Final Frontier III story.

[Randallw]

Note: I am clearly giving away much knowledge of the Dominion, but I do so dislike going for long periods without adding narrative.

For all of recorded history the Bajoran people had given worship to the Prophets. Their entire way of life was devoted to serving their Gods, who lived within the Celestial Temple far from the light of Baha’Vel. Ancient tales, fragmented and mostly lost, told of other races that had once lived in harmony with the inhabitants of Bajor. If such tales could be believed these other races lived in other star systems like Bajors. However Kai Baren, leader of the Prophets servants, held little regard for such fairy tales. Despite the stars in the night sky there had never been any way to leave Bajors system, not in recorded history. Proponents of such ideas had laughable ideas to support their beliefs. Fairy tales of ships with sails like those that plied Bajors oceans, travelling through space from system to system. No, Kai Baren did not believe such foolishness. There was only one possible way to leave Bajors light and that was to travel through the Celestial Temple, an idea that no respecting follower of the Prophets would consider, unless summoned. However, now the impossible seemed to have occurred. The Prophets had descended from the stars and presented themselves to the Bajoran people, or at least their servants had.
A few moons ago a ship, but not a ship as like those that sailed the oceans, had emerged from the Celestial Temple. There had been much celebrating. Surely the Prophets had looked down on their loyal servants for these many eons and had come to take those deemed worthy to dwell in the Celestial Temple with them. Even now Kai Baren, who had no doubt he would be chosen, knelt before the Prophets Emissary. The title of the Prophets Soldiers, these Jem’Hadar, was unknown but some research through the holy texts had uncovered a description of them that matched the pictures he had seen. They were described as tall and scaled like a lizard, but more importantly they were mentioned to be loyal to their gods, gods who could take the shape of anything or anybody, even friends and loved ones. A fact known by all Bajorans to be how the Prophets revealed themselves. These Heavenly soldiers were said not to eat or sleep but instead were created and kept alive only by the grace of their gods.
“Greetings, Emissary. We are blessed by your presence and are prepared to ascend to the Celestial Temple”
The Vorta Emissary, who unbeknownst to the Kai was better informed about ancient history, looked down upon the prostrate Kai.
“The time has not yet come for those loyal to the Prophets to ascend. We however bring greetings from the Founders...of your faith”
“We are obedient to the calls of the Prophets” replied Baren.
“We are sure of it, but for now we bring news from the Founders. They call for you to obey us, their chosen servants. The ways of the Founders may be strange to you but as long as you obey our requests we shall grant our help to your people. We have many secrets we shall use to better the lives of the Faithful.
“The Prophets be praised” exclaimed the Kai.
“Indeed” answered the Vorta, mysteriously.

[Randallw]

The control room was surprisingly quiet. Although dozens of Jem’Hadar and Vorta supervisors were at work there were no superfluous sounds, each operator obeying or issuing commands without recourse to unnecessary chatter or conversation. Weyas, Chief supervisor for the launch looked around him quietly taking pride in the atmosphere. All present united in service to the Founders.
“Launch platforms prepared” reported one of the Jem’Hadar assistants.
“Begin Countdown” Weyas ordered.
“Beginning countdown…..5….4...3...2...1”
.The operator pressed the launch console and nearby a number of Drones launched from their racks quickly leaving the atmosphere and heading directly for the nearest wormhole. Without pause they transited the wormhole and emerged on the other side. Weyas and the other officials observed the relay feed. They were confronted by a dark waste. Once there had been light, assumedly, but all light had been extinguished along with any worlds that may have once existed in the system, when the sun had collapsed forming a black hole. A Dominion ship had discovered the Black hole a few months previously, and although the ship in question had managed to escape the Dominion was unwilling to risk any further ships. This was not to say they were unwilling to lose the crews, for any servant of the Founders would be willing to die if it would advance the Dominion, rather it was simply decided to be more advantageous to use high speed probes to scout the next systems. The probes continued on into the system, taking courses that would hopefully skirt the event horizon and bring them safely to the other side. So far things went as planned. Then 2 of the drones ceased sending data. Meanwhile the remaining drones kept moving.
“Second Aet’atem, What happened? Did they fall into the centre” Weyas, questioned.the Jem’Hadar.
“Negative. Drones were well on edge of event horizon”
“What of the others?”
“Oncourse as predicted”
“Return data from lost drones to 10 seconds before cessation”
Weyas watched as the footage of the drone traversing empty space rewound. Once again he watched as the drone exited the wormhole and edged around the system. There was a grey flash and the data ended.
“Rewind 5 seconds and slow speed to one tenth”
Again, only slower, the drone’s data showed the surrounding space as the drone made its journey. Just before the data was to cut out a form loomed ahead, then the drone was destroyed.
“Again, Rewind 2 tenths and then freeze image. Clean up image”
The Jem’Hadar officer manipulated the image and eventually a shape formed. Surprising as it sounded, and by a quirk of fate, the drones had collided with an alien ship traversing the black hole in the opposite direction. The Ship was comprised of a saucer section and propelled by what appeared to be 2 warp nacelles. Weyas had never seen the type before. A new race encountered and it had cost them 2 drones.
“The Federation” a soft voice spoke behind Weyas. Weyas turned in shock to be confronted by a Founder. Instantly he bowed and stepped back, making room for the god.
“Immediately you are to increase ships presence in this system. I do not want any of their ships to enter.” ordered the Founder.
“As the Founders wish” obeyed Weyas.

