Chapter 417

HALLWAY 7F

USS WISCONSIN

It was in the middle of the night in the capital city of Maghreb. The Wisconsin was still hovering next to the Klolode 4000 miles above the Capital city. Right now, the ship was in the shadow of Maghreb and was being treated to viewing all the city lights across this side of the planet. Jacobs was walking along the corridor, taking a mid-break walk. For some reason, he was not able to fall back asleep so Jacobs decided to go for a walk. Jacobs came up on the forward observation lounge and decided to enter. Even though it was shortly past midnight on the surface, the position of the Wisconsin would carry it into the sunlight as the planet rotated. Jacobs walked in and sat down in front of the windows waiting for the moment that the ship would be coming out of the Maghreb shadow.

The sunrise came up and it was beautiful. At these altitudes the sunrise does not have the brilliant colors like the low orbits do, but it is still beautiful. Cleaner somehow. The com whistled and Lt Reeves' voice came over it, "Bridge to Captain Jacobs."

Jacobs reached across sofa and said, "Jacobs here. What can I do for you Miss Reeves?"

"Sorry to wake you, but you have a communication from Admiral Adama. In standard code."

Jacobs stood up and said, "I'll be right up."

Stepping on the Bridge Jacobs took the offered datapad. He put his thumb on it to apply the standard decode. Jacobs wondered why Adama did not use the code from the Bible. After reading the message, he understood why.

TO: CAPTAIN JOSHUA JACOBS USS WISCONSIN

FROM: ADMIRAL WILLIAM ADAMA, STARBASE 5

CAPTAIN JACOBS, I AGREE WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT THAT IT IS BENEFICIAL TO ASSIST KANG (IKV KLOLODE) AGAINST UNKNOWN KLINGON ASSETS IN THE MAGHREB SYSTEM. I AUTHORIZE YOU TO ASSIST KANG IN ANY WAY TO NEUTRALIZE UNAUTHORIZED KLINGON OPERATIONS NAMELY SUSPECTED BLACK FLEET OPERATIONS. I HAVE FORWARDED YOUR REQUEST TO ADMIRAL NOGURA AT STARFLEET COMMAND AND ASKED HIM TO RELAY DIRECTLY TO YOU HIS OPINION ON THIS MATTER.

ADAMA

Adama realized that this message would have to be seen by Clayborne, so he sent it in standard code. Jacobs looked at Reeves and said, "Very well, please enter this into the log. We will probably have to use this later." He wanted to ask when the message from Nogura would be coming in, but since the original request was sent via the Bible code, he did not want Reeves to know about that. "Have a good night."

"Good night, sir." Jacobs turned and went into the turbolift. Maybe he could get some sleep now.

FEDERATION EMBASSY

MAGHREB

FOLLOWING MORNING

Clayborne finished materializing in the courtyard. Somebody marked off the transport zone because it was getting so much use. It really did not matter, but for people's frame of reference, it was convenient to know where the inbound transport was going to happen. Clayborne walked into the embassy and was starting to go to his office to prepare for the day's negotiations. Diplomatic Security Chief Whitley met him in the lobby. "Admiral."

Clayborne said, "Good morning, Whitley."

"Good morning, sir. There will not be any negotiations today. There is a call for a mass protest at both embassies today. President Kurbish thought it would be better if we all stayed put so as not to make a bad situation worse."

Clayborne shrugged, "Probably. I can get some work done here. I might as well ask you for your opinion. Do you know the area where the services enter the Embassy?"

"Are you worried about what that paranoid Maxwell was saying?"

"Well, I was thinking about it a lot, especially since the Klingons got jumped yesterday." Clayborne thought a little bit more. "Are you worried?"

Whitley laughed, "No sir, not in the least. They would have to breach the concrete seal without killing themselves, and I do not see how they can do that with their technology. I have been doing this for over twenty years, and I am telling you the person blowing that will kill themselves and everyone else in the tunnel."

"Maxwell is a Lt Commander in Starfleet."

Whitley shook his head, "He's really just a lieutenant. He got the rank when he was assigned as Chief of Security of the Excalibur. I think he let it go to his head. I did some checking, he was promoted to full lieutenant fast, evidently his previous CO really liked him."

Clayborne was getting a warning signal in his head but did not want to listen to it. "So, you think he's really a lot more inexperienced than what his rank indicates?"

