Star Trek Victory: Episode 4 - Salvation

[Blooded]

Star Trek Victory
Episode 04
“Salvation”

(Disclaimer: "Star Trek" and all related properties are own by Paramount. No infringement of copyright is intended.)



Captains Log,

It has been just over three weeks since we left the nebula that we were trapped in with a Borg cube. The last two weeks have been hard. I had never lost a senior officer before we entered that nebula, and to lose two at once is very hard for me to take in. Lieutenant Farnworth’s sacrifice has been rewarded, with the Sisko Medal of Bravery being awarded to him. The medal was given to the Lieutenant’s girlfriend.

Doctor Nolan’s loss has been even harder on the crew and myself due to the fact that her husband, Lieutenant Brian Nolan, serves on this ship. I offered to let him stay behind at Starbase 47 but he turned down my offer. Part of me thinks that he doesn’t want to face his daughter. Losing her natural mother must have been hard, but to also lose a stepmother must be unbearable for the little girl. Brian has not spoken to many people since he was healed in Sickbay. Only Commander Maros and myself have spoken with him as far as I am aware. I have contemplated ordering him back to earth on shore leave, but maybe he prefers staying in his quarters, I really don’t know. It’s best that I let him make his own decisions.

Lieutenant Jack Lee has remained onboard the ship until a new Chief of Engineering is assigned to us. I’m very thankful that he has stayed with us as I thought he would have liked to return to Earth as soon as possible, but he says that going to Earth hasn’t really crossed his mind. He is a talented engineer, and I don’t think we could have made the repairs as fast as we did had he not been here to help us.

Commander Maros is not currently on Victory. Starfleet have sent him on a classified mission, so I have no idea what he is doings. It looks as though Starfleet are finally appreciating what a talented officer Maros is.

On a brighter note, we are currently on-route to meet with the USS Falkirk. Our new Chief Medical Officer is currently serving aboard the Falkirk, but will join my crew when we meet with his ship in approximately forty-five minutes.

Once the Doctor has joined us, we are to set course for the Gegron System. There have been dispute’s between traders there, and we have been asked to sort it out.

I for one am happy to finally have a quiet mission. Considering that our three big missions have involved the Klingons, Romulans and Borg I am certain that the crew will be relieved that we are finally being given a mission where we are not going to be in a space fight.

Amen to that.

**********

“So you rescued Captain West?” Lee asked as he squeezed a cream scone into his mouth; flower sprayed everywhere.

“Yes. In my short time serving onboard Victory, Captain West has been captured on two separate occasions. Ironically, he has only been on two away missions which have both resulted with his capture.” Sennik replied as she dusted flower off of her arm.

“Sorry about that.” Lee managed to say, although it was mumbled, in response to the flower that had come off his scone and found its way onto Sennik’s sleeve.

“That is quite all right Lieutenant. You have not eaten properly for more than one year. It is to be expected that you would have lost your eating manners during that time.” Sennik replied.

Lee wasn’t sure if she had meant it as an insult, but he sure was insulted. I still have manners, he told himself but he didn’t seem to believe himself.

“If you don’t mind, Lieutenant,” Sennik continued, “I must now end this conversation. Captain West has asked me personally to make sure that Sickbay is ready for the new Doctor when he arrives.” She began to stand up.

Lee quickly swallowed the food in his mouth. “Um, Lieutenant,”

“Sennik is quite all right.” The Vulcan told him.

Lee gave a small grin. “Sennik, the former CMO, Dr Nolan, is-is her husband ok?”

“Lieutenant Nolan is still mourning the loss of his wife, as is to be expected. I have yet to speak to the Lieutenant, but Captain West tells me that he seems to be recovering from the loss.” Sennik told the African-American, sounding very calm and relaxed.

“I-I can’t help feeling responsible for hers and Lieutenant Farnworth’s deaths.” Lee said; his head now slumped down towards the table. Sennik put a hand on his shoulder.

“The deaths of Kelsy Farnworth and Kirsten Nolan were not your fault Lieutenant. It was not you who brought the Borg to the Apollo, it was not you who assimilated Kirsten Nolan and it was not you who made Kelsy Farnworth stay on the Apollo to save the lives of the Victory crew. Kelsy Farnworth stayed onboard the Apollo at his own request, he made his decision and was not forced into it by you or any other member of the away team.”

Lee looked back up at Sennik’s face. He hadn’t noticed how pretty she was before now. Her short hair was surprisingly attractive in Lee’s opinion. “But what if I had managed to stop the away team from bringing the Apollo’s power back online? They never would have died.”

“The universe is not formed on ‘what ifs’ Lieutenant. Neither you nor the away team members are responsible for the events that occurred onboard the USS Apollo. I suggest that you put those events behind you.” Sennik removed her hand from his shoulder. “I must leave now.”

“Oh-yeah-sorry, you can tell the Captain that I was holding you up if you are late to Sickbay.” Lee said, brushing off the emotions he had just been feeling.

“It was already my plan to do so.” Sennik replied before walking out of the Mess Hall. Lee wasn’t certain, but he could have sworn that he say her give him a smile.

It was only then that he realised he had a cream moustache. He quickly wiped it off in the hope that no one had noticed. He looked to the doors that Sennik had just walked out via. Wouldn’t have hurt you to point that out to me Sennik, he thought to himself as he began drinking his drink.

**********

“I won’t ask you again, where can I find someone linked to a man who goes by the name Kiasor?” Maros shouted at the small man who he was holding up against a wall.

“I’ve already told you, I don’t know!” The man replied in fright.

“Wrong choice.” Maros said before readying his arm to swing a punch at the man’s face. Just as Maros leaned back to deliver the punch he heard a young voice come from behind a pair of barrels that he was standing by. He released his grip on the man.

The man instantly ran away, but Maros didn’t bother to run after him. He leaned over the barrels and put his arm down the other side. He grabbed what he was looking for and pulled his arm out from the back of the barrels. He dropped the kid to the floor, but made sure that he couldn’t run away.

