AS SOON AS the Defiant was on course for the Darane system, Sisko convened a meeting in his ready room. Both Tork and Sahna were there, along with Dax and Kira. "I think it's time we compared notes," Sisko said. "Tork, why don't you explain what you've discovered?"
"It is frighteningly simple," Tork said sadly. "According to our official histories, the First Hive built the Hive and conceived the Great Design. That much is certainly true. Later, the Two Hundred and Third Hive rebelled, wanting to change the purpose of the Great Design. They were defeated, and the true way was restored. And that is certainly a lie, which has been deliberately promulgated down the millennia.
"In fact, the revolution succeeded. The rebels gained control of the Hive from the true Hivemasters. The problem was that they knew they could never win over the entire population of the Hive to their views. Instead, they made it appear that they had lost the fight, and their views had been suppressed. In truth, they changed the Great Design, but slowly, over the course of several generations. Their successors carried on their changes gently, so that it would not be noticed. Since the Great Design wasn't to be implemented for hundreds of generations, they had plenty of time to do this.
"The real Great Design stipulated that the Hive would cross intergalactic space and then seek out a world in the closest star system that they could. The important matter here was that it was to be an uninhabited planet. I am not certain what was to happen then, but it was to be a peaceful termination to the voyage. The Two Hundred and Third Hive changed that plan. They saw that the survival of the Hive was the highest priority, and they believed that the Great Design was wrong. They preferred the concept of continuing the Hive as it was, and duplicating it, to insure a greater chance of survival. They felt that re-creating the great journey was the best way to insure survival of our species. They altered records and programming of the computers to make it look as if their plan were still the original Great Design. I am now convinced of this, and I believe that we must confront the Grand Master and expose the truth. Once the Hive knows the facts, they will not allow him to proceed with the destruction of Bajor."
"I think you're being naive, Tork," Kira informed him. "Dron is in power, and things are going his way. He's not going to simply surrender because you have truth and logic on your side." .
"We are not a violent people," Tork explained. "Once the truth is known, Dron will be powerless."
"There is more than you do not yet know," Sahna informed him. "Dax and I have been studying the data that Hosir gave you. We believe that it is the original coding for the Great Design."
"Really?" Tork was astonished, and then thrilled. "You have been able to translate it?"
"Some of it," Dax said. "The bulk of it consists of command codes that I can't fathom. Presumably they relate to the Hive operations. But the rest … " She looked at Sahna.
"'What you have surmised is correct," Sahna agreed. "The Great Design was indeed forcibly altered. The original plan called for the location of an uninhabited planet. When the Hive reached one that was capable of sustaining life but was barren, then this program was to be triggered."
"I see." Tork's snout wrinkled as he concentrated. "But what does the program do?"
"I cannot be sure." Sahna sighed. "Perhaps in the context of the Hive's computers I could tell you, but now I cannot. I only know that this was the original Great Design, and the one that we should try to restore."
Dax called up a schematic on the screen of the Darane system. "Here's Darane Four," she said, pointing. "The two Hives that were in orbit there have begun to move. One has headed into Cardassian space, and is currently being attacked by the Cardassian Third Fleet. The other started to move toward Bajor, but has for some reason paused. It is quite close in spatial terms to Darane Three. That is a decent-sized planet capable of sustaining life, but is barren. It's almost exactly what the First Hive notes specify for a target world."
Tork nodded. "Then if we move the Hive closer to it, we could still implement whatever the original Great Design was."
"I don't see why not," Dax replied. "Except, of course, for the small matter of the Hivemasters. I doubt Dron and his fellows will go for this."
"Then we shall convince them," Tork replied. He grasped Sahna's hand. "We have worked together to create a solution," he said happily. "The Great Design will be restored, and there will be no need to absorb Bajor or any other world."
"I am pleased, beloved," Sahna replied.
Sisko coughed. "I hate to rain on your parade, but there's still the minor matter of getting to the Hive's computers to run the program."
"Of course." Tork was all business again. "Is it possible to communicate with the Hive from this distance?"
"If they want to talk," Sisko informed him. "I'll try and patch through a call." He shook his head. '"I hope that logic wins through, out I strongly doubt that Dron or whoever's in charge now is going to simply hand over power like that.
"What else can he do?" asked Tork simply.
