ST:SoD315 | "Release"

Stardate 227015.6

The Latenter must navigate yet another new and unfamiliar alternate reality, one in which the Dominion has dominated the galaxy and somehow halted the spread of the Darkness.

---

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T'Lana@anncaris | In the Latenter's meeting room, the senior staff are gathered...

T'Lana@anncaris:"Though our analysis of all intercepted communications so far, we've managed to obtain a relatively clear picture of this alternate reality we have been sent to."

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "The branching point occurred in the mid 23rd century. Instead of the first Klingon War which occurred in our timeline, the Cardassian border conflicts happened far earlier, -

T'Lana@anncaris - essentially in place of that war. We haven't been able to tap into any databases which went into detail about the conflict, but we assume the aftermath was likely comparable to what happened -

T'Lana@anncaris - in our Cardassian War, with the Federation moving into DS9. The reason for this supposition is because the Bajoran wormhole was discovered a century early."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Which, naturally, led to significantly earlier contact with the Dominion."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds reasonable so far"

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "As you'd expect, neither Starfleet's technology nor the state of the Alpha Quadrant at the time was a match for the Dominion. The Dominion War played out rather similarly at first, -

T'Lana@anncaris - but there was no turning point. It was all just a one sided conquest for the Dominion. The Cardassians and Breen sided with them, the Ferengi struck a bargain, and the Federation and Klingons -

T'Lana@anncaris - were conquered fairly quickly, after which they moved on to the Romulans."

Mischa@crystyl:"Presumably being that much earlier in history, there was no Emissary either to sway the Prophets into helping them"

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "Exactly. From what we could tell, it was about as one sided as a war could get. The conquest wasn't a significant part of Dominion history at all. The significance of it was the -

T'Lana@anncaris - access to the Alpha Quadrant, all the resources and genetic diversity within. The actual fighting is barely a footnote."

Mischa@crystyl:"Fair enough. So what came next?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"The Dominion eventually discovered Iconia and the Iconian gateway technology, eventually leading to first contact with the Iconians themselves. Instead of beginning the Iconian War, the Founders -

T'Lana@anncaris:- struck an accord with the now-energy based Iconian survivors, as both saw newer Children species as the enemy. The Iconians wanted to punish the younger civilizations for betraying them, while -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the Founders sought to control all these civilizations so they could not be harmed. The Iconians sent their ships to aid the Dominion and the remainder of the galaxy was rapidly brought to heel, -

T'Lana@anncaris - resulting in the Dominion that exists here today."

Mischa@crystyl:"Which brings us to the big question then; what of the Horde, and the Darkness here?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"After the Iconians' return, the existence of the Heart of War was rediscovered, causing the Dominion and Iconians to embark on its search. This led to the Horde War, the freeing of the Architect -

T'Lana@anncaris:- and the eventual destruction of the Horde. The specific events from what data we have gathered seem to be quite different, with a far more protracted conflict, but the end result was ultimately -

T'Lana@anncaris:- similar enough. The barrier was dropped, and the Darkness entered the galaxy. That is where the interesting development lies."

Mischa@crystyl:"Oh?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"The Darkness has entered the galaxy and was a problem for the initial decade or so. However, its progress has been halted. I suspect that is why Sisko has brought us here."

Mischa@crystyl:"So we need to find out what the Dominion and Iconians did then"

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria nods, "Fortunately, it seems like in our universe, the Darkness first entered from the Gamma Quadrant here. With a little bit of transwarp travel, we should be arriving at the area it -

T'Lana@anncaris - originally ravaged before too long. If we're going to find answers, the place where they stopped the Darkness is probably where we should start our search."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds reasonable. That will be our first course of action then"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "There is one other thing we must consider. From my analysis of the Dominion ships and stations we have seen so far, our cloak should be capable of concealing our presence from them. -

T'Lana@anncaris - However, we would be unable to cloak at transwarp speeds. With access to Iconian allies and technology, even if one Dominion vessel detects us, we could potentially have a fleet at our -

T'Lana@anncaris - position in moments."

Mischa@crystyl:"That would be less than desirable"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Fortunately, our sensor suite is superior to any of the Dominion patrols we have seen so far. By my calculations, we should be capable of detecting them before they detect us and -

T'Lana@anncaris - subsequently dropping out of warp to cloak. We will simply have to be alert and ready on sensors and comms whenever travelling at transwarp."

Mischa@crystyl:"We'll need around the clock vigilant watches then"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Agreed. Even if we are not far, travelling by regular warp speeds would still take far too long."

Mischa@crystyl:"Then if nobody has anything else, I suggest we get underway"

—

T'Lana@anncaris | The next day as the Latenter travels on, Mischa and T'Lana are in the mess hall for one of their usual dinners

T'Lana@anncaris takes a sip of her soup, "So, any theories on how the Dominion has managed to stop the Darkness?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Well we know the Heart serves as a powerful psionic amplifier. In the hands of its original creators it could be that they were able to better control its use and restore the galactic barrier, or-

Mischa@crystyl:- something similar"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "That is an excellent theory. From what we have learned in the universe we were previously exploring, it seems the only successful means to keep the Darkness at bay has been the use of psionics."

Mischa@crystyl:"And it remains consistent with everything we know from everywhere else too. The question remains how to do so, and that answer seems to lie here. If we can learn a means of utilizing the Heart to -

Mischa@crystyl:- restore the barrier, that could be key to everything"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. If there is such a means, I wonder why we were sent to this universe in particular. It cannot be the only one who has figured out a method to halt the Darkness. There must be another which -

T'Lana@anncaris:- could be decidedly less dangerous to learn this information from."

Mischa@crystyl:"Maybe. But that's why I'm leaning towards the Iconian connection, since that's the obvious difference here it must outweigh the dangers to make it fruitful enough to learn what we need"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Perhaps the convenience of location may play a factor as well. The Bajoran wormhole has displaced individuals through time and even realities previously, but its end points appear to be -

T'Lana@anncaris - fixed in space. The distance between the Gamma Quadrant aperture of the wormhole in this universe to the last system consumed by the Darkness is surprisingly close. If we had been brought to -

T'Lana@anncaris - a universe where the Darkness entered elsewhere, it may be difficult to investigate, even if its denizens successfully halted the threat."

Mischa@crystyl:"Another valid consideration"

T'Lana@anncaris:"I wonder if-" she pauses as she notices something out the window. "We have dropped out of transwarp, but we are not yet at the end of this burst. The sensors must have detected a vessel."

Mischa@crystyl glances out, "I guess so. I'm sure they've got things in hand. They would call us if there was any cause for concern"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. Most likely a precaution so we do not get spotted by a passing ship. I expect the alert status would be raised if there is any imminent danger."

Mischa@crystyl:"Hopefully there won't be too many disruptions like this"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "The odd disruption should not affect our journey significantly, as the transwarp drives require cooling in any case. If there is a significant amount, on the other hand..."

Mischa@crystyl:"Then we may have to rethink our approach"

—

T'Lana@anncaris | The next day, Mischa arrives on the bridge a little later than T'Lana to take over after T'Lana's shift

T'Lana@anncaris | As she enters the bridge, she notices they are cruising at regular warp again

Mischa@crystyl glances around, "More patrols?"

T'Lana@anncaris stands, stepping aside to let Mischa have the chair, "Not a patrol. It is rather curious. You recall the disruption from last night?"

Mischa@crystyl nods, making herself comfortable

T'Lana@anncaris:"There was a vessel. Dominion, cruiser-sized, travelling in the same direction we are. We have not seen a ship of that class before among the patrols or planetary garrisons we saw so far, but we -

T'Lana@anncaris:- are not precisely familiar with Dominion ship designs in this universe, so we did not think much of it."

Mischa@crystyl:"But now you do?"

T'Lana@anncaris nods to the viewscreen displaying the usual warp starstreaks instead of the transwarp tunnel, "This current disruption is the result of another such vessel. We were set to resume transwarp -

T'Lana@anncaris - five minutes ago, but the vessel seems to have made a rendez-vous with another ship and resumed course in the same direction as the last one, necessitating that we remain cloaked for longer -

T'Lana@anncaris - until we can distance ourselves. However, we were able to gain something from this delay."

Mischa@crystyl:"Glad to hear it"

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "We managed to intercept and decrypt the communications between the two vessels. It turns out the Dominion ship is some kind of specialized transport designed to ferry a very -

T'Lana@anncaris - particular cargo. Psionics, frozen in stasis."

Mischa@crystyl:"Frozen psionics? Psionicles? Well that is certainly unexpected"

T'Lana@anncaris:"As you theorized last night, psionics does seem to be the most likely means to keep the Darkness at bay. I suspect this is related. It would be logical to speculate that the ship of the same class -

T'Lana@anncaris:- we passed yesterday served the same purpose as well, and they are both travelling in the same direction as we are. Towards the Darkness."

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "Why the Dominion would require frozen psionics is another question, though. They can produce psionic Vorta, so if they needed psionics to keep the Darkness at bay..."

—

T'Lana@anncaris | The next day, Mischa and T'Lana are on the bridge as they begin to approach the last known location of the Darkness in this universe...

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "ETA thirty minutes. Making the last stretch at regular warp so we can be cloaked, in case there's more ships in the area or something."

