“Carry out a full scan of the surface.” ordered Damec.
His order was carried out. The science officer made his report.
“A class M planet with no cities or dwellings on the surface. There are many caverns underground however, but something is blocking our scans.”
“Are there any entrances to the caverns?” asked Damec.
“There is only one.”
“Damec to security chief. Form a full assault squad. We are going down to the surface. I’ll wipe out all of these telepaths if I have to. Then McCloud will be mine, as will his knowledge and power!”
The Valkyrie was still far behind the Cardassian ship. Admiral McCloud still sat on the bridge. He was now very worried and tense.
“What do long range scans show Mr. Amarus?” he asked.
“There is one ship nearing the first planet.” Amarus replied. “But I can’t tell if it is Cardassian or not.”
Watt re-entered the bridge.
“Report number one.”
“We are two hours away from the Epsilon-Beta system.” reported Pendragon. “Unable to go faster than warp four.”
“We must go faster.” said McCloud.
“If we could we would.” said Watt. “The warp engines are nearly falling apart as it is.”
The Cardassian warship has now reached a standard orbit around Epsilon-Beta One. Upon reaching this orbit a full assault squad, numbering twenty, was beamed down. A few seconds after this squad arrived Gul Damec beamed down, massive broadsword in his hand. As he arrived the assault squad were carrying out a full sensor scan.
“Why are you just standing there?” asked Damec. “Find these telepathic fools and kill them, and leave the human for me.”
“I would still like to know why we are here.” said one. “This operation has not been sanctioned by the Cardassian High Command.”
The Cardassian’s words were met with a slap across the face and a stern look fro Damec.
“Do not question me again you idiot.” he boomed. “Or you will pay for your insolence with your worthless life!”
Then a Cardassian trooper came running over to Damec.
“Gul Damec!” he shouted. “I’ve found it! I’ve found the entrance which leads to the caverns!”
In the cavern below the Elder sat, eyes closed, looking at the happenings above. McCloud was with him.
“It is useless.” said the Elder. “I cannot breach their minds. Something is blocking their thoughts. I cannot create illusions to use against them.”
“What weapons do you have?” asked McCloud. “Where are they kept?”
The Elder opened his eyes and looked up at McCloud.
“Weapons? We are a peaceful race, we mean no harm to anyone.”
McCloud punched the table.
“You fools!” he shouted. “Those Cardassians are here for one reason and one reason only! They want to kill us! And without your powers we have no defences!”
McCloud raced out of the room. The Elder watched as he left. He knew that all was lost.
The Valkyrie entered the Epsilon-Beta system. That news that Amarus relayed did not please Admiral McCloud.
“Ship identified as a Cardassian warship.” he reported. “Sensors are picking up twenty-one life forms on the planet’s surface. Sensors unable to penetrate into the caverns below.”
“Damn!” cursed McCloud. “If only Magus was here.”
“Magus would have been somewhat ineffective against the telepaths.” said Watt. “Their power of mind control is far better than his.”
Then the ship began to shake slightly. A call came through from engineering.
“Lom to bridge.”
“Watt here.”
“We’re going to have to drop down to warp three. The engines are getting worse.”
“That will add another ten minutes to our journey.” said Pendragon.
“Another ten minutes advantage to Damec.” said McCloud.
It was twenty minutes later when the Valkyrie neared the first planet. The warp engines were getting worse and worse as they went on. As they reached a standard orbit a call came through from Lom.
“That’s it I’m afraid.” he said. “We now have a maximum speed of warp one, and I don’t know if that will last much longer!”
“You did your best Commander.” said Watt. “Let’s just hope they last long enough for us to reach a starbase.”
McCloud got to his feet and walked towards the turbo-life.
“Commander Pendragon, Lieutenant Amarus, you’re with me.” he ordered.
Watt got to his feet and turned to McCloud.
“I beg your pardon Admiral.” he said. “But I am in command here. I will assign away team members to you.”
“I have no time for this Captain.” said McCloud. “I’m taking charge of this one. Lieutenant Amarus, please assemble a full security team of twenty to come down with us. Commander Pendragon, I would be grateful if you could bring Excalibur with you.”
Pendragon turned to Watt.
“Do as he says number one.” said Watt. “This is his operation.”
Watt then activated his communicator.
“Watt to Sutek, please report to the bridge and take command.”
“You can’t be serious.” said McCloud. “You can’t leave the ship.”
“I am responsible for the men and women on board this ship.” said Watt. “I’m coming with you.”
McCloud paused for a moment.
“Very well.” he said. “I’ll meet you in transporter room three in two minutes. I have something to collect first.”
A minute later McCloud entered the quarters that had been assigned to him and walked over to the table. On the table was a long black case. He opened the case and took out a long Japanese sword. He held the sword to the light and examined it for a few seconds.
“It’s been a long time.” he whispered.
The away team soon beamed down to the surface. As soon as they arrived Amarus and Pendragon began scanning the area with their tri-corders.
“I’m detecting no life signs.” said Amarus.
Amarus adjusted his tri-corder.
“Wait!” he said. “I’m picking up something in the distance.”
Amarus raced away. He was soon followed by Watt, Pendragon and McCloud. Amarus stopped when he saw something not far away from him. The others stopped behind him. What they saw distressed them.
“The telepaths!” said Watt.
Amarus and Pendragon walked over to them.
“They’re dead!” said Pendragon. “All of them.”
Amarus walked over to another fallen telepath.
“It’s the Elder Captain!” he shouted. “He’s still alive!”
Watt soon joined Amarus. The telepath was barely conscious. He looked up at Watt and recognised him instantly.
“Captain Watt! Then you have answered Captain McCloud’s call.”
“Where is Connor?”
“The Cardassians came looking for him. They attacked us while we tried to protect him. Our powers were useless against the Cardassian’s minds. Something shielded them.”
“Damec did.” said McCloud. “Some of us Immortals are able to shield our thoughts against telepaths. Connor never could.”
“Where is Connor now?” asked Watt.
“I do now know.” said the Elder.
The Elder’s body then went limp. The life left his body. Amarus then came up to him.
“I’ve found fifteen bodies in all.” he said. “It’ looks like they were just tossed up here.”
“There were just fifteen telepaths left on this planet.” said Watt. “And now they’re extinct.”
Watt got to his feet and turned to McCloud.
“This isn’t just about Connor anymore!”
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