Honour is a Harsh Mistress
"They are charging their weapons and raising their shields, also repeating their hail." Said the Klingon manning the weapons station on the dark angular bridge of the Klingon scout ship.
"They are freighters! Lock on and bring down their shields! Prepare boarding parties!" Shouted the Captain of the small B'rel class vessel.
These freighters have been eluding, tricking and do everything that they can to evade capture after the Klingon squadron of scout ships first attacked this convoy. 5 freighters verses 5 Birds of Prey, and after 3 hours only 2 of the freighters had been secured.
"Damn their worthless hides. Why do they always have to make everything so difficult. The longer we stay here the greater the chance of discovery." Bellowed the captain again as he hit the bottom of his parascope.
"We have entered weapons range." Said the weapons officer.
"Finally! Fire!"
Disrupter energy shot out of the cannons on the Bird of Preys wings and slammed mercilessly into the larger vessels shields.
"They are coming about, and firing." Said the Klingon seated ahead of the command chair at the helm station.
The Bird of Prey shook hard as the freighters weapons retaliated.
"Shields down 10 percent..." The Klingon ship shock again. "...19 percent."
"Ha. Looks like the War made men out of these mice."
"I have brought down their shields." Said the weapons officer.
"Transport the boarding party."
"Transport complete." Said the ops officer to the Captains left.
"They are forcing a comms channel." Said the communications officer to the captains right.
"This is Commander Jaro Tompkins. Commanding the Starfleet freighter `Labour Shortage`. We can not allow you to take our cargo. You have 10 seconds to withdraw your boarding teams."
The Klingon Captain could hear the sounds of phasers, disruptors and the grunts and clashing of metal in the background of the comms channel. The 8 Starfleet officers that crew Antares Class Freighters wouldn't be able to hold out very long against the dozen warriors that would be even now pushing into the bridge of the freighter.
The freighter exploded a few seconds later. The Klingon ship rocking hard when the shockwave smashed into its shields.
"What in Gre`thor just happened." Yelled the Klingon Captain again.
"A matter antimatter explosion. It appears that the Freighters commander activated the vessels self-destruct."
A loud bang from the weapons station drew the bridge crews attention. After reporting, the weapons officer had smashed in part of his console in a brief fit of anger.
"Ops, begin searching the debris for what we need. Damn them! They always have too make things difficult." Shouted the Captain again as his ship closed on the remains of the freighter.
/
"Are they done yet?"
"No."
"How about now?"
"No."
A brief pause.
"Are they done now?"
"Jolaw! Shut up! You can't piss him off."
"I can try Erick."
"The problem is that his not the only one in here." Yelled the Captain of the starship Devonport that at present was sitting outside Starbase 240 while teams of engineering and software specialists completed their 2 week long inspection of the ship after the damage sustained during her first few months of service. Of cause, as far as these teams were concerned the damage was a result of an encounter with a freak gravitational anomaly.
Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Jolaw, First Officer Commander Martin and Captain Erick Housen were sitting in the captains ready room, waiting for the inspection teams to finish briefing Admiral Hopkins before he would brief them.
The Door chimed.
"Maybe now."
"Enter."
The hatch opened with its characteristic whoosh revealing Admiral Hopkins, the commanding officer of Starbase 207. On this occasion however he had requested that the assessment of the Devonport be put in his hands. All three of the Devonports officers stood as the Admiral entered the room.
"Afternoon gentlemen. It's good to see you all again..." The Admiral gestured to the settee. The captain nodded and all 4 of them sat down. "...First off, the brief from the inspectors. All's well with the Devonport. They didn't find anything that goes convincingly against the story you gave them of freak gravitational anomalies damaging the ship. The Devonport will be sent back into service this afternoon, the Commander of 240 will be giving you your orders in the next hour or so. Now down to the real business of why I'm here..." Said the Admiral as he leaned forward on the settee. "...What did you find in that asteroid field and where have you really been for the past month?"
2 of the 3 officers shifted uneasily in there seats while the 3rd sat unmoved. Housen picked up a small pile of papers and pushed them across his desk towards the Admiral.
"This is an account of what happened. Its written from memory, so I haven't included many of the technical details where they usually would be, however it will effectively depict our actions and the events as we saw them." Said Housen.
"Has anyone else contributed to this report?"
"Commander Martin and Lieutenant Commander Jolaw." Answered the Captain.
"So the Asteroid field was a base for Section 31?"
"Yes sir."
"Very well." The Admiral stood and took the pile of papers from Housens desk, in its place he dropped a data pad. He then looked at the Captain with a quizzical expression while holding the pile of papers next too his face.
"All means of digitally recording the report failed. I guess Section 31 put something in the computer system to prevent any account being kept." Said Housen.
"Hmm. That is the final report given to me by the Inspection team. As I said your orders will be given to you in a few hours. Good day gentlemen." The Admiral then turned and left the Ready Room as the 3 officers stood.
"Short and sweet." Commented Jolaw.
"You take this..." Housen tossed the datapad the Admiral left at Jolaw. "...Give it too the cadet. She'll present a briefing on it to the senior staff. I'll have everyone meet in an hour. Dismissed."
