Extinction - The Preserver Saga, Part Two

[thew40]

Hello everyone! I'm back with part two of the Preserver Saga. If you haven't read Part One, I would recommend it. It's the first part of a galaxy-spanning, multi-generational mystery!

Before launch into the second part, I'd like to open with an interlude, taking place between Parts One and Two . . .

Disclaimer: Star Trek is the property of Paramount/CBS. This story was written for non-profit and for entertainment purposes only.


INTERLUDE: THE SPIRAL

Doctor Emily Farrah couldn’t get her bearings. Between the Klingons, Romulans, and Remans arguing behind her and the sobbing woman who claimed to be Kirk’s late wife, her head like it had been on backwards. And she was still trying to figure out how she got here in the first place.


“Priorities,” she muttered to herself. She checked herself rather quickly, deciding it was necessary to first get try and herself taken care before she moved on. Her tricorder was still with her, but both her communicator and phaser were gone. Physically, she . . . she . . .


Did I pass out? She couldn’t remember. Emily had been standing in Keeper’s chamber, trying to help Captain Kirk unlock the secrets of this place . . . and then everything went very cold and faded into darkness. Then, she was here.


“I’m a friend,” Emily told Miramanee.


“Where is Kirok?”


Emily blinked, but then suddenly remembered the twisted version of his own name that Captain Kirk had taken up during his brief stay on Amerind.


“I don’t know. Stay with me, though.”


“Who are these people? Are they demons?”


Emily wanted to say ‘yes’ despite planning on trying to make nice with the Klingons and Romulans. As if on cue, four Klingons grabbed Emily and Miramanee and dragged them through the crowd. The pair were thrown down in front of a Romulan and Klingon.


“My name is Hitorah,” the Romulan introduced herself. “This is K’vork.”


Emily tried to rise, but a Klingon kept her one he knees. Miramanee was staring at the floor, fearful of the sight of them.


“Doctor Emily Farrah,” she replied. “This woman claims to be Miramanee.”


“Where are our ships?!” K’vork shouted.


Emily shook her head. “I don’t know . . . I don’t know what’s going on.” She realized then she should have told her only who she was and her serial code, but being ‘green’ as she was, it was understandable misstep. Besides, she felt it more appropriate to find a way to cooperate.


“Lies!” K’vork barked.


“I believe her, actually,” Avar responded. “There’s very little to indicate any different. Our intelligence reports that the Federation simply does not have the ability to mass transport us like this.”


K’vork grunted, but said nothing more.


At that moment, the floor began to move. As it did, glass tubes appeared along the sides of the wall, each one empty. Emily looked to Miramanee, whose eyes were full of fright. At that second, there was a loud humming and each one of them were suddenly inside the tubes.


Emily pounded on the glass, watching at the Klingons, Romulans, and Remans did the same. Miramanee was in the tube next to Emily. The floor vanished, revealing a spiraling line of the same tubes, each one with different aliens inside. Emily began to panic, but couldn’t maintain it. She felt suddenly sapped of energy and began to drift into exhaustion.

END INTERLUDE
http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=100647

 

[Mistral]

Stasis tubes? What is up, I wonder. Check your first 2-3 sentences, they are a bit garbled. Just a heads up.

 

[fleetcaptain]

Interesting start so far. Can't wait to see what happens with the forthcoming storyline you got spinning here.

 

[thew40]

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION/DEEP SPACE NINE
"EXTINCTION"
The Preserver Saga - Part Two
​

PEACE

Deep Space Nine hung in space like a gigantic wheel, slowly spinning in place next to the wormhole. Captain Picard stood in his Ready Room and watched as it came closer and closer into view. He brought his cup to his lips and took a sip, taking in the last of the tea.


Despite the war that waged in the Alpha Quadrant, Captain Jean-Luc Picard felt at peace and understandingly rejuvenated. The events in the Briar Patch and the report on his desk had both ruined and renewed his faith in the Federation – he was still stung by the blindness that had been first demonstrated in approving of the mission. Did the war with the Dominion really serve as an excuse to trade in the morals that helped build this organization?


