Previously in Star Trek: Dauntless:  The Dauntless has docked at Deep Space Nine for the ceremony that will officially commission the new starship.  But while members of the crew enjoy shore leave aboard the Bajoran space station, the Cardassian tailor, Garak, seems to have taken an unusual amount of interest in certain members of the Dauntless’ crew.

 

And now the conclusion...

 

 

            Gul Durok, dressed in inconspicuous civilian clothes, entered the Promenade as the habitat ring door rolled shut behind him.  He looked up and down the Promenade.

 

            “So different,” he muttered to himself.  “...Yet so much the same.”

 

            The Cardassian took another look around, avoiding the gazes of a few Bajorans who passed by him.  Again he spoke only to himself, a touch of sarcasm creeping into his voice.

 

            “Welcome back to Terok Nor.”

 

            He hefted his small bag onto his shoulder and headed off down the Promenade.

 

*          *          *          *

 

            Sitting in the Replimat, Virgil Kane was as usual talking about old times.  But rather than reminiscing about the Academy with his captain, he was instead remembering the hard, cruel days of fighting the Cardassians with the station’s First Officer, Kira Nerys.

 

            “How did we ever survive that trap?” Kira asked.

 

            “Oh, it was obvious, Nerys.  Shakaar’s planning, my excellent execution of the plan.... and plain old dumb luck.”

 

            The two laughed.  But when Kira spoke again, her voice took on a more serious tone.  She reached over to touch the silver bangle hanging from Kane’s right earlobe.

 

            “I’m glad to see you still wear the earring I gave you,” she said to Kane.

 

            “I thought I might have to stop wearing it on duty when I returned to Starfleet,” Kane said.  “But Pete’s been pretty understanding about a lot of things.  And it means a lot to me.”

 

            Kira was about to say something more when suddenly it seemed Kane was choking on his raktagino.  Kira stood, ready to offer help when Kane wiped his mouth with his sleeve and pointed toward the Promenade.

 

            “Did you see him?” Kane finally managed to sputter out.

 

            “See who?” Kira asked, looking in the direction Kane had pointed.  Kane stood up and quickly looked down the Promenade, but saw no one out of the ordinary, only Morn sleeping on one of the nearby benches.

 

            “I coulda sworn...”

 

            “Who did you think you saw, Virgil?”

 

            Kane paused a moment before answering, wondering if maybe he was wrong.

 

            “I thought I saw... Glinn Durok!”

 

 

Star Trek: Dauntless

 

“Commissioned - Part II” By PJK and Michael D. Tucci

 

 

            Kane and Q walked through the corridors of Deep Space Nine, Kane on his way to ops to meet with his captain and the station CO, Q on her way back to the Promenade.

 

            “I still don’t understand why you still harbor such dislike for the Cardassians, Virgil,” Q said.  “The war’s been over for years, and they’ve been out of this sector for three years now.”

 

            “It goes far beyond the war, Q,” Kane said.  “I find nothing at all redeeming about the Cardassians.”

 

            Q’s eyes became distant for a moment, after which she commented, “Oh, I can think of a few good qualities.  My late husband, for example...”

 

            “You married a Cardassian!?” Kane almost shouted.

 

            “There’s nothing wrong with that,” Q defended.

 

            “Oh, I could tell you stories,” Kane said with disgust.

 

            The two stopped in front of a turbolift, which only Kane entered.

 

            “So could I,” Q retorted.  “But I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.”

 

            Kane’s eyebrow’s knotted as he merely said, “Ops.”

 

            As the doors swished shut, Q shrugged, turned, and continued on to the Promenade.

 

            Gathered around the desk in the station manager’s office, Captain Peter J. Koester and Captain Benjamin L. Sisko listened as their respective First Officers, Lieutenant Virgil Kane and Major Kira Nerys, related a shared tale from years before....

 

*          *          *          *

 

Stardate 42495 - The mining station Terok Nor, in orbit of Bajor

 

            The first sight Virgil Kane had of the dingy, grey station was cargo bay two where the Cardassians had unloaded their prisoners.  Dirt covered most everything, and even with all the activity, Kane could see the voles scurry around between the cargo and ore containers.

