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Cptn Swain

An Emerging Crisis

Asher glanced over as the doors to the transporter room wooshed open.

“Captain,” came Corizon’s low, growly baritone. “I am assuming that this is related to being parked in a holding pattern?”

“Very perceptive Captain.” Asher said, motioning to the transporter chamber. “I thought we might as well look into it together. From the sound of it, they might need your expertise.”

Corizon’s left ear twisted to one side as his brow arched subtly. Was Asher enjoying having a leg up on him? Perish the thought. “A good idea, though,” he said a bit more trepidatious than usual as he stepped onto the pad. “I don’t have any intentions of sticking around.”

Asher was still a bit dubious about that, but let it go with a nod. “Chief, energize when ready.”

The transporter operator nodded as he programed in the sequence. The whirl and hum of transporter activity soon filled the chamber. Asher hated transporters. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath as the tingle of dematerialzation -- which he had been assured by engineers and doctors was completely psychosomatic -- creeped over him. When he opened them, he and Corizon were firmly on the transporter pad of Camelot Station’s second deck, having been routed there by the stations transport ops.

It was only mildly unsettling and after a moment of getting his baring, Asher glanced over to Corizon -- who was entirely unphased-- and stepped off the pad. The Round Table room was up ahead, and to say it was busy would be a decided understatment In fact, it seemed almost more chaotic than the scene outside the station.

“Captains,” Asher instantly recognized the voice. “Glad you’re both here, the Admiral is a little swamped at the moment -- he’s on the line with Command -- but he’s asked me to quickly get you both up to speed. He said the debrief on your recent mission can wait, though he sends his thanks for a job well done -- to both of you.”

Asher glanced again, sidelong, to Corizon before fixing himself on Irae Varen -- his direct report. Before he could say anything, though, Corizon interjected. “Both of us?” His tone was a mixture of amusement and something of genuine surprise. “I was under the distinct impression that my temporary stay of execution ended when the mission did.”

Varen cleared his throat and smoothed his uniform -- twice. Asher wasn’t sure he’d seen that particular tick from him before, and he and Corizon looked to each other for a moment. “Yes, well, uh,” Varen was rarely so pensive. “Given the scope of what we’re dealing with, Misha is planning on asking you to hang around for a little while longer Ah-Windu.

“Purely in an advisory capacity,” he added quickly.

“Ah,” Corizon said with a sly grin. “I suppose that can be arranged. I’ll have to check my schedule. A man like me, you know -- lots of engagements here and there.”

Varen seemed relieved that particular bit of awkwardness was over and motioned them both to follow him into the round table room and onto the smaller briefing room on the opposite side of the level. The lights had been dimmed to allow for better viewing of the holographic display that flickered above the table. Dozens of low and high level staff from all three militaries and governments were gathered in the room, engaged in multiple conversations.

For Corizon it was both exhilarating and dreadful. He exhaled, trying to focus on the doors at the opposite side of the room. Reaching them, he exhaled again, hoping neither Swain or Varen had noticed his discomfort.

“As you can tell,” Varen said, his more usual calm taking over. “Things are a bit busy.”

Both men nodded as Varen motioned to the table. “Can I get either of you something to drink? Water, coffee -- Arden said you’re a tea man, right Asher?”

That took him by surprise. “Uh...” he fumbled over himself longer than he would have liked before regaining his composure. “Yes, though I just had a cup before we came. Thank you though.”

“Mm,” Varen nodded, letting it slide. “Anything for you, Ah-Windu?”

“Raktejeno would be welcome.”

Nodding again, Varen disappeared into the break room while Corizon and Asher sat down at the conference room. “You okay,” Corizon said out of the side of his mouth.

“Yes,” Asher said, blushing slightly. “I just wasn’t... it’s nothing.” Corizon nodded, letting it go as Varen rejoined them with two mugs of Klingon coffee.

“So, as I was saying,” Varen picked up, handing Corzon his coffee before sitting opposite to them, his back facing the doors. “Things got a bit interesting while you were away.

“Two weeks ago, we intercepted several broadcasts from inside Dominion space. It was broadcast along all Dominion channels...”

He pressed a button, activating the display at the other end of the room.

Citizens of the Dominion, loyal subjects of the Founders -- I am Semil of the Hundred. Many of you may know our name. Some of you have become great friends to us, while others may fear the tales told of us by the ignoble followers of Keevan.

