The Tides of History (an St/Sw cross over)

[Enterprise E]

I'll throw my lot in with All of the Above, too.

[Admiral Breetai]

then it's settled Thory is gonna burn in a magnificent display of Imperial majesty and Klingon might

Aryas will gain legendary heroes who fell hard

and Wildstar is gonna curse out Cardassians..and well Vi'retess will do something epic

might be a long one though guys

[Admiral Breetai]

well like I said new update in I think I'll try and get more out over the next four or five days Thanagar and Im'pec meet the gods and you get my filler.. chiefly those of you who wanted to see the starfleet side of things here's a little bit about Rainbird and wildstar

enjoy hope the awesome way with which Rainbird exacts cosmic justice makes up for my absence

"When your dealing with rabid dog's you don't offer them a shiny new chew toy! You put them down!!" - Ben Maxwell on the peace treaty that ended the Cardassian wars

"I knew him he taught me how to use a weapon, he taught me a warriors pride and he taught me what it was like to have a Grandfather " Ambassador Jaina Solo on John Rainbird

Churba


Grand Admiral Thanagar walked with the gigantic Klingon as they made their way towards the makeshift cell designed to hold one of the most dangerous entities Im’pec had ever encountered. When the Ram first told him about this thing Im’pecs first reaction was to nearly order the entire imperial fleet wasted. A single changeling could take out an entire vessel like this or worse if it chose to have little founders it could convert every single sentient on this vessel into the raw materials to create a couple dozen of them (Im’pec had to admit the sheer cost in organ life that it took to create a single changeling was insane and he understood why they tended to prefer using metal or other resources) but when Thanagar mentioned it had defected he was intensely puzzled. He wondered then at what exactly that meant, had his master predicted right?

They moved through the brig crossing each cell block until they reached the changelings cell. He had a tanned form with a very well molded face. The changeling looked up and saw the gigantic Klingon and immediately his passive countenance shifted emotion exploded on his features and he stood up. Thanagar reached for his weapon as did the guards. Im’pec was swift to reach down for his blaster when suddenly his hand moved away and extended outward he let out a loud roar and began laughing a deep bellowing laugh “Laaaaarsssss you demented old misanthrope!” he said laughing. The founder responded with laughter “God slayer!’ he said and the two embraced as best they could through the bars.

Thanagar chuckled “you know him?” he asked somewhat surprised “Yes it explains why none of you have any of him in your cells when we scanned you after you told me about him” he said Thanagar glared “they really that dangerous” Thanagar quipped it was Lars who answered “oh yes Ram we are “he said “but Im’pec will give you the technology to contain us” he said with a wide smile. Thanagar nodded “you were a traitor to your people even back then? “ Lars blinked “oh you think I met Im’pec during the dominion war? Oh no it was much later” he explained “I was dying of an affliction and he saved my life” he said

Thanagar smirked “and you switched sides in a life debt?’ he asked not buying that at all. “Ah no not at all” Lars corrected “I was always against the founders their crusades against the solids are foolish and wrong” he shrugged “I used to hate you solids as well but I was happy to just ignore your kind and go about my business usually in the form of a lesser animal or what you call them but conquest is never the solution to anything ‘he said shrugging

Oh great Thanagar thought a pacifist god.

14 years ago – Cardassian border

The USS Phoenix exited slip stream her form glistening like a silver ocean as the mighty saucer section rotated spinning herself so she collected the rays of the sun as they passed into the frontier of Cardassian space. Her escorts’ two Defiant class vessels arrived flanking her, the Phoenix had a history in this sector a history of mutiny and pain that many felt was vindicated by history.

Captain John Rainbird sat on the bridge his grizzly features staring out towards the newly installed holographic projectors. He monitored the visuals and watched as the images revealed about a dozen ships torn open, others severely damaged and crippled. His features turned into frown as he thought about it. Legate Madred had survived the Dominion wars and become a powerful figure that was threatening the civilian government of the Cardassian union. Rainbird hated this he knew the civilian government was overwhelmingly supported by the people and they had asked for help. But this was a violation of the prime directive and the Federation was changing so fast. His mind wandered back to his time on the Stargazer with Captain Picard he had been his security officer and frequent fencing and sparring partner. The man had convinced him to pursue command and John Rainbird had always counted him as a friend and mentor but he also knew he disagreed with him. John favored a stronger presence politically and economically in the galaxy that they should be proactive but this was in his mind carrying it perhaps too far. He knew they were only going to provide limited support to the local forces but all the same. Still Rainbird was more than glad to participate in this attack. Madred had taken a local planet as his main base and his forces were rallying there for an assault on key holdings in the sector. Madred had kidnapped the local governor and made a big spectacle about it but he crossed the line when he tortured one of the man’s grandsons and then executed one of his own on a live feed. Men who had been there helping them prepare their defenses and boost up their medical and food provisions for an extended siege. Men who had been trying to fix the still ruined union while this animal fought over its scraps with no foresight no concept of the future holding his people back selfish and foolish.

Rainbird shut his eyes there was also something else, this man when he was still a Gul had tortured Jean Luc Picard and that wasn’t something Rainbird was going to forgive very easily.

“Are we within communications range?’ he asked calmly the ensign at the comm nodded and Rainbird leaned forward his hands gripping the edge of the fabric “hail them” he said calmly

Cardassian planet-

Derek Wildstar collapsed again onto the floor his body shaking and convulsing his eyes widened bulging almost out of their sockets in agony. Madred stood there before him gazing down icily staring at this cold interloper this inferior human weakling who dared to interfere in matters of Cardassian state. “I know that you have hidden a cache of your advanced weaponry located in Cardassian space I want it”

Wildstar gasped these pain machines were really annoying, he wished Madred was like the other annoying spoon heads, just started carving up his flesh already. “Can’t talk while yer torturing me asshole”

Madred kept his exterior calm but the vulgarity of this office was beginning to annoy him greatly. Picard was at least a mental challenge, the wide eyed idealist tried to talk him down reason with him. This man was much less naïve and he was content to simple hurl insults at him and it was annoying. “I see I have been spoiled the average Starfleet officer is far more interested in attempting to challenge my intellect as opposed to hurling profanities at me”

Wildstar laughed did this idiot seriously expect him to indulge his whims? Or play some sort of game with him? Slowly his blurred vision faded and he looked up gazing coldly at Legate Madred Wildstar smirked. He knew eventually he’d break so either Rainbird would come rescue him or he’d have to get himself killed. The thought of these spoon headed imbeciles ever getting fed tech was just unthinkable. “I’ve got something to postulate to you then Legate’ he said slowly managing to sit up “Can you blow yourself?”

Madred frowned “I beg your pardon?’ he said unsure if he quite understood what he was asking. Wildstar smirked “see I want to tell you to eat a dick but considering that neck of yours I’m not even sure if it’s possible to bend over and do it”

Madred’s eyes burned and flipped the pain receptor on and stormed off allowing his guards to beat him.

