''This is Internment Camp Twenty-Six. You are here because you are enemies of the Dominion. There is no escape, except death.'' The Jem'Hadar finished his sentence and walked swiftly out of the room. Captain Lane looked about him. There were many people milling about in the gloomy hallway. Romulans, Klingons, Breen, Tholians and some aliens he didn't even recognize. He made his way for the sleeping quarters on the far side of the complex. People pushed and shoved him as he walked, but he ignored them. He was thinking about the events of the last few weeks. The commissioning of the Bastion, getting ready for the first combat deployment on the ship... and, of course, his capture.
He had been walking to his temporary quarters on the starbase when he was ambushed from behind and knocked unconscious. When he woke up, he was lying in the back of a shuttlecraft. When Lane tried to approach the Starfleet officer at the Helm, the officer turned around, and extended his arm into a thin tendril, knocking Lane to the floor. As he lay there, Lane realised what had happened. He had been captured and replaced by a Founder. An intense rage filled him. He tried to get up, but he was too weak, and lost consciousness. He didn't wake up until he was thrown through the main door of Internment Camp 26.
He opened the door to the sleeping area. A body came flying throught the air toward him. He ducked and it fell with a sharp thud on the floor behind him. The unfortunate victim had been a Tholian. Lane looked into the chamber. A furious looking Nausicaan was devouring a portion of food intended for two people. The Nausicaan was obviously unwilling to share with his Tholian roommate.
Lane decided against this room and moved to the next sleeping quarters. A Breen was sleeping soundly on the upper bunk. Lane was about to climb into the bottom one when the station was rocked by a massive explosion.
Lane was thrown against the sharp edge of the bunk. He jumped up, rubbing his head. The Breen that had been sleeping above him was now on the floor, and awake. The helmeted figure stood up. ''What is going on?'' the Breen asked.
''I don't know!'' Lane replied ''I think something is...'' he didn't get a chance to finish, however, as the station rocked again and wall of the sleeping compartment disintegrated. Flames began to rise out of the exposed conduit. ''Let's get out of here!'' said Lane.
He and the Breen ran out into the central hallway. Most of the prisoners were looking toward the main viewport. Lane directed his gaze toward the window. He wasn't quite expecting what he saw.
''FIRE!''
Captain Xavier Ardev kept his eyes fixed on the starship Akira's main viewscreen as the vessel let loose another volley of quantum torpedoes at the station's already weakened shields.
''The station's shields are at 22%'', the tactical officer said. ''One more spread should finish them!''
''Reload all torpedo tubes and...''
Captain Ardev was cut off as the Ops officer turned around. ''Sir, I'm detecting one Jem'Hadar battlecruiser and six fighters dropping out of warp directly ahead,'' she said, with more than a hint of fear in her voice.
''On screen!''
The display changed to show the menacing vessels slowing to impulse speed. The lieutenant at Ops spoke again. ''Captain, the Venture is hailing. Captain Taylor says retreat is not option. She adds that this is our only chance to get the prisoners out of here, so we're going to have to fight.''
At that moment, the ship lurched sharply as the Jem'Hadar battlecruiser fired full disruptors at the Federation ship. It moved past the Akira and began pounding the Venture, which returned fire with equal ferocity.
That was when the Monitor and the Yamato decloaked, and the Jem'Hadar realised
they were
up against more than they had originally expected.
--Stephen Errity
The U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E suddenly appeared out of warp. It started firing a thin phaser spread at the station. A message came through from Captain William Riker.
"We need to beam out the prisoners and destroy the station. I have been given command of the fleet. We are sending a boarding party to find informaiton on the whereabouts of Captain Picard. All other Federation ships, hold off the fleet while the Enterprise finishes her job."
