A Wounded Fighter Is The Most Dangerous Of All

"Sir! We have a hull breach on Deck 4 – Section 13 Gamma" Dax said.

"Intruder alert! Deck 4" Worf rumbled over the noise of the battle. "Security teams on route"

"Shut down the turbolifts to that deck" Sisko ordered.

"Aye" O'Brian replied.

"Captain Sisko? I am reading two ships incoming on course 121 mark 45. They will arrive in twenty seven minutes" the Rodney's Captain spoke.

"Theirs or ours?" Sisko asked.

"I don't know" the other Captain replied. "I can't tell them apart at this range"

"Hail them"

"No reply"

"Got to be Dominion" Sisko reasoned. "We've been fighting for two hours solid now… No wonder they've brought up reinforcements" he added. The latest reports from Starfleet Intelligence had indicated the Dominion had outfitted their vessels with shields recovered from wrecked Federation vessels – meaning they lasted longer in battles. "We've got to get past them. Order the entire fleet to regroup on us and fire all of their weapons at a single ship. Maybe if we concentrate our firepower, we'll kill one of them and earn a little less pounding"

"Aye" Worf said.

"Dax, get us on an attack run"

#

"We're clear and free to navigate" reported Icheb.

"Shields are up to 43.26%" Azan reported.

"That's precise" Naomi replied.

"Is that not what you wanted?" he smiled.

"Mmm…" Naomi looked over at the other side of Engineering. With the huge amounts of radiation still around, it had been decided to run the ship from there instead of battling to get systems back up and running on the Bridge. "Rebi, sensor scan"

"I am reading the battle on course 301 mark 45. Sensors show Federation and Dominion vessels engaged in combat" he replied.

"Icheb, set course for that site – Warp 3. Mezoti, link the Fighter's sensors to ours so we can get a better look ahead. Is the last of the stuff aboard?" she asked.

"Yes" replied Mezoti. "All of the fuel and torpedoes from the shuttles have been transported over" she reported. They had monitored the transmissions coming from the Federation fleet and worked out what sort of ships they would face, and this led to the friends coming up with a cunning and dangerous plan. "I have completed the download of all information contained in the Fighter's memory banks. Azan and Icheb completed the new paint job ten minutes ago" and Naomi shared the smile the others had. On the forward most section of the vessel, the boys had given the fated thing a new hull section with a message:

To: The Dominion.

We found this and thought we'd return it

With Love,

The Federation

"Right…" Naomi turned to look at Icheb and nodded – missing the wince of pain that shot through Mezoti. They had done everything they could during the operation, but knew that something was still broken inside of her. With only a medical tricorder to help them instead of the main sickbay systems, it had been hard going. Icheb brought the ship to warp at exactly the same time as the Fighter did and they warped together to the battle. "Raise shields. Ready phaser and load torpedo bays"

"Shields up. Port phaser bank ready. Forward torpedo bay loaded" Azan reported.

"Temperature rising in the secondary EPS relays" Azan said. "I'll try to do what I can, but this ship is busted up badly. May I respectfully remind you the damage control computer is damaged?"

"Noted" Naomi replied. They closed in the distance over the next twenty minutes before slowing to Warp 1 and creeping in.

#

"Captain! I've got a visual on those two incoming vessels" Kira spoke.

"On screen" Sisko ordered. The screen changed from the fight to the two incoming vessels. One was a Jem'Hadar Fighter that had suffered a serious hull loss forward of the midships area. The other vessel, a little bit away, was a little small on the screen. "Focus on the trailing vessel and magnify" and the image changed to focus on the other vessel.

"Sweet mother of God!" O'Brian said as he looked at the screen – then crossed himself for good measure. He didn't take his upbringing seriously with regards to the supernatural, but this was way out from the depths of crazy. It was for that reason he decided crossing himself was not a bad idea on this occasion.

"Identify that vessel" Sisko ordered.

"No need, Captain" said Rodney's Captain. "I think you'll find that is the USS Voyager"

"That?" Sisko's jaw dropped. "That things isn't a starship! She's a bunch of debris in formation!"

"Captain, the incoming ship has charged phasers and has armed her torpedoes" Worf said. His Klingon nature found this wrecked vessel to be honourable to a fault. Despite the seemingly serious and terminal damage, whoever was onboard had brought the ship back into the fight! Songs would be sung about this ship, her crew and this day.

"The ship is hailing the lead Dominion vessel" Kira said.

