Angels & Demons

Events from the 'Lost Fleet' onwards and the search for a stolen vessel

Part 1: One Of Our Starships Is Missing

Number 3 Decommissioning and Storage Facility
Mid-March 2401

Things never happened at Number 3 Facility; nothing of note at least.  It was one of several graveyards for old ships; a last resting place for old workhorses of the fleet, battered defenders of the Federations borders and noble explorers.  This was the place ships came to die, though to be honest that was a little harsh; a number of these vessels would get a second chance; called back into service or possible heading into private hands.  For the rest it was spare parts and recycling.

So it was a huge surprise when Commander Hars Bilwat, the facilities Bolian head of operations received a priority message from the Forth Fleet, requesting that any and all vessels currently stored there, that could be made operational; should be prepared and made ready for departure once crews had been assembled. 

To say the Commander was a little shocked; may have been regarded as an understatement.  His skin, never all that dark to begin with; was now about two shades lighter.  He’d been told by his superiors back at Starfleet Command, that everything was fine and Task Group 514 had everything under control.  But the tone of the message he’d just read, painted a much darker and more deadly picture.  It was time to act; even if Fleet Admiral Ramar was over reacted to the situation; Bilwat felt he couldn’t afford to take that chance. After all, the Admiral was a fellow Bolian. 

Poking his head out of the office door, the Commander instructed his Deputy to contact all Team Leaders, and have them attend an emergency meeting in one hour from now, in the stations main conference room. 

            **********

Just less than one hour later Commander Bilwat was sat at the top of a large horseshoe shaped, black table, which dominated most of the conference room.  The room itself; was stark and featureless, much like the table.  The carpet; a dark grey, had clearly seen better days and the wall though in light grey; looked in need of some attention.  A couple of Rubber plants and a Fern like plant from the Bolian home world; sat in pots and made a poor showing of brightening up the room.

Bilwat cradled a partially consumed cup of iced Raktajino, when the four team leaders arrived; two of them human; an Andorian, and a Saurian.  Each of them grabbed a drink from the replicator, before taking a seat around the outer edge of the table.  By habit they all sat to the Commanders left; the side of his good eye. 

“So what’s the panic?”Green asked; the female red head and younger of the two humans now present. “You hate meetings at the best of times.” Her comment was light hearted the grin that followed broad. 

The Bolian, leaned forward, placing the cup down carefully. “I’ve had an emergency request from the Forth Fleet, to get what ships we can, operational.”

The four individuals looked at each other, attempting to gauge one another’s reactions; whilst trying to process the news in their own minds. 

“Why?” Was the Andorian’s simple reply; followed by nods of agreement from the rest.

“It would appear, we are potential at war.”  Bilwat let that part sink in for a moment.  “With a very large and powerful Dominion fleet.”

“I thought all that was over and dealt with years ago?”  The calm monotone voice of Brixx came from the far end.  The Saurian blinked twice. “That what we faced now was a minor boarder dispute with a few Breen.” 

“So did everyone else. Or at least that’s what they keep saying.” Bilwat replied solemnly.  The Commander pasted out a Padd to each of them; which they all scanned briefly.  “I’ve give you each a set of vessels to check over.  Take your teams, give the ships the once over and assess what could be up and running in say three to four days.” 

“Any other criteria?”   Kavas, the Andorian, asked.

“Just; that they will need to be fully mobile and combat ready.” Bilwat stated.  “Oh, and assume they’ll operating with minimal crews.  So take that into account, during your checks” 

As the four team leaders filed back out of the room a few minutes later, the Commander took another sip of his drink, and reflected on the situation.   ‘Would he, or any of those who worked under him, be called to help man those ships; once they were re-activated?’  He hadn’t been on the bridge for nine years; not since the explosion in fact.  The scares were gone, the right eye though; would forever be only a third as good as the left.  It just meant that when reading or focusing on certain objects, it was easier to close it than look at a fuzzy image.  He was used to that though. 

            **********

Commander Bilwat sat next to his Jamaican born Deputy; waiting for the first of the reports to come back from his Team Leaders.  He’d been there, an hour at most.  It just seemed much longer.  Eventually, though the information started to filter back from the various teams dotted around the yard, as they reported their initial findings. 

“This is team one.” That was the voice of Kavas coming loud and clear. “That Miranda-class you asked my team to look at.  No go on the Deflector Dish I’m afraid.” 

“Bailey here.  Sorry to butt in” That was the other human; from the meeting, currently in charge of Team three.  “Our Miranda is too messed up, but we can always try removing its dish and at least get one good ship out of the pair.” 

“Sounds like a viable option.”  The Andorian’s replied promptly.

“Ok then, liaise with each other and see what you can do.” Their Commander instructed. 

Another eight or nine minutes past before the distinct voice of Brixx came out of the speaker.  “Team four here.  We’ve got a Akula-class vessel and an Ambassador-class drive section.  Both are in a fair state.”

Bilwat was about to ask were the aforementioned Ambassador’s saucer section was, when a polite cough from his Deputy brought the attention to the fact, he was currently standing on it.  What had once been the front section of a starship was now the upper half of the space-station. 

“Great work Brixx.” The Bolian simply said.  Ripping the base apart wasn’t really an option, and half a starship was better than nothing.  At least he hoped whoever was coming along to collect them, felt the same way.  That just left Green to report in; she was normally much more prompt, which had the Commander wondering what the issue was.  Her shuttle was floating right next to the vessel first on her list; the stations scanners had every vessel, clearly pinpointed and marked, in fact she could quite possibly be docked with it.  So what was the hold up?

Finally her voice cut through the silence. “Erm, you know that Norway-class you’ve got me looking for.  Well it’s not here!” 

“This is not time for jokes.” Barked Bilwat. “You’re standing right on top of the transponder.  How could you miss the damn think?” 

            ********** 

On board a medium sized shuttle craft, along with the rest of her team, Ensign Hayley Green; was indeed standing right on top of the transponder.  Or more correctly she was holding the device in both hands.  “Your right with what you’re saying Sir.” She answered him calmly. “It’s just a shame it’s no longer attached to the rest of the ship.”

