Whilst mediating a dispute between two worlds the Victory finds itself an unusual ally and Doctor Sek discovers there is more to him than he thought.

Founders Surprise

Written by

The Crew of the USS Victory

Commodore Locutis, Cmdr. Magellan, Cmdr. Worf99, Lt. Cmdr. Kern, Lt. Cmdr. Steve, Lt. Cmdr. L’Etal, Dr. Sek, Counselor Lisa Stardust, Lt. T’Sel

Commander Magellan returned from seeing the Captain off at the transporter room. Locutis had been called to attend a high level Command meeting following the recent Gorn and Dominion War. He had transported to the USS Sabre a transport vessel bound for Starbase 47. Once again the Trill found himself in sole command of the Victory and this time he had a mission.

Striding on to the bridge he walked purposefully to the Command Chair and sat. It felt strangely comfortable.

"Commander Worf, you will act as my XO until Locutis returns" he said "Kern can cover Tactical if need be."

Magellan cast an eye about the bridge Counsellor Stardust and Dr Sek were not present. Before he began the briefing he requested their presence. The two medical officers didn't take long to make their way to the bridge, the Victory was after all a small ship compared to most. Not that she didn't pack a hefty punch.

Allowing Sek and Stardust to take a seat he began.

"Command are reassigning us briefly to mission of mercy. The Kototi have asked us to help with an unknown epidemic on their Deep Space Station near the Hazara Border. The problem is that the Hazara are refusing to allow any Kototi Hospital Ships near the border in case it is a prelude to an invasion. We are to escort a Kototi Ambassador to negotiate with the Hazara and to assist in any way we can. I want some ideas from Department heads by next shift"

Magellan leant back and watched his colleague's separate and head back to their respective parts of the ship.

Two hours later the Command Staff reassembled in the cramped conference room. They gathered around the polished wood table talking in hushed tones to each other.

Lisa went over to Magellan to put forward a few ideas that had sprung to mind

"Sir, would it be possible for myself and Sek to have the medical records from the Kototi epidemic? I just thought that as we have no idea how long the negotiations will take maybe we could come up with a solution from here. I am no doctor but had to do medical training at the academy so I could try to give Sek some input."

"That would be most beneficial" Sek agreed. The Vulcan doctor sat stoically a pile of PADD's before him.

"Very well I will contact the Kototi and get them sent straight away I believe they need all the help they can get. Any other suggestions?"

The staff spent the next hour banding about a variety of ideas and plans. Magellan listened to the crews various ideas. He allowed them to ruminate awhile before speaking.

"Here's what we are going to do" he began " Commander Worf I want you to arrange security procedures for the transfer of some medical supplies from the Hospital Ship. The Victory is too small to carry much but it will do to start with. Stardust I want you to prepare a profile on the Hazara we may need you help in the negotiations, you will need to liase with Ambassador Amkesh of the Hazara, he came aboard earlier and is resting in his quarters. Doctor Sek, I want you to review our quarantine procedures and plan for the first away mission. Kern you will need to work with Worf and prepare a tactical analysis of the Hazara. L'Etal run a background check on the Kototi. We have 23 hours before we reach the Kototi station so lets get moving."

Worf sat in his security office reviewing the security arrangements he had begun to plan. He looked up as the door slid open. Sek entered walking right up to the desk he cut straight to the chase.

"Sir I have reviewed the procedures and I am ready for the Away Mission. Can I suggest that I accompany the away tem."

Worf frowned he preferred to go aboard with the his Security team before he risked any medical staff, sensing this Sek said,

"I am proficient in combat and am willing to go."

Worf weighed up the risks and came to a decision.

"Of course Sek, take as many medical staff as you see fit, Just make sure you clear it with the Commander"

On the bridge Magellan sat watching his staff at work. They were all good people even if some of them were new. It felt odd to be in sole command, usually Locutis was here and the Trill was still not a sure if he had fully recovered from his injury in the last mission. The disrupter blast he had taken had briefly separated him form his symbiont. The event had left Magellan needing medical treatment and had laid him up for several weeks.

"Sir we are approaching the border, and are 2 hours from the station" the helmsman reported.

L'Etal at ops frowned at her console.

"Sir. We have been met by two Kototi vessels they have powered their weapons but are not attacking. They seem to be flanking us and keeping outside weapons range. An escort I guess"

The next day the Victory glided smoothly in to the Stations sensor range. They had stopped briefly to receive supplied from one of the Kototi Hospital Ships before crossing the Hazaran blockade. They were directed by the Kototi C in C to dock at one of the lower Docking Ports. They docked long enough for the Away Team to disembark with some of the medical supplies and then pulled back to take up a more defensive stance.

A delegation from the Hazara had also arrived.

