The USS Soval held position in high orbit of Zyridia. It was directly above the mountain complex where seven Starfleet personnel had disappeared six hours earlier.
Beneath the Ambassador-class starship, the planet’s dark forests stretched across broad valleys and climbed into the rugged mountains that separated the province from the deserts of the Delz’yoj province. Clouds gathered around the higher peaks. Farther south, the Federation’s recently-erected border forcefield remained active. It was placed between two forces that had mobilized for war.
Its emitters maintained a continuous barrier between the two armed populations.
On the Soval’s bridge, Captain Marlon Smythe studied the mountain complex on the main viewscreen.
The older starship’s command center was compact and circular. Dark gray bulkheads surrounded the room, interrupted by recessed displays and the distinctive red doors that led into the adjoining corridors. The natural-hued illumination was subdued. The colors of the older LCARS interfaces stood out against their dark surroundings.
Smythe sat in the center chair of the slightly elevated command platform. Commander T’Naagi occupied the seat to his right. Her copper-colored hair fell around her shoulders. The Orion’s brilliant pink eyes followed a tactical schematic on the small display beside her.
The third command seat to Smythe’s left remained unoccupied.
Across the rear of the bridge, three raised workstations followed the curve of the bulkhead. Science stood to Smythe’s right, tactical occupied the center position, and communications was situated farther to his left. Large LCARS displays covered the wall above the stations. Smaller monitors provided additional information directly in front of the officers.
Lieutenant Kim Jung-soo stood at Tactical.
The petite Human woman’s shoulder-length dark brown hair framed her stoic face. Her almond-shaped brown eyes moved between her target’s information and a series of orbital sensor returns displayed above her console.
Ensign Shaninne occupied the comms station next to her. The verdant Orion’s strawberry-blonde hair was gathered in a bun behind her head. Her pale blue eyes watched the communications indicators for the latest word from the USS Hurricane. Her usual playful expression had disappeared.
At the forward stations, Lieutenant Junior Grade Veetha occupied the helm station to Smythe’s left. The young Ferengi’s lobes flexed as she studied the Soval’s orbital position in relation to the target area.
Lieutenant Trell Dirov sat at operations to her right.
The Bolian’s brilliant blue skin reflected the colors of his console. His amber-yellow eyes moved rapidly between transporter controls and power readings. He was tracking a synchronized firing schedule that had been coordinated with the Hurricane.
Captain Smythe leaned forward in his seat and crossed his legs. “Miss Veetha, how are we looking?”
“We’re holding position, Captain. I’ve compensated for atmospheric drag and the planet’s rotation. The target should remain within our firing arc throughout the operation.”
“Any chance of the mountain getting in the way?”
Veetha enlarged the terrain display. “Not unless it grows another few dozen kilometers taller in the next minute.”
T’Naagi glanced ahead with a half smile.
Smythe looked back to the tactical station. “Miss Kim?”
Lieutenant Kim Jung-soo touched several controls.
A section of the mountain complex appeared on the viewscreen. A large rectangular structure stood on a rocky plateau above the underground chambers. Heavy conduits extended from the building into the mountainside.
“Our targeting solution has been established, Captain. We’ve identified the primary power supply that feeds the underground complex. The facility is protected by a series of relatively weak ground-based shields.”
“Can we get through them?”
“Yes, sir. A sustained phaser discharge should overload the shield generators. Once the shields collapse, I’ll redirect the beam across the power distribution equipment and destroy the plant.”
Smythe studied the building. “Keep the beam confined to the facility. I don’t want to carve a trench through the mountain.”
“I’ve programmed the firing solution to follow the structure’s footprint. The surrounding rock should absorb most of the residual energy.”
“Excellent.”
T’Naagi leaned towards the center of the command platform. “Let’s review the sequence one final time.”
Dirov brought up a schematic of the underground complex.
“The primary power station supplies the transport inhibitors and communications jammers. There’s a secondary underground station that can restore power to those systems if the primary supply is destroyed.”
He highlighted another chamber.