“Please tell me you’re kidding me?”  The Commanders voice sounding like a plea.  When she disconnected the battery pack, it was evident the Bolian had just witnessed a 252 meter long vessel magically disappear from the screen in front of him.  The universal translator elected not to translate the expletive he uttered in his own native tongue, a moment or two later.   

Ensign Green turned to the shuttles pilot. “Ok Jeeves, next stop is an Argonaut-class at Holding Station 27.  So step on the gas.” 

The Berellian sat at the controls of the shuttle had no idea who or what the ‘Jeeves’ was and couldn’t figure out how it would be possible to step on gas.  Some of these humans were far too confusing to understand at times.  Knowing the location of Holding Station 27; wasn’t a problem, however. 

Green took her own seat once more as the ship moved off, placing the now non-functioning transponder down on the deck. “One of our Starships is missing.” She said softly to herself.

Part 2: The Assault On Atracos III

USS Valparaiso / USS San Jacinto
Mid-March 2401

Captain Robert Eglin, sat arms resting on his kneecaps, body hunched forward ever so slightly, eyes gazing at the view screen in front of him as stars streaked past.  “We’re approaching the Atracos system now, Sir.” Came the apprehensive voice of the young officer sat at the helm seat.  Eglin was far from happy with any member of his bridge crew showing the merest hint of fear; fear made people second guess themselves, fear made them slow to react; fear got people killed.  This would be the first chance of combat for many of those currently aboard the Excelsior-class USS Valparaiso, and a while since he himself had got his hands dirty.  So this lot had better book their ideas up, and sharpish.

“Drop us out of warp Mr Taylor.” Eglin ordered in his usual authoritative tone. “Shields up, red alert. Look lively gentlemen.”

The streaks turned into stationary points of light, as the vessel came out of warp along with the rest of the small flotilla he’d been put in charge of;  six vessels, just six of them to retake a planet.  What mad man had thought anyone could pull this little stunt off?  Oh yes, that was right, he’d volunteered; and in doing so committed all those under his command to follow him into battle.  Half of the ships had been brought out of retirement especially for this mission; an Akula, Argonaut and Miranda; all in part manned by individuals from his ship.  It meant that the Valparaiso was understaffed in some areas and his XO was now in charge of one of those ships.  The Commander may have been 44, but this would be her first time actually in charge.  Yes she’d sat in the Captain’s chair many times, but Eglin liked to keep on top of things and make sure the XO did everything his way.  Being away from his guiding hand might result in her having ideas, and good First Officers that didn’t question their superiors’ judgement seemed rather thin on the ground.  No, the faster this mission was resolved and he could his XO back where she belonged, the better.

            **********

The USS San Jacinto was an Argonaut-class; the more combat-oriented version of the Intrepid-class.  It had entered service in 2385, three years after the prototype and some ten years after the Dominion War, for which it had been designed; had ended.  The ship had been in service up until the beginning of the year, so was in a fairly good state and had required very little to get her up and running.  This mission would be the first in which she’d carry a squadron of a dozen Valkyrie-class fighters.  A role, as a carrier she had always been intended to undertake.

Stood next to the captain’s chair, one hand resting on the arm close to the small instrument panel, Commander Mary Anacostia-Bolling; though the majority of those working with her only referred to her by the rank she held on account of the long winded double barrelled surname.  Many had asked why she hadn’t dropped the second part; eleven months in a loveless marriage, to them didn’t seem justification for keeping the man’s name throughout the rest of her adult life.  But she had loved him, that had been the whole point; ok he had faults and found it hard to reciprocate those feeling, but didn’t a lot of man? 

The San Jacinto dropped out of warp just a few seconds after the Valparaiso and off the larger vessels port side. As it did so the Commander signalled to her Flight Control Officer to order the fighter squadron to prepare for launch. 

            **********

In the forward section of the San Jacinto’s vast hanger bay dozens of engineer and technicians darted between the twelve sleek Valkyrie Mark II fighters; as the pilots prepared to climb aboard their respective craft.

The Sun Downer Squadron had been formed during the second half of the Dominion war with the older Peregrine-class fighters; though the name itself; often shown as one word, dated back to the then United States Navy’s involvement in the Second World War and the conflict with Japan.  More than one squadron had carried the name during the 20th Century; most had seen combat in one form or another.  Each of fighters bore a red half circle, with red lines fanning out from its curved edge, like a sun on the horizon; covering the lower half of the wings: reminiscing of the squadron emblem of old.  The Valkyrie was far removed from the Wildcat and Hellcat fighters of its ancestors; but its function was basically the same, engage the enemy and protect the fleet. 

Technicians in coveralls; checked that each pilot was securely strapped in, before climbing down the short ladder and wheeling it away from the craft.  At the controls of Echo Lima 6, Lieutenant Max Beaufort went through his final checks.  The technician gave him a reassuring tap on the shoulder, which the Lieutenant replied with a thumb’s up.  Once the Caitian was clear, Max closed and sealed the cockpit.

“This is Echo Lima One, final com-check.”  The Squadron Leaders announced.  “Report your call signs and status.”

Each of the pilots spoke in turn, like they’d all done a hundred times before, but this time it mattered more than most.  Half way through, it was Beaufort’s turn.  “Echo Lima Six, reading you five by five.  All systems green across the board.  Ready to launch on the third light.”

The third light was in reference to the set of light positioned above the hanger door.  Currently two light showed amber, a signal for all fighters to be ready.  When they turned green for the first time, the leading two Valkyrie would take-off; and the light then briefly change back to amber until they’d made it clean.  So with that in mind Max’s fighter was the third one due to launch from the starboard side.  If a light changed to red; that would signal a problem and an aborted take-off.  No one wanted that to happen, not with the danger that lay ahead.

Time seemed to slow, as Max Beaufort sat in the cockpit of his sleek fighter; finally after what seemed like ages, the light went green and the first two of the Valkyrie Mark II’s raced away.  Moments later the second pair followed them out, and then it was his turn.  The rest of the squadron hot on their heels. 

            **********

Captain Eglin watched as the ships under his command moved into their pre-arranged attack formation; the fighters of the Sun Downer Squadron, now grouped into three ‘flights’ of four craft, took up their positions.  Finally four Runabouts; slotted themselves into the formation.  This was it.

“This is Captain Eglin to all ships.” He addressed everyone, his voice broadcasted to every bridge, engineering room, corridor and cockpit.   “Those people down there need our help.  So don’t let them down, and above all don’t let me down.  All ships attack!”

