Captain's Log, Stardate 76349.25.
We've been engaging the Jem'Hadar for a week. The combat feels unending and our crews are battling their own fatigue to defend the sector around the clock. The crew of the Yatagarasu are doing their utmost to repel the Jem'Hadar from DS9, and their steely resolve never ceases to impress me. I am beset by a gnawing premonition that my instincts refuse to shake. Something feels terribly wrong, as if something in the shadows moves the Dominion. A lone, magniloquent Vorta leads them without Founder influence.
I've sent the U.S.S. Starsider through the wormhole on a solo infiltration assignment to identify the source of these Jem'Hadar. Meanwhile, the U.S.S. Shrike has joined our recent arrivals from the 5th Fleet to strike Jem'Hadar picket lines and keep them from regrouping for a coordinated strike on DS9.
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Stardate 76350.5 Supplemental.
Zefyr Tarquinas and the U.S.S. Starsider returned from the Gamma Quadrant, followed by a force of Founder-Led Jem'Hadar. It took every bit of negotiation across fleet channels to ensure the newly arrived were not fired upon.
The arriving Vorta, Eraun, spoke for the Founder who sought to reclaim her wayward children from DS9 and the Alpha Quadrant. Instead of coming peacefully, however, Kar'ukan sent his "cowardly" Vorta host back to the Gamma Dominion fleet and then ordered his own to fire upon all opposing vessels. Like a swarm of Locusts, the surviving Alpha Dominion fleets converged on DS9, and—even with assistance from the Gamma Quadrant—we quickly found ourselves outnumbered and outgunned.
Four hours into the battle, the condition of our fleet grew increasingly despondent. Vessels from both allied fleets were either crippled or destroyed, and Kar'ukan firmly asserted his throne upon DS9. Our ship had depleted its store of photon torpedoes, and we found ourselves fighting on reserves. Our ship endured hours of punishment, and several decks were compromised. Then dozens of Alpha Dominion reinforcements arrived, like Piranhas swarming in a sea of blood. We prepared for the worst, and I ordered abandon ship.
Then suddenly, Ash Nentiss and Jarek Cyphus arrived, bringing with them a massive Federation-Romulan fleet that covered the retreating vessels while committing to the battle. In a short few hours, the tide had turned, and the battle was won. Kar'ukan was killed, and Captain Kurland was able to savor a fresh victory in the most difficult confrontation of his Starfleet career. May as well have been mine, too.
"Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell, Rode the six hundred."
We docked with DS9 to begin repairs when I received a secure communique from Franklin Drake. He claimed veracity of a recent distress call from Risa, and that I might want to investigate as soon as we're able to get underway. No rest for the wicked.
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