Topic: The Klingon Web

[kadh2000]

BACKGROUND:
In Y176 of the Starfleet Battles timeline, the strategic initiative had passed to the Alliance.  Federation forces were driving toward the Tholian Holdfast to break the link between the Klingon and Romulan Empires.  If successful, the Tholians were prepared to accept co-belligerent status with the Alliance.  This would deal a heavy setback to the Coalition, and the Romulans in particular.  Fearing an alliance between his two most dangerous enemies, the Klingon Admiral responsible for that sector of space gathered his forces to prevent a link-up.

The decisions made in the critical  period of late Y176 and early Y177 would determine the outcome of the General War and the fates of the Klingon Empire with the existence of the Tholians hanging in the balance.

Coming soon in January 2005,  a new SFB-based work of fiction by Kadh2000: "The Klingon Web".

[Grim Reaper]

You've got my attention

[Commander La'ra]

You lost me when you started listing SFB years, and yet I'm interested anyway.

[kadh2000]

Here's the SFB official timeline for the General War.

http://www.starfleetgames.com/sfb/sfin/general_war.htm

[Commander La'ra]

Thanks, Kadh.  I own a copy of ADB's Prime Directive (not the GURPS version) and it has a timeline, but the books been packed up for awhile.  I may have to dig it out and look through it to brush up...though I don't remember it being nearly so detailed as that one.

[Scottish Andy]

Excellent, thanks for the Timeline and the rest of that site Kadh.

I look forward to your story too, there isn't a great deal of Tholian-related fiction floating around.

[kadh2000]

A month later than expected, but much more fleshed out than it would have been otherwise, I present the prologue of this piece, a bit of prose that I call "Gambits"


Federation Space.  The C8V IKS Swarmbreaker.

Kadh saw the telltale shift in Federation deployment that indicated the opposition was preparing to withdraw.  “Captain,” he ordered to the Klingon in command of the heavy carrier, “withdraw your fighters and have them cover the launch of the heavies.  Then have them begin landing operations.”  The Klingon fleet began to redeploy for the new stage of the battle.

“Admiral,” the sensor operator said, “the Federation fleet is withdrawing from the base and increasing speed to disengage.”

Kadh nodded though the other Klingon could not see him, and watched as the Starfleet ships disengaged,   “Allow them to escape.  It would cost too many ships to prevent it and our primary target is the battlestation,” he stressed.  The Federation advance base showed few signs of internal damage.  Two shields were down and its supply of shuttlecraft had been exhausted.  There was little indication of what was to follow shortly.  It fell easily to the overwhelming firepower of the Klingon fleet.  Within minutes the Klingon ships, too, had abandoned the battlefield.

On the way back to his headquarters at a Klingon battlestation, Kadh judged that his Federation counterpart had withdrawn at an appropriate time: none of the Federation major ships had been heavily damaged in the defense of the base and only fighters had been lost.  The Klingons had lost a frigate and some fighters in pressing the attack. 

He received similar reports from the other squadrons involved in the coordinated attacks on the Federation line of advance bases.  Two light carriers had been lost making risky assaults on bases that had been better defended than expected.  All but one of the target bases had been either destroyed or heavily damaged.  Kadh estimated that it would delay the Federation offensive by six months.  He hoped that the new Interceptors currently in development would provide the initiative advantage that the Admiralty was expecting of them.

When he reached that battlestation, Kadh intended to retreat to his headquarters, gather the command staff, and brainstorm on what would buy them the additional six months before the High Command assured him Interceptors would be appearing on the front.  He was interrupted; however, by the base communications officer.  “Admiral,” the Klingon said, “we received a message from DSF Headquarters.  I will have it relayed to your quarters.” 

The message, in audio format only, was terse and direct, as expected.  “Admiral Kadh, I am Thought Admiral Konath.  The “W” refit to your battlecruiser is complete.  Admiral Sorin will arrive in two days to take command of the Eastern Fleet.  When you are relieved, report to Homeworld immediately for reassignment.  Success!” 

