Karma

As the battle between the Lotus and McKenzie and the Klingons raged on, a stalker watched from the distance. The Lotus had dealt with this behemoth of a ship before, and it sat in its protective veil of cloak to see if it would have to reveal itself or not. It wasn't looking good for the Klingons and Chancellor J'mpok could see that. He had been transferred on the Ghawran after the spectacular failing of the previous ship's commander, Ja'rod.

J'mpok's intent was to take Starbase 10, but he would need more ships to do so. He couldn't afford to lose the Negh'Vars that were currently being assaulted in such a way by what started out as a tiny Defiant-class and an old Excelsior and was now backed up by the Fleet's flagship.

"Attack!" he ordered, and the ship moved toward the Lotus intent on destroying it at once from cloak. The ship could maintain the power to stay cloaked and fire torpedoes at the same time.

The Horizon was the first to arrive from the other battle group despite being last to leave, as it was able to maintain its top non-transwarp speed of 9.985. The issues it had previously had keeping it at warp five had been quickly repaired by the Chief Engineer while they were out of warp and it was able to surpass the Artemis and the Spectre.

When it arrived, the Tacticall officer reported on their status. "Sir, the Lotus is being attacked by two Negh'Vars and... nothing, Sir. A cloaked ship."

"Manual fire. Fire at the source of the torpedoes," Paris ordered and the Tactical officer was able to find the Bortas-class Klingon ship and decloak it.

"Good lord, it never ends with these folks," Paris said, with a hint of exasperation. "Let's show 'em the way home, shall we?"

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The Alsea, in pieces, came out of warp after the Horizon due to her limited warp potential and as they did Jureth assessed the situation. The Horizon was providing relief to the Lotus and the Mckenzie was fending off her attackers as best she could. Jureth took several seconds to assess the situation, and then watched as a massive Klingon battlecruiser shimmered into view after several torpedoes impacted her hull and deactivated her cloaking device.

"Computer, attack pattern Oseno Alpha one, all sections."

The Alsea then jumped into the fray focusing her considerable firepower on the massive ship in front of her. After her third pass the Alsea's primary section rocked hard under disruptor beam fire from the massive Klingon ship. Jureth looked to T'lana,

"Damage report!"

"Shields at thirty three percent, quantum torpedo complement depleted, hull breach on deck six, multiple hull breaches in secondary section sealed with force fields, tertiary section is in the best shape Sir, with minimal damage to secondary hull."

Jureth knew the Alsea had taken a beating, all the Lotus Fleet ships had, and he couldn't even imagine what the crew of the Artemis was dealing with right now, but he also knew there was no retreating until the threat to Starbase Ten had been dealt with.

"Fine, we're out of torpedoes, we'll hit them with concentrated phaser fire." he tapped the command console "Bridge to engineering, give me everything you've got to phasers and shields. You can take it from the torpedo launchers, we're out of torpedoes anyway."

"Acknowledged." Came Thompson's reply

Jureth gripped the command chair as the Alsea rocked again, whatever he did that...thing out there was going down.

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On the USS Lotus, the mixed crew of Artemis and flagship personnel watched the main screen or through transparencies as Klingons decloaked in attack formation aiming straight at the USS McKenzie and the USS Lotus, the three battling parts of the USS Alsea now joining the magnificent USS Horizon to intercept them.

"Mister Syntron; status of the operation?" asked Kheren as he calculated the rate of approach of the warships and their angle of attack.

" The Azimuth Horizon is now secured and the threat of the anomaly has been nullified. The Klingons will soon find that they are now waging a pointless battle. But given their inherent bloodlust, that might not stop them anyway from attempting to destroy us."

"If only out of spite," agreed the Andorian.

Then he turned to the commanding officer of the flagship.

"Captain Gould, there is no reason for us to do the same."

The bearded Vulcanoid in the command chair nodded in agreement.

"Time to show the better part of valor, then. Mister Vincent; keep the armor up in case they fancy a pursuit and signal the others that we are disengaging. Mister Moor; best possible speed back to Starbase 10."

"That will be warp 4, Captain," Kheren reported then. "Mister Adams says he's all out of bubble gum."