Whatever the answer was, Picard was more than pleased with the PADD that told him exactly what he wanted to hear. Officially, the Briar Patch project was shut down, the alliance with the Son’a was over, and the Baku were now a protected people. The only backfire in this was that the remaining Son’a officially joined the Dominion.


The tea finished, he got rid of the cup and entered the bridge. Riker and Troi were laughing at something to themselves. He bit back a more restrained part of him that wanted to remind the pair that fraternizing on the bridge was definitely not allowed. But truth be told, he was happy to see that the youthful energy that came across the crew had not faded completely . . . and that while he himself was feeling rejuvenated, Riker and Troi were in the throes of romance.


Picard sat down in his chair as Data confirmed their clearance from Ops.


“Thank you, Mr. Data,” Picard responded, leaning back in his chair. The Enterprise was scheduled for a major repair job. Their warp core had been replaced within days of leaving the Briar Patch; however many other critical systems remained in dire need of replacement or repair.


Then there was Worf, who stood stoic and silent at the tactical station. He avoided even looking at Deep Space Nine.



Picard sighed a little and prepared for what he hoped would be a swift and quiet stop.


Within moments, the Enterprise was docked. The Enterprise’s airlock door opened up, allowing Picard and his senior staff exit from the starship. They stepped in the round, circular corridor of upper pylon three, the doors spinning open as they walked.


At the very end of the airlock stood a Colonel Kira Neryes, the trim Bajoran regarding the crew of the Enterprise with an expression of respect. By her side was Chief O’Brien himself and Doctor Julian Bashier.


“Captain Picard, welcome to Deep Space Nine,” Colonel Kira greeted warmly, shaking the older human’s hand.


“Thank you, Colonel. A pleasure to be here. Chief!”


“Hello sir,” O’Brien replied. He and Picard shook hands and Picard was suddenly flashed with the memory of marrying Miles and Kieko back on the previous Enterprise. How long had that been?


“Commander Riker, good to see you again,” Kira stated.


“Likewise,” Riker responded. He and Kira had met a few times – notably after Riker’s duplicate had stolen the Defiant and was subsequently arrested.


“Worf, good to have you back on board,” Kira then said to the looming Klingon.


“Colonel,” Worf grunted.


“Captain, Admiral Ross and Captain Sisko are waiting in the Ward Room. I’m to escort you and your senior staff there.”


Picard and Riker exchanged glances, then followed Kira and the others into the heart of Deep Space Nine.


-----


This is a surprisingly difficult story to write. I gotta revise the next few entires, so it might be a few days before the next part is up.

 

[fleetcaptain]

Sweet, should of figured TNG and DS9 characters would pop up in this storyline. Glad to see that they are. Can't wait to see what happens next.

 

[CaptainSarine]

Nice! Haven't read the first book, but I like the setting for this one and that teaser at the beginning was really good. I'll keep an eye on this.

 

[Mistral]

Very interesting........

 

[thew40]

Argh. This story is making me tear my hair out. Here's the next part as I try and whip it into shape.

---------

MISSION

Picard and his senior staff arrived in the Ward Room, where they found the rest of Deep Space Nine’s senior staff. Ben Sisko rose from his chair next to Admiral Ross and strode to Jean-Luc Picard. Picard felt uneasiness spread across his back. He and Sisko had first met under very tense terms; their second meeting days later had gone more smoothly, but Picard wondered if Sisko still held Picard responsible for the death of his wife.


“Captain Sisko, a pleasure,” Picard greeted, keeping his most diplomatic voice in check.


“Likewise, Captain,” Sisko responded.


After brief introductions, Ross asked everyone to have a seat. The Admiral lifted a PADD and began the meeting. “Captain Picard, I wish I could tell you after everything that’s gone on in the Briar Patch, you could be looking at some time off . . . but unfortunately, the Enterprise is going to the frontlines. An urgent matter has come up. The Dominion is putting together a very dangerous biological weapon.”


