"A Separate Peace"
by Andra Marie Mueller
PART TWENTY-SIX : 'Battle Stations'
SUMMARY : The mini-fleet launches its attack on the Dominion base.
See Part one for author's notes and disclaimer
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U.S.S. VOYAGER
All was quiet on the Bridge. Not wanting to alert the Dominion to their presence, Janeway had ordered communications silence for both ships until they reached the base. After making a final revision to her log entry, Janeway shifted her attention to her crew and discreetly glanced around the Bridge. All of her officers appeared to be lost in thought, no doubt wondering what the upcoming confrontation at the Dominion base would bring. Janeway was battling her own anxieties, not so much for herself but for her crew and her children.
If we survive but our plan to stop the Dominion fails, what kind of life are they going to have? she wondered silently. Did I make the right decision by choosing to have them despite the threat of war? Or was I merely being selfish by holding onto the only part of Chakotay I have left?
"Captain, sensors are detecting at least three dozen Dominion and Cardassian ships approximately a thousand kilometers directly ahead," Stadi announced.
"Slow to impulse and raise shields, Lieutenant," Janeway instructed, then glanced over her shoulder. "Mister Tuvok, are you getting any readings from the base?"
"Yes, Captain," Tuvok answered. "I am detecting a high concentration of nutroinum based energy in the center of the base."
"It may be some kind of main generator," Cavit suggested.
"That would be a safe assumption, Commander," Tuvok allowed.
"What kind of damage would it do if we took out that generator?" Janeway asked.
Tuvok checked his panel. "A direct hit on the generator would result in a chain reaction throughout the base’s energy relays and cause the base to self-destruct. The subsequent explosion would also destroy any ship within one hundred kilometers of the base."
"Then I believe we’ve just found our target," Janeway declared. "Ensign Kim, hail the Defiant, audio only."
"Channel’s open, Captain," Kim told her.
"Janeway to Worf."
"Worf here, Captain."
"Our sensors have detected what appears to be a generator located in the center of the base," Janeway told him. "If we can take out the generator, the resulting explosion would destroy the base and any ships within a hundred kilometer radius."
"If we position a ship on each side of the base, we stand a better chance of hitting our target," Worf replied.
"I agree. Are you ready to initiate the strike?"
"Aye, Captain. All our weapons are on-line, and we are ready to engage the cloaking device."
"Do it, Commander. Once you’ve fired on the generator, pull back at least one hundred fifty kilometers and begin engaging the remaining ships."
"Acknowledged."
"Good luck, Commander."
"Q’Plah, Captain."
Janeway gestured for Kim to sever the transmission, than instructed him to put her on shipwide audio.
"You’re on, Captain."
"Attention all hands; this is the captain. We are about to launch our attack against the Dominion base. One way or another, our efforts here will alter the outcome of this conflict. Let’s make sure we tip the scales in the Federation’s favor. Janeway out."
The captain shifted her attention to Tuvok. "Mister Tuvok, arm all weapons and re-route all available power to the shields. As soon as we’re in range, target the base’s main power supply and fire a torpedo directly at its source. After that concentrate on doing as much damage to the Dominion and Cardassian ships as you can."
"Aye, Captain."
"Lieutenant Stadi, proceed to the Dominion base at maximum impulse and try to keep us out of the other ships’ line of fire as long as possible."
"Yes, Ma’am."
CARDASSIAN WARSHIP VENGEANCE
"Bridge to Gul Evek."
"What is it?"
"Sir, we’re detecting a Federation starship bearing down on the base at maximum impulse speed, " Korat informed him.
"Just one ship?" Evek prompted.
"Yes, sir."
Evek snorted. "Must be some kind of suicide mission," he replied. "When they get into range, blow them out of the sky."
"Yes, sir."
U.S.S. DEFIANT
"Stand by to disengage the cloaking device," Worf instructed.
"Aye, sir," Nog acknowledged.
"Bring us about to heading three five one mark seven four three and target the energy array at the center of the station."