The shields on the Jem'Hadar station had fallen and an Away Team consisting of Lieutenant Commander Worf, Lieuteneant Commander Geordi LaForge, Starfleet Corps of Engineers Officer Sonya Gomez, Chief of Operations Miles O'Brien and Constable Odo beamed to the internment camp from the Enterprise. Worf and O'Brien were on loan from other parts of the fleet and Odo had snuck away from Terok Nor to make sure Dr. Mora was safe from a possible Dominion invasion of Bajor.
That was when the call of help came from the ships in the space around the internment camp. "Help, a virus.... systems out... no... pow... hel... " burst into total static.
Jem'Hadar guards shot the whole away team in a wide burst of energy, which was, unluckily for the prisoners, set on stun. Little did they know of the torture that awaited them.
Geordi came to first, and he noticed Deanna Troi staring at the wall next to him form across the cell.
"What happened?"
"The virus we found in our computer systems had knocked out all of
the ships' systems except for life support. The Jem'Hadar just took
over a thousand prisoners with virtually no effort. And we still have
no idea where Captain Picard is."
--Anonymous
Lieutenant Commander Data looked around the almost pitch-dark bridge of the USS Enterprise. Only the emergency lights cast a dim glow over the room. Computer monitors flickered and died. Riker stood up. ''What the hell happened?'', he demaded.
''I cannot be certain sir'' the android replied, ''but something has caused almost all primary systems to fail. It appears to have disabled the backups as well.''
The ship shuddered violently for a few seconds. Riker turned to Data again. ''That felt like a tractor beam.'' he said.
''I believe so.'' Data noted.
''Well we are not going to sit around here doing nothing. We should head for Engineering, and restore main power'' Riker got up and headed for the turbolift. He stopped suddenly as the doors opened, and a shaft of bright light cut across the room like a blade.
A Vorta and at least ten armed Jem'Hadar spilled out onto the darkened bridge. The Vorta spoke. ''You're not going anywhere, my friend'' she said in the sadistic manner that all Vorta seemed to share. Two of the Jem'hadar sheparded Riker, Data and the rest of the bridge crew into the center of the room.
The Vorta then took a small device out of her pocket. She spoke into it. ''Disable program Ralana Alpha Three'' Instantly, the bridge lights came up and the bridge stations came back to life. ''Well'' she said, ''A fully functional Sovereign class starship and all 855 of it's crew. Not to mention the other vessels that were attacking our prison. The Founders will be...''
She didin't get a chance to finish, for a dark shape jumped on her from above. All the Jem'Hadar in the room turned to whatever it was that had attacked their leader. The Starfleet crew had the element of surprise, however, and within seconds, the Jem'Hadar were all lying dead or unconscious on the bridge floor. Riker looked over at the person who had surprised Ralana. He found himself staring into the face of Lieutenant Reginald Barclay, brandishing a phaser rifle.
''Hello, sir'' he said, nervously.
Geordi LaForge sat in the corner of the cell, thinking. Half an hour ago, he had seen the Enterprise and the ships of the 967th Destroyer Group being tractored away by the Jem'Hadar fleet. God only knew where they had been taken. Deanna had fallen asleep, and Geordi was about to follow suit when a bang from the corridor made him jump up. A Jem'Hadar guard pushed a Starfleet officer around the corner. He tapped the forcefield control and threw him in. The forcefield crackled back to life milliseconds later. The guard departed swiftly.The new arrival looked up at Geordi. ''Captain Max Lane, USS Bastion. Enjoying your stay?''
''Founder, all of the Jem'Hadar on board the Sovereign-class vessel have been beamed back here.''
The Founder hurried towards the Jem'Hadar at the operations console. ''Beam them back. The crew must have retaken their ship. Prepare to open...'' A blinding white light surged along the battlecruiser's tractor beam, blowing out the massive vessel's power relays.
On the now chaotic bridge, the Changeling grabbed a console and pulled himself up. ''Report!'' he shouted.
''The Sovereign-class vessel initiated a power feedback along our tractor beam. All primary systems are down!''
The Enterprise swung away from the damaged Dominion vessel. Several Jem'Hadar fighters broke away from the fleet to engage the Starfleet ship, but were easily dispensed with by a spread of quantum torpedoes. The Enterprise warped away in a flash of blinding light.