The 2 officers left the room, Housen stood brushed his finger tips along the top edge of a picture frame on his desk and then walked out of his Ready Room and onto his bridge.
/
An hour later and all the Senior Officers of the Devonport were seated in the briefing room starring at the 18 year old that was wearing a cadets uniform, and standing at the head of the table near the main wall monitor. She'd been stood there starring back nervously for about 10 seconds.
"You may begin your brief cadet." Said Housen.
"Er...Yes Sir..." The Cadet tapped a few commands into her datapad and the wall monitor displayed a schematic for the Devonport with several areas highlighted green and a few highlighted yellow. She then gulped. "... although cleared for service the report delivered by the inspection teams have noted several areas of concern..." A few more taps and the image on the wall monitor zoomed in to display the warp nacelles. "...Although adequately repaired, the stresses placed on the Warp nacelles during our high speed flight from Batazed has left several of the Nacelle coils close to de-polarising. They should be able to function as required for our normal cruising speed, but it's recommended that they be replaced at our earliest convenience and when resources permit."
"I tried to tell you that would happen." Said Jolaw, interrupting the young cadet.
"It worked out for the best, I had crew missing. I think they should take priority. After some of the coils were fused I thought you repaired them all." Answered Housen.
"The coils in the forward section of the nacelles were fused due to the tear dropped shaped vessels weapon. The rest are due to the effects of high frequency plasma, that occurs during higher speed flight. All nacelles eventually reach their limit, we just pushed ours there faster. Devs not built for high speed warp flight remember." Answered Jolaw.
"When we find out what our orders will be we can determine the best time to preform the refit of the coils." Said Martin as he typed on his own datapad.
"Continue Cadet."
The cadet tapped in another command and the image changed to show the secondary shield generator.
"The Secondary Shield Generator is still configured to cover for the Primary. It'll need to be reconfigured to fulfil its purpose."
"My people are set to reconfigure the secondary in a few hours, its been low on our list of priorities since we left Cardassian space, and I wanted to make sure the new primary was up to standards first." Said Yota.
"Understood. How's the new primary?" Asked Housen.
"Diagnostics are fine and I field tested it a few days ago. It'll do until I can set it up how I like it."
"Good. Continue."
The cadet tapped in a few more commands into her datapad and the image changed to show the entire ship with several forward sections in the primary and secondary hulls highlighted.
"These areas showed signs of warping, the damage isn't consistent with gravitation distortion. That's why they've been highlighted. The new panels are in place and the engineers at 207 have asked that we keep an eye on these areas to see if our warp field geometry maybe causing the damage." Said the Cadet.
"Jolaw?" Asked Housen.
"It was radiation damage caused by the particle beam. I'll keep an eye on it though. Give the boys at 207 something to read." Answered Jolaw.
"Ok. Cadet?"
"That's all Sir."
"Good. A fair brief cadet. You're dismissed."
"Thank you sir." The cadet walked out of the briefing room, heaving a large sigh as the doors closed behind her.
"She did quite well I thought." Said Debra after the doors had closed.
"She's your cadet." Commented Law.
"No. She did well, Anyway..." Housen lift up his own pad and cleared the screen behind him. "...Just before this meeting I received our new orders..." He manipulated the pad and the image of a space station appeared. It resembled the Buckingham class station, but larger and underneath the bulbous command and crew living areas was a large cylindrical structure with docking ports for at least 12 heavy freighters and 4 for larger vessels the size of the Devonport, maybe larger.
"This is the Buckingham MSCP class station. The acronym stands for Major Space Control Port. She's designed to fill in the gaps in areas where colonisation of planets isn't an option." Said Housen.
"I take it this design is to replace the Vanguard Class Station." Asked Scot.
"Correct. Although proven and reliable. That space frame is reaching the limit of what simply upgrading can achieve." Answered Housen.
"A Pity. Fine craft the Vanguards." Added Scot.
"Where are we building it?" Asked Law.
"Near Lambda Hydrae. Just outside the Neutral Zone." Said Housen.
"That's along the Klingon and Romulan Borders. Unclaimed territory, and a week away from here clear across the Federation, assuming we don't stop for sighting seeing." Said Law.
"Yep. We are enjoying good relations with both powers and they are on the best terms they've ever been on for nearly 100 years. This outpost is suppose to further trade and help foster better relations between us and them. The area is also to remain officially unclaimed, although all 3 powers will now maintain a presence, the diplomats are working out the finer details of this shared jurisdiction. Although it's already been decided that Starfleet will build and provide the support mechanisms for the ships that will be stations there."
"I take it that nothing top notch is being put into this station? Being so close too and allowing free reign to Romulan and Klingon military officers." Asked Paytec.
"Wrong. This is destined to be a showcase for Starfleet R&D. It'll have the best defences, the best sensors, best freight facilities, the best everything. It's suppose to be an olive branch of trust and a symbol of the Federations commitment to the alliance." Said Housen as he passed the pad containing the specifications down the table to Scot.
"When will the core components arrive?" Asked Scot as he started reading the pad.