Picard looked to Sisko briefly. His own experience with the Dominion was limited to taking part in a few battles here and there. He wasn’t aware of any attempts at creating biological weapons.


“Are we talking about something similar to the quickening?” asked Doctor Bashir.


“No, this is far worse,” Ross responded. He pressed a key on the PADD and the screen behind him came to life. “Captain Picard, do you recognize this program?”


Picard stared at what was displayed on the screen. Years ago, parts of the program were found on several worlds spread across the galaxy inside organic DNA. When parts of this DNA were linked together, it had revealed that all humanoid life had originated from a single species billions of years ago.


The captain explained this to the room, then turned his attention back to Ross.


“I don’t understand,” he admitted, “just how the Dominion could extrapolate a biological weapon from this?”


“Starfleet Intelligence believes the Founders have found another part of this program – or perhaps a secret combination of it – that shows the exact genetic combinations that the ancient humanoids created that gave rise to . . . us. The Founders believe that by unlocking this program, they will have the ability to attack humanoids on a genetic level.”


“Needless to say, the implications are far-reaching,” Sisko added, his eyes running across the table.


“What about the Cardassians? Wouldn’t they find themselves at risk by helping to create this virus?” wondered Crusher.


“More than likely, they’re being lied to,” Odo answered. “My people’s paranoia when it comes to humanoids makes this threat all the more real. I can promise you that if the Cardassians are involved, they’re under the deception that the virus wouldn’t be used against them or that it wouldn’t affect them.”


“They’re signing their death warrants,” snarled Worf.


“We also believe the Son’a are involved, which is another reason why we’ve asked you to come on board with this mission, Captain,” Ross said to the Picard. “Given your recent experience, your knowledge of the species may prove useful.”


Picard nodded. “Understood. When are we to depart?”


“Seventy-two hours,” Sisko responded. “The Klingon vessel Rotarran and Maht-H'a will be accompanying us, along with a Romulan warbird. Possibly two. We’ll know more soon.”


“Captains, if you’ll advise your crew of this mission and it’s confidentiality,” Ross stated. “Doctors Crusher and Bashir, I’d like you both to work on figuring out how exactly they’re planning on using this program as a biological weapon. Chief O’Brien, Commander La Forge, top priority is repairing the Enterprise. Until then, everyone had best prepare for the mission ahead. Dismissed.”

 

[Mistral]

Good bridging segment.

 

[fleetcaptain]

Getting more interesting. Can't wait to see if the Dominion succeeds or not.

 

[thew40]

Sorry for the long delay. I've been having some trouble with this story, but I'm finally starting to get it worked. Whew!

Again, I'm still trying to find the right for these character. If I royally screw it up . . . well, whoops.

------

DEPARTING

Sisko stared out the window of his office, eyes focused on nothing, and mind wandering. The door chimes rang out and beckoned his visitor entrance. Ezri Dax stepped in, the doors closing behind her. The young Trill walked across the room and towards the captain’s desk.


“Everything alright, Captain?”


Sisko sighed, turned, and sat down. “I suppose so.”


Dax regarded the look on her old friend’s face and offered him a supportive grin. “Is it seeing Picard again?”


He nodded a little. “I suppose I thought it would be easy. The Prophets helped me move on from Jennifer’s death . . . but seeing him again . . .” He paused and steepled his fingers. “All I can see is Locutus. And I shouldn’t. Captain Picard is a distinguished Starfleet officer - ”


“And he’s had to deal with Locutus of Borg, too,” Dax cut in. “He’s battled that demon, just like you have. You need to keep telling yourself that. They are not the same person.”


Sisko was about to respond when Kira’s voice echoed through the office. “Kira to Sisko.”


“Go ahead.”


“The Enterprise has completed repairs and the fleet is ready to depart.”


“I’m on my way.”


Sisko stood up, Dax doing the same across the desk. He tossed her his baseball. “The station is yours, old man. Keep it in one piece.”


“I’ll do my best. Good luck.”