Entering the main facility Madred stopped as one of his aids told him the Federation was finally hailing him. Good he was making results, “put him forward” he said and then frowned the holographic image that appeared before him showed him a man with thick full head dark brown hair graying with age severely now and long and done in an ornate braid. Amerindian descent by the appearance much like those annoying colonists, the man’s face was grizzled with scars from many battles his powerful hands gripped fabric with scarred knuckles his entire being appeared very much like some type of panther or lion. Madred recognized him from the Cardassian wars, he was a comrade of Picard and his battle with Legate Parvek on minas Korva was a legendary battle that broke a siege. Stories had been written about it plays holographic programs written about their fateful duel when a great and valiant Cardassian Legate and combat master took to battle a blood crazed Federation berserker as storms raged above them and weapons fire around them Parvek had fallen and had become almost a mythical figure in their culture and he noticed many of the younger Cardassian officers swallowed and showed other sings of fear or nervousness. Madred frowned internally this was bad, this was bad.

“Legate Madred” his voice was calm and firm but there was such menace behind it “I am Captain John Rainbird commanding the USS Phoenix third fleet” Rainbird sat tall he recognized that he carried himself with a grace and dignity of an honored elder and Madred felt resentment burn in his heart when the aged Apache warrior stared condescendingly at him as if he was little more than an arrogant thug. “You are holding some of my men hostage” he said calmly

“No I have prisoners of war spies who are aiding a traitorous and illegal government that has usurped the rightful authority of the state” His voice was calm but it was brimming with emotion barely contained. Since the end of the Cardassian wars it had been one string of disappointments and failures after another and always the federation there to stand tall above them. Madred’s heart welled up with hatred when the Klingon Empire smashed his nation to ruins and he was forced to accept along with many others federation medical aid. That was his nation was starving without the handouts from the benevolent peaceful hypocrites. Madred hated how as a young officer he had watched his proud nation crumble economically as it threw itself at a nation that considered the wars a minor border skirmish that they were willing to sue for peace more because they were disgusted at something so common place as battle casualties! These oblivious fools who lived in their paradise and sat in judgment, who dared to condemn Cardassian pride! Worse were how that pervasive and vile culture had infested his own and how the dissident movement began to appear sickeningly federation like, how the current government espoused freedom while condemning the military and daring to hold them accountable for the Dominion war! Madred gazed calmly at the Amerindian who leaned forward. “Make no mistake” came the calmly reply “Legate Madred you are a traitor to your people, you are a murderer who has violated sentient rights countless times and I cannot prove it in court but I know you have the blood of the New Lima colonists on your hands “he added his voice becoming hot now ringing in Madreds ears like tempered steel pulled from a forge “you have killed and tortured your own people and disgraced your ancestors and if you do not return my men and surrender I will personally annihilate every single Cardassian vessel and orbital instillation in this system I will personally lead the away team to raid your base and you had better pray to your gods Madred that you surrender because whatever the Cardassian legal system does to you will pale in comparison to what I will do to you and your men if you resist me” his voice came off like a roll of thunder the look in his deep eyes brokered no mercy of any sort. Madred felt himself swallow on reflex under that intense gaze. His men were visibly intimidated “You’d kill all my men and take me prisoner? So much for mercy”

“Don’t flip this on me Madred my duty is to stop a murderer from murdering. It’s your duty to look out for the lives of your men: If you feel freedom for a few more moments is worth the lives of all forty thousand of your fine if a bit misguided men then so be it” his features hardened “I’ll send them to meet their grandfathers while you explain to a jury how you sacrificed your own men to run like a coward- the great Cardassian Legate hero of the military” the mockery in his voice was matched only by his menace.

“Gul Ebek send your ships to flank the Phoenix” Madred ordered. The Gul was a fat round faced Cardassian with graying hairs a political tag along a sycophant his men had all the back bone. Madred counted on the fat one being too weak willed to oppose his actions. The obese one licked his lips staring between the hologram and the Legate and nodded “Gul Pryn you heard your Legate” he ordered to a holographic figure that blanched and nodded before fading.

............

Aboard Gul Pryn’s old Keldon class the atmosphere was very tense. Pryn knew Rainbird wasn’t joking; the old Indian was not your average Starfleet officer and Cardassian and former Dominion and Breen holdings were littered with ruins of vessels lead by foolish officers who made that fatal mistake. Pryn wasn’t one of them this man had killed his grandfather at Minas Korva and crippled his father during the battle of Betazed. Pryn had grown up on stories of what this man was capable of and he realized he was on the wrong side the moment Legate refused to surrender.

“Move us into position and prepare to fire” he said resting a hand on the shoulder of the helmsmen realizing this kid was just way too young to die right now or spend the rest of his life in jail. His escorts began to move in a diamond formation towards the phoenix. Second hand Ferengi bought weapons through a technology firm owned by some random Klingon minor house (had the obsidian order not been virtually wiped out they might have realized what was pulling the strings and prevented this) the phoenix she did not move she merely held position. Her defiant escorts ignited their impulse engines and took off in their direction then suddenly scattered moving towards the space station.
Pryn cursed and ordered three of his ships on a mad dash for the tiny capital ship killers. And then issued the order with a weighted breath “open fire on the phoenix” Cardassian weapon systems streaked out impacting against the armored hull of the Nebula, they belched out new torpedoes which smashed into the nacelle of the phoenix which held its ground engine singed ever so lightly. Pryn frowned what was he waiting for?

Madred watched eagerly these weapons were supposed to be able to affect Federation armor and yet? Rainbird narrowed his eyes “Gul Pryn?” he asked “Gul Pryn you send me someone who’s Grandfather I slew and father I left a half man?” he asked his voice cold and barely containing the rage and disgust, these idiots were forcing him to maim another generation to kill another! Rage filled him he knew Pryn had a son would he one day be forced to slay a fourth generation or maim it? “So be it” he snapped “Target their warp cores” Rainbird ordered

His helmsmen turned “sir?”

“All of them wipe the fleet out “Rainbird ordered “I gave them a choice ‘he said coldly “cut off communications they aren’t getting a second chance” he added and then the phoenix lit up

Gul Pryn watched the magnificent nebula class vessel turn towards them and he felt his hand grip the shoulder of the youngest Cardassian “my fellow soldiers it’s been an honor to serve alongside you all... Thank you” the last words he spoke before his vessel and every other ship that wasn’t federation in the system were blown into a billion different specs of dust washed away in a vast cosmic void.

The Defiant class vessels swooped down like a pack of vultures strafing the massive and ancient orbital station.

