MacDermott turned and caught the foot of his opponent. Pushing off he spun his opponent around. Duncan advanced with a jab that was off target. His opponent grabbed his extended arm and pitched him to the ground. He landed on hard on his back. Instantly, he bridged and jumped back to his feet. Assuming a defensive stance he prepared from the next attack. The attacker advanced with a series of spin kicks that came closer and closer to MacDermott's face. These kicks were meant to break MacDermott's concentration. They succeeded. The last kick connected with his cheek, putting him down on one knee. MacDermott smiled, as he tasted the blood in his mouth. He looked at his opponent. The attacker, seeing an opportunity, advanced again. MacDermott was prepared. At the right time, MacDermott dropped to the mat and brought his legs up around the neck of his attacker and locked his ankles. With a twist of his hip, they were both on the mat panting.
Through deep breaths MacDermott heard Melora ask him. "Where did you learn that?"
"I can give all my secrets away. Can I?" He replied with a smile. He rolled on all fours just now catching his breath.
Duncan stood up and extended his hand. Melora took it and he pulled her up from the mat. He wiped the last of the blood from his lip. As Duncan looked at the blood on his hand he said. "Remind me never to make you mad at me. You might kill me." He laughed.
Melora stifled a laugh as she ran her hand down his bruised cheek. "I'm really sorry about that." A snicker escaped. "Really, I am." She burst out laughing.
Duncan handed her a towel. He looked at her with all the seriousness he could muster. "You know, I could have you brought up on charges for striking a superior officer and all. Maybe I should?"
She threw the towel at him. "You go right ahead. After the other night, I'm sure there is some charge I could have you brought up on." She told him with a sly grin.
Duncan laughed and put both hands in the air. "OK, I guess we're even." He extended his hand. Melora took his hand and shook it once. Before she could take her hand back, Duncan had pulled her to him and wrapped her in his strong arms. He looked deep into her eyes and smiled. He felt whole again. "I love you." He kissed her.
"I love you too." She said as their kiss broke.
They stood there for a long moment holding each other. Just being in the moment. Duncan had thought he'd lost her forever. Doomed to look at her inside the stasis chamber. For that moment it was just the two of them. No one else existed in the universe.
"Bridge to Captain MacDermott." Droned the voice over the intercom. The moment was gone.
MacDermott kissed her on the forehead and smiled. "Duty calls." He said as he walked over and picked up his combadge. "MacDermott here."
"Incoming message from Starfleet Command, Sir." The voice continued.
MacDermott picked up his belongings. "Understood. Route the message to my quarters." He told the voice.
"Aye Sir." The voice finished.
"Computer, end program." Duncan ordered. The mats disappeared, all that was there was the black and yellow hologrid. Duncan extended an arm. "Shall we?" Melora nodded and put her arm through his as they left the holodeck.
In Duncan's quarters, Melora went into the other room to shower and change as Duncan wrapped the towel around his neck and sat on the edge of his desk. He spun the console and activated it. The symbol of the Federation appeared on the screen. A moment later it was replaced by the image of Admiral Wright. "Admiral, what can I do for you today?" Duncan asked.
"Captain MacDermott, as you know, the war is not going well. Starfleet is in need of qualified officers to command the new ships coming off the line." Wright said without wasting time with pleasantries
MacDermott looked at the monitor. "With all due respect Admiral, what does that have to do with me?" He asked.
"I was getting to that. You're one of the best Captains in the fleet. We are having a meeting on Velus Prime to discuss potential candidates for the big chair. The meeting is in two days. I expect your attendance. Wright out." The screen went back to the Federation logo.
"Well I'll see you there, Admiral." Duncan said to the blank screen. The admiral didn't give him much choice. He tapped his combadge. "MacDermott to Kelley."
Jared Kelley was sitting in the officer's lounge having a cup of coffee with Lieutenant Ellen Hunter. She was a new officer in astrometrics. She had an athletic build, blond hair, and blue eyes. Her and Kelley have been spending a lot of time together lately. He looked up and replied. "Kelley here, Sir."
"Prep a Type 6 shuttle, we're going to Velus Prime." Duncan said.
"Velus Prime?" Ellen whispered.
"Shhh." Kelley said to Ellen with a finger to his lips. "Understood, Sir." Kelley looked at Ellen. "We're going to Velus Prime, so what?" He asked.
"The Luminous falls on the northern continent. Suppose to be the most romantic place in the sector." She said quietly. "I have a couple of days leave coming. See if I can hitch a ride on the shuttle with you." She asked, taking his hand in hers.
"I don't know. I wouldn't know how to ask the Captain." Jared countered.
"I have a new bathing suit." She said seductively.
Jared's eyes widened at the thought of Ellen in anything less than a duty uniform. "OK, you win. I'll ask him."
Ellen smiled.
Duncan walked onto the bridge. "XO, I have to go to Velus Prime. Mr. Kelley has graciously volunteered, Duncan said with a smile, to pilot the shuttle."
"Captain, about that." Kelley began.
Duncan turned to him. "You know I was thinking. I'm going to be tied up in meetings for a couple of days. I'll grant leave to anybody who wants to go with you. No point in you just sitting there alone. Do you know of anyone who would want to go?" Duncan knew of the budding relationship between his helmsman and the pretty Lieutenant from Astrometrics.
Kelley smiled. "Yes Sir. I think I do." He turned back to his console. Duncan and Kern shared a smile as Duncan sat down.
"When do you leave, Sir?" Kern asked.
"0930, you have the bridge. I need to finish packing. " Duncan got up and got in the turbolift. "Deck 3."
At 0920, MacDermott and Melora walked into the shuttle bay. The small shuttle's rear hatch was open. Kelley emerged from the shuttle. "Sir, we're ready to leave as soon as you are."
"Very good." Duncan said as Kelley took MacDermott's bag and loaded it in the shuttle. "Jared, where's your escort?"
"Should be here...." The doors to the shuttlebay opened and Lt. Hunter walked through the door. ".....Here she is now."
"Lieutenant." Duncan said with a nod of his head.
Hunter looked at him and said. "Captain, thank you for granting me leave and letting me go along."
"Not a problem. You'd better get your bag stowed." He said.
"Aye Sir." She said before she walked up the ramp into the shuttle.
Melora and Duncan were alone there in the hangerdeck. "I wish I was going with you." She told him taking his hands in hers.
"I know. I wish you were going too. I'll be so busy though, I really wouldn't have any time to spend with you." Duncan told her. "You'd just be sitting there all by yourself."
"All right. Just hurry back. OK?" She told him as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Duncan kissed her back. When their lips parted. "I'll see you soon. I love you." He whispered.
With her arms still around his neck, her fingers idly twirling the hair on the back of his head, she smiled and said. "I love you too."
Duncan walked up the ramp. At the top he stopped and turned. He waved to her as the door closed. Once the hatch sealed he made his way to the cockpit. Kelley was already in the right hand chair. MacDermott took the left chair and Hunter was in a seat behind Kelley.
Kelley said. "Missouri, this is shuttle Aldrin, we are ready to depart."
"Aldrin, you are clear for departure." The controller's voice said.
"Roger." Kelley responded. The shuttle vibrated slightly as it lifted off the deck. Silently it moved through the force field that held the atmosphere inside the shuttle bay. Once clear the shuttle was free to navigate.
