The Retreat : Into the Cavern

"Move !" Devore yelled.

The fight with the skeleton warriors had been costly. K'los was killed and they were now on the retreat. Normally retreat wasn't an option but every good captain knows which battle to fight and which ones to run from to fight it another day. They constantly were trying hard to win, but just as they strike down one, the fallen foe would be reanimated. The order was given to go and so they tried to get away. "Head for the far hill. We may just be able to make a stand there.

"Captain, Let's go." Rashad yelled at Devore who was trying to hold off some of the warriors.

"I will. Go Commander," he yelled double slicing with his razor sharp ninja-tos.

Rashad turned to go and as she did, the familiar site of reanimation appeared before her. A warrior from nothing rematerialized in front of her.

"Oh no you don't." She yelled. Her gloved fist went through the orange field and struck the spinal column connecting the skull to the rest of the body. As she retracted her fist, the warrior disintegrated.

"Captain ! Take off the head !" Rashad smiled as the one skeleton fell to the ground in mounds of dust, however she didn't see the one coming from behind.

"Commander....." Dakul yelled. ".......duck !" As he said the word, Rashad ducked just missing a spinning war hammer wielded by Dakul. It flew just passed her and hit the hapless skeleton in the neck, decapitating it in a blunt, messy way. The rear warrior crumbled.

"You saved me life ?" Rashad said softly.

"Yes ma'am." Dakul said picking up his hammer. "I know that you hate me, but you are still my superior."

Rashad said nothing.

Morriden saw what Rashad did and stopped. "Major. I am tired of staying in the back."

Ensign Morriden wielded his massive bastard sword up and around and starting hacking the warriors to pieces. Yes, the warriors fell with the absence of a leg, but until the head was taken off, they continued to fight, so Morriden followed through with spinning slash that took of the head. The skull rolled from various warriors causing the body to disintegrate. "Die !"

Devore fought his warrior valiantly. The sharp swords he had sparked as he parried and struck the long pole arms, however one of the warriors swung widely with the pole arm that hit his sword just right causing the blade to snap in half. With eyes wide in amazement, Devore threw down the broken swords. A pole arm's sharp blade nearly hit the captain, but a quick dodge caused the blade to pass him. With the sidestep, Devore grabbed the pole and brought his opposite hand down breaking the weapon in hand.

"Too bad !" Devore said sarcastically spinning around bringing his foot around connecting to the warriors neck. The force of the kick snapped the neck bringing the warrior to its knees. With a sudden movement, Devore grabbed the boomerang sheathed on his back and sliced the warrior. The head rolled as the body disintegrated.

There was a sudden rush of joy as the crew yelled in victory. The last warrior crumpled to the ground. All the crew panted and wheezed. This victory cost them their new ally, but the death was not in vain. S'qeurei knelt by her fallen husband and sobbed momentarily. Her mate was now no more. She was alone. Devore reached his hand to her and put it on her shoulder.

"S'qeurei. Help us and not let his death be for nothing." Devore said softly.

"I will." She said getting up and quickly walked passed Phanan who was closest to the front. "Let's go."

Jefferies Tube Sixteen-A, Deck Ten

"I think I got it!" Lieutenant Tyra yelled from within Jeffries tube. For the past three hours, Tyra and Taline had been working on the engines. If they could just get the engines back on line, they may be able to break the Leviathan free of the black hole's gravitational pull.

"Great. I am going to try to put life support systems back on line. You ready ?"

"Hold on. I need to change something here....."

"Okay, here we go keep you fingers crossed."

"Wait I just need to realign this setting standby."

"... in three, two, one...."

"Almost got it....Wait!"

Taline pushed a few buttons on the console. As he did, there was an explosion coming from the Jeoffries tube that Tyra was in. She began to scream then nothing. Commander Taline ran to the tube and saw the charred remains of Tyra. She still had the coupling in hand her face frozen for eternity in a grimacing look of pain. "What have I done!" Taline yelled dropping to his knees.

Bridge

On the Bridge, Lieutenant Shale stood behind Lieutenant Gordon trying to see if he may be able to help, however, the superb helmsman knew nothing of operations and stood there... helpless.

"Is there anything I can do Janet ?" Shale asked putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Not unless you can re-route the remaining power to the engines and get us out of here," she responded.

"Sorry." Shale returned to the captain's chair and sat down. He softly ran his fingers along the command console which was to his right, it now was dark with no life. He wondered just for once for a way out, but nothing came to him. Shale slouched in the chair uncharacteristic of a command officer.

