Title: "Dungeons of Dark Mountain"
Author: Lieutenant Benton
Stardate: 2460307
Earthdate: April 22, 2383
Location: Xenon III

Benton awoke in the dark. He tried to sit up, but discovered his hands were tied behind his back. He lay still and tried to determine the nature of his surroundings. By the feel of it, he wasn't at the bottom of a crevasse in the mountainside. He was lying on a masonry floor. By the echo, he judged he was in a room about 15 feet square. His eyes were adjusting to the dimness, and by the flickering light from a torch that leaked through the cracks in a closed door, he could see the inert form of Sitto Lan lying on the other side of the room.

Benton tried to sit up again, to find that his legs were tied too, and that he was tied by a long cord to the wall. He said in a hushed voice, "Sitto. Are you awake?"

He took Sitto's refusal to answer as a negative. He swung his legs around to try to nudge Sitto, and managed to boot him in the head. That got a reaction. "Ow," mumbled Sitto.

Sitto tried to sit up only to discover that he was tied up. "I'm tied up," said Sitto.

"Yes," replied Benton.

"Where are we?"

"It would appear that we are in a dungeon," said Benton. After a moment, he reconsidered and continued a little more helpfully, "It would appear that we were captured by the Horde after we fell into the crevasse and brought here. Presumably, we are somewhere inside the Dark Mountain. From here it should be easy to find the captain."

Sitto looked around the dungeon and said wryly, "Oh yeah. We've got them right where they want us...."

Both Benton and Sitto started trying to untie themselves, but the bonds were too tight. Finally, Sitto gave up and said, "What are we going to do?"

"Just sit here, I guess."

"YAAAHH!!!" shouted Sitto from across the room.

"What?!"

"Something small and hairy just brushed against me!" yelled a jumpy Sitto.

Benton strained his senses trying to detect whatever it was that had upset Sitto. Then he saw it -- a small shape near the wall opposite the door, and it was coming toward him. It moved with a peculiar, but not entirely unfamiliar undulating motion. Then Benton recognized it.

"Spot!" he exclaimed.

"What?" choked out an unbelieving Sitto.

"It's Spot," repeated Benton. "He must have been transported to Xenon III the same time all the rest of us were, just to a different place."

*And they don't have much to eat here, let me tell you!* thought Spot. He trundled over to where Benton sat.

"Think you can chew through these bonds?" Benton asked Spot.

Spot crawled up and began chewing.

"I thought tribbles didn't have any teeth," said Sitto from across the room.

"They don't," replied Benton. "But Spot is only half tribble." As he said that, the last fiber of his bonds snapped and he was free, thanks to Spot. Benton carried Spot over to Sitto and set him to work on Sitto's bonds. Soon both men were free again. Benton placed Spot in a belt pouch and Sitto said, "I owe you a dozen jelly doughnuts, Spot." Spot chirped.

Benton checked the door, it was unlocked. They left their prison cell, and proceeded into the hallway outside. In an alcove near the door, Benton found their weapons. The two men quickly rearmed themselves and then continued. The hallway was dark, and didn't seem oft-used. But from somewhere ahead of them they could hear some commotion: howling and wailing, drumming and foot-stomping, and rough chanting in an alien tongue. It sounded like some sort of ceremony. They hurried.

As they drew closer to the source of the noise, Benton could understand short snatches of the chanting. It was a harsh evil-sounding language that hurt his ears to listen to it, but he recognized some names from Glybothar's tale, names of the evil Horde leaders: Morthog, Nazboor, Mordamo, Azhnagh. Liberally sprinkled
throughout the chanting was the name Pharox. And then one name that filled Benton with foreboding: Stephen.

*Are we too late?* Benton quickened his pace. Sitto kept up. Ahead was a steady, unearthly glow, and Benton could feel the heat rising.

Suddenly, he and Sitto burst out into a large chamber. The opposite wall was fifty feet away. The room was lit with a hellish, red glow emanating from within a 5-foot wide channel that ran the entire width of the room from wall to wall. A narrow stone bridge spanned the channel, linking the two sides of the room. The occasional flicker of fire could be glimpsed dancing above the lip of the channel. The heat emanated from there.

