The Reckoning
Posted on Tue Nov 26th, 2024 @ 2:15am by Lieutenant (J.G.) Rrawran & Lieutenant (J.G.) Anzai Sulu & Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Lieutenant Commander Jeanette Brooks MD & Lieutenant Commander Ash Randall & Lieutenant Chase Moore & Lieutenant Stacey Moore & Lieutenant Alexia Toryn & Commander Zhora zh'Roothi & Administrator Kuzos
7,867 words; about a 39 minute read
Mission:
Pilot
Location: DST-321 / Revenant / U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-03-09, 07:30
Captain's Log, Supplemental Entry:
The Administrator of the Dominion vessel and I have agreed to temporarily join forces to try to rescue the crew of the derelict Dominion craft and our away team.
[U.S.S. Enterprise]
"Captain on the Bridge," Crewman Viktoriya Nikolayenko announced from the Communications console on the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise.
Captain Wilkan Targaryen crossed the Bridge of the Enterprise quickly, answering the announcement as he walked. "As you were," he replied as he came near to his chair. Ever since they had spotted the creature chasing the Runabout Sol the Captain had been reviewing details in his Ready Room, taking advantage of the 15 minutes of peace that he and the Vorta had agreed to. Lieutenant Ghul and Crewman Drixx had shared everything that they'd known, but it still wasn't enough. That wasn't their fault though, it was no one's fault.
"We're holding position, Captain, and awaiting further orders," Lieutenant Avir Yavan informed as she rose to relinquish the center seat to the Enterprise's Captain. "The Dominion ship has been behaving themselves," she continued, "and we haven't seen the creature again."
"Thank Heaven for small favors," the Captain answered as he took his seat. "Doctor, I want you to prepare to treat the patients when we recover them. I firmly intend for any survivors to come to this ship first, no matter what the Administrator says."
"Yes, Captain, I'll make sure that Sickbay is prepared to receive any survivors." Jeanette replied before turning and heading for the turbo lift.
Wilkan looked at the Helm, "Lieutenant, I want you to begin plotting a course for the Enterprise to descend into the atmosphere following the runabout's course and trajectory information."
"Open the channel to the Dominion vessel," Captain Targaryen ordered.
Crewman Nikolayenko obliged, "Channel open."
Kuzos stood in the middle of his bridge and looked up as the viewscreen came to life. "Fifteen minutes Captain. I do like the fact you are punctual."
"Nice to see you again, Administrator. What's the status of your vessel?" Enterprise's Captain asked in a direct fashion, far more direct than their prior conversation.
"We are undamaged Captain and what of your ships status?" Kuzos asked.
The Enterprise's Captain nodded to the on-duty Engineer to give permission to answer. Lieutenant Barbax was quick to oblige. "All systems are online and operational," the Denobulan answered. "We're ready to proceed with a rescue mission."
Captain Targaryen looked to the Vorta, "We're proposing that the Enterprise descend into the atmosphere to attempt to intercept and rescue the damaged craft while you engage the creature."
"And just how did you arrive at this proposal captain? I don't remember us having a discussion on it." Kuzos replied with insufferable smile. "In fact, if memory serves, you are the interlopers here. We are after our craft and its crew."
"Administrator, I have an away team on your damaged craft, and they have directly requested our assistance in recovery. If you want to switch things up and you go in to rescue that's fine with me; however, time is of the essence. Your craft has been severely damaged by this creature and they don't have long left." Wilkan got right to the point.
"And I have Jem 'Hadar crew on a Dominion craft. What is your point, Captain? I wish recover of our craft and our personnel and yours." He added after a beat. That said I am not inclined to for you to have a look at the craft." Kuzos replied stubbornly.
Wilkan wondered if they were entering into a stalemate, a back and forth that may result in the loss of the damaged craft at the hands of the creature. Time was of the essence, so he would relent to the Administrator, "With respect, it was your crew on the damaged craft who asked for our intervention, Administrator, but, as I said, I'm fine with your vessel going for them. We just need to hurry or there may not be anyone left to rescue aboard that ship."
The Captain picked up a datapad lying on the edge of the Tactical console, "Enterprise's sensors are having difficulty penetrating the atmosphere of this planet, but the runabout we sent down was able to take closer scans, albeit limited because of the nature of the atmosphere. This creature's huge - about the size of the Enterprise - and it has an atypical molecular construction. What I'm proposing is that, if you're agreeable, your ship will now descend toward the damaged vessel using a course that my Helmsman will send you. The Enterprise will begin firing on the creature in an effort to draw its attention away from you. If you're willing, I'd like to get this in motion."
Kuzos was silent for a moment, two before he offered another brilliant smile. "Certainly Captain. I am agreeable to that. Mutual cooperation is a lovely thing. Don't you agree?" He turned to his bridge crew. "Prepare to descend into the atmosphere to retrieve our people and ship." He ordered. he turned back to face Targaryen, we await the course from your helmsman Captain."
"Send your flight plan to the Jem'Hadar vessel," Wilkan ordered.
Captain Targaryen turned back toward his Captain's Chair and sat down, "When will you be ready?"
