To The Victor Goes The Spoils (Part 3 of 3)

"Captain." Mac yelled. "It looks like a number of Barien soldiers beamed down to the surface."

"What !!" Devore said in amazement. "Is Beard with them ?"

"I am picking up one human amidst the Bariens."

Devore pounded his fist consecutively against his chair. "I don't believe it. How many Marines do I have on board the ship ?"

"We have a squad." MacLeod responded.

"Signal them all to my conference room. Mister. Barker you have the Bridge." Devore yelled as he got up. "Well Lieutenant MacLeod ? What are you waiting for ?"

Mac got up and smiled as they both left the Bridge and headed for the conference room.

About five minutes later, a squad of Marines reported to the conference room. Devore stood hands clasped behind his back looking at the viewscreen with his back to them. All of the Marines present had come aboard at Deep Space 9, so not one of them knew what the Captain was looking at. On the screen crewmembers faces and their bios came on pausing for a moment then changing to another. Corporal Barnes had taken charge of the small contingent of Marines onboard. There were only three of them. They stood at parade rest in a straight line abreast of one another. Barnes was just in front centre.

"Sir ! r!" He bellowed. "First Squad reporting as ordered."

Devore didn't respond but stared at the circulating BIOS Barnes and the Marines stood waiting for a response. Finally Barnes looked to Lieutenant MacLeod who just shrugged his shoulders.

"Corporal Barnes. Have you done your homework ?" Devore asked without turning around.

"Sir ?"

Finally Devore turned around and his widened to see a bunch of young kids. "I said, 'Have you done your homework' ?"

"I don't' understand your meaning sir."

"Corporal !" Devore's tone changed to sternness."These people on the screen. Do you know who they are ?"

"I recognise only two people sir."

"How about the rest of you ? Do you know who any of these people are ?"

"No sir !" They responded simultaneously.

The sound still echoed in the room, ringing in Devore's ears as he waved his hand. "Listen I am not a Marine anymore, show the discipline but don't shout. Now sit down."

"Aye sir !" They shouted.

"Okay listen up ! These people are the abandoned crew on Limerus. We are dropping in and rescue them."

The phrase 'dropping in' surprised them but at the same time excited them. The surprise came from the fact that this "Fleetie" as they reverently referred to flag officers, knew certain terminology.

"Dropping in sir ?"

"Yes." Came a voice from the door.

"Gentleman. This is Ensign McMillian from the Ronin. She will fly the insertion team via the Devastator II to the drop zone."

"Woo woo." Whispered Private Quinn to Paterson. "I would like to show her my insertion team."

"Yeah !" Paterson responded.

"What was that Private ?" McMillian said.

Suddenly Quinn sat rigid as his chair spun around and now he was staring into the blue eyes of his colleague Her stern, but beautiful eyes bore into his soul and now he regretted saying what he did. "Um.. um.. nothing ma'am."

"I thought so."

"Okay....." Interrupted Devore. "....that is enough. Sit down Ensign. Okay we need to go over the plan. I have already planned out something that I think will work, but we don't much time. In exactly one hour, we will be dropping into......."

"'We sir ?" Again another voice said from the door. It was Chief Shale.

"Chief ? You should be in sickbay," Devore said.

"I am fine sir. Just a few bumps and scrapes but nothing that the dermal regenerator couldn't fix. So what's this 'we' stuff sir ?"

"I am going with the team."

"Sir ! I must object. You are not a Marine nor are you expendable. I can understand Lieutenant MacLeod, but not you."

"Looks like you haven't done your homework either."

"Sir ?"

"Before I switched to command, I was in security. I have been through the same type of training you have been. Plus my non-Starfleet experiences definitely qualify me to be on this mission. Besides that I am the Captain and I say who is and is not going on any mission."

"Understood Captain, but because you are the Captain, you are not supposed to be endangering yourself in such a precarious mission. Your first officer would kindly remind you of that."

"And you are not him, Chief. I am going on this mission." Devore stepped away and looked out a port hole. This was familiar sight for him for he always did this when faced with a hard task or even hard point to sale. "I am directly responsible for those men and women being down there. If I hadn't had left them then they wouldn't be in such a dangerous situation. Besides that, Beard and I have unfinished business and I plan on finishing it now."

