Betrayal (Part One of Two)

Captain Devore sat in the darkened room contemplating the last few days. He had won the war against the Bariens, rescued his crew, now he was woven into the distorted tapestry of Q, a woman who has now become infatuated with him. He obviously told her no, in effect scorning the powerful, but malevolent super being and now his ship is millions of lightyears from the nearest Federation outpost. Then to top it off, this thing that attacked not only the Leviathan but the Ronin who got knocked into this stupid lover's quarrel. Now Rashad who seems to be letting on to the knowledge of this planet. What deep, dark secret does the intelligence officer know about Moria. He had to find out what is going on and why.

Devore turned the computer towards him. "Computer. Display all information about Moria and The Coreans."

<That information is classified.>

"Classified. I am the ship's Captain !" He said perturbed. "Computer release all information Devore Alpha 1-1-6"

<You are not authorised access.>

"What ?. Computer ! What will it take to access specified information."

<Omega Tao clearance.>

"Who on this ship has Omega Tao clearance ?."

<Lieutenant Commander Rashad T'Kul>

"I should have known." Devore tapped his combadge. "Security. Meet me on Deck seven Section-A, Rashad's quarters."

[Acknowledged.] Responded a young voice.

In a matter of minutes Devore met up with the security detail. The Cardassian security officer was unexpected. "Ensign. I don't recognise you. When did you come aboard ?" Devore said suspiciously.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I am a Lieutenant JG. I just got promoted just before coming aboard at Deep Space 9. I have had brig duty so unless you have visited the brig anytime in the passed few days you wouldn't have met me." The Cardassian responded quickly.

Devore has had a number of run-ins with the Cardassians and he didn't really trust them. But something through his eyes, Devore noticed that this security officer was different. He obviously maybe on purpose forgot that as a Starfleet officer, this unknown officer would have had to go through a thorough background check. "And Lieutenant, your name ?"

"Lieutenant JG Eran Dakul sir !" He snapped.

"Okay Lieutenant. I want you and your detail to stand guard here. I am going in here. NO ONE comes in including and especially Commander Rashad, understood ?"

"Aye sir."

Devore entered the standardised command codes to override any security door and the entryway to Rashad's quarters opened. The room was decorated dimly even mysteriously in Romulan decor. It was quite interesting to any non-Romulan but the suspicious captain paid little attention. He headed straight for her computer console.

"Computer. Enter decryption codes Devore Alpha-1-1-6- omega." Devore said as he sat down at her station.

<Decryption codes not recognised.>

"Computer, What protocols can the Captain follow ?."

<Please specify.>

"Computer. Under known Starfleet protocols, what can I do to open this files ?."

<There are no known protocols.>

"Fine. Then follow this protocol." Devore said as he slammed the computer against the table. The back opened up revealing the isolinear chips. It had only five brightly lit and awaiting for Devore fingers to manipulate them which he did. Changing the first three chips with the two remaining. The computer beeped. "Now computer... open all files relating to Moria, the Coreans, and the Andromenda Cirrius Galaxy."

<Access granted. There are over three thousand entries pertaining to the desired information. Please specify.>

*Three thousand entries ?*

"Who made these entries ?"

<These entries have been made by Starfleet Command ?>

*I don't believe it !*

"Give me the information on Coreans."

Suddenly the entire file on the Coreans came up. In a simple phrase the information was the identical to what Rashad had originally told the two Captains. However there was something missing that was also revealed, the people that was sent off to their new home were knocked way off course. Some how as the first of the people were revived from their cryogenic sleep, the realisation that they were not settled on Gantris VI caused a panic. So the most powerful of them took over and began making logs. From within the logs was where the rest of the information came from. The the record stopped. A small word began to flash "Classified- Section 31."

"So that is what is going on !" Devore said angrily. "Section 31 is involved here. But how ? Rashad said that this happened in 2171 well before the Federation and Starfleet ever existed. Computer open all classified files from the most earliest time period."

