I come to you all again friends. I've finished some more perusing and found this next chapter fit for posting. I hope you like it. It also answers a question asked quite often of La'ra. Yes, Ron'jar is married. Here you get a glimpse of her and learn her name.
Chapter Five
IKS B’rel,
En route to Goesa’vaina.
Commander Ron’jar felt unnaturally soft as he sat before the personal computer station within his cabin. He had been aboard his new command for just over two hours now. His ship and her escorts, those three ancient warships training smoke behind B’rel, had already set course for their destination and were headed there as fast as the old grandfathers could manage. In reality, Ron’jar could hardly complain about the D-3 cruisers. For all their age, they had been quite well maintained by their owners. Each had been hurriedly refitted with a modular cloaking generator, which would increase their stealth capacity. At least his task force stood a chance of reaching Goesa’vaina undetected.
This certainly was not what made Ron’jar feel soft.
The B’rel was operating, like her escorts, under cloak, even now. Goesa’vaina would be reached in four days. Ron’jar had wanted to be there much sooner. But the ‘White Hairs’ just could not top warp factor seven. His own ship could make warp nine. To do so would mean leaving his backup behind. Stifling his impatience, the son of Burt accepted the time it would take to reach destination.
This, also, was not what made the commander feel soft.
No, none of these things affected the warrior in the least.
The image on the viewer before him made him feel soft.
Weak. Inferior. Soft.
Ron’jar didn’t mind, though. It had been a long time since he had been able to hear from his wife.
The representation gazing back at him from within the computer screen was not a live feed, but a recording. Nor could it hold a candle to the real thing. Da’kara was far too beautiful for a mere image recorder to capture her countenance correctly. And the message had been short. Far too short.
Under stealth operations, no outgoing transmissions were allowed. It would not do to travel under cloak just to have your cover blown by sending out an active com signal. But it was dissatisfying to be able to hear his love, and not talk back to her.
Da’kara was wearing a blue, studded gown of thick leather. Ron’jar had sent her the Nausican leather for her last birthday. It pleased him that she’d put it to such grand use. The gown showcased her supple, strong shoulders, but teasingly hid all but the curve of her ample breasts. Da’kara was a woman pale of skin tone, and just the sight of her flesh sent her husband’s blood soaring. Long, black locks hung from the rim of her ridge crest in a straight, lustrous cascade. Her crest itself was soft and subtle, having but the barest of indentations to show her cranial form. Her ridges were but tiny rows of shallow, v-shaped lines on her narrow forehead. Da’kara’s eyes were the color of freshly tilled earth, an alluring light shade of brown which reflected all she saw. Her smooth, wide cheeks tapered drastically down into a very sharp chin, framing a petite nose and full, red lips. Ron’jar felt very heavy when he looked upon the visage of his beloved wife.
This was what made Commander Ron’jar feel soft.
“I have been informed by General Kargan of your new command.” Her deep, breathy voice was telling him. “I am gladdened by your promotion but must wonder what price the Kla’davin have placed upon your commission. Perhaps simply promoting you away from La’ra will suit their needs. General Tor has too long been their puppet.
“Your daughter, you will be pleased to note, has disobeyed my wishes and joined the Imperial Navy. General B’rel has promised her emplacement into officer’s training, and Kargan says he will be sure she is deployed somewhere in your sector. I did not want her to join, but she is her father’s daughter it seems. Our lands prosper, and the South Province has produced a record yield of grubbu for shipment to Galt. Tending the lands and the farming is no joy now that the navy has left me with neither husband nor daughter. But I manage as always. Perhaps when you next take leave of your glorious fleet, you may find it suitable to return here and leave me heavy with another companion.”
Ron’jar grinned at the wry humor twinkling in his spouse’s eyes. She teased him mercilessly about the amount of time he spent away from Qo’noS. Her expression turned to a light smile as she leaned closer to the recording device at home. “In fact, I would gladly trade the months of burden for just on night alone…” Her smile deepened.
Ron’jar had thus watched this video seven times. Each time further, he felt more homesick. He had not touched his wife’s hand in three years. He hadn’t even been in the home sector for two. He could bear no more of this. His finger regretfully descended upon the kill key, and his wife faded from view.
