Chapter Six
Stardate 54357.2 (14 May 2377)
USS Dragonfire
En route to the Lancaster System
Captain’s log: Stardate 54357.2 – We have completed transfer of the Caitian survivors to the Chufhaal and have resumed course for the Lancaster system. The Caitian medical team that came aboard was cordial enough, but the underlying tension was all too apparent. They are justifiably angry over the lack of protection from Starfleet and the Border Service. Since we lost our sister ships, the T’Vor and the Cyclops in the Talarian Incursion, we are the lone ship patrolling this sector. I’ve been told two of the new Deepstar – class cutters will eventually be assigned to the Outland expanse, but those vessels are months from being ready. I do not believe the Caitian government will be willing to wait much longer, considering the escalating frequency and ferocity of Tzekethi attacks. I can only hope that we may be able to ‘persuade’ the Tzenkethi that such raids may prove too costly to continue.
Slayd saved and closed his log entry as Oracle the holographic cat regarded him with inscrutable green eyes.
“So what do you think of my plan, Oracle? Am I a genius or as mad as a Tivolian bat?”
Oracle remained silent, keeping his opinion private for the moment. Slayd’s combadge chirped.
“Slayd, go ahead.”
“I’ve assembled the senior officers, Artie. Ready when you are,” reported Commander Nor Huren.
“Thank you, Number One. I’ll be with you momentarily. Slayd, out.” Slayd gave the cat’s ears a vigorous rub, eliciting a rumbling purr of pleasure.
“Oracle, since you won’t share your opinion, I suppose I’ll have to throw the plan before my senior officers. Hopefully they won’t put me in restraints and toss me in a padded cell.”
“Meowww.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, Oracle. Nonetheless the plan has inescapable risks. Perhaps our reclusive Chief Engineer can provide a clear determination as to our chances of success.”
* * *
For only the second time, Dr. West stepped onto the bridge of the Dragonfire. He hesitated, unsure as to where to turn. Ensign Kwan was seated at Ops and gave him a surreptitious smile. She noticed his look of confusion and pointed at the door to the conference room. West smiled in gratitude and gave her a subtle thumbs-up gesture before entering the room.
Seated around a long conference table were the department heads of the Dragonfire. Commander Nor Huren was standing by the replicator as Lt. Commander Banton sipped a cup of coffee and nodded at something she was saying. Lt. Xevok, the Operations manager inclined his head in greeting while a Deltan female he had not met perused a PADD. Seated with his back to the viewport was a man with pale skin, gaunt features and a penetrating gaze. West thought the man looked like death warmed over.
The door slid open behind him and Captain Slayd nearly collided with West as he quickly entered the conference room.
“I do beg your pardon, Doctor,” said Slayd as he side-stepped the young CMO. “Thank you all for coming on short notice. I would like to introduce our new Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brian West. Dr. West, I believe you’ve met most of these upstanding officers with the exception of Lt. Yvessa, our Chief Helm Officer and Lt. Dmitri Korolev, our Chief Engineer.
Yvessa turned and smiled at West. “Doctor,” she said in a friendly, melodic tone. Korolev’s head barely moved in acknowledgment. The Chief Engineer remained silent, but his intense gaze made West feel somewhat uncomfortable. He swallowed as he took a seat, feeling decidedly out of place with the group of veteran officers.
“Um, hello,” he replied, awkwardly.
Slayd beamed at the Doctor as if he were a prized pupil. “Right! On to the business at hand – computer, display image Slayd oh-one.”
The display screen at the end of the conference room came to life, showing a tactical representation of the Outland expanse. The Regula system which contained the planet Cait was highlighted, as was a winding line that represented the border with Tzenkethi space.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is our area of operations. When we had three ships patrolling the expanse, it was a challenge. With only the Dragonfire, it has become untenable. Computer, display next image.”
Numerous flashing yellow circles appeared on the viewscreen. “These represent Caitian settlements, merchant stations and scientific outposts. As you can see, they are quite scattered, yet all are within fairly close proximity to the Tzenkethi border – making them attractive targets for marauders. Computer, show locations of Tzenkethi attacks from the past two years.”
Several red icons appeared on the screen – some overlaying the yellow circles, while others bisected shipping lanes.
