by and planted pinpoint accurate hits on 2 of those ships. Destroying engines, weapons and shields in a second.
The squadron then pivoted on their courses and hit the remaining 5 ships with full power phaser and torpedo salvoes. Destroying the remaining ships. The jury rigged craft crumpled against the assault from the Federation Heavy Fighters. None of the enemy ships managed to fire a single shot.
Tomoc nodded to himself in satisfaction at his squadrons flawless performance.
"Knot, bring us about, come alongside those disabled ships." Ordered Tomoc as he began a detailed scan of the disabled ships. He spared a second to look over at the long range sensors and noted that he would have only another 10 minutes before the Cardassians arrived.
"I have 3 life signs. Knot beam them aboard." Ordered Tomoc as he stood and grabbed a phaser from the cockpit weapons locker and walked towards the accommodation section. As he entered 3 bodies appeared before him in a blue aura of twinkling light. 2 where on the ground, unconscious, but 1 was very awake, and charged towards Tomoc as soon and the transporters confinement field disengaged. Tomoc simply lifted his phaser and shot him on heavy stun.
One problem taken care of. Now we just have to escape the system undetected. Thought Tomoc, as he turned and opened the Ramoths medical cabinet to retrieve a medical tricorder.
"Knot, re-formate the squadron. Find us some where to hide before the Cardassians arrive." Yelled Tomoc to the cockpit.
"Aye sir." Replied Knot over the comm system.
"Well, you're all still alive and not in too bad a shape." Said Tomoc to himself after consulting the tricorder. He went back to the cabinet and selected a sedative Ti`rol recommended for use on Cardassian physiology. After injecting all 3 and leaving them unceremoniously on the deck,Tomoc went straight back to the cockpit. Taking a quick glance as he retook his seat he noticed that the ship and its fighters were at full impulse.
"Where're we heading?"
"In between the 6th and 7th planets in this system there is an asteroid field. Some of those asteroids appear radiogenic. They should help conceal us from sensors."Answered Knot.
"Good work..." Said Tomoc as he transported Ti`rol and Bo`gril aboard the Ramoth after taking control of their fighters. "...Ti`rol, take care of our prisoners. Bo`gril give her a hand." Yelled Tomoc to the accommodation section.
"The Cardassians will be entering the system in 5 minutes..." Said Knot. "...We wont be able to exit the system without being detected, and we can only remain in this system for another 3 hours 45 minutes."
"I know, and we can't go toe to toe with 3 Cardassian warships." Replied Tomoc from his command station as he looked for local anomalies or useful stellar topography.
"We should just warp straight for the Devonport. We can jam the Cardassians communications and if they follow, we and the Devonport would prevail against them..." Said Bo`gril, as he entered the cockpit. "...Our guests are all sedated and have been secured in 3 of the cabins."
"Very good, but we can't risk that the Devonport will have the new weapons online, and against 3 Galor class warships she'd be hard pressed to prevail. Let alone remain in a battle ready state to go against the Par`wrath cultists. However, in 3 and a half hours from now we'll have no choice but to do just that anyway."
"What are the Cardassians doing here anyway. I thought section 31 had control of all communication mediums into and out of this area?" Asked Knot as she brought the ship into the asteroid field and altered Ramoths course and speed to blend in with unused planet building material.
"Nothing is 100%. They must have missed something." Said Bo`gril.
"It also doesn't matter. Either we find a way to leave the system undetected, we make a run off it, or the Cardassians leave. We don't have the luxury of speculating why they are here right now." Said Tomoc as he dismissed another possible means of leaving the system.
///
"Gul. We have entered the system. We have had no response from the Talycoltar colony." Informed the Leget standing at one of the operations consoles, onboard the lead Cardassian warship Bracdar.
"Anything on sensors?" Said Gul Togar, the commander of the lead Cardassian warship.
"Sensors are detecting a small debris field, just outside the orbital plain of the 6th planet."
"Helm, set course, full impulse. Continue trying to contact the colony." Ordered Togar.
"Altering course."
"Sir, I'm continuing to hail the colony with no success."
"Hail the Traylar..." Ordered Togar, a second later another Cardassian Gul appeared on the forward view screen. "... Dayko, assume a geostationary orbit over the colony sight. I'm authorising planetary excursions to determine the cause of their silence. Find out what happened to our countrymen." Ordered Togar.
"Fear not Togar. Everyone in this squadron has family on that colony. No stone will be left unturned." Responded Dayko.
"Very good. The Bracdar and the Kosto will investigate the debris. Bracdar out." The view screen reverted to showing the scene outside, of the lush planet and the small twinkling of destroyed space craft nearby.
Two of my sons are down their. As well as sons and daughters, and mothers and fathers of nearly every member of the crews in my squadron. We will find them.
///
"Sir, one of the vessels is proceeding towards the colony, the other two are heading for the remains of the cultists vessels." Reported Knot.
"Understood. Do we have IDs on those vessels?" Asked Tomoc while he continued to formulate and then dismiss exit strategies from this system.
"I've been able to ID the Bracdar as the lead vessel. Assuming intelligence from the Bureau is accurate. This squadron is commanded by Gul Togar, the other vessels are the Traylar under Gul Dayko and the Kosto under Gul Falpa." Responded Knot
"What are they like?" Asked Bo`gril, still standing at the entrance to the Ramoths cockpit.
"This squadron has been together since the Boarder Conflicts. They are veterans with an impressive combat record. According to intelligence they, thankfully, have the same impatience for scientific endeavours and a proper analysis, as the rest of the Cardassian Military. The ships themselves are standard Galor class heavy warships." Answered Knot.
"We wont be able to charge straight through them then." Said Bo`gril.
"No, we'll be gunned down easily..." Said Tomoc. "...We'll just have to wait here until they lose interest."
"Unless they have a more compelling reason for being here than orders." Said Knot.
///
"The science team onboard the Traylar have completed their analysis..." Said the Legate to Gul Togar with the faint hint of a sneer. "...The colony has been completely destroyed from an orbital bombardment."
"Is that it?" Asked Togar, standing from his command chair and walking over to the one man aboard that didn't have a family to worry about.
"According to the scientists. The bombardment is consistent with multiple high yield plasma torpedo impacts. Several unexploded ordinance are of Cardassian origin."
"What about a time frame?"
"About 2 days ago. The science personnel believe the bombardment lasted approximately an hour."
"Download the data onto a pad." Ordered Togar, the legate did as instructed and handed him a pad a few seconds later. Togar began reviewing the data and moving back to his command chair.
"It would take at least 8 squadrons to deliver the number of torpedoes they say caused this. I can't see so many warships all going rouge at one time. Not without prior planning, and the intelligence agency would have heard and stopped it long before this."
"Perhaps sir, but the IA is no Obsidian Order." Commented the Legate.
"If I may sir." Said a new voice from the hatchway leading to the bridge. Togar turned and found the Bracdars science specialist waiting at the threshold to the bridge.
"Enter science officer. Give my your report."
"Yes sir..." The Cardassian science officer crossed the threshold and began delivering her report. "...The ships we've discovered are cobbled together wrecks, they are not responsible for the destruction of the colony. All systems are below par for even a civilian vessel of similar mass. These vessels were all crewed by Cardassians, and they were destroyed no more than 10 minutes ago."
"Sensors, has anything left the system since we entered." Interrupted the Gul.
"Negative sir."
"What can you tell me about their attackers?" Said Togar, turning to address the female Cardassian again.
"They attacked from multiple vectors, the attack was quick and well coordinated, and I believe they wanted prisoners."
"Who attacked them?"
"Unknown. We lack the appropriate equipment for an analysis of the weapons signatures."
"Any warp trials?"
"An intrasystem warp burst leads to this location, but the field has been dissipated by graviton particles. A common tactic used by nearly every space faring civilisation." Finished the Science Officer.
"You said that they wanted prisoners. What's your reasoning?"
"2 of the unknown vessels still retain atmosphere. I request permission to lead my team aboard to gather additional information and more closely examine the vessels."
"Permission granted. Take every precaution you can. Report back in one hour..." Togar nodded to the hatchway and the Science Officer took that as her queue to leave the bridge and carry out her orders. "...Have the Traylar preform a thorough search of the surface. They are to locate any survivors. Are there any areas with 10 minutes at full impulse that a group of ships could hide in?" Asked the Gul.
"Yes sir. The 7th and 6th planets have strong interference located at their poles and the asteroid field between those planets are quite radiogenic."
"Order the Kosto to begin a search of the asteroid field, tell them to use extreme caution."
"Relaying orders Gul." Responded the Legate.
///
"There's a change in their deployment. One of the ships, the Kosto, is heading for this asteroid field." Said Knot. Tomoc nodded and began consulting his console.
"It'll take at least 7 hours to preform a thorough search of this section of the field, and if their current flight path is any indication, they'll find us in 2 hours."
"I recommend we stay in the field, we can evade them indefinitely given how dense it is here."
"Agreed. Knot start nudging us away from the Cardassian ships, nice and easy. Chemical thrusters only."
"Aye sir."
"Looks like we'll just have to hide for know and just make a run for it in about 3 hours. I'll dock your fighter Bo`gril. Just in case we need to make a fight of it." Said Tomoc as he started to remotely bring Fidranth in to dock with Ramoths ventral docking collar.
"Aye sir." Said Bo`gril, who then left the cockpit and made his way to Ramoths docking collar.
"Sir, I'm reading transporter activity. Looks like a number of people have transported from the Bracdar to the derelict ships we left behind."
"That could be a serious problem. Their computers may still be operable and could tell them we were there." Said Tomoc.
"At least it'll also confirm that we weren't responsible for the destruction of the colony." Said Knot hopefully.
"Assuming they look back that far."
