From: Shawn _ (alamo_nate_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Mon Feb 25 2008 - 09:01:53 PST
=Eye Of The Storm=
(cont'd From "Contamination")
LOCATION: Elcar Village, ANDARA
SCENE: Detention Facility
STARDATE: [2.8]0225.1000
TIME INDEX: Simultaneous to "Explosive Toothpaste, Part 2"
Elcar Village's "detention facility" was a small, two-story building located at the end of the main road running through the tiny hamlet. Somehow Drake had obtained some rough plans of the building (Kor had made a mental note to figure out just how the Intelligence Officer kept managing tricks like that), and Kor had developed a plan that she felt would conduct her team safely into and out of the complex while avoiding any problematic encounters with the local populace.
For someone with the security experience that Eishnala enjoyed, it was laughably easy to breach the tiny facility without raising any alarm, and in less then two minutes, Kor and her team stood before the imprisoned children. The Andaran who had been charged to watch them snored loudly in the corner, the victim of a gas-based sedative once again helpfully provided by Drake.
There were three children currently imprisoned in the facility- Blin, the first child on ANDARA to be driven to violence and who had murdered Elcar Village's last Elder, as well as two children who had succumbed earlier that day, shortly after the viewing of the Window- the very same transmission that had cost Thomas Varn his sight, not to mention the decidedly unpleasant effect it had had on Kor and Mowree.
The children themsleves were each locked behind steel bars, seated on a tiny cot in the middle of their cell and staring at some invisible spot on the floor. Each child's lips moved, in perfect unison, but their murmurs were too soft and incoherent to make out. None of the children seemed to even *notice* what was going on around them.
Kor frowned when she noticed that the first child, Blin, still had the blood of the village elder staining his shirt.
"Doctor?" Kor asked, glancing at Lt. Commander Kathryn MacNeil. Though technically the team's Ops officer and stripped of her medical license, MacNeil was still here in the capacity of a CMO- her medical expertise made her the most qualified person to analyze the Andaran childrens' brain scans. Kor felt it appropriate to address her by her former title.
Kate stepped up to the first cell, opening a medical tricorder and scanning its occupant, Blin. She frowned at the results.
"This isn't right," she said.
"What is it?" Kor asked.
"I'd have to doublecheck these against normal brain-wave levels for Andaran children, but these brain-wave patterns look like they're off the scale."
Kor glanced over Kate's shoulder and squinted at the tricorder's display. She wasn't an expert on brain-wave patterns in Andaran children, so the image meant little to her.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"It appears as though his hypothalamus is being super-stimulated," Kate said, frowning again. "More than that, even... its like it's being... I don't know... *re-wired* or something."
Kor nodded solemnly. "Counselor?"
The Caitian has been crouched before the cage, speaking softly to Blin, trying to get the young boy to snap out of his trance and recognize their presence, to no avail. Blin's posture remained unchanged, and his eyes did not even waver, but remained fixed, staring dumbly at the floor. The lips continued to murmur over and over their secret message.
Mowree sighed, and stood. "No good, Commander," he said. "He doesn't seem to recognize that we're even here."
"What is your preliminary evaluation of his condition?" Kor asked.
"There's no way to be sure what's really wrong without a great deal more study," the Caitian said. "But my recommendation is that he should definitely be kept under guard. He has already exhibited a potential for extreme violence, and we have no idea what it is that may trigger another episode."
"And the murmuring?" Kor asked. "They're all doing it."
"You've got me there, Commander," Mowree shrugged. "I have no idea."
"I might," Kate offered. "I've scanned the other two... their brain-wave patterns match the first's exactly. I mean perfect replication... the same exact thing is happening to each one of them, whatever it is. Their brains are operating in perfect synchronization."
Kor's frown deepened. It seemed like their analysis of the children had raised more questions than it had answered, and the soft moan of the Andaran guard in the corner meant that the sedative was wearing off and they were out of time. She turned to MacNeil.
"You have the brain-scans?" she asked.
"All three," MacNeil nodded.
"Then we need to get out of here," Kor said. "We're out of time."
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LOCATION: Marine Transport Vessel CHIMERA, en route to GATEWAY Station
SCENE: MCO's Bunk
TIME INDEX: Early next morning
Major Alexander Towers opened his eyes slowly, patiently waiting for them to adjust to the darkness around him. He didn't have to look at chronometer to know it was 0430 hours, having long ago trained himself to wake up without the use of an alarm clock. He rose from his bed and, without activating the lights in his room, made his way to the tiny washroom that connected with his quarters.
