USS Alliance Conference Room

"Starfleet command has issued new orders," began Captain Marcus Forrester, as he glanced at the Senior staff seated around the rectangular conference table. "We have been ordered to locate the ships that have been attacking Federation vessels along the Neutral Zone and stop them with whatever force is necessary."

"About time!" shouted Security Chief, Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Sanchez as he pounded his fist onto the table. "Those Khynah have been getting away with murder and no one is doing a damn thing about it!"

Glancing at Jesse, then to the Captain, Dr. Mira Montgomery, Chief Medical Officer spoke up. "Captain, does this mean we are to destroy these ships?" Having fought the Khynah, Mira knew what kind of people they were, but as a doctor she still abhorred the idea of killing sentient beings, no matter how bloodthirsty they were.

"If it comes down to that, then yes, Doctor, we are authorized to destroy them. But, Starfleet would prefer at least one ship and crew be captured intact in order to interrogate them. From the failed negotiations that recently took place, it appears that not every Khynah is interested in destroying us." Captain Forrester was referring to the recent peace negotiations the Khynah had agreed to. However, the Khynah accused the Federation and Starfleet of stealing one of their ships and then attacked the negotiators before anything could be accomplished.

"Hmmp!" snorted Sanchez. "That's all the Khynah know HOW to do--destroy!" Jesse had been one of those at the peace conference. He had been wounded in the melee and was not one to forgive or forget easily.

"Maybe, " began Forrester, "but Starfleet has information that not all of those attacking ships are Khynah."

"What?" asked Commander Cam MacLaughlin, Chief Science Officer. "Then those reports have been verified?"

"If you are referring to the sporadic intelligence reports we received before the last peace conference, " spoke First Officer, Commander Rebecca Sinclair," then yes. In a manner of speaking they have been verified."

"What does that mean?" asked Chief of Engineering, Lt. Cmdr. Maxine Taggert. "Are they verified or not?"

"As far as Starfleet can verify such things, you can assume that they are verified," stated Sinclair. "We don't have any physical evidence, but--"

"Commander," interrupted Forrester, " proceed with the other information if you will." Starfleet had given orders not to divulge any information that was not directly necessary to their mission. They needed to keep certain resources secret in order to keep the information flowing.

"Yes, sir" responded First Officer Rebecca Sinclair. "Starfleet command believes that a small group of rebels called the 'Guardians' may be responsible for at least some of those attacks."

"Who in the hell are the Guardians?" asked Sanchez. A question on most everyone's mind.

"They are a group who are trying to pull the Federation into a war with the Khynah in order to destroy them," answered Sinclair.

"Sounds good to me!" said Jesse. "How can we help them do that?"

"Commander," spoke Sinclair, "right now, the Guardians are attacking OUR ships and people! Their tactics are misguided to say the least and Starfleet has no intention of helping them."

"Starfleet wants us to locate this group, doesn't it?" asked Cam.

"That is correct, Mr. MacLaughlin," said Forrester. "Commander, please continue."

"We have determined that this group's main base is located on one of three planets nearest the Neutral Zone. Most of the attacks have originated from this area." She touched a padd built into the table and a holographic representation of the aforementioned section of space appeared.

Rebecca Sinclair stood up. "These are the three planets in this area of space. They are Lomo, Sparks and Mechot. Starfleet wants us to send three undercover away teams to each of these planets in order to locate the Guardians."

"What happens if we do?" asked Montgomery.

"Then that information will be relayed to us and the Alliance will be sent to interview the group members and persuade them to cease their attacks on the Federation and its citizens. If indeed, that is what they are doing."

"What about the Khynah?" asked Jesse.

"If we can't talk the Khynah into surrendering, then we are to destroy the ships which have been attacking ours. Next we will construct a quarantine zone around their planet and hold it there until they see the error of their ways," said Forrester.

"That'll be the day!" snorted Sanchez. "The Federation will need to maintain that quarantine zone forever!"

"Maybe," said Forrester. "But at least no other Federation vessels will be attacked and we can keep an eye on them."

"Captain," began Mira, "I have heard rumors that the Romulans may be involved in this somehow. Is that true?"

"At this time there is no evidence of their involvement," said Forrester.

"If we construct this quarantine zone around Den'a, what will the Romulans think of it? It is close to their borders after all," said Cam.

"That is a legitimate concern, Commander and hopefully we won't have any trouble with them. But if it comes to that, then we will handle it at that time. Let's don't go inventing anymore trouble than we already have," said Forrester.

"Now, these away teams will be comprised of Alliance and Tempest personnel," said Sinclair. "I need each department leader to send me recommendations of at least six personnel you think would do well on an undercover assignment. This could be dangerous, so choose those you know to do well under pressure."

"Any questions?" asked Forrester. None were offered. "Dismissed then."

------------------------------------------------

Lt. jg Terry Sauter squatted on the floor of the Trading vessel, Caravaan as she worked on an access panel. She was part of an undercover away team led by Lt. Greg Meyers of the USS Tempest. The other team members were Ensigns Twylla Pelle and Kaleb Luvill of the USS Alliance and Mark Saville and Kayla Preston of the USS Tempest. They were traveling as three married couples who owned a not totally reputable, trading business.

Their mission was to find the Guardians or at least members of this secret rebel group and inform the Alliance who would then be called in to interview them and hopefully put a stop to their attacks.

"How's it going, Terry?" called Lt. Meyers as he came up behind her.

"Adequate, sir" she responded. "The matrix flow of the isoliner rods are not corresponding--"

"Hold it!" he interrupted. "I realize that this is your first undercover assignment, Lieutenant Sauter, but from this moment on, we are Terry and Greg Rider--a happily married couple of four years who run a joint trading business with our four other partners. We can't afford any slipups with a 'sir' or any other mistake which might blow our cover."

Terry tightened her lips at the condescending attitude he expressed towards her. This was the first time she had worked with Grey Meyers and it was clear from the start that he saw this assignment as a chance to advance his career. He also happened to be a jerk. "But sir," she began, "we're still three days away from Lomo. I'm sure I won't have any trouble falling into my role of loving wife by the time we arrive. Until then I don't see the need to pretend."

"Well, I DO see a need. And since I'm the one in charge, I say we begin NOW. It that understood, dear?" he sneered.

Terry bit back her first response and purred, "Yes, darling." Jerk!

"That's better. Now, what is the status of our engines?"

After explaining the status of the engines, Terry watched as Lt. Grey Meyers walked away. Just because he happens to be a full lieutenant, and has a muscular body with thick wavy straw-colored hair with incredible sky blue eyes, he thinks he can order me around like I was nothing! Yeah, his strong arms, wide chest, slim hips and round butt don't mean anything to --"

"Hi Terry!"

Terry jumped, falling back onto her butt and dropping her magnaspanner on the floor when Ensign Twylla Pelle walked up to her.

"Oh, sorry, Terry. I didn't mean to startle you. You sure were deep in concentration. I really admire how you are always so focused on your work and all."

"It's…ah…thanks Twylla," stammered Terry, trying desperately not to let Twylla see her already burning face, as she fumbled for her tool. Thank God Twylla was Bajoran and not Betazoid! "Just checking the engine flow capacity is all. We'll be lucky if this 37 year old bucket of bolts holds together long enough for us to make it there and back!"

Twylla slapped Terry on her back. "Well, if anyone can hold her together, you can! I'll let you get back to you work then."

"Twylla."

"Yes?"

"What do you think of Lt. Meyers?

"Hmm," said Twylla, hands on her hips. "Well, he's efficient, competent, good looking and…"

"And?" prompted Terry.

"And a total vole!"

"A vole?

"A big fat Cardassian rat."

Terry grinned. "Yeah. My thoughts exactly!"

"Too bad you didn't get a 'husband' like mine," Twylla purred.

"Oh?"

"Yes. Kaleb Luvill is very sweet and good looking too."

"Lucky you," said Terry.

"I think so," smiled Twylla as she turned and walked--no, bounced away.

Twylla and Terry had become good friends since they met on Xanor II almost two years ago. Since Twylla did not date much, Terry had taken it upon herself to sort of look after her friend. In somewhat the same way as Audra and Hyper had taken Terry under their wings for awhile.

Terry sat shaking her head. "I sure hope she isn't in for a big heartache!" she said under her breath.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"Mr. MacLaughlin, launch the first probe," ordered Captain Marcus Forrester.

"Aye sir," responded Cmdr. Cam MacLaughlin, " class five medium range, reconnaissance probe launched."

"Good. That should warn us if any Khynah ships enter this area of space," said First Officer Rebecca Sinclair.

"Only if they ARE Khynah ships," responded Forrester. "Unfortunately these probes can't identify those other ships the Khynah are so fond of using."

"Meaning the Federation vessels they steal and use against us," said Rebecca.

"Exactly, Commander."

"At least with us, the Tempest, Warrior and all the other probes we've launched, we should be able to locate any Khynah ships or weapons' fire in most areas," said Sinclair.

"Hopefully we will. Lt. Matsushita. Set course for the next drop point," ordered the Captain.

"Aye sir," responded Lt. Tiro Matsushita. "Setting course. ETA, two hours at warp 5."