Magellan disliked being caught in between two nations like this. He had to tread very carefully lest he cross the bounds of the Prime Directive.

Tapping his Comm-badge he called up Counsellor Stardust.

"Counsellor I want you to mediate the dispute between the Kototi and Hazara Ambassadors. I have Ambassador Amkesh of the Hazara quartered on Decks 3 and 5"

"Captain log range sensors have just picked up a massive fleet of dominion ships heading this way." Reported Kern urgently.

"Can you confirm?" Magellan barked at Kern, as he put the Victory on red alert.

The Klingon reassessed the sensors.

"There appears to be some sort of sensor aberration that is distorting our readings"

Science Officer T'Leia walked slowly form the Science post to stand alongside Kern. Raising an eyebrow she tapped a few keys.

"That should improve our resolution" she said before turning and returning to science.

Kern scowled at the Vulcan.

"I was just about to do that?" he checked the board again " Confirmed although its not as large as we thought. There is a Dominion Battle Cruiser with a 6 Jem'Hadar attacker escort"

"There are still too many of them for us" Magellan stated "What are the Kototi and Hazara ships doing?"

"Nothing at present" L'Etal responded from Ops.

"Sir." Kern reported "We are being hailed"

Magellan gave the bridge a quick check over. Everyone was in their places, except for Worf and Sek. They would have to fend for themselves for awhile on the station.

"On screen" he said.

The face of a Vorta filled the screen.

"Greetings... err Commander. I am Lawan. It is a pleasure to meet you"

"As it is to meet you" Magellan replied diplomatically somewhat suspicious. "What is it that we can do for you?"

The Vorta smiled and laughed.

"Why, we are here to help you. The Kototi have asked for us to help with their medical emergency. We are partners"

Emerging from her nap in the astrometrics department T'Sel got up and went to check on the current status of the ship. Noting the Dominion Battle Cruiser and Jem'Hadar ships she began to scan the area for anymore ships. As she did so she came across some transmissions. She was able to determine that the transmissions were coming from the Dominion ship and one of the smaller Kototi vessels. They were coded and were being sent on low frequencies.

Tapping her Comm badge T'Sel contacted Commander Magellan.

"T'Sel to Commander Magellan. Sir I think I have found something."

"Very good T'Sel" Magellan replied "I am on my way down. Kern you have the bridge. Watch those Dominion ships I want to know the minute they move a centimetre. Oh and see if you can't contact the away team, Check that they are ok"

Magellan left the bridge and walked down to the Astrometrics lab.

He found himself once again avoiding the turbolift. He hoped that his distrust of technology was not resurfacing. He had felt Lin's previous host Toya, asserting herself more and more since he had taken that disrupter. He was interrupted from his fears by the swish of the doors that admitted him to astrometrics.

T'Sel stood baton straight beside the main console.

"Commander" She acknowledged

Kern watched his console with Klingon anticipation

"T'Leia, scan the 3 attack vessels on the starboard side of the Cruiser, I'm detecting a build up of energy in their impulse engines, confirm."

"Confirmed, they're increasing speed. It looks like th...."

"Sir!" L'Etal warned.

Kern ran over to the Ops position

"Report!"

"The 2nd, 5th and 6th ships...they've raised shields, they're powering…"

*Boom* The first volley of fire knocked Kern to the deck.

"Red alert! Magellan to the bridge!" he screamed.

Using the Ops position to pull himself up he barked at L'Etal

"Report",

"They've hit our secondary reactor, turbolifts, long range sensors, torpedo launchers all offline."

"Lock phasers on the lead fighter, return fire. What is the status of the shields?"

"32% and falling, we won't survive another pass." L'Etal reported.

"They're coming arou…" T'Leia began to report as her console exploded throwing her to the floor.

"Bridge to sickbay, get a med. team up here now. What's the status of the engines?"

L'Etal said,

"72%, warp 6.3 at most"

"It'll have to do, helm reverse course, warp 6.3, en--"

In a huge explosion, Kern and L'Etal are thrown to the ground.

"Main power is offline, our shields are gone."

Kern and L'Etal regain their footing just in time to see 6 Jem'Hadar transporter beams on the bridge.

" Commander Worf99 to Victory. Come in Victory come in"

Worf scowled at the silence and looked over at Sek. They had come aboard and had been shown to a room where they had been waiting ever since. Some emergency he thought.

Pulling out his tricorder he established that Comms to the Victory were being cut from inside the station.

The door opened revealing 3 dozen Jem'Hadar soldiers.

Worf threw himself to one side taking cover. Pulling out his phaser he opened fire.

Magellan pounded on to the bridge just as the shape of Lawan materialised on the bridge. Along with him were 6 Jem'Hadar who quickly blasted the other Jem'Hadar on the bridge.