It took him less than 15 minutes to shower, brush his teeth, and otherwise prepare himself for the day. He didn't bother shaving (he almost never did, unless his stubble threatened to turn itself into a full beard) and didn't waste any time worrying about how "presentable" he looked. What was the point? From the briefing he'd recieved, he'd be getting right to work, which was preferable because Towers hated it when transfers were accompanied by a lot of fussing and social events designed to "efficiently acclimate the incoming officer to his new work environment". Only those egg-heads in the fleet could come up with something like that, Towers thought.
Just as Towers finished pulling on his uniform, his comm-unit began to beep.
"Towers here," he said. "What is it?"
[[We've just passed through the wormhole, Major,]] came the voice of the ship's captain. [[We will be arriving at GATEWAY Station in approximately one hour.]]
"I'll have my people briefed and prepared to disembark by then," Towers assured him.
[[Understood, Major,]] the captain reported. [[Bridge out.]]
Towers wasted no more time- he strode briskly through the door and towards the Mess Hall. By now, most of him men would be awake and eating a small, hurried breakfast. Towers himself wasn't hungry, but he resolved to at least snack on a protein bar or something before briefing his platoon leaders.
After all, one could hardly serve as commander of an entire regiment on an empty stomach.
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LOCATION: Elcar Village
SCENE: Town Square
TIME INDEX: 0500 hours
Kate MacNeil stood, staring numbly at the detention facility across the way. The town was slowly beginning to awaken around her, as more and more Andarans emerged from their homes and began to go about the daily routine, but she paid it no mind. She was thinking about the brain-scans she had taken the night before.
She couldn't get them out of her mind. It was not the mystery of what was *causing* the aberrant brainwaves that was kept her thinking about it. It was what it must be doing to the children.
Kate was a doctor. As a doctor, it was not in her nature to stand by and watch people suffer, *especially* not children. She had to do something- she couldn't *not* do something.
That was why she had woken up early this morning, why she had left the freighter without seeing any of the others. She had to help, and she knew that Kor wouldn't allow her to provide the direct assistance she had in mind. What she was preparing to do was in violation of her orders, but she knew she had no choice but to do it.
She shouldered her bag and started towards the facility.
"Going somewhere, Lieutenant?" a voice asked. Kate froze, and turned around, only to see Counselor Nurunyun Mowree standing, tilting his head quizzically at Kate. "You left so quietly this morning, I was wondering what you were up to."
"Counselor," Kate stammered. "I... I was-"
"I know, Kate," Mowree said softly.
"You do?"
"I've been thinking about it, too," Mowree said, his eyes dropping to the ground. "Kor, Crichton, and the others- they're thinking about how this could happen, what could be causing it... and that's fine and good for what it is we need to accomplish. But you and I, we can see *what* it's doing to the children. We're trained to recognize pain... and to try and heal it where we find it."
"Then you understand I have to do this," Kate said.
"I understand why you feel like you need to," Mowree said with a sigh. "But what you need to understand is that you *can't.* You just can't."
"What do you mean I can't?" Kate said defensively.
"Things aren't that simple right now," Mowree said. "If you go in there, you could end up *costing* more lives than you save."
"But I can help them!" Kate said. "No matter what's causing this signal, I *know* I can find a way to reverse the damage."
"Given time, and access to Starfleet medical equipment, I'm certain you could," Mowree nodded. "But right now, you have neither."
"There's an Andaran doctor in there right now," Kate said. "Did you know that? He went in about 20 minutes ago. And he wasn't carrying a medical tricorder, or any surgical equipment. He had a bag of herbs, Mowree. Herbs!"
She pointed an accusing finger towards the building. "He's in there, right now, trying to fix a massive brain mutation with *leaves*, and you're telling me to wait out here?"
"I'm telling you you have no choice," Mowree said. "And neither will I. I will have to report this to Commander Kor."
"You do what you have to," Kate said, storming towards the building. "And so will I."
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LOCATION: GATEWAY Station
SCENE: Ops
Randall Giles sipped his coffee and tried in vain to blink the sleep out of his eyes. These early morning shifts would be the death of him, but it was all part of the burden of command. As the only remaining member of the senior staff still aboard GATEWAY, Giles was the acting CO.
Of course, Giles wished he could be out in the field with all the rest of them. But GATEWAY Station still wasn't at 100% after the battles with the Dominion, and there were still many things to do- repairs to coordinate, crew transfers to oversee and process, that kind of thing.
"Excuse me, sir," a rough sound voice said behind him, and Giles thought **Speaking of crew transfers...** before turning around to see who had spoken. His eyes fell on a tall, muscular man standing rigidly at attention, his hands clasped respectfully behind his back. The man had short-cut dark hair, a rough stubble on his chin, and cold, analytical brown eyes.