"Missouri, this is Captain MacDermott. We'll see you at the rendezvous point in three days. MacDermott out."
"Captain," Kelley said, "the Missouri acknowledges our message and wishes us a good trip."
Kern turned to the helmsman. "Resume our patrol."
"Aye Sir." The helmsman responded. The Missouri turned away from the shuttle and flashed into warp.
Hunter was asleep on one of the bunks in the rear of the shuttle. Duncan turned to Kelley. "Jared, I've been meaning to ask you something for a long time."
"Sir?" He responded.
"In the Jovian slalom race in '70, You did some of the best flying I'd ever seen. You came from 7th place to a very close third. You lost, just barely, to Tom Paris and John Dixon. That was the first tied race in 50 years." Duncan said.
"You were there Sir?" He asked. Next to his father, Kelley thought that MacDermott was as good as they got. Unknown to MacDermott, he'd become a mentor and surrogate father to the young helmsman.
"I try never to miss the Slalom. Could you have won that race?" Duncan asked.
"Yes Sir." Kelley said enthusiastically. "If I'd had one hundred thousand more kilometers I would have won. "
"That maneuver you made around Titan was amazing. " Duncan continued to praise him.
"That was the secret." He began explaining, using his hand to visualize. "I used a combination of Jupiter's and Titan's gravity. The other two swung out too wide and lost the effect of Jupiter's gravity." Kelley explained, still proud of himself after all these years.
They heard Ellen stirring in the rear of the shuttle. Duncan said. "I'm going to get a little rest." MacDermott and Hunter passed each other as she approached the cockpit. "Lieutenant, how's the ride back there?" He asked making small talk.
"It's fine, Captain." She responded.
Duncan lay down on the cot. A few minutes later as his mind drifted between consciousness and sleep, he heard the two of them chatting. He smiled as he drifted off to sleep.
After what seemed like only minutes Lt. Hunter was gently wakening MacDermott. "Sir, we're twenty minutes out of Velus Prime."
As the fog in Duncan's head cleared. "Thank you, Lt." Duncan sat up and rubbed his face. He moved to the cockpit to see the beautiful planet of Velus Prime spinning below. The dead rock known as Velus Minor was behind Velus prime. It was too large to be called a moon. The Velusians had mined the rock extensively. Now it was nothing but a worthless hunk of rock. "You have the coordinates of the meeting place, Lt."
"Aye Captain." Kelley responded.
The shields of the shuttle flared as the little ship entered the atmosphere. She shuttle bounced a little in the turbulent air of the planet. Kelley was quick to find smooth air. Duncan got the distinct impression he was showing off. However it was not for the benefit of his commanding officer, but the young lady in the seat next to him.
The shuttle approached the main city of Velus. Tall spires reaching hundreds of feet into the air. The spires were made of a metal that seemed to glow in the light of red giant star that Velus orbited. Kelly set the shuttle down with a whisper.
"Nice flying, Jared." Duncan commended as he retrieved his bag from storage. "You two have fun." He told them as the ramp lowered. "I know I will be." He added sarcastically.
"Thank you, Captain." The two of them responded together.
An attaché to Admiral Wright was waiting when Duncan emerged from the shuttle. "Captain MacDermott, right this way. I'll be your escort. Accommodations have been prepared for you and your party." The Bolian officer said. MacDermott got the impression that this officer had found his niche and was very happy. Duncan nodded courteously and followed the Bolian to the transporter station.
Outside of Duncan's room. The Bolian said. "Captain, the first session begins precisely at 1300."
The door to his quarters opened. "Thank you, Commander." Duncan entered his quarters. Very nice. He thought. He tossed his bag onto the bed.
At 1245 Duncan entered the conference area. Duncan thought to himself. If the Dominion knew of this meeting, they could deal a serious blow to the Federation. Too many starship Captains together. Who's ever idea this was, was an idiot. In one corner of the room stood Captains Turner, Reming and Lex of the Cantabrian, Condor, and Argus respectively. A group in the middle contained Captain Arkana of the Thunderchild. The Thunderchild was recently recalled from the Voyager rescue mission. Also there was Captain Morgan of the Renegade. The two of them nodded a welcome toward MacDermott. Standing alone in another corner was Captain Picard of the Enterprise.
Duncan made his way toward Picard. "Captain Picard?" Duncan began.
"Captain MacDermott, how very good to see you again." The words rolled off the older man's lips. "That was good work you and the Missouri did in that mess at Bajor VIII." Picard said shaking his hand.
"Thank you, Captain." MacDermott replied, remembering that day.
"Jean-Luc, please." Picard countered.
Duncan smiled. "All right, Duncan then. How's Will, Commander Riker?" He asked.
"He's fine. I'm hoping to leave here with a command for him. There are some fine ships coming out of Utopia Planitia." Picard said.
"If I can do anything to help. Will would make a fine Captain." Duncan said. "I'm hoping there is a spot for my first officer too."
"I've heard many fine things about Commander Kern." Picard told him. "Maybe we could have dinner together after the session. Besides Commander Riker, I understand we have a mutual friend." Picard continued.
"Dinner sounds wonderful. If you mean Mr. Worf, you're right." Duncan wondered how much Picard knew of their mission to Tarax Prime.
"Good. We'd better take our seats. Here comes the Admiral." Picard said pointing toward the door.
Ellen Hunter rose from the water like an angel. Jared watched her with rapt fascination as she strode over to where he was sitting and sat down on the beach next to him.
Across the small lagoon, rising up for over one thousand meters was the falls. A person could not see the top of the falls from the lagoon due to the clouds that gathered near the top.
Jared rubbed Ellen's back with the towel. She looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. Jared returned the smile and relished in the fact that he was here alone with her in the first place. She was easily one of the best looking women on the Missouri. She had her pick of any man on board. They had hit it off almost instantly. It seems they shared an interest in twentieth century Big band music. Their first date was on the holodeck listening to Glenn Miller and his orchestra. Jared didn't know if she was the one for him to spend the rest of his life with, but he was sure having fun now.
"Isn't it beautiful here?" She asked him.
Jared looked around and then looked back at her. "Not as beautiful as some other things around here." Jared said with a smile. He knew it sounded like a line, but she really was beautiful.
Ellen face flushed with embarrassment. "Stop it. You're embarrassing me." She admonished him.
Jared smiled and gave her a little kiss on the shoulder as she leaned against him.
She smiled and looked into his eyes. Jared gently pulled her face toward his and kissed her.
Admiral Wright stood on the podium. "Thank you all for your attendance here. It is my belief that these new candidates will be some of the best captains that Starfleet has...present company excluded." The room full of captains seated around the large oval table all stood as the Admiral stepped down and left the room. Almost immediately the room broke into small discussion groups, some favorable of the candidates considered, others not.
"Well Jean-Luc, I think we did pretty good, except for the fact that we're both going to looking for first officers." Duncan said as they left the room.
"You're right about that." Picard answered.
The two captains came to an intersection in the hallway. They stopped and shook hands. "Good Luck, Jean-Luc. Take care of yourself."
