"Final Confrontation... Part I"
(Previous Post: Jammie's "Looking For A Fight")
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Setting: ULTIMATE VICTORY, Bridge
Stardate: 60325.1425
Gul Zulot paced the bridge of his command vessel like a Cardassian linxzar. His eyes were a blaze because all was coming undone. The mysterious arrival of this starship that was now nose to nose with him and the subsequent news of a breech in the compound.
"I want to know where *that* ship came from! Who sent it?" he hissed. His second in command, Lu'Mel approached.
"We're still looking into that ship my lord, but we have some good news."
Zulot glared at him. "This *had* better be good..."
"Our guards have captured a Starfleet officer..."
Zulot glared even harder at him. "We *had* a compound *full* of Starfleet officers..."
"This one wasn't a part of the crew of the MERCURY. Her uniform is too clean."
Zulot stopped mid sentence. "Really. Who captured her."
Lu'Mel handed him communications padd.
"Speak" Zulot said.
[/\] Sir... she appears to be a doctor of some sorts. We've confiscated her sidearm and her medical tools. [/\]
"And what is her current condition?"
[/\] She is out cold sir. [/\]
Zulot pulled the padd closer to his face. "*NOT* a strand of her hair is to be trusseled and no harm is to befall her. I'm holding *you* personally responsible..." he closed letting the words hang in the air.
[/\] Understood sir, [/\] and Zulot smiled at Lu'Mel.
"Open a channel to that ship. It appears we don't have to look for who sent it."
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Bridge
Stardate: 60325.1430
"Captain" Ensign Eva said, "the SPHINX is on final approach."
"What's the weapons status of the Cardassian vessel?" she asked looking at David.
"They're still trained..." David's fingers danced across his console, "now they're down."
Sabrina looked to Eva who nodded. "Confirm..."
Annie, the ANUBIS' avatar interupted, "Captain, there's a incoming message" as she swiveled in her chair to face the CO, "from the Cardassian ship. They're asking to speak to the commanding officer."
Sabrina glanced at David as she approached her chair, "Patch them through and keep a close up on me only." as she looked at David, "no need to let them see everything."
David nodded as the screen came to life. From the side David's face turned to a scowl.
[/\] This is Gul Zulot, commander of the ULTIMATE VICTORY. And who am I having the pleasure in talking to? [/\]
"Sabrina Rikar. Captain of ..." and she paused, "..this vessel."
[/\] Captain Rikar. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. [/\]
"Zulot... what can I do for you?" Sabrina asked.
[/\] It appears that we're at a stand off Captain. Apparently our ships are formidible weapons and it seems that neither one of us can get the upper hand. Kudos to you and your crew. [/\]
Sabrina nodded as he went on.
[/\] But I need to get back to the planet. [/\]
"Why? So you can call for re-enforcements to attack my ship again? Tell you what. Why don't you tell me what you need and I'll have it sent up to you... as a sign of good will."
[/\] Most gracious of you Captain, but I must decline. This is a personal matter... [/\]
"Don't give in to him Captain" David said under his breath as Sabrina waved him off.
"Zulot... let's not toy with each other" the CO of the ANUBIS said hotly, "I *know* what you've been up to and I know that you have been holding the crew of the USS MERCURY hostage..."
[/\] I do not have the crew of the MERCURY hostage anymore Captain... a testiment to your crew's dedication in foiling my plans... [/\] he smiled wickedly.
"That doesn't look pleasant" Elan mumbled from navigations.
[/\] ...but I do have this,[/\] and the screen flickered to the image of Doctor Lea Summers lying on what appeared to be some sort of bio bed. Zulot's voice spoke as the image of the room widened to show his collection of 'toys'.
[/\] I will have your officer punished. Every minute I am made to wait here she'll endure 20 minutes. And I warn you Captain, it will not be pleasant. [/\]
Eva cleared her throat. Sabrina looked in her direction. The CSecO mouthed, 'The SPHINX has landed'
"Stand by Zulot" and she sliced her hand under her chin to stop the communication.
"*Let* him go Captain... and send me to get Lea" David hissed.
"Mr. Dawson, you're with me. Commander Maya, you have the bridge" she said taking David by the sleeve. Once in the lift Sabrina eyed him cautiously.
"David, before we go off half cocked, let's check and see if what he's saying is true."
"What he's saying?!" David exclaimed, "LEA IS TRUSTED UP OVER THERE!" he boomed and Sabrina matched him.
"And what is sending you going to do but give him *2*" and she held up two fingers for emphasis, "of my officers. Trust me David, we'll get her back."
The CEO glared at his captain and Sabrina saw it coming. The red rings were surrounding the irises of David's eyes as the lift came to a stop.
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Main Shuttlebay
Stardate: 60325.1435
As the SPHNIX was powering down, Sabrina and David entered the bay. As the doors opened, the medical team assisted the MERCURY survivors. Major Simpson was the first to approach.
"Major Robert Simpson, second officer USS MERCURY" he said snapping off a crisp salute. Sabrina nodded.
"Captain Sabrina Rikar. This is my chief engineer, Lieutenant David Dawson..."
The marine commander eyed David. "Lieutenant Dawson's brother?"
David nodded as the marine took his hand and shook it. "I wanted to shake the hand of one of his family members. He was a brave soldier Lieutenant."
"Thank you Major." David replied as Serenna apprached.
"Captain...." and Sabrina cut her off.
"I'll get your report later number one. Right now, I need to know did everyone make it back?"