"Commander. Please forgive me," The Vorta said worriedly waving his arms. "This is a misunderstanding. We are no longer part of the Dominion myself and the ships I have with me are Mercenaries"

Kern frowned but said nothing keeping his phaser pointed at the Vorta.

"We were hired by the Kototi to protect them from the Hazara, however some of my Jem'Hadar are still loyal to the founders, they took the chance to strike, we managed to stop them aboard our ships before too much damage was done. And your Commander Worf was most efficient in stopping the first who led an attack on the Station."

Magellan was still not too sure but their actions seemed to be borne out.

"Get rid of the guards and we'll talk"

Lawan nodded and the Jem'Hadar beamed back to the Dominion ships.

"We are mediating the dispute at present, would you like to sit in?" Magellan offered.

"Of Course" the Vorta said.

"Ensign Cobur will show you to the Conference Room I will join you soon"

As soon as the Vorta left he could feel the crew staring at him.

"Before you start," he said, "I don’t trust him… yet. L'Etal check on Worf and Sek. Get an update on the medical situation. Kern you and T'Leia see if you can't find some way of verifying Lawan's story. Kern watch him like a hawk whilst he is aboard and make sure that we don't get surprised like that again. I am going to join them now."

As he left T'Sel caught Magellan's eye.

"Oh yes What was it that you wanted to tell me?" he asked the Vulcan as he left.

"Well Commander I was going to tell you that I have discovered transmissions going from the dominion ship to one of the Kototi ships. They messages are coded, I'm trying to break the code at the moment. But honestly sir I don't think that Lawan and his people are to be trusted." T'Sel frowned. She studied Commander Magellan's face as he thought for a moment.

"Sir if you wish I shall continue to decoded the transmissions. And I shall also try to determine which ship they are being sent to." Pausing long enough for the Commander to answer T'Sel took in a deep breath.

T'Sel turned back to the console has it started to beep due to another transmission being found.

Sek emerged from behind a crate he bent beside a Jem'Hadar corpse. He flipped the body over and rose. Suddenly he felt something bite into his back. The Jem'Hadar was still alive he had stabbed him. Sek looked down in shock he was able to turn his phaser about and shoot the Jem'Hadar before he fell to the ground and blacked out.

Magellan paced the bridge. L'Etal had informed him that the Away team was returning. A blood stained Worf appeared on the bridge.

"Sek is dead I think?" he uttered

"Dead!" L'Etal responded

"Well he's in sickbay and I don’t think he is going to make it"

Magellan sighed, one of his few chances at command and he had lost a crewman.

"Sir you should know that I found a PADD on the Kototi station. They have no medical crisis and appear to have been in close contact with the Rebel Jem'Hadar for some time."

Magellan sighed yet again, why couldn’t everyone be straight with him, a simple mission of mercy was becoming a complex political struggle. Why had the Kototi requested Federation help when there was no emergency things began to smell more and like a trap.

"Worf get yourself cleaned up, Section 47 have requested that you be transferred to the Optimus, Congratulations Commander that’s a step up. CTSO on the Flag of the First Fleet."

"Thankyou Sir"

"You have my leave to take a runabout and leave for your new post. Whilst on your way appraise S47 of our situation and advise them to have ships in this area to be put on alert"

Sek was slammed down in the medical bay as they began work on bringing him back to life. Dr Kapoor had spent a long time working on him when a nurse shouted that his heart had failed. After a few attempts to restart it while they gave up and it looked like Sek was about to die.

"Get me a bionic heart" Kapoor screamed there may still be time. The trauma team sprang in to action. An hour passed and then another before his condition stabilised. Suddenly the nurse looked up.

"Sir I am picking up another mechanical device in his body near his abdomen."

"What is it?" Kapoor asked.

"I have no idea sir it is like nothing I have ever seen before."

"Sir I believe it's damaged."

"Really."

"Yes sir it seems to have been burnt out. And that seems to be the reason that he was so severely injured."

"Verify that." A puzzled Kapoor asked

"Verified when it comes on partially a regeneration process is induced and the injuries almost disappear fully but it shuts down before it can do its work and damages his body on shutdown."

"Well we will have to get it out."

"Sir."

Again they operated and removed the device as they did so the device erupted in a small explosion and it was gone.

They looked at Sek in horror all they could see was a gel like liquid. The doctor stood back and gasped. Slowly the liquid began to rejoin and as it did so Sek rose from it regaining his shape and features.

"Do not worry" he said "I remember now I am a shape-shifter sent here to infiltrate the federation but the founders cheated me because I wanted peace with your race and put a device which made me able to keep my form forever and never die."

"Med. bay to the captain get down here we have an emergency." Dr Kapoor responded.

"I am peaceful. Nobody has anything to fear I am still a doctor and I will always be Vulcan but a Vulcan who can change for at will."

