Star Trek: Mjolnir

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Twenty-One =/\=
​

Stardate 57061.26 (January 23, 2380. 10:11 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir - Holding position with the Enterprise and the Titan
Ryerson Nebula on the edge of Sector 003, UFP

As he sat behind the ready room desk reading ‘A Study In Scarlet’ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from and oversized PADD, Callum’s combadge chirped to indicate that someone was trying to reach him through the internal communications system. Setting down the oversized PADD after pressing the control to put it into sleep mode Callum tapped his combadge to open the channel.

“MacLeod here. Go ahead.” Callum said.

“Commander Rel, Captain.” Damrus’ disembodied voice said coming from Callum’s combadge, “You wanted to be informed when we had arrived at the Ryerson Nebula.”

“Understood, Commander. Ah will be there in a moment. MacLeod out.” Callum said before tapping his combadge.

Standing up and around the desk Callum walked over to the replicator, once he reached the replicator Callum placed the empty bottle on the replicator’s receiving platform and tapped the recycle button on the replicator’s control panel causing it to dematerialize the empty mug and send its energy to the replicator’s raw matter tankage system to be rematerialized as disassociated inert molecules in the raw matter storage tanks. As the bottle dematerialized Callum turned and walked towards the ready room door to head down the deck one corridor that led to the bridge. Walking onto the bridge though the port side door and approached the center seat Callum watched as Damrus stood up and stepped to the side so he was standing next to the captain’s chair.

Sitting down in the center seat Callum looked at Damrus and said, “The bridge is mine, Commander.”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said before turning and walking back to the first officer and communications station.

“Captain, The Enterprise and the Titan have both signaled that they are standing by to transport over.” Damrus replied a moment later after reading a pop up on the XO/Communications station.

“Excellent, Commander.” Callum said as he stood up, “Ah will be in the conference room. Ah would like ye tae personally greet our guests an’ escort them tae the conference room.

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said.

“Captain.” Vhela said from the science station to get Callum’s attention before he left the bridge.

“Yes, Lieutenant?” Callum said as he turned to look at the science station.

“Sensors are detecting some life signs just inside the periphery of the nebula.” The Barzan science officer reported, “It seems to a cosmazoan.”

“Hmm.” Callum said as he turned to face the viewscreen, “Put the coordinates on screen.”

“Aye, aye sir.” Navesh replied as her emerald fingers danced across the Ops console.

Seconds later the viewscreen sprung to life with the image of a translucent purple jellyfish that was several times larger than a Galaxy class starship. Seeing the creature on the viewscreen Callum was unable to contain his surprise as he looked at the image of the enormous cozmazoan on the viewscreen. Standing up and taking a step forward in an unconscious and instinctive attempt to confirm what he believed he was seeing Callum squinted before his eyes went wide as he realized he hadn’t seen wrong.

“That’s a Starjelly!” Callum said with the surprise obvious in his voice as he stood in front of the Mark VII Captain’s Chair, “Its too bad we have a date tae keep, otherwise ah’d love tae stay an’ study the beastie.”

Turning from the science station to look at Callum as he sat in the center seat Vhela said, “If we aren’t going to stay to study it I request permission to launch a probe to leave behind to study the Starjelly.”

“Permission granted. Coordinate with Commander Tymoshenko and launch the probe when its ready and have the probe maintain a respectful distance from the Starjelly.” Callum said after he turned to look at her sitting at the science station, “Ah would also suggest that ye let Command ken aboot the beastie so they can retrieve the probe and its data for the Federation Zoological Institute.”

“Yes, sir.” Navesh said she turned back to her station.

“The bridge is yours, Commander Tymoshenko.” Callum said looking at Navesh, “Ah’ll be in the conference room.”

=/\=​

Walking into the Mjolnir’s transporter room Damrus looked at the non-comm manning the transporter console and the DOT-12 maintenance drone working on an ODN relay inside of an opened access hatch.

“Are we good to transport, Ensign?” Damrus asked gesturing at the repair drone.

“Yes, sir. The ODN relay the drone is working on isn’t connected to the transporter’s systems.” Tannenbaum said.

“Well in that case, energize Miss Tannenbaum.” Damrus ordered.

Seconds later the transporter platform was filled with shimmering columns of light that coalesced into the forms of Kirk, Spock, and Riker.

“Captains, Ambassador.” Damrus said with a nod, “Captain MacLeod asked me to escort you to the conference room.”

“Na na na.” Kirk said wagging a finger at Damrus, “None of that. Call me Jim.”

“Aye, Capt…. Jim.” Damrus said catching himself mid word.

“Lead the way, Commander.” Kirk said stepping off the platform.

“Aye, sir.” Damrus replied formally before turning and heading for the door.

Moments later the door to the conference room whooshed open allowing Damrus to lead Kirk, Spock and Riker into the Conference room. Standing up from his seat at the head of the table Callum gestured to he open seats on either side of the table. Sitting on the table were empty glasses as well as a pitcher of ice water and a pitcher of tranya.

“Welcome onboard the Mjolnir. Feel free tae take a seat and have a drink o’ water or tranya.” Callum said. Looking at Damrus he continued on saying, “Thank-ye, Commander.”

As Damrus turned and walked out of the ready room Kirk, Spock and Riker sat down at the table. Spock to Callum’s right and Kirk to his. Riker sat across the table from Spock as Callum poured himself a glass of tranya and took a long sip from it.

“Ambassador, if ye would care tae bring us up tae speed.” Callum said.

“As you wish, Captain.” Spock said, “While on Romulus I learned of a report from the Romulan Star Navy that indicated that the Suliban Cabal have established a base of operations in the Ral Parthia system in neutral space and are planning to infiltrate various governments in a plan to undermine our alliances and provoke wars on multiple fronts so they can establish themselves as a dominant power in the ensuing chaos. Our plan is to infiltrate their base and obtain a copy of their database so Starfleet can find out who their agents are and apprehend them before they cause too much damage. Our initial plan was to use the Enterprise and the Mjolnir as a distraction while an infiltration team obtains a copy of their database.”

“It’s a sound general plan.” Riker said, “With the Titan assisting there should be no problem with distracting them.”

“If the Titan takes the Mjolnir’s place in distracting the Suliban we can use the Mjolnir’s holographic masking system to approach infiltrate the installation.” Spock said.

“Holographic masking system?” Riker asked.

“We were outfitted with a holographic mask so we could disguise ourselves if we needed tae infiltrate Romulan space in the event that Ambassador Spock dinnae make it across the neutral zone on his own. The holo-mask allows us to mimic the visual and sensor characteristics of another object.” Callum said.

“I take it that the holo-mask is one of those ‘need to know’ kind of things.” Riker said.

“Indeed.” Spock said.

“Well, my lips are sealed.” Riker said with a grin on his face, “Does the image reflect damage, or is it just a picture?”

“It’s fully interactive.” Callum explained, “As we pass by a sun, the image shimmers. As we pass behind an asteroid, it darkens. If someone fires at it, it simulates damage.”

“Impressive.” Riker said, “That takes camouflage to a whole new level.”

“It really does.” Callum said with a grin on his face, “An’ it technically does nae violate the Treaty o’ Algeron since we’re not tryin’ take make ourselves invisible.”

“That’s splitting some hairs pretty finely.” Riker said.

“Aye, it is.” Callum said, “But that’s for the politicians an’ brass tae deal with.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Two =/\=​

Stardate 57062.02 (January 23, 2380. 16:51 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir - Holding position with the Enterprise and the Titan
Ryerson Nebula on the edge of Sector 003, UFP

Moments later Callum walked through the ready room door onto the bridge Callum walked towards the captain’s chair as Damrus stood up wordlessly turning command of the bridge over to Callum.

“Report.” Callum said.

“We are holding position with the Enterprise and the Titan on the edge of the nebula. The Enterprise and the Titan have just signaled that they are ready to get underway” Damrus reported.

“Understood, Commander.” Callum said as he sat down in the mark seven captain’s chair. Looking at Nerah at the helm he said, “Set course for the Ral Parthia system, Mister Nerah. Standby to engage at warp eight.”

“Laying in the vector now.” Nerah said as his fingers danced across the helm, “Course laid in, standing by.”

Smiling slightly Callum said, "Engage."

Seconds later the viewscreen showed the familiar starburst effect of a ship accelerating to warp followed by the usual forward view of streaks of light whizzing by the ship as interstellar dust particles moving at space normal speed impacting the Mjolnir’s warp field causing the streaks of light as they were transformed into energy.

“What’s our ETA at Ral Parthia’s Oort cloud?” Callum asked.

“Seventy-two hours thirty-six minutes, Sir.” Nerah reported after checking the readouts on the helm console.

Turning to face Damrus he continued on saying, “Ye have the bridge, Commander Rel. Ah’ll be in mah ready room.”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus replied standing up to head to take the center seat.

Standing up Callum walked across the bridge towards the ready room and through the door that separated it from the bridge.

Once he’d walked into the ready room Callum walked over to the replicator as he said, “Computer, one bottle o’ Lime Pick-A-Pop.”

Once a clear bottle filled with a bubbly green liquid materialized on the replicator’s receiving platform Callum picked it up and walked over to the seat behind his new ready room desk and sat down.

Speaking to the computer Callum said, “Computer, what do we ken aboot the Ral Parthia system?”

“The Ral Parthia system was first discovered by Tellarite astronomers in twenty-one oh four. The system is uninhabited and has only been explored by long range scans. The system consists of an O - class star orbited by a class K planet in the inner most orbit, point seven-five A.U. from the star. A class Y planet orbiting the star at a distance of two point two A.U., an asteroid belt orbiting at four A.U, and a class J planet with a type three ring system orbiting the star at a distance of fourteen A.U..” The standard computer voice replied.

“So we’re goin’ in tae this damn near blind.” Callum said to no one in particular.

“Inquiry not understood.” The computer replied.

“Ah was talking tae myself, Computer. Disregard that question.” Callum explained.

As the computer chimed in acknowledgment the room turned yellow with a change of lights as the alert siren sounded through the ship.

Over the ship-wide speakers, Damrus’ voice could be heard. "Yellow alert. Captain MacLeod to the bridge."

"MacLeod tae bridge, report" Callum said after tapping hid combadge.

"Commander Tymoshenko has picked up some strange readings two A.U.s out at bearing zero-four-five mark one five." Damrus reported over the intercom.

"Ahm on mah way. MacLeod oot." Callum said as he stood up and rounded the desk and hurried towards the door.

Exiting his ready room and walking out onto his bridge Callum noticed Chief Petty Officer Patrick Reese standing guard at the door to the turbolift.

"Alright." Callum said calmly as he walked across the bridge towards the center seat moments later while Damrus headed for his station, "What have ye got?"

Tapping on the panel of the Ops station trying to zero in Navesh said, “From the energy and dispersal pattern I’m seeing it could be a cloaked ship.”

Callum straightened up as he began to bark orders, "Lieutenant th’Chayn, Red Alert!"

Without thinking twice the Andorian tactical officer reacted and the sound of the red alert warning sounded throughout the ship along with the red light beaming across all the decks.

