"Inexorable Hunters"
Chapter XIV "To a bloody war and a sickly season"
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Hyaas II
Ronin looks at his tactical image of the Hyaas II system and orders Green to move the carriers into a defensive stand down posture on the dark side of the far moon.
“2 Hot anything to report from the forenoon patrol?” Ronin asks as the image on his screen switches from tactical to a live split image of 2 Hot on the higher screen and Green on the lower.
2 Hot “Sir the last patrol reported in with situation normal, the afternoon patrols will increase our patrol range another five light years, I recommend we start sending a capital ship to assist the patrols moving towards the next system.”
Ronin “What do you recommend 2 Hot?”
2Hot “I would think a Bishop would give enough support for that mission Sir.”
“I would concur with that Ronin.” Green adds “I recommend Bearslayer he is our most capable Captain out there in the Bishop class. He is a strong tactician and can run risk management to keep himself out of trouble should it stumble upon him.”
Ronin “Ok that sounds fine, I would like to send a destroyer with him as well, Green have Bearslayer pick whichever destroyer he feels confident to wing with, have them report to you for mission briefs.”
Green and 2 Hot bow as Ronin nods his head towards them “With honour gentlemen Nobility out.”
Ronin moves towards his ready room as he does he orders his communications officer to set up a coded circuit to High Command and the Federation envoy; it is about time to find out how well the war out side of Hyaas II is fairing.
Onboard USS Moncton
Cavack “Captain we have returned to the site of the Vootar I await your pleasure on the bridge Sir.”
Wraith grins hmm perhaps Komodo lessons are finally getting through to her.
“Very good Mr.Cavack I am on my way, have your initial readings ready for report.” Wraith orders as he switches off his view screen of the Vootar battle which he has kept going over and over looking for anything else they may have missed.
“Obviously Captain my readings are ready to report why else logically would I have called you?” Cavack replies, there is no sarcasm in her voice for such an intelligent Vulcan she sure is socially thick Wraith thinks to himself; “I guess Commander Komodo’s lessons will have to continue.” Before she can answer Wraith switches off his communicator and makes his way to the turbo lift and the bridge.
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Inexorable’s conference room one
Looking at chronometer on the deck head behind Strongbad and Croc it took them exactly twenty-two minutes to brief our current situation after Minime gave a brief of the Klingon’s intelligence. Looking around the room I see fiery-rage in the eyes of all the assembled warriors... with the exception of one whose eyes express nothing but maddening pain.
Informing Hohhoch of his brother’s death was one of the harder things I have had to do. Hohhoch the consummate professional took in the news analyzed what he heard then; in a heartbeat, smashed my desk to kzintshu! Warp and I managed to calm him down after ten minutes.
Hohhoch was to receive his own command today of the fast cruiser Cheetah, I have instead given command of Cheetah to Likkerpig. Hohhoch would best be served to be kept under the watchful and compassionate eyes of Warp. Hohhoch will be granted his own command once the freshness of this wound has time to heal. I could not bear to see him fall due to clouded judgment of revenge, his revenge however he will not be denied by me.
Standing up I move towards the dais Croc and Strongbad at the same time move clear and take their seats. I look into the eyes of Jakle and nod, and then I move my eyes and met the glare of each other Captains eyes seated before me. Shadowlord, Minime and Slider represent the Klingons. TT, Warp, and Likkerpig for the Lyrans. Once I have looked every one in the eye I move out in front of the dais.
“Warriors! Brothers!” I start “You have heard the great insults brought to our distinguished Empires today!”
The warriors nod their heads affirmatively.
“We have felt the pain here across the light years where one of the greatest Lyran leaders of all times has fallen...one of our own brothers, one of our mentors our leaders! This insult will not go unpunished this insult will not go unanswered!”
The warriors again nod their heads and start to slap their hands on the table in front of them.
“Mighty Warriors!” I increase my tone and volume and start moving around the room I grab TT by the shoulder. “Who is going to extract revenge for these crimes?” I demand.
I move again this time I place a paw on Minime’s shoulder “Who is going to make the Hydrans, Kzinti and Federation pay for this outrageous move against our Empires!”
The Captains are all starting to rise from their seat pounding on the table in unison as they do so. I move over to Likkerpig place both paws on his shoulders.
“Who will answer our call for vengeance?” I demand looking him in the eyes.
“Who will make the filth suffer for this defilement of our Empires?”
Finally, I look at Jackle he turns towards the others and adds “Who will extract revenge for the dishonour brought to our house and Empires this day?”
All the captains are pounding on the table “We will! We will!” they shout.