 

Magellan stood astounded in sickbay. He could barely believe what Dr Kapoor had just told him. Sek stood as healthy as ever beside his bio-bed. Kern had posted half a dozen Security Officers to the room each stood nervously with their hands hovering over their phasers.

"Can we trust him?" Magellan asked Kapoor uncertainly.

Kapoor shrugged his shoulders

"You'll have to talk to him"

Magellan looked back through the plexiglass.

"Doctor get T'Sel up here and have Kern keep Lawan aboard. I have an idea"

Magellan cautiously entered Sek's room. The Vulcan looked... well Vulcan enough and yet the knowledge that he was a founder seemed to give him a menacing air. Even as he was alerted by this revelation the interest of Toya his previous host was piqued, What could be learned from the study of a Changeling.

"Sek" he said

"Sir"

"Are you...well"

"I believe so"

Magellan paused.

"This is somewhat of a shock you realise"

Sek nodded.

"To put us at ease would you consent to a little test. We... I need to know I can trust you"

Sek raised his eyebrow in a typical Vulcan expression

Lisa raced down to sick bay, rumour had spread like wild fire that Sek was a changeling, this she had to see for herself. Once Lisa arrived at the entrance to sick bay she found security posted all looking rather on edge.

"So there is something going on?" Lisa asked Kern who had just left

"Yes, it turns out Sek is actually, well a founder I guess"

"What! I mean, did any one know, I think I should get in there and see if there is anything I can do"

Lisa walked past Kern and entered the room to be faced with Magellan and well a normal Vulcan looking Sek.

"Magellan, could I have a word with you"

Lisa and Magellan walk in to the doctor's office

"Are the rumours I have heard true? Is Sek really a shape shifter?"

"Yes, a device was removed from him and he reverted back to a liquid state, I do have a plan to see whether he is really on our side or not"

Lisa looked sceptical.

"OK, is there any thing I can do?"

"Yes" Magellan said to Lisa "I'll need you on hand, I am going to get T'Sel to meld with him, just to check him over. I want you to monitor this with Dr Kapoor. I also want a full update on how your meetings with Lawan and the Kototi and Hazara ambassadors have been going. I don't trust Lawan and his Jem'Hadar if he's up to something we need to know"

Magellan left Sek with Lisa and walked up to Kern.

"Keep your eyes open, It may not be a coincidence that Lawan turns up just as Sek reveals himself as a founder. I am counting on you," He said before returning to the bridge.

Lisa looked at Sek and felt a bit uncomfortable.

"I will be back, Dr Kapoor contact me when T'Sel gets down here I am off to the bridge to fill in Magellan on my meeting with the Kototi and Hazara"

Lisa left sick bay and headed to the bridge,

"Magellan, could I see you in your ready room please?'

'"Yes I have been waiting to find out about your meetings" Magellan led the way, once inside they both took a seat.

'OK, the meeting are not really going anywhere, the Kototi will not tell me why they faked the medical crisis and the Dominion will not let on any of their plans. The Hazara on the other hand are now asking for help from the federation as they fear an invasion, this is the main thing I need an answer for, as they are desperate and terrified and I don't blame them. If it was not for the Hazara I would be suggesting that we get out but well, the final decision is up to you?'

Lisa sat there waiting for a response.

"I will have to check with Starfleet Command, but like you say we are involved. Advise Ambassador Amkesh to have the Hazara ships withdraw to their own space. He can stay aboard and help with our efforts, I would like you to be our liaison with him. As for the rest of the situation I think that if we can trust Sek we could use the fact that he is a founder to our advantage and find out Lawan's plans"

Stardust listened to the Commander, feeling the burden of responsibility being placed upon her. It felt good.

"You better get back to Sek, T'Sel should be there by now" Magellan continued. "That will be all. Send Kern in when you leave I need a word with him"

Lisa left Magellan and walked out onto the bridge, "Kern, Magellan wants a word with you in his ready room, I am off to sick bay"

Lisa left the bridge and once inside the turbolift finally began to think about what was going on but she knew that this could be dangerous. As Lisa walked into sick bay she could only see the doctor nurse and Sek, no T'Sel though.

"Counsellor to T'Sel will you please report to sick bay immediately!"

Lisa paced uncertainly as she waited for T'Sel to appear, it was unlike a Vulcan to be tardy. Almost as soon as this thought passed through her mind the stoic Vulcan entered the room.

"Intriguing" she commented "He still retains the Vulcan form. He obviously has taste"

Lisa was unsure if this last comment was arrogance or dare she think it, a joke?

"I believe my services are required"

Lisa nodded, guiding T'Sel to one side.

"The Commander wishes you to ascertain Sek's loyalty. He thinks he may have a plan"

"Very well" T'Sel replied "I will endeavour to do my best although a Vulcan Founder link has never before been attempted"

T'Sel entered the room.

