Objective: Bajor

by John Peel

  "I didn't say we're doing nothing." Keve hobbled out from behind his desk. "I've contacted Gul Gavron and ordered him to investigate."

  "But, sir!" protested Dukat. "The Third Fleet—"

  "—is several days away, I know," agreed Keve. "It's a pity, but there's nothing else to do. And I know that Gavron doesn't have your … shall we say devious? … mind, Dukat, but there's no help for that."

  "Sir," Dukat pointed out cautiously, "I was the one who made the discovery of this alien Hive. I monitored and reported on it. By rights, this assignment should be mine."

  Keve waved a hand dismissively. "By rights, by rights," he echoed. "You have no rights that I don't allow you, Dukat, and never forget that!"

  "No, sir," Dukat agreed, casting his eyes down to the floor. "I apologize if I have disappointed you."

  "You haven't disappointed me," Keve answered, a slight smile on his face. "On the contrary, you've rarely pleased me more. Given the information that you have, your report and recommendations are perfect. If things were not as they are, I'd have given you permission to go hunting. I'm glad to see that you're so keen on getting the alien knowledge to help the military."

  Dukat looked confused. "I'm sorry, Gul-Tar," he said. "Did I omit something from my analysis then?"

  "Nothing you could have known about." Keve appeared to consider for a moment; then he said, "Come here." He led the way to his one affectation, the wall-sized window looking out over the capital. The view of the city from here was breathtaking, looking down on the myriad buildings and complexes below the Citadel. Dukat could see why Keve had this window: it breathed power. Far, far below, tiny forms scurried about their business. Up here was where the heart of the Empire lay. "It looks peaceful, doesn't it?" Keve asked him a moment later.

  "Very," agreed Dukat. "In a productive sort of way, of course."

  "Of course," Keve said dryly. "But that is merely the surface. Scratch that view and you will find any number of malcontents and troublemakers."

  Dukat frowned. "There have always been those who dislike the power that the military have, sir," he objected. "But they are a minority; they are hardly worth you being concerned about them. They can't get along with one another and have no organization at all."

  "Until recently," Keve told him. "Now the resistance to the military is growing daily. Unrest is spreading." He grimaced. "Three days ago, a shipment of arms was intercepted and stolen on its way to the Bavroma spaceport."

  Dukat looked shocked. "I hadn't heard about that," he replied.

  "Of course you hadn't," Keve responded. "That's not the kind of news I allow to get out." He scowled out at the city below. "Sooner or later, there will be an insurrection. My sources indicate that it will be sooner. That's why the Home Fleet stays here." He laid an arm on Dukat's shoulder. "And why you do, too. I need good officers close to me, officers I can trust. Let Gavron go after this alien vessel, and seek glory. You will remain here with me, and we shall begin to hunt for traitors. You will be my right hand, Dukat. Isn't that more important than the mission you desired?"

  Much more, Dukat thought. He'd know all along about the arms theft, and had planned his "recommendations" very carefully. Keve had done precisely what Dukat had hoped he would—removed the Third Fleet from consideration and strengthened Dukat's own grip on power. By seeming eager for this mission, Dukat had made certain he wouldn't go on it. Let Gavron get the glory—if he could. Dukat rather suspected that these aliens had a few more tricks to play yet. It would be much better if Gavron was the one to fall in battle against them. Then Dukat could leap in to save the day. . . .

  Dukat gave a smart salute. "It is my duty to serve where I am most needed, Gul-Tar," he said. "And it is also my pleasure."

  "Good," Keve said, waving a dismissal. "I knew you'd see the sense of it."

  Indeed I do, thought Dukat as he bowed and made his way from Keve's quarters. Indeed I do.

  This time out, the Defiant felt right. Sisko sat back in the command chair, feeling more at ease. O'Brien, Fontana, and the other engineers had worked miracles on the ship's systems. Sisko's own tallies on his seat arm showed that shields were back to ninety-five percent, that engineering was on full, and that life support was functioning perfectly. Only the weapons systems remained in need of drastic work—which was where the chief and the lieutenant were right now—and weapons were already up to sixty percent.