“Why have you been following me around?” Maros asked the boy, but trying to sound intimidating. He tried to push Maros’ hand off of him, but did not succeed.

“Get off of me.” The kid replied.

“I asked you a question, kid.” Maros said, trying to make sure nobody could see him holding the kid.

“You’ve been trying to find out about Kiasor.” The kid told him.

“Have I?” Maros asked, trying to sound as if he had no idea what the kid was talking about.

“Don’t act like I’m making this stuff up. You’ve been threatening some people around here, and asking them to tell you about Kiasor.” Maros let go of the kid, and instead of running all the kid did was adjust the collar of his moderately dry shirt.

“Maybe you’re right. That doesn’t answer my original question though.” Maros said, still sounding intimidating.

“I know where his men can be found.”

“You do?” Maros asked in surprise.

“Yeah, I’ve seen his people beating up some of the shop owners.” He replied, trying to make it sound as if it were no big deal.

“You have?” Maros asked, not believing the boy.

“Yeah.”

“Would you care to tell me where these guys are?” Maros asked, not expecting an answer.

The kid smiled. “I will, but it will have to wait until tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“Kiasor reviews his men once every three months. Tonight is when he will review them. None of his men will be on the streets tonight.” The child told him. “You can stay with my mother and I for the night. We have a spare room which you could stay in.”

“I don’t kn-“

“Please.” The kid said, before giving one of those smiles that Maros had been told children used to get what they wanted. It seemed to have worked for this kid.

“Ok.” Maros said, giving in to the kids smile.

“Cool!” The kid replied and began to turn around. He stopped turning though. “Um, what’s your name mister?”

Maros laughed. “Hern, Hern Maros.” He held out his hand to the kid. “Yours?”

“Hay.” He said as he shook Maros’ hand.

“Hay?” He said, laughing slightly.

The kid pulled his hand away from Maros. “Well, what kind of name is Hern?!”

“I like your attitude, kid.” Maros replied as he patted Hay on the back.

“This way.” The kid said and ran out from behind the alley and out into the rain. Maros ran after him.

**********

“Energize.” West ordered the officer that was working the transporter controls. Within a few seconds the transporter pad was covered with cargo cases, with a man standing in front of the cases.

The man was of an average height, and slightly overweight. His uniform was hidden underneath the white coat that Doctors liked to wear. His dark hair appeared to be turning grey.

“Welcome aboard the USS Victory, Doctor Matthews.” West greeted the Doctor as he took a few steps towards him.

“It’s a pleasure to be onboard Victory, Captain West.” The Doctor replied as he shook Tom’s hand.

Once the handshake had ended Tom turned his head towards Sennik, who was standing just to his left. “Sennik, meet Leonard Matthews.”

“Hello.” Leonard said as he held his hand out to Sennik.

“Hello, Doctor Matthews.” Sennik replied, but did not shake his hand. Leonard dropped his arm to his side again.

“Lieutenant Commander Sennik is the Chief of Science and Communications aboard Victory.” West continued to tell Leonard.

“Yes, I have read her profile. You appear to be a very good officer, Lieutenant.”

“Oh she is. I even have Sennik to thank for saving my life almost two months ago.” West said beamingly. “As nice as it is to converse with you Doctor, I am sure you will want to see your new Sickbay?”

Leonard nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing it. I was told that Sickbay on this ship contains more advanced technology than most ships in the fleet.”

“Victory has the most advanced technology that Starfleet can offer. I’m sure that ships such as the Falkirk will be refitted with this technology in the near future.” West said. “Sennik and myself will escort you to Sickbay while we have your luggage taken to your quarters. All of those cargo cases are to be taken to your quarters correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I have some medical things in them but I will take the to Sickbay once I have unpacked.”

West reached out his hand to Matthews, and offered the Doctor a data pad. Leonard took the pad. “You will find the location of your quarters on this pad. You will also find information on your Medical staff in it.” West told Matthews, who was now reading the pad. He put the pad into one of the pockets on his coat.

“Thank you Captain.”

“If you could follow us.” West said to his new Doctor as he signalled to Sennik to walk to Sickbay.

**********

Nolan looked into Kirsten’s eyes again. In a few seconds time they wouldn’t be her eyes. “I love you Kirsten.” He kissed her on the forehead and fired his phaser rifle. He felt her body go limp.

Nolan’s eyes shot open, waking him from yet another troubled sleep. He heard his commbadge beeping.

“Nolan here.” He mumbled into the communicator as he picked it up from his bedside table.

It was Sennik who Nolan could hear next. “Lieutenant Nolan, there is a small gathering taking place in the Mess Hall at 1900 hours tonight.”

“What for?” He mumbled again.

“Captain West wishes to make Doctor Matthews feel welcome aboard this vessel. He has arranged for a small gathering to take place for the Doctor to meet some of Victory’s crew.”

“Tell the Captain I won’t be able to make it.” Nolan said as he slumped his head onto his pillow.

“The Captain has specifically asked for you to be present.”

Nolan sighed. He didn’t want to leave his quarters, but the Captain has asked for him to be at this gathering. He made his decision. “I’m not feeling too well right now Lieutenant, but if I get better I’ll be there. Nolan out.”

He wasn’t ill, but he couldn’t think of anything else to say. Didn’t take them long to replace Kirsten, he thought to himself as he dragged himself out of his bed.

**********

Hay quickly closed the small wooden door as soon as Hern had walked through it. The door blocked the rains entrance into the dark room, but released loud thuds around the room every time the rain made contact with the door; which was often.

Hern quickly pulled his waterproof covers off of him, but kept them in his hand.

“Hay, is that you?” A feminine voice called down from up the stairs.

“Yes, mother.” Hay called out as he pulled his ragged shirt off. “Pass me those.” Hay said to Maros, signalling him to pass him the waterproof covers. Hern gave him the soaking covers, and then Hay put them beside the lit fire.

