10/20/01

02:50 AM

Group: Command

Title: Station Log

Station Log, Stardate 52067.1.

Captain Crixle of the USS Madison has contacted me via subspace ten minutes ago with disconcerting news. The Madison, on patrol as part of the blockade of the Dulcais sector, has reported a large buildup of Siinogan vessels around Bak'TUR. Since they started manufacturing ketrecel white, tensions have shot up in the sector. The blockade has stopped no less than five ships trying to sneak away from Bak'TUR. All were met with communication silence, and ran until they were destroyed. But the past few weeks have been eerily silent.

Are they planning a new offensive? Are they looking to expand their territory? There is so much about the Siinogans that we just don't understand. Predictions of behavior in the past have been wrong.

The Dominion is just a few sectors away, still occupying my home world. I'm sure they would do everything in their power to get that white from the Siinogans, provided of course that they know about it. You can almost taste the tension in the air.

If they try something, we will be ready. I have supreme faith in my crew.

Commander Balin

A quiet night. The blockade against the insectoid creatures known as the Siinogans has gone smoothly for the past several weeks. Several ships have tried to break through, but all have been destroyed. The fleet comprises of 12 Federation Vessels, four Klingons, and four Romulans, and has stayed mostly off of the station. In the middle of the shift the doors of the Commander's office open and he steps inside. "Mr. Edwards," he says to his second officer. "The Madison has reported that the Siinogan fleet has made its move and is attempting to leave Siinogan space, and its destination is Fimdari."

Edwards comes up from the command chair and furrows his brow, "Fimdari? Why would they go there?" He pauses and realizes that's probably not the most important part. "Can the blockade handle them, sir?"

The Commander walks towards the turbolift. "We're confident that it can. But just in case, I'll be taking the Aegis out to join the battle. Have second shift report to their Aegis duty stations and take the station to yellow alert. The station is yours."

Laco speaks up as Balin heads toward the lift, "Uh, Lt Edwards, I don't mean to interrupt, and I don't know if this is important, but Fimdari is where we found that crashed siinogan ship and that Siinogan Lepton Torpedo."

Edwards remarks, "Aye, sir." He glances toward the science station and adds, before retaking his seat, "Thank you, Mr. Laco. I guess they have some sort of interest in that planet, then..."

Balin steps out and doors swish shut behind him.

Edwards clears his throat and calls out, "Yellow alert. Dakin, recall second shift and tell them to report to the Aegis, on the double." He glances around quickly, "And look alive, people!"

Dakin nods. "Aye, sir." He tabs an interstation comm channel. "Dakin to second shift officers. Report to Aegis duty stations immediately. Repeat, report to Aegis immediately."

Raxil swallows nervously, looking around.

Laco begins checking the long range sensors, in case something tries to sneak this way. "Uh...Lt...I think the Siinogans might have something on one of the planets of Fimdari. Maybe...."

The yellow alert klaxon sounds throughout the station.

Edwards turns his attention back toward Laco and inquires, "What do you mean, Ensign? And does the Commander know about it?"

Dakin looks up from his console to Laco, interested in his answer.

Laco says "Uh..I might have mentioned it to him...I don't remember. Anyway...I think that that crashed shuttle was testing their Lepton device. As far as we know, its something new to them. Anyway...why test it in another system, instead of at Siinoga. I think there might be a chance that they may have resources there....maybe some kind of research base, maybe more. Perhaps they feel their own system is under too much scrutiny... Anyway, we know they seem to like living underground. Maybe they have a base below ground level or something. Uh..just a guess, sir. Could be a trap or something." He taps at the console, "Uh, also, the Siinogan fleet has made their break for Fimdari, with our fleet in pursuit.

Edwards comes back up from his chair, so he can pace. While he does so, he looks to Dakin, "Send a message to the Aegis. Make sure Commander Balin knows about Ensign Laco's theory."

Dakin nods. "Aye, sir." He calls up the outgoing comm channels and links up to the Aegis. "Station 419 to Aegis. Come in, please." Once contact is established, he beings to relay Laco's speculations to the commander.

Edwards remarks, "If you have any other thoughts, I suggest you share them now, Mr. Laco."

Laco says "Uh, no, thats it. Sir."

Raxil leans against a bulkhead near the turbolift, keeping quiet.

The battle map shows on screen the sector and the ships converging on the Fimdari system. It all seems so detached from this perspective, as if it isn't really real - after all, it's just icons. But behind each of those icons is a Federation starship, manned with all sorts of people from across the cosmos.

Dakin blinks. "Lieutenant, hail from the Aegis."

Edwards mutters, "I hate watching a good fight like this..." Dakin's voice pulls him out of his reverie, and he looks to the security officer, "Let's hear it."

Dakin tabs the keypad. "Channel open, sir."

Balin's face appears on screen. "The Madison and her wing ships have intercepted the Siinogan fleet and the battle has begun. We will be arriving at any moment into the fray." His image cuts out for a moment, flickers black, then flickers back on. "They're flooding the area w... ept.. adia.." Bzzzzzzt. It cuts out entirely to be replaced with the battle map again.

Dakin cycles through the frequencies. "I'm trying to get them back, Lieutenant..."

Laco brings up a secondary screen on his console, and begins tapping away, seeing if he can clear out some of the static from the end of the transmision.

Edwards curses under his breath and begins to pace anew. "Someone tell me what he said! Yesterday!" he barks.

Raxil frowns, commenting. "Sounds like the Commander was about to say 'lepton radiation...'"

<CONTEST> Laco contests his Physical Sciences (Physics) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Dakin frowns as a light flashes on his console. He taps a few commands in to isolate the cause.

Laco pauses in his work, then looks up suddenly. He inclines his head toward Raxil, "Uh, if he's right, they could be using them to jam subspace signals. But he might have said anti-leptons too...either way, if they can generate the opposite kind of radiation, it might clear things up."

Edwards comments, "Great." Pace pace pace. "I don't suppose there's any way we can cut through the interference from here?"

Dakin frowns and runs diagnostics on the sensors. "That is really strange..."

The icons on the battle map begin to blink as subspace tracking goes off-line due to the interference.

Edwards scowls at the viewscreen, when the icons are lost. This is worse than just watching icons. At least that was something. "What is it, Dakin?" he asks, somewhat irritably.