[Randallw]

Terik’Tellet wondered what was happening. For all his life he had known only a few rooms, first the crèche and then the barracks where he and his brothers had been raised. Now they had all been ordered to a new part of the facility. A giant hall wherein he and his brothers, along with many other groups he had never seen, were ordered into ranks. Since his birth, he had known only the rule of the caretakers. Apart from his brothers, these older men were the only Jem’Hadar he had ever seen, however somehow he took comfort in the silent ranks of Jem’Hadar lined up along the hallway. He instinctively knew how to speak. He knew how to fight. He knew to take comfort in the brotherhood of the others. He never gave a thought to how he knew these things. To him and all the others this knowledge was as natural as breathing. Eventually the Hall was filled. Terik’Tellet and the others stood at attention waiting. After some time a figure walked up to the podium at the head of the hall and addressed the ranks.
“I am Aset’Telar. You will address me as Honoured Elder” at which the figure paused “I am 16 years old”
Slowly this fact soaked into Terik’Tellet’s mind. At 3 weeks of age he could barely accept that anyone could live so long.
“It is probable that none of you will reach my age” Aset’Telar continued “But perhaps, if you serve the Founders well, you may, however unlikely, one day be worthy to be addressed as honoured Elder”
The Jem’Hadar Elder came out from behind his podium and stood before the assembled troops
“Do any of you think you can defeat me?” he questioned.
“I can defeat you!” called out one of the Jem’Hadar. Terik’Tellet was unsurprised to recognise the call as being from his brother Calim’Kalen. The other Jem’Hadar had, through some unforseen mutation, grown to tower over the others from his crèche. During training over the previous weeks he had slain two of his brothers. His Brothers sometimes joked that his growth was at the expense of his intelligence. Not for the first time Terik’Tellet wondered why he hadn’t been removed along with other Jem’Hadar who had developed mutations. To Terik’Tellet’s surprise the Elder seemed to have been expecting the challenge.

A space was cleared in the center of the hall and the 2 combatants faced off. The giant Jem’Hadar loomed over the Elder, who was slowly limbering up. Terik’Tellet could see that Calim’Kalen had already decided the thin Elder would be no match. His anticipation of victory was apparent in his smile. Soon the 2 combatants were ready. At the ring of a bell Calim’Kalen rushed forward, as always planning to defeat his foe through brute strength. The Elder responded and suddenly Calim’Kalen was sprawled on the ground. The Elder quickly knelt and gripped his opponents head in his arm. Baring strength the others had not expected he pulled and the hall resounded with a loud crack as the giants neck snapped. The lifeless body collapsed, a lesson to all those watching. Standing the Elder spoke
“Witness the price of disobedience. You have been training. Train always!. Unlike lesser races you have no need to rest. While they sleep you can train and fight. But training is not all you need. Do not question your superiors and always obey your orders. Obedience brings victory”
“…and victory is life!” responded the soldiers, their voices echoing through the hall

[El_Phil]

Youth these days hey? So some poor planet is about to get invaded then I guess

Good read

[boran_blok]

