[FANFIC] "The Prize"

[Doomriser]

Prologue

"Mommy, mommy!" rang the delightful squeal of the tiny child.
"I'm coming, Bryan," said Aria Bephri. She hurried over to greet her
children who had awoken early for this favoured morning ritual. Little
Maria could barely speak, and instead chirped,
"We go to flower place today??"
"Yes, Maria," said Bephri. They would go down to the flowerbed valley
where the freshest, sweetest water flowed from a shiny blue lake.
There, they could scoop water from the stream or use the groundwater
well. Yes, thought Aria, it had been worth holding on to this colony.
The Federation and Cardassians had wanted them to leave, but there
wasn't a world like this for thousands of light years. The three happy
figured galloped across the hills, through forests and towards the
lake. When they reached the valley, Aria wondered in amazement at how
anyone could be expected to leave this paradise for some Federation
bubble-colony on a desert world. Aria advanced to the well, since her
children were to small to reach over the top of the rocky structure. As
she reached over to grab the bucket, she heard a faint clicking noise.

With a low mind-shattering rumble, the entire rocky structure exploded
beneath her feet. Aria was tossed through the air like a leaf as
fragments sliced through her body like wet tissue. Her vision became
spotty and she could not see her children through the hail of dirt and
shrapnel. Before she hit the ground, she had already lost
consciousness.

Aria struggled to stay conscious, and did not know how much time had
passed. In her pain and loss of blood, she could only make out bits and
pieces of what seemed to be a conversation.
"-hit-mine...planted...Cardassian...-kids-dead....get-hospital."
"My children, my chil-" she managed to gasp. Then she blacked out. When
she awoke in the hospital, she was the only patient.
"Where- are my children," she wheezed. The attendant could only look at
her sadly. It was then Aria noticed she had no legs. Half of her body
was covered in burns and deep cuts, looking like a half-cooked meal of
real meat. Things would clearly never be the same. Since this colony
had been deprived of the protection and support of the Federation, they
were on their own in Cardassian space. There would be no bio-gel
prosthetics, no cloned limbs, just whatever framework of plastic and
metal the doctors could work up. Worst of all, there would be no
children. To Bephri, it now felt as if it was up to her to protect the
children of the colony. She would start training now.

[Doomriser]

Chapter 1

The Imperator Star Destroyer _Exterminator_ spun through space like a
slowly twisting arrowhead as it tried to align the escaping Mon Cal
warship in its primary firing arc. A vortex of stars rotated
sickeningly until the dorsal engine array of the Rebel MC40 became
visible in the Exterminator's main bridge viewer. Without any orders
being given, a barrage of luminescent ion bolts emanated from the heavy
batteries. As crisscrossing steams of energy played over the failing
systems of the enemy starship, the Chief Gunnery Officer reported,
"Target disabled, Sir."
"Excellent," snapped Captain Nebar'cha, "assign all assault transports
to board. What is the status-" Suddenly, half a dozen of the Rebel's
nimble A-Wing fighters shot towards the bridge.

"They're firing mag pulse," shouted a technician. As the warheads
impacted on the bridge shields, there was a bright flash from
electrostatic and magnetic discharge.
"Shields down to-"
"Shut up!" howled Nebar'cha, "Where' that last vessel?"
"The Rebel Blockade Runner is skirting the edge of a black hole and is
attempting to draw us in," said the tactical officer.
"{It has no chance of winning in direct combat, so it hopes to use its
superior speed to force us into that hostile area,}" pondered
Nebar'cha.

Nebar'cha observed the black hole, which almost appeared to be
_extruding_ material, causing a spinning-gas effect like a rare spiral
nebula. The Rebel vessel was out of visual range. Then, the stealthy
Rebel fighters came in for another pass. This time, the guns were ready
and bright green bolts lanced out from the antistarfighter batteries.
Two A-Wings were smashed to pieces as terrawatts of energy crashed
through their thin cluttered hulls. An engine fragment hurtled towards
the bridge viewports and was atomized by the shielding.
"Typical Rebel tactic," he snorted, "Trying to detract our attention
from the stricken prey with that A-Wing slash maneuver. Now it's time
to show those scum that not everyone in the Outer Rim Fleet is a bunch
of sand farmers who couldn't hit the Death Star with a broadside!
Signal the _Inferno_ to exit at grid 317-112-952."
"Aye, Sir," grinned the communications officer mischievously.