Rainbird watched the display and let out a sigh another one dead because of the foolishness of leaders too blinded by their own ineptitude and cruelty to see clearly. "Let's finish this"


-planet side

Madred crumpled into a seat, those weapons had been barely affective! There should have been a fight! Yet he was deceived! He was played for a fool it seemed by some Ferengi no less, rage seethed in him as he watched the Federation attack group make short work of his vessels. He felt his heart pump swiftly blood coursing through his veins at an accelerated pace. “Order all available personnel into the facility”

The fat Gul frowned his compatriots didn’t move “you heard Legate Madred” he barked doing his best to sound powerful and intimidating. The pause between their actions felt like an eternity but slowly they obeyed they had all come too far to do anything less it was either death against John Rainbird or a life time in a Cardassian prison or possibly death. The leaders would be held accountable for sure the other soldiers and officers didn’t matter Ebek and Madred and their cadre would not rot in a prison cell, would not be made to answer to a puppet regime (unless it was their own) dozens began to arm themselves stacking power packs and weaponry armor and armored vehicles who’s engines had not come to life since the end of the Dominion war. The few the rabble left over from that conflict the conflict which was supposed to save his people, supposed to revive lost glory and punish the enemies that mocked them so foolishly. Instead they were used and broken down and now were puppets of a weak and crippled culture. Madred refused to heel himself to such a monstrous time and he refused to allow himself to be judged by such a weak state a pathetic state. He armed himself with photon grenades and various forms of advanced weaponry and marched himself forward crossing Wildstars cell the federation officer looked up at him bloody and smiled “Johnny’s gonna fuck you up so bad”

Madred paused and eyed the defiant rude officer and was about to raise his hand to order his execution when the entire facility shook violently Madred stumbled lightly before turning and heading toward the main exist he was hundreds of Cardassian soldiers running in several Gul ranked officers running over their own men to reach his position and he frowned opening fire in the air “what is going on’ he shouted “Legate” one handed him a set of visual aids and Madred put them to his face looking up he saw the streaking red across the sky and felt himself laugh a cold fearful laugh

Legate Madred had underestimated the Indians intelligence he had assumed Rainbird would storm the facility and take on almost twenty thousand Cardassian soldiers as he stared up he saw how wrong he was.

The sky was on fire as streaks of metal and wreckage began raining down producing massive mushroom clouds of molten dust and slag he could see beginning to dot his horizon. Looking up he saw a massive cloud of bright fire as he saw the remains of the massive and old Cardassian station begin to crumble and fall behind it he saw the outline of the phoenix pushing the massive installation down with her tractor beams. The wreckage falling creating a rain of death

Within the facility Wildstar had sprung to his feet and punched one of the Cardassian guards taking his weapon he turned around and opened fire on several of his captors killing them quickly before burying the rifle but in the automated control doors

Madred whirred around this had all been a trick? A demented deception by a mad savage and he had fallen for it? His eyes burned with rage as he saw the doors shut behind him Wildstar bloody and smiling in mockery as he waved goodbye to him and the doors shut. Madred ran to it with the others frantically trying to find a way to open the doors.

Inside Wildstar had freed the crucial targets and using the facilities computer gave up his position for the phoenix and the other vessels to begin transporting the key prisoners and his team mates (and whatever other hostages the murderer had taken) the last to beam out Wildstar grinned “too bad we don’t have any shields I’ve never seen a colony drop before love to see it from the ground” came his demented reply as he faded.

Madred watched as others were beamed away but Rainbird left him the ground around him began to shake the heat baring down on him caused him to huddle in the corner as fury and flames erupted around him, he was shaking he found himself for the first time since he was a child on the streets running hiding now in fear. Those strong and powerful bullies who had broken his nose and jaw stole his food whenever they could! He had made himself powerful used his smarts and knowledge to overcome his physical weakness and it had given him the chance to become what he was now, he had sworn he would never again be at the mercy of such creatures and yet here he was. Rainbird was a powerful fighter and his hatred for him was based directly around that now in his final moments. His thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of a holographic image John Rainbird stood there gazing intently down at him a stern look of absolute conviction and fury “Legate Madred you have two choices before you’ he said “die in fire and let this ruined continent be your funeral pyre or survive” he said “all you have to do is ask me” he said staring down at him his eyes burning as intensely as the land around him ‘you have only seconds”

And he did and damn him he had created a crucible of truth in the form of a leveled army and burning flames Madred who despised weakness because he so often saw it in those he tortured and in them saw himself Madred who was willing to start a civil war to escape responsibility gazed up at him and the words he uttered he had not spoken since he was a child “h-help me”

As the bluish energy ribbons of the federation beaming technology enveloped him the last thing Madred saw in the eyes of the Indian was something that haunted him until the day he was executed for treason and war crimes. His eyes showed only contempt

Contempt, pure contempt for a cowardly child who became that which he despised and sold his soul and dignity for fleeting and pathetic power to wield over the weak, over the helpless and even at the end of it all with hell itself falling forward he could not manage to hold onto any conviction or belief except to save his own hide delay the inevitable just a bit longer.

Rainbird stood on the bridge of the phoenix watching everything below him burn watching the massive ruins of the station tear through the earth and purge all the traitors and killers and thugs who dared to call themselves warriors, soldiers protecting justice. Rainbird knew as a Starfleet officer he be feeling sympathy or regret for his actions but he did not.

He had sent these violent oppressive killers to the land beyond to be judged by the old mother to be judged by their spirits and to be judged by their ancestors and he knew he would go to his quarters and sleep like a baby knowing justice was done.

[sonofccn]

Not bad through a tad one sided in my opinion. As well I do have to disagree with your take of Madred, simply I don't think he'd get mad merely because a prisoner insulted him.

[Admiral Breetai]

Not bad through a tad one sided in my opinion. As well I do have to disagree with your take of Madred, simply I don't think he'd get mad merely because a prisoner insulted him.

it's one sided because they're using twenty year old technology - fighting Klingons and imperials and the Dominion isn't going to be so easy

wait..why am I spoiling that stuff. Probably right about Madred then again it was more contempt then anger

[Praeothmin]

Yup, nice, but too one-sided to my taste, as sonofccn said...

Even without any upgrades, the Phoenix and the two Defiants should have been able to take on the fleet, albeit with some damage, perhaps even with one ship being crippled...

And Madred seemed more composed in TNG...

But I liked it anyways, and Rainbird rocks... :)

[Admiral Breetai]

Did you expect anything less than that with Cardassians?

any of you interested in seeing Rainbird vs Parvek? as for Cardassians who can make an excellent show of themselves and honor their race?

up next: a little present for sonof and Enterprise E

Garm Bel Iblis..and his views on the war

and the Imperial news network vs Vi'retess

[Praeothmin]

How about a resurrected Dukat, come back from the dead in payment for his services to the Pagh Wraiths? :)

[sonofccn]

Even without any upgrades, the Phoenix and the two Defiants should have been able to take on the fleet, albeit with some damage, perhaps even with one ship being crippled...

Well to be fair their weapons appeared to be faulty rather than just old. Madred expected I fight after all so I'm smelling Alexander's hand in this. The spoonhead was marked for execution through I haven't concluded why yet. I could simply be removing someone who may conciously or unconciously disturb plans already laid or it could have been a set up for Rainbird, whom is well known for an aggressive style and whose crewmembers were being held, turning what would have been a one sided but hard fought battle into a massacure. Perhaps blacklisting him in certain circles by high minded Starfleet officers and ulimately paving the way for him in a section 31 operation in another galaxy as a certain Klingon wanted it. Or I could just be flapping my gums. :)

any of you interested in seeing Rainbird vs Parvek? as for Cardassians who can make an excellent show of themselves and honor their race?

