Chapter 1: Graduation by Fire
Kai was awoken by his alarm clock inside of his dorm room at Starfleet Academy. As he began to get ready for his day he thought back on how far he had come. Upon retrieving his digivice and being given a clean bill of health from the Titan's CMO, Kai had been taken to Earth where he was sent to an orphanage inside the City of Phoenix. As he learned about this new universe, he found himself coming to the conclusion that peace was going to end between the Federation and Klingons sooner or later. Seeing as how this universe was his new home, Kai decided that he wanted to protect it at all costs, he had already failed Impmon, he didn't want to fail the people who helped him here either.
Kai had quite the learning curve, something which his classmates at school were only too happy to remind him of, in spite of this Kai had adapted and quickly became the top student in his class and eventually would graduate High School 2 years early at the age of sixteen with scores good enough to male it into Starfleet Academy's Tactical and Command course. Saying goodbye to the friends he made at the orphanage, Kai arrived at Starfleet Academy on September 5th 2405 however due to an odd number of students he had his own dorm room. As he began his course work he set himself as a trailblazer for his class with many often asking him for help and wishing to befriend him as the years went by.
Now, the date is June 6th, 2409 aka Graduation Day for Kai and his class. In just a few hours they would be sent to ships in orbit and embark on the right of passage known as the training cruise. As Kai finished getting dressed, he looked in the mirror to comb his blonde hair downward, his hazel eyes stared into the mirror taking in the look of his cadet uniform blue with red trim and a combadge with the command insignia over his left chest along with a pair of black boots and four copper bars on his right neck marking him as a senior cadet at the academy. Kai briefly held his Crest of Darkness in his hands before putting it on and slipping it underneath his shirt before walking out of his dorm for the last time.
Walking out to the courtyard he smiled as his classmate and best friend ran up to greet him.
"Hey Kai, this is it huh?" a girl wearing a uniform just like his with brown hair and blue eyes asked
"Yep, graduation. Have you gotten your assignment yet, Elisa?" Kai asked
"You know it" Elisa chuckled "I was first in line this morning, by the way, there were some cadets that wanted to thank you for your help. Morren was the first"
"Guess I better go and talk to these guys on my way to the admin offices" Kai moved down to where a male cadet with yellow trim on his uniform was waiting
"Kai" he greeted "Thank you for helping me cram for that astrometrics final, I wouldn't have graduated without your help"
"Your too hard on yourself, you were already on the right track" Kai smiled
"Oh, T'vrell wanted to see you too if you had time"
"Sounds good" Kai nodded as he went to find the Vulcan, as he approached her she nodded, her uniform had dark blue trim
"Greetings, I wish to express gratitude" T'vrell began with a neutral face, being Vulcan she was a person of logic over emotion and made sure everything was to the point "I was willing to keep my grade in the linguistics final, but you saw that I was not at my best that day, following your recommendation I achieved a high enough score to be both a communications officer and a science officer" T'vrell spoke
"I'm glad you did so well" Kai replied with a nod
"I have been assigned as the communications officer aboard the U.S.S. Umbra for the training cruise, Live long and prosper Kai Eclipse" T'vrell left and Kai made his way into the administration building and approached Lieutenant Ferra who was a humanoid cat
"I'm here to receive my assignment, sir" Kai said
"Name?" the lieutenant replied
"Kai Eclipse"
"Hm, you'll need to speak to Captain Taggart, Mr. Eclipse"
"Is something wrong, sir?" Kai asked
"I'm afraid you'll have to ask the Captain" Ferra shrugged. Kai walked to the office door that Ferra had pointed out to him and rang the bell
"Come in" a voice from inside replied as Kai entered the office coming face to face with a man wearing a Starfleet Uniform with red trim, white shoulders and four golden bars on his right neck. "Ah, just the person I was waiting for. I am Captain Taggart of the U.S.S. Umbra. I've been following your progress here at the academy Cadet, I'm impressed"
"Thank you, sir" Kai replied
"That being said, I notice you haven't taken the advanced phaser training simulation yet."
