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The Orb 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
"This had better be good," Celeste Rockford growled at Neela in Serenity Station's briefing room. Brin Macen and Rockford had given the Nova-class Obsidian crew and their Starfleet Special Investigations Division Outbound Ventures team the month off. Yet here they were, three weeks into their vacation at their home on the colony world of Odin that Serenity orbited, back on the station.
"It is, I assure you," 0086 promised them. James Smart was a member of the clandestine Starfleet Intelligence 0 Sections even the Federation President didn't know existed. It had been that way since the United Earth Starfleet became the Federation Starfleet after the Coalition of Planets ratified the United Federation of Planets Charter.
"I can promise you what Neela has to say will astonish and vex you," Ziva Delain, the resident Cardassian Information Bureau agent, promised them. The CIB was the successor to the Obsidian Order. Delain was on Serenity to manage contracts that Outbound Ventures took on behalf of the Cardassian Union.
As a private security contractor incorporated outside of Federation space, Outbound Ventures worked for Starfleet and anyone else they chose to. Rear Admiral Amanda Forger, the Director of the SID, had hand selected Outbound Ventures as the agency's primary irregular forces contracting firm. This had led to actual bloodshed between rival security contracting firms in the past all vying for primacy in the contract retainer and assignments doled out by Starfleet through the SID.
Outbound Ventures had a fleet of 160 starships. After the last three weeks and some vetting by Starfleet Security, 52 Outbound Ventures starships, captains, and crews were eligible for SID contracts. By far the most of any private security contractor. The number didn't matter because there were always more contracts to be had than eligible contractors across the firms. But even amongst Outbound Ventures, Macen's team was the premier unit that Forger employed for especially dangerous or delicate assignments.
The SID was a co-venture between Starfleet Intelligence, Security, Internal Affairs, and JAG. Yet they weren't restricted by Starfleet regulations and routine operational codes. That was why Vice Admiral Alynna Nechayev, Forger, and then-Rear Admiral Robert Tavar Johnson had argued for not only the SID's existence but practice of employing irregular forces for outside missions Starfleet had no jurisdiction in and that required methods Starfleet wasn't allowed to employ. They'd taken their case beyond Starfleet's Fleet Admiral to the President and the Federation Council. They won approval but earned the enmity of then-Fleet Admiral Kirsten Clancy.
Due to ethics charges and those pertaining to violating regulations, Fleet Admiral Clancy had been busted back two ranks to Vice Admiral and put in charge of Starfleet Communications. Admiral Leonard James Akaar became the new Fleet Admiral. Since then, the Federation had weathered yet another of recent existential crises. Starfleet itself had been shaken to its core since the Mars Massacre in 2385, a mere two years ago. Akaar was confident he could restore Starfleet and set it back to its roots and traditions that it had followed since before there was a Federation.
"Spill," Rockford grumped and took a seat. She and Macen had stopped at the local Coffee Spot on the Promenade of the Cardassian built Nor-class station. There, Roberta Rolands had personally made her and Macen their favorite coffee beverages. Joining them for this briefing were Captain Thomas Riker, his Joined Trill wife and Executive Officer, Lisea Danan, and the Strategic Operations Officer for Outbound Ventures, Svetlana Korepanova. Riker, Danan, and Korepanova all wore Outbound Ventures SID uniform.
For non-undercover missions, Starfleet had eventually insisted that contractors adopt a variation of an outdated Starfleet uniform to signify they were contracted by the SID and operating on behalf of Starfleet. Macen, the founder and co-owner of the company, selected the Starfleet uniform from 2252-2269. Riker and Korepanova wore a variation of Starfleet's Command gold tunic. Riker wore the traditional black pants while Sveta wore the gold variant. Danan wore Sciences blue since she was also the head of the company's Sciences Division. Macen's team, since they generally worked covert operaions cases, wore civilian clothing while the crew of the Obsidian also wore civilian clothing.
But the crew had another week's worth of furlough. As did Macen's team. But everyone except for Angelique Kerber and Bailey Smith were on Odin or Barrinor. The two settled planets in the Brsknir system. Barrinor was the Class-M third planet in the system while its colony, Odin, was the Class-P glaciated fifth planet. Barrinor had begun as an Earth colony pre-dating the Federation. It matured into a world run by banking cartels and was the equivalent of Switzerland on Earth before the monetary system in the Federation was done away with. Odin's economy was based on winter sports tourism.
"Go on, or are we the last to hear about the trouble?" Macen asked.
"We're in the dark too," Riker told him, "We're only here because Chris Pike demanded we sit in to any contract Neela or Bajor offered you."
"This endeavor will be a joint operation paid for by both the Cardassian Union and the Bajoran Republic," Delain announced.
"We're doomed," Rockford predicted.
"You understand I can't employ my usual means of transportation. The ship's crew is scattered across the four quadrants," Macen advised them, "They won't be back for another week."
Neela had briefly served alongside the Solstice crew before its captain, Christina Noble, had recruited Sito Jaxa to man the CONN station when the ship deployed. Which was rare enough it generally didn't conflict with Sito's regular duties as Chief Deputy of the Gamma Watch for Serenity's Security Force. The Blackbird-class scout was a decommissioned Starfleet starship hat was identical to the SS Odyssey that Macen had commanded during his days with the Maquis. Most of the Odyssey crew served aboard the Solstice. In fact, except for Sito, the entire crew had been Maquis in Ro Laren's cell on Ronara Prime.
"And that would be why?" Macen inquired.
"Because our destination is the Dorvan Sector and the former Demilitarized Zone in particular," Neela told them all.
"What are the odds?" Riker wondered aloud.
"Doomed," Rockford groaned.
"We're listening," Macen said evenly. He'd spent twenty years on the front lines of the Border Wars between Cardassia and the Federation before joining the Maquis at Starfleet Intelligence's behest after the poorly conceived treaty established the DMZ. Nechayev thought she was manipulating the Maquis while Macen provided intelligence that enabled the Maquis to defend their interests that coincided with the Federation's. He'd served behind enemy lines during the Dominion War. Mostly in the Dorvan Sector.
"As you know, the Cult of the Pah-wraiths has been desperately searching for markers to lead them to the Orb of the Kosst Amojan they can use to liberate the Pah-wraiths and their Emissary from the Fire Caves. Traditional Bajoran Militia assets and Special Forces have been employed in circumventing their efforts. The Prophets led me to Izar where the Cult had obtained an obelisk from the black market. Carved into the obelisk were directions to the Dorvan Sector, specifying it as the lost location of the Orb," Neela told hem.
"That's how she met me. I was interested in buying the Obelisk for the London Museum of History when the cultists outbid me. I was attempting to locate them after securing additional financing in an effort to acquire the obelisk after they examined it," Smart stuck with the cover story given to Delain. The Outbound Ventures crew and team members knew the truth about Smart's status as a Double 0 and his affiliations.
"Unfortunately, the Cult managed to scan and transmit a copy of the inscriptions to an unknown recipient. So the Cult will be moving in on the Dorvan Sector to search every planet if need be," Neela predicted.
"The Cult of the Pah-wraiths has a certain following among my people who wish to follow in Dukat's footsteps since he is appointed as the aliens' Emissary," Delain explained, "Cardassian Guard units are unsuited to uncovering this brand of insurgency and the CIB lacks the manpower to cover the entire sector."
Everyone except Smart knew the aliens that dwelt in the stable Wormhole they'd created as their Celestial Temple to be worshiped as gods by the Bajoran people communicated regularly with Neela. Always a religious devotee even in the Resistance, Neela had been swayed by Vedek Winn Adami to assassinate Winn's chief rival to become kai. Neela had murdered a Starfleet ensign aboard Deep Space Nine while she was setting up her escape route.
Though she failed to kill Vedek Bereil Antos, he Federation intervened to have the usual Bajoran death sentence for murder commuted to twenty years imprisonment. While deep in study of the ancient Bajoran prophecies, the Prophets themselves came to Neela. She was shown the error of her beliefs and shown a true path of faith and told she was selected as their personal Hand in Bajoran security matters. Six months later, First Minisster Shakaar Edon pardoned Neela in exchange for dealing with the Cardassian terror network known as the True Way. After her success alongside her lifelong friend and Special Forces officer, Major Anara, Neela was offered the role of personal troubleshooter for Kai Winn.
Winn felt Neela's freedom was reward enough for not implicating her in the assassination attempt. Neela's perceived loyalty was the reason Winn thought she'd become her personal enforcer. But Winn's fury towards Neela herself was ignited when Neela informed Winn that she'd spared every perceived enemy that Winn sent her to kill and arranged for their safe passage out of reach of the Kai's further attempts on their lives.
An act of sabotage blew a hole in the cockpit of the troop transport that Neela and Anara shared custody over. Anara was saved by the SS Asimov but Neela vanished in the vacuum of space. The Prophets brought her into the Celestial Temple for teaching and then deposited her at a Bajoran monastery ten years in the future without aging a day. The Vedek Assembly accepted Benjamin Sisko's word as Emissary of the Prophets that Neela was the Hand of the Prophets delivered to them to help secure Bajor's future. Neela was so rattled by her people's devotion towards her she left the Bajoran Republic to operate out of Serenity Station when then given the chance by Macen and Rockford.
Neela wasn't part of Outbound Ventures but they accorded her company resources to maintain the Ark of the Prophets and provide quarters on the station. The Militia paid Neela's way and kept her as a reserve Colonel in the Colonial Forces. Colonel Anara commanded the Colonial Defense Forces, the largest division of the Militia's fleet, in lieu of the aged general that refused to retire or resign but had no interest in actually directing his command. Anara did the job to his satisfaction so he could concentrate on pointless schemes to ouster Kira Nerys as Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Kira's elevation to general and hen appointment by the First Minister as Chairperson rankled the elderly Colonial Forces commander who had seniority over every member of the General Staff. The general in question still thought his was the smallest command of the entire Bajoran Militia rather the largest and best equipped with three starbases and three shipyards under its command as well three-quarters of the Militia's warp capable starships.
"Of course we'll help," Macen said. Rockford refrained from comment. She knew it was a foregone conclusion when the Dorvan Sector was mentioned. That and she knew how important it was to deny the Cult the Orb of the Kosst Amojan. He continued to warn Neela though, "It'll take a day to gather my team and make arrangements with Captain Noble and the Solstice crew."
"Please hurry. We're running out of time," Neela pleaded, "It will take us three days to reach the sector even as close as we are given the propulsion limits of the ship and we're already lagging behind the Cult."
Blackbird-class starships had been fast for their day but they maxed out at Warp 8.3. Still, that was faster than the other starship Macen intended to employ, "Agent Delain, I need to get authorization for a second Outbound Ventures ship to join us in the Dorvan Sector."
"Why a second?" Delain didn't appreciate the miracle she was being asked to perform. Tensions were high between the Cardassian Union and the Federation since Starfleet instigated a war. The Federation had ended the war politically and made financial restitution but what little trust the Cardassian people had for the Federation after Reconstruction evaporated. Still, Outbound Ventures was a neutral party outside the Federation and they'd be working for Cardassian interests as well as their closest ally, Bajor, "Very well, Commander. I will try. But I already required rolling square stones uphill to get the Solstice crew of ex-Maquis cleared for this assignment. Who do you suggest I beat my head against a wall for this time?"
"Doctor Idaho Smith and the starship Neverwhere. Smith retired from Starfleet as their leading Archaeology and Anthropology Officer. He's a Commodore in our fleet. I need his expertise to help facilitate this search," Macen told her, "Where's the obelisk now?"
"In Starfleet Security's hands being examined by so-called 'expert' A&A Officers," Smart put in, "The Museum will get the artifact when they're done with it."
"Tell the museum they'll have to wait," Macen followed through with Smart's legend, "I intend to have Starfleet meet us at the border and hand over the obelisk to us."
"Will that require much more time?" Neela fretted, "Izar is a week away at conventional speeds."
"I'll request they use a Pathfinder-class courier ship. It's up to the task and can maintain maximum warp indefinitely by switching back and forth between its two pairs of warp nacelles," Riker told her.
"Thank you everyone," Neela said appreciatively.
"Come on," Rockford recycled her cup in the replicator, "I could use more coffee and everyone else will be busy."
"I won't be," Smart said.
"Go bury your liver at Quark's," Rockford suggested.
"Good enough. Brief Doctor Smith on the particulars and have him forward questions to me," Macen instructed, "Now I have to ruin my team's vacations and have a discussion with Chris Noble about staffing."
"I'll have Tom Eckles, Heidi Darcy, and Emjin Thool taken off repair duties at the dockyards to prep the Solstice for action," Korepanova stated.
"I'll send Chris to your office," Danan advised Macen.
"I'll tell Bryce to expect her," Macen's office assistant was one Bryce Fanning, "And someone thank Pike for having you present for this."
Lieutenant Christine Pike was a distant relative of Christopher Pike of fame and legend. She was also the SID's liaison officer with Outbound Ventures. She made the contract arrangements with Kathy Tyrol's management staff after briefing Riker's team on mission requirements and seeing of their suitable candidate available for the job. Admiral Forger's staff personally made arrangements for Macen's team since that level of assignment was above Pike's security clearance. Still, she was kept busy with lesser emergencies. Macen knew Forger wouldn't be calling for another week so he had her grace to accept Neela's project right now. Depending on how long it took to locate the lost Orb, timing could critical in that department as well.
"Chris Noble is here to conference," Fanning commed Macen.
"Let her in," Macen had just finished arranging the obelisk's transfer with Starfleet. The rendezvous with them and the Neverwhere was to take place at Starbase 47, just across the Federation's border with Cardassian territory. It was also former DMZ space given to the Cardassians as a gesture of goodwill following the Dominion War. The surviving Federation colonists were forcibly removed this time.
"I understand we're teaming up," Noble said as a greeting, "The center seat is yours for the taking."
"Chris, it doesn't have to be mine," Macen allowed, "I'm not captain of the Obsidian anymore and things run smoothly."
"Eckles, Darcy, and Lacey would have my head if I remained captain with you aboard especially with you reuniting them with Ebert," Noble laughed, "I'm assuming she'll be our chief CONN Officer."
"You assume correctly," Macen knew Christine Lacey would lead the mutiny to install a Macen dictatorship if he didn't accept Noble's offer here and now, "I'll play captain but I need you as my exec and Tulley as 2nd Officer."
"He'll get to play Tactical Officer on my watch. Which will suit him just fine. He's bored silly standing by in case Lacey gets hurt," Noble admitted, "Who will be my CONN Officer?"
"Harri Mudd," Macen chuckled.
"Now that'll be rich with Tulley on the bridge," Noble gave an evil chuckle, "I suppose you'll be stealing Elfi from me on OPS."
"Of course," Macen concurred. Elfi Hendryks was the best candidate for the job of anyone aboard so of course he'd take advantage of being captain to keep her.
"Since you're bringing Parva on board, I'll switch Thool to OPS," Noble decided, "How many empty hands are you bringing with you?"
She knew none of the SID team, other than Parva and the EMH named Tessa, had any shipboard responsibilities aboard the Obsidian. Macen eased her mind, "I doubt Celeste will bearing the bad news to her team so that leaves her, Rab Daggit, and Tony Burrows. Who are all good in a fight and I need Celeste's deductive skills," Macen told her.
"It'll be nice to carry an actual doctor for a change," Noble admitted, "Where is Celeste? I half expected her to join us."
"She's easing the client's mind," Macen grinned.
At the Coffee Spot, Roberta Rolands hand delivered a cup of coffee specially made for Neela, "Penny for your thoughts?"
"What's a penny?" Neela asked as she gratefully accepted her second cup.
"I dunno," Rockford admitted.
"And you pretend to be human," Rolands chided her, "A penny is an archaic form of coin used on Earth."
"You're not even from Earth," Rockford scolded the barista.
"But I'm a thorough student of history in my spare time. I just like people so I never applied my doctorate," Rolands told them.
"You're a historian?" Rockford had never known that and felt bad about it.
"Amd a sociologist and an anthropologists. I don't want people calling me 'Doctor Rolands'. I never did but I liked learning so I finished my post-doctoral programs at Oxford and stuck with my day job as a barista. I got the traveling bug and heard from the corporate ladder there was an opening here when the station opened so I applied. And now, here I am," she explained, "Nick has a Master's in Comparative Literature and speaks seven languages compared to my three."
Nick Claus was manning the till during the slump when they didn't need both of them running the espresso machines, "So, why are you so glum, chum?"
"I'm failing my gods," Neela said miserably.
"It's a matter of perspective. I've been trying to convince her she's made all the right steps to successfully save the literal day," Rockford caught Rolands up as much as she dared to.
"Customers talk. And some of them talk about you. They say you actually talk with your gods," Rolands said.
"They speak to me and I listen," Neela said humbly.
"Again, a matter of perspective," Rolands agreed with Rockford's assessment, "The Prophets have rarely spoken with anyone and you're one of the fortunate few they talk to. Have they chastised you or warned you you're on the wrong pah?"
"No," Neela admitted, "But maybe I'm just not listening anymore."
"I'd say that's partially true," Rolands agreed, "Otherwise you'd realize their silence is approval for what you've been doing."
"I never considered that," Neela admitted.
"No, because you're one those that carries weight of the universe on their shoulders. You need to let go of some of your guilt and take control of what you actually can do rather than assume universal fault. You've done everything you pissibly could, correct?" Rolands argued.
"As I saw fit to," Neela was starting to warm to the topic.
"Then all you can do is wait and pray," Rolands told her, "You're sitting here with Detective Celeste Rockford. Who's such a problem solver she's famous for it and has a series of detective agencies named after her. She co-owns this station. If she's here with you that means she's probably working with her co-owner husband, whose the second biggest problem solver in the company."
"Thank you for that distinction," Rockford chuckled.
"Like I said, customers talk. And your husband creates as many problems as he solves. Usually for other people but on occasion he cluster frinxes the deal for his own. But he's my best customer so I let him slide on it," Rolands laughed, "That and he tells me histories of planets in the Delta Quadrant."
"Which he rarely does," Rockford confessed.
"Most people are more concerned with here and now rather than far away and long ago," Rolands stated, "They don't see themselves repeating what others have done and learned from before them."
"Like I'm doing," Neela understood why Rolands had been brought to her now, "I felt this lost in prison too. But I studied the scared texts more and more, I grew a greater understanding of what the Prophets intended for Bajor and eventually they touched me and showed me where I'd been errant for so long."
"My point in a nutshell," Rolands congratulated her, "You've come out the other side. So cheer up. This is a happy place."
"Thank you," Neela said with heartfelt expression.
"Anything to help," Rolands excused herself, "The afternoon crowd is showing up now and Nick will need my help. Later. Nice meeting you."
"Now I understand why this place is always busy," Neela comprehended at last.
"Roberta and Nick are the best," Rockford admitted, "Though I hate to admit I was blindsided on how educated they both are."
"It's easy to overlook the details of a person's life if one doesn't care enough to ask about it," Neela stated.
"Which is my din," Rockford sighed, "I've been taking them for granted."
"So now you know and you can change it," Neela was far happier than when she'd stepped in.
"Well, my idiot husband obviously knew and didn't tell me," Rockford grumped.
"He can't ask the questions for you," Neela said, "I have to trust in him."
"You have before," Rockford reminded her.
"It seemed different but now I realize that it wasn't. Bajor was in peril hen as it is now. Yet Commander Macen followed me in faith to achieve the desired results," Neela was beginning to understand her lesson.
"Brin's a big one for faith. Me, not so much. But I love him for it," Rockford shared.
"You don't have faith in the Prophets?" Neela asked, "Even after what you've experienced?"
"I have faith in what I know. I know the people I work with. I know cold, hard facts. I know Wormhole aliens think they decided my fate but I'll take I from here, thank you very much," Rockford shared.
"You think you know but there's a realm you know nothing about. Your journey will be a difficult one," Neela said.
"The Prophets tell you that?" Rockford grew cynical.
"My own experience tells me that," Neela stated candidly, "Life isn't about facts or feelings. It's about what you believe. Your belief says there's no room for faith in your life. Bu you respect it in others because secretly you wished you could join them. I'm telling you, you can."
"Okay, I think our bonding pep talk is done," Rockford decided,"Let's see what trouble 0086 has gotten into."
"You don't trust him," Neela noted.
"I don't trust what he represents. A secret faction of Starfleet even the President doesn't know about? We just dismantled Cell 51 for being the same thing. What makes the 0 Sections above reproach?" Rockford said baldly.
"Some would say the same about you," Neela reminded her.
"I'm answerable to my client. Whether it be you, the Bajoran government, Cardassia, or the Starfleet. I'm held accountable for my actions in the field. I don't have a 'license to kill' without review of the circumstances," Rockford was growing heated with her argument.
"You believe this?" Neela asked.
"I do, with all my heart," Rockford bvowed.
"Then you have faith after all," Neela smiled.
"Let's just find Smart," Rockford returned their mugs to the washing station. Claus and Rolands believed in reusing the mugs. They said the ceramics absorbed the coffee flavor, enhancing the experience even after being washed. Rockford didn't know if she believed that but she wouldn't debate it. Neela's words hung heavily with her. Did she have faith in her own lack of faith? Did that paradox really run her life? She didn't want to know quite yet.
At Quark's they found Smart at a table surrounded by women of various races. He frowned at seeing them, "I do believe my chaperones have arrived. But we have this evening and then I shove off."
Several planted kisses on him as they sauntered away. Rockford scowled, "Sarina was right. You have no shame."
"And how is 0212?" Smart asked, "Still safe at Deep Space Nine when it isn't threatened to become a war zone?"
"What's your agenda in this?" Rockford asked a she took a seat across from him, "You did your bit and assessed the Cult of the Pah-wraiths as a threat to Federation Security. You have no jurisdiction in Cardassian space. So why are you still coming along?"
"To see the mission through. I was assigned to assess the threat and then neutralize it if need be," Smart downed his martini and flagged a waiter to order another one, "The threat still looms so I'm coming along to make certain this chapter gets closed."
"And if we say otherwise?" Rockford asked.
"Then I'll proceed to the Dorvan Sector via alternative transport and still complete my mission," Smart said coldly, "You can't stop me, Detective Rockford. This is what I do. And I'm damned good at it."
"Do you even know how to play an archaeologist?" Rockford asked.
"I'm a quick study," Smart boasted.
"I'm certain our Cardassian rivals will be too," Neela warned him, "Just don't interfere in the professionals' work."
"Even I've heard of Doctor Idaho Smith in whatever rank he holds. And I'm familiar with Brin Macen's past with the El-Aurian Survey Corps. My role is to assist them however I can. But I'm also here to assist Rab Daggit and Tony Burrows in providing security so they can work."
"We'll bring you along. If for no other reason than to keep an eye on you so you don't foul our relations with the Cardassians and break the detente between the Cardassian Union and the Federation," Rockford decided.
"Most kind of you," Smart smirked as he downed another drink, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another few libations to enjoy before I retire for the evening with my lovely new friends."
"I'll leave you to them then," Rockford rose.
"Detective Rockford, I'm so glad we had this chat. It cleared a great many mysteries up," Smart remarked before Rockford could lead Neela out of Quark's.
"This had better be damned good," Parva complained as Nick Locarno's runabout service to Barrinor returned her and Rab Daggit to Serenity from their home on Barrinor. Serenity was the trade hub of the Brsknir system as well as Outbound Ventures corporate headquarters. All visitors to Barrinor or Odin had to travel by the runabout and shuttle services run by Locarno for Outbound Ventures. Freighters had to dock at the station to unload their cargoes for native transportation to take them to the planets. The Customs work was one of the prices the corporation paid to operate their station in the system. Gerrit Gren oversaw both Security and Customs on Serenity. The Bajoran Chief, like his Bajoran Chief Deputy, Radil Jenrya, had worked alongside Macen in the past before the station was built and they transferred to Security duties. Gerrit's other Chief Deputy of the Gamma Watch, Sito Jaxa, was also Bajoran. Sito had come to Outbound Ventures by virtue of being Tom Riker's XO when he had his own independent command. They'd met in the Cardassian prison hellhole of Kodosh II where the Cardassians transferred all of their likeliest to escape prisoners after Riker had nearly successfully escaped Lazon II.
Macen and Ro had assisted Riker in liberating the Federation and Bajoran prisoners from Kodosh II. Thus fulfilling Riker's promise to Sito when he'd finally escaped Kodosh II with Sela's unwitting assistance a year earlier. Sela had been there to rescue her mentor, who'd been arrested by the Cardassians on espionage charges a year before. Using privateer forces, Sela had tracked her mentor down to Kodosh II and successfully rescued him from a work detail.
He'd insisted that Riker join them. Riker and Sito had protected him from angry Starfleet prisoners but Sito was on a separate work detail that day. Riker demanded they also rescue Sito but Sela flatly refused. Her mentor promised Riker he'd keep track of Sito's well being and deliver the coordinates of Kodosh II to Riker when Riker was in a better position too affect a rescue.
Macen learned of Riker's escape but not where from. Sela cut Riker loose when it became apparent he wouldn't cooperate in any of her schemes to destabilize the Federation. Macen located Riker and arranged for him to own a shuttle/courier service in the Kalendra Sector staffed with Maquis survivors with Maquis raiders as vessels. Macen provided Riker himself with a Bonaventure-class starship. The first Federation starship to achieve Warp 7 based on the United Earth Starfleet's NX- refit-class. Macen arranged for the transfer of ownership from the Terra Nova Starfleet Starship Depot to Riker's possession.
Starfleet, after a ban imposed upon Outbound Ventures by Fleet Admiral Kirsten Clancy, had received decommissioned Starfleet vessels again under newly promoted Fleet Admiral Leonard James Akaar. The Iotian Starfleet had supplied most of Outbound Ventures starships but a few of the originals utilized by the company had been decommissioned Starfleet vessels. Most of the Starfleet vessels were early 24th Century to mid-24th Century vessel types. A handful of more advanced starships had come into Outbound Ventures' possession but they required rebuilding from the keel up. So they were long term investments in the future of corporate operations.
The SID eligible crews manned starships whose designs dated from the 2230s to the 2350s. Each captain and crew selected for their ability to meet any challenge based upon their Starfleet career and their decision to resign or retire from Starfleet given its recent history. So from commanding officers overseeing the seemingly lowliest Asia-class to the more recent Hokule'a-class, every crew functioned at the peak of their proficiency given whatever assignment the SID had for them. Riker had the only Ambassador-class starship as the station's defensive outrigger. Her skeleton crew not designed for long or short term missions.
Some commanders and crews relished the opportunity to rise above while serving aboard a pre-2270s' isolinear-based starship and serve aboard a duotronically based Asia- or Constitution-class starship. Others would defend their post-refit designed starships as being the true legendary vessels Starfleet had once fielded. Others exulted in their early-24th Century model starships and the improvements Starfleet had made in that time. Whether they were Starfleet yards constructed or Iotian analogues of historical vessels, each captain and crew defended their ships' capabilities to perform its assigned duties at peak proficiency.
The same held true of the entire Outbound Ventures fleet, SID or not. Corporate managers assigned the non-SID ships to their patrols or escort duties and received reports confirm the success fo the assigned task or an incident report regarding contact with pirates or other hostile forces. Riker's team handled the logistics and strategic operations of the SID ships. As the leader of the Maquis Architect Program, Korepanova had overseen strategic planning for every Maquis cell. Kristiana Liu had worked for retired Rear Admiral Elijah Waters at his DMZ Freight and Courier Company. Both were ex-Starfleet. Liu's job for Waters was to provide legitimate employment for Maquis ships that put them in a justifiable radius to the Archiects' planned targets.
Waters had also been Macen's handler and helped provide Starfleet Intelligence reports to Macen in addition to Macen's own scouting forays in Cardassian space as a freelance information broker. Macen then provided Korepanova and Ro with up to date intelligence on Cardassian fleet and troop movements. Ro had her own network of friendly informants to tell her about Cardassian paramilitary movements on Ronara Prime as well as workings within the Cardassian appointed human government that administrated the colony.
The Architect Program also ran the Bajoran Militia's interstellar security operations. So Anara and Neela received their strategic planning from a Maquis source that freelanced for the Bajoran Republic. There were many within the Militia that were displeased when Major Kira and Constable Odo arrested Korepanova and her team. The Federation sentenced them to penal colonies. But Korepanova herself, allied with Liu, revived the Program to run Ro and Macen's missions behind Dominion lines. They received full pardons for their efforts and were eventually located and hired by Macen to join Outbound Ventures. Macen hired on as many of the survivors of the Ronara Prime Maquis cell as would enlist. Other notable additions had been Sakonna and Hakatay from Cal Hudson's cell on Volon III.
Macen and Rockford gathered the team members that could be there along with the Solstice crew to have Neela brief them on what was at stake. Macen and Noble outlined the duty roster and shift rotations. There would be two watches. Parva would man Engineering during Macen's watch while Eckles and Darcy ran things during Noble's time as captain. Lacey would man Tactical for Macen while Tulley would so for Noble. Tessa was on call at all times. Rockford, Daggit, and Burrows had no shipboard duties other than to fill in as needed within the scope of securing the starship. Delain, Smart and Neela would be their passengers. Smart's cover story was used for hthe Solstice crew as well.
The Blackbird-class was designed to house a crew of twenty-two. Three officers and the rest enlisted. Which meant four private rooms and then nine double bunked quarters. For a change, there would be enough crewmen aboard to warrant the double bunks. Macen and Rockford shared private quarters as did Noble, Tulley, and Daggit and Parva. Everyone else were assigned quarters on a lottery basis except for Ebert and Mudd who volunteered to bunk together since they'd be on opposite watch rotation and Eckles and Darcy would share a room. Darcy's wife would understand and feel confident in Darcy's decision. She herself worked for a cruise liner for two weeks out of the month and was assigned joint quarters. Besides, Eckles and Darcy had been an engineering team since their days aboard the Odyssey.
Delain volunteered to share quarters with Smart. She wanted to observe the archaeological assistant more closely it seemed. It would be challenge for Smart, who'd never bedded a Cardassian woman before to see if he could seduce as he was wont to do. She was suspicious of him while he was wary of her blowing his cover. So the cat and mouse game began even before the starship set sail.
The SID team and the regular Solstice crew were given to unpack and repack or just pack given whichever circumstance they found themselves in. For the crew it was an opportunity to ditch their usual corporate Starfleet based uniforms and dress casually. For those returning from Odin, it meant dressing more coolly rather than bundled up for the glaciated world's winter weather. Macen also made the call that the crew, like his team, would go armed at all times.
Outbound Ventures purchased Bajoran small arms and tricorders in bulk to issue to all fleet and Station Security members. Macen despised the Starfleet surplus small arms dating back to the 2350s and beyond. He preferred the "point and shoot" simplicity of Bajoran arms. They had two settings: heavy stun or kill and it was easy to tell them apart. The tricorders weren't as effective or as sensitive as their Federation counterparts but they were easier to use and read.
Given the hour on the station and the Barrinoran day, Noble commanded the watch when the Solstice cast off from the Outbound Ventures dockyard orbiting five hundred thousand kilometers away from Serenity. A quick hop in a Mosquito-class runabout. The runabout was designed to ferry sixty crewmen at a time so dock workers that lived on the station caught a ride to report to their duty shifts. Normally, Eckles, Darcy, and Thool would be among them.
No one knew what to expect out of Mudd as the Gamma Watch CONN Officer. Noble knew Mudd piloted, maintained, and modified her own Bajoran scout vessel. So she was capable. But how well would she take orders? But Mudd flew the Solstice out of the Yard without incident. She then set their course and promptly kicked her feet up onto her station board and fell asleep.
Noble and Tulley were so startled they didn't quite know how to respond. Finally, Noble approached Thool, "Re-adjust our heading by three degrees starboard."
"All right," the amused Thool was baffled by the order.
Mudd immediately woke up and made the appropriate course correction. Then she went back to sleep. Now Noble knew how Mudd had flown her scout alone for so many years. Frankly, they'd be traveling through Federation space to rendezvous with a Starfleet courier and the Outbound Ventures vessel, Neverwhere before crossing the Cardassian frontier. So they'd all be bored silly until then. So maybe Mudd's strategy paid off in the end. But Noble couldn't bring herself to lean back and sleep. Tulley and Thool kept themselves busy monitoring local space while Noble began reading from a padd. She assumed she'd finish the periodical by the time they reached Starbase 47.
The Neverwhere was assigned an orbital track around the starbase. He courier had been and gone, consigning the obelisk to Commodore Idaho Smith as per Macen's instructions. As Ebert coordinated a course and speed with the Neverwhere's helm officer, Macen, Rockford, Neela, Delain, and Smart beamed aboard Smith's command. There they were met by Lena Davis, the XO and day to day commander of the vessel as Smith frequently left her in command to putter about on a planetary surface.
"Welcome aboard, Doctor Smith is eager to see you again, Commander Macen," Davis informed him.
"Doctor Smith?" Smart asked.
"The Commodore hates being addressed by his rank," Davis gleefully explained.
"Some things never change," Macen grinned.
They were led to the chief laboratory aboard the starship. The Sciences section of the Solstice was small but fairly comprehensive. The Constitution Phase II-class design was updated from its original specs to something more appealing to Smith. The obelisk sat on a table with holographic representations of each face floating before Smith. Even to the pinnacle and beneath the base were displayed.
"Doctor Smith, Commander Macen is here," Davis interrupted his examination, "He's brought along a party to assist you."
"Macen? Never should have become a spy. He was a damn fine A&A Officer," Smith muttered. Idaho Smith 1]
"He's in the room," Davis chuckled.
Smith moved away from the displays, "Quite a puzzle box you've handed me, Macen."
"I've brought along the pair that originally liberated it and handed it over to Starfleet Security," Macen introduced Neela and Smart, "This is my brilliant wife, Celeste Rockford, who solves puzzles for a living. And finally Ziva Delain, our CIB minder."
"I'm pleased to meet you all. I take it you can read ancient Bajoran texts?" Smith asked Neela.
"Adequately. I scanned the glyphs and have been studying them,. I believe 'puzzle box' is the correct term for this marker, Doctor Smith. Several of the lesser glyphs have double translations and meanings that change the nuance and importance of the message the scrip reveals," Neela explained.
"I like her," Smith told Macen, "Go on."
"The literal modern translation gives away the Dorvan Sector's coordinates as the location of the lost Orb. But you begin working through the subtler textual meanings and it narrows it down quite a ways," Neela informed him, "In fact, I believe it gives away a planetary position to start looking at."
"How so?" Smith was pleased by this.
"This inversion marking changes the coordinates to a single location found in the Ronara system. I believe we should search Ronara Prime for further evidence of the Orb's location," Neela finally told everyone.
"It makes sense that it could go undiscovered in Ronara Prime. The Rangers were still scouting and cataloguing the planet when the treaty placed Ronara Prime inside the DMZ," Macen told him, "Ro Laren's Maquis cell and I operated off of there for a few years before the war began. Most of the planet's surface is still heavily forested or raw jungle. The primary colony settled one of the rare grasslands to use as agricultural land. They specialized in growing coffee beans. It was a thriving export until the Cardassians assumed control and instilled a puppet human governor and administration. Besides the main city, there were only a dozen or so agri-colonies spread across the plains."
"How far into the interiors did these Rangers get?" Smith asked.
"Not far. They discovered a cave network that was used as central defensive command by the border colonies before we assumed control of it. Other than yhat we found the wreckage of a Starfleet vessel lost in the 22nd Century. We had three rangers as members of the cell and they'd help chart a few hundred kilometers in each direction around the colonial territories but they were spread very thinly and never announced any major finds beyond the cave system that was utilized as a military command."
"Agent Delain, have your people charted further into the interiors?" Smith asked her.
"The Cardassian colony now on the planet primarily took up where its Federation predecessors left off. Survey teams have scanned the planet for vital resources and found nothing. Ronara Prime is beneath the Detepa Council and the Central Comamnd's interests," Delain informed them, "Even the cave network and its obvious usage was ignored as being impractical for military purposes."
"How well did the rangers chart the mountains the caves were formed in?" Smith asked.
"Flybys only," Macen told him.
"Why?" Smart was intrigued by Smith's question.
"Because of this glyph that the translation program refuses to render," Smith pointed it out on the floating display..
"It's a pictogram rather than language," Neela told him, "It's a rune indicating a mountain."
"So these caves and their mountain originators become more interesting," Smith stated.
The caves were thoroughly mapped out by the Maquis. There wasn't anything unusual or fabricated in them until the colonists began construction within them but the mountains themselves are pristine," Macen told him.
"And essentially useless rock," Delain added.
"Will your government share cartographical imagery with us?" Smith asked Delain.
"Certainly but why?" Delain asked.
"Neela?" Smith grinned.
"Because we're looking for a match to this pictogram," Neela pointed a the rune.
Chapter Two
It took the Cardassian survey corps several hours to respond but the computer quickly found a mountain shaped to match the pictogram. Smith was pleased that they'd narrowed it down that far, "So we have a planet and a large mountain to search. This could still take years."
Has anyone thought to scan the interior of the obelisk?" Rockford asked.
"No," Smith grinned, "Which we should have given the nature fo the obelisk as a marker. I must be getting senile."
The sensors read the interior of the obelisk and rendered an image. In it there were markings found inside the stone itself. Smith congratulated Rockford, "Brilliant deduction."
"These are coordinates to a temple according to the description given. A temple with the final marker," Neela read the text so recently found.
"It can't be that easy. The Cult of the Pah-wraiths has been searching for this Orb for centuries," Smart scoffed.
"Evidence turns on the smallest detail," Macen told him, "This obelisk was found outside the Bajor Sector. Probably put there by cultists seeking to escape the Vedek Assembly and its enforcers."
"And my people had contact with Cardassia Prime by that point. So cultists could easily have hidden the Orb for a future generation to find and employ if the Pah-wraiths were still imprisoned at that time," Neela explained.
"And the Cult was restricted to Bajorans at that time," Smart remarked, "Opening the ranks to non-Bajorans has increased its reach."
"Obviously if even my people are willing to fall for such idiotic nonsense as 'Pah-wraiths'. No offense intended to your beliefs," Delain apologized to Neela for her remark.
"My people are used to the Cardassians laughing at us for our faith in the Prophets," Neela admitted, "But they do exist. Even Starfleet acknowledges that even if they don't consider them to be gods."
"We need to be able to survey this mountain before we ever attempt to transport down and begin our search," Smith broke the tension, "If we could narrow the search grid down to a few kilometers."
"There's an anomalous reading here," Macen was studying the Cardassian survey logs, "The survey corps dismissed it as abandoned debris left behind by the Federation settlers when they were forcibly relocated by Starfleet."
Smith studied the map, "There are some odd readings for the area concentrated within a two kilometer grid. We'll start there."
Smith tapped his comm badge, "Smith to Davis, prepare to alert the Solstice that we're altering course for Ronara Prime."
"I'd better get back to the ship to smooth some fraying nerves. Most of the crew served in the Maquis cell on Ronara Prime," Macen told Smith.
"Maquis in the SID?" Smith was amazed, "I guess if they'll take me in they'll accept a diverse group."
The research group beamed back to the Solstice to find Burrows manning the transporter, "We really are headed to your old stomping grounds?"
"Looks that way for now," Macen confirmed it, "How'd you know?"
"Lacey informed the whole crew. Everyone's up now and the bridge waiting for you to confirm or deny it," Burrows warned him, "Rab is in Engineering staying out of the way. Harri and Tessa are in the Galley where Tessa is trying out cooking. Harri's making sure the food is edible."
"Thanks for the warning," Macen grinned.
"I'll join Harri and Tessa," Rockford excused herself, "This is on you."
"I'll be in my quarters making my report to my superiors," Delain informed him, "They'll want to know our destination and clear it through Central Command."
"Thank you," Macen acknowledged the finesse Delain was applying to their itiuation.
"I think I'll check out the Galley," Smart dismissed himself.
"You might need my help," Neela told Macen.
"I hope not but stand by in case," Macen grimaced.
The turbolift doors revealed a frazzled group standing about the bridge. Even Eckles and Darcy were present and they'd rarely set foot on Ronara Prime, preferring to remain aboard the Odyssey when she was in orbit.
"Is it true?" Noble asked, "We're going home?"
"We are going to Ronara Prime. Neela and Doctor Smith uncovered evidence that the next clue is on the planet if not the Orb itself. There isn't enough evidence to distinguish between the two possibilities," Macen told the assembly.
"We really have to go back now that the Cardassians have taken over completely?" Tulley was outraged.
"Damn straight!" even Thool was angered.
"We won't be anywhere near the original colonies. The site we'll be inspecting is in the mountains on the primary continent," Macen explained, "I'm not asking any of you to go down there. I know the sights and sounds will be painful for you. My team will conduct the search. Delain is clearing a path for us with the Central Command but I need all of you in orbit to warn us about incoming traffic."
"You're actually expecting trouble?" Noble was still stunned by the news of their destination. It still struck too close to home.
"I think the Cult is connected to officials within the Cardassian government. For all we know the updates Delain is sending in bringing the cultists to us," Macen told them.
"And how will be able to tell if incoming traffic is trouble?" Elfi Hendryks asked from her post at OPS.
"The Cardassians see Ronara Prime as a waste of resources now that they're not trying to conquer it. Any traffic at all will be suspicious. Especially any military traffic," Macen told her, "Macet and Maret were dealt with but Dukat still has a cult of personality among Cardassian commanders. The very cultists searching for the Orb in Cardassian space might be elements of the Cardassian Guard looking to restore the Central Command's glory days as the ruling body on Cardassia Prime."
"You think a rogue faction of Dukat worshippers could still be in the Cardassian Guard?" Tulley asked.
"The Guard never purged their ranks after the war ended. The recent conflict with Federation would make their position seem credible to new commanders. The Old Guard supported Maret and Macet in their invasion plans of Bajor even though the Bajorans are Cardassia's closest allies," Macen reminded him, "Those officers are still in place. Many are probably frozen in rank because of their questionable politics. Military officers io Cardassia are still political animals. They wield an outsized portion of sway over public opinion. Castellan Garan and the Detepa Council have come a long way in a very short time but we're still looking at a very autocratic society. And they like it that way."
"I still hate them," Noble confessed.
"I agree," Tulley had always had the greatest and well deserved animosity towards Cardassians. He no longer wanted to exterminate them as a race but being in Cardassian space made for tempting targets for Tulley's lingering anger issues. Noble's confession was a litle more surpising but equally well deserved.
"If a military cruiser shows up, do we fight it?" Thool asked.
"Only if they engage us and the Neverwhere first," Macen warned him, "We're employees of the Cardassian government in this. Our role isn't to fight the military. But we can't let them take the Orb or a clue to finding it."
"Sucks to be us," Noble grumbled.
"No one expected this development but it was always a possibility entering the Dorvan Sector," Macen told them.
"You said to Doctor Smith the planet's Rangers hadn't surveyed very far into the interior. But you also said you had three rangers as members of Ro Laren's Maquis cell. Would they know anything about the site we'll be exploring?" Neela asked.
"For once, I don't know how to contact any of them," Macen admitted.
"I do," Hendryks shared, "Natalie Donner and Liam Hemingway live together on Izar. They're part of the forestry service there."
"You never mentioned that when I visited you on Izar," Macen complained.
"Yeah," Ebert joined in, "I would've loved to seen Nat and Liam again."
"They've settled into their new lives," Hendryks explained., "I contacted them while you recruited Aric. They didn't want to leave Izar so I left them out of the conversation."
"If they wanted to stay it's their choice. But it would've been nice to see them again," Macen told her.
"She never even told me they were on the planet," Tulley voiced his complaint.
"You weren't seeing much of anyone," Hendryks reminded him, "And they didn't want to see you after what happened when you left the cell."
"Fair enough, I guess," Tulley subsided.
"Can you raise them now?" Macen asked.
"I don't what the timing at their location on Izar will be. They man a fairly remote watch station," Hendryks warned, "But I'll try to contact them."
Hemingway and Donner happened to be out of their station when the comm request came through. Hemingway didn't look much different but everyone was surprised to see Donner with her natural hair color and nose jewelry removed. The couple was equally surprised to see the crowd gathered around Macen's chair.
"It's in the past but we could use your help," Macen told them.
"How?" Hemingway was leery.
"I have survey charts from Ronara Prime. I need to know if the Ranger Corps ever reached this position," Macen transmitted the logs.
"I don't see how that information could be useful. Ronara Prime is Cardassian territory now. All the Federation colonists were removed," Hemingway was bitter.
"We're well aware but it's also our destination," Macen told them.
"The Spoonheads are letting you into their territory? Willingly?" Donner was startled by that news.
"Not so willingly but there's a mutual threat to Bajor, Cardassia, and the Federation we're investigating and trying to intervene in," Macen explained, "And it involves that mountain."
Donner and Hemingway studied the logs. Finally Hemingway snorted with disgust, "We never had an opportunity to reach that far into the interior before the Cardassian puppets shut us down."
"No, I recall Kevin McConnell led a team into the mountain ranges that our headquarters' cave network was part of. He said there were signs of previous habitation by sentients," Donner amended Hemingway's statement, "We never had a chance to discuss it in length with everything going on. History took a back seat to the politics of the day."
"Do you know how to reach Kevin?" Macen asked.
"He went into the Deeper Beta Quadrant and disappeared on some colony or another," Hemingway told him, "We thought about doing the same but Izar has some fairly remote spots left on it. So we settled here."
"I'm sorry to disturb you. We would've preferred to respect your choice to disappear but it's an emergency," Macen apologized for the interruption.
"We're on furlough in New Seattle right now so it isn't much of an interruption," Donner assured them, "I'm sorry we couldn't help more. But I remember something McConnell said about the structures they found on the mountains."
"Anything could help at this point," Macen promised.
"He said they looked Bajoran. But no one on the survey team believed that could be true since the ruins were so old and the Bajorans hadn't settled in the Dorvan colony until a century before the Occupation. Even then, they stuck to the Valo system until the Cardassians invaded Bajor," Donner recalled.
"You just confirmed our working theory," Macen said gratefully, "Thank you so much for speaking with us."
"Maybe we shouldn't be such strangers anymore," Hemingway allowed.
"I'd love to get back in touch with you guys," Donner gushed.
"Elfi will give you contact codes so you can reach out to everyone you want to talk to. But I'll warn you mos of the old cell is aboard with me right now. So give us a week or so before you begin contacting people," Macen warned them, "You've given us new data points to work with so I need to confer with the lead archaeologist on this before we reach Ronara Prime," Macen told them before Hemmingway terminated the connection.
"Doesn't that make you feel good all over?" Ebert asked.
"Liam has become Aric," Thool noted.
"The Federation screwed us over when they released us from the penal colonies," Tulley told him, "It was either assimilate on a Federation world or ship out to the Deeper Beta Quadrant to end up God knows where in the hind end of space."
Thool and Hendryks knew the cell members had been given pardons by Ro's agreement with Starfleet to surrender herself to them after the war ended. The pair had served during the war beside Ro so they'd never been imprisoned. Noble didn't discuss her time in a penal colony very much but Tulley was still angered by it. The Federation had dealt with the released Maquis that served their sentences or were pardoned the same way as those colonists removed from the DMZ worlds after being slave labor to the Dominion occupying forces. The Federation Council felt it had dealt fairly with former terrorists and those that supported them. Starfleet kept its own counsel. The very two injustices that had birthed the Maquis in the first place.
"So now we know there's a set of ruins on that mountain and they could be Bajoran?" Noble asked Macen.
"Precisely. I need to discuss this with Doctor Smith immediately," Macen told the assembled group.
"I'll hail Commodore Smith aboard the Neverwhere," Hendryks offered.
"We'll be back to stand our watch," Noble ushered her crew back to the turbolift, "Try not to need us until then."
"I am sorry we have to return to Ronara Prime. But it's where the evidence led," Macen said.
"It's just our brand of luck," Noble sighed and allowed the turbolift doors to close.
"I have Commodore Smith for you," Hendryks announced.
"Put him on the main viewer," Macen instructed.
For Ebert, Lacey, and Hendryks is their first view of the eighty-year old starship commander and career A&A Officer, "I was told you have news."
Macen gave him Donner's second hand report from McConnell. Smith was intrigued, "These are reliable sources?"
"The best Rangers Ronara Prime ever had," Macen promised him, "If Kevin McConnell said he found Bajoran ruins on the mountain, then he did. We're just lucky Natalie Donner had that conversation with him and managed to recall it now."
"Then our working theory just became more plausible," Smith decided, "But it's still just a theory until we're at the site. If the Cardassians simply dismissed it, it maybe nothing after all."
"But it was mineralogical survey, not an archaeological one. And Cardassian equivalents to A&A Officers tend to disregard anything Bajoran or non-Cardassian in origin," Macen advised Smith, "The Cardassians knew from Federation surveys that Ronara Prime was an uninhabited M-class world before Federation colonists arrived. They wouldn't be looking for signs of older, if not ancient, inhabitants or structures."
"True, and the obelisk points the way to the site itself. But it doesn't reveal the location of this Bajoran Orb we're looking for. We may just find another marker left behind to guide followers further along a path hat may lead nowhere. I did some research after examining the obelisk. This 'Orb of the Kosst Amojan' is a legend," Smith told him, "I've proven legends to be true in the past but it's very rare. This Cult of Pah-wraiths is considered antithetical to the Bajoran faith structure. They may have crafted this legendary tale just to inspire future followers not to give up on the heretical viewpoint."
"I'm aware. I also know lives have been lost over this," Macen said, "So the Cult takes it very seriously. If they're willing to kill over it, it presents a danger. If nothing else, the legend needs to be disproven to prevent further tragedy."
"I've seen things, Macen. Things that defy science and hinge on the realm of faith. So I understand the danger involved. We'll find this second marker and proceed from there. But if we do find this Orb, we have decide now what we'll do with it to dissuade the Cult from seeking it with even more violence in an attempt to acquire it," Smith advised him.
"Then we need to also discuss the fact the Cardassian Guard could arrive to claim the marker or whatever else we find," Macen explained his theory of top level assistance and participation with the Cult in the Central Command and other power structures within the Cardassian government, "The appeal after the devastation brought about the Dominion and then their pride suffering during the Reconstruction period all points to a segment of society ready to embrace the Cult as a mechanism to reclaim their ideal version of the 'glory days'. Guls Maret and Macet already spoon fed this vision of halycon days to the Cardassian Guard. The leaders were dealt with but the rank and file officers were left in place. They may see this as their opportunity to destroy Bajoran resistance and re-occupy Bajor."
"Especially with Bajor and the Federation distrusting one another," Smith concurred, "I'll have the Neverwhere move out of orbit to maintain a patrol of the system in case of Guard movements."
"The Solstice can provide whatever material support we need while we conduct our research," Macen promised.
"Then I'll beam aboard after our arrival prior to the Neverwhere beginning her patrol pattern. Commander Davis should actually command the ship anyway. I'm always off with the survey teams on the assignments we get sent on," Smith chuckled.
"I'll recommend the change of command to Captain Riker as soon we're done here," Macen assured him, "She'll be your flag captain."
"Still insisting on keeping me as a 'Commodore'?" Smith asked ruefully, "Ignatius Freeman was right. We never should have accepted the titles."
"Except that Commodore Freeman is the second ranking officer in the corporate fleet and the highest ranking field officer, other than you," Macen told him.
"But my exalted rank is honorary. I never commanded a ship of the line. Just a surveyor," Smith complained.
"Except for the fact your unwanted exalted rank gives you the command perogative to participate in all those surveys with no one arguing with you," Macen grinned.
"Maybe there's something to this after all," Smith conceded.
"Just enjoy the perks of the job," Macen advised him before ending the transmission, "Get me Serenity. I need to talk to Tom Riker."
"Done and done," Hendryks had anticipated the order and had already cleared a channel to the station. Riker was standing by. Macen briefed him on Smith's request to formally promote Commander Davis to captain since she was essentially filling the role anyway. Riker was more than happy to fulfill the request. All it took was a message to Personnel.
"Any news?" Riker asked, knowing how delicate the situation was.