“While the Tzenkethi government denies any involvement in these raids, there is no doubt they are providing at least tacit approval if not covert support. Over the past two years there have been 22 separate incidents. Initially, the attacks were harassment raids which quickly escalated into acts of piracy. Since the Talarian Incursion, these raids have devolved into brutal attacks of escalating violence with no other purpose than to murder and terrorize Caitian civilians. To our shame, we have yet to repel a single attack. Obviously, the Tzenkethi are emboldened as they have seen our lack of response. The Caitian government is understandably upset. To date, Starfleet’s only response is to suggest the Caitians reroute ships and abandon settlements – an unacceptable option for the Caitians. Our own rules of engagement hamper us. Even if we were to catch the bastards in the act, we cannot fire unless we are fired upon and we are forbidden to pursue the Tzenkethi into their territory.”
He paused to glance around the table at the morose expressions. Even the usually unflappable Xevok wore a frown of consternation. Slayd continued.
“The Caitians are no longer willing to accept excuses from Starfleet or the Border Service. I very much fear they are going to take matters into their own hands, which could very well instigate an inter-stellar war. I need not remind you that Starfleet is ill-prepared for another shooting war.”
“Maybe we should let the Caitians handle it,” mused Yvessa. “They have the motivation and the willingness.”
Nor Huren shook her head. “With what? A few dozen patrol ships and a handful of obsolete corvettes? One Tzenkethi frigate would make short work of them. And the marauder ships have ample fire-power too.” She shook her head. “The Caitians are brave, but they are badly over-matched. The Skipper is right – the fight between the cats would draw Starfleet in, sooner or later – and honestly? I’m not sure we could win.”
“But with our technological edge . . .” argued Yvessa.
Slayd shook his head. “It comes down to simple math. We’re spread too thin with too many potential hot-spots. The technology gap has narrowed since the last fracas with the Tzenkethi. They have a formidable fleet and numbers on their side, and they know it. If war were to break out, we’d likely put up a token show of force but once losses began to mount, I think the Federation would throw the Caitians under the shuttle, sue for terms and cede this sector to the Tzenkethi.”
West was stunned to hear such words. He had known that the Dominion war had been a very near thing, but the Federation and her allies had still prevailed. Surely the Federation would never surrender one of her member worlds.
“I believe the Captain is correct,” said Xevok, earning a dark look from Yvessa. “Logic dictates that the good of the many outweighs the good of the few. As distasteful as it may seem, it is unlikely that the Federation Council would risk a wide-spread conflict to preserve this sector.”
“So that’s it?” asked Yvessa, incredulous. “We just turn our backs on the Caitians? I cannot accept that!”
“Nor do I, Lieutenant,” responded Slayd, kindly. "That’s why I’ve called this meeting. I propose we make the Tzenkethi rethink their policy of harassment and intimidation by making them pay a heavy price for these raids.”
“How, Artie?” asked Nor Huren. “Like you said, the ROE limits our options.”
Slayd smiled. “True. But it’s also true that once one of the blighters fires on us, the gloves come off. When that happens, I intend to reduce one of their ships to sub-atomic particles.”
“And what chance is there of that?" queried Lt. Commander Banton. "Once they pick us up on their scanners, they will just scurry home at top speed.”
Slayd smiled and glanced at Korolev. “We will just have to provide a tempting target.”
Xevok frowned. “Captain, that still does not negate the fact that our presence would deter any marauder’s attack.”
“Not if we are the decoy.”
Nor Huren blinked. “Artie? Have you lost your mind? How do you propose we lure one of those little Tzenkethi gunboats to attack us? Offer them cat-nip and holo-porn?”
“Close, Number One. To the Tzenkethi, we will appear to be a fat and slow Caitian freighter with engine problems – a nice, juicy target filled with valuable cargo and helpless Caitian victims.”
The gathered officers stared at Slayd with expressions of doubt and surprise, save for Lt. Korolev who maintained his impassive gaze.
Xevok’s left eyebrow ticked upward. “You plan to envelope the Dragonfire in a holographic envelope?”
“Bravo, Mr. Xevok, bravo!” beamed the Captain.
* * *
I like the way this captain thinks. 
This Border Dog knows how to use his skills.
