Disclaimer: Star Trek and all associated characters and situations are the property of CBS studios, Star Trek Online is the creation of Cryptic and Perfect World, all are used by myself for entertainment purposes without permission or intent to profit. Some dialog has been borrowed from the official Cryptic mission in the game.

Character: Male Human Starfleet Engineer
Timeframe: Before the mission "Midnight" and during the mission between 'Out of Time' and 'Our Final Hour'


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"An Exercise in Elaboration"
'Blackened Wings'
By J.T. Magnus, 'Turbo'

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"Never shall innocent blood be shed, yet the blood of the wicked shall flow like a river. The three shall spread their blackened wings and be the vengeful striking hammer of God." - 'The Boondock Saints'.

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The Admiral frowned as he stepped onto the bridge of his new assignment to the sight of his Second Officer staring at a wall. Steadily, he walked over to where they were standing before speaking.

"Something wrong?"

"One might say that, with the state of the galaxy currently, everything is wrong," Commander T'Vrell answered without looking up, "But to answer the intent of your question, I find this... disturbing."

The Vulcan Science officer pointed at the ship's dedication plaque, perhaps a frivolous thing in a galaxy at war, but one that had not been abandoned, causing the Admiral to begin reading it aloud.

"U.S.S. Mjolnir, Alita-class, Starfleet Registry NCC-80144, Ty'Gokor Ship Yards - Klingon Empire, Built for the United Federation of Planets," the Admiral ran his fingers across the list of names - Starfleet and Klingon Defence Force - involved in the ship's creation until he reached the ship's motto, "'Never shall innocent blood be shed. Yet, the blood of the wicked shall flow like a river'."

"I admit, I do not find the sentiment comforting."

"With the Iconians on all sides, ships are being built where they can, regardless of design - San Francisco, Utopia Planitia, Antares, 40 Eridani, New Romulus, Qo'nos, Ty'Gokor, they're building Starfleet vessels, Romulan and Klingon vessels all side-by-side. Maybe the motto is a little more 'Klingon' than we're used to, but the sentiment is there; 'Protect and Defend'. It's a good sign that the Milky Way can come together."

"Against an extragalactic threat, perhaps," T'Vrell responded, "But will it remain together afterwards, that would be the question."

"That's going to be S'taass and Sugihara's work," the Admiral observed, "Ours will be making sure that the galaxy survives long enough for them to be able to get to it. Worried we won't make it?"

"Worry is an emotional state," T'Vrell pointed out.

"Perhaps, but I'd say that emotional state or not, it's only logical to be worried at this point," the Admiral pointed out, "The coming battle may be our last chance to turn the tide against the Iconians, stop them and save all of us."

T'Vrell turned to face him and raised an eyebrow, "And in doing so sacrifice the oaths we have have sworn and the directives we've followed. Would that not be what humans call a 'pyrrhic victory'?"

"So far all of our victories in this war have been pyrrhic ones..." the Human shook his head, "There's another human term that's probably closer to the truth; 'with your shield or on it'."

"I presume you refer to historic physical shields used in combat, not modern energy shields."

He nodded, "When Spartan warriors died, their shields were used as litters to carry their bodies home; if they were victorious in battle, they carried their shields instead of their shields carrying them... if they lost, they would be stripped of their arms and armor, shields included; hence 'with your shield or on it' meaning coming back from a battle victorious or dying rather than being defeated."

"Then perhaps the ship's motto is not as inappropriate as I first concluded," T'Vrell remarked.

Before the conversation could continue, the nearby turbolift doors opened and the ship's First Officer stepped out, nearly running into the two in the process.

"Oh, sorry," Commander Elisa Flores winced, "I wasn't paying attention, I was reading the latest dispatch from Starfleet Command regarding the Order of Battle for the upcoming..."

Trailing off, the redhaired woman glanced between the other two officers and frowned, "Did I interrupt something?"


-o0o-

As the Mjolnir traveled towards Earth, the minds of Captain and crew were on the coming battle, some more than others. Almost unconsciously, the Admiral began to recite a prayer that he had heard once before, a prayer for courage and victory in battle...

"From pride and foolish confidence, from every weakening creed, from the dread fear of dreading, protect us, God, and lead. Great God who through the ages has braced the bloodstained hand; as Saturn, Jove or Woden has led our warrior band; again we seek Thy counsel, but not in cringing guise; we whine not for Thy mercy; to slay, God make us wise."

"Whatever it is you're reciting, I wish you'd stop," Lieutenant Commander Kolez, the ship's Saurian tactical officer, grimaced.

Unbidden, a slight smile managed to make its way to the Admiral's face, "Steady, Commander."

"You are aware that not all crew aboard this ship shares the same religious belief, Admiral?" T'Vrell asked.

"And for that matter," Flores added, "Are you sure you're not part-Klingon?"

"I'm from the American South and I've Confederate ancestors, Flores," the Admiral answered, "Fighting well and dying bravely for a cause is something to which we're well-accustomed, even a 'Lost Cause', as it were. And T'Vrell? Feel free to have the rest of the crew pray in their own customs; Whatever gods are listening, we'll need all the help we can get."

"So would anyone mind if I prayed to Saint Jude, then?" One of the junior officers spoke up, "He is the patron saint of lost causes, after all."

"All the help we can get, Lieutenant," the Admiral repeated.