Despite everything, the crew of the Lotus erupted with smiles and even a few giggles as the battered, scarred and tired flagship of Lotus Fleet veered off and jumped to warp... and back home.

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The McKenzie weaved in between two Klingon ships firing cannons and using evasive maneuvers to avoid the barrage of disruptors coming at her.  As she turned and fired flying through the debris of a destroyed ship the call came over to disengage the battle and head back to Star Base 10.  Calling down to Engineering the command was quick.

"Mister Simmons we need all power we can get it time to go home so get us out of here."

"Aye Sir."

Working at his station Simmons saw the same indicators from earlier of a power drain in the Shuttle bay.  Rerunning power from the secondary reserves had no effect on the apparent damage.  Looking around Simmons yelled his commands as he grabbed his tools and ran for the door.

"I am heading for the shuttle bay as soon as that power drain stops reroute all power to warp engines"

As the door to the shuttle bay opened Simmons entered walking past one of the shuttles he saw a rain of sparks coming from one of the panels.  As he removed the singed wires he felt a pressure to his back slowly turning around Simmons saw two masked figured and one had a phaser rifle pointed right at his back .  As the masked man used his head to signal for Simmons to stand up a call came over.

"Sir this is engineering is everything all right?"

Nodding to the armed men Simmons pressed a few buttons on the panel and turned it off.

"Everything is fine here restore power to the engines and tell the bridge warp is good to go"

As Simmons stepped away from the panel the two men lead him to one of the shuttles which  had three other men standing around it.  Before he could say a word Simmons caught a glimpse of a necklace one of the men was wearing.  He knew that symbol he had seen it many times before.  With an almost defeated sigh Simmons spoke to the men at the shuttle.

"The Children I presume?"

Nudging him along the armed man pushed Simmons towards the men around the shuttle.  He knew they needed him for something he was just hoping they would keep him alive long enough for him to find out.  As he approached the three men they waved for him to follow them as they boarded the shuttle and sat him in the chair in front of the second console.  Pointing the older of the men spoke and handed Simmons a PADD.

"You see this.  You are going to configure this shuttle to work with this and then you are going to get us out of here."

Reading the PADD Simmons look of worry turned to one of confusion.  He had seen this equation before but had no idea how the Children ever got a hold of it.

"Transphasic beaming?  How did you figure this out this is still in the experimental phase within Starfleet"

Slapping the back of his head the elder man yelled back.

"Silence no questions.  That techno babble confuses the hell out of me but you are going to make it work.  With the transporter configured like that we can beam through anything including the shields of your ship.  We will take this shuttle beam the chosen one away from his prison and return to our homes.'

"They mean to take Sisko"  Simmons thought to himself.

Just then a feint glow of the transporter appeared in the back of the shuttle and Sisko, still unconscious from his medical treatments, appeared.  The larger of the two masked guards moved over and sat Sisko upright checking on him.

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As the McKenzie weaved past two Klingon ships the blue hue of her warp engines filled the surrounding space and with a low hum she was gone headed towards Star Base 10.  The ship had only been to warp a few moments when the call came over.

"Medical to bridge we have an emergency."

Jumping from his chair Crist's eyes met with those of the other bridge officers all of whom seemed concerned.

"Sir it is Sisko... he is gone sir."

Taken aback by the news Crist spoke.

"Computer locate Mister Sisko."

"Mister Sisko is in the main shuttle bay."

Clearly angered by the answer Crist issued his next command quickly.

"Security to the main shuttle bay... NOW!"

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Speaking out from the back a younger member of the children stepped towards Ensign Simmons and spoke his voice stern through his thick beard.

"Wait what did you mean Star Fleet has not developed it yet?"

Taken aback slightly by the shock of the importance of what they had on hand Ensign Simmons did what he could to explain what he was looking at.

"Transphasic beaming was developed by Star Fleet during a recent battle with the borg.  The idea is that by shifting the transporter beam out of phase that the beam can penetrate shields, phased armor, even a cloaked ship..."

Pausing Simmons just realized he answered his own question.

"A cloaked ship" Simmons thought to himself.

Pounding the console the bearded man cut Simmons off mid sentence. 