///
As the transport effect released her, Science Officer Tyl and her 2 man team surveyed the damaged scene before them, in what appeared to be a storage bay with unsecured equipment all over the place. Despite the ship being completely disabled, the interior of the craft was not in the worst of states. A few power conduits and support struts were blown out and collapsed, but no real damage that would have caused major harm to any of this ships crew was evident. Which alone speaks volumes about the skills employed by these ships attackers. Especially when she took into consideration this ships poor construction. Tyl turned to face her team of security personnel.
"Do either of you know how to scan any of the damaged equipment..?" Both shook their heads. "...Very well, then begin searching the ship for any bodies, secure any weapons you find for analysis later."
"Very well." Said one of the 2 men, they both then turned and started heading in different direction. Tyl also turned and began running a scan of her immediate surroundings. After a few seconds she located what appeared to be the bridge and started walking towards it. She left the storage bay and walked along what appeared to be the small vessels main alleyway. It too was in a state of upheaval. With damaged equipment along the bulkheads, and lose items scattered on the deck. As she continued along the alleyway she came across a dead Cardassian male body. He had suffered and apparently died of burns to his face from a power conduit a little way along the corridor, and the swelling had eventually blocked his airway, but not before he clawed his way a few metres down the alleyway, explaining why his was laying on his stomach. She noticed that the body had already been noted by one of the security personnel that had joined her, as evidenced by a small yellow sensor tag. She noted that he appeared to be wearing a Bajorian earring. She walked on.
She reached the bridge after another few minutes and passing 2 more dead bodies. A shiver ran down her central spine, reminding her that although this ship retained atmosphere, it's life support system wasn't online any more. She moved to what appears to be the bridges central console and noted that it had a direct link to this ships central computer. She removed a small portable generator she'd brought with her and started to build a means of linking it to this console.
After a few more minutes, she was able to bring the console and its computer back to life, if only for the few minutes that the portable power source would last for.
She immediately began looking for anything that may be this ships flight recorder, or sensor logs while downloading everything on the main computer to secure storage aboard the Bracdar through her scanner.
"Scientist Tyl, we've searched the entire ship. All bodies have been tagged." Reported one of the security officers over her wrist comm.
"Very well. Report to this ships bridge." Said Tyl as she finished her search and started playing back the last minute of this ships life on a small display on the bridge.
About 30 seconds into the sensor log, with it showing nothing but the ships in a high orbit of the 6th planet, the 2 security personnel entered the bridge and took up positions on either side of her.
"Is that a sensor log?" Asked one.
"It is. Only 25 seconds of it remain. Hopefully we're about to see what destroyed these ships."
As the seconds ticked away, and now 10 seconds remaining. Something was displayed on the small screen. 7 small fast fighters warped into the midst of this ship and its fellows formation. They made one pass disabling this ship and the other floating nearby, and then destroyed the others with lethal precision. With 2 seconds remaining, the screen showed clearly a Starfleet Peregrine Class Heavy Fighter. Then the screen went blank. A second later the entire console went dead as the portable power source went dead.
Tyl opened a comm channel with her wrist comm.
"Bracdar, this is Tyl was the download completed?"
"It was." Came the response from the Legate on the bridge.
"Good. Transport the tagged bodies and weapons to the morgue and armoury, and 3 requesting transport back to the ship."
"Energising."
///
"Starfleet?"
"Yes sir. A clear visual from the unknown derelict ships sensor logs show a Peregrine Heavy Fighter. At present I have a team continuing to go back through the sensor logs to see if they appear again, or if the identity of the colonys attackers are present in the logs." Said Tyl to Gul Togar on the bridge of the Bracdar.
"I didn't know their fighters could travel this far. We're about 5 days from the boarder." Said the Legate.
"If memory serves. Starfleet usually operates about 6 of these craft in a squadron, with a support and command ship. As far as we know a carrier vessel could be nearby as well..." Said Togar, to himself more than anyone else. "...did they attack the colony?"
"I don't believe so. These fighters don't carry the necessary fire power, and Starfleet doesn't use any plasma based weaponry." Said Tyl. As she finished speaking, Tyl wrist comm beeped. Indicating that someone was trying to contact her.
"If I may sir..." Togar nodded. "...Tyl here."
"Tyl..." Said a female voice over the comm link. "...We've finished examining the sensor logs you downloaded. We've obtained a visual of the ship that attacked the colony, and it appears these derelicts were it escorts."
"Transfer the image to the bridge ops console.." Said Tyl before closing the comm link. "...I can put it up on the viewer sir." She said as she walked over to the ops console.
"Do so."
The image of the scene outside with the derelict ships changed a second later as Tyl manipulated the ops console, the image that appeared was of a massive dark blueish purpleish tear dropped shaped vessel with odd orange brown objects attached haphazardly to its outer hull. These objects were apparently plasma torpedo launchers, as the image was a still, showing the vessel in the process of launching the weapons at the surface of the 6th planet, also shown in the image.
"Any signs of Starfleet vessels in those logs?" Asked Togar.
"Apart from destroying these escort ships, no sir. Although there is a text dispatch stating that a Starfleet fleet, 100 vessels strong, intercepted and then was destroyed by a fleet of 27 escorts and 2 of the vessels depicted on screen."
"What! 100 Starfleet ships operating in our space." Yelled the Legate at his station.
"Wrong thing to say Legate. 100 Starfleet ships destroyed by 27 cobbled together hulks. They would have been able to practically ignore these escort vessels, meaning that these tear dropped shaped vessels are a major threat..." Said Togar. "...So really, 100 Starfleet ships destroyed by 2 other ships."
The bridge went very quite then for a few seconds. Everyone on this ship knew better than to let their prejudice of Starfleet and the Federation to get in the way of the fact that very little, apart from another major fleet of warships could stand against 100 Starfleet vessels, and for that kind of force to be wiped out by 2 unknown ships. That was something only the Borg had been able to do until now.
"It would appear that Starfleet is waging a private war out here." Said Tyl breaking the silence.
"Open a channel to Central Command." Ordered Togar.
"I can't sir..." Said the Legate after working his console for a few seconds. "...I can't get any response from the subspace relays, and it'll take 3 days to get in range of the Homeworld."
"Open a wide band channel. All frequencies, and order the Kosto to rendezvous with the Traylar." Ordered Togar again.
"Relaying your orders. Channel open."
"Hailing the Starfleet fighters in this system. We know you are here..."
///
"...we also know you destroyed these ships that attacked the Talycoltar Colony, and that you are operating, or at least were operating a large fleet in our space without our knowledge. This is against the Support Treaty the Union signed with your government. You will reply." Finished the male Cardassian voice that was coming over the Ramoths comm system.
"Sir, the ship searching the asteroid field is moving off. It's heading towards the 6th planet."
"I'm launching a probe. We'll route our comm channel through it. I'll have it hold position about 1000 kilometres from us." Said Tomoc as he worked his console. A few seconds later the probe was away and moving to the position Tomoc specified.
"Do you think talking with them will help?" Asked Knot.
"Maybe. It usually works for humans..." Said Tomoc as he finished relaying orders to the probe and opened a channel. "...Bracdar, this is the commander of the Starfleet fighter squadron. We're responding." Said Tomoc. A second later an image appeared on Tomoc console showing the head and shoulders of a Cardassian Gul.
"Starfleet commander. Bring your ships into the open..." Ordered the Cardassian. "...Why have you violated Cardassian territory in a manor that violates the treaty?"
Tomoc sent orders to Knot over his console telling her to move the Squadron out of the asteroid field and the be ready to jump to maximum warp.
"We are now moving out of the asteroid field, and we've violated your territory in order to eliminate a universal threat."
"Where is your carrier vessel?"
"6 hours from here."
"Move to within transporter range of my ship. I and another will be coming aboard your vessel."
"Gul Togar, we don't have very much time. We must continue on with our mission."
"Move to within transporter range of my vessel." Said Togar with noticeable more heat in his voice. Tomoc nodded to Knot, who started heading towards the large Cardassian warship.
"Very well. We are manoeuvring to within transporter range. Out..." Tomoc then closed the channel. "...Knot, keep a transporter lock on our guests when they beam aboard and keep us ready to jump to warp. When I tell you. Beam them back to their ship and make a run straight towards the Devonport."
"Will do sir. We're nearly in transporter range."
Tomoc stood and moved towards the accommodation section aboard the Ramoth and waited for a minute or so.
"They are transporting aboard." Said Knots voice over the comm.
A Cardassian transporter effect appeared a few metres in front of Tomoc, as the Light brown colours of swirling circles, lines and small stars disappeared, they revealed 2 Cardassians standing before him. One was a male, wearing typical Cardassian body armour and had the face of the person Tomoc was speaking to earlier. The other was a female, wearing civilian clothing in earthy colours. Each had a Cardassian wrist comm, and Togar had a Old Cardassian Hand disruptor.
"I am Gul Togar. Commander of the Bracdar Squadron. What is your name, rank and position." Said Togar.
"Tomoc, Commander. Commanding officer of the Watchful Dragons recon squadron." Said Tomoc. The female Cardassian then started scanning with a hand held Cardassian tricorder.
"I'm unfamiliar with this class of vessel, and I've studied Starfleets ship classes extensively."
"The Ramoth is a Cats Eye class variant..." Said Tomoc, as the Gul looked away slightly, perhaps searching his memory. "...She sacrifices her sensor capabilities in favour of a simpler design, a smaller profile and better defences."
"Doesn't that defeat the purpose of fielding these vessels as recon units." Apparently as well versed as he claimed, if he knew the standard Cats Eyes mission profile.
"When they operate independently, yes. However this variant is designed to support the fighters on long missions, and with the introduction of sensor packages small enough to be fitted on fighters that can hide more easily than a ship 4 time their mass and power output and with no loss to the sensor returns range and quality, well, the advantages speak for themselves." Finished Tomoc.
"Why are you here?" Asked Togar, apparently satisfied with his attempt at small talk.
