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 3
The secret weapon
The Enterprise was travelling at warp four heading deeper into the expanse. The last visit by the Xindi Reptilians left six dead and more than half the crew injured but they have already recovered. Only four were still critical but they were also the four that had puzzled Dr. Phlox the most. He had never seen anything like them before.
"Dr. Phlox," Jonathan called as he and T'Pol entered the infirmary. "How are they?"
"That's difficult to say, Captain,"
"Why?" T'Pol asked. "You indicated they have stabilized."
"For now," Phlox replied sighing.
"Phlox, what is it?"
"Their physiology has nothing to do with humans!" Phlox replied and asked them to move to the monitor showing them the four's internal structure. "Take lieutenant Mercutura for example, he lacks the usual protein and T cells of the humans."
"What are saying, Doctor?" – Jonathan asked.
"I don't see him ever aging naturally."
"WHAT?"
"Lieutenant Mercutura can't die naturally. His cells have extraordinary regeneration properties. If he feeds normally, I expect he can live very long."
"How long?"
"If I had to venture a guess, it would be forever."
"Forever?"
"Doctor, this is not possible." T'Pol added.
"See for yourself," Phlox showed them some more data. "His species finds rejuvenating power through blood, anyone's blood. It could be a dog, a human, a Reptilian, a lemur, anything with blood will do. Now the fascinating side is that he can process normal food as well and in times where blood can't be procured his body transforms that into substance that can sustain him for years before the need of blood becomes insatiable. He's a fascinating species."
"Doctor, what you are saying is impossible!"
"Well, that's what my findings say. Fascinating creature," Phlox smiled from ear to ear. "And terrifying at the same time,"
"Terrifying, how?" Jonathan inquired.
"Well, given the consumption of blood, true blood not synthesized, this creature's abilities are wow… He has at least twenty times the strength of a Vulcan in an enraged state. Also see this, this allows him to move faster than anything I've come across. But spatial radiation is jamming this particular skill. I haven't been able to determine why, yet. See his pupils, he can see equally in light and in darkness. As I was saying fascinating creature,"
Jonathan was pensive as he remembered clearly the sight of Gethric in the engineering when they were pinned by the Reptilians and it spoke of something that was coming straight from the mythology books. But it couldn't be – it was not possible. How can a creature like that exist on Earth and no one had noticed it?
"Now, Commander Blackthorn is a whole different game." Phlox moved onto the next. "I've determined that she can also see both in light and in dark equally. However, her structure is not as strong as that of Mercutura but I can't determine her age either. See these cells, now in human body they are responsible for aging, Commander Blackthorn simply doesn't have such cells at all in her body."
"In other words she doesn't age?"
"Well, if she does it is at very slow rate," Phlox said. "However in deference to humans, she has binary cardiovascular system – two hearts, Captain. And as you can this is also very different. Now her ears, now this is fascinating. This regulates the range and types of sound in a human body. In hers it is this."
"Doctor, simpler, what does it mean?"
"Simply it means she can probably hear every sound on this ship. If you were in the mess hall and she was at the end of the catwalk on the right and left nacelle she will hear every word you're saying."
"Enhanced hearing? Could it be some genetic upgrade?"
"Oh, no, it is part of her physiology. She was born this way and probably trained a bit to sift through the whole spectrum of harmonics. Now see this," And Phlox showed something on the monitor. "It is sub dermal but it means simply that she can climb any structure – tree, wall, whatever."
Jonathan thrust head. "What of Major Stormlance?"
"Well, the major is human, one hundred percent but…"
"But?"
"I don't…I'm not sure how it is possible though."
"What isn't?"
"Well, she's in perfect health."
"And that's bad?"
"You don't understand, Captain. She has never been ill at all and in humans that's impossible. She has no broken bones, or fractures or lacerations, nothing. It is like her…like she's…like it is the factory model. It is impossible. Even the healthiest of your kind has something. Her immune system is something I have never seen in a human. It is simply perfect. I'm sure if infected with something her immune system will destroy it whatever it is in a matter of hours."
"Doctor, if this is the case then why haven't she healed yet?" T'Pol asked.
"Well, that's the puzzling part. I've examined the weaponry of the Reptilians and found a few anomalies."
"Anomalies?"
"Yes, Captain, I don't think the Reptilians came to kill us. They came to kill them."
"WHAT?" Jonathan exclaimed stunned. "They were killing my crew."
"I imagine that was secondary objective."
"How did you come by this notion?"