  Sisko felt a whole lot better returning to the Hive with at least a few teeth he could bare, should it prove necessary. Diplomacy first, of course. Sisko hadn't needed Admiral Noguchi's orders to know that. But if diplomacy failed, it didn't hurt to carry a big stick and be prepared to use it.

  He still didn't know what to make of these aliens. They seemed to vacillate between making sense and making war. They claimed that the Daranians had been "insane"—but what did they mean by that word? Still, Hivemaster Dron had agreed to talk, and perhaps that would lead to a better understanding of what the Hive was after. His first directive as a Starfleet officer was to seek out new life—although this one seemed to have sought them out. It was important to understand the members of this species before he made judgments about them.

  Still, it was hard not to judge them yet, given the countless lives they had taken.

  But at the moment, Sisko had far too little information to build on.

  "Incoming message, Benjamin," Dax said softly, obviously bothered about interrupting his train of thought. "It's from Shakaar."

  "Thanks, old man." Sisko managed a wan smile. "I'll take it in the ready room." He had been expecting this call for a while now, and still wasn't certain what he'd say. When he was alone, he activated his screen. "First Minister," he said politely. "What can I do for you?"

  Shakaar was no fool. He had been Kira's leader in the resistance, and Kira had the highest regard for him. Sisko, in turn, valued Kira's opinions and was certain that Shakaar probably lived up to everything that the major claimed of him. The first minister raised an eyebrow. "Well, Captain, I assume that asking you to wipe out these murderers isn't likely to get me anywhere, is it?"

  "No, it isn't," agreed Sisko calmly. "Though I do understand the request."

  "I thought you might." Shakaar rubbed the back of his neck, looking suddenly very tired. "And I'm equally sure you understand that I'm being pressured constantly to make certain the Federation destroys the Hive."

  "Kai Winn," guessed Sisko.

  Shakaar managed a mirthless laugh. "That was too easy, Captain. Yes, of course she's demanding it. Loudly, frequently, and publicly. Anything to embarrass me, naturally."

  "I'm not totally surprised," admitted Sisko. "You have my sincere sympathies."

  "Well," Shakaar finally asked, "what do you plan on doing?"

  "Talking to them," Sisko informed him. "Discovering what they want here. What their plans are. And who is responsible for what they did to Darane."

  "And then?" Shakaar leaned forward eagerly.

  "I'm not sure," admitted Sisko. "But I will promise you this: Whoever is behind the destruction of Darane will pay for it. You have my word."

  There was a slight pause, and then Shakaar nodded. "That's good enough for me." He managed a real smile. "Nerys holds you in very high regard, Captain, and I hold her in high regard. I am happier with your assurance."

  "Thank you." Sisko inclined his head slightly. "I will do my best to live up to my reputation."

  "Understood." Shakaar nodded slightly and then cut contact.

  Leaning back in his seat, Sisko stared up at the ceiling for a few moments. At least Shakaar wasn't pressuring him too much. That was about the only positive aspect of this entire mission. He knew that Shakaar must be under tremendous pressure back on Bajor, but he had the wisdom not to try and pass that along. He was definitely shaping up to be a very good first minister, unlike the previous ones Sisko had been forced to deal with. As long as the backstabbing so common in Bajoran politics didn't get to Shakaar, he'd probably be the best thing to happen
to the planet since the Cardassian withdrawal.

  Meanwhile, Sisko still had to do something about the Hive.

  Right on cue with this thought, his communicator beeped.

  "Sorry to disturb you, Captain," said Dax's voice. "But we're about to enter the Darane system."

  "On my way." Sisko collected his thoughts and returned to the bridge. Taking his seat, he said: "Put Darane Four on visual as soon as you can, Dax." He wanted to see what had happened to the planet in the few hours since they had last left it.

  "Aye, sir," Dax acknowledged, concentrating on her instruments.

  While he could do little but wait, Sisko tapped his communication badge. "Sisko to O'Brien. Chief, how's it going?"

  There was a brief pause, and then O'Brien's reply. "All phasers are now on-line, Captain. I'd appreciate the chance to run another diagnostic before they're used, but if you need them, I'm pretty sure they'll be fine. Photon torpedoes will take us about another half hour or so."

