From Zero

Posted on Mon Apr 7th, 2025 @ 1:55am by Lieutenant Sawbones & Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Lieutenant Commander Ash Randall & Lieutenant Chase Moore & Administrator Kuzos

2,491 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Tosk
Location: Infirmary, USS Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-03-10, 16:15

As the entry doors slid open to allow the Commodore and his team into the Infirmary, three figures began to materialize within the center of the room. A truly alien materialization sequence, the soldiers appeared in a triangular formation and were truly ready to fight. Their visage was advanced to say the least. Each of the aliens was dressed in an ornate armor that was supplemented by a large helmet. Their weapons were the scariest part. They were each outfitted with large weapons that were similar in design to those used by the Jem'Hadar, only with additional fittings that made them look far more frightening than they already were. They held their weapons close as they studied the room.

Sawbones would have none of it, "This is a hospital, not a shooting gallery! Put those things away before you get someone killed."

The hunters didn't answer, instead they studied the room. A sensor scanner on the leader's helmet came alive at that moment as it moved around the Sickbay, bathing the empty biobeds in a brilliant red light.

Commodore Wilkan Targaryen stepped inside the Infirmary and took position next to Sawbones. His hand stayed close to the Phaser pistol that was holstered on his hip, ready to quick draw if necessary. He positioned himself in front of Sawbones, "I am Commodore Wilkan Targaryen, captain of the Enterprise. Disarm now or we'll be forced to defend this vessel."

The remaining two activated the same sensor as the first, one locking in directly on the Commodore and washing him in red light. Sawbones began to destabilize from the scan, but the Commodore stood firm. Tosk, however, became visible amidst the scanning field from his perch directly behind the Commodore on the central biobed.

Wilkan didn't take his eyes off of the hunters, "Tosk is undergoing a health screening aboard this vessel. We intend to return him; however, your actions have placed that in jeopardy. Disengage."

Kuzos sighed and moved to the front of the small group. He faced the alien soldiers straight on. "I am Kuzos. I know you know the name. The Founders have entered into an agreement with the Federation to allow them to explore this quadrant. This is how you greet them? Such pettiness. I would expect from a Ferengi but not the Drai. Now return to your ship."

The lead Hunter disengaged the scanning field and lifted the helmet off of his head, revealing an alien not too dissimilar in appearance from the Tosk himself. The two helmeted hunters kept their rifles at the ready next to their leader, should things take a more dramatic turn.

"We are aware of who you are, Administrator," the leader answered as he held his helmet at rest, "same as we are aware of who you are, Commodore Targaryen. Despite your relationship to the Dominion, we are authorized to continue our hunts outside of the jurisdictional control of the Dominion, despite our membership therein. I must admit though, I expected more resistance to our efforts than what the crew of this starship have offered. With how the first hunt involving Starfleet progressed we were looking forward to a merry chase. How disappointing to see our new generation of Tosk here, caged and helpless, just as the first through the anomaly was when we took him from your Deep Space Nine. You offend me, Tosk, but not as much as these Starfleet do. This hunt has been a disgrace!"

Chase knew they were looking for a fight, trying to provoke them with their insulting words. He remained his calm, his hand near his weapon should the need arise. They would soon realize their mistake if they decided to cause an incident.

"Nice." Ash stated, quietly, while she eyed the three Drai and assessed the capabilities of their weapons and armor and wondered whether Kuzos was going to take lip from a subordinate species.

The Enterprise's Commanding Officer remained silent, considering how to take this and curious how Administrator Kuzos would respond to the alien leader's assertation. He kept his hand to his side, close to his Phaser should he need it.

"People on many worlds engage in bloodsports, killing lower species for pleasure," the hologram of Leonard McCoy interrupted. "Centuries ago, my template's forebearers did the same, but they never would have considered hunting a sentient being. You offend me."

The Drai leader rolled his eyes and scoffed at the comment, "It seems even after all this time you and your kind fail to comprehend who we are. This creature is only sentient because we have made him sentient," the leader pointed as he said it, "He was bred to be hunted, and it is his only reason for being. He was the first of a new line, designed to make our hunts even more exciting than ever before. This failure of the line will not go unnoticed."

