Stardate: 61121:1200
Title: Today Is A Good Day...
Author: Ensign Tarek
Time: During "The Big Bang"
Scene: USS Relentless Bridge


A familiar, and yet unknown, sense of apprehension came over Tarek as he examined his sensor readings to determine the distance of the oncoming Dominion fleet.

"At present speed, the fleet will intercept in eighteen minutes," Tarek reported in his usual Vulcan calm.

"You have ten minutes Lieutenant," Capt. Khavok alerted his away team.

[Understood, sir].

Tarek was slightly confused with his current emotional state. The last time he had felt anything like this was a long time ago.


=/\= Flashback, Deep Space 9 =/\=

Personal Log; Ensign Tarek, Stardate 56001:0844:

I have received my new posting. It is as I expected. I have been assigned to Starfleet Intelligence for the next year. I have been stationed aboard the IKS Vor'nak upon its return to the station and we are currently underway to investigate suspicious activity along the Romulan border and anything else the captain deems important.

A violent shaking of the ship suddenly interrupted Ensign Tarek. He quickly set down the padd containing his log and proceeded to the bridge. The young Ensign immediately recognized the presence of weapons fire.

It was the Borg. Or what was left of them. An attack wing of Birds of Prey was all but destroyed in an attempt to eliminate the threat. The Vor'nak had responded to a distress call from the remaining ship. The battle was short. The Borg were heavily damaged from battle with the Birds of Prey. Tarek knew, as did anyone who had ever encountered the Borg before, that they were not to be underestimated.

As the Klingons were pulling off and preparing for another attack run, they began the cloaking sequence. At that moment five drones appeared on the bridge. The first two were put down quickly, but the others had adapted. Tarek spun right and saw Commander Jor leap from his station burying his knife just at the base of the skull of the third drone. A similar action occurred to Tarek's left.

Tarek felt a presence behind him. He spun around to see the face of a human that was augmented with cold, black mechanics and a glowing eye.

Not thinking, Tarek's instinct overwhelmed him. He quickly struck the drone in the head causing him to stagger backwards. As the drone came forward, Tarek stepped aside and struck the drone again in the abdomen and then stepped in behind him and struck the drone again in the back. In one swift motion, Tarek quickly snapped the neck of the drone causing it to fall lifeless to the ground.

Tarek felt the rage that had plagued him for so long begin to leave his mind. A peace was returning to him. He lifted his eyes in time to see the Borg Cube explode. A feeling of satisfaction replaced his anxiety. Tarek knew a great victory had been won today, both for the Klingons and for him.


=/\= USS Relentless, Current =/\=

Although the circumstances were different, Tarek's familiar unease was growing. There was something more out there than just a Dominion fleet but the young ensign could not place it.

"Captain," Ensign Tarek reported, "I have a plan that might be of some use in fighting the Dominion fleet."

"Very well," replied the captain as he approached the tactical station.

"If we were to beam two high yield tricobalt devices to these coordinates and then detonate four antimatter warheads around the devices it would cause a large enough explosion to significantly damage the Dominion fleet and allow us enough time to escape."

"How soon can you have it ready?" asked the captain.

"Approximately one minute."

"Do it."

"Tricobalt devices in position and armed. Warheads ready to fire on your command," Ensign Tarek reported.

"How long until the fleet intercepts?"

"Twelve minutes."


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Ensign Tarek
Tactical Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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