The Hour of The Wolf
Chapter Twenty-Two

Qu'lan was a major trading world, situated in the middle of a large stellar cluster near the heart of Dominion space. For as long as could be remembered, under the protection and guidance of the Founders, the world had prospered. Becoming one of the most important commerce planets at the heart of the Dominion. While there had been some discontent in the past it was long ago. In these enlightened times the world was considered to be among the most secure of all the Dominions holdings. It's location as a key point in the supply chain from vast supplies of mineral wealth to some of the largest shipyards in the heart of the Dominion made it a perfect target for the Cylon's. Both sides knew it was only a matter of time before it was attacked.

Roe'met'felcon, a Jem'Hadar First with more than twenty years of experience, was in command of a Fighter patrol. The Vorta believed that there had to be some form of scout picking the Cylon's targets. As such they insisted on these patrols. Roe'met'felcon agreed, but privately questioned the wisdom of dividing their forces. There were Fighters scattered throughout the system, searching for what amounted to a probe. An all but impossible task.

Something proven as with most Cylon attacks this one came without warning. The earliest Roe'met'felcon knew of it was when the sensors on his fighter were suddenly jammed. As his eye-piece viewer stuttered and clouded with static his instinct was to call for a repair, but at a glance he saw his Second had the same problem. 'All possible power to sensors, we must cut through the jamming. Communications?'

'Disrupted, but still functional. Barely.' The Jem'Hadar at the station reported urgently. 'Receiving scrambled distress calls from the planet, orbiting stations and most civilian ships!'

Roe'met'felcon growled. 'Ignore them. Contact Command advise them we're setting course to rejoin the fleet!' He looked to the sensor station. 'Position of enemy ships?'

'Can't get a clear reading much more than a few light minutes, but I'm detecting something on the other side of the system. It looks like our ships are mobilised there.'

They couldn't be much more out of position. Other side of the system! They might as well be in another Quadrant for all the use. It was then communications spoke up. 'First, I can't get through. What subspace channels I have access to are completely blocked by panicked civilians.'

Offering a prayer to the Founders Roe'met'felcon tried to clam himself. Acting without thought often lead to disaster. 'Then forget Command. Try and contact our nearest fighters. Instruct them to get what ships they can and follow us back to the fifth planet. Once we have gathered there we will return to Qu'lan. If we can outflank and ambush the Cylons we may help our forces to defeat them.'

It was a sound, if somewhat predictable, tactic. He had his Fighter make best speed and a dozen more followed him. All the while he had his sensors trained on the central planet, where the jamming was the strongest.

From what the aged First could tell the enemy had a similar plan. They too had come from the flank, as it were. Only this time perpendicular to the elliptical plane, while the patrols were focused on them attacking head on they had come from above. Cursing himself for his own stupidity Roe'met'felcon looked again through the eye piece. Manipulating it to enhance what he was seeing.

From what he could tell the main battle was already over. With most of the defence fleet scattered across the system the deadly Cylon attack had carved it's heart out. With the jamming interference and distance it was hard to tell, but there were a lot more sapphire energy blasts than white. A sure sign that the enemy outnumbered and out gunned the disoriented Dominion Forces.

'Communications?' he asked.

'The closer we get to the source the stronger the jamming.' The officer reported, touching the controls. 'I can barely make anything out.'

'What can you make out?' he snapped.

'Hold, I can still isolate ship's identity beacons.' He told him and Roe'met'felcon finally felt they were making progress. 'I'm locking in on them now.'

'Well?'

'Command Station beacon is offline. I think it's been destroyed, can't confirm. I'm only picking up three Cruisers and four Fighters.'

'By the Founders!' The Fourth gasped. There was supposed to be more than sixty Fighters and twelve Cruisers stationed around the planet.

Roe'met'felcon silenced him with a glance. If this was true the battle was all but over. The handful of fighters he'd gathered wouldn't make a difference. He needed a new plan, quickly. Fortunately he had one. 'Sensors take over. Confirm all Transmitter contacts. Communications; get me Low'sek'mor.'

Low'sek'mor was his former second, now First of his own Fighter and one of the twelve that had joined him. The transmission was fragmented, but still readable. 'Low, it's Roe. Transport every warrior you can to my ship then set course for the nearest outpost. Have them mobilise an attack force to reclaim the system. I will lead the rest of us to the planet and continue the battle on the ground. By the will of the Founders, the enemy will not have this day! I swear it!'

Low's image stuttered on the Eye piece. 'Impossible! Transporters… jamming field. Unable… lock… Will stand with… Glory to the Founders!'