"At the risk of the team... is that wise sir ?"

"I am totally capable of commanding a strike team, Chief Shale whether you like it or not."

"Captain Devore." MacLeod interrupted. "He is right. However, I have done my homework. I know that you are capable of leading this team. I am with you."

"Chief. Are you suggesting letting you lead this team ?" Devore asked.

"Yes sir."

"Well. You are not even on this team. The doctor hasn't released you therefore I feel that you are not fit to return. Go back and recoup."

"But Captain. I should be on this team."

"Rick. Go to sickbay. I want to hear about the attack on the Barien ships, so I need you in one piece."

"But if you don't return in one piece then I don't have anyone to tell."

"I will be back."

Shale nodded and left the conference room. Devore looked over to the door to make sure that there was no one else there. Once he assured himself that there he stood up straight. "Computer. Close the door to the conference room and secure it."

The doors shut. "Okay now where were we ?"

The warning order went rather quickly. Devore was succinct and to the point. He had wasted quite a bit of time and he knew that the Bariens were on their way to the encampment. Devore also assumed that they were alive. Nothing had been heard nor had been transmitted from the planet surface. Something in the atmosphere kept transmissions of all types from getting through and the metallic ore within the crust absorbed the transporter beams. Unfortunate for the first Nuan settlers. Ambassador Maul had informed Devore prior to their arrival that the transporter would be useless and fatal. They had found out the hard way. Their first and only attempt resulted in a permanent addition to the planet in the form of fused organic material with in the ore. The settlers who transported to the surface rematerialized in the ore. So the rescue team had to find another way to the surface.

The Marines quickly left the conference room to grab their gear and be armed. Devore on the other hand went to his quarters and pulled the old-time foot locker from underneath his bed. It was something that he had had with him for ages, a time capsule of sorts for him. He had everything in from this first grade report card to his commander pips which he stored just in case. As he was pushing things aside he found what he was looking for, an old set of dog tags and a kay-bar. The dog tags were in a small container that seemed to hold out air and water, but he wanted in. So he popped the top and stale air arose from it. The dog tags that were within were still silver and slightly shiny. Obviously Devore had taken care of it. After taking in the sight of the family heir loom, he grabbed the dog tags and held them in his hands looking at the embossed name on it. "Colonel Daniel T. Devore. USMC".

The Kay-bar, too, was in particularly good shape considering the age of it. It was over seven hundred years old, but looked like it was only a few years. A light coat of oil was still seen on the blade. The undefiled blade was in a bag made especially for the knife by Devore's great-great-great-grandfather to keep it in mint condition. Only one other time was this knife unveiled to the weary eye and that was once against a Narsarcin who had tried to rob his great grandfather of it. The knife plunged deeply into his neck.

Planetary security rendered the act as one of self-defence and let Devore's great grandfather go. Now was the time for the knife to be used again. Devore ordered the replicator to produce a standard Federation Marine uniform complete with combat boots and flak equipment. He wasn't going to take any chances.

In a matter of minutes Devore was dressed. Just as he grabbed and placed the sheath of the Kay-bar in his combat boot, Sierra came rushing in. She stopped and shot an evil, angered look at Marc. Then she finally walked through the living room to her combat geared husband.

"So it's true."

Marc looked her directly in the eyes and noticed that she had been crying. "Yes."

"Why ? I thought that you weren't supposed to do that sort of thing ?" Sierra snapped back.

"I have to. You wouldn't understand."

"Oh yeah. Well try me."

"Look......" Marc said as he grabbed the flak jacket. ".........I have to go. Can we talk about this later ?"

"No. Talk to me now and don't you dare pull rank on me now. I am your wife then I am the counsellor or commander or whatever you want to call me !"

"Listen, those people are on the planet because of me. Now Beard is on his way to kill them and I am not going to let that happen. Because of me, I lost you. Because of me, I lost the first Leviathan. Because of me the crew is down there on the Limerus. And now I will be damned if I let the crew die down there." Marc said plopping down on his couch. Sierra looked over at her husband who now just looked down on the ground, his face in his hand. "I can't let this happen. I won't let this happen. I will get Beard and kill him for what he had done to me... what he has made me become."