"You too, Duncan." The older captain said as he took his hand back. Picard turned on his heel and proceeded down the hall. Duncan turned the opposite way and made his way toward the meeting place he had set up with Kelley before the meetings began.
Duncan walked along the city streets thinking about how much this planet was removed from the horrors of the war. As he looked around he saw none of images of war. This planet was so peaceful and serene. In the distance he saw his two comrades. A moment later they saw him also and began to make their way toward him.
"Lieutenants." Duncan said with a nod to both of them.
"Captain, how are you? The shuttle has been preflighted and were ready to go." Kelley told him.
Duncan was impressed with Kelley's initiative. "Shall we?" Duncan said pointing the way.
A few minutes walk and they were at the aerodrome and in the shuttle.
Duncan looked around the shuttle making sure everything was ready. "Mr. Kelley, take us out."
"Aye, Captain." Kelley replied. "Velus control, Shuttle Aldrin requesting departure vector."
The voice of the controller droned. "Shuttle Aldrin, your vector is 347 mark 12, have a safe trip."
"Thank you control. Aldrin out." Kelley responded. Jared laid in the course and speed. With the slightest shudder the shuttle left the ground and pointed herself skyward.
"Contact the Missouri, Tell them we're on schedule for the rendezvous." Duncan ordered.
The shuttle sped through space toward its rendezvous with the Missouri. Kelley manned the controls while MacDermott and Ellen dozed. It was very routine, so routine that Kelley started to nod off himself. He was jarred back to consciousness by the shuttle's proximity alarm. He quickly scanned the sensor readout and from what he saw he got very scared. "CAPTAIN!" He called out.
MacDermott hurried to the cockpit. "What is it?"
"Sensors picked up a Cardassian Galor class warship. It's closing at warp 6." Kelley reported.
Duncan sat down in the seat next to Kelley. "How long?" He asked.
"Three minutes, tops." Jared reported as he changed course trying to put more space between them and the Cardassians.
"How long till we rendezvous with the Missouri?" Duncan asked hoping he'd been asleep longer than he'd thought.
"Six hours, forty seven minutes." Jared reported, desperation beginning to show in his voice.
"OK. Have the Cardassians begun to jam us yet?" Duncan continued calmly.
Jared answered. "No Sir."
"Get out a general distress call. Tell them hostile forces are pursuing us; give our course and present location. Do it now." Duncan ordered.
Ellen walked up from the rear of the cabin. "What's happening?"
"Not now, Lieutenant." Duncan replied tersely.
Kelley began. "This is the shuttle Aldrin from the USS Missouri we are being pursued by a Car...... Damn, we're being jammed, Sir."
"Did you get the message out?" Duncan asked hopefully.
Jared frowned. "Not all of it."
"Bring up the shields." Duncan ordered as beads of sweat started to break out on his forehead.
"Shields up, Sir." Kelley reported.
Inside the Cardassian vessel the Gul smiled. "Another Starfleet shuttle. Good."
His second in command, Prenit was also smiling. "Shall I prepare the interrogation facilities?"
"Please do." Gul Renat said
Prenit turned on his heel and left the bridge of the Cardassian vessel. Renat looked at his bridge crew. "Weapon's officer. Fire."
The little shuttle rocked as the Cardassian weapons struck its shields. Again and again the shields took the pounding of the Cardassian ship.
"Shields failing, Sir" Kelley reported as the shuttle rocked again.
"Warp drive is off-line. Weapons off-line." Hunter reported.
Duncan thought to himself. So this is how it ends, in a shuttle without firing a shot. "Computer, begin computer purge routines." At least they won't get their hands on any important information. "You two, grab a phaser. Set to kill."
The two junior officers nodded as Kelley handed MacDermott a phaser. He too set his to kill.
"Purge routine complete." The computer said as the transporter effect took hold of the three of them.
"Mr. Kern, I am receiving a distress call from the Captain's shuttle." T'Gerran reported.
Kern turned. "Let's hear it."
"This is the shuttle Aldrin from the USS Missouri we are being pursued by a Car......" Kern instantly recognized the voice as Kelley's.
Kern looked surprised. "Where's the rest of the message?"
"Transmission jammed at the source, Sir." T'Gerran reported.
"Where?"
T'Gerran said. "Bearing 235 mark 99. Distance 7 light years."
"Helm, set course, maximum warp. Do it." Kern ordered urgently. "Engineering, we need all the power we can get. The Captain's shuttle is being pursued by unknown hostiles."
"Understood, Bridge." O'Roarke said. He looked out the window of his office toward the warp core of the Missouri as it pulsed with the energy of total annihilation as matter and antimatter combined.
The three Starfleet officers materialized on the Cardassian vessel. They quickly realized their phasers didn't beam over with them and twenty Cardassian soldiers covered them with weapons pointed at them. A Cardassian came up to them and bound each officer's hands behind their back. There was no point in resisting yet. Duncan looked at his two officers. He could tell they were scared, but they were doing their best not to show it. As was he.
The group of Cardassians parted as a pair, obviously the Gul and his second made their way through the crowd toward them. As Renat approached, Ellen Hunter caught his eye. Renat smiled at her. She did not return the look. She bowed her head. "I am Gul Renat and you are prisoners of the Cardassian government. If you cooperate, you will merely spend the rest of you lives in a Cardassian prison. If you choose not to cooperate, you will die wishing you would have cooperated." Renat said with a sneer that told MacDermott he was serious and just not trying to scare them.
MacDermott spoke even though he knew it wouldn't do any good. "You cannot torture prisoners of war, it goes against the Khitomer Accords."
"Silence human." Renat began. "From now on you no longer have names or identities you are no better than animals. Take them away and keep them separated. "
A guard approached each of the prisoners. As they led Hunter away, MacDermott could see the fear in her eyes and knew the Cardassians would have little trouble breaking her.
"It's all right, Ellen." Kelley called out to her. He forced a smile as they made eye contact.
MacDermott winced as the butt of a Cardassian laser rifle knocked Kelley to his knees by a blow to his kidneys. "Silence." The guard yelled.
Renat ordered his guard. "Take the young one to my interrogation room. Prenit, take the other to the chamber and contact our friend. You and him may take care of this one. Oh yes, one last thing, destroy their shuttle. I'm sure the good Captain here," He nodded toward MacDermott. "has wiped the computer core. So it is no use to us."
"Understood." Prenit said motioning to the guards.
Kelley was back on his feet now, though still trying to catch his breath. "Move!" The guard ordered as he pushed Kelley.
The last guard pushed MacDermott through the door just in time to see the door close behind Kelley.
Renat looked at Prenit and said quietly. "Have the female taken to my quarters."
Prenit just smiled.
The door opened in front of MacDermott and the first thing he noticed was the stench, then the water flowing down the wall. Must be some sort of wastewater extraction system. He thought. In the middle of where the water was falling was a set of shackles. He recognized them as the same type that Sito hung from when they rescued her from the Cahltoo Prison. He also noticed that the remains of a Starfleet uniform lying against the wall. The guard pushed Duncan toward the shackles as Prenit pressed a button on the wall and the shackles lowered. The guard released MacDermott's hands long enough to put them in the shackles that hung from the ceiling. As soon as MacDermott was secured, Prenit touched the button and the shackles jerked upward cutting into the skin on MacDermott's wrists. Soon Duncan had the wastewater falling over him, soaking his skin and uniform. The stinking water stung his eyes and burned the cuts on his wrists.