"I'll be in my ready room until then. Commander, the bridge is yours," said Forrester as he made his way off the bridge.

"Aye sir," responded Sinclair, taking the Captain's chair. "Ahead warp 5, Mr. Matsushita.

"Aye sir, warp 5."

____________________________________

LOMO

"We need to increase our attacks," said Armand as he stood in front of one of the three new vid screens they had recently installed thanks to their mysterious benefactor.

He pushed a panel on the side of the screen. "Here and here," he pointed. "These are along the main shipping routes." He stood up straight, addressing Karee, Kra'oth, G'lynt and F'lyor. "And, we need to increase the damage we inflict."

"The others looked at Armand." Armand. I think you have forgotten the purpose of our original mission," remarked G'lynt.

"Oh?" asked Armand, swinging around to face his comrades.

"You forget, Federation citizens are not our enemy," said G'lynt. "The Khynah are. Yet you are proposing that we inflict the same kind of damage to them that the Khynah have done to us. You are turning us into the ones we despise the most."

Armand's eyes went cold and hard, his hands tightened into fists as he stared directly into the Vulcan's eyes. "Don't you EVER say that to me again, G'lynt! We are NOT Khynah! They kill for no reason other than the pleasure of it! We have reason. We MUST pull the Federation into a war with them. We MUST make the Federation understand that the Khynah need to be destroyed! Our past efforts are not working, therefore we must increase the pressure."

"Armand, it stands to reason that if the Federation has not by now declared war, then they have no intention of doing so. And increasing our attacks will have no more effect on them than they do now," replied G'lynt.

"Does everyone feel the same as you, G'lynt?" Karee? F'yra? Kra'oth? Armand looked around the room at his comrades. "Well?"

"I must agree with my husband," said F'yra. "He speaks logically.

"I expected YOU to agree with him, F'yra. But what about you, Karee? Surely a Bajoran would understand our tactics?"

"I understand them perfectly, Armand. And I will go along with whatever you decide." Karee would never question Armand's decisions as she was deeply in love with him and admired him greatly. He was not aware of her feelings, however and did not share them.

"But you don't agree with me, is that it?"

"I'm not sure," said Karee. "I don't want to hurt innocent people, but . . ."

Armand turned from her. "Kra'oth?"

"I say we attack with a vengeance! It is the only way to win against the Khynah!" Kra'oth was ready for a fight at any time with anyone.

"Well said," spoke Armand. "Then you agree with me."

"I would prefer to fight the Khynah," said Kra'oth. "But I will fight whoever it takes to defeat those murdering Pa'toks!"

"I see," said Armand. "I see that my comrades no longer trust my judgement? Is that correct?"

No one spoke.

"Fine! Just fine then!" he yelled, shoving over a table and storming out of the room. Karee started to run after him, but G'lynt grabbed her arm.

"Wait until he has a chance to calm down. Then he will see the logic of our reasoning."

"You think so?!" shouted Karee. "Armand just realized that he no longer holds his comrades complete trust. I doubt he will calm down from that realization!" She jerked her arm from his and ran out the door, following Armand.

"Who do we fight now?" asked Kra'oth.

"It appears that we fight each other," said F'yra ______________________________________________

Den'a, the Khynah Homeworld

"Now is the time to attack!" spoke Terthill, the First on High of the Khynah people as he stood before the more than one thousand Khynah gathered in the Great Hall.

"We are at our strongest now! Our fleet is ready! For the past several months we have worked day and night to rebuild what the Ferr'a'e ahwa of the Federation have taken from us! They dared to challenge us! It is now time for them to pay for their arrogance! Time for Khynah to take what is rightfully ours--the Alpha Quadrant!

Cheers rose all around the speaker at this Convening. This was the second such Convening in the past year--highly unusual. But these were unusual times for the Khynah. The last time there was a Convening, the Khynah were recuperating from taking a beating from Starfleet. Starfleet personnel had invaded their world, destroying their greatest warship and freeing slaves. Slaves that were needed to mine the materials with which to rebuild their fleet. No matter. They didn't free all of them. And many of those left behind paid dearly for Starfleet's folly!

Terthill could still hear their cries of pain as the condemned prisoners died slowly on the days following Starfleet's attack. A grin creased his lips as he remembered. There would soon be many more prisoners, he promised himself. Many more ships to snatch from the feeble grasp of the Starfleet of the Federation!

"Our glory will be sung throughout the galaxy!" he yelled to the crowd and raised his hands. "My people! Our time has come. Join with me as we declare war on the Federation! They have blamed us for attacks that we did not cause. NOW we will be blamed for those we DO cause! Death to Starfleet!"

"Death to Starfleet! Death to Starfleet! Death to Starfleet! The chant began to rise to a crescendo carried by the wind to the four corners of the Khynah homeworld!

Far back in the crowd a small group of Khynah raised their fists and chanted as did all the others. But there was no fire or passion in their eyes. For even on Den'a, not all Khynah hearts craved the blood of innocents.

---------------------------------

"Many will die tonight, Lares'ha," spoke Tanth'os as he pulled his cloak tighter around him against the harsh Den'a winds. His small group was the first to exit the Great Hall.

"There will be much celebrating this night, Tanth'os. Khynah will kill Khynah. It is how it has always been," said Zyd'ith. "It will not change easily."

"It MUST change," said Lares'ha, a little too loudly.

"Hush Lares'ha! Do you want to get us killed?" whispered Tanth'os, glancing around to make sure no one heard his mate and her treasonous words.

"No one can hear me over this wind," she answered, pulling her hood over her head.

Other Khynah began to exit the Great Hall now, pumped up with the talk of war. They had been peaceful for much too long and Khynah were no good at being peaceful for long.

"Let us retire to our home, Lares'ha. We can talk freely there," said Tanth'os, looking around, smiling and waving his fist as the other Khynah did.

It was certain death to speak against the First on High and his beliefs. Not many dared to speak out against him. The last one to do so ended up with a talon sticking from his chest. Terthill then speared his body and lifted it high over his head for all to see during that last Convening. He then sent the body flying into the flames. That was the last Khynah to speak so freely--to speak of peace between Khynah and Federation. That Khynah was Lares'ha's father.

Not all Khynah were raised in cretches or teffins these days, but by loving parents. It was not the old way or the most accepted, but it did happen and was happening more frequently.

After his death, Lares'ha was required to condemn him in front of all Den'a. She cursed his name and spit on his memory in front of them all. Then she cut her arm letting her blood drip into the fire symbolizing burning the blood of her father out of her veins. Had she not done this, she would have suffered a very slow, very painful, very public death. Even though she did this, she was not completely trusted by all Khynah, especially those in power.

She would have gladly suffered death for her father, as she loved him dearly. But he made her promise to continue their work of bringing peace to Den'a. To change the Khynah ideals about life and living. Too many good Khynah had suffered and died merely because they were not quite as strong as another, or quite as smart. This HAD to change.

Lares'ha's father knew there was a good chance that he would be killed after speaking out. He felt the risk worth it if it made one Khynah see a little differently. He also knew what his daughter would be required to do afterwards.

She did it. But the fire and hatred the Khynah saw burning in her eyes that day was not for her father, but for the ones who murdered him and forced her to perform that obscene ritual!

She would carry on her father's work until her own death. Her small group of rebels had sympathizers all over Den'a. Khynah who lost loved ones through the senseless war with the Federation and through their own deadly rituals of passage. Yes, she would fight! But she would need much help. Help that was not to be found on Den'a.

------------------------------------

"Is our ship ready, Tanth'os? Asked Lares'ha as she prepared her uniform. She, Tanth'os, Zyd'ith and Kyn'or had a mission to the house of Terthill tonight to hopefully free the slave that he had kept since his first raid on their nearest enemy planet--which happened to be located in Federation territory! The slave would be used as proof of their dedication to the overthrow of the present Khynah government.

"Yes. The others will be waiting aboard for our return," said Tanth'os.

"How do I look?" asked Lares'ha, turning around so her mate could get a good look at her.

"Just like a palace guard, Lares'ha. Let us hope the others look as believable."

"They will," she assured him. "They know it will be our deaths if they do not!"

"Tonight then, at middle hour we will begin," said Lares'ha.

"Yes. Tonight we begin our new lives or we end them," spoke Tanth'os. He held up both fists in front of her. She did the same and both smashed their fists together in the traditional Khynah war salute.

"I'Kosh!" they yelled. Live!

____________________________

"Here they come," whispered Lares'ha to her team of three as they crouched in the thick bushes that surrounded the pathway leading up to the First On High's palace. They were waiting for the palace guards who came to relieve those already on duty.

They were at the little used side entrance of the palace, so there was little chance of being caught. At least this is what Lares'ha and her teamed hoped.

Lares'ha's eprrsi gleamed in the dim light of the Khynah moon as she waited for her chance to strike. The guards would be taken out, quietly and quickly one by on this night.

No one spoke as Zyd'ith was the first to slip from his hiding place, clamping his hand over the last guard in line, quickly drawing the blade across the Khynah's throat. The other three guards did not even noticed that their brother guard was dead as Lares'ha, Tanth'os and Kyn'or did the same to the others and quickly took their places.

After puling their bodies into the bushes, the four friends took the guards' weapons and their places as they walked to relieve the other guards standing at the palace side entrance.

