"Commander, you better take a look at this. I'm getting a strong energy reading from somewhere on the other side of the planet" Rachel's tense voice boomed over Scott's comm. link, "it almost looks like a transporter signal."
Scott jumped up from his bunk and raced to the desk where his badge sat and waited.
"I think it's about time. Signal the Tsalagi and let's get this show on the road."
"Already done. I'll meet you up here."
All Scott needed to do was slip his duty boots back on. He had slept deeper than he thought he would and now, he could use a shower, but there was no time for that. Megan needed him, now more than ever. He jumped out and hit the turbo lift to the bridge. He nearly tripped as he ran down the small step on the bridge of the Defiant and took his seat.
"Easy, Commander," chided Tayna, "I imagine Adoyi Nvda has enough to do without you killing yourself."
Scott shot her his patented "Yeah, OK, now shut-up" looks and made himself comfortable.
"Rachel?"
Rachel looked around from the science station and then pointed to the main view screen. A topographical map of the northern hemisphere of el'Aena was already there with a conspicuous red arrow pointed to a small valley.
"That's where the beam is originating from and that is where I would say Kostemojen is in the process of transporting Adoyi Nvda to. I understand why as well. The mineral content of the surrounding rocks will make it difficult to establish any kind of shielding around them. I'm working on a solution, but it looks like Adoyi is on her own for a little while."
Scott slapped the arm of his chair in exasperation and anger.
"Great! Does the Tsalagi know?"
"Yep, they got the same readings. Between us, I think we'll figure it out soon."
Scott cracked his knuckles nervously. He didn't like how this was developing.
"I hope so."
Adoyi blinked her eyes several times and finally cleared her vision. She knew what had happened, Kostemojen had chosen his site and brought her here to finish what he started.
"Well, goddess" he spat out, "what do you think of my home, my place of birth?"
The valley was barren and dead. It was as if the life of everything had long ago been stripped and now, even the rocks could no longer bring any usefulness to the universe. If a rock could die, the rocks here would want to and be released from their eternal suffering.
"It is like you, Kostemojen. There is nothing here of value anymore. Your birth has condemned this place to eternal damnation."
"You will join them soon. Once you are defeated, the Pah-Wraiths will rule forever. I may take you as my consort, after a period of punishment for your insolence of course."
A blistering wind blew up behind the demon and Adoyi had to fight to remain standing against the foul brimstone-laden breath that Kostemojen let out. A beam of red energy crackled out from him. Adoyi was caught off guard and barely countered the attack in time. Her own blue and purple energy met the beam somewhere between them. Perspiration began to flow from her as she fought for survival. She hazarded a glance at Kostemojen and saw torrents of sweat from his own forehead. Kostemojen may be a Pah-Wraith, but his vessel was all too flesh and blood. He was innocent, this native man, but now Kostemojen was too intermingled with him. There would be no way to save him without letting Kostemojen free and that, she could not allow.
"You have done well to thwart my first attack, but that is not all I can do."
Great pulses traveled along the red beam like hammers, trying to push Adoyi's own beam back to her. Each contact the pulses had with the blue energy from her felt like blows to the goddess-queen. Kostemojen was trying to beat her into submission with brute force and if she wavered in the slightest, he would succeed.
"I've got it, Commander," Rachel yelled out and then punched the comm. system button.
"Defiant to Tsalagi, adjust your beam emitter to 29.581 and aim it at the site."
"Acknowledged Defiant. I sure hope this works" Kira's voice yelled over the comm.
Both ships fired down on the site and adjusted until the beams converged into a single point. Energy rippled out and down like a bell and finally settled on the ground next to the figures who battled below.
"Commander, the atmosphere within the bubble is beginning to heat up!"
Scott stood up and went to the view screen. Even if Adoyi defeats him, she may cook in the bubble meant to protect everyone else.
"Continue" he barked and swallowed a lump in his throat. He had already killed his wife once, now he may be forced to do it again.
Kostemojen felt the air around simmer. It was as if he was once again trapped in the Fire Caves on Bajor and he roared in anger.
"How dare you insects interfere!"
He raised up his hand and shot another beam up and found the focal point. Adoyi knew that this was her chance to end this. He would be distracted from her for only a moment. With her own hands, she formed a green ball of pure energy. It was a life-force so virulent, it could be evil itself. She pushed the energy ball at Kostemojen with all her might and watched it envelop him. The native that harbored the demon screamed out in agony.
"No!"
Kostemojen knew what it was and tried desperately to free himself from his fleshly host, but his entanglement was too great. Great roots shot out from his ankles and down into the dead ground below. Adoyi watched as the transformation sped up and in moments, only his face still remained. He screamed until bark covered his mouth and silenced him forever. The Reckoning was finished and Adoyi Nvda had triumphed.