"He hasn't done anything. You are tormenting yourself."

"No, Beard has done this to me and now I am going to kill him for this. Hell, he is the reason we don't even know our own son."

"Well maybe so, but we should let the courts handle him."

"No !. Not this time. Besides, I need to go to the surface with the Marines. There is no one to lead them."

"Mac."

"NO ! I am going to do it."

Sierra realised that this was a circular battle and that Marc had made up his mind. "Fine. Do it. But promise me one thing."

"What's that ?"

"Come back to me..... alive."

"I promise." Marc said as he reached and grabbed Sierra by the face and kissed her.

"Captain. We are just now clearing the upper atmosphere." Ensign McMillian said expertly piloting the Devastator II. In the back, her crew were decked in complete protective gear. Their specially enhanced Type III phaser rifles were aimed at the floor in case of accidental discharge. Each person was performing individual tasks prepping themselves for the battle.

Corporal Barnes was prepping himself with 21st century camo-paint decorating his face in the traditional fashion as Quinn was fast asleep propped up against the bulkhead. Private Paterson was checking and rechecking his gear. This was going to be his first HALO drop. He didn't necessarily like the fact of falling from a perfectly good shuttle and dropping to the ground. Especially HALO jumps. He absolutely hated them.

HALO drops, High altitude low open drop, was deemed to be the best insertion. It was a tactic used in 20th century battle plans that both US Navy SEALs and Rangers used often. At about twenty-five thousand feet, the soldiers would execute HALO drops which incorporated the simple mechanics of a ball dropping. Compact mass will fall faster then non. The soldiers would be like this 'dropping ball' and fall quickly to the ground as their chutes remain closed. Then at about fifteen hundred to two thousand feet, they would open there chutes and 'float' to the ground so that they could allow 'their fifth point of contact' to welcome the solid ground.

Captain Devore whose family lineage had been a long line of soldiers figured that this would be perfect for he figured that the Bariens were going to be ready for any type of air attack. Silhouetted people hanging from ropes with the daylight sky as a backdrop made perfect targets for a sniper or similar rifle men. However for Lieutenant MacLeod and the small group of a Jeorri and two Kirusans who had joined up with the insertion team, they were unfamiliar with the idea. However they were fast learners and will learn as they fall, for the time had come and Devore no longer had the luxury of waiting.

"Okay gentlemen. We are about two minutes from the drop zone. Remember, watch your altimeters. If you don't open your chutes by fifteen hundred feet then don't even bother. You will become a permanent addition to the landscape. Understood ?" Devore said standing up straightening his gear. "Remember once we are on the surface, Corporal Barnes and Mac you have point. General Cleteri and Vterak are with me. Quinn and Paterson you bring up the rear."

"Sir. I am sorry..." Began one of the Kirusan. He was a younger one who seems no older than twenty and Devore didn't understand why he was here. "....Where would you like me ?"

"Bariel. You just stay close and watch your back."

[Captain. We are over the drop zone.] McMillian said.

"Acknowledged." Devore replied. "Okay everyone on your feet ! Remember this. Beard is mine. If anyone engages him then he will answer to me. Is that clear ?"

"Yes sir." They said in unison except for the Kirusans who just nodded.

The cargo lights went dim.

"Okay this is it. First team to the the transporter." Devore said. Although they couldn't use the transporter to beam down to the surface, it was possible to beam the HALO jumpers below the runabout. They could have opened the rear cargo doors, but that would have meant letting the freezing cold air into the cargo bay.

Quinn and Paterson stood on the transporter pad and smiled. "See you on the surface." Quinn said adjusting his visor.

"I have some Romulan ale stowed away. I bet it saying that I will beat you to the ground."

"You're on."

"Engage." Devore said.

The two Marines dematerialised.

"Okay. General and Vterek."

"You sure this is safe Captain ?" Asked Cleteri nervously.

"General. You will be fine. Just remember to open your chute at two thousand feet."

"Okay."

"Energise."

The nervous Kirusan General dematerialised. Devore smiled as he thought he saw the Kirusan hold on tightly to his rip cord.