“The energy signature is fluctuating… They’re de-cloaking. Its a Sulliban heavy cruiser. They are on an intercept course with their shields up and weapons powered. The computer’s designated it as Tango-One.” Navesh replied.

“Any other ships on sensors, Commander Tymoshenko?” Callum queried.

“No, sir. However, sensors are detecting something unusual. There is significant amounts of protomatter onboard that ship.” The rubenesque Orion replied.

“Commander Rel, signal the Enterprise and the Titan that we'll deal with the Suliban cruiser and tae continue on course at best possible speed an' ask the Titan tae take up a defensive position between the Suliban an' the Enterprise. Lieutenant Nerah, alter course tae intercept an’ take us tae maximum warp.” Callum ordered, “Lieutenant th’Chayn, threat assessment.”

As Nerah and Damrus responded with an ‘aye, sir.’ each Shrak surveyed the various readouts on the freestanding console of the tactical station.

“Tango-One‘s mass and armaments are roughly equal to the tonnage and last tactical upgrades the Excelsior class.” Shrak reported, “In a one on one fight it’d be a pretty even fight. They have slightly more powerful shields, we have a slight edge in phaser output and in maneuverability.”

"Lieutenant th’Chayn shields up an’ arm phasers!" Callum ordered, “Commander Rel, take control of the torpedo launchers an’ standby tae fire on mah order.”

"Shields at full and all forward phasers armed." Shrak replied seconds later, his blue hands flying across his console with years of skill and practice behind them.

Within seconds the Mjolnir moved out of formation with the convoy and dropped out of warp before banking to starboard at full impulse and accelerating to warp nine on course to intercept the Suliban cruiser as the Enterprise and the Titan accelerated to warp nine.

“Commander Rel, target the Suliban ship with a pair o’ rattrap torpedoes an’ fire when ready. Ah want tae collapse their warp fields” Callum replied.

Targeting the Suliban ships with a pair of Mark 22 “Rattrap” torpedoes, which were designed not to destroy but to emit a powerful electro-magnetic pulse that disrupted computer systems, Damrus fired the torpedoes in rapid succession having targeted the torpedoes so their detonations would collapse their warp fields forcing them out of warp.

As the torpedoes detonated and collapsed the warp fields of the Suliban ship the Mjolnir dropped out of warp to engage the Suliban ship as the Titan and Enterprise continued on their way to the Ral Parthia system. Without warning the Suliban cruiser opened fire on the Mjolnir with their phasers causing the ship to rock from the force of the impacts.

“Evasive maneuvers at your discretion, Lieutenant Nerah!” Callum ordered, “Phasers loose; target and fire at your discretion, Lieutenant th’Chayn.”

“Aye aye, captain.” Nerah said from the helm as he guided the Mjolnir through a series of barrel rolls, loops and other evasive maneuvers with the deft guidance and talent of a natural pilot.

“Phasers loose, aye sir. Shrak said as his blue fingers handed across the tactical console orchestrating a continuous barge of phaser fire from the Mjolnir’s forward phaser arrays.

“Continue firing phasers, Lieutenant th’Chayn. Commander ch’Mirah target the flanking ships and fire quantum torpedoes at your discretion.” Callum ordered as The deck plating shook beneath their feet as more direct hits were absorbed into the shields.

“Aye, sir.” Damrus replied.

“Aye, sir.” Shrak said echoing Damrus from across the bridge at the tactical station.

As the Mjolnir bobbed and weaved through space quantum torpedoes sped from the ship’s forward and aft launchers as the phaser cannons unleashed wave after wave of phaser pulses on the Suliban ships. As the ship rocked under multiple phaser beam impacts Nerah banked the ship quickly to port then back to starboard in an attempt to dodge some of the incoming weapons fire.

“Our shields are at seventy percent.” Navesh reported as the Mjolnir shook under weapons impacts, “Tango One’s shields are at sixty-five percent.”

“Continue firing phasers and torpedoes! Keep us with the primary target. Auxiliary power to the shields.” Callum said issuing orders.

“Our shields are now at eighty percent and holding.” Navesh reported, “Tango One’s shields are at sixty percent…fifty…forty…thirty….they’re loosing their starboard shields!”

“Ah’ve just about had enough o’ this,” Callum growled. “Ah want that ship turned into debris! Lieutenant th’Chayn, Commander Rel coordinate fire on the so we can rendezvous with the Titan an’ Enterprise.”

Shrak nodded. The orders were clear enough; replying he simply said, “Aye, sir.”

As the Mjolnir unleashed a coordinated volley of torpedoes and phaser beams against the Suliban ship’s now unprotected starboard side causing it to exploded into a rapidly expanding sphere of flaming debris the ship began shaking under the repeated weapons impacts.

“The secondary EPS transfer systems on deck eight are off-line.” Navesh reported from the ops station.

“She handles pretty well in a fight.” Callum said to no one in particular. Continuing on he began issuing orders, “Coordinate repairs with engineering, Commander Tymoshenko. Lieutenant Nerah, alter course an’ speed as necessary tae catch up with the Enterprise an’ the Titan.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Twenty-Three =/\=​

Stardate 57062.4 (January 23, 2380. 20:22 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Enterprise - Flying in formation with the Titan
Interstellar space on the edge of Sector 003, UFP

“We’re receiving a communication from the Mjolnir.” Uhura said from the communications station that she had manned so many years ago, “They report that they’ve destroyed the Suliban cruiser and are conducting repairs while under way to rendezvous with us. According to their estimate they should arrive within eight hours.”

“What if we drop out of warp and hold position?” Kirk asked.

“Three point five hours.” Uhura replied.

“Hikaru, take us out of warp and hold our position. Nyota, signal the Titan to drop out of warp and hold position to wait for the Mjolnir.” Kirk ordered.

=/\=​

“Captain, we’re receiving a hail from the Enterprise requesting that we drop out of warp to wait for the Mjolnir to rendezvous with us.” Lieutenant Sariel Rager, the Titan’s Operations officer, reported from the ops station.

“Take us out of warp, Ensign Lavena.” Riker announced from the center seat speaking to his Selkie conn officer.

“Aye, sir.” The aquatic officer replied from the helm wearing the hydration suit that allowed her to function in the air.

Looking to his right Riker said, “You have the bridge, Commander Vale. I’ll be I’ll my ready room.”

“Aye, sir.” Vale said standing up to take command of the bridge as Riker stood up and headed towards the ready room door.

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Twenty-Four =/\=​

Stardate 57064.6 (January 24, 2380. 15:42 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Interstellar space on the edge of Sector 003, UFP

As Callum sat in his ready room reading from a large PADD his combadge chirped signaling that someone was trying to reach him. Putting the PADD into sleep mode and setting it on the desktop Callum tapped the combadge on his chest to open the channel.

“MacLeod, go ahead.” He said after tapping the combadge.

“Commander Rel, Captain.” Damrus’s disembodied voice said coming from the silver outline of the Starfleet delta on top of two vertical gold quadrangles on his chest, “You wanted to be informed when we rendezvoused with the Enterprise and Titan.”

“Understood, Ahm on mah way. MacLeod oot." Callum said as he stood up and rounded the desk and hurried towards the door.

Exiting his ready room and walking out onto his bridge Callum noticed Chief Petty Officer Patrick Reese standing guard at the door to the turbolift. Walking towards the captain’s chair as Damrus stood up and returned to the XO/Communications Station wordlessly turning command of the bridge over to Callum.

“The Titan and the Enterprise are standing by on the comm, sir.” Damrus said.

“On screen, Commander.” Callum said as he straightened up in the center seat as he thought to himself, “Ah ne’er thought that the Enterprise ah would meet up with would be Captain Kirk’s.”


Seconds later the viewscreen switched from a view of space in front of the Mjolnir to a split screen image showing Kirk and the Enterprise’s bridge on the left and Riker and the Titan’s bridge on the right.

“I’m glad to see that you made short work of that Suliban cruiser.” Riker said from the viewscreen.

“Ah could nae have done it without mah crew.” Callum said honestly, “They are the best.”

“If I may, the encounter with the Suliban has afforded us means of infiltrating the Ral Parthia system.” Spock said from his post at the science station on the bridge of the Enterprise.

“What do ye mean, Ambassador.” Callum asked.

“The Mjolnir can use its holographic masking system to impersonate the Suliban vessel.” Spock said, “The Enterprise and the Titan will purse it into the Ral Parthia system. The ‘Suliban ship’ will then send out a distress call prompting other Cabal vessels to respond thereby revealing their location. While the Enterprise and the Titan engage the Suliban vessels a team from the Mjolnir will infiltrate the Suliban facility and obtain the information we need to expose the Suliban infiltrators.”

“That’s so simple that its brilliant.” Riker said with a grin on his bearded face.

“As is usually the case, all other factors being equal, the simplest solution is often the correct one.” Spock said.

“Is the Mjolnir ready to go?” Kirk asked from the center seat of the Enterprise’s bridge.

Looking at Navesh briefly Callum saw her shake her head and mouth the words ‘two hours’.

Looking back at the viewscreen Callum said, “Negative. We need two more hours to complete repairs.”

“In that case we’ll let your crew get to it.” Kirk said, “Let us know when you are ready to get underway.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Twenty-Five =/\=​

Stardate 57064.7 (January 24, 2380. 16:34 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
Suliban Helix
Ral Parthia system, Sector 003, Neutral space

“Shilin, Sensors show three incoming vessels travelling at high warp.” Solona said from the sensor station in the command center of Suliban Helix that served as the Cabal’s base in the system.

“Identify them!” Shilin ordered from his throne-like command chair.

“It looks like the Wanderer with two Starfleet ships in pursuit.” Solona replied, “The Wanderer seems to have taken significant damage.’

“Scramble the patrol ships to intercept!” Shilin barked.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Solona asked.

“JUST DO IT!” Shilin shouted.

=/\=​

“Captain, I’m detecting a dozen Suliban cell ships on an intercept course.” Navesh reported as the red alert lights flashed throughout the Mjolnir, “They’re coming from the gas giant… I’ve back-tracked their courses to find their base. It’s located beneath the gas giant’s outer cloud cover.”

“Status of the holo-mask, Ensign Collins.” Callum asked.

“The holographic masking system is active and maintaining a stable projection of the Suliban cruiser.” Dorian reported from the Mission Ops II station where she was monitoring the stability of the holo-mask, “As far as anyone can tell we’re a badly damaged Suliban cruiser.”

Tapping his combadge Callum said “MacLeod tae Rel. Status?”

“Ready and standing by to transport over.” Damrus’ disembodied voice said coming from Callum’s combadge.

“They’ve gone right past us and are heading for the Titan and Enterprise.” Nerah reported from the helm.

“Without even bothering to say ‘Hello’.” Vhela said from the Ops station.

“Well, we are one big happy cabal after all.” Callum said. Straightening up in the center seat he said, “Status of the Enterprise and Titan?”

“They’ve broken off and are holding their own against the Suliban ships” Lieutenant Manuele Atoa, formerly of the Sutherland, reported from the tactical station as he read the various readouts on the station.

“Maintain course, Ensign.” Callum said, “How long till we are within transporter range of the Suliban facility?”