"Patch us in"

"Aye, Captain"

"… ssels. This is Captain Naomi Wildman of the Federation Starship USS Voyager. you have committed an act of aggression against the United Federation of Planets and it's allies. Surrender, or I shall blow you out of the stars"

"Captain?" Worf rumbled quietly, "Permission to transfer to her vessel" and Sisko looked as Dax looped them around for another firing run.

"It is you that should surrender and bow to the power of the Founders" a cool voice said – clearly a Vorta.

"I will give you one last warning to surrender" the girl's voice said firmly. "Also, be advised that we're carrying one of your precious Founders aboard. She's sat in the Brig surrounded by a number of high explosives which is linked to a remote control. Do not surrender, and I'll kill the Founder. Oh…" Naomi added in a sickly sweet voice, "… Wouldn't that upset all the other Founders?"

"You are not worthy of the Dominion" the other voice said.

"Perhaps a warning will make you decide" Naomi said.

"Captain, the Fighter is powering up its Warp Drive" Kira said.

"What can it do?" asked Worf. "It has no forward firing weapons. The only thing it can do is to ra–" he broke off and turned sharply to look at Sisko who had just had the same idea spring to mind.

"Sisko to all vessels, put about and get clear of the Dominion vessels! Dax, bring us about and reverse this course – maximum warp" and the Defiant swung heavily around and warped away. "Sisko to all hands – brace for impact"

"Three seconds to impact of Fighter" Kira said.

"All stop" Sisko ordered. "Turn us into the path of the shockwave. All power to the forward shields" and the vessel turned back towards the battle as the broken Dominion Fighter rammed the Battleship at maximum warp – causing them both to go up like a huge supernova. The shockwave went out in all directions – making no difference in its nature. The Defiant shook and crewmembers all over the ship were thrown to the deck by the force. Alarms and klaxons went off and demanded attention as people tried to judge if their limbs were still attached and useable. "Damage report!" Sisko groaned as he hauled himself up and dropped heavily into the centre seat.

"Shields overloaded and went down. A few power outages through the ship, but we're good in all other regards" O'Brian said.

"Casualty reports coming in. Minor to moderate injuries – nothing serious though" Kira said. "Medical teams on route"

"Good" Bashir said. "My staff can take care of it"

"Sensors coming back online" Worf said. "Shields are up to 10%"

"Scan the battle site, Mr Worf. Locate the remains of Voyager" Sisko said.

"Scanning… Captain, I am reading a Starfleet power signature"

"Most likely a bit of equipment that still has power" Dax said.

"I don't think so" said Bashir – pointing at the viewscreen. The entire Bridge crew stared as the leading edge of Voyager came through the explosion.

#

"Naomi, I have diverted all power to the forward shields" Azan said. "However, I don't think this is going to wor–" he was cut off as the detonation wave hit Voyager and threw them all around Engineering. Mezoti was chucked towards where Icheb had been standing, brought a hand up and used thrusters to turn them into the wave, and after about forty seconds, the wave passed through them and subsided.

"Damage report!"

"Power off on most decks, though some battery power remains to critical systems. Impulse generators are offline, though the port impulse engine remains operational" Rebi replied, dragging himself up and then limping over to the rerouted Operations display.

"Is everybody okay?" Naomi asked.

"Somebody get me the registry code of that starship…" Icheb groaned.

"You okay?"

"I am alive. I shall update you if that situation changes" and Naomi was only half sure her friend was alright.

"We are running on one impulse engine and battery systems only. Life support is down and artificial gravity is at minimal levels. In addition, shields are down and phaser is offline. Forward torpedo bay remains operational" Azan said.

"Most enemy ships destroyed" Mezoti said. "Three Fighters are disengaging with moderate damage. Two cruiser type vessels destroyed along with the Battleship and a number of other small vessels damaged or destroyed" she added. "Sensors are limited by the effects of the warp ram. However, there are seven vessels on an intercept course to the Federation fleet. They will enter weapons range in two minutes" and then looked over to a slightly dazed Naomi. "If sensors are reading right, Naomi, the Dominion inflicted heavy damage to them. Some ships have lost some or all of their bridge crews. Other ships appear to be going around in circles or attempting a retreat" and Naomi looked at the sensor data, closed her eyes and made a decision.

"Do we have communications?" asked the teen, opening her eyes, ignoring the throbbing headache she had and looked over to Azan.

"Heavily damaged, but I think I can get you communications"

"Good! Open a channel" and Azan tapped his controls.

"Channel open"

"This is Naomi Wildman of the Starship Voyager assuming command of the fleet. All vessels are hereby ordered to hold their retreat, stand their ground and provide cover for each other. Divert all power to your forward shield and weapons grids and target incoming Dominion vessels"

"This is Captain Smith of Hibernia. You are just a child and I have more years on you" a voice replied.