 

            He was not impressed.

 

            “Move along!” one of the Cardassian guards shouted at the group of prisoners.

 

            The guard led the group through a corridor and into a processing center, where a molar would be extracted, their statistics would be recorded, and information matched to any known, wanted criminals.  Kane looked around at his fellow prisoners.  Most were members of the resistance, and had been caught during a recent raid on the Sho-Nar Labor Camp, though a few unfortunate civilians, in the wrong place at the wrong time, were in the mix.  Some others, like himself, were here for other reasons.

 

            He glanced back at Kira Nerys, a fellow freedom fighter who had been part of the Bajoran Resistance since she was old enough to lift a phaser.  She gave the human man a reassuring nod, than looked back to where the group was being herded.

 

            As he passed through the door into the processing center, one of the guards at the side grabbed Kane’s earring, a gift from Shakaar after one of the Resistance Cell’s successful hit and run raids, and pulled the silver ornament off his right ear.

 

            “You won’t be needing that here,” the Cardassian taunted.

 

            Kane raised his fist, ready to strike the guard, when a Bajoran grabbed his arm, slowly lowering it as he said to the guard, “Of course he won’t.”

 

            “What are you doing?” Kane demanded of the Bajoran man.

 

            “Keeping you alive, my friend,” Jono Rebus replied.  The guard eyed both men warily, but gestured them on inside.

 

            The prisoners were lined up along a bulkhead.  There, each had his name, province, and affiliation recorded.  One Bajoran, wanted for murder the Cardassians claimed, was lead out of the room almost immediately.  A few moments later, as their processing neared completion, a tall Cardassian entered the room.

 

            “Our latest batch, Gul Dukot,” one low ranking Cardassian said to the new arrival.  Dukot, Administrator to the Mining Station, looked each one over in turn.  He paused in front of Virgil Kane.

 

            “A human?  Amongst these rabble?  Surely there must be some mistake,” Dukot said to his Aide.

 

            “No, Gul Dukot.  This one was captured during the terrorist raid on the Sho-Nar Camp,” the Aide said.

 

            “Well,” Dukot said, addressing Kane.  “What do we do with you?  I suppose we could arrange to return you to the Federation.”

 

            Kane simply glared at Dukot.

 

            “Nothing to say, Human?” Dukot asked.

 

            “Not to Cardassian scum,” Kane responded.

 

            “Do you mean to say you don’t want to go home?”

 

            Kane still glared at the Cardassian, then answered, “I’m as Bajoran as anyone else here.  My home is Bajor.  Treat me like you would any other Bajoran.”

 

            “Oh, very well,” Dukot conceded.  “Send this one down to ore processing, Section 8.”

 

            “Glinn Durok’s section?” the Aide confirmed.

 

            “Yes.  Maybe Durok can show him how we treat Bajorans.”

 

*          *          *          *

 

            A few weeks of extremely hard labor had passed.  Kane had gotten used to the routine of the ore processing stations long ago;  Up early, down late, with a lot of hard, heavy work in between broken up by occasional breaks when the workers were allowed to relax for a time on the Promenade.  It was there that Kane would see Kira from time to time, working in one of the Bajoran-run shops the Cardassians allowed.

 

            At the processing station, though, the Section Overseer, Glinn Durok, seemed to take a delight in making Kane the example of every situation.  Kane had received a number of bruises, abrasions, cuts, concussions, and even a couple of broken bones to show the other Bajoran prisoners the hopelessness of escape.  All despite the fact that Kane had never even attempted to escape.  It would have invalidated the reason he and Kira had come to the station to begin with.

 

            On this particular day, the Glinn was feeling especially generous, and allowed his section workers to go to the Promenade early.  As Kane hobbled toward the shops and bar, he noticed Kira sitting at one of the nearby tables, talking to a strange looking man.  He was about to walk over and join Kira when he recognized the man as the shapeshifter everyone was talking about.  It was said that Dukot had brought the strange being to the station to investigate a recent murder of one of the Bajoran shopkeepers.  If he was talking to Kira, did that mean she was a suspect in the murder?