But Benton's attention quickly went from the details of the room itself to the inhabitants of the room, for it not deserted, this was the source of the chanting and drumming. Six black-robed Horde were on each side of the fiery chasm, beating huge ceremonial drums. On this side, nearer the chasm itself, as if they thrived on the heat, were the four aforementioned Horde leaders. They were also clad in dark robes, although theirs were much more ornate than the drummers'.

Hovering above the center of the chasm was a being of terrifying dimension and attribute. It was a creature that seemed made of fire itself, although it had a vague, humanoid form. All the evil and malice that had been directed at the Virgos on their march to Dark Mountain emanated from this one being. At last, they had discovered the true source of the troubles on Xenon III: Pharox!

But then Benton saw something that really turned his blood cold. On the other side of the fiery channel, he could see Captain Stephen Maruu! He seemed to be restrained somehow, and there was a hooded figure standing behind him. This entire ceremony seemed aimed at the captain, and that couldn't be good! Then the hooded figure stepped forward and lifted his cowl. It was another Stephen Maruu! But this one was dressed in the garb of the Horde!

All these observation took less than two seconds, of course. As soon as Benton and Sitto came crashing out of their tunnel into the chamber, the drumming and chanting stopped and all the Hordes' attention turned to the two intruders.

Benton and Sitto both let fly with their wrist-crossbows, and three Horde drummers dropped right off the bat, but the rest drew weapons and charged.

Suddenly, out of other doorways along this side of the chamber, Thuddius, Francesca, and Dweezle burst amid a hail of bolts. The Horde attack lost its momentum, and the hand-to-hand battle was joined. Benton could see Thudd mowing down Horde as he tried to get to the captain. Francesca was keeping to the sidelines, picking off
stragglers with her crossbows. Sitto was taking on two opponents at once.

Suddenly, Benton found himself face to face with a very large Horde. It snarled at him and hissed in a raspy voice, "Azhnagh doash fencha poo!" It swung its wicked idej at Benton's head.

As Benton ducked under the blow, a peculiar tint on the blade caught his attention. The cutting edge was coated with some sort of oily substance. *Poison!* thought Benton frantically. *The tiniest nick will likely kill!*

Even as he dodged the Horde's first blow, in one smooth movement he slipped his own slender blade from its sheath and delivered a backhanded counterblow beneath the Horde's guard that managed to slice its leg deep.

The Horde bellowed in rage and pain, and clawed at its wound. Benton took advantage of its distraction and kicked the poisoned idej from its hand, then quickly finished it off with one quick thrust.

As Azhnagh slipped off his sword blade and onto the floor, Benton heard a warning shout from somewhere behind him. He tried to twist away from the new attack, but the second Horde leader's blade sliced a shallow furrow in his left biceps.

"Mordamo farthuk naghpur!" it screamed at him as it swung its idej again.

Benton barely managed to deflect the blow. He tried several times to get through Mordamo's defenses, but wasn't able to. He seemed to be getting weaker by the minute. His left arm felt like it was on fire. Mordamo was now pushing Benton back toward the burning chasm.

The Horde paused, sensing that victory was near. Suddenly, it roared in pain and began frantically trying to reach something out of reach on its back. Benton didn't wait to figure out what had happened, he simply took advantage of the break he had been handed. He lunged forward with his blade and took the Horde Mordamo through the chest.

Mordamo grimaced, then toppled forward onto the floor with a mighty crash. Spot was dislodged from Mordamo's back by the shock of the impact and rolled a few feet to come to rest against Benton's boot. He
chirped innocently.

Benton was glad to see his old friend, but couldn't imagine how Spot got out of the pouch and onto the Horde's back. He looked about. His teammates had taken care of the other two Horde leaders, and the few remaining Horde were giving scant resistance.

Suddenly, his legs gave way and Benton landed hard on his knees. His sword fell from his suddenly numb hand and clattered on the floor in front of him. He remembered the wound on his arm from Mordamo's idej
and instantly guessed what had happened. *So, this is how it ends,* he thought. With that, he tipped forward and landed on top of the slain Mordamo.

