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Syndicate by Travis Anderson
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| A new era for the team develops as a universe finds its need for a Starfleet Special Investigation Division. The same team in a different reality. |
Chapter One
Vaughn had spent his entire career, first in Starfleet Security and then in Special Operations Command before transferring it Deep Space Nine to become Colonel Kira Nerys' first officer. Lavelle was the third commander of DS9 that Vaughn had served under in those eleven years. He was also the only commanding officer Vaughn had ever willingly relieved of duty only have him cleared by Starfleet Medical and returned by the Admiralty to his previous post.
On a good day, Lavelle felt cornered. Three-quarters of the station's personnel were Bajoran Militia officers that answered to the liaison officer, Colonel Cenn Deska.
Lavelle's own Starfleet Senior Staff had medically removed him from command as he suffered a nervous breakdown and paranoid delusions. All because he'd violated Cardassian space to "liberate" prisoners placed in Cardassian Custody by SOC.
Their demand for Lavelle to answer to criminal charges for the assault and deaths of Cardassian personnel resulted in a war with the Federation. A defensive war since the Cardassian Guard never strayed from their own borders. Moreover, the Bajoran Republic had backed the Cardassian Union's demands and been expelled from the Federation.
Subsequently, General Kira Nerys' decision to resume administrative control over DS9 and expel all Starfleet personnel to take Lavelle into Bajoran custody and extradite him to Cardassia Prime resulted in a second unjust war. The peace terms resumed the Militia's cooperation with Starfleet regarding the Wormhole and senior administrative control of the station back into Starfleet hands
But mistrust permeated the arrangement. As well resentment on those officers' behalf that had been unable to retake DS9 and secure Bajor or any of her colonies in either the Alpha or beta Quadrants.
Despite Lavelle's return to duty, the Senior Staff still regarded him as an outsider. Lavelle's issue was that he refused to humanize his working relationships and instead relied on the chain of command to force obedience to his orders. But Starfleet had ordered that Vaughn take the station's outrigger, the USS Defiant, into the Gamma Quadrant to shore up Starfleet's presence at an interstellar conference aboard a K-class starbase the Militia had constructed on the other side of the Wormhole terminus.
Commodore Saavik would be present as the senior Starfleet officer while Vaughn would be her second. He felt the studious eyes of the genetically enhanced Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Julian Bashir, and his genetically enhanced lover, the Strategic Operations Officer, Lt, Commander Sarina Douglas. Command Master Chief Miles O'Brien, the station's Chief of Operations, and his second, Lt. Commander Nog, also carefully scrutinized Lavelle's every action, reaction, and word. Lt. Commander Jefferson Blackmer, the station's Chief of Security, was the closest thing to a neutral party in the wardroom.
Colonel Cenn had the audacity to bring the Cardassian Guard exchange officer that served as Chief Tactical Officer. Fortunately, Dalin Zivan Slaine would be aboard the Defiant when she set sail. Nog would go as the ship's Chief Engineer. Lt. Commander Prynn Tenmei, Vaughn's own daughter, would be at CONN/OPS as well serve as XO. Vaughn had agreed to Bashir's dispatching a Bajoran doctor on the ship.
Lavelle felt like a hunted man whenever Bashir was in the room. He resented the hell out of Vaughn for not taking the CMO with him. As it was, Lavelle was asking Vaughn to perform some extracurricular activities on DS9's behalf and the XO was resisting.
"The specification of K-class starbase are in historical files," Vaughn replied.
"But we don't how those designs have been modified. K-class Deep Space stations were unarmed. I rather doubt the Militia would retain such a policy. I need a strategic assessment of the station's capabilities," Lavelle argued again.
"I'd be more than happy to provide the specs that the Iotian Starfleet used in constructing the station for the Militia," Cenn offered.
"I want eyes on, Colonel," Lavelle coldly told him, "Terok Nor came with a complete blueprint layout that omitted key features. Features that Quark and other criminals utilized to circumvent Starfleet Security and the Bajoran Constabulary for over seventeen years, I want a physical inspection of that station conducted."
Lavelle was angered that Kira had gotten aboard without official notice and liberated Slaine from Lavelle's custody. He wanted to return the favor by discovering Waypoint Station's unofficial access point should Starfleet need to board and hold the station in the event fore stored hostilities. Hostilities s he urged Commodore Oh, the Director of Starfleet Security, to persuade Fleet Admiral and Starfleet Commander, Kirsten Clancy, to resume at the earliest convenience.
Lavelle had a plan to push the Militia's System Defense Force back to the Bajoran's J-class starbase, Free Haven Port, and invade Bajor itself. A crucial feature in the plan was taking Waypoint and forcing the Colonial Defense Forces to spread themselves thin defending all of Bajor's colonies leaving the System Defense Force unassisted.
The Militia fielded late 23rd Centiry model Federation starships built by the Iotian Federation. Lavelle was confident his plan would overwhelm the Militia and avoid a renewed Resistance to any occupation forces. This plan was why Oh had Lavelle cleared through Starfleet Medical in record time. The Commodore's growing cult of personality spilling out from Security to other Divisions.
Doctor Katherine Pulaski, the admiral in charge of Starfleet Medical itself, had personally traveled to DS9 to assess Lavelle. Medically she couldn't find anything wring with him. But Bashir had given her new grounds to force him to undergo therapy with the station's counselor. A rotating cadre of counselors had replaced Ezri Dax when she transferred to the Command Division and now commanded the USS Aventine.
Dax would be present at Waypoint as well. Colonel Anara of the Colonial Defense Forces would be providing security for First Minister Astris Beru and her wife, Finance Minister Kara Gena. They would be conducting high level bilateral trade talks. General Kira would be discussing defensive alliances and treaties.
Castellan Rekena Garan would be representing the Cardassian Union as its highest elected official to the Detepa Council while Supreme Legate Malyn Ocett would be center-piecing Kira's negotiations with her own since Bajor and Cardassia now enjoyed a mutual defense pact.
Typically, Rear Admiral Robert Tavar Johnson or another diplomatic specialist would be called in for such talks but Johnson and the entire crew of the USS Intrepid were busy countering Iotian Federation offers to Ekosian and Zeon surviving colonists on Ceti Antares IV for mining rights in the remnants of what had been Ekosian and Zeon space before the Romulans tested the first prototype trilithium weapon on their home star.
The Federation had protected the system from scavengers but detected high concentrations of the liquid metal, latinum, which could not replicated and was the rarest metal in the galaxy and used as a universal banking currency. Interstellar money markets valuated local currencies by their latinum worth exchanges. The Federation's hard currency reserves were badly depleted by the reparation payments they'd made to Bajor and Cardassia and they wanted mining rights.
The Iotians simply wanted to deny the original Federation that opportunity and to exploit it themselves. With their arms sales and protection scheme membership drives, the Iotian Federation's economy was thriving but they wanted to be dominant. Which they couldn't be until they had the United Federation of Planets brought to heel.
the Iotian Federation was dominated by the Five Families, or Familias. The current Oxmyx was the Big Boss of Bosses and ruled their Federation. The current Kracko was the Fleet Boss. Both were firsts in the history of the Familias. They were both women
and while intermarriage and lovers crossed Family lines all the time, the pair were the first same-sex couple.
Oxmyx had already survived a hit from a rival Family Boss and sent his body parts to each Family. Now Oxmyx ruled Sigma Iotia II from Fleet Base 1 in orbit over the planet. Where, not coincidentally, Kracko made her offices and home. The J-class starbase would soon replaced by a Douglas-class Spacedock currently under construction. Fleet Base 1 would then be towed to a different star system. The new station would be christened Fleet Dock and both Oxmyx and Kracko would reside there.
The Iotian Starfleet was a pretty convincing imitation of the Federation Starfleet from 2266. But with early to mid-24th Century starships. But the yards, of which there were now a dozen, also produced analogues to Starfleet's most famous vessels beginning with the NV- and NX-class United Earth Starfleet through late-23rd Century starships for export
The Bajoran Militia and Outbound Ventures being the Iotians' two largest customers including starbases for the Bajorans, refit parts and engineering supervision, as well as ordnance. Iotian Starfleet contractors had built three shipyards for the Militia as well as a Bajoran civilian yard. The Iotians built two yards for Outbound Ventures in the Barrinor system in orbit around the system's sixth planet, a Class-D planet of ores and other minerals. several Class-D dwarf planets littered the system as well and the banking cartels that controlled Barrinor and the colony on the Class-P planet of Odin that Serenity orbited sold exclusive mining rights to Outbound Ventures
This freed up the station's resources for civilian repairs. An orbital docking facility above Odin catered to Outbound Ventures starships whose crew were between contracts and enjoying time off either on the station or down on Odin. Nick Locarno was Serenity's Flight Operations Officer that managed and scheduled the runabout service ferrying crews to and from their starships. The station held six Danube-class runabouts whose modules were all adapted to carry passengers.
Locarno's Bajoran wife, Sito Jaxa, was the Gamma Watch Deputy Chief of Security for the station. Gerrit Gren, another Bajoran, was the Chief Security Officer who'd chosen a third Bajoran, Radil Jenrya, as his Beta Watch Deputy Chief. Radil was the wife of the station's Klingon Chief Medical Officer, Kort. Both couples had young children
Radil and Kort were involved in a polyamorous relationship whereby Radil was freed to take on female lovers when the mood suited her. Kort himself saw Doctor Hayley Galloway on "getaways" and medical conferences
Galloway herself too devoted to her practice to consider a formal and full-time romantic relationship enjoyed being Kort's concubine and the release of sexual tension that their pairings brought about
Captain Thomas Riker and Commander Lisea Danan oversaw Serenity as the CO and XO receptively. Riker also commanded the Charleston-class Indomitable which was the station's primary outrigger. She was named after Ro Laren's Ju'day-class Maquis raider
the station also held an Emden-class escort in reserve.
Macen's SID team kept two ships in reserve for undercover operations. The Blackbird-class Solstice and the Ju'day-class Eclipse were the alternatives to the Nova-class Obsidian that the team generally deployed from. Captain Shannon Forger, the Starfleet Special Investigations Division Director's younger sister, was the CO of the Obsidian while Amanda Forger ran the entire SID from the Starfleet London Data Archive on Earth.
The SID had taken over Section 31's headquarters and responsibilities but not their brand of operations. But Forger was allowed to contract irregular forces as SID operatives thus granting selected crews and teams from Outbound Ventures that privileged status. The retainer and fees Starfleet compensated the corporation for services rendered paid for the company's expenses.. The private contracts the other starship crews undertook were pure profit.
The other side of the business, the Rockford Detective Agencies, were experiencing a latinum rush of clients. So much so they were turning away cases they would usually take on: missing persons, cold case murders and thefts. Her agencies were literally turning work away instead of waiting for it. Queues and waiting lists had been established as a practice while Rockford's executive staffers sought out talented investigators and tried to persuade them to go into the private sector.
The SID team Macen and Rockford led had been chosen to attend the Waypoint conference as well. But in the background. The mysterious leader who's assumed Gomer's role as head of the Orion Syndicate had announced her intention to represent the Syndicate as dependable trading partners. She was bringing Treir with her, setting up a rematch between the SID and the Orion slaver.
Where Bajor, the Cardassians, and the Federation sought to promote virtue, the Syndicate was there to control the vice. In exchange for a cut deposited into the representatives' coffers. Half a dozen potential trading partners were sending representatives. Others, seeking assurances of protection and safety from the emerging Ascendant, were petitioning Bajor for guarantees.
Iliana Ghemor, the Emissary of the Prophets to the Ascendancy, scheduled an appearance at the very last minute. Kira brought Neela in as a direct response to Ghemor's proclamation. All three women were touched by the Prophets
Kira's devotion to them had earned her being chosen as a vessel for a Prophet once.
Neela received visions and prophecies from them. The Vedek Assembly had dubbed the ex-convict the Hand of the Prophets.
Ghemor also had seen the Prophets and received guidance from them as well. No one doubted the others' credentials. But Kira still found it difficult to trust a woman that had once been surgically altered to appear like her in order to replace her in the Shakaar Resistance cell.
How Neela and Ghemor escaped death was still a mystery. Ghemor had been killed almost twenty years ago. Kira had seen the body stored by the Obsidian Order.
Neela had been sucked into the vacuum of space at the end of the Dominion War
only to reappear at a prylar monastery ten years later not having aged a day.
Kira knew the Prophets had touched them both for very different purposes. But everyone's purposes were converging at Waypoint Station. She could only pray that she too remained open to the Prophets' guidance in the negotiations.
Astris was former Starfleet officer before returning to Bajor and running for office when Shakaar stepped down. Kara had also come from a refugee camp on a neutral world outside of Federation space. The truth was little more tangled than that but only Astris knew that truth from Kara herself. To everyone else that knew it was a different life.
Daggit's efforts had been rewarded. Parva's genius was restored. But she could become emotionally volatile and had to constantly remain vigilant lest the SID officials learn of her enhanced status because she was prone to instabilities, she'd be locked away if she claimed Federation citizenship. A factor in Daggit's decision to proceed was that Serenity Station, the corporate headquarters they lived upon, was in neutral space.
Barrinor was protected from every civilization by every other civilization because they all deposited vast sums of latinum with the banking cartels of Barrinor.
Serenity itself was a Nor-class station like Terok Nor and Empok Nor amongst others spread across Cardassian controlled space. Instead of ore processors, it boasted industrial replicators capable of producing nearly any starship component regardless of size. The Cardassian builders of the station dubbed it Antok Nor and the name stuck in Cardassian navigational charts.
Riker had been given the privilege of christening the station when he assumed command of it. Serenity was a safe harbor from the troubles of the outer universe or at least was intended to be so. It also boasted the very first Quark's bar franchise.
The Obsidian made way from Serenity to her sister station, Deep Space Nine, before setting out with the Defiant to Waypoint. Which was several light years beyond the Wormhole's Gamma Quadrant terminus and situated towards the Alpha Quadrant approach vector.
Vaughn and Macen were old friends. They'd known each other since 2343. So they'd been friends for forty-three years. Vaughn was also the man that taught Macen trade craft and defense skills. Before that Macen had been a simple analyst on the Cardassian desk for Starfleet Intelligence. But Macen was also an El-Aurian refugee, the only one of his people to join Starfleet in 2303, ten years after arriving in the Alpha Quadrant. As an Archaeology and Anthropology Officer in the El-Aurian Survey Corps for nearly three hundred years, Macen was put into an accelerated track and was commissioned as a lieutenant JG in just one year.
He'd been a commander when he officially resigned. In another place, Macen had been drummed out of the active service ranks. Either way, Macen wasn't a serving Starfleet officer as he led the premier SID team. His team received the most dangerous assignments of all. Forger had faith in them and trusted in their mutual experience with each other over the past sixteen years and since Macen had made Forger's sister the Obsidian's captain so he could focus on investigative work, she had to give him private thanks for helping get Shannon's life back on track after struggling with stims addiction. Macen assured Forger Shannon had done the work and simply deserved the reward.
Upon arriving at Waypoint, Macen's entire team beamed over to the station while Forger and the crew held station with dozens of other ships. The Defiant, the Vespa-class USS Endeavor-A, the other Vespa-class USS Aventine, and Cera Neva's Saber-class USS Sentinel were among the ships. Anara's flagship, the Fist of the Prophets, was joined by a representation of every ship class in the Bajoran fleet. Kira's own flagship, the Shield of the Prophets, also orbited the planet Waypoint orbited.
As everyone made preparations, Macen and Rockford had a quiet word with Vaughn and his daughter, Tenmei.
"The situation on DS9 looked pretty grim before we deployed," Macen told Vaughn, "What potentially illegal or compromising order did Lavelle issue?"
"I should've known you two would notice," Vaughn had visibly aged over the past decade. His beard was whiter and his hair was beginning to thin on top. But even at one hundred and eleven-years old he could still physically outperform most officers a third of his age. A fact Tenmei had taken upon herself as well despite being a pilot. Her mother had been a covert operative beside Vaughn before she was assimilated during a Borg raid on an outer Federation colony. Vaughn managed it kill her before the hive mind took her over, as she begged and pleaded for him to do so.
Tenmei had been too young to bear those details and went to live with her mother's relatives as Vaughn was in and out of her life between assignments. She understood that Vaughn had killed his own wife, her mother, and she resented him for it until being posted with him at DS9 and finally reckoning with the truth of what happened that sorrowful day.
Vaughn had never remarried. But he was occasionally intimate with a woman as he had been for a time with Rockford. Vaughn and Macen had spoken fondly of being ships passing in the night since Macen was her next intimate encounter. One that ended in marriage to go along with their business partnership. The only places their empires merged was on their SID team, since Rockford had recruited her own Detective Squad, and under the corporate CEO, Kathy Tyrol's, studious watch.
"Lavelle wants me to assess any hidden capabilities that Waypoint has. Especially unknown vulnerabilities," Vaughn said with disgust.
"Sounds like he's planning a takeover," Rockford mused.
"He still thinks the Federation should have finished the war with Bajor," Tenmei clarified the point. Unlike her father, she was off duty and she and Willow Myers, the Tactcial 2 Officer were going to explore Waypoint for non-nefarious purposes.
"Dammit, Brin! The Bajorans have been faithful allies throughout the Federation's history with them. They were wronged. We have the peace terms to prove it, yet Lavelle pulls this shuk?"
"Was the order confirmed by Starfleet Command?" Macen asked though he already dreaded the answer.
"By Admiral Duncan McNeil, nonetheless," Vaughn grated. The Starfleet Chief of Operations would issue such an order if Fleet Commander Clancy instructed him to
or Commodore Oh persuaded him to or a potent combination thereof.
"I'm sorry, Elias. I truly am," Macen consoled his friend.
"This is why Annika Ryst went private sector after leaving Angosia," Rockford said sadly. Ryst had been an independent, though the original personality, of the augmented Infiltrator-class soldier that eventually became Celeste Rockford. Ryst's myriad of personalities surrendered themselves, but not their wretched memories, to oblivion to become wholly Rockford.
Ryst and Rockford being the dominant and most successful private citizen personalities as a mercenary and private investigator respectively. Every personality, including Ryst, longed for Rockford's respectability. So they fused into nothingness leaving only their memories of horrible wartime actions behind.
"I'll take a cursory look around the station, escorted by the Security Chief, ask a few inane questions, and call it good," Vaughn had decided.
"Thus fulfilling the letter of the order without fulfilling the spirit of it," Rockford appreciated his guile. She always had. One of the reasons she'd bedded him. That and they were fairly close in age though biologically, Angosians aged much slower than humans. She was equal to a human woman in her late twenties-early thirties.
Macen was not only chronologically older than her but he was equal to a human in their mid to late thirties. She liked her men slightly older than herself. Though Vaughn considered elderly by human standards, he had the mind and conditioning of a fifty year old human male. Or had. He'd noticeably begun aging over the last decade. Lavelle certainly wasn't helping the stress load behind that.
Ro's departure and the manner of it had left a void in Deep Space Nine's command structure. Lavelle wasn't the solution to that hole. He'd only torn it wider. Vaughn hadn't believed anyone could replace Kira either. But time changed that assumption. But Lavelle left much to be desired in a CO.
Vaughn was more than half tempted to finally accept promotion in exchange for commanding the station rather than Lavelle. Lavelle could be transferred to command another sector base or starbase. An argument Vaughn was already preparing to make with Starfleet Command. These orders were the final straw to break Vaughn's decades' old reticence.
"I'm taking command of the station," Vaughn made the final choice.
"Say what?" Macen was blindsided.
Vaughn explained his plan and then added, "I'm owed enough favors by enough admirals to make it happen."
"It'll also force Clancy and Oh to tip their hand if they're complicit in Lavelle's scheming," Rockford approved, "Only Clancy could block the change of command."
"I'm going to report in with Commodore Saavik and then have a discussion with Admirals McNeil and Jellico," Vaughn told them.
"Good luck," Macen said with conviction, "May fortune favor the bold."
"Make it happen, Elias," Rockford agreed wholeheartedly.
"It will," Vaughn was certain. Edward Jellico and McNeil certainly owned their rises to Vaughn. Vice Admiral Jellico was now the Alpha Theater Commander. The Capallan Admiral named Leonard James Akaar was the Beta Quadrant Theater Commander. He too owed much to Vaughn. As did Vice Admiral Alynna Nechayev. Commodore Oh's predecessor, Vice Admiral Edward Noyce, would also be an advocate for Vaughn. Noyce was still a powerful influence amongst the Admiralty.
Vice Admiral Bill Ross was another who would endorse Vaughn's promotion and assignment while reassigning Lavelle. Ross had championed Lavelle's positioning when Vaughn turned the role of commanding officer down. He wasn't so willing to champion Lavelle anymore. Not when Lavelle announced his name to the Cardassian authorities at the black site prisons he was illegally raiding. A blunder that colossal had led to war at President Chavy Sok's fervent urging.
Sok had only became President of the war cries and bribing Ardra, who'd won the popular vote, into conceding the race. Ardra, an infamous criminal outside of Federation space, eventually became President of the UFP anyway. Setting off several Constitutional crises and a Federation-wide manhunt for her for a list of crimes that exceeded a PADD's ability to display in one scrolling. Crimes that had led to armed conflicts.
The SID was present because of the Orion Syndicate and the revealing of their mysterious leader. Anara had persuaded Kira to request Macen's presence as both a Militia and Starfleet Special Investigations Division contractor. Rear Admiral Forger got it signed off quietly while the Militia would pay the expenses. But Macen's SID team would bear the jurisdictional weight of Bajor and the Federation in this case.
The Militia's participation being vital in allowing Macen and the team investigative and arresting powers that otherwise be limited through an association with Starfleet alone. It took Waypoint Station's transporter team two efforts to bring across the entire team.
Rockford's detectives Lee Kang, Shade, and Arianna Forte had never seen a K-class station from the inside or the outside. Rab Daggit, Parva, Tony Burrows, Tracy Ebert, and Harri Mudd were better traveled. Angelique Kerber and Bailey Smith opted out of station-side duties. Tessa, as an EMH, was allowed on a Bajoran station. But her existence as a sentient EMH would be revealed to Starfleet marking her presence within Federation space under the Synthetics Ban illegal.
Commander Lavelle ranted and raved about Vic Fontaine's return to DS9 but Colonel Cenn reminded him he had no legal jurisdiction to deactivate the hologram inside of Quark's holosuites. The less said of Fontaine's ability to access all of the station's systems the better it was. For Vic at least.
It was Fontaine's "anonymous tip" to Bashir that motivated the doctor to authorize Douglas to monitor Lavelle's comm traffic with Oh, to ascertain the stability of his thinking. His outright complicity in planning a hostile takeover of the Bajor Sector had been revealed adding to the impetus behind Vaughn's fateful decision. A decision he announced to Starfleet Command immediately after reporting to Commodore Saavik, as promised and as promised, his request was immediately granted with a two week transfer handover scheduled
Lavelle was transferred to the rebuilt and modernized Starbase G-4. Oh and Clancy stayed aloof from the process. though Oh ordered Lt. Commander Blackmer to investigate a potential breach of confidentiality between Doctor Bashir and Lt. Commander Douglas regarding Lavelle's mental state given Vaughn's evidence.
Oh herself skated through scrutiny by implying she had been running a sting operation to rein in a potentially rogue sector commander. She could still find uses for him near the Cardassian border.
Vaughn's promotion would become official during the transfer of command ceremony.
Lavelle would be given two weeks of leave before reporting it his new command, one deemed so inconsequential the XO, a Bureau of Personnel assigned lt. commander, was currently in command. Lavelle now had little love or respect for BuPers assigned officers.
The Iotians were sending a representative as well. Admiral Brisen and Commander Litza of the Ambassador-class ISS Hitman would arrive at Waypoint so the Iotians could discuss membership and/or arms sales. Macen received an update from Captain Shannon Forger from aboard the Obsidian regarding the Hitman's arrival.
"How's the leave schedule working out?" Macen inquired.
"Joelle and Aeryn are arguing its fine point now," Forger chuckled. The Obsidian needed one half-staff watch at all times. Which meant twenty people. Rotating the other sixty crewmen in and off the station was a preoccupation neither Jones nor Black wanted. No one would ever by completely happy with their leave rotation but at this point the XO and 2nd Officer didn't give a shuk.
Fortunately, Engineering had gotten its act together. Parva, Gilan, S'harr, and Celine Jones would each take a watch over the next four days. The peons were the grumblers
Jelena Kovic and Abby Collins had divvied up Security watches as well to better coordinate Collins' rotation to match the Tactical Chief, Jaycee Miller's. Tessa couldn't show herself so Galen 3 opted to stay with her. She'd reward him with plenty of "naked time".
Rab Daggit automatically got time off to spend with Parva. Tony Burrows and Harri Mudd also shared off hours. Angelique Kerber and Bailey Smith decided to forgo leave rotations and stay on duty in their Data Womb aboard the Obsidian. Lee Kang, Shade, and Arianna Forte would combine pleasure with work. They were staking out the arrival of the Orion Syndicate's delegation. Leaving Tracy Ebert as the odd woman out.
The pilot had no real responsibilities other than assisting Macen and Rockford's investigation. But Rockford soon found diligent work for her. Ebert was to compile a dossier on each major player from the Gamma Quadrant. A cast of characters expanded by the arrival of the Emissary of the Prophets to the Ascendant in the pre-refit Miranda-class Spear of the Prophets with the criminal leader, Varic.
Since Iliana Ghemor hadn't announced her intention to personally participate in the conference before it began, even Kira and Astris were flustered. Varic was a complication neither Bajoran leader could have predicted. The Bajorans quickly penciled in time with Ghemor. Another complication was the requested arrival of the Ark of the Prophets and its operator, Neela.
Neela was there as a private citizen, not an inactive reserves Militia major. Kira wanted Neela present to provide a verification or counterpoint to Ghemor's intentions. Nearby, Colonel Anara, the de facto leader of the Colonial Defense Forces had increased patrols operating near Waypoint. Anara herself served as CO of the Fist of the Prophets. An Enterprise-class starship developed as a 24th Century variant of the venerable Constitution-class by the Iotians. A domestically produced starship, the second of two original starship classes developed by the Iotian Starfleet's Corps of Engineers.
The Fist and the Shield of the Prophets being the first of their classes to be exported exclusively to the Bajorans. At least, until Outbound Ventures received their dozen Enterprise-classes.
Neela still managed so surprise Macen and Rockford by arriving in uniform. So it seemed the Orions were making a fashionably late entrance and Neela seemed edgy regarding the delay.
When asked, her answer was disturbing, "The Prophets visited me regarding this Syndicate leader and Ghemor. Or so I worried. Varic makes it all make sense now. Varic is here to strike a deal to expand the Syndicate into Ascendant worlds. Ghemor knows this and either the Prophets haven't warned her of the dangers or she's ignoring them. Either outcome is disastrous."
"Why would the Prophets warn you and not her?" Rockford was confused.
"Cardassians are willing to overlook a lot of criminal activity so long as they get a share or it profits their cause. Varic's world is an Ascendant holding, A missionary field, as it were," Macen explained to her.
"That and Ghemor will listen to me whereas she's frightened of the Sisko," Neela shared again.
"'The' Sisko?" Rockford snorted.
"That's how the Prophets refer to him. They brought about his birth by a woman possessed by a Prophet. That's why they brought him into the Celestial Temple for so long," Neela explained.
"I wouldn't call eight months a long time," Rockford snorted again.
"It's translinear space, remember?" Macen verbally nudged her, "What was eight months outside of the Celestial Temple could've been eight years, decades, centuries, or thousands of years inside of it."
Neela looked grateful for the assist. Outside of Benjamin Sisko and Ghemor, people rarely "got" it. Even the faithful Kira and Kai Tila Trus struggled with key concepts
Tila was the opposite of Winn Adami. It had taken the combined efforts of the returned Sisko and Opaka to sway Tila into running for election to kai. The Vedek Assembly had nearly voted her in unanimously. Those that resisted her did so on the basis of her age. Tila was hardly older than Kira herself.
The last kai chosen at such an age had been Opaka herself. Opaka deeply regretted Bereil Antos' decision to protect her reputation and withdraw from the candidacy to be kai before his untimely death. Being branded a collaborator rather than reveal it was she that ordered Bereil to inform on her son's Resistance cell, getting the entire unit killed in action. Including her only child. Opaka was a lightning rod that united the factions of the Bajoran faith and rebuilt the Vedek Assembly. The common Bajoran would've rejected her teachings had they known it was ultimately her responsibility. Thereby destroying Bajor's budding unity.
Sectarian divisions had enabled the Cardassians to divide and conquer Bajor. Religiously united, they drove the occupiers off of their world. Bereil feared division would find fertile soil again. Opaka had greater faith in the people's faith. Winn proved to be the most divisive Kai in Bajoran history yet the people's united and the common faith endured. Even after Opaka cleared Bereil's name at the cost of her own.
The Bajorans forgave their former spiritual leader. But the clamor for her to take up the kaiship once again died away. But her opinion was still regarded by the vedeks who voted for Tila based on her and the Emissary's recommendations.
"So we watch Varic and the Orions together," Rockford decided, "Bajoran laws on surveillance are sooo lenient compared to the Federation. I'll just set up my people with Station Security."
She sounded almost gleeful. Annika Ryst had been Syndicate royalty and Rockford was looking for some reputational payback. Ryst had hated the Syndicate yet was loyal to the B'nner dynasty. She'd been one of the few women Robhurt and Daveed had respected. Bruis had been castigated by his family for his gray skin rather than green. An Orion';s version of albinism.
Under Gomer's domination, the Syndicate was restored as a female led matriarchy
but she treated males as near equals rather than slaves. No one knew who or what species the new Syndicate leader was but they knew she was female and had fought a bloody internal war to rise to prominence after Gomer was removed from the equation by the Iotians. Oxmyx and Kracko doing it as a favor to Macen.
The couple had sought a geneticist to modify one of Kracko's eggs to yield Y chromosomes and Oxmyx's to yield X chromosomes. The fertilized eggs were incubating in artificial wombs. Insuring that there would future generations of Osmyxs and Ktackos.
"I'm off to Security," Rockford strode off, tapping her comm badge to reassign Lee, Shade, and Forte. Lee was former chief inspector on his home colony. He was comfortable with Security teams. Shade was Fabrini thief exiled from Yolanda before it finally reached its promised colony world. Forte was from Miri, the alternate Earth ravaged by viral experimentation gone wrong. Doctor Leonard McCoy had cured the half savage prepubescent children that survived but they were hundreds of years old.
The experiments to slow aging worked in per-adolescents but mutated adults into mindless creatures. Forte was even older than the El-Aurian Macen but still biologically a teenager.
"Well, she's happy," Macen glibly remarked.
"It's good to have purpose," Neela confided, "Let's discuss matters in more depth, shall we?"
"Let's find a cafe," Macen suggested, "And quietly discuss ultimate meaning."
Neela broadly smiled, "Looking forward to it."
Underneath the Starfleet London Data Archive resided the 0 Sections and the Provisioner's Armory. From the Armory, P and Qute outfitted Single and especially Double 0 agents with specialized and unique field equipment. Inside the Administrative offices, the Section Commander, M, was taking a meeting with her Chief of Staff, Captain Mitchel Sheridan and Vice Admiral Alynna Nechayev and Rear Admiral Amanda Forger
Forger was displeased being called in by Pennyfarthing, M's administrator, to attend.
She was giving up one of her rare evenings out with Rear Admiral Robert Tavar Johnson.
Johnson and Forger were just friends but Forger held high hopes they could become something more. But not of she kept canceling dates.
"Bob Johnson?" Nechayev smirked at seeing Forger's attire.
"The Met Opera is hosting the Klingon Imperial Opera. They're rendering a classical rendition of Kahless' Blood. Bob secured the rare tickets months ago. The entire run is sold out. Jim McKinley and Jennifer Massoli are attending in our place," Forger grated.
"Johnson's a big boy and a flag officer, he'll understand," Nechayev told her, "Now, you're walking into something not even the President has seen."
"For plausible deniability sake?" Forger asked.
"Precisely," Nechayev smiled, "Your Special Investigations Division and Special Operations Command are our accountable covert ops sections. The 0 Sections are completely black, not unlike Section 31 fancied itself to be."
"But Cell 51 apparently is," Forger scowled.
"Give Commander Ro time. She'll find them of anyone can now that Macen cut his side deal with Sorbo.".
"She has full access to the SID and Macen's given use of any and all Outbound Ventures assets besides his team and the Obsidian," Forger managed a grim chuckle, "Sorbo really should have chosen his words more carefully."
"He will next time," Nechayev said.
"You think there will be one?" Forger was surprised.
"With his type of people, there's always a next time," Nechayev advised her protege. Now, prepare to be handed the keys to the underground kingdom."
Stone faced agents scanned the admirals in ways that Forger felt violated afterwards. Even though Nechayev was ostensibly M's superior, she still had to undergo the probing.
Pennyfarthing awaited them on the other side 0f the doors, "Admirals, if you'll follow me?"
She led them directly to M's Ops Center where Sheridan ran point on every mission underway. He was himself a former 0086. He didn't get on well with the current 0086.
M herself was tied in to the mission briefs and input through the HUD in her spectacles.
Unlike Ebert, who did the same with whatever craft she was flying, M didn't need her eyesight corrected. The data feed was the only reason she wore the glasses, even off duty. She had a communicator built into them as well, tied into Starfleet's comm systems. The system, developed by P and Qute, was much more advanced than the spectacles worn by Ebert.
She could merely access ship's systems she had clearance to do so in. Those ships included, or had included, the SS Odyssey, the SS Eclipse, the SS Solstice, and the SS Obsidian. The last being registered primarily to Barrinor but possessing the Federation civilian registration NDR-74315 and SS registration classification. Reflecting the ship and corporation's license to operate within Federation space. The NDR signifying the starship was registered as a scout/surveyor. She just happened to scout and survey for the SID.
M was aware of these particulars. Though her Sections were headquartered forty plus stories beneath the London Data Archive, M liked to stay apprised of the SID's missions and current operations. So she knew Macen's team was about to run headlong into 008 and 009 as well as and 027.
The SID was unaware of the 0 Sections' agents in play yet and this particular SID team was unyieldingly lethal when confronted by a direct threat. Which each side would consider the other as one unless their multiple agents were alerted to the others' being in play. M wanted to contact Forger earlier but Nechayev was feeling melodramatic.
008 and 009 had just reported on the SID's presence. The Vice Admiral hadn't pre-warned M beforehand.
"What the frinx?" Forger remarked upon seeing the hundreds of monitors all displaying different input. Even her ops center wasn't this overcrowded by analysts and screens.
"Welcome to the 0 Sections," Pennyfarthing chuckled.
"What the hell, Alynna?" Forger demanded to know.
"We both have agents in play targeting the same quarry," M advised her, "I'm M. I'm the 0 Sections Director."
"I've vaguely heard of you," Forger shook the offered hand.
"You've met Pennyfarthing. This is my Chief of Operations, Captain Mitchel Sheridan. He's also a former Double 0 agent. Fortunately for me, he opted to accept promotion," M made the introductions, "Think of them as my right and left hands."
"I have a feeling you already know mine," Forger grimly remarked.
"Amanda, your division is accountable to Starfleet Command. M and her operatives answer to me and the President alone," Nechayev explained the secrecy, "And the President rarely receives briefings. The administrations have preferred it that way. Knowledge of the Sections' existence is passed on verbally from President to President, off the record. That's why Sok, Perez, and Ardra never knew about the Sections. Imagine what they could have accomplished had they known. The chaos they could have wreaked on the Bajorans and Cardassians much less the galaxy at large."
"Even the current Secretary for Starfleet, Akifa Chol, is unaware of our existence. Unless she really is Cell 51," M added, "Which, in that case, she can't tip her hand and neither can we."
"The Sections being a secret held since 1946," Nechayev told Forger.
"So I get from Nechayev that the United Earth Starfleet inherited the Sections from British Intelligence when the Earth United and the Starfleet Charter was drawn up, but why have both a 0 Sections and a Section 31?" Forger asked.
"Different mandates at the time. We were foreign affairs security and intelligence and Section 31 was domestic. We evolved to overlap after Section 31 was publicly dismantled but went underground instead with even vaster resources after the CONTROL fiasco," Pennyfarthing explained.
"But the separation to begin with?" Forger inquired.
"The 0 Sections were intended for covert maintenance of interstellar security," Sheridan stated, "Section 31 was internal. The 23rd Century changed everything for Starfleet when Praxis exploded. The forty years after 2326 gave us respite from the Romulan Star Empire and we made treaties with the Klingon Empire. No more hot and cold wars with either side. Starfleet could de-emphasize its military role and resume a primarily exploration based mission again."
Forger found Sheridan extremely attractive and erudite. She felt a little guilty about that but neither she nor Johnson had made any overtly romantic overtures yet. Nechayev's soft chuckle alerted Forger to the fact she was staring at the demigod made flesh.
"Right," Forger lamely agreed, knowing this was the affect most 0086s, retired from field work or not, had on members of the opposite and same sexes.
"You came up through Internal Affairs," M reminded Forger, "You spent half a career looking for traitors and criminals within Starfleet. Nechayev had crash coursed you through interstellar affairs as they really stand. Yet even your SID is still partially grounded in IA. That's the wheelhouse you fall back on when all else fails. How else can you account for your unwavering support for Commanders Prentiss and Lefler and Lt. Commander Senecka's investigations into Fleet Admiral Clancy and Commodore Oh? Most in Starfleet Command would take a far more moderate position. Even Admiral T'Lara is only following the evidence and legal precedent. She has no personal axe to grind. Yet you've invested agents and blood into the scope of the inquiry. Why?"
"Because they're dirty," Forger replied evenly.
"Yet you have no conclusive evidence, only circumstantially based hypotheses," M told her.
"Someone will talk. They always do," Forger replied.
"Best chance? Liquor up Captain Ben Poole. His involvement is eating away at him and he's dying to brag about his Cardassian adventures with Special Operations Command. Commander Stan Guthrie was the field leader," Sheridan suggested.
"You know what they did?" Forger asked.
"The Cardassians do. And you have a Cardassian Information Bureau agent within your grasp," M offered free advice, "Now let's talk about not having Commander Macen kill 008, 009, and 027; shall we?"
"I'm listening," Forger agreed.
"The Double 0s and 027 are embedded inside the Syndicate itself as security for the Alpha Quadrant Boss, Thomas Dylan. 008 and 009 are posing as a couple of Federation trade delegates. They need the freedom to operate in compromising ways without setting off your operatives," M told her, "Can we arrange that?"
"I have the most secure comm network in the Federation," Forger told M, "So I can safely transmit your agents' IDs."
"Yes, the work of 'Angelique Kerber' and 'Bailey Smith'." M smirked, "Would you like to know who they really are and what they've been condemned to death for?"
"Not my purview," Forger answered, "Macen hires his own team. I simply hire Macen."
"Good answer," M smiled, "I think we can work together after all."
Macen and Neela had barely begun touring the K-class starbase when his comm badge began chirping.
"Here we go," he sighed as he tapped it on his belt, "Macen."
"We have a situation that requires your attention. Admiral Forger has forwarded classified data that is 'Eyes Only' for you and Detective Rockford," Kerber's voice came over the transmission.
"Alert Telrik that I'll be be beaming aboard," Macen replied.
"Alone?" Kerber was surprised.
"Not exactly," Macen grinned. Neela smiled back.
"'Lo Commander," Telrik jovially said from the Obsidian's transporter room , "Major Neela, always a pleasure."
Telrik was an odd example of a jovial Tellarite. Waypoint had contacted him and arranged for the passenger transferal. The station's matter gain needed to reach the Obsidian's reception range. All of the representative starships were in orbit of the nearby planet, Greyson.
Luckily for Macen, the starship's orbit around the planet allowed for an immediate exchange rather than a delay to wait for the ship to come back around and in range.
As it was, he and Neela were likely stranded on board for the next four hours as the starship made its orbital loop. A sooner orbital track wasn't available given the number of starships being stacked into planetary orbit.
Telrik insisted on being the ship's primary transporter officer. Engineering ratings were available to relieve Telrik in case of wounds or illness but the Tellarite had a lounge chair and hammock in the space. That and a seeming endless array of multimedia entertainment on hand. He'd been the first aboard to invest in the new, commercially available 3D miniature holography projectors. So his soap opera channels were in a small lifelike projection. He also subscribed to romance novella and novelette periodical digests.
Telrik was the only Tellarite Macen knew that had a girl in every port that he genuinely romanced. Many were married but neither party seemed to care and some husbands even joined in. But Telrik seemed self doomed to never settle with a single female of any race though he dated half of the Federation's member races. Tellarite ambassadors were noticeably relieved by the fact their lower primary tusks were removed.
Criminals also received the procedure as a punishment. Telrik was born without though he did have some elongated teeth instead. Females abroad seemed to find him him irresistible. Macen gave Neela the ship's Transporter Chief's backstory en route to his office.
She enjoyed it very much, "That explains his flirting with me every time I come aboard."
In a very short span of years, Neela had gone from being a Resistance fighter to a Militia officer to a convicted murderer to a secret agent. Throughout it all, her faith in the Bajoran Prophets never wavered but the Prophets themselves chose to enlighten her that her perspective on them and their Emissaries' prophecies had been all wrong.
They chose her to be their instrument. So when Kai Winn Adami chose Neela to be her personal agent, again, Neela chose to serve the Prophets alone. She just neglected to tell Winn that for three years. So while the Kai loaned Neela out to the Militia and the Ministry, Neela did as the Prophets saw fit to lead her to do, not Kai Winn's instructions.
Which spared many lives and kept many government and military secrets from Winn,
who was known to wish to renew the non-aggression pact with the Dominion even at the price of kicking Allied forces out of the Bajor Sector.
Still, Bajoran forces didn't actively engage Dominion forces. So the legal pretense of Bajoran space being occupied held on both ends until near the end of the war. Winn would've sold any secret to insure the death of Captain Benjamin Sisko to remove him as a religious icon. His role as the Emissary outweighed even hers as the kai. Winn was enraged that an Emissary should appear during her tenure as kai. Worse yet, he was a non-Bajoran, a mere human, and a Starfleet officer, as well as leading the Federation's mission to Bajor.
The Prophets had never saddled Kai Opaka with an Emissary during the Occupation when Opaka was the central figure in uniting Bajor's fractured faith. Instead Opaka declared a non-believer to be not just an Emissary but the Emissary of the Prophets.
Winn was beyond envious of the attention and deference Sisko received from the faithful.
To make matters worse, he discovered the Celestial Temple and spoke with the Prophets.
Two things Winn never did. As time wore on and he developed a faith in the Prophets, Sisko began discoursing with them on a semi-regular basis. The final insult was when the Kosst Amojan and the Prophet battled through hosts on Deep Space Nine.
Kira Nerys was chosen as the most faithful vessel of the Prophets while the Pah-wraiths chose the Emissary's son as their host to hobble him. But Sisko proved even more faithful to the Prophets than Winn herself that day. Pushing Bajor from one of two expected timelines to a new, uncharted one beyond prophecies when she halted the battle and forced the "gods" from their host bodies.
the ship only possessed 8 decks total. three more than a Defiant-class that was their closest sibling size-wise now that the fleet had retired every last Oberth- and Newton-class science vessel. The Newton-class had begun decommissioning in the 2360s and the last Oberth-class was decommissioned in 2380. Both being replaced en masse by the Nova-class.
The Nova X-class project transforming the surveyor into a tactical scout. The Obsidian herself a hybrid modified by the Advanced Starship Design Bureau on behalf of the displaced Special Project Yards. The SPYards had returned to the Sector 001. The ASDB, in keeping with Macen's cover of having purchased a civilian model Nova-class, upgraded the defensive packages while leaving the warp core largely un-upgraded and the drive systems untouched.
Chapter Two
"Comms secure," Kerber signaled after Macen logged into his comm/comp.
Forger's apprehensive visage didn't bode well for the upcoming conversation, "Is Rockford logged in?"
"She's still station side," Macen told her.
"Damn. We'll have to do this the old fashioned way," Forger hit a button.
Seconds later three highly redacted files appeared on Macen's screen, "Really? My security clearance equals yours."
"These files are classified above my grade," Forger advised him, "All you distribute via padd to anyone other than Rockford is a picture only."
"Why the fuss?" Macen grew uneasy.
"These are 0 Sections agents in play on Waypoint right now. Or at least will be once the Orion delegation arrives," Forger explained, "008 and 009 are already on the station playing private trade delegates for universal Imports and Exports."
"The 0 Sections favorite cover legend," Macen acknowledged.
"Something I just learned a few hours ago," Forger complained, "After a very invasive identification verification process."
"Poor baby," Macen teased her.
"I want the padd containing this data destroyed after you've had your team memorize the faces. Even the unredacted details aren't to be shared. Just the faces and code names," Forger instructed, "Brin, I'm as serious as death. Celeste is an exception Nechayev and M don't know about. But I assumed you'd just show her anyways."
"Your insight does you well," Macen smirked.
"Brin, I was just introduced to people that don't officially exist for a department that was never created and answerable only to the President, the Secretary for Starfleet, and Nechayev herself," Forger stated
"Yet the Secretary doesn't know," Macen had caught the slight apprehension in her voice.
"Your Listening skills haven't eroded," Forger said, not that it was all, "Get the job done."
She signed off.
"That was...abrupt," Macen stated, "I guess her audience was waving her off."
"At least they didn't know about me," Neela smiled.
"An educated guess regarding requirements of open communication," Macen told her.
"Or, guidance from the Prophets," Neela was quick to add, "They view your people differently than most. There's respect but also...fear."
"I am less but I must become more," Macen repeated.
"Excuse me?" Neela was startled.
"Something the Prophets told me ten years ago before your apparent death," Macen explained, "I've never told anyone that. But it felt time to share with someone. With you."
"They recently told me the same thing," Neela confided, "I didn't understand the context."
"I do. Now. Tell me, do you consider yourself a seeker of absolute truth?" Macen inquired.
"Is this like the Romulan's absolute candor?" Neela chuckled.
"It's a philosophical school of El-Aurian thought I thought would die with me. But thanks to the Prophets' message I deduced I was to pass that knowledge on to others regardless of race," Macen explained.
"And you believe the Prophets have called me to learn this discipline?" Neela asked.
"Don't you?" Macen asked.
"Yes, I was just double checking," Neela sighed
"Good," Macen tapped his comm badge, "I assume you were watching. I need a dozen self destructible padds with this data prepped."
"Already on it," Kerber replied.
"Let me guess, another acolyte?" Neela smirked.
"A pair of them actually," Macen smiled fondly.
The SID team and Colonel Anara were gathered to see the picture IDs of the agents in play.
"Share the photos with Station Security without getting into specifics. Just mention that whatever goes down, these three aren't to be harmed," Macen instructed, "Then self-destruct your padd's isolinear chip."
Daggit, Burrows, and Parva did so immediately. The Single 0 agent stood out by quite a bit. The Double 0 agents were fairly nondescript. 027 was an Indian woman with her hair bleached white blonde with pale blue streaks and ends. 008 and 009 were both English and appeared to be middle managers and sales reps like their Starfleet Intelligence prepared legends declared them to be. They also portrayed a couple which was an easy ploy for them since they frequently worked together and enjoyed the sex.
"So these are Federation special agents," Anara murmured, "Not that impressive."
Macen hadn't shared with anyone which branch of Starfleet or Federation Security the agents worked for. He left that to their imaginations. Only Rockford, Kerber, Smith, Tessa, and now Neela were fully briefed. The newly expanded Inner Circle.
Forger didn't know about Macen's project to save his people's legacy. He meant to keep it that way. She accommodated Rockford's inclusion in all data he received from Starfleet regardless of her lesser security clearance. A decision made by Starfleet Security Macen lodged weekly protests against. Commodore Oh took an almost un-Vulcan-like pleasure in refusing to begin the reevaluation process. So Forger knew he "unofficially" shared with her everything he received at his clearance level.
Macen's previous Starfleet record and Nechayev's recommendation carried the day when he received a Rear Admiral in Starfleet Intelligence's security clearance way beyond his former grade and rank. Of course, in another time and space, Macen's security clearance had exceeded Forger's. That took the sting out of it. Mostly.
"Remember, they can be stunned in the course of action but not killed," Macen reminded the group...again.
"Isn't that the rule anyway?" Mudd of all people asked. But she and Shade had been career criminals before enlisting.
"Ditto that," Shade remarked. Lee obviously looked discomfited by the fact it had to be clarified. The former Chief Inspector from Chung Kou was still a police officer at heart.
"This is both a Starfleet and a Militia contract so the line can get a little blurry," Rockford clarified, "The Bajorans allow for fatalities in the line of duty pending an investigation into whether it was a righteous shoot."
"Which you'll generally be cleared," Anara promised, "This station has waaay more surveillance than Deep Space Nine has under Starfleet jurisdiction. We're talking Cardassian level security."
"And yet we're discussing this aboard the station why?" Forte was quick to ask
"This is a 'blind room'," Anara answered, "Designed for high level security talks and briefings."
"Which is why we needed you and Neela to get into it," Lee understood now.
"That would be correct, Detective Lee," Anara told him, "Non-Bajorans don't have access to these rooms unless accompanied by senior Militia officers."
"And that's why the Constabulary guards are posted outside," Burrows also comprehended.
"Not even Starfleet officers have unaccompanied access to thee rooms," Macen told the group.
"Which we're desperately short on anyway," Parva snarked.
Macen, Daggit, and Burrows were all ex-Starfleet and considered private contractors now. Which was the truth of the situation.
"So I take it Tessa, Angelique, and Bailey received a preview of this info," Ebert mentioned their missing comrades.
"They were all tied into the comm system when I received the files," Macen chuckled. The three were unrepentant snoops. Fortunately they knew how it keep their mouths shut. Tessa wouldn't even tell her Eminarean boyfriend, Galen 3 who'd quickly toured the station with a holo imager and was giving Tessa a tour of it aboard the Obsidian.
The entire ship equipped with holo imagers in order to allow Tessa unrestricted access even without her mobile emitter.
Doctor Lewis Zimmerman providing Outbound Ventures with the latest versions of his reverse engineered work from the Doctor's 29th Century model. Zimmerman had gotten the size down from a backpack to an arm cuff. Something Tessa greatly appreciated especially when she was off the ship and enjoying "naked time" with Galen 3.
"I've seen this 008 and 009 with the Federation trade delegation. They seemed convincing enough," Lee mentioned.
"Yeah, what he said," Shade remarked.
"They seem natural in their roles," Forte hadn't spotted their deception either
something she found vexing.
"They've taken courses in business management as part of their training," Macen allowed them to know. It wasn't redacted in their personnel files, "They're specialists in this type of role."
"Well, I feel a little better," Forte confessed.
Anara's comm badge chirped and she tapped it, "Anara."
"Colonel, you wanted to know when the Orion yacht was making its way into the system," a rating from Ops reminded her.
"I'll be reporting to my ship shortly," Anara told him.
"Expecting trouble?" Burrows sounded surprised, "Something we should know about?"
"The Orions sent the ship's specs along earlier. They call it a yacht but it's a damn warship," Anara told them, "You'll have to clear the room."
"I'll stay with them if they prefer," Neela could vouch for the team's presence. As a major, even a reservist, she was a senior officer and she in uniform.
"Good enough," Anara was coping with her friend's prolonged absences again it seemed. Everyone shattered their isolinear chips and replaced them with new ones.
The synthesizer processed the charred and shattered remains into the station's sequencer networks. Bio mass went into the protein synthesizer's chutes, including waste extraction, to be reprocessed as foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals. The crystalline chip shards would be converted into spare parts for the duotronic systems that ran the station's computers.
The original Douglas-class model becoming the Starfleet Museum. But just as J-class starbases received upgrades throughout history well into the 2380s, so too would the Douglas-class series of starbases into the 25th Century. The Douglas-class having become the standard starbase design the ubiquitous J-class had once been. The Sword Door-class having become the standardized Deep Space station design after DS4 went online. A design that would be employed until DS11 replaced DS4's mission on the Delta Quadrant frontier. Deep Space Five built beyond the Romulan Border Zone's reach into the Deeper Beta Quadrant.
DS3 was an earlier design near the center of the Border Zone built back when it was still the Neutral Zone. It was commanded by a friend, Captain Alfonso Reyes. A friend currently on leave with Commander Ro Laren. They were stopping by Waypoint on their way to the Bajoran Gamma Quadrant colony of Koreen III. Ro had established a villa there for getting away from it all. Which she never really did considering its state of the art comp/comm system and subspace transceiver array. But Reyes had his own ways of distracting Ro. The settlers recognized Ro from her time with the Militia's Colonial Defense Forces and forgave her her Starfleet uniform. Reyes wisely left his behind. So their planned leaves could go off without a hitch.
"Let's back to work, people," Rockford advised them, "We're about to get really busy."
General Kira wondered why Federation Councilor Auri was personally overseeing the Federation's trade delegation. But then again, First Minister Astris and Finance Minister Kara were doing the same for the Bajoran Republic. It came as a surprise when the elected Castellan of the Cardassian Detepa Council, Rekena Garan, arrived as well personally escorted by Legate Lyoti Mariska and a cadre of the Legislative Guard aboard a new Damar-class dreadnought
Besides the Orions, other new arrivals were appearing. Captain Morgan Bateson and the USS Honshu arrived for reason yet unknown. CIB agent Ziva Delain also came with a warning for Garan and Astris. Bateson reported directly to Saavik and Vaughn. He was out of uniform which meant he and his elite crew had been working covert ops again. Whatever news he'd brought, it visibly stiffened Saavik and Vaughn both.
General Kira was then recalled to the Shield of thee Prophets and she immediately set course for the Wormhole Terminus escorted by Vaughn and the USS Defiant. The Fist of the Prophets also went with the two starships. Captain Dax assumed Vaughn's role as senior delegate next to Saavik. Captain Cera was taken aside by Bateson and briefed on whatever was brewing in the Alpha Quadrant concerning the Bajor Sector.
Captain Martin Agman and the USS Eclipse led Captain Mandy Morris and the USS Specter to the system Waypoint occupied.. The solar system was filling with Starfleet vessels as Captain Vark Harris and the USS Eire and Captain Hiram Sttaak and the USS Legislature were recalled from exploration efforts to enter the crowded system as well.
It was during this building confusion that the Orion Syndicate ship got in transporter range and beamed over an entire contingent of representatives and bodyguards. The guards carried chemically powered projectile weapons and therefore bypassed the transport security screening.
The Bajorans seemed to have fallen for Starfleet's insistence that no one was stupid enough to fire a projectile weapon inside a starship or space station. The Syndicate guards, all humans, seemed ready enough. The delegation was impressive enough as First Minister Astris and Castellan Garan met them at the transporter room.
The USS Thuringia arrived at that point and beamed over a dozen Special Operations Command officers led by Commander Stan Guthrie. Two dozen more followed.
Captain Ben Poole beamed over at that point with Captain Morris, "I'm here to inform you that Starfleet has taken control of this station as well as Deep Space Nine. You never should have crossed the Federation."
"You ejected us and then invaded," Astris snarled.
"So it's war again?" Garan asked while Mariska and her guards stood down at the case specific hand gesture from the Castellan.
"No, this is a special military operation. Starfleet will be duly informed when the time is right," Poole told them, "Commander?"
"We have them," Guthrie told him.
Saavik, Bateson, Dax, and Councilor Auri were brought in to the overcrowded room.
"Ah, Commodore. So good to finally see you in binders. As befits traitors," Poole gloated.
"It is you, not I, that have betrayed Starfleet," Saavik replied.
"Tell that to your own forces," Morris gloated, "The Eire and the Legislature are here as well to help contain the Aventine, the Endeavor, and the Honshu. The Eclipse is currently under Commander Katherine Blevins command, having relieved Captain Agman of his command."
"Captain Cera is missing," Guthrie scowled.
"She can't be allowed to return to the Sentinel," Poole spat.
"The SS Obsidian is also in orbit around Greyson," Morris reported after a conference with her own XO aboard the Specter.
"Macen is here?" Poole brightened.
"Captain Forger is refusing to stand down and allow a boarding party to access the Obsidian," Morris told him.
"The Thuringia is more than a match for her," Poole told her, "Have her move into firing position and maintain the watch over the other traitorous Starfleet vessels."
The Thuringia was a Nova X-class starship. Poole wasn't aware of the Obsidian's upgrades it seemed. Nor was he aware that the SID team was aboard Waypoint or that Double and Single 0 agents were present as well. He and his cohorts weren't even aware of their Sections' existence.
"Give Forger two hours to surrender Macen and his SID team and we'll let them scurry off back to the Barrinor system," Poole decided, "Otherwise..."
A shrug illustrated his point as Morris stepped aside for another hushed conference with her comm badge. She returned, "That dreadnought of yours is refusing it stand down. I was under the impression that Cardassians would betray their own mothers to avoid a fight."
"You obviously haven't met any true Cardassians," Garan stated.
"The Eire also intercepted a Type-9 shuttle headed for the Wormhole," Morris told Poole.
"Starfleet?" he asked and she nodded, "But who? Everyone is accounted for."