"We are responding to a threat that is located in Cardassian Space. One that if left unchecked will destroy us all."
"Why not contact us and ask us for permission and aid? You are in our space! This is our colony that has been destroyed!" Shouted Togar. His features clearly showing his anger and frustration.
"We knew that the threat was very powerful. We didn't want to risk further lives by adding a Cardassian fleet to our numbers." Said Tomoc calmly.
"That isn't your decision to make. All Starfleet activity within our boarders must be cleared by the Dutapa Council and Central Command." Togar shouted again, his fists clenched.
"Sir..." Interrupted the female Cardassian. "...I'm detecting 3 cardassian life signs coming from these chambers." She indicated 3 of the cabins with a small sweep of her free hand.
"Who are they?!" Demanded the Togar.
"Prisoners we took from the ships we attacked."
"These are Cardassians and therefore Cardassian citizens. You will immediately turn them over to my custody."
"I can not do that Gul. I have my..." Started Tomoc
"You will turn them over to my custody! I will know what happened to the colony and its occupants." Interrupted Togar, shouting and placing his hand on his disruptor.
Tomoc reached up and activated his comm badge.
"Now Knot."
A blue sparkling transporter effect enveloped the 2 cardassian and they were transported back to their ship, a second later Tomoc felt a slight tremmer in the deck as he ran back to the cockpit as the Ramoth jumped to high warp.
"Status of the fighters?" Asked Tomoc.
"All accounted for and all green..." Answered Knot. "...6 hours till we rendezvous with the Devonport."
///
"Bridge! Status!" Yelled Togar as he slammed his fist down onto the comm system built into the transporter console on the Bracdar.
"The Starfleet fighters have jumped to high warp. Their heading is the Swigt system. They'll reach it in about 6 hours." Responded the Legate.
"Lay in a pursuit course and engage at maximum warp. Order the Traylar and the Kosto to follow." Ordered the Gul. He didn't wait for a reply, he charged out of the transporter room at a run.
"How'd the meeting go?" Asked the Transporter operator.
"Not too badly." Answered Tyl as she also exited the transporter room and headed for her science lab. This was a military operation now. Best she didn't get in any of the bridge officers way.
///
"Hey captain." Said Scot as he made his way onto the bridge of the Devonport. Housen was seated in his command chair going over the sensor data from the battle with the cultists ships, again. He kept going over and over the same sensor logs again and again hoping to find something that he and the tactical experts in Yotas security division may have missed. So far without success.
"What is it Scot." Said Housen, turning to face the head of the SCE division.
"The data you gave me just erased itself. 22 hours are up."
"Very well. Anything new to report. You said you finished with the data an hour ago. Armours ready and I think you said Magazines are set to burst." Said Housen. Starfleet ships only maintain 20% of their torpedo capacity when the Federation isn't at war, so there was plenty of space to cram in hundreds of transphasic torpedoes.
"Aye sir. No change. Just wanted to come up here and see if the Dragons have made it back yet."
"Done..!" Exclaimed Jolaw from his station triumphantly. "All repairs are officially complete Erick."
"Good Job Jolaw, and to answer your question Scot. No. No sign yet." Said Housen, turning from one engineer to the other.
"Sir, you may have spoken a few seconds too soon. I have warp signatures heading this way..." Said Okuda as she continued to analyse the sensor data coming in. "...it's the Dragons. Hmm. What's that behind them."
"What is it Okuda?" Asked Housen.
"It appears to be 3 Galor class warships following our fighters."
"Peachy. Sound yellow alert..." Ordered Housen. "How long till they get here?"
"Not long. All these ships are still travelling at warp 9. They'll be here in 2 minutes. The Ramoth is hailing us."
"On screen..." Said Housen. A second later, Tomocs head and shoulders appeared. "...you've brought company." Said Housen.
"And I only just got the ship fixed." Piped in Jolaw.
"Sorry..." Said Tomoc, sounding business like instead of apologetic. "...we encountered this squadron at the last system we visited. Captain, we have the prisoners Doctor Prescot requested."
"Good work on that count. Beam them over as soon as you're within range, then formate with us." Ordered Housen.
"Aye sir." The view screen then went back to displaying the rings that the Devonport was hiding in.
"Law, move us out of the rings. No point in hiding any more..." Housen then reached over and activated a comm link to sickbay. "...Samantha, you'll have your Cardassian cultists in a few minutes. How's everything up there?"
"We're good to go sir." Came the response from the Devonports CMO.
"Good..." Housen then closed the channel and stood from his command chair. "...I wonder how pissed the Cardassians are going to be?"
///
"Gul, an unknown Starfleet vessel is exiting the rings of this systems 5th planet." Said the Legate standing at his station. The Gul looked over at the view screen too see a large grey starship moving out of the rings.
Another new starship. Gul Togar thought to himself.
From what Togar could see, this ship appeared as large as the Federations Galaxy class of starship. He could clearly make out the saucer and drive modules that characterised Starfleet vessels, this one didn't appear to have a neck like the Galaxy class. The 2 modules were connected straight onto each other. Similar to the Nebular class, but with the saucer sitting more forward and much large than on those other vessels. This vessel also had smaller warp nacelles, positioned closer together lower down on the drive section near the vessels stern. Gul Togar could also make out a number of large devices spread out over the hull. He'd never seen their like before on any vessel.
The fighters that his squadron were pursuing were heading straight for that vessel. They came around behind it and took up what Togar assumed were defensive positions around this ship he was looking at.
"Can you ID it Legate?"
"I'm bringing a visual in now of its Dorsal section. It reads `Devonport`. The computer has a match for it, it's a Harbour class construction vessel."
"What information do we have about it?"
"Only what's transmitted publicly about it by Starfleet. It's a huge construction starship. Designed to go into contested areas of space to build Starbases, without support. Given Starfleets loses during the war, it's not a bad idea."Said the Legate.
"Agreed. Starfleet still has about a decade or two before their fleets back to full strength. Having that ship instead of what they usually use would free up other vessels from guarding it. Why would they send a single construction vessel to wage a gorilla war in our space." Asked the Gul
"Maybe they intend to create a beachhead in our territory." Replied the Legate.
Togar considered that and rejected it quickly. Despite Union propaganda before the war, he knew that the Federation wasn't an aggressive expansionist power. Every promise their leadership has ever made they have tried their hardest to keep, and every starfleet captain he'd ever fought against in the war and talked with afterwards had appeared above reproach, and people of courage and honour.
"Open a hailing frequency."
"Hailing, they're responding." Said the Legate.
The head and shoulders of a human man appeared, wearing a standard Starfleet uniform with what Togar recognised as Captains pips on his collar. This human had short brown hair, had a lean face. He had an expression on his face that looked more curious, than anything else, although Togar could sense an underlying caution in his features.
"I am Gul Togar, commanding the Bracdar squadron. Identify yourself."
"I am Captain Erick Housen. Commanding Officer of the Federation Starship Devonport." Said the human on Togars view screen.
"You will lower your shields and beam your captives onto my ship. I have questions for them."
"I'm sorry Gul, but I can't comply. At least not yet. Our doctor needs those people to determine a way of differentiating between these people and normal Cardassians."
"Is there some sort of disease affecting people in this part of space?" Said the Gul, standing from his command chair. He remembered having to deal with multi-planetary epidemics before.
"No Gul Togar. No disease is affecting your people..." Started Housen.
"That's good. Then you will transport to my ship and explain your actions. I will not take no for an answer." Said the Gul.
"Very well. I will transport over as soon as you are with in range. I'll tell you everything. Devonport Out." The view screen then went back to displaying the now identified starship Devonport, exiting the rings of the planet the Bracdar was approaching.
"I'm heading down to he transporter room. Have a security detail meet me there." Ordered the Gul as he started walking towards the bridge hatch.
///
"Do we still have the briefing data I was given on that bureau ship?" Asked Housen as he stood and made his way over to Yotas station.
"Yes sir."
"Good. Put it on that isolinear chip transponder thing you made, as well as the sensor data we obtained during the last battle. Have it sent down to the transporter room." Said Housen as he moved towards the turbolift.
"Wait Captain. I have the chip here. It'll only take a second to transfer the data."
"Is there any reason why you're going over there? You're making a bad habit of this..." Said Jolaw. "...and why aren't you quoting regulations at him about captains and away missions." Finished Jolaw, turning to address Martin at his console.
"This comes under the category of diplomatic, rather than away mission. Seeing as we are at peace with the Cardassians. Also, I've noted that human Captain rarely listen too or take notice of that particular regulation."
"I was expecting him to be a lot more uncooperative. I guess things really have changed in the Union since my family lived there." Said Paytec.
"Well lets hope his not putting on an act. Here you go sir. It's ready." Said Yota as he removed a isolinear chip from his station and handed it to Housen.
"Good." Said Housen as he took the device and headed for the turbolift and finding Mathews standing by the doors.
"Hello Erick. I'd like to come along if I may. I could be of some help, trying to convince the Cardassians."
"I don't see why not. I wont be able to take any weapons, so you could be handy in that regard too." Said Housen as he continued into the turbolift with Mathews right behind him.
"They can't come with us. I can only protect the Devonport. If they follow they will be destroyed." Said Mathews after the turbolift closed and he and Housen were on their way.
"I know, and we can tell them that, but apart from shooting them ourselves, we can't stop them. They'll just have to listen to us. Maybe we can use them on this side of the fire? We could have them track it's progress, evacuate ships and carry the warning onto populated worlds." Said Housen. Finishing just as the turbolift doors opened and they exited the conveyance.
"This all depends on what the Cardassians think."
"Regardless, this ship will leave in 2 hours. What the Cardassians do after that is out of our hands. We would have already armed them with what knowledge we have." Said Housen lifting the Isolinear chip for Mathews to see, as he turned and entered the Transporter room.
