Renegades - Civil War Chapter Forty-Seven

The Maquis ship was clearly being outclassed by the huge Cardassian warship. Phaser blast after phaser blast was being fired at Chakotay and his crew. Some it and caused damage. Some missed. However, on the bridge, Chakotay tried to remain calm.

“We have sustained damage to our port warp nacelle.” Tuvok reported. “We no longer have warp capability.”

“Can you do anything B’Elanna?” Chakotay asked.

“These engines are useless!”

“Try to be creative!” urged Chakotay.

“It’s hard to be creative with thirty-nine year old engines!”

The image of Gul Evek once again appeared on the view screen.

“This is Gul Evek! I order you to surrender at once!”

“Keep him quiet!”

Tuvok turned off the screen.

“I need enough power to get into the Badlands!” said Chakotay.

Torres studied her panel and her mind raced with possibilities. Some were quickly discarded until she came up with an idea that seemed good.

“Tuvok, take the weapons offline!”

The Vulcan stared at Torres.

“Under the circumstances that would not seem a rational plan of action.”

“I can transfer the power from the weapons to the impulse engines. It will give us the power we need to get to the Badlands!”

“Do as she says Tuvok.” Chakotay ordered.

The weapons taken offline, Torres began her work, transferring the power to the impulse engines. Straight away Chakotay steered the ship into the plasma storm infested area dubbed the Badlands. Thinking they were safe Tuvok’s sensor panel told them otherwise.

“The Cardassian vessel is following us in.”

“Gul Evek must be feeling daring today!” Chakotay replied.

The plasma storms were fierce. Chakotay just about managed to steep the ship around them. It’s smaller size made it more manoeuvrable than the Cardassian warship. Gul Evek ordered his pilot to follow the Maquis ship move for move, but he did not think of the plasma storms. A burst from one of these storms hit the Cardassian’s starboard warp nacelle, sending them spiralling away from the Maquis ship.

“Cardassian ship has broken off pursuit.” Tuvok reported. “It would seem we are safe.”

“Good.” said Chakotay, getting to his feet. “We can use the time to make some repairs.”

Then the alarm rang out throughout the ship.

“A cohesive tetrion beam of massive proportions is heading directly towards us.” Tuvok replied. “It will hit us in approximately thirty seconds.”

“Get us out of here!”

“I can’t!” Torres shouted. “We used all of our engine power getting us here! We can’t escape!”

Before they could do anything the beam hit them. It did no damage to them, but it did something that possibly nothing else could do. It made them vanish without a trace.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Forty-Six

The prison shuttle craft neared the main landing pad of the New Zealand penal colony. Aboard were what some considered very important passengers, and what others considered common criminals. Captain Watt and Commander Sutek sat patiently as the shuttle landed. Restraints having been placed around their wrists they were soon led away to a holding cell. An hour passed as they were processed by the colony’s computer system. Then they were taken to the main living area and fitted with tracking devices around their ankles.

They had been given beds next to each other, and they now sat looking around, taking in their surroundings. In one corner sat a fearsome-looking Nausican, obviously there after having committed some violent crime, probably a bar room brawl, as is the Nausican way. Nearby was a Tarn, passing the time by using his telekinetic power to move a coffee cup. As Watt observed his fellow inmates he failed to notice a young human man approach them.

“Well well well! I never thought I’d see the day when one of Starfleet’s finest would be here in New Zealand!”

Watt looked up at the young man. He seemed strangely familiar to him.

“Do I know you?”

“The name is Paris, Tom Paris.”

“Tom Paris as in the Calder II incident?” Sutek asked.

“The one and only! Word has it that you two haven’t even had a trial yet!”

“That’s true!” said Watt. “And the way things have been going we probably won’t be!”

“Let me just tell you this.” Said Paris, leaning forward and looking Watt straight in the eye. “This place can be tough, and when some of the others hear that we’ve got Captain Watt and Commander Sutek in here they may want to try and make a name for themselves!”

