Topic: Sword and the Targ

[Lieutenant_Q]

Twenty Years Earlier

"4th Officer's Log:  21 July 2246.  Another uneventful night, pushing our engines faster than they were supposed to go to make the rendezvous with the Constellation.  I don't know how many times 2nd Engineering Officer Tompson screamed at me that Warp 5 was pushing these engines too hard.  I still can't believe that after all this time, the Klingons were actually going to war with us.  Relations hadn't been stellar, but they hadn't been terrible either.  The scuttlebutt around the ship is that one of our diplomats made the mistake of insulting some Brigadier General that pulled a lot of weight with the Klingon High Council.  Who knows, really.  All we know for sure is that the Constellation picked up a sizeable Klingon Fleet forming on the other side of the border.  We were in range, so we're responding to her rallying call.  One thing is certain..."  Lieutenant James Atkinson's droning on about the current situation probably would have continued for the next five minutes or so if the Captain hadn't interrupted him.

"Red Alert!  All hands to Battlestations, this is not a drill. Red Alert, All hands to Battlestations, this is not a drill." James glanced over at his chronometer, which told him that his Battlestation was Auxilliary Control, one of the most boring spots to be during an alert. He'd rather be in his cabin, well...he'd rather be on the bridge, but any place at all would be better than Aux Control.  Not wanting the black mark on his record for failing to arrive at a Battlestation, even though he wouldn't have to do anything, he ran out his cabin door, completely forgetting to turn off the log recorder.  Dashing down the corridor he spotted that the turbolift was heading up to the bridge, and would not be stopping here, so he sprinted past and jumped on the service ladder.  Straddling the ladder he slid down one deck.  He jumped off, jogged down the corridor and entered the door marked Auxilliary Control.  Seating himself he toggled the comm panel. "Bridge this is Auxilliary Control, manned and ready."

The first officer replied, "Auxilliary Control, this is Bridge, acknowledged.  Stand by."

"Standing by."  James sighed as he toggled the comm switch to stand by.  "Well...might as well see whats going on."  He punched a few buttons and brought up the tactical display.  In the center of his screen was the icon representing their ship.  USS Germany NCC-817, Texas Class Light Cruiser.  Ahead and slightly to port was a Klingon ship, designated an F5 Destroyer.  Brand new ship, against this aging Light Cruiser, we were in for one hell of a fight, he thought.  The Klingon was well within Federation Space, so when the Germany opened up with a pair of Photons set to proximety it didn't surprise him.  It also didn't surprise him that both torpedoes hit.  Ensign Parker was one of the surest shots in the Alpha Quadrant.  But those two torpedoes barely scratched the F5s shields.  The F5 came charging in, disrupters blasting, both hit, Germany's foreward shields went down to 50%.  Parker responded by firing all six Phaser 2s at the on rushing Klingon before he banked hard to Starboard.  Shortly before the turn the Captain dropped the foreward shield and placed a Transporter Bomb directly in front of the Klingon.  The Klingon had no time to react and plowed into it, but responded by dropping two of his own almost right on top of Germany.  Numbers 3 and 5 shield went down, number 2 shield buckled under the Klingon's Phaser and Disrupter salvo.  The Captain brought the ship harder to starboard and let the 4 shield take the Klingon's aft phaser barrage.  It went down.  Four Phasers lanced out from Germany in response.  A smile crept across his face as he noticed that one of the phasers got through and hit the Klingon's Drone launcher.  The Klingon continued his turn, Germany continued hers.  Germany just wasn't fast enough, the Klingon hit where the 5 shield would have been with a disrupter and phaser salvo again.  The impact threw him against the console.  The starboard phaser bank was wrecked.  Germany responded with the foreward phaser bank once it was brought around.  His foreward shield didn't collapse, but there wasn't much there either.  The Klingon tried to overfly Germany, before Parker could hit him with the Photons, he didn't quite make it, his 2 shield buckled under two point blank photon hits, which also finished the number 6 shield.  Both the Klingon's foreward Phasers went down with the Photon hits.  But he did overfly the crippled ship, and put all three of his rear phasers into the exposed hull.  The Status light for one of the two Port phasers winked out, as did the one for the starboard Photon.  But something else happened, the ship stopped turning.  The Bridge took a hit, according to the status diagram it was still intact, but the helmsman must have been knocked out.  The Klingon banked sharply to the rear, looking to get on to the Starboard side.  The ship began to move, slowly, until the ship shook violently from a Disrupter volley.  The ship stopped completely, the Bridge was gone.

James stopped, he may be the ranking officer on the ship.  The Communications console blinked, incoming transmission.  Numbly he tapped the button to receive it. "Federation Starship Ger-man-ee, this is Commander Klandathor.  Your ship is disabled, surrender and I will spare the lives of your crew."  Mutely James stared at the status screen.  The Klingons foreward shields might not be able to handle a phaser shot, but he only had three left.  There wasn't enough energy to recharge the capacitor.  There was just enough energy to finish loading that last photon.  There wouldn't be enough to reload another.  Klandathor was hovering around the Starboard rear quadrant, there was no way he'd be able to bring the Photon to bear, unless... "Auxilliary Control to Engineering."

"Engineering, Tompson here."

"Tompson, this is Atkinson, whos in charge down there?"

The young man swallowed hard, "I am, sir.  Cheif Hernandez has a piece of bulkhead through her torso...she's dead, sir."

"Understood...Tompson...how much warp power can you give me?"

"I...I...don't know sir."

"Tompson...slow down...breath, can you give me enough for a warp turn?"

"Maybe, sir."

"Start charging it up, I'll stall the Klingon." He left the channel to engineering open as he opened a channel to the Klingon ship. "Commander Klandathor, this is Lieutenant James Atkinson, surviving ranking officer of the Germany.  I apologize for not answering you sooner, there's not much left of our comm system."

"No apologies are neccessary Lieutenant, your surrender is."

"Yes, yes you're right, will you give me a moment to inform the rest of my crew?"

"No, Lieutenant, I will not give you a moment.  Surrender or Die! Choose now!"

"Now Tompson!"  Germany spun awkwardly on its side, and clumsily came to rest facing the Klingon,  Two phasers lanced out of the ship, one knocked out the Klingon's shield, while the other struck the Klingon's Port Disrupter Bank, and cut it off from the rest of his ship.  The Klingon helm officer must have jumped, or been shot, or something because the Klingon lurched hard to port, so hard in fact that a loud Klank reverberated through the ship when the Klingon slammed their Starboard Disrupter Bank into the hull of Germany.  The Klingon bounced off and turned it's tail towards them, probably to fire their rear phasers.  James didn't give him the chance, putting the last Photon directly into the phasers.  The Klingon limped away.  "Tompson...well done.  Engine status?"

"Not good, that warp turn hurt."

"What can you give me?"

"Warp one, Warp two if we wait ten minutes."

"Then we wait ten minutes."

It was an agonizingly long ten minutes.  The damage report was extensive, as was the casualties.  The Texas Class had an operating crew of one-forty, only fifty-three were present and accounted for, fifteen were missing, probably dead, including the Captain, and first officer.  The second officer was chief Hernandez.  While the third officer was in critical condition in what was left of sickbay.  At warp two Germany was six hours from the Constellation rendezvous, and two weeks from starbase twelve.  Impulse and Warp Engines were damaged, half of the ships weapons were down.  Auxillary Life Support was gone, transporters, communications were out.  James set a course for the Constellation, while he knew that Germany wouldn't be any help in a battle, Constellation could support the remaining fifty-three crewmembers.  The Baton Rouge Class Starship was big enough, although like the Texas she was nearing the end of her operating life.  The Baton Rouge Class was originally a Heavy Battlecruiser, but as the ship became more outdated, she was now classified as a Cruiser.  Rumors abounded of new Heavy Battlecruiser to take the place of the Baton Rouge, but security was so tight around the ship that most rumors were completely rediculous, if you knew anything about starship construction.  During the six hour trek to the Constellation, the third officer had died, leaving Atkinson as the senior officer.  Tompson had shored up structural integrity to take a few hits in a fight, but couldn't do anything for the Starboard Phaser bank.  Germany was going into a war zone, and if it could contribute in anyway, it would.  Tompson did some work on Auxilliary Control to make it a little bit easier to work in.  When Germany arrived at the coordinates, the Constellation was no where to be found.  What he did find was a Klingon D6 Battlecruiser.

"Sir, there is a lot of debris in the area.  Some Klingon, some Federation.  The Klingon ship started to turn towards us, but it seems to have decided that we aren't much of a threat."

"Are we within Communications range yet?"

As Tompson nodded, the communications button blinked.  Pressing it, James swallowed hard.  "Federation Starship, you are no doubt here for the Constellation.  She died a brave and glorious death in battle, my ship is the only surviving ship of our battle group.  Our warriors will sing songs for years commemorating your brave crew.  You may recover what you can without any interference from us. Qa'pla!"

"Well that was certainly unexpected."

"Indeed, anything out there Tompson?"

"Not much, I have a couple escape pods on sensors, and the data recorder from four ships, but not...wait...there it is.  I have the Constellation's event recorder."

"Transporters?" Tompson shook his head, "Tractor Beams?" Again he shook his head. "Allright, prep a shuttle craft, we'll have to bring them in the hard way.  Get the escape pods first."

Of all four escape pods that the Germany found, only six people were still alive, none of them were in any condition to do anything.  The Constellation's data recorder was in pretty bad shape, it was the last thing they got on board, the Klingon had left five minutes earlier.  Germany turned and began to limp to starbase twelve.

"James, we have a problem."

"What kind of problem?"

"Life support sir, its failing, and theres nothing I can do about it."

"How long do we have?"

"Not long enough."

"I'll transmit a distress call, get working on Constellation's recorder."

It took a two and a half hours for the Constellation's event recorder to be extracted and patched, when combined with the other four, they had a pretty complete depiction of the battle.  Fifteen ships had rallied to the Constellation, but the Constellation was by far the biggest ship.  As Atkinson and Tompson watched a fleet of twenty Klingon ships close on the Federation fleet.  The biggest fight of the war was going to be determined here.  One by one, Federation ships winked out on the Tactical display, slightly faster was the rate at which the Klingons winked out.  Until it came down to the Constellation, and three D6 Battlecruisers.  James held his breath at the Constellation began a charge that was counter to all logic.  The Constellation literally charged one of the cruisers, while savaging another cruiser with it's weapons.  Then the screen went blank.  The words: USS Constellation NCC-1017 Event Recorder end of tape, flashed across the screen and froze there.

"I think we can guess that the Constellation self-destructed, taking the two D6s with them."

Atkinson nodded slowly, "We have to transmit this along to Starbase twelve. We're not going to make it back."

"Maybe...but maybe we are, a Starship is on sensors...one that I've never seen before, it's huge!"

"Taking us out of warp."

"Starship Germany, this is Captain Robert April of the Starship Enterprise, we're responding to your distress call.  Standby for emergency transport."

[Tus-XC]

i'm liking this , my only crit is that battle reads rather like it was fought on a 2d plane, remember in space you have 3 axies to work w/.  for example you could refer to the ventrical or dorsal shields taking damage from that f5 swooping in on it (or better yet don't number the shields, use port starbord fore aft, its hard figurein out which shield ya mean when ya use a number )  besides my need for a a battle to be fought utilizng all the x,y and z plane its a very good, imho

[kadh2000]

Very nice.  Wouldn't the Constellation have been just as big as the Enterprise though?

Re: 2d vs 3d.  It happens a lot in our fiction here anyway since most of us are used to the games where 2d is all we have.  Don't let it bother you. 

[Lieutenant_Q]

The Baton Rouge Class Starship, the immediate predecessor to the Constitution was about 2/3rds the size of the Constitution.

[kadh2000]

Hmm.  I was looking at the TOS material and the Constellation appears to have been Constitution class despite the difference in registry numbers, that's why I mentioned it.

[Lieutenant_Q]

Yes...but...this part of the story takes place as the Constitution Class is making its debut.  The Constellation that Matt Decker commands hasn't been built yet.  The Third Constitution class ship will be given that special dispensation, and be renamed Constellation in honor of her sacrifice here, she'll keep the same registry cause Starfleet hadn't thought that far ahead yet.  They will eventually realize that they may be confusing people and go with the bloody A, B, C, or D system that Enterprise and the few others receive. (I think thats what they called it when they gave Sisko the Sao Paulo and renamed it to Defiant, right down the her old registry)

[CaptJosh]

Actually, the registry number got changed from NX to NCC.

[Commander La'ra]

Actually, the registry number got changed from NX to NCC.

Is that actual canon?

[CaptJosh]

Yes. I saw it onscreen, smartass.

[Grim Reaper]

Me like.

[Lieutenant_Q]

It didn't dawn on him just how big this ship was until he and Tompson were standing in an absolutely enormous Transporter room.  The Germany's lone transporter room consisted of a wall console and three pads.  James looked around in awe as he noticed that there were six pads, room at the dedicated console for two people, and what appeared to be a Food Slot.  The Food Slots were rumored to be just as good as standard cooking, the way meals were prepared on Germany, but without the need for a dedicated chef.  On Germany, you ate what the Cook made, or you didn't eat at all, but these Food Slots were supposed to provide a wide selection of meals.  Standing behind the Transporter console was a young, junior officer, James didn't have much time to say anything to him when the older man, probably mid-fifties, standing beside the console spoke up.  "Lieutenant Atkinson, welcome aboard the Enterprise.  You and Chief Tompson were the last people we beamed off your ship.  We'll take your ship in tow, but I'm afraid that it won't be salvaged.  We're just glad you we're able to recover the Constellation's event recorder, it saves us a trip to the Klingon Border.  I'm sure the Klingons would love to get some sensor scans of this beauty.  I have a few things to discuss with you, but I can see that you two could use a shower and a hot meal, so I'll let you get to that.  Find me when your done, Ensign Nichols will escort you to the guest quarters."  Captain April nodded to the young officer behind the Transporter Console, then turned and left the room.  The door opening without a button being pressed and shutting itself behind him.

Ensign Nichols motioned to the door, and Atkinson and Tompson finally stepped off the Transporter Pads, following him out the door and into the almost empty corridor.  "You realize that just by being aboard Enterprise your security clearance just went up to Level Nine.  No one on this ship has any less than level ten security clearance, as guests you'll be locked in at nine, unless the Captain deems you reliable enough to raise it.  We had to take such precautions, and as a result, we're confident that no one in the Klingon Empire knows anything more than  that we've commissioned a new Heavy Cruiser, we put out enough chaff and misinformation that should keep them guessing as to our abilities for months."  Nichols stopped in front of a turbolift and waited for the lift to stop at this level.

Tompson spoke up first, "Motion sensors on all the doors?"

Nichols nodded, "Dr. Daystrom's breakthrough, the Duotronic circuit controls this entire ship.  That is, of course, not classified, it's well known that Duotronics will revolutionize Starship operations.  The Computer locates every lift on the ship, and sends the closest one to where there are people waiting.  It cuts down on lift waits considerably, because as you know, on your ship, there could only be one lift for every tube.  With Duotronics, we could have five, six, even ten lifts for every tube, although it doesn't work like that on Enterprise.  There are actually no seperate tubes, the tube that takes you to the Bridge, will take you to the shuttle bay." The lift doors opened and they walked in, grasping one of the three handles in the turbo-lift, he twisted it slightly, "Deck Four, Port."  The Turbolift hummed into action.  "It makes trips to Engineering, Sickbay, Hydroponics, the Bowling Alley, very quick, no more getting off at one level, walking down the corridor and then getting into another lift."