Macen gave him a brief summary and Riker was discontent, "We should dispatch a third ship to your location. I can have a newer starship at Ronara Prime within 72 hours."
"I doubt the Cardassian government will allow a third ship into their territory no matter how neutral we are. We'd have to justify our reason why and the last thing the Detepa Council or Central Command want to admit to is a rogue element within the Cardassian Guard. Especially not with tensions with the Federation running so high after the Third Cardassian War," Macen warned him, "We'll manage with the ships we have."
"If you insist," Riker was still unhappy, "But maybe I can arrange for some form of help from an interested party?"
"Do what you feel is best but we can't involve Starfleet or any more Outbound Ventures ships. That narrows the playing field by quite a bit," Macen remarked.
"I have just the right person in mind," Riker suddenly grinned, "And she's cleared for Cardassian space."
"More power to you hen," Macen conceded, "Mind telling me who you have in mind?"
"Let it be a surprise," Riker grinned even wider.
"Tell whoever it si to hurry. We may not have long before we have company," Macen advised him.
"She'll be on her way as soon as I contact her," Riker promised.
"Good enough," Macen agreed, "I have to begin prepping for a survey of the planet and the actual site we'll be transporting down to. First I need to confirm the readings the Cardassians took but with a focused scan looking for structures. Thne we'll be ready to beam down."
"I'll leave you to it and clear this hurdles. Captain Davis should be hearing about her promotion within the hour," Riker promised, "And trust me, help is on the way."
"I do. Every time," Macen vowed and cut the transmission, "ETA to Ronara Prime?"
"Forty-seven minutes at present speed," Ebert crisply reported. Starbase 47 was the closest Federation outpost on its side of the border to Ronara Prime. They'd left the station early an hour ago and were traveling at Warp 5. A nominal cruising speed for both starships.
"We crossed the Cardassian border eight minutes ago," Ebert told him, "And sensor buoys logged our entry and gun platforms are tracking us but haven't opened fire...yet."
"It seems Agent Delain's influence is paying off," Macen remarked, "Hopefully she can can get us passed the border patrol."
"Speaking of which, I have two Lakat-class frigates entering sensor range," Hendryks told him, "They're actively scanning us but they aren't raising shields or arming weapons. They don't appear to be hostile. Now they're moving off. Who'd a thunk it?"
"Now we'll see if Central Command is merely tracking us or if they're going to actively follow us in," Macen wondered aloud.
"Ronara Prime drew most of its Cardassian attention due to us rather than colony itself. And from what the Cardassians found out about the planet, they still don't seem interested in it," Hendryks observed.
"But we're back. Now we'll see if we still draw an official military response now that they can send warships to the planet," Macen reminded her, "The DMZ doesn't exist so the Cardassians can respond however they like."
"It's a good thing you didn't mention that to Noble," Lacey opined from Tactical.
"She already knows," Macen assured her.
Ebert, Hendryks, and Lacey stayed at their posts as Noble arrived to the bridge early to relieve Macen. The ranger's planetary survey had indicated the presence of humanoid made ruins at the mountain site they intended to survey. Starfleet had missed them in their official reports as well. Once the settlers arrived and the Border wars ignited, detailed surveys were never completed so the structures went unfound until now. Unless McConnell's team really had been there before.
"Good luck," Noble wished Macen as he was departing.
"We'll need it," Macen told her.
"Even the shuttle port is practically deserted. The Cardassians are moving crops off of the colony but every other type of trade seems halted," Hendryks surveyed the colonies.
"Idiots don't know a thing when they're occupying it," Noble grumbled.
"Just ask the Bajorans,"" Lacey remarked.
Bajor had offered to share with the Cardassians but the Central Command wanted everything the planet had to offer. Including slave labor. The Cardassian Union still had over one hundred Subject Worlds facing similar conditions. Some of those worlds had revolted after hearing about Bajor's expulsion of Cardassian forces. The insurgencies lasted for years until the Central Command made a deal with Starfleet Security. Starfleet Special Operations Command to deal with the insurgents in exchange for Cardassia holding prisoners that Starfleet was illegally detaining without due process or even being officially arrested.
That decision bit Cardassia when Commander Sam Lavelle of Deep Space Nine led a "rescue operation" to "liberate" the prisoners being "illegally detained" by Cardassian forces as a pretext for war. But the war ended badly for Starfleet, which was unprepared for the level of rearmament the Cardassian Guard had undertaken and Castellan Garan's decision to fight from a defensive posture and not seek additional territorial claims. The Cardassians' official position baffled the Federation Council who'd been convinced was facing an invasion fleet from Cardassia Prime. The peace accord had been a costly one financially but not as costly as the lives and starships lost to the Cardassian defense.
"Ready when you are," he grinned at Macen.
Rockford, Neela, Daggit, Burrows, and Smart were coming along. Delain was staying aboard the Solstice to deal with any official Cardassian response to their presence. The colony had undoubtedly detected hem and may have sent out a distress signal. Though none was reported as Delain joined Noble and the bridge crew.
"Even Traffic Control at the port is ignoring us," Ebert reported.
"I don't like it," Noble commented.
"It is unusual," Delain noted, "Even though we have official sanction, the colony itself should be responding to your hails."
"The Neverwhere has broken orbit and set up a patrol pattern near the third moon," Lacey told Noble, "They should be hidden from any unexpected arrivals."
"Captain Davis knows her stuff," Noble heartened at the news, "Now we wait and see what happens next."
"Galor-class cruiser dropping out of warp in the system joined by two Lakat-class frigates!" Hendryks warned everyone, "ETA one hour."
"Get talking Agent Delain," Noble instructed, "Elfi, open hailing frequencies."
"The cruiser is responding," Hendryks stated.
"On screen," Noble insisted, "Pan the viewer pickup to include Agent Delain standing next to me."
Delain hissed between her teeth as she recognized the cruiser's commander, "Gul Maret."
"Surprised to see me?" Maret chuckled, "You thought I was still rotting in that prison on Kodosh II? I have friends in lofty places so I was spared that fate."
"Where's Gul Macet?" Delain demanded to know, "Who freed you? How did you gain command of a Cardassian Guard warship?"
"Let's just say my vision for Cardassia has always been shared by those with the ability to achieve it. As for my command, I have always been this sector's commander," Maret boasted, "Even when Central Command believed they'd installed Ocett's puppet."
"State your intentions in this system," Noble interrupted the back and forth that was going nowhere.
"This is Cardassian space in the sector I control," Maret answered angrily, "I don't have to answer to a human to announce my movements through it."
"We're here a the behest of the Detepa Council and the Cardassian Information Bureau," Noble told him.
"I know all about your little quest. I have my ears inside the CIB and the Council. Have no fears, human. I'm not here to dissuade you. But I will be assuming orbit to monitor your progress on the surface." Maret told her.
"And what about your frigates?" Noble inquired.
"They will patrol this system to hunt down the other starship that accompanied you here," Maret said haughtily, "Then they will escort it back here to assume orbit so we can all monitor you together."
"And if we disagree with these terms?" Noble asked.
"Your escort is a relic and even Starfleet doesn't field your ship class anymore. I have more than enough firepower at my disposal to destroy you both. However, I didn't come to do so. I want your team on the surface to succeed so they can share the knowledge that they acquire with me," Maret stated.
"And if they refuse to share?" Noble inquired again.
"Then we will have a problem to sort out," Maret signed off.
"Elfi, contact Macen and warn him to expect Cardassian company. Lacey, contact the Neverwhere and inform Captain Davis of Maret's identity, numbers, and stated intentions," Noble ordered, "Agent Delain, I suggest you speak with your superiors. Now."
"Agreed," Delain moved off to the Auxiliary Station to reconfigure it as a comm panel.
"Understood," Macen told Noble over his comm badge, "For now play along. We need to buy time not only to locate and destroy the second marker but also for the help Tom Riker promised he'd send us."
"The Cardies will allow us to send in a third ship?" Noble was surprised.
"No exactly. Tom said he was outsourcing. I have no idea of who is coming and what they'll be arriving in," Macen told her, "He said would a surprise."
"Hopefully it's something that can deal with a Galor-class cruiser while we face down the Lakat-class frigates," Noble wished.
"I hope so too," Macen agreed, "Still, Maret being freed isn't entirely a surprise. If Cardassians are joining the Cult of the Pah-wraiths it stands to reason that Gul Maret and Gul Macet would be positioned to assist them."
"I hate surprises. Especially Cardassian ones," Noble vented.
"At least he won't fight until he tries to take whatever information we acquire here," Macen told her, "Afterwards, we're all disposable and we're witnesses that will report his presence."
"Delain's contacting the CIB now. But Maret boasted of having well placed contacts within the agency, the Central Command, and the Detepa Council," Noble explained.
"Which we expected someone would. Maret just happens to be one of the someones," Macen replied, "Hold the fort until we get back. Our being aboard will insure that he has to take the ship intact to get to us. But if he does and doesn't get what he wants, things will get ugly fast," Macen warned.
"I remember Maret all too well," Noble admitted. He'd been the sector commander during the Maquis struggle.
"Carry on, Macen out," he signaled the end of the transmission and the Solstice cut it off, "People we have trouble arriving in one hour."
"Cardassians?" Smith asked.
"That and they're led by none other than Gul Maret," Macen confirmed it.
"I thought he was in prison," Daggit mentioned.
"He was. Now he isn't," Macen shrugged, "He said he had powerful friends and I doubt Castellan Garan knows he's out much less Supreme Legate Ocett. He did admit the CIB sold us out."
"And Agent Delain?" Smart asked.
"As surprised as anyone else," Macen told him to allay his suspicions.
"We'll be easy to spot by Cardassian sensors," Smith warned them, "So we'd best explore these ruins and see what they lead to."
"What are we looking for?" Burrows asked.
"Just look for something that stands out and use your tricorders to scan for foreign metals, wood, and stone," Smith told them, "Well? Fan out."
Stacked stones and mortar indicated the foundations of where wooden buildings had been once upon a time but they'd long since fallen into decay. But central to the complex was a Bajoran temple building that had suffered the ravages of age but was built out of stone so it resisted the forces of nature far better than the other structures had.
Smith, Macen, and Neela examined the temple, while Rockford directed the outer investigation. Her forensic skills aided the others in knowing what to scan for and how.
"This temple wasn't built to worship the Prophets," Neela acknowledged, "The writings here are profane to my faith. This was definitely the handiwork and worship center for faction from the Cult of the Pah-wraiths."
"I found something," Smith stood at what could have been an alter at one point, "There's some kind of book, or what's left of one, sealed up atop of this thing."
Macen unclasped the lock and carefully turned the first page to reveal pages made of animal skin rather than paper. They were all blank.
"We need to shed blood," Neela told them, "Bajoran blood."
"Here, use this," Smith reached into his surveyor's bag and retrieved a flick knife. She cut her palm and drizzled the blood across the first page. Fire enveloped the pages and when it blew out, manuscript written in an ancient Bajoran dialect remained.
"How old is this script?" Smith asked.
"It pre-dates the use of solar sail craft that my people built long before we developed warp capability," Neela explained, "It's the dialect the oldest prophecies were written in. This has been handed down through centuries."
"Flip to the end," Smith told her.
She was surprised, "But we'll miss a clue."
"I doubt it," Macen understood, "This was written in through the ages. This band of cultists were the last to inscribe in it. The marker we're looking for is this book. It may revealed where the Orb is. But it's something these monks left behind."
Neela carefully flipped pages and she skimmed them, the language transferred even as the prophecies altered through time towards modern Bajoran, "You're right. The text modernizes as the Cult wrote in it over thousands of years. The Book of the Kosst Amojan was their sacred text. This a history of the Cult and how it survived down through the ages."
"I'm sure it's fascinating but we're running out of time," Smith pressured her.
"The velum is brittle. If she turns the pages faster, we'll lose them," Macen reminded him.
Neela carefully turned the volume's pages all at once to reach the end. The pages were blank, "They hadn't run out of space to write yet. I have to turn back."
She tried the middle of the volume, "This is closer to modern text. These pages describe their flight from Bajor to escape the Vedek Assembly's agents. They departed with a crew of exiled heretics. After killing the exiles, they changed course and headed through the Cardassia Sector to the Dorvan Sector. Their instrumentation was limited compared to ours but they passed by several worlds before reaching Ronara Prime. Seeing it was like Bajor but uninhabited, they set. Down. After making the obelisk with the coordinates taken in the old Bajoran custom, they sent brother monks off to hide the marker along the trail they had forged getting here. As their numbers dwindled and no one found the obelisk and the others never returned, they buried the Orb for safe keeping until the Cult could find the obelisk and make their way here."
Neela turned to the two men, "The rest is just a chronicle of the last days of the monastery. But the Orb is here, beneath a marker stone."
"Did they say where?" Smith was growing excited by the nearness of the objective. They were close to discovering lost history.
"Further up the mountain in a partial clearing. At least it was clear when this was written. Judging by the text I'd say that was at least three hundred years ago," Neela told them, "They placed markers in the path to guide true cultists on their way."
"Would we recognize these markers?" Macen asked.
"They were carved out of balsaya wood. Which is native to Bajor, not Ronara Prime," Neela told him, "But that's all the clues in the written history."
"The tricorders can detect them," Smith was excited now.
"It won't be simple," Neela warned him, "The text clearly stated that only true cultists could remove the Orb from its resting spot. Which means they prepared the marker to repel or even harm non-believers."
"So it's a puzzle," Smith theorized, "Like the Obelisk."
"More like a booby trap that needs to defused," Macen warned him.
"It will be something that won't affect the Ark the Orb is stored in but will be lethal to disbelievers that can't open the marker stone correctly," Neela explained, "The Cult stored the Book of the Kosst Amojan the same way. Many vedeks died trying to gain access to it. Finally, a cultist that renounced the Cult was able to open the vault and retrieve the book. The Vedek Assembly stored it so that it would out of the Cult's hands. They never foresaw a kai that would read the text and renounce the Prophets and free the Pah-wraiths from their imprisonment in the Fire Caves."
"But they had more resources to draw from on Bajor," Macen allowed, "So the trap here will be simpler but also probably subtler to make up for the simplicity."
"Can we simply trip the trap and then retrieve the Ark containing the Orb?" Smith asked.
"The Book of the Kosst Amojan's vault would kill everything within a half kilometer's distance. That's why so many vedeks and prylars would die in the attempt to reach it," Neela recalled, "The place where the vault existed never regrew plants and animals avoid it. Because it's so barren my people have avoided it ever since the vault was breached. They say it's cursed ground."
"So we only get one try at this," Smith realized, "We either decode the puzzle or die in the attempt."
"Essentially. Unfortunately, the Book of the Kosst Amojan had blank pages that needed blood to released and read. The Book was destroyed when the Emissary stopped Dukat in his role as Emissary of the Pah-wraiths unleashing them on Bajor. So no one has ever actually read the Cult's scriptures until Winn Adami violated everything her office stood for and betrayed the Prophets and every Bajoran," Neela told them, "The marker assumes that the believer has read the unholy texts."
"Which we haven't. But given all that, how did you know about the blood releasing the print on the velum if only Winn and Dukat had read the Book?" Smith asked, "Were you there?"
"That much the Prophets showed me," Neela stated simply, "The rest so far is a mystery."
"Prophets, huh?" Smith was dubious, "I distrust higher life forms that pretend to be gods."
"The Prophets are Bajor's gods," Neela wouldn't debate it, "They aren't the Federation's nor would I expect them to be so."
"Like I said, I've seen things defy science and rely on faith. We might be facing one of those situations here," Smith allowed, "I've read what your people have published on the Orbs of the Prophets. There was too much mysticism for my tastes but the basics are they connect the viewer with the aliens in the Wormhole. Will this Orb work the same way?"
"No. The Emissary found the Orb of the Prophets, which housed a Prophet while the Celestial Temple was invaded by a Pah-Wraith that closed the Temple. The liberated Prophet turned the tide and ejected the Pah-wraith from the Celestial Temple thereby re-opening the Wormhole. This Orb houses a Pah-wraith and it will re-open the Fire Caves where its brethren are trapped," Neela explained, "The war that would be waged between the Prophets and the Pah-wraiths would be waged on Bajor, killing everyone. The war could spread out further and threaten the Alpha Quadrant and beyond."
"So rule Number One is don't open the Ark," Smith grinned, "That's good to know."
"We can't let anyone open it," Neela insisted.
"How do the cultist intend to survive if Bajor gets destroyed?" Smith wondered.
"The Cult of the Pah-wraiths is headquartered in Empok Nor in neutral space. Bajoran secular and religious authorities leave them alone believing its better to have them concentrated in one place then loose and proselytizing across Bajor," Neela explained.
"You disapprove," Smith noted.
"I think the enemies of the Prophets and of Bajor should be dealt with. Permanently and violently, if need be," Neela confessed.
"And who decides when that is?" Smith asked.
"The Prophets themselves," Neela said firmly.
"We're running low on time," Macen intervened, "We need to begin scanning for the trail markers and find the stone."
"Agreed," Smith decided, "Let's gather everyone up and tell them what to look for."
Chapter Three
Maret's ship assumed orbit behind the Solstice. Noble was displeased, "Of course they'd put their primary weapons arrays right on our backside where they'd only face our limited chase weaponry."
"They've conducted a scan of the surface area and transported down a party of Cardassians and one...El-Aurian?" Hendryks was startled.
"Care to tell me that again?" Noble didn't want to believe it.
"Just great," Ebert muttered.
"You know this is?" Noble asked her.
"I have a fair idea and it isn't good news," Ebert began to explain the situation.
"We're being followed," Burrows warned the group, "A team of Cardassians and another life form are at the temple site now."
Burrows had been left to observe as a rear guard, "She appears to be human but scans differently."
"Let me see hat," Rockford checked the sensor log on the tricorder, "Brin? We're dealing with another El-Aurian."
"She wouldn't," Macen grimaced, "Not again."
"Are we talking about who I think we're talking about?" Rockford asked.
"Probably," Macen sighed.
"For frinx's sake, kill her already!" Rockford felt impatiently about the matter.
"Who are we talking about?" Smith was bewildered.
"You have to have heard about Doctor Taryn Argus," Macen said.
"The rogue archaeologist who was banned from the Daystrom Institute," Smith knew the name.
"The reason she was banned was classified but she was working for the Cardassians to give them a world killing weapon to use against the Federation," Macen explained the bare bones of the incident, "Afterwards she escaped from a penal colony and went to work for Cell 51. She's been loose even though the agency was shut down."
"And she's working for the Cardassians again and following us," Smith understood now, "So she may succeed even if we fail."
"Basically," Macen told him, "Maret feels confident that I won't permanently deal with her."
"Because you won't," Rockford accused.
"There aren't many of my people left in this universe. I'm not going to kill one," Macen said in no uncertain terms, "I was forced into that situation once already. I won't do it again."
"I'll do it," Rockford volunteered, "Or Rab or Tony would be happy to."
"Damn straight," Daggit agreed.
"No. We'll find a way to keep the Orb from Taryn's hands and deny the Cardassians the opportunity to hand it to the Cult," Macen told them, "We always find a way."
"And Maret and Argus always find a way back to hurt us," Rockford said unhappily.
"I've found the next trail marker," Neela interrupted, "We need to head further in this direction."
"I don't understand this obsession. You let me kill T'Kir's clone but I can't touch Argus?" Rockford hissed at Macen.
"T'Kir wasn't from a race on the brink of extinction," Taryn can still have children. They may or may not be full blooded El-Aurians but the genes would pass on."
"You want her to hook up with that con man," Rockford realized.
"It'd be ideal," Macen confirmed it.
"What about us?" Rockford asked, "Tessa said it's a long shot but it's possible."
"First we have to find new day jobs," Macen told her.
"I'm willing to consider it," Rockford admitted.
"Let's talk more when we've finished this assignment," Macen agreed to consider it.
Twenty minutes later they entered a relative clearing. There were loose boulders and grass but the tricorders mapped out a circular capstone. There they found the marker. Bajoran glyphs adorned it.
"Rab, Tony, see about slowing down our tail," Macen recommended, "But don't kill them. We don't to start an incident where Maret will open fire on the Solstice and Neverwhere."
Neela was studying the glyphs written in circular fashion around the marker, "This is a riddle of sorts. I don't understand what it's asking for."
"You have to think like a cultist," Rockford suggested, "Get inside their beliefs and work out how one of them would respond to the question."
"I don't know if I can," Neela admitted.
"Read it to us," Macen suggested.
"When the fire in the stone reigns supreme, the sky will burn and the stars will fade. Child of the Pah-wraiths, how do you greet your destiny?" Neela read off.
"Maybe the blood trick again?" Smith asked, "To show additional script?"
"That would trigger the booby trap," Macen concluded, "The answer is elemental to a cultist. It's interwoven into their daily beliefs."
"They believe the Pah-wraiths are the true gods of Bajor. That they love my people and wish to set them free from the dogma surrounding the Prophets," Neela explained, "But how does that apply here?"
"These glyphs aren't stable," Rockford consulted her tricorder, "They all can be pressed in. Maybe the answer is to use the wording to answer he question."
"The Cult revolves around the love from the Pah-wraihs. 'Love' isn't in the question," Neela complained.
"The modern cult believes in the love of the Pah-wraiths. These were old school cultists. What did they traditionally believe in?" Macen asked.
"They believed hat once freed, the Pah-wraiths would burn out the Celestial Temple and destroy the Prophets," Neela explained again, "We've covered that ground. It's in the question."
"So, the cultists believed the universe would burn. So what would happen to them?" Macen prodded Neela's thinking.
"They'd burn with it but be saved in the experience to be reborn," Neela began to understand the question, "The Child of the Pah-wraihs would expect to burn. It's that simple."
"Then press that glyph and see what happens," Macen prompted her.
"If she's wrong?" Smith asked.
"We die horrible deaths and Argus takes a crack at it if she's far enough away to survive," Macen shrugged.
"I really hate you sometimes," Rockford confessed.
"Do it," Macen urged Neela.
She knelt onto one knee and pushed in the glyph signifying the word "burn". Nothing happened, "Well, we survived."
"Wait!" Smith quieted them down, "Did you hear a click?"
"Now here's a grinding," Rockford heard it too.
Ancient mechanisms came to life and unscrewed the capstone. Together they managed to lift it off of its cradle and shove it aside. Now they faced a hole hat contained a box-like wooden container.
"The Orb of the Kosst Amojan," Neela breathed.
"Let's lift it out but be careful not to disturb it," Smith recommended. Macen and Rockford accomplished that deed and they received heir first complete view of the Ark.
"It's so simple compared to the Arks for the Tears of the Prophets that we built," Neela realized.
"A doomsday weapon doesn't need to be pretty to be idolized," Smith told her, "Let's beam it to the ship."
"And pull Rab and Tony out of harm's way," Rockford suggested.
With the ark stored in stasis in the Sickbay's morgue unit, Macen returned to the bridge to relieve Noble. Smith was stuck on the Solstice for now.
"Raise shields!" Macen ordered as he came out of the turbolift, "Tell the Neverwhere to do the same and break orbit."
"The Cardassian ships are responding with the same," Hendryks warned him, "And Gul Maret is hailing."
"Put him on screen and get it over with," Macen instructed.
Instead of Maret, Argus' features filled the screen, "Hello, Brin. Looks like you've beaten me to it again. But we will be taking that Orb."
"You'll destroy it if you attempt to destroy my ship," Macen warned her.
"Maret won't have to destroy your little ship. I'm offering a trade. The Orb for a James Smart," Argus smiled triumphantly.
Macen had wondered what happened to Smart when he wandered off at the temple site to relieve himself. The situation had developed rather rapidly afterwards that Macen forgot about him. He also sincerely doubted Argus and however many Cardassian troops she'd with her would capture him unless he wanted to be captured. So Macen would play out Smart's choice.
"You can keep him," Macen cut the transmission short before Argus could reply, "Any word from Captain Davis?"
"She's prepared to fight if need be," Hendryks told him.
"Hopefully it won't come to that," Macen replied.
"We have limited options," Noble was still on the bridge near Lacey's station.
"We have Riker's unexplained help on its way and Mr. Smart's decision to be captured. I want to see what happens next aboard Maret's cruiser," Macen admitted.
"Maret's cruiser just lost power and they ejected their warp core. Smart is hailing us, audio only," Hendryks reported.
"On speakers," Macen decided to hear him out.
"Macen? Lower your bloody shields and beam me out of here before they find me again," Smart sounded harried.
"Lower shields and tell Tony he has transporter. One human life sign aboard a Galor-class cruiser that seems to be crippled by Mr. Smart," Macen instructed.
"Who is James Smart?" Noble asked, "Because he obviously isn't an archaeologist assistant."
"It's a long story I wish I could tell you," Macen sighed,
"Burrows signaled he has Smart aboard," Hendryks told him.
"Raise shields and let's how the frigates respond now," Macen was in a better mood now.
"Tom's help," Macen grinned.
"Colonel Anara is broadcasting a general hail to Maret," Lacey pointed out.
"Let's listen in," Macen smirked now.
"Gul Maret, these ships are employed by both your government and mine. You will release them to my custody," Anara looked severe.
"I'm hardly in a position to disagree. But they have an artifact they stole from a Cardassian world," Maret blustered, "I will have it."
"The Cardassian Union agreed to hand over all Bajoran artifacts in its possession under treaty terms. That artifact is a Bajoran Orb. Your government was previously unaware that it held the Orb in its possession but it is. Castellan Garan has personally assured Firs Minster Astris that this Orb will be returned to Bajoran custody. These ships are leaving Cardassian space for Bajoran territory escorted by myself. Is that understood?" Anara laid out her terms, "Garan also said I could deal with you as I felt necessary should you pose a threat."
"My ship has been sabotaged by human agent that you're protecting. This is an act of war against the Cardassian Union," Maret wouldn't let it go.
"Gul Maret, you've lost. Try and show some dignity in defeat," Anara replied and cut the transmission.
"The Fist of the Prophets is now hailing us and the Neverwhere," Hendryks informed Macen.
"On screen," Macen grinned.
"Captains, if you'll set course for the Bajor Sector through the Cardassia Sector, we've been cleared for transit and will be receiving an escort assigned to us by Supreme Legate Ocett to take us to the border of the Bajor Sector. Once in my home sector we'll be altering course for the Free Haven system and docking at Free Haven Port. The Vedek Assembly believes it's too dangerous to take your cargo to Bajor itself. We'll hold it at the Colonial Defense Forces starbase at Free Haven until a decision of where to put the Orb next is reached," Anara told them, "Make ready for Warp 6."
"Acknowledge with the Fist's Helm Officer and prepare our course and speed," Macen instructed.
"Neverwhere acknowledged the signal as well," Hendryks told him.
"Please inform Captain Davis we'll be returning Doctor Smith to her ship while we're underway," Macen requested, "Meanwhile raise Captain Riker. I have a few words for him."
Hendryks grinned as she first transmitted a message to the Neverwhere's commander before contacting Serenity, "I have Captain Riker."
"On screen, please," Macen said calmly.
Riker appeared,grinning from ear to ear, "I take it the situation was grim and you were badly outnumbered."
"You could say that," Macen confirmed it, "But sending in Anara was brilliant."
"I thought you'd appreciate that finesse," Riker chuckled, "She set out while I was still discussing the matter with her. Luckily she was making an inspection tour of the Alpha Quadrant colonies when I contacted her."
"Fortunately for us," Macen admitted, "Though Mr. Smart came in handy as well."
"Really?" Riker was intrigued.
"He was captured by Maret's forces but managed to escape and sabotaged their warp core and impulse reactor both. Maret even had to eject the core," Macen explained.
"Handy fellow to have around it seems," Riker knew Noble, Hendryks, and Lacey weren't cleared to know who and what Smart really was.
"We're headed to Free Haven Port now for an undisclosed amount of time. The Vedek Assembly doesn't want the Orb of the Kosst Amojan anywhere near Bajor at the moment," Macen told him.
"Will you be needing Commodore Smith and the Neverwhere?" Riker asked, "Chris Pike has a survey team protection detail the SID wants them for regarding an Iconian gateway that's been uncovered near Tholian space. With tensions rising between the Tholians and the Klingons in the Taurus Reach, the last thing anyone needs is the Tholians getting their pincers on Iconian technology,"
"I'd wait until the Neverwhere clears the Cardassian space before diverting her. But Doctor Smith's role is basically done. I think he understands the danger the Orb represents but his academic curiosity still compels him to want to open it to inspect what's inside the Ark containing it," Macen admitted, "Best to remove that temptation."
"I'll send the orders with the instructions to divert as soon as they reach the Bajor Sector," Riker agreed, "Any other way I can save your miserable life right now?"
"I think you've done enough," Macen laughed.
"Then I have a very busy schedule. So stop bothering me," Riker delivered the warning with a smile.
"I'll be seeing Doctor Smith off," Macen rose from the conn as the transmission terminated, "Lacey, you have the bridge."
"I'm already here and my watch is scheduled to begin in an hour or so anyway," Noble offered.
"You're sure you want to double up?" Macen asked.
"I'm too wired to sleep," Noble confessed, "It'd be better to stay in command to occupy my time."
"I'll be convening a meeting in the briefing room," Macen told her, "So if anything happens I'll just be behind the bridge."
The Blackbird-class only had five decks. So the ship's briefing room was behind the bridge module. The bridge design itself a forerunner of the Galaxy-class Battle Bridge. Deck 2 contained all the ship's living quarters while Deck 3 contained the Sciences lab, Sickbay, transporter room, and the brig as well as a shuttlepod bay. Deck 4 was Main Engineering where Daggit was currently reunited with Parva. Deck 5 was antimatter storage and the rest of the deflector array housing.
"Have Doctor Smith and Tony meet me in the transporter room," Macen instructed before exiting the bridge.
"Does he ever stop?" Noble wondered.
"No," Ebert and Lacey answered together.
"You should've seen him when we were all on the Odyssey and there were only seven of us," Lacey warned her, "We were always busy."
"I remember him and Ro always in conference together when they weren't sharing one ship or the other but Macen never commanded the Indomitable, so we never saw him in that kind of role," Noble confessed.
"Captain Ro and Tulley didn't really either since Captain Macen always deferred to Captain Ro while she was aboard the Odyssey," Ebert explained, "They never saw him the way we did."
"Ro knew," Noble assured her, "She used to complain about Macen handing off command to her when she was a passenger on the Odyssey."
"So, we finish up at Free Haven Port?" Lacey wondered.
"You heard the conversation with Riker. Macen isn't handing off the Orb until it has a final destination," Noble had caught the implication hat remained unspoken.
"So why park it at a Bajoran starbase at all?" Hendryks had to wonder.
"Anara isn't telling us the whole story, I bet. The Vedek Assembly and the Bajoran Ministry hoped like hell this Orb was a myth. Now it's fact and it's something that can destroy the Wormhole aliens and maybe take Bajor with them," Noble ventured, "So there will be a lot of emergency conferences going on right now."
"What if we get stuck with it?" Lacey wondered, "A lot of Bajoran crazies will come looking for it and we don't need the trouble."
"Neela warned us a lot of non-Bajorans were joining this cult. So we wouldn't be racially profiling to keep it safe. Everyone would be a suspect from that point on," Ebert warned.
"Turning Serenity into a damn police state," Lacey grumbled, "No, thank you."
"It will paint a target on our backs as long as it's aboard," Noble warned them all, "So let's hope the Bajorans come up with a plan in a hurry."
"Neela talks with the Wormhole aliens. Why don't they tell her what to do with it?" Hendryks was the first to ask.
"Because they're scared too," Ebert realized.
"It's been an adventure but Davis tells me I'm looking at Iconian gateways next," Smith grinned at Macen from the transporter pad, "Now I'll have to put that damn uniform back on."
"Only until you join the next survey," Macen promised.
"At least I doesn't have a tie. I hate those things," Smith grumbled.
"Thanks for everything," Macen told him.
"Next time you want to dig something old up, call me in," Smith wore a lopsided grin.
"Energize," Macen told Burrows.
"So are we unloading the bad news?" Burrows asked.
"Meet me in the bridge briefing room," Macen told him, "I'm going to gather Celeste, Neela, Rab, and Smart up so we can discuss our immediate future."
"What about Delain?" Burrows asked.
"Her part in this is over. I have feeling Ocett will have our Cardassian escorts transport her aboard and arrange for her to return to Serenity. It's a Bajoran problem now. Ocett and Garan have Maret and Macet to worry about again. They won't waste time on a Bajoran Orb," Macen reminded him, "See you in fifteen minutes."
In the briefing room, the mood was subdued. Colonel Anara, Commanding Officer of both the Fist of the Prophets and the Militia Colonial Defense Forces, at least in practical terms, was also present. She was the first to speak.
"General Kira is under orders from the First Minister to forbid the transfer of the Orb of the Kosst Amojan to my ship or to Free Haven Port. In fact, the Orb cannot be relocated to any Bajoran colony and especially not Bajor itself. This is a problem everyone has been in denial over and now that myth has become fact, no one wants to deal with it," Anara told them.
"It can't stay aboard this ship indefinitely and Outbound Ventures will refuse to take of it," Macen told her.
"The General thought as much," Anara sighed, "Commander Ro is at Deep Space Nine to help address the threat of the Cult of the Pah-wraiths and their expected efforts to obtain the Orb. But the Federation can't be trusted with it because they'll open the Ark and let the Pah-wraiths out of it," Anara revealed.
"Pah-wraiths? As in plural?" Rockford caught the distinction.
"The Militia managed to interrogate the cultists that Neela and Mr. Smart subdued and handed over to Starfleet Security. Commander Ro became involved at that point and granted us access to the prisoners. They boasted about how the Orb contained multiple Pah-wraiths. Enough to turn the tide in the expected war with the Prophets should they be released and free their brethren from the Fire Caves," Anara said sadly, "They also took great delight in the expected fate of the Bajorans on Bajor itself as the war spread."
"Then we have a problem," Daggit broke his customary silence, "We can't protect the Orb indefinitely."
"He's right," Macen warned her, "We can transport it to a new site but we can't guard it for much longer."
"I recommend we take it to Daystrom Station," Smart said, "It's highly secure and the Section 31 vaults hide away some of the Federation's deepest secrets."
"Who are you again?" Anara asked.
"A concerned citizen," Smart replied with a rakish smile.
"He never stops," Rockford groaned.
"Commander Ro already ruled the Federation out as a repository," Anara reminded him, "She said the dangers of some researcher opening the Ark were too great."
"Doctor Smith agreed and he has been associated with Daystrom Station's work for close to sixty years," Macen told her, "So we find another alternative."
"We not simply vaporize I with a phaser blast?" Smar asked.
"That would destroy the Ark but not the Orb within it. Incidentally, it would liberate the very Pah-wraiths we're trying to keep captive," Neela scolded him.
"I bow to your infinite expertise," Smart nodded to her.
"When Sisko liberated his mother from the Orb of the Prophets, the Pah-wraith invader to the Celestial Temple was ejected and destroyed in outer space," Macen recalled the story, "Could that work here?"
"But the Prophet traveled through space to reach the Celestial Temple," Anara discounted the idea.
"No, the Kosst Amojan inhabiting Dukat used the Orb of Prophecy and Change to enter the Celestial Temple through the Prophets' own link with it. The Emissary's mother did the same through the Tear she inhabited. But it took the Emissary opening the Ark to free her to do so as the Prophets themselves had foretold," Neela explained, "The Prophets and Pah-wraiths can only exist in space for a limited duration before they die. That's why the Celestial Temple was built in the first place. To provide a home for the Prophets to dwell in and watch over Bajor."
"And they've done a bloody marvelous job of that," Smart snorted, "Or didn't the Cardassians occupy Bajor for sixty years, raping the planet's resources and enslaving your people?"
"It unified our people," Anara told him, sparing him Neela's wrath, "Before the Cardassians came we were divided along sectarian and caste lines. Kai Opaka unified our faith and our people behind it. The Resistance wouldn't have survived or been victorious without a common goal and a common bond between the various cells across the entire planet. The changes spread to our colonies and united them with Bajor once again."
"Pretty words," Smart dismissed the argument.
Anara gave Neela a warning glace. Smart wasn't to be trusted with Neela's own personal experience in the Celestial Temple or why she'd been returned to Bajor a decade later. Anara still wasn't certain why Smart was in the meeting but Macen had told her he was a security specialist for the Federation and his input was needed.
"Commander Ro will be joining us at Free Haven Port. She'll have Starfleet's official recommendations at that time," Anara told them.
"And I'm telling you Starfleet will offer to hold it at Daystrom Station," Smart wouldn't let it go.
"We'll find another acceptable alternative," Macen assured him.
The bosun's whistled sounded and Macen activated the comm, "Macen here."
"Our Cardassian escorts have joined as and we're well inside the Cardassia Sector. Ocett sent two Damar-class dreadnoughts for the job," Noble informed him.
"Keep an eye on them," Macen advised, "Ocett may trust them for now but their commanders may be loyal to Maret and Macet."
"You're a bundle of good news today," Noble signed off.
"He's right, of course. If elements of the Cardassian Guard did liberate Macet and Maret then we have no idea of which commanders and crews to trust," Anara said bleakly.
"Ocett wanted to avoid purging the ranks but she may have to," Macen commented.
"The Cardassian Guard is understaffed as it is," Anara revealed, "They fought back Federation forces with skeleton crews."
"I'll be certain to pass that along to my superiors," Smart brightened.
"It'll just make Starfleet look worse. They were held back by fleets that were undercrewed. That'll boost fleet morale," Rockford snorted.
"Perhaps you're right. I'll hold on to that information for now," Smart conceded.
"Cardassia lost a generation in the war. They're just now meeting recruitment quotas as the children of the war become adults," Anara explained further. Give the Guard six months and they'll be stronger than ever."
"Now that I have to report," Smart remarked.
"It won't matter if both sides stay to their side of the border," Neela stated.
"The Cardassians are looking to expand further along their Farside Border deeper into the Alpha Quadrant. The Federation has no influence or presence there. So militarily it makes no sense for Starfleet to feel threatened," Anara finished explaining.
"I can't believe I'm hearing a Bajoran defend the Cardassians," Smart admitted.
"The Cardassians proved to be more faithful allies than the Federation in recent years," Anara growled.
"Point taken," Smart let it go.
"We won't decide anything here. Let's just concentrate on avoiding Cardassian hostilities and getting back to the Free Haven system," Macen urged them.
"You really think Maret and Macet have allies strategically placed in the Central Command?" Anara worried.
"I think they have legates in their pocket as well as Detepa Councilors," Macen stated, "Otherwise Maret wouldn't have revealed himself so boldly. Of course the Cult of the Pah-wraiths doesn't envision a Cardassian Dominated Bajor. But Maret and Macet don't know that."
The whistled sounded again and Macen answered it and Noble reported in, "Our Cardassian escorts just dropped out of warp light years from the border."
"I'd better get back to the Fist of the Prophets," Anara headed out of the bridge escorted by Burrows so he could operate the transporter.
"Get him off of my bridge," Macen told Rockford of Smart, "As soon as Colonel Anara is aboard her ship, raise shields and arm weapons. We're going to be intercepted on our way to the border."
"She's aboard," Lacey reported, "Raising shields and arming weapons systems."
"I have three Galor-class cruisers interposing themselves between us and the border," Hendryks reported, "Gul Macet is hailing us."
"I have to drop out of warp or we'll collide with them," Ebert warned, "They're maneuvering to block no matter how I alter course."
"Position of the dreadnoughts?" Macen asked.
"They've moved off," Lacey told him, "Seems they won't fight but they won't help either."
"Drop out of warp and put Macet on screen, "Macen growled.
Macet's likeness to his cousin, Dukat, was striking. Except for the fact that Macet had little tufts of hair growing near his mouth. Most Cardassian males couldn't grow facial hair so it was a point of pride with Macet.
"Commander Macen, back in command I see," Macet was as oily as Dukat had been since the war had ended.
"I could say the same about you," Macen mentioned, "You're looking awfully comfortable compared to your cell on Kodosh II."
"You would know about Kodosh since you liberated prisoners from there once upon a time," Macet gibed.
"It was war," Macen told him.
"So is this," Macet argued, "Not one of open combat but an existential crisis nonetheless. I mean to see Bajor weakened so it can assume its rightful place in the Cardassian Empire."
"It already has. It's outside of it," Macen rebutted him.
"Ever the Bajoran apologist. I expected no less from a former Maquis," Macet laughed.
"Can we skip to you making a threat? I assume that's why you hailed me rather than Colonel Anara or Captain Davis," Macen wondered.
"I can only assume they're listening in. This isn't a secure channel. And yes, I'll make my threat. Give me the Orb of the Kosst Amojan or I take it from the debris field that will be your ship," Macet warned him.
"Except the Cult has warned you that the Pah-wraiths can't survive for long in open space. Which means you have host bodies prepared to transport them to Bajor," Macen deduced.
"We are all allies here," Macet chuckled menacingly, "And Colonel Anara has discovered the jamming field we're producing by now. So you're collection of outdated starships is no match for my three cruisers."
"We can still make you pay dearly for the price of killing us," Macen replied.
"Are you really that suicidal?" Macet had to ask, "They're just Bajorans."
"That might not count for much with you and your allies but it means everything to me," Macen warned him off.
"I would halt your advance, lower shields, and deactivate weapons and we shall let you live. Continue towards the Bajoran border and we will destroy every vessel in your convoy. Am I understood?" Macet asked.
"You'll kill us anyway to eliminate witnesses to your attacking a Bajoran flagged starship," Macen cut the feed, "Full impulse. Tracy, evasive maneuvers. Lacey, target their weapons arrays. Elfi, send these instructions along to Colonel Anara and Captain Davis."
The ship shuddered as the shields repelled phaser fire. Lacey reported, "They fired before we did."
"That was always the plan," Macen told her, "They'd probably blame it on Orion pirates."
"Commodore Smith requesting communications," Hendryks told him.
"On screen," Macen sighed.
Smith was back in uniform but it was clear that Captain Davis was defending the ship, "Have they lost their minds? They're starting a war for a Bajoran Orb?"
"Macet lost his mind during the Dominion War," Macen warned him, "Strap in because unless we make it passed them and into Bajoran patrolled space, they will destroy us and sift through the wreckage."
"Davis reports our shields are already critical," Smith told him.
"Break off and set course for Cardassia Prime. Legate Ocett can shelter you there and ge you out of Cardassian space," Macen instructed.
"Like her escorts protected us?" Smith asked scornfully.
"Ocett is still your best chance at survival," Macen told him, "Those dreadnoughts broke off and returned to their original duties."
"Davis will object," Smith predicted.
"Then switch me to her," Macen instructed.
Davis was patrolling the bridge while issuing emergency orders, "Commander Macen?"
"Break off and head for Cardassia Prime. We'll keep your potential pursuers at bay," Macen ordered, "Legate Ocett needs to know about this. And Agent Delain needs to be rescued from the vessel she transported over to."
"I hate running from a fight but we aren't doing you any good anyway," Davis admitted, "We're adjusting heading and proceeding at maximum warp."
"That's all I ask," Macen cut the channel, "Tracy?"
"Increasing our attack pattern to slow the third Galor-class down," Ebert said crisply.
"They're not even attempting to pursue the Neverwhere," Lacey told him.
"Because we have what they want. Even the Fist of the Prophets is secondary in their minds," Macen warned everyone.
"The Iotians built a tough ship. I'd say she ranks alongside Riker's Ambassador-class," Lacey assessed, "The Fist is making headway against Macet's cruisers."
"Then we add to their firepower and cripple these ships. Focus on two at first, lending firepower to the Fist at another cruiser. Then we break for the border," Macen ordered, "Send that along to Colonel Anara."
"Fist acknowledges," Hendryks reported.
"Then let's kick some Cardassian ass," Macen growled.
"It's like the old days," Lacey said as she corrected for Ebert's wildly evasive maneuvers.
"No wonder Ro was envious of the Odyssey," Noble began to realize, "I've never taken her out against such odds. I always had an Indomitable by our side."
Slowly the battle turned as one Galor-class after another lost shields at their weakest point around their primary weapons array and the main phasers were destroyed along with the primary torpedo launchers.
"Macet is hesitating!" Macen noted, "Signal the Fist to make for the border a best possible speed. Tell them not to wait for us."
"Fist is complying," Hendryks pointed out as the Enterprise-class heavy cruiser jumped into warp speed.
"Parva, I need all the power you can muster for the warp engines," Macen commed her.
"I can give you the maximum Warp 8.3," Parva promised, "At least long enough to get us across the border."
"That's all I ask," Macen assured her.
Chapter Four
The Solstice followed the Fist of the Prophets as the two ships raced for the border before Macet could call in like-minded allies. They made it past the G-class starbase built at Prophet's Landing and knew they were within Bajoran territory. Anara was able to muster up an increased Colonial Defense Forces patrol along the border. They diverted away from the Bajor system and Deep Space Nine to head for Free Haven and the J-class starbase, Free Haven Port.
Once in orbit around the station, Parva teamed with Eckles and Darcy to affect repairs. The Fist docked a the starbase. Three other Colonial Defense Forces starships were in the system. A Constitution refit-class, and two Miranda refit-classes. Two Asia refit-classes were rerouted from Golana to join them shortly.
Anara contacted the starships from Free Haven Port, "This system is now under military jurisdiction. No vessels shall enter it without challenge and inspection. We defend the Outbound Ventures starship at all costs. Anara out."
Thool and Mudd joined the designated engineers in repairing the Solstice. Greatest damage had been to Deck 2's cargo bays. EPS conduits across the ship had overloaded and backup systems had engaged. The repair team pulled conduits and patched the hull on the aft section of Deck 2.
Rockford joined Macen and Noble on the bridge while Macen contacted Riker to offer a status report, "Macet convinced the commanders of the Damar-class escorts to simply halt in space and resume their previous patrols taking Ziva Delain with them. How did Smith, Davis, and the Neverwhere fare?"
"Ocett got them safely out of Cardassian space," Riker reassured him, "They conducted repairs en route to their new assignment. They're due there in a week. Plenty of time to fully test the repair job."
"Good. Their ship was badly outclassed by the Galor-class cruisers," Macen commented.
"Yours were too. You just had better commanders," Riker remarked, "Commanders used to fighting Cardassians."
"Their tactics and strategy seemed frozen in time. Macet still fights like its before the Dominion War," Macen observed.
"In his perspective, he's still there in the glory days as he sees them," Rockford surmised, "So there's no reason to adapt to a Bajoran with a warp capable heavy cruiser. The Fist of the Prophets took Macet by surprise. He won't be fooled again."
"But he was used to fighting Blackbird-class scouts from the Border Wars days. So he brought along plenty of firepower," Macen mused, "Maret badly underestimated us all too. And he'd fought Maquis and Starfleet as well as been an Occupation officer assigned to Terok Nor. When he first commanded the Dorvan Sector, the Maquis wasted numerous lives in assassination attempts on Maret at his base on Ampok Nor. We damaged it but the station was simply repaired and put back into operation," Macen recalled, "I'm willing to wager Maret set himself up there again. He's traditionalist in more ways hen one."
"You think he really does command the Dorvan Sector?" Riker asked.
"It was no idle boast. He either coerced the appointed commander or disposed of him or her and is using this the man or woman's command codes to report back to the Central Command," Macen judged, "The Dorvan Sector was his base of power for decades. The bulk of his loyalists rose up through the ranks there."
"Yet he never made Legate," Noble realized, "Neither did Macet."
"They were both disloyal to Damar's rebellion when Cardassians turned against the Dominion occupation. They stayed sided with the Dominion forces in their respective sector commands. Ro and I freely operated within them both and they were dyed in the wool Dominion tools," Macen shared, "Only Kilana's dispensation kept either of them from hunting Laren and I down and killing us."
"The only reason I would ever be grateful to a Vorta," Rockford commented.
"But even she, not knowing it was, sent bounty killers to eliminate the behind the lines saboteurs that were destroying shipments of weaponry and ketracil-white coming through the Dorvan Sector and former DMZ," Hendryks reminded him.
"And the Orions were going to sell us out," Ebert added, "That's when we lost Neela in action."
"But the Prophets saved me," Neela reminded her in exchange.
"Ocett and Ro both want to speak with you regarding Maret, Macet, and the Cult of the Pah-wraiths," Riker advised Macen, "Things on Bajor are heating up as Cultists reveal themselves in their attempts to locate your position and the Orb."
"I'll brief Ocett when Anara finishes doing so. Did Ziva Delain make contact about arranging transport back to Serenity?" Macen asked.
"Delain was dropped off on Cardassia Prime where she reported the ship's commander disobeying orders and leading you to a trap. Her life was safe only because the CIB would've tracked down her killers and avenge her," Riker told him, "Sometimes it pays off being part of the secret police."
"Do we have any ships available to provide extra security for us when we get a destination and outcome for the Orb finalized?" Macen asked.
"I'll check with Sveta and Kris Liu. I'm certain we can drum up at least one escort," Riker promised.
"Do that. I'll advise you if we get traveling orders before help arrives," Macen told him.
"Keep me posted. I'll send non-SID ships if I have to," Riker pledged.
The signal terminated and Macen told Hendryks, "Patch me into Ro at DS9,"
It took several minutes for Ro to receive the communique that Macen was holding for her. Her image wasn't as grave as he thought it would be, "I see you've assembled the old gang. Is 0086 with present with you?"
"No, but I can summon him," Macen replied.
"Do it. I have orders for him," Ro warned him, "Orders you won't like."
"I have Mr. Smart coming to the bridge," Hendryks updated Macen.
Smart came out of the turbolift two minutes later, "I see you finally came to your senses and included me."
"I have a question," Noble interrupted, "What he hell is a '0086'?"
"Me, my lovely," Smart poured on the charm.
Noble wasn't buying into the effort, "Don't stop there."
"I represent Starfleet Intelligence. I couldn't tell you all before because of Agent Delain's presence. I have dealings in Cardassian space and I don't need the CIB being aware of my true loyalties," Smart downplayed the secrecy of his role.
"So that's how you escaped Maret's ship after sabotaging it," Lacey mused, "Nice."
'I can do so much more," Smart promised, "If given a chance."
"Agent Smart, your orders are to stay with the Orb until a means is found to destroy it," Ro told him, "That order comes straight from Vice Admiral Nechayev herself."
"And I insure that it is destroyed," Smart read between the lines.
"Smart man. You'll go far," Ro snarked.
"I'm not being paid by the SID on this assignment. I'm contracted with the Bajoran Ministry and the Militia. The CIB's part in this is concluded. I brought Smart along as a courtesy. He's outworn his welcome," Macen advised Ro.
"Riker didn't tell you? That's a major oversight. Lieutenant Pike was authorized to contract you on behalf of the SID to insure the Orb is safely destroyed," Ro informed him, "As a SID contractor, you're now obligated to bring Smart along with you."
"No, Tom probably hadn't been updated yet when I spoke with prior to speaking with you," Macen grated.
"The contract was just authorized so the timing probably hadn't worked out yet," Ro agreed, "But you're on Starfleet's dole now. Starfleet wants to see a permanent solution to this Orb problem as badly as the Bajorans do."
"I think that's a severe underestimation of the dilemma facing our people," Neela reminded Ro that she too was Bajoran.
"Starfleet Command consulted with Ben Sisko and have a good idea of how severe the Bajoran situation is. We're looking at the potential destruction of all life in the solar system if not the sector. That sum it up?" Ro was irked.
"You have a firm grasp on the situation, Commander," Neela conceded.
"Starfleet can't afford to lose the Wormhole. We have too many ships in the Gamma Quadrant and don't need a replay of the Voyager epic. Bajor has too many colonies there as well that would be cut off," Ro summarized the situation.
"We've learned the Pah-wraiths need a planetary atmosphere in which to survive or a Tear of the Prophets to transport them to the Celestial Temple within the Wormhole. They can't survive in deep space for any length of time," Macen informed Ro.
"Celestial Temple? When did you start believing in the Prophets?" Ro was skeptical.