Shadowlord raises one arm in the air with his hand balled into a fist “For the glory of the Empire for StoVoKor we gathered warriors will strike at the hearts of our enemies together!”
Warp10 “We shall avenge On7’s death we shall avenge the deaths of all our warriors one hundred fold!”
Now that the room is worked up into a frenzy and the rage of the enemy insurrections is starting to be replaced with warrior reason I let them shout and exhaust some of their rage finally I raise both paws in the air and demand for silence.
“Warriors” I shout “Listen to me now, listen to me and understand this!”
I move back behind the dais and the Captains take their seats again.
I start again “Listen now and heed this warning well, we can not run full speed into the night without enlightened reason, we can not take the fight to the enemy without first taking our knives out of their sheaths. We most regroup and concentrate our efforts. Pissing into the wind only gets you wet and it tends to mats ones fur.” the room starts to chuckles and I now know I have their undivided attention.
I pause and take a drink of water before continuing with the remainder of the brief and the decisions that I have already made in conjunction with Jakle.
“Likkerpig you are hereby appointed to the command of the Cheetah take her in haste and make tracks to rendezvous with SiManx find out any other details we may have missed. I know you have ways of getting information that others do not realize they even know.”
I turn to Warp “Warp, Hohhoch will remain with you on Merciless as discussed.” Warp nods to acknowledge the conversation we had with Hohhoch after he calmed down in my quarters.
“TT, make all the repairs you can and get Sphere back up as close to one hundred percent as you can. You have two hours. Also promote Groo as your executive officer he will have to keep a close eye on your tactical until we can get a replacement for you.”
Tramua already knowing the answer to his question looks at me with a sly smirk and asks it anyway “Mutt who is going to lead the Dutchy now that On7 has crossed over?”
My reply is short and concise “I am” I move back in front of the dais again and continue “I am the leader of the Far Star Demons and I have assume the leadership of the entire Dutchy”
Warp interjects “What ship will bear your flag Sir?”
“Inexorable will remain the flag ship and I will continue to command from her.” I respond. I turn to Jakle “As I understand from your intel brief your empire has started attacking Hydran out-posts”
Jakle responds “Yes Mutt that is correct we have started a full invasion of the western edge of Hydran space. With that pressure perhaps they will have to draw units back to defend against us and leave you clear to regroup your forces. I am going to lead this fleet into the war and have already been given orders from the council. We are going to respond to the Hydrans with full fury. I am authorized to transfer some of my most capable ships and captains to your command.” With that Shadowlord and Minime stand.
I look at Mini and Shadowlord “Welcome to the Demons Sirs, Shadowlord I will be appointing you the ranking officer of the Klingon assets with Mini as your second in command.”
Both Klingon Captains nod with acknowledgement and retake their seats. I walk over and place a paw on Crocs shoulder. “Croc you have been the best executive officer I have had serve since Warp served with me on the LyranClaw.” I turn and walk back to the dais “You have some fairly big shoes to fill but I am sure Strongbad will learn quickly and you have two days to conduct a full turn over with him. Once we get back to the Gar’field’eon field you will be appointed as Commanding Office of the Razorwire.”
Croc looks a little dumb founded of this news “Mutt what the hell is the Razorwire?”
I look at Croc “Well Captain it is an experimental dreadnaught, as the scientific Dutchy we do seem to get our fair share of the test ships. Ask TT for some pointers on being one of one in a class. She has been given a designation of STL; whatever that is, I am sure you will figure it all out. Croc you are a very capable warrior and officer and have my full confidence; besides, you will still be under my direct chain of command.” I start laughing as the expression on Croc’s face has changed very little and he now has one paw on the top of his head rubbing it back and forth as though trying to force the information in.
I quickly add “The Romulans help us develop it and I have been assured there are absolutely no plasmas on it for you to singe your fur on.” The room breaks out into robust laugher.
“Warriors, I thank you all for coming and I thank you for all the sacrifices that are yet to be made.” I signal to the stewards to bring forth some Nipnor and pass it out. “Jakle I look forward to reading your reports from our war on the Hydrans.”
Jakle stands and holds up his glass, “Mutt I wish you honour for the boldness of your plan, I will await word on your progress.”
With that the toast gong is rung and the warriors all down their drinks. With duties to perform all Captains bit farewell and wish each other luck in the days to come. After Warp and Hohhoch beam back to Merciless Croc and I leave transporter room one. Croc suddenly stops in mid stride and asks a question I knew was coming.
“Mutt what bold plan was Jakle referring to?”
Topic: Inexorable Hunters (Read 8496 times)