The Fall Of Lucis V - Part Three

Posted on Sun Sep 6th, 2026 @ 9:16am by Captain Nycolas Temple

[Recap]
The Lucis System was in the outer rim of Federation territory, partly crossing into the Neutral Zone near Cardassia. It consisted of six planets, four of which were habitable. The Federation had built a colony on the tropical garden planet of Lucis V around twenty years prior, gaining a trade and diplomatic foothold in the region. Lucis II and VI both had native inhabitants - the Lucii and the Nifleheim respectively, who had a long history of conflict between them. Nearby was the planet Gaspar, which was loosely controlled by the Cardassians, and existed as a black-market trade hub.

Sensing that the Cardassians had increased their presence in the system and were aligning with the Nifleheim, the shadow organisation Section 31 had established “Project Angel” to watch the region and investigate the threat, under the employ of Commodore Thurston. Thurston had recruited his protege Lieutenant Nycolas Temple, unbeknownst to him, and they worked to disrupt the Cardassian presence in the system. Temple was injured while on a reconnaissance mission to Gaspar, in a bombing conducted by the Cardassian brothers Tomar and Somar Gammit. The Cardassians would then go on to attack the Federation colony on Lucis V, with Temple helping to lead the defence of the planet.

Temple later learned that “Project Angel” was a Section 31 mission and he rebuked both them and Commodore Thurston for their dishonesty. Nyx meanwhile had fallen in love with and married Emilie Fleuret, the daughter of the colony’s mayor. At their wedding ceremony, Thurston returned and offered Temple the opportunity to continue the mission as further threats to the region by the Cardassians continued to grow.

In a surprising turn, the Lucii and the Nifleheim suddenly declared they would sign a peace agreement between them, apparently negotiated without the Federation’s presence. They had invited Emilie and Nycolas as guests to view the signing ceremony and celebrations...

[ON:]
[Lucius II - Spring, 2385]

It was a night of celebration and joy on Lucis II as a sprawling “Festival of Peace” was being held in the capital city of I’Arc’A, commemorating the signing of a historic peace agreement between Lucis II and the Nifleheim of Lucis VI. The two planets had fought for centuries over territory, trade routes, and resources. However, they had recently agreed to a tentative and new-found peace, surprising the Federation observers caught in the middle on Lucis V.

But all of that was apparently in the past. Tonight, I’Arc’A was alight with parties, music, confetti, and laughter as the Lucii embraced their peace with the Nifleheim after the treaty was signed by both parties earlier that day. The streets were filled with happy people from both planets, as the city shone with pride.

Attending the event as a neutral third party, Lieutenant Temple was wearing a tuxedo shirt and pants, with his Guardian of Lucis jacket over the top. Next to him was his wife, Emilie, wearing a long white gown with ruffled hems and a shining emerald on her neck. The jewellery had been Nyx’s present to her, a symbol of their home planet where they had met and wed.

Standing on top of I’Arc’A‘s Grand Hall, where a reception for the peace signing was being held, Nycolas was staring down at the city in front of them. The Grand Hall was located on a hill sitting above the city, giving the civilian building a full-scale view of the metropolis below. Emilie sidled up next to Nycolas, wrapping her arms around his waist. Smiling, Nyx quickly moved to place his arm around her shoulders.

“Such a beautiful city.” Emilie remarked. “I can’t believe we’re here and they are at peace.”

Nyx nodded, pulling her in close, “It seems surreal. When I first moved to the region, they were sworn enemies.” His brow furrowed. “Too good to be true, really.”

Emilie looked up at him and frowned. “You think the peace agreement might not be genuine?”

“I do.” Nyx responded gravely, looking down at her with those serious grey eyes. “I’m worried that it’s a Trojan Horse.”

As they were talking, General Tof, a leader from the Nifleheim approached from behind. He was a small, elder man with an oversized head and a thin, long white beard. He was wearing standard Nifleheim military regalia in their desert red colour; his well-decorated silver medals across his chest clinked loudly as he waved to the couple.

“We are honoured by your presence at our ceremony today.” General Tof remarked. “We are pleased Lucis V are here to join in our peaceful agreement.”

