Deep Space Guardian: Season II-Episode 34

[Founder]

(Part II of the Romulan Arc)

Last week on DSG....

-Katran approaches Ian about what he learned while captured by the Nautolians.
-A Nautolian invasion of Romulus was imminent.
-Starfleet ignores the requests and demands Ian gets rid of any Romulans on Elerra Prime.
-Ian and Donatra are kidnapped, while colonel Loval takes control of the refugees.
-Meanwhile, Kiris and Cory discover Nautolian activity in the Delta quadrant.
-The USS Guardian is dispatched to investigate while riots break out all over Elerra Prime and DSG.
-Archer takes control of DSG and sends Katran to rescue Ian, while Blake leads security officers to fight back on the station.
-Meanwhile, the USS Guardian, captained by Ziona Andreas, discover the Nautolians seeking to ally with the Vaadwaur, an old enemy of the USS Voyager.
-Ziona prevents their union and is forced to fight the Borg, Vaadwaur, and the Nautolians.
-Meanwhile, T'Sa and Nic explore their feelings for each other.
-Katran's team makes it to Elerra Prime and rescues Ian and Donatra, while Ziona disables the Nautolian ship.
-The Romulan riots end and a team disembarks on N'Tran's warbird to Romulus, with a Federation council member, a non corrupt one.
-They reach Romulus to find it's too late...the Nautolians are there...

And now the continuation...

-Salara, Corridor-

Ian heard the loud warning klaxons ringing out across the large warbird. The D'Deridex class definitly was different from any Federation ship and it showed. It's large corridors were dark and had an ominous feel to it. Both Ian and T'Sa were trying to find the others or at least the bridge to ascertain what was going on. They had gone into a turbolift only to have it deny them access to the bridge.

"Damn it!" Ian yelled, stepping out of the lift.

He tapped his combadge.

"Xavier to Katran," He said, "Report!"

(Important Note: I didn't want to start the point system until this episode. That way, we start anew with the system. Starting now, we will be using the new system. So do your best and have fun!)

[Lord Borg]

-Salara, Corridor-

T'Sa was panting from the running around. She was trying to remember the rout to the bridge. She was desperately trying to remember the layout to this class. The damned turbolift wasn�t letting them access to the bridge.. A Security feature, no doubt. A\although it was probably a smart one.

"Shhhhh!" she yelled to him scolded.

"I can't think with all the noise, Damn it!"

T'Sa looked around.

"Wait...."

She squinted as she looked down a corridor.

"I think...." She turned and grabbed him, pulling him down the corridor.

"This way!"

[Republican_Man]

--Salara, Corridor--
As Major Kyle Katran hustled down the corridor, consumed with concern over the current situation, he heard the sound of Captain Xavier's voice.
"Xavier to Katran," he said. "Report!"
"I'm afraid we were too late, Captain," Katran reported. "We just arrived in the Romulus system moments ago and before we knew it a massive fleet of Nautolian ships was here. They're outside Remus, Captain, and it looks like they're planning to strike...and hard. The Admiral is already rushing to the bridge. Councilor Watts, Commander T'Rell, and I are on our way to the bridge to join them."
He sighed deeply. "I'm glad I had us bring the Hawk, sir," he remarked. "With your permission, once I have assessed the situation I would like to beam over there and take my post as Commanding Officer of the ship. I can work in concert from there."

--Hawk, Cockpit--
The crew was stunned. They were too late. A massive fleet of Nautolian, Koinian, Gorn, and Hydran ships were already present, coming out of nowhere.
The ship remained in stealth mode, concealed from the Nautolian sensors, though that was for at least the time being.
"Attention all hands," First Lieutenant Brenn Tantor proclaimed into the intercom. "Battle stations."
The small craft was suddenly bustling with activity, readying for combat and any orders that would come from Major Katran.

--Imperial Star, Bridge--
"Report," Grand Admiral Surak, leader of the Imperial Fleet, stated.
"The first wave has begun their assault," the intelligence officer, special for this occasion, reported. "So far we have faced no resistance. They have been caught entirely by surprise."
"Excellent," Surak said, an evil grin crossing his face. "Continue as planned. Set up the previously discussed perimiter. I want everything to go as arranged."

[Spellbinder Marik]

-Salara, Bridge-

�Get us to Romulus now!� N�Tran shouted to the helmsman. The ship began moving along again.

��and tactical, engage the cloak.� The lights on the bridge dimmed as the ship shimmered out of view.

�ETA?� N�Tran inquired.

�6 Minutes sir.� The helmsman replied.