“Security teams from the Soval and Hurricane are standing by to transport into the secondary power station. Their insertion coordinates are already programmed.”
“Once the shields are down, that is,” T’Naagi replied.
“Yes, Commander. The moment the inhibitors lose power, a transport window should open.”
Kim looked to Dirov. “How quickly can they restore the inhibitors?”
“Potentially within seconds if the secondary station remains under local control,” answered the Bolian in response.
T’Naagi nodded. “Which is why our teams need to be inside before anyone can bring those systems back online.”
She looked to Smythe, then over the rest of the bridge as she continued.
“Our objective is straightforward. We get the systems offline, secure the secondary station and transport our people out. Once everyone is safe, we can worry about restoring power to the complex.”
Smythe nodded. “Exactly. We’re not here to destroy their entire infrastructure.”
He studied the viewscreen as he continued,.
“The Hurricane is targeting a third power station above ground. That facility supplies another section of the underground network. Captain Raku’s people will eliminate it during the same firing window.”
Shaninne touched her communications controls.
“Hurricane confirms readiness, Captain. Their security team is standing by aboard the ship.”
“Thank you, Miss Shaninne.” Smythe looked to Dirov. “Transporter coordination?”
“All teams are synchronized. The Soval’s security contingent is under Lieutenant Jhele. The Hurricane’s is under Lieutenant Sarah Overson.” Dirov enlarged the underground schematic. “They’re going to materialize in several key positions around the secondary control room. We have coordinates for the main entrance, the generator access passage and the interior control platform.”
“Good.”
T’Naagi spoke next.
“Any contact with those who have been taken hostage?”
Dirov’s expression tightened.
“We still have no communications with them. Their commbadges are transmitting intermittently, but the signals aren’t getting through the interference.”
Smythe looked over the mountain range below from orbit.
It had been six hours since Mau, Myers, zh’Taalnah and their security escort had disappeared inside the complex.
Three security officers had already been confirmed dead through the final fragmentary sensor returns obtained before the transport inhibitors activated.
The remaining four personnel were somewhere beneath the mountain.
Smythe rested his hands against the armrests. “We’re bringing them home.”
Dirov carefully studied a reading on his console before he announced, “Thirty seconds until the timed firing window opens.”
Kim straightened at tactical. “Standing by, Captain.”
Veetha adjusted the Soval’s attitude by a fraction of a degree. “Orbital position is steady.”
Shaninne checked the communications link. “Hurricane confirms final synchronization.”
T’Naagi neon pink irises met Smythe’s dark eyes. “Everything is ready.”
The captain took one last look around the bridge.
“All right, everyone. I know how much work has gone into preparing this. We’ve got people down there depending on us, and I have extreme confidence that you’re going to bring them back.”
He glanced back to Kim. “Best of luck.”
Kim nodded. “Thank you, Captain.”
Dirov watched the countdown. “Twelve seconds.”
The bridge became quiet except for the beeping chimes and retorts of consoles.
Kim placed both hands against the tactical console. Her brown eyes followed the targeting indicators.
The phaser arrays were charged. The ship’s weapons remained trained on the power station.
Smythe leaned forward.
Veetha kept the Soval motionless relative to its target.
Kim drew a deep breath. “Phasers are locked.”
Dirov watched the final numbers disappear as he counted along. On the adjacent USS Hurricane, their bridge counted down the same numbers.
“Five. Four. Three. Two. One.”
Smythe raised his voice into a shout.
“Fire!”
A brilliant red beam erupted from the Soval’s ventral phaser array. It descended through the upper atmosphere in a continuous column of concentrated energy.
Far below, the power station’s defensive shields reacted. A violet arc flashed across the sky above the building as the beam struck. The shield surface rippled violently.
Red energy spread across its curved exterior as it concentrated around the point of impact. The violet field brightened until it illuminated the surrounding plateau and the steep rock faces behind the facility.
Inside the station, alarms sounded.
Zyridian technicians looked up from their consoles as the building shook.
One of the workers peered out of a window. The sky beyond it had turned red.
“EVACUATE!”