“Are you one of those looking for a name?” Watt asked.

“I might be. I might not. On the other hand, I might just be trying to help you by giving you this warning!”

Standing back Paris winked at Watt and Sutek and then walked away.

“Mister Paris is right.” Said Sutek.

“But I have a feeling he wasn’t threatening us!”

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Forty-Five

The Narn colony in the disputed region of space knew nothing of the attack until it happened.

The Narn cruisers were the first to be hit by the strange shimmering vessel. This ship and race were clearly no match for the Narns.

The defence satellites orbiting the colony soon followed. No matter what tactic they tried they were nothing against this giant monster.

Then the colony and it’s population were attacked. Piece by piece the planet’s crust was carved up like a jigsaw. Earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions followed as every form of life on the colony was destroyed. Over one million Narn citizens lost their lives. They never stood a chance. Less than ten minutes later it was all over, and the strange lurking vessel was gone again, vanishing without a trace.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Forty-Four

It had been a long day for Londo Mollari. Once again in the Babylon 5 council chamber he had reached a deadlock with G’Kar regarding Centauri-Narn relations. Walking through the station’s arboretum he was suddenly startled to see his ‘contact’, Morgan, standing before him.

“What are you doing here?” Mollari asked.

“You have a problem Ambassador, and I am here to solve it for you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The Narn colonies in your territory. Your government is trying to get the Narns off those planets, are they not?”

“They are.”

“That is something I can help you with.”

“You? How?”

“I helped you before, didn’t I? Just tell your government to send some ships to the colonies in forty-eight hours. Leave the rest to me.”

Morgan began to walk away.

“What else do I tell my government? I can’t just tell them to send some ships there!”

“Yes you can Ambassador. Good day to you.”

And with that Morgan was gone, leaving Mollari slightly confused, and hoping that his problem would be solved soon.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Forty-Three

Sisko, Quark and Eris had made it to the surface. Several Jem’Hadar warriors were in hot pursuit but were soon beaten back by blaster fire. Then Sisko came to a sudden halt.

“This was the old beam out site.” he said.

Seconds later the three of them were enveloped by the transporter beam and were soon back aboard the runabout. Once aboard Sisko was greeted by Jake. Glad to see each other, they hugged.

“Glad to have you back Commander.” said O’Brien.

As Jake and Nog led Eris to the back of the runabout Sisko took up the seat next to O’Brien.

“So what’s going on?” he asked.

“The Pinafore came through with us. The Jem’Hadar ships seem to have the better of us at the moment!”

“Then let’s do something about it!”

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Forty-Two

The gateway between the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants opened, and the U.S.S. Pinafore, along with the DS9 runabouts, had arrived at the other side of the galaxy.

“Stay alert everyone.” Spalding ordered. “We could be attacked at any moment.”

Spalding was right. Before they knew it two Jem’Hadar ships were upon them, attacking them with everything they had. The Pinafore was the first to take a hit, but they were able to carry on. Then the Ganges, piloted by Dax, O’Brien and Odo took a hit. O’Brien was able to get off a phaser blast at the Jem’Hadar ship, damaging it’s engines. Another blast soon saw it blown into a thousand pieces.

“Chief, are you alright?” Spalding shouted into his communicator.

“My port nacelle sustained a hit. I don’t know if we’ll be any more good in this fight!”

There was another blast as Kira took care of the other Jem’Hadar ship.

“Very well.” said Spalding. “We’ve located Commander Sisko’s runabout. You rendezvous with that. We’ll try and hold them off as long as we can!”

The Ganges then broke off from the formation and headed in the direction of Sisko’s runabout.

On board Nog was getting impatient.

“How about flying this thing at warp now?”

“Are you kidding?” said Jake. “I’m having enough trouble flying this thing at standard orbit speed!”

Then a broad smile appeared on his face as his communicator sounded.

“Ganges to Sisko!”

The celebrations began. They had finally been rescued.

“Chief! It’s me! Jake Sisko! Am I glad you’re here!”

