by Alys Landale
Paris walked into the shuttlebay. He was outfitted with a rifle on one arm and a phaser at his side. Tom checked to see that the weapons were set on the right modulation. The weapon was the same one that he had obtained from Gerek over a month ago. It could destroy a station in itself, but currently Paris had it set at only medium level. The genetic specifications he had installed ere directed towards Drones and Parvanians alone.
Danag and Sargon entered the room soon after. Each of them were similarly outfitted.
Danag took a gun. “I still don’t see why we just don’t kill Takma once we’re inside. We know she’ll dock here. We could just take her out and then pull ourselves out as well. No problem.”
Sargon let out an agitated sigh, “How many times do I have to explain to you that will never work. Whenever the Pretor is on a floor, a Genetic Detector Security system is set up. Anyone who isn’t Parvanian would be killed instantly. I for one would be fine, but the phasers might add a few new features to you Danag.”
The younger man threw an equally agitated look at Sargon. “Look I was just saying that it might be easier if we went after the Pretor while she was on the base that’s all.”
“That’s never going to happen,” Paris cut in. “With all of the drones, we won’t be able to get within a hundred yards of her.
Our mission is to take out the main weapons systems on the base. If they bring those online during the battle, they could destroy half of our fleet in a matter of minutes.” He then turned to a different subject. Picking up a gun, he said, “I’ve already told you about the weapons, but let’s go over it one last time. They’re modified to only inflict damage on drones and Parvanians. If you need to shoot anything else, you’ll have to reset the variance.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Danag said. He then turned to Sargon. “Just remember to duck when I start shooting, alright.”
Sargon shot the man a cold look. “With your marksmanship, I’ll probably need to.”
Danag laughed. “Probably so.”
Paris moved to the shuttle hatch. “Alright, that’s enough. We need to be professional on this mission. No slip-ups. I don’t have to tell you what will happen if you do.”
The two men’s moods turned somber. They both realized just what was at stake and the odd at which they were about to perform this mission.
Paris entered the shuttle and sat down at the Helm. This was about to get extremely dangerous. He thanked the Fates that
Xara had remained back at the base. She didn’t need to be present during any of this. But still, he had deep feeling that she was a lot closer than he imagined.
“The shuttle has just departed.” Seven said.
Janeway got up from her seat. “Keep an eye on them. Prepare to activate weapons the second they’re detected.” She then turned to Tuvok. “Hopefully we won’t have to use that option.”
Tom guided the shuttle towards the Imperial station. There was complete silence as they approached the huge station. *This is where all the power lies.* Paris thought.
The base they were attacking was perhaps the largest the Empire possessed. It was the site of most of the Empire’s weaponry, not to mention government officials. In short, this was the equivalent of Starfleet headquarters back on earth. If they took out this one base, it would be the same as taking out the Empire itself.
For that very reason, this base was also virtually impossible to penetrate. There had been thousands of attempts, but all had failed. Tom swore that this wouldn’t be the case now.
Danag kept his eyes on his controls. “We’ll be passing through sensors in three seconds... two...one.”
Everyone held their breath as the sensors passed over them.
“They didn’t notice us,” Danag confirmed. He silently thanked Seven for those Borg cloaking units.
“Prepare for docking.” Paris told them.
Both Sargon and Danag nodded. Soon they felt the shuttle tremble slightly as it latched onto the side of the station. After a few seconds, the shuttle had drilled a hole through one of the walls. They had a way in.
Paris opened a box next to him and pulled out three armbands. “Put these on,” he told them. “This should prevent sensors from picking us up.” The three of them strapped an armband on. Seven had offered these to Paris earlier as well as the new phaser modulations. She had commented that this technology had prevented the Borg from seeing Voyager crewmen before. It should do the same for them.
Tom stood up. “Okay, you both know the drill. We go in and take out the station’s main weapon’s array. Stay in position the entire time. I don’t have to tell you that we only have one chance at this.”
Xara waited until all of the voices were gone. She paused for a minute and then slowly opened the lid of her hiding place.
She hated having to be so secretive with Rune, but so much depended on this. She needed to be here to help him.
Making sure that no one was around, she silently walked through the shuttle hatch. They had docked onto a somewhat deserted corridor of the station on deck four, so there was no one to see either her or the new door that had just been created there.
She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment as she summoned her courage. *I have to do this,* she told herself. Holding on tightly to her new found courage she made her way into the station.
Takma saw the station as she approached it. Deknoks. It was calming to see one of the greatest achievements of her people.
The base offered reassurance that no one would ever be able to bring down the Parvanian Empire. Thousands had tried to destroy this base, but all had failed. Just as all would fail in stopping her from her mission into Borg Space.
“Dock our ship for refueling,” she ordered.
The drone complied and soon the ship was attached to the huge station.
Takma got out of her seat and stretched her legs. Her mood was beginning to improve. Soon she would be in Borg Space and her prize would be close at hand. She smiled. The entire Borg Collective at her fingertips. Takma, Pretor of the Parvanian Empire and Borg Queen. That had a nice sound to it.