"The pilot and passenger have been identified as Commander Ro Laren and Captain Alfonso Reyes," Morris told him.
"Commander? When did Ro rejoin Starfleet?" Poole was outraged, "Who allowed this?"
"Apparently she's with Starfleet Intelligence. Reyes is DS3's commanding officer," Morris explained, "Starfleet Command has confirmed all of the data points. Four times."
"What the hell is Starfleet Intelligence doing out here? With a Deep Space CO?"
"Apparently they're both on leave. Ro got word of the Bajoran operation and they set course for DS9," Morris reported.
"I want them here. I want them to witness this," Poole snarled.
"Witness what exactly?" Astris asked coolly.
"You groveling for your life," Poole sneered, "Both of you."
"The Federation has no death penalty," Garan said back.
"But I do. And your lives will cost you a premium," the Blood Queen said indulgently.
"What kind of 'premium'?" Astris immediately asked.
"I'm glad you're so receptive," the Blood Queen smiled, "You let that opportunistic troll of a Ferengi stay aboard Terok Nor when you seized control of it. Commander Sisko even made Quark the head of the Business Association. Yet no Orion trade ships or embassies are allowed on Bajor or Cardassia Prime. We want representation and franchises throughout your colonies. The embassies don't even need to be on your planets. They can be orbital or docked at your space stations. We'll even provide shuttle services for those interested in visiting our outposts."
"You're hardly Orion yourself," Garan pointed out.
"A technicality. I'm representing them in these trade talks. They're quite concerned about this lack of fair trade and diplomatic exchange," the Blood Queen smirked.
"They are or the Orion Syndicate is?" Astris asked.
"Is there really a difference these days?" the Blood Queen asked in reply.
"And when we refuse?" Garan asked.
"Than I hardly have a use for you anymore and I begin negotiations with whomever they send in your place," the Blood Queen's smile turned vicious, "They can arrange for your funeral arrangements. If they find all the pieces of you."
"You're not very subtle, are you?" Astris asked.
"I've found it doesn't pay well," the Blood Queen confessed, "Take them away. Starfleet is your concern, not mine."
"I'll need the use of the facility's brig," Poole told her in reply.
"Use it, I won't be needing it," the Blood Queen told him.
"Alert me when Ro and Reyes are aboard," Poole told Morris, "Then transport back to the Specter and manage things in orbit around Greyson. The Obsidian in particular will be troublesome. And assign the Legislature to the Aventine. I don't trust Bowers. Give the Endeavor over the Eire. That should block them. You personally take watch over the Honshu."
"And the Sentinel?" Morris asked.
"Let's see where Captain Cera lands on this," Poole chuckled.
Kira alerted her System Defense Forces to raise their alert status even as Anara posted a watch ship over the Wormhole Terminus and alerted all commands in the Alpha Quadrant to defend their assigned colony worlds and curtail patrols to report to the nearest colony.
Vaughn beamed straight the DS9's Ops Center without docking the Defiant. He wanted it ready to fight whatever forces Starfleet sent to take Bajor. With all due respect to Kira's Excelsior-classes, Starfleet had bigger guns they could deploy if they saw fit to.
"What the hell are you playing at, Lavelle?" Vaughn demanded to know as the station's CO stepped out of his office.
"A little decorum, Commander," Lavelle smirked, "I'm still your ranking officer. Should I ask Commander Blackmer to send a security detachment up here to detain you for insubordination?"
"You do whatever the hell you deem appropriate," Vaughn had had enough of this stupidity.
"Activate shields and weapons systems and then lock everything on the Defiant," Lavelle ordered.
"I refuse to obey that order," Douglas said as the station's Strategic Operations Officer.
"You stand relieved, Commander Douglas," Lavelle added to his list, "Master Chief, carry out my order."
"I'm afraid I won't be doin' that," O'Brien replied.
"Then I relieve you as well, Command Master Chief O'Brien," Lavelle was playing this through, "Touch that comm badge and I'll kill you."
Vaughn saw Lavelle had a phaser aimed at him. The Defiant's transporters couldn't penetrate the shields anyway. Vaughn wanted to see what Lavelle had been holding behind his buttocks. The turbolift arrived and Doctor Bashir and Commander Blackmer were also detained.
"I relieve you, Doctor, as you once relieved me. Commander Blackmer, you're just too blind to see the reality of the situation," Lavelle gloated.
"Then enlighten us," Blackmer requested.
"The Bajorans thrive under occupation. So we'll provide them with one so they can reach their full potential," Lavelle stated for the record, "Where's Colonel Cenn?"
"We hold Ops and a route to Runabout Pad C but nothing else," the Security Deputy Chief reported.
"Cenn will hit back with every Bajoran officer on this station and you're now outnumbered six to one after the last draw down," Vaughn chuckled, "Someone has set you up for failure...again, Commander."
"My fellow patriots have captured Waypoint Station and taken First Minister Astris, her wife the Finance Minister, and Castellan Garan hostage. No one will dare move against us," Lavelle gloated again.
"And these associates are?" Douglas inquired.
"The Orions," Lavelle chuckled.
"Have you gone insane?" Vaughn had to wonder, "Again?"
"I wasn't insane the first time either!" Lavelle raged, "I was following orders. Just like now."
"No one's coming to help you. You're in a kill box and there's no escape," Vaughn replied.
"Who gave the order?" Douglas inquired further.
"It was a coded order from the Federation Council's offices. No names. You understand, don't you 0212?" Lavelle felt like master of the universe now, "All this time and all your conspiracies but now I have the upper hand!"
"You've gone from delusional to feverish," Bashir noted, "How did you receive these orders?"
"From a Federation courier," Lavelle began sweating profusely.
"Commander, it's imperative that I scan that padd immediately," Bashir insisted.
"No more tricks!" Lavelle roared, "I'm on to all of you."
"Commander, you're playing with your life and all of ours," Bashir warned him. Lavelle collapsed with a gurgle.
"No one touch him!" Bashir demanded, "Chief, beam him directly to the sterile lab in the Infirmary."
He tapped his comm badge, "Activate the sterile lab and prepare for quarantine measures. I need a medical team on Ops immediately. Have Doctor Hev treat Commander Lavelle. I need the response team in full environment suits. I don't know what we've been exposed to or how long Commander Lavelle was. The incubation period could be minutes rather than hours or days."
"Put your phasers down," Blackmer ordered, "Commander Vaughn, it seems you've assumed command officially now."
"Someone alert Cenn not to approach Ops," Bashir got a medical tricorder from a kit near Douglas' station, "I need to examine everything in the Commander's Office now!"
"I'll come with you," Douglas retrieved a second tricorder from another kit location, "I'm the only other one with an enhanced immune system. And searches like these are part of my other job."
"Sarina, you're certain?" Bashir asked.
"If you go in, I go in, Julian," Douglas replied.
"We'll need to hurry to isolate this so we can begin producing tailored antivirals," Bashir headed up for the office with Douglas on his heels.
"Patch me in Sector wide," Vaughn ordered, "Attention all vessels, Deep Space Nine is now locked down under quarantine under my command. We'll keep you apprised and safeguard the civilians and crew. For your own safety we're maintaining the shield but deactivating the weapons grid, Vaughn out."
"Now patch me in to the station's occupants," Vaughn repeated his speech.
Cenn paged him immediately, "We're detaining all Starfleet Security officers complicit in the takeover attempt. A few assisted us by warning the Constabulary ahead of time so that's why I evacuate d all Bajoran personnel from Ops. Medical is demanding anyone that reported to the Ops Center within the last week report to the Infirmary for a work up so I'll be busy for a while but I'll keep coordinating things from the Infirmary and keep Quark off of your back."
"Thanks, Cenn. You're a true friend," Vaughn replied, "Now someone reach me Ro Laren."
Medical showed up then and began preliminary scans of everyone present. Bashir and Douglas located but didn't touch a virus laden padd. Medical took Custody of it and transported it to the sterile lab in the Infirmary. In groups of two, everyone present was transported to the Infirmary's other secure treatment room and Ops subjected to a full decontamination process while Bashir worked on the antiviral.
Hev stabilized Lavelle but the virus was quickly killing him. They ascertained the viral spread wasn't aerosol based but point of physical contact so after inoculations, Ops personnel were freed to return to duty as were the Starfleet Security freed up to be placed in detention in the holding cells. Lavelle died before the antiviral could be produced.
"Hell of a way to assume official command," Cenn told Vaughn as the new CO lifted quarantine, lowered the shields, and released the station from lock down. Freighter crews departed with abandon, cargoes undelivered or left behind before loading. The Defiant stayed on picket duty with Tenmei in command.
Kira didn't stand down but received reports both from Vaughn concerning Lavelle's ravings and from the Orion Syndicate on Waypoint. The Fist of the Prophets traversed the Wormhole to return to the Gamma Quadrant. From there, Anara quietly began assembling a host of ships by pulling them from patrols.
The Ascendant were informed of Ghemor's capture and they deployed a force as well. Anara agreed to hold position until all of her rerouted forces were assembled and the Ascendancy ships rendezvoused with them. She expected Cardassian ships would soon begin arriving as well and had to prep for that moment.
In the secure briefing room, Macen had gathered the SID and Kara Gena. Neela's access got them in. Bajoran Security was fighting a pitched battle against the Syndicate mercenaries and SOC commandos. Starfleet's battle was to take Ops. The Syndicate wanted control of Security. Their projectile weapons inflicting greater damage to Bajoran bodies than the newer Militia officers had never faced. Resistance vets had faced Cardassian disruptors and had the scars to prove it.
Legislative Guard troops fought beside the Militia rather than against them. Astris, Garan, and Mariska took some physical abuse for refusing to order a surrender. Poole toured Ops like a conquering hero when Guthrie handed it off to him.
"We're allocating cargo bays as detention centers," Guthrie told Poole, "I recognized some of these officers. They're former Starfleet."
"Space the traitors," Poole ordered.
"Sir?" Guthrie stiffened.
"We're dealing with insurrection, Commander," Poole angrily reminded him, "Do you have a coddling answer to the problem?"
"No sir," Guthrie wondered what had happened to Poole since Ardra's fall and his defense of her in Sector 001.
Poole and Morris had almost lost their commands over their vigorous defense of an illegality striven President. Morris and Poole had continued attacking the Outbound Ventures and Iotian starships even after Admiral Duncan McNeil ordered a cessation of hostilities. A wise decision it seemed when it was discovered that Anara and Neela had smuggled the witnesses to Earth in the Ark of the Prophets and testimonies were already underway before the Federation Council. Ardra was impeached by a nearly unanimous vote and President Kilbrek restored as President of the United Federation of Planets seeing as how the evidence against him had been tainted by Chavy Sok and her collaborators to call for an emergency election. An election that launched a new administration and two wars.
Ardra, a con artist extraordinaire, won the popular vote by over fifty percent margin yet she conceded the race to her runner-up. Ardra was made Speaker for the Council in exchange. After Juliete Perez ousted Chavy Sok as President, she too faced criminal conspiracy charges making Ardra the President after all. Her own legal imbroglio of an administration lasted just a few months before she too faced criminal charges and fled the Federation's justice. The fallout of Ardra's financial adventures was still reshaping fiscal, domestic, and interstellar policies.
Between Sok and Ardra, the good name, faith, and credit of the UFP were devastated. Fleet Commander Clancy's advised policy making had run a damaged course but Ardra and Sok sealed the coffin. Kilbrek was charting a new policy course and defying Clancy's advice and sending patrols back to Protectorate regions, if allowed to, and financing private contractors when Starfleet wasn't welcomed back.
He was even re-engaging in societies that embraced synthetic life forms and synthetic augmentations contrary to the Synthetics Ban. Those races wisely left their androids and sentient holograms back home when they set up shop in Federation space though they did loudly complain about the ban and their Federation customers complained about the complaining.
Neela had the internal and external security feeds routed to the room. Station Security had vacated the corridor to join in the rout that Starfleet and the Syndicate were inflicting upon the Militia's understaffed Constabulary. But the regular military was making the invaders pay for every millimeter.
Ops had been a bloodbath. Guthrie's forces treated the Militia staffers like Jem'Hadar
they'd been ruthlessly methodical in killing everyone.
"This will set back Federation-Republic relations by a century," Kara Gena commented.
"Minister Kara, we know you genetically enhanced," Macen told her, "So we could use your help in the fight."
"And I know your team and young Neela here aren't native to this universe," Kara smiled back, "So we keep each other's secrets?"
"In our universe, you went through with kidnapping Astris. But you betrayed your people to rescue her from them in the end," Macen told her, "Imagine our relief to know that plot never developed here."
"Oh, it developed," Kara said ruefully, "I just torpedoed it before it could be implemented."
"Yet you always marry Beru in any universe," Rockford told her.
"Nice for certain consistencies to exist," Kara's smile grew.
"They'll be checking the locks," Neela advised them, "We'll see how they respond to the door being sealed shut."
"By now Guthrie will know the nature of these rooms," Burrows predicted.
"I wiped my login from the system," Neela promised.
"Weapons ready just in case," Macen drew his phaser and so did everyone else. Kara had appropriated a phaser and power cells from one of her dead bodyguards. She'd personally slain her attackers.
"They're passing by. The shielding in the walls masked our presence," Neela reported.
"Nice of your engineers to incorporate these rooms," Lee said appreciatively.
"It was the Iotians' idea actually," Kara let him know, "It just made sense to invest in them."
"This 'Blood Queen' is resuming the trade talks, under guard of course. But I spotted all our intelligence agents," Forte pointed out. 027 was assigned as part of the bodyguard contingent in the presumptive trade talks. 008 and 009 were members of a the Federation's delegation.
"They can't do anyone any good in there," Shade grumbled.
"Pull up the station's schematics," Macen instructed.
"Guerilla warfare? Really?" Daggit asked.
"We're in KA," Kara pointed out, "KB and KC each have two of these secure rooms as well. The conference is taking place in K Core. It had the only briefing theater large enough to accommodate the numbers of delegates attending. The crossover bridges are the choke points they'll hold."
"You've done this before," Rockford noted.
"Only in practice," Kara admitted, "Reality sucks."
"It's certainly messier," Burrows stated, "How do we deal with Starfleet? SOC is just obeying orders they probably think are legitimate."
"Poole and Morris may feel that way as well but they're enjoying themselves," Neela pointed out.
"I have no frinxing problem killing these bastards," Parva confessed.
"I take it her augmentation wasn't perfect?" Kara asked.
Parva blanched. Her green skin paling.
"That was a secret," Macen told her.
"Waitaminute! Genetic enhancements are illegal!" Lee burst out saying.
"But how often do we even operate in Federation space, really?" Shade wondered, "We certainly don't live there."
"But we're their clients," Lee protested.
"This is why we kept it a secret," Rockford told Kara.
"You don't mind harboring Tessa," Macen coldly reminded Lee.
"She can't kill me," Lee argued.
"Actually we had to disable her ethical subroutines because she was killing people in defense of the ship and it made her a tad psycho. So now she can choose whom to kill or leave alive," Rockford calmly explained.
"What?" that shook even Daggit.
"Just be glad she likes you," Rockford shrugged.
"That's my fem," Parva grinned. A loud whistle pierced the air.
"Yes, Harri?" Macen was done wincing.
"It's all moot. It doesn't change who anyone is or what they do. It just changes your perceptions. What we perceive is usually a lie constructed to hide who they really are anyway," Mudd offered for contention, "God knows ya've got plenty to hide, Kang."
"Are you blackmailing me?" Lee went cold.
"I'm pointin' out that even someone like me that never got passed sixth grade education courses can be street smart enough at dig your dirt up. Ya don't think everyone here hasn't done that to find just who they've been workin' with?" Mudd asked.
"I didn't," Ebert confessed.
Mudd rolled her eyes, "Anyhoo, to get back on point. Ya've got three options. Option one: shut the frinx up and stay outta our way and resign when this is all over. Option two: Accept the situation and roll with it. Option three: I space you outta an airlock because ya chose poorly an' went with option one."
"That's two options," Lee retorted.
"Not from my end," Mudd had her hand on her phaser's grip though it was still holstered.
"Harri makes a helluva point," Burrows added.
"You're saying that to get laid," Lee snapped.
"I'm saying that because Tessa and Parva haven't changed one iota in the last five minutes we've been bickering about this," Burrows replied, "And they're not changing any time soon."
Lee noted that Burrows had his phaser drawn still.
"You really dug up my personnel record with the Constabulary?" Lee asked. Every head by Kara's and Ebert's nodded. Even Neela's. That last was a sore point.
"Et tu, Hand of the Prophets?" he asked.
"I like to know who I'm dealing with. I'm a convicted murderer yet you work well with me while knowing that. What's different about your friends that have saved your life on multiple occasions?" Neela wondered.
"Okay, option two it is," Lee relaxed and so did Mudd and Burrows.
"While we're spilling secrets, anyone want to tell me who the hell 'Angelique Kerber' and 'Bailey Smith' really are?" Shade asked, "And why a 'human' Angelique sports Ardanan Troglyte clan tats?"
"Tats? Plural?" Lee asked, "It's just one big tattoo,"
"It's two distinct tattoos interwoven. Denoting the Rock and Root clans. They blend tattoos in a blended inter-clan marriage," Shade said.
"You're saying Angelique is married?" Forte broke her long silence.
"I'm saying she's a very married Ardanan Troglyte," Shade remarked.
"Who is she?" Lee asked, "She calls Smith 'the Princess'. Who is she?"
"You just all listened to Harri's options. I'm recommending you take option two on this," Macen said evenly.
"Brin," Rockford quietly intervened.
"Or you'll kill us?" Shade asked.
"If you choose wrong," Macen's tone was still even, almost laconic.
"Brin," Rockford was more urgent and less quiet this time.
"This is not how I saw this playing out. Maybe protecting Ebert's gang rape secret but for these two," Shade admitted.
"You were gang raped?" Mudd was concerned for her friend.
"It was a long time ago," Ebert said stiffly.
"Brin," Rockford was getting angry over being ignored.
"You're choosing poorly,' Macen warned Shade.
"Brin!" Rockford shouted in his ear.
He never flinched or wavered, "Yes?"
"Don't kill the help. Especially my help. Angelique and Bailey brought this onto themselves," Rockford advised him.
"She knows," Shade stared at Ebert.
The pilot glared back, "They're my friends."
"You probably told them your sob story. About you were fifteen and the crew of a Galor-class cruiser killed everyone else aboard your family's freighter and tried to rape you to death. Yet you managed to survive and send out an SOS. Did you tell them that?" Shade said too much and Macen stunned her.
"Holy shuk!" Lee jumped.
"She'll live," Macen holstered his weapon. No one outside of Rockford, Kara, and Parva had seen him draw it. It even escaped Daggit. Though he saw it coming a parsec away.
"Is that all true?" Mudd asked in a shaky voice.
"Yes," was all Ebert would reply with.
"No one wonder you're afraid of commitment," Mudd realized.
"Now, of we can all just take it down a notch while Shade sleeps it off?" Macen asked, "We have higher priorities than writing tell all novels right now."
"You good?" an angry Rockford asked Macen.
"She said too much," Macen told her, "There had to be a repercussion she'd understand. But yeah, I'm good."
"She'll keep digging," Rockford warned him.
"Then she needs to be directed into asking the right questions," Macen replied.
"This is not on me," Rockford retorted.
"I never said it was. What happens next? That's your decision," Macen told her, "She's your agent. Your call to make."
"You knew?" Mudd asked Ebert, "'Bout all of this?"
"I know about Bailey and Angelique. They've confided in me the way you have. Parva and Tessa were surprises. But I'm taking option two on this. I suggest you do the same or we start exploring your autobiography," Ebert replied.
"Shuk," Mudd whispered, "I'm cool with it all."
"As am I," Burrows agreed.
"They've had our backs now we have theirs," Daggit said simply.
"Never turn your back on a fem in trouble," Parva smirked, "Especially two of them."
"I'm...good," Forte was tending to the fallen Shade.
"I'm sticking to option two and shukking in my pants over all of this," Lee confessed.
"Interesting group you've gathered together," Kara smiled indulgently.
"Wait until we get the whole band together," Rockford went to check on Shade. She had some friendly advice to give her as she began to wake up.
"They've beamed over two more prisoners. It appears to be Commander Ro and Captain Reyes. What are they doing in the Gamma Quadrant?" Neela wondered
"Ro has a getaway ranch on Koreen III. It isn't much of a getaway since its tied into Bajoran Militia and Starfleet comm channels. Ro and Reyes probably heard what was going down and came to help," Macen explained.
"And instead got caught as well," Kara grimaced.
"Never, ever, count Ro Laren out," Macen advised Kara.
"She's one of Bajor's heroes. That doesn't come lightly or cheaply," Kara replied.
Ro and Reyes were shoved into the station's administrator's office by two bodyguards who happened to be named Melva Hawke and Luciana Torres.
"Those are quite the hand cannons," Ro snorted, "And I have to say, I love the haircut."
Hawke's fauxhawk drew many comments across the quadrants. She was used to them by now. Her leathers were designed to show off her body art. Torres dressed conservatively but in leather as well. Her high bore pistol was a literal hand cannon. With the Blood Queen in the office were Varic, Treir, and a blue haired Melbanian named Oliania.
"A meeting of the top brass it seems," Ro remarked.
"Starfleet, the real Starfleet, will never stand for this," Reyes began negotiating.
"Captain, who do you think gave me this station to do with what I please?" the Blood Queen laughed. It had a rich, sultry quality to it.
"You must be Ro," Treir scowled.
"She is," Varic replied, "No longer a Colonel, I see."
"I transferred back to Starfleet," Ro told him, "Does Ghemor know you're here?"
"She's here as well but decidedly unhappy about it at the moment," Varic shrugged.
"You really have bitten off more than you can chew," Ro smirked, "Even if Starfleet stays neutral, this station has no armaments. The Militia, the Cardassian Guard, and it sounds like the Ascendant are all coming for you."
"But I'm here as a diplomat with full immunity as are my staffers," the Blood Queen gloated.
"And how many of your 'staff' have died in the process of securing this station?" Reyes asked.
"Only a few," Oliania stated.
"You're lying," Ro told her in no uncertain terms, "You might be good at dissembling but you're a horrible liar."
"Let me break her," Treir requested.
"Let me ask you one question, Commander. Where will Brin Macen and Celeste Rockford strike from?" the Blood Queen got to it.
"Let me ask you a hypothetical," Ro countered, "You haven't captured Kara Gena either. She knows this station better than I do and I know it inside out. She'll be with Macen and Rockford guiding them straight to you and you'll never see them coming."
"They'll be leverage. Macen values them. What he values I use against him," the Blood Queen gloated, "Kara values Astris. So we can manipulate her as well."
Hawke and Torres marched Ro and Reyes off with a flick of the Queen's wrist, "Post a guard at every Jefferies Tube access."
"We've lost too many people to the Bajorans," Oliania warned her queen, "We're down to essential personnel. The Bajorans fought to the last man and woman."
"Good for them," the Blood Queen smiled, "Inform Commander Guthrie of the problem. Tell him to be...creative."
"I'll run it through Poole. Then he'll listen," Oliania excused herself.
"Don't you think it's time you joined the negotiations?" the Blood Queen asked Treir, "You are my Beta Quadrant Boss now."
"I'll be a comm badge tap away," Treir also excused herself.
"Ever eager to prove herself after that fiasco with the Iotians," the Blood Queen chuckled, "Now, you have a private venture offer for me?"
The Blood Queen tapped her wrist cuff and her other two capos, Elvari and Bloom entered into the office. Elvari was another Melbanian but Bloom was an Orlandi. A kindred race from the same solar system.
"We're listening," the Blood Queen smiled indulgently.
"I have a certain venture moving forward in the Ascendancy run by none other than Mudd Kenra. Expand my markets and I'll cut you in for sixty percent of the gross," Varic offered.
"Seventy," the Blood Queen countered.
"The offer just dropped to fifty percent," Varic smiled, "And let me explain why."
After he was done, she accepted his original terms.
"I'm not your bloody lapdog!" Poole raged at Oliania, "Starfleet has its own agenda dealing with traitors and war criminals."
"Bajor hardly invaded your precious Federation. The reverse was true. All the casualties Starfleet suffered were of your own making," Oliania replied.
"Watch your mouth, criminal! Before I start remembering all the warrants out for your crew," Poole jabbed a finger at her.
"If you want to lose the finger, keep it pointed at me," Oliania said calmly, "I don't care about fictions. And no Syndicate operative on this station has a Federation warrant out on them."
"I know. I damn well checked," Poole said bitterly.
"We'll hold your prisoners until you deal with Macen's insurgency, then you return to your almighty agenda of doing nothing but waiting for word from Deep Space Nine," Oliania used her "spooky" voice to convey mocking reverence.
"You doubt my mission?" Poole asked.
"You're a pawn to be sacrificed in order to eliminate someone's enemy list," Oliania laughed in his face, "Wait until you get ordered to execute them all. Then reconsider your position."
"Starfleet doesn't kill its prisoners," Poole sniffed.
"Report they were trying to escape. Your sponsor will certainly request it," Oliania told him, "Beginning with Commander Ro."
"You know something I don't?" Poole began to realize.
"I know whose pulling your strings, Captain. Now, guard those tubes. It may already be too late." Oliania warned him.
Chapter Three
Kara had led Macen to an important junction where they could seal off Crossover Bridge A on Neela's authority. That isolated eight SOC agents. They just had forty-two more to go before dealing with the Syndicate. Neela sealed of sixteen more by remotely activating the restraining force fields on Crossover B and C.
"Those requests will be visible," Neela advised Macen.
"So many bodies," Kara said in horror over the scene of slaughter stretched across the station's promenade.
"Collect rifles," Daggit instructed everyone, "We need to save the power cells on our phasers for as long as possible"
"What happens when the rifles run out of charge?" Forte asked.
"Plenty of rifles and pistols to go around," Burrows said grimly.
"We've cut SOC nearly in half," Macen warned everyone, "But we're still in for a dedicated and nasty fight."
"ROE?" Daggit asked.
"Situational ethics," Rockford answered for Macen.
"Good," Burrows took an extra rifle. He hadn't brought his customary sword aboard, the Militia restricting him from doing so, so he wanted a spare to use as a melee weapons.
"ROE?" Mudd whisper asked Ebert.
"Rules of Engagement," Ebert whispered back.
"Kill or be killed, huh?" Mudd smirked.
"Something like that," Ebert looked pained. Mudd wondered why. But then again, she'd seen the team in action under similar circumstances. Safehold being the ultimate example. She wished there was a Safehold here to hide on now.
"The Ark of the Prophets is inside the shield perimeter," Neela reported from a nearby comm panel, "We can use the transporters as a relay."
"Beam all Starfleet personnel out of the trade talks," Macen instructed.
"How did you know?" Neela asked after a moment.
"Next, beam Minister Kara to the Ark," Macen didn't answer quite yet. He wanted Kara gone before she could object.
"Should I bring the Starfleet captains to us?" Neela asked.
"No, and lock down the Ark's controls," Macen told her.
"She asked a damn fine question," Parva interrupted, "How did you know Poole would be holding prisoners with the trade delegates?"
"Poole and Guthrie are running low on personnel and they have a lot of station to cover looking for us," Macen stated, "Next order of business, beam yourself and Parva to the Antimatter core. I want to be able to eject the core at a moment's notice."
"Easily done," Neela replied.
"Now wait just a damn..." Parva's voice faded out.
"You'll pay for that. I promise," Daggit chuckled.
"I'll cope. They'll now expect us to head to the brig so Guthrie will reinforce both it and Ops. In truth we'll leave the brig to Ro and leave Guthrie to brood in Ops," Macen told them all.
"Where are we headed?" Mudd asked.
"The trade talks," Rockford smiled.
"We've officially missed our check in," Edwin Zimbalist told Captain Shannon Forger from OPS.
"Which will alert Tom Riker that we're in a situation," Joelle Jones said from the XO's chair.
"Unfortunately, Captain Riker and the Indomitable will not riding into the rescue," Forger recalled her briefing from Macen.
"Who will be?" Jaycee Miller asked from Tactical.
"Four newbies to the SID," Forger told them, "They're the only ones not under assignment or on leave."
"What type of ships?" Aglaia was interested from CONN.
"Constitution-classes, all of them," Forger answered.
"Tough ships," Miller chuckled.
"No, you're not getting it. Original build Constitution-class ships. Apparently each captain made a name for herself after buying an Iotian supplied starship. Caity Floss recruited them with Kathy Tyrol's permission. That new PR Officer, Felicity Jonas is making a big deal about it," Forger explained her hesitation.
"Still, tough ships," Aglaia refused to budge her own opinion.
"The Defiant is a tough little ship. Those are just..." Miller faltered.
"Legendary," Zimbalist had to admit.
Miller shot him a 'you're not helping' glare, "Old."
"The Iotians managed to wreak havoc with them," Forger reminded her, "And their Starfleet might also be sending a response."
"Brisen is a fleet commander. One of three that they have," Jones recalled, "They'll be keeping tabs on him and the Hitman."
"Great, just what we need. Trigger happy Iotians gangsters fighting trigger happy Starfleet and Orion gangsters," Zimbalist retorted.
"You really think they'd work together?" Forger was disbelieving.
"It's hardly a coincidence that the starships all arrived together and then everyone was taken hostage afterwards," Miller quipped, "Including us."
"And why the Defiant, Fist of the Prophets, and Shield of the Prophets were called away moments beforehand?" Aglaia added to the growing question.
"I agree it looks bad," Forger grimaced.
"Because it is bad," Jones asserted.
"Thuringia just locked phasers and torpedoes on us," Miller warned as she hit the "red alert" button.
"I can get us passed them," Aglaia vowed.
"Set for this course," Forger inputed the data into her own console.
"Nothing's out there," Aglaia checked her charts.
"The Militia and any backup that's arrived will be out there," Forger told them, "Ro came up with the plan in case Waypoint was taken over. Anara will follow it."
"Who all are we talking as a response?" Jones asked.
"Given Starfleet's complicity in this, they'll be struck off of the list but with Garan and Ghemor being held? Count on Ascendant and Cardassian Guard ships getting involved," Forger explained.
"This is gonna get messy," Miller groaned.
"And then you add our ships," Zimbalist realized.
"Actually, that was part of Ro's planning as well. So the Outbound Ventures task force will rendezvous with the Militia and proceed accordingly," Forger finished detailing.
"Phasers are going hot!" Miller alerted her captain, "Torpedoes loaded!"
"Aglaia, get us out of here!" Forger raised her voice in the tension of the moment. The Obsidian barrel rolled to a lower orbit then kicked in full impulse engines. Aglaia continued to evade phaser and torpedo fire until she was clear of the planetary atmosphere and could engage the warp engines without ionizing the magnetosphere.
"Let Ebert beat that!" Aglaia crowed.
"Oh God, they've started a competition," Jones lamented.
"How bad could it get?" Forger wondered.
"You've seen Tracy fly a starship, haven't you?" Jones lamented.
"Actually, I have," Forger stated for the record.
"But not unrestricted," Jones told her. Forger had to concede that point.
Aboard Serenity, Bryce Fanning was reporting in with the board meeting Macen and Rockford were missing.
"So they missed the check in," Kathy Tyrol, the corporate CEO, dismally realized.
"The minute the Syndicate got involved we all knew this was a possibility," Caity Floss, who'd recruited the new captains and crews, pointed out, "Every captain and crew are former Starfleet officers and enlisted or the equivalent in their native militias. They can do this."
"Tell Riker to green light the mission," Tyrol decided.
"He already has," Fanning grinned, "This is just a courtesy call to let you know what's happening so you can make a public statement later on."
"So nice to be kept in the loop," Tyrol dryly remarked. Her own spectacles were vision correcting unlike Jonas'. Her Boslic ancestry a few generations back made her mostly human DNA reject Retnax series medications. But it still made her hair a natural purple.
"Who else do we have to throw at the problem?" Tyrol wondered.
"According to the morning report, everyone else is on assignment or leave. Macen guaranteed the leave rotation and you signed off on that guarantee," Jonas pointed out.
"The crews were ready to mutiny," Floss pointed out, "The Obsidian crew did."
"Something we were able to keep out of the press," Jonas was relieved, "They all plea bargained with the Interstellar Criminal Court to reduce their sentencing. Their bargains were sealed under court records so they stayed out of the news."
"And the ICC issued new arrest warrants for arrests of even more Solarian Security Solutions corporate officers," Tyrol gloated.
"Only on charges of inciting a mutiny," Jonas reminded her, "The worst they'll get is revocation of their Federation operations licenses. That still leaves an entire corporation still licensed to. They escaped prosecution by showing they were hired by Rekena III's Queen Matriarch and not the Romulans in suppressing the revolts on Rekena IV."
"Still, any disruption of Solarian's business model helps ours," Tyrol refused to be dissuaded.
"Only temporarily," Floss agreed with Jonas' opinion, "And the SID's budget is under Federation Council review. Which could hurt us."
"The SID subsidies did their intended part and introduced our services to dozens of worlds. Most of whom wish to remain clients of our regular forces. Those that don't are turning to the Iotian Federation for greater protections or privatizing with Iotian starships," Tyrol reminded them both.
"The Federation Council is beginning to overrule Kirsten Clancy's policies and extend protections to Protectorate worlds and extended colonies again," Jonas kept abreast of the news coming out of the Federation Council, "That frees up the SID contractors to actually perform their clearance derived duties rather than piracy and aggressor world deterrence patrols."
"Which is good for morale and our coffers," Tyrol mentioned, "We are a for-profit business model."
"Much to Clancy's chagrin," Jonas chuckled.
"Just how much experience do these crews have with over a century old starships?" Tyrol began to worry again.
"Most of the crews are drawn from worlds that utilize Iotian starships anyways. The Starfleet crews have done simulator time with older models as part Starfleet's remedial retro tech courses," Floss told her, "And these crew have proven themselves as private contractors, together and separately."
"They'd formed a loose guild before joining Outbound Ventures. So they're experienced in working together as a unit," Jonas added.
"Something tells me they'll need it," Tyrol grimaced, "Inform Captain Riker I want immediate updates to any catastrophic changes."
"I'll alert him," Fanning volunteered and signed off the monitor screen.
"Have a little faith, Kath," Floss urged her, "I recruit good people. And Admiral Forger was impressed enough to push through their vetting process. Even Commodore Oh couldn't raise an objection to anything save the age of their ships."
"I want those ships in the refit queue," Tyrol decided, "We may not have the time to bring them up to late 23rd Century standards but we can upgrade them. Then I want the captains and crews bumped to the head of the line for the new Enterprise-classes we'll be receiving from the Iotians in a few months."
"If they'll accept the transfers," Floss advised her, "Starship crews get very...attached to their ships. Look at Joelle Jones. She came to the corporation to resume a command position. Yet now she's turned down the opportunity for two independent commands to stay the exec aboard the Obsidian. Typical behavior for a crew that feels more like family than anyone they've got at home."
"Or they don't have anyone at home," Jonas completed the thought.
"I find it difficult to believe four captains and crew s wouldn't jump at the chance to shift from a starship design dating back to 2245 to one modeled after early 2300s technology," Tyrol scoffed.
"Care to place a wager on that?" Floss asked.
"I'll lay down five bars of gold pressed latinum they stay," Jonas offered.
"I'll match that," Floss stated.
"Then we have a wager," Tyrol thought they were fools.
In Ops, Riker was getting final updates from the crew captains in question
Captain Melissa Kendall commanded the SS Chaser, Emilia Conner commanded the El Cid, Billie Tyler was in command of the Galavant, and Sarai Mikaela Gellar was the commanding officer of the Watcher.
"Commander Vaughn asked of we wanted the Defiant to accompany us," Conner added to the report, "Sarai asked him to keep whatever so-called reinforcements Starfleet dispatched at bay."
Gellar was the senior officer. She'd been a full commander, a CO and exec in Starfleet before resigning over the recent wars. Kendall and Conner had been lt. commanders and 2nd Officers whereas Tyler had been up for promotion but resigned a full lieutenant and an OPS Officer. Gellar and Tyler were currently engaged in a last minute pep talk preparing for action against a superior foe.
"Let me talk to Gellar," Riker requested from Sveta Korepanova, the station's Strategic Operations Officer .
They'd been junior officers together aboard the USS Gandhi. Gellar had also expressed sympathies for the Maquis but never joined them. Starfleet's initiating conflicts with the Bajorans and Cardassians, neither of whom had displayed any territorial ambitions, even during the fighting had convinced Gellar Starfleet wasn't her Starfleet anymore. Kendall, Conner, and Tyler had followed her exit across three starships and gone into business for themselves. They'd cashed out their Starfleet retirement pensions in latinum, purchased what starships they could and hired on crews. Now that was either going to implode in their faces or pay off handsomely.
"You're certain your group is ready for this, Sarai?" Riker had to be certain.
"General Kira uploaded Ro's playbook that Anara's following. A small squadron of Galor-class cruisers just transited the Wormhole to join Anara's Militia force. The Ascendancy is sending ships as well. We're as prepped as we can possibly be. The real test will come under the expected fire," Gellar admitted, "The Jem'Hadar seemed technically superior at first too but we evened the odds in the end."
"Good point, I guess," Riker conceded.
"We'll be fine," Gellar promised.
"Be sure you are," Riker signed off.
"Should I be jealous?" Danan grinned.
"Sarai was one of the few that supported my 'seditious' comments regarding the Maquis' validity," Riker told her, "Unlike some enlisted, she didn't follow me on the Defiant mission. She said it was strategically important but suicidal."
"She was right," Danan wryly remarked.
"Well, I felt I had a lot to prove," Riker said.
"Which you have a thousand times over," Danan stressed, "Your friend has this. Trust in her."
"Did you know any of the other captains?" the Logistics Officer, Kristiana Liu, inquired. it had been Liu's job to get the four ships staged in position to respond in case Macen missed a check-in. She also handled parts and supplies deliveries to the corporate outpost in orbit over the planet Odin in the Brsknir system.
The third planet, Barrinor, was Class-M and the home colony for what became the banking cartels that ruled the planet. Odin was the fifth and Class-P glaciated planet. It was under the colonial jurisdiction of Barrinor just as Serenity Station was under Barrinor's legal jurisdiction. A legal trade off in exchange for autonomy and permission to host military-grade starships in the neutral system
As corporate interest vessels they weren't formally affiliated with any government and were technically available to hire by any stellar nation or interest group. Barrinor looked the other way when it came to the company's contracts with Starfleet, the Bajoran Militia, and the Cardassian Guard. The station's own outriggers were equally committed to Barrinor's defense when treaties failed as to the station itself. Of course, violating Barrinor's neutrality and attempting to rob its latinum deposits would bring the civilized and uncivilized stellar powers and entities down upon whichever government or individuals were that stupid. Barrinor's cartels were more reliable, of lower dividend paying, bankers than the Ferengi.
The interest rates charged for loans were slightly higher than Ferengi base rates but there were no hidden fees in the fine print and they weren't Orion Syndicate or local loan sharks. Barrinoran banks rarely made bad investments. Their investment portfolios were known across two quadrants. So when the Federation began issuing bond notes, they did so through Barrinoran money markets. The famed "cashless" civilization still needed hard currency to deal in transactions with other societies. Their seeming limitless latinum deposits drained by war reparations.
The Federation had never issued bonds before. The Federation's forerunner Coalition of Planets had on a five-year plan and paid their debts and come out flush with depositable currency. Barrinor had been settled during the same colonization push that settled nearby Izar. Just three sectors away from the Bajor Sector.
The original NCC-1701 USS Enterprise found Bajoran colonies in the sector and established first contact. Though the sector remained largely neutral, the Bajoran colonists in the Valo system had applied for Protectorate status nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. Bajor itself had been visited afterwards but it chose neutrality.
A decision it would come to regret in 2316 when the Cardassians occupied their world
but now the Bajorans and Cardassians were co-dependent and equal allies. The Bajoran Republic pulled a page from Federation policy and exerted diplomatic and made pressures to ease suffering on Cardassian Subject Worlds pushing the ruling Detepa Council to begin democratization efforts and the granting of semi-autonomous status for each world.
Starfleet's secret deal with the Council to deploy SOC soldiers in exchange for housing illegally detained prisoners exploded in Garan's face when Lavelle invaded Cardassian space to liberate those same prisoners and the Federation Council impeached their own president as a pretext for new elections and war with the Cardassian Union. Bajor resisted and called for compliance with the Cardassian demands to extradite Sam Lavelle.
The riled Federation Council took the unprecedented step of first ousting Bajor from the Federation and then preemptively declaring war against the Republic and the Cardassian Union. But Starfleet was ill-equipped and under-staffed in its invasion attempts. They met much stiffer than expected resistance. The Cardassian lines never broke. Starfleet invaded the Bajor system three times before losing ships in the Valo system upon stumbling blindly into a trap. Bajoran prize crews brought the captured starships back to Bajor.
Fleet Admiral Clancy shifted the blame squarely upon Vice Admiral Bill Ross. Under political pressure from the President and the Secretary for Starfleet, Ross was arrested for dereliction of duty for failing to produce a quick and easy set of victories. After the wars concluded in the oppositions' favor, Captain Ignatius Freeman came out of retirement in his 90s to resume command of Starbase 375 with Ross reinstated as the local fleet commander.
After cycling through three presidencies in mere months, President Kilbrek was reinstated after a Superior Court ruling found his impeachment to be illegal. The Federation Council didn't appeal to the Appellate Courts so the case never rose through the chain to ultimately be decided by the Federation Supreme Court. The chastised Federation Council was glad to have the stable Kilbrek back in office.
The arboreal seemed even tempered about his ouster but he collaborated with the new Speaker for the Council to propose tighter rules governing impeachment from a simple majority to restricting it to certain charges of illegality or impropriety. The amendments were fast tracked and passed with a super majority of Federation Councilors voting in favor.
Councilor Auri spoke in strong support for shoring up an administration's longevity. Auri had made no secret of her ambitions to run for president when Kilbrek's resumed tenure in office hit its second term limitation. She only had a year to wait and was already campaigning on the Council floor and for the holo cams during committee and general sessions. Other candidates had already launched exploratory committees regarding running for the office. Auri hadn't yet. But the poll numbers were currently in her favor.
Rumor had it she'd forgo the preliminaries and simply begin an official campaign in the weeks to come but Councilor Auri was currently on Waypoint and Commander Vaughn's dispatches from DS9 were increasingly foreboding. Starfleet needed to respond but Starfleet Command was uncertain of how to respond when it seemed specific starship commanders had launched the takeover in the first place to echo Lavelle's attempt to seize control of DS9. Bashir had managed to sterilize the infected padd but Douglas had only been able to verify that Lavelle was responding to coded messages properly stamped from the Federation Council's Starfleet Oversight Committee. The powerful committee had a dozen members, including Auri. Her being a hostage seemed to rule her participation out.
When in fact the directives, filtered through various chiefs of staff beholden to Cell 51 had arranged for Lavelle's sacrifice and Poole and Morris' insurrection. Innocent Federation Councilors would be implicated and their seats made available through appointments and special elections to be filled with Cell 51 candidates. The influential staffers would retain their positions as they shepherded new Councilors through the halls of power. The Presider and the Gray Cardinal had learned that the Presidency wasn't enough. They needed key seats in the Federation Council and a simple majority of sympathetic politicians to broaden into a super majority so that the President's veto could be overridden.
If Auri were to win the popular vote to become president then she could begin endorsing a coalition of compromised or ideologically compatible candidates for the Council. James Fowler had betrayed Section 31 ro Starfleet Security. He named many names of complicit admirals and command officers but left Kirsten Clancy's sympathies for the branch unmentioned.
Thus, Cell 31 had inherited a sympathizer who saw the universe through a similar lens.
Clancy's legal woes had mounted but were not insurmountable especially when she received a presidential pardon for any all crimes she may have committed. Auri was on a timeline. She had to be made president before Clancy was convicted of anything substantial.
There was nothing Auri could do about Clancy's ethics violations under Starfleet Regulations. It wasn't so much the fact that she'd begun frinxing her best friend, and now fellow admiral's, husband minutes before the wedding, it was the sloppiness of getting caught twenty years in that worried Auri. But those ethics charges were the least of Clancy's problems and could at most earn her a slap on the wrist as well as an embittered ex-best friend and lose an ally in Starfleet Command.
But Cell 51 was well aware of Clancy's complicity in the so-called "Corporate Wars" between security contractors. Clancy herself, in a recorded conversation, had suggested that Outbound Ventures be entrapped into an illegal action. Solarian and DeVos Security simply attempted to create that situation and performed illegally in exchange. Outbound Ventures had been cleared and found justified in its rigorous defense. A defense that had nearly decimated its major competitors.
Because of the growing competition between the Iotian Federation and Starfleet as arms suppliers to security contractors, the Federation had made it policy that Federation-only licensed corporations and contractors had to purchase from Starfleet's decommissioned starship depots. The privately built Pincer-class starship was also coming into vogue. It qualified as an option by being built by the Federation's own Grimes Arms Corporation
though Baroness Estella Grimes also sold to the Federation's rivals. But the sales were permitted as long as they went to prospective allies such as the Talarian Republic, the Ferengi Alliance, and Protectorate worlds.
The Bajoran Republic and Outbound Ventures were excluded from both lists because of their extensive ties with the Iotians. Outbound Ventures, through dually licensed by the ICC and the Federation's Letters of Marque, wasn't exempted from the prohibition owing to its being chartered and registered as a Barrinoran corporation outside of Federation space.
Starfleet had provided the company's original starships whose crews were all SID cleared, but the heavy purchased from the Iotian Starfleet Shipyards had alienated Starfleet from Outbound Ventures despite the SID retainer. Tyrol's recent decision to deny Starfleet's ASDB access to the Iotian's Enterprise-class starships just hammered that procurement coffin lid shut.
Clancy's well known antagonism towards the new Starfleet Special Investigations Division was well publicized by the former Ministry of Propaganda become "Ministry of Information" and the Federation News Service political and news pundit, Fiona Shaw.
Shaw's current broadcast was streaming live at that moment, "Reports are coming in from Bajoran space that the station commander of Deep Space Nine fell ill to an engineered virus during the same period the Orion Syndicate took over another Bajoran space station in the Gamma Quadrant. Hello? Is this a coincidence? I think not! I think the Bajorans hired the Syndicate to kill Commander Samuel Lavelle and stage a hostile takeover of their Waypoint Station where the Federation was to host a peaceful trade summit. Popular Federation Councilor Auri is among the attendees. Now everyone know that Councilor Auri is tough on the Bajoran issues and especially with their mutual defense pact with both the Federation and its enemy, the treacherous Cardassian Union. Do I need to remind everyone they were holding our men and women illegally in their labor prisons? Men and women who went missing from Starfleet Security Custody. Hello? Mystery solved! We go to Clarice Starr and Anna Snow for reports from Deep Space Nine itself."
Starr appeared on the screen, "Commander Elias Vaughn, who had been announced by Starfleet Command as the new station commander in two weeks time, replacing Sam Lavelle, gave a brief statement regarding Lavelle's death. The engineered virus appeared to be targeted at Lavelle himself through tactile contact with a tainted padd delivered by Federation Council courier Aurik DerGlick. DerGlick has also died of a mysterious virus matching the profile. Those in DerGlick's immediate family whom he physically touched also have died from the viral outbreak. It seems that Lavelle never had the opportunity to touch another officer after being infected. Only quick work of Doctor Julian Bashir saved others infected by DerGlick's family and immunized station personnel. Decontamination protocols have been established for future outbreaks and antivirals made available to public health databases."
"So did Bashir create this virus to remove Lavelle from command once and for all? He did relieve Lavelle of his command before turning traitor and supporting the Bajorans against the Federation," Shaw sneered.
"Doctor Bashir has been awarded Starfleet's highest commendations and service medals short of the Christopher Pike Medal of Honor since his career as Chief Medical Officer for DS9 began," Starr rebutted her innuendo.
"But did he deserve any of them?" Shaw asked, "He's genetically enhanced. And we all know how they are."
Starr's retort was censored and her feed cut off.
"Now we move in to another bleeding heart lib, Anna Snow. What have you got for us, Snow?" Shaw flexed her power over the audience. Her hourly broadcast was the most watched in the Federation.
"So Cenn confirmed that the Bajorans invited the Orions to take over the station and threaten the life of Federation Councilor Auri in retaliation for her firm stances regarding policies dealing with Bajor?" Shaw fabricated "facts" again, "Because the Ministry of Information has proof of this."
"Then where did they acquire this proof and why didn't they report to Starfleet ahead of the scheduled summit?" Snow asked. She too was cut off.
"Libs, can't live with them and the death sentence is still illegal in the Federation," Shaw sighed theatrically, "But that might be changing sooner than we can hope for. This has been Fiona Shaw signing off. Remember, the liberal Deep State enemies are real and next door to you."
The screen shifted to actual news reports and headlines scrolling down the screen presented like an interactive newspaper once again. Starr and Snow were front screen headliners with their factual reports on the brewing situation in the Alpha and Gamma Quadrant Wormhole terminuses. But the truth had already been corrupted by Shaw's innuendos and unchecked bending of real facts through baseless accusations. Starr and Snow were making careers of fact checking the pundit. Which earned them Cell 51's enmity.
"Captain, Captain Sttaak and the Legislature have just snared a California-class on its way to a second contact mission deeper into the Gamma Quadrant," Morris reported to Poole. Poole knew Hiram Sttaak wasn't a fool but detaining the USS San Diego was a mistake of epic proportions. The San Diego could have just been diverted away from Waypoint without making it a hostage as well. Presumably its captain and crew weren't traitors to the Federation as these other captive Starfleet vessels were.
"Tell Sttaak to keep the San Diego within the station's jamming field. I don't want uncensored reports getting out," Poole's "orders" were to maintain subspace radio silence.
"The bloody Blood Queen's minions are on the warpath. Someone managed to get a transporter lock on Dax and Saavik and beamed them out," Poole added.
"Neither the Aventine nor the Endeavor have lowered their shields to use transporters," Morris was confused.
"It could have been a site to site transport," Poole ruminated, "The station's shields are still up. So they couldn't transport beyond the station's hull anyway."
"Maybe a freighter still inside the shield perimeter?" Morris guessed.
"Who'd be that stupid?" Poole dismissed the notion despite Morris' being correct.
"I find this as frustrating as you," Ziva Delain told Commodore Saavik. Delain had no idea being given a corporate communicator in addition to her Cardassian wrist cuff would allow Neela to beam her to the Ark of the Prophets nor did she know the Bajoran would lock out all systems at a time when the ship and its weapons systems were inside Waypoint's shields.
"It is logical to surmise that Major Neela felt we would be a larger threat with this ship at our disposal than what is occurring within and without Waypoint Station," Saavik recited.
"Is it any wonder I hate Vulcans?" Delain grated.
"Can't say I'm much of a fan at the moment either," Ezri Dax agreed, "But she makes a point."
"Neela is an agent for the Bajorans' gods. I suppose this could be one of their time twisted insights to her," Delain sighed.
"I've had plenty of experience with the Prophets so I know how frustrating they can be," Dax pointed out, "I'm only a Dax host because of them however directly or indirectly you want to point appendages."
Jadzia had died because of a Pah-wraith and its war with the Prophets. Dukat had been its vessel to get near an Orb. The Tear of the Prophets itself was a portal for invading the Celestial Temple and the Kosst Amojan waged war with the Prophets and the Temple sealed shut.
Benjamin Sisko left DS9 for three months afterwards. It was during his self-imposed exile that Ensign Ezri Dax sought him out. Together with Sisko's son, Jake, and his father, Joseph, Sisko and found the Orb of the Prophets and released the Prophet contained within. Who was not coincidentally the entity that possessed his earthly mother when he was conceived and birthed.
The Pah-wraiths waged war in Sisko's mind but he overcame them and liberated his mother. She then factored in on the Prophets' side and ejected the Pah-wraith invader.
It was she that rescued him from the Fire Caves as they were sealed once again. She brought him to the Celestial Temple where he dwelt time beyond time and only months in the universe's space-time.
He saw the multiverse and the Prophets' role in managing affairs within it. It was then that he was shown how they moved particular agents across universes through the Nexus Ribbon to supplant individuals in their own home universe. These agents weren't always willing but they were sent guides to lead them through their new path. Neela was one such guide as was Iliana Ghemor.
So it was little wonder that the Emissary of the Prophets to Bajor should welcome the Hand of the Prophets and the Emissary to the Ascendant with open arms. Kai Tila Trus followed his example and the Vedek Assembly simply followed theirs, united as it was. So a convicted murderer and an Obsidian Order agent became agents of the Prophets in one of the Four Prime Universes. The four being the closest to one another and all the trunk lines of alternate realities spinning out of them.
The four were differentiated by the most minute changes but there were variances though the general thrust and outcomes seemed to coincide with the narrowest of changes. In this Prime, for instance, Ro had been rehabilitated and reinstated as a full lieutenant following her surrender and incarceration after the Dominion War concluded in a plea bargain to enable her fellow Maquis commandos went free. This Ro rose to the rank of captain and CO of DS9 before being forced into resigning and rejoining the Bajoran Militia as a colonel in the Colonial Defense Forces. Now Ro had rejoined Starfleet as a lt. commander to satisfy JAG but promoted to full commander within weeks of her reinstatement. But her career had plateaued rank wise. But her security clearance was equal to a junior flag officer's.
Vice Admiral made Admiral busted back to Vice Admiral Nechayev was well aware of how things worked out. In reality, she was still the second most powerful individual in Starfleet as Starfleet Intelligence Director. Nechayev ran off the books programs she'd inherited just as her predecessors had since the days of British Intelligence. In many ways, Nechayev answered to the President of the United Federation of Planets alone. By-passing both Starfleet Commander Clancy and the Secretary for Starfleet Akifa Chol both.
Nechayev had officially been an admiral with no purview or direct command while running covert operations for Starfleet Intelligence. When the Dominion War began, she assumed direct command of the division. At least in this common history. Nechayev herself remembered things differently.
But she hadn't been asked for an opinion when the Prophets chose her. Saavik was unaware of these subtle truths but she'd noted changes in Starfleet Command beyond that of Clancy's contrarian policies and Commodore Oh's cult of personality within Starfleet Security. Nor had she ignored Captain Agman and Captain Cera's being with them as well. Clancy had no sooner accepted her fifth bracketed color pip when the Mars Massacre and the destruction of the Utopia Planitia Yards went down. Admiral Picard's resigning in protest over her decisions to abandon the Romulan relief efforts rankled her. A grudge she'd hold until she was forced to resign in 2399.
The youngest ever and longest serving Starfleet Fleet Commander would end her decorated career in disgrace with Oh revealed as a General in the Romulan Tal Shiar
As the guardian of the vaults, Oh and her agents had fed Director Sela every Starfleet secret she could dream of asking for. That infiltration had reached epic proportions under Clancy's watch. She'd been allowed retirement rather than a court-martial
An equally ambitious but seemingly more circumspect Admiral Elizabeth Shelby would succeed her.
Shelby's own end of career moment would be equally damning and traumatic. It would herald the destruction of the newly commissioned Enterprise-F and most of Earth's defensive grid. Making way for the rechristening of the USS Titan-A as the Enterprise-G. But those events would begin to unfold in thirteen years. Until then, the SID, its personnel, and associates tried to keep the Federation from plummeting into a self-made hell. Clancy penalized Outbound Ventures for procuring starships, ordnance, parts, and dilithium from the Iotian Starfleet. A position forced upon Macen and Tyrol by Clancy's refusal to sell off any of the recently decommissioned fleet of venerable starships following the close of the Dominion War. Since Outbound Ventures was licensed within the Federation but chartered outside of it, it operated on a fee for services schedule.
Saavik was aware of these legality issues. The Blood Queen owed her present position to Macen and the Iotians removing Gomer from it. Gomer made the now-classical mistake of threatening Rockford. Not that Rockford couldn't have dealt with Gomer and her assassins on her own but Macen's sense of gallantry kicked into overdrive and he arranged for Gomer's force to be eliminated and the Iotians to take custody of the Orion gangster. A development Oxmyx and Kracko had been attempting to achieve anyway. The happy couple even sweetened the terms of Macen's deal with them by giving him support in his current mission for the SID.
The Iotians, though a gangster parody of the Federation, was loyal to its clients. They risked war with the United Federation of Planets by resupplying Bajor with ordnance during the war. Then they upgraded the Militia's starships in defiance of the Federation's ill blowing winds. The Iotians recently sold starships, to and trained the crews of, the Confederacy of Planets of twenty-three worlds that seceded from the Federation. They'd purchased Bajor's now outmoded ships from the Iotian "gently used" catalog as well as financing leases to buy twelve Constitution-class starships with support packages. Which expanded the Iotians' arms businesses into the Deeper Beta Quadrant, the goal all along. Thus further pitting the Iotian Federation and Orion Syndicate at further odds. Taking Admiral Brisen hostage was just the latest misstep in a series of increasingly hostile messages between criminally based organizations.
Saavik worried about Councilor Auri's safety devoid of Dax's and her own presence.