  "Thank you, Chief," Sisko said gratefully. "That's excellent news. I won't bother you until you're finished. Sisko out."

  Phasers back on-line … Sisko hoped he wouldn't be needing them and that this whole mess could somehow be resolved peacefully. But he couldn't envisage. Hivemaster Dron agreeing to punish himself and the other guilty parties for the destruction of Darane. Sooner or later, he felt that this would end up as a shooting war. The best Sisko could manage would be to make it later.

  "Darane on screen," Dax announced.

  Sisko and the bridge crew had been prepared to see the smoldering ruins of the planet. It still hung there in space, gases venting from the charred core.

  The alien ship had changed, however. It still hung above the planet, but the enveloping wings had once more straightened out. That wasn't what surprised Sisko. It was the activity down the center of the Hive's axis.

  There was a definite gap of some kind, with space showing through in several points. They were still too far away to make out any details beyond that, but every instinct in Sisko's body told him that whatever was going on spelled trouble in the worst way.

  "Dax," he said urgently. "What's happening? Is the Hive breaking up?"

  She didn't reply for a moment, instead turning all the sensors on the craft. Behind him, Sisko could hear Odo tapping frantic commands into his own panels. Finally, Dax sighed. "I don't know what's going on," she announced. "We're still not close enough for a good scan. But I'd say that whatever is happening there is no accident."

  "What do you mean?" asked Sisko, moving to stand directly behind her.

  "That line is much too straight and regular to be accidental," she pointed out. "If there were a problem, it would look more chaotic."

  "Maybe," agreed Sisko. "Keep scanning. Let me know the second you discover anything." He turned to Kira. "Try and contact the Hivemaster," he said. "Let him know we're coming and that we expect to be allowed on board to talk." Then he turned to Odo, who was scowling over his own equipment. "Anything, Constable?"

  The changeling glanced up. Though he had never quite mastered the art of duplicating a human face precisely, he had definitely got the hang of looking worried. "It's difficult to say," he answered. "I've been scanning the rest of the system, on a hunch. There's a Cardassian science ship hanging about at the extreme limits of sensor contact."

  Sisko snorted. "I might have guessed that they're monitoring the whole business."

  "And doing nothing to help," agreed Odo. "I'd expect no more of them. But this means that they probably witnessed the battle—and the alien capabilities."

  He didn't have to finish that thought. Sisko nodded. "So we can probably expect a Cardassian delegation to try and join these talks soon?"

  "That's what I'd predict." Odo scowled. "It won't make your job any easier."

  "I'll be happy if it simply doesn't make it harder," Sisko admitted.

  "Captain," called Dax. "I'm getting some very … odd readings from the Hive." As Sisko hurried to join her, she explained: "I'm getting a preliminary sensor scan from the ship now. There are thousands of small mechanisms on the skin of the Hive, and probably even more inside the vessel."

  "Repairing the break?" Sisko hazarded.

  "No—creating it." Dax looked up, her strong face shrouded in puzzlement. "They're splitting the Hive in two."

  CHAPTER 13

  NONE OF THIS was making sense of any kind to Sisko. Why would the Hive apparently be destroying itself? There had to be something here that they were all missing. Tapping his communicator, Sisko called, "Sisko to O'Brien. Chief, you want to take a look at what's happening with the Hive right now?"

  "I'm on my way to the bridge anyway," came O'Brien's response. "Be with you in a minute or so."

  Sisko stared at the screen. They were still too far away to make out details on the Hive, but in his mind, he could see the mechanisms running over the ship. Why were they trying to break the Hive in half? Had something gone wrong? Or was this somehow planned?

  "I've spoken to the Hivemaster," Kira announced. "He's given me a set of beam-down coordinates."

  "Did he sound at all worried?" asked Sisko.

  "No. More bored and put-upon, if you ask me."

  So whatever was happening to the Hive wasn't a mistake.

  He'd never have sounded so calm if his world was breaking apart. Sisko nodded. "I'll be taking just a small team, Major," he said softly. "Would you be very offended if I left you here in command?"