With those last words echoing in everyone’s mind, every Federation vessel raced forward as one. The assault on Atracos III was underway.

Part 3: On The Hunt

USS Valparaiso
Early August 2401

A lot had happened since Atracos III; many fine officers and crewmembers had lost their lives in that battle and those that had followed it.  The sinister and deadly events surrounding ‘Frontier Day’ had taken even more lives.  How Captain Eglin had made it through that day alive was a matter of debate and speculation. There were those who believed he wasn’t telling the whole truth, including his superiors.  Could he really have murdered the entire bridge crew both assimilated and those not affected by the Borg; to save his own neck, or had evacuating the oxygen from the bridge, been instigated by someone else, as he claimed in his report.  The computer logs were corrupted and impossible to understand, which only added to the mystery.  The fact remained; seven people were dead from that section of the ship, he was not. 

The USS Valparaiso was old and almost ready for retirement, but until that time came, the captain’s seat was still his.  The ships doctor had declared him fit for active duty and no charges had been brought against him over the ‘Frontier Day’ events; for now at least that was good enough. 

The Valparaiso’s current mission was to search for and track down a stolen Norway-class starship; the USS Stavanger.  It had gone missing from Number 3 Decommissioning and Storage Facility, sometime prior to the arrival of the ‘Lost Fleet’; rumour’s had been circulating for a few months before then, regarding a rogue Federation ship that would appear, not long before a convoy or lone transport vessel came under attack from pirates.  That these rumours were in fact true; was being kept a closely guarded secret in the hope of avoiding any panic.  Because if people stopped trusting that the Federation would protect them; then the whole situation could become much worse.

On the main view screen another damaged transport vessel loomed before them; slowly turning as it drifted through space, its engines dark and lifeless.  Energy readings were fluctuating throughout the ship.

“Can you raise them?” Eglin’s voice was terse and irritated.  Never the most pleasant of captain’s to work under in the past; things had steadily got worse as the year rolled on. 

“Negative Sir, no reply on any frequency.”  The communications officer answered. 

“I’ve got three life signs, all on the bridge.” Added the science officer; from the rear as he scanned the transporter internally.

The Captain turned to his XO, yet another new one; the forth of the year to be precise.  The first injured fighting at Deneb IV, whilst in command of her own ship, the second killed on ‘Frontier Day’ and a third had quite just over a week ago.  Chances of this one doing any better were still pretty debatable.  Annoyingly right now, he couldn’t even remember the stupid man’s name.  Whatever his name was, he had the look of a rabbit on a highway, waiting for the headlights to come round the corner! 

“Get a team over there now!” Eglin barked hoping to wake the fool up. “I want security with them, just in case of any surprises.” 

The ‘rabbit’ jumped into action and began the task of contacting the relevant departments to assemble an Away Team. 

            **********

Five minutes later six figures materialised in the darkened corridor adjacent to the transporters bridge.   Two held phasers; a Tellarite and a Vulcan, a pair of engineers carried a few tools in a box which they hoped would help them restore power to the vessel.  Then there was a doctor and a nurse with their medical equipment.  The air was slightly musty and a little chilly, but at least it was breathable. 

The Tellarite Lieutenant entered first, scanning the room quickly before allowing the others to follow him in.  The engineers made their way to the controls, the doctor and nurse to their patients.  Grav merely grunted in the kind of bored way only a Tellarite waiting for an argument to happen could ever truly manage. Vulcan’s were no fun and the rest of the team were far too busy with their tasks and he was smart enough not to interfere with what they were doing unless any form of danger presented itself.  It had been a while since he’d had the opportunity to stun anyone; that thought brought a shiver, as he recalled what he’d been forced into doing.  At least it was too dark for any of the others to notice the brief change in his demeanour.

The first member of the crew Doctor Sunny dealt with was conscious but confused.  Bruising around the temple and swelling told the doctor most of what he needed to know about the patient without having to ask him any questions; never the less he scanned the man for any injuries that weren’t currently visible.  He instructed Nurse Folland what to do before moving on to the second crew member.

It was after she’d injected him with the hypo-spray that the man in his mid-twenties from the look of him grabbed her wrist.  “Why didn’t you stop them?” He pleaded hoarsely.  “You were right there, right at the edge of our scanners!”

“It’s ok, we’re here now.” Nurse Folland spoke softly to the distraught man.  “Now just relax and let me deal with your injuries.” 

Grav had moved in closer, aware of something being up.  But felt this man was more agitated than a real threat to the young nurses’ safety.  He did however stay right by her just in case.  The man’s grip loosened as the mild sedative eventually did its work.  The Tellarite security officer grunted; it would take more than that to put him to sleep. 

The lights came on a moment later, thanks to the efforts of the engineers; one of which then moved on to the ships computer memory in the hope of extracting any data regarding the attack.

            **********

On the bridge of the Valparaiso, Captain Eglin passed up and down, like a tiger waiting to pounce on its next meal.  That just made his First Officer even more nervous than he usually was.  This ship they were now alongside, had been attacked no more than two hours ago; it was the closest they’d got in a while.  He was right on the tail of this rogue Norway-class vessel and two pirate ships that accompanied it and made the attacks.  A small force, granted: but they had been no less effective.  They could still detect the warp trails of the two pirate ships; both Orion in manufacture, but of a less common design, if eye witness statements and a far from sharp image from an external camera on a previous victim of their attacks were to be believed.  The trail of the Stavanger or whatever name it had chosen this time; was proving much harder to find.

Eglin turned to his XO. “Rabbit you have the bridge.” He said sternly, before heading to the turbolift. 

“It’s Roberts, Sir.”  The other man stuttered, but by then the Captain was gone.

            ********** 

Stella Cartography was a section of the ship Eglin didn’t visit very often; he knew what they did and received all the relevant information from the department when he needed it.  Today though was a day for going down there in person, and asking questions direct. 

When he arrived he found a lieutenant in Teal, working at a wall mounted terminal adjacent to the door he’d just passed through.  The man turned and when he realised who’d just entered stood bolt upright. “Sir!” He blurted out with surprise; before with a little more composure, added. “What can I do for you?” 