Sisko marched out of his office, stopped briefly at Ops, then made for the docking ring. Ezri, on the other hand, sat in his office chair and placed the baseball back onto the office. She leaned forward, intertwining her fingers and breathed in. Part of her that was Jadzia thrived to be here, right here, at the top. And even though Ezri herself was reluctant to enjoy it, she found herself warming to the idea of command.


At that moment, the chimes to the door rang and she bid Odo welcome.


“You look rather comfortable,” Odo remarked with one of his sardonic smirks.


“It’s a nice chair,” she responded, leaning back for emphasis.


“Hmph. I have the security report and today’s duty roster,” Odo replied, handing his a PADD.



Ezri looked it over. “Very good, constable.” She sighed and sat forward. “Just the two of us, huh?”


“I suppose so. Let’s hope it doesn’t stay that way.”


Ezri looked up at Odo thoughtfully, then slowly began to ask him a question that the counselor in her demanded to ask and the part of her that had known him closely resisted. “How do you feel about this weapon the Founders are creating?”


Odo jerked his head towards her, clearly surprised. “What?”


“The bio-weapon. This thing they’re creating to destroy humanoids, based on that supposedly helped create them.”


“It’s . . . why is that any of your business?”


Ezri’s brow furrowed. “Sorry. I guess I was just - ”


“You just wanted to know if changeling hatred of humanoids has any sort of bearing of how I feel about this.” He regarded her for a moment, trying to make a judgment as to open up about this or not. Finally deciding that this was still Dax, he sighed. “You’re wondering if I share their paranoia . . . their hatred . . . their fear and distrust of humanoids, the answer is simple. I do not. But do I understand it? Have they showed me in countless ways just how much they feel they are at risk losing? Yes. Is it enough to create this weapon? Yes.”


Odo stepped forward and wore an expression that made Ezri’s pale cheeks turn red.


“And you must understand just how very important it is for me to not have that happen.”


Ezri, embarrassed, lowered her head. It was naïve of her. Neryes. Of course.


“I’m sorry, Odo. I didn’t mean to pry, I just - ”


Odo grunted and folded his arms. “Don’t worry about it. We have greater concerns than hurt feelings.”

 

[Kaziarl]

Wow, I just read this from beginning to.. well to where it is now. And I must say great work. Oh, and about whipping the story into shape, don't whip it to hard. Sometimes its good to let it follow its own course. At least that's what I've found in my own writing.

I look forward to more.

 

[Mistral]

Wow, I just read this from beginning to.. well to where it is now. And I must say great work. Oh, and about whipping the story into shape, don't whip it to hard. Sometimes its good to let it follow its own course. At least that's what I've found in my own writing.

I look forward to more.

Yeah!

You sure put Ezri on the spot with Odo-I really liked that. And touching on Jadzia's feelings of ambition-also a good little insert!

 

[thew40]

You sure put Ezri on the spot with Odo-I really liked that. And touching on Jadzia's feelings of ambition-also a good little insert!

Thank you! I was really concerned about that it wouldn't come out right. Next part should be up soon . . .

 

[thew40]

GLORY

Artos came from nothing. His family was lived a simple live in the Org’nan Valleys, but Artos had a greater destiny. He graduated top in his class from Second School at the age of 16. After two years of Higher Learning, his computer skills were the best in the region and he was immediately recruited into the Tal Shiar. Two more years of training and testing, Artos was assigned to Har’Nnah, a Romulan scoutship charged with the duty to go to Ulana 4 – a world near Federation-Cardassian Demilitarized Zone.


The Har’Nnah sat in orbit for days on end, cloaked and spying on a Dominion base on the surface. The crew aboard was small – 15 in all. The commander, sub-commander, three duty officers, five engineers, and four communications experts – with Artos rounding it out at his station. He worked for days on end, trying to hack into their database.


At last, knowing that the mission that other, more glorious men had started, he had a break-through. He had finally broken in and now had unfettered access to their entire database. The two comm-officers went to work next to him, the three acting like one mind, retrieving all the vital information.


