Deep Space Guardian: Season II-Episode 23

[Founder]

-Deep Space Guardian, Captain's Office-

Captain's log. Stardate 57110.31 I have informed Starfleet about the deal made with the Zalbogians. They have made preparations, much to their annoyance, to move the station. I am not sure where I am being assigned, but it looks like it will either be on the Federation side of the Neutral zone or in Klingon space. I dont know if I like either prospect really. I've grown used to Romulan space and don't really want to leave. I guess I should be grateful the crew is staying together. The Federation beuracracy toils away and I sit in my office alone. Wonderful. I witnessed Commander Katran first hand on the field. I had my reservations about him, but he wasn't bad at all. He recovered in sickbay rather well if I may add. He is rather stiff and formal for my tastes, but he does get the job done. His telepathic abilities, while dangerous for him against the Zalbogians, helped me a lot. This mission was a success, but am I glad that it's a success? I don't know...End log.



--Hydran Space, Dark Shadow, Bridge--
The Dark Shadow, Flagship of the Nautolian Empire, command ship of Imperator Sit Fito, loomed ominously in orbit around the Hydran homeworld.



Dark Lord Obsidian stood on the bridge of his flagship, looking down at the world below him.
Suddenly he was lost in thought, lost in the Energy. Suddenly he was on the bridge of the Dark Shadow, war waging all around him...

"Admiral!" Admiral Oasis proclaimed to Grand Admiral Surak, who had arrived on the ship, bringing a majority of the Nautolian fleet along with him. "Reports coming in. We've just taken the Andros colony, the 5th Fleet is reporting. The Galphire colony has nearly fallen...Critical hits to the Avenger, Nautolia's Revenge, and Relentless. The Invincible, however, is not so invincible. It's been destroyed. Also near destruction is the Blue Fox!" The Nautolian paused, looking at the console. "Reports coming in--1,000 fighters lost!"
Flash over to Lieutenent Fox, over at another console. "Reports showing heavy casualties for the Hydrans, Captain. Capital ship after capital ship destroyed, but their fighters are evading our turbophasers. We can only dispatch so many fighters without letting out our reserves..."
"Predator reporting in, Captain. She--" The flagship suddenly rocked with a powerful blast.
"Report!" Obsidian shouted from his position on the bridge.
"Shields down to 72%...It seems like they're concentrating their attack on the Dark Shadow, my Lord!" the ship's chief tactical officer proclaimed.
Day 4 and they were already at 70% shields...

"Lord Obsidian?" someone said. Obsidian cleared his mind, realizing that it was a week since their first encounter with the Hydrans, and turned around. There stood Captain Cargie. "My Lord, the Hydrans say that they are ready to talk."
Obsidian smiled. "At last. Open up a communication."
"Yes, My Lord," the Captain replied, bowing his head.
The Imperator walked down the aisle, receiving many looks from those below, and made his way for the back area. He looked at Admiral Oasis, who was using a console.
"Report," the Dark Lord ordered.
"You need not know the state of the Hydran forces, Lord Obsidian, aside from reports showing that 30 million have been killed," the usual Vice-Admiral-turned temporary Admiral said, "but in terms of our ships, the Fleet as a whole has lost 12 starships, with 7 in critical damage situations, the Shadowy Pride near-destruction, and 8 other starships in highly damaged situations, including this one. Our shields are at 45% but we have sustained heavy damage."
The Imperator nodded, and Oasis continued. "100,000 Nautolian fighters lost...Quite a significant casualty list, my Lord."
Obsidian nodded. Too many...They would have to make up for it. More Koinian production. Perhaps even some Koinian cloning should occur? He would talk with Shoran about that...
"And what of our ground forces on the 3 colonies?" the Imperator inquired.
"2,000 troops have lost their lives or are in critical condition. Otherwise they're in good shape, and their environmental suits are holding together..."
The Grand Admiral turned to face his imperator. "My Lord. We have them. They are responding..."

[Lord Borg]

~DSG, Corridor, Mirror Universe~

Jonathan Daien Archer walked down a dark corridor of DSG. Today, it was filled with sparks of fusers as the station was under massive repair and upgrades. Several weeks ago, Daien (as he liked to be called), lead an attack on a nearby Tholian system. In this daring raid, Daien had stolen some of the rare, and higly sought after Tholian Silk. Amoung other valuibles, most of which were sold to finance upgrades to the station. In response, the Tholians attacked the station directly. They were swiftly defeated, but not before they caused massave damage to the station, externaly, and internaly, from boarding. Daiencame to this station shortly after the death of Ian. He had taken everything that belonged to him, including his consort, one woman named Sophia. Who had disapeared. Daien spoke to the clanking foot falls behind him his 'body guard'. Jones. His voice rumbled.

