USS Adventure

Book One

Peace In Our Time

CHAPTER 1

The war with the Dominion is over. Heroes were made and heroes were lost during the final
days. The loss of both personnel and ships was astounding to the citizens of the Federation.
Recruitment to Starfleet and to the academy is at its highest. Siblings and relatives of family
members who gave their lives during the war flock to Starfleet to honor their fallen. Promotion
is swift for those who survived.

In my case…I fall into the last category.

Captain’s log: Stardate 53028.1

For the last six months, I have been acting captain of the USS Valley Forge. For a thirty two
year old lieutenant commander, that’s not a bad deal, except for the fact that half of the crew,
including the captain and first officer, was killed and the ship heavily damaged during a
Jem’Hadar attack. That’s how I was field promoted to the rank of captain. There was a short
supply of senior officers in Starfleet at the time. Just my luck.
Now that the war is over, I have been officially promoted, or reduced in rank - however you
want to look at it, to commander. The best part about it is that due to my performance as acting
captain during those six months, I have been given a ship of my own. The powers that be in
Starfleet Command must feel that I am ready for this, since they have given me a ship fresh out
of the Utopia Planetia shipyards.
The USS Adventure, NCC 64871, Akira class light cruiser…my ship. The Akira class was
built for two reasons: one, to replace the older, out dated border ships that Starfleet has been
using for the past eighty years. And the second was to fight the Borg. This ship is a very
intimidating piece of work for its size. It is equipped with eight phaser arrays and twelve torpedo
launchers capable of firing multiple photon, quantum, and tri-cobolt torpedoes. The firepower
of this ship alone can level a Jupiter sized planet twenty times over. It also carries a squadron of
short-range fighter/interceptors, which can be used for support during planet-side away
missions. We also have a Starfleet Special Forces group for tactical situations.
Fortunately, the Adventure is not primarily an assault ship. It contains the latest technology
in astrometrics, cybernetics, and other science labs. In essence, we are a research ship with
attitude.
We have been in space for two weeks performing shakedown operations. Everything is up to
specs, but the crew is determined to go beyond them. The engineering team has brought the warp
core efficiency up to 102%. Sensor arrays are now 5% more sensitive than when they were first
brought on line. There’s something to be said about a new crew with a new ship. They just want
to keep pushing it to its limits to see what it, and they, can do.

Commander Jacob Rhodes closed out his log entry and then adjusted a gold plated model of
the Adventure that sat on his desk. He was still trying to personalize his ready room. Most
captains that he had served under kept their offices sparsely decorated, but what little they had,
reflected their personality. So far, Rhodes had only decided upon the standard model and a
painting of a Mars-scape showing the colony where he had been raised.
His comm badge bleeped and Diédre Elema’s voice came over. “Captain, there is an incoming
message from Starfleet Command.” He was about to adjust the signal on his communicator when
he realized that the distortion in his operations officer’s voice was natural. The Rho’shledans had
a soothing watery sound to their voices that was hard to get used to.
“Patch it through to my ready room, lieutenant,” Rhodes responded. A second later, the
Starfleet insignia on his desk computer display was replaced by the face of Admiral Nechayev.
“Good morning, admiral. What can I do for you?”
“Jacob, I hope that everything is going well for you. We have new orders for you. The
Adventure is to proceed into Cardassian territory, to this location…” A set of coordinates appeared
on the screen below her image. “and search the area for a supposed Dominion outpost.”
“Dominion? Haven’t they left the Alpha Quadrant yet?”
“Officially, they have retreated all ships, materials, and soldiers back to the Gamma Quadrant.
However, there have been some disturbing reports coming from Cardassia Prime about ships
disappearing and the possibility of Jem’Hadar warships in that area. The Cardassians have
requested our aid since their own military has been severely depleted. They had sent two of their
own ships to investigate, but they never reported back.”
“What is it that you want us to do, admiral?”
“Find out who is behind these attacks…if it is the Dominion, then they are to leave
immediately, by force if necessary. If they turn hostile, use whatever means you feel are
appropriate. We don’t need to let them get another foothold in the Alpha Quadrant, even if they
turn out to be some sort of rogue faction of Jem’Hadar.”
“Understood, admiral.”
“Good, then I won’t detain you any longer. Keep me updated on your progress,” said
Nechayev.
“Admiral, before you go…have you heard anything about Lieutenant Travers? Starfleet
Medical has been giving me the runaround and I haven’t been able to contact her personally.”
“I was hoping to get away from you before you asked, Jacob, but you are one of my favorites
and I owe you too much. Lizzy was discharged over a month ago. Her condition improved and
they sent her home. Jacob…I know that you two were close and I think that she was too afraid to
tell you.” She paused. “Look, there’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll be blunt. Lizzy’s getting
married to one of the doctors who helped her through the recovery.”
Rhodes stared at the screen for a moment. “Thank you, admiral,” he said plainly.
“I’m sorry, Jacob.”
“I’ll be in contact with you about our progress. Adventure, out.”
The screen went blank and Rhodes sat there for several minutes. After all they had been
through, after he pulled her from wreckage and damaged plasma conduits, after he went to great
lengths to get her back to Earth for the best medical care, and after he worried day and night
about her, some doctor just waltzed in and took her away from him. Rhodes was numb from the
news. He had kept a spot open in the Adventure’s astrometrics lab for her, hoping that they would
be working, and living together again. So much for hope.
Rhodes composed himself before he headed for the bridge.
 “Helm,” he said as he walked in, “take us about. Heading 317 mark 158, warp six.
Commander Anderson, you have the conn. Schedule a briefing with the senior staff at the end of
the duty shift. I’ll be in my quarters.” Rhodes stepped into the turbo lift and left the bridge.
Miriam Coy, the helmsman, turned to Lt. Commander Anderson after inputting the course and
engaging the warp engines. “That takes us into Cardassian territory if we continue on that
heading, sir,” she said.
Claire Anderson checked her personal data screen. “Only one inhabited system lies in our
path…the Doruth system. Five planets, one Class M,” she said to Coy.
“That’s kind of deep. I don’t think a Starfleet vessel has ever been that far into Cardy territory
before.”
“No, there has not,” said Ensign Ledak. The Benzite looked expectantly at the commander -
always looking for praise for thorough research.
“Are you always this quick with your answers, Mr. Ledak?” Anderson asked of the science
officer, stringing him along.
“No, ma’am. However, it was an easy enough task to cross-reference any mention of the
system with Starfleet ship logs. We will be the first to journey that far.”
“Good work, Mr. Ledak. Be sure to keep your sensors recording.”
“Always, ma’am.”
“I wonder if our destination has anything to with why the captain looks so upset,” mused Coy.
“He seemed all right to me,” said Anderson.
“I spent four years at the academy and over 100 flight hours with him on Jupiter Station. He
has the best poker face that I have ever seen, but I can tell when there’s something wrong with
him. He looks like he’s been gut-kicked.”
“I never would have suspected,” said Anderson. “So, you graduated together?”
“Yes, ma’am. We used to do the Mars run together in our third year of the academy, too. He
knew the planet, since he grew up there, and he was the only one brave enough to get into a
shuttle with me.”
“You cannot be that bad of a pilot if you are helming a starship,” said Ledak.
“No, I’m that good,” said Coy proudly. “We used to skim asteroids a meter from their
surfaces. That’s why Jake, I mean the captain, asked me to be the chief helmsman. He knows that
he can trust me.”
“Still, I don’t think that the captain seemed upset to me,” said Anderson.
The internal comm system beeped at Lt. Elema’s station.
“Bridge…this is security. I found something strange on Deck five, near the captain’s
quarters. Someone has smashed a wall comm panel.”
“You were saying?” said Coy.

CHAPTER 2

Gul Nadar of the Cardassian Fourth Order scanned the data readout with interest. There were
no ships in the area, no bases, only wreckage of several war cruisers, cargo transports, and
passenger ships. The sensor scans detected unusual trace energy signatures on the wreckage…
nothing like he had ever seen before. The levels were high enough to be discerned as coming from
a weapon of some sort, however, there were on multiple energy readings. If the ships had been hit
several times, there would have been overlapping signatures. Whatever did this only fired once.
That unnerved Nadar.
“Contact the fleet…standard search pattern of the area. Destroy any unauthorized vessels they
contact,” Nadar ordered his operations officer. On the view screen, six Cardassian Galor class
warships broke formation and began their search. “Helm, bring us closer to Doruth Four and hail
our outpost.”
A few minutes later, the helmsman turned to Gul Nadar.
“We have not received a response, sir.”
“Scan the planet.”
“Sensors indicate lifeforms…Doruthian inhabitants, but no signs of Cardassians…or Dominion
soldiers.”
“That’s odd. At last count, there were over a thousand Cardassian soldiers stationed here.”
“It is possible that the Dominion has eradicated our forces in this sector in order to keep us
blind,” stated Ravir, Nadar’s second.
“Possible. Still, I wish to go down to the planet and talk to the people…see if they have any
useful information.”
“I don’t think that is wise, Gul Nadar. The inhabitants might have turned against us under the
Dominion’s rule.”
“Nonsense. The Doruthinas are one of the few races that we didn’t have to subjugate. They
are a peaceful and cooperative people. They would never turn against us.”
“Maybe we should wait for the Federation ship to arrive. Their sensors are much more
accurate than ours, and they may be able to find any hidden or cloaked ships that we are not able
to detect.”
“You are out of place, Ravir. We do not need the Federation to do our work for us. We’ll find
the Jem’Hadar scum who attacked our ships.”
“Sir!” yelled the ops officer. “I’m reading a massive energy spike!”
“From where?”
“Hard to tell. It’s scrambling our systems.”
“On screen.”
The view shifted around the ship until a growing ball of light was seen.
Gul Nadar stood up.
“Where is that coming…”
The ship and the entire fleet were engulfed in the light. When it dissipated, all that was left was
wreckage.

