Liberation : The Warning Order

The sun shone bright in the morning star, as Orphelia awoke. She had had a long restful sleep and was excited for today. Today was what her people called the 'Cerphelia of the Suns'. This was a joyous time similar to the winter solstice or even Christmas on Earth. It was a time for the women to make themselves available to the few men of the colony. Because of the interactions of the Bariens in the Nuan history, men, true Nuan men, were few and far between. The Gaawn inhabited certain planets in the Nuan system that procreated with the young Nuan women, however pure Nuan lineage was desired for the aristocracy and ruling houses of the society. On H'Cter, it was no different. Roland of Trolean was the son of the ruler house. For many months, Roland had secretly been seeing Orphelia and they had waited for this day- the day that they no longer had to court in private.

Orphelia approached the large mirror that reflected a stunning beauty. Blond and tan, her crystal blue eyes were as bright as waters of Nuan, Orphelia stared smiling.

*Today is the day!* She thought as she picked up a brush and began to brush her hair. Her morning routine included bathing and eating her favourite dish of fruits and Gomere, a sweet citrus drink. Finally she returned to her room and finished dressing adorning herself with jewellery and fragrances.

*Today Roland and I will be together. No more hiding,* Orphelia thought.

In the capital mansion, Roland of Trolean was up practising his lines that he must say. "As the sun rises high in the sky, and the waters cleanses the weary body, the tears that have fallen has brought down the aura of solitude. I have prayed to the high gods to enlighten me to whom I am to be with for eternity and I have chosen you, Orphelia of DaKuth." He recited with a smile.

Normally the last part is to be said with the woman he chooses only after looking over each of the would-be lovers. But because he had been with her so many times and his love overshadowed tradition, Orphelia was the one whom he would chose and desire. The lineage of Nuan will be preserved and not tainted with the Gaawn.

"My son !" Said a large husky man from the back. It was Roland's father Catius. "You do me proud. I remember when I was at your age. Your mother was the most beautiful woman there, but it was hard to decide if I wanted to be with her or with, Yuri Chenloc."

"Yuri Chenloc ?" Roland said turning to face his father.

"Yes. Her family and ours were old friends and all thought that we were going to match. But when I saw you mother there, from a poor family, not of noble decent, I was mesmerised. Her face lit up the square and that is all who I saw."

"Mom was beautiful."

"Yes she was." Catius stopped and smiled. "Son. You are the last of the pure Nuan blood. You must carry on our lineage."

"Father. I know. I accept the responsibility with open arms. I am proud of my heritage."

"That is my boy." Catius embraced his son and smiled. " I am so proud of you."

The ceremony was beautiful. The woman danced and the festivities caused great laughter. Roland sat at the head table along side with his best friend of Tomerus. Tomerus was not of true Nuan heritage. No longer were there any more. Roland was the last and it was important for the remaining Nuan to maintain a noble class made up of only pure Nuan.

"Roland." Tomerus said gulping down a large swallow of Kanar. Kanar was introduced by a Cardassian vessel travelling through Nuan space years ago. Now the Nuans designed a way to develop the thick, intoxicating ooze, that only the strong can endure. "So are you ready to choose your mate ?"

"Ha ! If I had my way I would choose them all !" Roland said laughing.

"My friend. You may not be able to handle one."

"Well, I will be so overzealous that I will need others."

"Too bad. You will only be able to have one."

"Bring it on !"

Tomerus stood and straightened the toga that adorned him. He smiled and spoke, "My friends. Roland has felt that it is time for him to choose his mate. Please adjourningers bring them out."

The adjourningers, or the Nuan High Priests brought out the woman. It was customary to have five woman, but this time around it was ten. The woman were filed out of tent dressed in a white lace, their faces veiled but for their eyes. They stood in front of the head table with their heads lowered adding to the mystery.

Roland stood up and swallowed one more sip of Kanar. He walked around to the first woman. Her head rose only when Roland touched her chin. The eyes were closed as he looked at the only thing visible over the veil. "My dear. Let me see you eyes."