Laura, Kiris and Cory appeared from the lift a few moments later.

�What�s happening.� Laura asked as she entered.

N�Tran responded with a single word. �Nautolians.�

-Salara, Corridor-

T�Rell led them, into a lift that would take them to the bridge.

[Founder]

-Salara, Corridor-

Ian reacted in surprise that T'Sa had yanked him so hard and that she yelled at him. It was strange to see T'Sa acting so...Human. She had been acting that way since he had seen her, masquerading as a Romulan. Something had happened to her and she has yet to explain it. She always tried, but something always got in the way. Ian needed to speak to her about this. She continued to lead him. Perhaps she was familiar with the ship due to being stationed one one? As Ian ran down the corridor, Katran's voice ranged out on his combadge.

[Lord Borg]

-Salara, Corridor-

T'Sa stopped and looked back to Ian. Her face pale, her eyes wide.

"Did...did he say we're to late?"

T'Sa gasped. She looked around quickly and shook her head.

"All this way...."

She pulled him again, towards a wall.

"Look for a button! It�s seamless, but it should be there, maybe. If the ship is at the right age, that is. But it should be hiding a Jefferies tube system, one similar to the one on Federation installations."

T'Sa started to feel around on the wall, grunting as she bent over and hit the sore spot of her body. The muscles from earlier, she still had done nothing for them.

[Spellbinder Marik]

-Salara, Corridor-

A guard was walking by when he noticed someone looking suspicious. He leveled his disruptor at her.

"You there! Stop what you're doing!"

[Founder]

-Salara, Corridor-

Ian looked around where he was standing, but could not find anything. He was not familiar with Romulan ships. There wasn't much knowledge of them interior wise due to the lack of experiance with them. Starfleet officers rarely got to walk through it's corridors. Especially with Romulan paranoia safeguarding everything.

"I can't find any switch..." He said.

He heard an officer shout for them to stop. Ian turned around, raising his hands.

"We're Federation officers," He said, "We're trying to help."

[Lord Borg]

-Salara, Corridor-

T'Sa stood up and moved back againts the wall, but had her hands out so the guard could see them.

"It's ok," she started. "We arn't going to hurt you. We're trying to save your home world."

[Spellbinder Marik]

-Salara, Corridor-

The Guard didn't lower his disruptor.
"Are you with the group that Admiral Ditex is escorting to Romulus?"

[Lord Borg]

-Salara, Corridor-

T'Sa nodded quickly.

"Yes, yes we are. Romulus is under attack, we are trying to help, we got lost. We will do what we need to help, you know. Protect...protect Romulus."

[Spellbinder Marik]

[Founder]

-Romulan Starbase TMat, Wardroom-



A large Romulan starbase held a stationary orbit several systems away from Romulus. It was dangerously close to the Federation space station, Deep Space Guardian. Even though relations between the Federation and the Romulans have deteriorated, the pointy eared beings kept a close watch on the sister station a few systems away. Their ships could never get too close with the anti-cloak scan it used. Both would keep a paranoid watch on the other, but neither did anything. Sela, head of the Tal Shiar, was furious that the Federation continue to mock the Romulans by allowing the refugees that fled Romulus when the Tal Shiar took over. Their take over was a result of a diplomatic mission gone bad. What most don't know is that they tightened their grip in paranoia of all the Federation, Klingon, Lyran, and Mirak officers on their planet. They wanted to be sure that the terrorists who foiled the meeting did not flee, nor did the alien officers take advantage of the chaos. Nearly a year has passed since then and the Tal Shiar has returned to the shadows, leaving politics in the hands of the Senate. Normally, they would never have taken direct control like that, but with the Dominion war and incident with Shinzon, it has left the government shaken. Relations have not gotten any better as Romulans feel betrayed by the actions of the Federation in regards to Donatra and her followers. Several times have they demanded for her to be returned, but the Federation has ignored all calls. Now, an uncomfortable silence is all that holds the fragile peace they once had after Shinzons take over.

"Where is he!?" A Romulan said.

Several Romulans sat inside of a dark wardroom, staring tensely at each other. A communications black out of Remus has drawn concern. They tried contacting Romulus, but there was a problem with the return message. A ship was disptached to ascertain what was going on.



"Quiet D'Tar," Pordek scolded, "I am telling you, it is another uprising on Remus. We must do something to better control those prisoners."

D'Tar looked unsure, but accepted his explanation.

"We shall see." He said.

Taibok stared at the others with annoyance. He hated sitting here when there was potential danger.