Atkinson's interest was peaked, "You have a bowling alley?"  Bowling was one of his childhood loves, he gave it up for a career in Starfleet, another childhood fantasy.  The turbolift came to stop, the doors opened and the three of them entered the corridor.

"Deck Seventeen, the main recreational facilities are down there.  I can't get into specifics because they're classified, but Starfleet wanted to make sure this ship could stay away from port for a long time.  Here are your quarters gentleman, Cheif Tompson, this one is yours, Lieutenant Atkinson, yours are the next one down.  The Mess Hall is further down the hall and to the left, just opposite of the Turboshaft."  Ensign Nichols smiled, and then turned back into the Turbolift, which hadn't moved since their arrival.  James nodded to Tompson, who stepped into his Quarters, while James strolled down the corridor and enter his.

Everything on this ship is big, James thought as he stepped into the main area.  An acutal desk with a computer, the terminal seemed to be disabled, but what James wouldn't give to be posted on one of these ships.  Stepping into the side area he noted a sleeping area and then hidden in the back, the lavatory.  He stripped off his dirt and grime encrusted uniform and stepped into the shower, fully expecting some new and strange way of cleaning himself, he was shocked when water began squirting out of the nozzle.  The events of the past day and half washed off of him along with the dirt, grease, sweat and blood.  Grasping the towel hanging from the shower door he did a quick dry of everything but his hair, and then wrapped the towel around his waist, as he was so used to the Community Bathrooms where anyone, even a female crewman, could walk in unexpectedly.  He strode out into the main area and opened up the drawer on the vanity set.  Inside he found a couple pair of coveralls that fit him quite well, donning one of them, he noted the name on the coverall was Enterprise, but other than that almost the same as the ones he had back in his quarters on Germany. He quickly ran his fingers through his hair, making sure that it wasn't a mess, turned off the light in the vanity and strolled out into the corridor.  It didn't take him long to find the Mess Hall, and when he did, he found Captain April waiting for him.  Beside April, the Mess Hall was empty, Tompson was obviously still back in his Quarters.  April motioned that he should get something to eat first before sitting down with him.  James picked up the disks that were neatly stacked in a tray in front of the food slots, each disk had six choices on it, each choice corresponded with a button underneath the slot.  Two of the disks had nothing but beverages on it.  Making his choice he fed one disk into the drive, pressed a button, the slot made some noise, and then the door opened and produced a steaming hot roast beef sandwich.  Pulling the first disk and the sandwich out he fed a second disk into drive and pressed another button.  A tall glass of Root Beer appeared when the door opened again.  He placed the disks back into the tray, grabbed his tray and drink, and walked carefully over to where Captain April was sitting.  James sat down unfurled the napkin and placed it over his lap, grasped the fork and cut into the sandwich.  The gravy oozed towards his fork as he finished the cut and lifted the fork full into his mouth.  He slowly chewed the sandwich, tasting it, testing it.  Finally he nodded and swallowed. "Very good, much better than I was expecting."

"That was my reaction when I ate out of that thing for the first time.  Out of all the things on this ship, that's the one thing I have the hardest time getting used to.  It used to be you could tell what kind of Captain you were by the quality of the Cook you had on board.  If someone had a better cook than you, then he was a better Captain.  Now, its some programmer back on Earth, and we all have, or rather, will have the same one."

"But how does it work?  I mean, it just cant make this stuff out of thin air can it?"

"No, it can't.  Theoretically it can make almost anything, if it has the stuff on board to do it.  The ship stores now are one big stasis field, stuff like fruit, vegtables, meat, and breads are stored there and when an order is placed its cut, prepared and sent via a special turbolift.  The gravy is made from the meat itself, a process I can't even begin to understand, let alone explain.  The food is then zapped with a modified phaser beam, if you want it hot, the door opens up and there's the food you ordered.  On a more complicated order, like say a Lasanga or a Casserole, the selector can take up to a couple minutes to deliver the food, most of the time though, the wait is about fifteen to thirty seconds."

Tompson entered the Mess Hall wearing a similar coverall, he noticed James and Captain April, nodded and went over to the food slot, a moment later he was sitting right beside James with a Chicken Sandwich, with Mayo.  Tompson took a cautious bite, and swallowed. "Wow."

April smiled, "To business, We're twenty-seven hours out from starbase twelve.  I'm sure you'll do the math in your head, but I'll save you the trouble, we're cruising at Warp Six.  I've already been informed by Admiral Mayweather that the Germany is to be decommissioned after you have retrieved your personal belongings from her.  Most of your crew has already been selected for their new posts, after their six week R&R.  That leaves me to the two of you.  Chief Tompson, you have not at this time submitted your re-enlistment request.  I have to ask, do you intend to re-enlist or retire?  You only have four weeks left on your current enlistment tour."

"At this time, Captain, I think I'd like to go off active duty, for the time being, sir."

"Understood, then I will officially put you on the reserve duty roster.  You should find plenty of work back on Earth, heck you might find a spot on the team putting the third ship of this class together."

"Yes sir, thank you sir."

"Lieutenant Atkinson, Admiral Mayweather has authorized me to issue you and Cheif Tompson with the Johnathan Archer Medal of Valor for your actions.  Together the two of you saved  what was left of your crew, and you managed to, although inadvertantly, prevent the Klingons from obtaining knowledge of our latest starship design.  You have Starfleet's thanks."

"Thank you sir."

"With that, you have been put forth for a promotion, I expect it to go through, quite possibly before we arrive at Starbase Twelve.  Your next duty assignment, while not on Enterprise or the Constitution, will be on another until now classified design.  The Saladin, a new destroyer.  Slightly more compact than Enterprise, but she's still a luxury yacht compared to the design of the Germany, you're to be her first officer.  She will be launching from the McKinley shipyards at the end of August.  Unfortunately that means you're R&R will be cut a couple of weeks short, but I'm confident that you can handle it."

"Aye sir."

"Now, I've heard you've taken interest in the ship's bowling alley.  Care for a game or two?  I carry a one-sixty-two average."

"Yes sir.  It's been a few years since I've bowled, but I did carry a one-forty-three in my last youth league."

"How about you Cheif?"

"No thank you sir, I'm more of a soccer person."

"Suit yourself. Lieutenant?"  April motioned for James to take the lead and headed out into the corridor.

[Grim Reaper]

Long sentences, fast feeling on the dialog but otherwise well done.

[Lieutenant_Q]

Does anyone know off hand what Earth Date Stardate 0 is supposed to be TOS terms?

[Scottish Andy]

Nice section there, Q, even though I am used to Diane Carey's Robert April. 

I agree with Grim about the dialogue feeling rushed, but I do like your little comparisons of the things we know nd take for granted on TOS and their "a few steps bnehind" predecessors. Different turboshafts for different sections of the ship, and such like.  I'm a detail freak and love this kind of thing.

As for Stardate 0, you can check out my site's databanks for the rather convoluted explanation I use, but I think--with memories from the Intro of 'Prime Directive' by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens--stardate 0 is supposed to be 1st of January 2264: the start of the Five Year Mission. It's not explicitly stated anywhere, though.

Looking forward to more.

[Lieutenant_Q]

Dialogue is not my strong suit, I always seem to have a hard time with not making it sound rushed, I'm open to suggestions.

I remember reading Diane Carey's book regarding the first voyage of Enterprise, but I can't remember the name of the book nor April's personality, since I've already written the next four chapters, and April was only in this one, I'm not going to worry myself too much about it.

I had developed a Stardate system of my own, which is based on the TNG but wont line up exactly.  The first digit is the century, the next two digits are the year, while the last two + the decimal are a base 100 year.  Of course this is a decidedly Terran stardate system that wouldn't work when, if we encouter Vulcans and Andorians.  I just wanted the reference because chapter six opens up with "First Officer's Log: 35th day of As'shara..."  As it is an Andorian making the log entry.  I wanted to know when I can start the Stardate references...It appears I can start it once I get to Three years Earlier...

[Jaeih t`Radaik]

Hi Q, I do like your story and the direction it is taking. It does conflict with my own universe and as such I cannot include it within my own canon, but I am interested, so keep going!

I agree with Andy about the details you include, as La'ra will no doubt tell you (given half a chance) that I am a detail freak too.

The Diane Carey book(s) Andy's referring to are 'Final Frontier' and 'Best Destiny'. I like that Carey paints him as an English schoolteacher-type of captain instead of the stereotypical 'square-jawed flinty-eyed hero' type. My own first story 'A New Opponent' is a continuation of her Romulan concepts in 'Final Frontier', so they're both worth a re-re-re-re-read.

I see that Grim has a point with the long sentances, as it seems to me that you use a lot of commas to string together different sentance fragments that'd be better off on their own.

Also, the main thing that I notice about your fast dialogue is that you almost never break up a piece of dialogue. Making breaks and giving reactions during someone's speaking slows the pace and makes for a better flow. E.g.:

"Blah blah blahbiddy blah blah," Lieutenant Q said confidently, trying to impress his CO--much to the captain's amusement. "Snoogle woogle snarfity blart snort speaking Klingon," he finished, illustrating his point.

"I... see what you mean, Lieutenant," Captain Of'Industry replied, nodding thoughtfully. "Speaking Klingon does make you sound like a numbskull."

 

I hope this helps you out some. If you need further clarification, I'll be happy to add or elaborate.

[Lieutenant_Q]

I wrote this one a couple weeks ago, and didn't have time to edit it per the suggestions of Jaeih and Grim Reaper.  I have begun editing 4-6 and have basically put a hold on new chapters until I finish editing the previous three.

"4th Officer's Log: 23 July 2246: Destruction Entry: Enterprise arrived in orbit of Starbase tweleve six hours ago, after a brief ceremony honoring the loss of her crew and the crew of the Intrepid, we officially decommissioned the Germany by Phaser destruction.  Most of the crew is being offloaded here at Starbase Twelve, myself, Cheif Tompson and ten others are hitching a lift back to Earth on Enterprise.  We expect the trip to take roughly three weeks, meanwhile the twelve of us have been cleared to roam about the ship.  I was on the Bridge when Enterprise slipped into orbit.  A much smoother and quicker transition than Germany could ever have done, if the Saladin can do half of what Enterprise can do, I'm going to be on a good ship.  End Recording."  Atkinson paused for a few seconds, collecting his thoughts before beginning again. "Personal Log, Lieutenant Commander James Atkinson: 23 July 2246: Captain April was right, my promotion was waiting for me on Admiral Mayweather's desk.  Along with my new posting as XO of the Saladin, no word on who my CO is going to be, I guess I'll find out in a couple of weeks.  Something Captain April pointed out to me as we warped out of Starbase tweleve's system, I'll have to see if it's true or not, The dedication plate on Enterprise's Bridge reads 'Starship Class', which is rumored to be the same thing that the Saladin's plaque reads.  Obviously these two ships are not of the same class, I pulled up the specifications on the Saladin a couple hours ago, the Saladin's Saucer is slightly larger than Enterprise, but does not have the Secondary Hull that Enterprise has, and has roughly 60% the warp power of Enterprise, which is still more than Germany had.  Amazing that that one nacelle can out-perform Germany's two.  End Recording."  James signed off with a sigh as he looked about his guest quarters on Enterprise, still in awe over what he was seeing.  The sheer size of the cabin was something that he just was not used to, not even his dorm room in the academy was this big, and it was meant to fit two.  He called up the specifications for Saladin again, noting that the Saladin, although a smaller ship, seemed to be capable of everything Enterprise was, just not as fast as Enterprise.  His cabin was about the same size as the one he was currently occupying, the bridge was also the same size, the crew size was roughly half of what Enterprise was supposed to be carrying, but she wasn't carrying her full crew at this time.  A chime at the door interrupted him.  "Come in."

Cheif Tompson was waiting at the door, he entered the room and looked at James. "Getting used to the new rank sir?"

"It doesn't officially take effect until I arrive on the Saladin." James motioned for Tompson to sit down, "Why didn't you tell me you were not renewing your service contract?"

"When we were on the verge of dieing, it didn't seem important."  Tompson pulls up a chair on the other side of the desk and plops himself into it. "But I wouldn't worry sir, I doubt I'll stay away from the fleet long.  I just have a few things I want to take care of back on Earth before another long tour." 

"I'll see if I can find room for you on my next ship then."

"That Klingon we met...Kland..a..."

"Yeah, I found my self tripping over my tongue on that one...let's just call him Klank."

"Like the sound his ship made when he hit ours?"

"The very same."

"Do you think we'll ever meet him again?"

"If we're lucky...yes."

"What do you mean?"

"The only reason he was going to win that fight was because his ship was brand new, and ours was heading for the scrapyard.  If he and I lock horns again, I'm in a state-of-the-art Destroyer, and he's in a pathetic F5.  I'll hand him his head."

"You sure about that?"

"The Saladin's weapons complement is exactly the same as Enterprise's, now theres some question as to whether the engines can handle powering all of them or not, but even if I have to take a photon or two offline, I still out-gun that garbage scowl he was flying."

"You're sounding a bit too overconfident.  What if the Saladin doesn't meet its expectations?"

"I... I never thought of that.  I guess I'm just too caught up in this new technological marvel that we call Enterprise.  When the Klingons debuted their D6 a decade ago, we all thought it was the shift in the balance of power that would bring us a war.  It almost did.  Now we're shifting it right back with these Constitution and Saladin Class ships.  But you know that the Klingons won't let that stay that way for long.  Despite what Starfleet Intelligence wants us to believe, I don't think the Klingons are as blind as we would want them to be regarding this ship."

"You think they know about it?"

"No question, they may not know specifics, but they know we have it, and they know its better than their D6."

"What about the Romulans?"

"Romulans?  We haven't heard from them in eighty years, I think they would prefer that the universe forget about them.  Why do you bring them up?"

"My Great-Grandfather was on Starbase One when those bastards took it out.  It's hard for me to not think of them when I think of war."

"I'm sorry.  But as long as those barbarians stay on their side of the nuetral zone, we're going to leave them be."

"I know.  Listen, I need to do a few things, you want to stop by the rec room later, say 1700?"

"Sure thing, I need to go see Captain April about getting me something to do on the trip back to Earth, I'll go stir crazy if I dont."

***

"Well Commander, there she is."  Captain April brought James' attention to the screen as they entered the Sol system.  Sitting in a Dry Dock Lattice over Alaska was his new ship, the USS Saladin, NCC-500.  Starfleet had begun that strange numbering system at its birth, but there was a problem coming, the Light Cruisers started their numbering with 600.  Something would have to give with their numbering system.  But that was still one hundred ships down the road, it wasn't supposed to become a problem for the next quarter century.  "What do you think?"

"She certainly has a charm to her sir.  Request permission to disembark, Captain."

"Granted Commander, it's been a pleasure having you aboard.  Good luck."

James nodded in a salute before turning and entering the Turbolift.  "Deck Six, Starboard."  James spoke into the Turbolift controls, designating his destination as the Starboard side transporter room.  Upon his arrival he strode down to the transporter room, where his belongings were stacked up against the wall, right where he placed them twenty minutes before entering the system.  Nodding to the transporter operator, he bent over and picked up the duffel bag.  "One to transport to Saladin, Ensign."

"Coordinates locked in, sir."

James stepped up onto the platform, shifted his duffel bag over his shoulder, "Energize."

When the world came back into focus, he almost said Energize again, the transporter rooms were that similar, but when he noticed a man with a yellow sweater standing there, that wasn't there on Enterprise, he stopped.  "Permission to come aboard, sir?"