"I know it's recommended for tactical students, sir. However I was focusing on other areas of study."
"Nevertheless, we need to fix that, I won't have anyone on my senior staff that hasn't completed the training."
"Senior staff, sir?" Kai asked in surprise
"Like I said" Captain Taggart smiled "I've kept track of your progress, and I think you would do fine on my bridge, but not before you pass that simulation, I'll have my tactical officer set it up now."
"Tactical officer, sir?"
"She's almost as impressive as you, although she has marks against her based on attitude I'm sure Ms. Flores will become a fine officer. She'll meet you in the courtyard and administer the test. Good luck, Cadet Eclipse"
"Thank you, sir" Kai nodded before leaving the office and making his way outside to where Elisa was waiting for him "I had a feeling you were the one Captian Taggart was talking about Elisa Flores" Kai chuckled
"I can't believe you haven't taken the advanced phaser training simulation, I thought you were Mr. extra credit." Elisa laughed
"I was doing other things"
"Well follow me and we'll fix that" Elisa led Kai over to the main building of the campus "You'll find a phaser in the weapons lockers, head to holodeck 2 for the assessment, good luck friend"
"Thanks" Kai said as he went to the weapons locker and grabbed a phaser, activating it as he entered holodeck 2, he took a deep breath and smiled "Computer, begin simulation" the simulation began as the holodeck materialized a Klingon command deck around Kai, the Child of Darkness moved swiftly down the hallway and crouched as the door to the Klingon bridge opened, aiming quickly Kai fired and took down the first Klingon before rolling into the room as disruptor fire hit the spot he was just a moment ago, he maneuvered and took down the remaining three Klingons without getting hit, as soon as the enemies had been defeated he lowered his phaser, the door to the holodeck opened and Captain Taggart stepped in with Elisa by his side. "Computer, end program" Kai said causing the holodeck to revert to its normal state.
"Not bad Cadet, you won't break any records but you certainly passed the test. Welcome aboard the Umbra, you'll be serving as my First Officer during the training cruise. I'll see the two of you on the bridge" Captain Taggart said with a nod as he left
"First Officer" Elisa chuckled "I'm not surprised, you've practically been carrying our class to success since we started here"
"I hope I'm up to the challenge" Kai sighed
"You'll do wonderful, we should get up to the shuttle pads, the rest of the senior staff should be there and I'm sure it would be appropriate for you to lead a toast before the cruise begins." Elisa said as they walked towards the turbolift taking it up to the Shuttle pad, Kai and Elisa strode towards the bar where the rest of the senior staff was waiting. Kai picked up a glass and began to lead the toast
"We are the senior staff of the U.S.S. Umbra we will make this cruise a successful one, as the class of 2409 we stand as the best Starfleet Academy has to offer, and we will carry on the mission of Starfleet and the Federation, whether by defending the people in this time of war or by exploring as we were originally intended to do. To the class of 2409 and to Starfleet." Kai raised his glass prompting the others to do so, after the toast was finished they made their way to their shuttles and took off.
Above Earth, passing by Earth Spacedock
Kai and Elisa sat in the shuttle looking out the front window as the autopilot guided them towards their destination. Elisa pointed out a ship that was coming out of the dock.
"That's one that just came off the construction lines, crew of 750 multiple forward and aft weapons, and a quantum field focuser." As the shuttle goes by they approach a ship waiting in a drydock. "And there's the Umbra, Miranda class, maximum speed of warp 5, 200 crew, 2 fore weapons and an aft phaser array. I like it, it's old but it's tough."
"Looks like were the last shuttle" Kai commented "We better get to the bridge as soon as possible"
U.S.S. Umbra
After checking in with the deck officer, Elisa and Kai reached the bridge and reported to their stations.
"Good to see you, number one" Captain Taggart greeted Kai
"Number one, sir?"