On the smouldering bridge of the battlecruiser, the Jem'Hadar at operations turned to his Founder. ''Shall I give the order to pursue, Founder?''
''No'' the Changeling replied curtly. ''We cannot risk losing the other Starfleet vessels we have captured. Let them go. They have not seen the last of us.''
Several hours later...
Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 52988.7
The Enterprise has withdrawn to Federation space, where we have rendezvoused
with the
811th Destroyer Group, commanded by Captain Stiles. We will shortly be departing
for a
second raid on Internment Camp 26. Commander Data has developed a counter-virus
to
protect us and the other ships of the 811th from the Dominion computer weapon
which cost
us the 967th Destroyer Group. We can only hope that the away team are still
alive on the
Internment Camp.
--Stephen Errity
Suddenly, a ship uncloaked in front of the Enterprise, in orbit of the star Epsilon Eridani.
Lieutenant Taitt called from tactical, "Captain, the Defiant is here on schedule."
"Thank you, Lieutenant."
"Sir, their weapons are locking onto us!"
"What?" Riker yelled.
It was too late. The Defiant has already barraged and nearly
destroyed the bridge of the Enterprise and shot off both warp
nacelles before Riker could even issue a command.
--Lee Jamilkowski
Riker moved quickly to the Engineering station, where Lieutenant Commander Argyle was filling in for LaForge.
''Report, Mr. Argyle.'' said the acting captain.
''We've suffered severe damage to both warp nacelles, Commander,'' said the bearded engineer. ''We can't go to warp. We'll have to dock at a starbase to repair this kind of damage, sir.''
Riker sighed. ''Mr. Data, when is the 811th Destroyer Group scheduled to arrive?''
''Five hours, sir.''
''Send a message to Captain Stiles on the Sovereign, informing him we have been attacked by the Defiant. Tell him that he should assume it has been taken over by Changelings. The 811th should concentrate its efforts on finding the Defiant.
We'll let the 456th handle the internement camp. Oh, and Mr. Data, what's the nearest Federation warp tug?''
''The Hercules is operating in sector 44587.''
''Very well. Hail them and tell them we need to be towed to spacedock.''
Data worked at his station for a few seconds.
''The Hercules acknowledges, Commander. They will rendezvous with us in 2 hours and tow us to Starbase 395.''
''Aye, sir.'' The android quickly carried out Riker's orders.
On the bridge of the Starship Sovereign, Captain David Stiles looked gravely at the message from the Sovereign's sister ship. His bridge crew stood silently at their stations, awaiting his orders. After several minutes, the captain looked up. ''People, we have a problem. The Enterprise has been attacked and severely damaged by the Defiant. Commander Riker believes the Defiant has been captured by the Dominion, and I think I would be correct in agreeing with him.'' Captain Stiles turned to his tactical officer. ''Lieutenant, signal the ships in the fleet and inform then of our new orders. We're to concentrate our efforts on finding the Defiant.''
''Aye, sir.''
Stiles spoke to his ops officer. ''Ensign, open a channel to the USS Gandhi.''
''Channel open, sir.'' the Benzite ensign replied.
The stoic Vulcan face of Captain S'lolis appeared on the viewscreen. Stiles informed him of the situation, and told him that the 456th Destroyer Group was now going to be responsible for freeing the prisoners from Internment Camp 26.
''Be careful, Captain,'' Stiles said. ''We've already lost the 967th to a Dominion computer weapon. I'm transmitting a counter-virus which should protect your group from it. God speed.''
''Live long and prosper, Captain Stiles. Gandhi out.''
The 811th Destroyer Group, and the 456th, billions of kilometers apart, entered warp at almost the same instant, towards their respective destinations.
Meanwhile, on Internment Camp 26, Captain Lane and LaForge were swapping stories.
''I'm afraid the Bastion was destroyed by the Changeling , Captain. Lost with all hands.''
