USS Tranquility, Post Two
First Officer's Log, Stardate 50329.82: The Captain has ordered me to oversee the field tests of the Tranquility's tactical systems. I have made a public address to advise everyone of the tests to alleviate possible problems with individuals witnessing phaser fire from the ship through the nearest view port. Tension onboard is running high enough in the wake of the recent Borg attack.
Fortunately, however, Starfleet Command has arranged additional security of the system until rescue and salvage operations are complete. One escort vessel that caught my eye is the USS Defiant. The vessel took quite a pounding in the battle with the Borg but is still providing escort support of emergency services vessels. Her first officer, Lieutenant Commander Worf, has insisted on assisting task force security until we have completed our grim duty before docking the Defiant for much needed repairs. He seems to be a capable and honorable man.
*****
It is clear that Adar doesn't like this mission. It is likely that Commander Kalian's choice of having the Cardassians as part of the final exam has something to do with it.
Savu brusquely says, "Well, the exam isn't going to start itself. At least one of us should keep an eye on the battle and Cardassians. Judging from our specialties and skills, I guess it would be me." Despite Fox's position in command branch, Savu has always been a kind of 'take charge' kind of person. "Perhaps if Fox and I keep look out, T'Quell and Berrier will be best at removing the debris and rescuing Lieutenant Kingsley.
Fox suggests that he coordinates the mission, as a practical necessity. The team responds with an uncomfortable silence. He grins a little and stiffly jokes, "Four years and a red tunic, all for nothing."
T'Quell simply stares expectantly at Fox in the unique way of her people. Abnormally closed off, she rarely speaks. Exposure to her peculiarities over the years at Starfleet Academy, however, have given each team member a rough feeling of her intentions. The fact that she is staring in this way suggests that she considers him the team leader and awaits his orders.
Fox surmises T'Quell's standpoint and says, "I suggest that Nigel and T'Quell use tricorders to search for Lieutenant Kingsley, while Savu and I use tricorders to locate other life signs such as the Cardassians and Maquis."
Berrier seems disappointed in the entire thing. He sighs and makes a face. He nods to the rest of the team that he's ready.
The Holodeck door machinery whines with the effort of opening. Beyond the open archway is a steamy jungle scene complete with background sounds and uncomfortable levels of sultriness. Just within the vast scene of foliage, in the few feet of remnant technology of the Tranquility's Holodeck archway rests the equipment assigned to the team by Commander Kalian for their final assessment.
Everyone gathers the necessary equipment for the final exam. Everyone seems a little on edge, but their Starfleet training shines through a little as they steady themselves. They step in, the doors whine shut behind them, and the arch disappears.
With a grunt Berrier hefts the pattern enhancers over his shoulder and says, "These flares for the dramatic are making me wish I stayed in bed. Cardassians, Marquee, and a shuttle, oh my."
"Keep your phasers on light stun," Fox says to the rest of the team.
The jungle is typical in many ways. The program being used is obviously a basic representation of this kind of environment. There shouldn't be too many surprises buried in the environmental side of the program. If only the air wasn't so thick and warm.
In the distance the team notices a plume of black smoke. It is safe to assume that the source is the crashed shuttle. The crash site is near the peak of a distant hill. A stream divides the region between the team's current location and the hill.
Berrier voices a concern, "Hey T'Quell, can we get an anti-radiation shot or something? I'm too young to go bald and lose my skin."
Fox turns to T'Quell and asks, "Are Hydronalin injections are necessary due to the radiation?"
T'Quell operates her tricorder for a few seconds and minutely shakes her head.
Fox arranges the team in a diamond formation and leads them towards the distant pillar of rising smoke. As they take their initial steps through the steamy jungle Fox speaks in low tones to Berrier, "I'm glad you're with me on this one, Nigel."
Through their time in Starfleet, it is clear to everyone that Fox and Berrier are of vastly different character. Berrier gives Fox a little surprised look, a confirming nod, and silent thumbs up.
Picking their way through the dense jungle, the team cautiously makes their way to the crash site. It's hard to ignore the feeling of watching eyes from the surrounding foliage. Many members find themselves cautiously keeping their phaser ready for action should something spring at them from the undergrowth with teeth bared.
The team arrives at the treed edge of the stream. The distance between each shore's tree line is over ten meters of no cover or concealment. Their eyes and tricorders probe the area for the best way across.
Suddenly a humanoid form explodes from the tree line a few meters downstream on the far side. Before anyone can get a good look at the individual, they trip and disappear partially into the stream with a clumsy splash.
A group of three armed Cardassians appear at the far tree line in hot pursuit. The central figure fires his phaser rifle at the fleeing Bajoran member of the Maquis. The beam impacts with the flaying individual and stuns them into the middle of the stream.
"Get her back to the transport ship and tag her for the labor camp on Kalandra," the central figure commands the sizable Cardassian on his left.
The team's jaws drop as one. The central figure appears to be Commander Kalian made up as a Cardassian. That would explain why no one saw him earlier today. Not good. Commander Kalian is playing the potentially dangerous Tulgryn Stran and clearly swaggering to the hilt.
