Deep Space Guardian: Season II-Episode 24

[Hitchhiker]

-Engineering, USS Guardian-

Grey directed activity in engineering with alacrity. They had to make sure that the weapons would be available for as long as possible. "Cut all power to the shields! Direct it toward weapons!"

Even as consoles exploded near one corner of the room, Grey rushed over to the warp systems console and conferred with another engineer. At least the warp core was still working.

"Captain, you have full weapons power. I just hope it's enough."

[Lord Borg]

~USS Guardian, Shuttlebay~

Archer sat up suddenly. Everything hurt. He looked around and stood and groggoly headed for the door. His Chief Engineer followed close behind, watching his balance. Archer went to the corridor down to a turbolift and entered. "Bridge." He sighed as the turbolift started moving.

[Republican_Man]

--Starcraft Hawk, Communications--
Siradore could just sense the displeasure in the Captain�s voice as he said those final words.
Then, upon receiving the coordinates the 2nd Lieutenant tapped the communication tab on his console and brought up a communication to the cockpit, saying, �I just got off the comm with the Captain, Lieutenant. I�m sending you the coordinates of the target we need to concentrate our fire on.�
The 1st Lieutenant, Johnson, nodded, though the 2nd Lieutenant couldn�t see him. �Understood,� he replied, not even asking about the exchanged over the Major.
The helmsman then moved towards the coordinates, the main gunner firing the turrets at the ship, the most superior officer, in the cockpit, firing the secondary frontal weapons as well.

--Akiama, Nautolian Compound Interior--
Ion Team moved forward, continuing down their present course.
Major Kyle Katran led the group forward, flanked by the rest of the team members, examining his PADD as he moved. Up ahead there was a method for them to go down a level, but he realized that it would be heavily guarded.
They needed a diversion of some sort.
Ion Team continued onward and eventually came to the corridor that had, down one bend, their destination. However, just as Kyle had anticipated, it was guarded by two Nautolians and five Cardassians--not an easy match-up, for sure.
The group hid behind a wall as Katran initiated discussion over what their course of action should be.

--Elerra Prime, Temple Interior--
A giant wave of fire was charging at the Dark Lord of the Dracons, Imperator of the Nautolian Empire, and he had to think quickly to stop it.
Unfortunately he didn�t have the power to call up a counter-wave of water, but he did have the ability to manipulate fire, as well as disintegrate it.
The Dark Lord reached out each of his arms, and with them took in the fire, creating a great big ball of it, and shot it back at the Titan. However, more fire charged after him, and so he kept his arms out, hands open. His fingers came together as his hand closed, causing the flames to disintegrate and give him a slight amount of power increase to make up for part of the power he had just used up in doing this action.
�Is that all you�ve got?� he snickered, rather arrogantly. He smirked, feeling as though he was already winning the fight.

[Lord Borg]

USS Guardian

Archer stumbled off the turbolift and looked around on deck one. The ship kept shaking from weapons fire as Archer and Sung Li walked onto the bridge. Archer looked to the screen to see what was going on...

[La Forge]

USS Guardian, Cargo Bay #1

Yelia and Juliana had gone to Cargo Bay #1 and set up a temporary Sickbay, seeing as the real Sickbay had been destroyed.

Yelia was relieved to be out of the pilot seat, yet...she longed to sit in it, again. She couldn't explain it. She enjoyed the thrill, but, not when she was at the Helm, though. Anxiety and fear flowed through her veins while she was sitting in the chair. It was a terrible feeling, knowing so many people's lives rested in your hands. But, now that she was out of the helm, she wanted back in. The excitement...the tension...the adrenaline... It is very hard to explain. It was exhilirating.

Juliana was nervous, however. She had been busy treating many of the injured in the Sickbay. She had been busy for the last few hours, treating people with burns and cuts and concussions and whatnot. Many had died on this mission and many more had been wounded. She wanted nothing better than to be out of this nasty situation, back on Deep Space Guardian. ..

This whole mission was crazy! She had no idea what was going on...it was insane.

(This post was just to try and bring back activity. Oh, and sorry I haven't posted in a bit. Sidetracked with other things. I'll be more active with my new char. in Episode 25)

[Founder]

(This episode is gonna end soon. So things will move kind of fast.)

-Orbit-

Telos' fleet was sent to another sector of space after the planet had fallen fully into Empire control. Three ships were left to safeguard the entire planet. Fortunetly for them, nothing inside the planet was a threat. The Guardian and Hawk were damaged and under fire. The Oath was a fallen ship. Unfortunetly for them, the Federation fleet that had just dropped out of warp was a threat to them. Thirteen ships moved in a coordinated effort and flew steadily towards the Imperial ships...