“One minute ten seconds.” Nerah replied.

=/\=​

“Are we within transporter range, Ensign?” Damrus aske as he stood on the transporter platform with Shrak, Reese, and Prolasch.

“Just, sir. And the bridge has opened a frequency window for transport.” Tannenbaum said from the transporter operator’s console.

“Energize, Miss Tannenbaum.” Damrus ordered.

Seconds later the Mjolnir’s transporter room disappeared from the away team’s view obscured by the transporter’s annular confinement beam to be replaced seconds by a cargobay on the Suliban Helix. As soon as the away team materialized the sound of an intruder alert siren fire echoed through the cargo bay, immediately making them all duck and take cover behind crates and barrels.

Pulling out his tricorder Prolasch began scanning, and once it beeped, he pointed to the door on the far side of the room and spoke up saying, “I’m detecting what appears to be an auxiliary computer control room fifty meters down that corridor. But there are several Suiban between here and there.”

“We know what we’re here for, lets move out.” Damrus said, “I’ve got point. Mister Reese, you have our six.”

The away team prepared to get moving. Using non-verbal hand signals, they quickly across the cargobay towards the exit that Prolasch had indicated. As soon as they made their move it would have to be fast, when the away team was in place, all of them poised and tensed, ready to move, Damrus gave them a silent countdown. Once he reached zero he opened the door an dodged out into the corridor and hid behind a structural support that emerged from one of the walls creating a small nook he could hide in. As Damrus fired his phaser at a group of Suliban down the corridor, causing them to scatter and seek cover, Prolasch darted out of the door and firing as soon as he had a target as he took up a position on the opposite side of the corridor. Firing their phaser from their positions Shrak and Reese advanced down the corridor to the next pair of structural members and took cover behind them. As Shrak and Reese provided cover fire Damrus and Prolasch advanced leap frog style down the corridor to the next set of structural members to provide cover for Shrak and Reese to advance.

Once the fury of phaser fire died down Damrus took a breath and surveyed the corridor and all the unconscious Suliban soldiers and said, “Let’s go.”

The away team complied, following his lead, Moments later they were standing in front of the door to the auxiliary computer control room with Damrus on one side and Prolasch on the other with their phasers raised and ready. as the Prolasch worked on the door controls. It took him a moment before he nodded at Damrus to let him know they were good to go.

Once the door panels parted and Damrus pulled a photon grenade from his belt and, once he had set it to its highest stun setting, tossed it into the room. Once the flash of the grenade going off subsided Damrus looked into the room. It was rectangular, with a situation table between the entrance and far bulkhead and several Suliban laying unconscious on the deck. Once he had paused long enough to make sure none of them got up again Damrus motioned them to enter.

“Commander, get the data. Lieutenant, Chief watch the entrance.” Damrus ordered.

The team spread out and set to their tasks as Damrus slowly swept the room with his weapon waiting for a counterattack or some other surprise.

“Sir, I’ve got their entire database.” Prolasch said from one of the consoles holding up his tricorder.

“Nice work, Commander.” Damrus said before tapping her combadge. “Rel to Mjolnir.”

“Go ahead, Commander.” Callum’s replied via Damrus’ combadge seconds later.

“Captain, we’ve taken control of an auxiliary computer control room and obtained a copy their database.” Damrus reported.

“Excellent, Commander.” Callum’s disembodied voice said, “Standby for transport, the Enterprise an’ Titan have dealt with the ships the Suliban dispatched an’ we’ve dropped our holo-mask an’ taken oot the station’s weapons an’ shields.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Twenty-Six =/\=​

Stardate 57067.1 (January 25, 2380. 13:39 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
Suliban Helix
Ral Parthia System, Sector 003, Neutral space

“You’ve failed me. ” Harnoth said from the platform of the temporal communicator.

“Its not our fault the Federation took the Romulan intelligence seriously. There was no way for us to know that Kirk was still alive and would recruit help to stop us.” Shilin replied.

“You never should’ve allowed yourself to be careless enough to leave enough evidence for the Romulans to become suspicious.” Harnoth said, “If you hadn’t then Spock wouldn’t’ve had anything to go to Kirk with.”

“When will we speak again?” Shilin asked.

“Don’t be concerned with when. I will contact you if or when appropriate. In the meantime relocate your operation to the back-up site, continue with the construction of the weapon and destroy this base.” Harnoth said before he vanished from the temporal communicator platform.

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Twenty-Seven =/\=​

Stardate 57083.82 (January 31, 2380. 16:18 Federation Standard Starship Time.}
USS Mjolnir
Sol System, Sector 001, United Federation of Planets

"Mjolnir, you have been cleared to dock on pier six. Door three is opening on the far side to let you in. The dockmaster will remote your ship to the pier once you reach the doors." A human voice said coming from the bridge’s overhead comm-speaker

Callum looked at the rapidly growing image of Earth on the viewscreen anxiously. The ship slowly made its way around the space station. Eventually, the viewscreen revealed a large, rectangular opening with blinking lights all around. As Mjolnir approached the opening, the maneuvering thrusters powered down to half.

“Captain, I no longer have control of the helm.” Nerah reported from the helm.

“Understood, Lieutenant.” Callum replied.

Speaking up from the XO/Communications station Damrus said, "Captain, the dock-master has asked us to just sit back and enjoy the ride."

Turning to the XO/Communications station Callum said, "Send our acknowledgement, Commander."

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said as he began tapping commands into the freestanding console.

Once the docking bay doors slid open the viewscreen displayed a cavernous chamber with a number of retractable walkways against the walls. The room was illuminated by over a dozen lights mounted to movable arms. Each light was easily the size of a large shuttle. Windows dotted all the walls with one dome directly in the center. There was only two other ship in the hangar, the USS Gryfalcon and the USS Sequoia. A half dozen workbees could be seen moving this way and that. One was carrying supplies, another building material, and others hauling away waste parts. As the Mjolnir came to an eventual stop, a number of slight, dull thuds could be heard signing that the umbilicals had successfully attached to the ship.

Callum clasped his hands together and stood up, "Ladies an’ gentlemen, we are home."

Looking at Damrus he continued on saying, “Ye have the bridge, Commander. Once all departments report secure begin station keeping watch.”

=/\=​

Walking into his quarters that evening Callum saw Navesh sitting motionless in front of the comm terminal on the coffee table in front of the sectional, staring at the blank screen. Her being in his quarters was not unusual since within days of their first getting together they had given up trying to sleep alone. Every night, Navesh beamed into his quarters; she had even taken to keeping some uniforms and off duty clothes in Callum’s quarters since she hardly spent any time in her own quarters anymore. Callum even found himself considering asking her to formally move in with him.

" 'Vesh? What's wrong?" Callum said seeing the look of shock on her face as he went over to her and laid his hand on her shoulder.

Her voice was emotionless as she said, "My baba died."

Kneeling beside her Callum said, "Ahm sorry, mah bonnie lass."

Navesh shook her head said, "She was elderly, and not in the best of health."

Callum sat beside her and stroked her cheek he said, " 'Vesh, Sweetheart...it's ok."

Those words seemed to break the dam holding back her emotions. She collapsed against him and cried, great heaving sobs that tore at his heart. He said nothing, simply held her and rubbed her back in circles. Her sobs flowed unabated for over ten minutes, and even when they slowed, then stopped, she clung to him tightly. Finally, she loosened her hold on him, and looked up at him, embarrassed, her face flushed a deep green and her eyes glistening with tears.

"Come to the funeral with me." Navesh said.

"O’ course." Callum said.He kissed the top of her head and said, “When do we need tae be there.”

“The funeral is the day after tomorrow.” Navesh explained, “I told my mom that I’d be there tomorrow morning.”

=/\=​

The next morning the doors to one of the turbolifts whooshed open revealing the corridor that led to the Mjolnir’s starboard airlock which was a few meters down the corridor. Stationed at the airlock was a Bolian non-comm. Seeing Callum and Navesh approach the Bolian non-comm straightened up and stood at attention.

“As ye were, crewman.” Callum said once they reached the airlock.

“Clear do disembark at any time, sir.” The Bolian replied.

“If ye would nae mind.” Callum said.

“Aye, sir.” The Bolian crewman said as he began working the LCARS control panel beside the door.

Once the door had whooshed open Callum and Navesh walked into the stark corridor. As they proceeded through the umbilical they were scanned by red, green, yellow and finally orange decontamination beams before they exited the umbilical.

Stopping and looking at freestanding directory Callum found the location of the nearest transporter room and, gesturing down the corridor, he said, “This way, mah bonnie lass.”

=/\=​

Once they materialized in front of the Tymoshenko residence Callum looked at the name on the street sign on the corner and read the sign that said ‘Whittier Ave E’. Following Navesh up the sidewalk carrying both their bags and looked at Navesh's childhood home which was nestled on the heart of the community of Transcona in the city of Winnipeg where the famous ‘Manitoba Journal of Interplanetary Psychology’ was published. They'd both chosen to wear civilian clothes, and had brought dress uniforms for the funeral.

“Is this where ye grew up ‘Vesh?” Callum asked.

“It is, why?” Navesh asked as she turned around and looked at him.

“Ah was just wondering. Ah’ve heard that people who live on this street are funnier than most. Ye could even say that they’re… wittier than most.”

With a chuckle Navesh said, “That joke is literally older than the Federation.”

“It’s a classic just like your beauty, mah bonnie lass.” Callum said.

“Enough of that you sweet talker.” Navesh said playfully punching Callum on the shoulder, “Lets get inside.”

As they stepped inside the house, a large Saint Bernard bounded in their direction, tail wagging furiously. Navesh smiled widely as the dog approached and knelt down in greeting.

"Hello, Beethoven! How's my baby?" The buxom Orion said.

Beethoven was apparently doing fine, as he bathed Navesh's laughing face with his tongue as she scratched his ears and ruffled his fur. While she continued talking baby-talking to the humongous animal.

"Did you miss Mommy? Yes, you did, didn't you? Well, Mommy missed you too! Yes, she did!" Navesh said to the enormous dog.

Callum decided to speak up before Navesh stopped petting the dog and it realized he was here and attempted to go for his throat.

"Is he a friendly?" Callum asked.

With a chuckle as she smiled up at him as she continued to bet the enormous dog she said, "Yup. He's a big suck. Just let him sniff your hand and you’ll be fine."

Cautiously, Callum knelt and extended his hand towards the dog's snout. The huge animal sniffed it, then licked it. The next thing Callum knew, Beethoven was trying to lick his face and welcoming him in the same way he'd licked to Navesh.

Grabbing the animal's collar and pulled him away Navesh said, "That means he likes you. To him, you're one of the family now."

"Well, that's the important thing - the approval o' the family dog." Callum said in his thick Scottish brogue with a grin on his face.

