“Asani, if you kill him, both Thomas and I will run our self-destruct subroutines and you will never see us again!” yelled Harry into Asani’s earpiece.
“That is an incentive?” questioned Asani has he placed an unconscious Ensign Byers into a chair. “I think about doing that every day.”
“I am not joking, Asani,” continued Harry in a concerned tone. “You do anything—”
“Calm down Harry! I have no intention of killing him. I only need information.” He began to tie Byers hands to the armrests on the chair and then his ankles to the legs of the chair.
In seeing this, Thomas asked, “And how are you going to get this information, may I ask?”
“Best that you do not know,” answered Asani in a tone sounding very serious.
“Asani, please!” begged Harry. “I do not want any more nightmares.”
“You don’t sleep,” responded Asani as he now began taking tools from his bag and placing them on the table in front of him. “If this gets too bad, I will erase both of your memories like I did before.”
Harry and Thomas gave their shocked faces as they stared at each other. “You better be joking, Asani!” yelled Thomas. “You promised that you would never do that! That is an invasion of our privacy.”
“Of course I am joking, now quiet,” said Asani in a stern tone. “I am about to wake up the traitor.” He placed a hypospray against the neck of Byers and pulled the trigger. Immediately, Ensign Byers eyes began to slowly open. He then looked around the room and then stopped when he saw the face of a Cardassian he did not know. “Welcome back, Harris,” said Asani in his own language in a friendly tone. “It has been a long time.”
“Who are you?” asked Byers in a frighten tone. He then looked down and saw his hands and feet tied. His look turned to pure fear. “What do you want?”
“You don’t remember me, Byers?” asked Asani with a face showing anger. “All those nights studying for our exams at the Academy. Meeting all the young female cadets from all parts of the Universe.” A slight smile appeared on Asani’s lips. Harris gave a confused face. “Especially the Ferengi females which I never could understand.” The smile was now gone. “Our first assignment on the Intrepid. Traveling millions of miles through space going to places no one has gone before.” Asani leaned forward and looked at Byers with the fake yellow eyes of a Cardassian. Byers’s face was turning whiter. “Then we get our break. A chance to proof the Federation what we are made of. A top secret away mission to study the Xiezios. Something about them is very special, but also quite frightening.” Asani’s face then showed sadness and then anger again. “And then, tragedy. I lose all communication. I know something has gone totally wrong. I fight by way in hoping I am not too late, and I find…” Asani face had returned to sadness once again. He then sighed and continued in an almost whisper, “Everyone on our away team is killed except me. I find five bodies, plus traces of what appeared to be your body because it was vaporized.” Asani’s face became serious. “I have no time to discover what happened. Guards are chasing me, so I run to the safe point and beam out of there.” Byers did not say anything. His face still showed fear, but he knew more was coming. “Then, surprise, surprise. Your face turns up on a classified report. You’re living on Loval in Cardassian space. So, I drop everything and make my way here so that I might ask you one question.” Byers heart is racing. Asani took a deep breath. “Did you kill them? Did you kill, Faye?”
“That was two questions,” said Harry.
“Shut up,” whispered Thomas knowing the seriousness of the situation going on.
Byers face showed shock. For a long moment, he did not answer. Finally, he gained the courage to speak, “Asani, how can you think that? No, I did not kill them.”
“Then who killed them, Byers? I saw their bodies. They were all tortured.”
“I don’t know. I only know it was not me.”
Asani stood up and took a device from the table and slammed it against Byers’s neck. Harry and Thomas gasped.
A shock went streaming down Byers’s body. He shouted in pain. “What the hell, Asani!” His body began to tremble. “I did not kill her!”
“Do not lie to me, Harris!” yelled Asani. He gave a heavy sigh knowing he needed to calm this down. Walls had ears. “I have seen how they are treating you here. You have your own escort following you around making sure nothing happens to you. They trust you. You did something to gain that trust.” Asani leaned back in his chair and his face showed pure anger once again. “I am guessing you were giving them information all along. Slipping them information on our plans.”
“You are wrong, Asani,” responded Byers. Tears were forming in his eyes. “You have to believe me.”
“Then tell me what happened,” commanded Asani. He held up the device that sent electricity surging through Byers’s body as a warning.
