Landing

The *Firefly* had landed in a small clearing in the forest. The tall trees circles the dry dirt clearing, towering above them, their leaves rustling as the wind rushed in across the ground. Klaas had some sensor jammers and holo-projectors set up to cover the landing site.

“John Quinn” Klaas announced. He stood up and greeted his friend. “It’s so good to see you after all this time”

Quinn stepped onto the ground, the first planet he had stood on for months. His clothes were dirty and dusty, his face had numerous scratches and he was noticeably tired and worn out. He had a faint beard covering up scratches on his cheek.

Kar and Quinn moved away from the rest of the group and headed into one of the shuttles. John took off his jacket and rested it on the back of a chair as they sat. It looked like it had been through Dresden, holes and scorch marks.

“Good to see you to Kar. What are you doing all the way out there ?” John replied.

“Keeping out of the way you know. I got tired of people in Tokyo offering me jobs and the government trying to give me benefits. But how are you ? What’s going on?”

“A lot of things Kar, the GQOF have been cracking down on raiders. When a patrol of fighters were dispatched to a planet they were ordered to drop bombs on some civilian settlements. They refused and returned to the station. All but the two humans disappeared after they returned; they were just put in brigs. But those non-humans I found executed on the lower levels, murdered. I tried to contact Starfleet but they didn’t seam interested, after that communications were restricted and I, well it was down hill from them. Brutal suppression of any disobedience, poor conditions, attacks on civilian targets as pre-emptive strikes. I had to get that message out.”

Klaas was horrified, the news reports from the Gamma quadrant all showed smiling troops watching guard over the Dominions borders. “What do we do?”

“I downloaded the database from G109 before destroying it, it seems executions are now sanctioned by Starfleet, there have been small but subtle changes in regulations, clamp downs and so fourth since the war, they were brought in as emergency measures but were never repealed and are now abused and expanded. And I have lots more.”

“Where are the other people from the station ?”

“Sixteen people came back with me. I need to get them to other areas of the Federation fast. Perhaps we could use the *Firefly* again, we could do with a ship at our disposal to help use help us do thing, keep in contact with our people, bring in supplies that sort of thing. We can then start to seek out others, prepare the Federation for the shocking truth.”

“What ? A pressure group” Kar replied.

“Pressure groups can be classified criminal organizations by Starfleet since the war, twenty-five have been closed down and its members imprisoned in the last month for publishing articles on the President and Starfleet. No we need something bigger.”

“We’ll need to think how we can do all this.” Kar remarked. “For now, let’s concentrate on getting these people and this cargo safe.”

Kar and Quinn moved back outside, seeing the last of the cargo being unloaded and hidden in the caves close to where they had landed. Finally, the *Firefly* flew back to Lake Town, whilst Klaas and the others headed back in shuttles to Serenity City

Location: Old World Books

“Very quaint” John said upon entering the shop, its half windows letting beams of light into the room.

“I like to think so. Oh and ignore the sign outside, I keep changing the name, can’t decide on one.” Klaas replied switching on the lights, the chaotic order of the room now glowing. The sixteen other officers crammed in, now in civilian clothes. Klaas directed them into the back of the shop to get some food.

“Didn’t Sara have a bookshop ?” Klaas asked.

“Sara ? Haven’t seen her since Betazed. I think so, might have been Rachel.” Quinn replied.

“Still leaving your trail of women then ?” Klass remarked.

“A lover is but the closest stranger.” Quinn quoted. “You found anyone ?”

“Well, no. Haven’t given it much thought to be honest, there was a lovely woman back in Tokyo, but she actually turned out to be a he.” Klaas replied.

“Can’t be too picky Kar.” Quinn said.

“I think I am within my rights to be a little picky John. Now, I have a cellar no-one knows about and I converted the upper story to include two small hidden rooms complete with the latest sensor countermeasures. I have personal transporters to get everyone to Enigma and back where, now I have manpower and equipment, we can build a storage depot and proper covered up landing site for the *Firefly*, if you’re serious about keeping them on.”

“Great. And that dinky ship you sent to get me seems to have the right backing and crew. I underestimated it.”

“That was the idea, what idiots would wear an antique to battle. So what’s your plan ?”