Kuzos smiled, "Once we have the flight plan, we will begin our descent within minutes captain. I do hope that is satisfactory for you." He smirked.
"Anything that leads to the survival of our mutual teams, Administrator, is satisfactory," Captain Targaryen answered. "I recommend an active comlink between us while you descend. That way the Enterprise will be aware and able to assist should there be a problem."
"Of course, captain. We are working together after all." Kuzos smirked. "We have established an active comlink. So, you will know what is happening just soon as we will."
Wilkan opened the tactical display on his chair's armrest, watching the sensor feeds as they provided details from the Jem'Hadar vessel. Confirming that there was a comlink, he looked back at the Vorta on the viewer, "The Enterprise will maintain the comlink as long as we can, Administrator. Mister Rrawran, bring us to Red Alert and prepare weapons for use. Begin monitoring for the creature and prepare to fire on my command."
The Rorworr Tactical Officer nodded. His furred fingers raced over the display, adjusting the weapons and defenses as the red alert lights came online. Alarms blared as the entire room was bathed in crimson light.
"Administrator," the alien's mechanized voice came from the universal translator built into his communicator. "Please transmit your location through the comlink. That way we will be able to target your opponent."
"Understood Enterprise. We are transmitting our location now. We are beginning descent now." Kuzos replied as the Jem' Hadar ship slowly plunged through the atmosphere toward its damaged fellow ship.
"Lieutenant Moore, descent course behind the Jem'Hadar vessel. One quarter impulse," Wilkan directed.
[Derelict Dominion Vessel]
In his long lifetime Dutan'laz had seen many amazing things and known adventures few others could imagine. The Jem'Hadar had seen places that most people would never have seen, traveling beyond the frontiers of the Dominion and back more than any could comprehend. He'd stood on the deck of an attack cruiser with sweat in his eyes while the fires of Hell rose around him. He'd felt the wind as he piloted vehicles across worlds and seen attack fleets burn like a match and disappear. Hundreds of moments and none of them compared to this one.
Standing at the central command console of the Jem'Hadar Attack Fighter, the soldier lifted the sensor headset and slid it atop his head. The sensor scopes immediately responded, showing an image from the forward sensors of the massive crystalline structure that the ship was currently stuck upon. Interference flashed across the screen, obscuring the image that was shared at the most inopportune times. It was an intense sight, but it was not for all to see. Only two headsets were on the Bridge of the vessel and he was designated to possess one, but there was another. Turning toward the Andorian Commander from the Starship Enterprise, the Jem'Hadar handed the sensor over.
"You'll need this."
The Andorian Zhen hesitated to accept the offered headset as she tried to read his voice and body language. Slowly zh'Roothi curled her fingers around the device before placing it over her vision and held her breath. The device flickered into life displaying the forward view and their current predicament. The interaction with the enormous creature had resulted in the Dominion vessel becoming entangled deeply in the crystal structure like tentacles gripping it's prey prior to the fatal crushing squeeze. Their previous hopes of extracting themselves from the Brown Dwarf under their own somewhat limited power was now in jeopardy.
"I see," the Commander released her breath in a sigh. "That makes things a little more complicated."
"Have we had any luck contacting your starship?" The Jem'Hadar asked hopefully.
"No," she shook her head. "Unfortunately not yet. The crystals give off strange energy signals that deflect our attempts, then there's the gas layers to combat. The others referred to it as Oatmeal due its dense qualities. Again this blocks any signals from penetrating the atmosphere." zh'Roothi continued. "By now the runabout would have rendezvoused with Enterprise and they'll be planning some daring adventure to rescue us."
"We could modulate one of the crystalline structures, with the main deflector, use it like a giant tuning fork once we find its resonant frequency." Ash observed, with a look to zh'Roothi and the Jem'Hadar Elder. "Might kill two birds with one stone. Keep the creature away and generate a signal powerful enough to cut through the noise. Send an SOS and, if we can maintain it long enough, allow our position to be pin pointed...if that's what we're after." She suggested.
The Jem'Hadar Elder looked toward the Engineer, "Similar to the suggestion of your Science Officer?"
On that note, Lex emerged. Entering the bridge. "The modifications are complete, and it was interesting working on this ship. Though I recommend not pushing the deflector. Though I have to admire this ship. For a vessel of ruthless subjectating warmongers, it's not badly designed. Almost up to the Standards of a Federation starship."
The Karemma Engineer protested, "You wish your ships were up to the standards of ours."
Commander zh'Roothi also found the woman's response to be contradictory. Mutely she folded the sensor scope and watched the others interact with a level of passive aggression.
"How soon can we implement this plan?" The Elder asked from the command station, standing next to the Enterprise's Andorian XO. "I don't think that we have long left if that creature has any say in it." Although it was odd that the creature hadn't come for them again. Perhaps the Enterprise's shuttle had distracted it?
The Karemma started to talk. "First, it will take appro..."
Lex interrupted the Karemma. "Two hours. " She noted. It was Lex's experience with engineering projects, the ones Starship Captains wanted done, ASAP. One of Montgomery Scott's books noted to always overestimate the time one needed for modification. Given the First's disposition, he would say one hour, which was plenty of time needed to complete these modifications.