Delain worried over Castellan Garan but knew Gul Mariska would lay down her life to defend the elected leader of the Cardassian Union. Delain knew Macen and Rockford would also strive to end the situation with fewer civilian casualties. But there would still be casualties.
"I am Bajoran and I can't make heads or tails of this vessel's controls," Cera complained.
"It was designed by the Karemma," Agman reminded her.
"But some maniac has rerouted, replaced, or omitted every safety feature that should be in place," Cera scowled, "We could blow ourselves up of we weren't locked out."
"It would be safe to assume that is why we are then," Saavik conceded that point.
"This has to be the Ark of the Prophets," Delain opined, "We all saw Neela in there. She and Colonel Anara had a few years together to rework every system well beyond its safety limits. And what they wouldn't or couldn't modify I know a few insane engineers with Outbound Ventures that would happily do the job."
She had Mudd, Ebert, Tom Eckles, Heidi Darcy, and Parva in mind as well Neela herself. She'd been an engineer with the Bajoran Resistance specializing in adapting weapons for maximum carnage. The fact they were all aboard the Ark and Macen and Rockford's team were beside Neela aboard Waypoint spoke hidden volumes. Volumes Saavik seemed briefed on.
"Coming in range of the Bajoran forces," Zimbalist reported, "Ye gods, they're assembling everyone."
"Report," Forger asked crisply.
"Besides the Militia, they've assembled four Galor-class cruisers, six pre-refit Miranda-classes, Ascendant presumably, and four Outbound Ventures original Constitution-class starships," he announced his readings.
"The hell?" Jones blurted.
"Macen told me about five new additions to the SID cleared crews," Forger explained for everyone, "This is four of them."
"I thought Captain Scott and his relic training ship were useful but snot-nosed newbies?" Jones snorted.
"They all fought the Dominion and were command level Starfleet officers," Forger replied sternly/
"'Kay, that's the captains. What about the crews?" Jones wondered.
"Handpicked and recruited by those same captains," Forger added.
"Captain?" I have a new starship entering in on my scope," Miller informed her, "A design I've never seen before."
"Put it on the Tactical display. Include the assemblage," Forger ordered.
Seeing the ship highlighted on the side of the display, she grinned, "Welcome to the fifth addition."
Melissa Kendall took the communication from her identical twin sister, Melinda aboard her starship, the Chaser. To differentiate themselves, Melinda wore her hair blonde.
Melinda had actually made captain before she resigned in protest over the Bajoran/Cardassian Wars so her pension was larger when she cashed it out.
The Iotians were looking to market a new Constitution-class variant. One similar to the Interceptor-class but a heavy cruiser versus a dreadnought.
"Always have to one up me, sis?" Melissa Kendall laughed.
"I try, I really do," Melinda Kendall laughed back, "But now we're both captains indirectly with Starfleet. So there's that."
"You don't have to sell it, Mel," Melissa Kendall told her.
"Just making certain, Missy," Melinda Kendall replied. Melissa's XO, Krista Allen, and the rest of the crew blinked at hearing this nickname. Their captain was resolutely brave and adventurous but also resolutely a proper Briton. Now her sister was shooting holes in that image.
"Thank you, now I'll be salvaging my image," Melissa Kendall sighed.
"Like you need to," Melinda winked, "Now, I have a 'Colonel Anara' to report to?"
"She's good people, Mel," Melissa Kendall promised.
"She'd bloody well better be," Melinda Kendall signed off.
"Captain Missy?" Allen teased her.
"Don't start with me," Kendall warned her bridge crew, "And warn the damn crew when you spread this around not to as well."
"On a serious note, the Obsidian is in sensor range and slowing to approach," Science Officer Linda Mayfair reported.
"Good," Kendall replied, "The plan cometh together."
"So...Melinda was senior in grade in Starfleet. Does that still stand here and now?" Allen inquired.
"Doohan, patch me throughout the Outbound Ventures ships," Kendall ordered Communications Officer, Jamie Doohan.
"You're on," Doohan reported.
"Attention, with the arrival of Captain Melinda Kendall and Captain Forger, I now stand down as senior officer. Captains Kendall and Forger will be updating you as to our situation," Kendall informed everyone involved, including her own sister, "Care to place a wager Melinda assumes and retains command?"
"But Forger has been at this longer," Allen argued.
"Shannon Forger resigned as a lt. commander. Whereas Melinda resigned a captain. Forger only received command of the Obsidian because Captain Riker transferred off and Macen stood down as ship's CO. Forger has never led a Starfleet crew or a squadron of any stripe," Kendall told them.
"I'll place a bet," the Navigator, Chad Wilkins, offered. Kendall had her yeoman scribe all the wagers and amounts into a padd. After everyone saw the padd and its details, the bets were finalized.
"No welching now," Kendall teased her bridge officers.
After dealing with Colonel Anara and giving overall strategic command over to the Militia and Anara herself, Melinda Kendall and Forger settled up.
From the bridge of the Catcher, an original version Constitution Phase II as proposed by Starfleet and not constructed by Cell 51, Kendall conversed openly with Forger, "So, I'm assuming we have to establish dominance."
"It's yours," Forger easily replied, "Group actions aren't my thing."
"That was surprisingly easy," Kendall admitted.
"I could repeat myself if it makes it go down easier," Forger grinned.
"I like you," Kendall smiled.
"I'm very likable," Forger retorted.
"I'll inform the squadron then," Kendall decided.
"See you on the flip side of the screen someday," Forger signed off.
"Patch me in," Kendall requested of her own Communications Officer, Daria Givers.
"Pay up everyone!" Melissa Kendall crowed. The entire bridge crew had bet against her. Everyone thumbprinted their respective latinum transfers that the yeoman had connected the padd to the respective Barrinoran accounts.
"Never bet against twins," Kendall gloated. She posted a note to Melinda and transferred half of the winnings to her.
Anara gathered the commanders of each force represented. Forger was included as a personal courtesy. Kiplyn Bev was the War Vedek in command of the six Ascendant vessels. Gul Larkot was the Cardassian commander. Captain Melinda Kendall was Outbound Ventures' senior officer and took Forger's presence with aplomb.
"Vedek Kiplyn, your force will protect our rear in case the Starfleet renegades have reinforcements coming," Anara had decided.
"How do we know Commodore Saavik and Dax are not the renegades?" Larkot inquired, "Or Captains Agman and Cera? They both fought your people."
"Correction: Agman did fight but was relieved of his command because of his refusal to further aggression. Captain Cera was relieved of command for being Bajoran," Kendall told him.
"And in fact, Saavik and Dax went against orders and assisted the Bajoran and Cardassian causes," Anara reminded Larkot, "I don't need reminders on who my enemies are."
"Captain Poole seemed to be pulling the strings," Forger was the only witness from the scene, "Captain Morris was his eager deputy."
"Mandy always has been more of a follower than a free thinker," Kendall reminisced.
"I could tell you stories already," Forger agreed, "And I've only encountered her twice and this Poole on both occasions. They're zealots for their righteous cause. Which is what anyone higher up tells them to do."
"So we need to uncover how far up this goes within Starfleet," Anara decided.
"Commander Vaughn assured us that Starfleet Command itself wasn't compromised in this. Commander Lavelle's orders came directly from the Federation Council, Specifically the Starfleet Oversight Committee," Larkot informed them all while spitting Lavelle's name, "Commander Vaughn has repeatedly shown himself to be a friend of both Bajor and Cardassia."
Lavelle was still considered a war criminal by the Cardassians. His death would be celebrated in the halls of power. Especially after the devil's deal made with Cell 31 to release Nhlakamipho Cindi, Chavy Sok, and Juliete Perez from Cardassian custody
The deal had been struck in exchange for Lavelle's death. Cell 51 had kept their side of the bargain after all. Making them semi-reliable players in interstellar affairs. Yet it was also acknowledged by Garan and the Detepa Council the war would never have begun without the three Cell 51 political operatives making it an unwarranted fact.
Garan no longer trusted Starfleet to keep its backdoor deals after Commodore Oh set them up for Cell 51's machinations. But Cell 51 honored its deal to the letter. So perhaps they would so again in the future. After all, Section 31 had enjoyed profitable exchanges with both the Tal Shiar and the Obsidian Order before the Order's collapse. It was telling, in fact, that Cell 51 had not reached out to the Cardassian Information Bureau until now.
All facts Delain had just become aware of in case of an eventuality such as this. She was explaining them to Saavik even as Larkot's CIB liaison, Darkholm, began to explain the situation to Anara and her allies.
"So your people traded for Lavelle's assassination?" Kendall was horrified.
"And Cell 51, through the Federation Council, complied," Darkholm explained, "Now you see why we cannot trust the Federation."
"We knew the Federation Council was complicit in making Sok, Perez, and then Ardra president. We also knew the Council was complicit with fostering Sok's drive to war. We just didn't know how deeply the connection between Cell 51 and the Federation Council and what Select Committees were involved. Now we have one," Forger rattled off.
"You're certain you don't want the center seat on this one?" Kendall was amused.
"Dead certain," Forger had outlined her own role in upcoming events with Kendall prior or Anara bringing the meeting to order.
"That doesn't get our Emissary back," War Vedek Kiplyn complained.
"Your theocracy endured for over three centuries without her. You can endure three more as well," Darkholm sneered/
"We're not here to judge others," Larkot intervened, "Just to get Castellan Garan back and unleash the Damar."
"Waitasec! You sent the Castellan to the Gamma Quadrant in the very first Damar-class dreadnought?" Forger seized upon that.
"She is the Castellan," Darkholm thought Forger was now addled.
"Can you drum up some Lakat-class light cruisers to make a run on Waypoint prior to our getting there?" Kendall asked.
"We have four standing by at Terok Nor," Larkot revealed, "Why?"
"I want to unleash your Damar-class and in doing so, liberate the hostage Starfleet starships in the process," Kendall explained her idea, "Before everyone begins buckling down with the 'I was just following orders' defense strategy."
"I see that's a universal justification," Darkholm smirked.
"Now, if I know anything about Commander Macen and Neela, they're bringing the station's shields down as we speak," Anara predicted.
Chapter Four
"That's the last of them," Neela holstered her phaser as the last Syndicate enforcer fell to her shot.
"Whoa! Holy shuk!" Parva took a look at the system read outs.
"What's wrong?" Neela worried.
"Nothing. It's just I've never seen a starbase outside of Spacedock or a Douglas-class station have this kind of shielding," Parva admitted, "To put in a point scale, Serenity would have ten points of shielding just like a standard starship. DS9 and an upgraded J-class fifteen to twenty points. This has thirty points worth of value. Your people went into overdrive upgrading the shielding on this baby."
"Actually, that's stock. K-class stations have always had upscaled shielding to compensate for the lack of defensive weaponry," Neela stated.
"You knew?" Parva was surprised.
"I tend to study where I expect trouble to be," Neela told her.
"So...you knew this frinxed up shuk was going down?" Parva scowled.
"Not precisely. I knew something would occur and warned General Kira about it. She assigned me here. Kira warned Admiral Forger and together they assigned your team to be here as well. Then the Orion Syndicate announced they were attending so the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together," Neela explained, "So while I knew a 'crisis' would occur, I didn't know the 'what' or 'how'. The Prophets have been relying on my judgment to navigate through problems more and more often."
"Sounds like they're distracted," Parva's scowl deepened.
"We can shut systems down from here but the only way to insure they stay down is to eject the warp core," Neela explained.
"You've done this before?" Parva was impressed despite herself.
"A Nor-class' fusion core but the same principle applies," Neela told her, "Except on a Nor-class the results are more catastrophic to station systems. Here at least the fusion core will supply auxiliary power to life support and close internal blast doors that will shut when the shields go down."
"Sealing off the crossover bridges," Parva approved, "Pretty damn sneaky."
"Once in the Resistance, always in the Resistance," Neela shrugged.
"Macen and friends are like that about the Maquis too," Parva confessed, "Rab and Rockford have the Tarsis War in common."
"Technically that was Annika Ryst. Celeste just inherited those memories and scars," Neela was prepping to eject the warp cores. Like an original Constitution-class, it possessed three warp cores that were advancements on the NX-class warp core. They were caged off until work was needed on a core. Then the cages were opened up and each core addressed.
Blast doors descended to seal off the cores and Neela hit a button and the lights flickered as the cores ejected and the fusion reactor was called upon to provide auxiliary power.
"Now we just hold off the inevitable response," Neela smiled.
"You're so weird," Parva grinned, "I love you as a sister fem but you're an odd duck."
"What's a 'duck'," Neela's universal translator didn't cover that concept.
"I have no idea," Parva laughed.
"How can you just sit there," Reyes paced the small brig cell space.
"At least the cell has two cots," Ro replied.
The lights and force field flickered.
"'Bout damn time," Ro rose from her reclining position.
"Did someone just power down the warp cores?" Reyes realized what was happening.
"Ejected them is more likely," Ro told him, "Computer, this Colonel Ro Laren, access code Ro tango alpha six niner. Deactivate all brig force fields."
"Compliance," the computer's feminine voice replied. The Constabulary surged out of the cells to beat the Syndicate's guards senseless.
"You could have done that at any time?" Reyes asked.
"Only in the advent of a core shut down. Then it's an emergency release to spare prisoners from being suffocated in case the we lose hull integrity," Ro explained as she armed herself from the Brig's armory. She handed Reyes a holster, phaser, and spare power cells, "You'll need these."
"So Commander, you're still a Militia Colonel as well?" Reyes grinned.
"Reserve commission," Ro shrugged, "Kira insisted upon it."
"I'm beginning to respect her judgment more every minute," Reyes admitted.
"She does have the type of prescience that comes with being touched by the Prophets," Ro admitted.
"You? The Prophets? You're going there?" Reyes was surprised.
"I've met them. Twice," Ro reminded him, "They're not gods. Just a different kind of life."
"Good save," Reyes grinned, "You had me worried."
"C'mon Captain, let's save some lives," Ro encouraged him.
But when they exited the detention center with the constables, everyone's blood ran cold upon seeing the fallen, bullet ridden Bajoran Militia personnel's bodies.
"They'll be damn lucky if we take prisoners," Ro growled.
Reyes' duty normally would have compelled him to remind Ro of Starfleet regs. But he felt the same way.
"What the hell?" Poole felt the artificial gravity lurch. The flickering lights stabilized alongside the gravity, "What the frinx just happened?"
"We've lost internal and external shields and the warp cores," Guthrie grated.
"Damn," Poole muttered before asking, "Did you just say warp cores, plural?"
"You really should study your targets, Captain," Guthrie chided him.
"I leave that to you and your SOC detail, Commander," Poole replied evenly.
"The crossover bridges are sealed off by pressure doors," Guthrie studied the readouts, "We've lost the brig. Half my men are behind those pressure doors and the other half are tracking down the saboteurs."
"Raise the Thuringia," Poole instructed, "I'll get a security team over here to supplement your detail. I'll have engineers beam across to liberate your forces trapped in the modules."
"They'll have to move out of position to transport personnel," Guthrie reminded him.
"Bowers won't lead a revolt as long as he thinks we still have Dax," Poole referred to Commander Sam Bowers, the Aventine's XO, "The same holds true for Saavik, Cera, and Agman's XO's. Morris will keep them cowed for a while yet."
"And the Cardies?" Guthrie inquired, "They still have a Damar-class dreadnought in Greyson's orbit."
"We still hold Garan," Poole reminded him, "The Blood Queen is responsible for keeping it that way."
"Let's hope she can," Guthrie grimaced, "I don't rely on criminals."
"Once my Security detail comes aboard, you won't have to," Guthrie promised.
"If we could settle down, we still have much to discuss," the Blood Queen focused on Astris and Garan. The other alien delegates took their cues from them. Joining the Blood Queen at the negotiating table were Thomas Darcy, Treir, Puzz, Ekaterina Kozlova, M'rex, Tyler von Zimmerman, ad well as Oliania, Bloom, and Melania. Darcy was the Alpha Quadrant Boss to Treir's Beta Quadrant equivalent under the Blood Queen's leadership as Syndicate don. Oliania, Bloom, and Melania were all capos. Puzz and Kozlova were business model strategists, M'rex and Zimmerman were accountants. Rowlf and Rawlf stood faithfully by the Blood Queen's side in their suits of armor and ready swords.
Demona and Takaga were the assassins brought aboard to deal with over the top problems. Takaga was a Nalori, an obsidian skinned death dealer who seemed to absorb ambient light. Demona was a Melbanian killer.
"Deal with the distractions," the Blood Queen ordered them. They departed with the slightest of bows.
"Your pets seem well trained," Garan remarked. The Lupine Rawlf and Rowlf growled low in their throats.
"I'd choose your next words more carefully, Castellan," the Blood Queen advise d her, "My guards are very tired of being compared to human canines."
Gul Mariska and her Legislative Guard detail were surrounded by the Blood Queen's bodyguards. Eldon Smith, a trusted enforcer, placed a finger to his lips to silence her.
Rostakov, Hawke, and Torres took guarding Mariska's detail seriously. This left Edward Blake, Evelyn Truax, Louise Young, Emily Knowles, Eduardo Vittario and Kim Young-IL in charge of the Parasites, genetically engineered enforcer drones.
"Release the Parasites," Oliania ordered. Since she, Melania, and Bloom essentially held the rank of generals in the Syndicate, the guard detail dispersed with the Parasites in two clusters.
"Your would-be saviors will soon be dead," the Blood Queen gloated.
"I couldn't have planned it better myself," Ocett wore a feral smile, "Tell Gul Mertik to standby."
"Yes, Legate Ocett," the Glinn hurried off.
"Commander Willis, we're receiving a coded message on a Bajoran Militia frequency. They're alerting us a counter offensive will be underway in twenty minutes time," Bateson's Tactical Officer reported.
"Alert Bowers and L'Hara," Willis gloated, "This should be good."
"It's an open signal, "I believe the individual commands will have been alerted," the Andorian officer replied.
"Even better," Willis chuckled, "Use the Bajoran frequency and contact Hunter and Blevins. Without giving anything away, find out of they're with us."
"Indeed," the Andorian agreed.
"Captain, we're picking up Bajoran chatter," Morris' XO, Kristi Madison, reported.
"Panic comms," Morris dismissed it.
"Captains Harris and Sttaak are concerned," Madison admitted.
"Tell them to hold their positions or they'll answer to the Select Committee itself," Morris snapped.
"Standby weapons," Bowers ordered Lt. Lonnoc Kidair, the Aventine's Tactical Officer.
He'd already alerted Lt. Commander Mikeala Leishman, the Chief Engineer, and Doctor Simon Tarses, the CMO, to standby as well. Lt. Oliana Mirren at OPS and Ensign Erin Constantino at CONN stood by for immediate action as well.
"I'm looking forward to this," Bowers admitted, "Kidair, just make certain to disable, not destroy Morris and her flunkies."
"Oh, I've got manual phaser locks already inputted," Kidair promised.
"The Honshu's CONN is sending coordination data points," Constantino reported, "The Endeavor and the Sentinel are coordinating as well."
"And the Eclipse?" Bowers asked.
"Seemingly oblivious to what's coming," Mirren replied.
"That's Agman's issue when he returns aboard," Bowers shrugged
Commander Emil Hunter, the Saber-class USS Sentinel's XO, had been coordinating with Captain L'Hara aboard the Endeavor-A. Doctor Rebekah Halep was prepping Sickbay. Lieutenant JG T'Kas, the Chief Engineer, had Main Engineering preparing to throw power where needed for combat operations at a second's notice. Lieutenant JG Trent Conner at OPS and Lieutenant Brett Cavalier at CONN were looking forward to some action after being held hostage. Everyone wondered where the Norway-class USS Eclipse would land in this equation. Colonel Anara was broadcasting on a coded Militia channel known by Starfleet. But Captain Morris seemed to be ignoring the obvious. As Anara was counting on. The Colonel knew her allies would be awaiting any Bajoran signal to know when to act. She'd hoped her enemies' arrogance would blind them to an open secret.
"Contact right!" Daggit called as the first Parasites attacked. Daggit risked using his photon grenade launcher to clear a swathe through the seemingly mindless drones.
"Contact left!" Bowers called out. It seemed the enemy had plotted a pincer move
Ebert and Mudd sheltered the Detective Squad, Mudd becoming ruthlessly efficient as a killer when threatened. Macen supported Daggit's defense while Rockford assisted Burrows. Then Ro and Reyes brought the constables into action. Truax and Young retreated rather than face a determined enemy. Kim, Knowles, and Vittario finally broke ranks as the last Parasites fell before the counter offensive
Daggit's comm badge chirped, "Daggit."
"What the frinx were those things?" Parva demanded to know.
"We have no idea, Babe," Daggit told her, "But they seem to have run out of them."
"Neela fought back a Melbonian and a Nalori," I can only assume they were assassins of some kind," Parva unhappily stated.
Macen nodded to Daggit and he told her, "I'm on my way with Constabulary help."
"So Ro freed them," Parva chuckled nastily.
"Was there any doubt?" Daggit asked.
"Not down here," Parva promised, "They looking for payback?"
"Wouldn't you?" Daggit asked as he marshaled four deputies to follow him.
"I already am," Parva glanced about at the dead engineers littering the engineering deck. Their bullet ridden bodies hadn't died easy deaths. Several wounded had dragged themselves across the deck while they bled out. The sight of torn bodies would've made most lose their gorge but the extra sights and smells of the blood and ruptured organs and broken bones was enough to sicken even the battle hardened Parva.
"How can you not be sick?" Parva asked Neela.
"It's nothing I haven't seen or smelled before. The Cardassians enjoyed minimizing Resistance fighter numbers before they begged for death. We'd find camps like this all over Bajor. The labor camps were even worse because of industrial accidents that tore bodies to pieces. More workers would simply be rounded up and thrown into the channel houses. What do you think the ore processors on Terok Nor were like?" Neela was too angry to give in to being sick or weak, "At least Serenity omitted those monsters and replaced them with industrial replicators. It's why refugee camps were maintained. To breed the next generation of slaves."
Parva had never realized what kind of anger remained within Neela over that history until now. But then for her it had ended barely eight years before. Even then the Cardassians had still been allied with the Dominion when the Prophets had saved her from the void of space. Evidence had been unearthed in the Vedek Assembly vaults that Kai Winn was behind the explosive that nearly gutted the Ark of the Prophets and sucked Neela out into space. If Winn Adami had been alive, Anara would've killed her by now. So Neela wasn't the only Bajoran that still had anger issues. Particularly towards collaborators or those deemed assisting the enemy.
In this case, the Dominion. Their joint mission with Macen and Ro had nearly failed because of the "accidental" explosion. Winn had spoken eloquently and passionately at Neela's state funeral as a hero. Undoubtedly the apostate kai would've been horrified to see Neela reappear, ageless, ten years later. A Neela the Prophets had personally saved while never once touching Winn. Despite all her preening to the contrary.
The former Kai of Bajor had never even experienced an Orb's touch. Unlike Kira, who'd not only been personally touched by a Prophet but had had at least three Orb experiences that Winn knew about. Kira's faith never wavered. Unlike Neela, Kira had never required a "course correction" in the expression and ends of that faith.
All of this Parva had known. But the depths of Neela's anger had remained a mystery. Until now. The turbolift opened and somehow Neela outdrew Parva's genetically enhanced reflexes. Daggit and the four constables exited, weapons poised for action.
"Stand down," Daggit told them, "They're friendlies."
Apparently no one had briefed the Constabulary that a member of the SID team was an Orion. Parva decided she'd chew someone out for that. Right now, she tightly embraced her husband, "These people never stood a chance.
"Near the warp core," a deputy said with horror.
"Not an issue now," another nodded towards the vacant bays were the warp cores had been once upon a time.
"Orders, Major?" the other two deputies focused on Neela.
"Rig anti-intrusion at the Jefferies Tubes," Neela ordered. Security had the proper authorization so Neela wouldn't have to waste time overriding the system lockouts.
"You heard her!" the senior deputy marshaled her forces. They all went to work, one each at a tube until all six were secured.
"Now, we shut down the fusion reactor," Neela went to a control console.
"You're going to scram the reactor?" Daggit worried, "What about life support and gravity?"
"Not to mention lights?" Parva also fretted.
"You people would should study your targets better," Neela told them, "The batteries will sustain the systems for seventy-two hours while maintaining comms and limited range sensors. The turbolifts will go offline as well as internal security measures beyond anti-intrusions. This will also lock pressure doors in place. SOC will have to cut through blast doors to leave the modules. That'll cost them their rifles."
"She has a point," Parva conceded, "Type-3 phaser rifles will melt down with that much sustained power outflow. If they even brought enough power cells to manage the job"
"So it might cost them hand phasers as well?" the senior deputy inquired.
"Could very well be," Daggit told her as he tapped his comm badge, "Daggit to Macen."
"Macen here," cane the reply.
"Neela is scramming the fusion reactor. She promises batteries will take over and sustain us for seventy-two hours afterwards. But lifts will be inoperable and our SOC friends will lose most of their inventory cutting their way out of the modules."
"Copy that. Out," Macen said briskly.
"Now Commander/Colonel Ro will be briefing Constable Darin on the necessity of holding the Security Office's armory at all costs. This will redeploy the Constabulary back to a defensive position while Ro and Captain Reyes join with Macen and Rockford's team to liberate the hostages," Neela explained as she shut the reactor down, "Now, I'll signal the Ark of the Prophets and re-enable comms and transporters so the captains and commodore can contact their respective ships."
"This is too pat," Parva complained.
"To be forthcoming, Commander Macen, Detective Rockford, Captain Riker, Anara and I planned for this contingency. It's why I brought the Ark," Neela finally explained.
"So all of that up above...?" Daggit inquired.
"Role playing," Neela shrugged, "Macen felt it better than to let the team know we allowed this to happen. Starfleet's complicity came as a complete surprise though. Captains Poole and Morris have shown a history of blindly following orders or perceived orders without considering their legality."
"You sound like you know them," Parva was surprised.
"We have a mutual history," Daggit told her, "Back in the Dominion War."
"A pleasant one from the sound of it," Parva snarked.
"You could say that," Neela hit the last control and the lights flickered once more, "Now we're committed."
"What's that mean?" a deputy asked.
"We have seventy-two hours to retake the station and restart the fusion reactor before we'll lose life support. After that we'll six hours of air and heat before we asphyxiate and/or freeze to death," Parva explained the reality of the situation.
"No pressure," Daggit told them. They didn't believe him. Parva also had her own doubts. The Starfleet wrinkle could be bigger than a few seemingly rogue officers.
Neela, however, had unwavering faith the Prophets would guide Macen and the team
Admiral Forger and Captain Thomas Riker's images dominated Vaughn's monitor screen in his newly claimed office. Vice Admiral Bill Ross had shown up hours before to mint Vaughn Starfleet's newest captain. Ross had already answered Captain Vaughn's question but he wanted to double check the answer with a source with deeper resources.
"I'm sorry, Captain. Starfleet Command has no records of issuing the commanding officers of the Thuringia, Specter, Eire, and Legislature anything regarding Waypoint Station. Furthermore, there's no record of any diplomatic couriers or packages being dispatched to them," Forger explained, "But then again, there's no official record of Commander Lavelle receiving a courier either."
"An event personally witnessed by Ops staff on the station," Vaughn didn't appreciate what he was hearing.
"Couldn't we trace the courier dispatches through the Federation Diplomatic Corps?" Riker inquired.
"Except that the Diplomatic Corps is being obtuse. They're demanding we present a court order and have already appealed the order we did receive. At this rate it could end up with the Supreme Court. Which even an expedited schedule means we wouldn't have an answer for at least two weeks," Forger described the situation, "Normally the Corps is forthcoming until they've been ordered to muddy the waters by the Federation Council."
"And the request for Federation Security to open an investigation?" Vaughn asked.
"Same story. Federation Security wants the High Court's backing in launching an inquiry at that level," Forger sighed.
"They investigated Ardra," Riker reminded her.
"At the Federation Council's request. President Kilbrek has been approached but he wants ironclad proof before investigating a body that impeached him and restored him to office. He considers it 'bad optics'," Forger grimaced, "He stated he didn't want to be accused of 'revenge politics'."
They could hear the finger quotes in her sarcastic retort.
"But Kilbrek controls the euphemistically dubbed 'Ministry of Information'. He can control the narrative," Vaughn pointed out.
"Kilbrek distanced himself from the former Ministry of Propaganda and made it answerable to the Federation Council. I doubt Dysart and the others will bite the hand that gives them free rein," Forger said bleakly.
"And Federation Security, though an Executive branch agency has Council oversight and appropriations," Riker understood now.
"Now you gentlemen recognize my difficulty in being able to provide a concise answer," Forger lamented.
"It's all right, Amanda. if I can get Bill to sign off on my sending the Defiant through the Wormhole, we may get answers sooner," Vaughn was one of the few non-flag officers on a first name basis with most of the Admiralty.
"I'm sorry, Elias. Jellico ordered you told hold DS9 while the Bajorans sort the problem out for themselves," Forger tried to console him.
"Then it's a good thing I was never under such restrictions," Riker grinned.
"Why did you send those older starships through anyway?" Vaughn had to finally ask.
So Riker explained his pre-strategiczing the Waypoint mission with Macen, Rockford, and Neela, "Sorry I couldn't say anything earlier but Shannon pointed out that Starfleet Command might be complicit when she contacted me to activate the contingency."
"I remember the Kendall sisters resigning. There was a lot of stink over it," Forger recalled, "Conner and Gellar's resignations were a blow as well. I don't recollect anything about Tyler."
"Melinda Kendall may have had rank seniority in Starfleet but Gellar has the edge in experience," Vaughn told them both, "Gellar took a tour through Starfleet Command before accepting the XO slot she resigned from during the war. She would've made captain ten years ago if not that side railing."
"What division she did serve with?" Forger knew none of this.
"SOC," Vaughn smiled, "Best support driver in the business. All off the books so she didn't have official command experience when she took a six-month tour as XO aboard the Exeter to justify her promotion on paper."
"Instead she resigned. Damn shame," Riker commented.
"May I remind the Captain, you effectively did the same when you went AWOL to join the Maquis?" Forger snarked at him, "Fortunately, history remembers you a little kinder after the work you did with Ro and Macen during the Dominion War."
"You not thinking about jumping out here, are you?" Vaughn suddenly worried.
"Brin and Celeste made it plain my duty is with the station in case the Orions or anyone else got uppity and dared the wrath of the Barrinoran treaty partners," Riker promised, "After Solarian and DeVos tried their hand, no one takes anything for granted anymore. I've got the Solstice and even the Eclipse as support along with Mr. Locarno's runabouts."
"Like you said, with Starfleet complicity ordered by the Federation Select Committee, nothing is off the table," Forger agreed.
"Who do you really work for?" Chalk asked 008, "A trade delegate would have been telling me anything and everything I wanted to know by now."
The interrogator had been brought along precisely because the Blood Queen had suspected 013 and 027's loyalties. 008 and 009 had been swept up by the specialized weapons scanners the queen employed. "Sensor proof" weapons were easily detected.
So the secret agents had gone down after a tremendous fight. 008 had the indignity of watching the three women get tortured before his helpless eyes.
"I'll be killing you, you realize," 008 wanted to live just long enough to fulfill that wish.
"That's the weakest threat I've heard all week," Chalk promised him. His tool- of choice made every muscle in the body spasm at the same time and hold it indiscreetly until the stimulation was turned back off. The average humanoid couldn't endure it for long before their hearts gave out. Chalk was rather impressed with the three humans' endurance.
He had no idea of what species 013 came from but she'd lasted the longest before slipping into a coma. Chalk was out of victims so he was pacing himself with 008
Still, the vitals on the human were weak. He wouldn't survive much longer. But the Blood Queen had demanded to know who they truly worked for and had the capability of infiltrating her staff and this delegation without previously being detected. 013 and 027 had helped take this station captive.
It took a special breed of agent to commit murder to maintain their cover. Section 31 infamously was capable of it but which branch of the Federation was still trafficking in death and destruction? Who'd issued these "licenses to kill"?
"You're trying my patience?" Chalk had heard of another Federation agent that the Indendant Kira had sexually maimed and he'd given nothing but the satisfaction of his eventual escape. He'd doubted the Federation could still breed such agents, not even the legendary SOC troops were this committed.
"I'll tell you what you want to know," 008 said between parched lips.
"Speak up!" Chalk couldn't understand the mumbled whisper. He leaned in to hear whatever 008 was muttering and 008 exhaled on him. The neurovenom killed them both. None of the agents had had enough respite to swivel a select molar that had been replaced in their mouths. After the swivel, it took a clenched bite to release seal on the gas canister. They both died in agony since they'd each received a partial dose. The Syndicate doctor on hand couldn't even identify the toxin before Chalk died frothing at the mouth.
"Kill the others," the doctor decided to eliminate the threat of further casualties. The shots rang out and brass casings plinked off the deck. The doors to the infirmary opened at that point.
"Now what?" the staff doctor asked irritably.
Burrows wasted no energy from his phaser as he skewered and beheaded Syndicate guards saving the doctor for last using the bladed forearm of a Parasite.
"Physician, heal thyself," Burrows ordered before cleaving the doctor's head in half.
"Damn, we're way too late," Mudd tried not to vomit.
"Sons of bitches must pay," Burrows vowed.
"Grab a med kit!" Ebert demanded, "We have a survivor!"
"Through all this shuk?" Mudd refused to believe it.
But 027 clung to life, unwilling to give her captors the satisfaction of killing her.
"Finance Minister, I cannot sanction your return to Waypoint Station," Saavik argued with Kara.
"This is a Bajoran transporter on a Bajoran ship and my destination is sovereign Bajoran territory," Kara said coldly, "I don't see where you have the authority to object."
"Then I insist that I come with you," Saavik replied.
"Commodore, you're duty is to return to the Endeavor and lead this fight," Dax reminded her, "As the ranking officer, you don't have the right to go off half-cocked."
'I'll go with her," Cera offered.
"So will I," Dax promised, "Sam has this aboard the Aventine."
"Captain Bateson, any objections?" Saavik inquired, "For I will require your and Captain Agman's vaster experience to steer our wayward comrades back into the Starfleet fold."
"I can at least motivate the Honshu to support whatever action you take, Commodore," Bateson promised.
"The Eclipse will stand with you, Commodore," Agman vowed.
"Then this vessel seems to be adequately equipped with Militia small arms. Take what you need. I am certain Major Neela would not object," Saavik relented.
"I wouldn't be so certain," Kara muttered under her breath. Dax stifled a smile
In a quiet service corridor, Kara, Dax, and Cera materialized to find themselves surrounded by Macen and Ro's forces.
"You're late," Ro snorted.
Kara noted the absences, "You seem to be losing people, Commanders."
Ro brought Kara up to speed with Macen's decisions to send a team to Engineering and have the Constable and his remaining forces guard the stricken 027 and tend to her wounds as best as they could. Dax and Cera noted the multi-hued blood sprayed across Burrows' clothing but remained silent. It wasn't their jurisdiction but Burrows' simmering rage indicated stormy weather ahead. Even Mudd looked worried.
Lee, Shade, and Forte returned to the Security Office to bolster defenses and use the station's anti-intrusion systems against the SOC teams advancing from the modules. Or presumably advancing since internal sensors were down as well as surveillance vids. That still gave Poole and Guthrie Ops and the comms to move units around. But Parva had dedicated a single channel to the counter offensive's use.
Daggit and the deputies had repelled three incursion attempts by Demona and Takaga. The Melbonian and Nalori were growing desperate in their efforts to restart the fusion reactor. Or at least clear a path for Guthrie's combat engineers to do so. SOC commandos had joined them so every possible entry point into the Engineering deck was now under siege. Neela had constructed a crude explosive to damage the battery cells should SOC retake Engineering. Thereby hastening the deadline required to restart the fusion core. They'd have less than six hours to undergo an eight hour restart. Even less if Neela decided to reopen the warp core chutes and void the Engineering Deck to open space without the protection of the force fields.
Engineering staffers kept EVA suits on hand for catastrophic damage repairs but even those suits wouldn't be enough to hold out for a complete restart after manually closing the hatches once again. Parva took comfort in Neela's self-assurance but wondered if the Bajoran engineer-turned convict-turned spy-turned religious figure/spy wasn't delusional this time out.
"Suit up," Neela instructed everyone, "They're testing the anti-intrusion measures again. I don't think they'll hold this time."
The deputies were right to look worried. Parva was too. Daggit's combat conditioning was in full swing so he was in survival mode and dutifully put the suit on and attached his personal weaponry to its exterior. Everyone else did the same. Neela double checked the explosive after garbing herself.
As the SOC commandos penetrated Engineering, Neela vented it to space but withheld form blowing the batteries just yet. The SOC officers were sucked into the void. An experience Neela knew all too well. If not for the Prophets intervening, Winn's plan would've killed her,
Instead she awoke ten years in the future and in a different universe. The others had all been brought back into the past from 2389 to 2385. Four years that only made a significant difference to Vaughn who was really 115 years old rather than his official 111 years. Vaughn was visibly aging more rapidly now. Leonard McCoy held the record for longest serving human Starfleet officer. He'd died at the age of 169 years old. Only Pavel Chekov had come close at 149 years.
Chekov's son, Anton, was considering a run for UFP President someday. He was Earth's Federation Councilor and found the recent actions of both the Presidents and Federation Council deplorable. Anton Chekov hadn't followed his father into Starfleet but still found a public service sector to inhabit.
"Commodore Saavik unwillingly sent us," Dax clarified for Ro. Dax and Ro had corresponded weekly after Ezri left DS9. So she was well aware of Ro's current assignment. She didn't find it coincidental that Cell 51 would be Ro's target and Ro a target of Captain Poole and Captain Morris' Federation Council's masters. So she said as much.
"To be honest it confirms a lot of theories on how Sok and up to Ardra got into power so easily,' Ro confessed.
'Look Commanders and Captains, I personally oversaw every expense going into this station. Every Bajoran starbase construction, actually. Other than Major Neela, I'm your best source of information on how things work, why they do, and where they're located," Kara explained to them, "I'm assuming you know why I retain that knowledge."
"I'm unaware but impressed," Reyes admitted.
"So am I," Dax related and so did Cera.
"I have a eidetic memory. Every scrap of data I've ever read on this station is stored here," she pointed at her temple, "So you need me in order to safely get Astris back."
"Not to mention Councilor Auri or Castellan Garan," Dax chimed in for PR sake.
"I'll defend Rekena Garan but everyone else besides her and Beru are expendable to me," Kara confessed.
"That's cold. Councilor Auri is your ally," Cera complained.
"The war the Federation fought with Bajor wasn't a cold war," Kara testily replied, "And Garan stood by us while you sat out the war in the stockade simply for being Bajoran. Yet you went back to Starfleet like loyal, well trained pet. That's how Clancy sees you loyalists you know. With derision and scorn for being unable to stand on your own. At least in the Militia your loyalty wouldn't be tested and doubted every day."
"Wow. Let's go there," Cera was taken aback by Kara's blunt assessment.
"These people put their lives in danger for Bajor. You didn't and still won't. Them I trust. To me, you're just another collaborator," Kara told Cera.
"Maybe you've said enough," Dax suggested.
"I'd like to hear more," Ro confessed.
"Colonel, and now Commander, Ro still defends Bajor's honor while you sulk and wallow in self-pity about your situation yet you haven't grown the balls to change it and return to Bajor," Kara lashed out one final time.
"Maybe I can do more for Bajor from my center seat," Cera replied.
"You don't believe that any more than I do," Kara retorted.
"Well, this has certainly been productive," Rockford redirected the conversation, "Why did you return?"
"As I said I have an eidetic memory. My office steered every facet of this starbase, and every starbases' construction. I know its in and outs better than anyone else left defending except for perhaps Major Neela," Kara explained, "I can get you to the briefing theater where the delegations are meeting with the fewest living obstacles between us."
"That's handy," Mudd was encouraged.
"I'll need some of your personnel in the Security Office to monitor the anti-intrusion devices to pinpoint where SOC is moving," Kara told the team.
"Lee, Shade, and Forte, you're up," Rockford wanted to remove her squad from the worst of the fighting yet to come.
"But..." Forte began to protest.
"Arianna, you don't want to step back, do you?" Rockford cut her off with her own feral past. Life on Miri had been nasty, brutish, and short to quote Thomas Hobbes. Then came puberty and mutation into monsters. Of course, short was measured by hundreds of years. Forte was biologically barely over fourteen yet over four hundred and fifty years old. Older than the El-Aurian Macen. She was undeniably brilliant but still partially a savage underneath her veneer of rebellious adolescence.
It was little wonder the pink haired Forte got along so well with the Fabrini thief turned exile, Shade. Shade herself dressing the part of a 20th-21st Century Goth. Lee thought of himself as an outcast rebel but he was still the most law abiding member of the team. Which said a lot when compared to Burrows. Burrows and Mudd's relationship definitely proved opposites did attract. But could the stay together?
"Let's get the lead out," Burrows suddenly interjected then he wore sheepish grin, "I always wanted to say that."
"Good advice," Kara allowed, "Follow me."
"As long as you keep some lead in your pencil," Mudd teased Burrows.
"What's a 'pencil'?" he asked.
She shrugged, "Who the hell knows?"
Forte did but she was still sulking at being redirected to the Security Office.
"They what?" Forger shouted at the viewer on her desk.
"Keep it down," Nechayev hissed over the transmission from San Francisco, "Commander Ambril is trustworthy but she isn't cleared for this."
Forger took that as slight on Lt. Commander Ambril Delori's behalf. The Bajoran attaché was loyal and discreet. Despite the propaganda regarding Bajorans that had remained in Starfleet. But Nechayev was correct, Ambril wasn't cleared for this level of FUBAR, or "Frinxed Up Beyond All Recognition."
"How did they do it?" Forger groaned.
"The test engineers brought along the USS Dibron's former bridge crew as 'consultants'," Nechayev said distastefully, "A move Commodore Oh authorized. After they cleared Spacedock, they simply cloaked and never reappeared inside of Federation space. The Admiralty had this locked down for days. Even I just found out about it in a direct briefing with Oh and Clancy. Clancy seems to recognize her ass is on the line. Oh is Vulcan-nally imperturbable."
"The Dibron was fully functional?" Forger wondered.
"She was listed as still lacking weapons capability. Uncovered transfer records have phaser coils and photons going aboard her so I tend not to trust Starfleet Security's assessment," Nechayev scowled.
"That ship has the only known working model of a transphasic cloaking device," Forger was horrified she was back in commission.
"I'm well aware," Nechayev said dryly.
"Can we even find her?" Forger wondered.
"Clancy has every patrol near the Taurus Reach looking for a literal 'hole in space'. It's a perfect cloak. The only detectable thing about it is that it's undetectable. Hence the hole," Nechayev shrugged, "I give us a one in fifty chance of finding it even with every civilian and Starfleet astronomer and survey ship looking for that specificity without knowing why."
"But they'll all be guessing it's regarding a cloaked ship," Forger understood.
"But not whose," Nechayev consoled herself.
"Does this compromise Oh?" Forger asked.
"The good Commodore had the sense to throw a subordinate under the bus with the actual authorization command code. A Captain Theresa Walker. Who could be Cell 51. IA is looking into it and I forwarded the data on to Commander Ro, Who went dark after the Waypoint incident began," Nechayev's scowl returned, "Damn Maquis tactics and thinking at work again."
"Which are exactly why you recruited her back into Starfleet's fold," Forger annoyingly reminded the Director of Starfleet Intelligence.
"I appreciate them when they work for me and not against my wishes," Nechayev confessed, "Right now, I want my officer in charge of the investigation to report in."
"You know those lines aren't that clearly defined," Forger chided her mentor, "Ro and Reyes probably heard about difficulties on DS9 and Waypoint and sailed off to assist."
"Since they're not on Deep Space Nine, or at least Captain Vaughn hasn't reported their arrival, they're captives aboard Waypoint. Damn!" Nechayev spat the curse word.
"Ro has Reyes and more importantly Macen and Rockford's team to support her," Forger reminded Nechayev, "I'm sure she's hip deep in the rescue operation by now."
"Which she should be avoiding being involved in," Nechayev grumbled.
"Gul Larkot, you can release your Lakat-class squadron now," Anara had brought the task force to the edge of Starfleet's ability to scan, "Prepare to warp skip on my mark."
They would enter subspace for mere seconds to jump into the Greyson system. With the Lakat-forces distracting everyone, that should provide them with sufficient cover to penetrate Starfleet's perimeter without drawing too much scrutiny at first.
Anara's Militia force with assist Larkot's Galor-class squadron in engaging Starfleet directly. That left Outbound Ventures with dealing with the Orion "yacht" which was a fortified warship of its own. With the able assistance of the captive Starfleet vessels and the Damar, the battle should be quick and decisive. But Starfleet might not fire on Starfleet, unless to defend themselves. The Damar had no such qualms, Anara knew. The Castellan's life was in danger. The Cardassians wanted to put troops on the station. Anara was inclined to let them.
Her own Chief Constable attached to the crew was ready to lead a security force assembled from the various Bajoran starships in a counteroffensive. She just didn't trust the Ascendant yet after their first encounter with the Bajorans on New B'halla. The Ascendancy had slaughtered and ritualistically sacrificed Bajoran lives to the Prophets on makeshift altars. Then they'd written warnings and false scriptures in their victims' blood.
Anara and Neela had seen the aftermath. It was hard to forget. That was just over a difference of theological interpretation of the holy prophecies. Now their Emissary was in danger. Anara wouldn't trust them. So they were the rearguard.
Neela voided the Engineering Deck but kept the batteries up and running. That halted Starfleet's advance as pressure seals locked down Jefferies Tubes to prevent explosive decompression. The SOC commandos could detect the void beyond the blast doors and retreated, dragging Takaga and Demona with them. Neela locked down the blast doors and then closed the deck to space. She began repressurizing the deck.
"That should hold them back," Neela's voice came over the EVA suit speakers.
"Emergency systems engaged," Parva confirmed, "That probably sent them scurrying away."
"They'll be back as soon as they can confirm the deck is pressurized again," Daggit predicted.
"They'll be in for nasty surprise should they breach this deck," Neela promised. Daggit sometimes wondered about Neela's sanity.
"Morris is reporting four Lakat-class light cruisers in-bound from the direction of the Wormhole," Guthrie reported to Poole.
"This station had always been helpless. Help the Blood Queen secure the traitors. I'll have the Thuringia break formation and beam me aboard," Poole ordered.
"That's what they're after," Guthrie felt it prudent to point out.
"Then they'll regret getting what they're after," Poole promised.
"Gul Larkot reporting Lakats- on attack vector. They report the rogue starships are assuming defensive positions behind the captive Starfleet vessels," Captain Wyn Meru, Anara's XO, reported in.
"Clear them to engage the rogues," Anara ordered, "Alert all commands to commence micro-jump in six seconds...Mark!"
They jumped into the system as the Aventine, Endeavor, Eclipse, Honshu, and Sentinel engaged the Eire, Legislature, Specter, and Thuringia as well as the Damar engaging the Orion "yacht". As the Militia-led force arrived so too did the Iotian flagged ISS Capo, ISS Barrows, and ISS Dillinger as well as the Romulan privateers, Deathblow and Solarflare. All independent contractors obviously retained by the Blood Queen in the advent of such an eventuality.
The Romulan ships commanded by Tekana and Solara. Additionally, the recuperated Commander Arlinea had survived Bailey Smith's sniper fire and she and her ground forces centurion, Galenja, were aboard the Solarflare to support the Syndicate's forces,
Centurions Donatella and Fajela were now with Tekana and Solara respectively.
The Romulans decloaked within transporter range of Waypoint and the Deathblow
covered the Solarflare as she slowly transported over troops in six-man squads. The limited capacity of the Birds of Prey only allowed three squads in addition to Arlinea and Galenja's personal guard to transport over. As it was, commander, centurion, and assault troops were bunking in the Solarflare's main cargo bay. Cramped quarters at best. But it boosted trooper morale.
Arlinea had only been saved because her heart was where a human's liver would be and Smith's shot hadn't been true. Still, her survival was now stuff of legend amongst the Privateers' Guild led by Guild Commander Rejak. The guild to belong to of you were a Romulan privateer and honored to be admitted. Arlinea only survived because debris had blocked Smith from a head shot. So she went for the torso and center mass only to be further foiled by Romulan biology. A mistake Smith would not be repeating anytime soon. Smith and Angelique Kerber of Melva Prime weren't fugitives but Maarta and Anara of Ardana IV were and the Syndicate also trafficked in interstellar bounties. So that explained their being left aboard the Obsidian with Tessa.
The Deathblow and Solarflare, as their names translated from the Romulan dialects they derived from, cloaked again. No one dared fire on their last locations for fear of striking the unprotected space station. The emergence of the Romulans was a minor complication compared to that of the Capo, Dillinger, and Barrows. Firing on privateers wasn't an act of war. Probably.
But with both privateers cloaked they could reappear at any point or place in the battle. An added complication Anara had not counted on. The Damar immediately took issue with the Capo and Gul Larkot's Lakat- squadron and his Galor Type IV-'s supported the flagship against the Iotian flagged Federation rogues. That left Anara free to engage Starfleet.
"Patch me into the Catcher," Anara ordered Tech Sergeant Triss Glivi, her Communications Officer, "I need so talk to Captain Kendall"
Melinda Kendall wore a grim smile, "Romulans?"
"If you would," Anara was grateful the SID senior officer understood.
"Patch me in with Captain Forger," Kendall ordered her own Comm Officer, Daria Givers. Zimbalist patched Forger in with Kendall.
"Melinda? Need some tachyon pulses?" Forger smirked.
"Reading my mind, Forger?" Kendall asked.
"Wouldn't dare," Forger grinned as she signed off.
"Obsidian has released the first tachyon pulse from her sensors," Science Officer THX-1138 reported. The principle was based on echo location. The older cloaks would still reflect tachyons. Even the older sensor suites of the of the pre-refit Constitution-class starships would easily detect the Birds of Prey.
"I have two enemy vessels, cloaked and bearing Mark 348.7 up bubble 47.9 meters, range 1012 kilometers," THX-1138 informed Captain Kendall.
"All commands report two Birds of Prey decloaking and raising shields," Givers told her captain.
"Signal all commands to engage the enemy," Kendall replied.
Chapter Five
Tekana's Centurion, Donatella, wore the traditional facial tattoos signifying all-consuming grief. Tekana herself was too vain to mark herself. It was the principal reason why she dyed her hair red: to be noticed. Tekana had resigned from the Imperial Navy because she wasn't being advanced quickly enough for her tastes and ego's demands. Rejak had taken notice of her when he assumed command of the Privateer's Guild because Sela had taken a personal interest in her prior to the Dominion War.
Solara was another example of Sela's patronage Tekana didn't want to consider. The even younger Solara had earned Sela's confidence just as quickly as Tekana had and didn't have a score of black marks against her. Such as almost losing her command to the Solstice while Macen commanded the Blackbird-class scout against her. She'd even had the support of two Birds of Vengeance and still he'd rendered her starship inoperable. And he was an intelligence agent, not a starship commander. Something Sela used to rub Tekana's nose in it. Like Sela herself was humble? Driven to prove herself and her loyalty, yes. But humble? The query made Tekana scoff.
"They have us pinpointed," Donatella reported.
"Drop the cloak and raise shields. Arm weapons systems and plasma torpedo launchers," Tekana calmly ordered. She knew Macen was aboard Waypoint and Forger was a much more traditional starship driver.
"Need I remind you we're badly outnumbered?" Donatella smirked.
"Not for much longer," Tekana joined her in gloating.
"Transporter signatures. Romulan. Three dozen Romulan life signs to go with them. Beamed over in six man squads," Ro studied her tricorder, "Older model transports."
"Privateers," Reyes grimaced, "Means we can't declare international sanction."
"They also use outdated tricorders," Macen recalled, "It means we may have detected them prior to their scanning us."
"So we use that," Kara shared, "There are sensor blind spots built in for security purposes. Surveillance is conducted through other means."
"Spy eyes and recorders?" Dax seemed to recall a K-class station's vulnerabilities,
"Essentially, except we installed sensors. So internal security, when it it's up and running, doesn't share the floor detail blindness," Kara explained, "Which means an upcoming choke point is also our best place to ambush our would be pursuers."
"They're splitting up. Half are headed towards the Security Offices. A small detachment is headed for the lifts and the rest are headed for us," Ro read off her screen.
"We have to trust Security can hold," Rockford reminded them.
"Trust is a big give," Ro grumbled.
"Laren, you know Celeste's people are with the Constables. Have faith," Reyes counseled her. Ro seemed settled after that. Alfonso Reyes had that effect upon her when few others than Guinan and Macen had as well. Jean-Luc Picard had betrayed Ro's sense of solidarity when he refused to see the justification of the Maquis' cause.
She saw a wrong that needed righting regardless of personal costs. Picard only saw Starfleet's definition of duty. Which would betray Ro's newfound family. Will Riker had seen it, she saw. The second time he'd seen into her pagh, if she were to revert back to childhood teachings she'd long rejected. Though people like Sisko and Neela made that hard.
She still didn't accept the Wormhole aliens as gods but she had to admit they did watch over Bajor. A grudging admission made from personal experience. Reyes accepted that she had secrets and she loved him for it. His nearly fiancé dumping him for even inquiring about a transfer to starship duty opening the door for Ro to reconnect with her Academy love. Her first love, point in fact. They'd found common ground and cautiously re-entered their romantic relationship. Which was now a certitude in their lives.
Reyes respected her Maquis and Militia connections and applauded her for them rather than grudgingly ostracize her for them. Just as he knew she still had ties to DS9 just as he always would with DS3, his own command. Her ability to walk in many worlds was an asset to be prized rather than condemned. They were certainly in play now.
"Here," Kara brought them to the Mess Hall, "One sensor blind. The other is the Infirmary."
"Interesting choices," Ro mentioned.
"Privacy concerns," Kara stated, "And concerns regarding a takeover. Like this one,"
"Tony, you and Harri support Ro and Reyes here at the Mess. First Minister, you're with us in Sickbay. Captains, you're discretion prevails."
"I'll stay with Commander Ro and Captain Reyes," Dax volunteered.
"I'm standing with the Minister," Cera told them.
"Then you're her bodyguard," Macen told her, "Tracy? Ready to get your hands dirty?"
"Point me and aim me," Ebert stated.
"Then we're prepped," Ro said.
"Sez you," Mudd grumbled.
"Look, Mudd. I fought beside people with half your nerve in battle and they would willingly lay down their lives for the Cause," Ro irritably chided her.
"I don't want to die for any noble causes," Mudd confessed.
"Then fight to live," Ro told her.
"That I can do. But for me, not you," Mudd replied.
"Now that the prelims are out of the way," Ro smirked.
"I'll get her set up inside," Burrows promised. Tables were heard being overturned.
"I'll check on them," Reyes offered.
"You've been expecting that outburst," Dax realized.
"Harri Mudd can appear to be many things but a hero isn't one of them," Rockford grinned.
"Exactly," Ro pointed at her.
"So she'd rather look like a common criminal?" Cera asked.
"An uncommon criminal would be her preference, but yeah," Ebert clarified.
"I know Harry Mudd the Third was a hero of the Maquis..." Cera began.
"What?" Ro and Macen shouted together.
"Where did you ever hear that?" Macen managed to ask because Ro was too livid to speak.
"From every lowlife criminal my crew has ever captured. They name drop it like their lives depend on it," Cera stated.
"It's true," Dax confirmed it.
"That frinxer sells me out and then claims to be a 'hero'?" Ro was ready to blow.
"Now is not the time," Macen was visibly barely in control himself. Everyone's history with Harry Mudd III was pretty mixed. God knew how Mudd herself would take the news.
As Macen and Rockford's team set up in the Infirmary, they heard her shriek, "What?"
"I see she took it as well as we did," Ebert murmured to herself. In their outrage, they'd overlooked Ebert's reaction. Which seemed par for the course on many occasions
Macen decided to change that going forward. Rockford nodded at him, seeing his decision had been made. She knew him so well even without T'Kir's telepathy.
Perhaps she had an even deeper understanding because she didn't rely on such a psychic trick. He could shut T'Kir out and she'd be clueless. Rockford's observations couldn't be sidetracked or sidelined. She was always right, of course. An even better track record that the psychically reliant T'Kir.
"I will not surrender this command to Romulans," Guthrie declared to Arlinea, "Especially not mercs."
"Yet you've stolen this command from an ostensible ally at the behest of a criminal organization that hired me to deal with any remaining elements of resistance to the Blood Queen's administration," Arlinea told him, "So with all due vehemence, stand down Commander. Or I'll have you and your people voided into space."
"Starfleet seized this station to prevent a betrayal by Bajoran forces and Starfleet officers," Guthrie recited the official line he'd been fed by Poole.
'You followed the Blood Queen's orders at every step. Surely you don't believe a stalwart officer such as Commodore Saavik would ever plot against the Federation's legitimate government and not a rogue faction? A rogue faction that instructed you to cooperate with the leader of the Orion Syndicate?" Arlinea scoffed. Poole and Morris had ordered a comms blackout. Making verifying the Federation Council's orders near impossible. But the station's comm logs didn't indicate any malfeasance.
