Playing God

Posted on Sun Apr 7th, 2024 @ 1:30am by Administrator Kuzos & First Ikidik'tan

1,808 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Pilot
Location: Dominion Space
Timeline: 2439-03-08, 18:00

The Bridge of a Jem'Hadar ship was unlike any other starship command center. Built with combat in mind, there were no creature comforts at all on the Jem'Hadar ship's bridge. There were no chairs to sit in, no large viewscreen for displaying sensor data, instead there was a single bronze workstation in the center that rose from the floor to waist height. Other workstations lined the perimeter, their consoles floor mounted and pointed toward the command station.

First Ikidik'tan entered through one of the three doors that led to the rest of the ship. Noting that the Vorta was not on the Bridge, he walked toward the command station as Third Orimik'leto turned and handed the virtual sensor display over to him. The First held the device a moment, "Report."

"We are approaching the Founder's Homeworld," the Jem'Hadar Third informed. "I have notified the Vorta."

Ikidik'tan looked at the Founder's planet as it displayed on the headset he wore. A beautiful world, the surface shimmered in the light as the Changelings enjoyed the peace of their Great Link. The Vorta and he would be traveling to the surface soon enough though, breaking the sanctity of the Link.

A moment later Kuzos (the Vorta) came through the doors and onto the bridge. He looked at Ikidik'tan and Orimik'leto. "I trust all is in order and we are prepared to transport down to the surface and meet with the Founders." His voice cool as it took on a note of reverence when he mentioned the Founders.

"Soon," the Jem'Hadar answered as he monitored the sensor reports on his headset. Almost like clockwork it appeared before them: the Empresa Defense Group. Responsible for ensuring the protection of the Founders themselves, Empresa was guarded by a large contingent of Dominion vessels led by First Atele'agor and Administrator Lihith. They took their responsibilities extremely seriously and would destroy any that they perceived as a threat, even if they were a Dominion starship.

"We are being hailed," Second Ruka'voni informed.

The First nodded in approval of the message being shared. The Bridge speakers came alive with the commanding baritone of First Atele'agor as twin attack ships approached with the Battleship hanging behind them. "Dominion vessel ST-321 we have monitored your approach. Transmit your clearance codes to continue your approach."

Turning toward Second Ruka'voni, Ikidik'tan grunted his approval to transmit. Checking his own sensor readings on the oval shaped command console, the Jem'Hadar First noted that the Battleship's polaron beams were locked onto their ship and were ready to fire.

"Are you certain that they wanted to see us, Administrator?" It was a snarky question from a warrior.

Kuzos was unperturbed by the reception they had received, Iit was standard procedure He was however annoyed by being questioned by an underling. He turned to face the Jem'Harar. "Did my ears betray me? Are you questioning me or perhaps you think to question my orders which state to arrive here?" Kuzos continued on, "Or maybe you wish to question the Founders themselves? Please, First enlighten me, so I know just what sort of insolence I am dealing with and what punishment I should dole out." His voice still civil but with a glacial edge to it.

"I was merely pointing out that they are taking an atypical stance, Administrator," the First replied. "While the protection of this world is a priority, the defense group usually is not so blatant in their offensive stance."

Kuzos looked at the First for several seconds in silence before finally speaking, "Yes, of course you were. Think nothing of it." He replied while filing the incident away, to use if a situation arose to warrant it. He continued on, "These are changing times First. One must always be on guard. Take nothing for granted."

"Indeed," the Jem'Hadar grunted in response.

"ST-321 deactivation of the planetary defense shield will commence immediately. Follow your present course to parking location 47. Do not deviate or you will be fired upon. This is your only warning."

The First looked at Third Orimik'leto, "Follow their instructions."

"Yes, First," the Helmsman agreed as his ashen fingers maneuvered around the control interface.

Ikidik'tan looked to the Vorta, "We will be transporting down?"

Kuzos idly listened to the com chatter it was strictly business like with no wasted words on idle chit chat. His attention returned to the Jem'Hadar. "Yes. Once we are docked. The Founders asked us here for a purpose. It is our duty to find out what that purpose is and I, we can only do that by being to the surface."

"Understood " the Jem'Hadar answered as he tapped on the interface of his console. "We have arrived in position."

Kuzos nodded. "Excellent. Then let us not keep the Founders waiting and we can find out what the mission they for us is." As he finished, he turned to walk off the bridge, heading for the transporter room and a beam down to the surface.

Giving his closest approximation of a sigh, Ikidik'tan left the Bridge under the control of the Second and followed the Vorta.