It wasn't the Jem'Hadar or any member of the Dominion crew that interjected, rather the creature itself. The Jem'Hadar Scout shook violently, a shudder tearing through the deck plating as a massive screeching noise filled the entirety of the small vessel. As the cacophony of noise subsided, the Dosi returned to the control room.
"Mommy's very angry," the alien joked.
The Elder looked at the Starfleet Officers and the Karemma, "You may not have those two hours."
zh'Roothi winced at the screeching sound of the metal complaining under the weight of the latest assault. "Randall," she looked toward the Engineer are we ready to ignite the metreon cloud?"
"Ready." The Engineer replied, with a glance to her engineering counterpart. "We're up. You release...I'll guide." She confirmed, quietly.
"You confident we're clear of the fall out?"
"I'll get the plasma where it needs to go before it ignites anything. No problem." Ash responded, like this was something she had done on more than one occasion.
"Can we increase our structural integrity?" Zh'Roothi asked the Dominion personnel. Considering the limited resources she wasn't expecting much of response.
Sadiki, the Dosi Security Specialist, stood at the defense station. He answered haughtily, "What structural integrity? This ship is held together by spit and gum at this point."
Wothyx, the Karemma Engineer, looked grimly back at the Enterprise's XO, "I hate to concur with my counterpart, but he's not wrong."
If the situation hadn't been so time sensitive zh'Roothi would have questioned where the Dominion crew members had heard the term but instead turned to her science officer: "Toryn. In case this doesn't have much of a result you're up - whatever you have will have to do until the Enterprise can aid us."
Lex began having a conversation with the Maremma about how they were going to save their own asses.
Ash nodded to the Karemma engineer. "Release." She told him and then used the tractor beam in a very weird, and wonderful, way to encapsulate and funnel the vented plasma away from the scout ship, directing the plasma into what her sense of things told her was open space far enough from the ship to not cause damage. "Two seconds to boom." The Tuansee announced and ejected, or more accurately, injected the plasma into the atmosphere to do its thing.
Her timing was accurate.
The pulse of plasma guided by the tractor beam reacted with the metreon in violent manner evoking bright flare of explosive energy and concussive wave that shimmered the atmosphere around them like a rippling puddle.
The small craft trembled as the wave broke over them, however paired with the distance between themselves and the epicentre plus being entombed by the crystal they remained securely pinned.
The Rakhari Sensor Specialist pecked at the controls of his oval shaped computer console frantically. He sighed, "That's certainly gotten attention, but it's scrambling any last traces of sensors we had. Whatever's going on out there we can't see it anymore."
"We could barely see before," Elder Dutan'laz interjected as he watched one of the few displays from the external sensors. The Jem'Hadar had flashes of the bright lights of the fires of Armageddon that raged outside of their small scoutship. It was near blinding, yet the Jem'Hadar did not turn away. Instead, he typed on the controls of his own command station.
Still wearing the headset zh'Roothi reengaged the viewer by moving it across her vision to take stock of the reaction the explosion had on their situation.
As he worked to enter the final sequence, he saw it appear before them. The massive creature appeared to swim through the clouds around them and to the fires that raged. It slammed against them, recoiling and shimmering with a mysterious, almost liquid like glow. He recoiled in horror, about to scream to stop when he was interrupted by a sight he did not expect.
"WE MUST STOP!" The Founder screamed while entering the Command Center. His body was shimmering like liquid metal, a serene golden gelatin that gave the occasional burst of flesh as the Founder struggled to maintain his appearance. He held onto the side railing of the command console, looking directly at Dutan'laz with a fiery countenance.
"You're killing it," Odo cried as he collapsed.
The Enterprise XO spun at the sudden arrival of the Founder and her fingers trailed the handle of her phaser at his alarming call. However, it was apparent he was in no condition to be threat to the away team. His, allegation coupled with the sight she'd witnessed from outside the vessel was equally as chilling.
"And they are killing us," Les noted, "including you very soon if we do not do anything."
The Founder struggled to speak as he felt intense pain from the creature, "It's death will be the death of millions." He collapsed back into his liquid state.
It dawned on zh'Roothi the gravity of the connection as too had it to the engineer to spoke first.
Ash eyed the, fallen, Founder for a few seconds and looked to the Elder Jem'hadar. "I can't believe I'm saying this but we need to try and dissipate the maelstrom, I just touched off, if we are to save the creature, the Founder in residence and, it appears, the Great Link." The engineer stated and, looked to Lex. "IF we shut off every system aboard, including life support, we MIGHT have enough juice to pump into the main deflector to MAYBE project the weakest of navigation shield envelopes, far enough and wide enough, to disrupt that conflagration. We'd get one shot and then a clock ticks down to our, eventual, suffocation if we don't bake, boil or freeze first." Ash proposed and looked to zh'Roothi and back to the Elder. "Unless someone else has a better idea?" She asked, hoping someone did and that it didn't involve everyone suffocating or worse while they waited for rescue.