“It’s alright Jake! I’ll beam over!”

Handing the controls to Dax and Odo O’Brien beamed over where he was greeted by a grateful Jake. O’Brien then set about trying to repair the damage that had been done. Shortly afterwards he contacted the Pinafore.

“All the weapons are down Captain. This thing won’t be much good in a fight. I’m going on ahead to look for Commander Sisko and Quark.”

“Understood Chief. We’ll hold them off as long as possible.”

And as O’Brien steered the runabout in the direction of the planet three more Jem’Hadar warships appeared in the distance.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Forty-One

    Kate Pulaski looked out of the observation port in the Ops Room of Pegasus as two ships, the U.S.S. Flying Scotsman and the much larger Liberator approached the station. She hoped that all aboard the Scotsman were safe and well. A short time later Plato joined her.
    “I have jus received a transmission from Captain Pendragon. Everyone is safe. It appears the Federation thinks both ships were destroyed.”
    Pulaski’s gaze was fixed on the alien Liberator vessel.
    “Will you look at the size of that thing!” she said. “The only thing that comes near to that size is a Galaxy-class ship.”
    “I have been told that an Imperial Star Destroyer is much larger than a Galaxy-class vessel.” Plato noted.
    Later Pulaski and Plato arrived at the airlock where Pendragon and Magus disembarked. Seconds later Blake, Avon and Jenna teleported over from the Liberator.
    “Please excuse our method of transportation.” Blake said. “There was no way the Liberator could have docked with your station.”
    After the introductions Magus laid out his plans.
    “I would like to call a meeting of all the senior staff here, including the ambassadors.”
    “What about the Council?” Pendragon asked.
    “Although this concerns them there is nothing they can do in this situation. Their interests can be represented by Bilbo.”
    And so it was. The crews of the Pegasus, the Liberator and the Flying Scotsman met in the main observation lounge of the station.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Forty

    For what had seemed like hours Jake and Nog had wandered around the forest, trying to find the location of Sisko and Quark. Jake moved the tri-corder in front of him, trying to look as if he knew how to operate it. Nog, however, had his doubts.
    “Are you sure you know how to use that thing?” he asked.
    “I think so.” Jake replied. “But so far I haven’t managed to pick up anything!”
    Nog finally lost his cool.
    “This is useless!” he snapped. “We’ve been wandering about all night and we still haven’t found them! Let’s go back to the runabout!”
    Then a smile appeared on Jake’s face.
    “I think I’ve found something! Two hundred metres ahead of us!”
    Excited, the two of them moved forward until they came to the edge of a clearing. Jake had to hold Nog back when he saw movement.
    “What are they?” Nog whispered.
    “I don’t know, and I’m not going down there to ask! They’ve probably got Dad and Quark, which means there’s nothing we can do!”
    “Which means we’ve got to get back to the runabout!”
    For once Jake agreed with his Ferengi friend. Getting to their feet they moved backwards until they were out of earshot of the aliens. Jake then activated his communicator.
    “Computer, this is Jake Sisko. Two to beam up.”
    Seconds later they were back aboard the runabout. Now, so they thought, came the easy part. Jake seated himself in the seat normally occupied by the pilot. He looked around, trying to work out what button did what. It wasn’t as easy as it looked.
    “Don’t you know how to work this thing?” Nog asked impatiently.
    “Computer, set a course for the wormhole!”
    “Course laid in. Please enter the command codes.”
    The slight smiled that had appeared on Jake’s face vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
    “Wait a minute!” he said, the smile re-appearing. “The relays! Chief O’Brien showed me how to dismantle them! If we can disable the command codes we can fly the runabout manually!”
    Getting to his feet Jake walked over to the main relay box. He kneeled down and took off the box’s cover. Nog soon joined him and looked confused when he saw all of the relay chips.
    “Which one is it?” he asked.
    Jake reached forward, going to grab hold of one of the chips.
    “This one, I think!”
    Jake pulled the chip out, and suddenly the alarm sounded.
    “Warning! Warp core containment field failure! Collapse in ten seconds…”
    “Put it back!” Nog screamed. “Put it back!”
    Panic set in the younger Sisko until Nog grabbed the chip and put it back in it’s rightful place.
    “I thought you said you knew how to work these things!” Nog screamed.
    “I didn’t say that!” Jake replied. “But the chip to disable the command codes must be in here somewhere!”

