Images suddenly flooded Ortas mind Strange alien beings of a type hed never seen before. One of them hoisting this very box over his head. A beam of pure force emitting from the box as he did so. The other aliens being vaporized by it.
With this device, all that you desire will be accomplished.
He did not recognize the world, the beings, none of itbut he recognized the box for what it was.
It was the final piece to the puzzle. When he found the prophecy, he knew what he had to do. He just needed the right weapon to implement the plan. At first, he thought the Odyssey would be that weapon, but he no longer needed to take over an entire Galaxy -class ship and its crew of a thousand for the sole purpose of making use of its powerful weapons.
Because now he had the ultimate weapon. Something that he now knewjust knew was stronger than even the Odyssey 'sphasers. And he could hold it in his hands.
I can give you what you want.
Oh, no, Rodzinski said.
What? Tova asked.
According to the tricorders database, this energy emission is flagged as belonging to a very dangerous artifact. General Order 16 specifically states that I have to take this thing into custody right now.
Im afraid that will not be possible, Commander Rodzinski. As Orta spoke, he knelt down and took the boxthe artifactthe weapon in his hands.
Put that down! You have to
Rodzinski never finished the sentence. As soon as the weapon was firmly in Ortas grasp, a bolt of green energy lanced out from it and struck Rodzinski square in the chest. He was vaporized instantlyOrta was quite sure that the engineer never even knew what hit him. Unlike, say, a phaser, the beam made no noise as it fired. It simply destroyed the engineer without a sound.
That silence continued for several seconds, as the others were too stunned to say anythingexcept for one, who muttered a quick oath to the Prophets.
You were right, Syed, Orta finally said, turning to Tova. No one will find the body.
Tova looked outraged. I was kidding, Orta! You didnt have to kill him!
Oh, but I did. You see, he was going to take this away from usand we cannot let him do that. Cradling the box under one arm, he adjusted the volume on his vocoder. He wanted to make sure he was heard. Most of you know of the prophecy we unearthed back at Valo. It is a prophecy that, in the natural course of things, wont be fulfilled for many hundreds of years.
But, in the natural course of things, we would never have been conquered by Cardassia. In the natural course of things, Cardassia would never have withdrawn. In the natural course of things, I would have died under interrogation by Gul Madred. Destiny is not what the Prophets write out for us, destiny is what we make it. The prophecy will be fulfilled, my friends. And this he held up the weapon is the means by which we will make it be done!
Over the years, he had made many speeches just like this one. He waited for the inevitable cheer that would go up in reply. They always cheered. It was how Orta knew the speech had gone over well. He couldnt remember the last time a speech didnt.
No cheers were forthcoming.
You killed him, Tova said.
Her eyes reflected shock and disgust. The same woman who had stood by his side as he sliced open Cardassians along their neckridges, the same woman who had gleefully detonated a series of bombs on a fleet of Galor -class warships, the same woman who chased a Cardassian scout ship into an asteroid belt just to make sure that the glinn who piloted it was deadthat same woman was now appalled because hed killed a weak human in an imbeciles uniform.
Next to her, the other two looked frightened.
As well they should. You are a man of power now. Use it.
He gazed down upon his lieutenant, his childhood friend, the woman hed trusted for most of his adult life. Do you doubt, Syed?
Tovas eyes smoldered. Yes! Orta, the war is over. We cant
The war is not over until Bajor achieves true peace true prosperity. Sacrifices must sometimes be made if we are to forge our own destiny. Good people have died for our cause before, and they will do so again. Commander Rodzinski has died today. He may not be the last. But when we are finished, all will be well, because the prophecy will be fulfilled, and Bajor will at last have its true, ordained place!
No, it wont, Orta. I cant let you do this.
Orta gazed into the eyes of his oldest friend. Tova Syed, who always came through for him, who spear-headed his rescue, who never doubted, was opposing him.
Whats more, he knew he would never convince her otherwise.
A green beam of force lanced out from the device. Tova disintegrated in an instant.
Orta had killed many enemies over the years. This was the first time he had killed a friend. He thought it would be harder.
Almost as an afterthought, he destroyed the other two. They would be of no use.
Besides, he didnt need anybody. He had the device. Soon, he would have everything he needed.