"Granted Commander, I'm Captain Robert Wesley, welcome to your new home. Follow me please."

James walked off of the Transporter pad and followed Captain Wesley into the corridor.  It didn't take long for Wesley to say something.  "I know you're a little curious as to why you didn't know that I was here before you arrived.  I'll be brief, I'm not the permanent CO of this ship, this is only a temporary assignment for me.  I've already been assigned the command of the fourth Constitution class ship, she'll be complete within four months.  My job, is to make you command material, Starfleet believes that with a little more seasoning, you will be a fine Captain, so upon my transfer to my next command, I will be handing over this ship to you.  Until that time, I will work with you to make sure Starfleet is correct.  Now, get your stuff put away, and meet me on the Bridge in twenty minutes."

"Aye sir."

[Scottish Andy]

I'm still reading, so you keep posting!

[Lieutenant_Q]

Oh yes...I love to write, I'll keep posting.  Doing it this way is probably the best thing to happen.  I have half a dozen stories on my computer, only one was ever finished, th "script" for Star Trek XI a little further down the forum.  My problem is, that I get into a writing mood, write for about a month or two, and then get out of the mood and never finish what I started.  Doing it this way, I got you people to keep prodding me along and making sure that I keep writing and you provide a wonderful foil for fleshing the story out.

Heres to the readers! 

[Grim Reaper]

cheers m8. And I'm still aboard. But then again, I read most of the stories posted. And Andy's site has few secrets for me either...

[Lieutenant_Q]

Seventeen Years Earlier

"Captain's Log, 3 March 2249: Starship Saladin on search pattern for Starfleet Freighter Tanaka, last reported position Gamma Hydra, Section fourteen.  She reported that she was under attack.  Attackers were unknown."  James Atkinson slapped the voice recorder off with a grunt.  Then pulled up a strategic map on his private viewer.

"Leaving section fourteen for section thirteen.  Deja vu eh Captain?" Cindy Kaponen, a fit, but somewhat bulky human fidgeted around at the Helm station.  She was fresh out of the Academy and was referring to the Kobayashi Maru scenario that places the cadets in the same sector, searching for a missing civilian freighter.  Most of the time the scenario ends when the ship crosses the border and gets the bejesus blasted out of it by a trio of Klingon D7 cruisers.

"Indeed, anything on the other side of the border?"

"Affirmative, I am detecting a F5 frigate approximately one light hour inside the Klingon border.  She appears to be paralleling our course." Tenis, a petite Andorian female was the ships science officer, but despite being smaller than Cindy, she was stronger.  The two excercised together regularly and while Cindy did it to keep herself fit, Tenis did it more to show off.  Tenis was only the second Andorian to go through Starfleet Academy, all the other Andorian members of Starfleet were trained on their homeworld.

"Any ID on the Klingon?"

"Not from this range." Tenis paused before adding,  "Sir...I have the freighter, Gamma Hydra section twelve, it's drifting, in another hour it will drift across the border."

"Then let's get there before it does."  James turned towards the dual helm and navigation station. "Cindy, increase speed to Warp seven, Will, lay in an intercept course."

"Course computed." William Clarke, a tall and lanky human was seated at the duel tactical and navigation station, his specialty was tactical, but he could navigate a ship fairly well.

Cindy's hands worked over the console, "Estimating two minutes to intercept."

"Aspect change on the Klingon, she is closing on the border."

"Alert Status, Condition Yellow.  Will, Shields up."

"Shields up, shall I charge weapons?"

"No, not yet. ID on the Klingon?"

"Affirmative, Ship is designated Dark Fire."

"I know that ship, Open a channel."  James waited on the communications officer before beginning. "Klingon vessel Dark Fire, this is Captain James Atkinson of the Federation Starship Saladin...we are on a search and rescue mission.  We have no hostile intentions, but we will defend our border if you attempt to cross."

"Incoming visual communication sir."

"James Atkinson, I am glad to see you have been given a command of your own.  While I would relish a rematch, my orders appear to be the same as yours, and do not involve combat with your ship," Klandathor's expression turned into one of accusation, "Unless your ship is responsible for the destruction of six Klingon Freighters."

"Good to see you again, Klank.  You're missing some Freighters as well?  We've lost five in the last two weeks."

"We do not lose ships, human.  Our ships are destroyed in combat.  If your Federation cannot keep track of it's ships, how can you call yourself galactic power?"

"We do not assume that every ship that we lose is destroyed in battle, there are thousands of hazards in space, some of which can take down even a cruiser."

"Which is why we avoid those hazards whenever possible.  It is foolish to risk ships in an attempt to find out what their place is in the galaxy.  If it can be destroyed, it will be destroyed, if not, it will be ignored, that is the way of things in the Empire."

"We're getting nowhere here."

"I agree, I will leave you to your Freighter.  But do not attempt to cross the border, My disruptors are itching for revenge, and I would hate to have to wreck that new ship of yours."

"He closed the channel Captain."

"We're entering sensor range of the Freighter, same as before, no life signs and no cargo."

"Damn..."  James breathed, "Can we salvage it?"

"Would be more effort than its worth sir."

"Very well, power up the foreward Phaser bank.  Lock Phasers, and fire when ready."


***


"Entering Gamma Hydra, section ten sir.  We will be leaving the Gamma Hydra Sector in one hour at present speed."  Cindy broke the silence on the bridge since the discovery of the Tanaka.

"Anything of note in the Beta Hydra sector Tenis?"

"Nothing so far, however the Civilian Freighter, Gotterdammrung's flight plan indicates that it should be in this sector, en route to deep space station K-4."

"Bait, Lieutenant?"

Tenis shrugged, "It may be the only way to catch this marauder."

"Sounds like a plan...Increase speed to warp six."

"According to the Gotterdammerung's flight plan, she should be currently located in Beta Hydra, section twenty-seven."

Will broke in, "At warp six, we can be in that section in two days."

"Wait...section twenty seven, thats almost five light-years from the border.  Every other freighter has been right on the border."

"That's true sir, but the Gotterdammerung is also carrying the same cargo that the previous five freighters have been carrying." Tenis turned around to offer her explanation, "The only difference here, is the Gotterdammerung's master, this is his first run along the border.  It is only natural that a newcomer to this region would stay as far away from the border as possible for his first run."

"Captain, I'm picking up a distress call...on an open frequency.  It appears to be a Klingon Freighter."  The Communications officer interupted.

"Locate it."

"Beta Hydra, Section eight."

Tenis spoke up first, "That is in non-aligned space sir, we could respond."

"And give the Klingons a reason to accuse us of attacking their freighters?"  Will snapped back.

James held up his hand, "Will...how long to intercept at warp eight?"

"Forty two minutes."

"Well then, we're going to be arriving too late to do any good, but we might as well take a look anyway.  Lets get there people."  James opened an intercom channel, "Bridge to Engineering, Mr. Tompson, I need all the power you can give me."

"Aye sir."  Tompson called back on the Comm.

"Cindy, give me warp eight for as long as you can hold it."

"Warp eight, aye sir."

"Will...take all remaining power, even the Batteries, and start putting it in the Phaser Capacitor.

"It will take fifteen minutes to charge the Capacitor at that rate!"

"And it will take us more than thirty minutes to arrive, that's plenty of time, Will."

"I just don't understand, why the rush to respond to a Klingon distress call, its not our responsibility."

"Will, if your neighbors cat was being attacked by a stray dog, wouldn't you go over there and protect it?"

"Yes, but the Klingons aren't exactly what I would call good neighbors."

"It has to start somewhere, why not start with us responding to their distress call?"

"They wouldn't lift a finger to respond to one of ours."

"Well, maybe this will be a good first step."

"I still think we're wasting our time."

"Maybe, but I decide how we use our time."


***


"Now approaching the Freighter sir.  The Dark Fire is here as well, she looks a bit beat up."  Tenis announced their arrival on scene.  On screen was the Klingon Freighter, damaged, but still intact, hovering, or more appropriately drifting near by was the F5 Frigate Dark Fire.

"Any sign of the bandit?" James asked.

"Negative, they left our sensor range ten minutes ago, it appears that our arrival may have scared them off."

"Can you raise the Dark Fire?"

"No response on any frequencies sir."

"Life Signs?"

"Seventy, a few short of its known standard complement."

"No surprise, they've just got the crap kicked out of them. What about the Freighter, can you raise it?"

"No sir, but I know their Comm is working, they're just ignoring us."

"How..."

"They've been trying to raise the Dark Fire for the last five minutes."

"The bandit ran into Klingon Space to avoid us, and now the Dark Fire won't respond, any reason why?"

"The easiest explanation is that the Dark Fire's Communications transceiver is damaged."

"Well, I suppose its better than them shooting at us." Clarke piqued from his station.

"Keep trying to raise the Dark Fire.  Do what we can to help the Freighter, but do not attempt to board it."

"Klingon Freighter, this is the Federation Starship Saladin, we are here to render assistance, please respond."

James left the Communications officer to his work, and called Ensign Clarke over to the science station.  "What do we know about the bandit?"

Tenis spoke up first, "The ship appears to be an Orion design, we we're unable to get a good sensor reading of the ship before it moved away, but by the vessel's size, it would appear to be the equivilant of a Cruiser."

Clarke nodded in agreement, "Most of the Orion fleet vanished days after the Federation charter was signed by Orion.  Except for a few ships that have turned up here and there, most of them are still unaccounted for."

"The Orions were pirates and slave dealers for a long time, far longer than Earth has been space capable.  It's possible that many of the various sects in Orion society did not like what the Federation was going to bring to their sector...stability."  Tenis added.

"The overall design of the Orion ships emphasized modularity.  Since most of the Orion ships were expected to see decades if not centuries of service, the ship builders made sure that their ships could keep up with the technological advancments of their neighbors without the need to build more modern ships.  It allowed the Orions to field a massive fleet, a fleet that rivaled the Klingons in numbers." Clarke waved his hand towards the Klingon ships on screen.  "While the Orion government has officially disowned any of these freelancers, as they call them, there has been a recent investigation of a few influential members of the Orion Government that appeared to be supporting the freelancers."

James thought on that point for a moment before responding, "So while this ship we're hunting down is fifty or sixty years old, it's probably more than a match for us.  We are near what was once Orion territory.  Is it possible that they are operating out of an old Orion Base somewhere in an adjacent sector?"

"It seems more than likely sir," Clarke ran his fingers through his sandy brown hair, something he did when he was nervous, "Sir, this ship can outrun us, outgun us, and outwit us.  It knows this region of space better than we do, it's capable of warp nine, and its obviously got, if not better weapons, more power to arm those weapons.  We are seriously outclassed here, I recommend we call for back up, the Lexington is only ten days away."

James looked to Tenis, but before she could voice her opinion, the communications officer broke in, "Sir, I have the Dark Fire."

James turned and jumped back up into his command chair. Clarke returned to his stations as well. James glanced over to the Communications officer, "On Screen."

"Captain, state what you want and be quick about it, I have little time for this."

"Commander, we came to see if we could offer assistance to you or the freighter."

"What kind of assistance did you have in mind?"  Suspicion crept into Klandathor's words, but he managed to keep his expression neutral.

"Oh I don't know, parts, supplies, more weapons to hunt this bastard down."

Klandathor roared a hearty laugh, "You are asking if you can join us in the hunt?"

"This ship is obviously more than either one of us can handle. If we work together, we can catch this marauder before it can do any more damage."

"If you are asking to enter our space, your request is denied." Klandathor paused to let the previous statement sink in before relenting just a bit, "However, while we are both in this disputed section of space, I see no reason why we cannot...cooperate."

"That is all that I ask, do you have need of any repair parts?"

"No, we have no need for your parts." The blunt denial didn't surprise James at all, "I will, as part of our cooperation effors, send you our sensor readings of the raider."

"Thank you Commander, I'll let you get back to your repairs."  After the channel was closed, James turned to Tenis, "Well?"

"The Ship does indeed outgun us, her phasers are the same as the Klingons, which means we have an advantage over them in terms of targeting.  Six Phaser 2s, Four Phaser 3s, Four Disrupters, apparently Type 3s, and a Pair of Photons."

"It doesn't outgun us by much then."

"No, but it has more than enough power to charge them all.  We have to come to almost a complete stop to do the same."

"But we have a range advantage."

"A slight one."

"hmm...It can outrun us, so we need to get it to come to us, how do we do that?"

Clarke spoke up, "The Gotterdammerung sir."

"What about it?"

"The Orion Nebula is twelve light-years from here sir, we convince the Gotterdammerung captain to go near it, and then have a mechanical problem.  The raider surely wouldn't pass on that opportunity.  Meanwhile, we hide in the Nebula, when the raider takes the bait, we jump on it.  Full Overloads, crack its hull open and try to disable it's engines."

James nods, turns back to Tenis, "Opinion?"

"The Orion Nebula is outside of the Raider's current operating sphere, however, we may be able to make the Gotterdammerung a target that's just too tempting to ignore.  We change it's cargo manifest to something a little more, enticing, than food stuffs and repair parts, how about, six class four Phasers?"

"Obstinately to upgrade K-4s weapons array?" James thought on that comment for a few seconds,  "I like it...can you make it look convincing?"

"Yes sir."

Clarke spoke up, "Do we inform the Klingons, sir?"

James stroked his chin a couple of times, "Yes."

[Grim Reaper]

Ahhh, now I get the title...

[Lieutenant_Q]

Yep.  Klandathor (Klank) is going to be a recurring character.  The only section I don't currently have him set to make an appearance of some sort is 11 Years Earlier and One Year Earlier.  But One Year Earlier is just going to be "The Ultimate Computer" from the perspective of the USS Excalibur.  Also expect to see a lot of Captain/Commodore Wesley.

[CaptJosh]

Good pacing. Believable characters. Minor nitpick. You meant "Ostensibly," not "Obstinately."

Keep up the good work.

[Lieutenant_Q]

(This is a much shorter one, but I didn't really want to drag the battle out longer)

"Captain's Log: 22 March 2249:  The Master of the Gotterdammerung has...reluctantly, agreed to our plan.  Lieutenant Tenis has made the appropriate modifications to the Gotterdammerung's Cargo Manifest.  Now all we have to do is sit here and wait, and hope the Orion takes the bait.  Saladin is at Battlestations, weapons are charged and shields are charged, but not up.  We're only going to get one shot at this, let hope it works."

"The Gotterdammerung is entering sensor range, cruising at Warp 2.  She will reach the target coordinates in fifteen minutes.  The sensor probe we placed on her shows the immediate area is clear."  Tenis was hunched over at her station, the blue glow from the scanner was just a slight shade different than her normal skin color.

"Sir, when we clear the Nebula, we're going to have about fifteen seconds of vunerability, more the longer we stay here." Will voiced his concern for what seems like the tenth time in the last hour. "The static charge of the Nebula is going to cling to the ship and disrupt our shield generators."

James responded testily, "If you find a way to compensate, let me know, if not, will you please stop bringing that up?"

"Aye, sir."

"I knew it was a mistake to move completely away from Hull Armor."  James muttered under his breath.

"Sir!" Tenis almost shouted from science, "We have a problem...the Orion has taken the bait, but they're too early.  They'll intercept the Gotterdammerung in five minutes!"

"sh*t! Cindy, get us out of here, best possible speed. Will, time to intercept?"

"Eight Minutes."

"Drop the shields, put that power into engines.  Do we gain anything?"

"Ninety Seconds."

