Chapter 15

SYSTEM AGC-441

THREE DAYS LATER

The Wisconsin had tracked Pirate E to this system. They stopped well short of the system and found a very nice, big ice ball to mask them. Their position was above the north pole of the only star located in this system of planets and asteroids, a good spot to monitor activity and all orbital bodies of the system. They were roughly a light day from the system, just about perfect for doing a long-range survey.

Jacobs was walking down a corridor going toward engineering when Leonaidas caught up with him. "Captain, got a minute?"

Jacobs stopped. "Sure, what's up?"

"Alan reports our position is stable with reference to the, the,"

Jacobs finished, smiling, "Ice ball? I can't remember what the scientific name is either."

"Yes, anyway, Hotch says the scanning is progressing, he's already tracked two other ships entering the system. We may have a preliminary position to focus sensors on soon. As soon as we get more data, he thinks we will have enough to go to the Claw's database and start making some inquiries. Which brings up my next point."

Jacobs guessed. "McGee?"

Leonaidas shook his head. "No, it's the Claw. I'd like to give them some R&R over here before we see action. Make them sharp again."

Jacobs nodded. "Approved, if Karl gives you any problems, tell him that his Captain thinks it would be a good idea. He's still going to be in charge of the Claw. Walk with me."

Leonaidas followed, "Good, that brings up the last point. There are some members of the crew that have been going full tilt for the last week. Double shifts, running from one end of the ship to the other, you get the picture. Ducky recommends that you order them for a day off, if we are going to be scanning for a day, nothing happening, then get some rest."

Jacobs turned a corner and was at the main engineering bulkhead door. He stopped there. "Sounds like a good idea. Will it be tough to coordinate?"

Leonaidas shook his head. "No, for one day I can get the worst offenders some relief. 2 days more, 3 days everybody."

Jacobs thought for a minute. He'd like some rest, spend a day vegging. If it could be for Captains, it would be great. "Do it, start next shift."

Leonaidas countered, "We're going to have people who resist."

Jacobs answered, "Tell them they have to."

Leonaidas countered again, "Some will say they don't need sleep."

Jacobs answered quickly, "Teal'c can do his kal, kar, nor, whatever all day long."

Leonaidas finished, "Kal no'reem. Others will say their duty is too important."

Jacobs thought he smelled a fishhook somewhere but pressed on, "NO exceptions. Everybody. My orders. 24 hours rest, free from all duty."

Leonaidas smiled. "Great Josh, your break starts in one hour!"

Jacobs continued, "Except for me."

Leonaidas held up a tricorder. "Got it recorded. You've been had."

Jacobs smiled. "Was I that easy?"

Leonaidas held up a hand, "Too easy. I can't have the Captain that isn't thinking his best. If I got you that easy, how are you going to be in combat?"

Jacobs turned and the door opened. "Yes, Mother, I'll go to my room and sleep. You will let me know of anything important, of course."

"Of course. I'll let you know of anything noteworthy of breaking your rest."

"Then Mr. Leonaidas, you have the ship. See you in 24 hours.."

Leonaidas corrected. "25."

PIRATE BASE

HANGAR BAY

The Pilot guided Jameson's shuttle through the door. The shuttle landed on a pad that was slightly larger than the shuttle. Once down, the pad twisted and moved to an inner bay door slightly larger than the shuttle. Once inside, the door closed and the small bay started to pressurize. Inside, the Norsicans turned to Jameson. "Come with us, human."

Jameson resisted a little, "I'm SENATOR Jameson." Kenn jumped up to defend him and was backhanded by a Norsican. He fell to the floor.

The Norsican grabbed Jameson and hauled the senator to his feet. "All we care about you, human, is that you are here." The door opened and he threw him out into waiting arms of two Norsicans. They hauled him off kicking and screaming.

The Norsican in charge of the shuttle stepped outside and went to a com panel. He pushed the button for the command center. "Command center."

"Give me the commander. It's Kalsk."

"Commander Ragnar, you're finally back. What took so long?"

"We had a run in with a Federation starship. Took an extra hostage, Starfleet security."

Ragnar's angry voice came through the speaker. "Throw them both in isolation. I'll deal with them later."

The Senator kept yelling demanding that he be released, he be treated better, and all sorts of other things. Kenn stumbled along prodded by the Norsicans. These guys were big. He was wondering how many humans it would take to bring one down. At least four, and they would have to be football linemen or something that size. He was shoved into a dark cell barely large enough to lay down.