"Perhaps" Naomi looked at the sensor readings, "But I am also your commanding officer right now. You will obey orders or I will relieve you of your command by remote"

"I refuse! Helm, set course t–"

"As commander of this task force, I relieve Captain Smith of command of Hibernia. The next senior officer is to assume command of the ship and confine Smith to the Brig pending Court Martial. All ships form a layered and directional box and prepare to open fire. Wildman, out!"

#

"Both of us are senior to Wildman" said Rodney's Captain.

"You want to tell her that?" Sisko asked.

"No I wouldn't"

"Neither would I"

#

Naomi's idea was old, simple but also effective. No matter from what direction the Dominion attacked from, they got shot at and destroyed by overwhelming firepower from the box. Finally, the last ships were dealt with and nothing remained but debris.

"All stop" Naomi ordered. "Disengage impulse drive. Maintain thrusters at station keeping"

"Aye" Icheb said.

"We are being hailed" Mezoti said.

"Open a channel"

"This is Captain Sisko of the Defiant to the Voyager. To whom am I speaking?"

"Naomi Wildman. Captain, USS Voyager" replied the girl grandly.

"We thought we'd be coming to document your remains, but it seems as if you came to our rescue. What is your current status?"

"I have a headache"

"No doubt… What about that state of your ship?"

"I have no power to any of my weapons systems or shields. The Bridge is ruined and unusable so we're running things from Engineering. However, we can use thrusters and she'll answer to helm and is firmly under command. My only issue is that my life support has failed and we're unable to bring the thing back online. There are also a number of injuries ranging from the very minor to life threatening which we're unable to treat because of contaminated supplies and power fluctuations" Naomi sighed. "I'd like to request evacuation of my crew at this time"

"I'll have you all beamed over to the Defiant and examined by our Chief Medical Officer. After we've taken stock of the situation, I'll put a tractor beam on you"

"Captain Sisko, my ship is, as I just said, still manoeuvrable and answers to her helm. Also, I have direct orders from Admiral Paris to not leave this vessel unless I have written orders from him" Naomi said. It was true in a way as she'd been told to never relinquish command of the ship if she could help it without his knowledge or approval. "Captain, if you evacuate my crew and send over a team, I can begin to effect repairs to the life support and some main systems. I intend to get this ship back to Earth if I have to get out and push"

"With no life support?"

"Sir, I have not yet been relieved of this command" Naomi replied. "Please evacuate my crew and see to their needs. Wildman, out" and Naomi closed the channel. "Have a good one guys" she said as the transporter beam took them away seconds later. "Computer, itemised damage listing to this console" she said, sitting in the little seat B'lanna Torres used to sit in. As she watched the computer list the damage on a rolling display, the entire ship shuddered violently and Naomi held the console tightly until it finished. "Report!"

The lateral frames on Decks 9, 10 and 11 have failed.

"Voyager to Defiant"

"Defiant here"

"I'm going to need all of the repair crews you can lend me, Captain. I just lost the lateral frames on three separate decks" Naomi called Sisko.

"I think its best if you beamed over and we'll scuttle the remains" Sisko said.

"Captain Sisko" Naomi said, using the title for effect, "Just give me a half decent Engineering team or two and let me get started on repairs to life support and impulse" then took a deep breath. "I would not object to a tow and the loan of a few security officers"

"Why?"

"Because I really do have the Founder stuck in my cargo bay" Naomi said. "I can not transfer her to another ship under Admiral Paris's orders. I realise this complicates things, but I can't go second guessing him – can I?" she added sweetly.

"No, I suppose you can not. How long do you have on your remaining oxygen supplies?"

"Around twenty minutes" said Naomi. "I'm sending you my complete damage report now. And Captain?" Naomi looked at a flashing panel with some concern.

"Yes?"

"I would like it very much if you could send over a team now. I appear to have lost Anti-Matter containment fields in four pods and its venting heavily" Naomi looked around as she heard the whine of the transporters.

"Already done so, Captain. Is there anything else that I can do for you at the moment?"

"Can you contact Admiral Paris and maybe link it through to me?" the girl asked. "I'm going to have to tell him that I will be unable to carry out his orders"

#

"Admiral?" the voice of the Vulcan yeoman filtered through the com.

"Yes?"

"You have a Priority One call from a Captain Sisko"

"Sisko?" Paris frowned. "Why would he be calling me?"

