Deep Space Guardian: Season II-Episode 22

[Founder]

-Elerra Prime, Temple Interior-

The Titan's angry roar bellowed within the temple. The entire congregation was alit in flames, still praying. It stood tall at 30 feet. The small Zalbogian had of course refered to the ancient times. A foreign species had come to this planet in an attempt to invade it. Suffice it to say, the Zalbogian population dropped to mere dozens and this Titan was the last one left.

"I HAVE TO DEFEND WHAT IS LEFT OF OUR CULTURE," It said, "FITO WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM. NOT FOR ME. I HAVE FACED HIM BEFORE AND I CAN DESTROY HIM."

Ian looked over at Ziona, still in the claws of the monstrous beast.

[Ziona]

Elerra Prime, Temple Interior

Ziona lifted her head and looked over at Ian. She smiled gently at Ian.

"I guess this is it." She whispered to herself, raising to her knees and trying to steady herself. If she was going to die it wouldn't be lying down. "Listen!" She spoke up to the titan in front of her. "Despite everything you think you are... you're not going to be able to stand up to Fito. He's more than... than one species can handle." She wavered. "You NEED our help! You won't be able to destroy him. Can't you see that?"

[Lord Borg]

The one holding Ziona looked down at her. Curiouse person she was. The whole species was curiouse. He looked to the Titan again.

"You defend us well Titan.... but... what... what if their right? Fito has grown sense laast time, I saw the same images as you!"

The Creature looked to Ian. The man was weak... so was everyone. What if the Titan was right? Even worse though... what if the humans were right.

"The.....humans... they have not caused harm to us first in centurys... in all the years that... station has orbited our world, what harm have they done to use intentialy!"

the Creature looked at his hand, seeing Ziona look down to Ian. With decive thinking, he gathered the other humans up, and placed him in his hand.

"They have no reason to lie Titan... we should hear them out at least... considar thier offer..."

[Ziona]

Elerra Prime, Temple Interior

Ziona collapsed again, her eyes closing and her breathing becoming shallow again. That small outburst had drained her energy. She reached out and placed a hand on Ian's arm and squeezed lightly.

"Well, at least I'll go down with my Captain." She smiled and attempted to roll over onto her back. She looked up at the ceiling of the Temple and suddenly realized, from the vaulted ceiling, how insignificant she really was. She suddenly felt at peace and the pain seemed more numbing than anything else.

[Founder]

-Elerra Prime, Temple Interior-

Ian was lifted by the smaller Zalbogian. He cringed in it's tight grip, unable to fight back. He felt a soft touch on his arm and looked over to see it was Ziona, suffering from the pain.

"Please," He said, "Let them go..."

The Titan considered the words of the small Zalbogian. He did see that Fito was not the same tantive green creature he was when he first saw it. There was more power, but certainly not enough to bring down the Titan. If Fito led an army of those with mental abilities like him, it would be possible to bring him down. If the Titan died, the others would be lost without him. He knew that the crew of that star in the sky, their "station", did drive away the Elerrans, the intruders.

"WE WILL CONSIDER YOUR OFFER," It replied finally, "WE WILL NOT LEAVE OUR SACRED TEMPLE. IF YOU WISH FOR US TO DEAL WITH FITO, BRING HIM HERE, ALONE."

Ian felt the grip of the smaller Zalbogian loosen. Finally, good news.

"THEN YOU MUST LEAVE OUR WORLD," He demanded, "YOUR STAR TOO."

This was it. If it was done, the Federation would leave Elerra Prime forever. Deep Space Guardian would be assigned somewhere else. Ian and his father's legacy left behind...

"Agreed." Ian said.

[Ziona]

Elerra Prime, Temple Interior

Ziona smiled to herself and propped herself up on her elbows again. Finally, things were starting to go their way. Her head was starting to feel better and she started to breathe normally again.

She glanced over at Ian and nodded.

"We are greatful." She spoke quietly to the titen. "We are very..."she searched for words that would not get them into trouble. "ver... humbled and honored by your consideration. And we will obey your command when all is done."

[Republican_Man]

Katran was still on the ground. He had long passed out, and although some things processed through his telepathic mind, he was unconcious, and unable to do anything...Such...such power...

[Lord Borg]

The smaller creature nodded. HE reached his hand for the entrance the Humans used, and laid his palm out flat.

"Go...."

[Ziona]

Elerra Prime, Temple Interior

Ziona pulled herself out of the creature's hand and stumbled to the ground, falling to her knees on the stone. Her vision blurred a little and she blinked her eyes a few times, trying to see things right.

She fell forward onto her hands and sat there, trying to catch her breath and get her center of balance again.

[Founder]

-Elerra Prime, Temple Interior-

Ian wrapped an arm around Ziona's waist and held her up. He walked her over to Katran, who lay on the ground unconscious. With great difficulty, he lifted the man and slung him over one shoulder. He hoped that Blake would be able to get up on his own as he had run out of hands.

"Blake," He said, "Come on..."