Jacob Rhodes sat in his darkened quarters. His green eyes stared at a photograph of Elizabeth
Travers and himself from a shore leave on Risa. He gathered it up with several other photos and
dumped them into the recycler. He then sent them to the ship’s stores with a touch of a button.
Soon, they will be made into something useful…like a deck plate. They were of little value to him
now, and he wanted them out of his sight.
Time to bury myself in my work, he thought as he opened a file on his computer. Starcharts
and known history of the Doruth System - which wasn’t much - appeared on the screen. It was a
rather insignificant system…one inhabited planet, not much more in way of commerce or exports,
and said to be peaceful. They welcomed the Cardassian Union and joined them readily.
It would be a good place for the Dominion to set up a base of operations…where there was no
resistance from the inhabitants.
The door chime rang, shaking Rhodes from his studies.
“Enter,” he called.
 The door slid open and dwarfed in the portal was the slim form of Miriam Coy. She strode into
the room and stopped in front of him.
“Shouldn’t you be on the bridge, lieutenant? Who’s steering the ship?”
“Tommelson is. What’s wrong with you, Jake?”
“Please, speak freely,” Rhodes said sarcastically. Coy continued without acknowledging the
remark.
“This is your first real command and we just get our first real assignment and you start sulking
when you should be doing cartwheels.”
“Is there something wrong with the comm system that you had to come down here while on
your shift?”
“Jake, quit avoiding the question. Remember, we’ve been friends for a long time and I
introduced you to Lizzy. You owe me big, as I recall you saying.”
Rhodes stared at her, his expression blank. Coy put her hand to her mouth and inhaled sharply,
realizing her mistake.
“Oh my gosh…what’s happened to her? She didn’t…”
“She’s getting married.”
“That witch!!!” Coy’s voice filled the room. For such a tiny person, Miriam’s volume could
deafen the hard of hearing at times. At the academy, instructors would draft her in order to keep
large crowds in check. “How could she do this to you!?” She started pacing the room; her arms
and hands animated. “You two were perfect for each other! Ooh, I’m gonna kill her! How could
she do this to you?”
“You asked that already,” said Rhodes.
“And you…” Coy stopped and stabbed a finger at him. “Show a little emotion, will you!
Sometimes I think you’re a damn Vulcan, for crying out loud!”
“Are you through yet?”
“Yes…no, I’m not. What’s the guy’s address? I’m going to drop a few quantums on his
house. I’m gonna…hey, we’re changing course!”
Klaxons began to blare as red lights began to pulse in the corners of the room.
“Captain to the bridge.” Elema’s voice stated over the comm system as both Coy and Rhodes
left his quarters.

“Report,” said Rhodes as he took his chair on the bridge. Coy relieved Tommelson at helm at
the same time.
“We received a distress call from a private ship, about two light years from our position. It was
broken up, but we managed to catch something about Orion pirates,” said Anderson.
“Distance and time to mark?”
“We are almost there,” stated Elema. “Sensors have the yacht targeted, but there is no sign of
any other ships in the area.”
“Take us out of warp. Bridge to launch bay…launch support craft…unknown number of
hostiles may still be in the area,” ordered Rhodes.
Once the ship had gone to red alert, all hands had scrambled to their battlestations, including
the pilots of the Valkyrie tactical fighter wing housed in the hangerbay which ran the length of the
saucer section. As one, six short-range fighters lifted off and sped through the atmospheric force
field separating the hanger from cold space. They quickly broke into an encompassing circle
around the Adventure and the disabled yacht, watching for any signs of hostility.
“Life support aboard the yacht is failing, sir. One life form aboard,” said Elema.
“Beam him to sickbay…Highland,” Rhodes turned to his security/tactical officer. “Send a team
down there, pronto.”
“Aye, sir,” said the warrant officer. The veteran Starfleet NCO ordered one of his teams down
to sickbay in case of any potential problems.
“Tractor the ship into the hangerbay. Any sign of our pirates?”
 “None, sir,” answered Highland.
“Recall the fighters as soon as the ship is secured. Elema, send a priority three message
alerting all ships and starbases in the surrounding sectors of pirate activity.”
“Yes, sir.”
“L.C., you have the bridge. Resume course and heading. I’ll be in sickbay with our guest.
Highland, I want you to take a look at the ship. Try to determine who attacked it.”
Highland joined Rhodes in the turbolift as they headed for their respective destinations.
“The Orions had dealings with the Dominion during the war. If they’re trying to take
advantage of the Cardassian’s lack of military strength, they could cause some serious problems in
this sector. Once they get dug in, they’ll never leave,” said Highland.
“You’ve dealt with them before?”
“Yes, sir. It wasn’t more than a skirmish with their ‘special police’, but they can be devious
bastards. I also have friends in Starfleet Intelligence who have been trying to head off their black-
market deals in federation Territory.”
“Do you think that they could be making a move in this sector?”
“Anything’s possible, sir. And once the Orions smell profit, they can be more aggressive than a
Ferengi in an unlocked bank vault.”
“The lift stopped and Rhodes stepped out. “Keep me informed of your progress.”
“Aye, sir.”
Rhodes entered sickbay, where he was met by several of the security members dispatched to
watch over their visitor. They snapped to attention as Rhodes passed them…something that
Highland had taught them to do. The man was from the old school of military thought, where
officers were given full respect of rank. Rhodes indulged his Tactical/Security Chief only because
he saw how important discipline was on this type of ship, and because of Highland’s history with
Starfleet - there would be a lot of grieving mothers in the galaxy if it wasn’t for that man.
Chief Medical Officer Abby Waylon was somewhat of a mystery to Rhodes. She had spent the
majority of her Starfleet career, all twenty years of it, on the outermost colonies of the Federation.
Every time an opportunity arose to go deeper into space, she took it. Until now. Suddenly, she
requested an assignment on board a starship in the heart of the Alpha Quadrant.
He saw her checking the readouts over the med-bed while the patient lay, still unconscious.
The doctor, according to Starfleet records, was fifty-six Earth years old. However, she looked as
if she were eighteen. The Nidiri had white skin with a slight gray cast to it. She also had powder
white hair, which hung to her shoulders. Dark black eyes scanned the readout and she made some
notations on a PADD.
“How’s our guest, doctor?”
Waylon moved around to another monitor. “Still unconscious. She had some nasty plasma
burns and she suffered from lack of oxygen. If we were any later, she’d be dead.”
“Can you revive her?”
“Not for another hour, at least. The pain she would feel if she were conscious would be
enough to knock her out again.”
“Let me know when she’s ready. We have to find out what happened to her.”
“I’m already cross referencing her DNA with Starfleet records in order to get an identity.”
“Don’t keep me waiting too long, doctor.”
“You’ll be the first one to know,” Waylon said with a slight smile. Her dark eyes reflected the
light of the monitors, giving them a glassy doll-like look.
Rhodes dismissed the security team as he left sickbay, so that the doctor could work in peace.
When they were gone, Waylon moved into her office, out of sight of her staff, and doubled over in
pain. She forced herself back to her normal composure and grabbed a medical tricorder from off
of her desk. Waylon flipped it open and pointed it at herself, scanning her midsection.
“This isn’t good,” she said to herself after looking at the readings. It would have to wait until
later, though. She had another patient to look after right now.
 CHAPTER 3

Sergei Ivanov looked at the schematics for the current warp field surrounding the ship.
“Perfection,” he said with a smile on his face. “Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?”
“Well, there was this dancer on Risa…” started Lt. Jeff Owens.
“Warp fields are works of art. Every ship has its own singularly efficient field that allows it to
move at maximum performance. It is our job to find that perfect symbiosis between ship and field,
lieutenant.” The Russian’s hands danced over the control panel. Owens watched, as the Chief
Engineer’s bone white prosthetic digits moved faster than real fingers would. They were a stark
contrast to Ivanov’s otherwise tanned complexion. He had once asked why the chief hadn’t opted
for a natural skin tone, and he was told that they were his ‘badge of honor’. Several years ago, a
plasma conduit had burst in a critical juncture of the impulse drive. The whole ship would have
been lost if Ivanov hadn’t thrust his hands into the middle of the leak in order to put a temporary
seal over the hole. His hands were practically burned off by the time he had finished. Starfleet
Medical was experimenting on prosthetic limbs based on the android officer named Data. Sergei
was one of the first to receive them. Along with the hands, he also received the James Kirk Medal
for Bravery.
A simulation ran on one of the station’s screens, followed by analysis and performance data.
“Warp 9.52,” Ivanov said proudly. That’s 1.35 more than the Akira has been pushed before.”
“Yeah, but will she hold together at that speed?”
“I’ve already modified the structural integrity field generators to compensate for the stress.
The Adventure should be able to hit that target with very little difficulty.”
“Nothing like setting some new speed records. When do you think the captain will let us try?”
“I’ll bring it up at the next senior officers’ meeting. The sooner we do it, the more time we
have to brag,” said the chief.
“Highland to Ivanov.”
Sergei touched his comm badge and responded.
“Chief, I’m down in the main hanger with the yacht we pulled in. I’d like your opinion on
something I found.”
“I’ll be down in a few minutes, Ivanov out.”
Owens turned to the chief. “Have you dealt with him, yet?”
“I’ve talked with him briefly in our meetings. Other than that, I haven’t had much contact with
him. Why?”
“Oh, I’ve just heard some rumors about him. Everyone says that he’s a big war hero and isn’t
the friendliest person in the universe.”
“Security officers rarely are, but I did hear that he’s one of the best soldiers to come out of
Starfleet.”
“Well, good luck anyway,” Owens said as the chief headed for the turbo lift.

