Star Trek: Aurora - Episode Six - 'Duty and Deception'

 Star Trek: Aurora

By Jack D. Elmlinger

Episode Six 

“Duty and Deception” 

Captain’s Log, Stardate 53544.8; 

We’re on course to the distant world of Gadanus IX with our sister ship, the USS Resolution, which is conducting an archaeological expedition. Recently, the remains of an ancient Cetaxian city was uncovered there, attracting the attention of some of the Federation’s finest historians and archaeologists. We are currently transporting one of these renowned archaeologists with us,  Doctor Vasily Matzik. Our orders are to deliver him and his team to Gadanus and head for the Khymerian trading post on Kalapana Three. Being something of a historian myself, I regret that we won’t be able to stay longer and assist the teams. I have no doubt that archaeological history will be made soon. 

Commander Christine Keller brought her kayak up alongside the wooden deck and parked it next to Doctor Matzik’s. He had already managed to climb out of his kayak and he was standing on the dock in his wetsuit. She grabbed the string from her kayak and threw it up to him. The archaeologist tied the rope around one of the wooden posts and helped her out of the small craft and onto the wooden pier. 

“Thanks,” she said, standing beside him. Her skin-tight wetsuit was soaked from all of the water that had splashed inside her boat. “That was fun! It’s so great to finally have someone to go kayaking with.” 

“My pleasure. Next time, we should try the class-five rapids. I don’t know about you but i found it… a little too tame?” 

“Sure,” she replied, happily, as she picked up a towel that had been sitting on the pier, awaiting their return. “You’re pretty courageous for a scientist. I haven’t even tried the class-five rapids before. It should be an interesting challenge.” 

She looked out from her position on the deck and she was quite satisfied by the view of the surrounding area. The morning mists had just begun to clear and the sun was rising from behind the untamed beauty of the forest and woodlands that surrounded the lake. They had spent the better half of their morning in the calm crystal lake which lead further downstream to surging class-four rapids. 

“You’ll do fine,” he said, confidently, heading off of the dock and towards the thickly-forested shore with Keller following behind him. “You’re better at this than I am. Besides, the holodeck safeties are on so nothing will happen.” 

“The safeties may be on but that won’t stop me from getting a real scare,” she replied as they neared the end of the dock. “Computer, End Program.” 

The entire scene around them vanished instantly to reveal the dark grey titanium floors, walls and yellow gridlines of the holodeck. The large doors slid open and they walked out into Aurora’s brightly-lit corridor. 

“Correct me if i’m wrong but getting the adrenaline pumping is the point of this exercise, isn’t it?,” Matrik asked her, sarcastically. 

She ignored his taunting and changed the subject. “So, how long do you think that you’ll be on Gadanus?,” she asked him as they walked down the corridor towards the turbolift. 

“It’s hard to say, really. As long as it takes to complete a thorough study of the ruins, it’ll probably be a few months at the least. I am very excited about this archaeological expedition. I’ve spent the last three years, studying what remains of the ancient Cetaxian civilization that Starfleet has managed to find, but now things are going to be so much different.” 

They arrived at the turbolift doors and waited there for a moment. The doors slid open and a crewman walked out, smiling at the commander and Matrik. They walked into the turbolift and headed for her quarters on Deck Two. 

“Different?” she asked him, confused by his choice of words. “How?” 

“Well, the Khymerians have uncovered the remains of what we think is a Cetaxian city on Gadanus. Now, I'll be able to study so much more than just more floating debris. There’s a good chance that we might find remnants of their literature and art.” 

“I see,” Keller replied as the turbolift stopped on Deck Two and they headed down the corridor towards her quarters. “So if you barely know anything about these people, then what makes them so interesting?” 

“I meant scientifically,” he answered her. “Scientifically, I know very little about them, but the Frontier, especially Khymeria, is filled with myths and legends about them and in every legend, there is some spot of truth that it’s based on. Khymerian ships have encountered their strange floating artifacts in space for centuries. Besides, Khymeria is a major trading port for ships on and around the Frontier. I’ve heard fascinating stories about them. I suppose it’s mainly the mystery around these people that fascinates me.” 

They stopped in front of the doors to her quarters. 

“Thanks for the kayaking,” she said, ready to head into her quarters to change. “It’s been a long time.”

“You know, Commander,” he said, staring deep into her eyes and moving towards her in an attempt to capture her full attention,” until these past three days, i thought that the Cetaxians were the only intriguing thing in the universe, but now… you’ve shown me that there’s something much more fascinating.” 

“Thank you, Vasily,” she said with a smile. “I’ve never been referred to as fascinating before. Then again, I've never been told I was in the same category as an extinct species from a hundred thousand years ago.” 

Both of them laughed for a moment before she turned to head into her quarters. “I really should get changed. I have to be on duty in a few minutes. I’ll see you on the Bridge.” 

“Very well. I’m glad that we were able to do something anyway. I wish we had more time.” 

“Me too,” she agreed with him,” but, at least, we’ve made the most of the time that we’ve had.” 

“You do still have half an hour before you report on duty, right? And shouldn’t we be arriving at Gadanus, an hour afterwards?,” he asked her. “Why don’t we meet for breakfast in the Mess Hall?” 

“I’d like to, but I’m really far behind in my reports. Captain Bishop wants them ready by Fifteen Hundred today. Besides, I'm sure that you and your other archaeologists have lots of equipment to get ready for the transfer to the Resolution?” 

“My team can take care of that,” he said, waving the notion off with a flick of his hand.

She turned and the doors to her quarters opened. She went in, waving goodbye to him. “Yes, but my work can’t. I’ll see you for coffee at 0700 though.” 

She smiled and headed on down the corridor towards the cargo bay. 

* * * *

“Captain, we’re now approaching Gadanis IX,” Ensign Nerrit Keral informed Captain Bishop, Doctor Vasily Matrik, and his team of two other archaeologists, Doctor Guarragi, and Doctor Yung, arrived on the Bridge. 

“Standard orbit, Mister Nerrit,” Keller said, rising from the captain’s chair to greet her commanding officer. “Inform the Resolution that we’ve arrived, please.” 

“Wait a minute, something’s wrong,” Lieutenant Commander Clifford Doyle exclaimed from Ops. “I’m not detecting any ships in orbit!” 

“What?!,” Bishop barked in disbelief.

“Sir, I’ve located debris in lower orbit,” he said, focusing on the main viewscreen on that area. “There’s enough of it to constitute a Nova class starship. Sensors are scanning the debris and I’ve identified it, Captain. It’s NCC-76429, the USS Resolution.” 

Bishop stared, horrified at the wreckage. Eighty people were dead, including some of the Federation’s most well-renowned archaeologists. For what reason, he could only guess at this point. 

“I don’t believe it!,” Matrik cried out. “My colleagues?! They’re all dead?” 

“They can’t be,” Doctor Guarragi uttered in disbelief. “They must have escaped to the planet.” 

“Scan the planet’s surface,” Bishop ordered, hoping that there might still be some of the scientists still alive. “We can only hope, Doctor.” 

“I’m not picking up any Human lifesigns down on the planet,” Doyle reported, sadly. “I’m sorry, sir.” 

“Mister Doyle, beam the debris into the cargo bay,” commanded Bishop “I want you to analyze it in greater detail. See if you can figure out what destroyed the Resolution.” 

“Aye, sir.” 