Holodeck Two

The adventurers came to the hill which was on the far side of the battle field. As the came across it, a large, dark stone walled castle lurked over the field. Devore wondered why they hadn't seen it from the other side, but as he remembered, Darwin ruled over this holodeck recreations and nothing logical could possibly exist.

"What is this ?" Phanan asked.

"Well Major, it looks like a castle, early 10th century to be exact." Morriden responded.

"I knew that Ensign. I mean where did this come from ?"

"I was wondering the same thing Jon." Devore responded. "However, it could be that Darwin just arbitrarily decided to put it here."

"Could be..." Dakul said looking up the massive granite walls. "....but how do we get in ?"

"We could probably try knocking." Barker said jokingly.

"Funny." Devore retorted. "Look for some way in."

The crew split up all within sight of one another and began looking for someway in. Banging on rocks, trying to scale the wall, the crew began to try any and all ways to uncover the deceptive entrances. From behind a young voice laughed heartily.

"You will never find a way in like that." The laughing continued.

Devore turned around quickly a shuriken at the ready. The Japanese shuriken, or throwing star, with its razor sharp points and deadly accuracy made it a favoured weapon of the ninja. Fortunately Devore had spent some time studying the martial arts as a hobby concentrating heavily on the ways of the illusive assassins. From behind a rock a small boy, about 14 years old appeared laughing as the crew pushed on rocks, knocked on stones, and even tried to scale the granite walls.

"Who are you ?" Devore said cautiously.

"Who are you ?" The boy returned sarcastically.

"I asked you first."

"I asked you second."

Morriden approached the boy and grabbed him by the ragged lapels. "Answer the Captain."

"Ensign !" Devore snapped.

"Alright, alright. Pull your metal underwear out of your butt," the snide little boy responded. "My name is Miko."

"Miko huh ?" Devore said. "Ensign release him. You know of another way in ?"

"Yes, but it is just as dangerous as scaling the wall," Miko said with a smile. Then he approached Devore and pointed to the shuriken that the Captain just put away. "What is that ?"

"This ?" Devore said pulling the shuriken back out. "This is called a throwing star, or shuriken."

"Really. Can I see it ?"

"I don't know."

"I'll help you get in to the castle to get Darwin."

The crew all eyed the little boy. Devore's stare bore into Miko who was admiring the shuriken still in Devore's possession. "How do you know about Darwin ?"

"All that come here looks for Darwin. You didn't notice the skeletons ?"

"Yeah we saw them." Barker said.

"You think they got there themselves ?" Miko said smartly.

"How can you help us ?" Rashad asked.

"There is another way into the castle, but it will cost you."

"Cost us what ?" Dakul asked suspiciously eyeing the boy.

"That shuripen."

Devore laughed. "Shuriken ?"

"That's what I said, shuripen."

"Fine. You show us how to get in and I will give you a shuriken."

"Deal." Miko said putting out his hand.

Devore looked around at the rest of the crew who continued to eye the boy suspiciously. He smiled and grabbed the hand, "Deal."

Sickbay

Commander Loris was laid against Counsellor Devore's shoulder in the receiving area of sick bay. It had been over an hour since Sierra had taken Brayden their. The long wait was made short by the constant time of crying as evident from the tear streaks going down her cheeks. They just sat there solemnly not saying a word. Sierra gently stroked Junora's hair waiting ever so patiently.

Doctor Katts came out of the emergency area and quietly approached the two fatigued visitors. Counsellor Devore stood up quickly causing Junora to fall over before she was able to catch herself. As soon as she did she stood up and stood adjacent to Sierra.

"Yes Doctor !" Devore said anxiously.

The Doctor's quietness and lack of expression overtook any and all words that could be said. Devore broke into tears and sobbed into her hands. Loris stood there her eyes began to well up with tears. Finally there was a reaction, a grin from ear to ear appeared on the dear doctor's face. She reached out and put both hands on Sierra's shoulders.

"Brayden is going to be alright. He is a fighter just like his father and mother."

Sierra and Junora turned to one another and embraced. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you !" Sierra said pulling the Doctor into a group hug. After a moment of thanksgiving, Doctor Katts pulled away.

"There is just one thing Sierra," Katts began her smile dropping.

"What doctor ?" Junora asked.

