Chapter Text
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Reykjavík’s conference room was devoid of view ports as it was situated behind the bridge, sharing the command center’s protective sheath of tritanium and duranium composite armor.
The walls of the compartment were covered in faux-wood paneling, a callback to the ancient sailing ships of Earth’s seas. The bulkheads held images of previous Starfleet vessels named Reykjavík interspersed with photographs of the ship’s namesake, the Icelandic capital city.
On one bulkhead was mounted the ship’s seal, an inverted yellow triangle emblazoned with the dragon-head prow and sail of an ancient Viking longboat bearing the ship’s name, registry and motto. U.S.S. REYKJAVÍK NCC-3109. ‘First to Advance, Last to Retreat.’
As Trujillo and Glal entered with their new guests, the assembled officers rose to their feet from their positions around the conference table.
Standing at attention were the ship's Operations Manager Lieutenant Arwen DeSilva, Chief Engineer Lt. Commander Kura-Ka, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lawrence Bennett, Chief Security Officer Lieutenant Gael Jarrod, and the junior-most of the senior staff, Ensigns Farouk Naifeh and Rachel Garrett, of Helm and Sciences respectively.
Kura-Ka was a bulky Zaranite, whose broad, flat face was hidden behind a mask that provided him a supply of his world’s fluorine-rich atmosphere.
At the sight of Garrett, J’etris hesitated, for a moment openly staring. Chester nudged her along with a reasonably subtle elbow, and J’etris stopped staring, but in such a careful and overt manner that it was in some ways more glaring. Chester tipped Garrett a small smile by way of apology, though her eyes too were very wide.
Trujillo made the introductions, registering the shock on some of her officer’s faces at the idea of a Klingon in Starfleet service.
The captain gestured for the two women to have a seat and then took her own, prompting the other officers to resume theirs.
“So,” Trujillo began, “ this enemy is called Jem’Hadar, and we can surmise they’re very dangerous. What more can you tell us about them that would be beneficial to know before engaging them?”
Chester took a deep breath. She’d been trying to balance temporal regulations against the dire nature of the current situation. Captain Steenburg had made it clear that she felt the current situation won out, and with the news of the escaped Jem’Hadar ship, Chester could only agree. Still, she couldn’t say she was thrilled about smashing the Temporal Prime Directive to bits, especially to a captain she admired.
But anything less than full disclosure would put these people at a hell of a lot more risk, and getting the Reykjavík destroyed would cause a lot more disruption to the timeline than disclosing too much about the enemy. They were offering to clean up the Bedivere’s mess; she owed them better than that.
“About five years ago, we made contact with an entity in the Gamma Quadrant called the Dominion. Suffice it to say, it did not go well. The Federation and Dominion are now at war, and the Dominon’s aim is the conquest of the entire Alpha Quadrant.
“The Jem’Hadar are the Dominion’s genetically engineered soldiers. I believe we have already transmitted the relevant files. What I would like to highlight is that Jem’Hadar do not eat or sleep; they are solely dependent on a drug called ketrecel-white, which the Dominion uses to control them. Without it, they will attack and kill anything they encounter, before turning on each other. Stranded in the past, it’s only a matter of time before they run out of white, and become even more dangerous than they currently are.”
Jarrod began taking copious notes on a data-slate, scribbling with a stylus as he absorbed the briefing.
“We will need to make modifications to the Reykjavík’s shields. Jem’Hadar poleron weapons will punch through them as they are now. Lieutenant J’etris will provide you with the necessary details.”
Jarrod glanced to Kura-Ka, the two officers exchanging a look at that unwelcome news. It sounded as if they would have their work cut out for them.
Dr. Bennett raised hand, waiting for Trujillo to acknowledge him. “So, you’re telling us there’s no chance of any kind of negotiation with these people? By now they have to realize they’ve time traveled, and that the war they’re fighting is decades in the future. That wouldn’t give them any pause?”
“They will see it as an opportunity to destroy the Federation before it can become a threat,” said Chester. “And shortly thereafter, as the white supply is depleted and withdrawal sets in, they will not be thinking of very much at all.” She gave Dr. Bennett a sympathetic look. “I wish a diplomatic solution were possible. But the Jem’Hadar believe that the leaders of the Dominion are gods; they are fanatics, and have no hesitation about going to their deaths if it means our destruction.”
That revelation seemed to suck the oxygen out of the compartment.
Trujillo took the opportunity to get her crew focused. “The escape of this enemy ship is unwelcome news, but given that almost anybody could have stumbled across the aftermath of this battle, we’re the right ship in the right place at precisely the right time. If these Jem’Hadar want a fight, we’re the best crew possible to give it to them. Reyky was built for battle, and fighters is what I’ve helped forged all of us into over the past four years.”
The assembled officers sat a little straighter in their chairs, sharing nods of agreement and even an awkward smile or two.
“I realize all my knowledge comes from historical records and logs, sir, but I couldn’t agree more,” said Chester. “Even in our time, the Reykjavík has a reputation. We’re very lucky to have you here to pull our fat out of the fire, and clean up our mess.”
Trujillo inclined her head approvingly.“ We’ve set a course at maximum warp for the freighter’s last known coordinates and we’ll keep our ears open for any other sightings of that ship.”
“The freighter that was attacked,” said J’etris. “Was that in or near any active shipping lane? If there are a lot of targets, they may stay in the area. They may even use those attacks to lure Federation vessels in. As Commander Chester noted, most ships of this time aren’t going to have much of a chance in a fight with them.”
DeSilva fielded that question, answering, “The Lissepian freighter in question was in transit along the Puaruta trade route between the Culiv Cluster and the Rudyard Colonies. It’s a highly traveled route, and if they’re actively hunting there’ll be no shortage of targets.”
“Then that sounds like a good place to start our hunt, sir.” Chester looked to Trujillo for approval.
“And so it begins.”
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