Disclaimer: The characters of the Star Trek universe belong to Paramount (as also created by Gene Rodenberry) but the words are mine.

AU/Ent: Starfleet orders the Enterprise to investigate the threat the Xindi pose and stop them. On the way, the Sorcerers Squad joins. But they are eliminated with a genetically engineered pathogen however not before they tell Archer how to defeat the enemy.

Sorcerers Squad

Chapter 2

The Sorcerers Squad's Hour

The next few weeks, Enterprise had gotten into many battles but the Sorcerers Squad did not take part of it. Their leader, Colonel Nathaniel Roberts was still in the brig. Roberts and Jonathan had tried to reconcile and succeeded only at antagonizing each other further. The crevice between them grew affecting the rest of the team and the ship's crew.

"We have to get him out of there." Gethric shared when the three were left alone in their shared quarters.

"And what? Make the rest of the crew enemies?" Kauri asked.

"We knew from the getgo that this will not get well." Leanne said.

"We are rarely accepted anywhere." Kauri shared.

"That's because they are ignorant." Leanne fired up. "If they had any idea..."

"Well they don't and it should stay this way. We are not about to violate the Prime Directive of the Warlocks' Edict." Kauri objected raising a valid point.

"Then why have we been sent here?" Gethric asked.

"The Planetary Confederation of Sorcerers sent us here to assure the human race survives. Whether we approve or not is irrelevant. This planet is the key to peace in the galaxy. The seers have foreseen it and we shall make it happen." Kauri said firmly.

"And their ignorance is going to kill us." Gethric noted sarcastically.

"Not for long!" Roberts' voice echoed in the room.

"Colonel, aren't you supposed to be in the brig?"

"I'm in the brig."

"The Projection Spell," Kauri exclaimed visibly impressed. "But how did you achieve that? They took away your wands."

"Poor child, they can't make the difference between a pencil and a wand." Roberts replied.

"And if they find out?"

"It is irrelevant. You've raised a good point. They have to survive."

"So why not just tell them or show them?" The always practical Leanne asked.

"We can't force them to believe and we have never enforced it either. We have to earn their trust."

"That goes both ways."

"True but we have to make the first move." Roberts said and sighed. "We have always had trouble with people accepting us for who we are and this time I allowed my pride to get in the way."

"But you were right,"

"Yes, I was but that's irrelevant. We are aboard their ship and we have to adapt to the new situation. We are as much to blame as they are."

"So what now, boss?" Gethric inquired.

"Well, Gethric, Kauri is going to develop new uniforms more in conformity with Starfleet regulations though I still find them ridiculous. It's like we are a bunch of mechanics but we have to play the game."

"How about a fusion – the past and the present?" Kauri asked having a good idea.

"I agree with that." Roberts said.

"But we keep the raincoats." Leanne added.

"I agree with that too." Roberts approved. "They are our identity and we are not yielding that."

"Pride before the fall, then," Gethric said.

"Speak for yourself bat," Leanne observed.

"Enough you two," Roberts remarked but he was smiling. If Archer ever knew what and who was on his ship scepticism will be the last problem on his list. "Gethric, do you think you can handle the Reptilian's blood?"

"I've smelled them they will do."

"Leanne, I need you to convert one of the quarters on the top deck into a bay." Roberts said.

"Large for?"

"Four fighters,"

"We don't have four, hell we don't have even one."

"No, but you are going to build them from scratch. Kauri will help with this. She's quite proficient there. We may be of wizard blood but our mind openness doesn't end there. We are still one of the few that have managed to merge both."

"The best of both worlds," Kauri affirmed.

"Yes, make it so." Roberts nodded. "Gethric, you will start paying attention to their outgoing missions, to everything they do and how they do it. Every starship captain has his own methods."

Gethric and Leanne left. Kauri remained.

"Is there something else, Kauri?"

"Yes,"

"Indeed I do owe you an apology,"

"You already have a few weeks ago,"

"Um, well, time in the brig passes differently,"

"Ahem, I had something else in mind."

"I'm all ears!"

"How do you want the fighters?"

"Meaning?"

"Are we the only ones to be able to fly them or...?"

"Ah, I see." Roberts said. He remained pensive for some time. "These fighters are our secret weapon. The Xindi will never see it coming but if they fall into enemy hands than it is better they don't get their hands on our technology."

"So what do I do?"

"Isolate the only gene the Xindi can't replicate at all and put in the recognition matrix."

"So two modes – one for us and one for them?"

"Yes, but dominance on ours. They can't know of third weaponry besides they can't control it either. "

"Yes, sir," Kauri replied with a smile and Roberts' projection dissipated.