“Three Jem’Hadar ships closing on our location,” the sub-commander reported.


“You have everything?” asked the commander, an older man by the name of Galeth.


“Everything regarding the bioweapon,” Artos responded.


“Sir, I think they’ve found us!” shouted a tactical officer.


“Transmit all information to the warbird Dir’Thar and to Romulus. We’ve done our part.”


The ship was rocked violently. Streams of sparks blasted from the ceiling and walls. The sub-commander looked up. “Cloak is off-line. Raise shields! Lock weapons and fire!”


The scoutship was rocked heavily as Jem’Hadar volleys came upon it. The computer reported that both Romulus and the Dir’Thar received the data. Artos fell back in his chair, the mission complete. Now he just wanted to go home . . .


“Sub-commander?” questioned Galeth.


“Shields are down to 19%.”


“Return fire.” Galeth took a deep breath. “Getting home was never a priority, but we die for the glory of the Romulan Star Empire.” Galeth placed his hands on Artos’ shoulders. “For Romulus.”


The Jem’Hadar descended upon the vessel then and executed a final, deadly volley. The scoutship was destroyed with all hands.

 

[thew40]

Just a bit of a note here . . .

First and foremost, I certainly appreciate all feedback and support for this fanfic. It's great to hear from you guys, as I was concerned this series would fall flat on its face.

Secondly, this particular installment is not going to be as long as "Existence." As I've begun to move into its second half and have started to plan it out, the story just isn't going to be as long. Which is fine, actually, because it's turning into a huge pain the butt.

Finally, even though I still have a ways to go, I've decided to work up some other Trek fanfics that'll pop up here eventually. Including more of the Kelvin.

 

[Mistral]

The word got out-now lets see if there is going to be cooperation in the Alpha Quadrant....

 

[thew40]

INFORMATION

Galathon strode off the transporter pad and stood face-to-face with Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Picard smiled warmly at the Romulan and extended his hand. “Commander,” the human greeted, Galathon shaking his hand.


“Captain Picard, it has been too long. Have the others arrived?”


“Yes, they are waiting in the observation lounge. I must say, based on our previous talk, I’m pleased to see our people working side-by-side.”


Galathon smiled just a little. It had been some time since Galathon followed the Klingons, Cardassians, and Starfleet to that nameless dead world . . . but the message that they all found there . . . that they were all linked by a common ancestor . . . haunted him. Galathon pressed for peace afterwards and spoke up when he could, but the dangers associated such talk kept him from having a louder voice. He at one time, not long after that mission, considered trying to get in touch with Ambassador Spock and his unification movement. But it never came to fruition.


The message changed Galathon so much that he didn’t feel as repulsed as some of his brethren to see Klingons sitting at the table. Galathon sat across from them, calm and open-minded. Things had to change.


Martok and Nu’Daq glanced at each other, then the two doctors who sat at the end of the table. Doctors Crusher and Bashir looked exhausted, having spent all of their time since leaving Deep Space Nine trying to figure out how the Dominion was turning the message into a bioweapon. No such luck, thus far.


Sisko was eyeing the group evenly, avoiding Picard. Galathon noted this, wondering what kind of history the two captains had. Picard made his introduction of Galathon, then waved his hand to him.


“Two hours ago, the Tal Shiar was able to hack into the Dominion’s database on Ulana Four. It appears they discovered an ancient colony that the humanoid species once occupied on this world, and by pillaging its databank, they have unlocked a second part of the genetic program. Altering this, they have been able to create the bioweapon.”


He placed a PADD containing this information onto the table and slid it down to the doctors. Crusher stared at the screen as the components of the bioweapon appeared, Bashir looking over her shoulder as she did.


“My God,” Bashir groaned, brow furrowing.


“This is horrible. It attacks the very DNA of humanoid life, neutralizing genetic material . . .” She looked up at Picard. “We need to get moving on finding a way to prevent this.”


“Go ahead,” Picard told her.


The two doctors exited the room, already debating how to approach this.