Navesh laughed as he got up and pulled her into his arms. Before he could say another word she reached up and pulled his lips down to hers. Not breaking the kiss, they managed to make it to the nearby sofa and sit down before their passion escalated. Things would have been taken even farther if Beethoven hadn't decided they weren't paying enough attention to him, and tried to leap onto the sofa with them. The huge dog's attempt at getting attention was enough to break the mood, but neither of them minded. Callum sat on the sofa with Navesh curled up against his right side with his arm around her. They were both petting the dog as he sprawled out across both their laps with no intention of moving anytime soon. No sooner had Beethoven settled down then they heard the back door open and set of footsteps enter the house. Hearing the footsteps Beethoven immediately jumped off their laps and bounded into the kitchen as Callum and Navesh rose to their feet and straightened their clothes before heading into the kitchen. Following Navesh into the kitchen They found a distinguished older woman talking with two half Daliwakan teenage girls as they put down their school PADDs and excitedly told her about their day while trying to pet Beethoven.

"Long time no see.” The curvy Orion said alerting them to their presence.

The three women turned at the sound of her voice and both teenagers ran towards her excitedly.

"Navesh! You're home!" The girls squealed in unison.

Navesh hugged both the teenagers before embracing her mother. Once Amanda Tymoshenko had released her daughter she noticed Callum standing off to the side patiently letting them have their reunion.

"Navesh, who's your friend?" Amanda said.

"Mom, Adriana, Marissa, this is my boyfriend Callum." Navesh said. Continuing the introductions she said, “Callum, this is my mother Amanda. These are my ‘not so little anymore’ cousins Adriana and Marissa. They come home with mom every day since she teaches at their school. Their mom, my aunt Sahna, picks them up once she finishes teaching at her school across the city.”

"Where's Dad?" Navesh asked looking at her mother.

"He's on Mars for a conference. He'll be back late tomorrow morning." Amanda said.

Navesh's next question was more subdued, "When is the funeral, Mother?"

"Tomorrow afternoon at 1500." Amanda said.

“Oh great.” Callum thought sarcastically as he shook the women's hands, “The Commodore will find out his daughter's dating her C.O. just before he has to bury his mother.”

The rest of the evening was spent with Navesh’s mother and cousins. Eventually, Amanda asked the question Callum was dreading.

"So how did you two meet?" Amanda asked.

Callum was about to reply but Navesh spoke up first, “On the Mjolnir.”

“I know that look on your face, Navesh.” Amanda said, “There’s more to it then that.”

“Well, since ye were going tae find oot when we leave for the funeral anyway, ah dinnae see any harm in telling ye a little earlier.” Callum said, “Ahm in Starfleet as well."

"What's so bad about that?" Amanda said.

"Ahm a Captain an’ ahm Navesh’s CO." Callum said

"I still don't see the problem. She’s a big girl and you’re far from the first Starfleet officers to carry on a romance while serving on the same ship." Amanda said, “Back when we found Navesh’s ship the Captain was dating his CMO.”

"Maybe so." Callum replied. "But ahm afraid that the moment he sees us in uniform an’ me with four pips on mah collar an’ being affectionate with her he'll hit the roof… after all she is his daughter."

"Nonsense." Amanda replied "Rick may be old school Starfleet in some ways but his family comes before anything else. I think once he sees how happy you two are together and how well you treat Navesh, it won’t matter to him."

When Callum still seemed doubtful, she added, "And if someone tries to make trouble Rick has a lot of pull and a lot of powerful friends in Starfleet."

Callum smiled, "Ah appreciate that, ma'am. But ahm still nervous aboot his initial reaction."

Amanda smiled knowing that her daughter had certainly found someone special.

"Well still, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Even IF Rick has an issue with it. Navesh has her father wrapped around her little finger.” Amanda said.

"Ah hope so, ma'am. But if it came down tae choosing between her and Starfleet, she'd win, no question.” Callum said.

At that moment Beethoven chose to make his presence known prompting Callum to reach down and pet him.

Before Callum could say anything else Navesh looked at him and said, "Can I see you in the living room for a moment?"

Callum nodded, realizing that she'd heard every word he'd said. Once they were alone, Navesh spoke.

"You'd give up Starfleet to be with me?" Navesh asked.

"In a heartbeat." Callum answered honestly.

"Why?" Navesh asked.

"Ahm madly in love with ye." Callum replied.

The tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks. He reached out to thumb them away and she caught his hands and grasped them in hers.

"You're in love with me?" Navesh asked realizing how much she had needed to hear it.

"Aye, lass.” Callum said, “Hopelessly and deeply. Ah hope that's all right."

Her smile grew wider as she said, "Only if I can love you back just as much."

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Twenty-Eight =/\=​

Stardate 57165.39.7 (March 1, 2380. 12:31 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Romulan Neutral Zone, Interstellar space, Foxtrot Sector, UFP

“Captain’s Log Stardate 57165.3,

The Mjolnir has been patrolling the Federation side of the Romulan Neutral Zone for little over a month since our little ‘adventure’ in the Ral Parthia system an’ stop over at Earth afterwards. The other day ah received a code forty-seven transmission letting me know that Admiral Uhura managed tae ‘clean house’ with the data we recovered an’ expose the Cabal infiltrators.

Our time patrolling the Neutral Zone has been… interesting. Even with the Romulan Star Navy keepin’ a close eye on their side o’ he neutral one we’ve encountered three separate vessels carryin’ Romulans seekin’ refuge from the impending supernova in Federation space. We’ve escorted each o’ the ships tae the nearest Starfleet installation.

Ah've tasked Commander Rel with running numerous drills with the crew, running the gamut from battle situations tae radiation leaks. Ahm pleased with how the crew has responded; all simulations were completed well within acceptable limits. A team commendation goes tae Lieutenant Commander Gorsach and the Engineering Division for setting a new record in a simulated warp core lock down an' jettison.

Stellar Meteorology reports an increase in ionic activity in the area. At this point, it is o' little concern but certainly bears watching.”

Once Callum finished speaking he pressed a control on the desktop in his ready room that stopped the computer recording and filled the log entry in the computer database. Standing up he walked around the ready room desk and walked past the blue outlined octagon of the ready room’s holographic communicator as he headed for the exit to the bridge. Walking onto the bridge though the port side door and approached the center seat Callum watched as Damrus stood up and stepped to the side so he was standing next to the captain’s chair.

Sitting down in the center seat Callum looked at Damrus and said, “The bridge is mine, Commander. Please return tae your station.”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said before turning and walking back to the first officer and communications station.

"Captain, we're receiving telemetry from subspace relay foxtrot-echo-one-one. Readings indicate power fluctuations and it's going into shut-down mode. I recommend we divert our course to check on it and effect repairs.” Navesh said from the Ops station shortly after the start of alpha shift the next morning.

“Commander Tymoshenko, send the coordinates tae the helm. Lieutenant Nerah, alter course tae take us tae Foxtrot-Echo-One-One. Maintain our current speed.” Callum ordered.

“Aye, Sir.” Nerah said his fingers danced across the helm console.

Tapping his combadge Callum opened an intra-ship channel saying, “Bridge to Engineering.”

“Engineering. Gorsach here, what do you want?” Prolasch replied a moment later.

Callum silently counted to ten. He was getting a bit tired of the Chief Engineer's attitude; he was gruff, even for a Tellarite.

“We're en route to repair a Gamma class subspace relay. Please have a repair crew on standby.” Callum said.

“Acknowledged. Gorsach, out.” The Tellarite chief engineer replied.

Without any prompting Damrus looked at Callum and said, "I'll have a talk with Prolasch and remind him about proper protocol, sir."

"Thank ye, Commander." Callum said. Standing up he continued on saying, "The bridge is yours, Commander. Ah'll be in sickbay if ye need me."

"Is everything alright, sir?" Damrus asked with the concern obvious in his voice.

"Aye, Commander. It is." Callum explained in his Scottish brogue, "Mah knee is just botherin' me, so ah figured that ah'd have the good doctor take a look at it."

Once Callum reached the turbolift alcove the door whooshed open and he walked into the turbolift car. Turning around to face the doors as they whooshed closed Callum ordered the turbolift to take him to sickbay. Moments later the turbolift car eased to a stop and the doors whooshed open to reveal the deck three corridor that led to and past sickbay. Walking slowly to avoid showing that he was experience discomfort Callum walked out of the turbolift car and down the corridor towards sickbay passing crewmembers finishing routine system checks and maintenance as well as few who were clearly off-duty and heading to avail themselves of the ship’s recreational facilities. Once he reached the door to sickbay he walked In and looked around to see where Melina was. Seeing Melina standing up from behind the desk in the CMO’s office Callum started walking towards the office as Melina walked towards out of the office.

“What can I do for you, Captain?” Melina said as she walked out of his office into the main area of sickbay which, like the CMO’s office, was identical to its counterpart onboard the Intrepid class.

“Mah right knee is acting up. Ah was hoping that you could do something about it.” Callum said.

“Hmmm… let’s see what’s going on. Please hop up onto the main bio-bed.” Melina said gesturing to the bio-bed in the surgical alcove.

As Callum walked over to the bio-bed and climbed up Melina walked over to where the medical tricorders sat waiting to be used in their charging station and picked one up. After picking up the tricorder Melina walked from the tricorder charging and pharmacy station and headed towards the surgical bio-bed where Callum was sitting. Once she reached the bio-bed where Callum sat and Melina flipped open the medical tricorder and began scanning Callum’s right knee.

Closing the medical tricorder Melina said, “The tendons in your bio-synthetic knee look to be inflamed again. What did you do?”

“Nothing, Ah was sitting in mah seat on the bridge when mah knee started bothering me.” Callum said.

“Did you bang it against anything or over extend it at all?” Melina asked.

“Not that ah can recall. The only thing ah can think of is that ah may have done something and nae realized it this morning when ah was in the sonic shower with Navesh an’ we…” Callum said before he was cut off by Melina.

“Never mind. I’m pretty sure that I could guess what the two of you were up to.” Melina said with a dismissive wave cutting off Callum’s explanation of what he and Navesh had been up to earlier this morning.

“An’ ye would nae be wrong.” Callum admitted with a chuckle.

Changing the subject Melina snapped Callum out of his reverie when she said, “We can administer ten ceecees of anetrizine to deal with the inflammation and pain.”

“That would be appreciated, lass.” Callum said.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back with a hypospray.” Melina said before turning and walking off to the pharmacy station to prepare the hypospray.

After moment at the pharmacy station in which he prepared the hypospray Melina turned and walked back to the bio-bed with the hypospray in hand. Once he reached the bio-bed where Callum sat Melina stepped up to the biobed beside where Callum sat and pressed the tip of the hypospray against his knee and pressed the activator pad to trigger the injection.

“Better, Captain?” Melina asked once he finished injecting the medication and had set the hypospray on the edge of the bio-bed.

“Much.” Callum said as he flexed his knee a couple times, “Thank-ye, Doctor.”

“You’re welcome, Captain.” Melina said as Callum hopped down off of the bio-bed, “I would really like you to consider going ahead with a desensitization procedure on the nerves in your bio-synthetic knee so they don’t get inflamed so easily which would obviously mean that it would be less discomfort and pain for you and less need for pain relieving medication.”

“Ah’ll think aboot it, Doctor. But I make no promises. As ye ken ahm stubborn as a Tellarite.” Callum said.

=/\=​

Walking onto the bridge moments later Callum headed for the Mark VII center seat in the middle of the bridge. Seeing Damrus stand up to surrender command of the bridge back to him he smiled at his XO’s attentiveness.