Kadh gathered his command staff but did not work on further ideas for the campaign.  Instead he prepared for the tranfer of power.  Admiral Sorin would have his own plans and did not need them colored by anything Kadh had already set in motion.  Kadh wondered about the choice of his replacement.  Sorin was an offensive genius: he had been behind the brilliant offensives that had reached the Kzinti capitals and had taken the Hydran home system.  His talents would be wasted in the relatively stagnant Federation South Zone.   Looking at the map of the Galaxy, Kadh felt the only place where an offensive was logical was the far North.  It had been nearly four years since a serious assault had been made on the Kzinti capital.  Enough of a strategic reserve existed that the idea was worthy of consideration.

Tholian Space.  The CC Pyramax.

Commodore Ackererakh gave the Tholian equivalent of a frown, the patterns on his skin pulsing rapidly in disappointment.  The Klingon raids on Federation bases had been more successful than he had predicted.  It meant that the Holdfast would remain effectively isolated from those most likely to be its allies if such became necessary.  “Sub-lieutenant, what is your analysis of the effectiveness of the Klingon raids?  What will be their short- and long-term effects?  Will Federation forces split the Klingon and Romulans?  If so, when?”

The female’s coloring remained unchanged, a sign that her reply had been carefully considered and that a preliminary analysis had already been made.  “Federation fleet strength has not been reduced.  There is a ninety-six point seven percent chance of immediate retaliation.  While the raids have forced the Federation offensive to start from more distant bases, they have not reduced its potential effectiveness.  Federation starships will reach our borders by the end of the Terran year.” 

She examined her console briefly.  “Computer projections find this line to be the primary, with a likelihood of seventy six percent and rising.  Unresolved variables that are not likely to resolve in our favor are the penchant for Coallition High Command to use inappropriate aggression in response to defeat, caution and divisiveness on the part of the Federation and her allies.  There is also Klingon Admiral Kadh to consider.  He has found favor with the Assembly and the Federation offensive will stop at the border.  If those members of the Assembly who favor this Klingon are able to sway the assembly….”

“Conjecture, sub-lieutenant?”  Ackererakh interrupted.  The Tholian way was not to show anger with vocal tones, but with coloration, and Ackererakh was showing it now.   The sub-lieutenant was spared the necessity of answering by an interuption from the communications officer. 

“Wing Commander Kotheme, on an Assembly channel, desires to converse with you, Commodore.  On the bridge or in your quarters?”  Ackererakh decided to take a militant approach to the situation; Kotheme was one of those who seemed to favor Kadh.  He accepted the communique on the bridge.

Kotheme put Ackererakh through the usual ritual greeting before coming to the point of his message.  “I hav learned that the Klingons have relieved Admiral Kadh and will replace him with Admiral Sorin.”  He gave Ackererakh a moment to consider his statement; the Commodore noticed his sub-lieutenant rapidly reconfiguring her computer analysis.

At least, Ackererakh thought, the Klingons were going to be predictable in their misplaced aggression.  When the renewed attacks on the Federation came, he would not be surprised.  “We are prepared for another year of isolation, Wing Commander.  You can assure the Assembly that we will be vigilant, but will not interfere.”  Ackererakh began to signal his communications officer to break the connection.

“Your analysis is incomplete,” Kotheme said and Ackererakh found himself the victim of angry changes of hue.  “Kadh would not attack the Holdfast.  Sorin will use the bases Kadh has made as a buffer against the Federation.  The Klingons will assault the Holdfast.  If we maintain our neutrality, it is probable they will reach Tholia.  The certainty factor for this nears one.  In light of this, I have a message for you to relay into Federation space.”

[KOTH-KieranXC, Ret.]

I like the intro, Kadh. I always like seeing Tholians in a story, and I like they way you're writing them. I'm hooked.

[Grim Reaper]

Mmmm you've got my attention!