Byers began to shake his head, not wanting to tell the story. Asani leaned in. “Ok! Ok!” Harris gave a heavy sigh. “They found out about us. They discovered somebody accessing their files. They cornered me and began questioning me about what happened. Then it got worse.” He slightly paused not wanting to tell the next part of the story. “After hours of torture, they got very little from me, but then they threaten my family. They had their names and locations. I don’t know how, but if I did not tell them everything, my family was gone.”
“So, you became the mole,” specified Asani. “You told them everything that we were doing and because of you, everyone on our away team is dead.”
“I am not proud of what happened, Asani,” said Byers with tears flowing down his cheeks. “I had no choice.”
Asani stood up and leaned in toward Byers. He was inches from his face. “You had a choice. You could have come to me. You could have warned Faye or anybody on our away team. Or you could have kept your oath as a member of Starfleet and bring no harm to others.”
“You were not there, Asani,” said Byers with contention in his tone. “If they had threatened your family…or if they had threatened Faye.” Asani’s eyes narrowed. “You would have done exactly what I did. I had to protect my family.”
Asani glared with anger. “I would have died before I gave them anything. I am not weak like you.”
“Weak!” yelled Byers. His face showed anger. “You did not suffer the pain I went through! You did not have to hear what they planned on doing to my family! I did not want my family to suffer what they put me through!” Byers then paused and gritted his teeth. “Now look what you are doing. The same thing as the Xiezios and Cardassians. You tied me to a chair and are torturing me until I give you what you want!”
Asani sat back in his chair and glared at Byers. “The reason that I have you tied to a chair is because I do not trust you. Look around you, Harris.” He gestured to the room they were in. “This room does not look like a prison. This base has all the luxuries of a Federation Starbase. Something is going on here and I already know what.” Byers gave him a nervous stare. “It has everything to do with that ‘death’ mineral. The one that we studied intensely when we were on Xiexath. The studies that we all promised never to divulge because of what could come of it.” Asani shook his head. “You gave them everything. Everything that we found out. How to process it. How to stabilize it. How to refine it.” Another long pause as he continued to stare at Ensign Byers in disbelief. “You gave them a weapon that can annihilate anyone that stands in their way.”
“It is not a weapon, Asani,” said Byers with an evil grin. “It is power.” He shook his head. “A small portion of that atomic rock can run fleets of ships for thousands of years. Planets will never have to search for ways to produce energy. No more mining or building expensive power plants. This mineral will give them everything they need. Anybody who possess this mineral, will never have to worry about war because no one would dare attack when they see the power you possess.”
“So, you betrayed us all for greed,” said Asani with anger in his tone. “The desire of never-ending glory was too much for you to pass up.”
Byers laughed. “Why couldn’t you have just stayed dead?” He shook his head. “We would have killed you long ago if we didn’t need your expertise.” Another laugh. “It took forever to find you until someone from Starfleet finally squealed.”
Asani stood. Rage was flowing through him. “What happened to you, Byers? Or were you always a monster?”
“Let’s just say that I was…converted,” said Harris with his noted smile. He then gritted his teeth and the evil grin returned. “And if everyone on the away team would have followed my lead, then we wouldn’t have had to kill them.” Asani stepped forward. His fists clenched. He raised the level of the device in his hand to maximum. “Don’t worry, Asani. Faye died admirably. I believe her last words were, ‘Go to hell, Byers’.”
“That is exactly where I am sending you!” Asani shoved the device into his neck. Byers began to tremble violently. Harry and Thomas were silent, not knowing what to say. Suddenly, the door to Byers’s apartment busted open. Asani turned and saw a squadron of Cardassian soldiers come charging through the door. Their guns were pointing directly at him.
Byers was now sweating and breathing heavily. After a few moments, he began to laugh. “A few more moments and he would have killed me. What took you so long?”
A tall, skinny Cardassian came walking slowing through the squadron of soldiers. His uniform was decorated with all the medals of the highest recognition in the Cardassian military. He causally inspected the area around them, hardly paying any attention to Asani. “We wanted to make sure there was nothing else he was hiding. Plus, we were enjoying the show.”
Byers gave another laugh. “I never knew he loved her so much that he would be so stupid as to come flying into the middle of Cardassian space.” A soldier was now untying the ropes around Byers wrists and ankles. He then stood and glared at Asani. “I must admit that it takes guts to do what you did. And you did find me. I know no one in Starfleet knows I am alive, so you must have contacts that I don’t know about to have hunt me down.” Asani did not say a word.