He was afraid of that. The jamming field disrupted transporters as much as sensors. 'I need you to do this! The enemy must be defeated, we need reinforcements. You are the only one I can trust to do this.' That was the truth. The need to fight was bred into them all. To ask any of the others to take the shame of retreat would be too much, but Low'sek'mor knew he was not asking this lightly. He would be able to see this as the key to victory. 'Take your ship out of here! Immediately. That is an order. Order brings Victory!'

'Victory… Life' Low replied and the transmission cut off. After a moment Roe'met'felcon looked at his crew. Without transporters there was only one way for his plan to work. They knew it and he knew it. 'Communications, maximum power I want all ships to hear this.'

'Yes First.' Communications replied, pride in his voice.

'This is First Roe'met'felcon to all Jem'Hadar forces. I am taking command. The battle in space is lost, but we are not. Victory for us is now found on the surface of Qu'lan, where we will stand united before the despised Cylons. With our transporters offline we will have to land. Divert all power to your shields and engage their ships only in passing. Do not attack if you can. Just get to the planet. Scatter your landing sites. Once on the ground our ships will be targets, prepare yourselves. Evacuate as soon as possible with everything you need. We will regroup south of the second city.'

After a heart beat another voice responded 'This… Vorta Meloun. Agreed… Obedience…' Roe'met'felcon knew Meloun, he was the fool that had got them into this mess with his patrols idea. On the other hand any support was better than none when it came to the Vorta.

He nodded to the helm 'Roe'met'felcon to all ships. Begin.'

'Have a good trip Mr Worf. I hope to see you again soon.' Will said, shaking his friend's hand

The two of them were in the shuttle bay, waiting for Ambassador K'Ehleyr to arrive with her son. Will had assigned Worf a long range shuttle for his trip to Earth. He more than surprised when the Security Chief had asked for leave to go home, but when Deanna told him K'Ehleyr was going with him, to bury the body of their son, Will agreed.

The door opened and K'Ehleyr came in, just behind her was the coffin being transported by Dr Crusher and a couple of her staff. The casket was all together too small. Once again Will wondered just what the two of them were going through and couldn't help but feel for them. 'Ambassador.' He nodded

'Captain.' K'Ehleyr said back. 'Thank you for the loan of the shuttle.'

'It was the least I could do.' It was a type 8, a new shuttle that had the best balance between speed, size and comfort. It should get them to Earth in a couple of days. Three at the most.

They didn't need to say much more, but Will noticed that Worf was careful not to look at the casket. With any luck the time with each other would help where sessions with Deanna didn't.

With a formal salute Worf boarded just behind K'Ehleyr. Will headed to the console off to one side and opened the bay doors personally. 'Do you really think this is good idea?' Beverly asked quietly. 'Their both Klingons and they don't react to loss the same way we do.'

The shuttle rose off the deck and hovered for a moment before slowly leaving. Will shook his head. 'Thats just it. According to Deanna most Klingons would have accepted what happened by now, but I don't think Worf or K'Ehleyr have. Not entirely. This time together might not be for the best, but Deanna and I can't think of anything else. Can you?'

Beverly watched the shuttle leave and offered a small shrug. Before Will could say anything more Shelby's voice came over the comm. 'Captan, we're receiving a priority transmission from Admiral Nachayev.'

'I'm in shuttle bay two, have it transferred down here.' The Admiral was his newly appointed direct superior and while he didn't exactly get on with her he did respect that she was one of the more hands on Admirals.

After a moment the console screen came to life. 'Captain Riker, why aren't you on the bridge?' The Admiral was human woman, with pale blonde hair and a very stern face. Reminding Will of a disapproving schoolmaster that expected him to be misbehaving as soon as her back was turned.

'One of my officers requested leave, I was just seeing them off.'

She looked carefully at him. 'Recall them. This is a priority mission, you are to meet up with the Crazy Horse and Bellrophon at the Cardassian border as soon as possible.'

Will kept his face unreadable 'What's the mission?'

'There are reports that a Federation ship has gone rogue. Attacking Cardassian facilities across the length of the border.' she told him. 'Indications are that it's the USS Phoenix, under the command of Ben Maxwell. Captain, there are still items of the recent treaty between us that we are trying to iron out. If these reports are true our negotiations are at risk. It could also be seen as us breaking the peace we all fought so hard to achieve. You are to find out just what the Phoenix is doing out there, arrest her captain if necessary and get some answers.' She lent into the screen. 'Riker, I've made it no secret I don't see you as captain material. Certainly not on the flagship of the Federation. In the interest of fairness I warn you; if you do not fulfil this mission with the abilities fitting your role the next person to call you Captain will be the Ensign escorting you to the Embassy on the Breen homeworld.'