Prenit made a motion for the guard to leave. As the guard left another entered the room carrying a device with two leads coming off of it.
The hooded stranger stopped next to Prenit. Duncan couldn't hear what was being said because of the water. MacDermott couldn't believe his eyes when the stranger removed his hood. He was a Bajoran.
"This is Trell Leron." Prenit explained. "You seem surprised that he is a Bajoran. Some of them have decided that our way really was the best. Mr. Trell here has forgotten more about dispensing pain than you and I will ever know." The Cardassian laughed.
Leron nodded toward the prisoner. "Pleased to meet you."
"Likewise." Duncan said sarcastically.
Prenit paced in front of him. "We need to know a few things. You tell us and Mr. Trell here won't have to use his expertise here. "
"What is that thing?" Duncan asked, shaking his head to keep the fowl water from filling his mouth.
Leron looked at his toy. "This, this is just a storage device. I bled off a little energy from a power conduit into it." He held up one of the leads. Its serrated edge was crusted with blackened blood. "When I touch the leads to your skin the energy is discharged into your body. It's quite painful."
"I bet it is." Duncan said trying not to show his fear.
Prenit began again. "We know you are Captain Duncan MacDermott of the Starship Missouri. We want to know where your fleet staging area is for the upcoming invasion."
"What invasion?" MacDermott asked playing dumb.
Prenit laughed. "Come now, Captain, don't play me for a fool. I'll give you one more chance."
"I'm telling you I don't know." Duncan retorted.
"Mr. Trell." Prenit simply said.
As the Bajoran approached, MacDermott yelled. "GET AWAY FROM ME!" Duncan tried to kick him but just swung from his shackles.
The Bajoran reached up and tore the uniform top away from MacDermott's body. "It works best on bare skin." Trell said matter of factly.
As the leads touched his flesh, MacDermott screamed in pain. It was as if every nerve ending in his body fired at the same time. He didn't even notice the cuts the leads left on his skin until the putrid water began to burn.
"Where is the staging area?" Prenit asked again.
"Go to hell!" MacDermott spat back.
Prenit waved for Trell to continue.
"AHHHHHHHHHH" MacDermott screamed again as leads cut into his flesh. "Go to hell!" His breath ragged from the pain.
"We'll see. Keep at him. He'll talk." Prenit continued. "I have other duties." He said thinking of the woman.
Leron smiled. He was truly a man who enjoyed his work.
Prenit left the room to the sounds of MacDermott screaming again.
"Commander Kern, we're coming up on the last coordinates we have for the Captain's shuttle." T'Gerran said. "All I'm picking up is debris."
"Any weapon's signatures?" Kern asked.
"Cardassian, Sir." The Klingon said with a snarl. "Commander, I'm also picking up a warp signature. It could be the Cardassian vessel."
"Direction?" Kern asked bluntly looking as the pebble sized debris floating in front of the Missouri.
The Klingon spat. "A direct course for the Cardassian frontier."
"Understood. Helm match course. Warp 9. Can we catch them before they cross the border?" He asked.
"Doubtful by the amount of decay of the warp signature." Costello warned. "Commander, we just can't invade Cardassian space on our own personal vendetta."
"Oh really, tell that to MacDermott's family, to Lt. Ito, to Admiral Kelley, or to Lt. Hunter's family." Kern said.
Amanda bowed her head. She knew what it was like to lose family in war. "Tom, at least notify Starfleet command." She said.
Kern acquiesced. "You're right. T'Gerran notify Starfleet command, tell them we are in pursuit of a Cardassian vessel that destroyed Captain MacDermott's shuttle."
A few moments later T'Gerran said. "Commander, Admiral Wright wishes to speak with you."
"Very well, on screen." Kern ordered.
The screen changed from the stars hurtling by to the symbol of the federation, then to an image of Admiral Wright. "Commander Kern, call off your chase."
Simply Kern asked. "Why?"
Wright was taken aback by his order being questioned. "Because I ordered it. That's why, Commander." Wright said pulling rank.
"Admiral with all due respect, I can't do that. That Cardassian vessel killed three crewmen, including the Captain of this vessel. I won't just stand by and watch them cross the border." Kern felt his ire rising.
"Commander, you know I could have you run out of the fleet for gross insubordination." Wright continued.
Kern thought for a moment. "Yes Sir you can, but that's not going to happen before I reach that Cardassian vessel."
"Commander what are you going to do when you catch them? The Katana class vessel would be a handsome prize for a power-hungry Gul. There are too many secrets aboard the Missouri for her to fall into enemy hands. You have the ASCM system, which's still in testing. Think Commander, think before you do something rash." Wright pleaded.
"I have thought about it." Kern lied. He was running on impulse. He was using his heart not his head. "I will not stop."
Admiral Wright frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that, son, because it just cost you your own command. I'm not pressing charges of insubordination because you're not thinking straight right now, but you will never command a starship of your own. Wright out." The image blinked back to the star flying past. The bridge was silent; the only sound was that of the buzzes and beeps of the computer.
Kern fell back into the big chair. "He was right." Kern muttered putting his head in his hands.
"What?" Amanda asked as she strained to hear.
Kern repeated. "He was right. MacDermott was right. He told me if I didn't learn to keep control; I would never have a ship of my own. Now I've gone and done it."
Amanda put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "I'm with you, Tom."
"As am I, Commander. To the end." T'Gerran said. A smile that told Kern, the Klingon couldn't wait to get into battle.
Everyone on the bridge repeated the sentiment with a nod or a smile. Kern took some solace in that.
Prenit entered the holding area where Hunter sat huddled in the corner. "Stand up." He ordered.
Reluctantly she did as she was told. "What are you going to do with me?"
"The Gul has an interest in you." He smirked. Renat has always had a weakness for human women that I will never understand. He thought. Prenit commented. "If you behave yourself your life could be quite pleasurable."
"No." Hunter protested knowing what the Cardassian meant.
Prenit knew better than to strike her. Renat would likely have him killed if he did. "Move or you will die." He threatened.
With her hands still bound behind her she walked past Prenit. The Cardassian watched her lithe body move as she walked past. Maybe I could learn to like human women.
The doors to Renat's quarters opened. They were opulent to say the least. From the walls hung Cardassian and Bajoran tapestries, the bed was ornate with large pillows. Prenit removed her shackles.
Hunter rubbed her wrists as she looked cautiously around. She then noticed Prenit staring at her and she felt ashamed. "Where are my shipmates?"
"They are none of you concern anymore." The Cardassian told her. "If you behave, things could go easier on them." Prenit lied. She was nothing more than a toy for the Renat. Prenit didn't know what Renat did with the females after he finished with them. He didn't want to know.
Kelley had sat in the duranium chair with his arms and legs bound. It seemed like he had been there for hours. The only lights were one directly above him and one that shone on a simple table full of tools. Kelley couldn't take his eyes off the table. It was as if he was afraid that the tools would come after him under their own power. Some of the tools looked very old. Some looked very new. Some of the tools were caked with blood others were very sterile looking.