Garak maybe? As far as underhandedness and subterfuge he might even give Alexander a run for his money.

up next: a little present for sonof and Enterprise E

Awww...didn't know you cared. ;)

[Admiral Breetai]

Garek and a Young Dukat will be appearing in the Cardassian war story as will Mogh and the klingon who betrayed them...

as to your predictions...Sonof you are...very accurate

[sonofccn]

While I understand RL does take precident and hope nothing unseemingly has occured therein I also hope you'll make a return to the Tidesverse. Besides I can't just steal from Preao, I need your work to rummage off of as well. ;)

[Praeothmin]

Yeah, I second sonofccn, you need to come back...

RL's not that important anyways... ;)

[Admiral Breetai]

it has been too long, I am really sorry for my lack of time here. RL has been nuts and I see you guys tossed out some awesome updates so I will be reading those all day tomorrow and giving my input! Consider this meager apology gift I think I got my momentum back and thus here is some good old fashion tidesverse

"We do not yield unless it is to stall, we do not fight to the death unless it is a pretext and we do not surrender unless we have already won" Admiral T'krell 2200's


- Alpha Quadrant Federation space -2300’s
There was a loud roaring sound a sound that curdled the blood and made the heart beat like one of those ancient rap beats wild and full of fear. It was a sound Jack Crusher knew intimately well, it was the sound of fear, the sound of death and for some reason the only sound that made him feel truly alive. Jack leaped out of the way of a massive tree that was up rooted and hurled towards his position sliding under a fallen oak he struggled to keep his breathing even and calm as he saw the massive pair of fury feat rush past him.

Lieutenant Vigo ran past him panting in shock and terror as the gigantic ape like leviathan tore off huffing and roaring, his massive fangs gnashed and bared, blood seeping down from a fresh kill as he postured for the briefest of seconds and took off after the young LT. Vigo was at his wits end, have fun in the holodek they said! Party; enjoy yourself this will be a fun relaxing exercise before we possibly have to head back into battle! Relaxing! They were insane the both of them! Completely insane!

Vigo slid skidding before losing his balance and flipping, he felt himself slide falling bumping his head hard against a muddy rock and flinched that hurt! His eyes shot up wide and when he finally smashed into a tree, he saw pure white for the briefest of seconds before gasping out a loud and long curse. “Rainbird! Crusher! You guys are degenerates! You disabled the damn safety protocols! I’m bleeding” he yelled

There was only mirthful laughter “good, you’re not alive until yer bleeding! Aint that right Johnny?!” Jack Crusher yelled and then took running pausing at a stop he saw the massive furry beast. Slowly he knelt down, the creature turned and roared at him slamming his chest repeatedly before it began to charge forward. Jack kept himself calm steadied his thoughts solely on the kill his heart pounding with the thrill of the chase, pounding with the risk, pounding with guilt? Why was Jack Crusher feeling guilty? Mentally he berated himself forcing his focus to remain on the charging behemoth until an image of Beverly’s gorgeous smile and her fiery red hair entered his mind, his vision wavered lightly, his hands sweat and he felt his heart race but not in the same good way, his steadiness was replaced by light quivering for some reason he began to genuinely worry. He had done this a hundred times with John; he had done this same damn scenario at least a half dozen times and now right now is when he chokes? Jack shook his head forcing the nagging worry away and then opened fire

The creature stumbled and fell to the ground; its massive frame began to pant slowly, its pace slow. Jack moved forward slowly pulling out his knife his hands clammy and sweaty he moved to slit the creatures throat as he had a half dozen times before. This time though a massive hand swept forward and grabbed his chest squeezing down hard. Jack gasped and looked up at the shoulder, it was bloody and mangled but he could tell the creature was not down it hadn’t even broken the bone tearing into thick hide and muscles and stopping short of the mark. The creature roared and moved closer angry his fangs bared he was inches away from chewing Jacks face off when he felt a warm spray of blood. The Creature roared and dropped him turning to face a terrified Vigo who had just launched a wooden branch through the beast’s lungs. It growled wheezing as blood ebbed from its mouth, slowly pulled and breaking the stick it lurched forward, moving towards the terrified Lieutenant staggering slightly. Jack quickly reacting grabbed his flint lock rifle and began loading it, under normal conditions (well normal for these simulations any way) it would take him some ten to fifteen seconds to fully load and aim and then fire these old guns. But now as his thoughts drifted towards Beverly it was taking longer, and the beast kept edging closer and closer.

Then there was a loud war cry and Rainbird came down from a tree, the gnarled long haired commander brought his bowie knife into the creatures groin causing it to how wildly. Rainbird winced grabbing the thing and hefting all of its weight onto his back and then with a yell of effort he dropped the creature down with a thunderous impact it’s spine met a piece of branch jutting out of a downed tree, the beast let out a roar of anguish and rage as it struggled helplessly. Rainbird stood impassive eying the other two the blood stains on his arms and hands suggested he had killed the other beast. Jack Crusher sighed and leaned on his gun as Vigo getting over his fear at last plunged his knife into the creature’s heart ending its misery.

“What a rush!” he gasped “How often do you two do this?” he asked panting “a few times a month maybe two or three times a week” Jack offered “This border conflict gives us an excuse” “How do you mean?” Vigo asked

“You risked your life just now to save a comrade in a situation you knew could potentially kill you” Rainbird cut in pulling his knife from the poor creature’s crotch causing both men to flinch “That you are now proven, you will survive battle” he said with a gesture the computer ended the program “report to the med lab get patched up” he said both of them nodded and began to leave Rainbird stopped Crusher “You hesitated” he said

Jack sighed and nodded looking down in thought, John Rainbird had become somewhat like a personal hero to the younger officer his perception was uncanny and it was surpassed only by their Captain Jean Luc in how accurate it could be. “I’m sorry sir’ “don’t apologize to me, go to your pretty fiancé and ask her for forgiveness” he said. Jack’s eyes widened and he looked up “Sir?” he asked confused. “I know you are new to this, balancing duty with a family life but you must never allow the worlds to blend like that” he said. Jack found himself feeling weak and ashamed and he nodded “I understand it’s just” Rainbird nodded “Think of it this way, what if that was a Cardassian” he said Jacks face paled at that and he swallowed “I’d be dead” “and if we were defending a colony and you were killed and Beverly was there? What would happened” ‘they’d rape her, kill her” “All because when it hit the fan instead of using your love for her to give you strength you worried” he squeezed his shoulder “I will pray for you, and before we go into battle I will consecrate your weapon “ he said squeezing the boys neck in a paternal manner (it always amazed Jack how rough his hands were yet how comforting a simple grip could be even though it could easily snap his neck as well) “But you must remain focused, how do you think the Captain would feel if he ever had to take your body back to your woman?” he asked. Jack nodded “sir, in battle I won’t fail you, I won’t fail him “he said taking a breath. “Good, now get lost” he said. The young ensign nodded and took off in a brisk pace

John walked along calmly his mind wandered back to Jack, the hesitation and shakes were getting worse every time he was in a stressful situation. He was having major trouble coping and that trouble was going to get him killed Rainbird was sure of it. He debated mentally asking Captain Picard to transfer him to another vessel or station away from the front lines but he also realized the boy had spirit and Picard was a close personal friend. John made his way towards his quarters when his badge rang out “Commander Rainbird” “Aye Captain” John said “Come to my ready room” “on the bounce sir” John said moving off his pace quickened. Jean Luc had a very calm reserved tone but there were hints of anticipation in that man’s voice.