"The first captain I served under as a First Officer called me that and I liked it. As my number one I expect you to carry out my orders and advise me on situations as they arise. Now, before we get underway we'll need to get clearance to depart and close the shuttlebay doors. Then, you'll need to disable the tractor moorings before the helm can take us out." Kai nodded as Captain Taggart finished talking
"T'vrell, get clearance to depart from Earth Spacedock" Kai instructed
"We are cleared, sir" T'vrell responded
"Elisa, close the shuttle bay doors"
"Aye, sir" Elisa answered as she shut the doors
"Potter, wait for me to disable the tractor moorings"
"Very good, number one" Captain Taggart praised as Kai disabled the moorings
"We are ready to depart, Captain" Kai reported
"Excellent, Potter take us out at one quarter impulse"
"Sir" Kai said "Might I remind you that protocol states to avoid using impulse until we are out of drydock?"
"Just making sure you were paying attention, number one" Captain Taggart chuckled "Potter, take us out maximum thrusters" Kai took his spot in the First Officer's chair next to Captain Taggart as they left drydock "I'm thinking we do something routine for this cruise" Captain Taggart said "Plot a course for Vulcan"
"Aye, sir" Potter replied as they went to warp speed
About twenty minutes into the flight T'vrell reported a distress signal.
"Put it through" Captain Taggart ordered
"This is the S.S. Break Even… our warp core is failing… comms are crippled… we need help" a voice said through interference
"Potter, alter course to the transmissions location"
"Yes, Captain, ETA 3 minutes"
"Captain" the cadet manning scanners began "I'm unable to pick up any energy signatures in vicinity of the Break Even."
"Comms are down as well" T'vrell reported
"Keep trying to hail them T'vrell" Captain Taggart ordered before turning to Kai "Number one, let's discuss the situation" they briefly walked into the ready room and spoke to each other
"Sir" Kai asked "Is this a test of some sort?"
"Not at all number one, this is the real deal and we are the only ship close enough to help them. What are your thoughts?"
"Well, a warp core malfunction shouldn't cause comms interference" Kai thought out loud
"Agreed, what do you suggest?" Captain Taggart asked
"We shouldn't jump to conclusions, but it would be unwise to rule anything out just yet. I recommend we move in to assist the Break Even with our shields raised and the crew at yellow alert"
"That does seem to be a reasonable precaution" Taggart mused
"Yes sir, it could be a trap" Kai replied
"Make it so" the captain ordered earning a nod from Kai as he left the ready room to instruct the crew
"Less than a minute out, sir" Potter reported
"Raise shields and take us in, yellow alert" Kai instructed as Captain Taggrt came out of the ready room
"I can handle things here number one, get down to the transporter room to assist survivors" Taggart instructed
"Aye, sir" Kai acknowledged as he strode to the turbolift and made his way down to the transporter deck. As the turbolift ran Kai used his combadge to contact the transporter room "Rraak, what's your status in evacuating the Break Even?"
"Working on it, there's some kind of interference making the transport difficult. This is much different than the simulations back at the academy. I'm getting a lock, transporting now. Oh no… Klingons!" Rraak shouted as disruptor fire was heard and the line went quiet
"Rraak!" Kai shouted "What's going on?" he received no response. Moments later the ship went to red alert as news of the Klingon assault on the Umbra reached the bridge.
"Number one" Captain Taggart spoke over Kai's combadge "Change of plans, use your security code as First Officer to open the rifle lockers and equip yourself and any other crewmen with phaser rifle training. I want these Klingons off my ship"
"Understood Captain" Kai replied as he ran down the hall to where the transporter deck armory was, he found a group of tactical and security officers waiting outside the room.
"Sir!" One of them shouted "We need to get these weapons, there's Klingons everywhere"
"Cover me" Kai ordered as he went up to the door and typed in his security code opening the door. The group rushed in after Kai and they all grabbed a phaser rifle and began to move out and battle the Klingon boarding parties.
Kai finished off the last of the Klingons on the deck as Captain Taggart contacted him again.