Kelley jumped when he heard a voice in the darkness. Kelley recognized the voice as that of Gul Renat. "I see you like my tools." He said, his voice dripping with pride.
"What are they for?" Kelley asked, afraid he already knew the answer.
Renat stepped in to the light. "The extraction of information of course."
That's what I was afraid of. Kelley thought to himself.
Duncan hung limp from his shackles in the putrid water as Prenit walked into the room. "Well has he told us what we want to know yet?"
"No." The Bajoran said. "I don't think he knows. No one could hold out against that."
"Hit him again. Don't stop until he tells us where that staging area is. Do you understand me?" The Cardassian ordered.
Leron looked at him, Renat he could tolerate, but this one. He'd had soon use the device on him as a prisoner. "Yes." He bowed.
"Good. I'll be on the bridge. Contact me when he's ready to talk." Prenit commanded.
The Bajoran approached MacDermott again with the leads. Duncan's wounds already becoming infected from the water. "No. No more." Duncan struggled to get the words out.
"All you have to do is tell us what we want to know, human." Leron reiterated to him.
Duncan mustered all the strength he could. He spat a mouthful of the filthy water on the Bajoran. "Go to hell."
Leron wiped the water from his face. Truly angered he drug the leads across MacDermott chest again.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH. GO TO HELL! AHHHHHHHHHH." Duncan screamed as the leads cut into his flesh again.
Kelley screamed as Renat pulled another of his fingernails off.
"Where is the staging area for the invasion." Renat asked again.
Tears streamed down Kelley's face. "I DON'T KNOW."
Renat walked around behind Kelley as he sobbed. Suddenly Renat pulled a garrote tight around his neck choking off his airway. The Cardassian's breath was in his ear. "I could kill you right now, but that would not get me the information I want. You are tough for a human. Most would have broken by now. Maybe the female has the information I need. She is very attractive. What is that old Terran saying, 'you can attract more flies with honey than vinegar.'" He whispered in Kelley's ear. "You know she is waiting for me in my quarters right now. When I am finished here I'll see if I can convince her to talk to me."
Kelley cut his eyes over toward the Cardassian. He tried to speak but the garrote cut his words off.
Renat released the garrote and walked over toward his table. "I tire of this futility." Renat began. "I think I will seek the solace of my new Comfortwoman." He continued. "They have such a way of stimulating my creative juices." Renat said choosing his words carefully.
Kelley rocked back in his chair. "LEAVE HER ALONE. I'LL KILL YOU. YOU BASTARD!"
Renat smiled as he left the interrogation chamber.
Kern sat in the center seat dreading what he had to do next. This is the part of command he had never thought about. This was the hardest part of command. "Computer, location of Lt. Ito?"
The computer responded coldly. "Lt. Ito is in her quarters."
Kern got up and moved toward the turbolift. "Commander, you have the bridge. I'm going to inform Lt. Ito about the Captain."
T'Gerran stepped in front of him. "Commander, if I may?" The Klingon asked softly. "The lieutenant is my friend." No one except MacDermott knew that she was onboard because of a bet between her and T'Gerran.
"By all means, T'Gerran." Kern said, actually relieved not to have to do it. "It might be better coming from you."
The Klingon nodded as he stepped backward into the lift. Kern blew out a long breath as he took the center seat again. Maybe I'm not ready for a command of my own anyway. He thought. Kern came back to the task at hand. "Time until the Cardassian frontier?"
"Nine hours twenty four minutes." Costello said.
"Am I wrong in all this? We're not going to catch them. The bastards are going to get away scot-free and there's not a damn thing I can do about it." Kern wondered aloud.
T'Gerran approached Ito's quarters. He pressed the button next to the door.
"Come in." Melora said.
The big Klingon walked in slowly. He entered just far enough to let the door close behind him.
"Tee, Hi. I was just picking up a little. What can I do for you?" She asked happily.
T'Gerran cleared his throat. "Melora, I came to.....tell....you...about the Captain...."
"Are they back already?" She turned and smiled. It was then she saw T'Gerran's face. "No, they aren't back are they?" Worry wiping the smile off her face as well.
"No." He said simply.
"Tee, what happened? What's going on?" She asked approaching the big man.
"Melora, I'm sorry. " He began.
"No." She whispered. They had been through so much together, but they still had so much ahead of them. "How?" She said even softer, the sound was barely audible. Her eyes welling up with tears.
"His shuttle was attacked by a Cardassian warship. We are in pursuit but it doesn't look like we're going catch them before they reach the border." He told her truly regretting he would get a chance to get his hands on them.
"Oh God, Tee." She started to cry. "I loved him so much. I've never loved anyone like that." She fell to her knees and sobbed into the uniform she held in her hands.
"T'Gerran felt helpless as he stood there and watched her. He dropped to his knees and held her. She cried for a long time. T'Gerran just held her. It was what a friend would do.
Hunter jumped when she heard the door open. She knew this moment was coming, it scared her to death.
Renat stood there in all his smug Cardassian glory. Smirking. Leering. "Well, well, Lieutenant Hunter what a pleasant surprise to find you here?" He said with a sarcastic grin.
"Wha…What do you want with me?" She asked already afraid of the answer.
Renat stepped closer. Already he was thinking of ways to violate this woman and that made his smile even broader. "Have you ever heard the phrase Comfort woman?" He asked. "Or to use a Terran term Concubine."
Hunter shuddered at the thought of this Cardassian pig touching her. Trembling, she nodded yes.
"Good. Then I won't have to explain it to you."
She pulled away as his hand caressed her cheek.
Duncan hung there by his wrists. They were bloody and raw. His chest and back were covered in open wounds from the torture inflicted by the Bajoran.
The Bajoran approached him again. "You think you're a tough bastard don't you? The Dominion will conquer the Alpha Quadrant. If the Cardassians don't break you they will break your shipmates. I've seen it before. How do think they keep winning? Renat has been skulking around Federation space, torturing and turning over the secrets to Central Command. Why don't you do us both a favor and just tell them what they want to know."
"Go to hell." Duncan murmured barley able to raise his head.
The Bajoran sighed. "Alright then. Have it your way." He laid the leads on MacDermott's skin again. Duncan didn't make a sound. His body was numb. His brain no longer registered pain. Duncan had heard of the Bajoni putting themselves in a pain trance. He wondered if this was a trauma-induced trance. He just swung at the end of his shackles.
After a few minutes the Bajoran grew tired of torturing someone with no response. He walked over and pressed the button on wall. MacDermott's body moved out of the flowing water and lowered toward the floor. Leron moved over toward him and checked the human's pulse. It was faint but the human was still alive. Leron pulled the pin on the shackles releasing them. MacDermott dropped to the floor with a dull thud. Duncan opened his eyes to see Leron move back toward him. He lay thinking how bad his wounds hurt. He had to get off this ship if he wanted to live though. Duncan summoned all the energy he could. When Leron got close enough. He rolled to his back and brought his legs up as quickly as he could. It was quick enough. The Bajoran was caught completely off guard. Duncan wrapped his legs around the neck of his captor. With a twist of his hip he put Leron face first into the putrid water. He rolled again, forcing Leron face deeper into the wastewater. Duncan flexed his thighs, tightening his chokehold on the Leron. The Bajoran floundered against the death grip Duncan had him in. Duncan released his hold long enough for Leron's body, in response to the lack of oxygen, to gasp in reflex. All the Bajoran got for his effort was a lung full of wastewater. Leron gagged. Duncan squeezed tighter. A few moments later, Leron stopped struggling. Duncan held him like that for a few more moments, just to make sure that Leron wasn't faking it. When Duncan was convinced he released his hold and kicked the Bajoran's corpse off him into water. Duncan sat there for a moment catching his breath when he saw Trell's torture device. Slowly he made his way over to the device. With all his might he pulled first one lead then the other lead from the device. This device wouldn't be used to torture anyone anymore. The wounds on his body hurt like hell, but that would have to wait. He had to find Kelley and Hunter and get the hell of off this ship. Back to the Missouri, back to Melora, back to the sane universe.