“Did ah miss anything interesting while ah was gone?” Callum asked with a grin on his face.

“Nothing.” Damrus said returning the smile, “Unless you think the normal beeps and chirps from the stations are interesting.”

“Nah, ah dinnae.” Callum said with a chuckle as he sat down. Taking a formal tone he said, “The bridge is mine, Commander.”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus replied formally before returning to the freestanding XO/Communications station

“What’s our ETA at the relay, Lieutenant Nerah.” Callum asked.

After consulting the readouts on the helm Nerah said, “Oh-Eight-Thirty tomorrow morning, sir.”

Looking at Damrus as he turned to face the XO/Communications station Callum said, “Ye have the bridge, Commander. Ah’ll be in mah ready room.”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said as he turned from the first officer and communications station and stood up to head over to the center seat as Callum walked across the bridge towards the ready room entrance.

=/\=​

Standing in the living room of his quarters Callum tapped his foot on the floor waiting as Navesh changed into something that she had said would be “worth the wait” behind the closed door of the bedroom. A moment later the door whooshed open to reveal Navesh standing there wearing a shear yellow dress had a single shoulder strap that went over her left shoulder and left her entire right side down to her curvy emerald colored hip exposed as well as her shapely legs from mid-thigh down that did nothing to conceal womanly curves.

“You look… wonderful.” Callum said feeling like he was fumbling over his words.

“Oh you sweet talker you.” Navesh said flirtatiously.

“Is that a new dress?” Callum asked.

“It is. Do you like it?” Navesh asked.

“Ah do it’s just…” Callum replied keeping a straight face.

“Just what?” Navesh asked as a look of concern spread across her emerald hued features.

“Just that it would look a lot better on the floor.” Callum said with a wry grin on his face.

“Oh you are bad!” Navesh said playfully punching him on the shoulder, “If you play your cards right maybe you’ll get to see it there.”

“In all seriousness though if ye want ah could get Prolasch tae updated the name plate on the door.” Callum said as Navesh gestured for him to sit down on the sectional.

“Is that your way of asking me to move in with you?” Navesh asked coyly.

“Aye, lass. It is.” Callum said honestly.

“I that case you can help me pack… later.” Navesh said as she grabbed Callum by his uniform tunic and backed up towards the bedroom pulling him along with her.

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Twenty-Nine =/\=​

Stardate 57175.7 (March 5, 2380. 07:51 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Romulan Neutral Zone, Interstellar space, Foxtrot Sector, UFP

The next morning Callum stepped out of the turbolift onto the starboard side of the Mjolnir’s bridge a few steps behind Damrus, Shrak, Navesh, Nerah, Dorian and Vhela As the rest of the alpha shift bridge crew walked towards their stations to relieve the crewmembers that had been manning it on the gamma shift Callum walked towards the captain’s chair to relieve the ship’s purple skinned and raven haired Alvanian gamma shift officer of the watch.

“Quiet shift, lieutenant?” Callum asked.

“Very, sir.” Tigan said, “The most exciting thing was when Ops reported that an impeller in one of the deuterium tanks was running hot and recommended that it be replaced; which engineering completed two hours ago.”

“Understood.” Callum said. Adopting a formal tone and stance Callum continued on saying, “The bridge is mine.”

“Aye, sir. I stand relieved.” Tigan said formally relinquishing command of the bridge.

As Callum sat down in the captain’s chair Tigan, and the rest of the gamma shift bridge crew filed into the turbolift to go off duty so they could either go to the mess hall, the holodecks or their quarters to enjoy their off duty time.

“Computer, begin day watch.” Callum said to the computer causing it to begin the day watch causing the lighting throughout the ship to rise to the standard level from the reduced lighting of the ship’s gamma shift. Continuing on he said, “All stations report.”

“All offensive and defensive systems are available at your command, sir.” Shrak reported from the freestanding tactical station on the behind and to Callum’s left.

“Primary and secondary systems are fully operational, as are the back ups.” Navesh reported from where she sat on the port side of the bridge at the ops station facing the forward viewscreen, “The environmental system is producing a standard M class atmosphere in all pressurized areas of the ship and the grav plating is producing a standard one gee field in all areas with gravity. I also took the liberty of sending that work order we discussed to Commander Gorsach.”

“Thank-ye, Commander.” Callum said with a grin. Continuing on he said, “Status, Mister Nerah.”

“We are currently on course for Subspace Relay Foxtrot-Echo-One-One at warp nine, Captain.” Nerah reported from the helm station, “Our ETA is in just under forty minutes.”

“All communications systems are online and operational, sir.” Damrus reported from the freestanding XO/Communications Station on the behind and to Callum’s right.

“Very good people.” Callum said. Continuing on he looked at Damrus as he said, “Ye have the bridge. Ah’ll be in mah ready room, Commander Rel.”

“Aye, aye sir.” Damrus said standing up from the XO/Communications Station as Callum stood up and headed for the port side exit to head to the ready room.

=/\=​

As Callum sat in the Mjolnir’s ready room reading ‘A Princess Of Mars’ by Edgar Rice Burrows his combadge chirped to indicate he had a waiting hail. Setting down the oversized PADD after pressing the control to put it into sleep mode Callum tapped his combadge to open the channel.

“MacLeod here. Go ahead.” Callum said after tapping the combadge with the first two fingers on his right hand Callum spoke aloud giving whoever was on the other end of the comm-link permission to speak.

“Commander Rel, Captain.” Damrus’ disembodied voice said coming from Callum’s combadge, “Lieutenant Vhela has reported that sensors have detected an unusual energy reading and requested that you go see her in Stellar Cartography.”

“Ah’ll head there and then come to the bridge. MacLeod out.” Callum said before tapping his combadge.

Standing up and around the desk Callum walked over to the replicator, once he reached the replicator Callum placed his empty bottle on the replicator’s receiving platform and tapped the recycle button on the replicator’s control panel causing it to dematerialize the empty bottle and send its energy to the replicator’s raw matter tankage system to be rematerialized as disassociated inert molecules in the raw matter storage tanks. As the bottle dematerialized Callum turned and walked out of the ready room and to the turbolift. Once he reached the turbolift alcove the door whooshed open and letting Callum into the turbolift car.

Turning around to face the doors as they whooshed closed Callum ordered the turbolift to take him to Stellar Cartography. Moments later the turbolift car eased to a stop and the doors whooshed open to reveal the deck seven corridor that led to and past the Stellar Cartography lab. The Stellar Cartography Lab was a spherical room three decks high, like the Stellar Cartography Lab on the Galaxy class, with a walkway leading out to a control pit filled with LCARS control stations in the center of the room which gave the impression of floating in space.

Walking into the Stellar Cartography Lab and to the center control pit where Vhela was working Callum said, “Ye want tae see me, Lieutenant?”

“Yes, sir. I did.” Vhela said. Tapping commands into the console she was standing at she said, “I was wanting to show you this.”

As Vhela spoke a virtual viewscreen appeared showing revealing a complex diagram with several sin waves. One of the waves flashed bright red.

Callum looked at the display and said, "Ahm a pilot at heart, ah dinnae have the equivalent of a Ph.D., Lieutenant. Ah’ll need ye tae dumb it down a tad for me."

"The sin wave you see flashing represents a surge of energy wave in the lambda subspace band. Its clearly artificial and I've never seen anything that strong short of a solar flare. The thing is it originated in interstellar space and not from a star.” The Mjolnir’s Barzan science officer explained.

“Send the coordinates to the bridge. Ahm heading there right away, Ah’ll have Nerah alter course tae take us tae the source o’ the readings The relay station will have tae wait.” Callum ordered.

“Aye, sir.” Vhela replied.

=/\=​

Moments later the turbolift doors whooshed open revealing that the turbolift alcove, which was on the port side of the Mjolnir’s bridge, opened up onto a roughly circular bridge. Walking out of the turbolift and across the bridge towards the center seat Callum saw Damrus stand up and step to the side so he was standing next to the captain’s chair.

Sitting down in the center seat Callum looked at Damrus and said, “The bridge is mine, Commander. Please return tae your station.”

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said before turning and walking back to the first officer and communications station.

Looking at Nerah at the helm Callum asked, “Did ye receive the coordinates that Lieutenant Vhela sent up from Stellar Cartography, Lieutenant Nerah?”

“Yes, sir.” Nerah replied after turning from the helm, “I have laid in a course and am standing by to alter course.”

“Understood.” Callum said, “Alter course, maintain speed.”

Tapping his combadge to open a comm-link Callum said, “MacLeod tae Engineering.”

Seconds later Prolasch’s voice came from Callum’s combadge saying, “Engineering. Gorsach here. How can I get any work done with all these frelling interruptions? I’ve got parts spread out over half the deck.”

“Change of plans, Commander. Fixing the relay will have tae wait. We've got a mystery in a nearby system that we need tae check out.” Callum said.

“It better not take too long, the relay isn’t going to fix itself and if we’ll be better off to just build a new one.” Prolasch grumbled.

“Understood, Commander.” Callum said, “Bridge out.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Thirty =/\=​

Stardate 57175.7 (March 5, 2380. 07:51 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
Suliban Cabal Base
Hri’on, System NGC 33981, Sector 005, UFP

“Report.” Jarmnon Harnoth ordered from the platform of the temporal communicator.

“We have relocated to the testing facility and successfully test fired the weapon.” Shilin replied, “The power output was exactly like we expected.”

“Scuttle the Hri’on facility before it is discovered. Make sure that you do not do any harm to the missionaries on the planet.” Harnoth said.

“Why are you so concerned about the well being of them? They are just a small group of Human women.” Shilin asked with the confusion evident in his voice.

“That’s not your concern.” Harnoth barked, “Just do as you are told or I will find someone who can.

With a bow of his head Shilin said, “As you command.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Chapter Thirty-One =/\=​

Stardate 57176.4 (March 5, 2380. 14:07 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Romulan Neutral Zone, Sector 004, UFP

“Captain, we are coming up on the coordinates Lieutenant Vhela provided.” Nerah said from the helm

“Take us oot o’ warp, Ensign.” Callum ordered from the center seat, “Lieutenanat Vhela, what do ye have on sensors?”

“Sensors are detecting traces of a massive discharge in the lambda subspace band. The trace readings seem to have originated from System NGC 33981.” Vhela said as she read the readouts on the science station.

“Commander Rel, what do we know about that system?” Callum asked turning to look at his XO.

Reading from the freestanding console in front of him he said, “Its an inhabited system, sir. The only habitable planet, known as Hri’on, is populated by a small population of Orion/Klingon hybrids known as Klinorions and a small enclave of missionaries known as ‘The Sisters Of Mercy’. The Sisters Of Mercy have maintained an enclave and good relations with the locals since before the founding of the Federation.”

“Lieutenant Nerah, lay in a course for System NGC 33981 and engage at warp nine.” Callum ordered.

“Already laid in, Captain.” Nerah said as he tapped commands into the console. As the familiar starburst effect of a ship going to warp showed on the viewscreen Nerah said, “ETA at Hri’on is in four point two five hours.”

