Attack

The Taurus dropped out of transwarp at the edge of the Regial Seven asteroid belt. There was no sign of the Hellcat, but the long-range sensors had picked up a number of vessels approaching from Dominion space. Captain Taybar assumed that this would be the Dominion fleet alerted to the location of the rogue Jem'Hadar base by a spy they had placed there.

The Dominion had no desire to rescue the two kidnapped Federation scientists and would allow them to die in the destruction. Captain Taybar and the crew of the Taurus had other orders, 'Rescue the scientists' and they didn't have much time to achieve that.

"Captain, We've just picked up an explosion in the asteroid field on sensors." Lieutenant Lune announced. "The radiation from the belt is interfering with sensors, but it was big."

"Taurus to Hellcat." Captain Taybar announced. "We just detected an explosion, what was that ?"

[Just some cleaning up we had to do.] Chu replied as the image of the Hellcat's Bridge appeared on the viewscreen. [We've found the rogue Jem'Hadar base, but it looks like they're preparing to leave. We also detected a fleet of vessels heading our way.]

"We've picked up the same vessels." Captain Taybar confirmed. "We estimate another three hours before they reach here."

[We may also have another problem.] Chu suggested. [We've already encountered three Jem'Hadar cruisers in the asteroid belt and they all seem to be co-operating in the evacuation of the rogue base. Support for these rogue Dominion forces maybe more than we've been told.]

"Give us the co ordinates of the base and we'll start out attack." Aki requested.

Captain Taybar looked over her shoulder at Lieutenant Lune, who confirmed that he had received the co-ordinates.

[We'll see you at the base, Hellcat out.] Chu confirmed.

The viewscreen returned to the view of the asteroid field.

"Helm set a course back to the base." Aki ordered. "Nice and easy."

It took the Taurus thirty minutes to reach the Jem'Hadar base. They had managed to manoeuvre the New Orleans class vessel quite easily in the field thanks to the skills of their new helm officer Lieutenant Dare.

However, Ensign Luwall had given the Captain some bad news during the trip. The transwarp coils were 'fried' as the Engineering chief had put it. They would need replacing at a Starbase before the Taurus could enter transwarp again. But that was of little importance at the moment and something that the crew would have to deal with later.

"We're coming up on the base co-ordinates now." Lieutenant Lune announced.

"Put it on screen." Aki ordered. "And raise the Hellcat."

[Hellcat to Taurus.] The voice of Lieutenant Commander Barker announced. [We're currently three hundred metres off your port side. Looks quiet.]

"Too quiet Commander." Aki replied. "I don't like it. Go to Red alert and scan the area for cloaked vessels."

"I've got the Hellcat, but I'm not picking up any other vessel." Lune reported.

[Captain, we're picking up a warp trace coming from the base.] Chu suddenly announced. [It matches the one for the rogue vessel, looks like they've left already. Probably when we destroyed the weapons array.]

"What's the status of the base ?" Aki enquired.

"I'm picking up some power fluctuations in the main power core." Lune stated. "Plus a number of life-signs, mostly Jem'Hadar. I can't tell you exactly how many, but it's less than fifty. The main group appears to be concentrated in one area. I'm also picking up two other life-signs, one human, one Trill in the same area."

"Time for the Major and his Marines to earn their keep." Aki remarked. "Helm set a course for the base and take us into the hanger. Tactical, keep our shields and weapons up. Mister Lune, keep scanning the area and the base, I don't want any surprises."

[We'll follow you in.] Lieutenant Commander Barker stated.

"No, stay out here and keep a look out. You're our only chance of escaping if we have to."

[Understood. Hellcat our.]

"Bridge to Major Phanan." Aki announced. "We're going to dock with the station. Mister Lune will be sending you some updated information on the locations of two groups of Jem'Hadar and the kidnapped scientists. As soon as we're inside the base, we'll transport you in."

[We're ready.] The voice of Major Jon Phanan announced. [Just say the word.]

The Major rose from the desk he was sat behind and headed for the briefing room. His Marines were already there, preparing for the assault on the base. They'd continued to run through the various options and the schematics of the base had been very helpful.

"ATTENTION." First Lieutenant Jack Trueman announced as the Major walked into the briefing room. All the Marines reacted by standing up to attention.

"At easy men." The Major replied. "It's time."

The Marines took their seats once more as the Major stepped towards the viewscreen on the wall and selected a few buttons. The schematic of the base appeared on the screen and the Major started the briefing.

"Sensor scans have detected a large group of Jem'Hadar here, along with what we believe to be the Federation scientist." The Major started, zooming the image on the screen. "This area is a small area to cover, with only one access corridor. Gibs, your team will be beamed into the corridor in two groups and converge on the lab area. Secure the area, but make sure that those scientists are safe. As soon as you have the scientists, get back to the ship. You'll be leaving from transporter room two."

"Understood Major." Gibs confirmed. "What if we encounter hostile fire ?"

"You have permission to return fire, but only if fired upon." Phanan ordered. "I don't want those scientists hurt if it can be avoided, especially not in a firefight."

"What about the rest of us ?" Jack Trueman announced.

"Trueman, you're with me." Phanan announced. "We're going to transport into the corridor outside the command centre and secure that. We need to get access to the data core and download everything for Starfleet Intelligence. We'll be going from transporter room one in two groups."

"I'll get my hacking kit." Jack remarked.

"Private Dyson. You'll be with Lieutenant Trueman's group." Phanan announced, looking at the Marine Medic.

She was one of the few Marines onboard who he hadn't served with before and was therefore unsure of her abilities. Her record showed that she was a good medic, a civilian Doctor before she had joining the Marines. But Jon wanted to keep an eye on her, study her form, find out just what kind of Marine she really was and what she could become.

"Wouldn't I be better going with Lieutenant Gibs group Major ?" Eliza suggested. "If the scientists are injured in any way or there's a fight, then I'd be required to treat the injured."

"Gibs can call on you if he need to." The Major replied. "I'd prefer that you remain close to me for the moment."

"Yes Major." Eliza announced sounding a little disappointed.

"We leave in fifteen minutes." Phanan announced. "Dismissed."