Chapter Eleven: A Regent's Recourse
Mission
With only a few days left before the important Narendra Conference two of the most important attendees, Regent Worf and Intendant B'elanna, are enjoying a moment's break from the war. On board the Alliance flagship bad news comes in as the Romulans continue to step up their attacks. That bad news may be unsettling for the Klingon pair but what lurks around the corner may be even worse.
Mission Date:
111th day in the 2369th of Molar
Slowly she poured the bloodwine into the two separate glasses. Not wanting to spill any she made sure not to overfill them, yet she couldn't help but fill them as much as could be without danger. Satisfied with her effort she carefully picked up both glasses and walked back into the main room of the quarters. Making her way across the room she effortlessly weaved around the furniture that was almost chaotically placed around the room. "Here is your bloodwine Worf," she said with a smile.
Placing both hands on the glass he took an eager sip. "Ah, now this is what us true warriors are in dire need of. What year is this? '42?"
"'39 actually."
"You have a bottle of '39? How fortunate you are to have wine from such a fine vintage." The Regent took another long sip, letting the sweet liquid wash over every part of his mouth. "Replicators never do this justice. It really was a good thing that you were able to bring some aboard. I've had about enough of that synthetic swill as one could take in a lifetime."
"Of course it was my pleasure Worf. I mean how often am I the guest of the most powerful Klingon in the entire Alliance?"
Both of them gave a laugh, with Worf's so deep it almost shook the whole room. "Quite often my dear B'elanna, though I suppose not nearly enough."
"So true my friend," she said before taking a sip. "The duties of war keep us busy, far too busy indeed."
At the mention of war Worf's expression turned solemn. War had taken so much time, as well as other things, away from him that even he had grown weary of it. Romulans of course had not been his entire problem throughout this lengthy campaign. Threat came from nearly every corner and the politics of trying to maintain the Alliance together had made Worf long for the days when he was nothing more then a gallant captain, headstrong and battle hungry. Those were days made only for longing later on, and long is what he did. He was the most powerful Klingon in the empire, and yet that power seemed meaningless.
Worf's sudden mood change made B'elanna scramble for a new topic of discussion. Sadly though she could think of none. For two who held such important roles during a time of war what more was there for them to talk about? There had to be something, she just knew it. Alas though nothing could come to her weary mind's surface. Without a relevant thing to talk between themselves the pair simply sat there sipping their wine as they became deep in thought.
Growing tired of the silence Worf fixed his gaze on a bat'leth that had recently been hung in his quarters. "So B'elanna, have you kept up with you bat'leth training?" he asked, hoping this was enough to drum up a new topic in their conversation.
"Of course I have. Though it has been quite difficult to find a worthy opponent amidst those tor'zahs I'm forced to put up with on Sol. Why? You aren't asking for a rematch of our last bout are you?" she asked with a grin.
"If you remember I claimed victory in our last bout. In fact I have defeated you nearly every time." Worf replied in a friendly yet nearly smug tone.
"I can understand if you're too much of a coward to face me again Worf. After all I did fracture a number of your ribs last time didn't I?"
"Did you just call me, the Regent and leader of the entire Alliance, a coward?" Worf asked, mockingly offended. "You are quite a brave warrior indeed. A fine tribute to Klingonhood!" Raising their glasses in the air the pair toasted the noble heritage of the Klingon people, of their people.
Sitting there drinking and recounting glorious tales the two remained for quite a while. After some time passed a young Klingon officer came into the room clutching a status report. Apologizing for interrupting their visit the officer handed the report over to Worf before scurrying out of the room.
As she watched him read over the report B'elanna knew that very little good news was contained in it. Good news was hard for them to come by these days. This fact not only did B'elanna know but so did every other soldier in the Alliance. Her suspicion was further justified after Worf angrily threw the P.A.D.D. onto the ground. "What's wrong?" she asked trying to relieve some of his tension.
"The latest status report. Nothing but more bad news. It seems as though the Romulans saw fit to destroy our forces in the Setlik system." A sigh came from Worf before he polished off his bloodwine. Noticing that his glass was now empty he got up from his comfortable chair and went to get another.
Sitting alone, B'elanna thought about all that had been lost as of late as the news of the Setlik loss washed over her like a terrifyingly painful wave. In the past two weeks loss had become commonplace for the Alliance, and none had been immune to the Romulan's sudden wrath. Over the brief stretch of time the devastating losses had come to include the Breen's Galgathon Shipyards, the Cardassian station of Kelnok Nor, as well as several Ferengi trade convoys; making supplies harder and harder to come by. The biggest loss though was by far the Klingon's secret shipyard at Q'osk V. There, was being developed the greatest weapon ever known; and hopefully the end of this horrid war. Somehow though the Romulans had caught wind of its existence and had quickly destroyed the Alliance's best hope for success. With so many important forces destroyed in such a brief amount of time B'elanna felt that something was amiss. Some way or another the Romulans had to have found some new source of information. This was all speculation though, and not worthy to be spoken of quite yet.
As Worf returned he held a full glass in each hand. He offered one to B'elanna, which she graciously accepted, before returning to his chair. A long sip was taken before Worf laid his eyes back on his companion. Ever since the death of the Betazoid Intendant Deanna Troi, his imzadi, B'elanna had been his closest and most trusted friend. In her he had found a true warrior's spirit entwined with an intelligence that was rare to come by in days of war. Where most of the soldiers he had met were either too obedient or not enough she had a strength and a will all her own. For this he had put her in charge of the Sol system, and the invaluable forces located there. Also this had let her become his most trusted advisor and ally. No matter what officially stood Worf considered B'elanna to be his second in command.
"The tide of war has not favored us lately Worf," B'elanna said over her drink.
"No, it has not," was all that Worf chose to mutter.
Time ticked away as the two did nothing but sit there and down their drinks. Neither soul was quite sure what to say next, fearful of upsetting the other. B'elanna looked down at the shattered remains of the P.A.D.D. and knew that something had to be said. Some comment about the situation had to be made, but what? Finally she spoke what was so heavy on her mind. "What do you think about this war old friend?"
"What do I think?" Leaning back in his chair Worf took another sip of his bloodwine before giving his beard a thoughtful stroke. "I think it's obvious what I think B'elanna. My thoughts are the same as everyone else's. Those thoughts are tired of war, tired of death and destruction. Things I once reveled in and thirsted for have become my worst foes."
"I understand what you mean Worf. Being a Klingon, being a warrior, I too once lived for times like this. War can be a funny thing though for us soldiers. Put us through a few hopeless years of it and suddenly we aren't so eager for it anymore. I swear this war has nearly destroyed that which I hold so dear within me."
"Yes. Perhaps through this struggle we have been able to hold onto what is dear to us within, but those precious things that are not born of us we have horribly lost." he said before slipping back into silence.
B'elanna of course knew of what he meant; or more importantly who. Ever since Deanna's death Worf had not been the same. He still fought and bled like all the rest of them, but he did so with an incomplete being. It was as if his heart no longer was in this war, as if it had been stolen and taken somewhere far away. She believed that even the mighty Regent was ready to end this war by whatever means were necessary. Unfortunately with the loss of their Jach'eng prototype and a significant increase in Romulan attacks it looked like this war would continue for quite awhile; lest the Alliance lay down their lives in surrender.
Noticing how uncomfortable his companion looked, and knowing how uncomfortable he now felt, Worf decided to change the topic. These war matters, while no doubt relevant, had become a nuisance to him. The abrupt report had distracted B'elanna and him from what really needed to be discussed, the Narendra Conference.
As she finished her bloodwine B'elanna could tell that her friend had something else, something more urgent, on his mind. "What is it Worf?" she asked hoping to get an answer without upsetting him too much.
"It is nothing," he said with a stern look. For several moments B'elanna disbelievingly looked at him until he spoke once more. "It's just the soon to come conference," he finally conceded.
"What of it? Do you expect something major to happen there?"
"One never expects a surprise. That is why a surprise is so successful."
Confused, B'elanna leaned in closer, hoping for an explanation to Worf's cryptic statement.
"I don't know B'elanna. While I can't be sure that something will come about I do have a gut feeling that something will, and something big at that."
"Well ok. Do you have a list or something that has what topics will be discussed at the conference?"
"Yes, but why?"
"If we had a list to look at then maybe we could gain some insight as to when this incident will take place."
Worf nodded his head slowly before walking over to a comms panel on the wall. "Regent Worf to the bridge."
"Yes, sir?" a young and slightly shaky voice responded.
"Do you have an available list as to the topics of discussion at the Narendra Conference?"
"Yes, of course we do sir."
"Send a copy of that list on the double!" Worf snapped.
"Right away sir!" Again the voiced stumbled a bit before the communication channel was closed.
As Worf walked away from the wall mounted comms panel a small but noticeable grin flashed for a moment across his face. Even though he hated all the politics of the position, being Regent did have a few perks. One such perk was having an entire race basically underneath his thumb. While he would have been content with them merely respecting him and his prowess having a number of them fear Worf was actually even more intoxicating. In hardly any time at all a bridge officer came in and handed Worf a P.A.D.D. with the requested information, before quickly leaving so as to return to his post.
Gazing over the P.A.D.D. Worf quickly took in the entire schedule of planned events before handing over the small device to B'elanna. In the same fashion as her friend B'elanna looked at the list before gently placing it aside. The pair leaned back for a moment in thought before B'elanna took the initiative to continue.
"Looks like your standard, dull drum conference topics. Resource management, war status reports, trade negotiations, nothing that exciting really. Nothing surprising at all."
All Worf would do in response was rub his beard and give a low grumble. He went to take a sip from his glass, and threw it shattering to the floor once he realized the glass was empty. As the glass remnants settled into the short, gray carpet Worf rose up from his chair and headed over to gaze out of the room's porthole. Silently he stood there for several moments before B'elanna decided to join him.
Quietly she made her way to stand next to Worf. Not wanting to disturb any moment that he might currently be engaged in she stood still next to him. Something in her though needed talk, needed to know exactly what it was that was going through his mind at the moment. Still unwilling to talk and take the chance at disturbing him B'elanna simply put her hand on his shoulder, hoping to subconsciously coax him into talking.
Somehow that simple little gesture did the trick. "I don't know B'elanna. The schedule seems like a routine one, this fact I fully understand. Yet I still can't shake off this unnerving feeling that some monumental surprise awaits us on Narendra III."
She turned to look at him, to look at the strong face he wore. The face though that also had a hidden layer just beneath the surface. That layer was of course made from the pain and regret this war had thrust upon him. A layer that had become a common fashion among all Alliance soldiers. B'elanna hoped though that the fashion was soon to run out of style. "I'm sure it's nothing," she softly replied.
Turning away from the black velvet sky Worf gazed into B'elanna's concerned, yet friendly eyes. A smile once again made it's way onto his hardened face. The kind that made each feature give way to it as to let its presence be known. "Of course you are right my dear friend," Worf said as he placed a hand on B'elanna's shoulder. "This war has made me edgy B'elanna and I apologize for it."
"Don't apologize," she said, returning his smile. "That edge has become a part of me as well, a part of all soldiers in fact. It helps to keep us on our toes, ready for whatever may come our way."
"Yes, of course." Worf paused for a moment, doing nothing but simply being washed in B'elanna's presence. "What would I do without you B'elanna?" he asked with a grin barely shown.