Mischa@crystyl:"Perfect"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "I am detecting something on sensors."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Another ship?"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "No, it appears to be a galactic barrier."

T'Lana@anncaris glances back to Mischa, "Your speculation may be correct after all, Captain."

Mischa@crystyl looks over, "You have something?"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "These energy readings align with only one thing- a galactic barrier. It is not quite entirely identical to /the/ Galactic Barrier which was lowered, but it is comparable enough."

Mischa@crystyl:"Is it a complete galactic barrier or a localized effect?"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "It stretches as far as our sensors can see, but even our sensors cannot cover this entire sector. It may be localized or it may be complete, but I would not recommend following the -

T'Lana@anncaris - course of the barrier to ascertain that. There are likely far more effective ways to do so."

Mischa@crystyl:"Agreed, let's see what we can learn"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "I recommend scanning and analyzing the barrier first to see what we can determine of its nature."

Mischa@crystyl:"A good place to start"

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "I'll keep moving us in so we can collect better scans, then."

T'Lana@anncaris | The minutes pass by as the Latenter moves towards the new barrier. Soon, Nethay drops the Latenter out of warp. As the starstreaks fade away, the viewscreen displays...

T'Lana@anncaris FX | https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/4/4f/USS_Discovery_approaches_galactic_barrier.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20220226213616&path-prefix=en

T'Lana@anncaris raises a brow, "Fascinating." She taps her console, and a different image appears over the viewscreen display

T'Lana@anncaris FX | https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/memoryalpha/images/0/08/Galactic_barrier%2C_remastered.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20190518221458&path-prefix=en

T'Lana@anncaris steps up behind Mischa, "That is the last known visual collected of the Galactic Barrier in our own universe, prior to the events of the Horde conflict. The differences T'Bee mentioned are even -

T'Lana@anncaris - visually distinguishable."

Mischa@crystyl:"Distinguishable, but still very much a galactic barrier I would say"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee nods, "The energy readings are the same level and intensity as the barrier we are familiar with. Whether it is localized or surrounding the entire galaxy I cannot say still from the data -

T'Lana@anncaris - we possess here. However, the data on the Darkness suggests that they are capable of moving around obstacles, and I suspect a localized shield will not be effective."

T'Lana@anncaris:"it would be logical to assume that the Dominion has somehow managed to establish the barrier across the entire galaxy once again."

Mischa@crystyl:"I'm betting that is tied to the psionics in stasis"

T'Lana@anncaris:"I suspect so as well."

T'Lana@anncaris | The turbolift doors slide open and Mattis emerges onto the bridge

T'Lana@anncaris raises a brow, "What brings you to the bridge, Mattis?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Mattis: "I don't suppose you can sense it."

T'Lana@anncaris:"I assume you refer to the barrier?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Mattis nods, "It's wrong. Not that I particularly /like/ how the Q did it, mind you, but this is...worse."

T'Lana@anncaris | The viewscreen switches back from the old image of the barrier to display the live feed of the current new barrier

Mischa@crystyl:"What exactly is it that you are sensing here?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Mattis: "Suffering. Anguish. That's what this barrier radiates. Like billions of tormented souls, screaming for help."

Mischa@crystyl:"Like a galaxy full of psionics have been imprisoned in stasis and turned into glorified psionic batteries..."

T'Lana@anncaris | Mattis: "That's oddly specific..."

Mischa@crystyl:"That's an interpretation of what we have seen so far here"

T'Lana@anncaris | Mattis: "It'd explain the pain and torment. The Q stole power from all the Children species to power their barrier. You think they're forcing those with the most psionic potential to power this one?"

Mischa@crystyl:"That is my suspicion, yes"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Captain, long-ranged sensors are picking up another ship. It is too far out for detailed scans, but the energy signature seems to be a match for the two psionic transports we have seen previously."

Mischa@crystyl:"Could be worth a closer look now we have an idea"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Agreed. The barrier looks static enough, and remaining here for more scans is unlikely to provide anything more of import."

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "Should I bring us about to tail that ship, then?"

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Bring us about"

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "Aye Captain."

T'Lana@anncaris | The Latenter turns away from the new barrier towards the starfield behind them before jumping away to warp after the Dominion transport

—

T'Lana@anncaris | About two hours passes as the Latenter tails the Dominion transport under cloak, monitoring it closely but seeing no change in activity so far

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "Perhaps the Dominion is unable to produce psionics of their own quickly enough. Or perhaps artificial psionics are not strong enough."

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria nods, "Both plausible explanations. I wonder if the Vorta count as a Children species, even."

T'Lana@anncaris:"That would depend on which origin story you believe to be the most likely."

Mischa@crystyl hrms, "Seeing who we are dealing with, it is quite possible that these are simply the Children species of the galaxy being enslaved in this manner"

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan: "She's got a point. It /is/ the old Dominion, without any of Odo's reforms and all of that. Even if they've got plenty of artificial psionics, they might just be forcing the natural -

T'Lana@anncaris - psionics into enslavement because they can. You know, to prevent people from gaining enough power for rebellions and the like."

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Indeed. Perhaps this is a show of power and domination, rather than necessity."

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Captain, I have something else on long-range sensors. The Dominion vessel's course is taking them straight towards it."

Mischa@crystyl:"What have you got?"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "It is a much larger energy signature than a ship and does not appear to be moving. I cannot discern more from this range, but it seems likely to be a station."

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's proceed with caution then"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "I will keep you updated when we receive clearer sensor data."

T'Lana@anncaris | A few more minutes pass by before T'Bee provides an update, "I can confirm that this is a Dominion station, but it is also significantly different from the starbases we have seen thus far."

Mischa@crystyl:"Iconian influence?"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Precisely," She taps at her console. "If I am not mistaken, this station hosts an Iconian gateway."

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "So the vessel's destination is not the barrier, but a waystation /along/ the barrier."

Mischa@crystyl:"So it would seem"

T'Lana@anncaris | As they begin to approach the Iconian station behind the ship, T'Bee announces, "Reading an energy spike from the station. It is concentrated around the gateway."

Mischa@crystyl:"They are opening it"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Our cloak will hold if we follow the ship through, and they will be none the wiser that an additional vessel has passed through the gateway. However, we will be going in blind to whatever is on -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the other end."

Mischa@crystyl:"If we want answers I suspect it is the only way we will get them"

T'Lana@anncaris:"As do I. There is also the option of sending a team through with Acey as to not risk the entire Latenter. Returning once our investigation is complete may be more difficult. However, if the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- multiple transports we have seen travelling in this direction are all here to utilize this gateway, we should have plenty of opportunity to pass back through. That is only extrapolation from the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- limited information we possess, though."

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria nods, "Less risky for the crew, but more risky for the team going with Acey."

Mischa@crystyl:"A ship gateway has to have plenty of space around its aperture. Even if this comes out in the middle of a sphere there should be more than enough room for the Latenter to stay hidden. I don't -

Mischa@crystyl:- think now is the time to start sending off wild away missions. We stick together as one for now"

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay nods, "I'll take us in after the Dominion ship, then."

T'Lana@anncaris | On the viewscreen, the Latenter drops out of warp behind the Dominion ship, which is heading straight for the gateway

T'Lana@anncaris | Slowly, the Dominion transport passes through the gateway, which draws closer and closer to the Latenter

T'Lana@anncaris | A few moments later, the Latenter is through as well, and the view on the screen abruptly changes

T'Lana@anncaris FX | https://preview.redd.it/s6lz724l4mc71.jpg?auto=webp&s=465c21960aebbf1dced5af3cbd30c705cebc91a2

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "That's definitely a Sphere..."

Mischa@crystyl:"The question remains; is it the Heart?"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Despite the visual differences, according to my estimate of the Sphere size based on the curvature of the surface present here, and the presence of the blue giant star at its core, -

T'Lana@anncaris - this is without a doubt the Heart."

Mischa@crystyl:"I suspected as much. If my theory is right, this is where they are maintaining their artificial galactic barrier, and so where they are keeping the Children 'batteries' too"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "I am beginning my analysis immediately."

—

T'Lana@anncaris | After a few minutes of scanning, T'Bee announces, "The Heart has undergone significant modification since its initial form. Many of the facilities are completely restructured for different -

T'Lana@anncaris - purposes now. I am still discerning the purpose of the various facilities, but the core systems of the Heart are active and outputting massive amounts of energy every moment. While I cannot -

T'Lana@anncaris - confirm just yet, all information seems to support our hypothesis that the Heart's psionic amplifier is being utilized to power the barrier."

Mischa@crystyl:"Then we may need to dig deeper into how exactly they are achieving that. Obviously it is using the psionics we've seen in stasis, but there's no way we can replicate this in our universe without an -

Mischa@crystyl:- alternative means of harnessing the necessary energy"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "It may take much more study to decipher exactly how the Heart's new facilities work. It may be simpler to continue tailing the ship we came in with. The psionics are presumably required -

T'Lana@anncaris - for this procedure. If we follow their journey, we may gain an understanding of how it is conducted."

Mischa@crystyl:"My thoughts exactly"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "The ship is currently heading towards one of the facilities," She brings a map of the modified Heart, highlighting the facility

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "I'll take us there."