The Khynah greeting of bringing up one arm with fist and held as if to smash it into your opponents face, was given to the on duty guards as Tanth'os and Zyd'ith stepped forward.

"You are not the regular replacements," challenged one of the two outside guards.

"The others were reassigned," spoke Tanth'os.

"We were not informed of any changes."

"Are you informed of all changes the First One makes?" questioned Tanth'os.

"I must confirm your orders," he said, taking from his pocket a small triangular comm device.

"I understand," said Tanth'os as he pulled his eprrsi from his waist and plunged it into the chest of the guard before he could activate the comm unit. Zyd'ith quickly did the same to the other guard. They pulled the guards' bodies off to one side then Lares'ha and Kyn'or took their places standing guard outside the palace.

Tanth'os and Zyd'ith quickly took out the two inside guards and made their way to the prisoners' quarters. Their inside source had given them the plans to the palace which they had memorized. If all went smoothly, they would be in and out quickly, before the missing prisoner was discovered.

The guard at the door of the prisoner's quarters never questioned them as they went inside and found the prisoner they were looking for. They explained that First On High, Terthill had tired of this one and she was being terminated at his pleasure.

It didn't take them long to find the prisoner they wanted. Their source had described her perfectly. They found her laying on one of the many mats all prisoners slept on. There were about 20 other prisoners in this cell and Tanth'os wished he could get them all out, but knew the risk he was taking in just freeing the one. If discovered, he would be put to death, slowly--a standard punishment for wayward Khynah.

Tanth'os and Zyd'ith led the Terran female slave back out of the palace. She kept her head down and was silent the whole time. She was thin with stringy dark blond hair and was dressed in tattered clothing and gave them no resistance at all, as she no longer cared what happened to her. Death would have been a welcomed relief to her and had she had any desire of any kind left, she would have killed herself as so many of her fellow prisoners had done before her.

Tanth'os and Zyd'ith were silent as they hurried their prisoner out to where Lares'ha and Kyn'or were standing guard. Lares'ha quickly threw a cloak, which she had stashed along the pathway, over the Terran as they marched her away from the palace to their waiting ship. ____________________

"Destination," demanded the Khynah Traffic Control Officer, as Lares'ha's ship prepared to leave orbit.

"This is the garbage scow, Kems'ha. We have cargo to release into the sun," she responded. This was standard practice which required a low security code. No one cared about garbage scows.

"State authorization code."

Lares'ha held her breath as she hoped the code she bought would be the correct one. If not, this would be a very short trip. "Ka' eh, om tuisha," spoke Lares'ha.

"Proceed."

Lares'ha let out her breath and grinned at the others. "As soon as we are on the far side of the sun, we will advance to maximum warp. They will not know for hours that we have not returned, she stated." A garbage scow was of low priority.

"How long until our destination?" asked Kyn'or.

"At maximum warp, two days to the planet of Lomo," she answered as she set her coordinates.

-----------------------------------

"Captain, we're picking up an automated audio distress call," came Lt. T'Seri's calm Vulcan voice.

"Put it through, Lieutenant. Location?" asked Captain Margret Fulton of the USS Warrior.

"It's coming from just inside the Neutral Zone sir."

"The Neutral Zone?" asked First Officer, Commander Luz Abrel. We don't have any ships in that area, do we?"

"We're not supposed to," answered Fulton.

"To any Federation vessel! This is the ship, Kems'ha," came a female voice. " We have rescued a Terran prisoner from Den'a and are being pursued by Khynah ships! We need assistance! Please! Help us! We have a Federation citizen on board!" The message then began to repeat itself.

"Audio off," ordered Fulton. "Luz? What do you think?"

"It could be a trick to pull any Federation ships into this area and destroy them. They being justified since we're not supposed to be in the Neutral Zone," said Commander Luz.

"Can you identify the vessel," asked Fulton.

"No sir. Not at this distance," responded T'Seri.

"Plot a course and get us within range."

"It could be a Khynah trap," said Commander Luz.

"Yes, I realize that. But if it's not, we have an obligation to help," responded Margret Fulton.

"True, but I would suggest we cloak before we get any closer, said Luz.

"Good idea, Commander. Engage cloaking device," ordered the Captain, getting up from her command chair.

The USS Warrior disappeared as she sped toward the distress call.

"Captain, " said Lt. Russ Bingham, Tactical Officer, "we're within range now."

"Identify the ship," ordered Captain Fulton.

"Sir, the ship is not registered in any of our databanks," said Lt. Russ Bingham, Tactical Officer. "It doesn't appear to be a war ship."

"Is it Khynah?" asked Fulton.

"Unable to tell, sir. It's possible," replied Russ.

"Luz, take the science chair and scan for lifeforms, said Margret.

"There are six Khynah and one Terran on board that ship," reported Luz.

Luz and Margret looked at each other. "They could be relaying false sensor readings," said Abrel.

"Are you always this distrusting, Commander?" asked Margret.

"Yes. It pays to be, Captain," responded Luz.

"Sir! There are two Khynah ships pursuing the vessel. And they most definitely ARE Khynah!" said Lt. Russ Bingham.

"Red Alert," called Fulton.

"Sir, shall we enter the Neutral Zone?" asked T'Seri.

"No, Lieutenant. We hold here on our side of the border and hope that ship makes it across," said the Captain, pacing the deck, her hands on her hips.

"Captain. The Khynah ships are firing on the vessel!" reported Bingham.

"What is the weapons capacity of that ship?" asked Fulton.

"Minimal sir. Looks like phasers only."

"Then they can't possibly stand against those Khynah ships," said Luz.

"No sir," replied Russ.

"Lieutenant, how are their shields holding?" asked the Captain.

"They're just about gone sir," responded Russ.

"Lt. T'Seri, bring us directly in front and above the vessel and match their velocity. We're going to transport those people off that ship. Be sure to stay out of the way of their weapons fire."

"Sir, we'll have to decloak to transport. We'll be vulnerable then," said Luz.

"I'm aware of that Commander. Transporter room, are you getting this?" asked Fulton.

"Yes Captain," came the transporter chief's voice. During a red alert, each department was automatically tied into the bridge's communications, allowing them to hear what was going on.

"Can you decrease our transportation time?" asked the Captain.

"Possibly Captain, but it will take a few minutes to recalibrate the coils," came Ensign Tor's voice.

"We don't have a few minutes, chief!" said Margret.

"Aye Captain. Then I shall attempt the impossible," came his cool reply.

"Good. Just be quick about it!" said Fulton.

"Aye Captain, doing the impossible now."

Luz couldn't help but smile at the exchange between the Captain and the transporter chief. Ensign Tor was a very cool officer and would do his best to give the Captain what she wanted--the impossible. . "Chief, we'll have to transport immediately after their shields fail or else the Khynah ships will destroy them," said the Captain.

"Aye Captain," came the transporter operator's voice.

"Captain, shouldn't we send a message to that ship to lower shields?" asked Bingham.

"No, we don't want to alert them sooner than need be. We're no match for two of those war ships," responded Margret.

"Too bad we can't save that ship too," commented Commander Luz. "Starfleet could sure use a look at their weapons systems."

"Abrel, we'll be lucky to get those people OFF that ship, much less anything else!" stated Margret.

"Aye sir."

"Captain!" spoke Bingham, "their warp core is breaching!"

"Damn! What about their shields?"

"Almost gone, holding at 20 percent," responded Bingham.

"Transporter room," called Fulton. "Can you punch through 20 percent shields and beam those people aboard?"

"Trying sir."

"Captain, the vessel took another hit. Their shields are down!" said Bingham.

"Decloak and transport NOW!" yelled Fulton.

A few seconds later the viewscreen exploded in a blast of white as the small ship was blasted by a barrage of Khynah weapons fire which rocked the Warrior.

"Transporter room, have you got them?" asked Margret.

"Aye sir. Six Khynah and one Terran female."

"Cloak now!" cried Fulton. "Get us out of here T'Seri!"

"Aye Captain."

"Captain," came Ensign Tor's voice. "The Terran female is in pretty bad shape."

"Send her to medbay and take the Khynah to the brig."

"Aye sir. Guards are already in place."

Margret looked at Commander Luz, knowing he was one step ahead of her.

"Always be prepared," he answered with a grin, rocking back and forth on his heels, his hands behind his back.

"Come with me Commander and let's greet our 'guests'," said Fulton. "Lt. T'Seri you have the bridge."

"Course out of the Neutral Zone laid in sir, said Lt. T'Seri.

The Khynah scanners had temporarily registered a ship shortly before the explosion, then lost the signal. They thought it may have been a sensor malfunction and paid it no more attention. Their mission accomplished they headed back toward Den'a.

________________________________

Lieutenant Greg Myers and Lt. jg Terry Sauter had been on the planet Lomo for three days now and had come to the conclusion that at least some, if not all the major players of the Guardians were located here. It wasn't what anyone had said, but what they had not said. You would think that the Guardians would be the talk of the planet, but no. People would idly comment about the possibility of their existence and then change the subject, or refuse to talk about them at all.