"I don't worship them but I respect their obvious power and their connection to Bajor," Macen explained, "We could simply shoot the Ark containing the Orb of the Kosst Amojan into the local star."
"It's been discussed with the Vedek Assembly. The kai refuses to allow the Ark to be anywhere near Bajoran space if it's sent into a star," Ro told him, "And the Federation is refuses access to any populated system. The Kalendra Sector has temporarily closed its border with the Bajor Sector until the crisis has passed. They're discussing Gamma Quadrant options."
"But taking it through the Wormhole could be self-defeating," Macen thought it an ill advised plan.
"The Vedek Assembly consulted with Sisko and he believes the Pah-wraiths are trapped in the Orb until the Ark is opened the same way the Prophet as it were was held in stasis within the Orb of the Prophets until he unearthed it and freed the alien within it. Thereby tipping the scales so that Pah-wraith was ejected from the Wormhole and it reopened to everyone but Dominion forces," Ro described the situation.
"So there's no one that will give us access to their sun and no uninhabited star systems within the sector that the Vedek Assembly will allow us to use," Macen summed it up, "We have to risk going to the Gamma Quadrant."
"And no Bajoran colony will allow its star to be used either. New B'Hala is now uninhabited but the Ministry plans on relocating a million colonists there by the end of the year now that the Ascendancy and Bajor have established mutual goodwill and we can avoid any more massacres," Ro explained further, "Which brings us to Ghemor."
"The Emissary to the Ascendant was consulted?" Neela asked.
"Iliana Ghemor contacted the Vedek Assembly already knowing the problem and offered up a target star in an uninhabited system. Imagine the First Minister and the Kai's relief," Ro snorted.
"You distrust how she found out," Macen acknowledged.
"Damn suspicious if you ask me," Ro confirmed it.
"The Prophets told her and showed her the solution we needed," Neela offered up.
"We hardly need religious fanatics getting involved," Ro said sourly.
"They're Bajoran allies now or did you forget that they participated in the Waypoint relief effort?" Macen inquired sharply.
"Have you forgotten Ghemor was once allied with Maret and Macet? They're loose now and looking for this damn Orb. And suddenly Ghemor offers up a perfect solution? Too coincidental for me," Ro explained her trepidation.
"Which is why you were assigned this case once Smart made his assessment," Macen surmised, "But not everyone that's an enemy stays an enemy."
"Ocett closed the Cardassian border. Not even commercial traffic can cross into Bajoran space until this situation is dealt with," Ro told them, "The Militia and Starfleet are on high alert for any Cardassian ships that violate that closure. They've been ordered to detain any crews crossing the border, military or otherwise. Ocett pledged Castellan Garan's full support in the effort. But that still pits one hundred year-old starship designs against fifty year-old Galor-class designs. If they come in numbers, the Militia will pay a heavy price for it."
"We fought off modern Starfleet vessels with our ships," Neela bristled.
"Starfleet was expecting token resistance. Maret and Macet won't make that mistake now that the Militia beat back Starfleet," Ro assessed.
"Commander Ro, if Ghemor has offered a viable solution, we'd be remiss not to take her up on her offer. Deep Space Nine and the Militia can secure the Wormhole terminus so that we cleanly ge to the Gamma Quadrant. Once there, the Militia can escort the Solstice to Ghemor's intended site and secure the system so that no Ascendant ships can interfere," Smart offered, reminding Ro that he was a full Commander in Starfleet. 0086 just didn't typically throw his Starfleet rank around.
"Colonel Anara has assembled a small task force for the job and I have units coming in to make certain that we aren't interfered with," Macen told her, "I know tensions are running high but I'd like to wait until Riker's reinforcements arrive before we set out."
"Do you trust them?" Ro inquired.
"I trust all my SID crews," Macen replied evenly despite being insulted by Ro's insinuation.
"I meant the Militia squadron," Ro clarified, "Cultists have been popping out everywhere on Bajor. Including within the Militia's ranks."
"Anara trusts them so I have to," Macen shrugged.
"Look, I have a conference with General Kira in a few minutes. My job was to inform you that you're contracted with Starfleet now and give you my threat assessment now that you're back in the Bajor Sector. My assessment is, don't be surprised if some members of the Colonial Defense Forces are secretly cultists. They may attempt to rescue the Orb from destruction. That can't be allowed to happen. Even if you have to destroy a Militia ship to make certain the task is completed. That's why Agent Smart is being left aboard your ship. If it comes down to doing the unthinkable, he'll do it without reservation," Ro explained.
"It won' t come to that," Macen promsied.
"You're still too idealistic for this job," Ro warned him.
"But I get it done and on my terms," Macen reminded her.
"So far. But you'll push your luck too far someday and the Federation will pay the price," Ro said before signing off.
"Which is where I come in," Smart remarked glibly.
"Understand this, if you attempt to override one of my orders or take unilateral action, they'll be selecting a new James Smart to carry on as 0086," Macen advised the Double 0 agent.
"Then understand I won't hesitate to kill any member of your crew to accomplish my objective. That includes you and Detective Rockford, formidable as you both are," Smart said evenly.
"Then we have an understanding," Macen said, "Now you can clear my bridge. I have a report to make to Supreme Legate Ocett and conference with Colonel Anara to attend to. Your presence isn't required for either."
"I beg to differ," Smart replied.
"I thought as much," Macen stated as the turbolift doors opened and Daggit and Burrows arrived to force Smart off of the bridge, "You've overstayed your welcome, Mr. Smart."
"You don't want me as an enemy," Smart warned him.
"I don't need you as a friend, either," Macen retorted, "The price is too high."
"Should we put him in the brig?" Burrows asked.
"He'd just escape," Macen Sighed, "Shadow him. I don't wan him in any portion of this ship's operations unescorted."
"Believe me when I say you don't want to do this," Smart offered one final word of advice, "Starfleet will hear of it,"
"I'm hoping they do," Macen replied, "I want him gone now."
"If you'll follow us," Daggit was in combat mode. Smart knew better than to challenge an Angosian Augment in his prime. But he also wanted in on Macen's conversation with Ocett and again with Anara. He supposed he'd have to find a way to convert the reader in his now unshared quarters into a comp/comm.
With Smart gone, Macen returned to the business at hand, "Is Ocett's office still holding?"
"Give the word," Hendryks rold him.
"The word is given," Macen told her with a grin. He report was detailed and added dimensions to what Smith and Davis had passed along. Agent Delain was furious at Macet's double dealing. Macen's experience with Maret gave him greater insight into that rogue commander than Macet.
"The Dorvan Sector went dark hours after you left it. Maret knows he's discovered so he's gathering his toadies," Ocett was distinctly unhappy, "Legates among the Central Command are pressuring me to give in to whatever demands Maret and Macet make. So their loyalties are known to me. Legate Mariska is looking into the Detepa Council connections."
"Mariska will find out who is involved in the conspiracy," Macen was confident, "But the guilty may be far closer to the Castellan than anyone will be comfortable with."
"That's for Mariska to root out and deal with. Garan can't afford to appear weak before traitors," Ocett summarized her position, "And neither can I."
"Maret's primary liability is his vanity. Macet is subtler and more dangerous overall. But Maret draws in a crowd," Macen recalled from the past.
"So I recall as well," Ocett stated, "I'll be prepared for whatever they throw at me and at the Detepa Council. I promise you that."
Ocett signed off to make preparations for what could be tantamount to a civil war. Hendryks turned to Macen, "The Colonel is impatiently awaiting transport to our ship."
"Have Thool manage the transporter and accommodate Anara's request," Macen told her.
Anara arrived ten minute slater, "We need to use your briefing room."
"Gladly," Noble, Neela, and Rockford accompanied him while lacey took command.
"I have three ships assembled here to secure our position and possessin of the Orb of the Kosst Amojan. The Constitution- class Temple of the Prophets, and the two Miranda-class vessels, the Mystery of the Prophets and the Spear of the Prophets. Two Asia-class starships are arriving even now. They are the Faith in the Prophets and the Security in the Prophets. Two of my vessels have experienced one or two crewmen attempting to hijack the vessels in order to secure the Orb for the Cult of the Pah-wraiths. Needless to say, I'm very unhappy to learn there are sleeper agents in the Militia," Anara told everyone.
"Which also means they could have leaked the location of the Orb being at Free Haven Port," Macen grimaced, "We need to move now to the Wormhole and travel to he vicinity of Waypoint Station while my crews arrive to insure we have non-aligned starships protecting the Orb."
"Those are my orders," Anara confirmed for him, "The final approval for Ghemor's plan hasn't been granted by the Vedek Assembly. The Kai and the Emissary are working diligently to win approval for the First Minister but the loyalties of certain sects within the Vedek Assembly have become somewhat suspect at this point. Permission may not be forthcoming."
"Then when my ships get here, we move unilaterally without official sanction," Macen told Anara.
"I can't. My forces are locked down until the Assembly renders its verdict," Anara said glumly, "I can get you as far as Waypoint without violating orders. But I have no sanction to escort you into Ascendant space. I might even be ordered to stop you from doing so on your own."
Macen toggled the comm button, "Elfi, any word yet on when our reinforcements are due?"
"Two hours until they make Deep Space Nine," Hendryks replied.
"Have them rendezvous with us at Waypoint Station," Macen instructed and turned his attention back to Anara, "I assume you can get my ships cleared to enter Bajoran space."
"I'll include them as part of your participation with guarding the Orb, especially in light of the attempted hostile takeovers of my ships," Anara promised.
"Have they finished the repairs on the Fist of the Prophets?" Rockford inquired.
"In another day or two. I was hoping to ride to Waypoint aboard your ship. That will hopefully give my crews second thoughts about firing on you," Anara offered up.
"And prevent you from having to disobey a direct order to stop me from departing Waypoint for Ascendant space," Macen understood the unspoken logic.
"There's that too," Anara nodded.
"Will your forces fire on us?" Macen asked directly.
"I honestly don't know," Anara confessed, "Outbound Ventures generated a lot of goodwill with Militia forces during the war with the Federation. We're indebted to you. But half my Colonial Defense Forces are ex-Starfleet officers and enlisted. They take obeying orders literally."
"So if General Kira is forced by First Minister Astris o order your ships to engage us they will," Macen grimly realized.
"We can't fight them," Noble protested, "Not after defending them from Starfleet."
"I don't plan to engage them," Macen told her, "We can outrun their fastest ships at maximum warp, unless the Fist joins the fight or Kira spares some Excelsior-class heavy cruisers from the System Defense Forces."
"I'll alert my forces that I'm transferring my flag to your ship. Then I'll transfer to Waypoint and await the arrival of the Fist of the Prophets. Anything beyond that is in General Kira's hands. She won't want to give the order to engage but politically she may be forced to," Anara explained what would be happening, "Just be certain to destroy the Orb before I'm ordered to pursue you and am capable of doing so."
"That's up to Ghemor," Macen told her, "If she decides we require an escort, the Ascendant ships will severely slow us down."
The Ascendancy had taken lessons learned from Bajora heretics transported to the Gamma Quadrant through the Wormhole after being exiled from Bajor on their way to the colonial outpost they would occupy in the Valo system. They ended up discovering an inhabited world called Sinherra by the natives. The Bajora's relatively advanced technology allowed them to easily conquer the Sinherrans, who assimilated the genetically compatible Bajora, most especially their unorthodox views of the Prophets.
The Ascendancy was later found by a similarly stranded pre-refit Constellation-class Starfleet vessels that was boarded and the crew massacred. The Ascendant reverse engineered the starship and had constructed two dozen of them by the time Bajor began colonizing in the Gamma Quadrant again. An Ascendant crew came ipon the Bajoran settlers of New B'Hala and ritualistically slaughtered them.
This led the Colonial Defense Forces into hiring Macen's team to assist in the investigation and the discovery of the Ascendancy on Sinherra and its leader: Iliana Ghemor of Cardassia Prime. But not the Ghemor of that universe but rather brought to the Ascendancy by the Prophets from an alternate universe. She was intended to be the Emissary to the Ascendant and hailed as such but Ghemor had been taken from her Obsidian Order training prior to surgical reconstruction to replace Kira Nerys in the Shaakar Resistance cell and moved through space-time. Ghemor's hatred for Bajorans was the only thing linking her to the slavishly devoted Ascendant.
Ghemor led the Ascendancy through the now-discovered Wormhole to ally themselves with Maret and Macet in an effort to re-enslave Bajor. Ghemor was revealed as a fraud to the Ascendant faithful and detained for trial back on Sinherra. But the Prophets spoke to the Ascendant on their trip home and Ghemor experienced a conversion of faith. Now the Ascendant were allies with the Bajoran Republic and spiritual brothers and sisters of the Vedek Assembly. Ghemor's role as Emissary confirmed by Sisko and Neela, she'd led her people in reaching out to the Iotian Federation that she'd briefly allied with and began trading for starships as Bajor itself had.
The Ascendant starships were a generation behind the modern Bajoran Militia fleet but Bajor herself had begun with pre-refit warp capable starships of varying classes when it began its armament program at the closing days of the Dominion War. Anara had answered the question of whether the Militia would fire on Outbound Ventures. No one had thought to ask if they would also fire on Ascendant ships. Until now.
"That might work in your favor," Anara realized, "If Ghemor supplies an escort, the Militia wouldn't fire on them and they could run interference so you could carry out your task."
"You wouldn't," Macen corrected her, "But if the Majors and colonels in command of Militia starships were under direct orders to, would they?"
"I...don't know," Anara had to confess, "We've never faced the possibility until Starfleet turned on us. But then they invaded and the decision was simple. Whether they'd fire on an ally protecting an ally that they'd been ordered to halt is another matter entirely."
"Let's assume for now that they would," Rockford entered into the fray, "Existential fear drives people to do stupid things. Think of the Federation over the last series of special and regular election cycles. They started two wars out of unjustified fears. But it seemed real enough to the politicians in charge of Starfleet."
"I'll have to give you that," Anara was subdued, "And the Ministry and Vedek Assembly are terrified. They won't even listen to the Emissary."
"I'm certain First Minister Astris is but she's woefully outnumbered by those voices around her stirring the pot in the people's eyes. I'm wagering the populace is being spoon fed horror stories," Rockford guessed.
"People see cultists everywhere. There are religious riots being spurred on by the conservative, ultra-orthodox orders," Anara glumly admitted.
"So we assume a shooting match will come out of this," Rockford decided.
"We need to leave before the orders to go change," Neela warned them, "The disquiet is worse than I feared. The religious right will take it upon themselves to provide a drastic solution no one sane can live with."
"Winn Adami's order has re-purposed itself and found redemption in this issue," Anara confided, "They're the leading voice of discontent."
"Signal your ships. We're getting underway," Macen decided as he rose from his seat to re-enter the bridge module, "Tracy, set course for the Wormhole. We're making for Waypoint."
"The Temple of the Prophets is signaling a disturbance aboard the Spear of the Prophets. The smaller cruiser won't clear a path for us to exit the system," Lacey told Macen of a quarrel between the commanders of a Miranda-class and the Constitution-class ship, "The two light cruisers already re-directed to Waypoint."
"Kira already re-directed the Security in the Prophets and Faith in the Prophets?" Anara asked of her two expected Asia-class starships.
"I don't know their names but I was told that they'd meet us at Waypoint," Hendryks informed her.
"Hail all Militia forces and tell them I'm traveling aboard your ship," Anara instructed, "We'll see if the Spear gives way then."
"Hailing frequencies opened by the Spear. They're declaring a mutiny underway," Hendryks monitored the comm channels.
"Have the Temple of the Prophets assist the commander," Anara told Hendryks, "On my personal authority. The Mystery of the Prophets will provide escort to the Bajor system."
"And so the fear mongering plants seeds," Noble opined.
"This is only going to get worse," Rockford predicted, "Until the Orb is destroyed."
"I'll buy you as much time as I can but I can only rewrite orders to a degree. So far nothing but our reporting to Waypoint is official. But if more incidents like this occur, the entire Militia will become involved," Anara warned.
"Signal coming from Free Haven Port," Hendryks interrupted, "Cardassian forces have tried to cross the border. Kira has dispatched the System Defense Force to the border to secure it and all Colonial Forces in the Alpha Quadrant not on assigned patrols have been diverted to assist Prophet's Landing and the Valo System."
"Which leaves the Gamma Quadrant patrols intact to pursue you," Anara warned Macen, "Your ships had better arrive in a hurry."
"They'll be here before the Vedek Assembly reaches a consensus," Macen predicted.
"Three starships dropping out of warp from the Wormhole terminus location," Lacey reported in while Hendryks was a break, "They ID as Outbound Ventures."
"Make and IDs?" Macen asked.
"A Hokule'a-class named the Antares. An Andromeda-class ID'd as the Barrier, and an Excelsior-class named the Broadsword," Lacey informed him.
"Contact all captains and have them and their executive officers beamed aboard for a briefing," Macen told her, "You'll have the bridge. Have Celeste, Noble, and Neela brought to the bridge. Tell Tulley to relieve you and have Harri and Thool report to stations. I want Parva off duty as well."
"I hear and obey," Lacey chuckled.
"And when Noble and I exit the briefing, I want you off-duty as well. I need my watch rested for when things get hairy later on," Macen told her.
"You're assuming that it will," Lacey countered.
"It always does and you know it," Macen accused.
"Just seeing if you remembered," Lacey grinned.
The briefing room table only seated seven. Captains Gene Anchor, Remington Steel, and Gou Bing-bing were seated along with the execs, Commanders Gemma Hathaway, Jesse Stone, and Juno Ross, all in those respective orders to one another. Macen, Rockford, Noble, and Neela stood while Macen briefed the SID commanders on he mission and its expected difficulties.
"While we've been here, the Militia ships Temple of the Prophets and Spear of the Prophets resolved their personnel issues and joined Colonel Anara's other ships that were intended as escorts," Macen told them, "Other Militia ships are being diverted here or to the Cardassian border. I've been in contact with Iliana Ghemor and gave me rendezvous coordinates which I will be sharing with you by padd. We can't risk further Bajoran signal intercepts. But we set out as soon as everyone is back at their respective commands. But as you may have noted upon arrival, the Militia is patrolling this system with intentions to block our exit. We won't engage them but that doesn't mean we can't frighten them with near collisions."
"I find it hard to believe the Bajorans would fire on us when they owe the company for its support during the war with the Federation," Stone admitted.
"I second that," Steel's British accent was adopted. He was originally from Ireland.
"These people believe they are living in the last of days. They are desperate," Gou understated the problem, "They will be capable of acts they would never normally consider."
"We can outrace their fastest ships," Hathaway realized, "They have to know that."
"They do and Colonel Anara is counting on hat. But we may be slowed when we reach Ascendant territory if Ghemor decides we need an escort. Which may or may not work in our favor since the Ascendancy and the Bajorans share religious roots. Their Vedek Assembly is steeped in fear regarding the Cult of the Pah-wraiths as well," Macen advised them all, "But we need to leave. Now."
As the captains and XOs began to exit, Captain Gou and Ross hung back for a moment. Gou addressed her concern, "The Militia is evidently blockading this system to prevent us from departing. Will you readily risk an armed confrontation with the Bajorans just to destroy a religious artifact?"
"Whether you believe it or not, this artifact contains aliens capable of destroying the Wormhole aliens and all life on Bajor. Where will they go from there?" Macen asked her.
"But still, we sided with the Bajorans during heir war with the Federation and the recent standoff over DS9. We may be independent security contractors but we also chose a side. We risk alienating the Bajoran government by doing this," Ross succinctly pointed out.
"You'll learn over time that sometimes the best way to defend a client si to disobey them," Macen advised her, "Now, you need to transport back to the Antares and prepare to exit the system to make our rendezvous."
"I was told you're no longer in the Outbound Ventures fleet chain of command," Gou rebutted him, "Why should we treat you as senior officer? You and your crew don't even wear the uniform."
"I'm the first SID team commander and Outbound Ventures' first starship commander. As Acting Captain of the Solstice, that reinstates that seniority. But thanks for asking," Macen replied, "Now go. We have a deadline to meet."
Gou seemed ready to further argue the point but Ross intervened, "He has a valid point. And we're no longer part of Starfleet. The rules of a private contractor corporation will take some getting used to."
"Look at this way, Starfleet wants the Orb destroyed and their retainer makes them our principal client. So in effect, we're obeying orders from our primary employer. The same employer hat granted you SID status within my company. Good enough?" Macen lectured Gou.
Goa subsided, "For now."
"The transporter room awaits," Ross urged her captain o enter the turbolift and be on their way.
Moments later, Noble reported from OPS, "All commands report ready."
"Then we make a break for it." Macen knew Thool had been manning the transporter. He relieved Noble as Mudd piloted the ship along an escape vector to take them into Ascendant space. Tulley raised the shields as pre-agreed upon. All the Outbound Ventures ships followed suit.
The Faith in the Prophets maneuvered to intercept the Solstice even as the Temple of the Prophets moved to block the Antares. The Mystery of the Prophets set itself upon the Barrier while the Security in the Prophets sought to block the Broadsword. Macen wasn't done yet.
"Order all commands to full impulse and assume ramming postures. We don't blink," Macen ordered.
"The Militia ships are employing evasive maneuvers to avoid getting rammed but they're locking weapons on us," Tulley reported from Tactical.
"Have we received an official demand to stand down?" Macen inquired.
"Not yet," Thool said nervously. The Bolian had always been high strung during conflicts.
"Which means Anara isn't directing the effort. The individual commanders are weighing their options in light of their orders to keep us in the system," Macen told Thool.
"The Temple of the Prophets has opened fire on the Antares. The other Bajoran ships are following their lead," Tulley announced seconds before the shields began shrugging off phaser fire, "They're arming torpedoes."
"Time until they can fire?" Macen inquired of the impending torpedo strikes.
"Ten seconds," Tulley answered.
"Time until we can go to warp?" Macen asked Mudd.
"About the same ten seconds," she replied.
"This'll be close," Macen predicted.
"Colonel Anara is reminding the Militia forces that Neela is aboard our ship," Thool announced, "No word about our escorts."
The Faith in the Prophets fired phasers at the passing Solstice before the scoutship went to Warp 8. The other SID ships also received phaser fire before going to warp to match the Solstice's course and speed. The Militia ships maneuvered to pursue but were called off by Anara, reminding them they couldn't match the greater speeds of the SID Starfleet derived starships. But Militia Intelligence had decrypted Ghemor's coded signal to Macen. So they knew where to begin their search after the Fist of the Prophets arrived in mere hours. But she did allow them to depart at cruising speeds to be in position for the Fist's arrival once she was back in command of her flagship. They'd pick up the pursuit from the rendezvous point tracking the slower Ascendant starships.
Anara's orders were to retrieve the Orb of the Kosst Amojan and re-bury it on an inhospitable gas giant. The high gravity planet itself a natural shield for containing the Orb and dissuading retrieval. It also eliminated the risks the Vedek Assembly felt were inherent in releasing the Pah-wraiths in the fury of a star. Anara couldn't have disagreed more. Neither could the Emissary and the Kai. But the Orthodox had won the day in persuading a majority in the Assembly and forcing the Kai to pressure the First Minister into issuing the orders to General Kira. Kira was as reluctant as Astris at issuing the containment rather than destruction orders. Especially in light of the Orb being in Macen's custody.
Anara sought clarification of the extent of her orders given Ghemor and the Ascendancy's complicity in the matter now. The Vedeks decided by the time the Fist arrived at Waypoint. The Militia force wasn't to allow the launching of the Orb into a star. They were to secure it instead by any means necessary. Kira stressed to Anara that she was to deem how necessary force was in enforcing the orders. But also reminded the Colonel that the eyes of Bajor were upon her and every decision she made would be scrutinized by the Militia, the Minsitry, the public, and the Vedek Assembly.
Anara transported aboard the Fist of the Prophets and set out to join her task force even as she called in additional forces from their assigned patrols. Before she left comm buoy range, Anara reminded Kira that no less than the Emissary of the Prophets to Bajor, the Kai, and the Hand of the Prophets were behind Macen's plan. Obviously the Emissary of the Prophets to the Ascendant agreed as well. So why weren't the Vedeks listening to their most important religious figures who were attuned to the very will of the Prophets?
Kira noted that had been the heart of her and the First Minister's objections but the Assembly ruled otherwise and the Kai was forced by the majority to issue forth the decree fo the Vedek Assembly to the Ministry. Astris was under threat of excommunication to push the orders to the Joint Chiefs and Kira. That threat then extended to Kira. Kira warned Anara that she now faced the very real threat of expulsion from the Bajoran faithful if she disobeyed the directive.
"This is wrong on so many levels," Anara complained, "The Vedek Assembly should want the Orb of the Kosst Amojan destroyed."
"They did. Until Winn's old order convinced them that hiding the Orb was a safer option," Kira sourly explained.
"But the Orb was found before. It's only a matter of time before technology is invented that could retrieve the Orb from the depths of a gas giant and then the users could open it and destroy everything we take for granted," Anara direly warned.
"The Emissary and I made that argument. The Kai and the First Minister supported us and the Assembly still went forward with their edict," Kira explained, "The Emissary still won't exert his authority over the Bajoran faithful so he had me warn you of what was coming at you. Your orders are delayed until you make contact with the Outbound Ventures and Ascendant ships. But you have to stay on their trail. But at safe cruising speed so as not to overload your warp engines."
"And buy hem time to carry out their plan?" Anara asked.
"You inferred that. I never said it," Kira smiled.
"Understood," Anara signed off and ordered the Fist to join the other Militia ships assigned to the search. Once they reunited she'd order them to proceed at a leisurely Warp 4. But the older style warp engines used by the Ascendant would give off a distinct warp signature that would be easy to follow. Anara prayed that Ghemor assigned her fastest ships to the task or that she never assigned any of them at all.
Macen was dismayed to find an escort squadron assembled to greet the SID ships. Ghemor had recruited two Mercury-class frigates, two Detroit-class light cruisers, two Miranda-class light cruisers, and an Asia-class light cruiser to escort them to the chosen system. Ghemor herself was aboard the Asia-class, named the Ascendancy Zenith.
The other ships were the Ascendancy Reborn, Ascendancy Scrolls, Ascendancy Triumphant, Ascendancy Victorious, Ascendancy Momentum, and Ascendancy Overcoming in the same order as the ship classes as he was given the report by Tulley.
"On screen," Macen found the order painful.
"Commander Macen, I have reason to believe that elements in our Vedek Assembly are conspiring with the Cult of the Pah-wraiths and enlisted mercenaries to intercept you before you can destroy the Orb of the Kosst Amojan," Ghemor explained why she'd arrived in force, "I have another ship dispatched to find us a different system then the one I originally planned to send you to."
"Do we have a heading?" Macen worried now.
"We do. There is another candidate star system nearby. The Ascendancy Explorer is scouting the system now to make certain it is uninhabited," Ghemor explained.
"We can't afford to let the Militia catch up with us," Macen informed her, "They've already opened fire on us once. I suspect you'd share the same fate. Colonel Anara is bending her orders as far as she can but elements of the Bajoran Vedek Assembly won't allow the Orb to be destroyed. Likely for the same reasons of aiding a recovery attempt."
"The Prophets fear this Orb. It cannot be allowed to continue to exist," Ghemor said strongly.
"So Neela tells us," Macen informed her.
"She is aboard your vessel?" Ghemor was and wasn't surprised. Neela often aided Macen.
"She is," Macen confirmed it.
"And the Bajorans still opened fire despite her rank among them? They are conspiring with the Cult of the Pah-wraiths then. Perhaps not knowingly but their Vedeks are," Ghemor condemned them all.
"Perhaps," Macen allowed, "Winn Adami's Order still venerates her despite her apostasy at the end of her life. They were the driving force behind the Vedek Assembly's edict not to destroy the Orb of the Kosst Amojan."
"This Order is collaborating behind the Assembly's collective backsides with the very threat they're attempting to contain," Ghemor spat vehemently, "They must be reckoned with before they inflict more harm upon the faithful as I once did."
"No one spots a heretic like a recanted heretic," Macen agreed.
"I understand my fellow Emissary's reluctance to intervene in the Bajoran faith but this time he must. For the good of the Prophets and their faithful," Ghemor decided.
"You should have that discussion with him when this ends," Macen recommended.
"I will. But we should be underway. My starships can comfortably cruise at Warp Factor 4. Will this slow us too greatly?" Ghemor inquired.
"Colonel Anara will try to delay her forces as long as she possibly can so I can't predict how fast they'll be traveling," Macen told her, "But we'll make do as best we can."
"I'm transmitting the course vector and heading. My scoutship should meet us along this bearing and guide us in to a suitable star," Ghemor offered, "We'll be underway now."
"Thool, alert all commands to implement course correction and inform them we'll be traveling at Warp 4," Macen instructed.
"Transmitting received course bearing and informing all commands," Thool replied.
"This'll certainly give Anara time to catch us," Mudd complained.
"Anara will be in no hurry to catch us," Macen promised, "But I can't vouch for her command officers accompanying her. The Ascendant escort will slow us but they'll also provide a screen the Bajorans may not fire upon. They'll certainly slow the Militia whatever the case."
"You feel like taking over?" Macen asked Noble.
"I'm too wired to sleep," she admitted
"Get six hours anyway. Tulley can babysit from Tactical," Macen didn't want the suggestion to become an order. But it would be if need be.
"I've got this, Skipper," Tulley hadn't referred to anyone but Ro as "Skipper" until being assigned to Noble's crew aboard the Solstice. It was a sign of deep respect.
She took it as such, "Okay. I know when a mutiny is afoot," Noble surrendered.
She joined Macen in the turbolift, "I guess I'll see what Eckles had whipped up in the Galley."
"Tessa has been taking over kitchen duties lacking patients to treat," Macen told her.
"Really?" Noble was surprised Eckles would allow it, "Why hasn't anyone told me?"
"You ate the food and didn't notice. That's because Tom shared all of his recipes with her," Macen chuckled.
"He must really like her," Noble realized.
"Tessa is very likable," Macen grinned.
"Is that why you had this ship lined with holoprojectors?" Noble asked.
"What good is an EMH that's restricted to Sickbay?" Macen asked her in return.
"This ship class was never intended to support an EMH," Noble pointed out.
"The drain on the EPS network is manageable and the computer core had plenty of room. Besides, I never heard complain about having your own EMH aboard before," Macen scolded her.
"It's a vital tool. But we don't treat it like a person," Noble shared her hesitancy.
"And given the age and design of your computer core, it may never become a person. But Tessa was born on the Obsidian and quickly developed sentience. So, she's part of the family," Macen replied.
The veiled reference to the different design eras between the Nova-class Obsidian and the Blackbird-class Solstice wasn't a slight. Macen had captained ships of both design and favored them both. They had their advantages and disadvantages. Two major advantages to the Blackbird-class was its small crew requirement and its chase weaponry. The Nova-class had superior sensors to most Starfleet designed vessels. It could rig for atmospheric operations and landings and it contained a shuttlebay capable of housing the Danube-class runabout, the Corsair versus the Solstice's shutlepod bay. Still, Macen loved both ship designs equally.
They found the galley full of off duty personnel and ship's visitors. Burrows had brought out Smart for a meal. Smart was surrounded at his table by the ever watchful Burrows, Daggit, and their co-conspirator, Parva. Tessa took food orders and served her patrons. Rockford sat with Neela, Ebert, and Hendryks. Lacey dined alone. Macen found that unacceptable. So after getting his meal, he sat down with the transwoman. Noble joined them.
"You seem withdrawn today," Macen noted as he enjoyed his first cup of coffee in hours.
"I don't like the thought of fighting the Militia. It seems wrong after all the support they gave us in the Maquis and during the war effort," Lacey confessed.
"It might not come to that yet," Noble offered encouragement.
"You know as well as I do those Militia starships are going to catch up to us no matter how much Colonel Anara argues to slow them down," Lacey rolled her eyes.
"And we know they will fire on us as outsiders to their faith," Macen put forth, "But the Ascendant are fellow believers and their Emissary from the Prophets is aboard the Ascendancy Zenith."
"We have their Hand of the Prophets aboard and it didn't slow them down from shooting at us," Lacey grumbled, "Religious fanatics are the worst kind. They'll do anything it justify it as the will of their gods."
"We have other problems as well," Macen conceded, "Smart is one problem aboard this vessel. Captain Gou represented an opinion that Captains Steel and Anchor probably share. They all resigned from Starfleet in protest over the war with the Bajorans and now the Bajorans are picking the fight. They feel betrayed. They're new to Outbound Ventures and already vetted as SID operators but this is their first corporate assignment and Starfleet has mandated the destruction of the Orb over all other concerns. Including maintaining the peace with the Bajorans."
"I never got used to being hunted by Starfleet but at least I recognized them as an enemy. But the Bajoran Militia quietly supported our efforts to destabilize the Cardassians," Noble shared her viewpoint, "I don't like thinking of them as a possible enemy."
"No one does. Which why we're trying so hard to avoid escalating this into a real conflict," Macen promised her.
"I'm off to ge some mandatory rack time. I'll be dead until my next watch," Noble recycled her plate and silverware and departed.
"I'm with her on that score," Lacey decided and followed Noble out.
Burrows and Daggit led Smart away while Parva tended to everyone's dishes. Then she followed their trail since it was Daggit's time off and Burrows would stand watch over Smart. Hendryks had detected Smart's efforts to convert his reader into a comm unit and blocked his transmissions. She'd briefed Thool but Macen wondered if the Bolian were up to the task.
Ebert said goodnight on her way out. Neela and Rockford waited for Macen to join them. He smiled as he did so, "Any new conspiracies I should know about?"
"Anara has been briefing Neela on the Militia's progress," Rockford shared, "They aren't far behind us. Even with Anara reducing speeds, her fellow commanders are pushing to go to maximum warp and overtake us sooner than later."
"Anara faces excommunication if she doesn't use every means at her disposal to acquire the Orb of the Kosst Amojan," Neela said sadly, "Life was simpler in the Resistance when Anara didn't really adhere to the faith. But my influence and subsequent disappearance when I should have been instantly killed in the vacuum of space sparked real faith in her. My reappearance has only reinforced that faith. So she will engage us if she catches us. And it's only a matter of ten hours before they overtake us by our estimates."
"So do we fight?" Rockford bluntly asked.
"If we have to defend ourselves, we will," Macen sighed, "I'd better brief Ghemor and let her know the time constraint we're looking at."
Macen left for the bridge and Rockford did her own sighing, "This is why I'm glad he isn't captain aboard the Obsidian. He takes everything too hard."
"I fear the Prophets placed a great burden on us all when they chose us," Neela sounded sad, "Not all of us will bear up under the weight of our burden. But Macen is stronger than even he knows. That is why the Prophets singled him out when they met during the Dominion War."
"He never discusses what they told him," Rockford confessed, "Just that they revealed something to him."
"One doesn't discuss the messages the Prophets bring either personally or through an Orb," Neela assured her, "It is a custom as old as the Orbs themselves. The Prophets guide the journeyman on their path of what to reveal and what remains hidden from others."
"But he's told you," Rockford accused.
"We shared the same message," Neela told her, "It wasn't a betrayal of his trust in you. He is just meant to carry this alone."
"Even if you received the same message from them?" Rockford didn't understand.
"It is my weight to carry it alone just as it is Macen's weight to bear up alone. We cannot help one another on our paths. But we can work together to bring us closer to understanding what that path is," Neela tried to explain.
"I really hate your Prophets," Rockford admitted.
"They know and they don't care. You'll fulfill the role they've seen for you. It's inescapable," Neela tried to soften the blow.
"Sometimes I think your faith would be a great comfort. Most of the time I think your blind devotion is delusional. I just don't want to see Brin caught up in some holy crusade," Rockford told her.
"He already is," Neela confirmed Rockford's worst nightmare, "And the rest of you were brought along with him to wage the war. None of us can stand alone."
"Not even you?" Rockford was leery.
"Especially not me," Neela revealed, "Your cause is my cause and my cause had become your cause. All because the Prophets saw need of you."
"I think I'd prefer standing on my own instead," Rockford shared.
"Therein lies he path of certain destruction. You must stay with us until the end of the task appointed to us, Celeste Rockford. Only then can you find release and perfect rest," Neela revealed.
"And we'll be still be alive to enjoy this peace and rest?" Rockford was still skeptical.
"Most of us will," Neela was saddened again, "All I know is that some my fall so others may rise. That is the word the Prophets gave me. I don't know the 'who' or 'how' others will die. Only that they will."
"You're such a comfort," Rockford grumbled.
"You're not seeking comfort but you are seeking clarity of purpose. I've shared that with you. What you do next is on you," Neela told her, "But it will impact everyone."
"No pressure then," Rockford said ruefully.
"You once saved a universe. I think you can handle a crusade," Neela smiled.
Macen exited the briefing room where he'd discreetly briefed Ghemor on the restrictions placed upon Anara and their proximity.
"Our Ascendant escorts just dropped out of warp and are coming about," Tulley was surprised, "What did you say to them?"
"They're intercepting the Militia to buy us more time. Thool, alert all commands we're going to Warp 8 for as long as we're able to maintain that speed," Macen instructed, "And everyone watch your sensors. We're expecting to meet and greet a Kremlin-class scout called the Ascendancy Explorer. They'll take us into the chosen system and we can end this."
"And if the Militia catches up with us and takes issue with us trying to destroy the object that kill them all?" Tulley asked grimly.
"It would take a serious distraction to impede long enough for the Militia catch at our current warp factor," Macen assured him, "Once the scout leads us in, we get close to the star, strap the Ark around the Orb up so it doesn't open, load it into a dummy torpedo and fire it into a star. Then the Bajorans will have to choose whether to rejoice in this or take issue with us."
"And if they take issue?" Thool hated the thought.
"They shouldn't make that mistake. But if they do, we defend ourselves and get back to the Wormhole terminus as fast as possible, make for the Alpha Quadrant and hope Kira and the Militia aren't waiting for us on the other side of the Wormhole," Macen summed it up.
"Yeah, I'm so happy I came along," Mudd groaned.
"Tony and Tracy came with. You would've refused to stay behind," Macen grinned.
"Stupidity and hindsight are 20/20," Mudd complained, "Let's just find this scout and ruin the Bajorans' day."
"That's the spirit," Macen applauded her, "Call me when we find the scout."
"We hear and obey," Mudd griped, "Just leave before you ruin the rest of our watch."
To settle her commanders' nerves, Anara had ordered all ships go to maximum warp. Fortunately, her Asia-class refits slowed them down. Even the Miranda- and Constitution-classes slowed Anara down. Her exec, Captain Wyn Mesa approached the center seat.
"We have Ascendant ships on a direct intercept course for us," Wyn informed Anara.
"A delaying tactic," Anara sighed, "Avoid collisions but stay at warp."
"Ghemor is with them and says it's the will of the Prophets for us to stop and open a dialogue," Wyn whispered, "She's an Emissary of the Prophets."
"So is ours and he was ignored by the Vedek Assembly," Anara hissed back, "I know what's at stake here."
"Torpedo, torpedo, torpedo!" Sergeant Bol Ferin, the Navigator/Weapons Officer declared loudly
"Drop out of warp and take evasive action," Anara gripped her armrests. Lieutenant Crispus Alva was up to the task at the helm.
"I guess they want us to stop after all," Bol warned the Colonel, "They've dropped out of warp and are closing on our position with shields up and weapons armed."
"Raise our shields and arm weapons systems. Inform the squadron we aren't stopping but we are temporarily slowing," Anara instructed Tech Sergeant Triss Glivi at Communications, "Ahead full impulse."
"They're ordering us to stand down," Triss reported.
"Inform them we're operating under direct orders from the Bajoran Vedek Assembly," Anara replied.
"Ghemor replies she's operating under the blessing of the Prophets themselves," Triss sounded worried, "She wants to speak with you."
"Lock phasers on target. Coordinate fire control with the other ships," Anara commanded.
"They're replying in kind," Bol warned.
"Ghemor advises us to recall the words of the Prophets as written by their Emissaries," Triss repeated, "Then reconsider our own position regarding the Pah-wraihs and the evil the Orb represents."
"Faith in the Prophets and Mystery of the Prophets have opened fire!" Bol announced.
"Who gave that order?" Anara snapped forward in her seat.
"Temple of the Prophets and Spear of the Prophets have also opened fire," Bol sounded dismayed, "Only Security in the Prophets and us have refrained from firing."
"The Ascendancy's two Detroit-, two Mercury-, and two Miranda-classes are returning fire. Only their Asia-class hasn't joined the fight," Bol said dismally.
"Ghemor is aboard the Asia-class Ascendancy Zenith," Triss informed Anara.
"Order the Security in the Prophets to open fire. Target the Asia-class' weapons and drive systems. Just put them out of the fight. Inform all commands that's my orders," Anara felt hollow inside, "Proceed at maximum impulse and resume warp speed and our pursuit course once we clear the Ascendant ships."
"All commands are signaling they've disabled the Ascendant ships and are free and clear to navigate," Triss said sadly.
"Go to maximum warp," Anara said dismally.
"Ghemor is signaling again. Her message is simple this time. She says, 'you've chosen your path. Now let's see if the Children of the Prophets survive your error'. End of message. They're signaling their fleet for assistance."
"We may want to find another route back to Waypoint," Wyn suggested.
"Strategic thinking, Captain. Keep it up and you'll be a major in no time at all," Anara predicted.
"The Militia blew through the Ascendant force without stopping. Ghemor reports all of their ships are damaged but they have assistance on the way," Thool told Tulley and Mudd, "I wouldn't want to be Bajoran and cross paths with them again."
"Anara just declared war. Now we'll see if the Ascendancy replies in kind," Tulley observed.
"Damn. Anara has a hard on to ge this stupid Orb. I wonder what the Vedek Assembly has on her to motivate her to that," Mudd admitted.
"Neela is getting another signal from Anara. Should I scramble it?" Thool asked Tulley.
"No. Neela is trying to talk her friend down before they reach us. They come in phasers blazing and our fellow captains will reply with more of the same," Tulley had been warned by Noble.
"I wonder what they're saying on their starships," Mudd posed the query.
"I honestly don't care to know," Tulley told her, "Keep an eye out for that scoutship and let the brass on the other ships do their own laundry."
"I believe you speak for all of us," Gou conceded that point, "We left Starfleet in protest over the Federation and Starfleet's mistreatment of the Bajoran people and this is how they repay us?"
"It's damn criminal," Steel agreed.
"There has to be a reasonable outcome to this," Hathaway argued.
"Probably not," Ross disagreed, "The Bajorans are running on mass hysteria and religious dogma. Those are two powerful forces to overcome."
"Which is why Captain Steel contacted Riker before we left Ascendant comm buoy range and requested reinforcements," Stone said proudly.
"Captain Riker agreed?" Anchor was surprised, "Normally he won't go against Macen."
"I told him Macen made the request but was too involved to contact him personally. Help should be arriving shortly. Riker dispatched two Cheyenne-class cruisers, the Apache and the Aquila. Captains Chow Li and Michelle Zhang are both Starfleet veterans as well," Steel explained.
"I served alongside Chow and Zhang both. They're steady and reliable," Gou reported to them.
"I was a junior officer under Chow," Ross told them, "He's an excellent tactician."
"Zhang has a head for strategy," Hathaway knew, "It served her well when she took over command during the Dominion War."
"We could use a little steady and reliable," Stone said bitterly, "Macen's softhearted but cowboy tactics will get us killed."
"We left Starfleet voluntarily. Macen was forced out or face court martial for insubordination and striking a superior officer," Anchor reminded, "We've all heard the stories of how he ran his company before Starfleet hired Outbound Ventures and cleaned his act up. I'll be damned before I follow another of his reckless orders."
"He does own the company we're now employed by," Hathaway reminded her captain.
"Let him dare fire me," Anchor huffed.
"We all agree to disagree with Macen's approach towards the Bajoran Militia," Gou steered the conversation back to less choppy waters, "But we employ the superior vessels. We can afford to follow Starfleet protocol and not fire first."
"I think that was a given," Ross told her captain.
"Anchor, you had seniority in the chair before your resignation. I say we follow your lead," Steel recommended to everyone.
"I will," Gou agreed.
"Then its settled. The Bajorans start a fight and we finish it," Anchor growled.
"I'm detecting a Kremlin-class scoutship ID'd as the Ascendancy Explorer dead ahead," Thool announced.
"Alert our escorts to drop out of warp and rendezvous with that ship," Tulley ordered, "Call Macen and his watch to the bridge. I've a feeling they'll want to take over for this."
"Let them," Mudd quipped.
The War Vedek in command of the Ascendant ship gave them a new set of coordinates to to head to while it set out at its maximum warp factor to assist Ghemor's stricken taskforce. Macen relayed the destination coordinates and their squadron set out at Warp 6 to a nearby star system.
Dropping out of warp in the outer system, sensors revealed the system was dominated by Class-J gas giants in the outer system and Class-D planets and dwarf planets in the inner system. The primary was a white dwarf star.
"Take us in as close as the gravity well will allow us to still escape," Macen ordered Ebert.
"I'm detecting another vessel in the system. It's a small scouter gig with no ID," Lacey suddenly reported, "It was lying doggo on one of the planets. It's making a break out of the system. It's also transmitting a broad spectrum signal."
"Have the Broadsword intercept it and the Barrier and Antares begin a sweep of local space," Macen instructed Hendryks.
Hendryks complied then scowled, "All commands are refusing to acknowledge. And They're not breaking cover formation."
"They're raising shields and arming weapons," Lacey reported.
"Raise shields and arm our phaser banks. Have Smart assist Burrows and Daggit in prepping the Ark and it intended torpedo," Macen ordered, "Standby all other torpedo launchers for live rounds."
"This should prove amusing," Macen remarked, "On screen."
Varic appeared on the Solstice's main viewer, "I see Mudd Kenra did find out what the Ascendancy is doing out here. I've a middleman contract with the Orion Syndicate to retrieve an item you're carrying. Hand it over and we can avoid any bloodshed."
"I'm unaware of how you procured Grimes Arms starships without the Militia noticing but they won't stop me," Macen told Varic, "You're lucky to be alive after your betrayal at Waypoint."
"Ghemor spared my life but exiled me from my own world. As far as starships go, the Bajorans believe these were meant for the Ascendancy. What they don't know will cost them dearly," Varic vowed.
"I guess you can tell them that personally when they arrive," Macen said nonchalantly, "They want the Orb of the Kosst Amojan as badly as you do."
"The Cardassians that hired the Orions fronted me the latinum that bought me these pretty starships. I can't afford to disappoint the Orions or the Cardassians. Not a second time," Varic warned.
"They're raising shields and locking phasers," Lacey announced.
"Order our escorts to engage while we make a run at that star," Macen instructed.
"Now they acknowledge," Hendryks muttered.
"Maximum impulse. Go!" Macen ordered.
Ebert pushed the ship to its sublight limits, "They'll still catch us if they evade our escorts."
"Tell Daggit that he's on the clock," Macen told Hendryks, "Lacey, prep a torpedo volley from our aft launcher."
"Already did that," Lacey growled.
"Now we see how close Varic is willing to ge to that star's gravity well," Macen stated.
"How close are willing to get?" Ebert asked.
"Too close," Macen warned her.
"Signal Steel and Gou to engage multiple targets at a time," Anchor ordered, "Macen's making a run on that star. These ships may not be be top of the line compared to modern Starfleet specs but they're a match for us and they have larger impulse engines to drive their relative mass compared to the Solstice."
"They're forming a shield around the ship that signaled Macen," Hathaway announced, "We'll stop them but it'll get through barring a miracle."
"Damn it all," Anchor rubbed his balding head, "Signal Steel to bring the Broadsword about and lay in a pursuit course after that ship."
"He ordered what?" Gou asked of Ross.
"The Broadsword to interdict Macen's pursuer," Ross answered, "Leaving us facing five warships."
"We hold the line then," Gou decided, "For as long as possible."
"Fire torpedoes at Varic," Macen ordered.
"Torpedoes away," Lacey announced, "Their shields survived the impacts but we made a dent. They're arming torpedoes in reply."
"They don't know if they can use their tractor beam to retrieve the Orb's Ark if we launch it close enough to the star," Macen told her, "But they can sift through debris field we'll make for it."
"You're still a comfort after all these years," Lacey grumbled.
"The Broadsword broke formation and is in pursuit of Varic's ship. But another Pincer-class escaped the Barrier and the Antares to pursue the Broadsword," Hendryks ran the playbook in motion.
"So we're on our own after all," Ebert grumbled, "Like always."
"Go to warp and make for the gravity well," Macen ordered.
"We'll need warp speed to escape and we risk a temporal breach if we do," Ebert reminded him.
"We won't be going that fast," Macen told her, "Lay in at Warp 2."
"That bought us some seconds before they laid in at Warp 2.5," Hendryks advised him, "They're certain to overtake us now."
"Macen went to warp?" Steel was baffled by Stone's report.
"They're going slow enough they aren't risking a time jump but their pursuer followed suit at a faster speed," Stone told him.
"He's either brilliant or a complete idiot," Steel told her, "It's a game of brinkmanship now."
"How? They're certain to be overwhelmed," Stone didn't understand.
"At warp they break from the gravity well closer to the star, closing the distance to when they can fire off the Orb. The larger ship will be able to do the same to attempt to use their tractor beam. But they risk a solar ejection," Steel explained the mechanics.
"We're within firing range," Lacey commented as exchanged more torpedo fire with the Treasure Trove.
"Take us closer. Right to the edge of our ability to break free. Lacey, target the star ahead of our flight path and standby to fire," Macen instructed.
"I get it," Ebert understood now, "I don't like it but I get it."
"Let's hope Varic is so determined to capture his prize he doesn't see it coming," Macen told her, "Lacey, I want a three torpedo volley into that star. Then wait five seconds and fire the dummy round."
"Daggit and Smart report its loaded," Hendryks said helpfully.
"Nothing like last minute heroics," Macen muttered.
"We're as close as we're getting," Ebert warned Macen.
"Lacey, fire torpedo spread and then the dummy round. Tracy, take us to Warp 4 as soon as the last torpedo launch is finished," Macen ordered all around.
"I'll be able to avoid a slingshot this way," Ebert said happily.
"And sensors will track Varic's progress," Hendryks announced.
"Firing," Lacey did as she was ordered.
"Accelerating and breaking free," Ebert announced.
"The inertia damper won't be able to keep up," Hendryks watched her OPS board readings.
"What are a few Gs among friends?" Macen asked.
Varic closed enough to lock a tractor beam on the Ark," Hendryks warned, "But a coronal ejection will overtake them before they can speed up enough to escape."
"Thus endeth Varic," Macen grinned despite the strain of increased gravity.
"Confirming total destruction of the Treasure Trove. There was a temporal energy spike before that. Best guess is the Orb was destroyed as well along with Varic's ship," Hendryks reported.
"His people are either incredibly loyal to a cause or plain nuts," Lacey reported, "They're still in the fight."
"I have multiple bogeys dropping out of warp in the inner system," Hendryks warned, "It's Anara taskforce."
"Now Varic's forces are attempting to break off. The Militia is joining in and engaging the would-be pirates," Lacey was surprised.
"They have to clear path to us," Macen told her, "Until they confirm the Orb's destruction, they're still under orders to retrieve it."
"And when they discover we destroyed it?" Hendryks asked.
"That is the question Anara is asking herself," Macen rold her.
"The rogue Federation starships are all disabled," Bol reported to Anara.
"Status of the Outbound Ventures ships?" Anara asked.
"They've sustained damage but could still pose a threat," Bol assessed.
"Then why aren't they locking phasers on us?" Wyn asked, "They aren't trying impede our progress into the system."
"I have the Solstice leaving the primary star," Crispus stated as he studied his targeting viewer, "Along with a massive coronal ejection."
"Hail the Solstice," Anara instructed Triss.
"I have them," the tech sergeant reported.
"On screen," Anara requested and Macen's pleased image appeared, "Tell me you destroyed it."
"We did and took out one of the mercenary ships in the process," Macen happily reported, "They were hired by he Orion Syndicate on Gul Maret and Gul Macet's behalf."