"Well the Reptilian riffles include a compound of…let me show you." And Phlox moved to the other screen. "While this is harmless to humans and Vulcans, and even me, it is having a rather severe reaction with their immune system, all of their immune systems and it is not natural. It is genetically engineered. Each pathogen is designed to attack the nervous and immune system of the four and so far they've remained stable but the pathogen is winning. It is essentially destabilizing the bonds of their cells and I have no idea how to combat that."
Jonathan took a closer look at this pathogen. He was no doctor but he could tell it was intentional. And the truth was out. They had come for the four, specifically them and it made him wonder why.
"And Colonel Roberts?" T'Pol asked.
"He is like the others."
"I meant his physiology, Doctor!"
"Oh," Phlox slapped himself on the forehead. "Well, I have no idea what he is. The scans are very confusing."
"Confusing?" Jonathan repeated looking at Flox questioningly.
"Well, Captain, um, the scans have revealed the presence of advanced necrosis. Um, most of his cells are dead, which is also something that can't be."
"Are you saying his cells are reanimated?"
"Reanimation on this level is impossible. And then there is the other part of the scans that show every cell in perfect condition. It is a contradiction and a medical mystery."
"And the pathogen is attacking both healthy and necrotic cells?"
"Yes, that's the mystery part but also proof of the genetically engineered pathogen that is beyond my medical knowledge."
"Does he have any other enhancements?" T'Pol inquired.
"Other than his heart is pulsating and not at the same time, no, he is very much like a human. There are also these cells that are all over his body but I haven't been able to determine what their purpose is." And Phlox showed them on the view screen.
"T'Pol, have you been able to salvage anything from the wreckage of that Reptilian vessel?"
"Commander Tucker and I have recovered some data crystals but we haven't been able to access them yet."
"Make it a priority."
"Captain?"
"They may contain something that can explain what's happening to them."
"Of course, Captain," T'Pol left the infirmary.
"Phlox,"
"Captain,"
"I had Trip examine their weapons, the four's and he has found something puzzling. I want you to take a look too and tell me of your findings."
"Of course,"
Jonathan left the infirmary. Phlox's findings have been very puzzling and confusing. For weeks, he had thought they were all human but it turns out they were something else entirely and the strangest part was that they were from Earth. True with all the aliens it was not that much of a surprise but their partial records indicated they were all born on Earth. Now he was not sure about that part anymore as it seems some of them have lived longer than he had been alive and even more.
Who are they? That question popped again in his mind. But now that's irrelevant. They have fought alongside them to keep the ship and the crew safe. The information though that the Reptilians had specifically come for them was troubling. It was the first time they had participated in an engagement since they came aboard. How did the Reptilians know about it?
That was the most puzzling part.
Doctor Phlox did everything he could but his patients were simply slipping away. One night he called Jonathan, Trip, T'Pol and Malcolm. The four had come around though they were in and out.
"Doctor,"
"Ah, Captain, Colonel Roberts is awake." Phlox said. "He wants to speak with you!"
Jonathan nodded and moved to see him. He did not look well. But Jonathan did not get the chance to speak though as he passed out.
"Doctor, he's out!"
Phlox came to examine him and sighed. "He'll be back!"
"On that other note we spoke of?"
"Oh, this way," Phlox moved to the other side of the infirmary and picked up the eight wooden pencils as Malcolm called them (aka wands). "Well, it is nothing really special. They are made of wood that can easily be found on Earth. These two are made of birch, these two of holly, these two of oak, and the last two of elder. Now the strange part is that each of them has a core."
"Doc, all trees have a core." Trip said.
"True, but they have an additional component. How has it been put there however I have no idea. Now they have a string like this," And he put it on the view screen.
"What is that?" Malcolm asked.
"At best I can say it is a filament, an animal filament but one I don't have it in the database. The best genetic profile fits a horse hair but it is different. This one, well, it is consistent of a filament or heart string but what animal it came from I have no idea. Now this I think comes from a bird but I have no genetic profile of such bird. And these ones are from heart strings of some form of snake."
"Wait a minute!" Jonathan exclaimed. "These sticks are stuffed with horse hairs, bird feathers, heartstring from snake and god knows what other animal. Is this what you are saying?"
"Essentially – yes,"
Jonathan looked very strangely at his doctor just to be sure he was still sane. But Phlox was not joking.
"Archer!" Roberts fading voice interrupted.
Jonathan moved to him. "You are going to be fine!" He said.
"You're not a good liar, Captain." Roberts smiled and then winced in pain then he sat up despite the pain.
"No, no, remain…"
"Doctor, I appreciate the concern," Roberts cut him off. "But we have little time." He winced again along some convulsion. Phlox was all over him with his medical scanning device.
