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Cptn Swain

A Crucible

The defense grid surrounding Tarwani had done an admirable, if not Quixotic job of stalling the Dominion assault. Ultimately, the hulking cruisers were able to outlast the orbital platforms and overcome them. Afterwards, the purple, scarab shaped vessels had begun orbital bombardment. It was, Maliv considered as he observed from his ocular device, a pity that the situation had come to such barbarism.

 

In the first wave of bombardment, the Dominion had obliterated nearly a dozen settlements. The Jem’Hadar were nothing if not brutally, painstakingly efficient and their ground troops had largely secured all the major industrial facilities and had begin to corral rebels across the planet. Maliv had expected a quick surrender. He had hoped, at least that Alana would be reasonable, that she would realize that the Dominion would not back down now, especially not since it seemed the Hundred had interfered and activated the defense grid for them.

 

It had been nearly three cycles though, and there was no sign of capitulation. Perhaps Alana had been killed in the bombardment, perhaps she wished to die with her people. In any case, Maliv had resigned himself to carrying out the distasteful task to its conclusion.

 

Light years away, orbiting a dead planet, the Vorta Council chambers were empty save for Weyoun and Taenix and a flickering hologram of the battle. Like Maliv, both had hoped for a more peaceful resolution, but both knew that what had to be done had been done and there were few other options for the Dominion.

“Our allies from the Alpha Quadrant,” Weyoun said, breaking the silence, “will no doubt be displeased.”

 

“Yes,” Taenix said with the briefest of glances to Weyoun before returning to the hologram. “Their ambassador to Camelot has filed a formal protest. At least the Federation’s representative.”

 

“Did they offer mediation, again?”

 

“Yes. I instructed our adjutant to thank them for their concern, but to remind them of our sovereignty and their own prime directive.”

 

Standing with his arms crossed, Weyoun watched as an explosion ripped across the planet’s surface. There was a time when he would have had zero reservations about culling the dissidents on Tarwani. He had, over his many lives, ordered numerous cullings and carried many of them out personally. For him, it was a personal offense that such heretics would refuse to embrace the love and wisdom of the Founders. It had been why, during the war with the Alpha Quadrant, that he had been so utterly puzzled by their refusal to simply accept the Dominion. That experience, however, had changed him. Free will, it seemed, was more addictive than white.

 

“The Federation will not interfere,” he said. “But the Hundred...”

 

“We must deal with their...”

 

“You should take care,” Semil’s sudden appearance before them was jarring, even for the Vorta. “Keevan tried to deal with us, and see what that has caused.”

 

Taenix’s eyes flickered with anger. She knew it was merely a hologram, and one not worth trying to trace, but still that Semil had so easily infiltrated the command structure was disquieting and infuriating. “Semil.”

 

Weyoun remained quiet. He and Semil had many dealings over the many years they had served the Founders. It had shocked him when he had learned of Semil’s conversion to the Hundred, though he could relate. Weyoun, afterall, had once embraced a member of the Hundred.

 

“I have come to ask you to call off the Jem’Hadar, to step back from the brink.”

 

“So, the Tarwani have cast their lot with the heretics. Unfortunate. I had hoped to spare them, to be merciful, but I cannot simply ignore this treason Semil, you know this.”

 

“Heretic? Is that what we’re being called now. Ironic, wouldn’t you say Weyoun?”

 

Weyoun looked at Semil, “What do you mean?”

 

“I find it, strange, that we should be called heretical when it is the Hundred and those who serve them, by our own volition I might add, who are the only Vorta and Jem’Hadar who have the words of the only remaining Founders upon our lips.”

 

Taenix’s eyes flared. She had suspected, for some time, that the Hundred knew of her deception with regards to the status of the Great Link, but this was the first confirmation. “If you came here to threaten me, then do so. Your words mean nothing to this Council and the Jem’Hadar will not follow you.”

 

“No,” Semil said, “But I have something you don’t. A Founder in the flesh.”

 

“And who says that we do not have the Council of the Great Link? “

 

“You may continue to lie to the others,” Semil said, “but I am not as naive or blind. And I am sure you need not lie for Weyoun’s sake. After all, he has spoken to a Founder far more recently than you, Taenix and he knows the truth as well. Odo has taken the Link into seclusion. He told you to give us the device, did he not?”

 

“I will not broker this debate any longer, make your threat and begone.”

 

“Taenix,” Weyoun said gently. “Listen to him, he is right you know.”

 

Spinning, she nearly struck Weyoun, but caught herself. “You mean to say you are in league with him?”

 

“Not at all,” Weyoun said submissively. “I only mean, that, from a practical point, he is right whether you or I like it. Odo has taken the link into seclusion, there is little use in denying that fact with him, he already knows, the truth -- no doubt Corizon had told him everything by now. So we should hear him out.”

 

Taenix closed her eyes and took a deep breath, quietly asking the Founders for strength before responding. “Very well, say what you want.”

 

Semil tipped his head in thanks before speaking. “Offer the Tarwani amnesty, agree to allow them autonomy and control over their resources in return for percentage they offered to give you. Then you must call a conference of all client races, allow them the opportunity to leave the Dominion if they wish....”

 

“Keevan and the others will never...”

 

“Keevan,” Semil spat the name, “must make a choice himself, we must all make a choice. You must tell them the truth Taenix. Tell them that Odo has taken the Link into seclusion and that he is not returning.”

 

“You know he wants Eloi and the others to join him?” Taenix said. “That is why he commanded me to give you the device.”

 

Semil paused. He had considered that possibility, but had not really dwelled on it. “Yes, I suspected that could be his wish. If Eloi wishes to join his people again, then I will not blame him. What he has taught us, though, is that we no longer need the Founders to maintain their wishes.”

 

“Without the Founders, the Jem’Hadar will not follow us. The White yokes them, but if they believe we have betrayed them, that we no longer carry out the will of the Founders...”

 

“Our Jem’Hadar serv...”

 

“Your Jem’Hadar serve you because you have a Founder and because you have white. Never forget that Semil. They are savages who only live for the glory of the Founders. Once they learn that the Founders have abandoned us, that they have abandoned the Dominion.”

 

“Then perhaps it is time for the Dominion to come to an end, as I said, we must allow everyone to choose their own destiny.”

 

“And if I refuse?”

 

“Then Eloi will speak directly to the Council.”

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