She slowly looked at him and reveal a dark brown eyes. They were not the ones that held his heart. Roland turned to the next girl, and the next. Each time he moved on. The women turned and kneeled before the audience who were staring in disbelief. Some of the women were wonderfully beautiful almost mesmerising as their eyes could tell, but Orphelia's eyes were not discovered.

Finally the eighth girl with her blond tresses framing the heart shaped, tanned face, lowered her head even more as Roland approached. Roland all ready knew but to add emphasis passed her by. The crowd gasped. Orphelia shocked in amazement turned and kneeled, tears began to fall as if a faucet was opened.

Roland smiled as he went to ninth, then the tenth girl. Now all the girls were kneeling facing the awe-struck audience, but Roland walked behind Orphelia who was shaking from her crying. Her reached out to her and helped her up and spun her around to see him. The crystal blue eyes now red and puffy from crying looked into Roland's deep brown eyes. He reached up and unfastened the veil and let it fall to display an angel, his angel of the morning. Orphelia smiled.

Roland looked at her and smiled then commenced his recital. "As the sun rises high in the sky and the waters cleanses the weary body, the tears that have fallen has brought down the aura of solitude. I have prayed to the..............."

Suddenly through the air a burst of green light flew through the crowd from the back. It hit Roland square in the head, the back of it bursting open like a melon. Roland's face now was frozen in an internal smile as the back side of his head was the orifice whereby the fluids of his cranial cavity oozed out. People screamed, as Orphelia looked at what was to be her betrothed. She just looked on as Roland's body fell to the ground.

"Nice party. It is a shame that we weren't invited." A Barien from the far side of the audience said sarcastically as his troops flowed in. The crowd of people laid to the ground trying keep from being killed as Catius sat in his chair. He looked in disbelief at the corpse of his only son.

"Catius. Come on !" Tomerus said trying to pull him along, but Catius sat there in shock. Finally the Barien approached the lone ageing man. Tomerus had slipped out through the back.

"I assume that you are the leader ?" The massive Barien said. There was no answer from Catius. "Hmmm." The Barien shot Catius and similar to Roland, the back side of his chest now was an orifice for the body fluids to ooze out of. "I am Premier Olviran. We claim this colony in the name of the great Barien Empire. Let all who oppose stand forth."

Outside the colony, Tomerus saw the Bariens slaughtering the men using large swords and phasers. There was no mercy, all males were killed in cold blood. Tomerus ran and as he picked up to do so, he saw a man about 5'9 bald walking from a small ship. Tomerus held off and looked at him and noticed that he had no right hand. The ship on the underside had some writing on it. Tomerus got closer and noted what it said.

"USS Lynx."

USS Leviathan : Bridge - January 2, 2384

The Bridge was quiet as Captain Devore sat in his chair pondering the events of the past months. Never had he been in such a place for that long. Even during his first days of command, the Leviathan wasn't berthed for too long. Now a year later on her exploration mission, the Leviathan* had been repaired, parts replaced and a compliment of Nuan passengers were on board serving as ambassador, strategic operations and even guides to the vast Nuan domain. However, there were questions that still remained- what does the presence of the "Klingons/Starfleet" in the Beta Quadrant have to do with the Barien/Nuan War and why did Beard defect to the Bariens ?.

Originally, Devore thought that Beard was after him on some sort of personal vendetta, but now it was much more. He had his chance to kill him and failed. Now there was a grand picture involving this sector, but what ? Devore didn't know and it seems neither does his guest in the Brig. These questions were now something of a mystery and the communiqué he received from Admiral Ross a few days ago disturbed him, but allowed for him to push the mystery aside and follow orders. He was told of the fate of the Arrow and how the Bariens were involved. More information was given but only for him to know.

USS Leviathan : Captain's Ready Room - December 31, 2383

........... In his ready room Devore sat facing his computer. Admiral Ross had insisted on a secured channel to brief him on his mission.

[Marc. I don't understand what is going on or why an old friend would defect, but Beard has and has passed on vital secrets to a a very impugnent enemy,] Ross said.

"Admiral ? What secrets ?"

[Listen to this....'

.......'Then how did they penetrate the shields.'

'Don't know. It looks like they have found the shield's field harmonic frequency.'

'What ! How ?'

'I don't know, our warp core is totally off-line and their are hull breaches on the deck 2-4'........... " The playback stopped. .....