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Thirty-Nine

    The Babylon 5 council had been called into meeting, once again to discuss the growing tensions between the Centauri Republic and the Narn Empire. This time the dispute was over colonies, most notably colonies along their border.
    “The Narn colonies fall into Centauri space, according to the treaty that was signed between our two governments!” Mollari argued.
    “That is not so!” G’Kar replied. “Any interstellar chart will show that the Narn colonies are on the Narn side of the border!”
    Sheridan had had enough. In his short time in command of this station Mollari and G’Kar had been at each other’s throats constantly.
    “Gentlemen! I will not stand by and watch you two engage in a shouting match!”
    “Nor I!” Delenn added. “Surely there is some way we can resolve this matter!”
    “Not while G’Kar stays as stubborn as ever!” said Mollari.
    “Stubborn? Me?” said G’Kar.
    G’Kar was about to insult his Centauri counterpart when his communicator sounded. He was not happy with this interruption.
    “This is G’Kar!” he said, taking his communicator in hand.
    “This is Na’Toth. I am sorry to disturb you Ambassador, but there is an urgent transmission for you from Homeworld.”
    “Can’t it wait?”
    “No Ambassador. It is General T’Llar.”
    G’Kar turned to Sheridan and was about to adjourn the meeting with Sheridan adjourned the meeting. Shortly afterwards G’Kar arrived in his quarters, and Na’Toth left as the image of Narn General T’Llar appeared on the screen. G’Kar bowed his head.
    “What can I do for you General?” he asked.
    “I have just received a report from the rim, where the cruiser was sent following your report on the strange vessel.”
    “And?”
    “The cruiser was destroyed, apparently by the same sort of vessel you encountered.”
    “But there were nearly two thousand crew on that ship! How could this happen?”
    “That we do not know. All we can tell is that it must have been a powerful vessel to have done this to a Narn war cruiser!”
    G’Kar’s head bowed low, the shock of the event hitting him.
    “Thank you General. I will contact you later.”
    The screen went blank. A few seconds later Na’Toth entered.
    “Captain Sheridan wants to know if you want the session to start again.”
    G’Kar paused for a moment before he gave his answer.
    “Tell Sheridan…tell him I wish to see no-one today.”
    Na’Toth could clearly see that G’Kar wanted to be left alone. She then made her exit and relayed G’Kar’s wish to Sheridan.

38 Years Ago Today

I was 12 years old when she passed away on this day in 1983. I'm 50 now, and even though it's been 38 years since she left us I've never stopped missing her.

The memories of that day and the days that followed are still quite vivid, as if they happened recently, and I've lost count of the number of times I've wondered about how my life would have been different if she'd lived.