Whitley nodded, "He got promoted fast through two ranks. He is just a kid."

"Saved your hide during that walk."

Whitley pointed out, "Which we never really should have been doing. That Maxwell guy is so paranoid he draws trouble. Don't pay him any extra thought. The Maghreb are not going to come spilling in through that concrete seal."

Clayborne nodded quietly. "Anything you would like to improve down here?"

Whitely shook his head. "No sir. We are all fine here."

Clayborne nodded thoughtfully, "Thank you Mr. Whitley. I'll be in my office."

ADMIRAL ADAMA'S OFFICE

STARBASE 5

Adama set the datapad down. It contained a typically simple message from Nogura. Adama was wondering where the end of this virus was. Well, they were not there yet. Adama took his Bible out and started transcribing a message to the Wisconsin.

JOSHUA, N HAS OPERATION RUNNING. TAKE NO ACTION AGAINST YOUR COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM UNTIL I INFORM YOU.

BA

Adama looked at the big screen in his office showing the fleet redeployment and probable locations of Klingon vessels. They had not any more updates from SHADO base on that Klingon battleship. This virus problem is going to wreak havoc with fleet communications, just when the fleet needed secure communications the most. Whoever is responsible needs a good, old-fashioned keelhauling. Or maybe a hanging. Adama started wondering where they could fashion a yardarm for the hanging.

SOKLOS OFFICE

SOKLOS SKYTOWER

Dr. Zougar walked into the massive office. Soklos had a table prepared by the wall-to-ceiling windows. "Dr. Zougar, you are early! Please come in. The view on this side of the building is particularly good at midday. Would you like a drink?"

Dr. Zougar smiled. "Please."

Soklos poured a drink for both, and slipped the drug in on Zougar's drink unnoticed. He turned around and handed the drinks. "Thank you, Mr. Soklos. Also thank you for your support."

Soklos asked, "How many do you anticipate?"

"Our computer site indicates over fifty thousand people have said they plan on being there."

Soklos raised his glass, "To the demonstration. May it bring us all we want."

Dr. Zougar raised his glass then drank his drink. Soklos watched and could not help but smile.

ABANDONED WAREHOUSE

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

CAPITAL CITY, MAGHREB

Rofvert was supervising the final preparations of the arming of the truck bombs. It was a masterful assembly of the explosives and detonators. What this amounted to was a twenty thousand pound explosively contained shaped charge. Rofvert saw the last truck sealed and was satisfied that all was done. He said to the drivers, "Drivers come over here."

The drivers walked over. "Now each of you will go to your waiting area. Your truck decals match the broadcast news that you are going to blend in with. When you get the call, just drive to the station, you should be able to join the news motorcade with no problem."

Rofvert laid out a map of the embassies. "Now this is critical. Make sure that when you pull up, you put the right side of your truck against the embassy wall. The Federation Embassy's target walls are here and here. The Klingon's are these two places."

"Won't they want us to move from there?"

Rofvert shook his head. "First, the wall defines the end of the respective Embassy's grounds. Second, the police have this area cordoned off for the news support teams. We have researched exactly where each news team has it's permit. We even have the first few feet of truck space stocked with items that you will probably be asked to provide in the chaos; cable, lights, cameras, batteries, various other things. This is the protective camouflage for the charge."

"How do we know when to leave the truck?"

Rofvert said, "We will call you. It's important that you stay with the truck to provide support until the last minute. When we do call, you will have five minutes to leave. Now, it's time to move out."

All the men got in the trucks and they moved out. Each of the trucks went to their loiter positions a short way away from the various news stations, waiting for their call. Now it was a sit and wait exercise.

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Leonaidas was sitting in the Captain's chair. Jareau walked up and asked quietly, "How long has he been in there." She motioned to the Ready Room.
"About two hours. JJ, do not worry. He's fine."

Jareau said, "Lt Reeves told me that he was up in the middle of the night last night wandering all around."

Leonaidas smiled knowingly. "Call it Captain's concern. Sometimes before a big battle, Captains will tend to walk their ship, just to look over everything."

"Superstition?"

Leonaidas chuckled quietly, "No, I don't think the Captain has a superstitious bone in his body. He would see that as a lack of faith in God. You and I both know that. Call it…. A preflight for readiness."