The sounds of the battle seemed to recede into the background. As if from a great distance, Benton thought he heard Spot screeching and a woman shouting his name. Then, someone turned him over so he was face-up. Gentle arms cradled his head. His eyes fluttered open and he saw that it was Francesca.

Then everything went dark.
 

Title: "Judgement Day" (Part 1 of 3)
Author: Captain Stephen Maruu
Stardate: 2460307
Earthdate: April 22, 2383
Location: Xenon III

Stephen awoke to find himself strapped to a large stake hovering over a pit of boiling lava. He could barely see what was going on around him. Stephen could see red figures flying around him.

Stephen looked behind him to see his twin is a dark robe. Behind his twin stood four Horde in similar robes. At his sides sat six Horde drummers chanting a demonic song. Their robes were less ornate as compared to the four Horde standing.

The evil Stephen was chanting in an alien language. "Ekto poo rrhuha lamha! Pharox, kali mantari ordello! Morthog, Nazboor, Mordamo, Azhnagh, ikto lerrho main! Pharox, kali mantari ordello! Kali mantari ordello norrh poo! Stephen ikto poo, Pharox!"

The good Stephen could tell this meant trouble for him. Specially when the lava began to rise and take shape. From the lava came a figure that embodied unparalleled evil.

Pharox.

The figure rose and began to hover above the lava. Suddenly, other figures began to develop in the lava. A drop of sweat dripped from Stephen's forehead and into the lava. That seemed to make the beings in the lava stronger.

The evil Stephen approached his twin. "It's time to die, bro." He grabbed his twin by the hair and made him face the lava. "Those are Pharox's brothers and sisters: the Lorean gods. They were placed there by Kalmar and his little buddies. They need a pure soul to feed on so they can be free. That's why they want you. Then, the Loreans will go around the universe freeing the beings of evil so that they may bring judgement upon the universe. The Pagh'wraiths of Bajor, trapped by the Prophets and then by Commodore Benjamin Sisko less than 10 years ago. The Klingon gods, defeated and destroyed by Kahless. Satan and his demons of Earth, defeated by Archangel Michael and once again by the return of Jesus in the early 21-century. Evil has been defeated all over the galaxy time and time again. Now is when good dies. Your death will begin a chain reaction in the universe. Evil will rise, and the entire universe will lay in flames! The stench of death will permeate the cosmos!" He threw Stephen's face against the stake. "Now, this will hurt a whole lot and for all of eternity." He smiled wickedly. "There is nothing to worry about."

Pharox's darkness began to envelop Stephen. A burning pain began to tear through his body.

Suddenly, Benton and Sitto Lan interrupted the sacrifice.

The Horde began to disassemble and attack the intruders.

Stephen yelled, "No! No! We have to finish the ceremony!"

The Horde paid no heed. They attacked the Virgo intruders and the Borial demi-god.

While the evil Stephen was distracted, the good one began to work on the knots with which he was tied. Suddenly, Stephen saw something moving. A little hairy ball. Stephen recognized it. "Spot," he whispered. "Over here."

The little half-Tribble hobbled over to Stephen.

"Can you undo these knots?"

Spot immediately chirped and began to bite on the knots.

"Oh! If this works I will personally see that Garek installs a replicator into your cage so you can eat all the jelly doughnuts you want, whenever you want!"

As Spot finished the last knot, he thought, *It is good to have friends in high places!*

Stephen jumped off the stake. "Now, Spot, go find Benton and keep him safe."

Spot chirped and ran off.

The evil Stephen felt someone tap his shoulder. "What?!" The next thing he saw was a fist coming at his face. Stephen fell back on the floor. "Ow!" He looked up at his good twin. "Damn, you hit hard!" He stood up. He pulled out a knife and tried to stab his twin twice but missed. "You know, I always though Maruu was pretty stupid. The family name is dumb. Did you know our entire family is filled with good, kind, innocent people that want to spread the 'love of the Prophets' throughout the galaxy? It's sad."