“Quite remarkable indeed,” said the tall, skinny Cardassian. “His disguise is quite impressive. This human has talent.” The Cardassian gave Asani a small nod. “Well, let us get on with things shall we.” He gave the signal to one of the guards and then Asani saw a green blast and then darkness.
Asani awoke to two holograms yelling in his ear. “Asani! Asani! Are you there?” He looked around the room and found himself in a dark room. His arms and legs were constrained to a table. His chest felt like it was on fire. Memories were beginning to come back to him as he last remembered a green blast before he blacked out. They must have used a stun blast that would knock out a Mugato because he was still feeling the effects.
“Asani! Are you there?!” came the voices into his ear.
“Yes…I am here,” he whispered.
“Asani!?” yelled both the holograms. “We thought you were dead, but then your tracker started moving and we were receiving faint life signs—”
“Wait…where am I?” questioned Asani with noticeable strain. “I am not on Loval.”
“No. You are on a Cardassian Warbird,” replied Harry. “You launched two days ago and just exited warp near the Demilitarized Zone. This has been the first time we could try and contact you.”
“So, you followed me?”
“Yes, and may I say, it has not been easy,” said Harry. “Dodging Cardassian ships and scanners has been a nightmare. Us holograms are not programmed to fly in enemy space—”
“Are you able to beam me out of here,” interrupted Asani. The pain was almost unbearable.
“No,” replied Thomas. “We cannot get a lock on you. Too much interference. They are running with shields on which we cannot break through.”
“I guess then…I am a prisoner until…I find a way to get me off this ship.” Asani’s voice sounded weak which was scaring Harry and Thomas. “I do not even know where I am at.”
Suddenly a bright light appeared above him as a door to the room opened. He heard heavy footsteps approaching the table. With the bright light above him, he could not see anything. Then a familiar face appeared above him. The last time they met, he shot him with a large disruptor rifle.
“I do not believe it,” said the creature in a deep, dark voice. “I killed you and somehow you have risen from the dead.” A slight smile appeared on the creature’s lips. “You are filled with surprises, Lieutenant Nasos.”
“Are you here to finish the job?” asked Asani in a whisper showing his still weaken condition.
“Our orders now are to keep you alive,” responded the Assassin. “You have now become more valuable alive.”
“Well, it is nice to be needed,” joked Asani. “But the way I feel, I actually prefer you to finish what you started.”
“All in due time, Lieutenant Nasos,” answered the creature, but right now you are wanted on the bridge.
“You will then have to carry me…or transport me there, because…I am too weak to walk.”
“That is why I have this.” The Assassin held up what looked like a hypospray, but with more gadgets and features. “This will give you all the energy you need.”
Asani tried to move his arms, but it was no use. The creature placed his large hand on his face and push his head to the side. Suddenly, he felt a burning sensation beginning at the side of his neck and began to expand to his entire body. His eyes grew twice their size. His heart felt as if it was about to burst. He began to tremble uncontrollably. Foam poured from his mouth. He heard the voices in his ears begging him not to die because his life signs were off the charts. Then his body calmed, and pain was no more. He could feel the strength in his arms and legs. They felt twice as strong. All his senses were enhanced. He felt amazing. Asani turned and eyed the creature. “What did you give me?”
“That is just a sample of what power you will be bestowed with if you make the right choices,” said the creature. “Your first choice awaits you on the bridge.” The creature pushed a button, and the constraints were released. Asani immediately sat up and thought about taking on the Assassin. The creature thought he might, so he pointed an interesting phaser at Asani. “I am very quick with this weapon. I am hoping that you do not get a personal demonstration.”
Asani smiled. “I already caught your first act, not wanting to stay for the second.” He then checked his face and hands and saw that he was still a Cardassian. “I take it that you left me as a Cardassian because the crew does not want to see a human walking around. My original skin is not pale enough?” He gave a small shrug. Harry and Thomas were thinking that stuff he was given had made him overconfident.
“The crew will not lay a hand on you unless ordered,” replied the Assassin. “But for me, I am ordered to kill you if you try anything.”
“Well, let’s only wish the second times the charm,” joked Asani as he stood up from the table. He looked up at the large creature in front of him. “Lead on my incredibly large escort.”
The creature’s face stood stoic as he pointed at the door in front of them. Asani walked forward as his extremely large shadow followed.