"Yes Tulgryn," the larger Cardassian rumbles. They sure grow them big where he comes from.
The third Cardassian has his tricorder out. They must be searching for other Maquis soldiers in the area. Across the babbling of the stream the team can hear the device examining the area. The Cardassian pauses while facing the team's direction and says, "Tulgryn. You should have a look at this."
Stran walks over to his subordinate and gives the device a brief glance. A wide smile splits his gray-skinned face. He adjusts his sidearm and shouts in the team's direction, "Come out Starfleet. We know you're there. Come out so we can…talk."
The team hears the smile in his voice when he says the word 'talk.'
Stran orders his subordinates to stand ready. The Bajoran woman lies stunned, face down in the water. The Cardassians don't seem to be paying her any mind. They seem content to let the woman drown.
Fox turns and is about to instruct the team on his plan. He pauses. Though it is clear that he is calm, it appears that he is quickly reconsidering. The slowly drowning Maquis soldier has put an important facet on the situation. He gestures to his teammates to wait for a moment.
"Tulgryn Stran," Fox steps out from the foliage enough for the Cardassians to see him. Leave it to a red shirt to pull something like this. Surprisingly, Fox is confident and calm and maintains eye contact with the Cardassian officer. "We have clearance from Gul Morel. I would like to stress the urgent nature of our mission and its peaceful nature."
Tulgryn Stran seems impressed by the young officer's boldness. He thinks for a few seconds and then a wide smile flashes his white, shark like teeth. He nods a little to himself and says to Fox, "You may pass and continue on your mission of mercy, Starfleet."
The Cardassian officer does not lower his weapon and does not give any orders to his subordinates. The Cardassians stand ready. It is still many meters of no man's land across the stream and that woman is still drowning. The entire situation feels like trying to stand on a shifting slope of ice and snow.
USS Tranquility, Part Three
While Fox is brazenly confronting the Cardassians, Berrier quietly shakes his head in amazement. The twist of his mouth suggests his personal incredulity with Fox's choice of action when the possibility of open conflict is dangerously significant.
Fox backs away from the Cardassians and out of their line of sight. He asks those with tricorders in hand, "Can we cross by the woman?"
Savu nods his head and says, "We can't let that woman just stay there and drown. She may be a prisoner, but the Cardassians have to keep her alive. T'Quell's a medical officer. Her oath must bind her to help. I know it might compromise our mission, but we can't stand by and do nothing!" Savu's phaser is pointed safely at the jungle earth in a tactically sound low ready position.
It appears that Fox already had Savu's concerns in mind. He replies, "Calm down. Number one, it's a simulation. Kalian wants to find out how we all react to this. Number two, no one got what they wanted in the treaty, but it has kept the peace for years. Relax. They don't want to tear up the treaty any more than we do."
T'Quell does not seem convinced of the last statement, but remains customarily silent.
Berrier runs a sweep for more Cardassians with his tricorder. Unfortunately, the device cannot get a good read on the crash site due to the background radiation, but the thinning plume of distant smoke helps him get his bearings. He double-checks the pattern enhancers, realizing that they are the only way for the team to be transported off the planet in a timely fashion.
Fox tactically arranges the team. Savu and Berrier remain along the tree line and provide cover. Fox and T'Quell keep phasers holstered and re-emerge in sight of the Cardassians.
Fox says to Tulgryn Stran, "We shall cross here and pick up your prisoner for you. She won't be able to do much labor for you when she's dead."
Stran smiles widely like a shark ready to devour a meal. The Cardassians ready their weapons and point them directly at the two approaching Starfleet cadets. Berrier and Savu in the tree line take cover and anxiously take aim.
Fox attempts to diffuse the situation by saying, "She is a criminal and should be punished, but we cannot let her drown there. Allow my doctor to treat her and then you can take her with you."
A tense few seconds pass as Stran considers things. A light jungle breeze ripples through the area, enhancing the slow passing of time.
Finally, Stran nods his head. T'Quell rushes through the stream ahead of Fox. Fox strides forward confidently and helps the Vulcan pull the Maquis soldier to shore.
T'Quell, drenched to mid thigh, pulls out her medical tricorder. A small alarm immediately triggers. She gives Fox a grim look and immediately sets to work. It is clear that the woman is not breathing.
As T'Quell works feverishly to save the woman's life, the taught nature of the scene is drawn even tighter. It is not going to be good, if the woman dies in the hands of Starfleet personnel. Galactic incidents are spawned from such situations.
Like the cry of a newborn, the Bajoran begins to cough, water begins to run out of her mouth, and she fights to breathe. T'Quell has saved the woman's life and potentially averted a serious problem.
T'Quell breathes a sigh of relief and then composes her self. Once satisfied with the condition of her patient, she stands, nods to Fox, and begins to walk across the stream to the far side with a Vulcan air of dignity. She has another patient who needs her in the distant jungle.
The Cardassians calmly watch the team make their way across. Both groups eye one another with phasers at the ready. When the last individual is across, Stran signals his larger subordinate to gather up the slowly recovering Maquis soldier.