"Unknown, Admiral" the Vulcan replied, "But he says he wishes to speak you most urgently"

"Very well" Paris frowned and put down his PADD. "Patch him through"

"Aye, Sir"

"Admiral Paris. It is good to see you"

"And you, Captain. I see you've taken the Defiant somewhere"

"Yes, Sir. I took the Defiant and several other guard ships of DS9 to look for the remains of a ship that was attacked by Dominion forces and left behind to give covering fire for a survey mission. Before we could get to the location, however, we were attacked by a large fleet of Dominion vessels coming to investigate the same thing. During the course of this battle, a pair of ships came towards us and engaged the enemy"

"Who?"

"I think, Sir" Sisko replied with a smile, "You might want to speak to the Captain yourself" and he pressed a button on his chair arm and the view changed from the Defiant's bridge to the battered and half demolished Engine Room of Voyager.

"Greetings, Admiral Paris. Captain Wildman reporting, Sir" Naomi added a salute in honour of the occasion.

"How… We thought you were dead years ago"

"We survived the attack on the Borg, but we were knocked so far away that no communication was possible between us. We battled Borg, space weather and every other thing you can think of... The ship is a little dinted, Sir, but I have brought my ship home with all of the crew under my command"

"This is going to make one hell of a debriefing"

"I regret not being able to carry out your orders to bring Voyager back to Sector 001" Naomi said. "I have a few" the girl snorted as a console sparked randomly, "I have a few technical problems"

"Can you make Deep Space Nine?" asked Paris.

"I can make Plymouth if ordered" Naomi winked and the Admiral found himself chuckling.

"Very well, Captain. Your orders are to bring Voyager to Deep Space Nine for emergency repairs and then to make your way to Utopia Planetia shipyards" Paris said. "Once you reach Deep Space Nine, you are authorised to use any and all means to do so"

"Aye, Admiral… Oh" she added as an afterthought. "What do you want me to do with the Founder sat in my Brig?"

"What?" Paris squeaked like a little girl.

#

It took a day just to get emergency back up systems working, another day to get secondary systems online and two days to get some primary systems up and running. After another 12 hours of sitting stationary and making sure all systems were patched and working, Naomi beamed over from the Defiant where she had been staying for rest and a much needed shower, and arrived on the Bridge.

"Captain on deck!" a young Ensign shouted. The Starfleet officers stopped what they were doing and stood to attention. The last time Naomi had seen the Bridge, it was completely destroyed. Science, Engineering and the rear wall stations were all in operative, Operations was very limited in its functionality and Tactical had no weapons to fire or shields to raise.

"As you were" Naomi replied, releasing the officers. "Status report"

"Internal forcefields are holding. Structural integrity field is at 110%" Azan reported. He and Rebi had beamed over to assist in repairs to Voyager and also to see if they could restore power to the Bridge systems. Mezoti and Icheb remained on the Defiant's sickbay because of the massive amount of injuries both had sustained.

"Very well" Naomi said. "Secure the ship for warp"

"Ship is already secured" Rebi looked back from the broken Helm. It was working somewhat, but most of the connections were shot to pieces. Navigation was inoperative and there was no way to get anything else but impulse and warp controls working. It had been decided, therefore, to get to Deep Space Nine by way of an old fashioned method. They would travel for so many minutes at a certain course and speed before dropping out of warp, turning for so many minutes and then straightening out and going to warp for so many more minutes.

"Hail the Defiant"

"Channel open" Azan said.

"Defiant, we're ready to get underway"

"Acknowledged Voyager. See you at Deep Space Nine. Defiant out" and seconds later, the ship came around and headed off.

"Attention all hands, this is the Captain" Naomi opened a ship wide channel. "We are about to enter warp. Brace yourselves for any turbulence or wash. Engineering, status of Warp Drive?"

"We can get up to Warp 3" said O'Brian, "But I would suggest going a lot slower – around Warp 1.5 until I can see some stress results"

"Understood. How long will it take you to get a single phaser, torpedoes and the shields working?"

"Captain?"

"I want this ship sorted by the time we reach Deep Space Nine" Naomi said. "We might end up being decommissioned when we get to Utopia Planetia, but I want it going down on record as them having scrapped a combat effective starship. Bridge, out. Rebi, Warp 1.5 – engage"

Aye, Captain" Rebi engaged the coils and the ship jumped to warp. The deck shook lightly as systems calibrated under pressure, though it still kept shaking no matter what was done. After checking that nothing seemed to be wrong, the crew ignored it and kept on going. "Estimate seven hours until we have to drop out of warp"

"Very well" Naomi said. "Maintain course and speed. Steady as she goes"

"Steady as she goes, Aye" Rebi adjusted a few things on his console before turning back to face Naomi. "Your mother would be most proud of you, I think" he said.

