It had been a long day for Lieutenant-Commander Ivanova. She was having a pretty easy time ‘breaking in’ Captain Sheridan, but the worries about Garibaldi’s condition were still in her mind, especially as she made her way to MedLab.
It was 14:45 hours, and each day since the shooting Ivanova visited Garibaldi to check on his condition. There had been some hope in the past week however when a stranger had ‘visited’ Garibaldi’s bedside and had somehow improved his condition. But his condition had remained the same after that dramatic improvement - he hadn’t gotten worse, or better.
Ivanova soon entered MedLab to find it surprisingly empty. MedLab was normally a hive of activity, but not today. Slowly Ivanova walked over to the main isolation chamber where Garibaldi had been for weeks. This time, however, something was different. There was someone in the chamber with him.
From the description of the report she had read the man in the chamber matched the description of the intrude. This time the strange energy, the strange glow, surrounded both Garibaldi and the stranger.
Ivanova banged on the transparent screen.
“Stop! What are you doing?”
Her Federation training took over. She activated her communicator.
“Ivanova to Security! We have an intruder in MedLab!”
The stranger looked around and stared at Ivanova. There was a look of complete concentration in his eyes. Then, dismissing her with a single look, he turned and continued with his business.
The security team came racing in, Doctor Franklin not far behind them. Franklin released the seal on the chamber, and he followed two of the guards into the chamber.
But it was too late. The glow subsided, and just as they came through the door the man vanished, to where they did not know.
Again Ivanova activated her communicator.
“Ivanova to Ops! I want a full internal sensor scan, and a log of that energy reading!”
A second later Sheridan came racing into MedLab. He had heard Ivanova’s communication.
“I already checked the energy reading.” he said. “It was mystical!”
“Mystical?” Ivanova queried. “You mean he was a wizard?”
Sheridan did not answer. He was about to when he heard a groan from inside the chamber. Franklin came charging out.
“What’s wrong?” Sheridan asked.
“I don’t know what that guy did!” Franklin replied. “But he cured him! Garibaldi’s coming to!”
The Lohengrin arrived in orbit around Earth, less than two weeks after she had left to go to the de-militarized zone. Now Sinclair found himself home again, sooner than expected.
Upon docking with MacKinley Station a transmission was received from Starfleet Command in San Francisco telling them that a special visitor was about to beam aboard. In the transporter room Sinclair and Shelby stood awaiting their visitors.
“I’m getting the signal now Captain.” the transporter chief reported. “They are ready to beam aboard.”
“Energize!” Sinclair ordered.
The transporter beam energized, three forms could be seen reforming on the transporter pad. When beaming was complete Sinclair and Shelby were surprised to see President Servalan standing before them.
“Madame President, it is an honour.” said Sinclair. “You should have let us know you were coming. May I introduce you to my first officer, Commander Shelby.”
“Good day to you Commander.” said Servalan.
She then turned to introduce the two people with her.
“Of course, Captain, you know my chief of security, Commander Sleer. I don’t think you’ve met Commander Travis though.”
Sinclair could not help but stare at Travis. He had not met the man, but he knew him by his reputation. Sinclair wondered how come he had lasted so long in Starfleet.
“I must speak with you on an urgent matter Captain. May we adjourn to your Observation Lounge?”
“Certainly. I’ll call my senior officers.”
“There is no need for that.” said Sleet. “For now only you and Commander Shelby need to know your mission.”
A few minutes later they sat around the table in the Observation Lounge. Sinclair had allowed Servalan to sit at the head of the table, even though that was normally his position.
“I take it you have heard of the recent prison break from Cygnus Alpha?” asked Servalan.
“I haven’t had much chance to catch up on recent events.” Sinclair replied. “I was preoccupied with our mission to the Zone. We were called away at a crucial stage.”
“Nevertheless, you know the basics.” said Servalan. “How while en-route the Valkyrie encountered a strange alien vessel, and somehow, while investigating that vessel, Captain Watt allowed Roj Blake, Kerr Avon and Jenna Stanis to escape with the alien ship. Since then they rescued their comrades from Cygnus Alpha, and have destroyed the relay station on Saurian Major. To put it bluntly, Blake and his crew have become a pain in the Federation’s backside.”
“So what does this have to do with the Lohengrin?” asked Shelby.
“Quite simple, Commander.” replied Servalan. “You are to seek, locate and destroy Roj Blake and his crew, and recover their ship, which they have dubbed the ‘Liberator’. That is why Commander Travis is here with us today. He is to be the liaison between the Lohengrin and the Presidential office.”
“What about Starfleet Command?” Sinclair asked.
“I have personally taken charge of this case.” Servalan replied. “I want Blake and his crew, Captain, dead or alive, and I want the Liberator in one piece. Do you understand?”
“He understands.” said Travis.
“I would just like to make one thing clear Commander Travis.” said Sinclair. “The Lohengrin is my ship, and I outrank you. Place this mission in jeopardy and I will relieve you of duty. Do you understand?”