"So they wanted the Orb too?" Anara didn't believe in coincidence, "How did they know you'd be here?"
"I'm betting the Ascendancy's Vedek Assembly supplied the information despite Ghemor's influence. The Cult of the Pah-wraith seems to have many friends hiding in plain sight," Macen conjectured.
"At least the threat of the Orb has ended," Anara almost sagged in relief, "Triss, contact the other commands and tell them the Orb has been destroyed. The Pah-wraith threat has been neutralized."
"Colonel, the Temple, Mystery, Spear, and Faith are targeting the Outbound Ventures ships and they're targeting back in response," Bol advised his commanding officer.
"Order those ships to stand down!" Anara said urgently.
"Notice the Security in the Faith has shown restraint again?" Wyn noted.
"Two more starships have entered the system," Bol alerted Anara, "Two Cheyenne-class ships registered to Outbound Ventures."
"This won't end well," Anara predicted.
Chapter Five
"Why are we receiving reinforcements?" Macen asked aloud.
"The Apache and Aquila are commanded by Captains Cow Li and Michelle Zhang, repsectively," Hendryks looked up their corporate registries.
"They're talking but to the Barrier," Lacey advised Macen.
"I'd say that answers the question of who asked for reinforcements," Ebert noted.
"Signal all commands, ours and the Militia's and tell hem that the Orb is destroyed. We can all stand down," Macen instructed.
"Signal sent. No one is backing down," Hendryks reported.
"Get me Captain Anchor," Macen grated.
"He's ignoring requests for communications from us but he's a hive of activity for all the other commands," Hendryks explained.
"Tell Captain Anchor to respond before we open fire on him," Macen ordered.
"Here we go," Lacey groaned.
"The Fist of the Prophets and Security in the Prophets have raised shields but haven't armed weapons," Hendryks told Macen, "Anara is trying to communicate with our forces but they're ignoring her to communicate with whoever is in command of the Temple of the Prophets."
"Tell Anara to distance herself from her starships," Macen told Hendryks, "As long as they don't arm weapons or flank anyone, they should escape notice."
"The Apache and Aquila have targeted them," Lacey warned him.
"Or not," Macen groaned, "Ask Anara to lower her shields."
"The Fist and Security are complying. Lord knows why," Hendryks said.
"Target the Barrier's secondary hull," Macen ordered Lacey, "Stand by to fire on my command."
"Captain Anchor wants to speak with you," Hendryks smirked.
"I thought me might. Tell the good Captain to transmit in the clear," Macen instructed.
A red faced Anchor appeared on the main viewer, "Goddammit Macen! Have you lost your goddamned mind? We're on your side!"
"Captain Anchor, I don't what you've been doing behind my back or how you convinced Captain Riker that I asked for reinforcements but these Militia forces are under constraining orders. They're allies and need to be reminded of that," Macen explained, "If you fire on them, I fire on you and your confederates. Do I make myself clear?"
"And how do you propose we make peace with then then?" Anchor was vexed, "They're targeting my forces."
"First off, they aren't your forces. They work for me. Or have you all forgotten that simple fact?" Macen asked, "I own the starships you command. You do so at my grace. Consider this a simple lesson: I am the absolute dictator in command over Outbound Ventures and its SID component. So you will all disarm your weapons and lower your shields while Colonel Anara convinces her renegade forces that they don't face an external threat anymore. Their threat is the Vedek Assembly itself. Then they can consider the source of the voice hat dominated the discussion within the Assembly that persuaded a majority to vote against the will of the Emissary of the Prophets to Bajor, the Kai of the Bajoran Vedek Assembly, the Hand of the Prophets, and the Emissary of the Prophets to the Ascendant. It's not too late for the voice of reason to dictate what happens next. That first step is yours to make. If not, we will have an irrevocable problem."
Anchor turned red again and finally nodded to his left and cut the transmission. Hendryks grinned,"It worked. All Outbound Ventures starships have disarmed their weapons and lowered their shields."
"The Militia starships are responding in kind," Lacey reported.
"So will we," Macen told Lacey. He addressed Hendryks next, "Inform our forces that I want to speak wih all command officers aboard the Solstice. That includes Captains Chow and Zhang. Non-attendance is not an option. Then have Celeste, Neela, Noble, and Agent Smart join me in the briefing room."
The Solstice crew remained stifled while unhappy SID officers were marched through the Solstice's corridors. It took several transports and turbolift carloads to ferry everyone to the bridge and Tulley grimly nodded them towards the rear access door that led to the ship's briefing room.
"Helluva party," Lacey quipped once everyone was inside.
"I wouldn't want to be in there," Tulley admitted, "Especially when they come face to face with the surprise guest."
Macen and Anara chaired the meeting of standing room only attendees. Anchor, Gou, Steel, Cow, and Zhang took the seats. They were joined by Smart. Execs and corporate officers stood as did their Bajoran guests.
"May I congratulate you all on coming to your senses?" Macen asked, "Should I have to?"
"I believe..." Anchor spoke up.
"It was a rhetorical question," Macen sharply cut him off, "I understand you all have bruised feelings that the Militia opened fire on us when you all sacrificed your Starfleet careers in defense of a reasonable stance towards Bajor during an unprovoked war against the Republic. Now, you're going to hear from the other side and see how this all unraveled so quickly and why."
"My forces were not authorized by me to open fire," Colonel Anara stated, "Neither did I authorize the attack on eh Ascendant ship and Emissary Ghemor herself. Like Captain Anchor, my senior commanders took it upon themselves to interpret the Vedek Assembly's threat of excommunication as a broad strokes existential crisis of faith. Our religious leaders attempted to provoke hostilities with Commander Macen and your crews as well as an open declaration of war with our spiritual kin. At no time did I, as Commander of the Colonial Defense Forces, authorize these attacks. Which was amply demonstrated by the fact my ship and that of the Security in the Prophets never engaged in hostilities. My crews, like yourselves, took matters into their own hands."
"We all agreed to disregard Commander Macen's orders to refrain from hostile actions at all costs," Steel put forth, "We recognized Captain Anchors former seniority in command within Starfleet.."
"It was we who requested your presence, not the Commander," Gou boldly admitted.
"That would explain what unfolded when we arrived," Zhang realized.
"I take full responsibility for the actions taken under my command," Anchor stiffly said.
"You're damn right you will," Macen angrily stated, "Captains Chow and Zhang were dupes in this. The rest of you defied orders to conduct your own little war should the Militia forces fire upon you again. Captain Riker pleaded your case so the mercy you'll receive is owed to him. You will not be stripped of your commands and you will not be ejected from the SID eligibility program. However, you will not undertake any unsupervised assignments forthwith. You will conduct operations in a subordinate role to more experienced SID captains and crews. This will include officers who were junior to you in Starfleet but have proven themselves in the face of adversity. Am I clear?"
"Captains Steel and Gou should be..." Anchor began to protest.
"Captains Steel and Gou should have known better than to embrace your willful decision to act against this agency's employer. That's right, we are under the employ of both Starfleet and the Militia during this episode. We happened to act in the best interest of our employer despite what they were told to think. That matter is for others to decide. But you need lessons in operating in the private sector while serving the interests of your current employer. Which will not always be Starfleet. You can either accept that reality or resign before leaving this room," Macen said harshly, "Just because you're qualified to work for Starfleet doesn't mean you will only work for Starfleet. Outbound Ventures has a less formal chain of command then Starfleet but it is no less authoritative. You will either embrace this fact or you can crawl back to Starfleet and hope they'll accept your petition to rejoin in the face of your burning your bridges in protestation over Clancy's leadership during the Federation's aggression. Now, the moment of truth. If you feel this is unjust or unfair in any way, you will exit this briefing room right now, return to your ship, and begin packing your belongings for an exit from Serenity Station upon your return there. I'll wish you good luck in your travels and fair weather fortunes. But make no mistake, you will never work for my company again."
Silence loomed. Macen waited for five tense minutes before speaking again, "Now that I have your undivided attention, Colonel Anara and I have formulated a plan whereby we will leave the criminal ships you disabled here for the Ascendant forces to pick up since they're under Ascendant authority. We will stop and render any and all aid to Ghemor and her forces on their return to their home space. We will return to the Alpha Quadrant and Deep Space Nine where Colonel Anara and I will brief General Kira and Commander Ro on what occurred out here. While we do so, you will all return to Serenity for reassignment. Captain Riker has plans for all of you. May God have mercy on your souls for fooling him. He may have argued hat you should be given second chances but he also decided to make certain you play junior roles in future assignments until such time as he feels you're responsible enough to be allowed solo assignments."
Macen saved Smart for last, "Commander Smart, Commander Ro wants to debrief you in the worst possible way. I would pity you but you used up my merciful tendencies when you threatened members of my crew."
Macen studied them all before asking, "Do we have further business?"
Anchor cleared his throat and Macen cut him short, "I believe you've spoken for the group far too often, Captain. If anyone else has a comment, now would be the time to make it."
Silence loomed again, "Then you're dismissed to your individual commands. We will be returning along our original course at Warp Factor 4 to accommodate our Militia comrades. Should you feel a burning desire to face your doom more swiftly, I would refrain because I will commit considerable resources to taking my ship away from you and giving it someone that deserves it. You're all dismissed."
The command staff of the other Outbound Ventures vessels left in sullen moods. Rockford was the first of those that remained behind to comment, "I thought you went soft on them compared to what I was expecting."
"Thank Tom for that," Macen took a seat.
"I'll be busy getting us home," Noble excused herself.
"Wyn can manage to get the Fist underway again," Anara decided, "We have much to discuss."
"I will persuade Iliana Ghemor to forgive Bajor's transgression in exchange for a purge of the Vedek Assembly's ranks," Neela explained her future offer, "Ghemor shall do the same among her own Assembly given how we were betrayed."
"That scouter gig escaped. I doubt it simply went to ground," Macen reminded her.
"Another ship departed this system?" Anara was alarmed.
"When we arrived. It summoned Varic's forces. Fortunately for Ghemor we dealt with Varic. Now the Ascendancy can deal with his rebels. But my hunch is that whoever was aboard that gig knows more about the dealings between Varic, the Orions, and Maret and Macet," Macen summarized.
"Can I see your logs regarding this gig?" Anara asked.
Macen pulled them up on the briefing room's centrally located viewers at the center of the table. Rockford snorted, "That's from the Beta Quadrant. They're a popular model from Tarsis."
"Deep Space Nine recorded a gig of this class traveling back and forth from the Gamma Quadrant to the Bajor Sector on several occasions. My Gamma Quadrant patrols spotted it heading towards Ascendant space. With trade opening up between the Iotian Federation and other neutral parties with the Ascendancy, we ignored it," Anara confessed, "As soon as I can contact Waypoint, I'll ask my patrols if they've spotted this ship leaving Ascendant space for the Wormhole."
"Then we can connect with DS9 and see if the ship passed by them recently," Rockford sounded eager.
"We can also get an update on the situation within the Cardassian Union and what happened on the Cardassian border in our absence," Macen concurred.
"We're still nearly a day away from Ghemor's last position and comm range at Warp 4," Anara reminded him, "Should we send units ahead?"
"I distrust our uneasy peace," Macen confided in her, "I think everyone involved bears close watching until we make it back to the Alpha Quadrant. I think a little penance with Ghemor's forces is a prerequisite as well."
"For mine but not yours," Anara clarified her position.
"I don't want to break us up quite yet. An uneasy peace becomes easier given time and proximity to rebuild trust. That goes for me and mine as well as everyone else combined," Macen told her.
"Point taken. I think my own commanders bear watching for a while yet," Anara agreed.
Ghemor's ships were adequately repaired to make the voyage back to Sinherra so she dispatched her additional forces to collect Varic's rebels. She accepted Neela's peace offer and agreed to investigate her own Vedek Assembly's ranks beginning with the War Vedeks involved in the escort. The Ascendancy Explorer had never checked back in after departing from delivering the necessary coordinates to Macen. Ghemor promised a thorough shaking down of the Assembly's ranks to uncover their foreign connections and intrigues even with Bajorans.
Anara was able to contact Waypoint and get updates on the border situation as well as a sighting of the gig in question headed to the Wormhole terminus to return to the Alpha Quadrant. The pilot had responded to a routine query with a Bajoran registration to a citizen named Mudd Kenra. The name stuck with the Ops crew because Mudd wasn't a Bajoran family name. When Harri Mudd found out she exploded.
"That frinxer set us up! I'm gonna kill her!" Mudd raged in private with Macen and Rockford in attendance with Ebert and Burrows there to restrain her temper.
"Harri, we'll need her alive," Rockford reminded Mudd.
"She can provide the link between the Orion Syndicate, Guls Maret and Macet, and Varic's force," Macen explained...again.
"Then I kill her," Mudd growled.
"She's your sister," Ebert scolded her.
"She's my half-sister. And she'd slide a knife between my ribs," Mudd declared.
"The Bajoran-Cardassian border has been closed. The Cardassians are facing a civil war. The average Cardassian citizen is torn on who to support. Connecting Maret and Macet with the Orion Syndicate and a Bajoran national would discredit the guls," Macen tried to explain the need to take Mudd Kenra prisoner rather than simply kill her straightaway, "Additionally, Garan can't invoke the mutual defense clause with Bajor without appearing to rely on Bajoran assistance. Maret and Macet have stoked old angers regarding Bajor and the Resistance and the lives it cost. If Garan were to call in the Militia it would only feed that anger."
"So what am I supposed to do about it?" Mudd asked.
"Mudd Kenra lit out of the Bajor Sector on a course vector to take her across the Alpha Quadrant aimed at the Beta Quadrant. But the course wouldn't take her to Orion territory. But she would pass through the gap into the Deeper Beta Quadrant," Rockford pulled up a territorial map of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, "Since she's been operating in and out of the Gamma Quadrant, Mudd Kenra's gig has been spotted by Starfleet running to and from this sector. Do you have any idea why?"
Mudd groaned, "My father and idiot brother have been gunrunning in that sector along with Thadiun Okona."
"I take it your father scouted out another desperate cause to smuggle weapons to," Macen sounded weary.
"Pops has made it a specialty since smuggling for the Resistance and the Maquis," Mudd confirmed it, "He kept telling us 'there's latinum to be made in misery'."
"So we're headed there?" Ebert sounded intrigued.
"In time," Macen told her, "We're getting the Solstice and her crew back to Serenity along with the rest of our errant captains for Riker to deal with. The Obsidian crew is back from leave and so are Bailey and Angelique. We'll reunite with them at Deep Space Nine before we head out. Anara and I have to brief General Kira regarding what all happened out here while we await the Obsidian's arrival."
"But won't that buy my fam time to bug out?" Mudd asked.
"I doubt your father will abandon an ongoing insurgency until their hard currency runs out," Macen knew from experience, "Besides, we have eyes in that sector."
"Why?" Mudd asked, "Most of the humanoids in that sector just developed warp drive."
"Exactly," Rockford replied, "And the Iotians are selling comparatively advanced starships to an aggressor race and Starfleet can't maintain an ongoing presence so they hired us to keep an eye on things and root out the foreign backed insurgency on the world under attack."
"How advanced are we talking?" Burrows was the first to ask.
"NV- and NX-class starships plus the Iotians rolled out a new econo-line production of NX refit-class starships they've supplied to the aggressor," Macen told him, "Fortunately, the Iotian Federation isn't involved in this proxy war. They're using the hostile race as a test bed for their new vessel platform."
"How can you be certain?" Ebert wondered.
"Because I spoke with Kracko," Macen told her, "She promised that other than arms sales, the Iotian Starfleet has no active participation in this conflict. This conversation took place before we went on this excursion. Riker wanted to be clear on the matter before deploying ships to the sector. Kracko actually looked forward to battlefield losses so that their Starfleet could sell more ships and continue their training programs."
"Losses that will persuade the Avati to enlist in the Iotian Federation. Meanwhile, the best the Amari can hope for is becoming a Federation Protectorate and hope that wards off the Avanti from further conflict," Rockford spelled it out.
"The names are similar, are they related?" Ebert asked.
"Not even marginally," Macen answered.
"Who'd Riker send?" Burrows wondered.
"Fleet Captain Gellar and select members of her divisional command," Rockford told him. They all remembered Sarai Mikaela Gellar from recent history.
"Hopefully Seles got left behind," Mudd snorted.
Simona Seles envied Gellar her elevated position within Outbound Ventures ranks. As a result, the captain of a Legacy Fleet vessel rarely operated with other original Constitution-class starship captains.
"Certain captains have agreed to take command of pre-refit Asia-class starships as well," Macen revealed, "It seems like nostalgia drives many of them."
"Anyway, Tom Riker and his planning team have arranged for the Obsidian to meet us en route with yet another escort," Rockford shared.
"What and who this time?" Mudd was leery.
"Captain Chris Kirk and the Constitution refit-class Enterprize," Macen stated.
"That's a little on the nose, don't you think?" Mudd was derisive.
"Kirk is descended from Peter Kirk, James T. Kirk's nephew. His brother Liam commands an Asia refit-class starship for us as well," Macen ignored the implied insult.
"He's cute," Ebert blurted. All eyes turned to her and she shrugged, "Just saying."
"Now that we've established his particulars, why is he invited?" Mudd asked.
"Kirk was a member of the original Starfleet first contact mission to the sector that encountered both the Amari and the Avanti. He's closest thing we have to an expert on both races," Macen explained, "He happened to be on assignment when Riker and Korepanova planned the mission particulars for Gellar and her task force. He's free now and awaiting reassignment. So, he's coming with us."
"Like that worked so well this time out," Mudd grated.
"Kirk is different," Ebert shared, "He isn't full of himself like Captain Anchor."
"What rank did he hold with Starfleet before he resigned and why did he resign?" Burrows asked, since Ebert seemed to be an the resident authority on Chris Kirk.
"He was a lt. commander and the XO of the Freedom-class USS Kelvin," Ebert shared, "Like so many others, he resigned rather than be forced to fight the Bajorans and Cardassians. Caity Floss convinced him he could still do some good if he enlisted with us and Chris Pike quickly got him through Starfleet Security's vetting program. He's been with the company since the war ended and with the SID almost as long as that."
"You've taken quite an interest in him," Mudd noted, "He doesn't sound like your usual type."
"Maybe my tastes are changing after all," Ebert retorted.
Macen and Rockford had also noticed Ebert's outsized interest in Kirk and found it to be a healthy and refreshing change for her. Ebert's self isolation and romantic self destruction wasn't good for her or anyone else that cared for her. Surprisingly, Mudd sounded concerned rather than jealous. Another sign of personal, and much needed, growth.
"We'll be meeting the Enterprize in the Algona Sector since Kirk and his crew are already underway. Shannon Forger will be picking us up at DS9 after Chris Noble drops us off and continues to push our chastened captains back to their doom," Macen told them, "So the team will get two day sof shore leave while I brief Kira, Captain Vaughn, and Ro," Macen told them.
"He said 'I', not 'we'," Mudd noticed.
"I wasn't part of this clusterfrinx," Rockford shrugged, "This is all on him."
"Yay! Now we can party! And we'll have Tessa with us to meet Vic Fontaine!" Ebert enthused.
"And since it's a Bajoran space station under Bajoran jurisdiction, Tessa can roam free without worrying about the Synthetics Ban," Rockford smirked.
"Let me the one to tell her!" Ebert begged.
"It's all you," Macen promised.
Ebert cleared the briefing room before another word was said. Mudd was chagrined, "Not that she's excited at all."
"We do need to know everything you know or can find out about your father's business in the Algona Sector," Rockford warned Mudd, "Tony, you're free to go. And before you object, it isn't a request."
"Go. There isn't much to tell," Mudd told him.
Macen and Smart met with Neela, Anara, Kira, Elias Vaughn, Ro, and Lt. Commander Sarina Douglas in Deep Space Nine's Officer's Wardroom. Douglas was also Agent 0212 so she was seen not only as the station's Strategic Operations Officer but also as Smart's bullshit detector. Smart agreed to the meeting after being informed that Kira believed he was a simple Starfleet Intelligence agent equal in rank to Ro. He even wore his uniform.
After conducting a straightforward debriefing, Kira and the others went off topic, "The Kai and the Emissary have begun testing the faith in the Prophets held by Winn Adami's old order. A surprising number boasted of being members of the Pah-wraith Cult in Winn's memory."
if that didn't dismay Kira enough, her next report did, "Garan is losing popular support in the civil war. Maret's popularity continues to grow amongst the old guard and with the citizens while Ocett slowly loses control of the Cardassian Guard. Gul Macet is MIA."
"Needless to say, Starfleet is worried about Maret winning and a regressive regime being installed that's openly hostile to both the Federation and Bajor," Vaughn stated. After 92 years of active service, over fifty of them at the rank of commander, Vaughn had accepted a command position and elevation to the rank of captain. He was the CO of both the station and the USS Defiant. He'd served as station's XO and the Defiant commander for 11 years under Kira and then Commander Sam Lavelle. Lavelle was dead now, a victim of the very conspiracy that had begun the wars against the Cardassians and the Bajorans.
Starfleet officers were a distinct minority on the Bajoran space station. The Militia, under Colonel Cenn Deska's direct command, had taken over the bulk of the positions aboard the starbase. Starfleet provided the administrative executive officers while the Militia outnumbered Starfleet six-to-one. Cenn also served as Militia liaison officer and the station's XO. It had been Kira's decision to leave Cenn in Ops during the debriefing. Sensitive matters above the Colonel's pay grade were being bandied about.
But Kira remained unaware of Smart's Double 0 status and Douglas' Single 0 designater. Bajor and the Federation were allies still but they hadn't remained close allies. The Militia and Starfleet had actively engaged in combat with one another. Of course, the Militia had been defending DS9 as a Bajoran territory and Bajor itself from an attempt at new Occupation by Starfleet this time. Kira trusted everyone in the room except for Smart. Learning his true role in Starfleet Intelligence and his actions towards destroying the Orb of the Kosst Amojan would have prejudiced her against him.
Ro and Vaughn had told Kira about Starfleet's official position regarding the fate of the Orb. It was a fate Kira personally applauded and officially decried. For now. Her greatest regret was the wedge this had placed between the Militia and Outbound Ventures.
They'd worked closely together during the war but now her forces had fired on Macen and his group. Kira herself had been forced by the First Minister to issue that order and those that followed it. The tragedy of attacking the Ascendant was on the individual commanders who hadn't received clearance to do so but took upon themselves in order to serve the mission they'd been given. Kira had been relieved to hear Neela had struck a bargain with Ghemor to ease the fraying nerves between the two Children of the Prophets.
Neela had spoken directly with the Kai of Bajor and the Emissary to the Bajorans. Kira knew how strongly Sisko felt about non-interference in the Bajorans' religious life but he deemed it necessary to intervene now on behalf of those the Vedek Assembly would now attempt to vilify. Winn Adami's former Order was purging its ranks as more of its clerics came forward as cultists worshiping he Pah-wraiths. "Enlightened" by Winn's defection to "true gods" of Bajor. While they made public proclamations of faith, the Cult of the Pah-wraiths closed Empok Nor to outsider traffic. The cultists from other worlds went underground to seek a new path and means to liberate the Pah-wraiths and Dukat, their chosen Emissary, from the prison within the Fire Caves.
Empok Nor sat in neutral space so neither Starfleet nor the Militia had any legal jurisdiction there. And both sides were making certain the other didn't violate that space, even for "noble" reasons. Both sides also maintained a blockade to insure Cardassian Guard rebel ships didn't reach the station. But Anara was being forced to divert a greater number fo ships to maintain the blockade hen she felt comfortable with.
For his part, Vaughn had made certain ships assigned to Vice Admiral Bill Ross at Starbase 375 also made certain Maret's forces couldn't reunite with the cultists. Maret's willingness to associate with them at all belied his political propaganda. Yet the Militia and Starfleet had repulsed seven separate attempts to enter the sector containing Empok Nor. Only two of which had challenged Starfleet and ended with a tense, but peaceful withdrawal. The Militia and Cardassian Guard had exchanged fire.
Twice out of the five occasions, Ocett had sent reinforcements to assist the Militia. The best she'd been able to scramble were a four ship Lakat-class squadron and some Hideki-class patrol ships but it had prevented Maret's forces from penerating the security cordon. Not that Maret was sparing his top of the line Galor-class cruisers for the invasion attempts.
The Iotian Starfleet dispatched a fleet of their newest assets under Commodore Brisen's command aboard the Ambassador-class Hitman. The Hitman was the flagship of one of the Iotians' five existing fleets. Conscription had increased with Iotian Federation membership so more fleets were being added to the Starfleet to accommodate the larger crew personnel numbers. Only Iotians could become command officers but Federation member world recruits could become junior officers.
The Federation Starfleet objected in the most strenuous terms regarding the Iotians impending arrival. But the Bajoran Republic had signed a mutual defense pact with the Iotian Federation as repayment for the Iotians unwavering support for one of their biggest clients. The Iotian Starfleet was coming of its own free will rather a contractual protection basis.
Macen had persuaded Riker to divert Outbound Ventures assets to the Bajor Sector as well. The cost, if any, would be determined later. Macen simply wanted to defend Bajoran territorial integrity. So Anara's Colonial Defense Forces would receive relief from two different outlets. Kira's own System Defense Force secured the Bajor system from Cardassian incursions as the border area became increasingly hostile. Ocett's lines were increasingly porous as the Supreme Legate began gathering her forces to invade the Dorvan Sector from the Cardassia Sector. That left large swathes of the Cardassian Union unprotected from Maret's renegades.
Cardassia's Subject Worlds rose up in mass revolts as Ocett pulled starships from their systems and sectors. Only to find that Maret's replacement forces weren't liberators but instead rolled back the decade of hard won freedoms that Garan had negotiated and allowed the Subject Worlds. For Garan, the political upside was that the Subject Worlds would be relieved to see loyalist Cardassian Guard forces return to re-establishing order. For Ocett it meant she could abandon large portions of the Cardassian Union for Maret to stabilize and bog down his own forces in quelling revolts with the harshest means at his disposal.
But the more ships that were tied down with the Subject Worlds were fewer units that could oppose Ocett's thrust into the Dorvan Sector. Ocett was leaving the defense of Cardassia Prime to her limited number of Damar-class dreadnoughts. It was a major strategic and tactical risk to deploy the vast majority of her forces on thrust towards Ampok Nor. But her gamble was based on Maret's incessant need to establish dominance on every planet that he secured from Detepa Council loyalists. Thus bogging down hundreds of ships to quell the Subject Worlds' mass revolutions. Legate Mariska's Legislative Guard would defend Garan and the Councilors to their last breath. So Ocett felt comfortable emptying Cardassia Prime of troops.
Through it all, Ocett and Kira maintained the Officer Exchange Program that placed Cardassians on Bajoran installations and ships just as Bajorans served aboard Cardassian Guard posts. One such Cardassian Officer served aboard DS9 at the Militia's behest. Dalin Zivan Slaine even served aboard the USS Defiant as a Bajoran liaison officer. The dalin, an equivalent to a Starfleet lt. commander, had been informed of her impending promotion to dal as soon as hostilities ended. She was also given her choice of extending her tour aboard Deep Space Nine and in Bajoran space or returning to Cardassia for reassignment within the Guard. Slaine chose to remain at her current post.
With Starfleet's diminished presence aboard DS9, Slaine felt a comfortable comradeship with her Militia counterparts. She'd even established ties to Vaughn's Senior Staff. Lt. Commander Jefferson Blackmer, the station's Starfleet Security Officer, was the only member that still harbored suspicions towards her. Blackmer hadn't endorsed the recent war against Cardassia but neither had he opposed it either. He'd been content to go along with Commander Lavelle's madness until Doctor Bashir relieved Lavelle of his command on mental health grounds. Then Blackmer voluntarily restricted himself to his quarters while Vaughn led a building Starfleet resistance to the war against the Bajorans. Blackmer had still never expressed remorse over Starfleet invading Cardassian territory or that the war was proven to be a criminal action undertaken by President Chavy Sok.
"I never thought I'd be saying this, but we need to find a means of supporting the Detepa Council against Gul Maret," Smart interrupted Kira's ruminations.
"Garan refused Bajoran support on the grounds that it would play into Maret's propaganda machine. Ocett has to win this civil war with the assets she has on hand or Garan loses the political war with the citizens on Cardassia Prime and abroad across its colonies," Ro reminded Smart, "Starfleet's only involvement is securing the Bajor Sector, this station, and blockading Empok Nor from the Cardassians."
"Ambassador Garak has warned off the Federation from any actions other than securing our side of the border with the Dorvan and Cardassian Sectors," Vaughn warned Smart.
James Smart had a certain reputation amongst the 0 Divisions for playing so loose with his orders as to border on insubordination. Ro intervened, "I have sealed orders for you, Commander Smart. We'll review them after this debriefing concludes."
"As you can see, I have no problems with female authority," Smart smiled broadly. The very comment indicated he did.
"Outbound Ventures forces will begin arriving within the next twenty-six hours," Macen told Kira and Anara, "That should relieve some of the pressures on the Colonial Defense Forces. They're prepared to take up patrols in both the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants."
"That'll free my forces to patrol Prophets Landing and the Valo system more heavily as well as blockade Empok Nor," Anara assured Kira.
"The System Defense Force can protect Prophets Landing and the starbase there," Kira told her, "Along with the common border with Cardassia. Valo is out of our reach though and still maintain a presence close enough to Bajor to make a real difference should the Cardassians cross the border."
"Understood," Anara began drafting orders in her mind.
"And you?" Kira asked Neela, "The Kai and the Emissary could certainly use your support."
"My path is to secure Bajor from external threats. Not from enemies from within," Neela replied, "I'll join the hunt for Mudd Kenra. But on my own terms."
"Why Mudd?" Kira wondered.
"Establishing a link between Maret, the Orions, and a Bajoran national seems the quickest way to discredit Maret amongst his followers," Neela explained her position, "And in doing so, I track down more members of the Cult of the Pah-wraiths that have gone to ground."
"What do you need from me?" Kira pointedly asked.
"I'll require a small team of bridge officers, engineers, and medical staff for a circa 22nd Century United Earth Starfleet vessel," Neela told her.
"Consider it done," Kira quickly replied, "But where will you get such a ship?"
"Harri Mudd abandoned retrofitting such a vessel. She gave it to me in case I were to lose the Ark of the Prophets. The Ark would stand out where I'm going whereas an Iotian built starship won't," Neela explained further, "Mudd modified the engine room but hadn't completed rerouting all bridge controls to a single station when she lost interest and returned to retrofitting a Bajoran scout vessel she'd acquired to her singular specifications."
"I take it you won't be leaving the Alpha Quadrant," Macen surmised.
"Correct, Commander. My work is here. I won't even have to travel far from Serenity where I'll pick up the ship," Neela promised him,"I'll take my crew and fly commercial to Serenity. The cultists will be watching my movements on DS9 quite closely. Taking a commercial shuttle back to Serenity will give them a false sense of peace."
"I'll make certain the crew I assemble will be incognito," Kira promised, "They won't even acknowledge one another until after you arrive aboard Serenity Station. Any other requests?"
"I need two of the crew to be command level officers. I don't intend to lead the starship crew. I'll function as a mission commander, Like Commander Macen aboard the Obsidian. I'll direct our path but the Militia forces will be following their own own officers. I don't want to use my reserve commission during this mission," Neela explained, "I'm no commander."
"The next shuttle for the Barrinor Sector leaves in twelve hours," Ro reminded Kira, ":Can you assemble a crew that swiftly?"
"I'll pull forces from here on the station as well as some from the Systems Defense Force. It'll be done. Cenn will handle travel arrangements," Kira told her.
"We'll be departing in twelve hours as well," Macen told the group, "Captain Forger was able to deploy two hours ahead of schedule with a healthy push from Captain Riker."
"The Iotians are pushing hard but they won't arrive for three more days," Kira announced, "Commodore Brisen will deploy along the border to bolster my forces there."
"I'm pressuring Admiral Ross to deploy at least two more starships to the system to help defend the station should the worst happen," Vaughn informed them, "He said he could spare at least that many."
"Ross must feel motivated," Kira stated.
"The Admiral feels a great deal of remorse for his part in the war with Bajor," Vaughn told her, "He also said he owed it to you for not backing your play with the Romulans sooner."
"Ross has a long memory," Kira chuckled.
"And even longer connections," Vaughn told her, "He's pulling elements from the 3rd and 5th Fleet to supplement his 7th Fleet. The starships he's sending this way will be on loan from the 9th Fleet," Vaughn explained, "Maret has conducted negotiations with the Talarian Republic. So we don't need this spiraling out of control."
"Jellico is pulling out all the stops," Macen mentioned Admiral Edward Jellico, Starfleet's Alpha Quadrant Theater Commander.
"He's putting the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Fleets on alert in case Maret's influence has spread further than anticipated. Jellico is riding high up Admiral McNeil's ass at Starfleet Operations," Vaughn smiled. Robert McNeil had once been in the unenviable position of defending Cell 51 assets nestled inside of Starfleet. Another case where Captains Mandy Morris and Ben Poole had been on the wrong side of things and opened fire on friendly ships. It seemed to be becoming a signature trademark of theirs.
"I have a crew to assemble and not much time to do it in. I'll need Colonel Cenn's help," Kira told Vaughn.
"I'll relieve him and send him here," Vaughn dismissed himself.
"I'll be joining my team for a few hours of recreation before we set out," Macen departed as well. "I have to begin planning redeployments for once Outbound Ventures and the Iotian Starfleet arrive," Anara excused herself to return of the Fist of the Prophets.
"Commander Smart, you're with me," Ro told 0086 in no uncertain terms. They departed together. Douglas expressed her regrets to Kira before returning to Ops. Kira had her command officers chosen but needed Cenn's input on who to pull from the station's personnel. Kira regretted accepting promotion but First Minister Astris had left it in no uncertain terms. Kira would either be a general in the Militia or a civilian. The request that she become Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs followed as soon as Kira accepted her new rank.
She'd hated Terok Nor with a passion rivaling any Bajoran's loathing of the station. But Deep Space Nine had been her home for 16 years and her personal command for 9 of them. Militia headquarters was welcoming but still foreign to her. Just as her home nearby was a stranger's in her opinion. It had all of her personal effects and belongings in it but it was still an oddity that she returned to every day between duty cycles. One thing was certain though, her life was busier than ever as Chairperson during a war and many other recent tense moments. Maybe her house felt like a stranger's was because she spent so little time there. Everyone but Sisko that she wanted to invite there lived on the station and had responsibilities all of their own.
But Sisko and Kassidy Yates made it a point to visit with their young daughter every time Yates was on Bajor. Jake Sisko had moved back to Earth with his Bajoran wife to take up writing full time and she could explore her art in a new environment. No one but Sisko understood the depths of his joy at learning he would be a grandparent. He'd lived through an alternate timeline where Jake had been so consumed with returning his father to normal space out of a subspace pocket that he'd lost his wife and never had children. So Jake's news had been a special blessing for Sisko.
Shakaar Edon had visited her from Valo III where he'd relocated after being First Minister. They were still close friends but the passion of romance had died away. It had been explored to its fullness and faded over time. Now, with Shakaar on a distant colony, it would never blossom again. Even though Kira was convinced Shakaar had come calling to see if love could bloom again. But it wasn't meant to be it seemed.
Odo sent word through intermediaries from time to time. She knew now he'd never leave the Great Link again. That saddened her to no end of grief. But she'd moved on over time and that was the one great blessing of her new position. She didn't have much time to dwell on lost loves. Although Bajor's Finance Minister, Kara Gena, had taken upon herself to find Kira a husband, Kira protested loudly over Kara's infrequent dating suggestions. To satisfy both Kara and her wife, Astris, Kira occasionally went to dinner or a show with one of Kara's latest prospects. She had to admit she generally had fun on such occasions but it wasn't the same for her as Kara and Astris would hope for. Kira was finding comfort in contemplation. Kai Tila Trus had become a great friend to Kira as well as a spiritual advisor.
Tila seemed strangely awkward around Kira. The same way Bareil Antos had awkward moments with her. Kara intimated that Tila was attracted to Kira, which explained away her occasional fumbling over certain concepts to be found in the Prophecies. Kira dismissed the idea on two grounds. The first was that Kira had never displayed interest in another woman and Tila knew that. The second was that Kira couldn't imagine the Kai of Bajor being attracted to her. Though, if Bareil hadn't left the race for kai, she would've been romantically involved with a kai. But the Prophets had other plans for them.
Bareil's death had left Kira inconsolable for a long time as well. Tila knew that. So perhaps her occasional stumble was one born of respect for Kira's past grief. Another factor in Kira's thinking was that Tile was fifteen years her junior. One of the youngest kai's ever to be elected by the Vedek Assembly, Tila had been a mere youth when the Cardassians occupied Bajor. Her memories of the refugee camps were dim. She didn't remember her parents' deaths a the hands of Cardassian overseers. Mainly she recalled the squalid orphanage she'd found herself in. An orphanage run by prylars that included half-Cardassian children among its cast offs. Even a few full blooded Cardassian children dwelt in the camp. Cardassian society having no place for those without family connections and no family connections wanted to claim them.
So peace and mutual security with Cardassia came easily to Tila. She'd guided Astris' negotiations wih Garan and counseled her to trust the Castellan. Treaties signed that helped save Bajor from Federation aggression. Dukat had once pontificated on Bajor and Cardassia's interdependence and need to reconcile their interests in order to thrive. It was their future, he'd declared. Now Tila said the same things and had persuaded Astris to start down that path. Kira still mistrusted most Cardassians but Tila was showing her the grace the Prophets had for them. Their choosing a Cardassian as their Emissary to the Ascendant was no mere random choice.
Tila maintained that Cardassians were just as much Children of the Prophets as the Ascendant or the Bajorans themselves. The Cardassians had simply left the path when they abandoned all forms of religion. Now the common Cardassian people were open to Bajoran missionaries and there had been many converts to the faith. Just as the Cult of the Pah-wraiths had found a receptive audience. Kira had no illusions that Maret or Macet was a convert to any religion. But they found it expedient to use Bajor's greatest and most ancient enemies against them.
Cenn arrived, as promised, and Kira cast away her personal thoughts and confusing life for strict business. She'd already signed the transfer orders for her two officer candidates for the mission. They'd be on the station inside of six hours. Now Cenn could make his recommendations of who was best suited for Neela's task and who the station could afford to do without for an unknown amount of time. Kira warned Cenn that the time was an indefinite period. So whoever went shouldn't have family aboard the station.
They made their list and began calling potential recruits in for consultation and to pitch the idea of the assignment to their chosen candidates. Several balked at the idea. But Cenn's list was comprehensive and they filled their roster with enough time for the crew to pack and ready themselves for a journey. Next, it was Julian Bashir that balked at losing a doctor and a nurse from his staff. Kira promised to replace them with new personnel from Bajor. But the regular shuttle from Bajor would arrive after the commercial flight to Barrinor departed. Bashir's temper cooled and he accepted Kira's terms without understanding the why behind it. A sign of the trust between the old comrades. Kira wasn't informing Starfleet of Neela's request beyond what Vaughn and Douglas knew already. She trusted in their discretion.
She didn't trust Commander Smart and wondered why Neela hadn't waited until Ro took Smart away to make her request known. Kira trusted Ro's judgment in keeping the matter quiet and off Starfleet books. Smart was another matter. He was a rogue element in the planning. Kira didn't appreciate unknown Starfleet variables anymore. They had a tendency to interfere in Militia concerns when least wanted. But Neela and Smart had begun this entire affair working together. So perhaps Neela extended him a modicum of trust that Kira was unwilling to spare. Kira supposed she'd find out soon enough if Starfleet Command contacted her demanding to know what Neela intended to do.
Chapter Six
Macen, Rockford and their team had been reunited with Forger's crew and their own teammates, Angelique Kerber and Bailey Smith, who looked much more relaxed after their month on Risa. They were tasked with assisting the Detective Squad of Lee Kang, Arianna Forte, and Shade in tracking down Harry Mudd III and Harry Mudd IV's movements within the Algona Sector and beyond. Thadiun Okona was added to the watch list in order to narrow down the location of his partners. Mudd Kenra had went running to daddy and Harri Mudd intended on burying her for it. Mudd ran through a list of potential contacts and sellers that ended with Pytor Boromov.
Boromov was a name Macen had never wanted to hear again. But Boromov had gotten himself elected onto Solarian Security Systems Board of Directors after the reshuffling following Federation Security's inquiry into Solarian. Boromov had an in with Grimes Armaments and trafficked in illegal arms sales to revolutionary groups all over the quadrants. It seemed he was involving Solarian contractors to go along with the weaponry now.
The Iotian Starfleet had a list of grievances against Baroness Estella Grimes and Solarian as of late. Oxmyx offered a bounty for delivering Grimes to Iotian justice. Rockford knew Macen was highly considering taking them up on the offer. Harry Mudd III had a long history of working with Boromov as a gunrunner. With SID patrols and investigation beginning into the foreign sponsored insurgency on the planet Amar pitting Amari against Amari while the Avanti lurked beyond their borders to "stabilize" the planet's government under a "peacekeeping" occupation.
The Avanti had purchased advanced starships relative to their just discovered warp drive. But they'd rejected relations with he Federation, employing the Iotian Federation as an arms broker. But Boromov offered them advanced starships and able crews far superior to the Constitution-class starships Outbound Ventures had tasked with patrolling Amari space. Boromov offered Solarian's professional assistance at a cheaper rate than buying even more advanced starships from the Iotians and having to train crews to man them. Solarian would even act as a police state benefactor afyer the conquest of the Amari.
So the Iotians were out and Solarian was in. Fortunately, Boromov wanted the Amari to cripple themselves before defending themselves against the elderly but rugged United Earth starships the Avanti had purchased from the Iotians. Boromov went so far as to list the Avanti as clients on his official action reports to Federation Security. The agency seemed unaware of Starfleet's interest in stabilizing the situation on Amar and that the Avanti were the goad driving the rebels and supplying them with advanced small arms and explosives. Solarian looked blameless on a report because the Mudds and Okona were doing all of the gunrunning. They simply bypassed Grimes Armaments managers that would report the sales to Federation Security and instead received them from Solarian which was licensed by the Federation to procure such weapons. No one questioned why Solarian needed them in such vast quantities in such a short span of time. Boromov certainly wasn't reporting selling them to the Mudds' and Okona's little syndicate. This was the volatile situation Mudd Kenra was inserting herself into.
Fortunately, Solarian wasn't in position to assist the Avanti's invasion yet. They were still redeploying forces coming off of other assignments. So the Solarian strategy of "shock and awe" warfare was waiting for a sufficient number of starships to arrive in order to completely overwhelm the SID force already in the system. This became painfully obvious to the detectives working the case for the SID. Macen knew from his initial consultation with Riker that the Enterprize was the only SID ship not on another assignment. Those captains Macen had just released from service were already committed to multi-ship peacekeeping missions ordered from Pike on behalf of Admiral Forger.
As the Obsidian was underway, Macen and Rockford briefed Shannon Forger and Joelle Jones, as the ship's captain and exec, of what they were about to face. Forger's stoicism reflected her past experiences facing Solarian forces. Jones hadn't. Not really. She considered them an irritation to be dealt with not a life threatening danger. Learning the opposite was true sobered her up.
"We're going to the crap kicked out of us," Jones lamented.
"Starfleet hasn't begun releasing recently decommissioned starships to Solarian quite yet. What they'll come at us with are left over ship classes from when we last faced them as well as the commercially available Pincer-class like we faced in the Gamma Quadrant. Boromov has a special relationship with Baroness Estella Grimes so Grimes Armaments sells him starships at wholesale prices," Macen explained the situation, "So the situation is grim but we can't forget the NX-, NV-, and NX refit-classes the Avanti will be throwing at us as well. They'll make excellent shock troops to soften us up with despite what the Avanti might be thinking."
"They won't have shields, just polarized hull plating. So we only use our phasers against them and save our torpedoes for the real threats," Forger recommended.
"Don't forget they'll have phase cannons and photonic torpedoes to use against us as well. They'll sting but they'll also degrade our shields," Jones reminded Forger.
"I leave the strategy to you all," Macen made to exit Forger's Ready Room. Rockford went with him as well.
"Aeryn can play captain for a while longer. I want to study this. Sing out any recommendations you think of," Forger told Jones referring to Aeryn Black, the ship's 2nd Officer who was currently in command.
They never noticed Macen and Rockford's timely exit. They left the bridge without a word since they didn't know the Gamma Watch officers that Black commanded. Inside the turbolift, Macen confessed, "One question keeps plaguing me over all of this."
"I know. What's Neela up to?" Rockford agreed with questioning that.
Once off of the commercial shuttle, the Bajoran passengers met up in the station's Quark's. There Annabeth Frinks sized them up, "Which ship are you here to serve on?"
Major Wyn Mesa, the officer chosen to command the crew, flinched, "Are we that obvious?"
"I worked the bar at the Old Biddy on Ronara Prime. I got pretty good a spotting Starfleet, Militia, and Maquis coming through. Though I rooted for the Maquis," Frinks admitted.
Neela joined them and Frinks smiled, "I guess you're okay since Neela seems to approve of you."
"We'll need the private conference room and alert Gerrit Gren that we're aboard," Neela requested of Frinks.
"Best request I've had all day," Frinks winked. One of Gerrit's constables was Aric Tulley, who'd just gotten back to the station ahead of Neela and the Militia officers. Frinks and Tulley were exceptionally star crossed lovers and any excuse to call him at work was a welcome one for Frinks, "Leighlah will be your server. She's discretion personified."
Leighlah Travers was another DMZ colonist who'd ended working at Quark's on Serenity. Given Macen's propensity for hiring ex-Maquis, for Frinks and Travers it was like going home again with all the familiar faces around.
Frinks signaled Travers, who led the Bajorans to the private suite and began taking drink and meal orders from them all. Most of them knew one another from Deep Space Nine but Wyn and her exec, Lieutenant Griff Goring, were strangers to everyone. Fortunately, Wyn and Griff had worked together on a prior occasion. They were both Special Forces and were used to commanding Bajoran scout craft.
The others were all Militia enlisted personnel. Medical officers in the Militia didn't hold a formal rank and were considered an equivalent to warrant officers in Starfleet. Doctor Lens Frenic and Nurse Kenji Nola had been part of Doctor Bashir's Infirmary staff before Kira and Cenn picked them for this mission. Neela wasn't surprised that Kira sent along three deputy constables despite Neela's lack of requesting any. The senior deputy would act as ship's head of security and provide Neela with any assistance she needed. The other two deputies, Maru Gel and Varis Cinway, reported to Odon Fendic in this scenario.
Tech Sergeant Gren Taru would be the Chief Engineer. Gren was one of Command Master Chief Miles O'Brien's watch officers for Station Operations as well as an engineer familiar with the USS Defiant under Lt. Commander Nog as Chief Engineer.
Corporal Wills Fani would serve as Gren's Engineer's Mate. Corporal Wes Culin would man the CONN station. Rated as a runabout pilot by Starfleet, Wes was familiar with older Bajoran vessel types as well. Which would serve him well aboard the NV-class Razor's Edge that Neela had acquired from Mudd. Mudd had played around with Tom Eckles and Heidi Darcy at her side in the Razor's engine room to overrate the warp core to be able to sustain speeds of Warp 6 for twenty minutes and cruise at Warp 4 indefinitely.
Sergeant Ferris Grev would be the Tactical officer. Mudd had never overhauled or upgraded the weapons systems aboard the Razor. So Ferris would be still be dealing with usually outdated phase cannons, polarized hull plating, and photonic missiles. But in an age where the Iotians frequently sold similar vessels, as they had this one to Mudd, the chances of meeting an equal starship abounded.
Tech Corporal Javi Tem would man Communications just as Tech Corporal Katts Killian would monitor and operate the sensors rather than attempt to act as a Science Officer. Neela used the time, before and after Tulley arrived to take count of the Bajorans and log a request for crews' quarters for them on the Militia's tab, to get to know the crew of the Razor's Edge before they set out on her mission.
Wyn was startled to learn that Outbound Ventures had a starship with her name on it, "I've never even met Commander Macen or anyone on this station before."
"The Commander knew someone else with your name. The ship was named to honor her sacrifice to save others' lives," Neela explained.
"As far as my family knows I'm the only to have carried the name Mesa. At least my sister, Meru, has worked with Outbound Ventures on any occasions under Colonels Ro and Anara," Wyn continued to be baffled.
"Are we really serving aboard an antique?" Gren asked, "Because it's an entirely different kind of engineering than what I'm used to."
"You're old enough to have served in the Resistance. You made do with whatever you could scrounge to construct something workable. This ship was recently built. The technology going into is dated by our modern standards but just twenty years ago we would've given almost anything to have a ship of this caliber," Neela reminded him, "And my understanding is that the engines have been upgraded and heavily modified to give extra power and speed for limited durations without overloading the warp reactor."
"We were told you're an engineer yourself," Wills sounded excited, "Maybe you can give us a guided tour of the engine room?"
"I'd love to," Neela promised.
"I understand the flight controls aren't much different than our old scout craft that we still had operational in storage after the Cardies withdrew," Wes sounded excited, "I haven't flown one of those in years. Not since flight school."
"Communications will be a challenge based on what I read up in the Federation Data Net on our way here," Javi admitted, "But I'm for it."
"And what do our three constables expect to do?" Neela pointedly asked.
"They're here to provide security," Griff answered before Odon could speak.
"Security for whom?" Neela probed deeper.
"General Kira and Colonel Cenn are concerned for your safety," Odon laid it out rather than dance around it, "Maru, Varis, and I are at your disposal. I understand you're used to working alone but against a foe as rabid as the Cult of the Pah-wraith and given your special status with the Vedek Assembly, it's natural they'd insist that we be at your disposal."
"My disposal?" Neela sounded amused.
"We're here to serve at your behest. You want us to simply ride around on the ship and not see action. We'll do it. Unhappily, but we'll do it. Include us and we follow your lead," Odon made his case.
"Okay. You can stay," Neela shrugged.
"We really won't have shields?" Ferris asked.
"Resistance fighters and Militia officers before we acquired warp capable vessels from the Iotians, served in ships with no shields for some generations. Our people served valiantly and bravely. So I'm certain you can manage with polarized hull plating which something your predecessors would've sold their every possession for," Neela reminded him this time.
"You'll have to forgive us," Wyn stated, "Because of your age we tend to forget you were a Resistance fighter before the Prophets took you in and recently returned you to Bajor. You seem too young to have faced those harsh realities."
"Yet I did and the Prophets brought me through it through faith in them. We can't forget that as we take up this assignment to find and destroy the Cult of the Pah-wraih on other worlds and other stations other than Empok Nor. We'll meet resistance not only from the cultists themselves but from well meaning but misguided Federation officials and even Starfleet. In neutral space we'll have local officials to contend with. And except for the Prophets, we'll be on our own. Can you accept these terms?" Neela sharply inquired.
Everyone was positive when they answered "yes" in various ways and tones. Neela was satisfied in Kira's choices, "After you're assigned quarters, lock them and come with me to Runabout Pad C where we'll take our ride to our new ship."
"It isn't here?" Ferris wondered.
"Outbound Ventures maintains a dockyard to repair and store starships when not in use. The Razor's Edge is in a drydock awaiting her maiden voyage," Neela explained.
"Did they build the ship here?" Wes asked.
"No. The Iotian delivery team ran her through her trials on her way here for delivery. They then took commercial transport home. But the ship underwent extensive changes to her warp drive and core without ever being fully tested," Neela explained the situation, "And she was never taken out of drydock by her original owner."
"But why use this ship at all when you have a Bajoran transport?" Griff asked.
"The Ark of the Prophets is lightly armed compared to this new ship," Neela told them, "Her polaron phasers are powerful enough but she has a single torpedo tube and her shields aren't military grade. It was designed as a troop transport built up from a freighter. Recent political tides caused me to revert her back to being a freighter. She's also designed to operate with a single crewman. In order to portray ourselves as renegades, we need an Iotian ship to sell the depiction. However, we can't sell ourselves as wealthy Bajoran pirates or we'd need a bigger crew and an excuse of why the Militia or Starfleet hasn't already curtailed our operations."