"Colonel, I must insist…"
"No," Roberts said focusing. "You have to listen very carefully. We haven't been entirely honest with you, Captain."
"Oh!"
"The Xindi are not doing this alone. They are taking orders from the future. Their race is known here as the Sphere Builders. In the future mankind defeats them so they have back to make sure it doesn't happen. How, why, we know this is irrelevant. What matters is that they have to be stopped and the Xindi must survive."
"The Xindi?" Trip exclaimed outraged. "They have…"
"I know, Commander. But you also have to hear me. The Xindi will suffer as much as we will if the Builders are not stopped. They have been misled. They really have no idea the plans of the Builders. You have to convince them on our sides. It is the only way."
"Yeah, right,"
"Prejudice, Commander Tucker, it is time you grow out of them. It is not about revenge it is about justice."
"I imagine, Dr. Phlox explained to you what is happening to you." Jonathan said.
"I know." Roberts nodded. "They want to get rid of us more than they want you gone."
"Why? That's the thing I can't figure out!"
Roberts sighed deeply wincing in the process. "They want to eliminate us because we are the bigger threat. In the battle in the future, my kind led the human race and their allies to victory. The Sphere Builders can handle anyone however they never thought Earth had such protectors.
When they invaded the first time, a very long time ago, they conquered the humans easily. Technology in the old days wins every time but then they came face to face with us and we drove them away. Very few of them survived the onslaught.
They thought at first that we were just as primitive – swords, bows and arrows, spears, axes but they were deadly wrong. Our weapons may appear primitive but underestimating them is a bad move. We are the guardians, the masters of light and dark. Our power is derived of the Earth itself and knows no equal. There are still scorched marks on the Earth of that battle.
With time, they, the Builders evolved. They learnt how to use temporal technology. And now they are using the Xindi to do their dirty work for they have no desire to face us again. They will destroy Earth but first they will make sure my kind is extinct. For they know that if even one of us survives they are doomed. All their might will not save them. And…" A convulsion interrupted his speech though he pushed Phlox away. His eyes closed for a moment but then he reopened them.
"You have to rest!" Phlox was persistent.
"There is no time, Doctor. Soon, we will join the Goddess." Roberts said. "But before we go there is still much to say."
"Of course, Doctor," Jonathan nodded at Phlox to stand aside.
"On the top deck," Roberts reached for the monitor and showed them where. "You will find something that most certainly will puzzle you for ages to come but for now you will have to contain your questions."
"What is there?"
"Nothing really, Captain," Trip replied.
"That's what you think, Commander," Roberts smiled. "You will find in there a hangar bay with…"
"That's impossible!"
"Stop interrupting him," Gethric intervened while coughing hard.
"Thank you, Gethric." Roberts said. "There are four scarlet furies in there – star fighters. They are equipped with warp nine engines."
"Come again?" Trip looked at him as though he was insane. "Warp engines on a star fighter? I can't put one on a shuttle pod let alone star fighter…"
"That's because you can't. Your methodology is limited. We can and we have. The furies are stealth. They can't be detected not seen. The surface of the fighters is covered with something we call mirror scales. Once it takes off you won't be able to see it even with your own eyes, even if you are just a hand away. In deference to your shuttle and most fighters, well all, they make absolutely no noise. They can't be seen, detected or heard. Your enemy will never see them coming. Only someone with developed telepathic skills can pick you up."
"This is impossible." T'Pol stated. "Such craft can't exist."
"Hum," Roberts coughed. "Well the Vulcans don't believe in time travel either much like the humans at one point did not believe anyone could beat the speed of sound, or the speed of light and yet here we are."
"That's different." T'Pol responded.
"Is it really?" Kauri had managed to stand up and had come now to stand beside her leader.
"Commander Blackthorn, I must insist…" Phlox protested.
"We make the worst patients, Doctor. Give it up!" Leanne added. She was barely standing. Malcolm had to help her. "Thank you, Lieutenant."
"The furies can penetrate the barriers created by the spheres without being affected by the anomalies."
"They are lined with Trilium D?" Trip inquired.
"No," Roberts shook head. "They are lined with dragon scales. No matter what you believe or know dragon scales is one of the toughest materials in existence."
"They really have no idea how difficult it is to kill a dragon." Leanne shared.
"No, they don't and hopefully they'll never have to find out either." Gethric added.
"Do you mind?" Roberts exclaimed.
"Sorry,"
Jonathan and the other exchanged strange looks at this banter. In his mind the word dragon still resonated. Dragon – it is a mythical creature and there was no evidence such a thing existed anyway. But Roberts was not joking that much Jonathan was able to tell.
