Anya shouted her reply "Closest thing we have on record is the Sharkapult!" A drop of cold sweat dripped down her spine as she finally realised where she had seen the Sharkapult before. It hadn't been a real life encounter, no she would have remembered that far easier. No instead the place she remembered something like the Sharkapult from before was the last training simulation that they had performed when she graduated from flight training in the Erassian Alliance Military. The simulation was a no win situation essentially the Erassian pilots version of Starfleet's Kobayashi Maru. And the enemy that they had fought in that simulation each one of the enemy fighters was equipped with a sharkapult...the name of the enemy came back to her in a rush. "Gods help us, they're real. The Karaf." She breathed feeling more helpless at that moment than any other time. More than anything else she knew for sure that something old and powerful was stirring and it had something to do with the Karaf.
Her nails tapped the surface of the desk impatiently as she read the latest report from her agents that she had tailing the Betazed woman. It had been over twenty five years since she had last seen that frightened child on the Dominion occupied planet. Over quarter of a century since the last time the enemy had tried to venture into their realm. Whilst they had barely managed to stop the incursion of that one ship their efforts at curbing the more subtle elements of the enemies plan had been far less successful. A small fist hammering on the study door broke her from her musings. A young novitiate barged in panting and out of breath. The novitiate spoke with a mixture of excitement and panic "High Priestess...she's waking up!"
***Admiral Janeway's Office, JDC Headquarters, Earth***
The large wall screen displayed an image of a blond human male of mid to late thirties. The image tag showed it was recorded aboard the USS McCoy during the battle of Aeren III when supposed 'Erassian splinter groups' attacked the McCoy and assassinated the McCoy's XO.
Anya knew the face of this man, she knew this face all to well. It was the face of someone who had cruelly denied her long sought happiness. "Son of a bitch. Colonel Vernier..."
"I take it you know him then Major. Care to let me know who he is?" Commander Daveed said impatiently.
Anya swallowed heavily and replied unable to hide the raw fury in her voice. "His name is Colonel Jacques Vernier. He is the former Head of Erassian Alliance Special Forces. He is also the greatest traitor in all of Alliance history. During the first days of the war against the Solrin Colonies the Alliance gathered together all it's leading commanders deep within the protected heart of the Erass System to discuss and create a strategy to repell our invaders. This included all the CO's and XO's within the First and Second Fleets, what little was left of the Third Fleet had retreated to the Rios System to effect repairs and dispose of the dead. Naturally security of such an event was of the highest priority and therefore was passed to the most loyal and capable individuals within the Erassian Alliance...the Special Forces. During that meeting Colonel Vernier and a number of his closest subordinates planted and detonated a number of high explosive devices killing all of our best commanders and effectively destroying the chain of command in one fell swoop."
She took a breath and then swallowed "After that he participated in some of the worst biological weapons attacks of the war including the atacks on the Alpha Trading Station, two refugee convoys fleeing the Rios and Aldnar Systems both carrying over fifty thousand civilians. He also lead the attack on Charos VI which caused over nine million lives and counting. We thought we took him out when we hit the Sotara System and its Military Strongholds but it would appear not." Anya turned to Admiral Janeway and stood stiffly at attention "Ma'am I am willing to do anything it takes, ask of me what you will."
"Very well Major. You will be assigned a squadron of M-35A fighters which you will train in conjunction with your Lancers for a period of one to two months before being given strike package information to take out Colonel Jacques Vernier. Make no mistake I'm not looking for simply him being dead I want his entire organization stopped in its tracks. The assassination of Commander Harbijan Singh and the attack on the USS McCoy is being classed as an act of war and we will respond accordingly." Admiral Janeway said.
The Erassian Intelligence officer cut in. "In order to facilitate things and make the operation proceed more quickly your reserve rank with the Alliance is being raised to Major although no increase in pensionable funds will be passed on. The squadron will be deployed to Starbase Unity within the week."
***Study, Lunar Shrine, Trill***
Lady Lillianna Tanavia paced the hardwood floor of her study disturbed by the current trend of events. Far too many of her agents that she had sent to investigate strongholds of the Karaf's allies had shown up dead in the last few weeks and it was obvious from the state of their bodies they had been dead longer than she had continued to recieve their reports meaning her information was now hopelessly out of date and peppered with missinformation. "Divine One, I think it is perhaps time we utilised our 'ace in the hole'. If you agree would you send out a summons to her please?"
A disembodied female voice full of power answered
Lady Lillianna Tanavia back. "Indeed I think it is about time we told her of her heritage and the part she has to play in the grand scheme of things. We have left her at arms length to forge her into a suitable weapon, perhaps now it is time to see how well the steel cuts."
Lillianna looked out her window towards the altar in the centre of the shrine feeling a shiver of fear go up her spine that she had not felt in years. "As your humble servant I can bow to your will but even if I commit hubris I ask that you do not use her too harshly. We are but mortal beings and we break easily."
"I promise nothing. Your grandaughter will have to rely on her own strength and the will of fate to see her through this. We only do this through necessity. You of all people know what it means if we fail." The voice answered with a hint of fury.
Lillianna pressed her head against the cool glass as the rain beat against the outside and spared a thought for the departed soul of her only daughter Rena. "I know all too well Divine One. I can only pray though that the ends justify the means."
***Interview Room Seven, Erassian Alliance Intelligence Headquarters, Erass IV***
"Major Walters judging by your report, your little trip into the Klingon Empire was quite succesful. Our allies in the Empire are content for now and you've returned with your head still on. Any comments on your part Major?" The slick looking Intelligence Handler said with a grin.
Scott looked up with a cranky expression caused by exhaustion and discomfort. "The food was a little undercooked for my preferences." He quipped.
The handler gave a slight chuckle. "Not really the attitude to take when we've lined up your next job for you."
"And what fabulous job do I have next? Body shield for a diplomat? Rent boy?" Scott answered harshly.
The handler smiled "As suited as you may be to those professions I doubt you would be in high demand. No we have a job for you in a dangerous but opportunity lucrative position within the Federation."
Scott met the handlers eyes. "Why me?"
"Because you're expendable Major" The handler said in an amused voice.