I will give you what you want.
Kovac to Keogh.
Keogh had been inspecting the houses with Dax and Kira when the call came from Assistant Chief Engineer Kovac. Neither woman had kept her irritation at Keoghs presence much of a secret, but Keogh didnt care. As far as he was concerned, he was in charge of this project, at least from Starfleets perspective. If anything went wrong, he would be held responsible. At present they were at the back of one of the houses, making sure that the feed from the generator worked properly.
Go ahead.
Sir, Commander Rodzinski hasnt reported back yet.
Keogh frowned. Thats odd. Can you locate him?
Thats just it, sirthe tricorder isnt picking up his combadge.
Dax and Kira exchanged glances. Dax took out her own tricorder.
Tapping his combadge again, the captain said, Keogh to Rodzinski, come in.
Silence greeted his request.
Looking up at Keogh, Dax said, Im not picking it up, either. Where was he last?
Keogh gave the precise coordinates. Its only about half a kilometer from here. He was assisting Orta and some of his people with a problem with one of the hoeing machines.
Im not reading any lifesigns in that area, she said grimly.
Mr. Kovac, set up a search party, Keogh said.
Yes, sir.
An alarm went off on Daxs tricorder. What the
Kira asked, What is it?
Dax tapped her combadge. Dax to Rio Grande. Computer, this is Lieutenant Dax. Link with my tri-corder and verify readings.
After a moment, the familiar vocal interface that all Starfleet computers used replied. Energy emissions correspond to those described in Starfleet General Order 16. Recommended protocol locate Malkus Artifact and confiscate immediately.
Whats a Malkus Artifact? Kira asked at the exact same time that Keogh repeated, General Order 16?
Dax looked up from the tricorder. Have either of you heard of the Zalkat Union?
Both Kira and Keogh shook their heads. Keogh knew that General Order 16 required any Starfleet personnel encountering an item with a particular energy signaturepresumably this Malkus Artifact the computer mentionedto confiscate said item, but he didnt recall any specific details beyond that.
Dax, however, filled them in quickly, ending by saying, The artifacts give off a distinct energy signature when they go active.
Youre picking up that signature now? Kira asked.
Mhm.
Frowning, Kira said, So you know about this because of Emony, right? Two hundred years, thats about her time, right?
Actually, no, Dax said with a small smile. Neither Emony, Audrid, nor Curzon knew about the Zalkat Union. I came across them in the Academyfascinating stuff.
Keogh rolled his eyes. This is no time for a stroll down memory lane, Lieutenant. We need to find that artifact. Can you pinpoint it?
Shaking her head, Dax said, Not yet, but Again, she tapped her combadge. Computer, access data files on the Malkus Artifacts. How many of the artifacts have been discovered?
One of the artifacts was discovered on Stardate 1699 by the Starships Constellation and Enterprise on the planet Alpha Proxima II.
Which artifact was it?
Artifact Gamma, which transports a deadly disease into target.
Is there a way to recalibrate my tricorder so it can pinpoint a Malkus Artifact?
Affirmative.
Do so, please.
Working.
Keogh spoke up. Computer, what are the characteristics of the remaining three artifacts?
Artifact Alpha grants the user mental control over other sentient life forms. Artifact Beta manipulates weather patterns. Artifact Delta can project energy beams of great force.
None of those are particularly appealing, Keogh muttered.
Tools of tyrants never are, Captain, Kira said.
Tricorder calibrated.
Dax gazed over her tricorder, then looked up and smiled. Hopefully we can find this while were looking for your chief engineer, Captain.
Keogh blinked. That was the first time Dax had actually addressed him in a manner consistent with a lieutenant addressing a captain since the mission started.
Before he could revel in this, a mechanical voice said, That will not be necessary. I have the weapon you are looking for right here. And Commander Rodzinski is quite dead.
Turning, Keogh saw Orta standing holding what looked like a simple black box with a slight greenish glow. The Bajoran had come from around the other side of the house that the trio had been inspecting.
As Keogh reached for his phaser, Orta said, I would advise against that, Captainunless, of course, you intend to hand your phaser over to me. Any other course of action will result in you following Commander Rodzinski into oblivion.
You killed him? Kira said angrily.