“Major Goddard,” Rhodes caught up to the Special Forces commander just outside of the main
lounge. The tall, black haired major turned to greet the captain. With his beard, Rhodes pictured
Goddard as part of the Spanish nobility during the times of the sailing hips on Ancient Earth
instead of a pilot and soldier in modern day 24th century Starfleet.
 “Yes, captain? What can I do for you?” His dark eyes seemed to size up Rhodes in the first
second that he looked at him. He was much older than Rhodes and carried his authority well.
“There is a mission briefing at 15:00. I’d like you to be in on it, in case your services are
required.”
“And I thought that I’d be able to lead a quiet career once the dominion threat was over,”
Goddard said with slight sarcasm.
“That’s the trouble. It may not be. Several Cardassian warships and transports have been
attacked and destroyed.”
“Waylon to Captain Rhodes…our guest is awake and ready to see you now.”
“I’ll be right there.” Turning back to Goddard, Rhodes said “I’ll fill you in at the briefing.”
Rhodes entered the sickbay a few moments later, where he found Doctor Waylon and the
patient talking softly.
“Ah, Captain Rhodes, this is Tari Markert,” introduced Waylon.
“Welcome aboard the Adventure, Miss Markert. Do you remember how you came to be here?”
“I was on my way home from Bajor…I was helping with the war relief services...when Orion
pirates attacked my vessel.”
“Why do you think they attacked your ship? It seemed to be too small to be of any resale
value.”
“I’m from a very prominent family on Beta Agne. They were probably hoping to ransom me to
my family. Fortunately, they hadn’t thought that my ship would have the defensive capabilities it
does.”
“Fortunate for you indeed…and that we were in the area. However, we didn’t pick up any
sensor readings to indicate where the pirates had gone.”
“They must have been using some type of cloaking device. My sensors didn’t pick them up
until they were right on top of me. Do you think that you could escort me to the nearest starbase
so that I can have proper repair done to my ship?”
“Unfortunately, Miss Markert, our present mission forbids us from deviating from our course
anymore than we have to. Your ship, I’m told, is in bad shape right now, but our engineers are
working on it. I’m afraid that you’re here for the duration of our journey.”
“Oh…well…I guess that I could stay. Is there any way that I could contact home and let them
know what’s happened and that I’m all right?” asked Tari.
“Dr. Waylon will show you how to use the comm panel. Doctor, a moment of your time after
you’re through?” Rhodes moved off to the side of the room, and while the doctor was explaining
the system, he made some notes on his PADD. A moment later, Waylon joined him.
“What do you think, doctor? Was there anything unusual about her when she awoke?”
“There was one thing that didn’t seem right. In the majority of trauma cases, the person will be
disoriented or wake up violently. She just yawned, stretched her arms and seemed to be waking
up from a typical nap. There were the usual questions: where was she, how long had she been
out, what happened; but she wasn’t upset or distraught. You don’t believe her story?”
“Something’s just not sitting right. But until she gives us reason to believe otherwise, we’ll
give her the benefit of the doubt. When you feel that she’s well enough to leave sickbay, contact
Elema and have a room assigned to her.”
“Yes, sir.”
Across the room, Tari Markert sent her message, voice only. “I’m aboard the Adventure.
Phase one is complete.”

“What do you think?”

“There’s definitely something giving false readings here.” Ivanov looked at his tricorder again.
The scans indicated a solid bulkhead in the aft portion of Tari Markert’s ship; but Highland noticed
a .0032 phase variance between a meter square area and the rest of the ship. “Some form of cloak
or holographic projection. There’s no power supply feeding it from the ship, so whatever it is, it
has its own power source.”
“I thought as much.” Highland placed four disk shaped objects on the outside of the hull and
then did the same for the inside. “Let’s see what’s in there.”
Before Ivanov could ask what he was doing, Highland activated the portable energy dampers.
The internal power source sputtered and died out, revealing an access panel on the inner wall of
the ship. “Open sesame.” Highland opened the panel and exposed its contents. “Oh…the
captain’s just going to live this.”

The senior staff had assembled in the briefing lounge, next to the bridge. Besides Rhodes and
Anderson, Elema, Highland, Ivanov, Ledak, Waylon, and Goddard were present.
Rhodes dropped a PADD on the table with a resounding ‘slap’.
“Our first mission,” he started. “For the past few weeks, Cardassian vessels have been
disappearing in the region around the planet Doruth Four. It is the belief of the Cardassian
Government that there may still be one or more rogue Jem’Hadar vessels attacking these ships.
The New Cardassian Order asked us for assistance, since their forces were depleted and spread
thin. Shortly after Command agreed and dispatched us, a Gul named Nadar, took it upon himself
to check out the situation for himself. The seven Galor class warships under his command haven’t
been heard from since.
“The information, given to us by the Cardassians, indicates that the inhabitants of the Doruth
system are pacifists. They had welcomed first contact with Cardassia over a hundred years ago,
and have been in a peaceful co-existence ever since. They may be under Dominion influence and
unable to resist.
“Our orders are to investigate and take whatever action that is necessary to stop whatever is
destroying those ships.”
“Seven Galors is a pretty formidable force,” stated Elema. “Do you think that we could stand
up to a ship, or fleet, that could destroy them that readily?”
“I don’t give odds until I have all the facts, lieutenant,” said Rhodes. “Right now, we’re at
fifty-fifty. I want your teams to be at full readiness by the time we reach Doruth, which at present
speed is just under twenty hours. Mr. Ivanov…how much power can you give me?”
Ivanov smiled. “I’ve been wanting to ask you about that. Permission to do a speed test? I
believe that we can go to warp 9.5 +, sir.”
“Isn’t that exceeding the design specifications?” queried Ledak.
“We’ve modified the specifications,” returned Ivanov.
“That’s why we hired you, Sergei,” said Rhodes. “Give us what you have.”
“You have it, sir.”
“What will you need from my team?” asked Goddard.
“If we encounter a base, on one of the planetary bodies, we may need to insert your team in
order to disable any shielding before a major assault.”
“Jem’Hadar outposts have a standard design for efficiency,” stated Goddard. “We’ve been
through enough of them to know where the key systems are kept. Just tell us where it is, and how
much damage you want done.”
Rhodes surveyed his staff. For the short time that they have been working together, he felt that
they had come together rather well. They knew their jobs and did them well. “If there’s nothing
else…”
Highland cut him off. “Sir, I have finished my analysis of our guest’s ship…with the help of
Mr. Ivanov,” he added.
“That was quick.”
“Once I knew what I was looking for, all of the data fell into place.”
“Ok, let’s have it.”
 Highland lifted a PADD and referred to his notes. “The outside damage was the result of
plasma based weapons - consistent with those favored by the Orion pirates. However, the decay
rate of the trace elements are over three days old and have been exposed to oxygen before we
brought the ship onboard.”
“So, she was attacked three days ago and then set adrift recently with the distress beacon?
That makes no sense,” said Waylon.
Highland continued. “Most internal damage was caused by the plasma hits.”
“I feel another ‘however’ coming on,” said Rhodes.
“However, the key systems - propulsion, navigation, life support - were damaged manually and
made to look like they were the result of an attack. Another thing that I noticed after we brought
the ship in was that the weapon systems were off line - not damaged, but off line. If I were in a
firefight with pirates, I would keep my weapons hot. Even if I was losing consciousness.”
“So who turned them off?” asked Ledak.
“I don’t believe they were ever on. If she knew that we were coming, then she timed it just
right to have enough oxygen for us to get her out alive.”
“Are you suggesting that she’s created an elaborate distress situation just to get aboard this
ship?” asked Anderson.
“How would she know that we were in the area? And why would she want to get aboard a
starship?” asked Elema.
“I think that Mr. Highland’s inspection has answered that too,” said Rhodes.
Highland nodded. “You’re going to like this.”
“Russell called me to the hanger bay when he discovered a damping/cloaking field on part of
the ship,” said Ivanov. He bent down and lifted a case onto the table. “This is just one of the
many pieces of equipment that we found concealed on board the ship.” He opened the case to
reveal a piece of very sophisticated surveillance equipment.
Goddard let out a short whistle of amazement. “That is some pretty advanced stuff.” He got
up and walked over to it. “It’s Romulan based, but it looks like it was modified with Federation
technology.”
“There was also a whole lot of decryption hardware with the camera, sensors, and audio
pickup devices. We’re looking at one determined spy here,” said Highland.
Rhodes stood up. “Russell, doctor…come with me.” Without another word, he left the
briefing room.