"Berial and Shale. Let's go."

The two said nothing. They stood on the pad and before Devore could give the order the two had dematerialised.

"I guess it is you and me Mac." Devore said as he stepped up to the pad.

"Yes sir."

"Ready ?"

"Aye sir."

"Computer. Energise."

The dematerialisation process was over in a matter of seconds. Now Devore was outside the Devastator II falling quickly towards the planet's surface. If he could have turned himself over, he would have seen the runabout turn and flew away, getting smaller and smaller as he fell faster and faster. The Devastator was going to the rendezvous point which had been agreed before hand. The rush of air over his body gave him a weird sensation. It had been a long time since he has done this. He was telling everyone to remember to watch their altimeter, but now he hopes he himself remembers.

Devore had plenty of time to take in the planet's contours. He noticed the barren lands and the tree covered areas. However something inside told him that rocky mountains may be the place where the abandoned crew would hold out for there were possibly caves or natural formation to create shelter. Knowing Phanan and even the old man, as he reverently called his first officer, that was where they were.

The insertion team were falling freely some insight of each other. Small specks were all that each of them saw. Quinn and Paterson were the first, reaching two thousand feet relatively quickly, but it didn't flinch Paterson. He calmly pulled his rip cord and the chute opened followed by Quinn. Both passed one thousand feet.... five hundred feet... finally two hundred feet and the ground approached fast. Paterson, the hero, unlatched his harness just after seventy-five feet and he fell to ground with a thump.

"Okay Quinn looks like you owe me some more Ale." Paterson said through the headset he wore.

"Whatever." Quinn said as he hit the ground and rolled on to his butt, the 'fifth point of contact.'

Quickly the parachutes were stowed and they were out of the protective gear and poised for battle. Immediately, they stood to noticing if there were hostiles in the area. Once they secured the drop zone they set up a defensive position and waited for the rest of the team.

Cleteri's hand sweated nervously. He had never done anything like this. He definitely had to make note to try and discourage this again. However the thrill of free-falling was different then he had ever felt before. There was a euphoric rush, but still the danger outweighed the process. The chute opened and Cleteri fell at the drop-zone His chute dragged him a few feet before he was able to disconnect the harness and have his weapon ready.

Cleteri looked up and noticed that Vterek was still falling.

Two and a half thousand feet in the air, Vterek was smiling his arms spread. The air rushing around his body was providing him an enjoyable experience. He looked at his altimeter. "Three thousand five hundred feet." It read as quickly counting down. He figured he had plenty of time and enjoyed the sensation. Never had he felt such a feeling and didn't know when he was ever going to feel it again.

*He looks awfully close.* Thought Quinn as he looked up and saw Vterek coming down.

Vterek checked his altimeter. It read "Two thousand feet." So he pulled the rip cord. As the pack opened Vterek realised something wasn't right. He began to make out the drop zone and General Cleteri. Even the two Marines who were in place, he was able to see the web gear on their equipment. The ground approached fast. Frantically he looked up and noticed that his chute was just beginning to fill up to offer some resistance, but as he looked down again, he now was able to see the small creature the size of a mouse scurrying away from the shadow he cast. Travelling at approximately one hundred feet per second, Vterek slammed into Limerus, a slight but audible scream was heard through his atmospheric helmet. Cleteri stood but twenty feet from him as his body exploded like a water balloon hitting a hot, hard surface. He ran to the lifeless remains to try to administer medical attention, but the ooze of certain fluids and blood told Cleteri that his friend was beyond help.

Barnes and Berial landed on the surface followed by Mac. Devore floated to the surface observing the remains of Vterek as he hit the surface. Minutes since touchdown, the insertion team had disposed of the chutes, the body, and were in place.

"General." Devore said. " I am sorry. I don't understand nor do I know what happened."

"He was my son's P'terek." Cleteri said softly.

"P'terek ?" Devore said sincerely.

"Yes.. I think you call them... 'god parents'."

"Oh yeah. God parents."

"Vterek had been a member of my family for many years. He will be sorely missed."

"I understand and I am sorry."