“Commander Rel, You have the bridge.

“Aye, sir.” Damrus replied as he prepared the subspace message while Callum stood up and headed towards the ready room.

=/\=​

As the Mjolnir dropped out of warp as it approached system NGC 33981, home of the planet Hri’on and the Klinorions, the system’s red-orange sun blazed brightly in the center of the main viewscreen bathing the system in a welcoming glow. Sitting in his ready room, engrossed by the text on his PADD Callum was slightly startled when his combadge chimed.

“MacLeod. Go ahead.” Callum said.

“Commander Rel, Captain. We’ve entered the system boundary of NGC 33981 and are proceeding to Hri’on at one-quarter impulse per your orders. Lieutenant Vhela is conducting a full sensor sweep of the system, but it appears we are the only ship in the vicinity.” Damrus said.

“Understood, Commander. Ahm on mah way. MacLeod oot.” Callum said before he tapped the silver outline of a Starfleet delta on top of two vertical gold quadrangles.

Moments later the ready room allowing Callum to walk across the bridge towards the center seat as Damrus stood up and stepped to the side so he was standing next to the captain’s chair.


Sitting down in the center seat Callum as Damrus returned to the first officer and communications station he turned to ace the science station and said, “What do we have on sensors, Lieutenant Vhela?”


Working her console and reviewing the sensor data displayed on the console before she spoke the curvy Barzan woman said, “Sensors are detecting two class D planets, three dwarf planets with highly irregular orbits, one M class planet, an abnormally dense asteroid belt, and three class J gas giants.”

“Is there anything remarkable about any of the planets?” Callum asked.

“Negative, sir.” Vhela reported, “Neither the two inner planets or any of the dwarf plants are capable of supporting life. Hri’on is the only planet capable of supporting life in the system. Although sensors just detected a device in orbit of the sun. Initial scans indicate that it might be the source of the energy reading we detected - it seems to be capable of directing massive amounts of stellar material into subspace… it’s reactor has an unusual signature… oh dear. It’s powered by what appears to be a proto-matter reactor."

“Lieutenant Nerah, take us tae the coordinates o’ the doomaflinky.” Callum ordered, “Commander Tymoshenko, analyze that thing. Lieutenant th’Chayn, ah want ye tae keep an eye oot for any potential hostiles.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\=Chapter Thirty-Two =/\=​

Stardate 57176.54 (March 5, 2380. 14:47 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
USS Mjolnir
Romulan Neutral Zone, Sector 004, UFP

“Captain, we’re coming up to the coordinates of the device.” Nerah said from the helm.

“All stop, Mister Nerah.” Callum ordered, “What are sensors telling ye aboot that doomaflinky?”

“It appears to be constructed primarly of duranium and poly-ferrinide alloys…” Navesh said from Ops. With a start in her voice she said, “Sensors are detecting a tachyon surge between us and the device. The energy signature is fluctuating… They’re de-cloaking. Its a Sulliban heavy cruiser. Their shields up and weapons powered.”

“Shields up! Weapons to hot standby!” Callum barked fro the center seat.

“We’re being hailed, Captain.” Damrus reported from his spot at the XO/Communications station.

“On screen, Commander.” Callum said straightening up in the Mark Seven center seat.

Within seconds the viewscreen sprang to life with the image of the bridge of one of the Suliban cruisers. In the center sitting on a throne-like command chair was a Suliban women wearing a mottled red and black form hugging garment.

“I am Nava in command of the Liberator. This system is under the control of the Cabal. Surrender your ship immediately or else we will be forced to use the weapon to destroy you.” The Suliban woman ordered in a haughty voice.

“That will nae be happening.” Callum replied standing up and stepping forward, “Ahm Captain MacLeod in command o’ the Mjolnir. Power down your weapons an’ we can talk about why ye are layin’ claim to a Federation system an’ have deployed a proto-matter powered weapon like civilized people.”

“That's not a very big ship you have there, Captain." Nava said.


"Don’t be fooled by the Mjolnir’s size. She’s more than capable of holding her own and giving as good as she gets." Callum said.

“You have ten seconds to surrender.” Nava said angrily before the communications channel closed without warning.

“Well that could’ve gone better.” Callum said aloud to no one in particular as he sat back down in the enter seat.

As Callum finished speaking Mjolnir rocked under the impact of Suliban phaser beams against its shields causing the automatic restraints deployed to hold him in place.

“EVASIVE MANOUVERS! RETURN FIRE!” Callum barked as the ship shuttered again.

“Aye, sir. Firing phasers.” The Andorian tactical officer replied as the Mjolnir began bobbing and weaving under Nerah’s guidance.

“Commander Rel, take control of the torpedo launchers, load a volley into the forward launchers have another on standby and hold for my order to fire.” Callum ordered as golden beams of phaser energy lanced out from the forward phaser arrays.

“Their forward shields are at ninety-five percent.” Navesh reported as the ship shuttered again, “Our forward shields are at seventy percent.”

The Mjolnir rocked again under the impact of more phaser beam impacts as the Mjolnir’s phasers fired again and again while the two ships closed on each other. Once the two ships flew past each other they banked each to their own port side and came about for another attack run on the other ship.

“They’re coming about for another attack run.” Navesh reported, “So are we. Phasers coming to bear in three… two… one…”

“Firing phasers!” Shrak said from the tactical station as the Horizon was rocked by the impact of more Suliban phaser impacts.

“Status of the Suliban?” Callum asked.

“Their shields are at seventy-five percent.” Navesh reported as the Mjolnir rocked as its shields took more hits.

“Our shields?” Callum asked.

“Seventy-two percent.” Navesh replied as the two ships closed on each other and traded weapons fire.

“Commander Rel, bring the countermeasure systems on-line.” Callum ordered as the Mjolnir shuddered.

“Communications jamming active and photonic counter measures ready, Captain.” Damrus reported from the XO/Communications Station.

“Pop chaff, Commander.” Callum ordered.

“Aye, aye sir.” Damrus replied pressing the glowing indicator on his console that said ‘LAUNCH’.

On the aft dorsal hull of the Mjolnir two articulated panels next to the emergency plasma exhaust vents retracted and a torpedo-like cylinder was launched by an electro-magnetic launch system in each opening. The devices hung in space for a moment until their onboard computers recognized an enemy targeting scanner and caused them to detonate with a blinding flash designed to interfere with targeting sensors.

As the Mjolnir rocked once again Damrus said, “Countermeasures have disrupted their targeting lock, but the effect won’t last long.”

“Commander Rel, Fire torpedoes, then reload and fire again!” Callum ordered as he gripped the arm rests of his command chair as the ship rocked under the impact of the Suliban beams, “Lieutenant th’Chayn continue firing the phasers at will!”

“Aye, sir. Firing phasers! Highest possible repeat rate.” Shrak said as wave after wave of golden beams of phaser energy lanced out from the phaser arrays.

“Torpedoes away! Loading second volley. First volley will impact in six seconds. Second volley away!” Demeres reported from the XO/Communications Station.

“Status of the Suliban?” Callum asked as the view screen showed the second volley of the torpedoes exploding against the Suliban’s shields as phaser pulses hit the shields as well.

“Their shields are at forty-five percent. They are coming about for another attack run.” Malcolm reported from his station, “Our shields are at seventy-one percent.”

“Continue firing phasers, Lieutenant th’Chayn.” Callum said as the Mjolnir rocked under successive polaron beam impacts, “Commander Rel, load and fire another volley of torpedoes.”

“Aye, sir. Firing phasers.” Shrak said a moment later as he continued firing the ship’s phasers.

“Aye, sir… Torpedoes away!” Demeres replied from the XO/Communications Station after Shrak finished speaking as the Mjolnir and the Suliban ship flew past each other.

“Lieutenant Nerah, I want you to keep the port engine at full forward and flip the starboard engine into full reverse to bring us about.” Callum said. Continuing on he said, “Lieutenant th’Chayn, don’t wait for my order, once we come to bear fire phasers.”

“I’ve always wanted to try a crazy Ivan.” Nerah said as he began tapping commands into the helm.

As Nerah tapped commands into the helm console at a furious pace the bridge crew lurched to one side as the Mjolnir started to turn in a clockwise motion. Callum felt the structural integrity fields strain as the Mjolnir started a maneuver that few commanding officers would even dare to consider never mind order it be performed. The Mjolnir came about so it was facing one hundred and eighty degrees from the previous way it had been facing and accelerated towards the Suliban cruiser. Smiling mercilessly Shrak fired the Mjolnir’s phasers repeatedly unleashing a ferocious onslaught on their foe.

“Suliban shields are at thirty percent.” Navesh reported reading from one of the displays on the Ops station, “Our shields are at sixty percent.”

“Auxiliary power tae shields.” Callum ordered.

“Aye, sir.” Navesh reported from the Ops station as her fingers danced across the ops station as the Mjolnir rocked, “Our shields are at seventy-five percent and holding.”

“The Suliban’s shields are at twenty-five percent… fifteen percent… five percent… their shields are gone! Sensors are detecting secondary explosions throughout the attack ship. She’s staring to come apart!” Navesh reported as the view screen showed hull plates blowing off the ship’s hull and plasma streaming from multiple breaches.

As the attack ship began to spin out of control a series of internal explosions blew large portions of the hull into space as the warp reactor went critical and exploded transforming the ship into an expanding field of burning gasses and flaming debris.

“Commander Tymoshenko power up the BTB sensor array. Lets see if they have any friends oot there hidin’. Ah dinnae want tae be caught with our pants down.” Callum ordered as he pressed the manual release button for the center seat’s automatic restraints.

“Aye, sir.” Navesh replied. Continuing on a moment later as her emerald fingers danced across the ops console she said, “Powering up the BTB sensor array… array at full power… initiating tachyon burst.”

Once she pressed the blinking button labeled ‘INITIATE’ on the ops console the display the radar like display screen with an overhead silhouette of the Mjolnir showed a ring representing the tachyon burst expanding out from the ship in all directions at once. For several years Starfleet had been able to detect cloaked vessels by using a tachyon beam. However the broad spectrum tachyon burst sensor array was the first implementation of a nearly instantaneous sweep that would scan a ten thousand kilometer radius centered on the ship.

“Detect anything, Commander?” Callum asked looking at Navesh.

“Not a thing. If they’re out there they are outside the range of the BTB array.” The rubenesque Orion said.

“In that case take us tae the doomaflinky, Lieutenant Nerah.” Damrus ordered turning back to the helm.

“Aye, sir.” Nerah said his fingers danced across the helm console, “Coming to one zero one mark four. Speed – full impulse. ETA – three minutes.”

Tapping his combadge Callum said, “Bridge tae Engineering, report.”

“What in the name of the leprous demons of Gorush is going on up there?” The voice of the surly yet brilliant Tellarite engineer said coming from Callum’s combadge.

“Just a little trouble with the bad guys… you mangy yarliq-brained excuse for an engineer.” Callum said responding as a Tellarite would figuring it help him relate to his chief engineer, “How long until you have everything fixed up.”

With a snort of pleasure at Callum’s response Prolasch said, “We’ll have the priority damage repaired in fifteen minutes. The rest of it should be no more than a half hour after that, sir. If anyone takes any longer I’ll assign them to degauss the hull with a mircospanner.”