“I told you not to stay out in the night, you could get hu-Oh.” Hay’s mother said, startled, when she noticed Maros after entering the main room. Hay quickly walked over to his mother.

“Mother, this is Hern Maros. I’ve asked him to stay with us for the night.” Hay told her, although it seemed to Hern that Hay was actually using this time to ask if it was ok for him to stay the night.

The woman, who had light brown hair and a very appealing figure, looked Hern up and down. “Hay, I’ve told you about this. Its not safe to let strangers into our home, not on a planet like this anyway.”

“I can leave if you want me to. I have some shelter roughly a three alley’s down from here.” Hern suggested.

“Mother, Hern isn’t a stranger, he’s a friend of mine.” Hay said, pleading to his mum. Hern smiled to himself when Hay called him his friend. Kid’s like to exaggerate, he reminded himself.

“Well in that case,” His mother began.

“Thank you mother.” Hay said, and then kissed his mother on the cheek. She smiled at him.

“Go and change your clothes, you’re all wet.” She said to him, and then he jumped up a few steps on the stairs before running up them.

“Hello, my name’s Hern.” Hern said, reaching out his hand.

“And mine is Katrine.” She said, shaking his hand.

Once the handshake was over, Hern spoke again. “Katrine? That sounds human.”

“That’s because it is.” She said with a smile before moving over to the fire.

“Well if you’re Human, and I hope you don’t mind my asking, why are you on this planet?” Hern asked, standing still.

Katrine picked up Hay’s shirt and folded it up before placing it closer to the fire. “Hay’s father was involved with the wrong type of people, and gave up Hay and myself when he dealt with the wrong person.”

“Kiasor?” Hern asked.

“No, I don’t know the person’s name. Kiasor was responsible for my husbands death though.” Katrine said as she placed Hern’s covers closer to the fire.

“So, you have been here for how long?” Hern asked, walking closer to Katrine.

“Eleven years. Hay has grown up here.” Katrine replied. “So, why are you on Jendas IV?”

“A friend of mine has got into trouble with Kiasor, I’m here to bail him out.” Hern lied, hoping she believed his cover story. There was a moment of silence, and Hern was worried that she didn’t believe him, but after a few seconds she seemed to have accepted his story.

“You work for Kiasor?” She asked calmly.

“No, not at all.” Hern said, slightly amused at the question considering the line of work he was actually involved in. “My friend was doing business with Kiasor, and then went back on a deal. I am looking for Kiasor, to tell him that my friend did not mean to go back on the deal.”

“Then why do you have a Starfleet weapon under your shirt?” Katrine asked him, pointing to the weapon that was showing through his shirt, which has gone see-thru after getting wet. Maros looked down to where she was pointing and as soon as he saw the weapon he covered in with his arms. Katrine smiled at him. “Did you honestly believe that I would fall for your story?”

“Actually, I thought you had.” He tried to hide his embarrassment at how his cover had been blown. “As you might have worked out, this is my first undercover mission.”

“That possibility had crossed my mind.” She replied as she walked past him to the sink. “I presume that Hay was going to show you where Kiasor works?”

“More or less.” Was Hern’s reply.

Katrine turned to him, her face looking slightly worried. “You won’t get him hurt will you?”

“Trust me, he won’t get harmed. He’s only showing me where Kiasor’s men work. As soon as he has done that I will get him to run home. No harm will come to your son, I promise.” Hern said, his hands now holding Katrine’s arms.

“I will show you to our spare room. You should be warned, the bedding is very old.” She said as she led him to the stairs.

“After what I have been sleeping in recently, some old bedding sounds pretty damn appealing.” He said with a grin as he followed her up the narrow stairs.

**********

“Lieutenant Drew Arentzen, meet Doctor Leonard Matthews.” West said to his helmsman as he introduced his helmsman to the new Chief of Medical.

Arentzen put out his hand, which Matthews instantly shook. “It’s a pleasure to meet such a renowned Doctor.” Arentzen said, still shaking Matthews hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Lieutenant Arentzen.” Matthews told the helmsman.

West, realising that Arentzen wasn’t going to break the handshake any time soon, pulled Arentzen away.

“Lieutenant, could you contact the Bridge and have them set course for the Gegron system? Maximum Warp.” West asked Arentzen quietly.

“Aye, Sir.” Arentzen replied. “But, Sir, wouldn’t it be quicker to use the Slipstream Drive?”

West sipped his drink before replying. “I think the Doctor would prefer his Welcoming Party to last longer than thirty minutes, Lieutenant.” West said with a smile.

Arentzen smiled back to him. “I understand, Captain.” Arentzen said, before walking over to a comm panel.

“He’s very excitable.” Matthews pointed out, as he joined West again.

“He hasn’t had much to get excited about throughout his life.” West told the Doctor, sipping his drink again.

“What do you mean?”

“His parents were killed by Jem’Hadar soldiers more than 17 years ago. He was only a small boy when it happened. His uncle was a Starfleet Captain, so he looked after him aboard his ship.”

Matthews sighed. “It happened to so many children didn’t it? Having their parents ripped away from them before they truly got to know them.”

Just as West was about to agree, the Mess Hall doors opened, revealing Brain Nolan. Nolan looked around the room, and quickly turned back towards the corridor.

“Brian!” West called out, instantly stopping Nolan from completing his turnabout. Nolan turned back to them. West walked over to him, and Matthews followed. “Lieutenant Brian Nolan, meet Doctor Leonard Matthews.”

Leonard put his hand out to shake Nolan’s, but Nolan didn’t return the gesture. West noticed this.

“Well, I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.” West said, thinking of a way to leave the two officers alone. He quickly left before either could respond.

There was almost an entire minute of silence between the two men, before finally Matthews spoke up.

“The Chief of Tactical and Security aboard the Falkirk told me that he served with you at the Academy. He said that I couldn’t be in safer hands, with you onboard.”