"Don't be. He died in the line of duty, honourable for any Kirusan."

Devore said nothing more but looked around. His men were in position and waited for the order. "General are you ready ?"

"Yes Captain Devore. I am ready. Berial you take Vterek's place by myself." Cleteri ordered through some hoarseness in his throat.

"Yes general."

Devore stood up and looked at his Marines. "Okay men let's move out. I saw some mountains about a kilometre that way. Head for that. Minimal talking."

Quinn and Paterson nodded as they led the way.

The planet's surface was quite different what Devore had imagined. It was actually quite beautiful, with the wind gently blowing through the trees. Strange animals 'sang' in the cool breeze. The breeze in itself was a grateful answer to prayer for the flak gear was awfully heavy. Devore realised that he wasn't young anymore and his body fatigued under the unrecognised stress and weights as sweat poured from his pores. He made it a point though NOT to let the rest of his Marines see him give out. He was determined to lead by example.

Suddenly Quinn's hand went up in a ball, signalling the team to hold position. Everyone dropped to their knee. Devore pressed his ear piece in his ear."What is it ?"

Quinn said nothing but raised his weapon over his head and aimed it toward the enemy. After Devore acknowledged it, he placed his fingers to his eyes to signal that he saw some enemy to their two o'clock. Then he used both hands to signal ten Bariens. Again Devore acknowledged it.

"Mac. Take Berial with you and recon the area. Watch your six." Devore whispered in the com.

[Understood.]

Mac and Berial, crouched low, headed off into the direction of the spotted Bariens. Devore ordered everyone to take up a security position around him facing out while the recon team did their work. He pulled out a tricorder and took some readings. The abandoned crew members were just under a kilometre on the other side of these Bariens. Hope fully this 'encampment' wouldn't be too bad. A few phaser blasts and then right through them to the crew members.

"Damn it !" Soliel said as he paced in the cave they had taken position in. They have been chased from one site to another, losing some very good Marines and officers. He was agitated. The commandeered shuttle was an avenue for escape, but just as they loaded the shuttle and tried to take off. A band of Bariens attacked. The shuttle took major hits. At first it was thought that it wasn't no big deal. The accomplished pilot could fly a barrel through an asteroid belt, but if it was in tact. The shuttle had taken some direct hits to her nacelles.

After a good hour of fighting and only a few causalities for the crew, the Barien shuttle was 'totalled'. She rested on the surface only as an advanced com system. Since then they have been fighting their way from one site to another and finally was able to take a position in another cave in the mountains. It offered a lot of protection and combined with the forward observation posts, it would be a highly secured area.

"I am tired of all this. I am tired of being on the run." Soliel continued.

Phanan looked at him and smiled. "Spoken just a true Fleetie."

"I understand what he is saying though." Rashad said. "I too am ready to go home. I just wonder when the Captain is going to get here."

"Soon Commander." Phanan said.

*I hope.*

Captain Goerl and her troops or rather what was left of them were resting in the back. Most of them had just pulled an all-nighter and Jenora just frowned as he heard the sounds of the senior officers talking. She softly got up and headed their way. As she approached they all looked at her. "Don't worry. The Captain will be here. We will be rescued."

"Maybe so." Soliel responded. "But it better be soon. We are not going to hold off wave after wave of Bariens. Our power cells are running low."

[Commander, Major !] Jorgensen said from the shuttle which was behind some large rocks and boulders. They had managed to hide the shuttle from view because it made a rather large target any other way. [I am picking up some faint com traffic.]

"What are they saying Private ?"

[I'll patch it through.]

[...."....erial with you and recon the area. Watch your six".] The statically message said.

"It sounds like the Captain." Rashad said excitedly.

[ 'Captain. There is a Barien encam ---- static ----- about -------- troops.........]

[I am sorry sir. I can't pick up any more.]

"Where was it coming from ?"

[Can't get a definite fix, but it's in the area.]

"I told you." Junora said smiling.

"Okay everyone." Phanan said standing up. "Saddle up !"

"Wait. We don't know when they will be here." Soliel said.

"There is a Barien encampment in the area and I am not going to sit back and wait for them to attack us. I want to hit them before they hit us."

