Star Trek: Nexus

"By the gods…" Jhet'laya whispered, her voice trembling as she and the other delegates—Kobali and Vaadwaur alike—gazed into the laboratory with wide-eyed horror.

From within, guttural roars echoed through the cavernous halls, reverberating like a dark symphony of chaos. The unearthly sounds clawed at their nerves, sending chills down the spines of even the bravest onlookers.

"What in the world is going on in there?" Captain Anzyl murmured, his Nouliths hovering silently at his sides, their faint glow casting eerie shadows on the temple walls.

Zide'Mok, the fearless First of the Jem'Hadar, tightened his grip on his weapon, his expression as stoic as ever. "Victory is life. Jem'Hadar, ready weapons!" His command was sharp and unwavering. "Enshroud and scout the laboratory."

With a synchronized nod, his platoon responded. The faint hiss and fizzle of Dominion shrouds activating signaled their disappearance as they cloaked themselves, their forms vanishing into the thick, damp air.

"Remain here, Captain," Zide'Mok advised, his tone firm. "We will scout the interior and signal when it is secure."

Anzyl exhaled, his usual confidence tempered by the cries of whatever horrors lurked inside. "For once, First, I have no desire to charge in guns blazing." Beside him, Neil nodded in silent agreement, his grip on his rifle tightening.

Jhet'laya's voice was filled with desperation. "Please, be careful. These laboratories are the heart of Kobali survival. If they're lost, so is our future."

Zide'Mok inclined his head slightly. "We will do what we must." And with that, he and his warriors melted into the darkness.

—

The interior of the laboratory was a grim fusion of ancient architecture and advanced technology. The ruins of a stone temple towered high into the mountain, its walls lined with sleek, metallic body pods that hummed faintly with energy. However, the solemn silence of the scientific environment had been replaced by chaos.

The sounds of thrashing metal, wet tearing, and guttural roars filled the air. In the center of the vast chamber, abomination-like creatures ravaged the laboratory's pods, their monstrous forms both grotesque and primal. Standing at heights of 10 to 15 feet, their mutated, muscular bodies writhed with unnatural energy. Their flesh appeared molten, their claws jagged and dripping with viscous fluid. These were Fek'ihri—corrupted and monstrous—but somehow, worse than the legends had ever described.

"First, report," came Anzyl's voice over Zide'Mok's communicator, sharp and tense. "The Kobali and Vaadwaur delegates are demanding an update."

Zide'Mok remained silent as he assessed the situation. The creatures had halted their destruction momentarily, alerted by the faint buzz of the transmission. Though unable to see the cloaked Jem'Hadar, their heads swiveled, nostrils flaring. A low, guttural growl rumbled from one as it sniffed the air, its malformed jaw dripping saliva.

"They can't see us," Zide'Mok murmured to his men. "But they smell us. Maintain your positions."

It was too late. One of the abominations let out a piercing shriek and charged blindly toward the shrouded soldiers, crashing into the pods with earth-shaking force. The other creatures followed, drawn to the scent of their prey.

"Open fire!" Zide'Mok barked.

The Jem'Hadar fizzled into view as they uncloaked, their energy rifles lighting up the chamber. Bolts of phased plasma sparked against the grotesque skin of the Fek'ihri, but the creatures seemed only mildly deterred. They roared in fury, their claws slashing through the air as they lunged at the soldiers.

"Fall back to the entrance!" Zide'Mok ordered, firing relentlessly. "Funnel them into the main tunnel!"

The retreat was chaotic. One Jem'Hadar soldier was tackled from above, the massive weight of a Fek'ihri pinning him to the ground. The creature's claws tore into his back, amber blood spraying across the floor. The air filled with the sharp, chemical scent of Ketracel White as the soldier's injector was ripped free.

The abomination froze momentarily, sniffing the spilled liquid. Then, with a primal hunger, it began to lap up the drug, its muscles convulsing as though electrified. The other creatures paused, their heads snapping toward the scent. In seconds, they swarmed the fallen soldier, tearing him apart in a frenzy to consume the Ketracel White.

Zide'Mok watched in stunned disbelief. No species had ever shown recognition or desire for the Dominion drug, yet these monsters seemed drawn to it with an instinctual ferocity.

"Move!" he roared, shaking off his horror. His remaining warriors took the opportunity to retreat, falling back through the narrow hallway toward the temple entrance.

—

Outside, Anzyl and the delegation waited anxiously, their weapons trained on the darkened entrance. The sounds of relentless phaser fire grew louder, accompanied by the heavy footfalls of the retreating Jem'Hadar.

The first soldier emerged, bloodied but alive, followed by the others. Zide'Mok was the last to step into the open air, his breathing heavy and his armor slick with amber blood.

"First! Are you alright? Report!" Anzyl demanded, rushing to his side.

Zide'Mok straightened, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Abominations," he said simply. "They resemble Fek'ihri, but they are... worse. Stronger, faster, and somehow... drawn to Ketracel White."

Anzyl's face hardened. "What in the hell are Fek'ihri doing here?"

Before anyone could speculate further, the roars of the creatures echoed from the entrance. Shadows flickered against the walls as the abominations scrambled toward them, their claws scraping against the stone floor.

Neil took up position, his phaser rifle aimed at the oncoming threat. "Whatever they are, none of them leave this place alive! Ready weapons!"

Anzyl nodded, his Nouliths glowing brightly as they activated. He tapped his combadge. "Anzyl to Nexus! We have Jem'Hadar wounded and casualties. Send a medical team immediately! Reinforcements as well—we're not done here yet!"

Seconds later, the familiar whine of transporters filled the air. Medical officers in blue Starfleet uniforms materialized, along with a squad of reinforcements: Klingons, Hirogen, Nausicaans, additional Jem'Hadar, and Veirik, clad in tactical gear.

Veirik hefted a massive antiproton machine gun over his shoulder, its hum signaling it was ready to fire. He grinned fiercely. "A showdown with mutated Fek'ihri? I wouldn't miss this."

Anzyl smirked grimly. "Let's make it count."

The reinforcements took their positions, weapons trained on the approaching monstrosities. The roars grew deafening, and the first of the creatures emerged into the flickering light.

Anzyl's jaw tightened as his eyes locked on the towering abominations. "What the f—"

Before he could finish, the battle began.