As he exited from the turbolift, Asani found a group awaiting his presence. Among that group was Harris Byers, noted traitor. His evil grin appeared on his lips as he saw Asani approaching. The tall, skinny Cardassian with all the medals was also found among this group. He nodded as Asani and his eyes met. But there was another familiar face that Asani saw among the others. A face that he hoped he would never meet again. As Asani arrived at his planned location, this individual walked towards him. The tall looking Xiezios extended his hand. “I am Diavol Cain.” Asani gently shook his hand. “But I believe we have already met, Lieutenant Nasos. Your face was different back then when you pretended to be one of my people on my homeworld.” He leaned down and his face was inches from Asani. “I have been told that it is you that I must thank for the process of refining our most precious export, Thanatos. It is you that has brought this gift from the gods into our world.”
“I would not call an unstable subatomic rock that has the potential to end all live in the Universe, a gift from god,” replied Asani with a cross tone. “That sounds like more in hell’s department.”
A smile appeared on Diavol’s fat cracked lips. His pointed sharp teeth were stained black and his breath, Asani thought smelt worse than a Klingon. “This one does have an unusual quick wit about him. I like him.”
Asani gave his noted smile. “You never know. You may grow on me, but for right now, the feeling is not mutual.”
Diavol gave a deep laugh as he backed away and the tall, skinny Cardassian approached. “I never had the chance to introduce myself when we first met.” Asani eyes narrowed remembering the reason why. “I am General Lassik Noc. We have brought you here Lieutenant Nasos to show you what power you have given us,” said the Cardassian in an unexpected high pitch tone. Asani gave a small chortle, thinking the voice sounded more like a chipmunk. General Noc gave him a glare but continued, “And we hope that this will make you want to join us…as we bring all other worlds to their knees.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“That is not something I see for myself in the near future,” replied Asani. “I am not looking to conquer the Universe at this time.” He gave a small shrug. “Look me up in a couple of years after I have become as insane as you.”
“Your human humor will only be tolerated so far, Lieutenant Nasos,” the decorated Cardassian warned. His chin held high. “Not best to mock what can take your life at any time we wish.” Asani stood silent but gave him a slanted smile. “Our demonstration will hopefully be most gratifying to you, since the dreaded Federation tossed you from their ranks as a useless old dog that has lost his ability to smell.”
Harry, Thomas and Asani all gave the same confused look after hearing this strange analogy.
General Noc saw Asani’s face and shrugged. “Sorry. Maybe I am not telling the metaphor correctly. I must not be as familiar with human culture as I thought I was. What I am saying is they did not need you.”
This actually stung but Asani did not that it show.
The tall, skinny Cardassian walked forward and placed a hand on Asani’s shoulder. “Here, you are needed. Your talents will be most helpful and will bring you more power and praise than you ever thought possible.” A kind smile appeared on the Cardassian’s lips. This conversation was going much different than Asani thought. Harry and Thomas were stunned.
“It sounds like they are trying to convert him into some type of religion,” said Harry to Thomas.
“It is not a religion. It is a cult,” replied Thomas.
Suddenly a warning signal was heard on the bridge of the Cardassian vessel. The tall, skinny Cardassian turned towards the front of the bridge. “Ah. Our friends have arrived. Let Asani see his old friends.”
The huge, massive view screen changed to show an approaching Federation ship. A small class B vessel. Used for small explorations but had the firepower of a class D. Federation tried to run things smoother now a days with war pending.
“We are of course cloaked, and she does not expect a thing,” said the decorated Cardassian. “She comes looking because of a distress signal that we have sent.” An evil smile now showed on his slender face. “Soon she will be sending one of her own.” He turned and looked at Asani. “Would you like to fire the first torpedo at your old friends?” Asani’s look would have killed him if it could. “Perhaps not.” Everyone around him plus the Cardassian gave a small laugh.
General Noc walked towards the front of the bridge. “De-cloak and raise shields. Let her see her killer.” His tone had become more methodical. His face showed pure hatred. “Let us watch the humans burn.”
The Cardassian vessel appeared, and Asani knew exactly what was happening on the Federation ship. Shields were raised to match the Cardassian vessel. Everyone was running to battle stations. Comms were being sent for reinforcements. The captain of the ship was asking his advisers for next steps. Of course it would be to hail the Cardassian ship. Immediately on queue, a hail was received.
“Let it go unanswered,” said the decorated Cardassian with the same hateful stare. “Let them sweat.”