-USS Guardian, Bridge-

The ship, along with the Hawk, fired on the designated target. A massive explosion rang out and the defenses of the facility began to fall. Ian felt the ship shake as the ground forces kept tearing apart the hull. Sung Li rushed to a console and alerted Ian.

"Hull breach on 4 decks sir!" She yelled.

Ian looked at the helm.

"Get us out of here," He said, "Circle around and destroy that building, after beaming the prisoners out of course."

She nodded and obeyed his orders.

-Compound-

The Bajoran prisoner was led to general Abazar. Abazar gave a cold smile to the vedek.

"We meet at last," He said, "Reports say you're the reason we're having so much trouble holding Bajor and other systems. You will be put to death, immediatly."

The building shook hard and pieces of the roof fell to the ground. One large rock almost hit Abazar, but he used his mental abilities to knock it away. A Koinian rushed to his side.

"General," He said, "You must leave. Our defenses our down and the ships in orbit have been engaged."

Abazar shoved the weak Koinian to the floor.

"What!?!" He exploded, "How!? We had this planet!"

The Koinian rose from the ground.

"Too many Federation ships," He said, "Not enough of ours...."

Abazar cursed at himself.

"I should have set up our own defenses," He berated, "Instead of using the weak foundry's defenses."

He turned around and began to walk away. The Nautolian stopped and looked back.

"Execute him." He said, then rushed to a transport.

The Bajoran was led towards a wall to be killed....

-Elerra Prime, Temple Interior-

The Titan ignored Fito's taunts and took another step forward. He launched pieces of debris, large and small, at tiny reptillian creature....

-Elerra Prime, Temple Exterior-

Romulans were setting up floating mines to test...

[Lord Borg]

Guardian, Bridge

Archer stood behind Ian, holding on to his chair to stay up. He knew his friend wouldnt mind. Archer felt a little usless, and wanted to help some how, but he couldnt relay orders, his rank would make it like he was taking over. THe ship shuddred slightly as it moved though the canon...

[Founder]

-USS Guardian, Bridge-

Ian looked up to see a very injured and bloody Archer. He rose from his seat and grabbed the man's shoulders, happy to see him.

"For a minute," Ian said, "I didn't think you made it..."

He patted his shoulders.

"Its good to see you." He replied.

Ian feelt sheepish for acting so sentimental in front of his and Archer's crew. He immediatly helped Archer to a seat. The man looked like he had been through hell, beaten and bruised. Ian looked over at Ziona.

"Fire everything we have Z," He ordered, "Tear that place apart."

[Ziona]

USS Guardian, Bridge

Ziona glanced over at Ian, then smiled at Archer.

"Good to see you again, Captain Archer... And yes, sir." She nodded to Ian. "Firing all we've got."

Ziona locked, loaded, and set everything on her target. She opened fire, the beams ripping through the structure. Small explosions were seen as unseen generators and machinery exploded, no doubt destroying any beings still within. She felt a twinge of pain as she proceeded... it felt like executing people through firing squad but, in the long run, Ziona knew it was what we had to do.

Once Ziona had significantly, as Ian had put it, "torn that place apart" she leaned back from her console against a guard rail and held her breath, watching her systems to see any sort of retaliation from below. There was nothing.

"I think that's it, Captain." She said turning to look at Ian and Archer.

[Lord Borg]

USS Guardian, Bridge

Archer nodded at Ziona. He was glad to see all of them agian to. He noticed that Cruz was at the helm, no sign of Reed though. He started to fear the worst...

"Well....Home sounds good...."

[Republican_Man]

--Elerra Prime, Temple Interior--
The Titan ignored the taunts thrown at him by Obsidian. Stepping forward, the creature launched pieces of debris, large and small, at the far smaller, yet powerful, Nautolian.
Fito simply raised his hands mystically and, in an instance, shot the debris back at the Titan.
As it flew in mid-air he, hoping that the debris flying towards the creature would be confused by it, closed his eyes and reached out into the Energy, and with his hands, causing the temple ceiling to shake.
As the Titan shot the debris yet again towards the Dark Lord the section of the ceiling above him collapsed, causing him to collapse as well.
Sensing that the Titan could get up relatively easy and soon enough, the Nautolian fled up the fleet of temple stairs outside, where he saw a minefield testing zone situated.
This allowed him to formulate an idea as he heard the roar of the Titan and collapse of the stone items above the creature�

--Akiama, Nautolian Compound Interior--
The votes were in, the plan set.
Their current position was arranged in such a way that, had they turned to the left, they would immediately be spotted by the chatting Imperial guards. And yet, there was another way to do it.
If the team continued backwards in the direction of the other end of the corridor they were presently in they could take a right and go down a very short ways, where, to the right at a certain point in that corridor, they would end up in another direction right by the elevation lift.
Their plan was to go to the start of that corridor and confuse the guards into thinking that something was happening there.
When a few of them came to check the situation, however, they would be held at gunpoint upon entry to the location by Katran, Tantor, and the weapons expert. The other two would provide security in other directions.

And so, thusly, Ion Team turned, went down the corridor, and took a right. They went down the corridor to the point of the corridor which would lead to their destination. The weapons expert, injured Miguel Hernandez, along with the tech guy, Brian Johnson, ran swiftly across to the other side of the opening, arriving there safely and securely, without incident.
Miguel took the �gunpoint position,� the position, which both Katran and Tantor would take on their end, that would enable them to hold the guards that would arrive at their position at gunpoint.
Johnson, like his counterpart at the other end, would provide cover for the team from any beings that might try to sneak up at the other ends. All was set in motion.
Now, if it could only go as planned�

--Elerra Prime, Temple Interior--
It was time. He sensed it.
Time to end this.
The Titan burst out of the temple, causing it to collapse around him, and appeared to Obsidian, stating, �TIME TO DIE, YOU PUNY LITTLE CREATURE.�
�I think not,� Fito replied with a smug smile on his face. �If anyone�s going to die,� he said, luring the creature ever closer to the mines, yet staying away from them himself, �it�s you.�
The Titan laughed powerfully, but as he did so the Nautolian Imperator lifted his hands up powerfully, his eyes closed, and called upon all the powers he could muster to do one seemingly simple task: take down the Titan.
Using his powers as his source the Nautolian slid, with all his might, his hands in the direction of the mines from his position and pressured the giant creature into the mines, explosions forming all around him�

--Akiama, Nautolian Compound Interior--
When ready Major Kyle Katran was sure to get nods of agreement from each of the four other team members.
Once each member had nodded their approval for the operation to commence, the Major gave a nod of commendation.
Tantor fired his phaser rifle twice in one direction with Miguel firing in the other, not hitting any team members. Johnson then proceeded to let out a scream, unhurt, for the scenario in which the Nautolians did not hear the phaser fire, which they did not.

At the guard post one of the Nautolians nodded to the other, and the nodded-to Nautolian lead three of the five Cardassians in the direction of the scream, where there was continuing phaser fire, running.
Johnson and his counterpart then took up the phaser firing so that the others could hold them at gunpoint, as planned.
The phaser fire stopped suddenly when Katran ordered to the Cardassians and Nautolian, upon their arrival, �Freeze.�
There was one too many, but that was alright. Tantor, who was behind Katran, was on the Nautolian, so if he did anything foolish to Katran, death would come to him.
�What is this?� the Nautolian stated. �You fools, if you kill us it�ll bring you nothing but trouble.�
�Oh yeah?� Katran said to the people who had no weapons--the enemies. �I think not.�
He nodded indiscriminately and the other two officers popped out from the corridor and pointed their phasers at the Cardassians.
�You fool,� the Nautolian said, smug-smiled. �Don�t you know of the power of the Nautoli--" The alien was suddenly interrupted in mid-sentence by a phaser rifle blast from Katran to the chest.
Miguel�s phaser fired at one Cardassian at point-blank range, killing him, while the focus of Katran and Tantor merely shifted from the dead Nautolian to the Cardassians, killing them as well.
All three Cardassians and the single Nautolian were no longer alive.
Katran smirked slightly at their success and remarked, �Why is it that Nautolians are always bragging about their powers? That time they spend bragging only gets them killed.�
He then glared down at the man of the same species as the leader of the empire they were fighting, glaring at his lightsaber on the ground.
�Is that one of their laser swords?� he asked.
�I think so,� Tantor stated. �Why?�
�I�m a fencer,� the major said, plainly. �I think I could learn how to use one of these things. I�m taking it with me.�
He then reached down and swiftly unclipped the weapon from the fallen alien�s belt, grabbing it for himself and clipping it onto his own belt.
�Alright, let�s move,� the SF leader said, going down the corridor. He stopped at the point where a quick left turn would get them right to the door, motioning for his team to follow and remain quite.
�I�m going to go take a look,� the remaining Nautolian, a female, stated.
Upon hearing these words, obviously the finishings of a complete comment, Katran motioned for his team to back up and ready for combat.