Rest in peace Mum. x

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Thirty-Eight

    “Hello! Can anyone hear me?”
    The dulcet tones of Quark’s voice rang out through the cave he, Sisko and the alien woman had been taken. While the woman sat deep in thought Sisko watched as Quark continued to shout the roof down. Finally Sisko had had enough.
    “Quark! Will you stop that shouting?”
    “We can’t just sit here and do nothing!” the Ferengi replied. “We’ve got to do something!”
    “Well how about shutting up so I can hear myself think?” Sisko suggested.
    This time Quark did as he was told. It was then that Sisko leaned forward in an attempt to examine the force field that held the three of them prisoner.
    “This force field is very interesting. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
    Sisko reached out and was about to touch the force field when suddenly the woman looked up.
    “I wouldn’t do that if I were you!”
    Sisko seemed surprised that the woman had broken her silence. Sisko pulled his hand away from the force field.
    “And why not?”
    “Because the force field will kill you. Everything the Jem’Hadar do is lethal!”
    “Finally she speaks!” said Quark.
    “Firstly.” said Sisko. “How about telling us your name?”
    “My name is Eris. I am from Kereal Prime.”
    “My name is Ben Sisko. He is Quark.”
    Sisko shook Eris by the hand. Quark declined to do this. Sisko then tried to get the information he needed.
    “Who, or what, are the Jem’Hadar?”
    “The Jem’Hadar are part of the Dominion. Whenever the Dominion have a problem they send in the Jem’Hadar. Kereal Prime was offered membership of the Dominion but refused, so they sent in the Jem’Hadar. We didn’t stand a chance. I only just managed to escape!”
    “The Ferengi have been negotiating with the Dominion for nearly a year now!” said Quark. “We’ve never heard of the Jem’Hadar!”
    “Then you have been lucky.” said Eris.
    “Can you tell us any more?” Sisko asked.
    “There isn’t much more to tell.” said Eris. “Except that we’ll be lucky to get out of here alive!”
    “Well that was encouraging!” said Quark.
    Sisko then looked annoyed as Quark once again started with his shouting.
    “Hello! Can anyone hear me?”

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Thirty-Seven

    Finally Jake had managed to calm Nog down. He was now merely annoyed with his uncle rather than furious. Shortly afterwards they arrived back at the camp site to find that something was wrong.
    “Where are they?” Nog asked.
    “I don’t know.” Jake replied. “But I know they wouldn’t have left us alone without a good reason!”
    They then began calling out for Quark and Sisko in the hope that they might suddenly appear. They did not.
    “We’ve got to do something!” said Jake.
    “We could wait for them in the runabout!”
    Jake stared at his Ferengi friend. He then looked around until he saw what he was looking for - a tri-corder. He picked it up and began to scan the surrounding area.
    “Come on! We’ve got to find them!”
    Reluctantly Nog followed.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Thirty-Six

    “Erghh!! Pesky bugs!”
    Ever since they had arrived in the Gamma Quadrant and found a Class M world for their planetary survey Quark had done nothing but complain.
    “It seems like paradise!” Sisko commented. “Various forms of plant and insect life, and nothing more!”
    “You know what I see here?” said Quark. “Wastage.”
    “You would probably want to strip mine the entire planet!” replied Sisko.
    “And why not? It would turn a tidy profit, and I never liked nature much anyway!”
    “You could stay in the runabout!”
    “No way!”
    Quark then began to scratch his large lobe. Another of the planet’s insects had tried to use him as a meal again.
    “Nog, get me that ointment we brought along! If these bugs had their way they’d take huge chunks out of me!”
    Nog was not happy. What started out as a nice trip to the Gamma Quadrant was quickly becoming a trip with a very annoying uncle. But Nog knew he had no choice, so he got the ointment for his uncle.
    “That feels better!” Quark said, rubbing it into his ear.
    Sisko wished he was back on the station.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Thirty-Five

