Kal stepped out a turbo-lift into a large deck with shops lining the walls. He stopped a passing girl in a yellow uniform. "Ensign, where is the replimat?"
She became alert at the sight of a captain, "Sir, uh, the replimat. It's around the corner, across from the travel bureau."
"Thank you, ensign." Kal smiled as she rushed away. It amused him how the junior officers reacted when they saw him. He never realized how much becoming a captain would change the perception he received. It also gave him a moment of pause as he considered if he acted as foolish when he was an ensign.
"Captain!" a man called to him.
Kal looked up to see a portly officer with a big smile. He approached and shook Kal's hand. "Good to see you again, sir." He had a thick British accent.
Kal returned the smile and a handshake. "Benjamin, I'm glad to see you here. I see you got that promotion, Lieutenant Commander Pestridge."
"Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?" Ben answered.
Kal walked along with him. "When did they redesign the mall level? The last time I was here, this place was completely different."
Ben said, "About a month ago. Just before Admiral Thota retired, he wanted to attract more commerce to the area, boost the station's appeal to the traders and merchants. I doubt it did much to help that, but it spruced the place up a bit. If you had come up to the station more when you spent time on Tarven Four, you'd have noticed the construction. It started before you headed back to Earth few months back."
"I needed time away from anything Starfleet. The old family home down in the city was a good departure from my old life, at least for a while."
Ben said, "I understand. This is a Starfleet installation, though most of our traffic has been merchant trade."
Kal agreed with a nod. "How is the merchant traffic?"
"Same as usual. A few trade routes come through, most just stopping to refuel or trade one cargo for another. Since the threat of the Dominion, we have had a little more attention. We're a safe place compared to other old routes."
Kal walked toward the replimat. "You've taken good care of the place in Thota's absence."
"Thank you, sir. But, it's not a job for a Lieutenant Commander. I'm glad we have a true CO here now. You'll do a fine job."
"You have greater confidence than I. I want to rebuild old ships, not command a space station. I will rely heavily on your experience here, running things." Kal stopped at a replicator, "Orange spice tea, hot." his order materialized and he took a sip.
Ben laughed, "I will be glad to. Though now I have someone to hand the big problems to when they arise."
"I guess that's part of my new job description. Say, is that a new restaurant?" Kal nodded down the way.
Ben looked up and happily answered, "Yes. She arrived a few months back and set up shop. The Little Okinawa, the first human restaurant on the station in almost twenty years."
"The Little Okinawa?"
"Yes, she makes authentic Japanese food, particularly selections from the Okinawan Islands. Very good. I was just heading there for lunch today if you would care to join me?"
Kal sipped more of his tea. "No. I have to head out in a moment to meet a new civilian engineering chief. His ship dropped him off at the workstation in the shipyards. I need him to help me with something over here. Maybe later."
"I look forward to it, commander... sorry, Captain. It'll take getting used to." Ben gave him a quick nod and then headed for lunch.
Kal took his tea with him as he continued toward the shuttle docking bays.
***
Kal navigated a shuttle toward a large space dock station. Sitting next to him was the head of the civilian engineering corps. The man practically fogged up the windows he talked so much.
"I spent the past two years on Mars working on refining the Defiant project, building those suckers twice as fast as they thought. They will put a lot of those on the front lines. It's a big switch moving over to these old ships. Don't worry, though, I can handle it and so can my crew."
Kal said, "I hope you don't mind that I put Mr. Scott in charge of your people and the other Non-coms from Starfleet."
"Not at all. It's a real pleasure to get to work with a living legend. I mean, seriously, they named Station Montgomery after him! Did you even think about that? They named it after him when they thought he was dead, and he's back now and working. Did you ever read about how he sealed himself in a transporter to keep himself alive for eighty years?"
Kal nodded, "Yes. I read all about it."
Just then, an Akira class starship dropped out of warp above them and headed for the Starbase. The larger doors on the upper disc opened in anticipation. Kal maneuvered the shuttle up toward the opening doors, no longer needing to request entry through a shuttle door.
"Wow, I love that class. It's so impressive." Phil smiled.
Kal nodded, "I like it. I'm partial to the older style of ships, but I like some of the recent work these days."
"The USS Franklin," Phil read the name on part of a nacelle that came close.
Kal nodded. "That would be the meeting we are about to attend. Let's not keep them waiting." He pushed the shuttle to move faster toward the space dock.
"Why did they put a full space dock out here at the back-end of the Federation? Tarven Four is an old communication outpost that went defunct fifty years ago. There's no major traffic in this part of the sector, and the Okari Expanse in the next system sort of messes with any major transportation ambitions."