<Time index, stardate 384496....>

The information began to display itself on the screen. Numerous dates, numerous names, events and a vivid description of aliens so deadly and powerful that even 'the mechanical beings had no chance against.' Devore began to think about the extensive information and realised that certain descriptions accurate described a race that 'spoke as one'. The Borg ! But in this report or log entry, the Borg were quickly beaten by the alien races of large insectoid armies.

As the minutes turned to hours, Devore began to read even more quickly. Keywords such as infest, mutate, carapace, deadly began to spring up. Then suddenly one word instilled fear in the battle weary Captain- conquest.

"Computer display personal log entries of Lieutenant Commander Rashad T'Kul."

The logs began to show sporadically. However, within the last twenty four hours, Rashad had made over five entries.

"Computer show log entry for stardate 84079.42"

On screen came Commander Rashad. She looked nervous but regained composure as the computer began to record.

"Personal Log stardate 84079.42. I don't really know what Q is doing by shooting us across the galaxy like this, but whatever she is doing will have dire effect on the time line. Like Q did once with the Enterprise-D and the Borg, we now have come to a place we will have to engage a species that we are not ready for. This time however we know something of them. The Z'Terul Broods, as the Coreans call them, are not an unknown. Starfleet Intel didn't think that we would encounter them for another hundred years or so. Thanks to Q, that is not the case. If for some reason we can find them, the Proletariat may help us. Hopefully they won't be so elusive as they were when the first Section 31 ship came through here." The screen then displayed "End Personal Log."

Devore was angered. He thought that he finally could trust Rashad but now he knew that he couldn't. Angrily he said, "Computer. Display Personal Log for Lieutenant Commander Rashad T'Kul time index .55.20"

Again Rashad face appeared. This time there were beads of sweat on her brow.

"Well it looks like we don't have any choice. The M'lisk that we just engaged didn't seem like too much. Maybe the Corean reports were overstated. Maybe they don't have the same technology. Who knows but if one torpedo was able to take care of it, then maybe the normal phaser will take care of the broods. However we have not figured out a way to stop the infestation. That will be something that is to worry about. Unlike the Borg who assimilate and use our own knowledge against us, the Z'Terul will use the infested species, race or individual, as an kamikaze assassin. The infested power would/could be the Achilles Heel for us. We will just have to watch it." Again the end of the log displayed.

*By not telling me this, she has endangered the ship and the crew !* Devore thought. He was now furious as he stormed out of Rashad's quarters. Dakul followed the Captain as he sped away.

"Captain ?" Said Dakul trailing behind.

"What Lieutenant ?" Devore said as he entered the turbolift.

"Sir, your orders ?"

"When Rashad returns to the Leviathan, I want to see her."

"Aye sir."

The doors to the turbolift closed and took the Captain back to the Bridge. The doors opened and he stepped out.

"Ensign Grafton. Open a channel to the away team !" He said with intense urgency.

"Atmospheric disturbances are hindering communications." Grafton responded.

*Not again.* Devore thought.

"Sergeant Sharpe."

[Sharpe here, go ahead Captain.]

"Sergeant, assemble a fully armed squad and report to the nearest transporter room."

[Okay sir.] Sharpe said puzzled.

"I will explain at the transporter room."

[Acknowledged.]

"Captain Devore. We are picking multiple signals from the surface heading towards the away team." MacLeod said.

"And there is now way to contact them ?"

"No sir."

The large supercarrier, as the Coreans called it, was only half the size of the Leviathan but had little to none of the amenities as a ship of the present. Along the sides of each of the walls were pods that were empty but for a few of them. Commander Soliel and Commander Heim were examining the crudeness of the construction as the Marines established a perimeter.

Commander Rashad had figured to get some more information that the ships log might be the place to go so she headed for the computer with Ensign Katts in tow. McMillian and Benosk with Commander Barker were examining the outsides of the ship. Then McMillian noticed something in the brush, something metallic. It was just outside the established perimeter that Taylor and Major Phanan had created, but she figured no problem.