"Have you found her yet?"

[Founder]

-Mirror Universe DSG, Corridor-

A man, with wires and machinery all over his body, slowly walked behind Daien.



He was not the familiar and friendly cyborg from the other side. His features were now more machine than man. Malcolm Jones was hurt badly many months back at the hands of a marine Bolian and quick Human tactical offiver from the other side. He walked with a dark look on his face, ready to tear the throat out of anyone who went near Archer. Jones was bitter about the failure for his former master, Ian Xavier.

"No sir," He replied in a mechanized tone, "There is no sign of her. She is without a doubt not on the station. Nor is the child..."

Jones looked over at Archer with his red eye. He knew Archer would not be pleased with the news, but he would never dare lie to him. Archer was vindictive and brutal, but not stupid. He was a leader, not a tyrant. Unlike Ian, who brutally murdered those around him in anger. Archer was the leading voice in the resturation of the old Terran Empire, dead at the hands of reforms. Emperor O'Brien smacked the man down with anger, not wanting to revert to the old ways, not completely at least. The former slave turned leader had enough to deal with while cleaning up the remaining Nautolian forces. Fito's empire had fallen and crumbled into dust suddenly at the battle of Terok Nor. It is unknown WHO killed Fito, but Jones knew it had to do with the crew from the other side. They also killed Ian, Archer's former protege. O'Brien punished Archer by sending him all the way into the dead end of space, Xavier's old command. Jones stopped walking and gave a serious look, well, it was the only look he gave except for anger.

"The transporting device is gone as well." He replied.

-Real Universe Dark Shadow, Bridge-

A hologram of a heavily dressed Hydran appeared in the center of the bridge. Oasis introduced him.

"This is King..." He said but cringed, "...suffice it to say, his name is not pronouncable. He wishes to discuss terms of their surrender my lord."

[Lord Borg]

~Mirror Universe, DSG Corridor~

Daien stoped dead in his tracks, his eyes went wide in rage

"WHAT!!!!"

He turned to Jones.

"Gone! It's gone!?"

Daien felt rage boil in him.

"That woman.... I'll rip her throat out."

Daien took a deep breath then looked around. He steped closer to Jones.

"It was being guarded wasn't it?"

[Republican_Man]

--Dark Shadow, Bridge--
Obsidian turned back to face the hologram. He smiled, darkly. "Your majesty..." he said, hands clasped behind his back, pacing in the Hydran's direction. "My terms are simple. Surrender your kingdom, in entirety. If you do not, then your people will face"--his smile turned incredibly evil, that trademark evil smile--"shall we say, massive...troubles..." He chuckled. Pure evil was on deck.
The Hydran, in its bloated form, looked down in defeat. "As you wish," It said, "The Gods have willed your victory this day. We submit to your rule, but by nature are pacifistic. We will not fight for you, but will work in anything you will have us do."
Fito shook his head, chuckling slightly. "I'm afraid you don't understand, King--whatever your name is. You had your chance to simply ally yourself with the Nautolian Empire and its allies. And you denied that opportunity when it was presented to you. Now you service this empire, in whatever manner I wish. You abandoned your sovereignty when you attacked my fleet. Now you will do what this Imperator commands--nothing less. You will fight if I ask you to fight, just as you will mine resources if I ask you to mine resources or construct starships if I ask you to construct starships."
He paused. "The only purpose that your kingdom serves, now, is to serve the Nautolian Empire--under punishment of annihalation. Anything less than all that I ask will result in destruction of your planets and people. And I'm not one to break my word, your Majesty."
The Hydran, in bitter defeat, bowed to the Dark Lord. Oasis smiled at the sight of royalty bowing to his leader.
"As you wish," the fallen King replied, "We will do as you demand, but there will be a day when your empire will crumble into dust and the Gods will punish you."
The hologram faded, leaving a head-shaking Fito behind, and a Koinian officer walked up to the Imperator..
"They have powered down the remaining ships," he reported. "And they...await your orders, my Lord."
Obsidian smiled broadly, laughing evily. His laughing ceased as he turned to the man who had just walked up to them behind the officer--the man who would be the military governor of the new Hydran provinces. "Governor Nadon," he said. "Put the Hydrans to work on ship contruction, their specialty. I want ten ships for every one they destroyed. Use whatever methods necessary for speed and productivity." His finger pointed at the Nautolian, moving his finger along as he spoke. "No disintegrations."
"As you wish," the Governor-General replied.