"With the furies' help when the time comes…"
"And that time will be when?" Trip asked.
"When it is time, Commander, you will know." Kauri replied.
"Anyway," Roberts said irritated of the constant interruptions. "When it is time, they will help you bypass their defenses. They have two weapon systems. The first one is familiar to you – phasers; the second one is a kind of a flamer. It will produce for short time Dragon flames, three maybe four seconds burst but it will be enough. You will aim at the Sphere's inner structure and then…ran like hell."
"Dragon flames – seriously?" Trip asked skeptically.
"Commander Tucker, a fully grown dragon can melt metal, gold, diamonds, stones, hard surfaces better than any form of weaponry in the whole of creation. Dragon fire can temper steel…Leanne, your sword."
Leanne reached for one of the wands. "Accio Dracas!" Some moments later with thudding sounds of something rebounding into walls, the sword broke through the infirmary doors glass and flew in landing perfectly on her hand. "This sword is tempered by dragon fire. It can cut through any surface with ease as though it is a hot knife going through butter. I can basically cut the Enterprise with it to tiny slices."
"Yeah, right," Trip said.
Leanne moved gingerly to the nearest wall and swung with the sword. It passed right though the wall like the wall was not even there. She made several cuts then asked Malcolm to pick them up. Malcolm brought before them part of the wall cut in tiny slices. Trip's eyes were out of their orbits.
"Impossible!" He kept exclaiming and repeating but the evidence was irrefutable.
"Now that we have covered this, we can go on." Roberts smiled satisfied. "You have to find the main sphere and get the furies in there first. Once they are out your ship can attack them. You can beat them Captain. Once the sphere is destroyed their network will be interrupted and the expanse will vanish."
"But if this dragon fire is so powerful would it do the job?" Jonathan asked.
"The Dragon fire is not for the Sphere, Captain. It is parting gift for the Sphere Builders themselves. But it will also destabilize their ability to manifest in our dimension."
"I see."
"One last thing, Captain," Roberts said.
"Anything,"
"Once gone we are, I would like to land on a planet, any planet will do and put four pyres to burn our bodies. We belong with the Earth not the stars. Every planet in the universe is linked one with the other. And when you return to Earth, take our wands to our people."
"Where do we find them?"
"Come closer," Roberts said and Jonathan moved to him. Roberts suddenly placed his hands on Jonathan's temples. Jonathan's eyes closed and his body convulsed. Trip and Malcolm tried to intervene but Kauri and Leanne stopped them.
Roberts released Jonathan who fell to his knees breathing hard. "Wow, what a rush,"
"Sorry, emotional transfer," Roberts said. "Now you know."
"I will!"
"Captain Archer," Kauri called. "The furies can only be operated by us or humans, no one else."
"What about T'Pol?"
"No, humans or us,"
"Are you saying if she…she can't?"
"Yes, the fighters are programmed to accept either us or humans. Any other will be rejected. Once your mission is complete you will make again four pyres and you will set them on fire preferably on Earth."
"Any specific location?"
"Stonehenge!"
"Of course, you have my word."
"Thank you,"
"Colonel Roberts," Jonathan turned to him. "Um, I am not sure how to ask this but…"
Roberts laughed then coughed and winced a lot. When he calmed down he said. "Yes, what you saw is what you think even if your mind is unable to accept it."
"No," Jonathan shook head.
"To quote Sir Doyle: 'when you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains however improbable must be the truth.'"
"And about you? Phlox is having real trouble with you. By all means you should be…"
"And I am in a way," Roberts replied with a smile. "Alright, I will tell you and the Doctor."
"That's not fair." Trip exclaimed.
"Sorry, Commander, the least people hear the better, trust me!"
"Trip, T'Pol, Malcolm, I will see you on the bridge." Jonathan said. The three left. Jonathan turned back to the four. "Well?"
"The human race, Captain, for many millennia except a few times during the Dark Ages, has believed it is the only one, the only intelligent race on Earth and it has been wrong all along. Most of your mythologies are not mythologies they are history. They are historical facts. We transformed them into mythologies though. Your kind is simply not ready to know the truth mostly because you will try to get rid of us."
"We've grown out of it."
"That's what you'd like to believe and it is admirable but it is not the truth. The human race has always feared the unknown and that which it can't control. But that's ok."
"So then you are truly from Earth?"
"Yes, we are although my kind does live longer than yours."
"Your kind?"
"Well, what he means or what he should have said is our kinds." Kauri corrected.
"Kinds as in plural?"