“Well, then I’ll leave you to it. MacLeod out. Callum said.

“Looks like he’s starting to like you.” Navesh said to Callum once the comm-link quietly clicked closed.

“An’ all it took was callin’ him a ‘mangy yarliq-brained excuse for an engineer’.” Callum said with a chuckle.

“When on Tellar…” Navesh said with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders.

“We’re approaching the coordinates of the device, sir.” Nerah reported from the helm.

“All stop, Mister Nerah. Full scan, Commander Tymoshenko." Callum ordered.

"Sensors now reading all stop." Neral reported a moment later as Navesh’s green fingers danced across the ops console adjusting the sensor controls and focusing the sensor scans.

“On screen, Commander Rel.” Callum ordered.

Within seconds the viewscreen showed the image of a metallic sphere orbiting the star and bristling with collectors and transmitters designed to collect solar radiation and plasma, concentrate it and launch it at targets via subspace.

“What are sensors tellin’ ye aboot that doomaflinky, Commander Tymoshenko.” Callum asked.

“Sensors indicate that its designed to collect solar plasma and radiation, condense it into a coherent lambda band pulse and launch it at targets through subspace. Based on these readings I’d say it has a range of at least ten light-years.” Navesh reported from the Ops station a moment later as she read the sensor readout on her station.

“Lieutenant th’Chayn, if ye would nae mind.” Callum said, “We cannae let a device like that remain intact an’ under the control o’ terrorists.”

“With pleasure, sir.” Shrak replied.

On the viewscreen golden hued phaser beams impacted against the weapon’s hull overwhelming its structural integrity and began tearing through the weapon’s systems causing internal explosions that blew hull plates off of the weapon and sent and plasma streaming from multiple breaches. As the weapon began to spin out of control a series of internal explosions blew large portions of the hull into space as the warp reactor went critical and exploded transforming the weapon into an expanding field of burning gasses and flaming debris.

“Thank-ye, Lieutenant.” Callum said. Turning to face Damrus he continued on saying, “Lieutenant Nerah take us tae Hri’on. Commander Tymoshenko, once we make orbit conduct a scan tae see if the Cabal has established a base on the planet.”

=/\=​

“Captain, Sensors have located what appears to be a Suliban base on an island near the equator. There appears to be a dozen Suliban in the complex.” Navesh said.

“Commander Rel, take a tactical away team tae the surface tae clear oot the base.” Callum ordered.

“Aye, sir.” Damrus said as he stood up, “Lieutenant th’Chayn, Commander Tymoshenko, you’re with me. Lieutenant th’Chayn, have your best person and Chief Ez’targic meet us in transport room one .”

Walking into the transporter room minutes later Damrus saw Navesh standing there in her S.O.B.’s with a gold support servicer division stripe across her back and extremely ample breasts. Damrus also saw that Ez’targic, Shrak, and Chief Petty Officer Reese from security were there wearing their S.O.B.’s with each with a gold support services stripe across their backs and chests.

As Ensign Tannenbaum was running a level five diagnostic on the transporter and programming in the beam down coordinates Shrak passed out the equipment the away team had in common – which consisted of a type two phaser, a type three-A phaser rifle, and a tricorder – before each of them gathered other items they were going to take on the away mission. In addition to the equipment everyone had in common Shrak was carrying enough explosive firepower to level a building the size of Starfleet Academy’s San Francisco campus, Reese was carrying transporter tags and magnetic manacles, Navesh was carrying an oversized PADD – with a science database – strapped to the small of her back, Ez’targic was carrying an engineering field kit and Damrus was carrying a tonfa style stun baton in a sheath attached to the outside of his right thigh in addition to the combat knife that was attached to the waistband of his pants at the small of his back.

“Are we ready to go?” Damrus asked Tannenbaum.

“Yes, sir.” Tannenbaum replied, “There is one issue though. The facility is protected by a scattering field that prevents beam ins and beam outs. I’ll have to put you down fifteen kilometers from the facility, that’s the closest I can get you. Oh and each of you will probably want to take a canteen of water with you. The targeting sensors show that its quite warm down there.”

“Understood.” Damrus said.

Walking over to the replicator on the transporter room’s bulkhead Damrus ordered it to produced five tactical canteens filled with chilled water. Once the canteens materialized on the replicator’s receiving platform Damrus picked them up and walked over to where the rest of the away team was standing before passing them out before speaking again.

“Alright, its time to get going!” Damrus said as he stepped up onto the transporter platform.

Seconds later Damrus’ view of the transporter room disappeared in a flurry silver sparkles and was replaced moments later by a sunlit clearing surrounded by massive purple trees. Looking around Damrus, Shrak, Ez’targic, Navesh, Reese and that they were alone in the clearing.

After checking his tricorder to make sure they would be heading in the right direction Damrus closed his tricorder and put it back in the holster at his hip before pointing ahead of them and saying, “Alright, lets move out! Single file formation. Lieutenant th’Chayn you have the point, I’m second, Chief Reese you’ve got our backs, Commander Tymoshenko and Chief Ez’targic you’re between me and Chief Reese.”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\=Chapter Thirty-Three =/\=​

Stardate 57176.8 (March 5, 2380. 17:03 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
Surface of Hri’on
System NGC 33981 Sector 004, UFP

After a sweltering and protracted stretch of hiking through the forest Shrak stopped and raised his closed fist so it was visible above his shoulder wordlessly signaling for the group to stop for their first rest stop since the hike began. Waving everyone into a relaxed crouch he leaned his phaser rifle against the tree beside him as they all settled into the concealing undergrowth and unslung his tactical canteen, unfastened the stopper, and took a long drink.

“Maybe we should wait for nightfall. I’d be cooler then.” Navesh said looking around Damrus at Shrak.

“It’ll also be pitch black, except for starlight. This planet has no moon.” Shrak said, “That wouldn’t be a problem for me. But the rest of you would be at a significant disadvantage. But the more concerning thing is that we’d me more vulnerable to predators. The best thing we can do is get out of these trees as soon as possible.”

“How long will that take?” Navesh asked.

“Just under five hours. Which will leave us with just over an hour’s walk across open ground before we reach the Dominion facility.” Shrak said as he adjusted his grip on his phaser rifle as they advanced through the knee high greenery that dominated the spaces between the enormous purple tree trunks.

“Alright, with your permission Commander, that’s enough rest time.” Shrak said as he stood up.

“You heard the man!” Damrus said as he stood up, “We’re moving out!”

Looking at Shrak as the away team started walking threw the woods single file Damrus continued on saying, “What’s our ETA at the facility, lieutenant?”

“About six hours, if we keep up the pace we’ve been maintaining.” Shrak answered looking over his shoulder at Damrus.

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\=Chapter Thirty-Four =/\=​

Stardate 57177.3 (March 5, 2380. 22:08 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
Surface of Hri’on
System NGC 33981 Sector 004, UFP

The muted shuffle of the away team’s walking seemed to be drowned out by the steady drone of the insects and the soft scratching of the wind rustled greenery as a wall of dark purple tree trunks rose like brobdingnagian columns in front of a curtain of pale illumination. Damrus stared at the sight until he could make out details. A narrow vertical slice of landscape emerged from the haze; rolling hills covered with green grass below a lilac sky streaked with white clouds. As the away team neared the forest’s edge the ferns that chocked the ground between the tree trunks became taller and the spaces between them narrower and harder to traverse. Within moments the lush green foliage towered over the away team’s heads; aglow with the intense light that slanted – almost horizontally – into the forest’s perimeter. The heat grew stronger and the light brighter as it filtered through the tall plants bathing the away team in an emerald glow as they broke through the greenery into the bright daylight of the Hri’on grasslands.

Silently the away team fanned out into a line and stopped to survey the sight before them. The rolling hills with their green grass stretched as far south as the eye could see, beyond the brown Suliban built facility in the distance. Looking to the east and the west the away team saw that the border of the forest stretched for as far as the eye could see. Looking at Navesh for a moment Damrus was amazed by how the orange glow of the sun served to enhance her exceptional beauty.

“Let’s form back up and move out!” Damrus ordered snapping out of his momentary reverie and breaking the silence, “We’re loosing the light.”

As Shrak started walking, and Damrus fell in behind him, Navesh looked up at the darkening lilac sky as the planet’s orange sun slowly dropped towards the horizon. After a moments pause she fell into formation behind Damrus followed, in single file, by Ez’targic and Reese as the shadows lengthened as the orange sun continued its gradual descent towards the horizon while the away team continued on their march.

“Sensor readings?” Damrus asked as the away team continued walking, “Keep the scan power low to avoid detection.”

“Aye, sir.” Navesh said as she pulled her Mark X TR-590 tricorder from its holster on her curvy right hip and began probing the distant facility with low powered sensor scans that were unlikely to be detected.

“The scans are detecting a dozen Suliban bio-signs in the facility.” Navesh said as she looked at the screen on her tricorder’s screen, “Four of the Suliban are patrolling the perimeter the rest are in what is probably a lab or barracks.”
=/\=
Just under an hour later Shrak stopped and dropped to one knee as he held a closed fist above his shoulder to signal for a stop then opened his hand and lowered his arm till it was parallel to the ground to signal for everyone to go down like he had.

“Report, Lieutenant.” Damrus whispered as the away team kneeled at the base of a tall hill.

“The base should be over this rise.” Shrak whispered back.

Looking at Navesh as she knelt behind him Damrus whispered, “Sensor readings?”

Pulling her TR-590 Mark X tricorder from its holster on her right hip Navesh flipped it open with a flick of her thumb and began a low power sensor scan.

A moment later, as she looked at the display on the tricorder, Navesh said, “Four of the Suliban are patrolling the perimeter the rest are together in the lab or barraks.”

“Can you locate us an entrance or do we need to make one of our own?” Damrus asked Navesh looking over at her as she laid to his right.

“There’s one along the exterior wall two hundred meters ahead of us bearing zero-zero-five.” Navesh said consulting the screen of her tricorder after adjusting a couple controls.

“I suggest we make our own entrance.” Shrak said as he laid on his stomach to Damrus’s left, “Ignoring the fact that I like blowing things up They’ll be expecting us to use the entrance and may set up an ambush there. If we make our own entrance they won’t know where it is till we’ve made it and that increases their reaction time and gives us an edge. If we make a decoy breach at the same time they won’t know which one we intend to use and will have to divide their forces to cover both of them.

“Good idea, Lieutenant.” Damrus said, “Set up the breaching charges and give Chief Reese some to set up on the far side of the complex. If we’re going to divide them lets make sure we do a good job of dividing them.”

Looking at the non-comm veteran Damrus said, “Chief Reese, set up the explosives then return here and we’ll detonate all the charges at the same time.”

“Aye, sir.” Shrak replied.

“Aye, sir.” Chief Reese said echoing Shrak once he had finished speaking.

Reaching into the backpack on his back Shrak took two of the standard issue breaching charges and their detonators out and passed one of the breaching charges along with its detonator to Reese while he kept the other for himself. As Shrak began combat crawling down the hill towards the base Chief Reese crawled back down the side of the hill they had crawled up and began jogging away to go place the breaching charge on the far side of the Cardassian built base.