Which had Guthrie doubting the legitimacy of his supposed cause. Even his so-called enemies had protected his own personnel at every turn, Even now, Starfleet vessels engaging "rogue" Starfleet vessels were displaying far more aggression than the so-called traitors. The Bajoran-led reinforcements were disabling their foes rather than destroying them. Odd behavior for "desperate" criminals.
The more Guthrie saw of this operation, the more he saw it was tailored for Poole and Morris' revenge fantasies for having their egos bruised. Poole and Morris had been caught on the wrong side of three conflicts and pending. With a fourth developing or had developed.
"The entire system is locked down anyway," Guthrie told Arlinea, "So you can't void the modules."
"But I can have my escort vessels fire on them," Arlinea replied, "Acceptable losses for my mission."
Guthrie's Ops team and Arlinea's forces entered an armed standoff then with the two Commanders facing down one another.
"You're bluffing," she declared.
"I never bluff. Do you?": Guthrie wondered.
"My troops may carry outdated Type III disruptors but they're heavily overpowered beasts. They'll carve through that ablative armor of yours," Arlinea warned him.
"Let's find out," Guthrie wore a feral smile. Arlinea recognized the blood lust. She felt it often enough in combat. But she wasn't here for a fight, "Stand down."
"Not happening," Guthrie told her.
'I wasn't addressing you," Arlinea's troops obeyed their commander and lowered their weapons.
"Disarm them," Guthrie ordered.
"You're making a career ending mistake," Arlinea predicted.
"It's mine to make," Guthrie replied. Arlinea had to give him that and not much else.
Galenja led her troops following the faint trail she'd detected earlier. Bajoran, human, and other Federation life signs had been detected in this direction. But they'd outpaced her troopers. A six trooper detail had accompanied Arlinea to Ops. A dozen had been dispatched to eliminate the Bajorans, humans, and unknown reading in the Security Office. That left Centurion Galenja sixteen troopers. More than enough to deal with mere Bajorans and humans.
The Orion yacht maneuvered close to Waypoint and transported off the Blood Queen, who claimed diplomatic immunity. Anara's forces detained her ship anyway. The Warbird Valdore under Proconsul Donatra's personal command decloaked with the D-7 Deathwing, Rejak's flagship. The Romulans' sudden appearance caused the Deathblow and Solarflare to decloak again,
Donatra declared peace. Freeing Outbound Ventures to redeploy in support of Anara's forces supporting Starfleet loyalists. Though both sides would lay claim to that title. Clearly outnumbered, Poole ordered his force to stand down but not to surrender. Not until the Defiant, under Vaughn's command, led the USS Hood, USS Monitor, and USS Merrimack to take the commanding officers into custody under direct orders from Fleet Admiral Clancy and countersigned by Commodore Oh did Poole and the others officially surrender to Saavik.
Aboard the station, Arlinea ordered her force to stand down before bloodshed could begin. Donatra personally beamed across with Ambassador Aurelian and Senator Eldanak alongside Guild Supreme Commander Rejak and his Centurion, Vilena. Vaughn signaled Ro to stand down. Anara reluctantly cooperated with Vaughn despite knowing him. Aurelian and Eldanak spun the Romulans' intervention as a peacekeeping mission. Rejak produced contracts from the Ferengi Alliance to intervene should Waypoint fall during negotiations
Quark had followed through with Grand Nagus Rom's instructions and had hired Rejak's Guild to secure the station. The Iotian privateers claimed to be diplomatically protected "bodyguards" for the Blood Queen but were all taken prisoner as was the Blood Queen for starting a war with the Bajoran Republic.
Clancy was willing to accept the proposition should the Queen surrender Chalk, the interrogator who'd killed three Starfleet undercover agents. Nechayev had revealed that much without revealing the nature of the agents. 027's survival would provide a witness at Chalk's closed doors trial . Meanwhile Donatra, Aurelian, and Eldanak played up their intervention to the various delegates. Especially Federation Councilor Auri.
Macen met the Kendall sisters, Gellar, Tyler, and Conner while Forger sang their praises. Parva helped Neela supervise the reinstallment of the station's ejected warp core. meanwhile the diplomats undertook the trade talks in earnest with the Romulans joining them as well. The Cardassians were especially resistant to the Romulan overtures
but a private conference between Garan and her military commanders softened her position. Commander Guthrie's testimony regarding Arlinea's willingness to surrender rather than fight softened Starfleet's.
Poole, Morris, Sttaak, and Harris had all received identical orders as Lavelle in regards to origination point. Councilor Auri promised an internal investigation into the Federation Council's Starfleet Oversight Sub-Committee. Federation Security was tapped to conduct the review. No one realizing Auri herself had issued the orders using Kilbrek's oversight codes. A rival and senior Councilor would be implicated, placing Auri in charge of the committee. Though no concrete evidence existed, the mere implication would ruin the Councilor's standing with the voters. Impeachment proceedings would be suggested by Auri herself. The vote would carry and Auri and Cell 51's minor coup would succeed.
"Captains, our thanks go to you and your dedicated crews," Macen told the newest SID cleared starship drivers, "Shannon can't say enough good things about you."
"Commander Macen, we have some concerns about what happened," Melissa Kendall shared.
"Grave concerns," Gellar added.
"Let me get Detective Rockford and we can find a quiet corner to chat in," Macen offered. He included Colonel Anara and Commander Ro in the conversation as well.
"We still have friends in Starfleet and there's support for what happened here today. A lot of support," Melinda Kendall advised them.
"I'm aware," Ro told them, "It's part of my ongoing investigation."
"It's more than political opinion," Tyler hadn't lost her Cockney accent yet, "It's policy enforcement choices."
"Meaning these officers had choices," Conner stated, "And they made bad ones."
"Others made better ones," Gellar recited a list of other captains that had received the same orders and declined to follow them, "Most were affiliated with SOC."
"Tony's crowd," Rockford noted, "And Captain Vaughn?"
"Singled out as a potential threat alongside Commodore Saavik and the others," Gellar explained.
"What happens now?" Melinda Kendall inquired.
"Now the Bajorans have declared war on the Orions. First Minister Astris has to decide how to wage this war. We've been approached to assist. But we'll only take a defensive posture. Which seems to be General Kira's preference. The Blood Queen is trying to play the martyr but it only plays up to those unconnected to her attack. The Federation may sit this out but they'll also close their borders to the Orions. Which will complicate any martial efforts on the Syndicate's behalf. At this point, the Iotians become the lynch pin since they control the 'neutral' territory that leads to open space for the Orions to reach Bajor," Macen explained.
"Can we help?" Melissa Kendall asked.
"Find me Admiral Brisen of the Iotian Starfleet and corner him until I reach you," Macen told them.
"Ladies, time to charm the Iotian," Conner suggested.
"I can play a groupie," Tyler suggested.
"You are an Iotian Starfleet groupie," Conner retorted.
Gellar was the only non-Briton of the group and she sighed as the four Brits all started conspiring.
"Sure, all that estrogen and Brisen won't be able to resist," Rockford snickered, "Except that he's gay."
"I know," Macen chuckled, "I spared him that much."
"What we need is a Dracas," Rockford recalled a former shipmate.
"Hal Dracas is still in Starfleet and happily married to Kiv Rever. Joachim was never created because neither we nor the Omicron ever went to Nova Roma," Macen used the natives' term for 492 IV.
"And no chance of recruiting a certain Mr. Dracas?" Rockford wondered.
"He's made Command Master Chief and is the Chief of Operations for Spacedock. He won't walk away from that. And I don't want to start a turf war between him and Parva. He recommended her as his replacement once upon a time," Macen explained.
"In the time of Never Was thanks to the Prophets and the Nexus Ribbon," she sighed
"It's not all bad. It's technically been a lot quieter and fewer deaths and casualties have resulted in this universe from the Dominion War until now," Macen reminded her.
"Until Admiral Clancy became Fleet Commander Clancy," Rockford poked a gaping hole in his theory, "We had a dozen wars but never a Mars Massacre or a Bajoran and Cardassian War."
"I still find it odd Starfleet Security hasn't uncovered a single suspect in the Synthetic Uprising," Macen mused, "It's almost an inside job from external perspectives."
"Why would Starfleet burn Mars or destroy the Utopia Planitia Yards in the midst of deploying to rescue millions of Romulans?" Rockford asked.
"It certainly changed the fundamentals of Starfleet," Macen remarked, "And of the Federation as a whole."
"I don't remember people being that scared. Not even of the Dominion," Rockford recalled, "And Admiral Leyton did his best to stoke those fires."
"The Federation never lost an entire planetary population before," Macen stated, "Especially not to an unknown enemy."
"You don't think they're unknown," Rockford knew.
"No, just unrevealed," Macen was frustrated by that fact, "And Starfleet Security seems to be hampering the case to build a case through unbiased investigative work. The Synthetics were a convenient scapegoat. Who programmed the attack? It wasn't a random programming error. Maddox, Soong, and Jurati proved that."
"But people wanted a scapegoat. A quick fix to a potentially Federation-wide nightmare," Rockford reminded him.
"But why Mars and the yards? That wasn't random," Macen asked.
"Those are the questions. If the yards were the real target, why just Utopia Planitia and not the other yards? If so, Mars itself was just collateral damage to cover the real attack," Rockford decided, "Problems we're not allowed to solve."
"Why?" Macen growled, "Why give Starfleet Security sole jurisdiction? Why not at least include Starfleet Intelligence and Federation Security?"
"The cover up theory," Rockford sighed.
"Then-Captain Oh gave us synthetics. Now-Commodore Oh is giving us blanks to be filled in," Macen complained, "That's no coincidence."
"Only to some," Rockford warned him, "Of which I'm one. But you need to persuade Clancy. And she doesn't like you very much."
"Feeling's mutual," Macen confessed.
"It is odd that Clancy initiated a poiicy of no El-Aurians on her staff or personal contacts."
"Guilt will do that," Macen told her.
"But isn't a 'no Listener' policy a little outré?" Rockford wondered.
"Not if the Director for Starfleet Security backs it as a fleet security concern," Macen shrugged.
"Another slight towards you and Guinan," she sighed.
"They do seem to be stacking up," Macen agreed with the sentiment, "If it weren't for President Kilbrek and the Federation Council, we wouldn't be part of the SID."
"Don't remind me," it was a precarious, administration dependent place to be and Rockford knew it. One that miraculously survived Cell 51's governmental pawns. But then, Dylan Sorbo didn't want to overtly tip his hand with the Political Action Arm any more than he already had with Sok, Cindi, and Perez. That and the re-christneed Minsistry of Information lee Propaganda. Which was still under the same leadership. Only a few staffing changes had been required of the renamed and "repurposed" Ministry.
The Ministry of Information was FNS' Fiona Shaw's go-to for "facts concerning the state of the Federation. Needless to say, Shaw's punditry was a mix of hostility and knee-jerk prejudices. Shaw championed the Federation's exceptionalism in the face of rivals. Only, her brand of exception was excluding all "inferior" races from membership and abrogating existing security agreements in order to protect just Federation member worlds. It was blatantly racist, speciest, and xenocidal but it brought in ratings so Shaw's show endured despite her being caught in egregious lies by fellow FNS reporters, Anna Snow and Clarice Starr.
Who even now were rebutting false flag claims from Shaw that the Bajorans had invited the Blood Queen to the talks rather than her simply announcing her intentions to arrive. According to Shaw, the Bajoran casualties were their own fault and Councilor Auri's life had recklessly been risked. No mentions of First Minister Astris or Castellan Garan were made. Every "exclusive" revolved around Auri and her "defiance" in the face of mortal danger. Facts Snow and Starr couldn't corroborate.
Rather it had been Astris, Kara, and Garan that showed true mettle. The Romulans' unexpected role played well to the Gamma Quadrant races Aurelian had wanted to impress. Rejak's Guild getting expected inquiries for security management. Guthrie had another story to tell about Arlinea's attempts to secure the station but he was under arrest and sequestered by Starfleet Security by orders of Commodore Oh. The entire affair being classified.
Captain Vaughn finding his first official duty as CO of DS9 was to mislead the Bajoran government regarding Starfleet's intentions for the "renegade" Starfleet commanders.
But Vaughn himself was misled in order to insure he sold the message properly. It was Saavik that first became aware that no changes of command were underway nor were charges being brought. Instead, Starfleet Security demanded custody of the Blood Queen to repatriate her to Orion.
Astris refused and the Federation declared its neutrality in the brewing conflict.
Garan reinforced her borders and dispatched a mixed squadron of Lakat-, Galor-, and Damar-class warships to help secure the Bajor Sector. General Kira relocated her flag to the Shield of the Prophets as Colonel Anara reinforced the Alpha Quadrant colonies and stations.
Vaughn defied orders to the contrary and offered Kira the use of DS9 as her defensive flag. Kira gratefully accepted the offer. Kira would direct the defense from Ops while Colonel Rev Beni would command the Shield in her absence. He was the flag captain for the Systems Defense Forces' Interceptor-class flagship, the Shield of the Prophets. Kira had over a decade's worth of experience serving aboard Deep Space Nine. Colonel Kira's tenure as station CO ending when the First Minister made her personal plea for Kira to accept promotion, return to Bajor, and become the Chairperson for the Joint Chiefs.
Though torn, receiving Ben Sisko's blessing sold her on the idea. Sisko himself having retired from Starfleet to live his life as the Emissary of the Prophets to Bajor full time. Kasidy Yates stayed with the Bajoran Cargo Transit Authority after giving birth and Sisko's return. So he was learning to be the full-time father he couldn't be for Jake. Not that Jake begrudged Sisko. Jake himself had taken a Bajoran wife and was a burgeoning novelist as well as a local color stringer for FNS.
Jake's stories bringing home the true cost of the Federation's misbegotten war with Bajor alongside Snow and Starr's front line reporting. The amagalmated stories depicted a foe that was far more honorable than Starfleet under the direst of circumstances. Hardly the terrorist state depicted by Shaw.
Shaw accused the "libs" in the press corps of being "agent provocateurs" directly responsible for Starfleet losing engagement after engagement. FNS disagreed with their popular host and kept Starr and Snow in the field alongside Jake Sisko on Bajor. Their reports revealed a Bajoran populace bewildered and stung by the Federation's many betrayals. A populace rallying against Starfleet in defense of their home sector.
Shaw purported to have information regarding a "Deep State" infiltration of the Federation Council by the Federation's "internal enemies". Of course, every Federation Councilor that disagreed with her political positions was a member of this terroristic and burgeoning dictatorship. Which proved to be hundreds of members.
Only ex-President Chavy Sok could save them. Then it was Juliete Perez followed by Ardra. Shaw it seemed never tired of being wrong. But each criminal disclosure and investigation was a "political witch hunt". Each case without merit. Shaw had traveled to the Confederacy of Planets to support their secession from the Federation in order to support Ardra selling the colonies to slavers. A move "protected by her "Presidential authority" and "executive privilege". Shaw railed against the ongoing criminal probes into Ardra's increasingly discoverable fleecing of the Federation and its colonies. Trading territorial concession for latinum, Ardra had sold off countless solar systems and colonial worlds as well as access to former Protectorate worlds.
The "internal affairs" of these worlds no longer "mattering to Federation security". The "lesser races should fend for themselves" were the messages spewing forth from Shaw's broadcasts. Billions of viewers tuned in whether they agreed with her vitriol or not. But Shaw had discovered venom made for unbeatable ratings.
But the Bajoran Republic had filed civil suits in the Interstellar Criminal Court.
The ICC rules of discovery allowed Bajoran advocates access to Shaw's personal logs.
Lo and behold, the woman's personal logs revealed she knew she was lying about every report. But her own sensationalism had to be maintained in order to secure and hold viewers. So the lies went on unabated. FNS itself was now a party to the lawsuit. Shaw protested her own vilification during the discovery process. But the ICC had seen enough to conclude the case had merit.
Shaw could be held accountable for the internment and mistreatment of Bajorans within the Federation and for exacerbating the fervor to fight them and occupy Bajor. The latter desire an incalculable risk given the Bajorans' reaction to the Cardassian Occupation of their world and colonies. Only, the Federation had strengthened the building ties between Bajor and Cardassia Prime and united them economically, socially, and militarily. All the things the Federation eventually fought against. Or at least ostensibly fought against.
Sok being discovered to just presenting an "existential" threat to the Federation and launching a war to terminate it. A war without cause and the first instance of Starfleet firing first in any conflict in its history.
Colonel Rev would implement Kira's defensive blockade of Bajor. Captain Vaughn and Starfleet would defend DS9 and the Wormhole terminus. Outbound Ventures would assist half of Colonel Anara's Colonial Defense Force in defending Golana, Free Haven, Free Haven Port, Free Haven Yards, Dreon VII, the Dreon Yards, Prophets' Landing and its Prophets' Landing Port starbase, as well as Valo I, II, and III. The Ascendancy would help insure Waypoint's safety and the Gamma Quadrant colonies beside Anara's forces. Kira would control everything from DS9. Colonel Cenn guiding the Militia forces manning the station. The Militia's ranks swelled with new recruits that were former Starfleet officers and enlisted as well as Federation ex-pats that had moved from the Federation to Bajor and her colonies and enlisted in the Militia to help assist in the common defense. The war altering everyone's perceptions of the "safety" of an alliance with the Federation.
Militia personnel now outnumbered their Starfleet counterparts 6 to 1 aboard DS9. Even the Defiant was a shared command under Vaughn's supervision. Vaughn had committed Starfleet to following General Kira's directions regarding any necessary defense of the sector. Only Captain Bateson and the Honshu were allowed to stay on. Meanwhile, negotiations continued aboard Waypoint Station.
"Praetor Tal'aura is offering greater access to the Artifact in exchange for the Federation's continued neutrality in the brewing conflict between Orion and Bajor," Senator Eldanak explained to Federation Councilor Auri.
"Including greater technological resource extraction," Ambassador Aurelian made the sales pitch, "And an increase in drone reclamation projects to include non-Romulans."
"I can only introduce resolutions, not direct policy," Auri reminded them of the Federation's system.
"As can I," Eldanak purported, "But I have the Praetor's ear on this."
"As I will have the Council's after this incident," Auri confessed, "Even President Kilbrek will seek to avoid another conflict."
"And we have the proposal of a working deal. The details to be worked out after," Aurelian stated, "One condition, our privateers must be able to freely move throughout Federation space in pursuit of their assignments."
"So long as they travel openly and not cloaked," Auri stipulated.
"Agreed," Aurelian conceded.
"As a member of the Federation's Select Sub-Committee on Starfleet you can directly affect policy decisions regarding this at least," Eldanak got to the heart of the matter.
"Of course," Auri couldn't conceal her victorious smile. This had been the ultimate goal after all.
Admiral Brisen and Commander Litza were exchanging pleasantries with Proconsul Donatra when Macen and Rockford located them.
"Ah, Macen. We were just discussing you," Brisen was welcoming, "I was explaining to the Proconsul how we would be materially supporting Bajor though this conflict. We're closing our common borders in order to avoid the appearance of collusion. I was in the midst of explaining to the Proconsul that the Iotian Federation cannot influence your decision to contract for Bajor's defense just as we cannot dissuade Guild Master Rejak from militarily supporting the Orions."
Which was Brisen's way of warning Macen the Romulans were coming.
"However, regular Romulan forces will remain neutral throughout any conflict out of of respect for Bajor's covert efforts during the Dominion War in support of Romulan Imperial Fleet operations." Donatra was quick to add.
"Commander Litza can take down projected ordnance and parts requirements for the upcoming conflict," Brisen offered.
Litza took them to a quiet room, "The Iotian Starfleet will support both Bajor and Outbound Ventures short of military intervention. We rely upon Romulan discretion for our operations near our common borders. Donatra warned us their negotiating Federation neutrality. Which means Starfleet personnel will evacuate Deep Space Nine."
"You're certain?" Rockford asked.
"Elias doesn't know this yet," Macen referred to Vaughn.
"Ambassador Aurelian and Senator Eldanak are offering the Federation a greater prize," Litza warned them.
"Which will grant Orion warships and Romulan Privateer Guild parties free transit through Federation space," Macen grimly realized.
"Thusly negating our having to choose priorities," Litza warned them, "Admiral Brisen has already agreed in principle to the bargain."
"Which Donatra just happens to have drawn up," Rockford surmised.
"Precisely," Litza sighed, "Another stipulation is that we won't influence Captain Yar or her confederates in their employment choices during the brewing conflict."
"Why did the Blood Queen dare take hostages on a Bajoran space station in the Gamma Quadrant?" Macen asked, wondering if the Iotians had any insights.
"For the same reason four Federation starships were asked to support her. For the latinum," Litza replied.
"Time to make our apologies to General Kira once again. We have it find out who is pulling the financial strings here," Macen decided.
"We know who. And it breaks the truce," Rockford told him.
"But we need proof that this wasn't some crazy independent venture on the Orion Syndicate's behalf. Bajor has been a closed market to them for a decade now. Maybe they see a way in through warfare that criminality didn't provide," Macen stated.
"Aren't you the conspiracy nut?" Rockford asked.
"Except Cell 51 isn't just a conspiracy. It's a viable threat," Macen reminded her, "And so are the Orions."
"Obviously," she said drolly.
Captain Vaughn's order came in seconds after Vice Admiral Bill Ross pinned the fourth pip to Vaughn's collar. The Defiant and her crew, along with the Honshu, were pulling out of Deep Space Nine and reporting to a new task force assembling at Starbase 375.
The task force was assigned should Commodore Saavik and Captain Dax be called in from the Gamma Quadrant to defend the Wormhole from imminent destruction. Ross saw the vagueness in the orders that allowed Vaughn to leave behind the three Danube-class runabouts and a dozen Starfleet officers and enlisted that had no assignments aboard the Defiant.
But Lt. Commander Sarina Douglas, Doctor Bashir, and Command Master Chief Miles O'Brien had no roles aboard the Defiant. Given that Commander Ro reassigned her investigative hub to DS9 and suborned the remaining crew to her investigation into Cell 51, Starfleet had no recourse despite Ross offering to send a non-affilaited starship to "collect" the remaining personnel.
Kira, as good as her word, planted her flag in station Ops but not Vaughn;s newly established office. She had too much respect for him to subvert his authority that way. Commander Ro ran point with the Obsidian on the investigation into a possible connection between Cell 51 and the Orion Syndicate. Brisen was as good as his word. The Iotian Starfleet began filling material orders for Outbound Ventures and the Militia as the lines between antagonists formed up.
Starfleet sold Federation neutrality as a means to save lives. Yet it took all of Clancy's dismay and Oh's thin veneer of icy detachment to begin prepping letters for the loss of the dozen crewmen left aboard DS9. Nechayev wasn't surprised by Ro's cheekiness but could honestly pass a lie detector regarding whether she'd expected it or not.
The Iotian Starfleet re-amped up its scheduled deliveries and handed over six Enterprise -class starships to Outbound Ventures. These freshly unassigned crews made up the bulk of the corporation's bolstering Bajoran forces. Melinda Kendall took personal control of the Colonial Defenses over Prophets Landing Port at Anara's behest
The Militia guarded the defenseless yards at Bajor VIII, Dreon VII, Free Haven, and Golana.
Gellar took command of the defense of Free Haven Port while other liberated older model starships personally defended the colonies themselves. Shakaar Edon and General Krim each came out of retirement to assume command of the Militia's ground reserves. Systems Defense and the Planetary Defenses worked together to form a system-wide layered defense of Bajor. Outbound Ventures took command of the defense of the Valo System. Again at Anara's behest.
Coordinating with Ro, the Obsidian took an alternate look at the motives and potential profits from attacking Bajor, The Orions had been losing income streams from Bajor since the Occupation ended. The Iotians had reached astronomical proportions of Bajoran capital outlays.
The Iotians closed their borders to both the Romulans and the Orions whereas the Federation as a neutral party kept the borders open. Kerber, Smith, and Tessa were just happy to be out from potential Federation and Orion scrutiny. Kerber and Smith were also ideally suited towards tracking down the Orion Syndicate's financials. The Detective Squad was assigned to this avenue of investigation as well. Forte suggested Mudd could provide worthwhile insight as well.
The Ardanan hackers were the surgeons extracting records from impregnable systems or at least previously impregnable. The detectives were both awed and cowed by Kerber and Smith's abilities to coax computers into revealing their intimate secrets. They began with Barrinor. The native banking cartels being the planetary passion and life's blood. The probes could permanently damage relations between Barrinor and Outbound Ventures. The planet willing to sponsor the corporation when no other planets would have them based upon their soil.
The trail widened from there. Barrinor's banks were a destination in the journey not the final repository of knowledge itself. Argeluis II, Bolia, Sigma Iotia II, Cardassia Prime, Breen, the Gorn home world, Caligula, Qo'nos, Earth and even Vulcan all became stops along the way. Bajor it seemed was an outlier in that it didn't launder latinum for the Syndicate. The Ferengi were seen as too invasive so they were excluded.
Bajoran financial institutions had been approached and the Orions rebuffed. A slight they seemed embittered by. The Blood Queen had invited Zircan to the event on Waypoint well before she announced her intention to personally attend. Even Ghmeor hadn't made her decision to yet. No one had expected Starfleet to run a rogue operation in contrivance of official policy and the safety of a Federation Councilor who sat on the very Select Sub-Committee the officers purported to be obeying. A committee that had no place on the chain of command.
JAG appointed defenders were already filing motions to dismiss potential chartges brought bv Boards of Inquiry based upon patriotic zeal rather than pragmatism. Admiral T'Lara allowed the motions to be filed and argued despite a literal Pandora's Box of appeals and retrials cascading if the motions were upheld.
Macen and Rockford vaguely oversaw the glut of data Kerber and Smith were bringing in. It was up to Lee, Shade, Forte, and Mudd to track down salient details and pertinent facts. To unearth the trail of who paid, of anyone had, the Syndicate to take over the Bajoran station. The couple were running a parallel investigation with Ro regarding political motivations. To determine if Cell 51 was attempting to purchase leverage and influence through the hostilities that were now developing.
The Federation's own position of strict neutrality was in itself taking a side in the Orions' favor. Closing the border entirely to both Romulans and Orions would have been an act of true neutrality. Instead, the Federation tacitly sided with espoused criminals against an ally. Something the Federation Council had vowed never to do again regarding Bajor and the Wormhole. Yet here they were and the Bajoran Ministers knew it.
Starfleet's withdrawal from Bajoran space came as a relief rather than an utter betrayal. It prevented the utter betrayal from occurring. If Kira hadn't implicit trust in the command staffers that remained, she'd have ejected them from the station. They vouched for their crewmen so she was content.
Ro's inclusion just seemed full circle from the last war Bajor fought. That one against the Federation. Bajor's true friends, champions of what Starfleet should be, came to the Republic's defense in those darkened days. Kira had been reminded of the dimness of the so-called Terran Universe when the war was underway. It had seemed physical affecting even the ambient light. But the support of veteran Starfleet crews had bolstered her spirits and helped insure a lopsided victory. A victory Bajor was still enjoying the largess of from the peace settlement.
The Federation President of the day, Juliete Perez had admitted the Federation's culpability in beginning an unprovoked war. She'd also brought the Federation's offer to return to the Federation Council. Which First Minister Astris declined on behalf of Bajor. Bajor would remain an ally but an independent one. The political and emotional scars running deep as Bajorans fled Federation space. Families of former refugees returning home to Bajor and her multitude of colonies. The Gamma Quadrant colonies especially grew in response.
The exodus of Starfleet officers and enlisted grew the Militia by hundreds. Volunteers from the newly returned ex-pats also swelled the ranks. The Militia Reservist ranks also swelled beyond the capacity of the Militia to properly equip them. An area the Iotians were happy to assist with.
The older model phasers weren't as energy efficient but still packed a punch. They still retained a disintegration function. A setting troops were strongly discouraged from using. It drained power packs and prevented Intelligence from interrogating prisoners. Militia Command had actually curtailed the orders of those slightly more advanced models to switch back to phasers that had two settings: Stun and Kill. Operating lights indicated which setting the phaser was set at. Blue for stun and red for kill. The older models also didn't incorporate a Type I and Type II configuration. There was simply the handset pistol model.
The rifles and pistols were therefore Bajoran styled. So adapting reservist to either domestic or imports was simple. The Iotian Starfleet was ecstatic to expand their small arms market and gainn access ti Bajoran designs. Former Federation colonies and protectorates were another rich market.
Fleet Admiral Clancy's decision to persuade the Federation Council to suspend all defensive pacts and concentrate on the Federation's own internal border working against the Federation in the ongoing "Hearts and Minds" campaign of diplomacy. Clancy's renowned enthusiasm to conduct two unjustified wars and then losing them both put the Federation on the defensive for the first time since the Dominion War concluded. The Federation made reparations just to engage in brute force diplomacy with its own members that formed the Confederacy of Planets.
Having lost diplomatic ties to the Romulans in a neighboring sector of space. Starfleet waited until the last moment when the Federation Council finally accepted the secession and offered an alliance between its former colonies and the UFP on equal footing. The Iotian Federation being the biggest winners of that Romulan inspired conflict. The Iotians' straightforward protection in exchange for membership and trade and personnel quotas seemed far more manageable than the Federation Council's shifting priorities and moods.
The UFP wanted Starfleet to be the only source of defense for Protectorate and colonial states as well as member worlds. The Bajoran Militia having proven that domestic militaries could still be quite potent when properly supplied and supported. Now Clancy was applying overt pressure on the Andorians to disband the Imperial Guard. Sometjing no Andorian would ever consider. The strong arming was costing Starfleet basing rights. Something Clancy's defensive mindset couldn't abide. But the Federation and Starfleet Charters left her no choices. If the Andorians demanded she leave, Starfleet had to comply. That was the very issue the Bajorans had fought a war over. Starfleet couldn't afford to antagonize a Founding Five member world. Clancy had one grim satisfaction: the Bajorans could never detain Sam Lavelle now and extradite him to Cardassia Prime. The Cardassians had little use fr his infected corpse. The virus had turned necrotic and shooting the body into Bajor's star had been a mercy. Bashir's antivirals had worked on living tissue, not dead. They also proved a powerful decontamination in the virus' uninfected inert state. But Lavelle had literally been being consumed from within.
So, as the Bajoran Republic prepared to face a subversive enemy, Macen and Rockford buckled down with Ro to find out who'd pulled the strings to make it happen to begin with.
At the outset, the financial investigation appeared to be the easiest until all of the raw data came in and sorting through it all to unearth a visible trail between the attack and an outside funder became the issue. The Orion Syndicate laundered money on almost a hundred worlds and had income streams from four times as many/ Many of whom were coded to an encrypted index that Kerber and Smith had not yet cracked open.. The security around the decryption cipher was nearly impregnable. Nearly being the operative term. So they kept at it while the detectives plus Mudd sorted out decoded records and worlds of origin. Federation worlds often times having twice as many codes as their political rivals. In the future a Vulcan would hypothesize that utopia could not exist without crime. Therefore an organized criminal underworld was only logical.
The Orions knew it from long practice and profited greatly from it. While the items were coded, the sums were not. The Orion Syndicate generated a greater Gross National Product than most large scale empires or representative governments. All of which represented the vices of those other systems' citizens. While the Iotian Federation's finances weren't being examined, internal Orion estimates of the financial bleed off to the Iotians were ever present. And the Syndicate was losing profits at an astronomical rate since the Iotians forces began arming less developed worlds over a decade ago when the Dominion War first began. But the Iotians were into far more than just arms sales
They apparently rivaled the Orions on several fronts. Since the Five Families that ruled Sigma Iotia II were known bootleggers and suppliers of other stimulants, it made sense that the Orions had originally made an accommodation with the Iotians. Agreements both sides broke, to the Iotians' greater profitability.
Bajor and Outbound Ventures were regularly mentioned in these spreadsheet comparisons. But the Iotians were becoming more profitable through their protection scheme of their Federation membership model. More latinum, raw resources, and conscripted personnel joined the Federation every week than the Orions could compete with. It seemed the Syndicate was in a fight for relevance. Removing Bajor and Outbound Ventures together from the playing field would set the Iotian Federation economy back by thousands of bars of gold pressed latinum per month. A direct assault seemed the logical means of doing so since the two parties had a history of supporting each other.
Barrinor complicated any direct attacks on Serenity Station. But the Bajor Sector and its Gamma Quadrant colonies were vulnerable should the Federation be removed from assisting the Bajorans and the Cardassian participation limited. Ghemor and the Ascendancy also had to be removed from the Gamma Quadrant equation. Hence Varic's participation. But the mysterious entity that planned all of this was coded along with the buyers and sellers of Syndicate wares.
This is why Ro's investigation tying these events to Cell 51 would make sense. Macen doubted Sorbo would break the truce. But the Changelings posing as Jack Fowler and John Browder wouldn't hesitate. Outing them would simplify matters and repay Kilana and Eris for invading Federation space once again.. Kilana being the Vorta Ro and Macen had dealt with while undercover during the Dominion War. Eris being the first Vorta to cross into the Alpha Quadrant and spy on the Federation.
The escaped bridge crew and missing USS Dibron had mentioned Eris being made an overseer of their operation as they field tested a transphasic cloak. The recovered vessel presumably back in Cell 51 hands on Sorbo's side of the internal conflict. So the first step would be contacting Sorbo and getting detailed proof that Fowler and Browder were indeed renegade Changelings.
Odo listed them as such to Kira but offered little elese other than the fact they'd suborned Kilana and Eris into their plan. Odo had revealed the ultimate fate of the real Jack Fowler's replacement positronic brain. It was how the Changelings had learned to mimic Fowler and Browder and all of Section 31 and Cell 51's secret history.
To the uninitiated, Sorbo's "rebellion" looked like a militarized power play. His truce with Macen a betrayal. But Sorbo said he had definitive proof of the Changelings' true nature. Sorbo was keeping said "proof" as insurance while Fowler and Browder obsessed about something called "Project: Proteus".
The financial inquiry was the more tedious and time consuming task. The political approach was fraught with more personal danger. In order to gain Sorbo's attention, Macen would have to break the accord between them. Ro had identified Frederick Dysart, Elizabetha Dillon and Amelia Harris, the directors of the mislabeled Ministry of Information as collaborators with Cell 51's Political Action Arm. Dysart, Dillon, and Harris had been chosen to create the Ministry of Propaganda under President Chavy Sok. They'd simply remained in place ever since. Even the idealistic President Kilbrek could see the potential benefits of such an agency. So Macen just had to conduct a "fishing" expedition to plant information with Dysart to pass to Sorbo.
The details of Ro's having identified him as a Cell 51 agent saving the brokered peace accord. At least until Sorbo dealt with Changelings and then hostilities could resume. But by outing Fowler and Browder, Macen would accelerate that timetable. Actualizing their vilification rather than simply plotting it. Dysart's denials sounded weak even to him. Sorbo returned the inquiry.
"I'd wondered how long it took Commander Ro to track me back to Dysart's merry band of collaborators. You want my evidence of Fowler and Browder's true nature, I'm guessing," the affable Sorbo stated rather than inquired.
"It would help discredit those relying on their support. And create internal strife to assist in your cause," Macen replied.
"You seem awfully supportive of my cause now," Sorbo noted.
"I'd like to prevent a war and I believe your opponents started the chain of events leading to one," Macen told him, "And your flat out refusal to debunk my theory only settles it in my mind."
"You aren't wrong," Sorbo sighed, "I see now why James Fowler held you in such high regard."
"Fowler was a pragmatist. I can relate," Macen told him, "Now, about that proof?"
"I have surveillance footage of the two linking," Sorbo told him, "I'm sending it to you now. But it's already too late to stop the conflict."
"Then at least I can shorten its duration," Macen decided.
"Spoken like a true pragmatist. Good luck, Commander," Sorbo signed off.
"This is hot!" Rockford was viewing the footage on a padd, "Heads will roll over this one."
'We'll see, won't we?" Macen wasn't as optimistic, "I think Captain Sorbo is right. There will be a shooting match before we can end this. Forward the footage on to Ro. She can deal with Starfleet and the Federation Council. We need to stay close to the Bajor Sector."
"So decisive," Rockford teased him, "Give you a couple of stints back as captain and look what happens to you."
"Shannon will agree with this call," Macen predicted And he was right.
Chapter Six
"Long range reports from Federation shipping traffic indicates a small fleet of older model Romulan vessels escorting armed Orion flagged merchantmen on a direct course for the Valo system," Douglas reported to Kira.
"Now we see how effective an Iotian made Phase II Constitution-class and a squadron of Bajoran flagged Iotian starships do against Romulans," Kira remarked, "Move to reinforce the Valo system as well as place Dreon VII and Prophets Landing on alert. Inform Captain Kendall she full authority to engage as soon as they cross the sector border. Begin transmitting warnings through the subspace beacon arrays and border sensor buoys. If they blink we avoid a war."
"Macen and Rockford paid off in spades," Ro told her.
She showed the General the footage of Jack Fowler and John Browder linking, proving conclusively that they were Changelings, "The bio signatures conform the physiological changes. This is no Cell 51 hoax. Anna Shaw and Clarice Starr led their nightly news reports with the footage. The Ministry of Propaganda verified the source."
"Propaganda, Commander.? That's very impolitic of you," Kira grinned.
"Sue me for being honest," Ro acerbically snorted.
"General! The Romulans are cloaking while in Federation space," Douglas reported from Strategic Operations.
"Shields up and go weapons hot," Kira instructed, "They won't blink now. They just committed an act of war against the Federation despite and agreement not to," Kira assessed the situation correctly, "Is Gul Larkot still looking forward to some action?"
"They're requesting deployment orders," Cenn stated from the Ops board
"We have enough defenders for the system. Send our Cardassian friends hunting," Kira told Cenn.
"They acknowledge and thank you," Cenn told her.
"Tell them the thanks are ours," Kira replied.
"Now you are being political," Ro smirked.
"Colonel Anara reports all Ascendancy ships have reported to their assigned colonies and her Colonial Defense Forces in the Gamma Quadrant are ready to transit.
"Give her the word," Kira told the Lt. Commander.
The Wormhole opened in all its majesty and a fleet of Bajoran starships led by the Fist of the Prophets travelled through its aperture. The ships dispersed to the various Alpha Quadrant colonies rather than remain in the Bajor system. Anara herself would be joining Captain Gellar's defense of Free Haven Port. The bulk of Outbound Ventures ships dispersed across the solar system leaving the System Defense Force guarding DS9 and Bajor directly. Planetary defenses were on high alert and the reservist on every colony mustered to fight beside the Militia forces already stationed there.
"General, long range scans indicate three early to mid-century model Starfleet vessels escorting the Orions. All three are Iotian flagged. IDs coming in as the ISS Capo, ISS Barrows, and ISS Dillinger," Douglas reported next.
"Ishtashra Yar and her crews," Ro said with distaste.
"You make it sound personal," Kira noted.
"Meet Yar. It'll get personal," Ro replied, "And weird."
"Why weird?" Kira wondered.
"Yar is Tasha Yar's niece and through a corkscrew of time-space Sela's cousin," Ro answered.
"The Director of the Tal Shiar?" Kira was startled.
"The very same. Yet we know that Sela is older than Ishara Yar, Yar's mother," Ro warned her, "Like I said, it gets weird fast."
"And Ishara Yar is the leader of the Turkanis colony with the survivors of Turkana IV," Douglas chimed in.
"So, taking her prisoner could be an act of war against the Iotians?" Kira was dismayed.
"Yar is considered an independent operator, frequently at odds with Iotian Starfleet policy and official policies laid out by Oxmyx," Ro counseled her, "The Five Familias have an observer aboard her ship as a 'political' officer but she generally ignores his advice."
"Sounds like a certain colonel I knew once upon a time,: Kira teased Ro.
"I never acted against Bajoran interests," Ro reminded her.
"No, just Bajoran politics at the time,: Kira smiled.
"Politics change to suit reality,": Ro snorted again.
"I've missed you, Ro," Kira admitted.
"You're sure you just don't miss chasing me through the Badlands and DMZ?" Ro was in prime form today.
"Pretty sure," Kira smirked.
"I'll take it," Ro backed off, "It's good to be here as well, General."
'It's Kira to my friends," she offered.
"Then I guess I'm just Ro," came the acceptance.
"So, everyone's bonding while we go to war," Douglas snarked, "Again."
"We're certain Starfleet won't engage us this time?" Kira had to make certain, "They have a lot of capital ships gathered at Starbase 375."
"Starfleet won't intervene unless we cross the border," Douglas explained before Ro could, "They see this less as a territorial dispute than a reprisal."
"They got that straight" Ro chuckled, "For once."
"I transferred the Blood Queen to the station while her bodyguards and aides are being held on Bajor VIII," Kira stated, "Making DS9 the primary target for the Orion attacks:"
"And downplaying Bajor as a military target," Ro said appreciatively, "Very shrewd."
"Something I learned in the Resistance," Kira reminded Ro, "Never place targeting brackets on your home."
"Same play as a Maquis," Ro conceded, "The Resistance vets in the Maquis taught everyone a lot."
"You and Captain Chakotay did your part spreading around what you learned or taught at Starfleet's Advanced Tactical Training course," Douglas pointed out, "You two had the most strategically important cells until Chakotay's crew was sucked into the Delta Quadrant. That left you and your cell."
"Macen helped a lot as well," Ro said modestly.
"You and Commander Macen also played your parts together during the Dominion War," Kira reminded Ro, "Your surrender to Starfleet afterwards, stepping out from Bajor's amnesty deal, got your cell their pardons."
"And now Hendryks and Thool work for Macen. So everything and everyone did come full circle," Ro said dryly.
"I understand Macen's Maquis crew works for him again as well," Kira noted.
"Brin did his best to make good on the promises we made to them when we surrendered," Ro explained, "Being a private citizen helped Macen fulfill them."
"Being a major security contractor helped as well," Kira noted.
"I hate to bring it up, but those Romulan ships are cloaked," Douglas interrupted.
"Signal all commands, raise shields and arm weapons. Expect decloaking Romulan ships within the next two hours," Kira had read up on the Birds of Prey and Klingon D-7 warp speed capabilities, "Meanwhile, patch me into Gul Larkot and let me remind him not to cross the Federation border for any reason."
"General Kira," Larkot's image appeared on the main viewer.
Ro went to have a sidebar with Douglas, "You seem bothered by something."
"There weren't enough Romulan vessels to account for the Guild's full asset list," Douglas fretted.
"They'll be coming in through the Kalendra sector to attack Free Haven and Dreon VII," Ro told her.
"You're certain?" Douglas asked.
"Pretty damn so. I gave them the warning before the ships deployed," Ro smirked again, "I didn't want it broadcast in subspace this close to the actual ambushes."
"You expect ambushes?" Douglas wondered.
"They're Romulans and they're cloaked, so yes, I expect ambushes," Ro was certain.
"Point taken," Douglas demurred.
"In fact, those colonial attacks should begin before any strike us made on DS9 or Valo," Ro was confident.
"To try and draw away defenders," Douglas understood.
"Precisely,": Ro said unnecessarily.
The Chaser was approaching the J-class starbase Free Haven Port where the Watcher was already docked. The El Cid and Galavant were on system patrol while Colonel Anara's freshly arrived reinforcements took up position around planetary bodies to help hide their presence. Making it seem the only defenders were the original ships assigned to defending the Free Haven colony and the shipyards. So when the Romulans began decloaking to surround the El Cid and Galavant, neither Captains Conner nor Tyler were rudely surprised. Gellar deployed the Watcher as expected and she and Melissa Kendall aboard the Chaser set forth to assist. Leaving Anara's forces liberated to take up position around the starbase.
Commander Aelynn, who had no personal stake in the battle, noted the surprise move by the Bajorans. Still Aelynn had to see the "capture" of the El Cid and Galavant through.
She hailed Captain Emilia Conner aboard the El Cid, "Be advised, Captain. You are surrounded by numerically superior forces."
"At least you got the 'numerically' part right," Conner proudly jested.
"This hardly a laughing matter, Captain," Aelynn warned her.
"I'm certain it isn't. I advise you to surrender. While you still can," Conner signed off.
Klingon Birds of Prey decloaked surrounding their Romulan counterparts. A gift from Chancellor Martok to General Kira. The Romulan ships cloaked and warped away leaving Conner and Tyler free to resume patrol with Gellar and the Watcher and Kendall and the Chaser freed to join them in case Aelynn attempted some last ditch reprisal for the humiliation. But none was forthcoming.
Colonel Anara had pushed the Fist of the Prophets ahead to Dreon VII in time for Solarian Security Systems to begin their attack. It seemed Solarian would work for anyone these days in direct violation of the Letters of Marque issued by Starfleet. But those Letters were protected by Fleet Commander Clancy and guaranteed by Commodore Oh so Solarian could act with impunity it seemed.
"Target those ships and fire," Anara directed Lieutenant Crispus Alva at Helm and Sergeant Bol Ferin at Navigation. Crispus controlled flight operations and phasers while Bol controlled plotting and photon torpedoes and shields. The two men worked well together. Ro had chosen well before Anara inherited the ship and crew.
"Should we try and hail them?" Tech Sergeant Triss Glivi asked from Communications.
"Why bother?" Captain Wyn Meru, the ship's XO, asked, "Their intention is obvious since they've already opened fire."
"I identify three Renaissance-, fifteen Pincer-, five Hokule'a-, three Korolev-, and one Ambassador-class starship engaging defenses," Wyn reported from the Sciences/Sensors station.
"Then it's a good thing w e brought friends," Anara chuckled nastily. The B'rel-class Birds of Prey decloaked surrounding the Enterprise-class starship and followed her into combat.
"Free Haven and Dreon VII report enemy engagements," Douglas reported, "Captain Gellar initially reported a Romulan withdrawal but a Commander Aelynn simply moved her force deeper into the system and engaged the Militia forces there. Gellar and her squadron along with Chancellor Martok's reinforcements are responding. Dreon VII is under attack from Solarian Security Solutions starships."
"I hate those guys," Ro grumbled.
"The feeling is probably mutual. I don't see the Orions shilling out latinum to a top tier security contractor, though," Kira remarked.
"Further evidence Cell 51 or another player is backing the play," Ro reinforced her original point for staying aboard.
"But why?" Douglas hadn't deduced the full implications yet, "Why overreach?"
"The Orions are after a settlement whereby the gain access to Bajoran financial markets. Cell 51 is a revenge tactic for humiliating their operatives during the war. Also it's a power grab by the Changelings posing as Jack Fowler and John Browder to secure their positions in the Cell 51 heirarchy without concerns over Sorbo ousting them," Ro stated, "Sometimes you have to think like a criminal in this game, Commander Douglas."
"The Orions were the obvious point in it," Douglas replied, "But the Changelings had to know they risked exposure."
"And some of their followers will still deny the blatant evidence and continue following the straight to hell," Ro told her, "Faith has its blind sides as well as skepticism."
"So you're saying members of Cell 51 wull follow the pretenders despite mounting evidence to the fact that they are pretenders," Kira sought clarification.
"People followed Kai Winn until the end," Ro reminded Kira, "Out of respect for the office if nothing else. This 'Fowler' and 'Browder' are universally recognized authority figures in Cell 51. It'll take a lot to shake some of their followers free of their delusions."
"That part I don't understand," Douglas admitted.
"Because you've never had an all consuming cause like the Resistance or the Maquis," Kira explained, "You weren't even part of Starfleet during the Dominion War."
"You didn't join until Section 31 paved the way for you to do so and your cause then was to bring down S31, That was accomplished but you simply replaced that cause with being 0212 and reporting on DS9 to M and Vice Admiral Nechayev," Ro further explained.
"You knew?" Douglas was startled.
"I've always known," Ro told her, "I make it a point to uncover everything about potential partners and subordinates."
"Yet you never said anything," Douglas pointed out
"It was never an issue until now," Ro shrugged, "M and Vaughn both asked you to stay aboard rather than evacuate. I simply used that to my advantage."
"How can we use it to Colonel Anara and Captain Gellar's advantage?" Kira asked.
"By preventing the attacks on Golana and Prophets Landing that will now be underway," Ro told her.
"Reports are coming in. Stating the attacks have already begun by Romulan forces," Douglas informed them, "Captain Melinda Kendall reports the enemy force is led by a Commander Danaris. Major Gill at Golana reports that a Commander P'ris is in command of the opposing forces."
"Hail P'ris," Ro ordered, "I want to talk to her."
"Commander?" Kira wondered what this was about.
"I knew her mother. I might be able to talk her down," Ro explained.
"I knew your mother, Talera P'ris," Ro told her simply.
"How do you know that name?" P'ris demanded to know.
"Because I knew her professionally and personally, Talena. Though you wouldn't remember it. Her death on Romulus was a tragedy felt by both sides," Ro said, "Don't commit a larger tragedy and start something that can't be reversed here today."
"I'd heard you'd become a Militia lapdog for a time," P'ris managed to regain some of her bluster.
"A Militia that beat back Starfleet on four invasion attempts. You really think your ill-equipped and underfunded Guild stands a chance?" Ro asked.
"Is that desperation, Commander?" P'ris wondered.
"Confidence always beats arrogance," Ro signed off.
"Klingon vessels decloaking," P'ris' weapons officer reported to her, "B'rel-class Birds of Prey."
"We're outnumbered and outgunned," her Centurion reminded her.
"Tell all units to cloak and set course back for the Valo system. We can still avenge our honor there," P'ris commanded.
"Signal the squadron," the Centurion ordered.
"How did they know?" P'ris began seeing traitors in her own Guild.
"Golana is resolved. But fighting broke out at Prophets Landing. The Port station is engaging alongside Outbound Ventures and Militia forces but Commander Danaris holds an edge in numbers," Douglas told Kira.
"Inform Dal Kilkat she can deploy her Lakat-class squadron now," Kira had the message sent across the Cardassian border where the light cruisers eagerly awaited their chance to fight Romulans once more. A dal was the Cardassian equivalent of a full Starfleet commander. Dalin Sivan Slaine, the Militia's Cardassian exchange officer aboard Deep Space Nine, held an equivalent rank to Douglas' own. Slaine was the Weapons Officer and eagerly awaited any forces stupid enough to attack the station. Dalin Slaine would get her chance to fire phasers before the solar day concluded
"Send our thanks to Prophets Landing Port and Dal Kilkat," Melinda Kendall instructed her Comm Officer, Daria Givers. Kendall had the unique position of having three Chief Helmswomen. Sakona, Burning Heart, and War Cry were survivors from Dorvan V that had been too young to fight the Cardassians in the Maquis or the later Dominion War, being pre-adolescents at the time. Their aptitude and skill ratings for starship operations were off the charts but they were still in secondary school. So Caity Floss had struck a bargain with Kendall. Each girl would serve a rotating shift and spend the next two days in remote learning schooling before returning to the Alpha Watch shift. They were banned from Gamma Watch shifts since the ship only rotated two twelve hour shifts.
War Cry was the pilot on duty for the engagement. She took a great deal of satisfaction in the fact that the Catcher had avoided major damages as she flew the starship into battle. She literally had war stories to tell her fellow Alpha Watch CONN officers. Commander Danaris, seeing an impending loss, cut and ran. But like P'ris, she headed to the Valo system to reunite with the Orion and Iotian forces entering the system even then.
Shakaar held the ground on Valo II while Krim held Valo III. Valo I was defended by an ex-Militia Colonel named Sakrin. Additional Solarian forces had joined the Orions in Pincer-class starships to deploy landing troops. The new Orion goal being simple: hold the Valo settlers hostage to exchange for the Blood Queen and her entourage. Now it was obvious why Trier and Thomas Darcy had left the Waypoint Station during the hostage situation there. Darcy, reunited with his chief strategist, Ekaterina Kozlova, was running point on the assault while Trier managed Syndicate business accounts back on Orion. It was Treir, ordering an impromptu audit, that forced the Caitian accountant, M'rex, into discovering the accounts had been hacked. But the Codex cipher remained untapped and untouched. So the accounts were still safely coded. But no cipher was uncrackable.
Fortunately, Cell 51 had helped redevelop the cipher utilizing Dominion-held territorial languages, Languages Starfleet had no exposure to. But they were languages the Karemma had deep experience with. So that's who Kerber and Smith had bought linguistics programs from. Using standardized translation matrixes for Dominion space, they were able to crack the ciphers and begin translating the account books. Books naming names, suppliers and customers both.
Pyotr Boromov proved very prominent in both categories. Though an independent contractor he frequently partnered with the Syndicate for those "hard to obtain" armaments they could steal in quantity. It appeared the Iotians continued to reject Boromov's intermediary intercessory value and strove to deal with clients directly. Putting Boromov in a decreasing market for his services. As the premier "advocate" for political causes and antisocial behaviors Boromov was the gunrunner extraordinaire. One who was called upon half as many times as a post-Iotian rise and market saturation took hold. Giving him a common cause with the Syndicate.
Boromov also had personal issues with Macen and Ro. Therefore with Outbound Ventures and the Bajorans as a general rule and the Militia in particular since Ro had been a Militia lieutenant when they clashed post-Maquis during the Dominion War. They caught Boromov selling Son'a produced ketracil white to the Dominion.
Rejak directed the Valo effort from the Deathwing, his D-7-class cruiser. Under him as subordinate commanders were Tekana, Solara, and D'nea who transported Commander Arlinea and Centurion Galenja to the surface of Valo II where they met with Shakaar's Resistance forces and the local Militia garrison. Shakaar had resettled on Valo II after politics. Krim had done the same on Valo III.
Boromov's interests were being served in breaking the Militia's ability to be self-sufficient and therefore not entirely reliant upon the Federation Starfleet and Iotian Starfleet. His most engaged enemies and competitors. The Klingons were engaged in arms sales of decommissioned weaponry to "lesser races", as the Klingon Houses termed it. Martok saw the Klingons creating future enemies. But allowed the practice for just such sport. Captain Worf bitterly opposed the practice but was reminded of the Federation selling decommissioned starships and hand phasers to security contractors, colonies, and Protectorate worlds, such as those the Federation still recognized as such. The others were a simple arms market.
The galaxy had become a much darker place after the twin catastrophes of the Hobus Disaster and the Mars Massacre. A lot of evil genies needed to be stuffed back into their quagmire bottles. Gul Larkot was the first to give territory. The Militia followed as well Outbound Ventures. The fighting on the surface went into the hills where shelters laced with kelbonite didn't register on sensors. The kelbonite weakened the structures but the invisibility meant they weren't detected by orbital sensors sweeps, drones, or passing foot patrols. Making them ideal to stage ambushes out of.
Some pill boxes even had heavy repeating phasers and isomagnetic disintegrators stocked inside along with food, water, and medical supplies. Subspace radio would be tracked so the Resistance fighters used simple EM bands. Microwaves traversing through the pillboxes and other shelters more effectively than radio.
Relay stations were hidden throughout the hills and foothills to forward signals. It gave the leadership a global reach but with comm delays as transmissions took time to reach over land and oversea relays and be forwarded.
Solarian was used to peacekeeping missions on advanced worlds. Arlinea and Galenja's forces were more astute to fighting technologically inferior foes. Solarian recruited largely from Starfleet Security enlisted and police local forces. But they recruited those "less than honorably" discharged or dismissed. They needed security experience with low to no scruples. Solarian had no problem with Arlinea ordering them to conduct civilian reprisals. They had no idea that history showed that only hardened Bajoran resolve. The more civilians died the more committed to the cause Shakaar and the others became. And the less likely the occupiers would leave Valo II alive. Krim and Sakrin faced the same issue with the same response.
Solarian and the Romulans had no idea that the dying Bajorans cursed them with their last breaths knowing the hell storm that would be raining down on their murderers.
So even as Bajor lost the Valo system, the insurgency tightened up and prepared for a long, bloody, and sacrificial engagement.
"Are those Orion free traders on the screen?" Tom Riker asked Sveta Korepanova.
"Shields are up and weapons hot," she replied.
"They can't be that stupid. Look at what Barrinor did with Solarian's accounts after they engaged us in the system," Kristiana Liu remarked.
"They're firing on us and the shipyards," Korepanova reported.
"They're that stupid," Riker groaned, "Get every crew to their ships."
"Captain, I have two more craft dropping out of warp in-system. It's the Obsidian and the Ark of the Prophets," Korepanova told him.
"Launch everything anyways. They could use the help," Riker headed for the turbolift that Lisea Danan was exiting,
"Give them hell." she urged him.
"Oh, I will," he promised.
"Sveta caught on to our strategy. Serenity is firing at the ship on our port side while the Ark helps deal with our starboard flank," Jaycee Miller called out.
"That was Kovic," Joelle Jones reported her communication with the Security Chief, Jelena Kovic, "She and Abby Collins have vital sections secured."
They all knew Daggit and Burrows would secure Deck 3 where the SID set up shop with some minor assistance from the others. Burrows and Daggit already had force field barricades erected and were double checking their personal arsenals.
"That looks like that new pulse weapon Parva made," Burrows noted Daggit's principle choice.
"The original was designed for Radil Jenrya," Daggit informed him.
"The Deputy Chief of Security on Serenity?" Burrows hadn't known that.