"Probably find a new bat'leth partner, that's what." The pair exchanged laughs for a moment before they decided to once more take residence in the room's plush seats. Looking across the room at Worf B'elanna was glad to have been able to ease her friend's tension, glad to have been able to provide a greater and more personal use to Worf than what her normal duties allowed.
"Suspicions aside though there are still a few matters to be discussed concerning the conference." Glancing over the P.A.D.D. of information Worf searched for what exactly he felt needed such discussion. B'elanna had been right about one thing, the schedule was pretty routine. As such it made it difficult to find something of interest to bring to the pair's conversation.
Suddenly feeling useless B'elanna shifted uneasily in her chair. As Worf read over the P.A.D.D. B'elanna searched for something to do. Noticing the glass shards spread over the carpet she suddenly stood up, intent on bringing both of them a new drink. "More bloodwine?" she asked of her companion.
"No thanks," he said, not looking up from his reading. A 'no' in response to an offer of bloodwine was quite a shock to B'elanna, and she was unsure of how to react. "Too much of such a thing would ruin its excellence," Worf explained. B'elanna began to ease back into her chair when suddenly Worf chose to spoke again. "A Raktajino would be nice though."
With something now to do B'elanna made her way to the replicator in the other room and ordered two Raktajinos. The machine made a slight whirring noise as the drinks formed from nothingness. Grabbing a glass in each hand B'elanna made her way back to the main area and handed Worf a drink, who still did not tear his gaze from the P.A.D.D., before easing back into her chair.
Taking a sip of his new drink Worf glanced over the P.A.D.D. at B'elanna. Slowly he drank down the new liquid, letting the powerful new flavor wash over the old taste left by the bloodwine. Raktajino was truly a drink among drinks. It had mixed in it the right amount of spices to make it the most potent of energy drinks. One could drink a pot of it and have the energy to battle for several days later without rest. This had been the cause for the Raktajino's initial creation, and it was as effective today as it ever had been.
Noticing the glance B'elanna shifted and sat up a little in her chair. The relationship she and Worf shared had always been a fragile one, especially since Deanna's death. Throughout their long association though they had always remained faithful friends, and had been practically since they first met. Still though there was an underlying closeness there that would be hard for anyone to describe. They were closer than friends, closer than family, close enough to be on some labeless level that few can reach in their lifetime. It was something that neither of them would have any other way.
Finally seeing something noteworthy on the small monotonous list Worf handed the P.A.D.D. over to B'elanna. "Check out item number forty-two," he said after giving her a moment to glance at the list.
"Resource allocation," she stated a moment later. "Of what interest could that concern either of us?"
"Take a look at which star systems are to be discussed," Worf said before taking another long sip.
B'elanna tapped a button on the P.A.D.D. and a further description of item forty-two appeared. Skimming through the short summary of the topic she looked for any mention of the star systems which were concerned. Several unimportant systems went by her eyes including the Cardassian system Lakara and a former Terran one named Seti Alpha. The last one on the list though caught B'elanna's attention and she almost dropped the P.A.D.D. in shock. That last system was Sol, the one she was in charge of.
Seeing the sudden change in B'elanna's emotion Worf leaned forward but chose not to speak. Really he couldn't think of anything to say to her at that moment and chose instead to sit there and listen and to help his friend if he could.
"Why is Sol on here, and more importantly why wasn't I informed? If there is a problem about how I am running it..." she began hurriedly saying before being cut off by Worf.
"Do not worry B'elanna, no one is questioning your skills on how you are running the Sol system. This is more a formality," he said in a reassuring voice. "Whether or not everyone wants to admit it but Sol is probably our most valuable asset in the war against the Romulans. The shipyards of Utopia Planitia are enough to give it a note of worthy coupled that with the research being done on Jupiter Station and the mining being done in the system's asteroid belt and you have probably the most vital Alliance system under your charge."
B'elanna began to open her mouth in rejection, but decided against it. Worf was right though, it was a busy and useful system. One which they had taken from the Terran Empire after the fall, yet important nonetheless.
"The reason Sol is on that list is....well the reason is obvious," Worf said somewhat matter of factly. Confusion touched B'elanna's facing making it apparent that to her the reason wasn't obvious. "It concerns the recent strategy of the Romulans," Worf continued. "Over the past couple weeks they have made several brash attacks. Even our most secret and most deep bases have come under fire; and all of the latest engagements we've lost. This resource allocation is just to make sure that Sol doesn't end up on that list as well."
That explanation helped to ease B'elanna's confusion, but only a little bit. "But what of the numerous defense platforms scattered throughout the system? Or of the constant traffic of vessels in and out of Utopia Planitia?"
"B'elanna, most of those defense platforms are so out of shape I doubt that they would do much good. And true, there are a number of vessels at Utopia Planitia, but for the most part they are there for repairs or refits. How much good would a fleet of battered and bruised vessels be against a pristine fleet of Romulan warbirds?"
Sitting forward in her chair B'elanna went over all the information in her head. It made sense, in a way. Even with all that B'elanna still wasn't satisfied with the reasons. "Are you sure it's necesary Worf?" she asked a touch reluctantly.
"Honestly I don't know if it's necessary or not, but I will not let the Romulans surprise us if they choose to attack Sol. The system is just too vital to the Alliance to take a risk like that."
"All right," she finally conceded, "what exactly would this 'allocation' entail?"
"For the most part just newer and better models of what you already have. A fresh supply of defense platforms will be brought in from the Chin'toka system and more vessels from the shipyards at Dotalar III will be brought in to help defend the system's borders."
Something in that response hit B'elanna instantly and harshly. "You want to put Cardassian defense platforms in the Sol system?" she pointedly asked.
"Those defense platforms have proven quite useful in the past and I'm not about to let them go unused just because I don't personally like Cardassians. Besides B'elanna, they are our ally against the Romulans."
She couldn't help but to wonder at what would happen once the Romulans no longer posed a threat. What would the Cardassians do then if they didn't need the Klingon Empire for their survival? That however was a bridge far off, and as such would be ignored until a later time. Besides, first they had to get rid of the Romulans, which was proving to be quite a troublesome task.
The two sat there silently for a short while before B'elanna decided that she needed to add one last thing. "Your right Worf, Sol is a very important system and it could use any help in defense that you can provide. I'm sorry for reacting the way I did."
Worf displayed a friendly smile as he placed his hand on B'elanna's leg. "You were only voicing your concern about what you thought was right for your troops and what they occupy. It's a mark of a good leader B'elanna and you shouldn't feel any regret for displaying it. It's also one of the reasons why I chose you to govern Sol. Believe me when I say this B'elanna, but I think there is no one I trust more than you to control the most precious of Alliance assets."
As Worf's words hit B'elanna she felt a sudden surge of joy fill her. True she had always known how Worf felt about her, but that knowledge did nothing to lessen his words impact. Sometimes knowing how someone felt just didn't effect someone as much as hearing the words come from their lips. At that moment B'elanna couldn't help but to return Worf's smile with one of her own.
The two sat there doing nothing but taking pleasure in each others company for awhile. Concern for the upcoming conference still loomed thick in the air and yet not a trace of that concern showed up on either of their faces. Any negative thoughts or feelings they might have had at the conversations start had suddenly dissappeared and been replaced by an understanding that nothing could bring them down so long as their friendship stayed true. For them it had become a silent, perfect moment. One in which they would have liked to stay in forever.
Forever did not last though, as no thing truly ever does. Just as the pair had once more begun to relax in their respective chairs a force shook the ship from underneath them. The lax expressions on their faces jolted to confusion, then a touch of panic made itself present as a second force rippled its way through the ship. Glancing at each other one thought came to both their minds yet neither of them were willing to say it for fear that their words would give truth to what was going on. But as a third forceful wave made its way through the ship they realized they could no longer ignore the attacking threat. "Romulans!" they said in unison before scrambling from their chairs and out of the room.
The following moments were filled with equal tension coming from both Worf and B'elanna. As they made their way towards the Negh'Var's bridge only the slight humming of the turbolift was present in the near silent air. B'elanna began to pace, as much as one could pace in the cramped turbolift carriage, all the while Worf did nothing but stare at her. True Worf felt just as nervous as B'elanna about the situation, but he wasn't known to outwardly show any such feelings. Being the leader of the entire Alliance left him no leeway to show them either. No matter his thoughts, no matter his feelings, Worf knew that a leader must always have an air of calm and defiance for his subordinates to follow or else there was no real reason at all for them to put their faith in his hands.
The turbolift crept its way towards command. Or at least it felt like it was creeping to B'elanna. They never seemed to go the speed you wanted them to, even if that speed was constant. What the turbolift lacked her mind made up for as it raced through the present situation. More and more waves rippled through the ship during their trip which translated into more and more weapons impacting along the Negh'Var's hull. A Romulan attack on an Alliance vessel surely was nothing out of the ordinary during the war, but a surprise attack on the Regent's flagship? Neither the Romulans nor the Terrans had ever made such a bold move, which forced B'elanna to ask why they would now. Questions were short-lived though as the turbolift finally slowed and opened upon arrival of their important destination.
"Status report!" Worf shouted as the two made their way off of the turbolift.
"Sir," a young lieutenant said as he snapped in attention. Worf gave a low grumble to show how displeased he was that so much attention was given to him just for arriving when he was needed. Picking up on the Regent's dissatisfaction the lieutenant jumped back to his original presence and proceeded to read off the damage. "Shields are down to thirty-two percent sir. Minor damage reported to navigation and ablative armor."
With a slight nod Worf showed his approval at the way his mighty vessel had held up thus far. The Negh'Var certainly was built for battle. It was unfortunate that it saw combat so rarely because of its status in the fleet. "How are our escorts faring?" he asked suddenly reminded of the four K'Vort class cruisers that were escorting the Negh'Var to Narendra III.
"The Tu'Kreh has been destroyed sir. I'm also getting a report from the Gre'lk that they have taken heavy damage to engines and shields. Our other two escorts, the Jourq and the Orin'Ma appear to have only minor damage."
Worf rubbed his beard as he sat down in the captain's chair. What he needed now was options. While confidence flecked its way across his face doubt rested itself deep in his mind. True he was sitting in the Negh'var, only the toughest ship ever to be built by the Klingon empire, yet it would still be hard for them along with three battered K'Vort class cruisers to fight back this threat. Placing his gaze on a small armside status screen he took a silent breath as four separate Romulan signatures moved around the Klingon fleet. Four against four made them even in numbers, though the small bird-of-prey vessels remained largely outclassed by the Romulan titans, tipping the balance in favor of the their green blooded foe. Somehow though a victory was in need of being achieved. After all if the flagship of the entire Alliance was to lose a conflict then what hope was there for any other Alliance vessel?
B'elanna finally made her presence known as she stood beside Worf. "Do you have a plan of attack Worf?" she asked, walking a thin line between shameful insubordination and desperate concern.
A near silent grumble from Worf told B'elanna that he wasn't sure yet and pressing the issue wouldn't help matters. In his mind he feverishly worked out a winning strategy that could be accomplished both with what he had and what he was up against. Another weapons impact on the Negh'Var signaled that the Romulans would not wait out for a response. Finally he decided on a course of action. "Tell the three bird-of-preys to follow our lead and lock phasers on the nearest Romulan vessel." Worf ordered pointedly.
"Aye sir," was the tactical officer's only response.