Drawing a long breath of thick starship air, Ron’jar looked about the small cabin that was his quarters. It possessed a long, metal rack, which folded into the bulkhead. Upon the rack was a fleet issue pillow that Ron’jar was not likely to find a use for. Soft pillows deadened any sound he might discern during the night. He preferred resting his head on an arm or just on the flat of the bed when he slept. It was must safer this way. Assassination attempts had been rare aboard Hiv’laposh, but had happened. His post was the first to come up for…openings, given that he never considered taking down La’ra.
At the foot of the fold-down bed was a blanket made of norn hide, sent him by his beloved. She knew he sometimes got a night chill. No mattress adorned his bed. He did not begrudge those who slept upon them, save for his own personal amusement, but he did not find their cushioning comfortable. He slept on the ungiving bare rack.
Little else populated the cabin. He had the desk he sat at, with its single chair. There was a head complete with shower aft of the compartment. There was a small com/environmental panel starboard. The rest of the room was fleet-standard brown primer and dull metal flooring. The cabin’s lighting shown out from between criss-crossing piping across the ceiling. It was alien compared to his quarters aboard Hiv’laposh. But it would be home, now.
The commander stood, regarding his satchel and other belongings, which lay strewn about the deck. He resolved to unpack at the end of his first duty cycle. He was eager to return to the bridge. Jabbing the door release, he exited into to main companionway leading through the core of the ship. His path led him forward and into the B’rel’s neck section, connecting the command section to the main hull. At the end of the corridor, the commander passed the briefing/interrogation room and transporter chamber. A soldier stood watch over the transport alcove and the bridge entrance, bearing a rifle strapped over his arm. The noncom nodded to his superior as Ron’jar passed. Ron’jar glared at the youth, coming to a halt before triggering the bridge hatch. The Klingon’s eyes widened as he realized he’d earned his CO’s scrutiny. Finally, cognizance dawned within him and he assumed attention. His fist ascended to his left breast and shot out in salute. Ron’jar returned it, removing his icy glower.
The bridge was running with the quiet efficiency of a Klingon ship of war. His officers stood rigidly at their stations, monitoring readouts and visual displays. Literally half the ship’s standard compliment was present here within the control center. Most systems aboard a Bird of Prey were rendered to automation, requiring only occasional maintenance and upkeep. Only during battle or emergency situations did any component receive more than computerized check-ups. This could be a blessing in terms of manpower, but could easily become a curse.
The B’rel’s bridge was an oddity among Klingon designed vessels. No structural members could be seen jutting from beyond the bulkhead limit, nor were there exposed access panels. Everything was smooth and flush along the perimeter. It was typical of things designed by Romulans. No cover for shipboard combat. How did they expect to defend their ships if there were not usable defense points? And why had the Empire ever agreed to co-design this ship-class with those creatures?
At least the command seat was upon a suitable dais. The crew should always be easily observed by their commander during operations. Ron’jar ascended to that platform now, and took a long look about his small bridge. The iris-type main door droned open behind him. The commander glanced aft to see who entered.
An engineer, clothed in simple brown work fatigues, shuffled within, carrying his burden in either low-stretched arm. He labored to bring heavy buckets of thick liquid onto the bridge, and Ron’jar noticed the breath masks he had tucked beneath his arms. Suspicion boiled within Ron’jar, and he stepped close to the man in challenge.
“Officer, what do you carry there?”
The engineer looked up, eyes widening as he realized his commanding officer was speaking to him. This man the commander had yet to meet. “Paint, my lord! I come to cover the bulkhead primer.”
Ron’jar looked the compartment over, and glanced down at the buckets in hand. The bridge was already coated in Imperial Regulation anti-stain brown primer. It worked good to absorb blood spilled in combat so erase slipping hazards. Nothing more was to be done.
“The ship appears to be finished, Ensign. Another coat would be a waste.”
The young officer blinked his apparent confusion. “But per B’rel-Class specifications, the command deck is to be painted after the primer dries. We did not have time to paint before leaving dock, so it must be done en route, before we come too close to our destination.”
Ron’jar narrowed his eyes.
“What color?”
“Light blue, Commander.”
Ron’jar drew his back straight up in his disgust, glowering at the ensign under his great brow. “Paint my bridge in that and I will kill you. You will leave the regulation primer intact and dump that mess.”
“The paint scheme is standard on all ships designed by the Romulan Star Empire, Commander.”