Kal answered, "Fifty years ago, when they decommissioned the communications array on the eastern mountain ridge, the Federation President turned this planet into a diplomatic destination. Tarven Four is a beautiful, peaceful place that could have easily been a nice vacation destination. For about thirty years, dignitaries from all over the quadrant came here to speak with Federation diplomats. The Okari Expanse helped prevent any unexpected enemy attacks from people who might oppose a diplomatic talk. They established this base for prestige; it was the largest style of Federation starbase of its day, and thus it looked good for us to receive our honored guests through the base down to the planet. But, twenty years ago they built the Diplomatic Corps headquarters on Betazed and since then, this place has turned into a ghost town. Now, we will bring a new life to this station as the headquarters of Project Phoenix."
"Rebirth from the ashes, I like it!" Phil beamed.
"My family has several homes on the surface, including a lovely cabin on Henderson Lake. My great grandmother was a diplomat who lived on the surface and her son, my grandfather, retired there. We have a deep connection to this planet."
"Nice. I can't wait to explore it."
"Taking us in." Kal announced and then pressed a button on the comm panel, "Starbase, this is shuttle 17 coming in for a landing."
A British voice answered, "Landing pad five is ready, sir."
"Thank you." Kal navigated the shuttle under the belly of the large Akira class ship and headed directly for an outstretched landing pad connected to a corridor. Once they set down, a shield formed around them like a bubble, and they received a supply of air.
The pair disembarked and left the shuttle docking ports for the next deck up, where all the large ships docked at the station.
Kal waited with Phil. He said, "Okay, when the cadets get off here, I want you to take them down to deck seventeen. You will conduct orientation and assignments."
"I know. I read the orders you sent me this morning. But why am I doing this? I'm not in Starfleet, they won't listen to me. You should have brought over Mr. Scott."
Kal laughed, "I couldn't pry him out of the main drydock service center if I had a photon torpedo aimed at him. He has been working on getting everything going since we got here three days ago."
Phil nodded. "Yeah, he put twenty ships into the drydock right away. We don't have near enough hands to work on all of them yet, but he wanted it started. He took charge, which is why I think he should do this."
"Not at all. I want you to be his right hand, his first officer. You will help him work with the people. He is brilliant and experienced, but he is also old and a bit out of touch with all these young people they are sending to work on this project. You've been actively working with the civilian and cadet engineers for five years. You can handle them."
"They sent us two hundred cadets and only a few graduates. What were they thinking?" Phil almost moaned this out.
Kal straightened up a bit as the lights came on that the umbilical dock. The passengers were about to disembark and meet them. "They believed we needed everyone available to prepare Star Fleet for the upcoming war against the Dominion. These cadets are in their last year of work before they graduate. It will be your responsibility to see that they apply all their fresh, raw knowledge and turn it into experience working out there. You will put your name next to Mr. Scotts and mine when their graduation evaluation comes."
"Me? I will evaluate them?"
Kal nodded, "Yes. This was my idea. They have glowing reports from all their professors and commanding officers at the academy. However, to be assets to the Federation and themselves, they need the experience that comes with real, productive work. You have this experience, which you will share with them. If you don't feel you can handle this, I can find someone else."
"No, no. I can handle it. I... I didn't know you thought so highly of my ability."
"This is my project, something I have wanted to do for several years. I would not approach this without knowing everything about it and that it will work. When they said I would get a large contingent of the Civilian Corps of Engineers, I did what I would do with anyone working for me. I checked your record and read all the reports about you. You impressed me."
"Thank you, Captain. That means a lot."
Kal gave him a sly smile. "This also means I expect a lot. I'll treat you no differently than any other officer working under me. We have an important job to do, and I expect nothing less than success."
"Understood." Phil gave him a comical salute.
"Ah, here they are." Kal watched as the doors opened and several hundred young people from various species across the Federation walked toward them.
An ensign approached and stood at attention in front of Kal, "Captain Henderson, I am Ensign Randolf. They assigned me as the leader of this group."
"At ease, ensign. Follow Mr. Bigos here. He will conduct your orientation and assignment."
"Yes, sir." Randolf directed the others to follow Phil down the corridor.
Kal waited a moment longer until another person disembarked. A tall, severe-looking Vulcan approached and stopped in front of him. "Captain Henderson, I am Doctor Selar."
Kal smiled, "Doctor, it's good to have you with us here at Tarven Four. Would you like me to show you to your quarters?"
"Not yet, sir. I would like to see the medical bay. I'm eager to inspect the upgrades I requested."
Kal directed her to follow him. "Right this way."
***
The turbo lift doors opened into a small waiting room area. A few meters away was a set of doors that opened into a sprawling medical bay. Dr. Selar entered the massive room, giving every inch a critical look.