Asani quickly glanced at Ensign Byers and saw the same evil grin. He wished he had had ten more seconds when he had him tied to a chair, so he could have revenged Faye’s death. Then the thought of “what would that have accomplished”, entered his mind. Something that Harry and Thomas would say. “Damn holograms! They are becoming my real-life conscience. But of course, if I had listened to them both, I would not be in this situation.”
“Prepare torpedoes,” ordered the Cardassian. “Let them know that it is coming.”
The Federation vessel saw they were preparing weapons and could be seen backing away, trying to avoid conflict. Hails continued to be sent, desperately trying to defuse the situation.
“They are trying to run like cowards, not wanting to fight,” said the decorated Cardassian with his devilish grin as he turned and looked at Asani. “They used to be the strongest of the Universe. How the mighty have fallen.” He turned back to the view screen. “Fire torpedo.”
A red ball of light sped across space toward the Starfleet vessel. There was no chance to avoid the impact. The torpedo flew through the Federation vessel’s shields as if it was paper. An explosion erupted from the lower deck of the ship. The vessel began to spin out of control. Asani could imagine what the captain of this Federation ship was yelling. “Auxiliary power! Bring us about! Prepare weapons! Fire!”
Another ball of light came flying at the Cardassian vessel. No one aboard showed any fear. It impacted the shields causing no damage. Phaser fire was then seen. Still no damage to the Cardassian vessel. The tall, skinny Cardassian turned and looked at Asani. His face was stoic as he said, “Destroy that ship.” The Cardassian torpedo impacted the Federation vessel at the front of the saucer section, a small explosion was seen followed by a giant explosion at the top and back of the saucer section. Cascading explosions were seen everywhere and then there was nothing but floating debris. General Noc looked at Asani the entire time as the Federation ship exploded. He cared more about seeing the reaction Asani gave instead of lives on board the Starfleet vessel.
“Can you now understand the great gift you have given to all who wish to leave the old life behind!?” The General sounded dominant and energetic. It thrilled him to see the power they now possessed. “No more living under the authority of those who wish to keep us down! It is our time to rise! We will create death and destruction wherever we desire and bring down those governments, those federations that stand in our way!”
“You are mad,” said Asani. “You are nothing more than a killer. All those lives gone to demonstrate your power.”
“Those lives are meaningless. They belong to a world that is ending. Our world is just beginning. The question is, will you be a part of it, or will you die as those you just watched?”
“I can never be a part of something so chaotic, so evil,” said Asani. He was still in shock at what he just watched.
“Oh, Lieutenant Nasos,” grinned the decorated Cardassian. “You will very soon see the light. You will learn that our path is the only way.”
“I create my own path,” said Asani.
The Cardassian grinned. “I believe after our next demonstration, you will not be so confident.” He looked at the large creature standing behind Asani. “Take him to his cell as we travel to our next destination.” The creature nodded and grabbed Asani by the shoulder and led him to the turbolift. As the door was closing, he saw Ensign Byers grinning and waving.
At the cell, Asani was once again constrained to the table. The creature then looked at Asani. “It will go much easier if you quickly accept your new life. They will not stop torturing you until you bend the knee.” He then nodded and left the room.
For a long moment, there was complete silence other than the sounds of the warp drive humming which vibrated through out the ship. Harry and Thomas were silent not knowing what to say to their captured friend. Then Asani spoke, “I want you both to know how important you are to me. When I was left alone by those who I thought were my friends, you became my true friends…my family. You did not judge, but only wanted what was best for me. For that I am truly grateful…and also for the many times you saved my life.” He gave a slight laugh, and heard the holograms laugh as well.
“Asani, we will get you out of there,” said Harry. “Don’t give up.”
“What do you need us to do, Asani?” questioned Thomas.
“I have a plan, but odds are very much not in my favor. But I will not become a servant to this madness. Death is a much better path. I have to try.”
“Just tell us what to do,” said Harry.
“Be ready to fly towards this vessel on my signal,” explained Asani. “Not before because we will have to make this quick.”
“Sounds very risky,” said Harry.
“When has it not been,” said Thomas.
“Good point, but this sounds different.”