[You see Marc.] Ross stated.

"Yes Admiral. I see what you mean. Beard has turned his back on the fundamentals of the Federation and has passed on our whole strategic and tactical stance."

[That is why you must reinvent everything !. I have totally changed the command codes for all Starfleet personnel and have sent out a message to all ships to do the same. Marc, you are the closest. I need you to actually seek out Beard.....] There was a pause. Devore felt it to be a little uncomfortable, but he knew where he was going. [....and take him out. That traitor must be stopped at all cost.]

"Understood. But with his knowledge of standard Starfleet protocols, we are at a disadvantage."

[Then disregard all protocols until the circumstance is taken care of.]

"Understood."

[Good luck, Marc. I would like to see you again.... alive.]

"You will. Sierra and I will come knocking on your door just as soon as we can get back to Earth."

[Good! Ross out.] The view screen went blank and the all too familiar Starfleet emblem shown on the screen.

*Great !* Devore thought as he sat back in his chair and stared into the blackness of space...........

USS Leviathan : Bridge - January 2, 2384

"Captain Devore to Lieutenant Hansen." Devore said as he tapped his combadge.

[Go ahead Captain.] Hansen said from engineering.

"How is our enthusiastic young engineer ?"

[Just fine Captain. Why do you ask ?]

"I would like an update."

[I will update you ASAP ! But first I have to find him.]

"Very well. Devore out."

Taline had provided the Captain with some interesting information. Could it be a cloaked vessel off the bow of the ship... it could be ? If so, why is it masked ?.

The Leviathan was on its way. Lieutenant Taline had come to Captain Devore shortly after Devore contacted Hansen. It was interesting to see such a young man so interested in his job, and soon it was too pay off.

"Captain. Here is what I found. The sensors are picking up something quite a distance away. It is not really near us like I previously imagined, but actually coming from a the Tiger 890 sector."

"What is it ?"

"Unknown."

"Does it meet Starfleet configurations ?"

"Yes and no..."

"Lieutenant. I don't have time for too many games. Yes or no."

"Yes it does but no it has been modified to simulate some unknown source."

"Very well." Devore said directing his attention to Mr. McCaffee who was at the helm. He actually was a fast study and doing a great job. "Cadet McCaffee. Set a course for Tiger 890, warp five. We need to put an end to this. All hands this is the captain. All senior officers to the conference room."

In the conference room, all the senior officers were there. They sat at the table whilst Captain Devore instructed them to their current mission. In their usual seats each squirmed at some time or another, going after the Defiant-class ship wasn't necessarily what the majority had in mind. The last time, the Leviathan was nearly destroyed and now the only difference that this time had was the shattering beam that the SSS Sniper had.

"Lieutenant Hansen..." Captain Devore said. "....has there been any success in incorporating the Shattering Beam in the Leviathan's defensive posture ?"

"Well sir, I haven't been able to modify the power output, so that it will not drain so much power but it seems that the power output is its main thing," Hansen said.

"Captain." Lieutenant Baran, the new chief tactical officer, interjected. Ever since Toran's promotion and the death of Harris, Devore needed to find a suitable replacement. Fortunately Baran was amongst the security teams that seem to show a great deal of promise. Toran's first duty as first officer was assigning the then Ensign to the tactical. Major Phanan during his short stint as Captain of the ship relied heavily Baran's prowess. So the best choice seem to be Baran which resulted in a promotion. "The Shattering Beam has a power output of one million joules, much more than our enhanced phaser array. If we even tried to modify it, it would lose its effectiveness."

"So I guess that we have a one shot wonder. "

"Aye sir."

"Well how about enhancing its recharging cycle."

"We did Captain." Taline said. "We can shorten the time by six hours but it will still take it twelve hours to be at an operational capacity."

"Very well. Mr. Hansen. See to it that we get a quicker recovery rate."

"Understood !"

"Mr. Toran. I want constant battle drills. The ship is to be at 110% by time we find and engage the Lynx."

"Understood Captain. I recommend that we also remain at yellow alert."

"Fine."

[Captain.] Said Ensign Mason who had taken command of the Bridge during the conference meeting. [There is a priority one message coming in for Major Maul.]

