Chapter VIII: Conflict of Interests

Decade of the Hawk

The turbolasers and point defense lasers fired with wild abandon. Surrounding the Republic Attack Cruiser, a veritable cloud of fighters and Klingon Birds of Prey danced a deadly dance. The large warship leading the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance fleet advanced in a methodical fashion, fire from its batteries lashing out at the Republic Carrier. The Decade was landing punishing cannonades on the enemy warship, but evidently the Alliance cruiser had redundant fast recharging shields. However, the enemy cruiser's power could not match that of the Venator Star Destroyer. The sheer weight of Klingon and Cardassian numbers rendered the firepower advantage of the Decade of the Hawk moot.

"Damage report!" Captain Solo screamed yet another photon torpedo impacted on the bow shields of his ship.

"Sir, we're down to 4 heavy turbolasers and shields are fluctuating!" cried an ensign from across the bridge.

Captain Solo nodded at the ensign and patted a nearby console. "Come on baby, hold together."

Jedi Master Aleksei Mai rolled his Eta-2 fighter into a tight roll and extended his perception across the entire battlefield. The Republic forces were horribly outnumbered by the aggressors, but since the opposing force was unfamiliar with massed fighter tactics the Republic was holding its own. The enemy's weapons however, where quite effective at dealing with the swarming fighters.

"Gold Squadron, Blue Squadron form up and cover Green Squadron. The ARCs and Sienar Torpedo Boats are the only fighters that have a shot of punching through the enemy's shields."

"Affirmative, Master Jedi." The Clone pilots replied nearly in unison. The fast maneuverable Eta-2s, V-Wings and the new X-Wings raced towards the closest enemy frigate. Behind the advancing interceptors, Blue Squadron's ARC and Sienar Twin Ion Engine Torpedo Boats plotted a firing solution for their heavy proton torpedoes. The Klingon Birds of Prey were far more maneuverable than the Cardassian Galor class and thus were the primary targets of the Republic Combat Space Flights. The targeted Klingon ship was attempting to dive away from the advancing fighters when the suddenly broke off their attack run. The Klingon captain or helmsman hesitated for just a moments notice and that laxity allowed seven high yield proton torpedoes to impact the ship's 'head' and 'neck'. A shimmer betrayed the failing of the ships shields and within seconds, the Decade of the Hawk's fighters fell upon the defenseless ship like locusts on a field. Individually, the fighters' weapons would not have warranted much concern. However, the Bird of Prey was being attacked by no less than 30 fighters armed with fighter grade blaster cannons, concussion missiles and proton torpedoes. The Klingon ship died a death by 1,000 cuts.

USS Lagrange NCC-26374

The engineering section was a hive of activity as every available crewmember was struggling to help bring the warp engines back on line. The mood on the ship was dour. Many had wanted to stay behind and aid the Republic vessel, but cold reason dictated that had the Lagrange stayed, it would have been completely destroyed. So, the Federation starship had been forced to beat a hasty retreat.

Chief Engineer Allister O'Neil tapped a console and activated intra-ship communications. "Captain Logan, I've got some good news and bad news."

Captain Logan looked up from the console she was attempting to reboot. "Give me the bad news, first."

"Ma'am, I can't get the Warp drive fully operational with only field repairs. The 'grange'll have to put into Spacedock for that to happen."

Sonya's shoulders dropped. "The good news?"
Unseen by his captain, Allister smiled. He considered his work more art than engineering. "I managed to stabilize the core enough to allow for Warp 4. We'll be able to travel at that speed for up to 20 hours. If we need it, we can get up to Warp 6. I wouldn't recommend that though."

Captain Logan smiled. "You really are an artist Al. Contact me if anything comes up."

Aleksei had been quietly assisting with what ever he could, mostly under the watchful eye of Commander Hudson. During his time on the Federation vessel, he had made numerous observations. Each one increased his respect for the Federation. They had existed for only a fraction of the time his home galaxy, yet they had advanced rapidly. He was a student of history and wondered if the earliest days of the Republic had been like this.