For the next few weeks the Sorcerers Squad had become increasingly invisible to the rest of the crew and since no one was really paying attention to them anyway it was as though they did not exist at all. But they were still very much there and their plan was giving bloom. On every available mission, Kauri or Leanne would take part of the away mission to gather materials.

One day after the sudden appearance of the Andorians, Jonathan and Commander Shran were in the captain's quarters celebrating when Lieutenant Malcolm Reed came in.

"Yes, Lieutenant?" Jonathan turned to him.

"Ah, Captain, it is a delicate matter." Malcolm said trying to remind the captain of their unwanted and rather invisible as of late guests.

Jonathan frowned but got Malcolm's cryptic message. "It is ok, Malcolm, go on!" Jonathan did not think it will be such a problem to discuss it in front of Shran.

Malcolm cleared his throat. "Um, Captain, it is in regard of our...um...they have been seen taking some parts from the tertiary cargo bay."

"Unauthorized?" Jonathan was on his feet.

"Well the parts are rather useless but still."

"Useless and what for?"

"Trip and I can't figure out why they'd need them."

"Then confront them!"

"We've already tried, sir, but they denied everything and to be perfectly honest we have no proof."

"Then have them followed,"

"We've tried that too but they always manage to lose us."

"On our own ship?" Jonathan looked at him unbelievingly. Malcolm nodded. "Damn Sorcerers – confining one of them to the brig seems not to be enough. I wonder what the hell they are up t..."

But Jonathan was interrupted by Shran's reaction. He jumped to his feet and seemed both agitated and anxious.

"Shran?" Jonathan looked at him.

"Her Majesty's Sorcerers Squadron?" Shran asked stunning both Jonathan and Malcolm.

Jonathan looked at him strangely. "You have heard of them?"

"Yes, I have pink skin!" Shran replied regaining his seat. "The Imperial Guard owes them a debt of honour."

"Come again?" Jonathan exclaimed. He has having hard time believing his ears.

"The Imperial Guard is honour bound to the Sorcerers Squad. They have helped resolve a delicate internal matter that we don't discuss with offworlders and on a next occasion they helped drive a Vulcan sneaky attack away. All Imperial Guards owe them a debt. And you know how much we enjoy owing debts to anyone?"

"Indeed," Jonathan nodded.

"You have to release the one in the brig," Shran said.

"Oh, I don't think so,"

"Pink skin, I'm honour bound." Shran said and Jonathan sensed the seriousness of his voice and the threat lurking behind it. "I prefer owing you one, Archer."

Jonathan was surprised of the offer. He also understood Shran will risk everything to free the one in the brig even he had to make enemy of him and Enterprise. Andorians enjoyed having debts to no one.

"Malcolm," Jonathan said after a while. "Have Colonel Roberts brought before me!"

"Yes, Captain," Malcolm replied and left. Soon he returned with Roberts.

"Commander Shran, it is an honour to meet you again." Roberts said placing his right fist on his chest and bowing gently his head.

"It was Major last we saw each other." Shran noted.

"Indeed," Roberts confirmed.

"And the pink skins put you in there?"

"We had a disagreement on political ground." Roberts replied. "But Captain Archer is the captain of the ship. It is his prerogative to act the way he wants, however I do owe him an apology." And turning directly to Jonathan Roberts added. "I still think you are on the wrong side of things, Captain. It is poor custom not to give us even the benefit of a doubt before jumping to conclusion. You don't even know us not to mention you're not even trying. Starfleet would have never send us if we can't contribute to your mission. We have always suffered prejudice at the hands of our own people. I'm not going to impose on that. You don't want us aboard..."

"Starfleet has given me orders..."

"Regardless," Roberts interrupted with flashing eyes. "But my second in command made a good point that we, you and I, are both pigheaded when it comes to pride. I do admit I shouldn't have insulted you. You have proven yourself beyond the shadow left by your father. You have grown out of it. You have my sincerest apology. However, our presence is undesired and I'm not going to antagonize your crew any further, which is why I turn to Commander Shran. Commander, I request transport for me and my team back to Earth and all the debts of the Andorian Imperial Guard will be considered paid."

"But the pink skins Star Command?" Shran argued also surprised of Roberts' resolve.

"I will take full responsibility. Captain Archer will have nothing to do with that. It is my decision."

Jonathan was taken aback by this sudden development for Roberts raised a valid point. He truly did not give them any chance. He had actually overstepped his authority. He had truly no valid reason for keeping Colonel Roberts this much time in the brig other than his hurt pride and he had also disobeyed Starfleet orders to the letter. He had isolated completely the Sorcerers Squad. He had been indeed prejudice from the getgo.