Orta shrugged. It was necessary. Just as its necessary now for you to drop your weapons.
Id do it if I were you, Dax said quickly, throwing her own phaser to the ground. Pointing at the box in Ortas hands, she added, Thats one of the artifacts.
The Trill speaks the truth, Orta said. Commander Rodzinski didnt even have time to scream before he was annihilated.
Keogh hesitated. Whatever these things were, they were powerful enough to warrant a Starfleet General Order, which meant they werent to be sneezed at. On the other hand, it was just a black box. It hardly seemed like a threat. Further, Orta could have been lying about Rodzinskior, if the engineer was dead, it could have been by phaser. The farmers were supposed to be unarmed, but he hardly expected those regulations to stop a terrorist like Orta from smuggling a few weapons in.
Very well, Orta said, if you refuse to believe me, a demonstration.
Orta held up the artifact in the direction of the house they had been inspecting. A green beam shot out from it. Eerily, the beam made no noise whatsoever. In fact, the only noise Keogh heard was the rush of air to take up the space that was suddenly vacated when the home was vaporized. That, and the gasp that escaped his own mouth.
My God, Keogh muttered. The captain knew that there werent any people in the house, but he was also quite sure that Orta didnt know that. Worse, Orta obviously didnt care.
Keogh wanted nothing more than to wipe the smug look off of Ortas facepreferably with a phaser. Instead he threw his phaser to the ground. Next to him, Kira did the same.
Youre making a mistake, Orta, Kira said.
Orta laughedit was a most unpleasant sound, filtered as it was through the vocoder. You may not think so when I tell you what I am going to do with this wondrous discovery of mine, Nerys. Are you familiar with Akwars Ninth Prophecy?
Based on the way Kiras eyes widened, Keogh suspected that she was indeed familiar with itwhich put her one up on Keogh. He had never paid attention to Bajoran spirituality.
You cant be serious, Kira said.
I am always serious. You should remember that about me most of all. Now then, I need you to take me to your runabout.
Never, Keogh said.
Its all right, Captain, Kira said. I think we should do as he says.
Orta looked at Keogh and smiledif one could call the odd shape that was all his mutilated lips a smile. Kira is right, Captain. Unless, of course, you wish to end up like your Commander Rodzinski.
Keogh took a deep breath. I knew you couldnt be trusted, Orta. Of course, I never expected anything like this. But you can rest assured, whatever you have planned, you wont get away with it. Ill stop you if its the last thing I do.
The foul rictus masquerading as a smile grew wider. Im certain it will be, Captain.
Chapter Twelve
O DYSSEY TO S HABALALA ! Sir, we need you back on board immediately!
Joe Shabalala had to blink several times and shake his head before he could even acknowledge Lieutenant Talltrees frantic message. That it was so frantic by itself was worrisomeJason Talltrees reaction to a Borg attack would be to shrug his massive shoulders and say, Oh, well. When they had looked over the specifications for how the phasers would need to be modified in order to transform the lava layer into soil, Rodzinski had practically pitched a fit at all that would need to be done, but Talltree had simply said, No problem, and made the modifications in under an hour.
The Odyssey first officer had been exploring the monks retreat that had just been completed on New Bajor. The Gamma Quadrant colony had been up and running for a couple of months, and already felt like it had been inhabited for years. Shabalala had been expecting something more unformedmore like the farming colony, truth be told. But where Bajors second moon was functionalprimarily meant to provide a service to BajorNew Bajor was to be these peoples homes for a long time to come.
Centuries ago, the Bajorans had been known for their spectacular architecture, and their influence could still be seen all across the sector. Now, thanks to New Bajor, that influence extended to the Gamma Quadrant, as the monks retreat where Shabalala was standing had been designed in the Jarrovian style from some three centuries previous. Shabalalas amateur eye recognized elements from three different substyles with the Jarrovian method that combined into a elegant whole.
So lost had he been in his observations that Talltrees communiqu had caught him off-guard, and it took several seconds for him to say, Report.
We just heard from DS9, sir. Captain Keogh and Commander Rodzinski are missing.
Shabalala blinked. What happened?
Not sure, sir. Commander Sisko has asked us to go through the wormhole and report to DS9 immediately.