[Davey-E]

Mmmm you've got my attention!

YES YES
Very Interesting 

err More Please 

[Scottish Andy]

Hey Kadh,

I've just read the intro to this story and I like it! I'd like to read more of this, and I really hope you continue with it. Just reading the initial battle scene has given me an idea for a mission to write for SFCII.

A question, though, if I may. I know you are an expert in SFB tactics and such, but would a battle between two fleets and a battlestation really only end up with the loss of the fighters and a single, small ship? That seems to me to be a bit unrealistic, if both sides were truly committed to the battle.

[kadh2000]

Only if both players were very good.

The defenders would abandon the base as soon as they saw that it would fall without them being able to hurt the attackers more than killing just fighters.  The attackers here were after the base and had a rather large force which meant the defending ships only stayed to fire about one shot.  It wasn't meant to be a fair fight.  Just a drop in and kill on a lightly defended base.  I should *crosses fingers* have the next part up Tuesday.

I didn't play it out but based the battle loosely on one we did play in our unity campaign.

[Governor Ronjar]

Ah...the smothies and their Y-dates.

I like the teaser and am indeed interested to read more. I like Tholians. La'ra likes them too...espescially those named Drem'bat...

[Commander La'ra]

Drembat....Poor suicidal bastard.... 

[kadh2000]

oops

[Governor Ronjar]

Drembat....Poor suicidal bastard.... 

Indeed.

[kadh2000]

Federation Space.  The DN+ USS Stellar Union

When Admiral Trewellig had taken command of the squadron three weeks prior, he had outlined his new deployment plan for his ship captains.  Blossom Hardy, as captain of the Tellarite Admiral’s flagship, had been present at the briefing.  The valuable scout was defended by two destroyers and occupied a position to the rear of the deployment area.  The cruisers were divided into pairs and patrolled along the Romulan border.  Occupying the midpoint between the frontline and the rear units were the Admiral’s flagship and the remaining destroyers. 

Situr Trewellig was the third Admiral that Starfleet had sent to cut their teeth with Blossom and the Stellar Union.  He was the first Tellarite.  Given their proximity to Tellarite Prime, it didn’t surprise Blossom that he had received the command rather than having it going to an Admiral from one of the other Federation races.  If he proved capable, though, he would find himself in command of a squadron on the more active Klingon front.  If not, he would soon occupy a position at a Starbase or one of the new battlestations.  Wartime had reminded Starfleet of the wisdom of quickly determining who was capable of commanding a Starship, giving them ships to command and finding ground assigments for the rest.

When the admiral had asked Blossom what she thought of his deployment, she had answered, “It’s very conventional sir.  Perhaps too conventional.  It is completely by the book,” by which she meant the new book as the war was continually redefining standard practice.  Based on her experience, the book was due for a new rewrite at Romulan hands.  Though the front was relatively calm, in wartime that meant only that there weren’t daily major battles.  There were plenty of smaller conflicts.  “That is my desire, Captain,” had been Admiral Trewellig’s curt response and that had been the end of it.  None of the other captains had voiced any objection and the deployment had been executed.

Admiral Trewellig’s highest priority upon assuming command was dealing with Romulan convoy raids.  Recently, there had been several new attacks.  Sensor scans and interviews with survivors had determined the raiders to be a pair of Sparrowhawk Light Cruisers.  The ship choice didn’t surprise Blossom.  The Sparrowhawk was Captain Hardy’s favorite example of recent starship design.  She was very impressed with the power and versatility of the Romulan warship. The modular ship was more than a match for any prewar cruiser and could fill more roles than anything in Starfleet.  She hoped the Sparrowhawk would convince Starfleet of the viability of the modular design.

Admiral Trewellig concentrated his scout’s sensors on the convoy routes in preference to the border.  When the raiders attacked the next convoy, the squadron centered on the Admiral’s flagship was within response range.  Blossom was asleep when the news came and was awakened by the summons to the bridge.  Her XO had been officer of the watch when a convoy within their response range was attacked.  The scout vectored the Stellar Union on an intercept course and the XO had summoned Blossom and the admiral to the bridge. 