"Yes, there are more than one races or kinds." Roberts confirmed. "Dr. Phlox, I'm certain I had you puzzled the most."
"Indeed,"
"That's because my kind has two forms. How should I put it – a fleshy one and a non flesh one."
"Come again?" Jonathan asked confused.
"Leanne, help him up," Kauri said. "What you are about to see, Captain, might to say the least startle you."
Leanne helped Roberts up. He took possession of the elder wand. He launched it into the air and suddenly tapped it. The wand grew instantly into a staff but it was not the only thing that changed. Roberts' body changed too and Jonathan and Phlox were staring in disbelief of the sight before their eyes. Roberts reverted back to himself while the staff became a wand again.
"I am what you can call an Undead or as we call ourselves Necromancer. Throughout history however if you looked, you'd find that Necromancers is something gruesome and very bad and while it is not entirely wrong we are like everyone else some good, some bad, some very evil.
Now Leanne is different and though she has all the qualities and looks of a human she is not. She is a witch and a knight, or as we call it Bellatis or Champions. They have the best training and become the greatest hand to hand or any other combat warriors. Their use of spears, axes, swords, maces, staffs literally knows very few equals.
Kauri, well, I'm sure you've noticed the binary system, the two hearts and the vision and most certainly the arrows. Her kind is forest dwellers. They have great knowledge and wisdom that they have accumulated over the millennia. Given their life span nature has rewarded them with perfect sight and hearing. Their aim never misses whether is day or night it is perfect. If you looked at a certain Scandinavian mythology you'd find a race of great wisdom and pointy ears.
Now, Gethric is a different story. His kind is not indigenous to Earth. They came a very, very, very long time ago to Earth. As you have noticed their menu is interesting. They are what we call the Nosfaeratus or as the church called the first time they met them the Night Dwellers. With time they gave them other names. Their abilities when not in space are…I'm sure you've noticed, Doctor, quite intriguing as well. And they can also live pretty damn long, well, as long as my kind can and Kauri's. Leanne's kind's life span is almost four times that of a human.
Now you know who we are. I'm not saying this is going to make either much sense to you or help you sleep at night, Captain, but it is the way it is. The only thing that is important is for you to complete your mission. The Builders cannot be allowed to win. And second important thing is that you carry out our last requests to the letter. Your kind is no ready to either meet us or accept us.
The technology used to build the fighters is light years before yours and once you're done you must erase all knowledge of its existence. I hope you will honor this request to the letter."
Roberts pushed himself up again. The four helping each other stood in the middle of the infirmary. Roberts reverted to his non fleshy self. His eyes glowed in red. Gethric's fangs protruded. Kauri's ears become pointy. Leanne stretched her hand upwards and whispered. It was a whisper but so powerful that it resonated on every deck of the ship.
'Elastube Gallean, exstincio via, accio ustulo, ardeo anima! Nou an veni Mortis! Namarie!"
And then the four fell down to the floor their eyes closed. They were breathing no more.
Jonathan closed his eyes. He did not have the time to get to know them and accept them for who they were. They were taken away by the Sphere Builders' pathogen but he was going to carry out their requests to the letter and get the galaxy rid of them forever, whatever it takes.
The Enterprise stopped at the next available planet and the away team built four pyres. They placed the four bodies on them and lit them up. Silent prayers were said and then they left. And then months later, the time had come.
Four Enterprise pilots took the Scarlet Furies into the heart of the main Sphere and let the terrible dragon fire loose, and then they ran. Before the Reptilian Xindi lost all contact with the Sphere Builders they saw a golden red fire burning them. And then the Sphere network was destroyed. The Reptilian Commander was very close at destroying Earth but he failed in the last moment. The Temporal Cold War ended.
Captain Archer and the Enterprise returned home. Jonathan delivered the four Scarlet Furies to Stonehenge and burnt them. When the last fume passed he could have sworn seeing the faces of the Sorcerers Squadron smiling from above.
He then went to where Roberts had guided him to deliver the wands of the fallen sorcerers and met the grand sorcerer.
"They wanted you to have these!"
"You have surpassed our expectations, Captain Archer."
"How so?"
"Anyone other human in your position would have not honored their requests. They could not have resisted the temptation to seek out the knowledge and power of the sorcerers. We are grateful that you did keep your word."
"I hope it helps build a bridge between our peoples."
"Perhaps, in time," The grand sorcerer replied.
"I'd like this."
"Farewell, Captain Archer," The grand sorcerer said. Jonathan turned around and headed for the shuttle. "We shall meet again before the end, Jonathan Archer."
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