Kuzos looked squarely at the Drai leader. "You know who I am, and you say you know you who Commodore Targaryen is. Then I must accept that there is some sort of mental decline in the Drai to act with just utter disregard and disrespect to board this ship after Founder Odo went through his hard work to achieve this collaboration. I can assure you that he and the other Founders will frown upon the Drai." Kuzos made sure that when he said frown it meant much more than being mildly annoyed. I suggest an immediate apology to our Federation fr....allies and then depart. The Tosk will be returned to you."

Wilkan looked at Kuzos, "Thank you, Administrator." He returned his attention to the Drai leader, "Starfleet has agreed to abide by the laws of the Dominion while we explore this sector and, as far as we are concerned, Administrator Kuzos is the representative of that law aboard this vessel. You've disrupted life on this ship for the pleasure of your hunting of the Tosk and, frankly, I don't care if we haven't met your expectations or not, Hunter." He said the last part as an insult. The Enterprise's Captain turned toward the Tosk, "Tosk, because of the actions of the Hunter I am inclined to listen more closely to your side of this story. We will provide you safe passage, for now, while we get to the bottom of what is going on with this hunt." Targaryen turned his attention back to the Drai, "unless you intend to try to take him by force, at which point I will order my Executive Officer to open fire on your ships and you will have plunged the Dominion into another costly war." Wilkan looked at Kuzos, "I don't think that the Dominion would take too kindly to that, or that this Hunter was at fault, would they?"

"His name is Kivui and he is a minor celebrity among the Drai, Commodore, and he thinks he is more important than he actually is. He will not try to take Tosk by force. He is arrogant to be sure but not stupid." A pause and Kuzos continued. "Though his last actions are cause for debate." He looked at the Drai leader, "What do you say Kivui? Don't waste everyone's time by posturing. Be a good Drai and make a graceful exit."

"I do not posture, Administrator, nor do I give up easily." He looked at the Tosk, "We honor the Tosk. In our culture he is the symbol of all that is noble and courageous. He and his kind are trained and conditioned all of their lives for the hunt." He looked at the Tosk, "Yet here we are. The Tosk are usually proud of their role in our culture, though this one chooses to violate our laws and hide behind you. You are without honor if you remain here. Would you want that for him? To be a shell of what he was because of his loss of honor?"

Commodore Targaryen looked at the Tosk then the Hunter, "And what will come of him if I return him to you? Will you kill him? How is that any better?"

Kivui looked at the Tosk before answering, "He will endure the greatest humiliation that a Tosk can experience: to be captured and returned to our world alive. His future will involve him being held on public display as a failure."

"You put the Dominion in a bad light with this action Kivui. The Founders will not be pleased. I assure you of that." Kuzos declared firmly.

Ash took a couple, slow, steps in the general direction of Kivui and company, eyes squinted and ears cupped forward, quite obviously studying the three without the benefit of a tricorder or similar detection device, and then backed away with a muttered, "Interesting." And looked to the Captain. "All this armor and weaponry seems a bit, over the top, for a hunt, Captain." She observed. "Unless Tosk is, regardless of his tendency to run and hide, is an extremely capable and dangerous prey." She added, with a glance to Tosk. "Quite interesting, actually." She mused.

The Hunter laughed, "Perhaps I have underestimated this Tosk after all, as it seems you certainly have. We created the Tosk with one objective: to serve as prey. Each Tosk is strong, resourceful, and cunning as an adversary and can study an environment in mere seconds, identifying multiple ways to escape, and highlighting anything that could be useful as a weapon. He may look docile now, but this Tosk has the same feral instincts as any other and will fight ferociously when the time comes. I will make you an offer though, since you are so concerned for the wellbeing of this Tosk, and since it appears he may have duped you. Release him and I will allow him to flee so that our Hunt may resume. I'll even give him a head start before I order my ships to pursue."