Jareau shook her head. "From what I heard, when old sea Captains did the midnight walk, it was before a hopeless battle."

"You and I both know that he doesn't believe in 'hopeless'. He just needs a morning nap. Everything is quiet, the Admiral is off the ship, here is a chance to get some rest." A beep at the communications station. Jareau stepped back up into her station and said, "Raptors report ready for launch."

Leonaidas nodded and pushed the com panel on the armrest, "Raptors 1 and 2, cleared for launch and docking."

RAPTOR 1

TC acknowledged, "Raptor 1 roger. Liftoff." TC pulled up on the collective and the Raptor lifted slightly off the deck. He flew forward and out the door.

In Raptor two, Anders reported, "Raptor 2 Liftoff." Anders pulled up and flew out the door.

A short time later, the two maneuvered into their respective places at the back end of the saucer section just under the impulse vents. TC was on the left side of the Wisconsin, Anders was on the right side. They maneuvered into place and docked onto the docking collars that were welded there earlier. Shortly after they docked, they checked connections and made sure they were getting power and communications from the Wisconsin. TC looked at Hornblower and said, "Well kid, time to relax. We could be here for a while. What's your game?"

Hornblower shrugged, "Normally, I'd say Bridge. But it's only the two of us. How about Backgammon?" Hornblower pulled out his datapad and pulled up the backgammon game.

TC shrugged. "Sounds good for now."

Raptor two, the long wait was getting started also. Agathon said, "Hey Sam, what do you think about watching the Parisses squares tournament we just got? It's the Vulcan Invitational."

Anders smiled, "I'd like that. My bet is on the Vulcan Inferno. They are a tough team. Very hard hitters. Pull it up Karl." And the two of them settled in watching the match.

BRIDGE

IKV KLOLODE

Tacitcal officer Brilk was third-in-command of the Klolode. Now that Mara was down on the surface working at the embassy, it made him virtually the Klolode's first officer. He had been with Kang a long time and Brilk had learned a lot. One of the most difficult things for a Klingon to learn was that other species could be competent. Kang had taught them never to underestimate opponents. His officers were learning that lesson.

Brilk was watching the screen of the operation, first the engineering crews welding the docking rings in place, then watching the docking operation. Brilk commented, "Starfleet works efficiently."

Kang nodded, "Very efficiently. In a matter of hours, they have virtually doubled their first-strike capability. Those merculite rockets are formidable."

Brilk said, "How long will they be there?"

Kang raised an eyebrow. "My guess is they have probably five days provisioned on those Raptors. That is based on my estimate of when that D7 will attack."

"And they can't go through that docking port to the mothership?"

Kang shook his head, "Not from what Captain Jacobs said. It was a trade off with having a tactile place to attach them. Notice that the Raptors are located very near the center of motion for the ship. That will reduce stress on the docking collars during maneuvering. Clever."

Brilk mentioned checking the sensor readings of the Raptors, "We are told they are weak. That they need their comforts. There are two of them in each Raptor. It will not be comfortable in those Raptors for that long."

Kang nodded, "Do not believe all the propaganda that our fellow Klingons say about the Federation. They are tougher than the High Council thinks."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Jacobs came out of the Ready Room. Mr. Luther was one of the two Badgers standing watch on the Bridge, "Captain on the Bridge!"

Jacobs nodded and said, "Thank you Mr. Luther. You two go take a rest." He motioned to the Ready Room.

Luther smiled, "Aye aye Sir."

Jacobs walked to the Captain's chair. "What's up, Leo?"

"Raptors are docked and have settled in. Admiral Clayborne is down on the planet. No sensor contacts to report. Our geological survey crews are at their second sites for the day and everything is proceeding normally." Leonaidas stood up and Jacobs took the seat.

"I have the conn. Thanks Leo."

Jareau turned, "Sir, I have something."

Leonaidas looked at Jacobs and said, "Your timing is impeccable."

"I hate getting woken up from a nap. What is it JJ?"

Jareau said, "I'm getting a lot of signals traffic in the Capital. There is a gathering in front of our embassy."

Jacobs asked, "Is this that demonstration their anti-alien guy was calling for yesterday?"

Hotchner chimed in, "It would seem so."

Jacobs said, "Let's put something on the screen. JJ, you choose which broadcast."