Jameson had a similar fate, just before the door closed, he yelled, "Let me talk to your commander! I'm a senator and can help you."

The Norsican snorted and slammed the door closed.

USS WISCONSIN

OUTSIDE SYSTEM AGC-441

ONE DAY LATER

Jacobs just finished with having one whole day free from all duty. It felt wonderful. Of course, a Captain is always a Captain. It was a Sunday on the calendar so he started off by going to Octavian's Church service. It was great to go, Octavian was an excellent preacher and it was good to fellowship with the other believers on board the ship. Octavian finished up with a prayer for the hostages' safety and return.

Jacobs got a good workout in the pool, getting a chance to work out some kinks the last couple of weeks. The rest of his day was spent just getting a chance to rest in the quarters. Leonaidas was serious and nothing short of a Red Alert was going to bother the Captain. The day after was for shift #2 and Jacobs was determined to payback Leonaidas. He walked on the Bridge and Leonaidas got up from the Captain's chair and smiled. "Captain on the Bridge."

Jacobs grinned. "Thank you, it is just what was needed. Second shift to commence today?"

Leonaidas nodded. "It will start soon."

Jacobs sat down. "Status report."

Leonaidas nodded to Lt Maya, who had just come on duty at the science station. Maya pushed a button and the main screen switched to a tactical view of System AGC-441. Leonaidas walked to the screen and started pointing. "First, the crew has nicknamed this system 'Blackbeard's hideout.' It is a lot easier than system AGC-441. System is rather unremarkable. There are a few small rocky planets and a couple of gas giants located in these places. No habitable class-M worlds. There is a significant asteroid belt approximately here to here. Relative to Earth's system, it is about twice as large. If I were to make a secret base, that is where I'd want to place it. We've tracked six ships entering the system from various places. All focused in on this area right here. The idea we wanted to pass by you is to fit a probe for passive scans only, send it toward the area of interest. As it gets closer, hopefully it will pick up some kind of signature; electrical, heat, magnetic, or something. It will home in on that and relay the data back to us on a tight, subspace signal."

Jacobs looked at the screen. "Risks?"

"It could be detected, which would throw off surprise completely. Santini thinks that the risk is minimal. The probe was designed to be stealth, very low signature. We can also have it do an about face and come back to report."

Jacobs nodded. "I like that. That will probably give third shift a chance to rest as well. Our first very big action I want everybody sharp. Let's do that."

Leonaidas nodded at Ben Grimm. He launched the probe and announced "Probe away."

Maya added. "We just got the test telemetry signal. All is good."

Leonaidas turned to Jacobs. "And now we wait."

Jacobs grinned. "Yes, and you are due for your rest period. Enjoy the next 24 hours."

Leonaidas had been expecting that.

PIRATE BASE

COMMANDERS OFFICE

Jameson was practically carried in by his shoulders. The commander was sitting down and never got up to welcome him. He started warmly enough, "Ah Senator, please sit down."

Jameson walked into the dark office and sat down. He was still hurting in his crudely bandaged hand. The Office had one large window that overlooked the docking ring. He could see some ships docked, but did not know what type they were. Jameson looked at the commander. He had never seen a Norsican face-to-face before and it was difficult to read his expressions. He prided himself at being an expert on reading others, that is what helped him in his political career. Jameson figured that these Norsicans probably responded to Alpha-Dog type mentalities so he started off. "Commander, I protest the way I have been treated. I am a Federation Senator with rights and demand you treat me accordingly."

The commander waived his had gallantly. Immediately, a slave brought in a tray with fruit and drink on it. Another slave brought in a medical kit and started working on Jameson's hand. The commander explained, "My apologies. Sometimes my people get a little too carried away for their own good. You are indeed important to me, and will be treated nicely. I however need your cooperation. We are simple folk here, trying to earn a living out in space. The environment is harsh and causes people to act harshly."

Jameson thought the drink tasted great. Saurian Brandy? Maybe, but it had a kick. He finished his first and poured another. "What about my two fingers being cut off?"

The commander leaned back in his chair. "Truly a mistake, perhaps if you let the crew know who you are earlier, they would not have maimed you."

"I'm a Federation Senator!"

Ragnar looked at the petty man. It may be enjoyable playing this one against his people for some plunder. "Yes, you are, but not only that, you are Senator Jameson! One of the most powerful Senators in the Federation. Surely you can see that we would not have harmed you."