Blossom immediately recommended calling the scout and its escorts up.  It struck her as odd that the Romulans would attack a convoy with the dreadnought so near.  If there were any additional Romulan ships in the area, the superior sensors on the scout would make her feel more comfortable.  Admiral Trewellig disagreed.  “This convoy assault is part of their typical pattern and I will not shift out of optimum deployment without better reason.”

When they caught up with the two Sparrowhawks, better reason became quickly apparent.  Rather than remaining cloaked and escaping, the two ships turned back toward the small squadron and began powering their weapons.  Confident in his superior firepower, Admiral Trewellig ordered his ships to attack the two cruisers.  Once the Federation ships were committed two more Sparrowhawks decloaked, placing the Federation squadron in a box of enemy starships.

With plasma torpedoes blooming in front of them, the Stellar Union and her escorts were forced to turn aside.  Valuable time was lost when the Admiral was forced to jettison the overloaded photon torpedoes in favor of standard loads.  By careful evasive maneuvering, they were able to protect their valuable forward shields from damage but one of the destroyers took minor damage from a plasma hit and sniping phaser fire.  As the Federation ships turned away from the Romulans on the first leg of their rearmament cycle, Admiral Trewellig sent out a call for reinforcements.  Blossom quickly ascertained that any arriving ships wouldn’t reach them in time to do more than convince any lingering Romulans to disengage.

When the Federation squadron came around for a second pass, the Romulan commander had guessed their armament load out and brought his four ships in closer.  Even so, massed photon torpedoes crippled one of his ships.  The price was expensive though.  The damaged destroyer was crippled in turn as was a second of the Stellar Union’s escorts.  Once again the dreadnought used one of its flank shields to protect its forward shields. 

Blossom quickly calculated the situation.  The Romulans held a slight edge in firepower and a tactical advantage.  Their cripple could cloak and evade while the two Federation destroyers would need the remaining ships to provide them cover to retreat safely.  With the two healthy ships tied to a specific location, the Romulans would be free to concentrate their attack while not offering an easy target for a Federation counter.  They would come from both flanks and… attack the dreadnought through her weakened shields? 

No, Blossom thought.  Even then, the large ship had a strong enough superstructure to resist the attacks and disengage safely.   The target would be their remaining destroyer escort.  If the Romulan commander could cripple that ship without taking significant damage himself, his three ships could easily deal with a single dreadnought.  Even losing two of them would still result in a major victory for the Romulans.  Blossom decided the Romulans had created a ‘hunter-killer’ squadron with the goal of destroying the Stellar Union.  “Sir,” she said, “they’re targeting our escorts.  Recommend we disengage and wait for our reinforcements.”

“No, captain,” replied the Admiral.  “We have sufficient firepower for the situation.” 

“Aye, sir,” she responded and had the dreadnought follow Admiral Trewellig’s directive.  She also ordered her engineer to keep the speed high enough to disengage immediately if necessary and made sure the same order was relayed to the destroyer’s captain.  When the Romulans did attack the destroyer as it covered its brethren’s retreat, both Federation ships were in position to break contact before the situation became a debacle.  Blossom again requested permission to disengage; the admiral quietly gave assent and the four ships retreated mostly intact.

Admiral Trewellig, to his credit, did not brood or retreat into privacy while they escorted the crippled ships to a repair yard. He conducted a post battle debriefing in exemplary form, taking responsibility as the fleet commander for the results of the battle.  There was a positive result in that the raiders retreated back across the front into Romulan territory.  It wasn’t until after the three destroyers had been transferred to the repair fleet and replacements assigned to the Stellar Union that he summoned Blossom to his ready room for a private conference.