She walked over and pulled aside a few branches and noticed something weird. A small two man ship similar to a Federation scout ship, but some of the design specs were far older. It was more basic and even crude, but knowing shuttlecrafts and all Federation ships, McMillian realized that this was Starfleet.

"Commander Heim. You may want to see this." McMillian yelled. Everyone came running out of the ship to the side of the Ensign. "I saw this and began to investigate and look. It is definitely Starfleet."

"You sure about this Ensign ?" Toran asked.

"Yes sir. Look at it." She said as she climbed aboard. Amazingly enough the computer clicked on and the Federation logo was displayed. "I rest my case."

As everyone was in amazement, a large shadow was cast upon the away team. Rashad looked up and her eyes opened wide in astonishment. "Um ladies and gentlemen, I think that we need to take cover."

In the sky, was a large creature. It looked like a large flying brain with tentacles. It moved slowly over the trees as it headed to the clearing where the away team and the supercarrier was berthed. It had no discernible features, but seemed to radiate a bluish glow. Just as it cleared the trees, the bottom began to stretch down ward.

"I don't like this." Major Phanan said as he aimed his phaser.

"Neither do I." Toran yelled. "Back into the carrier. Now !"

They scurried to the entry way as Barker looked back. He was intrigued by the flying brain. "Look."

Once the away team had taken a position inside the door they looked. From the stretched out flesh, two large creatures and two smaller dog-like creatures appeared. The larger creatures stood about nine to ten feet. They had hoods similar to cobras and moved upon the ground like snake, but the upper torso stood erect. However unlike the "flying brains" they had discernible features. Eyes that burned an intense red. The mouth bore large razor teach that were in full view as they opened the mouth and screamed as a baby bird asking for food. However this was no pleasant dinner call, but an ear piercing screech like a banshee.

The smaller creatures were like dogs. They moved across the ground upon four very powerful legs that propelled them four feet with ever pounce. They had reptilian skin and a snout that resembled that of bird. However they too had razor sharp that they demonstrated on the nearest tree. They effortlessly bit through the thickest part of the truck and the tree fell with a mighty crash.

"I don't like this."

"Maybe we can communicate with them." Heim suggested.

"You know something, Commander. With all due respect you can try but I tell you what I am not going to. All the communicating I am going to do is with my phaser." Phanan replied.

"Commanders'." Interrupted Rashad. "I agree. The Z'Terul Broods will not negotiate. They only know one thing... destruction."

The away team looked at Rashad. "Z'Terul Broods ?" Toran asked.

"I will explain later, but right now, we need to figure a way to get away from the Zeirg and the H'rliskes."

"Rashad. If you knew about this..." Toran said.

"Sir I will explain later, but right now we need to take cover and prepare to fight.

"... and get them back here." Devore said in the transporter room. The Marines were in full gear and ready for battle. He missed those days, but Sierra was right he figured. The Captain was not to endanger his life in a these little squirmishes. He was the Captain and his place was on the Bridge.

"Understood. Captain." Sharpe said with an ancient cigar in his mouth.

"Sergeant. Is the smouldering weed really necessary ? "

"Aye sir."

"We will have to talk about it that later. Get down there and do what you can."

"Understood." Sharpe said slinging his weapon. "Marines suit up and get your roughneck hides on the pad."

"Yes Sergeant." The Marine squad resounded loudly.

The sound echoed throughout the transporter room. As they got up on the pad. The command was given an in an instant they were gone.

*Mental note: tell them to stop doing that.*

"They are breaking in," Taylor yelled over the phaser fire and screeching of the H'rliskes. The hull of the ship were riddled with large pincer-size holes, new one being created by the minute. Taylor fired a single shot through one of the holes and the pincer stopped with another ear-piercing scream. "Major I think I got one." Suddenly another hole was created and this time the pincer was like a can opener. It tore away the metal like aluminium."I guess not," he said as he fired another shot.

