Final Frontier III story.

[Randallw]

Second Reman�Etek paused for a moment to survey his surrounds. Around him his fellow squad members struggled through the ruins, advancing on the entrenched Bandi militia. Though the Bandi had been considered a minor threat they had still managed to oppose the Dominion forces for a month, and though their weapons were weak in comparison to the Dominions they were still strong enough to kill any Jem�Hadar unfortunate, or foolish, enough to be hit, and the Bandi had shown a surprising ability to use snipers. The Bandi had always been willing to assist the Dominion, even going so far as to formally request a partnership. The Dominion had been glad to accept the Bandi hospitality, refuelling their vessels as they expanded further and further, even creating a military outpost to service Dominion vessels, but the time came when Bandi independence had reached its limits of usefulness. They may have been willing to agree to a partnership but order was what the Dominion prized and they believed the best way to ensure order was to ensure obedience, and the Hurada systems location along a warp chain to the border meant that acces must be guaranteed. Hence the Military outpost that the Bandi had been so willing to accept ultimately was turned towards the provisioning and establishment of a fleet, a fleet that in time launched an attack on Hurada prime, the Bandi homeworld. The Bandi had simply awoken one morning to find the Dominion fleet in orbit of their world. Once the invaders intentions had been learnt some Bandi militia had launched an ultimately hopeless attack on the fleet. The Dominion had learnt its lessons well from the conquest of the Bajorans and their vessels easily swept the myriad fighters and shuttles from orbit. That done the Jem�Hadar shock troops transported down to the planet and launched the ground assault. Now much of the capital city lay in ruins, although the Jem�Hadar had followed their orders to avoid any damage of the cities infrastructure. Once the Bandi had been forced into the Dominion their facilities would serve well.
As Reman�Etek watched the First ordered his squad to outflank the Bandi position. A Bandi sniper however, seeing an obvious officer issuing orders, picked off the First. Either through inexperience or fatigue, however the sniper failed to relocate his position in time and a number of Jem�Hadar in cover followed the trace of Bandi fire and picked off the sniper, hidden on the third floor of a nearby building. With no need to feed or sleep, and never tiring as long as they had the white, the Jem�Hadars reflexes were not dulled by the long battle. Without a second thought Reman�Etek took up the mantle of leadership and directed the troops around him, staying close to cover in case any more snipers were around. While half the squad moved around the ruins, the second and his remaining men continued to fire on the enemy trench, keeping the enemies attention. The enemy fired back and the second moved further into cover. Then the enemy blasts were joined by what Reman�Etek recognised as Jem�Hadar fire. Soon the enemy fire died down and ceased and then the Jem�Hadar now occupying the trench signalled the others to advance. Cautiously Reman�Etek and his remaining men advanced, dropping over the lip of the trench to land among the remains of the defenders. The late First and Reman�Etek had come to realise that enemy resistance had seemed concentrated around this bunker. Moving along the trench, making his way over the bodies of the dead Bandi, the Jem�Hadar came up to a reinforced door, leading down into the bunker. Motioning for a demolotion charge, the second moved his troops back taking cover. The seventh placed the charge and then hurried back to the other troops. Soon the door erupted and the Jem�Hadar rushed along the trench, moving quickly into the room. A number of Bandi lay on the ground, attempting to rise from the floor. The Jem�Hadar kept them down either by kicking them or striking them with their weapons. One Elderly Bandi was coughing at the cloud of dust raised by the explosion. He face was worn, and he had long lank hair and brown clothing. He did not look like a soldier, although the Bandi militia took whatever troops they could. What he did look like, to Reman�Eteks notice, was Premier Derath, the leader of the Bandi. Activating his communications device Reman�Etek contacted Dominion Headquarters to report the Bandi leader had been captured. The Vorta at the other end congratulated him and ordered his squad to take the Bandi back for interrogation.
�It shall be done at once!� Reman�Etek replied, forcing the elderly man to his feet. The Militia soon came to learn that their leader had been captured, and soon they reluctantly laid down their arms, slowly starting to accept that they now had new leaders.

[Randallw]

The Assorted group materialised in an azure shower, indicative of Dominion transporters. Comprised of a variety of species, Talaxians and Ocampa, Defiant Bajorans, A few Bandi slowly coming to terms with the fact their race was now firmly under Dominion control, and lastly a few battered humans, their only link was they were now prisoners. A handful of guards appeared around them levelling their weapons while a commanding Jem�Hadar stood ahead of them, holding its weapons at ease.
�This is Internment camp 827. You are here because you are enemies of the Dominion. As of this moment we have the power of life�.� At which from a signal from the First, one Bajoran prisoner was forced forward. The First swiftly levelled his weapon and as the prisoner began to plead he shot him with a single blast. The body collapsed in a way that no living form could.�...and death. You are free to move around but If you fail to obey orders you will share his fate. You may go� The newly arrived prisoners slowly made their way into the facility, but at another signal the Federation prisoners were halted.
�Your government continues to send spies into the Dominion. They have no chance but you will help us plan our response. You can assist willingly or we will force you to reveal what we want to know� said the First. �Take them to interrogation� the First commanded turning to the guards. The Federation prisoners were led off. One way or another they would talk.