"It is rather infuriorating we have to sit here like a pack of Ferengi playing Tongo." He said.

Sotak, sitting at the head of the table, tried to calm the others.

"The IRW S'Tet should be returning shortly," She said, "They've been gone for hours..."

Just then, a Romulan officer rushed into the room, obviously carryin distresing news. The others quietly turned towards him, waiting for a report.



"It is worse then we thought," He said, "There is no revolt on Remus. The S'Tet had detected a massive Nautolian fleet nearing Romulus and Remus."

The Romulans around the table began to speak amongst themselves in shock and anger about this. It was no secret that Fito was going to eventually attack Romulus. The Nautolians and Romulans had a very short and insignifigant war before and a little during the Dominion war. The Nautolians, back then peace makers, sought a way to end the war. The Romulans who were now engaged with the Dominion, gladly agreed, not wanting a war on two fronts. A very uncomfertable hatred remained between the two species. When the Tal Shiar gained news of Fito taking control of the Nautolian race and turning it into a dictatorship, they knew if Fito wanted to spread his empire, Romulus would be one of the choices. Especially since he was imprisoned on Remus for a short time.

"We knew this day was coming," D'Tar said, "I can not believe that...we...didn't foresee it earlier."

He was careful in choosing his words. What he had implied was how the Tal Shiar failed to gain information on the exact date Fito would attack. They had managed to learn of plans of Romulus invasion, but did not have a specific date. The Romulans had begun to prepare planetary defenses and even created a fleet to combat any approaching Nautolians. It was not easy to do since Romulus, like the Federation and Klingon empire, was rebuilding from the Dominion War. They were spread horribly thin. It was still not wise to criticize the Tal Shiar. Anyone could be a member...

"We knew this day was coming," Sotak said, "Now, we must send the fleet. Contact all Romulan ships, colonies, and starbases. Romulus is under attack."

Taibok looked at the messenger.

"Approximate number of Nautolian ships?" He asked.

The messenger approached a screen on the wall and entered in something from a datapad he held.

"This is the recording from their sensors." He reported.

An image appeared on the screen of how many ships there were.



Each dot symbolized just how many ships there were...for the Nautolian side. There were far too many. A lot more than was predicted by intelligence. Fito had come with a massive mixed fleet, all under his banner and ready to carry out his evil will.

"Oh no..." Taibok said.

-Romulus Capitol, Senate Chambers-



It was certainly no secret that a Nautolian fleet was heading towards them or at least, dangerously close to them. The Senate convened and called for admirals to come forward and present the situation to them. Two admirals stood at the center of the lavish room that houses the politics of the Romulan Star Empire. They stood under the new symbol of Romulus, in almost iconic way. The fight for Romulus would soon begin. The senators leaned forward, listening intently on the message they would spread. Time was of the essence, because with every word they spoke, the Nautolian fleet drew closer.



"Quickly," The praetor said, "What news do you have on this situation?"

The admiral stepped forward, his expression already revealing the news.

"They have more ships then anticpated," He reported, "We've already sent messages out to the task force, but they will take a twenty minutes to reach us."

The senators spoke amongst themselves, obviously distressed by this news.

"What of the planetary defenses?" The praetor asked.

The admiral sighed and looked back at the other officer who could only bow his head in shame.

"Preliminary testing has shown many faults," He said, "We would overloard the entire system if we activated it. We've tried repairing the problem, but the defense is simply too powerful. It overloads everytime..."

The praetor looked at the admiral with cold fury.

"What are you saying admiral?" He asked, wanting to hear the man say it himself.

"The Nautolian fleet is approaching Remus based off of our scans," He said, "I doubt they will stop there for long. We can get the defense field activated...but not before they get here. It will be up to the task force to fight them off."

The praetor stared downwards at the marble floor of the Senate. The Nautolians were coming and due to man power shortages and technical problems...they were defenseless...

"Romulus will fight!" The admiral said loudly, "We braved the Dominion and we will defeat the Nautolians!"

Before the senators could cheer his words, the praetor looked on sadly.

"We had the Federation and Klingons on our side then," He said, "Who will stand with us now?"

The somber mood quickly erased the patriotism. It was true. They alienated their former allies and were now alone. The praetor stared out into the roof of the senate chambers and wondered just what was going on up there...

-Salara, Corridor-

Ian motioned for the Romulan to walk forward.

"By all means," He said, "Please lead us there."

He shot a look towards T'Sa, then back at the Romulan centurien.

+2 Dilithium. Great attention to detail and true to form.