 

            Rethinking the idea of joining Kira, Kane turned around to limp into the Ferengi bar for a drink.  As he did he bumped directly into the chest armor of Glinn Durok.

 

            “Curious about this shapeshifter too, ehh, human?” Durok asked.  When Kane didn’t answer, Durok continued, “Personally, I don’t know why Dukot even bothered bringing him here.  Why should we care if the Bajorans kill each other, right?”

 

            Kane spat at Durok’s feet, then tried to move off.  But not quick enough before Durok’s arm backhanded him across the face, knocking the Terran-turned-Bajoran flat.

 

            “I believe our Mister Kane has had enough fun for one day.  Take him back down to ore processing,” Durok instructed one of the nearby guards.  “He’s volunteered for an extra shift.”

 

            As he was lead away, Kane noticed Odo look his way, then return to his conversation with Kira.

 

*          *          *          *

 

            Kane’s continued mistreatment at the hands of the Overseer of Section 8 was becoming all too obvious.  Almost every day another injury report would cross Gul Dukot’s desk, and when even Dukot had had enough, Kane was removed from the Ore Processing section and placed to work in one of the Promenade shops.

 

            “This just isn’t right,” Kira complained softly to Kane, who sat behind the counter of the Assay Office.  “But with the Cardassians, what ever is?  You’re being treated worse than real criminals are.  I’ve been trying to get a message out to the Federation, so that maybe something could be worked out to repatriate you.”

 

            “No, Nerys,” Kane said with conviction.  “I belong here, like every other Bajoran.”

 

            Kira nodded silently, understanding Kane’s convictions, then said, “All I can say, Virgil, is I’ve made a few friends here.  Just be prepared.”

 

            “But Nerys, what about the reason we’re...”

 

            “That isn’t your problem anymore.  Just be prepared.”

 

*          *          *          *

 

            A week later, with most of his injuries healed, Kane was again sent to Section 8.  There was one person who was happier than anyone else to see him.

 

            “Ahh, my favorite ‘Bajoran,’ Kane, back to work once again,” Durok said with a smile.  Kane did not even dignify the taunt with a response.

 

            Back among the other Bajoran workers, Kane started lending a hand, separating the ore from the rocks and dirt strip-mined from Bajor’s surface far below.

 

            “Be wary, Kane,” said Jono as he moved close to work next to the human-turned-Bajoran.  “Glinn Durok has told us how much he looked forward to having you back in his section.  How he pulled strings to make sure he’d get you back.”

 

            “I’ll watch my step,” Kane agreed.

 

*          *          *          *

 

            Weeks passed, with Kane again becoming Durok’s prime example.  The other Bajorans were amazed at how much the human was able to take without breaking.

 

            Then one day, as Durok was about to strike Kane for stopping work to take a quick drink of water, Kane spun around, grabbed the Cardassian’s arm, and twisted it quickly behind the surprised Overseer’s back.

 

            “Once and for all, Durok, why do you dislike me so much?  Why am I always on the receiving end of your anger?” Kane demanded to know.

 

            “Very well.  If you must know, human,” Durok spat the word like a curse.  “My brother joined the Obsidian Order during the war with the Federation.  Was sent on an intelligence gathering mission.  And now the Order doesn’t know where he is, what he’s doing, if he’s even alive!”

 

            The two adversaries stared at one another over Durok’s shoulder.  Eventually Durok spoke again.

 

            “I don’t hate you, Kane.  I hate your Federation for taking my brother from me.”

 

            “You aren’t the only being in the universe who’s lost someone you loved, Cardassian.”

 

            Kane, fed up with the Overseer’s attitude, but not willing to risk his own or other Bajoran’s lives by harming Durok, flunk the Cardassian away.  Durok slammed his hands into the opposite wall to keep from slamming into it himself, turned, and stared angrily at Kane.

 

            “I could have you killed where you stand, human,” Durok said.  “But it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.”

 

            Kane narrowed his eyes, staring at the Cardassian.

 

            “But you’ll wish I had simply killed you,” Durok finished.