The Commander chewed her lip wishing bitterly she'd not been so eager to abandon their fully fictional runabout during the initial assault. She wasn't prepared to commit everyone here to death without exploring all options as limited as they were on a slim chance of success. To do nothing however would have far greater repercussions for millions should another war erupt based on their actions.
The forward sensors continued to show her the creature wreathe in silent agony shimmering with a glossy sheen in the firelight. zh'Roothi averted her gaze and returned to the gathered crew feeling nauseous as time seemed to stretch and slow.
Lex spoke, "Karemma, get over here, I have an idea. What we're seeing is a metreon cascade reaction. Which puts the boom into the gas. If we can defuse the plasma that is causing the cascade by deionizing the gas, we could interrupt the reaction at the source, but by doing this, we are going to lose whatever we have left except the emergency batteries, and then it will be thirty seconds until the hull gives out and we're crushed by the pressure.
"And we all die," Sadiki grunted from the weapons workstation. "We have no means of escape."
Wothyx added, "I know we came on this voyage to find this thing, but it's trying to kill us! Better it than us."
The Jem'Hadar looked at the Founder as it shimmered in pain on the flooring. "We must protect the Founder," the Elder informed. "Or we WILL all die," he looked at Sadiki as he said the last. "Thirty seconds could lead to our being rescued if their starship is as good as they all think it is," Dutan'laz said as he looked at the Commander. "The question becomes: are they as good as you all think they are?"
Ash grinned at the, Elder, Jem'Hadar and nodded a couple times. "Once we implement we'll have about 30 seconds to contemplate that question." Ash observed, undaunted, apparently, by their current situation. "I think we'll have about 40 seconds for our saviors to come to the rescue and pluck our, collective, posterior aspects out of the fire." She added, and looked to zh'Roothi for a second or two and back to the elder. "Times wasting..." The small, engineer stated and tapped the old fashioned chronometer she wore on her right wrist.
Biting back her sign zh'Roothi felt her antennae droop in resignation. Her assignment to the legionary Enterprise had sent ripples of pride among her family and through her own body, yet it appeared it would be the shortest assignment of her life.
And her final one.
Thirty or maybe forty seconds to be rescued would be simple enough for Starfleet with clear communications, however in this quagmire of interface, trapped on a dead vessel in hostile territory the chances were slim to none. Certainly not the death she'd imagined for herself. Yet, considering the consequences of their actions it was the correct route to take especially if it could stem the prospect of another bloody war with the Dominion.
The Commander lifted her gaze and chin in resilience to face death like a frightened child and locked eyes with Dutan'laz . "We've caused this to happen, our actions have greater consequences than our collective lives. Randell, Karemma use everything we have to extinguish that fire." She glanced to the away party feeling heavy with burden and she gave her final order. "Including life support."
Lex moved beside the Commander. She refused to die besides a Dominion crew. "If I had a choice, I would rather fall driving a spear into the heart of your Dominion, but I am a Starfleet officer. I know my Duty." Lex noted.
zh'Roothi failed to hide her retort at the outspoken comment. "If you'd rather throw yourself out of the air lock instead, be my guest," the Andorian said lowly folding her arms across her narrow chest.
Ash looked to Karemma. "I'm a Starfleet Officer. My personal sentiments are irrelevant. So, lets divert all, remaining, power to the main deflector and implement on my mark." She replied, to the Engineer, as she made the required deflector mods form her own interface while Karemma transferred power and then counted down. "Three...two...one. Initiating."
"May the Founders forgive us," the Elder apologized.
[DST-321]
Fifth Gage'lez monitored the sensors of Dominion Strike Transport 321 carefully as the small craft descended through the atmosphere of the gas giant, if you could call this monstrosity that they were using sensors anyway. Flying based upon echo location, the Jem'Hadar could barely make heads or tails out of anything that was coming up on their monitors. What he could tell was simple: whatever this planet was it was essentially trying to kill them. That was a nice way of putting things. If he wasn't careful it was entirely likely that it would.
Adjusting the sensitivity of the scanners, the Jem'Hadar looked up, "If we can trust the Federation's records we're almost to the downed vessel. I'm not detecting this creature of theirs either."
"Perhaps they made it up," Second Ruka'voni commented in an uncharacteristic, almost jovial tone for a Jem'hadar.
First Ikidik'tan looked at the Second, "Do not underestimate the Federation, Second. They are a worthy adversary, and far more dangerous that you seem to give them credit."
"We are stronger, more capable," Ruka'voni challenged.
"And should not hunger to plunge the Dominion into another war. We almost lost the last one, as well as the Founders themselves," the Jem'hadar charged. "Perhaps we should..."
Third Orimik'leto spoke with alarm as warnings raged from his workstation, "Shockwave inbound!"
He barely had time to get it out before the Dominion strike ship was stuck by the shockwave. A near perfect wall of flame, the entire ship rocked from the hit that it had taken. Alarms blared, consoles winked on and off, and sparks flew throughout the small control room. Many of the people on the Flight Deck lost their balance, Ikidik'tan not having been one of them.