OC: I have been wondering why the Federation has been goading me, and I think I know the answer. It's an attempt to make me write about the Federation more

[Randallw]

The Vorta supervisor for the consolidation of the Bandi Timmeron was anxious to view his new prize. In the final phase of the, albeit brief, operation the Jem�Hadar had occupied the final colony in the system. A gas giant, the Vorta expected that the facilities within the close orbit habitats would be of use to the Dominion. Scans showed that the planet held above average concentrations of aerial fauna and radioactive gases. He had just occupied the Governors office and was starting to inspect the facility listings. A research station, the Vorta could just guess what sort of research projects it might hold. A Storage facility, which was fair enough, even a disorderly society like the Bandi had to store their resources somewhere, although he thought the space could have been better served with a more appropriate facility. That was nearly a mere 10% of the available space so surely the rest would be more research projects, but the Vorta was shocked by what he next read. He had to read again but even then he could hardly believe it. The other 93% of the available space was devoted to gathering trace minerals from the atmosphere. Normally this was nothing exceptional; a number of gas giants within the Dominion were devoted to the gathering of rare trace minerals valuable to the Dominions security but in those cases the resource gathering facilities were worth the effort. What the Vorta read was beyond belief. This planet had a mineral concentration less than 10% of average. What was the point of building so many facilities for so little return? The monthly turnover was little more than the return from 2 such facilities on a more appropriate planet. If this was an indication of the level of organisation inherent in the now deposed Bandi government then they were lucky the Dominion had stepped in to take control.

[Randallw]

Emit�Ikan brutally rammed his bayonet into the Pakled, then as the enemy cried in pain he pulled it out. The Pakled fell heavily futilely holding the rolls of fat along its stomach as it died. Taking a moment to evaluate the battleground the Jem�Hadar soldier noted that the last remnants of the Pakled defense had been eliminated. After the long campaign against the Bajorans and using tactics field tested against the Bandi, the Dominion had swept though this system after their initial attack had captured the main planet. This was the third, no wait the fourth, planet the Dominion had seized this month alone and the Pakled had hardly given any resistance. Whereas the Dominion had millennia of experience in warfare the Pakleds seemed intellectually incapable of forming any successful tactics. Within a month, two at the most, the Pakled would be brought into the Dominion. Although the Vorta or Founders saw no need to share information between Jem�Hadar of different armies, information inevitably filtered through. After a long campaign against resistance fighters in Bajor the Dominion had nearly finished their pacification. Information had also spread that the Ferengi were causing some sort of disturbance. Emit�Ikan had no doubt the Dominion would be victorious. Part of him wished he could be part of it, but a Jem�Hadars wishes were of no importance. He had his orders, orders he would not hesitate to obey, besides although he had been bred specifically for the Pakled campaign the surrounding space was close enough to the border that it was not outside the realms of possibility he could soon be shipped towards the border with the Borg. They had consistently refused any discussion, their only messages being calls for the Dominions assimilation. Emit�Ikan had picked up some descriptions of them and he relished the opportunity to test himself against these machines. What chance did unthinking drones stand against a Jem�Hadar, bred for battle and with the forces of the Dominion at his side.

[Atrocities]

Death to all Pakleds! They are a dumb combersome and annoying species! We Klingons envy you for having killed one!

[Randallw]