"Reports are coming in from all around the ship, we're pushing the Klingons back but that ship of theirs is giving us some trouble" Captain Taggart began "I need you to use whatever training you got at the academy to give us an edge"
"I'll get to the weapons bay and boost the power of phasers and torpedoes" Kai replied
"Very good, Number one. Captain Taggart out" Kai took the turbolift to deck 12 and fought his way to the weapons bay after a brief fight and help from some security officers Kai was able to complete his tasks as Taggart contacted him again "I need you back on the bridge, Number one. The Klingons could send another boarding party at any time.
"I'm on my way" Kai replied before rushing back to the turbolift and arriving on the bridge just as a Klingon abducted Captain Taggart and beamed out with him. Kai rolled to cover and defeated the remaining Klingons before rushing to revive Elisa and T'vrell, the other bridge officers had been killed in the attack. "I need a status report" Kai instructed as he struggled to regain control of himself, Elisa and T'vrell got to their stations quickly to learn the status of the ship and crew. Nobody had noticed an umbral energy radiating around Kai while he was upset, one which dissipated as he calmed down.
"All Klingons are off the ship, shields are back up, and weapons online" Elisa reported
"Hull integrity down to 75%, multiple casualties reported on all decks" T'vrell reported
"Most of our graduating class was on board this ship" Kai sighed
"How many of our friends died?" Elisa asked in horror as a beeping was heard from the communications console
"Sir" T'vrell said "We're being hailed by the Klingon ship, they've cloaked so we can't see them"
"Onscreen" Kai ordered as a Klingon appeared on the viewscreen of the bridge
"Greetings, I am Captain Kadek of the I.K.S. Chot. Surrender your ship and crew immediately"
"You're an idiot" Kai spat at the warrior
"Perhaps you're captain will change your mind"
"Captain Taggart?" Kai asked as Taggart was brought to the view screen
"Order your crew to surrender or I will destroy them. Do you want these children to die?" Kadek demanded of Taggart
"Number one," Taggart said, "You are the captain of Umbra now. Your orders are to lock onto my combadge and fire!" Captain Kadek cursed in Klingon and killed Captain Taggart with his dagger. Kai was stunned into silence as the channel was closed and the viewscreen went back to normal. First Impmon, then his friends who died and now Captain Taggart. Was he always going to fail? Would he ever be able to save others from death?
"I have a target lock, Captain" Elisa reported as tears streamed down her cheeks. Kai sighed and focused on saving his friends that were still alive as his sorrowful looked was replaced by an iron-clad resolve.
"Fire!" Kai ordered, a torpedo was launched from the Umbra that hit the cloaked Klingon ship, the Klingons suffered several more hits before they were able to rush away and reactivate their cloak.
"We've lost the signal Captain" T'vrell reported
"It will take some time for the Klingon's to be battle ready, I recommend we check in with the S.S. Break Even and help them while Zarva starts with repairs to the hull." Elisa said
"Let's do it" Kai nodded "T'vrell hail the Break Even" acknowledging Kai's order T'vrell established contact and put it through to the viewscreen.
"Well this is awkward" the Ferengi captain began "I apologize but they didn't give me a choice, they even caused severe damage to my engines to make the ploy look legitimate."
"Do you need assistance with repairs?" Kai asked
"If you have any plasma coils to spare we should be able to do the repairs ourselves, five or six of them would be enough" the Ferengi replied
"Eclipse to Engineering" Kai spoke over the ship's intercom
"Zarva here" the Umbra's Chief engineer responded
"Do we have any plasma coils to spare?"
"Yes sir, we have plenty of them"
"Take six of them to the nearest transporter so we can send them to the Break Even"
"Aye sir, Zarva out" Zarva replied before disconnecting the call, a few minutes later the transporter reported receiving the coils as Kai gave the order to beam them to the Break Even"
"Thanks" the Ferengi Captain said "And good luck with the Klingons, you'll need it"
"Well, at least they said thank you" Elisa sighed as the Break Even disconnected the call and went to warp.