Dakin blinks. "Um, Lieutenant, I appear to be having some problems with the sensor arrays aimed at the Anomaly. It set off my console, but the Level 5 I ran shows no problems."

Laco ever paranoid, tries to get a visual feed from that direction.

Edwards frowns deeply and questions, "What kind of problems?" While he's being all official, he looks toward Raxil, "And if you can work something, grab a station."

The visual of the anomaly pops up on the viewer. It flashes like a beacon in the blackness of space. It doesn't appear to be any different.

Dakin frowns. "I'm not sure, sir. My tactical board went off, but when I checked it, it appeared as a glitch. But, considering the sensors check out..." He trails off, trying to figure out the problem.

Raxil nods, moving to the science console next to Laco.

Raxil sits down at Science II.

Edwards makes a face when the viewer changes. "Put the map back." he states. "And we don't have time for glitches. Just keep alert, Dakin. There's not much we can do about it if a diagnostic didn't turn anything up." He pauses. "Can we cut through the radiation interference from here, Laco?"

Laco says "Well, no, I don't think so... Like I said, I think the opposite of whatever kind of leptop radiation they are employing should do the trick, but they're way out of our range, and we can't talk to them..."

GAME: Dakin spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Dakin (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

The battle map reappears on the viewer.

<CONTEST> Laco contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Laco eyes widen, and his jaw drops. "U-uh, Lt! Come here, I-I think I can see a ship on the other side of the anomaly!" He points to the spot on his screen.

Edwards turns on his heel and practically runs toward Laco's station. "What? What's it look like?" he asks quickly.

Raxil leans over, getting a look at Laco's display. "Son of a..." he mutters, eyes fixed on the blip.

<CONTEST> Dakin (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Laco tries to magnify the section of the picture the ship lies in.

Dakin calls out, "Sir! Incoming torpedoes from the Anomaly! A dozen of 'em!"

Edwards skids to a halt near the science station and bellows, "Red alert! Shields up! Weapons hot!" His attention turns back to Laco, "I want to know what that is! Now!"

The red alert klaxon barely comes on as the station is pounded by the hit of a missile weapon. An explosion rocks across the saucer before the shields kick in. This manages to keep out 8 of the torpedos, but by trapping the resultant explosions of the previous four into the shields, it makes the ride a lot rougher. A secondary set of explosions rocks the hull as something internal explodes.

Dakin barely grabs onto his console to avoid getting thrown from it. "Shields at 18 percent! And we've lost a shield generator..!"

Edwards latches onto the back of Laco's chair, as the station rocks. When it feels like it's finished, he lets go, and heads back toward the command chair, "What in the hell hit us?! And is it going to again?" The adrenaline is flowing now.

Raxil grunts as the edge of the console slams into his side. "Engineering... is sending repair crews." He pauses to look over the console. "Two crewmembers reported missing."

Laco ducks his head and grips the console, but smacks his head off of the console when the torpedoes hit. He swears, but tries to scan the surrounding space.

From afar, Laco is looking for lepton radiation residue stuff.

Dakin frowns. "Oh, hell... Lieutenant, I'm reading one Jem'hadar battlecruiser, one Galor-class, and ten of the Dominion's smaller attack craft!"

Laco says "Uh, I don't think those were the Siinogan's Lepton weapons.....maybe its a *he hears Dakin*..yeah."

Edwards drops down into his chair and questions, "Who's missing?" He blinks, "The Dominion?" Despite the war, that's the last thing he expected. "Are there any allied ships in the area, besides the blockade fleet?

Dakin keys in his tactical sensors. "All we got's a Klingon freighter, sir... but it _is_ headed our way."

Raxil taps his display console. "Every time I think I hit rock bottom, someone throws me another shovel." he mutters to himself.

Edwards comments dryly, "Great. We're all going to die." Suddenly, he remembers that he's in charge, and should probably be instilling confidence in the troops. "Uh. I mean... we can do this people. Just... not in a straight fight. Hail them."

Raxil turns to Edwards. "Sir, Doctor T'sal reports five injured; she's treating them on-site."

Dakin frowns as he punches in the commands. "Dominion attack fleet, this is Station 419, please acknowledge."

There is no response. But the ships have not fired a second time. Instead, they take a position to surround the station.

Dakin sighs. "Lieutenant, all threat craft are running with weapons charged."

Edwards hops back to his feet. "What's our weapons status? And how are the repairs coming?"

Dakin checks his board. "Shields at now 20 percent, weapons undamaged. I could reroute power to the shields from nonessentials, push us up to 35. Otherwise, damage control's underway."

Laco says "They're scanning us!"

Edwards nods toward Dakin, "Do it." He looks toward the viewer, "And display a battle map of our situation."

Raxil glances back at his console. "Sir, Engineering reports that the shield generator is completely blown; they're saying two days to fix it." He jerks his head at the screen. "I'd guess they know it too."

The viewer displays the dot of the station. Parked about 500m off of every direction of the planar compass is an icon of a ship. Yes, that is what 'surrounded' looks like.

Dakin begins the power reroute procedure, every so often keeping an eye on the enemy forces circling the wagons outside.

Laco whispers to himself, "... dead."

Dakin blinks at the beeping on his console. "Sir, we're being hailed. The Cardassian ship."

Edwards inhales a deep breath and exhales slowly. He wasn't even a senior officer last year, and now he's in charge of the entire station during a battle with the Dominion. Someone hit the panic button. A little relief comes when he hears Dakin, however. "Onscreen."

Dakin punches in the appropriate commands for station-to-ship visual.

The face of a Cardassian appears on screen, his dark grey armor and even darker-grey skin. His neck is enormous, and his eyes small and shifty-looking. His ridges over his eyes are well-defined and thick, and the upside-down teardrop on his forehead almost shines obsidian. "This is Gul Kadet of the Dominion battleship Rekek. You will lower your shields and surrender."

Edwards steps forward, straightens his tunic idly, and replies, "I'm Leftenant Michael Edwards, acting Commander of Station Four-One-Nine." Gotta make himself sound important. "What if we don't surrender?"

Dakin restrains himself from saying every nasty thing he's ever thought of saying to a Cardassian.

Raxil watches the main screen quietly, almost anxiously, sneaking a glance at his console from time to time.