Giles didn't even have to look at the uniform the man was wearing to tell he was a UFP Marine.
"You must be the new MCO," Giles said, taking another sip of his coffee and smiling.
"Yes sir," the man said, still standing perfectly still. "I was told to report to the CO of GATEWAY Station."
"Right now, that'd be me," Giles said with a yawn. "Rest of the team's down on ANDARA. Super-secret mission and all that."
"Yes sir," the marine replied, showing no reaction to Giles' early-morning wit. Giles silently wondered why all these UFPMC types had to be so damn serious all the time...
"Well then," Giles said, handing the marine a PADD. "Major Alexander Towers, you are hereby placed in command of the 13th Batallion 1st Regiment operating out of GATEWAY Station. Here are your command access codes, and if you'll wait a moment, I'll find someone to show you your quarters and help you get settled-"
"I would like to see the Marine HQ, sir," Towers cut in. "My orders are to supplement GATEWAY's normal security detail until the station has reached full operational capacity."
"I'm sorry?" Giles asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The Federation Council feels that GATEWAY's strategic value, coupled with its position on the front line, makes its defense a top priority," Towers said. "My regiment and I are ordered to defend GATEWAY until the threat has passed."
"We're hardly defenseless, Major," Giles said, a little defensively.
"No sir," Towers said. "However, if it comes to repelling another invasion of GATEWAY by Dominion forces, my UFP Marines are far better trained and equipped to deal with them."
"I think I know a certain Vissian who would disagree with you," Giles muttered.
"Sir?"
"Nothing," Giles said, shaking his head. "You'll find out soon enough, I'm sure. Alright, Major, I'll have someone show you to the Marine HQ. Commander Davidson is currently off the station on a diplomatic mission, and our Security Officer, Lt. Palandora, is on an away mission. Given your orders from the UFPMC and the Council, you'll be tangentially in charge of security until one of them comes back and says otherwise... and if its Palandora, I want front row seats to *that* debate."
"Yes sir," Towers said. "Looking forward to it, sir."
"Right," Giles said. "If you'll follow me..."
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LOCATION: Freighter
SCENE: Bridge
TIME INDEX: 0715 hours
"She did *what*?!"
Mowree raised his hands in a vain attempt to calm the furious Eishnala sh'Kor. The normally azure-skinned Commander was almost purple with anger.
"She was trying to help," Mowree said.
"She was compromising our mission," Kor snarled. "She violated her cover identity, and by her actions, she may have alerted the Dominion to our presence."
"I know that," Mowree said with a frown. "What should I have done, Commander? Stunned her there on the street and dragged her back to the ship?"
"Anything was preferable to letting her enter that facility and violate her cover identity," Kor frowned back.
"But what if she can help those children?" Mowree asked.
"If the Dominion discover that we're operating undercover on ANDARA- and not only that, but doing it with the agreement of ANDARA's Prime Minister- then there will be a whole lot more children in need of her help, Counselor," Kor said, scowling.
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TIME INDEX: 1030 hours
Kate MacNeil and Thomas Varn had returned to the freighter, ordered by Daisy to return before she had left for ANDARA's Capitol City. Her visit was the small shred of hope they had left- ideally, the Dominion would be too focused on *her* to worry about security reports from a tiny farming community on the other side of the planet.
MacNeil had been quiet since she returned, obviously awaiting the mother of all chew-outs and probably an extension of her suspension and reassignment. Kor had said nothing to her at all, obviously still angry that she had ignored her orders and risked compromising the mission. Kor hadn't exactly been warm to Mowree either, upset that the Counselor had not done more to stop MacNeil.
A bright spot was Thomas Varn's return, complete with new eyes. Everyone was glad that he hadn't been permanently blinded and was fit enough to return to duty. He immediately set to work analyzing both the brain scans and the scans that Crichton had taken of the Window.
The teams assembled later that morning, eager to put together the pieces they had gathered the night before to see if the picture would become any clearer. Crichton began, using one of the tiny viewscreens in the bridge's Engineering console to display his findings.
"The Window is not sophisticated enough to be directly responsible for the behavior of the Andarans," he said. "My scans showed no sign of any mind-altering or subliminal technology whatsoever. That means that it's the signal that the Window is receiving that is driving them crazy."
"Have you been able to find any traces of the signal on our sensors?" Kor asked.
"This freighter doesn't have the most advanced sensor-array," Crichton said. "I was up all night scanning as much of the spectrum as they can detect, and I wasn't finding anything. But after crawling out onto the roof and making some modifications to the array itself, I was able to boost sensor strength by about 15%. And that's when I found this."