Thankful for being able to retaliate the Negh'Var fired blast after blast of phaser fire on the lead attacker. The shots appeared to be almost blindly fired as they impacted all over the warbird. In a near mocking fashion the warbird's shields shimmered their translucent defiance. Just as the warbird was about to fire once more at the Negh'Var the trio of K'Vort cruisers made their presence known, soaring out from behind their flagship and opening fire on the vessel of their foe.
The view screen filled up with the image of the warbird come under fire and Worf watched on with his usual stoic looking face. All four Klingon vessels pounded on their sole target for several minutes before the vessel's shields shimmered for the last time and dimmed into nothingness. "Launch everything we have at the warbird!" Worf exclaimed, hoping to quickly finish of the target and move onto the next.
A death bringing wave of weapons fire was hurtled towards the Klingon's shieldless foe. Without its protective encasing the warbird was open to the array of photon and phaser fire that was sent at it. From all over the vessel fires erupted from impact points and the Romulan ship began to shudder under the magnitude of the bombardment. It was only a few short seconds later that the Romulan craft could no longer withstand the assault and exploded in a flash of brilliance.
Tension on the Negh'Var's bridge lessened and a brief feeling of joy could be felt coming from the present officers. With three hostiles still remaining that ease was very short-lived as the crew focused back on the task of sending the remaining three Romulan warbirds to join their fallen sister.
"Set course for the second vessel and fire all forward weapons the moment we're in range," Worf ordered. Without any noticeable hesitation the bridge officers followed those orders and the Negh'Var lurched away from where it had sat.
If a ship could have felt emotions then the Negh'Var would have surely felt excitement as it headed towards its next target. At near full impulse it sped with the three remaining bird-of-preys in tow. As it approached the burning remnants of what had once defied it the Negh'Var began a barrel starboard roll with a near swan-like grace. Once it had passed the warbird remains the four vessel formation went into a steady dive towards the next to feel their wrath.
The moment the Negh'Var got within range it did exactly what Worf had requested, and it did so with a vigor all its own. Downward it spiraled all the while never relenting in its barrage of fire. Unlike the previous Romulan vessel this one's protective shielding barely lasted against the Klingon fire. As the Negh'Var closed in on the warbird it refused to give even a moments breath to the ailing vessel. This continued up until the last moment before the two vessels impacted when suddenly the mighty Klingon flagship veered off, just barely avoiding a collision. As the Negh'Var removed itself from the warbird's crosshairs the beaten Romulan ship suddenly opened fire at the three K'Vort cruisers. Disruptor fire shot towards the nearest of the three, the Jourq, and punched several large holes into the small cruiser's wings. Unable to keep flight the small ship flew out of control before colliding into the forward sections of its killer. A second later the entire scene lit up as the Jourq's collision rippled through the Romulan vessel, destroying it in a matter of heartbeats.
B'elanna made a nearly inaudible gasp as she witnessed the Jourq's end. A few other officers shared the expression, but most of them ignored it for the moment so as to focus all their attention on the remaining two warbirds. Worf was part of the latter. With two vessels destroyed and a third one very nearly crippled he had to devise some strategy in taking down their remaining two foes, and quickly.
As the Klingon force paused in their movements the bulky Romulan vessels took up attack positions on either side of them. Going over a quick review of battle strategies in his mind Worf tried to come up with the best plan of attack. While most remembered commanders and their strategies went into legendary status that honor had never been bestowed upon him. Being the vaunted Regent and leader of the entire Alliance greatness was expected of him. So when his greatness had the chance to really shine through it was either ignored or just regarded as commonplace for him.
Blast after blast struck the mighty Negh'Var, making every bulkhead quake under the force of impact. Worf knew that a quick and decisive victory was needed if any of the remaining Klingon vessels were to survive this encounter. Finally inspiration struck him as he believed he had found a weakpoint in the warbird's design. "Order the other two vessels to focus all of their weapon's fire on the connectors between the forward section and the rest of the vessel."
"Sir?" the tactical officer asked a bit confused.
"It's simple. We're going to cut that bothersome bird's head clean off," the Regent replied with a grin.
B'elanna took a quick glance over at her friend and thought for a moment about the euphemism he had just used. Inwardly she broke through the worry and confusion and let herself smile for but a moment. After all the years she had known Worf he still managed to bring a touch of joyful surprise into her life from time to time. For that reason alone made her cherish the bond that they shared.
With a K'Vort cruiser on either side the Negh'Var made its way towards the Romulan foe directly ahead. Almost immediately it opened fire on the warbird, striking it head on. Mockingly its shimmering shields absorbed what it could of the incoming assault. In retaliation the Romulan vessels sent an onslaught of its own in the Negh'Var's path. Unlike its Romulan counterpart the Klingon flagship had already lost its protective barrier. Torpedoes and disruptor fire rocked the vessels back and forth, punching holes where ever it could.
"Sir, we're taking heavy damage!" someone shouted over an exploding console. "I recommend we break off our assault!"
"No, continue with the attack!" Worf commanded as he tightened his fists. "If this is to work then we need to have those shields down so the K'Vort's can attack it full on."
A steady hand was placed on Worf's shoulder as B'elanna stared at the screen with a typical Klingon lust for combat. In her field of view she could see several bulkheads collapse and small fires ignite all around the bridge. On the screen their target sat, desperately hurtling its armament in the hope of destroying the Negh'Var and those who commanded her.
As the two mighty vessels approached both each other and death itself neither of them gave any inclination of giving up. After a final shimmer the Romulan shields gave way, opening it up to a full-on attack. Without a heartbeat of hesitation the K'Vort vessels of the Gre'lk and Orin'Ma sped ahead of their mighty leader and began an assault run of their own.
The two small Klingon cruisers began to feverishly zip around their target, striking it as hard and as often as possible. Nearly oblivious to the onslaught delivered by the bird-of-prey vessels the warbird continued to direct its focus on the still approaching Negh'Var as though the flagship's destruction was their only hope for survival. As the moments ticked by however it became painfully apparent to the Romulan crew of just how devastating the K'Vort attacks were.
Sitting up and nearly on the edge of his chair Worf stared at the scene as it unfolded before him. A smile came to him as he witnessed the ferocity of the attack by his two subordinate vessels. Already he noticed tears forming and plating beginning to buckle where weapons fire had impacted. Mixed in was the still constant wave being shot from the Negh'Var, which also impacted all over the warbirds forward sections. Worf knew that the defeat of this foe was soon to pass, then only one vessel would be left to stand in their way.
In a daring last effort the mighty Romulan vessel went into a sharp roll, hoping to deflect any incoming fire and shake loose the pests that continued to plague it. Unfortunately for the Romulans will alone would not save them as a final explosion tore loose the bird's head. Seconds later weapons impact from the Negh'Var turned that forward section into a lighted brilliance and a floating sea of dust, leaving only the burning hulk of the warbird's aft sections to continue to roll as fire covered its metal-plated surface.
As the fiery warbird remnants drifted downwards the mighty Negh'Var flew undauntingly above. With the two K'Vort vessels back in formation all three vessels pulled a full u-turn loop as they set course for the final enemy to stand against them.
"Full speed ahead helm!" Worf barked. "And I want everything we have to tossed at that pitiful pa'tahq the moment you get a firing solution!"
With still quite a distance between the two warrior vessels the Romulan warbird did nothing but sit there motionless and seemingly fearless. Not a single shot had been fired since the Negh'Var had exited the warbird's firing range, and strangely it had made no sort of movement following that. Soldier's instinct would have made you believe that once the warbird could no longer attack then it would have moved to do so once more. That or at least make some attempt to come and try to aid its outnumbered and ailing sister vessel. However neither of these were the case and as to a reason why eluded everyone's mind that wasn't Romulan.
As the gap shrank everyone's tension on the Negh'Var's bridge grew ten-fold. They still hadn't reached firing range for their weapons and yet every crewmember present acted as though they had. A disturbing silence ensued with everyone's eyes focused on the view screen and their being focused on what they were about to do. Already they had stared down three Romulan warbirds and had managed to keep on going, but not without a noticeable price. Horrible scarring could be seen all over the Negh'Var's shell as a result from the disruptor and torpedo hits they had sustained from the other three enemy vessels. Though the ship may have been bruised the spirit of her crew had not been. That and that alone was about to determine whether or not they would win the day.
A few more seconds was all that was allowed for the battle's brief calm before chaos once more regained its grip on the situation. Nearly surprising was that the warbird was the first to break that calm as it hurtled several glowing photon torpedoes towards the group of Klingon vessels. Before the Romulan torpedoes were even given a chance to hit their respective targets the Negh'Var retaliated with a volley of its own. Breaths were held as the torpedo forces passed each other in the black void of space before finally reaching their destinations in fiery collisions.
A forceful tremble was felt in the flagship's bridge as the torpedoes struck. Off to Worf's left a computer display exploded, sending the soldier who watched it sprawling onto the floor. The Regent gripped the sides of his chair while B'elanna rushed over to check on the fallen officer.
"He's dead," B'elanna shouted as some metallic plating came flying loose, landing near inches from her.
"Keep firing!" was all that Worf would say.
Having still not moved from its location the warbird continued its torpedo assault, firing volley after volley at the small attack force. Not yet in range of phasers the Negh'Var along with the Orin'Ma and Gre'lk continued to fire torpedoes of their own, desperate to fight back this one last foe.
For one of those vessels that fight came to a swift end as two of the Romulan sent torpedoes collided into the forward sections of the already ailing Gre'lk. Upon impact the small Klingon vessel erupted into a fireball which only burned bright enough for others to take notice before disappearing nearly as quickly as it had ignited.
Unphased by the loss of one of their fellow vessels the remaining two continued at full speed towards those that ended the lives of the brave and loyal Klingon soldiers that had crewed the Gre'lk. Finally within phaser range both the mighty Negh'Var and the small Orin'Ma added a deadly mix of phaser fire in with its already fierce torpedo filled assault. Unable to withstand the now more powerful onslaught the warbird's shields shimmered for only a second more before fading, leaving the warbird open to the Klingons final attack.
Feeling suddenly vulnerable the Romulans attacked with a new vigor as well. Both phaser and torpedo fire was hurtled back and forth in the space turned battlefield. The two opposing forces seemed evenly matched and the battle appeared on the verge of stalemate until the Romulan attack became suddenly focused. With a new objective in mind the Romulan disruptor fire was turned onto the small K'Vort vessel of the Orin'Ma. As it struck, both of the bird-of-prey's wings came under assault. Acting as a deadly energy made knife the disruptor fire sliced through the fierce little vessel's wings, tearing them off of the vessel's main sections. The bulk of the Orin'Ma sat there suddenly, helplessly still until a few guided Romulan torpedoes smashed into it, sending the Negh'Var's final escort into oblivion.
As the last of the bird-of-prey vessels winked out of existence a small amount of grief was felt in the heart of each of the Negh'Var's crew. They had lost so many comrades that death had become an unsettling commonplace for each of them. Still throughout it all no death was felt less by them. And if any had then their very being would be lost, and with their being any hope that they might have along with a real reason for fighting and dying in order to drive back the night and claim victory over the Romulans.
Though grief touched each of their hearts that grief wasn't allowed to make them even think of relenting in their assault of the final enemy warbird. Something new coursed through their veins and was made apparent by their actions. It seemed almost like anger, or hatred, that now drove them towards the destiny. Having fought as long as each of them had though there was little room for that anger any more. No, something different, something almost intangible, was felt in each of them now. That new something was difficult to put into any sort of words but it felt almost like determination. Determination for stopping these Romulans from taking any more Alliance lives. For ending this war once and for all.