Immediately upon the Nautolian female�s turn Kyle, Brenn, and Miguel fired their phasers at her, Johnson looking behind them for anyone to come. The female collapsed to the ground, and the Cardassians, upon hearing the phaser fire, came around the bend, only two of them.
They were killed immediately.
The Major then looked at his team, stating, �We�ve got to move quickly. Ready your weapons and follow me.�
Tantor nodded, and Ion Team walked to the door.

Katran, leading the group onward, opened the door with the push of a button, causing a small fleet of stairs to appear.
He then led the others down the stairs, weapons ready for anything to come; however, there was no reason for the caution going down the stairs, as there were no enemies immediately down there, and so they were secure.
And yet to the left of the stairs and down a short way stood several Cardassians, Nautolians, and a Bajoran.
As the building shook from the battle outside and pieces of the roof fell to the ground Katran saw a big piece of rock fall to the ground, almost hitting a Nautolian who seemed to be in charge.
Upon further investigation Kyle recognized the being: It was General Abazar, leader of a key Nautolian military organization.
A Koinian rushed to Abazar�s side and told him something. The statement involved something about weak defenses and whatnot, but that�s all Kyle could make out.
He shoved the Koinian to the ground and Katran heard Abazar�s proclamation, �What!? How!? We had this planet!�
The Major couldn�t make out the Nautolian�s response, but he obviously thought brutal of the Nautolians.
Abazar no doubt made a statement of complaint and then turned, beginning to walk away. He looked back and stated two words which the major couldn�t make out, as the universal translator could not pick up the Nautolian expression, and he spoke in the Nautolian language.

It was no doubt a statement of execution for the Bajoran, as the General ran in the opposite direction and the Bajoran was placed up against a wall with three Cardassians and two Koinians flanking him.
One Nautolian officer stood in front of the Bajoran, stating, �I shall enjoy this,� readying his Nautolian Rifle.
Katran motioned some silent orders to his team, which they understood, and Ion Team thusly began to take up secure positions, unnoticed as the enemies were focusing all their attention on the ambassador.
Kyle himself hid behind a pillar, readying to fire.
When he would give the motioning order, the team would fire on the enemies, starting with the Nautolian, killing them as swiftly as possible�

--Starcraft Hawk, Space--
The small yet durable starcraft, carrying the rest of the DSG Special Forces regiment, swooped about, shields at 8%, yet ablative armor holding.
It dodged several blasts from a Nautolian Star Cruser; however, at the same time it managed to fire at and destroy to Koinian starfighters with ease.
For them things didn't look too grim--at least, this time.
Now, the Johnson on board thought, "if only the Major is alright..."

--Akiama, Nautolian Compound Basement--
When he determined that Ion Team was ready Major Kyle Katran raised his right hand up, and a second later, as the Nautolian executor finished his statements, saying, �Now�prepare to die,� gave the �open fire� motion to his team, which came out of the shadows and began to fire at the aliens, starting with the Nautolian, who was killed by Katran in conjunction with Johnson.
The alien collapsed to the ground as the two Cardassians--one had died�looked back in surprise, along with the Koinians.
A disruptor blast shot towards Hernandez, who rolled on the ground, dodging the blast, and returned fire.
Johnson�s rifle shot in the same direction as Hernandez�, and with the fire of the two combined, the Koinian firing the weapon collapsed, dead.
Tantor, from his position down behind several boxes, stood once again, having already come up once, attempting to kill a Cardassian but failing to do so, came up again and, this time, shot the Cardassian dead-on in the head.
What he saw after this Cardassian fell to the ground was the Nautolian body, two Cardassian bodies, and one Koinian body.
All that remained, he noted, were a single Cardassian and a single Koinian, whom were immediately shot and killed by Hernandez and Tantor.
The mission was a success. The Bajoran ambassador had been successfully retrieved and liberated. Now, if they could only get out of here safely.

Katran ran over to the Bajoran and said, giving a nod as he spoke the first word, �Ambassador. I�m Starfleet Special Forces Major Kyle Katran. Are you alright?�

[Founder]

-Akamia Facility-

The Bajoran was shaking, due to the fear still in his mind. He was moments away from joining the Prophets. He sighed heavily and grabbed Kyle's arm in an expression of happiness. The Bajoran sobbed and said nothing more. The compound was falling apart all around them due to bombardment from the USS Guardian...