A second impact shook the facility as the shield generators struggled to distribute the incoming energy.
The first workers sprinted through the exits as heavy doors opened along the building’s lower level.
Several Rarkathians stumbled outside as they ran across the rocky plateau.
Above them, the enormous red beam continued to press against the violet shield.
The field flickered.
One worker tripped and fell as he crossed uneven ground. Another grabbed his arm and pulled him upright.
Both ran towards a nearby embankment.
The shield generators emitted a sharp mechanical shriek.
Inside the building, overloaded conduits burst from their housings. Sparks showered the floor. A technician abandoned his workstation as the main power distribution panel exploded behind him.
Outside, the violet dome contracted inwards, then expanded.
Its surface became uneven. Bright fractures spread through the energy field.
About a minute after the bombardment began, the shields collapsed.
The red beam struck the power station directly. A tremendous flash swallowed the upper section of the building.
Metal supports bent beneath the impact. The roof disintegrated as superheated fragments scattered across the plateau. The phaser beam burned through the main power distribution chamber before Kim adjusted the firing solution.
The beam moved.
Its brilliant red core swept along the building’s length as it followed the programmed outline of the structure.
A second section collapsed as the beam crossed the generator housing.
A massive internal explosion tore through the remaining walls. Fire erupted from the shattered facility.
The phaser beam continued until the last major power assembly had been destroyed. Its energy scorched the exposed ground beneath the building. A blackened outline was left where the station had stood.
Kim released the firing control. “Target destroyed, Captain.”
Smythe watched the smoke rise.
“Casualties?”
“I estimate them at about a dozen. Several personnel evacuated before the shields collapsed. I’m not detecting any remaining life signs within the structure.”
Smythe nodded. “Well done. Keep monitoring the area.”
On the distant horizon, another brilliant red beam had descended from the sky.
The Hurricane had also opened fire. Its phasers struck a separate power station several kilometers away.
A violet shield flashed into existence around the facility. The beam hammered against it.
For three seconds longer than the fall of the first shield, the second held.
Then its surface fractured beneath the sustained bombardment.
The enormous red column pierced the defenses and struck the building beneath. A bright explosion illuminated the distant mountains.
The Hurricane’s beam swept across the facility. Its exposed generators and transmission equipment were quickly destroyed.
Two columns of smoke slowly rose from the Rarkathian mountains.
On the Soval’s bridge, Dirov watched the power readings collapse.
“Primary power station is offline.” He touched another control. “Hurricane’s target is offline.”
A third display flashed.
“Transport inhibitors are dropping!”
T’Naagi leaned forward. “Send the teams.”
Dirov activated the transport sequence.
“Security teams are transporting now.”
Deep beneath the mountain, the secondary power station continued to operate.
Its control room occupied a broad artificial chamber surrounded by reinforced stone. Thick conduits ran along the ceiling before they descended to link into heavy power distribution equipment. Several Rarkathian technicians worked at consoles arranged around a central platform.
A large holographic display showed the underground complex.
Two sections suddenly flashed red.
One technician looked up. “Primary power has failed!”
Another turned to the emergency controls.
“Activate the secondary distribution network!”
He reached for the console.
A blue-white transporter beam appeared behind him. Then several more.
Starfleet personnel materialized almost simultaneously around the room.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Jhele appeared near the central control platform with three Soval security officers.
The Orion intelligence officer held a phaser in both hands. Her dark red hair remained secured in its tight bun, and her crimson eyes immediately found the nearest armed Rarkathian.
“Starfleet! Step away from the controls!”
Across the chamber, Sarah Overson materialized with the Hurricane’s security team.
Two officers appeared near the main entrance. Another pair materialized beside the generator access passage.
Overson raised her phaser.
“Nobody touch the power systems!”
A Rarkathian guard reached for his energy rifle.
Jhele fired. A red beam set to stun struck his chest.
He collapsed against a console before he slid onto the floor.
Another guard drew his weapon near the entrance. One of Overson’s officers fired first.
The Rarkathian dropped.
A third guard attempted to fire from behind a control station. His green energy blast struck the ceiling.