“Know how to use this thing?” Eglin asked waving a hand in general around the room. “Lieutenant?”

“Agusta, Sir. Lieutenant Agusta.” The man answered. “And certainly, what do you need?” 

“I want you to display this sector.” The Captain asked moving over to the railing that curved around the middle part of the room.  The Lieutenant moved over to a computer consul and started imputing the relevant request. Stars, plants and other bodies, flashed into existence forming a large multi-coloured ball in the middle of the room.  “I take it that flashing blue arrow indicates this vessel?”

“That’s correct Sir.” 

“Can you add the course we arrived and the two showing the pirate ships leaving?”

“One moment.”  Agusta, accessed the logs and added the three warp trails to the 3D image floating before the Captain.  One of which was blue the other two in orange.  

Eglin studied the image for a few minutes, walked around it, even stood in the middle for a moment; before waving a hand at an area of space which was almost the opposite direction to the one the pirates had taken. “If I wanted to hide a ship the size of a Norway, were could I stick it?”

With a few more computations added; eight areas of space glowed purple.  It was not what the Captain hoped to see.  It was too many places to look and all spread out.  Entering any of those areas would leave the Valparaiso blind and potentially allow the Stavanger the chance to escape from them once more.  None of this was going the way Eglin liked.  He’d got half a crew, many of them inexperienced, and just this single aged relic without any form of support.  His fist slammed into the railing in frustration.  He needed a plan, something to swing the odds more in his favour; because very soon someone was going to start joining the dots, and it wasn’t ’going to make a pretty picture. 

Part 4: The Asset

Reliance City / East District
Late August 2401

Captain Robert Eglin’s efforts to catch the renegade USS Stavanger had been thwarted at each turn.  Either the Captain of that ship was being fed information from within Starfleet or they were extremely lucky; whatever the case, Eglin needed to change the odds more in his favour.  That meant tracking down an old acquaintance, one that would probably be far from happy to see him, but at least they’d agreed to meeting, which was a good sign.

Reliance was a city in name only; what it was though; was a ramshackle sprawling slum of a town.  A place where people came to loose themselves, their money and their lives; if not sometimes all three.  It was a place of thieves, pirates, murders, muggers and drunks.  And those were the nice inhabitants.  So it was hardly the place you’d expect to find a Starfleet officer, even if he was dressed in shabby clothing with a dishevelled looking face.  Eglin wore knitted gloves to cover hands that clearly had never seen hard graft and would have given him away as an imposter, to anyone that cared to look at them.

The sights, sounds and smells, assaulted him from all direction.  Here was such a diverse range of down at heel, hard done by people, all going about their daily lives.  These were the forgotten and the helpless, mixed with those that used them and exploited their plight.  Eglin felt sick, and not just from the foul stench of the particular district he was walking through.  No, it was the mere fact places like this existed.  Would there ever be a time when they didn’t?

He’d been to places like this before, as part of his old job.  The cloak and dagger, hush hush things that most people realised must be happening, but chose to ignore.  Those magical four words that let you get away with so many sines, all in the name of peace and protecting the Federation; ‘At your own discretion’.  Those four words had both protected him, and hung him out to dry, when things hadn’t gone to plan.

The person, he’d come to meet; and person was a subjective term in this case, had been part of that dark and shadowy world, though unlike him, not through choice.  Eglin had been surprised they’d even answered his message; using the old secret code to communicate. A message that millions would have seen and read, but hopefully only the one it was intended for could understand and act upon.  They owed him nothing and the universe even less, so this meeting if nothing else was a good sign.  He had once been their handler, the one they reported to during their many and varied secret missions; he was also the one who’d aided them in escape, a move that had cost him his position.

Presently he found himself standing outside a machine repair shop, at the coordinates he’d received to meet; a dilapidated wooden shack and a couple of filthy tents in fact.  The large wooden sigh nailed in place above the door, with white hand painted writing, read ‘Norman Edward Body – Expert Repairs’.  Eglin chuckled to himself; so the master of disguise and mimicry was being literal in their message when they said ‘I could be anybody’.

He approached the large, slightly overweight gentleman in his mid-forties, who he assumed was the proprietor and aforementioned Mr. Body.  Whatever piece of equipment the man was currently working on, looked old and probably well past its original life expectancy.  The owner of the item had entrusted this man with the task of repairing it and squeezing a few more years of life out of it. “Mister Body?” Eglin asked politely.

The man replied in a rasping voice, but made no effort to turn around. “Who’d like to know?”

“The names Guy, Guy Burgess.” The captain announced, using a previous alias from his covert days.  He would have said more, if it hadn’t been for the pointed and more dangerous end of an unidentified weapon pressing into his back.

“Make any sudden movements and I run you through.” Came a male voice from behind. “Nod if you understand.”

Eglin nodded; then added. “He’s not you is he?”

“You catch on fast” Said the man quietly. “Don’t worry Norm, I’ll deal with this guy.”

The large man acknowledged with a simple dismissive wave of his hand over his shoulder and continued with his work as if these sort of things were a common occurrence.

Eglin was marched into a makeshift corrugated shed around the back, the blade of the weapon enough to convince him to keep walking until the destination had been reached.  Once ordered to sit on a small wooden chair, the Starfleet officer got his first chance to look at the person he hoped, this time was the one he was seeking and not just some random guy about to rob and kill him.  A blonde headed man, short stocky and around thirty; viewed him with mild amusement. “You’re getting sloppy in your old age.” The younger man spoke softly, but waved the Klingon kut’luch in the Captain’s direction.  “I wasn’t sure whether it would be you or the message was a trap.”

“You’ve been safe enough so far, haven’t you?” Eglin questioned.

The young man pondered for a moment then nodded and sheathed the weapon. “What made you think the big guy was me, anyhow?”

“Because when you went undercover you loved to pick weird names for yourself.” Smiled Eglin. “It just seemed right up your street!”

The young man laughed, may be Eglin had a point about that.  Though it was hard to decide if it was just showmanship and bravado, or a deep down wish to be caught and killed, so it could all come to an end.  If it was the latter, then why had they chose to run when someone had been sent to kill them?  The memories left a bitter taste in the mouth, Chameleon by name a chameleon by nature, genetically engineered, with the ability to change form, a tool to be used and then discarded.  And they had been well and truly discarded.