“Captain,” the Tellarite said, “here is a copy of the final report I’m submitting to Starfleet.  Review it for factual accuracy.”  He turned his display screen to face her and she read the report.  When she was finished, she asked “Have you submitted this yet?”  He shook his head and she asked, “May I be frank, sir?”  He signaled his approval.

“The battle data is factually correct, sir, but you are being unduly hard on yourself,” she said.  “This was your first combat command as an Admiral.  Mistakes, while undesirable, aren’t unexpected.  You were confronted with a new tactical situation and were able to extract yourself from it without losing a ship.”  Noticing the skepticism in the admiral’s expression, Blossom added, “You also were able to preserve your valuable flagship from requiring downtime for repair.  Overall, I believe Starfleet command will find the results to be acceptable considering the situation.”

“I note,” he said, “that those things which you note as positives might well not have happened were it not for you.”

She smiled.  “A good commander listens to his subordinates, sir.  I did not force you to to make those decisions.”

The admiral snorted a loud sound in the enclosed space.  “You neglect to mention that you made earlier recommendations that I ignored.”

She shrugged.  “The scenario was concocted by the Romulans to look like a routine situation.  Going by the book in your first command is acceptable practice.  I hope, sir, that in the future, you will continue to be so hard on yourself only with your ship’s captain.  I look forward to seeing you advance to greater things as the war continues.”

“Thank you captain,” the admiral said.  “Message understood.  This, ahem, draft, won’t be the report submitted to Starfleet command.  Now I have a question for you.  Why are you still a captain?  You certainly have the experience and understanding for a flag command.”

Blossom found herself shrugging again.  It was a question she had asked herself several times in the preceding months.  “I’m sure my time will come sir.”   Then she noticed he was grinning.  “Sir?”

“Both of your previous fleet commanders made same the promotion request to headquarters that I did when we got back to base.  It just took the response this long to make its way back through official channels.   I consider myself fortunate to be able to make this pronouncement. You are being given a field promotion to rear admiral.  Congratulations Blossom.”

Blossom wasn’t sure what to think.  She knew she was ecstatic.  Following in her father’s footsteps meant a lot to her.  She couldn’t wait to tell him.  She found herself jumping to her feet and moving around the Admiral’s desk.  “If you try to hug me,” Trewellig said jocularly, “I’ll revoke this on the spot.”  Blossom stopped in her tracks and beamed at him.  “Yes sir.  Thank you sir,” she said and saluted.  He returned it and then handed her a small box that had been sitting on the desk, unnoticed by her.  “You’ll need these.  There’s a warpshuttle on its way to take you to Starbase 19.”  Blossom opened it to see two diamond-shaped pins with four pips pointing toward the center, the same device on Admiral Trewellig’s shoulder and sleeve.

Tholian Space.  The CC Arrakk.

Kotheme turned his ship away from the border and retreated to one of the starbases surrounding the Tholian homeworld.  Despite his renowned self control, it had taken him great effort to conceal his pleasure at embarrassing the popinjay Ackererakh.  He had maintained a neutral coloring the entire mission except when alone in his own chambers.  There he had allowed himself a few moments private gloating.  He hoped the remonstrance would be enough to change the border commander’s complacence.  While he didn’t have much hope for Ackererakh, repeated analyses had showed there was no other commander who was capable of replacing him.  Kotheme wanted the job but found his close relationship with the senate more important.  When it did come down to war, he would have no choice if he wished to save his nation.

Rather than give into distress and worry, he took comfort in reviewing his calculations.  The first stage had gone completely along his primary line of analysis.  He could discard the less optimistic projections... and the rosier ones, and focus on the next stage.  The probability of a timely Federation response was over ninety-eight percent.  The lure of being able to legitimately bring a starship into the Holdfast was a very promising factor.  He turned his thoughts to the Klingons and his distress returned.  There was only a sixty-nine point oh five percent chance that they would follow the primary line and the secondary line was particularly unpleasant.  His color began to deepen despite his best efforts.  Rather than surrender to doubt, Kotheme decided to take some relaxation in a lava bath.