"I see," was her only response.
Kal walked into the room. "We've designated an entire deck for the medical bay. I had the engineers install the emitters you requested. With so many engineers here ahead of my arrival and the start of the Project, they had time to take care of your request."
She set down a bag and took out a device. Approaching a far wall, the doctor took off a panel and looked at the intricate isolinear system. "Very good. Just as I requested, a full processing unit with fifty exabytes of processing power per second."
Kal came over to look at the amazing system. "I have been studying this for a special project of my own."
Dr. Selar asked him, "What would that be?"
"I understand you worked directly with Dr. Zimmerman on the EMH program."
"Yes. I was one of the medical staff that helped write the program. I became acquainted with the holo-engineering details and learned as much as I could, so I might apply them in my practice."
Kal pointed at the system in the wall. "You like to work with them, don't you?"
She installed a special isolinear cube into the unit. "Most doctors have illogical assumptions and difficulties with holographic assistants. I see no logical issue." Pressing a button, a dozen holographic nurses appeared all over the sickbay.
Kal smiled and approached one of these holographic women, all identical. They each looked like a nurse in a white uniform. Older, heavyset, and with a cheerful smile. The one he examined said, "How may I help you, Captain?"
"Nothing, thank you." He walked around her, amused by this. "I'm surprised. They're not what I expected. They are... emotional." He didn't know how else to say this.
Dr. Selar replaced the panel on the wall, hiding the complicated computer system. "Dr. Zimmerman helped me program these. He felt that a certain design might prove more comforting to other species, especially those that rely on their emotions. I requested a more logical assistant, but his arguments bore some logic of their own. So, I capitulated. They do their job adequately. Each one is a full EMH program, with all the skills and knowledge. They can function as a doctor. However, their programming differs in such a way that they act as a nurse and assistant to my work first."
Kal stopped as he watched several of these holograms, already inspecting their work area and rearranging things. It never ceased to amaze him at the complexity of Dr. Zimmerman's programming. "Truly a fine job."
"What was this project you mentioned?" Dr. Selar asked.
"Oh, right. We would install computers such as this and emitters all over several of these old ships we are refitting, thus turning them into hospital ships that can be used for rescue missions."
Both of her eyebrows raised. "That is a logical course of action."
"Thank you." Kal knew this was high praise from any Vulcan. "This is why I specifically requested your presence here. I knew you would enjoy... I mean, respect the ample time and space to conduct your medical research out here. I could use your experience and knowledge to work on my special project."
"A logical plan. I will analyze your data and submit recommendations as soon as I am able." Dr. Selar looked over at one nurse and gave a command. "Ensure this medical deck is prepared and see to any needs that arise. I will be in my quarters until further notice."
"Yes, doctor," the nurse answered.
"I would like to see my quarters now, sir."
Kal held out his hand. "This way."
***
The Vorta, Kilana, watched carefully as her crew navigated their small ship through this strange expanse. After entering it, they discovered that the disturbances in subspace caused issues even with sub-light engines. The Jem'Hadar at the navigation had to maneuver their ship back and forth to avoid small, dense pockets of something that would slow them to a crawl. Since she was the only one on the bridge with any view of what was going on outside, she watched carefully for anything unexpected.
"Vorta, we are approaching the location of our probe," the soldier at the science station announced.
"Good." Kilana replied, "Navigation, bring us to the probe and then a full stop." She tapped a button on a console near her. "Founder, we are almost at your desired destination."
"On my way," he replied.
Kilana watched as they came closer to a strange anomaly on the side of this expanse. She did not understand what this anomaly was, but it had the most beautiful colors swirling around. Her view also included a small cylindrical object, their probe. It sat in space, staring at this anomaly.
"First, I would like..." she began a request when the founder burst through the door of the bridge and came right up to her.
"Give me that." He nearly ripped the eyepiece off of her head.
She avoided having her hair ripped out as he greedily took it from her and slid it over his head. She bowed to him, "Founder, it is an honor."
"Yes, I know." He brushed her off again, and then eagerly looked at the view before him. "Ah, yes, there it is. Let me see the data." He commanded. A Jem'Hadar put in a command and the gathered data scrolled passed the Founder's eyes on the viewer he wore. He grew more and more interested as he watched this. "Yes, I see... hmmm... wait, yes. The timing is almost here."
"What is..."
"Silence! Science, prepare the subspace tachyon beam. Set the frequency to the opposite of that in the area."
The Jem'Hadar at the science station worked quickly, his programmed understanding of Dominion science technology almost as good as an android. He announced, "It is ready, Founder."
"Good. Now, wait for my signal..." He stood there, peering out the eyepiece like it was a window into the universe's greatest secrets.
