Disclaimer: Star Trek is not owned by me, nor do I own any of the characters that will be used in the story, unless they are my creation. Paramount and CBS own all things Star Trek.

Chapter 4 - Prelude to War

- Gagarin Colony Detention Center -

As the Captain Klang was brought before Khan, he was physically dragged into the office where he fell on the floor at his feet. Seeing their hold on him was released, the Klingon jumped at the chance to lunge at Khan. That was a mistake, without exerting a great deal of effort, Khan grabbed the Klingon by the throat and held him at bay. "So, you think I'm a 'weak' normal human, my dear Klingon captain?"

As the Klingon struggled to break free of Khan's one handed hold on him, he gurgled a response…"…augh…a…kill….yo…targ…!"

Khan merely smiled and asked, "Sir, if I release you, would you be civilized enough to give me an answer to my earlier question?" The Klingon nodded his head realizing the futilely of any efforts to break free. With that, Khan released him and he fell to the floor.

Khan looked at Joachim and shook his head, but directed his attention back to the Klingon, "Now, my dear captain, what is your response?" he asked in a quiet polite tone.

Defiant, the Klingon stood up and said, "I'll never submit to any human. I'd as soon kill you rather than talk. You humans talk too much."

Khan merely shrugged his shoulders and looked over to Joachim. "Go and get the rest of his crew here and take them to the sports arena. Tonight, we'll have some sparring to do with our Klingon 'guests.' I find these Klingons very uncivilized and I want them off our planet as soon as possible."

As it seemed to the Klingon that Khan's attention was elsewhere, he lunged again at Khan, but with unprepared for the superhuman reflexes and with one hit to the head, the Klingon was out cold. Khan just shook his head, "well, well. It seems that these are definitely going to be a challenge, but a worthy one at that. Take him away Joachim."

"At once, milord," he said as he and another Augment guard grabbed the unconscious Klingon and dragged him out of the office.

Khan clicked on the comm unit, "Ensign Ral, initiate the disabling beam on the Klingon ship parked in orbit. Once it's disabled, send our system ship, the Botany Bay II to secure it and bring it to the ground. I want all the Klingons captured, if possible, and held until our Starfleet compatriots get here. I'd like to turn the Klingons over to them."

- Space above the Gagarin Colony -

Moving stealthily towards the cloaked Klingon ship, the satellite now received a new set of directives from the command center below. Unbeknownst to the Klingon ship, the satellite emanated a ray that disabled all power plasma relays on the ship forcing it to decloak and drift. The confusion of the Klingons was apparent as they attempted to fix their now inoperative systems, but couldn't figure out where the attack was coming from. In addition to the power dampening, previous to that attack, the colony command center slipped a virus into the computer systems of the ship. Even if the Klingons somehow managed to return power to their drifting ship, the virus would immediately disable all systems and place a Trojan horse program for remote control by the colony command center below.

As the ship drifted towards the planet, a ship approached it from the other side of the planet in stealth mode. This ship, formally an Istanbul class colony vessel with the capacity for approximately 2,000 colonists was used in the original move here to the Gagarin colony world and once that mission was done it was upgraded a bit. New and enhanced deflector screens, ablative armor, various weapons' upgrades to include type VIII phasers and enhanced rail-gun armaments for point defense. It has been dual roled as a defensive vessel should Starfleet be unable to divert a starship to this colony, but at the same time utilized for ground surveys, and intra-solar system exploration. Much of the interior has been refurbished to execute a variety of missions. It has huge cargo holds, numerous scientific survey equipment and machinery for mining and exploration activities within the solar system. Basically, it's been converted as the workhorse for all activities in near space and near the colony.