 

            Before either of them could comment further, the station’s new Security Investigator, the shapeshifter called Odo, walked into the room.

 

            “I’m sorry to interrupt your pleasant chat, but this prisoner is needed for questioning in connection with the murder of a shopkeeper named Vaatrik I’m investigating.”

 

            Odo handed Durok a padd with the transfer orders on it.  Durok’s smile changed to an intense frown as he read the orders.

 

            “Take him then.  Get him out of my sight...  ...for now.  But mark my words, Kane...”

 

            Odo placed his hand on the human’s shoulder and started to lead him out of the room while Durok continued to speak.

 

            “...You had better hope Odo finds you guilty and your execution is quick.  Because, if not, I will get you back.  If it takes the next century, I will get you back!”

 

            Odo and Kane walked back out into the corridor.  Walking a few meters down the passage, Kane turned to enter a turbolift.  Odo grabbed him by the upper arm and pulled him along after.

 

            “Why are we going this way?  Your office on the Promenade is back this way,” Kane said, confusion spreading on his face.

 

            “You’re not going to the Promenade,” Odo said.  “I’m taking you to see... a friend.  You don’t know how much trouble it was to arrange this.”

 

            The two walked along the corridor circling the station’s Docking Ring until they came to a rarely used cargo bay.  Odo pointed at the door.

 

            “Go in there,” he said.  “All your questions will be answered.”

 

            Kane watched the shapeshifter walk off down the passage.  Unsure whether to trust the Cardassian-appointed Security Investigator or not, Kane shrugged his shoulders, swallowed, and entered the cargo bay.

 

            Inside was a gathering of Bajorans under the scrutiny of one Cardassian.  Kane recognized Kira Nerys and Jono Rebus among them.  He quickly walked over to the two Bajorans.

 

            “What’s going on?” Kane asked.

 

            “No time to explain,” Kira said.  “Jono will tell you everything on the way back to Bajor.”

 

            Realization started to dawn on Kane.

 

            “We’re being smuggled back to the Resistance?” he whispered.

 

            “You are,” Kira confirmed.  “I still have a job to do here.  I’m staying for the time being.”

 

            “But Nerys...”

 

            “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.  And I’ll rejoin you on Bajor soon.”

 

            Kira turned to leave as the Bajorans and lone Cardassian, obviously sympathetic to the Bajoran’s plight, entered the transport docked at the cargo bay.  Kane watched Kira walk away until she stopped, turned, and walked back to Kane.

 

            “Here, take this,” she said as she removed her simple silver earring and placed it onto Kane’s right ear.  “May the Prophets smile on you,” she said.

 

            “And you too, Nerys.  See you on Bajor.”

 

            The two Freedom Fighters hugged, than Kane quickly turned and boarded the transport.  The airlock rolled shut, the docking clamps released, and in no time, the regularly scheduled transport with its irregular cargo was on its way toward the surface of Bajor.

 

            And through the entire trip, Durok’s words rang through Kane’s head.

 

            “...I will get you back!”

 

*          *          *          *

 

Present Day - Stardate 49748.2 - Station Deep Space Nine, near the Denorious Belt

 

            “I can understand your concern about this, Mister Kane,” Captain Benjamin Sisko said to the Dauntless’ First Officer.  “But if Durok even knows you’re here, and I doubt he does, I don’t think he would risk kidnapping a Starfleet Officer.”

 

            “Odo to Sisko,” said a gravelly voice over the intercom.

 

            “Go ahead, Constable.”

 

            “I’ve been keeping tabs on our Cardassian visitor you informed me about.  It seems that our Glinn Durok, now Gul Durok, has taken the Dauntless’ Security Chief, Ensign Karg, against his will.”

 

            Surprise crossed Sisko’s face.  The Station Commander looked up at Kane.

 

            “But it appears I may be wrong,” he said.  “What is their present location, Constable?”

 

            “Durok is heading for the Docking Ring, Captain.  It appears Mister Karg is severely drugged and in a stupor.  I have deputies converging on their location now.”

 

            “Very good, Odo.  Keep me informed.”