“I…I just want you to know…that I am truly thankful,” expressed Asani. A small moment of silence. “Ok. Enough mushy stuff.” Harry and Thomas laughed. “Let’s go to work.” Asani did a small whistle. A small device on his belt sprouted wings and lifted into the air. On his gloved hand a light pattern appeared. With his thumb, he began to guide “tweety” by sliding his thumb around the light pattern. He hovered “tweety” over the trigger for his constraints and landed the small flying device upon it. He then initiated a “spark” which sent electricity flowing into the system that overloaded it and unlocked him from the table. Asani sat up and then lightly grabbed “tweety”. He then began making modifications on his small flying toy.
“What are you doing?” asked Harry.
“I am telling ‘tweety’ to locate high energy radiation on this ship and take me there. I am hoping we can get there through the ventilation system.” Asani released “tweety” into the air and then stood up from the table and began to scan the area.
“Why do you want to go to the engine room?” asked Thomas.
“Best I tell you that part later,” said Asani as he found something heavy to throw. “Just be ready for my signal.” He then threw the heavy object against the wall. It made a lot of noise which is what Asani was hoping and then he hid in the shadow of the room.
The guard posted at his door entered to investigate. He saw the empty table and quickly walked towards it. Asani made his move. He electrified his normal looking gloves and charged at the guard. As the guard turned, Asani’s fist was flying towards the guard’s face. The impact with the help of the electricity knocked the guard out with one hit.
Asani gave a deep sigh and began to dress himself again as a Cardassian guard. This uniform was a much worst fit. The helmet was huge, but Asani had no time to spare. He grabbed the small phaser and rifle that the guard was equipped with, and causally walked out the exit door and into the hallway with his small flying toy at his side. He saw two guards to his right paying attention to something on the monitor. He was happy to see “tweety” turn left. He followed the device as nonchalantly as possible trying to look like a read Cardassian guard, but his helmet kept falling down over his eyes.
“Well, this is working perfectly,” said Harry sarcastically. “You should have knocked out a smaller guard.”
Asani could only shake his head at the comment as “tweety” turned right and then into a ventilation vent above. There was no way to get up to the vent, so Asani had to track it using his controls stuck to his palm that were connected to the device. He clicked a hidden button on his glove which brought up a symbol on the palm of his glove that showed him direction, altitude, and distance of “tweety”. His flying toy was heading east so he headed in that direction. He would need to find an entrance to the air ducts at a more obscure spot.
There were other personnel walking by him which gave him an odd look but did not stop him. He continued to walk east and then saw “tweety” turning south and the altitude was dropping meaning it was descending to a lower deck. “Do I dare use the turbolift?” thought Asani. “Too much risk, I need to find a Jefferies Tube access point.” Suddenly, an alarm was going off. “They know I have escaped.” He started walking quickly looking for an access point, hoping the Cardassians had built their ships in a similar structure. He saw what look like a maintenance type door and headed that direction, but never made it to the door.
“Halt!” said a large Cardassian guard from behind. Luckily, he was still wearing the hidden universal translator. He turned and found two guards approaching. He will never escape if they take him back to his cell now. They would double the guard and would constrain him to that blasted table naked or just kill him. Asani gave them a confused and irritated stare. As one came closer, Asani reacted by throwing the large helmet at the first guard. A direct hit in the face. He quickly grabbed the phaser and fired two shots sending the first guard flying backwards. The other guard had his rifle out quickly and was preparing to fire. Asani dove to the ground while firing. The second guard took two hits while firing his weapon. Disruptor fire flew over Asani’s head and hit the walls behind him. The second guard fell to the floor in pain while the first guard laid still.
More alarms were going off and Asani knew more guards were coming. He ran to the doorway hoping it would lead to ladders heading down, but he was blocked by guards coming from the other direction. They began to fire, and Asani ran back the opposite direction, dodging phaser fire and disruptor blasts in the process. One blast hit his shoulder and pain radiated down his arm. Around another corner, two more guards were spotted two-hundred feet in front of him, and Asani started firing. One guard took a hit, but the other guard dodged the incoming fire and returned fire. The phaser fire missed Asani by inches as he ran down another hallway.
He found the hallway ended with doors on either side. Nothing opened which meant he was trapped. Asani flung himself behind a small wall that was only three feet wide. Phaser fire and disruptor blasts began hitting all around him. It appeared that they were now ordered to kill. Asani returned fire which made the three guards retreat, but they still returned fire. More explosions all around. Asani quickly grabbed the disruptor rifle while ducking down and increased the power to max and then did a trick that he learned on his first away mission. He broke off the panel that led to the energy pack. He pulled out one of the wires leading from the energy pack to the igniter and led it to the gas chamber instead. He then pulled the trigger. The weapon began to squeal louder and louder. Asani flung the gun towards the guards. It exploded into pieces, as shrapnel went everywhere. Asani emerged firing his phaser at anything that moved. Three guards fell with phaser fire and shrapnel wounds. Asani ran past them and headed back towards the door. His arm shouting with pain. His head was now bleeding as he must have taken shrapnel from the explosion.
