The 34th Rule (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Book 23) by Armin Shimerman & David R. George III

Author:Armin Shimerman & David R. George III [Shimerman, Armin]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Pocket Books/Star Trek
Published: 2000-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

17

THE FIRST INDICATION of the invaders came from the subspace relay.

“Kira, are you getting the same readings I am?” Dax asked from her sciences console in Ops.

Sisko had been about to enter his office, but now he stopped. He turned and waited to hear what it was that had provoked Dax’s curiosity. He watched as his first officer examined her own console before she responded.

“What are you looking at?” Kira asked, evidently seeing nothing of interest in her display.

“The communications and sensor relay,” Dax answered. “It’s picking up an unusual warp signature.”

“Switching over,” Kira said, operating her console.

Among its other functions, the relay—positioned just beyond the mouth of the wormhole in the Gamma Quadrant—continuously transmitted the results of its local sensor scans back through the wormhole to Deep Space Nine. If an “unusual warp signature” had been detected, then that might indicate an unknown type of vessel. Sisko walked down to the lower level and over to Kira’s station to look at the readings himself.

“I’ve got it,” Kira said as the readout of the relay’s output came up on her display. On a graphical representation of the region of space about the relay, a speck of light moving against the stars signified the source of the unusual readings. An inset in the upper right corner of the display showed the warp signature of the unidentified vessel, and another in the lower right showed its configuration, as well as other details that the sensors had gleaned.

“What type of ship is that?” Sisko asked, unfamiliar with the readings. Although he had tried to keep his voice casual, he was not sure if he had succeeded.

“Nothing I’m acquainted with,” Dax said.

“Mr. Worf?” Sisko asked. The Klingon was already checking the readings at another console.

“It is reminiscent of a Ferengi Marauder,” Worf said, “with its sweeping aft section. . . .”

“That’s no Ferengi vessel,” Sisko said.

“No,” Worf agreed. “The closest design—”

“Dax, do you see that?” Kira interrupted. “Can these readings be accurate?”

Sisko studied Kira’s console. The warp signature had multiplied into two warp signatures . . . four . . . eight . . . many more. A cluster of lights now advanced across the display.

“I count at least thirty-five ships,” Dax confirmed. “And they’re on a direct heading for the wormhole.”

“It could be the Dominion,” Chief O’Brien suggested at his station.

“It could be, but those aren’t Jem’Hadar ships,” Sisko said, hoping that the chief’s conjecture did not prove to be prophetic. As heavily armed and fortified as DS9 now was, and as much of a warrior as Defiant was, they could not by themselves withstand the onslaught of such a large squadron of Jem’Hadar vessels. And once DS9 fell, both the wormhole and Bajor would be left virtually undefended. “Whoever they are, they shouldn’t be approaching the wormhole unannounced and in such numbers. Hail them, Major.”

“Hailing them,” Kira replied, her fingers fluttering rapidly across her controls. “There’s no response.”

“Keep trying,” Sisko said. “Dax, how long till they get here?”

“Not long . . . twenty minutes.

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