"Torpedoes locked on target, Commander."
"Decloak and fire."
CARDASSIAN WARSHIP VENGEANCE
"Bridge to Gul Evek."
"Now what?"
"Sir, another Federation ship has decloaked off the port side of the base and has fired two photon torpedoes at the main energy array," Korat informed him. "The first ship fired at it as well, and I’m reading massive energy build-ups throughout the base."
Evek let out a curse. "It’s going to explode," he deduced. "Get us out of the way, Korat!"
Korat quickly engaged the engines and moved the Vengeance out of harm’s way just as the base exploded, taking the dozen closest ships along with it
"Turn us around and target the second ship," Evek ordered, just as the ship rocked. "What was that?"
"The second ship is firing on us, sir. They’ve taken out our weapons."
"What about the other ship?" Evek pressed.
"They’re firing on the Dominion ships," Korat told him.
"Hail the Federation ships," Evek snapped.
Yes, sir."
U.S.S. VOYAGER
"Report!" Janeway barked, as the ship rocked slightly under the explosion’s concussive wave.
"Both sets of torpedoes struck their targets, and the base has been destroyed," Tuvok responded. "We have disabled the propulsion systems on two Dominion ships and the weapons array on the lead Cardassian ship."
"What’s Voyager’s status?"
"Main power is down by twenty percent, and a direct hit to the port nacelle has partially disabled the warp drive. Shields are holding, and there are no reports of casualties."
"So far so good," Janeway remarked. "What’s our weapons status?"
Tuvok checked his panel. "We have a dozen torpedoes left and phasers are still fully functional," he informed her.
"Captain, we’re being hailed by one of the Cardassian ships," Kim interjected.
"On speakers, Mister Kim."
Kim ran a hand along his panel and Evek’s voice filtered into the air. "This is Gul Evek of the Cardassian warship Vengeance. Cease your attack at once or we will destroy you."
"Evek…" Janeway muttered to herself.
"You know him?" Cavit prompted.
"In a manner of speaking," Janeway allowed. "He was part of the Cardassian forces that destroyed Cornellia. Lieutenant Stadi, bring us about and lay in a return course to the wormhole."
Just then the ship rocked as it was hit again by phaser fire, and Tuvok glanced at his panel before sending Janeway a grim look.
"We have sustained damage to the other nacelle, Captain. We will be unable to initiate the warp engines to hasten our return to the Alpha Quadrant."
"What are our chances of making it back on impulse power?" Janeway prompted.
"Without warp speed we cannot outrun the other ships to reach the wormhole."
"Do we have any other options?" Janeway pressed.
"Negative, Captain," Tuvok answered. "With our diminished weapons capacity and inability to go to warp, we are no match for the Dominion and Cardassian ships."
Janeway released a heavy sigh and got to her feet. "Well I certainly don’t intend to just sit back and wait for them to destroy us," she declared. "Ensign Kim, hail the Defiant. Inform them of our situation and tell them to begin their retreat back to the Alpha Quadrant. We’ll provide cover fire for as long as we can."
"Yes, Ma’am."
"Commander Tuvok, continue to fire torpedoes at any ship within range until we run out of them, than switch to phasers and concentrate on disabling their engines and weapons."
"Aye, Captain."
"Lieutenant Stadi, maintain evasive maneuvers and try to keep Voyager out of the line of fire. I want to stay in one piece long enough to take a few more of them with us."
"Captain, the Defiant is hailing us," Kim announced.
"On screen."
Kim activated the viewscreen, and the image of the Defiant’s Bridge flickered into focus. Seated in the center chair, Worf directed his attention directly to Janeway.
"Captain," he greeted. "The Defiant can lock onto with a tractor beam and pull you along with us as we go to warp. We should have sufficient power to bring you to the wormhole."
"I appreciate the offer, Commander, but we’ll only slow you down," Janeway responded. "At least one of us has to get back to the Alpha Quadrant and inform the Federation that we were successful in destroying the base."
"I cannot abandon you to the mercy of the Dominion, Captain," Worf protested.