Nyx nodded and smiled politely, “And the Federation as well.” He couldn't help but add. The negotiations had come without Federation involvement or input, yet they had been invited to witness the event, nonetheless. It was as if the two worlds were deliberately showing what they could achieve together, and specifically, without the Federation.

Tof raised an eyebrow and nodded in return. “Yes, yes.”

“We look forward to what this agreement will bring to the region.” Emilie cut in, trying to be as diplomatic as possible. “What are the next steps?”

The General raised up his hands, “I wouldn’t want to presume. Let us now celebrate the peace and let the work come next.”

In Nyx’s ear, a voice broke through the conversation, into his hidden earpiece. “Command to Agent.”

Nyx kept his face as stoic as possible, not acknowledging the transmission while the General was in front of him. Nyx, Emilie, and Tof continued to express vacant pleasantries between them, discussing the food of the evening dinner and the planned light show at midnight, when the treaty came into full effect. It promised to be a grand showing, in league with the momentous occasion. Nyx constantly looked for a way to excuse himself from the conversation, but it appeared General Tof was in a very chatty mood.

The voice returned, this time more urgency in their tone. “Command to Agent. Make contact.”

Nyx broke into a discussion on Lucii cuisine with a cough, “Excuse me, I just need to use the bathroom.” He said politely, breaking his grip on Emilie’s arm as he nodded to the both of them and quickly walked back inside the building.

Once inside the Grand Hall, Nyx found an empty bathroom and he quickly checked for other occupants or surveillance equipment. From within his pocket, he revealed a small PADD-like device, which he turned on and activated. There was the slight beep as the comms disrupter came into effect, effectively blocking any potential eavesdropping on his conversation. Nyx then pressed his finger to his ear.

“Agent to Command.” Temple announced, staring at himself in the mirror. “There are three flowers in a vase."

"The second flower is orange." Commodore Thurston remarked from his Bridge on the USS Erebus, his stealth ship, with a tone that was noticeably dour and serious.

"Acknowledged." Temple replied, "What's the situation?"

"We have movement from Gaspar.” Thurston reported, arms pensively behind his back. "A Nifleheim command ship just left the area, and the Cardassian rogue ships from the Gammit brothers have launched off the planet's surface. We believe they have been hiding there."

“Do we think they’re moving their ships to attack Lucis II?” Nyx asked, a feeling of both dread and confirmation passing over him.

It had been too good to be true.

"As we theorized." Thurston confirmed.

Thurston and Temple had long assumed the peace agreement was some kind of diversionary tactic, a plan to encourage the Lucii to lay down their defences and allow the Nifleheim to attack using the Cardassian rogues as the stalking horse to carry out the betrayal. Create as much damage as possible, to weaken the Lucii into submission so that the Nifleheim could finally succeed in controlling the planet. Section 31 had laid in wait for a potential betrayal with their new stealth ship the USS Erebus waiting around the dark side of the uninhabited Lucis III. Both the Nifleheim and the Lucii had agreed to dock their military fleets during the celebrations, but that was appearing to change as the night continued.

“I don't believe in coincidences.” Thurston said. "The Nifleheim have given the order for the rogue Cardassian Gammit brothers to attack Lucis II. Tonight. Perhaps as the treaty comes into effect and prevents the Lucii from attacking the Niflehim back."

“The peace agreement doesn't take effect until...” Temple looked to his screen. “Four more hours."

"That's enough time for them to lay siege to I’Arc’A." Thurston nodded.

"Bastards." Temple swore. "Do we intercept?”

“Negative. We cannot reveal our presence just yet.” The Commodore replied. “But we have deployed sanctuary mines along their presumed attack path. If they approach Lucis II, they will be activated.”

Temple nodded, although Thurston couldn’t see him. “What can I do?” He asked.

“Find a way to warn the Lucii command. Get them to safety without alerting the Nifleheim that you’re aware of the attack.” Thurston commanded. "And get yourself and Emilie off-world ASAP. You have, at best, forty-two minutes to get clear of Lucis II before the attack begins."

“Aye.” Temple said firmly, as he closed the channel. Nyx deactivated the comms disrupter and pocketed it again. He quickly washed his hands and opened the door to leave.