Greg and Terry had traded and sold many of the items they carried to Lomo and Greg had received positive interest in his other "special" cargo from Armand and a few of his friends. Greg figured Armand was a Guardian cell leader at least. Everyone deferred to him too much for him to be just a normal guy. And the citizens refused to give any information up about him. Maybe they just didn't know anything, or maybe they knew better. Greg thought it was the latter.

Although this Armand was not a community leader, everyone seemed to treat him as such. Greg and Terry were preparing to beam down to the opposite side of the planet from the Central Province to a barren area where Armand had directed them to send their cargo.

Terry and Greg beamed down, with one of their cargo crates, to a spot not far from some small caves. It was hot, dry and dusty on this part of the planet. They were met by Armand and his friends Karee, Kra'oth and G'lynt.

"Armand," began Greg. "I trust these will be acceptable to you," he said as he pried opened the top of one of the crates.

Armand reached in and pulled out a Starfleet Type 3 phaser rifle. Terry pulled out a Bajoran pistol and handed it to Karee. Kra'oth found himself a Klingon disrupter, while G'lynt stood by observing the transaction.

"A Starfleet weapon?" asked Armand, impressed. "Where would you get these weapons?" he asked suspiciously.

"I have my sources," replied Greg. "Which I would not have if I told everyone who they were," he smiled.

"Understandable," replied Armand as he took aim at a large rock preparing to fire. "This rifle is not charged."

"Of course not," replied Greg. "I don't keep loaded weapons in my cargo bay. They are too dangerous. But I have the charger packs as well."

"The packs are included, I hope," said Karee.

"Of course," said Greg. "A phaser weapon is of little value without them. Now, the price as quoted is…"

"Agreeable," said Armand, referring to the price they had agreed upon earlier.

"I can't help but wonder how you can afford such weapons," said Greg. "I mean, this far out of the shipping lanes would not lend itself to commercial gain."

"We have our sources," said Armand. "Just as you have. Tell your crew to beam down the rest and we can get this matter concluded."

"As you wish," said Greg. "Mark, send down the rest of the cargo," ordered Greg through his wrist comm unit.

"Aye sir," replied Mark Saville.

Both Greg and Terry winced at Mark's use of the word, 'aye'. 'Aye' was not standard freighter talk, but maybe no one would notice.

Armand looked at them questioningly. "Aye sir?"

"I AM the Captain of the Commerce, after all," responded Greg, trying his best to sound casual.

"Of course," said Armand. "Would you mind helping us take these cargo crates into that cave over there?" He nodded to a small mouthed cave not too far in the distance.

"No problem. But why don't I just have my crew beam them into it?" asked Greg.

"There are many supplies stacked all over that cave, Greg. There may not be enough room to beam anything in. And besides, it's only a few meters."

"Fine," said Greg as he called for the rest of the cargo to be transferred down.

After the last of the four crates was delivered into the cave, Greg and Terry prepared to beam back to their ship.

"If I could get your DNA print on this invoice, Armand, my wife and I can get back to our ship and be on our way. It has been a most profitable trip, I must say." Greg was thinking of his report to Starfleet--that they had found the Guardians and that their leader was Armand. At least he was the leader of THIS cell of the Guardians, if not the whole organization. Greg thought Armand was much more important leader by the way everyone responded to him--as though he was a captain of a ship. He doubted a small cell leader could command this much respect from the entire planet!

Armand took the padd offered by Greg, but did not imprint it or return it to him.

"Is there a problem, Armand?" asked Greg.

"Maybe," he said. "Aye sir is Starfleet lingo, Greg. And I am beginning to think that you and your crew are not who you pretend to be. Karee, Kra'oth and G'lynt were standing to the sides of Armand, looking very tense. Kra'oth and Karee had their hands on their weapons.

"Us? Starfleet? That's funny, Armand!" said Greg, hoping to salvage the mission. It would not look good on his record to fail at this mission, even if it wasn't his fault!

"Greg!" came Pelle's voice over his comm unit. "We are tracking three ships heading this way fast!"

"Keep your hands off that comm unit!" yelled Armand, as he suddenly pulled a phaser from his back. "Hands up, both of you!"

Greg and Terry both raised their hands and looked at each other. Tough luck with that promotion, Lieutenant, thought Terry.

"Armand, you may have trouble heading this way and if you don't mind, I would like to get out of here first," said Greg. "My ship is not a warship after all."

"I'm sure you would, Greg," said Armand.

"Greg are you there?" yelled Pelle. "Please answer me!"

"Armand, I MUST answer her. If I don't she will simply beam us up and I would rather not leave without my payment."

Armand smiled. "You're not going anywhere yet, Greg. You see, these caves are composed of materials that scatter transporter beams which is why we keep our supplies in here. Now, would you mind telling me exactly WHO you are and what you are doing on my planet?"

"Armand, I can assure you that--"

"Stop! Enough," said Armand, turning to G'lynt. "G'lynt prepare the Vulcan mind meld on Terry."

Terry and Greg looked at each other. Both knew that if a Vulcan mind meld were done on either one of them, they would not be able to prevent the exchange of Starfleet secrets.

"Hold it!" said Greg. "All right! You are correct, we ARE Starfleet."

"Greg!" yelled Terry.

"It's over, Terry. They know who we are… and we know who they are, don't we, Armand?"

Armand raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And just who do you think we are, my friend?"

"You're the Guardians we were sent here to find," said Greg. Now, we can stand here and debate the implications of all this and get our butts kicked by the Khynah when they arrive. Or we can work together and try to save this planet and its people from utter destruction. Your call."

"Armand," whispered Karee. "The Khynah are our enemies, not Starfleet. We must have their help to defend our planet."

Armand thought back to when he first conceived of the Guardians and what he wanted to accomplish through them--the total destruction of the Khynah race! Knowing he could not do this alone, he schemed to draw the Federation into a war with them by attacking their ships and blaming it on the Khynah. Surely the Federation would declare war and finish them! But no! Starfleet and the Federation were slow to anger and even slower to act.

All his plans, the long nights, the attacks on people he knew to be innocents, all to accomplish something that was now ending--right here where it had begun. He had failed his people! What was left but to surrender to Starfleet. He had no other choice.

"All right!" said Armand. "Put your hands down. What can you do to help?" he said defeated.

"I must contact my ship first," said Greg.

"Greg! Those ships are Khynah vessels and they will be here within 20 minutes!" came Pelle's anxious voice. "Awaiting orders."

"Go ahead," said Armand, turning to Karee and Kra'oth. "Get the ship ready and inform our people."

"Right!" said Karee as she and Kra'oth rushed out of the cave.

"Pelle," said Greg, "Inform the Alliance and send out an all distress message to any ship that may be in the area. Tell them we're under attack by the Khynah. Situation dire!"

"Aye…er yes Greg," said Pelle, not sure what was going on in the cave, but knowing something wasn't quite right.

"How are your defenses?" asked Greg.

"Attack drones and phasers only," said Armand. "Our defense grid should have activated them by now." Lomo was equipped with automated phaser weapons scattered all over the planet, with attack drones armed with quantum torpedoes, automatically activated whenever Khynah ships were located on long range defense scanners. The drones were programmed to stop before entering the Neutral Zone but would defend the planet from there.

"Good. Now we need to get back to our ship. We have phasers too, but nothing else. Hopefully there's a Starfleet ship nearby."

"Hey, Starfleet!" yelled Armand. "We need to talk when this is over."

"Armand," replied Greg, " if we survive this attack, I'll be more than happy to discuss anything you want. But right now, we'd better get going. What kind of ships do you have here?"

"Nothing much," said Armand, not wanting to give away all his secrets. "But what we do have will be in space when they get here. We'll make taking Lomo unpleasant for them at least," he said.

"Good. Pelle, two to beam up."

______________________________

"Captain, we're receiving a distress call from the Commerce," reported Lt. T'Seri. "They report that the planet Lomo is under attack from three Khynah ships."

"Set a course for Lomo, Lieutenant and inform the Commerce that we're on our way," said Captain Margret Fulton. "What are the planet's defenses?"

"Minimal, Captain," reported Lt. Bingham. "Attack drones and phasers. They may have a few ships equipped with phasers too, but that's unconfirmed."

"Great," said a frustrated Fulton. They had recently encountered two Khynah warships she knew they couldn't handle alone. Now they had three to handle! What's our ETA?"

"ETA to Lomo is 28 minutes at maximum warp," said T'Seri.

"Send a message to Lomo that we'll arrive in 28 minutes and to hold on."

"Aye sir."

"Contact the Alliance and tell them what's going on. Are there any other ships in that area?"

"No, sir," said Bingham. "We're it."

"Wonderful."

Captain Fulton and Commander Abrel had just recently finished interrogating the Khynah prisoners they had rescued from the Neutral Zone. Their story seemed plausible. They were Khynah rebels ready to overthrow their government. As proof, they had taken considerable risk and rescued a Terran prisoner who was being held in the castle of their leader. Her DNA was being identified now and would be several hours before they had an ID. She was in pretty bad shape and had not spoken one word since being transported aboard the USS Warrior. They had also provided Captain Fulton with valuable information regarding the Khynah's defensive strengths and weaknesses.

"They didn't take it very well when you explained that Starfleet would not help them overthrow their government," said Abrel. "Lucky for us Starfleet builds really durable brigs."

