CHAPTER 26
Supplemental
Go'hachar, Southern Continent
Hachar (Fu’puk II)
The increasingly older looking ruler asked, “Did General Vacham get the message out?”
Tohacha’s senior guardian gravely responded, “We’re not sure, Elder. However, we’ve lost contact with her submersible.”
The leader sighed and hung his head. Vacham knew the risks of sending the transmission. It was an opportunity they couldn’t ignore, however, once they located the spaceship. He quietly vocalized, “We are alone, then.”
Unwilling to let the Elder mope, Pasho offered, “I have spoken with Lord Nilu. We have agreed to organize a strike against he invaders.”
The older man looked up from under his dark brow, “This is not like the invasion of Do’Hachar all those years ago. Where ever we attack, the Klingons need only bombard us from space.” He morbidly admitted, “This is not about winning anymore. It’s about surviving. Perhaps we should accept our fate.”
“Elder, we mustn’t give up hope.”
Not wanting to hear the words, he continued, “They don’t kill populations that are not resisting.”
Pasho knelt down before the leader in order to see his eyes, “Elder, do not lose faith. As long as we can fight them, we should.” He stood, “I know I will not stop until I leave my body…even then, I will fight them.”
Slowly, Tahocha sat straighter. A hint of a grin formed on the old man’s wrinkled face. “Tell me of your plan.”
*****
Supplemental
Tolar’tu, Emperor’s Fortress
Qo’noS, Klingon System
The sky was greenish-blue and the clouds were dark. It was not the first time Worf walked up the stone steps to the ancient stone fortress.
Fire torches dimly lit the chambers. He passed several groups of chanting Klingons in the sacred place.
Rather than being a unifying force, as Worf had hoped years ago, Kahless’ clone -- or
Kahless the Second – was a divisive figure among Klingons. None the less, he had a loyal and growing following.
The figurehead emperor recognized the Son of Mogh, “Worf!” he called out.
Like most species, as Klingons grew more successful, the taller they became. Hence, the emperor was short in stature compared to most. It didn’t diminish his charisma; nor did his ceremonial status.
As was the custom, Worf knelt, “Emperor Kahless.”
The clone gave a dismissive wave, “Get up. You speak with me regularly, yet you insist on doing that.”
Worf returned upright, “I would speak with you again, Emperor.” He added uncomfortably, “I seek guidance.”
Kahless’ animal skin attire shifted as he crossed his arms, “Yes, I imaged you would.” He gestured, “Come. Let us sit around a fire.”
After settling in and taking a few drinks of warnog, Kahless asked, “So what troubles you, my friend.”
“Are you aware of our annexation of Fupuk II?” the ambassador quizzed.
Setting the cup aside, “I am.”
“I understand the need for the Empire to expand,” began Worf, “but I fear our warriors have become little more than marauders. They abuse their enemies. Their violations have become common place.”
The emperor nodded in understanding, “And a victory without honor is no victory at all.”
“Precisely.”
Kahless took another gulp, “Do I understand correctly, these…Hacharans cannot travel the stars, as we do.”
“They cannot.”
“But surely,” he continued, “they can offer resistance to our great battlecruisers.”
“No, Emperor.”
“Ahh,” said the clone, “but they do fight back?”
Silently, Worf nodded.
The stout figure got up and began to walk around the fire pit, “My…Kahless the Unforgettable’s…empire fell after…his death. Do you know why it collapsed?”
He gestured in the affirmative, “The Outsiders – the Hur’q – came. For three hundred years, the aliens pillaged our world.”
The Emperor dropped his pretence of ignorance, “I often wonder what would have happened to our people if the Outsiders never came.”
Worf considered, “But Emperor, without the Hur’q, we would not have gained warp drive and their advanced weaponry.”
“And dominated this region of space for hundreds of years,” he finished, “Yes, I know. But we did not gain that knowledge through our own efforts. We simply took it.” He sat back down on a bed of skins. “And the Klingon mind has stayed dormant.” He sighed, “Tell me, Worf, what advancement can Klingons truly call their own? Instead of a proud, independent race, we have become scavengers; more animals than men.”
The Son of Mogh dipped his head. He wanted to dispute the claim, but he knew he could not.
Kahless concluded, “Should we continue to do to others as the Hur’q did to us?”
*****
Supplemental
USS Destrier, Shuttlebay
Traveling at Warp Three
A Type-10 shuttle was the backdrop. Once again, bin Nadal’s team was clad in Klingon attire. The original team was heavy plus two: Windslow and Kojo. The five mock Klingons were joined by Commander Bolden.
Yitzhak’s confidence in the success of the mission was dashed when he realized the disgraced captain would be joining them. This operation was tenuous enough without the presence of someone who’s courage was…questionable at best. ‘If Windslow’s cowardice exposed them…’
Captain Kojo continued the briefing. “We will continue this course for another twenty minutes.” She gestured to a display of the Fu’puk System. “Then, we will go to the far side of the star and reenter the system. The ship will stay on the opposite side of the star in relation to the second planet.”
Shalev raised a hand, “That means the team will be out of contact with the Destrier, correct?”
Commander Bolden fielded the question, “No, we’ll deploy a relay probe protected with metaphasic shields and hide it in the star’s corona. If the situation becomes untenable, we’ll get you out of there, come hell or high water. I guarantee it.”
Kojo continued, “We’ll take this shuttle,” as she pointed to it. “It’s been rigged for silent running. In addition, Commander Windslow has suggested we use the star’s gravity in addition with a thruster burst to drift toward our target, to maximize our stealth. One of my security officers, Mr. Westin, will stay aboard the shuttle while we transport at long range to the Jev’Iw. From there, we’ll proceed. Any questions?”
“What if the Klingons are running with their shields up, Captain?” asked Windslow.
Carrick spoke slightly out of turn, “Not likely, Commander. There’s a lot of transporting going on, ship-to-ship and ship-to-surface.”
“If we’re discovered,” ventured the Perseus helmsman, “should we resist capture?”
“Absolutely,” the Kriosian captain stated as if it were a forgone conclusion, “This is not a Starfleet sanctioned operation.” She added in a matter of fact tone, “As of right now, I consider us guerrilla fighters, not Starfleet officers.”
The revelation was a wake up call for the team. They would be afforded no protection under the Khitomer Accords.
Once the ship was in place, Kojo began, "This is still a voluntary mission.” She looked over the personnel, “If you still choose to accept it, board the shuttle now. If you choose not to, exit the shuttlebay. No dishonor will come to you.” Her eyes lingered on Windslow.
Carrick was the first to reach the hatch. Shalev was close behind, though he glared back at Windslow. To his displeasure, he was only a few steps away. Then, Karim boarded.
Bolden caught up with Kojo as she moved toward the shuttle. “Captain, are you sure you want to do this?”
She looked back as if to say, ‘You know me better than that.’
The first officer relented as the hatch closed. It wasn’t long until the shuttle seemed to sink into the infinite chasm as it deployed.
END OF CHAPTER 26
However, Aurelia is maturing and learning as a captain. Loss and regret have a way of tempering youthful exuberance after a time.
Against orders, no less. If they're discovered by the Klingons, and fight really really hard, they may survive just long enough to be court-martialed by Starfleet.
I'm loving this... more please, and quickly!