Overson hit him before he could properly aim.
The stun beam caught him across the shoulder and chest. He fell backwards.
“Secure the exits!” Overson ordered. Her officers moved into position.
Jhele advanced towards the central controls.
A Rarkathian technician raised both hands.
“Don’t shoot!”
“Then step away from the console.”
He obeyed.
Jhele looked over the power display.
The secondary generators were already beginning to restore electricity to the transport inhibitor network.
She moved to the console.
“Jhele to Soval. We’ve secured the control platform.”
Dirov’s voice answered through her combadge.
“Lieutenant, the inhibitors are beginning to reactivate.”
“I can see that.”
Jhele examined the controls.
The system was unfamiliar, but the power distribution schematic was straightforward.
She isolated the main output, then the auxiliary circuits.
Several indicators changed from green to amber.
She turned towards the nearest technician. “Where is the emergency bypass?”
The Rarkathian hesitated.
Jhele raised her phaser slightly.
“I’m not asking you to sabotage your equipment. I’m asking you to prevent the transport inhibitors from coming back online.”
He pointed towards a recessed panel. “That circuit.”
Jhele looked towards Overson. “Cover me.”
Overson nodded. “Go ahead.”
Jhele opened the panel. She examined the connections before she disconnected the bypass relay.
The power readings dropped.
“Secondary distribution has been isolated.” She touched another control. “Shutting down the remaining backup generators.”
The room’s overhead lighting flickered. Several consoles went dark.
The ventilation system slowed.
Jhele studied the last active power indicator before she pressed the shutdown control.
The secondary station fell silent.
Throughout the mountain complex, lights extinguished.
Corridors disappeared into darkness. Security doors stopped responding. Communications jammers lost power.
The transport inhibitor field finally collapsed completely.
In the deepest sections of the cave complex, emergency lamps illuminated the walls.
The entire mountain complex had been plunged into darkness.
Several levels above the underground power station, Speaker Tovek Rann lay on the floor of his private quarters.
His left ankle was broken. His right shoulder had been dislocated.
The corpulent Rarkathian’s heavy body rested against the polished stone floor. His green and brown scales glistened with perspiration. Small white spots along his cheeks and neck had become more pronounced beneath the warm lighting.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Meng Mau had him wrapped in a tight grip. His arm that wasn’t hurt was tucked between her legs, wrist securely locked in her grasp. Her thighs forced him down into her lock.
He couldn’t escape her grasp. He had underestimated the woman and now was faced with painful consequences.
Her uniform was disheveled. Her long black hair had come loose from its ponytail. Thick strands hung around her face and shoulders. She was exhausted.
Four hours of struggling with Rann had left an ache in her muscles.
Every time Rann attempted to rotate his body or pull his leg free, Mau adjusted her position and tightened the entanglement.
His injured shoulder made it almost impossible for him to use his right arm to push himself upright.
“Please.” Rann’s voice had become weak.
Mau looked down at him.
“Please what?”
“Let me go.”
She stared at him. For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Mau gave a short, humorless laugh.
“That’s funny.”
Rann grimaced.
“My leg.”
“Yes. I know.”
“You’re hurting me.”
Mau’s expression hardened. “Am I?”
“Please.”
She adjusted her grip whenever he attempted to move.
Rann cried out. “Stop!”
“Then stop trying to get away.”
He lay still.
Mau breathed heavily through her nose. Her rich brown complexion was flushed with crimson from the exertion. A thin layer of perspiration covered her forehead.
“I bet you wish you hadn’t told your guards to leave us alone for the night.”
Rann closed his eyes. “Please, Lieutenant.”
“What did you have in mind?”
He did not answer.
Mau leaned slightly forward. “Go on. Tell me.”
Rann’s forked tongue briefly appeared between his lips.
“I made a mistake.”
“A mistake?”
“Yes.”
Mau laughed again.
“You locked me in here. You told your guards not to disturb us. Then you decided I was going to do whatever you wanted because you had a weapon and I was supposed to be frightened of you.”
Rann swallowed.