///
Gul Togar was watching the Federation transporter effect dissipate too reveal two human males standing on his transporter platform. As was common on Cardassian warships, Gul Togar was carrying his weapon, the old Cardassian disruptor given to him by his late father upon joining the Cardassian Military. Standing beside Togar were 2 of his ships soldiers, each wearing Cardassian body armour and wielding the newer Cardassian Phase-disruptor rifles.
"Greetings Gul Togar. I'm Captain Erick Housen, captain of the starship Devonport. This is an adviser about the current situation, Peter Mathews." Said the Human wearing a starfleet uniform with what Togar recognised as Captains rank pips on his collar. The other human standing with him was of a similar hight, but of a broader build, he too was wearing a starfleet uniform, and over that he was wearing some sort of large brown coat that stopped just short of the deck. With the coat on, Togar wasn't able to see any rank insignia.
"Welcome aboard..." Said Togar coldly, his anger having faded slightly during the 6 hour pursuit. "...follow me. We will head to a more appropriate location for our discussion."
Togar turned and lead the way out of the Cardassian transporter room and down one of the narrow alleyways, with Mathews and Housen following and the 2 Cardassian soldiers following them.
"Gul. I brought the information I promised on this chip." Said Housen, holding the chip out beside Togar for him to take. He didn't take it and instead activated his wrist comm.
"Scientist Tyl, report to the briefing room. Bring what you need to read a Starfleet Isolinear chip."
"Yes Gul." Came a voice over the wrist comm.
The Gul then abruptly turned into a smallish room with a wall display and dominated in the centre by a large Cardassian tact table with a console on each of its not quite square sides, each with a stool. The Gul took one stool and motioned for the 2 humans to take 2 of the others. The Soldiers remained outside the room.
"Why have you violated Cardassian Space?" Said Togar simply, his voice still remaining cold.
"We know of a religious cult hiding in Cardassian space. This cult possesses some extremely powerful and deadly warships and we believe that a day from now they will launch a weapon to destroy the entire universe." Said Housen.
The door to the briefing room then opened and revealed a Cardassian woman, instead of wearing the standard Cardassian body armour that is usually worn by those in the Cardassian military. This person was wearing what appeared to be civilian clothing in earthy colours and carrying what appeared to be a large tricorder.
The humans stood from their seats respectively, the Gul did not.
"I'm sorry for startling you." Said Tyl, addressing the humans as she moved to stand next to the Gul.
"You didn't Tyl, it's a cultural thing for them. They are being polite..." Said Togar. "...you said you'd brought information about this religious group. Give the data to Tyl here, she'll display the information on the wall monitor." Said Togar, addressing the humans again.
As Mathews sat back down in his seat, Housen walked round the table and handed the chip to Tyl.
"Please start with the recording titled First Encounter PW2." Said Housen as he handed the chip over to Tyl and then returned to his seat. She placed the chip into a slot on the device in her hands that apparently was a multi-format data reader. She manipulated the controls on the device and the wall screen came to life. Showing the first encounter between one of the tear dropped shaped vessels and the trio of Cardassian warships that the Bureau showed Housen back at their Fort Yard. The screen went blank several minutes later, when other cultist vessels appeared and started transporting people down to the surface.
"Several hours of footage appears to have been edited from this recording." Said Gul Togar.
"That's correct Gul. The removed section contains an audio hail from the cultist vessel to the planet. We don't have time to sit through it. It was essentially believe what we believe or we'll kill you. A file on the chip called First Encounter PW1 contains the unedited data..." Said Housen who then turned to address Tyl. "...If you could start the recording titled Bureau PW1 please. This recording Gul, depicts the battle that took place about a day ago between a Bureau fleet and a small Cultist fleet. Note that the vessels the Bureau use may look like Starfleet vessels, but they are significantly more powerful and combat orientated."
A second later, when Tyl found and opened the file, the wall monitor came to life again. This time showing the battle between the Bureau fleet and the cultist vessels as observed from the Devonports point of view. It showed the Bureaus massive opening salvo from the first combat line, and the systematic destruction of the cultist escort vessels as they were professionally cut down in the first dozen or so seconds of the attack. Then mysterious explosions appearing on the ships firing on the main vessels. About 30 seconds into the battle, the tear dropped shaped vessels starting opening fire with clouds of plasma torpedoes and their massively destructive Particle Beam weapon. This seemed the catch Gul Togars eye as he shifted in his seat, watching the beam spiral and smash apart a dozen Bureau ships with a single firing. As the minutes ticked by, with nothing new happening apart from the destruction of Bureau ships, and with only about 20 to 30 remaining, Togar seemed to begin losing interest. Until ships started colliding with these unknown main cultist vessels and they were obstructed from view, he watched as the support tenders were destroyed and then a beam hitting the Devonport, it surviving and then the ship going to warp. At which point the recording ended.
"How did your ship survive?" Asked Togar.
"I saved it. I used the power granted me by the Prophets to create a barrier of energy to protect the ship long enough for it to escape into warp." Said Mathews.
"Are you referring to the Bajorian Prophets?" Asked Tyl.
"Yes. They have asked me to serve as their protector." Answered Mathews, as Tyl and Togar exchanged a knowing look.
"You are familiar with them?" Asked Housen.
"Yes. All officers inducted into Central Command during the Bajorian Occupations were required to have a basic understanding of the Bajorian faith. It came in useful when spreading our influence over the planet. I take it these cultists are Par`wraith worshippers." Said Togar, his comment not really sounding like a question.
"That's correct Gul." Answered Mathews.
"Right. What type of universal destruction are we talking about here?" Asked Togar again, him leaning on the console in front of his stool and appearing to now take a much greater interest in what the humans had to say.
"When they have enough followers to fuel them. The Par`wraiths will release a tidal wave of fire that will spread across the entire universe and burn everything in its path." Answered Mathews.
"How can you stop them?" Asked Togar.
"We'll transport Mathews to the planet the Par`wraiths have taken and are using as their staging area. He'll take out their leadership. That should release those that are unwilling from its control and allow us to open a dialogue with the loyal Par`wraith followers. We hope that without the Par`wraiths leadership, they'll be respective to negotiation." Said Housen.
"That wont be the case..." Said Togar. "...How long for you to get to this colony?"
"2 days."
"You said they would release this fire in 1 day." Said Togar.
"I know, and that 1 day estimate is a best case time frame. They could release at any time." Said Mathews.
"Will starships be unaffected by this?"
"No, I'll be protecting the Devonport as we pass the fire."
"I want our ships to come with you. When will you leave?" Asked Togar.
"We'll be leaving as soon as the ship is ready, now that the Dragons are backs. Also, you can't come with us. Mathews can't protect your ships as well. If you try and follow us you'll be destroyed."
"Then what are we suppose to do..?" Said Togar, beginning to raise his voice. "...Sit around and wait for the Federation to save us again. My family and the families of nearly everyone in this squadron has been lost in this little private war you're fighting in our space."
"You could spread the word to other ships and colonies. Save other families. We don't know how fast this fire will spread, but it's possible you can save a lot of lives. You could also start studying the fire from this side, maybe find a way through it to help us or finish what we start if we fail." Said Housen passionately, matching Togars anger with his compassion to try and avoid a confrontation.
"I want Tyl to go with you then if we really can't follow, and you had better succeed. I will not save lives to see them trapped on a ship for all time trying to outrun a wall of fire..." Togar then turned to his science officer. "...Tyl, the Bracdar is no science vessel. However everyone knows that even the most basic of starfleet vessels puts our to shame in terms of scientific possibilities. Use their equipment and transmit your findings about this wall of fire if you can."
"I will Gul."
"This is non-negotiable Captain Housen. Tyl will go with you or your ship will not leave here. The Union will be present in some form at the end of this." Said Togar, once again turning to face his counterpart across the tact table.
"Very well Gul Togar. I have..." Before Housen could finish Mathews sat up very straight on his stool, with a look of wild panic in his eyes.
"It's been released." Breathed Mathews, his voice a little shaky.
Housens comm badge then beeped signalling that someone was trying to contact him using it. Housen reached up and activated it.
"Housen here. Go ahead."
"Sir..." Said Okudas voice, also with a hint of fear in it. "...sensors have just detected a massive sub-space explosion originating at the coordinates we suspect the cultists are holed up. A sub-space shockwave is radiating outwards with no signs of energy loss."
"Tell Martin to get the ship ready for departure immediately. We'll be beaming back shortly, also have personnel prepare one of our guest quarters. Housen out..." Housen then reached up and deactivated his comm badge. "...Tyl, gather what you need. You have 5 minutes." Tyl turned to the Gul who nodded and then jogged out of the briefing room after returning Housens Isolinear chip.
"I have more questions Captain, about your ship and its squadron. However I don't think you'll be willing to indulge me anymore." Said Togar, for the first time in the conversation, taking on an almost friendly tone.
"I afraid not Gul. When this is over, I'll be more than willing to talk about my ship and the squadron. I am quite proud of them after all, but time is now of the essence if we are to limit the damage done. Signal the Devonport when Tyl is ready for transport, and I recommend you keep quiet about us. I fear for your safety if the people we're working with should hear that we gave you this information." Housen then reached up and activated his comm badge. "...Devonport, 2 for transport."
A second later, Housen and Mathews were enveloped by the familiar Starfleet transport effect, and they left the warship Bracdar.
///
"Sound Yellow Alert. Okuda status of the shockwave? Paytec get the Dragons back onboard ASAP." Ordered Housen as he quick walked onto the Bridge of his ship and made straight for his command chair.
"It's continuing to expand, without any loss of energy. The amount of energy required to maintain this is unthinkable. Every warp reactor in the Federation combined can't put out this much power, and the further this thing expands the more energy it needs to maintain it." Answered Okuda.
"Captain, a Cardassian called Tyl just beamed onboard." Said Yota.
"Good, have one of your guys escort her to guest quarters. Make sure she has science officer clearance..." Ordered Housen, turning from Okuda to Yota and now turning back again. "...How fast is this thing expanding?"