Ensign Lefler called out from her station. "Captain! Sensors are detecting a subspace disturbance. I think it's the same one that brought us here."

Captain Logan rushed over to the console and reviewed the data herself. "You're right, ensign. Continue to monitor the anomaly. That might be our way home."

Zaran II, Federation Territory

Benjamin Sisko sat in the command chair of the Defiant and viewed the fleet that the Federation had managed to assemble in such a short time. There were over forty Federation ships in this system alone and many of them were newer classes. The Defiant was the command ship for Battle Group 2 which consisted of several Akira and Miranda class vessels. The group even had the Galaxy class Ataturk adding its formidable power to the mix. Sisko found his attention drifting to the Imperials vessels. The warships of the Empire were almost all larger than the assembled Federation starships. Only the Broadside and Carrack light cruisers were on par with the Starfleet vessels in terms of size.

Captain Sisko did not notice a subtle distinction he was making in his own analysis. The Imperial ships were always warships. Sisko's wariness of the Federation's new 'Allies' permeated his every observation of the Empire. Federation ships were starships and, while perhaps not as advanced as the Imperial vessels, were superior because war wasn't their only focus.

Jadzia turned to face her captain. "Sir, Captain Tai-Shung and Admiral Bullock have established communications."

Benjamin Sisko nodded. "Well, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

The image of the massive Federation and Imperial fleet was quickly replaced by the image of Admiral Bullock and the Imperial captain. Admiral Bullock was wearing the new style Federation uniform and an armor of hate. A storm was brewing behind his dark eyes. Captain Sisko was unfamiliar with the various ethnicities of the Empire and mentally assigned Earth ethnicities to their personnel. Captain Tai-Shung closely resembled the inhabitants of Earth's Indian subcontinent.

Admiral Bullock was the first to speak. "Captains Sisko and Tai-Shung, are you in position?"

Captain Tai-Shung nodded. "Yes, Admiral Bullock, my ships are in position. Our Broadside Cruisers and Victory class Star Destroyers are in position and loaded for bear. Consolidation and her escorts are in position and are ready to activate the mass shadow."

Captain Sisko nodded. "Battle Group 2 is in position. I've designated the Ataturk as the secondary command ship."

Admiral Bullock nodded. "Very well. The Merrimac and Battle Group 1 are in position. Deep Space 5 reported a few moments ago that the Borg are likely to be in Interdictor range in less than one hour."

Captain Tai-Shung smiled. "Understood. Our bomber and gunboat screens will be launched as following the first volley of missiles. The amount of ECM that we are generating should prevent those bastards from transporting our men."

Benjamin Sisko interlocked his fingers. "I pray that you are correct, Captain."

Unnamed system

The system was barren and unimportant. Other than the binary stars, there was only a moderate sized gas giant and a few rocky orbitals. The chunks of rocks could not be called a planet or even a dwarf-planet in good conscience. It was the perfect place for a small group of fugitives to rest after a pair of random hyperspace jumps.

Griso Savik sat in the central area of the Savik Wanderer and mediated. He reached out with the Force and tried to locate his family. It was easy enough to find Master Mikar or Hsiao. They were strong with the Force and in his mind's eye stood out like candles in a mausoleum. His family, biological family, was much harder to find. Griso knew that with practice and time it would become easier. He stretched out his perceptions and located his mother. She was asleep in one of the Wanderer's sleeping areas. Whenever Griso practiced, he always seemed to find his mother first. Maybe cause we were bound together during her pregnancy?, Griso thought. She was so peaceful, so calm. Griso's father was a different story. He stood out like a Ronto among hoojibs. His emotions were strong. Every fiber of his consciousness was alert and dedicated to protecting his family. Next, Griso reached out and tried to find his brother. Kain was close, very close.

"Hey, kid. You awake?"

Griso opened his eyes and rotated his position. "Yeah, I'm awake. How you holding up, Kain?"

The older Savik brother shrugged his shoulders and sat down next to his brother. "All things considered… Pretty good. It's not like we've never fought our way out of an Imperial held spaceport before."

"But I've never been a Padawan before."