Tari Markert was sitting comfortably in her newly assigned cabin, when the door opened
suddenly without warning. The captain, doctor, and a very intimidating looking operations class
officer stormed in.
“What agency are you working with and why are you aboard my ship?” asked Rhodes. His
tone meant business and his posture was threatening. Markert could tell that he was restraining
himself from anything further. She looked up at him with surprise.
“I’m with the Federation Relief Organization. I told you that already…and I’m here because
you rescued me. Check with the main offices on Earth if you don’t believe me.”
“Oh, we have, and your story checks out, but since when does relief volunteers carry Romulan
surveillance equipment in their ships? My security officer found your stash and also your nicely
faked plasma weapons damage.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m…”
“Cut the crap!” exploded Rhodes. “You have exactly ten seconds before I blow you out the
nearest airlock for being a foreign spy aboard a Federation starship.”
Markert looked at him blankly.
“Five seconds.”
Highland started forward.
 “Wait,” she said suddenly. Highland stopped and the three officers looked at her expectantly.
“I’m not a spy. Well, not really. I’m with the Independent News Service.”
Rhodes expression went from anger to disgust. Markert read it clearly.
“Cardassian territory is off limits to all but Starfleet personnel due to safety and military
concerns. No one has been as deep into the Cardassian sector as you’re going, and when my boss
intercepted the request for help from them, he dispatched me to hitch a ride. This will be the
greatest post war story in history: a new Federation starship with a young captain…coming to the
aid of their sworn enemy, who became allies at the last minute…an unknown foe…you’ll be the
talk of the Federation.”
“No…you’ll be in custody. Transmission of a false distress call, boarding a starship under false
pretenses, possession of illegal surveillance equipment…shall I go on?”
“That is company equipment, which gets the information the public wants. You can’t black out
the people’s right to know,” exclaimed Markert.
“Out here I can. Mr. Highland, lock out all computer functions to this room, lock the door, and
post a guard. Miss Markert is under arrest for the duration of our mission.”
“You can’t!” pleaded the reporter.
“Would you prefer the brig? Or the airlock?”
Tari slumped in her chair. “No.”
“Good. Enjoy your stay.” Rhodes and company left the room. When the door closed behind
them, they heard a loud crash as a table lamp smashed against it.
“I think she’s a little upset,” said Highland.
“Good,” replied Rhodes.

CHAPTER 4

“Another is coming.”
Etar of Uthe stood on top of the Tower of Rachon, his purplish silver robes fluttering in the
wind.
“We cannot deal with them for two more rotations,” replied his companion. Marak was much
older than Etar, twenty cycles at least, but deferred to the younger, wiser Elder of Doruth.
“We will wait. When the time comes, we will be free of them also.”
“Do you not tire of this, Etar? This is not our way.”
“We do what we must to be free and at peace. No longer will we suffer what has been brought
to us by outworlders.”
“As it shall be,” said Marak. He bowed and backed away from his superior.
“No longer,” Etar said quietly once again.

“Maximum warp in four…three…two…one.”

Everyone on the bridge looked around at each other.
“We are at warp 9.52 and holding, sir,” stated Coy.
“Do any of you feel that?” asked Rhodes.
“Feels pretty smooth to me,” said Highland.
Rhodes hit a button on his chair command panel. “Engine room…”
“Ivanov here.”
“Nicely done, chief. I’d swear that we were standing still if it weren’t for the view screen.”
“Thank…”
The Adventure suddenly bucked. Inertial dampers barely compensated in time and several
crewmembers were sent flying into bulkheads. Alarms began to blare as the view on the screen
spun dizzily. Coy dragged herself back into her seat and tried to stabilize the ship. The
superstructure groaned under the stresses exerted on the out of control Adventure. After what
seemed like minutes, the cruiser righted itself and was slowed to impulse.
“What just happened, Ivanov?” Rhodes asked as he picked himself off of the floor.
“Not sure, captain,” came Ivanov’s hurried reply. Rhodes could picture in his mind his chief
engineer rushing from monitor to monitor, checking readouts for clues to their dilemma. “As far
as I can tell, it wasn’t us.”
“External?”
“I believe it was,” said Ledak. All heads turned to him. “I have reviewed all sensor data and
engineering reports for the past ten minutes: before we entered warp, during, and until now.”
“What did you find?” asked Anderson.
“We struck a piece of matter trapped within a pocket of subspace.” He pointed to a
simulation, which he brought up on his display screen. As he talked, the simulation ran. “At
precisely 15:32:21 hours, 42 seconds after we achieved our maximum velocity, the Adventure’s
starboard nacelle support came into contact with a piece of debris, a rock approximately ½ meter
cubic, of unknown composition, which was trapped in subspace. When we collided, the
Adventure was sent into an uncontrolled spin.”
“How could something that small do so much damage?” asked Coy. “And why didn’t our
deflectors sweep it out of the way?”
“It was in subspace and our sensors didn’t detect it. Also, we were fortunate that it was in
subspace. If we had hit the particle while it was in normal space, the chances of us having this
discussion right now would be sixteen billion four hundred seventy million…”
“Thank you Mr. Ledak. Your point is understood,” said Rhodes.
“As it ends, the subspace fields grazed each other and we were sent into an uncontrolled spin.”
Ledak’s monitor changed to show the underside of the starboard nacelle. A small groove along
the skin of the ship was surrounded by several cracks. “If Lieutenant coy hadn’t stabilized our
roll, the nacelle would have sheered off.” Miriam beamed with self-pride. “I recommend that we
stay below warp four until we can effect repairs at a starbase.”
“Time to destination at warp 3.5?” asked Rhodes.
“Twelve hours, thirty one minutes, sir,” replied Elema.
“Better than nothing. Ok, let’s get back on course after engineering gives us the go ahead.”

First Officer’s Log: Supplemental

Engineering has temporarily sealed the cracks and installed auxiliary S.I. field generators on
the starboard nacelle. We were lucky in a chance encounter that could have ended up much
worse than we fared. Still, I don’t like the idea of taking a crippled ship into a dangerous
situation, such as battle, if the need arises.
So far, this crew has met my expectations. Personalities of certain bridge officers may be a
problem, though. Lt. Ledak’s Benzite heritage makes him extremely opinionated and
straightforward. Though this is desirable at times, he still needs to learn about protocol. Lt.
Coy, I have discovered, can be a loose cannon. Her familiarity with the captain needs to be kept
in check. She doesn’t adhere to the rules of conduct regarding rank, and, like Ledak, she voices
her opinion much too often. Elema is just the opposite. I only hear her speak when she is
making a report or inquiry. Sometimes, I have to check to see if she is still on the bridge.
Highland is efficient to the point of perfection. He is a stable veteran who I feel will make a
good role model for the younger members - I can see why the captain chose him, despite of his
rank. I had also expected him to butt heads with Ivanov, who is also a perfectionist, but they
have come together in a complimentary sort of way as shown in their work on Markert’s ship.

“Commander, please sit if you like.” Diédre Elema beckoned Anderson as soon as the first
officer received her coffee from the replicator. The Ares, or ‘A’, Room, the largest lounge on
board the Adventure, was sparsely populated at the moment. Only a few of the personnel who had
just ended their shift were there, including Owens, who was busy tinkering with a small phase coil.
Anderson took the invitation and sat down across from the ops officer.
“Interesting day,” started Claire.
“I would agree with that assessment,” Elema’s voice gurgled. “I don’t believe that the captain
is enjoying it, though.”
“He does seem to be preoccupied with something; and the incidents with our guest and the
collision didn’t’ help either.”
“It’s probably a woman,” said Owens, who had not taken his eyes off of the coil.
“Why do you say that?” asked Elema.
“I’ve seen it before…and experienced it. He’s got the look of someone whose heart was
ripped out with a conduit sealer.”
“Why am I the only one who can’t read the captain?” Anderson asked to no one in particular.
“Coy sees it, you see it. Did you go through the academy with him, too?”
“Nope. Just good at analyzing things…except this dang coil.” His tool slipped and grated
against the coil and a static charge blossomed from it. A ‘poof’ sound came from the direction of
Elema. Everyone in the room looked at her wide eyed and a few snickers were heard.
“What?” she asked, puzzled.
“Your…”Anderson started to say, and then pointed to Elema’s face.
Diédre put her hands up and noticed the feathery scales, which covered her body were standing
on end from the ionized air. She let out a slow moan of embarrassment.
“You look like an owl,” Owens said with a smile.
“This is your fault!” She jabbed a finger into his chest.
“Don’t get upset, Diédre. It can’t be permanent,” returned Owens.
“No, but it can stay like this for several hours…and in some cases, days.” She stood up and
headed for the door. “If you will excuse me, I have to de-ionize myself.”
Coy entered the room as Elema reached the door. An electric shock arched between the two of
them and Coy let out a slight yelp.