"Okay Major. Prepare your battle plan. Send out Jorgensen and Sharpe. Let's get this operation together. "

"Aye sir."

"...... and that is what we saw." Mac said. He and Berial had returned and were reporting back exactly what they had seen. It was a makeshift encampment that allowed the Bariens to have a base of operation on the planet's surface.

"Was Beard there ?"

"Yes sir. We saw him there alongside another much larger Barien."

"Fine. At sundown, we attack."

The sun began to set and the insertion team were in position and waited with anticipation. Devore had taken a position nearest to the Barien forward post. It looked like the Bariens were fairly laid back because there were very few around. This could possibly their final and deadly downfall. Taking this as the window of opportunity, Devore looked over at Barnes who was with Berial. They hid themselves just behind a large tree waiting for the signal to attack. With a swift gesture pointing to his neck, Devore gave the long awaited signal.

Smiling, Barnes swiftly moved behind the large Barien who overshadowed the Marine and inserted a long prong similar to a spike into the back off the unsuspecting Barien. Barnes' hand quickly muffled a terrified scream as the Barien fell dead twisting and turning like a fish out of water.

Berial had silently moved behind his prey while Barnes did his duty but noticed that the Barien reacted as if heard something. The smaller Barien headed for his now dead friend. But as he turned around, Berial had changed his hand into a flaming edge that penetrated the Barien's head. This surprised the Federation onlookers, but it must have been an innate ability for the Kirusans. As the Barien's eyes gazed upon the Kirusan he fumbled for his weapon with a look of astonishment. Then his look suddenly changed to that of excruciating pain as Berial's hand pierced his face. Then with a jerk, Berial raised his hand upward splitting the Barien's head like a melon. The Bariens gray matter oozed down his now lifeless body.

The rest of the team now moved in. Instantly they formed up in tight eight man formation that moved as one. The Marines of course had the point and Devore pulled the rear each covering the other's six. As a Barien came out of the darkness he was greeted by phaser fire that sent him a few feet back. Amazingly not too many Bariens were awaken by the phaser fire. Their fire guards who provided security were quickly subdued not giving them a chance to get to the alarms.

"I don't like this. It was too easy." Devore said as they approached the centre of the camp. "Team 'A' find their supply depot and take it out. 'B' team work your way to the other side and get to the crew."

"Aye sir." The Marines said.

"Premier. You may set-up your attack now." Beard said as he looked through some optical enhancement device. They were similar to binoculars.

"Very well Mr. Beard." The massive Barien said smiling. In his native tongue he ordered the troops of Bariens to march on the last known position of the Leviathan crew.

Beard had taken a very active role in the Barien army ever since he had defected from the Federation. The toll that the death of his family played on his psyche now was becoming apparent. Beard had been willing to give up a promising roll in Starfleet Command for revenge. He now looked over at the Barien Premier, a man whom he wished he had never agreed to help. "Attack."

Sharpe ran past the last position as Jorgensen laid down cover fire. Boatner waited till the gunny was in position continued on bounding to the retreating position.

[Major Phanan. This is Sharpe we are pinned down from every angel. Our position has been compromised.]

In the cave Soliel monitored the transmission and looked at Phanan. "We need to give them help."

"I agree." Then it came to him. "Captain Goerl. Take your troops and take position just above us."

"In the trees, sir ?" Goerl said.

"That will work. We want to funnel them right there. " Phanan said as he pointed to the position just in front of the cave's mouth. "Franklin you have two minutes to set-up mines and explosive along this tree line."

"I don't know if I can do that, but I will try."

"Don't try, just do."

"Understood."

"Move it." Phanan pressed his combadge. "Gunny, head back to the cave. We are setting up a little surprise."

[I hope this works. I don't want to die on this god forsaken planet.] Gunny said.

"Not if I have anything to do about it. Just get back here. Phanan out." He turned to look at Rashad and Junora. "Take up positions here at the cave's mouth and provide enough cover fire for those men. It may not be much but it may be enough."