"You can and you will, Commander," Janeway countered. "That’s an order."
On the Defiant’s Bridge, the computer suddenly let out a loud beep, and Nog checked the panel before turning to Worf.
"Commander, long range sensors have detected a ship exiting the wormhole," he announced. "It appears to be the Maquis."
"He’s right, Captain," Kim interjected from behind Janeway. "It’s the Cloud Dancer, and they’re headed our way at Warp Three."
"What are they doing here?" Janeway asked of no one in particular. "They’re supposed to be guarding Deep Space Nine."
"With all due respect, Captain, let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth," Cavit suggested.
"Fair enough," Janeway allowed. "Lieutenant Stadi, put us on an intercept course with the Cloud Dancer and engage at maximum impulse."
Before Stadi could comply, the ship was rocked by another barrage from the other ships, and Kim’s panel exploded with an angry hiss and flying sparks. The ensign barely had time to cover his eyes before an energy blast struck him directly in the face, and he fell to the floor writhing in agony. Cavit quickly crossed the Bridge to go to his aid as Janeway tapped her combadge.
"Bridge to Ensign Green. We have a medical emergency. Lock on to Ensign Kim and transport him directly to Sickbay."
"Aye, Captain," Green responded.
Kim disappeared in a shimmer of light as Cavit assumed his station, and after a quick check of the damaged panel glanced at Janeway. "The circuit board and the energy relays are fried, Captain. It’s going to take at least a couple of hours to get this station functional again."
Janeway turned to Tuvok. "Commander, reroute Ops control to Tactical. What caused the explosion?"
"We took a direct hit to the energy conduit on Deck Twelve," Tuvok said. "The resulting shockwave traveled through the relay to the Bridge and overloaded the Ops station."
Any response from Janeway was prevented by the beep of her combadge, and Carey’s voice filtered onto the Bridge.
"Engineering to Captain Janeway."
"Go ahead, Lieutenant."
"Captain that last phaser shot took out the impulse engines and cut the main power relays to thirty-five percent," Carey told her. "It also caused an overload in one of the secondary control panels, which killed Lieutenant T’Lara and wounded Enisgns Hardy and Svetlav."
Janeway closed her eyes at the news of the first casualties but just as quickly recovered and opened her eyes as she addressed Carey.
"Do whatever you can to get those impulse engines back on line, Lieutenant. We’ll try to reroute any available power to help. Janeway out."
Severing the transmission, Janeway glanced at her two senior officers. "I’m open to suggestions, Gentlemen," she said.
"We’re almost out of weapons and with all our engines disabled we’re dead in the water," Cavit declared. "I say we initiate to self-destruct sequence and send the rest of the ships out there to hell in a handbasket."
"Mister Tuvok?"
"While I would not have chosen to lace it with Human euphemisms, Commander Cavit’s suggestion does have merit," Tuvok replied. "We are, in essence, unable to mount any defense against the remaining ships, nor can we outrun them without functional propulsion. In lieu of allowing them to confiscate Voyager and/or its technology, the logical alternative is to destroy the ship."
"What about the crew?" Janeway pressed.
"We transport them to the Defiant and the Cloud Dancer," Cavit said. "Once Voyager has been evacuated, we can activate the self-destruct and get the hell out of here."
"Fine, but how do we distract our friends out there long enough to get everyone off the ship?" Janeway pressed.
"I may have an idea," Stadi offered from the helm.
The others turned to face her, and Janeway asked, "What did you have in mind, Lieutenant?"
"If we eject all of the escape pods, the Dominion ships will assume we’re inside, and they’ll focus their attention on destroying the pods," Stadi explained. "By the time they realize there’s no one inside, the crew will be safely off the ship."
The senior officers exchanged a look, and Cavit said, "It sounds good to me."
"In order to facilitate the transport of the crew, we will have to lower our shields," Tuvok pointed out. "In our damaged state, a direct phaser hit on a main power relay will cause the ship to explode. It is also logical to assume that the energy fluctuations caused by the lowering and raising of the shields may draw unwanted attention to our plan."