Since the Klingons were unaware of any approaching vessel, the Botany Bay II rotating its own docking port ring to the port side of the Klingon Bird of Prey moving towards the skin of the space vessel. Once the seal was confirmed, engineers inside the Botany Bay blew open the bird of prey's docking door explosively. Once finished, the engineers stepped back out of the way for the armored militia soldiers. As the door was breached, two members threw concussion grenades into the open hallway. Ducking back, the explosion went off taking the Klingons in the hallway by surprise. Through the smoke and darkness, the soldiers enabled their infrared vision goggles and entered the hallway. The team leaders behind the two breaching soldiers held his modified 'combat' tricorder issuing directions to his soldiers. Taking up two positions in the front of the hallway, the two point men eliminated the three Klingons that were unfortunate to be in the hallway. Falling over themselves, the confusion of the Klingons was apparent, with no idea who was attacking, they scrambled into the line of fire of the assault team. The caseless ammunition being placed into their chest cavities created tremendous damage to internal organs and causing severe blood loss. Deadly accurate shots by the militia placed into the cranial region left very little recognizable skulls intact. The six man assault team moved deeper into the ship killing or severely wounding Klingon warriors as they went. Few Klingons attempted to fight back due to the shock and intensity of the attack, but those that actually got a few swipes at the invaders were met with deadly force, either by two placed rounds to the torso or in some cases to the head. Bringing up the rear of the assault team were two specialized 'Augmented' Starfleet Marines on detached duty to the colony. Being new and the most familiar with 23rd century technology, their mission was to get to the Bird of prey's engine room and 'restart' it. Once restarted, it would be piloted to the ground for study and examination by the colony's personnel below.

The assaulting militiamen and marines were armed with the Starfleet XM-4A3 ballistic rifle. This new rifle was one of the newest additions to Starfleet's side arm inventory. This weapon was a throwback to 21st century ballistic weaponry, but with 23rd century advanced technology. It shot a 120 grain 50 mm caseless round from 30 round capacity magazines. Despite the fact that it a gas-operated, semi-automatic and automatic bolt action rifle, it's 23rd century enhancements allowed it to fully function in any zero or near-zero gravity environment and in the extremes of hard vacuum. Its design maximized lethality against foreign nation extant armed forces. A multi functional scope atop the upper receiver of the rifle enabled the shooter to engage targets up to 400 meters accurately in near total darkness using advanced Starfleet sensing technologies. Complementing the militia's lethality, emphasis was placed on the addition of bladed weapons for combat and enhanced with the hardest in duranium alloys, these bladed weapons could slice through the toughest armor in use by extant foreign nation armed forces. Coupled with Augmented human strength, bladed weapons provided assaulting forces with an additional lethal force multiplier ensuring dominance on the ground. Another item brought back into use, is the use of ballistic armor in the form of helmets, chest and back plates, but made with 23rd century alloys ensuring additional protection for the wearer. One of the confusing items shown to the Augment generals a decade ago was a demonstration of a ground attack by Starfleet security personnel and the very first observation was that, aside from the mediocre tactics employed, none of the security personnel were wearing any type of body armor. From the Augment's perspective, that was foolhardy and reckless. When asked, Starfleet security officers replied, 'emphasis was placed on space borne operations.' Operations on planet would rely on an orbiting starship for fire support and that frontal assaults or defensive actions on a planet were not common place.

The assault team leader, keyed his mike, "Alpha one, this Romeo six, over."

Alpha one, go, over came the response of the marine gunnery sergeant.

"Your path is clear to the engine room. Let's get this ship ready to move, over"

Wilco, Romeo six. We're at the door now. Breaching with explosives, over

"Roger. Make sure you don't decompress yourself. Hate to write the report to Starfleet that you blew yourselves into space. I would think that would be pretty embarrassing for you 'Fleet types, over."

Read you loud and clear, Romeo, six. We'll be careful, over.

"Confirmed, alpha one, out," clicking off his throat mike.

Alpha one, or Ramon Torres, a former United States Army soldier and Augment from Delta Force in the 20th century looked over to his Assistant team leader, Matt Gunnison, "Lord Khan would like a few prisoners if possible. So, if we find one that is not as wounded or near dying like the rest, let's get them rounded up for movement back to the transport ship."

Gunnison, also a former Delta boy from the 20th century and Augment, "No problem, sir. We need to move quickly, these Klingons don't seem to want to give up easily."