“Hey!…whoa! I’ve heard of bad hair days, Elema, but what do you call that?”
“Owens,” she threw over her shoulder.
Coy sat down in the recently vacated chair across from Anderson. “Kind of dry in here, isn’t
it? Who’s been messing with the environmental controls?”
“Owens didn’t release all of the charge in his phase coil before he started working on it,” said
Claire.
“Figures. How about that ride earlier? Never went into a spin at warp nine before. Kind of
slushes your brain, doesn’t it?”
“It’s not something that I want to try again any time soon.”
“I’ve done similar rolls in shuttles and runabouts, but never in a starship.”
“Were the others on purpose or do you have a habit of hitting things?” asked Owens.
Coy began to fume. Fortunately, Anderson saw where this was leading and changed the
subject.
“So, Miriam, since you’ve known him for so long, what was the captain like at the academy?”
Coy’s expression softened. “Oh, he was your typical cadet. All gung-ho and eager to get into
space - like everyone else. He was a great pilot…we flew the Saturn to Mars route together for
three months.”
“Did you ever think that he’d make it this far so quickly?”
“I did…he didn’t. Jake’s the type of guy who doubts his abilities, even after he does a great
job. He’s very humble.”
“I heard what he did on the Valley Forge. Not bad for one’s first war.”
 “I wouldn’t call that his first war. He’s fought the Borg at Sector 001 and Wolf 359. He was
almost assimilated into the collective, too. I would follow Jake into battle before I’d trust more
experienced captains.”
“So, it would take something really serious to get under the captain’s skin?”
Coy knew what she was leading up to and decided it was best to stop her.
“Commander, if you would like to know what’s bothering him, just ask him. It’s too personal
for me to comment on.”
Anderson gave her a smile. “Thanks for your candor, Miriam.”
“It’s a woman,” said Owens.
“Shut up, Jeff,” snapped Coy. The look she gave him also ordered silence. Owens picked up
his tools and got up.
“I think I’ll continue working on this in my quarters. See you around,” he said quickly. The
engineer left the room, post haste. When he was gone, Anderson looked back to Coy.
“So, we have a lovelorn captain.”
Coy gave a resolved sigh and answered. “Well, you might as well know the rest.” She then
proceeded to fill in the details. When Coy was finished, Anderson agreed with Coy.
“That is pretty rotten. All right, I’ll steer clear of the subject. Is there anything we can do to
get his mind off of her?”
“How about another war?”

“Somebody let me out of here!”

Tari Markert slammed her fist into the locked door of here ‘quarters’ in one last futile attempt
for attention. There was no entertainment, minimal food and drink from the replicator - assorted
breads and waters - security’s idea of a joke, no doubt. And the windows were tinted opaque by
order of security, in order to keep her in the dark, literally, about where they were. She dropped
herself into the nearest chair and looked up at the ceiling. “This really sucks!”

CHAPTER 5
Rhodes entered the bridge as the Adventure approached the Doruth System. He did a quick
double take at Lt. Elema. “Is that a new look for you, lieutenant?”
“No,” she snapped and then realized her mistake. “It is the result of static…it will return to
normal shortly.”
“If you say so. Slow to impulse, Miriam. Let’s checkout the system before we rush in, guns
blazing.”
“Aye, sir.”
“Sensors at maximum gain…scanning the outer planets,” stated Ledak.
The Adventure performed an inward spiral search of the Doruth System. At various points
within the system, they stopped to investigate wreckage of starships. In time, they reached the
destroyed Cardassian fleet. Rhodes leaned back in his chair and studied the main viewer.
“What do you make of that, Mr. Highland?”
“I think that someone hates the Cardassians more than I do…and whoever it is, I hope that I
don’t make them angry.”
“Agreed. But look at the formation of the debris. Does that look familiar to you?”
Highland pulled up a tactical display of the debris field and examined it from every angle. “It
looks as if they were in a standard search formation. Which means that whatever hit them, did it
so quickly and simultaneously, that they didn’t even have time to evade the attack…if they ever
saw it coming.”
“Captain,” interrupted Ledak, “the energy signature left by the weapon is the same as that used
on the ships in the outer rings of the system. The damage is only slightly greater here, though.”
“Which means?” asked Coy.
“I have a theory on the origin of the weapon, sir,” said Ledak.
“You have my attention.”
Ledak touched his panel, and a map of the system appeared on the main viewer. “As we
searched the system, I have mapped the destruction, not only to the ships, but to asteroids,
planets, moons, meteors, micrometeors…”
“I get the picture,” said Rhodes.
“I apologize, sir. I was only being thorough.”
“Continue, Mr. Ledak.”
“I have found damage to objects in this system which contain metal alloys. If you look here,”
the map zoomed in to show the asteroid belt, “only asteroids with metallic compounds have been
shattered - solid rock has been left untouched. This is consistent throughout the system with the
exception of a few points. I believe that the weapon is stationary, that is for a planetary body.”
Everyone looked at the map. Their expressions were in total incomprehension. Ledak,
observing this, explained further.
“By using the data collected, I have created a time model using the decay rates of the energy
signature to show location and times of the attacks to find the only logical source of the weapon.”
Ledak touched the panel again. This time, a three dimensional model of the system appeared on
the screen. A small ship flew into the system and was met by an expanding burst of light, coming
from the fourth planet. It was then disintegrated in a tiny ‘poof’. More ships passed through and
met the same fate. Meanwhile, asteroids and other celestial bodies were destroyed as well.
Finally, they saw the Cardassian fleet destroyed in similar fashion. ‘Safe zones’ were highlighted
behind the sun and planets where the weapon was blocked. Rhodes looked at Ledak with a hint of
pride.
“You came up with this with only the sensor readings…in such a short amount of time?”
“Yes, sir. I hope that it is adequate to our investigation.”
“More than. How powerful is this weapon and what is its range? By your calculations, of
course.”
“It is my belief, that if this weapon is continuously used, every planetary body in this system
will suffer the same fate as the smaller asteroids. Destabilization is already occurring in the 3rd
and 5th planets’ mantles. My estimate is that if the weapon is used at least three more times, the
third planet will break apart first, causing catastrophic damage to this system. You may recall
what happened when the Klingon moon, Praxis, exploded. The result of a similar explosion here
would speed the process of the other planets in the Doruth system. A chain reaction will ensue
and all planets, possibly even the sun will explode. Effects of the multiple blasts may be felt as far
away as the Cardassian home world.”
“Then we had better find out who is using it and stop them,” said Anderson.
“May I point out that we will not be impervious to the weapon. Our ship would crumble like
the others,” said Ledak.
“Could we out run it?” asked Coy.
“Unknown. We would need to be able to detect it first, and judging by the other victims, we
may not see it in time.”
“Do your best to make sure that we do see it coming, Mr. Ledak,” said Rhodes. “Helm, take
us to Doruth four. Let’s not waste anymore time.”
“Aye, sir.”
Rhodes looked at the main viewer and contemplated their mission.
“Worried, sir?” asked Anderson.
 “Worried? We have a ship with a fractured warp nacelle, a weapon that could vaporize us and
the entire star system before we even know it hit us, possible Jem’Hadar ships in the area…what
could I be worried about?”

“They have arrived.”

“We are not yet ready. One half rotation is required before we can be rid of them.”
“What are we to do until then?”
“We will lull them into thinking that we are their friends. Show no hostility. Then, they will be
dealt with.”
“Etar…I am not comfortable with deception. We have been open and peaceful for several
millennia. Why cannot we return to those ways?” asked Marak.
Etar turned to his acolyte, his eyes burning with fury. “Walk through the graves and you will
remember why we cannot return to the ways of peace! Now, begone and do as you are bidden!”

“Standard orbit achieved, captain.”