The Negh'Var, refusing in itself to cease its attack, sped forward as fast as her engines would allow towards the menacing Romulan vessel. In the midst of the Orin'Ma's destruction and all the other chaos both vessels had continued to fire upon each other with deadly fierceness. With the passing of each moment more damage was inflicted to both vessels and more debris was blown clear to litter the surrounding space. While at this confrontations start the Negh'Var had been the more wounded of the two the Romulan warbird's damage had quickly increased to match, thanks in part to the two ill-fated K'Vort vessels.
Nearly even matched in conditions another stalemate seemed to be approaching the two combatants. Unwilling to accept such a fate the Romulan's disruptors once more took on a will of their own and guided themselves to a soft spot of their oncoming foe. Precision accuracy led those disruptor charged blasts to the flagship's starboard nacelle, which was shredded to pieces upon impact with the weapons fire.
"Sir, we've lost all function in our starboard nacelle! Thrusters are at reduced power and we're leaking warp plasma!" an officer shouted out the grim sounding status report.
"Continue our course helm!" Worf shouted in response. "Nothing will stand in our way of destroying those green blooded pa'tahqs save for death itself!"
Ignoring its wounds the Alliance flagship continued towards the Romulan warbird, though at an understandably slower speed. While its speed may have decreased the power behind its attack had not wavered in the slightest. Spewing superheated green plasma behind it in a magnificent trail continued on the Negh'Var all the while launching every weapon it had at its foe. Soon the warbird's outer hull was pockmarked from the multiple impacts from the Klingon weapons. With so much visible damage a logical mind would have believed the Romulan vessel to be in at least some weakened state, yet it gave no such sign of any diminished state. It was as though everything the Klingons threw at it was mocked at and did little more then cosmetic scarring to the vessel's hull.
Irritation and annoyance surged through Worf as he looked at the enemy vessel on the view screen. They were using everything they had and still barely any damage had been affected to it. Meanwhile chunk after chunk was being blown off of the Negh'Var, not to mention the situation with the nacelle. Worf knew that he had to pull a targ out of his hat in order to win this battle. Otherwise the Romulans could claim the biggest victory of the war; the Regent and his ship's destruction.
Blast after blast impacted the Klingon flagship, sending a numbing quake through the vessel's bulkheads with each impact. B'elanna knew that their doom was impending and unless something was done quickly that doom would come knocking on their door. From the tactical station her gaze raced around the room, hoping that someone would quickly think of a solution to their problem. Before focusing back on the console before her she took one fleeting look at the station's former commander as he lay dead at her feet. Though death had become a common thing to see it still didn't help to hold down the bile she felt in her throat.
Suddenly inspiration struck the stoic Regent. Quickly he looked over the Romulan's ship design and did a mental calculation. A weak but still present grin appeared on his face. It would be a risk, and they might die in the process, but it would destroy the Romulans as well. Besides, what other choice did they have?
"I want you to target the warbird's starboard nacelle with everything we've got!" Worf ordered, borrowing a page from the Romulans battle tactics. "I want to see that nacelle spread out across the entire sector."
The near random firing pattern from the Negh'Var abruptly ceased as B'elanna targeted every photon launcher and phaser array to unleash its payload on the Romulan's precious nacelle. Seconds later a volley of photon torpedoes smashed into the nacelle's outer casing, breaking it open like a fragile Tarkellin egg. Matching the Negh'Var was the warbird's now plasma bleeding wound. With a barely function nacelle of its own the warbird was now on even ground with its Klingon counterpart. Even ground wasn't enough though. No, Worf refused to halt until one of them was sent to a fiery death.
"Continue firing B'elanna!" Worf shouted over an explosion. "I want you to tear that entire section of the warbird apart!"
As their photon launchers were being reloaded B'elanna used the phasers in the same scalpel technique that the K'Vort vessels had used earlier. With her well-trained precision firing she began to cut away at the battered hull around the warbird's nearly dead engine. Being a blunt weapon the torpedoes had literally smashed the surrounding sections to pieces. Now with the phasers B'elanna was doing her best to cut away the twisted metallic excess. For what purpose she wasn't sure yet but Worf had a plan in mind, and she wasn't about to let her friend down when she was needed most.
Worf brought his hands together underneath his chin as he surveyed B'elanna's work. A small smile flashed briefly on his face as he realized that his plan might actually work. The way the Romulans had designed the D'Deridex class warbird made it a nearly unbreakable wall. Indeed that wall was strong but like an egg it was only a shell, a small part of the larger thing. If they could break open that shell then surely they would be able to reach that soft fragile inside and exploit it. That was Worf's plan, and if it were to fail then surely they would fail as well.
For not even a second did B'elanna cease in her phaser surgery of the warbird's wing. Having almost completely gotten rid of any remnants of the vessel's powerful nacelle she had begun to work on the metal plating that had at one time served to hold that nacelle in place. With reloaded torpedo tubes she had once more begun to launch the glowing spheres of death. Instead of helping in the phasers delicate operation she had turned their destruction towards the near pristine port side of the Romulan vessel. As before on the opposite side the photons beat and bludgeoned the warbird's port side, quickly scarring it.
Through all of the ensuing chaos the Negh'Var had dutifully remained on course. The distance between the vessels had nearly been crossed and the mighty Klingon vessel would soon be nose to nose with its aggressor. Though the Negh'Var was immense by any Alliance standards it was still outclassed by the even mightier warbirds that the Romulans so skillfully employed. If both vessels were to have been measured alongside each other than the warbird would easily outclass the Klingon vessel. It was nearly a third larger, which had helped in making it such a formidable vessel. Still though no Alliance vessel, especially not the one commanded by Regent Worf himself, was about to back down solely because of a size difference.
Once more a phaser blast struck the warbird's twisted metal plated wing before the wing itself nearly crumbled apart. With a now gaping hole left in place of the missing nacelle Worf's plan began to become apparent, if not quite understood. Using the space between the top and bottom sections already built into the warbird's design, coupled with the now widened space thanks to B'elanna's precision strikes Worf's plan involved taking the Negh'Var between the two sections and unleashing its payload on the vulnerable connector sections in between. Risky, yes. Suicide, perhaps. But it was one of those rare and brilliantly insane strategies that just had to be followed to fruition once conceived.
"Full speed helm; course oh-two-nine by four-three-six."
The helmsman spun around in his chair for a moment to stare at his leader in a wild mix of emotions. "Sir," he said with a touch of worry, "that will take us straight into the Romulan vessel."
"Not into it lieutenant but through it. I want you to fly this vessel in between the warbird's two main sections and back out again."
"That's suicide sir," the officer replied even more noticeably shaken.
With that comment Worf rose from his chair and walked over to the worried officer. The lieutenant began to flinch as he saw Worf raise his hand, afraid that his comments were about to be rewarded with a swift hit across the face. Instinctively he relaxed though as Worf's hand was laid not on his face but on his shoulder. Worf gave him a reassuring smile before speaking to the remaining bridge officers.
"Suicide? This course of action may very well lead us to our doom I'll admit but I believe it will work. Why do I believe this? Because this vessel is crewed by the finest group of Klingon soldiers in the entire Alliance, that's why! I have my doubts about this plan but what I don't doubt is that if there was one crew that could pull it off it would be this one. Whether we die today or not is not the issue. What is the issue is how we face this daunting task that has been set before us. We might die, but we will die as Klingons! We will die standing up to these green-blooded enemies of ours and we will die with the courage and honor that is sung of! So now I ask each of you to remember who we are not as individuals, but as a race. A race of soldiers who refuse to cower and hide under the heel of a Romulan boot. For this alone I feel that we must take this course. Because whether we see the days end or not I can guarantee that the Romulan pa'tahqs aboard that vessel will not. And that my brothers and sisters is truly why we are here. To stare this war in the face and say to it that we do not fear it. So I ask you to place faith in me and in each other so not a soul will fear of this a moment longer. Are you with me?"
Both physically and emotionally wounded the soldiers glanced at each and finally at Worf. "Of course we are with you Regent Worf!" B'elanna shouted with an eager Klingon smile. "To the bitter end we stand with you and with each other."
Staring at B'elanna for a moment Worf couldn't help but to feel a surge of both pride and joy for her. If he were to face oblivion then he was glad that she was there to face it with him. With that the officers, including the helmsman, focused back on their duties and on their destiny.
Nearly on top of each other the Romulans continued in their desperation to destroy the fierce flagship of the Alliance. Innumerable holes had been blown from the Negh'Var and as damaged as it was it was near miraculous to still be at such peak performance. Almost no inch of the flagship's skin had been spared any sign of damage and close to half of the vessel lay behind it in a trail of debris; and yet it pressed on. It seemed as though Worf's speech had affected not only the Negh'Var's crew but also the Negh'Var itself. The ship was ready to end this struggle, and end it swiftly.
Under the control of the lieutenant to which Worf had placed so much trust the Negh'Var made its final move. At a near surprising crawl it eased itself between the two metal plates. Once they were nearly halfway through Worf gave the long awaited order that he hoped would end this conflict and leave them victorious.
"Fire everything we have at the central connectors B'elanna. I want not a photon left or a phaser bank still with charge once we're through!"
Feverishly her hands worked as B'elanna set out to fulfill her companion's order. The first to be fired was a volley of torpedoes which struck all along the warbird's inside. Fires erupted from each impact and already the vessel was beginning to buckle under the strain delivered it by the Negh'Var's onslaught. With her precision phaser fire she targeted the main sections which connected both the top and lower halves of the mighty warbird. In a brilliant lighted dance the phaser fire weaved around the connection pylons, slicing them to pieces. Added the attack from the Negh'Var's phasers and the Romulan warbird could no longer stand strong against the Klingon fury.
Giving way to the fire the connectors began to collapse, bringing the top half down with it. Now was the critical make or break instant for the Negh'Var. The escape had to be timed just right or else the Romulan warbird would collapse onto them, destroying both vessels instantly. Worf along with several others held their breath and fixed their eyes on the view screen. From the screen's edge they could see the warbird as it began to become engulfed in flames.
Sweat beaded the helmsman's forehead and yet he remained as focused as ever. Several scraping and crunching sounds could be heard coming from outside of the ship and it sounded as though the entire universe was bearing down on them. In the midst of that they remained stable though, not willing to claim either victory or defeat until their fate was assured. Slowly a black and dotted sky replaced the weapon born flames until that sky was all that appeared on the screen. Excitement and joy at success could be felt emanating from each soldier present, and yet none made a verbal show of it. They all simply stood there and let the victory blanket over them.
Without warning one last wave rocked the half dead Negh'Var. That wave tossed them about and flung them several hundred meters from where they had been only seconds ago. The wave was one last blast from the Romulan vessel. A reminder of what they had just destroyed as the warbird faded into oblivion.
Picking himself up off of the floor Worf brushed himself off as he surveyed the smashed and devastated bridge. Though the Negh'Var had taken a beating her crew had held up fairly well considering. A sudden rustling from under a fallen bulkhead grabbed Worf's attention and as he removed it a wide grin was displayed on his face. Slowly he picked up the dirt and blood covered B'elanna who immediately smiled back at him. "We did it," she whispered weakly.
"You say that like there was any doubt," Worf replied with a most pleased smile. As he placed an arm around B'elanna he took one look into her auburn eyes before simply stating, "Now how about we take on a real challenge, the conference on Narendra III."