"An original team member after I kidnapped her," Daggit shared as well, "The original model had two back mounted power cells and a hip fastened auto-gyro stabilizer. This has the stabilizer built in and the power cells are drastically reduced and internalized."
Burrows erected a force field midway down the corridor, "Pop one off."
Daggit fired from the hip center mass. The force field flexed from the force of the blast.
"Daaamn," Burrows was awed.
"It has a pulse firing setting as well," Daggit told him.
"Your wife makes you the sweetest gifts," Burrows sighed, "Harri would probably steal it from you to give to me."
"How serious are you two?" Daggit had wondered.
"With Harri it's hard to tell one day from the next. It depends on how scared of commitment she is that day. Woman's never had anyone to hold on to before. I think she thinks she doesn't know how," Burrows explained, "But her even wanting to says a lot"
"Really?" Mudd asked crossly from behind him.
"You set me up," Burrows accused Daggit.
"I did at that," Daggit chuckled.
"What happened to 'I'm just in it for the sex'?" Mudd asked accusingly.
"I can live with that. I'm not sure you can," Burrows told her.
"Why would you even say that?" Mudd wanted, no, demanded to know.
"A lot of little things. Luke you haven't stolen my latinum strip collection yet," Burrows told her.
"Don't make it tempting," Mudd warned him.
"I might steal that," Daggit chuckled.
"Look, to break it down, Tracy opened a door you didn't even know you had, Turns out, I was on the other side of that door and not her. So you don't know what to do about it. My advice?" Burrows offered, "Wait for the answer to become obvious and don't worry about the rest."
"That...that...that is hard to ignore," Mudd stammered.
"I was SOC. Girl in every port and all that until one broke my heart. I trust you with mine. If you break it, I know seven ways to kill you with just my thumb. But you won't. Because when you have your answer, I'll have mine as well since I have nothing but questions as well," Burrows told her, "And the thumb thing is just to warn you off from my slips."
"You carry collectibles on the ship?" Daggit was amused.
"I spend more time aboard her than the station," Burrows defended his choice, "Not all of us can afford a flat on Barrinor."
'You could if you let me sell the slips," Mudd wheedled him, "Even after my cut."
"Nice try," Burrows advised her, "And your cut is being invited over."
"Damn. I must really like you because I'm not tempted to tempt you with the thumb thing," Midd groaned, "Pops would say I've gone soft."
"You hate your dad. So who cares?" Burrows asked.
"Everyone says they hate their parents but really, secretly want to please them. It's why I joined the army," Daggit told him."
"I would've thought you'd be the first to volunteer," Burrows and Mudd yelped together.
"Jinx! You owe me a shot of bourbon. The real stuff," Mudd warned him.
"I didn't want to fight a war but my father was just within the new volunteer age requirements. So I took his place despite the fact I hated his guts for always pushing me into situations like that. I became an Augment to help end the fighting faster so I could just go back home. My dad called the authorities and had me jailed on the Lunar Prison when I came home. And I still volunteered to join Starfleet to get Angosia into the Federation. So, I get it," Daggit told her.
"What about you?" Mudd inquired, "You never talk about your dad."
"I killed him," Burrows said easily, "He was always drunk. One night he burst into my room to show me how to properly rape my girlfriend. So I caved his skull in with one of my damn sports trophies. Ten years of martial arts training in how to disable an opponent and the first thing I did was use some meaningless award to crush my dad's skull. I was sent to a juvenile penal colony and the plea deal was I join Starfleet enlisted ranks when I aged out. Vaughn spotted me and sponsored my application to the Academy and then Advanced Tactical Training. He got me into SOC and delivered the news when I was degraded because of my knee replacement. I personally resigned to him because I knew he understood what the life had meant for me. He got me hooked up with Macen and here I am."
"What a gutsy back story. I always thought you were Mr. Gung-Ho Hero," Mudd replied.
"I was pretty gung-ho but only because I never felt remorse for any of it," Burrows told her.
"Shuk! I think we could use that bottle now," Mudd complained.
"Think of it as a perk of surviving," Burrows mentioned.
Overloads caused sparks to fly and the ship shook as it took return fire. Macen exited his office with Rockford and Ebert in tow, "Report to the shuttle bay."
Rockford gathered the Detective Squad while Macen gathered the Data Team.
"We're relocating, back everything up." He instructed. It took two portable computers. Ebert had the Corsair ready to launch by the time they arrived.
"Locarno cleared us for Runabout Pad E," Ebert announced as Macen sealed the Danube-class' hatch.
"Launching in the middle of a war zone is not my idea of fun," Mudd grumbled.
"We were headed for Bajor which is nothing but a war zone by now," Daggit reminded everyone, "Why the change of plans?"
"Admiral Nechayev warned me of a potential strike on Serenity," Macen explained, "Besides, if the Obsidian is needed here then we can continue our investigations from the station. The Federation didn't end its policy of neutrality in the conflict besides some heated political downfalls behind closed sessions after the truth regarding Fowler and Browder came to light. Strict denialists are pledging that it's all been faked. But the majority of Cell 51 adherents recognized the truth yet the policy held firm. I want to know how and why. That might take a trip to Earth in the Corsair."
"But the investigative team would remain on Serenity," Ebert explained what she'd overheard, "Commanders Prentiss, Senecka, and Lefler are TDY with us when we reach Earth,"
"Us? On Earth? That always ends in disaster," Mudd remarked from OPS.
"Maybe you can get that shot of bourbon," Ebert said from beside her at CONN.
"Whatever happened to privacy?" Mudd groaned.
"Not on this team. Try the other one," Daggit was behind Ebert at Tactical. Macen sat at Sciences. Either LCARS station could quickly be converted to an Engineering station. But Parva would remain aboard the Obsidian.
"Are we launching or what?" Rockford's testy query came over comms. She hated space travel.
"Signaling bay chief," Ebert replied, "Hold on to something."
The Corsair catapulted out of the Obsidian at full impulse. With Nick Locarno piloting and commanding the Ju'day-class Eclipse while his wife flew the Blackbird-class Solstice under Chris Noble's command. The station's Danube-class runabouts were in the battle as well. Riker was in command of the Charleston-class Indomitable while the Emden-class Resolution joined in the defense. Given the shield harmonics, the Obsidian slipped inside Serenity's defensive bubble to beam Kerber, Smith and Rockford's Detective Squad aboard the station.
"Back to it people," Parva advised her Deputy Chief Engineer and Engineer's Mate
Gilan and Celine Jones returned to motivating and directing damage control teams while Parva personally dealt with power flow regulation.
The Corsair was let free of the battle by the Orion who simply assumed they were cowardly deserters. Riker and the Indie discreetly cleared their path, seemingly coincidently. Macen knew being free and clear to go to warp would alleviate his wife's anxiety. Annika Ryst had traveled from deployment to deployment aboard starships and troop transports. Celeste Rockford had a near phobia regarding space travel.
The Ark of the Prophets unexpectedly broke free as well and laid in a pursuit course. Rather than risk interceptable communications, Macen assumed Neela had received a message from the Prophets. It would explain her sudden turnaround to follow them when she had no idea what they were about.
Captain Sarai Mikaela Gellar's Science Officer, Deridex, reported the expected event, "Romulan ships decloaking."
"Alert all forces of they haven't seen it for themselves already.," Gellar instructed Gia Mandfredi at Communications.
"Captain, Colonel Anara on audio for you," Manfedi replied.
"On speakers," Gellar ordered.
"Captain Gellar, your ships are the most evenly matched for our new Romulan presence. Could you deal with them?" Anara requested from the also newly arrived Fist of the Prophets. Anara had only brought along five Klingon starships with her to support Dreon VII's defenders. Free Haven Port was still on alert and four starships had been left to defend the helpless but vital shipyards. Bajor's shipyards constructed civilian and military craft both.
After refitting Bajor's Constitution- and Asia-class starships, they'd begun retrofitting Bajoran impulse scouts to be warp capable like their freighter cousins. Even impulse only Antares-class gunships were being made warp capable. Bajoran interceptors were being retrofitted into warp capable craft. Only sub-impulse raiders were being left non-warp capable craft. Despute the shipyards themselves being hapless they were protected by raiders. But the raiding craft were stopgaps at best.
Starships were designed to deal with starships and Solarian had thrown twenty-seven starships at ten Militia vessels. Anara's half-dozen reinforcements helped even the odds somewhat. Solarian's greatest vulnerability was its reliance on Pincer-class warships. The Pincer-class was a non-Starfleet starship developed by Grimes Armaments. Baroness Estella Grimes being the latest heir to the weapons dealership. The decommissioned Starfleet vessels were all a generation beyond the Militia's Iotian analogues. But the Bajorans were twice as motivated not to give a single parsec of territory.
The retreat at Valo and the news of civilian reprisals had enraged the Militia crews and troops. Commander Aelynn and her D-7 and Birds of Prey outnumbered the Outbound Ventures original Constitution-class starships but Gellar, Conner, Tyler, and Melissa Kendall were as motivated as any Bajoran to hold Dreon VII to prevent a repeat of the Valo tragedies. Unknown to them, Aelynn was similarly motivated.
Aelynn had assisted Section 31 during its tenure as well as alerted the Federation as to the Romulans testing an early trilithium prototype weapons test on the Ekosian and Zeon star. Captain John Harriman and the crew of the Enterprise-B had led an exodus of starliners and cruise ships to evacuate the planets. Even so, millions were lost.
Other than chief scientific minds, the evacuees had been chosen by a random lottery. The Chancellor and his administration were exempted. They died with their worlds. Ekosians freely gave up berths to Zeons in repayment of past grievances. The orderliness of the formerly racist Nazi regime had been retained without the hateful components. Even then, in 2299, Zeon had been more advanced than Ekos. So proportionately higher number of technical minds were selected for salvation outside of the lottery. But the lottery insured that a representative sampling of the joint society was saved.
The Federation held the system in trust in case of historical surveys to be undertaken by survivors descendants later. When latinum was discovered in bulk in the system's remnants, the Federation conceded mining rights to be held by a public trust of Ekosian and Zeonite survivors. The latinum starved Federation had pushed forward plans to simply begin mining operations without due compensation.
In an apparent intelligence coup, the Iotian Federation obtained secret minutes from Federation Council Sub-Committee meetings regarding the issue. The descendants of the survivors awarded mineral rights to the Iotians. The Iotians were willing to buy dilithium with their surplus of latinum. The rapidly expanding Iotian Starfleet and their vessels for sale were starving for the warp core processing mineral. The Iotian Federation was flush with every necessary starship construction material except for dilithium.
The Bajorans had made new strikes of dilithium mining planets on the Gamma Quadrant so had crystals to sell but they held a strategic reserve despite recrystalization technology finally becoming disclosed from the mid-23rd Century and held by a strategically important dilithium provider. Their supplies of the mineral were depleting so the century old technology was finally being released to the public without relying on nuclear fission for the same results. The Klingons in particular paid handsomely for licenses to build recrystalizing catalyzers.
The Federation traded other technologies and consumer goods for the tech. Ice cream replicaotr patterns were a huge hit with the planetary populace. They utterly lacked dairy products and for such a brilliant populace, couldn't seem to manage programming their own flavors. So they had contracts guaranteeing them first rights to all new flavors developed off-world. Non-replicated ice creams being luxury items. Specialty non-replicated ice creams being the most highly prized.
Even so, the Romulans held a technological advantage in that all their modern starships and shuttles were powered by artificial quantum singularities. Hence the development of Starfleet's protostar powered prototypes. Quantum slipstream drive systems were faster but they still relied upon warp cores for power. Hence the ongoing need for dilithium.
But requirements had gone from processed crystal nodules to shards. So the Federation and most of its closest rivals and allies were able to more effectively harness a dwindling resource. The recrystalization process could be used several times but it too would fail after a dozen uses. But with the advent of shard tech the starships in question got "more bang for their buck".
But older models, like those produced by the Iotians were still crystal nodule dependent
So recrystalization was a key factor in keeping them operational. The Gamma and Delta Quadrants looking more and more like potential sources for viable alternatives. Hence a renewed interest in Clancy's agenda for exploration. With an added emphasis in lovcating and cultivating armed alliances.
The Romulan flagged warships Outbound Ventures faced were all warp core powered vessels. Aelynn herself finally retiring her diminutive Bird of Vengeance. She'd been given a D-7 to command. A prestigious honor amongst the Guild members. Aelynn herself would've preferred a Bird of Prey. They were far more maneuverable than the comparatively clunky Klingon design. No Romulan yard had manufactured parts for a Bird of Vengeance for over a century. Aelynn had cannibalized dozens of other ships to keep hers flying. Finally, their were no more carcasses left to pick clean. The Klingons had provided full part replacement packages with the D-7-class starships they'd sold the Romulans before their tentative alliance fell through. The yards still fabricated parts. So Aelynn saw the logic but hated it all the same.. Her D-7 still had that new starship smell and she hated that too.
She was the vessel's first commanding officer and wondered how long that would last. She had no qualms about engaging Outbound Ventures. They weren't official Federation forces and took the risks they accepted. But the Bajorans were hapless pawns in a larger game hat even Aelynn was unaware of its scope. She hated that most of all.
Rejak was too busy saving his reputation with Sela and Donatra to care.
Aelynn wished to avoid a conflict of she could on general principle but the opposing commanders was making certain her ships hadn't intersecting fields of fire, making surrounding them in their layered protective stance, nearly impossible. Especially now that she'd decloaked her forces and raised shields and armed weapons. Her Birds of Prey lacked their most potent weapon: the plasma torpedo launcher. It was replaced with a standard photon torpedo launcher. Curiously enough, the photons were Grimes built but sold through the intermediary, Pyotr Boromov.
Aelynn didn't know Gellar was in command but felt she faced a female opponent given the temperance of the response. Gellar's companion starships advanced but didn't initiate hostilities despite Solarian's outright aggression. For Aelynn this suggested guile and native intelligence rather than simple ego and brute force measures. In other words, someone she could work with to cool things down rather continually escalate them.
"Broad hail from the Romulan squadron commander wishing it discuss terms with our senior officer,": Givers reported to Gellar.
"Our terms or theirs?" Gellar inquired.
"That's open for debate, apparently," Givers told her.
"Put it on screen but continue the advance," Gellar ordered.
Aelynn's image appeared. Gellar recognized her from her time with SOC. Aelynn had done occasional favors for Starfleet in general and Section 31 in particular.
"Commander Aelynn, I presume?" Gellar asked.
"Do we know one another, Captain?" Aelynn was surprised.
"Only by your reputation, which does precede you," Gellar answered neutrally. Word was the Tal Shiar had threatened Aelynn and her family unless she comply with Romulan Orthodoxy. Unofficially, Aelynn had simply vanished after S31 collapsed. It seemed those speculations were false. Gellar had always leaned towards the former interpretation anyways.
"You're offering terms?" Gellar asked.
"A mutual draw down of forces. Let the Bajorans defend their colony and shipyards and we remove ourselves. You of course could standby to insure my forces do not simply turn around under cloak and engage Colonel Anara's defenders," Aelynn offered.
"Sorry. Hard pass," Gellar retorted, "I was hired to assist the Colonel and her forces. So I can't simply stand down."
"We are all creatures of duty, Captain. I regret that mine is to stop you from accomplishing yours," Aelynn signed off.
"They're targeting us," Deridex reported.
"Captains Kendall, Conner, and Tyler are seeking weapons release," Givers told her.
"Granted, Marcos and Moonbow open fire on targets of availability," Gellar instructed Aresia Marcos and Moonbow, her Helmswoman and Navigator, "Lupus, make certain all departments are rigged for combat."
Her lupine XO began making general announcements. The deck plates shuddered.
"And it begins," Gellar stated simply.
Melinda Kendall led the Bajoran Militia forces from Prophets Landing Port to reinforce Gul Larkot's withdrawing force.
"Gul Larkot, if your Galor- and Lakat-class cruisers can deal with the Iotians we can support the Militia in repelling the Orion freebooters," Captain Kendall recommended to Larkot.
"They've been joined by the Romulans you repelled earlier," Larkot warned.
Kendall's smile was predatory, "We'll deal with them as well."
"Golana, Free Haven, and Prophets Landing have all repelled Romulan attacks," Douglas happily reported.
"Tachyon detection grid is uo and running inside the Bajor system. No sign of cloaked ships," Slaine reported from DS9's Tactical station. The Cardassian being completely at home with the hybridized Federation/Cardassian/Bajoran interface. Though she tended it revert it back to its Cardassian original state when on duty.
Cenn manned the Station Management station/table. O'Brien manned Operations. Douglas had the Stategic Operations board. Ro had converted Sciences into an Intelligence Operations station. Kira oversaw everything.
DS9, under Sisko, had underutilized the Cardassians' military stations. That had been a choice. One Kira wasn't making. Starfleet had armed the station to the teeth. It was time once again to fully employ its capacities. She'd done the same, when with the same personnel plus Vaughn, during the Bajoran conflict with the Federation. Douglas monitored near space for Sector Command requirements. Ro trolled Federation -wide data streams alternately supporting and guiding Macen's investigation.
Terok Nor had been an ore refinery and a Cardassian military command overseeing the Occupation of Bajor and its sector. So it had the capability of directing a sector-wide campaign. Every Nor-class station had it designed into them. Starfleet downplayed the military outpost legacy but it was essential to DS9's history and design. A legacy Kira was using to her advantage...again.
"the Romulans intend to draw away the system's protectors," Kira noted but for what? "The Valo incursion isn't large enough to punch a hole all the way to Bajor if we rally against their attack."
"But that would leave DS9 vulnerable to the inevitable Romulan attack," Ro assessed, "And the Valo commander is offering to withdraw in exchange for the Blood Queen and her entourage."
"A classic divide and conquer," Douglas agreed.
"So I guess we find out just how good these new commanders, Bajoran and non-Bajoran alike, really are," Kira stated.
"The Corsair is away!" Zimbalist had been tracking the runabout's progress.
"Bastards are so used to deserters they never thought twice about her," Jones noted.
"The Ark left in pursuit," Miller reported, "An unscheduled pursuit."
"Neela's automation system isn't designed for sustained combat," Forger was the first to note.
"And her gods may have sent her after the Commander and Detective Rockford," Aglaia mentioned from CONN.
"But that still leaves us two ships down against twice as many as we have on station" Zimbalist complained.
"Orion scoutships are dropping out of warp and headed for Serenity!" Miller straightened in her seat.
"How many?" Jones asked.
"Too many," Miller grimaced.
"Those are mid-23rd Century designs," Forger noted.
"And the station relies on a sixty-year old shield generator design," Jones reminded her, "Advise Serenity to prep for boarding actions."
The Gamma Watch Officer, Aeryn Black showed up, "I can't stand doing nothing. Put me to work."
"Man Sciences," Forger decided.
Below decks, Tessa and her Med team began triaging patients. Parva cursed Macen for taking Daggit off of the Obsidian and blessed him all at the same time. Her husband would be out of the fighting for five days and was headed for Earth where even he couldn't get int trouble. Right?
"I had this built to your specifications in the office next to Macen's," Merik Cardan, the original Cardassian construction supervisor that had stayed on as Chief of Operations, showed Kerber and Smith. They inspected their station-side Data Womb.
"It's perfect," Smith acknowledged after activating the systems.
"As requested, it's completely invasive," Cardan admitted, "I'm not certain why the Commander and Captain went out of their way for you to have access to every sub-system but there you have it."
"We're not after your job, Chief. You're still irreplaceable," Kerber promised him. Alarms began sounding.
"And that means what?" Smith asked.
"Potential boarding actions," Cardan told then both.
"I take it no one thought to alter the Cardassian pre-sets," Kerber noted the difference from the Obsidian's choices.
"No one thought they'd ever be tested," Cardan told them, "I have places to be."
"Of course," Smith demurred.
"Lee, you up and running?" Kerber asked the detective from his location at the Rockford Detective Agencies offices he shared with with Forte, and Shade and the local investigators.
"Of course. Cardan deliver as promised?" Lee asked.
"Like you said, of course. Cardan is the very model of Cardassian pride in efficiency," Kerber snorted, "Now let's light this system up and invade some bank accounts."
"Initiate station lock down," Danan ordered, "Get civilians to designated shelters and get Gerrit's forces patrolling the Docking Ring and Promenade. That's where they'll try to come through. The Habitat Ring has extra shielding like Ops."
"Most of these scouts are remotely piloted," Korepanova realized, "They're just blunt force trauma waiting to happen."
"Meaning?" Liu was assisting her. The first scouts struck the shields.
"Meaning that," Korepanova stated grimly.
Chapter Seven
"Additional Klingon Birds of Prey from Golana engaging Solarian forces," Deridex reported to Gellar.
"Hail Commander Aelynn again," the captain ordered.
A harried looking Romulan appeared on her screen, "I didn't want this."
"The fight or the losing it part?' Gellar was slightly smug now.
"Check the updates from Valo. This wasn't supposed to happen. I'm withdrawing and taking anyone that will listen to sense with me," Aelynn told her.
"Three Romulan ships disengaged," Deridex announced, "Warp signatures confirmed. They've left the theater of engagement."
"Keep pounding away at the others,: Gellar instructed her force, "Then we assist the Bajorans and the Klingons."
"One more Romulans limped away," Manfredi reported, "Captain Kendall reported their departure."
"Captains Conner and Tyler also report their Romulan opponents exiting the field of battle," Manfredi continued, "Three enemy vessels crippled or destroyed. Six made it to safety in the Kalendra Sector. Commander Aelynn sent her regards."
"Gloating regards?"Gellar inquired.
"Appreciative regards for not pursuing her or her ships," Manfredi replied.
"Reply that she can retreat from me anytime," Gellar gloated.
"No reply," Manfredi smirked.
"Didn't expect a polite one," Gellar admitted, "Now let's see about these Solarian bastards."
"They've killed fifty civilians so far," Shakaar's deputy reported in, "One from each village."
"They're drawing us in after dividing our forces," the veteran replied, "So we strike at their leader with everything we have."
"This is a politically risky move for them," another deputy acknowledged.
"How so?" Shakaar was curious.
"It invitees the Federation to intervene," the deputy stated.
"But on whose side?" Shakaar and Krim had discussed this at length.
Melinda Keldall and the Catcher assumed command of the Outbound Ventures forces allied with the Bajoran commanders and the Cardassian tactical presence.
"How are our Cardassian allies faring?" Kendall inquired of her XO, Gabe Alon.
"They've taken damage but the Iotians are beginning to maneuver for a possible retreat," THX-1138 answered for the Alon.
"My understanding of Yar is she's like her cousin, a big bully who doesn't like direct confrontation," Alon postulated.
"The Iotian flagged privateers are warping out of the system. Gul Larkot reports half his forces need to pull back to affect repairs," Givers reported from Communications.
"Signal Chief de Hans and found out our own status," Kendall instructed. Chief Engineer Nicolette de Hans gave the ship a clean bill of health as they continued engaging Commander Danaris' forces joined by Commanders Tekana and Solara's squadron.
"Those new Enterprise-class ships certainly make a big difference," Alon pointed out.
"Don't downplay the Catcher's role," Kendall advised him, "Captain Gellar and my sister had less to work with and they chased off or crippled nine Romulan ships. We simply have more Romulans to scare off. Consider it a badge of honor."
"Aye, Captain," Alon gave her his best rakish grin.
"Be still my heart," Kendall counseled herself. She wasn't in Starfleet anymore but dating her own Exec was a baaad precedent to set. Riker got away with it because he was station personnel and Danan had no function aboard the Indie.
So they could divide and conquer. Alon literally sat on her bridge through thick and the presumable thin to follow. Bad, bad precedent to set but oh, so tempting.
"Dreon is turning around," Douglas reported, "Valo is is also shifting towards a favorable balance of forces. Golana, Free Haven, and Prophets Landing still report all's clear."
"As does our tachyon web," Slaine sounded bored.
"Something isn't right," Kira noted.
"I agree," Ro confided, "Valo is too blatant and Dreon too great of an investment for too little of a return."
"Valo invites a Federation response and Dreon over commits Solarian. Why?" Kira wondered.
"Long range sensors indicate Federation forces are crossing the Kalandra sector from Starbase 375 and headed for the Valo system and the Badlands," Slaine perked up
"This could be bad," Ro cautioned everyone, "I haven't gotten word on what their orders are yet."
"Neither have I," Douglas stated, "And I asked to be apprised of any change of status coming out of Starbase 375."
"Raise me Captan Vaughn aboard the Defiant," Kira ordered Cenn, "I need answers and I don't expect to like them."
With Slaine and all Bajoran officers excluded from the Defiant's crew, that left Lieutenant JG Willow Myers as Chief Tactical Officer, "Um...Captain? We're being hailed by Deep Space Nine Operations."
"Considering we're on their sensors net's extreme range it's only to be expected," Vaughn sighed, "Patch General Kira in."
"Elias...what the hell?" Kira wasted no time.
"I'm resuming command of DS9," Vaughn told her, "That's the only good news. Starfleet has been asked to broker a peace deal."
"By whom?" Kira snorted, "We certainly didn't."
"The Orion government and the Romulans," Vaughn barely suppressed a grimace
It was obvious he found this as distasteful as she did.
"The Orion 'government' is sitting in the holding cells," Kira said snidely, "And the Romulans..."
"Ambassador Aurelian and Senator Eldanak should be arriving from the Gamma Quadrant and Waypoint Station at any minute," Vaughn said wearily.
"Neutrino surge indicates the Wormhole is opening," Slaine told them.
"That would be them," Vaughn shared, "Proconsul Donatra is also aboard the Valdore but she'll simply be dropping the Ambassador and Senator off while transiting back to Star Imperial space."
"Meaning?" Kira waited for the other shoe's dropping now.
"The Senator and Ambassador expect to ride back to Caligula aboard a Privateer's Guild vessel. The Deathwing to be precise. It seems Guild Master Rejak's freedom is not open for negotiation," Vaughn explained, "Commander Arlinea's disposition is open to negotiation. She's the Romulan ground commander."
"She'll stand trial for war crimes," Kira grated.
"In an ICC court room," Vaughn replied unhappily, "That part has already been decided."
"Not by my government," Kira warned him.
"Nerys, I'm just he bearer of bad news. The deals were made over subspace. You'll have Solarian when you capture them," Vaughn told her, "Which is why a squadron of Starfleet vessels is underway. To assist in the capture of Solarian's forces."
"I thought they were Fleet Admiral Clancy's favorites," Kira said dryly.
"Political winds shifted," Vaughn said brusquely.
"Or maybe multiple investigations into misconduct have an impact after all," Ro retorted before Kira could.
"May I remind Commander Ro that Clancy is still the Starfleet Commander," Vaughn said curtly.
"May I remind Captain Vaughn I don't care," Ro sniped at him, "I find evidence she's tied in with Cell 51 and she becomes a suspect in yet another investigation."
"Do what you have to, Commander," Vaughn said sternly, "Let the facts and evidence lead where they will."
"Well, that was certainly monitored," Douglas remarked candidly.
"I agree," Kira conceded, "Vaughn told us all he could on an open channel."
"So did I," Ro stated, "Clancy's next response will shape the future of my investigation's scope."
"Message coming from Dreon VII. Colonel Anara requests an update regarding the disposition of the Solarian Security Services personnel and starships," Slaine interrupted, "Captain Kendall aboard the Catcher entering the Valo star system is asking the same."
"Tell them to accept surrenders," Kira sighed.
"The enemy is only offering surrender to Starfleet," Slaine replied.
"Solarian included?" Kira asked.
"Affirmative," Slaine confirmed it.
"Clancy rigged the game," Ro told Kira, "Now I know how to proceed. It's going to get messy. Raise me Commander Macen and Detective Rockford."
"Captain, Director Schmaltz of the United Banking Cartels on the horn for you," Joel Osmont, Riker's Communications Officer informed, "Audio only."
"Patch him through," Riker issued a dozen other orders following that.
"Captain Riker, what's your status?" Schmaltz inquired.
"We're continuing combat operations, Director. So you';ll understand of if get a little terse," Riker replied.
"They should be surrendering now," Schmaltz was angered, "In fact they they should have five minute sago when the United Banking Cartels informed what passes for the Orion government and the Orion Syndicate that of they didn't surrender in that time we would confiscate their holdings."
"Their holdings?" Riker sought clarification.
"Every financial asset of every known Orion and Syndicate client," Schmaltz told him, "And failure to disclose such affiliations is also grounds for forfeiture."
"Captain, they're begging to surrender," Berent spoke up. The Zakdorn Tactcial Chief wasn't wrong.
"Tell them I'm disinclined to accept until they get the hell off of my station," Riker told Osmont to transmit.
"Mobile Orion forces warping out of Barrinoran space or setting course for the border. That doesn't include the scout craft already offloading boarders from inside Serenity," Berent noted.
"Then they've sealed their own fate," Schmaltz said angrily.
"We must be talking revenues and deposits in excess of one trillion bars of latinum," Riker was almost aghast.
"Several trillion, Captain. But the not only attacked you, they violated our territorial borders. The Accords have been invoked. The Syndicate truly are interstellar outlaws from now on," Schmaltz told him, "I hope the best for your wife and her defenders."
"He cut us off," Osmont stated
"We have to secure the border. Have the Obsidian, Solstice, and Resolution join us. Mr. Locarno's job is to clear my station of Orion vessels," Riker ordered, "Get me station Ops. I have to tell Lees."
The three Docking Ring Crossover Bridges were war zones. Civilians were trapped inside their own freighters if they hadn't heeded the evacuation orders.
"Helluva time to lose Sito," Gerrit commed his complaint to Radil. The Gamma Watch Deputy Chief was aboard the Solstice at the moment.
"We knew thus could happen in case of an invasion," Radil commed back over his badge
"There isn't supposed to be any invasions. That was the whole damn point of building the station here," Gerrit exchanged fire with Syndicate mercs.
"Grumpy Gus," Radil exchanged shots with mercs on the Promenade, "They're making a push for the turbolifts to make a play for Ops."
"You have to hold," Gerrit stated.
"Duh!" Radil had been hanging out with Sito and Locarno lately. Locarno's Earthisms were infecting her idioms. Gerrit didn't care as long as Radil could hold.
"Radil's holding but Gerrit is losing ground," Sveta Korepanova noted.
"Locarno's forces have disabled all remaining scoutships and the Orions have retreated," Liu observed.
"But obviously haven't told their mercenaries tha6 they have no way of being paid," Danan wore wicked smile, "Play Director Schmaltz's message on every viewer and data kiosk. Maybe that will change some minds."
The mercs quickly laid down arms and threw themselves at Outbound Ventures' mercy. Tyrol wasn't feeling generous but agreed to allow Barrinor's legal system to adjudicate the cases. Schmaltz wanted to make an example out of violators of Barrinor's neutrality and that appeased Tyrol's sense of vindictiveness.
"The Orions are limping away," Forger commed Riker.
"Stay on station, Your enhanced sensors can track them longer than the rest of us together. Meanwhile, I'll leave the Resolution here with you for added firepower. The Solstice and I have a fate with Serenity," Riker instructed. Eventually, the Obsidian was recalled as well leaving the Resolution on system patrol.
"No, I will not accept the situation," Anara argued with Captain Morgan Bateson aboard the Akira-class USS Honshu.
"Colonel, I understand. I really do," Bateson said calmly in the face of Anara's anger, "This was the best deal Vaughn and I could get Bajor."
"How could it have been worse?" Anara was exasperated.
"The ICC could have been given complete jurisdiction. Right now only the Iotians and the Romulans are being tried by the interstellar court for war crimes. Which they'll be found innocent of as hirelings. But Solarian forces are under Bajoran jurisdiction still. Fight Starfleet and they'll revoke that portion of the deal," Bateson warned the Colonel
"The Ministry didn't make any deals," Anara was still angered.
"But they'll be forced to accept it by Starfleet and the Romulans," Bateson warned her further/
"What Romulans?" Anara asked.
So Bateson explained the diplomatic mission arriving at DS9.
Melinda Kendall was having a similar conversation with Martin Agman of the USS Eclipse alongside Shakaar and Krim. Only this case involved nothing but Iotians, Orions, and Romulans. All being transferred to ICC Custody. A conversation Gul Larkot had intentionally been left out of. Starfleet was already bristling over the Cardassians' involvement at all.
Shakaar got in the point that at least some Bajoran allies were reliable. Outbound Ventures fighting at cost and the Iotian Starfleet restocking the Militia's ordnance at the same time as the fighting, arriving through Free Haven undeer armed escort when the fighting shifted to Dreon VII. Oxmyx and Kracko wanted Yar's hide but their arrangement with Ishara Yar prevented them from fully collecting. But Captain Yar's political officer, Sean Patrick Mason, was granted override authority over Yar's contracting ability as a captain. Her crew was paid to accept the new reality. Ishtashra Yar discovering a mercenary crew worked against her as well for her.
But Arlinea was a sore point between Agman, Krim, and Shakaar. Kendall sided with them after seeing the corpses. Agman himself sympathized but he had his orders from Starfleet Command coded by Clancy herself. Solarian was being sacrificed to clear Clancy's name but that meant little to the Bajorans.
Riker docked at Upper Pylon 1, the Indomitable's permanently assigned berth. The Solstice took Upper Pylon 2, its berth. The Obsidian would eventually occupy Pylon 3, its assigned docking port. The lower pylons were available for commercial traffic. All the other Outbound Ventures starships docked at the yards. The Eclipse was granted temporary access to the Docking Ring while Serenity recovered its runabouts. Locarno and Sito had a joyous reunion as did Riker and Danan some time later.
First Riker had to inspect the damaged areas and see to the mercenaries' detention in cargo bays. Cardan ratt;ed off repair estimates that Riker ignored as he toured the Infirmary. The Sickbays aboard the Indie and the Obsidian were filled as well. The Solstice transferring her worst case wounded to more advanced treatment facilities. Riker called for a captain's meeting in Ops for the full debrief. Locarno was invited even while Sito checked on their children and then resumed her Security functions.
"The Orions risked everything. Why?" Riker was impatient for answers. Adjunct Smithee from Barrinor attended as well as Tyrol.
"Because the Orions were diverting holdings faster than we seized them," Smithee informed them, "We only seized a few million in latinum bars. Considering the original net value was estimated at over four trillion in today's market prices, that's a huge ledger loss."
"Ledger? I spent my day in a bunker and you're worried about ledgers?" Tyrol was irked.
"It shows that they began transferring assets weeks ago. Slow enough to escape our usual oversight and yet substantive enough to drain their accounts," Smithee pointed out, "The attacks on Waypoint, Bajor, and Serenity were all perfectly timed."
"If the transfers were below your notification threshold, how did you learn of them to begin with?" Christina Noble asked.
"Routine audits," Smithee told them, "Which until today didn't impact business."
"They were transferring trillions and it didn't matter?" Liu asked, "Must be nice to be a banker."
"The Syndicate frequently moves its latinum around. They've always returned to us in the past and never lost their accounts. Today, we did seize their assets and they lost less tan two million bars. Hardly a scratch in the gold pressed around a bar of latinum," Smithee stated, "Again, a highly calculated move when dealing with four trillion bars worth of value."
"Value?" Riker seized on that, "They didn't physically have the bars in your vaults?"
"In our vaults but not all on Barrinor. Routine latinum transfers between vaults are commonplace. They simply shifted the physical assets to external vaults at branch offices spread across two quadrants and removed their deposits from them," Smithee explained.
"But Barrinor keeps a centralized record of the transactions?" Riker further inquired, "Would the cartels be willing to share that branch office data?"
"That's a huge maybe and only because of these circumstances," Smithee answered.
"Director Tyrol, could you introduce Smithee here to Detectives Lee, Shade, and Forte?" Riker grinned.
"I'd be happy to," Tyrol shared the optimism of the moment.
First Minister Astris and Defense Minister Cobal joined General Kira on DS9 just an hour after Vaughn resumed command. The Valdore beamed Ambassador Aurelian and Senator Eldanak aboard along with an honor guard before exiting the sector to return to the Star Empire. The Shield of the Prophets delivered the Ministers and stood by to ferry them back to Bajor. Vaughn attended the meeting as the Federation and Starfleet's representative in the sector. Kira and Astris could see Vaughn's personal disgust with his ordered position. It wasn't far from Cal Hudson's when he'd been the Starfleet liaison officer with the DMZ colonies.
"Guild Master Rejak was not involved in these attacks," Aurelian began negotiations, "We demand his immediate release."
"He isn't ours to release," Vaughn told them pointedly, "ICC prosecutors have taken custody of all parties involved, Starfleet is merely facilitating prisoner transfers and starship impounds."
"Then release the Deathwing back to us and we'll summon a crew for her," Eldanak countered.
"You're expending a lot of political capital on one D-7 cruiser," Kira observed, "Mind explaining why?"
"Yes, we would," Aurelian answered quite literally.
"The situation regarding Commander Arlinea and Centurion Galenja is unacceptable. They ordered the deaths of dozens of Bajoran civilians to draw out partisan fighters. Even amongst mercenaries, civilian reprisals are illegal," Cobal argued.
"Take that up with the ICC. You're allowed to co-chair the prosecution," Eldanak pointed out.
"The Blood Queen will also be surrendered to the ICC. Bajor does not have the capacity to impartially adjudicate a trial of the leader of a stellar nation in which it recently engaged in hostilities," Aurelian told Astris, "You yourself were a hostage. That biases a potential Arbitrator."
"Bajor can decide Bajoran policy," Astris growled.
"Except that this time Starfleet agrees with us by order of the Federation Council," Eldanak purred.
"I wonder why," Kira asked, "What did you offer them this time?"
"General, I'm surprised you of all people would speculate that the Federation can be bought," Aurelian protested rather than Vaughn.
Instead, Vaughn clarified, "Public opinion can be purchased and through it public policy."
"A sad fact about democracies," Eldanak gloated.
"The Star Empire put its case out to the Federation's voters and they petitioned the Council for this accord to be struck. Will Bajor become the villain in a history not of their own making?" Aurelian asked the pertinent question, "Does Bajor stand above interstellar laws established between most civilized stellar nations and codified in the Interstellar Criminal Court?"
"It's a trap," Kira cautioned Astris.
"May I remind the First Minister these talks are being recorded for posterity's sake?" Eldanak inquired sharply.
"Bajor is not above the law. But she safeguards her sovereignty. We will send co-chairs versed in ICC laws and regulations," Astris decided, "It will be interesting to see which side the Star Empire falls on."
"We make it a policy never to extradite a national except in cases of purported war crimes. Once exonerated, the accused may resume their former professions," Eldanak explained.
"So you'll rig the verdicts and apply a salve," Cobal spat.
"What are Starfleet's terms?" Astris sniped.
"We hold the captured starships in escrow for the corporation. Should the company survive the scrutiny of Bajoran trials, it will receive the warships back," Vaughn said glumly, "Federation civil rights lawyers are lining up to take on these cases."
"Civilian lawyers?" Kira asked.
"Starfleet has no interest in defending the aggressors in an illegal action," Vaughn spouted the official line.
":Yet, you defend the Romulans and Iotians," Astris pointed out the hypocrisy.
"The Romulans asked for the ICC venue. Starfleet Command shared their belief that an impartial trial would be impossible to achieve in Bajoran space. The ICC was designed to arbitrate and adjudicate between potentially hostile powers," Vaughn receited the history.
"Do you believe it's a fair deal?" Kira asked.
"As Starfleet's senior officer in the sector I do. As an individual, I side with Bajor," Vaughn stepped out of script, "My crew and I stand ready to help prepare the Bajoran cases as best we can. Off duty shifts only, of course."
"Captain!" Aurelian hissed between clenched teeth.
"It's agreeable. After all, the trials should be prepared for to the best of Bajoran capacity," Eldanak counseled her.
"Yes, Senator," despite her rank being below Eldanak's, the cousin to the Praetor's tone held the promise of political retribution. A tone not lost on their audience. As was intended to remind everyone present who the true power was rather than the half-human Eldanak. But Eldanak was less than threatened as she ignored the thinly veiled threat.
"Now, to settle the finer points of what is to occur," Eldanak said smoothly, ruffling Aurelian further. This was the purview of diplomats and Aurelian no longer saw herself as a mere functionary. With Tal-aura's rise to power she'd seen herself replacing the vacated Senate seat. Instead a malleable cousin was seated in the chambers and Aurelian merely promoted to senior diplomat. Still under the Senate's thumb rather than a pledged member. After helping plot Shinzon's coup, Tal-aura was less trustful of her fellow Senators and kept them watching one another in the grand imperial fashion.
Even the powerless Empress Taralin held more sway over the Senate than Aurelian and she hated Tal'aura for it. Some day, Aurelian would have her revenge. Just not today.
"Rightly so," she said with a cunning smile.
The five day journey to Earth found the team splitting rotations in the aft lounge and the cockpit. Ebert and Mudd traded spells at the CONN while Daggit and Burrows split up duties at Tactical. Macen and Rockford monopolized the OPS and Sciences stations reconfigured to LCARS library modes. They were all grateful to reach Earth and the SID private landing field in outer London. Lt. Commander Ambril Delori, one of the last remaining Bajorans in Starfleet and Rear Admiral Forger's attaché, met them at the field.
"Commander, Detective, and team, I have you booked at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. The Admiral appreciates your affinity for Northern Ireland's history. Commanders Prentiss, Lefler, and Senecka will be calling on you at the Dark Man tomorrow at noon local time to compare notes with what your investigative team has managed to unveil to Commander Ro and what they've shared exclusively with you," Ambril told them.
Apparently Forger and Ro were more than well aware of Kerber and Smith's secretive practices. Lee, Shade, and Forte were a gushing fount of shared data but the hacktivists, even with Barrinoran granted official access, were playing close to the vest still. Which meant a great deal of what they'd uncovered wasn't permissible under ICC rules of discovery. That and it being well beyond what the banking cartels had authorized as a "deep dive" into the Orion accounts. Kerber and Smith were "anonymously" supplying tips to guide the detectives to legal means of discovery but it was plain that the Detective Squad had illegal access to information they shouldn't possess. "Tips" and "hunches" only earned so much leeway under cross-examination.
The investigators now worked for two employers in the case. Both the Bajoran Republic and the United Federation of Planets wanted answers regarding the Syndicate's movements. Physically and financially. Barrinor attached itself as a third plaintiff in the case. The hostile violation of their territory prohibited by layers of interstellar treaties and treaty partners. Including Orion itself. The Blood Queen threatened every standing the Orions and their Syndicate had through her recent political moves. Yet no leader would risk so much without a promise of a great reward.
The Blood Queen had gloated to Vaughn and Kira that she'd be acquitted once the facts were truly known. She looked forward to her trial. An attitude that worried Vaughn and angered Kira. Kira graciously surrendered DS9 back to Starfleet's administrative control despite her obvious misgivings over doing so. But she trusted Vaughn even of she lacked trust in Starfleet's current leadership. She'd learned Vice Admiral Edward Jellico had added his own political clout to securing Bajor's right to try the Solarian forces rather than surrendering them to the ICC as well. Jellico, as the Alpha Quadrant Theater Commander, had petitioned Admiral T'Lara who'd assigned JAG interstellar law specialists to the Bajoran prosecutors to help prepare them for the legal onslaught to come.
Macen's past as a Maquis made him appreciate Ireland's history. The Dark Man was the best pub on the planet, hands down. It was where he'd recruited Rockford onto the team. It was his preferred location for off-site meetings with Starfleet. They also made the very best bacon sandwiches in Ireland.
"Any word on why your friend Neela docked to an orbital and transported down to Paris?" Ambril inquired on Admiral Forger's behalf.
"Just let Amanda know Neela's running her own mission in conjunction with, but separate, from ours," Macen told the Bajoran attaché.
"Duly noted," Ambril replied, "But Starfleet has taken an active interest in her activities here on Earth."
"That's what she wanted," Rockford told her, "She'll contact us when she's ready to or needs our assistance."
"Then let's get you checked into your rooms and I'll return to London to report in with Admiral Forger," Ambril offered.
"It'll be good to not be sleeping on a bio bed," Rockford grimly chuckled. She and Macen had taken turns in the Corsair's medical module while the two aft cots were occupied.
"I've travelled in runabouts for much shorter distances and found them...cramped," Ambril allowed, "I prefer flying commercial shuttle lines. At least the chairs recline."
Macen and Rockford, unlike the others, knew Ambril's reasons for staying in Starfleet. She'd been born and raised on Mars. Her entire family lost in the Massacre. She'd never even visited the Bajor Sector much less her ancestral home world. Her parents had been settlers on Valo III before that. Her lineage on Bajor didn't begin until fifty years prior to the Cardassian invasion. So she was truly a Federation citizen and saw Starfleet as a means to make certain no one else lost their families in such a horrific fashion. Even her internment at Clancy's orders hadn't dissuaded her of the righteousness of her mission at the SID.
Doing some investigating they'd discovered Captain Cera also came from the same Bajoran settlement on Mars. Which probably accounted for her returning to command the Sentinel after being released from an internment camp and being reinstated back into Starfleet. Thanks to Clancy's recommendations and the Federation's policies, Outbound Ventures had more potential clients than starships and crews to service them. Even the Iotians were hard pressed to honor their commitments. Lawlessness was rife in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
So why would the Blood Queen risk everything? The financials led to Earth so that is where Macen and Rockford took the team. Ro was returning as well, catching a ride on the Honshu. The sheer scope of her investigation gave her privilege to ride aboard any starship headed towards her destination. Fortunately for Ro, Bateson and his crew had been recalled to Earth for reassignment.
Bateson and his crew were elite Starfleet operatives but that only partially shielded them from Clancy's wrath not shelter them. Their opposing Poole and his force still had to be weighed and measured by the Starfleet Commander herself. The JAG inquiry cleared him and upheld he thought he was doing his duty against rogue officers. Clancy might have another "unofficial" opinion.
So Ro was tapping into Bateson's comm badge for his meetings with the Fleet Admiral and coaching him on how to answer and discreetly question her. If she were feeling guilty, she'd see right through it. Due to the Honshu's faster cruising speed, the Akira-class starship arrived at Spacedock two days before the Corsair reached Sector 001 despite leaving twenty-six hours later local station time on DS9. Barrinor had a twenty-seven hour plus a few minutes solar day so Serenity kept local time. Odin had shorter days and despite the station orbiting the colony world, the corporation signaled its solidarity with the cartels through time keeping. It also helped adjust those traveling onward to Barrinor to adapt to the local time keeping.
Starfleet, except at localized starbases and Deep Space stations, kept Earth's twenty-four hour solar day watch rotations. DS9 kept the Bajoran twenty-six hour days. DS3 and DS4 didn't orbit inhabited systems. DS K-7 kept time with Sherman's Planet.. Waypoint Station, Free Haven Port, and Prophets Landing Port all kept Bajoran time despite their proximity to colonies or inhabited worlds. The Bajorans were just stubborn that way.
So Captain Bateson reported in to Fleet Admiral Clancy at the same time frame Ro reported in to Starfleet Intelligence and activated her monitoring device. As per investigative Security protocol, Starfleet Command's internal sensors would be blinded to the presence of the listening device within his comm badge.
But as Bateson entered Clancy's office, the lights turned red and Clancy grew enraged, "You dare bring a surveillance device into my office? I'm the frinxing Starfleet Commander for God's sake! Who put you up to this?"
Ro scrambled to find out how Clancy knew about the shielded equipment. Headquarter's internal sensors didn't register it as per protocol regarding the request submitted by Ro during the voyage back to Earth.
Then she found the answer. Oh had rigged Clancy's office with Tal Shiar sensors and surveillance. They were immune to Ro's blind because they operated independently of Starfleet's official channels. Clancy herself had signed off on Oh's procuring Romulan equipment and setting up an independent security net within Starfleet's systems. From what Ro could see, they were tapped into everything. Oh even monitored personal logs and comms. All violations of security regulations.
But Clancy and cleared Oh of all wrongdoing and Oh had cleared Clancy. Sidestepping JAG's legal interpretive powers of the legality of the move. Ro gathered the data and sent it to Prentiss, Lefler, and Senecka since they were already investigating Clancy.
This new discovery opened Ro's independent review of Clancy's associations and politics regarding Cell 51 and the threat it posed to he Federation. Especially now with Jack Fowler and John Browder exposed as Changelings.
But their die hard loyalists dismissed the evidence as "fake news" manufactured by the very Deep State conspiracy they were a part of. So Ro leaked the footage to Anna Snow and Clarice Starr who made an expose out of it. As Sorbo had promised, it withstood investigative scrutiny. Suddenly those that had publicly decried the hunt screamed the loudest for it. But then screamed loudly for deportation alone for the two "wayward" Founders to avoid antagonizing the Dominion. These were the same voices that pushed war with the Bajorans to secure the Wormhole so the Dominion couldn't represent a threat again.
The politicians changed their votes as fast as their chiefs of staff received conflicting information from Cell 51. Two camps emerged in the Political Action Arm of Cell 51.
Those who would decry the reports regarding Fowler and Browder and those openly supported Dylan Sorbo by pushing for the arrest of Fowler and Browder. Inside the Cell 51 chain of command, only the trio of operations directors known as the Trinity still followed the Founders despite knowing what and who they were truly were. In the Trinity's minds, order outweighed future chaos. Even if that order came under the Dominion's heel. But they were a distinct minority amongst the directorship.
But they kept the flames of "faked data" fanned. Fiona Shaw, the extremist conservative pundit, herself expressed doubts after Snow and Starr broke the story but her producers were afraid of alienating viewers so she kept promoting conspiracy theories. So Shaw continued to espouse the tangled web of extremist theories that had come to light after the Mars Massacre. They'd always been there but were "validated" by the Synthetics Uprising and given new life in the public's mainstream eye by Shaw and her ilk.
Snow and Starr were still respected and dedicated journalists who pushed back against the ever expanding web of lies. Yet everyone involved worked for the Federation News Service. Which invoked "Objectivity" in representing both sides of the arguments. Though still endorsing and running stories about thoroughly debunked conspiracies to pander to a specific crowd showed the lie behind that reasoning. It made legitimate journalists like Starr and Snow stigmatized and threatened by the conspiracy theorists.
A new favorite target was journalist and author, Jake Sisko. Who was accused of weaving fiction into fact it promote the "Deep State" agenda. Such reporters were accused of being "woke" sleeper agents. Shaw had gone as far as accuse Ben Sisko of turning traitor for supporting the Bajorans and remaining steadfastly anti-Dominion in his political views. In their narrative, Sisko provoked the war with the Dominion and was personally responsible for the millions of deaths that followed. The Cardassians and Breen were still viewed as enemies though.
The Federation Council was a pluristic body made up of parties of every political spectrum. But the alt- and far-right parties were winning increasing minorities and even fielded two recent presidents. Ardra had been a populist choice and that went awry.
Kilbreck was a centrist moderate who struggled to guide the Federation Council as it hardened into trench warfare between opposing ideologies. But it wasn't so simple. There were nearly twenty factions and none had a majority. Parliamentary politics still demanded negotiation and compromise. But the extremists were closer than ever to having a majority coalition. Something the Federation had never endured in its two hundred years of existence. The very fractured nature of Federation politics had insured their democratic norms. But a true lasting majority coalition was in the making. Until then, outsized power had been granted to a small band of non-aligned Councilors. Those that wouldn't, or hadn't yet, chosen a faction to side with.
Councilor Auri appeared to be one of them in her bid to run for President during the normal elections the next year. She'd just announced her candidacy when she returned a hero from Waypoint Station. The sympathy vote definitely swinging her way in the polls. But now Auri had to take hard positions. Which meant upsetting the status quo and edging her towards the alt-right politicians. All while maintaining her "neutrality" in the Federation Council's in-fighting.
Auri's job was to legitimize the alt-right and make it palatable for swing voters. As a "converted" moderate her voice would carry serious weight. And Kilbreck was already facing term limits after the next election. So he was seen as an "old guard" and "establishment" politician when the public had clearly chosen the outsider Ardra for president. Only a last minute concession had made Chavy Sok president.
Even then, as Speaker for the Council, Ardra had positioned herself for when the Cell 51 derived administrations fell, back to back. The penultimate con artist, Ardra had seen the presidency as the ultimate confidence game. And she'd made off with billions of bars of gold pressed latinum that Barrinor and other banking cartels wouldn't seize driving the Federation towards financial ruin and deficit spending.
The Federation, for the first time, had entered the bond market and issued debt notes to interstellar and domestic buyers. The cashless society's hard currency reserves nearly depleted, creative financial measures had had to be undertaken. Much to the delight of the Federation's fiscal policy critics. The Romulan Star Empire and Ferengi Alliance gaining influence over policy through large scale investment in treasury notes. Even the Tzenkethi Coalition and Breen Confederacy invested as well. The Tholians, Klingons, and Gorn abstained, letting the Federation rise or fall on its own laurels.
The Thallonians and Iotians happily investing as well. The interest payments alone made it worthwhile. The Iotian Federation had secured latinum mining rights from the former Ekosian system but the Federation was claiming primacy for evacuating the system, harboring its refugees, and protecting the dead solar system in trust for the Ekosian and Zeon peoples. Yet the Iotians had offered a higher royalty payment scheme for licensing mining operations so they were awarded the mineral and metalurgical rights to the starless debris field.
Clancy was seen by officialdom as being integral to all of these calamities. Yet she was also seen as part of the solution. Despite her being under investigation for several ethics violations. She'd begun an affair with a a fellow officer's fiancé just an hour before the ceremony. This decades' long tryst eventually led her to promising him, and through him Solarian Security Services, the SID contracts he so desperately craved if he could catch Outbound Ventures in violation of Federation law.
This led Solarian and its private security contracting allies to fire upon Outbound Ventures ships and to assassinate Rockford Agencies' detectives. The resulting conflict had seemed to gut Solarian, DeVos, and the other private contractors. But instead it simply removed the affected personnel to Turkanis, the new colony for the Turkana IV survivors, after being illegally detained in black site prisons both in the Federation and the Cardassian Union.
Commodore Oh had arranged for the prisoners to be held by the Cardassians and then used that detainment as justification for the fourth war between the Cardassian Union and the Federation. The Bajoran Republic simply got swept in by virtue of their opposition to the war. Bajor was the first Federation member world to ever be expelled as a result of "patriotic fervor" for the Cardassian conflict and then war was declared upon Bajor for its declaring the war to be an affront to begin with. In both cases, Starfleet violated centuries of tradition and invaded and fired first thus provoking the wars. The Cardassians and Bajorans both wisely fought defensive conflicts and didn't attempt territorial gains.
In response to the UFP President declaring martial law, interning Bajorans, starting a conscription draft, and the defection of key starships drove a hearts and minds campaign that undermined public support for the war effort. Clancy weathered the storm and currently withstood official investigations into her conduct. The ties between Clancy and Oh bordered on the incestuous, both flag officers mutually approving of each others' actions despite their questionable natures.
Clancy's defense rested on the fact that the data collected against her was obtained through a quasi-legal surveillance program she herself authorized to vet SID contractors.
Nechayev and Forger were willing to take the slaps on the wrist for spying on the Solarian and DeVos execs. They implemented the programs rather than question their legality with a JAG review. So they each would receive black marks on their records.
Nechayev's demotion back to Vice Admiral was deemed punishment enough by the Board of Inquiry. Forger escaped punishment but her record showed her compliance in Nechayev's spying program. Like Bill Ross, due to his known complicity with Section 31, Nechayev's career arc would end at Vice Admiral. Her fourth pip would never be returned t her without Presidential intervention.
None of that abated Clancy's rage at Bateson, "Well? Who put you up to this?"
"I can neither confirm or deny complicity," Bateson didn't wither or flinch.
"It wasn't those bitches from IA or JAG. They don't have the balls. Was it that too tall twat, Commander Ro?" Clancy sneered the name, "Answer me, Ensign Bateson! This bravura may have seemed ballsy in the 23rd Century but here in the 24th it's just plain idiocy."
Bateson removed his recorder from his badge, "And it's still active regardless of whatever security measures you put into place."
"Give that to me!" Clancy raged again.
She crushed under her heel, "Dismissed, Captain. This won't be forgotten."
"But it was in the course of a legitimate investigation. One the investigator said your reaction would be telling. More telling than the data collected. Have a nice day, Admiral," Bateson excused himself.
"Commodore Oh, I need a full security surveillance package on Captain Morgan Bateson," Clancy when she got through to Security Command.
"The suspected charge?" Oh inquired.
"High treason," Clancy invoked the only charge that would provoke a response invasive enough to reveal all of Bateson's secrets, "I want Internal Affairs up his ass."
"Consider it done," truth be told, Oh had already listened in on the meeting as it occurred and checked the Honshu's personnel transfer logs. Ro Laren had just arrived aboard her. As Bateson had been correct in stating, the Starfleet Intelligence bug had defeated Romulan countermeasures. Having Clancy destroy it in a fit would slow down Security's tracking it origins and designs so that she could report to Director Sela its existence and how to defeat it. What Oh would discover was that the bug self-destructed to the point of being untraceable.
