Location: Federation Starship USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Year: 2371
Questioning looks came from the Maquis group gathered around the body of the Nausicaan as Peterman looked up at one of his men with a questioning look as he spoke. "What the hell is going on?"
"We'd better get Goral up here…" The Bajoran said quickly. "Someone has too tell him his brother is dead!"
"That's your job!" Peterman said to the Bajoran with a hint of fear in his eyes.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Picard and the rest of the Hostages close their eyes quickly and cover their ears. Slowly turning towards them, he fired a questioning look as a loud click echoed through the command centre of the bridge, followed by a small drinking glass pushed inside another. As it rolled across the deck plating it spun rapidly and shattered as a loud explosion and brilliant light filled the bridge. Diving towards the deck, Peterman covered his ears and clamped his eyes shut as a sound of panic exploded within the bridge itself. Quickly opening his eyes, he looked up as a young dark red-haired woman began too expertly attack each of the Maquis in turn with incredible force. Attacking the last Maquis standing she rapidly turned towards Peterman and grinned from ear to ear as she spoke while the last man fell to the floor with a hard crash.
"Surprise!"
Quickly raising his weapon, he turned it upon her as she whipped the energy weapon around from her back and fired with expert ease, which impacted the deck plating, six inches before his feet.
"Now, I don't know much about these settings Peterman, but I believe this setting will seriously harm you. Release the crew and surrender. The alternative is quiet unpleasant!"
"Who are YOU!" He growled.
"Who am I? I am a Relic of a by gone age, I am death! I am the right hand of vengeance, and the boot that is going to kick your sorry ass. God sent me!" She laughed slightly.
Laughing slightly, Alara slowly looked at Picard with a smile as he recognised the paraphrase she had said from an old television show of the late 20th century.
Growling, Peterman raised his weapon as he spoke. "You're nothing, you are Dead!"
With a flash of green energy from the weapon, a small bolt screamed from the rifle she was holding and slammed into the small hand phaser in Peterman's right hand, causing it too explode instantly as she walked towards him. "I will not warn you again Peterman… lower… the… damned force field NOW!"
"You are good! Where were you when I was putting this team together. I don't know your price, but it would have been worth it!" Peterman laughed darkly.
"Sorry, I'm not for sale" She replied.
"Everyone has his or her price Miss McClane, it's just a matter of finding it! Ohh wait… now I understand…" He said with an evil grin. "… The boy! What is he too you?"
"None of your concern. Lower the force field NOW!"
Slowly walking towards the force field, the corner of his eye fell upon the young prince as he stood slowly. Reaching into his pocket, Peterman pulled out a small box as she focused the weapon between his eyes and placed her finger on the trigger once more. "Your movements, your training… that ship, in the main hanger deck… You are out of your depth here. The Captain's own log entries mentions a young woman, recovered from stasis sleep and a Young Prince she was too protect. If I press on this controller, all the air from inside the force field will be drained. I wander, how long they will survive? drop the weapon and get on your knees… Major Cole!" He ordered.
Keeping the weapon trained upon him, she smiled darkly as she replied. "Shall we see? Can you press that controller, before I can shoot you? It's a gamble that I am willing too take"
"Ohh your cold Miss Cole, I like that. However, not only will you be sacrificing the life of Alara, but the Command crew of this fine ship. Your weapon, I will not ask you again"
From behind her, a beam of Purple energy streamed through the air and hit her between her shoulder blades, pain ripped through her body as the weapon fell from her hands and she collapsed onto the floor as the third Nausicaan entered the Bridge. His eyes fell upon the body of his brother as he screamed as loud as he could.
"Forget that Goral, we must leave now! Grab the boy… this ship will not be around much longer. Someone will pay a fortune for him"
"And the girl?" Goral growled.
"Let her die with the rest. Pity, she is very attractive and would also fetch a high price. I have a feeling she would have been more of a problem"
Location: Federation Outpost Deep Space Nine.
Year: 2374
"So what happened next?" Dax slurred. "Clear you did not die… and Enterprise did survive"
"Well, the Nausicaan had his weapon set on some… screwed up setting, it just knocked me out for awhile. When I came too, I saw that Picard and the rest where still alive, within the force field. They instructed me on how too shut it down as the Maquis I had taken out began too wake up they where met with the angry faces of Picard and crew. They quickly surrendered, Peterman and the Nausicaan had taken Alara and ran, they had a ship standing by which was attached to Enterprise via a hard docking port on the starboard side of the saucer section. With the Enterprise Command crew safe, my original vows now came into effect, but by that time… I was pissed off!"