"They're already on route. A freighter convoy will rendezvous with us at Lambda Hydrae. One of them will be carrying the core computer, sensor and weapon control components from Earth. Law, set course for Lambda Hydrae, and unless anyone has anything to add you're all dismissed."
Everyone stood and left the briefing room to see to their duties and make ready for departure.
The Devonports first real mission with no spy crap to clog up my day. About bloody time. Housen thought to himself before exiting the briefing room himself and heading for the bridge.
/
"You summoned me here Chancellor. What is it..?" Demanded Captain Klag. Captain of the Qang Class Heavy Cruiser IKS Gorkon. "...Being dragged from the Kovrot Sector and righteous battle without a reason doesn't sit well with me or my warriors."
It was just Klag and Chancellor Martok in the Council chambers of the Klingon first city. Martok reached up and unclasped a medallion attached to the front of his armour, stood and started walking slowly towards the Captain of one of his warships.
"You think I would call you here on a whim..!" Bellowed the leader of the Klingon people. "You think I would call you from your just campaigns to further the reach of our empire simply to annoy one of the Order of the Bat`leth..!" Martok was now only a few feet from Klag, holding the medallion that signified his place as head of the Order of the Bat`leth in his right fist. "You think as I do, that simple battle and war does not bring honour all by itself. Honour comes from within, displayed for all too see in every aspect of our lives though our actions. Battle is just the easiest way to show our people the way that we should act honourably through every aspect of Klingon life. I have brought you back to Qo`nos to show cowards and traitors to honour, the true meaning of that word. Have I chosen my Champion poorly?" Finished the Chancellor. His voice mellowed to a loud grumble as he spoke. Klag reached to his fathers arm that had been surgical grafted too his body after losing his own during the Dominion War, the arm was a symbol of his love for his father, an effort to bring further honour too him, as well as Klags own forward thinking. On that arm was attached the same medallion that Martok was holding.
"You have not chosen poorly my Chancellor. However I want to know why I am here? My warriors feel that they have been singled out, that being recalled is a slight to their honour. In the time it has taken to return to the homeworld I have had no answers for them. They deserve more." Responded Klag, not bowing or cowering before his leader. What Klingon would.
"Well said..." Martok replaced the medallion onto his chest and gripped his champions shoulders. "...Your warriors will soon have their answers. Your mission will see you flying into the space claimed by our allies. You have had contact with many of the men and women in Starfleet. You have even worked well beside those in the Romulan Empire. Both empires you will travel too." Martok turned and started to walk back towards his throne.
"What is my target?"
"Traitors and cowards. Those that think war is the only way to honour and glory, and will use dishonourable means to bring war about. A number of houses have taken what force they have and have moved to incite unrest and re-sore the seeds of war between us and the Romulans. They have stolen materials from the Federation and are using them to set up a base of operations somewhere along the Romulan side of our border. You will find them and bring them to justice."
"There is still grievance between us and the Romulans, these houses maybe seeking justice themselves." said Klag.
"One of my warriors is hiding amongst these dogs. They were weak and barely of any notice before the Dominion War. Through that war they gained power, now they seek more power and see the only route being through war. I will not have these dogs hiding and ambushing the peoples of our allies, no honour will ever come from that. Only disgrace for our entire race, one dishonourable Klingon dishonours us all."
"By your word Chancellor. I will depart immediately."
"Good. You will have no boundaries blocking your way. I will see to it that no General in the Defence Force will usurp the authority I'm bestowing to you. There will be no border that you can not cross. Remember however that you represent the Klingon people in your interactions. That is all I will say. Qa`pla."
"Qa`pla..." Klag smacked his right arm, activating his communicator. "...Klag to Gorkon. Bring me aboard." Klag disappeared in a red haze, leaving the Chancellor alone on his throne to wait for bureaucracy to catch him.
/
"This is worthless! I send you out to gather the best components in the quadrant and you return with scraps of rubbish!" Yelled a tall powerfully built Klingon woman who was standing beside a large plain metal table with some small pieces of what was once delicate equipment scattered on it.
"This was all that was left." Said the Klingon standing on the other side of the table. His tone milder but still harsh compared to when he was on the bridge of his bird of prey hunting for these components.
"Damn them! What of the other freighters?" Demanded the woman.
"Common building materials for space stations."
"At least we have something. The Federation will send another ship with these components, but now we'll be facing a starship. You're failure has made your task a lot more difficult. I need those components. We can't survive in Romulan controlled space for long without them." Finished the woman as she picked up one of the pieces of wreckage from the table and started adjusting it with a small, delicate tool she took from her belt.
The captain of the scout ship left the room.
/
"Captain. We're receiving a hail from Starfleet Command." Said Okuda after her console demanded her attention.
"Main Viewer."
A second later the star scape at warp was replaced by the Seal of the Federation, and then the head and shoulders of an Andorain woman wearing some sort of overalls, sporting admirals pips appeared.
"Hello Captain Housen. I'm Admiral Amel. Head of the SCE. I've just received word that the core components convey I sent has been intercepted." Said the Andorian woman, in a mild tone for her race.