Kain looked away. "I've been meaning to ask you about that."

The waves of emotion coming off Griso's older brother were not what he had expected. There was concern obviously, but that was expected. Few connections were as firm as brotherhood. Fear, however, was nearly completely absent. Instead, Griso sensed mainly curiosity. It appeared that Kain had accepted his brother's embrace of the Jedi Path.

Griso smiled. "What do you want to know?"

"What does the Force feel like?"

It was such a simple question, yet Griso found himself unable to answer it. How could you describe sight to a blind man? The Force was so complex. The padawan felt himself grasping for words.

" I can barely describe it, Kain. Remember that time we stopped on Velusia and all we saw for miles and miles was ocean?"

Kain grinned. "Yeah, I do. I nearly had to peel your jaw off the Wanderer's deck, Griso. I don't think I've ever heard you stutter like that. Awe. That's the only way to describe what you must have been feeling. It was like something just reached up and grabbed you and wouldn't let go. Did you know you didn't stop talking about Velusia for about two standard months. Is that what its like?"

Griso rose from his meditative position and stretched. "Not quite, but that's the best way I can think to describe it. Want to play some Saabac?"

Kain started to laugh. "You really are desperate to beat me, aren't you kid? You have the Force now. You could use it to read my cards or influence my mind into making mistakes."

Griso grinned broadly. "Jedi Mind Tricks only work on the weak minded. So, yeah, if I tried it on you… You'd be screwed, definitely."

Kain grabbed his brother in a loose head lock. "Very funny. Come on kid, let's get some food. We'll probably be making another jump in a demi-hour."

Decade of the Hawk

The space around the Decade of the Hawk was quickly becoming a funeral pyre for dozens of ships. Many of the Bird of Preys and Galors had succumbed to the dogged attacks of the Republic Attack Cruiser's fighters. The two capital ships had abandoned all sense of subtle tactics and were now simply hoping to pound the other ship to slag first. The Republic Attack Cruiser had gaping wounds across its superstructure. Captain Solo noted with grim satisfaction that the large Klingon Star Cruiser was in far worse shape than his command.

"Commander Darklighter, I need a status report. Are there any systems other than life-support and the lasers still working?!"

Commander Biggs Darklighter grimaced as he cradled his broken left arm. "We're down to a single Heavy Tubolaser, hyperdrive is as dead as Atraken and ordinance reports that they are down to nine torpedoes and two working tubes. I'd.. I'd say we're stuck somewhere between the Maw and Kessel sir."

Captain Solo cursed in Corellian. "Great, we must be madmen. Have we managed to punch through their defenses and hit that 'Warp Core' the Lagrange told us about?"

There was a flash of light as the last Galor fell to a fighter strike to her bridge. "Almost. They've got redundant shielding and actual armor worthy of the Star Cruiser classification in that region. Now that the little bastards aren't potshotting us, we can take her sir."

Captain Solo grinned. He loved this crew. Even after getting mauled for several hours, they still thought victory was in grasp. "Well then gentlebeings, let's ruin their day!"

The unwounded crewers on the bridge cheered and redoubled their efforts. A torrent of laser fire racked the underbelly of the enemy cruiser. Off to the Decade of the Hawk's starboard side, the surviving fighters were reforming their wings and preparing for an attack run. The Venator pitched and maneuvered to bring its working torpedo launchers to bear on the enemy vessel. The Klingons noticed the change in the demeanor of the Republic ship and started firing what little remained of its armament. Great moans of structural stress reverberated throughout the ship as the incoming fire struck the already weakened hull and the outgoing torpedoes raced to silence their ship's tormenter.

There was a single still moment as the Klingon Star Cruiser attempted to avoid the incoming torpedoes. That moment ended with a trio of explosions. The first two were the impacts of the Republican fire. That resulted in two gaping holes that spilled bodies and debris like a shattered vase spills water. The final explosion was the matter/antimatter core losing containment and detonating with a radiance that nearly blinded the bridge crew of the Decade of the Hawk. A mighty cheer erupted from the bridge crew as the debris of the Klingon Star Cruiser drifted in the void.