“Very well, lieutenant. Hail the surface.”
A moment later, an image of a reptilian looking humanoid appeared on the screen. His flat
facial features were of a brown earthy tone and were covered with scales.
“I am Marak of Althora. Welcome to Doruth. How may we be of assistance?” he said with a
slight hiss.
“Greetings,” said Rhodes. “I am Captain Jacob Rhodes of the Starship Adventure -
representing the United Federation of Planets. We have come by request of the New Cardassian
Union to investigate the destruction of several merchant and military vessels in this sector. Yours
is the only inhabited world in this area, so we thought to check with you in case you might be
experiencing any hostile acts against you as well.”
“We have experienced nothing and do not know of any ships that have been destroyed. We are
a peaceful race and wish no one ill will,” replied Marak.
Rhodes looked to Anderson, who only shrugged. Apparently, she didn’t believe him to be
lying. “This system is littered with the remains of at least twenty ships. We are afraid that there
may be a renegade Dominion warship or possibly pirates working in this area.”
The Doruthian seemed slightly irritated at the mention of the Dominion. All of the bridge
personnel caught it at the same moment. “We have no need to, nor do we travel off of our world.
I do not know of the vessels you speak of.”
“May I ask if you are the leader of your people,” asked Rhodes.
“No, I am not. We have no leaders in the literal sense of the word. However, we do have the
Elders.”
“Would it be possible to come to the surface and meet with your elders?”
“That would be acceptable. Please transport to these coordinates and we will meet you there.”
The screen went blank and Rhodes turned to his first officer.
“You didn’t mention anything about the weapon,” said Anderson.
“I didn’t want to tip our hand just yet. I want you to scan the planet and find the energy source
of the weapon, or the weapon itself. If we can, we’ll disable it before it’s used against us. If not,
pray that we can out run it. Miriam, set a direct course out of the system and keep the warp drive
operative. If there is even the slightest chance that the weapon is activated, I want you to jump to
warp immediately. Mr. Highland, Mr. Ledak…you’re with me. We’re going to the surface.”
Anderson was about to protest about the captain leading the away team. Rhodes knew it was
coming and cut her off.
“This is a first contact, Number One. It would not look good for the Federation to have less
than the captain to lead the mission.”
“But there could be Jem’Hadar soldiers down there,” she argued.
 “Which I’ve faced before in combat…nothing new. Just make sure that we have a ship to
retreat to if there are.”

CHAPTER 6
The away team materialized on the parapet of a stone building, facing a golden brown sunset.
A hot breeze filtered through the trees surrounding most of the building. Ledak had his tricorder
out and scanning the area, while Highland surveyed their surroundings for an ambush. His hand
was already to his phaser when they heard the approaching delegation of Doruth.
“You have no need for weapons here, gentlemen,” said the lead cloaked Doruthian. His hood
was off in a gesture of openness. “I am Etar of Uthe, High Elder of the Doruth People.”
Rhodes motioned Highland to holster his phaser. As the security chief did so, Rhodes
addressed the Elder.
“I am Commander Jacob Rhodes of the Starship Adventure, representing The United
Federation of Planets. We have come in behest of the Cardassian Union in order to determine the
cause of several ships’ destruction in your system…and to offer our friendship to your people.”
For a moment, Rhodes thought that Etar’s eyes flared at the mention of friendship, however, the
Doruthian’s visage changed quickly.
For a ‘high elder’, Etar looked much younger than those who accompanied him, including
Marak of Althora, who he had spoken with earlier. Either their hierarchy was based on election,
or it was like other reptilian cultures, which favored youth and strength. Whichever it was,
Rhodes assessed Etar to be a formidable leader in the short time they were in each other’s
presence.
“We welcome you in the name of Doruth. What is ours, is yours,” said Etar in their ancient
greeting.
Marak flinched inwardly at his elder’s open deceit in front of his acolytes. Etar was committing
one of the greatest blasphemies of his people and he didn’t even care. Furthermore, his fellow
acolytes and he would not dare to confront this wise and powerful elder. He prayed that there was
a true and just reason for his transgression. After the Dominion withdrawn from their planet and
the Cardassian soldiers had abandoned their outposts in search of their families off world, the
leaders had agreed to keep the planet free from outsiders, however, they said nothing about being
deceitful.
“High Elder,” said Rhodes, “I have to ask you before we proceed…are you aware of any
Jem’Hadar or Dominion presence on your world?”
Etar’s mouth curled up in a rather evil looking grin; at least to a human it looked evil due to the
reptilian’s features. “There is no Dominion presence on Doruth, or in our system. I can assure
you of that, commander.” With a sweep of his arm and a rustle of robes he added, “Please, let us
go inside. It will grow colder as the sun sets.”
The away team followed the elder and acolytes into the building. The sparsely decorated rock
walls were reminiscent of Earth’s medieval monasteries. Ledak’s sensitive ears picked up chanting
coming from somewhere deep in the building. They arrived in a large chamber decorated in a
manner contrary to the rest of what they saw. The room was brightly lit, had an ornately fashioned
Cardassian meeting table and chairs, and housed a Cardassian subspace transmitter/receiver and
view-screen. The room was also lighted artificially instead of with torches, like the halls.
Ledak scanned the room for surveillance devices and signs of Jem’Hadar cloaking technology.
When he found none, he nodded to the captain that it was clean.
 After all had sat down around the table, Etar continued.
“Why is the Federation concerned about our distant little world and its people?”
“High Elder, with the destruction of so many ships in your system, both the Cardassian
government and the Federation suspect that a hostile force, whether Dominion or otherwise, is
operating in your system and possibly oppressing your people.”
Etar slowly looked around the table. “The dominion was here on our planet. The Cardassians
were with us also for several centuries. We welcomed both openly and embraced their generosity
to our people. They are both gone from our planet now and will not be coming back.”
“Are you sure?” asked Rhodes.
“Positive,” came the cold reply.
“The weapon used to destroy the ships originated from this planet,” Ledak said openly. So
much for diplomacy, thought Rhodes, but the cards were on the table now. Somewhere in the
building, a chime rang several times.
Etar’s voice became hard. “We know nothing about any weapons. Our people have been
enlightened to peace for over a millennia. You must excuse us now. Our meditation ceremony
must be attended. Rooms down the hall may be used by you while we are away, or feel free to
enjoy what our humble city has to offer.” The Doruthians swiftly left the room without another
word.
Rhodes looked for council with his officers. “Opinions, gentlemen?”
“They’re lying,” said Highland.
“I get that feeling, too,” said Rhodes. “But, we need more to go on.”
“Their body temperatures fell dramatically when I mentioned the weapon,” said Ledak. After a
moment he added plainly, “I was scanning them…it is indicative of a reptilian culture that when
deceit is present, body temperature drops instead of rising as in warm blooded humanoids.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ledak. What about the weapon? Any trace of a power source?”
“I am just detecting background energy signatures, but none are strong enough to power a
weapon of destructive magnitude.”
Highland was accessing the comm unit while Ledak was giving his assessment. Rhodes
noticed his actions and joined the veteran.
“Anything interesting?”
“Only that the comm logs are erased…even the one to our ship. The system is set to
automatically discard all transmissions. However…hello, what’s this?” Highland pulled up a file.
A chart of the system appeared on the screen with several markers on it. “Does this look familiar,
ensign?”
Ledak peered at the screen. “Locations of the destroyed ships.”
“It’s a system navigation grid. Planetary communications units are designed to track ships that
they are in contact with. Whoever set the system to erase any communications either forgot or
didn’t know about this function. Here are the planetary sensor logs.” He touched one of the
markers and a visual record of a freighter passing through the system appeared. A band of light
swept across it and the ship crumpled and broke apart instantly.
“Get a copy of these files, Ledak. They may prove useful,” ordered Rhodes.
The Benzite began copying with his tricorder. When he finished, he looked closely at the
console casing. Ledak took a quick reading, studied it, and then put his hand up to the casing. A
bit of it crumbled off.
“It appears that the metallic compounds on the planet are also subject to the weapon’s effect.”

“How could you lie to them?” asked Marak. “You welcomed them with all that we hold sacred
and commit blasphemy on behalf of our world.”
Etar slapped Marak across the face - an action that no Doruthian had made in several centuries.
Any form of aggression was banned from existence since the new age of peace arrived. Marak fell
to the ground, more out of shock than from the impact. The other acolytes stood in stunned
silence.
“You dare to question my decisions?!” he bellowed. Fury burned in his eyes. “I know what is
best for our people! You will do what I tell you to do!”
Marak looked up at the high elder. “What…what is it that you wish I do, High Elder?” he
whimpered.
“You will kill the off-worlders and rid us of their pestilence.”
“But…I do not know how to kill.”
“Recall how the Jem’Hadar soldiers took our families and killed them. We must be sure that
harm never comes to our people again. Now GO!”
Marak and the acolytes scurried away in fear of the high elder. They stopped when they were
sure that Etar was out of earshot.
“How can we kill?” asked Liset, a third order acolyte.
Marak pulled a cast iron torch holder from its wall mount. “We use these.”