    Tarses stood at the tactical station when he noticed his communications board flashing.
    “Captain, we are receiving a transmission from the alien vessel.”
    “On screen.” Sinclair ordered.
    “At last!” Travis muttered.
    All were surprised when the image of Blake and Magus appeared before them.
    “Magus, what are you doing there?” Sinclair asked.
    “Isn’t it obvious?” Travis snapped. “They’re working together to bring down the Federation!”
    Sinclair shot Travis an icy stare. He then turned his attention back to the view screen.
    “Ambassador, I have no wish to harm you, your crew or Blake and his crew. I urge you to surrender now.”
    “I’m afraid I cannot do that Captain.” Magus replied. “Something is happening within the Federation that threatens to destroy the work laid down two hundred years ago. I cannot stand by and watch it happen.”
    On board the Liberator nobody noticed Avon take his station and gain manual control of the weapon and defence systems. Suddenly the neutron blasters powered up as Avon fired them at the Lohengrin. Almost instantly the Liberator’s force wall went up. Blake rushed over to Avon’s station and returned control of the weapons to Zen.
    “Have you gone mad?” he said. “Their weapons were not armed. They were willing to talk!”
    “We were not going to surrender.” said Avon. “Therefore we would have had to fight. Better to get it over with than try to talk our way out of this.”
    “What is the damage to the Lohengrin Zen?” Blake asked.
    “The Lohengrin has sustained partial damage to the phaser banks and shield generators. Photo torpedo bays are inoperative.”
    “Then we have time to get out of here.” said Vila.
    “No.” said Blake. “What we have to do must be done now!”
    Blake turned to Magus.
    “I think you know what I’m taking about Doctor.”
    Magus did. He placed his hand on Blake’s temple and closed his eyes. The scan of Blake’s mind had begun.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Thirty-Four

    On  the bridge of the Lohengrin Travis paced up and down in front of the main viewer as Sinclair sat calmly in the command chair.
    “We can’t just sit here and do nothing.” he said. “We must arm all of the weapons and attack both of them!”
    “We have no idea what the alien ship is capable of.” Sinclair replied. “As far as we know that ship could outgun us ten-to-one.”
    “I agree.” said Shelby. “We talk first.”
    “Are you crazy?” Travis shouted. “There are six wanted criminals on that alien ship, and who knows how many on that other ship. We must arm the weapons and attack them now!”
    This outburst brought Sinclair to his feet.
    “May I remind you, Commander, that I outrank you, and that you are here mainly in an advisory role.”
    Travis stared long and hard at Sinclair and then backed down, taking the chair normally occupied by Counsellor Alexander. Sinclair then turned his attention back to the image on the view screen, to the image of the alien vessel and the Oberth-class starship, with a nagging feeling that he knew who the old science ship belonged to.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Thirty-Three

    Captain Sheridan arrived in the Operations Centre of Babylon 5 when news reached him that a vessel was coming through the jump-gate. The vessel had been expected for a number of days, for it marked a first in the history of the Babylon stations.
    Sheridan joined Ivanova on the observation platform. They watched as a Klingon Bird of Prey came through the jump-gate.
    “They are hailing us Captain.” Ivanova reported.
    “On screen.”
    The image of an aged greying Klingon warrior appeared on the screen before Sheridan. At first sight Sheridan could tell that the Klingon was slightly the worse for wear.
    “I am Kor, your new Klingon ambassador. But why anyone would want to serve on this giant bucket of bolts only Feklar would know!”
    “I am Captain John Sheridan, commanding officer of the station. Welcome to…”
    “Cut the nonsense Captain. Just tell me where I can dock my ship, and let me find some Aldebran whisky!”
    A short time later Sheridan arrived at the customs entrance and waited for a number of minutes before he saw Kor walking onto the station. Sheridan approached Kor, extending his hand as a token of friendship. Kor did not do likewise.
    “First tell me one thing Sheridan!” said Kor. “I was told that Magus was here. Where is he now?”
    “He was here, but that was weeks ago. Why do you want him?”
    “Because eighty years ago we took a blood oath. The time has come for him to honour that oath!”
    Kor then pushed past Sheridan and made his way not to his quarters but to the bar. He then began to mutter to himself.
    “A pity that Watt is dead! As one of the strongest he would have killed the Albino with his bare hands!”