Entering the ready room of the Stargazer John eyed his captain who was standing tall and grim “John” he said shaking the man’s hand “Jean Luc” he said offering a smile. Jean Luc gestured with his hand and a man walked out of the shadows, he was young and tall with blond hair, the facial features of a man who grew up in new Texas maybe or the Rockies of earth. “John this commander Luther Sloan” he said the discomfort and suspicion in jean Luc’s tone was painfully evident.

“Luther the second I’m guessing” John asked, knowing full well there were things the Captain couldn’t say but Rainbird was allowed to mouth for him. Sloan chuckled “Met another Sloan? Well it is a big galaxy” he said – but of course it is, you wretched spy you- Rainbird thought “I am sure “ he said Jean Luc gestured for them to sit and both men did.

“Commander Sloan is from Starfleet intelligence, he’s reporting a possible breach in the Minas Korva sensor grid” the words told him all he needed to know. Three months ago the forces of Legate Parvek had broken the defenses and occupied the planet, the last remaining federation soldiers and civilians had held out in an ancient temple and had been holding there fighting for their lives for weeks. Parvek had managed to do what no other Cardassian commander had which was gain and hold federation territory and they were all chomping at the bits to get at him to rescue their comrades. Decisions in these border wars came slow as the Federation council was always loathed to commit any serious forces against an enemy who was facing wide spread famine and economic collapse because of a border skirmish. But that arrogance, that hesitation was going to cause catastrophic problems in the long run. “Starfleet intelligence believes if we can move against the fleet orbiting the planet we can cause enough distraction to land a few dozen shuttles with troops and supplies”

Picard nodded but he didn’t like it, it sounded like their goal wasn’t to end the siege and rout the enemy it was to buy more time? “Officially we are to weaken their defenses and help the remaining officers continue to fight soften them up for an eventual retaking of the system” Picard said. Rainbird grinned but there was an unofficial catch of course “and if we were to say push?” he asked. Sloan shrugged “well let’s just say if an opening was scene and exploited no one would be calling for any court Martials”

“The Ataturk and Babar will be joining you along with the Greene” Sloan said “they should be at your current position in three days “Sloan handed him two data pads and nodded “You will be leading the fleet good luck Captain” Jean Luc nodded “Now if you don’t mind Captain I would like to get some sleep” he said Jean Luc nodded “indeed, dismissed” as the man left the two looked at each other. “You know what this means?” John asked Picard nodded “Indeed, it seems that our friends have come out of the shadows for something” he said it truly had been a long time. Rainbird nodded “they Parvek stalemated Koloth in combat’ he said. Picard turned and eyed him “Do you want to fight this Cardassian spear?’ he asked curiously

Rainbird shook his head “I don’t fight this good because I enjoy it captain” he said. Jean Luc nodded smiling “I know” he said “but never the less I need someone to lead the ground forces”

John smiled “I would volunteer myself” he said “done” the two sat in silence for a second before Picard got up and walked towards a small cabinet he pulled out a bottle of his families wine and opened it serving himself and Jean some white wine. John took a sip tasting the flavor of the grapes and nodded “Your family does good work Captain” he said setting the glass down and looked at him “You want my assessment about the men?’ he asked. Jean Luc nodded “are they ready for this?’ “You have trained them well” he said honestly and then thought about it “as have I’ he said Jean Luc’s eyes lit up lightly at the man’s self-confidence “Jack worries me though” he said finally drinking the glass

Jean Luc frowned “Give him time John” “I am more than willing to” he said “but will Parvek?” he asked as Jean Luc refilled their glasses, Picard got up and looked out the window “Your holo programs aren’t really battle” he said “as dangerous as they get” Picard said. Rainbird nodded slowly “yes sir” Rainbird said slowly, then frowned friendship meant nothing if you lacked the respect to be honest. “Captain I know you two are” Picard eyed him “you as well” Rainbird nodded “He’s a good fighter, believe me I want him there but today he thought about his woman and it almost got him killed”

Jean Luc sipped his wine and then stood up walking to the window, his eyes focused on the stars “Commander, do you remember your first battle after your son was born?” he asked. John frowned nodding “I almost lost my head to some brigand” he said Picard nodded “What happened?” “I got over myself” John answered and mentally berated himself for being so hard on the boy. “Granted, you have a knack for physical combat very few beings in this galaxy do but do you feel that Jack is any less of a man then you?” “Where it counts sir? In his heart and soul? No sir not at all” then he laughed “I am being a hard ass again aren’t I sir?”

“You’re damned right” Jean Luc replied Rainbird smiled

Cardassia Prime same time

Elim Garek walked down the halls of the headquarters of the Obsidian order, calm and smiling with his usual smug face and false sense of friendliness. The young up and comer was the handpicked successor of Enabran Tain and would one day succeed him as head of the order, this showed in his footsteps in his body language, everything about him and the way he moved was carefully crafted a million, million lies weaved together to create the visage of a cold and calculating mass killer, torturer and master spy. Garek now made his way towards his father’s office.

Entering Elim who was about to present a data pad paused and looked up, he saw stars maps and thousands of different reports displayed on a massive screen. The records showing everything from Klingon intelligence records to financial transactions to Romulan troop movements to the farthest reaches of what they knew about the quadrants. All of it with webs and threads connecting through various lines to the Gama quadrant of all places all these reports going back close to a century and they all connected there?

He rolled his eyes and sighed his father had always pursued this theory of his in his spare time and he was beginning to wonder if the otherwise flawless man had one critical flaw a perceived conspiracy theory that seemed absolutely insane. His eyes shifted to one of the new pieces of intelligence the leak of information regarding Minas Korva “Ah, just what I wanted to talk to you about!” he said smiling

“He’s moving Elim this hand” he said “I can see it, changing landscapes he’s softening us up!” he said “I know it”

“And just who would that be?” Elim asked “I don’t know, but whoever he is he is smart, he thinks ahead hundreds of years” he explained “These patterns do you see them?”
Garek looked at the screen closely and began examining the patterns there was indeed a surprisingly strong case for one mass manipulation of many events. But there was a problem with that, it implied a near omniscient level of control over events or at least a mind formidable enough and abstract enough to look at things this long. “An Organian maybe?” he asked Tain laughed “your behind me Garek I already ruled them out, besides with their powers why do this? No this is something else some organization or someone”

Garek looked around “there is something wrong with this” he said “The pattern is pretty fragile as powerful as it is, someone smart enough could come along and play his game right back”

Tain nodded “very perceptive Garek” he said nodding “For now though there is nothing that can be done besides” he smiled a sadistic smile “I don’t like Parvek” Garek smiled “Really I find him to be quite charming in a common sort of way”

….