“Captain,” Matrik asked him,” with your permission, i’d like to beam down to the surface with my team and examine the excavation site. We might find some clues as to whoever did this and why.” 

“Very well, Doctor,” Bishopagreed with him. “I’ll accompany your team. Commander Keller, you have the Bridge.” 

“Captain, I don't think that it’s a good idea for you to be beaming down,” Keller protested as the captain eagerly moved towards the turbolift. “I’m the First Officer, sir. I should be leading the away team.” 

Bishop stopped and turned his head back towards the Bridge, glancing around at his other officers. He had forgotten that rule. The rule that he had insisted Captain Collins keep, was now coming back to haunt him. He looked across the bridge at his trusted friend, Lieutenant ch’Dalvis seated at Tactical.

“She’s right, Captain,” the Andorian said. “The situation is too dangerous. We don’t know what destroyed the Resolution, but whatever it was, it could still be down there.” 

“All right,” he said, reluctantly, before he walked back over to his chair,” Commander Keller will lead the away team.” 

“Yes, sir,” she answered, heading towards the turbolift. “ch’Dalvis, Zagora, you’re with me.” 

Lieutenant ch’Dalvis and Ensign Zagora made their way from their posts and entered the turbolift with Commander Keller, Doctor Matrik, and the other scientists before the doors slid shut. 

* * * *

The away team materialized on the surface of Gadanus. Looking around, they found themselves standing in the middle of a clearing of trees. In the distance, there was a large snow-covered mountain that rose up below the cloudy sky. The away team was standing at the edge of the clearing, looking at the excavation site. 

“This way,” Keller said, opening up her tricorder and beginning to scan the area, even though it was clear from their position where the dig had begun. 

The site was an enormous pit cut into the clearing. There were several makeshift tents and scaffolding surrounding the perimeter of the site. Hundreds of rocks and boulders had been moved around during the digging. Equipment from the team were littered along the sandy bottom and several deep tunnels and caves had been cut into the ground. Standing high in the center of the pit was a tall pyramid-shaped structure made of a dark grayish metal. Besides the pyramid structure, there were several other stone walls and metal buildings that had been excavated. 

The away team gradually made their way down into the pit by the way of ladders that lined the pit’s walls which had been constructed for the archaeological teams to use. When the away team had reached the floor of the pit, several meters below the ground, they split up and begin looking over the site. 

“Absolutely amazing,” Matrik remarked. “An entire city down here. Buried for ages. The reports didn’t do it any justice.” 

“Commander!,” Lieutenant ch’Dalvis called out from the entrance to one of the tunnels. 

Keller, Matrik, and the rest of the team ran over to the Andorian’s position. As they entered the tunnel, they saw him dragging out the body of a Human male towards the entrance. As he pulled him from the cave, they saw that he was dressed in civilian clothes and that his chest has been badly burned by a disruptor blast. 

“That’s Professor Erwin Kalmanis,” Matrik informed them, sadly as he stared at his dead colleague. “I knew him well from the Daystrom Institute.” 

Ensign Zagora opened his tricorder and scanned the professor’s wound intently. He wanted to make sure that his analysis was correct. “Commander, this wound was caused by a disruptor blast at close range. From these readings, there’s no mistaking it. This man was killed by a Cardassian weapon.” 

“Keller to Aurora,” the commander said, tapping her combadge and waiting for a reply. 

“Yes, Commander?,” replied the voice of Captain Bishop. 

“We’ve found one of the archaeologists at the excavation site, Captain. There’s evidence to suggest that the Cardassians are responsible for this attack.” 

“Yes, Commander Doyle just informed me that his analysis revealed that the hull fragments from the Resolution still contain trace elements from Cardassian disruptor weapons. Now the question remains, why did the Cardassians destroy a Federation starship?” 

“What should we do now?” 

“The Cardassians are long gone. Whatever they came for, they found. We need to know what made this planet so interesting to them. Interesting enough for them to destroy the Resolution and kill innocent civilians. Remain on the planet and see what you can discover. I’ll have our ship’s science teams beam down to assist you.” 

“Aye, sir,” she answered, tapping her combadge once again. “Well, you heard him. I want a complete search of this dig site.” 

The team split up again. ch’Dalvis, Yung, and Guarragi explored some of the caves in more detail while Keller, Zagora, and Matrik began searching through the ancient city. Soon after, they had discovered the bodies of the other archaeological team members hidden around the area, mainly in the surrounding jungle. Most of them had tried to resist their attacks and they were found holding hand phasers. 

“I wonder what the Cardassians are up to, right now. It seems like you can’t even turn your back for a moment and they’re hatching some new plot. You’d think that after all of the damage done to them during the Dominion War, they’d settle down for a while,” Keller stated as the three of them walked along, admiring the ruins of the ancient Cetaxian city. 

“Look at this,” Matrik said, ignoring her comment in his excitement. 

He walked through a maze of ruined walls and down one of the ancient streets, stopping in front of a large tent that had been erected by the Resolution crew. Underneath the titanium poles and the canvas cover was a makeshift table where several thin metal disks had been laid upon it. The disks were covered in dust, marking, and odd-looking pictures. It appeared as though the archaeologists had been studying them closely. 

“Those look like some kind of hieroglyphics,” Zagora said, looking intently at the strange alien devices. “Is this some kind of primitive language?” 

“Hardly,” Matrik remarked. “The Cetaxians were anything but primitive. We know that they had starships much like we do and visited other worlds in a time that Humans were still living in caves. I personally doubt that these markings are as primitive as hieroglyphics.” 

“What do they say?,” Keller asked him. 

“I don’t know,” the archaeologist said, solemnly. “The last report from the Resolution mentioned that the archaeology team had managed to decipher their language using Khymerian and other local dialects, but that information is lost. I guess we’ll have to start over.” 

“These three disks here have a lot of writing on them,” Zagora remarked to him. “I might be able to use the ship’s computer and the Universal Translator to derive a translation matrix from them. Our U.T. has been expanded to include the forty different languages of Khymerian, including Rishakahni and Zalese so we should have the same resources that the crew of the Resolution used.” 

“Really?,” Matrik asked with excitement. “That'll be excellent, Ensign! I believe that the Resolution’s reports are in the database as well. They should offer some help to them. How soon can you begin?” 

“Right away, sir. I’ll just need to beam them up with me for analysis.” 

Zagora contacted Aurora and after a few minutes had passed, he turned to the ship with the disks, leaving Keller and Matrik alone to walk together. Soon the science teams that Captain Bishop had promised them began beaming down, filling the excavation site with activity. Walking through the ruins together and toward the center of the site where one of the science teams was studying the large pyramid structure, Commander Keller and Doctor Matrik approached the high structure. 

“Anything interesting here?,” asked the commander

Ensign T’Liya stood up from where he was crouched down to her knees, examining one of the pictures inscribed on the pyramid. “Actually, I find this most intriguing, Commander,” the Vulcan answered, pointed to an area in the nearby sand that had been partially dug up by the archaeologists. There in the ground, half-hidden by sand, appeared to be a stone disk with inscriptions written all across it in the same strange form of writing. The science teams were carefully brushing away the sand, revealing more of the platform. It didn’t appear to be any more interesting than the rest of the ancient city. 

“My tricorder indicates strong power emissions coming from this stone slab, Ma’am.” 

“Are you certain?,” Keller asked, opening up her tricorder and scanning the slab herself. 

“Yes, of course,” she confirmed. “I would not have informed you, had I not been completely certain, Commander. Do you doubt my abilities?” 

