The Butcher's (Part Two of Two)

The three Marines entered the bay as Lieutenant Gibs requested. At first glance, it appeared to be a standard Jem'Hadar cloning facility. One thing was certain though. This wasn't normal. As Jon looked around some more, there was something odd about the undeveloped Jem'Hadar clones in the tanks. He couldn't exactly place what it was, but there was something odd about them.

Lieutenant Gibs walked over with two scientists in tow. They were dressed in standard civilian clothing and appeared to be suffering from exhaustion. "You can remove your helmets…" One of the scientists said. "…there are no toxins in the air."

Hesitantly, Jon removed the helmet to the EVA suit and placed it under his arm. "Major Jon Phanan, Commander of Foxtrot Company, 201st MEF. We're from the USS Taurus and we're here to take you home.

"Thank goodness." The other scientist added. I'm Doctor Mitchell and this is my assistant Dantex Jix. "I don't want to be around those... animals any longer. It's a good thing they left. I don't know if I could take it any longer."

"What exactly is going on around here ?" Jon asked matter of factly. "The Jem'Hadar in the tanks don't appear to be normal ones."

"Well, they're not." Dantex Jix chimed in. "Follow us."

The two scientists led the four Marines into another bay. Inside the bay, there was a sight that made Jon's heart sink. Many Jem'Hadar lay on gurney tables. Some were alive, many not. Some had been opened up, where they lay.

In some respects, the bay more like a slaughterhouse. Different medical tools lay on trays. Different computers gave displays of Jem'Hadar anatomy and other types of medical information.

As Jon looked around the bay, trying to push the sights he was seeing out of his mind, he finally asked. "What in the hell went on in here ?."

"The Jem'Hadar were looking for a way to make themselves stronger." Doctor Mitchell finally answered. "The two of us were captured because of our research into the Jem'Hadar and bio-technology. At first we thought they were working on some kind of retro-virus to re-introduce the gene which produces the Ketracel-White naturally so they'd no long be dependent on the Dominion."

"But we soon came to realise that the DNA samples we we're seeing weren't normal." Jix continued. "And the type of things we were being asked to do had nothing to do with retro-viruses. We didn't do any of the butchery you see here. That was all of their work. They simply wanted us for our research. In the end, their results led to them."

Jix pointed to another part of the room where there were groups of Jem'Hadar unconscious. Whether they were dead or not, Jon wasn't sure. Jon, Gibs, and Dyson made their way to the unconscious Jem'Hadar. The first few looked fairly normal, but as they moved further down the room, something changed.

The last few Jem'Hadar looked very different from their fellow Jem'Hadar. Instead of a normal blue/purple hued skin, these were different shades of brown. Their horn patterns were also different from standard Jem'Hadar. "Are any of them alive ?"

Private Dyson began scanning the group. "Some more than others, sir." She replied. "There are a few here with stronger vital signs. The other's are slowly dying."

Jon put his helmet back on and activated the communications system. "Major Phanan to Captain Taybar."

[This is Captain Taybar. What have you found Major ?]

"It appears that this was some kind of cloning and experimentation laboratory for the Jem'Hadar. There's a mass of cloning tanks, along with some kind of new breed of Jem'Hadar. Private Dyson has established that a few are well enough to be transported. I recommend we beam them over for study."

[You'll have to get them closer to the surface. We're having problems getting a transporter signal through the rock.]

"Yes ma'am. I'll get people on that. They'll contact you in a few minutes."

[Very well. Major Phanan, I want this facility destroyed. Especially the cloning facility.]

"Well, that's part of the problem ma'am. It appears that the Jem'Hadar have this base wired to blow. There's an auto-destruct sequence going on as we speak." Jon looked at the display in the corner of his viewscreen. "We have about fifteen minutes left."

[Make sure you have someone downloading the computer core. I also want that cloning facility is destroyed. Make sure it is.]

"Already underway ma'am. Phanan out." Jon removed his helmet again. "Gibs, you're in charge down here. I want the Jem'Hadar that are capable of being moved, moved towards the surface so the Taurus can beam them up. Have someone wire the cloning facilities to blow before the self destruct does. The rest of the Jem'Hadar..." Jon looked around the bay. "... see to them." Gibs nodded with understanding and walked off.

"Private Dyson, stick with Lieutenant Gibs. Be sure that the Jem'Hadar we can transport do not give us any trouble."

"Yes sir." She replied. "I'll get to work on them immediately." She took off the medical pack and began to administer drugs to the sleeping Jem'Hadar clones.

With the situation secured, Jon turned to the two scientists. "It's now time to get you two out of here. I'll take you to the operations centre where the Taurus can beam you out." The two simply nodded. Jon turned, and led the two scientists back out of the laboratory.

[Trueman to Major Phanan.] Jack's voice announced over Phanan's helmet comm.

"Phanan here." Jon replied. "What's the problem ?"

[We've completed the core download, but I've detected Jem'Hadar lifesigns close to our position.] Truman reported. [I'd like to investigate.]

"Why ?" The Major asked.

[The area they appear to be in is secured.] Jack stated. [From the schematics we've got, it's some kind of isolation area, locked from the outside. I'm picking up about ten Jem'Hadar.]

Jon checked the chronometer in his helmet. *Twelve minutes to go.*

"Trueman, investigate and bring back any Jem'Hadar you find alive." The Major ordered. "Transport them to the Taurus and secure them in the Brig. You've got six minutes, then I want you back on the ship."

[Understood. Truman out.]