"I assume we're operating without Bajoran registration," Wyn guessed.
"We're flagged as a Kalendran vessel," Neela pointed out.
"How are we to sell ourselves as pirates when there's no security alerts concerning us?" Odon asked.
"Militia Intelligence and Starfleet Security have issued warrants for search and seizure of the Razor's Edge as well as a list of probable charges to investigate and arrest us for," Neela told them, "I'm sorry if General Kira and Colonel Cenn didn't make that clear enough."
"I've been many things for Special Forces but never a pirate," Griff was good-natured about it.
"So we'll literally be running from our own forces and Starfleet?" Javi asked. As Communications Officer, this would shape how she responded to general hails from starships representing those forces.
"I'm afraid so. But our relative firepower should make us attractive to the cultists as well as our supposed ambivalence towards the Prophets. We'll have to play up being agnostic at best and heretics at worst," Neela described the situation, "You'll have to recant your beliefs in the Prophets in order to sell yourselves to the cultists. Some of you are secular so you won't mind. Others of you have deeper faiths so this will prove difficult for you. Undercover work is rarely clean and tidy. But remember who you truly are but don't allow that to color your new identity as pirates and converts to the Cult of the Pah-wraiths," Neela explained.
Tulley returned, "You're all in luck. I was able to arrange quarters near one another on the Habitat Ring. You'll have views of the Central Core but the Militia balked at paying out for rooms with a better view."
"We'll make due," Wyn promised, "Without complaint."
"If you'll all follow me, I'll get you settled in," Tulley offered, "Neela, Nick Locarno himself will be piloting your shuttle ride to the drydock."
"Auspicious day," Neela smiled.
"Nick is just grateful Sito wasn't needed to go on our last mission aboard the Solstice. It's his way of thanking you for your role in that," Tulley told her.
"It wasn't my call to make," Neela frowned.
"But you were listed as a reserve CONN Officer if the primaries were incapacitated. That made it so Sito wasn't asked to join us. Take credit when it's due," Tulley advised her, "Our best shuttle and runabout pilot is giving you a free ride. Just shut up and accept it."
For the religiously faithful Bajorans, hearing the Hand of the Prophets addressed so came as a shock. Among some vedek and prylar orders, Neela was nearly as revered as the Emissary himself. It was the major reason she'd asked to be sent away from Bajor to conduct her role as given her by the Prophets. The Ministry and the Joint Chiefs had initially balked at the Vedek Assembly's request. So Neela relocated anyway. Seeing that they had no power over her, just as they had none over the Emissary, the vedeks and prylars withdrew their objections. Neela told them it was the will of the Prophets and since she was touched by them, the faithful had to accept her position.
To the secular Militia enlisted, it was a welcome sign that Neela didn't take her religiously assigned role too seriously. Most of them had come from Starfleet after being released from internment camps during the war. They'd immigrated to Bajor and its colonies and taken up new lives in the rapidly expanding Militia. Their new Militia ranks roughly corresponded with their former Starfleet grades. They also continued to use the skills they'd acquired from Starfleet specialty rating schools.
For the officers and deputy constables, it was a lesson in how Neela expected to be treated in her new role. She obviously didn't expect much deference so they were relieved. Wyn and Griff especially. Taking over a new crew was difficult enough but was infinitely harder if interfered with by a non-ranking stranger. Especially one that would be listened to over their own orders. As it stood, only the constables answered directly to Neela. Wyn and Griff ultimately answered to her as well. But their first responsibilities were to the ship and its crew. So Neela's acceptance of Tulley's gruff manner heartened them.
"I've been waiting for somebody other than the maintenance crews to go aboard and take this beauty out," Locarno told Wyn and Griff, who sat near the Type 6 shuttle controls, "You've never seen a United Earth Starfleet starship before, have you?"
"No," Wyn admitted, "But I saw historical records and schematics on the Federation Data Net,"
"That's where the Iotian Starfleet learned to copy them from. Until recently, the Iotians had never built an original starship design. They sold the first two examples to your Militia" Locarno continued to tell them, "We received a number of the Enterprise-class ships but corporate didn't buy any Interceptor-class starships. That came down to Captain Riker's recommendation to corporate. I haven't had the opportunity to go aboard an example of either ship class but I understand they're fairly consistent with early 24th Century design specs."
"Neither the Lieutenant or I have served aboard either one as well," Wyn told him.
"Here we are, Major. The Razor's Edge," the starship floated in the drydock, connected to the station by umbilicals providing power and a gantry affixed to the primary airlock, "It was a shame when Harri Mudd gave up on her. I'm just glad she gave the ship to Neela."
Those drydocks nearby, are those Bajoran ships?" Griff asked.
"Yep. Neela's Ark of the Prophets and Mudd's Freehold. They don't get as much use these days with Mudd riding along with the Obsidian crew all the time and Neela rarely taking the Ark out anymore," Locarno explained, "Somehow I think she regrets reverting the Ark back from a troop transport to a freighter. She worked and lived on the transport for years. It was more her home than Bajor was for a time."
Wyn and Griff had new understanding of their new mission commander. Neela was a dedicated servant of the Prophets and of Bajor. Yet she felt uncomfortable on Bajor because of the religious adulation she received there. Kira had unlocked Neela's official intelligence file for them to read en route to Serenity. They hadn't had a chance to discuss what they'd learned.
Neela had obviously been influenced and a tool of Winn Adami as a vedek and as a kai. Yet prison changed Neela when the Prophets first touched her and showed her the errors of the extremism of her faith. She became Winn's personal agent but subverted the kai's plans for revenge against perceived enemies. She also became an expert in routing growing threats against Bajoran security. Since leaving prison, Neela had barely lived on Bajor until her disappearance and presumed death. Afterwards, she fled the planet to escape the growing adulation towards her. Neela's official comments to the Vedek Assembly had been stricken from the Assembly's records but Militia Intelligence had reconstructed her worries that she was becoming a distraction for the faithful. Something she feared would lead others into heresy.
Neela's life, going back to the Resistance, had been her faith. So they knew her proposed mission wasn't a secret ploy to join the Cult of the Pah-wraith but rather to destroy it. Neela took their affrontry very personally. What they were engaging in now was a religious crusade couched as an interstellar security action. But when the dust settled afterwards, the religious aspect would be all anyone remembered.
Wyn didn't have a problem with that. She didn't know yet how Griff felt about it. But she needed to before they set out. Most of the enlisted crew, except for Wes, Katts, and Gren had been born and raised in the secular Federation and had no real roots in the Bajoran faith in the Prophets. She didn't anticipate any problems from them. The medical staffers were from Bajor but might object to some of Neela's known methods of dealing with cultists. The constables had been ordered to obey Neela's word as holy writ.
For the faithful among them, this was a holy crusade. For the secular, it was an adventure that got them out of their daily routine. Either way, they were embarking on a very dangerous mission to hunt those that knew they were hunted and had gotten very good at blending in and hiding in plain sight. The cultists they were seeking out didn't openly wear orange earrings on their left ears. That was reserved for private moments of truth and worship. Wyn felt partially naked without her traditional earring on but Neela had insisted that those who wore one remove it. Even the Hand of the Prophets obeyed this simple rule.
"Let's get docked so you can get clearance to board from the Dockmaster. They'll clear your departure and Serenity's Traffic Control will clear your flight path," Locarno explained, "Usually new officers and bridge crews get a week of intensive training on our protocols but since you're not corporate, you'll just have to learn as you go. Neela is familiar with the protocols. She'll guide you through the basics."
The Dockmaster had a crewman standing by the airlock to take them in the ship. She explained that routine checks had made on the ship's operations systems to keep her flight ready at a moment's notice. Which was about all they'd received from the Militia. An engineering crew was still aboard running pre-flight checklists and systems' checks. She explained that the ship was designed to accommodate a crew of ninety members. The major upgrades were classified. The Sickbay unit had also been updated to modern standards. Lens and Kenji were relieved to hear that.
They were taken to the officer's crews' quarters where they had their choices of compartments to choose from. Wyn designated who went where just out of expediency. Neela gladly accepted Wyn's choice for her. Lens and Kenji learned that Sickbay had two quarters attached to it so they moved in there.
With everyone assigned and coded into their quarters, Neela took Gren and Wills to Engineering to show them Mudd's extensive modifications and rerouting of power to boost warp capability. Wyn took the crew to the Bridge. The layout didn't differ from that of the famed NX-class except that omitted a conference table and addition to the rear of the modular bridge. The engineering crew aboard wrapped up their inspection and had Wyn, as commander, sign off on their report. She was told to simply hail the Dockmaster when they were ready to ship out.
Neela eventually reported to the bridge. Wyn asked her, "Everything good in Engineering?"
"They found their way around. You should find all systems at full power now," Neela reported.
"Could you man the Engineering station while you're on the bridge and confirm our status?" Wyn asked.
The station was the rearmost on the bridge. Directly before Wyn, Wes manned the CONN station and seemed to be pleased with his examination of it. To her immediate right, Ferris was doing the same at Tactical. To his right, in her vision, Gruff manned an auxiliary station. To her immediate left, Katts studied the sensor equipment. To her left, Javi was fine tuning the Communications station to her liking.
"All systems read ready," Neela reported from behind Wyn.
"Javi, signal the Dockmaster we are ready to get underway," Wyn issued her first order. With everyone in civilian clothing, it was easy to ignore rank, "Then hail Serenity Traffic Control and alert them we're filing for a flight path,"
"Do we have a course heading yet?" Wes asked on everyone's behalf.
"The Kalandra Sector," Neela answered, "We'll be meeting a contact on Starbase 375."
"You heard her," Wyn told Javi and Wes.
"Dockmaster advises clearing port on impulse thrusters only," Javi informed Wes, "I've received flight path clearance from Serenity Control. I'm uploading it to your station."
"This a roundabout departure," Wes complained.
"They have three incoming starships along similar vectors as our least time departure," Javi warned Wes,
"We have time to follow instructions," Wyn hadn't heard otherwise coming from Neela. Her contact on the Federation starbase must not have a departure planned within their approach window, if at all. Wyn had to wonder where Odon and his deputies had gotten off to. It wasn't the largest ship Wyn had ever served on so they couldn't have gotten far.
Wyn made a point to ask Neela if she knew. It turned out she did, "Constables Odon, Maru, and Varis are inspecting the Armory. They were surprised to find it stocked with Bajoran small arms and tricorders."
"I have to admit I'm surprised as well. Mudd is something of a pirate for real," Griff confessed.
"Harri Mudd works for the Rockford Detective Agency which is a corporate partner to Outbound Ventures," Neela bothered to explain, "All corporate starships and personnel are stocked with and issued Bajoran arms and equipment. Commander Macen appreciates the workmanship and durability of our weaponry and tricorders so he made it company policy to exclusively procure them."
"Something new to be learned about Outbound Ventures," Katts mentioned.
"I assume then that we also have a brig?" Ferris inquired.
"Of course. The Iotians built this as an exact duplicate of the original," Neela told him.
"Well, you're wrong about the phase cannons and torpedoes. We have phaser banks and photon torpedoes available as well as first generation Starfleet shield emitters. The work order says the installments were completed three weeks ago at corporate request," Ferris told her, "And the engine core was replaced by a 23rd Century analogue."
"You were given this ship when?" Wyn asked Neela.
"Four months ago but I didn't request any modifications on this scale. Just an assessment of the ship's capabilities. I was given one prior to these work orders being filed," Neela confessed, "No one thought to inform me of them."
"They were signed off on by a 'Kathy Tyrol'," Griff noted as he examined the ship's work order logs, "Who is she?"
"The Chief Executive Officer of Outbound Ventures. But she wouldn't have done so without Brin Macen personally instructing her to," Neela was amazed by the working of the Prophets' will even after all these years, "He knew I'd need this ship and he prepared it for our trial ahead."
"Are we expecting a fight?" Wyn pointedly asked.
"We're expecting the Cult of the Pah-wraith to be capable of anything," Neela warned her, "Especially now that they have Orion and Cardassian backing."
"Our brief mentioned Cardassian involvement, not Orion," Griff informed her.
"Commander Macen is tracking down the intermediary between the Orions, Cardassians, and cultists even now," Neela told them all, "This will help discredit Guls Maret and Macet in the eyes of the public. Hopefully enough to win back support for Castellan Garan and the Detepa Council."
"I never thought the Cardassians would be our allies much less needing them to be," Katts admitted.
"Every cultist we deal with strikes a blow at the Pah-wraiths and the Cardassian rebels who would see Bajor destroyed," Neela promised them, "Now, could we get underway?"
"You heard her," Wyn snapped everyone to attention, "Lay in Flight Control's departure course and prepare to go to Warp 4 when we clear the sixth planet."
The Militia crew snapped to it like the professionals they were. Wyn alerted Engineering that they'd be engaging warp drive and got clearance to do so.
The Razor's Edge arrived at Starbase 375 days before the Obsidian would reach the Algona Sector in the Deeper Beta Quadrant despite their direct departure days before from the Bajoran home system. They traversed the Kalendra Sector to reach the neighboring Kalandra Sector where Starbase 375 was located. Starfleet treated the Bajoran ship with some suspicion. The starbase's sensors easily detected the upgraded defense package aboard the dated starship. They weren't upgrades the Iotians offered. Additionally, an armed Bajoran vessel flagged to Kalendra, with its acceptance of criminal enterprises, raised doubts regarding allowing the ship within transporter range.
Neela had agreed to allow Odon, Varis, and Maru to accompany her to meet with her contact. She'd cleared it with the informant. The heightened tensions along the border and within the Cardassian Union apparently convincing the other party that some additional security was warranted. Starfleet allowed them to transport in at the civilian section of the station but they were met by Starfleet Security. The party had come aboard unarmed to comply with Starfleet regulations.
Neela's contact turned out to be Natima Lang. Lang had returned from exile during the Reconstruction period to become a political advisor to Garan. A post she still held. So her journey, sans escort, had been a perilous and fraught one. Neela knew Lang back from her original post-prison mission to deal with the True Way. They'd stayed in touch after Neela's "resurrection".
"I can't stay long. I have a message to deliver to First Minister Astris and General Kira. But I uncovered the location of the group you're seeking. They've crossed the border into Federation space to meet with others of their ilk on Fendic near Starbase 47. This padd identifies them. I don't have anything on their contacts on Fendic. But the listed terrorist rebels should lead you to those you're seeking," Lang handed over the Cardassian device.
"My thanks and those of all the Bajoran faithful go to you, Natima. May the Prophets guide you safely to Bajor," Neela was indeed grateful.
"I'll settle for the starship Admiral Ross is sending with me," Lang laughed.
"Your message is that vital?" Neela worrid for her friend. If Maret knew of Lang's mission then her life was threatened.
"It may change the course of the war," Lang promised.
"Then may the Prophets bless your efforts," Neela stepped back as Starfleet Security collected Lang for her scheduled departure. Her shuttlecraft had been brought aboard the Sovereign-class USS Forestall and the captain was ready to depart for Bajor.
She and the constables reported back to the public transporter station. Katts remotely operated the ship's transporter from the bridge. Neela thanked Odon's team and quickly made her way back to the bridge to give Wyn her next destination. Then she reported to the Armory to consult with the Federation Data Net's files on Fendic. The colony had been established in the latter half of the 23rd Century. It boasted a high concentration of Cardassian defectors as well as formerly housing Bajoran refugees.
Bajorans still frequented Fendic so they'd blend in. Fortunately, Cardassian military officers wanted to confer with the cultists from their own people. And Cardassian Guard officers, regardless of chosen side, had a prominent swagger. So they'd be easy to spot. She could only hope Odon's people could blend in. Cenn had chosen the constables based on their previous undercover work before being assigned to Deep Space Nine as a respite assignment. They'd had interstellar experience so Fendic wasn't their first trip away from Bajor or its colonies. Neela could only pray they were up to the challenge that lay before them all.
Even in the Resistance, other than her friendship with Anara, Neela had been a loner. She was too talented to turn away but she didn't perform well in teams. But Neela was a rather malevolent genius with technology. Not only could she maintain and improve on captured Cardassian weapons and vehicles but she could take seemingly random bits of junk and weaponize it. Even Chief O'Brien had been impressed with Neela's raw talent.
As an outlier, Neela had been a scout with Anara. They quickly adapted at blending in anywhere, even near Cardassian depots and barracks. Neela was better at hiding her true motives and intentions than Anara, whose anger at Cardassian injustices sometimes nearly got in the way of a mission. Neela learned to be a chameleon. A trait that would serve her well after the Prophets chose her and set her on their path.
Neela had managed to infiltrate the Cult of the Pah-wraiths on Izar before James Smart forced her hand. Agent 0086 was a blunt instrument designed to destroy things. But he did properly assess the Cult as a threat to the Federation. Still, he'd almost interfered in the final solution regarding the Orb of the Kosst Amojan. Instead, he assisted in modifying the torpedo that delivered the cursed Orb to its doom.
Neela knew a colonel in the Militia was wasted in field operations. Anara was the perfect officer to oversee the day to day management of the Colonial Defense Forces. But still, Neela would prefer her friend over Odon and his deputies. Which was petty Neela knew but she felt it all the same. But she stifled her doubts as she arrived a the Armory.
Chapter Seven
"The Algona Sector and in record time," Jones said from her seat beside Forger.
"Parva and Gilan outdid themselves but they'll be glad we can reduce speed now," Forger admitted.
"We're being hailed," Zimbalist said from OPS, "It's the T'Kir. Captain Halep sends her regards and will escort us in to Amar."
"That's...brusque," Miller commented from Tactical.
"Captain, I'm detecting several vessels at the edge of sensor range on approach," Gilan 3 reported from the Sciences station. Forger had been letting him spend more time on the bridge since their last assignment.
"I have them now," Miller straightened in her seat, "I mark a NX refit- and two NX-classes. We're outside their effective sensor range. The T'Kir has raised her shields."
"Raise ours," Forger replied, "Has Captain Halep signaled why she raised shields as soon as the Avanti vessels entered the T'Kir's effective sensor range?"
"She's transmitting a warning on a coded frequency. She's recommending we transit out of the system before the Avanti split us," Zimbalist told her.
"Aglaia, coordinate with Halep's helmsman and proceed at a comfortable cruising speed for our escort," Forger ordered.
"I've locked onto their helm. We'll be headed out at Warp 4," Aglaia explained.
"Edwin, tell Captain Halep I want her aboard to deliver a sitrep at her earliest inconveniance," Forgr instructed.
"Captain Halep acknowledges and will report in if the Avanti do not pursue us," Zimbalist explained to Forger.
"This had better be good," Forger huffed.
Monica Halep did beam aboard fifteen minutes later. Telrik personally escorted her to the Situation Center. The converted briefing room held the entire SID team as well as Forger and Jones. Halep looked grim.
"I apologize for not contacting you visually but Solarian Security Services has comm array gear placed throughout the sector. They intercept most signals between our ships but we've found that audio only channels aren't as scrutinized," Halep explained her actions so far.
"We'll upgrade your encryption and supply new ciphers," Kerber promised, "I'm just surprised they devoted the man hours and processing output to cracking the corporate codes."
"Solarian has a lot against us," Macen reminded her.
"They sort of lost the shooting war they started against Outbound Ventures and my agency," Rockford reminded her, "That put them under investigation and they barely survived as a company. Even then, only with Fleet Admiral Clancy's complicity."
"The standard operation on patrols outside Avanti or Amari space is to detect one of our starships and then call in Solarian reinforcements to muscle us out of a star system," Halep explained, "The Avanti are patrolling and scouting out half the sector now. They're clearly on a war footing."
"Starfleet won't engage with the other planets in the sector because of the Prime Directive and the Avanti simply told them to go to hell," Halep continued, "Then they subcontracted us when the Amari asked for help against the Avanti and the foreign backed insurgents."
"Have you made any progress there?" Macen inquired.
"Captain Gellar has made contact with rebel leaders posing as an Iotian captain," Halep smirked, "The uniforms are close enough to get her in the door. Your information proved out. The Mudds and Okona are supplying the weaponry. But they're no longer working with the Orions. Now they deal directly with Solarian."
"Which we expected to find," Rockford reminded her.
"Well, the Iotians have refused to completely vacate. Captain Mirita has kept her ship in the sector trying to negotiate a deal with the Amari," Halep told them.
"The ISS Kelly is a Splendor-class. That could prove useful," Ebert suggested.
"Except for the fact that despite being muscled out of the arms trade with the Avanti, thee Iotians are staying neutral until they get the Amari to sign on with the Iotian Federation," Halep said with disgust.
"She'll help. She thinks Macen is cute," Mudd interjected.
"No accounting for taste," Parva quipped.
"He's no Galen 3 but the Commander is quite handsome," Tessa defended him.
"Thank you for not helping," Macen told her.
"Captain Gellar has temporarily suspended extended patrols until she could gather all commands and confer with you," Halep told them.
"Did Captain Kirk arrive yet?" Macen asked.
"Two days ago," Halep answered, "He was involved with our first hostile contact with Solarian. Kirk had the upper hand but Solarian called in reinforcements and drove Kirk from the system."
"Why did Kirk engage?" Forger asked before anyone else could.
"The Avanti were landing forces on a pre-industrial world. Kirk engaged the starships escorting the troop carriers. They called in Solarian," Halep explained the chain of events.
"We weren't aware that the Iotians had supplied troop carriers," Jones sounded surprised.
"They didn't," Halep told her, "These were native-built warp capable carriers that had to have been launched a month ago to travel from Avant to the invaded system."
"But Solarian just protected the escorts. They didn't assist with the invasion forces," Macen didn't ask.
"That's correct," Halep confirmed it.
"They know they're being reported on," Macen mused, "Until the Avanti invade Amar, they won't assist in conquering a non-warp capable culture. But the Amari aren't protected by the Prime Directive."
"But they'll protect an invasion fleet?" Rockford asked.
"You should know how flexible Federation law is regarding security contractors. They can shield the Avanti invasion forces but they can't assist a ground assault unless the Prime Directive isn't in force," Macen reminded her of Ryst's past as a mercenary.
"Solarian just received transfers of decommissioned Starfleet vessels. Were any involved in the sector yet?" Macen asked Halep.
"Only civilian obtained Pincer-class warships," Halep told him.
"Which points back to Boromov's special relationship with Grimes Armaments," Rockford caught on, "Estella Grimes is war profiteering off of this and Boromov is supplying the war through Solarian."
"Boromov supplies small arms and explosives to the insurgents on Amar and the worlds the Avanti conquer through the Mudds and Okona while protecting the Avanti in space so they can double his business clientele. Meanwhile Grimes is arming every side," Macen went further, "This is classic Boromov. He and Solarian deserve each other."
"How deep into the insurgency on Amar has Captain Gellar gotten?" Rockford inquired.
"She's met their top commanders," Halep answered, "They still believe she's Iotian. Mirita is letting the fiction live on."
"The insurgents have to want something bad enough to fight for it. What is it?" Burrows spoke up.
"They either want the planetary government to procure equal means to repel the Avanti, hire the Iotians to do it, or topple the legitimate government, form a junta and make the deals," Halep explained.
"So the insurgents are largely comprised of soldiers?" Macen asked.
"They are the military," Halep told him, "But the military is a small, elite force pitted against the much larger state police. So far there have been few casualties and fewer deaths but the police are escalating their responses to the attacks."
"Has Gellar made any progress at mediation?" Rockford asked.
"She has commitments from both sides to talk terms. But Captain Mirita wants to sit in as well and the government agreed," Halep told them.
"Any sightings of Mudd Kenra's gig?" Macen asked.
"No, but we've identified the Erstwhile and Fortunate Son as Okona and Harry Mudd III's vessels. They haven't approached Amar since we began patrols but they've been spotted in over a dozen different star systems," Halep said, "Every system had an Avanti presence."
"And they're employing native built, just warp capable, troop transports to ferry around ground forces?" Daggit was surprised, "They were on the move for months."
"Captain Kirk estimated that the troop ships were launched before the Avanti signed the deal with Solarian. He concluded our presence escalated their response," Halep informed him.
"Good estimation," Macen agreed, "This has been brewing for months, ever since the Avanti first discovered the Amari in deep space. The meeting didn't go well. The Avanti threatened and the Amari retreated and called in Starfleet who then made first contact."
"And we're living out how well that went," Jones quipped.
"Kenra has to be hiding behind Solarian," Mudd deduced, "If they brought in a capital ship, then her scouter gig could dock in it."
"That would also satisfy Boromov's ego," Parva recalled the man with loathing.
"Where do we stand if they attempt to invade Amar?" Halep finally asked.
"We were brought in to find Mudd Kenra. Your contract is to defend Amar from foreign aggression. The Amari don't have a space based military. It sounds like they barely have a military at all. Solarian is the sticky wicket. We neutralize their presence and the Legacy Fleet will no problems repelling an Avanti invasion force," Macen concluded, "But Solarian is walking a tightrope. They're on shaky legal grounds here since they're aiding and abetting the conquest of pre-warp cultures. Starfleet might not intervene in those invasions but they can shut Solarian's involvement down. I need to have a long talk with Admiral Forger."
"Starfleet did place a Federation comm buoy in the Amari system," Halep told him, "It's made it easy to stay in touch with Serenity."
"Then if you'll excuse me, I have to have a chat with the good Admiral that hired us," Macen made to excuse himself.
"You mean 'we' have to have a lengthy chat with Amanda," Rockford followed him out.
"I should return to the T'Kir," Halep admitted.
"I'll escort you to the transporter room and we can discuss fleet operations in a little more depth," Forger offered.
"I'm coming with," Jones told her.
"Well, I'm officially off duty and hungry," Parva told Daggit, "Everyone should join us for dinner."
Even Kerber and Smith joined them. Their time on Risa seeming to have made an impact on their sociability. Ebert sat with them looking like a proud mother hen.
When the Razor's Edge arrived at Fendic, Starbase 47 was doing brisk business. The California-class USS Escondido was filing for a docking port. The Razor wouldn't need to dock since only four of her passengers were disembarking and they were going directly to the planet's surface. Wes got permission to assume a standard orbit while Wyn got Neela's party permission to beam down to a public transporter reception platform.
This time, Neela, Odon, Maru, and Varis were discreetly armed with Bajoran phasers with Starfleet registry chips in them. The public transporter sensors registered the chips and processed the weapons as Starfleet issue. Neela had gotten used to carrying official sidearms and had been pleased when Odon found the message from Daggit explaining the weaponry's status. Even their small stun grenades registered as Starfleet issue to the transporter network. Which was a good thing since they'd beamed down to a different hemisphere then they needed to arrive at.
Three more public transporter hops and they were in the district on the other side of the planet that the Cardassian defectors congregated in. Bajorans were a familiar sight in the district so the quartet didn't draw unwanted attention. Neela promised the constables that shucking their earrings would draw them the attention they desired to attract. Apostate Bajorans wore their earring on their left ear or didn't wear one at all. Ro was one of these. The cultists were identified by the orange earring they wore on their left ear to prevent anyone from reading their pagh. The color signified the Pah-wraiths.
Neela noted that most of the Bajorans in the district didn't wear the traditional article of Orthodox faith. And their own lack of it drew attention from very specific eyes that were gauging them and their traverse through the district. After exploring the warrens of the district for some time, they settled in at an outdoor cafe gathered around a kitchen under a tent. Every table had its own umbrella to be used during rainy periods.
"We've been watched by those we're hunting since we arrived," Neela said over a sip of steaming hot coffee. Macen had turned her onto the beverage shortly after her arrival on Serenity. She'd never had freshly brewed until she went to the Coffee Spot with Rockford. Now she could taste the difference between organic and replicated. This was definitely replicated.
"The food's good," Maru said between bites, "The Bajoran menu is authentic."
Varis and Odon were more adventurous and taken Neela's suggestions on some Cardassian menu items. Neela studied their not-quite-hidden observers. They were two Cardassians and a human. They didn't openly wear their orange earrings on their left ears but Neela knew they were cultists all the same. They were spread out across the square yet communicating through comm wrist cuffs. Probably surplus Cardassian Guard issue. Watching them attempt not to be noticed speaking to their wrists was amusing enough.
"Have they reached a consensus yet?" Odon could only see two of them from his vantage point.
"They seem to have. I expect an approach to be made soon," Neela took the opportunity to finish her own meal.
"I didn't expect humans to be cultists," Varis admitted, "They seem so godless."
"I've dealt with human cultists before," Neela said quietly, "The Cult opened its ranks to all races."
"I wonder if the Prophets would accept those other than Bajorans and the Ascendant?" Maru asked.
"They've embraced a Cardassian as their Emissary," Neela pointed out, "The Prophets want Bajorans, the Ascendant, and Cardassians to stand together."
"And humans and the Federation races?" Odon asked sharply.
"Can choose faith or apostasy," Neela answered, "Just as we all can."
"They've assembled," Varis interrupted, "And a Bajoran has joined them."
"Now they'll make contact," Neela told them.
The Bajoran approached them alone, "Greetings, Friends. What brings you to our district?"
"This district has been relegated to Cardassian settlers from the old Demilitarized Zone and defectors from the Cardassian Union. Bajor and Cardassia are much closer friends than Bajor and the Federation or I think The Federation and Cardassia," Neela said brightly, "We were doing business in the sector and wanted to set down somewhere friendly."
"It's true we're all friends here on Fendic. Especially in our little district," the Bajoran replied, "I'm Amon Tuz. Who might you traders be?"
"I'm Neela. This is Odon, Varis, and Maru. And I never said we were traders," Neela told him, "We're on more of a...pilgrimage exploring our paghs."
"Yet you arrived in an Iotian starship and you lack the Orthodox sign of faith and family," Amon remarked.
"We choose to seek our path elsewhere," Neela told him.
"Such as piracy?" Amon smirked. The Cult had pulled up Militia Intelligence's doctored files on them.
"'Piracy' is such a dirty word," Neela replied, "I prefer to think we pursue our paghs from a position of strength."
"You and your fellow crewmen were excommunicated by the Vedek Assembly. Mind telling me why?" Amon asked.
"For believing there are truths beyond the Prophets," Neela shrugged nonchalantly, "For that we were exiled from Bajor."
"Meet me here at this time tomorrow and we'll see about the next step in your pilgrimage," Amon told them.
"We can't stay long," Neela told him, "If we remain orbit for more than a solar day then Starbasee 47 might begin looking into us. That could prove...problematic."
"One day. That's all I ask," Amon turned and departed.
"That was very frightening," Odon said afterwards.
"He's harmless enough," Neela replied.
"Not him. You," Odon warned her.
Chef had a buffet luncheon prepped in the Obsidian's galley. It was the only space large enough to accommodate everyone attending th briefing. Fleet Captain Sarai Mikaela Gellar was there from the Watcher. Captain Emilia Conner of the El Cid attended as did Billie Tyler of the Galavant and Melissa Kendall of the Chaser. Captain Halep once again represented the T'Kir while Captain Angel Kepler was there on behalf of the crew of the Jamie Kirk. They were all commanders in the Outbound Ventures Legacy Fleet which was comprised of pre-refit Constitution- and Asia-class starships. Captain Chris Kirk alone represented the post-refit technology Enterprize.
Forger represented the Obsidian's crew while Jones lamented being left behind. The entire SID team was present. After Macen and Rockford's fateful conversation with Admiral Forger, Rockford's Detective Squad had gone through every report the Outbound Ventures commanders had made to Serenity. Macen had worked the problem with Kerber and Smith with Mudd's begrudging assistance.
"The news you've all been waiting for has arrived. Admiral Forger and the SID wish to continue the ongoing investigation into the Avanti and Solarian's culpability in arming thee Amari insurgents. If that means defending the system until Starfleet commits forces to the system, so be it," Macen told them Starfleet's official position, "Commodore Oh and Starfleet Security in particular are interested in proof connecting Solarian to the arms smuggling."
"Is the Admiral aware that Solarian's present forces outmatch our own?" Kepler inquired.
"An inferior fighting force can hold off a superior opponent with guile and better tactics and strategy," Kendall was the first to admit, "After all, isn't that why the Amari police forces called for Starfleet assistance in the first place?"
"The talks are to begin tomorrow," Gellar shared, "I just wish I knew how Captain Mirita was going to play this up."
"Her Splendor-class starship would help even some odds," Conner sighed.
"She won't intervene in what happens next unless the Amari sign and arms deal with the Iotians or even join their Federation scheme," Rockford warned everyone from experience, "We've multiple dealings with Mirita and a comfortable commission is what motivates her."
"Starfleet Intelligence wants us to find Mudd Kenra so she can finger Guls Maret and Macet with working with the Orions and a Bajoran to support religious extremists to launch their civil war. Showing the guls' hypocrisy would go far in winning hearts and minds for Castellan Garan and the Detepa Council," Macen told them, "Mudd joining her family places us at your disposal in unraveling the underlying problem here. Which is proving foreign aid went to assist the Amari military. We need Solarian implicated. Barring that, we need testimony implicating Pyotr Boromov and/or Baroness Estella Grimes."
"JAG weighed in on the equation. Solarian can defend the Avanti from unwarranted aggression. But if they fire upon you and you defend yourselves, Solarian can't justify intervening," Macen explained, "Starfleet and Federation Security are both watching Solarian's toeing the line on that policy."
"Unless they destroy our ship outright to make certain there are no witnesses or sensor logs," Kepler warned.
"We'll do system sweeps with two vessels working in tandem per each system and patrol adjoining systems in six ship task forces. We won't cover as much ground but we've already narrowed down our suspect planets the gunrunners are supplying," Gellar reminded everyone, "While I mediate the talks, Conner and Tyler will pair off. Halep and Kepler will join up. That leaves Kendall working with Kirk."
"Delighted," Kendall told Kirk.
"Meanwhile, Captain Forger will take the Obsidian deeper into space claimed by the Avanti and we'll probe their and Solarian's strength," Macen informed everyone.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Gellar inquired, "You'd essentially be on your own."
"We're a little out of practice but my crew and I are used to working alone," Forger promised her, "We'll get the job done."
"Solarian's presence just made this a very personal matter for my team and this crew," Macen informed them all, "You're all too new to the company to realize why but we won't fail. I promise you that."
"Then I suggest we resume our patrols immediately while I try to insure these talks don't break down," Gellar encouraged her force, "And you people, don't get killed. Captain Riker would never forgive me if it happened on my watch."
"We've been dead before. It doesn't stick," Macen assured her.
"They're bold, I'll give them that," Wyn grudgingly admitted.
"And well connected," Griff allowed, "Militia Intelligence pegged them accessing our doctored files almost as soon as we entered orbit."
"That could still be through their connections with the Cardassian Guard or even Gul Maret's rebels," Odon pointed out, "We have given the Cardassians access to a lot of our general files and security apparatus."
"Militia Command has no idea of which side a Cardassian gul requesting background information is on," Javi complained, "The Cardassian Guard is very tightlippeed regarding individual loyalties."
"That's because some command level officers, guls, dals, and dalins, are aboard rebel ships but are loyalists trying to rein in their crews and provide intel to the Central Command for Ocett's forces to act upon," Wyn shared. She and Griff had been briefed as Special Operations officers in order to support these incognito loyalists, "There are lower ranking officers and enlisted aboard rebel ships as well but they're too closely monitored to be of much assistance."
"Maret shouldn't count upon the Cult of the Pah-wraiths for much support," Neela advised the crew, "It was a transactional relationship for both sides. But Maret failed to deliver thee Orb of the Kosst Amojan. They'll continue to use him in their efforts to secure Bajor itself but their loyalties end there."
"If the Cult is broken by the loss of the Orb, why are we out here?" Wes asked.
"Exactly my question," Ferris agreed.
"Because the cultist vedeks that took the Orb with them left Bajor with other artifacts that might contain a Pah-wraith within them," Neela explained the logic, "We need to know what else they're looking for and where they expect to find them."
"But won't they recognize you?" Varis asked.
"My family name isn't a popular or large grouping. The doctored data files list me as a cousin to myself. That would explain the resemblance. And my official documents list my actual birth date and age accordingly. They don't don't take into account my ten years in the Celestial Temple where I didn't age," Neela explained.
"Very sneaky," Wyn said appreciatively.
"She's a natural undercover agent," Odon told the others, "Even I believed her story."
"It's true," Maru vouched for his account.
"They'll be expecting infiltrators, not brute force. So we'll take them by surprise," Neela told them.
"At least one of our observers was armed," Odon had noted. A veteran of the Resistance before joining the Militia Constabulary, he was an expert at spotting concealed weaponry.
"There will be more," Neela warned them, "But there are only so many outlets for smuggling in illegal arms on a Federation world."
"Especially one orbited by a starbase," Varis said approvingly.
"We need to return to the surface and appear to probing about for future victims for acts of piracy," Neela told the constables, "I hope you can hold your liquor because synthale is seen as a sign of weakness to the criminal classes we'll be portraying."
"How do you suggest we go about that?" Maru inquired.
"We frequent the most notorious freighter dive bars and liquor up captains and crews into discussing their cargoes and next ports of call," Neela explained, "We'll be watched so play up your parts."
"You're splitting us up?" Odon asked.
"True pirates would place a crewman or two in every dive bar on the planet. We'll be making due with you three, Major Wyn, and Lieutenant Griff," Neela told them.
"I was wondering when we'd see some action," Wyn admitted.
"You have the necessary skill sets," Neela admitted.
"I'll start searching the district databases to find suitable targets," Javi volunteered.
"Sergeant Ferris, you'll be in command while we're planet-side," Wyn told him.
"I'll make sure we don't come under fire while you're away," Ferris chuckled.
"Just be sure to avoid Starfleet entanglements. They won't know our arrest warrants are fabrications," Wyn warned him.
"Commander Ro of Starfleet Intelligence has been briefed on our effort but an actual arrest would take time to process much less have her alerted to it to exonerate us," Neela warned.
"Understood," Ferris did indeed. He'd been Starfleet enlisted before the Federation-Bajoran War and the detention of all Bajorans, including those in Starfleet. Ferris had resigned upon being released, and like so many others, had immigrated to Bajor and her colonies. Ferris, like most Starfleet enlisted and officers coming into Bajor, joined the growing Militia. With the colonization effort in full swing in the Gamma Quadrant, the Militia was expanding its forces. The Colonial Defense Forces led by Anara being the single largest division of the Militia.
Militia officers and enlisted assigned to Deep Space Nine came from the System Defense Force and the Planetary Defenses. Gren and Wills had also been Starfleet enlisted joining the System Defense Force before being assigned to DS9. The rest of the crew were native to Bajor or one of her colonies.
"We should get underway while we have time to make an impression before our rendezvous tomorrow," Neela urged.
Galen 3, Miller, and Zimbalist all carefully monitored the Obsidian's heightened sensor capacities scouring the system for different things. Miller and Zimbalist watched the system for Solarian detection and communications probes and buoys. Galen 3 studied the Avanti ground invasion that seemed to lack orbital support. Boromov's strategy seemed to be in effect on the Class-M world occupied by the Avanti. The industrialized natives were resisting the invasion force with modern particle beam weapons. Undoubtedly Grimes Armaments products. Just as the Avanti themselves utilized Iotian and Grimes weapons. The Avanti had arrived in force but the Mudds and Okona had prepared the planet for invasion. The resistance was fierce enough to motivate orbital strikes yet the Avanti starships had moved on.
"I'm reading the aftermath of a dozen nuclear strikes," Galen 3 reported, "And just as many antimatter detonations."
"So where are the starships that should be supporting their troops?" Jones asked the obvious question on everyone's minds.
"The Iotians haven't publicized just how many starships they sold to the Avanti before they switched to hiring Solarian," Forger reminded her XO, "The invasion arks we've seen have been in flight for weeks, even months at Warp 1. Maybe that's where they focused their resources. Gellar and the Legacy Fleet have never gotten a firm count on how many starships the Avanti have."
"It would make sense that they would cover their invasion force from potential outside interference. That same force, with higher warp capability, could move from invasion to invasion and leave the ground forces behind to do their part while their fleet moves on to the next target," Miller opined, "They must have mobilized their entire population to invade a dozen worlds within weeks of each other. Like it was speculated, the Iotians delivered starships and trained the Avanti in their use after the invasion forces were already underway."
"Starfleet only made first contact six months ago. The bottom feeders came right after," Jones noted.
"The Iotians are making in-roads to civilizations that the Federation's Prime Directive forbids them from contacting," Forger said, "The Avanti may or may not have been warp capable when the Iotians approached them. Since they began operations in the Deeper Beta Quadrant, the Iotian Starfleet has added over a dozen planets to its Federation's protection plans and begun starship and weapons sales to double that number. Including the Confederacy of Planets."
"I can't blame those colonists," Jones admitted, "Thousands of them are from DMZ worlds. The Maquis would've purchased Iotian starships if we could've afforded them."
"Instead Eddington stole some from Starfleet," Zimbalist knew the history, "And he overplayed his hand."
"Do you and Sveta talk about the Maquis glory days as pillow talk?" Jones snorted. Zimbalist and Korepanova had been dating for a year now.
"She's told me war stories," Zimbalist admitted.
"She, Macen, and Ro were all biased against Eddington from the start. They opposed every plan he made," Jones was irritated.
"Planning genocide has a way of making internal enemies," Zimbalist retorted, "You ever wonder what prompted Dukat to unleash the Jem'Hadar on the Maquis?"
"It was war!" Jones snapped, "The Cardassians had every advantage and Maret made certain to use them. He escalated the conflict so we repaid him in kind!"
"Whoa!" Forger raised her voice, "Rehashing the past won't help our present."
"I'm good," Zimbalist dropped the issue.
"I'll leave it alone," Jones promised.
"I've got a hit!" Miller announced, "There's a sensor drone near the seventh planet. It's 22nd Century United Earth Starfleet design type. The Avanti had to have left it to monitor traffic in the system."
"To see if anyone would interfere with their invasion," Forger surmised, "Have we been detected?"
"It seems to be on passive mode," Miller told her, "Our targeting sensors don't seem to have set it off."
"Hit it with an active sensor sweep," Forger ordered, "Let's see who or what responds."
"On it," Zimbalist trained the active sensors on the probe. It responded in two ways, "We've been actively scanned and it's transmitted a coded signal."
"Destroy it," Forger ordered Miller, "Aglaia, bring us within phaser range."
"On it," Aglaia redirected the ship, "Closing now."
"We're in range. Phasers locked and firing,": Miller gave a blow by blow, "Target destroyed."
"Now you'll have pissed them off," Jones said wryly.
"I'm counting on it," Forger smirked.
"You all look miserable," Neela smiled as the constables had rejoined her at the same Cardassian cafe on Fenric the next afternoon.
"My head is killing me," Odon definitely looked the worse for wear thanks to his hangover.
"Why don't you feel as miserable?" Maru demanded to know.
"I pointedly took a tri-ox shot before my pub crawl and carefully rehydrated afterwards," Neela said.
"Now she tells us," Varic groaned.
"I need you at your best after they lead us to their temple. If you're not up to it, I'll go alone," Neela warned them.
"We'll manage just fine," Odon promised her, "A little adrenaline is just what we need."
"Good because Amon is approaching and he brought twice as many minders with him," Neela said as she sipped her coffee.
"Good day! I hope I'm not interrupting," Amon was cheerful enough.
"You are," Neela told him, "But we were expecting that."
"Our people noted that several of your crewmen scattered across the planet's less desirable establishments last night. Work or pleasure?" Amon asked.
"Can't they be the same?" Odon asked him.
"Perhaps I can lure you into pursuing a different payout," Amon suggested.
"We came to do business," Maru said for the group.
"But we don't appreciate being spied on," Varis warned Amon.
"That was for our own safety," Amon pulled up a chair from another table and seated himself, "My fellow believers and I aren't welcomed anywhere. So we have to conduct research into those we want to work with."
"So do we," Neela smiled like a predator eyeing its prize, "You're a member of the Pah-wraith Cult membership that's found a home here."
Amon looked nervous, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Neither do we if we come to an agreeable working arrangement," Odon picked up Neela's thread.
"You want to blackmail us?" Amon scoffed.
"We aren't religiously inclined anymore," Neela told him, "We'll work with you but not for you."
"I see," Amon was more appreciative of what the group was telling him now.
"We'll keep your presence here a secret from the Vedek Assembly and the Militia," Varis assured him.
"Given how you haven't reported us to Starfleet," Maru pinned it all together.
"I believe we truly can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement," Amon promised, "You see, we wish to procure certain artifacts that are being held by the Federation or are secretly hidden on Bajoran and Federation worlds. You find them and return them to Empok Nor and you'll be richly rewarded."
"Empok Nor is being blockaded for anything outside of humanitarian aid," Neela frowned.
"So provide some and double your profits," Amon breezily suggested.
"I own the Razor's Edge but I'm not her captain. This is my prize crew. I select the targets and she devises the shipboard strategy. If she thinks she can get us passed the blockade, we'll be happy to seek your items," Neela told him.
"Then we meet here in six hours time?" Amon asked.
"Six hours. If you're not here at that time, we'll assume you reconsidered and we'll go on to more conventional means of acquiring high value items," Neela told him, "And we'll expect payment in Cardassian leks."
"That part will be the easiest," Amon chuckled, "Our financial backers are Cardassian. They'll be more than happy to pay you out in leks."
"Then it's six hours. No more. No less," Neela stood, "We have to get to a public transporter to arrange a return to my ship. I don't trust local communications with a starbase in orbit."
"I'll be here," Amon promised.
"We'll see," Neela rose from her seat, signaling the constables to do the same. They silently departed, saving their conversation and private thoughts for when they were back aboard the Razor's Edge. Major Wyn's reaction would be telling.
"Parva, standby on those warp engines," Forger signaled Engineering.
"I already have them primed for maximum warp," Parva assured her. The Obsidian was even slower than the much older design Solstice. But not by much. The Obsidian made up for it with atmospheric maneuvering and far more sensor capacity and sensitivity. The Nova-class surveyor had never been intended as a combat vessel though she'd seen her fair share of action.
"I have multiple vessels dropping out of warp in the outer system," Galen 3 announced.
"I have six NX-class starships, three NX refit-classes, four Pincer-class starships, and one Apollo-class starship. The newer ships are all ID registered to Solarian Security Solutions," Miller read off her sensor data.
"Aglaia, full impulse burn towards the outer system in the opposite direction," Forger ordered.
"They are royally pissed off," Jones chuckled, "I doubt the Avanti could afford many more ships like that without conceding into joining the Iotian Federation."
"More Solarian starships dropping out of warp," Miller warned, "I have one Hokule'a-class, a Renaissance-class, and a Himalaya-class forming up with the Apollo-class and Pincer-classes."
"All of this over one sensor probe?" Zimbalist didn't know whether to be afraid or flattered.
"This show of force is strictly for our benefit," Forger told her crew, "They want us to run and report back how they responded."
"They must've been gathered together close by to respond this quickly," Aglaia noted, "Engaging warp speed, maximum warp."
"Probably protecting another invasion force," Jones theorized.
"But at Warp 1 it will still take them a few days to reach Amar from here," Forger noted.
"You think that's their next target?" Galen 3 fretted.
"There's no one else between this location and Amar. If they are protecting invasion landers then there's only one target left to them within reach," Forger surmised.
"I wonder how Gellar did with the mediation talks?" Miller suddenly questioned.
"If the Amari military knows an invasion is this imminent, then they'll play hardball," Jones predicted, "The real question is: what are the Iotians bringing to the table?"
Fleet Captain Sarai Mikaela Gellar considered herself a reasonable woman. She'd served as a starship captain for eight years with Starfleet Special Operations Command. In that time, she'd faced numerous threats with aplomb. But right now she was ready to draw a phaser and stun everyone in the room. Starting with the Iotian Starfleet captain named Mirita. As she'd expected, Mirita had cut a deal with the general in command of the Amari military that served as its insurgent rebels. Cut off from Boromov's steady flow of arms by the SID Legacy Fleet, Captain Mirita had bent her ear.
Both the Amari and Avanti were matriarchal societies where the males of the species were held in thrall to serve the females and for procreation. The comparisons died there. The Amari were an azure hued humanoid species unique amongst Federation contacted worlds. The Avanti were a felinoid and predatory race who lived for the hunt. They'd give Klingons a hard time much less the more pacifistic Amari. The Amari leadership saw the military as an outdated relic of a past best forgotten. That's why the police force was so large and powerful.
Mirita had shared intelligence with General Embola suggesting an Avanti attack was not only possible but imminent. Governess Iryiana begged to differ, choosing to rely on Federation support rather than the Iotians. Gellar appreciated the vote of confidence but knew her force paled beside the modern Starfleet or even the modern Iotian equivalent.
"Will everyone shut up?" Gellar shouted over the raised voices, "Starfleet is on its way and my forces have been ordered to defend you. But you have to be prepared to ward off landing forces that get by us."
"Pretty lies!" Embola snapped, "You have no way of knowing when the Federation will assist us. Meanwhile, your ships, though advanced to us and the Avanti, are relics compared to the mercenary forces the Avanti have hired on to assist them."
"Solarian is forbidden by Federation law from attacking your planet," Gellar told Iryiana, "And there will be too many witnesses for them to avoid prosecution and the dissolution of their company. They're already on probation with the Federation Security Service and Starfleet."
"Unless they manage to kill you all," Mirita spoke up for the first time, "I can have a greater number of equally matched ships here within six days. All you'd have to do is hold out on the ground until we arrive in force. Afterwards we could beginning equipping you with the means to defend yourselves from the Avanti."
"They only have the means to threaten us because of you," Iryiana said dryly.
"I admit bad decisions were made in entrusting equipment and training to the Avanti," Mirita came as close as she would to apologizing.
"The Federation's ideals match our own. I trust in them," Iryiana blatantly told Mirita, "I take them over obvious mercenaries motivated by greed and a lust for power."
"You're a fool!" General Embola cried, "You sentence us to death or worse."
"I think the days of having a planetary military are done with, General. Your soldiers can transition into the police forces or other civilian occupations. You have one week to draw down your force and report to the police agencies. Non-compliance will earn you prison time. If you accept these terms then amnesty will be granted for your prior acts of terrorism. Defy this edict and you'll face prosecution for your past activities," Iryiana proclaimed, "That was the unanimous vote of the Governing Council. These talks were a means of relaying that decision amicably. If we face an external threat than we need unity more than ever. Don't become an instrument of our presumed enemy."
"The Avanti will rain down fire and destruction upon us because of your choice," Embola decided.
"That would happen even if I made arrangements with the Iotian's version of the Federation. She said she needed six days to assemble her forces and return here after we were already invaded. I see no logistical difference in waiting for Starfleet to return. And we maintain our individual sovereignty you would sacrifice to these Iotians," Iryiana lectured Embola for her outburst.
"You'll beg for my help and I'll merely walk away," Embola stood and exited the room.
"You seem to have mad a fateful decision," Mirita stated as she too rose, "I'll stand by for when you change your mind. But then I'll have every advantage in the negotiations."
Mirita flipped open her communicator and was beamed back to the ISS Kelly at her command. Iryiana sagged in her seat, "Tell me, Captain Gellar, have I made the right choice?"
"Starfleet Command promised reinforcements. When I was in Starfleet, that meant something," Gellar promised her.
"But then again, you're not in Starfleet anymore for a reason," Iryiana pointed out.
Gellar had to give her that point.
"See? I'm here and so are you, without your escort," Amon greeted Neela at the usual cafe.
"Yet you persist in bringing yours," Neela had noted extra faces in the Cult's usual crowd.
"You do have a certain reputation," Amon admitted.
"I get things done. I'm told we can reach Empok Nor as desired. Now it's a matter of your list of desired objects and their locations," Neela told him, "Once I see those, we can either finalize our deal or walk away in a friendly fashion."
Amon reluctantly handed her a Cardassian padd, "I thought your show of faith in coming here finalized the deal."