“No, no, of course not, Ensign. It just doesn’t seem possible, that’s all. It looks so primitive. I have every confidence in you and your -- “

Matrik stepped onto the platform, bending down to touch what he assumed would be cold stone inscriptions. Instead, he found it rather warm. Then his body was instantly consumed by a green beam of light and disappeared.

“Vasily!,” she exclaimed. “What happened?!” 

The science officer, who were present and witnessed the strange phenomenon, ran over and whipped out their tricorders in a desperate attempt to find out what had become of the archaeologist. 

“Doctor Matrik, come in,” Doctor Yung called out, tapping his combadge. 

There was no response. 

“Matrik!” 

Then they heard his voice. 

“I’m alright, Dustin. I’m in… I think I’m inside this pyramid thing. That slab must have been a transportation device of some kind.” 

“How do we get you out of there?,” Keller asked, relieved that he wasn’t dead. “Can we beam you out?” 

“I don’t know. Whoa! Some kind of computer system has just been activated in here. Probably by automation. This place looks like an archive of some kind. It should be safe for you to use the alien transporter too.” 

Keller closed her tricorder and put it back in its holster. “I’m going in then.” She stepped onto the platform and in a few seconds, the device powered up and she disappeared exactly as Matrik had. She found the interior of the pyramid to be quite impressive and unlike what she had imagined at all. Her location was at the center of a small chamber where she had been transported. The walls slanted up towards the ceiling and they were covered by the strange inscriptions. Along the walls at eye level were flat metal columns with morse of the strange hieroglyphic writing. Aurora’s First Officer found Matrik standing next to one, his eyes glued to the symbols. Littlered across the stone floor beside him, there was the burned wreckage of computers, scanners and archaeological equipment. She also noticed that there were several phaser burns on the dusty column which he was examining. 

“This is Keller,” she reported, tapping her combadge. “I’m safely inside the pyramid.” She removed her tricorder from its holster again and began to scan the wreckage. “This rubble is definitely Federation equipment but the damage was caused by Cardassian disruptors. It looks like they managed to find this place as well. 

Matrik sighed as he looked at the damage. “They’ve probably destroyed whatever information that they were after. The archaeological team has been here for three months. It could take a long time to find out what was so interesting and it’s really sad when you think about what a waste this has all been. These people were scientists and civilians, simply collecting research to further our knowledge of the Cetaxians. Then along comes along another brutal militaristic force, killing everyone and erasing months of work.” 

“I just can’t understand what interest would the Cardassians have in this.” 

He looked around in awe and shook his head. “It seems odd, doesn’t it? I’ve studied this civilization for most of life and yet, I'm still no better off at deciphering anything than you or Mister Zagora.” 

Doctors Yung, Guarrangi, and Ensign T’Liya transported inside. They were also overcome by  a sensor of awe at the place and it took them a few minutes to look around at everything. Keller began rummaging through the wreckage of the archaeological equipment while Matrik was closely examining one of the columns. He placed his hand firmly over several of the symbols and suddenly, the tops of the four columns on each side of the room, lit up brightly. The columns projected streams of light up towards the center of the room, creating a holographic image. 

“What did you do?” 

The other wandered slowly up to the holographic images, their tricorders recording everything for later analysis. 

“It is a three-dimensional photonic projection,” T’Liya stated as she stood in front of the alien symbols,” but I am showing no force fields of any kind.” The Vulcan stuck her hand through the hologram to demonstrate. 

“Is this some kind of holographic computer interface?,” Guarrangi asked, walking around the hologram to stand beside Matrik, who was not touching the different symbols on the columns in the hopes of figuring out how to operate it. “Like a visual display, maybe?” 

“Yes, I think so,” Matrik replied,” but I can't figure out how to operate it.” 

Everyone else spread out around the room, touching as many of the symbols engraved into the columns that they could reach, but with no effect. After several minutes, they gave up. 

“These inscriptions do not appear to be having any effect,” T’Liya stated. “I would suggest that we postpone this endeavour until after Ensign Zagora has constructed a translation matrix.” 

“A logical idea, if we had the time,” Matrik said. “I’m concerned that the Cardassians may have discovered something that shouldn't fall into their hands. It seems to be the only reason for them to go to these lengths.” 

Commander Keller tapped her combadge.

“Bishop here, go ahead.” 

“Captain, we’ve gained access to what we think is a Cetaxian computer archive but we’re having trouble deciphering it. Perhaps Lieutenant Vata might have some luck?” 

“Understood, Commander. I’ll have her beam down with an engineering team.” 

“If the Cardassians could figure this thing out,” Keller said,” I’m sure that she’d have no problem.” 

* * * *

Captain’s Log, supplemental; 

We have been given the opportunity to remain at Gadanus IX, though it’s not by choice. Lieutenant Vata and her engineers have been working around the clock to attempt to establish a link with the Cetaxian computer. So far, nothing has been successful. 

As of yet, we still have no idea what the Cardassians  were searching for. Ensign Zagora is continuing to construct a translation matrix in the hope that we can soon learn enough to assist the Lieutenant in establishing a connection. In the meantime, we are remaining in orbit while our science teams continue to search the ruins for any more clues. 

Doyle had finished up his tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich for lunch and now he was sitting back in his chair and began to read from the PADD that he had brought with him. 

“Commander Doyle, mind if I join you?,” asked a familiar voice. 

He looked up to see the ship’s newest resident, Doctor Matrik, standing across from him, a plate of pasta in his hand. 

“Of course, Doctor Matrik,” he said, welcoming him and motioning for him to sit down as he continued reading from his PADD. 

“Please call me Vasily, Commander,” he said as he sat down and began arranging his food and drink. “What is that you’re reading?” 

“Oh, it’s just a historical overview of Colonel Joshua L Chamberlain. He was a regiment commander during the Battle of Gettysburg. Lieutenant Vata and I purchased a hologram from Quark at Deep Space Nine and I’ve been dying to try it out ever since. I figured I should familiarize myself with my character first.” 

“Oh,” he nodded, smiling,” you and Lieutenant Vata?” 

“We’re just friends,” Doyle added, being fully aware of what he was wondering. “Speaking of friends, I hear that you and Commander Keller have been spending lots of time together?” 

“Yes, I’m actually due to meet her for lunch. She seems to be running a bit late though.” 

“Hmm… you know, Doctor, I’ve been looking forward to talking to you. I’m somewhat of a historian myself. I was meaning to ask you on your thoughts about the archaeological dig on Anoran II? The last thing that I heard about it, they had discovered some rare pottery from the Dav-Yin Dynasty.” 

“Ah, yes, Mister Doyle, I remember now. You’re the one that Christine told me to watch out for,” he said, jokingly, as if he was trying to change the subject. “She said you’d probably keep me talking about history and archaeology forever.” 

Doyle smiled, eagerly for him to behind lecturing. However, Commander Keller took that moment to walk slowly into the Mess Hall, the doors sliding shut behind her. 

“Well, I’m afraid I don't have enough time to chat,” he replied instead to Doyle’s surprise. “We’ll have to do this, some other time. I promised Christine lunch. If you’ll excuse me.” He got up from his half-eaten dinner and walked over to Keller. After a few seconds of chatter, the couple turned and left. 