"I'm sorry to hear that Admiral. If you have rough coordinates we can alter course and investigate."
"Negative Captain. The Devonport will continue on mission, I'm sure Scot can begin construction until replacement components arrive. Am I correct in assuming that the Devonport was assigned a fighter squadron when she set sail?"
"That's correct Admiral. The Watchful Dragons. It consists of 6 Peregrine Heavy Strike Fighter variants and a Cats Eye RSV." Answered the Captain.
"Good. That's what I thought. New orders for the squadron are being transmitted to you on a sub-channel. The squadron will investigate the scene, take any actions necessary to secure or destroy the hardware that was intercepted and then report back to command before rejoining you." Ordered the Admiral. Housen looked over at Okuda, she nodded, indicating that she was receiving the new orders.
"Very well Admiral. I'll brief Commander Tomoc immediately."
"Thank you Captain. Command out."
/
"Sounds simple enough Captain, but nothing in this brief tells me what opposition my squadron may be facing." Said Tomoc a few minutes later after he read through the briefing the Admiral forwarded.
"I noticed that too. Assuming a standard core components convoy, it'll be a fleet of 5 Antares Class freighters with the command vessel carrying the vital hardware. A single destroy type starship can take them in a straight fight with luck, but if a single assailant attacked them the freighters would scatter, go to ground, hide and then escape. A survivor of the convoy would have made contact with Command by now." Said Housen.
"Agreed. That means at least 5 hostile vessels attacked the convoy. It's the only way to account for the entire convoy being lost. Antares crews can find hiding places anywhere."
"That's what I was thinking. It would also have to be ships with a proper power base behind them. Raider groups don't have the numbers or suitable craft to go up against a Starfleet Freighter convoy. The Antares would pool their fire power against those types of assailants." Said Housen again, just before Tomoc could voice the thought himself.
I was just about too say that, what number am I thinking of?
"That narrows our list of assailants to the local space faring governments or one of the Interstellar powers." Voiced Tomoc.
"The convoy was travelling through the sector 157. Easy reach for both the Romulan and Klingon Empires. No known hostile systems are in that area."
"And the Cardassians, Talarians, Tzenkethi, and Ferengi would have to cut clear across the Federation to get to sector 157. If they did Starbase 157 would detect them. All the other powers are too far away to have reached that sector before the convoy passed through without prior knowledge of the convoy and the route."
"So it would appear that either the Klingons or the Romulans attacked our convoy." Agreed Housen.
"I'll take a mix of hardware. Although against anything other than a scouting fleet we'll be hard pressed." Said Tomoc.
"Proceed as you see is fit. The Devonport will wait for you at Lambda Hydrae. If you bring trouble, we'll be ready."
"Aye sir."
"You should stop by Security as well. If whoever, did manage to get their hands on the hardware there's no guaranty that it's still in space. If I stole something like this I'd want somewhere secure and fortified to run too."
"Agreed. Of course, I hope it won't come to requiring Yotas type of heavy ordnance."
"You and me both, not to mention whatever planets unfortunate enough to earn Yotas talents. Prep your squadron. We'll drop out of warp and launch when you're ready."
/
Tomoc could have just sent a request to the Devonports Security Chief and be certain that he'd get the equipment required in short order. However, Tomoc had yet to visit the Devonports security deck and thought it high time he at least viewed the area, even if he doesn't become familiar with it. Apart from the security personnel onboard no one ever really goes there. As the Turbolift came to a halt and the doors parted, Tomoc came to a halt mid-stride just before exiting the lift. The lift was lit normally like everywhere aboard, beyond in the alleyway leading into the security deck the lighting was dimmed. Tomoc found himself unsettled, he couldn't hear anything and with his naturally superior hearing that was saying something. He found the space beyond the turbolift extremely uninviting.
"Please exit the turbolift?" Said a male voice that Tomoc didn't recognise.
Tomoc couldn't see anyone. He took a few steps forward and allowed the lift to leave. Without the light being given off by the lights inside the turbolift, the alleyway ahead seemed to become degrees darker.
"I'm looking for Lieutenant Yota. The computer only told me he was on this deck."
"Yes sir. We'll escort you too him." Said a female voice this time.
A second later Tomoc became aware of movement to his side. He looked round and saw 2 starfleet security officers, one male and one female taking a step forward and now flanking him. There were no hidden recesses that they could have been hiding in, and the lighting was set for the absolute optimal visual acuity Tomoc realised, now that the light from the lift was gone. Yet his sight, and other senses didn't register the 2 people.
"Why are you armed Ensigns?" Said Tomoc.
"This is standard procedure when on the Devonports Security Deck. Under no circumstances is this deck to be unprotected." Said the male guard. Although obviously humanoid, Tomoc eyes were only just settling to the lighting and he couldn't yet determine his race.
"This deck does contain the Devonports arsenal, and tertiary system controls after all." Said the female. Tomoc was able to identify her as a Caitian. Her tail was waggling slight behind her knees. Tomocs eyes had finally adjusted after the few seconds of conversation with these security personnel and he looked back to the male. He was human. His races lack of any distinguishing physical characteristics, hiding his racial identity for a few moments. Tomoc could understand the Caitian getting close to him without noticing, but how did this human?