“You’re on the hunt for that stolen ship, aren’t you?” The man asked.  The Captain nodded.  “The Orion Syndicate is far from happy about it.”

“About me?”

“No, they’re worried about the ship.  They fear that once the Federation gets back on its feet, you’ll come down on them heavy.  The Orion’s can’t afford a war.”

“So who’s in charge of this operation, if the Syndicate aren’t the ones pulling the string?”

“A female Orion by the name of Navaar Orci.  Don’t know a lot about her, she’s basically sprung up out of nowhere and set up her own organisation.  Wants to make a name for herself and doesn’t care who she crosses to do it.”

“So she’s basically, very dangerous, unpredictable and stupid.”

“She is far from stupid, you haven’t caught her yet.”

“Ouch! If you’d seen what I had to work with, you’d understand my difficulty.”

“There is only one reason I’m going to help you, on this one.  Armitage.”

It was a name Eglin had not heard in a long time.  William David Armitage, former Commander, long term colleague and best buddy.  Also, he was a cold blooded murder.  The Captain felt a shiver rundown his spine, as he recalled what had happen and that his friend was now working for the enemy.  Yes, he’d been involved in some questionable acts in his covert day’s; his own closet was full of skeleton’s and ghosts, but what the then Commander Armitage had done, went far beyond anything that could be just swept under the carpet.  He’d ordered his ship’s crew to fire on an Orion transport vessel, even though he’d been told several people were being held prisoner on-board.

“We both know he knew about the prisoners hidden in the shielded hold, there is no way he knew the two of use where aboard, or about the explosives?”  Eglin tried to sound confident in his statement.  “Otherwise he’d have held off, and found another way.”

“You really think so?” Was all the young man Chameleon said.

Eglin stood up, grabbed the chair he’d been seated on and threw it against one of the walls in a fit of rage.  “I’ll kill him!  I’ll hunt down that ship and blast it into a million pieces.” He yelled.  “Find out what you can about where they are hiding it.”

Chameleon stood there watching the act of fury; and the Captain storm out of the shed a moment later.  They did not know why Armitage had turned traitor, or whether the seeds of his deceit had been sown before or after the incident which had seen his dishonourable discharge.  The faces of all those innocent people, many of which had been killed in the initial blast, others dying as they tried to escape.  Trampled on by fellow prisoner or shot by the Orion’s as they prevented anyone but themselves from getting into the escape pods.  They and Eglin had managed to overpower one of the last guards on the ship and take a pod along with six others.  It was impossible to know if anyone had been alive amongst the heaps of bodies, and there’d been no time to check.

When the pod made a rather bumpy landing on the nearest ‘M’ class planet, Eglin had told Chameleon to run; he would say they were dead.  The Orion ship was in so many pieces now, either spreading out across space or falling like fiery rain on the planet’s surface. So no one could ever prove the Captain was lying.  Not using conventional means at least.  But he’d lost a valuable asset, and therefore in the eyes of his superiors was not fit to stay in the intelligence serve.  They were safe in the knowledge that he’d never divulge the entire secret goings on; he was in too deep for that.

‘We are angels and demons in equal measure; both blessed and cursed with every breath.  Honoured and tarnished by every deed undertaken.  We are an instrument of salvation and destruction.  At last we will see both justice and revenge.’

Part 5: Confrontation

USS Valparaiso / Hydra Cascade
1st September 2401

Captains Personal Log:

To be told that a man I’ve known more than half my life, a friend I’ve trusted and worked with, is the very same person I’ve been hunting is a shock.  That they’d been working hand in glove with the very sort of criminal we’d both been intrusted to seek out and defend the citizens of the Federation, against; a bitter blow.  But to discover they had deliberately set out to kill me during my final assignment; that is totally unforgiveable.

Therefore I will give them the same chance of survival they afforded me.

<End Log>

The USS Valparaiso was fast approaching its destination; the Hydra Cascade.  From a distance and approached from the correct angle, it looked just like a cascading waterfall, which was basically how its name had come about.  Another one of the may magnificent wonders the Universe had to offer; and another place that just loved to play havoc with ships sensors.  But this, if Chameleon’s last message was to be trusted, was the hiding place of the Norway-class vessel they were hunting.  For Captain Robert Eglin this had become very much personal, the man out there in command of that ship had made it so.

“Bridge to the Captain, we are now approach the Cascade.” Came the as always; slightly nervous voice of his first officer.

“On my way.” He replied, standing up and grabbing his jacket from the back of the chair and exiting his ready room.  Once on the bridge he ordered them to drop out of warp and approach at impulse speed.  At a distance of three thousand metres the Valparaiso came to a complete stop.  “Right I want a complete and detailed scan of the Cascade and any data gathered from previous missions conducted in and around it.”

“Do you wish me to launch a probe?”  The Chief Science Officer enquired.

“Negative Mr. Orkyra.” Eglin answered. “Don’t want to give them too much warning of our arrival, do we?”

“As you wish.” Orkyra mumbled, before starting his scans.

**********

It was an hour before the Chief Science Officer felt confident enough to give a detailed report on the Hydra Cascade.  Visibility and scanning ranges within the gaseous cloud would be limited, but he was unable to detect anything that would prove a danger to the ship or its crew.

Captain Eglin ordered the ship to red alert and move into the Cascade.  It was at this point his XO finally made some attempt at questioning whether it would be more prudent waiting for additional support.  Rather than head in alone.

“Are you saying this ship and her crew can’t handle themselves?” Eglin yelled at him. “Well Mr. Roberts.”  It was the kind of thing he always did; intimidate other officers and force them to back down.  So many were scared of him and would back down immediately when they faced if full wrath, and none had yet been brave enough to report him.  This was his ship, and his rules, and everyone knew it.

“N…no S..Sir.” The man stuttered, taken aback by the Captains rage.

“Take use in one quart impulse.” Eglin ordered.  “Unless anyone else here; cares to express their concerns?”

No one did; so the ship slowly the cloud of pinks, purples and blues enveloped the vessel as they swirled around it.  Somewhere within this cloud of gas was the USS Stavanger with its crew of pirates, and Captain Eglin was going to find them.