‘That was a little strange,’ Doyle thought, disappointed that Doctor Matrik had showed little interest in discussing history with him. Now he would have to wait until Vata was done with the Cetaxian computer before he could discuss history with someone else. There was something strange about the way that the doctor had acted. He assumed that it was nothing and he decided instead that he would go see if Ensign Zagora could use a hand. 

* * * *

“What’s wrong?,” Doctor Matrik asked after the transporter beam had rematerialized him inside the Cetaxian pyramid structure. Lieutenant Vata, who had summoned him and Commander Keller ran over to where they had beamed in and motioned them to follow her over towards the center of the room where the holographic interface was set up. 

“I don’t think we did anything, but look,” the Trill said, pointing to where the single floating holographic symbol had been replaced with several hundred symbols all revolving around the center, consumed in blue and red light. 

“We’ve been trying for hours to interface with the computer,” Vata explained to them. “Then, all of a sudden, it just came alive and started displaying these symbols. My best guess is that it’s some form of data storage and retrieval interface. It’s like our LCARS net, but much more complex.” 

As the three-dimensional symbols resolved in front of them, one of the symbols was periodically selected from the groups, as if it was done by animation, and shifted outward towards where they were now standing. The symbol was projected in front of them for a few seconds before it returned to the spinning cyclone of holographic symbols and another was chosen. 

“It’s beautiful,” Keller managed to say, almost hypnotized by the swirling colors and symbols of light. 

“And in all beauty, there is logic,” T’Liya interjected as she handed Vata a PADD. “I have observed that there appears to be much repetition in this display. The computer selects and enlarges the same symbol about every twenty-five seconds.” 

“With three seconds per symbol, that’s about eight symbols per cycle,” Vata stated, taking the PADD from the Vulcan. “So I wonder what significance those eight symbols that it keeps choosing has.” 

“Perhaps they’re file names?,” Keller suggested to them. “Or maybe..” She stopped mid-sentence when she noticed that Doctor Matrik had walked up at a quick pace up towards the latest symbol that was being displayed. She was surprised by how the symbol had so fully attracted his attention. 

“What is it,” the commander asked him, following him. 

Before the symbol had the chance to rejoin the others, he had quickly stuck his hand out and touched the symbol, as if it were by instinct. To everyone’s surprise, the symbol remained while the rest of the group of revolving holograms were replaced by an entirely new group of holograms which continued to spin in the same way that the others had. However, this time, there were only ten large symbols orbiting around the center of the room rather than hundreds of small ones, with the original symbol that Matrik had touched, rotating on an axis in the center. 

“I don’t believe it!” Vata exclaimed in an exasperated tone of voice. “After all of that, it was a simple tactile interface.” 

“There,” Matrik said, pointing to the symbol. The symbol was of a sphere which had three large characters projected inside of it there were twelve other characters resembling rays arranged around the sphere, making the whole picture to look like a sun with writing inside and around it. 

“What about it?,” Keller asked him. She was still unsure about what made it so interesting. 

“It appears to be a representation of a star,” T’Liya remarked, coming up behind her. “Perhaps this planet’s star?” 

“What about the characters in the middle?,” she asked, becoming more interested in speculations about the symbol’s meaning. “Maybe the Cetaxians revered the symbol. You know, like putting a halo around religious figures?” 

“Reverence, perhaps?,” Matrik interjected, still staring hard at the hologram,” but not for religious reasons. The Cetaxians were definitely an advanced civilization, and hardly sun worshippers. This symbol… it looks like it’s more of a massive explosion of some sort. Perhaps, even the end of their civilization like what the legends say.” 

“That would also be logical,” T’Liya agreed,” but how is it that you came to that conclusion?” 

Matrik ignored her, turning towards Keller. His face was serious and there was an expression of worry written across it. “I think I know now why the Cardassians destroyed the Resolution and killed the archaeologists. This symbol is the answer! They were looking for this symbol and the information that it contains. It’s a weapon. The ancient weapon from legend! They’re trying to get their hands on it!” 

“Weapon? What sort of weapon?,” Keller asked, surprised by his sudden revelation. 

“Haven’t you ever heard the legends about the Cetaxians? About how they supposedly developed a weapon of massive destructive capability? The weapon that was later hidden because of its great power?” 

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m not much of an archaeologist, Vasily.” 

“It’s a well-known legend in my field. Where it originated from is beyond me, but there are many myths about the Cetaxians out here on the Frontier. There rays that shoot out from the center circle could represent the blast radius and the symbol in the center is probably a symbol for the weapon.” 

“It would make sense,” she said,” but the symbol could mean any number of things. I think we had better wait until Ensign Zagora finishes deciphering the symbols before we can be sure.” 

“I agree with you but he had better hurry up. I don’t think you realize who devastating and important this weapon is supposed to be. If that truly is what the symbols represent and what the Cardassians are trying to get their hands on, then if they’re allowed to gain control of it, it won’t mean another war with Cardassia. It could very well mean the destruction of the Alpha Quadrant!” 

* * * *

Bishop, Keller, and Matrik arrived in the primary research laboratory on Deck Four, only a few minutes after Lieutenant Commander Doyle had summoned them. They found the room filled with stone tablets and metal discs resembling the ones that Keller and Matrik had seen on the planet. The artifacts were lying all around the room, on the floor, and on workstation consoles. Zagora and Doyle were seated at two of the workstations along the walls of the lab. They both turned around as the Captain and the others entered the room. 

“Please forgive the mess, Captain,” the operations officer said, grinning. “We required several more artifacts to construct even the crudest translation matrix. The language is incredibly complex, despite the ancient look of it.” 

“The language was simple enough to understand when we took into account its use of higher-dimensional phonetic and sentence structures,” Zagora endeavoured to explain to them. “It’s something that we never would have thought of if it hadn’t been for the Resolution’s reports. It seems that the Cetaxians evolved the ability to perceive time in linear and non-linear ways and their writings have simply expressed that ability. Cetaxian writing was designed to be read like reading every page of a book simultaneously rather than a page at a time. When we compiled and analyzed the text accordingly, it became much clearer what was being said.” 

“We’ve also downloaded as much data from the alien computer as we could by using visual scanners and holocams to record the arrangement of symbols,” Doyle said, giving them a further explanation. “Of course, that was Ensign Zagora’s idea.” He wanted to make sure that the young man was given the proper recognition for the incredible manner of time and work that he had put into the project. 

“Excellent work, both of you,” Bishop said, praising them both, excitedly, sitting down in one of the chairs beside the ensign as Keller and Matrik stood over him. “If Doctor Matrik’s hypothesis is true, then you two may have just saved the Alpha Quadrant.” 

The console beeped, signifying the end of its analysis circle.

“Okay,” Doyle replied, touching several panels on the console,” the computer’s finished the text of that mysterious symbol. Let’s see what the Universal Translator can do.” 

The monitor screen in front of them had been displaying the image of the holographic symbols that had been projected in the center of the pyramid structure which had been recorded by visual scans. Zagora touched a few panels and the screen presented a split view, revealing the computer’s scanned copy of the symbols on one side and on the other side, a crude translation of the symbols and their meanings. 

“This is one symbol had over a page worth of text in the translated form,” Doyle informed them. “Their filing and alphabetical systems seems to be light-years ahead of anything that we could have come up with.” 