"Well, let's see if we can find one. We might have to use one of these Federation 'phasers' to actually stun them."

With that, he issued new orders to the assault team with the above criteria in an attempt to gather some 'prisoners.

- 15 minutes later -

As the bird of prey was secured and the Starfleet Marines gained control of the engine room, Torres organized the movement of his stunned Klingons back to the Botany Bay. He then ordered two of his militia and the Marines to pilot the Klingon ship down to the colony.

Torres opened his comlink down to the militia command post. "Gagarin colony command, this is Alpha One."

"Go ahead, Alpha one."

"Enemy vessel is secured and being landed at the colony spaceport air strip. ETA 12 minutes." he reported.

"Excellent work, Alpha one," Khan came over the communications net. "How many alive did you retain?" He asked.

"Sir, we have 8 live Klingons, all with minor wounds. The rest of the crew resisted, so we had to neutralize them."

"Very good. Now, we have some more 'guests' to 'talk' to. Nice work, see you gentlemen in a bit. Khan out."

With that, the link was severed and Torres went back to monitoring the descent of both his ship and the captured Klingon Bird of Prey. Both ships headed to the colony space port where the main entry and exit off the planet was maintained. With modern Federation construction techniques with a few additional improvements by the Augments, this was a state of art technological facility that had growing trade point between other Federation colonies and main member worlds. The colony militia maintained its defensive fighters (both space and air) and the Botany Bay II at this location.

As the ships descended, the Botany Bay II went to its normal landing pad where the captured Bird of Prey went to a secure holding pad awaited by more members of the colony militia. As the bird of prey landed, and the ramp opened, the captured Klingons were led down the ramp into the waiting arms of more Augmented colony members. Placing them inside land vehicles designed for prisoners.

The Klingons were taken to a secure holding facility where Khan was waiting for them along with Joachim and additional men. Placed into cells designed to hold Augments, the Klingons were grouped together. If medical aid was required, the colony's medics were on hand to provide it. Khan wasn't going to act uncivilized to his guests, he was going to show the Klingons the superior ability to show mercy and maybe, just maybe the Klingons may come to their senses and not attack the Federation.

- Federation/Klingon Border -

Traveling at Warp 5, the U.S.S. Enterprise coursed its way along its route to map the newly discovered planets in the sector. Using the enhanced sensors that came with the refit that occurred two years ago, it was able to search farther and in more precise detail than previously. Mr. Spock at the science station was engrossed in his scanning and had all science departments working overtime to finish mapping the sector. Of the many new worlds discovered, at 3 habitable class-M (Earth-like) planets were discovered in just as many systems. Seeing these new potential colony sites so close to the Klingon border presented its own issues, hopefully, the Federation would be able to colonize or claim them in the next few years without incident.

With the successful resolution of the V'Ger incident over Earth in 2272, Admiral Kirk and crew have been assigned to a new 5 year exploration mission for Starfleet. Not coincidentally, many of the new technologies developed by the Augment scientists are embedded into the Enterprises' defensive systems. Of the new technologies, included an ablative armor, regenerative shield technology, ballistic point defense weaponry and even the posting of an Augmented Marine platoon on board the Enterprise to enhance the existing Security division. Its mission, much to Admiral's Kirk displeasure was to keep him safe while on landing parties.

That event, among others in the galaxy, reinforced the wisdom of using the Augments' knowledge base and enabled Starfleet to start taking extant threats more seriously. With the destruction of the Epsilon Station by V'Ger, this whole sector was now wide open to Klingon ship crossings. Until Starfleet could get more advanced frigates built and manned for security in this sector, detailing heavy cruisers for periods of a time had to suffice for now.

As Kirk turned towards Commander Spock, "Report, Mr. Spock."

"Sir, mapping activities are almost complete for this sector. In addition to the newly discovered class M planets, we cataloged numerous gaseous anomalies, rogue asteroids, a previously undiscovered pulsar and several new star systems unknown to Earth and Vulcan astronomers. I will provide a more detailed report by the end of the duty shift."