"Okay gentlemen on your way. Let's go! Let's go." Sharpe yelled ducking from phaser fire. Just as Boatner got up and ran, he screamed. Sharpe turned around and noted why. He was shot in the back. The entry of the phaser burned through his torso and widened slowly consuming his flesh. His face was in agonising pain as Sharpe was able to view through the body now and saw a Barien. Sharpe squeezed off a round that went through the vaporising body of Boatner an it hit the Barien in the head. "Damn I hate this."

Sharpe ran back to the cave the image of the vaporising Boatner relived over and over again. They finally arrived the mouth to the awaiting gestures of their co.

"Where's Boatner ?" Rashad asked.

"Didn't make it."

Suddenly the trees were lit up with phaser fire firing down on to the oncoming onslaught. Phaser fire criss-crossed ending with both female and male screams. "Gunny, this does not look good."

"No sir."

A few Bariens came out of the treeline and headed for the mouth of the cave and as they did, they were welcomed by modified "bouncing betties" as the Vietnam Vets called them. As personnel stepped on the mines, the mine jettisons a small explosive about three feet high then detonates taking off everything. If someone did survive a 'betti' then they could never had children again... IF they survived. Other explosive set in the two minutes time were simple land mines that took out a good number of the massed troops. But the shear numbers kept coming.

"Open fire."

Suddenly on the horizon, a huge explosion detonated in the background that caught everyone's attention.

From secured position, Beard was stunned at the explosion coming from base camp. "What was that ?"

"That I believe was Devore." Beard said with a smile.

"What !'

"I will take care of that. You just take care of the attack."

"Okay."

The surprise didn't stop the Bariens maybe for just a moment. They begin to rush position, but as they reached about a hundred metres, fire from above rained down on the troops. Bariens dropped as explosions burst around them.

[I believe that you called for a taxi ?] McMillian said over the comm channel as the Devastator II came into view, phaser cannons blazing. Tricia had detected the fire-fight and especially the Federation weapons and decided to check it out.

The jubilant Federation troops whooped and hollered as the Bariens fell. Those that tried to retreat were met by the phaser fire of 'B' team. One shot turned to be one kill and the expertise of the Marines shown through. The Bariens fell from expedite head shots. In less then two minute the advancing Bariens lay dead on the ground.

"Devastator II. We have cleared you a little landing zone. Why don't you come down here and get a proper thank you ?" Paterson said smiling.

[You know something, you are something else. I wouldn't touch you with ten feet pole.]

"Well ma'am with all due respect I wasn't referring to me. I have this slithering friend here that would just love to thank you."

[Wait till I get on the surface, Private and I WILL thank you.]

"Marine ! That is enough," Phanan yelled stepping from the cavern's mouth."

They popped to. "Aye sir."

Captain Devore walked through the camp. He of course was nonchalant because of something he had in mind. He purposely didn't assign himself to any team, because that which he wanted to take care of was now breaking the tree line. The supply depot did not needed to be destroyed. But to insure that Beard knew that he was there, Devore needed a 'signal'.

"Marc. You are very nervy. Maybe I should have given you more credit." Beard said as he unzipped his civilian jacket.

"Admiral. That maybe you downfall, but I don't think after today, you even need to think of it again." Devore said.

"You think that you can take me ?"

"I know I can." Devore said as he took off his flak jacket.

They now were within a few feet of each other, both poised in a common fighting stance. The determination in their eyes were immense and as if a the steam kettle blew, Beard yelled and struck Devore. The force of the punch threw Devore a few feet carrying on the momentum. He reached over and grabbed Devore by the back of the shirt and threw him against a tree that seemed to reach out and grab Devore as he hit it. Beard took every opportunity given and struck continuously at the now exposed kidneys. Devore gritted his teeth as each fist hit him.

Taking a glance back, Devore threw back his elbow into Beard's nose, which shattered blood pouring from it. He staggered back, but as he did Devore took an opportunity and executed a spinning back kick. Beard flew to the ground. As he got back up, Beard grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it at Devore. However, Devore saw this and closed his eyes as the dirt flew, so he started acting as he was blinded, staggering around. Beard tried to attack him again. Devore reacted quickly and side-stepped him, dropping the back of his hand to his neck to Beard's surprise.