“I wasn’t going to hurt you.”
Mau stared at him. “Don’t.”
He looked away.
“Don’t you dare tell me that.” Her voice rose. “You murdered three people. You kidnapped my friends. You dragged me into this room and threatened me. Then you expected me to sit here and be grateful because you offered to keep me warm.”
Rann remained silent.
Mau shook her head.
“Do you know what the worst part is?”
He did not answer.
“I came here to help you.”
She looked to the dark stone walls.
“We came here because people were shooting at each other, and we thought we might be able to stop it. We sat at your table. We listened to you. We were trying to find something both sides could agree on.”
Her voice became quieter.
“And you did this.”
Rann shifted slightly. Mau tightened her control.
He stopped. “Please, Lieutenant. We’ve been here for hours.”
“Four.”
He looked at her.
“Four hours,” Mau repeated. “I’ve been watching that clock.”
A small chronometer rested on a table near the wall.
She had watched the minutes accumulate while she maintained the hold.
Rann’s attempts to escape had become less frequent as the hours passed. At first, he had struggled violently.
His superior weight had made him difficult to control, but Mau had managed to entangle his legs during the initial fight.
When he tried to stand, she had pulled him off balance and turned her hips beneath him.
She had broken his ankle during the early stages of the grapple.
The shoulder injury followed when he attempted to force himself upright against the floor while his leg remained trapped. She caught his arm in an armbar and applied enough force to pop the joint out of place.
After that, he had been unable to overpower her.
Mau had remained close to his trapped leg, using her hips and thighs to control his movement.
She had learned enough grappling to understand that a larger opponent could be controlled through position and leverage.
Rann had learned this painfully.
Now he lay in her grasp, exhausted and frightened.
“Let me go,” he whispered.
Mau looked at the door.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because the moment I let you stand up, you’re going to call your guards.”
“I won’t.”
“You already lied to me once.”
“I swear.”
Mau looked back at him. “Then swear quietly.”
Rann closed his eyes.
For a while, the only sounds in the room came from his uneven breathing and the soft hum of the ventilation system.
Then the lights flickered.
Mau looked up as the ceiling lamps dimmed.
Rann opened his eyes.
“What?”
The lights flickered again as the ventilation system slowed.
Mau’s expression changed.
A distant mechanical vibration passed through the stone floor before the room went completely dark.
Rann gasped. Mau instinctively tightened her legs around his trapped limb.
“Don’t move.”
“I can’t see!”
“Neither can I.”
Somewhere beyond the soundproof walls, the underground power station had shut down.
The transport inhibitors were gone.
Mau felt a familiar tingling sensation spread across her body.
Blue-white light started to form around her. Transporter energy shimmered across her uniform and arms.
Her eyes widened. “Oh, thank God.”
Rann started to shout.
“What is happening?”
Mau released his leg as the transporter field took hold.
Two separate transporter patterns formed around them.
“Lieutenant!”
Mau disappeared.
A fraction of a second later, Rann vanished in a second beam.
The room was left empty.
On the Soval’s bridge, Dirov watched the transporter status indicators change.
One by one, the missing personnel appeared on the ship’s internal tracking display.
His amber-yellow eyes widened.
“Captain!”
Smythe turned.
Dirov looked up from ops.
“We have them!”
Dirov checked the destination assignments.
“Lieutenant Junior Grade Mau is in Sickbay. Lieutenant Junior Grade zh’Taalnah and Lieutenant Junior Grade Myers have also been recovered, along with the surviving security officer.”
Smythe released a long breath.
“Excellent news.”
Dirov continued.
“We also transported the Rarkathian suspected of abducting Lieutenant Mau. He’s been placed directly into the brig. Medical staff is in route to treat his injuries.”
“Bring our security teams back. Recover all personnel,” Smythe ordered.
“Let’s close this chapter”, T’Naagi added as she shifted in her chair.
Her eyes drifted to the empty third chair in the center of the bridge. That was normally reserved for Lt. JG Mau.
The Orion executive officer was glad she would soon be back to fill it.