"My being here indicates my willingness to take on the job. The locations will make or break a deal," Neela told him before activating the padd and beginning to scroll through its contents. She frowned several times as items and location were displayed, "I can get it done. But tell your benefactors it will be costly."
"They expected no less," Amon told her, "Scroll to the final authorization trigger and input your account information. A proposed retainer will be transferred into your account of choice with two more payments to be made as you report your verifiable progress. The final and largest payment will be authorized by those on Empok Nor. Then I suggest you avoid Bajor at all costs until the reckoning is done with."
"I have the death penalty facing me on Bajor. I have no desire to tempt fate by returning there," Neela told him what was on her doctored records.
"Then authorize the transaction and you can get underway. There will be a bonus if you conclude this business withing nine Bajoran reckoned weeks," Amon told her.
"Sixteen. My ship's rated maximum speed is Warp 4 and we cruise at 2.5. I can't make all the target planets in nine weeks," Neela warned, "And the bonus is a good incentive."
"Remember, the update fees will only be paid if the thefts from the public and private holders of the artifacts report the missing items. There's no need to kill anyone to steal what we need," Amon warned her in return.
"My people don't kill needlessly," Neela defended the crew, "If there are any casualties it will be because they were unavoidable."
"Just draw any unwanted attention that will lead pursuers to Empok Nor," Amon scolded her.
"I prefer a distinct lack of pursuit," Neela confessed.
"Then we're agreed then," Amon stated.
Neela authorized the money transfer, "We are."
"I'd begin your journey. Your sixteen weeks just started," Amon rose to leave.
"Amon, just so we're clear, if this deal goes sideways I will be back to collect my due from you," Neela warned him.
"That all depends on your proficiency at acquiring the items. Do professional work and you'll escape official notice," Amon misunderstood her threat.
"I'll have your items. But if your benefactors don't come through at the end of this, there will recompense to be had. That will fall on you and those at Empok Nor," Neela clarified matters.
For the first time since meeting Neela, he felt a chill go down his spine, "They'll come through for you."
"You'd best hope so," Neela made to depart but paused, "For all your sake's."
Amon began to wonder how much of a devil's bargain had been struck when Neela transferred the leks into her chosen account.
Chapter Eight
The SID captains were gathered in the Obsidian's galley again. This time to plan a defense against known numbers. Kirk asked the obvious question, "Will Solarian fight us?"
"They will. They'll claim you engaged their clients and they had no choice but to respond," Macen told them, "Boromov knows the real money to be had is supplying Amari insurgents with weapons to prolong the fighting and playing the two sides against each other for as long as possible."
"You said that like you won't be here," Gellar noted.
"Our contract is to find the three Mudds and Okona and shut them down and bring them in for questioning," Rockford hated to tell her, "Admiral Forger reinforced that point even as she directed you all to hold the system until Starfleet arrives."
"While we bring the Mudds and Okona back for Starfleet to formally arrest them, you'll present your sensor logs to prove that Boromov's story is an utter fabrication. But when Solarian begins to fight, they'll do so to destroy your ships, kill all of your crews, and leave no evidence behind implicating them in any illegality," Macen advised them all, "So you'll be fighting for your lives."
"I thought you always faced the danger with the other SID crews," Kepler complained, "What's different now?"
"We'll be facing Baroness Estella Grimes and her private capital ship," Rockford interjected, "And she doesn't have any rules to play by. She'll be harboring and supplying the Mudds and Okona. Starfleet records indicate that Grimes' warship is the equal to a modern Starfleet heavy cruiser, not like these decommissioned Starfleet vessels you'll be facing. For all of us, it's an uphill climb to overcome our opponents. We can't waste any mental energy on recriminations and doubts."
"Point well taken," Conner voiced, "I've stood beside Captain Forger and the Obsidian crew in action. They don't shrink back from danger."
"Thank you for that," Forger said appreciatively.
"I think you'll find we're all well aware of the Obsidian crew's reputation and your SID team's exploits," Tyler said, "Some of us have even shared that journey. But we need a concrete strategy to hold off the Avanti and Solarian long enough for Starfleet's proposed arrival."
"That's why we're here, isn't it?" Kendall asked, "So let's stop our complaining and useless fretting and get to it."
"We only need two starships to deal with the Avanti and their invasion force. Captains Kepler and Halep, that falls on you. Standby legal regulations and don't fire on the Avanti. That will only provoke Solarian's justifications. But when they fire on you, you're free to defend yourselves. Afterwards, you can assist the rest of us in dealing with Solarian," Gellar took charge of her force, "Captain Kirk, you have the ablest ship among us. I want you in reserve to assist those of us in need as the needs arrive. As for the rest of us, we'll be engaged by Solarian under false pretenses and we know the stakes for them. Our ships are less advanced and less powerful but we're more maneuverable. If we have to inflict death by a thousand cuts, then so be it."
"Their shields are an improvement on ours as is their weaponry," Kendall reminded them, "So evasive maneuvers can mean the difference between life and death."
"The difficult part is that Starfleet wants them taken alive. So that will limit how much and what kind of damage you can inflict," Macen advised them, "You can thank Commodore Oh for that proviso. Also, put distance between yourselves and the Solarian starships when Starfleet does arrive. Otherwise Boromov will continue his barrages and claim they were 'accidental weapons discharges'. He and Solarian cannot afford to be caught flagrantly violating Federation laws."
"What happens to them if they're caught?" Kirk wanted to know.
"Revocation of their Federation operating license. Forfeiture of their Starfleet provided assets. Seizure of their domestically based financial assets. Even search and seizure of the Federation based offices and facilities. All of which would be auctioned off if the corporation was found culpable in the actions taken here. Since Boromov is the current CEO and personally overseeing this operation, culpability is a given," Rockford described Solarian's legal perils, "That's why they can't get caught."
"And if they choose to run rather than surrender to Starfleet?" Gellar inquired, "Some fleet officers wouldn't offer chase without first reviewing the evidence we'll have compiled against Solarian."
"A stay of execution," Macen shrugged, "That will simply give them an opportunity to transfer assets from Federation space to neutral space. But all corporate employees will be considered fugitives and subject to arrest and trial inside the Federation."
"Making them nothing more than high profile mercenaries," Rockford spoke from her experience as Annika Ryst.
"Even a largely isolationist Federation and Starfleet couldn't tolerate having decommissioned Starfleet vessels being held by criminals hands," Macen offered them hope.
"So, when do you set out to find Baroness Grimes?" Gellar asked.
"As soon as we conclude here," Forger answered.
"Grimes will be close to an invaded world dispatching the Mudds and Okona has errand boys to deliver weapons to other invaded worlds. When we find one, they'll lead us to the others. Since the Avanti haven't left behind support ships, we can scan invaded planets without fear of detection or conflict. If we encounter a smuggler, they lead us to Grimes. If we encounter Grimes, the smugglers will come to us," Macen outlined their strategy.
"Then we'd best reconvene aboard the Watcher and plan our defense," Gellar told the others. They headed for Telrik's domain.
Forger turned to Macen and Rockford, "What happens if we catch the Mudds or Okona in the act?"
"The team will beam down and affect an arrest. Their ship's navigation logs will give up Grimes' position. She'll be a much harder target. One we won't engage," Macen told her.
Forger sighed in relief, "You have no idea how that relieves me."
"But we will have to get her attention and provoke her into following is to Amar," Macen told her.
"Okay, now I'm not relieved," Forger grumbled.
"I've made contact with Captain Mirita. The Iotian Starfleet has issued a bounty on Baroness Estella Grimes' head. Mirita aims to collect," Macen told her.
"How will we avoid getting blown to bits in the meantime?" Forger wondered.
"I take it you selectively reviewed the specs on her personal warship/yacht," Macen smirked, "She has a top rated speed of Warp 8. So she can pace us but not overtake us. We just have to get underway soon enough to stay out of torpedo range."
"If we're not firing on her, why would Grimes pursue us?" Forger asked.
"Because we'll have sensor data and eyewitness to the fact she's a Federation citizen violating the Prime Directive," Rockford chuckled, "We just have to get close enough for Galen 3 to get the sensor readings logged and then exit the system at maximum warp. Grimes will follow us."
"How will we prove she's arming the locals?" Forger had to ask.
"Because distinctively Grimes support craft will be on the planet making deliveries to the natives and the Avanti," Macen explained, "We capture that data and she has to stop us from reporting it to Starfleet. Her livelihood depends on it."
"She has multiple addictions to feed," Rockford stated, "So latinum is everything to her."
"Starfleet and Federation Security still make up the bulk of her reliable customer base. So she can't afford to offend the Federation," Macen added.
"Not and afford her narcotics," Rockford had to throw in.
Forger was a stims addict so she understood the underlying drive behind Grimes' ambitions, "Got it all too well."
Her comm badge chirped and she tapped it, "Forger."
"Telrik reports all passengers have transported over to the Watcher. We can get underway," Jones reported.
"Best cruising speed to our first suspect planetary system," Forger ordered, "But save maximum warp for when we need it."
"Will we need it?" Jones asked.
"I'll brief the Senior Staff in a minute," Forger promised, "Out."
"Now we'd best brief our people," Rockford advised Macen.
"Our mission is only half fulfilled if we capture Grimes, the Harry Mudds, and Okona. We still need to bring in Mudd Kenra," Macen reminded her as the trio exited the Galley and headed for the turbolift.
"Won't Macet and Maret be aware of that?" Forger idly wondered, "She is a considerable liability to them."
"Which is why Macet's disappearance during the Cardassian civil war is unsettling," Macen admitted.
"You don't think he'd come all the way out here?" Forger asked.
"That entirely depends on how Maret's troops view his strongman promises on retaking Bajor," Rockford told her as they entered the lift, "Will learning Maret and Macet were willing to cooperate with and even work for a Bajoran cult undermine them completely? Or will it simply be seen as dealing with the devil over a common foe?"
They reached Deck 3, the couple's destination, and they exited. Forger continued onward to Deck 1 and the bridge module. She had a rampant case of nerves to alleviate.
"Are we really stealing these Cult of the Pah-wraith artifacts?" Odon asked Neela has she assembled the entire crew on an overcrowded bridge.
"Yes, we are," Neela answered forthrightly, "If we don't, they'll just send someone else who will deliver them to Empok Nor."
"What will we do with them if we manage to acquire them all?" Griff asked.
"We've proven even a possessed item can't survive a star. So we load them into warhead removed torpedoes and fire them into a sun," Neela told them, "That will end the Pah-wraith threat."
"But we'll need to acquire everything on the list?" Wyn asked.
"To be thorough and to end the chances of anyone else acquiring one the way Dukat did," Neela told them.
"How did these artifacts end up in the Federation?" Javi asked.
"The Cardassian Bureau of Information sold them to museums and collectors from the Obsidian Order vaults during Reconstruction as a way to earn hard currency," Neela explained what the padd had revealed, "A few were unearthed by Federation archaeologists working on neutral planets."
"You do this all the time?" Wes asked her.
"I do as the Prophets will me to do, regardless of personal cost," Neela had instructed everyone to begin wearing their testimonial earrings again now that they wouldn't be dealing with cultists anymore. It served as a reminder that the fate of their gods as well as their world hung in the balance. Neela had walked this road innumerable times. For everyone else, it was a first.
"As long as we don't hurt anyone, I'm for it," Doctor Lens was the first to stat. Nurse Kenji agreed with him. Katts and Javi were next to volunteer. Wes and Ferris joined them. Wyn and Griff at least had shared in protecting Bajor at all costs before and endorsed the plan, such as it was. For the constables, it was a moral dilemma.
"Normally I'd be arresting anyone involved in such a scheme," Odon confessed, "But we did this and more during the Resistance."
"There's no other way?" Varis asked.
"They'll just hire actual thieves and pirates next time," Neela promised him.
"There's no other way," Maru decided, "And Neela bought us sixteen weeks before they begin looking for us."
"We're already underway," Wes reminded them, "The helm has our course locked in. I'd say we're already committed."
"This is what we were chosen for," Wyn reminded them all, "We're ending the Cult of the Pah-wraith's reach if not imploding the cult itself."
They all nodded their agreement before Neela spoke again, "Thank you for this. I know we thought these types of actions were behind us when we drove the Cardassians off of Bajor and re-established the rule of law. But a desperate threat sometimes requires desperate measures."
"You live an interesting life, Colonel," Wyn told her, "It's very weird working with you."
That they all agreed on as well.
It took two days of searching after returning to the system they'd been ejected from for the Obsidian crew to find a besieged planet. The neighboring solar system was also inhabited and under attack by Avanti ground forces.
"No alien life forms beyond the locals and the Avanti down there," Galen 3 scowled at his sensor reading display console.
"I can't believe we can't do anything for these people," Jones griped again.
"Sometimes the Prime Directive sucks big weenie," Forger commiserated, "But I happen to know Macen and Rockford are chewing Admiral Nechayev, Forger, and Johnson's ears off trying to get them bump this matter up the chain of Starfleet Command to reach the Federation Council. They want the Council to recognize the Avanti has belligerent and a threat to the entire sector. Then Starfleet can begin applying pressure on the Avanti to withdraw from these occupied worlds."
"And how do you know this?" Jones asked.
"I've been monitoring the comm channels and Macen and Rockford both are opening channels to Earth and the USS Intrepid. They tag team admirals," Forger chuckled.
"The planet is clear," Galen 3 announced, "We won't find anyone here."
"Aglaia, head to the next closest planet Starfleet charted and logged as inhabited," Forger ordered.
"Captain, Starfleet reported the closest world as pre-warp but they have limited space travel and even some extraterrestrial colonies," Galen 3 told her.
"The Avanti will have knocked out their monitoring capabilities. But we will assess the situation when we arrive. Good enough?" Forger replied.
"It'll have to do," Galen 3 relented.
"Kid, they've been invaded by aliens and probably by gunrunners. I think they realize they're not alone in this universe," Jones quipped.
"Point taken," Galen 3 flushed.
"Play nice," Forger demanded, "We don't know what kind of mess we're walking into. A little caution is reasonable."
"I hope there's something we can do to change things at our next stop," Jones grumbled.
"We all do," Forger said to many sounds of agreement from the bridge crew.
In the three days that the Obsidian and Razor's Edge had been underway, Pytor Boromov sat back at his station on the bridge of the decommissioned Apollo-class starship registered to Solarian Security Systems as the SS Fatality. The other Solarian ships were the SS Bombardment, the SS Counterstrike, and the SS Precision. Each and every one of them more than a technical match for Outbound Ventures Legacy Fleet, so the Pincer-class starships had been forwarded on to other assignments even with the Enterprize and the Obsidian added to their ranks. Boromov looked forward to destroying all of them.
His Avanti clients knew they were outmatched but he had wait until they were fired upon to intervene of his justification for Starfleet's inquiry to hold up. In order for his claims to be uncontested by the facts, he had to make certain every Legacy ship was destroyed, their flight recorders gone with them, and every crewman dead. Boromov would be the first Solarian CEO to achieve a decisive victory over Outbound Ventures and winnow their forces.
Solarian's competitor had more ships than them but Solarian had more ground forces. They could easily occupy a single planet for a customer. Or fight alongside the client on multiple fronts. A choice the Avanti had opted out of. They demanded the conquest of every target world to be their own. Of course, except for the Amari, not a single invaded planet had conventional weapons capable of combating the Avanti. That's where Baroness Grimes came in with a commission going to Boromov's accounts for the referral.
He hadn't expected Grimes to personally oversee the gunrunning operation he'd put together, but she'd been bored and wanted the distraction. So he left it to her while he managed the Avanti. They were as warlike as the Klingons dreamed of being and as temperamental as a Chalnoth. Without his interventions, his commanders would've already slagged the nine NX-class variants the Avanti barely understood to operate.
They'd launched their invasion forces as soon as they'd achieved warp drive and learned that other relatively close star systems were inhabited by Starfleet. Avant itself was largely depopulated and defenseless as they mobilized for war. Only those too young or too old to fight remained on the planet. Everyone of fighting age had deployed.
"Time to Amar?" Boromov asked the Fatality's captain...again.
"Same as the last time you asked, seven more days at our present speed," the captain was bored of traveling at a leisurely Warp 1 to escort the troop transport arks.
"I'm going to discuss matters with our clients and see if I can't persuade them to push ahead with their faster elements and engage the enemy sooner," Boromov decided aloud.
"Please do," the Fatality's captain spoke on behalf of every Solarian commander.
"Well, we've reached Trill orbit," Wes announced, "We have an assigned orbital insertion."
"Any Starfleet vessels in the system?" Wyn asked Katts.
"No, but that doesn't mean the sector command is devoid of any patrol ships," Katts answered from Sensors.
"Javi, any Starfleet traffic?" Griff asked the tech corporal at Communications.
"There's a Starfleet installation on the planet but it's a minor outpost. Just routine comms traffic with sector command," Javi watched her displays of encoded Starfleet messaging going back and forth. Thanks to Bajor's alliance with the Federation, restored after the fallout of the war, she had access to standard encryption ciphers. So far, Starfleet was blithely unaware of their presence.
Iotian built analogues of historic Starfleet vessels were commonly seen throughout the Alpha and Beta Quadrants now. The Militia itself relied upon them. So the arrival of Bajorans in an Iotian ship didn't raise any flags with Traffic Control. The simple fact the Militia had never deployed a starship of such dated technology hadn't impacted anyone. Or the fact that the crew was ostensibly civilian.
"Tell Wills she's a go to beam down our team," Wyn instructed Ferris. The Engineer's Mate would serve as transporter officer during the operation.
"Wills reports the public transporter network is ready to receive them," Ferris told the Major.
"The Colonel better know what she's doing," Griff stated.
"I think it's fairer to say I hope our constables can keep up with her," Wyn wore a rueful smile.
Neela studied the idol sitting on a perch behind a force field, "Bring me a small bust."
"Excuse me?" Varis asked.
"There were several replica busts in thee adjoining room. Bring me one roughly this size and weight," Neela instructed, "Take Maru with you as a lookout."
"How do you know they're replicas?" Marus inquired.
"The fakes are put on public display," Neela concentrated on the force field generating housing the idol was encased by.
"You seem awfully good at this," Odon said softly, "Anything I should worry about?"
"Colonel Anara and I once 'liberated' an isomagnetic disintegrator bomb from a Cardassian armory. It was used in the raid on Galitep," Neela pulled a small ovular device from her satchel.
"That was you?" Odon was impressed.
"The Shakaar cell actually detonated it after I showed them how to use it. It took out the Cardassians' barracks," Neela frowned as she made adjustments to her ring-like device, "Of course, that a night raid. This is a broad daylight heist. But that's why security is at a minimum."
"And the scrambler you put on the wall as we entered creates a sensor and visual log feedback loop," Odon understood.
"Very good, Deputy. You might make Chief yet," Neela smiled brightly.
Varis and Maru returned with two busts. Neela weighed each of them in her hand before choosing one, "You can return that one."
"Hold this," Neela handed off the selected deity carving as she pushed her ring into the force field itself. The aperture device created a hole in the field large enough for Neela to manipulate the ring's interior controls and expand the aperture to a point she could reach in with two hands, "Now give me the carving."
Neela carefully held the carving with one hand and reached for the Bajoran idol with the other. She began to perspire as she focused intently on her timing. She took hold of the idol and slipped it off its pedestal while sliding the deity carving onto it with only a fraction of a second where the pedestal was unoccupied. Neela placed the purloined Kosst Amojan idol into her satchel and withdrew her aperture from the field. Retracting it down to its original size and shape, it joined the Pah-wraith object of worship in the satchel.
"Fortunately, the scales weren't very sensitive," Neela wiped the sweat from her face.
"What did we miss?" Varis asked as he and Maru returned from the hall of busts and replicas.
"We need to casually leave now before the tour reaches this chamber," Neela instructed. They'd opted out of the guided tour and pushed ahead of the crowd. Neela retrieved her scrambler and it joined everything else in her satchel. They were outside the museum as the first alarms resounded. They'd already employed the public transporter to link with the Razor's Edge and return to the ship by the time law enforcement descended on the history museum.
"They're back aboard," Ferris told Wyn.
"Planetary comms have gone ballistic. They're looking for whoever robbed the Danan History Museum," Javi reported.
"Wes, break orbit and set course for a our next agreed upon destination," Wyn ordered the helmsman.
"I can't believe they actually managed to do it," Katts admitted.
"I thought our constables might talk Colonel Neela out of it," Ferris confessed.
"Wes, take us out of the system at a leisurely half impulse before we reach the warp travel lanes in the outer system and then make way at Warp 3. Griff, you have the bridge. I'm going to see what our band of thieves has brought us."
"Sure, leave me with the tedium," Griff only halfway mock complained.
"Rank has its privileges," Wyn grinned as she headed for the turbolift.
Neela sealed the idol away in the heavy weapons vault. Wyn was disappointed, "No trophy to show off?"
"Each item we recover is a prison for a Pah-wraith. Of the outer casing gets broken, the Pah-wraith within will be liberated and will possess one of us." Neela explained.
"How were they initially captured?" Odon asked.
"Faithful worshipers inhabited by the Prophets themselves cast each Kosst Amojan from their host body to a vessel like the one we liberated. Denied an Orb, the prisoners can't re-enter the Celestial Temple unless they employ a Tear of the Prophets. And unless they achieve total victory over the Prophets, the Fire Caves will remain sealed. In this case, total victory is nothing less than the death of the Prophets," Neela explained.
"So why hasn't the Cult tried to free them before, like Dukat did?" Wyn asked.
"The vessels were stored by the Vedek Assembly or lost to mistaken cultists that venerated the idols rather than free their god within them. The Obsidian Order took charge of them during the Occupation. We know what happened afterwards. The Cult itself hid away several idols as the true believers in the Prophets found them and exiled them far beyond the Bajor Sector," Neela told them what she knew from the holy scrolls and from the Cult's own database they'd given her, "It wasn't until Dukat assembled the cultists on Empok Nor and taught them the truth about their idols that they began searching for them."
"But how do we find the hidden ones?" Varis asked, "Wouldn't the Cult have already retrieved them?"
"They've looked but couldn't find them. The Orb had the most ancient clues guiding searchers towards it. These other relics were taken to places of exile but the Bajoran colonies on these worlds died out long ago. The natives retain ancestral memories of the cultists that make them hostile towards Bajorans," Neela told them.
"So how do we get passed that?" Maru wondered.
"I called in an expert," Neela smiled, "She'll met us when she's needed."
"You trust this expert?" Wyn asked.
"I consider her a friend," Neela answered.
"These people tried to defend their space," Miller's sensor's read the aftermath, "I'm reading massive atomic discharge residue. I'd say they were old fashioned hydrogen bombs."
One of the Avanti transport arks drifted in testament of that strategy. It was a gutted, radioactive ruin. Galen 3 picked up where Miller left off, "They have no shield technology or deflector array. They simply counted on their armored hull to protect them."
"Well, the locals found a hole in that theory," Jones said with grim satisfaction.
"They didn't survive the attacks either," Galen 3 mourned for them, "The wreckage that doesn't show particle beam damage was obliterated by their own nuclear weaponry. This was a suicide mission and they knew it."
"Have they detected us?" Forger worried.
"Their satellite networks and space stations have been destroyed. Whatever early warning system that they devised and deployed is long gone," Zimbalist was also mournful.
"This was one of the two most advanced pre-warp cultures that Starfleet surveyed," Forger reminded them of her briefing on the way there, "It makes sense that they would fare better in the face of attackers."
"They're also perfect customers for Grimes' weapons," Miller joined the grim observance of the natives' desperation and resolve to defend their world and colonies.
"Wait! I'm detecting a small freighter entering the planet's atmosphere!" Galen 3 announced.
"Full stop!" Forger ordered, "Have they detected us yet?"
"The sensors aren't a match for ours," Galen 3 smugly boasted, "They can't see us through the ambient radiation and debris."
"ID on the ship?" Forger asked.
"Mudd's ship," Jones smirked, "Harri's in for a family reunion."
Forger sighed, "It would have to be them. Amanda wants them alive so Macen and Rockford better rein her in."
That statement brought some much needed stress relieving chuckles to the crew. Forger was flummoxed, "What?"
"Have you ever seen anyone rein Harri Mudd in?" Jones had to ask to explain the levity.
"I guess not," Forger sighed.
"What d'you mean I'm not going?" Mudd yelled at Macen and Rockford as they gathered Burrows, Daggit, Lee, and Shade in the transporter room.
"You take this mission personally. Frankly, we don't need the family drama," Rockford told her.
"Frinx you!" Mudd shot back at her.
"I rest my case," Rockford calmly replied.
"I don't want to beam down and openly confront the Mudds while they're selling arms. Can you get a target lock in their ship's bridge and beam us inside?" Macen was asking Telrik.
"Shore 'nuff. Only the holds are shielded from sensors," Telrik replied, "It'll be a tight squeeze for you all though."
"We'll worry about that," Macen assured him.
The team mounted the transporter pads, "Energize."
They reappeared in a bridge module that doubled as sleeping quarters. Macen turned to Daggit and Burrows, "Move into the holds but don't get spotted. Just move through the ship with them as they conclude their business and report to the bridge."
Lee and Shad took the only stations the bridge had and connected a cabled isolinear card from their portable computer into the ship's systems. Kerber and Smith had rigged the computer to hack and copy the ship's logs.
"It's working," Lee told Rockford as the portable system sat atop the console and registered its worm-like progress.
"It's too bad we're blowing the ship up. Harri could've sold it off as her inheritance," Shade remarked ruefully.
"I think Harri would settle for getting her hands on her sister," Rockford promised them, "Which this will bring us one step closer to delivering."
The download was completed before the Mudds completed their illicit arms sale and sealed up their cargo bay. The native customers had given them unique gemstones found, apparently, only in this solar system. Grimes knew the value of rare gems and accepted the natives' terms of exchange. The Mudds received a commission in the form of several gemstones they could sell for a king's ransom back in the Alpha Quadrant. They were boasting amongst themselves how they'd grifted the locals and how'd they'd return after resupplying with arms to sell to the Avanti invasion forces.
"I wouldn't count on that just yet," Macen said as they reached the bridge module. The Mudds were armed but the SID team had their Bajoran made sidearms drawn and aimed at the pair. They attempted to flee back the way they cam only find Daggit and Burrows aiming phaser rifles at them.
"Macen, I'm sure we can come to an arrangement," Harry Mudd III stated. They knew each other professionally going back to the Border Wars between the Federation and the Cardassian Union. Mudd III had supplied the Maquis with weapons. He'd also sold Ro Laren out to the Federation authorities.
"I don't even need you to testify, Harry. We have your ship's logs. You're under arrest for violating the Prime Directive by order of Starfleet Command," Macen told them.
Daggit disarmed them and Lee bound their wrists with shackle-binders. Telrik received a signal and everyone, including the prisoners, were beamed back to the Obsidian where Jelena Kovic and Abby Collins with a Security detail took charge of the Mudds.
"Macen, you can't leave my ship down there. That violates the Prime Directive too," Mudd III lamented.
"The warp core breach we initiated will take care of that problem," Macen smirked.
"Not my ship!" Mudd began to plead as Kovic and Collins the detail to the brig, "I'll give you anything! I'll give up Estella Grimes!"
"You already have," Macen promised him.
Curses and vile oaths filled the outer corridor until the door swished shut. Rockford handed the computer case to Macen, "A present for Angelique and Bailey. Just remind them to share. I'll be in the Situation Room waiting to rip into their logs."
"Somebody tell Harri that we have her father and brother in the brig," Macen requested.
"I'd love to," Burrows whisked away. Everyone else followed his path except for Daggit, who made a stop in Engineering to let Parva know the mission went down without incident. Macen handed off the case to Kerber.
"Crack their encryption then forward the logs to the usual suspects," he asked of them.
"What's our next step while everyone filters through the data?" Smith inquired.
"We move on to the next planet and hope we find Okona there," Macen told her, "Until we have Grimes' location, he's still a priority target."
"But not after we have Grimes' location?" Smith found that contradictory.
"Grimes will forward her location to Okona so he can resupply from her holds," Macen told them, "If Okona sees that as a deciding factor to find a new vocation, then we'll tell Starfleet that Okona's still loose and leave his apprehension to them."
"He did the Maquis a favor," Kerber guessed.
"Several," Macen confirmed it, "Which is why he earned a second chance."
"Is Captain Forger aware of this arrangement?" Smith asked.
"Yes, but not the why," Macen told, "We need that data ASAP."
"It's as good as yours," Kerber promised. But the duo found the encryption challengingly complex. While they were enjoying unlocking the puzzle, The time was not on the Legacy Fleet's side.
"And we get away once again," Wyn gloated. Neela had robbed two more adjacent planetary museums and three private collectors huddled on a world catering to retired wealthy families, "Now we're headed for a neutral world the Federation doesn't keep in contact with. I wonder why?"
According to the Cardassians, a Cult colony was established there and they enslaved the closest natives," Griff reminded her, "Maybe that's made them xenophobic."
"The way the Occupation bred the Circle back home?" Wyn considered it, "All too likely."
"Neela's specialist is supposed to meet us there. I wonder if they'll get there first," Griff admitted.
"Depends on if they were already in the Kalendra Sector. It'd be dumb luck the collectors all retired here," Wyn opined.
"Not when you consider how they acquired their ill-gotten wealth," Ferris interjected.
"At this rate, we'd actually meet the Cult's bonus deadline," Javi spoke up.
"We can't take a chance of nearing Empok Nor," Katts protested.
"Only because of the newly installed Warp 7 drive Outbound Ventures put in this ship. I wonder if the Prophets truly led Macen as Neela believes," Wes broke his contemplative silence.
"They say the Prophets speak to Colonel Neela and that Commander Macen met them twice before. Maybe they spoke to him as well," Katts put forth.
"Where is our Mission Commander, anyways?" Ferris asked.
"Where she goes after every mission," Wyn told the sergeant.
"She's set up a makeshift temple filled with prayer candles and copies of the Prophecies. She goes there to pray when she isn't away or on the bridge," Katts told everyone, "I've joined her for prayer times."
Katts was the most orthodox and observant of the crew, "Doctor Lens and Nurse Kenji go there from time to time."
"Their skills certainly haven't been needed yet," Griff was grateful for that.
"Let's hope that stays true. All the same, I feel better having a surgical team aboard besides having a simple field medic," Wyn admitted.
"Gren and Wills certainly stay to themselves," Wes complained about the engineers.
"That's not fair," Javi chided him, "We hardly take communal breaks."
"I've noticed you time yours for when our chief engineer is grabbing a meal to share with you," Ferris smugly noted, "Or the good Lieutenant sharing meals with our Engineer's Mate."
"Do you really want to go there?" Griff asked, "I've also noticed you spending quality time with Constable Varis."
Ferris blushed to be caught so easily. Wyn interceded, "Now we're a crew. When we all notice each other's behaviors and gossip about them."
"Should we discuss your time spent with Deputy Odon?" Javi asked.
"Feel free. There isn't much to report there. Yet," Wyn smirked,
"What about Maru?" Wes asked.
"She's entangled with our medical staff," Ferris gloated, "That just leaves you out, kid."
"You forgot about Katts," Javi pointed out.
"She's too pious for Wes' tastes," Ferris predicted, "Isn't that right?"
Truth be told, Wes was the only other on to have found the temple Neela set up. He frequented it when Katts was in attendance. For his own pagh as well as connecting with hers. Wes knew the only one truly alone in this journey was Neela. She bore it well but he sensed the Hand of the Prophets was lonely. Which is why he was grateful that the Colonel considered their imminent specialist to be a friend. He felt she could use more of those in her life.
"Alert all commands and have them deploy," Gellar told her lupine XO.
"It seems trouble continues to find us," Lupus chuffed.
"It always will," Gellar sighed, "I need a status report on the ISS Kelly."
"She's still in standard orbit around Amar," Lupus told her, "Ready to offer the Iotian Starfleet's full support for a price."
"All the Amari can surrender to the Iotian Federation is its autonomy. Which would give the Iotians a much needed foothold in the Deeper Beta Quadrant." Gellar explained, "Up until now they've only expanded their client list. And some other planets have done like the Avanti and purchased starships, trained to operate them, and then dismissed the Iotians entirely."
"And a coalition or Starfleet could enforce a travel ban through its territories unless they have a member world out here to legitimize their presence," Lupus understood immediately.
"But Captain Hill took an Amari ambassador to Earth to plead their case before the Federation Council," Lupus referred to Colbie Hill and her command, the Nerrit Wen. Hill had been originally assigned the sector with Gellar and the others. Gellar had sent Hill off to cement Starfleet support.
"And you know as well as I do that the Council has grown isolationist. They abandoned their own colonies in the wake of the Mars Massacre and the Hobus supernova. Billions of Romulans died and millions more were displaced. The mass deportations the Federation recently undertook are still a sentiment that underlies Council policy decisions," Gellar stressed, "They're unlikely to take on a new protectorate while they aren't defending the ones they already have alliances with."
"But the new President...?" Lupus was dismayed.
"Enforces policy. But the Council sets it. The Federation wants to resume honoring existing treaties and has filed a suit against the Federation Council with the High Court to determine the legality of the Council's decisions to withdraw from those alliances," Gellar explained since Lupus was a native of a non-Federation world.
"Your system of representative government is deeply flawed. We have an Supreme Alpha and regional Alphas down to settlement level pack leaders," Lupus explained, "They aren't democratically elected. They earn their office through ritual combat."
"The Federation just experimented with autocracy. The President was rejected by the masses that elected her after she implemented the policies she forced through the Council. The people thought they wanted a dictator until they got one," Gellar said ruefully.
"Your system is still inherently flawed," Lupus argued, "I thought the same of Starfleet after serving upon receiving my commission. So I left. Outbound Ventures suffers from many of Starfleet's flaws but there's room for improvement and leadership is open to change."
"Well, I'm glad to have you," Gellar shared.
"Your years with SOC taught you the value of strength and guile. I enjoy working with you or I would challenge you for command," Lupus admitted,
"I'm glad I've earned enough respect to avoid a mutiny," Gellar was forthright as well.
"The concept that a challenge is somehow illegal is idiotic," Lupus complained.
"Rules of the game," Gellar told him.
"I agreed to abide by them but I have put my proposed change in command structure forward to corporate leadership as well as Captain Riker," Lupus advised her, "I'm still awaiting their replies."
"I'll consider that," Gellar didn't want to tell him his proposal had a snowball's chance in hell.
"Good," Lupus seemed pleased, "I'll alert the other commands of the Avanti fleet's imminent arrival now."
"Please do," Gellar was happy for the change of topic.
Chapter Nine
"Your transport arks would be safe because I would leave one ship behind to guard them, War Mistress Alair," Boromov argued with thee overall commander of the Avanti invasion effort, "If we push ahead at Warp 5 we can deal with Outbound Ventures before the arks arrive."
"You were hired to deal with them," Alair argued back.
"My sensor logs have to show you fired upon first before I can legally act," Boromov knew his ships' logs would be reviewed by Starfleet when they finally arrived. Outbound Ventures would make certain of it when they lost contact with their ships, "That means you have to provoke them without firing a shot."
Alair's hackles went up, "The Avanti do not avoid fights."
"Ignore their demands that you stop approaching Amar and they will fire upon you. Then we'll be entitled to respond. We were hired to defend your fleet not fight wars for you," Boromov told her. He also knew that was the strict interpretation of Federation law. But Solarian had to be above reproach in this given its past history with Outbound Ventures. Still, he'd have to destroy every starship and its crew so that his ships' logs were the only evidence Starfleet could review.
But his entire plan hinged on thee damned Avanti taking the first unprovoked hit. Otherwise it was a case that would be decided by the courts over the legality of Solarians' subsequent actions. Boromov's legal defense team on Earth was already prepared for a claim of absolute immunity for any and all actions taken on behalf of his client. It was a Hail Mary motion but legal scholars predicted it eventually would be settled by the High Court itself. Even with Avanti taking a hit for the team, Solarians' actions against a Starfleet contracted defense of Amar would be scrutinized by Federation investigators and courts given that he would mercilessly kill the duly contracted opposition.
The courts had previously sided against Solarian for firing upon a Starfleet contracted Outbound Ventures without it being self-defense. The High Court deemed it equal to firing upon Starfleet itself. They'd also ruled Solarians' defense of attacking non-Starfleet contracted Outbound Ventures and Rockford Detective Agency personnel as illegal because those attacks had likewise been unprovoked by the defense.
Boromov had come to be Chief Executive Officer of a Solarian that was a hollow shell of its former self. The High Courts' rulings and Federation Security and Starfleet's subsequent enforcement of said rulings had stripped away all but the barest holdings the corporation possessed. Solarian had made restitution to Outbound Ventures and to the families of those killed, paid fines to the Federation and lost its accounts on Barrinor as a fine for attacking Serenity station in their solar system. Furthermore the corporate founder and CEO had absconded with millions of bars of gold pressed latinum from other accounts. The Corporation had to liquidate assets in order to just make payroll.
Baroness Estella Grimes had floated the company a loan and offered favorable financing terms on her personnel weapons and Pincer-class warships. The High Court having ruled in favor of Starfleet repossessing the starships it had sold Solarian. Grimes' leverage with the Board of Trustees had earned Boromov his current position. He'd gone from suspected criminal to influential member of the business community after a handful of meetings. Solarian accepted Grimes' offer of using her loans to purchase shares in the company. The Board retained a minority stake but Grimes became the largest shareholder. Boromov was given the outstanding shares not allocated to existing Board members.
The Board appointed its own Chairperson but it was token resistance to the fact Grimes essentially owned the company now and Boromov was her right hand in it. Solarian essentially found itself to be a mercenary company while they rebuilt trust with Starfleet and Federation Security to resume operations within Federation space. Having its operating licenses restored, Solarian used their collected earnings and some Ferengi loans to purchase decommissioned starships from Starfleet once again.
The Board initially refused to accept this course of action. But Grimes used her majority vote to override them. The Board had received favorable terms from the Iotians had lower interest costs. But Grimes saw the Iotian Starfleet had a natural competitor for her major business concerns. So Solarian waged some military campaigns while official trust was rebuilt between the corporation and the Federation's security apparatus.
With the withdrawal of Starfleet support, entire sectors were facing criminal threats. The Fenris Rangers tried to hold the Qiris Sector together while the SID hired qualified Outbound Ventures crews to put out brush fires where they could. Solarian's market share growing as they returned to the Federation's graces. But the Iotian Starfleet was also filling the void. DeVos Security had been dismantled in the face of fines and loss of licenses. They'd been forced to liquidate all of their assets and shutter their business.
Solarian itself had been on the brink until Grimes' "investment". Now she had freelancers and pirates shadow the Iotian Starfleet so her reps could move in behind the Iotians had offer sales and security contracts that undercut the Iotian Federation's offer. She made up the difference by selling to both sides of a conflict. Solarian insured long term employment by letting the client take extensive losses. That was Boromov's brainchild. Just as he was setting the Avanti up to lose their newly purchased "fleet".
Alair entered into a hushed conversation with Captain Kelt, the commandeer of the Avanti NX refit-class flagship. Finally, Alair nodded consent and Kelt withdrew from the viewer's range, "I accept your terms. We will accelerate at Warp Factor 5 and engage the enemy."
"I'll leave the Precision behind to guard your arks from surprise attack," Boromov referred the Renaissance-class starship in his company. It was the only light cruiser in his force.
"Do not betray our trust," Alair warned before the screen went dark.
"And what could you possibly do if I did?" Boromov chuckled to himself.
"They have accelerated to Watp 5," Lupus advised Gellar, "Leaving behind Solarian's light cruiser to escort the troop transports."
"Order everyone to go to Red Alert," Gellar instructed, "Now we'll see just how determined they are."
The Obsidian dropped out of warp in the Avant system. Forger ordered the viewer to maximum magnification and Grimes warship/yacht was revealed, "Ugly, isn't it?"
"Open hailing frequencies," Forger ordered.
"General frequencies open," Zimbalist reported.
"Attention Baroness Grimes, we have the Mudds in custody and order you to halt all activities in this sector and prepare to be boarded and placed under arrest," Forger recited.
"They're raising shields and arming weapons," Miller told her.
"They're breaking orbit," Zimbalist said next.
"That was certainly easy to provoke," Forger muttered, "Aglaia, bring us about and go to maximum warp. Set course for the Amar system."
Moments later, Aglaia had accomplished just that. Zimbalist monitored the War Profits' progress, "They've gone to warp and are matching our speed."
"We're out of their weapons range," Miller reported.
"It'll still take us longer than 12 hours to reach Amar even at Warp 8," Jones warned Forger, "You'd better hope they don't have a higher rated cruising speed than we do."
"There's always something," Forger grumbled.
"I'm detecting a starship in orbit," Katts warned Wyn.
"Vessel type and ID?" Wyn asked.
"They're hailing us," Javi said next.
"On screen," Wyn told her, "Hello, I'm Major Wyn Mesa of the Bajoran Militia. Who might you be?"
"Captain Nikki Watts at your service. Neela said she needed the help of my Anthropology and Archaeology Officer, so here we are," Watts told her.
"I wasn't aware that Outbound Ventures had A&A Officers," Wyn admitted.
"There's only two and I have one of them aboard," Watts smiled, "She's ready to assist you however she can."
"She is?" Wyn was even more surprised.
"Doctor Jones is looking forward to going dirtside and securing you passage there as well as excavation rights," Watts was clearly enjoying Wyn's mystification, "In fact, she's in our transporter room ready to beam over. I have other pressing business or I'd stay for the fun."
"I'll alert your transporter chief when we're ready to receive the Doctor," Wyn told her.
"That's all I ask. I am on a schedule," Watts told her. The screen went dark.
Wyn rose, "I'm handling this transport myself.."
"Leave our nice guest alive," Griff counseled her.
"That all depends on her,"" Wyn said before the turbolift doors sealed shut.
Neela was already in the transporter room. Seeing Wyn's surprise, she smiled, "Javi told me Cairo was ready to beam aboard. She also said you were in a mood."
"Don't start will me," Wyn advised her.
She linked the Razor's Edge's transporter with the Tigerlilja's, "Energizing."
Doctor Cairo Jones materialized and proved to be as young as Neela herself. She also wore the conspicuously blue uniform tunic of Outbound Ventures Sciences/Medical Division. {Dr. Cairo Jones 1]
Wyn gave Neela droll inquiry, "I thought you said, 'no uniforms'?"
"Don't worry, I packed for the occasion," Doctor Jones patted the large duffel hanging from her shoulder.
"Since your starship is leaving you here with us, I assume you're joining the crew," Wyn stated.
"At least as far Serenity Station when your mission concludes," Doctor Jones explained.
"I'd forgotten we were returning there when this was over," Wyn sounded disappointed.
"There are quarters available next to mine, I'll show you to them so you can change. I'm suree you want to get to the surface was swiftly as possible," Neela offered.
"I'll have Wills manning the transporter for the duration of your mission planet-side," Wyn offered but she still seemed preoccupied, "Can I have a word with you while the Doctor readies herself and reports to the transporter room?"
"In my quarters?" Neela asked.
"That would be fine," Wyn assured her, "I'll have Ferris kit out the constables."
"If everyone would follow me?" Neela requested. Wyn tapped her comm badge and assigned Engineer's Mate Wills to the transporter room and received specific instructions from Doctor Jones on how to equip the security detail. Finally, she was alone with Neela.
"I don't want this to end," Wyn confessed.
"We have to deal with the Kosst Amojan," Neela stressed.
"Not the mission. The crew, the ship, you." Wyn specified, "Your mission is so much more important than what Special Forces typically undertakes these days."
"I never realized it meant so much to you," Neela confessed.
"The whole crew feels it," Wyn promised.
"I've never worked with anyone but Anara. I just never thought anyone would want this life," Neela explained.
"When we finish this and are set to return to Serenity Station, let me put it to the crew and see how they react," Wyn pleaded.
"Anyone that wants to stay can, I guess," Neela stated, "How will the Militia take it?"
"I'll deal with General Kira and Colonel Cenn. Anyone that wants to return to Deep Space Nine is welcome to. Just so long as the reverse is also true," Wyn offered.
"I'll agree to your terms," Neela conceded.
The door chimed and Neela unlocked it to reveal Cairo Jones bedecked in an identical outfit to Doctor Idaho Smith's replete with the same fedora, "Give me half an hour alone down there and I'll barter for Bajorans to be allowed back on the planet."
"Do you know anything about this planet?" Wyn asked her, "It doesn't even have name in the Federation navigation charts."
"It's designated 495 IV because the universal translator won't render the natives' name for it to anything comprehensible," Doctor Jones explained, "I was part of a contact team hat surveyed the planet. Fortunately the local governors have learned Ferengi so I can negotiate with them."
"There are Ferengi down there?" Wyn was hardly surprised.
"They operate trading posts. I'm beaming down to the central post. The proprietor owes me latinum so he'll help argue my point in exchange for waiving the debt," Doctor Jones continued to explain.
"You have a contract that says he owes you?" Wyn was skeptical.
"Actually, I do," Doctor Jones shared a conspiratorial grin, "And I'm earning interest on the debt so he'll be extra motivated to make the deal happen."
Odon, Varis, and Maru arrived at that point. Each wore a backpack with trenching tools and mobile housing. Varis and Maru carried phaser rifles in addition to their sidearms and tricorders. Doctor Jones wore a sidearm and carried a bullwhip with her tricorder. Neela and Odon just had sidearms and tricorders.
"You have a surgeon aboard?" Doctor Jones double checked.
""And a nurse with an upgraded medical bay," Neela assured her.
"Good, because standard medkits might not cover injuries we may sustain in the field," Doctor Jones was relieved, "Now, remember to give me thirty Federation standard minutes to give you word on whether or not you can beam down or if we can even excavate the site."
"I'll have Doctor Lens and Nurse Kenji standing by," Wyn promised.
"Good enough. Now beam me to these coordinates," Doctor Jones entered them into the transporter's targeting system, "And keep a lock on my comm badge."
"See you in thirty," Doctor Jones grinned again, "Energize."
"Where did you find her?" Maru asked.
"We met on Serenity," Neela told her, "Commodore Idaho Smith was her mentor. When Doctor Smith retired from Starfleet to come to Outbound Ventures, Cairo went with him. Doctor Smith helped us find the Orb of the Kosst Amojan and defend it from Gul Maret's efforts to steal it."
"They're both Special Investigations Division?" Wyn appraisal of Jones was changing.
"Yes, and unique amongst their peers. They've undertaken adventures to rival Commander Macen's own," Neela explained, "Doctor Smith originally recommended Macen to Starfleet Intelligence."
"She certainly has us prepared for a small skirmish if need be," Odon told them, "We even have a subspace array so if the Razor's Edge leaves orbit for some reason we can still alert the ship that we need help."
"Can I speak with you out in the corridor?" Neela asked Wyn.
"You indulged me," Wyn complied. Twenty minutes passed before Neela re-entered the transporter room.
"Time?" Neela inquired.
"Doctor Jones still has nine minutes left on her deadline," Wills told her, "Wait, she's signaling for an extraction."
Doctor Jones reappeared on the transporter pad, "It was expensive but I got everything we needed but we only have three solar days to work with. The continent the site is on is on the night side of the planet. Our solar days begin when the sun rises on the site."
"So we could get extra time by beaming down now," Neela urged.
"Night in a jungle can be problematic," Doctor Jones frowned.
"It's worth the risks," Neela insisted.
"Break out lanterns to beam down with us," Doctor Jones sighed. The Constables left and lugged in an equipment case and set on a transporter pad. That left five pads for them. They beamed down to find a desolate site of long abandoned ruins of buildings made of brick and mortar. Evidence of a fire long ago still dominated the scene.
"What happened here?" Varis asked as he and other constables broke out lights and erected them all over the site.
"The Bajorans that settled here enslaved the indigenous people," Doctor Jones relayed what she knew, "The Bajorans kept their religion to themselves except for the fact that they committed blood sacrifices with living native victims. You can see the altar in the center of the settlement. They collected organs and the blood and took them into a temple site. Eventually neighboring tribes assisted the slaves in a revolt that killed every Bajoran and torched the site and abandoned it. They say it's cursed and even the jungle won't reclaim it. Which, after five thousand years, it should be completely overgrown instead of pristine like this."
"No mention of idols?" Odon asked.
"Presumably in the temple. But the natives that destroyed the settlement never reported destroying the Bajorans' gods," Doctor Jones told them, "And until the revolt, no living native had ever been inside the temple."
"The Pah-wraiths are not Bajor's gods," Maru was affronted, "The Prophets never asked for sacrifices."
"Religious extremists are why I'm an atheist," Doctor Jones replied.
"But your belief in your disbelief is your faith," Neela told her, "You believe in science with a fervor rivaling our religious devotion to the Prophets."
"I'm not repeating that conversation with you again," Doctor Jones groaned, "Instead we should start scanning the area for evidence of a temple above or below ground."
"Why below ground?" Varis wanted to know.
"All of these buildings are uniform in their construction," Doctor Jones told them all, "No indications of anything that would be considered sacred or even special. Yet the Bajoran priest would vanish inside the building for hours and return empty handed yet the natives found no evidence of remains or blood when they scourged the settlement. That implies a hidden structure. Since they didn't transporter tech that leaves an underground location as our best bet for discovery."
"No word on where to start looking?" Odon asked.
"Sorry, oral histories can get mangled over time," Doctor Jones shrugged, "Details get forgotten in thee larger tapestry of the narrative. I suggest we start at the altar and work our way out."
They circled the altar and began detecting a chamber beneath them. Doctor Jones saw this as a victory of sorts, "So they did build an underground temple. Look for tunnels leading to it."
"I have one!" Maru called out.
"Let's see where it leads to," Doctor Jones instructed but continuing scanning on your lines of egress in case there's a network beneath us."
"You've certainly done this before," Odon was impressed.
"It's how I make my living," Doctor Jones grinned.
They didn't find any additional tunnels but they did an outlying building the served as an access point. Beneath a burned and rotting rug, they found a metal hatch. Doctor Jones advised caution, "This should wait until the sun rises."
"We don't have that much time," Neela warned her, "The Cardassian rebels are funding our expedition. We're on track to receive a substantial bonus for coming in on time. Have you ever met a gul willing to pay a bonus? I'm surprised we were able to deposit the retainer fees we've earned so far."
"I was a Cardassian house slave," Odon revealed, "Before I escaped to join the Resistance, I witnessed the lengths a Gul would go to to avoid paying his own troops."
"You went from the Resistance to the Militia Constabulary?" Maru asked.
"Yes," Odon answered.
"Why haven't you made Chief Constable of a township or Supervisor of a district or city?" Varis wondered.
"Profound lack of ambition," Odon chuckled, "Plus, I prefer being in the field. They sent me to Deep Space Nine to either succeed the sitting Chief or retire. Colonel Cenn is smart enough to know I don't relish either option."
"We don't have much time before the Cardassians arrive. I made arrangements with Major Wyn for when they do but we need to have acquired the Pah-wraith vessels by then," Neela explained herself and why she was so insistent.
Doctor Jones scowled, "You never mentioned Cardassian involvement. I hate Cardassians."
"Which is why I never mentioned them before to anyone except Major Wyn." Neela told them, "We all have our own prejudices regarding Cardassians, favorable or not. But Castellan Garan has proven to be a faithful ally even when the Federation proved faithless."
"Especially when the Federation turned on us," Varis stated.
"The Cardassian Guard sent ships to assist us even though we couldn't reciprocate," Maru added.
"You're too young to have experienced the worst excesses of the Occupation," Odon told them, "Neela and I lived through it and the Dominion War."
"And I served Starfleet during the war," Doctor Jones added, "I was graduated early from Starfleet Academy to serve a Starfleet Intelligence posting until the war ended and I could fill my actual division role under Doctor Smith's mentorship."
"Then help us deny the Cardassians the opportunity to destroy Bajor," Neela pleaded.
"You won't take 'no' as a reasonable response, will you?" Doctor Jones asked, "Because first light is just hours away."