I am appearing now to appeal to you, the people of the Dominion to join myself and the other followers of the new link created by the Founder Eloi in the next step in our collective future. You see unlike Keevan and his ilk we do not blindly follow the Hundred. We have, instead, chosen this path. Unlike the old Dominion, we not demand obedience. We instead, reach our hands out in friendship and mutual cooperation. Under our leadership, any race who chooses to leave the Dominion may do so freely and at anytime. And unlike the Vorta Council, who have been lying to all of you, we have the voice of the Founders to guide us. You see, Odo and the rest of the link have abandoned the Council, but Eloi... Eloi has chosen to remain to lead a peaceful transition from the oppression of the past to the freedom of tomorrow.

For nearly twelve cycles now, the Hundred have remained in shadows. We now turn our face to the light, letting those shadows fall behind us. Join us as we burn away the past and rise anew.

When the message ended, Varen continued. “Shortly after, we intercepted another message, from Keevan --”

“Keevan,” Corizon said with an only, barely disguised disgust. “That rat has replaced Taenix?”

Varen nodded. “From what we can gather -- Taenix is no longer in control of the Council. We haven’t been able to confirm if she did so willingly or if Keevan staged a coup. In any case, the message is going over about as well as you’d expect. Keevan issued a response, calling Semil a ‘defective, lying heretic’ and vowed to combat the ‘most foul heresys’ with ‘resolute force and merciless retribution.’”

“So I assume that means he’s been targeting systems sympathetic to the Hundred cause?”

“Yes,” Varen said, waving a hand towards the windows. “We also believe there are other factions within the Dominion who are taking advantage of the situation, but we’re working with Klingon intelligence to confirm. Right now, we’re mostly just treading water with an influx of refugees fleeing the fighting to any safe port they can find.”

“Lovely,” Corizon said, noting Asher’s silence.

“Have they targeted any allied colonies or installations yet?” Asher asked, concerned.

“Not yet,” Varen said. “But...”

“It only stands to reason that Keevan or someone else would turn their eye there eventually,” Corizon added, much to Varen’s surprise, which he noted. Extending a claw for a brief moment as he waved his hand, Corizon smirked. “We ran numerous tactical scenarios about that very issue. There’s a reason Misha wants to keep me around.”

“Anyway,” Varen said, “We have not yet ordered a mandatory evacuation of allied colonies in the quadrant. Though we are suggesting that anyone with the ability to do so, should seek shelter either here or on New Bajor.

“We have also began to recall most of the fleet to this position and stepped up our patrols of the sector. There are, justifiably so, concerns that factions and races on the periphery might see this as an opportunity to add even more chaos to an already critical situation. “

“For now we’re mostly focused on corralling the refugees and making sure they have food, water and some place to sleep. The Romulans have agreed to allow temporary use of their base on the planet in addition to Avalon Base. Long-term, we’re still formulating a response. It’s not as if there are a lot of safe places for them to land right now, as the fighting could easily escalate and expand.”

“So we don’t have any place for them to relocate to permanently?” Asher said, a frown forming.

“How’s this playing out back home?” Corizon said, eyeing the window, as if looking to Earth. “I am sure the doves at the Council are having a tantrum.”

“For now,” Varen said. “The matter is being kept closely held. Only senior officials in Command and the civilian administration have been briefed. The Romulan and Klingon liasons have agreed to hold off on reporting this to their respective homeworlds.”

“Oh this is going to end well.”

“Ah, so when do you anticipate having a solution?”

Varen took a deep breath and exhaled. “To be honest, I don’t know. Misha wants to talk to Corizon about possible tactical issues. The diplomatic corps is looking into some ideas on relocation, and I am running the fleet operations side of things with Calypsos.”

Excalibur is ready and able to assist in whatever you need us to do, Irae. My people are already working to prep us for assistance with the refugees already here.”

“Good, I’ll let Calypsos and Sprint know they can start routing some of them through you. Have your people get some RR where they can, and, as the situation develops I’ll stay in touch.”

Asher nodded. Corizon leaned back his chair, taking a long drink from his mug. “Well then, Irae, if you can get me the tactical information Misha wants me to look at, I’ll start getting caught up on the situation in my quarters on Excalibur.”

“Of course,” he said, standing. “Thank you both.”

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