"Sounds like you had fun" Dax replied as she swayed slightly.
"Hey, stay with me. I'm almost done!" Alison said with laughter.
"Okay, so then what?"
"Well, Worf… escorted Geordie down too Engineering to assist Data and bring the Warp Core back on line. My first order of business now was too stop Peterman and that damned ugly Nausicaan. Riker wouldn't allow Picard to join us, so we both went looking for them… he knew the ship better then I did. We ran through the corridors, until we found them, outside the airlock near their ship…"
Location: Federation Starship USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Year: 2371
Over the years in hiding from his own military, Alara had become well acquainted with self defence under the tutelage of his life long protector. However, seeing her shot in the back took enormous toll upon the young man as in the past, he had seen her recover from many injuries and attacks. In his mind, he saw the fatal shot over and over again as her body fell helplessly too the deck plating below and her body lay motionless as he looked on with helpless fear. The harsh grip of the large alien's hand squeezed his right shoulder as he was almost dragged across the floor like a rag doll as a voice echoed through the corridor, a voice made him smile with relief. "What, you're done already?"
Slowly turning, Peterman's eyes opened wide as he looked into the eyes of the woman approaching, the woman he thought he saw die before his eyes. Fear over took him as he spoke with shock. "You're dead!"
"Sorry babe, I have a hard time dying! Now… as I was saying. You have only one way out of this, and that's in a body bag"
Location: Federation Outpost Deep Space Nine.
Year: 2374
Confused, Dax placed down her dry glass as she spoke slowly.
"Wait, he… killed you?"
"No, the Nausicaan's weapon malfunctioned, it was stuck on heavy stun, however, the display said full power!"
"But it hurt right?"
"Like a bitch…" Cole laughed.
"But it hurt, Right?"
"Yes Dax, it hurt. The beam cut into my shoulder… causing a nasty cut…" She laughed.
Location: Federation Starship USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Year: 2371
The large Nausicaan's eyes burned like two flaming stars as he released the young prince. As h e fell to the ground, Goral began to run towards her as he reached for a long black blade from his belt line. Smiling darkly, Alison broke into a full sprint towards the alien, as the distance closed between the two, she leapt high into the air and slammed her clenched fist down onto his jaw which made him leap backwards and fall the floor with a heavy crash. As she landed beside him, her eyes firmly locked on Peterman while she picked up the alien with her left hand by grabbing his throat as he struggled against her enhanced strength and grip while Riker ran too her side.
"Major, put him down!" Riker ordered.
"Sorry Riker! I am not under your chain of command" She said as she glared into Peterman's eyes.
"Alara, we will always have Paris!"
Smiling slightly, the Prince stood as he nodded slowly as he turned too face the man whom had held him hostage and threatened too sell him as a slave. Leaping into the air, his young legs spun before Peterman's face missing him by inches. The displacement of the air from the near attack flowed past Peterman's nose as he laughed slightly, before Alara dropped too his knees and punched out hard between his ribs, the force of the impact was so great, it sent Peterman flying backwards until his fall was broken by the bulkhead behind him as Riker looked on with shock. A horrific gurgling sound came from the Nausicaan's throat until a snap was heard and he fell to the floor with a large hole in his throat. Standing over the dead alien, Alison shook the blood from her hand as she walked towards the Maquis with a dark smile, echoing off her face as she spoke. "It's over… surrender now!"
Gasping for air, Peterman looked up as he spoke with a look of shock on his face. "I surrender!"
"Riker! This piece of shit! Is yours… arrest him. In accordance with Federation law… I surrender myself too you as a Genetically enhanced being!"
Location: Federation Outpost Deep Space Nine.
Year: 2374
Shuffling to a fully seated position, now showing the purest of interest in what she had heard, Dax spoke as if all adrenalin had returned too her body and her mind had become clear of the effects of the alcohol once more. "So… you gave yourself up?"
"Yes. I read that Augments, as they where called where forbidden by Federation regulations due to the Eugenics Wars. I was a relic of that Era… upon learning of myself, I knew one great secret, Riker promised to keep"
"Alara? He was altered?" Dax said with shock.
"Yes! Once I learned of my new reality, I learned that he was also given the same treatment as I was. Riker swore himself secrecy on this point, only Worf and now you know of this truth!" She smiled.