The dark Cardassian steeples his fingers and smiles. "Come now, Lt. Edwards. You don't want to witness that."

Edwards remarks, "I don't think I'd like to witness a prison camp, either." He already did that, thankyouverymuch. "So maybe we could come to some agreement which doesn't entail either option."

Kadet leans forward to the screen, the smile disappearing. "I will not repeat my demands," he says coldly. "Drop your shields or we will beat them down."

Edwards responds, "Sorry. I fell asleep during Give Up 101 at the Academy." He'll be making cracks like that 'til the day he dies. That probably won't be a coincidence, either. "You ought to really consider if you want to fight us or not. I wouldn't recommend it."

The Cardassian looks at someone out of the viewer's focus and the screen goes black.

Edwards mutters, "So much for bluffing." He turns about swiftly, "Dakin, scramble security teams. Get the station locked down and every civilian in their quarters or on their ships."

Dakin says, "Aye, s..." He stops short and looks at his console. "Sir, two of the smaller ships are breaking off. They're headed for the Klingon freighter."

<CONTEST> Laco contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Laco says "Sir, that Galor is releasing anti-lepton-based interferance."

Edwards gestures at Dakin and remarks, "Warn the Klingons off! I don't care if they wouldn't mind dying in a fight. I don't need to hear about people getting slaughtered wholesale right now." When Laco speaks up, he inquires, "Should we release lepton radiation?" And, as an afterthought, he adds to Dakin, "Inform the crew to arm themselves and expect hostiles to board the station."

Laco says "Uh sir...well...we could try, but it isn't easy, and it might make our guests mad."

The station rocks under the impact of polaron weapons from the Jem'Hadar craft.

Dakin nods. "Attention, all personnel. The station is under siege and boarders are expected. Take up arms and prepare to repel. All civilians are advised to bar themselves to quarters or make haste to their vessels." Then, switching to an outgoing frequency, "Station 419 to Klingon frei..." He stops short as the station rocks again. "Shields down to 10 percent..!"

Edwards grabs the command chair, when the station rocks, "Return fire. If we're going to go down, we'll do it fighting." He looks about the room, "And if someone has a great idea, I suggest they share it, now."

<CONTEST> Dakin (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Laco holds onto his console, cringing.

Raxil holds onto the edge of his control board, steadying himself. He seems almost suicidally calm. "Well... that passage through the anomaly -might- have stressed their hull... Can we do anything with that?"

Edwards drops down into the chair and grits his teeth, "The anomaly..." He looks back at the science stations, "Scan those ships. Did the anomaly affect them at all? And, Laco, if you need to, do what you can to negate their anti-lepton interference."

The stream of phased energy lances out toward the Cardassian ship, impacting against its shields. It returns fire with its disruptors.

Laco says "Uh, sir, I think that by the time I figured out how to do that, if I figured it out, we would no longer be here..."

The station rocks again under the impact of fire. "Warning," states the computer. "Shields have failed."

Edwards remarks, to the computer, "Thanks a lot." He comes back up from his chair, again. "Arm yourselves, people. This isn't going to be pretty..."

Dakin grabs onto his console to keep from falling again. He then pulls out his phaser and checks its charge.

The Klingon ship has not heeded the turn-around call, and on the viewscreen the crew can see it destroyed by the two intercept craft. Two hundred souls just went to Sto'vo'kor. The station is pounded again by the Galor.

Edwards watches the viewscreen grimly. "Keep returning fire, Dakin. Raxil, watch the internal sensors for boarders." He moves to arm himself, since there are, presumably, emergency weapons in operations. "Our only hope may be to hold them off until the Aegis gets back."

The whirling hum of Dominion transporters start to kick in as eight Jem'Hadar start to beam into Ops.

Raxil nods, turning partially to his console, stopping as he sees the transporters out of the corner of his eye. "Sir!"

Dakin nods and starts to fire another shot, until he sees the transporter beams. "Ah, hell..!" He whips his phaser around at the nearest one.

<CONTEST> Dakin (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Edwards grabs a phaser from the emergency weapons locker and spins around, toward the Jem'Hadar. "And here's our welcoming committee now..." he remarks, as he raises the weapon and fires a blast at one of the soldiers.

Laco puts his hands on his head and ducks, trying not to get blasted.

<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Two Jem'Hadar soldiers go down in a crumpled heap under the skilled fire of Edwards and Dakin. Bolts of polaron energy lance across Operations, hitting equipment and consoles, causing them to explode in showers of sparks. Several blasts come close to hitting Raxil and the console before him bursts into flame. One wings Laco's left shoulder as he tries to duck.

Laco yells in pain and falls out of his chair, onto the deck.

Dakin attempts to duck the shots from behind his console, then comes around the side of it and trains his phaser on at the Jem'hadar who shot Laco.

<CONTEST> Dakin (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Raxil falls back from his now-burning console, landing on the floor and pulling Laco over.

Edwards glowers when Laco gets winged. Sure, the science officer is weird, but hey, you don't pick on weird people. Another phaser blast is fired as he shouts, "Grab anything that isn't bolted down, people!"

<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Balin contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Edwards's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Balin contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Dakin's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

Laco slaps his right hand over his left shoulder, as Raxil drags him.

<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Dakin (claiming advantage) contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Edwards and Dakin are both shot by the Jem'Hadar invading Ops, but not before they both take out an attacker each. Four remaining, though, and the two with weapons are down. Edwards has been hit in the stomach, and Dakin the back. Both appear to be alive, but wounded.

Dakin lets out a pained gasp as he gets hit, falling forward onto the deck on his elbows and knees. He winces as he checks the wound with his hand.

Edwards goes down like a brick and grabs his stomach. Oh man. Polaron weapons /hurt/. "Someone... remind me to duck next time..." he forces out. Since the station depends on him, or so he likes to think, he tries to force himself back up. At least to a sitting position.

Laco stays flat on the floor, where its nice and safe.

"I am the first! Drop your weapons!" shouts one of the horned Jem'Hadar.

Laco tries to slide under his console, pushing himself along with his feet.

Edwards considers the odds. A wounded human and a wounded Bajoran against four healthy Jem'Hadar. "All right, all right..." he mutters, while setting his phaser down.