"Well that is all fine and good but can you implement it in this shuttle."

"Yes of course, but trust me when I say you do not want me to."

Angered by the young engineers refusal to help the bearded man drew a knife and his tone quickly turned threatening.

"You will help us or you will feel pain"

Putting his hand up Simmons cut him off.

"Do not take my suggestion as a refusal just understand that if I implement these power variations this shuttle will explode the second it goes to warp."

His hands shaking to the point where he nearly dropped the knife the bearded man punched Simmons across the face with his free hand.

"Liar!  We implemented these across every ship loyal to the children do you mean to have me believe that our great Engineering minds would condemn the Children to death."

Spitting blood from his mouth Simmons looked up at the bearded man and pointed to the screen.

"The answer is right  there just look.  You are routing power through your secondary stability matrix of the warp core.  While it will give the transporter the extra power you need to enter multiphase you will create an instability in your Warp core.  The first time any ship with these changes goes to warp the core will collapse on itself."

Pushing Simmons to the floor the bearded man read the screen and stabbed the knife in his hand into the console with a deafening thud and with such force it not only sliced through the metal but left a large fist shaped dent.

"He is right, dammit he is right.  They have killed us all."

Before the bearded man could finish his thoughts the sounds of struggle by the door grew louder.  Those present knew they had been discovered and that the security team outside the door would be in within a few moments.  Looking back down at Simmons the bearded man removed the knife from the console and leaned in with an almost psychotic smirk.

"Well looks like this is the end.  Too bad for us Star Fleet never figured out this Transphasic beaming thing..."

Putting the pieces together in his head Simmons looked at the larger of the two masked guards who had stepped up from treating Sisko and was slowly walking towards the bearded man.  Smiling through the blood in his teeth Simmons laughed.

"No too bad for you it was someone from Starfleet who did..."

As Simmons smiled the masked guard grabbed the bearded man and with a quick and snapping motion broke his neck.  As the man fell lifeless to the floor the masked guard grabbed the knife and threw it into the chest of the smaller masked guard the impact knocking him over.  Grabbing the rifle that had dropped the masked guard pointed at the other three children members and signaled for them to raise their hands.

As Simmons, the masked guard and his three new prisoners exited the shuttle the door to the shuttle bay opened and security forces entered with their weapons pointed at the masked guard. 

As calls for him to lower his weapon raised with the tension Simmons stepped in between the masked man and the security team.

"Wait stop he is on our side..."

Pausing slightly and turning Simmons continued.

"At least I am pretty confident he is on our side."

Nodding the masked man placed his rifle on the ground and reached for the lower clasps on his mask.  As he slid the mask up the pale skin and scales of his neck came in to view, followed by the bones on his chin and finally familiar piercing green eyes.  As the mask hit the floor Simmons smiled and glanced over to see several of the security forces fighting back smiles as well because before them stood their old Cardassian friend Sorripto.

Tapping his combadge Simmons spoke.

"Bridge this is ensign Simmons, Captain you need to get down here."

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The woosh of the Shuttle Bay doors echoed through the silent room as Captain Crist accompanied by a small medical staff who had also been called entered the shuttle bay.  Crist stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes met that of the tall Cardassian before him.  Forcing out a few words Crist spoke in shock.

"Sorripto?"

Nodding to the Captain Sorripto smiled and spoke.

"Last time I checked sir.  Before we go one Joey is in the shuttle and in need of medical assistance."

As the medical team entered the shuttle Crist, who had composed himself continued.

"Well go on then."

Smiling Sorripto addressed the group.

"I sincerely apologize Captain and submit myself to you for reprimand and any actions you see fit.  In my quarters behind the painting on my wall of the Cardassian sunset you will find a PADD that explains my orders, allowed actions, and mission from Section 31 and Starfleet intelligence.  I can get in a lot of trouble for sharing that with you sir, but I owe you that much and I respect more then enough to stop the cover ups."

Nodding Crist gestured for Sorripto to continue.

"As Ensign Simmons over there has figured out the children are no more sir and those three over there are your chief of tactics, containment, and interrogation.  The three vile war criminals the children had call capturing them a bonus."