T'Lana@anncaris | The Latenter begins moving across the Spherescape and before long, the Dominion transport comes into view again, now hovering above one of the Sphere facilities

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "I'm picking up transporter signals from the ship to the facility."

Mischa@crystyl:"Shipping over their latest delivery no doubt"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee nods, "The transported signatures do have lifesigns. Very faint, likely as a result of the stasis."

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's start sizing up this facility then since that looks like our first stop"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Conducting an in-depth analysis of the facility now."

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "The Dominion transport is moving away now. Back towards the gateway."

Mischa@crystyl:"They've served their purpose for now"

T'Lana@anncaris announces after a few minutes of tapping her console, when the ship has completely disappeared into the distance, "From what I can tell, this facility is similar to multiple others across the -

T'Lana@anncaris - Sphere. They are all tied to the Sphere systems in some way, but beyond that I am unable to determine from scans alone. If we can visit the facility itself, we may be able to acquire more -

T'Lana@anncaris - detailed data."

Mischa@crystyl:"Now that sounds like an away mission to me! What about lifesigns and defenses down there?"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "The defenses appear to be as expected for a Sphere facility. We should be able to transport onto one of the balconies without being detected. As for lifesigns..."

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Not counting the faint lifesigns which are no doubt psionics in stasis, there are a number of active lifesigns in the facility. Many of them appear to be on active patrol patterns."

Mischa@crystyl:"I had a feeling this wasn't going to be easy"

T'Lana@anncaris:"It never is. Looking at their patrol patterns, we should be capable of evading them. The difficulty is not knowing exactly what we are dealing with. The computer cannot match these lifesigns to -

T'Lana@anncaris:- any known species."

Mischa@crystyl:"I guess we'll just have to go and see for ourselves then"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. I have a theory on what those may be. A closer scan will benefit that investigation as well."

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's get going then, shall we" she stands

T'Lana@anncaris nods, moving to head out as well

—

T'Lana@anncaris | Mischa and T'Lana materialize on the balcony of the Sphere facility. As they appear, T'Lana quickly triggers a stealth field much like the one Mirror Rianni used, shrouding them both

T'Lana@anncaris:"An additional precaution above the lifesign masking, given the more advanced Dominion we are dealing with here."

Mischa@crystyl:"A prudent measure"

T'Lana@anncaris begins leading the way into the facility, checking her tricorder as they go

Mischa@crystyl also scans and watches the area around them

T'Lana@anncaris | Not far into the facility, they detect the movement of lifesigns on patrol ahead

Mischa@crystyl pauses to get a closer look

T'Lana@anncaris | The lifesigns quickly draw closer, and a few moments later, a door opens and three figures rush out...

T'Lana@anncaris FX | https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/6/6a/YuuzhanVongwarriors.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090903050959

T'Lana@anncaris quickly retrieves a canister from her toolbelt, spraying it over herself and Mischa before silently signalling for Mischa to move away from the door

Mischa@crystyl follows closely

T'Lana@anncaris moves behind a pile of crates, staying totally silent. The three aliens walk over to where Mischa and T'Lana was before T'Lana sprayed them with the canister, standing around and sniffing

T'Lana@anncaris | Alien 1: "There's nothing here."

T'Lana@anncaris | Alien 2: "Impossible. You smelled it as well."

T'Lana@anncaris | One of them looks to the balcony, followed by the other two

T'Lana@anncaris | Alien 1: "Could an escapee have jumped off the balcony?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Alien 3: "There would be warnings if a pod opened."

T'Lana@anncaris | Alien 1: "A flying creature from the Sphere surface, then?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Alien 2: "Unlikely they will make it this far, but that is a better explanation than any other."

T'Lana@anncaris | Alien 3: "Fan out. Search the room. One minute. Then we return to patrol."

T'Lana@anncaris | The three aliens start searching around the room

T'Lana@anncaris | As one of them begins to get close, T'Lana quickly starts moving away from it

T'Lana@anncaris | After a little dancing around with the aliens, the three finally give up on their search. With a signal from the third one, which seems to be their leader, they all move back to the doorway -

T'Lana@anncaris - they emerged from

Mischa@crystyl breathes a sigh of relief

T'Lana@anncaris watches the aliens disappear through the doorway, "It would appear the security here have an excellent sense of smell."

T'Lana@anncaris sets the spray canister she used back on her toolbelt

Mischa@crystyl:"Probably not the only heightened sense they have. Good thing you brought that along" she notes the canister

T'Lana@anncaris:"I had taken it with me in case we were surprised by Lupan. While we did not pick up their lifesigns in this facility, this is the Heart after all, and encountering them could be a possibility."

Mischa@crystyl:"Do you recognize that species?"

T'Lana@anncaris checks her tricorder, "Yes and no. Their search has allowed me to collect some closer scans. They are not as detailed as I would like, but what I am seeing does further support my hypothesis so far."

Mischa@crystyl:"And that is?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"I believe we are looking at an improved version of Jem'Hadar, enhanced by genetic data from across the entirety of the Milky Way."

Mischa@crystyl:"Really? I mean it makes sense, but damn..."

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "We will need to analyze a tissue sample in order to confirm, but these scans suggest a body built exclusively for combat, with some traits of the Jem'Hadar we are familiar with as well as -

T'Lana@anncaris - other Children species considered physically powerful. I can confidently say that they are almost certainly genetically designed or augmented. The chances of a species naturally evolving these -

T'Lana@anncaris - perfect warrior traits are highly improbable."

Mischa@crystyl:"It seems that the Children haven't just been farmed for psionic battery potential"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. Let us proceed carefully. I do not favour our odds if we are forced into a confrontation with these Jem'Hadar."

Mischa@crystyl:"Agreed"

T'Lana@anncaris presses on into the facility, choosing a different doorway than the one the Jem'Hadar went through. They are forced to pause several times as their tricorders pick up moving lifesigns, but -

T'Lana@anncaris - unlike the first time, the Jem'Hadar didn't rush in their direction with their scent masked

T'Lana@anncaris:"The scent masking seems to be effectively concealing us now."

Mischa@crystyl:"...for now, at least. You know saying things like that invites ironic outcomes". she chuckles

T'Lana@anncaris:"As illogical as it may be, I have noticed some correlation between these statements and ironic outcomes, so it may be wise to avoid making them."

T'Lana@anncaris | Continuing through the hall they were in, they soon reached another doorway, which opened up to...

T'Lana@anncaris FX | https://pwimages-a.akamaihd.net/arc/20/7e/207e98bb5502e7c3c7a096bcf60706071527617056.jpg

Mischa@crystyl looks around, "As expected"

T'Lana@anncaris:"More lifesigns incoming. We should move away from the door."

Mischa@crystyl nods and finds a hiding spot

T'Lana@anncaris follows along

T'Lana@anncaris | A few seconds later, a door on the other side of the chamber slides open. A different alien steps in, accompanied by two Nuhar drones trailing behind it. As it comes closer, the distinctive -

T'Lana@anncaris - shape of Vorta ears can be seen along the alien's face. Aside from the ears, the Vorta appeared to have undergone a few changes. This one's skin was a light green hue, a shade which could be -

T'Lana@anncaris - seen among both Romulans and Orions. Her brows were pointed like a Vulcan or Romulan's. Her nose is gone, replaced by two flat orifices which gives the face a distinctly more alien look. The -

T'Lana@anncaris - body proportions also seem to be slightly lankier. In addition to the recognizable ears however, the purple eyes seem to have remained

T'Lana@anncaris | While the Vorta moves to check something on a console, the drones hover about, scanning various pods

T'Lana@anncaris | As the Vorta works, a hovering mechanical arm of distinctly Iconian design floats over, removing one of the pods and placing it on a pod-shaped space in the room's centre. The space opens and -

T'Lana@anncaris - the pod is sucked away. A few moments later, another pod, distinct from the one that was removed from the markings on it, pops up, which the arm subsequently grabs and slots into the position -

T'Lana@anncaris - of the removed pod. With this done, the Vorta turns to depart, the two drones trailing after her

T'Lana@anncaris | Before long, the Vorta is gone, exiting through the doorway that Mischa and T'Lana came through

Mischa@crystyl:"So, they need to constantly replenish their battery power. This seems like an ill-fated method"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Let us see if we can learn more from that console she was utilizing."

T'Lana@anncaris checks her tricorder and upon seeing that the area is clear, heads for the console

T'Lana@anncaris taps at the console, "I am in. It appears Sphere system security has not been upgraded significantly."

Mischa@crystyl:"I won't complain, but I will make a note to ensure ours is upgraded when we get home"

T'Lana@anncaris:"That would be a prudent measure. Iconian and Nuhar security is quite formidable already, but not as much now that the galaxy is quickly gaining a greater understanding of it."

T'Lana@anncaris continues tapping at the console, "It is as you suspected. These pods are draining the psionics of their power. This console does not offer an in-depth detail of how the entire system works, but -

T'Lana@anncaris - we do not wish to replicate the Dominion's process exactly in any case."

