"Tarik to Sutherland -- compliments to the Ben-Gurion and the Bolivar, and have them land their forces at the following locations," Tarik said, encrypting the datastream he was sending up to the Federation ship in orbit.
[Acknowledged, Colonel. The task force will be on-station in three hours. Good luck.]
Tarik, with Tiyanna in tow, was at the middle of the procession along with Mer'an. A Federation Security officer held the point position, while two G'kar irregulars watched the Mulluran prisoners and the rear.
"My people are in position. The tanks appear to have withdrawn for now," Mer'an reported.
"Excellent. Our lines are shaping up well. I've got a feeling that the Mullurans are saving their tanks for a massive thrust against the lines. They'll want to conserve as much fuel as possible, and chasing down small units isn't the way to do that."
Tiyanna just looked straight ahead, saying nothing. In fact, she was much more reserved than a six-year-old of any race had a right to be.
"Are you picking up something?" Tarik asked.
Tiyanna said nothing. Damn! Tarik thought. "Command to all sections -- report in!"
One by one his platoon and squad leaders checked in. There was one notable absence...
"Who is Paul?" she asked softly, as visions played out in her mind.
She was trying to control her heartbeat as she saw his team about to be ambushed. Several of his men were killed, while he was saved to be held hostage... It sent chills down her spine. She had a feeling that this man was somehow important to Kassia and Tarik.
"Paul Deveraux is a Starfleet lieutenant, and one of my best friends," Tarik said, not the least bit surprised that Tiyanna would have caught the name from his thoughts. He fervently hoped that she would learn discretion as she grew older. "Why do you ask? Do you know something?" Deveraux was the only one who hadn't checked in; there was no way that Tiyanna would have known this other than by reading Tarik's mind as his communicator feed was patched through his helmet.
There was a growing concern in her green eyes that made her seem older than her years. "He's Kassia's best friend too, isn't he?"
"One of many, yes," Tarik said. "What's going on?"
Suddenly, she couldn't hold her agitation in any longer. It all came out, as she shook and her breathing became fast. "I have to warn them... They're going to be attacked! Everyone's going to die and Paul is going to be taking ho... hostage!" She cried. "I have to go and tell them! I have to stop this!" Without warning, she shot off across the field, running at top speed across the icy landscape.
"Tiyanna -- get back here!" Tarik yelled. He'd thought about calling the Sutherland, but they wouldn't be able to lock onto Tiyanna; she had no commbadge. However...
"Tarik to Sutherland -- locate Lieutenant Deveraux and his team and beam them to my location."
A few moments passed. [Sorry, sir. We can't seem to get a fix on them!]
The bloody dampening field again. "Mer'an, take control here. I'll check in every fifteen minutes, one way or the other," Tarik said.
"Sir, this is most imprudent!" Mer'an said. "You're too valuable to risk for one man!"
"That one man is responsible for decrypting Mulluran intelligence transmittals. If they capture him, the Federation is in deep trouble here!"
Paul lay on the ground crouched behind a small rock formation. A small Mulluran force had just passed by. He crouched there, freezing in the snow waiting until it was absolutely safe before he and his squad moved on.
"Ok, Daziel, take point. Diniz, take up zhe rear. We move out, head for original destination." Paul glanced once more across the landscape in front of them.
"Wait!" he said holding up his hand. His squad dropped again to their knees.
Paul pulled out his hand held viewer and looked at the small figure crossing the landscape about 200 meters away. It was a little girl. Couldn't be more than 6 years old. Paul quickly made up in his mind what to do.
"Everyone wait ere, until I return." With that, Paul got up and sprinted down toward the girl.
When he reached her, he didn't stop to ask questions, but grabbed her in his arm and took her quickly to another rock formation nearby.
"Now, oo are you and what are you doing all zhe way out ere on your own?" Paul demanded.
As he set her down on her feet, she looked into his eyes, the grave look in her green eyes got his attention. "Paul, you have to get your team out of there!" she said quickly. "If you don't they're gonna die!"
Phasers sounded from just behind Tiyanna. [Tarik to Deveraux -- come in please!]
"Paul ere" he responded as he saw the phasers, and now heard screams coming form the position of his squad. "We're under attack!" he cried as he ran back toward to help, phaser rifle at the ready.
"Tell your men to move back and to the East. There's a formation there that will give them more cover." Tiyanna said. "That will keep them safe."
[That's what we came to warn you about. There are fifteen Mullurans in your general vicinity. Hold your position and we'll try to relieve you!]
"No time, mon amis, by zhe time I get zhere, it may be too late." Paul carried running. already out of eear shot from the small child, he did not hear her warning.
Tiyanna was scared, but unwilling to leave the only people that meant anything to her. She knew she was capable of helping in some small way somehow. She approached the battle before her and as did she saw a Mulluran. He was alone. His partner was several steps ahead which was what she wanted.
She made some noise to get his attention and then ran. He followed her. She ran just far enough away to where she felt they were alone and then she used her gift on him. Only this time, it wasn't going to just be a little sleep. It couldn't be. She stared him down and in moments he lay lifeless on the ground. Immediately she ran off.