"Brayden isn't out of the woods just yet. He lost a lot of blood and with all that is going on around us, it can turn for the worst. However, as far as damage from the injuries he is stable, but he needs a lot of rest. I am going to keep him here as long as I can, but if I loose too much of my equipment and supplies due to the cascading power failure, he may lapse into a coma."

"How ?" Sierra asked.

"He lost a lot of blood. Right now I have him on few machines to reintroduce blood into him. If he doesn't get enough of it, his body will shut down. Fortunately I started it right away and all we need is about another half hour. After that he will be clear."

"Then, Junora, we had better get up there and make sure there is plenty of power coming here."

The cold dark tunnel proved to be less inviting then it originally looked. Devore and Miko had the lead as it winded downward away from the safety of the sunlight. Phanan, Barker, Rashad, and Dakul followed a few feet from Devore, but Morriden and S'qeurei took in the rear. As they were now at least 50 feet under, a small flickering light could just barely be seen around 100 yards down. Slowly and cautiously did the motley crew proceed, weapons drawn ready for action.

"Miko ?" Devore whispered. "How did you know about this tunnel ?"

"I came out this way." Miko responded as soft. "This path leads to a series of underground tunnels and caverns which comes up in the dungeon area of the castle. My mom and dad and I were in there. For days we dug and dug until we finally broke through and I was just small enough to make it. I don't know about my parents. It has been a few weeks."

"I'm sure they are okay."

"I hope so."

The flickering orange glow of torches began to fill the tunnel. As Devore and Miko reached a corner so that they could look down further, they noticed a guard. He was wearing plate mail, helmet and shield which for now was propped up against his leg. The guard had taken a small opportunity to rub the bridge of his nose while he waited for his relief.

Devore turned to the group behind him as they also came into the torches' radii. He pointed to his eyes and held up a finger, communicating to the group that he sees one person. Phanan picked up on it immediately, but the rest of them took a moment to decipher what was said. Devore leaned over to Phanan. "Jon, I am going to take him out. Cover me."

"Wait a minute. Why should you get all the fun ?" Phanan whispered.

"Because I am the Captain."

However, before Devore could ready himself and turn the corner, Morriden had already charged the guard. The element of surprise was working for him. Morriden had covered over half the distance before the guard could really register what happened. He tried to unsheathed his sword, but not fast enough. Morriden has dropped the blade of his massive sword so quickly that just as the guard had pulled an inch out of the scabbard, the edge cut his hands off at the risk. Instinctively, the guard began to scream but was abruptly halted as his head flew, rolling down the soft sand floor. The headless corpse fell and twitched a few times before finally ceasing forever.

Morriden shoulders rose and fell as he panted coming down off of his adrenaline rush. Devore rushed to him and grabbed him by the elbow. "That was completely reckless and dangerous. You could have endangered the entire team."

Morriden jerked his arm away. "Someone had to do something, Captain." He walked away.

Devore let it go. Just as it was reckless and irreverent of the rest of them, it was a spontaneous move and worked well chalking up a victory for the crew.

Bridge

Shale laid back in the command chair he had been on duty for almost 23 hours and fatigue was beginning to set in. He began to dose off when Gordon yelled, "Rick ! We are getting some systems back online."

"Which ones ?"

"Internal communication and basic life support."

"Good job Luke."

"There hasn't been any change from engineering as of now."

"Well now there is a change."

"Yes sir, but it isn't from engineering, it's from the holodeck."

"The holodeck ?"

"Yes sir."

"Confusing," Shale responded shaking his head.

Holodeck Two

"Miko, which way ?" Devore whispered at the little boy. They had been following the tunnels under the massive stronghold for some time and it seemed that they were not getting anywhere. The little boy stayed behind the captain for protection.

"Commander. There is something about that little boy," Dakul whispered to Rashad.

"What do you mean Lieutenant ?" Rashad said softer then she was used to. The retreat seemed to be doing what it was meant to, even though it wasn't as the Captain planned.

"Look at his eyes. Even though he seems scared and unsure, I see something else in his eyes."

"I am not sure, Eran."

"'Eran' ?" Dakul responded. It caught him even more off guard. Let alone had Commander Rashad, a Bajoran, began talking to Lieutenant Dakul, a Cardassian, friendlier, she now was referring to him on a first name basis.

"Dakul... maybe I have been a little harsh on you because of what your people did, but as you can see, I am not fully Bajoran. You are a Starfleet officer, so I must at least respect you and get 'along' with you."

"I am impressed T'kul," Dakul said with a smile.

"Watch it Lieutenant."

"Let's move you two." Barker said softly pushing them along.