He heard more footsteps of approaching Cardassians as he reached the door. He tried to open it but got nothing but a “buzz”. His plan of escape was going south quickly. He then remembered the scan chip he stole from the guard and placed it against the monitor. With amazement, a green light appeared, and the door opened. Asani saw what looked like a Jefferey Tube and jumped inside and closed the door. He then immediately began descending the ladder. He nearly fell twice because of the pain in his arm and feeling dizzy because of the wound on his head. He was starting to think this was the end.
He checked the location of his flying toy that was leading him to the engine room. It looked to be two levels down and was still heading towards the back of the ship. He had hoped to be crawling through the air ducts to avoid the guards but had not found an entry point to which he had access. On a Federation ship, he would have been able to find his way blindfolded, but a Cardassian ship was not so simple. Two more levels down and he found that he was at the same altitude as “tweety”. Now he would need to leave the Jeffery Tube area and walk the halls of the ship where he would be a sitting duck once again. Asani took a deep breath and went to open the door, but then saw another way. There was an access point to the air ducts. It was small, but he felt he could fit. After much prying, he was able to squeeze through the opening. He had very little room to move, but he was able to move forward. This was nothing like on a Starfleet vessel. He would have had room to stand. Cardassian vessels were not built for maintenance work. While pushing his way through the cramped space, Asani recalled Harry and Thomas talking about some movie from early Earth history where the person in the movie was in the same situation. “What was the line they always quoted…now I know how pizza feels? Incredible what you think about when you are so close to death.”
Asani was exhausted as he showed that he was within two kilometers from his trusted friend. He peered through one of the air vents and he saw what looked like an engine room. There were catwalks everywhere with many computers and machines humming along. There were also maintenance workers and engineering personnel walking around, unaware of his position. Alarms were still going off which meant everyone was on high alert. Blood was beginning to crust on the side of his face, and he felt the burns on his shoulder and arm where he had been hit. “I never thought I would die in the air ducts of a Cardassian vessel,” he thought. “This is hopeless.”
“Asani! Asani!” yelled the voice in his ear. “You have been breaking up, can you hear us?” said Harry.
“Come on, Asani!” yelled Thomas. “Don’t give up!”
“I can hear you,” whispered Asani. Both of them yelled with excitement. “I am near the engine room, but I am badly hurt. Don’t know if I can make it.”
“Tell us what we need to do to get you out of there, Asani!” yelled Harry. “Just tell us what to do! Will attack that vessel head on if needed.”
Asani shook his head, trying to stay awake. “My plan is not one you will like.” Harry and Thomas eyed each other knowing they did not like any of his plans. “With their shields up, there is no way to transport out of here. But there is one place where the shielding is minimal because of the high radiation. Right over the exhaust of the main thrusters.”
“Asani, that is crazy!” both Holograms said at once.
“I know,” whispered Asani. “But if you are close enough to the ship, you will be able to transport me out of there before I burn in the flames.”
“How will you even climb down there?” asked Thomas. “Even on a Starfleet vessel there are no access points because…you burn up.”
“I would not climb but would fall.”
“Asani, that is suicide!” yelled Harry.
“Better than being trapped on this Cardassian ship.”
“There has to be another way!” yelled Thomas.
Asani shook his head. His whole body hurt. He wished he could just close his eyes and have it all be over. “Everywhere else the shielding is too strong and if they go to warp, there will be no way to get off this ship. I had to try quickly, and this is the best plan I have.” Asani gave a heavy sigh. “Think of it as the ultimate trust fall. You get to catch me just before I am vaporized.”
“Asani, there is no way!” yelled Harry.
“Wait for my signal,” said Asani, “or they will blow our ship into pieces. It will have to be quick.”
“Asani! Don’t do it!” yelled Thomas.
“I am not going to die a prisoner of this chaos. I would rather die fighting for my freedom.” Asani took a deep breath and then he used his phaser to cut a hole in the ducting. He tried to lower himself out slowly but lost his strength and fell onto the catwalk below. Luckily nobody noticed and he began to sneak towards the back of the engine room carefully.