Mischa@crystyl:"Indeed. It would be helpful to try and learn more about how they are actually utilizing the Heart's abilities now"

T'Lana@anncaris:"All I can tell is that the power is being transferred to the Heart's control room. I suspect in order to learn more details, we will have to proceed there. I suspect they are using the same basic -

T'Lana@anncaris:- setup as the amplifier which destroyed the Horde, hence the control room location."

Mischa@crystyl:"That would be my assumption as well, but it's just that - an amplifier. So what is it they are amplifying in order to create the barrier, that is the question"

T'Lana@anncaris:"That we may have to proceed to the control room to determine."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Let's move on"

—

T'Lana@anncaris | Mischa is staring at the rows of stasis pods with frozen psionics within

T'Lana@anncaris | Suddenly, one of the psionics is not so much in stasis, leaping up and pounding on the glass of the pod

T'Lana@anncaris | This is followed by another psionic just beside her, somehow coming to life within the stasis unit. And then another, on the row above

T'Lana@anncaris | One by one the psionics come alive, pounding and screaming at the pods

T'Lana@anncaris | Mischa backs up to find herself pressed against another pod. The psionic within also stirs and jumps at Mischa, shouting "Free us!"

T'Lana@anncaris | As she stumbles forward towards the pods that first began to awake, the psionics there begin crying the same two words

T'Lana@anncaris | Soon, the entire chamber echos with chants of "Free us!" Not at all in unison, with voices shouting atop of one another while others whisper the words eerily. Others yet continue to wail and -

T'Lana@anncaris - screech incoherently, providing an unsettling background to the chaotic chorus

T'Lana@anncaris | As the voices reach fever pitch...

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Captain?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Mischa blinks and finds herself in the Latenter's conference room where she last remembered being

Mischa@crystyl winces, rubbing her temple, "Sorry, where were we?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"We were discussing potential approaches for the centre of the Heart. It is a heavily guarded and patrolled area with stealth detection grids which may even be able to penetrate our improved cloak."

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "Maybe not see through it entirely, but they'll definitely be able to tell if a starship passes through."

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes, that would be... bad..." she trails off distractedly, somewhat haunted by the waking vision

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "I believe our best hope of success is utilizing the same strategy as infiltrating planets with detection grids first. Compromise the grid system first."

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "The grid control is situated within the grid itself."

Mischa@crystyl:"Do you believe you can circumvent it?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "The primary power systems can be disrupted from outside the grid. They will know something is happening, but the Sphere is a large place to search, even for the forces they possess."

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "You mean cut off the power from the Omega generators to the detection grid. The star itself is still located inside the grid, though. Couldn't they switch to backup power?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "A change which will take them 1 minute, 44 seconds by my calculations. Sufficient time to slip past the grid."

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "It's a tight window, but it's doable."

Mischa@crystyl:"But as already noted, it will also put them on high alert. It would help if we were able to create a patsy as well"

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "Sounds like you have an idea, Captain."

Mischa@crystyl:"I wish I did, but it's more just a whim at the moment. Suffice to say I'm open to suggestions"

T'Lana@anncaris:"We could orchestrate an escape. The team bringing down systems could bring down more systems than just the detection grid and make it seem as if the grid going down was merely a byproduct for an -

T'Lana@anncaris:- operation ultimately centred on cutting power to stasis facilities and releasing prisoners."

Mischa@crystyl:"So... freeing the psionics? Yes... that sounds like a good idea"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Not all of them, that might cause chaos which would prove counterproductive to our mission. Two or three facilities, perhaps, enough to draw the Dominion's attention away from the centre of the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Heart, along with other systems failures to make the detection grid seem like one of many unintended byproducts."

Mischa@crystyl:"That works. We could time it to a new set of arrivals, since what we witnessed down there suggests that is the most vulnerable time for them where some may find a way to try and escape"

T'Lana@anncaris:"An excellent suggestion. We will require a separate team to trigger the malfunction at the Omega generators while the Latenter proceeds through to the control centre. Acey's Dart should be -

T'Lana@anncaris:- well-suited for the mission."

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "Yes, but we may require a third team for which my skills are better suited."

Mischa@crystyl:"Please elaborate"

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "Once the backup power from the star is channeled into the detection grid, the Latenter will be inside the bounds of the grid and safely beyond detection. However, we will still need an -

T'Lana@anncaris - exit strategy for when the investigation is complete. As we are within the grid, it will be possible to access the grid controls directly and add a blind spot for us to slip out. My -

T'Lana@anncaris - familiarity with Iconian computer systems makes me the most logical choice for this. Cutting the power from the Omega generator will require familiarity with Iconian hardware rather than -

T'Lana@anncaris - software, which is my specialty."

Mischa@crystyl:"So we just need to clone you then so you can do everything" she chuckles, not really being serious

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "If you allow me to propagate so much, it will render you organics redundant. I am not certain you desire that."

Mischa@crystyl:"You're probably right. Well then, what do you recommend? Since this is so largely focused on your expertise"

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "I can take care of the exit strategy. I recommend dispatching a separate Dart to the Omega generator facilities. Glyph will be an excellent candidate for his technical expertise."

T'Lana@anncaris:"The Omega generators are likely to be well-guarded. Security will be required as well. I recommend Ori, and I may also lead the team myself," she looks to Mischa

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds good to me. You and Ori can take the generators, I'll take a team to the primary objective"

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan: "Being the Sphere control room, the primary objective's sure to be guarded, too. Might want to take Sabina with you. That way each team has an augment to help out with these enhanced Jem'hadar."

Mischa@crystyl:"An excellent recommendation" she nods

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "Sounds like we have a plan, then."

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's get all the groundwork done then so we are ready to pounce the next time a ship comes through"

T'Lana@anncaris | The senior staff all nod and stand, moving off to make the preparations

T'Lana@anncaris looks to Mischa as everyone else files out, "Are you alright, Mischa? You seemed...distracted in the midst of the meeting."

Mischa@crystyl leans back and nods, "I think so. I'm not sure if I'm just tired or if it was... something more. But for a brief moment there I wasn't here"

T'Lana@anncaris raises a brow, "Wasn't here?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Indeed. I was back in the facility, the room with all of the stasis chambers. One by one the imprisoned psionics started waking up and banging on the pods, begging to be released"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Curious. It is possible that some of them may still have power even when in stasis, perhaps subconscious power. It may be an attempt at communication due to our previous visit, perhaps."

Mischa@crystyl:"I certainly can't rule it out, especially since I am not exactly prone to internal distractions like that"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. Be careful on the mission. It would not do well to be distracted by this when in the field."

Mischa@crystyl:"I will brief Sabina and make sure she is ready to pick up the slack if it occurs. I would rather not use countermeasures in case this is as we suspect, since that vague link could be valuable. -

Mischa@crystyl:- Though it still begs the question of why I - of all people - would receive such a message"

T'Lana@anncaris:"My best theory is proximity. The two of us were closest to the psionics, having snuck into one of their facilities where they were held. As I am immune to telepathic contact, at least from other -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Children species, yours was the only mind they could form a connection with."

Mischa@crystyl:"As reasonable an assumption as any" she smiles

T'Lana@anncaris gives a slight smile in return as she stands, "I will make preparations for my side of the mission. I hope both teams will be able to execute our objectives without incident."

Mischa@crystyl:"Of course they will. Our people are the best!"

—

T'Lana@anncaris:| As another transport arrives in the Sphere, T'Lana, Glyph and Ori depart on a shuttle towards the Sphere surface to sabotage one of the Omega generator facilities while the Latenter holds -

T'Lana@anncaris:- position and awaits the grid to go down. Their Dart reaches the large industrial area around the facility without incident, touching down amidst the various Iconian towers and structures

T'Lana@anncaris:passes Ori another one of the spray canisters after spraying herself, "Here. To conceal your scent from the enhanced Jem'hadar."

Rianni@crystyl:"Oh right, I remember that from your report on the first mission!" she promptly spritzes herself

T'Lana@anncaris:"I will keep the stealth field off for the time being. It uses significant power and while we have additional power packs in the Dart, it would be best to operate conservatively. The immediate area -

T'Lana@anncaris:- should be clear."

Rianni@crystyl:"Sounds good to me"

T'Lana@anncaris:steps out the shuttle and into the midst of the great Iconian spires beyond

T'Lana@anncaris:"Have you been to the Omega generation facilities of our Heart before?"

Rianni@crystyl:shakes her head, looking around, "I didn't see much of the Heart, but I did study the available details from that and the other populated spheres"

T'Lana@anncaris:| Glyph: "As have I. Assuming the systems are largely still similar to the Sphere back in our reality, I believe I may perform what is required to divert the necessary power."

Rianni@crystyl:"Well at least we're not relying on me for the technical stuff!" she chuckles

T'Lana@anncaris:"You are here for the security escort. If all goes well, this will just be a sightseeing trip for you."

Rianni@crystyl:"As nice as that would be, I doubt we will be that fortunate"

T'Lana@anncaris:| Glyph: "Indeed. There are signatures incoming."

T'Lana@anncaris:taps her belt, activating the stealth field and leading the team aside

T'Lana@anncaris:| A few moments later, a squad of Iconian heralds and Constructs march down, supported by several Nuhar drones hovering above. They don't seem to notice the team and walk past them, turning away eventually

Rianni@crystyl:"Looks like a standard patrol. There could be more, but these patterns tend to have a workable way through"

T'Lana@anncaris:"According to our scans from the Latenter, the majority of patrols down here are Iconian and Nuhar. That should make it simpler to make our way through."