Jareau announced, "A news broadcast team's broadcast."

The screen changed to a reporter, a dark-haired female, talking about the gathering crowd. "It is still a few hours before the time that Dr. Zougar called for, but there are crowds forming in front of each embassy. Police have cordoned off an area immediately around the embassy. Right now, we are in front of the Klingon embassy."

As the camera panned around, one could see Klingon warriors standing at the main gate. Jacobs asked, "Hotch, can you give us a shot from our perspective?"

Hotchner pulled up an overhead view of the city. He tightened the view into the Federation Compound. One could see the compound, perhaps a dozen news trucks parked just outside the wall behind the police line, and a growing crowd. Right in front of the gate was a small platform. Inside the compound were some of the Diplomatic security walking around. Just then a cloud started passing in front of the view. Jacobs looked at Hotchner, "How high is the cloud cover?"

"About ten thousand feet." Hotchner widened the view out. "Various cumulus clouds are around the area. There is a developing line of thunderstorms to the west."

Jacobs could see the thunderstorms developing. It looked bad. "How bad are they going to be?"

Hotchner worked some of the scanners and a side profile of the thunderstorm showed up along with a scale. "Vertical development is excellent. I estimate they will top out over fifty thousand feet. They also will be highly electrically charged. The lightning show should be impressive."

"Time until they are over the embassy."

Hotchner said, "It is difficult to say. There are many variables. Rate of expansion, wind currents, temperature gradients…."

Vulcans are so terrified of being wrong. "Just give me your best guess Hotch."

"One and a half to two hours."

Jacobs looked back to Jareau, "Tell the embassy that we will probably lose transporter function for the duration of the thunderstorms starting in a little over an hour. Ben, get a UAV transported down to over the embassy ASAP. I want eyes over that embassy until the storm hits."

Both officers acknowledged the orders. Jacobs asked, "JJ, could you put up one of the news broadcasts?"

Jareau put a broadcast on the screen. An excited reporter was in front of the Federation Embassy. "The mood of the crowd is electric. There is great anticipation of Dr. Zougar coming here soon to make a speech. After that will be others in the anti-alien movement. After Dr. Zougar speaks here, he will go to the Klingon embassy and speak to that crowd. Both crowds are now estimated at over ten thousand each and climbing. An anonymous benefactor has provided a few catering trucks passing out water for the thirsty crowd, with much welcome. Here comes Dr. Zougar."

Dr. Zougar stepped up on stage smiling broadly, to a roar with the crowd. "Folks, there is a great evil here and it is the aliens! We must stand up and say NO to occupation. That is what these aliens will do to us, we will be nothing more than an occupied territory of theirs!" Zougar continued.

Jacobs had enough, "JJ, let's put on the embassy courtyard monitor."

The courtyard was showing, with some of the embassy personnel walking around. "Let's keep an eye on that." Jacobs pushed the com button. "Bridge to Carter."

Carter's voice came through, "Carter here sir."

Jacobs said, "Alan, we have a storm coming through Capital city. Are the shuttles ok?"

Carter said, "We have been watching the weather, all the shuttles are fine. The nearest one is three hundred miles to the south, it will not be affected at all."

"Good, keep an eye on it, let me know if I need to know."

"Aye aye sir."

TUNNEL SYSTEM

UNDER CAPITAL STREETS

MAGHREB

Rofvert was working his way through with his best team to the Klingon Embassy. He checked his time and everything was proceeding well. Soklos had offered to provide the catering trucks above for the crowd, all with water laced with stimulants. Not as good as the drug he gave Zougar, but it should be sufficient. Zougar has a drug in him that will make him anxious or agitated, and a device in the watch that will do the same by remote control. The crowd is drinking water that is laced with a stimulant, and should get them on edge en masse. The two together along with a heartfelt issue should make the crowd upstairs turn into a mob when he wants them to become a mob.

They got into position near the Klingon Embassy. Now it was waiting time. The crowd was forming early, and they wanted maximum chaos when the takedown happened. One of his team came up to him and said, "Sir, there are storms approaching, they will be here about the time the crowd is at its biggest."

Rofvert swore. "Give me the phone." A phone was handed up to him. He dialed a number. "Soklos, its Rofvert. There are storms coming. We cannot stop, so you got to lean on Zougar to not let up. Yes, something along that line. Make it something like a test of resolve. He has got to sell it."