<CONTEST> Laco contests his Stealth skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

The first, a grey, menacing-looking Jem'Hadar, gestures to one of his soldiers to gather the weapons up. The others start to huddle the crew together. And yes, one spots Laco.

Laco spots the Jemmy looking his way, and raises his good hand, to show he's behaving.

The one Jem'Hadar who spotted Laco looks to the two blue-shirts. "Join the others, now. Or die."

Edwards winces as he gets herded along with everyone else. "Well nobody can't say we didn't try." he mutters, mostly to himself.

Laco gets to his his feet, shakily, and heads over to the others, his right hand clapped over the char on his left shoulder.

Dakin winces as he also rises painfully to his feet and moves over with the others.

Raxil gives Laco a helping shoulder, supporting him as he gets to his feet.

The first prime surveys his prize. "We will wait for reports of other teams before we report to the Cardassian that we have secured the station. But I declare this mission a success. We have taken operations."

Edwards glances toward his troops, then proceeds to spite their captors. "Computer, lock out all functions. Authorization: Edwards One One Seven Kappa." he speaks quickly, and hopefully finishes before the Jem'Hadar have a chance to vaporize him.

Laco whispers to Raxil, "Ensign...I... have... medical... If... seem... Try... their... your... out my... try..."

Raxil lets his eyes flick to Edwards, then nods, once, to Laco. Leaning over him, he takes a look at Laco's shoulder, his body blocking the Jem'Hadar from seeing Laco.

One of the guards slams the butt of his rifle into Edwards' stomach, but the command goes through and screens start to wink off. The first storms over to the confrontation. "Try to override their security lockouts. But do not kill him - we will need his codes if we cannot bypass them."

Dakin would smile at Edwards' defiance if it weren't for the polaron-beam wound in his back.

Edwards falls down to his knees and doubles over, groaning with the impact. That hurt. He can't even make a snappy remark yet.

One of the Jem'Hadar remains with a weapon pointed at the crew. The first begins to oversee efforts to bypass the security lockouts.

Laco squeezes his arms in front of himself as if in pain, trying to knock his PADD into his lap, between himself and Raxil.

Reports start to come in through the prime's communicator. "Deck three secured." "Deck 22 secured." "Deck 17 secured." Pretty efficient work, but then the station, without the Aegis in port, is running about without some of her crew.

Laco stands there a moment, then types something into the PADD. He turns it to face Edwards, and coughs, hoping to get his attention, all while looking at Raxil.

Dakin stands there, hand behind his back on his blast-wound, trying to be inobvious about not looking towards his crewmates.

Edwards sits back on his knees and glances sidelong at Laco. Hopefully, this is something that won't get him another shot in the gut.

The First Prime hails the lead ship. "We have secured most of the station, Cardassian. We are working on bypassing their security lockouts."

Raxil frowns, squinting as he looks at Laco's shoulder.

Raxil whispers to Laco, "I... keep... for... bad... and... why I'm... practicing... doing."

Laco whispers to Raxil, "..."

"Silence!" shouts the guarding Jem'Hadar.

Raxil jerks around, then returns to Laco's shoulder. As he slides a hand across his torso to support himself, hidden from the guards, he flashes two fingers. Two minutes.

"Excellent. Let me know when the station is entirely secure," states Kadet over the Prime's comm. The Jem'Hadar cuts communication without pleasantries and walks to Edwards. "Release computer control immediately, or this one dies," the Primes says, pointing to Laco.

Edwards looks at Laco blankly. Oh, and then there's a Jem'Hadar in front of him. "Can I think about that?" he questions.

The guard moves behind Laco and raises his polaron weapon to the base of his skull. "You have five seconds to think," states the Prime, still standing in front of Edwards.

Laco closes his eyes...

Raxil grits his teeth, backing away slightly.

Dakin seethes with anger at the proceedings, but hopes to the Prophets whatever plan they've got cooking comes to fruition soon...

Edwards responds, "Thanks." So he proceeds to think. Does he want to releas the computer lockout? Does he like Laco that much? There was the plant incident... "Okay, okay."

The Prime regards Edwards. "Do it, now." He nods for the guard to lower his weapon.

10/27/01

09:12 PM

Valley Of The Shadow Of Death - Part II - Upper Decks

Last time, on Star Trek: Anomaly..

The Siinogan fleet has made its move, and the Alliance blockade fleet went to intercept in the Fimdari system. The USS Aegis left the nest to join the foray. Soon, contact was lost with the Aegis as the Siinogans were using anti-lepton field to disperse subspace signals. Tracking the battle became futile. Soon, the battle in Fimdari became moot as the station had enough to worry about on its own, a fleet of Dominion ships lead by a Cardassian Galor-class vessel. Crippling the station in a sneak attack, Jem'Hadar have commandeered it. The Ops crew, all but the Medic on duty, have been shot by polaron weapons. Laco has a light wound, but Dakin's and Edwards' injuries are much more serious, and painful. Edwards has managed to lock out computer control, but Laco has a plan that can't be enacted without computer control. Right as we left our heroes, a Jem'Hadar's weapon was raised to Laco's head, and the First of the four Jem'Hadar soldiers occupying Ops is demanding that Edwards release computer controls....

First looks to the one holding the weapon and then back to Edwards. "Release the computer controls or this one dies."

Edwards considers the dilemma, as he stays down on his knees. Standing just doesn't seem worth the pain and effort right now. "Okay, okay."

Dakin grimaces as he has one hand on the wound on his back, anxiously awaiting whatever plan Raxil and Laco have in store, but isn't being overt about it.

Laco stands there, with his eyes closed.

Raxil shoots a glance at Edwards, quickly mouthing the word 'stall'.

The first gestures to the one with the polaron gun to Laco's head, and the horned-headed, scaly warrior lowers the weapon. He keeps it trained in Laco's direction, however.

Edwards tries not to look directly at Raxil. Being stealthy is a pain in the ass sometimes. "But, uh, I want to speak to the man in charge first..." he remarks. "Gul Kadet."

Laco opens his eyes and sets his jaw, hearing Edwards attempt to stall.

The First says, "Kill him," to the one with the gun. That one lifts it back to Laco's head again.

Dakin bites his tongue, watching the proceedings impatiently.

Edwards winces. Time for a new tactic. "Wait! Wait! Just one question, to you, first." he states, indicating the First.