*Ah, Portus, you never had such ambition.* she thought wryly. One of the things that she had to thank Landis for was the death of her husband. If that had not happened, none of this would be possible.
Kail stood up next to her. “Are you about to leave?”
She turned to him. “I’ve had enough of this ship for a while. It will take a while to repower this vessel. I’ll be on the station for the duration of that time.”
Kail nodded.
Takma then looked over the General for a moment. “You don’t seem to be too comfortable here either. Why don’t you join me, General.” Her last words were less of a question and more of an order.
He smiled slightly. “I would be honored.”
Takma’s black eyes lit up for a second. “Good, we have so much to talk about. Just think, General, soon the Borg will be at our very disposal. We’ll have power over the mightiest force in the Delta Quadrant.”
Kail said nothing, but nodded. He didn’t know what to say. How could he tell her that she was making a mistake? This woman glorified in the death of her own husband. She would think little of having his own balls chopped off.
He watched her prattle on. Yes, she was a bloodthirsty woman, probably one of the most devious ones he had ever met. Yet that was what he found most attractive about her.
Raken watched as Takma’s ship docked to the station. They could take her out now. Her shields were down. But at one look at his surroundings, he knew that course of action would be futile. An entire fleet of Imperial vessels surrounded the Pretor’s ship and the station. They hovered near the station as an ominous cloud to discourage onlookers from approaching. The ring that they formed around it wouldn’t allow any ship to enter.
If they tried firing at Takma’s ship, the torpedo would be intercepted long before it came into contact with the vessel. And then the hundred battleships that surrounded the station would quickly kill of t
he ship that had fired. He didn’t even want to think about what would happen in the station was able to charge its weapons.
It had literally been a miracle that Rune’s party had made it inside. Those cloaking mechanisms really were a life saver.
Raken leaned back in his seat. They knew that the Pretor’s ship would be coming soon, but they were lucky that it had come at this exact time. Despite all of his dislike for Landis, Raken had to admit that Rune’s plan might just work. They would have a two minute span of surprise. That would be enough time to catch the other ships off guard.
He watched Takma’s ship on his viewscreen. His loathing increased with each second that he stared at her vessel. A small smile touched his lips. *Soon, Takma, you’ll find out you aren’t the ruler of the universe as you think you are.*
Footsteps came from ahead of them. Paris pulled his team back. With a signal of his hands, they were silent.
Tom leaned against one side of the wall. Extending his mind around him, he tried to count how many were down the hall. Seven. All armed with projectile rifles.
They needed to go about this silently. A large fray and the rest of the station would be on their heels in no time. Now what they needed was a diversion. His mind then focused on the minds of those in the Resistance ships surrounding the station. Takma’s vessel had arrived. That meant they had to go to work now.
He turned to Danag. This was where the younger man would come in useful.
*Danag, I believe this is your cue.* he told the younger man.
Danag understood Paris’s meaning and soon shifted his shape to the officer Paris had instructed earlier. Within moments, an exact duplicate of Dr. Rosin was in Danag’s place.
Tom signaled him to go. Danag tucked a phaser under his uniform and handed the other rifle to Sargon. He then stepped around the corner.
The shape-shifter gulped. *Here goes nothing,* he thought.
One of the guards looked up as they saw Danag approaching. “Halt!” he ordered.
Danag’s heart was pounding but he gave his best look of annoyance. “What is it now?” he asked in a exasperated manner.
“I don’t recognize you from our logs. State your name and designation.” The guard ordered. Danag noticed that this was the only one who wasn’t assimilated. The other drones seemed to hover in defensive positions around the chief officer.
“My name is Doctor Rosin, and my designation is the Chief Medical Scientist under the Pretor. Is that good enough for you?!” Danag kept his most infuriated expression on his face. Hopefully this would work.
The guard paused for a moment. He then turned to one of the Drones. “Identify this man.”
The Drone stepped forward. Danag held his breath as it ran its ocular implant over the man. After a few seconds it stepped back. “Identification complete. Subject identified as Dr. Rosin, chief medical scientist under the Pretor. Authorization, accepted.”
Danag didn’t allow himself to give a sigh of relief. Instead, he turned his nose up in the air and pushed a hand through his dark black hair. “Now, isn’t that what I just said?”
The guard suddenly looked uncomfortable. “I...I’m sorry sir. Is there anything that I can do for you?”
Danag looked down at the guard. “Actually, there is. The Pretor is preparing to return to subspace. I was sent here to collect a number of drones to take with us on the mission. I am also prepared to do a full examination on each. Have all of the drones sent to the medical bay so that I may begin with the procedures.”
The guard nodded. “Yes sir.” He then turned to the other drones. “Go to Medical Bay.” After they had left, he focused his attention back on Rosin. “I’ll have the rest report there immediately, although our security will be decreased by doing this.”
“That’s not my problem,” replied Danag. “Have the Drones report there and I shall begin momentarily.” After the guard didn’t move, he said. “Well, what are you waiting on?”