They now squared off and as Beard punched Devore blocked, parried, and dodged. Picking up on a pattern Devore waited for another punch and when it came he deflected it with right hand and snaked it around his arm. His hand came to rest on Beard's shoulder as he spun around allowing Beard be face first in the dirt. However Devore didn't account for the feet and Beard slipped his leg around and caught Devore the leg which caused Devore to lose grip. His knee collapsed allowing for Beard to escape.

"You know something Devore. This has been fun." Beard said as he grabbed Devore's rifle. "But I have to end it now." He poised the weapon aiming straight for Devore's head.

Instinctively, Devore rolled towards Beard as the phaser blast just missed him and he lunged forward with the hidden Kay-bar It lodged just under the sternum up into the lower chamber of Beard's heart. He yelled loudly as now even more blood poured from his mouth. Beard's own hand now grasped the hilt falling to his knees.

"This day may be yours." Beard managed to labour squeezed out. "But now you will be haunted by my dea............."

Beard rolled over and died. Devore stood up and walked over to the now cadaver and pulled out his knife. "Only in your dreams."

With phaser rifle slung over his shoulder, Major Jon Phanan examined the aftermath of their fight with the Bariens. In retrospect, he couldn't have wished for anything better. There were few casualties in his group, only minor wounds, mostly from phaser burns. The Barien shuttle which they had captured was now being used as a transport device, MEDi-VACing injured people to a safer location where first-aid could be administered. Second Lieutenant Jack Truman caught up with his commanding officer. He saluted, with Jon returning the salute.

"At least one hundred enemy casualties. If there's any of them alive, they've run with their tail between their legs." Jon nodded and the two continued walking solemnly amongst the burning foliage and dead bodies. "Sir, permission to speak freely."

"Might as well." Jon replied.

"Does it get any worse then this ? Really, this was hell..." Jack stopped walking as Jon stopped as well. The head Marine then turned to address him.

"To be honest with you Jack, it does. Not that it always does, but it does. However, you gotta take each day as it comes." The Federation runabout which had been flying around providing some sort of air support finally touched down, along with a few others that were now landing to ferry people back to the Leviathan-A. Obviously it looked like this runabout was a little battlescarred, but managed to hold its own against the ground fire and beating it took. This runabout, however, looked different from the others. As Jon gave it a closer look, he noticed the name Devastator II painted in bright red on the side.

The Marine CO could do nothing but smile at the sight. Some fresh faces exited the runabout and established a perimeter. Captain Devore walked out from the other side of the landing site. He was in bad shape, bleeding from the nose and a split lip.

"Major." Devore said through the split lip to the battered Phanan as he walked over with his own rifle slung over his shoulder.

"Sir." Phanan replied, stiffening up. Both he and Jack snapped to attention and saluted.

Devore painfully saluted back. "At ease." Both of them relaxed and Devore extended his hand. "Good work Major."

Phanan took the Captain's hand and shook it causing the Captain to wince from the pain. "Thank you sir. If you don't mind sir, myself, along with my Marines and fellow crewmembers would like to head up to the ship to grab a shower and a hard drink."

Devore grinned. "First round's on me Major."

Devore, along with Commander Soliel, Commander T'Kul, Sergeant Sharpe, and everyone else that called Limerius IX their home for those days made their way into the four assembled runabouts which then headed skyward.

The Devastator II was now back on the Leviathan and Devore was back in his own surroundings, a starship. He missed one thing and that was Sierra. She hadn't met him at the shuttlebay and now she wasn't in their chambers.

*That doesn't make sense.* He said as he jumped into the sonic showers. As soon as he was finished he was going to see Katts for medical attention but he had to get out of his camo green uniform and face paint. Suddenly he heard something from the bedroom.

"Sierra. Is that you ?"

There was no answer.

He turned off the shower and headed naked into the dark bedroom hoping to see his wife, instead he saw a form of a female whom he didn't recognised. Modestly he reached for a towel.

"Computer Lights."

The lights came on.

"Now Marc. Should you be that modest ? After all if I was a male I wouldn't be so modest." She said smugly.

"Who are you ?"

"I am sorry..." She said getting up outstretching her hand. She was quite devious trying to have Devore drop his towel. "...I am Q."