That in and of itself, that Starfleet still had secrets from her, jeopardized her actual mission in the Federation despite what the Tal Shiar believed it was. Ro herself had been brought in on the secrets of the 0 Sections and of P the Provisioner and Qute the Quartermaster. It had been P and Qute that provided Bateson's listening device. He was still in the dark about its ultimate origins. He just knew Starfleet Intelligence had a new toy.
Bateson could spot Starfleet Security tailing him so he beamed back to Spacedock and retired to his Ready Room aboard the Honshu to complete overdue paperwork. He'd heard the USS Bozeman had made the cut for the Starfleet Museum and was proud to have commanded the Soyuz-class starship. Of course its fame came from it infamously being trapped in a time paradox loop broken by Lt. Commander Data aboard the Enterprise-D. The Bozeman's crew had been re-educated into the future's history and technology before eventual reassignment. Bateson was just gratified he'd received a new command.
A command of elite Starfleet operatives that undertook covert and sensitive missions such as clearing Captain Carol Freeman of all charges regarding the destruction of the Pakled capital. Freeman and all of the California -class commanders had subsequently and personally saved Spacedock and Starfleet from the rogue AI driven Texas-class vanity project. One of dozens of critical missions and hundreds of outcomes Bateson had been part of. He felt his involvement in Ro's investigation was just as critical and just as important.
Under Starfleet regs, his working for Starfleet Intelligence investigators was logged and noted. So Clancy couldn't legally mount a reprisal and assign him to Starbase 80 or the like as penal duty. Nor could he be court-martialled. Not since she'd blindly counter signed the orders granting Ro the authority to investigate and examine all potential leads into Cell 51. That included the Fleet Admiral herself. Clancy knew more about Cell 51's activities than any Starfleet officer alive and couldn't afford to be cross examined. So she had to kill the investigation at its source: Nechayev.
Like the SID, Starfleet Intelligence headquartered away from San Francisco. Instead they based out of Toronto. The dome-like structure hidden away on the lake shore as an innocuous business office. Commuter transporters operated inside the building so no visible Starfleet presence was made known. Transporters were linked to the public transporter network so that officers and enlisted wishing to take breaks in the local atmosphere could so at leisure. The windows were all holographically shielded to project a normal business venue to the outside world. Meanwhile those inside got a view of Lake Michigan.
The facility had its own fusion plant so it was independent of the city power grid
Since most of Earth's buildings were equipped with emergency fusion batteries in case of a blackout since the Red Squad incident in 2373, Starfleet didn't have to hide the fact that they would remain at power should the city grid go down.
"Well, that was certainly revealing," Nechayev said neutrally.
"Revealing enough to further investigate?" Ro asked.
"Not by you," Nechayev decided, "I'll forward it on to Commander Prentiss and Lt. Commander Senecka. They can inquire into the propriety of the matter."
"Then why give me the resources to begin with?" Ro was irked.
"I need you focused on Cell 51. If IA and JAG's investigation turns that direction, you'll be brought back in," Nechayev told her, "Understood, Commander?"
"All too well," Ro replied tersely.
"It isn't personal. The exact opposite in fact. I can't lose my best investigator to one of Clancy's pissing contests. I need Cell 51 dismantled and quickly. Dismissed," Nechayev told her, "You know the meet occurring in Ireland. I want you there as my representative."
"Aye, Admiral," Ro excused herself.
Nechayev personally contacted Admiral T'Lara, the Starfleet JAG and informed her of Clancy's off the books security suite, "My device flagged it as Romulan in origin."
"It appears the Internal Affairs and Judge Advocate General's investigation into Fleet Admiral Clancy will be expanding," the Vulcan decided, "Well played, Admiral."
"Just doing my part," Nechayev lied. It was also about payback for Clancy and Oh threatening Amanda Forger in order to quell Nechayev's formal appeal of her unilaterally decided upon demotion. Nechayev hadn't been referred to a court martial or convicted of a breach of regulations. Clancy just shaved one pip off of her collar because Oh had found an obscure ruling dating back to the First Klingon War granting Flee Admiralty unilateral authority over promotions and demotions in the field.
Nechayev handled Starfleet's dissenters in Starfleet Command against Clancy's rolling over to obey Sok's clearly illegal orders. Forger had referred the present investigation to Prentiss due to Michelle Prentiss being IA's liaison with the SID. Senecka played the same role for JAG. Oh had withdrawn her liaison when it became apparent she couldn't exert any control over Forger. Which was in itself a violation of the SID's charter. Combined with Starfleet Intelligence, the four offices gave the SID its authority and oversight.
Oh's cult of personality within Starfleet Security was growing and getting to be unsettling to some. She had higher grade officers in Starfleet Security answering to her all because Vice Admiral Edward Noyce had selected Captain Oh as his replacement, side barring higher ranked officers. He'd groomed her for the job for two years. Her promotion to Commodore came through with her assignment as Starfleet Director of Security. The first promotion she'd accepted in forty years.
Unbeknownst to Starfleet IA or Intelligence, Oh had made General in the Tal Shiar after the Mars Massacre was successful. A revelation for thirteen years in the future when Oh was so emboldened as to reveal her true allegiances. Thus taking Clancy down with her. But Clancy hadn't escaped the investigations into her unscathed. But that also remained to be seen. But her career wouldn't survive Oh's eventual disclosure. Clancy would survive the multiple investigations but pressure would cause her to stand down as Fleet Commander for twelve years. Remaining a close ally of Commodore Oh, Clancy would eventually be reinstated as Fleet Admiral in time for Oh's revealed betrayal.
Admiral Leonard James Akaar would take a turn as Fleet Admiral followed by Edward Jellico before Clancy returned to the top seat at Starfleet Command. Her restored to spotless record causing the then-President to recommend her return to her former position. Oh would go out of her way to exonerate the pliable Clancy. Whereas Oh had to be circumspect under Akaar and Jellico's leadership. Clancy's ethics investigation would lead to her temporary demotion to Vice Admiral after her demotion to Admiral.
Nechayev would enjoy a sense of vindication over that.
While Clancy would crawl her way back to the top seat, her naked ambition being nothing less, Nechayev would finally feel free to retire in a few more years. Akaar and Jellico each retiring after their stints as Fleet Admiral. Forger and Robert Tavar Johnson would represent a new vanguard of Starfleet admiralty even as Duncan McNeil and Betts Rager led the remaining old guard. Commodore Elizabeth Shelby was just beginning her ascent to Fleet Admiral. Another tenure that would end in tragedy
But that was the future. Now was time for the present.
Chapter Eight
"Where the hell did you ever find this place?" Mudd asked appreciatively as the team gathered in the Dark Man public house.
"Chakotay and Sveta Korepanova introduced Lisea to it. It's history as a watering hole for brigade commanders of the Provisional Irish Republican Army and its symbolic history regarding the Maquis was irresistible to Chakotay and Sveta. Of course the symbolism soon became a reality," Macen said somewhat darkly.
"This where he took me to pitcth joining the team and merging our companies," Rockford said proudly, "He does his best clandestine meetings here."
Macen checked with the owners over gathering a few key tables together. His patronage over the years, and a few forgiven personal loans, easily won him a granting of his request. Prentiss, Senecka, and Lefler had first met one another here as well at Forger's behest. Macen having introduced his employer to the pub in another life. Ro showed up earlier than the team.
"About damn time," she warmly greeted Macen and Rockford.
"We weren't expecting you," Rockford admitted.
"Hell, Nechayev literally ordered me to be here," Ro snorted.
The others quickly arrived on time. They ordered a lunch of several kinds of pub grub dishes to be shared by everyone and more than a few pints. The owners recalled that Macen didn't imbibe. Rockford didn't to support his decision. Everyone else had pints of the bitter to go with their bacon sandwiches, shepherd's pie, and other Irish and English staples. They were in Belfast after all.
The Data Team and Detective Squad's information filled in many blanks for Prentiss, Lefler, and Senecka. But none of it traced directly back to Clancy or Oh
But the Federation bureaucracy had made several of the exchanges and transfers. Which reinforced the fact that Cell 51 and the Orions were receiving semi-official sanction from the Federation Council. The Federation's demands hat the ICC handle the court cases seemed bought and paid for by the Orion Syndicate. But the ICC never accepted change of venue requests once they'd accepted cases for judicial review. The ICC was notoriously influenced by political winds. Which was why the Bajoran government had strenuously objected to the Romulans and Orions being tried there. Which tainted the case against the Bajorans' preferred outcomes. Even as interstellar law experts from across the Federation arrived on Bajor to help prepare the Bajoran co-counsels, the verdicts were being negotiated behind closed doors.
"So we have definite latinum transfers to the Federation from unknown parties and the Orion government and latinum transfers to the Orions prior to the troubles," Prentiss concluded.
"Federation Security should be apprised. They shall wish to open their own independent investigation," Senecka added.
"Hell, yeah. Let the political appointees get a chance to muck around with the evidence," Mudd snorted.
"The agents themselves aren't appointed," Ro reminded her, "As you and your family should be extra aware of."
"But they're still flawed individuals. As I should know," Mudd retorted, "A fact I've used to get away with literal murder."
A pall settled over the legal team.
"It's called 'preemptive self defense'," Mudd sniffed.
"Moving past that," Ro decided.
"How did you get Barrinoran officials to agree to open their records?" Lefler was amazed.
"Having the Orions stage an attack in their solar system helped persuade them," Macen replied.
"The ol' attack on home territory play," Rockford chuckled, "Stupidest thing the Blood Queen's minions could have agreed to during her incarceration."
"You don't think she had anything to do with it?" Prentiss wondered.
"We know she didn't," Ebert snickered, "The Bajorans don't believe in attorney -client privilege so every discussion she had with her lawyers shows she begged off an attack on Serenity. But her yutzes of deputies did it anyway."
The legal teams' eyes fell on Ro.
She shrugged, "They don't believe in it. And no, Captain Vaughn doesn't know about it and neither does Lt. Commander Blackmer."
Jefferson Blackmer was the Starfleet assigned chief of security. But the station's holding cells were Bajoran territory, like the rest of the station, and Colonel Cenn's personnel did as they pleased within Bajoran law. Ro's explanation bothered the legal team. Unexpectedly it unnerved Senecka, the JAG lawyer, the least.
"This could prove beneficial in establishing direct links between the Blood Queen and the Orion Syndicate," she enthused.
A Reunification Vulcan, she believed Vulcans and the Romulans were destined to reunite. She also embraced her emotions in private settings. The Dark Man was renowned throughout its history for its discretion. The owners also owed Macen a number of favors. So her secret was safe as the house hadn't opened to the public yet and the SID held a private conference. But they only had an additional hour now to settle matters before the public re-entered the bar
The staff had already effusively thanked Macen for the espresso machines. They served them well during long shifts and offered additional delights to patrons. He'd managed to placd them at the tip of the list of clients requiring real coffee beans from actual roasters. So they expanded their coffee bar to go with the their alcoholic selections. Macen and his corporate crews were also welcomed because they paid in latinum and settled up when the evenings were through. Which was always more profitable than Federation gift credits, which could take months to convert into hard currency for interstellar exchange. Most breweries and distilling companies still preferred latinum and gave first call to goods and services to those that could pay in hard currency.
Just as a criminal underworld kept paradise running, so too did the latinum that backed gift credits and allowed for a "cashless" society. Currently, latinum pricing was at an inflated level for the Federation's customer base because of its rumored insolvency.
So Macen's contribution to the pub's funds was well appreciated as were the overtime bonuses for the staffing during the meeting.
"Real hooch! Now this is living," Mudd happily declared.
"We still haven't narrowed down where the original funding came from," Lefler complained.
"From Starfleet Command, Security Division," Rockford found the last shred of evidence uploaded to them just prior to the meeting.
"I have to to see that," Ro told her so Rockford copied the data to Ro's padd.
"This is too obvious for Oh," Ro scowled, "This is someone inside of Starfleet Security framing her."
"I didn't say it was Oh, I said it was Starfleet Security. Its discretionary funding paid for every event that's transpired," Rockford pointed out.
"I can subpoena a list of everyone that had access to the funds," Senecka was pleased to announce.
"And I can broaden our team with a smoking gun like this to question everyone involved with the funding ledger," Prentiss shared.
"Which is precisely what the guilty party expects to see happening," Macen countered, "Now you place surveillance on everyone on the list and wait them out. Eventually they'll get frustrated enough to reach out to either Sorbo or Fowler."
"Fowler?" Ebert was surprised he was still in contention, "But it's been proven he's a Founder."
"And the evidence had been decried at the highest levels," Macen reminded her, "And especially by specific talking heads at FNS."
"Fiona Shaw has a name," Burrows said darkly.
"She doesn't rate one," Daggit concurred with Burrows' underlying sentiment.
"Can Federation Security drum up a reason to monitor Shaw?" Mudd inquired, "She'd been makin' a lotta noise 'bout havin' exclusive info regarding Fowler and Browder. Maybe they're the actual sources she's protectin'."
"Harriet Fedora Mudd, you've been in the wrong line of work all these years," Prentiss applauded her, "It's razor thin but interstellar security concerns should prove justifiable."
"The new security laws implemented with the advent of the Synthetics Ban should prove justification enough as well as those draconian measures left over from the recent wars," Senecka stated.
"So let's do this," Lefler enthused. Using portable computers, the trio contacted sympathetic admirals and Federation agents to get the ball rolling. Federation Security had to go through federal courts just as Prentiss and Senecka had to move through JAG's judicial review. Macen contacted Forger in order to get the SID looped in with Federation Security to provide assistance and oversight into the investigation. Mudd sat back looking like a slightly inebriated, proud mother.
"Quit gloating," Ebert advised her.
"I'm just too damn good for my own," Mudd happily stated.
"Until Mudd Kenra finds out and then you'll want to be a pirate again," Burrows said knowingly.
"I was never a pirate!" Mudd was indignant, "A crook and a thief, suuure. But never a pirate. I handled salvage ops though."
"Piracy after the fact," Ebert had done her share both in the Maquis and afterwards. Even Burrows, for Starfleet Special Operations Command, had "liberated" cargoes from crews. Daggit had just killed and stolen supply convoy goods during the Tarsis Wars and the Dominion War. The former with the Angosian Augment Rangers and the latter with Starfleet SOC Special Forces. Both divisions created just for the Angosian special "super" soldiers.
As Annika Ryst, Rockford had been an even more elite Angosian Infiltrator assassin. But she'd moved passed the guilt but still struggled with the horrors of what she'd been ordered to do and successfully accomplished on every single mission. Entire families killed along with key military personnel. Being an integrated whole had its drawbacks sometimes. Despite being a foot shorter than Daggit, she was ine of the rare beings that had defeated him in single combat.
Much as Macen had gone undefeated with a sword in the gladiatorial arena of 492 IV.
The Nova Romans had never seen such a spectacle as Macen and Daggit before. Teamed with Hal Dracas they'd fended off the best the Romans had to offer and then some. Magna Roma having considerable parallels to human history. Even thier capital, Nova Roma, was situated where Paris sat on Earth.
Macen had joined Starfleet in 2303 and was immediately assigned to Starfleet Intelligence's Analysis Division after a year-long assignment as an A&A Officer aboard a starship that made one of the earliest contacts with thr Cardassians. Macen appeared to have an especially insightful take on the war-like potential aggressors. He helped form up the new Cardassian Desk at SI. He stayed an analyst until 2351 when the Border Wars began.
Tapped as a cross-trained specialist, he was hand selected and trained by Lt. Commander Elias Vaughn to SOC standards. Macen was then sent to the border where he stayed until 2373, joining the Maquis along the way in 2370. Officially approved of by Nechayev, Macen helped steer Maquis targeting to areas that Starfleet found threatening to the colonists and Federation alike. Ro knew all of that and happily complied since Macen was a true believer in the cause like herself
They'd worked together under Starfleet's direct control during the war with the Dominion along with selected Maquis and an Augmented Angosian platoon of commandos. After the armistice, Ro surrendered to Starfleet and resigned her Militia commission to stand court-martial. Elfi Hendryks and Emjin Thool each received pardons for meritorious service. As did Macen's Odyssey crew, Ebert among them.
But none of them were welcomed to any Federation world with open arms.
Macen's people all ended up in the neutral Kalendra Sector working for criminals. Hendryks managed to resettle on Izar while Thool tried to disappear on a Bajoran colony
Tom Eckles, Heidi Darcy, and Christine Lacey stayed together running a starship chop shop in orbit between Kalendra a and Kalendra b. Ebert became a smuggler for hire.
"I know just the Federation Security agent to approach with alla this," Mudd said triumphantly, "Agent Brittney Darque can be trusted."
"Why would you say that?" Prentiss asked.
"She didn't arrest me," Mudd grinned.
"That puts doubt on her dedication to her job," Lefler snarked.
"Hey! Like your Captain Calhoun respects law and order," Mudd snarked back.
"When are you rejoining the Excalibur crew?" Prentiss worried.
"I'm on an indefinite leave from the ship's crew which is why I was made available to you two by Admiral Forger," Lefler replied.
"Are you going back?" Prentiss asked more pointedly.
"My mom left me her house and it's nice to kick back at the end of the day. Wes can find me anywhere in the universe but it feels nice having a place of our own. It's centered him and grounded him more powerfully to his Traveler responsibilities. So, at this point I don't know if or when I'm returning to the Excalibur."
"Captain Calhoun is aware of this?" Senecka asked.
"Very. And he's being very supportive. I think the time he has to spend apart from Commodore Shelby has made him more empathetic to my decision making process not less," Lefler told them.
"Somehow I knew I'd find you here some day," Wesley Crusher announced as he entered pub wearing Starfleet uniform to blend in with his wife and her two cohorts.
"Wes, we were just discussing our arrangement," Lefler told him, "Your ears must've been burning from several sectors away."
"And a few centuries," Crusher told her, "I'll explain later. Commander, your people are in danger the longer you stay on Earth. The Changeling calling himself Jack Fowler is aware of your presence and your purpose. He means to kill you all."
"That could actually play into our hands," Macen replied.
"I don't know how this ends for any of you. Part of the rules of being a Traveler is not interfering in your own timeline. But that puts Robin in danger so I'm here to help without interfering," Crusher told them.
"Isn't helping at all interfering?" Mudd wondered.
"I can confirm what you already know but can't reveal truths still hidden from you," Crusher told them.
"How does that work?" Ebert was already frustrated.
"Shaw is sheltering the beings we call Fowler and Browder," Rockford stated.
"Correct," Crusher was glad she understood the rules.
"They're on Earth so they can exert direct influence over their supporters within the Federation Council," Macen stated.
"Correct again," Crusher replied.
"But not in Paris or San Francisco," Rockford realized.
"Again, correct," Crusher grinned.
"Who are you anyway?" Ebert asked.
"Wesley Crusher but my friends call me Wes," he offered her his hand,
She refused it, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
"Right. The trauma when the Cardassians killed your family," Crusher recalled.
"How do you know about that?" Ebert demanded to know.
"It's pivotal to who you are and you're pivotal to history. So I made it a point to look you all up," Crusher told her, "Discreetly of course."
"Mr. Crusher and I met in the 22nd Century here on Earth. He's also the one that sent the CSS Enterprise back to Confederation space," Macen told them, "He can be trusted. To a point."
"Ouch," Crusher winced.
"The fact that you're here speaks more about the gravity of our situation than concern for your wife," Rockford accused.
"Can't it be both?" Crusher wondered.
"Not usually," Rockford told him in reply, "Generally people choose one over the other."
"This time he doesn't have to," Lefler vowed on his behalf.
"It's true. The two fates are inextricably intertwined," Crusher admitted.
"So we stick close to Robin," Mudd enthused.
"I didn't say it was a good fate," Crusher attempted gallows humor.
It fell flat.
"Bad joke," Crusher admitted after his wife punched him in the arm.
"New Lefler's Law, Wes doesn't tell jokes," she stated afterwards.
He opened his mouth and she added, "Another new Lefler's Law is that he doesn't try and defend bad ones he's already broken the previous law to tell jokes."
"You two are fun," Ebert decided, "Can we keep them?"
"No," Macen, Rockford, Lefler, and Crusher said together.
"Fine," Ebert was feeling petulant now.
"So the Federation Council is waging a proxy war within its ranks over divided loyalties between Cell 51 leaders. We can use that," Macen decided.
"Yes, you can," Crusher wore a sly smile.
"Harri, give Commanders Prentiss, Senecka, and Lefler Agent Darque's contact info," Macen grinned, "We're choosing a side in this war."
The repaired and refitted USS Dibron was in Earth orbit transphasically cloaked. Its captain, Cell 51 Operations Manager Robert Roy, had just beamed back aboard after delivering Senior Agent Wes Petrie and the Presider to the Political Action Arm
now he was reporting into Dylan Sorbo, "First objective met."
"So the quavering politicos know we're backing them still?" Sorbo chuckled grimly.
"The Presider made it perfectly clear and offered a path for redemption for the opposing parties," Roy explained.
"Parties? Plural? That's a start," Sorbo grinned, "They're already divided."
"It's a beginning at least,: Roy agreed, "So too is Federation Security's join investigation with Starfleet Security into the affairs of the disaffected Councilors and Chiefs of Staff."
"Your doing?" Sorbo inquired.
"Commodore Oh was unappreciative of my overtures. However, Internal Affairs and the JAG Corps in conjunction with the Special Investigations Division and Starfleet Intelligence moved Oh to acquiesce," Roy reported.
"Macen chose a side," Sorbo's grin became a smile.
"How can you be so certain?" Roy wasn't at all.
"It takes a special breed for the Prophets of Bajor to pull you from an alternate universe into ours," Sorbo told him, "Macen and all his allies must have been extraordinary people in their lives back in their universes."
"Universes?" Roy caught that plural.
"Neela, Ro, Vaughn, and a few others were swept up from parallel but differing universes. I doubt anyone other than Macen and Rockford have pinned that down. Nechayev might suspect or even Ro but only Neela knows with certainty." Sorbo explained.
"She was reported as being on Earth," Roy told him.
"Excellent! The game is going better than expected," Sorbo clapped his hands together, "Don't look so worried. These aren't Terrans out to rebuild their empire using our technology."
"But Neela..." Roy continued to fret.
"Is exactly where we want her to be," Sorbo promised.
Neela took her customary seat at Sandrine's. She'd been coming for the last three days while Macen and Rockford's group had been slower to arrive and then had their meeting at the Dark Man earlier that day. Many of the same faces filtered into the bar everyday.
tourists visiting Paris for the first time wandered in and out trying to determine where in the bar Captain Chakotay had first hired Tom Paris to work for the Maquis and which of the older regulars had been young frequent patrons when the event occurred.
It amused Neela that Maquis could engender such friendly passion years after the fact while Neela herself was frequently shunned because she was a Bajoran alone in a Parisian bar.
"Buy the lady a drink?" a stranger asked.
"Agent Petrie, I expected you to approach me yesterday. Why the caution?" Neela flashed her most winning smile.
"You ambushed them, didn't you?" he sighed.
"I'm alone though you aren't," Neela replied.
Petrie dismissed his security detail.
"You should choose your thugs more judiciously next time," Neela took a sip of her tea, "Those three were all considered AWOL by Starfleet. Starfleet Security was outside waiting for them."
Petrie went to a window to see Parisian gendarmes assisting Starfleet Security in arresting the trio. Petrie returned to Neela, "What Sorbo say about you is true."
"That I know things that I shouldn't before I should?" Neela chuckled.
"Or at all," Petrie used a flick blade to lunge at Neela. But she was already out of her seat and gendarmes were swarming into the building.
"You're good," Petrie said with his face in the table with his hands being locked in binders, "But even the best can die."
"Mademoiselle, would you like to make a statement now. This lout has just threatened you in addition to trying to take your life," a gendarme asked.
"I'd be delighted to speak with an Inspector," Neela flashed her mega watt smile.
The patrons were all being interviewed, all horrified by what had occurred. Holocams were impounded as evidence from the tourists. When the police had departed, Neela sat down across from the Presider, "Now that the floor show has ended, shall we have an honest conversation regarding Cell 51's presence on the Federation Council?"
"You are a bold one," the Presider didn't bother denying it. Such gestures were obviously futile.
"I'm unfamiliar with your race," Neela confessed.
"Most are," the Presider shrugged, "You've been coming here for three nights and yet waited until Agent Petrie chose to be rash before approaching me. That's either clever or lazy."
"Can't it be both?" Neela inquired with her most dazzling smile.
"No," the Presider said simply.
"I had to make certain I'd be taken seriously," Neela replied.
"Director Sorbo takes you very seriously," the Presider admitted.
"You're role, as I understand it, is ti oversee the Political Action Arm. That must be difficult given the unrest," Neela stated.
"I don't know how you learned these things but..." the Presider began to threaten.
"I will leave here unmolested. I assure you," Neela shared, "The Prophets showed me these moments so I know how they play out."
"So the Wormhole aliens are in communion with you," the Presider was happy to confirm that theory.
"Bajor's Prophets are in communion with me from time to time. I'm not an asset to be cultivated," Neela told her, "I'm here as a courtesy."
"And why do I warrant this 'courtesy'?" the Presider inquired.
"You have Sorbo's ear. Tell him Macen and his allies only want Fowler and Browder, or at least those pretending to be them," Neela said, "The rest of Cell 51's machinations are still under the terms of the truce."
"Until such time as the situation is resolved," the Presider knew the terms as well.
"Macen would see an extension applied. There are other forces and threats requiring the SID's attention," Neela shared.
"Cell 51 could help," the Presider offered.
"It already is and doesn't yet know it," Neela offered in reply.
"How can you say that?" the Presider asked.
"Just keep Lauren Ryder pitted against the Trinity," Neela rose to leave, "She's making real progress."
Ryder was Sorbo's Deputy Director. The Trinity was Fowler's Strategic Ops planning team. The Trinity was also Shaw's supplier of disinformation now that that Dysart and the Ministry of Information endorsed the factuality of the footage of Browder linking with Fowler which meant an influential arm of the Political Action Arm believed as well. The Ministry was normally Shaw's favorite source for "facts". Now she was decrying the same Ministry.
She threw out unfounded conspiracy theories rather than spout the real ones but millions of citizens fell in line with her influential lies. But Dysart had tipped Shaw's hand, Snow and Starr had discovered she planned on interviewing Fowler during a live broadcast in a town hall meeting. The participants drawn from a lottery of loyal partisans.
Kerber had wrangled Macen's team a location and invitations. Smith set up temporary fake IDs. Mudd supplied the means of sneaking in Type I "cricket" phasers. A simple black market exchange acquired both.
Ro had a squad of Starfleet Security officers standing by to arrest Fowler. Even Oh couldn't countenance Changelings running amok on Earth. The Romulans hated the Founders and the Dominion even more than they hated the Federation, strongly motivating Oh to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Browder had tracked down Project: Proteus and was seeking out the survivors that had escaped Section 31 Custody from Daystrom Station, thus uniting them with the rogue faction of Founders. Ryder scoured the quadrants for signs of the Trinity after they fled Redoubt Station. The station, Cell 51's base in the Taurus Reach, was its acting headquarters while Sorbo sought new accommodations in light of the Klingon advance into the Reach and the projected Tholian response.
The Klingons and Starfleet pledged to protect the scant Federation colonies inside the territory, freeing up Outbound Ventures starships and crews from said duties. Redoubling protective measures for former protectorates and colonies still abandoned by Starfleet. The policy was highly contested within Starfleet Command.
Clancy's apocalyptic vision of Federation-wide calamity hadn't occurred. Half of Starfleet Command still felt a moral responsibility to honor its pre-crisis obligations,
setting up confrontations beteen the Starfleet Commander and her General Staff. As the Alpha and Beta Quadrant Commanders, Vice Admiral Jellico and Admiral Leonard James Akaar, voiced the most prominent objections to Clancy's policy of only defending Federation member worlds. It had begun costing them colonies and even two member worlds besides Bajor.
Angosia recalled all of its Augmented soldiers for domestic duty, pulled from all Starfleet responsibilities and duties. SOC heavily suffered under those strictures. Andoria was next to do the same. Tellar and Vulcan were considering similar protestationist moves. Fortunately, the Fleet Admiral's knee jerk reaction to demand the Federation Council also expel these member worlds was quelled by the Admiralty. Instead Clancy was forced to re-examine her recent policy decisions and admit that perhaps she'd been wrong.
Her consolation was that it would undercut Outbound Ventures' glut of contracts. The as of yet unforeseen consequence was that would scale the demand back down to a manageable level, making the corporation more efficient than ever, something that would keep Clancy up at nights. Of all the things to have sleepless nights over, this is what would consume her.
In a venue not far from Independence Hall, Shaw held her Town Hall. Smith's credentials held and Mudd's rigged holocams discreetly held the phasers. Macen and Rockford worked their way to the front of the crowd and waited for the broadcast to begin.
"Director Fowler, what exactly does Cell 51 stand for?" Shaw led the first question off. A phaser beam struck Fowler and he reverted back to his semi-liquid state
"What the frinx?" Shaw panicked, "My God! Director Fowler has been replaced by a frinxing Changeling!"
Starfleet Security swooped in and vacuumed "Fowler" into a containment unit.
"He always was one," Macen called out as he and Rockford quietly exited as the crowd fought revulsion over Starfleet versus their fear of a Founder.
"In a stunning development," Shaw quickly took the reins for the imagers, "Director Fowler was replaced by Starfleet with a Changeling impostor. They reclaimed the exposed fraudster when loyal, Federation citizens managed to sneak weapons past security and fire a stun burst into the Founder, forcing it to revert to its natural state. I will press on on with my personal inquiries and discover what Starfleet Security has done with the real Jack Fowler and John Browder."
"Un-frinxing-believable," Ro stated as she observed the broadcast from Starfleet Security's mobile containment transport.
"At least we made 'loyal Federation citizen' status," Rockford smirked.
"And we stayed off holo imaging," Macen agreed.
The private network security contractors had been too shaken to note their exit.
"This stopped Fowler but Browder's duplicate is still at large and wearing a new face as soon as this broadcast gets notorious," Ro complained.
"And it still won't quell the debate raging within the Federation Council," Macen predicted, "We'll need additional support for that."
"What kind of support?" Ro asked.
"A confession," Rockford's smirk grew, "Which is why Neela came with."
"She knew this was all happening?" Ro was frustrated.
"The Prophets showed her pieces and faces. Fowler's was one of them," Macen explained, "They're literally destined to meet."
"She'll have to do it in her official capacity as a Militia officer and Security will have officers in the room," Ro stipulated.
"She's aware and packed her uniform for the occasion," Macen grinned.
"Just once I'd like to be ahead of that woman," Ro muttered.
"Take it up with the Prophets," Rockford teased her.
"I will if I ever see them again," Ro promised. Macen and Rockford believed she would at that.
"You can't bring that phaser in here, Major," the Lt. Commander charged with Fowler's safety complained.
"This is now a joint Starfleet Intelligence-Bajoran Militia investigation," Commander Ro, also armed, informed him, "Or does Starfleet Security have a problem with that?"
"Let me confirm your orders," Commander LaJean requested taking Ro's padd.
He reappeared minutes later, "Admiral Nechayev and Commodore Oh both counter-signed the orders, you may proceed."
Oh's codes meaning more to him than her superior officer's. Such was the cult of personality Oh was building within Starfleet Security's ranks.
"Is the prisoner regenerating?" Ro asked when she saw the glob of living goo at the bottom of the tube Fowler was being held in.
"Bastard simply refuses to talk," LaJean complained some more.
"He will to us. He wants to gloat," Ro predicted.
the goo did form up into a facsimile of Jack Fowler upon Ro and Neela entering. Imagers and security recorders were on.
"'Commander' Ro and 'Major' Neela, I know pretenders and you two are a pair of them," He transformed into a torched out husk of Colonel Anara, "This is how your friend will look when we're done with your world. Or..."
He became a victim of explosive decompression before resorting back to Fowler's form, "Not even a flinch? Good for you."
"That isn't her fate," Neela said simply.
"That's right, your meddlesome 'gods' speak with you. Yet they let me and my Vorta through with Jem'Hadar and cloning cylinders. You'll never find them all," Fowler boasted.
"We don't have to. Captain Sorbo will deal with your Vorta and Jem'Hadar," Ro intervened.
"Sorbo is a solid. He'll fail. Just as you will, Commander Ro," Fowler retorted.
"Yet he gave us you," Ro replied, "What happened to the real Jack Fowler?"
"Solids. So stupid and obsessed with their dead," Fowler snorted.
"So you killed him?" Neela inquired.
"Fowler knew he faced capture by the USS Defiant. So he exposed his positronuc mind, auto-programmed a probe to enter Dominion space and cut off his own head into the payload warhead of the probe and had it fired away from his ship before it self-destructed. A Jem'Hadar fighter recovered the probe and the Vorta in command discovered the positronic mind contained within had a complete record of every Section 31 operation dating back to the agency's founding. Capitalizing on solids' futile hopes of survival against hopeless odds, my companion and I adopted John Browder and Jack Fowler's identities knowing that humans would be gullible enough to believe they'd returned from the dead."
"But they're both dead?" Ro clarified.
"Haven't you been listening, solid?" the Changeling sneered, "They were dead before the ship self-destructed."
"Then why assume their identities?" Neela asked.
"Cell 51 shares our goal of bringing order to your chaotic Federation. Order through dominion," Fowler became Chavy Sok, "Or did you ignore the warnings?"
"Why the Orion Syndicate?" Ro altered course, "Of all things, criminals seem the most chaotic."
"But to unleash them upon you would only hasten our goals," Sok laughed and became Fowler again.
"How many Founders share this vision?" Ro asked.
"Not enough but the number is growing. Odo is quite persuasive but he's a lone voice. Solids must be controlled or destroyed. It's simply that elemental," Fowler stated, "Feel free to broadcast this. Fiona Shaw has done her work too well. Millions of your citizens will outcry my death,"
"The Federation doesn't have a death penalty and the Bajorans aren't trying you. You'll be deported after standing trial and serving a sentence at a holding facility. You've already convicted yourself with your confessions," Ro told him.
"My followers will liberate me," Fowler predicted, "Even now, there are those that see my truth that are already within Cell 51."
"I think we're done here," Ro decided.
Outside LaJean was apologetic, "I had no idea."
"You weren't meant to. That's been the plan all along," Ro shrugged, "Plan's blown. Time to make empty gestures."
"Except that they aren't empty," Neela warned, "The ICC Trials begin soon. Those are statements waiting to be made. Statements about the futility of law and order."
"It's too late," LaJean told them, "The Syndicate mounted a full offensive strike against the ICC holding cells on Tantalus IV. The Blood Queen and her entourage were liberated. The Romulan privateers were exonerated for their efforts to suppress the prison break. They're receiving formal acquittals today."
"I have to inform General Kira at once," Neela declared.
"The Bajoran First Minister was already informed. The legal team there has already filed a protest but the acquittals are moving forward. Guild Master Rejak is representing his Guild members in accepting the Court's apologies," LaJean told them.
"It's all been a massive setup," Ro realized.
"But what does the Syndicate gain out of this?" Neela had to wonder.
"I have a feeling Macen is going to be asked to find out," Ro grimaced.
The Obsidian reached Earth orbit to have the Corsair dock within her several days later
during which time, Rear Admiral Forger and Nechayev shared every resource at their disposal.
"Welcome back, Commander, Detective, all of you," Captain Forger greeted them in the shuttlebay, "Your teams have been veeery busy. They've nearly monopolized the subspace transceiver array,"
"But they've proven a link between Cell 51 and the Orion Syndicate?" Rockford asked.
"You'd know more about it then I would. I'm only captain of this boat and unworthy of such knowledge," Forger grinned.
"Isn't it Claudia Black's watch?" Macen asked, "You and Joelle should be off duty by now."
"We are but I couldn't sleep so here I am," Forger admitted.
"I'm sorry Amanda put you off but we really don't have time to allow you a visit," Macen apologized.
"When your sister's an admiral in Starfleet, you get used to being re-prioritized," Forger shrugged despite the obvious sting of it.
"This really isn't a good time," Macen warned her.
"I read the briefs and saw the news reports," Forger admitted, "So I expected Amanda to be too be too busy but reality still bites, y'know? Like us getting a 'high priority' transit pass through Sector 001 and it still took two days to arrange our orbital slot."
"Starfleet Intelligence 'leaked' the interrogation monitor and sensor feed proving Fowler was a Changeling all along since his return," Daggit chuckled, "Ro's gamble forced Fiona Shaw to reverse course and attack Starfleet on the grounds of not catching him before now, completely ignoring her part in this. Our reunion wasn't delayed by Starfleet Command but by the Starfleet Commander."
"Where is he?" they heard Parva calling down the corridor, "Where's my Angosian meat sack?"
"Words of truest love," Daggit smirked. Parva flung herself into his arms when they reunited.
"We'd best clear the corridor in case they begin stripping," Mudd grinned, "Though I'd pay to see that."
Ebert took hold of one of Mudd's arms while Burrows had the other.
"Move it," Ebert warned her.
"Abby will just sell me the internal sensor feeds," Mudd grinned. Abigail Collins was the Deputy Chief of Security.
"Make a hole!" Parva shouted down the corridor, "Horny Orion and her walking sex toy coming through."
They double timed it through the parted crowd.
"Anyone wanna wager the turbolift 'breaks down' and gets 'stuck'?" Mudd made air quotes.
"You really want to lose latinum today," Ebert groaned.
"But you won't take the bet," Mudd grinned.
"Ten strips says they make it to their quarters in under five minutes," Burrows wagered.
"We're bettin' with something a lot more fun than latinum," Mudd grinned wider.
Burrows won the bet but they both ended up winning.
"I need to check in with my team," Rockford decided.
"Me too," Macen agreed, "I'll bring Bailey and Angelique in on it."
"I want to come with," Ebert pleaded.
"So do I," Forger confessed, "Just to learn what they've been up to back on Serenity and aboard my tub."
Macen grinned. Forger was usually more reticent to press ownership claims on the Obsidian since he in fact owned the starship. But now that he and Rockford owned a fleet of them, she was feeling more comfortable with the fact he wasn't taking the center seat back. So it ended up the Situation Center was very crowded.
"Whoever is behind the money trail is a master of shell companies. The Ferengi and the Federation are both willing to incorporate companies with a minimum of assets with full legal protections. Barrinor keeps a record of the currency transfers between companies leading to their vault deposits just in case of malfeasance on this scale," Lee excitedly explained, "Angelique and Bailey set up of filters to trace records originating in the Federation. What they uncovered was a super Political Action Committee that seems to coincindently fund non-political activities on behalf of an unstated party. Activities that include starships construction and a massive payroll. This Super Political Action Committee pays off thousands of politicians and criminal enterprises."
'Cell 51," Rockford realized.
"Or at least their major financial front," Shade clarified, "We forwarded everything to Commander Ro. But the Orions have been paid for an additional job they haven't managed to undertake yet."
"But why?" Ebert asked, "Why risk everything?"
"Because the markets that will open up for an entity wiling to snub the Federation at its highest levels will prove even more profitable," Macen deduced.
"Exactly," Forte agreed, "The Tholians and Gorn have rejected Orion overtures until now. Even the Tzenkethi and Breen are opening trade routes and talks. The Talarians immediately opened market share. Even the Andorians and other Federation worlds expanded market share rather than crack down on the Orions."
"Who's funding this PAC?" Macen asked.
"Everyone in the Federation it seems," Kerber told them, "They get a percentage of every gift credit paid to workers."
"It's pretty sophisticated," Smith said with admiration, "Gift credits are paid in whole sums but they're accrued in percentages. The shaved off percentages to make whole sums go to the PAC."
"A hidden tax," Rockford understood.
"Sonuvabitch," Ebert snarked, "Even we're paying this tax"
"Very astute, Tracy. Because percentages are taken from our contract rates and paid to this PAC," Lee congratulated her.
"Scary shuk," Forger breathed.
"It seems to predate the cashless phase of the Federation and was just kept intact," Shade told them.
"Starfleet overtly funded Section 31 as did the Federation covertly through this percentage tax," Forte mentioned, "Cell 51 just inherited all the latinum."
"Which we've known the facts of but not the mechanism," Macen stated, "Congratulations. Ro will be ecstatic. Our next phase is determining what the unfinished task is and preventing it from happening," Macen applauded their efforts, "I knew the right team was on this."
"We all did," Rockford promised.
"It could be anything," Lee was deflated.
"We'll figure it out, Kang. We always do," Rockford promised.
"Commander Macen, you have an encrypted message from Commander Ro," Zimbalist reported over comms after Macen taped his chirping comm badge.
"Patch it into my office," Macen requested. Rockford joined him. Everyone else would have to get the filtered version.
Ro's image appeared, "First, your team has uncovered what would've taken Starfleet decades to uncover through subpoenas. Barrinor just gave this data up?"
"Getting invaded has that effect," Macen shrugged.
"They invoked the treaty terms. The Orions are now the pariahs of the galaxy," Ro couldn't fathom it.
"Check out their new market share numbers before jumping to that conclusion," Macen told her, "The treaty is proving pretty fictitious outside of the Federation and Bajoran Republic, Even Federation member words are ignoring the treaty terms. Flouting the ICC seems to have worked in their favor as well."
"And the Romulans as well," Ro muttered.
"They really released Arlinea?" Macen wondered.
"She 'led' the effort to restrain the other escaping prisoners," Ro said with disgust, "The ICC in its gratitude acquitted her."
"Check the expenses of the Super PAC and see if any payments went out to the ICC," Rockford suggested.
"Forger explained your new mission to me," Ro told them, "I have a message from 0086. It could prove to be critical. Intendants Kira and Ro are still exiled to our universe."
"And could be working for Cell 51 and the Syndicate," Macen understood.
"Both?" Ro hadn't considered that yet.
"Makes sense," Rockford told her, "Doubles their chances of survival and creating ultimate and exploitable havoc."
"Thus doubling their chances of creating a favorable outcome for them," Macen concurred.
"Makes sense. Unfortunately," Ro hadn't met her doppelganger but resented the hell out of her on general grounds. Kira had met her double on several occasions and had ample reasons to despise her. As Ro understood it, her Intendent double had been Supreme Legate Dukat's mistress. She wanted the other Ro to suffer for that alone. Bajor's joining the reborn Terran Empire had enraged Dukat and exiled Ro to obscurity. So she and Kira schemed to conquer this Prime Universe.
Only that too fell apart as the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance splintered and broke apart. Now the Terrans were winning back their imperial holdings by playing the Klingons off of the Cardassians. Old rivalries stoked to the breaking point. When the Alliance forces already in the Prime Universe fell upon each other, they stranded the two Bajorans to be found by Cell 51 agents and offered a deal.
"Work for us or die," was basically the gist of it. But with an opportunity to further their own ambitions as well. To each acquire a quiet planet to rule. There were so many after all. Cell 51 would even help conquer them in exchange for intermediary services. The Blood Queen offered a similar deal without the "death 'till we part" clause but the implication was the same.
Yet both Terran Universe Bajorans wanted nothing more than to return to their universe and claim some portion of the scraps of the lives they'd lived. Seeing the Federation left them hollow and embittered. They saw that it was at its weakest point morally and ethically since the First Klingon War. They wanted to push the buttons that would destroy the Federation's moral superiority forever.
So they enlisted with Cell 51 and the Orion Syndicate. The Waypoint gambit had been their devising. Now trust in the ICC was eroded. How long until that worked its way down to inner mechanisms? Publicly "outing" Fowler and Browder had been another Ro and Kira brainstorm. Knowing their counterparts would move heaven and hell to help others prove that the data was real, further dividing the Federation's voting blocs
weakening its democracy and plurality.
A human-led Federation-born Terran Empire was a nightmare but a known variable
and known variables were exploitable. Sorbo saw everything and went along with it.
He saw a Prime Universe Terran Empire as the Federation's salvation. A Federation Empire would be a safer interstellar reality, at least to the minds in Cell 51.
The Orions just saw how empires were breeding grounds for graft and enhanced business opportunities so they endorsed the plans as well. Their defiance before the Federation had already opened countless doors within and without the Federation itself
even the vaunted Barrinor Accords were toothless. The Orions didn't attack Barrinor directly or threaten the deposits so most gave them a free pass. Including the beknighted Federation under Clancy's recommendation to the Federation Council.
Her suggestion was to wait until there was an actual threat and then mobilize the fleet. Most Councilors agreed. The rest were accused of being warmongering hawks. None of them realizing tthey were playing right into the blood Queen's show of defiance. She'd gambled everything she could get away with it and she had succeeded. It was a new era for the Orion Syndicate.
Unfortunately for her, loose lips sank battleships. A lone Solarian commander had cracked under Bajoran pressure. Furthermore it seemed Commander Arlinea had a human "twin" with the name of Captain Veronica Chase. Who was indeed a Romulan plant named Varis who'd been bioengineered using a splicing of human DNA and Arlinea's. The trace amounts of Romulan DNA being recessive in most aspects except for her uncanny resemblance to Arlinea. Her commanding officer "Commodore" Benton Crawford had given her up as a potential mole within his forces. The Bajorans had no idea this was a prearranged confession.
Chase gave up the Intendents in exchange for leniency towards the entire Solarian fleet. They would be sentenced to a penal colony in the Federation they would be handedly be released from. The payoffs were already in place. The niceties of diplomacy driving a further wedge between Bajor and the Federation. A wedge that would eventually split them apart after the Burn in the distant future. Strangely bringing the Cardassians closer to humans than ever. Eventually suplying a half-human, half-Cardassian Federation president.
Something unthinkable in the 24th Century. At least in this 24th Century. The recent conflict between the Federation and Cardassian Union had reversed their traditional roles with the Federation being the aggressor. The same spoke true of the attacks on the Bajoran Republic when it defended Cardassia in the Federation Council. But President Kilbrek was spending the rest of his restored term trying to amend the Federation's recent fearful confrontations and provide a vision of hope once again, depsite Clancy's resistance to such a posture.
But even she had to admit no one had attacked the Federation following the Mars Massacre. Even the Orion Syndicate hadn't attacked Federation outposts but Bajoran and Barrinoran. Both efforts failing in spectacular fashion yet profiting the Orions beyond the dreams of avarice. The Blood Queen proving to be the ablest leader of the Syndicate's recent history. Easily outpacing Gomer's progress by timeline comparison. Gomer had sought legitimacy. The Blood Queen found it in illegality. Once again establishing the Syndicate as the premier criminal organization in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.
Even the Nausicaans respected that. Many of whom had subsequently joined the Syndicate's ranks. So the gamble with Cell 51 had been a rousing success. Sorbo's own gamble of exposing Fowler and Browder also served to re-instill fear in half the populace and moral outrage over a "deep state fake" from the other fanned on by Fiona Shaw until her sudden turnaround and then she aimed that umbrage at Starfleet for "failing to detect the infiltrators".
She purposefully neglected to mention how she herself had been fooled. Or had known and purposefully continued the disinformation campaign. Either way, she was equally culpable but refused to acknowledge it. For the sake of her audience, of course, or so the continued lies went. Sok had opened the can, Perez fed from it, and Ardra kept spoon feeding from it. Shaw simply kept the paranoia alive assisted by Clancy and Oh. Both of whom continued to forecast even graver threats now that Fowler had been exposed and Browder escaped to seek out the Proteus Changelings.
Anna Snow and Clarice Starr were doing a deep dive investigation into Solarian Security Solutions and their ongoing legal woes and unflagging support from Clancy and Oh. Chase hadn't been exposed as Varis but the fact that a primary military contractor licensed by the Federation had been unaware of Chase's "Romulan ancestry" seemed disturbing enough to warrant further inquiry. Especially in light of the mass release of Solarian prisoners form Federation penal colonies. Captain Chase and Commodore Crawford chief among them. The very architects of the Bajoran operation.
Shaw and Starr uncovered the simple fact Starfleet had released all of the impounded Solarian starships back to the corporation within days of their capture. All without fine or penalty. Starfleet Command having been persuaded by Clancy that the public embarrassment was punishment enough and Oh's controlling the impound depot.
So once again, Solarian escaped repercussions for their actions. The Federation Council ordered a review of Solarian's Letter of Marque that allowed them to operate and deploy paramilitary forces within the Federation's borders and at its Protectorates.
It was a repeating pattern Snow and Starr could easily establish and link back to the Fleet Admiral and the Commodore. Providing civilian corroboration of Prentiss and Senecka's charges. Yet JAG still hadn't allowed charges to be formally filed. Admiral T'Lara beginning to pull back for the "good of the service's reputation". A seemingly logical proposition. One Senecka vehemently argued against. Barely restraining her emotions in doing so. Only reinforcing T'Lara's position in her poisoned mind.
Prentiss and Senecka didn't know how Clancy persuaded T'Lara to set aside the Uniform Code of Justice but the strategy seemed to have worked. The JAG herself would now preside their case and oversee its investigation both. A clear conflict of interest. One Admiral T'Lara would allow to stand in order to minimize the impact of the case building against Clancy by ruling evidence be disregarded before it was ever presented for review. Somehow Clancy seemed to have forged a bond in T'Lara's mind between Clancy's personal fate and Starfleet's as an organization.
Shaw's reports only capitalized upon that. Snow and Starr reported on this as well. Further entrenching the scandalized JAG. Who censured Prentiss and Senecka for going to the press. With a factoid that was public record. So it was all pending charges were dismissed before they were filed. The investigation had ended as long as T'Lara was JAG. The ethics investigation into "officer unbecoming" for having a decades' long affair with a fellow officer's husband was also dropped along with the investigations into impropriety regarding instigating that husband into committing acts of murder and piracy.
Investigations into Clancy and Oh's potentially illegally detaining Federation citizens and housing them in Cardassian prisons were also indefinitely delayed. Commanders Prentiss, Senecka, and Lefler were subsequently reassigned to other duties. Clancy threatened to charges to be filed but T'Lara wisely dissuaded her from appearing to be too vindictive in the face of her victory. But Clancy vowed she would be "their retribution". T'Lara's price for dismissing the charges was that Clancy stand down from being Fleet Admiral. Clancy promised that she wasn;'t "too mad but she would get even.".
All three officers' names were removed from the promotions list. Lefler had been looking at receiving a command of her own Deep Space station before that. Which was blocked despite the need for promotion not even being an actual requirement. Lefler filed an administrative appeal despite Clancy's leverage over BuPers being too strong to overcome. So Calhoun promoted her to being his XO to remove the excuse that she hadn't had "sufficient command experience". Relegating his present XO back to Engineering where s/he was much happier.
Transfer orders came through days later posting Commander Robin Lefler as CO of DS8
Calhoun resisted the urge to reassign his Chief Engineer again. Burgy was much happier in Engineering. So Mackenzie Calhoun began reviewing personnel jackets form eligible first officer candidates. Meanwhile, Clancy and the Blood Queen gloated for much different reasons.
Chapter Nine
Lieutenant Christine Pike reviewed SID assignment options with Captain Thomas Riker, Kristiana Liu, and Sveta Korepanova.
"We've several contract requests coming from the Deeper Beta Quadrant," Pike told them, "Lower echelon civilizations that just established warp drive capabilities. They're on the short list for protectorate status and have cranky neighbors threatening them. Some of your new mid-23rd Century Constitution-class starships could handle the patrols. It's a cluster of seven star systems and twelve hostile powers who haven't built craft exceeding an NX-class' capabilities. So a real starship could dissuade them."
"Especially if we sent in numbers," Liu immediately understood, "How many starships is Admiral Forger authorizing?"
"Ten contracts, all Constitution-class originals. No Phase II or Enterprise-classes," Pike readily answered, "Plus the Syndicate is sniffing around so it could lead back to the Blood Queen."
"How firm is that intelligence?" Riker inquired.
"SI reports sightings of two Bajorans matching General Kira and Commander Ro's descriptions in the strike zones. Each with a leather fetish," Pike grinned.
"The Intendents," Korepanova caught on, "If we could grab them we might break open a lead into the Blood Queen's operations."
"So Admirals Forger and Nechayev thought. So in addition, they're assigning the Obsidian to the area. And the sector neighbors the Confederate Sector," Pike revealed.
"Meaning more potential Romulan activity as well," Riker understood the implication all too well.
"Precisely," Pike confirmed the suspicion.
"This will be a good test of our Legacy ship crews," Riker used the nickname of the ships named after fallen original SID team members. The starships were named after T'Kir, Jamie Kirk, Gantz, Joachim Dracas, Nerrit Wen, and Wyn Mysa. Hal Dracas, Nerrit, and Wyn were still alive in this universe but Riker had convinced Macen of the appropriateness of Nerrit and Wyn's inclusion, to the confusion of a certain Major Wyn and her sister, Captain Wyn Meru. Explaining Master Chief Hal Dracas' inclusion to Starfleet would've just taken up too many creative fabrications. So Hal Dracas was left out of the list while Wyn and Nerrit were included.
Major Wyn Mysa and her sister, Captain Wyn Meru, were flattered by the selection even of the obscure reasoning behind it escaped them. As was fully intended. Jamie Kirk had never taken command of an Iotian Starfleet vessel and Joachim Dracas had never existed since Hal Dracas had never gone to 492 IV. Hal had never even served with the SID though he'd been promoted to serving the SPYards along with a promotion to Command Master Chief.
The Special Project Yards being Starfleet's most obscure an secretive shipyards serving the intelligence gathering needs of Starfleet with specialized customizations unavailable at any other yard. The SPYards were simply the ASDB of Starfleet Intelligence and the SID, and formerly of Section 31. Cell 51 having abandoned their presence there. Having absconded with the USS Dibron on their way out. Its perfected transphasic cloak making it a dangerous and infinitely useful intelligence gathering tool and weapon of surprise attacks.
Fortunately, so far the power cost requirements of the full cloak rivaled that of early Romulan cloaks. Making them nearly blind and deaf as well as intangible. They were also restricted to impulse making them detectable to sensors attuned to detect gaseous anomalies.
"Every captain is a Starfleet veteran," Riker was reviewing personnel jackets, "Captain Seles was even a Starfleet CO of the USS Tiberoun."
"I'd put Gellar in command. She held a subordinate rank only because she took an eight year lateral transfer to SOC that held in her rank of Commander. With SOC she commanded one of the Pathfinder-class courier variants of the Nova-class that Starfleet Special Operations Command uses to insert and exfiltrate operatives. Think of her as an Elias Vaughn," Korepanova put forth, "She has greater command experience and under harsher circumstances."
Riker pulled the jacket. The group's SID clearances gave them the unredacted file version.
"My God," Riker breathed.
"If it hadn't been for the recent policy decisions at Starfleet, Gellar would be a captain of a capital ship in Starfleet," Pike noted.
"She was sidelined for promotion because of her verbal dissent regarding the wars with Bajor and Cardassia," Korepanova stated, "Caity Floss found her at exactly the right moment and Gellar actually volunteered to take on command of a pre-refit Constitution-class as a personal 'challenge'."
"Her record is beyond impressive," Riker confessed, "Why was Captain Kendall, Melinda not Melissa, chosen to lead the rescue op at Waypoint?"
"Starfleet rank tables," Korepanova snorted, "Kendall was an official captain for three weeks before she resigned."
"We need to draft new policies regarding experiential preferences over former ranks," Pike suggested.
"It would certainly avoid a tragedy like this again," Riker was reviewing flight recorder data, "Gellar was three times as successful against the Romulans as either Kendall. Hell, Melissa was more successful than Melinda."
"Despite having an 'inferior' vessel design," Liu noted for the record.
"How soon will everyone be in position?" Riker asked.
"Gellar, Melissa Kendall, Tyler, and Conner will arrive be on station in twelve hours," Liu informed him.
"Make certain Seles and the others recognize the chain of command we are now establishing," Riker told her, "So let's get to work."
Christina Noble, the Gamma Watch duty officer relieved the station's XO, Lisea Danan.
Danan joined her husband, "Need help?"
"Your input would certainly speed things up," Riker knew she was eager to get off duty and take him with her.
"Anything to get a few leisure hours," Danan smirked. Danan had explained to Riker the reason she returned to her Maquis practice of dying her hair blonde and styling it to hide her distinctive Trill spots. There were rumors of Unjoined Trill vigilantes trying to harvest symbionts from "unworthy" hosts. As a former terrorist, failed Starfleet officer, and a security contractor Danan was viewed as one such "failure". Despite the Danan symbiont considering Lisea the most accomplished host yet. But she kept her often twinkling sea green eyes. The fact that she had discovered her first gray hairs once was purely coincidental. Really.
Aeryn Black watched over the Obsidian watch while Shannon Forger, Joelle Jones, Macen, and Rockford met in the Captain's Ready Room.
"It sounds like the sitch is covered. Why are we becoming involved?" Forger asked.
"Your sister is a worry wart," Jones snorted.
"Intendents Kira and Ro may be involved and we're tasked with discovering whether they are and to apprehend them if they are," Macen explained.
"Going up against any version of Kira and Ro worries me," Rockford admitted, "Especially a former ruler of Bajor and Gul Dukat's mistress."
"Supreme Legate Dukat," Macen retorted, "Ro always aimed high."
"'Ro' not 'Laren'." Jones noted.
"This Ro doesn't rate being called Laren," Macen said grimly, "If Section 31's files are even half accurate."
"How the frinx did S31 have files on the Terran Universe?" Forger asked.