"Sek" she greeted informally "Will you stand"

Sek complied silently.

"This will not hurt...I believe" T'Sel stated raising her hand to his face.

"Logically I could meld with any part of you, but I think that tradition is best"

Evenly spreading her fingers she lightly closed her eyes muttering the Vulcan mantra.

"Your mind to my mind, your thoughts to my thoughts"

Lisa thought she say T'Sel flinch as the contact was made and Sek seemed to ripple.

Neither moved for at least five minutes, both silent. Lisa and here security guard escort began to wonder if there was a problem. Technically such a problem being of a neurological nature would be in her jurisdiction as counsellor, and although she had been to several seminars on Vulcan neurophysiology she would be at a lost at how to tackle any problem.

Suddenly without warning T'Sel broke loose, she appeared to recoil for a fraction of a moment her face portraying an incredible weariness until the typical Vulcan guard was raised.

"As far as I can tell Dr Sek is 100% loyal to the crew of the Victory, although as I said early such a meld could be inaccurate"

"That will have to do" Lisa replied "You best come with me Sek, the Commander is going to want to brief you"

On the Bridge Magellan brooded. The Dominion force still sat off their port bow and the Kototi had just confirmed that the Medical emergency had been a ruse to gain Federation support. But why did they want Federation help when these Dominion renegades were already in their employ.

Ordinarily the dispute between the Kototi and Hazara would be none of their concern. The prime directive limiting these non-UFP members to humanitarian aid only. However Dominion involvement made Magellan loathed to leave the area until some sort of answer was reached.

He was interrupted by L'Etal's arrival.

"Ah L'Etal " he greeted "Given Commander Worfs departure, I want you to act as my First Officer until the Captain returns."

L'Etal grinned a toothy grin.

"Yes Sir"

"Sir. The Hazara ships have returned" Kern reported "And they have brought friends"

The viewscreen became filled with sleek olive green Hazara Viper Warships.

"Hell" muttered Magellan "We're going to have to work fast if we are to avert a war"

Sek was on his way to the Commander. He was enjoying his new-found freedom. He seemed to be quite good at shape shifting and memories of his old life were flooding back. When people weren't looking he would morph his hand into an array of things, at one point he was holding a fake phaser in his hand. It shocked Sek to think that the phaser was him. He wanted to explore this the thrill of going on an away mission and being anyone he wanted. He entered the bridge to face the commander.

"Ah Sek" Magellan greeted warily. "Good to see you are well. Come with me to my ready room"
The two crossed to the small room near the bridge. Magellan wondered if it was safe to be alone in the room with the founder.
Once they were both seated he began.
"I am assured your 100% with us"
Sek said nothing.
"I have an assignment for you. I don't want to exploit your new found status but it could be just what we need to find out Lawan's real motives. I want you to beam on to the Kototi Station with Kern, I don't know disguised as his Comm-badge or something. Once aboard perhaps you could sneak around a bit."
"You mean spy"
"Err well Yes. If you find Lawan make your self known to him and use your founder influence to tell you what's up. It sounds dangerous I know. But I am sending Kern with you. He will remain on the station to help you if you need it. I'll have L'Etal try and keep a transporter lock on you both, just in case though."
"I understand" Sek said "I will do my best"
"Very good then you are dismissed and good luck"
Just as Sek reached the door he was stopped. Magellan previous host got the better of him.
"What's it... well What's it feel like being a changeling?"
Sek paused raising an eyebrow.
"It feels good" he replied and left

Sek was ready to go he had practised being a belt, as a Comm badge would be needed for Kern to talk to the Victory. He entered the transporter bay and transformed. In a few seconds they transported over and Kern headed to a corner where he took of the belt and dropped it and left quickly. Sek quickly transformed into a small bug and entered a ventilation shaft or Jeffrey's tube it was hard to tell being so small.

He had started exploring and saw lots of people. He decided to talk to the commander he dropped out in a small room with a Comm system in and one man inside. He changed into the person perfectly. The man turned looked at Sek and feinted.
"That makes my job easier." He smiled to himself.
He bounced a Comm signal through Kern's Comm-badge and The commander appeared on a small screen.
"Who are you and where is Kern."
"Sir it is I Sek sorry but I need to blend in and I assumed the form of a man that is unconscious."
"Ok hello Sek. Report"
"I am in and have had no problems. I have had one contact, but he will be no problem as he will not tell anybody that he feinted after seeing himself."
"I look forward to reading your report upon your return."
"Yes sir. But for now I would like some schematics of this place and where to go as I am at a loss."
"Ok I will send them now, And here is what I want you to do for me. If you can, try and locate their command centre see if you can upload their database to us. If you come across Lawan, impersonate a Founder and get him to reveal their plans. Are you in a secure location?"
Sek looked about him.
"Yes"
"Right I am going to beam over a tricorder and phaser, Don't take any risks we don't want to loose you, Dr Kapoor's bedside manner isn't nearly as good as yours. Don't forget Kern's there to help if you need back up"
"I'll see what I can do. Sek Out"
Magellan settled back in to his chair reassured that he had heard from Sek. So far so good