OUTSIDE FEDERATION EMBASSY

Zougar was in the middle of a rousing speech and reached for a bottle of water. As he took a swig of water, one of his nearby helpers motioned with the phone, "Your friend on the phone."

Zougar took the phone but said to the microphone for the PA, "Just wait a minute, very important phone call!" The crowd laughed. Zougar said into the phone, "Yes?"

Zougar heard Soklos' voice. "Dr. Zougar, congratulations on the wonderful demonstration. I am sure everyone is noticing. We have a problem though."

Zougar frowned, "What kind of problem?"

"Rain is coming."

Zougar laughed, "We're not going to let a little rain slow us down."

Soklos encouraged him, "That's my man. If you let a little rain stop you…."

Zougar said, "The aliens would not be intimidated by our resolve. This is an opportunity!"

Soklos continued, "That's the attitude, go get them Doctor!" The line went dead.

Zougar grabbed the microphone, "Listen! We are all going to be tested soon. Are we going to let a little rain ruin our message?"

"NO!" The crowd yelled back.

Zougar yelled, "I can't hear you!"

"NOOOOOOOOOO!"

Zougar yelled, "Those of you still coming, we need you to bring rain gear! We need this even bigger! The aliens will see our resolve!"

ABOVE FEDERATION EMBASSY

The transport cycle completed and the object started to fall. The object's wings unfolded and a small propeller started spinning. Soon, the UAV was circling taking scans. The UAV could stay aloft for days at a time doing both active and passive scans. Soon, the UAV was sending data back up to the Wisconsin.

BRIDGE

IKV INSTIGATOR

The communications officer turned. "Sir, I am picking up traffic between our embassy and the Klolode. It sounds like there is a mob outside the embassy. The embassy is on alert."

Golger asked, "What's going on?"

The communications officer said, "There is a big mob outside the embassy. They have alerted the Warriors to be ready for battle in case the grounds are breached."

Golger looked at the engineer. "How are the systems?"

"I'd like another half day for cooling, but we can go into battle."

Golger motioned at the tactical screen. "Plot this kind of approach, full impulse for now. Engage cloaking device."

The Instigator started moving off and disappeared.

FEDERATION EMBASSY

MAGHREB

Clayborne looked at the weather monitor that was being provided by the Wisconsin. It showed the approaching weather and even had zones plotted of expected transporter outage. This was going to be a big storm. He decided to head back to the ship early. Clayborne got up and walked to the elevator.

The elevator dropped him on the ground floor. Clayborne's mind wandered to the basement service room, and what Maxwell had said last week. So long ago, if something was done then, it would be finished by now. Clayborne shook it off and walked out the front. As soon as the doors opened, he could hear the crowd on the other side of the wall. Clayborne took two steps and stopped. He saw the various Diplomatic Security personnel walking around, and saw Whitley.

Clayborne walked over to Whitley and asked, "Whitley, how is the situation?"

"No problem, sir. We have it under control. They are going to stay on the outside of the wall, I have the shields at the entrances at full power."

Clayborne could see the front gate; it was closed and he could see the change in tint because of the shield's operation. "How many do you think there are?"

Whitley shrugged, "Ten thousand, maybe more. Their news services are covering this very well."

"News services?"

Whitley nodded, "Yes, they have trucks parked all around the wall."

Clayborne went pale thinking about how Maxwell said he would breach the compound. "Wall?" He looked at the wall, of course he could not see through it, but he imagined the trucks through the concrete wall.

Whitley answered, "Yes, all around the outside. The police thought it would help make a perimeter and keep their equipment secure."

"How many trucks?"

Whitley shrugged, "I don't know, a dozen, maybe more?"

Clayborne looked at Whitley, "Listen Whitley, you guys need to go to Red Alert! We are about to get breached."

Whitley said, "What? You are crazy. If so, we can stop the crowd with our phasers."

Clayborne looked at Whitley like he was crazy. "Do you think phasers will stop a mob of a thousand? Ten thousand? I am going to get the Wisconsin to help." Clayborne flipped open his communicator. "Clayborne to Wisconsin!"

Jareau's voice answered, "Wisconsin here."

Clayborne ordered, "One to beam up, immediately!"