Travis did not reply.
“Very well.” said Servalan. “This meeting is now adjourned. Good luck with your mission Captain.”
They got to their feet, and as Servalan and Sleer headed back towards the transporter room Sinclair grabbed Shelby’s arm.
“Assign Travis quarter.” he whispered. “And ask Mister Tarses to double the ship’s security. There’s something about this mission I don’t like.”
“You and me both!”
Ro Laren had made good use of her tactical training. Indeed, ever since her escape, while on her way to her preliminary hearing, Starfleet Security had not been able to locate her. This either said something very good about her training or something very bad about Starfleet Security.
Now she was in a building she had hoped she would never be, but her current situation called for her to be there, if she ever wanted to get off Earth, that is. This building was the secret headquarters of the Terra Nostra criminal organisation, a group whose rulers were said to be descended from the crime lords of the notorious criminal organisation powerful in the 20th and early 21st centuries, the Mafia.
Ro sat in an isolated room, only a dim light for company. She had not wanted anything to do with the Terra Nostra. For some reason they reminded her of the Cardassians, whom, as a Bajoran, she held no love for. Then, as she sat, the door suddenly opened, Her eyes were not used to the bright light which suddenly entered the room, her eyes having grown accustomed to the dimness.
Two burly-looking men entered the room and took up positions either side of the door. Then another man entered, dressed in rather lavish clothing. He seated himself opposite Ro at the table.
“Greetings Commander Ro. I am Giovanni Orsine, head of our operations here on Earth. I am told you wanted to see me, to book passage on a vessel to Bajor I believe. What can you offer me in return?”
“Look at me. What do you think I can offer? I’m wanted by Starfleet Security!”
“Perhaps some secrets then? Something that could give me an edge over my rivals within the Federation.”
“No way! You think I’d give someone like you Federation secrets? At first they thought your group killed the President!”
“You want passage to Bajor yet you say you cannot offer me payment. Could your government pay me, say, half a million credits upon your arrival? After all, you are a criminal!”
“The Bajoran government will believe me, and it will give you your money when we reach Bajor.”
“And what about Deep Space Nine? Won’t the Federation ask them to intervene upon your arrival?”
“The Federation are there at the request of the Bajoran government. When they find out what I know they’ll overrule them. Then you’ll get your money.”
Orsine leaned back in his chair and smiled at Ro.
“Very well. You will get your passage. But I will tell you this one thing Commander.” Orsine’s expression changed to one of warning. “If no payment is received upon your arrival, Bajor, and Deep Space Nine, will be blown to kingdom come!”
It was 14:45 hours, and each day since the shooting Ivanova visited Garibaldi to check on his condition. There had been some hope in the past week however when a stranger had ‘visited’ Garibaldi’s bedside and had somehow improved his condition. But his condition had remained the same after that dramatic improvement - he hadn’t gotten worse, or better.
Ivanova soon entered MedLab to find it surprisingly empty. MedLab was normally a hive of activity, but not today. Slowly Ivanova walked over to the main isolation chamber where Garibaldi had been for weeks. This time, however, something was different. There was someone in the chamber with him.
From the description of the report she had read the man in the chamber matched the description of the intrude. This time the strange energy, the strange glow, surrounded both Garibaldi and the stranger.
Ivanova banged on the transparent screen.
“Stop! What are you doing?”
Her Federation training took over. She activated her communicator.
“Ivanova to Security! We have an intruder in MedLab!”
The stranger looked around and stared at Ivanova. There was a look of complete concentration in his eyes. Then, dismissing her with a single look, he turned and continued with his business.
The security team came racing in, Doctor Franklin not far behind them. Franklin released the seal on the chamber, and he followed two of the guards into the chamber.
But it was too late. The glow subsided, and just as they came through the door the man vanished, to where they did not know.
Again Ivanova activated her communicator.
“Ivanova to Ops! I want a full internal sensor scan, and a log of that energy reading!”
A second later Sheridan came racing into MedLab. He had heard Ivanova’s communication.
“I already checked the energy reading.” he said. “It was mystical!”
“Mystical?” Ivanova queried. “You mean he was a wizard?”
Sheridan did not answer. He was about to when he heard a groan from inside the chamber. Franklin came charging out.
“What’s wrong?” Sheridan asked.
“I don’t know what that guy did!” Franklin replied. “But he cured him! Garibaldi’s coming to!”
The Lohengrin arrived in orbit around Earth, less than two weeks after she had left to go to the de-militarized zone. Now Sinclair found himself home again, sooner than expected.
Upon docking with MacKinley Station a transmission was received from Starfleet Command in San Francisco telling them that a special visitor was about to beam aboard. In the transporter room Sinclair and Shelby stood awaiting their visitors.
“I’m getting the signal now Captain.” the transporter chief reported. “They are ready to beam aboard.”
“Energize!” Sinclair ordered.