“Amazing! You both must have quite the talent for languages!,” Matrik praised them as he read the translations of the symbols. He began quickly reading them from the screen, out loud. “Great cataclysm… forces us from our homes… to this corner of a distant galact… This tale has been… that future generations… future species… civilizations… don’t make the same mistakes. Now… tale had been relived. Our arrogance… too far… we are the last remnant of… people. We… crossed… between technological power and all-powerfulness. We discovered… forces of the universe… destroy our enemies. A weapon of unthinkable power… destroyed our enemies… destroyed those who dared to use it as well. Our civilization was destroyed by those who longed only to protect it… removed the orb and… survived the great tribulation, journeyed with it to a distant far-away galaxy to… deep in the caverns of darkness where it shall never see the light of the stars again…” 

“So it is a weapon that the Cardassians are looking for,” Keller said. “An orb of some kind. You were right, Vasily, but there’s still so much missing. We’re going to need more information, specifically on its whereabouts.” 

“That was only one of the symbols, Commander. And there’s still more to it. We also still have many more to translate. Hopefully, they will give us the information we need.” 

“Well, then,” Bishop said, getting up from his chair and heading towards the doors of the research laboratory,” continue to translate as many symbols as possible. Let me know if you discover anything.” 

“Understood, sir,” Zagora said, taking a deep breath,” but this is going to take some time. I estimate that it’ll take about another twelve hours.” 

“Do your best, Ensign,” Matrik said as the captain left the lab. “And when you’re finished with the next few symbols, kindly send the data to my quarters, please. I’d like to see what I can make of it myself.” 

* * * *

Doctor Vasily Matrik sat in his guest quarters at his desk, staring intently at the Cetaxian symbols and translations that were being displayed on his desk monitor. The desk was covered with PADDs displaying every one of the metal disks and the text downloaded from the Cetaxian computer on Gadanus IX that Zagora had translated. He also had with him all of the Federation Archaeology Council’s research on the Cetaxians. 

As he reviewed the translations for the fifth time, he hoped that he would find something that he had missed before, the door chimes rang. 

“Enter,” he said as the doors slid open and his two assistants casually walked into his quarters. “You’re early. I said that I would brief you at twenty-two hundred.” 

“I know,” Guarragi said, taking a seat on the couch and looking out the window as he spoke. “Derek and I decided to take a break so we thought we’d pay you a visit and see how everything is coming. We haven’t had much luck coming up with anything other than what we already know.” 

“Let’s just say that I’m better at analyzing intelligence reports than deciphering the intricacies of alien languages,” Yung added to the conversation. 

“I would have thought that your obsession with detail and perfection would have made you good for anything,” Matrik remarked, sarcastically. 

“This mission has been less than perfect so far. With the Resolution destroyed, it changes everything,” Guarragi explained to them. “Aurora will have to take us to the weapon. We thought we should come by earlier, in case, you might want to do something with Commander Keller tonight.” 

“We weren’t planning on anything. Why should that concern you?” 

“We think that you should continue seeing Commander Keller. Build up a relationship with her. Gain her trust. It may come in handy sometime in the future,” Yung said. 

Matrik frowned angrily at them, dropping his PADD onto the desktop and staring coldly into Yung’s eyes. “You listen to me,” he began to say, his voice filled with nothing but hostility towards the man. “My relationship with Christine Keller has nothing to do with this mission. They chose me because i know the Cetaxians. I used to be an archaeologist and I have been a fully committed member of the organization for two years now. My feelings for her are none of your damned business!”

“I understand how you feel, Vasily,” Guaragi admitted to him. “Listen, we’ve all been through the same thing. Did you think that, in my twelve years, I haven't become too attached to those that I wind up working with? I fell in love with a beautiful Trill once while I was doing work on New Sydney. I was almost ready to resign and live with her but then the Orion Syndicate had her killed. In all of the years that I’ve been doing this, my point is that I’ve never seen a relationship work out. The work is always more important than the girl. The success of this mission is of the highest importance and I’d hate to have it fail, just because of her.” 

“It won’t fail. If anyone understand the importance of finding this weapon, it’s me.” 

“You’d better understand,” Yung lectured Matrik. “This project is bigger than you, me, and Julius. It’s bigger than -- “

“Alright!,” Guarragi interrupted, cutting Yung off. “He said he understands. That’s good enough for me. He’s been my partner for two months now and I trust him completely. Case closed.” 

“Very well,” Yung agreed with him. 

“How much have you learned?,” Guarragi asked him. 

“Ensign Zagora managed to translate all of the symbols to the best of his abilities. These files contain star maps and detailed information on where the weapon was hidden. The maps are being analyzed by Stellar Cartography, but finding the planet is the easy part. Getting past the ancient booby traps is quite another thing. Now, as far as I’ve been able to determine, the chambers where this weapon is hidden is filled with traps. All of them are set up to only allow certain people in. the designers and those of a special order that guarded the weapon.” 

“How is this achieved? Bioscans?” 

“I don’t know yet, but if it is, then we don’t stand a chance. No one even knows what the Cetaxians looked like. We can’t even begin to guess what their physiology was like, but then the Cardassians won’t have any more luck than we will if it is.” 

“I see,” Guarragi said. “Keep looking, and be clear on how much you’re willing to tell everyone, now that we’re going to need their help. Make sure that you don’t tell anyone, including Commander Keller  anything that could jeopardize the mission, no matter how insignificant you think it is. Captain Bishop is holding a briefing at zero-seven hundred tomorrow.” 

“That’s your job, Julius. I’m doing mine.” 

* * * *

The briefing room was filled with people as Captain Bishop strolled in and took his seat at the head of the table. Lieutenant Commander Doyle and Commander Keller were the only other senior officers seated at the table. Doctors Matrik, Guarragi, Yung, and three members of the science department were also present. As he sat down, the lead archaeologist began the briefing. 

“With a lot of help from the science department, we’ve managed to translate the symbols and text from the Cetaxian computer. At least, enough of it to be reasonably sure of what we’re dealing with. The pyramid structure in the center of the ruins appears to be some sort of library of information. The symbols from the computer seem to prove that the legends are true and explain that the Cetaxians had developed a powerful weapon of mass destruction to use against their enemies. This weapon wound up, destroying their enemies and their entire civilization. A handful of the survivors took the weapon and hid it before settling on Gadanus to rebuild their civilization.” 

“And now this weapon has the potential to restore a ruined and war-torn Cardassia back to its former glory,” Keller said, looking at the captain. “They’ll be able to force the Federation Alliance from their space and take over the Alpha Quadrant.” 

“Does it say where they hid it?,” Bishop asked, already knowing that was the ultimate question that they needed to find the answer to.

“Yes,” explained Aeriss, the Aurora’s Orion Stellar Cartographer,” there are detailed star charts and descriptions of the chamber which have allowed my people to pinpoint what we believe is the planet when the Cetaxians chose to conceal their weapons. The planet Sargos Gamma is located almost inside the nebula in a region known for its highly volatile metreon activity. Sargos is the only world discovered to be close enough for its surface to be burned by the annual metreon bursts.” 

“Really?,” Matrik asked, amazed. “I wasn’t aware of such a planet.” 

“Nor was i,” replied Captain Bishop. 

“The planet is a relatively newly-discovered world, sir. That region was only charted by the Essex, two weeks ago. It’s still located on the edge of the nebula and approachable by any starship.” 

“Excellent work, Aeriss,” the Captain said, smiling at the Orion stellar cartographer. “Bishop to Nerrit, set a course for the planet Sargos Gamma, maximum warp.” 