  Kira's eyes sparkled. "It's probably the best idea, Captain," she answered sincerely. "I'm not sure I could restrain myself from killing somebody down there."

  Sisko managed a small smile. "I may have similar trouble," he confessed. "Dax, you'll be with me. Odo, you, too."

  Odo inclined his head slightly. "Why me? Not that I mind accompanying you, but surely the chief would be more logical?"

  "To check out the technology?" Sisko guessed. "Maybe. But this is in effect a police action. I think you'd be of much more use in that. Plus, you have quite an uncanny knack for seeing through lies and bravado."

  "It comes from associating with Quark too much," Odo complained. "I'll be happy to help out."

  The turbolift doors hissed open, and O'Brien emerged. "Good grief," he muttered, witnessing what was happening on the screen. He hurried to the science station and began his scans.

  The Defiant was closing fast on the Hive now. The ship was growing slowly on the forward screen, and some details finally started to emerge on the ship's hull. The machines at work there varied greatly in size, but they all seemed to be moving with feverish activity. Whatever their purposes, they were busy little mechs.

  "Chief?" prompted Sisko.

  O'Brien glanced up from his readings and shook his head slightly in bafflement. "You've got to admire their technology," he finally offered. "They're ingenious little murderers." He gestured at the main screen. "They're disassembling parts of the structure, to split the Hive into two."

  "We can see that," Sisko observed. "But why?"

  "Beg your pardon, Captain. I wasn't clear," O'Brien replied. "They're splitting the ship into two—into two ships. Those mechs are taking the first ship apart very carefully, and then reproducing the part that's been lost. It's a mechanical equivalent of an amoeba splitting into two—and obviously for the same reason. They're breeding."

  Sisko stared at the screen in shock. "Two ships," he repeated. "They're making a second Hive?"

  "Right, sir," said O'Brien. "And a heck of a lot faster than I'd have believed possible. I'd say that in two or three days tops there will be two Hives sitting there in space." He shrugged. "Now we know why they demolished Darane. They needed the spare materials for the split."

  "And if one ship can destroy a planet," Kira offered, "two should be able to demolish a star system."

  Sisko nodded. Kira had made the most important point. "Then we'd better insure that they do nothing of the kind. How long till we're in transporter range?"

  "Two minutes,"
Kira answered.

  "Fine. We'll contact you every half hour. If you don't hear from us for any reason, then contact Starfleet and inform them." Sisko gave her a grave look. "And then use your best judgment. Do you understand me?"

  "Perfectly." Kira stood up, ready to take the command chair. "I'm not going to start shooting up the Hive without good cause, I promise. But if anything happens to the three of you, that may just be good cause."

  "Look after my ship and crew," Sisko ordered. Then he rested his hand on her arm. "Like Shakaar, I trust you, Nerys."

  "I won't let you down," she promised.

  "I know." Sisko turned to Dax. "Well, old man, time to get moving." Dax and Odo fell in beside him as he headed for the turbolift. Now, thought Sisko, we discover just how good a diplomat I really am.

  The stars were as magnificent as they had ever been, but Sahna could not bring herself to look upon them. Ever since she had been a youngster, she had loved only two things: the stars and Tork. Now she had lost the latter, and was cutting herself of from the former.

  Her life could hardly be more miserable than it was now.

  "Sahna?" It was her old tutor, Bree. She was a little bowed by age, but her eyes and spirits were as bright as ever. "What's wrong? Are you ill?"

  "Ill?" Sahna sighed. "In my soul, yes. Very ill."

  Bree came closer, and stroked the edge of Sahna's shell. "Want to talk about it? We oldsters have little left to enjoy in life but talk."

  "You are not old," Sahna replied.

  "Flattering, but not true," Bree answered with a whuf of amusement. "And have I not always taught you to be a scrupulously accurate observer?"

  Sahna almost managed a smile at that. She gestured out of the observation window. "Those stars are old; you are not."

  "Cheat." But Bree was amused. "Now, if you feel up to it, can you not tell me what troubles you?"

  Composing herself, Sahna discovered that she didn't know where to begin. Finally, she said, "Life is so wrong."