Renegades - Civl War Chapter Thirty-Two

    After making the repairs that had been caused by the escape of Blake and his comrades the Valkyrie finally met up with it’s saucer section, and once again the ship was whole. The main crew arrived back on the main Bridge where Watt relieved Tompkins.
    “I trust your journey passed uneventfully Commander.” said Watt.
    “Not as eventful as yours from what I hear Captain.”
    “Very well Commander Tompkins. You are relieved.”
    Tompkins then took up his usual post as operations manager. At the same time Amarus re-took the tactical station, and almost immediately his sensor panel began to flash.
    “Captain, I’m picking up a distress signal from a one man craft.” he reported.
    “On screen.”
    “I am unable to comply. It appears to be some sort of repeating message, giving the current state of the ship and it’s coordinates.”
    “I’m getting the coordinates now Captain.” said Tompkins. “Shall I lay in an intercept course?”
    “Certainly Commander. Ahead warp five.”
    “At warp five we will reach the vessel in six minutes.” O’Rourke reported.
    Six minutes later the Valkyrie arrived at the given coordinates and found the small ship. Tompkins conducted a sensor scan.
    “I’m picking up life readings, but I haven’t seen their kind before.”
    “Is the pilot injured?” asked Sutek.
    “From what I can tell, yes.” Tompkins replied.
    “Then beam him directly to Sickbay.” ordered Watt. “Commander Sutek, you have the Bridge.”
    A short time later Watt arrived in Sickbay to see Singh treating the patient. A rye smile appeared on his face when he saw who he was. Singh, however, was confused.
    “I’ve never seen anything like it before!” he said. “His total anatomy is a mixture between that of a human and that of a snake!”
    “Doctor, you have no idea who your patient is.” said Watt. “Your patient is none other than the Snake, a notorious criminal wanted in half of the quadrant.”
    Watt then activated his communicator.
    “Watt to Bridge. Commander Sutek, how long would it take us to reach Altor?”
    “At warp five, thirty-six hours.”
    “Then set a course for Altor Mister Sutek, and contact Captain Podley of the Demeter City Police Department. Let him know we have apprehended the Snake and are more than willing to ‘hand him over’, so to speak.”
    “Understood, Captain.”
    Watt turned to Singh.
    “When you’ve finished treating our ‘guest’ contact Mister Amarus and have him transported to the Brig.”
    Watt left Singh to his work and began to think that there may be something good coming out of this mission after all.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Thirty-One

    For the first time in weeks Michael Garibaldi was sitting upright, for the first time since the shooting. Still slightly dazed and very confused he was nonetheless pleased to see Sheridan, Ivanova and Winters enter MedLab. Sheridan was the first to shake his hand.
    “How are you doing Chief?” he asked.
    “I’m still a little woozy, and confused about several things. The Doc told me that some strange guy brought me back? Who was he?”
    “That we are still trying to find out.” replied Ivanova.
    “What about the shooting?” asked Winters. “Do you remember anything about that?”
    “No. That’s why I asked you here. I want you to scan me, to try and unearth some memory, something that can tell me who did this to me.”
    “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” asked Sheridan. “You might still be too weak.”
    “I want this done Captain.” said Garibaldi. “I have to know who did this to me.”
    Sheridan looked at Winters. He could tell that she was feeling uneasy about the whole situation.
    “Alright, I’ll do it.” she said. “Now lie back.”
    Doing as he was told Garibaldi lay back on the bed and tried to relax. Winters removed one of her black leather gloves and placed her hand on Garibaldi’s forehead.
    The next thing she saw was an event that seemed to happen a lifetime ago, during the reign of President James Watt, just after Jeffrey Sinclair had transferred to the Lohengrin as their new C.O.
    It was in one of the cargo holds, and Garibaldi had just found out that the man named Deveraux was planning to kill the President. Garibaldi ran down the corridor until he saw the man he was looking for. He stopped in his tracks. Garibaldi called out a warning but Winters could not hear this. Then she saw Garibaldi turn around and saw the face of the man who had tried to kill Garibaldi. She felt shock when she saw the man’s face, and the mind link was stopped when Garibaldi suddenly leapt up.
    “I don’t believe it!” Garibaldi said. “It was Burton! It was Burton!”
    “Your second?” Sheridan queried. “Are you sure?”
    “It was Burton.” said Winters. “I saw his face.”
    “I’ll have him picked up straight away.” said Sheridan.
    A plan was conceived and quickly put into operation. One of the other security guards ran into the main office, where Burton was seated eating a snack. The guard seemed excited about something.
    “Hey! You should come and see this!”
    “Not now!” Burton snapped. “I’m too busy for your games!”
    “But you’ve got to see it to believe it! Come on!”
    Putting his plate down on the desk Burton reluctantly followed him out of the room. As soon as he stepped into the corridor he found a phaser pointed to his head. He knew instantly what was happening.
    “Burton, you’re under arrest. And please try to resist because it will make it all the more enjoyable!”
    A short time later Garibaldi, with the aid of a walking stick, and Sheridan walked into the main security office. Sheridan tried to stop Garibaldi entering the cell area.
    “You’re not up to this!” he said.
    “I need to do this!” said Garibaldi. “I need to know who gave him his orders!”
    “Michael, you’ve just come out of a coma and you’re still very weak! Let me handle this!”
    “This is something I’ve got to do Captain!”
    Garibaldi was soon in a darkened cell walking around the seated Burton. Suddenly he leapt forward and slammed his fist into the table.
    “Why did you do this?” Garibaldi snapped. “I’ve know you for years, but I never thought you were capable of anything like this!”
    Burton looked up at his former superior officer and just stared at him.
    “You were getting in too deep! Something had to be done! I’m just sad I didn’t get to finish the job!”
    Garibaldi blew his top. Only Sheridan’s intervention stopped him from ripping Burton’s head off.
    “Michael! Stop this!”
    Sheridan pulled his security chief away. Burton smiled at both of them.
    “You don’t know what you’re letting yourself in for. This is too big for you, for all of you! I’ll be out of this cell and off this station quicker than you can say jack rabbit!”
    This time Sheridan was the one who snapped.
    “Who gave you the order?” Sheridan shouted, slamming into the table. “Who is your superior?”
    Once again Burton smiled.
    “I believe I have the right to remain silent, so I choose that right! No matter what you do I will not talk!”
    Sheridan knew he was fighting a lost cause. He knew he could get nothing more.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Thirty