"Can the Gotterdammerung get any extra speed?  I want her exposed to as little fire as possible."

Tenis started to shake her head, but then stopped and said with less concern, "Gotterdammerung is increasing speed to warp 2.3, at that speed she'll be exposed to twenty seconds of fire before we enter range."

"Let's hope her shields hold that long."

****

The freighter dropped out of warp, plasma trailing from its port nacelle, a few seconds later the Orion followed suit, pouring disrupter fire into the stricken freighter.  Four Photon Torpedoes strikes the Orion on her Dorsal and Aft-Port shields.  The Saladin begins to slow and fires her Phasers as she overruns the Orion.  The Four Phaser beams find holes in the Orion's shields, but damage only hull armor.  The Orion ship banks to Starboard and fires its Phasers at the interloping Federation Starship.  The Phasers wash over the Saladin's shields doing no real damage, but the Orion became real dangerous as it brought its Starboard side Photon launcher to bear.  Two torpedoes leapt from the launcher, striking the Saladin on her already weakened Starboard shields.  They held, barely.

"We need to manuever, take the Port Torpedo Launchers offline.  New Course, one-five-nine mark seven-two.  All possible speed.  How long til the Gotterdammerung can warp away?"

"Two Minutes."  Came the answer he really didn't want to hear.

"They're bringing their Port Phasers around, if we don't finish this turn we're going to lose the number 6 deflector!"  Will was almost frantic, his hands hovering over the Phaser Control panel were sweating bullets.

James held his breath as the Orion finished his turn first, three Phaser beams lanced out at his vunerable Fore-Starboard deflector.  One missed, but the other two boared through the shield and struck hull, niether one did anything more than sorch paint. The Orion launched a pair of drones and kept turning to bring the other two photons to bear.  "They're having a field day with us! Defensive Tractors! Watch for a Scatterpack!"

"Got it, Orion shuttlecraft just cleared the bay, probably a scatter.  Locking phasers."  Will moved his hands to change the targeting lock.

"Transporter Room, drop a mine at the following coordinates." James countermanded the phaser order and punched in the coordinates for 100 kilometers between Saladin and the scatterpack, "Lock Phasers on the Orion, or take the two that are in our tractors.  Cindy, do what you can to get us on his rear port, or above him, its the only way we're going to hurt them."

"Incoming Photons!" Will shouted as the Orion loosed a pair of torpedoes, "One missed, foreward shields are down to sixty percent."

Saladin managed to slip in behind the Orion again, where four phasers savaged the Orion's armor, finally piercing it and taking out two of it's defensive phasers.

"I can't keep us here, he's turning."

"Then get above him, Photon status?"

"Firing Photons..."

Two Photon Torpedoes detonated against the Orion's port nacelle, the damage caused the nacelle's glow to dim considerably, but not nearly enough to slow them down.  The Orion snared the Saladin with a tractor beam, then spun around hard.  Disrupters pulverized what was left of the foreward sheilds, Phasers sliced into the hull like a scapel.  The Gotterdammerung powered up her warp engines and warped away.  Two Phasers from the Saladin did nothing but dent the Orion's foreward shields.

"She's away!" Tenis proclaimed at long last. "She'll need three minutes to clear the area."

"If we don't break that tractor lock we aren't going to last three minutes."

"Almost there..."  Cindy braced herself for the jarring that was bound to happen when the Tractor lock broke.

"As soon as we break free, lock port and starboard phasers on their engines, we'll fly over them and try to take them down a few warp factors."

The Ship shook harder, harder than it did when they first snared Saladin with the tractor beam. "We're free!"

"Firing Phasers," Clarke held his breath as he waited for the firing pattern to finish, "Solid hits...I think we did some damage."

"Let's find out, shift all power to engines, course one-nine-seven mark one-eleven, maximum warp."

Clarke almost rejoiced as he spoke, "The Orion is declining pursuit."

"Let's not do that again... Damage report Tenis?"

"Hull breaches on decks two and three, we're down a photon and two phasers, both bow phasers.  Engines operating at 92%." She paused as she looked over her panel once again,  "Casualty reports have not yet come in from sickbay."

"Signal the Lexington, we need another plan."

[Grim Reaper]

Me like. And kudos for actually having them failing in their plot. Shows the Orions isn't as stupid as they planned. Where's the Klingon?

[Lieutenant_Q]

Next Chapter.

As I was writing this chapter it never even had occured to me that success was an option, even had the Orion fallen into the trap.  I just don't think that a F-DD can beat an O-CA without some help, even if the F-DD were to get the drop on them.

[Commander La'ra]

As I was writing this chapter it never even had occured to me that success was an option, even had the Orion fallen into the trap.  I just don't think that a F-DD can beat an O-CA without some help, even if the F-DD were to get the drop on them.

If they could get the drop on them in a way that involved a four overload alpha strike into one shield, it'd probably happen.  Orion ships are kinda glass jawed.

[Scottish Andy]

Good couple of scenes there, Q, though I still don't get the title. Unless the F-DD is the sword and the K-F5 is the targ... even then, I still don't get what you mean.

I like the use of the STII terminology, it gives the story a good feel. The comparison of the Klingon and Fed way of doing thing was nice, if a little stilted, and the comparison of the DD and Orion ship capabilities was well done too.

Good battle scene, and I agree with Grim that you did well by having the Feds misjudge their plan of attack and barely escape with their hide intact. Nice touch in having a torp tube shut down on the DD too, for increased speed & manoeuvreability.

Looking forward to more.

[Lieutenant_Q]

The Targ is in reference to the Klingon (he wont be in an F5 forever), the Sword is in reference to...well... Its still 17 years before the main story begins.

Edit: but if you really want a hint, read the preview for this thread in the ST:XI post. 

[Lieutenant_Q]

"First Officer's Log: 35th day of As'shara, 672: Captain Atkinson has informed me of Captain Wesley's response.  'We're on our own.'  The Lexington is engaged in a delicate matter that requires her full attention, the closest Starship available is the Enterprise, but it will take her two months to arrive to help.  The Captain has asked me to determine a way to catch this marauder when it is most vunerable.  While he follows up on his cooperation proposal with Commander Klandathor.  I don't know which one of us has the more difficult task."  Tenis wandered between computer terminals in the science lab, she had dismissed her staff twenty minutes ago, so the room was completely empty.  No one to complain when she reduced the ambient temperature to ten degrees.  She always thought the standard issue Starfleet Uniforms were too heavy, designed for Human and Vulcans, both species were used to far warmer temperatures than Andorians.  When she first came on board last year she had sought and received permission from the captain to wear a lighter uniform when on duty, thinner and slightly more revealing than the turtleneck sweaters worn by the other officers, but far more comfortable for her in the hot humid air on board the starship.  She always made sure her uniform was not considered obscene by the other members of the crew, although more than a few male heads had been turned when she walked by them the first time.  "Looks like the Orion Ship's rear shields are its weakest point, additionally, the ship was not designed to carry Photon Torpedoes, it appears that the ship has to drop its aft sheilds to vent the Photon exhaust."

***

"...It is only speculation, but it appears that the Orion raider has to manually lower its aft shields to fire its Photon Torpedoes.  Otherwise the exhaust from the Photon launcher would damage the ships rear sheilds.  As you know our shields and exhaust system were designed that the exhaust can pass through sections of the shields without compromising shield integrity."  Tenis finished her report and waited for the Captain to respond.

"Good work, but the Orion can get it's shields back up before one ship can manuever to get to that vunerable quadrant." James paused before continuing,  "Which leads to what I've been working on.  Captain Wesley gave me broad authority to deal with the Maruader. I want to keep this between the two of us at this moment, because it's going to cause quite a stir amongst the crew.  I've talked to the Klingons, and granted the Dark Fire permission to enter Federation Space for the duration of this mission.  I'm going out on a limb here, but working with the Klingons seems to be the only way to stop this Marauder."

"Agreed, what is this mission?"

"We cripple the Marauder, and follow it back to its base of operations, and then destroy them both."

"And if it's base of operations is in Klingon Space?"

"The Klingons have, reluctantly, granted us permission to enter and destroy it.  They're too busy with the Hydrans to divert a Cruiser to tracking down this Bandit."

"But if the Klingons discover that we're aiding the Hydran resistance while we are in their space..."

"They won't, we've taken the precaution of working through the Kzinti with the Hydran aid."

"The Klingons could rescind that permission and attack us once we have finished the job."

"They could, but I've hedged against that."

"How?"

"It's best if you don't know, for the moment."

***

"Approaching the Klingon Border, Captain, shall I reduce speed?"  Cindy spoke her question like it was a retorical question and had already moved her hands to reduce speed.

"Negative, take us in."

More than one gasp escaped the lips of the bridge crew, only Tenis kept the look of shock off her face, replaced instead by the look of sheer amusement.  Cindy though, was not one to question orders, "Aye, sir."

Clarke however, was, "Sir, entering Klingon territory could be construed as a declaration of war..."

"I'm aware of that Ensign."

"Then why..."

"Sensor contact, bearing one-four-nine.  Klingon F5 frigate, it is the Dark Fire sir."  Tenis interrupted.

"Shall I go to Battlestations sir?"  Clarke whipped around in his seat, but not before sending an accusing glare back at the captain.

"Negative.  Remain at condition green."

"They are charging their weapons, sir.  Shall I raise shields?"

"Stand by."

"Incoming communication sir."  The Comm officer was a welcome break from Clarke's decidedly hostile tone.

"On screen."

"Let's get this over with Captain."  Klandathor didn't look any more pleased about this arrangement than Clarke did.

"Agreed Commander, lead the way."

"They've closed the channel."

"Follow them Cindy.  Alert Status, Condition Red."

"Course two-three-two, mark twelve, Warp six sir."  Cindy's hands flew across the console and the ship accelerated after the Klingon.

"Speed has priority Mr. Clarke."

"Aye, sir."

***

"Detecting two ships dead ahead, a Klingon Freighter, and the Marauder.  The Marauder is attacking the Freighter, and the Freighter is not returning fire."  Tenis voiced her confusion over the scene ahead.

"That's because the Klingon Freighter is unmanned." James answered,  "Mr. Clarke, target the Marauder, Ms. Kaponen, keep us at least 50 thousand kilometers from the Freighter at all times."

"Target locked, firing torpedoes."

"Remember, we want to disable it only.  It has to lead us back to its base of operations, or we're going to be here for months trying to find it."

"The Dark Fire is manuevering to herd the Marauder closer to the freighter, rather than away from it.  I thought we were here to protect the freighter?"  Clarke's question was not of confusion, but of disgust, disgust that the Klingons seemingly didn't care about the cargo of their freighter, only that they get the Marauder.

"We're not. We're here to make sure the Marauder is close enough to the Freighter that when it explodes it forces the Marauder to retreat towards its base."

Clarke and Kaponen both shouted at once, "Explodes?!"

"The Klingons packed this freighter full of antimatter explosives." James hurriedly explained, "The idea was that when the Marauder tried to transport anything to or from the Freighter it was going to explode and take the Marauder with it.  However, the Klingons agreed with us that the Base needs to be tracked down and destroyed as well, so they've modified the plan to force the Marauder to lead us straight to it.  And who knows, maybe if this mission turns out for the best, it will thaw our relations a bit."

"The Marauder has turned its back to us, and is targeting the Klingon.  Range to Marauder is now 200,000 Kilometers."

"Wait for it, Will..."

"150,000 kilometers."

"Wait for it..."

"100,000 kilometers, they are firing torpedoes at the Klingon."

"Fire all Phasers!"

"Six direct hits...it's like their shields weren't even there!"

"They had to drop them to vent the Photon exhaust. Target Analysis Tenis?"

"Their defensive Phasers are out, and one of their disrupters are gone, reading a slight power drop, looks like we hit their Impulse reactor.  The Klingon ship has released a shuttle craft, it appears to be a scatterpack."

"Bracket the Orion, I want us opposite of the Klingon." James toggled his intercom switch, "Transporter Room, place mines above and below the Orion."

"The only way they can go is the Freighter..."

"Exactly."

"Detecting a tight beam transmission from the Dark Fire to the Freighter."

"Divert all available power to the foreward shields."

The Freighter exploded with the fury of a newborn star, the Orion's shields failed as the explosion ripped and bent the ships foreward superstructure.  The Drones from the scatter pack reached the Orion ship, four of them were snared by defensive tractor beams, while the other two ate holes in the Orion's Warp Nacelles.  The tractor holding one drone went out and that drone slammed into the rear hull of the Orion ship.  The Orion continued on its course, released its tractor beams and jumped to warp.

"Pursuit course, Warp six.  Execute."

"The Klingon is right beside us sir.  The Orion is altering course."

"Stay with them."

***

"Now entering Federation space sir." Everyone seemed to let go a sigh of relief as Cindy announced that they had left Klingon Space.

"The Marauder appears to be heading to an asteroid field directly ahead, it almost seems too easy..."

"Indeed...anything else on sensors Tenis?"

"Not yet."

"Stay alert."

"The Marauder has dropped out of warp, they are entering the field."

"Slow to Impulse..."  James hesitated for a second, "Tenis...launch a class two probe, I want to see just whats in that field..."

"Probe away."

The guided class two probe launched from Saladin's port side torpedo launcher and sailed past the crippled Marauder.  Tenis skillfully piloted the probe from her science console, avoiding the asteroids and dust clouds that would destroy or damage the probe.  It didn't take long though, for Tenis to look away from the station and back to James.  "The Probe was destroyed sir. But before it was, I detected three smaller Orion ships."

"An ambush.  Did you find any sign of a Base?"

"There is a large enough pocket inside the Asteroid field that could accommidate a Base, but no direct signs of a base."

"I see."  James paused while considering his options, "Take us in.  It's time the Ambushees become the Ambushers."

"Two of the Orion ships have appeared from their ambush positions."

"Target the closest one, Will."

"Target locked sir, Torpedoes ready."  Will couldn't help but grin as his targeting scanners indicated a sure lock.  The Orions weren't even trying to jam his targeting scanners. "Range now 150,000 Kilometers."

"Fire Phasers at 75,000 Kilometers, hold on the Torpedoes until 30,000.  I don't want any of them to miss."

"Lead Orion ship designated a Pirate Raider. As is the trailing vessel, no phasers, but both are armed with a triplet of Disrupters, Class ones." Tenis called out her analysis.  "The Third ship has yet to reveal itself, but is armed with phasers."

"Keep an eye on our aft quarter."

"Firing Phasers." The ship shook.  "Both Orion ships have returned fire, foreward shields are down to sixty percent."

"Mr. Clarke's Phaser fire has knocked out the lead ship's foreward shields.  The third ship has revealed itself, aft quarter, designated a Light Raider. Drone Rack, two Disrupters, and three Phasers."

"Maintain course."

"Firing Torpedoes." Two torpedoes leapt from the Saladin's Launchers, both struck and the Raider turned into a rapidly expanding ball of burning oxygen and hyrdogen. "Target destroyed." Will's grin widened into a full smile, "The other Pirate Raider is turning to flee."

"Don't let them."

"Firing Torpedoes."

"Two direct hits, the Pirate raider has been disabled." Tenis called out as the ship reduced its speed to handle the recharging of the torpedo tubes. "The Light Raider is accelerating past us, apparently heading towards the cruiser."

"I wonder what they could be running from?" James laughed sarcastically, "Lets get in and help our Klingon 'Friend' finish them off."