“KIRSTEN!” He screamed as the Borg raised his arm towards Kirsten’s neck. Brian leapt to his feet and jumped down from the upper level, landing on the drone.

He was too late.

“Don’t believe everything that Michael says.” Nolan said quietly.

“Are you ok? You look kind of ‘out there’.” Matthews asked, realising that Brian seemed to be concentrating on something totally different than their conversation.

He quickly shot the drone dead and turned to Kirsten.

She was laying on the floor, her arms either side of her. Nolan quickly ran to her and knelt down. She looked at him, her face beginning to go pale.

“Brian.” She said gently.

Tears were running down Brian’s cheeks. “Kirsten, just hold on, you’ll be ok.” He felt as though he was telling her she’d be ok, but he knew deep down that he was just trying to convince himself that she would be ok.

More small parts of machinery began to come out of her face. Brian tried to hide what he was feeling. He didn’t want to let her know what he was seeing.

“If you’ll excuse me, Doctor.” Nolan said, and left the Mess Hall before Matthews could even ask what was wrong.

Brian quickly walked down the empty corridor, and just as he was about to turn to his left, he heard Matthews call down the corridor.

“Lieutenant, wait!” Matthews shouted, and Nolan stopped. Seconds later, Matthews was standing beside Nolan. Nolan couldn’t help but notice that running didn’t seem to be something that Matthews did very often, because the Doctor was slightly panting after catching up with him. “The Captain said your name was Brian Nolan?”

“Yes.” Nolan replied quietly.

“Brian Nolan, Kirsten Nolan’s husband?” The Doctor asked.

Nolan didn’t reply, he just continued to look at the floor.

“I’m terribly sorry about your loss.” Matthews told him, knowing full well that a stranger’s condolence would mean nothing to Brian.

Again, Brian didn’t reply.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Nolan just over 2 years ago. I believe she was serving on her second vessel?”

“That’s correct.” Nolan replied, but very quietly. He still wouldn’t look up.

“She was a very talented Doctor. Did she ever mention meeting me?” Matthews asked, trying to get Brian to talk more.

Finally, Brian looked up at Leonard.

“She said that you were a great man, and an even greater doctor. She said that the whole story of you being ‘the Leonard McCoy of the 24th century’ was correct. She said that meeting you was one of the greatest moments of her life, and that she wanted to become just as great a doctor as you.” Brian told Leonard, although it seemed to Leonard that he was actually just remembering it for his own happiness. “She wouldn’t stop talking about you for months.” Nolan recalled, laughing slightly.

“This saddens you?” Matthews noticed.

“She said such great things of you. In my eyes, she was the best doctor in Starfleet, but she always seemed to want to aspire to your levels. And if what she said about you is true, then I can’t help but feel that Starfleet are replacing her with such a great Doctor because they don’t think she did a good enough job here.” Nolan told the Doctor.

“That’s not true.” Leonard quickly assured Brian. “Dr Nolan did a fantastic job in the time she was here. I was assigned to Victory because this ship is out on dangerous missions a lot, whereas the Falkirk is just a science vessel. They just felt that it would be better to have me on a ship more likely to suffer casualties.”

“That’s reassuring.” Nolan said, sarcastically.

Matthews let out a small laugh. “That last part came out wrong didn’t it?” Matthews said, laughing a bit more.

“Yeah.”

“Why haven’t you returned to Earth?” Matthews asked.

“I’m not ready to confront my daughter or Kirsten’s family.” Nolan replied.

“Your daughter? You and Kirsten had a child?” Matthews asked, regretting ever bringing up the subject of returning to Earth.

“No, she wasn’t Kirsten’s child. She was from my first marriage. Her mother died, but Kirsten filled that role for her better than I could have ever hoped.” Nolan remembered. He was finding it easy to tell this stranger things.

“Does she know?”

“About Kirsten’s death? Yes, Kirsten’s family told her. They wanted me to do it, but I said no.”

“Your daughter has already lost two mothers, do you want her to feel like she has lost her father as well?” Matthews asked, knowing the answer before Brian even gave it.

“No.”

“Then I suggest you ask Captain West to take you to Earth as soon as possible.”

“I will.” Nolan began to walk away from the Doctor, but before he even got three metres away, he turned back to Leonard. “Thank you, Doctor. Kirsten was right about you.” And then he walked away, leaving Matthews to reflect on their conversation.

**********

“Hern, wake up!” Hay shouted, shaking Maros’ head. Maros slowly opened his eyes.

“What?” Maros said quietly, trying to take in the surroundings of the small room.

“You’ve slept for hours! It is afternoon!”

“What? How?”

“Because you slept through morning, stupid.” Hay said, hitting Maros on the head.

“Ow.” Maros said in a sarcastic manner, before pulling himself up into a sitting position. He looked at Hay, and noticed quite a difference. “Is it me, or have you grown by almost an inch, overnight?”

Hay smiled. “It’s from my fathers side. I’ll be maturing a lot more over the coming weeks.”

“Ah, puberty.” Maros said gently. “Where’s your mother?” He asked as he stood up.

“She is out buying food for you.” Hay said, passing Hern his shirt. “I noticed that you have a Starfleet weapon.” Hay told him.

“What?! How?!” Hern asked quickly. He followed Hay’s stare to the windowsill. Hern sighed when he saw the weapon resting by the window. “Oh for crying out loud.” He said, recalling how Katrine had discovered his weapon the night before. “I can’t believe I left it there.” He said to himself in disbelief as he picked it up and strapped it to his belt; covering it with his baggy shirt.

“Are you trying to kill Kiasor?” Hay asked.

“No, I’m just supposed to get information to prove that he has been dealing illegal goods.”

“Like what?” Hay asked, very intrigued.

“Drugs, weapons, almost everything that is deemed illegal by the Federation.” Hern said with a faint smile.

“Do you want me to go outside? It was one of only a few days of the year which are sunny.”

“Wow, on Bajor it is sunny almost every day.” Hern told the boy.