He was surprised to find President Arelius of the Lucii waiting for him in the corridor. Lucis II's President was a tall woman, towering at 7 feet in height. She had long golden hair, over a grey ceremonial suit. Much like her counterpart, her clothing was adorned with gold military regalia. Nyx was startled to see her, but he put on the best smile that he could.

“Everything okay, Lieutenant?” The President asked, a knowing tone to her voice. “We detected an unknown signature from this location.”

Nyx nodded, looking around the corridor. He saw General Tof was still chatting to Emilie, as if nothing could possibly be wrong. He leaned into President Arelius. “Do you have somewhere secure, where we could chat?”

Arelius frowned but then she nodded. “This way.”

A moment later, Nyx found himself in an interior office, which had been used to sign the agreement between the two planets. A few of the assembled staff were carefully moved on out of the room, giving Temple and Arelius privacy.

“What is it, Lieutenant?” President Arelius asked when they were alone.

“We have detected the movement of a Cardassian attack fleet near Gaspar.” Nyx said carefully. “We believe they may have rendezvoused with the Nifleheim, who have arranged the attack."

“An attack?” Arelius scoffed. “We just signed a peace agreement! They are bound by treaty to refrain from any hostile actions upon us.”

“Which is why they are using rogue Cardassians to do it. We detected a Nifleheim commander at Gaspar just as the Cardassians made their appearance. We believe they may strike before the peace agreement comes into effect at midnight.” Nyx shrugged. "The treaty was designed to prevent you from retaliation afterwards."

"And you say that... you have detected his, Lieutenant?" Arelius questioned, her eyes searching in his.

"Starfleet has." Temple simply replied.

"How noble of Starfleet to keep an eye out for us." She merely retorted.

“Do you have precautions in place to protect your government?” Nyx asked seriously, disturbed by the President's lack of urgency. "We need to get you to shelter. To get your people to shelter!"

Arelius paced towards the large arch window on the wall. She looked out at the lively, loud celebrations outside; all the happy Lucii people out on the streets. So joyful and relieved that war was apparently no longer possible. At least they had this day and evening to believe it was true.

Arelius sighed, loudly. “You think us stupid, Starfleet?” She finally spoke.

“I… what?” Nyx stammered.

“We have rivaled the Nifleheim for centuries.” The President remarked. “Generations of Lucii locked in an eternal war against them. So many lives lost for the sake of territory and dominance.” She finally turned around, a taut expression on her face. “I am not so naive as to think the Nifleheim had suddenly decided to… what? Give up? Ha! Never.”

“So, you expected an attack?” Nyx frowned, moving towards her.

“The Nifleheim have been in league with the Cardassian rogues for years now. Plotting with these Gammit brothers against our interests. They have continued to do so even as I sat here and signed peace with them.” Arelius shrugged. “But we have been investing in advanced sensor technologies. We are aware of your ship, orbiting Lucis III, the stealth mines you have placed between our planets, and we have been aware of the Cardassian attack fleet, which they have been attempting to hide as trade ships on Gaspar for the past three months.”

Nyx couldn't help but show his surprise. He blinked at this news and shook his head. "You never trusted them?"

"Not when we could see that they could still not be trusted." Arelius simply said. "It is in their nature to fight, to war. We, on the other hand, have grown tired of the inconvenience."

“So… now what?” Temple asked impertinently. “You wait for them to violate the agreement and then attack back? You’re waiting for them to strike, giving you reason to defend yourself? Lives could be lost!”

“Actually, Lieutenant.” The President smiled. “We aren’t concerned about the Nifleheim or the Cardassians tonight. We don’t believe they’re going to attack us. In the future? Certainly. But we believe they have signed this agreement to keep us neutral for now while they clear out another threat.”

A chill ran down Temple’s spine as he turned to see the reason for the calm on the President’s face. “Another threat?”

“The threat that would move stealth craft and silent mines into sovereign territory in order to control two forces at war.” Arelius said, a coldness growing in her tone. “That would send Intelligence agents to view our signing ceremony as they have sent agents across the Lucis' system for years, spying on the both of us. General Tof and I are in agreement that we must eradicate the threat to our sovereignties. That is why we signed this agreement."

Nyx understood her words as they shadowed across his brain like an eclipse. He felt his stomach churn at the implication being laid forth.

"We came to ensure you were not being betrayed." Temple hissed out. "I came to warn you, to protect you!"