***

The Breifing Room was one of the few differences between the Constitution and the Saladin class starships.  It was small, enough room for five, as long as you didn't mind being elbow to elbow with everyone else.  For that reason James always kept the breifings between three or four members of the crew, this time it was just Tenis and Clarke in the room with him.  Tenis started the breifing, "We were not able to recover much, the Pirate Raider we disabled self-destructed before we could board it."  The Pirate Raider was the only Orion ship to survive the engagement, the rest had been destroyed by either the Dark Fire or the Saladin.  The Orion base hadn't proved to be much of a problem either, but didn't allow anyone to board it either.  "We can hope that destroying that base and the four ships will set the raiders back in this region of space for a while, but we have nothing to base that hope on."

Clarke nodded in agreement before adding, "The Klingons left our space twenty minutes ago, Starfleet's not going to like that we let the Klingons in, nor that we entered Klingon space.  But I suppose the ends justify the means right sir?"

Atkinson shook his head, "Not always Ensign, but I did cover all my bases before we did anything.  Everything we did, I cleared with Captain Wesley.  I had already spoken with the Klingon regional defense commander, a charming man by the name of Kor.  He didn't like the idea that we we're entering his space, but he didn't like the Marauder running around either, it was making him look bad.  I offered to shed our blood to deal with the problem, and he couldn't come up with any reason to say no to that.

"Earlier, you said you 'hedged' against the Klingons rescinding our truce after we destroyed the base, can you tell me how now?"

"Ahh...I think its still better you not know.  Dismissed."

[Grim Reaper]

you wanna share that little bit of info with us right? RIGHT?

[Lieutenant_Q]

What little bit of info, I don't know what your talking about. 

[spoiler]The chapter after next.[/spoiler]

[Grim Reaper]

neat javascript!

[Lieutenant_Q]

Gals, Guys.  I'm going to take this week off from posting.  I'm trying to stay four to five chapters ahead on my computer and just wasn't able to do so last week.  Regardless of whether or not I get another chapter written this week, I will put "11 years Earlier part 1" up next week.

[Lieutenant_Q]

11 Years Earlier

"Captain's Log: 21 September 2255. Orion Activity in the Klingon border region has once again escalated tensions between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.  We have orders to form up with the Starship Lexington and serve as her wing during this operation.  The Operation is three fold, Enterprise leads a small squadron against an Orion base in the Alpha Hydra Sector, Excalibur leads a small squadron against the Orion base in the Mutara Sector, while Lexington, Revere, Roger Young, and Saladin, strike at an Orion occupied planet in the Ceti Alpha system."  James looked up from the computer on the desk in his office, a seldom used space located on Deck 2.  The office was supposed to serve the same function as the Captain's Ready Room did on the Texas Class and earlier Earth and Federation Starships.  It was removed from the Saladin, Hermes and Constitution class designs because Starfleet had launched a study which found that a Commanding Officer spent too much time on the bridge on ships equipped with a Ready Room.  Fatigue and burn out were common problems found by the counselors at all Federation Starbases and Outposts.  Around the fleet, only flag officers used the office more than two or three times a solar year.  Starfleet, however, was steadfast in not returning to the Ready Room design for at least another generation.  Glancing out the window he caught sight of the Roger Young, the Commando ship assigned for this operation.  A smaller ship, cramped, James sometimes wondered how it was supposed to carry the battalion of marines.  It's unarmed, or rather it might as well be, that's how they fit those men and women on it.

"Bridge to Captain." The call from the second shift communications officer pulled him away from the window.  He reached over and activated the comm panel.  She must have noticed the circuit go live because she didn't wait for the acknowledgement before she continued.  "Captain Wesley requests that you and Commander Tenis join him aboard the Lexington."

"Thank you Ensign," James mentally made a note of her impatience, but also put it down to her inexperience. "I'll inform the Commander myself. Signal Captain Wesley that we'll be over in ten minutes."  James barely waited for her response before closing the circuit and re-opening it. "Atkinson to Tenis."  A few seconds were sure to pass before she could answer the call.  Captain Wesley was no doubt assembling the command staffs of the four ships for a final meeting before entering the Ceti Alpha system.

"Tenis here, Captain."

"We've been asked over to the Lexington Tenis.  I'm sorry but you're going to have to put on a normal uniform for a bit."

"Understood sir."  Her dissapointment echoed through the comm system.

"I'll meet you in Transporter Room Two in five minutes."

James shut down everything, and noted that he probably wouldn't be back in here for another six or eight months. Thankfully, they found a way to keep dust from accumulating during the long absences.  He walked out the door and started to turn for the turboshaft located only a few meters towards the stern.  Instead he turned and headed towards the bow of the ship and climbed onto the service ladder.  He climbed his way down two decks before getting off on deck four.  From there it was only a dozen meters to the Transporter Room.  Stopping outside of the Transporter Room breifly, he adjusted his collar.  While he did, he felt a pang of sympathy for Tenis.  The standard Starfleet Uniform was uncomfortable even for him, and Tenis' physiology was used to ten degrees Celsius, rather than the twenty for humans and almost thirty for Vulcans.  Satisfied that his appearance was in order he stepped into the Transporter Room.  Lieutenant Clarke and Cheif Tompson were both waiting by the Transporter.  "What are you two doing here?"

Tompson spoke up first, "It's my Transporter, I'll get you over to the Lexington."

Clarke shrugged, "I'm not here for any particular reason."

James grinned, "Liar.  Get out of here before you make her angry again.  Last time it took her two days to calm down. And how long did it take for that bruise to fade?"

Clarke hung his head, "Fine, I wouldn't want to be making a scene again."  He slowly walked towards the door, too slowly.

"Will..." James warned.

"I'm going! I'm going!"

James called out before he opened the door. "Try to be more... tactful... next time."  Clarke nodded with his back turned and walked out into the corridor.  James couldn't help but grin broadly as he turned back to Cheif Tompson.  "My goodness, I have a hard enough figuring out relationships with my own species and Will's trying an inter-species relationship."

Tompson couldn't help but chuckle, "Do you think she's even possibly interested in him?  I was in the rec room when she decked him.  I know I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of her right hook...or her left hook for that matter."

"Its easy to avoid her punches...she telegraphs them.  I think Will's problem was he wasn't looking in the right place, you're supposed to be watching her antenae not her chest..."  Both men had a good chuckle, but made sure to keep it short.  Tenis was due any minute.

Tompson's face became mischevious, "You've been spending quite a bit more time with her yourself, James."

James shrugged, "When Cindy was transferred, Tenis lost her exercise partner.  She had tried two others, both quickly volunteered, I'm sure with the same idea that Will had.  They didn't last a week, both had the tell tale look of bruised egos.  I volunteered afterwards, only to quickly find out that it wasn't an exercise partner she really wanted, it was a sparring partner."

Tompson winced, "Ouch..."

James patted his stomach, "Not really, I'm in better shape now than I was even ten years ago."

A smile crept onto Tompson's lips, "Does she pull her punches?"

James rubbed his chest, "Nope, most of the time she handily hands me my head.  But I can get her occasionally."

"You mean you got me one time."  Tenis called from the open door.  "I was...what is that human expression, under the feather?"

Tompson laughed out loud, James shook his head a bit before responding, "Weather.  The phrase is under the weather." James turned to Tompson, "As soon as you regain control of yourself you can transport us to the Lexington." James and Tenis stepped up onto the platform.

"Aye sir.  Energizing."  Tompson said between snickers.

*****

Upon arriving at the Lexington's Transporter Room, they were directed to the Lexington's breifing room.  Tenis' constant attempts to adjust her sweater were in vain, she finally sighed and concentrated on keeping her antenae upright.  "Are we still sparring tonight?"  James had asked once they entered the corridor.

Tenis' antenae stood straight up in amusement and a wicked grin came across her face, "You sure your ego can handle it?"

James laughed, "My ego doesn't have a problem with getting it's ass kicked by you."

"Really?  Then why did we spend the better part of Friday's session finding a more private spot?"  The grin grew wider, which until then seemed like an impossibility.

James' voice dropped to a whisper, "I know you don't need the answer to that one."

Tenis did the same with her voice, "I know, you got a little excited when I cleaned your clock Wednesday, didn't you?"

James shot her an accusing look, "That was the first time I ever needed a cold shower after one of our sparring matches.  I still can't belive you did that."

Tenis whispered back, "You want to know a little secret, you almost had me beat that night.  I don't like to lose, so I did it.  We never did specify any other rule besides trying not to break each other's limbs."

The two of them entered the breifing room, discovering that they were the last officer tandem to arrive, they took the seats at the table that were left for them, Captain Wesley began the breifing.  "Nice of you to join us.  As you all know we are entering the Ceti Alpha system in fourteen hours.  The Orions have established a base, purpose unknown, on the surface of Ceti Alpha Five.  Our sensor probes have determined that five ships are on station.  One battle raider, two light raiders and two pirate raiders.  The plan of attack will be a basic wedge formation.  Lexington will be on the lead, with Saladin and Revere on the flanks.  Nestled between the Saladin and the Revere will be the Roger Young." Captain Wesley turn to James, "Captain Atkinson, once we have broken through the Orion perimeter, your task will be to make sure the Young makes it to orbit.  Once there, you will be responsible for supporting the ground forces landing." He turned to Captain Grall, a Tellarite who looked just as uncomfortable as Tenis in his uniform only he wasn't trying to hide it. "Captain Grall, you and I will be responsible for mopping up what ever is left of the Orion force and standing guard for any potential reinforcements."

"Are we expecting these brigands to call for any?" Grall nearly growled the question.

"It depends on what they are using this planet for.  If its only a staging base, then no.  But if they are using it for a resupply or refitting station, then you can count on it."  Wesley called up a star chart of this region.  "Enterprise, under the command of Captain Pike, has already cleared out their target, it was a lightly defended fuel depot that was nearly empty.  Excalibur, under the command of Captain Roberts, has already reported back that the base they were after was gone.  The Orions had apparently dismantled it and moved it.  They are performing a thorough search of the surrounding sectors."  Wesley turned to Major Tai, "That means what you have to do is very important.  After clearing out the base of personell, you need to crack their database and obtain any information about their activities in this region.  And more importantly, you need to find out how they knew we were coming."

Major Tai bowed his head slightly, "Consider it done, sir."

"Any questions?" Wesley waited to see if any were voiced, then nodded, "then get to your ships, dismissed.  Captain Atkinson, will you and your first officer stay for a moment."  The other five officers in the room filed out, once the door closes behind them Wesley turned back to James and Tenis.  "I'm glad you came over late, it gave me an excuse to hold you here with out Grall being insulted.  I need you to be my second ship, James.  I know you can handle it, I'm not sure about Grall, which is why I'll be keeping him with me."

"I don't think we're going to be encountering any serious difficulties to have to worry about a chain of command, sir."

"Probably not."  Wesley reached over and turned off the recorder, "That was just a formality, off the record, I need you to get in touch with your contact.  I don't think Major Tai will find anything in the Orion's computer bank, but the she might just know something. "

"She will want something in return for any information she'll give us, Bob."

"I know, we'll do the same thing we did six years ago, food and supplies."

"She said the next time it was going to cost a little more than that."

"You know how I feel about giving her weapons."

"I know, but she won't accept just food and medical supplies this time."

"All right, you get in contact with her, find out what she wants, and we'll haggle from there."  Wesley sighed before turning to Tenis, "Commander, I'm going to need you to try and crack the Orion Computer core remotely.  Do whatever you can to get in, or at least keep the Orions from erasing what they have on it.  It's a long shot, but we're going to need a lot of help on this one."

"Aye sir."

"Dismissed."

*****

Cheif Tompson was still at the Transporter console when Atkinson and Tenis beamed back aboard.  While he had stopped laughing, he was still grinning like an idiot.  James nodded to Tenis, and she almost ran out of the room.  Tompson stepped out from behind the console as James stepped down from the pad.  "Something I didn't get a chance to ask you before you left.  If she tele-graphs her punches, how does she beat you every time?"

"It's not her fists that get me...its the rest of her.  The first time she gave me a roundhouse kick she clipped my temple.  I had no idea she was that nimble.  Her range of motion is astounding, and she can change the angle of her attack without adjusting her posture.  I can't block because she'll just hit some place I'm not protecting."  James walked out into the corridor, Tompson followed.  "The best I can do when she comes out kicking is dodge, but you can't win a sparring match by dodging. Even if I tried to dodge the whole time, she can get some quick strikes in that just wears me out.  The only times I was able to get an advantage was when I countered a fist flurry, but she just so damn fast that she recovers and catches me while I'm over-extended.  I'm learning, but every time I seem to learn something new, she finds a new way to turn it around on me."

"Why do you keep doing it if she keeps whupping yer butt?"

"Because I am getting better, and I am in better shape than I was when I was twenty.  So for one hour, three times a week, the XO gets to use me as a punching bag.  But if I run into any kind of hand to hand fight on a future landing mission, I'll be able to take care of myself no problem."

[Grim Reaper]

I like this. Though it borders a bit too being too loose in discipline, i like the family feel they convess.

[Lieutenant_Q]

I have to ask Grim: Which one?  There's two discipline breakdowns mentioned in this chapter, you could make a case for a third.  I just want to know which one you're refering to, because one of them is going to get ALOT worse.

[Grim Reaper]

the TC laughing about his captain was bordering imho and the horny Lt. was nearly over the border.

[Lieutenant_Q]

The Cheif's allowed, he's known the captain for over nine years, could be considered his best friend.  As for the Lt...well, he's young, and he always seems to go after the ones that can clean his clock.

[Grim Reaper]

Just to be clear, I don't mind it. However, I'd like to see it balanced with some strict disipline somewhere later in this story as well. Just to show there is discipline normally.

[Lieutenant_Q]

Quick question for anyone.  I don't have any SFB source material, but I was wondering if they ever mentioned the name of the currencies used by the Galactic powers?

"A word of advice," she started as she placed the drinks in front of them, "Not many people use Federation Credits out here."  James shrugged as he pulled out of his pocket a handful of different currencies.  Hydran Pounds, Lyran Lynx, Orion Dollars, even a couple of Romulan Eagles, all told he had the equiviliant of six hundred Federation Credits in his pocket, factoring all the various exchange rates.  She nodded in approval as he put the carefully folded currency back into his pocket.

Any of those above need to be changed?

What about Klingon and Kzinti Currency?

[Lieutenant_Q]

I had a reservation or two about posting this one, but after re-reading it a couple of times, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was.  If anyone has another opinion, let me know. 