Sek grabbed the phaser and tricorder and entered the corridor as the unconscious man awoke. He hid both his tools in his stomach or where it should be but now an empty space He looked around and headed for the control centre. He entered a lift with a Jem'Hadar in and said,

"Control centre"

The Jemmy turned,
"You are not allowed there get out of the lift or be detained."
"How dare you speak like this to a founder."
"Founder"
Sek turned his head into that of the Soldier and said,

"Yes founder"
The Jem'Hadar dropped to his knees begging forgiveness.
"I am the First of the Jem'Hadar on this station I am also going to the control room please let me escort you."
"Thankyou but your presence is no longer needed I need you to turn around and look at that panel, Here pass me your gun."
That was the last of the Soldier. Sek vaporised his body and transformed into him and entered the room with the Jem'Hadar and Lawan he walked through them all and asked Lawan to talk to him in private.
As soon as they entered the ready room Sek stunned Lawan the noise alerted the soldiers outside and they began to run to the door. Sek locked it and covered the window. He darted to a panel and shut off the security alarms and sealed the control room from everywhere.
"Kern please assist I am out numbered. I think don't think being a pretend founder will convince them."
"Where are you?" the Klingons voice responded.
"I am in the control centre. I have approximately 1 minute before they break in. I can't get access to the transporter and I have sealed reinforcements from getting here. See if the Victory can lend a hand."
"Ok Sek"
Sek pressed the panels and began a transfer of all data to the Victory he denied access to every panel in the facility and readied his weapon.
He and Kern were in for some fight. Sek however was ready, he transformed into a Norisican and prepared.

"What's going on" Magellan asked as he entered the Bridge from the ready room.
"Sek and Kern just reported in. They are in a firefight and we are receiving a direct download from their computer core" L'Etal replied form Ops
"OK" Magellan said assimilating the information. "Let's go get them. Bring us about, Fly over the port bow of the station and transport them off"
The helmsman obeyed and the Victory sprang to life. As they approached the Kototi base they were hailed.
"This is First Prime Ralor Takan, what is your intent? We have hostiles on board please assist"
I know mused Magellan those are our hostiles!
As they neared the station Magellan looked up to Zoi'Lip at Tactical.
"Are they locking weapons?"
"Negative" the Bolian deputy tactical officer reported.
Odd Magellan thought.
"Do we have them?"
"Yes" Zoilip replied as Kern, Sek and the captured Lawan were transported aboard. "But the Jem'Hadar attackers are pursuing"
"Get us out of here head for the Hazara fleet"
The Victory fled from the six attackers that pursued. One glancing shot struck the ship and it rocked violently.
The Victory rolled and accelerated towards the Hazara. As they approached the border the Jam Hadar broke off and returned to the station.
"Have Kern and Sek report to me immediately." Magellan ordered "And can someone work on decrypting that Computer Core download we received"

Sek approached the commander and changed to a human. His usually face without the obvious Vulcan traits out.
"Well sir the mission was effective."

Having been given the all clear in sickbay, Kern strolled up the corridor toward turbolift 7.

"Bridge"

Up station. He began a systems check on the secondary power relays of the aft phaser array. He wished he'd had a chance to kill more Jem'Hadar.

With the arrival of Kern Magellan felt ready to start the briefing.
The two officers recounted their mission aboard the Kototi station and the kidnap of Lawan whilst the acting captain listened quietly.
It appeared that the Kototi had been building up armed forces at the station for the past few months and that they had indeed contacted the mercenary group of Jem'Hadar.
"I would have preferred you to have tricked Lawan in to revealing more, but seeing as you have captured him that will have to do. Nevertheless I am very impressed by your actions; you showed great courage and skill in a difficult situation. You are both to be commended and my report to Locutis when he returns will outline that."
The two officers smiled at the congratulations.
"I think we best interrogate Lawan and put thing to rest. Kern you will assist Lieutenant Stardust in Lawan's interrogation. I want it done by the book," he said to Kern
"Sek you can return to sickbay, although I will want to discuss your new condition with you at some point. Ok off you go"
Once they were gone Magellan leaned back in the chair and tapped his Comm badge
"Lieutenant Stardust, Please report to the brig and conduct the interrogation of Lawan with Kern. Lieutenant Commander Steve can you work on decrypting the captured Computer Core, I hope it contains details of their fleet movements.

