LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - In Bad Faith
Travis
((Facility KTF-031 | Medara | Betazed ~ A while later))
The team was back in the Lev-sled, doing their best to look like a work party and not a resistance group that had just knocked out a squad of Jem’Hadar enforcers.
Talos wasn’t one hundred percent certain, but some of the resistance members almost seemed emboldened by the unexpected victory. Everyone except Nieran, who seemed particularly on edge.
He couldn’t really blame the man. They’d survived the initial firefight, but that didn’t guarantee anything. Every strange noise he heard on the wind sounded like the telltale drone of an alarm.
Sooner or later, someone would notice the missing gate guards and they’d be in a world of hurt.
Savel: I do not believe there will be any further resistance between the checkpoint and the factory. We should use this time to rest, it will be our last chance.
Assuming the alarm wasn’t raised, Talos agreed with that assessment.
Dakora: You’re probably right, but stay alert. ::He frowned.:: When they realize the gate guards are missing they’re going to bring all four hells down on us at once.
Leera: Response?
Nieran glanced over his shoulder at the team in the back of the sled and, not for the first time, Talos felt a swell of mixed emotions from the man.
There was that same nervous energy, but for the briefest of moments, there was a pang of something else.
Guilt? Maybe. It was hard to say.
Dwayx: We’ll be there before long. Just keep your heads down.
Talos gaze shifted to his team; Savel seemingly taking a moment to meditate as Chevalier mouthed something quietly to himself.
Was it a prayer?
Not particularly religious himself, Talos found himself almost jealous. It would be nice to place their fate in the hands of some higher power, rather than a cascading series of branching paths decided by skill and chance.
Chevalier: ::whispers as he sings:: There is no glory nor greatness found here, no tales of valiance, or of courage over fear, no survival instincts, only faith, innate. You are the third child, born with the sin…
Talos watched as Jaseb settled into his bench seat, continuing his quiet hymn.
Chevalier: ::whispers as he sings:: We're expendable, a tool in His plans.
Finally, his gaze shifted to his mother. Worry was evident on her face, but she still managed to exude strength and confidence.
He closed his eyes, trying to save the image in his mind forever. He wanted to take it with him, even when they were returned to their timeline.
Though, he supposed, that wasn’t necessarily guaranteed.
Their vehicle trundled along until they were in the shadow of the massive facility. Its brutalist, industrial architecture standing in contrast to the elegant, flowing Betazoid structures that should’ve stood in its place.
Dakora: Holy strokes… it’s even bigger up close.
Savel chimed in with an observation.
Savel: It does not appear that the alarm has been raised here. There is very little activity.
Chevalier: No welcoming committee? I think we can survive, Mr. Savel. ::turns to Nieran:: Any information on local patrols within our contemplated area of operation, Nieran?
As the sled slowed to a stop near the base of the towering facility, the surly engineer turned to face them.
Dwayx: They make regular rounds, usually on the hour. But they’re used to seeing work parties around. They only give us trouble when they’re bored… usually.
Frowning, Talos spoke up.
Dakora: They certainly won’t be bored when they realize what went down at the gate. Let’s get moving.
Leera: Response?
Savel was the first to disembark and the others soon followed, hefting their tool bags and trying to look casual as they clambered down out of the vehicle.
Savel: Any final directives before we begin, Commander? Leera?
Talos swallowed. He had the distinct feeling that something was wrong, but he couldn’t point to any one specific thing.
Chalking it up to nerves, he replied.
Dakora: Just remember, as soon as the charges are set, we’re on a strict timeline to get the hells out of there. Don’t get held up.
Leera: Response
Chevalier’s prayers… or words of affirmation or whatever they were began anew.
Chevalier: ::whispers:: Listen only to the sound of the voice. Let your mind relax. Let your thoughts drift…
Stepping up beside the group, Nieran motioned for them to follow.
Dwayx: Come on. ::He stepped up to the heavy maintenance door.:: Looking like we’re lollygagging is sure to draw unwanted attention.
A swipe of Nieran’s access card opened the doors and revealed the dimly lit, industrial corridor beyond. Boots clanged off of the metal walkway as they entered the belly of the beast.
Eventually, they reached a junction; the pre-determined point where the groups would split up.
A part of Talos wondered if it could really be this easy, even as the tactician in him understood the propensity for complacency by a superior occupying force.
As Nieran, Chevalier and a couple of resistance soldiers prepared to make the treacherous trek to the exhaust ports, the Ops Officer paused for just a moment.
Chevalier: So, wish us luck, commander. Commander. Ensign… Good luck to you.
Talos grinned, despite himself.
Dakora: Break a leg, Jaseb. ::He patted the man on the shoulder firmly.:: Meet you at the exfil point.
Nieran grumbled from beside Jaseb.
Dwayx: We need to go. Now.
Savel/Leera: Response
As Chevalier and his group disappeared out of sight, Talos felt the pressure to get his team moving. They needed to have these charges set and to be long gone in less than the next twenty minutes.
They had their work cut out for them.
Dakora: This way.
((Heat Exchanger Control Room - Facility KTF-031 - Medara, Betazed 2376))
Stacked up on both sides of the door to the control room with their weapons at the ready, Talos nodded to Savel and touched Nieran’s access badge to the control panel.
The door slid open with a whoosh and they executed a smooth breach, Savel leading the way and Talos following right behind him. A resistance fighter and his mother brought up the rear as they surged out into the control room.
But this was all wrong.
This room should’ve been staffed with Dominion Engineers at all times, but as Talos and Savel’s weapons swept the blinking consoles and displays in the dimly lit space, there was no one to be found.
Dakora: ::To Savel:: Is this the right place? Where is everyone?
Even as he hoped they’d made a wrong turn somewhere, the bad feeling in his gut told him that they were in trouble.
Savel/Leera: Response
Without warning, the room lights illuminated fully and a gravelly, Jem’Hadar voice called out to them from a raised walkway above.
Enforcer: Drop your weapons or die!
Somehow the Dominion forces had been expecting them and as Talos stared up at the squad of Jem’Hadar Enforcers that had them pinned down, his mind raced frantically to try and find some way out of the hopeless situation.
Savel/Leera: Response?
TAG/TBC
LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0