"Because one of their top operatives was a former Emperor of the Terran Empire," Macen replied, "Pre-dating Kirk's insertion into the universe. She devised the means to end the First Klingon War,"
"Emperor? She?" Jones yelped.
"She found 'Empress' to be sexist," Macen grinned, "Anyways, after the incidents on DS9 began and the Mirror Sisko and Smiley O'Brien began the Terran Rebellion, Section 31 took an active interest in our cousin universe."
"They mastered the interdimensional transporter technology Smiley perfected and inserted operatives on a regular basis. Up until the Terran Empire was reborn and Section 31 was shut down," Macen explained away, "All prior to our arrival in this reality."
"More weirdness to adapt to," Jones complained, "I keep forgetting how far apart your universe was from this one."
Macen left out the part where several of their fellow "refugees" were from other alternate realities from this Prime Universe. He'd counted four so far. The crew of the Intrepid came from one. Nechayev, Amanda Forger, Ro, and Vaughn another. The Obsidian officers, excluding the added Jones and Black, and the SID team another.
Finally, Neela came from yet another independent alternate universe. He'd miss her counsel on what was occurring on Earth while his team engaged the Syndicate. But Neela had made contact with the mysterious Presider. A first for his side.
Cell 51 was willing to negotiate a settlement which was another revelation. With Fowler in Custody and Browder on the run, Ro was narrowing in on Cell 51's command hierarchy again now that Sorbo was in definitive control once again. As a lone Bajoran, Neela's life was at risk from more than one extremist group besides Cell 51. But Federation Security was cracking down on the outliers. Even if they seemed immune to applying equal tactics to Cell 51.
The "Birthers" wanted definitive proof of birth on a Federation world or colony to avoid attack. Similarly the "Federationists" sought to attack all non-Federation born aliens. Neela had already encountered them. She was playing a cat and mouse game with the extremists sand Cell 51, who egged them onward and upward. Agent Petrie's revenge at having been found out by Federation Security and Commander Ro.
Though Cell 51 sympathizers within Federation Security had arranged for his release before Starfleet could assume custody over him. Commodore Oh was equally alarmed by the presence of Cell 51 still on Earth as Nechayev herself. The bulk of Cell 51's Starfleet assets had been burned rather recently but the bulk didn't include other Federation bureaucracies or the Federation Council and its staffers.
Those staffers accused of Cell 51 ties having been preemptively pardoned by President Perez and returned to their posts with little to no oversight by Federation Security. Double jeopardy didn't apply since there'd been no convictions so Ro was infuriated at Federation Security's laxidiasical approach. Furthermore, the newly instated counter terrorist Federation Bureau of Investigation was being stonewalled in their efforts to monitor the staffers.
Starfleet didn't have jurisdiction and FS was making certain the FBI couldn't mount even basic surveillance. The FBI had gone to the courts but the presidential pardons made the suspects seem unassailable without further evidence. Evidence that couldn't be gathered without Federation Security's approval. The argument that FS was sheltering the suspects was dismissed out of hand by the district judges. The cases were on appeal.
The weight of evidence the FBI had gathered before the pardons and shortly thereafter bearing proof that the staffers merited further observation according to the prosecutors.
The defense attorney's argued that any of the staffers' principals were facing electoral cycles and that the cases were politically motivated. It was swiftly escalating into a constitutional matter. To be determined by the Federation's highest court at the rate the cases were rising through the judicial branches. The fact that not one Federation Councilor had been named as a defendant weakened the defenses' posturing.
Inferring that a staffer's potential scandal reflected poorly on an incumbent candidate with a proven record was a matter of voter's preference rather than an intentional slight on behalf of the prosecution further weakened the case as the higher courts became involved. Dozens of staffers were being targeted without regard of political credo or affiliation.
Still, the candidates themselves or the Councilors in question not facing re-election were being sheltered from the investigative scope. Federation Security's position was crumbling with every appellate decision against them. Now only the Supreme Court could rescue their position. And protecting potential criminals went against the majority of the court's members histories. The sitting High Court tended to vote in the Federation agencies' favor regarding enforcement.
A standard Federation Security had embraced until the Sok administration. Sok's appointed Federation Security Director still sat in office. A glaring oversight to many by this point.
Neela's reports to Macen were coming infrequently and usually after she'd navigated a threat. In order to avoid scrutiny she remained out of uniform, which placed her under a cloud of suspicion with the local gendarmes in Paris. The frequency of incidents also exacerbated the local officials' ire. Neela's presence on Earth as a reserve Militia officer without official duties on Earth and no planned tourist agenda worried the gendarmes.
Paris was the hub of diplomacy for the Federation as well as the seat of government.
So the extremist groups congregated there rather than annoy Starfleet in San Francisco.
"The only easy part of our task will be identifying our unwanted Bajorans," Macen told them, "Their intense craving for an audience will drive them both to boldly illustrate their presence."
"So we look for a semi-literal circus and we find our targets," Jones surmised.
"In a nutshell," Rockford spoke up after protracted silence, "But it'll be a circus of cutthroats."
"We've faced worse," Forger's confidence then faltered, "Haven't we?"
"Think Sindis times two," Macen warned her.
"Shuk," Bertram Sindis and James Fowler had proved to be their deadliest and ablest adversaries of note.
"This is Kira and Ro with all of their genius and none of their restraint," Rockford warned. Jones in particular took note since she'd faced both women's tactical genius during her stint with the Maquis.
"They're both stone cold, ego driven killers," Macen offered one final warning.
"With tempers to match," Rockford added.
"Remind me again why I signed on and have turned down two of my own commands?" Jones lamented.
"You were bored," Macen cut to the heart of it.
"And you'd miss us," Forger nailed the other half of the equation. Jones had to admit this was the closest thing to family she'd enjoyed since her Waylaid's crew retired. She wondered if the new Waylaid crew was a family yet. Or ever would be.
"Remind me of how stupid I've been when this is over. If we survive, that is." Jones requested.
"We have plan, right?" Forger was optimistic.
"Maybe," Macen was iffy.
"No," Rockford was definitive,
"You could have lied," Jones scowled.
"And raised the bar for expectations?" Macen grinned.
Neela was being followed by two separate but interrelated groups. A team of birthers was currently surrounding her position egged on by Petrie's operatives. A group of Klingons stepped out of the bar she was headed for. She didn't need or want a drink but she'd learned Klingons frequented the dive bar.
"I need help. I'm about to be attacked and so are you for being next to me," she told them. The Klingons quickly sobered as the that reality became clear.
"And who are the petaQ? Their commander, Korak, asked.
"Birthers," Neela told them.
"Let's make them wish they were never born," Korak gave a toothy grin. The attack cane from every direction but from the bar itself. And even then, some sore losers from an evenings gambling joined in. Neela acquitted herself quite well, only earning a black eye and a bloody nose EMTs were easily able to treat. Chief Inspector Dumas was not amused.
"Commander Korak stated you knew the attack was imminent. The establishment's security feeds amply demonstrate you were the victims here. But you've been a victim too many times. I'm ordering you out of Paris." Dumas commanded, "Take your oversized troop transport and leave Paris tonight. You've been medically cleared to fly. I suggest you leave Earth for our own sakes. You're clearly a favorite target of these hate groups. Mind explaining why?"
"Among other things, I'm seen as a religious figure amongst my people," Neela explained.
"Yes, the 'Hand of the Prophets' or so I'm told," Dumas agreed, "I was unaware vedeks or prylars were such effective bone breakers."
"They are aren't and I'm not either," Neela stated for the record again.
"No you're a war hero with a lot of redacted records. Which makes you a foreign, if allied, operative operating on Earth. I'm afraid I've persuaded Starfleet to insist on your immediate departure," Dumas warned her, "A runabout crew and a two crew fighter wing will be escorting your from Sector 001 upon your return to the port. And my men will be taking you there now."
"Chief Inspector, there's a Commander Ro of Starfleet Intelligence wishing to speak with you," a gendarme reported.
"Your failure has been noted, I see." Dumas chuckled, "No doubt an official warning to give to you should you try and return."
"We'll see, Inspector," Neela said meekly.
"Chief Inspector," Dumas sniffed.
Ro image filled the viewer of an official, auotmated aircar, "Release Colonel Neela at once."
"Commander, I spoke with your superiors at Starfleet Command and the Major is on her way out of Paris."
"I spoke with Vice Admiral Nechayev and she overrode Commodore Oh in allowing the Colonel, who received a field promotion while an Earth, effective immediately," Ro said brusquely.
"Which part was effective immediately?" Dumas snarked.
"All of it," Ro said coldly, "Release the Colonel. She's undertaken a joint Starfleet-Militia operation related to counter-terrorism. Or hadn't you noticed the terrorist groups threatening her life?"
"Of course I have. I'm not incompetent," Dumas bristled/
"Just belligerent," Ro snorted, "Or do you prefer bellicose?"
Dumas' face flushed red with rage, "I have informed Federation Security of Colonel Neela's presence. They recommended I remove her from the planet."
"Starfleet disagrees and we and the FBI have jurisdiction regarding counter-terrorism. Check with your local FBI field office and you'll see Colonel Neela is fully authorized and deputized by the Federation security organs to operate on Earth," Ro instructed, "Don't make me repeat myself at a later date. You won't like facing obstruction charges."
Ro signed off and Dumas swore, "Merde!"
"It seems congratulations are in order," Dumas swallowed his professional and personal pride, "On your promotion and you're outmaneuvering the Paris Gendarme. Go with your gods. For they alone will save you."
"That was always the case," Neela said humbly.
Korak approached her as the gendarmes retreated into the night, "I feel as though our meeting wasn't an accident."
"No, it was pre-planned. The method just left something to be desired," Neela confessed.
"Let s return to our libations and discuss how the Klingon Defense Force can assist the Bajoran Militia," Korak offered, "Fighting is such thirsty work."
"That's all I ask, General," Neela told him.
"You're well informed," Korak was startled, "Even Starfleet is unaware of my true rank."
"Sections of Starfleet are unaware. Those that are, approve of your fact finding mission for Chancellor Martok," Neela revealed, "Starfleet Intelligence is backing you, General."
"Let's leave it at 'Commander' for public consumption," Korak requested.
"Of course. Apparently I'm a 'Colonel' now," Neela chucked, "But no one tells me anything regarding rank and protocol knowing I'll ignore both."
"Excellent!" Korak clapped her on the shoulder like an old friend, "The Empire's shame is that General Martok alone assisted your people in their hour of need."
"General?" Neela found the distinction intriguing.
"For those of us that served under him in the war with the Dominion, he will always remain our general," Korak explained, "But now, more drinking to go along with our talking. Words too are a thirsty business."
"You'll excuse me if I skip the bloodwine and rely on synthahol. The Birthers will try again when we exit this place," Neela predicted.
"Then they are stupider than their name suggests," Korak rumbled.
"Captain's Log: Captain Sarai Mikaela Gellar reporting. Our voyage to the Ikzip Cluster was uneventful. Here I'm to assume command over an Outbound Ventures SID task force. Captain Simona Seles outranked me in Starfleet and Outbound Ventures tradition has held that the senior former Starfleet officer or officer with time in grade lead the mission. Yet Captain Riker explicitly listed my time commanding the USS Trackstar as exceeding that of Captain Seles' time in grade. Seles mercifully backed down and yet I sense a resentment stemming from her that could complicate our mission. Time itself will tell," Gellar reported for the dataslate before passing it off to her yeoman.
Gellar found Outbound Ventures practice of providing an administrative yeoman for their captains to be a godsend that Starfleet had sadly abandoned in the 2340s. The administrative minutia a captain was expected to stay current on in the regular forces was overwhelming. In SOC it had been bad enough with classified reports crossing her desk. Outbound Ventures SID captains were also inundated with reports from the agency itself. Making her life a miasma of administrative and intelligence gathering duties. Fortunately, Executive Officers handled the brunt of personnel matters with the captain playing an advisory role. The captain approved of personnel changes based upon her XO's recommendations. But the captain alone selected the Senior Staff.
Gellar's Alpha Watch were all Starfleet veterans. Mostly enlisted and chiefs she'd made officers. Her XO, Lupus, was of humanoid lupine ancestry. He resembled a werewolf of Terran and human myth. Terrans had enjoyed subjugating the resistant species. Humanity had reached out in friendship and found the Lupines receptive. Lupus wasn't his real name but even a universal translator had a difficult time rendering the bark/growl combo real name. Lupines were pack oriented and fiercely loyal to their Alpha and Akela. The Watcher crew made up Lupus' chosen pack and he would die fighting fiercer than a Klingon defending the ship and crew.
"Captain, I have the latest status reports from the El Cid, the Chaser, and the Galavant," Lupus handed off a dataslate. The Iotians having provided everything but small arms when they sold the starships to Outbound Ventures. The Bajorans handled that last part otherwise the Iotians would've been happy to.
"And?" Gellar expected nothing short of perfection from the three captains that had proven themselves ably at Waypoint Station. Gellar had been removed from command then by Melinda Kendall's arrival. Not that Kendall had proven inadequate but Gellar was relieved that her vaster experience in command had been recognized by Captain Riker. Even Seles' four years at the conn paled before Gellar's eight, though Seles had commanded a Miranda-class starship versus Gellar's Pathfinder-class courier but she would've pitted her faster starship against the capital ship any day.
Look at what Macen and Forger had done with a Nova-class science vessel. The Pathfinder-class was a more powerful, four nacelle variant of the Nova-class surveyors. Akin to the new Nova X-class capital ships. It was rumored Harry Kim was being fast tracked for command of a Nova X-class starship. Captain Kirk had approved his first officer's promotion to commander and highlighted Kim's dedication to Starfleet ethos with room to maneuver the gray areas of command. With a recommendation from as illustrious a figure as James T. Kirk, Kim was a sure bet.
Her fellow captains had elected to take on the challenge of a 23rd Century pre-refit starship for the same reasons Gellar had: the more guts the more glory. Anyone could say a modernized starship did the work but when using duotronics and outdated tech and still overcoming superior odds, that demonstrated command ability. And Outbound Ventures rewarded command ability swifter than Starfleet. The corporation was negotiating the sale of four Ambassador-class starships. Gellar wanted to command one of them and so did her proven counterparts. Chris Pike was already campaigning on their behalf. This mission would sell or sink the proposal with Korepanova and Riker
Having all three recommendations virtually guaranteed a rubber stamping from Macen and Tyrol. Or so Caity Floss had explained.
"And?" Gellar asked Lupus.
"Five by five," Lupus gave a fanged grin.
"I wouldn't expect less from these captain," Gellar admitted, "Starfleet underappreciated them to our gain."
"How so?" Gellar knew Lupus inquiring as to Starfleet's oversight rather than Outbound Ventures' gains. She decided to enlighten him.
"All four were lieutenant juniors grades or lt. commanders when they inexplicably ended up in command of their starships during the Dominion War in the heat of battle, There wasn't time to call for senior officers and they were bridge crew. So they assumed command and broke with the official battle plans. In inspired strategies their flagging fellow Starfleet commanders rallied behind, they won the battle over Vulcan," Gellar explained away, "But a certain flag officer neither forgave nor forgot. When she became Fleet Admiral, they knew their chances at commands of their own had faded unless she retired or they resigned. The unjust wars were the final straw in a very long camel's back."
"How so, again please?" Lupus sought understanding.
"Black marks had been put their records over the 'unconventional and controversial' defiance of orders though it won the battle and sealed the pushing of Dominion forces out of the Eridani solar system, liberating both Vulcan and Delta Vega," Gellar enlightened him, "Slowing their advancement rather than enhancing it as the heroes they should have been hailed as."
"I understand," Lupus chuffed. And he did. He'd been an Away Team leader ambushed by Breen. Lupus protected his team by killing every Breen raider nearly singe handedly. At his court martial he was accused of "excessive use of force" and "unparalleled and unrestrained violence." Stripped of rank and title, he was sent into the front lines as a non-commissioned officer, leading ground forces.
Caity Floss had looked passed the official record towards the valor and heroism Lupus had shown during the war and his cultural imperatives to make her hiring decision and pitch him as an XO candidate for any incoming captain. Gellar had known Lupines in SOC so she leapt at the chance to have him as her only candidate for XO.
He'd been 2nd Officer aboard the USS Gandhi when Riker served aboard her and transferred to the USS Andoria to take uo the Exec role. It was while serving aboard the Andoria that his CO called a Board of Inquiry that turned into a general court martial. His Away Team supported Lupus' actions and defended him at his trial. But Starfleet regs had been violated in the minds of his superiors since the option of surrender was never offered. But Starfleet could afford the publicity of a war criminal nor could they afford to lose Lupus' services so they demoted and reassigned him. He resigned as soon as the war concluded.
Outbound Ventures was his personal opportunity for redemption as well. The Watcher wasn't a step down from the Ambassador-class Gandhi because the captain and crew had complete faith in Lupus after Waypoint. A feeling he'd sorely missed. That and the sense of belonging to a pack again. That and he belonged to the SID. A pack within the larger pack of Starfleet. So Lupus had his redemptive revenge against his CO.
"Let's just hope our patrols go as smoothly," Gellar voiced.
"I wouldn't mind a little action," Lupus chuffed again.
"Oy vey," Geller groaned.
Emilia Conner was bored already, "Eight days of warp travel to arrive nowhere."
"Congo" Smythe, her 800 lb gorilla of an XO, smiled, "I heartily agree, Captain. Hopefully our patrols will be just as boring."
"Not with the Orion Syndicate saber rattling, Mr, Smythe. We'll be lucky to escape a shooting match," Conner reminded her ape-like exec.
"Then we'd best be continuing our readiness drills," Smythe suggested.
"I leave those in your capable hands, Mr. Smythe," Conner chuckled.
Chanted Chorus, her Elvin XO, seemed ambivalent, "I'm certain things won't stay boring for long. They never do."
"We've only been operational for two weeks. How can you safely say that?" Tyler was amused.
"It's the SID. They never send SID ships into safe zones," Chanted Chorus replied.
"We'll see, won't we?" Tyler chuckled good naturedly.
"Looks peaceful enough," Krista Collins, the Chaser's XO, reported to her captain, Melissa Kendall
"Don't be fooled," Kendall replied, "Pirate waters lie ahead."
"Then it's good we have reliable friends," Collins replied.
"Amen to that," Kendall remarked.
The face to face with Captain Simona Seles was as frosty as Gellar had feared. The captains from every starship had gathered in the Watcher's briefing room. Extra chairs had to be brought into accommodate the excess number of officers. Captain Monica Halep was the friendliest. Everyone else was neutral as they assessed their assigned fleet captain. Angel Kepler seemed supportive in a very reserved way. They seemed to be the morale leaders. Captains Mitchell Dunn, Anastasia Romanoff, and Colbie Hill wore blank expressions. Mitchell "Mad Dog" Dunn being a female commander with a predominantly male name. Dunn had earned her sobriquet during the Dominion War when she attacked rather than retreated against superior odds. So surprising the Breen and Vorta commanders, she prevailed.
Romanoff and Hill had resigned in protest over the wars as Dunn and Seles had as well
Kepler alone had been dismissed from the service over her protests. Separated from Starfleet for "conduct unbecoming" her moral fortitude accused of being cowardice in the face of the enemy. Her harsh treatment an object lesson for other officers. Not since the Maquis era had Starfleet stamped so hard down on dissent. Clancy knowing that Sok's interstellar policies were indefensible but defending them all the same. Her idea of being a "loyal" Fleet Admiral and Starfleet Commander
Clancy, filled with "righteous indignation" at the Cardassians detaining the very citizens Clancy and Oh had bargained for them to hold, sent Starfleet to war unprepared. Sok also declared war on the Bajorans for supporting the Cardassians in Federation Council sessions. First the Bajorans were excised from Federation membership and then attacked without provocation. Thus cementing the burgeoning military alliance between Bajor and Cardassia Prime. All of this was done under false pretenses and Clancy knew but feigned ignorance after the fact. When the legal repercussions began to fall on the actors who'd played decisive roles. Orchestrated by the penultimate con artist made President named Ardra.
She traded away the three principals to the Cardassians. But unexpecdently, the Cardassian legal system spared them, consigning them to living deaths at labor camps
Only to be rescued by Cell 51. Before they could compromise the movement. The same movement that inspired the Blood Queen's revolt against the Federation.
Now the assembled SID force was prepared to defend the Ikzip Cluster and its surrounding inhabited solar systems within the Delphic Expanse. The Ikzip was a rare example of a solar system with nine inhabitable planets. Two desert-like worlds, four Class-M, one marginal Class-L, and two Class-K adaptable worlds like Mars. All in synchronous orbits around the primary star.
The Cluster was surrounded by five inhabited solar systems and sixteen uninhabited.
Giving the Orions broad reaches to gather and menace the inhabited systems from.
Gellar's plan called for eights starships to patrol while two protected the Cluster. Every starship on patrol would remain within ready response distance to the others. This would be made easier by the fact that three out of the five inhabited outer systems were located within easy warp factor distance from one another. The other two were close to one another but not the other three. But the Ikzip served as a central transit route between worlds as well as the most tempting target as the most highly developed region and the economic hub of the sector.
Cosmologists and astrophysicists debated the natural occurrence of such a solar system.
Most believed it was artificially constructed. Which given the history of the Delphic Expanse wasn't beyond plausibility. The history of all of the various sentient races reaching out in interstellar cooperation was also implausible to most scholars. Yet signals had reached their neighboring planets decades before stellar exploration began.
Even the most aggressive races had hammered out codes of conduct before a collaborative First Contact occurred in neutral space. Such inter-cooperation hadn't been seen since the Xindi. For the Xindi the supposedly existential crisis Earth represented fractured their unity. The Ikzip inhabitants had never faced such a choice or crisis point until now. Knowing they couldn't defend themselves against the Orion Syndicate, they reached out. The Federation was overcommitted to defending the Xindi and other member worlds within the Expanse. So private security was contracted.
The fact that the SID was subsidizing the effort as part of their investigation into the Blood Queen's plans and motives made the protective services affordable.
That and the fact the Orions hadn't upgraded their fleets in a century made the more economical choice of the Legacy starships an option. The Iotians also came swooping in to offer weapons sales and starship "upgrades" through their econo-lines and extended credit or subscription to their own protective umbrella. For species that had collaboratively developed their first warp speed engine, the instant leap to a Warp 5 capable NX-class was appealing. Even the Warp 4 NV-class was enviable. So while the UFP dawdled, the Iotian Federation prepared to deploy a force to the expanse in support of the Cluster worlds. The Outbound Ventures fleet proving to be demonstratable examples of Iotian craftsmanship. Something Kathy Tyrol couldn't deny and Felicity Jonas had a hard time spinning in favor of the United Federation of Planets since Clancy had ended transfers of decommissioned starships to Outbound Ventures in light of Macen beginning to purchase from the Iotians. Which became a self-perpetuating cycle.
The bulk of the Outbound Ventures fleet pre-dated 2293 Federation Starfleet technology
But those starships had proven more than capable of thwarting Starfleet's invasion of the Bajor Sector in support of the Bajoran fleet. Also purchased from Iotian Starfleet sources beginning in 2375.
Flush with post-war latinum, the Bajoran upgraded their fleet to post-2270 to pre-24th Century standards. Further enraging Clancy, who still entertained military solutions towards Bajor and Cardassia. Bajor's renewed independence streak rankled Clancy who was personally offended that the Bajorans had refused readmission to the Federation after getting kicked out after a year's worth of membership. Most damning of all in her exalted opinion was that the Militia had assumed the bulk of responsibilities aboard DS9. Which given that the station was Bajoran property and territory was well within their legal prerogative. But it riled Clancy.
Second most damning was the Militia accepting those Bajorans that had been interned despite being members of Starfleet. Most Bajoran Federation citizens and Starfleet officers and enlisted had migrated en masse to the Bajor Sector and the Gamma Quadrant colonies. Huge investments in infrastructure and near space investments had made Bajor's colonies self sufficient. Therefore they were able to absorb the population influx with stride. In fact, the colonies were hungry for new settlers.
The Militia now had four starbases counting Deep Space Nine and four shipyards.
Bajoran built freighters were currently in vogue with corporate shipping companies and the dry docks could easily accommodate military repairs. Now that the Militia was warp capable, Clancy had feared that a wave of Bajoran adventurism would be realized. It hadn't happened. But they were exploring the frontier in both the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants.
Efforts Starfleet had largely abandoned to concentrate on defending the Core Member Worlds from unseen and seemingly imaginary threats that only Clancy still saw after the wake of the Mars Massacre. The rest of Starfleet Command recommended standing down and resuming Starfleet's traditional roles. The Synthetics Ban had ended the foreseeable threat. Vigilance would be maintained without pandering to paranoia.
Clancy had resumed limited exploratory efforts and colonial support missions. Many colonies in dire need of such material and medical support or having turned to the Iotian Federation for such aid. The recent unjust wars had damaged the Federation's reputation even further and farther than Clancy's reactionary policies. The Federation's experiment with autocracy had created a diplomatic nightmare. Democratic norms had allowed the shift of policies and democracy could repeat its choices with new actors.
Ardra's confidence game of becoming the Federation's head of state had created diplomatic clashes across the frontier. Her "sales" of colony worlds deemed final and irrevocable by the buyers. The colonists weren't so sanguine. As demonstrated by the newly founded Confederacy of Planets. Another example of Federation colonies turning to the Iotian Federation for support. Giving the Iotians a toehold in the Deeper Beta Quadrant beyond Klingon and Romulan borders.
The twenty-six captains comprising the now-famed Blonde Squad defending the Confederate worlds. Except for the single colony that allied itself with the Star Empire instead. Now a vassal state, the libertarian colonists were second class servitudes. The Romulans were rapidly militarizing the colony making it a fortress within the heart of the Confederacy with guaranteed transit rights. Not that cloaked Romulan Warbirds announced their presence. Most of the Confederate worlds still traded with the colony
The very definition of confederacy meant that then federal government was convened for mutual defense and little else.
The Ikzip Cluster hadn't been part of Jonathan Archer and the NX-01 Enterprise's investigation into the Xindi. Primarily because they hadn't developed interstellar travel yet and hadn't attracted the attention of their neighbors. The five neighboring planets were slightly ahead of the Cluster worlds technologically but they were at 22nd Century Federation standards. So the Iotians found an open market with them as well. As non-Federation member worlds they were free to deal with anyone they wished to. The Iotian Starfleet had already begun deliveries and training the proposed UFP Protectorates in the use of their new starships. The Prime Directive being used against the UFP by the Iotians.
But even the Iotians followed rules regarding advancing a race's technological capability. Consider the proxy war in Beta III where the Betans managed to repair Landru. Those rebels that didn't seek asylum in the Iotian Federation were supplied with flintlocks rather than tommy guns by the Iotians. It kept the skirmish going with no end in sight. Increasing the Starfleet's profitability through weapons sales and special advisors on the ground. Landru sent out a distress signal to the UFP but after the disastrous second contact mission there, the Federation simply ignored Beta III.
The United Federation of Planet's Prime Directive was designed to protect culture's from overt contamination. The Iotian's General Order One mandated maximum exploitation of any planet's situation. Jonas had been highlighting the Federation's PR deficits going into this mission. The governments were grateful for the SID subsidizing the Outbound Ventures contracts but the average citizen was outraged that it was necessary. The Iotians' straightforward mercenary compulsions were seen as far more honest.
Seles had been so distracted by her grievances she'd reviewed Floss' glowing reviews of the SID's participation in the mission and neglected Jonas' pessimistic assessments. So Gellar's briefing brought her up short.
"This is a public relation's nightmare," Tyler voiced.
"But an opportunity for us to prove our system works," Kendall opined.
"Except it's not 'our system' anymore," Halep argued., "We left the Federation to join Outbound Ventures."
"We never surrendered our citizenship, unlike some," Kepler reminded everyone present, "We still represent the Federation as SID agents."
"As SID agents we still represent Starfleet, however indirectly it may seem," Hill mentioned.
"As such we'd best be on our best behavior," Dunn mentioned.
"Aren't we always?" Conner mirthfully chuckled.
"This is amusing but the Iotians are a real problem," Seles remarked.
"They're also our ostensible allies in this endeavor," Gellar pointed out.
"Merde! How do we call them out then?" Seles asked.
"By being exemplary examples of the Federation. The real one not an Iotian parody," Kendall stated.
"It may be too late for that," Kepler's dire warning was interrupted by a boson's whistle.
"Gellar here," the captain answered the page.
"We're in position," Lupus reported, "You may want to hand out patrol assignments and routes now. The locals are already reporting sightings of Orion scoutships and Q-ships in the sector."
"On it," Gellar signed off and got busy.
"This Gellar knows her stuff," Forger remarked as she studied her plot screen from her command seat.
Jones reviewed the same data from her screen terminal, "Agreed. All the patrols overlap coverage. No one ship can get caught out alone."
"Except a feint can draw off forces from a more viable target," Miller was reviewing the tactical and strategic plans as well.
"Which is why Gellar is keeping her core commanders and herself in strategic reserve in the Cluster itself," Forger pointed out.
"Seles must be chewing deuterium over that," Jones had met the other officer once while operating as an independent privateer. Seles struck her as slightly vain. Riker's own comments indicated Seles had been rattling cages on Serenity trying to assume command of the mission. She'd lodged complaints with Tyrol and Pike's offices in order to reverse Riker's decision but to no avail. The CEO and liaison officer trusted Riker's judgment more than a disaffected Starfleet officer that had recently joined the company.
Jones sensed Korepanova's influence factoring into the decision making process. The former manager of Architect was an excellent strategist and judge of character. She was also intractable when she supported someone. Korpenaova had protected Jones from Ro despite the Russian colonist's siding with Ro's politics when Jones backed Michael Eddington's "total war and terrorism" approach to the Maquis struggle. When asked why, a decade later, Korepanova merely shrugged and admitted she'd seen potential in Jones beyond being a simple terrorist. A chance at a purpose post-Maquis struggle
Eddington's escalations had guaranteed that the struggle would reach a head sooner rather than later. No one had counted on the Dominion's intervention. The few survivors had largely surrendered to the Federation if they lived long enough to. At least those not caught up in Ro and Macen's counteroffensive. An effort that united Korepanova and Liu in a revived Architect Strategic Services Program. An effort that included Riker and Sito Jaxa on occasion as well as Anara and Neela. An effort that saw Neela "die". A moment used by the Prophets to move Neela through space-time to their present.
Forger worried about Neela remaining on Earth in the charged climate. Extremist sentiments unseen since the 22nd Century were rampant on Earth and throughout the Federation. She would have been reassured to know Neela was now allied with General Korak.
"I still don't understand how we're supposed to find the fake Kira and Ro," Jones complained.
"This Kira's ego will demand she be aboard the biggest, most heavily armed ship. Ro will be aboard the sneakiest," Forger reminded Jones of the details.
"Ro sounds constant in any universe," Jones opined.
"Except this one will torture you to death just for the fun of it," Forger had read S31's file, "She'd been Dukat's mistress for years before being replaced by a younger model."
"Dukat sounds constant too," Jones groaned.
"That part is true," Forger allowed.
"God, I hated Dukat," Jones confessed. Forger explained the working theory that the Orb of the Pah-wraiths could bring Dukat back to the universe.
"I'm so sick of this Prophets and Pah-wraiths shuk," Jones complained. Several voices confirmed they were too.
Galen 3, who was manning the Science station on the bridge at that time was the lone dissenter, "They're imminently fascinating and worthy of study."
"They think they're gods," Jones cut him down, "Meddlesome gods at that."
"If Starfleet is to be believed they did 'disappear' twenty-eight hundred Dominion warships," Forger pointed out.
"They did that for Bajor not the rest of us," Jones had read the infamous account as well as presented by cooberating reports from the Defiant crew during the liberation of DS9.
The fact no Dominion ships ever emerged from the Wormhole afterwards despite undoubted Dominion efforts to transit to the Alpha Quadrant indicated the Prophets maintained their hedge of protection. But they exacted a heavy toll from Ben Sisko for it.
As their Emissary, he found no rest on Bajor as every faction, religious and political, tried to pull him in one direction or another. Meanwhile, he'd been tasked by the Prophets to bring messages to the Bajorans Including guidance to begin colonizing the Gamma Quadrant and their meeting with the Ascendant and their Emissary from the Prophets, the Cardassian woman named Ilaina Ghemor. Who'd been an apostate at first but a face to face with the Prophets themselves taught her the error of her ways.
Between their Emissaries, the Prophets had agents on Bajor and Sinhera. Through Neela they had a Hand acting as an agent at large. It was more than Jones wanted to deal with despite the SID team and the Obsidian's Senior Staff having been chosen to play a role in the machinations. She'd been brought on later and didn't feel similarly obligated to comply.
The Macen and T'Kir she remembered had come out of the Dominion War nearly amoral. James Fowler had done a study of where Macen and T'Kir existed within the Terran Universe. El-Aurian refugees had never travelled to the Terran Empire in 2293 thanks to Guinan warning them off from doing so. T'Kir had been executed ta a Cardassian labor camp. Fowler himself was an admiral within the remnant of the Terran Empire that still controlled Sector 01. It was Commodore Jean-Luc Picard that led the Terran Empire to unite with the Terran Rebellion, dividing the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, and rekindling the supremacy of the Terran Empire.
With a fleet of Defiant-class ships, the Terrans had quickly dismantled the fractured segments of the former Alliance. Jones wondered if her doppelganger had joined the Terran Rebellion. If so, had she joined with the Imperial Starfleet afterwards? So many questions and no concrete answers to be found.
But both Kira and Ro was narcistic predators who could barely tolerate one another. It had been sheer desperation that brought them into an alliance of their own devising. That same cloying desperation for power and relevance that presumably brought them into Cell 51 and the Orion Syndicate's good graces. That same desperation would be their undoing.
"Helm, current ETA to the Ikzip Cluster?" Forger inquired.
"Six hours, forty-three minutes at our present speed," Aglaia sounded bored.
"Bump us up one warp factor and recalculate," Forger ordered.
"Warp Factor 6, aye," Aglaia sounded a little more enthused, "Two hours and twelve minutes at increased velocity,"
"Hold at Warp 6 and inform me of our arrival. I'll be in my Ready Room. You have the bridge, XO."
"Sure, sure," Jones chuckled. Forger had a mound of forms to fill out so Jones knew the Captain wasn't escaping work. Outbound Ventures might have been a privates security contractor but it was still a bureaucracy.
Chapter Ten
"Captain Halep is reporting that three Orion scout vessels have entered the Tigard System," Gia Manfredi reported from Communications.
"What are the Orions doing?" Gellar asked.
"They're actually scouting," Manfredi stated, "Captain Halep wants permission to challenge them."
"Permission granted. Inform Captain Tyler to standby to assist," Gellar told her.
"Halep reports the Orions hae gone weapons hot," Manfredi squeaked.
"Tell Tyler to get underway and inform Halep help is on the way." Gellar ordered.
"Why not redeploy Kepler and the Dracas to support the T'Kir rather than have the Galavant break formation?" Lupus inquired.
"That would leave the Glisan system vulnerable which may be the point of the exercise," Gellar explained her rationale.
"And Tyler has been the most vocal about being bored," Lupus chuffed.
"Another component to my infinite wisdom," Gellar dryly admittedly.
"Captain Halep is reporting the arrival of two Q-ships," Manfredi interrupted.
"Inform Tyler to go to maximum warp," Gellar instructed, "That'll put her there in less than seven minutes."
"You have thought this through," Lupus remarked.
"Just being a good 'Fleet Captain'," Gellar used air quotes.
"I quite agree," Lupus said seriously as he moved on to check other stations. Her XO's confidence bolstered Gellar's own in her own planning.
"The Galavant reports being five minutes out," Sydney Cole, the Comm Officer informed her captain.
"Concentrate fore and aft phasers on the scouts," Helep ordered, "Navigator, prepare torpedo spreads for our new arrivals."
The blue haired humanoid named Elena quickly programmed the torpedo barrage while Lindsey Cole mounted the phaser strikes.
"Deflector shields down to 67%," Elena reported.
"Why is it always 67%?" Halep muttered to herself.
"Put us between the T'Kir and those Q-ships," Tyler ordered as the Galavant entered the system and dropped out of warp, "We'll give them a new target to worry about."
Her crew wondered of any more Captain Hikaru Sulu quotes were coming. Not that Captain Demora Sulu had been any less impressive when she became the third and last captain of the Enterprise-B. The second captain only retaining the post for six months.
John Harriman hadn't had an auspacious debut but became the next legendary captain as the original Captain Sulu retired. Harriman left Starfleet to become a Federation ambassador to Romulus. Demora Sulu oversaw the decommissioning of the heavily damaged Enterprise in the wake of the Federation's First Contact with the Tzenkethi.
Her valor earned her a promotion. Clearing the way for the commissioning of the Ambassador-class Enterprise-C.
Rachel Garret's heroism cementing the relationship with the Klingons and honorifically freezing the Enterprise registration for twenty years until the Galaxy-class Enterprise-D was commissioned. It's sole commanding officer needing no introduction.
"Warning the T'Kir," Juan Lothario took the initiative from Communications. Ty-Gor at the Helm and Macabre at Navigation were happy to hear it. Tyler had the greatest number of non-human senior staffers of the small fleet. Only she, Lothario and the Chief Engineer, Trey Parker, were human. Chief Medical Officer Secunda Sharreel came from a society that widely embraced biosynthetic replacements as "natural enhancements" and had often had to be prevented from amputating when a limb or organ was salvageable. Still, Sharreel was a highly recommended surgeon who'd left Starfleet Medical after the Synthetics Ban made positronic replacement therapies illegal
She'd left the Federation in protest.
Caity Floss had recruited Sharreel and Tyler quickly snatched her up as her CMO.
Tyler had been the quickest captain in Outbound Venture's history to assemble a command crew Excepting the Waylaid crew which came prepackaged. Tyler had suffered the most under Clancy's wrath. She'd only been 2nd Officer aboard the USS Titanic when she resigned from Starfleet. Only the admiral's black mark on her fitness reports counted against her but a rising star's grudge carried weight.
"Auxiliary power to forward deflectors," Tyler instructed, "Let's entice them to fire upon us without pulverizing us."
Chanted Chorus happily enforced that order. The Elvin officer herself having a commiserate position within Starfleet before she too resigned in protestation. She felt promoted rather than slighted by Tyler's leap to the center seat. Chorus felt unready to assume a command of her own and knew Tyler was overdue one.
Tyler was bold one. So bold as to have defied an admiral and saved the day doing so.
Her subsequent career stall proving out that Clancy alone had any qualms regarding Tyler's ability to perform her duties but other sycophants in Starfleet unwilling to risk the wrath of one seemingly destined to become Starfleet Commander. So the mere threat of a future Flee Admiral was enough to stall Tyler's trajectory.
The Q-ships, Tyler had correctly estimated, were lightly armed in comparison even to a 23rd Century starship but powerful enough to force compliance from freighters and other commercial vessels. But they were still far more powerful than the Orion scouts plaguing the T'Kir. Freed from a five to one engagement, Halep was freed to concentrate on just the scouts, built for speed rather than sustained combat. With one crippled and a second self-destructed, the third lit out of the system. The crippled ship managed to self-destruct as well as the T'Kir moved in to support the Galavant. Seeing the odds against them, the Q-ships made to depart. Only each lost a built-in warp nacelle to a torpedo strike before they could exit the system.
"Alert Security Chief DeMarco I want to go aboard one of those ships. Arrange joint boarding parties with Captain Halep," Tyler ordered. One Q-ship self-destructed but the other's warp core was down so it couldn't scuttle.
"It was a good thing you reinforced the forward shields," Chorus opined.
"Cowards don't want to be taken alive," Tyler grimaced.
"It could be infinitely worse for them if they are," Ty-Gor commented.
"We're about to find out, won't we?" Tyler stood, "The bridge is yours, XO."
Chanted Chorus merely sighed rather than try and talk her captain out of joining the boarding party.
"Dreya, keep a sharp eye out for any changes of internal aspect within that ship and for any uninvited visitors coming from the uncharted expanse," Chorus instructed the Science Officer.
"Of course," Dreya returned her attention to her sensor hood and her sweeps of the local area, which included the damaged pirate ship.
The Q-ship in question was registered to Orion shipping firms as the Wayward Sun.
Chief DeMarco had his people fanned out as they materialized in Engineering.
The surviving, and very beleaguered, engineers surrendered without hesitation.
The ship's impulse reactor had failed shortly after the warp core was shut down.
That left life support on the batteries.
Tyler was only mildly surprised when Halep's voice transmitted from the bridge, "No one is manning the conn. Yet all the escape pods are in place."
"My people didn't report any escape pods being jettisoned during the fight either," Tyler informed her fellow CO.
"They may still be trying to scuttle the ship," Halep warned.
"We have control of the bridge, engineering, and auxiliary control. That doesn't leave many options left," Tyler thought about it, "Can you spare the manpower to search the forward torpedo launchers while my party examines the aft launcher?"
"Certainly," Halep sounded chipper enough about it.
"Chief, we'll leave a party in here while the rest of us examine the aft torpedo magazine. They may be trying to manually detonate a photon torp," Tyler reasoned.
Tyler and her team were grateful their Away Team gear included leather jackets with synthetic and heated lining. Emergency bulkheads had sealed in several locations as they threaded their way to the aft portion of the same deck. Emergency force fields were all that stood between them as the vacuum of space in portions of the ship. Despite life support still running, their breath fogged as water vapor misted from their exhalations.
"This would be a pretty desperate plan," DeMarco opined.
"Never undervalue or underestimate the lengths desperation will drive someone to," Tyler advised her senior enlisted crewman. DeMarco was a former Command Master Chief in Starfleet. He'd been the number two in command of Spacedock's internal security forces. His resignation in the face of the wars with Bajor and Cardassia had been a blow for Starfleet
Abandoning the Protectorate worlds in favor of Federation member worlds had been hard enough for DeMarco to swallow as a security and tactical expert but opening fire on non-hostiles had broken DeMarco's faith with Fleet Admiral Clancy's vision for Starfleet. Even the restoration of the exploration programs was tainted by Clancy's express desire to negotiate with formidable allies rather than waste time nurturing newly interstellar traveling societies. The Confederacy of Worlds being an exception because of their proximity to Romulan expansionist ambitions. That and the increasing rivalry with the Iotian version of the Federation. The hereditary Oxmyx and Kracko, already skilled gangsters, learned much from the Mirror Universe Ro and Kira.
Halep led her Away Team to the forward torpedo bay where the pirate captain and crew were indeed attempting to attach timer's and amr photon torpedoes in their magazines.
"Parlay?" Halep called out. The SID team was equipped wit Bajoran Militia small arms and tricorders and med kits. The pirates' weaponry was as diverse as their racial divisions.
"What that?" the pirates had taken cover.
"I wish to parlay with whoever is in command here," Halep said through her thick Romanian accent.
"Why should I?" the captain called back.
"You obviously expect to get to escape pods and use the ship's destruction as argument of a lack of evidence when our starships retrieve your pods," Halep reasoned it out.
"So why surrender now?" the captain called back.
"For leniency at your trial, I can arrange for not only this evidence not being used against you but a reduction of charges based upon you trying to kill me and my crew," Halep offered.
"You'll drop the piracy charges?" the captain was amazed, "Yer not Starfleet?"
"Private contractors," Halep explained, "That gives me more leeway in negotiating surrenders."
"What kinda charges would we be facin' then?" the captain's grip on Federation Standard was loosening.
"Intrusion into restricted space. Threatening commercial shipping. Basic misdemeanor stuff at the ICC," Halep offered.
"Oh, aye. We've certainly faced worse. Me and mine surrender," the captain offered.
"Then spread the word as quick as you can," Halep urged.
"This here be the Captian," he said through his comm badge piped throughout the ship, his badge being the only one to be seen, "We're chartin' a new course and surrenderin' ta these fine folk rather than scuttlin' the ship. So don't kill no one and don't blow nuthin' up. Captain out."
"Good enough?" he asked Halep.
"I hope," Halep confessed.
"Look you bleedin' sods, your captain ordered your surrender," Tyler's own Cockney accent was on full display as her frustration mounted.
"You'll kill us," a plaintive voice called.
"You really want me to?" Tyler called back, "DeMarco hand me a photon grenade."
She armed it and walked into the launcher bay, "I've got an armed photon grenade on a dead man's switch. You stun me or kill me and it goes off taking the aft quarter of this ship with it. Your plan to leave alive? Won't work, will it?"
"We surrender already!" all the pirates laid down arms as they emerged from cover.
After DeMarco had them all restrained and beamed back to the Galavant, he accepted the defused grenade back, "This doesn't come with a dead man's switch."
"Don't tell them that," Tyler laughed.
Gellar commanded the probe while the Watcher and the Chaser investigated sightings of pirate ships in a nebula near the Ikzip Cluster.
"We're probably chasing wild geese," Kendall remarked via viewscreen.
"Maybe. But the reports came from too many sources and were too consistent for my taste," Gellar admitted.
"Luckily the Iotians upgraded the sensor suites on these relics so we stand a chance of spotting something before it ambushes us," Kendall flippantly remarked.
"Captains, we have something," Lupus interjected.
"On screen," Kendall's image shifted to that of four Q-ships lying doggo for an opportunity to ambush the two starships.
"Have they spotted us?" Gellar asked.
"I can only assume they have since they're maneuvering for better firing positions," Lupus said dryly.
"Shields up and go to Red Alert," Gellar began issuing orders, "Power up weapons and load torpedo tubes. Charge bridge defensive fields and ready phasers. Change our aspect to targets so that our forward weapons array has them but our broadside is no longer presented."
"They've reacted by doing the same," Moonbow reported from the Navigation station.
"Prep a spread of torpedoes to discourage them," Gellar ordered.
"I have Captain Kendall on an open channel. She's following our lead," Gia Manfredi clued Gellar in.
"Good. That simplifies things. Lock phasers on our friends," Gellar cracked her knuckles.
"Kendall reports the same," Manfredi reported.
"Captain, I'm detecting a fifth ship exiting the nebula's edges. They all are," Deridex informed the captain.
"Wanting to see of we'll fire before they can raise their shields, no doubt," Lupus chuffed.
"Captain Forger might fire. Commander Macen definitely would. But he's former Maquis and Starfleet Intelligence. They play fast and loose with rules," Gellar remarked, "We have to wait for an actual crime to be committed. The way Halep and Tyler did. W can always reduce charges to coax a surrender but we can't invent them,"
"These pirates would claim we provoked them," Lupus understood.
"They'll try that anyway," Kendall remarked over the comm line.
"I almost forgot you were on the line, Melissa," Gellar laughed.
"We have to play this out," Kendall remarked, "Their forward disruptor cannons are equal to our phaser banks but they're still using photonic missiles."
Moonbow gave Gellar an over the shoulder nod, "My Navigator just confirmed that."
"Any ideas on how the Orions even acquire photonic missiles? The Ferengi moved their clientele past them already and most planets that produce them are Federation Protectorates, or were." Lupus asked.
"The Iotians have been traditionally on good terms with the Syndicate and the missiles are part of their 'econo-line' of products," Gellar recalled.
"So our purported allies armed the very people who are about to try and kill us?" Kendall was dismayed.
"Pretty much sums it up," the Watcher shuddered as her shields shrugged off a disruptor burst, "And they're beginning that attempt now."
The merest of differentials in humanoid reaction times had the Chaser open fire first.
All four Orion Q-ships concentrated fire on her.
"Focus phasers and torpedoes on a single combatant. Knock them out of the fight," Gellar ordered. As expected, their weaker shields and lack of armor resulted in catastrophic damage for the target. The Helm and Navigation team switched weapons' fire onto a new ship.
"We've doubled forward screens but we taking a beating here," Kendall reported.
"We're relieving you as fast as we can," Gellar replied, "Angle us to target the portside ships amidships."
As she'd suspected, the freighters had all their shields displaced to their forward hulls where the weapons arrays were. Two more Q-ships were quickly crippled. The fifth ship made it's appearance. It was a carrier variant and dropped two fighter wings before making a run around the closest gas giant to slingshot into warp speed. The last freighter was easily disabled.
These crews, having heard of the mercies Tyler and Halep had extended, weren't so eager to scuttle. That and their vessels had never engaged in piracy until today so their memory banks had no incriminating data.
Fortunately for all, the fighters only briefly engaged the starships. They were all warp capable, of an unknown design, and followed the carrier vessel after inflicting some minor, of annoying, damage to the Chaser due to her already weakened shields. The El Cid was called in for support in apprehending surrendering pirates while the Galavant assisted in the repairs of the Chaser. Patrols of outer systems were curtailed as the other starships fell back on the Cluster in case of a feint. So far though, the Orion attacks seemed to be mere probes of starships and their crews' capabilities.
The modern carrier and fighter craft were worrisome though. It bespoke of a serious investment in firepower. What other surprises did the Blood Queen have in store for them? The enemy probes were as informative for the SID crews as the raider crews themselves. That was one of the reasons behind Gellar's patrol patterns. To test the enemy's resolve and capabilities. So far, the encounters had favored the SID. But that pattern could change, as proven by the carrier vessel.
The Orions heavily armed their yachts and Q-ships but not to modern Starfleet standards. Hence the reasoning in sending in older design corporate starships. Few SID ships met modern 24th Century design standards. And usually those were decommissioned Starfleet vessels. Fleet Admiral Clancy had cut off Outbound Ventures' Starfleet pipeline, hence Macen turning o the Iotians. He'd purchased their never commissioned post-2270s refit fleet, proving there was a market. He'd also commissioned the pre-refit hulls that were now on patrol. Pre-refit Constitution- and Miranda-class starships made up the bulk of the Iotians' orders but Asia-class light cruisers, Kremlin-class scouts, and Mercury-class frigates were best sellers as well. Tyrol was looking into supplementing her non-SID Outbound Ventures assets with such starship classes.
Even with the Federation offering to re-engage with former Protectorate worlds, most of these planets were now soured against the Federation. They saw private contractors and the Iotian Starfleet as viable alternatives. Contractual agreements were enforceable by the jurists at the ICC. It was part of their Federation licensing agreement. Most of the major security contractors were Federation licensed. Outbound Ventures had an operating license within the the Federation but the corporation was incorporated out of Barrinor. The only such company to be so, The banking cartels' endorsement an even greater endorsement than the Federation could provide. Especially in light of recent policy fallacies.
Solarian Security Solutions used to be the first and last name in private security. Now they were a distant second. Viewed more as mercenaries than security contractors now.
Yet Starfleet under Clancy favored them just as she'd bedded her fellow admiral's husband who founded the firm. He'd grown wealthy off of the largess of their affair.
Clancy was slowly being investigated for impropriety regarding that and other relationships. Admiral T'Lara, the Starfleet JAG, had dismissed several other investigations with shakier foundations and stiffer penalties. Some of which would have revealed Starfleet complicity with the Cardassians to imprison Federation citizens held without trial or due process.
The very pretext used to engage in a war against Cardassia Prime and the Cardassian Union. Thise revelations deemed too sensitive for public record. So Clancy was wrist slapped instead. She was demoted back to Admiral and forced to step aside as Fleet Commander as Akaar took the position. A Board of Inquiry found her liable in "Officer Unbecoming": cases further stripping her of service medals and commendations from her record rather than court martial her.
Commander Michelle Prentiss, Commandeer Robin Lefler, and Lt,. Commander Senecka, the investigative team, found the results less than satisfactory and filed appeals only to be overridden by the JAG herself. Commodore Oh shared the full extent of complicity after swearing each under the Official Secrets Act. A cold act of revenge calculated for maximum affect. To be proven right and never be able to reveal under T'Lara's ruling giving them confirmation of all their suspicions and investigative efforts.
The Ikzip Cluster authorities detained the surrendering crews and impounded the Q-ships awaiting ICC representatives to claim custody of both ships and crews as evidence.
The larger case was building against the Blood Queen. The individual crews were being swayed and reasoned with to testify against the Syndicate's head. Still, Sarai Mikaela Gellar was pleased to welcome the addition of the Obsidian and her crew to their investigative end of things.
So far the Ikzip authorities united with Gellar's investigators from across her small fleet hadn't yielded much after Tyler and Halep negotiated blowing the computer core of the sole freighter they'd captured. It was a bloodless coup that came at a great cost. That core obviously contained incriminating evidence. Gellar was pleased Macen was joining the investigative aspects. In Outbound Ventures SID Operations, Macen was only matched by Captain Riker for influence and authority.
Macen went by the title "Commander" while Riker held to "Captain" despite having a Fleet Admiral's authority. Riker refused "promotion" out of respect for his twin. Will Riker had shifted to the Starfleet Active Reserves. While promotion to flag rank in the reserves was theoretically possible, it could take a lifetime. Tom didn't want to exceed Will's rank. Since both Rikers viewed the SID and therefore Outbound Ventures as a non-traditional branch of Starfleet. Will recognized the gesture but could hardly express his thanks through the pain of losing Thad.
Macen had left Starfleet as a commander and simply saw no reason to match or exceed Captain Forger's rank aboard the Obsidian. He was already the Mission Commander and could redirect or override Forger's orders. He saw no reason to rub it in. Gellar had studied all of Macen and Rockford's mission and investigation reports since they're helping found the SID. His wartime and front line records before and during the Dominion War were telling. Going undercover with the Maquis hadn't been a choice.
It was a sacred duty towards the settlers and the Maquis themselves.
Nechayev herself hadn't ever fathomed who he was more loyal to: Starfleet or the Maquis. Reading his briefs the answer became obvious. The Maquis won hands down. Macen had forged a bond with the future DMZ colonists during his twenty years on the front lines of the Border Wars with the Cardassians. Surprisingly, he was quite sanguine regarding Cardassians and the state of the Cardassian Union. He was willing to keep an open mind regarding what a democratic state looked like. They were hardly a pluralistic society, lording it over one hundred Subject Worlds. But Rekena Garan was smart enough to concede just enough to prevent all out open revolts and keep the Cardassians in as overlords. Policies helped shaped by Supreme Legate Ocett and Legate Mariska. Allies of Macen's efforts over the years.
Even before he became a close associate and ally of the Bajoran Militia he'd helped broker the first exchanges between the Militia and the Cardassian Guard. Helping pave the way for the officer exchange program that brought Divan Slaine to DS9 as a Bajoran officer. To sate Starfleet, Slaine didn't typically wear her Guard uniform but rather a hybrid uniform between tne Militia and Starfleet.
Gellar had researched all of these contacts and interactions. She'd also reviewed the public records of Rockford's investigations. A harder task since every non-Starfleet case was sealed by an oath of confidentiality. Macen was the broad strokes derived from key details part of the unit. Rockford was the detail grabber. Macen's SID team was actually several subdivisions laced together. Like a starship crew within the Obsidian's crew.
Only Parva and Tessa served official roles within the starship command. Yet every SID member had officer's authority...even Harri Mudd. Though Mudd was locked off from the bridge without an escort or invitation. Mudd had even served a night in the brig for attempting to circumvent that rule. Kerber and Smith had happily reported Mudd's sophisticated hack of the turbolift controls. They respected the effort despite being called upon to circumvent it. The turbolift opened to reveal Jelena Kovic and Abby Collins with Aeryn Black to present the charges as the two Security chiefs arrested Mudd.
Macen and Rockford laid down the law and left Mudd incarcerated as a demonstration of their resolve. Though they did talk Forger down from a three-day incarceration to one. Mudd seemed undaunted but avoided attempting to use the computer to regain access. It was a game of hide and seek with Kerber and Smith now. The mistresses of the internal sensors were soundly winning the contest and Mudd was spending time in the Security Office awaiting Macen and Rockford's inevitable chastisement.
Ebert refocused Mudd with another upgrade to the Corsair's sensor package and software. There Mudd had discovered the transporter lockouts to the Bridge were on at all times. So she couldn't use the runabout's transporter to beam in. Telrik literally lived in the Transporter Room and the system was mocked down when he was away or otherwise occupied. She'd been detected trying to hack the transporter as well and spent two days in the brig for it. Mudd was warned that days in the Security Office's detention cells back on Serenity were being accrued. So far she had earned a thirty-day detention. That finally cooled Mudd's fire.
Gerrit Gren, Radil Jenrya, and Sito Jaxa ran Station Security even more tightly than Kovic and Collins ran the Obsidian's. Due to the propensity for mass detentions on the station Mudd could end up in a crowded cell fighting for bunk space. She'd been there before but never since joining the SID. And never on Serenity. Much as Mudd hated to admit it, her record since joining up showed she'd largely reformed. Just as Mudd Kenra had accused, Harry Mudd III feared, and Harry Mudd IV reveled in.
Gellar had taken an interest in Mudd's criminal career. Largely a confidence artist, she'd shown flair and even genius at bilking people out of latinum. Yet never more than they could afford to lose. Mudd had had a financial goal to reach before retirement and had been very close to reaching it when she'd joined Outbound Ventures through the Rockford Detective Agencies' employ. Though the agency was now a subsidiary of Outbound Ventures, Macen accepted Rockford as an equal partner. So Mudd was forced to acknowledge him as an equal employer. Something she was frequently loathe to do.