Within the hour all personal who were to leave the Dark Shadow were gone. Governor Nadon was on his personal ship, the Maxim, along with Fleet Captain Fedon Okar, the man who would head-up the Hydran Fleet Authority. Major Kai Brim would head-up the Hydran Ground Authority, the ground forces enforcement branch of the fleet.
Eleven Nautolian starships--excluding Nadon's command ship--would remain, along with 3,000 star fighters and enoguh Ground Authority officers to do their job.
The rest of the fleet sped back, at the fastest speed possible, to the Drakon One Colony, awaiting repairs and a new stage of negotiations with a new prospective ally...

[Founder]

-Mirror Universe DSG, Corridor-

Jones red eye glowed every so often, a way of showing if he was squinting or not. Altough, in his case, it would be zooming in.

"It was sir," He replied, "But mildy guarded. During the Tholian attack, you ordered more security to OPS. I diverted some of the guards from there to defend you. I left two to watch over it though, knowing its importance."

He folded his arms and one of the wires going into his head, which secreted a red liquid into his brain, folded with his arm.

"Due to the siginificant casulties," He continued, "I was never able to replace those guards. We found them the same day she dissapeared, dead. Both a phaser blast to the face."

[Lord Borg]

~Mirror Universe~

Daien sighed. He looked at Jones.

"Of course.... you were following orders...."

Daien looked around checking if anyone was listining.

"Well.... We'll have to go after her."

Daien started down the corridor again. The rage boild within him.

"You have the specs still stored in your system right?"

Daien turned a coridor, headed for his quarters.

[Republican_Man]

--Dark Shadow, Imperator's Office--
The room was rather dark, rather cold, and rather large. At the closed entrance stood two Imperial guards, to either side of the door, with their special rifles at a guard position.
On the opposite end, however, sat a cloaked figure. The cloaked figure faced away from the entrance, towards a rather large screen on the black wall, which displayed tactical data--that is to say, all the tactical data that Imperial Intelligence, and the Black Sun and Obsidian Order, could retrieve--of the Federation, Romulan, and Klingon fleets. Behind him and his chair stood a clean, metallic-colored desk, with a moon-shaped curve in the inside direction. The Imperator wished for a continuous update on intelligence, and therefore got it here quite often.
The Dark Shadow had arrived at the Drakon One colony little over an hour ago, and since then Fito, who had meditated in his private holodeck prior to arrival, had been in his office.
A few moments later a Nautolian officer contacted the Dark Lord through the office's personal viewscreen. It suddenly replaced the upper right corner of the screen, which Fito was looking at.
The officer gulped. "My apologies for the interruption, Lord Obisidian, but Gul Oyet wishes to speak with you. Should I patch it through?"
"Very well, Lieutenenent," the Imperator ordered. Suddenly the screen went black and then the image of the Dark Lord's Cardassian left-hand man appeared, covering the entire monitor.
"Yes, Gul Oyet?" Obsidian inquired, sternly. He hoped it was quick--he had several reports to tend to and some governmental matters to deal with, such as the restructuring of the central government.

[Founder]

-Deep Space Nine, Oyet's Office-

Oyet bowed to the holographic image of Fito, which appeared in his office.

"My lord," He said, "I have bad news from the Cardassian front. The Klingons, not fully declaring war, have attacked three of our colonies. They do quick little attacks, enough to destroy the space facilities. They don't even conquer the planet. They attack and then leave, doing hit and run. Rather honorless if you ask me..."

Oyet cursed in Cardassian and then looked back at Fito.

"They're doing it so they aren't fully active in the war," He said, "Everytime I rebuild, they come in and destroy it. Cardassian forces are spread out too thin. The Klingon civil war is coming to a close and Chancellor Martok is becoming bolder. I need help my lord."

-Mirror Universe Deep Space Guardian, Corridor-

Jones nodded his head quickly.

"Yes," He said, "Part by part. What are you going to do?"

[Lord Borg]

~Mirror Universe, DSG Corridor/Daien's Quarters~

Daien stoped at his doors, unlocked them, then entered. He went to a wall and removed a painting which hid a safe. After accepting a thumb print, and a retnia scann, the safe opened Inside were parts needed for a transport device.

"We are gonna construct a second device, and figure out where she went and follow her."

Daien picked up the tray and turned to Jones.

"Time to access the construction files."

[Republican_Man]

--Dark Shadow, Imperator's Office--
Obsidian thought for a moment, processing what is lieutenent had told him. "I'm afraid I don't have the forces to spare at the moment," the Imperator remarked, but then something occurred to him. "What intelligence do the Obsidian Order and Black Sun have on the Klingon Civil War?"