Sometimes the great losses the Bajoran people had incurred led Surin to doubt if rising up against the Dominion had been wise. Although the Resistance had held out for nearly two years they had for the most part been helpless to watch as one by one the Dominion had occupied Bajoran planets. Now this one small hidden outpost was, to Surins knowledge, the last remaining redoubt against the Dominion total control of the Bajoran people. When his doubts began to grow too much he looked back to that day in Jo�Kara when the Dominion had fired on the crowd, the result of which had been a general uprising. When he remembered the site of all those people gunned down he was convinced the Dominion was evil, and with that his doubts had disappeared. He may have been opposed to the way the Kai, who didn�t even deserve the position, consorted with the Dominion, but that didn�t mean he had turned his backs on the Prophets, the real Prophets not the pretenders, the Founders, and the Prophets said that evil must be opposed. But still he despaired. What remained of the Resistance was in this base and the Bajoran government had done nothing. They sat back and did nothing as the Dominion exerted more and more influence on the Bajoran government. Couldn�t they see that soon there would be no Bajoran government and the Dominion would have free reign.
As he sat despairing he received a call.
�General, we have detected a large Dominion force on a course towards us� the officer informed him. Leaping from his seat he rushed out of his office into the operation room.
�Go to red alert! raise the shields!� he commanded �and mobilise the militia�. The room dimmed as emergency power was diverted to weapons and shields. Coming to his side, Surin�s friend Kar spoke up,
�You do realise they outgun us� he explained.
�They could have all the guns in the galaxy but it is nothing against our strength� Surin replied, but not even he was convinced.
�Perhaps you better go make sure the fighters are ready in case we need to escape� he continued with a rueful smile on his face.
�Of course� answered Kar before he departed for the hangars.
�Dominion vessels have reached orbit� the sensor operator reported. Almost as soon as he had finished however the base rocked as the Dominion fleet began to rain down fire.
�Shields at 50%� the tactical office reported.
�Return fire�
�No effect� the reply came. The base was rocked by another blast.
�Shields disabled� and at that moment the operations room was lit up by a blue light as squads of Jem�Hadar soldiers materialised around the room. Surin cut one down with his disruptor even as the young tactical officer was stabbed in the back by a Jem�Hadar bayonet. The room soon descended into a storm of weapons fire as the Bajorans and Jem�Hadar exchanged fire. Soon Surin and 2 others were pinned down on one side of the room. Unable to move it would be but a moment before they were overrun. As the Jem�Hadar pinned them down Surin considered his options. His gaze was drawn towards the ceiling. The resistance was short of resources and the roof was held up by a single beam. Raising his disruptor he unleashed a blast that weakened the beam, and soon the ceiling began to collapse. As the Jem�Hadar took cover Surin rose and motioned the others to follow him.
�Come on!� he cried and they followed him dodging and returning fire as they ran down the tunnel leading to the hangars. The Jem�Hadar fired back, but seemed reluctant to follow them. Exhausted with panic Surin and the two others ran into the hangar. Hopefully Kar had got the fighters running. The hangar was strewn both with collapsed equipment and supplies, the Bajorans weaved around the debris to the other side. The shuttles were there but to Surin�s surprise they were not powered up. Kar was standing calmly in the center of the room.
�What is wrong?� he asked �Why aren�t the fighters ready�
�You can not leave� Kar responded, deadpan.
�Why? Are the fighters damaged?� as he asked he turned and checked the hallway. Now was not the time to discuss things. The Jem�Hadar however had not followed them down the tunnel.
�How typical of a solid, you still do not undestand.� explained Kar �I will not let you leave�
�Solid?� then as understanding dawned Surin was shocked. All the setbacks, the defenses overrun and agents captured.
�No!�
The two other Bajorans raised their weapons but quicker than they could react twin tendrils of shining amber leapt from Kar and struck them down. Surin tried to react, but his legs failed him. Collapsing to his knees he was overcome by the feeling of failure. Finally the Jem�Hadar entered the room, taking up position around them but not approaching their god.
�NO, no, no!� Surin cried. It was all over. The Bajorans had lost. The Dominion had won.

[Randallw]

All in all the prime Vorta facilitator of Hurada considered the last few months as interesting, to coin a phrase. Those responsible for determining threats had erred. Tasked with the protection of the Dominion they had failed to forsee that the Ferengi would turn out to be hostile. It had been determined that, obsessed as they appeared to be with profit and merchandise they would not be blatant enough to launch any attacks on the Dominion. Unfortunately what had not been considered was that along with their need for profit they exhibited vast greed, and when one gave in to greed one was liable to desert reason and act unexpectedly. Thus the Ferengi had launched an attack on the Dominion. Those supposed experts had been disciplined, which meant termination, and if they were lucky, recloned. That still left the Dominion with the problem of what to do about the invaders. Unprepared, the Dominion had no choice but to withdraw as the Ferengi moved further and further taking system after system. Luckily the distance of the border from the centre of the Dominion worked in the defenders favour. True they had to withdraw, not strong enough to confront the enemy, but in return they weren�t losing many assets. Colonies were thin on the border. Still eventually the enemy started to become a major threat, such that the vast fleets hastily, though expertly, constructed were committed.


The name of the first did not matter. He was little different from the rest of the vast legions bred for this moment. Like the rest this would be his first battle, but he was confident he had the skills to serve the Founders. Out of all the newly bred troops someone had to lead, and in the absence of a Vorta for this mission he had been chosen as First. Checking the space around his ship he was humbled by its size. The Jem�Hadar were young, their vessels were barely out of the construction yards and rumours said that the enemy had better weapons, but as the elders said quantity had its own quality. The enemy had penetrated enough that they were blocking access to one of the Dominion subjects. It was decided that the time had come to stop withdrawing and to act. Activating the system wide communicator he addressed the 41 other soldiers on board.
�I am the First, and I am dead. As of this moment we are all dead. We go into battle, to reclaim our lives. This we do gladly, for we are Jem�Hadar. Our deaths are glory to the Founders� and although he could not hear them all he knew the others would obey.

It had been hoped the Ferengi would blunder into a trap, but signals received from the Hurada system indicated the enemy had halted, blockading the other end of the wormhole. Launching an attack would involved greater risk, but the Dominion had never been hesitant in expending ships and crew when the rewards were great.

The Dominion fleet exited the wormhole. The Ferengi opened fire, their weapons tearing through shields destroying many ships, but the Dominion fleet outnumbered them 8 to 1 and even as the Ferengi readied their next volley Dominion attack vessels, hardly stopping after their transit, forged ahead ramming many of the enemy ships. The Dominion also had a millennia old tactic that was not hindered by enemy shields. Those enemy vessels left were quickly dealt with by more conventional weapons. The First, whose ship had been chosen for the suicide wave never saw it.