CHAPTER 8

Her patience exhausted, Hoshi had given the order to increase speed, trying to outrun their "ghost." No one was more surprised than she when the ghost had suddenly slowed and dropped out of warp to hang dead in space.

Her first inclination had been to keep going and get away from Reed. But then she realized he had given her an opportunity to solve the problem of gaining entry to Shidak's inner circle of pirate captains. It would be much easier to haul a ship in the docking bay than to tow one behind them.

So it was a small ship. But, it was Starfleet, despite its lack of markings. That ought to be worth something.

Hoshi was waiting in the docking bay when the scout ship was reeled in by the Falcon's tractor beam. Assuming her Klingon demeanor, she put a sneer on her face and watched as her men forced the small ship's hatch open.

"Come out, sons of targs!" Kleth yelled.

A moment passed before Reed appeared in the hatchway. His gaze swept the half dozen Klingons, all with weapons pointed at him. He stepped out slowly and stood aside as Tucker clambered out behind him.

Hoshi stepped forward. "We meet again...Malcolm Reed," she said, and saw his eyes narrow a fraction at the use of his name.

Getting into her role of a Klingon captain, she began to pace back and forth in front of him, glancing once at Tucker before returning her gaze to Reed as she spoke. "Your ploy to follow us failed. Having engine trouble, are you?"

She stopped in front of him and gave in to an impulse to touch him. She smiled seductively, aware her crew was watching her. She gently caressed his cheek, then withdrew her hand only to lash out without warning and strike him across his face as hard as she could.

"PetaQ!" she shouted as Tucker grabbed Reed to keep him from stumbling. "How dare you try such a thing! But you have given us a prize, so I suppose I should thank you."

Reed was watching her with hooded eyes, a thin trickle of blood sliding down his cheek. He shrugged Tucker off and stood upright by himself. She watched as he restrained himself, knowing he wanted to strike back at her.

She turned her back on him and strode from the bay.

Reaching the sanctuary of her cabin, she stripped off her outer armor and threw it roughly in a corner. Kleth would take care of Reed and his companion. Knowing the 'fleeter was on board was making her anxious, though, and she knew she'd give in and find a reason to see him.

That would have to wait, though. Thumbing the com panel on her desk, she ordered the helmsman to change their heading to Shidak's stronghold.

Now she just had to wait for Kleth to make his report. She sincerely hoped he kept his philosophy to himself this time.

"Never seen the inside of a Klingon warbird before," Tucker remarked after they were thrown in the brig. "Can't say I like their guest quarters."

Reed didn't say anything. He settled for glaring at the man.

Tucker rambled on as he wandered around the brig, inspecting the closed door and the seams where the bulkheads joined. "That was Hoshi Sato? Boy, she sure is something! Such a little bitty thing, and those big Klingons hangin' on her every word."

"Tucker?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

Reed sat down on the deck with his back against the bulkhead opposite the door. Well, he'd wanted to be led to the pirates' leader. He was getting his wish. Not quite the way he had hoped to do it, though.

Tilting his head back against the wall, he closed his eyes. He tried to think of ways he could extricate themselves -- and a spy ship with a classified engine -- from the spot they were in, but he could hear Tucker moving around the cell and mumbling to himself. What was the man doing?

Opening one eye a crack, he saw Tucker inspecting the frame running around the door. He didn't know what the man found so interesting. There was absolutely nothing in the dull greenish-grey cell but them, not even something in which they could relieve themselves.

Reed reached up absently and touched the cut on his cheek. Her blow had surprised him. He'd been more concerned about the Klingons in the docking bay than he had been about her doing something like that. And although he knew she was their captain, he was astounded by their deference to her. She had to be an extraordinary woman.

A clanking noise outside the door caught his attention.

Tucker retreated across the cell toward him. "I think we're about to have company," the engineer said nervously.

Reed climbed to his feet as the door opened. The big Klingon, Kleth, stepped in and glared at Reed. "Tell me about your ship," he said bluntly.

"What do you want to know?" Reed asked, earning him an astonished stare from Tucker.

"I have never seen a ship of its like before," Kleth rumbled. "It is new, yes? A...prototype?"

"Yes."

"What are its capabilities?"

"I can't tell you."

"Tell me or I will kill your friend," Kleth said with a glance at Tucker, whose face paled.

Reed smiled mirthlessly. "Please, be my guest. Maybe that way he will finally shut up."

Tucker's disbelieving shout of "Reed!" was drowned out by Kleth's burst of laughter.

"I like you, Human," Kleth said. "You remind me of the mistress. But I warn you -- tell me what I want to know, or it will go badly for both of you."

Reed measured the massive specimen of the Klingon warrior breed standing before him and knew there was no way he could win. The man was a good half meter taller than he was, and more than twice his weight. But perhaps he could get something in return.

"I will tell your mistress, not you," Reed said.

He saw a calculating gleam come into Kleth's eyes. He wasn't sure that was the reaction he was hoping for, but it certainly was unexpected. He would have taken odds that he'd have been decked for his response.

"Who is your friend, little warrior?" Kleth asked, surprising Reed. Klingons did not use the term "warrior" lightly, although the adjective "little" rankled. And the change in the direction of the conversation was confusing.

Before Reed could say anything, the engineer spoke up. "I'm Tucker," he said, and received a back-handed blow from Kleth that knocked him down.

The Klingon growled. "You will speak only when I tell you to."

Tucker lay stunned on the floor, and Reed felt a sudden rush of sympathy for the man. That had to have hurt. But maybe he'd learned a lesson and would keep that big mouth of his shut now.

Kleth returned his attention to Reed. "Your friend?"

"Not really," Reed replied, causing Kleth to chuckle. "But I have to work with him. I request that you don't damage him too much."

"That remains to be seen," Kleth said. "The captain will decide both your fates."

Reed could only watch as Kleth turned and strode out the door, slamming it shut and locking it behind him.

(Author's Note: Come on, guys. I know you're reading this. Hasn't anybody besides fififolle got any comments? I'd appreciate it.)