“Captain, we haven’t had much time to talk, and I’ve been wanting to ask you…why did you
choose me to be your tactical officer? I mean, I’m not even a commissioned officer.”
Rhodes looked at Highland, knowing how hard it must have been for this humble man to ask
this question.
“Russell, my previous ship, the Valley Forge was one of the rescue ships that evacuated the
occupants of the outpost on Morar 7. I heard from the survivors about a soldier who risked his
life more times than they could count bringing wounded off of the field while under Jem’Hadar
fire. They said that an NCO named Russell Highland was the bravest and most resourceful person
that they had ever served with. They also said that you took command of the squad when there
were no more officers. I had also checked with your former captain on the Antilles.”
“Captain Tulano…the Bolian bag of wind? I can’t imagine that he had anything good to say
about me. He hated my guts.”
“On the contrary, he held you in very high regard. He was sorry to see such a good security
officer leave his ship. He said that you were an excellent tactician…something that your personnel
file confirms.
“When I was looking for a tactical/security chief, I wanted someone who could work well
under extreme pressure and be able to give me viable options, no matter how extreme. You were
number one on my list,” said Rhodes.
Highland regarded his captain for a moment. “Thank you, sir. I’m glad that you have faith in
my abilities.”
“Just keep the faith alive, Rus.”
Highland heard a noise coming from down the hall and looked out the doorway. “Someone’s
coming.”
“That was a quick meditation,” said Ledak.
“It looks like the elder’s assistants,” stated the security chief. “And something doesn’t look
right. I suggest that we get to the other side of the conference table just in case.”
“Why is that, chief?” asked Ledak.
“They’re carrying torches and they look more like a mob than a prayer group.”
Rhodes looked out the door and then pulled himself back inside. “The chief’s right. Phasers
out, minimal stun.”
“Shouldn’t we just beam up to the ship?” Ledak offered.
“A few monks with torches shouldn’t be much of a threat,” said Rhodes. “Let’s see if we can
get a few answers before we cut and run.”
The acolytes entered the room and stopped awkwardly. Those in the rear stumbled into the
ones in front. Marak stared at the Starfleet officers as if he didn’t know what to do next. Then,
with a shriek - which Rhodes supposed was to be a battle cry - one of the acolytes rushed forward
and was immediately stunned by Highland. The Doruthian dropped to the floor as the others
watched. Marak swallowed, his throat making a gulping sound and then began to shake. Almost
in unison, their torches dropped to the floor.
“Would you mind telling me what you were planning on doing?” asked Rhodes. The
confidence the captain’s voice just made Marak shudder even more. “Hang them up, gentlemen,”
Rhodes told his people as he holstered his phaser. “Why don’t you guys have a seat and explain
yourselves.”
Marak moved to one of the chairs, followed by the rest. The acolyte who was stunned was still
lying on the floor. They slumped into the chairs and looked like school children that had been
caught playing hooky.
“The High Elder ordered us to kill you…to dispose of you.” Marak finally said after several
moments of rapid breathing.
“Why?”
“Because we do not wish to have out-worlders among us anymore.”
“You could have just asked us to leave,” said Ledak.
“We tried that with the Dominion when the war began. They responded by killing our people.”
“Xenophobia caused by extreme trauma,” said Highland. “I’ve seen it before. A race is
attacked by another and they break off contact from everyone else for fear of it happening again.”
“Is that what happened, Marak?” asked Rhodes.
The acolyte nodded. “The Dominion slaughtered our people. The Cardassians did nothing to
help after one of their own was killed for assisting us…they were our friends, and they couldn’t do
anything. They both left to rejoin their own people near the end of the war and we have been
keeping them all away ever since.”
“The weapon,” stated Ledak.
Marak nodded.
“Did the Dominion leave it behind?” asked Rhodes.
“No. It is our ancestors’. We have been a peaceful people for over a millennia, but before that,
our forefathers were vicious warriors who were skilled at killing and weapon making. Only when
the price became too high, did they understand that they were killing themselves. They did away
with all weapons and adopted the ways of peace. When the Dominion began destroying our
world, we consulted our history records in order to find a way to stop them. Fortunately, they left
on their own accord and we did not have to return to our ancestors’ barbaric ways.”
“What about the ships that have been destroyed since then?” asked Highland.
Marak was silent for a minute, as if he were contemplating the lesser of the two evils: betraying
his elder or allowing the killing to continue for their own safety. He looked to the others who
seemed to share his dilemma. When he finally spoke, he felt that he had made the right decision.
“The High Elder felt that by keeping off-worlders out of our system, we could return to our
ways of peace.”
“By murdering innocents?” asked Rhodes.
Marak bowed his head in shame. “He is our wisest elder. What he does is for the good of our
people.”
“I thought that no one person led your people…that the community was harmonious.”
“He is the wisest and the strongest…he led our people through the dark times.”
“But his views aren’t shared by the others.”
“No,” said Marak weakly.
Rhodes felt pity for these people. Fighting wasn’t a way of life for them and they didn’t know
how to resist. One of them had learned, probably by watching the Dominion’s brutality and it had
twisted an otherwise gentle soul.
“Marak…the weapon Etar is using, is destroying not only ships, but the planets in your solar
system as well.”
The acolyte’s head raised and his eyes registered shock.
 “Your planet is also feeling the effects of the weapon, too,” Rhodes continued as he broke a
corner piece off of the Cardassian table. The metal crumbled in his hands. “If you continue to use
this weapon, the planets will break apart, just like this table, and cause shock waves of enormous
proportions. Your world will be gone.”
“Are you certain that our planet is in danger, captain?” asked Marak.
Rhodes motioned to Ledak. “Ensign, tie your tricorder to the view screen and show them your
findings.”
Ledak ran data, simulations, and the visual logs of the Cardassian comm device. When it was
through, Marak gaped in horror.
“We are being punished for our sins against our beliefs. It is the will of the universe,” stated
Marak.
“Do you know how to disarm the weapon?”
“No…only Etar know how to do that. Only he knows where the controls are. But, your ship
is in danger also. The recharge time is almost complete. We were to kill you and then your ship
would be destroyed.”
The officers’ hearts jumped at the mention of their ship and crew’s safety.
“How much time do we have?” asked Rhodes.
“No more than one of your hours.”
“We have to find Etar.” The captain tapped his comm badge. “Rhodes to Adventure.”
“Anderson here. Captain, we haven’t had any luck with finding dominion presence…”
“Forget the Dominion for now,” Rhodes cut in. “The inhabitants have been using the weapon
to keep others from their planet. We’re going to attempt to disarm it, but we’re not sure how
much time there is left for it to charge. If you detect any energy buildup down here, get my ship
out of the system. We’ll keep you posted.”
“Understood, captain. Adventure out.”
“Now,” said Rhodes to Marak, “Let’s go have a talk with the High Elder.”

“Lord Kalia, we are approaching the Doruth System.”

“Finally. It has been a long journey, but now we can rejoin our fleet and return to the war.”
“I have detected a Federation vessel in orbit of the fourth planet.”
“Unexpected. The war must not be going well if they are this deep in our territory. Charge
weapons systems and energize shields.”
“Yes, my lord. Victory is life.”
“Victory is life,” echoed the other Jem’Hadar soldiers.

CHAPTER 7
The away team marched down a broad corridor to the meditation chamber. Starfleet issue
boots echoed in contrast to the soft shuffling of the Doruthians’ padded feet. With Marak in the
lead, they entered the sanctuary.
Etar spun around upon hearing the Federation officers.
“Why do you disturb my meditation?” he hissed.
“Where are the controls to the weapon?” Rhodes snapped back.
 Etar grabbed the nearest acolyte by his robe and flung him into the wall. The acolyte’s body
gave a ‘snap’ as it hit and he slumped to the floor in a lifeless heap.
“TRAITOR! INCOMPETANCE!” Etar bellowed as he turned on the others, who backed out
of the doorway.
Rhodes stepped in front of Etar and stared him down.
“Where are the controls to the weapon?” he asked again. This time, he made it an order.
Etar looked at him with hatred in his eyes. “Do you think that I would tell you, out-worlder?
You don not belong here! Your kind only brings pain and suffering! You deserve to die!”
“You’re killing your own people with it,” returned Rhodes. “You have to stop using it.”
“Liar!”
“He does not lie,” said Marak, who seemed to be filled with a new courage in the presence of
the Starfleet officers. “I have seen the proof. Our world, our system, is deteriorating because of
it. We must stop using it. They are here to help, not destroy,” he pleaded.
Etar’s eyes grew darker and his voice became lower, steadier. “Do you not remember? The
Dominion said the same thing. We looked into their minds and only saw order. Then they turned
on us and destroyed everything that we held dear.”
“The dominion soldiers have only order in their minds,” said Ledak. “They are genetically
engineered that way for total discipline. It is not your fault that you didn’t recognize their
intentions.”
Etar ignored his words. “I have looked into your minds, too, off-worlders. You, captain, boast
about your ship’s destructive capabilities and your heart is filled with hatred for those who spite
you, take things from you. Even as we speak, there is one aboard your ship who has nothing but
malignant intentions towards all.”

“A Jem’Hadar battleship has just entered the system,” reported Elema. “Its weapons and
shields have become active.”
Anderson sat upright at the news. “Time to intercept?”
“Six minutes at their present speed.”
“Red alert. Send out a hail. I want them to identify themselves and their intentions…and
contact the captain.” Anderson looked at the tactical readout. “Don’t worry about the Dominion,
he says. Its being taken care of, he says…”

“Captain, the Adventure reports that a Jem’Hadar battleship has entered the system and has
armed its weapons,” said Highland.
“Then we can destroy two threats at the same time,” said Etar.
“Let our ship handle this. Don’t use that weapon,” said Rhodes.
“It is already too late.” Etar held up a small device who’s display had a timer counting
backwards. There was only seven minutes left on it. “Your ships are not long for this universe.
For over a millennia, we have had tranquility. Then the out-worlders arrived and everything
changed. We have had peace, my father had peace, his father had peace. Now, I have lost control
and this is the first generation to witness evil first hand. If there will be no peace in our time…so
be it.” The High Elder crushed the timer in his hand, rendering it useless to stopping the weapon.
The captain touched his comm badge. “Rhodes to Adventure.”