"We'll be in a tunnel. We won't see the sun anyways," Neela replied.
Her comm badge chirped and she tapped it, "Neela."
It was Wyn, "A Galor-class cruiser just dropped out of warp in the outer system."
"Follow the plan," Neela told her, "We'll light the comm bacon when we're successful."
"And if you're not?" Wyn inquired.
"Give us the three days Doctor Jones negotiated. If you don't hear from us by then, we'll be dead and you need to alert Colonel Anara that a Cardassian warship will attempt to run the blockade," Neela instructed.
"You really think Wills is up for this?" Wyn asked.
"I have faith," Neela told her, "Out."
Neela turned to Odon, "You three need to stay topside to secure our exit point. Bring the comm beacon in here and douse the lights," Neela instructed.
"Luckily Ferris took arming us against intruders seriously," Odon chuckled, "We'll hold until you're ready."
"You're coming with?" Doctor Jones was a little surprised.
"I'm the expert on what we're dealing with so I'm going," Neela told her in no uncertain terms.
"Okay then. Fellas, open the hatch," Doctor Jones instructed. A reek came out of the dark hole, "Something definitely died down there fairly recently."
They searched everywhere they could with their palm lamps, "Nothing. I'm going down."
Doctor Jones descended the rickety and rotting stairwell. Neela followed. Reaching the bottom she called up, "Give us three hours and then activate the comm array and get extracted."
"What happened to three days?" Odon asked.
"If we have to, we'll navigate the jungle on foot until we can use the array to summon help," Neela explained knowing Odon wouldn't approve.
"Begging the Colonel's pardon, but not a chance," he told defiantly, "We either leave together or not at all."
"Breaking orbit," Wes confirmed.
"This feels wrong," Katts complained.
"Even with our upgrades we're hardly a match for that cruiser. We're basically a shiny Maquis raider with Type VIII phasers, shields, and a Warp 7 drive," Ferris told her.
"This was Colonel Neela's plan. We head for the seventh planet. It's a brown dwarf. Its background radiation and luminescence will hide us from Cardassian sensors. But we'll still be in range to respond when the Colonel's team signals for an extraction," Wyn told them."
"Can Wills even target lock them during a high impulse pass of the planet?" Javi inquired.
"The Colonel believes she can," Wyn had her own doubts as well.
"Fani can do this," Griff promised.
Wyn found it reassuring Griff had found faith in something.
"The War Profits is slowing," Zimbalist reported from OPS.
"So are we," Aglaia warned. Both Baroness Grimes' heavily armed yacht and the Obsidian had been at Warp 8 for twelve hours now. Their rated duration for maximum warp.
"They're at Warp 6 and holding," Zimbalist told Forger.
"Must be their rated cruising speed," Jones said from beside Forger.
"Forger to Parva," the Captain prompted the computer.
"Parva here," she replied from Main Engineering.
"How long can we maintain Warp 6?" Forger asked.
"Presumably until we run out of fuel," Parva replied, "But I can give you Warp 8 in six hours."
"That's half our rated recovery time," Forger was surprised.
"Are you questioning my professional estimate?" Parva was piqued.
"Never," Forger replied.
"Damn straight you won't," Parva snorted, "Parva out."
"You've been schooled," Jones chuckled.
"I guess I have," Forger was still stinging from Parva's rebuke.
"They're stunned," Neela kicked at the mass to make certain. There was no response.
"For how long?" Doctor Jones gingerly stepped through the inert mass of snakes.
"A Militia phaser's stun setting typically puts an average humanoid down for six hours. Given their relative size, I'd guess these will be out for a week or more," Neela ventured.
"I hope they starve," Doctor Jones said vehemently. Neela wondered if it was the Cardassians' slightly reptilian appearance that made Cairo Jones hate them so much. She'd have to ask someday.
"The presumed temple chamber is just ahead," Neela shone a light towards what appeared to be a doorway. The timbers supporting thee rest of the cave were replaced her by masonry. Bajoran glyphs adorned it.
"What does it say?" Doctor Jones was fluent in twenty-seven languages, including modern Bajoran. But these glyphs pre-dated anything the archaeologist could read. Fortunately, Neela had studied the Bajora writings that pre-dated modern Bajoran in order to read the Prophecies in their original text.
"This a Pah-wraith temple," Neela didn't dare utter what it said, "It's instruction on where and why to sprinkle blood on the doorway before entering."
"Why blood?" Doctor Jones wondered.
"Because the Pah-wraiths lack blood or physical form," Neela explained, "And the blood had to be from a sentient sacrificial or murder victim. Which demonstrates the Pah-wraiths' regard for living beings."
"Very Mezzo-American of them," Doctor Jones observed.
"Be prepared for a response of we enter without the required blood," Neela drew her phaser again. Doctor Jones followed suit. They reached the doorway which had a ledge with a yawning chasm stretched between then and the obelisk that dominated the center of the temple site. The drawbridge, which have lowered had the blood been applied, broke free and fell into the chasm.
Doctor Jones began shining her light at the ceiling, "Well, that sucks."
She found a stone outcropping the site builders had left in place rather than attempt to blast it smooth and bring down the roof, "You're about to learn first-hand why I carry a bullwhip."
She unstrapped the whip from her utility belt and unfurled it. Then she swung it overhead and snapped towards the outcropping. It wrapped around the stone and the stinger at the end opened to clamp down on the length of the whip's leather cord.
"Now we can swing across," she did so and swung the whip's handle back towards Neela. She deftly caught it and swung across before handing off the handle to Doctor Jones. She deactivated the stinger and it released long enough for her to pull the whip free.
"The stinger is traditionally made out of a single strip of leather. I prefer mine," Doctor Jones chuckled.
"It came in handy," Neela was grateful for her opposite number's foresight and experience.
"Now, this obelisk dominates. Why?" Doctor Jones asked.
"Look near the base," Neela moved heer light down its length. Situated in alcoves, were humanoid deity carvings.
"Idols? I thought you said these were vessels each containing a Pah-wraith prisoner," Doctor Jones recalled.
"Each one does. Until Dukat broke one open to host a Pah-wraith within him, no Bajoran thought the old Pah-wraith Cult legends were true. The Vedek Assembly, after losing them, certainly made it out to be mythological," Neela told her.
"So why not break them open and free the Pah-wraiths inside?" Doctor Jones asked.
"They can only exist in a living host outside the Fire Caves or Celestial Temple. Or as we found out, in an Orb," Neela told her.
"So why all this secrecy?" Doctor Jones asked, "If the actual goal was to get back to the Wormhole?"
"The Cultists were exiled off Bajor. But they stole the vessels and the Orb of the Kosst Amojan before they abruptly left before they were scheduled for departure. The Vedeks were just happy to be rid of them so they could get back to in-fighting amongst themselves," Neela explained the history, "The vedeks lost the history as fact but the Cult hadn't. But spaceflight five thousand years ago was rudimentary. So the intentional splitting up the Cult members worked against them as they crashed on various worlds. But the Cardassians conquered worlds where the Cult had arrived upon and their histories. That's how the Obsidian Order collected a vessel to free a Pah-wraith and serve as its host for a time, The experience left Dukat as the appointed Emissary of the Pah-wraiths and he assembled the scattered cultists onto Empok Nor."
"Where the Cult is awaiting your arrival," Doctor Jones understood.
Neela's comm badge chirped and she tapped it, "Neela."
"We've taken to the jungle to watch for Cardassian arrivals. All our comms are open and set for silence," Odon told her, "What's your situation?"
"We've arrived at the temple and are about to secure the vessels," Neela told him.
"Good. A section of jungle had grown silent. Either a major predator or a Cardassian platoon is on its way here," Odon told her.
"We'll be along shortly but some care is required to handle the vessels," Neela reminded him.
"Exercise extreme caution. We can't afford for any Cardassians to become hosts," Odon replied, "We'll buy you time."
"That's all we ask," Neela promised.
"It's good you had me come along," Doctor Jones circled the obelisk, "There are more of these things than you could safely transport in one trip."
"Do you think we were sold out by the natives?" Neela asked.
"The Cardassians would simply beam into the settlement the way we did," Doctor Jones told her, "I went on a charm offensive to get exclusive rights to excavate a site they considered cursed with Bajoran assistance, mind you. A typical gul is going to offend the locals so they'll honor whatever bargain they struck. But I suspect the Cardies are going to have to trek through the jungle to find us."
"Will they'll be able to detect us?" Neela asked.
"You've more experience with Cardassian tricorders than I do," Doctor Jones snorted, "You know primitive they are. The jungle will mask the others' presence until they reach the clearing. They won't detect us down here unless they focus their scans for a deep earth penetration."
"That's a relief," Neela sighed.
"You're worried about them," Doctor Jones noted.
"They're my responsibility," Neela stiffened.
"It's more than that. You care for them. I suspect in a way you haven't cared for a Bajoran group since the Resistance ended," Doctor Jones postulated.
"I'm afraid to," Neela actually confessed.
"Why?" Doctor Jones asked.
"Because we may not be able to stay together when this mission ends," Neela told her.
"Then do something about it," Doctor Jones chided her.
"Let's just worry about ending the mission first," Neela replied.
Chapter Ten
"How much further must we go?" Gul Macet complained.
"I'm beginning to detect a clearing in the jungle up ahead," Glinn Tobek reported.
"I should have ordered executions to persuade the natives to cooperate rather than pay that accursed Ferengi and local leader," Macet complained even more loudly, "Have you detected Bajoran life signs yet?"
"The jungle is masking them if they are here," Tobek explained, "If we invested as much in our scanners as we do our small arms we'd have detected them by now if they're already there at the site."
"Do I detect a note of criticism towards the Central Command's appropriations priorities?" Macet growled, "Because you'll be grateful for those detestable small arms if the Bajorans are there already."
"I never complained about having or needing weapons," Tobek said evenly.
"Good. Because Gil Yocen is looking for a promotion. Your 'disappearing' in these jungles would create an opening for her to advance into," Macet was one of the few rebel commanders who didn't regard his female officers with disdain. All that mattered to him was the loyalty to the cause and himself personally.
"Understood," Tobek said stiffly.
"I expected nothing less," Macet said, "Now, how far?"
"I'm detecting a clearing ahead. The jungle should have overgrown it by now. It seems the natives' superstitions of a 'curse' are partly founded," Tobek said while studying his readouts.
"The extremists would agree with you," Macet told him, "They literally believe their gods are trapped here and in the Bajoran Fire Caves."
"Somethings is holding the jungle back, gods or no goods," Tobek told him, "And whatever it is isn't being detected by our sensors."
"Good, we may be on the right track after all," Macet was relieved the journey wasn't a complete waste after all.
"That remains to be seen," Tobek warned him, "Religious extremists are prone to aggrandizing everything."
"Have a little faith, Tobek. The Bajorans certainly fear the discovery of these idols," Macet said, "As we've learned, their religion isn't without merit."
"Now you sound like Dukat," Tobek said warily.
"Understandable after all. He was my first cousin," Macet told him, "He was also thorough. If he believed in these Pah-wraiths, there was an advantage in doing so. An advantage Gul Maret and I are capitalizing on."
"I'm still need to clear the jungle to determine of the Bajoran pirates beat us here," Tobek advised his commander.
"Oh, they're here alright. They were on track to arrive hours ago. And I know it wasn't a mistake that the locals put us kilometers off course," Macet chuckled, "I wonder how much the Bajorans paid for their privacy? It certainly wasn't enough to occlude a partial betrayal by the natives."
"With luck, they'll have already recovered the artifacts from this site. Then we can force them into surrendering those already in their possession," Tobek said eagerly.
"This is why I like you, Tobek. You show promise. I'll still kill you if you fail me but I will be disappointed to do so," Macet warned him.
"I have eyes on their palm beacons. I make out a dozen troopers and two officers. I think one of them is Gul Macet himself," Maru whispered for her comm badge from cover.
"Pull back. We'll regroup at the first defensive position," Odon instructed in a whisper over her comms.
"Copy that," Maru stealthily moved through jungle back to the ruins. Alerted to the Cardassians' imminent arrival and direction they were approaching from, the constables spread out amongst the ruined buildings.
"I have them!" Tobek announced before they reached the edge of the clearing, "Three Bajoran life signs behind those ruins."
"Like they're waiting for us," Macet pondered, "Deploy the troopers into flanking positions."
Tobek issued the orders and all but three troopers began circling the clearing.
"Expect flankers," Odon warned his people.
"I hope they're too busy looking us to notice our anti-intrusion devices," Varis commed back. Explosion lit up the pre-dawn morning.
"Apparently not," Maru stated.
"Wait for it," Odon warned them.
Explosion apart foliage in the jungle behind them. Odon commed again, "Now we're looking at better numbers and positioning."
"What just happened?" Macet was stunned.
"You were correct, the pirates were waiting for us," Tobek said gravely.
"Deploy remaining forces. You and I will attack from this position," Macet angrily ordered.
"They're redeploying," Varis warned as he took scans of the Cardassians.
"Open fire," Odon ordered. Phaser beams cut through the dark to lash out at the moving Cardassians. The troopers reflexively returned fire, pinpointing their locations just as the Bajorans' had been revealed.
"Fall back after a second volley," Odon instructed.
One cry of pain punctuated the night. More return fire lashed out as the constables ran evasive courses back to the tunnel entrance. There, they prepared make a stand with open windows facing every direction.
"Damn. We need another set of eyes," Odon grumbled.
"Sitrep, Deputy," Neela ordered as she climbed out of the tunnel.
"We've evened the odds with our booby traps but Gul Macet himself is out there. He's going to bring down an army on us," Odon told her.
"Can we activate the comm array already?" Doctor Jones asked.
"Excellent suggestion," Maru did so without waiting for permission.
"You guard the vessels," Neela took off her courier bag and handed it off to Doctor Jones.
"We wanted an extra pair of eyes," Varis said.
"Now we have to hope Macet's ship isn't ready for our ship to pass by," Maru said dismally.
"They won't," Neela told her, "They'll be too busy reinforcing Macet.
"You're such a comfort," Doctor Jones complained.
"That's not why you're my friend," Neela replied glibly.
"Our common interests should include staying alive from now on," Doctor Jones told her.
"Transporter signatures at the obelisk!" Odon called out, "They'll fan out from there."
"Hold you fire until we can kill every target with a single phaser sweep," Neela ordered.
"You've done this before?" Varis asked.
"More times than I care to count," Neela said grimly, "The Cardassians are just arrogant enough to always fall for it."
"I have their beacon signal!" Javi shouted across the Razor's Edge compact bridge.
"We heard you already," Ferris complained.
"Break orbit and go a three second burst at Warp 1. Then sweep by the planet at maximum impulse then slingshot around at warp when our team is recovered and make for the system primary," Wyn ordered Wes, "Wills, you're up."
"Copy that," the Engineer's Mate grimly replied.
"That doesn't sound like confidence," Griff noted.
"Would you feel confident right now with that same task?" Wyn asked.
"Hell, no," Griff admitted.
The Bajoran team had fended off the first wave. Odon made the first observation, "Well, now they know where we are."
"Damn! It worked," Varis was surprised.
"The voice of experience, kid," Odon told him.
"Macet will simply call down his rearguard," Neela predicted, "And they'll be far more cautious this time."
The reinforcements, the last of Macet's security military detachment, beamed down when ordered too. The sun was rising but the jungle was still dark. Tobek made a surprising announcement, "I'm reading a human biosign."
"Are you certain?" Macet demanded verification.
"I've triple checked. There's definitely a human with them and now there's a fourth Bajoran," Tobek answered.
"Then they could have already passed off their previous acquisitions," Macet raged, "Our mission is far from over."
His wrist cuff comm badge chirped, "Macet!"
"Gul Macet, we have a starship making a high speed run at the planet," Dal Warak, Macet's XO, reported.
"Prepare to break orbit and pursue. Beam me up now!" Macet angrily demanded.
"Wills reports she did it!" Javi nearly fainted.
"Good, we only had one chance at it. Warp 7 slingshot, now!" Wyn ordered.
Macet entered his ship's bridge, "Situation report!"
"The Bajorans executed a Warp 7 slingshot of the planet and are headed towards the system's star," Warak reported.
"The star?" Macet was confused.
"There's more. It's an Iotian built vessel rated for a maximum of Warp 4," Warak continued, "We're breaking orbit and pursuing at maximum warp, "But they'll close on the star before we catch them."
"But why the star?" Macet pondered aloud, "Empok Nor is in the opposite direction."
"They'll be in torpedo firing distance before we reach them," Warak offered.
"Those are no pirates!" Macet realized, "They're working for the Bajoran Militia. They mean to destroy all of the relics we're seeking."
"We may be able to reach targeting distance before they can fire," Warak didn't make any promises.
"Burn out the warp engines if you have to but close the distance," Macet commanded.
"The Cardassians are over driving their engines to close on us," Katts reported from her sensor hood.
"Ferris?" Wyn asked for verification.
"They can reach torpedo range before we can fire," Ferris reported, "But we have four warp trail decoys aboard courtesy of Commander Macen. They fire and we fire off two decoys. They should draw off a photon's targeting system."
"Get the constables loading the decoys in the Armory. And find out how fast Neela and Doctor Jones can load those torpedoes we took the warheads out of," Wyn instructed.
"We'll be in range in sixty seconds. They ninety before they can fire a volley at the star," Warak informed Macet.
"They're too well prepared. I don't like it," Macet stated, "Prep a maximum volley for our first strike."
"We may destroy them," Warak told him, "They can only polarize their hull plating as a defense."
"Do you really think that ship lacks shields?" Macet chided him.
"Raise shields," Wyn ordered, "No sense in hiding them at this point."
"They can fire in fifteen seconds," Katts told her.
"Fire decoys as soon as they fire on us," Wyn instructed Ferris.
"Standing by," he confirmed.
"They've fired a full four torpedo volley," Katts reported.
"Decoys away!" Ferris announced, "Loading remaining drones."
"Three torpedoes have locked onto the decoy drones. One is coming for us," Katts warned everyone.
"Sound collision," Wyn ordered.
Griff opened a shipwide channel, "Torpedo, torpedo, torpedo!"
The explosion weakened the shields but they held. Griff contacted Gren and Wills in Engineering before checking in with Wyn, "Minor overloads across the ship monitored and reported, nothing vital was damaged."
"Shields down to 80%," Ferris warned.
"They're firing again," Katts tried to sound calm.
"Decoys away," Ferris said evenly, "And we're dry. Five seconds to launch window."
"All four torpedoes were spoofed!" Katts whooped.
"They'll just fire again. But this time, we're unloading our unwanted passengers for them to target," Wyn decided.
"They're hesitating. Probably trying to recalibrate their targeting systems," Ferris speculated.
"Standby emergency full stop," Wyn ordered Wes.
"The inertial damper will never keep up," he warned her.
"Its that or become torpedo bait," Griff understood the reasoning.
"They've fired!" Katts shouted.
"So have we!" Ferris yelled back at her.
"Full stop!" Wyn demanded.
The g forces were wrenching as the ship dropped out of warp and fired impulse thrusters to bring her to a stationary position. Wyn recovered her voice first, "Report!"
"It worked!" Katts couldn't believe it. Their torpedoes destroyed ours and took the Pah-wraiths with them."
"Set course for the Bajoran border. Make our heading Free Haven Port. Besides the patrols, the starbase always has two starships in port," Wyn explained her choice, "It's also the closest Bajoran colony."
"Setting course and going to maximum warp," Wes told her.
"Now, let's see how Gul Macet responds," Wyn said steely.
"Set a pursuit course," Macet yelled at his bridge crrew.
"Our warp engines are damaged, "We'll barely keep up," Warak advised him, "And we left personnel behind."
"They'll still be there, you idiot!" Macet raged, "We need to capture that ship and retrieve those artifacts."
"If we didn't just destroy them," Warak dared mention.
"Careful Warak, others crave your position," Macet growled.
"I can give you Warp 8 again," Parva announced to Forger.
"How?" Forger was stunned.
"Forget Scotty. I'm the real miracle worker. You have another twelve hours. Don't waste them," Parva signed off.
"Aglaia, go!" Forger almost shouted.
"On it!" the Platonian announced as she manipulated her LCARS control board.
"I wonder what kind of reception we'll be streaking into," Jones admitted, "How long can our side last?"
"As long as they need to," Forger promised, "They have to. They're the Amari's only hope."
"That bites," Jones sighed, "I'm one for lost causes and all. But this seems even more one sided than the Maquis versus the Cardassians. And we know how that turned out."
"Meaning?" Forger was irked.
"We'd nearly won when Dukat made his devil's pact with the Dominion and the Jem'Hadar wiped most everyone I knew. Solarian is the Avanti's Jem'Hadar," Jones compared them, "Just saying."
"I liked it better before you decided to open up," Forger complained.
"It's called experience. Learn from it so you don't repeat the mistakes I made along the way," Jones offered.
"We'll see, won't we?" Forger mulled her words over.
"Yes, we will," Jones affirmed it.
"We've been detected and tracked by sensor buoys placed along our route," Captain Taggert told Boromov.
"So they're forewarned," Boromov replied to her, "That was to be expected."
"The longer we wait, the better their defenses will become," Taggert told him, "We need to strike before they're fully prepared for us."
"Raise me War Mistress Alair. I'll try to talk some sense into her," Boromov requested.
His screen showed the irritated Avanti leader seconds later, "Yes?"
"The enemy is alerted to our approach but they expect us to arrive in twenty hours. If you dispatch you ships at their maximum warp factor you can take the defenders by surprise. We, of course, will be there with you," Boromov urged.
"You will just send us in to the slaughter. We are no match for these intruders. You must deal with them before we arrive," Alair demanded.
"If even a fragment of sensor data survives to indicate I attacked without provocation or in defense of your ships I won't be able to keep my business licenses in the Federation," Boromov explained for the umpteenth time, "And you can't fire upon them and expect our support. You have to provoke them into firing first. Then we'll deal with them," Boromov told her, "I have this job because my predecessor made the mistake of attacking without justification. It nearly this company and I've carefully rebuilt it and earned the Federation's trust once again. I won't throw that away for you."
"We have given you everything you demanded of us and this is how you repay us?" the felinoid Alair hissed.
"It's standard business practice. One of my ship's will escort your troop transports in so they will not come under attack and will have an armed escort to Amar," Boromov explained, "Once you've been fired upon, even once, we can act. They'll attempt to cripple a ship but your polarized hull plating will still deflect most of the initial phaser blast. They'll never get a chance to fire a second."
"Very well. We shall proceed at Warp 5," Alair informed him, "You had best escort us in or we will join them in destroying you."
"There will be no need for hostility between us," Boromov pledged.
The screen went dark and Taggert approached, "You're lying. You'll let them be crippled before we deal with Outbound Ventures."
"The better to secure control of the system and ransom Amar before the Avanti transports arrive. Whether or not they land will be up to us depending on what Amar offers us to keep them safe. Outbound Ventures will have retreated by then."
"They're here on behalf of Starfleet. Attacking them could ignite an investigation," Taggert warned him.
"Of course there will be an official investigation. There always is. But by keeping the focus on Amar, we distract the Federation from delving into our mutual enterprises with non-warp cultures. Violating the Prime Directive as we have would guarantee a seizure of our Federation assets and closure of our Federation offices. Not to mention the criminal prosecutions of those of us that they could capture," Boromov replied, "The smart play is to drive Outbound Ventures away and broker a deal with the native Amari. Once they're clients, the Federation won't interfere in a businesses here."
"And if the Avanti fire first?" Taggert asked.
"Then we destroy every Outbound Ventures starship to its atomic components and kill every crewman. We wouldn't leave a single potential witness alive," Boromov said simply.
"I'm okay with that," Taggert smirked.
"Prepare to go to Warp 5 and follow our clients in. Don't escort them or lead them. This has to be on them," Boromov smiled evilly.
"Status of Captain Mirita and the ISS Kelly?" Gellar asked Lupus.
"Unchanged," Lupus was puzzled, "The Iotian captain is quite persistent."
"She knows neither the Avanti nor Solarian want to start a conflict with the Iotian Starfleet. So she'll be untouchable. But Mirita will try broker a deal until the troops land and maybe a little after," Gellar knew the type.
"Captain, new telemetry is coming in from our sensor buoys," the relief Sensor officer announced, "The Avanti have gone to warp 5 and Solarian is following them."
"Following?" Lupus was surprised once more.
"It's a game of chicken," Gellar explained, "Solarian can't argue they were defending their clients from unwarranted aggression if we don't fire, not even a warning shot. If the Avanti fire first, we can legally defend oursellves and Solarian is bound by their license to sit it out."
"Will they?" Lupus thought not.
"Of course not," Gellar wearily chuckled, "Alert all commands. The plan is in motion. We intercept but under no circumstances do we start hostilities. Even if they attempt to ram us. That's what tractor beams are for."
"Javi, start broadcasting an SOS to Free Haven's Port," Wyn requested, "Explain our status and explain we are under Cardassian pursuit. Macet may cross the border and a response has to be prepared."
The turbolift opened and Neela and Doctor Jones stepped out, "Have you alerted Free Haven's Port?"
"Doing so now," Wyn answered, "Any suggestions?"
"Include my ownership of the vessel with the message," Neela suggested, "Colonel Anara will know what that means."
"Colonel Anara probably won't even be there," Griff mentioned.
"But she's the effective commander for the Colonial Defense Forces," Neela reminded him, "They'll bump the issue up to her."
"ETA to Bajoran border?" Wyn asked Wes.
"Twenty minutes out," Wes answered.
"The Cardassians won't reach weapons range before we cross the border," Ferris estimated.
"Major, there are two Militia starships approaching the border area with two already present set for an intercept," Katts reported from her sensor findings.
"Prepare to drop out of warp when we clear the border," Wyn instructed.
"Gren and Wills will be grateful for that," Griff replied.
Twenty minutes counted slowly while the Razor's Edge pushed itself to reach the border line. Wes was the one to announce the crossing, "We're in Bajoran space."
"We're also passed the Militia skirmish line," Ferris informed Wyn.
"Drop out of warp and proceed towards Free Havens Port at maximum impulse.," Wyn ordered, "Katts, what's Macet's response?"
"He's dropping out of warp but he's crossed the border and being challenged by the Militia," she'd told the crew.
"Now's when it gets interesting," Griff mused.
"Sir, with all due respect, we can't prevail against four Bajoran vessels despite their relative age of technology lagging behind ours," Warak warned Macet.
"Those are three light cruisers and one heavy cruiser from a century ago and you're advising me to back down?" Macet scoffed, "Our prey is headed for a starbase that can and will defend them. We must intercept them before they reach it."
"Gul, the Bajorans are challenging us," the Communications Officer reported.
"Target the heavy cruiser and fire everything we have at it," Macet ordered, "Once we disable it, the light cruisers will be no match for us."
"Sir! A new starship has dropped warp and is on fast approach. It's a an Iotian Enterprise-class ID'd as the Fist of the Prophets," the Tactical Officer informed his commander.
"Gul Macet, in our current condition and against these odds, that more modern starship can easily rival us," Warak warned Macet.
"Sir, the Fist of the Prophets' commander wishes to speak with you," Communications offered.
"This the Colonial Defense Forces' flagship," Warak advised Macet.
"On screen," Macet commanded, "This is Gul Macet of the True Patriot Cardassian Guard. How dare you challenge us."
Colonel Anara was not amused, "Gul Macet, you're considered a rebel by your own legitimate government and commanding Supreme Legate. You've violated sovereign Bajoran territory without express permission. Of course we'll challenge you just for that. But in inclusion to that, you're threatening Bajoran nationals. How else should we respond?"
"Hand over the criminals you're shielding and I'll merrily be on my way. They fired upon my vessel and I'm legitimately sanctioned by interstellar law to apprehend them," Macet bluffed.
"My sensors show no damage to your ship, only overtaxed warp engines. Reverse course and return to the Kalendra Sector or we will engage you with superior numbers and firepower. The Detepa Council will applaud our actions," Anara countered.
"You're making the gravest mistake making an enemy of me, Colonel," Macet warned her.
"Gul Macet, we became enemies the moment you launched a civil war against the Detepa Council and openly declared your intentions of reconquering Bajor. You'll find we're ready for you this time. You have thirty seconds to comply with my directive," Anara cut the connection.
"They've collectively locked phasers and photon torpedoes on us," Tactical reported, "We can't sustain the damages that will provide. Their flagship is less than thirty seconds out."
"And while we bargained with Colonel Anara, the Militia starships have maneuvered in such a way we can't engage them all at once," Warak was impressed by the tactic Anara had employed.
"Gul Macet, our deadline is almost up. What shall we do?" the helmsman asked.
"Reverse heading and return to the Kalendra Sector," Macet regretted having to order, "Best possible speed back to where we left Glinn Tobek in command of our trooper division."
"The engineers report Warp 2 is our best possible speed now," Warak told him.
"The natives of that world and the Ferengi peddlers there will learn a lesson in the cost of betraying the Cardassian Guard," Macet vowed.
"If Gul Maret loses against Supreme Legate Ocett's forces, then we'll be branded as war criminals if we inflict harm upon those natives and Ferengi," Warak warned him.
"Gul Macet!," the Communications Officer demanded to be heard, "Gul Maret demands we return to Ampok Nor at once. Supreme Legate Ocett has engaged our forces with the entirety of the loyalist forces. He predicts our fellow patriots will be overwhelmed."
"How can she afford to leave the Cardassia Sector undefended?" Macet wondered.
"Our spy networks report that Cardassia Prime is being protected by the Bajoran Militia. They in turn pulled their forces out of the Gamma Quadrant with their settlements there being guarded by the Ascendancy," Tactical reported in.
"Castellan Garan is so weak she needs Bajorans to defend her?' Macet scoffed in disgust.
"Those Bajorans just turned the tide of our war against the Detepa Council," Warak predicted, "Macet's reinforcements from the Subject Worlds won't arrive in time to liberate Cardassia Prime as originally planned for," Warak advised Macet, "We are now renegades."
"How soon can the warp drive be fully repaired?" Macet quietly asked.
"The engineers require parts only available at a shipyard. To reach a friendly dockyard, we need to skirt Bajoran space and traverse a section of Federation space to reach the Dorvan Sector. That is if Maret can blunt Ocett's drive long enough for the ships and troops currently securing the Subject Worlds can arrive in time to relieve Ampok Nor from Ocett's loyalist forces," Warak laid out the situation plainly.
"With the Militia forces securing Cardassia Prime, wouldn't it be easier to traverse the Bajor Sector between the Rolor Nebula and the badlands?" Macet asked.
"We have no intelligence on how many Militia ships are patrolling near Dreon VII. The Bajoran built a shipyard there and fiercely defend it and the colony," Warak reminded him, "Federation patrols are lighter in the area. As long as we keep a reasonable distance between us and Starbase 375, we should be able to slip passed Starbases 310 and 211 to enter Cardassian space at the Dorvan Sector," Warak advised him, "And if we're caught in Federation space, what charges can they hold us on? The civil war doesn't affect them directly."
"We retrieve our troops than make for the border across the Kalandra Sector to reach the Dorvan Sector," Macet ordered, "Best possible speed."
"It could take us weeks at our available speeds but I'll motivate the engineers to increase them to at least Warp 4," Warak promised, "Or heads will literally roll across the engineering deck as an example to the others."
"If you make an example of one of the engineers, make certain it's the least experienced one," Macet decided, "We need the others to keep us going until we can reach a yard for repairs."
"It will be done," Warak excused himself to personally convey the orders to the engineers. Macet was left with dark doubts as to how successful Maret could be without his guidance. Maret was a skilled political operator but he was lacking when it came to strategic or tactical capabilities. After all, it was under Maret's watch that the Maquis nearly achieved their desired independence. There would be no Dominion intervention to save Maret from his own arrogance this time.
Anara had beamed aboard the Razor's Edge when they neared Free Haven Port, "I was nearby on my way to Cardassia Prime. I was making a final inspection of the patrol roster for our Alpha Quadrant forces. The Gamma Quadrant patrols have been handed over to the Ascendancy while we defend the Cardassians during Ocett's all out offensive against Gul Maret. You managed to answer the question of where Gul Macet had gotten off to. I take it the Pah-wraith threat has been dealt with?"
"You know of our mission?" Neela asked.
"General Kira looped me in," Anara told her, "It's just as well. We had to conclude the blockade of Empok Nor. But now the Cult has no prizes to collect anyway."
"No, the vessels of the captured Kosst Amojan have all been destroyed and the Pah-wraiths themselves are dead," Neela happily reported.
"So the Prophets are safe. What will you do next?" Anara asked.
"I haven't been released from my task yet," Neela was saddened to have to tell her lifelong friend, "Bajor's security is still threatened by forces beyond it."
"So you'll be headed back to Serenity," Anara understood all too well, "What about this ship and crew?"
"Harri Mudd gave me the ship as a cast off she didn't want or need anymore," Neela explained, "The upgrades I've been showing you came courtesy of Commander Macen. Somehow he knew I'd need them. Despite his protests to the contrary, I believe Macen is touched by the Prophets. They have a destiny for him and his. A destiny intertwined with my pagh."
"And the crew?" Anara asked again.
"Given to me by General Kira and Colonel Cenn," Neela told her, "It was supposed to be for this one mission but they wish to stay with me."
"And what do you wish?" Anara asked.
"I want them to stay on with me," Neela had decided.
"Then I'll advocate for you," Anara told her, "But I have to be getting back to the Fist of the Prophets to get underway. Have General Kira and Colonel Cenn ask for my own opinion regarding your crew's future."
"I will," Neela took Anara back to the transporter room and handled the controls herself.
"You look like a whipped puppy," Doctor Jones ambushed her outside the transporter room.
"I have a request to make of the Joint Chiefs and I'm afraid they'll turn me down," Neela admitted.
"Then be extra persuasive," Doctor Jones told her, "You got me here didn't you? Whatever you told Captain Riker got him send Captain Watts out of her way to deliver me. Just have that much conviction when you talk to your own leaders."
"Thank you for that," Neela said, "We'll be getting underway to Serenity now. I have to report in what has happened while we've been out of touch. I think I'll have Major Wyn join me for that."
"Good choice. And good luck," Doctor Jones excused herself.
Neela gave Griff his instructions to return to Serenity and summoned Wyn to the ship's briefing room where they would report in to General Kira herself. Then they would present their petition. The rest was in the Prophets' hands.
"Estimate six minutes until enemy contact," Lupus advised Gellar.
"Give me a tactical display," Gellar asked for, "The Solarian ships are holding back as we estimated they would. Now we simply block the Avanti without engaging them. Signal all commands to form up on an Avanti ship and make certain they can't get passed them."
"On it," Lupus wanted to see how the Avanti would react to the plan.
For six hours, the Avanti simply tried skirting around the SID ships but found themselves outmaneuvered. When they tried to physically ram the Outbound Ventures starships to provoke them into firing, they found themselves at the working end of a tractor beam set to repel them. Gellar had to give them credit, they were taking their first serious impediment with patience for that long. Then they finally fired upon the starships opposing them.
"Target their engineering sections," Gellar ordered over na open channel, "Cripple them with phasers only. Then we'll see how far Solarian wants to stretch credibility."
"Just as we knew they would," Boromov shrugged, "Destroy every Outbound Ventures starship and escape pod. Leave no witnesses alive. We can't alter our own logs but we can call it a mistake made by overzealous crewmen."
"I'll alert the commanders of the Counterstrike and Bombardment. This shouldn't take long," Taggert boasted.
"Overconfidence breeds mistakes," Boromov warned her, "And we can't afford any."
"Understood," Taggert replied curtly.
"Here they come," Lupus announced unnecessarily.
"All commands, execute Plan Delta Vega," Gellar ordered.
The SID ships paired off and waited for a Solarian ship to engage them before returning fire. The former Starfleet crews may have been equipped with outdated starships in comparison with Solarian's but they knew how to employ them. Solarian didn't have the same training standards and relied upon brute force rather than subtle elegance. The battle, which Taggert had predicted would last seconds stretched into minutes and finally over an hour.
"What's taking so long?" Boromov returned to Taggert's bridge to pester her.
"They're better trained than our forces," Taggert snapped at him, "Their ships, though lesser than ours regarding firepower and shielding, are more maneuverable owing to their smaller size and design. There's a reason the Constitution-class is legendary. Every ship fighting is that class with one upgraded model with even better shields, phasers, and torpedoes. They're obviously well coordinated from experience working together. We lack training in how to use our starships. To be honest, we aren't competitive."
"Who needs experience?" Boromov asked, "We have superiority in weapons and shields. It takes them twice as many shots and torpedoes to inflict the same of damage we can do with half the ordnance. Shoot through the Avanti if you have to."
"They aren't using the Avanti as living shields," Taggert grated.
"Then we will," Boromov instructed.
"They're using the Avanti ships as shields," Kendall told Gellar over a coded channel, "They're limiting what we can target on their ships while they undertake damage control measures."
"We'll have to get closer to expand our targeting options," Gellar hated to order, "We can't accidentally blow apart those Avanti ships."
"Understood," Kendall signed off. Her Chaser was coordinating with Kepler's Jamie Kirk and Halep's T'Kir while Gellar's Watcher worked with Tyler's Galavant and Conner's El Cid. Kirk's Enterprize worked alone against the third Solarian threat.
The battle raged on for another thirty minutes and every ship had taken heavy damage. Boromov was sick to death regarding the SID ships' resiliency, "Why are they still alive?"
"The Counterstrike is reporting their warp core is down. They're losing auxiliary power," Taggert told him, "The Bombardment isn't much better off. That free's up the more advanced Constitution-class to help deal with us," Taggert warned him, "We need the Precision here and now. You've already abandoned our clients. Why continue to protect their troop transports?"
"Call in the Precision. We'll deal with the Avanti landing forces when they arrive," Boromov told her.
"The Renaissance-class has gone to maximum warp and will be here in five minutes," Lupus warned Gellar.
"Tell Kirk to break off and deal with them," Gellar decided.
"He's no match for them now," Lupus advised her.
"We'll assist if we ever break through the final defenses of the remaining Solarian ships," Gellar promised, "Tell Kirk that."
Commander Anne Temple, his XO, moved closer to have a quiet word, "Chief Kenwood says we need thirty minutes to restore primary systems."
Aubrey Kenwood was their Chief Engineer and she'd had twenty years in Starfleet before resigning as a Master Chief in Engineering. Kenwood had volunteered for the Outbound Ventures SID program to either be assigned to a post-refit Constitution- or Asia-class vessel. As a shiphead, she was enamored with the legacy of such starships. The modern Starfleet and its exploration programs were built on them.
Chief Kenwood had improved the performance factors of every system aboard the ship. She was a hands on Chief Engineer. Kenwood herself had completed her gender transition before attending Starfleet Specialist School for enlisted non-commissioned officers. So she had a great empathy for starship designs originally based upon duotronic technology and upgraded to isolinear tech. She herself felt she'd been upgraded to her true gender.
"Have Chief Kenwood do what she can on the fly. We're resuming combat operations against a fresh opponent," Kirk instructed Temple.
"Unfortunately, Doctor Smith should prepare for even more casualties since we're damaged and the Solarian ship coming at us is fresh," Kirk told her.
"Are we really in any shape to face a newer ship alone?" Temple was required to ask as an XO.
"Gellar promises the Legacy Fleet members will join us as soon as they've dealt with the final Solarian elements already being engaged," Kirk told her, "Until then, we hold the line."
"Understood," Temple did despite her personal objections. But she, like the crew, was a creature of duty. Which is why she'd joined Outbound Ventures rather than slip back into civilian life upon leaving Starfleet.
"Sir, we're twenty seconds from firing range," the Weapons Officer reported.
"Standby phasers and photon torpedoes," Kirk ordered, "Let's see what they do now that they've dropped out of warp."
The SS Precision immediately opened fire. Kirk sighed, "Now we know. Evasive action and return fire."
Chapter Eleven
"I have three Avanti troop transports at Warp 1 dead ahead," Zimbalist told Forger.
"Jaycee, can you target them without us reducing speed?" Forger asked.
"Puh-leeze, ask for something hard," Miller began preparing torpedoes, "I'm targeting propulsion systems to put them out of warp capability."
"Fire when ready," Forger ordered.
"Torpedoes away," Miller fired two torpedoes per transport. Their warp nacelles were sheared off and the transports were nearly ripped apart from the blasts and the sudden transition to normal space from subspace.
"I have the Enterprize engaging a Renaissance-class vessel dead ahead," Zimbalist reported next, "The Enterprize has taken damage but the Solarian ship doesn't seem to have seen combat yet."
"Drop out of warp and prepare to engage in combat operations. Let's give Kirk a hand," Forger decided.
The Obsidian dropped out of warp and immediately opened fire with both phasers and photons. Forger considered her options, "Draw off the enemy's fire from the Enterprize. Signal Kirk and tell him to play a supporting role in our efforts."
"Kirk is so advised," Zimbalist replied.
"Jaycee, you wanted a challenge. Here it is," Forger said wryly.
"The Obsidian just dropped o0ut of warp and is engaging the Solarian," Weapons told Kirk.
"Captain Forger recommends we adopt a supportive given our battle damage," Communications told Kirk.
"Change of plans, people," Kirk grinned.
"The Counterstrike just restored main power," Tyler warned Gellar.
"We knew that was very real possibility given the Enterprize had to abandon her to affect repairs," Gellar replied, "Have Captain Conner join you in engaging them. We'll finish off the Fatality with Captain Kendall's assistance. Leaving Captains Halep and Kepler dealing with the Bombardment."
"Understood," Tyler signed off to undertake her new mission with the El Cid joining her Galavant. The Chaser left the Jamie Kirk and T'Kir to their joint efforts to support the Watcher.
"Now what?" Gellar sighed.
"They're Starfleet!" Sensors cheered, "A Sovereign-class, a Prometheus-class, and an Intrepid-class. They ID as the USS Grissom, the USS Icarus, and the USS Delta Vega."
"The Solarian vessels are breaking off and going to warp on an exit vector away from Starfleet," Lupus happily announced.
"The Icarus is going into multi-vector mode and pursuing," Sensors reported.
"The Grissom is challenging us," Communications informed Gellar.
"Open a channel and send our thanks for the intervention," Gellar instructed. However, the reception she received from the Sovereign-class' commander was a frosty one as he vowed there would be a full inquiry into the matter. Gellar was reminded of why she'd left the modern Starfleet.
Mudd Kenra sent a warning signal back to Grimes and then set her own course out of the system. When Okona returned to Avant expecting to reload his cargo holds with weapons and finding the War Profits gone, he'd assume the worst and go to ground. Fortunately, Mudd Kenra knew the location of the safe house he shared with Harry Mudd III and Harry Mudd IV. Mudd Kenra would simply join him there, fend of his advances, and wait out Starfleet's pursuit of anyone connected to the arms trade in the Algona Sector.
Macen released custody of the Mudds to Starfleet as well as a copy of their encrypted logs. Meanwhile, Kerber and Smith had broken the encryption. A fact Macen didn't share. The Ardanans were quite impressed with whoever had set up the encryption algorithim. So Macen and Rockford were aware of the safe house in the neutral Destin Sector on the planet Felkor. Now they simply waited out out the officious Captain Merrick Garret of the Grissom. Despite the SID ships being in the Algona Sector defending Amar at Starfleet's request, Garret sensed an opportunity to discredit Outbound Ventures. However, his inquiry was doing the opposite. Instead, Solarian was villainized.
The Mudds' capture supplying pre-warp cultures with modern weaponry and Solarian's assisting the Avanti in invading pre-warp cultures were blatant violations of the Prime Directive. Baroness Grimes' being implicated along with Grimes Armaments further complicated Starfleet's official position. Added to this was Solarian engaging the SID forces when they were defending themselves against further Avanti aggression. The precision and care taken in disabling the Avanti's vintage starships also attested to the SID crews' restraint.
The further Garret dug into the matter, the more criminal Solarian and Grimes' actions appeared. Yet Solarian had split up their forces to evade the Icarus. Grimes never appeared in the Amar system. Forger had been well aware of Mudd Kenra's pursuit and testified to that fact and Grimes' apparent breaking off pursuit of the surveyor crew. Captain Garret pushed his findings up to Starfleet Command. They ordered the three Federation starships to assist the Legacy Fleet in repairs and to stay on station and mediate talks between the Avanti and the Amari. The Avanti leadership would be Starfleet's "guest" aboard the Grissom while the Delta Vega and Icarus took the Avanti warships and troop transports back to their homeworld.
To Captain Garret's dismay, the Amari insisted that Captain Mirita attend the talks as an independent voice. Ilyiana profusely thanked Gellar and the SID captains for their efforts and promised that their actions on Starfleet's behalf would heavily weigh on her decision regarding future long term alliances. Embola was also invited into the talks with Alair and Kelt. Her preference for joining the Iotian Federation firmly established.
Macen and Rockford met with Forger and Jones, "We aren't done."
"What's next?" Jones asked.
"The Mudds shared a safe house with Okona on Felkor. It's in the neighboring sector. We're going there in an effort to apprehend Okona and Mudd Kenra," Macen explained.
"Felkor is a neutral world with liberal laws. As long as you can afford a permit from the ruling Magistrate, it's legal to do whatever you paid to do. It's a beehive of illicit activity and marketing," Rockford explained.
"I know that type of world," Jones confessed, recalling her days as little more than a pirate after the slaughter of the Maquis.
"We'll cruise their at Warp 5 to give Parva a break and to let Okona and Mudd Kenra settle in and think they've gotten away," Macen told the ship's commanders.
Forger reviewed the navigation chart Macen and transferred to her padd, "At that speed it'll take a few days to reach Felkor. Any action expected?"
"The SID team will be solely responsible for apprehending Mudd Kenra and Okona," Macen promised her, "The Obsidian will basically park in orbit and enjoy a respite."
"Any word on Grimes and Solarian's dispositions?" Forger inquired.
"Starfleet Security and Federation Security are taking over the investigation into Grimes and Solarian's activities in the Algona Sector," Rockford told them, "The complication is Grimes Armaments supplies key ordnance and weapons to both Starfleet and Federation Security. The Baroness is a 'person of interest' in their joint investigation and all Starfleet and Federation Security ships are looking for the War Profits. Solarian is a clear cut case. Federation Security is seizing all of Solarian's Federation located assets. Starfleet is impounding their starships and repossessing them."
"But everything will move through the civilian court system," Macen told them, "So it could take years to fully resolve. Meanwhile, Solarian's licenses to operate in Federation space are suspended."
"Well, I'll let Aeryn take the bridge and the Gamma Watch can set course for planet Felkor," Forger referred to their ship's 2nd Officer, Aeryn Black. She and the bridge crew had been on duty for a solid eighteen hours. Parva and Gilan would handing the reins over to Celine Jones in Engineering.
"Sounds good," Rockford told Forger and Jones, "We're headed for a pirate haven. It would be best if the Alpha Watch were at their best even if we don't expect trouble."
"I contacted Gomer and she's making an introduction with the Magistrate," Macen told them, "So I'll be buying our operating license on Felkor. The Orion Syndicate will be getting a commission for the intro."
"With the Iotian Starfleet prowling about, it makes you wonder if we'll meet one of their ships there," Jones mused.
"I think the Iotians will strike an accord with the Magistrate but Felkor will remain independent," Macen offered his opinion.
"Just as well," Forger sighed, "Now, I need food and sleep. Not necessarily in that order."
"I'll oversee the change of watch," Jones offered.
"Thanks," Forger joined Macen and Rockford in exiting her Ready Room and entering the turbolift. Jones handed off instructions and command to Black as the relief officers took their posts. Even Aglaia was grateful to go off duty.
"Colonel Cenn agreed to replace his personnel and ship your newfound crew's belongings to Serenity Station," Kira told Neela and Wyn over subspace comms as the Razor's Edge made its way to the Brsknir system where Barrinor and Odin lay. Serenity orbited Odin, "The General Staff will want actual updates on your missions but you're retaining your autonomy from command oversight over your mission profiles. But the Militia wants to stay abreast of your activities and the reasoning behind them from now on."
"Agreed," Neela told her, "I'm actually grateful for Major Wyn and the crew's offer to stay on with me. The threats facing Bajor are growing since the Federation ejected Bajor. I could honestly use the help."
"Your willingness to finally accept some and Colonel Anara's advocating on your behalf persuaded Cenn not to recall his personnel. I swayed the Joint Chiefs into leaving your arrangement with them the same despite having official Militia officers with you now. Having Major Wyn in command of your starship while you retain the post of Mission Commander also influenced them," Kira explained, "The only one complaining is Doctor Bashir."
"Convey Doctor Lens' and Nurse Kenji's regrets for leaving him shorthanded but they feel the Prophets led them here," Neela explained to Kira, "I can't dispute their logic."
"Bajoran Intelligence is sending you the updates you requested but the Kai, First Minister, and I recommend you take a few well deserved days off and allow your people to adapt to their new environment on Serenity," Kira suggested.
"I feel the same way," Neela readily agreed.
"Are you ready for this, Major?" Kira asked Wyn.
"This is why I joined the Militia," Wyn confessed.
"Understood. Wish your people my best," Kira signed off.
"Well, it's official now. The Razor's Edge has an assigned crew," Wyn grinned.
"Now to break the news to everyone," Neela told her.
"They're anxiously awaiting word," Wyn admitted.
"So we're official?" Katts cheered.
"Good. I'm still reviewing potential upgrades to the ship's existing upgrades," Gren confessed.
"I have a list of recommendations for further updates to Sickbay," Lens admitted.
"And I'll pass every request on to Outbound Ventures' shipyard," Neela promised, "Just note everything onto a padd and give them to me by the time we reach Serenity."
"How does our relationship to Outbound Ventures even work?" Javi asked.
"Commander Macen and Detective Rockford support my missions. The Militia pays them a retainer but my expenses usually far exceed it. Macen and Rockford have just taken Bajor's security on as an operating expense," Neela told the gathered crew filling the bridge.
"It's true," Doctor Jones shared, "Ships will get pulled from active assignments and redirected to Bajor if there's a request from the Militia."
"But why?" Wes asked.
"Because Commander Macen especially and the rest of his his team and crew are touched by the Prophets. Macen has spoken with them twice now," Neela revealed, "They have a destiny for him and his."
"But why them?" Lens asked.
"Why any of us?" Neela replied, "I was a heretical murderer yet the Prophets personally showed me the error of my ways and then saved me from certain death to bring me back to Bajor after showing me certain things that will happen. Things we are meant to prevent. All of us together. I thought I was alone on this journey but the Prophets brought me all of you as well Macen's company."
"You speak as though we have a grand destiny," Griff doubted.
"Any destiny in the service of the Prophets is grand. Ours will just be more explosive," Neela told him.
That brought a relieving chuckle to everyone else. Griff took offense, "Are you mocking me, Colonel?"
"No, I'm not, Lieutenant," Neela promised him, "And no formal ranks, please. We are all equals in this purpose."
"Stop being such a downer, Griff," Ferris told him, "We have a chance to really serve Bajor now. The Major and the Colonel have bought us a chance to do something historic."
"Thank you," Neela was appreicative, "It's good that the Militia secured quarters on Serenity because that will be our home when we're not engaged in a mission and aboard this ship."
"What happens to the ship the Militia assigned you?" Wes asked.
"The Ark of the Prophets will be returned to active Militia service as she was originally intended as a warp capable troop transport," Neela told him, "General Kira has a team coming for it."
"So we're still undercover?" Odon inquired.
"In the field we always will be," Wyn answered that one, "We report to the General Staff but we operate autonomously. Neela will choose our missions and we'll work them out together."
"Colonel Cenn is sending your personal belongings from Deep Space Nine with the recovery crew," Neela told them all, "And Speical Forces is doing the same for the Major and Lieutenant Griff."
"This will be an actual adventure," Kenji opined.
"More than just sitting at Deep Space Nine," Lens agreed.
"Hopefully your services will rarely be required," Wyn stated.
"We have research projects we can attend to in between service calls," Lens promised.