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Jareau turned to Jacobs with a knowing look. Jacobs broke his concentration on the developing situation at the embassy and checked the tactical board. He asked to make sure, "Any contacts around Ben?"

Grimm shook his head, "Nothing unauthorized sir."

Jacobs asked, "Can we get him?"

Hotchner said, "Barely sir. Interference is getting strong."

Jacobs ordered, "Beam him up."

Leonaidas asked, "Are you going to meet him?"

"I'm not the doorman. My place is here." Jacobs looked at the screen. "Hotchner, can we get a better angle?"

Hotchner shook his head, "I'm afraid not. We must move the UAV east as the storm approaches."

Jacobs looked at the view, it was an impressive crowd. Now it is a mob, and getting angrier.

TRANSPORTER ROOM 1

USS WISCONSIN

Clayborne materialized and saw Chief Frye. He looked around and did not see any sign of Jacobs. He almost said something, then stopped himself and stormed out of the transporter room. As he was heading out, he said, "Frye, let Jacobs know I'm heading to the Bridge."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Jareau said, "Admiral Clayborne is on his way."

Jacobs nodded. He was focusing on the mob. "What is the status of the Klingon embassy?"

Leonaidas said, "Dr. Zougar is there now, and the mob is stirred up there too."

Jacobs asked, "So the crowd at our embassy will disperse?"

Leonaidas shook his head, "No indication, rather it continues to grow. There are some other prominent people in the anti-alien movement speaking now. And they sound militant."

The turbolift doors opened and Clayborne stepped out. "Jacobs, I need you to beam down a large team of your security people."

Jacobs turned and said, "What's the mission?"

Clayborne stammered. He finally spit it out, "The embassy is at risk."

Jacobs stepped out of his seat, "What is the threat?"

Clayborne exclaimed, "That angry mob!"

Jacobs asked, "I'm happy to help, but I need to know more. My Badgers need to know the nature of the threat, where it is coming from, and what you would like them to do."

Clayborne angrily shot back. "Just beam them down and tell them to disperse the crowd! The embassy is at risk."

Jacobs shook his head, "You know I cannot do that. I can beam them into the courtyard…."

Hotchner interrupted, "No we cannot. Interference from the storm has closed the transporter window."

Leonaidas said, "Admiral, what do you suspect?"

Clayborne stammered. he was going to try to start explaining again when the main screen flared. All eyes turned on the main screen. The camera on the UAV adjusted and they saw a big, gaping hole in the wall on the side of the embassy compound.

OUTSIDE FEDERATION EMBASSY COMPOUND

The blast was deafening, but it happened away from the crowd. People instinctively fell to the ground or covered themselves. As they stood up, they could see the falling debris and there was total silence. The only sound was the thunder of the imminent thunderstorm.

The person at the microphone was already briefed as to what was going to happen. He grabbed the microphone and yelled, "THE WALL IS OPEN! LET'S RUSH THE ALIENS AND SHOW THEM WHO REALLY CONTROLS THIS PLANET! WE DO! FOR MAGHREB! LET'S GO GO GO!"

Rofvert had Tajil and his team spread out in the front portion of the crews. This was their cue and Tajil's team yelled, "FOR MAGHREB!" and charged through the gaping holes in the walls. They also were concealing weapons, which came out and they started shooting everything that moved. The majority of the Diplomatic Security were either knocked out, injured, or killed by the blasts. The remaining were no match for the Tajil's team. In very short order, Tajil's team scooped up as many phasers as they could find before the mob followed them into the embassy compound and killed all embassy personnel in the courtyard.

The combined effects of the stimulants, rousing speeches, and now the adrenaline from the reaction to the blast made the mob beyond angry. From the mob's perspective, people were already charging through the gaps in the compound wall. The mob started piling in through the two huge holes in the wall created by the bombs, and the Federation embassy at Maghreb had its first full-fledged riot.

OUTSIDE KLINGON EMBASSY

The bombs went off there too, but the Klingons had reinforced the wall with Klingon alloys. The blast blew the concrete away only to reveal large sections of metal that were damaged, but unpenetrated. The Klingons were behind the wall and their gate taunting the mob outside, and the mob were straining to come at the Klingons. Nothing was going to happen if the shields were up.