Haserian sector – present day
The rain was coming down pretty hard, the forty second division of the xenocorps was a mess of misshapen large, or deformed outcasts born from human parents or another race that couldn’t properly blend. Freaks of nature born of irresponsible parents they had long been touted out and paraded as an example of why interspecies relationships were an abomination. Now they sat, each one of them grim and forlorn volunteers, led by a man who’s lungs could not agree on the proper chemicals to breath in alone and rejected by their peers in the star navy be they regulars or otherwise. Alone and grim in the rain, the largest of the group was part human, part Farghul and part Neti though how that combination was even remotely possible was beyond their commanders wildest imagination. What was known was that Hodor was huge, powerful beyond all reason and blighted with the mind of a very slow child. The brute had a very good heart and the three eyed red skinned hybrid next to him had dragged him along into battle. Now Hodor who was usually silent had been babbling about making friends for the last hour, they hadn’t actually been sure Hodor had meant until the announcement about taking Trax came up and they realized what it meant.

A dominion production facility a fortress world defended by the same Jem’Hadar that had stormed Red Dawn at the start of the war, an elite unit of veterans who had survived the war this long. Their leader wheezed now and looked out contemplating it, he could see the hostility and tension between the regular storm troopers and his corps and he knew something had to be done to change that. Misfits and outcasts engaging in a near suicide mission would be perhaps the best or possibly worse way to solve this. But something had to be done and he knew this to be the truth of the matter.

Slowly he stood up and moved past the chattering leviathan and made his way towards the volunteer roster and etched the name “misfits” on siege duty for the main fort planet side and then let out a grim sigh
….

Churba

Sparks erupted from a blade as Vindiz brought his pair of Mandalorian daggers against twin blades held by Captain Toq, rejoined now in battle his men sat in the banquet hall with the jokers who watched eagerly the fight.

Vindiz was experienced and wild, mangy and cagey he fought with a fury and power of a crazed animal and held the strength of a culture with a long history of war and fighting hardwired into every one of o his sinews and muscles. Toq was very much matched in battle against him being pushed now for the last hour close to his limits of skill and stamina. He was being forced to invent new counters on the fly to avoid being beheaded, and blood had been drawn several more times against him than had been drain against his opponent. Toq was thrilled, if these were the kind of opponents he could find in this galaxy it would be far less boring than he had originally believed.

The grip loosed on Vindiz blade and then suddenly it the grip went loose, Toq thought he had an opening and went for it, a mistake he realized with enough time to bring his other blade up to block a strike headed for his ribs. Vindiz was quick the slacked grip became taught and suddenly Mandalorian steel had caught Klingon iron in a trap that both hyperextended Toq and stole away his balance. The young Klingon was on the floor standing above him the shaggy haired Imperial war master looked down with a wide smirk over his features. The battle had been close and revealing about the nature of their enemies, the two fighters had spoken and an exchange of ideals and values had taken place between blades. Beliefs that in some ways mirrored each other and in other ways told Vindiz just how dangerous they could eventually become

From his position above the fights Im’pec laughed and downed some ale “You have some very good men Ram” he said. Thanagar nodded “but he belongs to Jaxor not me” Thanagar said “Yes and he bested the second best fighter under my command” he said his metallic hand clenching the railings. Thanagar regarded him curiously, he watched the battle intensely, with a near hunger that was more than just typical of what he had come expect from Klingons he looked back at the Klingon Lords robotic hand and nodded, he recognized that look. The look of a man reminded of that pivotal moment when life was changed for the better or worse a flash of skill seen in Vindiz seemed to have brought back memories of a battle long fought. Thanagar understood all too well, his past with the Jedi order and Guylos prior to the clone wars was still something that ignited a fire in his very soul. “Vindiz is good with a knife and his bare hands but not much else” Thanagar pointed out “but then again that’s the way I like ‘em fighting up close and personal” he said, it was true tactical maneuvering the dance Grand Admiral Grant, Thrawn and Guylos did and did so well was a style of fighting he completely deplored and found boring. It was worse still, while the Dominion smashed them and brawled the leadership was clever and manipulative and it was that, that Thanagar really hated. His idea of warfare was cramming that nonsense right back down the throats of those foolish intellectuals and planners who thought that they could make a game of war.

Im’pec was different though, he saw in him much of the same savagery and lust for combat that the ram himself possessed but the silver hand was cunning, much more than he let on and he had a keen mind honed by enduring the games of politics and likely from serving a master as smart or dangerous as any other. Thanagar respected him though Im’pec was no fool academic learned in a war college, he was a soldier forged and educated with plasma, with blood and with steel. The giant was also an incredibly dangerous fighter his battle two hours ago with Jaxor was something Thanagar had been working over in his mind and still couldn’t believe it. He had never seen the old general taken down and he had never seen it easily, if anyone claimed Im’pec could fight a force user, after witnessing that battle he was quite sure he would not dispute the claim.

But Thanagar was also no fool and his mind too had been honed and hardened in battle and he had come to quickly see the Klingon was not only engaging in friendly competition but he was also engaging in a little subtle warfare of his own. It was a display of skill, though power and strength could be easily calculated no one suspected the giant could actually move as fast as he had or wielded that staff with masterful skill and that showed an entirely new aspect to the Klingons, an aspect unseen and dangerous. He was being showed that these people were not easily predicted and not easily read. Why he was showing him this however was something Thanagar was not certain of. Either way looking down at his time piece the Ram smiled

Allied Star Base Red Dawn two hours later

Captain Garros sat down in the banquet hall; morning breakfast with Vi’retess had become a near ritual whenever the two operated in the same sector. Though he had come to greatly enjoy the time they spent together and he realized he had begun to learn a lot from the old wordsmith he had begun to realize just how dangerous this Vorta really was. The Dominion had handled that battle with a pragmatic ruthlessness and every time something bloody or tragic happened it was the empires fault? Not even the Rebellion was that lucky! Granted, they possessed sensor technology and weapon accuracy far beyond what existed in this galaxy prior to contact which likely minimized the amount of collateral damage by a wide degree he also realized that this was almost too perfect. So Garros had begun to do something his instincts screamed at him not to do. He decided at the very least that would it make for a good distraction from Ackbar and his schemes and maybe even work. Vi’retess had taught him much after all; perhaps it was possible to use that knowledge he had taught him and begin to play the game against him.

He turned hearing the sound of the doors open and out walked various humanoid species that he had come to see used often as servants and laborers in the Dominion, orange skinned bird like creatures who were always pleasant and happy and eager to serve. He saw them lay out food a pretty nice spread but the strong juices and scented teas told him today was news day. When Vi’retess sat down and watched the holo-net and watched the different news agencies and propaganda serials or just the holo dramas and offered his opinions and analysis. It was a very interesting learning experience to be able to see how those from another galaxy so far away viewed their pop culture and politics. It gave him an interesting insight into the way the Dominion leader thought but in Garros opinion he liked the soap operas a little too much. Then again he didn’t know a senior citizen who didn’t and at fifteen hundred plus Vi’retess was the oldest sentient he had ever met.