The USS Valparaiso progressed deeper and deeper into the cloud formation, her scanners piercing into the gloom.  Sometimes the distance they could detect objects within was down to half a kilometre others, as much as 7 kilometres.  But other than a few small rocks and a number of crystalline structures a few metres across the place seemed empty.

“Vessel baring 047 mark 060.  Range 4.3 Kilometres.” The Science Officer called out, the first to notice the large object ahead of them.

“Confirmed.” The Tactical Officer added. “One Norway-class vessel, currently stationary and bow on relative to our position.”

Captain Eglin had thought long and hard about just opening fire the moment he was close enough to do so, which is exactly what his mind was screaming at him to do, right now.  But this crew would never allow him to carry that out, even if they knew what Armitage had done.  He really hoped Armitage was on that ship right now.  A bonus would be if Navaar Orci         the Orion boss of this little organisation was there to.

“Hale them and order their immediate and unconditional surrender.” He called across to his Communications Officer.

“No response Captain.” He replied after trying multiple frequencies.

“What are you playing at Armitage, what is your game?” Eglin muttered to himself. Then he carried on, loud enough to be heard by everyone on the bridge.  “Are your sure there is nothing else out there?”

“Other than a few minor energy fluctuations and some background radiation, I’ve got nothing.” His Orkyra Science Officer reassured him.

“Fire a warning shot!” Eglin called out, both hands gripping the edge of his armrests. Eyes glued to the view screen.  “Then try and raise her again.”

A single beam of energy cut through space; passing the starboard side of the USS Stavanger by a mere 50 metres.  Almost the second the ship had fired, proximity alarms sounded a warming.  “I’m picked up an anomaly baring 220 mark 015.”  The Tactical Officer announced.  “Romulan cloaked mine, just gone active!”

“How the hell did you miss it?” The Captain yelled.

Before answering the Tactical Officer opened fire on the mine, destroying it on his second attempt.  The mines detonation made the ship shake violently from the explosion.  “No idea Sir.  Shields holding.”

A second mine appeared, this time on the other side of the ship, and that to was swiftly dealt with.  Then three more of them winked into existence; it was like their on-board sensors were activating the mine on detection of the phaser fire, and once operational they were heading right for the ship.  Two more were targeted and destroyed; the other was in a blind spot.  Helm frantically turned and rolled the ship to give a firing solution.  When finally the mine was hit, it was right next to the hull. The Valparaiso rocked violently throwing crew and any loose object around.

“Server hull damage decks 21 and 22, sections H.” The First Office shouted out as the information flashed up on the screen next to him.

“Shields at 57%.”  The Tactical Officer called out, as he frantically searched for any more mines.

All the time during the chaotic onslaught the USS Stavanger had been moving and it was at this point she struck.  The first of the two photon torpedoes was enough to severely weaken the shielding around the saucer section, the second hit home with deadly force.

**********

Lieutenant Giovanni Agusta had never been in a real life combat situation, holodeck simulations could never truly prepare you for the real thing; and being part of the Science Department, meant he had no control over any part of the situation.  There hadn’t even been much of a warning before he’d felt the first explosion, others had followed rapidly.  He knew the drill however; certain sections of the ship were much stronger than other, so in an emergency situation, unless otherwise instructed, head to the nearest one.  He hadn’t even reached the door when the ship shuck again.  More followed as he exited into the corridor, he could sense the deck move, as is the Valparaiso was fighting to turn, another minor tremor followed.  Then he was violently flung into the wall, and before his body had even hit the deck everything seemed to lurch away from him.  Total darkness and a crescendo of noise enveloped him.  As emergency lights came on, he could just make out some of the damage, but knew there was far worse beyond his gaze. When the emergency force field dropped into place less than 5 metres from where he lay; Giovanni realised that quite possible the room he’d been in moments before had been badly damaged.

What he wouldn’t discover until much later, was that there was now a gaping hole where his room and the two adjoining it had once been.

Part 6: Parted From Me And Never Parted

USS Valparaiso / Hydra Cascade
1st September 2401

‘Mar Ley was dead, to begin with’.

It was strange to recall a memory of a place you’d never been to, but that’s how things felt for Alara right now.  This was a dream, but not her dream.  The water in the rock pool looked so still and peaceful, giving off its own faint illuminance; here in the cave she found herself.  Why was this all so familiar, if she couldn’t recall ever being in this place?  Why did it make her feel so calm and relaxed, when there was a part of her yelling and screaming?

She was not alone however, six figures stood in the shadows and swirling mist, almost formless, but clearly humanoid.  Alara had no idea who these individuals were, and yet there was a connection, a bond between each other and her.  They were one and yet separate, part of a bigger whole; but not like a Borg Collective, this was something very different, almost harmonious; beautiful even.

Presently one of the figures stepped forward, a man dressed in a simple robe.  His features slowly became more defined, as if his face and body were forming into something more than just an abstract form, before her.  The man was her husband of 7 years, Mar Ley.  She smiled at him, he was such a tall handsome man; with him here this was indeed a wonderful dream. At least it should have been, if only things didn’t seem off, somehow.

“What is this place?” Alara asked her husband softly. “And why am I here?”

“I think you know the answer to that question already.” He replied sincerely.

“Trill, the pool were the un-joined symbionts reside.” Her voice came out as a hesitant whisper. “But I’ve never been there.  You, y yyou have.”

He titled his head to one side, and smiled that impossible to resist smile of his, the one that always melted her heart. “Go on.” He encouraged her to continue the train of thought she was on.

“You went there to become the sixth host of Ley.” She continued. “You’d been selected.”

“That was such a proud and wonderful moment.” His eyes shone as he spoke.  “It was Ley who gave me the confidence to finally ask you to marry me.”

“Not for the first time, mind you. The looked of horror and dads face when a small skinny 7 year old boy asked him if they could marry his daughter!” A broad smile came to her lips, then faded just as quickly. “How could I remember that?  I wasn’t there; I was in my room crying.”

“Because I’d kissed you only a few moments before, out in the garden.” Mar added

“Why do I have your memories?” She asked feeling more frantic.  “What’s going on, tell me I beg you?”

“Because what was once mine; is now yours.” Her husband said tenderly.

“No, this isn’t happening.” Alara shouted at him. “I’m going to wake up and find myself in your arm. This is all just some crazy dream.

“Oh, you’ll wake up soon enough.  You are right about that much.” Mar assured her. “And I’ll be with you, but not as before.”