Raxil quickly glances to Laco, then back to Edwards. Can't wait to hear this.

The one with the weapon at Laco's head, his hand grips the weapon so tight, and his finger a hair from pulling the trigger before the First stops him with a gesture. He walks up to Edwards and kneels down beside him, his own eyes blaze with hatred and anger, and impatience. "Ask your question, human, but know that I will take a second life for your delays. Those two," he says, gesturing to Laco and Dakin, "Are already dead." One of the others levels his weapon on Dakin's head.

Dakin eyes his would-be assailant in defiance.

Raxil looks pleadingly at Edwards, surreptitiously pointing at his stomach. 'Fake it!' he mouths, eyes flicking from Jem'Hadar to Jem'Hadar.

Laco whispers to Raxil, "... it,... him..."

Edwards looks back toward the Jem'Hadar, his own anger returning. "I was just wondering... if you wanted to destroy the station, you would have. But you want to keep it. So, if you do keep it, it will be used to kill many of our peoples... so, my question is, why do you think the threat of killing my crewmates is going to persuade me to do anything? They're Starfleet officers. They know the risks that come with the job."

The first stands up and walks to Laco. He looks down at him, since the Jem'Hadar is taller than the scientist. "You are prepared to die, then, human?"

Laco averts his eyes from the Jem-Hadar, still looking at Raxil. "N-no. I think you should re-enable the computers, Lt. I *really* do." He puts strange emphasis on the last sentence.

The First looks down to Edwards. "It looks like he does not know the risks that come with the job." He taps his wrist comm and says into it, "Start executing civilians, one every five minutes, until I tell you to stop. If you run out of civilians, start killing the crew."

Raxil speaks up suddenly, his voice cracking from panic. "Wait!" he says, glancing between the First and Edwards.

Dakin doesn't take his eyes off the Jem'hadar training his weapon on him. He stands there, holding his polaron-beam wound with one hand.

Edwards reaches out to grab a hold of Dakin, so he can pull himself to his feet. "I'll release the damn computer." he grumbles. While he does so, he glances sidelong at the panicky Raxil.

Dakin extends his free arm to help Edwards up, while maintaining attention on his would-be executioner.

Laco hearing Edwards, almost grins, but suppresses it, and flips the PADD in his right hand up, so that the screen faces up.

Raxil sighs, looking defeated, leaning back on his haunches so that he's blocking the Jem'Hadar's view of Laco's covert activities.

The Jem'Hadar keep their weapons trained on everyone. They allow Edwards to rise, but keep a careful enough distance from him. They seem less concerned with Laco and more concerned with Edwards. The First looks to Raxil, then looks back to Edwards. "Your families and friends are dying, human. You better move swiftly."

Edwards trains his glare on the First and states, "Computer, release security lockout. Authorization: Edwards One One Seven Kappa." Idly, he realizes that he doesn't have any civilian families or friends here, either. Not that it matters. "If you didn't have a weapon, and soldiers, and had a stomach wound, I would kick your ass."

Laco starts working away at the PADD, trying to only move his hands and eyes, and hopes that he is otherwise motionless.

Dakin continues to stand where he is, diverting his attention fromthe Jem'hadar aiming at him by split-seconds to watch the proceedings.

GAME: Laco spends a courage point.

The first nods in satisfaction. "Watch them," he orders to the one guarding Dakin. He gestures the others to man stations. He taps his wrist comm again. "Gul Kadet, we have secured the station's security codes."

"Excellent work," comes the Cardassian's reply. "Start rounding up the prisoners into one of the shuttle bays. We'll dispose of them in one fell swoop."

GAME: Laco spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Laco (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Edwards mutters to himself, "Oh, gee. They're going to kill us anyway. I didn't see that one coming..."

Dakin frowns, but doesn't let the feeling of defeat show on his face.

Raxil sighs, looking almost old.

The electronic whine of Federation transporters start to kick in, and the Jem'Hadar start to dematerialize. There is the faintest look of surprise on their faces as they disappear. The one on guard attempts to fire a shot at Dakin, but doesn't get it off before being sucked up by the transporter.

Laco drops his PADD and dives for the security console, quickly tapping away at it.

Dakin holds his breath as the shot begins to come, then releases when it never does. He wastes no time heading back over to the tactical console, checking on the status of the weapons and shields.

Edwards turns toward Laco and Raxil swiftly, "Where did you beam them?"

Raxil quickly stands, pulling a medkit out of a storage alcove. "Good question." he mutters to himself, turning and heading back over to Edwards.

Dakin frowns. "We've got shields, Lieutenant, but a well-thrown rock could punch through them." He tabs an interstation comm channel. "Ops to all levels, damage and casualty reports."

Laco looks up from teh security console, "Wait, dont' let them know we have Ops back, they'll just gather together and storm us!"

Edwards tries to move back toward the main chair, but that only aggravates his wound, "Dakin! I didn't think we would get them all off of the station..." he hisses. "Find a way to beam them all into space."

Dakin continues the call in a more guttural voice, "Gul Kadet wants to know if this Federation facility in salvageable."

Raxil grabs ahold of Edward's shoulder. "Sir? I need to take care of that rifle shot... if-if you could just lie down... it's pretty serious."

Laco says "Uh, Lt, permission to raise security forcefields around Ops?"

Edwards replies to Laco, "Do it." His attention turns toward Raxil, "Lie down? In the middle of Ops? During a crisis?" He resumes doing his best to ignore the major bloody wound he has. "How long will it take to clear the station, Laco?"

Dakin checks the tactical systems. "Phasers are operational, but the torpedo bays are off-line, sir."

Laco says "Uh, I'm not sure...but don't you think the Cardassians would think something was up if a bunch of their soldiers suddenly materialized outside...uh...sir."

GAME: Edwards spends a courage point.

Dakin blinks. "Sir! The Dominion ships are coming about and heading away!"

<CONTEST> Laco (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Edwards starts to look quite pale. Blood loss is a bitch. "Uh, guess they won't. All of 'em?" he questions. "Wait 'til they're gone... then do it."

Raxil glances at Edward's pale face, then the floor, grimacing slightly. Kneeling, he sets the medpack on the floor, rummaging through it for a moment.

Laco's face brightens, "Lt, the Aegis is coming in! At least, I am pretty sure its the Aegis. They must have pasted the bugs over at Fimdari."