As some of the security officers stepped forward to escort the Children prisoners away Sorripto winked to them and then looked back at Crist and continued.

"As for the ship sir I am to understand that the McKenzie is need of Chief Engineer.  With Chief Reichman dead for his crimes and Ensign Simmons dual tasked as our deflector expert I would like to volunteer my services.  Of course sir if you will have me I will have to volunteer as a civilian since it seems Starfleet ended my commission after you reported to them that I came down with a bad case of death."

Cracking up Simmons interjected.

"A bad case of death?"

Laughing along with him Sorripto winked at Simmons

"Well I got better."

Looking back at his Captain the look in Sorripto's eyed turned more serious.

"I want you to know sir I was always and will always be loyal to the Federation, this ship and you.  I will volunteer as Chief Engineer or allow myself taken into custody if you see fit for that as well.  You are my Captain and the McKenzie is my baby all I ask sir is for the chance to ride her home and let history take its course from there."

Captain Crist stood and thought over his choices a moment, before giving Sorripto a cold hard stare and waving a nearby security officer over. "Crewman, please place Sorripto under arrest."

As the security officer approached the Cardassian, he added, "Please escort him to Engineering, where he will be preemptively serving out part of whatever sentence is handed down to him from his court martial... in community service."

"Get us home... Engineer Sorripto," he said, softer now, with a slight grin.

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A few more passes against the massive Klingon battleship and the Alsea had had enough. Her hulls were scored from disruptor, and plasma fire and multiple hull breaches in all three sections were being barely contained by the ship's computer and her damage control teams. Acrid smoke was filling the bridge and the ship's young Bajoran commander gripped the arms of the command chair as the ship was struck by two photon torpedoes.

"Status!" Jureth demanded

"Shields at twenty percent Sir," T'lana reported "hull breaches on decks three through six, multiple hull breaches in both the secondary and tertiary sections, transporters, replicators, and deflectors damaged. Captain, if I may Sir, there is a human saying that states that he who fights and runs away lives to fight another day. It may be...cliche Sir, but I believe it is logical in this situation. The Lotus, Republic, and Mckenzie are safely away toward Starbase Ten. If we retreat now Sir, and the Klingons choose to follow us, the Starbase's defenses will decimate them."

The thought of retreating from a fight Jureth was certain they could win bothered him. Perhaps it was his Bajoran nature, or perhaps it was the tactical officer in him, but deep down the newly minted captain knew his subordinate was right. If they stuck around any longer the Alsea would likely be destroyed. He nodded at T'lana, and gave the order.

"Mister Hunter, get us out of here, all of us."

"Aye Sir, plotting course for Starbase Ten, maxium feasible warp."

Jureth activated the comm array "Alsea to Horizon, we can't take anymore, and the rest of the fleet is safely away. We are retreating to Starbase Ten, and advise you do the same. Let them follow us if they have the guts. Alsea out."

With a nod to Shawn Hunter the warship's battered sections entered a diamond formation before going to warp.

The Horizon took one more pass at the Bortas-class battleship, causing minimum damage, but covering the Alsea's escape by using itself as a shield to block the many incoming disruptor blasts and photon torpedoes. They swooped upward, showing the Klingons the massive ventral side of the saucer section that extended 300 meters. The advanced self-healing hull was scarred and on fire in many places, but was still holding up quite well against the onslaught.

Unfortunately when the shields lowered between twenty-five percent, a lucky torpedo shot broke the streak.

"Report!" demanded Captain Paris.

"Hull breach deck 43, aft section. Emergency forcefields holding, no casualties."

"Let's keep it that way. Get us out of here," he said nodding to the helmsman.

The helmsman pulled down on the virtual stick in front of him, causing the Horizon to continue on its looping course, pitch up until the ship ended up inverted. Firing maneuvering thrusters, he was able to roll the ship around until it was oriented in the established galactic normal plane and then warped away the short distance toward Starbase 10.