"To infantize me." The President sneered. "We do not want your help, Federation. We do not need your help. We have not requested it or required it. I know exactly who my enemies are and I have all the power at my disposal to ensure they do not wage war upon my planet again." She stepped forward towards him, heat rising off her skin and she seethed with disdain at the human. "You only wish to intervene so that you may take their spot as our rivals."

She looked down at him with a glowering, smug pride. "I declare that I shall have NO RIVALS!"

Temple stood back, wanting to get far away from her, tapping his ear quickly. "Agent to Command. Beam us out, now!"

There was pure silence from Thurston. Not even a beep of a signal relay.

Arelius smirked and shook her head, "We also developed communication disruptors, Agent."

Temple moved to the doorway and tried to open them with a hard pull, finding it had been locked behind them. Nyx grunted.

"You're better off here, anyway." The President shrugged, her tone a mocking gaiety. "Far away from Lucis V. Don't worry, we'll find you a nice guest room to live out your detainment. With your lovely wife, of course. You will be used as a deterrent to prevent Starfleet from interfering again."

Looking around the room, Nyx ran across to the signing table and picked up one of the chairs in front of it. At full speed, he hurled the chair at the window and it smashed outwards. Arelius quickly tried to command her team to enact a lockdown of the building exterior, but Nyx had already grabbed onto one of the draped curtains next to the window and used it to swing himself through the opening.

Outside on the rooftop, General Tof and Emilie were still chatting as she noticed Lucii guards running down the corridor inside the building.

"Oh?" Emilie startled, seeing the urgency in their movement.

Tof peered around and shrugged nonchalantly, "It appears our plans have been discovered, Madam Temple. I'm afraid this is where we must depart."

"Plans?" Emilie frowned at him, his elderly face betraying the sinister meaning in his words. "What do you mean?"

The General reached over and patted her hand, condescendingly, "Please know, it was never personal, Madam Temple. I have always been fond of you and your father."

Emilie pulled her hand away from him and shook her head. Picking up her dress, she began to run towards the building. "NYX!" She called out.

Suddenly appearing at the side of the building, Nyx hoisted himself over the roof's edge. He clung to the ledge, dirty and breathless. Emilie spotted him, sprinted over as he struggled for leverage, and pulled him up to safety. Behind them, the doors burst open. Nifleheim Guards flooded out and surrounded the General. Tof was shouting commands, but he paused long enough to point toward the Temples. The guards began to swarm towards them.

"What is going on?" Emilie asked, hands gripping at Nyx’s jacket.

Nyx reached up and touched the side of his wife's face tenderly, happy that she had not been harmed. "Betrayal." He merely replied. Nyx moved his hand down and touched the emerald necklace on her collarbone, giving it a firm double tap with his finger.

"Nyx?" Emilie was surprised by this, looking down in confusion. As she did, blue lights surrounded them; the familiar feeling of a transport lock taking over. She scowled as she looked back up to her husband. "What?!"

A moment later and the two were now inside of Nyx's shuttle, which had remained stationed in a landing terminal on the other side of the city. The site-to-site transport had worked, and Nyx quickly moved to sit in the flight deck. Emilie meanwhile was still looking down at her necklace.

"You made my necklace a communicator?" She frowned, not hiding her disappointment.

Nyx was powering up the shuttle's engines. In the terminal, a group of Lucii guards appeared from the cargo bay with weapons drawn. They saw that the shuttle was now occupied and began to shoot at their ship. Nyx had already activated the shields, causing their disruptor fire to be absorbed painlessly. Nyx continued to tap away at the console, quickly racing through the pre-flight checks.

"I replaced it." Nyx commented. "For this mission."

Suddenly there was a much larger jolt, and the craft went rocking side to side, causing Emilie to fall into a nearby chair. She quickly buckled herself into the seat. Nyx looked out the window and saw the Lucii now had a phaser canon on the loading bay, which they were loading up again for another shot.

"Can't have that." Nyx remarked. He paused the flight progress to enact the maneuvering thrusters, as the shuttle turned towards the gathered guards. Nyx set the targeting to the space in front of the Lucii, deliberately not aiming for them. He didn't want any casualties on his hands. He quickly fired off a few rounds of phaser fire from the shuttle, peppering the ground with a volley of shots. The guards were forced to duck for cover and dive out of the way. This gave Nyx the time he needed to get the shuttle in the air.