"You think so?"

"We know so" said Azan.

"Thanks guys… Azan, the Bridge is yours. I'm going to have a slight walk around the ship" Naomi stood and headed for the turbolift.

"You know, this must be the most comprehensive maiden voyage ever" said Rebi.

"You keep your eyes on the road" Azan said.

"What road?" Rebi replied. "I have seven hours before we need to stop"

"Sirs, would you mind being quiet? I'm trying to get some work done" said a middle aged Lieutenant Commander.

"Does somebody need to go on report?" asked Azan.

"I do believe you are right" Rebi looked over to the officer. "No ice cream for a month and bedtime by 1900"

# # # # #

"Bridge to Captain"

"Go ahead"

"We're about to leave warp speed for the approach to Deep Space Nine" said Azan. "I thought you might like to be up here. Also, two members of the ship's company are requesting permission to rejoin the ship"

"Permission granted" Naomi said. "I am on my way. Naomi out" and she finished her talk with O'Brian and left Engineering. The best the man and his work crews could do for the journey back to Utopia Planetia was get Voyager back up to Warp 5. It would be slow going, but Naomi believed that she and the others could make it.

#

"Captain on the Bridge"

"As you were" Naomi said. "Report"

"We can drop to impulse whenever you give the word" Azan said.

"The word is given"

"Aye" and Rebi brought the ship slowly out of warp and to one half impulse – complete with major shuddering.

"Sensor's reveal we're five degrees of the system's elliptical" Rebi said.

"Not bad" Naomi giggled.

"I do try my best" said Rebi.

"Hmm… Voyager to shuttle. You may beam your transfers over" and seconds later, Naomi saw her other two friends on the Bridge.

"Permission to come aboard?" they said at attention.

"Granted" Naomi said. "And drop the stuffiness before I make you wash the hull without suits. I missed the pair of you" and wrapped them in an extended hug.

"This mission began from here" Icheb said.

"We're ending it together" Mezoti said.

"Thanks, guys" Naomi wiped a few un Captain-like tears that had leaked from her eyes. She thought it must be something in the air. "Stations" and the pair nodded and took their positions.

"We are being hailed"

"On screen"

"Voyager, you are have permission to dock on Upper Pylon 3"

"We're not able to do that, Captain" Naomi said. "None of our docking ports are usable"

"Understood. We'll send you to a parking spot nearby"

"Acknowledged. Voyager out" Naomi looked over to Rebi. "She's all yours" she told him, "Pilot's discretion" and Rebi nodded and brought them in towards Deep Space Nine on a long parabolic loop that took in as many planets and bases as possible. An hour later, though, and the ship glided to a halt in the assigned parking space.

"Reading all stop" he said.

"Power down impulse, Rebi. Let it them cool down. Thrusters to station keeping" Naomi tapped her com badge. "Bridge to Engineering"

"O'Brian"

"We're parked in orbit around DS9, Chief… Thought you might like to know that bit of news"

"Thanks, Captain"

"No, Chief… Thank you for a safe passage. Have you got a way through to Cargo Bay 1?"

"Just about"

"Very well… Got some forcefields rigged up in that area please and make sure people can be there without suits. After that, I release you to return to the station. Naomi, out"

"Naomi, Work Bees approaching from all sides" Icheb said.

"Do you think they are friendly?" she asked him in reply.

"I think so" Icheb smiled. He activated the viewscreen to show the dozens of tiny ships approaching them – all intent on patching the crippled starship.

"Well I suppose I had better go and pay my respects to Captain Sisko and the station as a whole" Naomi sighed. "Boys, Mez – you're with me. Lieutenant?" a youngish officer looked up from an open access panel. "You have the bridge"

"Uh yes, Ma'am" she stammered.

"Kids" Icheb muttered softly – causing the others to laugh heartily.

"We are also children" said Mezoti as they got into the turbolift and allowed the doors to close.

"That was a long time ago" said Azan.

"In a galaxy far, far away" added Rebi.

#

Voyager floated in a parking spot around Deep Space Nine – pods moving all around it as they tended to its gaping wounds During all of the engagements some or all of many decks had been demolished and it was the task of the work crews to just slam on temporary patches until they could get the wounded, battered and proud starship back to Utopia Planetia. Looking at the first sensor scans, it was impossible to think that she had made it back under her own power – let alone stayed in a vaguely Intrepid class ship shape. She'd never be good for service again, but nobody had heart to the tell the kids that it was likely they'd simply cosmetically repair the outer damage and turn her into a museum.

Voyager sat, swarmed by flies, and awaited her fate.