Escalation

[Cptn Corizon 0]

“I understand you’re facing the same issues at home as we are,” Vice-Admiral Daniel Boston said in as neutral of a voice as he could muster, “but we’re not closer to figuring out what the hell is going on than either of your two governments.”

 

Across the table, the commanding figure of Councilman Konath of the Klingon Empire and the less staggering yet still imposing figure of Daise’EnRiov t’Naev sat looking towards their Federation counterpart.

 

“Perhaps,” t’Naev said finally, “It is time for a bit of honesty between our governments.”

 

She held a hand to stop any protestations by her collogues. “If we’re going to solve this problem, we’re going to have trust each other.”

 

When the Romulans started talking peace, love and happiness—Boston worried. “What are you suggesting?”

 

“I think it would be…mutually advantageous for three of us to form a joint-task force.”

 

Konath raised a brow slightly, “The Romulan does have a point…we all have a…vested interest in the wormhole.”

 

“I am in agreement,” Boston replied. “Perhaps the first step towards that would be an intelligence sharing agreement?”

 

The two aliens recoiled slightly. The Romulan love for secrecy, for never showing their full hand was legendary, and the Klingon paranoia almost equaled the Romulans when it came to matters of intelligence and security.

 

“Fine then,” Boston said dryly, “I’ll make the first step.”

 

Konath and t’Naev glanced at each other warily. “Federation intelligence leads us to believe that someone has constructed some sort of…armed restraining collar around the mouth of the wormhole…but we don’t think it’s the Dominion…or the Hundred.”

 

“Then your intelligence is inline with our own,” t’Naev said quickly.

 

Boston wondered what else her intelligence told her that he didn’t know but decided not to press the point, “And Klingon Intel?”

 

“Has come to the very same conclusion.”

 

“Well then,” Boston said, “That brings us back to square one…”

 

“Where do we go from here?”

 

“Starfleet Command has given this situation top-level priority, I am now in command of the third fleet, and elements from the fifth and sixth…”

 

“So you believe a military solution is the only course of action left?”

 

“Our last reports from Camelot indicated that new, ascendant power had arisen in the Gamma Quadrant and had been challenging the Dominion openly. We believe they are the source of our current problem…”

 

“And the peace-loving Federation believes the only solution left is an armed conflict,” t’Naev said questioningly. When that happened she started to worry.

 

“I have to question this myself,” the stoic Klingon said finally. “That is actually the federation plan? Armed conflict?”

 

Boston sighed deeply, the Klingons and the Romulans were talking of peace…heaven help us all. “We don’t see any other alternative than reinforcing the wormhole on this side.”

 

Konath and t’Naev nodded. “Then you do not plan to send an expeditionary force through the wormhole?”

 

“Not at this time.”

 

“That sounded conditional,” t’Naev said, raising a brow.

 

“If we feel that the situation posses a threat to the security of the Alpha Quadrant, we are willing to do what must be done,” Boston said firmly. “The Federation Council is unwilling to allow the situation to escalate as we did in the build up before the Dominion War.”

 

--

 

Laok Minor

 

A hulking Dominion warship lit up on the viewscreen of the Al-Ucard mothership Deathstalker. The commanding officer of the ship averted is eyes momentarily before returning them to the screen.

 

“Status report.”

 

A young Al-Ucard looked up from his console, “Bad.”

 

“Elaborate.”

 

“We’re taking heavy fire,” the young hunter said, quickly looking back down. “For every one of their ships we destroy they take down three of ours.”

 

“Unacceptable,” the General said showing his fangs, “Signal the fleet to fall back to waypoint three-nine-zero.”

 

--

 

Gania System

 

“We have a report from General Claudan, ma’am.”

 

A tall, pale woman looked up from her console unhappily. The Eritan commander stabilized her self as the ship rocked under a barrage of Dominion weaponry before responding. “Yes?”

 

“They’ve fallen back to waypoint three-nine-zero.”

 

“Fallen back?”

 

“Affirmative,” the younger Eritan said holding on as another barrage rocked the heavy mothership. “Perhaps we should consider a similar action, my liege.”

 

A notable hiss escaped the Eritan female. “Unfortunately I must agree with you…we cannot afford to suffer losses like these, signal the fleet.”

 

--

 

The Gamma Quadrant Exit of the Dominion Wormhole, Scorpiad Command Complex

 

General N’krittt sat unhappily looking at status reports with a group of Al-Ucard and Eritan commanders. “Laok Minor, Gania….Jani`Ba…these losses are mounting…”

 

One of the Eritan’s said politely. “The Dominion has taken up a new offensive with new fervor.”

 

“I can see that,” N’krittt said sharply, his mandibles twitching angrily. “This is unacceptable.”

 

“What would you have us do lord?”

 

“You must inform your commanders that retreat is not a strategic option,” N’krittt’s voice rose. “Defeat is not an option. We must make the Dominon pay with the blood of a thousand Jem’Hadar for every inch of space they reclaim…”