"If you'll follow Ensign Aker sir." Said the human. The Caitian, Ensign Aker, started walking down the corridor. Tomoc followed and the human brought up the rear.
"These precautions seem a bit over the top don't you think? Escorting a Starfleet Commander through his own base ship." Said Tomoc after a few seconds.
"Told you." Said the Caitian.
"That's understandable sir, and at first my colleague here agreed with your sentiments. However, I've been aboard a ship that has been boarded and seen first hand what happens to it's people when their defenders are over run." Said the Human. Tomoc noticed that his voice seemed to tighten as he spoke.
"From what I understand. Both Bulwark and the Captain have had similar experiences. They both petitioned Starfleet and the Devonport design team to include facilities to pro-actively combat boarding. Don't take it personally sir, but there have been instances in the past where officers and crew were manipulated and turned against their ship mates." Said the Caitian from up ahead.
"The Security Personnel are exempt?" Said Tomoc.
"No sir. Everyone is paired up. Only Bulwark and the senior command staff can walk these alleyways without a buddy, but from the moment they enter this deck they are monitored by the security sensor operators." Said the human this time.
"Is Bulwark a nickname for Lieutenant Yota? Where'd he earn it?"
"That's correct, although until now I don't think anyone outside of security has ever heard it. Well, maybe the Captain. He earned it at the academy when he took his advanced tactical training after transferring out of the command track. From what I hear his instructors referred to him as the human bulwark. He excelled at defensive exercises. Where he defended, every assault faltered and was then beaten back."
"I wasn't aware that the Captain or Yota were involved in any hostile boarding actions."
"We don't now about the Captains, it's classified, but Bulwark was near Batazed as a cadet during the war. The ship was boarded and he was taken prisoner and held on Batazed. He was freed by an attack from the Batazoids shortly afterwards. In the end he was the only survivor from his class, and from what I hear he fought at every major ground battle during the planets occupation." Said the Human. Tomoc had noticed by now that they were taking it in turns to speck to him. Akers tone was something that he would expect from a young officer, light, eager. The humans however was oddly cold for his age, which was probably the same as that of the Caitian.
"How long have you 2 been teamed up for?"
"Since we signed onboard. It's easier to detect major changes in character with those that you're familiar with. We've known each other most of our lives. Bulwark always picks officers in pairs that have known each other for ages. Helps since we'll be stuck with each other everyday until we sign off. Imaging being forced to spend nearly all day every day with a complete stranger. Although a great guy, Daves` quiet and makes friends slowly."
"Daves` your name?"
"Yes sir. Ensign David Tomworth."
"We're here sir." Said Ensign Aker as she stood beside a large holodeck hatch. She tapped in a few commands and when the hatch opened. Tomocs` world became enveloped in fire and noise.
Tomoc immediately recognised the Devonports main hanger bay, but unlike the orderly routine of flight specialists and engineers preforming the tasks that the myriad of different craft required. The scene that greeted Tomoc was one of complete chaos. Dozens of craft were laying around on the deck, most sitting at odd angles rather than on there landing sleds. Some were smoking haven recently been on fire, some were blasted open. He saw his own Ramoth half off its docking cradle, its bow buried several feet into the deck. The other fighters were covered in scorch marks.
He heard weapons fire. Not Starfleet Phaser Rifles, Tomoc was no expert in foreign weapons but they sounded almost like projectile cannons. Something that Tomoc had never heard before apart from in combat training and archaic human cinema.
Tomoc looked about to find some sign of Yota or his security personnel. After a few moments he heard a few shots from some hand phasers and turned in its direction. He saw 4 people spread out on the port side of the bay, their shots were coming fast now, barely a brake in firing. They were constantly moving before laying down more fire before moving off again. They weren't really aiming at their attackers, whoever they were.
"Will the simulation register us?" Shouted Tomoc over the continuous firing of phasers and mystery cannons.
"No sir. Only those teams in the holodeck at the start of the exercise will be recognised by the computer. Apart from being seen by our people you won't be able to influence anything." Said Tomworth.
Tomoc walked over to the starboard side of the bay. He wanted to know what simulated attackers were fighting against the security team. He didn't know of any civilisation with the technical means to breach the Devonports defences that fought with projectile weapons, apart from Starfleets retired TR117.
"WAAAHHHH!"
That shout was deafening. He cleared the last part of debris that use to be a nacelle from a warp tug and saw the invaders for the first time.
They were massive green skinned aliens at least 7 foot tall, huge bestial faces held massive jaws filled with fangs jutting up from their lower jaw and extended for at least 8 to 10 centimetres. They had a huge brow that almost covered 2 small red eyes. These creatures were massively muscular, and somehow their skin looked like tough leather, some had metal riveted onto themselves. They wielded giant crude looking axes in one hand and cannon shaped pistols in the other. Several had just leaped over the debris they were using for cover and were hit by retaliating phaser fire. It took several hits to bring one of these monsters down, and from what Tomoc could hear the phasers were set to their kill settings, vaporising fist sized chunks of tough flesh. After the 5 aliens fell, the phaser fire continued always hitting the left side of the invaders very loose formation. Tomoc realised that they were being driven to the forward starboard quarter of the hanger bay.