"Wills and I have the engineering space working perfectly. It will be a pleasure to keep at it," Gren told Neela and Wyn.
"I prefer field work to patrolling the Promenade," Varis told everyone.
"Exactly," Maru agreed, "I see now why Odon has never accepted a promotion."
"And the communications role here is so much more interesting than aboard a space station," Javi admitted.
"Not to mention manning the sensors," Katts confessed, "Monitoring routine traffic is so boring."
"And I'm piloting an actual starship rather than the occasional jaunt aboard a runabout," Wes enthused.
"I'll take Tactical duty aboard this ship over manning Deep Space Nine's defense systems any day," Ferris joined in.
"So we're settled?" Wyn asked.
"I'll admit this is more intriguing than usual role in Special Forces," Griff finally relented, "So I'm still in."
"We'll reach Serenity tomorrow," Wes told everyone, "So we'll have a chance to get to know the new station while we wait for our things to arrive."
"That's the idea," Wyn told them all, "We'll have a few days down time while the recovery team is en route. After they arrive and deliver our belongings, Neela will have selected our next mission profile and we'll get underway again."
"I'll miss the Ark of the Prophets but this ship is far more capable and it actually belongs to me rather than the Militia," Neela confessed, "So I can help out with any modifications Chief Gren and Wills dream up."
"So what do we do first when we get to Serenity?" Wes asked.
"First, I take you all out to a private celebratory dinner at Quark's," Neela informed them, "I've already made arrangements with Annabeth and Leighlah. It'll be an open tab so we can order anything we want and as much of it as we want."
"You can afford that?" Griff was surprised.
"Outbound Ventures gives me an expense account with nearly unlimited funding," Neela explained, "So they'll be hosting us."
"And I'll be toasting them," Javi was excited.
"We all will," Wyn agreed.
The following day, the Razor's Edge was docked in the shipyard and Gren and Lens had delivered their modification requests to Neela. Lens also included a supply list of different medical necessities he felt the ship was lacking as well as a request for research equipment and supplies for he and Kenji to stay busy during their off hours when the weren't needed as doctor and nurse to patients. Wes had surprised Neela with a calibration request for the helm. Ferris invoiced ordnance and spare phaser coils. Odon put in for replacement small arms and ordnance for the anti-intrusion devices they'd expended on 495 IV.
Nick Locarno himself taxied them back to Serenity aboard a Mosquito-class runabout. Sito Jaxa came with him to meet the station's newest Bajoran occupants. Sito was excited to have the crew join the Serenity population. She explained to them that Gerrit Gren and Radil Jenrya were the Chief and Deputy Chief of Security and also fellow Bajorans. As Deputy Chief of the Gamma Watch, Sito was in a position to describe all of the security requirements aboard a space station where SID teams were allowed to carry sidearms whenever they wanted. As Neela's crew, that privilege was extended to them as well.
Seeing Locarno and Sito interact it came as little surprise to find out they were married and had children together. Sito described being locked away in a Cardassian prison before and during most of the Dominion War. So despite being raised in a refugee camp in Federation space, Sito had her own grievances against the Cardassians and their treatment of Bajorans. They were surprised to discover Sito had been a Starfleet officer when the Cardassians captured her. After the war concluded, Starfleet debriefed Sito and offered to restore her commission. She refused, preferring to remain Tom Riker's XO. Sito was one of Macen's original crew before the station was constructed and she transferred to Security aboard it. Riker had assumed command of the station and Sito felt no need to remain part of Macen's crew as they shifted into the Obsidian, leaving the Blackbird-class Solstice as a reserve vessel. Sito served as the Solstice's CONN Officer when she deployed under Chris Noble's command. Sito appreciated the Razor's Edge, having served as exec aboard Riker's Bonaventure-class SS Iron Boots.
The party delivered what belongings they'd packed for the mission and then assembled at Quark's. As Neela had promised, Frinks had reserved the private dining hall and Travers was their server. They ate and drank long into the local night. Some were worse for the wear afterwards and Sito had a security detail help get them back to their new quarters.
Neela introduced Wyn to Frinks and Travers afterwards, "Annabeth was the manager of a Maquis bar on Ronara Prime called the Old Biddy. Leighlah is from Setlick III and survived the massacre there. Both of them were able to escape the Demilitarized Zone before the Dominion enslaved the civilian population of the colonies there."
"How is it everyone we've met so far either turned renegade from Starfleet or was a Maquis?" Wyn was curious.
"Macen assembled as many of his former Maquis comrades as would accept a role aboard the station or within his company," Frinks explained, "I was living on another planet entirely and on my way to Dreon VII when my cousin told me he'd met Macen and I'd been offered a place aboard Serenity. Finding out that Aric Tulley was here confirmed for me that it was the right choice. After wars and rebellions, Aric and I are finally together at last and happily moving forward with our lives and relationship."
"So you manage Quark's?" Wyn asked.
Frinks' expression clouded, "No, Quark undercut me and placed his own manager here. I'm Assistant Manager but end up doing most of the work and manning shifts while Miranda Wells is off running Quark's schemes for the area."
"I thought Quark franchised his name rather than owned the bars off of DS9," Wyn admitted.
"This is the only corporate Quark's," Frinks sighed, "Pel, a female Ferengi Quark trusted, originally managed the bar after the first Orion manager had to leave unexpectedly if you catch my meaning. She recommended me for Manager but Quark sent his own choice from God knows where and she does God knows what."
"Most of the time, Wells isn't even on the station," Travers told them, "She comes and goes at will, leaving Annabeth to run things at a lower salary."
"Gerrit is digging into what she does on the station but he has no jurisdiction off of it," Frinks told them, "I manage the bar's books and accounts so I know what Wells' official salary is but she keeps her own accounting for her off station projects to herself."
"On the station, Wells doesn't conduct any business. Not even running the bar anymore," Travers complained on Frinks' behalf.
"I wish we could help somehow. You seem like decent folks," Wyn admitted.
"Unfortunately, Wells' activities don't pertain to Bajoran security," Neela sighed, "So we have no cause to look into her dealings."
"I know but you're one of the few people I can vent my spleen at," Frinks admitted.
"How long are you in port for?" Travers asked.
"At least three more days," Neela answered, "It'll take the Militia that long to send a recovery team via commercial shuttle to deliver everyone's belongings and collect the Ark of the Prophets and take her back to Bajor."
"They can't do that!" Frinks was adamant.
"Annabeth, the Ark was always the Militia's property that they loaned to me. Harri Mudd gave me the Razor's Edge. She's completely mine so I don't have to worry about anyone claiming her out from underneath me," Neela explained, "I prefer it this way."
"Plus, new ship. No memories of Colonel Anara not being there anymore," Travers put forth.
"There's that too," Neela admitted, "When Kai Winn sabotaged the Ark, I was supposed to die in the vacuum of space. Ro Laren managed to get Anara to safety but the Prophets had already rescued me and taken me into the Celestial Temple. The Ark of the Prophets has that stain to it as well. The fewer reminders of Winn Adami the happier I am."
"Well, you've stayed until closing," Frinks chuckled, "It's time to roust the dedicated drunks and close for the morning."
"Then we'll take our leave," Neela stated.
"Nice meeting you all," Wyn told them.
"Think Wyn Mesa can replace Anara?" Travers asked.
"There's no replacing Anara in Neela's life. But I think they'll become good friends," Frinks replied.
"Did you see they brought Cairo Jones in with them?" Travers asked, "She wasn't part of the celebration but she's here without Captain Watts being in port. I wonder how that happened," Travers admitted.
"Why not simply ask her when she comes in?" Frinks asked.
"I think I will," Travers decided.
"So this is a pirate planet?" Forger asked when Felkor came into view.
"One of them," Jones told her, "There are several on the edge of Federation space. Each has their own cartels and one overriding boss that manages the planet. They get to do so by virtue of having a private army that can wipe out any individual cartel. But the cartels are usually too busy with off planet business and rivalries to bother uniting to overthrow the manager."
"Weird worlds," Forger decided.
"Strangely enough, criminal elements generally obey stricter unspoken laws than the average Federation citizen," Jones told her, "Otherwise the situation would devolve into anarchy."
"Edwin, alert Macen and Rockford that we're entering Felkor orbit. He wanted to beam a team down and we're deploying the Corsair," Forger explained to Zimbalist, "And have Jelena and Abby notified they're on a moment's notice."
"Also alerting Security now," Zimbalist put the call in to Kovic and Collins to prep their Security teams.
"So, what're the odds Mudd will be part of the team going down?" Jones asked.
"Harri is banned from going to the surface," Forger told her.
"I wonder how she'll take that," Jones said.
"Piss poorly, I imagine," Forger chuckled.
"What do you mean I'm not going?" Mudd shouted at Macen and Rockford inside the transporter room.
"You're too emotionally invested in Mudd Kenra's capture. Frankly, we need her alive so we can't rely on you to deliver her that way," Rockford told her.
"I can bring her in alive," Mudd grated.
"Harri, you're staying aboard and that's it," Macen firmly told her.
Two security officers arrived. Rockford explained to Mudd, "They're here to make certain you don't threaten Telrik and force him to beam you down to the surface."
"You're making a major mistake leaving me behind. I know how to navigate worlds like this," Mudd ranted.
"So do I and so does Shade. That's why she's coming with us," Rockford explained.
"But you're also bring Mr. Law and Order," Mudd pointed at Lee.
"Lee infiltrated the Orion Syndicate on his home world," Rockford told Mudd, "He was inside for a year. He can handle himself."
"This isn't fair," Mudd hissed.
"Life rarely is," Macen told her in reply, "But you're not being given the opportunity to simply gun Mudd Kenra down. Your rivalry isn't worth blowing getting her back to Cardassia Prime."
"And after she makes a deal with Garan, what then?" Mudd demanded to know.
"Then the Bajorans get her. They have a few things to teach someone who would've handed them over to the Pah-wraiths and assisted Guls Maret and Macet," Rockford shared, "She'll be lucky not to receive a death sentence."
"The Bajorans really will get her?" Mudd backed down a bit.
"They've already made extradition arrangements with the Cardassian Ministry of Justice," Macen told her.
A familiar shudder vibrated through the deck plates and bulkheads. Mudd stared at Macen, "Tracy just launched the Corsair!"
"Ebert and Forte are going to draw the attention of your sister's paid spy eyes," Burrows told her, "Their job is simply to land and be seen."
"And it removes the temptation of stealing our runabout," Rockford smirked.
"Frinxing shuk frinxing damn!" Mudd stormed out of the transporter room shouting down vile oaths and cursing in several languages.
"At least she didn't ask about Angelique and Bailey," Rockford sighed.
"Their mission aboard the Corsair could mean the difference between life and death for our teams," Macen reminded her, "And Parva and Tessa are just as upset about being left out."
"I'd avoid Main Engineering on our way home," Daggit confirmed Parva's feeling on the matter.
"I've paid the Magistrate a king's ransom to come in and collect Okona and Mudd Kenra without official interference. We still have to avoid any local trouble they bought and paid for," Macen reminded the group.
"Don't worry, we'll fit right in," Burrows promised.
"I've got a target site near the address y've collected fer me to find," Telrik informed Macen and Rockford, "It's a nearly deserted alleyway a few blocks away but in the same district."
Kerber and Smith had grilled the teams on the local's numbering and alphabet. They had the safe house's address memorized so they wouldn't have to consult their tricorders while making their way to the building. They all wore earpiece receivers tied into their comm badges so they could receive live and silent to the outer world updates from Kerber and Smith while they were on the ground. The hacker duo were already tied into the planet's surveillance network.
Kerber and Smith had locked down both docking bays and offered up the ship's for sale. The Corsair easily sailed into a docking platform on an upper level of the shuttleport. Ebert and Forte went forth into the city while the Ardanans remained aboard the runabout and served as Overwatch for the mission players.
"Forte and Ebert picked up a tail as expected. It's a loose surveillance effort only," Kerber commed the mission team after they transported down into the alleyway that contained a few derelict addicts sleeping off their highs or drunks.
"Copy that. Make certain it stays that way," Macen instructed, "Kill any capture orders sent out regarding them."
"Acknowledged," Kerber replied.
"Macen, this Forger. The War Profits just made orbit. They haven't identified us yet but they're bound to eventually," Forger warned the team in general despite addressing Macen alone.
"Break orbit and head out to that nearest J-class gas giant we spotted coming in. We'll exfiltrate using the Corsair to rendezvous with you," Macen instructed.
"Are you certain?" Forger asked.
"We'll make it to you without the War Profits noticing us. They're looking for the Obsidian, not a runabout," Macen reminded her.
"Breaking orbit now," Forger told him, "Out."
"Angelique and Bailey, standby to take prisoners aboard," Macen warned them.
"Luckily you have a brig just big enough for two standing together built into this thing," Kerber chuckled.
"I've set the transporter to immediately lock onto isolinear tags and beam the tag and bearer into the Corsair," Smith advised Macen, "We'll handle getting the prisoners accommodated."
"Tracy, did you copy that?" Rockford asked the pilot escorting her detective.
"Roger that. We stand so advised," Ebert replied.
"We're ready to join foot traffic now," Macen announced. He and Rockford paired together and joined the crowds first. Shade and Lee partnered up and followed at a discreet distance. The heavily armed Burrows and Daggit stayed within sight of Lee and Shade. The crowds parted for them since Burrows carried his phaser rifle and wore his katana on his back. The rifle was configured as a sniper's rifle. Daggit carried his grenade launcher with a bandoleer of grenades along with his own phaser rifle strapped to his back.
Everyone else just carried their Militia issue phaser pistols on their utility belts along with their tricorders and binoculars. They navigated the crowd and went deeper into the warren district they'd arrived in. But as they neared the housing units, the traffic thinned and the people were more destitute. It was little wonder the Mudds and Okona had secured lodgings in the part of the district. Everyone was so absorbed by their own misery, they wouldn't see the smugglers coming or going.
Chapter Twelve
Forte had studied and become an expert puzzle solver that attracted Rockford's attention for her work solving cold cases. Now, the teen worked for the SID team as one of Rockford's Detective Squad. Ebert herself had been inducted into the Maquis at age fifteen, so she understood Forte's attitude. But Ebert was an average human when it came to aging so she'd matured quite a bit since then.
"We're doing what we supposed to," she reminded Forte.
"They handed us off to someone new," Forte told Ebert as they approached an outdoor cafe.
"Any ideas on who?" Ebert asked.
"It's Thadiun Okona himself," Forte ordered coffee, "He's trying to blend in and still watch us but he's failing miserably."
Ebert paid for the coffees and some sweet buns and found a table, "Let's give him a show. Angelique and Bailey, we have eyes on Okona."
"We heard," Kerber reminded Ebert she was on an open channel.
"Standing by for further instructions," Ebert told the duo.
"Macen is currently occupied," Kerber told them, "Just standby until a decision is made regarding your situation."
"At least we can enjoy ourselves in the meantime," Ebert sighed.
Mudd Kenra seethed over her father's capture. She knew that idiot brother was probably responsible somehow. Harry Mudd IV was a disappointment to the entire family. The fact that he carried the treasured Mudd family name was the death of a proud legacy. Mudd Kenra felt that Harri had failed their father as well by joining the SID. How could a security contractor working for Starfleet amongst others build a criminal reputation worthy of being a Mudd? That left the family name to Mudd Kenra to further and carry on.
Mudd Kenra had abandoned Baroness Grimes to whatever fate the drug addict faced in pursuit of the Obsidian. Fortunately, her father had told her about the safe house on Felkor and she reconnected with Okona when he arrived. He'd reported in at Avant as usual to find Starfleet present. Okona had quickly reversed course and set out for Felkor. He'd been honestly disappointed to learn of Harry Mudd III's arrest and detention. He could care less about Mudd IV.
Both knew Starfleet wouldn't sully themselves by trolling the districts on Felkor looking for them. But their paid spies had spotted the Corsair landing. Macen and Rockford, on the other hand, would easily slip onto Felkor and attempt an arrest. But only two people had emerged from the runabout. A query into orbital traffic had the Obsidian departing. But Grimes had arrived. Mudd Kenra wondered what the Baroness was planning.
"This is the building," Macen announced to the reassembled team. The apartment block looked ready to crumble into concrete rubble. Daggit gone around the building to check on a rear exit. He'd found one and Macen had him hold position.
"Tony, I wantt you on the roof ready to stun Mudd Kenra if she gets passed us somehow," Macen told him.
"Wouldn't a different rooftop serve me better?" Burrows asked.
"Mudd Kenra will race across the street to supposed cover underneath the opposing buildings. From here you'll have a clean and easy shot at her," Macen explained his reasoning.
"Copy that," Burrows entered the building and took the lift to the rooftop. He commed when he was in position, "I'm set."
"Stay put until signaled. Same goes for you, Rab," Macen instructed.
"I won't let her get passed me," Daggit vowed.
"Now we get inside their apartment and tag whoever is left in there," Rockford told the group. They rode the lift to the appropriate floor and found the door to the flat locked.
"We can't announce ourselves," Lee reasoned, "She'll go out a window."
"I've got this," Shade dismantled the locking activation mechanism. The Fabrini had been exiled from Yolanda for her thievry. She'd made a decent living as a contract thief until Rockford caught up with her and offered her an alternative.
"Got it," Shade announced, "Ready to open the door on your mark."
Macen aimed his pistol at the door. Rockford knelt onto one knee and did the same, "Mark."
The door slid open but showed an empty room awaiting them. The couple entered, checking corners and finally arriving at the center of the main room aiming their phasers at the hallway and kitchen entrance. Lee and Shade joined them. Mudd Kenra came out of the kitchen with a piece of fruit which she dropped when confronted by four people with phasers aimed at her.
"Don't think about it," Rockford advised," Step this way. Very slowly. Then take two fingers and remove your phaser from its holster."
Mudd Kenra knew the drill and complied. Rockford continued, "Now for the rest of your weapons."
Lee pulled his tricorder out and scanned Mudd Kenra, "She's fully loaded."
Mudd Kenra sighed and began stripping herself of all the weapons that were hidden on her person. A neat pile formed just out of her reach as she tossed each one aside. Finally, she ran out of objects to throw.
"She's clean," Lee announced.
"Not yet," Rockford warned them, "The derringer."
Mudd Kenra's eyes went wide at hearing those words. Rockford pressed the issue, "Drop your pants and undergarments and retrieve the derringer."
"And don't bother pleading embarrassment," Shade added.
Mudd Kenra complied and reached into her vagina and pulled out a small container which she threw to the side. It popped open to reveal a "cricket" Type I phaser, "Harri's been teaching you my tricks?"
"It came in use one time when she rescued me when she herself was also being held prisoner," Rockford explained, "I never forgot that her father taught her the trick."
"And we share the same father," Mudd Kenra acknowledged, "He'll never forgive her."
"I don't think she's still on speaking terms with him anyway," Lee cautioned Mudd Kenra. He holstered his phaser and withdrew a hypospray looking device and approached, "Arm."
"Why?" the Bajoran was suspcious.
"Inoculation of a sort," He injected the isolinear tag, "She's tagged and bagged."
"Copy that," Smith replied.
Mudd Kenra felt the familiar sensation of annular containment beam, "Now wait just a damn minute!"
She reappeared inside the Corsair facing Smith with her phaser drawn, "Conscious or not, you'll end up in our brig."
"I'm going," Mudd Kenra said sullenly. The Ardanan stayed clear of any potential rush the Bajoran could make at. The brig module was obvious since it contained the only open door.
"Inside," Smith ordered. She activated the force field after Mudd Kenra was forced back to the bulkhead, "Have an unpleasant day."
Smith returned to the aft module where Kerber and she had their portable computers set up. Kerber smirked, "Any trouble?"
"She knows she's out of options," Smith replied.
"She'll be Jelena and Abby's headache once we return to the ship," Kerber chuckled, "Meanwhile, let's give Arianna and Tracy permission to move on for now."
"Have them move back towards us so Okona will follow them here," Smith advised.
"Sneaky, Princess," Kerber jested.
"For the last time, I was never a princess," Smith sighed.
"For all intents and purposes, you set to inherit our planet's throne. Technically you could be called a princess," Kerber sniffed.
"Now I'm a fugitive just like you. So I won't be inheriting anything," Maarta reminded Anara of their fate awaiting them on Ardana IV. The death sentence they'd been given had driven them off of their home world and caused them to adopt their current aliases.
"I'm cuing up Tracy and Arianna," Kerber gave them their instructions.
They materialized on the two transporter pads the runabout had. Forte drew her phaser, "Inside, idiot."
Mudd Kenra's hopes of liberation faded as Okona was marched into the small one-man brig that they now shared, "You moron."
"She just walked up and grabbed me," Okona shrugged.
Ebert was next to be transported aboard, "Well?"
"The situation is well under control," Smith promised her.
"The brat ran rogue," Ebert complained.
"But it worked," Forte sing-songed as she made her way back to the transporter.
"Lucky for you," Ebert returned to the cockpit.
"Good work," Smith told Forte as she returned to the aft cabin. Forte manned the transporter now.
"Okona has been captured," Kerber told Macen.
"Copy that. We're pulling out. Standby to initiate phased transports.
"We have troops marching towards this building," Burrows warned them, "They're wearing Grimes Armaments livery."
"Transport Burrows and Daggit first," Rockford instructed Forte.
"They're aboard," she replied.
"Next take Lee and Shade," Rockford continued.
"I have them as well," Forte replied.
"Now grab us," Rockford ordered.
Macen and Rockford found themselves aboard the runabout with Forte grinning like the proverbial Cheshire, "Everyone's aboard."
Macen headed for the cockpit while Rockford thanked her seemingly youngest employee. Macen arrived to find Daggit and Burrows at the aft stations while he took OPS beside Ebert at CONN, "Request a launch window."
"Angelique and Bailey already cleared us one," Ebert replied, "They said Grimes' personal guards were headed for your location as well as this spaceport."
"Then we launch," Macen grinned.
The Corsair easily slipped by the War Profits. The Baroness, seeking to tie up loose ends, had her guards searching for Mudd Kenra and Okona. The runabout swiftly docked aboard the Obsidian where Kovic and Collins personally took custody of Mudd Kenra and Okona. The SID team returned to their usual places aboard the ship.
Forger had the surveyor beyond the yacht's precision sensor range but well within the science vessel's enhanced sensors, "I wonder how long she'll wait it out."
"She'll figure out someone nabbed them when she stakes out both ships and the apartment and comes up empty," Jones told her, "Then Baroness Estella Grimes will head for her spider hole."
"Her what?" Forger asked.
"Grimes Armaments maintains an asteroid fortress inside the Nimbus system. She could fend off a small squadron of ships from there even without her armed yacht being involved," Jones shared.
"And you know this how?" Forger asked.
"I did a few supply runs smuggling personnel to the asteroid. Grimes herself handled the ordnance with her yacht," Jones answered, "Construction was done while Federation, Klingon, and Romulan officials were distracted by infrastructure improvements on Nimbus III donated by Grimes Armaments."
"The 'Planet of Universal Peace' was built up by a weapons company?" Forger scoffed.
"The real rulers of Nimbus III is the Orion Syndicate. The governments that co-sponsor the planet lost control of it after Sybok's rebellion," Jones shrugged, "So why is a weapons manufacturer hiding their own project in the system by building new colonial settlements on a planet utterly lacking in them other than Paradise City a surprise?"
"I thought the governments supplied troops and patrols to the area," Forger confessed.
"You're think back to 2266 when the project began. Everyone pulled their troops out a few years later when they began fighting amongst themselves," Jones grimly chuckled, "Even the diplomatic delegations were withdrawn after the Romulans pulled their ambassador out after the Khitomer attack."
"You seem to know a lot about Nimbus III," Forger observed.
"I've done my share of time their evading the law," Jones admitted, "Stay on the Orion Syndicate capo's good side and you have free rein of the planet."
"How long will Grimes tear apart Felkor looking for Okona and Mudd Kenra?" Forger asked.
"Depends on how badly Grimes wants them dead," Jones stated.
"It's been a week, how long can they ransack a planet before they're kicked off world?"
Forger complained. The Obsidian had idly remained in orbit of the gas giant while the War Profits continued to send teams down to Felkor looking for Okona and Mudd Kenra. The entire crew was bored stiff.
"The bigger question is: why are we still here?" Jones lamented, "We have them both yet we're waiting around in the same star system as a woman obsessed with finding them and killing them?"
"As per Starfleet's request apparently," Forger had been briefed by Macen on the issue, "Starfleet wants to be informed the minute the War Profits re-enters Federation space."
"Even Grimes stoned out of her mind isn't that stupid," Jones snorted.
"They're breaking orbit," Zimbalist sounded relieved.
"Course heading?" Forger straightened her slouch in her seat out.
"Deeper into the Beta Quadrant with a heading that puts them on course for the Delta Quadrant border," Zimbalist told her.
"Aglaia, stay just on the edge of our sensor range," Forger began issuing orders, "Galen 3, alert us to any possible aspect change or change in speed."
"They've gone to Warp 6," Zimbalist announced.
"Inside an inner system?" Jones remarked, "She must've really pissed of the Magistrate."
"Aglaia, lay in that pursuit course," Forger instructed.
"And now we're doing it too," Jones chuckled.
"If her hideout is in the other side of the Beta Quadrant, why head for the Delta Quadrant?" Forger wondered.
"The straightest shot is through either Klingon or Romulan territory," Jones explained, "Both are no-go options. She edges towards the galactic edge and she has to travel near Gorn or Metron territory to avoid Federation space. And the Federation and Klingons claim most of the territories leading to the Nimbus system from that approach. But if she skirts the Border Zone, she'll come near Deep Spaces Five, Four, and Three in that order but she can stay inside neutral territory or the Border Zone itself."
"Wouldn't that piss off the Romulans?" Miller asked.
"The former Neutral Zone was a haven for outlaws escaping both the Star Empire and the Federation. It also invited smugglers that traded goods from one civilization to the other," Jones told her.
"I think you just explained your familiarity with the area," Forger said dryly.
"My entire crew were considered outlaws by the Federation and the Cardassians even after the war ended," Jones was bitter, "Looking for legitimate work was nearly impossible. So we worked the fringes of polite society and fed their vices."
"Yet, your crew eventually retired," Forger reminded her.
"They adopted new aliases and paired off with each other or relative strangers we'd met along the way," Jones told her, "I sold our ship for scrap and the registration to the consortium that became Captain Wei's crew."
"But you got bored and ended up at an Outbound Ventures recruiting drive," Forger knew from pasty conversations.
"Macen was hiring ex-Maquis so I thought maybe we could bury the past and I could eventually get a new command," Jones replayed the pertinent part of those conversations.
"Yet you've turned down two independent command offers since signing up," Jones reminded her.
"They were standard commands. The SID units are where the action is," Jones told her, "Besides, I haven't felt like a crew was home since everyone retired until now. If that means I stay an exec, then I stay an exec for now."
"Aw, we love you too," Miller rejoined the conversation.
"We're beyond their sensor range but at the edge of ours," Galen 3 interrupted.
"Aglaia, set course and speed at present cruising levels," Forger told the CONN Officer.
"They're cruising at a leisurely Warp 6," Aglaia replied, "We could match them at this rate until they arrive wherever."
"Do it," Forger told her, "Now we wait and see where Grimes will head to next."
"And if she actually heads into the Delta Quadrant?" Zimbalist asked.
"Then I'm interrupting Macen's talks with my sister," Forger vowed.
The War Profits did enter the Border Zone to avoid Starfleet's patrols around Deep Space Five. It remained there passing Deep Space Four and only left before coming upon the Starfleet Watch Stations built along the Border Zone separating the Star Empire and Federation space. There, most of the star systems, though contacted by the Federation, remained neutral or had joined the Iotian Federation.
Macen and Rockford entered the bridge to confer with Forger and Jones in the Captain's Ready Room. Macen began the conversation, "I've been keeping Starfleet apprised of our progress. Grimes has made a strategic mistake. Rather than pay off the warlords near the Qiris Sector, she's entered Iotian Federation space."
"How is that problem?" Jones asked, "I used to traverse the Iotian territory all the time after paying a toll."
"Oxmyx placed a bounty on Grimes' head," Rockford explained, "Brin has kept in touch with Captain Mirita. While we've been cruising through the Border Zone, the ISS Kelly has been racing her way home. Mirita has a coalition of interested captains who will assist her in capturing Grimes before she reaches the Nimbus system. All for a commission, of course."
"Where will the intercept occur?" Forger asked.
"Just beyond Deep Space Three's jurisdiction," Macen told them, "We're invited as observers to make certain the Federation's sensibilities aren't offended by the Iotian Starfleet's method of persuading Grimes' crew into handing her over."
"They just want Grimes?" Jones asked.
"The Iotians only want the Baroness herself. The crew will be free to go wherever they like. Of course, they'll still be facing prosecution in the Federation for aiding and abetting violations of the Prime Directive," Rockford told them, "So they'll probably strike out on their own with Grimes' yacht."
"They could hire on with the Orions," Jones chuckled, "Plenty of Syndicate operators would love to have the War Profits as their own."
"So how soon will this capture be occurring?" Forger asked.
"Any time now," Macen advised her, "Afterwards, we set course for DS3 to transfer our prisoners off to Starfleet custody."
"Jelena and Abby will be eternally grateful," Jones chuckled.
"After that, we sail for home," Rockford breathed a sigh of relief. She hated starships. Her entire life, she'd been delivered to one conflict or another aboard troop transports and other starships. The antipathy she felt towards them had never eased. She could forgive Serenity Station for being in space because it was immobile.
Forger's comm badge chirped, "Forger here."
"Captain, we were just buzzed by several Iotian Starfleet ships at high warp," Miller reported to her as the acting bridge officer.
"We're coming out," Forger replied. The quartet exited the Ready Room, "Slow to Warp 1 and stay just within sensor range. We're in for a show."
"The Iotians have intercepted the War Profits," Galen 3 reported, "They're all dropping out of warp."
"Bring us to full impulse," Forger decided.
"I'm picking up bits of chatter between the ISS Kelly and the War Profits' captain. Captain Mirita has ordered them to surrender Baroness Grimes," Zimbalist told everyone, "She's threatening to simply blow the ship up."
"They have the firepower to collected together," Miller observed, "But the yacht can still put up a fight."
"And lose horribly," Jones scoffed.
"The War Profits is signaling back. They're surrendering Baroness Grimes," Zimbalist told everyone.
"So what happens to her now?" Agalaia asked.
"She faces whatever the Iotians call justice these days," Macen replied, "Now it's none of our concern and we can report to Deep Space Three for a prisoner transfer."
"But what about the yacht and her crew?" Zimbalist wondered, "We've followed them for weeks now."
"They've become Starfleet's problem," Rockford told him, "The Iotians took the death penalty off the table to negotiate Grimes' capture with Federation officials. The Iotians don't care about Prime Directive violations so the crew is free to go. Starfleet will monitor their progress and if they re-enter the Federation or go into Klingon space, they'll be captured and remanded over for trial."
"So what will the Iotians charge her with?" Galen 3 was the only one to ask.
"Probably nothing," Jones told him, "They don't have formal courts. The Familias took a hit in business profits when Grimes muscled in on the Avanti and persuaded them to cut the Iotians out. That's why they'll imprison her."
"And the Amari continued to reject Iotian overtures until the Federation Council recognized them as a Protectorate state," Macen was pleased to inform them, "Starfleet will begin patrolling the Algona Sector with the oversight of Amari security as their priority. They'll also bring a halt to the Avanti invasions and begin mediating their withdrawal from under-developed worlds."
"And the Iotian starships the Avanti purchased?" Aglaia was the one to ask.
"Impounded by Starfleet on the Amari's behalf. The Avanti retain their domestically produced transports but their relatively advanced starships won't be returned to them until they themselves reach a comparable tech level," Macen explained.
"Starfleet patrols will insure that the Avanti don't simply return to the planets they invaded and withdrew from," Rockford was the one to share.
"Since the invaded planets now have confirmation of alien life, will Starfleet send representatives down to them?" Miller inquired, "After all, they did buy Grimes armaments."
"Starfleet will assign cultural observers to the planets," Macen sighed, "Their orders will be to watch and record but to interfere in local developments like John Gill did on Ekos."
"Or how the USS Archon destroyed native development on Beta III or how the Iotians were restructured after being left a single book intended as a gift to instill a moral lesson on Sigma Iotia II," Rockford reminded everyone of pre-Prime Directive developments from the United Earth Starfleet, "The Iotians took a moral lesson. It just wasn't the one intended for them."
"So we set course for DS3?" Forger wanted to confirm their orders.
"Captain Reyes and his Security staff are expecting us," Macen reassured her.
"Will we be granting shore leaves?" Jones hoped for it.
"We're not even docking with the station," Macen let her down gently, "The idea is to do a brush pass and head straight for home."
"That sounds even better," Forger agreed.
"After we return to the barn, the Obsidian will go to the dock yards for a complete refit," Macen told them the plan, "Tom Eckles promised me it would take two weeks to overhaul the ship's systems. Meanwhile, Chef will resupply the galley and Tessa's medical supplies will be restocked. Our antimatter and deuterium fuel supplies will also be refilled along with photon torpedo replenishment and phaser coil replacements to go along with new shield emitters."
"What about a new paint job?" Forger teased.
"Hull plating will be examined and replaced as necessary," Macen promised, "So yes, we'll even get a new paint job"
"All in two weeks?" Jones marveled.
"Eckles and Darcy made their living after leaving the Maquis running an illegal shipyard between Kalendra II and Kalendra IV. So they know their stuff," Rockford added.
"Brush pass it is," Forger sounded grateful.
"I'll confirm with Captain Reyes that we're finally on our way," Macen told the crew as he and Rockford headed for the turbolift.
"Are you certain I can't persuade you to stay?" Reyes inquired over the comm screen in Macen's office, "Laren will be upset that she missed you."
Ro had made DS3 her unofficial headquarters so she could maintain proximity with Reyes as their relationship deepened and bloomed. Macen shook his head, "Laren isn't even aboard right now."
"But she's due back in thirty hours. Don't leave me facing her alone," Reyes pleaded.
"A Nova-class starship like this one is designed for thirty-day deployments or less. We've been out here for longer than that and my SID team was deployed on the Solstice leading up to the Obsidian's current assignment. So we all need to get home ASAP," Macen convinced Reyes, "It makes one understand the desperation of the USS Equinox crew a little more when you've served aboard a ship of this class a little longer."
"Understood. But if Ro buries me alive, it's your fault," Reyes jested.
"Keep me posted," Macen told him, "If I don't hear from you in the next seventy-two hours, I'll signal Starfleet Command to perform a wellness check to look for your body."
"They'll never find it," Reyes only half-joked, "Starfleet trained her too well for them to ever find the evidence of my murder. And her time with the Maquis and the Bajoran Militia only drove those lessons home."
"I know. I was there with her," Macen reminded him, "But I'll remember you fondly."
"Thanks for nothing," Reyes mock grumbled as he signed off.
"Captain Forger, we can depart for Serenity now," he informed her.
"Thank God," Forger replied.
Macen and Rockford were surprised to discover Neela had a crew for the Razor's Edge now and the Ark of the Prophets had been reclaimed by the Militia. They'd been back aboard Serenity for less than thirty minutes when Captain Riker and Danan dropped by their quarters and delivered that bombshell.
"According to Frinks, Neela seems quite content with the new situation. She's even taken the ship and crew out for a new mission," Danan gushed.
"How are Captain Gellar and the Legacy Fleet faring?" Rockford asked.
"They're being brought home for refits and Captain Kirk and the Enterprize along with them," Riker answered, "Chris Kirk proved himself on his very first mission."
"So did every member of the Legacy Fleet that was there beside Gellar," Macen reminded Riker, "That action at Waypoint and beyond it settled any doubts we could've had about those commanding officers."
"Simona Seles is still a thorn in everyone's side. But she's damned effective on her own," Danan admitted.
"I was more worried about our new commanders of pre-refit Asia-class starships but each one seems to be capable even with an older light cruiser," Riker stated.
"Anyone have any idea when Starfleet will allow us to pick up new acquisitions from their decommissioning yards?" Danan asked.
"Tyrol isn't cluing me in of when to assemble skeleton crews for the jobs," Riker shared his frustration.
"Kathy may not know yet," Macen referred back to his chosen CEO, "This business with Solarian taints Starfleet's sales of its older starships even to security contractors and colonial planets."
"We're doing fine corporate-wide with only a handful of ships designed after 2293 but the bulk of operations are performed by older model starships. Now you even have ships designed before 2245 in the field," Riker reminded Macen, "They may assigned to grunt work but as your last assignment went, you can see how grunt work can spiral into a major conflict."
"But the individual captains involved inspired their crews to excel beyond their starships' limited capabilities," Macen replied, "They almost had Solarian beaten by the time we arrived on the scene at Amar."
"The fact that Boromov threw away the law book on his first outing as Solarian CEO and got into partnership playing both sides of conflicts created by his warp capable clients in violating the Prime Directive and invading worlds ineligible for first contact and arming the native to fight their own clients was classic Boromov," Rockford told them, "Pytor Boromov made his fortune gunrunning and supplying terror groups, insurgents, and insurrectionists with arms. Which is how he got into the metaphorical bed with Estella Grimes."
"Why the Iotians?" Danan asked, "Why not let Baroness Grimes face Federation justice?"
"Because Grimes was arrested for collaborating with the Dominion during the war yet the Federation looked the other way in exchange for arms contracts on favorable terms. The Iotians see her as a business rival to be removed. The Federation Diplomatic Corps worked overtime hours to insure Grimes wouldn't be executed but she's still being held at an undisclosed location," Macen told them, "Maybe she'll be able to eventually ransom herself the way Gomer did. But if she reasserts herself in control of Grimes Armaments, which the Federation has appointed a corporate overseer for the company, we'll see how far Federation justice stretches."
"How did Grimes Armaments become so vital to the Federation?" Danan asked. None of her symbiot's previous hosts knew the answer either.
"Starfleet effectively designs most of Grimes' weaponry and ordnance but its cheaper to have Grimes Armaments mass produce them then build their own," Rockford explained, "There are other companies that build them as well but Grimes has a near monopoly on photon and quantum torpedoes," Macen helped her explain.
"And then they have their own R&D which develops weapons and specialized equipment for entities such Federation Security. Most of Federation Security's starships and auxiliary craft are built by Grimes Armaments," Rockford picked up the trail again.
"So, being in a leveraged position, Grimes can set the terms for her parole and rehabilitation that the courts assign her for dallying with the Dominion and now the Avanti," Macen said with disgust.
"So much for the ideal that all citizens are equal before the law," Riker grumbled.
"Grimes has bullied, threatened, and litigated herself out potential indictments, prosecutions of indictments, and even one sentencing," Rockford listed off Estella Grimes' legal resume, "She literally has never been held accountable for a single misdeed. And she learned it all from her father and his favorite legal fixer."
"So now we'll see how she fares under the Iotian Federation's Familias' code of justice," Macen told them.
"Now I understand why you arranged her capture by the Iotians," Danan admitted.
"Besides, we collectively owed Captain Mirita one," Riker decided the matter settled, "With Starfleet back in the Protectorate game, we've more work than ever."
"How so?" Rockford was puzzled.
"Starfleet makes first contact and offers Protectorate status, then sails off and hires us to defend and patrol those star systems and sectors," Riker explained to her, "And they'll only assign such missions to SID vetted captains and crews. And with the exploration efforts back underway looking for new allies, they're making a lot of first contacts. We're receiving our first contracts from Starfleet to operate in the Gamma Quadrant."
"At least you'll have the Colonial Defense Forces to back you up," Macen told him, "Colonel Anara feels indebted to us just for doing our jobs."
"Brin, you've steered the company into going out of its way to support Bajor and its colonies at cost," Danan accused, "The Bajorans appreciate that but its time they repaid us a bit."
"It's a good thing the Militia built Waypoint Station so everyone has a toehold to check back in with," Rockford was grateful for the strategic insight, "Starfleet never considered building a starbase there."
"There are still no Federation colonies in the Gamma Quadrant but they've started offering Protectorate status to newly discovered worlds and coalitions," Riker told her, "They hand that job off to us so logistics and support aren't their first priority. Maintaining the detente with the Dominion and looking for buffer states should the Dominion bypass the Wormhole and send out forces equipped with cloning vats to replenish Vorta and Jem'Hadar forces on a seventy thousand light year trek across the Gamma and Alpha Quadrants to engage the Federation again."
"Don't mind him," Danan said, "He's getting cynical in his old age."
"It's the Demilitarized Zone all over again. These people groups are cannon fodder for the Dominion to exhaust themselves against while we get advanced warning from the Bajorans and their, what, eight Gamma Quadrant colonies?" Riker asked.
"Nine," Macen corrected him, "The Bajorans are resettling New B'Hala beside Ascendant colonists chosen to unite the faith in the Prophets."
"You think Ghemor has really changed?" Danan inquired.
"She put her life on the line for us," Rockford told them, "And she did it up against Bajorans. That kind of theological rift was supposed to be cured. But the Vedek Assembly's demand to take possession of the Orb of the Kosst Amojan against the express wishes of the Bajoran Emissary, the Kai, and the hand of the Prophets didn't stand a chance of being violated when it met the Emissary to the Ascendancy. Fortunately, only a few of Anara's starships opened fire so those officers will be disciplined for disobeyed Anara's express orders not to fire unless fired upon."
"The Assembly really threatened the Colonial Defense Forces with excommunication from the faith if they refused to obey their directive?" Danan was appalled.
"Something that hadn't been done to a Bajoran believer since before the Occupation," Macen confirmed it, "Faith is a powerful thing. Now the Vedek Assembly has learned how to weaponize it"
"As if the lessons of Winn Adami had never been learned," Danan snorted.
"I think they were learned all too well," Riker commented.
"And there's the truth," Macen said, "Before Winn, Opaka had united the faith's factions into a cohesive Vedek Assembly and a unitarian public faith. But Winn used her position for corporeal ends rather than spiritual ones. But she employed spiritual weapons to make earthly gains. Now, the Assembly has learned that they can do the same over the heads of their spiritual leaders as long as they're united between themselves."
"But what about what the Prophets want?" Rockford asked, "Isn't that their shtick?"
"They speak for the Prophets. Each and every one of them. If they can form a consensus, obviously it's what the Prophets want," Macen explained, "It's a corruption at the very root of the faith. A doctrine that promotes the idea of infallibility. Next the Orders will begin to believe they're more infallible than the others and in-fighting begins that leads to religious wars. Which weakened Bajor to the point that the Cardassians were initially welcomed to Bajor as mediators. Enslavement followed and the Bajorans purified their faith once more. Now, we have to see if they follow that pattern again."
"The reason we were brought here," Rockford said what everyone was thinking.
"One of them," Macen said, "We've already fulfilled tasks for the Prophets and Bajor. There will be more after this crisis of faith but this is the next step."
"No wonder you were at the heart of the Orb fiasco," Riker realized, "The plan was for you to destroy it as an outsider unaffected by religious threats."
"And Neela took care of the last of the Pah-wraiths imprisoned in physical vessels," Macen shared, "That's why she gathered a crew to begin with. I'm glad for her that they stayed on. Hers was a lonely mission. She needs the support and the company for what lies ahead."
"I never told you about Neela's claim to have killed the last of the potentially freeable Pah-wraiths," Riker said.
"We check in with each other from time to time," Macen shared.
"It's very hush-hush. The Militia doesn't know it. I doubt Neela's told anyone other than Anara. I knew but I guess we're sharing now," Rockford told them.
"You're in the loop of the big picture now," Macen stated, "You deserved to know."
"So any word on what kind of ships Tyrol is buying for us from Starfleet?" Riker decided the mood had gotten too grim so it was time for lighter fare.
"Starfleet offered us upgraded Excelsior- and Miranda-class ships but we have enough of those already and upgrade them ourselves. Kathy is trying to compete with others to get early and mid-24th Century model starships. But there's a waiting list and Amanda is trying to get us at the head of the list," Macen mentioned Admiral Forger.
"But they already gave us more modern ships," Danan replied.
"And there's the problem. They're allocated in allotments. Everyone wants the newest ships so Starfleet doles them out in allotments of so many ships depending upon need. We received an allotment so we're back at the bottom of the list working our way back to our turn," Macen explained the procurement process, "Amanda is trying to by-pass the system and have Starfleet dole out the oldest ships first to everyone but us."
"Considering the raw volume of contracts being offered to us by Starfleet I would think that's a no-brainer," Riker was insulted.
"For a reasonable mind it is. But Starfleet Command created the situation by which they need us to take these contracts but they also don't us to have them," Rockford explained the politics, "We've offended a swathe of admirals and command-level officers by being too successful. They feel Starfleet itself is threatened by our ongoing operations and growth. Institutional paranoia can be a powerful thing especially when it was ingrained into everyone under Admiral Clancy's watch as Fleet Commander."
"Then there's our connection and reliance upon the Iotian Starfleet," Macen shared next, "The Iotians have set themselves up as an attractive alternative to the modern Starfleet. Another situation they created but they're losing credibility to worlds out there. Worlds that are turning to the simplicity of demands from the Iotian Federation. Starfleet Command strongly disapproves rather than strategically thinking that we're in a position to influence Oxmyx, Kracko, and the Familias."
"A backdoor channel," Riker grinned at the audacity of it.
"An unofficial line of communication, or so this idiot explained it to me," Rockford shared Riker's mirth.
"So now we're in a position to sway the Bajoran Republic and Iotian Federation," Danan mused, "Maybe this is all why we were brought here together. Not just to replay history as we knew it but to shift key events occurring now so we can avoid all the tragedies that we lived through."
"I'm a believer," Riker toasted them.
They shared his toast. Macen looked perplexed, "It's no coincidence that Alynna, Amanda, and Bob were all chosen from Starfleet's Admiralty. Or that Elias and Laren represent a connection to Starfleet along with Jim and the Intrepid crew. Just like it was no accident that Cell 51 rose to threaten the Federation after we came and the SID was formed. The lynch pin in this is Neela."
"How so?" Riker was curious as to whatt Macen was thinking.
"We were both there there with Ro and Anara when Neela was taken by the Prophets into the Celestial Temple. We all went forward but Neela gets returned ten years later not having aged a day. She was shown things, things that have unfolded and have yet to unfold. But Bajor's security is still threatened and she was placed here with us to solve those threats," Macen told them, "Just as we're meant to help her."
"Which is why you devote corporate resources towards her missions," Danan understood now, "Because the Prophets have you shown you things that you've never shared with us."
"He barely shared them with me," Rockford admitted, "And I'm the last person who will ever understand what it was they shared with him."
"Bajor's reached a vital crossroads and so have we," Macen told them all.
"How does that get us newer ships?" Riker asked.
"Tom!" Danan punched his shoulder.
The fact that we sided with Bajor during the war with them poisons the minds of Clancy's allies," Macen told Riker, "The fact that we supported the investigations into her poisons them. The fact that we just proved Solarian is criminal, yet again, poisons them. So, point in fact, we were lucky to get the ships we received,."
"But we can't fill all the contract requests that we're getting from Starfleet. And it isn't a personnel recruitment problem. It's a simple matter of not having enough starships," Riker bemoaned.
"And you think that's accidental?" Macen scoffed.
"Is this him whining?" Rockford asked Danan.
"Yes," she answered.
"No," he hotly protested.
"You are," Macen confirmed it.
"You're simply outvoted, dear," Danan playfully cuffed him upside the head.
"The problem isn't going away," Riker had to take a final stand.
"Amanda will recruit Bob and he'll apply the infamous 'Johnson touch' to the situation and we'll receive more ships," Macen promised, "Meanwhile, Caity Floss is putting applicants on a waiting list."
"Let's talk Amanda and Bob," Danan suggested, "Is there an Amanda and Bob?"
"Yes," Rockford opined.
"Not yet," Macen countered.
"There is, they just won't admit it yet," Rockford rolled her eyes.
"She's the trained investigator," Danan laughed.
"Admitting they have an attraction is just the first hurdle. They're both admirals in Starfleet. Amanda is headquartered on Earth while Bob hops around the galaxy putting out political fires aboard the Intrepid. Absence doesn't necessarily make the heart grow fonder," Macen warned everyone.
"It's true that happened between us, but Amanda and Bob are working passed their work schedules to make a go of it," Danan retorted back at him.
"Ouch. She just played the ex- card on you," Riker winced.
"We had a complicating factor. So do Bob and Amanda. It's called Starfleet," Macen replied.
"Ours was named T'Kir. Then you factor in the end of the Maquis and the Dominion War. Bob reports back to Starfleet Command regularly and when he does he makes a point of dropping by London to see Amanda," Danan shot back at him.
"They can do this for hours," Riker lamented.
Rockford blew a whistle between her fingers, "Time out! Tom raised a good point. The company needs more ships. If Starfleet can't, or won't, provide them then we have to outsource...again."
"Which will only further complicate our relationship with Starfleet Command," Macen groaned.
"I know they're our single biggest and wealthiest client, but we expand or die because of we can't fill contract needs, they'll pull our retainer and revoke all our contracts," Rockford advised him, "This way we can't point out it was their own fault we turned back to the Iotians."
"I hope you're this persuasive when we confront the Vedek Assembly," Macen said.
"You think it will come to that?" Danan asked.
"I know Captain Sisko and Kai Tila will ask us to eventually after a series of religiously inspired acts of terror occur. We'll be the 'impartial' third party brought in to investigate. And the blame will fall on the Vedek Assembly. We have to prepare for that day," Macen warned them.
"I hate religious extremists," Rockford grumbled.
"Then why did you marry one?" Danan asked.
"I overlook the fact because despite it, he's my best friend," Rockford confessed, "That and the emotional cascade during sex."
"I know!" Danan enthused, "Mind blowing isn't it?"
"I'm sitting right here," Riker reminded her.
"You can almost be mind blowing at times too," Danan consoled him.
"I refuse to dignify that remark," Riker stated.
"Which is why I love you," Danan kissed him with a fervor that startled Riker.
"We might have to leave early," he warned Macen and Rockford.
"Go forth and make babies," Macen proclaimed.
"See you tomorrow," Rockford wouldn't stop smirking.
"You really think all of that will happen?" Rockford asked her husband after the other couple departed.
"I know it will. The Prophets showed it to Neela. She shared it with me," he sighed.
"Couldn't they be wrong, just once?" she wondered.
"They exist outside of space-time. Our tomorrow and our past is all their present which why their Emissaries' prophecies seemed so jumbled. They were shown events out of sequence because until they met Sisko they didn't understand we exist in linear time. Now that they understand the concept, they framed events in such a way that Neela could prepare for them. And prepare us," Macen explained it again.
"I know we've discussed it before but I keep hoping the answer will have changed," Rockford sighed.
Their door chime resounded. Both of them looked mystified. Macen rose to answer, "I wonder who would be at this hour."
The door slid open to reveal Neela standing outside looking worried, "Have you been watching the news?"
"When did you get in?" Macen asked.
"We returned early. I was on my way to my quarters when I received a subspace message from Anara. There's been a bombing in the capital. The monastery of a religious order was the taregt," Neela warned him.
"The Obsidian is undergoing repairs," Macen told her, "We could still take the Solstice to Bajor."
"Hold the fort! We haven't even been asked to look into this yet," Rockford reminded them both.
"You will be by tomorrow. Can your team be ready by then?" Neela asked, "My crew will join you and together we can ferret out which Orders are involved. We can't let Bajor fall into sectarianism again. We can't!"
Neela's desperation broke Rockford's heart, "I'll alert my people. We'll need them for an active investigation."
"I'll summon the others and get us underway," Macen promised.
"Meanwhile, we need to alert Korepanova and Noble in Ops that we're taking the ship without Chris' crew," Rockford told him, "They'll be in the way more than help this time."
"My crew is already assembling at the shuttle to the drydock," Neela told them, "I'll see you all there."
"So much for time off," Rockford grimaced.
The comm panel began chirping. The official seal of the Bajoran Militia was emblazoned on it. Macen eyed Rockford, "And now it becomes official."
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