Mission
With only a few days left before the important Narendra Conference two of the most important attendees, Regent Worf and Intendant B'elanna, are enjoying a moment's break from the war. On board the Alliance flagship bad news comes in as the Romulans continue to step up their attacks. That bad news may be unsettling for the Klingon pair but what lurks around the corner may be even worse.
Mission Date:
111th day in the 2369th of Molar
Slowly she poured the bloodwine into the two separate glasses. Not wanting to spill any she made sure not to overfill them, yet she couldn't help but fill them as much as could be without danger. Satisfied with her effort she carefully picked up both glasses and walked back into the main room of the quarters. Making her way across the room she effortlessly weaved around the furniture that was almost chaotically placed around the room. "Here is your bloodwine Worf," she said with a smile.
Placing both hands on the glass he took an eager sip. "Ah, now this is what us true warriors are in dire need of. What year is this? '42?"
"'39 actually."
"You have a bottle of '39? How fortunate you are to have wine from such a fine vintage." The Regent took another long sip, letting the sweet liquid wash over every part of his mouth. "Replicators never do this justice. It really was a good thing that you were able to bring some aboard. I've had about enough of that synthetic swill as one could take in a lifetime."
"Of course it was my pleasure Worf. I mean how often am I the guest of the most powerful Klingon in the entire Alliance?"
Both of them gave a laugh, with Worf's so deep it almost shook the whole room. "Quite often my dear B'elanna, though I suppose not nearly enough."
"So true my friend," she said before taking a sip. "The duties of war keep us busy, far too busy indeed."
At the mention of war Worf's expression turned solemn. War had taken so much time, as well as other things, away from him that even he had grown weary of it. Romulans of course had not been his entire problem throughout this lengthy campaign. Threat came from nearly every corner and the politics of trying to maintain the Alliance together had made Worf long for the days when he was nothing more then a gallant captain, headstrong and battle hungry. Those were days made only for longing later on, and long is what he did. He was the most powerful Klingon in the empire, and yet that power seemed meaningless.
Worf's sudden mood change made B'elanna scramble for a new topic of discussion. Sadly though she could think of none. For two who held such important roles during a time of war what more was there for them to talk about? There had to be something, she just knew it. Alas though nothing could come to her weary mind's surface. Without a relevant thing to talk between themselves the pair simply sat there sipping their wine as they became deep in thought.
Growing tired of the silence Worf fixed his gaze on a bat'leth that had recently been hung in his quarters. "So B'elanna, have you kept up with you bat'leth training?" he asked, hoping this was enough to drum up a new topic in their conversation.
"Of course I have. Though it has been quite difficult to find a worthy opponent amidst those tor'zahs I'm forced to put up with on Sol. Why? You aren't asking for a rematch of our last bout are you?" she asked with a grin.
"If you remember I claimed victory in our last bout. In fact I have defeated you nearly every time." Worf replied in a friendly yet nearly smug tone.
"I can understand if you're too much of a coward to face me again Worf. After all I did fracture a number of your ribs last time didn't I?"
"Did you just call me, the Regent and leader of the entire Alliance, a coward?" Worf asked, mockingly offended. "You are quite a brave warrior indeed. A fine tribute to Klingonhood!" Raising their glasses in the air the pair toasted the noble heritage of the Klingon people, of their people.
Sitting there drinking and recounting glorious tales the two remained for quite a while. After some time passed a young Klingon officer came into the room clutching a status report. Apologizing for interrupting their visit the officer handed the report over to Worf before scurrying out of the room.
As she watched him read over the report B'elanna knew that very little good news was contained in it. Good news was hard for them to come by these days. This fact not only did B'elanna know but so did every other soldier in the Alliance. Her suspicion was further justified after Worf angrily threw the P.A.D.D. onto the ground. "What's wrong?" she asked trying to relieve some of his tension.
"The latest status report. Nothing but more bad news. It seems as though the Romulans saw fit to destroy our forces in the Setlik system." A sigh came from Worf before he polished off his bloodwine. Noticing that his glass was now empty he got up from his comfortable chair and went to get another.
Sitting alone, B'elanna thought about all that had been lost as of late as the news of the Setlik loss washed over her like a terrifyingly painful wave. In the past two weeks loss had become commonplace for the Alliance, and none had been immune to the Romulan's sudden wrath. Over the brief stretch of time the devastating losses had come to include the Breen's Galgathon Shipyards, the Cardassian station of Kelnok Nor, as well as several Ferengi trade convoys; making supplies harder and harder to come by. The biggest loss though was by far the Klingon's secret shipyard at Q'osk V. There, was being developed the greatest weapon ever known; and hopefully the end of this horrid war. Somehow though the Romulans had caught wind of its existence and had quickly destroyed the Alliance's best hope for success. With so many important forces destroyed in such a brief amount of time B'elanna felt that something was amiss. Some way or another the Romulans had to have found some new source of information. This was all speculation though, and not worthy to be spoken of quite yet.
As Worf returned he held a full glass in each hand. He offered one to B'elanna, which she graciously accepted, before returning to his chair. A long sip was taken before Worf laid his eyes back on his companion. Ever since the death of the Betazoid Intendant Deanna Troi, his imzadi, B'elanna had been his closest and most trusted friend. In her he had found a true warrior's spirit entwined with an intelligence that was rare to come by in days of war. Where most of the soldiers he had met were either too obedient or not enough she had a strength and a will all her own. For this he had put her in charge of the Sol system, and the invaluable forces located there. Also this had let her become his most trusted advisor and ally. No matter what officially stood Worf considered B'elanna to be his second in command.
"The tide of war has not favored us lately Worf," B'elanna said over her drink.
"No, it has not," was all that Worf chose to mutter.
Time ticked away as the two did nothing but sit there and down their drinks. Neither soul was quite sure what to say next, fearful of upsetting the other. B'elanna looked down at the shattered remains of the P.A.D.D. and knew that something had to be said. Some comment about the situation had to be made, but what? Finally she spoke what was so heavy on her mind. "What do you think about this war old friend?"
"What do I think?" Leaning back in his chair Worf took another sip of his bloodwine before giving his beard a thoughtful stroke. "I think it's obvious what I think B'elanna. My thoughts are the same as everyone else's. Those thoughts are tired of war, tired of death and destruction. Things I once reveled in and thirsted for have become my worst foes."
"I understand what you mean Worf. Being a Klingon, being a warrior, I too once lived for times like this. War can be a funny thing though for us soldiers. Put us through a few hopeless years of it and suddenly we aren't so eager for it anymore. I swear this war has nearly destroyed that which I hold so dear within me."
"Yes. Perhaps through this struggle we have been able to hold onto what is dear to us within, but those precious things that are not born of us we have horribly lost." he said before slipping back into silence.
B'elanna of course knew of what he meant; or more importantly who. Ever since Deanna's death Worf had not been the same. He still fought and bled like all the rest of them, but he did so with an incomplete being. It was as if his heart no longer was in this war, as if it had been stolen and taken somewhere far away. She believed that even the mighty Regent was ready to end this war by whatever means were necessary. Unfortunately with the loss of their Jach'eng prototype and a significant increase in Romulan attacks it looked like this war would continue for quite awhile; lest the Alliance lay down their lives in surrender.
Noticing how uncomfortable his companion looked, and knowing how uncomfortable he now felt, Worf decided to change the topic. These war matters, while no doubt relevant, had become a nuisance to him. The abrupt report had distracted B'elanna and him from what really needed to be discussed, the Narendra Conference.
As she finished her bloodwine B'elanna could tell that her friend had something else, something more urgent, on his mind. "What is it Worf?" she asked hoping to get an answer without upsetting him too much.
"It is nothing," he said with a stern look. For several moments B'elanna disbelievingly looked at him until he spoke once more. "It's just the soon to come conference," he finally conceded.
"What of it? Do you expect something major to happen there?"
"One never expects a surprise. That is why a surprise is so successful."
Confused, B'elanna leaned in closer, hoping for an explanation to Worf's cryptic statement.
"I don't know B'elanna. While I can't be sure that something will come about I do have a gut feeling that something will, and something big at that."
"Well ok. Do you have a list or something that has what topics will be discussed at the conference?"
"Yes, but why?"
"If we had a list to look at then maybe we could gain some insight as to when this incident will take place."
Worf nodded his head slowly before walking over to a comms panel on the wall. "Regent Worf to the bridge."
"Yes, sir?" a young and slightly shaky voice responded.
"Do you have an available list as to the topics of discussion at the Narendra Conference?"
"Yes, of course we do sir."
"Send a copy of that list on the double!" Worf snapped.
"Right away sir!" Again the voiced stumbled a bit before the communication channel was closed.
As Worf walked away from the wall mounted comms panel a small but noticeable grin flashed for a moment across his face. Even though he hated all the politics of the position, being Regent did have a few perks. One such perk was having an entire race basically underneath his thumb. While he would have been content with them merely respecting him and his prowess having a number of them fear Worf was actually even more intoxicating. In hardly any time at all a bridge officer came in and handed Worf a P.A.D.D. with the requested information, before quickly leaving so as to return to his post.
Gazing over the P.A.D.D. Worf quickly took in the entire schedule of planned events before handing over the small device to B'elanna. In the same fashion as her friend B'elanna looked at the list before gently placing it aside. The pair leaned back for a moment in thought before B'elanna took the initiative to continue.
"Looks like your standard, dull drum conference topics. Resource management, war status reports, trade negotiations, nothing that exciting really. Nothing surprising at all."
All Worf would do in response was rub his beard and give a low grumble. He went to take a sip from his glass, and threw it shattering to the floor once he realized the glass was empty. As the glass remnants settled into the short, gray carpet Worf rose up from his chair and headed over to gaze out of the room's porthole. Silently he stood there for several moments before B'elanna decided to join him.
Quietly she made her way to stand next to Worf. Not wanting to disturb any moment that he might currently be engaged in she stood still next to him. Something in her though needed talk, needed to know exactly what it was that was going through his mind at the moment. Still unwilling to talk and take the chance at disturbing him B'elanna simply put her hand on his shoulder, hoping to subconsciously coax him into talking.
Somehow that simple little gesture did the trick. "I don't know B'elanna. The schedule seems like a routine one, this fact I fully understand. Yet I still can't shake off this unnerving feeling that some monumental surprise awaits us on Narendra III."
She turned to look at him, to look at the strong face he wore. The face though that also had a hidden layer just beneath the surface. That layer was of course made from the pain and regret this war had thrust upon him. A layer that had become a common fashion among all Alliance soldiers. B'elanna hoped though that the fashion was soon to run out of style. "I'm sure it's nothing," she softly replied.
Turning away from the black velvet sky Worf gazed into B'elanna's concerned, yet friendly eyes. A smile once again made it's way onto his hardened face. The kind that made each feature give way to it as to let its presence be known. "Of course you are right my dear friend," Worf said as he placed a hand on B'elanna's shoulder. "This war has made me edgy B'elanna and I apologize for it."
"Don't apologize," she said, returning his smile. "That edge has become a part of me as well, a part of all soldiers in fact. It helps to keep us on our toes, ready for whatever may come our way."
"Yes, of course." Worf paused for a moment, doing nothing but simply being washed in B'elanna's presence. "What would I do without you B'elanna?" he asked with a grin barely shown.