The transporter beam energized, three forms could be seen reforming on the transporter pad. When beaming was complete Sinclair and Shelby were surprised to see President Servalan standing before them.
“Madame President, it is an honour.” said Sinclair. “You should have let us know you were coming. May I introduce you to my first officer, Commander Shelby.”
“Good day to you Commander.” said Servalan.
She then turned to introduce the two people with her.
“Of course, Captain, you know my chief of security, Commander Sleer. I don’t think you’ve met Commander Travis though.”
Sinclair could not help but stare at Travis. He had not met the man, but he knew him by his reputation. Sinclair wondered how come he had lasted so long in Starfleet.
“I must speak with you on an urgent matter Captain. May we adjourn to your Observation Lounge?”
“Certainly. I’ll call my senior officers.”
“There is no need for that.” said Sleet. “For now only you and Commander Shelby need to know your mission.”
A few minutes later they sat around the table in the Observation Lounge. Sinclair had allowed Servalan to sit at the head of the table, even though that was normally his position.
“I take it you have heard of the recent prison break from Cygnus Alpha?” asked Servalan.
“I haven’t had much chance to catch up on recent events.” Sinclair replied. “I was preoccupied with our mission to the Zone. We were called away at a crucial stage.”
“Nevertheless, you know the basics.” said Servalan. “How while en-route the Valkyrie encountered a strange alien vessel, and somehow, while investigating that vessel, Captain Watt allowed Roj Blake, Kerr Avon and Jenna Stanis to escape with the alien ship. Since then they rescued their comrades from Cygnus Alpha, and have destroyed the relay station on Saurian Major. To put it bluntly, Blake and his crew have become a pain in the Federation’s backside.”
“So what does this have to do with the Lohengrin?” asked Shelby.
“Quite simple, Commander.” replied Servalan. “You are to seek, locate and destroy Roj Blake and his crew, and recover their ship, which they have dubbed the ‘Liberator’. That is why Commander Travis is here with us today. He is to be the liaison between the Lohengrin and the Presidential office.”
“What about Starfleet Command?” Sinclair asked.
“I have personally taken charge of this case.” Servalan replied. “I want Blake and his crew, Captain, dead or alive, and I want the Liberator in one piece. Do you understand?”
“He understands.” said Travis.
“I would just like to make one thing clear Commander Travis.” said Sinclair. “The Lohengrin is my ship, and I outrank you. Place this mission in jeopardy and I will relieve you of duty. Do you understand?”
Travis did not reply.
“Very well.” said Servalan. “This meeting is now adjourned. Good luck with your mission Captain.”
They got to their feet, and as Servalan and Sleer headed back towards the transporter room Sinclair grabbed Shelby’s arm.
“Assign Travis quarter.” he whispered. “And ask Mister Tarses to double the ship’s security. There’s something about this mission I don’t like.”
“You and me both!”
Ro Laren had made good use of her tactical training. Indeed, ever since her escape, while on her way to her preliminary hearing, Starfleet Security had not been able to locate her. This either said something very good about her training or something very bad about Starfleet Security.
Now she was in a building she had hoped she would never be, but her current situation called for her to be there, if she ever wanted to get off Earth, that is. This building was the secret headquarters of the Terra Nostra criminal organisation, a group whose rulers were said to be descended from the crime lords of the notorious criminal organisation powerful in the 20th and early 21st centuries, the Mafia.
Ro sat in an isolated room, only a dim light for company. She had not wanted anything to do with the Terra Nostra. For some reason they reminded her of the Cardassians, whom, as a Bajoran, she held no love for. Then, as she sat, the door suddenly opened, Her eyes were not used to the bright light which suddenly entered the room, her eyes having grown accustomed to the dimness.
Two burly-looking men entered the room and took up positions either side of the door. Then another man entered, dressed in rather lavish clothing. He seated himself opposite Ro at the table.
“Greetings Commander Ro. I am Giovanni Orsine, head of our operations here on Earth. I am told you wanted to see me, to book passage on a vessel to Bajor I believe. What can you offer me in return?”
“Look at me. What do you think I can offer? I’m wanted by Starfleet Security!”
“Perhaps some secrets then? Something that could give me an edge over my rivals within the Federation.”
“No way! You think I’d give someone like you Federation secrets? At first they thought your group killed the President!”
“You want passage to Bajor yet you say you cannot offer me payment. Could your government pay me, say, half a million credits upon your arrival? After all, you are a criminal!”
“The Bajoran government will believe me, and it will give you your money when we reach Bajor.”
“And what about Deep Space Nine? Won’t the Federation ask them to intervene upon your arrival?”
“The Federation are there at the request of the Bajoran government. When they find out what I know they’ll overrule them. Then you’ll get your money.”
Orsine leaned back in his chair and smiled at Ro.
“Very well. You will get your passage. But I will tell you this one thing Commander.” Orsine’s expression changed to one of warning. “If no payment is received upon your arrival, Bajor, and Deep Space Nine, will be blown to kingdom come!”
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