Final Frontier III story.

[Randallw]

The throng pushed and shoved as they cried out their chants of defiance. The area around the Dominion Facility was packed with a huge crowd of protestors. Led by some of the local Vedics they had met to protest the Dominions increasing calls for more and more resources, all the time failing to share any of the knowledge they had promised. Although not affiliated with Surin’s resistance, these people had independently joined to voice their growing displeasure at what they were fast coming to realise were not the heavenly visitors from the Prophets. The throng had started a non-violent protest around the Dominion facility and soon the local authorities not to mention the Jem’Hadar garrison had started to take note.
Surin and Kar stood at the back of the crowd. Kar had cautioned against getting involved, but Surin had insisted it was important to witness the beginning of the Bajorans rejection of their visitors.
“It’s not safe Surin!” exclaimed Kar “Who knows what will happen. The Authorities are sure to put a stop to it”
“What can they do” replied Surin “It is a peaceful protest. Soon the authorities are sure to hear our demands and then the Dominion will be forced to answer the questions we put to them. I know Vedic Barinus. He wouldn’t do anything violent”
“I hope you’re right” then peering out into the crowd Kar continued “Is that my cousin Erin over there? I hope she doesn’t get crushed by the crowd. I’ll just go over and see to her”. Left alone by his friend Surin looked over the crowd. As he had said, the gathering was peaceful. Vedic Barinus himself stood at the front of the crowd, and in a loud voice was calling out to the Dominion to answer his questions. Behind him the front of the crowd pushed and swayed waiting for any response. A Vorta, dwarfed by his Jem’Hadar guards on each flank, had come out and was observing the crowd. When Barinus paused the Vorta stepped forward.
“Come now, there is no need for such a display. If we were to sit down and discuss your quarrel I am sure we could come to a mutually satisfactory agreement to put an end to any disagreement between us” the Vorta asked, spreading his arms wide and smiling. Surin stepped closer so as to hear the discussion more clearly. Barinus had listened to the Vorta’s plea and now replied in kind.
“We do not need to sit down and talk. All my fellow Bajorans have the right to hear your answers.”
“But there are many extenuating facts. Entirely too many to present in such an impromptu environment as this”
“I must say he has a lot to say even if it isn’t the answers the Vedic seeks” said Kar. Surin jumped a little, not having noticed his friends return.
“It matters not” Surin answered “ soon he will run out of his words, and then the only ones left will be the answers we want”
“Very well” replied the Vorta, his voice struggling to be heard over the noise of the crowd. “ To answer your questions…”
“Enough talk!” a voice cried out. Off to one side the crowd had stepped forward to hear the Vorta’s words and now a lone Bajoran had stepped out of the crowd “Leave our world!” he shouted. The Bajoran lifted up a rock and made to throw it.
“NO!” cried out Surin, his words faintly echoed by Vedic Barinus. But the denial did little to stop the rock as it sailed through the air, narrowly missing the Vorta. It may have missed but the solitary act of violence was all the Jem’Hadar needed. The Guards stepped forward as the Vorta took cover. Raising their weapons they opened fire. Barinus and the front of the crowd were mown down. The crowd behind them turning and desperately trying to escape, but thousands of Bajorans were in the crowd and there was no way they could suddenly all move at once. Those Bajorans in the second row lasted little longer than the unfortunate front row as the Jem’Hadar opened fire again heedless of their victims having their back to them. Soon the crowd obtained its own momentum however and the crowd flowed out, the unfortunate being crushed under foot as people desperately tried to escape.
“No, no, no” Surin cried helplessly. He stood rooted to the spot as people ran past, not believing what was happening.
“Surin!. We must escape” Kar said, desperately pulling oat his friend.
“It was meant to be peaceful. We just needed to talk”
“It has happened, but we must leave or they will kill us, just as much as the Vedic and the others”. Heeding his friend’s advice Surin turned and escaped with the crowd as the Jem’Hadar finished off the remaining protestors too slow to escape.