"Probably find a new bat'leth partner, that's what." The pair exchanged laughs for a moment before they decided to once more take residence in the room's plush seats. Looking across the room at Worf B'elanna was glad to have been able to ease her friend's tension, glad to have been able to provide a greater and more personal use to Worf than what her normal duties allowed.
"Suspicions aside though there are still a few matters to be discussed concerning the conference." Glancing over the P.A.D.D. of information Worf searched for what exactly he felt needed such discussion. B'elanna had been right about one thing, the schedule was pretty routine. As such it made it difficult to find something of interest to bring to the pair's conversation.
Suddenly feeling useless B'elanna shifted uneasily in her chair. As Worf read over the P.A.D.D. B'elanna searched for something to do. Noticing the glass shards spread over the carpet she suddenly stood up, intent on bringing both of them a new drink. "More bloodwine?" she asked of her companion.
"No thanks," he said, not looking up from his reading. A 'no' in response to an offer of bloodwine was quite a shock to B'elanna, and she was unsure of how to react. "Too much of such a thing would ruin its excellence," Worf explained. B'elanna began to ease back into her chair when suddenly Worf chose to spoke again. "A Raktajino would be nice though."
With something now to do B'elanna made her way to the replicator in the other room and ordered two Raktajinos. The machine made a slight whirring noise as the drinks formed from nothingness. Grabbing a glass in each hand B'elanna made her way back to the main area and handed Worf a drink, who still did not tear his gaze from the P.A.D.D., before easing back into her chair.
Taking a sip of his new drink Worf glanced over the P.A.D.D. at B'elanna. Slowly he drank down the new liquid, letting the powerful new flavor wash over the old taste left by the bloodwine. Raktajino was truly a drink among drinks. It had mixed in it the right amount of spices to make it the most potent of energy drinks. One could drink a pot of it and have the energy to battle for several days later without rest. This had been the cause for the Raktajino's initial creation, and it was as effective today as it ever had been.
Noticing the glance B'elanna shifted and sat up a little in her chair. The relationship she and Worf shared had always been a fragile one, especially since Deanna's death. Throughout their long association though they had always remained faithful friends, and had been practically since they first met. Still though there was an underlying closeness there that would be hard for anyone to describe. They were closer than friends, closer than family, close enough to be on some labeless level that few can reach in their lifetime. It was something that neither of them would have any other way.
Finally seeing something noteworthy on the small monotonous list Worf handed the P.A.D.D. over to B'elanna. "Check out item number forty-two," he said after giving her a moment to glance at the list.
"Resource allocation," she stated a moment later. "Of what interest could that concern either of us?"
"Take a look at which star systems are to be discussed," Worf said before taking another long sip.
B'elanna tapped a button on the P.A.D.D. and a further description of item forty-two appeared. Skimming through the short summary of the topic she looked for any mention of the star systems which were concerned. Several unimportant systems went by her eyes including the Cardassian system Lakara and a former Terran one named Seti Alpha. The last one on the list though caught B'elanna's attention and she almost dropped the P.A.D.D. in shock. That last system was Sol, the one she was in charge of.
Seeing the sudden change in B'elanna's emotion Worf leaned forward but chose not to speak. Really he couldn't think of anything to say to her at that moment and chose instead to sit there and listen and to help his friend if he could.
"Why is Sol on here, and more importantly why wasn't I informed? If there is a problem about how I am running it..." she began hurriedly saying before being cut off by Worf.
"Do not worry B'elanna, no one is questioning your skills on how you are running the Sol system. This is more a formality," he said in a reassuring voice. "Whether or not everyone wants to admit it but Sol is probably our most valuable asset in the war against the Romulans. The shipyards of Utopia Planitia are enough to give it a note of worthy coupled that with the research being done on Jupiter Station and the mining being done in the system's asteroid belt and you have probably the most vital Alliance system under your charge."
B'elanna began to open her mouth in rejection, but decided against it. Worf was right though, it was a busy and useful system. One which they had taken from the Terran Empire after the fall, yet important nonetheless.
"The reason Sol is on that list is....well the reason is obvious," Worf said somewhat matter of factly. Confusion touched B'elanna's facing making it apparent that to her the reason wasn't obvious. "It concerns the recent strategy of the Romulans," Worf continued. "Over the past couple weeks they have made several brash attacks. Even our most secret and most deep bases have come under fire; and all of the latest engagements we've lost. This resource allocation is just to make sure that Sol doesn't end up on that list as well."
That explanation helped to ease B'elanna's confusion, but only a little bit. "But what of the numerous defense platforms scattered throughout the system? Or of the constant traffic of vessels in and out of Utopia Planitia?"
"B'elanna, most of those defense platforms are so out of shape I doubt that they would do much good. And true, there are a number of vessels at Utopia Planitia, but for the most part they are there for repairs or refits. How much good would a fleet of battered and bruised vessels be against a pristine fleet of Romulan warbirds?"
Sitting forward in her chair B'elanna went over all the information in her head. It made sense, in a way. Even with all that B'elanna still wasn't satisfied with the reasons. "Are you sure it's necesary Worf?" she asked a touch reluctantly.
"Honestly I don't know if it's necessary or not, but I will not let the Romulans surprise us if they choose to attack Sol. The system is just too vital to the Alliance to take a risk like that."
"All right," she finally conceded, "what exactly would this 'allocation' entail?"
"For the most part just newer and better models of what you already have. A fresh supply of defense platforms will be brought in from the Chin'toka system and more vessels from the shipyards at Dotalar III will be brought in to help defend the system's borders."
Something in that response hit B'elanna instantly and harshly. "You want to put Cardassian defense platforms in the Sol system?" she pointedly asked.
"Those defense platforms have proven quite useful in the past and I'm not about to let them go unused just because I don't personally like Cardassians. Besides B'elanna, they are our ally against the Romulans."
She couldn't help but to wonder at what would happen once the Romulans no longer posed a threat. What would the Cardassians do then if they didn't need the Klingon Empire for their survival? That however was a bridge far off, and as such would be ignored until a later time. Besides, first they had to get rid of the Romulans, which was proving to be quite a troublesome task.
The two sat there silently for a short while before B'elanna decided that she needed to add one last thing. "Your right Worf, Sol is a very important system and it could use any help in defense that you can provide. I'm sorry for reacting the way I did."
Worf displayed a friendly smile as he placed his hand on B'elanna's leg. "You were only voicing your concern about what you thought was right for your troops and what they occupy. It's a mark of a good leader B'elanna and you shouldn't feel any regret for displaying it. It's also one of the reasons why I chose you to govern Sol. Believe me when I say this B'elanna, but I think there is no one I trust more than you to control the most precious of Alliance assets."
As Worf's words hit B'elanna she felt a sudden surge of joy fill her. True she had always known how Worf felt about her, but that knowledge did nothing to lessen his words impact. Sometimes knowing how someone felt just didn't effect someone as much as hearing the words come from their lips. At that moment B'elanna couldn't help but to return Worf's smile with one of her own.
The two sat there doing nothing but taking pleasure in each others company for awhile. Concern for the upcoming conference still loomed thick in the air and yet not a trace of that concern showed up on either of their faces. Any negative thoughts or feelings they might have had at the conversations start had suddenly dissappeared and been replaced by an understanding that nothing could bring them down so long as their friendship stayed true. For them it had become a silent, perfect moment. One in which they would have liked to stay in forever.
Forever did not last though, as no thing truly ever does. Just as the pair had once more begun to relax in their respective chairs a force shook the ship from underneath them. The lax expressions on their faces jolted to confusion, then a touch of panic made itself present as a second force rippled its way through the ship. Glancing at each other one thought came to both their minds yet neither of them were willing to say it for fear that their words would give truth to what was going on. But as a third forceful wave made its way through the ship they realized they could no longer ignore the attacking threat. "Romulans!" they said in unison before scrambling from their chairs and out of the room.
The following moments were filled with equal tension coming from both Worf and B'elanna. As they made their way towards the Negh'Var's bridge only the slight humming of the turbolift was present in the near silent air. B'elanna began to pace, as much as one could pace in the cramped turbolift carriage, all the while Worf did nothing but stare at her. True Worf felt just as nervous as B'elanna about the situation, but he wasn't known to outwardly show any such feelings. Being the leader of the entire Alliance left him no leeway to show them either. No matter his thoughts, no matter his feelings, Worf knew that a leader must always have an air of calm and defiance for his subordinates to follow or else there was no real reason at all for them to put their faith in his hands.
The turbolift crept its way towards command. Or at least it felt like it was creeping to B'elanna. They never seemed to go the speed you wanted them to, even if that speed was constant. What the turbolift lacked her mind made up for as it raced through the present situation. More and more waves rippled through the ship during their trip which translated into more and more weapons impacting along the Negh'Var's hull. A Romulan attack on an Alliance vessel surely was nothing out of the ordinary during the war, but a surprise attack on the Regent's flagship? Neither the Romulans nor the Terrans had ever made such a bold move, which forced B'elanna to ask why they would now. Questions were short-lived though as the turbolift finally slowed and opened upon arrival of their important destination.
"Status report!" Worf shouted as the two made their way off of the turbolift.
"Sir," a young lieutenant said as he snapped in attention. Worf gave a low grumble to show how displeased he was that so much attention was given to him just for arriving when he was needed. Picking up on the Regent's dissatisfaction the lieutenant jumped back to his original presence and proceeded to read off the damage. "Shields are down to thirty-two percent sir. Minor damage reported to navigation and ablative armor."
With a slight nod Worf showed his approval at the way his mighty vessel had held up thus far. The Negh'Var certainly was built for battle. It was unfortunate that it saw combat so rarely because of its status in the fleet. "How are our escorts faring?" he asked suddenly reminded of the four K'Vort class cruisers that were escorting the Negh'Var to Narendra III.
"The Tu'Kreh has been destroyed sir. I'm also getting a report from the Gre'lk that they have taken heavy damage to engines and shields. Our other two escorts, the Jourq and the Orin'Ma appear to have only minor damage."
Worf rubbed his beard as he sat down in the captain's chair. What he needed now was options. While confidence flecked its way across his face doubt rested itself deep in his mind. True he was sitting in the Negh'var, only the toughest ship ever to be built by the Klingon empire, yet it would still be hard for them along with three battered K'Vort class cruisers to fight back this threat. Placing his gaze on a small armside status screen he took a silent breath as four separate Romulan signatures moved around the Klingon fleet. Four against four made them even in numbers, though the small bird-of-prey vessels remained largely outclassed by the Romulan titans, tipping the balance in favor of the their green blooded foe. Somehow though a victory was in need of being achieved. After all if the flagship of the entire Alliance was to lose a conflict then what hope was there for any other Alliance vessel?
B'elanna finally made her presence known as she stood beside Worf. "Do you have a plan of attack Worf?" she asked, walking a thin line between shameful insubordination and desperate concern.
A near silent grumble from Worf told B'elanna that he wasn't sure yet and pressing the issue wouldn't help matters. In his mind he feverishly worked out a winning strategy that could be accomplished both with what he had and what he was up against. Another weapons impact on the Negh'Var signaled that the Romulans would not wait out for a response. Finally he decided on a course of action. "Tell the three bird-of-preys to follow our lead and lock phasers on the nearest Romulan vessel." Worf ordered pointedly.
"Aye sir," was the tactical officer's only response.