As the cannons and retaliating phasers continued too fire, Tomoc became aware of thunderous crashes coming from the starboard side of the bay. Part of the decking on that side was being forced upwards inch by inch as something horrendously powerful tried to smash its way through the deck. The deck finally gave in and a massive metal claw appeared out of the deck and started making the hole it created wider. A huge alien, significantly larger than any of the others, was slowly pulling itself onto the hanger deck from the deck below.
It stood at least 10 feet tall, and was wider than 2 of its subordinates. It's entire left arm was missing and replaced with a bionic limb that looked part industrial forklift, part hydraulic press that ended with a claw as large as Tomoc himself. Its right arm had some sort of twinned gatling gun fused with what remained of its hand. Most of its head and body were covered in armour and bionics that were either secured right onto its body or hammered into it.
"!"
The creature let lose a roar loader than anything Tomoc had ever heard. It seemed to reverberate and echo inside his very body, and induced a fear that Tomoc didn't know he was capable of feeling.
"WAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
The lesser green skinned aliens answered this monsters call and as one vaulted whatever cover they were using. Some even dropped their fire arms in favour of picking up random pieces of debris that they could wield as clubs.
As the dozen or so massive aliens charged, the 4 starfleet security personnel started backing towards the port hatch to the hanger bay, but it quickly became obvious that even if the security personnel ran at a dead run they wouldn't be able to escape the charging mass of muscle. 2 of the security personnel turned and tried to make a fight of it against the aliens. They managed to get off 2 shots each from their hand phasers before being overrun. They were horrifically bludgeoned to death with crude axes and whatever blunt instruments of death these invaders had to hand. The 2 security personnel didn't even slow the aliens down.
Just them the hatch to the port side of the bay opened and additional security personnel appeared wielding Compression Phaser Rifles, 12 additional men and woman of varied species entered the bay and started to fire at the green skinned aliens. It took several bolts of energy to bring down each alien, but they were falling. Explosions started to appear amongst the alien line, Tomoc looked back at the starfleet personnel and saw 4 more people carrying Isomagnetic Disintegrators. The appearance of these heavy weapons didn't seem to phase the aliens and they continued their charge with renewed vigour, as if they were glad that more heavily armed opponents had reviled themselves. Each Disintegrator was now firing as fast as the capacitors would allow, and their destructive power was now being solely directed at the largest alien that had smashed its way through the deck only a few seconds ago. Massive, gaping wounds were opening up in the monster but it stubbornly refused to die. It kept getting up every time it was knocked down and continued to charge at the starfleet security teams. From the looks of the weapon attached to its arm, the security force should have been blown part by now, but this alien didn't appear to be making any effort to aim the weapon.
Finally a round struck the alien in the head and it literally disintegrated. Its headless body continuing to make forward progress for a few metres before falling to the deck.
With their leader dead and most of the number haven fallen to phaser rifle fire. The invaders broke and started running away, not into cover to continue fighting, just running away. The Phaser fire didn't desist however. A few seconds later the last of the aliens fell dead and the hanger bay fell very quite.
"Computer. Casualty assessment?" Asked a male voice that Tomoc recognised as belonging to Yota.
"Non-security casualties, 42%. Security Casualties, 82%. Invader Casualties, 100%." Responded the computer a second later.
"Yeah!" Shouted one of the surviving security personnel.
"What do you mean,`Yeah!` That's 250 people dead against 100 Orks." Said one of the `dead` security officers that attempted a last stand against the aliens a few seconds ago, and was now getting back onto his feet.
"Well yeah, ok. But we're not all dead this time." Said the security officer that shouted.
"What the hell were those creatures." Shouted Tomoc as he started walking over to Yota.
"They were Orks..." Said Yota matter-of-factly. "...This session is concluded ladies and gentlemen. See you next time. I think it's something from Andoria next. Computer end program." The holodeck image of the hanger bay faded and was replaced by the black and yellow hologrid. The security officers started filing out of the large room.
"What the hell are Orks? I've never seen anything like those things before." Tomoc almost shouted.
"They are nothing for you to concern yourself with Commander. Orks are a fictional race of barbaric and aggressive aliens. I and some others often pit ourselves against the worst that our respective species can dream up. This simulation lasted 2 hours. You should have seen what happened when we fought chaos. The ship was lost and the decks literally flowed with blood after about 5 minutes. Anyway, I assume you have sort me out for a reason?" Asked Yota. Shouldering his Isomagnetic Disintegrator. This weapon apparently real.
"Yes. The captain suggested I talk with you about enhancing my squadrons abilities to take out hardened targets."
"I assume you won't want to leave your craft?"
"If possible."
"Come with me sir. I have several delivery systems that may suit your needs." Said Yota as he started to leave the holodeck, Tomoc followed.
Yota didn't try and engage Tomoc in `small-talk` as most humans would. Even in Poms` Yota seemed much quieter than others of his race.