"Report!"
"Blast detected near the downed vessel," Gage'lez explained. "It's a metreon gas explosion."
"A metreon explosion? What would have caused such an explosion? What about our downed craft itself? Is it still intact? Are you detecting any life signs? Answers if you please."
Fifth Gage'lez answered before the others, "I am attempting to scan for them, Administrator, but sensor function is significantly impacted by this atmosphere."
Second Ruka'voni answered the first part of the question, "Metreon reacts with dark matter and some temporal fields, but the most likely culprit is that it's easily ignited via weapons fire."
"Interesting. You did say weapons fire did you not Second? So that would mean that there are survivors aboard out ship. Could the explosion be a signal of some sort?" Kuzos asked his gaze going to each of the bridge crew.
"There are many explanations, but weapons fire is the most logical source."
The Third interrupted, "But the destruction of the Metreon Gas opens additional challenges. The fires that still rage, for example, are enough to destroy our vessel. We cannot raise defenses."
"Challenges we will overcome." Kuzos replied firmly. "We are too close to our goal to be stopped. I will listen to and entertain options to recovering our ship and the crews of both ships."
As they descended lower and lower toward the downed scoutship the Jem'Hadar shared their proposals for exactly how they could still penetrate the seeming wall of fire that had been created. Some of the proposals were rather simple, albeit limited due to the technologies being limited by the interference. Others were needlessly complex, challenging even if the ship's systems were at their full potential. It ultimately came down to two options for the scout including transferring all available power to the engines and trying to go through the fire cloud or the other involving trying to dissipate it using the deflector.
Kuzos listened to both proposals and silently mulled their respective pros and cons. After a few seconds he looked to the bridge crew. "We will try to dissipate the cloud using our deflector." He said crisply.
Then opened the channel to the Enterprise. "Enterprise, we are going to try using our deflector to dissipate the metreon cloud and reach our downed craft as well as both crews."
"Use extreme caution. We're running low on time."
"We will endeavor to be both swift and careful Enterprise." Kuzos replied. As his ship prepared its rescue attempt.
Monitoring the console, First Ikidik'tan looked at the Vorta then to the rest of the command crew. "Implement the deflector pulse."
"I am working to do just that," Ruka'voni announced from the Tactical workstation as his ash-colored fingers adjusted system settings on the ovoid console. Manipulating the deflector output, the Second engaged the pulse.
Ikidik'tan watched as the energy pulse emitted, the incredible purplish-blue energy beam erupting into the static filled fire on his monitor visor. What happened next he did not anticipate as the pulse was met by another, seemingly breaking through the metreon cascade.
"We've broken through!" Orimik'leto explaimed.
Kuzos nodded in satisfaction. "Excellent, proceed to our sister ship as prudently as possible." He replied.
[Derelict Dominion Vessel]
In his long and storied career in service of the Dominion, Dutan'laz had served many functions on behalf of the Founders. He had been a soldier, he had been a leader, he had been a teacher, and now he was an Elder. He never knew or understood what that truly had meant though as a young warrior. Few Jem'Hadar ever rose to the rank of Elder, having been killed in battle, and the reality was it was not a role he had ever aspired to reach.
Yet here he was and in service to the Founders still to this day. He did not understand why he had been selected for this mission though, yet Odo chose him. Perhaps it was for this moment, to have the resolve to continue to lead when there was so little time left. When death and destruction reigned around him. Still, he was calm with it all. If death came to him today, he would embrace it, but no harm would come to the Founder.
Either of them.
"We're losing containment," Dolnis reported as the control console erupted into sparks. "We don't have much longer."
Sadiki was next, "Our defenses have failed."
"This is unexpected," Wothyx interrupted, "Our pulse has been intercepted by another! Someone's out there!"
Commander zh'Roothi activated her headset again at the sudden announcement of another vessel approaching - her heart fluttered with hope as the derelict spluttered around them. The forward sensors were failing fast, the blurry image dimmed into blackness before the Commander could formally identify the ship. "It's..." she frowned before a sliver of ice chilled her blue blood with realism. "A Dominion ship."
"Have faith, Commander." Ash advised, with a little bit of a smile.
So the Andorian wanted to throw her out the airlock. 'Collaborator.' Lex thought of her. But she was not concerned about this ship. 'Do not get too close to this crew Commander, we may be killing them in five years.'
"We're receiving a hail," the Dosi interjected, "I can only get you audio for a couple of seconds. Better make it count." The alien soldier turned on the speakers.
The message was brief as Kuzos voice can be heard through the static "B....e ready...elp is co...ing."
Sadiki added, "That's it. We've lost communications."
Throughout the Jem'Hadar scout the sounds of their actions reverberated as a warning that their time had nearly come. The deck of the ship started to shake and the echoing cries of the hull reverberated through the air as it began to lose containment. Control interfaces and consoles began to wink out as power was lost. The Jem'Hadar vessel had begun its final journey.
"You all need to get to the airlock for rescue," Dutan'laz spoke amidst the grumbles of the ship. "I'll stay here as long as I can to try to keep the ship together. Go. Now!"