-USS Guardian, Bridge-

Cruz tapped her controls and looked back at Ian.

"Captain," She said, "There are multiple non-Nautolian life signs inside of the building..."

Ian rose an eyebrow. He assumed it was simply more prisoners.

"Lock onto them," He ordered, "And beam them into the shuttlebay with the other prisoners."

Cruz nodded and locked into Kyle, the Bajoran, and the rest of the SF team's life signs. As they beamed out, the complex collapsed...

The captain looked at Cruz in a quiet gaze.

"Get us out of here." He demanded.

She nodded and the USS Guardian, followed by the Hawk left the planet...

-Elerra Prime, Temple Exterior-

The battle between Fito and the Titan had raged across the temple, destroying what little left there was. Fito had flew outside for more space, losing the battle inside. The Titan had given chase, determined to defeat Fito and regain it's people's homeworld once more. Unfortunetly, it did not prepare for leaving the temple. The Titan, his mind focused on the death of Fito, did not adequatly prepare for any of the dangers. Romulan refugees had placed floating mines all over the exterior, testing them for future use. The Titan easily sensed their dimunitive life forms, but did not bother to attack them. They were not of importance. The Titan's power was over the organic and spiritual realm of things, but not the technological. It was technology that forced his people into becoming endangered. It was technology that made his people lost their home world. While he could easily toss technology aside with his mind, he could not feel it. A tiny pinprick of a mental shove was felt. The Titan looked at Fito and realized what he was trying to do. It was trying to knock him backwards. A most difficult task that was indeed. The Titan, his physically weak frame dropped to one knee. This was a mistake, and the last one it would ever make. A mine was sitting, armed, under him. As soon as his bony flesh touched it, the mine exploded in a brilliant light. That explosion fed another mine and made it go off. Then another....and another....and another...and another...and another. The Titan's body became enveloped in flames. Not the illusion of flames it uses to scare off lower life forms, but real ones. It's mind was more evolved than most species and more powerful too. Unfortunetly, something had to be traded for the mental power: it's physical form. The physical form of the Titan, while large, was very weak. The flesh incinerated, leaving burnt meat and bones. The Titan cried out in a loud fury and a white aura flew out of it's mouth and into the sky. The body immediatly dropped as the bright, white aura mixed with the clouds of the night sky. The Romulans watched in silence and shock as the flames eventually dissapated into small burning fire. They saw the evil form of Fito standing safely away, his cloak flowing in the wind. The massive form of the Titan lay there, lifeless. They looked up to see thunder crackle and rain began to pour down heavily. The rain was freezing cold and they shuddered. As Fito stood there, they knew it was better to flee than fight him. He was a deadly foe and they were simply engineers, testing technology out.

-DSG, OPS-

An officer, standing at a science station looked at his console in surprise. He motioned for Jones to take a look.

"What do you got?" He asked.

The officer shook his head, not understanding it.

"Weather patterns on the planet changed abruptly," He said, "I don't get it at all. Astronomics charted a complete report on the weather situation and it did not predict this...."

Jones looked at the officer, rather annoyed to be bothered with this.

"You called me over for the weather?" He asked.

The officer's cheeks became red in embarrasment.

"I'm sorry sir," He said, "I just thought..."

Jones sighed and walked back to the center console. He took a seat and ran a scan of the planet to see if anything was wrong. Sensors did confirm that the planet's entire eastern surface was covered in rain. It was strange, but it could have something to do with the planet. Scientists were still studying the Federation planet. Sensors were blind to Fito and his fighter wing leaving the opposite side of the planet, as they retreated back into Empire space. Fito's mission was complete and a dangerous threat to him was now gone, along with hope of his death for the Federation...

-Orbit of Akiama-

As the two ships flew into space, they were greeted by an incredible sight. The Imperial ships were destroyed and hanging dead in space. Federation ships held orbit around the planet, guarding it from any further incursions. The two ships made their way to join the fleet and turn over the civilians. The fight was over and the Federation had won, but barely. Fito's forces managed to occupy the planet and hold it, for however short amount of time it was. Many lives were lost and the Hippocratic Oath would not be flying for some time. The victory came at yet another high cost. It almost felt the same way as the "victory" at the battle of DSG....costly...too costly. The small ship flew alongside another Federation ship and made preparations to finally go home...



-END EPISODE-