The security officer stepped back. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll commence your orders right away. Would you like me to escort you to medical bay as well?”
“I know my way to my own office you fool. Take care of your duties and I will journey to medical bay on my own.”
The guard stepped back once more and gave a slight bow. He then turned on his heels and left.
Danag watched as the man left. He then motioned to Rune and Sargon. “Coast’s clear.”
The two other men stepped around the corridor. Sargon looked up and down Danag’s appearance. “You know, you don’t look too bad as a Parvanian.”
Danag rolled his eyes and changed back into his original form. “Shut-up.”
Xara slipped through the hallways in search of Paris. She wanted to stay near to him, but not close enough to be seen.
*I hope I know what I’m doing,* she thought once again.
Forcing indecision away, she went about with her journey. She needed to get going.
Takma stepped onto the station. It felt so good to be off of that damn battleship. It might be one of the most powerful ships in the galaxy, but when it came to comfort, it had a lot to be desired.
Kail joined her as well. He looked around at his surroundings. Something seemed odd, but he couldn’t place it. He decided to let it go. Deknoks was the one station that any Imperial official was assuredly safe in.
The Pretor stretched her arms out behind her. Tension ran down her neck but she paid it little attention. Soon she would be back on her journey into Borg space. Then her prize would be even closer.
But for now, she needed to check the station. She would be gone for a while, and she would like to know that things were well taken care of in the Empire.
“Come, General,” she said. “I would like to make sure this station is working ‘at peak efficiency.’”
She laughed at her own words. She was already beginning to sound like a Borg.
Sargon lagged behind as Rune and Danag made their way towards Engineering. He had a bad feeling about all of this. A sound echoed behind him. He turned around in expectation of an Imperial guard but saw no one.
He sighed. *My imagination is really getting to me.*
He fingered his rifle. He had been waiting for this moment for so long. For days, he had imagined getting back at the Empire for all that they had done to him. Now was his chance. He would kill any Imperial officer he saw and when the Pretor, the one who was responsible for Meylin’s death, came near enough, he would kill her to. He had hatched a plan into his mind. He knew exactly how Takma would die. He knew exactly what he would say.
He smiled. Soon he would have his revenge. If he had to die to do it, so be it.
Paris kept his attention focused on the doorway they were about to enter. This needed to be fast. So far they had gone unnoticed, but soon that would change. They would have to take out all of the engineers as well as the security officers in less than three seconds before one of them would be able to activate an alarm. The odds of that ever happening were insurmountable.
*Then we’ll just have to go in shooting,* he thought.
Turning to Sargon and Danag, he gave them the cue to be ready. Taking in a deep breath, he keyed open the door.
Kail finally noticed what was wrong with his surroundings.
“Where are the Drones?” he asked.
Takma stopped in her tracks. She hadn’t noticed that until now. Her mind had been so preoccupied with her future accomplishments that she had failed to pay any attention to the noticeable.
She looked down the hallways: no drones. “There should be drones posted down every corridor. What is going on here?!”
She felt her temper rising. Didn’t these imbeciles know how to follow orders. She turned on her heels and stormed down one of the corridors. She would go to the main control room and see just what was going on.
As she continued towards the bridge, her eyes fell on one officer. He was one of the few guards that were present in the facility. All of the rest had been replaced with
drones. He held a Padd in front of him and seemed to be preoccupied with his work.
“Where are all of the drones?” Takma asked him.
The officer failed to notice the malice in her voice, otherwise he wouldn’t have replied in the manner that he had. “Pretor, all of the drones have reported to sickbay and been deactivated as you ordered.”
“I made no such order,” she told him. Her anger was steadily rising.
The guard looked from her to the general and back to her. It was apparent that he was at a loss for an explanation. “Dr. Rosin. He ordered us to gather all drones in sickbay. He said that you ordered him to perform a standard diagnostic over their systems and that some of them would be transported to you ship.”
Kail felt his jaw clench. “Dr. Rosin is dead.” He told him.
The guard’s eyes widened. “But, I swear Pretor; he was here just a few moments ago. I spoke with him. A drone even scanned him to make sure he was who he claimed.”
“Rosin died while we were in the Alpha Quadrant. Whoever you saw was an impostor.” Her mind raced. Who could have posed as Rosin? An idea then struck her. “Let me see those scans.”
The officer handed her his Padd. “The scans are still stored here.”
She scrolled down the text. Finally, something caught her eye. She handed it to Kail. “There is a slight cellular variance in the subject’s DNA. It seems we have a shape-shifter on board.”
Kail looked at the readouts. “I thought the Empire destroyed that species years ago.”
She nodded. “I’ve heard of one in the Resistance, though I never placed any value in it. He must be here now.” She turned back to the security officer. “Have all of the drones reactivated immediately. I want this intruder found and exterminated, now. And get me Engineering. We need to issue a warning to that area first of all.”
The Engineers didn’t even look up as they heard the door open. However, a few did look up when gunfire erupted from the outside.