The twin transporter beams quickly coalesced into the figures of Vorta and Jem'Hadar, depositing the duo on a rocky islamd surrounded by the shimmering, ocean-like Great Link inhabited by the Founders. Few ever saw the Founders like this, and fewer still Jem'Hadar. He wondered what fate would befall them as he stood before what were considered by the Dominion to be their Gods.

Kuzos gazed out at the shimmering ocean. "Beautiful. Simply beautiful." He gushed. "What an honor to be here before the Founders. you can feel their majesty, their wisdom. Don't you feel it First?" He asked his Jem'Hadar companion.

Ikidik'tan stood stoically, but could not deny to himself that he felt in awe of seeing the Founders before him. The leaders of the Dominion, it was a rare thing for a member of the Dominion to see a Founder, let alone stand on their world. He tightened his own crossed arms as he watched, hiding his thoughts, "I serve the Founders in all things."

As they stood, Ikidik'tan wondered if the Vorta would question him or his answer. While the Jem'Hadar were bred to be loyal to the Dominion, it was no secret that there was often challenge between the Jem'Hadar and the Vorta. There was much to their relationship and it was a great challenge at times for the two to work together to serve the Dominion. There were stories of a Jem'Hadar who had once executed a Vorta while on a mission, the First who committed the act having before mythical for his actions.

Near the rock outcropping where the duo were standing, the ocean began to shimmer even more than usual. Pulling together, part of the ocean coalesced into a single humanoid who walked toward the arrivals. The liquidity of the form began to become opaque as the replicated flesh became skin colored, a flowing dress forming on the features of the Female Changeling as she looked at the Dominion representatives.

"You are probably curious why I called you here," she said gruffly as she got to the point. "Eraun and his investigative team have failed to locate Attack Ship TK-421. It has been agreed that we will transfer responsibility for investigating its disappearance to you."

Kuzos bowed at the waist as the female founder spoke. " I do not question the Founders actions. It is an honor to serve. We will need TK-421's last location as well as its patrol route and destination. Was the 421 on a special assignment? Had its subspace messages indicated any trouble? Eraun found no sign of the ship? No debris field?" He posed to the Founder.

"The specific details that can be shared are being transferred to your vessel now," the Founder answered evenly. A gentle breeze pushed against the flowing gown that she wore, the sunlight shimmering off of the flowing material and glittering in the sunlight. "Much of 421's mission is, however, classified due to its responsibilities. What I can tell is that Eraun caused more harm to our mission that good by his actions. During their investigation Eraun's group approached the anomaly and the Federation outpost located there. This has garnered unwanted attention."

"Of course, Founder." Kuzos replied smoothly to both the data being downloaded as well as the announcement of unwanted attention. "Forgive me Founder but exactly do you want us to do other than find Eraun or at least what happened to him and his ship and of course avoid attention while we do so."

The Founder looked at the Vorta, "Eraun was in charge of finding the Attack Ship, he is being dealt with for his error in garnering the Federation's attention. We do not believe they know of our missing vessel, but there are concerns that they will come try to find out why Eraun's fleet violated DS47's airspace."

Kuzos raised his head and looked at the Founder, "Of course they will Founder, they will ask questions and more questions and want to begin an investigation. They can be most persistent and annoying, Founder."

"Indeed," Ikidik'tan added. "If the Federation were to attempt to intervene, what are our orders?"

The leader of the Founders looked at the Jem'Hadar, "I have no desire to resume a conflict with the Alpha Quadrant at this time; nonetheless, we must recover the Attack Ship no matter the consequences."

Kuzos nodded, "Of course Founder. However, to be clear, Is engagement with a Federation permitted to recover the Attack Ship if it is even found. I ask because the Federation may have some misguided idea that if they find it is theirs to examine and study."

"That attack ship is to be returned to us!" The Founder left no question in her words, "and it is to be found. Do I make myself clear?"

Kuzos bowed deeply. "Absolutely Founder. You are perfectly clear on this matter. This humble servant begs forgiveness for asking questions."

"Forgiveness is unnecessary," she turned her back and as she walked toward the Link, "so long as you find my ship!"

"Understood Founder." Kuzos replied properly chastised.

Ikidik'tan held steady behind the Administrator, watching as the Founder disintegrated into the expansive ocean of Founders. "What are your orders?" The Jem'hadar questioned, wanting to be prepared for what was to come of them.

Kuzos turned to Ikidik'tan. "Once back onboard, we will begin our search for the Attack Ship and leave no stone unturned," He answered firmly. "Failure is not an option."

The Jem'Hadar shared in that assertation. "Understood," was all he said as he maintained his stoic manner.

As Kuzos waited to be transported back to the ship, one thought kept running through his mind. His life had suddenly become much more difficult. he would definitely need to watch his step.

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