Ambush

"Commander, we’re approaching the Tartan Genoa system." Ensign Davis reported from the helm.

"Take us out of transwarp." Buford ordered. "Scan the system for signs of the Jem’Hadar vessel."

The Taurus slowed back into normal space a few thousand kilometres outside the system.

"Scanning the systems." Ashraf Kahfre announced. "I’m reading several small Jem’Hadar vessels throughout the system, but none matching the rouge vessel we encountered at Juno III."

"Status of the vessels ?" Buford asked.

"They appear to be adrift, I’m reading no power emissions from any of them." Ashraf reported.

"Adrift !" Buford commented.

"That is correct Commander." Ashraf replied. "The only vessel emitting any sort of power is close to the Dominion outpost. It looks like a battleship that’s in orbit above the planet, but from the readings, its orbit is decaying."

"Helm set course for the Dominion outpost." Buford ordered. "Warp seven."

Fifteen minutes later, they reached the outpost.

"I’m reading no life-signs on the battleship." Ashraf announced. "The ship is making no attempt to maintain a stable orbit, it will enter the upper atmosphere in less than an hour."

"What about the outpost ?" Buford asked.

"I’m reading sporadic life-signs, but I’m also reading several large fires." Ashraf stated. "It looks like the outpost has been attacked."

"Helm put us into orbit, I’m going down to the surface." Buford announced.

"Commander, I can’t let you do that." Lieutenant McQueen announced. "As Chief of security, your life is my responsibility and with no XO to inform you of the dangers, that task falls to me."

"We need to know what has gone on down there and as you’ve already pointed out, we have no XO to lead the away team." Buford replied. "I’m going down there and if you want to protect my life, I’d suggest that you come along. Have the Jem’Hadar brought to the transporter room in five minutes."

Five minutes later, Commander Buford, Lieutenant McQueen, Ensign Ward and a group of Marines all appeared on the surface of the planet. They had less than an hour before the planet was irradiated by the Jem’Hadar battleship at it broke up in the atmosphere, spreading anti-matter radiation across the planet.

Moment later, two groups of Jem’Hadar materialised close by, along with the Vorta Sabá. They quickly moved towards the Federation officers and McQueen opened a crate containing the Jem’Hadar’s weapons.

"Any suggestions where we should start ?" Buford asked the Vorta.

"I am not familiar with the layout of this base, but it probably follows some basic rules." Sabá replied. "It looks like we’ve transported close to the southern power complex, the main command centre is about five hundred metres that way."

"Anything else we should know ?" Buford asked.

"No." Sabá replied. "If we can reach the command centre, we should be able to download the main computer core."

"Then let’s get moving." Buford announced. "We don’t have much time."

They walked past dead bodies of Jem’Hadar, whatever had happened, the Jem’Hadar garrison had fought hard. Finally the group reached the inner complex.

"I’m not reading anything." Logan announced, looking down at his tricorder. "I don’t like this."

"Which building is the command complex ?" Buford asked.

"The one of the right." Sabá replied.

"Then let’s get moving." Buford announced.

Suddenly there came a loud shout of "Federation scum." followed by phaser fire.