Back on Telerais V, Rojc, T'Senishra, and his team leaders stood assembled. Rojc was speaking.

"We don't know exactly how many unfriendlies we're dealing with, but we can be sure they have taken Doctor Riley and his team hostage," summarized Rojc. "Alpha and Lambda teams will come from the north, Gamma and Kappa teams from the south. Delta, Omicron, and Theta teams--circle around and hit them from behind. Beta, Epsilon, Zeta, and Xi teams, we'll come at them straight on. Sigma and Tau teams, I want you to stay put to provide for reinforcement." Rojc deferred to his wife, T'Senishra.

"Remember to keep any communications encrypted and brief, they may be monitoring us," added T'Senishra, "They know we're coming, but we've determined that they don't have a satellite in orbit relaying them data, so they don't know from where or how many--that should give us an advantage. I shouldn't need to tell you that Doctor Riley and his team are our priority. Reconnaissance indicates that they're at the base of entrance to the buried ship."

Rojc surveyed the faces of the security team leaders. "Any questions?"

The group was silent.

"Take your positions and wait for the signal," ordered T'Senishra.

"Incoming message from the Tzenkathi lead ship," reported Guitarrez with a frown--she wasn't happy about being pulled out of Engineering to serve on the Bridge.

Knight nodded in recognition. "Onscreen."

The viewscreen flickered from the scene of five menacing Tzenkath cruisers to the visage of the lead Tzenkathi.

"This is the Lor' Vas'Querich of the Tzenkath Coalition Cruiser Vee'Tah. We are only here to conduct scientific research. We have no quarrel with you, Captain."

Knight stared icily at the Tzenkathi Captain. "I'm afraid your 'research' will have to wait, Lor' Vas'Querich. You should vacate this system immediately."

"Pardon me, Captain Knight, but I was not aware that the Federation had any claims on this sector, let alone this system. This is neutral space." Vas'Querich grinned toothily. "And correct me if I'm mistaken Captain, but my sensors show five Tzenkath cruisers and one lone Federation craft--yours. And it appears you have suffered some damage as well."

"Nevertheless, Lor'," began Knight, "I will not allow you to pass." He terminated the commlink. "Charge phasers and load torpedoes. Target their engines."

Sanas nodded. "Aye sir."

"They're hailing us again, Captain."

Knight remained silent, starring disdainfully at the Tzenkath cruisers on the viewscreen. The chirp of the incoming hail notification continued.

"Sir..."

Knight waited a few moments longer. "All right, Commander."

The view once again switched to the interior of the lead Tzenkathi cruiser, but Lor' Vas'Querich was no longer standing in the prime position. He was displaced by an obviously more elderly Tzenkathi--his colorful crest faded by age. Knight finally recognized the alien just as he began to speak.

"I am Autarch Juo'Qhalfi, leader of the Tzenkath Coalition. I order you to stand down now and vacate this system."

"This 'scientific research' of yours must be pretty important to attract the attention of the Autarch himself and risk war with the Federation," snapped Knight.

The Autarch interrupted. "You may dispense with the pretense, Captain. We both know why the other is here. The Tzenkathi people will not allow such a dangerous vessel to fall into the hands of its enemies."

"And the Federation is now your enemy?"

The Autarch narrowed his eyes. "That remains to be seen. You have one hour to leave before we will destroy you."

The fight on the planet's surface had pretty much been over before it began. With over 65 Starfleet officers converging on them from all sides, the Breen troops were quickly overwhelmed. But the leader, whoever he was, had good enough cover to repel the Starfleet officers from taking his position. Another disruptor blast sent Rojc sprawling for cover.

"He's definitely shooting to kill," huffed Rojc, "The area surrounding his position is too flat for an all-out assault--we'll be cut down long before we get to him."

Iv'Oor looked at Rojc. "Photon grenades?"

Rojc in turn looked over to his wife, stooped behind the same outcropping of rocks. "That could jeopardize the hostages' safety. It's your call, 'Nish."

T'Senishra frowned slightly at Rojc's informal address. "Is that your recommendation?"

Rojc nodded. "We could try negotiation, but since the Captain is sure they're working for the Orion Syndicate, protocol dictates zero tolerance for them."

T'Senishra looked uncertainly at Rojc, trying to best gauge their course of action. "And since the leader is most likely a Breen, any negotiation would prove to be unproductive. Give your officers the order, Commander."

Rojc tapped his comm-badge. "Chief to Sigma and Tau--bring your teams up to the front. Set for high-stun, negative on EM-disruption."

"Acknowledged," came the response via the comm-link.

Rojc was partially glad the battle had been such a milk run--it had allowed for his teams to get more combat experience with minimal casualties. And of course, the Demolition Teams always liked to get a piece of the action and blow something up.

"We're in position, ready and waiting."

"Rojc to all teams--lay down suppressive fire and prepare to converge." He paused momentarily to allow the teams to get their timing right. "Now!"

Phaser blasts bathed the makeshift bunker defenses the Syndicate leader had put up. They did little damage by themselves, but they kept the defenders pinned. Almost simultaneously with the first barrage of phaser fire came a hail of photon grenades aimed at the enemy bunker. The grenades hit their mark without interference.

"Converge!" ordered Rojc.

The Starfleet officers surged forward from their cover, storming the bunker. The grenades had done their job--the enemy troops in the fortification had been rendered unconscious. Rojc surveyed the downed Breen. He did a double take upon seeing the medallion of the lead Breen--it was none other than Thot Neeron.