* * * *

Captain’s Log, Stardate 53547. 5; 

It’s been nearly a day now that we’ve been on course for the planet Sargos Gamma. According to our best estimates, the Cardassians are, at least, three days ahead of us. However, we have yet to see if they’ve managed to locate the weapon’s location or even if they have the same level of information about it that we do. Of course, I have a bad feeling that finding the planet was the easy part. Finding the weapon may take us days. 

“Captain, we’re approaching the Motaabi Nebula,” Ensign Nerrit informed the bridge crew from his place at the helm. 

“Take us in,” Bishop ordered. “Raise shields and arm weapons systems. We don’t want any surprises waiting for us. Take us into the nebula, full impulse.” 

“Aye, sir,” the Bajoran responded, tapping at his console. “We will enter the Sargos system in one minute.” 

“I hope we don’t find a fleet of Cardassian warships when we arrive,” Ensign Zagora said, seated at the science station. “The last time we entered this nebula, we didn’t exactly have the warmest of welcomes.” 

“The nebula is greatly reducing sensor visibility, Captain,” Lieutenant ch’Dalvis warned from Tactical. “It’ll be different to detect any vessels in orbit of the planet until we arrive. There could be a fleet in there and we wouldn’t even know it until it was too late.” 

“Don’t worry, guys. We aren’t going to have another incident like we had five and a half months ago,” the Captain assured them. “Aurora’s a warship now. She can handle just about anything that the Cardassians or the Blas Maraug can throw at her. And don’t forget that this nebula is also impairing the Cardassians just as much as it is us.” 

“I just hope that the Blas Maraug don’t feel lucky today,” Doyle added. “I’d prefer not to have to test these state of the art tactical systems.” 

“Captain, we’re now approaching Sargos Gamma,” Nerrit called out,” and I’m assuming standard orbit.” 

“Sensors are scanning the area, sir. There’s no sign of any ships or debris. The surface of the planet appears to be just as Aeriss described it; a hot, dry, barren wasteland. No vegetation, no oceans or bodies of water of any kind on the surface and no lifesigns. The atmosphere contains mainly carbon dioxide, oxygen and other gases, but none of them are poisonous. I believe it should be sufficient enough for us to breathe it. However, the mean surface temperature is forty degrees Celsius.” 

“So, what you’re saying, Mister Zagora, is that this planet is basically hell?,” Keller asked him. 

“I wouldn’t want to live there,” Doyle replied,” or visit it.” 

“Well, Hell or not, we can’t afford to waste time,” Bishop said, jokingly. “We’re lucky that the Cardassians aren’t here yet. Commander Keller, you’re more than welcome to lead the away team.” 

“Aye, Captain,” she said, somewhat reluctantly, motioning for Lieutenant ch’Dalvis, Ensign Zagora, and Doctor Matrik to follow her. 

“We can transport you near a small mountain range,” Doyle said on their way off the Bridge. “There appears to be a system of caves in that general area. It seems like that would be the most likely place for the Cetaxians to have hidden a weapon.” 

“Understood, Commander,” she replied as the turbolift doors slid shut behind them. 

* * * *

The Away Team found the surface of Sargos Gamma just as forbidding as they had assumed it would be. Beaming down near the entrance to a rocky valley, they could see the low weather-beaten mountains directly towards them. Behind them was only a dry desert of hardened sand in which hundreds of cracks had formed in the grounds from the years of eternal drought. The desert horizon disappeared without a trace of anything there. The sky was a mixture of crimson red and a dark brown. If they had been on Earth, they might have thought that it was a sunset but it was only the planet’s thick carbon dioxide atmosphere. Besides the thin amounts of breathable air, the intense heat caused the away team to begin sweating before they had even had time to take three steps. 

“Commander Doyle didn’t overestimate this planet’s unpleasantness by much, did he?,” Guarragi commented. 

“I suggest we head towards those mountains, Commander,” Doctor Matrik stated as he scanned the area with his tricorder. “There does appear to be a vast system of caves over there.” 

“Agreed,” Keller said before the away team began walked into the valley of mountains. 

They walked for several minutes before they were sheltered from the hot wind by the mountains. Once in the valley, they headed towards a group of large caves that were only a few kilometers away. In the hot, dry conditions of the planet, it seemed quite invited to the away team. As they approached the entrance of one of the caves, they could see that they were formed deep into the base of the mountains and they appeared to be very deep. Thought they were skeptical about how long it would take to search the caves, they knew they had to do their best and split up into teams, once again so they could search the caves as thoroughly as possible. 

Commander Keller and Doctor MAtrik had split off into a team together and they walked along the long, dark tunnels of a cave, talking, while they searched for signs of the Cetaxians. 

“... and so I wound up, relieving the captain of command and taking the ship into Dominion space, anyways. We rescued thirty-eight crewmembers and we weren’t attacked by a single Jem’Hadar ship. Afterwards, I was court-martialed but there was nothing that Starfleet Command could do after I saved the other ship’s crew. Even so, I don't think I'll be expecting a promotion any time soon,” Keller said, finishing her story. “Quadrini had some friends in high places at Starfleet Command.

“You know, Vasily,” she said as she shined her palm beacon ahead of her,” we’ve talked a lot about me over these past days but I don't know that much about you. Is there some sort of big dark secret about your past that you’re covering up or what?” 

“I suppose that’s true.” 

“Is it?” 

“Well, let’s see,” he answered him,” … I almost joined Starfleet when i was younger. I even attended the Academy for a few years. Science, adventure, exploration, and some tactical missions, it seemed like the best way to get out of Greece.” 

“So why didn’t you?,” she asked him as they turned around a bend in the cave. 

“I guess it was because my professor at the Academy inspired me. I realized how interesting that studying the history of the Galaxy was and I’ve always loved the stories of the Iconians, the T’Kon, and the Promellians. I even found out that I had a real gift for it. After his class, I decided to give up a career in Starfleet and become an archaeologist.” 

“And you’ve spent the rest of your life, studying the Cetaxians,” Keller concluded as she stepped over a bump in the cave floor. 

“That’s right. I even got to go visit the Cetaxian artifacts on Z’teras. They have to be the most impressive sights that I've ever seen. Imagine seeing these huge floating stations like… things made of metal, with no apparent function at all. In all of the years that the Khymerians have been a spacefaring race they’ve never been able to understand them. I personally thought that they were relay stations to transmit messages but they aren’t set up very efficiently for that, being clumped together in and between a few star systems. But I suppose that being out here on the frontier for a month and a half now, you’ve probably seen them, many times.” 

“Actually,” she replied, somewhat embarrassed, knowing that the great artifacts were regarded as one of the great wonders of the Frontier,” we’ve been so busy the whole time that we haven’t had a chance to see them.” 

“What a shame. You really must see them. After all of this is over, maybe I can take you there?” 

“I’d like that,” Keller answered as they exited the cave. “Of course, we’d have to be careful, the Blas Maraug are all over the place out there.” 

* * * *

The rest of the caves weren’t as deep as they appeared to be. Within an hour, the teams had worked their way through most of them, rendezvousing in one of the caves on the other side of the cave. Even though the caves were several degrees cooler than the outside air, the Away Team had still become overheated and tired. 

“I think it would be best if we returned to the ship now, Commander,” Zagora complained. “We don’t want to become dehydrated.” 