“What kind of a riddle is that?” His wife asked confused. Even as she spoke there was a part of her mind filling in the blanks and slowly reforming parts of the dream.  Alara watched; transfixed in shock, as a thin trace of blood appeared on Mar’s robe.  It was in the shape of an ‘x’, in the area of his chest.  She looked down at the own body to see the same tell-tale signs of the surgical procedure; the one performed during a ‘joining’. “No take him back! You’ll die without Ley inside you.”

“There is no hope for me.” Her husband told her. “I am beyond saving, I’m afraid to say.”

“I’m not ready for this.” Alara yelled at him. “I’m not ready to lose you.”

“This was the only option available.” Mar, sounded sad and a little apologetic as he spoke.  “You are Ley’s only hope now. He needs you.  I need you.”

“We weren’t the only Trill on board.” Alara protested; tears welling up in her eyes.

That statement was true; there were two other members of the Trill species currently serving aboard the USS Valparaiso; neither of which carried a symbiont of their own.  But their condition and fate was unknown to Ley; who could only assume time or circumstances had prevented them from being selected as his new host.  It was never easy getting used to a new body; a new mind and another set of feelings and emotions.  Usually though the recipient was prepared for the joining; rituals and meditation that help prepare and guide a Trill.  There had been none of that, this had all been a frantic rush; even the with six previous joining’s, this one felt a little disorientating, and he could feel the pain and anguish inside Alara’s mind.

‘How do you comfort a wife, when you know her husband is either dead or moments away from dying?  How do you begin to heel a wound like this?’  Mar the Trill, Ley the symbiont; two integral parts of a greater whole, both of which loved this woman and everything about her.  There was a reason for keeping old and new romantic situations apart.  Each time was meant to be a fresh start, another life, yet with the guidance and support of those that had gone before.

“There is a phase the Vulcan’s use when they are to be parted from a loved one.” Ley’s third host once dated a Vulcan for a few years; it had been an interesting experience. There had even been the possibility of taking things further at one point.  “Parted from me and never parted.”

They hugged each other as Alara cried her eyes out, head buried deep into her husband’s chest, as the dream and all around them dissolved into nothingness.

**********

It was several hours after the operation when Alara came round from the procedure.  She vaguely recalled agreeing to it when Doctor Sunny had sent a nurse to locate her.  There hadn’t been time to think or question things, it had been an emergency, with every ticking minute a vital one.

Did she regret saying yes?  Of course she did, by agreeing to it, she’d signed her own husband death warrant.  He’d looked so peaceful, lying there on the operating table; like he was just sleeping, as she held his hand.  But it was only the machines and equipment keeping him and the second life inside, alive.

There was a hint of what had happened to her husband, but Ley was shielding her from much of the trauma.  She did recall him being carried along several corridors by Grav the Tellarite security officer; who kept moaning about Mar being too heavy and that he couldn’t die yet as it would be him doing all the paperwork.  Grav also insisted that under no circumstances was he doing mouth to mouth!  A typical Tellarite, always finding some reason to complain about something.

Her eyes blinked a few times in an attempt to get used to the light of the recover suite, she’d been moved to.  Nurse Folland was there in the room to, and had noticed Alara’s eyes open. “How do you feel?” The nurse asked. “Anything I can get you?”

“We are a work in progress.” She replied groggily; thinking of herself as more than just one individual. “Some water would be lovely.”

Folland left the room and came back a moment or two later, a clear plastic cup half filled with water in one hand.  Placed it on the bedside table and used the control system to adjust the height and angle of the bed.  Before handing the cup to Alara. Taking a sip she thanked the nurse, but asked to be left alone with her thoughts for a bit.

Doctor Sunny came into the room around an hour later; he’d been monitoring her vital signs remotely, so knew Alara was ok.  He’d never had to conduct an emergency operation like the one he’d performed that day; few Starfleet doctors ever would.  So he was grateful that things had gone relatively smoothly, considering the situation.  He’d been perfectly fine during the whole operation.  It was only when the incision was finally sealed and he could relax, that Doctor Sunny’s hands had started shaking like mad.

A couple of hours later Alara was on her feet, despite the doctor’s strong objections. She was determined to see the body of her late husband, even if she had to crawl all the way to get there.  Her legs were unsteady, but she was stubborn and unwavering in her resolve.

He lay there on the bed looking just as peaceful has he had done, before the operation; the only difference now, was that the machines and monitors were silent.  She took hold of his hand once more, feeling how cold it had become.

“Parted from me and never parted.” She whispered softly, and yet in her mind she heard two distinct voices; her own and that of her husband. “Never parted.”

Part 7: Taking Command

Starbase 86
4th September 2401

Commander Mary Anacostia-Bolling, was standing by one of the many windows along the outer edge of the station watching the various craft go about their business.  A pair of California-class Utility Cruisers, were currently just heading out on their respective missions; having left the docking area within the space of a few minutes of each other.  There was also a Runabout making final approach; possible one of those permanently stationed here.

The cup of tea in her hand was only half full now, and barely luck warm, she’d been cradling it and thinking about her future.  Searching the heavens for a ship she knew was never coming for her.  Three days ago the news had reached her and probably everyone else in the station by now; the USS Valparaiso had been crippled.  After wondering into an area within the Hydra Cascade packed with cloaked Romulan mines, the ship had been set upon by the rogue USS Stavanger and her crew of pirates.  The aged Excelsior had put up a good fight despite taking numerous hits.  But the fact remained; she should never have gone in alone.  With 37 dead and nearly twice that number injured, her captain, Robert Eglin was currently being charged with gross misconduct and manslaughter.  He’d been a tough almost obnoxious man to work with at times, and she’s only begun to realise how bad an officer he truly was; once she was off the ship.  And yet the Commander still felt sorry for him, it wasn’t the way anyone wanted to see a career end.

She took one last look, finished her drink and headed out of the café, which was relatively quiet at the moment.  Mary liked the fact it had been that way; no one to interfere with her thoughts or ask how she was.  She was heading back to her temporary accommodation, here on Starbase 86.  It was a small place compared with what she’d got used to aboard the USS Valparaiso; but she wasn’t complaining, she’d had much smaller cabins and rooms in her time.