Soon the team leaves Stran and his foot soldiers in the distance. Many breathe a sigh of relief. Some members don't seem completely satisfied with how everything played out.
The upland journey to the crash site is troublesome. The terrain is broken rock and thick jungle. Lieutenant Kingsley could have picked a better place to crash for her rescuers. Several of the obstacles require team efforts to get over or around. Savu outshines his teammates in physically navigating the terrain.
Along the way, Fox hovers near Berrier. He attempts to gently probe about Berrier's seeming disinterest in Starfleet.
The shuttle crash has toppled several trees. Several others have snapped in half, leaving long ragged stumps jutting out of the ground. A twenty-meter gouge in the ground is surrounded by crash debris of the shuttle.
One of the nacelles was clearly ripped from the rest of the craft and is nowhere to be found. It could have burned up on planetary entry or be somewhere along the crash line. The main fuselage of the shuttle came to stop at the base of a sizable boulder.
According to Berrier's tricorder readings, the impact of the shuttle into the boulder has shifted its center of balance onto the upper frame of the shuttle, and it appears ready to turn its entire weight onto the shuttle. If the weight of the boulder shifts onto the vessel, it is likely that it will crush the cockpit. The shuttle doors are under tremendous frame stress and will have to be cut open. Unfortunately, the removal of the doors' supportive strength on the rest of the space frame may result in the boulder being shifted badly. On the positive side, the earthen scar left by the shuttle has created a nice clear area to set up the transporter enhancers.
T'Quell slowly circles the shuttle with her medical tricorder in hand. She is careful not to touch the shuttle until Berrier is satisfied with the safety of the crash site. She finally arrives at Fox's side and surprisingly speaks. With a face of Vulcan stone she simply says, "Lieutenant Kingsley is beyond help in one quarter hour."
Savu is standing atop the peak of the hill with tricorder in hand. It is difficult to successfully make out life signs in a jungle environment. Vague readings of humanoid life forms are approaching the crash site. The approaching figures are Bajoran, likely Maquis soldiers, and will arrive in ten minutes.
USS Tranquility, Part Four
Berrier gives Fox annoyed looks on the way to the shuttle, regarding his attitudes towards Starfleet. While quickly double-checking his tricorder readings of the crash site, he says to the team leader, "We all have jobs to do. If I didn't want to be part of Starfleet, I wouldn't care about this test or the team. Hell, I never would have even joined. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lieutenant to free from the shuttle."
Fox remains calm and returns to the task at hand. "Options?" he asks.
>From his observation position, Savu addresses the team with, "If we need help freeing the lieutenant perhaps I can talk to the approaching Maquis, but in exchange we can expect a violent reaction from the Cardassians. Otherwise, get the injured personal out of here and I'll speak with them to hold them off."
Berrier hands Fox the transporter enhancers and tells him where to set them up. Fox asks about setting them around the shuttle and beaming the entire thing. Berrier shakes his head that the cargo transporters will section the shuttle because of its size, which may result in the cockpit collapsing and killing the injured.
Berrier focuses on the shifting boulder and begins to make the necessary calculations. He turns to the team's doctor and says, "T'Quell, I need your help with the boulder's mass, and how much we need to cut away before it crushes the shuttle. I don't think she'll hold if we cut into her. Also it would help if someone could get through to the lieutenant to see if he can move at all towards the rear of the ship."
The Vulcan walks over to Berrier and shows him her medical tricorder display. Lieutenant Kingsley is clearly unconscious at flight control.
With little choice, Berrier finishes his assessment of the boulder and draws his phaser. After setting it to the correct level, he takes aim. "I'll need the rest of you to keep and eye out for dangerous shifting."
Everyone gives the engineer a nod. Fox completes setting up the enhancers. The team leader suggests propping the boulder up with the logs of the fallen trees. Savu shoots the idea down because of the time required and the closing proximity of the approaching Maquis.
Berrier begins to cut the boulder with his sidearm. The operation is tricky and requires a steady hand. The critical eyes of the team help him make the correct adjustments. Soon the boulder is trimmed enough that it poses only a partial threat to crushing the cockpit. Berrier adjusts his phaser again and cuts away the shuttle doors.
T'Quell moves quickly into the shuttle before anyone can verify the safety of the boulder and shuttle with the doors removed. She quickly scans her patient, draws out a hypospray, and injects Lieutenant Kingsley first with Hydronalin and then Tri-Ox. It appears that one of the lieutenant's lungs was pierced by a broken rib and requires medical attention. T'Quell adjusts the flight control chair into the fully reclined position and draws her phaser.
Fox arrives at the mouth of the shuttle doors and asks for a report.
"I require your assistance," T'Quell says. She gestures for Fox to grasp the head of the chair and support it. She fires her phaser at the base of the chair and severs the supports. Soon the flight control chair becomes a makeshift stretcher. The Vulcan shoulders her equipment and easily lifts here end of the chair. The two exit the crippled shuttle and head to the transporter enhancers.