Vi’retess entered and smiled that warm smile he always did, but something was different about him. Ever since that report was leaked about the death of an elder Founder, and the Ancient ones return. Vi’retess had carried himself differently; there was a power there under the surface that Garros had not previously seen in him. He still maintained his old humility and gentle nature though his deep blue eyes burned with that intense conviction he was so famous for , the man the imperial news agencies dubbed the mad preacher. “Good morning Captain Garros, honestly I must congratulate you on the raids you have done lately” he said. Garros smiled and shook his hand nodding, the raids had occurred after the sudden assaults on Dominion lines by the Rams forces, quick assaults on territories designed to make the Imperials think that, the Dominion was weakening and that the Rebellion had to begin to pull more weight. Garros liked the fact that they were finally fighting on their own, that several small systems backwater though they were, did agree to join the Alliance which was a nice boon. It showed they had power and while The Dominion was doing the brunt of the fighting the Rebels were still a force to be reckoned with. “Small and brief but excellent work and that treat negotiation” Vi’retess smiled “for a boy who hates the game you play it well” he said and then sat down

Garros smiled “maybe so but I have had a good teacher” he said slowly moving to sit down opposite him. “What are we watching today old man?” Garros asked him leaning back and beginning to enjoy one of the pastries. Vi’retess smiled brightly “Oh the Imperial news network is doing an episode on me of course” he said with a wide grin

…

Unknown regions same time

A lone Klingon bird of prey exited slip space and slowly cloaked, beginning to use its sensors the vessel allied to house Lorgh reached out detecting the various networks of local space, it waited as a small sickly green wormhole opened up and began broadcasting a signal.

[Admiral Breetai]

second part of the update, the battles wage on as The Ram and The Silver hand prepare to burn Thory to the ground and the soldiers of the empire march on.

Garros tries to play the game of thrones with Vi'retess and someone..shows up to really take him on! Hopefully this inspires Preao and his Picard vs Vi'retess side match

"Always find patterns in everything, they're there and once you spot them you can control life itself" Enabran Tain


..
Imperial space same time

Trumpets began to blare and play fanfare as the imperial news networks morning show kicked on. A loud confident speaking voice showcased clips of various imperial forces training and recruiting. A very obviously edited speech of the Emperor before the masses that was really a compilation of old recordings blared out as the studio showed the sun rising over the Coruscant skyline showing the jewel of the cosmos glittering in morning light a beacon of civilization and order in a galaxy beset by hordes of barbarians and their dangerous religion.

“Good morning Galaxy’ a chipper middle aged blond began “Today I begin our program by thanking the forces who held the line at the mid rim territories that remain under imperial control, alone and cut off you have continued to carry out the will of the emperor and never yielding you have fought valiantly and have prevented the spread of the false religion, these living gods of order and their mad preacher have infested this galaxy with their heresy! I believe the ultimate victory will come when our soldiers kill more of their gods and lay that mad preacher Vi’retess down for all time!”

Speaking of Vi’retess” another chimed in “we have an expose’ on the mad preacher and his false religion! We are airing exclusively all morning!” she said smiling “We will expose the delusions and deviancies of this demented and disreputable cult! We will expose this fanatical sect of mass murdering maniacs for what they truly are! Nothing but subhuman vermin and would be conquerors with their armies of false soldiers and fowl followers!”

“You will do nothing of the sort” the voice came from in front of them holo-recorders panned out suddenly focusing on the hologram that stood before them. The old Vorta dressed in common clothes standing relaxed yet hunched and gravely emotionally wounded “you scar me deeply little girl” he began his voice timid and brimming hurt “you attack my faith, you insult my gods and you question my stability and you do all this for an elite ruling class that considers you lower than fodder?’ he asked shrugging

“Now just a minute! Our liege, lord and emperor cares deeply for every single one of his citizens” she nearly spat out “that is a lie” Vi’retess countered “but I wonder if he truly did care so deeply for every single citizen why is that, he is promising equal rights to nonhumans only if they fight for him now? Why is it that, Alderan was sacrificed?” he asked She glared “As our Emperor said to you before Mace Windu a dangerous” “yes, yes, I know several billion lives to remove a few thousand superhuman terrorists? Come now child does that make any sense to you?” he asked

The female was livid unsure how to respond and behind the scenes the producers scrambled to try and do whatever they could do shut the signal off, but it had been remote hacked and the entire holo network subverted! This was bad! They would have to likely manually shut down the entire holo net, communications across the galaxy would be crippled until they get it back up. Though loyal to the emperor the journalists feared such a black out.

“Yes it does! The Jedi were a scourge! They infiltrated the old republic and” “huh? The Jedi” Vi’retess smiled almost predatory “Little girl you must get your information right, was it not us filthy Xenos who infested and corrupted it with the Jedi muscling in as pathetic power brokers?”

She stammered and Vi’retess pressed in “I will not defend the old republic, had the Dominion come to these stars and seen such corruption and malice the founders would have wept tears of pity and agony at the state of the galaxy and then ordered us to bring peace and justice to it” He said and that caught everyone off guard, the Dominion had always championed democracy and freedom and yet here he was standing before the masses, the war leader of the Dominion and blasting that cause. “Ah hah” she snapped and smiled widely; finally she got that old fool and backed him into a corner. That old arrogant purple clown, who so fancied himself a master of words and tactics when he was nothing but a frail fool. “And yet you allied with the Rebel Alliance to Restore the Republic? Please old man do us all a favor and make your lies less transparent!” she said in a loud confident voice

Vi’retess laughed “You’re mistake if you believe the alliance is anything like its predecessor, no the Alliance wants to restore true order and democracy and The Dominion has no issues with that, we will fight for such a worthy goal” he smiled “and yes, some sectors have chosen to become a part of the Dominion and not the alliance this is true” he said which caused murmurs in the room, they had long suspected divisions but to have this confirmed. Vi’retess smiled “but if you examine the official records I believe that The Alliance has won out over us more times than anything” he chuckled “oh and yes, will gladly make our records open to the Galaxy and its citizens” he added “this includes military reports on the battles so far”

This caused the female to flinch she had been baited and took it hook, line and sinker and the old bastard was driving dangerously close to pushing them too far. She began to sweat lightly her voice losing its chipper tone “A foolish race, that weakens themselves by sharing sensitive documents with everyone out there” she bit back

Vi’retess nodded thoughtfully as if considering something great and profound, finally after a few seconds he relented smiling “Yes, that is true we may possibly divulge information that could be used against us, but our side is committed to true and total justice and order” he explained “and we are perfectly willing to risk such a thing if it means brining honesty and transparency to the mass” he smiled “Tell me, my dear your beneficent and loving ruler, has he done so? Has he shown the mothers and daughters of the men who have died all over this galaxy fighting for your majesties splendid rule? Does your leader have the moral fortitude and conviction to look them in the eye as I, not but a humble servant of the living gods have looked at them? Does he have the courage to concede that this war has been brutal and exhausting for both sides?” he turned and eyed the recording devices “we have suffered horrifically and your men, your brave souls have thrown themselves at us with stunning power and conviction. Fighting and dying by the hundreds of thousands and for what? An Emperor who hides behind the vast bulk of his armada in a hidden location?” he said letting the implications hit the masses, the emperor was holding back the fleet and the Admiralty and this had been said many times before and now with a pained and impassioned plea.