"Thank you," zh'Roothi clasped one of Dutan'laz heavy shoulders in a respectful manner and wished there was time to say more.
The Jem'Hadar nodded in response, as he handed over the vessel containing the Founder.
A moment of neutral gratitude passed between the two senior officers and the Andorain XO accepted the precious cargo before she turned away.
"Let's go!" she instructed loudly to the gathered crewmen. "Double time!"
"Bugging out...Double time." Ash responded while she stowed her tri-corder and then paused next to Dutan'laz long enough to stick a metallic disc to right his shoulder. "Pattern enhancer...Worth a try." She stated, quietly, and then trotted off with the others to the airlock.
"Don't bother Lieutenant. They'll just clone another of him. He is a jingoistic monster." Lex noted as she boarded the shuttle.
Before she was out of earshot, Dutan'laz called out, "Perhaps they will, but it will not be me, there will never be another me." He started typing on the ovoid control console, trying to maintain the hull integrity for the precious final seconds.
Ahead the Commander bit her tongue. Should they somehow survive this chaos she intended to bring Toryn's attitude to Targaryen and put the women on report.
[DST-321]
Fourth Zaded'arid stood at the airlock of Dominion Strike Transport 321 watching as the survivors of the Dominion Scout were brought aboard. The Jem'Hadar soldier knew that the vessel did not have long, having had served on such a vessel previously. His estimate as an engineer was that they had no more than 15 seconds left until structural integrity was compromised and the scout would be destroyed. If the Strike vessel were still attached when that happened, it was possible they would also lose structural containment.
Holding his hand close to the pistol he wore at his hip, the alien engineer carefully monitored those coming aboard and prepared himself should he need to defend his vessel. As the Starfleet personnel started coming aboard he kept his hand ever closer.
"Is there anyone else still aboard the craft?"
"Dutan'laz has elected to stay behind to give the rest of us time to get out. I tagged him with a pattern enhancer but I have doubts whether a transporter will be able to lock on, even then." Ash replied, quietly.
"We make an attempt to retrieve him." Came the curt reply which was followed by "Activate transporter now!"
Lex stared at them. "If you value one Jem'hadar so much, fire probes in three seperate directions. You should be able to triangulate the enhancer, and get a lock. Use a triangulating signal." She despised the Dominion, but she might as well help out. "Use a high-band transmission. The Dwarf radiation will fragment anything lower."
There was silence for a heartbeat than a gruff voice roared out. "Do as she says now! We leave no one behind."
Having ensured all persons including the Dominion survivors zh'Roothi mutely observed the proximity of the Fourth's hand to his weapon as he hurried them aboard with concern, and was taken back by the suggestion of the agreement to retrieve Dutan'laz.
On the Command Deck the Jem'Hadar crew tried to do as instructed, but there was one thing that none of them anticipated and seemed to have forgotten about. With only seconds left before the scout's hull collapsed from the distress, Dutan'laz having done better at keeping the vessel together than they'd expected, the Dominion Strike ship shook from a collision with the massive creature, knocking the two ships apart with its powerful impact.
First Ikidik'tan called out over the comm, "The creature has returned, Administrator, we've taken significant kinetic damage."
"Returning fire," Second Ruka'voni announced as polaron beams lanced out from the front of the Dominion starship toward the creature.
"I would cease fire and run like hell. The creature is tied, in some way, to the Founders...all of them. If you manage to kill the creature you may well kill all the Founders in the process." Ash informed the Jem'Hadar, a note of some urgency in her voice. "Run away." She repeated.
"Your own Founder told us not to fire on the creatures, and here you are firing on the creatures, Vorta." Lex noted to the Vorta with her arms folded.
Ruka'voni's voice came over the comline, "I do not take orders from the Federation."
The sound of the Jem'Hadar working the control console could be heard over the communicator, the repeated beeping and alarms as the vessel's polaron beams fired upon the alien creature.
"Administrator," zh'Roothi turned to the Vorta still clutching the vessel Dutan'laz had entrusted her. "Cease fire immediately - this is an act of friendly fire against the Founders. We don't understand how or why but there's a connection between the creature and the Founds, perhaps the Great Link too." As if to prove a point the liquid state of the Founder, Odo in the container withered as if distress. "We should leave the atmosphere and regroup with your vessels before this shuttle too becomes another casualty."
"Stop firing. We cannot risk the lives of the Founders. Withdraw from the area as quickly and safely as we can." Kuzos ordered.
"We are discontinuing our assault, Administrator, but the creature is continuing to follow," Ikidik'tan's voice came over the communicator. Seconds later the entire ship rocked with another impact from the Progenitor, consoles exploded into sparks and the lights flickering.
Shielding her precious cargo zh'Roothi grunted as her slender frame collided with the disgruntled Zaded'arid still with his fingers uncomfortably close to his weapon as the vessel took impact. "Full power," she called after struggle to free herself from the tangle of limbs. "We have the mobility, out maneuver it."
"Continue our ascent away from the creature." Kuzos ordered as the Dominion ship continued its painstakingly slow climb.