While this was happening, Paul reached his original position and crouched down on the other side of the rocks. There was no longer any noise... he knew he was too late. There was nothing he could do now but wait until the Mullurans moved on. He couldn't take on a whole squad on his own
"Sir," one of the Mullurans said, I'm picking up another Federation officer... behind those rocks."
Ahh shit Paul thought. He stood and fired one round, connecting with the Mulluran who was holding the tricorder. The next shot sent his partner to the ground.
"Take him alive!" shouted the leader as he ran for cover.
The remaining Mullurans advanced on Paul. He took his rifle and swung it, snapping the neck of one Mulluran. He then caught another on the chin as he swung back up.
It was then that a Mulluran jumped him from behind, not being able to get free of the hold, Paul looked up to see a Mulluran approach him, weapon outstretched. The Mulluran fired, and all went dark.
Tarik had already managed to kill three of the Mullurans when Tiyanna ran off. His instincts were torn between looking for her and relieving Paul's squad. I hate to do this, but she's got to fend for herself for the moment.
Tarik noted the dead Mulluran, untouched by any weapon at his feet. Not that she isn't capable of it... He heard Paul's shout and rushed up toward the rock outcropping where Paul had apparently retreated.
Seeing the Mulluran team leader, Tarik dropped down and sighted in his hand phaser. Setting it to highest power, he depressed the firing stud and neatly disintegrated the Mulluran's head.
The other Mullurans turned in astonishment as Tarik vanished into the woods. Wallace isn't the only one who can play sniper! he laughed to himself.
~Tarik -- is that you?~ he heard in his mind. Tiyanna was calling him.
~Yes, it's me. Are you okay?~ he thought back to her.
~I'm okay! I'm going back to Mer'an for extra help!~ she said. ~But I can't seem to find him! I've always had trouble reading his people's minds!~
~Distract the Mullurans for me, then! Do whatever you can to divert their attention!~ Tarik thought to her. He picked up a small pebble and threw it at one of the Mullurans. It struck him in the small of the back.
The Mulluran soldier turned, distracted. Tarik fired his phaser at him, burning him down. Tarik ducked back into the brush and kept moving. He narrowly missed being hit by several phaser blasts as he changed position.
~Distraction I can do!~ she said. He could almost here the giggle in her mind.
Tiyanna made her way closer to where Paul was, and where the Mullurans holding him were. She would do anything to get them away from him. Thinking carefully she began to formulate an idea in her six year old mind. There just was enough brush around, since she was small enough to hide behind the shrubbery. She scrouched down low and rustled the leaves and laughed softly. Then she tossed pebbles. Quietly she moved away in the opposite direction as the Mullurans came to check out what they had heard.
Tarik watched as two of the Mullurans moved to investigate the source of the laughter. There were eight left now. Tarik's well-aimed shots to their backs left six.
The leader ordered his people to hold their fire as he brandished a tricorder-like device. Tarik couldn't hear much other than the words "Romulan" and "that way."
Damn! They're on to me! he thought as he started circling around toward the rocks. Three of the Mullurans started heading into the brush after him. Tarik wasn't about to abandon Deveraux, however.
Pulling a grenade off his web gear, he waited patiently for the Mullurans to approach him. They'd want him alive for intelligence value or as a negotiation tool. That's not about to happen -- not without a fight! he thought.
Suddenly, a rustling in the brush before them stopped the three Mullurans in their tracks. It was a small image. Looking at the tricorder, they could see it was a young, humanoid female of unknown origin. They raised their weapons to dispense with the intruder when suddenly, they heard her laugh. And then something more disturbing. They heard her voice, but not with their ears...
~Hey... Hey you guys... You know, you're going the wrong way...~ she laughed again. ~You three really should be more careful!~
With that, she revealed herself from the brush, knowing they were too shocked to do a thing to her. She merely walked over to them and stared into their eyes. Then she dragged their weapons from their shoulders.
~Not to scary without your weapons are you?~ With that, she stuck out her tongue and tried walked off with the weapons, leaving them there for Tarik or whoever else to deal with. They wouldn't be moving for awhile.
The three remaining Mullurans did not hesitate to open fire on Tiyanna as she tried to drag off the heavy rifles. Tarik, without a second thought, emerged from the bushes and grabbed Tiyanna, dragging her to cover as a barrage of phaser fire arrived at her former location. He laid down suppressing fire with his hand phaser until its charge was depleted. Looking out from behind the rock, he saw that only two of the Mullurans were standing.
"Stay here, Tiyanna," he said as he saw a phaser rifle about three meters from their position. Taking a deep breath, he made a jump for the rifle and grabbed it as the Mullurans opened fire on him.
An uncomfortably hot sensation shot up Tarik's leg as one of the bursts grazed him. Tarik stood up on one knee and, firing from the hip, dispatched the remaining two Mullurans.