Captain Solo cocked his head. "Damn! That shot was one in a million! Commander Darklighter, recall our fighters."

Biggs grinned in spite of the pain. "Aye Captain! All non-hyperspace capable wings, return to the roost. All hyper capable fighters, looks like you'll have to wait a little longer for a refresher break."

Han walked over to his Bothan sensor operator. "B'rosk, what's the nearest habitable planet?"

B'rosk looked up wearily, but with good spirits. "According to the information we received from the Lagrange, Bajor sir."

Solo chuckled. "Well, let's go meet the neighbors. Here's hoping they'll have something to drink."

The Gunnery officer called from his station. "And if they turn hostile sir?"

Captain Solo walked forward and stared out the viewport. "Shoot first. I always prefer to shoot first."

Anziti Prime

The Onyx Caretaker glided among the massive Anziti Prime Shipyards. Expansion work had begun in earnest when the Xindi had joined with the Imperials and Maquis. Currently, several massive Xindi-class Star Destroyer hulls were filling the main berths of the shipyards. Ry Vaan began running the possible cargos that his bulk freighters would be carrying. He noticed that Alessia was mulling the same thoughts. She smiled at him and nodded.

"I think this could be lucrative. We can't carry as much as those former Trade Federation ships, but we can carry a lot of equipment and cargo faster than any other shipping company in this entire galaxy"

Ry smiled back. "Yes ma'am. It's good being the shipping magnate that owns a good chunk of the hyperspace capable bulk freighters."

Alessia rotated in her co-pilot's seat and crossed her arms. "You own six out of sixteen. I'd hardly call you a shipping magnate. Myself, on the other hand, the one who, you know… does all the work…"

The couple started laughing as the com unit started squawking.

"Leave it to the Imperials to ruin a perfectly good moment." Ry hit the switch and opened the channel. "This is Onyx Caretaker, go ahead."

"Oonix Car-taak-ir, this is Anziti Traffic Command. We are expecting you. Adjust heading 8-2-zero. Docking Berth 1138 is your destination."

"Affirmative, Anziti Traffic Command. Onyx Caretaker adjusting heading to 8-2-zero to Docking Berth 1138. Thanks for the lead."

The Xindi Arboreal's voice beamed. "Of course, Oonix Car-taak-ir. Welcome to Anziti Prime."

The connection closed and Ry looked directly at Alessia. "What is it with that number being everywhere?"

Ry Vaan banked and flew towards the designated hanger. Alessia thumbed through her sensor data and bit her lip.

"Something's not right here."

Ry shot her a glance. "What are you talking about? Everything looks fine to me."

"This is the Empire's biggest shipyard. So, where is the defense fleet? I'm only picking up two Imperial ships and they're both Tartans."

A shot of nervousness ran through Captain Vaan. "Well, whatever is a big enough deal to draw off an Imperial fleet sure is hell ain't friendly. Looks like we've got some questions for our perspective employers…"

Zaran II

The Defiant unleashed a salvo of torpedoes and pulse phasers into a gaping wound in the side of the Borg Cube. Benjamin Sisko wiped the blood from his cheek and turned to Chief O'Brien.

"Status on shields?"

O'Brien steadied himself against the impact of a Borg energy weapon. "Shields are at… 20. We have severe damage to the starboard hull."

Sisko looked at the view-screen and struggled to see past the distortions caused by battle damage. In a moment of clarity on the screen, he saw one of the Imperials' massive Star Destroyers unleash a brutal salvo on one of the Borg Spheres. The smaller Borg vessel exploded violently and debris struck a nearby Borg Cube and a smaller Star Destroyer. The Battle of Zaran II had been raging for nearly three hours now. Borg numbers had been far greater than anticipated, a fact that utterly horrified the assembled Federation personnel. The Borg had attacked with nearly half-a-dozen Spheres and three of their mighty cubes. Sisko had found himself grateful for the massive Imperial vessels. Imperial Star Destroyers had surged forward immediately and informed the Starfleet vessels to stay close for protection. The Victory-class Star Destroyer Stalwart had lived up to its name and had selflessly interposed itself between a Borg Cube and the heavily damaged Hipira, an Akira Class vessel.