GAME: Dakin spends a courage point.

Dakin is grabbing the console to keep from passing out. "SHould I... whoo... hail them, Lieutenant..?"

Laco continues, "I can't read much....its broadcasting as the Aegis...but...its like the hull is sucking up my sensor scans...I didn't know the Aegis...hell...any of our ships could do that sir...." He keeps working away, looking slightly puzzled.

Edwards nudges Raxil, "See to Dakin." He clenches his jaw after Laco makes his report. "Oh, not them..."

Dakin's breathing turns a bit ragged. "Them, sir...?"

Edwards attempts to apply more pressure to his wound, with both hands, which causes him to grimace. But he has a job to do, so he can't stop for a doctor's appointment. "Laco, on screen."

It's the Aegis all right. But it looks like she got a paint job while she was at the battle of Fimdari. Her hull is a solid matte black, and there doesn't appear to be running lights that you can see. However, the registry is there, the Federation standard broadcast beacon definitely registers her as the USS Aegis, NX 2120-D. The Dominion ships move to intercept, withdrawing from the station. Intercept in mere minutes as the Aegis is bearing down hard.

Dakin blinks and focuses, hard may it be, at the visual display. "Um, Lieutenant... is that the other Aegis I read about in station records...?"

Laco doesn't really know whats going on, it seems, so he starts to try to beam Jem'Hadar out into the void.

Dakin eyes the ship on the viewscreen. "Um, something tells me... ow... that's not the Aegis..."

Raxil glances over at Edwards, nodding as he sockets a vial into the hypospray, adjusting the dosage as he heads around the curve of Ops to Dakin. "Painkiller..." he explains, making a few last-minute adjustments. "Best I can do, until I can get you three down to the infirmary." Giving the injection, he turns, looking at the display. "Son of a... sure looks like it, though."

<CONTEST> Laco (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Edwards decides that he should have a seat, and since he doesn't feel like doing the painful walk toward the command chair, he parks himself down on the ground, with a wince. "You're all delirious." he comments. "That's just the Aegis...."

Dakin nods idly to Raxil as he tries to keep track of tactical systems, the new ship, and consciousness all at the same time. "'Fyou say so, Lieutenant..."

Raxil heads back down the curve of Ops, stopping at the medkit to grab another vial and a plasma injector, along with some bandages. Kneeling beside Edwards, he swaps vials in the hypospray, giving Edwards a quick hit on the neck with it. "Coagulant." he explains briefly, reaching for the plasma injector.

Edwards gives Raxil a sour look. He doesn't like being reminded of the fact that he's not invincible. "I want, uh... a full casualty and damage report. After the Jem'Hadar... you know, experience a painful death."

Dakin nods to Edwards through clenched teeth. "Glad to oblige, sir... Laco, how's that coming?"

The Aegis burns through three Jem'Hadar ships like they were made of paper, and they erupt into brilliant plumes of fire. The missiles and phasers of all of their ships slam into the ship, but they are nearly ineffective, and just account for a minor loss of shield strength. What nearly destroyed 419 is no match for this Dark Aegis, as it punches its way past the smaller fighters and straight through the exploding Jem'Hadar warship. The remaining vessels immediately start to withdraw from this new deliverer of death, turning and heading warp speed into the blackness of space. The Aegis does not follow, but turns its attention toward the station.

Laco seems oblivious to the conversation of the others, as he begins sending Jem'Hadar to horrible, painful deaths via decompression. "Huh? Oh, uh, pretty good. Got about 3/4ths of them left to go."

Raxil whistles, applying the injector to Edward's neck. "You -sure- that's the Aegis, sir?"

Dakin nods and begins accessing the station's internal sensors to get a rundown on the damage and body counts.

Edwards says, through gritted teeth, "Yes, I am." He glances toward the viewscreen a moment and mumbles, "Probably gonna rub it in now..."

Dakin sighs as the reports come in. "We took a pounding, sir. Engineering's clear at least. But we've got injuries all over the station. Eight fatalities and rising..." He pauses. "Incoming hail, Lieutenant."

Edwards can call 'em, all right. With some reluctance, he states, "Put it through."

Dakin places the transmission up on the viewscreen.

Sinclaire. Temporal criminal. Ex-Starfleet Admiral. Currently wearing captain's pips on her black uniform. "Are you all right, Michael?" she asks, her wrinkled face twisted with concern.

Dakin blinks at the unfamiliar face. He looks to the others then back to the newcomer.

Laco keeps beaming away, but looks up. He says, not exactly loud, but not to himself either, "Hey, thats not Commander Balin."

Raxil blinks, taking in the odd uniforms. He looks slightly baffled, glancing over at Edwards.

Edwards rolls his eyes, when he catches Laco's comment. "Unfortunately." he remarks, addressing the strange woman that isn't Balin. "Good job with the Dominion. Real low key." Even half-dead people can be sarcastic.

Anger flashes momentarily on the woman's face. "I'll take that as a 'thank you'," she says. "I'm not shooting for subtlety. You were in pretty serious trouble, and the time for subtlety had passed. Permission to come aboard."

Dakin frowns. "Updated casualty report, Lieutenant."

Laco doesn't really pay attention to the conversation between Edwards and Sinclaire, mostly because he's busy with the transporters. Going so well, in fact, that he starts to hum a little. He glances at the sensors, though, and stares at the display for a second. The humming stops as an expression of confusion crosses his face, "Hey, the...uh..captain of the Aegis is beaming the Jem'Hadar that I send out there into the ship..."

"Leah... to... Ops... to anyone... help... Neutral Zone..." a voice croaks over Dakin's comm.

Edwards begins to reply to Sinclaire, until Laco speaks up. "What are you doing?" he asks, with a mixture of confusion and annoyance.

Dakin blinks and slaps his combadge. "Leah?!" To Edwards, "Sir, permission to check on things in the 'Zone?"

Sinclaire regards him. "We're beaming the Jem'Hadar into our science labs for study. This is our first opportunity."

Laco looks at Dakin, and his polaron weapon wound.

Edwards bites off the tirade he wants to launch into. "Get over here. And bring medics." he remarks tersely. His gaze turns away from the viewscreen. Bad him.

Sinclaire nods once and the screen goes black.