Will wanted to protest but knew from the glare she was giving him it would be pointless. She continued, 'As your career is at stake you are in charge for the duration of the mission. Your fellow captains will report to me, so do try to make a good impression.'

'Understood Admiral. If you send us the rendezvous co-ordinates we'll be on our way.' Will said professionally. Nodding the Admiral attached the co-ordinates and signed off.

'You want me to call Worf?' Beverly asked after a moment.

'Don't bother, he's on his way to Earth.'

The Doctor frowned. 'I heard the Admiral Will, you disobey her on this she'll have you off the Enterprise.'

He smirked at her. 'The Admiral put me in charge. I've decided that it's vital to the mission that Worf escorts the ambassador to Earth. Look, if the Admiral's already made up her mind whatever I do isn't going to change that. If not then like Jean-Luc said, "be damned for who you are".'

Dr Salik sat back in his makeshift office, flipping through the latest reports. As the chief of medical sciences for the fleet he'd been the natural choice to manage medical services on New Kolbol. A role that generated more paperwork than could be believed.

The position kept him buried under near endless reports. Lists of minor injuries, broken bones and not a few fights. Every day there was a new list he had to approve, including one on their ever dwindling supplies. He was about to look at the latest update when the door chime went off. 'Hello?' he called out.

Federation technology was astounding, but not without it's flaws. As soon as someone so much as breathed near his door it automatically thought someone wanted to come in, bleeped and listened for his voice. It was supposed to be convenient, but Salik thought it was just lazy and somewhat annoying. He was fairly confidant somewhere out there they had developed a voice activated back scratcher.

'Dr Salik, it's Commander Sisko.'

'Oh, come in.' He stood up. The doors opened and the Federation officer came in, quickly followed by a thin, aged man. He didn't look old so much as freeze dried. Wrinkled, but still full of life energy. He looked human, but the way he kept looking around reminded Salik of a bird. Never stoping on one thing and always jumping to the next.

'Doctor. This is Professor Winters. You wanted to talk to me about something you found interesting about our history. Professor Winters here is an Exo-anthropologist. One of our best. I thought he'd be able to answer what I couldn't.'

The Professor beamed a smile that was almost too wide for his face. 'Doctor Salik it is an honour and a pleasure. I've been meaning to talk to you for some time.' He quickly took Salik's hand before changing it to the more familiar wrist clasp. A moment later he let go and began investigating one of his stylus devices.

'Professor. What is an Exo-anthropologist?' Salik didn't recognise the word and used it to get his attention.

'Oh! Of course. I'm sorry!' Again that smile that was just a fraction too wide for his face. 'I study people. Their social groups, philosophy, history. Try to understand them and help them understand each other.' The strangely hyperactive man admitted. 'And I'm far from the best, more a jack of all trades. I try to learn everything I can about everything I possibly know. What I can say with some confidence is if there is something I don't know I do know someone else who knows more.' Another short laugh.

It took Salik a moment to decipher what he had said. 'Well perhaps you're the right person then. Professor.'

'I'd like to think so. Actually I've been interviewing many of your people, I've found your culture wonderfully interesting.' He grinned again, looking at Benjamin 'For instance Commander, did you know that a Kobal year is is nearly one point two that of an terran year! Combine that with their average lifespan, Commander, they can live as long as Zulcans! In some cases perhaps even longer!'

'Professor…'

'Yes Dr Salik?'

Salik took a breath and shook his head. 'What I wanted to talk to you about was Federation's research into psionics. I've been researching what I could, but what I found focuses only on non-humans.'

'Psionics?' Benjamin asked

'Mental powers.' Salik clarified and the Professor's eyes lit up.

'Excellent, excellent!' he said almost hopping from foot to foot. 'This is fantastic. I was just about to begin an investigation into that myself! Mental abilities is one of my great interests. It's why I began a career in exo-anthropology in the first place!'

Salik could see Benjamin was still confused. 'Psionic abilities are skills and abilities that go beyond the standard bounds.'

'Yes, I understand that. But humans don't have psychic abilities. Like Vulcans and others do.' Benjamin pointed out.