Everyone held their breath while the founder patiently waited for something. Being their god, it was hard to ask questions, but even the Jem'Hadar present were curious. This was not any ordinary mission for the Dominion. Nothing about this has made sense to any of them. The Vorta was the only one present who had the authority to even venture a question, but even that would risk her life and she knew better than to test his patience with her.
An alarm sounded on the bridge. The weapons station announced, "Proximity sensors have been triggered!"
The science station called out, "Something is coming out of the anomaly!"
"Don't move the ship. Wait for it... wait for it..." The founder held up a hand and then pointed at the science station. "Now! The tachyon pulse!"
Through his eyepiece, he watched as a sizeable chunk of what appeared like the remains of a space station slid partway out of the anomaly and then sank back in. A bright bluish-white beam hit it and once again it was coming out.
"Founder, we are polarizing whatever that is," the science station announced.
"Yes, I know. We are pulling it out of subspace, freeing it from its endless loop in and out of that anomaly. Fascinating to watch. Keep the beam going until the object has no connection to that anomaly and is free."
"Yes, founder."
This went on for more than an hour. The longer they saturated the chunk of metal with their beam, the more that came out. What at first appeared to be a small part of a station grew quickly. Eventually, a massive hull dwarfed the small raider and hovered aimlessly in space near them.
Once completed, the Founder handed the eyepiece back to the Vorta and said, "Give this to the First, I want you and two other Jem'Hadar to come with me over to that station. Make sure you have masks. I doubt there is much air in that place right now."
Kilana gave command over to the First and then joined the Founder in the transporter room. She left the comfortable Dominion environment for an alien world. She and the two Jem'Hadar wore breather masks to provide oxygen. The Founders can exist in space without oxygen.
The founder held a special scanner that was not Dominion technology. He looked back at the others. "This place has gravity and oxygen still working. Truly a wonder, this technology. After all it has been through, it is still operating. Okay, take off those masks. I'll find the power."
Kilana took off her mask and followed the founder. "What is this place? I've seen nothing like it."
The Founder looked up and down the dark walls with hardly enough light to see by, "No one in the Dominion has seen this technology. However the Cardassians know of it, they learned about it from their Federation friends. This technology is the source of much fear for the Alpha Quadrant. I dare say they fear the people who built this more than the Dominion. I want that fear. I want that tool to use against this quadrant."
"Founder, I have found something." One of the Jem'Hadar called out.
The founder walked over and scanned the wall. "Good, the power system." He pulled a lever down, which activated a small, green glowing screen. Typing in a command, the power came back on, illuminating the darkness. This caused Kilana to jump and let out a small scream. She stood next to a decaying corpse tethered to an alcove. On the ground, littering the area, were more of these people. Each had technology implanted directly into their bodies.
"What are these?" She whispered.
The Founder calmly answered, "They call themselves the Borg."
Kilana trembled all over at the sight of these horrid creatures. Were they humanoid or machine? Even in their state of death, there was a strange coldness about them that made her stomach quiver. "Founder, what do you need in a place like this?"
"Oh, much." He stepped over a fallen corpse and approached a flickering computer terminal. He worked the controls with precision. "Ah, I see all the data we have obtained from our spies on Earth has been accurate. Good, these systems are just right. Now, to stop this place from transmitting." He punched in several commands and a red symbol appeared on the screen. "Good, very good." He mused.
Kilana approached, hardly able to stop staring at the heaps of Borg lying around, rotting. "What is good?"
"When it was damaged, this place lost its full transmitter. It is not sending any signals out to its creators. However, there is a working computer system here and I mean to use it."
"To what end, founder?"
He turned and gave her an examining look, as if he were sizing her up for a moment. After dismissing a thought, he nodded toward the Jem'Hadar. "I need people to experiment on."
"Do you wish to order some Jem'Hadar..."
"No, I need them alive. Transport over as many Jem'Hadar as you can spare. Also send over my special equipment from the ship. Then, locate some specimens for me."
"Where?"
"Correct me if I'm wrong. Did our probe locate a small gathering of solids on the other side of this expanse?"
"Yes. We saw something there, like a crashed ship or a small settlement. It might even be a scientific lab set up to study this unique part of space."
The Founder grinned, "Good, just what I need. Go, fetch them."
"We do not even know who they are? They might be Cardassians."
"I don't care who they are, as long as they are alive."
Kilana had a few thoughts crossing her genetically engineered brain. If they were Cardassians, they would be allies, members of the Dominion. It would violate the treaty signed to make Cardassia members of the Dominion. Yet, for all of her worries and concerns, she could not deny the request of a Founder. Bowing low, she slapped a beacon on her wrist and vanished into a transporter beam.