[kadh2000]

Orbiting the Klingon Homeworld.  The CCH Screaming Dizbuster

Despite the fact that the redesigned Screaming Dizbuster was superior to its previous incarnation in nearly every respect, Kadh was annoyed.  Extremely annoyed.  He had to admit, however, that his annoyance was directed at the High Command and not his ship.  The ‘W’ refit had been everything he had expected it to be.  Most of his primary crew had been aboard during the testing and were already comfortable with the modifications.  They would remain while the ship went on a test cruise away from the primary combat zone.  Of course it should still become engaged in battle, just not against the Federation.

What annoyed Kadh greatly was his own role.  Kadh, the Screaming Dizbuster, and an entire, if mostly illusory, fleet were to be transferred to the sector where Federation and Kzinti forces shared the front lines.  Kadh and his ship were to be the flagship of a fleet that was one part of an elaborate maskirovka designed to mislead the Federation as to where the attack would come from and what its objectives were. Given his reputation, Kadh’s real presence was expected to be a major factor in selling the attack point. 

What annoyed Kadh even more was that he expected it made a far better location than where the real attack would take place.  Admiral Sorin would be pitting strength against strength.  If his attacks weren’t very successful, it would spell the end of offensive operations for the coalition for the foreseeable future.  Perhaps, Kadh decided, the Empire was preparing to negotiate a peace with the Federation.  An initial success might give the Empire the leverage needed for favorable terms.  It was the only benefit he could see in the assault.

Federation Space.  Starbase 19.

Blossom felt a curious mixture of pride and self-consciousness as she entered the Starbase from the shuttle hangars.  She reveled in the respectful salutes as she made her way toward the command offices and happily returned them.  Her discomfort was from the knowledge that the brevetted rank was only temporary and without all of the benefits of a regular commission.  Even though there was no way for them to see it, she felt like other flag officers were looking down on her.

She took a short detour to contact Earth and send a message to her father.  She and her sister always called home whenever they had big news even though their father usually knew about it before either of them.  This late in the war, however, there just wasn’t enough spare communications space for even an Admiral to get a live channel.  Her father might be able to do it once he got her message, but not Blossom Hardy.  At least she had taken care of her responsibility in that particular tradition. 

Blossom stepped back into the corridor from the docking bay into the main Starbase and found it filled with people heading into the station.  Many, she noted, wore squadron insignia from the USS MacArthur and were fighter pilots.  While their lingo was still that of carrier jockeys, the space they accorded her as an admiral was greater than it had been as a captain.

From somewhere in the busy hallway, a voice called loudly, “Captain Hardy!  Blossom!”  She turned at the familiar voice, her heart leaping.  She saw Don’s head coming towards her from in the throng.  She eased herself against the wall to let the traffic pass and waited for him.

Along with Alex Hunter, Donald Williams and Blossom Hardy had maintained a close friendship throughout their joint enrollment in Starfleet Academy.  After graduation, Williams had gotten on the fast track for command, Hunter had remained strictly in engineering, and Blossom had mixed the two.  Alex was the now Chief Engineer on the Excalibur and Williams commanded a fleet built around the carrier MacArthur.  Blossom and Don had become more than friends at the academy and the relationship had continued throughout their careers. 

“Whoa!” Don exclaimed, stopping short when he finally reached Blossom.  “Excuse me, Admiral Hardy,” he said, emphasizing her rank.  “Congratulations.  It’s about time.”

“It’s a good thing you outrank me,” she teased him, “or I would have you in the brig for that greeting of yours.”  She gave a slight frown.  “It’s only a field promotion.”

“I’m sure they’ll make it official,” Don replied, “before the war is over.  You’ve earned it.”  Then he reached out to her face and raised it so that he could bend down and kiss her.
In seconds all of the pent-up passion from the two years since they had seen each other was released.  The proper kiss quickly evolved into hungry fondling as their hands roamed one another’s uniforms.  They broke apart long enough to move down the corridor to the first door and through it into what turned out to be a supply closet.