A few seconds later, they dropped out and the sight they saw was disheartening. Dozens of ships lined up in formation around the Starbase and the few Lotus Fleet ships all in a line in front of the Horizon, not daring to move a muscle. Additional Romulan ships could be seen off to port and on the other side, the Klingons waited, also eying up their prey. The Ghawran had indeed decided to follow them, knowing it would have company and dropped out shortly after the Horizon, maneuvering itself into formation with the rest.

"This is Samji to all Lotus Fleet ships. Don't fire a shot, even if they attack the Starbase. I want you to stand by to collect evacuees if the need should arise."

The order came through on all the bridges of all the ships, and the less senior officers dropped their heads in despair. Their home was being attacked and they weren't being allowed to defend it, in favor of their lives.

"What'll we do, Sir?" asked Grok in the Operations center of Starbase 10.

"Get me in a conference call with whoever will answer. Maybe I can work out a truce."

"Aye, Sir."

Samji retreated into his personal office to speak with Chancellor J'mpok, who immediately responded to the request for a conference, as well as the Romulan Commander who arrived quite a few minutes later, likely after a debate between the commanders of the various ships about who had the tactical advantage and would be allowed to speak.

"You will die for this insolence!", shouted J'mpok, after being told by the Romulan Commander to stand down. "I am the Chancellor of the High Council of the Klingon Empire. Where is your so-called Empress to lay claim to the sector?"

"She is too important to deal with this little matter," the Romulan responded, slyly. It was both a dig at the Chancellor himself and also a way to conceal the true answer. He could not reveal that she was either dead or captured by Starfleet, as it would be a telling sign of weakness in front of the Klingons.

"But I suggest we decide who we want to fight right now. It will be easier to debate our claim on this sector once Starfleet has abandoned it."

"We will not," Samji replied coldly. "Your intimidation tactics are useless here. I suggest you leave before you lose the remainder of your ships. You have no idea what you're up against." Unfortunately that was not entirely true. The amount of cruiser- and dreadnaught-class ships the enemies and brought would likely decimate the Starbase before the battle was through. However, the part about losing many ships was still true. Their forces would also be cut down massively by the numerous arrays of phaser banks and quantum, transphasic, and tricobalt torpedo tubes Starbase 10 was outfitted with. But losing ships was something only the Federation was truly concerned with among the group gathered there. The Klingons welcomed it, and the Romulans tolerated it as long as it gained them territory.

Lotus Fleet would only come out on top if the Romulan and Klingon forces fired on each other first.

"I agree. Despite our differences, the Federations are the obvious first target," J'mpok replied, ignoring Samji and crushing his only hope.

"At least give us time to evacuate," Samji replied. "There's no need to destroy your new prize in order to gain it. We will go peacefully as long as every Lotus Fleet officer and Federation citizen is allowed to leave in our ships that we have waiting."

"Agreed. You have two hours, Fleet Captain," the Romulan Commander at least said respectfully. He was ambitious but not bloodthirsty.

Hesitantly, J'mpok responded. "I... suppose... we can do honorable battle against these patak after you leave," he said.

As Samji left the office, he said ironically, "Great. We've succeeded in uniting Klingons and Romulans! They both want us dead or gone."

"Get me a secure channel to all the Lotus Fleet ships and the Horizon. Ask the Captains to call me from their ready rooms." And he returned to his private office to wait for them to be assembled.

Once the group was all settled, Samji filled them in on the status. "So, basically we have two hours to either leave or come up with a plan."

((OOC: Captains discussion may commence here if you wish))

Jureth was stunned to see the numerous enemy ships surrounding Starbase Ten. He had thought for certain they given both the Romulans and the Klingons all they could handle and then some. Now as Fleet Captain Samji asked for answers as both a captain and a tactical officer he was dismayed to find he had none.

"Sir," he said trying to measure his tone "We need to do as they've asked. Even with the addition of the Horizon we cannot fight them. My ship is falling apart, and I suspect the other captains will tell you the same. We do what Captain Sisko did Sir, we get out with what we have, and when we can we return and take back what is ours."

"Paris here, Fleet Captain. I agree with this recommendation. But you should know something; we have Empress Sela in... our care. Surely her Romulan sense of honor will have her speak on our behalf to have her own people stand down... if not, her practical sense then."

