Stardate: 70115:0345
Title: The Dawn of a New Age
Author: Captain Deadilus
Time: During / After "Departmental Issues"
Scene: USS Horizon, Bridge


The Ferengi vessel was still tearing itself apart after the devastating Som-Nyan weapon had ripped through it but, by some small miracle, scattered areas remained intact and one or two lifepods had managed to launch in the aftermath.

Bridge crew jumped into life, and the combined efforts of Tactical, Science and Operations personnel managed to quickly locate and lock on to a handful of survivors in dire need of rescue.

"Doctor, the Ferengi vessel has just been destroyed. We have locked onto twenty-three lifesigns and are beaming them to you directly," Deadilus stated calmly.

[We can't handle twenty-three in here, Sir,] the CMO replied immediately. [I suggest using Holodeck 2 as a triage centre.]

Turning to Ensign Taylor at the Operations console, the Captain quickly questioned what programs they had that may be of use. Luckily, the young Ensign had already prepared a list in case of an emergency and suggested the 'Starbase 9 Medical Training' program. The Captain nodded his approval, Ensign Taylor starting the program by remote and filling the pattern buffers of the small Starfleet ship with Ferengi survivors.

"Understood, Doctor. They'll be with you momentarily," the Captain signed off.

Down on Deck 4 the Holodeck had already reconfigured itself and the survivors had begun being beamed aboard. Within moments the population of the Horizon had increased by the count of twenty-three.


=/\= Kah'Leel =/\=

With Lieutenant Kehn safely rescued, Lt. Commander L'Cir and Ensign Dumok started securing their area with Lt. Falls and Ensign Smith, waiting for Ensigns Ralari and Farris to return. Whilst they were waiting, Autumn explained how their contact within the resistance was no more and told them of the timely arrival of the Som-Nyan stormtroopers.

Through so many levels of society the Som-Nyan people had been peaceful and respectful of life. But an inner core of lies and deceit had eaten away like a cancer at the integrity of those higher officials ruling the planet, the once benevolent dream chambers becoming tools for the subtlest of brainwashing, deeper interrogations and even murder, causing the 'accidental' deaths of potential threats to 'Som-Nyan stability'.

And so it was that a new age in the Som-Nya began; as Autumn's tale unfolded the resistance had begun its movement against the Som-Nyan government, the mass of people increasing more quickly than even Estelle's wildest dimensions. Disillusioned military officers, long unhappy with what was happening, succeeded in taking over key military installations, dream chamber centres and political buildings before anyone knew what was happening.

As the away team waited they bore witness to this new age.


=/\= USS Horizon =/\=

The medical team had worked overtime on their patients, Doctor Matthews finally informing the Captain that of the twenty-three survivors two had been lost during the efforts to save them and another three lay in critical condition; Scott knew that Ted would see to it that those three patients would get the best care possible.

Tapping a button on the command chair, Deadilus opened the link up with the away team once more.

"Deadilus to away team."

There was a momentary pause before Lt. Commander L'Cir came online.

[L'Cir here, Captain.]

"What's the situation, Commander?" The Captain queried. "We received the last report but we are detecting mass movement of people and some small arms weapon discharges."

[The resistance has begun its revolt, Sir. By all accounts they have taken almost every strategic location. Autumn's informant was right - they were VERY well placed.]

"And Ralari and Farris?"

There was another momentary pause before the COS came back online.

[They've just arrived. We are ready whenever you are.]

Turning to Ensign Taylor at the Operations console the Captain nodded, the away team beginning their journey home...


~ Several Hours Later ~

Lieutenant Kehn sat up in the biobed, much to Doctor Matthews' annoyance.

"Captain," he said groggily, both as a result of the torture and the drugs currently coursing through his system.

"At ease, Lieutenant. Glad to see you are in one piece." The Captain smiled slightly at the CSO, as Vaebn looked around the Sickbay slowly.

"It would appear I am fairing better than others, Sir," he replied, referring to the critically ill Ferengi still present in the nearby biobeds.

A solemn look passed over the Captain's face before he filled his Romulan colleague in on what had transpired.

"The Som-Nyan revolution may have passed with little bloodshed on the planet, but the D'Kora class vessel was destroyed with almost hands lost. I daresay history will record it as a 'bloodless revolt' but history has a habit of forgetting things..."

A long pause followed in which both officers contemplated the events that had transpired here, a little too personally for one of them, before the Captain spoke up once more.

"Ambassador Rousseau has been talking to some of the new Som-Nyan leadership. They have declined our offer of assistance at this time in their... 'transitional phase'. As such, we are currently en-route to rendezvous with the USS Exeter to receive replicator matter and some new crew, as well as transferring the Ferengi survivors, before continuing on to our next mission. "The Captain paused. "I would understand it if you needed some time back on Starbase 9 to recuperate..."


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Captain Scott Deadilus
Commanding Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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