As the Commander placed her jacket across the back of the chair, she noticed there was a message waiting for her on the computer.  She replicated herself another cup of tea, before sitting down to read it.

From: Commodore Uzoma Ekwueme,

Fourth Fleet Expeditionary Group

Those first two lines got her full attention, it wasn’t every day you received a message from someone in such a prominent position within the fleet.

To: Commander Anacostia-Bolling

Having been made aware of your gallant actions during the liberation of Atracos III and the defence of Deneb IV, during the Fourth Fleets engagement with Dominion Forces; and having reviewed your exemplary record and dedication to duty during your many years of service.

She had to stop again; ‘gallant actions’, the USS San Jacinto was ripped to pieces.  What was so gallant about that?  The Commander continued to read on.

It is hereby agreed to make your position as ship’s Captain a permanent one and give you command of the Saber-class USS da Vinci NCC-77451.  Effective immediately.

The cup nearly slipped from her grasp, and it required the quick intervention of her other hand to prevent that from happening.  Careful placing the cup on the table, she read that last section again. Ok, Saber-class scout ship wasn’t a big vessel, but she would be in command of it.  Captain Eglin had told her she’d never be more than just an XO, and in his view the loss of the San Jacinto had proved that; in his opinion at least.  He’d even offered to have her back in the role as his second in command, which was why she was waiting here on Starbase 86.

She quickly called up the stations database to find out what she could about her new ship.

The USS da Vinci had been commissioned in the year 2370, and assigned to the Starfleet Corps of Engineers; where it had served for almost its entire career.  The last officer to be in charge had been Command Francheszka Braxton.

Another search for information, gave her the current location of the ship.  A skeleton crew had brought it over to the station around a week ago. “I guess I’d better go take a look at my new ship then.”  She transferred the details along with her new orders on to her Padd, slipped on her jacket again and headed out.

**********

Her first look at the da Vinci; came around twenty minutes later; she’d never been much for looking at the aesthetics of a starship.  They did a job, performed various tasks and transported its crew from one location to another, that was all there was to it.  The Saber class was a little different from most other Federation vessels either in operation or those long retired; it made the type, standout just that little bit more.  May be that was meant to be a sign; the one time she’d stood out from under the shadow of Captain Eglin, people had took note of her actions and felt her worthy of commanding her own ship.  How long had she been missing out on opportunities like this?

“You’ve been an idiot and a fool!” She cursed herself.

“Sorry ma’am I didn’t.” A young man with short cropped mousey coloured hair, stood just beyond arms reach, started to apologise, though he didn’t know why he was, or what he could have done to annoy the Commanding officer.

Anacostia-Bolling turned and gave the man.  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean you.” She half smiled at him and looked into his grey eyes questioningly.  “I was just thinking aloud.”

He quickly figured out what she was hinting at, a name, the Commander wanted to know his name. “It’s Ensign Dravid, ma’am.”

“Well Ensign Dravid, what do you do around here?”

“I’m part of the stations Logistics Team, ma’am.”

Mary thought carefully for a moment.  “Well just like this station, every ship needs a crew, equipment and supplies.  Am I right?”

“Yes ma’am; that would be correct.” Dravid answered, not sure in what direction this conversation was heading.

“How do you fancy going through that ships inventory?” The Commander pointed out towards the da Vinci. “And seeing what’s missing, short or just needs replacing.”

“That would normally be done by a ranking officer and member of the crew.” She noted that was the first sentence he’d spoken without ‘ma’am’ in it, and just waited, head tilted slightly; for the penny to drop.  “You’re offering me a position aboard, that…. your ship!”

“I need a crew, and who said I need to start at the top?” She announced thoughtfully.  “As far as I’m aware I can pick who I want within reason.”

The young man beamed the widest smile she’s witnessed in some time. “I’ll get right to it ma’am.” Dravid announced heading off down the corridor. “Right to it.”

She couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle to herself as she watched the young ensign rush off. The Commander wasn’t 100% sure as to whether or not she could just grab personnel from other departments like that.  She’d deal with those issues later, right now Anacostia-Bolling had a ship to go and look round.

**********

A member of station security stood by the companion way, linking the da Vinci to the section of the station it was docked in.  A quick scan of her orders, and the Commander was soon walking on to the ship.

The lighting aboard ship was dim; operating at a much lower setting, whilst almost no one was on board.  It felt eerily quiet as she took a tour of her new command.  There was a group of three in main engineering, just there to monitor everything whilst the ship was docked.  They were more than happy to give her a rundown of the da Vinci’s engines and equipment.  They also expressed their disappointment that any stuff the Corps of Engineers had been testing out and experimenting with had been removed prior to its re-deployment.  Anacostia-Bolling was happy enough with a ship that worked, but she did understand what they meant.

Her journey round the ship continued, passing a security officer patrolling deck 4, and someone carrying out maintenance on a faulty door on deck 2.  The Commanders final port of call was the bridge.  She entered via the Turbo-lift door on the port side.  A silvery hair Andorian Lieutenant-Commander got up from the Captain’s chair and turned to face Anacostia-Bolling. “Ah, welcome aboard the de Vinci.” He said warmly, offering his hand. “Security said you were heading my way.  So what do you think of her?”

She pondered the thought for a moment trying to find the right words to express what she was feeling.  “I think it might grow on me.” Was her modest response, but her eyes betrayed much more enthusiasm than that.  This was her ship, her very first proper command.  And it had better last more than the 17 days the USS San Jacinto had!

“Shall we deal with the formalities?” The Andorian asked.

“By all means.”

“Computer initiate command transfer, USS da Vinci.  Authorisation Lieutenant-Commander Rylish.  Alpha  Delta 3 5 1 Indigo.”

The ships computer acknowledged the code and waited for further input.

“Authorisation; Commander Anacostia-Bolling , assuming command, USS da Vinci. Alpha Bravo 0 8 6 Sierra.”

“Command transfer confirmed.  Updating ships log and all command systems.” The computer announced.

“Well Captain.  Fancy a drink to celebrate?” Rylish asked, gesturing in the direction of the Captains Ready Room.

“I don’t mind if I do.” Smiled the ships new Captain.

She took one long look around the Bridge, her bridge, her ship, her home, her future. And it all starts now.

 

For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.

Leonardo da Vinci