The team quickly gathers inside the transporter enhancers. Berrier moves to each one and activates their beacons. Fox taps his communicator badge, "Away team to the bridge. Captain, we have completed the rescue of Lieutenant Kingsley and await transport."
"Acknowledged away team," Captain Lathy responds. He is aware of the training scenario and actually speaks to the cadet team from the bridge of the Tranquility. "Transporter room one, beam up the away team and Lieutenant Kingsley."
*****
The cadets nervously await Commander Kalian's return from sickbay. Their instructor is undergoing the removal of his Cardassian prosthetics. It gives the team a chance to over the mission and how they met each challenge in the simulation. They go over it time and again, analyzing their own performance.
Finally, Commander Kalian arrives. The skin along the edges of his neck, chin, lower ears, and forehead are pinkish from the procedure. Even his spots along his hairline are a little lighter in color. This should all pass in a couple of hours.
His face is an expressionless mask. He seems to have perfected the Vulcan façade. He places a PADD down on the briefing room's tabletop and takes a seat the head. Finally, a wide smile splits his face. "Computer," he says, "display final results for cadet exam FBTS-1024."
The displays submerged into the glossy black skin of the table come to life in front of each cadet. The team score well, very well both individually and as a unit. All primary and secondary objectives were achieved. Extra marks were given for achieving a successful primary rescue without a firefight and a secondary rescue in the face of potential violence.
Commander Kalian congratulates each cadet for successfully completing his or her Starfleet Academy training with flying colors. "Do you have anything to say before we conclude?"
Earth Security, Part Three
The team is clearly shocked by Admiral Leyton's revelation. Some considerable discussion is brought forward, essentially questioning the value of such a tactic. The most poignant is the thought of giving the Changelings a true opportunity to strike when the planet's power relay station goes down.
A gleam shines in the eye of the admiral when the question of poised. He nods to himself and gives the team a smile of pride. It seems the admiral likes what he is hearing. Unfortunately, what he likes is not necessarily what the team first thinks.
"You all have excellent concerns and worthy moral ground on which to stand," Admiral Leyton says. "I have wrestled for long hours with the same dilemma. The bottom line is that Starfleet must contend not only with an external threat to the Federation, but internal one as well."
The admiral rolls a red office chair around to sit near the team. His presence draws their semi-circle of attention directly on him. His voice drops in volume to a more conversational level, but also one that holds strong undertones of seriousness. "The Changelings have already made their choice very clear. It is now up to us to take action in response to that threat. With the Federation Council as divided as it is, something must be done to tip the scales in our favor. Sitting on the fence will not defend the Federation.
"There is a motive in this plan that is secondary to showing the Federation Council what danger the Changelings represent. If we temporarily damage a key infrastructure facility such as the power relay station, they will be tempted to eliminate the facility permanently." Admiral Leyton waits the right amount of time for a dramatic pause. "This is why we will be waiting for them."
"In the long hours of my consideration, I have gone back and forth over our problem. Though there are other alternatives, time is a luxury we do not have and time is what these other alternatives require." The admiral's eyes fix on Lieutenant Fox. "I have made my decision in the course of action to take. What I need is your help. I assure you that your assistance will be well rewarded."
The team's medical officer clears her throat. All eyes turn to her and she silently stands and assumes the posture of attention. "Sir, I cannot accept this mission."
The room takes on an uncomfortable pause. The admiral looks at her long and hard, his face unreadable.
"So be it," he finally says and comes to his feet. He walks to the door he entered through and waves in two armed security officers. "If you will go with these men, ensign. I am placing you under temporary house arrest until the mission has been completed. This is only to maintain the security of the mission, I assure you. When it is complete, you will be released and no official record shall be filed."
She doesn't give anyone in the room a second glance. Stiffly, the Vulcan doctor walks towards the two security officers and she is escorted from the room. On the way out, one of the security officers relieves her of her communicator badge. The door closes behind them.
Admiral Leyton clears his own throat to bring the room's attention back to him. "You will be notified of all the necessary details prior to the arrival of the insertion team. Good luck to you all."
*****
The following few days drag by for the remaining trio. Security duty doesn't feel the same without their nearly silent comrade at their side. The first shift was filled with hours of discussion, each team member cautious not to mention specifics to prevent a security issue. Despite everyone's strong feelings on the matter, no one was ready to make the same kind of step that she had made.
What made matters worse was subtle but strong indications that the team was being watched. It is almost as if Admiral Leyton doesn't fully trust the trio. This obviously rankles Lieutenant Fox from time to time. There is never an obvious moment where the team is being monitored that can be used as proof in a confrontation, but it is certainly hard to shake the feelings of eyes on the backs of their heads.
Twice the team was advised that their upcoming shift would have the insertion team arrive and they were given all the necessary intelligence to perform their duties. Both times the mission was called off at the last minute. Each time the passwords and movements of the verification and allowing the Red Group team to pass changed. The third time, however, the mission is not called off at the last minute.
The Red Group insertion team will be arriving on a parts transport. They will be posing as civilians who will refuse to have the blood test administered. The parts are critical to the station's operation, so they will be granted access without the blood test. They have been given authentic identification to prevent computer issues.