Making his way to the exitthe monks did not allow transporter beams within the sanctuaryShabalala said, Get all hands back on board and have Doyle set course for the wormhole. As soon as everyones back, engage at warp five.
Yes, sir.
It took five minutes to get everyone on board, ten minutes to arrive at the wormhole, and another two to arrive at DS9. Shabalala didnt even bother docking.
Within three more minutes, Sisko and two other members of the stations senior staffthe Bajoran security chief, actually a shapeshifter named Odo, and the chief of operations, Miles OBrienhad beamed on board, and met with him and Gonzalez in the observation lounge.
OBrien started. This is the communication we got from your Lieutenant Kovac. He pressed a control, and the image of Mislav Kovac came on the screen.
Deep Space 9, this is Lieutenant Kovac on the farming colony. We have a situation hereCommander Rodzinski has gone missing, and shortly after I alerted Captain Keogh to his disappearance, he too disappeared, along with Lieutenant Dax and Major Kira. Were conducting a search right now. In addition, we cannot raise the Rio Grande, though indications are that it is still in orbit.
Sisko leaned forward. Both of our other runabouts are off-station, so well need to take the Odyssey to the moon and investigate.
Bridge to observation lounge.
Go ahead, Mr. Talltree, Shabalala said.
Sir, Mr. Kovac is checking in.
Put it through, he said, turning to the viewscreen.
The re
cording of Kovacs previous transmission was replace by a live image of the black-haired man. Commander, we still havent turned up any of our people, but there are conspicuous absences among the farmers. Orta and three of his followersTova Syed, Pin Terim, and Hasa Jolare also missing. The site where Rodzinski was last known to be presently has an overturned hoeing machine and no people anywhere nearby.
Any signs of a struggle? Shabalala asked.
No. But I cant see any good reason why theyd leave an overturned hoeing machine right in the middle of a farming operation in the field like this, either. There are also energy traces that my tricorder is flagging as relating to General Order 16.
That got Gonzalezs attention. Youre kidding.
No, maam.
Shabalala said, Keep up the search, Mislav. Report in every twenty minutes, please.
Yes, sir. Kovac out.
OBrien shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Im afraid Im not familiar with General Order 16.
Neither am I, Odo said.
At Shabalalas nod, Gonzalez quickly filled them in on the Zalkat Union and the Malkus Artifacts. Assuming that the one found on Proxima a century back is still in the Rector Institute where it belongs, she finished, someone on that moon has managed to find either a weather controller, a mind controller, or a very big ray gun.
Sisko fidgeted, as if his hands needed something to hold. I think we can rule out the weather deviceif someone had it, wed know.
So far, the evidence points to the mind controller, Odo said in his gruff voice. Its possible that Orta took possession of Major Kira and the others and is using them for his own ends.
Assuming that it is Orta, Shabalala said. We dont have any proof at all. And Im not eager to wait to find out. He tapped his combadge. Bridge, set a course for Bajors second moon, full impulse. Turning to the three from DS9, he added, I hope you gentlemen dont mind taking a little trip.
We want our people back as much as you do, Commander, Sisko said. Then he turned to Odo. Constable, you mentioned Ortas own endswhat might those be?
Odo, already sitting as ramrod straight as Keogh normally did, somehow managed to sit even straighter as he gave his report. Shabalala wondered if that was an aspect of his shapeshifting ability. Orta is the only name he goes by. There are records of a ten-year-old orphan named Gan Orta, who disappeared after his foster parents, Gan Marta and Gan Treo, were arrested and executed for treason. The boys description matches what Orta looked like as an adult when he became involved in the Resistance. He primarily operated out of the resettlement camps in the Valo system, but he made strikes all throughout Cardassian territory. He was only captured once, and later escapedduring his capture he was mutilated. His attacks became even more brutal after that. Following the Cardassian withdrawal, he refused numerous entreaties to come home by the provisional government. He finally gave in when the opportunity to work on this farming colonycame through. Folding his arms, Odo said, Personally, Ive never met him, but he strikes me as the type who would have difficulty assimilating to a peaceful Bajor. If he gets his hands on one of these artifacts, he might well use it to wreak some form of havoc.
STAR TREK - The Brave and the Bold Book One Page 16