Blossom tugged at Don’s uniform trousers until they slipped down to his ankles.  Meanwhile he unbuckled her belt and as it fell heavily to the floor he moved on to the buttons on her jacket.  The jacket fell open and as Don began to caress her breasts, Blossom impatiently pushed her own trousers down.  She could feel him pressing firmly against her, pushing her toward the wall until she felt it against her back.

Blossom reached her hands up and behind his neck and pulled his mouth back down to hers.  His hands grabbed her bottom and, using the wall for support, he lifted her small frame up and she wrapped her legs around his waist.  The door to the closet slid open then and both turned, shock and embarrassment on their faces, to see a pair of maintenance crewmen.  The nearer of the white-faced pair apologized and the door rapidly slid shut again.  He turned to his partner and said, “Did you see that?  I swear they were admirals!”  The other shook his head.  “I’m not going to be here when they come out.”  The first man nodded vigorously and the two quickly moved down the corridor.

It was several more minutes before the door slid open again and Admiral Williams poked his head out of the closet and looked both ways before entering the corridor.  Blossom followed.  She grinned up at him and her face reddened anew.  Don started to lead her back toward the hangar, but Blossom shook her head.  “I have a briefing to attend.  We’ll have to wait until later today for something more… leisurely.”

She gave his hand a quick squeeze and hurried into the trunk of the Starbase.  Blossom felt that a brief stop at a head was mandatory.  She briefly eyed her reflection and hoped that others might see it as a healthy glow.  Then she hurried to the base commandant’s office.

Blossom was the last person to arrive.  There were eight others present already.  Blossom was impressed by the collection of brass in the room. Three admirals and their adjuncts, a position Blossom realized she would have to find someone to fill, sat around a conference table before a display screen that took up an entire wall.  The seventh person was a Colonel in Starfleet Marines and the eighth was a Vulcan woman wearing civilian garb.     Fleet Admiral Osaka, commanding the Romulan front, introduced the others to her, focusing on the Marine Colonel and the Vulcan.  “Admiral Blossom Hardy, this is Colonel Jason Martak of the Black Knights Prime Team, and Federation Ambassador T’lura.”

The commander standing behind the admiral tapped a remote control and a map of the Federation, with the rimward sectors highlighted, appeared on the wall.  Admiral Osaka revealed the purpose for the conference. “We recently received an offer from the Tholian Holdfast requesting a conference to consider membership in the Alliance.  The Tholians wish to conduct the negotiations in person and are willing to accept a Federation Starship inside their territory.  Admiral Hardy, Colonel Martak, your mission is to escort Ambassador T’lura to the Tholian Homeworld for the negotiations and bring her back home after they are concluded.”  Blossom glanced at the Vulcan but was unable to determine from the diplomat’s mien whether she had already been briefed.  It was likely, however, that she had been.

“We are,” the admiral continued, “launching two major military strikes that will help conceal your actions.  The primary attack will be aimed at isolating the Orion Enclave and returning it into the Federation.  A second penetration will thrust deep into Klingon space to destroy the Lyran supply lines on the Federation front.  Our allies will also conduct major offensive actions at the same time, although in the case of the Gorns it will be only a feint at the Romulan homeworlds.  The Kzinti are unable to contribute to the offensive at this time.  I say allies, in plural,” he said with a tone that showed the sensitive nature of his disclosure, “because the Hydrans will be launching an offensive aimed at recovering their capital system.  We expect considerable success, or at least confusion, to result from these coordinated actions, which should provide you with the opportunity to slip through the Klingon lines.”

