CHAPTER FOUR

Escalation

The simulated bridge shook less violently this time around.

The crew acted in perfect and clear harmony with the two cadets' orders. The advantage in the simulated battle quicked shifted sides. At first, the opposing fleet had gained an advantage, by disabling the Klingon escorts, but immediately on their mistake of attacking a cloaking ship, it shifted to Torlek's favor. "Total shield strength at ninety-eight percent," the tactical officer announced from his station.

Torlek nodded as he looked at the view screen with intense eyes. The ships were in combat outside of a nebula. Torlek's crew and the escorts knew that if the Federation fleet entered the nebula, it would be impossible to follow them. Power would have to be transferred to sensors to boost the view screen image. It would have been power from transporters, the tractor beam, and shields. That was power that Torlek and his crew could not do without, and so they chose to keep the battle outside the nebula. "Tactical," Torlek called, still watching the screen. "Status of the Federation fleet."

"The Miranda and Constitution class ships are heavily damaged," the tactical officer replied. "Their shields are down to twenty-one percent, and they have exhausted all of their weapons power." Then several bleeps were heard. "The Romulan ships are within weapons range."

"Communications, inform the D'JiTa and Reg'jaH to attack the Romulan ships. The Federation ships are powerless."

"Right away sir."

"Weapons, stand by on forward batteries on the lead Romulan ship."

"Weapons standing by."

"Time to die, p'taq," Torlek said. He watched the view screen as the four ships engaged on their position. He clenched his fist and roared, "BaH!"

The pumwI' dreadnought unleashed a powerful volley of fire with its forward disruptors at the Romulan cruiser. The crusier's forward shields could not withstand the blasts, and under the stress, its port warp nacelle crackled off. The fire was extinguished quickly in the vaccum, but the Klingon ship continued its relentless attack. The Romulan ship's forward shields had failed, and the Klingon disruptors found their mark once more, this time scraping across the hull of the enemy ship.

"The Romulan ship has been disabled," the weapons officer said, reading his console. "Their weapons and shields are off-line. Life support estimated to fail in less than five minutes."

"Location of the remaining Romulan warships," Torlek said, not yet impressed with the victory.

"13000 kelicams, and closing," the tactical officer replied.

"What ships are they?"

The science officer immediately worked his console, transferring the data to Torlek's console. "Ahhh," Torlek said, satisfied, "the War Eagle dreadnought and Imperial Hawk battleship. True tests of my warrior's mettle." Torlek had heard of the Imperial Hawk battleship. The ship carried a grand total of twelve disruptor banks, four heavy plasma torpedoes, and four medium torpedoes. The dreadnought was equiped with eleven disruptor banks, three heavy torpedo launchers, and two medium torpedoes. Of the two, the battleship may be a difficult task to take care of, especially with its extensive shield grid.

Torlek sat in his chair, determined to finish this simulation and serve General Chang for his planned attacks in the Sol system. The heart of the Federation. He looked to the ceiling of his ship briefly, and barked in Klingon. "Qa'M." At Torlek's command, a gunnery scope slowly descended to the young Klingon's chair. The ends of the scope clanked on the back of the chair. "Transfer forward primary and secondary weapons control to my chair."

The weapons officer nodded and did what he was told. "Transferred." Locked on the target of the Romulan dreadnought, Torlek fired on the smaller of the Romulan ships. Torpedoes ripped into the hull, and the shields flared as their crew attempted to repair their ship. "Their shields are down to fifty-one percent," the tactical officer reported. "Their warp drive has been heavily damaged."

"Charge the AMFP," Torlek said. "Fire on my command."

The weapons officer worked his console. "Antimatter Field Projector charged and ready," he said.

"Closing to 3600 kelicams," the tactical officer reported.

"Stand by."

"3400 kelicams."

"Stand by."

"3200 kelicams."

"BaH!"

The dreadnought unleashed the deadly weapon with accurate percision. The Romulan vessel's hull blew apart from the blast of the powerful antimatter weapon. Whatever was left of the shields were gone now, as the Romulan's hull now leaked with plasma. Energy crackled to life over the hull and the ship finally exploded.

"Sir, our escorts have successfully disabled the Romulan battleship. They report that the threat of the Federation-Romulan fleet has ended. All enemy ships are either destroyed or disabled."

"Order our escorts to cloak and proceed back to Qo'noS."

"Right away, sir."

"End program," Chang said. The holographic program ended and returned to the solid brown of a deck. The general smiled and walked toward Torlek and D'ran. "Most impressive, cadets."

"Thank you, sir," Torlek and D'ran said in unison.