"Worf knows?" She said with shock.
"Say what you want about Worf, he's smarter then people know. He may look like a barbarian by human standards… but he is very smart. I see the way he looks at you Jadzia, he loves you… more then his proud warrior exterior will allow him too say. He will go through hell and back for you, I guarantee you this, he will fight an entire Jem'Hadar army for you. With his bare hands, he will fight the entire Dominion in your name if you ask him too, cherish that my dear… I have see no greater love for anyone, then his feelings for you"
"It is strange, but I feel the same" Dax smiled.
"No, you don't!" Cole laughed. "But, in some way… I do! I feel for him, what he feels for you…"
Shock resonated over Dax's faces as she searched Cole's eyes for a truth she saw emerging. "I see that. Did you two ever…"
"Make love? No. in a small way, he feared me. As did the Enterprise crew…"
"I see, so what happened after the Maquis take over, and you gave yourself up?"
"Well…" She sighed deeply. "Peterman was taken into custody, as was the crew of the small ship and his surviving team. Crusher had found a way too revive the crew, but I found myself self stood in Picard's office… sorry, ready room as he gave his log entry…"
Location: Federation Starship USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D
Year: 2371
Captain's Log: Supplemental.
With the assistance of Miss… Major Alison Cole, the Enterprise has been retaken without the loss of any Starfleet personnel. However, three Nausicaans where killed during the retaking of the ship, several of suspected Maquis have been injured and are now receiving medical attention. I am now faced with the difficult task of deciding what to do with our most welcome passengers…
Standing at attention while wearing a replicated dress uniform and medals from her former life, Major Alison Cole stood before Picard as a slight smile crept over her face.
"Major Cole, you have done this Ship and the Federation a great service…"
"Thank you Captain!" She smiled slightly. "If I may ask, what is too happen to both myself and Prince Alara now?"
"Due too the extensive damage caused by the Maquis, we have set a direct course for Earth and should be there within three days. We where already on course anyway… You have saved this ship and it's crew Major and for that we are all fully in your debt"
"No sir, an ancient debt that honour demanded I repay too you and your family for their kindness centuries earlier. That debt is now repaid in full, Captain Picard"
"Very well, as you wish" He smiled hiding a hint of sadness. "The revelation of your suspect Genetic Background will be cause for concern within the Federation Miss Cole, I highly doubt this incident will be mentioned freely"
"I understand sir. I have read everything on the Eugenics Wars and what ever Starfleet has on Augments. From the Arak Soong Incident with the NX-01, through the Khan Incident with A named Captain Kirk as well as the Genesis Crisis and beyond. I will have too face questioning from your Starfleet Security, Intelligence… As required by your laws sir, I stand by my ground in surrendering myself too you and your crew, please have a cell ready for my arrival. If it is not too much trouble Captain, may I request that Prince Alara be allowed the respect that his former title once allowed?"
"Do you always think of others Major Cole?" Picard said as he walked towards his replicator and ordered two cups of tea.
"Yes sir. My training has taught me to serve my Prince with my last breath, even though he has freed me from my vows, recent events has taught me that no one is safe, even now"
Retrieving the two hot cups of tea, he placed it within her hands as she nodded slightly and took her first sip of the hot liquid before she continued. "This is excellent. However sir, since I am here. I pledge myself too Federation Law as now the rightful law of my former country…"
"Major, Prince Alara will be allowed the rights of which his rank states. Mister Worf, will you please report to my ready room?"
"Thank you Captain. May I take my drink too your Brig sir? I give my word, I will not harm anyone. If it makes you feel safer, I will allow you too shackle my arms and legs" She said with a hint of sadness.
Behind her, the twin doors to the captain's Ready room slid open as the tall and proud Klingon Warrior entered while Picard sat in his chair and took a sip from his drink. "Ahh, Mister Worf. Please escort Major Cole too guest Quarters. Both her and Prince Alara are to be shown all Diplomatic Courtesy as their rank demands"
"Aye sir" Worf said with a smile. "Please follow me, Major?"
"Sir? I believed that I requested one of your Brig spaces?" Cole smiled slightly.
"Forgive me Major, I did not hear you. Dinner, tonight. My quarters, I believe we are over due to welcome our guests. Mister Worf, please inform the command crew. Dress Uniform please"
"Aye sir!" Worf smiled widely.