"That's not surprising," remarked Margret, " considering how they think. They are a brutal people, Luz. Expecting us to go in and take over their planet was unreasonable to say the least."

"They seem different though. I mean from the standard Khynah we've come to know." said Abrel. "I believe them. Don't you?"

"Hmmm. Maybe."

"What will happen to them?"

"First they'll be interrogated by Starfleet. After that…who knows?"

"They may want to work for us," suggested Luz.

"I doubt it," said Margret. "They are, after all still Khynah. They have no idea how our government works--how our people think or feel. We are such totally different people, I don't see how they could ever fit in anywhere within the Federation."

"Funny. That's what some said about the Klingons," said Abrel with a slight grin.

Margret grunted. "We'll see," she said skeptically.

________________________________________

The Khynah prisoners jumped at the sound of the Red Alert klaxons as the Warrior neared the planet of Lomo.

"What is that?" asked Lares'ha to the guard who stood outside their small security cell.

"Red Alert status," he answered. "It means we're in for a fight real soon."

"With who?"

He sneered at her. "With your people I would imagine."

"Lares'ha turned and spoke softly with her companions. There was a spirited argument between a couple of them, then finally they shook their heads as the guard looked on.

"Please," said Lares'ha," tell your Captain that we can help her defeat our ships."

"Now why would I believe you would do something like that?" he asked. "Besides, I would never bother the Captain during a Red Alert! Just sit down and be quiet!"

"But you must know this ship cannot defeat Khynah ships!" she said. "You do not have the weapons we do. I know this and you know this!"

"Ha! You don't have any idea what this ship can do, Khynah! Be quiet before I have you sedated!"

"Fool!" she screamed. "We will all die! Do you think we want to die here?! I demand you contact your Captain, NOW!"

"Quiet!"

"Hey, Burt," said another guard , coming up to him. "What's going on in there?"

"Nothing, Tim. This Khynah says she wants to help us. Can you believe that?"

"Maybe," he said quietly. "You gonna contact Captain Fulton?"

"Are you kidding?! During a Red Alert?! I'm not going to end my career over a Khynah!" he sneered.

"But what if she's right? What then?"

"She's not right, Tim! Forget it!"

Tim turned to Lares'ha. "What did you want to tell our Captain?"

"Tim! What are you doing?"

"Just a minute, Burt. It won't hurt to listen and it just might help."

"Thank you!" said Lares'ha. "Please, tell you Captain----" __________________________________________

Greg and Terry along with the four crates of weapons they had transported down earlier were beamed back aboard the Commerce.

"What's happening?" asked Pelle.

"Get us back to the Central Province," ordered Greg "and fast! We're going to transport these weapons down to the people in the medical center and Escape Bar--those are where the two largest underground shelters are located. And the people need all the help they can get if those Khynah start transporting down!"

"But we're not supposed to give these weapons away," protested the ever security conscious Pelle. "They're only supposed to be used as a ruse to entrap the Guardians. Starfleet entrusted us with these weapons on the assurity that they would NOT fall into their hands!"

"Ensign," began Greg," this mission has changed. We're now going to help these people--Guardians and all--to fight the Khynah. We'll straighten all this out later--if we survive that is. Now, get us to the Central Province!"

It only took a few minutes to reach the Central Province and transfer the weapons down to the citizens. Grey decided that he and Terry would stay at the Escape Bar shelter while Pelle and Luvill would be at the medical center. If the shields over the two facilities failed--and they would--the citizens would need all the help they could get.

"Greg to Commerce," he said after beaming down. "Get out of here fast! The Khynah will be here in under five minutes."

"Greg, we can help," said Ensign Mark Saville. "Our phasers--"

"Are no match for Khynah weapons, Ensign! Now leave! That's an order! And don't come back until you know for sure it's safe."

"Understood sir. Good luck!"

Terry and Greg looked at each other, wondering what the next hour or so would bring them. Terry more than Greg knew what they would be up against if the Khynah invaded Lomo. Terry had fought them before and she would never forget the terror she felt at confronting them. And now, here she was again--an engineer preparing to wage war against an almost unbeatable foe!"

"Heads up, Lieutenant!" said Greg, sensing her apprehension. "We'll be okay."

"Yes, sir," Terry answered, shifting her rifle and medkit on her shoulders and falling back into her Starfleet training, not believing him for one minute!

They waited until all the weapons were distributed and then headed towards the underground shelter located under the Escape Bar. Greg was at the door of the bar, his Starfleet type 3 phaser rifle slung over his left shoulder, a hand phaser in his right hand. "Looks like everyone's in, Terry. Let's go." He and Terry started heading for the back door of the bar that led to the underground shelter. The shields over the building having now been activated.

"Wait," said Greg.

"What?"

"I want to get a look in that back room over there." He indicated a room to the far right of the bar. "Armand seemed to spend a lot of time in there. It could be the Guardians' control room."

"Greg! You can't be serious! The Khynah will be here any minute!" yelled Terry. "Let's get underground now!"

Greg was already over at the door. It was locked. No matter. He shot the door panel with his phaser causing it to open, and stepped inside.

"Greg!" Terry followed him over to the door.

"Lieutenant Sauter, if you want to leave, go ahead, but I just might find something valuable to Starfleet in here. I will only be a minute. Besides, the attack drones should hold the Khynah up for a few extra minutes."

"Don't' count on it, sir," said Terry. "You forget, I fought these monsters before and a few tiny drones aren't going to slow them up one bit! I'm staying," she said, glancing nervously back and forth as though at any minute a Khynah would suddenly appear out of nowhere, but unable to leave Greg by himself.

"Ha! I was right!" yelled Greg as he entered the Guardian's control room. There were several terminals and desks in the room, one large table and a large vid screen on three of the four walls. Greg activated one of the screens producing a map of the most popular trade routes in this sector.

"Damn! It looks like these are the plans for their next attack. We've hit the jackpot here Terry!" said Greg enthusiastically. He glanced at Terry expecting to find her grinning and as excited as he was at his find. He was wrong. What he found was a very terrified and a serious Terry staring back at him.

"Greg! All of this means nothing right now. Don't you understand what the Khynah are?! They are killers! Cold blooded killers who will stop at nothing to get what they want and they don't have one ounce of mercy in their entire bodies! They are vicious, murdering--"

"Terry! Calm down. We'll be okay, really," surprised at the terror and desperation he saw in her eyes. Greg had never fought the Khynah--had never even seen one close up. Even though he read all about them, he had no actual experience fighting them. He read of Terry's last ship, the USS Endeavour and their encounter and almost total destruction. What he now saw in Terry's eyes, bothered him--a lot.

"You don't understand Greg. I've fought them. I know what it's like to see them come after you and your friends. To enjoy slaughtering them!" There were tears in her eyes now as she remembered the friends she lost the last time she faced the Khynah. The smell of blood all around her--the smell of death--the screams of the dying. Everything came flooding back to her!

Greg came to her and put his arms on her shoulders, shaking her. "Lieutenant Sauter! Shake it off! These shields will hold until help arrives and the Khynah won't even get a chance to beam down. And if they do manage it, well, between us and the citizens of Lomo, they don't have a chance. Now, let's see what we can find in here, okay? Starfleet will be happy if we ---"

Just then the whole room exploded as the shield protecting the building collapsed under the Khyah's first weapons blast!

Terry and Greg were buried under a ton of rubble and dirt as part of the roof collapsed on top of the. The Khynah had arrived!

________________________________________

"We've got a shot at only one of those ships," said Armand as he piloted the Khynah vessel out from the depths of the largest cave on Lomo where it had been kept, " so your aim better be perfect, Kra'oth!"

"Do not be concerned, " answered Kra'oth, "I will destroy the ship with one shot!"

Karee thought the Klingon was being overly optimistic regarding his weapons skills, but sincerely hoped he was correct in his assessment!

The three Khynah ships were flying low over the planet--two on the far side and one on the side Armand was on. He skillfully piloted the vessel into position behind the Khynah ship. The pilot had no idea this ship was not one of his own. He soon found out as Armand's ship fired on it and kept firing until the ship exploded into pieces only seconds later.

"Qa, pla!" yelled Kra'oth. "Where are the other Khynah bastards?!" His Klingon blood was like fire in his veins as his battle skills came sharply into focus.

"The others won't be so easy," said Karee. "Let's hope your skills are even better when we confront THEM!"

"That ship may not have been able to warn the other ships about us," said Armand. "We may still have an advantage. Set course to the Central Province. They're sure to attack there since it's the largest populated area on the planet."

"I just hope the people made it into the shelters," said Karee.

"Our people have been through this before, Karee," said Armand. "They are as safe as any of us."

"That's not exactly comforting, Armand, " she responded with a look of sarcasm.

"It's the best I can do for now," he said, giving her a wink. Armand had his doubts about fighting the other two Khynah ships as he was used to firing on less armed vessels. Now he was in a real battle! A battle for his and his peoples lives. He only hoped he was up to the challenge. Soon, he knew, he would find out!

______________________

"Target that ship!" ordered Captain Margret Fulton. "Let's hope those Khynah were telling the truth about the best place to hit them. "Decloak and fire all phasers!"