Kira snorted. "Believe me, despots always have alternatives."
Gavron stared at his tactical display in shock and revulsion. It told him that he had exactly three craft remaining beside the Charak. Not even enough to wage a battle, much less win a war. His hopes and dreams had evaporated just as surely as his fleet had under the barrage from the Hive.
"Gone," he muttered, clearing the screen. The fact that all of the Hive's defenders were destroyed didn't matter much now. He glared at the terrible sight on his main screen. The Hive hung there, its destructive energy bolts invisible for the moment. But they would return if he attempted another assault on the Hive. There was no way to cross the surface of the vessel without being annihilated.
There was the other side of the Hive, true. That couldn't be guarded by the devastating bolts. It still had laser cannons, though, and probably more defending ships readying themselves for launch even now. And there was no weak spot such as the breached airlock that the Cardassians could pour their fire into.
"Orders, Gul?" asked Tarvok quietly.
Yes, orders. He couldn't sit here brooding, sighing over the loss. This Hive was still heading for Cardassia Prime. There was still the Home Fleet, of course, but there was no guarantee that it would fare any better then he had. He had to assume that he was the last line of defense for Cardassia Prime. There was no honor of a glorious victory left to him now, but at least there was a chance to stave off shame and dishonor.
He swung about to face Ladra. "Their engine nacelles," he said, slowly and carefully. "Did they suffer any damage?"
She studied her board. "One minor rupture," she announced. "There is a small breach of the hull in that area."
"Their engines are stable?"
"Yes."
Gavron considered this news for a moment. "Then we shall have to destabilize them," he decided. He turned back to Tarvok. "Signal the remaining ships. We attack again. The target for us all is the weakened area of the engines. We shall pass along the top surface of the Hive to avoid their energy weapon. Expect heavy fire, and ready all remaining photon torpedoes."
"Acknowledged." Tarvok turned to his panel to relay the orders.
"Gunnery officer," Gavron demanded. "How many torpedoes do we have left?"
"Twenty-four," the officer replied. "I can bring them all on-line for a single sweep if you desire."
"Do it," Gavron ordered. "Target them as soon as you are able. We may be hit on the way in, and I want to be certain that we fire."
"Understood."
Gavron studied his board. The damaged wing wouldn't really cause a problem. No vital areas had been destroyed, and propulsion was unaffected. One of the cannons was gone, but that mattered little at the moment. They could attack, at least—assuming these damned aliens didn't have any further surprises in store.
"Course laid in," the pilot called. "Ready on command."
"The command is given," Gavron snarled. "All ships to attack."
Once again, the Charak swung about and headed for the Hive. The final three cruisers with them fell in alongside, their own weapons primed and ready. This would probably be the final assault. If this failed, there was nothing much left.
The Hive drew closer again as they swooped toward the upper surface. As Gavron had expected, the laser cannons started firing.
"Shields holding," Tarvok called, as the ship shook from a direct hit. The ship was hit a second time, and he cried: "Down to ninety-five percent."
Laser fire streaked from the surface below at the four snips as they mace their run. The screen lit up, and they were down to three. Gavron stared intently at the screen, willing their target to appear, willing the Charak to greater speed. His fingers clutched the chair arm, and he could hear it creak under the pressure.
"Coming up on target," Ladra announced. "Range closing."
"Torpedoes ready," the gunnery officer called.
"Steady, steady," muttered Gavron. Another wash of laser energy crashed against their shields.
"Down to eighty-percent shields," Tarvok reported. "And falling."
There was no time to worry about that. All that mattered now was the target. Gavron ignored his own fear. They would succeed. They had to.
Another flare of light on the screen announced the destruction of one of his final two companions. He cursed the loss of firepower more than the loss of men.
"Target locked," Ladra called, and then the gunnery officer yelled, "Torpedoes away!"
Laser fire continued to rake them as they pulled away from the Hive, climbing and spinning to get a better view of what was to come.
"The other ship has launched its torpedoes," Ladra called. "Tracking them in." As she spoke, there was another burst of flame, and their final companion was gone.
But not before they had launched their attack!
Gavron stared intently at the main screen, which was focused in on the engine section of the Hive. There were a dozen huge nacelles, all active, as the Hive moved through space. He could barely make out the target area, a small rough spot on the smooth surface of the Hive.