"Commander the door." Katts yelled as a Zeirg came in. It ran towards the group as Katts fired. Just as the creature jumped the phaser blast hit it and sent it flying back against the bulkhead. It looked as if to shake it off and got back up. "The phaser isn't having an effect."

"Set phasers to maximum." Toran said firing another blast. The creature vaporised.

From outside they heard firing and shooting. It was unlike anything they had ever heard. It was almost like machine gun fire. Rashad remembered the sound from the time when the Leviathan was attacked by the Borg and Commander Harris had used old 20th century firearms against them. Their forcefields were capable of deflecting or even absorbing energy but projectiles were different. The bullet broke through and riddled the Borg killing them all.

The sound was like that and the Z'Terul redirected their attention. The away team went to the holes and noticed a small band of people that they assumed to be Coreans. Only about four of them were holding off the attacker, the away team did know where they came from for they had not come across any of them earlier. One of the H'rlisk reared up and sprayed a greenish globe that hit one of the Coreans. The acidic goo ate away the unprotected flesh as the Corean scream in agony. As he fell to his knees the remaining Zeirg attacked ripping him to shreds.

The combined fire of the remaining Coreans were concentrated on the Zeirg as the H'rliskes attacked again, each time hitting one of the Coreans. Again the Corean screamed as the ooze engulfed him until there wasn't anything left, however the Coreans death was not in vain as the Zeirg fell to the ground bleeding a deep, red blood. One of the H'rliskes was swaggering as the remaining Corean shot at it. The explosive tip ammo exploded on the hard carapace as if finally fell over dead. Just as the remaining H'rlisk reared up to fire, Phanan yelled fire as waves of phaser fire flew and hit the creature. The combined fire caused the H'rlisk to incinerate.

Now that the area was safe, the away team came out of the ship to give the Corean attention but as Phanan stepped out first of the supercarrier, the Corean fired upon him. The explosive tipped bullets hit the flak armour and exploded. The armour absorbed the damage of the archaic munitions, but sent him flying back.

"Ug" He said as he hit the crew behind him.

Then there was a click, click.

"Hold on ! We are not your enemy !" Heim yelled with his hands up. They filed out of the ship and noticed that the Corean was still pointing the now empty weapon at them. Phanan got up and angrily charged at the Corean.

"You shot at me !" Phanan yelled the midsection of his armour blown out. "I will kill you."

"Stand down Major." Toran yelled sternly.

Phanan stopped and looked at the Corean with icy daggers. *Your mine later, buddy.*

"I am Commander Toran of the USS Leviathan and this is Commander Heim of the USS Ronin. And you are ?" Toran said with his hands up. He knew the weapon was empty but he didn't want to invoke any type of violence.

The Corean looked suspiciously at the away team. Finally he spoke. "I am Cortisan of the Coreans."

"Pleasure to meet you. I am sorry but I don't mean to be rude, but where did you come from ?"

"I live here."

"Here ?"

"I am sorry," Commander Heim said. "We didn't register any cities or towns."

"We are under......." Cortisan began as he passed out.

Katts pushed her way forward and ran her tricorder over him. "Commander. This man needs help. We need to get him to the ship. He is suffering from what looks like theta radiation, but we haven't registered any type of radiation here."

"Treat him here. I can't permit him being beamed on to the ship."

"Commander !"

"You heard me Ensign."

Reluctantly she injected him 25cc's of cortizine. He came around to see the face of an angel. "Am I dead ?" Cortisan asked groggily.

"No not yet." Katts said.

Cortisan propped himself up. "Thank you. We mustn't stay in the open for too long. We must hide." He got up all the way and the world span around him.

"Take it easy." Katts ordered.

"We must get underground or the Z'Terul will find us." Cortisan said. "Come follow me."

Just as he turned around Sergeant Sharpe and his Marines aimed their weapons at the Corean.

"Sergeant. What are you doing here ?' Phanan asked.

"Captain's orders." He said lowering his weapon.

"Stand down."

The Marines all lowered their weapons.

"Come we must get out of the open. Follow me." Cortisan said rushing off.

"Well follow him." Toran said following him.