“I have to get out of here,” muttered Tari Markert as the red alert began to sound. “This is
going to be one hell of a story…once I get all of it.”
The reporter tried prying open the outer door again, to no avail. She looked around for
something, anything, to work with. She had pulled off the panel covering the door controls, but
couldn’t override them. But maybe…
Markert went into the washroom, grabbed a drinking cup from a dispenser, and then filled it
with water. She looked at the open panel and hoped that this worked.
 With a final resolve, she tossed the water onto the exposed circuitry…
And the whole room shook violently.

“Direct hit on the starboard shields - they’re down to 90%,” stated Elema. “The captain is
hailing us.”
“Tell him that this isn’t a good time,” said Anderson.

Rhodes looked at Highland. “Did she just say that?”

“Yes, she did,” interjected Ledak.
Rhodes shot him a look and then returned to his conversation with the ship. “Adventure…you
have to get out of the system. There’s less than five minutes before that weapon fires again.”

Anderson took in the information as she ordered a spread of quantum torpedoes against the
Jem’Hadar. “Understood, captain.”
Coy turned to Anderson. “We can’t just leave them there.”
“Would you like to tell the Dominion to stop firing so that we could beam them up?”
“No, but I will evade them for enough time.” Coy tapped the controls, causing the Adventure
to spin on its vertical axis in an erratic barrel roll. She then punched the impulse controls to full.
The view screen filled with the planet ahead.
“Uh, Miriam, what are you doing?” asked Owens, who was at the engineering station.
“Just beam up the away team when we’re in range.”
“We are coming into range now…I have a lock.”
“Dropping shields,” said Elema.
The ship shuddered from an impact. Alarms began to scream.
“Direct hit on the starboard nacelle! Structural integrity is down to 50%!” someone yelled.
“Energizing!…Got ‘em.!”
“I’m reading an energy spike - emanating from the planet surface!”
Anderson stood up as another explosion rocked the ship. “Shields up! Get us out of here!
Warp 5!”
The Adventure looped just short of the planet’s atmosphere and jumped into warp, while the
planet’s gravity well fighting to hold the tiny ship.
As the Akira class vessel left the system, an expanding burst of energy pulsed forth form
Doruth Four. The Jem’Hadar battle cruiser disintegrated instantly.
When the Adventure was well out of reach of the weapon’s effect, Anderson ordered the ship
out of warp.
Rhodes, Ledak, and Highland stepped onto the bridge and assumed their respective stations.
“Nice job,” said Rhodes.
“Thank you,” Coy answered before Anderson could speak.
“No dominion, huh?” said Anderson. Rhodes just shrugged his shoulders.
The turbolift doors opened and Tari Markert peeked out. No one had noticed her yet, so she
tried to take in as much as possible. The science officer was talking about some weapon’s effects,
the engineer was reporting damage and was concerned about a pylon, the ops officer was detailing
casualty reports and damage control, the helmsman seemed to be bragging about her flying skills,
and the security chief…was heading straight towards her.
Markert gulped as Highland’s hand clamped around her arm.
“Captain, we have a visitor,” he announced.
Rhodes turned to look at the escaped detainee.
“What are…” He never finished the question.
“Captain!” This was the first time anyone on the bridge had ever heard a Benzite raise his
voice in excitement. “The third planet is breaking apart!”
Anderson thought that Ledak was almost ecstatic about the information.
 “Oh, crap,” someone exclaimed.
“Get us out of here. Maximum warp.”
“The nacelle…” stammered Owens.
“Go! Or the nacelle will be the only thing left of the ship!” ordered Rhodes.
Coy punched the drive and said a quick prayer. The Adventure once again shot into warp as
the third planet exploded followed by the other seven. Then something unexpected happened - the
sun went nova.
The entire bridge crew watched the spectacle on the monitor, their eyes glued to the
magnificent, but deadly event.
“Send out a priority one disaster signal…multiple level…”
“Fourteen,” volunteered Ledak.
“Level fourteen shock waves originating from the Doruth System approaching…take necessary
precautions. Add our ID tag to the message.” Rhodes turned to Owens. “How’s she holding
together?”
“The chief’s routed all available power to the structural integrity fields, sir. But I can’t
guarantee anything if we’re hit by that wave.”
“Make sure we’re not hit by that wave, Miriam,” Rhodes said dryly.
“I’ll make note of it, sir.”
Markert looked at the screen in disbelief. “Did…did an entire solar system just blow up?” she
asked.
“She catches on quick for a reporter,” quipped Coy.
This is going to be one hell of a story thought Markert as she was escorted from the bridge.

EPILOGUE

Captain’s log Stardate: 53031.6

I am not quite sure how to classify this mission: Success? Failure? Inconclusive? In a sense,
it could be all of the above. We discovered the cause of the ships’ destruction and a stop was
brought to it. We failed to prevent the continued use of the weapon and it could be said that our
presence instigated the doom of the Doruth System. However, the unexpected arrival of the
Dominion battleship would have also caused the system’s destruction - even if we hadn’t shown
up. As it turned out, our presence and alert of the shock wave saved several ships from certain
ruin and neighboring inhabited systems had time to prepare for damage brought on by the wave.
Mr. Highland should be commended for his diligence in identifying the Jem’Hadar ship.
According to Cardassian records, it had disappeared at the beginning of the war - probably had
entered a wormhole and was sent halfway across the quadrant. That would explain why it was
traveling from its direction and attacked so openly.
 My deepest regret is that we couldn’t prevent the destruction of the Doruth System. The
resulting actions of the Doruth people, in relation to outside contact, are one of the leading
arguments by anti-expansionists. A peaceful people, traumatized by an aggressive species, can
be a dangerous force. There is no room for logic when fear sets in. We can only wonder, what or
who, their ancestors fought so long ago, that a weapon of that destructive magnitude had to be
built. Hopefully, we’ll never encounter them. On a side note, that weapon would be a
tremendous advantage over the Borg.
My final problem regarding this mission is a fairly tough one. The INS reporter, Tari
Markert, is an eyewitness to a major galactic event. Her report could make her famous and a
central news figure - something that I’m sure that she would appreciate. Of course, the fact that
she faked a distress signal causing delay to the mission, which in turn caused us to change
course and then collide with the subspace anomaly; causing further delay. My report could
justify that her lack of judgement and common sense is a direct cause of the destruction of
Doruth Four and its system. One could only wonder if it would have been possible to stop the
weapon’s discharge that final time if we had maintained our original course and maximum speed.
What if…what if? Starfleet Command will have to decide.
Repairs are going well for the ship. There was mostly minor and cosmetic damage to the
ship’s hull and interior. The warp nacelle will have to be refit at a starbase. We are currently
under weigh to Deep Space Nine, in the Bajoran Sector, at warp two so as not to put any more
undue stress on the ship. All in all, it held up pretty good for its first mission.

Captain’s personal log: supplemental:

In the past twenty-four hours, I haven’t once thought of Lizzy. But now, as I returned to my
cabin, the absence of the momentos that I had collected over the years with her has brought back
that empty, cavernous feeling. She would have been the first one that I would have contacted at
the conclusion of this mission, but now, I am at a loss of who to talk with. Non-Starfleet
personnel aren’t privy to this type of information, and they wouldn’t comprehend what my job
entails. Miriam has avoided the subject when we’re together - fortunate on both our parts since
she might get the urge to borrow on of the Valkyries.
My crew has performed in exemplary fashion and I couldn’t be happier with the selection of
officers under my command. I can’t, however, get it out of my mind about what Etar had said on
the surface…about someone aboard my ship who has ‘malignant intentions’ towards all life.
Hopefully, he was sensing the Jem’Hadar and not my people.
On a happier note, Elema’s static problem is finally over.

Rhodes exited his ready room and crossed the bridge to the conference lounge, where his senior
staff awaited - that is, all but Dr. Waylon. Rhodes decided to start without her. “What’s our
status?”
“We are two hours away from Deep Space Nine,” answered Anderson. “Repairs are going
according to schedule, and the crew is in, well, a rather somber mood.”
The mood in the lounge wasn’t any better. No one wanted to discuss the mission or its
possible repercussions. There was sure to be an inquiry by the Federation Council and the New
Cardassian government - something they would all like to avoid. Rhodes decided to try to ease
the tension.
“I have all of your reports and everything looks in order. Do any of you have anything to add -
either on or off the record? Now’s the time to say your peace.”
Everyone looked at each other. Finally, Ledak spoke up.
“I believe that I speak for all present, when I say that, given all circumstances, our first mission
went in accordance to the parameters of Starfleet’s mandates. What happened to the Doruth
System was outside of our control, and we have nothing to regret but the unfortunate loss of the
Doruth people.”
 All of the officers nodded in solemn agreement.
Rhodes was relieved that the crew felt the same way as he did. “Now, can anyone explain why
the good doctor has chosen not to join us?”
As if on cue, the doors slid open and Abby Waylon stood silhouetted in the portal. She said
nothing as she raised a phaser rifle and fired into the conference room.

TO BE CONTINUED…

BOOK TWO: FEAR AND TRUST