“Bajor?” Hay asked, not recognising the name.

“My home planet.”

“Oh.” Hay replied. “So, do you want to go outside?”

“Sure. It’s been a while since I’ve been out in the Sun.” Maros said, stretching his legs so that he’d actually be able to walk.

“But you just said that your planet is always Sunny.”

“I work on a starship.” Maros said, giving Hay a wink at the same time.

**********

“Shields at 99 percent, Captain!” Ensign Daniel Keating, standing in for Lieutenant Brian Nolan, said to West, who was sitting in front of Keating’s station.

“Do they really think they are going to destroy us?” Arentzen asked West in disbelief.

“I’m still trying to work out why the hell they fired on us.” West replied.

The Bridge shook softly again. “Shields?” West asked, although he was already sure of the answer.

“Holding at 99 percent, Sir.” Keating told him.

“Thank you, Mr Keating.” West said as he got up from his Command Chair. He turned towards Sennik. “Sennik, hail them.”

“Yes, Captain.” The screen flickered, changing from the view of the reasonably small, compared to Victory, ship that was attacking them, to a Ferengi who was sitting in a large chair.

West tried to hide the confusion on his face, and succeeded. “Meech,”

“That’s ‘The Great Meech’ to you.” The Ferengi snarled at him.

West was beginning to find this whole scenario quite funny. “The Great Meech, why are you attacking us?”

“You are working with Firet, and are trying to stop my trading in this sector.” Meech replied.

“We’re not working with anyone, we’re just here to find a diplomatic solution to your problem.” West said as diplomatically as he possibly could.

“Starfleet has no power here, so turn back and leave!” The Ferengi snarled again

“On the contrary,” West began, “There are Federation planets near this sector, one of which is actually just inside this sector of space. Your ‘feud’ with Firet has lead to Federation ships being attacked.”

“Those ships were just freighters.” Meech said is response.

“Regardless of what type of vessel they were, they belong to the Federation.”

“They were trading with Firet!” Meech shouted back.

“No they were not!” West shouted in return. Meech nodded to someone off screen, and Victory shook again. West turned to Keating.

“Shields down to 97 percent.” The tactical officer told him. West turned back to the viewscreen.

“Why are you still attacking us?” He asked in disbelief.

“You won’t leave this sector!” The Ferengi shouted.

West couldn’t believe what he was hearing. This Ferengi really was beginning to annoy him. The ship shook again.

“Shields are stable at 97 percent, Captain.” Keating told him.

“I really can’t be bothered to put up with this. Mr Keating, fire phaser’s at their engines and weapons.”

“Yes, Captain.” Keating replied. Seconds later, he told the Captain “The Ferengi vessel’s weapons and engines are down, Sir. They aren’t going anywhere soon.”

“Thank you, Mr Keating.” Tom turned back to the viewscreen, to see a slightly panicked Meech. “Now, Firet has not fired on us at all. In fact, his vessel has not moved since it met up with us. You, however, have attacked us. You are looking like the guilty party in this, Meech.”

“That’s The-“

“I don’t care what it is. You will prepare to be transported over to Victory, along with two other officers of yours. Firet will also be joining us.”

“But-“

“But nothing.” Tom said, getting very tough with the Ferengi. “You will be transported over to our vessel in five minutes. Sennik, end the hail.” Tom said as he turned away from the viewscreen. “Sennik, have a security team meet me in Transporter Room One.

“Yes, Captain.” Sennik replied, before following her Captain’s orders.

“Ensign Keating, you’re with me.” West told the young officer, who joined him in the turbolift almost instantly. The doors to the turbolift closed, leaving Sennik to take the Captain’s Chair.

**********

“You’re sure this is the place?” Maros whispered quietly to Hay.

“Yes.” Hay whispered back.

Both of them were hidden behind almost half a dozen crates in a sheltered part of a private area.

Why didn’t I think of searching here, Maros thought to himself.

“Maybe you should run back to your mother.” Maros suggested, although it came across as more of an order.

“No way.” Came Hay’s reply.

“Do you have to be so stubborn?” Maros asked in a whisper.

“I’m a kid.” Hay replied, as if it should be a good enough answer.

Hay kept scanning the area with his eyes. “I thought kid’s were supposed to mature through puberty?” He said in a mock tone, but still kept to a whisper.

“I only just began puberty.” Hay replied with a smile. Maros turned to him, eye’s locked on the boy.

“Well, you’ve got an answer for every-” Maros began, but was quickly cut off by Hay.

“Look, over there.” Hay said quietly, pointing to a man who was dressed in a cloak. “That’s one of Kiasor’s men.”

“You’re sure?” Hern asked, quickly putting all of his weight onto his feet, but still staying in the crouching position.

“Will you stop doubting me?” Hay asked, pretty much giving a ‘Yes’ response to Maros’ question.

“You’re a kid.” Maros replied, with a smirk. “Stay here.”

“Why? Where are you going?” Hay asked, slightly panicked.

“He’s got something I need.” Maros said, leaning around the barrels. “Just stay here and don’t move until I tell you to.”

“Ok.” Hay replied, as Maros sneaked out from behind the barrels.

Hern sneaked across the sheltered area, trying to remain as quiet as possible. He came up behind the man, who was busy checked a large crate.

“Having fun there?” Maros asked. The man turned around in surprise, and was quickly shoved up against the crate by Maros. Maros moved his phaser along the man’s face, and stopped it when the point was under the man’s chin. “Give me the disk.”

“What disk?” The man replied, sneaking his hand into the pocket of his cloak.

“The one you’ve just covered with your hand.” Maros said, before pulling the man’s arm out of the pocket. He quickly grabbed the round disk, and put it in his own pocket. “Right, I’m going to stun you now. By the time your friends find you, I will be long gone, so no point in telling them about me eh?”

“Too late.” A low croaky voice called out from behind him. Maros let go of his grip on the man, and turned around to see three other men, dressed the same as the man he had just be threatening, standing only two meters away from him. “Give us that disk.”