Only one video monitoring device will be active at the entry the team is guarding. The lack of blood test will be used as a part of Admiral Leyton's long line of planned evidence that will suggest the Changelings were responsible. The other two monitors will suffer technical malfunctions. Fortunately, the camera that will be active will only be recording to the back of the trio at the gate to protect their identities, if they are mindful of their movements.
The covert team leader will identify himself with talk of the weather in Arizona. The security response is to comment that he was there with his family when he was a child. This will alert both teams of each other's identity and can begin acting through the scene of the blood test denial and finally allowing the covert team to pass.
Once word of the upcoming moment reaches the trio and they arrive at their posts, it is difficult for them to stay focuses. They find themselves preoccupied with second thoughts. The weight of their decision affecting not only the billions of lives on Earth, but also the entire Federation, begins to press on them. It would seem that one does not need Sovereign-class starships and heroic crews to determine the fate of the galaxy.
It is difficult not to expect that each civilian transport coming to the station is 'the one.' Not having much experience in such covert matters wears thin on the team's already frayed nerves. Each member struggles to some degree maintaining a façade of patience. Finally, the moment of truth arrives.
A civilian hover transport arrives and comes to rest at the mouth of the security gate. Savu's inspection of the vehicle's identification comes up clean on the security network - it is not expected at this time or gate, but it has passed through here before. Berrier's tricorder readings of the transport reveal that it is mainly laden with critical supplies for the station, but there is also a flat section roughly six inches thick that runs the entire length and width of the bed of the transport that is resistant to his scans. The two ensigns head over to Fox and whisper to one another their findings. There are six civilians in total in the transport.
The driver gets out of the transport and makes his way down the steps on its shoulder. He is a handsome, clean cut, and fit human male in his mid twenties. He approaches the trio with a friendly, calm smile and says to the three of them, "You folks sure have it nice out here. Heck, today back in Arizona she's hotter than the devil's oven I tell ya!"
The moment of truth is upon the team. The fate of billions rests in their hands.
Earth Security, Part Four
Fox gives the covert team leader, one Lieutenant Michael Thompson, the correct response. The team goes through the planned conflict regarding blood testing. The acting is sub-par due to everyone's unease, but it should pass casual inspection through the security feed recordings.
Two of the members of the Red Group team recognize Fox, as does the Starfleet officer. Neither side gives the other acknowledgement, but the eyes register and greet one another. During those brief glances, it is clear that not every member of the covert team is convinced of the ethics of the mission.
Finally, the "civilians" pass through the access way and into Earth's power relay station. The large transport doors whine shut on hydraulics behind their transport, leaving Fox, Savu, and Berrier to their normal security duties.
The team's mood casts a pall in the air. No one speaks. Each member is distant, lost in his own thoughts. They avoid eye contact with one another and busy themselves with trivial tasks.
After several minutes, the security alarm activates and the power station goes into lockdown mode. The team jumps nearly out of their skin when the klaxons beep and the doors are reinforced with force fields. Everyone grips their phasers anxiously and eyes one another for reassurance that they are watching one another's backs.
A check of the mission display on the security panel reveals that the team is to maintain the security of the facility and allow no one in or out of the facility until lockdown has been lifted. Everyone assumes tactically defensive positions, turns on and sets their tricorders out beside them, and gets comfortable for what could be a long day.
Thankfully the blaring klaxon only beeps for just under a minute. The red alert status of the facility is maintained, however. It is not until close to a half hour has passed that the security level is returned to normal. The team relaxes a little. The security display reveals an all-normal status and the team is to return to routine duty.
Less than ten minutes later, a Starfleet hover car zips up the beginnings of the access way. The vehicle comes to a rest in front of the angled black and yellow security line. The driver and passenger doors open upwards in a gull wing configuration. Two figures get out of the vehicle - Captain Benjamin Sisko and Security Officer Odo.
Sisko approaches Fox and says, "I am Captain Sisko, Chief of Earth Security. I need to speak with Lieutenant Glenn." With that, the African American rolls up his sleeve up to his elbow for the blood test.
While Fox administers the blood test, the plainly uniformed Odo crosses his arms over his chest and Bajoran badge and eyes Savu with a deadpan look. Something in his eyes tells the Bajoran that certain undisclosed efforts have not been for nothing. The young officer sighs a little to himself in relief.
Though Berrier sees the silent exchange between the Changeling and the Bajoran, he keeps it to himself for now.
Sisko's blood checks out as human. Odo gives Fox a thin-lipped, half smile. The head of security waves the Changeling to follow him into the facility. Without further dialogue, the two figures enter the power relay station and leave their hover transport blocking the access way.
At least the team has some time to themselves to puzzle over what has just happened. It is not like any more transports or personnel will be attempting to pass through with the transport where it is.