El_Phil said:
Youth these days hey? So some poor planet is about to get invaded then I guess

Good read

that is, if they can cross the wormhole

[Randallw]

Nehran had presided over the expansion of the Dominion for nearly 6 years, and in that time had organised the occupation or treaty with a number of species, the Talaxians, the Ocampa, Bajorans, and Betazoids. But now Nehran was having a new experience. A race called the Bandi had contacted the Dominion and actually requested through their own decision a military alliance with them. Nehran did not know if the Founders were responsible, or if the Bandi truly wished to invite Dominion forces, but if they had it was proof of their divinity. The Bandi lay on the very fringes of Dominion space, at the very limit of Dominion reach. By accepting the Bandi plea the Dominion would instantly have access to facilities to refuel and enhance the range of Dominion exploration. Nehran did not pause to consider the option but immediately ordered acceptance of the treaty and the movement of Dominion forces to the new area of expansion. New Farpoint station.

Edit of an old post: Let me just point out here, rather than break the story by adding a post, I just noticed in the game there is a nuetral betazoid AI. When I mention Betazoids above I was referring to the planets of the Betazoid system I found.

[Randallw]

It was a bright sunny day in Jo’Kara city. Many Bajoran families had taken the opportunity to get out into the sun, going to the neighbourhood temple or the nearest marketplace. A handful of Bajorans however instead hid themselves away from the sun. To them it was too important that their gathering not be witnessed, or at least it was important to the one who had called them all here.
“I’m telling you, the Founders are not the Prophets!” exclaimed Teris Surin, the impromptu leader of the hidden gathering, his voice echoing in the cellar.
“.but Kai Baren says…” replied one of the group
“I don’t care what the Kai says” interrupted Surin. The group was shocked. It was inconceivable that any one would doubt the spiritual leader of the Bajoran people. The group had chosen to meet here, in this dank, barely lit cellar, at Surin’s request as they were all his friends. Some of them began to wonder if it had been a wise choice.
“The Kai says he found proof in the ancient texts to support his announcement, correct?” continued the impromptu leader.
“Yes, I was in the temple when the Kai made the announcement” replied Garis Kar, standing at the front of the group facing Teris. “I saw with my own eyes the Prophets emissary appear in a hail of light at the Kai’s side”
“I looked further into the texts and the Kai is wrong, these so called emissaries aren’t from the Prophets!”
“Why would you look further once the Kai made his announcement?” spoke up another Bajoran.
“Does it not bother you that these emissaries come to us to trade for resources? Every month more and more of our minerals, produce and energy is taken by them. I ask, what need have the Prophets for such wordly goods?”
“The ways of the Prophets are beyond our comprehension” answered Kar.
“Yes, and to aid my comprehension I delved deeper into the histories. I searched the ancient texts at the library in Janiza province, and what did I find? Records describing these Jem’Hadar and their Vorta”
“The Kai quoted the same texts. There is no doubt that the emissaries match the description of the Prophets servants” explained Kar “The Jem’Hadar serve their gods, gods that match descriptions of the Prophets taking Bajoran form”
“But in these ancient texts I found information saying that the Jem’Hadar gods, these Founders, opposed the Bajoran people in the past. It was with the help of people from other planets that they were defeated”
“We are all aware of such fairy tales. Such stories of ships in space are only fit for children” Kar admonished Surin. Surin held up a hand silencing Kar. Turning about he pulled out a wrapped package nearby. Carefully he unwrapped the package and to the groups dismay they could see the book was ancient.
“It is forbidden to remove the ancient texts from the libraries” someone spoke up.
“I took this book from the library in Janiza, so that you could see with your own eyes the proof of my words”
Surin explained.
“I don’t think that was wise Surin” Kar spoke up “What if the temple guards catch you?”
“What if many things, what if my accusations are correct. Every day the Vorta emissaries ask more and more from us. Please, just read what I have found. For the sake of our friendship”
“Very well, but the book must be returned. I can just imagine how much damage the conditions here must be doing the longer you hide it”
“Thank you” answered Surin “ I promise you I am right. We must act or I fear we are doomed to be conquered much as the Pah’Wraiths “ at which every Bajoran made the sign of the Prophets to ward off evil “ and their servants, the Adasians, once ruled us”