Checking his tricorder, he noted no other Mullurans in the area. Mer'an was 75 meters back.
[Tarik to Mer'an -- the area is secured.]
[Understood, Colonel. Our lines are in position. The Mullurans appear to be digging in.]
"That's not going to help them for too long," Tarik said as he examined Deveraux. Paul was stunned but otherwise okay. Tarik retrieved a hypospray from the medkit on his belt and administered it to Paul.
Tiyanna sat and looked at Paul and then at Tarik. "I wish I could have gotten here sooner... Warned him sooner..." There were tears behind the green eyes that didn't fall.
"Tarik, I am glad to see you mon amis" Paul said as he stood and slapped Tarik on the back. "Sanks for savin my butt... again!"
"You bastard! You just about had me fooled!" Tarik laughed. "It's okay, honey; he was only stunned," he explained to Tiyanna. "Paul, meet Tiyanna -- possibly a distant relative of Kassia, and the one who's been saving our butts all day."
"I knew he was only asleep... I meant his men... " she swallowed and then smiled. "Hi... It's nice to meet you when people aren't shooting at us."
"Nice to meet you too little one." Said Paul. Then the reality hit him that he had lost his squad. He leaned down and closed the eyes of a man lying nearby
Tarik checked the men over with his tricorder out of the hope that at least one had survived. No such luck. The Mullurans had been very thorough. "I'm sorry we couldn't have made it sooner," he said. "At least this thing is just about over." He explained about the relief forces on their way in just over an hour, and how the Mullurans were surrounded.
The tears had finally started falling down Tiyanna's face. She didn't made a sound. Over her time in the camp, she had learned to be quiet. But after seeing everything this day and being unable to prevent some of the things she wanted to prevent, or felt she should have been able to prevent just brought things to a head. And she sat there. Crying in silence.
Paul started gathering up his belongings
Tarik's communicator signaled. [Sutherland to Tarik -- come in!]
"This is Tarik. Go ahead."
[The relief force is on orbit as we speak! We are preparing to commence landing operations on your order!]
"No change to landing coordinates," Tarik said. "We do have a large number of irregulars fighting with us, including Mullurans. Their positions should be plotted on my previous transmission but be aware of their presence."
[Understood. We should be fully deployed in 90 minutes. Sutherland out.]
"Well, that's that." Tarik sighed. "I, for one, am glad to have this mess over with." He looked down and picked up Tiyanna. "And you, young lady, have made us all very, very proud."
Tiyanna looked at him and managed a weak smile as she wiped away the tears, though she had a hard time stopping the flow. "I made you proud?" she asked quietly.
"You ave made us all proud" said Paul as he slung his pack onto his back and walked up along side Tarik.
"Very proud indeed," Tarik said as he placed her back on the ground. He would have loved to have carried her but that would have made her a more conspicuous target. "You've done far more than anyone could have expected of a little girl. I'm just sorry you had to do any of it." Tarik took a deep breath as he looked around at the carnage surrounding them. "I'm sorry any of us had to do any of this."
Tiyanna looked away. "There are always people like that out there. My mommy and daddy told me that... Just like there is good in the world, there is evil... Where there is one, there is the other..." She had been reciting a lesson.
"I ave seen enough evil in my life for all of us, and i ave ad my fill for today. Now lets get back to base and get some food. I'm starved!"
"Wherever the base is now," Tarik said. "We've moved the lines forward. You'll have to make do with emergency rations until this thing is over with," he said, throwing Paul a ration bar.
Tiyanna took Tarik's hand and then looked at him. She was tired, but wasn't about to stay so.
Paul threw the ration bar back. "I ave a pack full of zhem. Zhey taste like crap! I'll wait"
"Suit yourself," Tarik said. "I understand MacDonnell's is setting up a field kitchen for us, so it might be worth the wait!" He squeezed Tiyanna's hand momentarily as they walked out of the clearing toward Mer'an's position.
"When do we go up on the ship?" she asked in a soft voice.
"When zhe mighty Paul Deveraux as crushed all zhe Mullurans on zhe planet!!" Paul said with an upward thrust of his fist
Tarik laughed. "We can be on the ship by sundown. You can probably go sooner! In fact, you should, because we still have a lot of very nasty work to do."
She smiled at Paul, as she caught his eyes. But as she met Tarik after what he said, she became serious again. "But maybe I could help somemore..." she said, though she was practically asleep on her feet.
"You've helped enough, between what just happened and your help with the prisoners. And all you've done for Mer'an and his friends. It's time for you to start doing things little girls do," he said with a smile. "And that means getting good food and a good night's sleep!" Tarik finished, putting his arm around the little girl's shoulders.
"Will you and Paul be safe?" she asked quietly. That seemed to be her biggest concern.
"I'll be fine." answered Paul
"We'll be just fine, Tiyanna. It's all going to be over with really soon!" Tarik said, reassuring her.
She nodded to herself, as if coming to some inner acceptance. "Okay... As long as you both are coming back its okay... You're part of a family. Now part of mine."