"I shall take you!" Shran said.

"No," Jonathan intervened. "They are my responsibility." Jonathan walked to Roberts and stopped before him. "Apology accepted. I have indeed gone overboard this. And yes, I did not give you a chance. I think we both let more steam than necessary." Jonathan sighed and continued. "Accept my apology as well. I think we should give this another try."

Roberts stood still for some time. Shran had a smile on his face. He had seen this moment coming that's why he offered. Of course the prospect to lose all debts was very tempting but he also knew what this Squad can do.

"And more mind openness?" Roberts asked.

"Yes, we shall try." Jonathan replied.

Roberts studied Jonathan for some time without replying. He had heard this too and he wanted to believe him. "Fighting one's prejudice captain is not easy. Most Captains accept us only to save their careers for disobeying Starfleet is never good on the record. I imagine this situation is a bit embarrassing given Commander's Shran presence. He could easily report this to Starfleet."

"Yes he could." Jonathan agreed.

"I won..." Shran was saying but Roberts interrupted.

"But he probably won't. He can always keep it as favour." Roberts said. "I really want to believe you, Captain but my instincts tell me otherwise for I've been there already..."

"Then let us both prove them wrong." Jonathan interrupted. "Ms. Blackthorn is right. We are both pigheaded and both leaders. I can't imagine what you and your team have been through but when I heard Shran here saying that the Imperial Guard owes you one..."

"You got convinced?" Roberts smiled.

"No, but it got me thinking," Jonathan said. "If they have accepted you, it would be shame for me not to even try."

"Oh your pride again!" Roberts remarked.

"No, this time is about humans'..."

"Ha, I see,"

"But it is a start,"

"Indeed it is." Roberts admitted. "Very well, Captain, I suppose we could give it another shot. We will try to make it work after all we are stuck with each other we might as well try to get along."

"It's a deal!"

"Well, then, pink skins, I shall be taking my leave." Shran said handing a hand to Jonathan and then to Roberts. "Good luck, Sorcerer, you shall need it!"

"We don't believe in luck, blue demon!" Roberts replied and shook his hand. Shran left. He and Jonathan remained alone.

"I imagine you also understand how it looks from my point of view?" Jonathan said.

"Captain Archer, this is not my first ride you know. The human race has always had difficulty accepting the unknown or more to point that which it has no control over so it is either viewed with fear or ignorance both of which have dire consequences."

"You can't really expect we view it any other way." Jonathan remarked. "Forgive me, but magic has no place in the world of science!"

"Aha," Roberts exclaimed. "And it never occurred to you that you might be wrong of your perspective?"

"I have never seen the proof of otherwise."

"But that doesn't necessarily exclude it?"

"Oh damn, you are starting to sound like a Vulcan!"

"What happened to trying, Captain? Are we back at insulting one another?"

"Most will take this as a compliment!"

"If they have never met a Vulcan certainly,"

"Ha," Jonathan laughed. "Yep, it seems we are back at each other's throats."

"I suppose tact dictates we should try again but then again we've run out of wrong feet."

"Indeed, we have."

"I'm not going to try convincing you otherwise, Captain. You are intelligent enough to reach this point on your own. Besides, it has grown tiresome convincing others over the centuries but we do have to work together as we have a common enemy. And in that particular regard we beat every other race."

"So fresh start then?"

"Sure,"

"Captain Jonathan Archer, captain of the Starship Enterprise of Planet Earth, Starfleet Command." Jonathan introduced himself.

Roberts smiled and reciprocated. "Colonel Nathaniel Roberts of Her Majesty's Sorcerers Squad, Planet Earth, Planetary Confederation of Sorcerers."

"Planetary Confederation?" Jonathan exclaimed stunned.

"Well, you didn't think we are the only ones!"

"And if asked how many of you are there?"

"You'd probably spend the rest of the afternoon in bed recovering from the sudden fainting," Roberts replied.

"Right," Jonathan swallowed. "Well then Colonel, you are hereby reinstated to regular duty."

"Yes, sir," Roberts said and left the captain's quarters. It was indeed a difficult start but it was a start.

"Colonel," Gethric exclaimed surprised when Roberts entered. "You're back?"

"Yes, I am, officially,"

"How did this happen?" Leanne asked.

"Well, we have to thank Commander Shran for that. His presence facilitated it."

"Oh, the Andorian blue demon, who would have guessed?" Kauri exclaimed.

