TEASER
Starbase Deep Space Nine, Bajoran Sector
Exterior view. The starbase floats in the still of space, etching a dark silhouette against the bright background stars. An unusual starship of Federation design, sleek in contour, white accented in black, is docked at one of the upper pylons.
Cut to station interior.
Star Base Deep Space Nine, Commander’s Office
Captain Benjamin Sisko studies the latest casualty report grimly. Despite recent Federation victories, the lists aren’t getting any shorter. The swoosh of his office doors causes him to look up as his first officer, Colonel Kira Nerys of the Bajoran Militia, enters.
“Captain Sulis is here to see you, sir,” she says.
“Yes, of course,” Sisko says, wearily setting the padd aside. “Send her in.”
Kira gives a clipped nod, and as she exits another Bajoran woman enters, copper skinned and sable haired, wearing an unusual Starfleet uniform.
Sisko rises and walks around his desk. “Captain Sulis,” he greets her.
“Emissary,” Sulis says. She reaches up and grasps Sisko’s left ear. “It’s true what they say—I’ve never felt a pah like yours.”
“I’m used to having my ear squeezed by vedeks and kais, but not by Starfleet officers,” Sisko says with an amused grin.
“Forgive me, Emissary,” Sulis says. “My father was a vedek, and I spent two years at the Tohana Monastery exploring my pah.” Her eyes grow distant. “I was very close to giving up my commission and following in his footsteps. A quiet life of seclusion, serving the Prophets.” She returns to the present. “But the Prophets led me in other directions. As it happened, it was you who made me realize that I could serve both Starfleet and the Prophets.”
Sisko inclines his head. “Now, if you don’t mind, to business,” he says. He gestures towards a seat and sits down at his desk. “Are you familiar with the Kebrel System?”
Sulis searches her memory. “It’s along the Cardassian-Federation border,” she says. “It’s a binary star system. As far as I know, there’s nothing significant about it.”
“That is what we believed as well,” Sisko says, “but a year ago the Dominion attempted to acquire that system as part of a failed cease fire. According to a team of genetically modified analysts, led by Dr. Bashir, Kebrel I has a polynucleic fungus that can be processed into ketracel white. With the wormhole closed to them, the Dominion is facing a shortage of white, and Starfleet Intelligence believes that the Dominion has managed to establish a facility at Kebrel I to harvest this fungus and process it into white.”
Sulis creases her brow. “If the Dominion were to run out of white, they would lose control of the Jem’Hadar,” she says. “If we could cut off their supply…”
“Exactly,” Sisko says, raising his brows. “Your orders are to take whatever means necessary to destroy that facility.”
“Does Starfleet Intelligence have any details on what kind of resistance to expect?” Sulis asks.
Sisko hands her a padd across the desk. “Everything Starfleet knows about the system and the Dominion forces there is on this padd,” he says, rising. “Good hunting, Captain Sulis.”
Star Base Deep Space Nine, Promenade
Despite the war, lunch hour on the Promenade is bustling with activity as various visitors and personnel go about their business. Quark’s Bar is filled with patrons: Morn is at the bar as usual, as is Ezri Dax. Gamblers try their luck at the dabo tables, while others fill the various tables to drink and socialize. The Replimat bustles with a variety of Bajorans and Starfleet personnel, and the daring dine at the Klingon restaurant. The shops do good business. Odo walks by to keep an eye on Quark; Jake wanders the upper Promenade looking for a story.
But among the locals and wanderers are a number of individuals wearing Starfleet uniforms of an unusual design, waiting to board the USS Jerusalem NX-66942, the prototype Federation starship designed for the sole purpose of combatting the Dominion.
Starbase Deep Space Nine, Bajoran Sector
Exterior view. The starbase floats in the still of space, etching a dark silhouette against the bright background stars. An unusual starship of Federation design, sleek in contour, white accented in black, is docked at one of the upper pylons.
Cut to station interior.
Star Base Deep Space Nine, Commander’s Office
Captain Benjamin Sisko studies the latest casualty report grimly. Despite recent Federation victories, the lists aren’t getting any shorter. The swoosh of his office doors causes him to look up as his first officer, Colonel Kira Nerys of the Bajoran Militia, enters.
“Captain Sulis is here to see you, sir,” she says.
“Yes, of course,” Sisko says, wearily setting the padd aside. “Send her in.”
Kira gives a clipped nod, and as she exits another Bajoran woman enters, copper skinned and sable haired, wearing an unusual Starfleet uniform.
Sisko rises and walks around his desk. “Captain Sulis,” he greets her.
“Emissary,” Sulis says. She reaches up and grasps Sisko’s left ear. “It’s true what they say—I’ve never felt a pah like yours.”
“I’m used to having my ear squeezed by vedeks and kais, but not by Starfleet officers,” Sisko says with an amused grin.
“Forgive me, Emissary,” Sulis says. “My father was a vedek, and I spent two years at the Tohana Monastery exploring my pah.” Her eyes grow distant. “I was very close to giving up my commission and following in his footsteps. A quiet life of seclusion, serving the Prophets.” She returns to the present. “But the Prophets led me in other directions. As it happened, it was you who made me realize that I could serve both Starfleet and the Prophets.”
Sisko inclines his head. “Now, if you don’t mind, to business,” he says. He gestures towards a seat and sits down at his desk. “Are you familiar with the Kebrel System?”
Sulis searches her memory. “It’s along the Cardassian-Federation border,” she says. “It’s a binary star system. As far as I know, there’s nothing significant about it.”
“That is what we believed as well,” Sisko says, “but a year ago the Dominion attempted to acquire that system as part of a failed cease fire. According to a team of genetically modified analysts, led by Dr. Bashir, Kebrel I has a polynucleic fungus that can be processed into ketracel white. With the wormhole closed to them, the Dominion is facing a shortage of white, and Starfleet Intelligence believes that the Dominion has managed to establish a facility at Kebrel I to harvest this fungus and process it into white.”
Sulis creases her brow. “If the Dominion were to run out of white, they would lose control of the Jem’Hadar,” she says. “If we could cut off their supply…”
“Exactly,” Sisko says, raising his brows. “Your orders are to take whatever means necessary to destroy that facility.”
“Does Starfleet Intelligence have any details on what kind of resistance to expect?” Sulis asks.
Sisko hands her a padd across the desk. “Everything Starfleet knows about the system and the Dominion forces there is on this padd,” he says, rising. “Good hunting, Captain Sulis.”
Star Base Deep Space Nine, Promenade
Despite the war, lunch hour on the Promenade is bustling with activity as various visitors and personnel go about their business. Quark’s Bar is filled with patrons: Morn is at the bar as usual, as is Ezri Dax. Gamblers try their luck at the dabo tables, while others fill the various tables to drink and socialize. The Replimat bustles with a variety of Bajorans and Starfleet personnel, and the daring dine at the Klingon restaurant. The shops do good business. Odo walks by to keep an eye on Quark; Jake wanders the upper Promenade looking for a story.
But among the locals and wanderers are a number of individuals wearing Starfleet uniforms of an unusual design, waiting to board the USS Jerusalem NX-66942, the prototype Federation starship designed for the sole purpose of combatting the Dominion.