But Macen was loyal to her so she was to him.
The bridge lockout snafu was the biggest challenge Mudd had mounted against team and/or ship authority despite her usually being an unspoken critic of any plan.
Mudd also maintained a separate command. The Freehold was a highly modified Bajoran scout. She had a high warp capability for a number of minutes. She was also armed with military-grade phasers and photon torpedoes. All illegal for a ship designated for trade alone. None of which she received a waiver for in case of enemy probing of Starfleet registry records.
The Freehold was simply registered with the Federation Trade Guild and the Board of Commerce as a Barrinoran flagged vessel with Federation trading rights. Her documents and licenses always up to date. In exchange, Mudd got to conduct private business in support of her ongoing reputation as a criminal freelancer contracted by Outbound Ventures as an advisor.
Gellar looked forward to meeting Mudd. During her eight years as a SOC starship commander, she conducted "illegal" missions every time she went out from the barn.
Seles flaunted her time in grade in Starfleet. Gellar had the edge in experience and eight years on constant standby to be promoted the moment she left SOC. Her manner of departure simply circumvented that promotion. Gellar had twice many years as a commanding officer than Seles no matter what grade they'd both held. Something Seles seemed unwilling to forget or forgive. Gellar was aware of Seles attempting to undermine her command and was taking appropriate steps to circumvent it. First off was alerting Captain Riker of the ongoing difficulty. It was proving out to be more hardened and reinforced that originally feared. Riker and the planning team had warned Gellar going in Seles might present a challenge to the designated Fleet Captain. But as Seles was discovering with Riker, official rank wasn't everything in Outbound Ventures
Macen held a subordinate rank to Riker yet as corporate owner outranked him in every way. But Macen and Riker had each earned their strengths
Macen remained an analyst/commando at heart while Riker was a strategic tactician.
Riker was more comfortable moving set pieces around than commanding his own permanent starship command. The Charleston-class outrigger he commanded in defense of Serenity and in mission support was more than enough for him.
Lower Pylons 1-3 of Serenity permanently based the Indomitable, the Obsidian, and the Solstice rather than suffer a rotating docking berth.
The station served as more than corporate headquarters and command. It also served as the transfer point for all cargo and passengers to Barrinor and its colony of Odin. Nick Locarno in command of the shuttle services that delivered both to the planets and returned with both to the station. Barrinor wanted security and privacy. The trade-off for allowing Outbound Ventures to first base off of their world and now in their solar system. Treaties were no longer trusted to insure the sanctity of Barrinor's banking cartels' vaults. The two entities were mutually co-dependent. An attack on one was an attack on the other.
Resulting in the seizure of billions of bars of latinum from direct assaults in the home star system. Solarian and the Orion Syndicate each preparing such eventualities in different ways. The Syndicate slowly draining away its funds at such a slow rate as to not alert portfolio managers. Solarian was taken by surprise and nearly left destitute.
Only by taking on high risk-high yield contracts did they stay afloat.
Yet most of these contracts would be considered illegal in Federation space including working for the Romulan Star Empire.
Yet Clancy refused to revoke Solarian's operating charter and rescind their Letter of Marque. Despite JAG's ruling of ethical impropriety regarding the contractor's interests, Clancy exerted tremendous influence to keep Solarian alive in the Federation rather than force its operations outside the body politic.
Gellar, like most of the SID agents, had strong feelings regarding Clancy and her performance as, and fitness for being, Starfleet Commander. The Mars Massacre had been a horrific blow to the Federation but many wondered if it require the seeming mass hysteria that developed inside Starfleet Command afterwards. Two years later, policies and policymakers were only now returning to normal. The Federation Council now had a permanent autocratic faction. Such movements had waxed and waned before but then that was before two presidents were selected from the faction.
People were already forgetting the terror they felt under Sok's regime. Perez had been publicly exonerated. Her "fate" at Cardassian hands condemned wide and far. No one yet realizing Cell 51 had liberated her. Nor would they as Sok, Cindi, and Perez prepped Auri for her run at the Presidency.
The SID files on Cell 51 had intrigued Gellar. SOC had heavily cooperated with Section 31 and she wondered how many missions she'd undertaken for Cell 51. Section 31 never sought to overthrow the Federation Council. Yet it seemed to be a primary goal of Cell 51. Autocracy intended to "secure" the remnants of what had been the United Federation of Planets. Macen and Rockford had flagged the files regarding the recent administrative debacles. Clancy's complicity in it all reeked of treason to the Federation to Gellar's reading of the files. Though Clancy had sworn undying loyalty and service ot the elected officials of the Federation and its constitutional charter. Such unswerving obedience in the face the betrayal of all the Federation Charter stood for caused Gellar to lose some sleep.
Lacking a culprit behind the Synthetic Uprising, Clancy had needed a soft foe to vent her wrath and indignation upon. The Bajoran Republic and Cardassian Union had just proven to be harder targets than anticipated. And they fought more honorably than Starfleet. The Cardassians' restraint was new and surprising. Bajor should never have been suspended from the Federation Council much less invaded. SID informants within Starfleet Security revealed Commodore Oh maintained constantly updating invasion and occupation plans for Bajor.
The comm beeped twice. Gellar hit the answer button, "Gellar here."
"You wished to be informed when the Obsidian entered the Cluster," Lupus replied.
"Assemble the CO's not on patrol in the mess hall," Gellar instructed, "Hail Captain Forger and Commander Macen and invite them to bring over any essential personnel. I'll be in the transporter room to greet them."
"Understood," Lupus signed off
Gellar tried not to fidget. Macen was a personal friend of Captain Vaughn. Commander Vaughn had been a legend within SOC. He'd personally trained Macen as a SOC agent before Starfleet Intelligence sent an analyst to the battlefield. Macen had been captured by the Cardassian Guard on two separate occasions. Once alongside Vaughn and once by himself. He'd managed to escape both times despite the Cardassians' renowned security measures regarding prisoners. Vaughn and Macen's reports on the incidents were classified to Admiralty-level clearance.
But Gellar could read between the omitted lines. They'd escaped with Cardassian collusion. Probably establishing assets within the Guard at each incident. Starfleet Intelligence did note an uptick in internal Guard intelligence after each escape. That couldn't be a coincidence in Gellar's estimation. Vaughn and Macen might not have "run" the assets but they'd definitely recruited them. Though Macen personally delivered the intelligence derived from the second source it seemed. A source that dried up after the so-called "Chrysalis Child" incident during the Maquis rebellion. That made Lyoti Mariska the probable source.
Mariska was now the Legate in charge of Councilor Security surrounding the Castellan and the Detepa Council. A role played in the Federation by Federation Security's Protective Detail
"Hard meeting your boss?" the transporter chief wore an evil grin.
"Just energize when they give the word," Gellar chuckled, straightening her tunic for the fifteenth time. Riker had selected Gellar as Fleet Captain for the operation but Macen had recommended it to Korepanova who passed it on to Riker. Macen rarely overtly introduced mission planning suggestions. That way the subordinate officers could review the suggestion and determine if it had merit enough to bring to Riker
Gellar respected that. It meant the mission commander wasn't an egoist. Stubborn nearly beyond reason according to Vaughn but Macen could be reasoned with. The transporter doors opened just as the chief engaged the transporter.
Seles marched in front of Gellar to be front and center as Macen, Rockford, and Forger materialized.
"Captains, I'm Captain Simona Seles. The rightful commander of this expeditionary force," she announced.
"Ooh boy," Forger winced.
"I'm well aware of who you are, Captain. Which is why my original recommendation to exclude you from this mission was overruled when Captain Gellar's promotion to Fleet Captain was accepted and implemented," Macen said sternly, "Try this or any other undemrining of your superior officer's authority and I'll see to it you command a tugboat under Nick Locarno's command."
Seles puffed up and then wisely deflated.
"I see," Seles scowled.
"Fates would have it," Macen hoped.
Seles stared down Gellar before exiting the room.
"She takes some getting used to," Gellar admitted.
"You have our permission to space her at a moment's notice," Rockford snickered.
"May I ask why she was hired on?" Gellar had to inquire.
"Caity Floss plead her case. I abstained in the hiring process and she was cleared and offered a command she was expected to decline," Macen confessed.
"So she was hired and you arranged for her to be offered the chair aboard the Gantz in order to have an excuse to fire her?" Gellar wondered at the politicking.
"This is why you're Fleet Captain," Rockford told her, "You're the sharpest stick here with more combat experience than the rest of the squadron combined."
"You're also really sneaky," Forger chuckled.
"Shannon, have you been telling stories out of class?" Gellar accused.
"Class?" Rockford was uncharacteristically stumped.
"Captain Sarai Mikeala Gellar was an instructor at Starfleet Strategic Operations when I attended," Forger revealed.
"I was sorry when you resigned. I knew you'd been railroaded and filed my own reports regarding your conduct in Starfleet up until your last posting to show Captain Herrara's reports were utter bullshit. Now I've resigned as well. Funny universe," Gellar remarked.
"We all left Starfleet of our own free will rather than fight impossible injustices," Macen replied.
"Speak for yourselves. I never joined," Rockford snorted.
"I understand your core personality frequently worked for the Orion Syndicate," Gellar stated.
"Annika Ryst was the core personality before she ceded that role to me. Her memories are serving useful but the Syndicate has drastically changed over the past seven years since I quit accepting contracts from them," Rockford explained.
"So you are fully integrated?" Gellar asked, "Judging by that 'I' pronoun."
"Clever girl," Rockford mused.
"Clever enough to deserve the Fleet Captaincy permanently," Macen concurred.
"I'm not certain how that would sell," Gellar fretted.
"Closing out deal. Take it or leave the company,"Macen said simply.
"Every class squadron is getting a Fleet Captain and the non-SID ships are receiving a Commodore to oversee them," Rockford was less hard line.
"Yet 'Captain' Riker remains in overall command?" Gellar inquired.
"Sweet, isn't it?" Forger grinned, "In my command I have enlisted crewmen, petty officers, chiefs, a 2nd Officer and an XO. No one discusses pay grades because they're all over the map."
"So I understand with my own crew," Gellar said ruefully, "Though I've tried to institute a more formal chain of command."
"Each to their own," Rockford shrugged.
"Seles is probably convinced we're probably colluding against her by now," Macen wore an evil grin, "Let's go reinforce that belief."
"You're awful," Gellar laughed.
"If you only knew," Forger smirked, "I could tell stories of his captain-y days."
"Please do," Gellar said conspiratorily.
"We've created monsters," Macen groaned.
"You did. I'm innocent," Rockford snickered.
"Of what?" Macen inquired.
"Give me time. I'll think of something to be innocent of," Rockford laughed.
Seles angrily awaited Gellar's arrival in the Watcher's briefing room. With her were Monica Halep of the T'Kir. The Jamie Kirk's commanding officer, Mitchell Dunn, and the Nerrit Wen's CO, Colbie Hill, and the Wyn Mesa's captain, Anastasia Romanoff
Nerrit and Wyn would find theuir names immortalized in Outbound Ventures registries and wonder why. Both were very much alive and never served beside Macen. Both being career Militia officers.
Hill and Romanoff were strangers to most everyone. They'd built solid Starfleet career but Outbound Ventures, even the Special Investigations Division, wasn't regular Starfleet. Still, they'd volunteered to be part of the Legacy Squadron. So they didn't shrink from challenges. They were knowingly potentially facing superior vessels in what Starfleet considered antiques. But still vastly superior to the domestic ships in the region. Which had made the Orions believe the area was a soft target after intimidation and negotiations failed. Seemingly unawares that Starfleet policy was changing.
The SID was formally tasked with uncovering the Orions plans and deterring the literal invasion. But the Syndicate had no standing armies or fleets. They relied upon freebooters in armed cargo vessels. So Riker and his team felt comfortable sending in Gellar and her force. Still as emboldened as this "Blood Queen" seemed, she obviously wasn't an idiot. She'd risen to the very pinnacle of power within the Syndicate. Impressive for a non-Orion. A disciple of Bertram Sindis, the Blood Queen shared his strategic and tactical genius it seemed. She certainly shared his ruthlessness as well as his nearly unparalleled audacity
The question would be if she held a grudge over his death at Macen's hands. Gomer had taken the top spot owing to Macen. Her downfall was also a result of his doing. A downfall which emboldened the Iotians to defy the Syndicate on several occasions. Making them true competitors for the first time, the Iotians under the current Oxmyx and Kracko seemed determined to rival the Federation itself. The Iotian Federation had doubled in size over the last two years following Starfleet's contraction since the Mars Massacre. The UFP seeming to be a less reliable partner than the openly mercenary Iotians these days.
The Ikzip Cluster's officials knew the Federation was footing the bill for their security and appreciated it. But they were still in negotiations with the Iotians for more advanced starships. Thye were primarily focused on NX- and NV-class analogues. The price was right and Warp 4 and 5 looked mighty impressive compared to their own Warp 1 ships.
Their neighbors had reached speeds of Warp 3 and were negotiating for faster warp technology from the Iotians as well as phase cannons. Photonic torpedoes would be the next request.
The Ikzips were also looking at the longer range Kremlin-class scouts for scientific and exploration ships as well. The Iotians no longer built the starships but they had a steady stream of "gently used" trade-ins towards even more advanced class models. They still fabricated parts for the starships so a maintenance package was the big sales item. Optional domestically produced upgrade packages were also available.
These ships were equipped with phaser banks and photon torpedo launchers as well as shield emitters compared to the polarizing hull plating of the "older" ship classes.
All of which made them desirable for less advanced races.
"Your mission is to hold the line and repel Syndicate forces. Ours is to cut a deal with the Blood Queen in exchange for two high value targets," Macen announced.
"Who is more important than the Blood Queen herself?" Seles asked in her pronounced French accent.
"The Syndicate will immolate themselves if they lose the Blood Queen and take anyone else with them in the process" Halep's Romanian accented voice piped up. Romanoff was Russian and sounded like it. Kendall was British and Hill and Gellar were both American. Gellar being of Jewish descent.
"Both targets are of higher importance than the Blood Queen herself," Macen replied stiffly, "The targets arranged for and led their launched the faux Federation, Klingon, and Cardassian assaults against rival powers a year ago with Iotian support. Needless to say, every party wants a piece of them."
Macen told them, "Now we need them to prove that the three powers didn't collude in these attacks. The Iotians will be implicated so they'll do their level best to get to the targets first."
"You keep referring to them in a de-humanizing way," Gellar pointed out.
"You believe their present nearby" Halep asked
"That would be correct, Captain," Rockford answered, "We have reason to believe they are behind this Syndicate effort."
"Captains Romanoff and Hill, we know you're about to depart with the accumulated prisoners to deliver to the ICC," Forger noted," Captain Riker is advising Fleet Captain Gellar to detach the entire Legacy Squadron to ferry the prisoners under Captain Seles' command. The Syndicate will undoubtedly attempt to rescue your prisoners."
"Very well," Gellar scowled, "But that leaves only four starships in the Ikzip Clister and surrounding regions."
"The Syndicate wlll be focused on Captain Seles' task force," Forger predicted.
"What? I am to be bait?" Seles squawked.
"You wanted a chance to prove yourself," Forger reminded her,"This is that chance."
"You're to gather the legacies and head out immediately," Macen told them.
"We who about to die salute you and all that rubbish," Hill grumbled.
"As if," Hill retorted.
"We can still prevail if we work together," Halep reminded them all.
"We shall see," Seles sniffed. They exited.
"Now for the real mission orders," Forger grinned.
"They're a distraction?" Gellar surmised.
"Bloody cruel," Kendall choked on the idea.
"You'll take Captains Tyler and Conner with you to the Ingrezza system to engage the Blood Queen's forward command base. An asteroid located near a gas giant. Cripple that site and she loses all coordination of nearby starships and her logistics and strategic planners for this operation," Macen explained, "While you're doing that, we'll be traveling to the Queen's home world to negotiate the exchange of the targets for a cease fire."
"What makes you think she'll negotiate?" Kendall wondered.
"Because they're just as big a threat to her," Macen said grimly, "They each want to rule. Not serve."
"By now they should have annoyed the Blood Queen enough to expedite our mission," Rockford stated.
"She doesn't want to share power any more than they do," Macen predicted.
"Captain Riker already recalled Tyler and Conner to this position so you can plan your assault," Forger added, "You have twenty-four hours to plan and initiate your attack."
She handed Gellar an isolinear ship, "This contains everything known about the target, its defenses and its defenders."
"This was always the plan?" Gellar asked.
"Welcome to the joy of being a Fleet Captain in the SID," Forger grinned.
"You want the job?" Gellar earnestly inquired.
"Hell, no," Forger laughed.
"Thanks a lot," Gellar mock grumbled, "There's never any love."
"Captain, you're experience with SOC made you the perfect candidate," Rockford reminded her.
"Gee, thanks," Gellar grimaced.
"You'll thank Korepanova when this is done," Macen told her.
"We'll see, won't we?" Gellar asked rhetorically.
"Now I suggest you and Captain Kendall begin reviewing the material and catch Tyler and Conner up when they arrive," Forger mentioned.
"Fortunately we have an isolinear reader on this duotronically based ship," Kendall pulled a portable computer case from its storage rack, "It can print off duotronic data cards."
"It just takes more of them," Gellar slightly snickered.
"Fortunately the Iotians fully stocked us with them," Kendall pointed out.
"No doubt at their request," Gellar reminded Kendall the corporate partners were aboard
"Very astute," Rockford told her.
"Then we can begin our phase of the mission," Macen decided.
The Blood Queen had gone further than Bertram Sindis had even dared and moved the operations of the Orion Syndicate off of Orion and into her home planet of Melban.
The Melbanian queen made certain to keep the rank and file on Orion while moving the upper echelon ops to her fiefdom. This made the Orion houses wish they'd made an effort to rescue Gomer. So they did. The Iotians simply ransomed her and called it good.
Now Gomer's faction plotted a planet-wide coup with upper echelon support from native Orions on Melban. Kira and Ro played one side off of the other, further irritating the Blood Queen. Not that she could be any further irritated at this point. Still, as great a relief as Macen's forwarded trade off would be, the Blood Queen never took any deal at face value.
Her technical people had replicated an interdimensional transporter converter. So she could simply send them home. Still, Macen and Rockford might prove useful in squelching Gomer's uprising. Especially with the help she'd hired to do so. Or no trade. Unfortunately for the Blood Queen, Macen had been forewarned and he had additional help on Melban.
The Ark of the Prophets original blueprints had her designed as a freighter. The Bajorans converted her into a troop transport. Recently she'd been stripped bare again to be a heavily armed freighter. The Bajorans being far more liberal in that regard than the Federation. With her polaron phasers intact and torpedo launchers left alone, the Ark no longer had comfortable accommodations in her cargo pods for troops. The cargo pods were empty vessels once again. Or had been empty until Neela prepped for this mission.
As a civilian operative with a reserve commission, Neela commanded a great deal of support from General Kira and the Militia's General Staff and Joint Chiefs. So when she requested a refit of her ship and a cargo, she received a seventy-two hour emergency work order. She was also serviced a thr Free Haven Shipyards and concealed by the J-class starbase called Free Haven's Port. There the Colonial Defense Forces hosted her and enabled a reunion between her and Colonel Anara. Many supposed the relationship was romantic. They were wrong. The pair were akin to siblings faring back to the Occupation.
Neela's disappearance into the Celestial Temple for ten years just made their reunions all the more fervent. Anara and Neela had been partnered throughout the Occupation and for a time following Neela's release from prison and her disappearance followed by a brief tenure following her return. Anara fretted that Neela couldn't make it as a solo operative despite knowing her "sibling" walked with the Prophets. That had been proven out countless times. Causing Anara's faith in the Prophets to increase. She'd gone from near agnostic to devout believer thanks to Neela's influence. If Anara wasn't CO of the Fist of the Prophets and the Colonial Defense Forces themselves, she would've accompanied Neela to Melban.
But Anara was a creature of duty and the duty took on the form of the Bajoran Militia.
Neela served the Prophets alone. All other considerations were set aside.
Macen's SID team were agents of the Prophets whether they wanted to admit it as such or not. So it was natural that Neela was tasked with supporting their mission. Neela had escaped the death sentence for her murder of Ensign Akino that would have normally brought about but by grace of the Federation. Still, Neela served a fraction of her actual sentence before Shakaar Edon pardoned her at Winn Adami's request.
Winn had been kai then. Shakaar the First Minister. Both wanted a swift resolution to the True Way crisis. Neela ended up as Winn's personal agent accompanying Anara on Special Forces covert missions. But Anara's recent promotion meant those days were over.
Neela had read Starfleet Intelligence's official dossier on Melban as provided by Commander Ro. She only trusted in what the Prophets had conveyed to her regarding the mission. She'd grown quite adept at deciphering their prophecies. And at remaining receptive to visions they granted her. Visions only shared by Orb experiences and the two Emissaries. One ot Bajor and one to the Ascendant. Ghemor was still a surprise to Neela. Once a false Emissary now fully embraced as a true believer by Siskoo and Neela and the Vedek Assembly. The Ascendant embraced her as their one true Emissary after their encounters with the Prophets as well as Ghemor's one and recantation of her previous lies.
The Ascendancy's Vedek Assembly forgave her restored her exalted position. Since then she'd led the Sinherans in the paths of the Prophets rather than her own. The Prophets were of Bajor and of Sinhera both thanks to the Bajoran heretics brought to their world that conquered the natives and assimilated into the population. The Ascendant more closely resembled Cardassians than Bajorans. A probable cause behind a Cardassian Emissary being sent. Even if that Emissary had to be broken to discover her path with the Prophets.
Neela had tracked down a former Bajoran convict named Arlvin to the Orion Syndicate.
He was a mid-level manager in charge of cargo acquisitions and consignments. Arvlin knew Neela had served at Winn's behest but not how. Only that shed shaved decades off of her sentence at the now-deceased kai's request. Under normal circumstances, Winn's fall would have heralded Neela's own. But Kau Winn had the Ark sabotaged to kill Neela when the Prophets rescued her and the SS Asimov rescued Anara. Winn's complicity didn't come ot light until after her death in the Fire Caves freeing the Kosst Amojan. The Pah-wraiths' ultimate rejection of her the culmination of her quest for power over every Bajoran life. Dukat was chosen as their Emissary and vessel.
Arlvin knew the peripherals of the story. One peripheral missing had been Neela's fate.
The Militia simply closed its file on her in 2375 and the Vedek Assembly no longer listed her as an attaché. No reasons given. Militia Intelligence had recently reopened a case file on Neela listing her as a piratical free trader. Just as Arlvin himself had been upon his arrest and conviction. They'd known one another in prison. Arlvin saw Neela as a religious fanatic that had narrowly avoided the death penalty. Vedek Winn avoided speaking about Neela. Kai Winn made it a point to bring up with the First Ministers. Offering to rehabilitate the "spiritually misguided" young woman.
Arlvin simply knew, as all the convicts had, Shakaar released Neela into Winn's custody
Rumor was Neela was Winn's personal agent of retribution. The Ark was officially classified as stolen property taken from a Special Forces base back in 2373. Winn's influence seemingly kept the spacecraft off of military registries afterwards. Long enough for them to forget about it as the Dominion descended upon Bajor.
Arlvin had been happy to earn Neela had reconverted the freighter back to its original purpose. The Syndicate typically had little use for troop transports. But freighters came in handy. Especially non-Orion flagged vessels. The Ark had been re-registered as a Bajoran stock light freighter. Neela landed the freighter outside the conventional landing pads. Her ship was mid-size compared to some but the only Karemma designed vessel. A security detachment and Arlvin himself awaited her.
Neela wore a Militia issue phaser and spare power cells clipped to her belt as she exited down the main access ramp. The cargo pods were already emptied by transporter.
"By the Prophets, Neela, you haven't aged a day in ten years," Arlvin noted. Which was literally true for to her it had been a moment and yet a lifetime in the Celestial Temple. Arlvin eagerly awaited his reunion with Neela. She'd been to Bajor recently and he'd been exiled for the past ten years. He knew, of course, of Bajor's valiant victory over the Federation but surely they hadn't accepted Cardassian help. Not that lie all over again. Were the Spoonheads occupying Bajor yet again? Official sources said 'no' but Arlvin wanted to hear from an eyewitness to Bajor's present circumstance.
"Hello Neela," Arlvin greeted her "Welcome to Melban"
"A warmer welcome then I've received for some time," Neela didn't lie.
"I'd heard you traveled to Earth, For Prophets' sakes, why?" Arlvin asked.
"The commission was right," Neela shrugged.
"I knew under all that religion was a mercantile soul,' Arlvin laughed.
"We all traded for what we needed during the Resistance," Neela admitted.
"And for what we wanted" Arlvin referred back to the sexual favors. Something Neela never trafficked in. She was by no means virginal but she didn't believe sex should be a commodity rather than an embrace. Once at the monasteries, Neela had her choices of strapping young vedeks and prylars. Homosexuality wasn't condemned by the Prophets or their Emissaries but an emissary speaking of the Occupation, it was later determined, spoke that Bajor would need all of its sons with daughters. The implication being to replenish the dwindling population under the harsh Cardassian rule.
The Cardassians thrived on the restocking of the labor force. Like they were just mechanisms or automatons replacing worn or damaged equipment. Leaving young men and women in abundance to take up arms against the Cardassians alongside escaped laborers. The elders led and the younger generations fought and bled. Shakaar was one of the few older leaders to fight in the front lines. Younger leaders always fought with the cell members. The Kohn Ma having the youngest leader on the Resistance. Or leaders per se considering how fast the cell went through them. But Arvlin wasn't here to relive old times.
'I see you got past the Federation patrols," he said with amusement.
"They're not stopping Bajoran traffic in light of their recent blunders," Neela replied.
"I'll keep that in mind as I secure new couriers," Arlvin remarked, "Frankly I was surprised you were in the market."
"My past as a convict and with Winn poisoning me with the Bajoran Trade Association," Neela shrugged, "One still has to eat now that the Federation has taken Bajor off of the dole."
"I never understood a cashless society anyway," Arlvin shrugged, "I hear the lita and the lek are doing well in money markets."
"Of which the Syndicate controls three." Neela knew it was a lie.
"Five," Arlvin confirmed the true number. Since there were only seven money markets and the Ferengi controlled the other two, it seemed the Syndicate was favoring Bajor despite the Waypoint Station incident. Bajoran currency was currently trading at an all time high. Meaning the Federation needed to pay more in reparations than before. The same was true of the Cardassian lek. It seemed the Syndicate was more invested in harming the Federation than either the Cardassian Union or Bajoran Republic. Perhaps their times would come afterwards Or perhaps the Federation was the only true target of their earlier attack and hostage crisis.
The Blood Queen's stated grievance was with the Federation for initially excluding the Syndicate from the talks. But as a former terrorist and assassin, Neela recognized a misdirect when she saw one. This was about expanding new markets in anti-Federation coalitions. Everything else was sheer marketeering. Neela could see why it would take such a broad strokes measure to get Tholians and Gorn to trust the Syndicate. But other eligible markets wouldn't have been so difficult to persuade. Despite the Iotian Federation's support of the Intendants' plans, they didn't want open hostilities with the Federation.
They preferred presenting themselves as the more viable and reliable option. An option without a Prime Directive. The Iotians had cooperated with the Orions on several ventures but their releasing Gomer changed all of that. Gomer's capture had been sanctioned. Her release had not been. But the Blood Queen had made enough enemies for Gomer to find a prolific support base. Its numbers grew hourly as the Blood Queen enraged the Orions further and further. Macen and Rockford's assigned mission was to offer to negate Gomer's influence in exchange for the Terran Universe Intendents. They'd agreed to throw in with Gomer instead.
Gomer would bury the hatchet in exchange for the removal of the Intendents, which were the closest things the Blood Queen had to military specialist. At least was true in Ro's case. Kira was an administrator while Ro was a strategist. Her rank on Cardassia Prime was comparable to a that of a legate. Ro commanded several Cardassian military Orders involved in active hostilities with the Tholians and had subjugated the Talarians and Andergani at long last. Ro placated Kira's swollen ego by giving her the Galaxy-class starship the Iotians built for their purposes.
Ro commanded the ultilitarian Nebula-class to appease Kira's delusions of being in command but every Alliance soldier verified orders through Ro. Kira pretended not to notice. But inwardly she seethed. Kira and Ro had always been the greatest of rivals
The only two Bajorans to be named Intendendets before Bajor joined the Terran Rebellion and then the Terran Empire as an equal partner. The revived Terran Empire being more like the Federation than they'd care to admit.
Neela knew of Macen and Rockford's plans and had come to pave the way for them.
She was here to unearth the Intendendents. Potentially tagging them for transporter extraction. But first she had to meet with them.
Arlvin gave her to perfect opening, "There are two Bajorans of power within the Syndicate that are dying to meet you."
Neela knew better than to hedge or refuse, "They can guarantee me work?"
"Of course they can," Arlvin promised. She noted he didn't say what kind of work.
Chapter Eleven
Aboard the Obsidian, Macen, Rockford, and Forger finished explaining the duality of their mission to the team and Senior Staffers.
"Cool," Aeryn Black, the recently promoted 2nd Officer remarked.
"I agree,:" Aglaia concurred, "This will be much more interesting."
"We need to have a looong talk about your definition of 'interesting'," Edwin Zimbalist complained.
"At least Gomer is a known quantity," Galen 3 reminded them.
"And it removes Gomer's death marks on all of us," Gilan acknowledged.
"The Intendendents are the true threats here, The Blood Queen and Gomer are peripheral," Kerber noted.
"The truth at last," Smith agreed.
Neela had undertaken a clandestine meeting with the Starfleet Provisioner, code named P, and his teammate, Qute. They gave Neela a prototype transporter injection device.
Once activated it would transport isloinear tages into whoever Neela came in contact with. The idea was ti grasp Kira and Ro and tag them both. Theoretically they'd never feel it happen. That was if the device worked at all. There was also a good chance it would kill either Intendant. Neela could live with that result even of Starfleet was opposed ot it. So she adjusted the targeting scanner to place the chip inside their hearts rather than beside them. She also replaced the chips with the "optional" explosives.
It was clear to her from her instruction in how to do these things that Nechayev had no qualms about killing Kira and Ro.
Instead, Neels discreetly had contacted Kerber and Smith and advised them of the change in her plans and that she was inserting a tag into her arm. The Ark's transporter system wiuld be locked onto it. Now she had a meeting to attend to.
"Neela, the Intendendents like to meet every Bajoran that arrives. They do so miss their Bajor," Arlvin explained. That answered the question of whether or not the pair were making their origins a secret. But she supposed it was difficult to when Kira Nerys was an infamous General in the Bajoran Militia and Ro had been an equally infamous Colonel. Ro's rejoining Starfleet Intelligence still seemed ot be a secret. The false flag story of her falling out with the Militia and turning independent operator like Neela seeming to hold.
"Intendent Ro would love to meet her counterpart of you have any inkling of how to contact her," Arlvin stated.
"Different circles I'm afraid," Neela told him.
"Many were surprised when Ro didn't turn to Brin Macen," Arlvin stated.
"Ro was Macen's nominal commandeer in the Maquis. I suppose they didn't want to blur the chain of command. Plus, it's well known Macen accepts Starfleet contracts. Ro might still be holding a grudge over her ouster," Neela reasoned.
"You've become something of a religious figure yourself though. Tell me, is it all a con or did the Prophets really hold you ageless in the Celestial Temple for ten years?" he inquired sharply.
"Use your eyes to see for yourself. Does any child of the Occupation age this gracefully?" Neela asked.
"Then why the lfe of crime?" Arlvin needed to know.
"Winn ordered my death. The Prophets spared me. I completed their task and found monasteries too stuffy afterwards. So I returned to doing what I did best for Winn. I do the occasional favor for the Republic and the Ministers and the Militia let me roam free," Neela explained a skewed version of the truth.
"And you've passed the test. You'll live long enough t meet the Intendents," Arlvin seemed genuinely relieved.
"I look forward to it," Neela confessed. Arlvin's comm badge chirped but he didn't respond to it.
"Message?" Neela asked.
"A pre-arranged signal for when the Obsidian and Brin Macen and Celeste Rockford arrive," Arlvin explained.
"You must consider them a threat," Neela was concerned for her friends.
"Hardly, They'll be pawns for the Blood Queen's wishes like the rest of us," Arlvin said without a hint of rancor. Which Neela found odd. Arlvin had been a Bajoran gunrunner supplying the Resistance and other movements with arms. The Bajorans got weapons nearly at cost. The other movements paid dearly. So Arlvin was hardly a collaborator. Until now and he seemed content with the role. Things weren't what they seemed, it seemed.
"The Blood Queen is hailing Commander Macen and Detective Rockford," Zimbalist reported from OPS.
"Patch her through to their offices," Forger instructed.
"And echo the transmissions on the main viewer," Joelle Jones instructed.
The transmission was actually divided several ways. He and Rockford were each displayed split screen from their offices. For everyone else it was a triple split featuring the Blood Queen as well.
Smith and Kerber observed from the Data Womb. Daggit, Burrows, Ebert and Mudd from the cockpit of the Corsair. The detective squad watched from the Situation Center.
Tessa monitored her private line. Parva was was joined at her desk by the ranking engineers, Gilan and Celine Jones, no relation to Joelle. Jelena Kovic and Abby Collins watched from Security.
The Blood Queen was scowling, "Your cybersecurtiy is excellent, Commander. I can't tell how many eyes are on me."
"Is that a standing concern?" Macen inquired
"We're standing by to beam you down," she told him.
"No need, we can conduct business from here," Rockford told her.
"Now who is being paranoid?" the Blood Queen asked.
A minister broke into the chamber she was seated in, "Ro is dead! Kira's life was saved by a personal transporter inhibitor!"
"Who is responsible?" the Blood Queen raged.
"A Bajoran named Neela," the minister scraped lowly.
"She has been spared for execution?" the queen asked.
"She escaped and her personal craft took off. We're unable to track it...or the Obsidian." the messenger groveled.
"Macen!" the Blood Queen screamed.
"Anything gets close to the Ark of the Prophets, shoot it," Forger ordered Jaycee Miller
"Will do," Miller was all business now.
"Well, that was rewarding," Jones stated from the XO's seat.
"But hardly healthy gven where we are," Black mentioned.
"Angelique and Bailey have us covered," Forger explained, "They've been seeding Syndicate sites and ship's through comm relays every since the Waypoint incident. We, the Corsair, and the Ark are the safest ships in known space when it comes to Orion attackers."
"I wonder how the Queen is taking this news?" Jones snickered.
"Quite well, I imagine," Forger said drolly.
"I want heads and I want them now!" the Blood Queen raged.
"You do realize this was all a distraction to get me on world?" Gomer asked as her forces stormed the palace.
"How?" the Blood Queen gulped.
"That same Bajoran you're so desperately trying to kill," Gomer shared, "With help from the Intendent."
"I'll destroy Bajor," the queen vowed.
"Hard to do when you're dead," her Klingon disruptor was set to vaporize. The Blood Queen was defiant until her end
"Bring me Kira," Gomer told a compatriot, "And contact the Obsidian."
Gomer was on a private channel with Macen and Rockford.
"No one told us anything about Nechayev sparing Intendent Kira," Macen admitted.
"It was a private transaction between the admiral and the Intendant," Gomer shrigged, "Like ours used to be."
"Different times," Macen replied.
"I suppose," Gomer sulked, "But our deal stands. The death marks have been lifted from Detective Rockford and others in your crew."
"And Neela?" Rockford wondered.
"Will go her merry way, the poor Ro will stand unavenged. Especially by Kira," Gomer laughed, "You will tell me someday how Neela knew Kira wouldn't die?"
"She walks with the Prophets," Macen stated.
"All Bajorans say that," Gomer complained.
"Some actually mean it," Rockford told her.
"Really?" Gomer looked intrigued.
"It doesn't work that way," Rockford predicted.
"Which way?" Gomer looked chastened.
"Whatever way you were wondering about," Macen told her.
"Too bad," Gomer signed off.
"Have Angelique cue up the internal security logs," Rockford requested, "I want to see how Gomer supposes Neela knew Kira wouldn't die."
Interior security footage showed Neela in an ancient arm clasp with Ro, "Walk with the Prophets."
Next she gropped Kira's arm and told her, "I know this won't affect you but try and walk with the Prophets."
Then she hit her comm badge and transported out. Ro clutched her chest and fell dead as the explosive tore her heart apart. A small bang and curdle of smoke rose from a corner as Kira smirked.
"I like her," the Intendent decided.
Alvrin tried sounding the alarm but nothing would signal an alert as Kerber and Smith had intended. The Ark of the Prophets lifted cleanly and without hostilities. Comms were redirected to the sender. Except for Gomer's comm badge and those she contacted.
It was like a viral comm network inside the sickly host.
"Jaycee's firing phasers," Rockford announced before Macen even realized it.
"Angelique, give us the bridge monitor," Macen requested.
"Been waiting for that one," Kerber snickered.
Melbanian loyalists were firing on the Ark and Obsidian from sub-impulse raiders.
"Get this, according to Jaycee's readouts, they're armed with Type-8 phasers," Kerber continued.
"The Federation doesn't share that level of weaponry," Rockford made mention.
"But the Iotians do and have it for sale," Smith coolly remarked.
"Her sensors mark it as Federation Type-8s," Rockford said grimly.
"Edwin had already logged the slight phase variance between Federation weapons," Smith added.
"So much for Oxmyx and Kracko's promise of non-interference," Rockford sourly commented.
"They played both sides, Which is as close to neutral as they'd get, hence non-interference," Macen was grim.
"Jaycee and Neela have disabled all craft within response range," Smith was the voice of calm.
"Release Shannon and Neela to go to warp and have the Corsair crew stand down," Macen instructed.
"Everyone will be relieved," Smith sent the signal and the ship's warp engines engaged.
"The Ark is keeping pace with us," Kerber told them, "Parva's sending over Celine Jones and a repair crew to deal with some minor overloads and burnouts," Kerber informed them, "Anything else?"
"Patch me into Alynna Nechayev whether she wants to speak with me or not," Macen instructed.
"I'm staying on channel for this one," Kerber promised.
"No, we're not," Smith apprised her.
"Sometimes you're no fun, Princess," Kerber pouted.
"I was never a Princess," Smith reeoiled.
"As good as one, title notwithstanding," Kerber snarked as they signed off.
Amanda Forger and Nechayev split screened as well as the couple.
"I was wondering if you were in on it, Amanda," Macen made the opening remark.
"Intendent Kira was willing to negotiate, Ro wasn't," Forger shrugged.
'What did Kira negotiate?" Rockford asked.
"Her life in exchange for monitoring and reporting on Cell 51 activities, members, and goals," Nechayev told them, "I'd say we made a bargain."
"Yet you roped Neela into it rather than use a Double 0 agent," Rockford was disturbed.
"Neela came to us with the plan," Nechayev told her, "She said 'the Prophets called and she was answering their call. With certainty this time', whatever that means."
"The last time Neela used this precise phrase regarding an attempted murder, it was of Vedek Bereil for Winn Adami," Macen told them.
"Has Neela ever corroborated General Kira's theory?" Forger asked.
"Not as such," Rockford admitted.
"Winn s already one of the most reviled figures in Bajoran history, best to let that go," Macen advised them.
"Besides, she freely admitted to the murder of Ensign Akino," Rockford added.
"And her intention regarding Bereil," Macen stated.
"Hard to imagine her as the same young woman," Forger sighed.
"She's more that young woman than ever before," Nechayev said, "She's an even bigger religious fanatic now."
"Yet we know the aliens communicate to and through her," Macen rose to Neela's defense.
"One could argue that they speak through all of us now,"Forger mentioned.
"Not that same way, Amanda and you know it,' Macen argued.
"So we didn't have visions, we were still called to a common purpose," Nechayev refused to let go.
"The Prophets told Neela of your deal with Intendent Kira. She knew she risked her life for next to nothing yet she went anyway because they told her to," Macen informed them," Can we claim that such devotion to a calling?"
"Starfleet," Nechayev said defiantly.
"With everything that has happened?" Forger was dubious.
"I still believe in Starfleet unlike Admiral Picard and notable others. It's the current leadership I doubt," Nechayev replied.
"Point taken," Macen allowed.
"Commodore Oh is probably tapping into this," Rockford warned them.
"Starfleet Security doesn't have the sanction or capability," Nechayev scoffed.
On the other side of Starfleet headquarters, Oh gloated as she did indeed monitor the conversation. She'd wondered why Neela had been granted private audience and now she knew.
"Oh's underhanded but she shes still a Vulcan," Nechayev argued.
"So is Sakonna," Macen reminded her of his own former Maquis ally turned employee.
"We also can't discount the Logic Extremists," Rockford mentioned.
"Too true," Forger agreed.
"So Vulcans can be terrorists if they're so convinced,"Nechayev argued, "That doesn't make all of them traitors."
"Just not potential traitors or spies like everyone else," Macen countered,
"Or Romulans posing as Vulcans as in the past."
"I don't like your implication," Nechayev stated.
"Neither does Oh, I'm sure," Macen growled.
"You will not follow through with this line of inquiry," Forger ordered, "Or I'll cut your Starfleet contracts. Oh was acquitted by a Board of Inquiry and multiple IA and JAG investigations."
"Then it's on your head," Macen warned her.
"Celeste, I want your word on it," Forger pleaded.
"You have it," Rockford sighed, "And I'll even rein him in. For a price."
"Which is?" Forger asked stiffly.
"Drop all outstanding warrants on Nick Locarno," Rockford told her.
"He's lucky they left the planet named after him after discovering Tom Riker had a cloaked Eclipse in range to rescue Locarno and ward him him to safety so Macen could recruit him." Nechayev warned her.
"But he does need to stop calling the transportation service fleet under him 'Nova Fleet'," Macen muttered.
"What was that, Dear?" Rockford asked sweetly.
"Nothing," but everyone had clearly heard him. Two out of three agreed with him. "Nova Fleet" was still loaded with meaning. Locarno, discovering Sito Jaxa was still alive and working for Outbound Ventures, signed on immediately even without Thomas Riker's influence. Sito had worked for Riker before they signed up with Macen's company. Sito owed her freedom to Riker and Macen along with Ro, Neela, and Anara.
She happily signed up with Outbound Ventures with Riker.
Sito and Riker had met on Kodosh II. Kodesh was a hard luck prison for flight risks Which the pair had proven to be. As it was, Riker escaped with Romulan assistance and came back eventually for Sito. Macen had set him up with a Bonaventure-class starship so there was added room with the other ships to evacuate the Federation and Bajoran prisoners. Prisoners that included ex-Maquis as well as Starfleet.
Daggit and his Angosian platoon earned their pay that day. Their reward for volunteering was Angosia's admission to the Federation. Their behind the lines hit and run tactics with Ro ad Macen choked off Dominion supply lines. Criminals frequently receiving the blame as Ro and Macen investigated their own "crimes" against the Dominion. The Vorta vixen named Kilana believed they were were freelance intelligence gatherers disgruntled with the Federation after being Maquis and open to Dominion overtures. Ro and Macen played their roles masterfully. It took Kilana nearly two years to uncover the deception.
It cost Kilana 3 her life and the beginning of Kilana 4's tour of service. She eagerly joined Eris in joining with the renegade Founders posing as Jack Fowler and John Browder. Who were exposed by Cell 51 as fakes under Dylan Sorbo's leadership. "Browder" was still free to assume other identities. Kilana and Eris were striking deals with Cell 51 for continued service on the Founders' behalf without resorting to a coup.
Sorbo didn't trust the duplicitous Vorta but he was willing to exploit their resources in exchange for intelligence on Dominion activities in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants and the shifting moods and directives stemming from the Great Link. Half truths and distorted lies were better than a complete void of information. Which was what Cell 51 faced now.
Bartering for intelligence in exchange for existential survival paved an in-road with Starfleet. An in-road Nechayev was keeping clandestine even from her protégé and her top SID lieutenants. She knew the backlash it would breed if known or discovered. Macen cut his deal with Sorbo as a temporary truce. Nechayev was justifying Cell 51's existence. Much as Macen had blessed Gomer's return to power.
Starfleet had only established formal ties with the Orions a few years ago, well before Gomer lost the top rank in the Syndicate only to reclaim it again. Orion crime families felt vindicated to have Gomer reclaim the premiership of the Syndicate. Their prior objections to her rule evaporated in the wake of the Blood Queen's abortive reign. Gomer was now free to erect a proxy over the Melbanian nobility.
She'd choose an Orion female to return the insult. The non-Orion houses that had backed the the Blood Queen would have their leadership purged.
"Mixed word has come out of the Ipzik Cluster," Nechayev informed them.
"They'll be purchasing relatively advanced starships from the Iotians while keeping contractual ties with Outbound Ventures," Macen reported, "You sound disappointed, surprised, or all of the above?"
"Disappointed? Of course. Surprised? Hardly," Nechayev snorted.
"They'll be negotiating ongoing term contracts with Outbound Ventures minus SID subsidies or support," Forger replied, "But with the Syndicate off of their asses, it won't matter."
"The Syndicate isn't going away, just slowing down," Rockford warned, "That was a concession we had to give Gomer."
"She did agree to stop employing 'shock and awe' tactics though," Macen elaborated.
"You should be getting home in time for Locarno Day celebrations," Nechayev sneered.
"Yes, we should,' Macen cheerfully agreed.
"Pel discounts party rates for it at Quark's," Rockford enthused.
As the SID agents signed off, Forger chided Nechayev, "You didn't tell then about Pel."
"Neither did you," the Russian reminded the Briton.
Epilogue
"I can't believe Pel gave the job of managing Quark's to an outsider," Annabeth Frink complained disconsolingly.
"Pel had bosses to answer to as well," Aric Tulley reminded his longsuffering lover. Frink had pined away for Tulley during his time with the Maquis. Escaping the Dominion purge, Frink went from managing the local ale house, the Old Biddy, to managing another tavern on a Federation world. Her coming to Serenity after her divorce had been finalized for a few years to reunite with Tulley had been a step down back to bartender for Frink.
The side benefits were great but the actual job was now an insult now that Pel had been promoted to a district manager over Quark's franchises and left the station, leaving the local bar in the hands of a stranger: Miranda Wells. Quark's pick for who should take over the corporate franchise. Quark it seemed had a long memory for deal's gone sour when Frink had switched distributors from Quarks kickback laden franchise to a more reasonably priced one during the DMZ days. Frink had needed to escape the gauging in order to supply her bar with more than local ales and drafts. DMZ colonists didn't believe in synthales.
Though Frink was drowning her sorrows then this evening while Locarno held a holiday celebration. Locarno Day was big business since it was a corporate holiday and subsidized by the company. Drinks were "free" to corporate employees in a twenty-seven hour day rotation. There were always employees on shift and those in their ranks while others indulged or recuperated from doing so. Locarno himself got the full day off to MC. Sito wasn't as lucky as the Gamma Watch Security Supervisor.
Pel had bio scanners installed at the bar as children and teens could enter and be classified old enough or underage according to sensor scans and planets of origin. So Sito and Locarno brought their kids into it.
"The planet Locarno's unofficial moons," he boasted.
Sito had been pregnant before they married and given Bajoran gestation periods the twins were born before the wedding. The youngest was still an infant rather than a toddler. They'd taken steps to prevent having more children. Both cane from large families and station life was generally fairly safe but there was the big "if" someone would dare attack in violation of Barrinoran treaties. It had happened twice recently so it was plausible. Barrinor was less likely to punish individuals than planets.
The Syndicate had been an exception and survived through scheming. Over half of those "hunting" the Orion agents down were applauding them behind closed doors. The Iotian Federation was taking a wait and see approach towards Gomer's restored leadership rather than prosecute and the Iotians were among Outbound Ventures' closest allies. Bajor was too far away to be truly effective. Colonel Anara proposed adding a patrol but the First Minister vetoed it out of hand.
Outbound Ventures wasn't lacking for starships and crews. They just didn't keep many in port. If Macen and Rockford could make peace with Gomer in exchange for the Blood Queen's demise, that settled matters as far as political allies were concerned.
Neela was in attendance quietly conversing with the agnostic Sito. Sito certainly believed the aliens existed inside the Wormhole and that the Bajorans worshiped them. She just didn't join them in such. Neela found this to be a challenge. She'd aptly displayed the Prophets' translinear nature by providing information about Sito's past, present and near future. At least near enough for her future to have become her present and then her past. Detailed information only Sito would know. It went quiet a ways to proving the aliens were beyond space-time but that didn't mean she was signing up to join them in the Celestial Temple.
Neela found it refreshing to speak with a fellow Bajoran who didn't regard her as a religious icon. Neela was just Neela to Sito. She didn't find that connection with other Bajorans other than Anara, Kira, and Ro. Though Kira blended her religious adoration into it. Neela never questioned the Prophets choosing her but she questioned why they would choose such a flawed vessel. The Prophets had chosen a convicted murderer as their vessel. Truly chosen this time. Even the Emissaries felt it to be so.
She didn't kill in the name of the Prophets anymore. But she would for Bajor and its security needs as shown to her by the Prophets. Kira was one part respectful and belligerent when Neela turned down an assignment. She was equally exasperated when Neela operated on her own accord in Bajor's name. Which was the ostensible reason for Neela to be under Outbound Ventures' scrutiny. The real reason was Neela simply decided to be.
Macen knew the Prophets guided Neela for reasons none of them fathomed. With the Sisko, the Prophets widened their perspective beyond just Bajor. Neela was the agent for such matters. But even the Hand of the Prophets chafed under certain limitations imposed upon her by her gods.
Neela wanted a freer hand in dealing with the Orb of the Kosst Amajon and the Pah-wraith cult searching for it. Instead Sisko and Ghemor were tasked with locating the lost Orb and keeping it from the cult's custody. Neela was willing to to do what it took to deal with cultists, as amply demonstrated in the past. But the Prophets saw possibilities they refused to share with her so the task was that of their Emissaries. Neela had to admit she felt slighted. But that fault was hers not her gods'.
"I understand you just saw action," Sito mentioned to Neela.
"A standard assassination though Starfleet neglected to tell me one target was protected after cutting a deal with them," Neela said blandly, "Fortunately the Prophets had shown me the event so I knew Intendant Kira would survive our meeting."
"This is what you typically do?" Sito had never discussed Neela's work before.
"I target and eliminate threats to Bajoran security," Neela said evenly, "Or at least those the Prophets show me."
"And Commander Macen and Detective Rockford are fine with this?" Sito asked, "I can't see Captain Riker approving of that."
"It furthers their own agendas. Why wouldn't they approve?" Neela asked, "Captain Riker was once a Maquis. During the war he aided Macen and Commander Ro on several missions I took part in. You did as well."
"That was warfare," Sito flushed.
"Then I'm waging war by any other name," Neela told her.
"I'd hardly call it warfare," Sito scoffed as her infant sensed the shift of mood and began to fuss.
"Call it what you will but I eliminate emerging threats before they wage real war," Neela stated.
"I need to tend to Piro," Sito gathered up her youngest and excused herself.
"Hard day?" Kerber and Smith were suddenly at the table.
"Few understand your path," Smith said, "But that's no reason to abandon the path."
"You two would understand," Neela confessed.
"So does Macen. And even Ro and Riker. Most of the ex-Maquis here would," Smith reminded her.
"I suppose," Neela demurred.
"For all your 'supernatural wisdom' you're still so closed off. It's time to change that," Smith warned her, "Come, lets find Tracy and Harri. Tracy's empathy and Harri's enthusiasm will cheer you up."
"You make it seem so easy at times," Neela knew far more about the pair than they'd prefer to know about.
"It's all a façade I promise you that," Kerber replied.
"Let's do this then," Neela volunteered.
"You'll only slightly regret it," Smith promised.
They headed for the table where Mudd was chanting "Shots, shots, shots!"
Ebert rolled her eyes. Burrows was chatting with the nearby Daggit and Parva
"Sit down before Harri falls down," Ebert offered. Neela sensed a kindred spirit to Anara in Ebert and accepted the invitation.
"Starfleet seems happy with our work for once," Riker commented between shots.
"That's a first," Danan sneered.
"It is rare to get a pat on the back from Admiral Clancy," Rockford was suspicious.
"Even Clancy can only argue with so much success," Macen opined as he drank his coffee.
"Kort is well into his second bottle of prune juice," Riker noted, "He must be enjoying himself."
Macen was the other admitted alcoholic in the room so he understood Kort's dilemma of being in a bar with everyone else drinking. Radil was sympathetic and drank root beer.
Rockford, Danan, and Riker were sharing a top shelf bottle of Alderberan whiskey.
Danan would stop before becoming inebriated as befit her status as a Joined Trill. Rockford and Daggit could drink the whole room under the table as Angosian Augments.
"Another successful Locarno Day," Rockford decided.
"Pulling off a win help lighten the mood," Macen stated, "Gellar, Kendall, Tyler and Conner were greeted at the airlocks as conquering heroes."
Seles finally had her command of the Ikzip Cluster patrol and missed out on the festivities. Meanwhile, the other four captain were toasted.
"Gomer sacrificed those units in order to rid herself of the Blood Queen," Rockford had deduced.
"Correct," Macen concurred, "It was part of our deal,"
"So the Cluster was the Queen's obsession not the Syndicate's," Riker surmised.
"The ruling families on Orion could care less about the Ikzip Cluster. Which is why they didn't openly compete with the Iotians for arms deals. The Blood Queen just wanted a easy victory to prove the validity of her pissing off the Federation," Macen explained.
"The Orions always carefully balanced neutrality with criminal enterprise," Danan agreed, "The Blood Queen's blunt actions undermined that despite the obvious payoffs."
"Exactly. Which paved the way for Gomer's return. Oxmyx and Kracko garnered several concession before releasing Gomer to retake the Syndicate," Macen elaborated, "The cooperation between the two is better defined and formalized now."
"Any benefits for us?" Riker wondered as he sipped his whiskey.
"Both are committed to undermining Cell 51 now," Rockford chuckled, "Both sides feel used and abused."
"The Waypoint fiasco wouldn't have happened if Cell 51 hadn't persuaded the Blood Queen to undertake the endeavor," Macen told them, "Which given the Iotians investment into Bajor just pissed them off as well."
"The benefits and drawbacks for the Syndicate are already becoming apparent. Only Gomer's renewed leadership will save them from Akaar's wrath." Rockford assessed.
"So it's over?" Riker asked.
"Hardly," Macen said, "But it changes the power players."
"Still doesn't change the fact that Alynna made a backdoor deal with Cell 51," Rockford groused.
"What?" Riker sputtered.
"Why else spare Intendent Kira?" Macen asked.
"Helluva point," Riker agreed. A loud gong sounded throughout the station.
"This endeth Locarno Day. I'd better meet Ms. Wells and settle the tab," Macen rose and made his way to the bar where Miranda Wells kept track of every expenditure.
"As promised, everyone is back on their own tabs now," Wells offered Macen an itemized invoice. He didn't even check the balance before thumb scanning the latinum transfer.
"Trusting," Wells scoffed.
The accountants will review the receipt," Macen told the green jacketed woman, "Besides Quark knows better than to send a cheat here."
"Does he now?" she smirked.
"I'd kill him and you too," Macen said flatly. She didn't doubt him.
"You're people will find every expense is justified," Wells promised.
"Which means you breathe for a while longer," Macen told her, "And for Fates' sake, promote Annabeth Frink. She deserved your job. At least make her Assistant Manager."
"I already planned on it," Wells confessed, "Pel argued on her behalf but Quark wanted me here instead."
"We'll learn why soon enough, I suppose," Macen conceded.
"I suppose we will," Wells feigned ignorance.
"Oh, we will," Macen promised, "Pel could easily run her district from here yet Quark moved her halfway across the quadrant. You're here as more than a hospitality manager. Just be careful what kind of business you conduct on the side. Barrinoran justice favors corporate interests."
"Quark's or yours?" Wells asked.
"Construction of this space station was only partially subsidized by existing capital. Barrinoran banking loans and an investment bond paid for the rest. Needless to say, the local cartels are much more invested in my company than Quark's independent enterprise," Macen revealed.
"I'll let him know," Wells' confidence finally faltered.
"You do that,' Macen replied, "He wouldn't like hearing it from me."
"We tracked down the Daystrom file our Browder copy was interested in. It was a project called 'Proteus'. Designed to weaponize and harness captured Changelings," the Gray Cardinal reported to Sorbo, "The subjects in question managed to escape Daystrom Station. Obviously the Founders will want to contact them and recruit them."
"And how fare our recruits?" he inquired.
"Kilana and Eris quietly feed Brwder with all relevant hints and clues we uncover regarding the Proteans. It's only matter of time before a connection is established. On a side bar, they're conducting extensive research into the Borg. Particularly our intelligence indicating the presence of rival Borg Queens vying for control of the Collective," The Grey Cardinal told him.
"Stay on them," Sorbo instructed.
"Of course," the teenager finished her report and exited Sorbo's office aboard Redoubt.
Soon the station would be completely capable of warp speed travel. Cell 51 could resume the work they had been created for. Securing the Federation's future even more securely than Section 31 ever dared attempt.
The Special Investigations Division will return...
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