"Yes, I think Archer is having a positive influence on him." Roberts replied with a smile. "How is the bay progressing?"

"The bay is set up, a few weeks ago."

"And the fighters?"

"Well, we are working on it but we could use your help as well." Leanne replied.

"I was thinking about adding warp drive to them." Roberts said.

"There isn't enough space for that." Gethric noted.

"Gethric, we are wizards." Roberts countered. "Space is never a problem."

"Yes, but physics are."

"Not really, I know how to make it work!" Roberts said. "Besides, these Reptilians must be thought a lesson they will hardly forget anytime soon. They have come aboard far too often and Earth has lost many. It is time they lose some as well."

"The Warlocks' Edict, Colonel, prohibits the use of offensive magic on alien species!" Kauri reminded.

"There are exceptions to that rule," Roberts countered. "A planet level extinction for one,"

"Very well,"

Over the next few weeks, the Enterprise encountered again the Xindi but this time Jonathan took advantage of the situation to learn of their home world. Barely succeeding, the ship was once more under attack by the Xindi, the Reptilians. They boarded the ship despite the efforts of Lieutenant Reed to keep them away.

"They are on C deck!" Malcolm informed.

"Take a security team and stop them!" Jonathan commanded.

"Captain, there are Reptilians on B deck." T'Pol announced. "They are heading for Engineering."

"Malcolm you cut them off, I'll go and help Trip! T'Pol, remove that vessel from our docking port!"

"Yes, Captain!"

Sadly the Reptilian soldiers continued their advance. Lieutenant Reed's party was all but annihilated. Malcolm barely escaped. On the next turn, he ran into more of the Reptilians. The end was nigh. The Reptilian raised his phaser riffle and fired, and then both he and Malcolm stared unbelievingly.

In the middle of the distance between him and the Reptilian, a figure in gold raincoat had appeared. A pencil like tool in her hand, Commander Blackthorn had raised it and the blast encountered a barrier and dissipated. She then turned to the Reptilian and shouted.

"Ardeo Pessulus!" Neither Malcolm nor the Reptilian in that tiny moment understood a word but it was not necessary either. A Firebolt jumped from the end of the wooden tool and struck the Reptilian in the chest slamming him into the opposite wall. When Malcolm looked there was only a black shadow and burnt corpse left where the Reptilian had hit the wall. He could hardly believe his eyes. The Reptilian had been burnt alive. "Move, Lieutenant," Kauri said and grabbed him by the shoulder.

"What the hell was that?" Malcolm asked as he grew out of the stupor.

Kauri smiled darkly. "Welcome to the land of the unknown!"

On the engineering level, Trip and what was left of his engineering team were fighting for dear life with eight Reptilians. Jonathan managed to get there too providing help but it was not enough. They were pinned down badly.

Suddenly, two of the Reptilians flew high in the air and fell down before their feet. Jonathan looked up the catwalk and saw Lieutenant Gethric Mercutura in his scarlet red raincoat. But there was something different about him. His eyes had become a scary shade of red. A reptilian appeared in his back and shot him before Jonathan could do anything. He thought Gethric was done for but the blast seemed only to anger him further. When he turned around Jonathan instinctively stepped backwards.

Gethric jumped at his prey sinking his mouth into the enemy's neck. Dark green blood covered the area around. Gethric left his pray onto the floor and Jonathan saw the blood of the reptilian all over Gethric's mouth. His mind refused to interpret this sight. He closed eyes and reopened them again but nothing had changed. The truth was starring him right in the face. It was not possible, Jonathan kept repeating to himself but it was not helping improve the sight.

Silver light shone behind the rest of the Reptilians. Trip and his team stood up and could barely believe their eyes. But they were not lying. It was indeed a sword and it was in the hands of the intrepid Leanne Stormlance. She sliced the enemies' riffles like hot knife through butter. She then engaged them in hand to hand combat and soon emerged victorious though one of the enemies did inflict several wounds on her.

"Gethric," She called. "Behind you!"

Gethric evaded the blast aimed at him and moved to repeat the horrid procedure. The reptilian managed to fire again and hit him but that did not stop Gethric, and the result was the same as the others. Green blood adorned the floor.

"Move out!" Jonathan said to the security team with him. "Trip, get those engines back online."

"Right on, Captain," Trip said trying very hard to forget the last few moments of the battle.

Jonathan made his way to the bridge level but encountered many more Reptilians. He was near the bridge when they were surrounded. The end was inevitable if not for the sudden appearance of Colonel Roberts in his black raincoat.