"Fast, warp 6. I'm also unable to scan past the leading edge of the shockwave." Answered Okuda.
"Law, set course for the cultist planet best speed. Time till we intersect the shockwave?"
"15 hours sir, then another day and a half to reach the planet." Said Law.
"Dragons are down." Said Paytec.
"Law. Engage." Ordered Housen. His ship then pivoted slightly and shot into warp, passing close to the Cardassian ships and shacking then slightly when they caught the outer edge of the Devonports warp field.
"Time till the shockwave exits the area pacified by the cultists?" Asked Mathews.
"Just over 2 days. Then the shockwave will start impacting heavily populated Cardassian colonies. 3 more days and it'll reach the Federation Border and at around the same time, Cardassia Prime." Answered Okuda.
"The Cardassians have only just got back on their feet, and their fleet is a still a shadow of its former self. They'll never be able to evacuate even one of Cardassia Primes cities." Said Paytec. "Could we signal starfleet and ask for an assist in the evacuation..?" Asked a new voice from the Turbolift. Housen turned and saw their Cardassian guest, Tyl standing at the threshold to the bridge. "...permission to enter the bridge Captain." Asked the young Cardassian woman.
"Granted Tyl, and note that you have the clearance of one of our Science Officers. You have nearly unrestricted access to most of the ship, including the bridge, you don't have to ask permission to enter..." Said Housen. "...Our general stations are on the at bulkhead next to the engineering stations. Scot, assist Tyl in setting up the console how she requires." Ordered Housen.
"Aye sir. Over here young miss." Said Scot as he got up from his own station and waved Tyl over to the General Station next too his.
"To answer your question. No. Current fleet deployments have the nearest ship over a week away from Cardassian Prime. I'm sorry..." Housen then turned to address the rest of the bridge. "...We have 15 hours people till we sail through fire. Make them count." Order Housen as he sat in his chair and started working. Everyone else on the bridge turned to their stations and began running checks and exchanging reports and recommendations. The Bridge settled as the soft noise of the crews industry permeated the air.
///
"The atmosphere here is so different." Said Tyl to Scot as they started to reconfigure one of the General Stations into a Science Console for Tyls use.
"Are you uncomfortable lass. I thought we breathed pretty much the same stuff." Said Scot, looking slightly worried for a moment. Until a slight smile broke on Tyls face, but it disappeared again quickly.
"The airs fine. I meant the work atmosphere. Everyone's talking. The Andorian and the human at the front even seem to be arguing."
"They're brothers. They nearly always bicker. From the sounds of it, I think there's a slight power drop off to the Impulse engines. It's not a problem, but they'll argue about anything."
"And the ships Master allows this?" Asked Tyl in disbelief, while she started downloading compatibility drivers from her Tricorder to the General Station.
"Why not. They aren't bothering anyone, it's not interfering with their duties. Everyone has their own copping mechanisms. Being able to vent a little now means they're more on their game later."
"No one speaks on Cardassian bridges, unless they have to report something or they are asked a direct question from the Ships Master." Said Tyl.
"Why?" Asked Scot as he started running scans of the downloads and began integrating components that passed his scrutiny into the consoles interface.
"Discipline. This is the ships nerve centre, a wrong word here could have devastating results in battle, or during standard operation for that matter."
"True, but that is a very remote possibility. Everyone here is a professional, none will allow idle chatter to effect their work. Right, all that's left is to tie this console into the sensor analysis gear and the main computer. You'll then be good to go." Said Scot cheerfully.
"How can they be brothers?" Asked Tyl. Lowering her voice just incase Jolaw over hears. Which he did.
"I'll answer that other chief..." Said Jolaw from his alcove, using the nickname of `other chief` that he coined a day ago, in light of Scot covering his duties for a few hours when Jolaw was in sick bay. "...Peter was found on Andor, his parents had been killed during an ice avalanche in one of our mountainous areas when he was 3 years old. My family adopted him. So he became my brother by law."
"And you couldn't ask for a finer brother than me..." Said Law from his helm station. "...and since you forgot. I'll introduce you. My brothers name is Jolaw."
The Captain then stood and turned to face Tyl. She tensed a little expecting him to stop all the chatter and order everyone back to work.
"A good indirect point you've made there Law. Introductions are in order..." Said the Captain who raised a hand and placed it on his chest. "...My name is Erick Housen, and you know that I'm this ships Captain. Standing next to you is Lieutenant Commander Michael Scot, he commands the contingent of Starfleet engineers assigned to the Devonport from the SCE. Next to him, hiding in his alcove at the moment is Lieutenant Commander Jolaw, the ships Chief Engineer..." A blue head and hand popped out of the alcove, smiled and waved and then retreated back into the alcove. "...continuing round to my right you have Lieutenant Hito Yota, our Chief of Security and Tactical Officer..." This human seemed more intent on his duties then the others and only offered a quick smile and a nod before returning to his console. "...And next is Lieutenant Darim Paytec, our Flight Operations Officer who coordinates and cares for the fleet of axillary craft aboard ship..." Tyl was surprised that she didn't notice the Cardassian on the bridge the second she exited the turbolift. He offered her a broad smile and a slight bow. "...at the head of the bridge is Ensign Peter Law, our Chief Helmsmen..." This human gave Tyl a little wave while sporting a goofy looking grin. "...Next is my Executive Officer, Commander Martin..." The vulcan gave Tyl a slight nod, his face betraying no expression as she expected. "...And last, but by no means least is Ensign Debbie Okuda, our Operations and Communications Officer. She'll be the one who'll be of the most help to you in your mission." Finished the Captain.
"Right lass, your console is ready."Said Scot.
"Good, Go and take an hour or so to rest and settle into your quarters. Then you can return and begin your work fresh and clear of mind." Said Housen as he sat back down into his command chair and continued working. Tyl was about to protest when Scot interrupted her.
"You'd best rest up while you can lass, in a few hours you may not get another chance. You'll do your people no good if you can't work properly." Said Scot softly.
Tyl nodded and left the soft noise of the bridge behind. When she reached the turbolift it occurred to her that she didn't know where her quarters were. She turned back to the rest of the bridge.
"Your quarters are located in the Saucer module, deck 4. You can ask any wall console for directions as you need them." Said Martin from the other side of the bridge. She nodded her thanks and asked the turbolift to take her to deck 4.
///
"Senior hands to the Bridge..." Said the Officer of the Watch, sitting in the Command Chair of the Starship Devonport. Housen immediately exited his ready room, and the OOW vacated the chair and moved to assume his stand by station. "...Sir we are approaching the wall of fire, 3 minutes to contact." Finished the OOW.
"Understood. I have the con..." Just then the turbolift arrived and deposited the senior staff onto the bridge as well as Tyl and Mathews. Mathews stood near the command chair, while Tyl moved to her new Science Console. "...3 minutes people. Make your hand over quick." The Handovers took only a minute, with the senior staff being briefed on what had happened in their respective departments while they had been away.
"Can you really get us through this thing?" Asked Housen for perhaps the 6th or 7th time in the past 15 hours.
"Yes. Just keep flying straight." Answered the Man standing next to him.
"1 minute till impact." Said Okuda.
"Sensors still aren't able to penetrate the leading edge of the shockwave." Commented Tyl.
"Red Alert. All hands brace for impact." Housen almost yelled. He was looking at the leading edge on the view screen. If he looked out a window he wouldn't have seen anything due to the speeds that the Devonport and the Leading edge of the shockwave were travelling at. However the Devonport didn't use something as primitive a lightspeed scanners. The computer was generating an image using its subspace sensors for the benefit of its inhabitants, and what he saw was a literal wall of fire.
Mathews moved into the centre of the bridge again, much like he did when he saved the ship from the Tear Dropped shaped vessels Particle Beam Weapon. He wasn't bracing himself this time. He stood there with his eyes closed and took a deep breath. Housen waited while the seconds ticked by. A beeping from Okudas and Tyls consoles startled everyone a little and then Mathews started moving again and turned to look at Housen.
"We've cleared the fire." Said Mathews. Housen leaned over towards Okuda.
"His correct sir. I'm reading empty space ahead." Housen looked past Mathews and saw that the view screen was just a mass of flame colours, red, orange, yellow. It suddenly occurred to him that his ship was essentially inside a giant ball of fire.
"Ships status?" Ordered Housen.
"Tactical at 100%."
" Engineering, nothing to report."
"SCE, nothing to report."
"Operations, all's green."
"Helm, everything's fine."
"Flight Ops, No damage, injures or occurrences."
"All decks reporting. Nothing to report."
"Tyl, this'll be your best opportunity." Said Housen.
"I'm already gathering data captain." Said Tyl.
"Stand down Red Alert." Ordered Housen.
The Devonport continued onwards, straight towards the centre of a galactic scale ball of fire.
///
Tyl walked into what the ships computer called `Poms`. Identified as a social/recreational area. She was surprised that a slight restraining field was required to enter this area. She worried for a moment that this place was devoted to some sort of extreme sport. After entering however she found that the atmosphere here was as warm, and welcoming as everywhere else on the ship. Where the warmth and welcomeness seemed built in, in other areas of the ship, here it was definitely a by product of the crews presence. The large room itself appeared to simply be a hole in the ships architecture, Tyl could make out walls and floors and ceilings of other rooms, as well as shielded power couplings, data transfer nodes, and what this ships crew called `Jeffreys tubes`. The `Bar` was simply a large mettle sheet about waist high with some starfleet comm badges attached to it, and a wooden cupboard behind it. Clustered in the centre of the room were about a dozen round tables about a metre in diameter at just under chest hight. Around these near the rooms edge were larger rectangular tables with an odd assortment of chairs. She glanced around for a moment to find a place to sit, she'd already found out about how to order drinks from the ships computer, and noticed Paytec, Jolaw, Scot, and the Romulan she met with Captain Togar. She walked over.