Crichton tapped a few buttons, and the screen changed into an image of a sensor-bandwidth. "It was buried beneath more than a few layers of sensor-noise," Crichton continued, "..but I managed to dig it out."
Kor's antennae twitched as she saw the signal. "I've seen that before."
"Yes," Kate MacNeil said. "That signal... it's identical to the scans I took of the Andaran children's brains."
"What does that mean?" Trella asked.
"It means that this signal is controlling the children," MacNeil said. "The children aren't responsible for their actions."
"Mr. Varn," Kor asked, glaring briefly at MacNeil before shifting her gaze back to the CSciO. "What is your assessment of the signal?"
"It's definitely not naturally occurring," Varn said. "Somebody took the time and effort to hide it."
"And that's not the only thing," Crichton said. "The signal is changing."
Drake frowned. "Changing?"
"It looks like whoever's behind this isn't satisfied with the results so far," Crichton said. "Since I started watching it last night, the signal has intensified in strength by about 39%."
"They want the signal to be effective without having to use the Window," Trella realized.
"Exactly," Crichton nodded.
"Which means the attacks are going to become more frequent," Kor said. "We have to locate the source of this signal and terminate it."
"How do we locate it?" Mowree asked.
"I'm sure we can think-" Drake began, but was interrupted suddenly by a sudden beeping-sound coming from the communications console. Drake strode over to it with a confused look on his face. "Who could *this* be?"
He tapped the button and turned towards the viewscreen. His smile faded instantly as he saw the face that stared back at him.
The face of a Vorta.
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LOCATION: Andaran Capitol City
SCENE: Landing Platform
Berim watched as the shuttlecraft made its slow descent to the landing pad. Behind him stood two Andaran guards, dressed in what looked like ceremonial armor. Behind them stood a team of four Jem'Hadar.
Berim wasn't sure what Blithis was up to with this latest plan. Publicly inviting the CO of GATEWAY Station for negotiations was sure to upset the Dominion high-command, and Berim had heard that Vertec was already en route to ANDARA to oversee these "peace talks" personally. Berim had no doubt that the Vorta would not be happy, and he didn't like the idea of inviting *more* Dominion attention to ANDARA.
The shuttlecraft finally set down, and the doors opened. Commander Daisy Davidson stepped out, followed by several Starfleet security officers. Berim stepped up to the platform and smiled.
"Commander," he said with a formal bow, "Welcome to ANDARA. I am Culture Minister Berim. The Prime Minister has sent me to conduct you to the palace."
Daisy smiled in return, but her smile wavered a little when she saw the Jem'Hadar assembled at the end of the platform. "I thought these talks were between Starfleet and ANDARA."
"Yes," Berim nodded, "but given the current situation between the Federation and the Dominion, the Jem'Hadar have requested to be part of your security detail, to ensure you are not given the opportunity for any type of espionage."
"And how does the Prime Minister feel about this?" Daisy asked.
"She acknowledges the contribution that the Jem'Hadar troops have made to public safety and order," Berim said.
Daisy smirked. "Right. And unofficially?"
"Unofficially," Berim sighed, "..she would dismiss them if she could. You must understand that requesting these talks has put her in a difficult position with the Dominion. She is not really in a position to refuse them access to these talks."
"I understand," Daisy nodded. "Well then, shall we?"
"We have prepared several cars for you and your entourage," Berim said, turning on his heel and striding down the stairs towards where the cars were parked. "You may ride with me."
"Lead the way," Daisy smiled diplomatically, making sure the Jem'Hadar could see her. "Um... they'll be in *another* car, right?"
"Of course," Berim assured her. "We can't have their armor scratching the upholstery, now can we?"
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LOCATION: Freighter
SCENE: Bridge
Drake gulped.
{{You don't look very happy to see me,}} the Vorta said with a slight smile.
"Not at all," Drake said, recovering quickly and glancing at Kor. "Um, we have a caller, sir."
Kor stepped forward. "I am Urileah Silvin of the Weyland Mining Consortium. We are here on a-"
{{No,}} the Vorta cut in casually. {{You aren't. You see, we've already contacted the Weyland Mining Consortium. They claim they have no ship in service that matches your vessel's ID tags. In fact, the last place where this ship's tags *were* registered was Federation Starbase Nine, en route to GATEWAY station via the wormhole. After that, there are no records at all... as though they had been deleted. Suspicious, don't you think?}}
"I'm sure we don't know what you mean," Kor said.
