Fall Back and Retreat: Capter 11

[Michelle Ortiz]

The U.S.S. Sisko, an aging Defiant-class ship rolled to the right and lanced out with its phaser cannons. The energy weapons slammed into the shields, but had little effect.

The Earth ship responded in-kind, and the advanced, and more powerful weapons slammed into the ship. Captain James Gallagher snarled in frustration. "Bring is about 010 mark 185! I want us in close."

"Aye captain that helmsman replied. A joined-Trill whom he had compleate confidence in.

"Where is the Sixth Fleet?" Gallagher demanded.

"They've pulled back to the Alliance border," his operations officer announced.

"God damnit! Don't those Alliance assholes know what the treaty says?"

No one answered the rhetorical question.

"Sir we've lost the Cortez, and the Sajak. The Odessa reports that they have been boarded."

Gallagher slammed both fists on the arm rest of his chair, "Sound the retreat Mr. Tanenbaum. We'll fall back to Bajor."



** Starfleet Headquarters , Bajor **

President Michelle Ortiz stood next to Admiral Riker staring down at the display, and nodded solemnly. "This was only a matter of time."

"Is that why you ordered the 6th Fleet to Return to Alliance space?" Riker asked.

Michelle nodded. "This was inevitable."

Will stared at the display for a minute, and sighed, "Our fleet is too small, and lacks modern systems. I would be lying if I said I didn't half expect this to happen, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Nor I Will," Michelle replied. "I'm going to issue the evacuation order. We'll rally on Terra Alpha. I hope the Alliance Merchant Guard isn't late. In order to evacuate the entire planet... well, it's going to be a tall order."

[Roland K'meck]

- Cardassia Prime

Ambassador Roland K'meck looked up from the recent reports that had piled high on his desk. None of it looked any good. Sighing he set his PADD down and reached for his coffee. A habit that his old captain on the Erebus had gotten him hooked on.

There was a sudden commotion and the door to his office was tore open and a half dozen armed Cardassians stormed into his office. K'meck rocketed out of his seat, "Gul Dontat what is the meaning of this?"

The Gul smirked, "Come with us." Those at his side leveled their disruptors on him.

K'meck let out a long breath, set down the PADD he was working on and wiped the sweat from his palms onto his trouser legs.

One of the soldiers roughly pushed him against the wall and searched him for weapons. Finding his distupter in his waistband he pulled it out and handed it to a companion, and then they shoved K'meck out the door and into the crowded corridor. Other Central Command employees were being shoved into a tight bunch. K'meck made eye contact with Legit Garrak.

Dontat smiled with satisfaction, "I'm sorry Garrak, but our new alliance with Earth means we can't keep you around."

"Alliance?" Garrak demanded.

Dontat shrugged, "You've been... outsourced." With that the Cardassian motioned with his hand, turned and walked out, as his minions opened fired slaughtering the entire Central Command, and their allies in one fell swoop.

[JT Kirk]

XDF Maud'dib

Commodore JT Kirk had been tasked with aiding the UFP evacuees across into Alliance space. It was thought that a non Terra Alphan ship should be the point man on this operation. Plus, Xenexian Defense Force starships were heavily armored and designed to take a beating intended for other ships. The past couple of decades had seen a massive leap in ship building techniques, mainly because the Xenexians are known for being risk takers and fight first talk later.

"President Ortiz, this is Commodore Kirk from the XDF on behalf of the Alliance. We have more ships en route, I'm just faster." JT said with a wry smirk.

"You also left fifteen minutes before everyone else did." Daisy Hill said with an eye roll. "Madame President, I'm Director Daisy Hill from the Department of Foreign Affairs and I am hereby authorized to grant all members of the United Federation of Planets provisional asylum and limited military powers within our borders, any direct coordinated action against common enemies would require a formal petition. There are two conditions and these don't come from me but from those higher up the food chain. You will meet with the Alliance Council within the next 72 hours. And second... your ships are to be immediately brought to Starbase Byron and Dockyard Alpha for refit and repair. Your ships, as good as they've been to you, are not up to Alliance specs and are considered public health hazards. But don't worry... we've got some surprises for your Captains. You may not be officially part of the Alliance, you're still sovereign but it's akin to a friend giving another friend a shirt that isn't full of holes and stained."

[Michelle Ortiz]

"Thank you Commodore," Michelle replied an expression of relief on her face. Shw knew evacuating 2.3 billion inhabitants was impossible, but they would get all of the Federation officers and government officials, and of course Bajoran leadership off the planet. The rest were instructed to "convert" to the Prophet's insane religion and do their best to survive. "When this is over perhaps we should renegotiate our treaty with the Alliance, and officially join."

[JT Kirk]

"I'm sure they would like that very much... but for now let's worry about getting your people to safety before those weirdos do anything stupid. Thought Dominus was bad, at least he could be contained... now his kids were another whole matter." JT said and shook his head. "in any case, we're here to help as friends, as we've always been."

"

[Michelle Ortiz]

"And good friends you are."

"Madam president!" Someone shouted turning to the president. "We're getting a message from the Saturn. The Cardassian ships have turned on us!"

Michelle swore, "Did you hear that Commodore?"

[JT Kirk]

"Yeah, I'm getting that report as well." JT looked at the master display on the side of the bridge. "We'll personally escort you the rest of the way to Terra Alpha and then... we'll have to deal with the Cardassians. But if the Cardassians are turning on us, then that means our allies within the Union are no longer alive or no longer useful."

[Michelle Ortiz]

"This isn't good," Michelle said with a worried sigh. "We are ready tp beam up at your leisure Mr. Kirk."

[JT Kirk]

"Director Hill... beam the President and her cabinet to the briefing room." JT ordered.

"You do know I technically outrank you... but... whatever. I'm used to taking orders from Calhouns." Daisy teased.

"Well you're meeting with them as soon as they arrive..." JT replied and gave her a smirk. "I'd also contact St. James, she had contacts within the Cardassian Union."

"Ally was sleeping with that one Council member, but that was years ago." Daisy said and tapped the controls for the transporter.

"I meant her mother and don't remind me... asshole still owed me 3000 credits for all the booze his staff drank that I covered for." JT muttered and heard the tell tale sound of the transporters whining.

Daisy laughed and patted his shoulder as she walked past him and gave him a look. "Hey you were trying to impress Mac that you weren't a tightwad... pussy whipped." she teased and walked backwards into the conference room. "Madame President... welcome aboard. JT and I were just discussing who we could contact to find out what's going on with the Cardassians."

[Michelle Ortiz]

"If there has been a regime change my contacts are either dead or will be unable to respond," Michelle replied.

"Same here," Admiral Riker said with crossed arms, "But, I can put out some feelers with several officers I've dealt with in the past."

Michelle shrugged, "We might not have to do anything. Knowing Cardassians if there's been a regime change, or even a major political shift they will want to tell everyone about it."

Riker nodded, "I remember Gul Dukat's announcement when they joined the Dominion clearly."

"For now, I think our focus should be on regrouping, and preparing to take our homes back," Michelle added.