He saw an engineer personnel coming is way. “What should I do? Phaser or fist?” He clenched his fist, and the glove began to spark. He swung and with one hit the Cardassian hit the floor. But unluckily, he was spotted by a guard from behind and he was in pursuit. Adrenalin kicked in and he ran forward and dove over the railing to the other catwalk below. Disruptor fire hit the railing as he fell ten feet and hit the catwalk hard. He pulled himself up and ran toward the stairs leading to the ground floor of the engine room. The guard fired again, and a small explosion was seen just behind Asani, missing him by inches.
Another Cardassian engineer was heading up the stairs, towards Asani. He pulled his phaser to fire. Asani dove towards the Cardassian and they tumbled down the stairs. The Cardassian’s phaser went sliding across the floor. Asani gave the Cardassian a hard hit to the face. He then ran and retrieved the lost phaser while another Cardassian worker was headed his way. He dove behind a machine as both the guard from above and the other Cardassian fired. Another guard on the ground floor had appeared and was firing his weapon. Explosions were everywhere.
Another engineer appeared who looked to be in charge came running with his hands waving. “Stop firing! Stop firing! You will blow us up!” Everyone stopped which gave Asani his chance. He moved forward with both phasers armed. He began firing at anything that moved. The Cardassians began to fire as well. Asani accuracy was incredible. Two Cardassians hit the ground rolling on the floor in pain. He ducked and twirled as disruptor blasts erupted all around. Another five phaser blasts and Asani was the only one standing along with the engineer in charge who luckily was not armed. The engineer stood there stunned at what he just witnessed. Asani should be dead. It was either a miracle or just incredible luck. Suddenly an explosion erupted from one of the machines and then another. The engineer shook his head at Asani, and Asani could only shrug.
Asani walked towards the main ladder to the catwalk above the main thruster as the engineer ran for cover as fire began to envelop everything around. Asani climbed the ladder as quickly as his tired body would allow. At the top of the ladder, he looked back and saw more guards arriving, but with the fire covering the ground floor and the smoke rising, they were not able to reach Asani and had a hard time seeing him. Asani limped his way forward using every ounce of strength he had. He did a light whistle and “tweety” came flying to him. He grabbed it and placed it on his belt. Suddenly a creature appeared at the top of the ladder. Asani felt his presence and fired. The phaser blasts hit his armor and did no damage.
The perfect assassin smiled. “I told you that your phasers will not affect me.” He tilted his head and gave Asani a unique expression. “So, what is your plan? You have nowhere to go.” He gave him another smirk. “Do I shoot you again with my rifle?” He removed it from his back and pointed it at Asani. “This time I will make sure you are dead.”
“I do not wish to die by the hands of my enemies,” said Asani. “I choose to die of my own accord.”
“So, what now?” said the assassin. Asani pointed at the flames below the catwalk as it pushed towards the exhaust ports into the vastness of space. “Suicide?” The creature gave a kind face. “An admirable death for a great warrior.” He brought the rifle up to his shoulder. The fire suppression system of the ship was calming the flames below and the guards were approaching. “You will be honored in the afterlife, Lieutenant Nasos. Go in peace.”
“Now,” whispered Asani. “Come now.” The assassin gave him a confused stare.
“We are coming Asani!” both holograms yelled.
Asani arrived at the railing. His strength was nearly gone. He began to climb and put his leg over the top bar and then he began to count.
“You are counting down before you commit suicide?” asked the assassin with a tiny smile.
“I need all the motivation I can get,” Asani lied. He knew he had to make this perfect and he needed a few more seconds before he let go.
“I can do that for you,” said the large creature. He then pointed his rifle at him again.
Asani gave the creature a smile and then a salute. He then let go of the railing and began falling towards the flames. The perfect assassin watched him fall through the holes in the catwalk. Just before Asani was vaporized in the flames, the creature saw a blue flash. His face showed complete shock. He ran toward the end of the catwalk and looked over.
The perfect assassin yelled into his communicator, “Do you have signs of a transporter signature?”
A voice came back, “We were just checking that. We do see one from…the engine room? That is impossible.”
“Scan for ships!”
“We have one on our scanners…it just went to warp!”
The large creature slouched because of amazement. His face still showed complete shock. He then turned and yelled with a massive voice, “Lieutenant Nasos is the greatest warrior I have ever faced!”