Chase stood at the ready, waiting for any word that they would return to engaging the creature. He wasn’t going to fail this crew.
Lex closed her eyes for a moment. "I'm sensing feelings of fear, pain, and rage towards a perceived enemy." She shook her head. "It perceives this ship as it's enemy, and I suggest both us and the Enterprise leave this system, as there's more of them than there are of.... Ugh!!" Lex grabbed her head, "It's become aware of me."
"Lieutenant!" zh'Roothi called in alarm as the science officer doubled over. The Commander shelved her opinions for the woman for now at her apparent distress and swooped to help. "Here," she trusted Odo's vessel into Kuzos' arms forcefully before hurrying to the woman's side.
Kuzos stood there holding Odo's bucket as one of the Federation officers screamed in pain.
"Lexi," she said softly taking her by the shoulders. "What's happening, can you explain it?"
Lex's eyes opened widely and stood up, regarding everyone in the room. "You came into our place to destroy us.. Why? We do nothing to anyone. We simply wish to be. You are lunatics, first you set our atmosphere ablaze, then you smolder the fire. You make hideous sounds, then you stop it, and now you try to run away, to find more of you. Mad, blundering, fools. Is violence the only language you speak?" It didn't sound like Lex's voice. "At least the Odo has shame."
Rising to face the entity that had controlled Toryn's body zh'Roothi willed herself to remain calm and collected, this maybe the only opportunity they had to communicate with the being before it landed the fleeing shuttle with a devastating blow.
"No," she said softly. "We came to explore and learn. It was not our intention to cause harm, however our presence must have triggered a defensive response from yourselves. Our vessels came under attack, we only stood to defend ourselves and wish to leave peacefully with your consent. We understand now our actions have caused pain and are ashamed and regretful."
"The Odo, mentioned you'd wish to communicate, it taxed him." Lex noted. "So, we found one we could communicate." She mentioned. "Your ships bring pain by their very presence, pain to our egg crystals. Your Dominion, Your Starfleet. You meddle and fight." Lex spoke in the odd voice. "We did what we had to do. But you know those words well, because your kind does what it has to do. Still the Odo asked us to talk. So, we talk through this one."
"For that we are grateful," the Commander responded. "You refer to yourself as 'we'. Who do you represent? Who am I talking with?"
Ash stood by and, quietly, listened while things played out.
"You are foolish, you are clumsy, and you stumble. Alexia Toryn is attempting to push us out of her mind." The creature noted, "but we will retain her for as long as we must. She is not pleased by this. The wounds of this Dominion are fresh memories from the pain her family bore from this Dominion, the pain the Dominion brings. We know of this war both of you fought. Tell us, Vorta, tell us Federation. Why should we let you leave? It would be in our interests for the Dominion to remain unknowing of our existence. Perhaps to remain unknown would be the best defence against you two? Tell us why we should let you live?"
"More will come looking for us should we not return,"zh'Roothi explained. "However, if you'd allow us to leave I give you my word that you will not be disturbed again."
Kuzos listened as the federation Officer made her plea. When she had finished, he spoke, "Much you have said is true. The war between Federation and Dominion was brutal. However, we are here working together to recover our crews, so that shows progress is being made along with a chance of something more substantial. It is a hope if nothing else. As the Federation commander has said, we did not come seeking you out. If you allow us to leave, I do will give my word, you will not be bothered again."
"Very well. You live..." Alexia's hand started to shake the Betazoid was pushing back against the intelligence hard.. "We will be... Not now, Betazoid." Lex grabbed her tricorder and put her hand on a console, She began to pound it to cause the creature pain. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!! YOU!!!!" She pounded it until blood appeared. A screech was heard in every telepath's mind on the ship and the Enterprise. " Lex dropped down. Blood came from her nose and eyes. Her hand was scared and broken Painful. "That thing will not take me again!!!"
Chase’s eyes widened as he watched what happened in front of him. It was apparent that there was a lot going on here.
"Lexi..." zh'Roothi called softly and crouched down beside the bloodied woman. "Well done, that must have been incredibly hard. Just hold on a little longer and we'll have you back on the Enterprise in no time."
The Jem'Hadar First interrupted, "Administrator, we have ascended into the upper atmosphere. We are able to reestablish communications."
Ash had watched Lieutenant Toryn harm herself to be rid of the telepathic interloper and was, once again, grateful that the extent of her empathic and telepathic abilities ended at the tips of her fingers. She had mixed feelings about the ordeal the lieutenant just endured and was going to examine those feelings at a later time. For now, the Engineer was relieved that their mis-adventure within the atmosphere of the gas giant was, seemingly, at an end. "One star rating...lousy restaurants...Horrible hotel. I'm afraid I can't recommend this place as a, go to, vacation spot." Ash joked, quietly, to herself, mostly.
"We need to get her sickbay," zh'Roothi twisted toward the Vorta. "Hail Enterprise for transport once clear."
"We are within range now," the Jem'Hadar answered as he engaged transporters.