She shook her head. "Pravat reported Lea was missing. He remained behind with Commander Wellington and two of the MERCURY officers."
Sabrina galnced at David... who as about to explode.
"See!" he spat, "we *have* to go back..."
"David... its a mad house down there. The perimeter defense on the ground are still active. We caught hell getting out..." but David ignored her warning and headed for the SPHINX.
"Lieutenant!" Sabrina said tersly as Major Simpson cut him off.
"Your commanding officer is talking to you son" he said
"Get the hell out of my way" David warned as Sabrina took the CEO by the sleeve.
"What is going down there half cocked going to do..."
"*IF* you didn't notice Captain, the son of a bitch who killed my brother is requesting you let him go back to the planet. You can only imagine what he'll do to Lea once he gets there."
Sabrina crossed her arms across her chest. "OK... I let you go. *What* are your plans on getting Lea back?"
"This is war Captain" David said coldly, "there are expected to be some fatalities... and *I* plan on making SURIALL III Zulot's final resting place!"
David's eyes were ablaze. Serenna noticed that the red ring has completely nullified the golden hazel that once was.
"And what about Lea?" Sabrina asked.
David's answer was interupted by her commbadge.
=/\=Bridge to Captain Rikar=/\= came the disembodied voice of Commander Maya.
"Go ahead Maya" Sabrina replied never taking her eyes off David. The look on his face was scary and she was once glad that she wasn't on the end of his temper. Sure enough, she'd seen him mad at her while they dated, but never nothing like this. But his eyes...
**Dammit** she thought, **where have I seen that look before?** she asked herself as Maya's voice made things that much more serious.
=/\=A shuttlecraft just departed the ULTIMATE VICTORY.=/\=
"What?!" she said as she glanced at Serenna then Major Simpson, "put a tractor beam...."
Then all hell broke loose. The feminine voice of the ANUBIS' computer warned them that their lives were in danger.
=/\=Warning! Main Shuttlebay deck will decompress in 10 seconds.=/\=
Sabrina quickly looked around as she saw the reason why. David was seated at the controls of the SPHINX. She cursed.
"DAVID!" she shouted as Serenna took her captain by the arm.
"Sabrina, if we don't get out of here we're all dead. Let's go..." as the hangar doors started to open and he hiss of oxygenated air met the vacuum of space. They all made it to the cooridor and as the door closed, Sabrina saw an evil scowl on David's face. She quickly tapped her commbadge.
"Bridge, this is the captain. The SPHINX has been hijacked. I want a tractor beam on it and beam Lieutenant Dawson *directly* to the brig NOW!"
=/\=I'm sorry Captain=/\=Maya's voice came back, =/\=but we can't.=/\=
Sabrina exchanged glances with Serenna with Major Simpson on their heels.
"Why not Maya?" Serenna asked.
=/\=The bridge controls have been temporarly disabled...=/\= she paused, =/\=correction, we have control again. And again Captain I'm sorry, but the SPHINX is out of tractor rang.e=/\=
As the lift doors closed, Sabrina ran her hands through her hair. **Damn you David. *this* time you've gone too far!** she said as she fumed.
Major Simpson leaned closer to the ANUBIS" ExO. "Its not typical to see her like this is it?"
Serenna rolled her eyes. "It's a *long* story Major."
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Setting: SURIAL III, Underground compound
Stardate: 60325.1500
As Pravat, Uxtar, and Nico took cover and waited for the charge to detonate, Uxtar glanced around.
"Something wrong?" Pravat asked as the charge went off. They advanced into a room with 2 Cardassian guards and 2 Romulan centurions. Uxtar nodded.
"Like a glove" the Hirogen ensign growled as Commander Wellington entered.
"Please tell me that none of our people were in here Ensign."
"No ma'am. I..." and he wheeled, which made all the others turn. Uxtar had leveled his phaser rifle and had prepared to fire when Pravat placed his hand on the end and slowly lowered it.
"Easy there... he's one of ours." as David entered the room.
"Who the hell are you?" Nico asked but got his answer when the MERCURYs ExO smiled and hugged the stranger.
"David?" Oh my God! Its good to see you."
"You too Commander. Now, we've got to get you out of here..."
"Nothing doing. We still might have people down here and..."
David handed her a padd. "Captain's orders. You are to return to the SPHINX along with Lieutenant Pravat..."
"Now wait just a damn minute!" the Enarian marine said, "I'm not going anywhere."
"From what Serenna told Sabrina, you're in no shape to continue on..."
"He's led us so far" Uxtar said as David glared at him.
"Well... he has. Now *I* am. If you have a problem with that Ensign, then the SPHINX is waiting."
"David... until I get confirmation..." and David grabbed the marine by the collar.
"Prav... I have nothing but the utmost respect for you and your dedication to the ship. But *I'm* taking over this away team and I'm pulling rank. Now... *First* Lieutenant Pravat, return to the SPHINX with Commander Wellington and get wait for us. *That's* and order."
"Sir" Nico said, "I'd like to remain behind. To provide you protection."
"So would I" Uxtar said.
David nodded. "Make sure Pravat and the commander make it to the SPHINX and then double time it back here." he said. As the Hirogen and Nausicaan officers turned, David grinned evily. How easily they were fooled.
**Perfect** Richard thought, **now the fun can really begin** as he started toward the next door to wait for the Hirogen and Nausicaan to return.
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Julian Knight (d_dawson_1@yahoo.com)
as
Lieutenant David Dawson
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
"A Starfleet officer... that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #362
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