The Professor raised his hand. 'Not quite true Commander. Humans definitely have the potential. More than a hundred years ago, after Terrans started having children with non-humans, we found that those that were hybrids with psychic races still had those abilities! In some cases they were naturally gifted, with potential beyond many so called pure bred telepaths. So the so called fringe science of human telepathy became a major new field of research! It reached a point where testing for it was included as part of Starfleet entrance exams. At least for time!'

'How come I've never heard of this?' Benjamin asked seriously. Salik was equally confused, if psionics were investigated why hadn't he found anything in his research.

The Professor was obviously exited about the subject 'Well the honest truth is it was all for nothing. Most of the tests for Esper as we called it, or ESP, which stands for Extra Sensory Perception, were incredibly primitive. A lot of the time a positive reading could be attributed to luck or some other statistical probability and often unrepeatable. Most of the time it was put down to conformational bias. When the more sophisticated tests were adapted for humans they showed that while the potential was there the human brain simply was not complex enough. That was nearly a hundred years ago now. By the beginning of the twenty-fourth century it was felt that human psychics were proven to be impossible and we moved on.'

'Interesting.' Salik frowned. 'I would like to see some of the findings, if any copies of them survive.'

'Of course.' The Professor grinned. 'If I can ask you a question, why are you so interested in what is considered a dead pseudo-science?'

He laughed at the phrase. 'It's not so dead for us. Psionics has long been a study of our military and medical sciences. Many of our best pilots and warriors have demonstrated a level of accuracy beyond statistical possibility. Captain Apollo, for example, has shown a near eighty percent success rate with random chance. He has also shown reaction times faster than should otherwise be possible, unless he has an insight. The same is true of many others.'

'He could just have good instincts.' Benjamin pointed out.

'Yes, but that does not explain some other events. The Countess Marlaina was a prophetess from more than a hundred yarhens ago. She wrote of a second exodus, and of the Thirteenth tribe. In fact it was her writings that inspired many, before her the legends of Earth had been all but forgotten.'

'Fascinating. You're saying that people from the Colonies had the power to predict the future? To some degree at least?' The Professor asked, hanging on the Doctor's response.

'Very imperfectly.' he admitted but then Salik remembered something. 'But there were rumours, that the Countess saw more than she was telling. It's said she went into hiding, but most people believe she killed herself after seeing something so horrible she couldn't accept it.'

The destruction of the Colonies?' Benjamin suggested.

'That must have been it.' he said quietly.

The Professor however was overjoyed, 'So, other than predicting the future, are there any other abilities your people have developed? Mind to mind communication?'

'No. At least nothing as simple as words. There are those that claim to be able to sense what another is thinking, however we believe that is due to parallel thought processes. I'm afraid the only other ability is one a few have demonstrated. The ability to move things with mental force.'

'Telekinesis!' The professor exploded, 'You… Vulcan mystics train all their lives in the closest of secret temples for that ability! Betazoid's claim to have the ability, but have never proven it. Of all the Psychic races only a few have Telekinesis and even then it's rare!'

'I'm sorry, I'm not accusing you of lying Doctor Salik, but I can't believe that's possible' Benjamin told him. 'It must be a trick of some kind.'

'Oh my boy, it's people like you that refuse to accept whats possible that holds inquiring minds back. Anything is possible, it's just a question of if it's probable!' The Professor said happily.

'Well said.' Salik smiled. 'I think I can find a way to prove what I'm saying. As there are several people across the Fleet that do have this ability. Including, if you listen to gossip, Commander Adama himself.'

End Chapter Twenty-Two

Authors note:-

This chapter took a lot longer than I wanted it to. I had some difficulty with the first part. I wanted to drop us right in the middle of the battle, but I kept spending so much time explaining the back story that what should have been a paragraph became more interesting. Ahh well, something to look forward to I guess.

One more thing:- I've been getting a lot of questions about this story and I'd love to be able to answer them all. If I can I will. I would like to be able to answer them in the context of the story, but more often than not trying to seems to derail the plot. If I can I will integrate it. If not right away somewhere down the line. Otherwise please sign your reviews, or PM me directly, and I'll try to get back to you (although as several of those that have can attest I might already have a convoluted answer or two for you…)

PS the Psionics bit… Well in the second Pilot of Classic Trek (TOS) the whole thing was about a man developing god like psychic powers! The ESP thing was mentioned then, I've just expanded upon it. As for the Galactica, in the Episode War of the Gods Ibis uses his powers to move an ornament. In Part II Adama does the same thing! It's there he also mentions that the Colonial lifespan is 200 and gives a (relatively) valid reason for why that lifespan equals powers.

It will all make sense in the context of the story, eventually… I hope.