Stephen kept his eye on his evil twin. "You are not part of my family."

"That's right. That's why I'm changing my name. What do you think of Kosst Stephen? The son of Kosst Amojen, the leader of the Pagh'wriaths. It's appropriate. Oh wait! The Federation switches Bajoran names around right? So that would be Stephen Kosst. I like it. What do you think?"

Stephen Maruu gave no answer.

"Ah, who cares what you think!" Stephen Kosst lunged at Stephen Maruu.

Maruu jumped out of the way, and Kosst fell into the lava pit. Maruu quickly ran to the edge to see his twin fall into the lava. Instead, he saw Kosst fall onto a ledge none had noticed before. It led to a small cavern.

Kosst looked up and smiled. "Pharox has given me new orders!" yelled Stephen Kosst. "Evil loses today, but this is not the end! We will meet again brother!" He ran into the cavern. A darkness seemed to follow him in.

The next thing they all heard was a humming noise. The cave began to shake. Suddenly, an explosion shook the cave. A vessel of some sort blasted through the rock and out of the cave. It flew into the dark sky and disappeared in a flash of blue light. The vessel had gone to warp.

Suddenly, Thuddius and Francesca ran up to Stephen Maruu. "The mountain is collapsing!" yelled Thuddius. "We need to escape now!"

Suddenly, a voice resonated through their minds. ~That will not be necessary.~

The group was transported to Stonefist, which lay in ruins. The Borial/Virgo/Aody forces watched in awe as the massive mountain tore itself apart. Boulders and huge slices of the mountain plummeted down into the murky waters below. The mountain disappeared from the landscape. Just as that happened, the clouds in the sky began to clear. The night sky became visible and the stars in the distance illuminated the night. Nature had taken its first step into restoring the area surrounding Stonefist to its original beauty.
 

Title: "Judgement Day" (Part 2 of 3)
Author: Captain Stephen Maruu
Stardate: 2460307
Earthdate: April 22, 2383
Location: Xenon III

The Virgos, Borials, Aody, and Horde prisoners disappeared from the Stonefist area.

The Borials, Aody, and Horde prisoners reappeared at Noran. They all received a message. ~Now, the war is over. The land must rest and be reborn.~
________________________________________

The Virgos reappeared in a white room. They're uniforms had been returned. Phasers were at their sides. Everything was back to normal. Garek noticed he could see from both eyes. Richard was amazed to see his hand back in place. Benton was in perfect health.

A voice resonated in the room. ~Congratulations. You have succeeded. The Great War is over. The Aody are free.~

Maruu walked forward. "What of the Horde?"

~The Horde will be relearn civilization. They will become a peace-loving race. They will be friends of the Borials and the Aody. They will multiply and create a loving harmony on this planet.~

Lataro walked forward. "And the *Virgo*?"

~We have taken the liberty of repairing her. She is good as new. She functions beautifully. The vessel is orbiting Xenon III as we speak. You will find that we have stocked up your cargo bays with the materials you came here for: duranium, tridanium, dilithium, trilithium, quadilithium, etc. However, we decided that the installation of your cloaking device must be your achievement.~

Nori walked forward. "The crew?"

~Those still alive have been repaired. We are not allowed to disturb the dead.~

"Who does not allow you to?"

~We do not allow ourselves.~ Kalmar changed the subject. ~You still have things to do on Xenon III. All is not over. One more sun must pass over the sky before you leave the planet. Enjoy it as you wish.~

The Virgo crew disappeared once more.
________________________________________

They reappeared at Noran, where the streets were filled with laughter and joy. The Borials were celebrating.

Maruu saw all the fun and turned to his crew. "Ladies and gentlemen. For a month now we have been warriors of a different time. Now, we are about to leave this planet and once again become Starfleet officers. Until then, there and make the most of
it! "

The crew ran into Noran and began to celebrate.

Nori stayed behind. "I love the way you captain, Captain."

Maruu smiled. "I like my job."

She put her arms around Maruu's neck and kissed him.