“You’ve got your own.” Maros said, in an equally threatening tone.

“There are four of us, and one of you. If you give me the disk we’ll let you go.” The man told Hern.

“Aw c’mon, do you really think I’d believe that? You’d kill me as soon as I gave you the disk.” Maros mocked.

“Don’t say we didn’t give you a chance.” The man said, before he moved in on Maros.

Maros whipped his phaser up, and shot down the man that had just been speaking to him. He went to shoot it again, but he was punched in the back by the guy he had stolen the disk from. Maros threw his phaser to the barrels.

“Hay, NOW!” Maros shouted, as he was punched in the face. His head shot back, and hit the crate.

“Which button?” Hay called out, as he grabbed the phaser.

Another punch to the face.

“Just do exactly what I showed you!” He shouted, as one of the people beating him turned around to face Hay. The man made a dart for Hay, but Hay quickly shot him in the chest.

As a fist came towards him, Maros ducked his head. The fist crashed into the crate, resulting in a cracking noise that Maros recognised as the smashing of bones.

“Arrrrrggghhhh!” The man screamed as he pulled his bloody hand up to his chest. He was quickly put out of his pain when Hay stunned him with the phaser.

“Good job kid.” Maros said as he turned on the final man; the same man whom he had stolen the disk from. The man swung a punch, which crashed into Hern’s ribs. Despite the pain, Hern quickly grabbed the man’s arm and snapped the bone by crashing it on his knee. He let go of the man, who stumbled back. The man, whose face could not possibly show more pain, reached inside his cloak and pulled out a knife just as Maros moved towards him. With a swing of his arm, the knife sliced up from Maros’ right hip to his left shoulder.

“NOOOO!” Hay screamed, before shooting the man in the face. As the man’s body fell to the floor, Hay ran up to Maros. Maros leant onto Hay’s shoulder, as Hay put an arm around Hern’s waist.

“Don’t worry, it’s not deep.” Hern reassured the boy.

“I’ll take you back to my mother. She’ll be able to heal your wounds.” Hay said, as he helped Maros walk away from the scene.

**********

“I assure you, the Federation is not trading with Firet. Why would we? He has nothing that interests us.” West told Meech for what seemed like the tenth time.

“I take offence at that.” Firet said, although he didn’t seem to be as offended as he let on.

“You lie!” Meech shouted at West. West sighed, and turned his chair to face the window.

They had been in the Conference Room for over an hour, yet West hadn’t seemed to make any ground on some kind of treaty. He turned his chair back to the seven people sitting at the table; Keating at the end, three of Firet’s race to Keating’s left and then three Ferengi to his right.

“Let me return to my vessel.” Meech asked West.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that until we come to some sort of agreement here.” West told Meech, as calmly as possible.

Meech stood up. “There will be no agreement!” Meech shouted to everyone in the room.

“Look at you, you’re acting like a grumpy old Ferengi.” Firet said, grinning at the same time. “Then again, you are a grumpy old Ferengi.”

All of the Ferengi pulled out their weapons, and Firet’s men did the same.

It was a standoff.

“Okay, Okay, that’s enough.” West began, looking even more impatient. “Put down your weapons and sit back down.”

There was a moment of inaction, but eventually all six men put their weapons on the table and took their seats.

“Good. Obviously, talking about this whole dispute hasn’t helped,” Wes began, “so I have the perfect solution.”

“You do?” Firet asked in surprise. West stood up.

“Yes. Firet, you will be given on half of this sector to trade in, and Meech, you’ll have the other half.” West told them, upset that it had come to this.

“Ha! You’re a fool! I will not obey that rule!” Meech shouted in amusement.

West walked around to Meech, and placed his hands on Meech’s shoulders. “Yes, you will. You attacked a Federation vessel, meaning that I have the right to arrest you right now. But I’m not, am I?”

“No.” Meech mumbled.

“If you disobey this rule, or pass over into Firet’s part of the sector, I will make sure that a Federation ship comes to arrest you. Am I making sense?”

“Yes, Captain West, you are making perfect sense.” Meech mumbled again. West couldn’t believe how quiet Meech was now. He didn’t even seem like the same person.

“Firet, same applies to you.” West said as he walked towards the doors. Before he was out of the door, West turned back to the people at the table. “It’s been nice talking this through.” West said with just a tiny hint of sarcasm. He nodded to the security officers whom were standing outside the door. “Escort them back to Transporter Room One.”

“Yes, Captain.” The taller of the men said, before West walked out of the room and past the security officers.

**********

“Ow.” Hern said, for what was more than likely the tenth time.

“Stay still.” Katrine ordered him, before dabbing his wounds with her wet cloth again.

They were in Katrine’s bedroom, and were both sitting on her bed. Katrine had offered Maros her bed for the night, because she didn’t feel the bed he has used the night before was comfortable for someone wounded like he was. He was sitting in front of her, his shirt off, while she was cleaning his wound.

“The bleeding has stopped, and the wound appears to be healing already.” Katrine said as she moved off of the bed.

“Thank you.” Hern said as Katrine picked up his shirt. She helped him pull it over his head, and within seconds he was wearing the shirt properly. Katrine sat opposite him on the bed, he hands still at the bottom of his shirt. Hern moved one of his hands on to one of hers. “Have I told you how beautiful I think you are?” He asked her, staring into her eyes.

“I don’t think so.” She replied with a small smile.

“Well, now I have.” He said to her. He moved his hand from her hand, and moved it onto her thigh. “When was the last time somebody kissed you?” He asked, moving his head towards hers slowly.

“Eleven years-“ but before she could finish her sentence Hern was kissing her.

It was a slow, yet passionate, kiss. With his free hand, Hern manoeuvred himself in-between her legs. With the hand that had been on her thigh, Maros gently rested her on the bed, while still kissing her. Katrine, hands still on his shirt, pulled the shirt back over his head, but was careful not to touch his knife-wound.