Raxil finishes with the plasma injector at Edward's neck, setting it down and picking up the bandage roll, winding it around Edward's stomach wound.

Dakin taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant JG Dakin to Cadet Leah."

A voice responds over Dakin's comm badge, "Cadet Leah here."

Dakin says into his comm badge, "Morgan, what's your status?".

Leah's voice responds over Dakin's comm badge, "Bad... we lost ... I couldn't protect her.... We tried... Many wounded."

There is a whirring sound, different from standard Federation transporters, and in a few moments, Sinclaire is standing on Ops with four of her men. One of them moves to tend to Dakin's wound. All of them wear the black uniform, and one of them looks young enough to be straight out of the Academy. "Michael," she says, moving toward Edwards. She kneels down beside him. "Is he going to be all right?" she asks Raxil.

Edwards flexes his bloody hands, while Raxil bandages him up. His gaze turns toward Dakin momentarily, but he doesn't say anything. He simply waits.

Dakin says into his comm badge, "We'll get somebody down to help you ASAP, Morgan. Dakin out.".

Dakin reaches up and taps his badge, terminating transmission.

Raxil turns to the old biddy. "He's fine... for the moment. I need to get him down to the Infirmary rather quickly, and I'm needed elsewhere." he says, jerking his head at Dakin. "Do you have any trained medical staff with you?"

Dakin eyes the black-garbed officer treating his wound. "Um, thanks..." He then looks to Edwards. "If it's permissible, sir, I'd like to take Raxil with me to the Zone. It sounds bad down there."

Laco speaks up, "Uh...sir...should I keep beaming the Jem'Hadar directly into space, or will the Aegis be taking them directly?

Edwards protests, "I got shot in the stomach, not the vocal cords." He wipes some sweat from his brow, which just makes it bloody. He frowns. "Who are you?" he asks, when he notices that the young lady is, well, young. "Dakin, she doesn't need you to bleed on her. Space, Laco."

Dakin nods tersely and begins dispatching what security and medical teams he can to the Neutral Zone.

Sinclaire nods to Raxil. "Indeed we do. We've got teams throughout the station." The one treating Dakin's wounds scans the man, pulls out something that looks like a dermal regenerator. The man waves it over Dakin's wound and in a few moments, Dakin is fit as a fiddle. "You'll need to get some rest," he says to Dakin. "But you'll be fine. Take it easy for a few days."

Dakin eyes the instrument, then the person making use of it curiously. "Okay, um... thanks again..."

Laco glances up from his gristly task to Dakin, seems him get healed, then looks at the big charred hole in his left shoulder.

Raxil is a bit busy dealing with Edwards, remaining unknowning of Dakin's rapid recovery. "If you could get one of those teams up here, that would be good... the Lieutenant's lost a lot of blood, and those damn rifles don't cauterize the wound."

The young ensign that Edwards addresses looks to him. "Just relax, Lt, we're here to provide help," she says to him. Sinclaire looks at Edwards. "I'm glad you're going to be all right," she says, relief washing over her. The man who assisted Dakin moves to Laco and repeats the procedure, followed by the same rest advice.

Edwards doesn't look happy at all, rescuing and miracle cures or not. "Who is that?" he asks of Sinclaire. "Are you drafting people... uh, here now?"

Sinclaire looks to the girl then back down to Edwards. "She's a patriot, Michael. But, just relax, Buonovito will be finished with Laco soon, and he can tend your wounds too."

Dakin watches the miracle worker go to work on Laco, then watches the exchange between Edwards and Sinclaire.

Raxil glances over to Dakin. "Shall we get down to the 'Zone? It sounded pretty bad down there..."

Edwards remarks, "You don't have any right to use that word." His attention turns to Raxil, "Get down to the Zone. Take some of these people with you." He gestures at the black uniforms absently.

Dakin nods. "Go on, I still have to get the casualty and repair reports from here."

The man named Buonovito nods to Laco and gives him a friendly, bed-side manner smile. He turns and moves beside Edwards. Kneeling, then, he passes the device over Edwards' wound. The bleeding, the pain, all of it ceases as the wound disappears entirely.

Raxil nods to Edwards and Dakin. "Yessir." Getting to his feet, he bends back down to pick up the medkit, getting a good view of where Edward's wound isn't, now. He pales slightly. "Ye gods..." he whispers softly. "That's not even possible..."

Sinclaire looks to Edwards and offers her hand to him to help him up. "I'm not here to debate semantics," she says.

Edwards glares balefully at Bounovito. That must be his way of saying thanks. When the doctor, or whatever he may be, is finished, he begins to climb back to his feet, without accepting the offered hand. He grunts and replies, "If you're so patriotic... why don't you give us some of those magical weapons of yours? Would have solved our problem a lot quicker."

Sinclaire drops her hand to her side. "All in due time."

Dakin stands at tactical, just watching the exchange with some interest while continuing to check on station status.

Raxil looks over at Bounovito with partial awe... almost like he's just seen God. "Ah, you'd better come down with me to the 'Zone."

Dakin frowns. "Sir, I have final damage and casualty figures in."

Buonovito looks to Sinclaire. The old woman says, "Start going down, deck by deck until you meet another team." She looks to Raxil. "I believe there are medical units dispersing throughout your station," she says. "Go ahead and go on down."

Raxil nods. "Yes, ma'am." He stands, heading for the turbolift with medkit in hand.

Edwards clenches his fists at Sinclaire's reply to his remark. But he doesn't say anything about it. He merely turns and looks to Dakin, "Give 'em to me."

Dakin sighs and begins. "32 dead, over a hundred wounded, some critical. Massive damage to the hull, Level 5's environmental systems are at minimal, and only one of our shield generators made it out of this intact."

Raxil heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.

Raxil has left.

Laco looks up, "Alright sir, Got the last of the Jem'Hadar. Do you want anything else?

Buonovito and one of the other crew head out. The young fresh-faced girl remains behind. Sinclaire remains silent as Edwards commands.

Edwards nods to Dakin, "If the station isn't about to implode, we'll wait for casualties to be dealt with, then scramble repair teams." He glances to Laco, "A free vacation to Risa and several bottles of the strongest alcohol we can find. Good work, Laco."

Dakin nods to Edwards. "Aye, sir." He then nods to Laco in appreciation.

Sinclaire looks up to Laco.