Maruu felt something in his tunic. He put his hand in his pocket and felt a round, hollow object.

Maruu felt Kalmar's voice. ~I know you wanted to do it when you got back to the *Virgo*, but now is much more
appropriate.~

Knowing now what the object was, Maruu began, "Dana, you've noticed how Neklus considers us husband and wife. I've always had a bad feeling in my heart about lying to him. And that's what I've been doing for a month. The time has come to turn a lie into a truth." He kissed her, kneeled down, and pulled out the object. It was a beautiful ring in Bajoran style made of pure latinum. "Lt. Commander Dana Nori, will you marry me?"

She smiled and shed a tear. "Yes! I will marry you!"

Maruu stood up and placed the ring on her finger. Then, he kissed her passionately on the lips.

It was only then that they noticed the population of Noran observing them. They all began to applaud and cheer.

Maruu and Nori, blind to the hoopla occurring around them, continued to kiss.
 

Title: "Judgement Day" (Part 3 of 3)
Author: Captain Stephen Maruu
Stardate: 2460310
Earthdate: April 23, 2383
Location: Xenon III

A Borial version of "Here Comes the Bride" was playing. Neklus, taking the place of his dead high priest, was going to preside over the wedding as king of Noran. The crew of the *Virgo* stood at the sides of the walkway that lead from the gate of the Keep to the palace. Captain Maruu stood in traditional Borial wedding garments. They had been convinced to have a Borial wedding by Neklus. Commander Lataro was bringing Nori down the aisle up to Neklus and Maruu. Four Borial flower girls walked behind them spreading flowers all over the aisle.

Maruu greeted them at Kalmar's altar. "My friend," he said as he shook Lataro's hand. "My love," he said as he held Nori in his arms.

Neklus told them to kneel and face him. He was dressed in magnificent clothing. He had the look of a King and the eyes of a god. There was definitely a god directing his actions.

Neklus began, "Today is a great day for the Borial nation. The Great War is finally over. We are amidst celebration. Now, we are here to join these two vessels of our great protector Kalmar in a union of souls. They will be one, and they will be forever united in spirit so that none will be alone, in this life, or in the lives to come."

A little Borial girl brought forth two beautiful Bajoran-style rings. Kalmar, no doubt, arranged that as well.

Neklus gave one ring to Maruu and asked him to place in on her ring finger. Then, he did the same to Nori.

The Borial girl then gave Neklus a Borial-style ring. It was large enough to fit two fists and made of a beautiful intertwined mix of gold and silver, very valuable on this planet.

Neklus had Maruu and Nori place their hands into the ring. Then he continued, "With this ring I bound thee eternally. Your souls are one. No mortal power may henceforth separate thee. Be one. Be one in Kalmar!" There was a flash of light in the sky, then two eagles united at the wings flew overhead, then everything went back to normal. He removed the ring and said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Stephen Maruu and Dana Maruu began kissing each other passionately.
_________________________________________________

Midway through the party that followed, everyone covered their eyes at another flash of light in the sky. This one was much brighter than the last. A beautiful owl flew down from the heavens and perched itself on Kalmar's altar. The owl looked at the statue of Kalmar and bowed its head in sorrow. Then, it flew in front of Captain Maruu and began to transform. It began to grow arms, legs. Eventually, it became a man. The man had a wonderful aura of white light.

Suddenly, the Borial members of the party kneeled down in prayer.

The man, humbled by the action, turned around and said, "That is not necessary. Please rise."

Maruu looked the man in the eyes and saw that they were black. Then he looked beyond. The vastness of space. He had been before time was time. He had seen the Big Bang. He had seen the birth of the Creation. A flash of light shone in his eyes now. He was a Prophet. Stephen understood that now. He wasn't a Bajoran Prophet, but he was a Prophet. Maruu also kneeled down before him. "Prophet. How may I serve you?"

The crew was amazed at their captain's show of humility.

Kalmar smiled. "Stephen, please don't do that. I come to request that I join your crew. Your twin is out there somewhere in the ship the Horde arrived on with a free Pharox. Together, they could cause much damage to the delicate balance of nature. He must be stopped. I want to help."