    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!”

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Twenty-Nine

    Lohengrin shuttlecraft Clarke moved towards the Cardassian side of the de-militarized zone. Aboard were Sinclair, Riker, Tarses and Hudson. The former Starfleet commander had wanted Chakotay along for the ride but Sinclair had decided against it.
    “We are approaching Cardassian territory now.” Riker reported.
    “I’m surprised we haven’t encountered any sort of resistance yet.” said Sinclair.
    Suddenly Tarses’ sensor panel came to life.
    “Cardassian cruiser one million kilometres off the port bow.” he reported.
    “On my screen Lieutenant.” Sinclair ordered.
    The imposing image of the alien warship appeared before Sinclair.
    “We are being hailed.” said Tarses.
    The image of Gul Dukat appeared on Sinclair’s monitor.
    “Commander Sinclair! I am surprised to see you here in the zone.”
    “It’s Captain Sinclair now, Gul Dukat. Commanding officer of the Lohengrin.”
    A look of annoyance appeared on Dukat’s face when he saw Hudson sitting next to him.
    “Are Starfleet taking in criminals now?” he asked sarcastically. “I had heard you just got rid of one at Command itself!”
    “This isn’t a time for games, Dukat.” said Sinclair. “Commander Hudson has launched some very disturbing allegations against the Cardassian colonies here in the zone.”
    “I wasn’t aware of any allegations, Captain!”
    “They are not allegations!” Hudson snapped. “You’re colonies are making mutagenic weapons for use on our colonies!”
    Dukat huffed.
    “I know of no such thing!”
    “Then you wouldn’t mind if we went to one of your colonies, in case we find something!” said Sinclair.
    “You’re not on Babylon 5 anymore Captain. You can’t just demand to search something now!”
    “If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear Gul Dukat!” Sinclair replied.
    Sinclair could see that Dukat knew he was getting the better of him.
    “Very well Captain. Follow my ship, and then beam down to the co-ordinates I will give you.”