Ziona

[Lord Borg]

-Salara, Corridor-

T'Sa gave a look to Ian, who could see it only as a shrug. She slowly fell into step behind the Romulan. She paid close attention to the uniform, and the markings on it. Knowing that he was patrolling the corridors with a disrupter, he had to logically be in security. A Sublieutenant, in security, however looking at the freshness at the uniform, not to long ago perhaps, he was a Uhlan. Or, he was a higher rank, but was demoted. Unlikely, due to how young he looks, despite the Vulcan/Romulan longevity, one that looked young like that usually was. T'Sa nudged Ian, when the Romulan didn't see it, and pointed to the Romulan, and mouthed 'Sublieutenant'. Any information is useful information, if things go wrong.

-Cavern network, unknown location, Romulus-

Several people were moving about their lives, almost with out a care in a cavern. Some were tending to plants, some to other things, some just moving about. Several lights illuminated the area for everyone to see. Suddenly, a young Romulan came rushing though, startling the group at his sudden appearance.

"I have dire news!"

The Young Romulan looked about quickly, scanning the faces. He opened his mouth to speak again, when a voice from behind him spoke in the shadows.

"Calm down, there is no need to panic everyone."

The Romulan turned to face the voice, but he could not see the face due to the shadows.

"No!," yelled. "You don't get it, The Nautolians! They are invading the system!"

The figure raised in eyebrow in surprise.

"This is most distressing news, indeed."

Someone nearby spoke, the voice filled with panic.

"We have to leave!"

The figure turned to face them.

"And where," he began, speaking coolly, showing no sign of emotion. "Would you have us go? If the Nautolians are indeed, invading, we would not even make it out of the system, if we even made it off the planet."

"Then where! Where do we go!? What would you have us DO!"

The figure stood there, not phased by the outburst of rising emotion from the crowed.

"The only thing we can do."

The figure stepped forward, but his face was still covered by the darkness.

"We fight."

+1 Dilithium. Nailed Spock's character.

Founder

[Spellbinder Marik]

[Ziona]

Salara, Quarters

Dreams didn't even plague Ziona as she slept soundly, something she needed greatly. She thought of nothing, heard nothing, dreamed nothing. It was as if she were dead to the world and to her own mental thoughts. The sleep was so deep in fact that she didn't even hear the klaxon alarms going off at first. Upon pondering this situation later she wondered how exactly she hadn't heard the alarms for the few minute or so that they were going off.

Her dreamless sleep, however, was suddenly disrupted by a short but terrifying dream of a Nautolian grabbing her and dragging some sort of knife across her throat, slicing through veins and arteries and leaving her to die. As she "died" in her dream, alarms started to ring on whatever vessel it was that she dreamt she was on. The alarms ringing on the Romulan warbird came slowly into focus and Ziona opened her eyes, almost sitting up completely until she realized where she was.

"What the...?" She mumbled as she rolled over to look around. She suddenly remember that she wasn't on DSG and then it hit her that Ian had said they were in danger here. Ziona jumped off her bunk, grabbed her gold-shirt and pulled it on before dashing out into the hallway.

The hallway was vacant and she glanced up and down, suddenly a bit spooked by the absence of people. They were probably at their battle stations. A shiver rushed through Ziona as she began to extrapolate on exactly what could be going wrong! Something have set the Romulans on a frenzy and she wanted to know what it was. But the corridor was vacant and she couldn't hear anything going on nearby. A sigh escaped her lips.

"At least things are stable." She said, suddenly afraid she had said anything. Knowing her luck, things would start getting rocky any second now.

Her first object was to find Ian or T'Sa or Katran at this point. She just wanted to know what the hell was going on. Instinctively she reached to tap her combadge only to remember that she didn't have one on her person after she had discarded her singed jacket near the Nautolian ship on Deep Space Guardian. A curse broke forth from her lips as she muttered something about being an idiot for leaving it behind. So, she was lost. On a Romulan ship. In the middle of space. With an alert sounding for who knows what.

"Typical." She muttered. "Just typical." With that, she began traversing the halls, looking for anyone that could lead her to the bridge or anyone who might possibly know where Ian and the rest of her crew had run off to.

+2 Dilithium. Well detailed dream sequence.

Founder

[Lord Borg]

-Salara, Turbolift-

Several minutes had gone by as they were moving though the ship in the turbolift. T'Sa and Ian and the Romulan Sublieutenant had stood in silence, he looking them over had not gone unnoticed, and when he had finally spoke. T'Sa looked to the Romulan and studied him for a moment, judging the intents of the young male.