"Hello lass..." Said Scot when he looked up from the Pad that Paytec and the Romulan were working with. "...I see you found Poms. Would you like a seat?" Asked the engineer, gesturing to one of the seats around the table.
"I don't wish to intrude if you're working." Asked Tyl.
"They're working..." Said Jolaw as he gestured to Paytec and the Romulan. While he was sitting on the table. "...We're just offering helpful hints every now and then."
"That depends on your definition of helpful." Said the Romulan as he stood. "...Hello again Scientist Tyl, welcome aboard."
"Thank you Commander Tomoc." Said Tyl, the name finally popping into her head. Tomoc sat back down.
"We're just discussing the load out for the Dragons recon mission. Care to throw in." Said Scot.
"It's my understanding that the Fighters themselves will be carrying out the reconnaissance, and that they have been ordered not to engage. I would recommend the sensor modules you spoke of..." gesturing to Tomoc. "...and any stealth devices you may have that they can also accommodate."
"That's what me and Tomoc decided half an hour ago Scot. Then you two came along." Said Paytec, gesturing to Scot and Jolaw with his drink.
"You're drinking? We're only 2 hours from the system now." Said Tyl horrified.
"Don't worry. The alcohol has been removed. It simply feels, tastes and smells like Kanar..." Said Paytec, Tyl was still standing, so Paytec stood and pulled one of the chairs out and offered it to Tyl. "...Would you like to join us?" Tyl accepted and sat in the offered chair. Paytec sat next to her in his and pressed a few icons on his pad.
"Is that the job done?" Asked Tomoc
"It is. My crews will have your fighters ready in about 10 minutes. So Tyl, what's your impression of the Devonport. A fine ship isn't she." Asked Paytec.
"She is. Everything I've heard about starfleet vessels appears accurate. My quarters are huge. Although she doesn't appear to be as well armed as other vessels of her size."
"Good. I'm here to build things. Not blow them up. Remember lass, the Devonports a construction vessel at heart. If you pick a fight with her thou she'll knock you into next week." Said Scot.
"The Devonport has the equivalent fire power of an Akira class Cruiser. She needs to be able to protect herself unlike starfleets other construction vessels that rely on escorts." Offered Tomoc.
"I was surprised to see you here Paytec. I was unaware of any Cardassians serving in starfleet." Said Tyl addressing the Cardassian next to her.
"Too date I'm the only one. My family was exiled from the Union about 2 decades ago, I was 5 at the time, for supporting the Dutapa movement. We came to Federation space and we've never looked back, apart from Kanar. I was just finishing my cadet ship as the Dominion war ended, luckily for me. I have no feelings for the Union one way or the other, but I didn't really want my first meeting with others from my species to be via a tac board." Said Paytec.
"Who would?" Said Mathews from behind Paytec, as he approached the command table.
"Hello Peter. Ready for what's ahead?" Asked Jolaw.
"As I'll ever be. It will be tough. I'll be fighting a full Par`wrath, but I have faith and the Prophets are behind me. Anyway I just came down to see if anyone was about. I would have thought you'll all be resting up?" Said Mathews as he took a seat at the command table.
"Tried to get some sleep a few hours ago. Couldn't. Too anxious." Said Scot. No one else spoke up. Some of them just shrugged, knowing what Scot meant.
"Have you been able to contact your people Tyl. Send them any of the data you've collected?" Asked Paytec hopefully.
"I have been unable to contact anyone on the other side of the shockwave. I've been transmitting all the data I've collected, but it's anyones guess if it's getting through."
"Well. Only 2 hours to wait. Then it'll be over. One way or the other." Said Tomoc as he stood from his chair and left Poms.
///
"Captain. We are approaching the target systems edge." Reported Law from his helm station.
"Understood, take us out of warp..." Housen then turned to address Paytec. "...Paytec, are the dragons ready?"
"They are sir. All craft are standing by to launch on your order."
"The order is given. Launch fighters."
The massive bay doors to the huge hanger opened like a giant slow moving mouth, as if the ship were yarning. Something that was quite at odds with the vessels battle ready status that had been maintained for the last 10 minutes of the vessels journey. Housen watched as the fighters flew away from the Devonport and then warp jumped into strategic areas of low sensor quality to monitor the entire star system from those hidden locations.
"Paytec, launch the non-essential personnel." Ordered Housen.
"Aye sir. Launching auxiliary craft."
Minutes started to tick by as the dragons collected the required information about the solar system they found themselves in, and its defences.
A audio prompt from Okudas console broke the quiet that had settled over the bridge since the Dragons had launched. She keyed into her console and reported.
"Sir. The Dragons have started transmitting their sensor findings. I'm routing then to Tactical, Helm and Tyl station." Reported Okuda.
"Good. Yota, select appropriate targets and send the coordinates to the Helm. Law, prepare for a precision warp jump and engage on my command. Yota, Paytec, be advised, I'm deploying armour." Finished Housen as he used his own console to activate the Devonports new defences.
A second later and the large, flat devices attached to the Devonports hull glowed blue briefly before solid plates of dense armour started materialising a few meters from the Ships hull, following its form. After a few seconds the deployment was complete and the Devonport was completely encased.
"Targets acquired. Be advised Law, target flight patterns appear erratic. Also looks like a lot of debris in orbit." Said Yota.
"Understood. Warp jump ready to execute on your command Captain."
"Hanger is now clear Captain." Said Paytec.
"Good timing. Law, Engage." Ordered Housen.
The Devonport leaped into warp leaving it's flotilla of auxiliary craft behind, and a second later dropped out again in orbit of a world bathed in flames. Every land mass was burning, the smoke billowing high into the atmosphere and spreading out across the worlds oceans. This worlds moon was a flame also, the raw elements of its surface somehow fuelling this fire, it being maintained by unimaginable heat.
"Captain, I have no targets. All the debris in orbit are the remains of cultist main vessels, all are non-functional and derelict." Said Yota.
Housen looked over to his console and brought up the scans of the system fed to the Devonport by the Dragons and the Devonports own dash through the system. The entire system was dead. Every planet, moon, planetoid and asteroid was somehow on fire. All the main cultist vessels that were in the system were also dead. Their so far unbeatable defences brought low by what ever it was that the Par`wraths had unleashed. Of the cobbled together escort vessels, there was no sign.
"Scan the planet. Find our opponent." Ordered Housen.
"I have him. If I could have access to your console please Okuda." Said Mathews as he walked across the bridge to Okudas station.
Okuda looked over to Housen who nodded. Mathews worked the console for a few seconds, inputting the coordinates that he thought the Par`wrath was occupying.
"Transport me to those coordinates. With only the Par`wraith down their I won't need your security forces. Just wait Housen. You'll know what to do."
"Okuda, log into the transporters. Beam Mathews to the surface at the coordinates he specified." Ordered Housen.
A few seconds later, after Okuda manipulated her console, Mathews closed his eyes and de-materialised.
"Put his location up on the Main Viewer."
///
When the Transporter effect released him. Mathews took a deep, smoke filled breath and opened his eyes. The smoke didn't bother him. He had been changed in many ways since heeding the call of the Prophets. The act of breathing was a holdover from when he was wholly human, he didn't need to any more. He surveyed his surroundings, compared to the rest of the planet this area was relatively calm. The soil was burnt black beneath his feet and crunched slightly when he flexed his toes in his shoes. Pits of fire 10 metres across and 1 deep continued to burn in scattered locations all over the landscape, fire maintaining columns 20 metres high and continuing high into the atmosphere as pillars of smoke. It was as if this place was once a desert, no sign of anything once living was in evidence. He could see his foe walking towards him across this desert, it had been behind one of these columns of fire and now that Mathews was here, it showed itself.
This dark copy of the beings he worshipped was wearing the skin of a Cardassian woman. Its flesh blistered and burnt, peeling off in places revealing the blacken bone beneath. It's eyes were glowing red, and Mathews could swear they were flickering with fire themselves. Mathews could read Hate, Rage, and the promise of death in those eyes.
"Where are your followers?" Yelled Mathews, trying to raise his voice over that of the roaring flames.
"Used." Said the creature now standing before him. Its voice sounding like a whisper, but painfully loud and slightly distorted as the Par`wraith manipulated the young womans vocal cords.
"Why? Could they not have been of further use to you?"
"As what..?" Whispered the creature loudly. "...We have been caged for aeons. Only a thirst against those that exiled us exists now. Damn your kind, for we only wanted to help, and damn the ones you follow, for caging us for that wish. We will see them and everything else burn."
It then dawned on Mathews that this wasn't a single Par`wraith he was facing. All those that had escaped the Fire caves must have pooled together into this entity. He was facing their entire collective power.
Orange/Red energy started to play across the body of this obviously dead Cardassian woman. Mathews made ready to defend himself and blue energy started to flow across his own body. As the power being contained by the Par`wraiths peaked, the Cardassians body exploded, Mathews was thrown at least 50 meters. The power he commanded the only thing that saved his life from the indirect blow he just suffered. As he got to his feet and turned back to the Par`wraiths, he saw a massive serpent, its body made of the red energy the Par`wraiths commanded.
Mathews started to mold the energy he commanded around himself. Forming large and powerful paws and large claws, attached to 4 strong feline legs. A thick torso and a long thin tail, and a lions head with a thick mane. The entire energy formed animal was blue and slightly see though, just like its red serpent adversary. Mathews wasn't finished yet in forming the body that he would fight with. Wings started to form from this lions back sprouting straight upwards until they were fully formed, they then moved into a position ready to beat downwards and propel Mathews across this burnt desert and at his enemy. Mathews could sense the amusement in the Par`wraiths, just peaking through the rage. That this little creature would try and best it on its own terms seemed ludicrous.
