Bromelain

Anzyl frowned, slumping slightly in his chair. "They do say space tastes like raspberries," he muttered. But as he sank into thought, an idea struck him like a lightning bolt. His eyes lit up with sudden clarity. "Pineapples!"

He sat up straight, the spark of inspiration propelling him to his feet. Turning toward Kayuli with urgency, he exclaimed, "Nolan LOVES pineapples! He ate two whole ones in my quarters this morning before he was taken!" His fingers fidgeted anxiously, the memory vivid in his mind. "Bromelain—scan for Bromelain! It's the key chemical compound in pineapples that gives them their unique tang."

Kayuli nodded sharply. "Pinpointing the compound now."

Before another word could be exchanged, the Nexus bridge shook violently as another barrage from the Voth fortress struck the ship. Alarms wailed, consoles flickered, and tension thickened in the air. Despite the chaos, the crew pressed on.

On the viewscreen, the magenta glow of the central power core flashed brighter, an ominous sign of its instability. Veirik's voice erupted in triumph, "YEAH! GOT IT!" as precise volleys from his station struck true, cracking the crystal at its core. The central power core began to buckle, sparks flying and energy cascading wildly. Its destruction was imminent.

Anzyl turned back to Kayuli with desperate urgency. "Anything, Doc? Please tell me you've got something!"

Kayuli's hands flew over his console, his eyes fixed on the readouts. Then, his face broke into jubilant glee. "Found him! One source of Bromelain deep within the fortress!"

Anzyl pointed a firm, directed finger at Eroga. "Operations! Lock onto that signal and get him out of there—directly to Sick Bay!"

Eroga's hands moved faster than ever, the tension palpable as she called out, "We've got him, sir! He's aboard and in Sick Bay!"

Anzyl exhaled a breath of relief he hadn't realized he was holding. "Lusaali! Helm—get us out of here! Divert all power to engines. Full impulse!"

The Nexus engines roared to life, the mighty ship pivoting in a sharp 180-degree turn. With its impulse drives blazing, the ship surged forward, trailing the retreating vessels of the task force. The central power core's collapse sent waves of cascading energy through the fortress, arcs of magenta lightning streaking through its vast chambers.

As the Nexus sped through the darkened corridors of the dying fortress, fires from destroyed Voth ships illuminated the chaotic wreckage. The once-imposing fortress ship, now a crippled hulk, plunged into darkness like a cave stripped of its light.

Through the smoldering wreckage and pitch-black caverns, the Nexus retraced its path, following the faint engine glows of its allies. The hulking vessel roared through the colossal breach carved by the fleet, emerging triumphantly into the open void.

The task force, six ships battered but victorious, left the Voth fortress behind. As the massive ship fell silent, its power extinguished, the task force engaged warp drives, streaking into the stars toward the safety of a Delta Alliance outpost.

—

In the sterile glow of the Nexus sick bay, the transporter pad shimmered to life, depositing the unmistakable figure of Captain Praxas. His expression was a storm of determination and hope. "T? Is he here?"

Tegris, his Borg implants faint against his peach-colored skin, nodded calmly. "Greetings, Captain. Yes, our patient is stable and recovering."

On a nearby biobed, Nolan lay propped against cushions, his saurian scales battered, bruised, and discolored. Though his body bore the brutal marks of captivity, his eyes lit up with recognition and warmth as Anzyl approached.

"Hello, my friend," Nolan greeted, his voice weak but laced with humor.

Anzyl smiled, the sight of his friend alive lifting the weight of the day. "Hi, buddy. How are you feeling?"

Nolan winced as he shifted. "No lie? I've felt better. But hearing their alarms blaring, the endless shouting, and more explosions than I could count—it was worth it. Watching my people get a serving of humble pie... let's just say, it was about time." He chuckled, though it clearly caused him pain.

Anzyl's smile turned bittersweet as he patted Nolan gently on the shoulder, quickly apologizing when his friend flinched. "Sorry! Well, we're hosting a victory gala at 1700 hours. The hero who saved us all better be there."

Tegris chimed in with a reassuring nod. "A few more treatments, and he'll be ready to celebrate well into the evening."

Nolan offered a weary smile. "Well, maybe not all night... but I'll make an appearance."

Anzyl nodded, his grin widening. "Rest up, my friend. You've earned it." With that, he departed the sick bay, leaving Nolan to heal.

—

The Melting Pot buzzed with activity as the crews of the task force gathered to celebrate. Klingons roared with toasts of bloodwine, while Federation and Romulan officers mingled. Jem'Hadar soldiers stood stoic, observing the revelry with quiet curiosity.

The room fell silent as the doors slid open to reveal Nolan, seated in a wheelchair pushed by Tegris. His bruises and scars were evident, but his resilience shone brighter.

Cheers erupted, starting with the Klingons' thunderous "Qapla'!" and spreading through the crowd. Each person knew the painful price Nolan had paid and the invaluable intel he had provided played in their victory.

Anzyl stood by a grand cake, a towering confection of golden yellow layers glazed with caramel and topped with cherries. He greeted his friend with a beaming smile. "Nolan, your bravery saved us all. As a small token of our gratitude..." He gestured grandly to the cake. "Your favorite—pineapple upside-down cake."

Nolan's eyes widened in pure joy. "Upsie-down cake! My favorite!" His hands trembled with excitement as he rocked in his wheelchair, eliciting hearty laughter from the crowd.

Amid the warmth of celebration, the crew of the Nexus shared a moment of camaraderie, their laughter echoing through the Melting Pot. For a brief time, the trials of battle were forgotten, replaced by the unyielding bond of shared victory.

The ships of the Khitomer Alliance sailed through the stars, their warp trails shining like beacons of hope in the endless void. Together, they had faced the impossible—and emerged triumphant.