{{My name is Arma,}} the Vorta bowed politely. {{I'm the head of the new security detail assigned to Elcar Village. Imagine my surprise when, as we approached the village, we detected your vessel just outside of town. Strange that a team of miners would happen to choose a village that has been the site of so much local violence, don't you think? Even stranger that I should hear a report that, earlier this morning, a woman matching the description of one of your team abducted a prisoner from the detention facility.}}
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kor said.
Arma didn't look convinced. {{You are hiding something,}} he said. {{You will open your vessel to a Jem'Hadar search team. Furthermore, you and your crew will submit to questioning. Any resistance will be met with force, do you understand?}}
"Perfectly," Kor said. "One moment please."
She reached over and cut off the transmission, then turned to look at Crichton.
"Get us in the air," she said. "Now."
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LOCATION: Prime Minister's Palace, Andara Capitol City
SCENE: Foyer
The Prime Minister's palace was a large, ornately-decorated building that had managed to blend the practical feel of usual Andaran architecture with all of the most advanced technological advancements the world had to offer. Of course, most of it was years behind what could be found in the Federation, but it was clear that Blithis lived quite comfortably.
Daisy stepped into the foyer, and her eyes fell immediately on the form of Prime Minister Blithis, standing at the top of the foyer. She looked quite regal in her robes of office, and the expression on her face was one of strength, with perhaps a twinge of mild fatigue.
Daisy understood that Blithis was putting on a public face- both for her own people, and the Jem'Hadar who were watching. The news cameras were rolling, after all, and appearances had to be maintained. Of course, Daisy did her best to look the part of the brave Starfleet diplomat ready to bring peace, and she thought she was doing a very good job of it as Berim led her up the stairs to officially greet Blithis. The press, who had swarmed them since their departure from the landing platform, had to wait at the bottom of the foyer, prohibited from following them into the Prime Minister's private office.
As soon as she was inside, Blithis immediately collapsed into her large chair behind her desk.
"Thank goodness," she said, heaving a sigh of relief. "I was certain the Dominion would try to do something to prevent our meeting."
"They wouldn't dare," Daisy shook her head. "They don't control the press on ANDARA, and *certainly* not the news feeds from the surrounding space, and they like to maintain a friendly public face to the people they plan to eventually conquer."
"Like us?" Blithis asked.
Daisy shrugged. "They don't really need to. They already have your government in their pocket."
"What do you mean?" Blithis asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Jem'Hadar 'security' teams posted all over ANDARA, even here in your palace," Daisy said. "You have to notify them about every ruling decision you make. They may *say* you're still in charge, but that's only going to last as long as you keep cooperating with them."
"I think perhaps you underestimate me, Commander," Blithis said, a hint of anger in her voice.
Daisy raised her hands. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"Our arrangement with the Dominion has not proven to be as beneficial as I'd like," Blithis said. "But they understand that ANDARA is a *free* planet. We are their allies, not their subordinates. If it turns out that the Dominion is behind the plague of violence that has befallen my people, then our arrangement with them will be terminated."
"And if not?" Daisy asked. "If it turns out someone else is responsible?"
"Like who?" Blithis asked.
"Any number of possibilities," Daisy shrugged. "It could be the Romulans, looking to stir up trouble between the Federation and the Dominion. It could be the Cardassians. Or it might not be *any* of them. So what then?"
"I know you would like to see our arrangement with the Dominion ended," Blithis nodded. "And I know the Federation would like very much to get us back into the fold. But I am hesitant to dissolve an alliance with one side of a war just to join the ranks of the other."
"You would have no involvement in the war," Daisy said. "It would be as it was before, the Federation wouldn't interfere-"
"There wasn't a war going on before," Blithis pointed out. "And ANDARA is on the front line."
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LOCATION: Freighter
SCENE: Bridge
The freighter roared through the air in a slow zig-zag pattern, doing its best to shake off the four Dominion fighters that swooped around behind it. Green blasts lanced out of the Dominion cannons to explode against the shimmering aura of the freighter's failing shields.
Kor sat in the CO's chair, her hands gripping the armrests tightly, her teeth clenched. In front of her, Drake sat at the controls, trying his best to keep the freighter out of the line of firing. Behind her, Jake Crichton lay on his back, the top half of his body buried in the innards of the large Engineering console, cursing and grumbling as he desperately tried to rewire the shields.
Finally, he emerged and slammed the console closed.
"That's the best I can do, Commander," he said.
"It'll be enough," Kor said.
"Commander," MacNeil reported. "Sensors are reading a Dominion battleship on an intercept course!"
"Time to intercept?" Kor asked.
"2 minutes," MacNeil said.