Jadzia Dax called over the din of battle. "Sir, Admiral Bullock is calling for you. Audio only!"

"Go ahead, Admiral!"

The voice of the admiral sounded weak and distorted. This was likely due to the damage to his ship and because of the amount of Electronic Countermeasures the Empire's ships were putting out. "Benjamin… 'rcements from… 'can en route… timate, ess than e hour…"

"Reinforcements within the hour? Understood… I pray we last that long!"

As if fate wished to accent the good captain's point, Benjamin Sisko was flung from his chair. He clawed his way to his feet and stared at the massive Sphere filling his vision. Suddenly, he became very aware of his own mortality. As green energy weapons appeared on the viewer, he accepted his fate. His only regret was that Jake had now lost two parents to the Borg. Explosions erupted, but not on the Defiant. The Sphere suddenly shattered and a Romulan warship flew over the Defiant and into the maelstrom of battle. Dr. Bashir's jaw dropped as nearly a dozen D'deridex ships flew forward unleashing their substantial forward firepower on the Borg. As powerful as the Romulans were, they could not stand for long against the Borg. One volley from a heavily damage cube annihilated at least seven D'deridex in its death-throes.

Chief O'Brien coughed and grimaced as he put pressure on a slash on his arm. "Somehow I doubt those were the backup the Admiral was expecting…"

Julian Bashir looked up from a wounded crewmember. "I never thought I'd be glad to see the Romulans cross the Neutral Zone."

Sisko nodded. "We'll discuss the Romulans later! Contact the Ataturk and any nearby gunships. We are making an attack run on the nearest Borg vessel."

Starfleet vessels raced towards the nearest Cube. The relatively ponderous Victory-class Star Destroyer Osprey followed closely behind lending its firepower whenever it could. An alpha-strike of every available Federation weapon managed to drop a section of the Borg vessel's redundant shielding before the greatest threat to the Galaxy adapted. The Borg had much greater difficulty adapting to the sheer brute force of the Imperial warship. The combined power of nearly eighty missiles and a dozen laser and Turbolaser shots tore into the Borg vessel. A flash of light that momentarily outshone the primary star of the Zaran system heralded the destruction of the Borg Cube. The cheers over the subspace communicators sounded like thunder. At last, the final Borg Cube had fallen. Countless lives had been lost, but countless more had been saved. As the Interdictor powered down, communications between Starfleet vessels became easier. Sisko thumbed the communicator on his command chair and welcomed the sight of his commanding officer.

"Admiral Bullock, we survived."

Admiral Bullock was as battered as his ship. His uniform was torn and around his left arm was a primitive sling created from whatever spare cloth could be found on the bridge. Bullock also had a minor burn on the left side of his face.

"Barely, old friend, but we survived. However, we have a new set of problems."

Benjamin Sisko's faced hardened. "The Romulans."

Unknown System

Captain Logan tapped the LCARS and opened a communications channel. "This is the USS Lagrange, registry NCC-26347 to any Federation vessels, please respond."

There was a single still moment and a static filled reply flowed over the communications gear. "USS Lagrange, this is the Thunderchild. We have received your transmission. By God, it's good to hear from you. Starfleet had thought that we'd lost you! What is your status?"

Aleksei stood off to the side of the bridge and felt the relief and excitement of the crew as their captain rattled off the bevy of battle-damage and other problems accumulated in the Mirror Universe. He turned and nodded at Commander Toron Khosk as he approached.

"Yes, Commander?"

The Tellarite bristled at the Imperial Captain's precognition. The abilities he had seen in the would-be Jedi somewhat unnerved him. "I must thank you for your aid during our tribulations. It was indeed fortunate that you were present."

Aleksei struggled to keep his pride under control. "You are welcome. It will be good to return to the nearest stardock so that your vessel can be repaired. And so we can all have a drink."

Toron's laughter was booming and he reached up and slapped the aspiring Jedi on the back of the shoulder. "I may just get to like you after all, Jedi."