“Keller to Aurora,” the commander said, tapping her combadge. “We’ve been down here for forty minutes and so far, we haven’t seen anything that would suggest that there were ever Cetaxians here -- “ 

She stopped speaking as both she and Zagora noticed that there was a small stone wall built into the side of a rocky hill, directly across from the cave. From where they stood, they could tell that it was definitely Cetaxian and appeared to have images carved into it along with symbols. Besides its decorations, it also had a large rectangular sections that appeared to be a door.

“Commander?,” she heard the captain say. “What’s wrong?” 

The other members of the Away Team rose from where they were sitting, back further in the cave and walked over to look at the sight that had caught both Keller’s and Zagora’s eyes. 

“I believe we may have found something, Captain,” the commander continued as the team moved out of the cave and towards the structure. “We’ve found a stone wall that may or may not be an entrance to one of the caves. One thing is for sure, the Cetaxians were here.” 

“Acknowledged, Commander. What’s you --” The captain was interrupted by a sudden wave of static. 

“Captain? Captain?!” Keller tapped her combadge again but the connection was broken. 

ch’Dalvis tapped his combadge as well. “ch’Dalvis to Aurora. Come in, Aurora.” 

The Aurora didn’t answer. 

* * * *

“Commander? Commander Keller?,” Bishop said when their connection had broken. He looked over at Doyle, frowning. “Report!” 

“We’ve lost our communications link with the Away Team, sir,” the operations officer reported, his attention on his console. “It’s from antilepton interference.” 

“Localize it.”

“Someone has flooded subspace with it.” 

“Captain,” Lieutenant Brookes, the assistant security chief who was seated at Tactical in ch’Dalvis’ absence, “The Cardassians are well-known for using antileptons to jam communications.” 

Bishop nodded, standing up from his chair. “Scan for them.” He looked at Nerrit. “Take us out of orbit and give us some space.” 

“What about the away team?,” asked Doyle. 

The captain took a moment to think about that. He crossed his arms over his chest. Not only was Aurora in danger of a surprise Cardassian attack but the away team was in danger as well. He looked over at Doyle. 

“Prep a shuttle, Commander. Round up Doctor Lim and a security team.” 

“Aye, sir. I’ll-- “ He didn’t have a chance to finish his sentence as the ship was struck from out of nowhere. Then the ship was struck again. 

“Quantum torpedoes!,” Brookes reported. “From astern!” 

“Nerrit, evasive maneuvers!” Bishop returned to his command chair. “Brookes, return fire!” 

The view of the planet disappeared from the main screen and the image of a Cardassian warship appeared behind Aurora. From the Starfleet Intelligence reports that he had read on Cardassian ships, Bishop knew that it was a Keldon class ship. They were basically facing a dreadnought. 

Aurora swung to starboard and fired phasers at the Cardassian ship. The enemy vessel’s shields absorbed the weapons fire before they fired another volley of quantum torpedoes at the Federation vessel. A few of them missed the ship, where one of them struck point-blank against the secondary hull. 

“Aurora definitely felt that one,” Doyle said, checking his instruments. 

“Shields are down to eighty-four percent,” Brookes reported. He wasn’t as good a gunner as ch’Dalvis was but he was trying. 

“Helm, take us underneath them. We’ll head for the opposite side of the planet Brookes, prepare phasers.” 

“Aye, sir,” said the tactical officer. 

The Aurora swept underneath the Keldon class ship, her forward phaser banks firing at her underbelly. Bishop remembered that most Cardassian vessels had a weak spot in their shields in that section. His memory served him well as Brookes’ first and second shots hit an area near one of the warp fins. The shields were weak and an explosion erupted. 

“Now move us off.” 

“Aye, Captain,” Nerrit said, setting a course for the opposite side of the planet. “Engaging impulse engines.” 

Bishop stood from his chair and walked over to the Ops console. “Mister Doyle, try hailing the away team now.” 

Nodding, he pressed panels on his console and the subtle beeps of failure were the rewards for his efforts. The black man shook his head and looked at Bishop. 

“Communications are still being jammed by antilepton interference.” 

Ensign Nerrit turned around in his seat to face Bishop and Doyle. “In the Resistance, we used to use transmission beacons to boost a transmission between cells. Couldn’t we launch a probe?” 

Doyle thought for a moment. “It’s a good idea.” 

“But the Cardassians could see it and destroy it.” 

“Not if we use one of the stealth probes,” Brookes spoke up from Tactical. The captain, Doyle, and Nerrit looked at him. 

“Stealth probe?” 

“Yes, Captain. We were equipped with them after the refit at Deep Space Nine.” 

Bishop smiled and pointed at him. “Load two stealth probes. We’ll fire them at the poles.” 

“That should cover the entire planet and cut through any antilepton interference from the Cardassians,” Doyle added. “But I’ll take an hour to get them ready.” 

“Get it done, Mister Doyle.” 

* * * *

“I see the Federation has arrived,” a sinister voice welcomed the away team. Matrik and Zagora had translated the door mechanism quickly and Guarragi and ch’Dalvis were the first ones through the door. As the door ground open, a collection of Cardassian hand phasers and phaser rifles were aimed at them. 

“Damn,” Gurragi swore, lifting his phaser towards the voice of the Cardassian Dal who had welcomed them. Christine couldn’t remember giving any of the archaeologists any weapons Maybe Nala had armed them? 

“Drop it, Earther.” 

“Over my dead body.” 

“Then I shall oblige you!” A deadly stream of yellow energy shot out of the Cardassian’s weapon and hit Guarragi in his sternum. He felt back, the heat of the phaser blast disintegrating him to nothingness. 

“Guarragi!,” Yung shouted, leaping forward to avenge him. He received the same death, disintegrating before Keller’s, Matrik’s, ch’Dalvis’ and Zagora’s eyes. They were all still in a state of shock when the Cardassians approached them. 

“Drop your weapons before you all join your associates!” The Dal was relentless in his threats. He stepped forward and placed his phaser underneath Keller’s chin. 

The commander nodded to ch’Dalvis and Zagora who lowered their weapons to the floor. “What do you want?” 

The dal smiled at her submission. “I am Dal Murot. You are my prisoners.” 

“I’m Commander Christine Keller of the Federation starship Aurora. What do you want?” 

The Cardassian pointed his gun at Matrik. “I know who you are, and who you are. Decipher the markings, and give us the weapon of the Cetaxians.” 

“Or else what?,” ch’Dalvis asked him. “You’ll kill us?” 

Durot chuckled. “That’s a wise suggestion. We don’t need to leave behind any witnesses.” 

“But you do need our cooperation,” Matrik said,” an

d you just killed two of my friends!” 

Durot dug his phaser deeper into Keller’s throat. “And her? Should I kill her?” 

Matrik stared at him, trying to make a decision. Instead, the commander made the decision for him. 

“We’ll cooperate, Dal Durot. We must have assurances, though.” She looked at him as though the phaser forced against her neck didn’t concern her. 

“What kind of assurances?” 

* * * *

“The probes are ready, Captain,” Doyle said as soon as he walked onto the Bridge. Chief Engineer Vata was with him since she had helped with programming the stealth probes for their mission. 

“Once we fire them off,” Jedani said, looking seriously at Bishop,” they’ll land at the poles and we’ll be able to communicate with anyone, anywhere on the planet.” 

Bishop nodded at the Trill. “They’ll be able to cut through the antileptons?” 

“Of course, Captain.” 

He nodded, rising from his chair. “Mister Brookes,” he said, addressing the acting tactical officer,” prepare to fire --” 

“Sir!” Doyle had assumed his place at Ops. “The Cardassians are hailing us!” 