Deck nine was almost empty, as it usually was late second shift.  The only time a full crew manned the shuttle bay was first shift, or during an alert.  Decks nine, ten, and eleven were actually on the same level as seven and eight.  But they were not connected to each other.  Decks seven, and eight were near the center of the saucer, and housed sickbay, the brig and deflector control, along with the main phaser control room.  Decks nine, ten and eleven, were the shuttle bay at the aft end of the saucer.  Deck nine contained the shuttle control room, the observation deck and the plasma control junction for the Warp Nacelle.  Deck ten contained the landing bay itself, and deck eleven stored the shuttlecrafts Shirkuh and Nuradin when not in use.  Captain Atkinson was strolling down the deck nine corridor, such as it was.  There was no one else currently on the deck, the only people in the entire section were three engineers replacing a clogged plasma valve on Nuradin.  James paused outside of the door to the Observation Deck, and smiled to himself as he asked himself why he hadn't thought of this earlier.  The Observation Deck was essentially the same as the one found on the Constitution class, a little shorter because the landing bay itself was shorter.  But because it was shorter, it was also wider, which meant it was almost perfect for what James and Tenis were about to do.  James entered the room, since he was the first one there, it was his job to get the mats and the equipment out.  They had stashed all of it in a little known and seldom used locker near the entrance.  It was a challenge to get all of it in the locker, but it did fit...barely.  James pulled hard and its contents popped out of the locker hard, and threw him onto his butt.  James wondered if it would do that everytime he or Tenis tried to pry that stuff out of there.  He went about setting the mats out, falling on the deck was never fun, and the mats at least softened the landing.  In addition to the mats were storage cases for their protective equipment.  His contained gloves, a helmet, boots, mouth guard, and an athletic supporter.  Hers contained the same, minus the athletic supporter.  All the stuff you'd expect to find a kick-boxer to be wearing during a collegiate match.  He sat down on the mat and opened his container.  He pulled off his shoes and socks, then his trousers, revealing the boxer shorts he wore specifically for the sparring sessions.  He folded them up and placed them in the storage locker.  Then he pulled his duty uniform off over his head, revealing a thin white t-shirt.  He folded up his duty uniform and placed it on top of his trousers.  Getting up, he glanced over at the chronometer, he still have a minute or so until Tenis was supposed to arrive, so he began to loosen up.  He had to admit that he was tired of her throwing him around the room every time they got together, but he knew that this was good for him, so he'd keep going, despite the bruising his ego got every time they were through.

She entered the room in a variation of her normal duty uniform, same type of fabric, but slightly more form fitting than the one she normally wore.  She gave James the smile a cat would normally give a mouse before the cat started to play with it.  The same smile she had given him ever since she saw his reaction to it.  The same reaction he still gave right now, a slight shudder.  That shudder promptly turned her smile into a satisifed grin.  She pulled off her shirt first, revealing the sports bra underneath  She knew that James wouldn't fix on her shapely breasts for long, if at all.  What she wore underneath her trousers were short shorts, cut off at mid thigh.  It wasn't hard to see what half the crew saw in her.  Long legs, firm toned stomach, pleasing face.  James had to admit that he found her to be very attractive, almost intoxicating.  But he also knew that if he spent any time admiring her figure, she was going to have him down for the count faster than he could say some lame pick-up line.  "I said, who is she?"

James cursed at himself for being distracted, its not like he hasn't seen this before, "A contact."

She scowled slightly as she put on her equipment, "That is not an answer, James."

He shrugged, "It's all I'm prepared to give you."

She laughed, "You do not think I could not beat it out of you?  Remember what you said when we first started this...what happens here, stays here."

It was his turn to scowl, "I would think you would be a little more restrained than that."

She shook her head, "Gods you really are that clueless!   All those times you talked about your insecurity with women, I had thought it was a ploy, a clever one at that, to get close to me.  But you really do not know anything about women do you?  You did not even think that I might be jealous?"

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out, he closed his eyes for a second before re-opening them and starting slowly, "What would you have to be jealous about?"

She turned away and lowered her head, composing herself before turning back around, a playful look in her eyes as she crept towards him, "For the last nine months you and I, with few exceptions, have spent three days a week sparring with each other.  Andorians are aggressive, you know that.  If an Andorian were to look at what we were doing, that Andorian would say we were having a relationship."  She stopped walking so close that he could smell her, the smell wasn't any different then the way she normally smelled during these sessions, but there was something... disarming about the way she smelled, or maybe it was just her posture at the moment.  "I did not expect anyone else on the ship to understand either, which is good."  She turned around and went back to the other side of the mat.  James released the breath he didn't even realize he was holding, "A few months ago there was a scuttlebutt going around the ship that we were actually bedding one another."

James finally composed himself again, "I had heard that, I did wonder, was that the reason you almost broke my jaw around the same time?"

With her back turned he couldn't see her face, and her antenae didn't give away any hint of her emotion, "It squelched those rumors pretty fast. Which was my intention, but..."

James sighed, finally understanding, "You were also trying to get the point across to me, in your own Andorian way, that you were interested.  Weren't you?"

She spun around, smiling, "Yes!  You can be taught."

James fidgeted slightly, "Well this, uh...does this change anything between us?"

She grinned playfully, "Let us put it this way.  When I take you down tonight, you will probably get excited again.  Instead of running off to a cold shower, why do we not take care of that right here."  He stopped fidgeting...not sure of how to respond.  He simply gave her the 'deer in the headlights' look.  She popped the mouth guard in her mouth, and dropped into a fighting stance.  "So, who is she?"  She repeated.

He popped his mouth guard into his mouth, and bit down on it to make sure it was a good fit.  "She's a Lyran.  I met her ten years ago, when I was still on the Germany."  He dropped into his stance and signaled that he was ready.  She danced in and opened with a left jab at his rib cage, he turned it aside and responded with a quick left of his own, which she met just as easily.  "The Germany had responded to a distress call from a planetoid in the non-aligned region of space between the Federation and the Lyran Star Empire."  She brought her left leg up and around for a roundhouse kick.  He noticed that she was already committed high, so he dropped to a knee and lanced out with a right jab at her right leg.  It worked, sort of, she stumbled back as he scored a hit.  But in the process of her stumbling back, she brought her left leg down hard on the back of his head.  Seeing that it was going to happen a split second before it did, he leaned foreward to soften the blow.  It sent him somersaulting across the mat.  He came up on the far side in the three-point stance, and quickly spun away from her follow up sweep attack.  He danced out of her range and shook his head to clear the cobwebs. "When we arrived, there was a Lyran Destroyer in orbit of the planetoid, that was blasting it apart with its disrupters."  He darted in, spun away from her left jab, and jabbed her with both of his fists on her exposed side.  He quickly danced back out of her range.

"Well placed," She gasped as she spun around to face him.  "But your constant dancing wears you out, it happens everytime."  She grinned savagely, "I hope you do not wear yourself out too much."

"I dance around because you're still stronger than me, and you're more agile than me.  If I tried a stand-up fight, you'd cream me every time."

She laughed, "Yes, that is one way of dealing with a superior opponent, but there are better ways.  You have to use the attacker's strength against them.  Try to observe, attack me."

He nodded and came at her, cautiously, but still more aggressively than he would normally have done.  She stood there with her arms at the ready.  He aimed for her midsection.  He threw his punch. He never landed the blow.  The room spun, and when it finally stablized he was on his back, with her kneeling beside him.  It took a full second for him to realize what had happened. He landed so hard on his back that he didn't notice the air rush from his lungs until he gasped for air.  He moved to get up, but she placed her hand on his chest and shook her head.  He put his head back on the mat, and forced out a very weak, "What was that?"

She smiled, her left hand was holding her mouth guard, while her right hand was out of her glove as she carassed his jaw line "I used your momentum to pick you up, flip you, and slam you down to the mat.  Took almost no effort at all on my part."  She moved her hand from his jaw to his chest, "When you recover, I will show you again, slower, and with a description of how you can do it.  Then I will expect you to do it to me.  For the moment though, continue your story."

Closing his eyes to collect his thoughts, he continued, "It didn't take long for us to drive off the Lyran Destroyer, they weren't interested in a fight.  I lead the landing party to find the source of the distress call." He paused to take a couple breaths.  He could tell that he was stunned and would need a couple minutes to recover.  She had moved her hand back to his throat and jaw line before pulling it away entirely, standing up and walking around.  He took the opportunity to spit his mouth guard out. "I found a large number of Lyran refugees on the planetoid.  They said that they were fugtives, but that they hadn't committed anything that would be considered a crime in the Federation."

She stopped pacing, and knelt down beside him again, "Ten years ago, there was rumors of a power shift in the Lyran Empire at that time."

"That was it, they had supported the wrong side, and now the new count was hunting them down.  The Captain had offered them asylum, but they turned it down, initially."

"What happened?"

"A Lyran Cruiser arrived and drove off Germany.  However instead of simply blasting us from orbit, the Lyrans came down in force.  They probably noticed our landing party's biosigns and decided that they wanted prisoners.  We holed up in what was left of their ship.  During the fire-fight one of the Lyran refugees, who was helping us try to hold back the Lyrans, was hit.  She fell next to me.  I was forced to take cover when the Lyrans saturated my position with laser fire.  During that time, I used part of my landing jacket tunic to stop her bleeding, she claimed that I had saved her life.  It took eight days for Germany to return with the Constellation. During the whole time, we were under near constant attack.  But with the fortifications that had been set up, and sheer determination, we were able to hold them off.  The few survivors thanked us for our assistance, and accepted our offer for asylum."  James shook his head, grasped the mouth piece and put it back into his mouth.  He grabbed Tenis' hand and she helped him to his feet.

"You ready?"  She asked, when he nodded she readied herself.  "Come at me again, slowly."  James moved in at a much slower pace this time.  "Now I am going to sidestep you, and grasp your arm here and here." She took hold of his arm with both of her hands.  "Normally this is where your momentum would allow me to pick you up, but since you have almost no momentum, I'm going to have to put some effort into this." As she pulled up on the hand grasping his wrist she moved her other hand to his back.  She picked him up, flipped him so he was horizontal, and dropped him to the ground.  She bent over him again, putting her hand on his chest.  This time he made no move to get up.  She was panting as she sat down beside him.  "There must... be... more to... your story."

"There is." he started, wincing slightly at the pain in his wrist. "About six months later the refugees simply vanished.  Starfleet had lost all trace of them.  They turned up eventually, at the core of an organization known as the Tiger Hearts."

"I am not familiar with them."

"Very few are, most people that are aware of the Orion pirates seem to think that they are independant pirates that team up occasionally to cause serious mischeif.  That's not exactly what its like.  Starfleet Intelligence has identified three seperate Cartels, organizations as it were.  The Orions we're dealing with tommorow are one, the Tiger Hearts are another."

"So you have a contact that is inside a pirate cartel?  Is she a spy?"

"No.  She's an every day member, the commander of one of their Battle Raiders.  What Starfleet Intelligence discovered when they learned of this organization, is that they bear us no ill will at all.  But they are a thorn in the side for the Lyrans, the Kzinti and the Klingons.  Mostly the Lyrans.  We maintain covert contacts with them, and offer them what support we can.  In return, they provide us with assistance and intelligence regarding the Orion Cartel, the Camboro Cartel, one that operates along the Kzinti - Federation border, and the Lyran Star Empire."

"That enemy of my enemy saying?"

"Essentially, it's not exactly something we want out in the open, I'm surprised that Captain Wesley brought it up with you in the room."

She shrugged,  "Normally you would expend most of your effort when slamming the other person into the ground.   The Harder you push, the longer the attacker will be immobilized."  She helped him to his feet.  "Are you ready to give it a try?"  He nodded.  She charged.  He stepped out of the way, grasped her wrist like she showed him.  He planted his other hand on her back and his leg against the ground like she showed him.  Picked her up, and dropped her to the ground.  As he kneeled down next to her, she was smiling and clapping, "Well done."

"That was almost effortless."

"Because you did not put any force into the body slam.  I have to wonder, when you told me that I was better off not knowing all those years ago, were you referring to her?"

"I was, I had contacted her.  Had the Klingons done something against us, her ship would have come in and kicked Klank in the teeth.  That would have been a PR disaster, but it was preferable to the alternative of the Saladin being towed back to Qo'nos."

"I agree.  Now, shall we finish what we started?"  He looked down at her, nodded, and extended his hand to help her up.  As she was getting up she grinned wolfishly, "How long do you think it will take?"  He looked at her quizically as she spun away from him.  She dropped into her fighting stance.  "I could take you down any time now, how long will it take?"

Understanding flashed in his eyes as he charged towards her, "Let's find out."

[Grim Reaper]

Nice! I don't think its bad at all. What were your reservations?

[Lieutenant_Q]

I don't know, when I first wrote it I thought that it might have been a little, well...not PG rated if you know what I mean.  I've probably re-read this thing four or five times, most of the times I thought, it wasn't as bad as I first thought.  But one time I did think, why did I write this?  I guess you can call it a little insecurity on my part. 

[Grim Reaper]

If I remember correcly we all are adults anyway. Plus it's pretty hard to shock most dutch anyway esp. with this story. So I think that it rules.

[Lieutenant_Q]

The five Orion ships broke formation and tried to scatter as the Four Federation Starships bore down on them.  Two Light Raiders ceased to exist as they took the brunt of the formation's fire.  Lexington and Revere broke off and pursued the Battle Raider and one of the Pirate Raiders, while Saladin snared the other Pirate Raider in a tractor beam.  The Roger Young put her phasers into the Pirate Raider's shields.  But the Raider's shields held.

"Reading surface to space phaser fire directly ahead."  Tenis called out from science, "Looks like the Orions want to keep this base."

James nodded, "Keep us between the Young and the planet.  They can't take more than one or two hits from a Starbase class phaser."

"Phasers recycled," Clarke announced, "Firing."  The phaser pattern didn't destroy the Pirate Raider, but it wasn't going to be a problem any more,  Saladin released her victim and moved on to the planet.

"Divert all available power to the foreward shields."  James turned to communications, "Get the Roger Young as close to us as they can.  If they can touch our nacelle, I'll be happy."

"The planet's phasers are targeting the Roger Young,"  Tenis paused for a moment, "I count only four phasers."  The ship shuddered slightly.  "The Roger Young has locked a tractor beam onto us.  They appear to be trying to push us."

James grinned, "Cut the Impulse Engines, let them settle themselves on our shuttle bay.  Extend our shields to surround the Young, and put everything into the shields."

Clarke looked confused, "Even the phasers?"

James shook his head, "Hell no, we need those to take out their phasers."

"Coming up on effective phaser range in thirty-five seconds."  Tenis called out, the ship shook harder, "The planet is now targeting us.  Foreward shields are at 90%."

"Phasers locked, thirty seconds to range."

"The Lexington has driven off the remaining Orion Vessel.  The Revere has destroyed the one we left behind.  They are taking up position roughly 3 AUs away.  I am detecting an ECM field protecting the planet, no planetary shields however."

"Divert power to Sensors to compensate."

"We've reached maximum output for our sensors, the relays just can't handle anymore."

"Entering phaser range, twenty seconds until planetary orbit."

"Tenis, begin your task.  Will, fire at will."

Saladin's phaser banks lanced blue fire down towards the planet's surface.  The phasers swept across the planet seeking out the Base's phaser batteries.  A beam washed over one batteries power feed system, severing it.  Three beams lanced back out towards the Saladin.  They penetrated Saladin's shields and tore open a hole near her navigational deflector.  Roger Young took this opportunity to release it's tractor lock and race towards the surface.

"The Roger Young has picked a landing zone approximetely 500 meters from the disabled phaser battery."  Clarke was readjusting his phaser locks to get the two adjacent batteries, "Damage control teams are responding to the hull breach on deck eight.  Continuing phaser barrage, readying Photon Torpedoes, all bays."

"Planetary Orbit, now in thirty seconds."  The helm officer intoned, "Now we're at a dead stop."

James laughed, "Maybe I should get out and push."

Phasers once again flared to life and walked thier way across the base's outer defensive perimeter.  One phaser battery exploded when the blue beam came into direct contact with its capacitor.  One of the remaining phaser batteries took a shot at the Roger Young, which completely stripped the Young of her shields.  The other battery couldn't bear on the Young without putting a hole in the base.  It fired its shot at the Saladin, blasting a hole where the Saladin's Port side phaser bank was.

"The Young is down, they're deploying the troops." Clarke reported, "Port side phaser bank is gone, we're going to need a dry dock to replace it."

"Noted." James looked towards science, "How's it going Tenis?"