"Yes sir!" responded Lt. Russ Bingham, Tactical Officer. "Firing all phasers."

The Khynah ship took a direct hit from the Warrior's phasers and swung around to meet its new foe.

"Here she comes!" shouted Bingham.

"Cloak and move out of their way, T'Seri!" ordered Fulton.

"Aye sir."

"What's their weapons status?" asked Luz Abrel.

"Looks like their weapons are just below 50%, sir."

"Excellent!" said Fulton. "They were telling the truth then. But even at 50%, their weapons are still dangerous. When we decloak, go to evasive pattern Alpha 5," ordered Fulton. "Stay away from their phasers!"

The Khynah ship fired her phasers in the direction they thought the Warrior would be, but missed. The Khynah phasers were unlike any other weapons Starfleet had seen. They were calibrated on a much narrower beam than Starfleet phasers and as such would slice through shields and ships like a hot knife through butter.

"Get ready to decloak and fire torpedoes on my mark," ordered Margret. "Mark!"

"Decloaking and firing quantum torpedoes, Gamma spread," responded Russ.

Just then, the Warrior took a direct hit from the Khynah's weapons. Sparks flew from the comm station as all were knocked around. Captain Fulton and Commander Luz managed to stay on their feet by grabbing onto the command chair. Smoke started filling the cabin.

"Easy, Lieutenant," coaxed Luz. "You're doing fine." He knew that if their weapons had been 100% there wouldn't be much left of the Warrior now.

"Yes, sir," said Lt. T'Seri, who though Vulcan was beginning to show her frustration at her inability to keep the Warrior out of the reach of the Khynah weapons.

"Did we hit their ship?" asked Luz.

"Minimal damage to their ship, " answered Bingham.

"Cloak and get below them," ordered Fulton.

"Cloaking device is off line," reported Lt. T'Seri.

"All right, we'll play this in full view. Delta pattern. Fire all phasers when you get a shot Lieutenant Bingham," ordered Fulton.

"Yes sir," responded Russ, taking aim and firing. Direct hit Captain!" he yelled. "But they're still operational."

"Damn! What kind of shields do they have?!" asked Fulton. "Prepare torpedoes, intense Beta three spread on my mark. Wait until we're on top of them. Get us THERE Lieutenant!"

"Coming about sir," said Lt. T'Seri.

"Mark!"

"Direct hit Captain. Looks like they've sustained moderate damage to their weapons and shields," reported Russ.

"Good!"

The Warrior was hit once more by the Khynah phasers.

"Captain!" yelled Bingham as more sparks and smoke filled the cabin, "we've sustained damage on all decks. Life support is off line as are the phasers."

"Dammit! Target that ship and continue firing!" shouted Fulton, over the red alert and fire klaxons.

"Captain, if we fire too many torpedoes, we'll not have enough left to fight the other ship!" said Luz.

"I know, Abrel, but if we can't get past this ONE ship, we don't have a prayer with the other one! And besides, if we're going out, we're going out in a fight, hopefully taking one ship with us!"

"Firing torpedo spread," said Bingham.

"Partial hit sir. They still have their weapons!"

"Prepare the last torpedoes, Beta 1 spread and fire on my mark," ordered Fulton, knowing she had just launched her last attack. "Mark!"

"Torpedoes away!" said Bingham.

"Captain, another Khynah ship is heading this way!"

"Get us out of here Lt. We've done all we can do here," said Fulton.

"Captain, our warp engines are off line," said T'Seri.

Captain Margret Fulton closed her eyes in defeat, visibly slumping. Quickly she recovered her composure. She couldn't let her crew see her defeated. Margret didn't want it to end here, but what better way for a warrior to go out than in battle.

"Plot a collision course with the injured ship Lt. T'Seri and transfer all available power to the forward shields."

"Aye sir."

"On my mark, engage maximum impulse speed." Captain Margret Fulton stood up straight and tall on her bridge, her hands on her hips--eyes straight ahead. Commander Luz Abrel stood beside her, his hands behind his back.

"It's been a pleasure serving with all of you," she said as the Warrior took another hit, rocking the ship. Margret and Abrel stood their ground.

"That goes for me too," said Abrel.

"Ready--ma--"

"Captain! That other Khynah ship is firing on its own ship!" yelled Russ.

"What's going on?" she asked as she watched the injured Khynah ship explode into pieces under the barrage of weapons fire from the second ship.

"Shall we leave the area, Captain?" asked Russ.

"No," said Margret. "not until we know what's going on here. Khynah ships do not fire at other Khynah ships. Keep the power to the forward shields and hail that ship."

"They're hailing us sir!" shouted Russ.

"On screen," ordered Fulton. The viewscreen revealed a rugged, dark haired Terran male, who obviously meant business. Margret instinctively knew she was looking into the eyes of the Guardian's leader.

"Federation ship, we are the Guardians and are not your enemy. There is another Khynah ship attacking the Central Province of Lomo right now. Can you help us?"

"Our phasers are off line and we are out of torpedoes. Who are you?" asked Fulton.

"My name is Armand. It looks like it is up to us then. I would suggest you leave this area as you're a sitting duck here Captain."

"Mr. Armand. It appears a sitting duck may be just what you need," said Fulton, a gleam in her eyes.

Armand thought for just a second and then smiled. "I like the way you think Captain. Shall we go?"

"I'll lead the way," said Fulton. "Captain Fulton out."

The Warrior and the Guardians ship raced to the Central Province that was being pounded by an assault of Khynah weapons. All shields on the planet were down--the phaser and torpedo defensive weapons systems were destroyed. The Khynah were now beginning to transport troops down to the planet where they intended to kill and take prisoners.

The first facility they entered was the medical center, already severely damaged by their assault. "Search the area!" the Khynah leader ordered. "They are here. "

The six Khynah in the leaders' away team spread out, looking for civilians as more troops continued to beam down to the planet.

"Here!" yelled one of the troops. "They went underground. This door must lead to their hiding place."

"Break it down!" ordered the leader.

Two Khynah started firing at the door, which was protected by an independent energy field. It didn't last long. The door lead to stairs heading down deep into the ground where a second door was located. Behind this door were many of Lomo's citizens, along with Ensigns Pelle and Luvill.

The second Khynah away team went into what was left of the Escape Bar, searching for other citizens to enslave or kill.

________________________________________

At first Terry didn't know where she was or what had happened as she slowly began to move her limbs under the rubble and debris that covered her body. Dirt and blood filled her mouth and she spit to clear it. "Ow!" she yelled as she tried to move her left arm. The sudden pain went streaking from her elbow up her arm and into her head, simultaneously hitting her stomach causing her to almost pass out and throw up at the same time. Her arm was broken. Now it was slowly coming back to her. She was on Lomo, in a bar--the Khynah! Have to get moving, she thought as she tried to move her arm again. Can't pass out, she kept saying to herself. She knew if she did and the Khynah found her…

Her rifle still slung over her left shoulder, she carefully eased it off as even the slight weight of it weighed heavily on her injured arm. Her medkit was on her other shoulder, she was glad to discover as she quickly opened it one handed and administered herself a painkiller. "That's better," she said to herself as most of the sharp pain began to ease.

"Greg!" she called, suddenly remembering he was with her when the building collapsed. She looked around and could see nothing but destruction around her. Half the roof was gone and she could see blue sky above her. "Greg!" she called again and heard moaning coming from across what was left of the room.

Slowly she crawled her way across the trash, dragging her rifle and medkit with her. She found him covered with part of the roof as she had been, a large gash across the right side of his face--blood all over. "Greg! Greg!" she called, pulling the rubble from his body. He moaned again and then went silent. "Oh God!" Terry thought he was dead, as he was so pale and still. She quickly took the tricorder from her medkit and scanned him. "Thank God!" He was still alive, though just barely. He had internal injuries and had lost too much blood. Terry knew if she couldn't get him to a medical facility, he would die. But how? Their ship was gone and probably the Lomo med center was in the same awful shape as the bar. Then she heard something that made her heart stand still--Khynah voices! And judging by the sound of their footsteps, they were heading her way! She froze as she flashed back to that time on the science station when she had hid in a turbo shaft and listened to the pounding footsteps of the Khynah as they passed right by her--the screams of her suffering and dying crewmates as the Khynah found them!

"Move Terry!" The voice came suddenly, and she snapped out of her fear induced panic. She knew if the Khynah found her and Greg, they would be killed since they were too injured to be useful. The idea came quickly as she moved rubble around to shield herself and Greg from the view of the Khynah should they come this way. Quickly she took the tricorder and reprogrammed it to send out false vital signals--signals that would indicate no one alive in this area. Then she gave Greg and herself a sedative. Risky, for Greg she knew, but if he should come to and moan just when the Khynah arrived…well it was better to die this way than their way! And she didn't trust herself not to moan a little bit either with the pain in her arm still severe.

She hid her rifle and pried Greg's hand phaser from his hand as amazingly he still held onto it.

She lay down on the floor--the phaser in her hand, just in case and covered herself up with trash as the sedative began to take effect. It would not knock her out, just relax her enough so that she wouldn't cry out. "Please don't let them find us!" she prayed.

