Princes of the Universe - Chapter One

 Not since the days of old had a battle been seen like this on the planet Bajor…let alone around it!
    Near one of the airlocks on station Deep Space Nine a battle of swords was taking place between old long-time enemies. Between Bajoran and Cardassian. The clang of swords could be heard throughout the airlock. Thrust and parry was met by thrust and parry from the opposite side. The might battle continue for several minutes. Then it appeared that the Cardassian, who was dressed in the uniform of a Gul, a commander, was gaining the upper hand. The Bajoran was getting lower and lower to the floor as the Cardassian was winning this battle of swords. A swipe from the Cardassian’s sword knocked the Bajoran’s sword flying against a nearby wall. The Bajoran was on his knees. He looked up at the Cardassian.
    “Go ahead Damec. Do it!”
    The Bajoran lowered his head. The Cardassian raised his sword.
    “There can be only one!” he cried.
    The Cardassian brought his sword down upon the Bajoran, separating his head from his body. He stood looking down at his fallen foe. He then began to twitch. Down the corridor he could see a glowing light, a form of lightning. The lightning soon covered him. He began to writhe about, as if in pain. He let out a huge cry. After a few seconds the lightning seemed to die down. The Cardassian did not notice the station’s security chief, Odo, and a full security contingent arrive in the corridor. Odo had no idea what had just happened. The Cardassian stare at him coldly. Odo then saw the decapitated Bajoran.

    “You are under arrest.” said Odo.
    “I think now.”
    The Cardassian activated his communicator.
    “This is Damec. Get me out of here.”
    As Odo approached the Cardassian a transporter beam covered him. A second later he was gone. Odo then activated his communicator.
    “Odo to ops. Try and stop that Cardassian warship from leaving.”
    “Too late.” said Kira. “The docking clamps were released a few minutes ago.”
    “Well try something to stop them!” said Odo. “The Gul has just killed someone!”
    It was too late. The Cardassian warship had already hit warp speed, They were gone.

    The Epsilon-Beta system had been quiet for some time now. Not since the last visit of the Valkyrie had a ship been in this system. This, of course, pleased the inhabitants of the first planet. One particular inhabitant, Connor McCloud, found life very peaceful on this planet. McCloud had been severely injured during the testing of the second Lohengrin starship, the first having been destroyed after it was captured by Dr. Theophilus and his henchmen. He had then been taken to this planet by an old friend, Lt. Commander Sutek, in the hope that he would be able to find comfort in the illusionary abilities of the Epsilon race. It had appeared that he had, but comfort was only one thing. As McCloud wandered through the caverns underneath the planet the telepaths watched him.
    “I sense all is not well with Captain McCloud.” said the Elder. “Although he has found new life because of us I sense that he is changing somehow.”
    “Indeed.” said another. “Although we made it seem to him that he was no longer handicapped by his injuries something has changed his molecular structure. Perhaps we had better speak with him.”
    McCloud continued to walk down the corridor when he suddenly stopped. The telepaths had sent a message that they wanted to see him. He turned around and walked towards their main chamber. Upon entering McCloud smiled.
    “You ‘called’?” he said.
    “We did indeed, Captain.” said the Elder. “Is all well with you at the moment?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “We had noticed in the past few weeks that your molecular structure had altered in some way, changed.”
    “I haven’t felt anything.”
    The Elder closed his eyes. Using his powers he began to scan McCloud’s entire body. He opened his eyes a few seconds later. He seemed shocked.
    “What’s wrong?” asked McCloud. “What is it?”
    “I can find no trace of your injuries, Captain.”
    “That’s impossible. I was crippled!”
    “Nevertheless, your injuries have healed. There is no longer a need for us to use our powers on you.”
    The telepath nodded. McCloud appeared to shimmer. The shimmering last a few seconds.
    “What was that?” he asked.
    “Proof that your injuries have healed Captain.” said the Elder.
    “There’s only one way I could have healed!” said McCloud.
    Before McCloud could continue he let out a huge cry of pain and slumped to his knees, head bowed.
    “What is it Captain McCloud?” said the Elder. “What’s wrong?”
    McCloud looked up at the Elder.
    “It is something I have not felt for over a century.” he replied. “Something I thought I would never feel again! The quickening!”

    The U.S.S. Valkyrie was just entering the Bajoran system, en route for Deep Space Nine and a routine stopover. To the crew it just seemed like a normal stopover. It was then that something happened. Something had appeared on Lt. Amarus’ sensor panel.
    “What is it, Lieutenant?” asked Watt.
    “A vessel heading on a direct intercept course at warp nine.” Amarus reported.
    “What sort of vessel?” asked Pendragon.
    “Unable to determine at this…wait! It’s Cardassian!”
    “It’s closing!” said Tompkins. “And fast! It’s heading straight for us!”
    “Evasive manoeuvres.” Watt ordered.
    They just managed to get out of the way as the Cardassian vessel roared past their port side, and although a collision was avoided some damage was done. The Valkyrie began to spin out of control.
    “The warp engine on the port side is damaged Captain.” reported Amarus.
    “Engineering, report.” said Watt.
    “The warp cells have sustained severe damage.” Lom reported.
    Then the ship stopped spinning as Tompkins and Greenleaf regained control.
    “Please continue Commander.” said Watt.
    “We can manage on one warp engine until we reach Deep Space Nine.” Lom continued. “But we’ll have to get repairs there.”
    Amarus’ panel lighted up again.
    “Captain, I’m picking up a signal from D.S.9.”
    “On screen.”
    The image of Commander Benjamin Sisko, the commanding officer of D.S.9, appeared on the screen.
    “This is Commander Benjamin Sisko of station Deep Space Nine, calling any ship within the Bajoran system. A Cardassian warship has just left this station. Please intercept. The commanding officer of that ship has just murdered a Bajoran national aboard this station.”
    “Open a channel Lieutenant.” Watt ordered.
    Amarus pressed his control panel.
    “Channel open.”
    “Commander Sisko, this is Captain Watt on the Valkyrie. A Cardassian warship just reared past us. We only just managed to avoid a collision.”
    “Can you follow Captain Watt?”
    “Negative I’m afraid Ben. The near miss cause us to spin out of control, damaging some of our port side warp cells. You say their Gul killed a Bajoran? How?”
    “I would rather not discuss this until you arrive Captain.” said Sisko. “Although your help would be appreciated during your stopover.”
    “Understood Ben. We’ll be at D.S.9 in two hours, a little behind I’m afraid. And can you have Chief O’Brien ready with a repair crew? That engine took one hell of a battering.”
    “Certainly Captain. Sisko out.”
    The screen went blank. Watt turned to Pendragon.
    “A pity Magus is not here.” said Watt.
    “His detective skills certainly would have been of help to Constable Odo. But with the Ambassador away defending Lieutenant Talbot I’m afraid they’ll have to make do with our help!” said Pendragon.
    “Captain, I’m picking up another signal, from Starfleet Command.” said Amarus. “They have just received new of the incident on Deep Space Nine. They have contacted an Admiral, and he is currently on his way to D.S.9 also.”
    “Lethbridge-Stewart probably.” said Watt. “That old dog gets everywhere these days!”
    “Negative Captain.” said Amarus. “The message says he is a specialist of some kind and wants to speak to you as soon as he arrives on Deep Space Nine.”
    “Odd that no name was given.”