Rofvert had anticipated this. He had prepared two more trucks ready to hit. The trucks were essentially large Dump trucks that were heavily modified. The choice spots of the bombs in the wall were open to streets that pointed directly at the Klingon metal. Because the streets were closed off for the protests, the dump trucks had a clear road to make their run. Welded on the front of the truck to the frame was a very large spike made of the hardest metal on Maghreb. The combined truck device was meant to penetrate the unknown metal. The trucks were very heavy, and the penetrator was made of specially hardened steel, shaped especially for penetrating, and tearing as large of a hole as it could.

The trucks hit their respective metal targets at the best speed they could and a crash ensued. The trucks plowed through the metal, but were shredded themselves as they slid to a stop in the courtyard. One of the drivers retained enough control to drive into four Klingons. The remaining Klingon warriors immediately attacked the drivers of the trucks. As the Klingons were attacking the trucks, the stirred-up angry mob started pouring through the holes. Again, there was a team that Rofvert had in place and they started firing their weapons killing some Klingons. The Klingons initially responded with disruptor fire, but the hard rain was making them ineffective. Soon, the mob was pouring into the courtyard and a melee started. The Klingons were using their bat'leths and mek'leths, Maghreb were using whatever they picked up along the way. The result was a bloodbath. And the Klingons were losing.

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Everyone was looking at the mob attack the embassy. Jacobs ordered, "Weapons to full, prepare to target the courtyard with ship's phasers set to stun."

Admiral Clayborne yelled, "No! Look what is happening at the Klingon Embassy! That's a bloodbath there! We do not need to be seen doing the same!"

Grimm announced, "All weapons are charging. The Klolode is locking weapons at their embassy."

Clayborne said, "We do not want to appear like them! I order you not to fire on Maghreb."

Jacobs turned to Clayborne, "Kang's not going to fire disruptors. Disruptors lose their effectiveness rapidly in areas of moisture. He will fire torpedoes, maybe. Leo, order the shuttles proceed to the embassy with best speed. Put them on Red alert."

Clayborne yelled, "Belay that! Do not break Maghreb air traffic rules!"

Leonaidas looked at Jacobs. Jacobs nodded, "Admiral Clayborne is responsible for Embassy operations."

Jareau said, "Kang is online."

"Onscreen." Kang's face showed. He was visibly angry. "Captain Jacobs! What do you intend to do about the mob?"

Jacobs motioned to Admiral Clayborne. "I'm running over some possibilities with Admiral Clayborne."

"Admiral Clayborne! The Wisconsin's phasers can hit both our courtyard and yours. The mob can be neutralized in less than a minute!"

Clayborne shook his head, "If we fire on your courtyard, that could be an act of war. I…."

Kang snapped back, "I authorize you to neutralize all Maghreb on Klingon soil."

Clayborne shook his head, "Kang, we have our own problems. You will have to take care of your own. We are not allies."

Kang looked at Jacobs then back at Clayborne. "You weak fool. We will lose all our people before the day is done. You should let Jacobs do whatever he wants to. Kang out."

BRIDGE

IKV KLOLODE

Brilk asked, "Will Jacobs help us if that D7 attacks?"

Kang growled, "We will worry about that later. Arm torpedoes. Begin bombardment around the compound. Level everything except our people."

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Jacobs was feeling sick at what he was seeing. Hotchner was using a different scanner to give data on what was happening at the compound; the view looked like an aerial view of a thermal imaging camera. Jacobs asked, "How bad is it now?"

Hotchner reported, "They are at the embassy door. I believe most if not all the Diplomatic Security personnel outside are casualties. I detect no phaser fire."

Jacobs looked at Clayborne, "Was there any security inside?"

Clayborne shook his head, "No."

Jareau reported, "Embassy is reporting compound breached, security personnel were outside and likely dead. Mob is at the doors beating on them, trying to break them down. They are desperately requesting help."

"Jack, get a team of Badgers ready to deploy as soon as the transport window opens again. Hotch, how long until the interference clears?"

Hotchner looked up, "Five minutes."

"Jack, there is your timeframe to come up with a plan. We will clear a spot in the courtyard."

Clayborne said, "I said no! I do not want the Maghreb seeing us fire on them."

Jacobs said, "Every second counts, do not tie my hands like this! At least let the shuttles down there go to max speed! The first could be there in six minutes!"