"We don’t have any other options, Commander," Janeway declared.
"Maybe we do," Cavit countered. "What if we tell them we’re surrendering, and ask for a few minutes to inform the crew? That should buy us enough time to get everyone off the ship."
Janeway sighed. "I don’t think that will work. The Maquis and I used a similar strategy at Cornellia, and Evek was there. It’s highly unlikely he’ll fall for it again."
"That’s precisely the reason why he will," Cavit returned. "He won’t think we’re stupid enough to try the same plan a second time, so this time he’ll think it’s for real."
"With all due respect, Commander, you are grasping at straws," Tuvok replied.
"I don’t hear you offering anything useful, Tuvok," Cavit snapped.
"Save the posturing for another day, Gentlemen," Janeway interjected sternly. "We’re running out of time here, and with the lack of viable alternatives I’m going to proceed with Lieutenant Stadi’s and Commander Cavit’s recommendations."
The captain’s pronouncement clearly didn’t sit well with Tuvok, but in true Vulcan fashion he remained stoically silent, and Janeway continued.
"I’ll contact Commander Worf and Captain Darjenko and let them know what we’re doing. Mister Cavit, start organizing the crew into groups of twenty and have Ensign Green begin transporting them onto the other ships. Tuvok, keep firing phasers at the other ships so they think we’re still trying to escape. Once the crew has been safely evacuated, I’ll initiate the self-destruct and transport off Voyager."
. Tuvok and Cavit nodded in acknowledgement, then Cavit headed for the turbolift as Tuvok returned to Tactical.
CARDASSIAN WARSHIP VENGEANCE
Seated in his command chair, Evek was contemplating which of the Federation ships he wanted to destroy first when Korat turned to face him.
"Sir, Voyager is launching its escape pods," he announced.
"Fools," Evek muttered. "Destroy them at your leisure, Korat. It will save us the effort of having to blow up their entire ship."
U.S.S. VOYAGER
"It’s working, Captain," Stadi announced. "The lead Cardassian ship is targeting the pods."
"Only until they realize there’s no one inside them," Janeway responded, and tapped her combadge. "Bridge to Commander Cavit. How are the transports going?"
"We’ve transferred a third of the crew to the Cloud Dancer, Captain," Cavit told her. "Captain Darjenko says they can take about two dozen more, than we’ll transport everyone else to the Defiant."
"Acknowledged. Janeway out."
Shifting in her chair, Janeway glanced at Tuvok. "Status, Mister Tuvok."
"Main power is down to twenty percent and all propulsion systems are still off-line," Tuvok answered. "All available power is being routed to transporter control, but we will lose all remaining power within the next ten minutes."
"Well, in that case, it’s time to play our hand with Gul Evek," Janeway declared, and stood up. "Open a channel to the Vengeance."
"Channel open, Captain."
"This is Captain Janeway on Voyager calling Gul Evek. Please respond."
"He is answering our hail, Captain," Tuvok said.
"On screen."
Evek’s image filled the viewscreen. "Captain Janeway," he greeted. "I admire your fortitude, but surely you realize that you and your crew cannot escape."
"I do," Janeway allowed. "That’s why I was hoping we could strike some kind of bargain."
Evek was openly curious. "I’m listening."
"I’d like to offer you a trade. My ship in exchange for the lives of my crew."
Evek chuckled. "Honestly, Captain, do you really expect me to believe you’re just going to hand over one of the Federation’s flagships just like that? And that your comrades on the other ships will let you?"
"I’m the highest ranking officer here, Evek, so my ‘comrades’ as you call them will follow my orders. As for Voyager, Starfleet can always build themselves another starship, but replacing over one hundred and fifty of its officers isn’t as easy."
Evek glanced at Korat. "What do you think?"
"A Federation starship would be quite a trophy," Korat said, "and integrating Starfleet technology into ours could increase our advantage in this war."