Stephen rose. "I am honored. Of course you may join us."

"Thank you."

"But what of the Borials? What will they do without a protector?"

Kalmar smiled again, with that smile that filled a million hearts with glee. "My brothers, the Borial gods, have already chosen a successor." He signaled for Thuddius to come to him. "My son will be a great protector. He showed great bravery in the War and must be repaid for his show of courage."

The giant Borial was overwhelmed with joy. He was going to be joining the gods as the protector of the Borial nation.

Benton looked sideways at Francesca. She looked stricken by the announcement of Thuddius' ascension.

Francesca understood that Thudd had to do what he had to do. She wrestled with her own feelings, but in the end decided that it would be best if she let him down easy. She detached herself from the crowd and walked over to her former protector and newly-elevated supreme being.

She walked up to Thudd and put her hand on his giant gold-clad arm. Thudd looked at her and opened his mouth as if to say something, but she cut him off and said, "Thudd. Don't say anything. Just let me get this off my chest, okay?"

She seemed uncharacteristically unsure of herself, searching for the right words. "There have been, uh... certain feelings between us." She smiled up at Thudd. "But both you and I know it would never have worked out. It's for the best." Francesca patted Thudd's arm. "After all, I'm a city girl, and you're a... a... well... you're a god now. I guess. Don't feel bad, Thudd. There'll be other women. You'll get over me eventually."

Thudd looked at her with a quizzical expression.

Francesca smiled up at Thudd. On impulse, she stood on her tip-toes and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. Then she turned and walked away from him before she could change her mind. She latched onto Benton's arm and towed him after her. "Come on Benton. Let's go," she said with a little sniffle. She didn't want to stay here any longer.

Thudd watched her go.

Kalmar again turned to Thudd. "Son, continue my work. Ensure the long-lasting peace and prosperity of this planet!" A light enveloped came over Thudd. It began to lift him into the heavens. He flew up, up, over the citadel. Then, there was a flash of light, and he was gone.

Maruu said to one Virgo, we have to go. That Virgo passed the news around. Eventually, every crewmember got word. Goodbyes were exchanged. Tears fell. Neklus wished the two Maruus many years of happiness.

The Virgos all began to assemble. Kalmar addressed the Borials. "The War is over. Be free my people! May you all live in peace and love for all eternity!"

The Borials cheered.

Kalmar waved his hand and all the Virgos vanished.
_________________________________________________

The senior staff gathered in The Day's End Lounge. The captain addressed them all. "After all that has happened I wanted to award some well-earned promotions. Valdago came forward with the black cases carrying pips. Maruu took them all. "Lt. Zano..."

"Lt. Zano is dead, sir," answered Lt. Sinclair.

Lieutenant JG Jenara Tomme said, "Lt. M'Terrn also didn't return from Xenon III."

Maruu bowed his head in sorrow. "Well, Lt. Tomme, you'll have to step forward then." He continued, "For your bravery on Xenon III, I grant you the rank of full Lieutenant." He placed the pips on her neck. "Lieutenant JG Richard Wallace, for your bravery on Xenon III, I also grant you the rank of full Lieutenant." He placed the pips on his neck. "Ensign Sitto Lan, for your bravery on Xenon III, I grant you the rank of full Lieutenant Junior Grade." He placed the pips on his neck. "Lieutenant Benton, for your bravery on Xenon III, I grant you the rank of full Lieutenant Commander." He placed the pips on his neck. "Lieutenant Garek Loran, for your bravery on Xenon III, I also grant you the rank of full Lieutenant Commander." He placed the pips on his neck. "Finally, First Lieutenant Johnny Chee, for your bravery on Xenon III and your amazing leadership capabilities, I grant you the rank of Major." He placed the pips on his neck.

The group congratulated each other. Maruu continued, "Well, Lt. Commander Maruu and myself will be in Holodeck One for the next month or so. I expect not to be disturbed. "Commander Lataro, you know what to do."

Lataro smiled. "Yes, sir!"

The newlyweds left the DEL for their honeymoon.