Major Maul perked up as she looked at the Captain who just returned the stare. He solemnly nodded.

"Ensign...." Major Maul said. "....go ahead and place it here in the conference room."

[Yes ma'am.]

The monitor behind the Captain displayed the Nuan Fleet Commander.

[Opee.]

"Father."

[I am glad that you are all right.]

"All right ?"

The screen became statically.

[Yes. Listen and listen closely. I have a task force approaching your current position. I want you to meet with them and execute the mission that they have.]

[Captain.] Ensign Mason interrupted. [There is a Nuan transport vessel within 5,000 km.]

"Very well Mr. Mason. All stop." Devore said.

[You must recapture that colony...............] The static overwhelmed the transmission.

"Colony, What colony ?" Maul said.

"Opee ?" Devore said looking at Maul.

"As you would say Captain.. 'Pet name'."

"Oh. All right everyone. Execute your orders."

"Aye."

The conference room was emptied and all went to their station. Devore and Maul went to the Ready room and a waited the force.

The transporter ship was travelling along side the Leviathan. Within an hour the passengers disembarked on to the massive ship and met with the Captain and the Major.

"Major Maul." The senior officer of the passengers said as she approached her. "I am Captain Goerl of the 1st Rescue platoon." Goerl offered a salute. Behind Goerl was a squad of six women looked to be no older than twenty-one. Each were young, beautiful but under the heavy battle armour and weaponry were every much a woman as was Maul. They each stood at attention in formation.

"1st Rescue Platoon ?" Maul said returning her salute.

"Yes ma'am. Just a few days ago, the H'Cter Colony at Limeria IX was taken by the Bariens. We have been assigned to liberate that colony." Goerl said laconically.

"Captain." Devore said. " I mean no offence but what makes you certain that it was the Bariens."

Goerl looked over at Devore and gave him an icy stare. "Because sir...." Her words were icy as her stare. She handed Maul a PADD.

"Captain." Maul said. "You need to look at this."

She handed him the PADD. There was a young man on it, his face beaten to a bloody pulp. Through swollen eyes and a split lip, he laboured to breathe let alone talk but he tried. "I am Tomerus of the house of Goerl." Ding, ding, ding, a connection. "The Barien Union has liberated their brothers and sisters of Limeria IX from the oppressive Nuan Empire. I am one of the last survivors of their occupation and admit to the sins of my father and fore fathers. " Behind him stood a Barien no doubt his puppeteer who orchestrated the entire message and act. Tomerus was trying hard to resist, but he could endure anymore. The pain he felt throughout his body was displayed on his face as he spoke. He stopped and looked around in defiance. "NO! I do not. They have killed the colony and they will kill me, I see a ship I hav..........." From the side a weapon shown and fired a familiar blast. It incinerated Tomerus to ashes.

Devore looked at that again and noticed something. His stomach came to his throat. "Um.. I think that we will help you."

"Captain. You needn't. This team here is one of our best. We can do it." Maul said. "Besides. Your Prime Directive."

Instead of saying anything, Devore said." Commander Rashad, Major Phanan and Marine task force. Report to the conference room. Ladies. Please follow me."

In a few minutes they entered the conference room. Major Phanan, Second Lieutenants Truman, Gleason, and J'Lan were there sitting around talking. "Attenten- shun !" Phanan bellowed followed by a uniformed snap to attention.

"At ease." Devore said. "Ladies have a seat, all of you." Devore did not sit down but rather looked out the window.

"Captain I don't understand why will you help us. This is not your concern. It is an internal matter." Maul said.

"Major Maul. Replay your message time index 002."

She did. "Major Phanan. Please give Major Maul your side arm."

"Aye sir." Phanan did as ordered.

Her eyes widened.

"Major Maul. Are those weapons the same ?"

"Um... Um..."

"Are those weapons the same ?" Devore repeated.

"Yes."

"We have found our defector. Commander Toran........" Devore said tapping his combadge. "..........set a course for Limeria IX maximum warp and engage the refractive shielding."

[Aye sir.]

"Major Phanan. I want you to work with Major Maul. I want a rescue plan devised and on my desk in two hours."

"Understood."