Sitting at his desk in engineering Steve got to work at decrypting the captured Computer Core.
Two hours later.

"This is going bloody no where" he mutters under his breath. "I have tried all the standard description codes, wait" he thought

"What about using a Dominion code?" He set the computer to try all of the Dominion codes they got during the war, and sat back and waited, praying that it would work.

Sek sat back in his sick bay at last. It looked different now he was a changeling. He was a human in appearance but had hundreds more memories of the Dominion and what happened to make him leave. It was amazing how not so long ago he was a Vulcan with complete emotional control and yet now he felt reckless. He seemed to be able to be in control when he changed to a Vulcan, but it was not the out side but the inside he changed. He suddenly remembered the phaser and tricorder he removed them and beamed them to a security post to be replaced.
"Sek to Kern."
"Yes"
"If you think Lawan would open up to a founder I am free to help."
"Thankyou I will get back to you on that."
Sek reached out and his arm reached out 20 feet where he tapped a few buttons on an experiment. It felt good to be a shape shifter although he wondered what the Commander wanted to talk to him about and what the captain would say to him when he returned.

After another 20 minutes the computer informed Steve that one of the Dominion codes had worked and that they now had full access to the computer core. Steve jumped out of his seat and shouting,

"YES",

Everyone in engineering turned round to look at him.
"Steve to Commander Magellan."
"Magellan here" he replied.
"Sir I have done it, I have gained access to the computer core and I think you may want to take a look at this!"
"On my way"

Lisa walked to the nearest turbo lift.

"Brig"

Once the lift stopped and the doors opened Lisa took a deep breath and walked in. Lawan was sat in the cell starring into space Kern had yet to arrive. Lisa took a seat outside the force field in silence taking in the look on Lawan's face and trying to read his body language.
"Lawan, my name is Lisa I am the ships counsellor, would it be alright if I asked you a few questions?"
Lawan looked up and nodded slowly,

"If you will tell me why I am being held a prisoner here?"
"OK. Well, the relationship between the Dominion and the Federation has hardly been smooth, so when we get called out to assist a seemingly helpless race only to find out that they are allies with the Dominion, well that was a shock. Then some of your men attacked us, so what I want to know is why you defected from the main section of the Dominion and sided with a relatively small race in the galaxy?" Lisa sat back waiting for the response.

The door to the brig opened and in walked Kern,

"Sorry for delaying you"
"That’s ok, I was just waiting for Lawan to respond to my question"
Lawan looked up, there was a faint smile on his face, Lisa and Kern waited with anticipation.

Magellan made his way down to engineering to see what the new engineer had come up with. He found his mind drifting to the interrogation that was going on in the security office, the fact that they hadn't heard from Stardust or Kern meant that they weren't making progress.
On arriving at engineering the Commander approached Steve, the engineer looked up.
"Sir."
"What have you got?"
"Well I ran a number of Dominion algorithms through the Kototi Core and found that Lawan and his mercenaries have been aiding the Kototi since the end of the Dominion War. His Jem'Hadar have been training the Kototi troops and upgrading their ships."
Magellan frowned; it looked as if the Kototi were planning a full-scale invasion of the Hazara.
"Anything else. Do we know why they lured us here?"
"It looks as if they were planning to trick us in to starting the war between them and the Hazara, thus making us look bad and giving them an excuse to attack."
Magellan sighed; technically their still wasn't anything they could do given the prime directive.
Steve continued.
"Seeing as we disrupted their original plans it looks like they are stepping up their attack. The main thrust of mostly Jem'Hadar attackers will now occur in the outer system whilst most of the Hazara defence fleet is here near the Kototi station. We have to warn the Hazara, their homeworlds will fall before they know what's happened"
Magellan shook his head sadly.
"Neither are UFP members, to tip either off would constitute a breach of the prime directive"
Steve looked incredulously at the Commander
"But the Dominion can interfere?"
"Thats why were the good guys. Although perhaps we can even the odds, Remove the Jem'Hadar from the picture"
"How?" Steve asked,
"Well we do have Lawan their leader and our very own founder. Have Kern and Sek meet me on the bridge, I think I have a solution but its going to put us in the firing line."

Sek entered the bridge Magellan was waiting.
"Hello sir" Sek sensed something big was building and tensed up in a mix of fear and anticipation as he did his human muscles grew until they were very large. He looked at the shocked trill and thought it must be hard to watch your Vulcan doctor turn in to a human with muscles that grew at will.
"Sorry sir"
"Ok Sek, I have a plan. We're going to intercept the Invasion fleet. We'll use the Holo-cloak to mask our signature, Make us look like a Dominion Cruiser. We will hail them and You, Sek as a Founder with Lawan at your side will order the Dominion back to their Barracks. Then its just a straight fight between the Kototi and Hazara and we can get back to the Starbase and pick up Captain Locutis."
"Very good sir" Sek replied " I will prepare myself"

"Steve to Magellan, the Holo-cloak is on line and ready for use, I have also boosted power to the weapons and Shields, in case the first plan doesn't work and we need to blast our way out"

"Okay people Lets make this count" Magellan enthused.
The rest of the bridge crew sat at their posts tensely monitoring their consoles as the holo-cloaked ship streaked towards the Dominion/Kototi fleet.