Within minutes, the pair were making love under the blanket.

**********

“Enter.” West said, replying to the beep of his Ready Room doors. The doors slid open, to reveal Brian Nolan. Brian stepped into the Ready Room, as the doors slid closed behind him. West immediately stood up. “Brian, You haven’t been here for quite a while.” West said as gently as possible.

“Sorry, Sir.” Brian replied.

“Oh no, don’t apologise.” West said, as he walked around his desk to be face to face with Nolan. “Is there any reason you wanted to see me?”

“Actually, yes.” Nolan began. “I’d like to go back home, Sir.”

“To Earth?” West asked, not knowing whether to sound relieved or sad. “Permanently?”

Nolan quickly put West to ease. “Oh, no. I have some things to take care of, things that I should have taken care of a few weeks ago.”

West walked back around to his side of the desk. “I see. I’ll have us turn back to Earth immediately.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“There’s no need to thank me.” West said, before tapping a button on his desk. “West to the Bridge.”

“Bridge, here.” Sennik voice replied.

“Have Mr Arentzen set course for Earth, using slipstream drive. Prepare to have Lieutenant Nolan beamed down to Starfleet HQ as soon as we arrive at Earth.”

“Yes, Captain.” Sennik replied.

“Thank you. West out.” Tom said, and tapped the button again.

“If you don’t mind, Sir, I’d like to go and speak to Dr Matthews.” Brian said, stepping back towards the doors.

“By all means, Lieutenant. You’re dismissed.” West told him, and Nolan instantly walked out onto the Bridge.

**********

It was the banging on the door to the house that had woken them. Katrine sighed.

“I’ve got to answer that.” She told the sleepy Hern. She kissed him on the lips and climbed out of the bed. She quickly pulled her dress back over her, and walked out of the room.

The door kept banging, but it stopped as soon as Katrine open it. She was expecting the person banging her door to be an adult, so when she found herself looking at a child she was a little surprised. “Lomb?” She said in surprise.

“Yes, ma’am.” The kid replied.

“I’m afraid Hay is asleep-“

“No, he’s not.” Lomb said quickly, gasping for air as he spoke.

“What do you mean?” Katrine asked, beginning to worry.

“He was out with me. We were playing with some other kids.”

“And?” Katrine asked, demanding Lomb get to the point.

“Some men were following us. They kept pointing at Hay, and then when Hay and I went to get some bread for you and your boyfriend, they grabbed him and ran away with him.” Lomb told her, still struggling to breathe.

Katrine couldn’t hide her worries.

“These men, what were they wearing?” Hern demanded as he came running down the stairs. He was now fully clothed. Lomb didn’t reply at first, all he did was stare at Hern. “Hey, I asked you a question.” Hern said as he grabbed walked to the door.

“They were wearing red cloaks, which I thought was odd considering how hot it is as this time of the year.” Lomb replied.

“Thanks.” Hern said to Lomb. Hern turned back to Katrine and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll get him back, don’t worry.” Hern said, before walking out of the door. He quickly turned back to Lomb. “Kid, what’s your name?”

“Lomb.”

“Lomb, stay with Katrine ok? I’m trusting you to look after her.” Hern asked Lomb.

“Ok!” Lomb replied with excitement. Hern quickly turned back to the street, and began to run to where his shuttle was hidden, which was almost a half hours run from Katrine’s home.

**********

“Lieutenant Lee?”

Lee almost jumped in fright at the call of his name. He put down his fork and looked around to see Captain West looking down on him. “Oh, Captain West, have a seat.”

“Thank you.” West said as he sat in a chair opposite Lee. “I was told that the best place to look for you was in the Mess Hall.” West joked.

“Heh, it’s been a while since I’ve eaten proper food. I’m just catching up.” Lee said as he stuck his fork into a piece of beef.

“I would like to thank you again for helping us make repairs to Victory. Had it not been for you assistance, I think we’d still be at Spacedock.”

“I just did what I signed on with Starfleet to do.” Lee said, as he ate the beef.

“Speaking of Starfleet,” West began, “I was speaking with Admiral Macovchy a few minutes ago. I’ve requested that you be assigned to Victory as the new Chief of Engineering.”

Lee dropped his fork in surprise. It took him a few seconds to say anything. “What did the Admiral say?”

“He said that, as long as you were willing to take up the position, he would have you assigned to Victory as of tomorrow morning.” West told Lee. “So, do you want the position?”

“Of course I do!” Lee said, trying to keep his excitement hidden, but failing miserably. “I mean, yes, I would like to take up the position.” He said, managing to keep his voice down.

West put his hand out to Lee, which Lee shook instantly. “I look forward to working with you, Lieutenant.”

“And I you.” Lee replied. West broke the handshake and stood up.

“Well, I suggest you finish you meal and get some sleep. I don’t want my new Chief of Engineering to be falling asleep on the job. I’ve had Lieutenant Farnworth’s former quarters assigned to you.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Lee said.

“That’s ok, Lieutenant. I’ll have all of your belongings transported to your new quarters in a few minutes.” West told him, as he moved away from the table.

“Yes, Sir.” Lee replied, and just watched as West left the Mess Hall. For some reason, he didn’t feel hungry anymore.

**********

So far so good, Maros thought to himself as he crouched down beside a wall in a narrow corridor.

He was in Kiasor’s HQ, and so far hadn’t been spotted by anyone. Everyone must be out catching some rays, he joked to himself.

Getting into the building hadn’t been that hard. After getting back to the shuttle, he used his Medkit to heal his wound properly, and then used the Shuttle’s computer to upload all of the disk’s data. The disk contained everything that Starfleet had told him it would. Information ranging from the carrier’s passwords, to the location of the building, to recent sales conducted by Kiasor. It had made an interesting read, and contained all the information that Starfleet needed to bring Kiasor down. Why Kiasor allowed his men to walk around with disks that contained all of the information about his company, well Maros would never understand that.