 

            “Not very good, Captain,” Odo replied.  “It appears that Durok has put his knowledge of the stations systems to good use in the day he’s been here.  He’s overridden the command codes and placed force field barriers between himself and us.  I don’t know if I can stop him before he reaches Docking Port Six.”

 

            “Very well.  Sisko out.”

 

            The four officers quickly moved out into the stations Operations Center.

 

            “Chief O’Brien, lock the docking clamps at Docking Port Six,” Sisko ordered.

 

            “Yes, sir,” O’Brien responded.  A moment later, the Chief of Operations reported, “Docking clamps locked.”

 

            “Benjamin, all the forcefields set up by Durok are now off, except the one blocking the airlock to Docking Port Six,” Jadzia Dax reported.

 

            “Can you override?”

 

            “I’m trying, but he’s added some sort of self-deleting algorithm in the computer.  I’m having trouble...  Benjamin, the docking clamps at Port Six just released!”

 

            “Tractor beam,” Sisko ordered.

 

            “The system’s off-line,” O’Brien reported.  “When we tried to access Durok’s code, it deactivated all the tractor systems and released the docking clamp.”

 

            “Well, it seems Durok thought of everything,” Sisko said to Koester, Kane, and Kira.

 

            “Benjamin, the transport just went into warp.  She’s heading toward Cardassia Prime at warp 9.5,” Dax reported.

 

            To this report Koester reacted.

 

            “Ben, there’s only one ship here fast enough to catch that transport.”

 

            Sisko thought for a moment, than said to Koester, “Go!”

 

            Koester and Kane started walking rapidly to the turbolift, the Captain tapping his combadge as he did.

 

            Dauntless, this is the Captain.  Track the transport that just departed the station and prepare for immediate departure.  As soon as Mister Kane and I are aboard, we’re going to maximum warp.”

 

            “Aye, sir,” replied Jeff Bloom.

 

            “Docking Port Nine,” Kane ordered to the lift.  And with a hum, it lowered into the deck.

 

*          *          *          *

 

            The turbolift doors opened and Koester and Kane stepped out onto the Bridge, down the steps to the command level, and each took their respective seats.

 

            “Release docking clamps, thrusters back one-third,” the Captain ordered.

 

            “Docking clamps released,” reported Ensign Shawn Natchez at Ops.

 

            “Thrusters back one-third,” complied Ensign Lenny at the Helm.

 

            “Mister Natchez, keep sensors locked on that transport that just left the station.  Mister Lenny, intercept course.  Engage, maximum warp!  We’ll pick up the remainder of the crew we’ve left behind when we return.”

 

            The Dauntless quickly spun on her axis as thrusters pointed her after the fleeing transport.  The warp nacelles swung up into position, and with a streak of rainbow hues, the Dauntless entered warp.

 

 

Captain’s Log, Stardate 49748.9:

The Dauntless is currently in pursuit of a Cardassian transport, aboard which is our kidnapped Chief of Security.  We are rapidly approaching Cardassian space.

Koester, out.

 

 

            “At maximum warp, we’ll intercept the transport just this side of the Cardassian border,” reported Natchez.

 

            “Mister Karg... I mean...,” Koester looked embarrassed as he glanced over his shoulder at the Security/Tactical position.  Standing there was Security Officer Carrie Karandanz.

 

            “Mister Karandanz, sound yellow alert, raise defensive shields, and open hailing frequencies.”

 

            Lights on the surrounding panels started flashing yellow, and Karandanz confirmed, “Hailing frequencies open.”

 

            “Cardassian transport,” said Koester.  “This is Captain Peter J. Koester of the Federation starship Dauntless.  You have kidnapped a member of my crew.  Stand down and prepare to be boarded.”

 

            A moment passed, then an unfamiliar voice, unfamiliar to all but one person on the Bridge, replied, “Mind your own business, Earther.”

 

            Koester looked at Kane.  The First Officer nodded in confirmation and said aloud, “Durok.”

 

            “Gul Durok, if you do not drop out of warp and surrender, I will be forced to disable your engines.”