[Founder]

-Mirror Universe DSG, Daien's Quarter's-

The cyborg nodded his head and his red eye emitted a holographic "page". The schematics were shown in the red glow. He took each piece and immediatly began to get to work.

"As you order." He replied.

Jones agreed with Daien that it should only be them to cross over. They didn't have the forces to spare with the damage to this station. He wasn't sure what to expect, but if he found the other Ian, he would kill him. Not to mention, Sophia, who caused all of these problems. Then again, by the intense anger Archer had, he wouldn't need to...

-Deep Space Nine, Oyet's Office-

Oyet thought about the information for a moment. The Obsidian Order probed the Klingon civil war that was going on. They gained a decent amount of information. Pieced together with the Black Sun information, it was good and thorough.

"A Klingon named Ch'Tol leads the House of Gorkal tried to overthrow Martok," He said, "Suffice it to say he failed miserably. His brother was killed by Ambassador Worf who was defending Martok. Ch'Tol leads his thin forces against Martok, but Martok has too much support. As long as the Empire sees Ch'Tol's weakness, he will not win the war. Its doubtful now, since his forces were nearly decimated attacking Martok."

[Republican_Man]

--Dark Shadow, Imperator's Office--
Fito thought for a moment. Klingon house, rebellion, civil war...This could work to their advantage.
"Perhaps...Perhaps this could work to our advantage," Obsidian said, smirking slightly. "I want you--or somebody within the joint Imperial intelligence organizations--to contact the Ch'Tol, Gul. Set up an operational relationship with him. Tell him that the Empire pledges its support, more ships, and more men to overthrow Martok, in exchange for one thing: the Klingons do not, and will not, go anywhere *near* the Nautolian war--their involvement will be minimal at best." He looked at the Cardassian, awaiting a response.
Suddenly he was reminded of when he met the man, in the dilithium mines of Remus. They worked together to escape, but it was more than definitely Fito who was responsible for it, for the most part.
Now their relationship had expanded to a far more extensive operational one. One that would benefit one another in copious ways...

[Lord Borg]

~Mirror Universe, Daien's Quarters~

Daien, or Archer as he could be called, watched as Jones constructed the device. It was interersting, seeing the cyborg make the second device.

"We must figure out where it is she went, although I imagine it would be the alternate station."

[Founder]

-Deep Space Nine, Oyet's Office-

Oyet bowed his head.

"It will be done my lord." He replied.

The image of Fito faded out and Oyet groaned. He did not want to align with the Klingons. Oyet knew better than to argue with Fito though and went to his desk to make preparations...

-Mirror Universe DSG, Daien's Office-

Jones continued to work, intrigued by Archer's deducation.

"Why do you think she went to the station?" He asked, "She could flee anywhere she wanted to over there."

[Lord Borg]

Archer, that is, Daien, replied to Jones.

"Well,.... for it to work she has to for the crossover at least i belive."

Daien looked out a window.

"She seems to have an... afinity for...Ian..."

Archer looked to Jones, at work on the device.

"That is, the other one, as the one we know is dead"

[Founder]

-Mirror Universe DSG, Daien's Quarters-

Jones nodded his cybernic head in remembrance.

"I remember all too clearly," He said, "Killed by an ugly security officer. A dissapointing death, not that anyone cares about him dying anyways."

He snapped some more parts, his fingers moving at an incredible pace.

"He will not be remembered like you will be sir," He said quickly, "If she crossed over and did go the other Ian, what will you do?"

[Republican_Man]

--Dark Shadow, Imperator's Office--
Obsidian turned back around to his desk after the communication with Oyet ceased. Activating his computer he did a few things, and then proceeded to contact the colony down below, as well as several members of the Military Council.
The Dark Shadow, during the conversation that would follow and at the current time, was undergoing repairs so that it may be ready to continue by tomorrow.
Once the ship was ready to leave it would set course straight for Nautolia Prime, where the Imperator had several political matters to attend to.
He awaited responses from those officers in the Nautolian forces he contacted...

[Lord Borg]

[Arellia]

DSG, MU - Sickbay

"Doctor..."

Ten days Doctor Aiasjia Shoran had been left alone. Ten days she'd holed up in her lab, slept on the counter, ate and dressed in that one room with no one around to bother her. The nurses... Treven and Dounia, they were a nuisance at best. They squirmed when they found blood samples in glass jars on the tables. Large blood samples.

Who was she to tell them that the blood samples were mostly her own? No. Better let them wonder.