“From the planet?” 

“No, Captain. From their ship.” 

The bridge crew looked at him, curious as to what his next move would be. It wasn’t unusual for the Cardassian commander to contact them. In fact, he has thought about contacting them himself. 

“Put them through.” 

Doyle nodded, pressing panels on his console. “On screen.” 

The planet’s image disappeared from the main screen and it was replaced with the bridge interior of a Keldon class warship. It was dark and grey with minimal lighting. That was how a Cardassian liked it. 

“I am Gul Zaarek of the Cardassian Seventh Order,” the middle-aged Cardassian in the command chair spoke up. He wore a salt-and-pepper beard, which was unusual for any member of the Cardassian military. “You will surrender and prepare to be boarded.” 

“This is Captain Scott Bishop of the Federation starship Aurora. Why should we surrender?”

“Isn’t it obvious? We have the upper hand.” 

“How? I would like to think that we share the same advantages, Gul Zaarek,” Bishop said, taking a step forward. “What is your interest in the Cetaxians? I don’t believe that you’re here, simply for scientific purposes. Or even archaeological curiosity.” 

“I do not have to explain myself to you, Human.” 

“Actually, according to the Treaty of Bajor,” Lieutenant Commander Doyle spoke up from Ops,” you do. Keldon class ships were ordered into spacedock to be decommissioned.” 

“So, that begs the question,” the captain added,” what are you doing with one?” 

Zaarek stared at him with a disgusted, angry look. Then he ordered the transmission ended. Bishop took a step back and looked at Doyle. 

“That was a good point to bring up.” 

“Aye, sir,” the black man said, nodding at him. 

“Let’s get those probes launched so we can reach out and call our people.” 

* * * *

Under the eyes of the Cardassians and their team leader, Dal Durot, Doctor Matrik and Ensign Zagora were working on deciphering the markings on the main console. After a few minutes, a holographic globe of the planet appeared over it. It showed the Aurora and the Cardassian warship orbiting it on opposite sides of the planet. 

“I think I’ve figured out what this weapon does,” Zagora said, looking over at Commander Keller. She and Lieutenant ch’Dalvis sat on the floor against a wall under one of the guards. 

“Well, speak up,” Durot said, smacking him on the shoulder,” so we can all hear you.” 

Zagora scowled, resenting the Cardassian touching him. He was about to turn to defend himself but Matrik grabbed him in time. 

“No, don’t, Ensign,” he said, not wanting him to meet the fate of Guarragi and Yung. “He’s not worth it. Besides, we have work to do.” 

With a nod, Zagora continued with his work. Within a few minutes, he stepped back and looked at Durot. “Okay, we’ve figured it out.” He looked at the console. In the center of all of the hieroglyphs there was a symbol for fire/torch. “You have to enter the coordinates for your target. Then you press that button. The energy collected from the devices spread across the Frontier will be focused on your target and destroy it.” 

“Interesting. How do I program it?” 

Zagora handed the Cardassian his tricorder. “I wrote a primer in Cetaxian for you.” 

“Good.” Durot holstered his weapon and took the tricorder from Zagora. Pushing Matrik and the ensign aside, the dal began inputting his chosen target coordinates. He kept his back to the archaeologist and the science officer, which left them guessing. When he was finished, he looked across the room at Commander Keller. 

“Today, Commander Keller, is the day that you will witness the rebirth and rise of the Cardassian Union,” he told her, a smile growing on his face. “First, Bajor, and then… Earth!” 

“NO!,” the commander shouted, climbing to her feet, only to be knocked down by a disruptor rifle to the stomach. She felt back against the wall, grasping her stomach. 

“Yes. Cardassia will finally fix what’s wrong with the universe. Namely, your Federation, and the Klingon Empire. We lost the war but we will win eternity!” Durot pushed the button that indicated fire/torch  and it seemed like nothing had happened. 

“What…? What happened?” 

The holographic globe lit up and a stream of coalescent blue energy flowed into view from outside the star system. It headed towards the Cardassian warship and surrounded it. For an instant, it was mesmerizing until it and the ship disappeared into nothingness. 

Durot turned on Zagora and struck him across the face. “What did you do?!” 

“I don’t know. What did you do?,” Zagora asked, innocently. He pushed past the Cardassian dal and looked over the console. He was too late to do anything. The same coalescent blue energy that had made the Cardassian ship disappear had appeared in the chamber with them. The energy went and surrounded the Cardassians. All four of them showed looks of surprise and fear before they disappeared in a wink. 

Nala helped Keller to her feet. The commander stepped forward and looked at Zagora. “What did you do, Ensign?” 

“I did what they wanted, Commander,” the science officer explained,” except I changed the symbol for ‘Bajorans’ to ‘Cardassians’.” 

“‘Changed the’...,” ch’Dalvis said. “You mean you just killed off the entire Cardassian civilization?” 

“No, sir.” 

“Then what did you do?” 

“He trained the device only on Durot, the ship, and his seedy minions,” Matrik said, checking the readouts on the alien console. He looked at him and smiled. “He saved us.” 

“Aurora to away team,” the voice of Captain Bishop came over their combadges. “What the hell just happened down there? The Cardassian ship, its jamming field… it’s all gone!” 

Keller tapped her combadge. “Ensign Zagora saved our bacon, sir.” 

“How?” 

“He turned the Cetaxian weapon on them.” 

“He did what?!” 

“I’ll explain in my report, Captain.” 

There was a pause before the captain said,” Prepare for transport.” 

“Aye, sir. 

* * * *

Captain’s Log, supplemental; 

We have found the Cetaxian weapon and we have secured it for Starfleet to send a scientific research team to study it. The Cardassian government has disavowed any knowledge about Gul Zaarek, Dal Durot, or their operation. 

For now, I have a difficult duty to carry out. 

The Mess Hall was filled with every member of Aurora’s crew who wasn’t on duty. That meant mostly the senior officers and the captain. They were all in their nice white and grey dress uniforms as the doors opened and Ensign Caltashi Zagora walked inside. 

“Atten-hut!,” Lieutenant Nalarithren ch’Dalvis barked at the ship’s company, standing beside the podium in the middle of the room. Everyone came to attention as Zagora walked over to stand in front of the podium. 

Captain Bishop stepped forward and said,” We are gathered here to celebrate one of our own and to acknowledge his service to this ship, her crew, and to Starfleet. He is one of the youngest science officers in Starfleet and he has a bright path before him.” Commander Keller stepped forward with a box in her hands as Bishop walked around the podium. “Ensign Zagora, step forward.” 

Zagora stepped forward as instructed at the same time that Keller opened the box. A single gold pip sat on a velvet pillow inside. 

“Caltashi Zagora, you have helped save this ship and her crew, countless times. If Captain Collins could be here, he would be proud of the man that you’ve become.” 

Bishop took the gold pip out of the box and took a hold of Zagora’s collar. Pinning it on, he smiled at him. 

“By the power and responsibility placed in me by Starfleet Command and the United Federation of Planets, I hereby promote Ensign Caltashi Zagora to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade with all of the rights and responsibilities that come with that rank.” 

A round of applause followed the captain’s speech. Many of the senior staff members like Doyle, Vata, and Lim came up and congratulated him. Keller shook his hand before the captain shook it. 

“Congratulations, Cal. You’ve earned this” 

“Thank you, sir.” 

The End.