 

            “You don’t know what you’re meddling in, Captain,” Durok replied.  “I’m correcting a mistake made a long time ago.”

 

            “If you believe kidnapping Mister Karg is any form of revenge against Lieutenant Kane than...”

 

            “What are you talking about, Captain?” Durok replied.  “I know no Lieutenant Kane, only...”

 

            The com line remained silent for a moment, then Durok’s voice resumed.

 

            “Lieutenant Virgil Kane?  The human who thinks he’s Bajoran?  He’s aboard your ship?”

 

            “Lieutenant Kane is my First Officer.”

 

            A moment passed.

 

            “Captain, the transport has dropped out of warp,” Natchez reported.

 

            “Visual signal coming in,” Karandanz said.

 

            Koester looked at Kane, puzzlement on his face, mirroring the look on Kane’s own.

 

            “On screen.”

 

            The viewer changed from the view of the stars, warped into streaks of multicolored light, to the interior view of the transport.  In the background, two Cardassians could be seen, apparently helming the ship.  In the foreground was the head and upper torso of Gul Durok, dressed once again in the uniform of the Cardassian military.  A smile spread on his lips as he saw the Dauntless’ First Officer.

 

            “My old friend Kane.  I always knew we’d meet again.  Though I didn’t picture it quite like this.  Still no taste in jewelry I see.”

 

            Kane stood up and took three steps closer to the main viewer as he unconsciously fingered his dangling earring.

 

            “Drop the phony pleasantries, Durok.  Return our Security Chief.  Now!” Kane said.

 

            “I would be more than happy to, Kane, if I had your Security Chief to return,” Durok said.  He seemed more genuinely happy than any time Kane had ever seen him before.

 

            “Approaching the transport,” Lenny reported.

 

            “Drop out of warp, Mister Lenny,” Koester ordered.  “Bring us alongside.”

 

            Meanwhile, Kane had resumed his dialogue with the former Cardassian Overseer.

 

            “Don’t even try to lie, Durok.  Station security witnessed you drug Karg, and chased you all the way back to your ship.”

 

            “Drug Karg?  Oh, I think I see the problem now.  I did not drug your Mister Karg.  I merely administered the antidote.”

 

            Kane’s eyebrows knitted in confusion.

 

            “Antidote to what?” he demanded.

 

            Durok rolled his eyes, than said, “In a way, it’s appropriate that you’re here for this Kane.  After all, you suffered my wrath enough for it.”

 

            Kane’s confusion only deepened while Durok pressed an off-screen com button.

 

            “Please send Imak to the Bridge,” the Cardassian said, than shut off the com channel.  Durok looked up at the viewscreen again, then said, “Dauntless, stand by.”  Immediately the screen changed back to the view of the stars, this time with the Cardassian transport in the center.

 

            “Mister Natchez, keep sensors locked on that ship.  I want to know immediately if they power up engines, shields, weapons,” said Koester.  “I want to know if they so much as dump their trash!”

 

            “Aye, sir.”

 

            Minutes passed.  The Bridge crew continued to wait, as Kane paced the width of the Bridge over and over.  Finally, a chime at Tactical signaled an incoming message.  The viewer changed once more to show the Bridge of the transport.  Again, Durok filled the screen.

 

            “Captain Koester,” he said.  “Mister Kane.  I’d like you to meet my brother, Imak.”

 

            From off the side of the screen, a half-recognizable figure emerged.  His features were both Cardassian and Klingon.  His long red hair now replaced by the short, black, typical Cardassian style.  His dark, brown ridges not quite blending with the grey scale-like skin around his eyes and mouth.

 

            “Karg?!?” both Koester and Kane said in disbelief.

 

            “Actually, Captain, Durok is right.  My name is Imak.  During the Cardassian Union’s war with the Federation, I was recruited by the Obsidian Order.  A few months later I volunteered to take the assignment of a deep cover spy.  I replaced a young Klingon warrior named Karg, was given his identity and memories, and sent to the Empire.”

 

            Kane and Koester looked at one another, not sure what to feel or even believe.  Imak continued.