Kelley lost track of how long he had sat in that chair, alone in the dark. The bindings cut into his wrists and ankles. All he thought of while he was alone was Ellen. What was happening to her? What was the Cardassian bastard doing to her? What he'd do when he got his hands on him. Now he wished he were still alone. Five Cardassians came in and took turns beating him. The rough Cardassian skin opened huge cuts on his face. The Cardassians laughed as they hit him again and again.
"SOMEBODY HELP ME!" Kelley screamed.
"There is no one left to help you human. One of the Cardassians laughed. "Your captain is surely dead by now. The woman," he laughed harder, "the woman is certainly enjoying the pleasures of Gul Renat. I would like a chance to pleasure her myself." The Cardassian taunted.
"GO TO HELL, YOU CARDASSIAN BASTARD!" Kelley yelled defiantly.
"Scream all you want human, no one but we Cardassians can hear you." They all laughed at Kelley.
MacDermott rushed through the door. He grabbed the closest Cardassian and twisted his head to one side. Duncan heard the Cardassian's neck pop. As the Cardassian went limp in his arms, Duncan grabbed his weapon and shot another Cardassian. The remaining Cardassians fired at MacDermott only to hit the dead Cardassian Duncan used as a shield. In a flash that belied Duncan's pain, he moved to another Cardassian. He twisted the weapon in his hand and fired. The Cardassian's eyes went wide as he realized what had happened to him. Duncan dove behind Renat's table and fired at the other two Cardassians. He killed one with a phaser blast to the face. The other squeezed off a shot that hit the table. It exploded. A jagged piece of metal embedded itself in MacDermott's side. Duncan fired again, hitting the Cardassian in the chest. The Cardassian fell to the ground unconscious.
Duncan slowly got up from the table and approached Kelley. "Captain? They said you were dead." Kelley said looking at him through swollen eyes.
Duncan winced as he pulled the piece of metal out of his side. He looked at it for a moment before saying. "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."
Duncan took the phaser and freed Kelley from the chair. Kelley heard the Cardassian move. He pounced on him. Beating his head against the floor. Duncan grabbed him and pulled him back.
Duncan dropped to the floor and held the jagged piece of metal against the Cardassian's throat. "Shuttlebay?"
The Cardassian didn't answer. Duncan pushed the metal into his throat slightly. "Shuttlebay?" Duncan asked with more emphasis this time.
"Two decks down." The Cardassian gasped.
Duncan brought his fist back to render the Cardassian unconscious.
Kelley stopped him. "Captain, Renat has Hunter in his quarters."
"Where are Renat's quarters?" Duncan asked again threatening with the phaser this time. There was a wildness in MacDermott's eyes that scared the Cardassian.
"End of the passageway, near the lift." The Cardassian said fearing for his life."
Duncan stood up. "Let's get the hell out of here."
Kelley nodded and fired his phaser at the Cardassian.
The doors opened and the two of them peered around the doorframe. It was clear. Slowly they made their way down the passageway. Running along the ceiling of the passageway was a tangle of wire and conduits. In the middle of all of it was a very thick conduit.
Duncan asked. "Kelley, what does that look like to you?"
"An EPS conduit maybe." He said squinting through swollen eyes.
"My thoughts exactly." Duncan said as he brought the Cardassian weapon up and fired. Instantly the two of them were showered in sparks. Just as suddenly the emergency lights came on.
T'Gerran said. "Commander, the Cardassian vessel has dropped out of warp. At the moment they are adrift."
Kern spun around. "On our side of the border?"
"Correct, Sir." The Klingon said with what Kern thought could only be Klingon for glee.
"Helm. Take us to warp 9.9."
"Aye, Sir. If they don't go back into warp, we'll be there in ten minutes.
Kern sat back thinking; maybe I wasn't wrong after all.
Renat turned when the lights went out.
Hunter took the chance and struck him with all her might across the back of his head. The Gul was dazed long enough for her to get to her feet and run for the door. She turned and saw MacDermott and Kelley in the dim light. As she got closer, the sight of them horrified her. What had the Cardassians done to them? She wondered to herself as she ran toward them.
Renat recovered his composure and made for the door with his phaser drawn. He stepped out of his quarters only to be met with phaser fire from MacDermott and Kelley. He cautiously stepped out again and fired a shot. It struck Hunter right in the back. The shot pushed her forward; she fell right at Kelley's feet. Duncan fired again, driving Renat back. He reached down and helped Kelley get Hunter to her feet. She was in a lot of pain, as they all were.
"We've got to get to the shuttlebay and get out of here." Duncan ordered.
There was another lift near the interrogation room. They emerged two decks below. The passage was clear. They moved into the passageway and Hunter stumbled and fell. Kelley dropped down and propped her head on his leg. He brushed the hair back from her face. "Shh. It's going to be OK. We're going to get a shuttle and get to the Missouri. Dr. Meyer will have you back on your feet in no time." He smiled try to bolster her.
She coughed and spasmed. "Jared. I...." She coughed again and then went limp.
Kelley looked at her not believing his eyes. He felt MacDermott's hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." Duncan said. "We've got to go before they get power back."
A grim determination took over as Kelley gently laid her head on floor and stood up. Jared looked at the phaser in his hand. He moved the setting to 'kill'. Slowly he started to walk toward the lift. Duncan held his arm.
"Don't try to stop me, Sir. I'm going to kill that bastard for what he did." Kelley turned and said with a look Duncan knew all too well. "He's not going to get away with it."
"No Jared, we've got to get out of here." MacDermott said still holding on to Kelley's arm.
Kelley shook his arm free of MacDermott's grip. "I'm going."
Duncan looked at his helmsman. He looked at this young man and he saw himself. He saw himself on Risa going after the Nausicans, he saw himself and Worf taking on the Orion kidnappers, and he saw himself on Tarax Prime, avenging the deaths of those close to him. Those who had been taken away, in his vision unjustly. He'd seen enough death at his hands. He didn't want to see Kelley start down the same path. He grabbed Kelley and threw him against the bulkhead. Holding Kelley against the bulkhead with an arm across Kelley's throat, MacDermott said. "Lieutenant. We don't have time for this. We have to get off this ship now or we never will. Duncan looked at Hunter's body there on the floor. He saw Dina, he saw Melora. He understood how Kelley felt. "Do you think Ellen would have wanted you to throw your life away on a vendetta?" Kelley struggled against MacDermott's grip. This wasn't working. "KELLEY, LOOK AT HER. GO ON LOOK. SHE'S DEAD. DO YOU WANT HER DEATH TO BE MEANINGLESS." Duncan yelled as he looked into Kelley's eyes and then around to see if there were any Cardassians coming.