"They're not going to just let us out." Emilie said quietly, fear in her voice. She wasn't used to being in this kind of situation.

"I suppose asking won't do much." Nyx agreed with a sigh.

"Then don't ask." Emilie replied, a surprising smirk in her voice.

Nyx looked at her and smiled proudly. The shuttle rose up from its landing pad as alarm sounds began to ring out across the terminal. With the roof doors closed, at Emilie's suggestion, Nyx fired off another round of phasers to create an opening in the ceiling. They blew a hole clean through the roof and the shuttle zoomed out of the building.

"Hold on!" Nyx commanded as he took the craft up to high warp.

As the shuttle raced away from the planet, they were being hailed by Thurston on the Erebus, Nyx was taking evasive action to prevent Lucii fighters from hitting him.

“Agent. We got your distress signal.” Thurston remarked, “What is going on?”

“There are three flowers in a vase, the third one is red.” Temple reported, breathlessly.

"Red." Thurstun repeated, slowly, before he gave a signal over to his XO to power up the ship's engines. "What happened?"

“The Cardassians are going to attack the Federation colony on Lucis V and the Lucii and Nifleheim are letting it happen.” Nyx explained.

Thurston frowned as he looked to his Section 31 bridge crew. “Where is the attack fleet?”

“Still stationed at Gaspar.” An officer responded. “No change.”

Thurston look back to the viewer, “What is your status, Agent?”

The shuttle shook as another Lucii fighter hit her rear shields. Temple groaned, “The Lucii are attacking me! President Arelius confirmed she was aware of our presence and the attack fleet. She said they view us as their enemy.”

Thurston didn’t waste a second more questioning it. “Take us out of orbit and rendezvous with their shuttle.” He commanded his crew. “We’ll pick up the Lieutenant and head back to Lucis V together.”

“We have to warn them!” Emilie leaned forward, holding onto the console as the shuttle shook violently. “Get people to safety!”

“We will send the alert. But…” Thurston started then sighed. Nyx frowned when it dawned on him what the Commodore was going to say.

“But what!?” Emilie cried out, looking between the viewscreen and her husband.

“The colony won’t recognize the ship. The Erebus.” Nyx said gravely. “Because it’s not… Starfleet.”

Emilie groaned, “I don’t care! We have to warn them!”

Nyx grunted as he turned the shuttle sharply to its starboard side, then sent a photon torpedo back in the direction of their attackers. He quickly fired a phaser at the torpedo and caused it to explode, which damaged two of the ships following them. The attackers careened off, spiraling away.

“We will meet you Lucis V.” Nyx said with gritted teeth. He pushed the shuttle into Warp 9. “Be there.”

Thurston nodded, “Be safe.” He said before the call disconnected.

The familiar blurring lines of the warp bubble enveloped the shuttle and they left Lucis II behind; Nyx took a moment to breathe before he started back tapping on the helm terminal. Besides him, Emilie released her grip on the arm rests.

“So.” She huffed. “Clearly this wasn’t just an observation mission for you.”

“No.” Nyx grimaced, keeping his face stoic and facing forward.

“Commodore Thurston is back working for… someone? And you are working for him?” Emilie continued. Her eyes bore holes into the side of his face.

“Yes.” Nyx said simply. He relented and looked at her for a split second. “I can’t say any more.”

“Where is my necklace? My real one?” She asked, looking down at her neck.

“Still at home, safely.” Nyx answered quickly. “I made a replica with an emergency transport beacon inside. Just in case.”

Emilie reached over and took hold of Temple’s hand while it was half-way between button presses. Nyx looked down and saw her hand on his and allowed himself a moment to relax. He looked over at her completely this time and smiled.

“We’ll get to Lucis V.” Emilie said firmly, “We’ll stop whatever’s happening.”

“I know.” Nyx replied warmly. He looked to her with sorrow in his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"I know." Emilie said, just as warmly. They looked to each other, deep into each other's very being; their bond not broken by these events. "So, this is Starfleet life, huh?" She joked to ease the tension.

"Something like that." Nyx smiled in return.

OFF