*****
Admiral's Leyton's Personal Log, Stardate 50622.36: My recent efforts to ensure security of the Federation in the face of the Changeling threat have been subverted by officers under my command. It seems that conflicting ethics in my plans have led to a division in Starfleet. This was not my intent. Only a few key individuals are aware of the truth behind the operation regarding the power station for Earth. Though we are few, I have a strong feeling that we are the ones who will have a strong impact on the Federation's side of the conflict with the Dominion. The shortsighted actions of a few have divided us, and I am convinced that this division will weaken Starfleet and prevent us from properly defending the Alpha Quadrant from the unified forces of the Dominion.
No concrete proof exists that the operation was under my guidance. A probe into the operation launched by Captain Sisko has been stonewalled. Those proven involved have been reprimanded, but the Dominion threat has stayed Starfleet's hand in being overly harsh. The fact that the team did not even have a chance to begin the meat of the operation has lessened the charges of guilt against them. I feel responsible for the black marks on these loyal officers' records, and vow to do whatever is in my power to minimize the damage to their careers that it may cause.
Though I am frustrated by the actions of my subordinates, I cannot fault them morally for their decision. It is true that I cannot trust them, but this leaves an even bitter taste in my mouth when I consider that I may have to "throw the baby out with the bath water" when it comes to my protégé. I have considered using my influence in Starfleet Command to make arrangements for reassignment for some of these officers, but it would do little good in the grand scheme. They have chosen their fate and I wash my hands of them. My protégé, however, I have yet to make a final decision.
There is one officer that I have a particular problem with. I have decided to remove that person from negatively influencing other officers with salvageable careers.
*****
The past several months have been trying on every member of the team. It is almost as if someone had struck glass with a hammer. Each piece has remained removed and distant from the others. It seems that recent events may have destroyed the friendships and team atmosphere that took years of Academy life to build.
Once it was discovered that it was Savu who triggered the security lockdown of the power relay station, strong feelings came into play in the team's interaction with one another. It was also revealed during the investigation launched by Captain Sisko into the potential sabotage that it was Savu who alerted him to it. Though it is never established, it is also likely that it was Savu who privately fingered Admiral Leyton to Captain Sisko as well.
With Admiral Leyton in the eye of Starfleet Command, many of the sweeping security reforms on Earth are re-examined by the Federation Council. Soon the Council restores the planet's security to normal and many Starfleet officers await reassignment.
A formal inquiry is launched into the sabotage plans of the station. The members of Red Group who were captured remained steadfast that it was they alone who created and executed the plan. The security team at the station made counter-claims and suggested the involvement of Admiral Leyton. Unfortunately, proof of the discussion in Lieutenant Glenn's office could not be found. The head of the Red Group team was punished the worst with a dishonorable discharge from Starfleet, while the remainder of the exposed team have had permanent entries in their personnel records that will affect their careers forever. At the close of the inquiry, Captain Sisko stepped down as Head of Earth Security and returned to his distant space station.
After the formal inquiry, each team member spends much of his or her time away from the rest for various personal reasons. It is during this time that each member reflects on the deeper meanings of being a Starfleet officer beyond starships, away missions, and black and white decisions. It is a painful and sobering maturation process.
Finally the team is summoned to Starfleet Command to receive their new orders. The time spend in the waiting room is painfully silent. Even the Vulcan is a little affected by the somber air of the team. They slowly shuffle into Commander Blackman's office when he is ready for them.
"Here are you assignments," Blackman says as he hands the team a PADD each. Each team member goes through mixed emotions when they casually notice that each display is exactly the same in both layout and content, except for T'Quell.
T'Quell has been assigned to the USS Tranquility as a long-term member of the medical staff. She is to report to the executive officer of the medical vessel for specific role assignment.
The remaining trio of officers is to report to the USS Rapier, Saber-class light cruiser, in two days time. The Rapier is bound for the Cardassian border. The team will be responsible for overseeing tricobalt explosives that are key to an undisclosed assignment for the light cruiser. The majority of the team's mission is on a need-to-know basis that will be revealed by Captain Barker, commanding officer of the Rapier, when he decides that the team needs to be informed. The trio's assignment to the Rapier has been noted as a short- to medium-term assignment.
Toros III, Part One (part one)
Although being assigned to different posts is common in Starfleet, it never dulls the ache one feels when they must part company with a comrade. There is little in the way of ceremony or celebration when the team is divided and Ensign T'Quell leaves on a transport for her new long-term assignment. With every member of the team lost in thought about the internal politics of Starfleet, it is easy enough for them to forget they are being forced apart. It is not until after the Vulcan is gone that the remainder realize the hole she filled. Once realized that they might miss the normally silent doctor, each member considers whether or not they will be missed if they must leave. It makes them wonder how much of an impact have they truly have had on their peers.
Savu clearly is looking forward to their upcoming mission. His experiences with the Cardassians will prove invaluable, but perhaps they will also prove detrimental. With the security assignment on Earth over, the security officer clearly is looking forward to the future.
Berrier's normally flippant attitude has softened from time to time around the Bajoran. He has attempted to spend a little more time with Savu. The engineer updates himself on the specific technicalities of the Saber-class light cruisers. Though excited about working with the tricobalt explosives, he is a little disappointed to discover that the team will not be working with launch capable warheads but rather portable devices used for covert operations. It puts a whole new facet on the team's mysterious mission. It is also a good thing that they have assigned an engineer to the mission, as the portable devices are still experimental and unstable.
