Amelia had been on the Supply Base for just over a week now. After returning to the station, she'd passed along all the information about her encounter with the base and the meeting that she'd witnessed.
Afterwards, Captain Wallace had agreed to allow Amelia to make repairs to her ship, after Amelia had convinced Commander Garek that there was no illegal equipment aboard.
In return, Amelia had agreed to assist with the repairs and upgrades to the stations computer systems. Although she was still a civilian aboard, she had the security clearance of a junior grade Lieutenant.
She'd spent her week examining the computer systems aboard and had now draw up a detailed plan of what was required. Unfortunately, because of the threat to the colony by the Son'a and their allies, she'd not had time to pass this onto the Captain and Garek.
Amelia arrived on the command deck and walked across to the commander's chair.
"How are things going ?" Amelia asked.
"Not as well as expected." Garek replied. "We've heard from the assault troops, they're now heading back towards us. Their mission was a success and that cloning plant no longer exists. But they took heavy casualties, we lost two of the six Hawkes transports and all but two of the runabouts."
"Any news from the Arizona ?" Amelia asked.
"Not for sometime now. The last message was when they confirmed that they were about to engage the ship yard." Garek replied.
"Commander, we're picking up the assault fleet on long-range sensors." The young Ensign at Operations interrupted.
"How long until they reach the station ?" Garek enquired.
"They appear to be travelling very slowly, I'd estimate that they'd be back within the hour." The Ensign replied. "Wait... I'm picking up a second set of ships on an intercept course. A group of twelve ships, I'd estimate that they'll reach our ships within fifteen minutes."
"Can you identify the ships ?" Garek asked.
"Negative. They appear to be small vessels, most probably fighters or shuttles." The Ensign replied. "They appear to be flying in a close diamond formation."
"Damn. We have no way of warning them and the two runabouts won't be able to defend the four Hawkes alone." Garek cursed loudly. He recognised the formation as being that of a Jem'Hadar attack squadron. Without doubt he knew that the ships would be Jem'Hadar single-seat fighters. The assault fleet wouldn't stand a change.
Amelia had also recognised the formation. She'd been too young to be involved in the Dominion war, but she had attended Starfleet Academy. Jem'Hadar tactics were now standard teachings there, the Jem'Hadar we're designed to be warriors, the pilots of these single-seat fighters especially so.
"Commander, with your permission I'd like to help." Amelia announced. "I could reach the enemy fleet before they get anywhere near the assault fleet."
"Is the Mystique ready for a fight ?" Garek remarked. "Your ship's seen some heavy action over the years."
"It maybe the Marines only chance." Amelia replied.
"OK go." Garek ordered. "And be careful."
"Commander, I didn't know you cared." Amelia remarked as she headed for the turbolift.
"Amelia to Mystique." Amelia said tapping her comm badge as she entered the cab.
< I was beginning to thing that you'd forgotten about me.> Monica replied.
"You know you're my best friend, but we don't have time to chat. Warm up the engines, we're off to the rescue." Amelia replied.
<Rescue, when did we become the cavalry ?> Monica asked.
"Since we're the only chance for save lives. I'll be with you in a minute." Amelia stated.
Within a couple of minutes, Amelia was aboard her ship and ready to leave.
"Mystique to Commander Garek. I'm ready to go." Amelia said.
<Garek to Mystique, you're cleared to leave.>
Ten minutes later, the Mystique was approaching the alien fleet.
[Twelve craft ahead.] Monica announced. [Configuration matches Jem'Hadar single seater fighters.]
"Prepare to attack. Target the lead three ships and prepare to fire." Amelia ordered.
Two volleys of photon torpedoes and the phaser cannons lashed out at the fast approaching vessels. In a series of explosions three of the fighters disappeared off the screen before the others realised that they were under attack, spreading out in all directions.
[Three down, nine to go.] Monica stated.
"Prepare to fire again." Amelia ordered.
Monica targeted a pair of fighter and fired, this time though the two smaller craft took evasive action. The phaser cannons destroyed only one of the fighters, the torpedoes never finding their targets.
[Two fighters approaching.] Monica announced.
"Fire at will." Amelia replied as the phaser cannons targeted the first of the two vessels. "Evasive manoeuvres."
The first fighter exploded as the Mystique turned to avoid the approaching fighter. In the confusion, the second fighter altered its course and flew into the debris field of the first.
The small fighters shields lit up as the debris from the now destroyed fighter hit them again and again. The Mystique turned and fired a single torpedo at the second fighter, which exploded in space.
[Six down, Six to go.] Monica announced.
"But where are they ?" Amelia asked.
[I don't know.] Monica replied.
"They can't have just vanished, Monica see if you can pick up any indication of their presence." Amelia requested.
Just then an explosion rocked the Mystique.
[I think we've found them.] Monica remarked.
"Evasive manoeuvres." Amelia ordered.
They fired a single torpedo from the rear launcher, which the leading fighter. However, the size of the Mystique put her at a disadvantage as the much smaller Jem'Hadar fighters had superior flight controls. I was impossible to shake the fighters.
"Time to regroup. Monica, prepare to Starburst." Amelia ordered.
[Starburst capacitors at ninety two percent.] Monica stated.
"It will have to do, Starburst now." Amelia ordered.
The Mystique accelerated away from the fighters, leaving the short-range vessels behind. Thirty seconds later, the Mystique slowed back down.
"Damage report." Amelia enquired.
[We've lost one of the rear shield emitters and suffered severe damage to the rear hull plating. Force fields are in place and holding. Shields are at fifty two percent and rising.] Monica replied.
"Status of the enemy ?" Amelia asked.
[The five remaining fighters have broken off their attack and are heading away from the assault fleet.] Monica replied.
"Set a course back to the Supply Base." Amelia ordered.
Forty minutes later, the Mystique arrived back at the station.
<Command to Mystique.>
"Amelia to Commander Garek. All sheep are safe. Killed seven wolves, five ran off and escaped." Amelia stated.
<Well done. Major Tarik and the assault group are due back in about ten minutes.> Garek replied. <You have permission to land. A successful rescue.>
"Yes, but I'm still worried. Those Jem'Hadar fighters aren't designed for long-range attacks. They're designed for capital ship defence and air-to-ground assault. They must have had a carrier vessel somewhere close by, something that we haven't seen yet." Amelia remarked cautiously.
<You could be right Amelia.> Garek remarked <And they could be heading here.>
"Have an Engineering team with a spare shield emitter standing by when I land. We'll make a quick repair to the Mystique and I'll go back out and see if I can't detect the carrier." Amelia asked. "We have the fighters last heading, they must have reached their operating range and been forced to return to their mothership."
<Negative. From the Major's reports, neither of the runabouts is ready for another fight. From what we've been told, they probably won't be space-worthy for at least six hours, which leaves you and the Lambda Flyer as the only vessels capable of defending the station. The stations systems are designed to ward off attacks by large vessels not single-seat fighters.> Garek stated.
"But Commander..." Amelia protested.
<No but's. Remember you're a civilian working under the authority of Starfleet Command and Captain Wallace. Since the Captain is currently elsewhere, that makes me your commanding officer and I'm giving you a direct order. Land now and effect repairs. You are not, I repeat not to leave the station again without my express permission. If you attempt to leave, I'll shoot you out of the sky. Understood.>
"Understood Commander. Mystique out." Amelia replied, reluctantly.
[And I thought Garek was such a nice person.] Monica said sarcastically.
"He's only doing his job and he's probably right. There are other ways we can seek out that carrier." Amelia said. "Take us in for landing."