T'Lana@anncaris:continues onwards, deactivating the stealth field once they are far enough away

T'Lana@anncaris:| After a little longer sneaking around patrols, they approach their destination. The entrance is guarded by four Iconian Constructs, with Nuhar drone patrols around it

T'Lana@anncaris:"There are other entrances, but it is unlikely they will leave them unguarded. I suspect we will see the same security there as well."

Rianni@crystyl:looks to TL, "How do you wish to proceed? We could take them out, but that may lead to raised awareness if they miss a check in. Using the stealth field may be the most expedient option"

T'Lana@anncaris:"The stealth field will conceal us visually, but the door opening will still alert the guards. We will have to follow a patrol inside for maximum discretion."

Rianni@crystyl:nods, "That would be prudent"

T'Lana@anncaris:steps aside and waits. About half a minute later, a patrol does indeed come towards the building. The drones utilize vents to enter, but the herald and constructs head for the door

T'Lana@anncaris:activates the stealth field, "Now is our chance."

Rianni@crystyl:follows closely

T'Lana@anncaris:| The team moves close behind the patrol. The doors stay open for a second longer than they should before closing, but that doesn't seem to be enough to alert the constructs that something is wrong. -

T'Lana@anncaris:- They make it inside without raising any alarms and continue through the facility...

T'Lana@anncaris:| After a little walking, they part ways from the patrol and move deeper into the facility. Before long, they come across a doorway guarded by another two constructs

Rianni@crystyl:"This may be more problematic, unless we can create a distraction or something"

T'Lana@anncaris:| Glyph: "I may be able to overload a conduit further down the hall to draw the guards' attention. Though scans indicate there is a lifesign within the room which will likely notice when the door opens."

T'Lana@anncaris:"We will have to enter somehow, as this is the room with the controls we require. We will deal with the lifesign when the time comes."

T'Lana@anncaris:| Glyph nods, "Yes Commander." He steps back down the hall and returns a moment later. Once everyone is concealed in the stealth field, the conduit he messed with explodes, causing the two -

T'Lana@anncaris:- constructs on the door to rush over and investigate

T'Lana@anncaris:"Be ready to deal with the lifesign within. Preferably without energy weaponry so we do not alert additional enemies."

Rianni@crystyl:"Got it"

T'Lana@anncaris:quickly moves forward through the door while the constructs are distracted. The lifesign within, one of the upgraded Vorta, turns around at the sight of the door opening. He quirks his head with a -

T'Lana@anncaris:- confused expression when nothing seems to enter and walks over to investigate...

Rianni@crystyl:stalks around to one side to optimize her position to come up and take the Vorta down quietly with a nerve pinch

T'Lana@anncaris:| The Vorta immediately drops from the nerve pinch

T'Lana@anncaris:"Excellent technique, Ensign."

Rianni@crystyl:smiles, "Thank you Commander, I've been practicing!"

T'Lana@anncaris:nods, "As I can see." She glances around. "The area appears to be clear. Let us redirect the power flows before we overstay our welcome."

T'Lana@anncaris:| Glyph nods and proceeds to the console the Vorta was working at

—

T'Lana@anncaris | Back on the Latenter bridge...

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "The transport's offloading its psionic cargo now. I hope the generator team gets there in time before the window to make this breakout look less suspicious closes...."

Mischa@crystyl:"They'll do it"

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "Grid's still up...wait, I'm reading some power fluctuations in the Sphere systems!"

Mischa@crystyl:"That is our cue, time to go"

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay nods, "Aye, taking us into the grid now. Let's hope it goes offline in time."

T'Lana@anncaris | As the Latenter presses forward, Daurant announces, "Detection grid has lost power. Energy signatures in central sphere systems indicates they're trying to reroute power from the star to -

T'Lana@anncaris - reactivate the grid."

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "Alright, less than two minutes to make it through..."

T'Lana@anncaris | On the viewscreen, the blue sun at the centre of the Sphere looms closer and closer as the Latenter closes in. In front of them, a large Dominion battleship cruises by, but fortunately it is -

T'Lana@anncaris - entirely oblivious to the Latenter's presence

Mischa@crystyl watches with baited breath

T'Lana@anncaris | Another trio of smaller attack ships fly by the viewscreen, once again unaware of the Latenter's presence

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "One minute..."

T'Lana@anncaris | The star looms even closer until only its blue glow nearly fills the viewscreen. A pair of Iconian raiders can be seen patrolling nearby, once again unable to see through the cloak

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "Thirty seconds."

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "Almost there..."

T'Lana@anncaris | The Sphere control facility looms into view, with the distinctive shielding beneath it keeping out the worst of the star's heat

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "Ten seconds..."

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "We're through!"

T'Lana@anncaris | The facility itself is orbited by a number of patrolling Iconian raiders, with a Nuhar Defender and an Iconian Dreadnought parked nearby in orbit of the star around it

Mischa@crystyl:"Never any cause for doubt. On with the next phase"

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "A transport might be risky with so many patrols about. Might want to use another Dart to sneak into the facility."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds like a plan to me"

—

T'Lana@anncaris:| Back at the generator control...

T'Lana@anncaris:| Glyph: "The grid is now down, along with the additional systems for distraction."

T'Lana@anncaris:nods, "Let us make our exit, then."

T'Lana@anncaris:begins leading the way out of the facility

Rianni@crystyl:follows closely, senses heightened for changes in their surroundings to suggest exposure

T'Lana@anncaris:| They don't get far before Glyph announces, "Transport signatures. They know the sabotage was conducted here and have sent reinforcements to investigate."

Rianni@crystyl:"We should try and use the stealth field to avoid detection"

T'Lana@anncaris:nods, activating the stealth field and the trio flicker away into invisibility once again. They continue to proceed towards the exit, but before they can reach it, they find a trio of the new -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Jem'Hadar striding towards them. However, they aren't alone but accompanied by a Vorta. This one has the Vulcan/Romulanoid features, but like the one Ori nerve pinched in the room, she is even -

T'Lana@anncaris:- taller and lankier

T'Lana@anncaris:moves to the side to avoid the patrol, but the Vorta pauses, causing the Jem'Hadar to do so as well. Then, she stares right at Ori...

T'Lana@anncaris:draws her pistols and fires. The bolts take down the Vorta, but not before the Vorta outstretches her hand and sends a telekinetic blast which sends all three of them flying. Glyph and Ori slid out -

T'Lana@anncaris:- of range of the stealth field and the Jem'Hadar charge them immediately

Rianni@crystyl:leaps into action, primed for close quarters combat and not holding back at all given this enemy

T'Lana@anncaris:| One of the Jem'Hadar engages Ori with what looks to be an energy-laced kar'takin. He is fast, much faster than a modern Jem'Hadar, making Ori have to work to keep up with him. Lacking a similarly -

T'Lana@anncaris:- sized melee weapon, she is also forced to dodge rather than having something to parry, making the fight more difficult

Rianni@crystyl:focuses her style on favouring her small size and agility to outpace the Jem'Hadar and wear him down with more rapid strikes than he can keep up with

T'Lana@anncaris:| Ori lands several hits, but the Jem'Hadar is extremely durable and seems largely unphased by her. Despite outmaneuvering him a few times, he clearly still has the upper hand in the fighting. That -

T'Lana@anncaris:- is until T'Lana, who is still shrouded within the stealth field, opens fire while he is distracted by Ori, shooting the Jem'Hadar in the back and taking him down

T'Lana@anncaris:| A second Jem'Hadar immediately charges T'Lana as she reveals her position with the shots, tackling her to the ground

Rianni@crystyl:takes the opportunity to draw her weapon and return the favour, confident in her aim as the pair grapple

T'Lana@anncaris:| Ori takes down the Jem'Hadar, which T'Lana quickly pushes off herself. As she gets back to her feet, Glyph had overpowered and finished the third enemy as well. However, one of his arms has been -

T'Lana@anncaris:- severed, the android casually stepping over and picking it up

T'Lana@anncaris:"Are you alright, Lieutenant?"

T'Lana@anncaris:| Glyph: "Yes Commander. I will require some repairs, but the damage is not critical."

Rianni@crystyl:"That is fortunate. We should make haste before more come"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Agreed." She checks her belt. "The stealth field is still operational. I believe we were only exposed due to that Vorta's psionic abilities. As long as we avoid further Vorta, we can make it back -

T'Lana@anncaris:- to the Dart without additional confrontation."

—

NPC@annpc#557:"Mischa..."

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Once again, Mischa suddenly finds herself in the row of pods. The whisper now distinctly coming from a pod behind her

Mischa@crystyl:turns to face the pod

NPC@annpc#557:| Inside the pod, Mischa sees the distinctive face of a Bajoran, pressed up against the pod glass

NPC@annpc#557:| Bajoran: "Mischa...Free us..."

Mischa@crystyl:"I am working on it" she tries to consciously engage with the vision now

NPC@annpc#557:| Bajoran: "We should not be here...they prolong their existence with our suffering..."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 2: "Free us..."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 3: "This is not the way..."