He knew Blake would be able to get up. Whatever anyone can say about the man, he was strong. Their mission was a mild success. The Zalbogians were not really allies perse and the cost for their "support" was high. Federation presence would now be moved away from the planet. For what? Pretty much hiring an assasin squad, albeit powerful ones, to kill Fito. Had Ian become so obssesed? He continued to lead Ziona, while carrying Kyle, towards the entrance. Once the Zalbogians retreated, the temple returned to its original image. Broke statues with decayed skeletal remains everywhere. Rubble was now at their feet and Ian had to step over them. The devout worshippers were no where to be seen, no doubt illusions as well. Ian saw the entrance up ahead and the cool Elerra night awaited them. Now for the real question. How was Ian to lure Fito into the temple?

[Ziona]

Elerra Prime, Temple Interior

Ziona looked at Ian, nodding her thanks.

"I can manage of my own." She whispered to him. "I don't want to burden you. I came to help you, remember?"

Ziona helped Ian with Katran and the group made their way towards the exit.

[Republican_Man]

--Elerra Prime, Temple Interior--
Kyle Katran was still unconcious, only now on Captain Xavier's back...

--Dark Shadow, Bridge--
The Dark Shadow, flagship of Imperator Obisidian of the Nautolian Empire, floated in space. Dark Lord Obsidian--formerly known as Sit Fito--watched in excitement as the battle was being won by his forces. How pitiful were these Hydrans...
And finally, the last of the Hydran starfighters was destroyed by a Nautolian one.
At last the battle was won. At last Fito would have...an ally.
"Admiral Oasis," Obsidian said, rather loudly, walking down the aisle, containing his pleasure.
"Yes, Sire?" Oasis said, turning to his leader.
"Report," the dark lord ordered.
"We have lost three Nautolian starships--the Destiny, the Jorus, and the Titan--"
"Reassign those names to other ships," Obsidian interjected.
"Of course, Lord Obsidian," Oasis replied. "Continuing...the Demolisher is highly damaged and in great need of repair. The Dark Tide has received critical damage, but not nearly as much as the Demolisher..." He looked back at the console in front of him. "And finally, several other of our ships are damaged, but none severely. The Dark Shadow has sustained damage, but it is minimal, of course."
"And what of our fighter assignment?"
"It has sustained critical damage, my Lord..." the man who was normally the fleet's Vice-Admiral reported, looking at his console. "I am reading the survival of only 7 fighters in the entire assignment."
"As was to be expected..." Obsidian said. He smiled, darkly. "Contact the Hydran fleet. Perhaps they are...ready to talk about forming an alliance with them..." He smiled once again. Perhaps he could, at last, "convince" them to join his cause...
"Yes, my Lord," Oasis said, bowing his head swiftly before turning to the communication console, contacting the Hydrans.
Obsidian took one last look at the wreckage behind him...

[Micteth-Son of Udas]

Harfin Walked out of the shuttle bay, a small crew of marines behind him with some gear.

Harfin entered ops and spoke out
"ok, thats handled, so whats going on with the away team?"

[Founder]

-Elerra Prime, Temple Exterior-

[Lord Borg]

~DSG, OPS~

Archer steped foward, cutting Dicot off before he could speak. He asked Jones.

"Can you contact the away team?"

[Founder]

-DSG, OPS-

Jones looked over at Archer.

"I'm trying now sir." He replied.

His cybernetic fingers raced across the console.

"DSG to away team," He called out, "Please respond."

They waited for a few moments and heard nothing. Jones was preparing to send Dicot with is marines when suddenly there was a reply.

"Captain Xavier here," He said finally, "We're on our way back to the station. Mission was a success. Xavier out."

-Dark Shadow, Bridge-

Admiral Oasis slowly approached Obsidian, with a timid walk. He bowed to him then stood stiffly.

"My lord," He replied, "One of the few remaining ships have responded. Apparently you destroyed their admiral's ship in this attack. They have surrendered and are not surrendering. They claim they will till the last Hydran falls. Unless they join under the terms they offered..."

[Republican_Man]

--Dark Shadow, Bridge--
Obsidian turned to the admiral. Terms? Who were they to suggest terms? "What terms are their terms?" the Imperator asked.
Somewhat fearful, Oasis reported, "They have agreed to combatting the Klingons and the Romulans but refuse to do battle with the Federation."
"Then..." Obsidian began, smiling darkly at the man, giving a rather dark and evil chuckle. "Contact Grand Admiral Surak and Supreme General Koon. The fleet will be needed..."
"Yes, Lord Obsidian," the admiral responded, turning away thereafter, Obsidian smiling behind him...

[Founder]

-Shuttle, Helm-

Ian took the ship through the atmosphere and re-entered space. Kyle was laying in the back, while Ziona and Blake were at other stations. Blake had been quiet, even slightly disturbed by what had happened. What Ian or the others did not see was Blake retrieving a device he left at the entrance to the temple. Ian saw Deep Space Guardian coming up. It might be the last time he would see it...orbiting Elerra Prime.

-END EPISODE-