"Yes, I am" T'Sa replied simply.

T'Sa glanced over to Ian then back ahead.

Ziona!!

T'Sa's eyes widened as she suddenly remembered Ziona, she was probably not even aware of what was going on. She opened her mouth to speak when the turbolift had stopped on the bridge, and the three had stepped out. She turned to Ian and whispered.

"I'll go find Ziona; she is probably disturbed by the alarms by now, from the sirens."

T'Sa looked around at the chaos of the bridge. She sighed.

"Stay here, Ian. This is your place for the moment."

T'Sa looked to the Romulan.

"Please make adjustments to the computer to allow my self, and one more person to gain access to the bridge."

With that T'Sa moved back into the turbolift, and called for the level that the room Ziona was left in was located. The doors shut, and the turbolift sped off to the destination.

[Founder]

-Salara, Bridge-

Ian stepped off the bridge as T'Sa rushed off to find Ziona. He was well aware of Ziona, but didn't rush to her aid until he knew the amount of danger they were in. For now, Ziona needed to rest, not be awakened because of this. He planned on not having the Salara in the battle anways.

"Admiral Ditex?" He called out, looking for the man.

[Spellbinder Marik]

[Founder]

-Salara, Bridge-

Ian moved past the busy Romulan officers and approached the admiral.

"Admiral," Ian warned, "You can't take us into this battle. We have to get back to DSG."

[Spellbinder Marik]

[Lord Borg]

-Salara, Corridor-

T'Sa moved though the corridor quickly, having exited the turbolift. She rushed around a corner and stopped at the door and rang the chime. She waited several seconds then tried again. Still getting no answer, she opened the door and rushed in. She sighed in exaspheration when she saw on one was there and came back out and looked around in the corridor.

[Founder]

-Salara, Bridge-

[Spellbinder Marik]

-Salara, Bridge-

T�Rell watched as the Starfleet captain said they should leave. He came forward disruptor pointed at Ian.
�I�ll take him to the brig.� N�Tran seriously considered it for a moment. If their positions were reversed and it was a Romulan dignitary they wouldn�t hesitate to enter battle risking his or her life. N�Tran shook his head. As much as he wanted to fight for his home. He knew there would be another day for that and when that day came The Federation may take into account all the help N�Tran had given this day. N�Tran shook his head.
�Put it away Commander.� T�Rell didn�t lower the disruptor.
�Sir! You aren�t leaving are you?� N�Tran looked T�Rell in the eyes.
�Captain Xavier is right. One Warbird cannot win this fight. There will be another day to fight for our home. Helm, reverse course. Get us back to DSG.�

T�Rell watched the events unfold around him. He lowered the disruptor. N�Tran faced Ian again.
�You win Captain.�

[Republican_Man]

--Salara, Bridge--
Major Kyle Katran and Councilor James Watts finally arrived on the scene of the bridge.

The situation was chaotic. Activity bustled like no other, no doubt in response to the current incidents.

Watts felt a slight wave of fear overcome him. It had been more than 20 years since he last served in a combat situation, during his relatively brief tenure as a Starfleet officer prior to his resignation and entrance into the realm of politics.

Indeed during his tenure as a Starfleet officer, scoring the rank of Lieutenant, though no higher, he had served on board the USS Al-Batani along with now-Admiral Janeway during the Federation-Cardassian Wars. He was therefore no stranger to combat.
�What�s the word?� Katran said, pulling ahead of Watts. The councilor just stood back, allowing the events to unfold and information to pour out. Though he was a Starfleet officer for several years, one who had served in combat, he was a politician.

But the interruption went unnoticed, and James overheard Captain Xavier say, �I know this is difficult, but one warbird is not going to change the tide of battle. You are carrying a Federation dignitary onboard. It would not be proper to put him in danger, sir."

Watts stepped forward. �While that is the case, Captain,� the councilor said, �I do not believe it equally wise to deprive the Romulans of a precious ship that could aid the fleet in its efforts to thwart the Nautolians."

He paced slightly to the right, and continued. "I was in Starfleet for roughly 8 years before entering politics, and I fought in a few engagements during the Federation-Cardassian Wars, most notably serving on the USS Al-Batani�s away team, along with now-Admiral Janeway, as an assisting security officer during the battle on the now-closed Federation-Cardassian border outpost Matrix V, and I primarily served as a tactical officer on that ship during a number of engagements, including that one. I am therefore not unfamiliar with combat, and have no worries about my well-being a problem. Not one.�

He smiled kindly at the man. �I do thank you for your concern, however,� he said.