"Can't we outrun them?" Mowree asked.
"Not in the atmosphere," Crichton said, shaking his head. "This tub isn't exactly aerodynamic."
"We're not going to make it," Drake said, shaking his head as he rose from his position. "Mr. Varn, if you'd be so kind as to man the controls..."
"What?!" Varn protested.
"You've got wings, don't you?" Drake asked with a grin. "You'll be a natural!"
"But my eyes-" he started, but Drake had already moved off. He grabbed Crichton by the arm as he passed the Engineering console.
"Mr. Crichton, if you'd please accompany me to the transporter room," he said.
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LOCATION: Prime Minister's Palace
SCENE: Prime Minister's Office
"You have to understand something," Daisy said. "This war is at your doorstep whether you wanted it or not. Siding with the Dominion is only something that will prolong it."
"How do you mean?" Blithis asked.
"The Dominion is *here*," Daisy said. "On ANDARA. In the system. Lurking in the surrounding space. As long as they have ANDARA, they have a foothold in this system."
"They don't *have* ANDARA," Blithis said. "ANDARA is its own world."
"Maybe now," Daisy allowed. "Right now, I'm sure they're all sugar and honey. But tell me- have they asked you about building a base here?"
Blithis could only stare at her for a long moment.
"They have," Daisy realized. "And you didn't let them."
"Of course I didn't let them," Blithis said, her eyes dropping. "I will not have foreign armies on *Andaran* soil."
"Next time, they're not even going to ask," Daisy said. "*That's* what the Dominion is, Prime Minister. The Vorta, the Jem'Hadar, they know nothing but loyalty to the Founders. And the Founders themselves? At best, they despise solids... at worst, they work to conquer and enslave them. You really think they regard you as *equals*? They're using you, Blithis. They're using ANDARA. And when the time comes where you aren't useful anymore..."
She sighed.
"This thing with your children," she continued, glancing out the window. "This could very well be the first step of their new plan. They tried it the nice way, Prime Minister, and you said no. So now, they do it another way."
"With respect, Commander, you haven't proven that yet," Blithis pointed out.
"And when I do?" Daisy asked. "Will that be enough? Or will it take a Founder killing you and taking your place before you believe that the Dominion could care less about ANDARA?"
Blithis frowned. "Perhaps... perhaps you're right."
"Then you'll reconsider your alliance with the Dominion?" Daisy asked.
But before Blithis could answer, the doors to her chamber swished open, and in stepped a figure that Daisy recognized- and despised- immediately. Dressed in fine silk robes and wearing that ever-present, politely aloof smile was Vertec, the Vorta ambassador who had led the attacks on GATEWAY Station. Daisy had to fight the urge to leap from her chair and throttle the life out of the Vorta- instead, she merely set her jaw and scowled.
Vertec stared right at her, and her grin widened ever so slightly. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
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LOCATION: Freighter
SCENE: Transporter Room
Drake and Crichton hurriedly entered the room, having to steady themselves against the wall as the freighter was rocked by another phaser blast. Drake wasted no time, rushing to the transporter console, his fingers dancing across its surface as he keyed in coordinates.
"Mind telling me what this is about?" Crichton asked.
"In the mood for a science experiment?" Drake asked, glancing up at him and grinning.
"I think you want Varn," Crichton replied.
"I need you to do me a favor," Drake said, as he finished entering commands and moved for the transporter pad, fishing something out of his pocket as he did so. "When I say so, I need you to initiate transport."
Crichton stepped up to the console, and glanced at the coordinates.
"This is inside the Dominion battleship," Crichton said, looking up at Drake uncertainly.
"That's right," Drake nodded, taking the object from his pocket and affixing it to his arm.
"*Through* the shields," Crichton continued.
"See this?" Drake asked, gesturing towards the device on his arm. "It’s a prototype, something Starfleet Intelligence is working on. They hope to use it for infiltration and extraction of high-security targets. It works in conjunction with transporter technology and allows a person to beam through shields."
"Really?" Crichton asked, raising an eyebrow. It sounded kind of far-fetched.
"In theory," Drake admitted. "I'm not technically supposed to have this, and there's no guarantee it won't paste me across the Andaran landscape. But I figure if I *don't* give it a try, that's likely to happen anyway, so I thought I might at least try and buy you some time."
"This is insane," Crichton frowned. "I'm not going to-"
He didn't finish, because the freighter rocked violently again, then again. Crichton steadied himself on the transporter console, then looked back at Drake.
"We don't have a whole lot of time here, lieutenant," Drake said softly. "Do it."