"Open hailing frequencies." Kuzos ordered. Receiving a nod from the closet Jem 'Hadar he spoke. "Enterprise, we have your team. One of them will need medical attention after injuring herself in rebuffing an alien telepathic attack. Are you prepared to receive them?"
“I’m hailing the ship.” Chase spoke up. “Waiting for an answer.” He repeated his call.
Before the team were extracted zh'Roothi crossed to the Vorta and offered him her hand in a very human gesture made by two alien races. "Thank you," she said. "Your timing was excellent. Maybe one day our paths will cross again."
[U.S.S. Enterprise]
Onboard the Enterprise, Lieutenant Rrawran was manning the Security console and monitoring the sensor details closely. Enterprise's scans were having difficulties penetrating the atmosphere of the planet, but the results were becoming slightly clearer as time had gone on. If the results could be trusted it was seeming like the Dominion vessels were ascending toward space, but the scans were still heavily interfered with from the nearby radiation. Adjusting the sensitivity once more, he saw what appeared to be one of the vessels disintegrating. Before he could report it, the Security monitor on his panel began to blink rapidly. Pressing the key he read the results.
"Captain," he turned from his console, "Security is reporting that our empathic and telepathic crewmembers are collapsing in pain throughout the Enterprise. I'm also reading... Captain?"
In the center seat of the Enterprise, Captain Wilkan Targaryen was sitting holding his head in pain. As an El-Aurian, the Captain had empathic abilities, allowing him to directly detect the emotions of another. Wilkan looked up at the Security Officer in pain, "It's the creature. We need to block it somehow."
Rrawran pressed his communicator, "Medical team to the Bridge. It's the Captain."
"On our way," Doctor Ilbis Ilkun said over the communicator.
"Lieutenant," Rrawran looked at the Helm Officer, "What do we do?"
Stacey looked to Rrawran, she was frightened. The choices all looked grim. She wanted to flee, but that would not be a good viable solution. "We should try to grab the creature's attention; I could perform an atmospheric skip through the atmosphere. Hopefully it will chase us, allowing the Dominion ship to escape. Our velocity should allow us to stay ahead of the creature and allow us to escape as well." Stacey said, as she looked back to Rrawran.
"With the Captain down you're in command, Lieutenant, we'll follow your lead," the Rorworr Security Officer answered as he turned his full attention to the console ahead of him. This was going to be tough, and they all knew it. "Boosting power to shields and defense systems."
"I'm sending out a series of echo pulses toward the planet. It got the creature's attention before, it'll do it again," Sulu reported from the Science Station.
Barbax typed on the Engineering station's keyboard, "I've given you all the power I can to the structural integrity. There's a lot of risks in that atmo."
Rrawran again, "All decks report ready, Lieutenant."
"Lieutenant," it was Lieutenant Sulu, "We're detecting the Dominion vessel. It's rapidly ascending."
An alarm beeped on the Security panel, "Transporter signal coming in from the Dominion ship. It's our landing party!" The canine alien said reassuringly as he authorized the arrival.
"They're hailing us, Ma'am," Rrawran interjected, "Putting them on."
"Enterprise, we have your team. One of them will need medical attention after injuring herself in rebuffing an alien telepathic attack. Are you prepared to receive them?" Kuzo's voice came through the bridge speakers.
Yavan answered, "I'm already routing the injured patients to Sickbay."
“I’m hailing the ship.” Chase spoke up. “Waiting for an answer.” He repeated his call as the Transporter beam deposited the away team on the Bridge of the ship.
Commander zh'Roothi looked around the bridge feeling relieved to be back in familiar surroundings, however that was short-lived from a voice behind her.
Ilkun interrupted, "I'm taking the Captain to the Infirmary to be checked out."
The XO saw Wilkam appeared pale and shaken before Doctor Ilkun whisked him away.
The comlink opened from Sickbay. Lex responded on the signal. "Captain, listen carefully. No one must return to this system. Some of them are under the impression that we are a threat. And they have telepathy beyond my people. They're letting us go because we are not worth their time. But they were in the process of altering my thoughts, and they can do it to anyone. I was just the easiest for them to establish a telepathic link to. But the link worked both ways. They are pondering ways to have us fight ourselves. We must leave now, and never return, as they are not as innocent as they appear."
Ash raised an eyebrow while Lex related what she learned while linked with the 'being' and nodded. "I wonder if they're the reason this gas giant hasn't collapsed into a red dwarf?" She mused, aloud, to herself while she waited for transport to be initiated.
"They're not to be trusted. The one that took control of me had no qualms about keeping me, so to speak. And it was very interested in what I could do with me. pushing my distaste for the Dominion to the surface." Lex mentioned. "They're quite capable of eventually seizing control of any of our minds and then sitting back and watching as we destroy each other with their version of buffalo wings, and a cold beer. I have a feeling they could have doused the Metreon Cascade and our ultrasonic signal at any time." Lex mentioned."
The doctor could be heard warning the Science Officer over the comlink from Sickbay about her health immediately following.
"Helm," zh'Roothi called. "Break orbit and plot a course back to the Wormhole. Rrawran, monitor the Dominion vessel and keep me posted. I'll be in sickbay."
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