Eclectic doesn't seem to do humanity justice. Thought Tomoc to himself as he and Yota walked silently down the darkened alleyways of the Devonports` security deck, with Tomworth and Aker following behind.
After a minute or so, they entered a large room dominated by an impressive wall console that encompassed one entire bulkhead. The rest of the room held tools and workbenches of varying descriptions. Yota walked over to one such table, put his weapon down against it and pulled down a pad that was sitting at one end of a shelf above the table with dozens of others.
"What type of destructive potential are you looking for?" Asked Yota.
"Worse case? I believe destroying a purpose built terrestrial bunker, with facilities to weather orbital strikes."
Yota put the pad he took down away and pulled out another near the other end of the same shelf.
"These are specs for a Phased Torpedo. They will not breach modern shielding, but will pass through a planet and therefore bypass any bunkers shields. It will require extremely accurate targeting and the weapons do require a 30 second warm up for the Phased Displacement Array after launch. Until the arrays online its a normal torpedo."
"So until fully active, these can be used as normal torpedoes?"
"Correct."
"Can they be fully active before launch?"
"No. The weapons will fall out of the launcher and may detonate."
"Any change to the torpedoes configurations?"
"The array is essentially an add-on for normal torpedo casings. It will extend its length by 8 centimetres."
Tomoc reached forward and took the Pad Yota was offering.
"What was on that other pad?" Asked Tomoc as he quickly scanned the pads contents.
"My specs for a Quantum Disentangler Warhead. If the calculations are correct it'll destroy about half of Sol."
"It could destroy half your home star system? Why would you make that? I can't believe Starfleet would approve it."
"They wouldn't. Weapons of Mass Destruction are forbidden in any Federation arsenal. Most of these are theoretical plans and design specs for weapons." Said Yota, gesturing to mean the whole room.
"Thanks for this..." Tomoc held up the pad. "...I also think you need a new hobby."
"You know what they say. The best defence is a good offence. If needs be I'll make the last offence we'll ever need."
"I don't know if that'll make me sleep more soundly or not? Thank you for your help Lieutenant."
Tomoc turned on the spot and headed back towards the hatch of Yotas domain.
"Did you get what you needed sir?" Asked Ensign Aker as she and Tomworth resumed escorting him to the nearest turbolift.
"Yes. I also learned that getting on Yotas bad side would be a very big mistake."
/
"How'd it go?"
"Fine, I think he thinks I'm properly nuts and big gun crazy." Said Yota to the head and shoulders of Captain Housen that was displayed on the giant wall monitor.
"You are nuts and Armageddon style big gun crazy, that's why we're here. Those that create need to be protected. Anyway, R&D got back too me. They're impressed with your nanite regenerative armour concepts. Not an Ablative Generator, but its a step there."
"I haven't figured out how to replicate and then replenish the armour outside a Matter-energy conversion matrix chamber. That's the only problem remaining. Until them Nanites can fix standard armour on the fly. Won't be anywhere near as fast as the Borg, but should still help."
"Good work Bulwark. Housen out."
/
"Captain, we're being hailed by the Ramoth." Said Okuda from her station on the bridge an hour later.
"Very good. Law, drop us out of warp and Okuda, open a channel."
"Channel open."
"Captain..." Said the head and shoulders of Ensign Knot now being displayed on the view screen. "...We've completed our pre-flight and request that you drop to sub-light for launch."
"Already done." Chimed in Law.
"Paytec, open bay hatch. Ensign you may launch when ready. Where's Tomoc?" Asked the Captain.
"His briefing the rest of the Squadron and right this minute advising Ensign Lowe to stop exchanging text communications with Ensign Law."
"Ha! I knew it." Shouted Jolaw from the back of the bridge while making some major alterations to his work station on the bridge.
Knot looked down and gave a slight smirk and wink too Law at his helm station.
"It's because you're rubbish at Poker isn't it." Said Law to the Bolian woman.
"Enough chatter. Captain, we're beginning launch sequence. See you at Lambda Hydrae. Safe Trip."
"You too Commander, and good hunting. Devonport out."
A second later the view screen changed to display the static star field ahead, and a few seconds after that, the Watchful Dragons recon fighter squadron appeared at the top of the display, altered course and sped off into warp.
"Law, resume course, warp 6."
"Aye sir."
/
"Executive Officer. We are nearing the coordinates." Said Riada, Helmsmen aboard the IKS Gorkon to Laneth, the ships 1st officer.
"Understood, slow to impulse speed..." Laneth hit a panel on the arm of the command chair. "...Klag to the bridge."
Klag marched out of his office a few seconds later followed by B'Oraq, the Gorkons CMO.
"Report." Said Klag as he walked too and then took his command seat that his 1st officer vacated.
"We have dropped to sub-light near the coordinates you gave us." Reported Laneth, indifferently. He didn't care for this assignment when he was told about it and he didn't care now.
"Orbit the debris, are any other vessels present?"
"Negative Captain. Nothing within sensor range." Said Kalitta, the Gorkons gunner.