Especially when they came calling on days like these. She had said that she would be gone ten days--today started the eleventh, she supposed she couldn't blame Treven for coming to her. Still, she seethed and dropped the vial of blue liquid she'd been working with--a stasis solution designed especially for her nanites.

"Yes, nurse?" She said all too quietly. She heard him gulp. She smiled.

"Ma'am, Dounia's been working too hard since you left. Since the others... Dr. Jandas..." Treven shivered, "I can't get her to leave the place, you must order her back to her quarters."

The doctor spun and found Treven staring straight down at her. Dark hair to his temples and squared, hawk-like features, Treven was a strong and formidable Trill. His deep blue eyes were tainted with fear. Aia was a head shorter, curled blonde hair fell loosely to her waist, her crystal blue eyes made her look almost childlike. And they all feared her. "You could kill the bitch." Shoran said with a jagged edge to her voice, "Rather than come to me, complaining about it. What do you care if that child works herself to tears? Do you have some interest in here that I should be aware of, or are you really that diluded as to think your compassion matters one wit?"

"It does us no good to depend on a worker who is falling over tired!" Treven defended, clenching his fists. "I thought it might matter to you, she is the one in charge of your precious Conus."

The doctor smiled a feral, catty smile and circled the man. He resisted turning. He knew that facing a wild animal would only provoke it. "If she lets those specimens die she'll have a lot more to worry about than losing her life, and she's well aware of that." She sighed, "Now, I suppose there's some work left for me yet?"

"Yes ma'am..." Treven trailed off. "In your quarters?"

"You know me too well." When he finally did look at her, her nails seemed to have grown a half inch or so. With what she was working with, it was entirely possible. "I'll see you in a bit, then."

When she smoothed her none-too-conservative uniform over the curve in her waist, Treven straightened. "Yes, ma'am." The doctor glided out of her laboratory, leaving Treven to sag against the wall. A whisper escaped his lips, but the word was left best unrepeated.

[Founder]

-Mirror Universe Deep Space Guardian, Daien's Quarters-

[Lord Borg]

~Mirror Universe Deep Space Guardian, Daien's Quarters~

Daien took the device in his hands. He looked it over. Aside from the crudness, it appeared to be in order. Daien grunted with statasfaction. Good help was hard to find now adays, let alone loyal help. He looked to Jones.

"First we need to find that fool that let her get by..... Doctor Shoran is expecting him."

~Real Univrse DSG, Sick Bay~

The EMH II Shruged.

"Alright....."

He looked at a device and adjusted a setting.

"Tell me captain, when was your last check up? Don't bother lying, I can have your medical record accessed in seconds"

[Founder]

-Mirror Universe DSG, Daien's Quarters-

Jones gave a dark smirk in response to Archer's statement.

"Oh don't worry," He said, "He is in the brig awaiting his punishment, but doctor Shoran? You're far too cruel..."

His smirk grew even wider, enjoying the fact that the man would be brutally and painfully punished.

-Real Universe DSG, Sickbay-

Ian held up his hands at the hologram.

"Nice try..." He said, not sure if it was appropriate to call the hologram doctor, "....doctor."

He remembered Clarence's words and realized that holograms could be like people. Real people.

"I don't need any checkups," He said, "Thats an order."

A smile crossed his face implying it was a joke. Ian turned to leave and looked into the doctor's officer....

[Lord Borg]

~Mirror Universe, Daiens DSG Quarters~

Daien chuckled.

"Nothing less then that spinless bastard of a failure deserves. Being a 'hands on' person, You and I shall take him to sick bay..."

~Real Universe, Sickbay~

The EMH Spoke up. He noticed the Captain looking at the Doctors Office.

"I'm afraid I must insist... We haven't seen you sense the.... unpleasantrees...."

The EMH looked undunsure on how to go on.

"Someone named 'Clarence' has made it a personal request i see you.... whoever that is..."

The EMH walked to the Bio bed and gestured for the Captain to sit down.

"Won't take long"

The EMH gave a reasureing smile.

[ILoveHarry]

RU Sophia returns to the station after an extended mission she had been called away to complete for SI. She heads straight to her quarters rather than checking in with her captain. I can inform Ian of my return later, she thinks to herself.

A secluded area on the station
MU Sophia arrives with her child. Protectivly, she hold him close to her body. One bag containging their posetions is slung over her shoulder. "You'll be safe now, Little One," she coos to the child. She touches the phasor on her hip. Quietly she she makes her way around the station. She asks a stranger for directions and eventually find the building containing Ian's quarters. She enters the building and follows the corridor to his apartment. She sets the bag on the floor, and lies the sleeping child on a nearby chair. "He'll show up eventually," she says to no one in particular.