Thankful for being able to retaliate the Negh'Var fired blast after blast of phaser fire on the lead attacker. The shots appeared to be almost blindly fired as they impacted all over the warbird. In a near mocking fashion the warbird's shields shimmered their translucent defiance. Just as the warbird was about to fire once more at the Negh'Var the trio of K'Vort cruisers made their presence known, soaring out from behind their flagship and opening fire on the vessel of their foe.
The view screen filled up with the image of the warbird come under fire and Worf watched on with his usual stoic looking face. All four Klingon vessels pounded on their sole target for several minutes before the vessel's shields shimmered for the last time and dimmed into nothingness. "Launch everything we have at the warbird!" Worf exclaimed, hoping to quickly finish of the target and move onto the next.
A death bringing wave of weapons fire was hurtled towards the Klingon's shieldless foe. Without its protective encasing the warbird was open to the array of photon and phaser fire that was sent at it. From all over the vessel fires erupted from impact points and the Romulan ship began to shudder under the magnitude of the bombardment. It was only a few short seconds later that the Romulan craft could no longer withstand the assault and exploded in a flash of brilliance.
Tension on the Negh'Var's bridge lessened and a brief feeling of joy could be felt coming from the present officers. With three hostiles still remaining that ease was very short-lived as the crew focused back on the task of sending the remaining three Romulan warbirds to join their fallen sister.
"Set course for the second vessel and fire all forward weapons the moment we're in range," Worf ordered. Without any noticeable hesitation the bridge officers followed those orders and the Negh'Var lurched away from where it had sat.
If a ship could have felt emotions then the Negh'Var would have surely felt excitement as it headed towards its next target. At near full impulse it sped with the three remaining bird-of-preys in tow. As it approached the burning remnants of what had once defied it the Negh'Var began a barrel starboard roll with a near swan-like grace. Once it had passed the warbird remains the four vessel formation went into a steady dive towards the next to feel their wrath.
The moment the Negh'Var got within range it did exactly what Worf had requested, and it did so with a vigor all its own. Downward it spiraled all the while never relenting in its barrage of fire. Unlike the previous Romulan vessel this one's protective shielding barely lasted against the Klingon fire. As the Negh'Var closed in on the warbird it refused to give even a moments breath to the ailing vessel. This continued up until the last moment before the two vessels impacted when suddenly the mighty Klingon flagship veered off, just barely avoiding a collision. As the Negh'Var removed itself from the warbird's crosshairs the beaten Romulan ship suddenly opened fire at the three K'Vort cruisers. Disruptor fire shot towards the nearest of the three, the Jourq, and punched several large holes into the small cruiser's wings. Unable to keep flight the small ship flew out of control before colliding into the forward sections of its killer. A second later the entire scene lit up as the Jourq's collision rippled through the Romulan vessel, destroying it in a matter of heartbeats.
B'elanna made a nearly inaudible gasp as she witnessed the Jourq's end. A few other officers shared the expression, but most of them ignored it for the moment so as to focus all their attention on the remaining two warbirds. Worf was part of the latter. With two vessels destroyed and a third one very nearly crippled he had to devise some strategy in taking down their remaining two foes, and quickly.
As the Klingon force paused in their movements the bulky Romulan vessels took up attack positions on either side of them. Going over a quick review of battle strategies in his mind Worf tried to come up with the best plan of attack. While most remembered commanders and their strategies went into legendary status that honor had never been bestowed upon him. Being the vaunted Regent and leader of the entire Alliance greatness was expected of him. So when his greatness had the chance to really shine through it was either ignored or just regarded as commonplace for him.
Blast after blast struck the mighty Negh'Var, making every bulkhead quake under the force of impact. Worf knew that a quick and decisive victory was needed if any of the remaining Klingon vessels were to survive this encounter. Finally inspiration struck him as he believed he had found a weakpoint in the warbird's design. "Order the other two vessels to focus all of their weapon's fire on the connectors between the forward section and the rest of the vessel."
"Sir?" the tactical officer asked a bit confused.
"It's simple. We're going to cut that bothersome bird's head clean off," the Regent replied with a grin.
B'elanna took a quick glance over at her friend and thought for a moment about the euphemism he had just used. Inwardly she broke through the worry and confusion and let herself smile for but a moment. After all the years she had known Worf he still managed to bring a touch of joyful surprise into her life from time to time. For that reason alone made her cherish the bond that they shared.
With a K'Vort cruiser on either side the Negh'Var made its way towards the Romulan foe directly ahead. Almost immediately it opened fire on the warbird, striking it head on. Mockingly its shimmering shields absorbed what it could of the incoming assault. In retaliation the Romulan vessels sent an onslaught of its own in the Negh'Var's path. Unlike its Romulan counterpart the Klingon flagship had already lost its protective barrier. Torpedoes and disruptor fire rocked the vessels back and forth, punching holes where ever it could.
"Sir, we're taking heavy damage!" someone shouted over an exploding console. "I recommend we break off our assault!"
"No, continue with the attack!" Worf commanded as he tightened his fists. "If this is to work then we need to have those shields down so the K'Vort's can attack it full on."
A steady hand was placed on Worf's shoulder as B'elanna stared at the screen with a typical Klingon lust for combat. In her field of view she could see several bulkheads collapse and small fires ignite all around the bridge. On the screen their target sat, desperately hurtling its armament in the hope of destroying the Negh'Var and those who commanded her.
As the two mighty vessels approached both each other and death itself neither of them gave any inclination of giving up. After a final shimmer the Romulan shields gave way, opening it up to a full-on attack. Without a heartbeat of hesitation the K'Vort vessels of the Gre'lk and Orin'Ma sped ahead of their mighty leader and began an assault run of their own.
The two small Klingon cruisers began to feverishly zip around their target, striking it as hard and as often as possible. Nearly oblivious to the onslaught delivered by the bird-of-prey vessels the warbird continued to direct its focus on the still approaching Negh'Var as though the flagship's destruction was their only hope for survival. As the moments ticked by however it became painfully apparent to the Romulan crew of just how devastating the K'Vort attacks were.
Sitting up and nearly on the edge of his chair Worf stared at the scene as it unfolded before him. A smile came to him as he witnessed the ferocity of the attack by his two subordinate vessels. Already he noticed tears forming and plating beginning to buckle where weapons fire had impacted. Mixed in was the still constant wave being shot from the Negh'Var, which also impacted all over the warbirds forward sections. Worf knew that the defeat of this foe was soon to pass, then only one vessel would be left to stand in their way.
In a daring last effort the mighty Romulan vessel went into a sharp roll, hoping to deflect any incoming fire and shake loose the pests that continued to plague it. Unfortunately for the Romulans will alone would not save them as a final explosion tore loose the bird's head. Seconds later weapons impact from the Negh'Var turned that forward section into a lighted brilliance and a floating sea of dust, leaving only the burning hulk of the warbird's aft sections to continue to roll as fire covered its metal-plated surface.
As the fiery warbird remnants drifted downwards the mighty Negh'Var flew undauntingly above. With the two K'Vort vessels back in formation all three vessels pulled a full u-turn loop as they set course for the final enemy to stand against them.
"Full speed ahead helm!" Worf barked. "And I want everything we have to tossed at that pitiful pa'tahq the moment you get a firing solution!"
With still quite a distance between the two warrior vessels the Romulan warbird did nothing but sit there motionless and seemingly fearless. Not a single shot had been fired since the Negh'Var had exited the warbird's firing range, and strangely it had made no sort of movement following that. Soldier's instinct would have made you believe that once the warbird could no longer attack then it would have moved to do so once more. That or at least make some attempt to come and try to aid its outnumbered and ailing sister vessel. However neither of these were the case and as to a reason why eluded everyone's mind that wasn't Romulan.
As the gap shrank everyone's tension on the Negh'Var's bridge grew ten-fold. They still hadn't reached firing range for their weapons and yet every crewmember present acted as though they had. A disturbing silence ensued with everyone's eyes focused on the view screen and their being focused on what they were about to do. Already they had stared down three Romulan warbirds and had managed to keep on going, but not without a noticeable price. Horrible scarring could be seen all over the Negh'Var's shell as a result from the disruptor and torpedo hits they had sustained from the other three enemy vessels. Though the ship may have been bruised the spirit of her crew had not been. That and that alone was about to determine whether or not they would win the day.
A few more seconds was all that was allowed for the battle's brief calm before chaos once more regained its grip on the situation. Nearly surprising was that the warbird was the first to break that calm as it hurtled several glowing photon torpedoes towards the group of Klingon vessels. Before the Romulan torpedoes were even given a chance to hit their respective targets the Negh'Var retaliated with a volley of its own. Breaths were held as the torpedo forces passed each other in the black void of space before finally reaching their destinations in fiery collisions.
A forceful tremble was felt in the flagship's bridge as the torpedoes struck. Off to Worf's left a computer display exploded, sending the soldier who watched it sprawling onto the floor. The Regent gripped the sides of his chair while B'elanna rushed over to check on the fallen officer.
"He's dead," B'elanna shouted as some metallic plating came flying loose, landing near inches from her.
"Keep firing!" was all that Worf would say.
Having still not moved from its location the warbird continued its torpedo assault, firing volley after volley at the small attack force. Not yet in range of phasers the Negh'Var along with the Orin'Ma and Gre'lk continued to fire torpedoes of their own, desperate to fight back this one last foe.
For one of those vessels that fight came to a swift end as two of the Romulan sent torpedoes collided into the forward sections of the already ailing Gre'lk. Upon impact the small Klingon vessel erupted into a fireball which only burned bright enough for others to take notice before disappearing nearly as quickly as it had ignited.
Unphased by the loss of one of their fellow vessels the remaining two continued at full speed towards those that ended the lives of the brave and loyal Klingon soldiers that had crewed the Gre'lk. Finally within phaser range both the mighty Negh'Var and the small Orin'Ma added a deadly mix of phaser fire in with its already fierce torpedo filled assault. Unable to withstand the now more powerful onslaught the warbird's shields shimmered for only a second more before fading, leaving the warbird open to the Klingons final attack.
Feeling suddenly vulnerable the Romulans attacked with a new vigor as well. Both phaser and torpedo fire was hurtled back and forth in the space turned battlefield. The two opposing forces seemed evenly matched and the battle appeared on the verge of stalemate until the Romulan attack became suddenly focused. With a new objective in mind the Romulan disruptor fire was turned onto the small K'Vort vessel of the Orin'Ma. As it struck, both of the bird-of-prey's wings came under assault. Acting as a deadly energy made knife the disruptor fire sliced through the fierce little vessel's wings, tearing them off of the vessel's main sections. The bulk of the Orin'Ma sat there suddenly, helplessly still until a few guided Romulan torpedoes smashed into it, sending the Negh'Var's final escort into oblivion.
As the last of the bird-of-prey vessels winked out of existence a small amount of grief was felt in the heart of each of the Negh'Var's crew. They had lost so many comrades that death had become an unsettling commonplace for each of them. Still throughout it all no death was felt less by them. And if any had then their very being would be lost, and with their being any hope that they might have along with a real reason for fighting and dying in order to drive back the night and claim victory over the Romulans.
Though grief touched each of their hearts that grief wasn't allowed to make them even think of relenting in their assault of the final enemy warbird. Something new coursed through their veins and was made apparent by their actions. It seemed almost like anger, or hatred, that now drove them towards the destiny. Having fought as long as each of them had though there was little room for that anger any more. No, something different, something almost intangible, was felt in each of them now. That new something was difficult to put into any sort of words but it felt almost like determination. Determination for stopping these Romulans from taking any more Alliance lives. For ending this war once and for all.