Kelly looked at Hunter. After a moment Duncan felt Kelley's body relax.
The two of them jumped at the sound of Cardassians running toward them. "We've got to go." Duncan said. This time Kelley nodded in agreement. Kelley looked back at Hunter's body. He scooped her limp body up in his arms and made his way to the shuttlebay.
MacDermott looked at him. "I'm not leaving her, Sir." Kelley said.
"All right." MacDermott nodded
Renat entered the bridge in a fury. "Where is main power?" He demanded.
Prenit was in a similar fury. "The humans have escaped. They damaged the main power conduit. We will have main power restored in minutes." The second said trying to calm his Gul.
"I KNOW THE HUMANS HAVE ESCAPED. I KILLED THE FEMALE MYSELF. YOU IDIOT. Find them. I want to kill them slowly and painfully." Renat said
"It will be done." Prenit promised.
The doors to the shuttlebay opened. There were only two guards, which MacDermott quickly dispatched with his phaser. There was a Cardassian scoutship in the middle of the bay. The two Starfleet officers entered the ship and closed the hatch. Kelley laid Hunter's body down and took the pilot's seat as MacDermott scanned the console for any hint on how to operate the ship. "Any ideas on how to get the engines online?"
"Umm. No Sir." Kelley said apologetically.
They fumbled with controls. Once the computer told them. "Weapons online."
"That's useful. " Duncan commented before pressing another button.
"Commander Kern, we are five minutes out. Still no sign the Cardassians are going back into warp." T'Gerran said, his warrior's senses starting to heighten.
"Understood, as soon as we're in range, lock weapons on the Cardassian's engines and fire." Kern ordered.
"Captain, maybe this one." Kelley said. He closed his eyes and pressed the button. He was rewarded with the sound and vibration of the engines coming online. "Allright!" Kelley exclaimed as the small ship rose off the deck. "Um Sir?" Kelley said pointing to the still closed bay doors.
Prenit said. "There is a federation starship approaching at high warp. It is the USS Missouri."
"Raise our shields." Renat ordered
Prenit frowned. "As I feared, Sir. Shields are inoperative without main power."
Renat looked at him. "Then I suggest you expedite repairs."
"Yes Sir." Prenit answered sarcastically.
"I see them, Lt." Duncan said as he looked around the controls. The blinking red control gave him an idea. "Hang on." Duncan pushed the red button. Phaser lanced out from the scoutship destroying the shuttlebay doors. The bay decompressed explosively, taking the scoutship with it. Kelley struggled to get the ship under control.
"Captain, we're out."
MacDermott was slow to get up off the deck. The adrenaline was wearing off. His heart leapt when he looked out and saw the stars again. "Kelley, set a course. That way, full power." He pointed out toward the stars. "Get us away from here."
"Aye Sir." Kelley said as the little ship jumped into warp.
Prenit was reluctant to tell Renat this news. "Gul, the humans have escaped. They are in a scoutship heading back toward federation space."
Renat turned slowly. "They escaped. Do we have warp power yet."
"Coming online now, Gul." Prenit said.
"Set a course to follow them. I want to blow them out of the stars." Renat ordered.
Prenit saw his Gul was obsessed with killing these humans. "Sir. The starship Missouri is closing."
"I know it. I'll kill them all." Renat boasted.
"Yes Sir." Prenit gave in.
"Commander, the Cardassian ship is going into warp. They are headed back into Federation space." T'Gerran reported.
Kern jumped up out of the command chair. "They're what?" He asked not believing his ears. "Feed the coordinates to the helm." Turning to the helm officer. "Plot an intercept, maximum warp. Engage."
The helmsman smiled. "Aye Aye, Sir." The Missouri heeled sharply to port and accelerated.
"Commander," T'Gerran reported. "It appears the Cardassian vessel is following a Cardassian scout ship. They are closing on the smaller vessel."
"Why would they be…" Kern began, "MacDermott! It's got to be the Captain. He's escaped in that Cardassian scoutship." Kern smiled. "Helm alter course to intercept the scoutship. T'Gerran prepare to put our shields around the scout ship. We'll get her inside our shields and beam the Captain and the others aboard."
"Understood Sir. And the Cardassians?" The Klingon asked.
"We'll leave a few gravitic mines in our wake. That will slow them down." Kern planned.
"Aye Sir." The Klingon growled.
Every couple of minutes Kelley would turn and look at Hunter's body lying there on the floor. He couldn't believe she was gone.
"Kelley…Kelley," MacDermott said, "That Cardassian ship is gaining on us." Duncan studied the display. "I think there is another ship ahead of us. I can't tell if it's a friendly or not."
Kelley brought his head around and looked at the display. His vision was failing him; his eyes were still very swollen from the beatings he took at the hands of the Cardassians. "I can't tell either, Sir. It is coming from inside Federation space though and they're really hauling it this way…Sir." Kelley said turning back to look at Hunter's corpse.
Duncan watched him for a moment. He put a hand on Kelley's shoulder. "Jared, I'm sorry."
Kelley looked up at him and smiled. "I know, Sir. So am I." He turned back to the console. "Captain that ship coming in is hailing us." A big smile came across his face. "It's the Missouri, Sir."
"Good boy, Kern." Duncan said.
"The Federation ship has just hailed the scoutship." Prenit told his commander. "They're going to rendezvous and beam them aboard."
Renat smiled. "Good. When their shields are down we will destroy them. I will personally carry pieces of their broken hull to Central Command." The Cardassian turned. "Weapons officer, lock all weapons on the Federation starship and fire as soon as we're within range."
"Understood, Gul Renat." The Glin responded.
"We've matched course and are coming up behind the scoutship, Commander." T'Gerran reported. "Captain MacDermott is hailing us."
Kern nodded. "Captain, we're going to extend our shields and beam the three of you aboard."
Duncan looked at Hunter's body. "It's good to hear your voice, Tom. Beam us directly to sickbay."
"Understood, Captain. That Galor class is almost within range." Kern explained.
Duncan thought of their situation. "Tom, when you extend the shields they will be considerably weakened. If that Galor class is in weapons range, you are to get the hell out of here. Kelley and I are expendable. Do you understand? Get the hell out of here. That is a direct order." Duncan said suddenly feeling very weak.
Kern looked at the viewscreen. "Understood, Sir." The communication channel cleared. "Tee, time until that Cardassian ship is in range, and how long till we are in position to beam the Captain and Mr. Kelley aboard?"
"Commander, it's all going to happen about the same time." The Klingon said.
"Are the Gravitic mines ready?" Kern asked.
T'Gerran answered. "Yes Sir."
"The Federation starship is within range, Gul." Prenit announced.
"FIRE!" The Gul shouted. The object of his obsession was within his grasp. He watched at the beams shot out from the bow of his ship.
The Missouri rocked as the beams struck home against the rear shields.
"The Cardassians just don't want us catching that scoutship." Kern said. "Prepare to extend shields." He ordered.
"What about what the Captain said?" Costello asked the question everybody on the bridge wanted to.