Jameson blinked. It was a little bit tough to concentrate. He should not have gotten buzzed off one drink. Maybe it is the stress as well. Either way, he had felt worse before, and poured himself a third. He can handle it. "Maybe so, but what do you want with me? Federation policy is not to negotiate with terrorists."

Ragnar answered, "And so it should be. We are not terrorists, but free marketers. We do not kill people unless we're attacked."

"What about the Starfleet crew that boarded my ship?"

"The were attacking us, we had to defend ourselves."

Jameson could feel his mind beginning to clay a little. That sounded reasonable except his nephew was one of them. "I understand the lieutenant is, ok?"

Ragnar thought quickly. Somebody of Jameson's ego would not care about a military peon like that lieutenant. That kid meant something to Jameson. The Norsican decided to push him and find out. "He is scheduled for termination in an hour."

Jameson jumped up, "You can't! He is my only nephew!

Ragnar thought that this was perfect. "I am sorry to hear that. You must understand the complexities of the Norsican system. While I am base commander, there is another that is separate from me in charge of security. What he did falls under security so they are going to interrogate him and after that I have no idea"

"Surely, I can do something to help keep him alive! Please let me know!"

Got him. Stress him out, starve him, and sleep deprive him, give him as much liquor as he wants, and all humans cave. "Actually, there is. Would you be able to do a message showing our humane treatment? It will help resolve this situation."

Jameson held up his bandaged hand. "I take it we wouldn't show the hand."

Ragnar smiled again, "Definitely not. That detail will come out later. If we showed them your hand, everyone would get the wrong impression. Let's work to make sure the truth gets out. Will you do that for us?"

Jameson thought for a minute. "After I see my new quarters."

Ragnar pointed at one of the other Norsicans. "Take him to better quarters."

And Jameson was ushered out nicely of the office. Ragnar's second stepped in from the shadows. "Positively disgusting."

Ragnar nodded. "Earthlings are so gullible. The Federation is weak."

"But the Federation is made up of many species. The Andorians are strong."

Ragnar looked at his second. "The Andorians are part of the Federation. They cannot do anything without Federation approval. We will ransom the Senator for more than we ever thought possible because they will not risk the Senator. Treat him very well."

"You are growing weak."

Ragnar turned and growled at his second. "This will be just long enough to get him to do the message. It's our proof of life. He will also cause a political rift with his very presence on screen. This confusion will be to our benefit. NOW GET GOING!"

SYSTEM BLACKBEARD'S HIDEOUT

USS WISCONSIN

THREE DAYS AFTER ARRIVING

Everyone was well rested. The time was also spent refining the sensor data on where the base was located. Since the ship was not traveling anywhere, easiest place was on the bridge to conduct a briefing. Jacobs stepped in front of the main screen. "Claw, are you receiving this?"

Agathon responded, "The Claw is receiving."

Jacobs started. "This is what we know. There is relatively a lot of activity here. Especially for an uninhabited system. We have pinpointed this asteroid here as their base." And he pointed at the screen and the image magnified.

Jacobs continued. "As you can see, there are several frigate-sized ships and one destroyer sized ship docked. We assume a hanger with more ships, possibly fighters, probably ships like the Claw since they are not observed in either the vicinity or docked. Just from what we observe, the Wisconsin is outmatched for firepower with the ships alone. The base is a big question mark. Not much is known. Looking at their power utilization, we are probably talking firepower and shielding comparable to a cruiser at least."

Jacobs stepped down from the screen to just in front of the helm/nav console. "This is the objectives as I see it. Working backwards, we need to rescue the hostages. To do that, we need to find them, and somehow get through their shielding. Lastly, we need to somehow level the playing field. We are outmatched and need to get the upper hand. Any questions or comments?"

Lt Grimm from weapons asked, "Were we able to get any intel from the Claw?"

Jacobs nodded, "Mr. Agathon, please answer that."

Agathon's voice came through the speaker. "Once we got confirmation of the base's location, the database yielded some helpful data. We have the orbital elements, standard approach vectors, even some data on the base itself. The hangar is largely for small-gage vessels. No data on the base defenses other than there is a shield system in place. The base is controlled from a control center. Beyond that, no more info."

Just then, Lt Jareau looked at her displays. "Incoming signal from the base, not addressed to us."

Jacobs said "Put it on screen." And turned around.