The female was about to reply but the com was cut off completely as the holo net died around the galaxy and the ominous symbol of the imperial intelligence agency was thrown up before the screen.

Garros sat back breathless, Vi’retess had hit the emperor hard and the verbal sparring had been pretty devastating but it had forced a knee jerk reaction that would black out the galaxy for days, possibly weeks! Panic hit him when he realized that the rebellion was now dependent solely on Dominion subspace technology for any type of communication at all! He wondered if that was one of his old mentor’s goals. Vi’retess merely smiled and looked at him “you needn’t worry Garros, when the seeds of doubt are spread sometimes it’s darkness and not the light that causes what is sown to grow and flourish” he said and then turned to leave before stopping, mid pace causing Garros to frown. Vi’retess smiled pleasantly “now this is interesting!” came a coy reply from the aged Vorta

Garros turned and gazed at the source of the Vortas emotional reaction and frowned.

Minas Korva – 2300’s

The rain came down hard on the Cardassian troops who sat outside of the last bastion of Federation defense. It came down hard and got in everything, the soggy cold was bitter to the soldiers, bitter and painful and when they sank their teeth into food created by captured replicators it made it all the more bitter. Many soldiers had never in their lives had a full meal until this battle; many grew up during the economic collapse and decline of the Cardassian people, The Wars had only made this worse when in their arrogance they hurled themselves at the united federation of planets a power they perceived to be nothing but pacifists, weak indolent fools who would surrender territory at a moment’s notice. Instead they were met with the iron wall of Federation technology and shockingly stubborn and often brutal resistance from those who fought on the frontier and lived out here. While true the rest of the federation ignored them (which perhaps made it worse) they stood here, on a lush world fighting for the ability to feed their people and a group of maybe a thousand civilians had with nothing but some aid from Starfleet and a few dozen actual soldiers held them off. Of course they had killed many and made these fools pay dearly, these self-entitled arrogant humans who possessed so much yet refused to share with their poorer neighbors.

Legate Parvek commander of the fifth order stood braving the rain alone with only his long spear to keep him company. Parvek was a decorated war hero, a fighter and a leader of men and one who inspired near fanatical loyalty in his men. Men that, now stood enraged and full of resentment ready to end this siege and take this world for their people. Parvek stood grimly watching the facility, his eyes never missing a single detail rarely blinking. Parvek was one of the last of an old order, an order that traced its roots back to the days of old the habitan civilization. Spear masters and guardians who fought wielding ancient weapons, combat masters. Parvek had battled many Federation and Klingon soldiers throughout many different conflicts and had laid them all low. Today it was Parvek who felt low, his men were idle and raging, the war was going badly and he had just received some terrible news. Gul Demin a trusted aid had killed himself when he had heard news that his youngest son had starved to death on one of their colonies. Parvek loved Cardassia and loved his men and he fought for them, but today he longed for a human worthy to fight, worthy to kill. If his people had any gods he would have prayed to them by now, but he needed a worthy foe.

In space the USS Stargazer blasted towards MK at maximum warp with a small fleet of vessels, within one of her crew quarters John Rainbird sat singing his ancient songs, drawing on his people’s ancient medicine and evoking his ancestors as he burned incense and began to slowly draw paint across his features. That night he had, had a dream he saw himself battling a large wolf before its pack, he saw the conflict but not its end and from that he knew. A great battle was coming.




Churba Sector present day

Grand Admiral Thanagar stood in the command center of his super star destroyer. His hand gripping a goblet as he gazed at his fleet, watching the lithe Klingon vessels bob and weave between his massive star destroyers and SSD’s. His features fixed and calm “report” he asked “Klingon fleet reporting they are ready to enter slipstream” came the reply of one of the aids. As soon as she said this outline of the massive Klingon flagship cruised forward blocking the light lightly as it positioned itself.

“The God Slayer is hailing us” His aid said. Thanagar smirked “Silver hand!” “Ram” came the reply “I suppose you are ready?” “Of course” came the giants reply. Thanagar nodded and then turned “give me fleet wide” he ordered
Soon the Rams holographic voice boomed over the com systems “Brawlers” he began “we have had an interesting couple of days haven’t we? Apparently the Dominion pissed off some other brawlers too, so much so they chased them half way across the universe” Thanagar smiled “No flower speeches, this time gents, just the cold truth” he grinned coldly “Thory is dead meat, we get there you guys feth it up until its nothing but rubble!!”

With that the fleet began to enter hyperspace and slip space heading towards glory and war.

Allied Star base Red Dawn

Captain Garros gazed quizzically at the holographic representation before him. The man looked young, but he could see wisdom and experience beyond physical years in his deep brown eyes, (thus he surmised he belonged to a race with slightly longer than human life spans) but there was something else there. Power and cunning, those deep pools reminded him of Vi’retess. He was dressed in red and gold, very well crafted and embroidered (Garros surmised accurately the man’s clothes could have bought him a ship). His smooth tanned skin grew rough as a large forehead with pronounced ridges appeared clear to him. A thick main of light brown hair fell loose around his neck and shoulders. At his mentors remark the being smiled “So you were expecting me?” he asked his tone calm and charismatic but there was an infliction there in the way he said it. Vi’retess turned and smiled “Ah, yes but not for some time” he explained and his mysterious companion smiled. Both men seemed to speak words that sounded like simple confirmations but Garros took a breath realizing each infliction each answer had hundreds of different meanings. “Who is this?”

“Oh, a youngster” Came the answer from the mad preacher. “A student of the game just like us” Vi’retess added gesturing for the Klingon to take a seat. Alexander Rozhenko Lord and founder of house Rozhenko smiled and sat down opposite Vi’retess the man who battled words with the Dark Lord of the Sith himself and smiled. “Then by all means, let us begin his education”

Vi’retess smiled “indeed, we do have so much to talk about after all” he said one of his trademark warm smiles spreading across his lips.

[sonofccn]

Great update and good to see you back. Here's to the Tidesverse! Also, hope you don't mind, the Subcommander wishes me to pass along a message to the "Mad Preacher".

My dear Vi'retess in answer to your question you say fit to harras a helpless woman and news network with, I do not find it surprising that as a slavetender in charge of a legion of soulless abominations that you leap upon cynical and and inflamatory charges against our great Emperor, hallowed be his name, for that is your world. One of manipulation, of servitude and vassals strung out upon the grand whims of supposed deities but it is not our world. Ours is a realm of stability, of order it is true but this is built upon a bedrock of valor, of sacrifice. Sacrifice both from us who serve and from his glorious person as he took upon his breast the sacrifice of uncounted billions of human kinsmen, brother and sisters of humanity who it should be added had already turned away from his noble light, to protect the uncounted trillions who would have suffered had mad Jedi returned to wreck their terrible vengeance.
-Subcommander Tyler