Mischa@crystyl:"We are already coming to free some of you. If you are in my mind, how do you not sense this already?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Bajoran: "We...are not...as we should be."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 2: "Suffering..."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 3: "Just to delay the inevitable..."

Mischa@crystyl:"I know. We are coming to help. But we are limited in how much we can do, if we free those of you that we can, will those be able to help free more?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Bajoran: "We...shall..."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 2: "Their destiny is ascension..."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 3: "Not imprisonment..."

Mischa@crystyl:"We will do what we can"

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 2: "This galaxy must die..."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 3: "...so life may continue."

NPC@annpc#557:| Bajoran: "Free us...free yourselves...let go."

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "Mischa?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Mischa finds herself back in the Dart again

Mischa@crystyl:"I'm not going to just-" she looks around, "Oh"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "One of those visions again, wasn't it?"

Mischa@crystyl:nods, "And now I have no doubt that they are psionic connections to those imprisoned here. How long was I out of it?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "No more than a few seconds, if that. It wasn't you spacing out that tipped me off. I felt it, a telepathic connection from something very powerful in the command centre."

Mischa@crystyl:"That's reassuring. It may be stronger when we're in there, so if you are aware of it occurring on your own you'll be able to react more easily if required"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina nods, "I'll keep alert for it and keep you covered if it happens again." She taps at her console, "Touching down now. Just a couple of Iconian constructs in the area, they shouldn't be -

NPC@annpc#557:- able to see through the Dart's cloak but we'll have to activate our stealth field immediately when we disembark."

Mischa@crystyl:"No problem"

NPC@annpc#557:| Mischa feels a slight thud as the Dart touches down

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina checks her pistols before standing, "Ready when you are."

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's do this"

NPC@annpc#557:| The two step out of the shuttle with the stealth field shrouding them. Two Iconian constructs guard the door from the landing pad into the facility, currently unaware of them. Another two -

NPC@annpc#557:- constructs patrol around the landing pad and after a few moments, head for the door, giving the pair a chance to slip in after them

Mischa@crystyl:moves to deftly follow them in

NPC@annpc#557:| The two follow the patrol in, not drawing the attention of the guards on the doors. They pass through a hall into the first chamber of the facility. Here, several Jem'Hadar stand guard in place -

NPC@annpc#557:- of the patrols, but with their multiple layers of concealment, even they were unaware of the pair's presence. The first problem arose however as the construct patrol they were following turned -

NPC@annpc#557:- around and departed back for the exit rather than passing through to the door on the other end. Now, if the pair triggered the door opening, it would surely alert the Jem'Hadar...

Mischa@crystyl:takes a moment to assess their surroundings and size up the options

NPC@annpc#557:| The room appears to have a number of consoles around it. The Jem'Hadar are keeping guard, but they might not notice if some of the consoles start changing what is on their display, especially as -

NPC@annpc#557:- some consoles are already switching between multiple different screens or flashing warnings on the situation elsewhere in the Sphere. Two Vorta are working the consoles, occasionally moving from -

NPC@annpc#557:- one console to another, but they seem rather engaged in their work

Mischa@crystyl:moves to a discrete console away from the Vorta to see if she can create a suitable way forwards without raising suspicion

NPC@annpc#557:| Mischa sees that she can reroute maintenance drones through this console. Though the drones usually travel through their tunnels, it is possible to reroute them through the passageways intended -

NPC@annpc#557:- for people to walk through, which would cause the doors to slide open. It would be a bit unusual for them to be using those instead of the maintenance tunnels, but there is a Sphere emergency and -

NPC@annpc#557:- it's less suspicious than an automatic door opening by itself with nothing passing through

Mischa@crystyl:figures it's better than nothing and triggers the drones

NPC@annpc#557:| A few seconds later, four maintenance drones stream out from a tunnel above. Two Jem'Hadar guards give them a curious look as they descend and head towards one of the doors, but think little more -

NPC@annpc#557:- of it as they return to keeping their eyes on the room

Mischa@crystyl:makes her move to follow the drones through the door

NPC@annpc#557:| The pair slip through the doors behind the drones, drawing no attention from the Jem'Hadar

NPC@annpc#557:| The drones continue on down the hall and through the next door, allowing them to follow in as well

NPC@annpc#557:| Stepping inside, the two arrive at the control room of the Sphere. The room is still very much recognizable from our own Heart; in fact, it bears resemblance to the Heart during the Horde War, -

NPC@annpc#557:- with the Trident still enlarged and prominent in the centre. However, the Trident is now surrounded by a massive force field dome with various swirling energies within

Mischa@crystyl:gets to work investigating

NPC@annpc#557:| As Mischa steps into the room, she suddenly finds herself in a black void of nothingness, as if she were floating in the middle of space. She hears the voices once again...

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 1: "Free us."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 2: "Let us out."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 3: "No more anguish."

Mischa@crystyl:"You know it would be easier to do that without these interruptions..."

NPC@annpc#557:| Voice 1: "Free us...from this prison...let us return..."

Mischa@crystyl:"That's what I am trying to do"

NPC@annpc#557:| Mischa finds herself back in the room as Sabina pulls her aside from a Jem'Hadar patrol walking in their direction

Mischa@crystyl:snaps back to it, looking around. She thanks Sabina once the patrol is gone, "They are getting impatient. And annoying..."

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "What are they trying to get you to do?"

Mischa@crystyl:"They keep saying that they want to be freed. I tell them that's what I'm trying to do and we just sort of go around in circles like that. The last time they they revealed more about how everyone -

Mischa@crystyl:- needs to ascend and that the galaxy needs to die too"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina gestures to the field, "I think that's them. I'm sensing powerful psionic presences inside that field, and it feels like the same one contacting you."

Mischa@crystyl:looks over, "So it's not even the people in the pods, but their psionic energy circulating in there?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "No, it's something else," she gestures to various tubes around the room feeding into the centre. "I think the people in the pods are feeding them, but what's in there is something else. -

NPC@annpc#557:- It feels...familiar. I've felt it before. Recently."

Mischa@crystyl:"I think I am starting to understand. Do you recall exactly when?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina considers, "I...think it was when we were passing through the wormhole."

Mischa@crystyl:"I had a feeling you were going to say that. Something about the way these voices speak was familiar"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "You talked to them to get the wormhole to open, right? Maybe that's why they're contacting you and not me..."

Mischa@crystyl:"Maybe it's why their Emissary - if it truly was him - sent us to this reality too"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina nods and looks to the centre, "So...you think we should bring that field down, let them out?"

Mischa@crystyl:"I can't deny that I have my doubts. But what other choice is there"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina nods, looking to the centre, "I guess we're doing this, then..."

—

NPC@annpc#557:| With a little investigation, it becomes apparent that the console controlling the field is guarded by a trio of Jem'Hadar standing guard all around it

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "I don't see a way to get to that console without the guards knowing. And even if we take out all three guards, the rest of the room will be on us in seconds."

Mischa@crystyl:"Do you have a suggestion?"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "We could try the same trick we used on the grid to get here. If we can't access the controls, maybe we can mess with the power supply."

Mischa@crystyl:"It's worth a look"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "Should've brought an engineering specialist with us...maybe we can find more information about one of the unguarded consoles here."

Mischa@crystyl:goes to investigate one

Mischa@crystyl:rolls 3 (1-100)

NPC@annpc#557:| Unfortunately for Mischa, the consoles here seem to have upgraded security, unlike the ones back in the pod storage facility. Clearly, compromised security for one storage area wasn't that high -

NPC@annpc#557:- on the list, but the control centre has received a few upgrades since the Heart's original days

Mischa@crystyl:"So much for that idea. We'll have to keep looking"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "Maybe we can find some way to disrupt the power from one of the other rooms here."

Mischa@crystyl:nods and continues searching

NPC@annpc#557:| As they explore, Sabina points out, "Look, one of the Vorta is leaving through a door. Might be our chance to follow out of the room without drawing attention."

Mischa@crystyl:quickly moves to follow

NPC@annpc#557:| The two make it through, following the Vorta as it makes its way down a hall and into another room...

NPC@annpc#557:| They arrive in a smaller chamber with a large shielded central section. Beneath the shielding, occasional beams of pure solar plasma can be seen

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina whispers to Mischa as the Vorta roams off to a console, "This looks promising. Now just to figure out how to disrupt the power without blowing everything up."

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's look around and see what we can figure out"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina nods and starts exploring. Mischa notices that there are a number of general informational consoles, which don't control any functions but also don't seem to be locked

Mischa@crystyl:checks them out to see what she can learn

NPC@annpc#557:| Mischa can get a pretty good grasp on the power systems here. Cutting them off will require access to the locked consoles, but she is pretty sure some manual sabotage inside one of the drone -

NPC@annpc#557:- maintenance tunnels should be able to disrupt power to the force field in the central chamber. They've just got to squeeze into the drone tunnels...

Mischa@crystyl:finds the tunnel and looks to Sabina, "Any thoughts on how to disrupt things in there?"