After finding out some things about the building and where Kiasor’s office was, Maros transported from the Shuttlecraft to Kiasor’s building. The building had been surprisingly quiet. Considering how tall the building was, Maros was kind of ashamed with himself that he had never spotted it.

He was outside the room where Hay was located according to his tricorder. There were four people in the room; Hay, two guards, and another person that Maros could only presume was Kiasor.

Maros was setting up an explosive in the corridor. His plan was to have the explosion distract the guards who would otherwise come after him.

He set the timer on the explosive; 60 seconds. If he hadn’t got out of the building by then, he probably would be captured anyway.

He pushed himself into a standing position, and dusted off his trousers. He turned to the doors, and stepped forward.

As soon as the doors opened, a loud siren went off.

“****.” Maros said as he found himself being charged down from either side by the two guards. Just as the guards came towards him, Maros stepped back and pulled them both into each other head first. Their faces collided with such force that blood sprayed out from their noses almost instantly. Maros quickly delivered a right hook to the guard to his left, and then smashed his right elbow into the face of the guard to his right. Both guards fell to the floor unconscious.

Maros stepped forward, but then a large chair in front of him spun around to face him. The man in the chair stood up, and was holding Hay by the collar of his shirt.

The man was short, and skinny. He also seemed to be quite bald.

“Ah, Commander Maros, I’ve been expecting you.” The man said, in anything but a terrifying voice.

“You’re Kiasor?” Maros said in surprise.

“Yes. Now give me the disk, and I’ll let the boy live.” Kiasor told Maros.

“Sure, here you go.” Maros put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the disk. He threw it to Kiasor, who caught it with his free hand. “I’ve got it all uploaded into my shuttle’s computer anyway.”

“You won’t get away wi-“ Kiasor began to shout, but was knocked unconscious by a thundering punch from Maros. Kiasor fell straight to the floor, and Hay pulled himself away from the unconscious body.

“Hern, you did it!” Hay shouted, but was quickly scooped up by Maros.

“No time for that.” Maros said as he began running to the other side of the room. “Hold on tight!” Maros shouted as he jumped into a closed window.

The glass smashed instantly, but luckily for Maros, they were both moving so fast that the glass didn’t have time to pierce their flesh.

As soon as they jumped out of the window, the explosives went off. The conference room was quickly engulfed in flames, which quickly spread out of the window. Hern and Hay were already long gone from the window.

“We’re falling!” Hay shouted in panic.

“I know!” Hern replied, as he tugged at his belt. “Got it.” He pulled out some kind of gun, and aimed up to a high part of Kiasor’s building. He pulled the trigger, and a rope shot out. Seconds later, the ‘hook’ at the end of the rope smashed into the outside wall of the building. Hern and Hay quickly stopped falling, but were instead swinging at full force. “Get ready to drop.” Hern said, struggling to keep his grip on the handle.

“What?” Hay screamed.

“I’m going to swing us over that house. Its got a roof made of straw, so it should break our fall.”

“Or break our backs.” Hay pointed out.

“Just get ready!” Hern shouted. “NOW!” Hern shouted, as he left go of the handle.

“We’re going to die!” Hay shouted as he and Hern dropped at an unbelievable speed.

“No we’re not!” Hern said, just as they came speeding down on the roof of the house.

Hern smashed into the roof of the house, but managed to shield Hay. They kept falling for another second before crashing into a large table.

“Oh God, my back.” Hern said, releasing his grip on Hay.

“Are you ok?” Hay asked as he climbed off of the Bajoran.

“Do I sound ok?” Hern replied sarcastically.

Hay looked around the room that they had just crashed into, and saw a family staring at him and Hay. The family were holding knives and forks.

“Um, Hern?”

“What?” Hern said, trying to move himself. Hern followed Hay’s gaze and saw what Hay was looking at. “Oh.” Was all he said. “Help me up.”

Hay pulled Hern up and let him rest on his shoulder again. “We’re sorry.” Hay said to the family after seeing the ruined food that they had landed on. “Terribly sorry.”

“What the kid said.” Hern added, holding onto the bottom of his back. They both moved out of the house as quick as the possibly could.

**********

“We’re ready, Sir.” The transporter chief told West. West turned to Nolan, who then stepped up onto the transporter pad. West passed him his suitcase.

“We’ll be back in eight days.” West told Nolan. “We’ll contact you when we have returned to Earth.”

“Again, thank you.” Nolan said, as he placed his suitcase on the transporter pad.

West turned to the transporter chief. “Energize.” West said to him, before turning to give Brian one last smile. Brian’s figure was quickly replaced with a blue light and then there was nothing.

**********

“You’re sure you want to stay?” Hern asked Katrine one last time.

“We have a life here.” Katrine said once again. Hern sighed in response.

“I’ll come back to visit you both sometime.” Hern told both Katrine and Hay.

“Can you bring that Vulcan you told me about? I’ve never seen a Vulcan.” Hay asked from beside his mother.

Hern laughed to himself. “I’m not sure Sennik would like being referred to as ‘that Vulcan’. But I’ll see if she wants to come.”

“Good.” Hay replied.

Hern moved to Katrine, and kissed her one final time. “Bye.” He said to her, before turning to Hay. “Lay low for a few days ok? I imagine that there will be quite a few Starfleet officers here in a few days time. Until they show up to arrest Kiasor’s men, I don’t want you going out.”

“That’s ok, there won’t be any sunny day’s for a while after today.” Hay told Hern.

Hern smiled to them both one last time, and stepped back into his shuttlecraft. He closed the door, and walked to the pilots seat.

Outside, Katrine was moving Hay away from the shuttle.

“Mother, do you believe he will come back to visit us?” Hay asked after they had moved a safe distance away.

“It all depends on what happens on his ship.” She replied, as the shuttlecraft took off from the heap of garbage that it had been hidden by.

--------------------
The Victory Saga continues ... Soon ...

[Blooded]

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