Laco smiles, and replies. "Uh, well, I could synthesize some pure alcohol with the replicator, sir, but that would probably kill you."

Edwards remarks, "I'll remember that, if I'm ever feeling suicidal." He pauses and looks to Dakin, "You can go, if you want." That done, he turns back to Sinclaire, "Don't expect a hug and cheery thanks for this."

The young woman moves to Sinclaire's side as she consults a PADD. "We've got teams on all the decks. Two medical teams report that we'll have two casualties unless they're moved to the Aegis," she reports quietly.

Dakin nods. "Aye, sir." He secures his station and makes his way to the turbolift.

Dakin heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.

Dakin has left.

Sinclaire looks to Edwards. "I can save those people, Michael, if you'll let me beam them onto the Aegis."

Edwards replies, "If you do anything besides heal them, then so help me..." He trails off, allowing her to fill in the blanks for herself.

The young Ensign frowns a bit, and she looks to her Commander. Sinclaire nods to her, and she taps into the PADD. The girl moves up to where Laco is and says to him quietly, "Your Lt. has a nice way of being grateful."

Sinclaire looks to Edwards. "I assure you that they will not be harmed in any fashion, Michael. I promise."

Edwards questions, "Who are they?"

Laco shrugs, and says pleasantly, "Maybe his stomach still hurts. I hear gut-shots are pretty painful." He doesn't seem to realize that there is something very odd about these people yet.

The girl speaks up, "Lt. Stone and Dr. T'sal, sir," she says to Edwards.

Edwards looks back to the young lady and nods slightly. "So, does this mean you all won't be skulking in the shadows, anymore?" he inquires. "It'll be kind of hard to explain this."

The girl looks to Laco and says quietly, "I think he is just too proud to accept our help, honestly. He feels no pain."

Laco says "Really? I never noticed any sort of rivalry between the station and the ship before."

Sinclaire regards Edwards and walks toward him, crossing her arms. "You're right. It would be. This, none of this, ever happened. I'll make sure my crew understands. If your crew will understand as well."

The girl smiles at Laco's cluelessness.

Edwards responds to Sinclaire, "You never know. Logs might accidently get sent to the Federation News Service."

Sinclaire nods. "And Lieutenants might get shipped to the front line. Or, perhaps, Lieutenant's Slave Girls."

The girl looks to Laco. "He's not very smart, is he?" she whispers.

Edwards points a finger toward Sinclaire and states, "You even think about it and I will /find you/."

Laco shrugs, and whispers back. "He's not so bad, as command and security officers go. Better than the last second officer."

Sinclaire looks non-plussed. "You threatened me first, now, do we have an understanding, or not?"

Edwards replies, "My threats don't amount to homicide." He turns away and heads toward the command chair, now that he can walk without excrutiating pain. "We'll take a vote on the matter." He glances toward Laco and his new friend briefly, "Laco, contact Dakin, see how they're doing down there."

Laco taps his comm badge, "Ensign Laco to Lieutenant JG Dakin."

Dakin's voice responds over Laco's comm badge, "Dakin here, Ensign."

Laco says into his comm badge, "How're things going down there, Lt?".

From Laco's comm badge, Dakin says, "Not great, Leah and Counselor Gellan are down but being treated, place has been shot up all to hell... Sileel's... Sileel's gone..."

Laco says into his comm badge, "Alright, thanks Lt.".

Laco reaches up and taps his badge, terminating transmission.

Sinclaire watches Edwards. "Your threats amount to genocide."

Laco replies to Edwards. "They seem to have things under control. One fatality, and there are injured, but they are being treated."

Edwards just... shakes his head at Laco. What an odd fellow. "Thanks." he replies, before he looks back to Sinclaire, "Sorry. I fogort. You're the hero here. I'm the villain. I'll try to remember that."

The girl looks down to the command area. "Lt. Edwards?" she asks. Sinclaire stands there, watching Edwards, her eyes growing colder.

Edwards looks back from his chair, once he's addressed, and responds, "Yes?"

The black-clad Ensign says, "We were just trying to help, sir. Perhaps if we concentrated on the current situation, and not on the past, or the future, we can work everything out to everyone's satisfaction."

Edwards beckons to the Ensign quietly.

This young girl has brown hair, cut in a bob, and pulled back out of her eyes with a black headband. Her features are soft and pretty. She strides down to where Edwards is and stops.

Laco stands at the security console.

Edwards considers her, and inquires, "Got a name, Ensign?"

"Aye sir," she says. She does not, however, reveal it. Sinclaire chimes in, "She is under orders, Lt."

Edwards remarks dryly, "I'm hurt. Really." He moves on. "How long you been at this, Ensign? Or is that something you can't talk about, either."

"She won't answer any questions, Lt. Edwards," Sinclaire says. "Like I said, she is under orders. All of my teams are." The girl just looks to Edwards.

<CONTEST> Laco (claiming advantage) contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Edwards chuckles a little, "Wow. You sure do bra--, er, train them well. I'm impressed." He actually does sound a little impressed, even though he's going for sarcastic. "So she's just going to make comments?"

Laco peers at Sinclaire, thinking. He narrows one eye, and starts scratching his chin.

Sinclaire says, "Are the teams almost finished, Ensign?" she asks of the girl. She nods. "Aye, sir. They have already begun to transport back to the Aegis. Dr. T'sal and Lt. Stone have been returned to the station, to the infirmary. Their conditions are stable."

Edwards sighs and decides to let it go. After a last comment. "I'm sure that you're making your parents quite proud, kid. Quite proud."

Laco continues staring at Sinclaire.

The girl looks at Edwards and nods once. "Thank you, sir," she says, taking his sarcasm as praise. She turns to Laco and smiles to him before walking toward Sinclaire. "They're ready to transport, Captain," she says.

Edwards stands from his chair, turns toward Sinclaire and the Ensign, and raises his bloody hands, "Hope you two remember these. Maybe you'll look back on today and see the irony sometime." With that said, he heads for the exit, "I'm gonna get washed up."

Sinclaire looks at Edwards' hands and says, "Perhaps we already have. Aegis, two to transport." In a whirl of sound and light, the two of them beam back to their ship.

Laco looks at Edwards' departing back, then the de-materializing pair. "Uh...I don't think I'm rated to watch Ops by myself."