"Which way to the interrogation rooms?" Koenig asked.
"This way!" Maya pointed, finding it difficult to be heard over all the noise.
They soon found what they were looking for. In the middle of the room, which was on the verge of total collapse, they saw Mentor and Vranch.
"You thought I didn't see this coming, didn't you?" said Mentor. "I've been smuggling people off Zykon for months, because I knew deep down that the Empire would never leave me alone!"
"You are a fool, Mentor!" Vranch shouted. "And you shall pay for this!"
Vranch reached into his tunic and pulled out a blaster. Aiming it at Mentor, he fired, point-blank. Mentor didn't stand a chance. He died before he hit the ground.
This was all Maya could take. Once more altering her form, again into a giant alien monster, she launched herself at Vranch, grabbing him around his throat. One slight movement of her fingers snapped his neck like an old twig.
Once she took her human form, she knelt over her father's dead body. He was lifeless. She began to sob.
Koenig soon joined her. He placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Come with us, Maya. There's nothing left here to stay for. If we stay here much longer, we'll all die!"
Moments later Bergman came up to him. He had found their communicators. Koenig activated his.
"Koenig to Tempest! Four to beam up!"
The transporter beam took hold of them just as the room was about to cave in. Seconds later the room was no more, buried under tons of rubble.
Maya stood on the bridge of the Tempest and watched the screen as her homeworld lurched in its final death throes.
"We'd better move before we get caught in the shockwave," said Bergman.
"I agree," said Koenig. "Alan, set a course for the fleet."
Koenig then approached Maya. She was very quiet.
"Maya, there will always be a place for you here, on the Tempest, and in the Free Federation."
"I could always search for my people," she said. "But the Empire would probably try to hunt me down. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps my place is here with you."
Just as the cavourite drive was engaged, and the Tempest left the Zykon system, Zykon itself exploded, sending a shock wave rippling across the sector. All that remained was now nothing more than an asteroid storm.
As the fleet approached the Death Star, Sutek had found a way of hacking into the station's computer system. Watt and MacCleod eagerly awaited his results.
"So far, I've only managed to get into the communications system," the Vulcan reported. "It would appear that the station is in some sort of crisis."
"What sort of crisis?" asked MacCleod. "What's happening?"
"From what I can tell, someone, or something, has invaded the detention area."
"This may be the diversion we need," said Watt, activating his communicator.
"Watt to Sisko."
In the transporter room of the Saratoga, Sisko, Worf, Kurn and the 58th were preparing themselves.
"Sisko here."
"It appears we already have a diversion, Commander. You may leave when ready."
"Understood, Sisko out."
Sisko turned to his team.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, let's get this over with!"
The nine of them stepped onto the transporter pad. Moments later they were gone.
They arrived seconds later aboard the Death Star, weapons ready, sirens sounding in their ears.
"We're here!" Worf announced. "The main detention wing is down there!"
"Wait!" said McQueen. "Storm Troopers approaching!"
McQueen pointed to a party of Storm Troopers running past the corridor junction. To the surprise of everyone on the team, they ran straight past.
"Looks like someone has already got their attention," said Sisko. "Come on. Let's get this over with."
Worf soon found a computer terminal, and soon managed to gain access to the station's computer.
"We are lucky," he said. "They are nearby!"
Worf gave the team the cell numbers, and moments later, Sisko released the prisoners.
Kurn soon found the container that had been used to restrain Odo.
"It's good to see you, Commander," said Kira. "Any idea where we are?"
"In the Delta Quadrant," Sisko replied.
"I will say this for your Free Federation, Commander!" said Garak. "At least they rescue citizens of their enemy planets as well!"
"Cardassia and Romulus are not enemies of the Free Federation," said Sisko.
Sisko then activated his communicator.
"Sisko to Watt! We've secured the prisoners! Ready to beam back!"
"We can't get a lock on you, Ben!" said Watt. "All that blaster fire has created some sort of internal power surge!"
"This is excellent!" said Garak. "First we get rescued, then we find we can't get out of this oversized tin can!"
McQueen walked over to Garak, and stared him in the eye.
"We could always put you back in your cage, Cardassian!"
Garak smiled a not-too-sincere smile.
"If you don't mind, Colonel, I'd rather go with you!"
"Our sensors are picking up several hangar bays nearby," said Watt. "They're clear of the power surges! If you can get to one of them, we should be able to beam you back!"
"We understand, Captain! Sisko out!"
Sisko turned to the rest of his team.
"Well then, who's for a gentle afternoon stroll?"
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