The Negh'Var, refusing in itself to cease its attack, sped forward as fast as her engines would allow towards the menacing Romulan vessel. In the midst of the Orin'Ma's destruction and all the other chaos both vessels had continued to fire upon each other with deadly fierceness. With the passing of each moment more damage was inflicted to both vessels and more debris was blown clear to litter the surrounding space. While at this confrontations start the Negh'Var had been the more wounded of the two the Romulan warbird's damage had quickly increased to match, thanks in part to the two ill-fated K'Vort vessels.
Nearly even matched in conditions another stalemate seemed to be approaching the two combatants. Unwilling to accept such a fate the Romulan's disruptors once more took on a will of their own and guided themselves to a soft spot of their oncoming foe. Precision accuracy led those disruptor charged blasts to the flagship's starboard nacelle, which was shredded to pieces upon impact with the weapons fire.
"Sir, we've lost all function in our starboard nacelle! Thrusters are at reduced power and we're leaking warp plasma!" an officer shouted out the grim sounding status report.
"Continue our course helm!" Worf shouted in response. "Nothing will stand in our way of destroying those green blooded pa'tahqs save for death itself!"
Ignoring its wounds the Alliance flagship continued towards the Romulan warbird, though at an understandably slower speed. While its speed may have decreased the power behind its attack had not wavered in the slightest. Spewing superheated green plasma behind it in a magnificent trail continued on the Negh'Var all the while launching every weapon it had at its foe. Soon the warbird's outer hull was pockmarked from the multiple impacts from the Klingon weapons. With so much visible damage a logical mind would have believed the Romulan vessel to be in at least some weakened state, yet it gave no such sign of any diminished state. It was as though everything the Klingons threw at it was mocked at and did little more then cosmetic scarring to the vessel's hull.
Irritation and annoyance surged through Worf as he looked at the enemy vessel on the view screen. They were using everything they had and still barely any damage had been affected to it. Meanwhile chunk after chunk was being blown off of the Negh'Var, not to mention the situation with the nacelle. Worf knew that he had to pull a targ out of his hat in order to win this battle. Otherwise the Romulans could claim the biggest victory of the war; the Regent and his ship's destruction.
Blast after blast impacted the Klingon flagship, sending a numbing quake through the vessel's bulkheads with each impact. B'elanna knew that their doom was impending and unless something was done quickly that doom would come knocking on their door. From the tactical station her gaze raced around the room, hoping that someone would quickly think of a solution to their problem. Before focusing back on the console before her she took one fleeting look at the station's former commander as he lay dead at her feet. Though death had become a common thing to see it still didn't help to hold down the bile she felt in her throat.
Suddenly inspiration struck the stoic Regent. Quickly he looked over the Romulan's ship design and did a mental calculation. A weak but still present grin appeared on his face. It would be a risk, and they might die in the process, but it would destroy the Romulans as well. Besides, what other choice did they have?
"I want you to target the warbird's starboard nacelle with everything we've got!" Worf ordered, borrowing a page from the Romulans battle tactics. "I want to see that nacelle spread out across the entire sector."
The near random firing pattern from the Negh'Var abruptly ceased as B'elanna targeted every photon launcher and phaser array to unleash its payload on the Romulan's precious nacelle. Seconds later a volley of photon torpedoes smashed into the nacelle's outer casing, breaking it open like a fragile Tarkellin egg. Matching the Negh'Var was the warbird's now plasma bleeding wound. With a barely function nacelle of its own the warbird was now on even ground with its Klingon counterpart. Even ground wasn't enough though. No, Worf refused to halt until one of them was sent to a fiery death.
"Continue firing B'elanna!" Worf shouted over an explosion. "I want you to tear that entire section of the warbird apart!"
As their photon launchers were being reloaded B'elanna used the phasers in the same scalpel technique that the K'Vort vessels had used earlier. With her well-trained precision firing she began to cut away at the battered hull around the warbird's nearly dead engine. Being a blunt weapon the torpedoes had literally smashed the surrounding sections to pieces. Now with the phasers B'elanna was doing her best to cut away the twisted metallic excess. For what purpose she wasn't sure yet but Worf had a plan in mind, and she wasn't about to let her friend down when she was needed most.
Worf brought his hands together underneath his chin as he surveyed B'elanna's work. A small smile flashed briefly on his face as he realized that his plan might actually work. The way the Romulans had designed the D'Deridex class warbird made it a nearly unbreakable wall. Indeed that wall was strong but like an egg it was only a shell, a small part of the larger thing. If they could break open that shell then surely they would be able to reach that soft fragile inside and exploit it. That was Worf's plan, and if it were to fail then surely they would fail as well.
For not even a second did B'elanna cease in her phaser surgery of the warbird's wing. Having almost completely gotten rid of any remnants of the vessel's powerful nacelle she had begun to work on the metal plating that had at one time served to hold that nacelle in place. With reloaded torpedo tubes she had once more begun to launch the glowing spheres of death. Instead of helping in the phasers delicate operation she had turned their destruction towards the near pristine port side of the Romulan vessel. As before on the opposite side the photons beat and bludgeoned the warbird's port side, quickly scarring it.
Through all of the ensuing chaos the Negh'Var had dutifully remained on course. The distance between the vessels had nearly been crossed and the mighty Klingon vessel would soon be nose to nose with its aggressor. Though the Negh'Var was immense by any Alliance standards it was still outclassed by the even mightier warbirds that the Romulans so skillfully employed. If both vessels were to have been measured alongside each other than the warbird would easily outclass the Klingon vessel. It was nearly a third larger, which had helped in making it such a formidable vessel. Still though no Alliance vessel, especially not the one commanded by Regent Worf himself, was about to back down solely because of a size difference.
Once more a phaser blast struck the warbird's twisted metal plated wing before the wing itself nearly crumbled apart. With a now gaping hole left in place of the missing nacelle Worf's plan began to become apparent, if not quite understood. Using the space between the top and bottom sections already built into the warbird's design, coupled with the now widened space thanks to B'elanna's precision strikes Worf's plan involved taking the Negh'Var between the two sections and unleashing its payload on the vulnerable connector sections in between. Risky, yes. Suicide, perhaps. But it was one of those rare and brilliantly insane strategies that just had to be followed to fruition once conceived.
"Full speed helm; course oh-two-nine by four-three-six."
The helmsman spun around in his chair for a moment to stare at his leader in a wild mix of emotions. "Sir," he said with a touch of worry, "that will take us straight into the Romulan vessel."
"Not into it lieutenant but through it. I want you to fly this vessel in between the warbird's two main sections and back out again."
"That's suicide sir," the officer replied even more noticeably shaken.
With that comment Worf rose from his chair and walked over to the worried officer. The lieutenant began to flinch as he saw Worf raise his hand, afraid that his comments were about to be rewarded with a swift hit across the face. Instinctively he relaxed though as Worf's hand was laid not on his face but on his shoulder. Worf gave him a reassuring smile before speaking to the remaining bridge officers.
"Suicide? This course of action may very well lead us to our doom I'll admit but I believe it will work. Why do I believe this? Because this vessel is crewed by the finest group of Klingon soldiers in the entire Alliance, that's why! I have my doubts about this plan but what I don't doubt is that if there was one crew that could pull it off it would be this one. Whether we die today or not is not the issue. What is the issue is how we face this daunting task that has been set before us. We might die, but we will die as Klingons! We will die standing up to these green-blooded enemies of ours and we will die with the courage and honor that is sung of! So now I ask each of you to remember who we are not as individuals, but as a race. A race of soldiers who refuse to cower and hide under the heel of a Romulan boot. For this alone I feel that we must take this course. Because whether we see the days end or not I can guarantee that the Romulan pa'tahqs aboard that vessel will not. And that my brothers and sisters is truly why we are here. To stare this war in the face and say to it that we do not fear it. So I ask you to place faith in me and in each other so not a soul will fear of this a moment longer. Are you with me?"
Both physically and emotionally wounded the soldiers glanced at each and finally at Worf. "Of course we are with you Regent Worf!" B'elanna shouted with an eager Klingon smile. "To the bitter end we stand with you and with each other."
Staring at B'elanna for a moment Worf couldn't help but to feel a surge of both pride and joy for her. If he were to face oblivion then he was glad that she was there to face it with him. With that the officers, including the helmsman, focused back on their duties and on their destiny.
Nearly on top of each other the Romulans continued in their desperation to destroy the fierce flagship of the Alliance. Innumerable holes had been blown from the Negh'Var and as damaged as it was it was near miraculous to still be at such peak performance. Almost no inch of the flagship's skin had been spared any sign of damage and close to half of the vessel lay behind it in a trail of debris; and yet it pressed on. It seemed as though Worf's speech had affected not only the Negh'Var's crew but also the Negh'Var itself. The ship was ready to end this struggle, and end it swiftly.
Under the control of the lieutenant to which Worf had placed so much trust the Negh'Var made its final move. At a near surprising crawl it eased itself between the two metal plates. Once they were nearly halfway through Worf gave the long awaited order that he hoped would end this conflict and leave them victorious.
"Fire everything we have at the central connectors B'elanna. I want not a photon left or a phaser bank still with charge once we're through!"
Feverishly her hands worked as B'elanna set out to fulfill her companion's order. The first to be fired was a volley of torpedoes which struck all along the warbird's inside. Fires erupted from each impact and already the vessel was beginning to buckle under the strain delivered it by the Negh'Var's onslaught. With her precision phaser fire she targeted the main sections which connected both the top and lower halves of the mighty warbird. In a brilliant lighted dance the phaser fire weaved around the connection pylons, slicing them to pieces. Added the attack from the Negh'Var's phasers and the Romulan warbird could no longer stand strong against the Klingon fury.
Giving way to the fire the connectors began to collapse, bringing the top half down with it. Now was the critical make or break instant for the Negh'Var. The escape had to be timed just right or else the Romulan warbird would collapse onto them, destroying both vessels instantly. Worf along with several others held their breath and fixed their eyes on the view screen. From the screen's edge they could see the warbird as it began to become engulfed in flames.
Sweat beaded the helmsman's forehead and yet he remained as focused as ever. Several scraping and crunching sounds could be heard coming from outside of the ship and it sounded as though the entire universe was bearing down on them. In the midst of that they remained stable though, not willing to claim either victory or defeat until their fate was assured. Slowly a black and dotted sky replaced the weapon born flames until that sky was all that appeared on the screen. Excitement and joy at success could be felt emanating from each soldier present, and yet none made a verbal show of it. They all simply stood there and let the victory blanket over them.
Without warning one last wave rocked the half dead Negh'Var. That wave tossed them about and flung them several hundred meters from where they had been only seconds ago. The wave was one last blast from the Romulan vessel. A reminder of what they had just destroyed as the warbird faded into oblivion.
Picking himself up off of the floor Worf brushed himself off as he surveyed the smashed and devastated bridge. Though the Negh'Var had taken a beating her crew had held up fairly well considering. A sudden rustling from under a fallen bulkhead grabbed Worf's attention and as he removed it a wide grin was displayed on his face. Slowly he picked up the dirt and blood covered B'elanna who immediately smiled back at him. "We did it," she whispered weakly.
"You say that like there was any doubt," Worf replied with a most pleased smile. As he placed an arm around B'elanna he took one look into her auburn eyes before simply stating, "Now how about we take on a real challenge, the conference on Narendra III."