NPC@annpc#557:examines the data, "I'm no engineer, but it looks like cutting these conduits should do the trick. Just have to climb through the tunnels to reach it."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds about right. Let's get in there"

NPC@annpc#557:nods and makes her way towards one of the nearest vents, climbing in

Mischa@crystyl:carefully follows

NPC@annpc#557:| The pair crawl through the vents one at a time. As they make their way through, Mischa's tricorder picks up incoming drones. Probably not aware of their presence and just on maintenance duty, but -

NPC@annpc#557:- in the narrow confines of the tube, the drones would run into them. Fortunately, there is an intersection if they backtrack slightly, but there's no saying which way down the intersection the -

NPC@annpc#557:- drones will take

Mischa@crystyl:warns Sabina and tries her luck with one of the turns

NPC@annpc#557:follows along into the same turn as Mischa to minimize their chances of running into the drones by leaving the other two passageways clear. Fortunately, the drones turn the opposite way from the -

NPC@annpc#557:- pair, moving on without running into them

Mischa@crystyl:breathes a sigh of relief and moves on

NPC@annpc#557:| With a little more crawling, the pair reach the location where they need to sabotage the power conduits. Sabina pries open a panel easily with her enhanced strength, drawing one of her pistols

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "Let's hope this doesn't blow us all up..."

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes, explosions send my hair all frizzy and it's an honest to god pain to get straight again"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina fires several shots into different conduits, shifting over to pry open another panel to do the same, and then a third

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "Alright. That should do it. And the whole facility isn't shaking yet, so that's good news."

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's get back out of here before the drones come back to investigate"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "Good idea."

NPC@annpc#557:| As they begin crawling back out, Mischa's eyepiece warns her of more incoming drones. This time, there isn't a convenient intersection to back into...

Mischa@crystyl:"More drones ahead. There's no avoiding them"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "I guess it's time to make our presence known. Hopefully with the field down, there's enough of a distraction to make our exit without having to fight our way through too much."

Mischa@crystyl:"Agreed. Let's make this quick"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina draws her pistols. A moment later, the drones come into view. The first three are defense variants, followed by a number of maintenance ones. Sabina's enhanced reactions allow her to fire -

NPC@annpc#557:- first, taking out the defense drones before they could fire. The maintenance drones begin rounding the corner next; though less optimized for combat, their phasers would still be deadly in such -

NPC@annpc#557:- confined spaces...

Mischa@crystyl:takes her time aiming ready to pick the maintenance ones off as they turn

NPC@annpc#557:| Mischa takes out a good few of the maintenance drones and Sabina finishes the rest, leaving their path clear, save for the odd piece of debris

Mischa@crystyl:"It's only a matter of time before they come looking now. Let's double time it"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina nods, "Looks like there's an exit down that way, where the drones came in. Let's drop down there instead of crawling all the way back to the place we entered."

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright, sounds good"

NPC@annpc#557:| The two make their way to the exit the drones used. Sabina peers out before looking back to Mischa, "Room looks clear. No guards at all, lowering the field must've gotten them to prioritize -

NPC@annpc#557:- whatever's happening in the control room. Exit is a little high, we'll have to roll to break our fall. Unless you brought some spare rope..."

Mischa@crystyl:"I think I left that in my other jacket. Tuck and roll it is"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina nods and leaps down first, adeptly rolling and coming to a safe landing

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina gestures for Mischa to follow

Mischa@crystyl:follows suit, equally adept even if not as physically capable. Clearly done this before

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "Not bad. Now I wonder what you'd be capable of with augmentations..."

Mischa@crystyl:"Maybe I'd even give you a run for your money" she chuckles

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina chuckles, "Maybe!" She gestures to one of the doors leading out, "If I have my bearings right...that should take us to the control room, from which we can get back to the shuttle pretty -

NPC@annpc#557:- quickly. But I'm not sure what to expect if we head back that way. We could circle around the other rooms to avoid the centre, but that'll take quite a bit longer."

Mischa@crystyl:"Always better to avoid detection. Let's take the scenic route"

NPC@annpc#557:| Mischa also notes that they've appeared in something comparable to a server room, from Mischa's experience of our Heart. There could be useful data to extract here on how the Dominion is -

NPC@annpc#557:- managing to use the Prophets and psionics to recreate the galactic barrier

Mischa@crystyl:movest to a console, "But not before investigating here a little"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina nods, "I'll watch your back."

Mischa@crystyl:gets to work interrogating the servers

NPC@annpc#557:| On the servers, Mischa finds confirmation that the entities in the control room are indeed the beings from inside the Bajoran wormhole. From what Mischa can tell, the Prophets are being forced to -

NPC@annpc#557:- direct the Heart's psionic amplifier to create the barrier. However, the power being amplified is mostly not their own, but just channeled through them from the psionic batteries in the stasis -

NPC@annpc#557:- pods. Essentially, Children psionics seem to be the power supply, the Prophets seem to be the computer system directing the energy, and the Heart itself an array to release that energy like a -

NPC@annpc#557:- deflector dish or phaser hardpoint. There are lots of more technical details on how this is being accomplished, which Mischa can download

Mischa@crystyl:does just that

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina watches as she downloads the intel, "Got some juicy information to dissect once we get back to the ship?"

Mischa@crystyl:"I believe so, yes. But let's not outstay our welcome now"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina nods, "This way for the scenic route, then."

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina begins to lead the way

NPC@annpc#557:| They make their way through two hallways and another chamber without incident. In the second chamber, they are accosted by some more combat drones, which are no match for the two. As the drones -

NPC@annpc#557:- go down and they proceed through the next hall into the room beyond however...

NPC@annpc#557:| One of the drone vents enter and four more combat drones stream out. The pair make short work of them, but it seems they were only the distraction. While the two dealt with the drones, something -

NPC@annpc#557:- else emerged from the vent, landing on the ground with a wet plop before forming into a bipedal shape- a Founder

NPC@annpc#557:| Founder: "You. Do you know what you have done, Solid fools?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Well, this is an annoyance I could have done without after everything else today"

NPC@annpc#557:| Founder: "An /annoyance/? You may very well have doomed this entire galaxy to total destruction! We should have eradicated you when we had the chance, relied entirely on Iconian constructs and -

NPC@annpc#557:- Vorta clones. Now you've killed us all."

Mischa@crystyl:"And given release to all those you have imprisoned here"

NPC@annpc#557:| Founder: "Release? Their pathetic existences are bound to die sooner or later. Here their lives were being offered up for a greater cause. To protect the galaxy, their homeworlds, their species. -

NPC@annpc#557:- Their release will cost the rest of the galaxy their lives!"

Mischa@crystyl:"It is not your place to decide the fate of everyone else. These people you use like batteries, and even the Prophets, they deserve to live and die freely. If they gave their lives to sustain your -

Mischa@crystyl:- barrier that would be one thing. But like this... this galaxy died the moment you enslaved it's inhabitants just to prolong your own selfish existences"

NPC@annpc#557:| Founder: "It /is/ our place. That is the purpose of the Dominion, because you Solids cannot be trusted to-"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina opens fire with her pistols. The Founder reacts quickly enough to dodge the shots from her left, turning into a streak of liquid. However, Sabina has clearly anticipated this and leads -

NPC@annpc#557:- her shots with her right pistol. Combined with her augment reflexes, one of the bolts hits the Founder mid-leap, exploding him into a mess of now-inanimate liquid

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "I don't think we were going to talk him down. Hope I didn't overstep."

Mischa@crystyl:"I'm just glad I managed to keep him arguing and distracted long enough for you to do that" she chuckles

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina grins, "No better time to finish off an enemy than when they're ranting away."

Mischa@crystyl:"And no better time to make our exit than while they are regrouping"

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina nods, "Let's go."

—

NPC@annpc#557 | The pair arrives at the shuttle without further incident. As they get in and prepare to launch, Mischa notices the ethereal beings from the control room making their way past the shuttle and -

NPC@annpc#557 - out into the Sphere

Mischa@crystyl peers out, "And there they go"

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina quickly glances to the side as well, "Time for us to get out of here, too."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "You'll get no argument from me"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Dart lifts off and makes its exit. As they move, they see three Jem'Hadar attack ships closing in on the control facility. However, two of the ethereal beings hover right towards them. The -

NPC@annpc#557:- attack ships open fire but the beings seem unphased. A burst of light from one of the beings sends one attack ship crashing into another, obliterating both. The third continues to fire, but the -

NPC@annpc#557 - second being seems to gather up the antiproton energy, glowing red before releasing it back at the attack ship which explodes in a flash of light

NPC@annpc#557 | Further away, several of the ethereal beings crowd around the Iconian dreadnought, tearing it to pieces. The Nuhar Defender appears to be pulling a retreat, chased by two more of the beings

NPC@annpc#557 | As the Dart nears the Latenter, the Iconian battleship is in multiple disjointed pieces. The beings move on to the Dominion battleship which was seen earlier when the Latenter was crossing the -

NPC@annpc#557 - grid. Like the attack ships, the Dominion battleship's weaponry seem to have no effect. Meanwhile, the beings unleash a burst of light which seems to act as a tractor repulsor of some kind. -

NPC@annpc#557 - The battleship is sent hurtling into the nearby blue giant, its lights flickering erratically. Its engines fail and unable to break away, the doomed ship is soon consumed by the star, the -

NPC@annpc#557:- antimatter explosion of its core not even visible through the stellar glow

NPC@annpc#557:| Sabina: "They certainly seem pretty angry."