Appearing out of nowhere at a million kilometers away, an ISD-II
wrenched through space, opening fire and charging towards the Corellian
Corvette. A few shots managed to graze the hopeless Rebel vessel. But
instead of engaging in evasive maneuvers or a desperate last ditch
defense, the Ion Cannon salvo had triggered a thruster malfunction in
the stricken vessel. Aided by the gravity of the black hole, the
warship careened helplessly towards the dark destroyer of matter. As
the small vessel tumbled end over end, escape pods were launched with
nowhere to go but towards some measure of survival: the Imperial
vessels.

"Well done, Katanor," commended Nebar'cha to the holographic
representation of the junior Captain of the _Inferno_, "I could not
have run it any better myself."
"Sir," replied Katanor, "initial reports from prisoner interrogations
are that the Rebels were searching for a new hiding place for the
remnants of their fleet."
"Well, they won't be trying that again. Kriffing Hoth runaways,"
cackled Nebar'cha.

He sighed as he watched a magnified image of the black hole devouring
the Corvette. The raw power of nature had not been fully conquered to
Nebar'cha's satisfaction. He squinted, noticing that the Corvette
seemed to be tumbling down into the black hole without being ripped
apart from gravitational forces. Well, he wasn't an astrophysicist so
it was not of much concern.
"Captain, IPV-7 reports smugglers in sub-sector 12A."
"Again?" groaned Nebar'cha, "I'm going start shooting Corellian vessels
on sight. Set course, engage the hyperdrive on my Mark... Mark." There
was a barely perceptible fluctuation in reality, and the ISD shot into
hyperspace.

***

Raw deal. That was the term Lieutenant Aria Bephri would have used to
describe the treaty terms of the Federation Colonies in Cardassian
space. The high and mighty Federation, with all of its principles, had
abandoned its colonists as pawns in a peace deal. To no-one's surprise,
the Cardassians had begun acts of terrorism and ethnic cleansing in the
hopes of removing the Federation colonists. She had first hand
experience in that respect, and it had given her a will to fight almost
unseen in humans, even among the Federation colonists known as the
Maquis.

"Yes, Federation colonists," mulled Bephri, noting how the colonists
were still under Federation laws and restrictions, yet not entitled to
Federation protection. The problem was that these colonists were hard
people, settlers and farmers who were a long way from Starfleet
headquarters. Their docility was not on par with Federation standards,
and gave surprising resistance to the Cardassian forces. It had been
two years since Bephri's children had been killed by a Cardassian bomb,
but her resolve had only strengthened as she watched more and more
colonists succumb to bombs, disruptors, sabotage, and poison. She had
watched as Cardassians rounded up suspected 'terrorists' into camps,
claiming the Maquis planets as a Cardassian 'birthright' or some
bullshit like that.

Ever since the Federation had labeled them as outlaws and started
inspecting ships moving through the DMZ, it had been like open hunting
season on the Maquis. This sickened officers such as Bephri, who had
lost relatives to real state terrorism. The Maquis had grown
considerably in size and power, however, as there had been multiple
defections of Starfleet officers. Whether this was an indicator of weak
loyalty to the Federation or strong sympathies for these freedom
fighters was unclear. What was clear was that there was a great deal of
combat between Maquis and Cardassian warships. Most of the time, the
Maquis hunted for commercial and supply vessels. Some, like Lt.
Bephri's Raider operating near the Badlands, often ran into enemy
escort vessels instead.

"I've identified the sensor contacts," reported Crewman Skayhan, the
sensor operator, "they are three Hideki-class patrol vessels."
"Break off our pursuit," ordered Bephri.
"Too late!" shouted Skayhan, sounding shaky, "They are moving on an
intercept course. Estimated time to intercept is two minutes." Bephri
mentally thanked her adequate sensors, though she knew that she was in
a tough situation. Even the normally calm Skayhan was a bit unnerved.
This jury-rigged Courier vessel was never meant to operate as a Raider,
on the other hand it had some high-tech Federation technology
installed. Still, they had almost run headlong into a Cardassian
patrol.
"We're outnumbered 3 to 1! I don't like these odds, even if we are in
the Badlands," claimed Ensign Shimazaki. Bephri waved her tactical
officer aside.
"Cut it, Kaz. Helm, take us on heading 016 mark 4."
"That's a black hole!" stated the incredulous crewman Skayhan.
"Perfect. We can lose them around there," said Lieutenant Bephri.