Crichton frowned, but nodded. He activated the transporter sequence, then looked back up at Drake.
"When you get back, you're definitely hooking me up with some of these cool spy toys."
"We'll see," Drake smiled, as he shimmered out of sight.
After he had faded completely away, Crichton sighed. "Good luck."
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LOCATION: Prime Minister's Palace
SCENE: Prime Minister's Office
"Ambassador," Blithis said, rising from her chair. "This is a most unexpected-"
"Is it?" Vertec cut in, more of a challenge than a question.
"Please, have a seat," Blithis said, gesturing at an empty couch. "Commander Davidson and I were just discussing-"
"The dissolution of the ANDARA-Dominion treaty?" Vertec asked, raising an eyebrow as she took a seat on the couch.
"We-" Blithis said, shooting a nervous glance at Daisy.
"Yes," Daisy said, staring daggers at Vertec. "As a matter of fact, we were."
"I see," Vertec said. "I find your honesty refreshing, Commander. Of course, you realize this is in violation of the treaty, Prime Minister?"
"These talks were public from the beginning," Blithis said, slowly returning to her seat. "ANDARA may have diplomatic relations with whomever she wishes."
"Diplomatic relations, perhaps," Vertec nodded. "But planning to betray us and throw your lot in with the Federation? And right under our noses? Come now, Prime Minister... the Founders would hardly blame me for dissolving the treaty here and now and simply taking your planet by force."
"But you won't," Daisy said.
"Won't I?" Vertec asked.
"No," Daisy said, shaking her head. "If you were planning to do that, you never would have bothered to come here. You're here to intimidate the Prime Minister into cutting off relations with the Federation."
"Very perceptive of you," Vertec nodded with a smile. "She is mostly right, Prime Minister. I've been sent to give you your final warning. Either you are the Dominion's ally, or you are not. You must decide."
"But why would the Dominion even *want* ANDARA as an ally?" Daisy asked, raising from her chair and beginning to pace. "They have no military, no resources that the Dominion can make use of. They don't even have strategic value, since the Prime Minister has refused to allow construction of any Dominion bases on Andaran soil."
Daisy spun suddenly on her heel and stared accusingly at Vertec. "Unless, of course, steps were already in motion to change that."
Vertec looked genuinely entertained. "I see. And what steps might those be, Commander?"
"Surely you've heard of the recent surge in youth violence on ANDARA?" Daisy asked.
"It's been brought to my attention, yes," Vertec nodded.
"And you say you *aren't* behind it?" Daisy challenged.
Vertec laughed. "Please. The Dominion is not about to waste its considerable resources on driving peasant children insane. What use would we have for them, Commander? A first line of untrained, undisciplined troops to throw at the Federation's fortifications?"
"An army of soldiers ready to die without fear or objection," Daisy countered.
"Ah," Vertec said, her sinister smile lengthening. "We already *have* one of those, Commander."
As if on cue, a team of Jem'Hadar swarmed into the room, all their weapons trained on Daisy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCATION: Freighter
SCENE: Bridge
Crichton stepped in, bracing himself briefly against the door as the ship was blasted again, before making his way back to his console. Kor spun in her chair to look at him.
"Where's Drake?" she asked.
"He went aboard the Dominion battlecruiser," Crichton said. "No time to explain... he said he was going to buy us some time."
Kor spun back to face the viewer, her face looking grim. "We could use some."
"The battlecruiser will intercept us in 30 seconds," MacNeil said.
"Our shields won't stand up to their main cannons," Trella observed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCATION: Dominion Battlecruiser
SCENE: Bridge
Arma stood in the center of the bridge, wearing the neural device that allowed him to control the ships functions almost entirely by thought. Around him, Jem'Hadar buzzed about, making adjustments when needed, but in truth Arma could have done without them. He was an expert at controlling a Dominion battlecruiser, and he could have blasted the tiny freighter out of the sky without the aid of anyone else.
Of course, Arma was well-versed in starship technology, specifically the limits of what it could and could not do. One thing he was *sure* of, absolutely certain, was that it was impossible for someone to beam through two sets of shields and appear on an enemy bridge.
Imagine Arma's surprise, then, when Drake did just that.
He shimmered suddenly into existence, and for a moment everyone aboard the bridge was too stunned to act. Drake was not so afflicted- he grinned a wide grin and snatched a phaser into his hand.
"Surprise!" he smiled, before opening fire directly at Arma. The shot struck the Vorta square in the chest, burning a hole right through him. Arma collapsed to the floor, dead immediately. Drake wasted no time- he spun and fired several more times, killing two Jem'Hadar. He leveled his phaser at a third, but a sudden blast exploded against the console behind him, showering him with sparks and shrapnel and throwing him violently to the floor. When the room stopped spinning. Drake look up...