The screen changed to show a black silhouette against a computer room. A Norsican voice came over. "FEDERATION, WE HAVE MANY OF YOUR CITIZENS AS PRISONERS. WE DEMAND YOU STOP ANY RESCUE ATTEMPT. IN ORDER TO PROVE YOUR GOOD FAITH, WE DEMAND THAT YOU DELIVER 10,000 PHASER RIFLES WITH POWER PACK RECHARGERS TO SYSTEM AGC-187. WE WILL HAVE A CARGO VESSEL THERE TO RECEIVE THE SHIPMENT. THIS IS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE CONTACT. AS PROOF OF LIFE, WE OFFER THIS MESSAGE FROM SENATOR JAMESON."

Jameson's image showed up on the screen. He was sitting down in a blank room facing the screen. "I am Senator Jameson. My captors have treated me well and assure me that they will be benevolent so long as their demands are met. They also assure me that the other prisoners are treated well also. I implore the Senate and Federation council to meet their demands to keep further misunderstandings from happening. Thank you."

Jameson's image was replaced by the Norsican. "NO MISUNDERSTANDING. OUR DEMANDS MUST BE MET OR ONE OF THE HOSTAGES DIES. WE START WITH JAMESON."

The Bridge was silent for a short time. Octavian was standing near the turbolift again. "His problem is that he does not understand what evil is. You know they are going to kill him anyway."

Jacobs looked to Jareau. "Time to contact Starfleet and expect a return?"

Jareau checked her display. "Round trip time approximately 2 days."

Jacobs thought a minute. The bridge was so quiet that you could hear the proverbial pin drop. The only thing you could hear was the equipment fans, hums, chirps, etc that goes along with the bridge. Jacobs said quietly, "JJ send this to Starfleet command. We have identified the probable location of the Pirate base and are presently in the midst of formulating a plan for rescue. Our schedule was to formulate a plan in the next 24 hours then execute. There probably will be an abort point after plan execution. Please advise if you want us to standby, otherwise the Wisconsin will carry out its primary mission of rescuing the hostages. All data gathered by sensors will be appended at end of this transmission. Next contact will be after our plan is formulated."

Jacobs looked around. Nobody had any more questions. "Very well, come up with a plan, we'll go over it tomorrow."

BLACKBEARD'S HIDEOUT

JOSEPH KENN'S CELL

The door opened and the guard dumped Kenn back in the cell. Today was more showroom standing. At least that is what he thought of it. The way Norsican's show off their stock of slaves they have captured is first have them all stand in a line. Next when prospective buyers start selecting slaves, they have the slaves do different things to show off their stamina, strength or whatever. Looks like they use Klingon pain sticks to provide the motivation. The only reason Kenn recognized the pain stick is because Bauer made them very familiar with weapons from other civilizations. Strange finding Klingon pain sticks here.

Kenn fell on the floor. There was no mat, no bed, no bunk, no furniture at all. Only thing was a hole in the back to go to the bathroom in and a sink of sorts up front. Not even toilet paper. When it came time for a showing, the whole cell was hosed down and the water drained out the hole in back. All Kenn knew was that the pain was the most incredible he ever felt. He would rather be beaten by a half dozen men than be touched by that stick again.

The guard opened a small door at the bottom and some food slid in. Kenn hungrily ate the food, even though it tasted horrible. They should not be able to treat me like this Kenn thought. At least they have not sold any slaves yet. From what he overheard, this slave selling process is a month-long event. They are in the middle of the process. At least there is some time for a rescue to be performed. If they sell us hostages, we will be lost forever. Then something went click in Kenn's brain. He remembered Bauer and Teal'c giving a dreaded lecture between obstacle course runs. They were talking about that when they finished training, Badgers were going to be the most elite Starfleet unit in fifty years. Something to be proud of, blah blah blah, but also to be humble. If you are the elite of the elite, why be humble? Bauer specially made the point that their training was to serve where nobody else could serve, do what nobody else could do. They were going to be trained to be elite to save Federation citizens where nobody else could save them. Kenn found himself thinking, it would be great to see the Badgers now.

BLACKBEARD'S HIDEOUT

SENATOR JAMESON'S ROOM

Jameson sitting in a chair eating what appeared to be bread and butter. Not luxurious living, but better than that cell he had a while ago. A Norsican came in to escort the Senator for another visit to the Commander's Office. The guard was under strict orders to treat the Senator like he was a leader in the Norsican community. This fat, pudgy, weak man was to be treated with respect. Disgusting.

Jameson stepped into the Commander's Office. Ragnar waived him to a chair in front of the desk. "Are the quarters agreeable with you?"

Jameson nodded, "Much better, how about the others?"