[RayCav of ASVS]

WHY DON'T YOU JUST FRIGGIN' FINISH THE DAMN THING?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Sorry, this is perhaps the best non-Chuck/Wong ASVS fanfic there is and I want it done NOW!!!!

Sorry, impatient

[Mr Bean]

Wong's was ok but if you want good go read Mark S's or Stravo's Those are quite intresting

[Durandal]

I liked Mike's because of the overall story arch. The link between the two worlds was a very cool and original concept.

Although, he did tend to get preachy on the political front, and he just couldn't help but work in some Imperial technology bragging. :)

[Mr Bean]

That and he did old back SW alot, Oh and the Werid Picard Jania stuff.... ugghh disturbing

Though he got Q dead on along with messing with the head of the OTHER Admiral

[Doomriser]

WHY DON'T YOU JUST FRIGGIN' FINISH THE DAMN THING?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Sorry, this is perhaps the best non-Chuck/Wong ASVS fanfic there is and I want it done NOW!!!!

Sorry, impatient

1. My editors are both unavaliable at this time.

2. Gotta finish Final Flamewar first.

[Doomriser]

Chapter 2

Bephri had considered her options carefully, and began biting her
fingernails. She could have attempted to outrun her pursuers in a
straight-line chase, but that would have drawn the Cardassians further
into Maquis controlled space. It was irrelevant now as the decision had
been made. The black hole was easily visible in this area of the
badlands. Ionized plasma and other assorted gasses coalesced around the
gaping maw. On cue, three ugly bulbous-nosed, tan-coloured craft,
obscured by the ambient gases, exited warp. These vessels could outgun
and outlast Bephri Raider, the_Hawk_, but her craft had superior
maneuverability and sensors. This was an advantage she was prepared to
use to the maximum.

"Take us in further," ordered Bephri.
"There is great deal of ionized plasma at the edge of the black hole,
sir. Sensors will be affected and we will lose shields," mentioned
Crewman Skayhan.
"That should even the odds," commented Ensign Kaz. The three Cardassian
starships appeared intermittently on the static-filled main viewer and
Bephri guessed that the Cardassian vessels, with their inferior
sensors, did not even have this benefit. They were even staying close
together to avoid losing sight of each other and subsequently getting
lost.
"Helm, take us around 360 degrees and plot a course to intercept their
squadron from the port side."
"Aye, sir."
"Sensors, lock in as soon as we are on course."
"Yes, sir"
"Weapons, arm phasers and microtorpedoes as soon as we are locked in."
"Ready, sir."

From the weapons lock, the Cardassians were able to detect the Maquis
Raider. But by then, it was too late. Spitting phaser fire and
microtorpedoes, the Raider lined the Cardassians up for some withering
enfilade fire. Photon Torpedoes cratered the nose of the first Hideki,
phasers scorched the hull of the next, and a second volley of torpedoes
impacted directly in the warp core of the third. Bephri's Raider
shuddered as the third Hideki detonated in a multi-megaton explosion.
She could see the second Hideki on fire from its proximity to the
detonation. The first had recovered from the hull damage and was
aligning itself to attack the Raider.

"Bring us back into the gas cloud," ordered Bephri. Attempting to
follow the Raider by its engine emissions, the Hideki had to tail the
vessel closely. This was its last mistake. A microtorpedo shot out from
the engine area of the Raider right into the Hideki's bridge.
"Yee-haw!" cried Aria, "I've never done anything like that before. That
was some nice shooting, Kaz."
"Thank you, sir," acknowledged the tactical officer.
"The Cardassians are to blame for their ease of destruction. I don't
think that they have attuned their sensors and shielding to the
Badlands as we have," suggested Lt. (jg) Ro.
"Pfffbh," snorted Aria, "typical answer from an ex-Starfleet
crewmember."
"Your piloting wasn't too bad either, Ro." commented Aria, "where did
you learn maneuvers like that? Certainly not in the Federation!"
"Well, when you're with the Bajoran resistance for-" started Ro until
she was interrupted by Crewman Skayhan, "Sir, unidentified starship
detected! Bearing 327 mark 4!"
"On screen."