Geordi's voice was downhearted as he replied to Lane's question. Captain Lane said nothing for a few moments.
''They were good people. All of them.'' He said at last. ''I was really looking forward to serving with them on active duty.''
Geordi tried to say something, but then decided against it. He, Lane and Troi sat in silence for a few moments. Suddenly, the station lurched sideways and a massive explosion ripped through the corridor outside the cell. The forcefield crackled and died. The three prisoners looked at each other. No words were needed. They got up and ran out of the cell. Again?, thought Max Lane as he ran through the burning station.
When the three escapees reached the central hall, Captain Lane saw, for the second time, several Federation starships in attack formation, approaching the station. An instant later, Lane, Troi, LaForge and the other prisoners were beamed away from the wrecked Dominon prison.
Troi, LaForge and Lane rematerialized in the transporter room of an
Ambassador-class
starship. The transporter chief walked towards them.
''Welcome aboard the Gandhi, gentlemen.''
--Stephen Errity
The Defiant uncloaked and attacked the fleet near the Internment Prison.
"This is Lieutenant Commander Frakes of the U.S.S. Sinclair. Defiant-what the hell do you think you're doing?" was the message sent from the Sinclair to the Defiant.
Suddenly, a message came in from the attacking ship. Ben Sisko appeared on the screen but started to morph and became a Founder.
"We now have the best Federation weapon. With it, we will access the codes and destroy the minefield blocking the wormhole in the Bajoran system. This quadrant will be ours."
"Cadet Furlong, lock all weapons onto the Defiant's shields and weapons ports and fire. We need to...," said Frakes.
"Message from Starfleet," said Furlong.
"On screen," replied the ship's captain.
"This is Admiral Hayes... The Federation Council has authorized the use of any means necessary to stop the Defiant. Jonathan, you may need to destory the Defiant... don't hesitate. There ARE other Defiant class ships. End of message."
"You heard the admiral," said Frakes to the bridge crew. "We
know the Defiant is almost unstoppable. We need to destroy her.
Lock on quantum torpedos and... fire..."
---Lee Jamilkowski
On the bridge of the Gandhi, the tactical officer looked up.
''Captain, the Defiant has just decloaked. She's attacking the Sinclair!''
S'lolis remained calm. ''Then Commander Riker's suspicions were
accurate,'' he said. ''Order all ships to attack the Defiant. Pattern Omega.''
''Aye, sir.'' said the tactical officer.
The eight ships of the 456th Destroyer Group broke off their attack on the
internment camp and converged on the Defiant. The Sinclair fired a spread
of quantum torpedoes first. Several missed, and the Defiant's shields held as
the rest impacted. The Defiant's phaser cannons then lashed out at the Sinclair.
The Intrepid-class ship attempted evasive maneuvers, but the Defiant was just
too maneuvarable. Even though it was under heavy fire from the other ships in
the group, it continued its barrage unabated. The Sinclair's shields buckled and
then failed completely. It hung in space for a few moments. The Defiant fired a
single quantum torpedo and broke off to port. The torpedo continued on its
course.
It impacted the Sinclair's engineering hull, setting off a massive explosion
which ripped
the Intrepid-class ship apart in seconds.
Meanwhile, LaForge, Troi and Lane had joined Captain S'lolis on the bridge of
the Gandhi.
They stared in horror as the Sinclair was totally destroyed by the Defiant.
LaForge turned to Captain S'lolis. ''Captain,'' he said. ''The Founders on that
ship could have
information about the whereabouts of Captain Picard. We don't know who kidnapped
him on
that away mission, but I'd be willing to bet it was the Dominion.''
''Vulcans do not gamble, but I agree.'' said S'lolis. ''We must disable the
ship.''