"That's excellent work, Mr. Spock," Kirk said, "I'm sure the newly enhanced sensors helped in this regard."

"Yes, sir, they did. These enhanced sensors were able to provide…"

Commander Uhura from the communications station interrupted the discussion, "Sir, I have a priority one call from Starfleet Command, Admiral Nogura. Your eyes only."

Kirk turned to Uhura, "Send it to CIC, I'll take it in there." In addition to upgrades in technology, the Augment generals introduced subtle new tidbits of command doctrine and tactics to Starfleet. Understanding that its primary role was exploration and discovery, the argument was made to use the new Constitution II class starships as primary command ships in the event of space borne engagements. This necessitated the additional construction of a Command Information Center or CIC on board all the newly refitted Constitution II class starships. This room, at the rear of the command deck, which by the way was in the middle of the saucer section and not the top (better defensive arrangement), allowed starship captains and even fleet commanders ready access to information systems for battlefield coordination. Most of the time, the CIC was not manned outside of Yellow and Red Alert situations and this room made for a closed secure environment for the captain should he need it.

Kirk made his way to the back of the bridge and entered the CIC. Going to the main display terminal in the center of the room, he clicked on the comm, "Uhura, please connect me with Admiral Nogura."

"Aye, sir. Opening the channel now."

The display brought up Admiral Nogura's face, Ah, Jim. How's your mapping mission going?He asked.

"We're just about finished, sir," Kirk responded, "Mr. Spock will have the finished report today."

Good, but I have another mission for you,Nogura began, I need you to make best speed to the Gagarin colony.

"That's Khan's new colony world, right, sir?" Kirk asked.

Yes, it is. I'm sure he'd be happy to see you. Anyway, I just got a report from the colony there, from Khan himself actually, that they've captured a Klingon Bird of Prey attempting to penetrate their colony defenses. They've captured most of the crew and are holding them and their ship for Starfleet. I'd like you to go there and take custody of the remaining Klingons Nogura directed.

"Do you think it's pre-invasion force into Federation territory, sir?" Kirk asked.

We don't know that yet, but I'm worried that it could be. I asked Khan to 'question' them to try and find out what their intentions are...so far, I haven't heard back from him yet. I'm assuming he's still questioning them. It was only one ship, but there could be others on the way, and I'd like to prevent the Klingons from getting a foothold into Federation territory.

Fortunately, the new detection measures the colony had in place was able to find the cloaked Klingon ship before any attack could be launched Nogura continued I'm transmitting you official orders via subspace as we speak, so you can brief your senior staff. Oh, and Jim, please use your assigned Marines for protection. I'd hate to lose you to some foolish landing party escapade.

Kirk chuckled, "Yes, sir. Will do. They seem to be fitting in quite nicely on board. Initially, I thought having soldiers on board would detract from our mission, but they have integrated into shipboard operations better than I'd hope."

I appreciate you being the test bed for our new Starfleet Marines, Jim. I am encouraged by the news. I'm like you, some of the new doctrine is strange to us provided by the Augments, but I feel it's going to be beneficial to Starfleet in the near future if the Federation can't get the Klingons to back down diplomatically. I don't have anything else, Jim. Take care and Godspeed to you and your crew. Please send daily progress reports once you get in out.

"Aye, sir." and with that Kirk closed the comm link. He signaled Uhura as he saw the operational details being downloaded to his console, "Commander Uhura, please notify the command staff I need to have a operations briefing for a change of mission here in the CIC in 10 minutes."

Yes, sir. Do you want Major Tomlinson there as well? she asked.

"Of course, he's part of the command staff." Kirk replied.

Aye, sir. Uhura complied. Kirk then opened the comm to Commander Sulu at the Helm.

"Mr. Sulu, plot a course for the Gagarin colony, warp 8. Engage when ready." Kirk ordered.

Aye, sir. Sulu responded.

Author's Note: It took me awhile to figure out the direction where I wanted to go with this story. All story ideas are still on the table and I'll get to them eventually. Thanks for reading and reviews.