"Run Taurus Run"

The Taurus was heading back to Juno III at breakneck speed, overloading the transwarp engines according to Ensign Luwall. But speed was of the essence, because the faster they could reach Juno III the better. Every second they gained would be an extra second they could use to evacuate what was left of the Federation base.

"Five minutes to orbit." Ensign Davis announced from the Helm console in front of the Captain.

"Status of the Dominion vessel ?" Commander Buford requested.

"Still on course for Juno III." Lieutenant Lune reported. "Still unable to discern the configuration of the vessel, but I estimate they will arrive in orbit in ten minutes."

The majority of the long-range sensors aboard the ship were employed in detecting obstructions ahead of the Taurus, one of the side effects of transwarp travel. Which meant that the remaining sensors, mainly those towards the back of the vessel were the only ones available for other functions.

"So we've got five minutes to evacuate the base." Commander Buford stated. "Let's hope it's enough."

"All transporter systems are online." Lieutenant Okul reported from the secondary ops console.

"We do have one advantage." Lune commented. "We're approaching from opposite sides of the system, the planet will hide us for a while."

"Voktur what is the status of the weapons system ?" Buford requested.

"All phaser banks are on standby, same with all torpedo systems." The Vulcan\Human Ensign replied.

"Approaching the Juno system." Ashley announced. "Orbit in one minute."

The vessel dropped out of transwarp and headed in towards the third planet of the Juno system at warp six.

"Captain, long-range sensors have picked up the Dominion vessel." Lune reported. "They appear to be using some kind of sensor scattering system, I can pick up their warp trail, but we still have no way of identifying the class of vessel."

"Keep trying to break through their jamming." Buford ordered.

"Orbit established." Ensign Davis announced.

"Hail the away team." Buford ordered. "Taurus to away team, what is your status ?"

[Lieutenenat Kahfre here Captain.] The Taurus's chief medical officer announced [We have five survivors, all require immediate medical attention. We also have three injuries, two minor and one serious, plus one prisoner.]

"A prisoner ?" Buford exclaimed.

[Private Jax discovered a Jem'Hadar soldier hiding within the rubble of the science labs.] Rachel replied. [He took a bit of a battering, but he's stable for the moment. Which is more than can be said for the Jem'Hadar he captured.]

"Captain, I would suggest transporting the Jem'Hadar straight to the Brig." Lieutenenat McQueen suggested.

[Lieutenenat, he needs medical attention that requires the specialist equipment in sickbay.] Rachel replied.

"Lieutenant, set up a secure area within sickbay for our new guest." We'll transport him to the Brig initially and transfer him to sickbay once you are ready." Buford ordered. "Doctor, we'll start transporting the injured now."

[Have all the medical staff ready for our arrival.] Rahel requested. [Kahfre out.]

"Okul start transporting the medical team and then the injured off the surface and directly to sickbay." Buford ordered. "Once the Doctor and the casualties are aboard bring up the Marines. Leave the Jem'Hadar till last. If we don't have time, he can die there."

[Kahfre to Bridge. All casualties have been transported to sickbay.] Rahel reported.

"Dominion vessel has entered the system." Lune reported. "I'm starting to get more detailed readings on the vessel."

"Any identity yet." Buford asked.

"Nothing definite, but I can tell you it's not the vessel that attacked the base." Lune replied. "This vessel is much larger, two minutes to orbit."

"All personnel have been transported from the surface Captain." Okul reported.

"Red Alert, shields up." Buford ordered.