The Gandhi closed in on the Defiant, constantly firing on the ship with both
phasers and
torpedoes. As the Gandhi got closer, the Defiant's aft torpedoes fired. Two
quantum
torpedoes hit the Gandhi at almost point blank range. On the bridge, the crew
were thrown
from their seats. Consloes exploded, killing several crew, including the
tactical officer. Max
Lane ran to the tactical station and took over. Captain S'lolis stood up.
''Report!'' he said over
the noise.
Geordi had taken the helm. ''The Defiant is about to go to warp!'' he
shouted. Our
warp engines are offline, we can't... wait a minute!''
Another ship decloaked in front of the Defiant. The bridge crew stared as the
Defiant-class ship
began pounding it's sister ship with phaser fire. The Defiant's shields dropped
and it took several
hits to the ablative armor. Finally, the Defiant stopped moving forward and the
other vessel grabbed
it with a tractor beam.
Lane spoke on the bridge. ''Message coming through from the other ship. It's the
Valiant!'' he said.
S'lolis raised an eyebrow. ''On screen.'' he ordered.
Lane tapped a control and a Starfleet captain appeared on the Gandhi's
viewscreen. In the background
it could be seen that the bridge wasn't quite finished. Several wall and ceiling
panels were missing, showing exposed circuitry.
The captain spoke. ''This is Acting Captain Johnston of the Valiant.'' he said.
S'lolis spoke first. ''I did not think the Valiant would be in service for
another two weeks.'' he said,
with a note of curiosity in his voice.
''Well, you're partially right,'' said Johnston. ''I'm not even the ship's
offical captain. I was just
available at Utopia Planitia when they ordered the Valiant out early. We're
barely spaceworthy,
but the weapons and engines are functioning, which, I suppose, is what counts in
the current situation.''
''Indeed,'' noted Captain S'lolis. ''We will need to interrogate any Founders
onboard the Defiant.''
''Security teams have already boarded the Defiant.'' said Captain Johnston.
''Very well,'' said S'lolis. ''May I suggest you bring the prisoners onboard the
Gandhi. We are probably better equipped to deal
with this situation.''
''Understood. Valiant out.''
''We've finished tachyon sweeps of this sector, Captain. No sign of the
Defiant.''
Captain Stiles sighed. For the last eight hours, the 811th Destroyer Group had
been combing the
Cardassian border, looking for any trace of the Defiant. They had managed to set
up a tachyon
detection grid, but with only six ships, it was not 100% effective. The Defiant
could have passed
right under our noses, thought Stiles, and we would be none the wiser. He was
about to give the
order to move on to the next sector, when the ops officer spoke.
''Sir,'' he said. ''We're receiving a hail. It's Captain S'lolis on the
Gandhi!''
Stiles looked up. ''On screen,'' he ordered.
Captain S'lolis appeared on the Sovereign's viewscreen. Stiles frowned. The
bridge of the Gandhi was
a mess. Several consoles were damaged and there were scorch marks all over the
walls.
''I have good news, Captain,'' said S'lolis. ''We have liberated Internment Camp
26 and captured the
Defiant.''
Stiles just managed to stop himself from jumping out of his chair and dancing
around the bridge.
''Well done, Captain.'' was what finally came out of his mouth. ''I see it
wasn't easy.''
S'lolis looked around at his ruined bride, then turned back to speak to Stiles.
''No,'' he said. ''It was
not. We have 47 casualties on the Gandhi alone, and we lost the Sinclair.''
Stiles' joy turned to sorrow almost immediately.
''In the meantime,'' continued S'lolis, ''we have interrogated the Founders that
were on board the Defiant. The Romulan quantum
stasis field generator proved... most useful. Finally, the 456th and the 811th
have been ordered to Starbase 395, where the
Enterprise is being repaired. Any damaged ships in our fleets will be repaired
there, before we depart on our next mission.''
''And what is our next mission?'' inquired Captain Stiles.
''To rescue Captain Picard... from Cardassia Prime.''
You can also read Lee Jamilkowski's Alternate Addition.
Stephen Errity created the cool starship images above.
--Stephen ErrityContinue on to Chapter Two.
