Drumming his fingers on the arm of the command chair Commander Deivan studied the image of the three Romulan Warbirds, still holding position over the Omega Colony. He had attempted to open a channel to Star Fleet headquarters an hour ago. But it appeared the Romulans had been successful in jamming their signal.
“Still no luck Commander” the Comm officer reported in frustration. “Dr. McKennzie wants a word.”
“Put her through.”
“Commander. The first of the Romulan prisoners are in custody. I have one in sickbay now. I believe I have an answer for you on their illness.”
“What is it Doctor?”
“An engineered virus, it blocks their ability to absorb oxygen. Their suffocating Sir.”
“Will it kill them?”
“If we don’t do something soon. While the lack of air only weakens them, it effects their immune system. Long term, they will die from the first infection they get.”
Deivan shook his head. “Can you reverse it?”
“Well, that is the good news. Yes, I’m preparing a solution now that will kill the virus. Recovery time will be a couple of days though.”
“How long to start treatment?”
“I should have the first injections ready in an hour. And Sir, the Romulans will not be able to come up with this themselves, they don’t have the raw materials.”
Getting up and walking around the bridge Deivan thought. “Proceed as quickly as you can Doctor. Do we have enough material to treat all of them?”
“Yes sir. In fact given a couple of days, I could have enough anti virus to treat the entire population.”
The next decision was going to be very difficult. “Doctor, prepare a report on the formula, and take it and sufficient quantities of the raw material to transporter room 2 and wait on further instructions.”
“I’ll have a nurse standing by shortly Commander.”
Deivan sat back down, “Comm, open a channel to the Romulans.”
“Sir?”
“Do it Lieutenant.”
On the screen the Warbirds started to move. Everyone on the bridge noticed and started to hold their breath.
“Their moving Sir. Taking standard attack posture, weapons are powering up.” The tactical officer reported.
“RED ALERT.” Deivan ordered. “All weapons stand by, all fighter squadrons launch now! Defensive posture Alpha 2.”
“I have the Romulan Commander.” The com called out.
On the main viewer the image of Commander Sor’Ta appeared, his face an angry scowl.
“Where is Commodore Reed? Who are you?”
“Commander Ranvir Deivan, temporarily in command. Commador Reed has taken ill.”
“What a shame. A Captain should be at his bridge when he DIES! Your Federation has launched a biological attack against the forces of the Empire. For this you will not be allowed to leave in Pease, For this you will be destroyed.”
Deivan raised his hand. “Commander Sor’Ta. You should be aware, we have Romulan POW’s aboard.”
“You will beam them to my ship at once!”
Shaking his head. “No, I don’t think so. Commander the fact remains your forces have breached the peace by attacking the rest of the colony. They will remain in our custody until I have received orders otherwise, Orders you are blocking.” Deivan paused and then continued. ‘But, I will send down an antidote for the virus to Vorta’Rome, if you stand down and call off the attacks on the rest of the colony.”
“I will destroy you! I will see your ship spread across the sky of this planet.”
“Then you will see every Romulan on the surface die. How will the Romulan Senate see that Commander?
Commander Sor’Ta leaned back in his command chair. He pondered the offer for a couple of minutes. Then with a snap of his wrist he pointed at someone off camera.
The Tactical officer called out. “They are breaking off Sir. Returning to station keeping over Vorta’Rome.”
“Commander Deivan, you have one hour to fulfill your promise. I don’t need to tell you the consequence of failure.”
“Commander Sor’Ta. Lets not make Omega Prime our first battle ground.”
Sor’Ta caught Deivans meaning. “Indeed.” And the channel closed.
The tactical officer looked at Deivan, “Your not really going to send down the antidote are you?”
“Absolutely I am. If a war is what they want then fine. But biologicals? Not if I have anything to say about it. Even if it cost me my career.”
‘It may well Sir.” Came the muted reply.
Off:
Special Guest apperance
Commander Ranvir Deivan
Acting XO
USS Yang Liwei
Commander Sor’Ta
Commanding the Romulan Divison
(NPC)