"They won't," came the same voice as the one she heard earlier. Only then did Terry realize that the voice was that of her husband, Ryan who had died more than a year earlier. Terry had seen Ryan in her dreams twice since his death of an incurable disease. Even though they had only known each other a short time, both felt a special connection to the other--a connection that still survived even after death.

"Thank you Ryan," she smiled, as she lay still … waiting. ____________________________________________

"Just stay out of their way Lt. T'Seri," said Captain Fulton. "We're not here to try and beat them, just distract them enough for the Guardian's to get a shot."

"Aye sir," Said T'Seri, taking a deep breath. She was determined this time to keep the Warrior out of harms way.

"Captain! The Khynah are beaming down troops!" said Commander Luz.

"Dammit!" shouted Margret. "We've got to distract them! Come in at a 45 degree angle, then evasive omega pattern."

"Yes sir," replied T'Seri.

The Warrior came in fast at the Khynah ship and got hit causing minor damage, and got hit again just as they tried to make their retreat around the planet.

"Damage report!" called Captain Fulton.

"Decks 3 and 4 hull breach. Shields down to 20%," reported Luz.

"Head for the far side of the planet, evasive maneuvers Lt. T'Seri, pattern Gamma 4."

"Aye Captain," responded T'Seri, feeling very inadequate right about now. She began doubting her ability to keep the Warrior from getting hit again and this weighed heavily on her Vulcan shoulders.

"They've been hit sir!" yelled Russ. "The Guardians hit them hard and the Khynah are turning to confront them."

"Good!" said Fulton. Now Fulton had a decision to make. She could play gnat to the Khynah ship, trying to help out the Guardians, or she could play it safe and leave the area or …

"Scan for Khynah. Let's see how many troops they managed to beam down," ordered Fulton.

"Scans off line," reported Luz.

"Damn! Well, we just can't hang around here doing nothing," Said Fulton.

"Away team?" asked Luz.

"Yes. Heavily armed. Those people need our help. T'Seri, you have the bridge. After we beam down, you take the Warrior to the opposite side of the planet and begin repairs. Weapons first just in case the Guardians can't---"

"Sir, incoming message from the Guardians," reported Russ Bingham.

"On screen," ordered Margret.

"Captain Fulton. That Khynah ship is no longer a threat to us. But, Khynah troops are on the planet."

"Yes, I know. We're preparing an away team now. Do your sensors indicate how many troops?"

"We have an estimate of 50-100 Khynah in this area. I don't think they had time to land any others. We're preparing to beam down now," reported Armand.

"Are your people armed?" asked Fulton.

"Yes. Your Starfleet officers managed to get some weapons to us before their ships arrived."

"Ah, I see. But even with your citizens armed, they are no match for fully trained Khynah soldiers. And our two small away teams may not make that much of a difference down there," said Margret.

"You have a better plan, Captain?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. But I will need your ship to implement it."

"My ship? I don't know, Captain---"

"Mr. Armand, I am asking you to trust me. I have put my ship and crew in danger in order to protect your people and Lomo. I think you can afford me a little bit of trust for that. Am I correct in assuming that, sir?"

Armand thought for a few moments. "Yes Captain. I believe you are. What is your plan?"

"I will beam to your ship in 5 minutes," said Margret. "There are a few things we need to discuss, Mr. Armand."

"Fine. But Captain, we don't have much time. Our people---"

"Understood Mr. Armand. My people are down there too. Fulton out."

"Captain, you're talking about the Khynah in our brig?" asked Luz.

"Yes. They said they wanted to help us. Here is another chance for them to prove themselves. If they do this, I think we can trust what they're telling us."

"I don't know about that," said a skeptical Luz.

"Yes, Abrel, I know, I know. You just keep on being skeptical," said Margret, heading for the turbolift. " Follow me. Russ, you too. T'Seri, continue orbiting Lomo and began repairs. Life support first, then weapons."

"Aye sir," responded T'Seri. I SHOULD be able to manage that without getting us blown out of space, she thought to herself.

"And, Lt." Said Margret.

"Sir?" asked T'Seri, fearing a dressing down at least.

"You did a good job back there. We're all still in one piece thanks to you."

"Thank you sir," said T'Seri, feeling somewhat better.

__________________________________

"Here they come!" shouted Pelle as the Khynah began assaulting the door to their shelter. She, Luvill and several armed Lomo citizens were ready for them. As soon as the Khynah made it through the door, they were hit with phaser fire from Pelle and Luvill, who were behind a turned over table. They hit two of them then Luvill went down with a hit to his shoulder.

"Kaleb!" shouted Pelle. She continued firing, as did the armed citizens. It seemed the fight went on for hours as the Khynah fought their way into the room. Then suddenly it stopped and the Khynah began retreating.

"Hold your fire!" shouted Pelle as she saw what was happening. She thought they were regrouping for another assault. When it never came, she didn't know what to think. Pelle eased from behind the table, making her way towards the doorway peeking out. She saw nothing but the Khynah soldiers they had killed.

"Help me get this door back up!" she yelled. "This may be a trick to get us out into the open." As soon as they got the door back up, Pelle sealed it with her phaser and went back to tend to Kaleb's wound, and wait for rescue or another attack, whichever came first. ______________________________

"No one alive in here," yelled a Khynah soldier as he inspected what was left of the Escape Bar.

"The entrance to their hiding shelter is this way!" another yelled as he fired at the energy force surrounding the door.

Terry heard everything and continued to lay still, hardly breathing. Her arm hurt like hell and she wished for another pain shot, but knew her and Greg's life depended on her playing dead. She hoped help arrived soon!

"The field is down!" a Khynah yelled. Just then Terry heard the Khynah talking into a comm unit. They were pulling out! Incredible! She thought. She heard the grumbling of the Khynah as they left the bar. She continued to lay still just in case they came back. How long should she remain still, she didn't know. But for now, she would stay put! __________________________________

Captain Margret Fulton transported over to the Guardian's ship alone.

"Mr. Armand," she said.

"It's just Armand, Captain Fulton. And we're wasting time talking when we could be down on the planet--"

"Getting yourself killed," she finished for him. "We are vastly outnumbered by the Khynah troops, but I think I have a better way to resolve this if you'll just listen."

"Go ahead," said Armand nervously. He tried to keep his mind off what may be happening to his people on the planet below and listen to what Captain Fulton had to say. Whatever it was, surely it couldn't possibly be as important as---

"A short time ago we rescued a ship that was carrying a former prisoner of the Khynah. She was brought to us by six…Khynah."

"What?! You have Khynah aboard your ship?" yelled Armand.

Margret threw up her hand demanding silence. "Yes. They are part of a rebel force on Den'a that is trying to overthrow the present government. They want change and do not want war with anyone, only peace. They rescued a prisoner--at great risk to their own lives--to us to show their sincerity."

"And you believe them?" asked Armand.

"They also informed us how to diminish the Khynah ship's weapons. If not for that little fact, we might not be standing here now. I assume you didn't know about that little trick?"

"No. We haven't had this ship very long, and there are things we haven't discovered about how it operates yet. But still, I don't trust them!"

"We'll discuss just how you acquired this ship later. Margret knew that one reason the latest Khynah negotiations had broken down was because the Khynah accused the Federation and Starfleet of stealing one of their ships. That little mystery appeared to be solved. "Now, I feel they can help us." Margret felt strange saying those words about Khynah! As she was sure, Armand felt strange in hearing them.

"How?"

"Beam them over and see," said Fulton.

"I'm keeping my weapon on them just the same," said Armand, Kra'oth agreeing with him.

"Armand, these people are under my care. You will do nothing to harm them. If they betray us, I will deal with them myself. Is that clear?" stated Fulton.

"I don't like it," he said.

"Armand, let her try," whispered Karee. "Our people--"

"All right!" He nodded to Captain Fulton to go ahead.

Margret hit her comm badge. "Commander Luz, send them over" she ordered.

A few seconds later, Commander Luz, two Khynah and two security guards were transported onto the Guardian's bridge and the tension rose noticeably.

"Lares'ha, Tanth'os," began Margret, "get to work."

Lares'ha went immediately to the communications center of the ship. She obviously knew her way around a war ship. Fulton and Armand took special notice of this fact.

"Inform us of everything you do, Lares'ha," said Fulton, standing behind her. "So as to avoid misunderstandings."

Lares'ha looked around the bridge and nodded. "I will attempt to contact the leader of the Khynah troops and get him to cease his attack and assemble his troops into the main area of the town. I will tell them that we will soon be under attack from many Federation vessels and we must leave immediately. Once they are assembled, Tanth'os will stun them into unconsciousness. Then they will be your responsibility, Captain Fulton."

"Acceptable Lares'ha, proceed," said Fulton.

"I didn't know this ship had a stun setting," whispered Lares'ha to Armand.

"It doesn't," he whispered back.

"But---"started Laree.

"Hush!" ordered Armand, suspecting what the Khynah were up to. And also knowing that Captain Margret Fulton of Starfleet would never approve had she known.

Lares'ha spoke into the comm channel ordering the leader to stop and return outside at once. The leader questioned her, but when she explained that the other ships were out fighting the lead Federation vessels, he agreed to follow her orders. It took several minutes for all the Khynah troops to get back to one area but once they were in place, Lares'ha told them to prepare for beam out. Tanth'os then hit a panel, which Margret thought would stun the Khynah into unconsciousness.

