Face Off

Posted on Fri Nov 2nd, 2012 @ 9:00pm by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer

1,082 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Mission 80 - Outpost
Location: USS Pegasus, Bridge
Timeline: Current

ON:

“Admiral, we’re approaching the Iconian System.” Branson said from Flight Control on the Bridge of the Pegasus.

“Take us out of warp Chief.” Mike stood up from his chair. Everyone was ready and they knew the plan. The ships would drop out of warp before entering the Iconian System, then all vessels would go to silent running. No outbound communications and all systems that make it easier to detect a ship were secured.

Mike had thought about ordering all vessels to cloak, but during the war the Dominion had means of detecting cloaked ships and even though cloaking technology had been improved since then, he didn’t want to take a chance. Besides…the Avenger wasn’t fitted-out with a cloaking device.

On the screen was the sun of the Iconian system. It grew larger and brighter as the ships eased closer.

Mike tapped the comm panel on his chair’s left arm rest. The short range ship to ship transmission wouldn’t be easy to pick up from the distance the task force still was from Iconia. In a flash the faces of Sisko and Odo appeared on the screen standing just behind the conn officer. The big Jem Hadar Ramata’Tar was behind them, standing by the port-side egress door.

“All right Odo, what’s your play?” Mike inquired.

“If we move the Task Force into sensor range, Deyos may assume he’s under attack and order the Jem Hadar ships to engage. We want to avoid a fight if possible.” Odo replied. “I’ll hail them on all Dominion channels used during the war. If he responds, I’ll talk him down.”

Mike nodded, “All right, but if Deyos refuses to stand down, we will engage them.”

Sisko agreed, “If Deyos won’t listen to reason, we’ll have no choice but to attack…the Jem Hadar won’t give up without a fight.”

“Make the call, Constable.” Mike said with a smirk.

Odo nodded then turned to the Tactical Two station on the Defiant’s bridge and tapped in several commands. “Hail sent…no response.”

Mike looked back at his crew, “Anything on sensors?” Everyone shook their heads no. He looked back at the screen, “Hail them again.”

“Transmission sent…wait, they are responding.” Odo replied.

The screen split into two frames. Odo and Sisko on the right, as Deyos appeared on the left flanked by two Jem Hadar.

“Founder.” Deyos started, “We are honored by your presence…however we are perplexed, you’re aboard a Federation Starship, the Defiant.” He glared at Ramata’Tar, then looked back at Odo and faked a smile.

“I am, Deyos, and the war is over. It ended more than thirteen years ago.” Odo replied.

“We never received that information.” Deyos responded.

“We know. It was only recently that we found out you had been ordered to take Iconia. The Vorta that gave you those orders was killed as the war ended and he never made mention of the mission in any log.” Odo replied.

“We weren’t ordered here by another Vorta, I received my orders directly from the Founders! You SHOULD know that.” Deyos’s tone was clearly condescending.

Odo looked back at Sisko for a moment, He was sure Weyoun had given the order, but perhaps the Female Founder had given the order, and had kept that information from Odo the times they had linked…but why, when she had been the one to order Dominion to surrender, ending the war. “Perhaps that is the case, as I said, logs of the mission were not kept. I am sending you a copy of the Federation Alliance/Dominion Peace Treaty now. We also have a full Diplomatic Team aboard the USS Sutherland that…”

Deyos interrupted him, “Odo…can I call you Odo? I have very specific orders, I’m sure you’re Federation friends can understand that. And those orders included not surrendering to you, the Federation, the Romulans, or anyone else.” Deyos said smugly.

“Deyos,” Sisko said as he stepped forward, “I’m Vice Admiral Benjamin Sisko. What Odo has told you is the truth. We’re not here to fight you. Since the war ended, the Federation and Dominion have shared a level of peace and cooperation…”

Deyos cut off Sisko, “I don’t care about any of that. The Founders ordered the Dominion to hold this world, and that is what the Dominion will do…til the death.”

The left side of the screen went blank as Deyos cut the channel.

“Arrogant Vorta.” Kira commented.

“Same Deyos I remember, smug, rude…reminds me of Weyoun.” Bashir added.

“Must be a trait of the species.” Sisko said.

Odo just shook his head, “He’s condemned his full garrison to death…along with many Federation Officers and Marines.

Before Mike could reply, Archer spoke up from Ops. “Admiral, sensors are picking up ships approaching from Iconia. Seven vessels, six Attackships and one larger vessel…much larger…”

“On screen.” Mike ordered.

The view flashed from the Bridge of the Defiant to open space. Several specs were moving closer. “Magnify.”

Archer tapped a few commands onto the Ops station then the picture on the screen zoomed in.

“That…is a Dominion Battleship.” Mike said as he eyed the massive Dominion vessel. “I thought Odo said just six Attackships…” He added as he thought aloud as he sat back in his chair.

“Pegasus to all ships, battle stations! Saratoga, launch Attack-Fighters.” Mike nodded to Harrison who was standing at Tactical, then took his seat. The Bridge lighting dimmed as the Pegasus went to red alert. “Pegasus, Essex, Saratoga, and Sutherland will engage the Battleship. Yorktown, Defiant, Avenger, and our Attack-Fighters will eliminate the smaller Attackships then join us. Once we have control of the air we’ll transport troops to the surface.”

In space, the two Defiant class ships joined up on the Intrepid class Avenger and moved forward. The Intrepid class Essex, Akira class Saratoga, and Nebula class Sutherland joined up on the Galaxy Class Refit Pegasus. The small fighters of the 181st Tactical Fighter Wing launched from the Saratoga and Pegasus formed up close to the Defiant, Avenger, and Yorktown.

The two sides squared off, nose to nose. The good guys had the edge in ships, but the bad guys had a six Attackships and another vessel that was twice the size of a Galaxy class ship with three times its firepower.

It was a show down.

OFF:

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