Mischa@crystyl:"The sooner we get everyone back on board and the Letenter out of here, the better"

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina nods, "We're almost there."

NPC@annpc#557 | The Dart turns away from the fighting as it enters the Latenter's shuttlebay...

—

NPC@annpc#557 | Mischa returns to the Latenter's bridge after the Dart lands. The viewscreen shows debris from destroyed Dominion and Iconian ships and the crew are tapping away at their consoles, busy -

NPC@annpc#557 - monitoring the situation

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria stands from the command chair, "Welcome back, Captain. You've certainly caused quite the stir..."

Mischa@crystyl:"Not my intention, but it is what it is. What of the other teams?" she asks, taking her seat

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "Acey's managed to obtain remote control of the detection grid and is back on board. The generator team is still hidden near the outer part of the Sphere, we're going to pick them up -

NPC@annpc#557 - once we make our way out of the detection grid. I'm not even sure we /need/ to conceal ourselves through the grid right now, the Dominion certainly have their hands full. But better to play it -

NPC@annpc#557 - safe and slip out."

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes, quite. Let's make ourselves scarce before they come looking for us"

NPC@annpc#557 | Nethay: "Aye Captain. Taking us out of the Sphere centre now."

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey's hologram flickers into view, "I have created a passageway of blind spots through the grid, The coordinates have been sent to the helm."

NPC@annpc#557 | Nethay: "No time limit to get through this time, right?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey: "No, though I do not recommend staying within the grid for longer than necessary."

NPC@annpc#557 | Nethay: "Not planning to linger, but this should make it easier than the entrance."

NPC@annpc#557 | As the Latenter makes its way back through the grid, they come across the derelict hulk of a Dominion cruiser, along with the pieces of some Iconian ships

NPC@annpc#557 | Hassan: "Wow, they're doing quite a number, aren't they?"

Mischa@crystyl:"The Prophets have been enslaved and just escaped. Right now I doubt there's much to differentiate their demeanour from the Pah Wraiths"

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "Wait, the /Prophets/?"

Mischa@crystyl nods, "They were the ones imprisoned there and being used as a conduit to channel the psionic power of the Children into the barrier"

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "Of course the Dominion would come up with something like that..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Nethay: "We're through the grid!"

Mischa@crystyl:"Good. Now let's get the others and put this place far behind us"

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "There's a lot of activity by the Omega generators. T'Lana's team is setting a midway point for rendezvous."

Mischa@crystyl:"Reroute helm to thos coordinates and let's make sure we don't keep them waiting"

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria nods, "On it."

NPC@annpc#557 | As the Latenter proceeds to the rendezvous point, T'Fel comments, "It appears the Prophets are attacking the psionic storage facilities now."

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "The comms show the Sphere's in total chaos. Psionics and Prophets on the loose, fighting all over. The Dominion are losing control."

Mischa@crystyl:"I am not surprised. Just make sure we don't get caught in any of the crossfire"

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria nods, "Understood."

NPC@annpc#557 | A few minutes later, the Latenter comes to a stop in a relatively quiet part of the Heart

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "T'Lana's team is landing now."

Mischa@crystyl:"As soon as they're down, let's hightail it out of here"

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "The Dominion have a few gateways active where they're calling reinforcements through. We should be able to make our exit through those. They'll likely take us to somewhere with -

NPC@annpc#557 - quite a heavy Dominion presence, but if we go in cloaked, we should be fine."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds reasonable. Let's do it"

NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "The last Dart is on board now."

NPC@annpc#557 | Nethay: "I have the nearest gateway identified. Ready to go on your mark, Captain."

Mischa@crystyl:"Take us out"

NPC@annpc#557 | Nethay turns the Latenter towards the nearest gateway. After a minute, it appears on the viewscreen, with a row of Dominion reinforcements coming through it

NPC@annpc#557 | Nethay: "Just in time. We should be able to slip in as the reinforcements are coming through."

Mischa@crystyl:"Perfect"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Latenter passes above the Dominion ships, who seem completely unaware of them. Soon, they are through the gateway and out the other side, where another Dominion station like the one they -

NPC@annpc#557 - encountered when first entering this universe through the gateway can be seen

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright, let's put some distance between us and the Dominion before we let our guards down"

NPC@annpc#557 | Nethay nods, "Gladly."

NPC@annpc#557 | The Latenter turns away from the Dominion base, travelling at impulse for a short while before accelerating to warp, the stars extending to starstreaks on the viewscreen...

—

T'Lana@anncaris | After escaping from the Heart and putting some distance from the Dominion forces in the region they found themselves in, Mischa is in her ready room when the doorbell chimes

Mischa@crystyl stands looking out the window, nursing a cup of tea. She turns, "Come in"

T'Lana@anncaris steps into the room, "Well, that was quite the interesting excursion, Mischa."

Mischa@crystyl gives a faint smile, "Moreso than I would have liked"

T'Lana@anncaris joins Mischa over at the window, "Glyph is undergoing repairs in Engineering now. No critical systems were damaged and he will gain full functionality once the repairs are complete."

Mischa@crystyl:"That is a relief" she turns to look back out, "Any update on the status of the barrier here?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Unfortunately we are not close to the galactic edge. However, intercepted subspace communications indicate there is a considerable amount of panic concerning the barrier. It is difficult to sort -

T'Lana@anncaris:- through the various reports, but it seems likely that the barrier has failed, and the Dominion's claims that it was a brief glitch are simply misinformation to reassure the populace."

Mischa@crystyl:"So now the Darkness will move on this galaxy too" she sighs, "I know we keep doing the right thing, but it is getting harder to remind myself"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "I cannot imagine it was an easy choice to make. But keeping the Prophets imprisoned is certainly not an ideal way to preserve the universe. It reminds me of the Equinox incident."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Quite. Not only the Prophets, but the countless psionic Children as well. Still, have I just signed the death warrant for an entire galaxy...?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Looking at the state of this galaxy with the Dominion in control, perhaps a reset or at least a disruption to the status quo is necessary."

Mischa@crystyl:"I know, and I keep telling myself that. But it doesn't make it weigh any less"

T'Lana@anncaris sets a hand on Mischa's shoulder, "I understand. It is a heavy decision to place on a single individual."

Mischa@crystyl:"It is a heavy decision to place on any scale. I think that's why even the Continuum stays out of it in every reality"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Perhaps. The Prophets are clearly willing to intervene to some degree, at least where their own is concerned. It would be logical to assume that was the reason we were sent here."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "That was my conclusion as well. Whilst I hope they did still send us here knowing we could learn what we needed, I have no doubt that their primary goal was to expedite these events"

T'Lana@anncaris:"On the subject of learning what we needed, I have the analysts as well as both the Engineering and Science divisions working on deciphering the data you have brought back."

Mischa@crystyl:"It was an unexpected bonus, but hopefully fruitful nonetheless. Our suspicions have been confirmed now insofar that psionic energy needs to be channeled to generate the barrier as it was before. -

Mischa@crystyl:- What we need now from this is to learn of a means to achieve that without going to the gruesome lengths they did here"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Hopefully, if we understand the process the Dominion used to achieve this, we may be able to repurpose it to recreate the barrier in a more humane manner. However, as much faith as I may have in -

T'Lana@anncaris:- our crew, it may be more logical to bring this information to our Heart. There are more specialists on the Sphere systems present there, not to mention the benefit of the combined efforts of all -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Coalition civilizations. I also do not expect there is much more of relevance for us to learn in this particular universe."

Mischa@crystyl:"Time to go home then. I do feel like we've seen enough different times and realities for one outing at least" she chuckles

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. The question now is how precisely we may do so. We can return to our own time through another slingshot maneuver as the stars are very much intact here, but I do not imagine the residents -

T'Lana@anncaris:- of the Heart in this universe will allow us to use it for creating a rift to return to our universe with. There is one thing we may try, however."

Mischa@crystyl:"What are you thinking?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"The wormhole brought us here. We are currently in the Beta Quadrant, in old Romulan space. It may be worth travelling back to the Bajor system."

Mischa@crystyl:"I think it's fair to say that the Prophets here owe us one"

T'Lana@anncaris:"My thoughts precisely. And we may need to call in that favour."

Mischa@crystyl:"I do have reservations about going straight back to our reality though. If survivors here learn of our actions they may seek vengeance. It would be safer to backtrack the route we took to get here"

T'Lana@anncaris:"And return to the reality we were in prior to the Prophets' intervention?"

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Yes, and then utilize slingshots to go back in time there to the version of the Heart we came from. We won't likely end up /exactly/ where we left our own universe, but with a more relative -

Mischa@crystyl:- offset. I don't see that as being an issue though really. Also we still have the matter of the Survivors who we need to reign in back home"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "That may be the wisest course of action, yes. We shall proceed to the Bajoran wormhole and ask the Prophets to return us to where we were before, then."

Mischa@crystyl:"And then we'll resume our investigation into the Survivors before completing the return trip. In another time if needed"

T'Lana@anncaris:"An excellent plan, Mischa."