"Drop cloak and begin a full scan of the debris. Determine the weapons used and the direction these cowards fled in." Ordered Klag, his command crew went about their tasks but most seemed uninterested, still thinking they had been dishonoured with this assignment. Some thinking that whatever these minor houses did to the Romulans, the Romulans deserve.
Klag however, was a member of the Order of the Bat`leth. His was a code of honour laid down by Kahless himself. Something that hadn't been diluted by generations of opinions and changing times. Most did not believe as he and the Chancellor believed. Honour in life, has become Honour through battle, and despite what the Klingon people lost and fought for during the Dominion War and the wars that followed to sustain the Empire. The Klingon people skill hungered for battle. It was all they seemed to want now.
"If any bodies are discovered have them beamed aboard. Prep your Medical bay, the corpses may hold secrets we could use." Said Klag, the last sentence voiced over his shoulder to the CMO.
"Aye Captain." Said B`Oraq as she turned and left the bridge.
"Captain, a cluster of small vessels has entered sensor range and is heading in this direction." Said Kalitta as she began to arm the Gorkons weapons.
"Identify them." Shouted Laneth as he marched over to Kalitta console to view these visitors.
"They are a squadron of Federation fighter craft and a support vessel. No challenge." Said Kalitta again as she started plotting firing solutions for the approaching squadron.
"Dis-engage weapons. They are our allies fool..!" Shouted Klag. "...We will wait and see what they plan to do. They maybe here to investigate the loss of their ships, in which case we have a common goal."
"Why would Starfleet send a fighter squadron? If they are carrying sensor modules they've sacrificed their combat potential." Said Karagg, the Gorkons 2nd Officer.
"Only one needs to carry that equipment. The rest maybe geared for retribution." Said Riada approvingly.
"Think about who you're talking about." Said Laneth.
"Ha ha. Oh yes! My mistake."
"Enough you stupid pups! None of you have fought either with or against the humans, until you do keep your pathetic comments to yourself."
The bridge became very quite for a few seconds before an audio prompt forced Karagg to speak.
"Captain. The Fighters are hailing us."
"Return the Hail and open a channel." Ordered Klag.
"Klingon vessel, you are intruding on a Starfleet wreck sight. Please state you business." Said the Romulan Starfleet Commander that appeared on the Klingon view-screen.
"What is that taHqeq doing in a Starfleet uniform." Shouted Laneth.
Klag stood from his command chair and hit Laneth square in the face with the ball of his fist.
"Shut up!" Shouted Klag as Laneth fell to the deck. "Starfleet Commander..." continued Klag in a more conversational tone. "...I am Captain Klag of the IKS Gorkon. We are tracking cowards and terrorists. We believe they attacked this convoy and fled with vital hardware. Now Identify yourself." Said Klag.
"I'm Commander Tomoc, commanding officer of the Watchful Dragons fighter squadron. We too are investigating the convoy wreck, we intend to find the perpetrators and destroy the hardware they stole. Since we appear to be looking for the same group, maybe we can pool our resources and work together."
"Agreed. We will begin our analysis of the wreck and will contact you when we have the results."
"Understood, we'll do the same. Ramoth out." With that the screen went blank.
"Get off the deck fool and get to work..." Said Klag as he returned to his command chair. "...I want our analysis complete as soon as possible."
/
"Well. I wasn't expecting a Klingon Heavy Cruiser to be floating around here. At least we now know who attacked the Convey." Said Knot as she relayed Tomocs` orders to Ti`rol to begin scanning the debris.
"Perhaps. I would prefer prof however. When we entered this area, the Gorkons weapons were powered." Said Tomoc as he ordered the Squadron to assume a defensive formation centred on Branth, Ti`rols fighter.
"Maybe it took them a minute to ID us after they detected us. Just being cautious maybe?" Commented Knot.
"Possible. Although since the war, the Klingons have been increasingly more hostile to their neighbours in nearly every encounter. Needlessly escalating the smallest slight."
"Where'd you hear this?" Asked Knot.
"SI dispatches. It's like they are hunting for conflict. It's believed that in the next couple of decades the Kitamor Accords will once again become a memory." Said Tomoc.
"Sobering thought." Said Knot as she directed her attention to piloting the Ramoth, as Tomoc kept a subtle eye on the activity of the Gorkons weapons and tracking systems.
/
"When will it enter the system!" Yelled the captain of the small fleet of Klingon scout ships as they waited for their prey to arrive.
"It should have arrived an hour ago. I am detecting nothing on sensors." Said the Klingon at ops.
"Again with being difficult. Is it possible that they detected us already and altered course?"
"Unlikely. Although possible." Said another of the Klingons on this bridge.
"Open a channel to the fleet. We'll split up and scan further afield. I want those..."
"We have a contact. Travelling at warp 6. It is a Norway class Federation Starship."
"Is it the target?" Yelled the Klingon Captain.
"We can't tell without a more detailed scan, and they will detect that sort of invasive scan."
"So we'll need to attack them regardless..." Said the Klingon Captain, a bloodthirsty grin of his face.
"...This'll be a worthy challenge. A full federation starship. Move the fleet into ambush positions. Make ready to attack."