“The scoutship that recovered this data was destroyed,” Galathon said then. “The Dominion is now aware of our mission.”


“That explains the fleet deployments,” Sisko remarked. “I’ll notify Starfleet Command and let them know we’ll need some support.”


“I agree,” Martok responded.


Galathon nodded. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to contact Romulus and inform them of this meeting.”


“And just why is that?” Nu’Daq demanded.


“It is a requirement. All interactions are to noted and transmitted back to Romulus.”


Nu’Daq and said something to Martok in Klingon, then laughed heartily. Martok grinned a little.


“I am also not supposed to tell you about it,” Galathon responded. “But considering the nature of this mission deals with the link that ties us all together . . . I felt openness would be the best policy.”


That shut them up . . . but not for long. Nu’Daq said something else to Martok, but the elder Klingon ignored him. Nu’Daq looked insulted, but stopped before he spoke again.


------


Should more to come this week. Finally making some progress on it.

 

[thew40]

CAPTAINS

“Enter.”


The doors to the Ready Room opened and allowed Benjamin Sisko entrance. He strode in, carrying with him a PADD. Jean-Luc Picard stood up, uncertain just how exactly this meeting was going to go. He met Sisko in the middle of the room.


“How can I help you, Captain?”


Sisko handed over the PADD. “The eighth fleet will intercept us in two hours. This is the strategy once they arrive. It turns out that Ulana Four has some sort of electro-magnetic field that makes it almost impossible to transport through.”


Picard looked the PADD over. “I see. Any chance we can get our engineers together and have them take a look? No one knows transporters as well as Chief O’Brien.”


“If that’s what you want . . .”


Picard’s eyes darted to the man before him. “Do you have a problem with it?”


“To be honest, yes. We need our engineers spending as much time as possible making sure we’re ready for battle. We have the specifications of the Dominion base and the plan is sound for a ground attack.”


Picard sighed and placed the PADD on his desk. “I see. Well, it seems you’ve got this figured out, Captain.”


“With all due respect, I’ve seen a lot of war in the past few years. I’ve ‘figured this out’ a long time ago.”


They were dancing on the edge of a conversation neither of them wanted to bring up. Wolf 359 – the biggest pre-war engagement since the Klingon War a century ago. Picard and Sisko faced each other then and were both left scarred.


“Captain . . .” Picard started. “We need to be on the same page here.”


“I agree,” Sisko replied.


Picard stepped back and leaned against his desk, arms folded across his chest. “You still hold me responsible for Wolf 359?”


Sisko gulped and felt heat in his face. “You can tell me that it wasn’t your fault, Captain. That you were being controlled by the Borg. And I believe that . . . but every time I look at you, all I can think about is Jennifer pinned underneath a pile of debris. I can never forgive you for that.”


Picard’s mouth went dry and he was suddenly assaulted with memories of being on the other side of that battle, unable to help himself as his own experience was being twisted and turned against his fellow officers.


“Captain . . . you need to understand . . . I can never forgive myself.”


Sisko blinked. He certainly wasn’t expecting that.


The chime rang out and Picard allowed whoever it was entrance. Commander Riker walked in, picking up that he was interrupting something.


“Sorry for the intrusion, but it looks like there’s trouble in our path. Five Jem’Hadar attack cruisers are on an intercept course. They’ll be here within thirty minutes.”


“I better get back to the Defiant,” Sisko stated. “We’ll continue this later, Captain.”


“Indeed.”


Sisko let himself out. Riker looked quizzically to Picard, but knew better than to ask. Picard pressed the comm on his desk. “Red alert. All hands – battle stations.”

 

[thew40]

I had a break-through this weekend and was able to finish this story. It's a little rushed, but . . . eh . . . it's done.

----------

INTERCEPTED

In the end, the battle wasn’t too bad. The Enterprise was almost immediately able to out one ship. The Rotarran prevented another from doing a kamikaze attack on the Defiant. The Defiant and the Maht-H’a destroyed the third. The last two were wiped out by the Dir’Thar, Rotarran, and the Enterprise. That wasn’t to say there wasn’t damage.