The low and sultry female voice came from behind as the ensign hurried to remove the offensive enamel from his commander’s presence. Ron’jar turned round, knowing who to expect. Emerging from the forward hatch, leading to the main sensor control chamber, Sub-lieutenant J’lenna S’tall stepped forward on shapely, athletic legs. Her fit anatomy added desirable curves to the near shapeless lump of Romulan uniform that covered it. She wore the blue sash of a lower officer and bore a Klingon issue disruptor of the previous decade’s design. Her face, as upon each of the three opportunities he’d had to speak with her, bore just the tiniest hint of a smirk. Ron’jar found that his disdain for her species faded just enough to notice when he saw her, but immediately redoubled his efforts to make up for the difference.
“I gave you no permission to enter my bridge.” He shot at her as he headed away, pausing to check out the communication station. J’lenna followed, hands outstretching in a mock pleading manner.
“And just how am I to go about my duties if I am not to enter the bridge, Commander? The cloaking device control system is integrated with the engineering interface.” She said, tapping the top of said console for emphasis.
“You will request permission to enter from the senior officer on deck each time you come to the bridge.” He told her, voice gruff and dark. That petty little order should rankle her quite nicely. “Is that clear?”
“Oh, certainly, my lord.” She replied, now her mouth fully curling into a smirk. Ron’jar contemplated shooting her. Could his men learn the cloaking device’s intricacies prior to reaching Goesa’vaina, he wondered. Likely not, he had best keep her around till at least planet fall. He already had an idea about what to do then…
“I must wonder, though,” she went on, seemingly unperturbed by the Klingon’s distaste for her, “if the lavatory system we designed for this class was as effective as it is supposed to be. Considering the smell lingering on this tub one would think there was a flaw in the bathing apparatus.”
Ron’jar only glowered in response. Again his trigger finger itched. Maybe he would use setting three. She’d survive at least that much cellular disruption. She could still operate the cloak with painkillers…
The commander put those pleasant thoughts out of his mind for the time being. The Rihansu had her uses, however annoying she may be at the moment. “It is time for the third shift to train on the cloak system.” He reminded her as though she’d not said a word to him. Without sparing her another glance, Ron’jar ascended to the conn platform and took his seat.
His chair was broad and angular, of the same model installed on the modern K’t’inga-Class of D-7 cruiser. It had an automated swivel function, used more for mild intimidation purposes rather than true functionality. Its tarnished copper color was pleasing to the eye, as was its high back. He sat slowly, relishing the feeling of his command.
Again the main door to the bridge peeled open, this time disgorging the third watch of the day onto the deck. Lieutenant Tor’nax, his first officer, led the three man party onto the bridge, relieving the larger number that already stood at their stations. The third watch, which occurred at the beginning of mealtime in the mess, was only a small watch keeping force. No more than five of the ship’s regular compliment of twelve would be on duty. Today would actually be different. B’rel carried within her an additional twenty-four soldiers from Tor’s command to assist in operations. This crowded the ship quite severely, a condition that was common on many missions. Six men of this extra force would be on duty during this shift, spread between the engine room and the forward sensor control room.
The relieved men of the second watch stood, allowing their replacements to sit. Each saluted their captain and made their way from the bridge. Ron’jar watched as Tor’nax made his way from one station to the next; helm to engineering, from there to weapons control, then on to his own post at the science station behind the command chair. Finally, his tour complete, the First Officer stood at attention and addressed the captain.
“My lord, B’rel stands at one-hundred percent operational capacity and is ready for battle. All watch stations are manned. The armory is fully stocked and all tactical weaponry is at your command. Fuel status is at ninety-nine percent.”
Ron’jar nodded his only response to the report. “I have the bridge.” He told the younger man.
“You have the bridge.” Tor’nax repeated.
The first officer seemed to be a very good hand in by-the-book operation. Ron’jar had found no opportunity to test his mettle, though. Goesa’vaina would tax the youth to his limits. Those people were valiant warriors with a martial tradition that literally stretched back to their earliest roots. The Goesan political structure, indeed its very government itself, was the same one that its most ancient forefathers had built in bygone ages. It had never fallen. Ron’jar’s respect for these aliens was very high.
Yes, the coming battle would indeed be one worthy of song.
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Hope that was somewhat endurable. Thanks for reading.