"Impact in … three …" called Ladra, "two … one … "
Thirty-some torpedoes impacted in the same small area of the Hive. The screens overloaded as the blasts went off simultaneously. Ladra was still scanning, and called, "Direct hit!"
As the light died down and the blast dissipated into space,
Gavron could, make out the Hive. It was still there, but there was now a gaping hole where there had only been a minor nick before. Fire and explosions raged in the hundred mile long gap, gouts of gas and materials spewed into space.
"Readings?" he called.
"The enemy is crippled," Ladra reported. "Two of the nacelles are completely destroyed. Three more are malfunctioning. Their main drive appears to be in serious trouble. I judge that they are attempting to shut it down."
"No!" Gavron snarled. "That cannot be allowed. If we can get their engine destabilized, it will wreck the Hive and save Cardassia. We must make another attack."
"Gul," the gunnery officer said quietly. "We have no torpedoes left. Phaser fire alone will be insufficient."
"I know." Gavron clambered to his feet. "We have only one weapon left." He didn't need to spell it out to them. Ladra and Tarvok merely nodded their understanding. "Bring us about," he ordered the pilot. "Lock on to the engine area and take us in at maximum speed." He turned to Ladra. "Prepare to flood the antimatter core."
"Acknowledged."
Gavron was pleased. There was no whining, no questioning. He had good troops. They would obey his commands, .right to the last second of their existence.
Which wouldn't be very long now.
"Report!" yelled Pakat at the screen. Premon's shocked face stared back at him. "What damage has been done?"
Premon shook his head. "It is horrible," he replied.
"People are dying down here. Two of the engines are gone. Three are going. We have to shut down the drive to prevent detonation. We are in dire trouble."
How could this have happened? Those damned Cardassians! "Agreed," Pakat said roughly. He tapped in further commands. "Pakat to launch bays. Is the next flight not yet ready for launch?"
"Momentarily," the leader answered. "We are almost prepared."
"Then hurry!" Pakat yelled. This was getting far too dangerous now. He had never imagined that these Cardassians would be so relentless or so resourceful. He stared around his command center, furious and terrified. They had to stave off further trouble, though there was only one Cardassian ship left.
Several screens showed the devastated area. Huge gouges had been sliced from the Hive and vented into space. The number of dead and wounded was beyond calculation at the moment. The affected sections had been sealed off, but there was panic throughout the Hive. And now they would have to stop their flight to repair their engines.
The Great Design was severely compromised. Worse, the Hive was in serious danger. If they had to wait too long, then it would give the enemy time to prepare further forces. "The final warship is returning," one of his technicians called.
Pakat stared at the display. He couldn't look directly out into space, of course, so he was forced to rely on the computer simulation. "Shoot them down!" he screamed. "Stop them!"
The laser cannons began their fire again.
Gavron stared in satisfaction at the Hive as they headed toward it. With their engines shut down, there was less danger of getting caught in its exhausts. They were coming at the Hive low, aiming to hug the vessel until they reached the gap they had created. And then …
Tarvok smiled at him. "It is a good day to die," he said, quoting the Klingon proverb.
"It is as long as we take them with us," Gavron answered. He smiled back. "You're a good officer, Tarvok."
"Does that mean I get a battlefield promotion?" he asked, grinning.
"Ask me when this is over." Gavron watched the Hive draw closer. "Ladra?"
"Ready on your command," she said simply.
"Mark," he told her. "Fifteen … fourteen …"
It was a good day to die.
* * *
The Charak hugged the shell of the Hive closely. Laser fire splashed across its shields, but the Cardassians paid it no mind. The shields were failing, but there was still time. Arrow-straight, it plunged toward the maw of the hole they had blown earlier.
Two seconds before impact, Ladra released the antimatter core.
One second before impact, the antimatter and matter cores flowed together.
Impact.
In the raging firestorm of the matter antimatter mutual annihilation, the Hive was seized in the grip of forces it had never been designed to withstand. The engine room was vaporized, along with the rear third of the Hive. Those killed didn't even know they had been hit.
The shock wave tore into the remaining portions of the vessel. Stresses ripped the levels and decks apart. The shock tore everything that remained to pieces.
Twelve seconds after the Charak annihilated itself, the Hive blossomed briefly into a tremendous Chapter 17explosion that tore it completely apart.