The Defiant took the brunt of it and O’Brien was working hard to restore power to the shields and the main deflector. Both had taken a strong hit from the debris of the destroyed suicide run cruiser.


Meanwhile, the doctors were hard at work. Bashir and Crusher were working around the clock to develop a counter to the bioweapon.


The eighth fleet arrived soon enough. Three Reliants, two Excelsiors, one Galaxy, one Intrepid, two Akiras, four Vor’cha, eight Bird-of-Prey and five Romulan Warbirds all joined with the smaller fleet and together, they laid in a course for Ulana Four.


BREAK-THROUGH

The sickbay doors slid open and Data entered, looking for either doctors Bashir or Crusher. The pair were standing in front of a holographic image of the bioweapon, both showing signs of exhaustion.


“I was wondering if I could be of some assistance,” Data offered. He had written a number of possible algorithms before they left Deep Space Nine. None of them had been of much use.


“Not really . . .” Doctor Bashir replied, but then turned fully to the android. “It is good to see you again, Mr. Data.”


“And you as well, Doctor.”


“I read your article on the emotion chip. Very interesting,” Bashir continued.


“Thank you. I have also read a few of your articles. Your work with the genetically engineered group was very insightful.”


Bashir gave Data a small smile. “Yes, well, I did do some extensive research on your great-great-grandfather.”


Data nodded just a bit. “Doctor Arik Soong?”


Crusher’s eyes widened a little, as though she had just realized something. She looked up at Data. “Arik Soong . . .”


Data looked to her. “Yes doctor. He was a brilliant genetic engineer, although his work was illegal. And still would be.”


Bashir’s brow furrowed. “Doctor? You look like you’re on to something?”


“I might just be. Data, was it Arik Soong who worked one of the old NX-Classes?”


“Yes. The first Enterprise.”


Crusher leaned stepped towards the two of them. “I remember hearing about a mission that one of the old NX-Classes took part in not long after the ordeal with Arik Soong. It may have been the Enterprise, now that I think of it. It had to do with a terrorist group and a binary clone they had created . . .”


Data blinked. “You maybe referring to the Terra Prime terrorist group, who managed to capture some of Subcommander T’Pol’s genetic material and used it to create and offspring - ”


“The date, Data?”


“The incident occurred between Earth calendar dates January 19- January 21, 2155.”


Doctor Crusher turned to a nearby terminal and began to bring up the data regarding that incident. Bashir walked over, still not getting it. “I don’t understand,” he confessed.


A few second later, Doctor Crusher stepped back and waved her hand to the screen. “This is what we’re looking for.”


Bashir looked over the screen, stood straight up and began thinking. He turned to the holographic bioweapon, then back to Crusher. He could see the confidence growing in Crusher’s face.



“You think this would work?”


“I’m almost certain of it.”


“Let’s try it.”


Crusher turned to Data and put her hands on his shoulders. “Thanks for the help, Data.”


“You are . . . welcome?”

***

An hour later, Crusher and Bashir were on the comm with Martok, Sisko, Picard, Nu’Daq, and Galathon. Crusher displayed their model and the pair took turns explaining it.


“Several centuries ago, a xenophobic terrorist group calling itself Terra Prime created a binary clone of a human and Vulcan officer in the hope of scaring mankind into reject alien life-forms. The plan back-fired and the child – Elizabeth – died as a result of a genetic flaw in the cloning process. This was caused a variance in the child’s basic genetic structure.”


Bashir took over. “Those same variances can destabilize the bioweapon. We’re synthesizing it now. Bare in mind, however, this is not a cure. Anyone exposed to this virus will succumb to it. All our formula will do is neutralize the virus itself.”


“But at least we have a way to neutralize it now,” Crusher added.


“Excellent work, Doctors,” Picard responded.


“Agreed,” Sisko followed.


Galathon leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “What is curious about this that it took a child born as a symbol of Descension from two worlds to stop this. Very interesting.”


Martok rolled his eye and closed the channel.