Admiral Osaka’s adjunct began handing out documents detailing their mission.  “You will leave Starbase 19 tomorrow in the USS Solidarity.  Using the high-warp corridor, seven days later you will reach the planet Vitalia.  From that point you will make your course for this point in the Tholian Holdfast,” he said and indicated a location on the map, causing it to enlarge on the display.  “Inside the Holdfast you will rendezvous with the cruiser Arrakk which will escort you to the Tholian Homeworld for the negotiations.  Once negotiations are concluded, you will send a coded signal and begin your journey back to Vitalia. 

“Do you have any questions?” he asked after giving Blossom and Colonel Martak time to examine the documents.  Both did.  When both were satisfied, Admiral Osaka resumed speaking.  “We have a special communication for the two of you.  Remember that it is the duty of Starfleet to enforce Federation policy to the best of its ability.”  With that, he changed the display wall from a galactic view to the seal of the Federation which gave way to a small room occupied by a single human.  Recognizing him instantly, Blossom rose to her feet along with everyone else in the room and joined the military officers in saluting.  President Baranov was widely regarded as having saved the Federation after the dark days of the Romulan invasion. 

The president began by offering congratulations.  “Admiral Hardy, my Starfleet advisors assure me that you’re the best dreadnought commander in Starfleet.  I’m sure you will validate their confidence in you.  Good luck.”

“Thank you, Mr. President,” Blossom said, doubly embarrassed when she thought about how recently she had been making love and now she was speaking to the President of the Federation.  She was relieved that he was apparently done with her and going to turn his attention to Colonel Martak.  She was also beginning to feel stunned as she realized that the Solidarity had to be a dreadnought.  She hoped he would go on to one of the others and give her some time to absorb the idea.

He did not.  “Oh, incidentally Admiral Hardy, I met your father once when I was part of the Federation diplomatic contingent at the Babel Conference.  He was already an Admiral then and was the Starfleet representative in our delegation.  It’s good to see his offspring carrying on in his footsteps.” 

Blossom smiled.  “Yes sir.  Thank you, sir.  He’ll be pleased that you remembered it.”  Then the president truly did move on to Colonel Martak and Admiral Osaka.

When the president was gone, Admiral Osaka resumed speaking.  “You have your orders.  Commander Booth,” he indicated the adjunct, “will escort you to the Solidarity.  Dismissed.”  Blossom and Colonel Martak both saluted the collected Admirals and the Commander led them from the room.

Occupied Federation Territory.  The C8V Swarmbreaker.

Klingon warships had the Dyson sphere isolated from the main Tholian fleet.  Unfortunately, they didn’t have the strength after over a year of fighting to both defend their conquests from Tholian reinforcements and assault the Dyson Sphere.  Sorin studied the charts for several minutes before sitting back reluctantly.  “There is no success here.  End simulation.”  The tactical screen faded and the lights returned to normal in the CIC of the carrier.

“It is apparent that we don’t have the resources to accomplish our mission,” he informed the assembled fleet commanders.  “I want suggestions and alternatives.  Nothing foolish such as exhorting our crews to perform better.  I want real ideas.” 

A loud babble greeted him.  Through it a single voice from one of the carrier captains managed to catch Sorin’s ear.  “If this is our last great attempt to win the war, we should commit the balance of the strategic reserve.”  He considered the idea and while suggestions continued to come in Sorin was no longer listening.  “That idea doesn’t go far enough.  We will have to commit the entire reserve and all production until victory is achieved.  We must make total war against the Tholian invaders.

[Grim Reaper]

You definatly have me hooked. I lol when the admirals dived for the maintance closet. Eat that Janeway!
I also like your side hopping. Gives us an insight in both sides. And I like the fact that you wrote an extremly large post with 0 combat and in which I haven't missed it.

[Scottish Andy]

Good post, Kadh. It made extra sense to me since I just recently read the Star Fleet Universe major event timeline and I now actually know the historical context and characters that you use, and even recognise some names.

I'm playing close attention to your battles as well. I find them facinating. :-)

I agree with Reaper about the two admirals, too.

Keep it coming. I'm trying to get back into the writing mood too.