Ragnar smiled. "All the same, we apologize for the harsh treatment. I talked with the security chief and your nephew is enjoying similar quarters that you have."

"Can I see him?"

Ragnar shook his head. "No, not yet. Would you like something to drink?"

Jameson relaxed. "Do you have any more of that drink that I had the other day? What was that?"

This was better than he hoped for. Ragnar grabbed a flask sitting on the shelf. "By all means, here is more. It's called Klingon Blood Wine."

"Blood wine?! That is disgusting." Jameson nearly choked on the drink.

"It is a Klingon euphemism. It is not really blood, just the juice from a fruit of theirs that looks like blood. You enjoyed it the first time."

True enough Jameson thought. He sipped the drink again; it did have a kick unlike any other drink he knew of. Right away, there was that buzz again. It did feel pretty good. He finished off the cup and Ragnar filled it up again.

Jameson started off again. "Now, can I see my nephew?"

Ragnar smiled inside. Give it a little bit more time and he will be drunk. Bloodwine had that effect on humans, virtually instantaneously intoxicating. Best thing he knew for negotiations. Better yet, negotiating with an arrogant fool. "The Head of Security said he can't allow it because of our regulations."

Jameson blinked. "Regulations? You guys have regulations?"

"We are an organization. We have rules and regulations just like you. Why do you think we are different from you?"

Jameson tried to think clearly. The Bloodwine did have a strong kick. Ragnar sounded reasonable. "I never thought of that. What regulations did he violate?"

"The head of security insists for acts of war against the Norsicans, he will remain under arrest." Ragnar started to explain.

"Acts of war? He was on my shuttle!"

Ragnar looked at him harshly. "Did you know that he had his phaser on kill? He had it on maximum. That is against interstellar law."

Jameson was catching most of the words. Sounds like Starfleet, warmongers. Go in guns a blazing. They also were not happy to just kill a person, but had to overkill them. He was just surprised it was his nephew that did it. No, something is not right here. Interstellar Law? Phasers set to Maximum? Jameson tried to think about the particular Interstellar law, but couldn't recall it. Jameson did not want to appear like he didn't know something, so he bluffed.

"My nephew would not violate interstellar law. There has got to be some other explanation. Could somebody has tampered with it? Switched the phaser?"

Ragnar was trying to keep to his original plan of stalling him. "I will check into that. We will start an investigation. In the meantime, we may ask you to do another message."

Jameson thought a minute. "What did you ask for on the last message?"

"Merely for them to send some negotiators to a neutral point and some humanitarian supplies. We are badly in need of that."

Jameson thought about his hand. "I suppose so. But you are pirates."

Ragnar answered back. "No, we are not. People accuse us of being pirates because they do not understand what we are doing. This area of space is unclaimed, and we are merely collecting taxes for safe passage. Since we cannot collect money, we collect goods. That is all."

Jameson was feeling that drink very much right now. It all sounded reasonable. Ragnar interrupted his thinking. "You look tired. We will take you back and let you rest."

Jameson stood and tottered a bit. The Norsican guard caught him. Jameson looked at Ragnar. "Thank you." The guard hauled him out the door.

A figure stepped from the shadows, listening the whole time. "He is a drunk idiot."

Ragnar turned, "Thank you for the Bloodwine. It really works on him. Does it work this good on all humans, Kruge?"

The Klingon shook his head. "No, it varies. Bloodwine is not made from a fruit."

Ragnar laughed. "I had to get him over his fear. He drank it. It makes him drunker than he realizes quicker than he thinks."

Kruge snorted in disgust. "Humans, we should've blown their world out of the sky a hundred years ago when we first learned of them. They've caught up, and now the blasted Organians interfere all the time."

Ragnar turned to him. "Which brings us too why you are here. Your supplies should help tremendously. I'm going to have those phaser coils installed on the docked ships immediately."

Kruge turned to leave. "We want total disruption from here clear to Starbase 5. That will pull Federation ships off the Neutral Zone. Already you have involved three Federation starships in your activities. The more activity you can create, the more they pull."

Ragnar countered. "Yes, and the greater the chance they will find us. We need more. Cloaking devices would be very helpful."

Kruge shook his head. "Out of the question. You would either need to know how to fix them or have a Klingon onboard to fix them. The Organians probably would interfere. I need to go. You have done well my friend; our next shipment will be soon."

Kruge pulled out his communicator and said, "Jol Ylchu!" and he was transported off the station. Ragnar would love to know where his ship was, but that cloaking device was too good.