Kern looked at her. He smiled. "I've already disobeyed the orders of an Admiral. I didn't throw my career away to turn tail and run now." He said trying to sound confident.
"The Cardassians are firing on the Missouri, Captain." Kelley said. "Captain…Captain?" He turned to see MacDermott slumped against the bulkhead. Kelley checked his pulse. There was one. Not a very strong pulse, but a pulse. "Missouri, this is Kelley. The Captain is unconscious. Get us aboard, NOW." The panic was starting to rise in the young Lieutenant.
"Keep firing till that starship is nothing but a fireball." Renat ordered.
Prenit looked at him. "Understood." The phasers continued to fire.
"We are close enough to extend shields. We will be very vulnerable to the Cardassian phasers." T'Gerran explained.
Kern looked at the small scoutship. "Do it." He ordered.
"Extending shields." The Klingon reported. "The ship is inside our shields."
Kern stood up. "Transporter room. Beam the everything off that scoutship to sickbay." Kern turned to T'Gerran. "Lay those mines as soon as the Captain is aboard. The Missouri rocked under the onslaught of the Cardassian weapons as the Missouri's overtaxed shields strained to protect both ships.
"Transporter room to bridge." Chief Percy called. "Two persons and a body beamed to sickbay as ordered, Sir."
"Very good Chief." Kern commended. "Now."
Behind the Missouri, eight canisters of antimatter with gravitic fuses tumbled through space. They were directly in the path of the oncoming Cardassian vessel.
"GUL RENAT," The excited Glin said too loudly. "Gravitic mines directly ahead." The Cardassian helmsman reported.
For the first time panic and fear registered on the face of the sadistic Gul. "Reverse engines." The Galor class warship groaned and shuttered at she attempted to stop in time. She almost did. One of the mines exploded directly in front of the ship. The mine destroyed the weapons array of the Galor class warship.
Gul Renat picked himself up off the floor. "Damage report." He ordered.
"All weapons are offline. Engines are fully operational." Prenit added to his report.
Renat looked at him. "Are you saying we should turn and run?"
"I think escape is the better part of valor in this circumstance." Prenit said cautiously.
Renat rubbed his face. "I believe you are correct. Set a course for Cardassian space. Best speed." Renat ordered.
Kern looked relieved when he heard they were aboard. "T'Gerran, status of our friends out there?" He asked.
The Klingon responded. "They are turning toward Cardassian space and powering up their engines. Shall we pursue?"
"No." Kern said flatly. "We have what we came for." He told T'Gerran thinking of MacDermott and Kelley. "Helm, set course for Starbase 332, warp 7." Kern turned toward Amanda. "Commander, you have the bridge. I'm going to sickbay." Kern tapped his combadge. "Lieutenant Ito, please report to sickbay, immediately."
Sickbay was alive with activity when Kern entered. MacDermott lay on one of the biobed. There were a number of people around him. Dr. Meyer wore a very concerned look on her face as she worked on the Captain. The medtechs applied dressings to the wounds on MacDermott's body after disinfecting them. Kern watched, stunned that the Captain was even alive. He looked around to see Kelley sitting on another one of the beds. Another medtech was closing the wound over Kelley's eye. He asked the Dr. "How's the Captain?"
"I don't know, yet." She snapped. "He's obviously been tortured. He unconscious and I'm going to leave him that way for now." She told him without ever looking up.
Kern heard the doors open and turned just in time to see Melora come rushing through the doors. Kern could tell she'd been crying.
"What do you need, Commander?" She asked not noticing the commotion behind Kern.
The first officer stood in front of Melora and told her slowly. "Duncan is alive." Melora's eyes danced around the room as she searched for him. "He's hurt. I don't know how severely yet. He passed out before we could beam him aboard. Dr. Meyer is taking care of him now.
"Where is he? I want to see him." She demanded.
Kern warned her. "He unconscious and in pretty bad shape."
She moved past him and stopped. She brought a hand up to her mouth as she gasped at the sight of him lying on the table. She looked at the wounds on his body. "My God, what did they do to him?"
Kern came up behind her. Slowly he guided her out of the way. "I don't know. When they finish with Kelley," He gestured over to the helmsman who was still being bandaged. "I'm going to find out. I want to know what happened to all of them."
Melora watched with rapt fascination as the Doctor finished with Duncan and approached her. "How is he Doctor?" Melora asked him.
Meyer looked at her. "He's going to be ok. In time." She added. "His body was on the verge of a complete neural collapse. He's going to be fine though." She said reassuring Ito.
The two of them walked over to where Kern was talking to Kelley. "…Cardassians tortured all of us. I don't know what they did to the Captain or Ellen. They wanted to know where the staging area for the invasion of Cardassia was."
"There is no invasion that I'm aware of." Kern said looking to everyone in the group. "What happened to Lt. Hunter?" Kern asked.
Kelley's face clouded over as he bowed his head. "That bastard shot her. Shot her in the back." Kelley brought his head back up. His eyes smoldered with hate. "I'll meet him again someday." Kelley didn't have to say what would happen when the two of them met again.
Meyer approached the wound above Kelley's eye with a dermal regenerator. Kelley pushed her hand away. "NO!" He said too forcefully.
"Lieutenant, I can heal that wound with no scarring at all." Meyer explained.
"No, I don't want to forget this. Every time I look in the mirror, I want to remember what those bastards did to me. And what they did to Ellen." He added, his voice cracking.
Meyer silently put the regenerator down and patted Kelley on the shoulder. "I understand Lt.. If you change your mind in the future, just let me know."
Kelley nodded.
Duncan hung in putrid water, the Bajoran drug the leads across his chest. Duncan screamed. "AHHHHHH, I DON'T KNOW!"
MacDermott bolted upright in bed. In his mind the pain was excruciating. Duncan was covered in sweat.
The sound of Duncan screaming brought Melora out of her sleep in the chair next to his bed. Acting on instinct she had drawn her phaser and searched for enemies in the darkened room. "Computer, lights." She commanded.
MacDermott's chest was pounding. For the first time she saw the extend of his wounds. She holstered her phaser and went to him. His eyes were wide and they danced in their sockets. Melora touched his arm. MacDermott turned and stared at her, not recognizing her at first. "Duncan, it's me." She whispered with a small smile.
His breathing slowed toward normal as she wiped his forehead with a damp cloth. He allowed himself to lay back down after a moment. Duncan finally realized where he was and allowed his body to relax. "Melora." He smiled. "We made it?"
"Yes, darling, you made it, you saved Jared and yourself." She told him reassuringly.
"Hunter?" He asked. Part of his brain already knew. He just needed to have his memories confirmed.
"She's dead, Duncan. The Cardassian Gul shot her. Don't you remember?" She told him.
Duncan frowned. "I remember. I just wasn't sure if it was all a dream or not." He said as he touched her face with his fingertips, tracing her face, making sure she was real too. He looked at her. "I'm glad I didn't take you with me." Duncan said softly with a smile.
A tear rolled down Melora's cheek as she said. "I love you, Duncan MacDermott."
Duncan wiped the tear away with his finger. Smiling he said. "I love you, too."
Melora lay her head on his chest, holding him. "Duncan…Duncan?" She looked up. MacDermott was fast asleep.