The viewscreen displayed a strange-looking hammerhead vessel with a
huge impulse array and no visible warp drive spinning slowly away from
the black hole.
"It appears to be derelict, sir. It's at least twice the size of our
ship. There are no lifeform readings and no power readings from the
vessel. A number of what appear to have been escape pods have been
jettisoned."
"Can we beam a boarding party aboard?"
"I wouldn't try it," said Skayhan, "the armor on that vessel appears to
be very dense. It could cause complications, at least for our little
transporters." Aria looked at the darkened vessel and noticed that what
appeared to be a cargo hold hatch, leisurely swinging in the vacuum of
space.
"Can we beam a party into that area?"
"It will require some synchronisation," answered the sensor operator,
"but it is possible." Bephri almost salivated at the prospect of
acquiring a freighter-sized vessel that appeared to be built for
combat.
"Get a boarding party suited up and ready to go."

Ensign Kaz, third in rank seniority after Bephri, had a concerned look
on his face. And it was not because people always butchered his name,
either.
"Sir," he said, "Commander Hudson is going to be expecting us at the RV
point. We can't tell them about our discovery from here. It would be
unwise to send a transmission from the Badlands in which we are
supposed to be hiding."
"You're right. I'll make the boarding party self-sufficient inside, and
we'll meet up almost on schedule. Then, hopefully we can return with a
prize crew."

Aria would really have liked to explore the ship as well, but she was
obviously not in ideal condition to do so. Now, she had to use a
hoverchair to move around, and was really only suited for starship
duty. But in that field, she was unparalleled. The Maquis Raider could
carry up to 30 passengers for short periods of time, and today it was
carrying 10 armed boarders and some engineers in case they managed to
capture a vessel. The grunts would be sent in first. Bephri had
requested that the most experienced soldiers be sent first because she
wanted no screw-ups, so Sergeant Burnett and Master Corporal Dalton
stood on the two transporter pads. As the Raider passed over the
consistently open area of the hold, the two marines beamed in. The
Raider then decelerated to match speed with the open area.

With their magnetic boots activated, the two marines floated down to
the deck. Activating the flashlights on their phaser rifles, they were
greeted by an empty grey cargo bay. A ladder was visible at the far
end, and it appeared to lead to a metal frame platform above which was
a ladder to a higher deck. There were two doors that looked like
airlocks, one in the metal frame and the other above the highest
ladder. Apparently, by the inconvenient set-up, this area was not
frequented by the crew. The queasily-moving starry background was
visible intermittently as the docking hatch opened and closed slowly
and silently.
"Okay, this is definitely a cargo bay," Burnett concluded, "there are
two airlocks. I am attempting to enter the lower one." He disengaged
his magnetic boots and pushed off the deck. He stopped his float to the
top of the bay by grabbing a ladder rung. There, he pulled himself up
to the metal landing, where Corporal Dalton joined him. Burnett pressed
some visible buttons on the airlock, but nothing happened.

"Yeah, I think the power is out throughout the ship," said Dalton.
"I'll have to cut through," agreed Burnett as he adjusted his phaser to
the heat setting. A tight orange beam emanated from his phaser, but did
nothing other than producing a shower of sparks.
"Damn," cursed Burnett, "alright Dalton, set your phaser along with
mine to maximum. Fire."

The combined beams managed to heat an area on the edge of the door to
orange, and then white, finally phasing most of it out of the
continuum. They traced the beams around the door until it was nearly
detached from the wall. They were then quickly knocked out of the way
as escaping gases bent the door into the cargo bay, no doubt
decompressing the entire deck.
"Aw crap," moaned Dalton. Nobody had suspected that the ship would
still be pressurized. At least these aliens appeared to be oxygen-
breathing. And the strength of the hull materials confirmed _Hawk's_
readings that the ship was not some ancient derelict.
"Report, Team One!" demanded the _Hawk's_ anxious sensor operator.
"We have detached the outer airlock door," reported Burnett.
"Stand by," ordered the ship's engineer, "We're preparing to beam down
some equipment." Burnett turned around to observe the shimmering effect
of a transporter beam. Ensign Hyde, the ship's engineer had appeared,
joined by a large package of rations, oxygen, sensors, and other
equipment.

"Team one, this is _Hawk_," reported the starship, "we are moving to
the RV point. Estimated time until our return is 24 hours. You are to
investigate the starship. Over and out."
"Well, what are we waiting for?" asked a giddy Hyde.