"Now, they are no longer a problem," stated Lares'ha. "They are dead."

"What?!" yelled Margret. "You said--"

"Khynah ships do not have a stun setting, Captain. And you would have gotten nothing from them. This way is better for all. Your people are safe thanks to us. Now, will you help us overthrow our government?"

"I told you before Lares'ha, the Federation and Starfleet cannot interfere in the workings of a planet's government. Our Prime Directive does not permit this." Fulton was fuming over the trick that Lares'ha had pulled in killing the Khynah.

"Lt. T'Seri to Captain Fulton," came Fulton's comm badge.

Margret took a deep breath to calm herself. She must NOT lose her cool now. "Go ahead Lieutenant."

"We've identified the Terran prisoner, sir."

"Good. Who is she?"

"She has been identified as Janina Taylor Cummings. She is--"

Armand didn't hear the rest of what Lt. T'Seri said as his face drained of all blood and his knees went weak as he tried to steady himself.

"Captain, I must see her!" yelled Armand, after quickly pulling himself together.

"Do you know Ms. Cummings?" asked Margret.

"Yes. She is … was my brother's wife. She was taken along with my brother and nephew during the Khynah's first strike against our planet. I was off world at the time. I found out later that my brother was killed but I never heard what became of Nina or Eytan."

"Of course," said Margret. "We'll transport back to my ship and straighten all this out. Our away teams are on their way down to the planet now and should be reporting in shortly. Captain Fulton to Warrior. Seven to beam over."

_____________________________________

"Nina," whispered Armand, as he held her hand in his. "It's me, Armand. Can you hear me?"

"She is in a trauma induced coma, Mr. Armand. I doubt she can hear you," said the Emergency Medical Holographic doctor aboard the Warrior.

"Yes, she can," he whispered, tears in his eyes. He thought he would never see Janina again since that horrible day over two years ago when the Khynah attacked Lomo. He blamed himself for being off planet, thinking that had he been there he could have prevented it somehow. He never knew what happened to Janina or his four-year-old nephew, Eytan. They were all the family Armand had in the universe.

"Nina, squeeze my hand if you can hear me, please!" begged Armand. Nothing.

"Her coma was triggered by mental and physical trauma, Mr. Armand. She may not recover from it," spoke the doctor.

"What trauma?"

"Physically she is malnutritioned, dehydrated and has several broken bones that were not set properly. There were the numerous bruises, cuts and--"

"Enough! I don't want to hear anymore! Will she recover?"

"From her physical injuries, certainly. However, her mental injuries are much more severe and her prognosis at this time is unfavorable for a complete recovery."

Armand turned to Captain Fulton. "Will you take her to a good hospital and see that she is treated with the best care, Captain? It will take months for the medical center on Lomo to be rebuilt."

"Of course. She will be transferred to Starbase 247. They have the best trauma unit in this sector."

"Good. Thank you," said Armand as he kissed Janina's forehead and gently laid her hand back on the bed, turned and silently walked out of the Warrior's medbay. __________________________

"Captain Fulton, Command Luz and several security guards beamed down to Lomo. They arrived shortly after Armand and his team arrived. Margret looked around and shook her head at the destruction she observed--both in buildings and in lives. She was hoping to take the Khynah as prisoners for Starfleet, although in truth, it probably wouldn't have done any good anyway. Besides, they had Lares'ha and her people who had cooperated with her totally.

"I'll take this place with you and you," Margret said to her security personnel. "Be careful. These people are expecting Khynah remember," she said. Margret pulled her phaser and walked towards the Escape Bar. She knew where the shelters were located and wanted to release the citizens, hoping to find the Starfleet officers safe and sound.

"You two," she directed the guards. "The door is over there. Make sure your phasers are calibrated to eliminate the security field if it's still in place."

"Aye sir," they said.

"I'll check this area," she said, moving towards the right side of the room.

Terry thought at first she was hallucinating when she heard Fulton's voice.

"Damn!" said Margret, as she checked her tricorder. "Two Terrans, dead." She quickly began heading toward where Terry and Greg were located.

"Captain?" said Terry weakly as she slowly began to move.

Margret quickly hurried over and began pulling rubble from off Terry and gently pulled her to a sitting position.

"Lieutenant Sauter?" she asked, not quite recognizing her through the dirt and grim that covered her.

"Yes. Greg…. over there," she motioned. "He's alive…I hope."

Margret went where indicated and uncovered Greg. "I'm not getting any vital signs here," she said, kneeling down beside him.

"Oh," said Terry as she found her tricorder and switched it off. "There."

"Yes, now I'm getting signs. He's alive, just." She tapped her badge. "Warrior, two to beam directly to medbay," she ordered as she stepped away from them as they were beamed to the Warrior's medbay.

________________________________

Two Days Later

"Hi Greg," said Terry, standing by his bed in the Alliance medbay. "How are you feeling?"

"I've been better," he replied. Greg was recuperating from surgery in which Dr. Mira Montgomery had repaired his severe internal injuries, along with a major concussion.

"Dr. M says you'll be fine. Just need a couple of weeks to rest up," said Terry.

"Yeah, I heard. I also heard that you saved my life."

"Yeah, well it was self preservation," she grinned, her embarrassment showing.

Greg thought she looked cute, blushing as she did. Funny he hadn't noticed how cute she was before now. "Thanks anyway."

"We're Starfleet Officers, Greg. It's what we do."

They were both silent for a few awkward seconds. "Dr. M says you'll stay here on the Alliance until you're ready to go back to work since we're staying around Lomo for that long before we get our next assignment."

"Heard that too."

"Well, guess I'd better go and let you rest before Dr. M throws me out," said Terry, turning to leave.

"Hey, Terry."

She turned back towards Greg. "Yes?"

"Since I'm gonna be stuck here for awhile … would you mind showing me around the ship? I mean, when I'm able."

"Sure, no problem. It's a great ship. You'll like it!" she smiled.

"Great. Well, see you later."

"Okay. I'll stop by later and see how you're doing."

"I look forward to it," smiled Greg.

Terry turned and walked--no, bounced out of medbay, a smile on her face. Although she wasn't sure why.

_______________________

With the dead Khynah buried and all the injured being treated, Captains Fulton and Forrester, along with Lares'ha's and Armand's people were meeting aboard the Alliance in the main conference room.

"So, what we are saying, Lares'ha is while Starfleet and the Federation cannot aid you in your efforts to overthrow your government, we cannot stop our private citizens from doing so. Mr. Armand," Captain Forrester prompted.

"We will continue to fight against the Khynah." He glanced at Lares'ha. "I mean, the current Khynah government and destroy it. If we have to do this without the help of the Federation, then so be it."

"We are working for the same thing," commented Lares'ha. I propose that we form an alliance and work together. We have knowledge of Den'a, its government and how things operate We also have people who are sympathetic to our cause. Our help would be invaluable to you and we cannot accomplish this by ourselves. Together we might succeed."

Armand and his group had discussed this possibility for days and had come to the same conclusion. Their benefactor had also agreed to it. It would be an uneasy alliance, but in working together, they might be able to bring down the Khynah government! As he looked at his Khynah 'comrades' he could hardly believe he had agreed to work with them. Their long, braided hair and talons were so animalistic to him, he knew that it was not going to be an easy road he had signed up for. But if it would defeat their government, then maybe it would be worth the sacrifice.

"We will see what can be done," said Armand. "In the meantime, Lares'ha, you and your people will be provided shelter--such as it is--while on Lomo. It would be hard to say the least for him to work with his hated enemies, but he would do it for now. They did bring Janina back to him and he owed them that much.

"Since Starfleet cannot verify which attacks were caused by the Guardians, if any, and since you did aid the Warrior, no charges will be brought against you, Armand, or your people. Provided of course that no other attacks against Federation ships will be caused by the Guardians.

"Captain, I can assure you that the Guardians will not attack any Federation ships," said Armand.

"Good. Now, I want our engineers to go over your Khynah ship thoroughly. This ship will help us tremendously in fighting the Khynah."

"Take all the time you need, Captain Forrester. We citizens of Lomo have some rebuilding to do before we plan--"

Forrester held up his hand for silence. "Armand, I do not wish to know of any plans you have for anything except rebuilding your planet. Our people will help you with those. Security forces will also be assigned to this and the three other planets located close to the Neutral Zone. Starfleet has ordered two dozen ships to patrol the Neutral Zone in order to prevent any further Khynah attacks. The Khynah government has been warned that any of its ships that cross the zone will be fired upon. And we will remain here in orbit for the next two weeks to assist you in rebuilding your planet and offering whatever else you may need."

"That's good to hear," said Armand. "Now it is time for me to talk with my people and explain why we will be working and living with Khynah. It will not be easy, Captain, but it will be done."

"I wish you both good luck," said Forrester.

Armand and Lares'ha's people then transferred back to Lomo to begin rebuilding their cities and making plans to infiltrate and destroy the current Khynah government.

________________________

The USS Warrior was sent to Starbase 114 for extensive repairs while the Alliance and Tempest were assigned to different missions which did not include patrolling the Neutral Zone as they had been doing for so long now.