He took out both his wands at the moment the reptilians opened fire. "Protego Maxima!" The blasts were deflected by an invisible barrier. "Captain, move, I can't hold it forever." He shouted. Jonathan did not wait to be told twice. He got into a junction of the conduits running throughout the ship and Roberts followed him promptly.

"Thanks," Jonathan said.

"Yeah, well, the battle is far from over." Roberts said painting from the effort of sustaining two separate barriers.

"You are hit!" Jonathan noticed the burnt wound.

"We'll worry about that later," Roberts said. "Follow the junction to the next turn."

"And what about you?"

"I'm going back to teach these bastards some manners!"

"You'll get yourself killed."

"For queen and country, Captain," Roberts replied. "Go! I can handle them."

"I can give you an order."

"And you and I both know I'm going to ignore it! Now go!" Roberts said and pushed open the hatch and returned to the battlefield. The Reptilians had been stupid enough to gather together.

"Oh, Reptilians," Roberts made his presence known. "Mortis Horrificus!" Sudden unexpected fear of death ran through the group of Reptilians. "Menta minoris!" All their riffles fell to the floor as they were holding their heads for terrible pain had crossed through their minds. Roberts did not wait for them to recover and the ship's walls came to life. Tentacles of steel protruded and bound, almost fused the Reptilians to the walls. "Never turn your back on your enemy!" Roberts said and continued down the corridor.

A reptilian contingent had almost reached the bridge. T'Pol was making everything possible to restore the weapons and get the alien ship off their docking port, which is why she did not notice the secondary bridge door open and two reptilians entering in. Well, she did notice them but it was a second too late. She sensed the door opening behind her and a strange whooshing sound. A moment later, there were two arrows protruding from the nailed to the wall enemies. Turning around T'Pol managed only to see a glimpse of gold.

"T'Pol!" She looked up and it was Jonathan.

"Captain, weapons are still offline."

"What about engines?"

"Not yet,"

"How many more of them are onboard?"

"Twenty six, correction twenty," T'Pol replied looking on the screen. "No, seventeen, fifteen, thirteen, eleven, nine..."

"Well, they are thinning well." Jonathan noted.

"Seven," T'Pol announced.

"Where are they?"

"Near the docking port!"

"Do we have some visual there?"

"No, primary systems are still down. But from the sound of it, there is a lot of weapon fire."

"I'm going there."

Jonathan reached the battlefield and froze in his tracks. The seven Xindi had managed to cover three of the possible ways and were fiercely blasting someone in the middle of that. He had come from the only free corridor. Major Hayes and his team came too.

"Take position,"

"No, belay that," Jonathan commanded.

"Captain, we have to take them down." Major Hayes argued.

"Not ye..." Jonathan did not manage to finish his sentence. A fireball fell before two reptilians and exploded sending both into the wall behind. But they were on their feet pretty quickly resuming fierce fire.

The sound of their riffles filled the corridors. It sounded like a cannonade. Major Hayes was ready to interfere but then those very two reptilians flew backwards again. But this time they did not get up as there two arrows nailed into their chests.

"Five," Jonathan whispered. He was certain to order Hayes and his men to intervene when a sudden wave of terror crossed the entire section. Jonathan had never felt so afraid and neither had anyone else. And then the lights simply vanished out of sight. The area around had become pitch black. It was so dark that he could not even see Major Hayes who was standing just a hand away from him. He could hear him breathe but not see him.

Sudden needles of green light and the sense of passing death covered the area. Thud, subtle sounds of falling objects hitting the floor and then there was silence, pure silence. It did not last much as a gruesome noise chattered it. It sounded like something had just exploded and then the blackness subdued. Jonathan and Hayes advanced cautiously. Looking around the corner they saw five green corpses the reptilians still holding their riffles. Moving to see who they were firing at, they found out four crewmen standing above four recognizable colours – red, silver, gold and black.

"Captain," One of the crewmen called. Jonathan approached and saw the Sorcerers Squad lying on the floor and not moving.

"Take them to Phlox," Jonathan ordered. "T'Pol, any more of them aboard?"

"Negative, Captain," T'Pol replied. "Commander Tucker reports engines are back online."

"And the Reptilian ship?"

"It undocked and then exploded."

"I want to know how." Jonathan said. "And move us away,"

"Yes, Captain,"

Jonathan moved around the ship to check everywhere the Reptilians had been. He found Malcolm and the Chef barricaded in the kitchen. They were fine. Malcolm got out and got to help. Jonathan continued his round. There were many injuries and some fatalities. It seemed this time the Reptilians had come for blood.

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