Fox never seems to sleep. At first he spends a considerable amount of time familiarizing himself with the generalities of holographic simulations of the USS Rapier and going over personnel records. It almost seems that he is avoiding his teammates.
With a little time on their hands, the team takes a few moments to brief themselves on the galactic situation. Since their graduation early in the year, much has been happening across the Alpha Quadrant. The Founders have been discovered to be funding independent pirate groups, which have spread Starfleet thin across the Federation. A Jem'Hadar attack ship has been recovered and Starfleet Engineering is studying the vessel. A fleet of Jem'Hadar ships passed through the Gamma Quadrant wormhole and the Cardassians became official allies of the Dominion. For weeks the Dominion has dispatched large fleets into Cardassian territory, which resulted in the Bajorans, Tholians, Gorn, and Romulan governments signing non-aggression treaties with the Dominion-Cardassian alliance. Finally, formal war between the Dominion-Cardassian and the Federation-Klingon alliances has been declared.
The Saber-class light cruiser was developed as a result of the Defense Perimeter Directive. It is slightly larger than the Defiant-class heavy escort and owes much of its design to the Defiant Development Project. The ship lacks the traditional nacelle pylon design, which results in a much smaller target profile. Its size and armament makes it quick and easy to produce. Most Saber-class light cruisers are assigned hostile frontier patrol, combat support, and escort duties.
The USS Rapier is oddly shaped for a Starfleet vessel, though several earmarks suggest its service to the Federation. The telltale warp nacelles and saucer are similar in design to other modern Starfleet vessels. The bluish white hull coloration common to all Starfleet vessels remains consistent with the Rapier as well.
The interior of the vessel is cramped - a common trait to vessels born from the Defiant Development Project designs. The Rapier serves a small band of specific mission parameters and she performs them more than adequately with the latest in starship technology. Her non-traditional, angular interior is decorated with light gray, blue, and black. The relatively sharp angles of the corridors and walls feel out of place on a Starfleet vessel.
The Rapier's small crew all knows one another by first name. When there are only forty souls as a normal crew compliment, this is not unusual. Every Thursday evening is an open Olympic-style fencing tournament in Holodeck 2, which every crewman gladly attends if not on shift, with the exotic holographic settings of the tournament changing each week to one of the various Federation planets. It is common to see off duty crewmen practicing their skills in fencing in various areas of the ship. On duty, however, everyone addresses one another with the correct formality and dignity befitting a shipshape Starfleet vessel.
Captain Barker, commanding officer of the Rapier, is the kind of human that security officers like to serve under. He is a shrewd man his late forties with short gray hair, bright blue eyes, and a stylish gray goatee. Barker is a take-charge kind of man that is not afraid to get down in the trenches with his crew. He is not afraid to do any task he asks one of his crew to perform, and this is how he judges whether or not a task is too dangerous or menial. He also attempts to practice a hands-off approach to running his ship. Many of the details of each crewman's day-to-day duties he leaves in their hands. He trusts his senior staff to ensure each branch of his vessel is operating at peak efficiency and leaves them to do their jobs. However, he expects results when he issues orders or asks for input. It has been said that Barker is brave to a fault and that some day his boldness will make him bite off more than he can chew for the sake of his crew, the Rapier, or the Federation. The captain's political standpoint on the current division in Starfleet is unknown at this time and it is likely he is sitting on the fence, preferring the focus on meeting the Dominion-Cardassian threat on the front lines rather than worrying about internal political opinions.
Barker has assigned cargo bay one as the team's central area. With ship's quarters already filled with crew and civilian passengers bound for the front lines, the team is forced to bunk together in the spartan facility. It is hard not to feel the tension between them sometimes, but the growing distance from Earth is helping them to consider resolving any issues they may have built up within themselves.
The cargo bay is also home to the tricobalt devices. There are three in total, buried deeply inside protective crates filled with impact resistant materials. These portable unstable devices pack enough punch to double the explosive energy of a photon torpedo. Each device has been formed to resemble a hard shell backpack. Even the straps that go over the carrier's body are hard plastics.
Fox finally comes around and makes an attempt to soothe any potential problems in the team. He humbly approaches his Bajoran security officer during a private moment. He simply says with troubled sincerity, "Adar, I admire your courage for doing what I could not back on Earth."
Immediately after sharing this with Savu, Fox finds Berrier and invites him to a several rounds of drinks in one of the Rapier's comfortable lounges. The team's lieutenant appears to be hell bent on getting himself quite stupefied.
The Rapier has finally arrived at the rendezvous point. Several Starfleet and Klingon vessels are already in the area. Through the ship's view ports, it is clear that a large task force is being assembled.
The cargo bay communications device beeps. "Captain Barker to cargo bay one. Lieutenant Fox and your team report to my ready room immediately."
Fox acknowledges the summons and the trio heads to meet with the captain. Barker is standing with a Klingon officer when they arrive. He waves them to sit down as the Klingon eyes them with a critical gaze.