It took a little under 3 hours for the ship to approach the fleet. In that time not a single officer dared to leave their post.
"Right" Magellan began "Sek report to the Holo-Deck, Kern have Lawan sedated and taken to the Holodeck, sit him in the background. Lt-Co Steve programme the holodeck to reproduce a bridge of a Dominion Battle cruiser."
"We are approaching the fleet" the helmsman reported.
A group of approximately 50 ships could be seen, of which more than three quarters were Dominion in design.
Magellan gulped at the size of the fleet. The plan would have to work or they would be vastly outnumbered.
"L'Etal open hailing frequencies to the lead ship. Have the signal routed to the holodeck. OK Sek Your on. Good Luck"
Sek made the finishing touches to his appearance and looked up at the holographic viewscreen that suddenly became filled by an old female Vorta, who bowed as she saw him.
Sek took a deep breath and said,

"Greeting I have orders that you must follow and there is not a lot of time."
"Yes founder my god." She said
Lawan mumbled in the background Sek worried and tried to speed it up.
"You are to send the fleet back to base and prepare large defences as the meddling Federation are planning something big."
"What are they planning." The Vorta asked. Sek suspected by her tone that she doubted everything.
"That is not for you to know but it is enough to make me reveal myself to this crew If you have trouble understanding I will have to make examples of you and your crew."

Lawan mumbled louder.

"No we will obey." The Vorta replied worriedly, bowing deeply.
"Good now get out of here before those wretched idiots arrive and do damage."
"Yes sir but who will help these people."
"I will remain."
"Excuse me?"
"I will stay."

Lawan mumbled. Louder the sedative beginning to wear off.
"May I speak to Lawan he is in command." The Vorta asserted.
"I AM IN COMMAND." Sek bellowed for effect.
"I know but Lawan seems to be in discomfort."
"I have had enough now do as I say before I come over there and sort the fleet myself. Although I am sure the First will be happy to um." Sek paused "Reprimand you."

He let out a laugh and shut the console down. He turned as Lawan began to come around. He reached out and smacked him in the neck knocking him unconscious again.
"Sek to the bridge."
"Go ahead. Any good?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. I think she fell for it but you never know she might just hang around."

Everyone sat stock still on the bridge. All eyes on the enemy fleet. It didn't appear that their ploy had worked. Suddenly the lead ship broke off her flanking Jem'Hadar attackers in tow. The Dominion left the Kototi and headed for the Victory.
Magellan looked up at Kern who calmly stood at tactical already plotting firing trajectory's.
"Engineering. Is the cloak working?"
"Yes sir" Steve replied "Its working at 110%"
"Good" Magellan sighed still not sure if the Jem'Hadar had seen through the smoke and mirrors.
The vast Battle cruiser loomed in to view its hull bristling with weapons.
"2000 klicks" L'Etal reported at Ops.
"1000"
The crew braced themselves, when suddenly the fleet went in to warp flashing past the viewscreen in a myriad of coloured streaks.
The sighs of relief were audible across the bridge and Magellan found himself wiping his brow.
"The Kototi fleet is hanging back" Kern reported "Should we engage them"
"Negative pull us back on the same vector as the Dominion exit. What's the status of the Hazara fleet?"
L'Etal made a quick sensor sweep.
"It looks as if they have used the time to reposition there forces. It is unlikely that the Kototi could break through even with the Dominion Mercenaries."
"Good" Magellan smiled. "Hopefully we have diffused some of the tension. Patch me through to the UFP, I want to arrange Mediators to be dispatched to speak to both sides.
Conn set a course for Starbase Bellicose lets go see if the Captains finished hob nobbing with the brass. Engage at Warp 4."

With the immediate crisis over Magellan returned to his quarters to work on his report for Rear-Admiral Clark. Just before he reached his room he changed his mind and went to the Sickbay.
Sat in the CMO's officer Sek and Stardust sat in quiet conversation. Both looked up and came to attention as he entered.
"Sek. Well done, you really pulled it off. You too Stardust your assistance in this mission was invaluable. I am putting you both up for a commendation"

The two officers grinned.

"You both performed well under pressure. Sek perhaps you would like some time to adjust"

"Thankyou Sir" Sek replied "This new me may take a little getting use to"