"Watt to Ro. The Habitat Ring has been secured. Begin to make your way to the Promenade."
"Already on our way, Captain!"
From behind his bar, Quark watched the battle raging outside. He watched as Bajoran nationals, stirred into action by Shakaar's speech, began fighting side-by-side with the Free Federation forces against the Imperial forces. He looked at the case in front of him. As soon as the battle had begun, he had been counting the thing most precious to him: his latinum. Knowing that going onto the Promenade would be a dangerous thing to do at the moment, he decided to do the next best thing, and crouch like a coward behind his bar.
The Promenade was far from a safe place. The Jem'Hadar tried to maintain control of the area against Ro's team, and for a while, they seemed to be getting the upper hand. That was until Watt's team entered the battle. After a massive fire-fight, the Jem'Hadar commander could see that he was fighting a losing battle and ordered a withdrawal.
Travis knew he was fighting a losing battle. Try as he might, he couldn't do a thing against the invading forces, now that they had been joined by the Bajoran nationals in the battle. Seconds later, Borath entered Ops. He was not a happy man.
"This station, and this planet, are lost to us, Commander!" he said. "I'm ordering a withdrawal!"
"May I remind you that I am the military commander here, Ambassador!" Travis snapped. "I say when we withdraw! We still have a chance to turn this battle around!"
"Have it your own way then, Commander! The Imperials know when we are beaten!"
Borath activated his communicator, and moments later he was beamed away. All over the station, every remaining Imperial soldier was beamed away, leaving only the Federation defectors on the station to fight the battle. Just as Travis was openly questioning Borath's parentage, the turbo-lift came into Ops with a single figure on board. Captain Watt was the last man Travis had wanted to see.
"In the name of the Free Federation, I claim this station, and I also request your surrender, Commander!"
The scene on the station was repeated all over Bajor. It seemed the entire planet had been stirred by Shakaar's words, and all the Bajorans who were capable of fighting were turning on their Imperial aggressors. With a ferocity that hadn't been seen since the days of the Cardassian occupation, they fought for their very lives.
The signal went from the station to the Defiant. Sisko smiled as Ro told him that ninety percent of the station had been taken. But that pleasure soon turned to horror as a combined squadron of Jem'Hadar and TIE fighters emerged onto the scene. The battle was far from being won.
"Here we go again!" he said.
"Wait!" said Dax. "Look!"
They watched as what seemed like a fleet of Maquis fighters came into view behind the Imperial forces.
"Hudson, you old war dog! You came through!"
The Maquis pilots then showed their worth in the battle. Many of them were old Federation pilots who had many a trick up their sleeves, and with the help of the Free Federation ships, the Imperial squadron was soon defeated.
Another signal then came through from the station. Captain Watt's team had made its way to Ops. All of the Imperial forces had retreated from the station, leaving only the Federation defectors.
With the blessings of Janeway and Tarrant, Sisko ordered a return course set for the station.
Soon, the Defiant was docked with the station. Sisko, Dax, and O'Brien took the first available turbo-lift. However, as soon as they arrived in Ops, they were almost knocked off the lift by a flying Commander Travis. Looking up, Sisko came to the conclusion that Travis had ended up in such a predicament after refusing to surrender to Captain Watt. He looked at Watt and saw him holding a crushed Imperial blaster in his hand.
Upon seeing Sisko, Watt smiled.
"As commanding officer of the Bajoran liberation force, I hereby give command of Deep Space Nine to you, Captain Sisko!"
"A role I gratefully accept, Captain!"
With the dawning of the new day came a newfound resolve among the people of Bajor. What Imperial forces that were left running free would soon be rounded up with the help of the Free Federation forces.
In the Hall of Vedeks, celebrations had begun, the like of which hadn't been seen since the end of the Cardassian occupation.
"We couldn't have done it without your help, Captain Watt," said Shakaar. "What Imperial forces that are left on Bajor should soon be rounded up."
"The Free Federation will continue to have a strong presence in the Bajoran system," said Watt. "This system is strategically important to us, as well as to the Empire. I doubt if we'll see the last of the Imperials in this sector."
"There is one other thing that needs to be taken care of," said Bareil. "The appointment of a First Minister to Bajor, now that the Imperial-installed man has gone. I think you, Shakaar, would be a perfect choice."
"I don't know about that!" said Shakaar. "What about the elections?"
"Of course there will be elections for the post," said Bareil. "But until then, we will need an acting First Minister, one who can inspire us in our future battles with the Empire. I can think of no better man than you, Shakaar!"
"I agree," said Watt. "Although I am no longer bound by the Prime Directive, I can offer you the support of the Free Federation Council. Who knows, perhaps you'll be offered a seat on that council!"
"And I can guarantee the support of the Vedek Assembly," said Bareil. "How about it then?"
"I know when my arm's being twisted! You've got yourself a minister!"
As the celebrations continued, Sisko noticed that one man was missing from the celebrations. He hadn't seen Cal Hudson for hours, and he was beginning to get worried. Walking around the halls, he soon found Hudson in a secluded corner, enjoying a drink on his own.
"Cal! I've been looking all over for you! We've been wanting to thank you for your part in the battle! Captain Watt has been wanting to talk to you as well, about the Maquis' role in the Free Federation."
"You still don't understand, do you Ben? The Maquis and the Free Federation are fighting against two different opponents, for two different things! We have enough problems of our own without adding yours to them!"
"Are you telling me that you don't want to join us?"
"It took you long enough to find that out! Why did you think I insisted that we only help you in the space battle? I wanted no part of your operation! It was only Macius who convinced me otherwise. And this celebration is nothing but a sham! Instead of celebrating, you should be regrouping! Considering your next move! Not drinking and eating!"
"I've never seen you like this before, Cal! What's happened?"
"The DMZ happened, Ben. Now if you'll excuse me, me and my forces will be on our way!"
Pushing past Sisko, Hudson began to round up his forces. Soon, he found Chakotay and B'Elanna.
"I've been looking for you two everywhere. I'm taking the rest of the Maquis out of here."
"What about the alliance with the Free Federation?" asked Chakotay.
"There will be no alliance!" Hudson snapped.
"Are you insane?" asked B'Elanna. "What about the benefits for both sides?"
"The only ones who'll benefit from any alliance would be the Free Federation. Now are you and the rest of your group coming with us, or what?"
A single look exchanged between B'Elanna and Chakotay gave the answer that Hudson was looking for.
"We can't go," said Chakotay. "Even though it may not seem like it, the Maquis and the Free Federation are very much alike. One day, we may all be fighting for the same thing."
"I doubt it," said Hudson. "Have it your own way! Maybe I'll see you around sometime! Maybe you Free Federation boys will need our help again sometime! Just keep off our backs for a while!"
And with that, Chakotay and B'Elanna watched as Hudson led his Maquis forces out of the hall. For a moment, Chakotay wondered if he had made the right choice, staying with the Free Federation. But after seeing the men and women celebrate around him, he saw that he had made the right decision, the right choice.
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