"As I promised, you will both serve under me and Thok Mak for several incursions against the Federation."

Thok Mak stood next to Chang, reading from a data pad. "We have sent three warships just outside of the Federation Neutral Zone to disable the sensor probes along the border. Three Federation ships engaged our ships, and the Federation is in chaos as to what is happening."

"You Torlek, and you D'ran, are to serve in my and Thok Mak's attack fleets, as we strike the Federation and crush them! You have rightfully earned the commands of a voDleH battlecruiser and a Suvwl' QeH command cruiser."

"Are these your orders we are to follow, or Chancellor Gorkon's?" Torlek asked.

At that, Chang stopped and looked to Torlek. The young Klingon had a point. He wanted to serve under Chang, but he needed to know if he was following Chang's orders or Gorkon's orders as Chancellor.

"We both issued the order," Chang said. "The chancellor feels with this scurmish against the Federation, it will bring them to their knees. We will demand their immeidate and unconditional surrender."

"We will follow yours and the Chancellor's request," D'ran replied without hesitation.

"Good. Then prepare yourselves. We leave within the hour."

Torlek and D'ran nodded and briskly walked out of the holographic room. Chang and Thok Mak remained, both Klingons studying one another. "Are you worried?" Chang asked.

"No. Good journey my friend."

"Oh, you will be coming with me."

"What?"

"You sound surprised."

"I am."

"Don't be. I am to command the Yejquv Ghop in orbit around Qo'noS. My attack squadron of QuD's, B'Rel's and K'Tinga's will flank me, while you take the DraQ'Du and a B'Rel, K'Tinga, and PiH attack squadron. Both Torlek and D'ran will be in one of the attack squadrons."

Thok Mak nodded and he and Chang headed out, preparing for the showdown against the Federation.

Commander Thok Mak waited for D'ran in the Mess Hall. Or at least, it looked like a mess hall. Several officers and civilians, all Klingon, drank bloodwine and ate gagH as they waited their assignments. Some were not selected for the incursions against the Federation. Others had to try and impress their superiors with their scores in the simulator. But for D'ran and Torlek, his training captain, as well as close friend and bunkmate, they had impressed both Thok Mak and Chang.

"D'ran!" Thok Mak called. "Are you prepared for the mission?"

"Yes, Commander Thok Mak," D'ran replied.

"Await with my fleet near Starbase K-16."

D'ran nodded and left the dining hall.

"Thok Mak to DraQ'Du."

"Yes, Commander Thok Mak," the transporter chief replied.

"One to beam aboard."

Thok Mak was engulfed in reddish-orange light and then found himself on the transporter pad of his ship. The commander walked briskly off the pad and through the doors. The crew in the corridor saluted Thok Mak as he saluted back. His posture and mood showed how serious and dedicated he was to commanding a warship, and this crew knew that. He sat down in his command chair and waited for Chang.

General Chang met Gorkon for the second time today.

"General," the chancellor said, glancing at Chang. "Are you heading out?"

"Yes, " Chang replied. He walked into the light so Gorkon could see him better. Standing to Gorkon's right was Azetbur, dressed elegantly in proper Klingon ambassadorial regel.

"She really is quite lovely, isn't she?" Gorkon asked.

"Yes." Chang's eye glanced at Azetbur. "She is so much like you."

"Thank you for the compliment, General," Azetbur replied, smiling warmly.

"Well. I must be off." Chang withdrew his communicator and spoke into it. "DaH maCheyagH." And with that, Chang was gone.

"Where is he headed?" Azetbur asked.

"We are at war with the Federation, my daughter," Gorkon replied. "Two ships entered our space without authorization."

"And because of that petty entrance of our space, we have declared war on them?!"

"Azetbur. When I am gone, and you are chancellor, you will have to make hard decisions. And if making peace with the Federation is your wish—"

"Father, you know it isn't. You know as well as I what they did to mother. Your par machi."

Gorkon smiled at his daughter. He understood what she was saying completely and supported her words. "The only way we will make peace with the Federation is when Praxis leaves the heavens," he said heatedly.

Klingon Starbase Tr'iqDaH

Archer System

Chang was now on board his ship.

The general walked briskly onto the bridge and took the center chair, awaiting a hail from Thok Mak. In a matter of moments, it came. "Sir," the communications officer said. "We are being hailed by Commander Thok Mak."

"Open channel."

The view screen changed to show Thok Mak smiling at Chang. "Glory be with us, and to our crew on our mission, General. Qapla!"

"Qapla!" Chang replied. Then he looked to his helm officer. "Helmsman, set a course to the Federation border. Maximum warp."

"Course laid in, sir."

"Execute."