"Or they will demand her return... and attack us if we refuse them or try to bargain," stated Vi'Rell Gould, the most experienced among them with the Rihansuu people. "Sacrificing one's life for duty and Empire is second nature to them. Sela is both Human and Romulan; this means she is greedy and fearless, cunning and devious, relentless and faithful. She will trick us in releasing her with false promises and then turn around and order a full scale assault... after allowing us to retreat, in.. gratitude... for helping her."

"I agree with Captain Gould... and Captain Jureth," said Kheren, sitting beside the flagship commanding officer. The sweat on his scarred brow showed that his multiplanning mind was feverishly at work, despite the very few options now left to them. " Time is our best weapon now. And so, we should look for the diplomatic option first. Sela will be much more... cooperative once we debrief her and release her later after negotiating terms with her. Then we will have only the Klingons left to deal with; and they are after all an honorable people, once our allies. In any case, a battle here and now would be foolish, when we have just gained the opportunity to save our people... and to let them weaken one another fighting over the starbase. We can always  come back... but not if we never go away. We can always rebuild a base... but we can not bring back the dead."

"Seems we need a new plan," Samji said.

They all returned to Operations or their bridges to where they could see the battle unfold. The instant the first ships appeared in normal space, they began firing on Klingon and Romulan ships alike. Three Undine ships streaked past the line of Lotus Fleet ships and headed straight for the Ghawran. Their consistent yellow plasma beams and torpedoes tore through the hull and, taking advantage of damage already done by Lotus Fleet, they were able to disable weapons instantly and caused several hull breaches in the massive Klingon ship. Before they could come around for the final killing pass, the huge ship closed off its hull breaches with forcefields and escaped at high warp.

Other ships weren't so lucky. The Negh'Var and few Birds of Prey that had been with the Ghawran from the beginning were destroyed instantly. Two D'deridex warbirds of the Romulans, including the one the commander Samji spoke to was on were destroyed instantly as well as a dozen Undine ships tore through their ranks. After mere seconds of this battle, the remaining Klingon and Romulan ships that could do so, warped away, running back to their respective empires.

That left the Undine ships, about two dozen of them, surrounding Starbase 10 and the Lotus Fleet ships. They did not fire, but they also did not hail. They waited patiently for Samji to finally gather his wits and say to Grok, "hail them".

The familiar visage of Boothby finally appeared on the Operation's main viewer. "It is good to see a familiar face," Samji said warily. He could also see one other human-looking figure in the bridge, the form of Tomah. The "man" stood with arms crossed, a slight smirk on his face. Whether it was from the decimation of the Klingons and Romulans or the fact that he was once again seeing his former "friends" and "colleagues", Samji was not sure. He wasn't even sure if the Undine had true emotions or if Tomah was just so used to mimicking human behavior.

Lyrya, the Aenar counselor from the Artemis, currently on the Spectre, knew the real answer to that. "I sense, overwhelming joy..." she said to herself. Only Doctor Nasaro-Myth who was beside her on the bridge of the Spectre heard. "The confusion, fear, and hatred... all gone. The only thing that is left is great joy... and contentment."

Samji did not have the advantage of a telepath in Operations, however. "What can we do for you?"

"Boothby" spoke in a calm and encouraging voice. "Nothing, Fleet Captain, except to say... we understand now. Your Alsea, Spectre, and Aegis ships have showed us what we needed to see to believe. You only care about preserving life."

He hung his head shamefully, and continued. "That is all we ever were concerned about, Allen. It took us a long time... and an act of compassion, to finally admit it to ourselves. And we knew, finally, that the only chance we had of saving our race, as we have been concerned about all this time, was to work with you. We were only threatened by the Anomaly when the Klingons and Romulans were risking it remaining open."

Not waiting for a response, he said finally. "We will leave you now in peace and we know you will be... 'watching our backs', as you humans say."

Samji stood in shock and simply nodded in respect before the viewscreen changed to a view of the Undine ships surrounding them. Their portals opened back up and they vanished, leaving just the Lotus Fleet ships and the wreckage and debris of several enemy ships in their wake.

Captain Kheren, after a long, quiet moment, was the one to finally break  the silence.

"Peace... to all those of Good Will."