"As Captain Wesley noted, it is not an easy task.  I am through the first layer of security, but I cannot be certain If I have not tripped some early warning system.  I would hope that their attention will be fully turned to the invading soldiers."

"How long?"

"I cannot determine how many layers of security there are.  So I cannot give you even a rough guess."

"Just keep at it."

"Photons standing by."

"Give 'em hell."

Photon torpedoes rained from the sky like a god throwing meteors at the Orion base.  One struck one of the two remaining phaser batteries, turning it into a smoking crater.  Another demolished a barracks in the center of the base.  One turned a courtyard inside the base into a lifeless patch of scorched earth.  The last one flew off and landed 'harmlessly' a kilometer from the base.  Four phaser beams lanced down and destroyed the remaining phaser battery.

Clarke let out a hollar, then collected himself, "All planetary defense systems are disabled."

"Excellent, Communications, signal Major..."

"Sir, Priority message from Captain Wesley."

"On screen."

Captain Wesley appeared on the screen with a very concerned look on his face. "James, We're picking up four Orion starships entering the system.  Three of them are cruisers."

"How long do we have sir?"

"Fifteen minutes at most, we might be able to buy you an extra five, but I wouldn't count on it.  How much longer do you need?"

James glanced over to Tenis, her antenae told him that she didn't know.  He got up and glanced over Clarke's shoulder.  "Major Tai will need at least twenty minutes to secure the compound.  Do we have any reenforcements?"

Wesley shook his head, "None available.  I'll give Major Tai the abort code, we'll deal with this another day."

"Understood sir, We'll remain on station as long as we can, maybe Tenis can get through before we're forced away."

"Negative, as soon as the Roger Young is reloaded, I want you to get out of here, take the Revere with you.  I'll hold them off long enough for you to get out of range and then we'll rendezvous at rally point Bravo."

"Aye sir."

"I was through the second layer of security, there was at least two more in my way.  The Revere will be alongside momentarily."  Tenis paused to gather her thoughts, "Major Tai's forces are falling back to the Roger Young.  I am sure they will not be too happy about having to abort after the blood starts to flow."

"Indeed, but the alternative is for them to take their objectives, only to lose it after the marine complements of two Orion cruisers come down on top of them."

"Sir."  The young ensign at the communications console turned with confusion written all over his face. "You just received a two word message. 'Please Deliver.'"

"What frequency did it come over, Ensign?"

"An older frequency, thirteen sir."

James became annoyed, "The exact frequency Ensign."

"Thirteen mark eleven, sir."

James nodded, and glanced at the chronometer on his console. "Mr. Clarke, you heard Captain Wesley.  You have the conn. Commander will you join me in my office?"

"Aye... sir..."  Clarke looked very confused, but wasn't about to argue.  Tenis looked at James quizically but said nothing as she headed for the turbolift.  She waited until the turbolift doors had closed before she said anything.  "Please Deliver?"

"It's her countersign, she responds with that phrase, the frequency the transmission is on is the time of her day that she will make contact.  In this case, in two minutes."  The turbolift doors opened and spilled them out onto deck two.

"Two Minutes, she is cutting it awefully close."

"We're a little further from the Klingon border than we normally are when I make this kind of inquiry."  The two stepped into the office, James sat behind the desk, Tenis took a chair in front of the desk.  James reached over and toggled a switch that would patch him into a secure connection directly to the Communications console.  He would field the next transmission without the Comm officer knowing. "During the conversation, I'd like you to keep silent.  If she believes that someone else is listening in, she might be a little upset."

"Understood."

A light blinked on his computer, James reached foreward and flipped a switch. A feline face appeared on the monitor, "Starfleet."  She stated flatly.

"Tigress." James responded. "I need your assistance."

She perked up slightly, purring her response, "What kinnnd of asssisstance?"

"The Orions have become a nuisance again, and they knew we were coming."

"Hmm...Interessting.  I may be able to help you.  What do you have to offffer?"

"Same as last time.  Food, Supplies, Spare parts."

"Not enough, I must insssissst on ssssomething more."

"We cannot supply you with weapons."

"Then I cannot help you."

"Wait...Wait..."  James hesitated, "How about Targeting Scanners?  I know your ships are armed with the antiquated Phaser-2s.  They can be retrofitted with our Targeting Scanners, making them the equivilant of the Phaser-1s deployed on most Federation and a few Klingon and Lyran Ships."

"Acccceptable."  The Lyran grinned, "Meet my Ssship at the K-1 Ssstation.

"I can be there in twelve days.  Payment will be delivered upon the successful conclusion of the mission."

"Done."

James reached over and closed the channel before sighing and turning to Tenis. "Captain Wesley should be pleased with that arrangement."

"How do you plan on getting to K-1, Saladin will be needed elsewhere."

"I'll have the shuttle Nuradin fitted with a Warp Sled.  She'll be able to get me to K-1 and back."

"I do not like the idea that you are going alone."

"I'll have Will come along.  He can watch my back."

"I would rather I watch your back."

"And I would rather have you here.  If I get in trouble, I feel safer with you leading the cavalry than with Will.  He's just not seasoned enough to handle it, not yet."

"And just what am I to do while your gone?"

"Whatever Captain Wesley asks you to do."

"I still do not like it."

[Grim Reaper]

Neither would I if my significant other decides to venture out into the vast expanse of space in a mere shuttle.

[Lieutenant_Q]

Future installments of Sword and the Targ will not be seen until the end of Economic War...I am sorry for the inconvience.

[Lieutenant_Q]

The interior of the small, normally sublight, shuttlecraft was roomy with all but three of the chairs taken out.  The Standard Federation Shuttlecraft normally could carry seven passengers. Today it was carrying only two.  Lieutenant William Clarke sat in the left console, updating the inventory list. While Commander James Atkinson was piloting the shuttle.  The Shuttlecraft had attached to its underside, the latest in Federation technology, a warpsled.  The warpsled was usually found at planetary Starbases that did not have their own Starship for running errands.  All Command Cruisers carried one as well, in case the Commodore or Admiral needed to abandon ship.  Captain Wesley lent the Lexington's warpsled to the Saladin's shuttle Nuradin. Starfleet was considering a new design of Shuttlecraft, dubbed the Mark Two Shuttlecraft, that would be capable of FTL flight without the need of a warpsled.  Unfortunately the size of such craft would prohibit their deployment on Starships.  The warpsled allowed Nuradin to maintain a speed of Warp Three.  Which would place their arrival at Deep Space Station K-1 in just outside of ten days.  James glanced over at William, "So what exactly did you bring along?  You've had your nose in that list since we left Saladin."

William glanced up, then back down at the list, "Two months worth of emergency rations, I packed a wide selection, so we don't get sick of eating one thing or another.  Four standard issue Lasers.  Two Phaser Rifles."

James' head snapped around, "Phaser Rifles?!  We're supposed to be undercover! Those things are so new they scream Starfleet!  Why'd you pack them?!"

William grinned, "The same reason why I packed a box of condoms...just in case."  James shook his head but said nothing, "Do you want to hear the rest of the list?"

"Not really, but I'd better know if you have something else packed away that's going to give me a heart attack."

William nodded, "Two long range distress beacons. Two emergency medical kits. Ten stun grenades.  Twenty high-explosive grenades. A couple kilos of thermite explosives. A Gauss Rifle.  The aforementioned box of condoms.  And a Disrupter Rifle."

"I'm not even going to ask where you got the Disrupter Rifle from."

"Good, because you won't like the answer."

"I'm not even sure if I want to ask why you packed all that stuff."

"I like to cover all my bases."

"Obviously.  What did you bring to do while in transit?"

"A few things, I loaded this PADD with a couple of computer games.  You?"

"All the paper work that has been building up since the start of the month.  With the Combat Operations we've been doing the last couple of weeks, I was wondering if I was going to have time to finish them before the brass started breathing down my neck for them."

"You're supposed to be thinking of this trip like a vacation...live a little."

"If I don't get the paperwork done, I'll be getting a vacation all right...it's called a desk job."

Silence filled the shuttle following that remark as both of them went to their respective PADDs.  Five minutes passed before William asked, "I forgot to bring a spare power cell for my PADD, did you bring an extra one?"

"Yes, I brought an extra one, but you can't use it.  My paperwork is more important than your entertainment."  James motioned towards the back, "I did bring along a technical manual if you're interested though.  Starfleet Intelligence's latest on the new Klingon D-7C Command Cruiser."

William's face brightened, "Really?!"

"Have fun."

William bounced out of his seat and ran back to James' satchel.  Sitting on top of the satchel was the spare power cell for his PADD, right beneath that was the Intelligence document.  He picked it up and thumbed it open.

"Don't forget to put your power cell on the terminal."

"Oh...right."  Will disconnected the power cell from his PADD and attached it to the power terminal in the rear compartment.  Satisfied that he'll have a full charge in a few hours, he grabbed the Technical Manual and sat down in his seat.  "Uh...Cap, since when did the Klingons get advanced Phaser Targeting equipment?"

"SI believes they got it a few months after we got it.  Because it was so close Intelligence can't rule out espionage."

"But if the Klingon's have had that for ten years, why don't more of their ships carry them?"

"Because they're expensive.  Starfleet gets almost all of their targeting systems from manufacturers on Earth.  Earth has always been able to build excellent computers, better than any other Federation Member.  The thing is, some of the critical componets used in computer construction are rare outside of the Terran system, and very expensive to create synthetically.  The Klingons have to spend a lot of money on building these.  Too much money, its speculated that the Klingons are actually stealing them from us and the Hydrans."  James had yet to look up from his paper work, a sign that William took as meaning he didn't want to be disturbed.  William looked back at the technical manual.

*****

A Federation Starship arriving at a Deep Space Station is not an unusual event.  A Federation Shuttlecraft, on the other hand, is.  Very few people are willing to take the risk of traveling near the Klingon border region in something as lightly armed as a shuttlecraft.  K-1 was a capable defense station, but was not designed to handle invasion defense, it was simply a way station for traders that provided anti-pirate protection.  Which meant that the station was officially nuetral territory.  Ideal for meeting someone clandestinely.  The Shuttle Nuradin was tractored into one of the Deep Space Station's landing bays.  Two men stepped out of the shuttlecraft once the bay was repressurized.  Niether man looked like they had shaved or showered in days, expected since shuttlecraft don't usually have the luxuries of a full bathroom.  It also allowed them to blend in with some of the more shadier persons on the station.  Which was helped further by the civilian clothing both men wore.  Slightly out of date if you were keeping up with the fashion trends on the Federation Core worlds.  They blended in almost seemlessly as they walked into the bar.  Almost.

"Captain Atkinson, welcome back.  I almost didn't recognize you."  The voice came from behind the bar, the human bartender was waving them over to her.  They strolled up quickly to the empty barstools and sat down.  A breif glance around told them that their cover probably hadn't been blown.  The few patrons still conscious around the room looked to be in no shape to remember anything that happened to them that night, let alone the name of one minor Starfleet Commander.  James fished out a fifty Federation Credit note out of his pocket and slid it across the table to the barkeep.  "What's this?"  The question died on her lips as James gave her a look of dissapointment.  She nodded and picked up the bill, she didn't bother to test it's authenticity, or place it in the till.  Instead she smoothly secreted the bill into the only place she had available, her cleavage.  "What can I get for you two travellers?"

"Saurian Brandy."  James held up his middle two fingers, and placed another twenty Federation Credit note on the table.  She snapped up the note and brought it over to the till.  In one smooth motion she quickly bent over and selected a flask of Saurian Brandy from a hidden stash underneath the bar.  The motion was designed to make anyone watching her believe that she had dropped the payment and was merely picking it up off the floor.  When she came up, she had produced a pair of glasses along with the flask, but she didn't bring them above the counter yet.  She filled the glasses with the brandy, and in another slight of hand move, placed them on the tray for the dispenser.  Only the most observant would have noticed that the drinks didn't come from the dispenser at all.  And only a few of her customers knew she kept a secret stash of better quality liquor under the bar.  She returned with both the drinks.

"A word of advice," she started as she placed the drinks in front of them, "Not many people use Federation Credits out here."  James shrugged as he pulled out of his pocket a handful of different currencies.  Hydran Pounds, Lyran Lynx, Orion Dollars, even a couple of Romulan Eagles, all told he had the equiviliant of six hundred Federation Credits in his pocket, factoring all the various exchange rates.  She nodded in approval as he put the carefully folded currency back into his pocket.  A loud crash filled the room, the barkeep looked over in the direction of the noise and scowled.  She vaulted herself over the bar and grappled with an obviously drunk Rigellian, before he could break another table.  James smirked as station security quickly entered the premises and hauled away the Rigellian.  She followed, presumably to file her complaint.

"Where did you get all that from?" Will asked after setting his drink down. "I've seen some of that stuff before, but never in person."

"Here and there."  James took a small swallow of his drink, "Federation Credits aren't all that popular, only Earth and Vulcan have completely abandoned their currency and moved to the Credit. Earth still had twelve different currencies, they couldn't agree on one, so they jumped at the chance to adopt the Federation Credit.  Vulcan thought that the use of an international currency was completely logical, and adopted it as well.  The rest, still prefer to use their own currency, and resist any effort by the Federation to force the change over.  Although the Federation Credit is good anywhere in the Federation, and must be honored by any business with a Federation Operating License, locals still prefer you deal in the local currency."

"What's the local currency out here?"

"There's four in place, besides the Federation Credit.  This is a Federation Deep Space Station, and as such the Federation Credit must be honored here.  The Lyran Lynx is considered local, but only because this is a favorite spot for Lyran-Federation Trade runs.  The Orion Dollar is good just about anywhere in the known galaxy.  Then there's the Klingon...uh...credit." James made an attempt to pronouce the Klingon currency but gave up and settled for credit.  "The Kzinti Cani is taken by some establishments here.  The fact that the Kzinti are fair weather friends to everyone except the Lyrans seems to put businesses on edge whenever they try to cash in their Canae."

"How long are we waiting for this contact of yours?"

James took another drink, "Not long.  I expect her to be here in a couple of hours."

"So what do we do in the meantime?"

"The Promenade has a few novelty shops.  You can browse for a bit.  The station administrator was going to come down here in a few minutes.  I intend to make sure that no one knows about the Nur being here while we're gone."  James used the shortened Nur instead of Nuradin as he lifted his glass to his lips.

"Where are we going?"

"If I knew that, I wouldn't need her now would I?"

Will looked down and hesitated before making his next statment, "I didn't bring any money with me."

"I didn't think you did.  You don't have to have money to browse.  If you find something you like while you're out, I'll loan you some cash when we get back."

"Right.  I won't be gone long."

"Don't hurry back."

[Grim Reaper]

I'm getting a Mos Eisley shade Han Solo bar feel. And whats the what on  a fed captain known on the shady fringes?

[Lieutenant_Q]

It's a Federation Space Station, Federation Starships have to make stops here every so often.  I figure its just something that a Cruiser wouldn't be called on to do very often, so its Destroyers and Frigates that make the routine calls.  The Cruisers are called in only if its really important. (Trouble with Tribbles)

[Lieutenant_Q]

"We will be enterrring orrrbit arround Rrrrigel VII momentarrrily."  The call from the Privateer's bridge had woken William up, when James signaled his acknowlegdement and closed the channel without saying a word, Will sat up and shot him an inquisitive glance.  James didn't pay him any attention, turning back to his PADD instead.

"Rigel VII?"  Will asked.