Clayborne shook his head, "Absolutely not!"

UNDER KLINGON COMPOUND

Rofvert was on his phone, "Thirty seconds." He hung up and looked at his team. "Cover your ears. At the right time, he pushed the detonator. There was a loud boom, and Rofvert's team ran in through the opening into the Klingon basement. It was not where they originally wanted, the Klingons cemented it up. This was over by one corner of the basement and the guess earlier was good. It was in a food area, currently abandoned.

Rofvert's team moved in and started sweeping the rooms. It appeared that the Klingons were elsewhere. As they moved upstairs, they heard the commotion outside. Rofvert motioned to the main door. Unlike the Federation embassy, there were no windows on the first floor, just a massive door. Two men lined the door with explosives. They got clear and blew the door, it left a jagged opening. Rofvert said, "That will have to be enough." The team continued moving through the building. "Anyone read Klingon?"

A bunch of negative responses did not encourage Rofvert. They grabbed some technology as they went through, some things that looked like datapads. Soon, the mob broke through the partially open door and they heard Klingon disruptor fire. Good, Rofvert needed maximum chaos and the team continued. They heard footfalls of a bunch of Klingons running and Rofvert motioned for the team to hide in the doorways of the hallway, offering partial cover. They let the Klingons pass and then jumped out and opened fire surprising the Klingons. There must have been a dozen Klingons killed within seconds.

Rofvert motioned to continue deeper into the Klingon embassy. As they passed around one corner, they saw a pair of Klingons in the hallway. Rofvert opened fire and one of them dropped to the floor. The second was a female and bent over the first. Rofvert yelled, "Stop!"

The team moved up and was pointing the weapons at the two Klingons. The female yelled, "This is Ambassador Kraal! You have declared war against the Klingon Empire! Get out now before we find out who you are!"

Rofvert said, "Back away! I have seen you, you are his assistant! Turn around!"

Kraal said, "Mara, do what he says. It's too late for me. You need to live another day; you have more pressing commitments. Today was a good day for me to die." Kraal went limp.

Rofvert applied zip ties to Mara's hands. "She will get us what we need. Let's get out before we are discovered!"

The team drug Mara back towards the basement and ran into the mob. The mob was looting and destroying the embassy. The mob surprisingly did not react to Mara's presence, but she was zip-tied and escorted by a group of armed Maghreb men. The mob gave them their space and they went downstairs. One person yelled, "What are you going to do with her?"

Rofvert smiled a sinister smile, "Make sure the Klingons do not come back! FOR MAGHREB!" The mob cheered and resumed destroying the embassy. Rofvert's team continued downstairs and back through the hole. Mara was looking for a weakness, but this team was well disciplined. No opportunities for escape presented themselves.

BRIDGE

USS WISCONSIN

Grimm reported, "Klolode firing on the city. Targeting outside the Klingon Embassy."

Hotchner switched scans and a false-image of the Klingon embassy showed up. A torpedo hit about a block away and detonated, creating a huge blast. After the screen finished flaring, the damage appeared to be about the size of a city block. Clayborne was almost gleeful seeing the Klingons attack the city. Jacobs turned to Jareau, "Get Kang on the line."

"Captain Jacobs, do not bother me now. I am defending our Embassy!"

Jacobs pleaded, "Kang, those are innocent civilians!"

"Then convince your Admiral to let you use your phasers. As long as that storm prevents us from deploying our disruptors, I'll continue bombardment! Kang out!"

Jacobs felt helpless, there was not anything he could do. "Ideas anyone? Any way we can stop this?"

Clayborne was enjoying seeing Jacobs squirm. Jacobs could detect this and said sternly. "Those are Federation personnel at risk inside the building!"

Clayborne shook his head, "No, the building is locked down air tight."

Jareau reported, "The Embassy reports a mob in the courtyard, building on lockdown. So far, they are secure."

Hotchner added, "Verified, no Maghreb life signs inside the Embassy building. The storm is starting to clear out. We should be able to transport down soon."

"Jack, what is your plan?"

Bauer was just about to report when Jacobs saw a particular movement out the corner of his eye. It was the movement he has seen Lt Maya do when she sees something through the periscope, his stomach twisted at the next words spoken on the bridge.

"KLINGON D7 DECLOAKING SEVEN O'CLOCK HIGH"