Ash looked to Captain Targaryen, Administrator Kuzos and then to Tosk. There was no doubt in her mind that Tosk could, when the time came, be very dangerous. Were they being duped? Possibly. He'd found an excellent place to hide and, if he had not been found when he was, could quite possibly have disappeared into the Alpha Quadrant. But, he was found and caught. Maybe that is part of a plan. Maybe not. "An, interesting, proposal." The Chief Engineer stated, the choice not up to her.

"And it is not one that shall remain available for much longer," the Drai reminded.

Standing next to the Tosk, Commodore Targaryen took the rational move, "What do you want, Mister Tosk?"

"I am Tosk, the hunted. I cannot hide from what I have done under the protection of your Federation, it would be a greater dishonor for me than death. I was created to outwit the hunters, to make their hunt entertaining. My purpose is to survive until I may die with honor. This will allow me to die with honor," the Tosk explained.

Wilkan sighed and nodded in agreement with the Tosk, "Then it's settled." He turned toward the Hunter, glancing at the Vorta Administrator for a moment, "It's fairly clear that you're no happier about this Tosk returning home in disgrace than we are, Mister Kivui. While I don't agree with your hunting of this man, in the interests of mutual understanding and future relations between the Federation, the Dominion, and the Drai, I will agree to allow the Tosk to leave this ship on his own recognizance, with one condition."

"I am not prepared to discuss terms, Commodore, my in itself was a gift," the Hunter replied.

"But you want a good hunt, correct? I can't just return him to one of your ships where he'll face a firing squad now can I? What I propose is that Mister Tosk be given a shuttlecraft, which we will review before its departure for unfair tracking capabilities, and he can use as part of his head start. I ask for him to have twelve hours. That's not very long." He put his hand on the Tosk's shoulder, "You want this to be a good show, don't you? This will give you one."

"You could always give him one of your shuttles," Kivui pointed out.

"I could, but I don't want to violate your hunt and, frankly, giving him one of my shuttles would give him an unfair advantage," the Commodore's smile was a bit devious.

The Hunter pressed his communicator, "The Hunt has resumed. Transfer one support vessel to the Enterprise for the Tosk. We will pursue in twelve of the Federation hours."

An alien language came over the communicator.

The Enterprise's commander nodded, graciously, "Thank you, Mister Kivui."

"The Hunt is what matters. Twelve hours, including whatever time it takes your people to analyze the shuttle and make repairs," he pressed a control and transported out with the rest of his team.

Once the Drai had departed, Kuzos turned to the Commodore, "Well done Commodore, my compliments to you on handling that situation. The Drai are filled with overwhelming self-importance. It is quite suffocating."

Commodore Targaryen smirked at that, "Thank you, Administrator, I can certainly agree. Thank you for your help with them as well."

The Chief Engineer cracked, just the hint of a smile, and looked to Tosk. "Will 10 hours be enough of a head start?" She asked. "A couple hours should be more than enough time to 'soupe up' your new ride a bit." She asked and looked to Commodore Targaryen. "No material changes, of course. That would be interfering with the hunt. Just some optimization." She added, anticipating a pending admonishment.

The Tosk remained near to the crew, but paused before answering as if thinking deeply. It was a moment before he answered, "Friend Ash I thank you for your help, but no. Please check the craft for tracking capabilities as agreed."

Ash nodded. "As you wish. No tinkering." The Engineer confirmed. "We will check for tracking devices and kill switches. Not that the Drai would do that kind of thing, of course." She added.

"Thank you all for my freedom," the alien prey added as he looked between those in the group. "It is time I go."

"Lets go check out your ride." Ash suggested. "And then get you on your way."

Kuzos walked over to Tosk, "If you wish to make this truly interesting may I suggest you head for the Klanior Expanse. It will take the Drai a suitably long time to deduce that heading. It is just a suggestion."

"Thank you for the suggestion. I think that I may take it," the Tosk answered appreciative.

"Bon voyage, Mister Tosk," Commodore Targaryen concluded with a gracious greeting. "Administrator, Lieutenant, let's get back to the Bridge."

"As you wish Commodore." Kuzos answered graciously.

Wilkan looked at Ash and Tosk, "I'll see you on the Bridge, later, Commander."

"Yes Sir." Ash confirmed.

 

RSS Feed