"Good Morning, Lieutenant."  James looked up from his PADD.  He was clearly taking some pleasure in something.  Then Will noticed, he had been asleep for almost twelve hours.

"I thought I asked you to wake me up if I overslept.  Sir."

"I tried, but I thought I was going to have to call sickbay and have them deliver a bodybag."  James tapped a few notes into the PADD before setting it down.  "On the plus side, I think that's the best sleep you've had since we left Saladin twenty days ago."

"Certainly feels like it."  Will rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, "But I still wanted to be up two hours ago."

"And I wanted you well-rested and alert, not groggy."  James handed him a cup of coffee.  "This is going to be a covert mission, nothing more than the Lasers, anything else and we arouse suspicion."  He reached over and put the PADD between the two of them, on it was the base layout.  "There's a lot of commercial traffic out here, but this appears to be the main trading hub for the Orion Cartel."

"And a good number of legitamite businesses as well."  Will mentioned between gulps of his coffee.

"Too many for Starfleet to move in and shut this place down.  The main base is actually ninety-nine percent legit, there's a secondary base buried beneath it.  Starships in orbit don't detect it because it is so close they mistake it as the sewer system for the main base.  As typical of most trading centers the base is shielded from commercial transporters, if we were on the Saladin we could punch right through it."  James pointed at a unsheilded site near Landing Pad D, "We'll beam down here, browse the stores for an hour or so, slowly making our way here.  To the access shaft.  The access shaft is guarded, but not overtly.  One of her crew will cause a small disturbance which will allow us to slip in."

"What are we expecting once we get inside?"

"We're not expecting an immediate fight, you notice Landing Pad E?"  Will nodded. "That connects to both the Legit base, and the Orion base underneath.  We can probably expect to find a lot of contraband underneath, and a lot of people willing to buy, and sell...things.  We should be able to blend in with the crowd, but because we came in through the access shaft, we won't get searched for weapons."

Will finished his coffee just as James was finishing, "How long are we expecting to be down there?"

"I'm not sure, we know where we need to be."  He pointed at a small room not far from the main area. "The problem is, we don't know how well it's going to be guarded, and if we start shooting, we're likely to get a couple hundred non-Orions attacking us, because they'll think we're here to arrest them as well."

"We're not here to arrest anyone."

"No, but they don't know that."  James changed the diagram on the PADD, "Fortunately, the room we're looking for has one enterance, so once we get in, we can barracade ourselves in if the need arises.  Our host is providing us with a Transporter booster, which should allow them to get a lock on us through the shielding.  I'd honestly feel a lot more comfortable if the Saladin was beaming us out of there, but she insists that her Transporter cheif is one of the best.  Hopefully we wont have to use it."

"Are you sure I can't at least bring the Disrupter?  It's small enough I could hide in my shirt."

"What would you use it for?  You'll have two Laser Pistols."

"Intimidation."

"If we do our jobs right, we won't need to be intimidating."

The computer buzzed, indicating that orbit had been acheived and that they were ready to beam the Starfleeters down.

"We'll grab a bite to eat while we're browsing.  Lets go."  James got up and headed for the door.  Will glanced over at the Disrupter Rifle, but followed him out the door.

****

The frozen tingle of a commerical transporter gave way to the hot and humid air inside the Base.  As typical of most trading stations, it wasn't designed to handle the amount of traffic it was handling and the support systems suffered.  They stepped out of the Transport area and into the main hall.  The place was busy, and crowded.  James hoped that once they got into the main area the density would drop slightly.  They worked their way into the main hall, finally able to at least swing their arms without striking someone else, they started down towards the food court.  About half way there, they were accosted by a very aggressive Tellarite electronic salesman.  Not wanting to draw any suspicion they took a look at his wares.  When the Tellarite started to boast of the quality of his stuff, and as to how superior they were to the Vulcan who sold similar wares in the other wing, James saw his chance. 

"Are you trying to swindle me with this obviously defective merchandise?"  He not quite yelled, but certainly wasn't trying to be quiet about it.

"Defective?!"  The Tellarite drew back in disgust, "You will not find a better system outside of the Terran system, but I do not know why I am wasting my breath on someone as unobservant as you!"

"Really?  Then why did I see that exact same model at a second hand store on Altair?"

"They obviously did not know what they had!"

"No, it's because that model is obsolete!  Sony came out with their latest version of this four months ago, you should be able to pick it up from their vendors out here in another couple of weeks.  But I'll bet the Vulcan had a contact and probably already has it!"

The Tellarite's eyes widened, "I will take ten percent off if you promise not to tell anyone."

"Thirty."

"Fifteen."

"Twenty-five."

"Twenty."

"Twenty-two."

"Done."

James paid the Tellarite, as he placed the device in a bag.  James thanked him and strolled back out into traffic.  Once they were far enough away Will glanced into the bag.  "Just what are you going to do with that?"

James shrugged, "We might need a bribe.  If not, it's something to do on the way back."

"There isn't a latest version is there?"

James snorted, "He didn't know what he had there, he had memorized the sales brochure.  When he closes down for the night he'll look to see when he can get the latest version.  Odds are he wont be able to.  He'll be angry, but we wont be here tommorow."

"I thought you didn't want to draw attention?"

"You draw attention by NOT arguing with a Tellarite."  James looked around, "What do you feel like for breakfast?  There's Andorian, Vulcan, Tellarite, Klingon! another Andorian, two Terran, a Rigellian, Three Orion, and a Deltan."

"I'm not feeling too adventurious, I'll have the Terran."

James fished out a ten Orion Dollar note and handed it to him.  "Coward. This is my Lunch, I'm going to go see what Klingon food is like."

"Better you than me."

James had his plate of gagh long before Will had even placed his order.  He sat down next to a pair of plants that he couldn't even begin to identify, he only hoped they weren't carnivorous.  From his position, he could see the access shaft, and more importantly he could see the Orion that was supposed to be guarding it covertly.  He began to have second thoughts about the Klingon food when he noticed that it was still moving, but he had pushed that aside.  Now he was having third thoughts...or more appropriately fourth thoughts.  Fortunately the Klingon did give him a Utensil, since it was his first time.  "Broaden your horizons James."  He muttered to himself as he took a fork full and stuffed it into his mouth.  The taste wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be, but the worms slithering down his throat almost made him throw it back up.  He fought to keep his stomach from wretching as Will sat down.

"Well, how is it?"

"Not bad."  James swallowed hard, "If you can get used to the fact that it's still moving," James swallowed again, "in your stomach."

"Not something I'm interested in getting used to."

When James felt that his stomach was going to cooperate some more, he gestured with his fork over towards the Orion he noted earlier. "He's not doing a very good job of hiding, I would think that he doesn't think that anyone would dare try to sneak in."  He scooped up another forkfull of gagh, steeled himself, and put it in his mouth.  It went down a little smoother this time, but he still had to fight his stomach to keep it down.

"How long do we have?"

"About fifteen minutes, then the fun really begins."

A scuffle from one of the wings of the complex drew everyone's attention, even the Orion.  James kept his eye on the Orion, running the possible scenarios in his head.  He shoveled another forkful of gagh into his mouth, and for a moment forgot about what he was eating.  He remembered quite quickly as the slithering worms hit his stomach and instantly caused it to lurch again.  William was devouring his food, and was almost done with his bacon and eggs.  James shoveled another scoop down and did his best to ignore his stomach.  He gestured his fork to the Orion, "If he moves, we go."

He moved, they went.

[Grim Reaper]

you'll probably need redundant stomachs for Gagh. That orion is not the only guard there, right?

[Lieutenant_Q]

As a matter of fact he was...but theres a reason for it 

[Grim Reaper]

the rest went to see the tell sell markting guy selling vacuum cleaners which also can do your dishes for only 30 dollars? Now for only 25 if you call now?

[Lieutenant_Q]

lol...no...no...

But I am sorry I can't put the next chapter up when I usually do.  My Computer is in about ten different peices right now patiently waiting to be carefully placed (and buckled) in to the back seat of my car.  I'm moving back to Houston, and a much faster Internet connection. 

[Scottish Andy]

You made it to Houston yet? It's been a couple of weeks...

[Lieutenant_Q]

Yeah... I suppose I should finish the chapter I'm on shouldn't I...

I haven't had much chance to do any writing at all since I got down here, so it would just be to the end of the chapter... 

[Lieutenant_Q]

The two starfleeters dropped down the shaft and into the smoke filled complex below.  Not wanting to linger for long they quickly merged with the rest of the traffic.  They waited a few moments to make sure that they were not noticed by the two Orions at the far end of the hall before they made their way deeper into the facility.  The atmosphere was different than it was upstairs, it was still overcrowded, but there was less of an attempt made to eliminate the irritants.  A few vendors were down here trying to sell contraband goods, Klingon Aphrodisiacs, Disrupters, Venus Drugs.  But few people were paying any mind as they strolled ahead to the ampitheater.  Will noticed something out of the corner of his eye.  "An Earth Starfleet Phase Pistol..."  He suddenly stopped to admire it, "I thought they got all of them when they recalled them back in 2175?"

The Vendor overheard, and prompty began his sales pitch, "Ahh, yes Starfleet did indeed recall all of them, and all but this one, a couple in Xindi Space and one that's turned up in Klingon Space were recalled.  That makes this a very rare item indeed.  Would you like to here the story behind it?"  The merchant paused briefly, but didn't allow either to answer. "An Earth ship had penetrated the borders of Orion territory, and an Orion Ship beamed off about a dozen of their crew.  One of them had this on them, it was removed by the transporter buffer, but since Earth Phase Pistols were not well regarded, it wasn't very expensive.  My father bought it for dirt cheap, that was before they found the...interesting side effects that Phase Particle Weapons had on Andorian physiology.  Starfleet attempted to correct the problem, but were unsuccessful and went to the simplier and safer Lasers.  They recalled the Phase Pistols, and had assumed that the ones they didn't get were destroyed.  Certain people have been inquiring about them, but Starfleet destroyed them, rather than storing them for a rainy day, making these weapons much sought after if someone's looking for a Biological weapon to use against Andorians."  He paused again to let the full story sink in, "I can see that you are a man who knows your way around a weapon, I can sell you this fine piece of Earther equipment, for ten-thousand Orion Dollars."

"Not interested.  Thank you."  James stated. Will looked at James as if he was going to plead a case.

"Five Thousand then."  The vendor returned.

James shook his head and gently nudged Will away.  Will hissed, "We should have at least taken it off the market."

"Do you have Five Thousand Orion Dollars to spend on that?"

"No."

"Neither do I.  We're here for one reason, and anything else is a potential obstacle to that objective."  The two men entered the ampitheatre, a large cavernous room lined with flood lights, fans, and...cages.  Inside some of the cages were living people, mostly female, but a few men and a few...others... filled them.  At the focal point of the ampitheatre was a large monitor that currently contained a countdown timer until the next auction begins.  Off to the side of the ampitheatre, tucked away to the point where it was almost hidden, was thier target.  A small door that led to the computer terminal they were looking for.  Standing in front of it however, was a 2.5 Meter tall Orion.  The man was also extremely bulky, his neck was easily the size of James' thigh.  If that didn't make him intimidating, the old style plasma rifle he cradled in his arms finished the aura.  James motioned his head slightly in the direction of the guard.

Will looked over at him, "How do we get by him?  I don't think a Laser set to stun would even faze him."

"And if we fired our lasers in here, we'd have everyone here scrambling to either kill us, or get the hell outta here."  James looked around,  "I think we're going to have to wait until the bidding begins, so...lets, uh browse, a bit."

They didn't browse for long, soon a buzzer sounded informing everyone that today's auction was to begin in five minutes.  As people began to fill into the ampitheatre's central area the Orion guarding the door relaxed slightly.  Suddenly another Orion ran over to the guard, whispered something into the guard's ear, and both Orion's ran off into the distance.

Will noticed first and got James' attention.  He started towards the door, but James grasped his arm and stopped him.  "Don't you think that's a little too convienent?"

"It's the best chance we're going to get."

"True..."  James conceded as they dashed off towards the door.  There was no complicated security device on the door, it slid open upon the touch of the panel.  "Way too easy."

"Let's make them pay for the arrogance."

"I'll get digging, signal the ship.  Have them send down some of your toys." James saw the evil grin flash on his Tactical Officer's face, shook his head slightly and turned his attention to the Computer.  He had only gotten a few keystrokes into the computer when a low baritone buzzer began to sound though the base.  "See if you can lock the door, Will."

"Already done, you want the Phaser or the Disrupter?"

"I'll take the Phaser."  James communicator chirped. "Go ahead."

"A Shield just came online, I can't keep the transporter lock on you."  Tigress paused momentarily. "And an Orion Cruiser has just locked it's phasers on us, I have to withdraw."

"Can you give me two minutes?"

"There's no way I can knock the Sheilds down in two minutes."

"Just give me two minutes."

"I'll do what I can."

Will looked over his shoulder, "You going to be able to take the shields down in two minutes?"

"No, but I'll have found the data we're looking for by then.

"But..."

"We're expendable Will."  James tapped a few more keystrokes. The information he was looking for suddenly popped up on the screen, and James didn't believe what it said.  "That dirty Pig... That sonova Bitch!"  James slammed his hand down on the console.  Will glanced over but didn't say anything.  James tapped a button on his data recorder and reactivated his communicator.  "Tigress, incoming databurst.  See that it gets back to Captain Wesley of the Starship Lexington, he'll have your payment."

"We have it, Good Luck."  The communicator went dead.

"They're trying to cut through the door, who was it?"

"Grall..."

"The Captain of the Revere?!"

James nodded.  "Think we can fight our way out of this?"

"Doubtful."

"Well, lets make it as painful for them as possible.  Take up a position behind that console over there."  Will began to move, "Does that Disrupter have a stun setting?"

"No."

"Good."  James took up a position behind the console he was working at.  "As soon as the door goes, start shooting."

The door fell to the ground with a thud, green disrupter bolts and red phaser beams shot into the hole.  Several screams were heard as the Orions on the other side were mortally wounded.  A few disrupter shots flew back through the hole but after a few minutes the firing stopped.  "We can't have gotten all of them. Can we?"  Will asked tenatively.

"Doubt it, those were just the ones that could get here quickly..."  He trailed off as he saw a ball thrown into the room.  "Grenade!"  They both tried to get their bodies behind cover, but the grenade detonated behind thier baracades.  James was thrown to the floor, he waited for the pain to flood his body, when it didn't happen he reached up to rub the bump on his head.  Only his arm didn't move.  Nothing moved.  He couldn't even move his eyes.  <i>Stun Grenade!</i>

A feminine shadow crept across his sight line, and a disembodied voice filled his ears, presumably belonging to the shadow.  "Well look what we have here.  A pair of Starfleet Officers.  Trajin didn't think you'd put up any fight if we let you get the data you were looking for.  I knew better, the fool is dead, and you two," she paused for effect, "are mine."  She finally brought her face into James' sight.  Jet black hair flowing down to her shoulders, black lips that were upturned in a smirk, all in all a very attractive Orion woman.  "The data was correct if that's what you're wondering, he was no longer useful to us.  Now, what do I do with the two of you?  There's plenty of people in the Klingon or Lyran Empire that would pay handsomely for a Starfleet Commander, and I guess your second officer would make a decent slave laborer."  She held up her left hand so that he could see it.  Tauntingly, she extended her index finger, the black nail paint glistened like it was still wet.  Very gently she used her nail to break the skin above his cheek bone.  Slowly she scratched her way down to his chin.  "Sweet Dreams," were the last words he heard.