Mathews voiced a challenge. His roar could be heard over the entire continent, if anyone were alive to hear it. His wings beat downwards, his new and powerful hind legs threw him forward, and the claws in his paws moved into position to rip the murderous monster ahead of him apart.
///
Housen was watching in disbelief as first the Cardassians and then Mathews bodies turned into giant energy formed animals. They leapt at each other. The glorious winged lion preforming twists and turns in mid air, with intricate and subtle down beats of its powerful wings. Narrowly avoiding strikes by the serpent. The Lions claws raking the snakes body as he flew past, before using those same claws to dig into the earth and spin himself around for another strike. The Serpent was just absorbing those strikes, and then suddenly, in one swift and powerful movement. It struck out, using its massive body as a whip, catching the lion in the side and throwing it hundreds of meters. As the blue beast was getting back onto its feet. The serpent struck again, rapping most of its body around the torso and legs of the lion. Completely immobilising it, and just by looking Housen could tell that it was slowly squeezing the life out of the lion.
"We have to intervene. Look at him. He can't move." Said Okuda from her station on the Captains right.
"Mathews is too close for us to use the Transphasic torpedoes, our phaser will most likely be of no use against this Par`wraith. Maybe we can extract him, make him fit again for another attempt." Offered Yota.
The Par`wraith was now over Mathews, most of its body still rapped around the lion, but where all the vitals on a snake are located was raised up presenting its back to the Devonport.
"Tempting target. Pity we don't have a knife to throw into its back." Said Law.
This made Housens mind consider something he thought crazy. The Devonports weapons couldn't be used in this situation, at least not yet. They still had a few hours before the shockwave would impact against major population centres. However the Devonport itself was a horrific self-propelled weapon. Anything the mass of the Devonport hitting something else would release biblical amounts of kinetic energy, and thanks to the Devonports new armour, the odds were good that the ship could rip its way through to the other side of what ever it hit, barring planetoids.
"Yota..." Said Housen as he started to manipulate his command console. "...i'm about to send you a new configuration for the armour. Implement it as best you can. Law, if i'm right you are about to be given a knife to ram into the back of that thing."
"Sir. I can implement the new configuration, and diving through the atmosphere won't be a problem with the new armour. However I have no idea as to the ships reaction upon hitting that thing." Said Yota.
"Not to mention that the Devonport wasn't designed to enter a planets atmosphere at the speeds I think you're thinking about." Commented Law.
"Noted. Turn my ship into a sword." Ordered Housen.
Yota turned back to his console and started to manipulate the armour.
The effect started at the stern of the ship and moved forward. The armour de-materialising and then re-materialising a second later. It looked like a ripple had started at the stern of the ship and was carrying on forward. Nothing changed at first. The nacelles and the body of the stardrive section were armoured in the same way as they were before, Upon reaching the deflector dish and the extreme beam widths of the saucer section however is where the changes began. Instead of following and staying close to the hull of the ship, the armour shot forward into an extreme point, several hundred meters ahead of the Devonports bow.
"Armour has been reconfigured." Said Yota.
"Understood. Ok Law. Take us down." Ordered Housen.
"Aye sir. Beginning, `Stabbing em in the Back` manoeuvre." Replied Law as he brought the Devonport out of its stable orbit and screaming head long towards the planet.
///
The pressure was intense. It took everything Mathews had to maintain his bodily cohesion. He was trying to fight an enemy way out of his weight class. That one blow was all it took to bring him down. He had failed in his mission from the Prophets. He would die, the fire would keep spreading and everything would be consumed. The Celestial Temple would burn. He had nothing left to use to help him brake free of the Par`wraiths grasp. If he lost this form, he'd be crushed in an instant. He opened the eyes in his lions head and looked up at the serpent that was slowly crushing him, it was standing tall, glaring down at him in contempt and triumph.
He had failed.
The serpents expression changed, it back seemed to arch, as if something had hit it from behind. A second later a shining spear tip ripped through the chest of the serpent with a leading edge of fire, and a shaft of smoke. The serpent lost its form when struck by the new opponent from behind, the pressure that had been so close to ending Mathews was suddenly gone and he breathed out, allowing his own form to fade. His body became that of a man again, breathing heavily. After a few seconds, Mathews slowly got back up onto his feet. He saw the Devonport pulling back up into space and away from the planet. He hoped the ship was ok, and its crew uninjured.
He started to search for his enemy. The blow struck by the Devonport may have bought him time, but it wasn't enough to end the threat.
He saw a humanoid form walking towards him, carrying something large in its hands. It didn't have a corporeal body anymore, that exploded at the beginning of this contest. Its whole body was formed of the energy it had used to form the serpent.
Mathews could now clearly see the weapon in its hands as the Par`wraiths drew closer. A spear. Mathews was defenceless. He had no energy left to combat this creature with, only his human form and the power contained within it, which wasn't much. He would need aid. He closed his eyes and started preying, he knew that the Prophets were listening. They would help him, as he finished and he opened his eyes, a bolt of lightning struck the ground just in front of where he was standing. A sword was deposited where the lightning bolt had struck. He grasped it and hefted its weight. He assumed a defensive stance, learnt at the academy, one of the many forms of combat starfleet officers were to master before graduating. He would let the Par`wraith come to him this time.
///
"Is he doing what I think his doing?" Asked Yota as he spared a glance at the view screen, after dosing his console with fire retardant. The Devonport didn't come through it's attack unscathed. The amount of energy the ship was forced through nearly overwhelmed the armour encasing the ship, and a significant amount got past the defences and attacked many of the Devonports key command and control stations, as well as blowing out numerous power relays, knocking the weapons offline, and destabilising the warp and impulse coils. The ship only got back into orbit thanks to their already considerable velocity and a combination of chemical thruster bursts expertly executed by Law. Thankfully the ships sensors and the view screen were dutifully still operational. Housen was dragging Jolaw from his alcove. All his consoles blew out, surrounding him in a hail of shrapnel. He was bleeding his peoples blue blood from dozens of locations all over his body and yet still shouting orders to his engineers over his combadge.
"Looks like a standard defensive posture when using bladed weapons. Straight from the academy rule book..." Said Housen sparing a second to look at the view screen. "...ready your security team, we'll be going down their to give support. I'll be leading it. Martin take the con."
"Sir, given the situation I must insist that you remain aboard. The situation on planet is particularly hazardous." Said Martin, while coordinating the efforts of the crew to stabilise the ship.
"Noted." Said Housen after he'd already exited the bridge and as the turbolift doors were closing.
///
Mathews was finally holding his own for now. This creature had strength and endurance that eclipsed his own, but it didn't appear to know how to use the weapon it had chosen. It kept spinning it in graceful archs, obviously to try and distract Mathews, but when it went on the attack, it faltered. Whether on purpose to toy with him or because Mathews skills involving combat on a corporeal plane were superior, Mathews didn't know. However, ever second it didn't kill him was one more second Mathews had to formulate a plan to defeat this foe, and unfortunately, every attack was becoming harder to counter. This creature was quickly learning the art of combat right before Mathews eyes. He wouldn't last more than a few minutes. Mathews blocked a swing from the pointed end of the spear, he had to use a double handed hold on his sword to stop it. Thankfully this being only used the tip of the spear to strike with so far, but that was about to change. He saw the hit coming but couldn't bring the weapon he held round fast enough to present a defence. The shaft of the spear hit him in his right arm, braking it. He lost his grip on the sword that fell to the charred soil. The force of the hit continued through his now broken arm, braking several of his ribs, and Mathews went flying. He hit the ground again at least 10 to 15 meters away from where he had been standing. The force of the impact with the dead earth braking more of his ribs and his left leg, he was coughing up globules of blood. He seemed to hurt all over. A scream of pain died in his throat as the pain of taking such a deep breath overrode his instincts to yell out.
Mathews managed to open his eyes and see the energy created body of the Par`wraiths move towards him at an unhurried pace. It was only a few feet away, and raising its spear for the final strike when a phaser blast hit it square in the chest, followed by another and another. Mathews rolled onto his back, an act that took a massive amount of effort and almost rendered him unconscious from the pain, but he was able to turn his head in the end to see a dozen members of Yotas security division advancing steadily towards the Par`wraith, compression phaser rifles firing constantly. The first half dozen or so hits from the starfleet weapons caught the creature by surprise and it staggered back a few paces, but now the hits weren't seeming to have any effect. Mathews could tell from the pitch of the weapons that they were all at full power, but they were still proving ineffective.
With one wave of the creatures hand holding its weapon, a tidal wave of force spread out before it and knocked the security personnel off their feet. Mathews reached out with his weakened extrasensory senses that the Prophets had granted him and found that thankfully most of the security personnel were still alive, although some were now dead.
The Par`wraith moved towards Mathews again. It stood over him for a second, before raising its spear again to deliver the finishing blow. As the spear reached as high as it could be lifted, a sense of da`jarvoue passed over Mathews as he saw the Par`wraith arch its back and a tip of a sword punch through its chest. The sword suddenly evaporated and blue tendrils of energy started to play across the Par`wraiths body. It lost its grip on it spear and a scream of pain, rage, hate and of something being denied spread over the entire planet. The Par`wraiths body exploded outwards, a few centimetres before being sucked inwards to a point smaller than the human eye can see before disappearing into oblivion.
Mathews could see a humanoid form standing behind where the Par`wraith was standing. Housen moved forward and knelled next to Mathews. He saw Housen activate his combadge and start ordering for multiple medical beam outs when Mathews lost consciousness.
///
Luckily the causalities from the Devonports dive through the Par`wraith left the Devonports crew relatively unharmed. Only a few bumps and bruises and a mild concussion. The injures from the security detail that went to the surface with Captain Housen were a different matter. 2 of the 12 security personnel were dead, their necks broken when they hit the ground. The rest were unconscious, and Doctor Prescot couldn't determine the cause. According to her scan all the members of the security detail were asleep, or in the equivalent of sleep for that species. She wasn't able to wake them. So she had ordered the telepathic members of her medical staff to monitor their physical body for any change as well as do what they could or would to determine if they remained unresponsive due to some sort of mental attack the Par`wraith may have used.