"I agree," Evek replied, and returned his attention to Janeway. "I accept your offer, Captain, but I have a condition."
"That being?" Janeway prompted.
"I will spare you and your crew, but you will spend the rest of your lives as prisoners of Cardassia."
"You want to turn my crew into slaves," Janeway surmised, adding silently, Obviously you donated your brain to science before you were done using it.
"Better slaves than corpses. It’s your choice."
Janeway pretended to consider Evek’s offer before responding. "Very well, Evek. I agree to your terms. I would like to request a few minutes to break the news to my officers and instruct the other ships to return to our space."
"I can afford to be magnanimous," Evek remarked. "You have five minutes, Captain, then my soldiers will transport aboard to commandeer your ship and your crew."
"I understand. Janeway out."
The transmission severed, Janeway addressed the computer. "Computer, lock out all computer functions except for transporter control and turbolifts, and reroute all further communications through my combadge. Activate the self-destruct sequence with a five-minute countdown and no audio warning. Authorization Janeway Gamma Five Three Alpha One."
"Acknowledged," the computer responded. "All computer functions are locked out. Self-destruct sequence will commence in five minutes. No further audio warnings will be provided."
Janeway glanced at the others. "Lieutenant, Commander; let’s go."
Stadi and Tuvok headed into the turbolift, and Janeway allowed herself a final, pained glance at the Bridge before joining them. They reached the transporter room just over a minute later, and walked inside just as Cavit transferred the last of the crew to the Defiant.
"All of the crew has been transferred to the Cloud Dancer and the Defiant, Captain," Cavit informed her.
"Good work, Commander," Janeway commended. "Do we have enough power left to transport ourselves to the Defiant?"
"Just barely," Cavit answered.
"Then let’s do it."
The others assembled themselves on the transporter pad as Janeway input the final instructions into the computer before taking her place on the platform. A moment later the four disappeared in a shimmer of light.
U.S.S. DEFIANT
Janeway and the others materialized on the Bridge, directly adjacent to the command chair.
"Welcome aboard, Captain," Worf said by way of greeting.
"Thank you, Mister Worf," Janeway responded.
As protocol required that command be given to the senior officer present, Worf started to rise out of his chair in order to relinquish it to Janeway, but she stopped him with a wave of her hand.
"You can keep your seat, Commander. The Defiant is your ship; I’m only along for the ride."
Just then Janeway’s combadge beeped, and Evek’s voice filtered out. "Evek to Janeway. Are you ready to be boarded, Captain?"
"The ship is yours, Evek," Janeway returned, then severed the transmission as she glanced at Nog. "Ensign, put Voyager on the viewscreen."
"Aye, Captain."
As Nog did as instructed, Janeway stepped closer to Worf and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "A Ferengi in Starfleet?" she prompted.
"It is a long story," Worf evaded.
Janeway shook her head just as the image of Voyager and the Vengeance filled the screen, with the four remaining Dominion ships positioned on either side of them. A quick mental calculation told Janeway there was a minute left before her ship destroyed itself, and she focused her attention on the viewscreen as she awaited the inevitable.
U.S.S. VOYAGER
Evek and a dozen of his soldiers materialized in the center of the Bridge, and the gul was not pleased to find it deserted.
"I don’t know what kind of game Janeway is playing by attempting to conceal her crew, but it won’t work," he said to no one in particular. "Korat, access their sensors and find out where the Starfleet people are hiding."
"Yes, sir."
Korat crossed over to the Tactical station and vainly attempted to access the computer. After nearly a minute of trying without success, he shot Evek a frustrated glance.
"The computer controls are locked out," he revealed.
Evek turned to face Korat, and noticed something flashing on the computer behind him. Taking a few steps toward the panel for a closer look, he could make out three words: "Self-Destruct Sequence" and the timer underneath read 0:05. Realization of what he was reading came to Evek instantly, and he allowed himself a faint smile.
"Nicely done, Captain."
The words had barely left his mouth when the display turned to 0:00 and the ship blew itself to pieces.
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Part 27