The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 15
There had been nothing they could have done. The Pennsylvania was gone. Sensor logs indicated that no one was aboard when the ship blew itself up. The logs also indicated that the autodestruct sequence was initiated by the former commanding officer of the ship, Starfleet captain Sjankovitch. The Maquis had installed a network of conduits to delay the autodestruct sequence. The hold up by the major and his runabout consumed to much time and the Maquis had to act quickly. Now they were gathered in cargo bay 1.
"Stand down red alert !"
Commander Arthur was already on his way out of ops, when he addressed ensign Luke to send a message to Starfleet to inform them of the current situation. Communications were still off line. The major followed his friend to cargo bay 1.
As the two officers entered the cargo bay they were very pleased with the prison in which the Maquis were held. A forcefield across the cargo bay prevented anyone to escape. A few portable food generators had been installed and blankets had been distributed. As ensign Nadine reported that the prisoners had been secured, the major signaled to his commanding officer that there were only men in this group. No women at all. Arthur decided to install guards and let the computer handle the security of the new installed prison. He really didn't have the manpower to assign a security detail on this group. As the commander approached the forcefield an elderly grey haired man stepped forward. He was Bajoran. The commander spoke first.
"That was a glorious defeat." he said, a bit mocking the other. "But you must know that you did not have a chance to begin with."
The Bajoran just stared him in the eyes.
"Are we going to stare at each other the rest of the day, or do you want to tell me something ?"
"I am not going to tell you anything.", the first words of the Bajoran who seemed to be the leader of this Maquis group. The others nodded their heads supporting that thought.
"Sorry to hear that. I wanted to ask you whether you wanted me to notify your family or anyone else to tell them that you are all right."
The Commander signaled that except for the XO Starfleet personnel, including cadets, had to leave the cargo bay and should carry on with their duties. Some Maquis started whispering among each other. The commander had touched a sensitive spot: family. The bajoran raised his hand and they were silent again.
"You are just trying to trick us," said the Bajoran in disbelieve.
"There is no need for us to trick you. I am afraid you have no secrets."
"Another trick !"
"Whatever you say mister Bajoran." and turning towards the major commander Arthur continued."XO I think it is time to expand our view. You are going on patrol, take someone with you. I want you launched in ten minutes. We have to have a look how close the Giloppen are. You know I don't like surprises."
Before the major could say "Yes sir, Commander sir", the Maquis whispering started again and this time the old Bajoran could not stop it. The word 'Giloppen' had certainly woke them up. One of them in the back even spoke aloud, but a hand on his mouth shut him up. Then it was silent again. Shaking his head, the commander turned around and followed his XO out of the cargo bay, only to have a quick look over his shoulder to say:"I'll be back."
The DS2 computer would monitor all movements and talks by the Maquis. And when they were ready to talk, they would let him know. With the Maquis not going anywhere, they would only talk among themselves when they were convinced that no Starfleet was around. Time would be the most important factor. At the end the Maquis would crack.
Major Jan didn't have much choice. Nadine was in sickbay, the enigeers in engineering, studing the new systems, Luke working on the communication systems and monitoring the Maquis. Ensign Marianne teaching the cadets ... The major had to go alone. Commander Arthur agreed. They could not afford to send personnel out.
First objective of the patrol was to follow the bounderies of the station's sensor range. With the new installed sensor array on the runabouts they could increase DS2 sensor range with one third. Ensign Jan Roel would take some time to repair the damaged Alpha, and the major already selected the Beta runabout for his mission.
"We don't know what to expect yet," the commander was taking no risks, "so you have to stay in DS2 sensor range. Don't be a hero."
"You don't have to tell me that."
"Remember we cannot communicate directly so you have to use the movement codes to tell us what you see."
In the early days of the Cardassian war the commander had develloped a movement system in case communications were out. It was a kind of movement in a certain patterns. Like the bees were using to pass on information. This system had saved many lives and so had proved to be very effective.
Two minutes later DS2 runabout Beta was spaceborn.