 

            “The idea was to ‘activate’ me when needed.  But the Order was destroyed by the Dominion before I could be recalled, and I was lost to Cardassia.  It was fortunate that a former associate of mine recognized me and sent word to my brother.”

 

            A smile spread on Imak’s strange and not fully restored lips.

 

            “I’m going home, Captain.”

 

            Koester stood up and took a position next to Kane.

 

            “This is what you want, Karg... I mean, Imak?” Koester asked.

 

            “Yes, Captain.  I’ve lost a lot of time.  I almost lost my family, and to a Cardassian, there’s nothing more important.”

 

            Koester nodded, ready to let the matter drop, but Imak continued.

 

            “But I must add.... The Dauntless crew has also become my family.  And perhaps, one day, with your permission, Captain...  I’d like to return.”

 

            Koester also smiled, and said, “You’ll always have a place here, Mister ‘Karg.’”

 

            The Captain turned to return to his command chair, saying, “Stand down alert.  Condition green.”

 

            “Thank you, Captain.  You have no idea how happy I am today,” Durok said.  “My brother was dead, and now he has returned from the dead.”

 

            “Gul Durok, may I make a request?” asked Koester as he sat down.  The Cardassian nodded his head.

 

            “If you find any other lost family members, go through the diplomatic channels.”

 

            Another smile creased Durok’s lips.

 

            “Yes, Captain.  I was a bit overzealous due to the emotions this has produced.  Are we free to go?”

 

            “On your way, Durok.  I hope you have a happy reunion.”

 

            The screen flashed back to the external view, where the transport started moving slowly away, then suddenly entered warp.

 

            “Well, Exec, feeling a little less persecuted now?” Koester asked Kane as the First Officer also sat down.

 

            “Yes, Skipper.  And a little foolish to believe, after all this time, Durok would still be fixated on me.”

 

            “Well, Exec, you’re only human.”  When Kane glared at his CO, Koester amended, “I mean, Bajoran.”  Kane smiled at the remark.

 

            Koester crossed his legs, then said, “Mister Kane, will you do the honors?”

 

            Kane nodded, then said, “Mister Lenny, plot a course back to DS9.  Ahead, warp 5.  We have a party to attend.”

 

            The Dauntless veered off its former course, the warp nacelles maneuvered into position, and the ship once again warped away.

 

*          *          *          *

 

Stardate 49752.5 - Station Deep Space Nine

 

            Cargo Bay Two had been converted into a large reception hall, catered by Quark and his staff.  The entire room sparkled and glittered with decorations.  Virgil Kane was impressed.  The entire crew of the Dauntless was present, including the newly assigned members such as the Command Master Chief, whos prior post was here at DS9, the Helmsman Othello, Engineers Adosh, Johnson, and Dar, and the Wilryk from the Gamma Quadrant, Ga’gh Schuukveldlaan, who unexpectedly found himself replacing Karg as the starship’s new Chief of Security.  Also attending the festivities were DS9’s command staff and the command crew of the newly commissioned Enterprise-E, amongst whom was the Dauntless’ sponsor, Commander Deanna Troi.

 

            The cargo bay doors opened again and the Commissioning Ceremony’s Guest of Honor, Fleet Admiral Nechayev, walked in on the arm of Captain Peter Koester.  The Admiral walked over to Troi, handing the Counselor a padd.  Troi took the padd to the podium set up near the docking port and read from it.

 

            “By Starfleet order, effective Stardate 49752.5, the Federation starship Dauntless, registry number NCC-74658, is hereby commissioned a vessel of the Federation Starfleet.”

 

            She nodded toward Koester, saying, “Congratulations, Captain.”

 

            Koester just smiled to himself, thinking; blockade and revolution, time travel, alternate histories and restoring the proper time line, pursuing kidnapped crewmembers.  If these are the adventures we have before we’re commissioned, what waits for us ahead?

 

 

Space, the Final Frontier...

These are the voyages of the starship Dauntless.

Her five-year mission:

To Seek, To Chart, To Explore.

Slipping the surly bonds of Earth,

Going where none have been before!

 

The End

 

Return to 2372.

 

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