Prescot herself at this time was working on Mathews battered and beaten body. The bones weren't a problem, she'd repaired those in a few minutes. The muscles and tendons, although difficult, time consuming and delicate, weren't anything that tested her healing talents either. Mathews was no longer in any danger of dyeing. However, Prescot prided herself on restoring her patients to full health. She'd worked on countless people in her relatively short career, and had been able to restore them all to full health.
Mathews right lung had been severally damaged. 5 of his broken ribs had punctured and ruined that lung ripping gaping holes in the delicate construction. Prescot has spent the last 7 hours piecing the organ back together. Ordinarily this task would have only taken 3 hours, but Prescots sickbay computers had taken crippling damage and she was forced to do all the work herself using stand alone equipment that wasn't tied into any of the ships computer or power systems. She estimated that after another hour, the lung would be sufficiently repaired to prevent further ingress of blood into the organ, at which point she was going to stop and take a break. She was starting to feel fatigued, and continuing when it wasn't necessary would only increase the odds of Prescot making a mistake and causing harm to her patient. She would hand over to the next doctor on watch and get some rest before returning to finish her work. She didn't like to leave a job unfinished, but she just couldn't continue, it was unnecessary, and presented too much of a risk for no gain.
"Hello Doctor. How's he doing?" Asked Housen as he walked into the Devonports sickbay and stood on the other side of the surgical bay viewing window.
"The same as when you came by an hour ago. Although his lung is now nearly stable..." Said Prescot, not looking up from the delicate work she was doing. "...when will engineering get my medical systems back online?"
"They're just finishing putting in the new data transfer nodes now. You should have..." Just then the lighting increased slightly and the banks of computers and diagnostic equipment beeped back to life, going through their start up routines. "Well, there you are."
Prescot stopped what she was doing and looked around at the now functioning networked surgical equipment.
"Good, computer monitor patient Mathews, activate tissue regenerator..." Said Prescot as she withdrew the micro regenerator she was holding, placing it on the surgical tray next to her, and began manipulating the large surgical console that folded out from the biobed and nearly completely covered Mathews unconscious form. "... He should be completely healed in about 20 minutes now. Although I'll be keeping him here for observation after the surgery for at least 24 hours."
"Understood Doctor, Has their been any change in the condition of the security team?" Asked Housen, looking to his side to look at the prone forms of the security detail that went with him down to the planet.
"Not as far as I know Captain. You'll have to talk to Mayrin, she's been monitoring them. However, from what I've been able to determine they are all still physically health and fit." Said Prescot.
"Thank you Doctor..." Said Prescot as he moved away from the viewing window and walked over to the main section of the infirmary, towards the 10 unconscious figures and the half dozen medical personnel caring for them.
"Doctor Cato, can you give me an update?" Asked Housen, despite approaching the Betazoid woman from behind, she wasn't startled by the question and seemed to be turning to address Housen before he had even voiced his question.
"Physically, they are all in excellent health. Everything you'd come to expect from Starfleet security personnel. Mentally however, they are unresponsive." Said Cato calmly and seemingly unconcerned.
"This doesn't trouble you Doctor?"
"No, and not for the reasons running around your head..." Said Cato, a slight disarming smile appearing on her face. "...From what I and the other psy-gifted medical personnel have been able to determine. The conscious and unconscious parts of their personalties have been blocked, caged if you will, from interacting with the parts of their respective brains that allow them to control their bodies. Thankfully all autonomic functions are unaffected. Also a steady decline in this cage has been perceived, and occasionally a conscious action has been observed from the patients, such as a deep breath or a slight movement. I believe it to be only a matter of time before they regain full consciousness on their own."
"That's good to hear Doctor. That'll be a massive weight off of mine and Yotas shoulders. Please keep me informed. Also..." Continued Housen, sparing a glance over his shoulder at the surgical bay. "...how long have you been on watch?"
"About an hour sir."
"Good, make sure Samantha is re-leaved after after she's done with Mathews. She's been here a lot longer than she should have been."
"Will do sir. Even if I have to sedate her, she'll get some rest." Said Cato, Housen then turned and left the infirmary and headed back up to the bridge.
"Nice guy." Said Cato after Housen left, a lingering look at the door Housen walked through.
"I've heard his still hung up on his deceased fiancé. Not even you can compete with the dead May." Commented the medical tech standing next to her.
///
Housen walked onto his bridge and headed straight for his command chair.
"Status report Jolaw?" Asked Housen as he lowered himself into his chair.
"Repairs are progressing sir. Nothing is outstanding that would effect warp travel."
"The shockwave still gone?"
"Yes sir. When the Par`wraith energy signature died the shockwave began dissipating. There's no sign of it ever existing now. All traces are gone." Said Okuda to Housens question.
An alarm coming from Yotas console brought everyone to alert. He started manipulating his console for a few seconds.
"Captain, sensors have detected some sort of subspace event forming in system. Although definitely different it resembles Borg Transwarp technology. Hence the audio alarm."
"All hands, Red Alert. Man Battle Stations..." Housen turned to address Okuda. "...Okuda take a look." Ordered Housen, as the Devonport again prepared for battle, raising its shields and armour, readying its conventional, and new weapons, and the crew preparing to again defend their ship.
"It's not a Borg Transwarp Aperture. It's some sort of oscillating subspace tunnel. I don't have any idea who could be generating it. This is a possible first contact situation."
"There's a significant power build up at the coordinates of the subspace event. It appears a number of vessels are about to exit into normal space." Reported Yota.
A slight blue glow appeared in space and a second later three starfleet vessels appeared, fell into a delta formation and began to move towards the Devonport. All of these vessels were equipped with the same armour technology that the Devonport was currently using. The centre vessel was a Sovereign class vessel, the vessel on it Port flank was a Prometheus class vessel. The vessel on the Sovereigns starboard flank was very familiar to Housen, especially since he'd been living on a vessel just like it for several months.
"How'd they get another Harbour class? The Norfolk isn't due to be completed for another 3 months." Said Law.
"It doesn't really matter. They probably built the vessel themselves." Said Housen.
"The lead vessel is hailing."
"Open a channel." Said Housen.
A second later the head and shoulders of the Administrator appeared on the view screen.
"Well done captain. The damage has been confined to already attacked areas. No new casualties. You could be very useful to us Housen."
"Thanks for the compliment. I would much rather return to the fleet as part of it thou. How do we extricate ourselves from your company?" Asked Housen.
"Its not a problem Captain. A cover story has already been prepared for you. Proceed to Starbase 240 for a structural assessment. Starfleet Command will then give you your next assignment. Before that thou we need to remove the Voyager technology and screen your computer systems and remove any information they have pertaining to this mission and our presence."
"How long will that take?" Asked Scot from his console.
"About 4 hours. Luckily we won't have to go after the Bracdar squadron, you didn't give them much information and we can screen their computer systems easily enough. We'll start work immediately..." The Administrator nodded to someone off-screen.
"Sir, we're receiving a transmission." Said Okuda.
"The armour and shields are shutting down and the torpedoes and phasers have gone to safe mode." Said Yota a second later.
"Just sit and relax everyone. We'll be done before you know it." Said the Administrator before the screen went back to showing the 3 Bureau warships now holding position off the Devonports Bow.
"I'm reading multiple transporter events all over the ship." Said Yota. Housen reached over his own command console and activated the ships PA system.
"All hands, this is the Captain. Bureau personnel are transporting aboard. Give them your full cooperation so they can leave as soon as possible. Housen out."
///
They're all gone sir. The Bureau ships are reopening their subspace tunnels and are exiting the area." Said Okuda 3 and a half hours later.
"Good. Tyl did you get into contact with the Bracdar?"
"Yes captain. As soon as the Par`wraith was destroyed. They are already on route. We can met them in an hour if you'll be willing?"
"Of course, send the Bracdars flight plan to the helm. Law plot an intercept and engage when ready..." Ordered Housen. "...It's been a pleasure to have you onboard Tyl."
"Yeah. Hopefully we'll meet again. Its been nice having another woman to talk too up here." Said Okuda.
"Agreed. I need to pack my belongings. I'll meet you in Poms when your watch finishes." Said Tylas she got out of her seat and left the bridge just before the Devonport left orbit and started heading out of the system.
///
Housen was working his way through reports and updates when he was interrupted by the door chime to his ready room sounding.
"Enter."
The door opened to reveal Mathews. He walked over the Housens deck. Dispute the horrendous damage done to his body, he seemed none the worst for wear.
"Hello Erick. I just wanted to pop by, and say bye. I'll be leaving soon..." Housen frowned at this statement seeing as the Devonport was still just under a week from Federation space. "...The Prophets don't need me for at least another century. I'll be making my own way back. Think I'll wonder for awhile and do the whole good deed thing."
"Just don't become a human version of Q..." Said Housen as he stood from his desk and walked around it to stand with Mathews. "...It been good to repair this bridge with you Peter. Don't be a stranger." Said Housen, extending his hand.
"Thank you..." Said Mathews, shaking Housens hand and smiling. "...I'll be back. Not for a while, but I'll be back."
Mathews walked round Housen, and placed his hand on the window looking out into space. He glowed blue for a second and then disappeared.
"Hmm. Thought he would at least need an airlock..." Housen returned to his desk and continued reading reports and updates. "...At least we can officially now declare normalcy."
"Erick. We've detected an energy surge from your ready room. You didn't shoot Peter did you?" Asked Jolaw over the comm.
"No I didn't, but he is now gone. Normalcy has arrived."
"Oh good. Everything being normal just gives me such a buzz."
What the Devonport looks like. Sorry for poor quality, won't even pretend to be an artist.
36