Nearly ten minutes later Shrak and Reese had returned to where Damrus, Navesh, and Ez’targic were still laying on the hill watching the base and waiting for them to return. As Reese passed the detonator for his breaching charge to Shrak he spoke to Damrus.

“I took the liberty of leaving my type two phaser on the crest of a hill near where I set up the breaching charge and programmed it to begin firing into where the breach will be five seconds after the charge goes off. That way the Suliban will be forced to investigate that breach.” Reese reported.

“Good thinking, Chief.” Damrus replied.

“Ready when you are, Captain.” Shrak said as he held a silver cylinder with a red button on one end, which served as the detonators, in each scaled and clawed hand.

“By all means, lieutenant.” Damrus said as he watched the base.

With a grin on his blue face Shrak spoke before pressing the buttons on the detonator simultaneously and said, “Fire in the hole!”

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\=Chapter Thirty-Five =/\=
​

Stardate 57177.5 (March 5, 2380. 23:11 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
Surface of Hri’on
System NGC 33981 Sector 004, UFP

Once the cloud and the debris from the breaching charges settled to reveal the openings Shrak looked at Damrus with an almost giddy grin on his face and said, “I really like blowing things up!”

“What’s going on in there.” Damrus ordered.

“Two Suliban are heading for the closer breach two others are heading towards the far breach.” Navesh said consulting her tricorder, “The rest are in the laboratory.”

“Lieutenant th’Chayn, ready a photon grenade to toss into the breach on my order.” Damrus ordered as he stood up.

“Aye, sir.” Shrak said as he pulled a grenade off his belt and thumbed the control to maximum before placing it on the sensor of the dead man’s switch as he stood up.

“Let’s move out! Lieutenant you’re on point, Mister Reese you’re next up. Commander Tymoshenko fall in behind me. Chief, you’ve got our backs.” Damrus ordered after checking the power setting on his phaser rifle.

Advancing in single file down the hill towards the base, each in a half crouch, the away team moved silently and quickly towards the base and the breach in its outer wall. Once they reached the base they took up positions on either side of breach. On one side, from closest to furthest to the breach, was Shrak and Damrus. On the other side of the breach was Shrak, Navesh and Ez’targic. Looking across the breach Damrus mouthed the word ‘now’ to Shrak to signal him to toss the grenade into the opening. Seeing this Shrak nodded and tossed the cylindrical grenade into the opening starting a five second countdown to detonation once his thumb left the dead man’s switch. As the grenade hit the deck in the corridor it exploded releasing a deadly blast of nadion radiation that killed the two shrouded Suliban that were in the corridor causing them to become visible as their bodies were sent flying back away from the blast. Once they hit either a bulkhead or the deck their equipment scattered across the corridor as their bodies came to a rest.

“Alright, let’s head in. Same formation we used to approach.” Damrus said, “But remember there’s still ten Suliban in there that are likely armed as well.”

After a round of ‘Aye, sir’s’ the away team slowly and carefully advanced through the jagged breach into the corridor and began advancing slowly down the brown-gold hued corridor until they reached where it ended in a ‘T’ shaped intersection.

“Which way, Commander?” Damrus asked.

Pulling her TR-590 Mark X tricorder from its holster on her right hip Navesh flipped it open with a flick of her thumb and began a bio-scan to locate and identify the life signs in the base. A moment later, as she looked at the display on the tricorder, Navesh pointed to the corridor to her right and closed and holstered her tricorder as she said, “That way.”

“Let’s go.” Damrus said as he held his type 3A phaser rifle at the ready, “Chief Reese, I want you to take rear guard.”

“Aye, sir.” Reese said falling into the position Damrus had ordered as the away team began moving down the corridor.

Suddenly a blast from a Suliban weapon hit the bulkhead beside Chief Reese as the away team was moving down the corridor. Turning and scattering to the walls of the corridor to take advantage of the limited cover the beams that ran across the walls the away team kneeled and began firing their phaser rifles at the two Suliban they saw advancing up the corridor.

“Grenade!” Damrus barked ordering Shrak to toss another photon grenade at the pair of Suliban soldiers.

Seconds later a photon grenade flew from Shrak’s hand and arched through the air until it hit the deck in the middle of the trio of Suliban soldiers and detonated releasing it barrage of nadion radiation.

“Let’s move out. Double time.” Damrus ordered.

After a round of ‘Aye, sir’s’ the away team was sprinting down the corridor towards the base’s room that served as the Dominion’s Genesis research laboratory. Seeing that they were coming up to a blind corner Damrus called or the away team to stop. Once they had Shrak to Damrus and pointed to the remaining photon grenades at his waist. Seeing Damrus nod at him to grant him permission to use one of the grenades Shrak pulled one of them from his belt thumbed the control to maximum before placing it on the sensor of the dead man’s switch and lobbed it around the corner.

“Fire in the hole!” Shrak said waving the away team back against the bulkhead seconds before the grenade detonated.

Peeking around the corner after the blast dissipated Shrak saw that the corridor’s bulkhead, ceiling and deck were blackened and computer interface panels on the bulkheads were shattered and sparking. Seeing no Suliban bodies in the corridor Shrak concluded that the remaining Suliban were, in all likelihood, still in the lab.

“Clear!” Shrak said after turning back and looking at Damrus an the rest of the away team.

“How much further to the research lab?” Damrus asked turning to face Navesh who was crouching against the bulkhead next to him.

Navesh pulled the Mark X TR-590 tricorder from its holster on her curvy right hip and began probing the facility with sensor scans. Once the results were displayed on the screen she flipped the tricorder closed and holstered it as she pointed at the corridor Shrak had just peeked into and spoke.

“It should be at the end of this corridor.” Navesh said, “The tricorder detected Suliban bio-signs just beyond the end of the corridor.

“Okay, lets go. Advance by leapfrog covering each other’s advance and, if necessary, retreat.” Damrus ordered.

Quickly advancing down the corridor by leapfrog covering each other as they moved the away team reached the door at the end of the corridor that led into the research lab. Taking up positions on either side of the door the away team prepared themselves to enter the room and get into a fire fight with the Suliban soldiers inside. Nodding at Shrak, who was standing on the opposite side of the door frame Damrus pressed the control that was labeled ‘Open’ in Suliban which resulted in a loud clunking sound but nothing else.

“Locked.” Ez’targic said, “I’d recommend against a breaching charge unless you want to hide around the corner we just passed.”

“What do you recommend, then?” Damrus asked.

“A micro charge on the locking mechanism and what you humans call ‘elbow grease’. We only pull one side of the door open a bit after blowing the lock. I suggest that I be the one to pull the door open. No offense but I’m stronger than you mammals” The iguana-like non-comm replied.

“No offense taken.” Damrus said with a chuckle, “Do it Chief. We’ll cover you.”

As Ez’targic kneeled in front of the door’s control panel and removed the cover plate Damrus, Navesh and Shrak stood with their phaser rifles at the ready to protect themselves and Shrak as he worked. Once the cover plate was removed Ez’targic placed a micro-charge inside the panel on the door’s locking mechanism and replaced the cover plate to help contain the blast and direct the bulk of it towards the locking mechanism. Once the charge was in place he had Damrus and Navesh move a little further back and took Damrus’s position against the wall and pulled a remote detonator from one of his pockets and armed the micro-charge remotely.

As Shrak was arming the charge Damrus looked at him and said, “Give me a photon grenade to toss in.”

“Aye, sir.” Shrak said pulling a photon grenade from his waist with his free hand and passed it to Damrus.

As he set the photon grenade to maximum stun and put his thumb on the sensor of the dead man’s switch to activate it Damrus nodded to Shrak wordlessly signaling him to detonate the micro-charge on the door’s locking mechanism. Seconds later a small blast blew the panel off of the door controls as it destroyed the locking mechanism. Once the charge went off Ez’targic grabbed the door with both hands and pulled it opening it a third of the way. As the door opened Damrus stepped a step forwards and lobbed the photon grenade through the opening. As the grenade hit the deck in the laboratory it released a blast was the equivalent of a type two’s heavy stun setting.

Racing into the room with his phaser rifle at the ready, and with Shrak behind him, Damrus saw that the room was empty.

“What the frak?” Shrak exclaimed in surprise. Looking at Damrus he said, “Pardon my Klingon, sir.”

“No worries, Lieutenant.” Damrus said chuckling at the twenty-fourth center version of the twentieth century Earth saying, “I was thinking the same thing.”

Seeing the empty room as he entered Ez’targic said, “I heard them beam out just before the grenade went off.”

“Damn.” Damrus muttered. Seeing what was clearly not Suliban technology spread out in various stages of disassembly on the a workbench he pointed to it and said, “Check it out Chief.”

After a couple moments of carefully examining the alien technology Ez’targic called Damrus over to where he was standing.

“What do you have, Chief?” Damrus asked.

“It’s not good, Commander. It took a couple of moments for me to be sure, but it looks like the Suliban were trying to reverse engineering some pretty advanced tech here.” The Royadinian said, “And I’d put credits on it I’d say it was not for benign reasons.”

“Do you know whose tech it is?” Damrus asked.

“I do. There’s no doubt… Its Preserver technology.” The iguana-like engineer replied somberly.

“Preservers? As in build obelisks and transplant primitive species Preservers?” Damrus asked in surprise.

“Yes, sir.” Ez’targic replied, “There’s no doubt about it.”

“Well, that certainly complicates things.” Damrus said, “Can you tell if they were successful?”

“No, sir. I can’t.” Ez’targic replied, “But I pray to Grabthar that they weren’t.

“Tag it for transport, Chief.” Damrus said somberly, “Then figure out how to drop the dampening field so we can beam out.”

“Aye, sir.” Ez’targic said before walking towards the workbench.

 

[Callum MacLeod]

=/\= Epilogue =/\=​

Stardate 430870.9 (November 14, 2753. 21:05 Federation Standard Starship Time.)
Order Of Omega Headquarters
Witchhead Nebula, Federation Phalanx

Stepping off of the temporal communicator platform in the station in the Witchhead nebula which served as the Order Of Omega Headquarters Jamron Harnoth walked over to a nearby computer console and pressed a series of commands into the control interface. Once the computer had opened a communications channel Harnoth began his report.

“The Suliban failed us in 2380.” Harnoth reported, “Their reverse engineering of Preserver technology was discovered.”

Seconds later a series of warbles that sounded vaguely like a cross between an elephant trumpeting and the clicks and squeals of a dolphin came from the console seemingly answering him.

“No, it wasn’t the Preservers. There’s a new player we need to take into account. His name is MacLeod. He was brought into play by James Kirk. He even located and destroyed the weapon the Suliban were building.” Harnoth said.

Once the warbles stopped Harnoth said, “I know. Apparently the records are wrong he didn’t die at Veridian Three. This changes everything, even the twenty-fourth century Federation temporal authorities considered Kirk a menace. I think that its time to bring the Jaurdians into play.”

The adventures of the Mjolnir’s crew will continue in…

Star Trek: Mjolnir – Once More Unto The Breach​