The Klingon is roughly medium-sized for his species, which means he is quite robust by Human and Bajoran standards. His teeth are wickedly curved and menacing as befitting his people. His armor is well worn and the badges on his breast suggest that he is a decorated veteran. The Klingon's hair is streaked with wisps of reddish strands of hair, which is quite odd.
"Gentlemen," Barker begins, "let me introduce to you Commander Boreg. He is the commanding officer of the Bird of Prey you will be serving on the next leg of your mission."
Toros III, Part One (part two)
The Klingon gives the team a slight nod. He doesn't seem to approve of the team somehow, but it is difficult to imagine him approving of any Starfleet officers on his ship let alone the youths before him.
Barker continues in his matter-of-fact voice. "Your mission is to transfer the explosive devices and yourselves to the Klingon vessel. Commander Boreg will deliver you to just within transporter range for the Cardassian shipyards at Torros III. You will beam aboard and plant the devices near the main weapon platforms' reactors and set their timers to detonate synchronously. Once they are set, you are to signal the Klingons and they will beam you back. You will inform Commander Boreg immediately of the detonation time. The joint Federation-Klingon task force will coordinate its attack on the shipyards to correspond with the detonations. Schematics of the shipyards and Starfleet equipment will be before you join the Klingon ship. Dismissed."
The instability of the devices immediately springs to mind. A stray phaser impact on one of the devices may set it off.
Commander Boreg leaves the captain's ready room with the trio of young officers. He silent broods all the way through the trip to the cargo bay, transportation of the team's equipment to his vessel, and the beaming over. Needless to say, the trip in the turbolift was a relative shock to the Starfleet officer's nasal passages.
Each member of the team is issued a PADD with detailed schematics of the shipyards. Berrier's PADD outlines the engineering specifications of the weapon platforms complete with the best places to hide the tricobalt explosives to use power conduits to conceal their presence even from Cardassian hand scanners. Savu receives information on the automated security measures between the planned beam in point and each of the bomb locations along with probable locations of manned security positions. Fox receives a general corridor and chamber layout of the station to be used to plan the team's route through the station and the location of a shuttle bay and transporter room in case secondary escape measures are required.
Whoever has gathered this intelligence is highly informed. The Cardassians are renowned for their security measures, especially when it concerns something as strategically important as their shipyards. There are no clues to where Starfleet got their information in the PADDs themselves, but it is nothing short of a miracle that they got it.
In addition to the PADDS, each member of the team is issued unmarked black Starfleet uniforms with specific orders not to adorn them with ranking pips. Communicator badges will likely be required, but there is a suggestion note with the uniforms that using them other than signaling the Klingon ship for retrieval on the Cardassian shipyards may not be wise. They are also issued special phaser rifles, extra power cells, and tricorders. The phaser rifles fire are capable of firing a "stealth pulse" that is a highly concentrated packet of energy with a reduced acoustic and visual signature that can be used in covert operations. These special phaser rifles are not to fall into enemy hands. Even the Klingons aren't to know about them, which is why they appear and can operate like normal phaser rifles.
The only statement Commander Boreg shares with the team is after they beam aboard his vessel. "My first officer, Lieutenant Charlock, will not like your presence on my ship," is all that he says.
Being aboard a Klingon Bird of Prey is nothing like serving on a Starfleet vessel. The smell attacks the otherwise delicate nasal passages of the team. It seems to have soaked even into the bulkheads. The poorly lit vessel lacks basic creature comforts, which takes a considerable amount of time to get used to enough to even rest. Even These minor concerns are tough for the team to deal with considering they are used to a more comfortable lifestyle, but they are nothing when compared with the ship's crew.
It is not to say that the young trio of officers does not put on a good façade to fit in with the Klingons, but no amount of exo-cultural schooling can prepare them for the realities of the Klingon culture. The Klingons have had centuries to perfect their way of life, while the fish-out-of-water team can only adjust and try to fit in. The team can feel the seething testosterone pulsing down every corridor and eddying in every room. Glares and deadpan faces are the order of the day. It's hard not to get the feeling that the Klingon crew considers the pasty-faced Starfleet officers worth little more than limp gack.
Things come to a head in a bad way while the vessel is still en route to the Torros III shipyards. While having lunch in the ship's mess hall, Lieutenant Charlock decides to make his move. The team has had to put up with random insults from the Klingons for several days and have finally learned to ignore them. This time the ship's first officer makes it a point to knock Fox's food tray to the floor with a careless but purposeful turn while walking past the Starfleet officer.
The Klingon turns on the startled Human and moves into his personal space. "What are you looking at BOY?" the Klingon officer rumbles threateningly. The stink of his breath nearly peels the skin from Fox's face. The robust first officer even challengingly eyes Savu and Berrier who were walking behind the team leader with their own trays of Starfleet rations.
The four other Klingon crewmen laugh heartily at the cruelty of their first officer. Commander Boreg remains seated at the command officer's table, silently watches the scene with a deadpan look on his face, and continues to eat.