...and realized he was staring at the business end of five Dominion disruptors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCATION: Freighter
SCENE: Bridge
"Commander!" MacNeil reported. "The battleship's trajectory is deteriorating!"
"Drake did it," Kor said, raising from her seat. "Mr. Varn, get us offworld now!"
Varn immediately obeyed, doing a fairer job at controlling the freighter than he had originally thought. The freighter climbed quickly, narrowly missing the battlecruiser as its course arced downwards toward the ground. As they accelerated up and into space, the battlecruiser began to level out behind them.
"They aren't crashing," MacNeil said. "But they've broken off their pursuit."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The ship continued to climb upward, and eventually clouds gave way to stars, and the blue Andaran sky darkened into the immense blackness of space. They continued onward until they were well away from ANDARA, before Kor finally gave the order to turn around.
"Mr. Crichton," Kor said, turning to look at the young CEO. "What happened to Drake?"
"I beamed him aboard the Dominion battlecruiser," Crichton said. "He had some kind of, I don't know, magic armband or something, that let him go right through their shields."
"Then, presumably, he is aboard the battleship?" Kor asked.
"That's what it looks like," Crichton nodded.
"Then we must assume that Mr. Drake is now a prisoner of the Dominion," Kor said gravely.
"We have to go back for him," MacNeil said.
"We have a mission to finish, Lieutenant," Kor said, shooting a harsh look at her. "Drake knew that... that's why he did what he did."
"We can't just leave him," MacNeil argued. "He saved our lives!"
"The Dominion aren't famous for taking prisoners," Crichton said quietly, staring at the floor. "I don't like it any more than you, Kate, but I think Drake's beyond our reach. Even if we *wanted* to retrieve him... this freighter's not about to stand up to a Dominion battlecruiser."
"We will complete our mission," Kor said. "We have the signal- we can find a way to trace it to its source. Once the signal has been neutralized, we can consider a rescue attempt for Mr. Drake. Crichton, I need you to get to work tracing that signal."
"Can do, Commander," Crichton nodded.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCATION: Prime Minister's Palace
SCENE: Prime Minister's Office
Daisy and Blithis were both bound by the wrists. A Jem'Hadar grabbed Daisy harshly be the arm and began to lead her out of the room, with Blithis right behind.
"This is an outrage!" Blithis protested. "We are allies with the Dominion! You can't just arrest the leader of an entire world!"
"Oh, but I can, Prime Minister," Vertec said with a wide grin. "You see, the Founders have had enough of your treachery and double-dealing. We have decided that you are no longer fit to rule. Therefore, for the good of the Andaran people, we are taking temporary control of your planet, until such time as a new leader can be appointed."
"You won't get away with this, Vertec," Blithis spat, as Jem'Hadar dragged her from the room.
Vertec turned her gaze now to Daisy, and it was clear by her expression that she enjoyed having the Starfleet Commander in her power.
"Well, Commander," she said, with a polite smile. "It appears that I have won."
"Don't count on it," Daisy growled.
"Save the melodrama," Vertec sneered. "There are no cameras here, remember?"
"Tell me one thing," Daisy said. "Why the children? Why did you target ANDARA's children?"
Vertec stared at Daisy for a long moment, as though examining her face.
"You really think we're behind it, don't you?" Vertec asked, a bemused smile on her lips. "Let me set your mind to ease on that much, at least. I assure you, whatever it is that is afflicting ANDARA's children... the Dominion has nothing to do with it."
Daisy's mouth hung open as the Jem'Hadar dragged her away. She was stunned, because as much as she didn't want to, as much as her whole being raged against the thought...
...she believed Vertec.
============================================================
NRPG: Phew! Done!
So, a lot has changed. Whatever it is that's affecting the ANDARAN kids is getting stronger, and it looks like the Dominion isn't behind it. Not only that, but Drake and our dear Commander Davidson have been taken captive by the Dominion!
Is Vertec lying about the Dominion's involvement in the mysterious signal?
Can the brave away team track the signal to its source and terminate it before all of ANDARA turns into a looney-bin?
How will our brave and resourceful CO get out of the pickle she's put herself in?
And what horrors await H.H. Drake, at the hands of Dominion interrogators?
These, like so many answers in the FRPG world, are up to you! So post post post!
Shawn
a.k.a.
Jake Crichton, Lieutenant
Chief of Engineering
GATEWAY Station, GS-2
---------------------------------
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Wed Aug 27 2008 - 03:10:29 PDT