Hostile Territory
By: Richard D. Phillips
"Captain, we are entering Dominion-controlled space," reported Lieutenant Commander Jones.
"Yellow alert. Keep me informed."
"Sensors locate four Jem'Hadar ships about two hours away at Warp 6, moving away."
We are passing through a dangerous part of Dominion controlled space to pick up Dominion technology.
"Sensors
are not picking up any Dominion ships," reported Jones.
"Continue scanning."
Captain Leno went to his quarters. He replicated a cup of coffee and sat down. Kamara walked in.
"You forgot about dinner," stated Kamara.
"I thought it was tomorrow."
"No, it was tonight."
"I feel like eating in today."
"I'm going to get a cup of raktajino."
"We'll eat in a little while."
"I'm not hungry right now either."
"Commander, sensors are picking up some Dominion ships," reported Lieutenant Ray.
"Notify Captain Leno," answered Parks.
"They will be here in a few minutes."
* * *
"They pick the worst times to bother me," stated Leno.
"Hurry back."
"I will."
Captain Leno rushed to the Main Bridge.
"Status report," requested Leno.
"Three Dominion ships have been located on short-range sensors. They will arrive in three minutes," reported Ray.
"Red alert."
The Dominion ships drew closer to the Texas as the minutes quickly passed.
"They are going past us," stated Ray.
"They usually don't do that," stated Parks.
"Something must be happening. I want full scans of the area."
"Sensors aren't picking up anything."
"Continue scans. Notify me when sensors locate something."
Captain Leno returned to his quarters. Kamara had prepared dinner for the two of them.
"We're eating late."
"If we could get rid of those Jem'Hadar ships, we wouldn't have to worry about eating late or anything else."
"Not a good run."
"Eight crew members were injured."
"Ben said he would come over for a little while."
"He is here now."
"Would like anything to eat?" asked Kamara.
"No, but I would like some desert later."
"What would you like?"
"A piece of cherry pie with a cup of coffee."
Kamara left the room to the next room. She ordered what Ben wanted and returned to the dining room.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Ben began to eat the pie. Kamara went to sit back down next to Captain Leno.
"How much longer before we get out of Dominion-controlled space?" asked Ben.
"A few more days. The ship needs a few days to be repaired after we return from this mission."
"What is the mission?" asked Kamara.
"We are to take a cargo shuttle back to Starbase 43."
"What is the cargo?"
"Mostly
Dominion technology to be studied."
"How much longer before we
arrive to the ship?" asked Ben.
"Eight more hours. The ship is hidden in a nebula."
"The technology will help the war effort."
"That is why this mission can not fail."
Chapter 2
We are nearing the coordinates of the cargo shuttle. We will arrive in 20 minutes. We are now entering the nebula.
"Sensors have located the cargo ship, however, two Dominion ships are nearby," reported Jones.
"Go to red alert. I want full scans of the area," ordered Leno.
"We will arrive in 2 minutes and 11 seconds," reported Ensign Murphy.
"The cargo shuttle is in viewer range," reported Jones.
"On screen."
"The shuttle looks damaged," stated Commander Brooks.
"Scan for damage."
"Minor damage, main power is off-line and there is no life support on all decks," answered Ensign Wilson.
"We can't beam over there to check out the rest of the damage and we can't bring it into the shuttlebay," stated Brooks.
"We will have to wait to tow it to the starbase," stated Wilson.
"Lock a tractor beam onto the cargo shuttle and set a course for Starbase 43, maximum warp," ordered Leno.
"The Dominion have located us," reported Jones.
"Ready aft torpedo launcher. Continue course."
"We will exit the nebula in 10 seconds," reported Murphy.
"Fire torpedoes."
"Targets hit. Minor damage to the two ships," reported Jones.
"Their propulsion systems are failing," added Brooks.
"Continue to fire aft torpedoes.
"The ships have been damaged and are not pursuing us."
"We will arrive to Starbase 43 in seven hours," reported Murphy.
* * *
"How dare you let them get away," stated Waloun.
"The systems will be repaired soon," stated a Jem'Hadar soldier.
"If the Federation get what is in that cargo ship, we may lose the war. Contact all other ships to intercept the Texas."
"Four ships have been sent to intercept the Texas."
We are nearing Starbase 43. We have located additional Jem'Hadar ships approaching us. Starfleet has sent a fleet to make sure we arrive to the starbase in one piece.
"Captain, sensors are picking up multiple ships," reported Jones.
"Red alert. Where is the fleet?"
"They will arrive in 20 minutes."
"Time to intercept of the Dominion ships?" asked Brooks.
"Sixteen minutes and 32 seconds," answered Murphy.
"We will a few minutes without help," stated Wilson.
"Minor life support is available on the cargo ship," reported Jones.
"I'm going over," stated Leno.
Captain Leno went to Transporter Room 2.
"Lieutenant Baker, at the first sign of trouble, beam me out," ordered Leno.
Captain Leno beamed over to the cargo ship. He began to look around for more important cargo that would Starfleet against the war with the Dominion.
"Captain, the Dominion ships are closing in," reported Baker.
"I have gathered a few containers of stuff."
"I have a lock on them."
Captain Leno and the containers were transported to the Texas. Captain Leno headed for the bridge.
"Just in time," stated Brooks.
"Something is decloaking 200,000 kilometers to port," reported Murphy.
"It's the Klingons!" exclaimed Wilson.
"They show up just when you need them," stated Brooks.
"We wouldn't get out of this mess without them," added Wilson.
"The Starfleet ship are entering range," stated Jones.
"Should we stay and help or proceed to the starbase?" asked Murphy.
"Proceed to the starbase. We have to get the cargo there in one piece."
Captain's Log Stardate: 51282.6
We have delivered the cargo ship to Starbase 43.
"Good job, Alex. We will have the cargo studied in a few more weeks," stated
Stovk.
"What was the cost?"
"Very minor of a mission of this size. Two Klingons and Starfleet officer were killed and another 17 were injured, all who are expected to return to duty in a few more days."
"I have to return to the Texas."
Captain Leno returned to the ship. He went to visit Kamara.
"What is your next mission?" asked Kamara.
"We have to go to a planet in the Ambaya sector. Federation colonists are being attacked by the planet's natives."
"Would you like a cup of coffee?"
"Thank you. This is going to be a tough mission."
"Is there going to be an ambassador to help out?"
"Starfleet is only sending us."
"Won't that be dangerous?"
"We will find out in a few days," answered Leno, taking a drink of his coffee.