"In their defense, that civilian freighter wouldn't have been able to survive a battle with a Klingon warship, hell it might not even survive a wing of birds-of-prey." Kai shrugged
"Zarva to the bridge" Zarva spoke over the intercom
"Go ahead" Kai replied
"We almost have hull repairs completed sir, but we need more material to work with"
"Captain" T'vrell spoke up "Sensors are back at full power and read that there are multiple derelict vessels here all of which have material and markings matching up with missing Starfleet vessels."
"I guess we weren't the only Federation ship to fall into this trap" Elisa said with a shiver
"I'll get us closer to the wreckage" Kai began as he went to the helm station and began operating the ship "Elisa be ready to beam salvageable material to the shuttle bay, Zarva send some of your crewmen to pick it up from shuttle bay, T'vrell find out what's jamming our long range communications."
"Aye sir" "Aye sir" all three of them replied as they cut the call and went about their orders. The Umbra approached the crash sites and used phasers to break down the derelict vessels so repairs could be made to the ship. As soon as repair teams got to work, T'vrell reported that sensors were picking up plasma leaks left by the I.K.S. Chot. Approaching the leaks, three Klingon birds-of-prey decloaked and fired on the Umbra, due to their shields being drained, the Klingons were destroyed in less than five minutes.
"Captain" T'vrell began "Sensors are picking up Klingon satellites, it's highly likely that these are what's jamming communications."
"Let's get into firing range and destroy them" Kai ordered, as they approached and fired upon the satellites, three more birds-of-prey decloaked and attacked them. Their shields were at full but Umbra was still able to destroy them fairly easily.
"Birds-of-prey are down, sir" Elisa confirmed
"Long range communications have been restored" T'vrell said
"Send out a distress call to any Starfleet ships in the sector" Kai ordered
"Aye, sir" T'vrell nodded
"Captain" Elisa said "The Chot is decloaking"
"Red Alert, battlestations!" Kai ordered, causing the alarms to sound off as Umbra and Chot approached firing range. The fight barely lasted a minute before the Chot recloaked. "I want to know the second that ship becomes visible!" Kai instructed
"Captain, sensors are picking up a Federation ship entering the system, identifications show that it is the U.S.S. Chimera" T'vrell reported
"Hail them"
"Aye, sir" as T'vrell contacted the Chimera the viewscreen showed a starship bridge with a Ferengi Captain wearing an identical uniform to the late Captain Taggart.
"This is Captain Nog of the U.S.S. Chimera, we have received your distress signal. Are you in need of assistance?" Captain Nog asked
"Yes sir" Kai nodded "We've been attacked by Klingons, We've destroyed several birds-of-prey but their warship is constantly shifting between attacking and remaining cloaked"
"A bold move for Klingons to set up an ambush this deep into Federation territory, we're nowhere near the frontlines" Captain Nog mused "Where is Captain Taggart, Cadet?"
"Killed by the Klingons, sir" Kai reported "His final order was to fire on the Klingon ship"
"Did you follow that order?"
"Without question"
"I take it that you are the acting Captain of the Umbra"
"Yes sir" Kai answered
"Captain" T'vrell said "The Chot has decloaked and is charging weapons"
"Red Alert!" Kai ordered once again
"We'll do this together, Cadet" Nog nodded as his own ship went to Red Alert and joined the Umbra in fighting the Klingon warship. After about ten minutes, the combined fire power of the Federation ships was enough to destroy the I.K.S. Chot.
Good work, Cadets" Captain Nog approved "Return to Earth Spacedock an-" Captain Nog was cut off as he received a report from his communications officer "Belay that order, Cadets. We've lost contact with the U.S.S. Khitomer, the Chimera and the Umbra will both go to find out what's going on. Cadet what's your name?"
"KaI Eclipse, sir" Kai replied
"Consider this a battlefield promotion for you and your senior staff. You are now Lieutenant Eclipse and your officers are now Ensigns. You are all to change into official uniforms and are to come with me to the Pollux System"
"Yes sir" Kai and his fellows on the bridge acknowledged the order.